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'Hell on Wheels: The Complete First Season' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]AMC's hit western will saddle up Blu-ray this spring. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Koch Entertainment says 'Hell on Wheels: The Complete First Season' is coming to Blu-ray on May 22. The story follows a Confederate soldier (Anson Mount) who is hell bent on exacting revenge on the Union soldiers who murdered his wife. Their trail leads to the raucous, traveling town alongside the construction of the transcontinental railroad. The series co-stars Colm Meaney and music artist Common. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the 3-disc Blu-ray set is $44.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Hell on Wheels: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 22.Posted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Onkyo Boasts High-End Features on Entry Level Receivers[teaser]The cheapest features a discrete-component output stage, while the most costly offers up support for three zones, Spotify streaming, and plenty more. [/teaser] Onkyo’s latest additions to its receiver line may be on the lower end of the price spectrum, but they offer quite a bit of functionality for the cost. The TX-NR616 ($699) is at the top of the line for these new receivers and gives you 7.2 channels of THX Select2 Plus certified audio. It streams from online sources like Spotify and MP3tunes and even packs video scaling up to 4K if you’ve got a display to match. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of power and a third zone out, the NR515 does much of the same for $599. The price drops even further if you’re willing to accept the 5.1 channels offered by the NR515. The most bare-bones receiver from Onkyo is the TX-SR313, which comes in at $299. It drops many of the features of it bigger brothers, but still shirks the cheaper integrated amplifier in favor of a discrete-component output stage. Source: OnkyoPosted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'The Wicker Tree' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Robin Hardy's highly anticipated horror film takes root on Blu-ray in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is prepping 'The Wicker Tree' for Blu-ray on April 24. Set in the same universe as the 1973 cult classic 'The Wicker Man' starring Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward, the film is written and directed by the original helmer, Robin Hardy, who also reunited with the original producer Peter Snell and venerable UK production company British Lion to bring a chilling new vision of this classic story to 21st century audiences, after a theatrical run. Based on Hardy’s acclaimed 2006 novel “Cowboys for Christ,” 'The Wicker Tree' tells the story of Texas-based singer Beth Boothby (newcomer Brittania Nicol) and her friend Steve Thomson (Henry Garrett, “The Bill,” “Skins”), two born-again Christians who come to Scotland to spread the gospel. When their initial efforts are met with disdain and disinterest, they find comfort in an invitation to sing in Tressock, the border fiefdom owned by Sir Lachlan Morrison (Graham McTavish, 'Rambo,' the upcoming 'The Hobbit' films). However, Beth’s and Steve’s message of personal chastity quickly comes into direct conflict with Tressock’s sexual and religious practices, drawing upon ancient Celtic beliefs and rituals. Temptations begin to challenge Beth and Steve – with the stakes no less than their very lives and souls... Lee, who played the mysterious Lord Summerisle in the original (in a career that includes Count Dracula and the Frankenstein monster in the classic Hammer films, Count Dooku in 'Star Wars Episodes II & III,' and Saruman in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy as well as the upcoming pair of films based on 'The Hobbit'), returns again in a dramatic cameo. Rounding out the cast are Jacqueline Leonard (“Holby City,” “The Bill”) as Lady Delia Morrison, Clive Russell ('Sherlock Holmes,' 'The 13th Warrior') as Beame, James Mapes ('Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,' 'Conversations with God') as Reverend Moriarty and Honeysuckle Weeks (“Foyle’s War” and numerous other UK TV projects) as Lolly. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, and theatrical trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Wicker Tree' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 24.Posted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'The Artist' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Michel Hazanavicius's acclaimed 2011 silent film is getting the Blu-ray treatment in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'The Artist' will have a Blu-ray release on April 24. The film won the Best Actor Award at Cannes, the BAFTA for Best Film of the Year, and has 10 Academy Award nominations including Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. Specs have yet to be detailed, but supplements will include: The Artist: The Making Of A Hollywood Love Story, Hollywood As A Character: The Locations of The Artist, Q&A with the filmmakers and cast, and Blooper reel. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Artist' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 24.Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Criterion Valentine's Day Blu-ray Sale[teaser]Love is in the air and for one day only, save fifty percent on all in-stock Blu-rays and DVDs at the Criterion store![/teaser] To activate the discount, simply enter the code "SWAK" during the checkout process. Some highlights include 'Seven Samurai,' 'Carlos,' 'Three Colors Trilogy,' and many more! Click here to check out the sale! This sale will end tomorrow at noon EST.Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012 at 10:26 AM PST by: -
'In the Land of Blood and Honey' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Angelina Jolie's directorial debut is in the works for Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has slated 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' for Blu-ray on March 27. The Bosnian war drama was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 2011 Sarajevo Film Festival. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: The Making of In the Land of Blood and Honey featurette, deleted scenes, and the Blu-ray exclusive Q&A with Angelina Jolie and actress Vanesa Glodjo. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 27.Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn' Blu-ray $5.99 at Amazon![teaser]Save big on the 25th anniversary edition of Sam Raimi's cult film at Amazon! [/teaser] Amazon has reduced the price of 'Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn' featuring the always amazing Bruce Campbell to $5.99 (60% off suggested list price). New features include: Audio commentary with cast/crew; Swallowed Souls: The Making of Evil Dead II documentary; Road to Wadesboro: The Location of Evil Dead II featurette; Cabin Fever: Behind the Scenes of Evil Dead II" featurette; Evil Dead II interactive archive, featuring production stills, marketing materials, production stills, and early effects tests. Click here to head back to the cabin... if you dare!Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012 at 08:52 AM PST by: -
'A Dangerous Method' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]David Cronenberg's latest drama will analyze Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has slated 'A Dangerous Method' for Blu-ray on March 27. The film centers around the disintegrating relationship between Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) and Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) as they treat a disturbed young woman (Keira Knightly). The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary with David Cronenberg, The Making of A Dangerous Method featurette com and AFI's Harold Lloyd Master Seminar with David Cronenberg. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'A Dangerous Method' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 27.Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Bringing Down the House' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 2003 Steve Martin/Queen Latifah comedy will be bringing down Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is working on 'Bringing Down the House' for a Blu-ray release on May 15. Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the laugh-out-loud comedy 'Bringing Down The House' - available for the first time on Blu-ray with a stunning new digital transfer! The hilarious Steve Martin ('Father Of The Bride') and Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') star with Eugene Levy ('American Pie') and Betty White ('The Proposal') in this hysterical culture clash hit. When Peter Sanderson (Martin), a divorced, uptight lawyer meets Charlene (Latifah), a street-smart soul sister who's just escaped from prison, his life is turned upside down. Crazy complications abound, and Peter soon discovers he may need Charlene just as much as she needs him. It's a houseful of fun your family will enjoy again and again. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: audio commentary, deleted scenes, gag reel, behind the scenes featurette, The Godfather of Hop, and a Queen Latifah music video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $20.00. You can find the latest specs for 'Bringing Down the House' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 15.Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest-Digest: February 13, 2012by Dick Ward [teaser]A whole lot has happened this week, and while we have a team of people digging up and reporting all the news that's fit to print - er, publish digitally - you're only one person, and it's easy to miss some of the cool stuff that's been going on. Well, it's High-Def Digest-Digest to the rescue, filling you in on what's worth knowing.[/teaser] Blu-ray News Sales Report: Blu-ray the Majority Format for 3 of the Top 5 Movies Last Week 'Drive,' 'In Time,' and 'The Thing' all had Blu-ray outselling DVD, while 'Real Steel' came in at 42% Blu-ray, 58% DVD. 'Treasure Buddies' only had 18% of its sales come from Blu-ray, but a low-budged family film isn't exactly the kind of thing you need in high-def. 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' Dated for Blu-ray Back before 'Troll 2,' 'The Room,' and 'Manos: Hands of Fate,' came a movie that earned a reputation for being the worst that still holds up today. This brilliantly bad movie will be available on March 6th. 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray Few films have as impressive a cast as this one, and even fewer offer commentary by one of the most impressive stars in the film. Gary Oldman joins director Tomas Alfredson for the commentary on the Blu-ray which is set to come out March 20th. 'Clueless' Blu-ray Announced Alicia Silverstone stars in the 1995 comedy alongside Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Jeremy Sisto, and Breckin Meyer. The Blu-ray is set to be released on May 1st. Redbox Buys Blockbuster Express Kiosks and NCR Entertainment Division It's been a good week or two for Redbox, starting with the purchase of NCR's entertainment division which includes the Blockbuster Express kiosk business. They've also decided to ignore the demands of an extended deadline by Warner and start renting Warner films the day that come out on DVD and Blu-ray. Gear and Industry News Verizon and Redbox Join up for Netflix-Like Disc and Streaming Service If the purchase of Blockbuster Express wasn't enough, Redbox is also starting its own subscription based streaming service with Verizon. Vizio Announces $3,499 MSRP for 58" 21:9 CinemaWide TV The middle of the road CinemaWide TV from Vizio is coming in at an unsurprising $3,499. We're just waiting for the price reveal of the 70" version. Panasonic Prices and Dates Plasmas and LCDs for Japan The Japanese pricing doesn't reflect the US price completely accurately, but it's a nice way to get a prediction. New Sony President and CEO Kaz Hirai Says Sony Could be in "Serious Trouble" The company's new CEO is going to work hard to turn things around, but he knows it's not going to be an easy road ahead. Netflix Launches 'Lillyhammer' - its First Original Series The success or failure of 'Lillyhammer' could help to determine what Netflix plans to do with original content move forward. Game News Double Fine Raises Money for a New Adventure Game - In Talks with 'Minecraft' Creator About 'Psychonauts 2' The folks over at Double Fine studios were looking for $400,000 to make a new adventure game. A campaign on KickStarter has raised over four times that amount. Meanwhile, 'Minecraft' creator Markus "Notch" Persson is in talks to help fund 'Pyschonauts 2 .' Oklahoma State Rep Wants to Tax Violent Videogames Will Fourkiller is upset about 'Grand Theft Auto' and the 2001 release 'Bully.' His new bill would introduce an additional tax on games rated Teen, Mature or Adult Only. 'MLB 2K12' and 'NBA 2K12' $69.99 Combo Pack Coming to Xbox 360 If you're planning on picking up 'MLB 2K12' you'll be able to spend a mere $10 more and pick up 'NBA 2K12' right along with it. Sadly for PS3 owners, the combo pack is for Xbox 360 only. Activision Blizzard Says 'Diablo III' Coming This Spring - New 'Call of Duty' Out This Year 'Diablo III' has been delayed from its expected release date yet again and Activision says there's a new 'Call of Duty' on the way for 2012. No big surprises there! Namco Bandai is Forming a Studio Focused Solely on Game Development The company behind games like 'Soulcalibur,' 'Tekken' and the 'Tales' series is splitting off a development company so they can better focus on game development.Posted Mon Feb 13, 2012 at 01:00 PM PST by:
