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HDD Deal of the Week: 'The World at War' Blu-ray $56.99 at Amazon[teaser]The deal this week at Amazon will save you over sixty percent off the History Channel documentary on Blu-ray! [/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'The World at War' for $56.99 (62% off suggested price). Informative and unbiased, 'The World at War' is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an International Emmy Award, The National Television Critics' Award for Best Documentary, and knighthood for its creator, Sir Jeremy Isaacs. The massive 9-disc set features 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Bonus Documentaries: The Making of the Series, Secretary to Hitler, The Two Deaths of Adolf Hitler, Warrior, Hitler s Germany: The People s Community 1933-1939, Hitler's Germany: Total War 1939-1945, The Final Solution: Parts 1 and 2, and From War to Peace; Making the Series A 30th Anniversary Feature-Length Retrospective; The Restoring of THE WORLD AT WAR a brand-new feature detailing the meticulous restoration process; The Making of THE WORLD AT WAR; Biographies; Gallery of Photos from the Imperial War Museum Collection; Historical Footage; and Famous Songs, Speeches, Quotes and Maps. Click here to order this fantastic set and the sale will be in effect from now through June 30.Posted Sun Jun 24, 2012 at 10:02 AM PDT by: -
Bonus View Digest - June 22, 2012[teaser]A lot happened this week. We're winding down the TV Madness tournament which is culminating with an extremely tough matchup in which most people might find it hard to cast a vote. We also have reviews for the big new movies opening up this weekend. Check out all the Bonus View content below that you might have missed.[/teaser] Blu-ray News We announced our 'Falling Skies' contest results. Congratulations to readers VIOZ and Jim S. for winning a free Blu-ray of 'Falling Skies: Season 1', and thanks to Dolby Labs for sponsoring the giveaway. We have plenty of giveaways, so keep watching the blog for your chance to win free stuff! In our Blu-ray Highlights post you can follow the specifics about what happened to the 'Blade' releases that we were supposed to have in stores this week. If you're interested in Steelbooks, Tom has a great post on the new UK Steelbook that will be available for the upcoming release of ''The Raid: Redemption'.' TV Madness Jack Bauer took on Seven of Nine while Buffy fought tooth-and-nail with Cameron. Bauer and Cameron emerged as winners and the two finalists in the tournament. Today the final match will be posted on the blog an you'll have your chance to crown the most deserving character. Don't forget to vote. Theatrical News Wondering what to expect from the new movies coming out this weekend? Well, Luke has you covered. Is Pixar's new 'Brave' Pixar-good or just good? Is 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' worth seeing? Check out our reviews to see what Luke thought. Also this week, we learned from Josh that Dolby is rolling out its new Dolby Atmos product this weekend in select theaters. We have a list of theaters in the post. Atmos will soon spread, but right now you'll only find it at these particular theaters showing with 'Brave.' TV Recaps Did you make it all the way through 'The Killing'? Are you simply following along with us through our recaps and not bothering to watch the show? Either way is fine. We've got a season two finale recap that you just have to read. Other recaps include the season two premiere of 'Suits,' the quasi-season premiere of 'Dallas,' and episodes of 'Longmire' and 'True Blood.' Special Features This week's Weekend Roundtable focused on Tom Cruise's best and worst movies. What do you think? Also, in the Mid-Week Poll we asked how you perceive box sets especially when there are still other movies being planned for the same franchise. Do you buy them or do you wait? Thanks for joining us this week. June has flown by. July is almost here which means some really big theatrical openings. Stay tuned.Posted Fri Jun 22, 2012 at 11:25 AM PDT by: -
'Dial M for Murder - 3D' Announced for Blu-ray 3D![teaser]Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 thriller comes to Blu-ray 3D in October! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers has set 'Dial M for Murder - 3D' for a Blu-ray 3D release on October 9. The film about a man who plots to murder his wife stars Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings and is currently ranked #194 on IMDb.com's Top 250. According to WHV's Executive Vice President and General Manager of Theatrical Catalog, Jeff Baker, "Given the current trend toward 3D, we're delighted to be releasing this authentic classic 3D. This is not a conversion from 2D to 3D, but an original work, with a big tip of the cap to MPI, that illustrates just how good 3D can be. The Warner library has the largest number of classic 3D titles (15) of any studio and over the years we've been looking to release them, but not until now has the technology been perfected to the point we can do that. We're hoping 'Dial M for Murder' is the first of several classic 3D films to be released, with the long-awaited, much requested 'House of Wax' expected next." Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include Hitchcock and Dial M, 3D: A Brief History, and Original Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray release is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Dial M for Murder - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 9.Posted Fri Jun 22, 2012 at 10:50 AM PDT by: -
'Life Happens' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 2011 dramedy will be expecting on Blu-ray this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios says 'Life Happens' will have a Blu-ray release on August 28. Krysten Ritter, Kate Bosworth and Rachel Bilson star in this sharp and witty comedy about single living, friendship and the joys of life's curveballs. When a one-night-stand results in an unexpected pregnancy, things take a sudden turn for Kim (Ritter) and her roommates, Deena (Bosworth) and Laura (Bilson). Jumping back into the dating scene, Kim copes with single motherhood amid fears that toting a tot will be a dating buzz-kill. Costarring Jason Biggs, Justin Kirk and Kristen Johnston. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements haven't been revealed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $26.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Life Happens' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under August 28.Posted Fri Jun 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Fairy' Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The whimsical romantic comedy will grant Blu-ray three wishes this July. [/teaser] As previously reported, Kino Lorber has slated 'The Fairy' for Blu-ray on July 17. A charming adventure about a hotel clerk who falls in love with a fairy who grants him three wishes. After the first two wishes come true, she mysteriously disappears. Determined to get her back Dom searches everywhere, hoping to reunite with his one true love. Belgium-based trio Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy follow their acclaimed 'Iceberg' and 'Rumba' with this wonderful candy-colored romp. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include a trailer and stills gallery. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Fairy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 17.Posted Fri Jun 22, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Flowers of War' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed story of love and war will arrive on Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate has revealed 'The Flowers of War' is planned for Blu-ray on July 10. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Yimou Zhang ('Hero,' 'House of Flying Daggers') and based on the novel by Japanese author Yan Geling, the film was nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Foreign Film. 'The Flowers of War,' starring Academy Award® winner Christian Bale and introducing Ni Ni, is a powerful and epic tale of love and war, where a band of outcasts emerge as unlikely heroes from the shadows of a city’s occupation. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include a five-part behind-the-scenes documentary. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Flowers of War' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 10.Posted Fri Jun 22, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]A mega boxed set featuring 15 films from the Master of Suspense is planned for Blu-ray in September! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios is working on 'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection' for a Blu-ray release on September 25. This set includes: Saboteur (1942) - Supplements will include Saboteur: A Closer Look behind-the-scenes featurette; Storyboards for the "Statue of Liberty" setpiece; Alfred Hitchcock's sketches; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailer. Shadow of a Doubt (1943) - w/Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcock's Favorite Film behind-the-scenes featurette; Production drawings by art director Robert Boyle; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailer. Rope (1948) - w/Rope Unleashed behind-the-scenes featurette; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailer. Rear Window (1954) - w/Commentary with Hitchcock's Rear Window: The Well-Made Film author John Fawell; 5 Behind-the-scenes featurettes; Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts; Production photographs; Theatrical trailers; and Re-release trailer narrated by James Stewart. The Trouble with Harry (1955) - w/The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over behind-the-scenes featurette; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailers. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) - w/The Making of The Man Who Knew Too Much behind-the-scenes featurette; Production photographs; and Trailers. Vertigo (1958) - w/Two audio commentaries (Associate producer Herbert Coleman, restoration team Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz, and other Vertigo participants, and Filmmaker William Friedkin); Obsessed with Vertigo: New Life for Hitchcock's Masterpiece; Partners in Crime: Hitchcock's Collaborators; The Vertigo Archives; Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts; Foreign censorship Ending; 100 Years of Universal featurette: The Lew Wasserman Era; Theatrical trailer; and restoration theatrical trailer. North by Northwest (1959) - w/Commentary by screenwriter Ernest Lehman; 4 behind-the-scenes featurettes; Music-only audio track; Stills gallery; and Theatrical trailers and TV spot. Psycho (1960) - w/Commentary with Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho author Stephen Rebello; 3 Behind-the-scenes featurettes; Breakdowns of the "Shower Scene" setpiece; The Psycho Archives; Vintage newsreel: The Release of Psycho; Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts; Posters and Psycho ads; Lobby cards; Behind-the-scenes photographs; Production photographs; Theatrical trailer; and re-release trailers. The Birds (1963) - w/All About The Birds; Vintage Universal International newsreels; The Birds Is Coming; Suspense Story: National Press Club Hears Hitchcock; Tippi Hedren's screen test; Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts; Deleted scene; Original ending; Storyboards; Production photographs; 100 Years of Universal featurettes; Theatrical trailer; and Blu-ray exclusive The Birds: Hitchcock's Monster Movie. Marnie (1964) - w/The Trouble with Marnie behind-the-scenes featurette; The Marnie Archives feature; and Theatrical trailer. Torn Curtain (1966) - w/Torn Curtain Rising behind-the-scenes featurette; Selected scenes scored by Bernard Herrmann; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailer. Topaz (1969) - w/Alternate endings; Topaz: An Appreciation with film historian and critic Leonard Maltin; Storyboards for "The Mendozas" setpiece; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailer. Frenzy (1972) - w/The Story of Frenzy behind-the-scenes featurette; Production photographs; Theatrical trailer. Family Plot (1976) - w/Plotting Family Plot behind-the-scenes featurette; Storyboards for the chase scene; Production photographs; and Theatrical trailer. The boxed set will also include a 50-page book featuring storyboards, costume sketches, correspondence, and rare photographs. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 25.Posted Thu Jun 21, 2012 at 11:40 AM PDT by: -
8 Out of 10 Stream Content Through Their Blu-ray Players[teaser]That's a big jump over game console and connected TV users, who hover in the 60s. [/teaser] The NPD Group revealed an interesting statistic today – apparently 80% of those that own connected Blu-ray players use them to access streaming content. Compare that to the 69% of connected TV users that stream and 65% of game console owners and it's a significant number indeed! "Once primarily the domain of tech-savvy young male early adopters," says SVP Russ Crupnick, "downloading entertainment content to tablets, TVs and game consoles is now much more common among regular American moms, dads — and their kids, too." Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Jun 21, 2012 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
HDD Interviews Rising Star Alex Lombard of 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'by Luke Hickman [teaser]When you get an email that says, "We'd love to set up an interview with you and the gorgeous, breakout star..." you say "yes."[/teaser] Meet Alex Lombard. If you've seen 'Inception,' then you've already seen her. She played a small role that's one level better than extra work. Her latest role in 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' gives her more to do (pun intended - you'll get it if you keep reading) than 'Inception,' but it's still not huge. We will have to wait a little longer to see exactly what she's capable of - but you're about to get the gist of where she's going in her career. I hadn't seen 'Abe Lincoln' prior to my chat with "American Beauty" Alex Lombard (that's how her publicist referred to her in the email invitation for this interview), but just as I expected from Lombard's responses, she plays a very small character here too. In fact, she deems that one of her scenes features her and Dominic Cooper in a "compromising position." The way she talks is as if she was in more than that one scene, but that is the only one that makes the final cut. Perhaps a director's/extended cut will reveal more . Based on what we see in 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,' it's hard to predict the future for Ms. Lombard - but from what you'll read in my interview, you'll see that she's doing more than her fair share to make it big in Hollywood. Enjoy. HDD – Luke Hickman: Alex, I haven't yet seen the movie, so what can I expect from 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?' Alex Lombard:Oh, I think you can expect a really fun wild ride. I think you'll find it very entertaining and very interesting. HDD: Who exactly do you get to play in it? Alex Lombard: I play Dominic Cooper's girlfriend. He plays a 900-year-old vampire who takes the young Abraham Lincoln under his wing and teaches him the ways of the vampire world. HDD: How was it working with Dominic Cooper? Alex Lombard: He was fantastic. He was really charming and sweet. He made me feel very comfortable. My scenes with him were predominantly - (sigh) I wasn't wearing very much. (laughs) He really did everything to just make me feel super comfortable on set. I could tell that he takes his craft very seriously - but he's a lot of fun to be with and to work around. HDD: I hope this doesn't spoil what happens to your character, but were you around for much of the shoot? Alex Lombard: You know, I just have a small part. Abe Lincoln sort of finds Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper) and I in a couple of compromising positions when he very first comes to stay with him, so I really just have a little part when [Abe] sort of happens-upon Sturgess' house. HDD: I see that you were able to work with Christopher Nolan with your small role in 'Inception.' Now you've had the chance to work with – I know I'm going to butcher his name. Is it pronounced "tee-mer?" Alex Lombard: "Tee-more." HDD: Timur Bekmambetov. Thanks! You've gotten to work with some visionary directors. What was it like working with Timur? Alex Lombard: He's fantastic. He's wonderful. He gives you a lot of room to play and a lot of room to, sort of, find the character. I really can't say enough good things about him. He's really a great guy and he's not super controlling. He knows what he wants, but he also gives you, as an actor, a lot of room to experiment – which is always a good thing. HDD: Being a producer, was Tim Burton around for much of the shoot? Alex Lombard: Not when I was shooting, but I could definitely feel his presence. I mean, his work is so highly stylized and he's got such an iconic cinematic style that I could definitely feel his presence; as soon as I stepped foot on the set, I could tell, "Okay. This definitely has the thumbprint of Tim Burton." It was really cool to be around. HDD: Three years ago, did you ever think that you'd get to work in these huge films – 'Inception' and 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?" Alex Lombard: I didn't, I didn't. I was so excited and thrilled to have these opportunities. You know, it's so amazing to be attached to such great projects with such amazing people. I'm really just beyond thrilled. HDD: Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how you got into acting? Alex Lombard: Well, I'm from Charleston, so I'm a southern gal. I pretty much knew that I wanted to act from the moment I could talk. But because I lived in a small town, you know, the professional acting opportunities weren't readily available for me. So I waited until I was a little bit older, then I came out to Los Angeles. I did a couple things behind the camera first, and then I finally made my way in front of the camera. HDD: Did you do any theater acting back in South Carolina? Alex Lombard: I actually did a lot of theater acting because that was really the only thing that was available to me. I was in the community productions, but not too much with my high school. I associated with my high school, but did most of my stuff throughout the community. It was fun. HDD: Well, I have an appreciation of small theater because that's what my wife does here in Salt Lake City. Alex Lombard: What has she been in? HDD: You know, it's been a while since she acted in anything because she's been devoting a lot of her time to directing. Alex Lombard: Good for her! That's the way to go. HDD: So, what can we expect from you next? Alex Lombard: I have a movie coming out this year called 'The Man Without A Head.' I'm really excited about that. It's starring Shannyn Sossamon. Taryn Manning is also in that. And then I'm just now wrapping up a pilot that I wrote. I'll be shopping that around this summer. I'm super excited about it because it's the first TV thing that I've written. And then I wrote a film that I hope to make this fall. I'll be directing and starring in that as well. HDD: So, you're doing everything - Alex Lombard: I am! HDD: - producting, writing, directing, acting? Alex Lombard: Yep! HDD: How has the process of making a television pilot been for you? Alex Lombard: As a writer? From what I know so far, you write your pilot, then you have to start pitching pitches with anybody and everybody will see you in hopes that somebody likes it enough to option your work – that someone likes it enough to buy it. HDD: Now, in researching you, I didn't find a thing about your pilot. Alex Lombard: I don't even think that's out there yet, so High-Def Digest is hearing it first! HDD: Awesome! Can you tell me about it? Alex Lombard: It's a fish-out-of-water story that's semi-autobiographical about my writing partner, a young high-school aged Eastern European kid who is escaping communism and lands as a foreign exchange student in the rural south. HDD: So the possibilities are endless. Alex Lombard: The possibilities are endless with the hijinks that ensue in that situation. Being a southerner, that's an idea that's so close to my heart. I'm so happy to be writing about the south; re-envisioning that world is really fun for me. HDD: So, I take it it's comedic. Alex Lombard: Well, it's sort of a dramedy – kind of in the vein of 'The Big C' or 'Weeds.' An HBO or Showtime type of series is how we envisioned it when we were writing it. HDD: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I look forward to seeing you on the big screen this weekend. Alex Lombard: And that you! And have a great summer! HDD: You too!Posted Thu Jun 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Pirates! Band of Misfits Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]The stop-motion family adventure will sail to Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be bringing 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits' to high-definition in a Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Copy on August 28. 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits - 3D' will also be available on the same date. When the infamous Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) is shunned once again by his rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek), he sets his sights to win the coveted Pirate of the Year Award. With his trusted dodo, Polly, and a ragtag crew at his side, the Pirate Captain will need to battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton), save a young scientist (David Tennant), and never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure. The Blu-rays will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary with director Peter Lord, co-director Jeff Newitt, and editor Justin Krish; So You Want To Be A Pirate? short film; Peter Lord short films; 2 behind-the-scenes featurettes; 2 interactive games; and printable activity pages. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $40.99 and $45.99 for the Blu-ray 3D. You can find the latest specs for 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits and 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 28.Posted Thu Jun 21, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by:
