🎬 Blu-ray Bounty – June 2025 Edition
4K Gems That Deserve a Spot on Your Shelf
Welcome to Blu-ray Bounty, your monthly pit stop for all things 4K and collector-worthy. If you’re new here—welcome aboard! We’ve been diving deep into 4K Blu-ray releases since November 2024, sorting through what’s worth spinning and what’s better left on the shelf. You can check out past editions.
This month’s lineup features three standout titles that bring more than just cinematic weight—they deliver real punch in the picture and sound department. And yes, we’ve got a bit of a new rig running the tests.
We’ve officially retired our beloved Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV (farewell, legend) and switched over to the LG G5, one of 2025’s top-tier OLEDs. Also in rotation this month is the Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-ray player, subbing in for our usual Panasonic UB820. Holding it all together? The ever-reliable Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar setup.
As always, I’m focusing on technical performance, not the films themselves—this is about whether these discs earn their place in your collection, visually and sonically.
🏰 Kingdom of Heaven (2005 – Director’s Cut)
Ridley Scott’s sprawling epic returns in glorious 4K—this time with the Director’s Cut that adds a hefty 45 minutes of story and character depth. It’s a noticeably richer narrative, and the visual presentation here really does justice to the scale.
On the LG G5, the film is a stunner. The contrast is exceptional, especially in scenes where torchlight or fire cuts through pitch-black shadows. The Dolby Vision HDR gives a noticeable boost to colors—deep reds, gilded edges of armor, and intricate textures in costuming pop with vibrancy.
Fine details shine too: the weathered grit on Orlando Bloom’s face, the ornate stone of Jerusalem’s architecture—it all comes through crisply without appearing digitally scrubbed.
Sound-wise, the Dolby Atmos mix is no slouch. Dialogue remains clear even in the chaos of battle, and surround effects are immersive, especially when arrows whistle past or swords clash behind you. If you’ve got a subwoofer, the horse charges will absolutely rattle the floor.
Final verdict: This release nails both visual fidelity and immersive sound. A must-have if historical epics are your thing—or if you’re just hunting for a disc that shows off what your setup can really do.
🚇 The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974)
Next up, we go from medieval battlefields to gritty ‘70s New York with this sharp new 4K restoration from Arrow Video. Walter Matthau’s gruff charisma still holds up, and the transfer gives this classic crime drama the respect it deserves.
Visually, the disc leans into texture. Whether it’s the grime of the subway walls or the patterned chaos of Garber’s shirt (seriously, that thing deserves its own credit), detail is top-notch. Color grading walks a fine line: it preserves the muted tones of the era but finds new life in pops of yellow cabs and police car blues. Again, Dolby Vision helps balance vibrancy without looking artificial.
The underground scenes are a particular highlight. Black levels are impressively deep, and the transfer avoids any noticeable crush, keeping detail intact even in the darkest corners.
On the audio front, Arrow offers both a mono track and a new 5.1 remix. The mono is serviceable—clear enough, though you’ll likely have to nudge the volume a bit. The 5.1 version is more robust, with a fuller soundstage and added oomph. The subway rumble feels weighty, and ambient sounds give the city a palpable presence.
Final verdict: A smart, respectful remaster that brings this cult classic into the modern home theater world. Definitely worth grabbing if you like your thrillers with grit and style.
💭 Wrapping Up
June brought a great mix—sweeping historical drama and taut city-set tension. What ties these releases together is the care and craftsmanship behind the 4K presentation. Both titles make excellent showcases for home theater gear, whether you’re testing a new OLED or just revisiting a favorite with fresh eyes.
We’ll be back next month with another batch of Blu-ray picks. In the meantime, if you snag either of these, let me know how they look on your setup. And if you’re still rocking your old TV, trust me—this might be the push you need to upgrade.
Until next time, happy collecting and enjoy the show.
