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Bonus View Digest - July 27, 2012July is coming to an end, however, at The Bonus View we're still going strong. [teaser]This week we had a lot to talk about and a few posts sparked quite the debate in the comments section. So, in case you missed anything on the blog here's a quick rundown to keep you updated.[/teaser] Blu-ray News This week the big release was 'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 1' on Blu-ray. Was there anything else worth getting? Check out Josh's Blu-ray Highlights post to see. Also on the Blu-ray front, Josh went ahead and did a David Lynch marathon. Check out his journey in Auteur Theory. Home Theater News Luke explained why he's been converted to home theater 3D, but still hates theatrical 3D in his article My 3D Conversion. Do you agree with him? Are they indeed two different kinds of 3D? Do they both offer something different? Let us know what you think. Theatrical News This week was all about 'The Dark Knight Rises' so it took up quite a bit of the blog posts too. We asked you what you thought of 'TDKR' in a special poll. Some were disappointed while others thought it was amazing. We posted about 'TDKR's box off return for its opening weekend and we discussed the tragic shootings in Colorado. Finally, Luke talked about where he thinks Batman should go from here. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. On the review side of things, Aaron saw 'The Watch' which opens this weekend and lets you know why it's one of the worst comedies he's ever seen. TV Recaps We have recaps of 'The Newsroom,' and 'True Blood.' Special Features Last weekend we asked you what your favorite and least favorite special Blu-ray packaging was in the Weekend Roundtable. This week's Mid-Week Poll was centered on the superhero movies of summer and asked which one you liked better. Thanks for joining us this week on The Bonus View where you're always welcome to speak your mind about movies, home theater gear, or TV. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments section.Posted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 11:25 AM PDT by: -
'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 30th Anniversary Edition' Release Date & Limited Edition Amazon Spaceship Set[teaser]One of the most beloved films of all-time is coming to Blu-ray in early October, plus the ultimate fan will find an exclusive limited edition with a spaceship collectible only at Amazon! [/teaser] As previously reported, Universal Studios says 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' will have a Blu-ray release this fall, and now the date has been set for October 9. Pre-orders have also landed for an Amazon exclusive Blu-ray with a spaceship collectible available on the same date. 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,' Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg’s magical adventure, celebrates its 30th Anniversary with its first-ever release on Blu-ray this October. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered picture that delivers six times the resolution of DVD, as well as all-new 7.1 surround sound, the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes the 1982 theatrical movie, an all-new interview with director Steven Spielberg, and “The E.T. Journals” featuring never-before-seen footage from the set of the film. In 1982, 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' became the biggest blockbuster of the year, ranking #1 over 16 different weekends. Even today, 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' remains the fourth most successful movie of all-time in the United States. Nominated for nine Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Writing and Best Screenplay, the film took home four statuettes for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound and Best Music for John Williams’ ('Jaws') memorable score. The unforgettable cast includes the adorable Drew Barrymore ('He’s Just Not That Into You,' 'Charlie’s Angels'), Henry Thomas ('Dear John,' 'Legends of the Fall'), Dee Wallace ('10,' “Sons and Daughters”) and Peter Coyote (“Law & Order: LA,” 'Jagged Edge'). “When 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' premiered in 1982, it captured the imaginations of people young, old and everyone in between in a way that was unparalleled in modernmovie history,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “A global cultural phenomenon—and the biggest box-office blockbuster of its day—E.T. brought out the child in all of us. We are thrilled audiences will now be able to experience the film in the astounding quality of Blu-ray.” Universal is also partnering with leading independent games publisher Chillingo to publish E.T.: The Green Planet for the iTunes App Store. Inspired by a novel based on a story by Steven Spielberg, players travel with E.T. to his home planet, explore and build extraordinary intergalactic botanical gardens, and share their experiences with friends. The Blu-ray/DVD/UV Digital Copy combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1soundtrack, and supplements will include: All-new Steven Spielberg & E.T. Interview; The E.T. Journals, shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer John Toll (Braveheart); A Look Back; The E.T. Reunion; The Evolution and Creation of E.T.; The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams; The 20th Anniversary Premiere; Two Deleted Scenes (from the 2002 version); Designs, Photographs, and Marketing Elements; and Original Theatrical Trailer & Special Olympics TV Spot, pocketBlu, and BD-Live. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98 and the Amazon exclusive is $139.98. You can find the latest specs for 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under October 9.Posted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 11:16 AM PDT by: -
BenQ’s New Projector Does 1080p at $899[teaser]The entry level EP5920 is a DLP based projector aimed at the entry-level enthusiast.[/teaser] BenQ’s latest projector is one aimed at folks that don’t want to spend a lot of cash but want some bang for their buck. The 1080p DLP EP5920 gives 1,800 ANSI lumens brightness, a 4500:1 contrast ratio and a six-segment color wheel. BenQ says that the EP5920 is “virtually color-decay free” and supports 1.07 billion colors. You can show video from anywhere as small as 12 inches on up to 300. The EP5920 is available now at $899. Source: TwicePosted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
NVIDIA Puts its Support Behind Miracast Wireless Standard[teaser]It’s a slick setup, but obvious latency makes it a no-go for gamers.[/teaser] Wi-Fi has gone from being a luxury to a fairly common thing in homes. The same can be said of smartphones and, increasingly, tablets. All of those wonderful wireless gadgets floating around are great, but now they need a way to work with one another – especially your TV. Companies are rushing to be the first to develop a standard that people can get behind and NVIDIA is no different. They’re teaming up with Miracast for wireless video to pair with its Tegra mobile platform. The way it works is nothing you haven’t seen before – the TV mirrors what’s on the tablet, allowing you to browse, watch videos and more. NVIDIA’s promo video shows folks gaming using the tech as well, but even in the advertisement the latency looks like it will make everything but the most basic games unplayable. It’s especially evident during a segment where one of the actors is playing a racing game and scraping against the wall the whole way. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Werewolf: The Beast Among Us' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The all-new, action-packed thriller will stalk Blu-ray this October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios says 'Werewolf: The Beast Among Us' will have a Blu-ray release on October 9. During his studies with the local doctor (Stephen Rea, 'Interview with the Vampire'), Daniel (Guy Wilson, 'Little Black Book') witnesses the horrific consequences of werewolf attacks. Watching as the beast's fearsome reputation draws bounty hunters, thrill seekers, and charlatans to the tiny town, Daniel dreams of destroying the ruthless predator. So when a mysterious stranger (Ed Quinn, 'Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation') and his team of skilled werewolf hunters (Stephen Bauer, 'Scarface,' Adam Croasdell, 'The Prince & Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon') arrive to pursue the monster, he offers to join them, despite his mother's (Nia Peeples, 'Blues Brothers 2000') protests. But it soon becomes clear that this creature is stronger, smarter, and more dangerous than anything they have faced before. As casualties mount and villagers see their neighbors transformed into ravening monsters, the townsfolk take up arms against each other to find the true identity of the werewolf. Amid the hysteria, Daniel begins to suspect he's closer to his target than he ever dreamed. The Blu-ray/DVD/UV combo pack includes the R-rated theatrical and the unrated director's cut with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Commentary with director Louis Morneau and producer Mike Elliott, Making the Monster, Transformation: Man To Beast, Monster Legacy, and deleted scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Werewolf: The Beast Among Us' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 9.Posted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Google Kicks off Fiber Service at $120 for Gigabit Internet and TV[teaser]Oh, and they’re throwing in a Nexus 7 tablet in as your remote. [/teaser] At this point, we’re pretty used to expecting little and getting less from our cable and satellite service, but Google is planning to change all that. Their new Google Fiber rollout offers quite a bit that you won’t find elsewhere, starting with a free Nexus 7 tablet for use as a remote. Internet speeds are blazing fast with a potential of a gigabit per second – more than most folks know what to do with. You’ll also get a wide range of channels, a full terabyte of Google Drive space as well as 2TB worth of storage locally as well as the ability to record eight shows simultaneously. Google is waiving the $300 construction fee that’s required to get fiber optic lines into your house, though if you pay the fee up front you’ll get free 5Mbps internet for a minimum of seven years, which comes out to around $3.50 a month – not bad if that’s all you need. Google Fiber is, for now, only available in Kansas City. Source: Google FiberPosted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Gets 'Chained'[teaser]Vincent D'Onofrio is a psychopathic killer in Jennifer Lynch's latest suspense-thriller hitting Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay will be releasing 'Chained' to high-definition on October 2. Perhaps the most terrifying human relationship is the one between a serial killer and his target. But what if it starts that way, and becomes something...more? From the visionary mind of director Jennifer Lynch ('Boxing Helena,' 'Surveillance,' 'Hisss') comes the dark fable 'Chained.' With a stellar cast including Vincent D’Onofrio ('Full Metal Jacket,' 'Men In Black,' “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”), Gina Phillips ('Jeepers Creepers,' “Ally McBeal”) Conor Leslie (“90210”), Evan Bird (“The Killing”), with Jake Weber ('Dawn of the Dead,' “Medium”) and Julia Ormand ('My Week With Marilyn,' “Mad Men,” 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'), 'Chained' is an unforgettable ride into the darkness that can reside in the human heart – no matter what your age. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Feature-length audio commentary by writer/director Jennifer Lynch and actor Vincent D’Onofrio; The alternated unrated version of “Mary’s Murder”; and the original theatrical trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Chained' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 2.Posted Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Top 10 Impending Blu-ray Releases for the Rest of 2012by Aaron Peck [teaser]We've been covering some of the best Blu-ray releases this year in our "So Far…" series, but it's important to look ahead. The releases that await as the year continues are some of the biggest the format has ever seen. Yes, we got 'Star Wars' last year, but this year features some of cinema's greatest movies, the ones we simply had to pre-order the moment they were announced...[/teaser] The following releases are the movies we have to have, no questions asked. The rest of 2012 promises a wealth of highly sought after Blu-ray releases, and here are the top ten in my mind: 'The Raid: Redemption' (August 14th) I saw this movie at Sundance and was absolutely blown away by its non-stop face-crunching action. The action deserved to actually be called "action" since it wasn't pieced together by lightning-fast editing or clever camera tricks. No, these fights are brutal, real, and they look great on screen. I will say that the film is inherently gritty, so it's not going to have a pristinely clear picture when it comes out on Blu-ray. However, this will be a piece of your collection that you'll revisit again and again, showing it to as many of your friends as possible. 'The Raid' simply must be shared. 'Jaws' (August 14th) Okay, everybody take a deep breath and say it with me one more time, "Finally!" Universal sat on this one for quite a while, but the 100th Anniversary celebration is a good a time as any to release one of cinema's most beloved movies. I'm not as excited for the video, which I'm sure will be great (although it might shine a brighter light on the outdated shark effects), as I am for the audio. We're getting a remixed 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track with this. Hearing cinema's most recognizable theme music (dun, dun, duuun, duuun, duuuun, duuuuun) booming through all seven channels is going to be a treat. At least, this fan hopes so. 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (Criterion) (August 14th) I'm glad that Criterion will usher 'The Royal Tenenbaums' into the Blu-ray world. Based on past successes I think we can safely say that Wes Anderson's defining film is in good hands and will likely be a stellar high-def release if all goes well on the Criterion front. 'The Hunger Games' (August 18th) I really didn't think I'd like 'The Hunger Games' as much as I did. I haven't read the books, and I went in without any expectations. I came away from a movie I rather enjoyed, which was much darker (kids killing kids!) than I ever imagined it would be. It's true that the shaky-cam gets to be a bit too much at times, but I felt like I'd been sucked into the story. Like I'd been grabbed by its narrative and I wanted to know more about these characters. Plus, if we didn't get this movie my wife would kill me. 'The Rescuers/The Rescuers Down Under' (August 21st) I practically wore out the VHS tapes of both of these movies when I was young. They were, for a time, my favorite Disney animated movies. I do wish that they were both getting their own standalone releases, but the thought of having them both in high definition is enough for me to forgive Disney packaging them together. That said, I just really, really hope this isn't a shared disc release like 'The Fox and the Hound' was. 'The Avengers' (September 15th) Out of all the big-time superhero movies that were released this summer I'd have to say that 'The Avengers' was the one that gave me that giddy feeling that one should get when going to see a gigantic, bigger-than-life summer blockbuster. Much like the way I felt when I first saw 'Jurassic Park' on the big screen opening weekend. It has that "We're going to the movies!" vibe to it. Sure the aliens at the end are simply there to provide a faceless force which the Avengers can beat down, but the movie itself is pure fun. The way Joss Whedon was able to piece together every character and give them the amount of screen time they deserved was nicely done. I can't wait to hear what this baby is going to sound like in skull-crushing 7.1 audio. If this doesn't shake the pictures off my walls I'm going to be extremely upset. 'The Cabin in the Woods' (September 18th) Not all of the impending awesome releases this year are huge box sets of classic movies. Sometimes they're simply a fun standalone sleeper hit. 'Cabin' was one of the most enjoyable times I had at the movies this year. The best part is I don't have to use the caveat, "big dumb fun" either, because 'Cabin' is witty in its skewering of horror films. It goes all out and has a blast doing it. To top it all off this is a movie that has almost infinite rewatch value, at least for me. I can't wait to pair it up with 'Tucker & Dale vs. Evil' for a horror-comedy double feature night. 'Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures' (September 18th) Besides 'Star Wars' has there been a more sought after franchise to get the Blu-ray treatment? Haven't we all been waiting, rather patiently I might add, for the day when we could own all of the 'Indiana Jones' movies (and not just that ridiculous fourth one) on Blu-ray? The moment this was announced it moved to the top of my personal wishlist. We just got done talking about that special feeling you get when you go to the movies, but these movies are why you have that feeling in the first place. 'Indiana Jones' embodies the exciting, adventurous summer blockbuster. I can't wait to see what they look like in high-def. 'Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection' (September 25th) Don't act like you're not excited for this collection. Fifteen movies in all. Among those 15, 13 of them have never been released on Blu-ray: 'Saboteur,' 'Shadow of a Doubt,' 'Rope,' 'Rear Window,' 'The Trouble with Harry,' 'The Man Who Knew Too Much,' ' Vertigo,' 'The Birds,' 'Marnie,' 'Torn Curtain,' 'Topaz,' 'Frenzy,' and 'Family Plot.' Depending on your affections for the great director, there are anywhere between four to six (maybe more) genuine Hitchcock classics in there that haven't been treated with high definition. Of those classics, 'Vertigo' and 'Rear Window' are two of the greatest thrillers ever made. There really is no denying that this set holds some of the best films cinema has to offer from one of its most revered and prolific directors. Just the thought of having 'Vertigo' and 'Rear Window' in high definition, on the same day(!), is enough reason to pre-order this incredible set. 'James Bond 50' (September 25th) Rounding off the most expensive release week in recent memory (wallets are going to be sad on September 25th) is another hefty collection of movies, but movies that we've been waiting forever to get on Blu-ray. The 'Bond' film catalogue has gone through all sorts of standalone and grouped releases, but there were always a number of films left out. Finally, here's the 'Bond' set to end all 'Bond' sets. All 22 films have been included here. Every single one! It's pretty exciting to see this set finally get its due. I can just feel my bank account revolting against me in the coming months. September is going to be a tough one on all of us, but at least we're in for a slew of highly-anticipated movies hitting the format, just in time to get us through Fall and Winter. What about you? What are your top pre-orders for 2012? What releases are you really looking forward to so much so that you've logged onto Amazon and already placed your order? Let us know by following the forum link below.Posted Thu Jul 26, 2012 at 03:55 PM PDT by: -
'The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection' Trailer Added[teaser]Check out the 'Indiana Jones' Blu-ray trailer for the much-anticipated boxed set coming in September! [/teaser] As previously reported, Paramount has slated 'The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection' for Blu-ray in the fall, and the date is now confirmed for September 18. In June of 1981 director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas introduced the world to Indiana Jones when the unforgettable 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' debuted in theaters. Exploding to instant acclaim, the film has now been carefully restored, alongside remastered versions of the archaeologist’s other thrilling adventures—'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,' 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' and 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.' Prepare for excitement, adventure and snakes—why did it have to be snakes?—all with pristine picture and sound! Supervised by director Steven Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been meticulously restored with careful attention to preserving the original look, sound and feel of the iconic film. The original negative was first scanned at 4K and then examined frame-by-frame so that any damage could be repaired. The sound design was similarly preserved using Burtt’s original master mix, which had been archived and unused since 1981. New stereo surrounds were created using the original music tracks and original effects recorded in stereo but used previously only in mono. In addition, the sub bass was redone entirely up to modern specifications and care was taken to improve dialogue and correct small technical flaws to create the most complete and highest quality version of the sound possible while retaining the director’s vision. The result is an impeccable digital restoration that celebrates the film and its place in cinematic history. The Blu-ray set will feature all four films in 1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, and supplements include a collection of documentaries, interviews, featurettes and new bonus features. Suggested list price for the set is $99.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 18.Posted Thu Jul 26, 2012 at 12:45 PM PDT by: -
'The Muppet Christmas Carol: 20th Anniversary Edition' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The Muppets' version of the classic Charles Dickens tale is coming to Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista will be releasing 'The Muppet Christmas Carol: 20th Anniversary Edition' on Blu-ray on November 6. In the film directed by Brian Henson, the miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements will include: Audio Commentary from Brian Henson; Muppet Audio Commentary: All New Audio Commentary from your favorite Muppets – Kermit, Gonzo, Rizzo, and More; Disney Intermission: Press “Pause” and see what happens when the Muppets Show up at your door to sing your Christmas Carols – Muppet Style; Muppet Holiday Sing-Along; Blooper Reel; Frogs, Pigs, and Humbug: A Behind the Scenes Look; Christmas Around the World with Gonzo and Rizzo; and Pepe’s Profiles Presents: Gonzo, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $26.50. You can find the latest specs for 'The Muppet Christmas Carol: 20th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 6.Posted Thu Jul 26, 2012 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
