Posted Tue Sep 6, 2011 at 12:30 PM PDT by Aaron Peck
by Aaron Peck
Summer is quickly drawing to a close and ushering in the beginning of Autumn. The leaves are changing, we're starting to venture back indoors in preparation for the cold months ahead. Fall is a great time to stock up on new movies to get you through the winter doldrums. Here is a list of our most anticipated day-and-date releases coming out in the very near future.
Fall is when we usually see quite a few of the summer blockbusters finally getting released. This year is no exception. There's a wealth of sizzling summer titles to get excited for.
The first day of Fall in 2011 (at least in the northern hemisphere) is September 23, but we realize this is a worldwide site, and readers in other countries are facing polar opposite seasons, so for our purposes Fall releases will include anything released from September until Christmas.<
Here are the big new releases we'll be marking on our calendars at High-Def Digest:
Blu-ray Release Date: October 25th
This comedic British alien invasion movie didn't get a lot of love when it came to a wide release in the states, but it's supposed to be brilliantly hilarious. Bordering on the greatness of 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz' and truly injecting some new life into a genre which has been extremely played out over the 2011 movie season, here's to seeing a snarky, British take on alien invasion!
Blu-ray Release Date: Rumored November
For you HBO fans, 'Boardwalk Empire' hits the format a little later this year, and if HBO's other TV seasons are any indication, this one should be another near demo-worthy experience. I never watched the show, but heard very good things about it and look forward to checking it out. Fans of the series will be happy it's getting the high-def treatment it deserves, but may find the steep list price hard to stomach. Lets hope for some good sale prices.
Blu-ray Release Date: September 20th
The age of the R-rated comedy is upon us. 'Bridesmaids' was lauded as the female 'Hangover,' and it definitely didn't disappoint at the box office. Being relatively cheap to film (compared to the other blockbusters of the summer), 'Bridesmaids' scored at the box office with a $270 million take worldwide. I never saw 'Bridesmaids,' but intend to when it's released on Blu-ray. From everyone that's seen it I've only heard good things. This is one to keep an eye out for.
'Captain America: The First Avenger'
Blu-ray Release Date: October 25th
As far as superhero movies go I thought 'Captain America' was middle of the road at best. I never felt connected to any of the characters here, and never felt like Cap was placed in any danger he couldn't easily escape from. A few simple montages and he'd defeated Red Skull's army without breaking a sweat. However, I understand that people out there (chiefly HDD reviewer Luke Hickman) think differently about this movie. This suggestion is for you fans, since there's no doubt in my mind that this one will look and sound great.
Blu-ray Release Date: November 1st
You're not looking forward to 'Cars 2' because it was a good movie. This one is by far Pixar's worst movie to date. It's essentially 90 minutes of Larry the Cable Guy stand up comedy. What you're looking forward to, however, is the promise of another breath-taking Pixar high-def presentation. Not to mention the fact that this is probably going to be one of the best 3D Blu-rays out there.
Blu-ray Release Date: October 4th
Ah, yes. The fifth 'Fast and the Furious' movie. Out of all of them though, this one is definitely the best. At least in my book. You'll most likely laugh all the way through the litany of ridiculous stunts piled one on top of the other, but this audio presentation is sure to be one of the most rip-roaring tracks out there. I'm really looking forward to the rumbling mayhem of the last chase scene as Paul Walker and Vin Diesel pull a giant safe on chains through downtown Rio.
Blu-ray Release Date: September 6th
In a cinematic wasteland full of chaotic camera movements, incessant editing, and unyielding shaky-cams, Joe Wright is a different kind of director. His tracking shot on the beach in 'Atonement' was a pinnacle of staging a scene and shooting it in the most grandiose way possible. Even though 'Hanna' does get schizophrenic at times, he makes it work. He also lets us know that it's still him behind the camera with a one shot fight scene involving Eric Bana which is deadly in its beautiful simplicity.
'Modern Family: The Complete Second Season'
Blu-ray Release Date: September 20th
It's not all about movies this Fall. Right around the time ABC's comedy about a dysfunctional, yet hilarious, family starts its third season, the second season heads to Blu-ray. Just as funny as the debut season, the second year of 'Modern Family' is definitely one you'll want to have in your collection. The great thing about this show is that you can jump in anywhere and still find it funny. There are some inside jokes as the show moves along, but it really is a show for everyone.
Blu-ray Release Date: November 2nd
I got to catch the premiere of 'Our Idiot Brother' at Sundance earlier this year. At that time it was called 'My Idiot Brother,' but in the end it's still the same hilarious film. Paul Rudd can do no wrong, and here he's great as Ned. A man so outwardly optimistic and trusting that he gets absolutely pummeled by the cynical people around him.
'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'
Blu-ray Release Date: October 18th
Better than the third installment (which isn't saying that much), 'On Stranger Tides' was sort of a bland movie-going experience. Yet, the Blu-ray is sure to look and sound like a million bucks like most Disney home video experiences. So, that's something to look forward to.
'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale'
Blu-ray Release Date: October 25th
An R-rated action comedy from Finland that features Santa Claus being dug up in an archeological dig? Yes please! Critics loved 'Rare Exports,' and I'm sure had it been given a wider release in the states more people would've found room in their hearts for it. It'll find indelible cult status on Blu-ray, that much is for sure.
Blu-ray Release Date: October 18th
Kevin Smith's very dark thriller about a religious cult finally finds its way to home video after its nationwide tour. Smith seems to get ever fuller of himself as time goes by. His speech at Sundance, after the premiere of this movie, was fairly self-aggrandizing and annoying to endure. Still, I have to admit that 'Red State' was surprisingly good and wasn't what I expected at all. It truly is a movie where no one is safe. And I mean no one.
Blu-ray Release Date: October 18th
Not only was 'Super 8' one of the best movies of the summer, it's one of the best movies of the year. J.J. Abrams did a spectacular job recreating the feeling of old childhood adventure movies like 'The Goonies.' 'Super 8' is a giant bag of nostalgic popcorn ready to be munched. The kids (this is the first film for some of them) are the reason to see this movie. Forget the alien plot, or the large special effects sequences (although that train wreck scene is jaw-droppingly awesome), the kids and their interaction with one another are the true heart of the movie. Not to mention how fun their amateur zombie movie is that plays during the credits.
Blu-ray Release Date: October 11th
Here's another little indie comedy that you should keep a lookout for. It's survived the first of this year as a festival darling, and aims to please once it hits home video. There are so many huge blockbusters coming out that it would be easy to miss this little comedy starring John C. Reilly, but make sure you don't.
Blu-ray Release Date: September 13th
I thought for sure that 'Thor' was going to be corny as hell. I actually like the way the story of Thor was explained here. Thor and his family have visited earth way back when. They're from a different planet, aliens essentially, but were worshiped as gods at one point in time because of their powers. The movie was surprisingly fun, and humor-filled. For me it came in second among superhero movies during the summer.
Blu-ray Release Date: October 11th
I won't pretend to understand the depths of Terrence Malick's 'Tree of Life.' There are scenes in it that absolutely baffled me and had me rolling my eyes. On the other hand, the emotion conveyed on screen is stunningly resonant. Out of all the movies I've seen this year, I think I've thought about 'Tree of Life' the most after the fact. It's simply a dazzlingly unique and equally confusing experience.
Blu-ray Release Date: September 9th
For my money, this was the best superhero movie of the summer. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender bolstered this superhero period piece with their terrific performances. Add in Kevin Bacon as a no-good German villain who resembles many a past 'Bond' villain, complete with world domination goals, and you have a great movie all around. Now if only Matthew Vaughn and crew could've thought up a substitute mutant for Angel. Let's face it, she was by far the worst part of that film. Her dainty insect wings mixed with her fiery loogies made her a very dumb mutant indeed.
By no means is this a complete list, but just a good smattering of what big name new releases you can expect to see on store shelves this fall. As the summer blockbusters start coming out, prepare yourself for some rocking good audio and visual presentations. I don't know about you, but my wallet aches as I look over this list. At least Christmas is coming up soon right?
What new releases did we miss that you're eagerly anticipating? Let us know in the forums.
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