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'This is 40' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Judd Apatow's sort of sequel to 'Knocked Up' hits Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios is preparing 'This is 40' for Blu-ray on March 22. Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) are turning 40 and each are going through a semi-midlife crisis because of it. The comedy also co-stars Megan Fox, Lena Dunham ('Girls') and Albert Brooks. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo will include the unrated cut (with 3 minutes of additional footage) and will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Gag Reel; Line-O-Rama; More Deleted Scenes; More Music from Graham Parker and the Rumour, and Ryan Adams; and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Judd Apatow. Blu-ray exclusive features include: The Making Of This Is 40; This Is Albert Brooks (At Work); Graham Parker & The Rumour: Long Emotional Ride; Brooks-O-Rama; Biking With Barry; Triumph The Insult Comic Dog; Kids On The Loose 3; Bodies By Jason Commercial; Fresh Air With Terry Gross; Deleted, Extended & Alternate Scenes; and Over A Half Hour of Music with Graham Parker and the Rumour, and Ryan Adams. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'This is 40' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 22.Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: January 2013by Steven Cohen Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with high-def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for affection. [teaser]With so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month.[/teaser] From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted an underwater animated adventure, a blockbuster trilogy's grand conclusion, and an eccentric sci-fi satire. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November and December. With the holidays behind us, January has been a comparatively quiet month for major releases, but there have still been a few worthy gems released in the past few weeks, including a gritty cop drama, a Woody Allen classic, and an action-packed sci-fi reboot. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in January, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'End of Watch' - Despite the positive critical reaction, I was a little hesitant about filmmaker David Ayer's latest cop drama. I'm a fan of 'Training Day,' but Ayer's directorial debut, 'Harsh Times,' was very problematic, and his follow-up, 'Street Kings,' just plain sucked. Thankfully, 'End of Watch' plays toward all of the writer/director's strengths without falling victim to his previous movies' lofty flaws. A fly-on-the-wall action flick filled with strong characterizations and a surprising amount of heart, the film is both viscerally engaging and emotionally resonant, fulfilling the promise that was only hinted at in the director's earlier work. Through the story of two L.A. cops who become the targets of a dangerous Mexican cartel, Ayer weaves a potent narrative about brotherhood and sacrifice. Admittedly, the shaky-cam, documentary aesthetic is a little off putting at first, but the filmmaker does a good job of blending this style into the story, gradually making it feel organic without becoming forced or overdone. Instead, what starts out as a minor annoyance actually ends up giving the film an appropriate sense of stark reality, lending the images a raw, unpredictable feel. Likewise, the characters' crass, expletive filled dialogue carries a certain authenticity (and leads to some of the most irritating villains I've ever come across). While there are some embellishments in the heart-stopping action sequences, the director's stripped-down style always keeps the movie grounded, and the violence is brutal, unflinching, and occasionally disturbing without growing too sensationalized. Beyond the gritty shootouts and beat-downs, this is really a film about friendship, and Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena share wonderful on-screen chemistry. Their unwavering bond is effortlessly conveyed throughout the runtime by both performers, and the pair's relationship proves to be truly affecting. Through their day to day actions as police officers, the director offers a simple portrait of two heroes -- but not of the invincible, square-jawed variety. On the contrary, these are flawed individuals. They make mistakes, they break the rules, they have emotional meltdowns, they curse like sailors, and though they seem tough, they wear their hearts on their sleeves. At the end of the day, the officers always have each other's backs, and when push comes to shove, they step up to the plate to protect the innocent -- even if that means risking their lives. The film's intentional style doesn’t lead to a traditionally impressive technical presentation, but this is an authentic Blu-ray through and through. Fueled by gritty action and heartfelt drama, 'End of Watch' takes the top spot on January's Essential Picks. 'Sleeper' - This month actually sees the release of two classic Woody Allen titles, and together they offer an entertaining contrast. One the one hand, there's Allen's dystopian, slap-stick farce 'Sleeper.' On the other, there's the director's insightful dramedy 'Hannah and Her Sisters.' While I've given the slight edge to Allen's silly sci-fi parody, for all intents and purposes both titles are essentially tied for this spot on the list. Filled with loving nods to classic science fiction tropes and slap-stick conventions, 'Sleeper' is home to a delightfully goofy charm that places Allen's anxious on-screen alter-ego in an inept totalitarian future. Silly fish-out-of water antics, witty quips, and a few biting bits of satire abound, as Allen's character ends up joining a revolution against the dystopian society's not so oppressive rulers. While the comedy is layered with the writer/director's trademark penchant for neurotic observations, it's the film's frequent bits of physical humor that really end up leaving the most lasting impression. Inspired by the likes of Buster Keaton and the Marx Brothers, Allen's comedic timing is impeccable, and his attempt to disguise himself as a robotic butler is absolutely priceless. A prime example of the director's earlier, sillier period of moviemaking, 'Sleeper' just might be, as reviewer Daniel Hirshleifer states, "Allen's purest comedy film." One of the director's biggest box office successes, 'Hannah and Her Sisters' offers a much more subtle and at times dramatic experience, but maintains a sweet and ultimately endearing quality. As I mentioned in my full review, Allen's Academy Award winning script is filled with understated insights about family, happiness, and the meaning of life itself. It's not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of the filmmaker's other efforts, but the clever comedy is very potent in sporadic bits (Allen's horrified facial expression during a rock concert just might be the movie's funniest gag). Important epiphanies and smaller moments -- like a rather poignant scene between Hannah and her parents -- are all given equal weight, and the episodic story is tied nicely together through unifying themes. Together, both films serve as great examples of different phases in the celebrated write/director's beloved filmography. 'Sleeper' might take the lead by a very narrow margin, but really, you can't go wrong with either one. Though disappointingly (but expectedly) barebones, both discs are given authentic yet modest technical presentations, and both Blu-ray releases are worthy of a place in this month's list of must-own titles. 'Dredd' - To be perfectly honest, I was actually a little disappointed by this comic book reboot. Perhaps my expectations were simply too high, but I ended up coming away a tad underwhelmed. With that said, the general consensus seems to be pretty positive on this one, and there's no denying that 'Dredd' is a kick-ass action flick. A far cry from the terrible 90s adaptation starring Sylvester Stallone, this new, much more faithful take on the long-running British comic is an exciting and bloody exercise in blazing bullets. Eschewing traditional plotting and characterizations, director Pete Travis and writer Alex Garland opt for a much more visceral approach, thrusting the protagonist and audience into a tense thrill ride. With just the bare minimum of back-story and motivation, we hit the ground running, finding our law enforcement hero and a new recruit trapped in a building overrun by a vicious drug-addled gang. It's a very thin premise, but it offers a strong set-up for some intense action, and what the film lacks in story, it more than makes up for in pure adrenaline fueled mayhem. Karl Urban turns in an appropriately stoic and grizzly performance as the faceless title character (unlike the Stallone version, he never takes off his helmet), and Olivia Thirlby is very effective as the inexperienced rookie who gets thrown into the deep end (to say the least). Lena Heady also turns in a notable performance as the villainous Ma-Ma, and makes for a thoroughly repellent antagonist. Visually, this is an overtly stylized and grimy experience, with heavy color correcting used to embellish the low budget, intentionally noisy and digital look. It's not a totally appealing aesthetic, but it fits right at home with the grungy, ugly tone of the story and action (though, I did find the CG blood effects to be oddly disconnected and distracting). It should be noted that I was unfortunately only able to view the film in 2D, and this was one of the first times that I actually felt like I was missing out on a significant portion of the overall experience. One really gets a sense that the cinematography and slow motion sequences were specifically designed for 3D, and I have a hunch that my overall reaction to the film would have been much more enthusiastic if I had been able to see it that way. While I would have liked a bit more character development and a little more meat to the plot ('End of Watch' does a much better job of mixing visceral action with actual emotional investment), 'Dredd' is still an entertaining and engaging example of sci-fi entertainment. If nothing else, it totally eviscerates the bad taste left by its ill-conceived predecessor. I wasn't exactly blown away by it, but the disc still edges its way into January's Essential Picks. So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this January, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selections? What are your choices for January's must own titles?Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 12:20 PM PST by: -
'Life of Pi' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Supplements Revealed[teaser]Supplement details are in for Ang Lee's visual feast coming to both Blu-ray formats this March! [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox will be bringing 'Life of Pi' to Blu-ray on March 12. 'Life of Pi - 3D' (2D included) will also be available on the same date. Based on the acclaimed best-selling novel from Yann Martel that has been published in 40 languages, and brought to life by visionary Academy Award winning director Ang Lee ('Brokeback Mountain,' 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'), this magical adventure of hope, wonder, survival, and the power of the human spirit has been celebrated by critics all over the world. A “magnificent and moving” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) motion picture event that has been hailed as “a masterpiece” (Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times), taking in over $500 million in worldwide box office. 'Life of Pi' follows Pi Patel, a young man on a fateful voyage who, after a spectacular disaster, is marooned on a lifeboat with the only other survivor, a fearsome 450 lb Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. Hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery Pi and his majestic companion make an amazing and unexpected connection. Specs have yet to be revealed for the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo packs, but supplements include: A Remarkable Vision (19:35 min); A Filmmaker's Epic Journey (63:29 min); Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright ( 8:35min); Stills: Gallery; Stills: Storyboards; and Blu-ray 3D exclusive 3D/2D Deleted Scenes and 3D/2D VFX Progressions. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99 and $49.99 for the Blu-ray 3D. You can find the latest specs for 'Life of Pi' and 'Life of Pi - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under March 12.Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Woo Audio Reveals the "Fireflies" Headphone Amp/DAC[teaser]A special preorder price of $799 is available now. [/teaser] The latest from Woo Audio is a combination headphone amp and DAC called the WA7, or Fireflies, depending on preference. Woo packs a 32-bit 192Khz USB digital to analog converter into its Class A amp, along with a pair of 6C45 vacuum tubes. Unlike most audio equipment, "Fireflies" is designed to be shown off. It features an aluminum chassis and a glass top to show off the pair of tubes. There's little to interrupt the look of the amp aside from a pair of headphone outputs for different sizes and a large volume knob. The WA7 ships at the end of February and is available now to preorder at the price of $799. Once it ships, the price is expected to raise to $999. Source: Electronic HousePosted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The Clown Prince of Crime and the richest man in Metropolis set out to destroy the world one brick at a time this May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers has revealed 'Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite' is planned for Blu-ray on May 21. When Bruce Wayne receives the man of the year award, fellow billionaire Lex Luthor becomes jealous and decides to run for President. To create the atmosphere for his type of fear-based politics Lex recruits the Joker to perfect a Black LEGO Destructor Ray which wreaks havoc on Gotham. As Lex destroys Batman's tech, Batman reluctantly turns to Superman for help. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray combo pack is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite" linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 21.Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Sony Debuts a 3LCD Laser Projector[teaser]The company says that at 4,000 lumens, it’s the brightest in its class. [/teaser] The folks at Sony have announced a brand new projector that utilizes Laser Light Source Technology to light the way. It boasts 4,000 lumens brightness, which Sony says is the highest in the class, and features a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution. The new projector, which doesn't have a model number listed yet, is a followup to the VPL-FH31 and VPL-FH36 projectors and is designed to be custom installed. "Installation projectors not only have to reproduce the highest quality images but also be relatively maintenance free and eco-friendly," says Robert Meakin of Sony Professional Solutions Europe. "The Laser Light Source Projector delivers on all accounts being mercury free, offering an incredible brightness of 4,000 lumens." As Sony did not release a picture, the projector photo you see is the very similar VPL-FH36. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Escapee' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Another psycho killer will be on the loose on Blu-ray this April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is working on 'Escapee' for Blu-ray on April 16. While on an observational trip to a high security prison for the criminally insane, young psychology student Abby Jones (Christine Evangelista) has a chilling encounter with psychotic serial killer Harmon Porter (Dominic Purcell). Abby returns home that night to study with her two roommates, unaware of the dark forces she's unleashed within Harmon. That evening, while a hurricane rages through town, Harmon slashes his way out of jail, leaving a brutal trail of bloody bodies in his quest to possess the body and soul of Abby Jones. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Making of Featurette, Photo Gallery, and Original Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is yet to be determined. You can find the latest specs for 'Escapee' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 16.Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Blu-ray Highlights for January 29th, 2013As we close out the month of January, Bruce Willis reminds us how often he dies hard, Christopher Walken kidnaps the wrong dog, Adam Sandler gets animated, and activity of a paranormal nature occurs yet again. Read all about this week's new Blu-ray releases in the blog today.Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Merlin: The Complete Fifth Season' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The fifth season of the fantasy series will be conjured to Blu-ray in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, BBC is preparing 'Merlin: The Complete Fifth Season' for Blu-ray on April 23. After three years of peace and harmony, the future of the Camelot couldn't be brighter. But as King Arthur (Bradley James) looks to bring the kingdom into an equally bright future, the seeds of Camelot's destruction are drawing together. The evil Morgana (Katie McGrath) is hiding in the darkness. As an old face returns to the castle and gains a position amongst Arthur's inner circle, Merlin (Colin Morgan) must protect the king more than ever, for the new arrival is Mordred (Alexander Vlahos), the druid boy whose destiny is to end the king's life and bring chaos down on Camelot. But as the death song of King Uther (Anthony Head) haunts the castle and Guinevere (Angel Coulby) crosses over to the dark side, both Merlin and Arthur find that their destiny is approaching. The battle of Camelot is about to reach a deadly conclusion and nothing will ever be the same again. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, and suggested list price is still unknown at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Merlin: The Complete Fifth Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 23.Posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Zero Dark Thirty' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]Kathryn Bigelow's Academy Award nominated film is now available for Blu-ray pre-orders at Amazon! [/teaser] Sony's 'Zero Dark Thirty' appears to be coming to Blu-ray in the near future. No date has been officially announced, but Amazon now has the film available for pre-order For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. 'Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal ('The Hurt Locker') for the story of history's greatest manhunt for the world's most dangerous man. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $40.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Zero Dark Thirty' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Mon Jan 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by:
