There are 208 articles of news to review.
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'10,000 BC' roars to DVD and Blu-ray on June 24th
4.15.2008 17.38
Warner is set to release the big budget Roland Emmerich action epic, "10,000 BC" on DVD and Blu-ray on June 24th.
Extras are set to include an alternate ending and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray will feature two exclusive featurettes as well.
Tech specs for the Blu-ray disc will likely be feature a widescreen 1080p/VC-1 video encode and an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround. The DVD will likely feature an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Warner has set a suggested list price of $35.99 for Blu-ray and $19.95 for the DVD.
***
Even with this major release, Warner has still opted not to include a PiP track. What's the deal with Warner's new release division? I know this wasn't a huge hit, but it seems like Warner's been a bit shy when it comes to extra goodies lately. Oh well, this is still an exciting release and I can't wait to see it on Blu-ray!
--R. L. Shaffer
'The Onion Movie' comes to DVD June 3rd
4.15.2008 17.29
Here's the press release:
ONLY ONE NEWS ORGANIZATION
HAS THE GUTS TO TELL IT LIKE IT IS
THE ONION MOVIE
America’s Finest News Source Tackles All The Issues
On Unrated DVD June 3rd From Fox Home Entertainment
CENTURY CITY, Calif. – One of the world’s most popular news weeklies takes its crucial stories, essential interviews, fundamental concerns and hard-hitting movie previews to the screen when The Onion Movie makes its debut on unrated DVD June 3rd from Fox Home Entertainment. From the sharp minds of Robert Siegel and Todd Hanson, long-time editors and writers for The Onion newspaper and website, The Onion Movie presents a hard look at world events, cultural fads and curious human behavior, reporting on topics that most news programs wouldn’t dare touch. The movie features award winning anchor Norm Archer as he presents some of the most recent controversial news stories including American Automobile’s recall of all cars featuring neck-belts and legislation by Congress that limits smoking within U.S. borders to a single 10x10 room in Des Moines. Additionally, The Onion’s own Kip Kendall sits down for an exclusive interview with pop sensation Melissa Cherry to discuss her new album “Come With Me” and the accusations that her songs have a sexually explicit message. Lastly, The Onion Movie features the world premiere trailer of the explosive action-packed thriller Cockpuncher starring a martial arts superstar whose identity must remain a mystery. With bonus features including deleted scenes and outtakes, The Onion Movie DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $26.98 U.S. / $37.98 Canada. Prebook is May 7.
DVD Special Features:
The Onion Movie DVD is presented in widescreen format (1.85:1 ratio) with English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround and English, Spanish and French subtitles. Additionally, the disc includes the following bonus content:
***Deleted scenes
**Outtakes
Synopsis
This just in...The Onion invades DVD! Based on the wildly popular satirical newspaper hailed by The New Yorker as “the funniest publication in the United States,” The Onion Movie brings you uncensored, uninhibited, UNRATED news and views from around the world. And in a stunning development, when Onion News anchorman Norm Archer (Len Cariou) is asked to compromise his journalistic integrity to please a new corporate sponsor, he doesn’t just get mad, he gets...angry. Taking aim at pop stars, party games, prisoners and peace talks, The Onion Movie delivers hard-hitting headlines—and side-splitting laughs!
--R. L. Shaffer
'Natural Born Killers' coming to Blu-ray--'Star Trek Remastered: Season Two' coming to DVD
4.14.2008 17.14
'Natural Born Killers' coming to Blu-ray--'Star Trek-Remastered: Season Two' coming to DVD
Following the successful release of "Bonnie and Clyde" on Blu-ray last month, Warner will continue the tradition of "book"-style Blu-ray discs, starting with a special edition release of Oliver Stone's crime-n'-killin' send-up "Natural Born Killers" on June 10th.
The disc will contain the 'Theatrical Cut' only (excluding the 4 minute longer, and gorier, 'Unrated Director's Cut'). Extras are set to include an audio commentary from Stone, a Charlie Rose Show interview with director Stone as well as deleted scenes and a theatrical trailer. The collectible book will be 42 pages long and will consist of numerous on-set photos, essays, stills and behinds-the-scenes material.
Tech specs: 1080p/VC-1 video (1.85:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround. Warner has set a suggested list price of $28.95 for the disc.
Personally, I'm not a fan of the shape and size of the book design, but I do think the design is sort of cool looking and I look forward to seeing what sort of titles Warner will release using this style. Thus far, it's two moderately controversial, and similar, films.
It is a bit of a disappointment that this isn't a better set as well. It would have been nice to see a new documentary or featurette, in addition to the 'Unrated Director's Cut' via branching. I wonder why that's not on this disc? Also, why isn't Warner taking advantage of Blu-ray's PiP profile 1.1 capabilities like they did with HD DVD?
*****
Speaking of HD DVD, "Star Trek-Remastered: Season Two" will not be getting an HD DVD release, as many expected it wouldn't. Instead, the expensive, but elaborate and expansive, set will be released straight-to-DVD on August 5th. Details were not available at this time, but expect more commentary tracks, pop-up trivia tracks, home movies, documentaries and featurettes as before.
As of yet, there's no word on whether this set, as well as the first season, are being prepped for Blu-ray. Rumors swirled a few months back that suggested that the high-def restoration was being largely funded by Toshiba and that it could take some time to settle all the paperwork now that Toshiba's HD DVD is dead in the water.
I hope that Paramount starts making some forward movements, and announcements, regarding "Trek" and Blu-ray soon. They've had some solid titles come out in the past few months and I'm sure I'm not the only one pumped about their possible Blu-ray slate this summer, or fall. We'll keep you posted as news comes in.
--R. L. Shaffer
Blockbuster unveils national Blu-ray campaign
4.14.2008 11.01
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
We've got a slew of great new reviews coming later this week! Keep checkin' back for more.
On the news front, we've got a nice press release for everyone to sink their teeth into:
Blockbuster Rolls Out Blu-Ray Format Across U.S. & Canada
Company Installing Blu-ray Kiosks In Almost 5,000 Stores
DALLAS, April 10, 2008 – Beginning this week, in addition to the standard DVDs lining its shelves, Blockbuster Inc. will be offering customers something extra – Blu-ray movies, for rent and sale in all of its corporate stores in the U.S., as well as in Canada, and select domestic franchise locations. Blockbuster made news last July with its announcement that the company was making Blu-ray available in 1,700 of its stores. Now, less than a year later, the company is positioning itself to become the customer's Blu-ray headquarters for rental and retail product with this national launch.
To highlight the availability of Blu-ray in its stores, Blockbuster is installing Blu-ray kiosks in the center of its stores. Featuring a 42-inch high-definition TV with movies playing via a PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) console, the Blu-ray kiosks will enable customers to experience the movie-viewing advantages of high-definition technology while also driving home the point that PS3 consoles double as Blu-ray players.
As for Blockbuster's by-mail service, in addition to the wide selection of Blu-ray titles it carries online, this week Blockbuster began offering online subscribers a Blu-ray preference setting so they can automatically indicate that they want to receive all available movies in the high-definition format.
"Blockbuster was the first national retailer to accurately recognize and react to consumers' preference for this format when we added Blu-ray discs to a large percentage of our stores last summer," said David Podeschi, Blockbuster Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Distribution and Logistics. "Now, with this national rollout, we believe Blockbuster is perfectly positioned to drive consumer adoption of this next generation DVD format and to become the customer's headquarters when it comes to renting or buying Blu-ray movies, whether in-store or online."
Podeschi continued, "Our mission at Blockbuster is to provide consumers with convenient access to media entertainment – whether that's with Blu-ray or standard DVDs, retail or rental, through our stores, by mail and through new technologies."
*****
I had been wondering when his would happen. Here in Ohio, you could only find Blu-ray movies in one out of about ten Blockbuster locations nearby. Just the other day though, I did see a sign saying, "Blu-ray coming April 15th." I guess now that the format war is over, it's finally time to unveil their national campaign. I'm curious what their selection will be? Either way, maybe a jump from Netflix to Blockbuster Total Access is in order. We'll see...
--R. L. Shaffer
The X-Files: Revelations coming to DVD
4.10.2008 16.00
The X-Files: Revelations coming to DVD
Hey all!
Here's another juicy press release:
PREPARE TO BELIEVE AGAIN
THE X-FILES: REVELATIONS
Just In Time For The Highly-Anticipated Theatrical Sequel "The X-Files 2", Eight Critical Episodes, Hand-Picked By Series Creator Chris Carter, Land On A Two-Disc DVD Compilation July 8th From Fox Home Entertainment
Includes All-New Introductions To Each Episode By Creator Chris Carter & Executive Producer Frank Spotnitz, Exclusive WonderCon Panel With David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson,
Teaser Trailer For The Upcoming Film & Free Movie Cash Ticket
CENTURY CITY, Calif. – The truth will be out there… Fox Home Entertainment presents an exclusive insider’s pass to the science-fiction television phenomenon just in time for its second trip to the big screen when “THE X-FILES” REVELATIONS descends onto a two-disc DVD collection July 8th. Selected by eight-time Emmy® Award nominated series creator Chris Carter himself, all eight full hour episodes in the compilation include special on-camera introductions by Carter and producer Frank Spotnitz, revealing why each were chosen and how they relate to the highly anticipated feature film, invading theaters on July 25th. Also featured on the set is the February 2008 WonderCon panel session with Carter and Spotnitz, as well as series stars David Duchovny (Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Scully), making their first fan convention appearance together in several years and taking questions from rabid “X-Philes,” in an interview spanning over 38 minutes. These eight essential episodes – “Pilot,” “Beyond the Sea,” “The Host,” “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose,” “Memento Mori,” “The Post-Modern Prometheus,” “Bad Blood” and “Milagro” – span seasons 1–6 and cover a variety of paranormal and unexplained cases centering on alien abductions, psychic phenomenon and life forms not quite human that set the stage for the eagerly anticipated sequel. As an added bonus, the DVD set also features the theatrical teaser trailer along with a free Hollywood Movie Money ticket (valued at $8.50 U.S. / $10 Canada) to see the sequel in theaters. “THE X-FILES” REVELATIONS will be available for the suggested retail price of $22.98 U.S. / $25.98 Canada.
Beginning as a cult hit in 1993, “The X-Files” quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, garnering 16 Emmys and five Golden Globe® Awards including “Best Dramatic TV Series” during in its nine-season run. Created by Chris Carter (“Millennium,” “Harsh Realm”), the series gripped the imaginations of fans around the globe, launching the careers of David Duchovny (The TV Set, “Californication”) and Gillian Anderson (The Last King of Scotland, Playing by Heart), both honored with “Outstanding Performance” Golden Globes for their roles. Known for its unique blend of science-fiction/fantasy, dry wit and intelligence, the series centers on FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigating the existence of alien races, uncovering government conspiracies, and other paranormal and unexplained phenomena.
Synopsis
Relive FBI Agent Fox Mulder’s (Duchovny) desperate search for the truth after witnessing the alien abduction of his sister when he was a young boy. Follow Agent Dana Scully (Anderson) as she and Mulder encounter growing proof of the existence of extra-terrestrials, an undeniable government conspiracy and the unexplained paranormal phenomena.
DVD Content
“THE X-FILES” REVELATIONS is presented in both full frame (5 episodes) and widescreen format (3 episodes) with English, French and Spanish Dolby Surround audio format, along with English and Spanish subtitles. Each episode features an on-camera introduction from Carter and Spotnitz, explaining why each episode was selected and how they relate to the movie. Individual disc content as follows:
Disc One:
… Pilot (from Season 1)
… Beyond the Sea (from Season 1)
… The Host (from Season 2)
… Clyde Bruckmans Final Repose (from Season 3)
Disc Two:
… Memento Mori (from Season 4)
… Post-Modern Prometheus (from Season 5)
… Bad Blood (from Season 5)
… Milagro (from Season 6)
… Bonus features:
* 2008 theatrical trailer
* WonderCon talent panel session
+++
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets – from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.
--R. L. Shaffer
PS3 to support DTS-HD Master Audio with firmware update
4.10.2008 10.33
PS3 to support DTS-HD Master Audio with firmware update
This just in from the official Playstation blog:
"The system software update (v. 2.30) will add DTS-HD Master Audio output for Blu-ray videos, which means the high-definition visuals of Blu-ray will now be matched with the highest quality audio for the ultimate movie-watching experience on PS3."
That was pretty much the only thing missing from the PS3 and now it's here. I'm curious as to how the PS3 will stack up against major standalone players being released in the coming months from Pioneer, Sharp and Panasonic.
For a comprehensive list of all Blu-ray players and their functions and compatibility, check this site out.
--R. L. Shaffer
Amazon follow Best Buy, offers $50 gift card for HD DVD owners
4.09.2008 15.58
Amazon follow Best Buy, offers $50 gift card for HD DVD owners
Slow news day, but here's a nice HD DVD nugget:
Amazon is set to pony up $50 gift cards for users who purchased an HD DVD player. This deal similar is to the one Best Buy just fulfilled.
Here the email sent to customers:
As someone who purchased an HD DVD player from us before February 23, 2008,* you might like to hear about a special offer available from Amazon.com.
New technologies don't always work out as planned. We at Amazon.com value our customer relationships more than anything and would like to support customers who purchased these players by offering a credit good for $50 off any products sold by Amazon.com.** Just use promotional code XXX-XXX-XXX when checking out. The code is valid through April 9, 2009, so you have plenty of time to use your credit. Purchases from third-party merchants on our site are not eligible.
* On February 23, 2008, the last manufacturer of HD DVD players announced it was ceasing production of those players.
** Offer cannot be used to pay for special-order titles, e-books or downloadable e-content, wireless service plans, gift certificates, gift-wrap, taxes, or shipping and handling charges. $50.00 promotional credit is per HD DVD player purchased prior to February 23, 2008--up to 10 units for a maximum credit of $500.00.
--R. L. Shaffer
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