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Bang & Olufsen Launches an $8,000 40-Inch Connected TV[teaser]It offers control via tablet, smartphone, or remote and gives you access to the usual assortment of streaming content as well as HbbTV – a new European standard. [/teaser] Bang & Olufsen have launched a new series of connected TVs, including a 46 inch set, a 55 inch set and a 40 incher that's priced right around $8,000. Cost, of course, increases as screen size does. So what does all that money get you? Feature wise, the set is about the same as most, though it doesn't appear to offer as many streaming and app options as its competitors. It packs Wi-Fi and allows control by smartphones and tablets, all of which tie in to streaming, DLNA compliance and similar. The one thing that the new B&O set has that really sets it apart is its compliance with a new Pan-European standard known as HbbTV, which will be used for gaming, voting, and other interactive purposes. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Arbitrage' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The feature film debut from writer/director Nicholas Jarecki is set for Blu-ray this December. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Arbitrage' is coming to Blu-ray on December 21. Richard Gere ('Unfaithful') leads a stellar cast including Susan Sarandon ('Dead Man Walking'), Tim Roth (TV's "Lie to Me"), Brit Marling ('Another Earth'), Laetitia Casta ('Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life') and Nate Parker ('Red Tails') in a pulse-pounding thriller about love, loyalty and high finance. Riveting and suspenseful, 'Arbitrage' features Gere as a hedge-fund magnate whose fortunes turn when a deadly error threatens to destroy both his financial empire and his family. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary with writer/director Nicholas Jarecki, "Who Is Robert Miller?" featurette, "A Glimpse Into Arbitrage" featurette, and deleted scenes with optional writer/director commentary. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Arbitrage' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 21.Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
All Netflix Video Content Will be Closed Captioned by 2014[teaser]It's been a while since we've heard any more about this, but Netflix is finally pledging to get the job done. [/teaser] The folks at Netflix have been a little lax in their plans to add closed captioning to their video offerings. Initially it didn't exist at all and while it's there on most movies and TV shows, there are still plenty to go. Thanks to a recent lawsuit settlement with the National Association of the Deaf, the company has finally announced that all of its streaming content will be closed captioned by 2014. Netflix also gave some information about the speed of future captioning. In 2014, new content will have captions within 30 days. In 2015 that number lowers to 15 and in 2016 Netflix will have captions on their videos within seven days. Source: Mobile BurnPosted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'A Star is Born (1976)' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1976 musical starring Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, and Gary Busey is getting the Blu-ray digibook treatment in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is working on 'A Star is Born (1976)' for Blu-ray on February 5. The film won five Golden Globes including Musical/Comedy Best Actress (Streisand), Musical/Comedy Best Actor (Kristofferson) and Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and the release will come housed in a 40-page digibook and supplements will include: Audio Commentary by Barbra Streisand, Additional Scenes, Wardrobe Tests, and a trailer gallery - with a suggested list price of $27.98. You can find the latest specs for 'A Star is Born (1976)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 5.Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Love Me' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The disturbing teen thriller comes to Blu-ray this January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing 'Love Me' for a Blu-ray release on January 15. Sixteen-year-old Melissa Kennedy has been missing for almost three months and the town of Ridgedale is coming unhinged. Sylvia Potter (Lindsey Shaw) wants so badly to be in love. Then sexy, quiet, rich kid Lucas Green (Jamie Johnston) transfers to Hampton Prep and the sparks fly - despite the warnings of almost every friend in her circle. But what seems like a love story hits a major twist when the police begin an investigation into Lucas' involvement in the Melissa Kennedy case. What really happened to Melissa and how long can Lucas and Sylvia's relationship last in the face of this mystery? The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include Behind the Scenes and Stories from the Set. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Love Me' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 15.Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD's Blu-ray Shopping List: Steven Spielberg[teaser]The two stingiest holdouts when it comes to releasing highly sought after movies on Blu-ray are George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. It's a good thing 2012 changed all that. We've seen a huge boom in memorable Spielberg titles finally getting released on the format.[/teaser] Hopefully we can get the rest soon. With the release of 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' this week we thought we'd take a look at the entire Spielberg catalogue as it pertains to Blu-ray. We're finally seeing quite a few titles being released, but there are still a few gems that we need to get our hands on now! With the holidays quickly approaching, and movie buying about to hit its peak, here's your Spielberg shopping checklist to make sure you pick up all of the famed director's best. Recent Releases 'The Adventures of Tintin' Stepping into the mo-cap arena was a tricky proposition. When I heard Spielberg was wading into Robert Zemeckis territory I shuddered. I've never liked the mo-cap animation (dead eyes and all that). While 'Tintin' does feature some of the drawbacks of the Uncanny Valley effect, it does shine with Spielberg's action-oriented spirit. 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' I'll admit it, 'E.T.' scared the pants off of me when I was a kid. I don't know why, there was just something about that little alien saying "Elliot," in his weird, echo-y way that put me off. However, once I revisited it after the fear had subsided a bit it's easy to see why it's one of cinema's most memorable films. It's full of that quintessential 80s charm that Spielberg was a master at creating. Picking this one up is a no-brainer. 'Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures' If ever there was a must-have Blu-ray set, this is it. Besides 'Star Wars' this collection was possibly the most sought after set of catalogue Blu-rays out there. Ever since the format was invented we've been jonesing for the 'Indiana Jones' films in HD. I feel happy every time I see this in the store now. We waited so long for it and now it's here! 'Jaws' For Blu-ray fans, getting 'Indiana Jones,' 'E.T.' and 'Jaws' so close together was a great feeling. It was like the flood gates had finally been opened and the Spielberg titles were flowing freely. 'Jaws' is Spielberg's movie from start to finish. It was a film that changed the way we view horror. A movie that so many movies try and fail to emulate. It's creates the most perfect sense of dread. The first time you see it you'd swear no one is going to survive. What a great film. 'War Horse' Sure it's sappy wartime drama at its most cloying. How could a story about a horse during World War II not be portrayed this way? It's one of Spielberg's most marginally acceptable movies, yet it's a beauty to own on Blu-ray simply because of the movie's stunning photography. Been Out for a While 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence' I think this one requires a few viewings before it can be appreciated. I've known people who have watched it once and hated it. The first time I saw it I don't think I fully grasped what it had to say. Subsequent viewings helped me form a much more informed opinion about it. Is it my favorite Spielberg movie? Not by a long shot, but it is quite ambitious and should be lauded for it. Also, the bear rocks. 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' No one can forget the iconic scene of Richard Dreyfuss furiously sculpting his mashed potatoes. It's a cinematic masterpiece. Not only is it one of Spielberg's best movies, it's one of the best movies of the modern era period. 'The Color Purple' Movies focused on racial inequality can be pretty intense, and 'The Color Purple' is no exception. Still, at the hand of Spielberg, the movie deftly guides us through the big screen adaption of Alice Walker's novel. 'Hook' Many people consider 'Hook' to be one of Spielberg's worst films. It's a purely nostalgia-driven movie. If you watched it growing up then chances are you love it, warts and all. However, if you didn't really enjoy it then you probably hate it now. The problems with 'Hook' stem from how Robin Williams-y it is. And the fact that the Lost Boys were seemingly cast from a Burger King commercial. 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World' 'Jurassic Park' is the archetypal classic summer blockbuster. Spielberg took a gargantuan premise and made it larger than life. The movie gave birth to the glut of CG animation we see nowadays, but even watching 'Jurassic Park' almost two decades later, the CGI used has aged extremely well. On the other hand 'The Lost World' was a travesty and probably, for my money, Spielberg's worst movie. Caught up in sequel fever, he created a dumb summer blockbuster, which was a travesty because Michael Crichton's novel of the same name would've provided a much more interesting storyline. 'War of the Worlds' Some people love it, other people hate it. I think I'm on the side of the haters here. 'War of the Worlds,' even with Tom Cruise's strong leading performance and the above average CG animation (I still get a kick out of the people vaporizing), this one just seemed like Spielberg was phoning it in. The movie had too many plot holes and contrived conveniences to be considered among the best the director has to offer. 'Minority Report' One of the best sci-fi films of the last decade. Yes, this movie is that good. Everything from the vision of this particular future to the seamless way the movie's future technology is integrated in the story is completely perfect. Spielberg really created something special with 'Minority Report.' It's definitely one of those movies you can watch again and again. 'Saving Private Ryan' Spielberg's ability to create memorable, sweeping epics is uncanny. He can take these vast stories and mold them into two-and-a-half hour classics that linger in our minds forever. 'Saving Private Ryan' is the among the best war epics that have ever been filmed. It's a must-see if you're looking for thoughtful, realistic accounts of war. One of Spielberg's finest films to date. Still Waiting '1941' No release date has been set for this one yet, but that's okay since '1941' always seemed like a clunky comedic underachiever. 'Amistad' There have been rumblings about the rest of the Spielberg catalogue being released, but I've heard absolutely nothing about 'Amistad.' Seems about right though, seeing that of all Spielberg's historical epics 'Amistad' is the most forgettable. 'Always' No release date as of yet. I remember thinking 'Always' was pretty cheesy, but it's been so long since I've seen it that I couldn't accurately describe my feelings about it now. I'm waiting for the Blu-ray just to see if revisiting it changes my initial reaction. Plus, this was Audrey Hepburn's final film appearance. 'Catch Me If You Can' This one is slated for a December 4th release. It's one of Spielberg's most playful movies, and certainly one of the most fun. At times it feels like an innocuous blockbuster with big names attached, but Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks put in two great performances. This is a must-have once it hits Blu-ray. 'Empire of the Sun' The Digi-book release is coming in November, continuing with 2012 being a huge year for Spielberg on Blu. Another war-centric epic, this time starring a very young Christian Bale, who shows just what a great actor he would become. Bale's performance here is the highlight though, as 'Empire' has a few flat moments and seems overly long, even for a Spielberg flick. Plus, just try to get that music out of your head. 'Munich' Man this one really deserves a Blu-ray release. I'm sad we haven't even heard rumors about it getting an HD release. I love its visceral grittiness. It's such a departure in form and style from Spielberg's normal fare (see: 'War Horse'). I can't wait to get this whenever it ends up coming out. 'Schindler's List' Perhaps the most anticipated release on the unreleased list. 'Schindler's List' was a monumental undertaking. It's one of the most important pieces of cinema we have. It's Spielberg's masterpiece. Sure, he has a plethora of classics in his filmography, but this one trumps them all. Plus, that black and white cinematography is going to look absolutely stellar in high-def. There's a rumor that this could see a 2012 release, but there's no word on what month (hopefully we hear more soon, since there are only a few months left). 'The Terminal' Light-hearted and agreeable enough, 'The Terminal' is never one of the first movies I think of when I think of Spielberg movies. Like 'War of the Worlds' it feels like a phoned in performance from the talented director. Maybe it isn't a coincidence that the two movies came out back to back. This year has been a great year for Spielberg movies on Blu-ray, with the promise of more to come before the year is out. What are your favorite Spielberg Blu-rays and what films are you excited to add to your collection once they're released? Let us know by clicking on the link below and telling us in the forums.Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
'Futurama: Volume 7' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The next batch of episodes from Matt Groening's cult animated series planned for Blu-ray in December have now been fully detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'Futurama: Volume 7' on Blu-ray on December 11. Phillip Fry is a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy whose life is going nowhere. When he accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999, he wakes up 1,000 years in the future and has a chance to make a fresh start. He goes to work for the Planet Express Corporation, a futuristic delivery service that transports packages to all five quadrants of the universe. His companions include the delivery ship's captain, Leela, a beautiful one-eyed female alien who kicks some serious butt, Bender, a robot with very human flaws, and Professor Farnsworth, his eccentric mad-scientist boss, who is actually his great great great... nephew. The boxed set will include 13 hilarious episodes spread across two Blu-ray discs. The Blu-rays will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Full-length Commentary on All 13 Episodes; Bonus Commentary on Episode 7.02, "A Farewell To Arms," by the Animators of Rough Draft Studios; Alternate Ending for "Zapp Dingbat"; Christopher Tyng's Big Score: A Jam Session with Futurama's Innovative Composer; Futurama Karaoke: Sing Along with Your Favorite Characters; Möbius Trip: Infinite Futurama Screen Loops; and Too Good For TV: A Smorgasbord of Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Futurama: Volume 7' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 11.Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012 at 11:10 AM PDT by: -
Nextflix Subscriber Gains in Q2 are Less Than Half of Projected[teaser]Disc subscriber count is down by 850,000 to boot. [/teaser] Netflix set a lofty goal at the beginning of this year, hoping to grow its subscriber numbers by seven million people. In response to the last quarter's numbers though, they're looking at significantly less. At this point, the company is hoping for a growth of around 5.5 million users. It's still a growth, but it's 1.5 million less than planned. During this same period, Netflix lost a huge chunk of disc based subscribers. Over the last year, they've dropped by 850,000. Considering the current struggle with streaming content subscribers, this is a very significant number for the company. Analysts point to the increasing competition in the market as one of the big reasons for Netflix losses. Amazon in particular has been gaining ground, and Redbox Instant could make a huge impact when it hits too. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Oct 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Empire of the Sun: 25th Anniversary Edition' Blu-ray Back on Schedule[teaser]Steven Spielberg's WWII epic originally planned for Blu-ray in June is now coming in November. [/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Brothers was getting ready to release 'Empire of the Sun: 25th Anniversary Edition' on Blu-ray on June 19, but the release was postponed and now the new date is November 13. The movie stars a young Christian Bale as a privileged English boy who has to learn how to survive on his own after being separated from his parents during Shanghai's occupation by the Japanese. The film also stars Miranda Richardson, John Malkovich, and Ben Stiller. The release is expected to have digibook packaging and supplements will include The China Odyssey: Empire of the Sun behind-the-scenes documentary and Warner at War documentary about Warner Bros' WWII propaganda department. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Empire of the Sun: 25th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under November 13.Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Sparkle' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Whitney Houston's final film has been dated for Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has revealed 'Sparkle' is coming to Blu-ray on November 30. 'Sparkle' is a timeless story of the bonds of family, the trials of success and the power of music. In her feature film debut, "American Idol" sensation Jordin Sparks stars as Sparkle, a young woman whose big dreams seem almost impossible. She's been warned against the pitfalls of the music industry by her protective mother (Houston), yet encouraged by the handsome and ambitious Stix (Derek Luke), Sparkle forms a trio with her sisters (Tika Sumpter and Carmen Ejogo). Together, they perform the soul-stirring songs that Sparkle pens. But as their fame grows, so do the risks of jealousy, self-doubt and insidious temptation. A sweeping drama is brought to life with a powerful cast including Mike Epps, Omari Hardwick and CeeLo Green. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Audio commentary by director Salim Akil; "A Tribute to Whitney Houston"; "A Dream Come True"; and the Blu-ray exclusive "A Sparkling Performance"; "Sparkle and Shine"; "Hooked On Your Love" – Extended Performance; and "Celebrate" Music Video by Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Sparkle' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 30.Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
