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BATMAN: HUSH Dated and Detailed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray[teaser]Another DC Universe animated feature will be available on home video in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers says Batman: Hush will hit 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on August 13 and on digital on July 20. An adaptation of the seminal DC classic tale, Batman: Hush centers on a shadowy new villain known only as Hush, who uses Gotham’s Rogues Gallery to destroy Batman’s crime-fighting career, as well as Bruce Wayne’s personal life – which has already been complicated by a relationship with Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. Bonus features include: DC Showcase: Sgt. Rock (Animated Short) – From executive producer and director Bruce Timm comes the first new DC Showcase animated short since 2011’s Catwoman, bringing DC Comics’ gritty World War II hero to animated life in an all-new adventure. Batman: Love in Time of War (Featurette)– Dangerous. Seductive. Villain. Hero. This is the story of Selina Kyle and the relationship she has forged with the world’s greatest detective. Audio Commentary – Executive Producer James Tucker, Director Justin Copeland and screenwriter Ernie Altbacker share their thoughts and insights on Batman: Hush. A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Wonder Woman: Bloodlines – An advanced look at the next animated film in the popular DC Universe Movies collection. From the DC Vault –The Batman/Superman Hour: “The Underworld Underground Caper”” From the DC Vault – The Batman/Superman Hour: “Partners in Peril” You can find the latest specs for Batman: Hush linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under August 13. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:20 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: Criterion August 2019 Titles[teaser]Films directed by Yasujirô Ozu, Douglas Sirk, Jane Campion, and more are all in the works for Blu-ray.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice, The Koker Trilogy, Magnificent Obsession, The Inland Sea, and An Angel at My Table for Blu-ray throughout the month of August. An Angel at My Table (August 6) - With An Angel at My Table, Academy Award–winning filmmaker Jane Campion brought to the screen the harrowing autobiography of Janet Frame, New Zealand’s most distinguished author. Three actors in turn take on the lead role (including Kerry Fox in a marvelous performance as the adult Frame), as the film describes a journey from an impoverished childhood marked by tragedy to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia resulting in electroshock therapy and a narrowly escaped lobotomy to, finally, international literary fame. Unobtrusively capturing the beauty and power of the New Zealand landscape while maintaining the film’s focus on the figure at its center, Campion broke new ground for female filmmakers everywhere and earned a sweep of her country’s film awards, along with the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. New high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Stuart Dryburgh and approved by director Jane Campion with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray Audio commentary featuring Campion, Dryburgh, and actor Kerry Fox Short documentary from 2002 about the making of the film Six deleted scenes Audio interview with author Janet Frame from 1983 Trailer Stills gallery PLUS: An essay by film critic Amy Taubin and excerpts from Frame’s autobiography, on which Campion based her film Order the Blu-ray The Inland Sea (August 13) - In 1971, author and film scholar Donald Richie published a poetic travelogue about his explorations of the islands of Japan’s Inland Sea, recording his search for traces of a traditional way of life as well as his own journey of self-discovery. Twenty years later, filmmaker Lucille Carra undertook a parallel trip inspired by Richie’s by-then-classic book, capturing images of hushed beauty and meeting people who still carried on the fading customs that Richie had observed. Interspersed with surprising detours—a visit to a Frank Sinatra–loving monk, a leper colony, an ersatz temple of plywood and plaster—and woven together by Richie’s narration as well as a score by celebrated composer Toru Takemitsu, The Inland Sea is an eye-opening voyage and a profound meditation on what it means to be a foreigner. New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by cinematographer Hiro Narita, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray New interview with director Lucille Carra New conversation between filmmaker Paul Schrader and cultural critic Ian Buruma on author Donald Richie Interview with Richie from 1991 New English subtitle translation PLUS: An essay by author Arturo Silva Order the Blu-ray Magnificent Obsession (August 20) - Reckless playboy Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson, in his breakthrough role) crashes his speedboat, requiring emergency attention from the town’s only resuscitator—at the very moment that a beloved local doctor has a heart attack and dies waiting for the lifesaving device. Thus begins one of Douglas Sirk’s most flamboyant master classes in melodrama, a delirious Technicolor mix of the sudsy and the spiritual in which Bob and the doctor’s widow, Helen (Jane Wyman), find themselves inextricably linked amid a series of increasingly wild twists, turns, trials, and tribulations. High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray Audio commentary from 2008 featuring film scholar Thomas Doherty Magnificent Obsession, John M. Stahl’s 1935 adaptation of the same novel, newly restored From UFA to Hollywood: Douglas Sirk Remembers (1991), a documentary by German filmmaker Eckhart Schmidt Interviews from 2008 with filmmakers Allison Anders and Kathryn Bigelow, in which they pay tribute to Sirk Theatrical trailer PLUS: An essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien Order the Blu-ray The Koker Trilogy (August 27) - Abbas Kiarostami first came to international attention for this wondrous, slyly self-referential series of films set in the rural northern-Iranian town of Koker. Poised delicately between fiction and documentary, comedy and tragedy, the lyrical fables in The Koker Trilogy exemplify both the gentle humanism and playful sleight of hand that define the director’s sensibility. With each successive film, Kiarostami takes us deeper into the behind-the-scenes “reality” of the film that preceded it, heightening our understanding of the complex network of human relationships that sustain both a movie set and a village. The result is a gradual outward zoom that reveals the cosmic majesty and mystery of ordinary life. New 2K digital restorations of all three films, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-rays New audio commentary on And Life Goes On featuring Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa and Jonathan Rosenbaum, coauthors of Abbas Kiarostami Abbas Kiarostami: Truths and Dreams, a 1994 documentary New interview with Abbas Kiarostami’s son Ahmad Kiarostami New conversation between Iranian-film scholar Jamsheed Akrami and film critic Godfrey Cheshire Conversation from 2015 between Kiarostami and film-festival programmer Peter Scarlet New English subtitle translations More! PLUS: An essay by critic Godfrey Cheshire Order the Blu-ray The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice (August 27) - One of the ineffably lovely domestic sagas made by Yasujiro Ozu at the height of his mastery, The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice is a subtly piercing portrait of a marriage coming quietly undone. Secrets and deceptions strain the already tenuous relationship of a childless, middle-aged couple, as the wife’s city-bred sophistication bumps up against the husband’s small-town simplicity, and a generational sea change—in the form of their headstrong, modern niece—sweeps over their household. The director’s abiding concern with family dynamics receives one of its most spirited treatments, with a wry, tender humor and buoyant expansiveness that moves the action from the home into the baseball stadiums, pachinko parlors, and ramen shops of postwar Tokyo. New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray What Did the Lady Forget?, a 1937 feature by director Yasujiro Ozu New interview with film scholar David Bordwell Ozu & Noda: Tateshina Diaries, a new documentary by Daniel Raim on Ozu’s relationship with longtime screenwriter Kogo Noda New English subtitle translation PLUS: An essay by scholar Junji Yoshida Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout August.Posted Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:45 AM PDT by: -
Sound United Enters Agreement to Acquire Onkyo's Home Audio Business[teaser]More audio brands are set to join the Sound United portfolio.[/teaser] Sound United has entered a preliminary agreement to acquire Onkyo's home audio division. The deal covers the Onkyo, Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, and Integra brands. Beyond Onkyo, Sound United is already the parent company of Denon, Polk Audio, Marantz, Definitive Technology, HEOS, Classé, and Boston Acoustics. “We are thrilled by the opportunity to add the venerable Onkyo and Pioneer brands to our portfolio. Sound United is one of the leading dedicated providers of premium audio/video products, and we believe the combined businesses will bring unrivaled innovation and sound performance to our consumers and channel partners," said Kevin Duffy. "Upon completion of the transaction, we will work tirelessly with the consumer audio division of Onkyo Corporation to ensure a seamless transition into the Sound United family so that all employees, customers and channel partners benefit from the enhanced breadth and depth of the new organization." According to Sound United, the acquisition will allow the company to better meet consumer demand in the home audio market with improved product development and manufacturing efficiencies. In particular, the company cited the addition of Onkyo and Pioneer as a benefit to its development of new wireless, voice-enabled speakers and sound bars. Other product categories covered by Onkyo's brands include AV receivers, HiFi equipment, Mini-systems, turn tables, home theater systems, optical disc players, and more. The preliminary deal is now subject to various conditions and approvals. Once the agreement is finalized, Sound United's current CEO, Kevin Duffy, will serve as the CEO of the combined businesses. Source: Sound UnitedPosted Wed May 15, 2019 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
THE SHINING Announced for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The 4K release of Stanley Kubrick's classic 1980 film will be available in 4K this October. [/teaser] Warner Brothers is preparing The Shining for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 1. Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall star in director Stanley Kubrick's disturbing adaptation of Stephen King's blockbuster horror novel. When writer Jack Torrance (Nicholson)--who has a history of alcoholism--takes a job as winter caretaker for a hotel high in the Rocky Mountains, he, his wife (Duvall) and their psychic young son will be isolated until spring. But once the first blizzard closes the road out, the accumulated power of evil deeds committed at the hotel begins to drive Jack mad. Now there may be no escape for his wife and son in this haunting story of madness, memory and violence. Now widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, The Shining was directed and produced by Kubrick, who wrote the screenplay with Diane Johnson. The film was based on the novel “The Shining” by Stephen King, and stars Jack Nicholson in an iconic role as Jack Torrance, Shelley Duval as Wendy Torrance, Scatman Crothers as Dick Halloran, and Danny Lloyd as Danny Torrance. The 4K remastering was done using a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick’s former personal assistant Leon Vitali worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. during the mastering process. In 2018, The Shining was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film ranked 29th on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills list, and Jack Torrance was named the 25th greatest villain on the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Heroes and Villains list. Additionally, the quote “Here’s Johnny” from the film was ranked 68th on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movie Quotes list.May 17th, the restored 4K version of the film will be screened at The Cannes Film Festival. Previously released supplements include: Audio commentary by Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and Stanley Kubrick biographer John Baxter Video from the Overlook: Crafting The Shining - Enter the terrifying world of the Overlook Hotel as only Stanley Kubrick could envision it The Visions of Stanley Kubrick - A detailed look at one of cinema’s greatest visual storytellers and his unique ability to move audiences through the magic of unforgettable images The Making of The Shining - This cinema verite documentary offers a rare glimpse into the directing style of Stanley Kubrick as he interacts with stars Jack Nicholson, Shelly Duvall and others Wendy Carlos, Composer - Composer Wendy Carlos reflects on working with complex auteur Stanley Kubrick and developing music scores for The Shining and A Clockwork Orange You can find the latest specs for The Shining - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray linked from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 1.Posted Wed May 15, 2019 at 11:09 AM PDT by: -
New STAR WARS Movie From GAME OF THRONES Creators Set for 2022 Release[teaser]Winter is coming to a galaxy far, far away in 2022.[/teaser] As previously reported, Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss have been hired to develop new Star Wars movies, and now Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, has confirmed that their project will be the next Star Wars film released following the debut of The Rise of Skywalker. Though plot details have not been announced, Benioff and Weiss' film is expected to tell a story separate from the main Skywalker saga. Based on Disney's recently revealed schedule for upcoming Star Wars films, the currently untitled movie is set to premiere on December 16, 2022. Likewise, Disney also announced plans to release additional Star Wars films on December 20, 2024 and December 18, 2026, but it's unclear if Benioff and Weiss are also involved in those entries. David Benioff and D. B. Weiss are best known as the creators and showrunners of HBO's Game of Thrones. The show is based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series written by George R. R. Martin. Game of Thrones first premiered in 2011 and the show's series finale is set to air on May 19, 2019. Beyond the new film from Benioff and Weiss, other upcoming entries in the Star Wars franchise include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker from director J. J. Abrams on December 20, 2019. In addition, filmmaker Rian Johnson is also developing an entirely new trilogy of new Star Wars films as well. Meanwhile, three Star Wars streaming shows are set to arrive on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service, including The Mandalorian, a Rogue One spinoff series focused on the character of Cassian Andor, and a currently undisclosed show. Sources: Engadget, Attractions Magazine via Joblo, ScreenCrushPosted Tue May 14, 2019 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
Disney Receives Full Control of Hulu Streaming Service[teaser]The company is now in full control of the streaming platform.[/teaser] Disney and Comcast have announced a new deal granting Disney full operational control over the Hulu streaming service. Though Comcast still has a 33% ownership stake in the platform, that equity is now under a "put/call" agreement. As part of the "put/call" deal, Comcast can require Disney to buy NBCUniversal's stake in Hulu by as early as January 2024. Likewise, Disney has the right to require NBCUniversal to sell its stake to Disney for its fair market value at that same time. In addition, both companies are funding the purchase of AT&T's previous 9.5% stake in Hulu. Meanwhile, despite the shift in control, Comcast has agreed to extend Hulu's streaming license of NBCUniversal content and Hulu's Live TV support of NBCUniversal channels until late 2024. Likewise, Comcast will continue to offer access to Hulu via its Xfinity X1 platform. With that said, NBCUniversal will have the option to terminate most of its Hulu content license agreements in three years and the company will have the right to stream select content currently exclusive to Hulu on its own OTT service in one year. Beyond Hulu, Disney also has its own Disney+ streaming service set to launch in the US on November 12 for $7 per month. The platform will be home to a host of exclusive shows and movies, including new series based on Star Wars and Marvel properties. 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. Source: ComcastPosted Tue May 14, 2019 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Apple Launches Updated Apple TV App[teaser]The redesigned app is now available on select devices, including 2019 Samsung TVs.[/teaser] Apple has announced the launch of its updated Apple TV app. The new version features access to Apple TV Channels, along with support for more personalized recommendations and a dedicated Kids section. The Apple TV App allows users to browse through content from over 150 video services without switching from one app to the next, including titles from Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and many other pay-TV subscriptions. In addition, the latest version of the app now offers support for Apple TV Channels, enabling customers to subscribe to individual channels like HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, Noggin, MTV Hits, and more. All of the channels are then available to watch through the Apple TV app -- offering a convenient, all-in-one hub for various digital platforms. Likewise, Family Sharing for up to six family members is also provided, allowing users to share Apple TV channel subscriptions using their Apple ID and password. Online and offline playback are supported for Apple TV channels as well, allowing users to download content from services like HBO for later viewing without an internet connection. Outside of the Channels feature, the new Apple TV app also includes some design and personalization updates, including support for content recommendations from more than 150 services and over 100,000 iTunes movies and TV shows. The "Up Next" row in the "Watch Now" section now provides easy access to a user's favorite content synced across devices, along with curated suggestions based on a customer's viewing habits. Meanwhile, a redesigned "Library" section houses all of a user's purchased iTunes movies and shows organized by categories like Recently Added, Downloaded, Genres, and more. Finally, dedicated Kids and Sports sections are also included across the top menu. The new Apple TV app is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices with iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3. In addition, the app is also now available on all 2019 Samsung TVs and select 2018 Samsung TVs. Likewise, select Samsung smart TVs can also use AirPlay 2 to wirelessly stream content from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their displays. AirPlay 2 support is also set to arrive on select VIZIO, LG, and Sony smart TVs later this year. And beyond the current crop of content, the Apple TV app is also set to become the home of Apple TV+ this fall. The upcoming subscription streaming service will include a variety of exclusive shows and movies. Source: ApplePosted Tue May 14, 2019 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
The Season of the Witch Is Upon Us in First MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL Teaser[teaser]Angelina Jolie returns as the title character in Disney's upcoming sequel.[/teaser] Disney has released the first teaser for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. The film 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 teaser 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, and Dumbo. Other upcoming Disney re-imaginings include Aladdin from director Guy Ritchie, The Lion King from director Jon Favreau, and Mulan from director Niki Caro. Source: Disney (YouTube)Posted Mon May 13, 2019 at 07:55 PM PDT by: -
Audio Research Details Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier[teaser]The company's latest premium audio component has been revealed.[/teaser] Audio Research has announced its new Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier. The device builds upon the previously released 160M Mono Amp, and is set to launch in Q3 2019 for an MSRP of $20,000. The Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier features a vacuum-tube design with dual transparent power meters positioned in front of eight KT150 output power tubes. In addition, the amp uses a proprietary auto-bias circuit, and offers switchable Triode or Ultra linear modes of operation, balanced and single-ended inputs, an output tube monitoring mode, and a four-layer circuit board. Here's a rundown of key product details per Audio Research: Weight: 100 Lbs. Depth: 21.5” Retail Price: $20,000 Power Rating: 140 WPC 2 Rear Handles (for increased mobility) Product will begin shipping in Q3 of 2019 And beyond the new Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier, Audio Research also recently announced new versions of its CD6 and Reference CD9 Transport/DAC with tweaked designs and refreshed faceplates. The CD6SE is now available for a suggested retail price of $10,000 and the REFCD9SE is now available for a suggested retail price of $15,000. Options for natural silver or black anodized front panels and handles are available for both units. Meanwhile, other products in the current Audio Research lineup include: REF 6 Stereo preamplifier PH9 Foundation Series Phono Preamplifier Reference Phono 3 Vacuum-tube phono preamplifier DAC 9 Foundation Series Digital-to-Analog Converter Reference 160M Vacuum Tube Monaural Power Amplifier VSi75VT Integrated Stereo Amplifier VT80SE The Audio Research amplifier of the Foundation Series LS28 Class-A vacuum-tube line stage Reference 75 SE Vacuum Tube Stereo Power Amplifier, 75 Watts Reference 150 SEVacuum Tube Stereo Power Amplifier, 150 Watts Reference 250 SEVacuum Tube Monaural Power Amplifier, 250 Watts Reference 750 SEVacuum Tube Monaural Power Amplifier Tower, 750 Watts Reference Phono 10 Phono Preamplifier Reference 10 Line Stage Preamplifier Source: Audio ResearchPosted Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
TOY STORY 1-3 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Pre-Orders Live[teaser]The beloved animated Pixar films are expected to hit the 4K format in June. [/teaser] As previously reported, Disney and Pixar are preparing Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3 for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray this summer, and Amazon has listed the release date for June 4. This shouldn't be very surprising considering Disney's upcoming Toy Story 4 will hit theaters on June 21. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for all three films from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under June 4. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:54 AM PDT by:
