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'WarGames' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1983 thriller starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy will hack into Blu-ray this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is working on 'WarGames' for Blu-ray on August 21. Featuring superb performances by Dabney Coleman and Barry Corbin, 'WarGames' is "brilliant...funny...and provocative" (New York) a fast-paced cyber-thriller. Computer hacker David Lightman (Broderick) can bypass the most advanced security systems, break the most intricate secret codes and mastereven the most difficult computer games. But when he unwittingly taps into the Defense Department's war computer, he initiates a confrontation of global proportions World War III! Together with his girlfriend (Sheedy) and a wizardly computer genius (Tony Award® winner John Wood), David must race against time to outwit his opponent...and prevent a nuclear Armageddon. Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: Audio commentary from director John Badham and writers Lawrence Lasker and Walter Parkes; Loading WarGames; Attack of the Hackers; Inside NORAD: Cold War Fortress; Tic Tac Toe: A True Story; and theatrical trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'WarGames' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under August 21.Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
An HDD Quick Look: 'Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows' Movie App and Maximum Movie Modeby Michael S. Palmer [teaser]With 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' hitting Blu-ray tomorrow, Warners Home Video invited High-Def Digest for an early peak at the disc's special features. Our review is up today, but here's a closer look at Maximum Movie Mode, a Blu-ray Disc exclusive, as well as the 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' Movie App, which will work with both the Blu-ray as well as digital download versions of the film.[/teaser] Maximum Movie Mode Maximum Movie Mode (henceforth known as MMM) has been around for a few years now. This picture-in-picture track was hosted by director Guy Ritchie on the first 'Sherlock Holmes' Blu-ray. For 'Game of Shadows', RDJ himself (as the kids call him) steps up for hosting duties in what the studio calls "walk on moments." If you're a fan of Mr. Junior's on or off screen personas, you'll get a kick out of his jokey, relaxed vibe. In MMM you'll have access to seven "focus points" (aka video featurettes) as well as still galleries, story boards, and much more. The video content is accessible through the traditional special features menu, but the Robert Downey Jr. moments and much of the content are exclusive to the MMM experience. A nice feature about the mode is that there's no requirement to watch it all in one sitting. Every time you exit MMM, you will be asked if you'd like to save your location and each time you fire up MMM, you are asked whether or not you'd like to continue where you left off. 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' Movie App While you may have seen Warners' Maximum Movie Mode before, they've created a new Movie App for this release that is both free and available right now for the iPad as well as the Kindle Fire. From what I understand, Warner Home Video was looking at all the "second screen" film companion apps and felt previous versions of these programs were, perhaps, too much of a movie driven experience. Your iPad, aka the second screen, would always be chasing the movie. So they wanted to flip the process on its head by creating an app-driven experience where the iPad or Kindle Fire are the primary screen and your HDTV or projector screen are secondary. In addition to being the first Warners Movie App available on the Kindle Fire, the app works not only with any Blu-ray, but also XBox Live, Vudu, PS3, or CinemaNow downloads (not, however, with streaming rentals -- and there wasn't any word about Blu-ray rental discs). Though it's intended to work in conjunction with a purchased Blu-ray or download, the app works perfectly fine on its own and includes lots of in-app content (524MB worth, to be exact). The app syncs to Blu-ray players over WiFi networks, or there's a manual sync mode where, each time you want to access a certain piece of content on your Blu-ray disc, the movie app displays a three digit code which will cue up the film or behind-the-scenes material. So what exactly is this Movie App all about? The App itself is divided into five sections: MOTIVE is dedicated to Arthur Conan Doyle's story and legacy, and includes a timeline of all the stage, screen, and television adaptations. EVENTS breaks down key sequences in the film and shows how they were made. Check out storyboards as well as read pages from the screenplay. PERSONS OF INTEREST focuses on the film's characters and their literary inspirations. SCENE OF THE CRIME looks back at the real world inspirations for the source material and the film's settings, which includes everything from criminology to era specific plastic surgery to gypsy culture to what caused the first World War. Lastly, SURVEILLANCE is a map-based activity where you can track the film's characters as they move through the film's London and continental Europe locations. As I said before, there's lots of in-app content in the form of timelines, production design drawings, screenplay excerpts, and videos, but there's also ways to have the Movie App control your Blu-ray player by bringing up specific sequences in the film relating to app content. By pressing "Play on Second Screen" on your iPad or Kindle Fire, the movie will jump around to various time codes. Hit stop, and your Blu-ray waits in what Warners calls the "Lobby", aka a standby mode, with stills and music, waiting for you to fire up the next piece of content. If you don't have a purchased copy of the film sync'd via WiFi, the app simply plays a "preview" for what content you would be watching if you had purchased the Blu-ray or digital download. There we have it, Dear Readers, Maximum Movie Mode and the Game of Shadows Movie App.Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 11:05 AM PDT by: -
'Glee: The Complete Third Season' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The Gleeks will be back on Blu-ray this August! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is working on 'Glee: The Complete Third Season' for a Blu-ray release on August 14. Season Three of the electrifying, award-winning series finds the Gleeks headed for the Nationals - and graduation! As younger members join New Directions, others are about to begin exciting, if uncertain, lives outside it. Featuring some of television's most enthralling song and dance numbers, including memorable hits from the legendary Michael Jackson, Glee continues to earn its place in the hearts of viewers around the world. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the 4-disc Blu-ray set is $69.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Glee: The Complete Third Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 14.Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Jurassic Park Trilogy' & 'Back to the Future Trilogy' Blu-ray Sets $23.99 at Amazon![teaser]Save 70 percent on either of these must-own collections on Blu-ray at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'Jurassic Park Trilogy' and 'Back to the Future Trilogy' for $23.99 each (70% off suggested list price). If you don't own either of these sets, now is a great time to add them to your collection!Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 08:13 AM PDT by: -
'Bored to Death: The Complete Third Season' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis will be back on Blu this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO says 'Bored to Death: The Complete Third Season' will have a Blu-ray release on September 4. Jonathan Ames was last spotted duking it out in a dean's office, (almost) saving Super Ray from a stalker, and endorsing George's decision to resign from his glossy magazine gig. This season Jonathan will come face-to-face with 'furries,' hang with Dick Cavett (Beetlejuice), and go on the ultimate oedipal investigation. The Blu-ray set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Four commentaries with creator Jonathan Ames, actors Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, Zach Galifianakis, & John Hodgman, and episode directors Michael Lehmann, Tristram Shapeero, & Adam Bernstein; Inside the Episodes featurettes; deleted scenes; and outtakes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Bored to Death: The Complete Third Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 4.Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
The Pocket TV is a Miniscule Android Computer That Makes Your TV a Smart TV[teaser]It does what other streaming devices do, but has the form factor of a USB drive. [/teaser] Streaming devices are quickly becoming an essential for those without smart TVs, but adding yet another component to your home theater system isn't exactly appealing. Infinitec's solution is the Pocket TV, an Android based streaming device that gives you full functionality in a package not much bigger than a USB drive. Plug the Pocket TV right into your HDMI port and you're ready to go. It runs off of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and gives you the kind of experience you'd expect from the operating system. You'll have full access to the Google Play store for all the apps and games you want – you can even attach a camera to your TV and use the Pocket TV for Skype. The Pocket TV is currently up on the crowd funding site Kickstarter, where it has already doubled the initial $100,000 funding goal. You can guarantee yourself a Pocket TV at launch for $99, while $119 gets you the Pocket TV and an Air Remote, which creates a more touchscreen like experience. Source: Electronic HousePosted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Lovely Molly' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]The acclaimed horror film will possess Blu-ray at the end of August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment is prepping 'Lovely Molly' for Blu-ray on August 28. Fresh from its critically acclaimed national theatrical engagements, 'Lovely Molly' is from the Executive Producer of the 'Lord of the Rings' and marks the long overdue return to first-person horror from the co-director of the revolutionary horror film 'The Blair Witch Project.' The superb acting performance by the fresh, new talent Gretchen Lodge hasn’t gone un-noticed by critics with the New York Times declaring “Ms. Lodge is astonishing in her first film,” with DailyCandy.com hailing “…newcomer Gretchen Lodge is one hell of a scream queen,” and Twitchfilm.com declaring “Lodge delivers an absolutely fearless and often astounding performance.” The Hollywood Reporter called the film “affecting and demonic,” while Complex.com proclaimed “Modern-day horror doesn’t get much creepier than 'Lovely Molly.'” The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Path To Madness, Haunted Past, Demonic Forces, Is It Real, and Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Lovely Molly' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 28.Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Planet of the Apes: 5-Film Collection' Blu-ray $24.99 at Amazon[teaser]Get all five original sci-fi classics for about $5 piece at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'Planet of the Apes: 5-Film Collection' for just $24.99 (49% off suggested list price). This set includes 'Planet of the Apes,' 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes,' 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes,' 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes,' and 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes,' Click here to bring a hefty load of monkey business to your Blu-ray library now!Posted Sun Jun 10, 2012 at 07:16 AM PDT by: -
Dolby Atmos Launch Locations Revealed[teaser]If you're looking to get a sample of what may the future of sound, you're going to want to check this out. [/teaser] Dolby Atmos is a tech that's been in development for a while and has incredibly cool applications. Using Atmos, Dolby is able to send sound absolutely anywhere they want. For example, if something is supposed to be passing over your left shoulder, you'll hear it pass over your left shoulder. It's very new and very cool. If you want to experience this new tech, it'll be rolling out with 'Brave' at the theaters listed below. • AMC Barrywoods 24 (Kansas City, MO) • AMC Burbank 16 (Burbank, CA) • AMC Century City 15 (Century City, CA) • AMC Downtown Disney 24 (Lake Buena Vista, FL) • AMC Garden State 16 (Paramus, NJ) • AMC Van Ness 14 (San Francisco, CA) • Arclight Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) • Brenden Theatres at the Palms (Las Vegas, NV) • Century at Pacific Commons and XD (Fremont, CA) • Cinemark West Plano and XD (West Plano, TX) • SilverCity-Yonge Eglinton Cinemas (Cineplex) (Toronto, ON) • Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23 (Vancouver, WA) • Kerasotes Showplace ICON at Roosevelt Collection (Chicago, IL) • The Dolby Theatre (Hollywood, CA)Posted Fri Jun 8, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Bonus View Digest - June 8, 2012There's a lot happening on The Bonus View and it's only the first week in June. [teaser]This week you'll find a few interesting outcomes for TV Madness, more television recaps of the shows you love (and some you don't), and a review for one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of the summer. Let's jump right in, shall we?[/teaser] TV Madness The contest is down to the final eight combatants, but not before a few near-photo finishes from this week. In case you missed it, David Banner took on Sherlock Holmes and Malcolm Reynolds fought Sylar. You may be surprised at the outcomes. Today we start in on the quarter-finals with Raylan Givens facing down Seven of Nine. It's a very interesting matchup, so be sure to come back to the blog later today to vote. Blu-ray News As always check out this week's releases, and Josh's thoughts on them, in the Blu-ray Highlights post of the week. Tom Landy takes a look at the planned Canadian 'Avengers' steelbook packaging. And we give away yet another movie, this time 'Hoosiers' went to a couple of fantastic readers of The Bonus View. We're always giving away stuff on the blog. Make sure you keep checking for your chance to win free stuff. Theatrical News It's here. Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus' has finally opened and Luke Hickman has reviewed it. Find out if you should see it this week (like you weren't going to already). Luke also reviewed 'Madagascar 3' in case you were thinking about taking your kids this weekend. This week we had something special. Josh wrote a book review on the book "Tales from Development Hell: The Greatest Movies Never Made." It sounds like a very interesting read, especially if you're into the whole business side of movie-making. TV Recaps This week we had recaps of 'The Killing,' and 'Game of Thrones.' Both the Mid-Week Poll and the Weekend Roundtable were TV related. In the Mid-Week Poll we asked if you actually ever watch TV commercials anymore whereas in the Weekend Roundtable we discussed the best and worst series finales that TV had to offer. Thanks for coming around this week and participating in the discussion. You're always welcome at The Bonus View where you're bound to find likeminded people who you can discuss movies with. Until next week.Posted Fri Jun 8, 2012 at 10:25 AM PDT by:
