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'Christmas Story' Blu-ray Double Dip Due In November
Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Disc Re-Issues, Warner (all tags)
Warner has announced a November Blu-ray release for 'A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition.'
A new perennial classic (the film routinely shows for 24 hours straight every holiday on TBS), 'A Christmas Story' was first issued on Blu-ray and HD DVD back in late 2006 as a relatively bare bones edition. Reaction to the release was generally mixed, however, with most fans and critics giving the disc's video, audio, and supplements average marks. (Our own Peter Bracke gave the disc an overall grade of only three stars out of five -- read the full review here.)
Hoping the second time's the charm, Warner has now confirmed that it will bring 'A Christmas Story' back to Blu-ray on November 4, in a new 'Ultimate Collector's Edition' featuring all-new deluxe packaging and other surprises.
The full supplements have yet to be revealed, but among the new goodies are a "Holiday Starter Kit" set to include cookie cutters, a holiday cookbook, and a chef's apron.
Warner hasn't revealed tech specs, or whether the film's video and audio have been newly remastered. More details should be coming in soon.
In the meantime, you'll find preliminary specs for 'A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition' 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)
- A Christmas Story (Ultimate Collector's Edition) (Blu-ray)
- A Christmas Story (Blu-ray)
- A Christmas Story (HD DVD)
Sony Offers New 'Fifth Element' Blu-ray Remaster and "Replacement Exchange Program"
Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 11:55 AM ETTags: Disc Re-Issues, Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)
Following weeks of rumors, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has finally confirmed the planned release of a remastered version of'The Fifth Element' for Blu-ray, as well as a "Replacement Exchange Program" for consumers unhappy with the original release.
Sony first released 'The Fifth Element' on Blu-ray back in June 2006, as part of an inaugural wave of disc releases timed to coincide with the launch of Blu-ray hardware.
Joined in that opening slate by a number of films, including 'xXx,' 'Hitch' and '50 First Dates,' 'The Fifth Element' received exceptionally poor reviews for both image quality and its almost complete lack of bonus features, which many (including High-Def Digest's own Peter Bracke) felt were not up to snuff for a premiere high-def release.
Now, in an extremely rare move, Sony will not only be re-issuing 'the Fifth Element' on Blu-ray in a newly remastered version due in stores on July 17, but also offering a "Replacement Exchange Program" for owners of the original version who may be unhappy with their purchase.
Sony is currently accepting preliminary consumer information for the exchange program, and will contact interested parties closer to the release of the remastered version on exact instructions on how to exchange their discs. Simply contact the company via the email address or phone number listed below, and provide your name, mailing address, and phone number.
Phone: (800) 860-2878
Email: consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com
The new version of 'The Fifth Element' will be presented in upgraded 1080p video (no codec yet available), along with uncompressed PCM and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks. Supplemental features will remain identical to the original, now-discontinued release.
For those wishing to purchase the new version of 'The Fifth Element' at retail when it hits stores on July 17, list price will be consistent with the previous, with Sony offering the remastered 'Fifth Element' at an MSRP of $28.95.
We've added a new listing for the remastered 'Fifth Element' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, under July 17. We also plan to deliver a full review of the upgraded disc in the coming weeks. Watch this space!
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 Fifth Element (Remastered) (Blu-ray)
- The Fifth Element (Discontinued) (Blu-ray)
- xXx (Blu-ray)
- Hitch (Blu-ray)
- 50 First Dates (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Retailers Report 'Fifth Element' Blu-ray Remaster Coming in (May 17, 2007)
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