Topic: Blu-ray News

[chuck427]

French Fright Flick 'Eden Log' to Hit Blu-ray this May

Magnolia Home Entertainment has announced a late-May Blu-ray release for the French sci-fi thriller 'Eden Log.'

Receiving mixed critical notices, 'Eden Log' tells the tale of a man who wakes up in a cave with amnesia, and must battle an otherworldly creature to escape alive.

Magnolia will give the film its Stateside debut May 19, day-and-date on Blu-ray and DVD.

We have yet to receive final tech and supplement specs for the Blu-ray, but will keep you posted.

Suggested list price has been set at $34.98.

[chuck427]

Warner Scares Up 'Cell' Sequel on Blu-ray

Warner/New Line has announced its latest direct-to-video premiere release, bringing the horror sequel 'The Cell 2' to Blu-ray this June.

A follow-up to the 2002 cult favorite 'The Cell,' the sequel will hit Blu-ray (sans original stars Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Lopez) on June 16, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Tech specs will see a BD-25 single-layer presentation with 1080p/VC-1 video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras will include a single making-of featurette, plus a second standard DVD disc with a Digital Copy of the film (compatible with PCs and iTunes).

The disc will also come BD-Live-enabled, though at press time Warner has not announced any exclusive content.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $35.99.

[chuck427]

'Morning Light' to Set Sail on Blu-ray this June

The 'Morning Light' is coming to high-def, with Disney alerting retailers to a mid-June Blu-ray release for the acclaimed documentary.

Though receiving only a brief theatrical release, 'Morning Light' earned critical kudos for its breathtaking cinematography, as it portrayed the struggles of an inexperienced young crew that competes in an ocean sailing race across over two thousand miles of open water.

Disney will debut the Blu-ray on June 16, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

We have no tech or supplement specs as of yet, but watch for the full announce in the days ahead.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

[chuck427]

Asylum Jumps into Blu with 'Transmorphers' Prequel

Newcomer Asylum Home Entertainment has announced its debut high-def release, bringing the direct-to-video prequel 'Transmorphers: Fall of Man' to Blu-ray this June.

Originally released direct-to-video in 2007, the original, 'Transformers'-derivative 'Transmorphers' was a modest hit on DVD but has since earned a cult reputation amongst bad movie lovers.

Marking Asylum's entrance into the Blu-ray market, the indie will release the 2009 prequel 'Transmorphers: Fall of Man' on June 30, day-and-date with the DVD version.

Asylum has not yet provided us with tech or supplement details for its debut release, but we'll keep you posted on all their future announcements.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.98.

[chuck427]

Fox Sets July Date for 'Prison Break: The Final Break' for Blu-ray

More 'Prison Break' is coming to high-def, with Fox announcing a late-July Blu-ray release for the two-hour movie 'The Final Break.'

Though Fox has already confirmed the current and final season of the cult TV drama, 'Prison Break: The Complete Fourth Season,' for DVD release on June 2 (a Blu-ray announcement is pending), that won't be the last fans will see of the series on high-def.

Thanks to a scoop from our friends at TV Shows on DVD, the 88-minute, concluding TV movie 'Prison Break: The Final Break' will follow right behind, with Fox alerting retailers to a July 21 day-and-date Blu-ray and DVD release.

Tech specs will see 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (1.78:1) and a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track.

Extras confirmed thus far include a featurette, "The Old Ball and Chain & Free."

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.99.

[chuck427]

'Lost' Fifth Season to Hit Blu-ray by Year's End

More 'Lost' is coming to high-def, with Disney revealing plans to bring the show's fifth season to Blu-ray in early December.

As previously announced, Disney is set to debut both 'Lost: The Complete First Season' and 'Lost: The Complete Second Season' on Blu-ray on June 16. There they will join 'Lost: The Complete Third Season' and 'Lost: The Complete Fourth Season,' which the studio previously-released on high-def in 2007.

Now, the studio has confirmed that the show's current season will also get a Blu-ray release this year, with 'Lost: The Complete Fifth Season' headed to high-def on December 8 (day-and-date with the standard DVD). With all five seasons of 'Lost' now confirmed for Blu release, the show becomes the first to see its complete series history available on high-def.

Tech specs will see all season five episodes spread across five BD-50 dual-layer discs, in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (1.78:1) and English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround soundtracks.

Detailed supplements have not yet been made available, but preliminary extras confirmed thus far include exclusive cast & crew interviews, deleted scenes, and Blu-ray-exclusive content.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $79.99.

[chuck427]

Mel Brooks Short Films to Add to 'Spaceballs' Blu-ray

GM Home Entertainment has officially announced 'Spaceballs,' packing the June Blu-ray release with hours of bonus features and Mel Brooks short films.

As previously announced, the Schwarz will be with 'Spaceballs' fans on June 16, when Fox debuts the first-ever high-def release of the film as a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo.

Full specs have now been detailed, with the Mel Brooks favorite receiving a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track.

Extras on the Blu-ray boast an audio commentary by Mel Brooks, additional "Mawgese" and "Dinkese" commentaries, four featurettes ("Spaceballs: The Documentary," "In Conversation: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan," "Watch the Movie in Ludicrous Speed," "John Candy: Comic Spirit"), extensive "Film Flubs" gag reels, three still galleries, storyboards and theatrical trailers.

In addition, on the standard DVD version of the film also included will be the "Spaceballs: The Totally-Warped Adventures." This animated version of the film "hilariously spoofs popular movies and television shows as only the warped mind of Mel Brooks can."

As previously announced, MGM/Fox has set the suggested retail price at $29.99.

[chuck427]

Cinevolve Sets May Blu-ray Date for 'Sisterhood'

Indie Cinevolve has announced it is bringing the hit English comedy 'Sisterhood' to Blu-ray in mid-May.

The British farce, which stars Isabelle Defaut and Emily Corcoran as sisters who get caught up in a mad-cap plot involving mistaken DNA, the mob, and a pair of dog costumes, will receive its Stateside Blu-ray release on May 19 (day-and-date with the standard DVD).

At press time, Cinevolve has not yet released tech specs for the release, but we'll keep you posted.

There are also no announced supplements.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set $24.95.

[chuck427]

New Line/Warner Announce 'Inkheart' Blu-ray/DVD Combo

New Line/Warner will bring the family fantasy 'Inkheart' to Blu-ray this June as a three-disc combo with DVD and Digital Copy.

Despite New Line hoping for 'Journey of the Center of the Earth 3-D'-level grosses for the Brendan Frasier adventure, 'Inkheart' limped to a meager $17 million domestic box office gross.

New Line, via Warner Home Video, will release the Blu-ray June 23, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Tech specs will see a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/VC-1 video (2.40:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras include a trio of featurettes ("Eliza Reads to Us," "A Story from the Cast and Crew," "From Imagination to the page: How writers Write") and deleted scenes.

Two additional discs in the set will include a DVD and Digital Copy of the film, the latter compatible with PCs and iTunes.

Suggested list price has been set at $38.95.

[chuck427]

'Confessions of a Shopaholic' Coming in June

In an early announcement to retailers, Disney has set a late-June Blu-ray arrival for the romantic comedy 'Confessions of a Shopaholic.'

Starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy, 'Shopaholic' received mixed critical notices and decent box office, scoring $50 million domestically during its theatrical run earlier this year.

Disney will debut the Blu-ray as a two-disc set on June 23, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Tech specs will see a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (2.40:1) and a English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track.

A second disc will come with a Digital Copy of the film, compatible with PCs and iTunes.

No word on bonus features as of yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Suggested list price has been set at $39.99.

[chuck427]

UPDATED: 'Friday the 13th' Sequels Get June Blu-ray Date

UPDATE: (04/15/09, 9:45pm ET) We've just received word from Paramount that the Blu-ray of 'Friday the 13th Part 3' will include both 2-D and 3-D versions of the film. All other specs and features remain unchanged. We've updated our database accordingly.

Jason is coming back to high-def, with Paramount announcing a June blu-ray release for the stalker sequels 'Friday the 13th Part 2' and 'Friday the 13th Part 3.'

Though both films have been available overseas on Blu-ray for several months, they were conspicuously absent when Paramount announced domestic DVD re-issues of the original trilogy earlier this year (with only the first 'Friday the 13th' receiving a Stateside Blu-ray release).

Fans can now mark June 16 on their calendars, when the studio will belatedly issue 'Part 2' and 'Part 3' as special edition DVD releases.

Tech specs for both titles will see BD-50 dual-layer presentations with 1080p video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround tracks. ('Part 3' has been confirmed as being presented in 2-D only, with no 3-D version offered.)

Extras on 'Part 2' will mirror the previous DVD, including two featurettes, newly-produced "missing murder scenes" and the original trailer.

Unlike the domestic DVD re-issue of 'Part 3' (which included a 3-D version but came sans extras), the Blu-ray will include the bonus materials found on the overseas version, including three featurettes ("Fresh Cuts: 3D Terror ," "Legacy of the Mask," "Slasher Films: Going for the Jugular"), "Lost Tales from Camp Blood, Part 3" short films, and the trailer.

Suggested retail price for each Blu-ray has been set at $29.99.

[chuck427]

Disney Sets July Blu-ray Release for 'The Waterboy'

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is bringing the Adam Sandler blockbuster comedy 'The Waterboy' to Blu-ray in late-July.

The 1998 sleeper smash, which grossed over $150 million and proved without a doubt that Sandler was a huge box office draw, will receive its Blu-ray debut on July 28 (Disney previously released a DVD version).

The studio has yet to reveal any tech or supplement details, but watch for complete specs to arrive in the days ahead.

Suggested retail price for each Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

[chuck427]

Sony to Bring 'Fired Up!' Unrated to Blu-ray

Sony Pictures has set an early-June release for an unrated Blu-ray version of the cheerleading comedy 'Fired Up!'

Though it barely made a blip at the domestic box office (drumming up a meager $17 million gross), Sony hopes that the unrated hijinks will boost its video appeal when it releases the film on Blu-ray June 9 (day-and-date with the standard DVD).

Tech specs will see 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (2.40:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras include audio commentary (with director Will Gluck, Nicholas D'Agosto and Eric Christian Olsen), multiple featurettes ("This is Not a Cheerleading Movie: The Making of Fired Up!", "Double Duty," "Fired Up! Press Junket - Hour 12") and an uncensored gag reel.

At press time, Sony has announced an R-rated version for DVD, but we have yet to receive a confirmation on a Blu-ray counterpart. We'll keep you posted.

Suggested retail price for the unrated Blu-ray has been set at $38.95.

[chuck427]

'Santa Buddies' to Arrive on Blu-ray this November

Announcing its latest direct-to-high-def premiere release, Walt Disney Studios will bring the canine comedy 'Santa Buddies' to Blu-ray in late-November.

The latest DTV sequel to the studio's 'Buddies' series, 'Santa Buddies' has been given an early announcement, well ahead of its planned November 24 Blu-ray release (day-and-date with the standard DVD).

The second 'Buddies' title to hit Blu-ray, 'Santa Buddies' follows 'Space Buddies,' which Disney released on high-def earlier this year.

Due to the long lead time, there are no tech or supplement specs known at this time, other than that the set will also include a DVD copy of the film. We expect final details from Disney in the coming months, so we'll keep you posted.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

[chuck427]

First Look: Disney Unveils 'Snow White' Blu-ray Box Art

It's debut is still months away, but we've got an early peek at the box art for the highly-anticipated Blu-ray release of Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.'

As previously reported, the studio will be launching 'Snow White' as the next title in it's Platinum Edition series as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, with a street date of October 6 (a precedent-setting seven weeks before the stand-alone DVD re-issue).

Though the studio has yet to reveal full specs and bonus features, they have unpeeled the apple a bit further by revealing the high-res box art for the highly-anticipated release:



Final details are expected in the weeks ahead, so watch this space.

As announced, Disney has set the suggested retail price for the Blu-ray at $39.99.

[chuck427]

'Glory' Blu-ray Gets Specs, Exclusives

Sony Pictures has confirmed final specs for the long-delayed Blu-ray release of 'Glory,' which will arrive this June with extensive bonus features and exclusives.

As previously reported, Sony finally re-announced the Oscar-winning drama for a June 2 Blu-ray debut, after a delay of over a year.

Just-announced tech specs include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (1.85:1) and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround tracks in English, French, and Portuguese.

Supplements carried over from the previous special edition DVD release include audio commentary with director Edward Zwick, three featurettes ("The Voices of Glory," "The True Story Continues," "The Making of Glory") and deleted scenes.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is the "Virtual Civil War Battlefield" interactive map and BD-Live connectivity.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.95.

[chuck427]

Fox Details '24' Seventh Season Blu-ray Specs

Final specs and box art are in for '24: Season 7,' which Fox will bring to Blu-ray this June as six-disc set with multiple bonus features.

As previously reported, Fox announced plans to bring the show's latest 24-episode arc to Blu-ray on May 19, day-and-date with the standard DVD and only one day after the show's season finale.

Final specs will see six BD-50 dual-layer discs, which present all 24 episodes in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (1.78:1) with English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround tracks.

Confirmed extras include audio commentaries on select episodes, a making-of featurette, and deleted scenes.

As previously announced, suggested retail price has been set at $69.99.

[chuck427]

Universal Preview Offers First News on 'Battlestar Galactica' Blu-ray

Universal has attached a new video trailer to this month's DVD release of 'Battlestar Galactica: Caprica,' previewing a first look at a still-unscheduled box set of the show's complete series for Blu-ray release.

Now arriving in stores, the direct-to-video 'Battlestar'-inspired movie 'Caprica' contains a video promo before its main menu. The spot heralds an upcoming complete series release of the cult sensation, complete with featurettes, deleted scenes, additional features, and an uncut version of the movie 'Razor.'

The spot ends by advertising the still-unnamed set as "Coming Soon to DVD and Blu-ray High-Def," though no exact release date is given.

The promo follows weeks of Internet rumor and speculation, including reports of a July 28 street date for both the Blu-ray and DVD versions.

At press time, there is no further official information available from Universal about what is sure to be one of the year's most eagerly-anticipated Blu-ray TV-on-high-def releases. We'll definitely keep you posted as soon as further word comes from the studio.

[chuck427]

Sharp and Pioneer Plan to Merge Optical Disc Businesses

Sharp and Pioneer have announced that they plan to merge their individual optical discs businesses into a single joint venture this October. Originally announced as part of Pioneer's restructuring plan, the joint venture will allow the two companies to consolidate their technology in order to improve their products.

The move will benefit both companies as they fight to gain a leading position in the growing Blu-ray market. To date, the two companies have failed to maintain Blu-ray Disc player sales equivalent to leading rivals Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic, and they are hopeful that a joint venture will allow them to be more competitive.

Sharp is the largest shareholder of Pioneer stock at 14%.

[chuck427]

Sony Adds BD-Live Features to Click to Disc Software

Sony has added BD-Live features to their Click to Disc authoring software in Japan, and for the first time, consumers are now able to author their own BD-Live Blu-ray discs. Among the features added during the v2.0 update are the ability to provide a link to a Picasa web album, and use Google Maps to to map GPS tagged photos.

In order to demonstrate the features, Sony has provided two Flash demos that give a glimpse of what the end product will look like. They are in Japanese, but luckily Sony has provided text to show you exactly where to click.

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Solution/ClicktoDisc/pop_specialflash_05.html

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Solution/ClicktoDisc/pop_specialflash_04.html


There is currently on announced date for the software update outside of Japan, but it is expected within the next few months.

[chuck427]

Shamo Coming to Blu-ray in May

Tai Seng Entertainment has announced that they will bring the action film 'Shamo' to Blu-ray on May 26th. Video will be presented in 1080p accompanied by a Cantonese 7.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. The special features for this release include a making of featurette and trailer.

[chuck427]

Iron Maiden Documentary Coming in May

A new documentary called 'Iron Maiden: Flight 666' will be released on Blu-ray May 25th, day-and-date with the DVD release. The film will document the legendary heavy metal band's "Somewhere Back In Time" 2008 world tour. The second disc will feature 16 different songs from the tour. No other details have been announced at this time.

[chuck427]

Details Revealed for The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

MGM Home Entertainment in conjunction with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment have announced the technical specs and special features for the upcoming Blu-ray release Sergio Leone's 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly', which is due to hit store shelves on May 12th. Video will be presented in 1080p AVC accompanied by a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Extras for this release include:

    * Audio Commentary from Film Historian Richard Schickel
    * Audio Commentary from Christopher Frayling
    * Leones West
    * The Leone Style
    * The Man Who Lost the Civil War
    * Reconstructing “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”
    * IL Maestro: Ennio Morricone and “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” Part One
    * IL Maestro: Part Two
    * Deleted Scenes
    * Easter Eggs
          o #1 Uno, Due, Tre
          o #2 Italian Lunch
          o #3 New York Actor
          o #4 Gun in Holster
    * Trailers
          o Original Trailer
          o French Trailer

[chuck427]

Lord of the Rings Pre-order Now Available!

In an early announcement to retailers, New Line Home Entertainment in conjunction with Warner Home Video have revealed the cover art for 'The Lord of the Rings Trilogy' Blu-ray and Amazon has begun taking pre-orders. The release currently does not have a release date, but it is expected to be released later this year - most likely during the holiday season.

No technical specs or special features have been revealed at this time, but you can expect to see 1080p VC-1 video accompanied by a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack.

The only potentially negative news here is that the films will be presented in their theatrical versions instead of the more popular (and more faithful) extended versions. This is not entirely surprising as Warner made it well known early on that the theatrical versions would be released first, with the extended versions coming sometime later (likely around the theatrical release of 'The Hobbit'). However, any hope of the 2009 release using seamless branching to show both versions has now been washed away.

But, that doesn't take away from the fact that this is indeed 'The Lord of the Rings' - three films which together grossed more than $1B domestically - in high definition. This is one of the releases Blu-ray fans have been begging for, and you can bet this is going to be one of the best selling Blu-ray titles this year.

[coffeetiger]

^^ just adding....  this is the cover art for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Version)

[dts-HD 3D]

. . . deleting post . . . just noticed its only the Theatrical Version.

sayang why not release the extended ver. instead

[eksi]

. . . deleting post . . . just noticed its only the Theatrical Version.

sayang why not release the extended ver. instead

maybe because of the economic situation
and it's also a sales strategy... those "kating-kati" will buy the theatrical version upon release... then they will buy again once the extended is released (especially those HD enthusiast/LOTR fans)

[pchin]

After waiting so long, only a Theatrical Version? No wonder all the LOTR blu fans are gnashing their teeths & bashing New Line...check out the Amazon pre-order feedbacks.

[chuck427]

After waiting so long, only a Theatrical Version? No wonder all the LOTR blu fans are gnashing their teeths & bashing New Line...check out the Amazon pre-order feedbacks.

im thinking NewLine is waiting for The Hobbit to be released...that would be a good marketing plan...

maybe because of the economic situation
and it's also a sales strategy... those "kating-kati" will buy the theatrical version upon release... then they will buy again once the extended is released (especially those HD enthusiast/LOTR fans)

sad to say, ill be one of those people buying this..then buying the extended version when it comes out...

[chuck427]

Allegro to Bring Five Documentary Titles to Blu-ray

Allegro Entertainment is bringing a wave of five special interest titles to Blu-ray in mid-May.

Running the gamut from nature to agriculture, Allegro will release the following on May 12: 'Amazing Journeys,' 'The Amazon: River of the Sun,' 'Flowers & Gardens,' 'Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance' and 'North America's National Parks.'

The company has yet to issue any tech specs, but we'll keep you posted.

At press time, there are no announced extras.

Suggested list price for each title has been set at $24.98, except for 'Flowers & Garden,' which will retail for $14.98.