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'Branded to Kill' and 'Tokyo Drifter' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Two films from Japanese filmmaker Seijun Suzuki are getting the Criterion Blu-ray treatment this December. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing the 1967 crime comedy 'Branded to Kill' for Blu-ray on December 13. When Japanese New Wave bad boy Seijun Suzuki delivered this brutal, hilarious, and visually inspired masterpiece to the executives at his studio, he was promptly fired. Branded to Kill tells the ecstatically bent story of a yakuza assassin (chipmunk-cheeked superstar Joe Shishido) with a fetish for sniffing boiled rice who botches a job and ends up a target himself. This is Suzuki at his most extreme—the flabbergasting pinnacle of his sixties pop-art aesthetic. The Blu-ray will feature a 1080p transfer, uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements will include: Video piece featuring new interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director Masami Kuzuu; Interview With Suzuki From 1997; New interview with actor Joe Shishido; Original theatrical trailer; and a booklet featuring an essay by critic and historian Tony Rayns, author of Branded to Thrill: The Delirious Cinema of Suzuki Seijun, and a statement by the film's art director, Sukezo Kawahara. The director's 'Tokyo Drifter' will also be available on Blu-ray on the same date. In this jazzy gangster film, reformed killer Phoenix Tetsu’s attempt to go straight is squashed when his former cohorts call him back to Tokyo to help battle a rival gang. This onslaught of stylized violence and trippy colors got director Seijun Suzuki in trouble with Nikkatsu studio heads, who were put off by his anything-goes, in-your-face aesthetic, equal parts Russ Meyer, Samuel Fuller, and Nagisa Oshima. 'Tokyo Drifter' is a delirious highlight of the brilliantly excessive Japanese cinema of the sixties. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements will include: Video piece featuring new interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director Masami Kuzuu; Interview with Suzuki from 1997; Original theatrical trailer; and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Howard Hampton. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Branded to Kill' and 'Tokyo Drifter' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under December 13.Posted Fri Sep 16, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Says They'll be Losing Customers With New Pricing Change[teaser]Despite the loss of 1 million customers, the company still contends this was the right choice. [/teaser] When the folks at Netflix announced there would be a pricing change for their services, they were still convinced of the popularity of their offerings. They said not to expect a large drop in customers, but it's looking like they were wrong. Netflix had originally expected to keep 25 million subscribers, with 22 million of those streaming and 15 million getting DVDs. The company just released a revision that changes that pretty significantly though. They now expect a full million customers less. Most of that decline comes from, as you might expect, those that take the DVD only route. In both projections Netflix expects 12 million customers to keep both streaming and DVD plans, but the prediction for DVD only drops from 15 million to 14.2 million. Streaming customers are expected to drop, but only by 200,000. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Sep 16, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Save $5 on 'Dumbo' Blu-ray[teaser]Don't miss this coupon to save $5 on the floppy-eared Disney classic available next week! [/teaser] Disney has just launched another coupon offer this time to save $5 on 'Dumbo' Blu-ray available on September 20! Simply visit this page to print out your coupon from the Disney Movie Rewards website. This coupon is valid in the United States and Canada only and the offer expires September 25.Posted Fri Sep 16, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Super 8' Blu-ray Date, Details, and Box Art Revealed[teaser]One of the best reviewed films of the year is coming to Blu-ray in November! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount has revealed 'Super 8' for a Blu-ray release on November 22. From writer/director J.J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg comes the sci-fi throwback set during the summer of 1979 that follows a group of kids who notice strange happenings around their town after they witness a train crash. The Blu-ray will include 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Commentary by writer/director J.J. Abrams, producer Bryan Burk and cinematographer Larry Fong; The Dream Behind Super 8; and The Visitor Lives. Blu-ray exclusives include; The Search for New Faces; Meet Joel Courtney; Rediscovering Steel Town; Scoring Super 8; Do You Believe in Magic?; The 8mm Revolution; Deconstructing the Train Crash; and Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Super 8' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 22.Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 03:45 PM PDT by: -
Have You Entered to Win 'Star Wars: The Complete Saga' on Blu-ray From High-Def Digest?It's easily the biggest Blu-ray release of the year, if not the biggest release in the history of the format. It's loaded to the gills with special features, behind the scenes documentaries, and plenty of surprises. It also represents quite a financial investment. We're talking of course about 'Star Wars: The Complete Saga,' and boy have we got some exciting news for you! [teaser]We're awarding one free copy of 'Star Wars: The Complete Saga' to a very lucky High-Def Digest Forum member![/teaser] Here's how you can enter to win: Visit the High-Def Digest Forums from the link provided at the bottom of this announcement. If you're a newcomer, be sure you set up an HDD forum account, we're always excited to see new members in the community! Entering is simple. The forum thread linked below asks you to answer just one simple question: "When did you first see any of the 'Star Wars' movies? Tell us the story and what made that initial visit to the 'Star Wars' universe so memorable for you!" We want to know how the movie made you feel the very first time you sat down and watched Luke, Han, Obi-Wan and the rest of the gang take on Darth Vader and the Emperor. Who did you see it with? Did you sleep on the sidewalk to get tickets on opening day? Were you dressed as Chewbacca? Share your experience in a forum post and you're entered to win! Simple as that. Of course, no High-Def Digest employees or their family members are eligible. This is for our readers and forum members only. This contest will run from September 12 through September 19th. The winner will be picked at random, and his or her name will be announced on Tuesday, September 20, 2011! So, what are you waiting for? Enter to win one of the biggest Blu-ray releases since the format was introduced! We can't wait to read your stories!Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
'Beginners' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed dramedy from Mike Mills makes its Blu-ray debut in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios says 'Beginners' will have a Blu-ray release on November 15. The film stars Ewan McGregor as a man who finds a new lease on life after his gay father (Christopher Plummer) passes away. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and no supplements have been revealed. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Beginners' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 15.Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Netgear is Releasing a New Low-Priced Media Streamer[teaser]At $79.99, the NeoTV Streaming Player is aiming to compete directly with offerings from Roku. [/teaser] Netgear has a lot to say about their new NeoTV player, but "the best combination of content and features among streaming players priced under $100" is a clear shot at Roku's lineup - the go to for inexpensive streaming. So what does the NeoTV offer that makes Netgear so confident in their new product? For starters, you're able to use an Apple or Android smartphone to control the device and easily scroll up anything you want to watch. It offers Vudu, Netflix, and the usual assortment of other streaming sources. Netgear offers two different ways to connect. You can hook up using tried and true Ethernet or with a wireless connection that the company says can transfer speeds up to 300Mbps. You can preorder the NeoTV NT200 on Amazon now.Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Attack the Block' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The British sci-fi/comedy from Joe Cornish will invade Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has slated 'Attack the Block' for Blu-ray on October 25. The film about an alien invasion and a street gang of Londonites who band together to save their apartment complex stars John Boyega and Nick Frost ('Shaun of the Dead'). The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: "Junior" commentary with writer/director Joe Cornish and actors John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Simon Howard, and Leeon Jones; "Senior" commentary with Cornish and actors Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadaway, and Nick Frost; "Executive Producer" commentary with Cornish and executive producer Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz); Behind the Block; Creature Feature; Meet the Gang; Unfilmed Action; and That's a Rap (an actual featurette, not me just ending the sentence). Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Attack the Block' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 25.Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Paradigm Shift Reveals A2 Bookshelf Speakers[teaser]The Active Atom speakers are designed to suit multiple purposes and work in tandem or solo. [/teaser] Paradigm Shift is a bit of a presumptuous name, but their new Active Atom speakers are fairly impressive for what they are. The A2, as Paradigm Shift calls it, is a bi-amped speaker that offers 100 watts of power per speaker. It has a pretty decent frequency response for a smaller speaker - 55Hz on up to 20kHz. You'll find a 5-1/2 inch aluminum cone woofer and a 1 inch aluminum dome tweeter. In addition to doing the thing that a speaker is supposed to do - reproduce audio - the A2 packs Apple AirPlay for wireless streaming from your computer or Apple mobile device. You'll need an AirPort Express to make it happen though. The Active Atom speakers from Paradigm Shift will be available in the winter of 2011 for a price of $279 each. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Plans a 'Retreat'[teaser]Another psychological thriller is planned for high-definition next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is working on 'Retreat' for Blu-ray on October 17. The film stars Cilian Murphy and Thandie Newton as a couple who get far more than they bargained for when their mountainous retreat vacation goes terribly wrong. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include a Making-of featurette, Original Theatrical Trailer, and Photo Gallery. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Retreat' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 17.Posted Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
