NOTE: The below Blu-ray and 4K UHD captures were taken directly from the respective discs.

ADDITION: Kino 4K UHD (November 2024): Kino have transferred William Friedkin's Bug to 4K UHD and Blu-ray. The 4K UHD is cited as being from a "Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative". Kino second disc Blu-ray (also sold separately) is described as a "Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative" and has the video supplements.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

The 2160P image quality is not a dramatic upgrade although the resolution improvement was very apparent. Color schemes are generally similar in all three formats and the 2160P and 1080P image has more information than the 2007 DVD (reviewed HERE.) It can look a shade waxy at time but I don't suspect digitization although grain textures are clunky. I could visibly see the improvement on my system. 

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages recently: North By Northwest (software uniformly simulated HDR), Paper Moon, Bob le Flambeur (NO HDR applied to disc),  Play Misty for Me (software uniformly simulated HDR), Signs (software uniformly simulated HDR), A Simple Plan (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fright, The Tenant (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gummo, Demon Pond, Happiness, Cheeky (software uniformly simulated HDR), Produced By Val Lewton , The Long Good Friday, The Ladykillers (software uniformly simulated HDR), Torso (software uniformly simulated HDR), All of Us Strangers, Last Year at Marienbad (NO HDR applied to disc), Peril & Distress (And Soon the Darkness / Sudden Terror) (NO HDR applied to disc), The Case of the Bloody Iris (software uniformly simulated HDR), Reptilicus (software uniformly simulated HDR), Risky Business (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Conversation (software uniformly simulated HDR), Perfect Days, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) (software uniformly simulated HDR), Le samouraï  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Castle of Blood (software uniformly simulated HDR), Pat Garret and Billy the Kid (HDR), Fist of Legend (HDR), American Gigolo (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Long Wait (no HDR,) Bound (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Valiant Ones (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mute Witness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Narc (software uniformly simulated HDR), Peeping Tom (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Terrors House of Horrors (software uniformly simulated HDR), High Noon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion) (software uniformly simulated HDR)  

NOTE: We have added 40 more large resolution 4K UHD captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their 4K UHD and Blu-ray, Kino offer the option of DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) or a 2.0 channel stereo in the original English language. Bug has aggressive moments that come through with modest depth and score by Brian Tyler (John Dies in the End, Columbus Circle, Bangkok Dangerous, Timeline) with additional music by Serj Tankian, lead singer of the rock band 'System of a Down'. The end title song "Disappearing Act" was written and performed by Chris Cornell with additional music in the film by Chainsaw Kittens, The Backsliders, Susan Tedeschi, Jerry Leiber, The Coasters, Alvin Robinson, Los Tigres del Norte, Leon Russell. The audio is impressive for the film's subtleties exported expertly by the lossless. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE 4K UHD and Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

The Kino 4K UHD and Blu-ray offer the 2007 commentary by, a deliberately-paced, William Friedkin where he talk about themes of sanity, paranoia - the mysteries of the characters; Agnes (Ashley Judd) and Peter (Michael Shannon), that he first saw Shannon performing on stage, his meeting with Harry Connick Jr. , the arrival of the character Dr. Sweet (Brian F. O’Byrne), Tracy Letts' screenplay and much more. He's always interesting and very frank. Relegated only to the Blu-ray; is a 1/2 hour 'Discussion with William Friedkin' (he responds to queries about his limited output considering he has been making features since 1966 and his immense studio popularity in the 70's and 80's) and dozen minute introduction (with various cast and crew discussing their theories of the narrative) - both on the 2007 DVD. Lastly is a theatrical trailer. There is a reversible cover (see below.)

William Friedkin's Bug has the probing question of whether there are any bugs. Tracy Letts' screenplay, from his own play, is quite brilliant. Proudly we acknowledge that Pulitzer Prize-winning Letts is a DVDBeaver patron. I'm honored.  We are introduced to hard-drinking waitress Agnes (Ashley Judd - Eye of the Beholder), hiding from her violent ex-con ex-husband, Jerry (played by singer, pianist, composer Harry Connick Jr.,) her lesbian buddy R.C. (Lynn Collins - The Walking Dead) and intellectual, Gulf War veteran, drifter Peter (Michael Shannon - Take Shelter). Friedkin admits himself in the commentary that he is unsure whether Peter’s story is true or a paranoid fabrication. This is certainly a film that improves with repeat viewing. The first time I watched it - on DVD - I didn't know what to think although I enjoyed the verbal discourse, occasional black comedy, and essential performances. Conspiracies, delusion and a dingy motel room. Nice to see this get a 4K UHD release from Kino. Absolutely recommended.

Gary Tooze