-
'The Great Magician' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The Chinese action flick from director Derek Yee is planned for Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA is prepping 'The Great Magician' for a Blu-ray release on March 19. In 1916, China is in turmoil with warlords battling against each other and Japanese conspirators lurking in the dark. One day, a mysterious man named Zhang Xian takes the capital city by storm with his mesmerizing magic tricks. He soon catches the attention of ruthless warlord Commander Lei, who is eager to please his seventh wife Liu Yin by taking her to see Zhang's performance. Unbeknownst to Lei, his favorite concubine was once the fiancée of Zhang, and approaching him to earn his trust is just the first step in the vengeful illusionist's secret agenda... Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Great Magician' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 19.Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
LG's 2013 Sets Drop CCFL Completely[teaser]While last year they kept a few around, LG has done away with non-LED backlit sets entirely. [/teaser] LED technology has finally trickled down from high-end sets all the way to the entry level. LG has completely done away with CCFL and has LED lighting as standard in every set they're launching next year. They're not ditching 720p though – some sets will still be sold at the lower resolution. The company has 16 different series ready to hit shelves in 2013 and a total of 45 different individual models. We know that a UHDTV is on the way as well as Google TVs. The company is expected to push its smart TVs as well. Source: TWICEPosted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Last Vegas' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]De Niro, Freeman, Kline, and Douglas will hit the Vegas Strip on Blu-ray in January, and you can pre-order the buddy comedy now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is preparing 'Last Vegas' for Blu-ray on January 28. Starring four legends like you've never seen them before, 'Last Vegas' tells the story of Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam (Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline), best friends since childhood. When Billy, the group's sworn bachelor, finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend, the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to stop acting their age and relive their glory days. However, upon arriving, the four quickly realize that the decades have transformed Sin City and tested their friendship in ways they never imagined. The Rat Pack may have once played the Sands and Cirque du Soleil may now rule the Strip, but it's these four who are taking over Vegas. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Filmmaker commentary with Jon Turteltaub and Dan Fogelman; Four Legends; It's Going To Be Legendary; The Flatbush Four; Supporting Ensemble (Blu-ray Exclusive); The Redfoo Party (Blu-ray Exclusive); and Shooting in Sin City (Blu-ray Exclusive). Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $40.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Last Vegas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 28.Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'Tristana' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Luis Bunuel's acclaimed 1970 Spanish film starring Catherine Deneuve, Fernando Rey, and Franco Nero will be restored on Blu-ray this March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Entertainment One and Cohen Film Collection will be bringing 'Tristana' for Blu-ray on March 12. When the young woman Tristana's mother dies, she is entrusted to the guardianship of the well-respected though old Don Lope. Don Lope is well-liked and well-known because of his honorable nature, despite his socialistic views about business and religion. But Don Lope's one weakness is women, and he falls for the innocent girl in his charge, seduces her, makes her his lover, though all the while explaining to her that she is as free as he. But when she acts on this freedom, Don Lope must deal with the consequences of his world-view. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Tristana' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 12.Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'The Other Son' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The 2012 French drama from director Lorraine Levy is headed for Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Entertainment One is working on 'The Other Son' for Blu-ray on March 19. Joseph (Jules Sitruk), an 18-year-old musician preparing to join the Israeli army for his mandatory military service, lives at home in a comfortable suburb of Tel Aviv with his parents, France-born physician Orith (Emmanuelle Devos) and Israel-born army commander Alon Silbers (Pascal Elbé). A blood test for Joseph's military service reveals that he is not their biological son; during the Gulf War Joseph was evacuated from a clinic along with another baby; both were given back to the wrong families. While the Palestinian Joseph went to Tel Aviv with the Silbers, their actual Jewish son, Yacine (Medhi Dehbi) was brought to the West Bank by the Arab couple, Said (Khalifa Natour) and Leila (Areen Omari). The revelation turns the lives of the two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, values and beliefs. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Other Son' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 19.Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Netflix Will Lobby for Net Neutrality and the Lifting of Bandwidth Caps[teaser]Both issues could have big effects on the online streaming business. [/teaser] Netflix was fairly active in political lobbying last year and they're going to be pushing hard in 2013. The company has outlined the issues it plans on focusing on in the coming year and you won't be too terribly surprised about what's been detailed. The first big issue that Netflix is going to be pushing is net neutrality, asking to keep ISPs from restricting access to certain parts of the web, or giving preference to others. This especially a concern for companies like Comcast, who own content creators that compete with Netflix. Second on the agenda is the issue of bandwidth caps, which limit the amount of data a customer is allowed to use. This kind of restriction keeps people from streaming as much as they otherwise might – obviously a big concern for Netflix. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Blu-ray Highlights for January 2nd, 2013As we recover from our holiday hangovers, the new year begins mostly with a lot of reissues of old Blu-ray titles. However, mixed in here somewhere may be a few new discs worth looking at. Join us in the blog for today's rundown of the latest Blu-ray releases.Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 06:01 AM PST by: -
'The Rabbi's Cat' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The Cesar Award-winner for Best Animated Film is planned for Blu-ray this April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, New Video Group is preparing 'The Rabbi's Cat' for Blu-ray on April 9. Set in Algeria in the 1920s, a rabbi's cat who learns how to speak after swallowing the family parrot expresses his desire to convert to Judaism. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Rabbi's Cat' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 9.Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: December 2012by 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, and 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. 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 a 70mm epic, a classic Hollywood noir, and an amazing comic book reboot. If you haven't already, be sure to check out November's Essential Picks. [teaser]This month, we're covering an underwater animated adventure, a blockbuster trilogy's grand conclusion, and an eccentric sci-fi satire. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in December, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential...[/teaser] 'Finding Nemo' - I have a confession to make. Before its Blu-ray release earlier this month, I somehow made it through the past decade without ever seeing 'Finding Nemo.' This wasn't a conscious decision, mind you, as I've always heard nothing but good things about the flick, but the film just somehow continually slipped under my radar. Thankfully, I've now remedied this oversight, and after recently watching the movie for the first time, I've been left with a big old smile on my face (and a lingering bittersweet tear in my eye). Nobody understands family entertainment quite like Pixar, and their heartfelt and hilarious underwater tale about fathers, sons, and neurotic fish shows us exactly why. The movie opens with one of the most devastating sequences I've ever seen in a Disney film. In fact, it's so heartbreaking that I was almost sure the writers would eventually find a way to undo it, to take it back, to somehow reveal that what we thought we saw was merely a trick. They don't. In fact, not only does the tragedy stick, but its ramifications go on to inform the thematic core of the entire story. You see, unwilling to talk down to their audience, Pixar doesn't shy away from potentially sad or painful emotions. Instead, they delicately use them to fuel the narrative, giving the characters believable motivations while simultaneously infusing the script with universal, relatable struggles. Tackling the hardships of parenthood and the necessities of letting go, the writers weave a perfectly structured journey for our protagonists to embark on, placing an overprotective clownfish on a journey to find his lost son. While some of my preceding comments might make the film sound a bit gloomy, that couldn't be further from the truth. This is a joyous, hysterical, and genuinely heartwarming effort through and through. Filled with striking creativity, the filmmakers put a fun spin on the underwater world, layering each location with bright detail. From surfer sea turtles, to memory deficient fish, each character is absolutely bursting with personality. Clever jokes and exciting chases pervade the running time, and every thrilling set piece is carefully designed to further the protagonists' developing arcs. The colorful atmosphere of the sea is rendered through gorgeous animation, and thankfully the Blu-ray features demo worthy video and audio. With its all-ages appeal, thoroughly entertaining adventure, touching conclusion, and impressive technical presentation, 'Finding Nemo' is easily December's top title. Simply put, this is the type of release that should only engender one thought as you lock eyes with it on a shelf... "Mine? Mine! Mine! Mine!" 'The Dark Knight Rises' - While it might not be the flawless conclusion that some fans were hoping for, there's no denying that Christopher Nolan ends his 'Dark Knight' trilogy with reasonable style, class, and an appropriate sense of grandeur. Taking Bruce Wayne's story full circle, the director offers a unified and surprisingly finite take on the iconic character, closing the book on his very successful interpretation of the Caped Crusader. Yes, there are some notable issues throughout the runtime, including lapses in logic, pacing concerns, clunky plotting, muddled themes, unnecessary spectral cameos, and an eye-rolling shout-out to a certain boy wonder, but I found most of these faults to be forgivable -- especially whenever Anne Hathaway is on-screen. In one form or another, Batman has been around for over seventy years. Throughout that span, countless creative teams have left their mark on the character, continually elaborating on, re-imagining, and re-inventing his world. While we all might have our favorites, there can be no real definitive version of Bruce Wayne and his crime fighting alter ego. After all, the comic book exploits of legendary superheroes are fated to continue indefinitely, and it's unlikely that DC's Dark Knight will ever get a true final issue -- but with the conclusion of his three film trilogy, Christopher Nolan is given a rather unprecedented opportunity. He actually gets to give Batman an ending. It's not perfect, and it might not be what some expected, but taken as a whole, the 'Dark Knight' series offers a satisfying, thrilling, and intelligent example of pop entertainment done right. The future of the franchise is pretty much up in the air at the moment (and further complicated by Warner's seemingly ill-conceived 'Justice League' plans) but the film serves as a fitting swan song for Nolan's striking vision... incoherent Bane mumblings aside. How the 'The Dark Knight Rises' stacks up against the series' previous entries is debatable, but this is certainly one of the month's most hotly anticipated releases. Coupled with a strong soundtrack and an impressive video transfer (those IMAX scenes look spectacular!) the film earns a clear spot in December's essential picks. Also, as a side note, fans of Nolan's blockbuster efforts should definitely check out Criterion's recent release of 'Following,' the director's independent debut. It might not have the home theater allure of his final 'Batman' outing, but in many ways, I actually think it's the better movie. 'Brazil' - Few Terry Gilliam productions make their way to screens without some form of backstage controversy -- and his satirical science fiction masterpiece, 'Brazil,' is certainly no different. Subject to infamous studio tweaking (including a wisely abandoned "love conquers all" version), the film's release has quite a divisive history. Thankfully, in the end, Gilliam's vision prevailed, mercifully sparing the world from having to witness a butchered edit of his maddening opus. A dark, witty, disturbing, and at times even whimsical descent into Orwellian dreams and nightmares, the movie is funny, haunting, and utterly bizarre all at once. Also, it gets bonus points for featuring Robert De Niro as some kind of heroic air conditioning repairman. Yes, you read that correctly. This film is weird. Oh so wonderfully weird. Presenting a dystopian satire on the inherent insanities of never-ending bureaucracy, incompetent totalitarian government, and soul-crushing industrial society, the script offers a biting, comedic take on many of the concepts found in George Orwell's classic novel, '1984.' Mixing absurdist humor with occasionally goofy, slapstick sensibilities, Gilliam creates a darkly farcical tone that often blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Captured in dizzying wide angle images, the visuals are frequently exaggerated and distorted, perfectly reinforcing the story's own manic and erratic beats. By the time the film's dizzying climax comes around, it becomes clear that we've entered a surreal fever dream gleefully hatched by a trio of insanely brilliant Brits. Masked by its deceptively jaunty theme music, the movie maintains a pitch-black underbelly throughout its sardonic runtime, and as funny as the whole affair can be, there really is an unsettling edge to the experience. Concluding with a bittersweet retreat into escapist fantasy, the film leaves us with the sorrowful sound of blissful madness tragically aching for romance -- all modestly captured in seemingly harmless verse... "Brazil, when stars were entertaining June, we stood beneath an amber moon. And softly murmured someday soon..." Previously released by Universal, this new Criterion disc offers a solid upgrade with improved video and a plethora of great special features. While it might not have the mass appeal of the previous two picks in this list, the movie is a definite must own for fans of more off-the-wall, out-of-the-box filmmaking. For those still in need of a bit more convincing, however, be sure to check out the clip below for three more reasons to pick this title up, straight from the horse's mouth. So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this December, 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 December's must own titles?Posted Mon Dec 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'Midsomer Murders: Set 21' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Four mysteries marking the North American debut of Neil Dudgeon ('Life of Riley') as the new DCI are bound for Blu-ray this January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Acorn Media has just revealed 'Midsomer Murders: Set 21' for Blu-ray on January 8. Newly transplanted to Midsomer, John Barnaby takes over as the new DCI after his cousin, Tom Barnaby (John Nettles), retired. Barnaby contends with the county’s murderous denizens with his new partner (Jason Hughes, This Life) in these four new, contemporary stand-alone mysteries. Set in England’s picture-perfect but perilous Midsomer County, Set 21’s episodes made their streaming debut on Acorn TV earlier this year, but the episodes have not aired on U.S. television. Continually reaching new heights of popularity, 'Midsomer Murders' counts Johnny Depp and even the Queen of England among its ardent fans. New episodes are continually in production. The mysteries include: Death in the Slow Lane—A classic car show becomes a crime scene after a grisly death. Dark Secrets—Barnaby and Jones investigate the suspicious death of a social services employee. Echoes of the Dead—The detectives look into a series of copycat murders. The Oblong Murders—Jones goes undercover to investigate a local new-age cult. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $59.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Midsomer Murders: Set 21' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 8.Posted Mon Dec 31, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by:
