It’s 2023 and that means it time to take look back at the 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD releases from 2022. Here are the Popcorn Cinema Awards 2022.
I’ll be handing out awards for the best that 2022 had to offer from the film and television releases.
Popcorn Cinema Awards 2022
Label That Goes The Extra Mile 2022
- Winner: Arrow Video
- Runner-Up: Powerhouse Films aka Indicator
This award always seems to be a straight contest between Arrow Video and Indicator. Both delivered a fabulous set of releases in 2022 along with excellent picture quality and in depth extras.
However it’s the Arrow Video label that takes the 2022 award for Label That Goes The Extra Mile. Their 4K and 2K restorations of classic films continues to impress.
The Label With The Most Consistently Interesting Releases
- Winner: Powerhouse Films aka Indicator
- Runner-Up: Arrow Video
Powerhouse Films aka Indicator had another good year in 2022. They released several excellent boxsets including Columbia Noir #5 Humphrey Bogart, Robin Hood At Hammer and Universal Noir #1 to mention just a few.
The year started off well with the release of two Peter Sellers films, Hoffman (1970) & The Blockhouse (1973) followed by The Devil’s Men (1976) starring Donald Pleasence & Peter Cushing.
Arrow Video again focused on lots of 4K upgrades including films such as 12 Monkeys, An American Werewolf in London, Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, RoboCop (1987), Videodrome and a few Dario Argento films.
Some of the interesting blu-ray titles included Lucio Fulci’s Demonia (1990), 70’s psychological horror Audrey Rose and the Anthony Perkins horror Edge of Sanity (1989).
Best 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release 2022
- Winner: Get Carter (1971) – BFI
How could it not be Get Carter? It’s probably my favourite film and its now in glorious 4K thanks to the BFI.
Other great films to get the 4K UHD treatment included Casablanca (1942), Planes Trains And Automobiles (1987), Poltergeist (1982), The Lost Boys (1987), Elf (2003), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) and the original Star Trek movies.
Noteworthy Mention
- Winner: Ghost Stories for Christmas Vol 1 Blu-ray (BFI)
Ghost Stories for Christmas Vol 1 was the perfect Christmas present, let’s hope the BFI releases volume 2 in December 2023!
Also worthy of mention are Ghostwatch which released on blu-ray via 101 Films and Nineteen Eighty-Four, starring Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasence, Andre Morell and Yvonne Mitchell which was another excellent release by the BFI.
Favourite Blu-ray Release of 2022
- Winner: Columbia Noir #5: Humphrey Bogart – Powerhouse Films (Indicator)
Powerhouse Films does a great job putting together its boxsets and Columbia Noir #5: Humphrey Bogart was a highlight of the year.
Favourite Television Blu-ray Release of 2022
- Winner: Doctor Who The Collection Season 2 (Blu-ray) – BBC
Best DVD Release 2022
- Winner: Carry On Christmas 4 TV Specials (Network)
- Runner-Up: Tales of Unease The Complete Series (Network)
Tales of Unease The Complete Series was another fabulous release and one I highly recommend you take a look at.
Best UK Television Channel 2022
- Winner: Talking Pictures TV (Freeview 82, Sky 328, Virgin 445, Freesat 306)
- Runner-up: That’s TV (Freeview 65, Sky 183, Freesat 178)
Talking Pictures TV is obvious choice for me, it shows many forgotten films and TV series. If like me you’re a fan of Laurel and Hardy, horror, sci-fi or any films from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80s then this is the channel for you.
Friday is horror night, whilst Saturday mornings are packed full of classic children’s TV. There’s always something of interest on each day so head over now to the UK’s best TV channel!
That’s TV is a TV channel on the up, it has TV series such as The Goodies, Russ Abbot’s Madhouse, What Ever Happened To The Likely Lads, In Sickness And In Health, Till Death Us, Do Part, Benny Hill, Sykes, A Bit Of Fry & Laurie, The Kumar’s and lot’s more.
Most Anticipated Announced Blu-ray Releases 2023 (So far)
| Dark Places (1973) | Nucleus Films |
| Death of a Gunfighter (1969) | Indicator |
| Father Brown Series 10 | Dazzler Media |
| Giallo Essentials Limited Edition | Arrow Video |
| Halloween Ends (2022) | Universal |
| Houdini (1953) | Houdini (1953) |
| Martin (1978) | Second Sight |
| Prey For the Devil (2022) | Lionsgate |
| The Big Gundown (1966) | Indicator |
| The Breakfast Club (1985) | Criterion |
| The Enforcer (1951) | Signal One |
| The Fighting Kentuckian (1949) | Signal One |
| The Pete Walker Heritage Collection | 88 Films |
| Villa Rides (1968) | Signal One |
| Yellowstone: Season 3 & 4 | Paramount |
Popcorn Cinema Awards 2022 – Final Thought
2022 has seen a lot more classic movies release on 4K Ultra HD which is good to see. That said I’m hoping the New Year will see plenty older titles being restored and brought to blu-ray.
Arrow Video and Powerhouse Films have continued release high quality blu-ray titles and that looks set to continue into 2023.
There’s been a new label to the UK market with Radiance Films bringing some interesting titles at the end of 2022. Their 2023 release slate should really see them make an impact and I’ll be looking forward to that.
Will all the current streaming services survive in 2023 or will we see a few merge? I can’t see them all continuing under the current model especially given the economic situation we are all living under.
Meanwhile Talking Pictures TV seems to be getting better every year! I especially enjoyed their Christmas 2022 line-up.
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