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'Trilogy of Life' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Three 1970s films from the great Italian poet, philosopher, and filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini are bound for Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion says 'Trilogy of Life' is coming to Blu-ray on November 13. Pasolini weaves together stories from Giovanni Boccaccio’s fourteenth-century moral tales in this picturesque free-for-all. 'The Decameron' explores the delectations and dark corners of an earlier and, as the filmmaker saw it, less compromised time. Eight of Geoffrey Chaucer’s lusty tales come to life on-screen in Pasolini’s gutsy and delirious 'The Canterbury Tales,' which was shot in England and offers a remarkably earthy re-creation of the medieval era. Pasolini traveled to Africa, India, and the Middle East to realize this ambitious cinematic treatment of a handful of the stories from the legendary The Thousand and One Nights. Full of lustrous sets and costumes and stunning location photography, 'Arabian Nights' is a fierce and joyous exploration of human sensuality. The 3-Disc Blu-ray set will feature a 1080p digital transfer, a uncompressed mono soundtrack, and supplements include: New visual essays by film scholars Patrick Rumble and Tony Rayns on The Decameron and Arabian Nights, respectively; New interviews with art director Dante Ferretti and composer Ennio Morricone about their work with Pasolini, and with film scholar Sam Rohdie on The Canterbury Tales; The Lost Body of Alibech (2005), a forty-five-minute documentary by Roberto Chiesi about a lost sequence from The Decameron; The Secret Humiliation of Chaucer (2006), a forty-seven-minute documentary by Chiesi about The Canterbury Tales; Via Pasolini, a documentary in which Pasolini discusses his views on language, film, and modern society; Pier Paolo Pasolini and the Form of the City (1974), a sixteen-minute documentary by Pasolini and Paolo Burnatto about the ancient Italian cities Orte and Sabaudia; Deleted scenes from Arabian Nights, with transcriptions of pages from the original script; Pasolini-approved English-dubbed track for The Canterbury Tales; Trailers; and a booklet featuring essays by critic Colin MacCabe; Pasolini's 1975 article "Trilogy of Life Rejected"; excerpts from Pasolini's Berlin Film Festival press conference for The Canterbury Tales; and a report from the set of Arabian Nights by critic Gideon Bachmann. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $79.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Trilogy of Life' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 13.Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'The War of the Roses' and 'Hoffa' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Fox launches its Blu-ray Filmmakers Signature Series line with two films from director Danny DeVito this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox says 'The War of the Roses' is coming to Blu-ray on September 18. Welcome to the Filmmakers Signature Series on Blu-ray. Enjoy this outrageously funny comedy from director Danny DeVito with high quality picture and sound, true to the director's vision, thanks to an all-new HD transfer. This special edition also includes deleted scenes, commentary by director Danny DeVito, a conversation with producer James L. Brooks and more. When the seemingly perfect marriage of Oliver (Michael Douglas) and Barbara (Kathleen Turner) Rose ends in divorce, the stage is set for the ultimate battle of the exes. Ignoring the pleas of Oliver's level-headed attorney, Gavin (Danny DeVito), the Roses inflict as much misery as humanly possible on each other, as they fight it out to the bitter end. Fox has also slated 'Hoffa' for Blu-ray on the same date. This all-new HD transfer provides Danny DeVito's powerful epic about legendary union organizer Jimmy Hoffa with exceptional picture and sound quality. Also included are an exclusive booklet about the making of the film, commentary by Danny DeVito, DeVito's speech at a Teamsters convention, the shooting script, anecdotes from Teamsters, news coverage, excised scenes and more! Three-time Oscarr Winner Jack Nicholson* packs a wallop as Hoffa, the Teamsters' most influential and controversial crusader. Along with his friend Bobby Ciaro (DeVito), Hoffa faces danger at every turn. As he fights for workers' rights, Hoffa locks horns with industry management, organized crime and the U.S. Attorney General. Four years after serving a prison term, Hoffa disappears, in one of America's most fascinating unsolved crime mysteries. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The War of the Roses' and 'Hoffa' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 18.Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Croon Launches a Slick New Bluetooth Speaker[teaser]It sports a unique look, stylish finishes and a Class D amp. [/teaser] Croon’s new The Original speaker has a very specific purpose. It’s designed for the single purpose of streaming music via Bluetooth from your tablet, phone or MP3 player. It packs a Class D amplifier that provides 15 watts each to a pair of 2.5” full-range drivers. There are some benefits of being Bluetooth only that more complete solutions don’t offer. For example, you won’t find a single button on The Original. All controls are handled by your tablet or phone, including volume – this allows for a more streamlined audio circuit. The Original features an 8mm thick MDF housing, which is available in four different colors, though pricing varies depending on which you want. The base model is available in black at $199. Grey and white run $229 while red comes in at $235. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'School of Rock' Blu-ray Best Buy Exclusive[teaser]The 2003 Jack Black comedy will rock high-definition exclusively at Best Buy at the end of August. [/teaser] According to the retailer's website, Paramount will release 'School of Rock' on Blu-ray at Best Buy on August 28. Black stars as a wannabe rock star in need of cash, who poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school, and tries to turn his class into a rock band. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but the Blu-ray can be yours for $14.99. You can find the latest specs for 'School of Rock' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 28.Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Free Movie Streaming from Crackle Comes to Nook – on the Way to Kindle Fire[teaser]The iOS versions of the service have been updated too, with a cleaner interface and HDMI/AirPlay TV Playback. [/teaser] Crackle isn’t the most popular movie streaming service out there and it’s a bit lacking in terms of quality, but the price is just right – free. There are a good chunk of movies available to watch and now that’s been extended to Nook users, though not those that use a Nook Color. If your tablet of choice is the Kindle Fire, you’ll be happy to know that a free Crackle app is on its way to you too, though a specific date has yet to be announced. iOS users already have the app, but get an update that makes the interface prettier and easier to use. The update also includes the ability to use AirPlay to send their content to an enabled device. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Contest: Win 'Homeland: The Complete First Season'Would you like to win a free copy of 'Homeland: The Complete First Season' on Blu-ray? Of course you would! This is a great show, and we're pleased to offer two copies to our lucky readers. Find out how you can win one of them by entering our contest in the blog today.Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 08:15 AM PDT by: -
'Universal 100th Anniversary Collection' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]A mega limited edition boxed set featuring 25 of Universal's films will arrive on Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios is working on 'Universal 100th Anniversary Collection' for Blu-ray on November 6. For 100 years, Universal Pictures has been entertaining audiences all around the world with some of the most unforgettable movies ever made. The collection features a selection of 25 unforgettable films that helped shape the legacy of one of the most successful movie studios of all time. Featuring prestigious Academy Award® winners such as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Sting, genre-defining classics like Dracula and Spartacus, captivating storytelling such as Field of Dreams and Do the Right Thing, blockbusters like Jurassic Park and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and pure entertainment with franchises including The Bourne Identity and The Fast and the Furious, these movies continue to have an enduring impact throughout the world. The Universal 100th Anniversary Collection includes an exclusive “100 Years of Universal” 72-Page collector’s book chronicling the history of Universal over the last 100 years including rare photos and memorabilia from the studio’s archives. The collection also includes an exclusive 15-track music CD containing a selection of the most popular music scores from Universal films including Psycho, The Sting, Jaws, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Out of Africa. Featuring hours of bonus features including an exclusive bonus disc, including 8 “100 Years of Universal” featurettes, vintage cartoons and rarely seen shorts from the Universal archives. Boxed set includes: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Dracula (1931) Drácula (1931) Buck Privates (1941) Pillow Talk (1959) Spartacus (1960) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) The Birds (1963) American Graffiti (1973) The Sting (1973) Jaws (1975) National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Scarface (1983) Back to the Future (1985) The Breakfast Club (1985) Out of Africa (1985) Do the Right Thing (1989) Field of Dreams (1989) Jurassic Park (1993) Apollo 13 (1995) The Fast and the Furious (2001) The Bourne Identity (2002) Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008) Despicable Me (2010) Suggested list price for the Blu-ray boxed set is $349.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Universal 100th Anniversary Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 6.Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Do-Deca-Pentathlon' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The 2012 comedy from Mark and Jay Duplass gears up for Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has revealed 'The Do-Deca-Pentathlon' will have a Blu-ray release on September 18. Two grown men take sibling rivalry to new heights of hilarity in this winning comedy with heart. All bets are off during a family reunion when estranged brothers Mark (Steve Zissis) and Jeremy (Mark Kelly) secretly resurrect a decades-old quest to be the best. Determined to complete 25 outrageous events in order to crown a true champion, the exhausted pair find themselves leg wrestling, ping-ponging, and laser tagging to the finish line...while learning a few life lessons along the way. Written and directed by the comically competitive Duplass Brothers ('Cyrus'), 'The Do-Deca-Pentathlon' brings home the gold - and the laughs! The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Meet the Real Brothers and Rock, Paper, Scissors with the Real Brothers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Do-Deca-Pentathlon' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under September 18.Posted Mon Aug 20, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'The War' Blu-ray $54.99 at Amazon[teaser]Save nearly sixty percent this week at Amazon on the Ken Burns' documentary miniseries on Blu-ray! [/teaser] Amazon is selling 'The War' for $54.99 (58% off the suggested retail price). The impressive 15-hour, 7-part World War II documentary took over six years to complete. The 6-disc set also includes audio commentaries, Making-of featurette, deleted scenes, additional interviews, and more. Click here to own this great documentary today! This offer is available from now through August 26.Posted Sun Aug 19, 2012 at 09:07 AM PDT by: -
Bonus View Digest - August 17, 2012August is already half over, but [teaser]The Bonus View keeps chugging along through the dog days of Summer. Check out some of the great stuff featured on the blog this week. From news of the new Blu-rays hitting store shelves, to what you should see at the theaters this weekend, we covered just about everything![/teaser] Blu-ray News This was a big week for Blu-ray releases, mainly because highly anticipated movies like 'Jaws,' 'The Raid: Redemption,' and 'The Hunger Games' were finally released. Is there anything else you should be excited about? Well, check out Josh's Blu-ray Highlights post to make sure you didn't miss anything. We have the 'Rushmore' contest results from last week. Check to see if you won. Home Theater News Want to know what to watch on Netflix? Brian Hoss has you covered there. Check out his Netflix Alert about ESPN's '30 for 30' series that is streaming on the service right now. You won't want to miss these sports documentaries. Theatrical News Luke saw a movie or two that opens this week (except for 'The Expendables 2' which was not screened for critics outside of New York and L.A.). Check out his review of Disney's 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green.' A movie you could take the whole family to. In the Trailer Park E checked out a few sci-fi movies that will be hitting theaters soon. Find out what E has to say about movies like 'Cloud Atlas,' 'Branded,' and 'The Prototype.' TV News This week we have television recaps of season two premieres for 'Grimm' and 'Hell on Wheels.' Josh also covered the pilot episode of 'Major Crimes' TNT's spin-off from 'The Closer.' We also have a recap of 'True Blood.' Special Features Last week on the Weekend Roundtable, we discussed the best and worst TV spin-offs. Check it out and see what people think. Add in your own opinion in the comments section. In the Mid-Week Poll we asked what you think about reading source material before or after seeing the adaption on screen. What do you think? Let us know. That's it for this week. Stay tuned to The Bonus View for more chances to win and more great content. We hope you all have a great weekend.Posted Fri Aug 17, 2012 at 11:45 AM PDT by:
