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MALEFICENT Dated for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The 4K release of the 2014 film starring Angelina Jolie is coming to 4K this September. [/teaser] Disney is preparing Maleficent for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 24. Explore the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain in this wickedly fun twist on the classic SLEEPING BEAUTY -- now even more spectacular in 4K Ultra HD.Journey beyond the fairy tale in this soaring adventure that is "visually arresting, brilliantly designed" (Andrew Barker, Variety). You can find the latest specs for Maleficent - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray linked from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 24. Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Thu Aug 29, 2019 at 08:44 AM PDT by: -
Final JOKER Trailer Teases Gritty Character Study of Iconic Villain[teaser]"Send in the clowns..."[/teaser] Warner Bros. has released the final trailer for Joker, offering an expanded look at the film's story and Joaquin Phoenix's creepy transformation into the infamous Batman villain. The film is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2019. Director Todd Phillips' Joker centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham's fractured society. A clown-for-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night…but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study. Check out the final trailer below! In addition to Phoenix, the movie stars Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, Shea Whigham, Frances Conroy, Bill Camp, Marc Maron, and Brett Cullen. Director Todd Phillips also co-wrote the script with Scott Silver (The Fighter). Though based on the DC comic book character of the same name, Joker does not appear to be set in the same cinematic universe as Warner Brothers' other recent DC films like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman, Suicide Squad, Justice League, Aquaman, and Shazam -- which already feature a different version of the Joker played by Jared Leto. Likewise, while the movie is set in Gotham and the Wayne family is featured in the film, the character of Batman is not expected to make an appearance. Other upcoming DC films include Cathy Yan's Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) which will premiere on February 7, 2020, and Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 1984 which will premiere on June 5, 2020. Likewise, a Suicide Squad sequel/reboot from writer/director James Gunn, an Aquaman sequel, a new Batman film, and a Flash movie are also all in development. Source: Warner Bros. (YouTube)Posted Wed Aug 28, 2019 at 10:15 AM PDT by: -
UHD Alliance Announces "Filmmaker Mode" for More Accurate Picture on 4K TVs[teaser]Say goodbye to motion smoothing![/teaser] The UHD Alliance has announced the development of a new Filmmaker Mode for consumer 4K HDR TVs. Produced in partnership with several prominent Hollywood filmmakers and display manufacturers, the new TV calibration setting is designed to simplify the process of providing an accurate out-of-the-box image. The mode can be activated through a dedicated button on a TV's remote or automatically via metadata triggered by the content being played. Once turned on, Filmmaker Mode disables pesky post-processing features like motion smoothing, sharpening, and noise reduction -- which can all create an unnatural looking image. Likewise, the setting also ensures that accurate colors, frame rates, and aspect ratios are maintained. Together, these one-click adjustments all help to create an image that preserves the director's original intent with support for both SDR and HDR10 material. Compatibility with Dolby Vision content is also a likely possibility but, I believe the UHDA is still waiting on Dolby to confirm Filmmaker Mode doesn't mess up anything required to make Dolby Vision work on a particular TV. (A Dolby rep attended the launch event, but we weren't able to find him for a direct quote.) Current manufacturers on board to implement Filmmaker Mode into their products include LG, VIZIO, and Panasonic. Likewise, the setting is being championed by an extensive collection of directors, including Rian Johnson, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, J.J. Abrams, Ava Duvernay, Paul Thomas Anderson, The Duffer Brothers, and more. "When Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Patty Jenkins, Martin Scorsese, and Christopher Nolan reached out to the UHDA about extending the cinematic experience into the living room, we were eager and ideally situated to engage in the conversation," said UHD Alliance Chairman, Michael Zink of Warner Bros. "The Ultra HD TVs from supporting CE members are capable of delivering a range of viewing options and the addition of Filmmaker Mode for cinematic content, which is based on input from a broad range of preeminent filmmakers, provides a way for consumers to better experience the filmmaker’s vision." Filmmaker Mode Hands-On As part of the Filmmaker Mode launch even in Los Angeles, the UHDA brought along a $30,000 Sony reference monitor -- the kind used to color grade movies for cinemas and home entertainment -- as well as a Filmmaker Mode-equipped prototype LCD TV that "cost around $1,500. Based on the graphic user interface and its distinct legs, my guess is that it was an entry-level Vizio E or M model. We then watched side-by-side clips from Dunkirk and The Phantom Thread on both displays while toggling the prototype between Filmmaker Mode and what they called "Typical Mode." Typical Mode isn't actually available on Vizio TVs (thank god), but it represented an amalgamation of what many TVs look like in random bars and your mom's living room. In other words, imaging turning on (or being stuck with) every awful processing mode possible with gobs of motion interpolation and blindingly-cool color temperatures. Typical mode turned the green and yellow-tinged moody beach scenes of Dunkirk into a lovely, sunny day and The Phantom Thread looked equally awful. Filmmaker Mode, by contrast, was free of any extra processing and the color pallet matched the reference monitor quite well. In short, if Filmmaker Mode looks this good on an average TV, I suspect it will stun on great TVs. It's important to point out that Filmmaker Mode isn't a format, nor can it make a $1,500 LCD look a stunning and perfect as a $30,000 (CRT?). Filmmaker Mode simply tells your TV to get as close to the source material as it possibly can. In regards to calibrations, they're still the best way to get the most out of any given TV, but Filmmaker Mode is more designed for the vast majority of TV owners who don't change any TV settings, let alone perform a complex calibration. In the future, Filmmaker Mode may work automatically, using metadata encoded into a movie, but for now, it'll likely be a button on your remote. Honestly, after seeing so many awful-looking TVs in restaurants, hotels, and other public places, I hope folks who love movies use Filmmaker Mode often and with enthusiasm. Availability Specific display models set to include Filmmaker Mode have not been announced yet, but VIZIO will be including the option in its 2020 TV lineup. Likewise, the company is also looking into the possibility of offering the mode on some current and older models via a firmware update. Meanwhile, Panasonic is expected to announce displays with Filmmaker Mode at the upcoming IFA tradeshow, though the company still has no plans to release TVs in the US. Source: UHD Alliance via BusinessWire NOTE: This article has been updated to include a description of the Filmmaker Mode demo.Posted Tue Aug 27, 2019 at 05:15 PM PDT by: -
Dolby Withdraws Restrictions on Third Party Up-Mixing for Dolby Audio Codecs[teaser]The company will no longer seek to prevent devices from using DTS upmixing on Dolby tracks.[/teaser] Dolby has officially withdrawn all restrictions on the use of first and third-party post-processing and up-mixing technologies on its audio formats. The decision comes after Xperi, owners of rival audio brand DTS, launched complaints against Dolby's original policy with regulatory agencies. Prior to the reversal, Dolby was aiming to limit a device's ability to use audio post-processing technologies from other companies when playing back content using a Dolby codec. This meant that AVR, sound bar, and TV manufacturers could be required to prevent DTS virtualization or up-mixing methods (like DTS Neural:X or Virtual:X) from being activated on tracks using a Dolby format. "In our view, Dolby’s policy was anti-competitive, anti-consumer, and a blatant abuse of Dolby’s industry position," said a spokesperson for Xperi. "We promptly took steps to address these concerns, including launching discussions with the European Commission and other regulatory agencies. The European Commission heard us, and engaged with Xperi and Dolby to resolve the issue." According to a recent statement on Dolby's website, Dolby's new stance withdraws "all limitations on the use of OEM (first-party) and third-party post-processing technologies (including upmixers and virtualisers) on audio decoded from Dolby formats (including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Atmos) on AVRs, sound bars and TVs." The new policy is effective immediately for products submitted before January 1, 2021. In addition, Dolby will be offering guidelines for the use of first-party and third-party audio post-processing on Dolby formats for products submitted for approval after January 1, 2021. With that said, these new guidelines will not restrict third-party use. Sources: Xperi, DolbyPosted Tue Aug 27, 2019 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
D23 News: BLACK PANTHER 2, STAR WARS, PIXAR, and More[teaser]Catch up on all the major news from Disney's recent D23 Expo![/teaser] Disney's latest D23 Expo was held this past weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. As part of the event, the studio announced new details on a variety of its upcoming big-screen projects, including titles from Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, and Disney's own live action and animated branches. Likewise, the company also unveiled its lineup of new streaming films and shows for Disney+. "You're not just fans, you're family," said Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer of The Walt Disney Studios, to attendees at the expo. "It's because of you that we keep working so hard to make great movies, and we love D23 Expo because it’s where we can share them with you first." Here's a rundown of some of the major film titles highlighted at the expo: Black Panther 2 (Marvel Studios) - Though plot details have not been revealed yet, Marvel did officially announce a May 6, 2022 release date for Black Panther 2. Ryan Coogler, who helmed the Oscar-nominated first film, will return to direct the sequel. The Eternals (Marvel Studios) - Following the film's initial reveal at Comic Con last month, Marvel announced several new cast member for The Eternals at D23. Gemma Chan and Barry Keoghan will play Eternals named Sersi and Druig respectively. Meanwhile, Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) has signed on to play a non-Eternal character named Dane Whitman. In the comics, Whitman is also known as the superhero Black Knight. The film is set to hit theaters on November 6, 2020. Black Widow 2 (Marvel Studios) - Starring Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow is set to kick off Marvel's Phase 4 on May 1, 2020. Footage from the upcoming film was shown at the event, but sadly, the teaser has not been posted online yet. With that said, artist Andy Park did post a look at the official D23 poster he painted for the project. Check it out below! BLACK WIDOW!!! Official D23 poster I had the honor of painting. She’s very near & dear to me since it’s the gazillionth time I’ve concept designed/painted her. What a cast & crew! #BlackWidow @MarvelStudios #ScarlettJohansson @Florence_Pugh @DavidKHarbour #RachelWeisz @DisneyD23 pic.twitter.com/fxMOI4fJ5R — Andy Park (@andyparkart) August 25, 2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Lucasfilm) - Several members of the cast and crew were on hand at the expo to present a brand new special look teaser for the movie. The conclusion to the Skywalker saga will premiere in theaters on December 20, 2019. Jungle Cruise (Disney Live Action) - Inspired by the classic Disney theme park ride, the upcoming film stars Dwayne Johnson as riverboat captain Frank Wolff, and Emily Blunt as Dr. Lily Houghton. Footage from the movie was shown to the audience, but it has not been posted online. Jungle Cruise is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 24, 2020. Cruella (Disney Live Action) - Disney has revealed the first image from the movie, depicting a young version of Cruella de Vil as played by Emma Stone. The character originated in the 1961 Disney animated film, 101 Dalmatians, and the new live-action prequel is said to feature "a fresh, 1970s, punk-rock approach." Emma Thompson is also attached to star, and the movie is being directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya). Cruella will premiere on May 28, 2021. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Disney Live Action) - Star Angelina Jolie presented exclusive footage at the show for the upcoming sequel to 2014's Maleficent. Click here to check out the previously released trailer. The film will hit theaters on October 18, 2019. Mulan (Disney Live Action) - Director Niki Caro showed off new material from the new live-action adaptation of Disney's animated Mulan (1998). The new footage has not been posted online yet, but click here to check out the previously released trailer. Mulan is scheduled for March 27, 2020. Frozen 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios) - The film's cast and crew offered an exclusive preview of several new songs and scenes from the upcoming animated sequel. But while the new material hasn't been made public beyond the expo, click here to check out the previously released trailer. Frozen 2 opens on November 22, 2019. Raya and the Last Dragon (Walt Disney Animation Studios) - The upcoming animated film tells the story of Raya, "a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world." Awkwafina will play the voice of Sisu, the Last Dragon, while Cassie Steele will voice Raya. The movie is set for release in the US on November 25, 2020. Soul (Pixar) - Directed by Pete Docter (Up, Inside Out), the film will focus on a "journey from the streets of New York City to the cosmic realms, discovering the answers to life's most important questions." Soul stars Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Tina Fey, and Jamie Foxx. In addition, Jon Batiste will be composing original jazz music for the movie. The film is scheduled for release on June 19, 2020. Onward (Pixar) - New footage from the movie starring the vocal talents of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt was shown at the event, but has not been released online. The film features "two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world." Onward will hit theaters on March 6, 2020. Check out the previously released trailer for the flick below! Source: Disney via BusinessWirePosted Mon Aug 26, 2019 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
The Dark Side Emerges in New STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Teaser[teaser]"Your journey nears its end."[/teaser] Disney has released a new D23 Special Look teaser for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The movie is set to hit theaters on December 20, 2019. Though full plot details have not been revealed yet, the story is being billed as the final chapter in the Skywalker saga, and the new footage appears to reveal a turn to the dark side for the trilogy's hero, Rey (Daisy Ridely). Check out the new D23 teaser trailer below! The film's returning cast will include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd, along with new additions Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, and Dominic Monaghan. Meanwhile, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams will all be featured as well. Likewise, Carrie Fisher will also make an appearance in the film as Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Beyond Episode IX, Disney is also developing a new trilogy of Star Wars films with director Rian Johnson. In addition, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are also working on new films for the franchise. Meanwhile, a show titled The Mandalorian from executive producer Jon Favreau will debut on the Disney+ streaming service in November, followed by a Star Wars: Rogue One prequel series starring Diego Luna and an Obi-Wan Kenobi show starring Ewan McGregor at a later date. Source: Star Wars (YouTube)Posted Mon Aug 26, 2019 at 06:34 AM PDT by: -
First Trailer for EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE Teases Return of Jesse Pinkman[teaser]The Breaking Bad sequel is heading to Netflix in October.[/teaser] Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. The film comes from director Vince Gilligan, and is set to start streaming on October 11. Likewise, the movie is also expected to air on AMC sometime following its debut on Netflix. Though full plot details have not been revealed yet, the film will take place after the events of the Breaking Bad series finale, and will focus on what happened to Jesse Pinkman following his escape from his criminal captors. Aaron Paul will reprise his role as Jesse, and the teaser trailer also reveals the return of Charles Baker as Skinny Pete. Additional cast members have not been confirmed yet. Check out the date announcement teaser below! El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is written and directed by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Likewise, Gilligan also serves as a producer, along with Melissa Bernstein, Mark Johnson, Diane Mercer, and Charles Newirth. Breaking Bad originally ran for five seasons on AMC from 2008 to 2013. The show stars Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime cooking meth after he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. A prequel spin-off series, titled Better Call Saul, premiered on AMC in 2015. The spin-off focuses on lawyer Jimmy McGill played by Bob Odenkirk. Better Call Saul will return for a fifth season in 2020. A current Netflix subscription starts at $13 per month for HD streaming and $16 per month for Ultra HD streaming. Source: Netflix (YouTube)Posted Sun Aug 25, 2019 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Disney+ Set to Support 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, User Profiles, and More[teaser]AV specs and other features have been announced for the upcoming service.[/teaser] Disney has revealed additional technical details for its Disney+ streaming service. The app is set to launch with a variety of features, including 4K HDR playback, personalized recommendations, commercial-free viewing, support for multiple streams, and unlimited downloads for offline viewing with no extra costs. As part of the $6.99 per month plan, subscribers will have streaming access to the entire Disney+ library. In addition, the service also supports these key features and technical specs: Unlimited Downloads - Subscribers can download shows and movies from the Disney+ app to up to 10 mobile or tablet devices for offline viewing. There are no limits on the number of times a title can be downloaded per year. Likewise, users can store as many titles as their device can fit. High-Quality Viewing - Disney+ will support up to 4K Ultra HD playback in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos audio via supported devices for compatible content. Specific titles set to be available in these formats have not been confirmed yet. Commercial-free Viewing - Playback through the service is entirely free from commercials. Profile Customizations - The platform supports up to seven different profiles with over 200 unique avatars themed after Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Star Wars characters to choose from. Concurrent Streaming - Disney+ enables users to stream video on up to four registered devices at the same time at no extra cost. Multiple Languages - English, Spanish, French and Dutch languages will be supported for the platform's interface, as well as audio and/or subtitles for library content. In addition, more language options will be available for Disney+ Originals. Accessibility - Closed captioning, descriptive audio, and navigation assistance are all supported as well. Disney+ will arrive in the US on November 12 for $6.99 per month or an annual subscription price of $69.99. Likewise, users can also sign up for a streaming bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month. Source: Disney+Posted Fri Aug 23, 2019 at 08:00 PM PDT by: -
Marvel Announces MS. MARVEL, SHE-HULK, and MOON KNIGHT Series for Disney+[teaser]More MCU shows are in the works for Disney's streaming service.[/teaser] Disney has announced three new live-action Marvel shows for Disney+. In addition, the studio also revealed new cast additions to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and WandaVision. Though plot details, casting, and release dates have not been announced yet, the new Marvel streaming lineup will include shows based on the company's Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight comics. The Ms. Marvel comics focus on a teenage Pakistani American superheroine named Kamala Khan with the power to alter her shape. Meanwhile, the She-Hulk comics star Bruce Banner's cousin, Jennifer Walters, who transforms into a similarly gamma-powered hero while also working as a lawyer. Finally, the Moon Knight source material follows the adventures of a man named Marc Spector who suffers from multiple personalities and fights crime using the powers of an Egyptian god. And beyond the newly announced shows, Marvel also revealed more plot details and cast members for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and WandaVision. In addition to Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, and Daniel Bruhl, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will also feature the return of Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, along with the introduction of Wyatt Russell as John Walker AKA U.S. Agent. Meanwhile, WandaVision will see stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany joined by Kat Dennings and Randall Park, who will reprise their roles as Darcy from Thor and Jimmy Woo from Ant-Man and The Wasp respectively. Likewise, Kathryn Hahn will also be in the series as a new character. The newly released logline describes the show as focusing on "two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives who begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems." Disney+ is set to launch on November 12 for $6.99 per month or $69.99 for an annual subscription. Likewise, users can also sign up for a streaming bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month. Source: Disney+ (Twitter), ComingSoon.netPosted Fri Aug 23, 2019 at 06:45 PM PDT by: -
Disney+ Releases First Trailer for THE MANDALORIAN & Confirms OBI-WAN Series[teaser]"Bounty hunting is a complicated profession."[/teaser] Disney has released the first trailer for its upcoming Disney+ Star Wars show, The Mandalorian. The series comes from executive producer Jon Favreau and will debut with the streaming service on November 12. In addition, the studio also confirmed rumors that it's developing an Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor. After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. Check out the trailer below! The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal as the title character, along with Gina Carano (Deadpool), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Emily Swallow (Supernatural), Carl Weathers (Predator), Omid Abtahi (American Gods), Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man), and Nick Nolte (Affliction). In addition to executive producing, Jon Favreau also serves as the show's writer. Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) is on board to direct the first episode of the series. Likewise, Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), and Bryce Dallas Howard are attached to direct episodes as well. Meanwhile, though plot details have not been announced yet, Disney also confirmed plans to start shooting an Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor sometime next year. The actor previously appeared as Obi-Wan in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) -- where he portrayed a younger version of the character first played by Alec Guinness in the original Star Wars trilogy. The Mandalorian and the upcoming Obi-Wan series will also be joined by a Rogue One prequel show starring Diego Luna. Disney+ is set to launch on November 12 for a monthly subscription price of $6.99. Source: Star Wars (Youtube), ComingSoon.netPosted Fri Aug 23, 2019 at 05:45 PM PDT by:
