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WarnerMedia Announces HBO Max Streaming Service[teaser]The company's new digital video platform has been revealed.[/teaser] WarnerMedia has announced new details for its upcoming streaming service, including an official name and several programming deals. The platform will be called HBO Max and is set to offer access to HBO along with several exclusive original titles and WarnerMedia catalog content, including all 236 episodes of Friends. "HBO Max will bring together the diverse riches of WarnerMedia to create programming and user experiences not seen before in a streaming platform. HBO's world-class programming leads the way, the quality of which will be the guiding principle for our new array of Max Originals, our exciting acquisitions, and the very best of the Warner Bros. libraries, starting with the phenomenon that is 'Friends,'" said Robert Greenblatt, chairman, WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer. "Under the leadership of two of the strongest creative visionaries — Casey Bloys (HBO) and Kevin Reilly (original content and acquisitions) — and two of the most experienced digital experts — Tony Goncalves and Andy Forssell — I have no doubt they and their dedicated teams will deliver the world’s best storytelling to audiences of all ages wherever and whenever they want it." Using HBO as a base, the service will offer access to HBO content along with an extensive collection of additional WarnerMedia programming and new exclusive Max Original shows and films. Content deals announced so far for the platform include the exclusive streaming rights to catalog shows like Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and Pretty Little Liars, along with the exclusive streaming rights to several new Warner Bros. produced dramas from The CW, including Batwoman and Katy Keene. Likewise, the service also has exclusive movie production deals with Greg Berlanti and Reese Witherspoon, with Berlanti slated to produce an initial four movies and Witherspoon set to produce at least two films. Meanwhile, Max Originals currently in the works include a Dune series, a Gremlins animated show, and more. Here's a full rundown of Max Originals announced so far per WarnerMedia: Dune: The Sisterhood - An adaptation of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson’s book based in the world created by Frank Herbert’s book Dune, from director Denis Villeneuve. Tokyo Vice - Based on Jake Adelstein’s non-fiction first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat starring Ansel Elgort. The Flight Attendant - A one-hour thriller series based on the novel by Chris Bohjalian, which will star Kaley Cuoco, who is also executive producing alongside Greg Berlanti. Love Life - A 10-episode half-hour romantic comedy anthology series starring Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick, who will also executive produce alongside Paul Feig. Station Eleven - A postapocalyptic limited series based on Emily St. John Mandel’s international bestseller, adapted by Patrick Somerville and directed by Hiro Murai. Made for Love - A 10-episode, half-hour, straight-to-series adaptation based on the tragicomic novel of the same name by Alissa Nutting, also from Somerville and directed by S.J. Clarkson. Gremlins - An animated series from Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Entertainment based on the original movie. Though pricing and supported devices have not been confirmed yet, HBO Max is set to launch in Spring 2020 with 10,000 hours of content. Source: WarnerMedia via BusinessWirePosted Tue Jul 9, 2019 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Katsuhiro Otomo's AKIRA Remastered in 4K in 2020[teaser]The classic 1988 anime film is getting remastered in 4K and will be available on 4K Blu-ray early next year. [/teaser] According to Engadget, Bandai's Akira will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and remastered Blu-ray in early 2020. On July 16, 1988, Tokyo was destroyed by what was believed to be a new type of bomb, triggering World War III. Thirty-one years later, in 2019, Neo-Tokyo has arisen from ashes under Japan's new political system; but the glittering city is built on foundations of poverty, ignorance and despair. Kaneda and his friends, a bunch of juvenile delinquents, rumble with a rival group of bikers. While the police attempt to disperse a riot with tear gas, the rumble continues. Tetsuo takes the lead and, after disposing of his opponents, nearly runs down what looks to be a 100-year-old baby. Tetsuo's bike suddenly explodes and he is taken prisoner by the top-secret Akira Project where he is subjected to a series of tests which unleash his latent psycho-kinetic powers. But he is really more powerful than anyone imagined and breaks out, creating a swathe of destruction across the city as he mutates into another life form. The film will be remastered in 4K from the 35mm original camera negative (with HDR on the 4K UHD Blu-ray) plus will include a Dolby TrueHD audio transfer. You can find the latest specs for Akira linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Tue Jul 9, 2019 at 08:42 AM PDT by: -
Angelina Jolie Battles Michelle Pfeiffer in New MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL Trailer[teaser]Angelina Jolie returns as the title character in Disney's upcoming sequel.[/teaser] Following an initial teaser, Disney has released a full trailer for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, showcasing more of the film's plot and action. The movie serves as a sequel to the studio's 2014 Sleeping Beauty inspired live-action movie, Maleficent, and is set to hit theaters on October 18, 2019. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a fantasy adventure that picks up several years after Maleficent, in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora. The film continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within. Check out the official trailer below! The film features the return of stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora. In addition, Michelle Pfeiffer joins the cast as Queen Ingrith. Joachim Rønning serves as director, working from a story by Linda Woolverton and a screenplay by Linda Woolverton and Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster. The movie is produced by Joe Roth, Angelina Jolie, and Duncan Henderson. Meanwhile, Matt Smith, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Michael Vieira serving are all on board as executive producers. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil joins a series of recent live-action adaptations based on classic Disney animated films, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, and The Lion King. Likewise, a new version of Mulan from director Niki Caro is set for release in 2020 and a new version of The Little Mermaid is in the works from director Rob Marshall. Source: Disney (YouTube)Posted Mon Jul 8, 2019 at 09:45 AM PDT by: -
A Warrior Is Born in First Teaser for Disney's MULAN[teaser]The legendary warrior will return to theaters in Spring 2020.[/teaser] Disney has released the first teaser trailer for Mulan. The film serves as a live-action remake of the studio's 1998 animated film, and is set to premiere on March 27, 2020. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father. Check out the teaser trailer below! Yifei Liu stars as Mulan, and is joined by Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan, Yoson An as Cheng Honghui, Gong Li as Xianniang, and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider, The Zookeeper's Wife, North Country) with a script written by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem "The Ballad of Mulan." Disney's original animated version of Mulan premiered in 1998 and stars the vocal talents of Ming-Na Wen as Mulan, Eddie Murphy as Mushu, and BD Wong as Shang. This new remake is the latest in a series of recent live-action and realistic CG adaptations based on classic Disney animated films, including Maleficent, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, and The Lion King. Likewise, a new version of The Little Mermaid is also in the works. Source: Disney (YouTube)Posted Sun Jul 7, 2019 at 12:55 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: THE SANDMAN, COMEDIANS IN CARS, and More[teaser]Neil Gaiman's Lord of Dreams is heading to Netflix.[/teaser] Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming shows and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: First up, Netflix has announced a 10-episode order for a new show based on Neil Gaiman's DC/Vertigo comic book series, The Sandman. The original comic ran for 75 issues from 1989 to 1996. Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, Grey’s Anatomy) will serve as the show's writer, showrunner, and executive producer. In addition, author Neil Gaiman (Good Omens, Coraline) and screenwriter David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Krypton) are also on board as writers and executive producers. "We're thrilled to partner with the brilliant team that is Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg to finally bring Neil’s iconic comic book series, The Sandman, to life onscreen," said Channing Dungey, VP, Original Series, Netflix. "From its rich characters and storylines to its intricately built-out worlds, we’re excited to create an epic original series that dives deep into this multi-layered universe beloved by fans around the world." Here's a logline for the show per Netflix: A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic--and human--mistakes he's made during his vast existence. Aziz Ansari: Right Now (Netflix, July 9) - In a comedy special directed by Spike Jonze, Aziz Ansari shares deep personal insights and hilarious takes on wokeness, family and the social climate. Family Reunion (Netflix, July 10) - When the McKellan family moves from Seattle to Georgia to be closer to extended family, the transition is like being a catfish out of water. From three-hour church services and huge humidity hair to M’Dear’s home cooking and family bonding, the everyday ups and downs of Family Reunion are real, memorable, toe tapping, heart stopping, laugh out loud authentic moments. The series stars Emmy-Award winner Loretta Devine (Grey’s Anatomy, The Carmichael Show) and Tia Mowry (Sister, Sister, Instant Mom). Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein (Netflix, July 16) - David Harbour delves into the enigmatic history of his legendary acting family, as he examines his father's legacy and role in a made-for-tv play. Starring David Harbour, Alex Ozerov, and Kate Berlant. Written by Emmy winner John Levenstein (Arrested Development). Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Netflix, July 19) - Jerry Seinfeld's roving talk show combines coffee, laughs, and vintage cars into quirky, caffeine-filled adventures with the sharpest minds in comedy. This season’s guests include: Eddie Murphy, Seth Rogen, Ricky Gervais, Matthew Broderick, Jamie Foxx, Sebastian Maniscalco, Martin Short, Mario Joyner, Melissa Villaseñor, Bridget Everett, and Barry Marder. The Boys (Amazon Prime Video, July 26) - Supes have been committing atrocities, which keep getting swept under the rug because they are revered by the adoring public. Billy Butcher recruits The Boys who have all been wronged by The Seven, the world’s most notorious superheroes, to bring them down and stop the corruption. Based on the best-selling comics by Garth Ennis, The Boys is a revenge story where the nobodies take on the somebodies. This is Football (Amazon Prime Video, August 2) - Unpacks the unique phenomenon that grips and unifies billions of people from every corner of the globe. Across the episodes universal themes of the human experience are explored: Redemption – football’s uplifting role in rebuilding the soul of Rwanda after the genocide, Belief – the inspirational rise of women’s football and two teams who gave everything to make it happen, Chance – the agony and the ecstasy of the fates that humble champions and keep every fan believing in the impossible, Love - four stories from every corner of the earth where the love of the game transcends adversity, Pride - how Iceland’s football Vikings take on the world and give every underdog hope, and Wonder – unlocking the secrets of Lionel Messi’s genius and the global delight of watching him play. Each story unfolds dramatically through the experience of men and women of different races, cultures and creeds, all of them remarkable, all of them united in their passion for football and chosen from every continent on Earth. Four Weddings and a Funeral (Hulu, July 31) - Maya, the young communications director for a New York senatorial campaign, receives a wedding invitation from her college schoolmate now living in London. She leaves her professional and personal life behind, in favor of traveling to England and reconnecting with old friends and ends up in the midst of their personal crises. Relationships are forged and broken, political scandals exposed, London social life lampooned, love affairs ignited and doused, and of course there are four weddings… and a funeral. Wu-Tang: An American Saga Teaser Trailer (Hulu, September 4) - Inspired by "The Wu-Tang Manual" and "Tao of Wu", and based on the true story of the Wu-Tang Clan. Set in early '90s New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the show tracks the Clan's formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs aka The RZA, who unites the men torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories - A current Netflix subscription starts at $13 per month for HD streaming and $16 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $6 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month and Live TV bundle is available for $45. Sources: Netflix, Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Fri Jul 5, 2019 at 06:40 PM PDT by: -
Yamaha Details New YHT-4950U & YHT-5950U Home Theater Packages[teaser]Two new home-theater-in-a-box systems have been revealed.[/teaser] Yamaha has announced the release of the YHT-4950U and YHT-5950U. The new home theater packages each include a 5.1 speaker system and AV receiver. "These latest models marry cutting-edge audio and video technologies with seamless connectivity and control features — all combined in a ready-to-assemble system," said Alex Sadeghian, director, Consumer Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America. "No matter the setup that you're looking to create, these two systems offer an enveloping true sound listening experience that will transform the way you enjoy movies and music at home." Both models feature front right, front left, center, surround right, and surround left speakers, along with a powered 8-inch subwoofer, speaker wire, and a 5.1-channel AV receiver. The YHT-4950U receiver is rated for 100 W (8 ohms, 0.9% THD, 1kHz, 1ch driven) while the YHT-5950U receiver is rated for 115 W (8 ohms, 0.9% THD, 1kHz, 1ch driven). Both units also support Bluetooth connectivity and 4K Ultra HD video pass-through with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. In addition, the YHT-5950U model features Yamaha MusicCast tech with Wi-Fi streaming access to services like Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM Internet Radio, TIDAL, Deezer, Napster, and Qobuz. Likewise, the system also offers multi-room audio playback capabilities when connected with other MusicCast products, Apple AirPlay 2 functionality, and voice control when paired with a separate Siri, Google, or Alexa device. Finally, the YHT-5950U boasts MusicCast Surround as well, enabling customers to swap out the included wired surround speakers for Yamaha's wireless MusicCast 20 speakers. The Yamaha YHT-4950U is now available for $479.95 and the Yamaha YHT-5950U is now available for $599.95. Source: YamahaPosted Fri Jul 5, 2019 at 02:30 PM PDT by: -
Sony Announces Price Increase for PlayStation Vue Live TV Service[teaser]New and existing subscribers will have to pay a bit more for the service.[/teaser] Sony has announced a $5 price hike for its PlayStation Vue live-TV streaming platform. The increase will impact all of the service's multi-channel subscription plans. The new pricing is already in effect for new customers going forward. Meanwhile, the platform's existing customers will see the new pricing reflected on their first billing cycle on or after July 31. According to Sony, the increase is being made to keep up with the rising costs content. The PlayStation Vue service provides live and on demand streaming from a growing collection of channels with support for up to 10 viewing profiles. The platform enables viewers to easily search through available programming with an intuitive interface and convenient personal recommendations. In addition, if customers tag a favorite series they will be given cloud access to episodes of that show for 28 days with no storage restrictions. Likewise, PlayStation Vue offers up to five simultaneous streams across different devices, including up to three mobile devices outside of the home. Here's a rundown of current plans and pricing per Sony: Access: Enjoy popular live TV with local broadcast channels and great shows from TNT, FX, ESPN and more for $50 per month Core: The best of popular TV plus local sports from your hometown networks along with live TV and local broadcast channels for $55 per month. Elite: Thousands of hours of movies from EPIX Hits, FXM and more, as well as 85+ channels with news, local sports, and popular live TV for $65 per month. Ultra: Enjoy HBO and Showtime live and on demand, and stream thousands of hours of movies from EPIX Hits, FXM and more, with 85+ channels of the most popular sports and live TV for $85 per month. Sources: SonyPosted Wed Jul 3, 2019 at 06:25 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Hires J.A. Bayona to Direct LORD OF THE RINGS Series[teaser]The director of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is heading to Middle-earth.[/teaser] As reported by Deadline, Amazon has hired filmmaker J.A. Bayona to direct the first two episodes of its upcoming Lord of the Rings streaming series for Prime Video. In addition, Bayona will also serve as an executive producer for the show, along with his producing partner Belén Atienza. While plot details for the new series have not been announced yet, a previously released map tied to the show points toward the story taking place during the post-War of Wrath period in the Second or Third Age of Midde-earth's history. The upcoming show will be spearheaded by writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay. Amazon has also reportedly been in talks with director Peter Jackson about his potential involvement with the series, but the current status of those talks is unknown. Jackson previously directed the big screen Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies for New Line Cinema. Meanwhile, director J.A. Bayona's previous filmmaking credits include Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, A Monster Calls, The Impossible, and The Orphanage. Welcome to our #LOTRonPrime fellowship! https://t.co/XyepgGwA2u — The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) July 3, 2019 Amazon's $250 million agreement with the Tolkien estate, HarperCollins, and New Line Cinema covers the small screen rights to the Lord of the Rings franchise for a five-season commitment. Likewise, the deal also includes the potential for a spin-off series. And it's looking like the whole endeavor could end up costing more than Smaug's treasure. All in, the budget estimate for the proposed five-season run is over $1 billion. An exact release date for the new Lord of the Rings series has not been announced yet, but the show will debut exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. Sources: @LOTRonPrime via DeadlinePosted Wed Jul 3, 2019 at 01:05 PM PDT by: -
New Featurette Offers Behind the Scenes Look at Disney's THE LION KING[teaser]The king will return to theaters later this month.[/teaser] In anticipation for the film's July 19 premiere, Disney has released a new behind-the-scenes featurette focused on The Lion King. The upcoming movie serves as a photorealistic CG remake of the studio's 1994 animated classic of the same name. Titled, "The King Returns," the new featurette includes interview snippets with director Jon Favreau and various cast members, including Donald Glover, Keegan-Michael Key, Alfre Woodard, John Oliver, Seth Rogen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Likewise, we also get some behind-the-scenes clips of the recording process, including a brief look at Beyoncé and James Earl Jones in the booth. Check out the featurette below! From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau's all-new The Lion King journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, and John Oliver as Zazu. The film is the latest in a series of recent live-action and realistic CG adaptations based on classic Disney animated films, including Maleficent, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, and Aladdin. Source: Disney (YouTube)Posted Tue Jul 2, 2019 at 02:40 PM PDT by: -
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Pre-Orders Up[teaser]The action-packed sequel is already up for pre-order on both formats at Amazon. [/teaser] Sony's Spider-Man: Far From Home is swinging to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in the near future. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Peter Parker and his friends go on summer vacation to Europe and there Peter finds himself trying to save his friends against a villain known as Mysterio. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for Spider-Man: Far From Home linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under PENDING. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jul 2, 2019 at 09:57 AM PDT by:
