More Chuck Norris in HD: A Force of One & The Octagon Blu-rays - 8/6/12

[Katatonia]

Two More Chuck Norris Films Heading to Blu-ray

Anchor Bay-UK have officially announced that they will release two films starring action star Chuck Norris: Paul Aaron's A Force of One (1979) and Eric Karson's The Octagon (1980). Both films will be available for purchase online and in shops across the United Kingdom on August 6th.

A Force of One

A routine investigation by a crack team of undercover narcotic agents becomes anything but when a deadly assassin begins to eliminate the members of the squad one by one. In a desperate bid to identify the culprit, and to train its officers in the martial arts in order to defend themselves, the police force attempts to enlist the help of Matt Logan, a noted karate champion. Initially reluctant to become involved in any way, Logan soon changes his mind when his adopted son becomes the villain's latest victim. Driven by sheer vengeance, he vows to track down the psychotic serial killer and bring the reign of terror to an end in a climactic battle between good and evil.

Special Features:

• Making Of Featurette
• How America Changed Hollywood Forever
• Trailer
• TV Spot
• Director's Commentary

The Octagon

Scott James is a man haunted by memories, eerie flashbacks that plague both his waking and sleeping hours. The first is a childhood memory relating to the intense and rigorous combat training he and his best friend endured under the guidance of a mysterious martial arts master. The second is a far more painful recollection of loss, and one that has turned Scott away from his former life. But when a wealthy heiress convinces him to enter the fray once more, Scott finds himself drawn into an international terrorist organisation consisting of deadly ninjas, at the head of which is a close acquaintance from his past. Now it is up to Scott to confront his worst fears and battle a former adversary in the ultimate ninja showdown.

Special Features:

• Making Of Featurette
• How America Changed Hollywood Forever
• Trailer
• TV Spot
• Director's Commentary

These are UK releases, so time will tell if they'll be region locked or not.

[dave13]

i love that they're receiving a little love with the supplements. the octagon was a hilariously bad movie, i would love to own it. if for whatever reason its not region locked (aren't most anchor bay blu's locked?), then i'd definitely be tempted.

[Katatonia]

Both Blu-rays of these look really good, utilizing high bit-rates on dual-layered discs. The Force of One transfer is grainy, but accurate to the original source material. The Octagon is far less grainy, and the better transfer of the two. Both are definitely superior to the old DVD editions, and I didn't notice any DNR, edge sharpening, or other digital tinkering.

On the audio side, we get a choice uncompressed PCM 2.0 or lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

All of the old extras are ported over, plus audio commentaries from each of the directors (both uncompressed PCM 2.0) — which are new.

These are both region "B" locked. I tried them in an "A" player and a region message comes up on the screen.

Anchor Bay US may be crappy now, but Anchor Bay UK can still do fine licensed releases of genre films.