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'Ultimate Matrix' Blu-ray Coming in October

Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 01:23 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Ending months of anticipation, Warner has confirmed a mid-October Blu-ray release for the 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection.'

Long one of Warner's most oft-requested Blu-ray "catch up" titles, the studio previously released the 'Matrix' films on HD DVD in two expansive box sets, the five-disc 'Complete Matrix Trilogy' and the even more extensive seven-disc 'Ultimate Matrix Collection.'

Now Warner has finally earmarked an October 14 Blu-ray arrival for 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection,' which will replicate the seven-disc configuration of the HD DVD version. (At presstime, Warner has not announced a companion 'Complete Matrix Trilogy' release for Blu-ray.)

Full specs for Blu-ray box set have not yet been revealed, but preliminary details tout "35 hours of extras" and In-Movie Experience picture-in-picture commentaries for all three films, and the full supplement package is expected to match those found on the HD DVD version.


Additional confirmed upgrades to the Blu-ray include a full 1080p presentation of 'The Animatrix' (the HD DVD was standard-def only) as well as a Digital Copy of the original 'Matrix.'

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray is $129.98.

As we await more details, you'll find the latest specs for 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 14.

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)
The Ultimate Matrix Collection (Blu-ray)
The Ultimate Matrix Collection (HD DVD)

Sony Reveals Specs, Box Art for 'Rudy' Blu-ray

Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

Sony Pictures has announced final specs and box art for 'Rudy,' which will come to Blu-ray this September with TrueHD audio and multiple bonus features.

As previously reported, Sony set a September debut for 'Rudy,' but stopped short of issuing any final specs for the film's Blu-ray debut (the studio first released the film on standard DVD back in 2003).

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

Special features will mirror the previous DVD, with only a pair of retrospective featurettes included ("Rudy: The Real Story," "First Down with Sean Astin"), plus the film's original production featurette.

Finally, Sony has issued the final box art for 'Rudy':


Suggested retail price has been set at $28.95.

You'll find final specs for 'Rudy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 9th.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Rudy (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Rudy' Running to Blu-ray this September (Jul 01, 2008)

Warner Announces 'Quo Vadis' DVD; Blu-ray to Follow

Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Warner has announced a November DVD release of the 1951 classic 'Quo Vadis,' and confirmed a Blu-ray version is on the way for next Spring.

Starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr, and featuring a cast of thousands, the lavish religious spectacle has gone through a meticulous photochemical restoration as well as a soundtrack upgrade restoring the original music by famed composer Miklos Rozsa.

Warner has just announced a November 11 street date for the DVD, but will not be issuing 'Quo Vadis' day-and-date on Blu-ray. Instead, the studio promises the high-def version by Easter of 2009, with the exact street date pending.

Though there are no confirmed tech specs or supplement details yet for the Blu-ray, the studio expects the next-gen version to match the upcoming DVD in terms of bonus features, among them a new audio commentary by filmmaker F.X. Feeney, and a documentary tracing the roots of the film from its start as a bestseller.

We'll keep you posted as soon as more information comes to us in the coming months. As always, watch this space.

In the meantime, we've added a listing for 'Quo Vadis' to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule.

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'Young Frankenstein' to Rise on Blu-ray This Halloween

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

Mark your calendars, Mel Brooks fans: Fox has announced a Halloween arrival for the comedy classic 'Young Frankenstein.'

Widely considered one of Brooks' best satires, 'Young Frankenstein' will make its much-requested Blu-ray bow on October 7 (the studio previously released a special edition DVD back in 2001).

As Fox has only just alerted retailers to the date, there are no tech specs or supplement details as of yet. But given the wealth of bonus materials found on previous DVD releases, expectations are high for an equally feature-laden Blu-ray edition.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'Young Frankenstein' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 7. Stay tuned!

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)
Young Frankenstein (Blu-ray)

'Supernatural' to Make Blu-ray Debut This November

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, TV on High-Def, Warner (all tags)

Warner has announced plans to bring the hit teen series 'Supernatural' to Blu-ray this November as a five-disc set packed with bonus features.

Now entering its fourth season on the CW, 'Supernatural: The Complete Third Season' will mark the series' high-def debut when Warner releases the set on Blu-ray November 11 (almost two months after the standard DVD hits in September).

Full tech specs are not yet in, but all 16 third-season episodes will be presented in 1080p video, and spread across five BD-50 dual-layer discs.

Confirmed extras will mirror the DVD release, with a pair of featurettes ( "From Legends to Reality: Supernatural Effects," "Impala Featurette: A Look Inside the Classic 1967 Chevrolet Impala"), "Scene Specifics" (a series of short segments showcasing the creative team discussing their favorite aspects of particular episodes), the "Ghostfacers Confessionals" mini-featurette gallery, a gag reel, and Digital Copy.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $79.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Supernatural: The Complete Third Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 11.

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)
Supernatural: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray)

Warner Updates 'Risky Business' Specs, Adds TrueHD

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Warner has announced updated final specs for 'Risky Business,' which will now hit Blu-ray with Dolby TrueHD audio along with a raft of bonus features and exclusive content.

As previously reported, Warner is bringing the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Tom Cruise classic to Blu-ray on September 16 (day-and-date with a new standard DVD re-issue).

As announced, the specs appeared impressive, with the Blu-ray and DVD both enjoying an audio commentary with director Paul Brickman, producer Jon Avnet and Cruise, a new retrospective documentary celebrating the film's 25th anniversary, and an alternate ending presented by Brickman.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is a picture-in-picture version of the audio commentary (Bonus View-enabled), plus a Digital Copy of the film on a separate disc.

Putting a damper on the celebration, however, were the initial tech specs, which saw remastered 1080p video (1.85:1) but only standard English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio. But now, thanks to newly-revised details from Warner, the studio has confirmed that 'Risky Business' will now hit Blu-ray in full Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround (48kHz/16-bit).

As announced, suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.95.

You'll find revised specs for 'Risky Business' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 16.

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)
Risky Business (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Warner Reveals 'Risky Business' Blu-ray Specs, Adds Exclusives (Jul 03, 2008)

'Maid in Manhattan' Dresses Up for Blu-ray

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

Sony Pictures has announced a September Blu-ray bow for the Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy 'Maid in Manhattan.'

Arriving September 30, Sony will bring the $60 million-grossing hit to Blu-ray along with a trio of previously-announced comedies, including 'My Best Friend's Wedding,' 'Mona Lisa Smile' and 'Can't Hardly Wait.'

Tech specs include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (2.40:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio. (Optional dubs and subtitles are provided in French, Spanish and Portuguese.)

Announced extras are slim, with a blooper reel the only bonus feature.

Suggested retail price has been set at $28.95.

You'll find specs for 'Maid in Manhattan' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 30.

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)
Maid in Manhattan (Blu-ray)
My Best Friend's Wedding (Blu-ray)
Mona Lisa Smile (Blu-ray)
Can't Hardly Wait (Blu-ray)

George Carlin's 'It's Bad For Ya' Coming to Blu-ray

Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, MPI (all tags)

The late George Carlin will make his high-def debut with the November Blu-ray release of his concert film 'It's Bad For Ya.'

Marking the legendary comedian's final stand-up concert special, 'George Carlin: It's Bad for Ya' will hit Blu-ray on November 25 (day-and-date with the standard DVD), following it's premiere on HBO earlier this year.

There are no tech or supplemental specs as of yet, but more details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.95.

You'll find preliminary specs for ''George Carlin: It's Bad for Ya' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 25.

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)
George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya (Blu-ray)

Sony Previews 'Ghostbusters' Blu-ray Plans at Comic-Con

Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

'Ghostbusters' fans attending Comic-Con this weekend could get a sneak peek at an apparently October-bound Blu-ray release of the '80s comedy classics.

According to various fan and website reports coming in from Comic-Con (which officially kicks off tomorrow in San Diego), a Sony Blu-ray booth on the show floor is currently touting an October 21 Blu-ray street date for both 'Ghostbusters' and 'Ghostbusters 2,' complete with a large overhead banner advertisement (featuring the tagline "Get Slimed in High-Def!")

There's currently no further word on potential supplemental features on the planned Blu-ray version of the 'Ghostbusters' films, nor any tech specs or other specifics.

At press time Sony PR has also not issued a press release or other media confirmation of a 'Ghostbusters' release on Blu-ray, but as always we'll keep you updated as any official news comes in.

In the meantime, we've added listings for 'Ghostbusters' and 'Ghostbusters 2' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, with both indexed under October 21.

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)
Ghostbusters (Blu-ray)
Ghostbusters 2 (Blu-ray)

Warner Schedules Japanese 'Matrix' Blu-ray Box; U.S. Next?

Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Warner International has announced a December Blu-ray release of the 'Matrix' films in Japan, fueling speculation that the studio is on the verge of announcing a domestic edition of the blockbuster trilogy.

One of the most highly-requested Warner "catch up" HD DVD titles by high-def fans, the 'Matrix' trilogy has yet to be slotted for domestic Blu-ray release by the studio, despite past public comments that the title has long been in development.

But now a just-confirmed announcement by Warner International of a Blu-ray box set of the 'Matrix' films has tongues wagging, with the company setting a December 17 street date for the overseas version.

Specs released thus far appear to mirror the previous domestic HD DVD box set, with the feature films and attendant extras spread across four Blu-ray discs, plus an additional three standard DVD platters with further bonus materials.

At press time, Warner Home Video in the U.S. had not issued any statement on their domestic Blu-ray plans for 'The Matrix' films, though the arrival of a Japanese release bodes well for a likely concurrent Stateside release by the end of the year.

As always, we'll keep you posted on this story as further word comes to us. Stay tuned...

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)
The Complete Matrix Trilogy (HD DVD)
The Ultimate Matrix Collection (HD DVD)


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