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Direct-to-Video 'Without a Paddle' to Hit Blu-ray

Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Direct-to-High-Def Premieres, Paramount (all tags)

Paramount has announced an early-2009 release for the direct-to-video premiere sequel 'Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling.'

A follow-up to the 2004 sleeper hit 'Without a Paddle' starring Seth Green and Matthew Lillard, 'Nature's Calling' will hit Blu-ray on January 13 (day-and-date with the standard DVD).

Though no plot synopsis is yet available from Paramount, an early cast list reveals that, typical of direct-to-video features, none of the original stars will be returning for the sequel.

Also TBA are tech and supplement specs, but watch this space for further details in the coming weeks.

At press time, Paramount has not announced a simultaneous Blu-ray release of the original 'Without a Paddle,' but we'll keep you posted.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'WIthout a Paddle: Nature's Calling' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 13.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling (Blu-ray)

'Zodiac' to Cut Up Blu-ray this January

Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Paramount (all tags)

After a wait of over a year, Paramount has announced plans to bring the serial killer procedural 'Zodiac' to Blu-ray early next year.

Previously released on HD DVD in early 2007, the acclaimed David Fincher-directed drama will at last make its Blu-ray debut on January 27.

Supplements will mirror the previous, highly-praised HD DVD edition, including multiple audio commentaries with Fincher and cast & crew, the "Zodiac Deciphered" documentary, six additional making-of featurettes, multiple "Background Files" profiling real-life serial killers, and a gallery of trailers and TV spots.

There are no tech specs, but we expect a package comparable to the HD DVD, which included the Director's Cut of the film presented in 1080p video and high-res audio. We'll keep you posted.

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

You'll find the latest specs for 'Zodiac' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 27.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Zodiac: Director's Cut (Blu-ray)

Warner Bringing 'The Notebook' to Blu-ray

Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Warner has announced it is bringing the romantic favorite 'The Notebook' to Blu-ray in a deluxe giftset available this January, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Though not a huge box office hit, the Rachel McAdams-Ryan Gosling weepie has since gone on to enjoy an enormous cult audience on video, and continues to be one of Warner's top-selling catalog releases on DVD.

The studio will debut 'The Notebook: Limited Edition Giftset' on Blu-ray January 20, marking the film's first-ever high-def release.

Collectibles in the set will include a photo album and scrapbook with images from the movie plus space for your own photos, scrapbook accessories such as stickers and photo corners, a stationery set with letterhead and envelopes and collectible bookmarks.

There are no tech or supplement specs as of yet, but watch this space for further details in the weeks to come.

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

You'll find the latest specs for 'The Notebook' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 20.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Notebook (Limited Edition Giftset) (Blu-ray)

'Dexter' Coming to Blu-ray

Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, Paramount (all tags)

Paramount has announced an early-January Blu-ray release for the first season of the hit Showtime series 'Dexter.'

A breakout hit for the network, the edgy serial killer drama is set to make its high-def debut when 'Dexter: The First Season' comes to Blu-ray on January 6.

Tech specs will see the entire 12 episode, 576-minute season spread across four BD-50 dual-layer discs in 1080p video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

There's no word yet on bonus features, nor a confirmed list price, but as always, we'll keep you posted.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Dexter: The First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 6.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dexter: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)

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Sony Launches BD Rewards Program

Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET

Sony has just announced the launch of its BD rewards program, set to begin with the debut of this week's 'You Don't Mess With The Zohan.'

The free program, entitled the Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club, rewards consumers for purchasing BD-live enabled Sony Pictures Blu-ray titles. Customers accumulate points which are tallied through BD-Live-accessible players, giving them the opportunity to earn Sony products and prizes, as well as the chance to become members of the greater Sony Rewards program.

Consumers join the program by creating user profiles via their network connected Blu-ray players. They can also create these memberships online at www.sonyrewards.com/bluray. They will then accrue points as applicable titles are purchased and registered, thereby automatically crediting the user's rewards balance and progress toward various rewards and prizes.

“Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is dedicated to providing consumers with the most dynamic Blu-ray Disc experiences possible,” said Lexine Wong, Senior Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. "The Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club, made possible by the new interactivity of BD-Live, provides a unique incentive for our consumers who have embraced our Blu-ray high definition movies.”

To learn more about the program, go to the program's homepage at www.sonyrewards.com/bluray

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Blue Underground Announces 'Dead & Buried' Blu-ray

Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Blue Underground (all tags)

Blue Underground has confirmed the latest addition to its next-gen catalog, with the late-January Blu-ray bow of 'Dead & Buried.'

Though not a box office hit during its original 1981 theatrical run, the Gary Sherman-directed horror thriller has since enjoyed a long shelf life on video as a cult fave.

Previously listed for high-def release on Blue Underground's website, the indie has now confirmed a January 27 release date for the Blu-ray.

Tech specs will see a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with newly-remastered 1080p video and English audio tracks in DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 7.1 Surround, Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Surround and Dolby Digital Surround EX.

Extras include a trio of audio commentaries (with director Gary A. Sherman, co-writer/producer Ronald Shusett and actress Linda Turley, and cinematographer Steve Poster), three featurettes ( "Stan Winston's Dead & Buried EFX," "Robert Englund: An Early Work of Horror," "Dan O'Bannon: Crafting Fear") and theatrical trailers.

Suggested list price has been set at $34.95.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Dead & Buried' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 27.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dead & Buried (Blu-ray)

Classic 'Assault on Precinct 13' Coming to Blu-ray

Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Image Entetainment (all tags)

Image Entertainment has announced plans to bring the 1976 John Carpenter action thriller 'Assault on Precinct 13' to Blu-ray in early December.

Considered one of Carpenter's best (if often overlooked) gems, 'Assault on Precinct' has since achieved cult classic status (and was eventually remade in 2005).

Image will debut the Blu-ray version on December 2.

No word yet on tech specs or supplement details, but hopes are for a package similar to Image's previously-released special edition DVD. We'll keep you posted.

Suggested list price has been set at $29.99.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 2.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) (Blu-ray)

Warner Previews 2009 Blu-ray DigiBook Release Plans

Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Packaging, Warner (all tags)

In a teaser of its 2009 next-gen slate, Warner Home Video has issued a new promotional flyer previewing a half-dozen of their DigiBook Blu-ray disc titles due for release next year.

The promotional advert first appeared in the studio's October 14 Blu-ray release of 'Poltergeist' (a review copy hit our doorstep last week). Though a number of titles highlighted have already been released or announced (including 'How the West Was Won,' 'Shawshank Redemption' and 'Casablanca') these are also the first official mentions of additional releases.

Though there are no street dates given, the ad touts 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,' 'Amadeus,' the classic 1933 version of 'King Kong,' and 1997's 'The Matrix' as all scheduled to get the DigiBook treatment on Blu-ray in 2009.

At press time, there were no additional information on tech specs or supplemental features. We'll definitely keep you posted as soon as further official word comes from Warner.

In the meantime, you'll find 'Amadeus,' 'King Kong (1933)' and 'The Matrix' in the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Stay tuned!

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Casablanca (Ultimate Collector's Edition) (Blu-ray)
How the West Was Won (Blu-ray)
Poltergeist (Blu-ray)
The Shawshank Redemption (Blu-ray)

Universal Announces Dual 'Wanted' Blu-rays, Adds U-Control and BD-Live

Fri Oct 03, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Exclusive HD Content, Universal (all tags)

Universal has announced full details for 'Wanted,' which it will bring to Blu-ray this December in two versions loaded with hours of exclusive U-Control and BD-Live content.

As previously reported, Universal alerted retailers to a December 2 Blu-ray release (day-and-date with the standard DVD) for the $135 million box-office smash. The studio has now confirmed not one but two next-gen versions of the James McAvoy-Angelina Jolie starrer, which will come to high-def with hours of bonus features.

The standard Blu-ray version will include a suite of making-of featurettes ( "Cast and Characters," "Stunts on the L Train," "Special Effects: The Art of the Impossible," "Groundbreaking Visual Effects: From Imagination to Execution," "The Origins of Wanted: Bringing the Graphic Novel to Life," "Through the Eyes of Visionary Director Timur Bekmambetov," "Wanted: Motion Comics"), deleted scenes, an alternate opening, and the "Making of Wanted: The Game" interactive feature.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray will be four U-Control extras including picture-in-picture, a scene explorer, motion comics, and assassin profiles. BD-Live features boast My Chat, MyScenes Sharing, and a "My Wanted" commentary maker.

In addition to the standard Blu-ray, Universal will also release the 'Wanted (Collector's Edition),' which includes the same stand-alone Blu-ray release with deluxe packaging and other bonus collectibles.

Suggested list price for the standard Blu-ray is $39.99. Universal has not yet confirmed an MSRP for the collector's edition, but we'll keep you posted.

You'll find the latest specs for both versions of 'Wanted' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under December 2.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Wanted (Blu-ray)
Wanted (Collector's Edition) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Rumor Patrol: Universal Prepping 'Wanted' Blu-ray for December (Aug 08, 2008)

Lionsgate Reveals 'Monster's Ball' Blu-ray Specs

Fri Oct 03, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Lionsgate (all tags)

Lionsgate has unveiled final specs for the November next-gen release of 'Monster's Ball,' which will hit Blu-ray with hours of bonus features.

As previously reported, Lionsgate alerted retailers that the Oscar-winning Marc Forster drama (which nabbed a Best Actress statuette for Halle Berry) would hit Blu-ray on November 4.

The studio has now confirmed the release with final specs, which will see the film spread across a BD-50 dual-layer disc with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras will replicate the previously-released standard DVD special edition, including audio commentary (by Forster and screenwriters Milo Addica & Will Rokos), a trio of featurettes ("Music for the film: Monster's Ball," "On the Set," "Behind the Scenes with Producer Lee Daniels"), additional filmmaker interviews, deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.99.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Monster's Ball' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 4.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Monster's Ball (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Lionsgate Readying 'Monster's Ball' for Blu-ray (Aug 20, 2008)