- 'Back to the Future,' 'Back to the Future Part II,' 'Back to the Future Part III' Available Individually for the First Time on DVD February 10, 2009
- BD-Live-exclusive online chat with Hellboy II director Guillermo Del Toro is this Sunday!!
- Warner launches new website, WarnerBlu with massive sweepstakes
- 'Serenity' finally coming to Blu-ray this December!
- The Day the Earth Stood Still coming to DVD and Blu-ray disc
- The Dark Knight comes to Blu-ray and DVD December 9th
Got News to report? Send it to:
Warner Home Video Offers Blu-ray Loyalty and HD DVD Trade Up Program!
4.22.2009 16.22
This is pretty exciting news! Here's the press release:
Burbank, Calif., April 22, 2009 – Warner Home Video (WHV) has announced the launch of two new programs, “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free,” the Studio’s first-ever Blu-ray Disc™ customer loyalty program, and an HD-DVD trade up program, “Red2Blu,” which offers HD-DVD owners the opportunity to upgrade their Warner Home Video releases on HD-DVD for a Blu-ray Disc of the same movie.
For those who have chosen to watch movies at home the best way possible, with the picture and sound that you can only get on Blu-ray Disc, the new “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free” program offers consumers one free Blu-ray movie for every five participating titles purchased through April 6, 2010 (shipping and handling not included). “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free” is open to residents in the United States and Canada.
To join “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free,” consumers register at Warnerblu.com/rewards. After joining, members earn one credit for each subsequent WHV Blu-ray title they purchase. Once their Blu-ray title is registered, their Warnerblu account is credited, and when they reach five Blu-ray titles, they will be able to select a free WHV Blu-ray Disc (plus shipping and handling).
The first participating Blu-ray release is Yes Man, released on April 7. For details and restrictions and a list of upcoming participating WHV titles, visit WarnerBlu.com/rewards.
In addition to “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free,” WHV has announced a new program, “Red2Blu,” for those who want to upgrade titles they currently own on HD-DVD to Blu-ray. By visiting Red2Blu.com, consumers can trade up virtually any of their WHV HD-DVD titles (up to 25) for the same title on Blu-ray for a small fee plus shipping and handling. For details and restrictions, visit Red2Blu.com. “Red2Blu” is available to residents of the United States only.
Also, to promote the launch of “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free,” WHV is launching the “Blu-ray Today” sweepstakes, featuring a grand prize of $5,000. Once they enter the sweepstakes, customers can return to the web site every day for additional entries (one per day). The “Blu-ray Today” sweepstakes runs now through April 6, 2010 on WarnerBlu.com.
To register for “Warnerblu Buy 5 Get 1 Free,” to take advantage of “Red2Blu,” and for more information on the sweepstakes, visit Warnerblu.com/rewards or Red2Blu.com.
--R. L. Shaffer
'Back to the Future,' 'Back to the Future Part II,' 'Back to the Future Part III' Available Individually for the First Time on DVD February 10, 2009
2.01.2009 03.00
According to Universal's Back the Future website, the Back to the Future trilogy will be coming to DVD in all-new individual DVD sets, with brand-new never-before-seen bonus materials! No word yet on whether these will hit Blu-ray, but I imagine they'll be coming within the next year or so.
Here's the official press release and a look at the box art:
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a blast from the past, present and future -- three popular favorites available for the first time separately from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on February 10, 2009: "Back to the Future," "Back to the Future Part II" and "Back to the Future Part III." These are absolute classics for any DVD collection.
"Back to the Future," the first in the series, is a special two-disc set that includes Back to the Future: The Ride for the first time ever on DVD in which fans can experience the complete Universal Studios theme park attraction including lobby monitor and pre-show footage. Also included is Looking Back to the Future, a brand-new 45-minute documentary featuring director Robert Zemeckis, making-of featurettes, deleted scenes and other bonus materials.
One of the most successful cinematic franchises created, with over $418 million in combined domestic box office grosses, the "Back to the Future" films -- all executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy, produced by Neil Canton, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Bob Gale -- broke the mold of traditional adventure-comedy films and left an indelible mark on popular culture that still resonates among a huge fan base. The spectacular success of the original 1985 "Back to the Future," which won the Academy Award(TM) for Best Sound Effects Editing and was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound and Best Song ("Power of Love"), catapulted the film careers of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson.
The impact of the first film inevitably led to the futuristic 1989 "Back to the Future Part II," featuring early roles in the then-budding careers of actors Elizabeth Shue, Billy Zane, Jason Scott Lee, and Elijah Wood; and the 1990 "Back to the Future Part III," featuring Oscar(R)-winning actress Mary Steenburgen and set in the Old West with an innovative mixture of sci-fi, western and romantic elements added to the familiar comedic adventure theme.
"BACK TO THE FUTURE" DVD FEATURES
The magic and wonder of the entire "Back to the Future" films is explored in over 10 hours of bonus materials. Bonus features include "The Making of Back to the Future I-III," "Deleted Scenes," "Outtakes," "Feature Commentaries with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton" and much, much more.
SYNOPSIS
From the Academy Award-winning team of Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis comes "Back to the Future" -- the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever. When teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), he finds himself mixed up in a time-shattering chain reaction that could vaporize his future -- and leave him trapped in the past. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, "Back to the Future" is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time!
BONUS FEATURES:
Disc 1:
The Making of Back to the Future
Making the Trilogy: Chapter One
Q&A with Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale
Enhanced Conversation with Michael J. Fox
Feature Commentary with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Did You Know That? Universal Animated Anecdotes
Original Makeup Tests
Production Archives
Excerpts from the Original Screenplay
Theatrical Teaser Trailer
Cast & Filmmakers
Production Notes
Special Announcements
Disc 2:
Back to the Future: The Ride
Looking Back to the Future
Back to the Future Night
"Back to the Future Part II": Brace yourself as the most spectacular time-travel adventure ever continues in "Back to the Future Part II" -- the sequel that proves that lightening can strike twice! Picking up precisely where they left off, Marty and Doc (Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd) launch themselves to the year 2015 to fine-tune the future and inadvertently disrupt the space-time continuum. Now, their only chance to fix the present is by going back to 1955 all over again before it is too late. From the Academy Award-winning team of Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, "Back to the Future Part II" proves true excitement is timeless!
BONUS FEATURES:
The Making of Back to the Future Part II
Making the Trilogy: Chapter Two
Q&A with Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale
Feature Commentary with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Did You Know That? Universal Animated Anecdotes
Production Design
Storyboarding
Designing the DeLorean
Designing Time Travel
Hoverboard Test
Evolution of Visual Effects Shots
Production Archives
Huey Lewis & The News "Power of Love" Music Video
Theatrical Trailer
Cast & Filmmakers
Production Notes
"Back to the Future Part III": The most popular time-traveling movie trilogy ever comes to a rousing conclusion in "Back to the Future Part III!" Stranded in 1955 after a freak accident, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) discovers he must travel back to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) before he becomes smitten with schoolteacher Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen). Now, it's up to Marty to keep Doc out of trouble, get the DeLorean running, and put the past, present and future on track so they can all get back to where -- and when -- they belong. From the Academy Award-winning team of Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, "Back to the Future Part III" is a spectacular grand finale to the timeless blockbuster series!
BONUS FEATURES:
The Making of Back to the Future Part III
Making the Trilogy: Chapter Three
Q&A with Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale
Feature Commentary with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
Deleted Scene
Outtakes
Did You Know That? Universal Animated Anecdotes
Designing the Town of Hill Valley
Designing the Campaign
Production Archives
The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy
FAQ's About the Trilogy
ZZ Top "Doubleback" Music Video
Theatrical Trailer
Cast & Filmmakers
Production Notes
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Copyright: (C) 2009 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Rating: All three films rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested -- some
material may not be suitable for children)
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98 each
Running Times: "Back To The Future" -- 1 hour, 56 minutes
"Back To The Future Part II" -- 1 hour, 48 minutes
"Back To The Future Part III" -- 1 hour, 58 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen
*************
Follow DVDFuture on TWITTER for the latest in Blu-ray and DVD news and reviews!
If you have any scoops, news or rumors that you’d like to see here, feel free to EMAIL ME and let me know.
--R. L. Shaffer
BD-Live-exclusive online chat with Hellboy II director Guillermo Del Toro is this Sunday!!
11.21.2008 12.04
PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST-EVER LIVE CHAT POWERED BY BD-LIVE WITH VISIONARY DIRECTOR GUILLERMO DEL TORO, DIRECTOR OF "HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY"
CHAT WITH GUILLERMO ON NOVEMBER 23, 2008
WHAT:
World-renowned filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro will participate in an exclusive, first-ever live director’s chat powered by BD-Live, only on Blu-ray Hi-Def.
WHEN:
Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 6 p.m. PST
TO PARTICIPATE:
Step 1: Log on to www.UniversalHiDef.com to create a user name and password - or - login if already registered.
Step 2: Once registered, in “My Account,” select the “Directors Chat” tab to submit up to three questions.
Step 3: Connect your Blu-ray™ player to the Internet and chat with Guillermo Del Toro on November 23rd!
--R. L. Shaffer
Warner launches new website, WarnerBlu with massive sweepstakes
11.14.2008 23.34
WARNER HOME VIDEO LAUNCHES WARNERBLU.COM WITH 100 DAYS OF BLU-RAY SWEEPSTAKES
Beginning November 13, Visitors to WarnerBlu.com Can Enter to Win a Blu-ray Home Theater System and 100-disc Blu-ray Library
Burbank, Calif., November 13, 2008 - To promote WarnerBlu.com (www.warnerblu.com), a new web site that showcases Warner Bros. extensive catalog of movies available on Blu-ray Disc, Warner Home Video is launching the 100 Days of Blu-ray Sweepstakes, featuring a grand prize Blu-ray home theater system and 100-disc Blu-ray library.
Designed by Warner Bros. Advanced Digital Services, the 100 Days of Blu-ray Sweepstakes will run from November 13, 2008 through February 20, 2009 on www.wb.com. This innovative sweepstakes offers players the chance to win multiple bonus entries in addition to their daily entry in their quest for the grand prize. Bonus entries can be scored by participating in a trivia game related to Warner Bros.' featured Blu-ray title of the day. Also, Warner Bros. will award the featured title of the day to one lucky winner each day.
WarnerBlu.com is a one stop destination for consumers who want to learn more about Blu-ray, browse the expansive number of Warner titles available on Blu-ray Disc, see what titles are coming soon, look for special offers, and make purchases to build their home library.
To see what this new site has to offer and for more information on the 100 Days of Blu-ray Sweepstakes, check out WarnerBlu.com.
About Warner Home Video:
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
*************
Follow DVDFuture on TWITTER for the latest in Blu-ray and DVD news and reviews!
If you have any scoops, news or rumors that you’d like to see here, feel free to EMAIL ME and let me know.
--R. L. Shaffer
'Serenity' finally coming to Blu-ray this December!
11.07.2008 12.13
Browncoats can finally rejoice! Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring "Serenity" to Blu-ray on December 30th. It's about time. The disc will be housed on a BD50 disc, in 1080p. A DTS-HD Master Audio mix will also be included.
It also appears that this set will include ALL of the bonus material included on the two-disc DVD re-release of "Serenity" that was released about a year or so ago. Plus, there will be all-new BD-exclusive goodies. Frankly, I can't wait!
Extras for this release include:
* Alliance Database
* U Control:
--Mr. Universe Compendium
--Digital Tour of Serenity
--Picture in Picture
--Visual Commentary with Writer/Director Joss Whedon & Cast
* BD Live: My Scenes Sharing
* Feature Commentery with Writer / Director Joss Whedon
* Feature Commentary with Writer / Director Joss Whedon & Cast Members Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau and Ron Glass
* Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Joss Whedon
* Future History - The Story of Earth That Was
* What's In A Firefly
* Re-Lighting The Firefly
* A Filmmaker's Journey
* We'll Have A Fruity Oaty Good Time!
* Extended Scenes
* Take A Walk On Serenity
* The Green Clan
* Session 416
--R. L. Shaffer
The Day the Earth Stood Still coming to DVD and Blu-ray disc
10.03.2008 11.37
Here's a fresh press release to enjoy...The Day the Earth Stood Still on DVD and Blu-ray...see the classic before Scott Derrickson inevitably destroys the remake with his terrorist brand of neo-apocalyptic filmmaking:
******
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL -- SPECIAL EDITION
Academy Award®-Winning Director Robert Wise’s Original Masterpiece Lands Onto Blu-Ray Disc And DVD December 2 From Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Packed With Out-Of-This-World Bonus Material, Including An Exclusive First Look At The New Movie THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Starring Keanu Reeves And Jennifer Connelly
CENTURY CITY, Calif. – The fate of the world hangs in the balance when a mysterious alien and his robot land on Earth in THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, debuting as a Special Edition Blu-ray Disc (BD) and two-disc DVD on December 2 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Directed by two-time Academy Award®-winning* director Robert Wise (The Sound of Music, West Side Story) and starring Oscar®-winner** Patricia Neal (Hud) and Michael Rennie (Les Miserables), this 1951 classic story of hope and peace is widely acclaimed as one of the most influential and thought-provoking science-fiction films of all time and can now be seen like never before – in high definition.
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition BD will contain two never-before-seen, high-definition BD exclusive features: “Gort Command!,” an arcade-style shooting gallery game and “Interactive Theremin: Create Your Own Score,” where viewers can re-score the film’s opening sequence. Both the BD and DVD versions of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition feature all-new and exclusive bonus materials including legendary composer and Academy Award®-winner*** Bernard Herrmann’s isolated score; film and sci-fi featurettes – including a “Making Of The Day The Earth Stood Still” and “Decoding Klaatu Barada Nikto: Science Fiction As A Metaphor” – an audio presentation of the original short story; commentaries from Robert Wise and other film and music historians; and more.
Arriving in time for the theatrical release of its 2008 remake starring Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) and Academy Award® winner**** Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition Blu-ray Disc will be available for $34.99 U.S. / $37.99 Canada and the two-disc DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $19.98 U.S. / $21.98 Canada.
* 1962: Best Director (West Side Story); 1966: Best Director (The Sound of Music)
** 1964: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Hud)
*** 1941: Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture (The Devil & Daniel Webster)
**** 2002: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (A Beautiful Mind)
Synopsis:
A spaceship lands in Washington D.C., capturing the attention of the world. But the alien emissary it brings refuses to reveal his mission to any single government, leaving the military, the politicians, and millions of ordinary people to wait in fear. Soon their distrust turns to calls for violence. But one young woman and her son befriend him…and soon realize that they may be all that stands between the human race and total destruction.
Blu-ray Disc Specs:
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition BD release will be authored in BD-Java with AVC (MPEG 4) compression on a dual-layer 50 GB disc presented in full frame format (1.33:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, English Mono and Spanish/French 5.1 Dolby Digital audio with English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin and French subtitles. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition BD includes the following special features:
** New: Exclusive First Look At The New Movie The Day The Earth Stood Still Starring Keanu Reeves And Jennifer Connelly
** New & Exclusive To BD: Interactive Theremin: Create Your Own Score
** New & Exclusive To BD: Gort Command!: Interactive Game
* Commentary by Robert Wise and Nicholas Meyer
* New: Commentary by Film & Music Historians John Morgan, Steven Smith, William Stromberg and Nick Redman
* New: Isolated Score Track
* New: The Mysterious, Melodious Theremin
* New: The Day The Earth Stood Still Main Title Live Performance By Peter Pringle
* New: The Making of The Day the Earth Stood Still
* New: Decoding “Klaatu Barada Nikto”: Science Fiction as Metaphor Featurette
* New: A Brief History of Flying Saucers Featurette
* New: The Astounding Harry Bates Featurette
* New: Edmund North: The Man Who Made the Earth Stand Still Featurette
* New To Disc: Race To Oblivion: A Documentary Short Written And Produced By Edmund North
* New To Disc: Farewell To The Master: A Reading By Jamieson K. Price Of The Original Harry Bates Short Story; Audio Only
* New: Interactive Pressbook
DVD Specs:
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition DVD is presented in full screen format (1.33:1 aspect ratio) with English Mono, English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Spanish and French Mono, plus English and Spanish subtitles. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL Special Edition DVD includes all of the above bonus features, with the exception of the two noted BD exclusives.
*************
Follow DVDFuture on TWITTER for the latest in Blu-ray and DVD news and reviews!
If you have any scoops, news or rumors that you’d like to see here, feel free to EMAIL ME and let me know.
--R. L. Shaffer
The Dark Knight comes to Blu-ray and DVD December 9th
9.28.2008 11.56
The Dark Knight comes to Blu-ray and DVD December 9th
In Warner's first-ever major Blu-ray push, "The Dark Knight" will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD this fall, with several major additions to the Blu-ray disc as well as the seal of approval from director Chris Nolan.
On Blu-ray, the two-disc set will be authored on two BD50 dual-layer discs, boasting a high-res Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track on the film and, I assume, VC-1 video. The disc will support two aspect ratios--one for the IMAX sequences, 1.70:1, and 2.40:1 for non-IMAX sequences.
On the special features front, the disc will house a PiP video track, two documentaries, a digital copy, 6 unedited 'Gotham Tonight' news sequences and a series of still galleries. "The Dark Knight" will also stand as Warner's first foray into BD-Live, which could allow for additional special features. None were listed in the first official press release.
Here's a look at the artwork:
A limited edition version of the set will also be available that comes with a cool looking replica of the Bat-Pod. Here's a look at that artwork:
The DVD will be available in two versions, a movie-only edition and a two-disc special edition. Warner was vague on what special features would appear on the two-disc set, but they will likely mirror the Blu-ray disc with a few exceptions, like the PiP video track and BD-Live. This version also doesn't seem to support the 1.70:1 aspect ratio for the IMAX sequences. Stay tuned for more details.
Stay tuned for more details on this awesome release and be sure to look for my review in the coming months!
*************
Follow DVDFuture on TWITTER for the latest in Blu-ray and DVD news and reviews!
If you have any scoops, news or rumors that you’d like to see here, feel free to EMAIL ME and let me know.
--R. L. Shaffer