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Father's Day Gift Guide 2019: Home Theater Products & Gadgets[teaser]Father's Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means, right? Lots of great deals on TVs, sound bars, and other home theater products, gear, and gadgets![/teaser] And while all you hard-working dads out there are sure to get some great gifts from your kids and loved ones, sometimes it's just easier to go ahead and treat yourself. After all, it's your day, so why shouldn't you finally buy that big-screen TV you've been eyeing while it's still on sale? With that in mind, we've put together a roundup some of the best deals available right now on a variety of popular displays, sound bars, media players, Bluetooth speakers, and accessories. From more budget conscious 50-inch smart TVs and 2.0 audio systems to premium 65-inch OLEDs and Dolby Atmos sound bars, these gear suggestions should make a worthy purchase for any home theater-loving dad. Please note: below prices are subject to change, and do not include taxes or shipping. The Best 4K HDR TVs for Dads TCL 50S425 50-inch 4K Smart LED Roku TV (2019 Model) - $279.99 Samsung UN55RU7100FXZA 55-Inch 7 Series Ultra HD TV (2019 Model) - $497.99 TCL 65R617 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model) - $699.99 Sony XBR65X850F 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2018 Model) - $998 VIZIO P-Series Quantum P659 65-inch 4K HDR TV (2019 Model) - $1,399.99 LG Electronics OLED65B8PUA 65-Inch 4K OLED TV (2018 Model) - $2,296.99 The Best Sound Bars for Dads VIZIO SB2920-C6 29-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar - $78.99 Yamaha ATS1080-R Sound Bar - $99.95 Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim Universal TV Sound Bar - $149 Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q60R Sound Bar - $427.99 VIZIO SB46514-F6 46-Inch 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar System - $899.99 The Best Media Streaming Players for Dads Fire TV Stick 4K - $39.99 Roku Streaming Stick+ - $49 Roku Ultra - $79.99 Apple TV 4K 32GB - $179 The Best Bluetooth Speakers for Dads Sony SRS-XB12 Extra Bass Portable Bluetooth Speaker - $38 JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - $95.50 Sonos Play:1 - $149 The Best Home Theater Accessories for Dads AmazonBasics High-Speed 6 Feet HDMI Cable (2-Pack) - $8.99 Screen Cleaner Kit - $19.95 VideoSecu ML531BE TV Wall Mount for Most 27"-55" TVs - $26.99 Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna 140 Miles Range - $27.90 AmazonBasics Articulating Wall Mount for 32" to 80" TVs - $49.99 So, there you have it, those are our top gear and gadget deal picks for dads to treat themselves to this Father's Day. What do you think about the selection? Do you have suggestions of your own? Let us know your thoughts in the forum!Posted Tue Jun 11, 2019 at 04:26 PM PDT by: -
Disney+ Announces New CHIP 'N' DALE Series and MONSTERS AT WORK Details[teaser]The animated chipmunks are heading to Disney+.[/teaser] As reported by Variety, Disney has announced a new Chip 'n' Dale animated series for its Disney+ streaming service. In addition, the company has shared a new logo for its upcoming Monsters at Work show. The news was shared as part of the studio's recent presentation at the Annecy International Animation Festival in France. The Chip 'n' Dale show will focus on the studio's famous pair of chipmunks at they get into slap-stick adventures in the big city. The series will use a traditional animated style and is set to comprise of 39, seven minute episodes. Disney's London-based team is developing the show in co-production with Marc du Pontavice's Paris-based Xilam (Paprika, Mr. Magoo). Meanwhile, Monsters at Work will serve as a continuation of the Monsters, Inc. franchise. Billy Crystal and John Goodman are both returning to voice lovable monsters Mike and Sulley respectively. Other returning cast members from previous entries in the franchise will include John Ratzenberger as Yeti, Jennifer Tilly as Celia, and Bob Peterson as Roz. In addition, the show will also be home to new characters voiced by Ben Feldman, Kelly Marie Tran, Henry Winkler, Aisha Tyler, Lucas Neff, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Stanton. The series will take place six months after the events of Monsters, Inc. and will focus on a monster mechanic named Tylor Tuskmon (Ben Feldman) who dreams about working with Mike and Sulley on the Laugh Floor. Disney Television Animation will produce the series along with Ferrell Barron. Bobs Gannaway serves as executive producer and Montpellier-based Dwarf Animation will produce the show's animation. An exact release date has not been announced yet, but Monsters at Work is set to premiere sometime in 2020. Disney+ is set to launch on November 12, 2019 for a monthly subscription price of $6.99 or an annual subscription price of $69.99. Source: VarietyPosted Tue Jun 11, 2019 at 01:25 PM PDT by: -
Anna & Elsa Journey Into the Unknown in Enchanting New FROZEN 2 Trailer[teaser]Elsa, Anna, and Olaf will return to theaters in November.[/teaser] Following an initial teaser, Disney has released the first full trailer for Frozen 2, revealing new details about the plot. The upcoming animated film is set to premiere in theaters on November 22, 2019 Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In Frozen, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In Frozen 2, she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Check out the official trailer below! In addition to the returning cast, Frozen 2 also stars the vocal talents of Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown. The movie serves as a sequel to the studio's 2013 hit, Frozen. Here's a synopsis of the first film per Disney: Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey, teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven, to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna, and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. Beyond Frozen 2, Disney's upcoming film lineup includes several live-action and CG adaptations of its classic animated movies, including re-imaginings of The Lion King from director Jon Favreau and Mulan from director Niki Caro. Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios (YouTube)Posted Tue Jun 11, 2019 at 07:55 AM PDT by: -
THE SWAN PRINCESS Announced for Blu-ray (and Digital 4K HDR)[teaser]The 1994 animated musical will make its Blu-ray and 4K digital debut this October. [/teaser] Sony is preparing The Swan Princess for Blu-ray and 4K HDR Digital Download on October 29. The Swan Princess, a magical, musical animated adventure based on the classic fairy tale "Swan Lake" has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. The winner of the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and the Parents' Choice Award, it's the heartwarming story of the beautiful princess Odette, who is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer's spell. Held captive at an enchanted lake, she befriends Jean-Bob the frog, Speed the turtle and Puffin the bird. Despite their struggle to keep the princess safe, these good-natured creatures can do nothing about the sorcerer's spell, which can only be broken by a vow of everlasting love. THE SWAN PRINCESS is bursting with color, dazzling animation, beautiful music and the vocal talents of Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright, Sandy Duncan and Michelle Nicastro. The Blu-ray release will include an all-new featurette entitled “A Look Back, Tease Ahead,” plus a variety of additional archival features. The newest installment in this animated musical franchise, The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music debuts on DVD and Digital August 6. You can find the latest specs for The Swan Princess: 25th Anniversary Edition linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 29.Posted Mon Jun 10, 2019 at 05:36 PM PDT by: -
Samsung Details CRG5 Curved Gaming Monitor with NVIDIA G-SYNC Support[teaser]The company's newest curved monitor has been revealed.[/teaser] Samsung has announced the latest addition to its lineup of curved gaming monitors. The new 27-inch CRG5 (C27RG5) is set to launch in July for an MSRP of $399.99. "Samsung's delivering next-level gaming experiences with innovative curved displays using the latest graphics technology to immerse gamers like never before," said Seog-gi Kim, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Combining a 240Hz refresh rate with NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility in Samsung’s new CRG5 curved gaming monitor gives gamers advanced performance for the most graphic-intense games." The CRG5 features a 27-inch curved VA LCD panel with a 1500R display curvature and a full HD resolution of 1920×1080. In addition, the monitor incorporates 240Hz RapidCurve technology to reduce screen lag time, along with NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility to reduce screen tearing for smoother gameplay. Typical brightness is rated for 300 nits and the contrast ratio is rated for 3,000:1. Meanwhile, when it comes to the monitor's external aesthetic, the unit features a minimal bezel design with a near edge-to-edge screen on three sides. A sturdy, ergonomic stand is included as well, and the screen includes several pre-set display options for different game genres via an on-screen digital menu. Likewise, users can also create up to three separate display profiles. Here's a full rundown of key specs per Samsung: Screen Size: 27-inches Aspect Ratio: 0.67291666666667 Flat / Curved: Curved Screen Curvature: 1500R Refresh Rate: 240Hz Panel Type: VA Contrast Ratio Static: 3,000:1(Typ) Viewing Angle (H/V): 178°(H)/178°(V) Response Time: 4ms (GTG) Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 Brightness (Typical): 300cd/ ㎡ G-SYNC: G-SYNC Compatible Game Mode: Custom/FPS/RTS/RPG/AOS/Cinema/DCR Low Input Lag Mode: Yes Virtual Aim Point: Yes Black Equalizer: Yes Eye Saver Mode: Yes Flicker Free: Yes Easy Setting Box: Yes Windows Certification: Windows 10 Display Port: 1 EA Display Port Version: 1.2 HDMI: 2 EA HDMI Version: 2 Headphone: Yes Color: DARK BLUE GRAY Tilt: -2.0° (±2.0°) ~ 15.0° (±2.0°) Mount: VESA/ VESA Compatible Arm Source: SamsungPosted Mon Jun 10, 2019 at 11:20 AM PDT by: -
Microsoft Reveals New Details for Project Scarlett Next-Gen Xbox Console with 8K Support[teaser]More details have been announced for the upcoming video game system.[/teaser] As part of the company's E3 2019 press conference presentation, Microsoft has revealed several new details for its Xbox One successor, currently codenamed Project Scarlett. Though pricing and an exact release date have not been announced, the console is expected to arrive during the holiday season of 2020. Full specs are still forthcoming, but Project Scarlett will be powered by a custom-designed processor using AMD's newest Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture, offering four times more processing power than the Xbox One X. In addition, the system will incorporate high bandwidth GDDR6 memory and a next generation solid state drive (SSD), enabling reduced load times and more than a 40x overall performance increase over current-gen consoles. Likewise, Project Scarlett will also support 8K resolution, up to 120 fps (frames per second), variable refresh rates, hardware accelerated raytracing, and ultra-low latency input. Check out the reveal video below for more details! And to coincide with the arrival of the new Xbox console, Microsoft has also announced plans to release the latest entry in the Halo franchise, titled Halo Infinite, as a launch title for Project Scarlett in 2020. Here's a synopsis for the game per Microsoft: This next chapter in 343 Industries' legendary Halo franchise invites players to join the venerable Master Chief on an all-new adventure as he uncovers the mysteries surrounding the appearance of The Pilot and the desolate remains of a Halo ring. Halo Infinite is powered by the studio’s next-generation Slipspace Engine. Check out a trailer for the game below! Meanwhile, beyond the next-gen console, Microsoft revealed an extensive new lineup of Xbox One games set for release over the coming months. CLICK HERE for a full rundown of all the major announcements. Microsoft's current-generation flagship system, the Xbox One X, is currently on sale for up to $100 off its MSRP. The system supports 4K HDR gaming and Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback. Source: MicrosoftPosted Sun Jun 9, 2019 at 09:25 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: JESSICA JONES, TRANSPARENT, and More[teaser]The final season of Marvel's last Netflix show will start streaming later this month.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have released new trailers and info for several of their upcoming shows and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story By Martin Scorsese (Netflix, June 12) - Captures the troubled spirit of America in 1975, and the joyous music that Bob Dylan performed that fall. Master filmmaker Martin Scorsese creates a one-of-a-kind movie experience: part documentary, part concert film, part fever dream. Featuring Joan Baez, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Sam Shepard, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Dylan giving his first on-camera interview in over a decade. The film goes beyond mere reclamation of Dylan’s extraordinary music—it’s a roadmap into the wild country of artistic self-reinvention. Jo Koy Stand-up Special: Comin' In Hot (Netflix, June 12) - Witness the Blaisdell Arena explode with laughter when Jo Koy takes the stage. Returning for his second Netflix special, Jo Koy: Comin' In Hot, be prepared to witness a dazzling display of hula dancing and an arsenal of self-deprecating humor. Koy is fired up to educate the masses on how to raise a millennial, the intricacies of Filipino traditions, and more! Marvel's Jessica Jones: Season 3 (Netflix, June 14) - New York City private investigator Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) is beginning to put her life back together after murdering her tormenter, Kilgrave. Now known throughout the city as a super-powered killer, a new case makes her reluctantly confront who she really is while digging deeper into her past to explore the reasons why. Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones) is joined by an incredible returning cast that includes Rachael Taylor (Trish Walker), Carrie-Anne Moss (Jeri Hogarth), Eka Darville (Malcolm Ducasse) and new cast members Janet McTeer and J.R. Ramirez, among others. Aggretsuko: Season 2 (Netflix, June 14) - Retsuko is a 25-year-old red panda who is an office associate in the accounting department of a trading company in Tokyo. All she wants is to do her job and get through the day, but when frustrations reach a boiling point, she vents through death metal. Life Overtakes Me (Netflix, June 14) - Facing deportation, hundreds of refugee children in Sweden have become afflicted with resignation syndrome, withdrawing from the world into a coma-like state as if frozen for months, or even years. Life Overtakes Me immerses viewers into the lives of the anguished parents who struggle to care for their sick children. The Edge of Democracy (Netflix, June 19) - A cautionary tale for these times of democracy in crisis - the personal and political fuse to explore one of the most dramatic periods in Brazilian history. Combining unprecedented access to leaders past and present, including Presidents Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, with accounts of her own family's complex past, filmmaker Petra Costa (ELENA) witnesses their rise and fall and the tragically polarized nation that remains. DARK: Season 2 (Netflix, June 21) - Jonas finds himself trapped in the future and desperately tries to return to 2020. Meanwhile, his friends Martha, Magnus, and Franziska are trying to uncover how Bartosz’ is involved in the mysterious incidents occurring in their small hometown of Winden. More and more people are drawn into the events orchestrated by an obscure figure who seemingly controls everything that is connected throughout different time zones. Family Business (Netflix, June 28) - Joseph, 35, can think of a million businesses he could launch… even if he still works as a kosher butcher in his father’s shop (Gérard). When he hears that weed is about to be legalized ‘for sure’, he has an epiphany. His killer plan is to turn the family butcher shop into a ‘potcher’ shop, with the help of his family and friends… Money Heist: Part 3 (Netflix, July 19) - Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan. GLOW: Season 3 (Netflix, August 9) - Inspired by the short-lived but beloved show from the 80s, GLOW tells the fictional story of Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), an out-of-work, struggling actress in 1980s Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women's wrestling. In addition to working with 12 Hollywood misfits, Ruth also has to compete with Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin ) a former soap actress who left the business to have a baby, only to be sucked back into work when her picture perfect life is not what it seems. And at the wheel is Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron), a washed-up, B-movie director who now must lead this group of women on the journey to wrestling stardom. Carnival Row (Amazon Prime Video, August 30) - Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne star in Carnival Row, a Victorian fantasy world filled with mythological immigrant creatures. Feared by humans, they are forbidden to live, love, or fly with freedom. But even in darkness, hope lives, as a human detective and a faerie rekindle a dangerous affair. The city’s uneasy peace collapses when a string of murders reveals a monster no one could imagine. Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime Video, Fall 2019) - Takes the beloved Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series Transparent to new heights as a dazzling two-hour movie musical fantasia. When the Pfeffermans face a life-changing loss, they begin a journey hilarious and melancholy, brazen and bold. As they face this new transition, they confront grief and come together to celebrate connection, joy, and transformation. Undone (Amazon Prime Video, Coming Soon) - A half-hour, genre-bending, animated series that explores the elastic nature of reality through its central character Alma, a twenty-eight-year-old living in San Antonio, Texas. After getting into a car accident and nearly dying, Alma finds she has a new relationship to time. She develops this new ability in order to find out the truth about her father’s death. Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise (Amazon Prime Video Direct, June 28) - A powerful, intimate documentary, Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise dives off the edge and into the truth of women's experiences in the world, using Ridley Scott's landmark film as a touchstone. Clips from Thelma & Louise serve as a catalyst for personal stories by viewers who were impacted by the film in 1991, as well as two of the male actors (Christopher McDonald and Marco St. John) and film editor Thom Noble. Today, the same women and men connect the past to the present, asking what, if anything, has changed in the way women are treated by the world. - 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. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Far Beyond Film (YouTube)Posted Sat Jun 8, 2019 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Theme Park Review: Star Wars: Galaxy's EdgeYou will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy... Obi Wan's words ring in my mind as I walk through the tunnel, transporting myself from a nostalgic incarnation of the American west into the remote space outpost of Batuu. Like many young people, I grew up wanting to run off with Luke Skywalker to far-off galaxies. To grab a drink in the Mos Eisley Cantina. To board the Millennium Falcon for adventures unknown. And today I'm finally doing those very things in a very real place. (All images captured with a Nikon Z7 and NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F2.8 zoom.) Welcome to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Walt Disney's newest land, now open to the public at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Yes, technically we're still waiting on a ride to open before it's finished, and if you're more of a Disney World vacationer, the Florida Galaxy's Edge won't launch until this fall. But if you're in Southern California this summer, you can walk yourself right into your favorite galaxy far, far away. You can gobble the food, guzzle the drinks and, yes, even fly the Falcon with five of your best friends. I took my family earlier this week and wanted to share a few first impressions. (The Batuu Market) Yes, It's a Mall, But... Walking from Frontierland into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge literally takes my breath away. I've been excited to visit, but standing inside, fully immersed, is something different and special. I'm not watching a movie or reading a book. I don't have to imagine anything. It's all just... here. Check out these droids waiting for repair. Or the speeders at the mechanic shop. Here's a robot operating a massive barbecue grill at the local market. The First Order is here too, patrolling the city for the Resistance. Their red and black flags blazing symbols of fascist occupation. Part of me knows this is nothing but a (very fancy) mall designed to sell clothes and toys and food and drink -- this is the business of show, after all -- but the artistry and craftsmanship on display are extraordinary. Every single square inch of this place brims with story and (fabricated) history and I'm a sucker for it all. Even the bathrooms are beautiful. It makes me forget I'm only a hundred meters away from a massive parking structure. Flying the Falcon (Galaxy's Edge Rides) Galaxy's Edge will eventually have two major attractions. Unfortunately, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance doesn't open until later this year, but know this much: Disney Imagineers called it the most epic attraction they've ever created. For context, I'd say Avatar: Flight of Passage is the most bonkers Disney ride available today, so I'm excited to see if Resistance meets or tops it. (Coming soon! Where You Will Wait) For now, though, the only Galaxy's Edge attraction is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. Imagine Star Tours with six riders sitting in the Falcon's cockpit where two act as pilots, two play gunners, and two become engineers. That's right, you're not just riding along, you're interacting while being judged in the process and on your mission's success. (Chewie... we're home.) In my opinion, as a ride, Smuggler's Run is just okay. I'm not a big fan of Star Tours because it's less immersive as, say, an IMAX (which is why Flight of Passage is so impressive) or even a real rollercoaster. That said, I was an engineer, which involves pressing eight buttons as they light up, so maybe it's more fun when you're the pilot. The imagery was gorgeous, naturally, and the cockpit bounces and jounces and all those fun things. (I let the Wookie win) To me, though, the most emotionally fulfilling part was simply being inside the Falcon's corridors. It's like walking into a favorite dream. Just like the city of Batuu, the precision and attention to detail are crazy-good. You can even sit at the infamous Dejarik board and get your picture taken while you wait for your mission. Dagobah Drinkin' (Galaxy's Edge Food & Beverages) From portable food carts selling snacks and custom Coke bottles (see above) to space cocktails and desserts, there's plenty to drink and eat in Batuu. Ronto Roasters sells American style roasted pork and grilled sausages while a droid monitors a massive forge roasting all the yummy space meats. (The Milk Stand) The Milk Stand offers both A New Hope inspired Blue Milk and The Last Jedi style Green Milk. But don't worry, you don't have to milk any sea cows to enjoy either wone. In fact, they're not actually milk at all. They're a frozen, fruity coconut/rice milk concoction more akin to a smoothie. Kat Saka's Kettle sells a fiery-red popcorn-based Outpost Mix. Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo offers a variety of vegetarian and meat dishes, from salads and ribs to veggie loaf and beef pot roast. It's definitely the full dining experience in Galaxy's Edge but, alas, you can't enjoy your meal with a beer. (Oga's Cantina Menu) If you are craving an adult beverage, Oga's Cantina boasts a variety of space cocktails, bubbling virgin drinks for kids and teetotalers, and a few custom beers crafted by Blue Point, New Belgium, Ballast Point, and Sierra Nevada. The drinks and glassware are as visually interesting as the cantina itself, which is already the most popular attraction in Batuu. Is it worth the long wait? I think so. There are a few food snacks as well, but I would have liked to enjoy my Dagobah Slug Slinger and Gammorean Ale with something from Ronto Roasters. Oh well. (Dagobah Slug Slinger aka The Space Margarita) (Oga's Cantina) IMPORTANT TIP: space is limited. If you want to get a drink at Oga's Cantina, you need to register. My advice: find this line as soon as you enter Galaxy's Edge, then wander around waiting for them to text you. (Oga's Cantina Droid DJ) Choose Your Side, Your Droid, and Your Creature (Galaxy's Edge Merch) Batuu feels like a city divided. It may be a remote outpost on the edge of the galaxy, but the First Order controls most of the city, from the spaceport to the market. But The Resistance is here too, just outside the market in the Old Outpost, an open space surrounded by canyon walls and desert plants. There's also a speeder and an X-wing Starfighter. The point is, though, that Galaxy's Edge encourages guests to become heroes or villains or both. (First Order Cargo) First Order Cargo is the place to get your stormtrooper uniforms and First Order enlistment posters. The store is metallic and clean (and a little fascist). (Resistance Supply) Meanwhile, Resistance Supply is the place to get your Resistance toys, t-shirts, and pilot uniforms & helmets. (Droid Depot) In the Droid Depot, you get to hand build your own robotic friend as parts appear on a conveyer belt reminiscent of modern Sushi restaurants. Here too you get to choose Resistance or First Order droids, or you can pick up a pre-assembled favorite, like R2D2 or BB8. In Savi's Workshop, you get to make your own lightsaber (take that, Harry Potter wands!). (Dok-Ondar, I presume) In Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, your light vs dark side choices continue. With more stunning production design that includes the above creature, you can choose between blue Resistance artifacts and red First Order gear. (Creature Stall) And lastly, over in the market, you'll find several more shops. The Creature Stall sells Kowakian monkey-lizards and other space pets. Black Spire Outfitters sells legitimately gorgeous Jedi-style robes. There are others, of course, but I started losing track. Aside from the outrageous prices (make a budget and stick to it or face crushing debt!), what struck me most about the merchandise was the quality and variety. Each place you wander, you can buy cool "limited edition" Star Wars merchandise and memorability. Before You Go (A Few Tips) ...Updated July 2, 2019... Reservations are required to enter Galaxy's Edge through June 23, 2019. I scored mine by booking a night at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels. With a confirmed reservation in hand, you actually have to first go to Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrow Land to pick up a color-coded bracelet, and then you can walk over Galaxy's Edge. It's a little cumbersome, but you can go two hours before your reservation and we didn't face any lines or waiting during this process. Disney was ready and well organized. (Reservations are no longer required.) Starting June 24, 2019, anyone with a Disneyland ticket can enter Galaxy's Edge, which I suspect will lead to more crowds. Unfortunately, you won't be able to access Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge during Extra Magic Hour or Magic Morning. As of July (2019), you have to use the Disneyland Park app to get a Fast Pass to enter Galaxy's Edge, and you'll need to get Fast Passes for attractions as well as the Cantina, and they're distributed quite early in the day. Final Thoughts Like every new land created by the talented Disney Imagineers, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is a stunning testament to functional world-building. My favorite lands remain Cars Land in Disney's California Adventure and Pandora in Disney's Animal Kingdom, but Galaxy's Edge is right up there. It's an astonishing accomplishment that is as close as we can ever get to stepping into Star Wars. Heck, they even pump in sounds of spaceships taking off or flying over the city. It's so impressive. Still, I wouldn't come to Disneyland just to see this one land. Yes, it's filled with an infinite number of small details and even the stores feel like mini-attractions unto themselves. But with only one ride (or even with two), there isn't a full day's worth of activities once you get your fill of the incredible production design. In that sense, if you don't live in Southern California, it might be best to wait until Galaxy's Edge has both rides running and remind yourself to enjoy the rest of the resort at the same time. Or perhaps the Florida incarnation will work better for you. Regardless, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge comes highly recommended for Star Wars fans, Disney nerds, and theme park aficionados of all ages. See it for yourself. This is the one you've been waiting to see your whole life.Posted Fri Jun 7, 2019 at 03:08 PM PDT by: -
DARK PHOENIX 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Blu-ray Pre-Orders Live[teaser]Marvel's mutant superheroes are heading to 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray.[/teaser] 20th Century Fox is prepping Dark Phoenix for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray later this year. In addition, Best Buy will offer a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook as well. An exact release date has not been confirmed yet, but Best Buy is currently listing the tentative release date as September 17. In Dark Phoenix, the X-Men face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own, Jean Grey. During a rescue mission in space, Jean is nearly killed when she is hit by a mysterious cosmic force. Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful, but far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain. With Jean spiraling out of control, and hurting the ones she loves most, she begins to unravel the very fabric that holds the X-Men together. Now, with this family falling apart, they must find a way to unite -- not only to save Jean's soul, but to save our very planet from aliens who wish to weaponize this force and rule the galaxy. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. You can find the latest specs for Dark Phoenix linked from our Blu-ray and 4K Release Schedules, where it is indexed under September 17. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K SteelBook Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Jun 7, 2019 at 11:45 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deals: $100 off Xbox One X Console Bundles[teaser]Xbox systems are now on sale for E3![/teaser] To coincide with the E3 video game tradeshow set to kick off on June 11, Microsoft has launched a special sale on its Xbox One consoles and games. As part of the promotion, select Xbox One X bundles are now up to $130 off. The discounts are set to be active between June 7 and June 17. Here's a rundown of current Xbox One X sale prices via Amazon: Xbox One X 1TB Console: Tom Clancy's The Division 2 Bundle - Currently $399. Xbox One X 1TB Console: Metro Exodus Bundle - Currently $399. Xbox One X 1TB Console: NBA 2K19 Bundle - Currently $374. Xbox One X 1TB Console: Fallout 76 Bundle - Currently $374. Xbox One X 1TB Console: Pubg Bundle Bundle - Currently $369. The Xbox One X game console offers support for 4K HDR gaming with supported titles. In addition, the system also includes an integrated Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive with support for 4K HDR10, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X playback. Meanwhile, Dolby Vision HDR playback is currently supported via Netflix streaming on compatible Dolby Vision TVs. Beyond the Xbox One X, Microsoft is also currently offering several other discounts on additional consoles and hundreds of video game titles. CLICK HERE for full details on the sale. These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to check back with High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions! Source: MicrosoftPosted Fri Jun 7, 2019 at 11:15 AM PDT by:
