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Universal Launches Blu-ray/DVD Combos

Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Universal, Industry Trends (all tags)

Returning to the idea they tried back during the HD-DVD days, Universal Home Video has decided to once again create combo packs that feature a standard DVD copy as well as a high definition Blu-ray disc.

Though not an entirely uncommon practice for new releases, Universal has announced their first DVD/Blu-ray bundles for older ‘catalog’ films. The two-packs will be released on January 5th, and will include the films '8 Mile,' 'Dawn of the Dead,' 'Doom,' 'End of Days,' 'Jarhead,' 'Street Fighter: Extreme Edition' (this is the Jean-Claude Van Damme "film" of the game, not the excellent Sonny Chiba flick), 'The Last Starfighter' and 'The Rundown.'

While Universal has already offered all of these films on DVD and many of them as Blu-ray discs, the combination offering is a way to offload old product while simultaneously hooking the customer on the latest and greatest.

The appeal of the packages seems a bit limited, as owners of DVDs don’t need the Blu-ray discs and Blu-ray owners may have no use for the DVD copies. For those with multiple viewing rooms that sport a Blu-ray player in one and a DVD player or game system in the other, this could be a fantastic deal.

Universal’s new bundle deals come just in time for post holiday shopping where many consumers will undoubtedly be looking for a great deal on movies to watch on their newly acquired Blu-ray players, PlayStation 3s and Blu-ray integrated computers.

This should also be seen as a move by Universal to cement Blu-ray as the only supported format. Sources are reporting that once these combo packs are in stores retailers will no longer have the option to order the DVD version of the film separately.

Source: Video business

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'Atonement' Blu-ray Detailed

Mon Nov 09, 2009 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Universal, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The Blu-ray for the 2007 drama nominated for seven Academy Awards has been detailed.

As previously reported, Universal Studios has revealed Joe Wright's 'Atonement' starring Keira Knightly and James McAvoy is bound for Blu-ray on January 26.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Deleted Scenes with Commentary By Director Joe Wright; Feature Commentary With Director Joe Wright; Bringing The Past to Life: The Making Of Atonement; From Novel to Screen: Adapting A Classic; and BD Live - Basic Download Center.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $26.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Atonement' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 26.

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

'Pride & Prejudice (2005)' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed

Mon Nov 09, 2009 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Universal, Disc Announcements (all tags)

Jane Austen's masterful love story is bound for high-definition in late January.

Universal says 'Pride & Prejudice (2005)' starring Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden is scheduled for Blu-ray release on January 26.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Feature Commentary With Director Joe Wright; Conversations With The Cast; Jane Austen: Ahead Of Her Time; A Bennet Family Portrait; HBO First Look: Pride & Prejudice; The Politics Of 18th Century Dating; and The Stately Homes Of Pride & Prejudice.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $26.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Pride & Prejudice (2005)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 26.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Pride & Prejudice (2005) (Blu-ray)

'Atonement' Blu-ray Announced

Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Universal, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The 2007 drama nominated for seven Academy Awards will hit Blu-ray in late January.

In an early retailer announcement, Universal Studios has revealed Joe Wright's 'Atonement' starring Keira Knightly and James McAvoy is bound for Blu-ray on January 26.

Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $26.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Atonement' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 26.

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

'Smokin' Aces' Blu-ray Announced

Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Universal, Disc Announcements (all tags)

Illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel will magically appear on the Blu-ray format this January.

Universal Studios is preparing Joe Carnahan's 'Smokin' Aces' starring an all-star cast, including Andy Garcia, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, and Ryan Reynolds for Blu-ray on January 19.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: One Smoking Camera; Lock, Stock and Two F**cking Barrels; U Control - Picture in Picture; U Control - Assassin Tracker (Picture in Picture); BD Live - Basic Download Center; BD Live - Video Rotation; and BD Live - On-Screen Ticker.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $26.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Smokin' Aces' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 19.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Smokin' Aces (Blu-ray)

'A Perfect Getaway' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed

Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Universal (all tags)

A vacation goes horribly wrong in David Twohy's thriller coming to Blu-ray in late December.

Universal says 'A Perfect Getaway' starring Timothy Olyphant, Marley Shelton, Milla Jovovich, and Steve Zahn will make its high-definition debut as an unrated director's cut on December 29.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p/VC-1 video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and the only supplements appear to be the original scripted ending and BD-Live.

Here's a look at the packaging:


Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'A Perfect Getaway' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 29.

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A Perfect Getaway (Blu-ray)

'American Pie: The Book of Love' Blu-ray Bound

Tue Oct 27, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Universal (all tags)

Another direct-to-video comedy continues the saga of the popular franchise on Blu-ray this December.

Universal has unveiled plans to bring 'American Pie: The Book of Love' to high-definition on December 22.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel; From the Set - The film's funniest sequences are spotlighted; On the Set of American Pie Presents: The Book of Love - An uncensored, hilarious and energetic peek behind-the-scenes that showcases the cast, the crew and the craziness involved in bringing the newest American Pie to the screen; Just the Tips: The Love Manual - The cast and crew of The Book of Love offer up enlightening tips on love, relationships, and sex; American Pie Trivia--Viewers can play along as actor Kevin M. Norton (Nathan) tests the American Pie knowledge of the Book of Love cast and crew; American Pie-Cons--Profiles of Book of Love "experts" including Bret Michaels, Kevin Federline, Dustin Diamond, Christopher Knight, Robert Romanus, Tim Matheson, Curtis Armstrong and others; BD-LIVE - Allows viewers to connect to the Internet and access new and exciting exclusive online and interactive features, including My Scenes; Sharing and My Chat.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time.

You can find the latest specs for 'American Pie: The Book of Love' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 22.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
American Pie: The Book of Love (Blu-ray)

'Basterds' Blu-ray Gets Detailed

Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Universal (all tags)

As previously reported, Universal will be bringing Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds' to Blu-ray on December 15, and now full details are in.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Extended & Alternate Scenes; Nation's Pride - The film within the film Inglourious Basterds; Roundtable Discussion with Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt and film historian/critic Elvis Mitchell; The Making of Nation's Pride; The Original Inglorious Bastards - a salute to the original 1978 film; A Conversation with veteran actor Rod Taylor; Rod Taylor on Victoria Bitters, the Australian beer; Quentin Tarantino's Camera Angel; Hi Sallys - Gag Reel; Film Poster Gallery Tour with Elvis Mitchell; Inglourious Basterds Poster Gallery; Domestic and International Trailers; and BD-Live.

The release will also include a digital copy of the film.

Suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray is $39.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Inglourious Basterds' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 15.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Inglourious Basterds (Blu-ray)

'Inglourious Basterds' Invades Blu-ray

Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 02:16 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Universal (all tags)

Better hold on tight to your scalps come mid-December.

In an early announcement to retailers, Universal has revealed Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds' starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Michael Fassbender will be marching onto Blu-ray on December 15.

Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray is $39.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Inglourious Basterds' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 15.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Inglourious Basterds (Blu-ray)

'Taking Woodstock' Brings Flower Power to Blu-ray

Thu Oct 15, 2009 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Universal (all tags)

Looks like we're getting a lot more than three days of peace and music on Blu-ray this December.

Universal is bringing Ang Lee's 'Taking Woodstock' starring Demetri Martin, Eugene Levy, and Liev Schreiber to high-definition on December 15.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary with director Ang Lee and writer James Schamus; deleted scenes; No Audience Required - The Earth Light Players; Peace, Love and Cinema; My Scenes Sharing; and BD-Live.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has beens et at $39.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Taking Woodstock' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 15.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Taking Woodstock (Blu-ray)


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