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ABBOTT & COSTELLO: COMPLETE UNIVERSAL PICTURES COLLECTION Supplements Detailed[teaser]All 28 classic comedies will be boxed up in an 80th Anniversary set this November![/teaser] As previously reported, Shout Select is bringing Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection to Blu-ray, and now the set's supplements have been revealed. Likewise, though the release date was originally listed for November 5, the 15-disc set is now scheduled to arrive on November 19. Get ready to laugh out loud with the most popular comedy duo of all time in Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection! All 28 films produced during the height of their popularity at Universal Pictures are here in one collection. Featuring their most popular movies, such as Buck Privates, Who Done It? and Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, this collection is filled with some of the most hilarious routines of all time, including "Who's on First?"! Loaded with hours of bonus features and an exclusive collectible book, this is the ultimate tribute to two of the funniest and most enduring comedians of all time!The collection will include: Abbott and Costello Go to Mars Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Abbott and Costello Lost in Alaska Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy Buck Privates Buck Privates Come Home Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man Comin’ Round the Mountain Here Come the Co-Eds Hit the Ice Hold that Ghost In Society In the Navy It Ain’t Hay Keep ‘Em Flying Little Giant Mexican Hayride One Night in the Tropics Pardon My Sarong Ride ‘Em Cowboy The Naughty Nineties The Time of Their Lives The Wistful Widow Who Done It? Supplements will include: NEW Abbott and Costello: Their Lives and Legacy – featuring interviews with Chris Costello (daughter of Lou Costello) and Ron Palumbo (co-author of Abbott and Costello In Hollywood) NEW Abbott and Costello: Film Stories – featuring an interview with author/film historian James L. Neibaur (The Monster Movies of Universal Studios) NEW Abbott and Costello: Behind the Scenes – Ron Palumbo talks about the various writers and directors NEW Abbott & Costello Meet Castle Films - 8 of Abbott and Costello’s best Castle Films 8mm/16mm films Outtakes from Pardon My Sarong, It Ain’t Hay, Hit the Ice, Little Giant and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein The Abbott and Costello Trailer Reel 10 Audio Commentaries Still Galleries Production Notes You can find the latest specs for Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection (80th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition) linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 19. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Oct 2, 2019 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
FandangoNow Adds IMAX Enhanced Streaming Support[teaser]The service is now offering IMAX Enhanced playback support.[/teaser] FandangoNow has announced the addition of its first IMAX Enhanced 4K HDR streaming title with the arrival of Spider: Far From Home. The movie is now available to rent or buy with IMAX Enhanced playback support via the FandangoNow app on select Sony 4K TV models. IMAX Enhanced content use a proprietary post-production process and an advanced algorithm to provide high-quality 4K HDR images through the accurate reduction of noise and grain under the filmmaker's supervision. Likewise, IMAX Enhanced also uses a special variant of the DTS:X codec for immersive audio with specific adjustments for the home theater based on how the IMAX theatrical sound system operates. "IMAX Enhanced continues to build on its growing momentum, as new companies throughout the ecosystem seek to offer their consumers the most immersive at-home entertainment experience in the world," said Francisco Navarro-Sertich, senior vice president of strategy at IMAX Corporation and global head of IMAX Enhanced. "By bringing together two pioneering entertainment technology companies in IMAX and DTS, IMAX Enhanced is pushing boundaries and fundamentally changing what consumers expect and demand from home entertainment." Beyond video and audio enhancements, the IMAX Enhanced version of Spider-Man: Far From Home also features 45 minutes of footage in IMAX's exclusive expanded aspect ratio. IMAX Enhanced support for additional FandangoNow titles, like Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, The Angry Birds Movie 2, and Bumblebee, will also be added soon. IMAX Enhanced playback is currently supported through a variety of AV devices from manufacturers like Arcam, AudioControl, Denon, Elite, Integra, Lexicon, Marantz, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sony, TCL, and Trinnov. Sources: Forbes, Engadget, IMAX via Business WirePosted Wed Oct 2, 2019 at 10:55 AM PDT by: -
VUDU Launches Flash Sale With Select 4K HDR Digital Titles as Low as $7[teaser]Select 4K digital titles are now on sale via VUDU.[/teaser] VUDU has launched a Flash Sale on a variety of digital films, including several 4K Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos titles. The limited time discounted prices currently range from $7 to $8. Here's a rundown of all the 4K titles currently included in the promotion: Godzilla: King of the Monsters - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos Pokémon Detective Pikachu - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos Shazam! - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos The Dark Knight - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos Justice League - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos Central Intelligence - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 American Sniper - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos 12 Strong - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 The Great Gatsby - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Blade Runner 2049 - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos Pacific Rim - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos Dunkirk - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Geostorm - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 The LEGO NINJAGO Movie - 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos VUDU currently offers support for up to 4K playback with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos on select titles via compatible TVs and devices. The service is also part of the Movies Anywhere digital locker ecosystem. Movies Anywhere allows users to redeem, purchase, and access supported digital titles across numerous retailers and services. This means that compatible movies purchased through VUDU can also be watched through other supported platforms when they are all synced to a single Movies Anywhere account. Other Movies Anywhere retailers include FanangoNOW, iTunes Amazon, Xfinity (for Xfinity TV subscribers only), Google Play/YouTube, and Microsoft Movies. Meanwhile, studios currently participating include Disney, Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and Universal. Source: VUDU via The InventoryPosted Tue Oct 1, 2019 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 Dated and Detailed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray[teaser]The animated sequel will hit home video in November. [/teaser] Sony says The Angry Birds Movie 2 will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on November 12. The flightless angry birds and the scheming green piggies take their beef to the next level in The Angry Birds Movie 2! When a new threat emerges that puts both Bird and Pig Island in danger, Red (Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (Josh Gad), Bomb (Danny McBride), and Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage) recruit Chuck's sister Silver (Rachel Bloom) and team up with pigs Leonard (Bill Hader), his assistant, Courtney (Awkwafina), and techpig, Garry (Sterling K. Brown), to forge an unsteady truce and form an unlikely super team to save their homes. Supplements include: ALL NEW MINI MOVIE! - "Live Stream": When Silver attempts her first livestream, Red is the ultimate Angry Bird while the adorable Hatchlings get into mischief. 6 Classic Hatchling Mini Movies DIY Family Fun! "Bird Watching": In this hilarious "birds-eye" view of the real-life species that inspired the artists, we take a trip to the LA ZOO to get up close and personal with real-life Mighty Eagles, Blue Birds, Toucans, and more. With fun reactions from the cast intercut throughout the piece - get ready to laugh, learn and meet some amazing avian friends "Meet The New Birds & Pigs": Join the returning cast and meet the unique new cast members giving voice to the hilarious characters in Angry Birds 2. In exclusive BTS recording sessions and interviews, we'll see how Leslie Jones, Rachel Bloom, Eugenio Derbez, and Sterling K. Brown bring these unforgettable characters to life. "Hatching the Hatchlings": The Hatchlings are soooooo cute! And in Angry Birds 2, we get to join them on their very own adventure! Meet these mischievous little troublemakers as we talk to filmmakers about the creation of the Hatchlings and their expanded storyline in the film, and hear from cast members about their love for these adorable baby birds. "Flocking Together: Making The Angry Birds Movie 2": Go behind the scenes with the flock of talented artists who worked together to make The Angry Birds Movie 2. "Happy Thanks-pigging": Zeta is not a fan of the traditional Thanksgiving menu! "Jingle Birds: A Holiday Song From The Cast of Angry Birds 2": Sing along with Rachel Bloom and Jason Sudeikis with a new twist on this holiday classic. You can find the latest specs for The Angry Birds Movie 2 linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under November 12. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Oct 1, 2019 at 10:42 AM PDT by: -
Harley Quinn Returns in First BIRDS OF PREY Trailer[teaser]The new DC comic book flick hits theaters in February.[/teaser] Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. The movie comes from director Cathy Yan and is set to premiere on February 7, 2020. After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord. Starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli / Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Dinah Lance / Black Canary, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain / Orphan, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Chris Messina as Victor Zsasz, and Ewan McGregor as Black Mask. Check out the trailer below! Serving as a spin-off of David Ayer's Suicide Squad (2016), the movie features the return of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. The film is written by Christina Hodson (Bumblebee) with a script based on the comic book series created by Chuck Dixon, Jordan B. Gorfinkel, and Greg Land. The character of Harley Quinn was originally created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 before making the jump to various comic books, video games, and films. Other upcoming DC movies include Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 1984 which will premiere on June 5, 2020 and James Gunn's The Suicide Squad which is set to premiere on August 6, 2021. The latter film will also feature Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Meanwhile, an Aquaman sequel from director James Wan, a new Batman film from director Matt Reeves, and a Flash movie are also all in development. Source: Warner Bros. (YouTube)Posted Tue Oct 1, 2019 at 09:50 AM PDT by: -
Rumor Mill: EYES WIDE SHUT Headed for 20th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray[teaser]Stanley Kubrick's final film starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman is rumored to be heading to 4K. [/teaser] According to Warner Brothers and Park Circus (see trailer below), Stanley Kubrick's 1999 thriller Eyes Wide Shut will be getting a 20th Anniversary Edition in the near future. A 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is highly likely as well. After Dr. Bill Hartford's (Tom Cruise) wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings -- and quickly discovers that he is in over his head. You can find the latest specs for Eyes Wide Shut linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Tue Oct 1, 2019 at 08:15 AM PDT by: -
Everything Coming to the Apple TV App in October 2019[teaser]Check out all the new digital titles coming to the Apple TV app in October.[/teaser] Apple has revealed its October lineup of movies and TV shows available for rent or purchase. The collection includes films like Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw, Toy Story 4, The Lion King, Stuber, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Good Boys, and more. And beyond its own library, Apple has also compiled a list of October streaming shows set to be available via the Apple TV App from over 60 other video services without switching from one app to the next, including titles from HBO Now, Showtime, CBS All Access, and many other pay-TV subscriptions. Here's a full rundown of October Apple TV app titles per Apple: Apple TV Movies 10/1 Toy Story 4 10/1 The Game Changers 10/1 Stuber 10/1 Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love 10/1 The Death and Return of Superman 10/1 Maiden 10/1 Viena and the Fantomes 10/1 Gothic Harvest 10/1 Karma 10/1 Sister Aimee 10/1 See Know Evil 10/1 Devil’s Revenge 10/1 Low Tide day+date 10/4 Rogue Warfare 10/4 Memory: The Origins of Alien 10/4 Wrinkles the Clown 10/4 Semper Fi 10/4 Santa Fake 10/5 Wonder Woman: Bloodline 10/8 The Riot Act 10/8 Sea of Shadows 10/8 The Dead Center 10/8 Three Oeajs 10/8 Hamlet in the Golden Vale 10/8 Alien Mummies of Peru 10/8 The Art of Self Defense 10/11 The Dead Center 10/11 Trespassers 10/11 Mister America day+date 10/11 Along Came the Devil day+date 10/11 Lucky Day day+date 10/11 Cinderella and the Secret Prince day+date 10/11 The Lion King 10/15 3 From Hell 10/15 Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw 10/15 A Cinderella Christmas 10/15 Sweetheart 10/15 Emanuel 10/15 The Death of Dick Long 10/15 Making Montgomery Clift 10/15 The Cat Rescuers 10/18 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie day+date 10/18 Black Spruce day+date 10/18 The Gallows Act II day+date 10/18 Greener Grass day+date 10/22 The Kitchen 10/22 Blinded by the Light 10/22 Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 10/22 David Crosby: Remember My Name 10/22 Honeyland 10/22 Indian Horse 10/22 The Kill Team 10/22 The Other Story 10/22 Jazz: The Only Way of Life 10/22 Them That Follow 10/25 The Nightingale 10/25 Farming 10/25 After Party 10/26 Air Strike 10/29 Angry Birds 2 10/29 Art of Racing in the Rain, The 10/29 Good Boys 10/29 47 Meters Down: Uncaged 10/29 The Farewell 10/29 Luce10/29 Freaks 10/29 Mike Wallace is Here 10/29 Jirga 10/29 Brian Banks Apple TV App Streaming Shows 10/1 Hellraiser (Arrow Video) 10/1 Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (Arrow Video) 10/2 SEAL Team - Season 3 (CBS) 10/2 S.W.A.T. - Season 3 (CBS) 10/3 Nature (PBS) 10/3 The Masked Singer (Fox) 10/3 Almost Family - Season 1 (Fox) 10/4 Chrisley Knows Best - Season 7B (USA) 10/4 Funke (Tastemade) 10/4 Goliath - Season 3 (Prime) 10/5 The Blacklist - Season 7 (NBC) 10/6 Back to Life - Season 1 (Showtime) 10/6 Vets Saving Pets - Season 2 (NBC) 10/6 A New Leaf (NBC) 10/6 Ready to Love - Season 2 (OWN) 10/6 Madam Secretary - Season 6 (CBS) 10/6 Get Shorty - Season 3 (EPIX) 10/6 Kids Say the Darndest Things - Season 1 (ABC) 10/7 The Walking Dead - Season 10 (AMC) 10/7 Batwoman - Season 1 (CW) 10/7 Mr. Robot - Season 4 (USA) 10/7 60 Minutes (CBS) 10/7 Supergirl - Season 5 (CW) 10/7 Star Wars: Resistance - Season 2 (Disney Channel) 10/8 All American - Season 2 (CW) 10/8 Black Lightning - Season 3 (CW) 10/9 The Flash - Season 6 (CW) 10/9 Finding Your Roots - Season 6 (PBS) 10/10 Nancy Drew - Season 1 (CW) 10/10 Riverdale - Season 4 (CW) 10/11 Temptation Island - Season 2 (USA) 10/11 Supernatural - Season 15 (CW) 10/11 Legacies - Season 2 (CW) 10/12 Charmed - Season 2 (CW) 10/12 Dynasty - Season 3 (CW) 10/12 Inferno (MUBI) 10/12 Gold Rush - Season 10 (Discovery) 10/14 Letterkenny - Season 7 (Hulu) 10/14 Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America (AMC) 10/14 Why We Hate (Discovery) 10/16 Arrow - Season 8 (CW) 10/16 The Purge - Season 2 (USA) 10/16 Treadstone - Season 1 (USA) 10/18 Modern Love (Prime Video) 10/18 Looking for Alaska - Season 1 (Hulu) 10/18 Modern Love - Season 1 (Prime Video) 10/20 Leavenworth (Starz) 10/20 Watchmen - Season 1 (HBO) 10/21 Catherine the Great (HBO) 10/23 The Misery Index - Season 3 (TBS) 10/23 Castle Rock - Season 2 (Hulu) 10/24 The Oval - Season 1 (BET) 10/24 Sistas - Season 1 (BET) 10/27 Silicon Valley - Season 6 (HBO) 10/27 Mrs. Fletcher - Season 1 (HBO) Source: ApplePosted Mon Sep 30, 2019 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
Is 8K Worth It? -- A Consumer's Guide to the 8K Format & TVs[teaser]8K displays are now shipping across the US from a variety of manufacturers, but just what does this jump in resolution really mean for consumers?[/teaser] Is there even an official 8K standard yet? Is there any 8K content available to actually watch? And do all those extra pixels really offer a visible benefit over 4K? Or, to put it more simply… Is 8K Worth It? With those questions in mind, we've put together a comprehensive guide covering all the ins and outs of the current 8K market -- detailing everything from emerging tech standards and current TV models to potential content offerings and hands-on impressions. What is 8K? 8K refers to a display resolution of 7680 x 4320. This equates to a total of about 33.2 million pixels or about four times the amount of pixels found on a 4K Ultra HD TV with a resolution of 3840 x 2160. When it comes to spec requirements for 8K TVs, at least two industry groups have announced their own official display definitions and logo certification programs so far, including the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and the 8K Association. And while not identical, both definitions cover the same basic criteria. The CTA's 8K Standard lists specific tech specs related to resolution, digital inputs, HDR, up-conversion, and bit depth that are necessary for a display to be officially classified as 8K under its program. The group's logo will be available for use with new display models that meet its criteria beginning in January, 2020. With that said, several currently available 8K TVs already adhere to the minimum specs outlined. Here's rundown of the CTA's official 8K Ultra HD Display Definition per the company's website: Display Resolution - At least 33 million active pixels, with at least 7680 horizontally and 4320 vertically within a 16:9 viewable window, and specific measurement methodology in accordance with industry standards. Digital Inputs - One or more HDMI inputs supporting resolution of 7680x4320 pixels; bit depth of 10-bits; frame rates of 24, 30 and 60 frames per second; HDR transfer functions and colorimetry as specified by ITU-R BT.2100; and HDCP v2.2 or equivalent content protection. Up-conversion - Capability to upscale SD, HD and 4K video and display it at 8K UHD display resolution. Bit Depth - Capability to receive 10-bit 8K images and render an image that shows responsiveness to changes to any of the 10 bits. Meanwhile, the 8K Association's 8K Standard criteria was developed in partnership with its own industry members, including TV manufacturers like Samsung Electronics, Panasonic, Hisense, TCL, and more. Similar to the CTA standard, the 8K Association requirements also specify a variety of minimum display specs, including elements related to 8K Input Parameters (bit depth, frame rate, chroma sub-sampling), Display Performance (resolution, peak brightness, black level, color gamut, white point), and Interface & Media formats (High Dynamic Range, codec). With that said, full details on the standard are currently only available to the association's members. Here's a rundown of the 8K Association's basic 8K Ultra HD Display Definition per the company's website: Resolution: 7680 x 4320 pixels Input Frame Rate: 24p, 30p and 60p frames per second Display Luminance: More than 600 nits peak Luminance Codec: HEVC Interface: HDMI 2.1 Since the 8K Association's full definition has not been released publicly yet, it's hard to say exactly how its criteria differs from the CTA's -- but one potential point of contention between the two definitions might involve a display measurement known as Contrast Modulation. In very simplified terms, Contrast Modulation essentially calculates how easy it is to actually cleanly distinguish between different pixels (for a more technical description CLICK HERE). The CTA 8K definition includes a requirement for a minimum of 50% contrast modulation using a 1x1 grill pattern -- a criteria that new 8K sets from LG currently meet. According to LG, however, competing 8K sets from companies like Samsung have lower Contrast Modulation as a result of methods they use to enhance viewing angles on VA LCD panels. Lower contrast modulation can potentially lead to artifacts like a "mosquito net" effect when viewing images up close. Whether Contrast Modulation ends up being part of the 8K Association's standard remains to be seen. Likewise, though very specific side-by-side demos conducted by LG have indeed revealed a benefit to higher Contrast Modulation, it's not clear whether those benefits really transfer to real-world viewing conditions. What 8K Displays Are Currently Available? While universally agreed upon standards for 8K TVs might still be a work in progress, several manufacturers have already released 8K display models in the US, including Samsung, LG, and Sony. Likewise, TCL has announced an 8K TV model set for release in 2020. Here's a rundown of the current crop of 8K TVs: Samsung Q900 8K QLED TV – The Q900 features a native 7,680 x 4,320 resolution 8K VA LCD panel with quantum dot tech and DCI-P3 wide color gamut coverage. Likewise, the set supports HDR10 and HDR10+ playback (but not Dolby Vision) with 4,000 nit peak brightness capabilities in Dynamic Mode on the 85-inch model (around 2,000 nits in Movie Mode). In addition, the TV uses Direct Full Array Elite local dimming for superior contrast and black levels. The display is also capable of advanced AI-powered 8K Upscaling technology via Samsung's 8K Quantum Processor to convert lower resolution content from any source to 8K. Several premium lifestyle and smart TV features round out the package as well, including HDMI 2.1 connections, support for Samsung's One Remote, Bixby voice control, Ambient Mode, The One Invisible Connection cable, SmartThings, AirPlay 2, and the Universal Guide. The Samsung Q900 8K TV lineup includes 55-inch ($2,999), 65-inch ($3,499), 75-inch ($4,999), 82-inch ($6,999), 85-inch ($14,999), and 98-inch ($69,999) screen sizes. CLICK HERE to read our full Hands-On impressions. LG Z9 Signature 8K OLED TV - The Z9 features a native 7,680 x 4,320 resolution 8K OLED panel powered by LG's Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor with AI upscaling capabilities. At 88-inches, the display is also the largest OLED TV that LG currently offers. In addition, the Z9 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, Technicolor Advanced, and close to 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 wide color gamut. And while the unit does not include HDR10+ support, LG says its own HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro option is capable of producing similar results with HDR10 content. Rounding out the package are four HDMI 2.1 connections, ThinQ and webOS smart TV capabilities, a Magic Remote with voice control, and Dolby Atmos support with an integrated sound system and TV stand. The LG Z9 8K OLED is currently available in an 88-inch screen size for $29,999. CLICK HERE to read our full review. LG 9 Series 8K NanoCell TV - The 9 Series 8K TV features a native 7,680 x 4,320 resolution 8K LCD IPS panel with NanoCell technology powered by LG's Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor with AI upscaling capabilities. The display supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 (but not HDR10+), HLG, and Technicolor Advanced, along with DCI-P3 wide color gamut playback. In addition, the TV incorporates Full Array Dimming Pro for enhanced black level performance. HDMI 2.1 connections, ThinQ and webOS smart TV capabilities, a Magic Remote with voice control, and Dolby Atmos support are all integrated as well. The LG 9 Series 8K NanoCell TV is currently available in a 75-inch screen size for $4,999. Sony XBR-Z9G 8K Master Series LED TV - The 8K Master Series TV features a native 7680 x 4320 resolution 8K VA LCD panel powered by Sony's Picture Processor X1 Ultimate and 8K X-Reality PRO, allowing the TV to upscale any content to near-8K quality. Likewise, the display offers support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 (but not HDR10+), HLG, and IMAX Enhanced with Sony's 8K X-tended Dynamic Range PRO tech and wide color gamut capabilities. In addition, the set uses Sony's Backlight Master Drive tech with full-array local dimming, offering a reported 720 zones and brightness capabilities close to 4,000 nits in Cinema mode. Android TV streaming, Chromecast built-in, a voice remote, an integrated Acoustic Multi-Audio system with four front-facing speakers, and an HDMI 2.1 connection are included as well. The Sony XBR-85Z9G 8K Master Series LED TV is currently available in 85-inch ($12,999) and 98-inch ($69,999) screen sizes. CLICK HERE to read our full Hands-On impressions. Is There Any 8K Content? Though several 8K displays are already on the market, actual native 8K videos remain far more elusive. In fact, current 8K content is primarily limited to a handful of specialty demo reels that manufacturers have been using to showcase their TVs. Played off of USB drives or via powerful computer rigs, these reels consist of appropriately stunning nature shots, cityscape clips, and other visually impressive imagery. But while undeniably gorgeous, the promo clips are all relatively short and don't really count as substantial 8K viewing material. For now, however, brief demo reels are pretty much all viewers are going to get. There is no 8K disc format and major streaming services like Netflix and Amazon have not announced plans to add 8K playback. And while YouTube does actually allow users to upload and play 8K HDR videos on a computer, the service's smart TV app currently maxes out at 4K resolution -- meaning that one of the only 8K content sources available right now can't even play in 8K on current 8K TVs. Meanwhile, on the broadcast side of things, US stations have so far shown little interest in pursuing 8K, but there has actually been a push toward 8K transmissions in some foreign markets like Italy and Japan, which are both planning to offer the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 8K. In addition, Japanese TV broadcaster NHK already has an 8K channel and even played an 8K scan of 2001: A Space Odyssey last year. But though studios could take the time to create 8K scans of other classic catalog titles like 2001, 8K post-production has yet to become a factor for modern mainstream filmmaking. Most Hollywood movies are still being finished at 2K resolution, and though there has been an increase in the amount of films and TV shows being mastered in 4K, the cost, time, and hardware increases required for an even larger shift toward a complete 8K workflow simply remain too large for the industry to embrace right now. To be clear, some major movies have been at least partially shot with 8K cameras in recent years (including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), but as far as I know, they are all still ultimately completed in 2K or 4K. Though this could of course change if consumers end up embracing 8K TVs, full 8K productions from start to finish are pretty much non-existent in the industry. So while there is some potential for older catalog films to make the jump to 8K and a small chance that Hollywood might gradually start to transition to an 8K workflow over the next few years, as of now, native 8K movies, 8K streaming services, and external 8K playback devices don't really exist in the US, and nothing concrete has been announced for the future. Is 8K Better than 4K? In simplest terms, the answer to the above questions is... yes. With four times the amount of pixels, 8K TVs are technically capable of offering more visual detail and a higher pixel density than a 4K TV of equivalent size. But a higher resolution "technically" being superior to a lower one is meaningless if the human eye isn't actually capable of seeing the upgrade. And that's where things get a little tricky for 8K. You see, in order to actually discern more detail from 8K, viewers have to be pretty close to a pretty large display. But just how close is "pretty close" and how large is "pretty large?" Well, there are a few different charts out there, but according to this handy Viewing Distance Calculator on CarltonBale.com, a person would need to be no more than 3 feet away from an 85-inch 8K TV in order to see all of the visual benefits of that resolution. Of course, measurements like this are by no means absolute and real-world impressions will certainly vary from person to person. Based on my own experiences with a variety of 8K TVs, however, I'd say that range is fairly accurate. While native 8K content demos I've seen on displays like the Sony XBR-85Z9G and LG Z9 have all looked absolutely strunning, the actual benefits gained from their increased resolution over 4K have proven to be quite subtle. The most telling comparison I've demoed so far involved switching between an 8K feed and a 4K feed of the same footage on an LG Z9 8K 88-inch TV. Getting close to the screen -- within that 3-foot range -- did indeed reveal a minor increase in fine detail around intricate feathers and scales on animals in the native 8K clip. Likewise, people walking in the distance near hot springs were slightly better resolved in 8K. For the most part, however, these improvements were pretty small, even with my face right up to the panel. And from a more natural viewing distance of about 7-feet, the 4K and 8K feeds were basically indistinguishable. It's important to note that this was only one comparison, though, and other 8K footage might present a more visible difference. Likewise, the 4K feed was still being upscaled to 8K by the TV, so a side-by-side demonstration with a similarly sized 4K display would be the best way to determine the full benefit of all those extra pixels. Speaking of upscaling, all of the 8K TVs I've seen so far have all done a great job of upconverting 4K material to 8K with no major artifacts. Likewise, with good scaling, the higher pixel density of an 8K TV versus a similarly sized 4K TV can result in a cleaner image at close viewing distances, preventing any discernable pixel structure from being visible. But again, you really need to be close to the screen in order to notice this benefit. Unlike the shift from HD to 4K Ultra HD -- which introduced other key image enhancements like HDR, wide color gamut, and 10-bit color to the equation -- the upgrade to 8K really is just about adding more pixels. And while that shouldn't be entirely dismissed as a benefit for extra-large displays or projectors, there is a sense of diminishing returns. So... Is 8K Worth It? Well, that really depends on what your expectations or needs really are. If you're upgrading to 8K with the expectation of having a decent amount of actual native 8K content to watch anytime soon... then the answer is no. If you're upgrading to 8K with the expectation of being able to see a sizeable improvement in image detail compared to a similarly sized 4K TV from an average viewing distance... then the answer is also no. If you're upgrading to 8K because you need/want to place an extra-large screen very close to your viewing position without losing image quality... then the answer is yes... so long as you don't mind paying a hefty premium. In the current market, the primary benefit of 8K really comes down to its higher pixel density for watching upscaled 4K content on a really big screen. Even then, however, the improvements I've seen on displays as big as 88-inches are still very subtle. With that said, the benefits of 8K on TV screens 100-inches or larger -- something the industry is seemingly building toward -- will likley result in a more worthwhile upgrade down the line. For now, Sony's philosophy on 8K seems to make the most sense. As one of the company's reps explained to me at the 2019 Value Electronics TV Shootout, Sony doesn't currently see 8K as a format successor to 4K in the same way that 4K was to HD or HD was to SD. Instead they view 8K resolution as more of a premium picture enhancement add-on for extra-large screens. With no real expectation for 8K content in the short-term, the company simply feels that an 8K TV's upscaling capabilities and higher pixel density result in the best way to watch 4K on 85-inch screens and larger. And there is indeed some merit to that concept... once prices come down a little. To be clear, even though I can't really endorse 8K resolution itself right now as a necessary or sizeable improvement over 4K in a home theater setting, that isn't to say that the current crop of 8K TVs aren't worthwhile. In fact, the LG Z9, Sony Z9G, and Samsung Q900 are easily three of 2019's most impressive display models, and they're all easy recommendations for buyers with deep enough pockets thanks to their incredible HDR, color, and contrast capabilities. I just can't say that their 8K resolution is a primary selling point.Posted Mon Sep 30, 2019 at 12:18 PM PDT by: -
New Trailer for THE KING'S MAN Promises More Stylish Suits & Stylish Action[teaser]"You're going to need a suit."[/teaser] Following an initial teaser, 20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for The King's Man. The film servers as a prequel to the studio's previously released Kingsman films, and is set to hit theaters on February 14, 2020. As a collection of history's worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in The King's Man. Check out the official trailer below! The movie stars Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance. Director Matthew Vaughn is once again on board to helm this new prequel installment. The script comes from Vaughn, Jane Goldman, and Karl Gajdusek, and based on the comic book "The Secret Service" by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. In addition, Matthew Vaughn also serves as a producer, along with David Reid and Adam Bohling. Previous entries in the Kingsman film franchise include 2014's Kingsman: The Secret Service and 2017's Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Both movies star Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, and Mark Strong. Since this new film is a prequel, however, characters from previous movies are not expected to make an appearance. Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle are both now available on Blu-ray (Secret Service, Golden Circle) and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (Secret Service, Golden Circle). Source: 20th Century Fox (YouTube)Posted Mon Sep 30, 2019 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: FOR ALL MANKIND, BOJACK HORSEMAN, and More[teaser]Apple's new alternate history series about the space program headlines this week's roundup of streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix, Apple TV+, and Hulu have all released new previews and info for several of their upcoming shows and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: For All Mankind (Apple TV+, November 1) - Created by Emmy Award winner Ronald D. Moore (Outlander, Battlestar Galactica), Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi. Told through the lives of NASA astronauts, engineers and their families, For All Mankind presents an aspirational world where NASA and the space program remained a priority and a focal point of our hopes and dreams. Starring Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Wrenn Schmidt, Shantel VanSanten, Sarah Jones, and Jodi Balfour. Snoopy In Space (Apple TV+, November 1) - Blast off with Snoopy as he fulfills his dream to become a NASA astronaut. Joined by Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang, Snoopy takes command of the International Space Station and explores the moon and beyond. Ghostwriter (Apple TV+, November 1) - When a ghost haunts a neighborhood bookstore and starts releasing fictional characters into the real world, four kids must team up to solve an exciting mystery surrounding the ghost’s unfinished business. Helpsters (Apple TV+, November 1) - Meet Cody and the Helpsters, a team of vibrant monsters who love to solve problems. Whether it’s planning a party, climbing a mountain, or mastering a magic trick, the Helpsters can figure anything out—because everything starts with a plan. Rotten: Season 2 (Netflix, October 4) - Critically-acclaimed series Rotten returns for a second season, traveling deep into the heart of the food supply chain to reveal unsavory truths and expose hidden forces that shape what we eat. New topics include Avocado, Wine, Bottled Water, Sugar, Chocolate and Edibles. Deon Cole: Cole Hearted (Netflix, October 8) - Chicago's own Deon Cole is relentlessly hilarious in his first hour-long Netflix original comedy special, Deon Cole: Cole Hearted. Doubling down on his unrestrained and engaging set from the Netflix stand-up comedy series, The Standups, Cole beta tests bottomless jokes about offering mints to strangers, dining while Black, post-sex salutations and the preservation of comedy as the last raw form of expression. Rhythm + Flow (Netflix, October 9) - Undiscovered talent will shoot their shot in front of hip hop icons Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I. "TIP" Harris. Once they make it past auditions, they'll compete in a series of challenges that include cyphers and battles to show they have what it takes to make it in the rap game. This is the chance of a lifetime for many, but it will change everything for only one of them. Haunted Season 2 (Netflix, October 11) - From the Executive Producers of The Purge franchise and Lore, Haunted gives a chilling glimpse into the first-person accounts from people who have witnessed horrifying, peculiar, extraordinary supernatural events and other unexplained phenomenons that continue to haunt them. Fractured (Netflix, October 11) - Driving home after a tense holiday weekend with his in-laws, Ray Monroe (Sam Worthington), a well-meaning but overwhelmed family man, pulls into a rest area with his wife Joanne (Lily Rabe) and daughter Peri (Lucy Capri). The trip takes a turn for the worse when Peri is hurt in an accident and the family rushes to a nearby emergency room run by a staff with dubious intentions. After being sent away for further testing Peri and Joanne vanish and all records of their visit disappear. Ray’s concern turns into a desperate race to find his family and discover the truth of what happened to them. Baby: Season 2 (Netflix, October 18) - A coming-of-age story that explores the unseen lives of Roman high schoolers. Loosely inspired by a true story, the series follows a group of Parioli teenagers as they defy society in their search for identity and independence against the backdrop of forbidden love, family pressures, and shared secrets. BoJack Horseman: Season 6 (Netflix, October 25) - Will Arnett voices BoJack, the failed legendary 90's sitcom star from the favorite family sitcom Horsin’ Around, who has been trying to find his way through a muddle of self-loathing, whisky and failed relationships. Now, in the presence of his human sidekick Todd (Aaron Paul) and his feline agent and ex-paramour Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), BoJack is primed for his comeback... American Son (Netflix, November 1) - Based on the acclaimed Broadway play, American Son tells the story of Kendra Ellis-Connor (Kerry Washington), the mother of a missing teenage boy, as she struggles to put the pieces together in a South Florida police station. Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee also reprise their roles in the adaptation which presents four distinct viewpoints, while also navigating the unique dynamic of an interracial couple trying to raise a mixed-race son. Letterkenny: Season 7 (Hulu, October 14) - The residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: the Hicks, the Skids, and the Hockey Players, who are constantly feuding with each other over seemingly trivial matters that often end with someone getting their ass kicked. Dollface (Hulu, November 15) - Follows Jules (Kat Dennings), a young woman who – after being dumped by her longtime boyfriend – must deal with her own imagination in order to literally and metaphorically re-enter the world of women, and rekindle the female friendships she left behind. - Apple TV+ is set to launch on November 1 for a monthly subscription price of $4.99. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $13 per month for HD streaming and $16 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $6 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month and Live TV bundle is available for $45. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube), Apple TV+ (YouTube)Posted Fri Sep 27, 2019 at 04:15 PM PDT by:
