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'Johnny English' Poised for Blu-ray[teaser]The 2003 spy spoof starring Rowan Atkinson ('Mr. Bean') will suit up on Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal seems to be preparing 'Johnny English' for Blu-ray on February 28. He knows no fear. He knows no danger. He knows... nothing! When the priceless Crown Jewels are stolen, bumbling Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is the last remaining British spy and the only one who can solve the crime. His prime suspects: a sinister business man (John Malkovich) and a beautiful woman (Natalie Imbruglia) with a mysterious interest in Johnny's top-secret mission. Can the clueless super spy save the day without denting the nation's pride... or his Aston Martin? Specs and supplements have yet to be determined, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray will be is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Johnny English' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 28.Posted Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'A Streetcar Named Desire: 60th Anniversary Edition' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The timeless classic starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh will be getting the Blu-ray red carpet treatment in April! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner has revealed 'A Streetcar Named Desire: 60th Anniversary Edition' for Blu-ray on April 10. Elia Kazan's acclaimed film based on the Tennessee Williams' play was nominated for twelve Oscars and won four including Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actor (Karl Malden), Best Supporting Actress (Kim Hunter) and Best Black-and-White Art/Set Direction (Richard Day and George James Hopkins). Specs are yet to be detailed, but the release will be a Digibook and will include: Commentary with Karl Malden, film historian Rudy Behlmer, and Jeff Young; Elia Kazan movie trailer gallery; Movie and audio outtakes; Marlon Brando screen test; Elia Kazan: A Director's Journey documentary; and Five behind-the-scenes featurettes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'A Streetcar Named Desire: 60th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 10.Posted Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Save $5 on 'The Muppets: The Wocka Wocka Value Pack' Blu-ray at Amazon[teaser] It's time to play the music. It's time to dress up right. It's time to save $5 on 'The Muppets' value pack tonight! [/teaser] Amazon has a coupon offer to save $5 on the 'The Muppets: The Wocka Wocka Value Pack' due sometime in 2012. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack also includes a soundtrack. Click this link to access to the page where you clip the coupon (located just underneath the pricing) and apply during checkout. And don't forget with Amazon's price guarantee if the price should fall between the time the preorder is placed and the release date, orders will receive the lowest price as well as the coupon discount!Posted Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 10:27 AM PST by: -
'Justice League: Doom' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Warner's next direct-to-video DCU animated movie is based on Mark Waid's 'Tower of Babel' story and will arrive on Blu-ray in late February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is preparing 'Justice League: Doom' featuring the fan-favorite voices of Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Nathan Fillion, and Michael Rosenbaum for Blu-ray on February 28. When Vandal Savage discovers Batman's secret contingency plan to take down the Justice League if they ever went rogue, the villain forms the Legion of Doom and hunts down the heroes using their weaknesses against them. “'Justice League: Doom' has all the classic ingredients of a great super hero film – a cavalcade of dynamic villains, internal strife amongst our heroes, treacherous twists and turns, and a cast that brings together some of today’s popular primetime television actors with many of the fans’ favorite voices from the original series,” said Hersin Magante, Warner Home Video Marketing Director, Family & Animation. “I think fans will embrace Dwayne’s McDuffie’s final script, particularly as it has been nuanced by Bruce Timm and the Warner Bros. Animation team. Warner Home Video is proud to distribute Justice League: Doom as the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie.” Specs have yet to be finalized, but the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack will feature a number of supplements including: Audio commentary with the creative team, Guarding the Balance: Batman and the JLA, Their Time Has Come: Cyborg and the DCU's New Diversity, A Legion of One: The Dwayne McDuffie Story, and 2 bonus animated TV episodes from Bruce Timm: - Justice League Unlimited. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Justice League: Doom' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 28.Posted Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'Justified: The Complete Second Season' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]Fire in the hole! Full details are in for the hit crime drama's second season hitting Blu-ray next month! [/teaser] As previously reported, Sony has revealed 'Justified: The Complete Second Season' starring Timothy Olyphant is headed for Blu-ray on January 3. In this season, U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens crosses paths with the Bennet clan, an organized crime family living in the hills of Kentucky led by Mags Bennett (Margo Martindale). The 3-disc set will include all 13 episodes in 1080p with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: On the Set of Justified, Clans, Feuds, & Apple Pie, Outtakes, and a Blu-ray exclusive Talking Shop roundtable discussion featurette. Suggested list price for this set is $49.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Justified: The Complete Second Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 3.Posted Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'War of the Arrows' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Award-winning writer/director Kim Han-Min ('Handphone,' 'Paradise Murdered') will unsheath the lavish historical action epic this February on Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA is working on 'War of the Arrows' for Blu-ray on February 21. The film was honored four times at the 2011 Daejong Awards, including Best Actor (Park Hae-il) and Best New Actress (Moon Chae-won), and picked up five trophies at the 2011 Blue Dragon Film Awards, including Best Actor (Park Hae-Il), Best Supporting Actor (Ryoo Seung-Ryong), Best New Actress (Moon Chae-Won) and the Audience Choice Award for Most Popular Movie. Set in 1636, the second Manchurian invasion of Korea rages chaos, as villages are attacked by overpowering Manchurian soldiers. The Manchurians kidnap childhood sweethearts, Ja-in and Seo-Goon on their wedding day. In an effort to save his sister, Ja-in’s brother Nam-Yi sets out to defeat the enemy and save his sister and other Korean victims with only 1 bow. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and supplements will include Actor and director interviews, The Making of War of the Arrows featurette, deleted scenes, and theatrical trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'War of the Arrows' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 21.Posted Wed Dec 14, 2011 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Top 5 / Bottom 5: Jack Blackby Aaron Peck [teaser]'Kung Fu Panda 2' comes to Blu-ray this week. Besides the easily relatable characters and their soft plush look, which is perfect for merchandising, much of the success of the 'Kung Fu Panda' franchise can be laid at the feet of its star voice: Mr. Jack Black.[/teaser] Black has been in his share of stinkers over the years. Most of the time he seems like an actor who will simply do whatever script is thrown at him as long as he can make fake guitar noises and say things like "Skiddly-whompit!" every so often. He's also been in some very good, memorable movies. So let's take a look back at Jack Black's acting career and see if we can define his best and worst movies. The Best 'King Kong' I know that some people hate 'King Kong' and that's fine. For me, however, Peter Jackson's 'King Kong' film was a surprise. Not only was I gobstruck by the action and special effects, I was also amazed that Black was able to pull off this somewhat dramatic role. No "Skilddley-deeshes" or anything like that. He plays his part straight forward and nails it. It was one of those casting decisions that beforehand I was really apprehensive about it. "Jack Black is going to be in an action movie as a dramatic character? Nonsense!" Somehow it worked though, and 'King Kong' turned into a great, underrated epic of a movie. 'Kung Fu Panda' The first 'Kung Fu Panda' movie was a delight. Usually famous voices in animated movies don't really do much for me (be honest, how many people really remember that they're listening to Angelina Jolie whenever Tigress speaks?). However, the character of Po is completely built around Black's manic nature. Not too many cartoon characters really take on the characteristics of the people voicing them, but Po certainly does. 'The Muppets' Yes Black has a bit-part in the movie and, yes, he does just play himself, but 'The Muppets' is too good a movie to have on your resume to not list it here. This was one of the best movies of the year, really. Black's role in it is funny too. Kidnapped by the Muppets he's forced to host their telethon for them while tied to a chair. Oh, and let's not forget that he's in a Drummers Anonymous group with Animal. Great, great movie all around. If you haven't seen it you're surely missing out. 'School of Rock' 'School of Rock' follows the tried and true comedy formula. Throw an outsider into an unusual situation. Watch him connect with people he wouldn't normally connect with. A rift in the second act thrusts them apart, only for everyone involved to find their way back and live happily ever after. If it's so generic on paper then why is 'School of Rock' even on this list? Well, it's because of Black's interaction with the child actors in the movie. He's over the top, but he's allowed to be because he's teaching a classroom full of kids. It's simply the perfect setting for Black to be his audacious self without looking like a tool. Now where's our Blu-ray edition?! 'Tropic Thunder' This movie made me laugh. A lot. Besides Robert Downey, Jr. pulling off one of the bravest performances of recent memory (he put on blackface and people thought it was funny, if you can get laughs and you're not offending entire groups of people, you know you're doing something right) My favorite part of this movie was Black's character. The way they introduce him is genius. Showing him in an Eddie Murphy-like role playing a dozen characters in the same movie, all obese and all with flatulence problems. 'Tropic Thunder' really is a fantastic comedy. The Worst 'Gulliver's Travels' This one was simply unbearable. They took many of the scenes from the book but forgot the underlying theme of social satire. So, when Jack Black pees on a community of tiny people to put out a fire it's nothing more than Jack Black peeing on a community of tiny people to put out a fire. There's no commentary there other than, "Hardy har har, he just peed on a bunch of tiny people." Without the social commentary this movie is juvenile at best. It's made all the worse because it actually has a great cast including Emily Blunt and Jason Segel. It's still a miserable movie experience though. 'The Jackal' I'll always count 'The Jackal' as one of my guilty pleasures, but I'm willing to admit that it's not a great movie all the same. I always get a chuckle of Jack Black early on in his career getting his arm blown off by a maniacal Bruce Willis wielding a remote control giant gun of death. 'Nacho Libre' I live in Utah where Jared Hess and his style of bland, weirdo comedy really go over well with the townsfolk. Conversely, with me Hess' brand of filmmaking is the cinematic equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. You have to be a certain kind of person to find what he does funny and I just don't. I remember sitting in 'Nacho Libre' bored out of my mind wishing it would end so I didn't have to endure any more. Jack Black gets to make up his own songs, but that's about the extent of this movie's comedy. 'Shallow Hal' The premise is utterly disgusting and repulsive. It would like you to think that it's message is a good one: Beauty is only skin deep, but by the fourth or fifth fat joke you realize that this was simply a misguided way for the Farrelly brothers to make fun of obese people. It doesn't help that the movie is so obvious about its motives that there's no imagination required. This is actually getting a Blu-ray release in January. 'Year One' Did anyone see this unfunny travesty. Let's keep this short and sweet. Watch 'History of the World, Part 1' again. That should keep you from ever wanting to experience this one. Agree? Disagree? Let us know where you'd rank Black's films by clicking on the link below and making your voice known in the forums.Posted Tue Dec 13, 2011 at 01:15 PM PST by: -
'The Skin I Live In' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The Spanish thriller from acclaimed Academy Award-winning director Pedro Almodóvar ('Volver') is coming to Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be bringing 'The Skin I Live In' to Blu-ray on March 6. In the film that almost looks to be a bizarre cross between 'Vanilla Sky' and 'The Human Centipede,' Antonio Banderas stars as an obsessed plastic surgeon. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include Q&A with Pedro Almodóvar and On the Red Carpet: New York Premiere featurette. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $45.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Skin I Live In' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 6.Posted Tue Dec 13, 2011 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Acer Launches a New 3D DLP Projector[teaser]The H9500BD utilizes active shutter technology and boasts 2D to 3D conversion. [/teaser] Acer's H9500BD is a 3D projector that's aimed at home theater enthusiasts and gamers alike. It has a 16:9 native aspect ratio but can be adjusted to 4:3 for Wii games and other content that's not quite up to date. The active shutter based 3D technology means that in addition to 3D Blu-ray players and game consoles, the H9500BD is capable of hooking up with NVIDIA graphics cards for a 3D PC experience. The projector offers a pair of HDMI ports as well as DVI, VGA, S-video and RCA. In addition to playing back content that was created in 3D, the H9500BD can convert 2D video to 3D on the fly. It can do pictures too, so if you have some vacation photos to show off you can make them a touch more interesting for your guests. The H9500BD is available now on Amazon for $1,699. Source: eCousticsPosted Tue Dec 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'London Boulevard' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]William Monahan's crime romance will be paroled on Blu-ray this Valentine's Day. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'London Boulevard' will have a Blu-ray release on February 14. Colin Farrell stars as an ex-con hired to look after a reclusive young actress (Keira Knightly) who finds himself falling in love, which puts him in direct confrontation with one of London's most vicious gangsters (Ray Winstone). The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and the only supplement is The Making of London Boulevard featurette. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'London Boulevard' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 14.Posted Tue Dec 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM PST by:
