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'The Bible: The Epic Miniseries' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The groundbreaking 10-part miniseries from Executive Producers Mark Burnett ('The Voice,' 'Survivor') and Roma Downey ('Touched by an Angel') arrives on Blu-ray in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is working on 'The Bible: The Epic Miniseries' for Blu-ray on April 2. Breathtaking in scope and scale, 'The Bible' features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire millions across the globe. Narrated by Emmy® winning actor Keith David, 'The Bible' features a stunning international cast including Portuguese actor, Diogo Morgado as Jesus Christ and beloved actress, Roma Downey as Mother Mary. And for the first time since their award winning collaboration on Gladiator, Oscar® and Grammy® winning composer Hans Zimmer reunites with acclaimed vocalist Lisa Gerrard to create the majestic musical backdrop for this epic production. The 4-disc set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include a behind-the-scenes look at how the groundbreaking docudrama came together. Interviews with producers, directors, and cast illustrate creative collaboration on-set and off and show how the remarkable Moroccan scenery was transformed into the world of the Bible. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $69.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Bible: The Epic Miniseries' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 2.Posted Tue Feb 26, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
LG Plans Their Own Smart TVs with WebOS Purchase[teaser]Palm's ill-fated smart phone operating system may find new use after Hewlett-Packard. [/teaser] A ghost of 2009, WebOS was Palm's Linux-based operating system, built to compete head-to-head with Apple in phones and tablets. The operating system failed to gain traction in part due to a lack of app development. Since Hewlett-Packard's 2010 acquisition of Palm, WebOS has bounced back and forth between different ambitions within HP. Now though LG has a deal to acquire the source code and engineering talent, while HP retains the patents and cloud-computing assets. LG's plan, however, is not to push WebOS into its handsets, as Android has that market well in hand. That apparently leaves an entire spectrum of other consumer devices that LG has ambitions for, including kitchen appliances and automobiles. The main target would seem to be TVs, suggesting that Smart TVs of the Google variety do not fit into LG's future. LG has been working with Open WebOS for some time, so hopefully the new functionality is not far off, If successful perhaps LG can capture consumer's interest with a new take on smart TV/set-top box functionality. Source:eWeekPosted Tue Feb 26, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Babe: Pig in the City,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' & 'In the Name of the Father' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Three favorites from Universal's catalog will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in May. [/teaser] In an announcement to retailers, Universal says 'Babe: Pig in the City' will have a Blu-ray release on May 7. Babe (voiced by E.G. Daily), fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm. But when Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save his home. Accompanied by Ferdy (Danny Mann) and Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski), Babe sets out into a large city and, despite incredible obstacles, turns enemies into friends, raises enough money to save the farm and combines two worlds into one. Babe's kind and steady heart once again achieves miracles in this fun-filled sequel to the original 'Babe.' The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and no supplements besides My Scenes. The acclaimed 1973 musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' will also be available on the same date. The bold interpretation of the hit rock opera and Broadway smash from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the story of Christ's (Ted Neeley) final weeks in a series of dazzling songs, images and music. Nominated for the Best Music Adaptation Academy Award, producer-director Norman Jewison ('Fiddler on the Roof') offers a groundbreaking vision and unforgettable songs shot entirely on location in Israel. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack, and supplements include: Feature Commentary with director Norman Jewison and actor Ted Neeley and an exclusive interview with lyricist Tim Rice. Finally, 'In the Name of the Father' will also make its way to Blu-ray. Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, In the Name of the Father tells the riveting true story of one man's 15-year struggle and ultimate triumph over a terrible injustice. Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis gives an impassioned performance as Gerry Conlon, a petty thief in 1970s London who is forced to confess to a savage terrorist bombing that he did not commit. When he and his father (Pete Postlethwaite) are both sentenced to life imprisonment as one of the "Guildford Four," he finds a fiercely dedicated lawyer (Emma Thompson) to help prove his innocence, clear his father's name and expose the truth behind one of the most shameful legal events in recent history. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and no supplements besides My Scenes. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Babe: Pig in the City,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' and 'In the Name of the Father' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under May 7.Posted Tue Feb 26, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Blu-ray Highlights for February 26th, 2013Perhaps due to a desire not to draw attention away from the Oscars, or perhaps simply due to a shortage of worthwhile product to release, the Hollywood studios have chosen to go light on notable Blu-ray releases this week. However, at least a couple of acclaimed films and one cult comedy managed to slip through. Read about this week's new Blu-rays in the blog today.Posted Tue Feb 26, 2013 at 06:30 AM PST by: -
'The Taint' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Don't drink the water in the town of Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Troma will be bringing 'The Taint' to Blu-ray on March 12. The water is tainted. The Taint poisons the minds of men. It turns them into raging misogynists: monsters who want nothing more than to crush women's heads with rocks (or other objects). When society is transformed into a land of sadistic violence and horrible brutality, it is up to Phil O'Ginny and his hot friend, Misandra, to combat the horrible evil that is The Taint. Can they survive in a world brimming with castration and endless head crusing?! Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: Director's and Cast Commentaries, Behind The Scenes Slideshow, Deleted Scenes, Introduction By Lloyd Kaufman, and Tromatic Extras. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $24.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Taint' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 12.Posted Tue Feb 26, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Dexter: The Complete Seventh Season' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The seventh season of the hit Showtime series will stuff Blu-ray into a body bag this May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount will be bringing 'Dexter: The Complete Seventh Season' to Blu-ray on May 14. 'Dexter' returns to Blu-ray in explosive fashion with Season 7, as Dexter is finally forced to confront his greatest fear, as Debra witnesses his insatiable, ritualistic slaying of a killer. Now Deb knows the secret of his Dark Passenger, his undeniable thirst for blood, and the Code that their father Harry instilled in him as a young boy. But as Deb tries to reconcile the unfathomable idea that her beloved, mild-mannered brother is Miami's most notorious serial killer, Dexter is still pulled by his natural impulses to seek out the guilty and exact his brand of vigilante justice. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $65.99 and a seasons 1-7 set will also be available with a suggested price of $365. You can find the latest specs for 'Dexter: The Complete Seventh Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 14.Posted Mon Feb 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Samsung Debuts New Media Set-top Box, 'HomeSync'[teaser] Shared Android-based storage "fit for the family."[/teaser] Samsung, who's presence in the living room through televisions and elsewhere through their Galaxy line of phones and tablets is well known, has announced the Samsung 'HomeSync.' The device has multiple functions, but essentially brings Galaxy-like functionality in 1080p to any HD set. An Android-based device, the HomeSync "brings the best of Android games, movies, TV shows and streaming content direct into your living room," and also serves as a family stratified media server with the ability to set-up multiple password enabled accounts. The idea is for different family members to have private content on the HomeSync, which can be played back using the HomeSync's Jelly Been media player or accessed through a Galaxy phone or tablet. Conversely, content stored on a Galaxy device can be streamed wirelessly through the HomeSync to a connected display. Samsung has promised the HomeSync for April 2013 in select countries and is currently demonstrating the device at the Mobile World Congress. The drive sports 1.7GHz processor, 1GB of DDR3 RAM, 8GB of eMMC plus the presumably upgradeable 1TB drive. The device has Gigabit Ethernet along with an expected range (802.11a/b/g/n) of wireless standards. The only A/V connection specified is HDMI 1.4, but an 'Audio Amp. Connection' suggests audio RCAs. Default video codecs listed but hopefully not limited to include H.264, H.263, MPEG-4, WMV 7/8, VC-1, WMV7/8, MP43, and DivX . On the audio side, the player does support FLAC, plus the expected MP3, AAC, and WMA. It also supports Ogg, Vorbis, AC-3 and WAV. Source:SamsungPosted Mon Feb 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'The Mad Max Trilogy' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Mad Mel returns to Blu-ray in style this summer! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'The Mad Max Trilogy' on Blu-ray on June 4. The three films – 'Mad Max' (1979), 'Mad Max Road Warrior' (1982) and 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome' (1985) – are all set in the near-future in Australia. From the very first film, Oscar® winner George Miller ('Happy Feet,' 2006) proved a master at creating the gritty, bleak dystopian world and staging the incredible car stunts and crashes in the era when stuntmen, not computers, achieved the effects. All three movies starred Mel Gibson, virtually unknown until after the second film, as Max Rockatansky, a highway cop traveling through the Outback in a society descending into chaos. The films started Gibson on his road to international superstardom, led to his signature 'Lethal Weapon' series, and later two Academy Awards® for his roles as producer and director of 'Braveheart' (1995). Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Mad Max Trilogy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 4.Posted Mon Feb 25, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'Silver Linings Playbook' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]David O. Russell's Academy Award nominated film will arrive on Blu-ray at the end of April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing 'Silver Linings Playbook' for Blu-ray on April 30. Life doesn't always go according to plan. Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) has lost everything -- his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert DeNiro) after spending eight months is a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation. All Pat's parents want is for him to get back on his feet-and to share their family's obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something very important for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives. The offbeat romance has been nominated for eight Oscars including Best Editing, Best Writing/Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro), Best Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver), Best Director, and Best Picture. Specs and supplements have not been set yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Silver Linings Playbook' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 30.Posted Mon Feb 25, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
LG Demonstrates Wireless 4k Ultra HD Streaming From Phone to TV[teaser]The source stream was 1080p, but LG may be onto something.[/teaser] In a convergence of several prevalent tech trends, LG has been demonstrating its wireless Ultra HD transmission technology at the Mobile World Congress tradeshow. According to The Verge, the streaming utilizes Wi-Fi and the Miracast peer-to-peer wireless screencast standard in order to stream the 1080p source from the phone, before being upscaled by the TV to Ultra HD. The demonstration stream included an Unreal engine Android title that suffered in framerate when pushed, but the tech is unfinished. Keeping the phone from overheating is another concern, and LG is touting their streaming capabilities as less power-taxing on the phone at the cost of reducing brightness on the mobile screen. While it may be some time before a phone can stream a native Ultra HD source, this configuration has possibilities, at least in terms of games. An enterprising developer can design visuals with the ultimate goal of being upscaled, even offering "Ultra HD Upscaling" as an option that calls different art assets, shadow depth, etc. Source:The VergePosted Mon Feb 25, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by:
