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Over 3.4 Million 3D Blu-rays Sold - Technically[teaser]A total of 1.75 million 3D Blu-rays sold at retail, while the other 1.7 million were purchased in bundles. [/teaser] While 3D television is still in its infancy, and the encroaching but inevitable war between active and passive technology is making buyers leery of picking up new sets, there are still plenty of 3D televisions in homes across the country. According to a new report from IHS Screen Digest, people that own those screens are shelling out for 3D Blu-rays. Selections may be limited, but around 1.75 million 3D Blu-ray discs were still sold. Somewhere around 1.59 million of those were feature films. "Consumers are finding that 3D is one of the most fun concepts in home entertainment since color television, providing true three-dimensional pictures right in their living room," says IHS analyst Jan Saxton. "Sales reached this high level despite the fact that the number of BD3D titles on the market was relatively small compared to non-3D Blu-ray." Of course, it should be considered that the sales of pack-in 3D Blu-rays was nearly equal to that of those sold at retail. Around 1.7 million 3D Blu-rays were sold as bundles with 3D Blu-ray players and TVs. Source: TWICEPosted Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - 3D' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 3D' Announced for Blu-ray 3D[teaser]The Blu-ray 3D titles will no longer be hardware exclusives at the end of August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has just revealed 'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - 3D' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 3D' will be widely available on August 30. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for each Blu-ray 3D is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - 3D' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 30.Posted Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Batman: Year One' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Frank Miller's iconic comic book story gets animated in Warner's next direct-to-video movie coming to Blu-ray in October! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is preparing 'Batman: Year One' for Blu-ray on October 18. 'Batman: Year One' is based on the landmark 1987 DC Comics titles from 12-time Eisner Award winner Frank Miller and illustrator David Mazzucchelli. The film depicts young Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham City in his first attempts to fight injustice as a costumed vigilante. The playboy billionaire chooses the guise of a giant bat to combat crime, creates an early bond with a young Lieutenant James Gordon (who is already battling corruption from inside the police department), inadvertently plays a role in the birth of Catwoman, and helps to bring down a crooked political system that infests Gotham. Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston ('Breaking Bad') voices the young Jim Gordon and Ben McKenzie ('Southland,' 'The O.C.') makes his animated voiceover debut as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Fanboy favorites Eliza Dushku ('Dollhouse, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer') and Katee Sackhoff ('Battlestar Galactica') fill the roles of Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Detective Sarah Essen, respectively. Alex Rocco ('The Godfather') is the voice of crime lord Carmine Falcone. "'Batman: Year One' offers fans and newcomers alike an animated perspective on one of the true benchmark works in Batman comics history," said Hersin Magante, Warner Home Video Marketing Manager, Family & Animation. "Bruce W. Timm and the Warner Bros. Animation team have gone to great lengths to realize Frank Miller's ground-breaking, influential vision. 'Batman: Year One' stands tall 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: • Sneak Peek at Justice League: Doom, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie • DC Showcase Animated Original Short - "Catwoman": This all-new entry to the growing canon of DC Universe animated shorts features the first first solo tale centered around Catwoman. The felonious feline's adventure takes her through the seedy streets of Gotham City. Catwoman is voiced by Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse, Tru Calling). • Featurette - "Heart of Vengeance: Returning Batman to His Roots": "The Dark Knight Returns" provided the denouement of Batman's life. Frank Miller's next seminal work would provide his near-mythic origin in Batman: Year One. This documentary uncovers the contemporary genius of Miller and the audience that was poised to appreciate the depths of his work. • Featurette - "Conversations with DC Comics": The Batman creative team at DC Entertainment discusses the personal influence of Batman: Year One on their careers. Batman producer Michael E. Uslan leads the chat amongst well-known writers, editors and artists of the Batman lore, focusing their dialogue on the darker, realistic interpretation of Batman's origins by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. • Audio Commentary with Alan Burnett, Sam Liu, Mike Carlin and Andrea Romano • "Batman: Year One, Chapter 1" Digital Comic Book • Two bonus episodes from Batman: The Animated Series, handpicked by Bruce W. Timm Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Batman: Year One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 18.Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 01:15 PM PDT by: -
'Win Win' Blu-ray Date Change[teaser]The touted comedy/drama will now be wrestling its way to Blu-ray a week earlier. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox was planning to release 'Win Win' on Blu-ray on August 30, but now it looks like it will be available in stores on August 23. 'Win Win' is not just another sports movie; the unconventionally uplifting film combines action on the mat with the hilarious highs and heartbreaking lows of a new kind of family. Indie film writer-director Tom McCarthy ('The Visitor') guides a celebrated cast including Academy Award® nominees Paul Giamatti ('Sideways,' “John Adams”), Amy Ryan ('Gone Baby Gone') and high school wrestling star and newcomer Alex Shaffer in this quirky coming-of-age tale. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Tom McCarthy and Joe Tiboni discuss Win Win, David Thompson at Sundance 2011, In Conversation with Tom McCarthy and Paul Giamatti at Sundance 2011, Family, deleted scenes, and a music video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is expected to be $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Win Win' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 23.Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
'Monamour' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser] The erotic film by Tinto Brass will seduce Blu-ray at the end of the month! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, independent company Cult Epics has revealed 'Monamour' for a Blu-ray release on July 26. Tinto Brass’ 'Monamour' is the love-story of a Venetian girl and a Frenchman in the beautiful city of Mantua. Dario, her husband is too busy to notice his wife’s sexual drifting, when her adultery “born out of neglect and frustration” starts on the day she meets a tall dark stranger in a museum. An intoxicating mix of lies, betrayal and fantasy follows Marta into her personal diary where every emotion and passion is recorded. 'Monamour' stars Anna Jimskaia and Max Parodi ('Cheeky!'), with a line of stars of Tinto’s previous erotic films. In a brand new high-definition transfer, the film has never looked better. Specs haven't been revealed yet, but the 2-disc set will include: The Making of “Monamour”, The Making of “Kick the Cock”, Comic strip by Franco Saudelli, Venice Film Festival Premiere w/Tinto Brass (Circuito Off 2008, Media Group TV), Spanish Dance by Angelita Franco, and Trailers. The Blu-ray also includes the bonus film, 'Kick the Cock.' “Kick the Cock” is an old Dutch saying; meaning “Peek in the Kitchen”, or something shocking and extreme, we can expect that of Tinto Brass; the director and co-star, along with newcomer Angelita Franco. 'Kick the Cock' premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2008, and won “Best Short Film” at a Fetish Film Festival in Germany in 2009. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Monamour' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under July 26.Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'The Cider House Rules' and 'Life is Beautiful' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Two more Academy Award-winning dramas will be getting the high-definition treatment this October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate has just revealed 'The Cider House Rules' and 'Life is Beautiful' are coming to Blu-ray on October 4. 'The Cider House Rules' snagged two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor (Michael Caine) and Best Adapted Screenplay (John Irving), while 'Life is Beautiful' was nominated for seven and won three including Best Actor for Roberto Benigni. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $14.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Cider House Rules' and 'Life is Beautiful' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under October 4.Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Basket Case' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]A tisket... a tasket... a psychotic Siamese twin brother in a basket! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment is prepping 'Basket Case' for a high-definition release on September 27. Frank Henelotter's cult classic tells the story of deranged, formerly conjoined twins (one of which is now toted around in a wicker basket) who set out to maim and murder those responsible for separating them! The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: New Video Introduction by Director Frank Henenlotter; Audio Commentary by Director Frank Henenlotter, Producer Edgar Ievins, and Actress Beverly Bonner; In Search of the Hotel Broslin: 2001 Video Short; Outtakes and Behind-the-Scenes Footage from Frank Henenlotter's Personal Collection; Theatrical Trailers, Radio Spots, TV Spot; and Gallery of Basket Case Exploitation Art and Behind-the-Scene Photos. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $17.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Basket Case' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 27.Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Raises Prices - Internet Explodes[teaser]Streaming and disc based plans will now be separate. If you want both, you'll be paying for both. [/teaser] If you've been online at all yesterday or today you've probably heard the news. Netflix is changing its price structure. The way it's going to work from now on is that you'll be able to choose DVDs, Streaming, or both. Unlimited streaming runs $7.99, 1 DVD at a time costs $7.99 and the combo costs $15.98. Blu-ray access (aka the good stuff), as usual, costs extra. It's a big increase for the folks that want both DVDs and streaming video - from $10 to $16. It's an incredibly steep rate hike, and for many people, that's enough to cancel their subscriptions. For others, it's the last straw on physical media and they've switched to streaming only. This move is almost certainly a way to try and address the rising costs associated with streaming content. What started out as a very inexpensive way to get content to consumers has increased in cost dramatically. Source: Netflix BlogPosted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
'Dead Alive' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Peter Jackson's 1992 horror film also known as 'Braindead' is planned for Blu-ray this October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Dead Alive' will hit Blu-ray on October 4. A young man's mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey. She gets sick and dies, at which time she comes back to life, killing and eating dogs, nurses, friends, and neighbors. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Dead Alive' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 4.Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection' $40.99 at Amazon[teaser]The Blu-ray boxed set of sci-fi classics has evolved yet another great price! [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection' for just $40.99 (49% off suggested list price). This set includes the original 'Planet of the Apes,' 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes,' 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes,' 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes,' and 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes' on Blu-ray in a spiffy collector’s box. Click here to bring a hefty load of monkey business to your Blu-ray library now!Posted Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 07:26 AM PDT by:
