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'Les Cousins' and 'Le Beau Serge' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Two French films by Claude Chabrol will be getting the Criterion Blu-ray treatment this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion says 'Les Cousins' is planned for Blu-ray on September 20. In 'Les Cousins,' Chabrol crafts a sly moral fable about a provincial boy who comes to live with his sophisticated bohemian cousin in Paris. This dagger-sharp drama won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and was an important precursor to the French New Wave. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p, an uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary featuring film scholar Adrian Martin; A 2011 documentary by filmmaker Pierre-Henri Gibert about the making of Les cousins, featuring director Claude Chabrol, star Stéphane Audran, assistant directors Charles Bitsch and Claude de Givray, and others; theatrical trailer; and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Terrence Rafferty. On the same day, Criterion will also be bringing 'Le Beau Serge' to Blu-ray. The remarkable and raw Le beau Serge heralded the arrival of a cinematic titan who would go on to craft provocative, entertaining films for five more decades. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements include: New audio commentary featuring Guy Austin, author of Claude Chabrol; Segment from a 1969 episode of the French television series L’invité du dimanche in which Chabrol revisits Sardent, the town he grew up in and the film’s location; theatrical trailer; and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Terrence Rafferty. Suggested list price for each of the Blu-rays is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Les Cousins' and 'Le Beau Serge' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 20.Posted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'3 Women' and 'My Life as a Dog' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Altman and Hallström will get the Criterion treatment in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion has just revealed '3 Women' is being prepared for Blu-ray on September 13. In a dusty California resort town, a naïve Southern waif finds her role model in a fellow nurse, but her hero-worship evolves into something stranger and more sinister than either could have anticipated. Robert Altman’s dreamlike masterpiece careens from the humorous to the chilling to the surreal. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p, an uncompressed mono soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary by director Robert Altman, Rare production and publicity stills, original theatrical trailers and television spots, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic David Sterritt. Criterion is also readying 'My Life as a Dog' for Blu-ray on the same date. 'My Life as a Dog' tells the story of Ingemar, a working-class twelve-year-old sent to live with his uncle in a country village when his mother falls ill. Once there, Ingemar finds refuge from his misfortunes and unexpected adventure with the help of the town’s warmhearted eccentrics. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Shall We Go to My or Your Place or Each Go Home Alone? (1973), a fifty-two-minute film by Hallström; Video interview with Hallström from 2003; original theatrical trailer; and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Michael Atkinson and an appreciation by the late author Kurt Vonnegut. Suggested list price for each of the Blu-rays is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for '3 Women' and 'My Life as a Dog' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 13.Posted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Carlos' and 'The Phantom Carriage' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser] Films by Olivier Assayas and Victor Sjöström are coming to Criterion's Blu-ray library in late September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion says 'Carlos' is planned for Blu-ray on September 27. 'Carlos,' directed by Olivier Assayas, is an epic, intensely detailed account of the life of the infamous international terrorist Ilich Ramírez Sanchez—also known as Carlos the Jackal. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, and supplements include: new video interviews with director Olivier Assayas, Lenoir, Le Saux, and actor Édgar Ramírez; Twenty-minute making-of documentary on the film's OPEC raid scene; original theatrical trailer; and a booklet featuring essays by critics Colin MacCabe and Greil Marcus, plus biographies on selected historical figures portrayed in the film, written by the film's historical adviser, Stephen Smith. On the same day, Criterion will also be bringing the Swedish silent film 'The Phantom Carriage' to Blu-ray. Based on a novel by Nobel Prize winner Selma Lagerlöf, this extraordinarily rich and innovative silent classic (which inspired Ingmar Bergman to make movies) is a Dickensian ghost story and a deeply moving morality tale, as well as a showcase for groundbreaking special effects. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, two scores - one by acclaimed Swedish composer Matti Bye and the other by the experimental duo KTL, and supplements will include: Audio commentary featuring film historian Casper Tybjerg; Interview with Ingmar Bergman excerpted from the 1981 documentary Victor Sjöström: A Portrait, by Gösta Werner; The Bergman Connection, an original visual essay by film historian and Bergman scholar Peter Cowie on The Phantom Carriage's influence on Bergman; and a booklet featuring an essay by screenwriter and filmmaker Paul Mayersberg. Suggested list price for 'The Phantom Carriage' is $39.95 while 'Carlos' is $49.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Carlos' and 'The Phantom Carriage' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 27.Posted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Announces a New 3D SXRD Projector[teaser]It's the first from Sony to be priced affordably at $3,700. [/teaser] One of the very cool things of the ever advancing state of technology is that prices tend to go down very quickly. Last year, Sony put out a 3D capable SXRD projector at a price of around $10,000. This year's model will run you just $3,799. The VPL-HW30ES offers support for the usual assortment of 3D formats and even gives you the option to make 3D video out of 2D content. It offers a contrast of 70,000:1 and an output of 1300 lumens. The new projector also includes video processing technologies from Sony, like Dark Frame Insertion and Mosquito Noise Reduction. You won't get glasses with the VPL-HW30ES, but Sony has released the new TDG-PJ1 3D glasses to go with it. They're about 75 percent of the weight of Sony's other 3D glasses and they can handle up to 30 hours of viewing on a 30 minute charge. The projector itself will be available for $3,699 in July. The glasses will run you $129 and the 3D transmitter required if you're going 3D is $79. Source: eCousticsPosted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Bereavement' Announced and Detailed For Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed film, based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Rula Jebreal, is planned for Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay will release 'Bereavement' on Blu-ray on August 30. The highly-anticipated prequel to the 2005 cult hit 'Malevolence,' 'Bereavement' stars Michael Biehn ('Terminator,' 'Aliens,' 'The Abyss,' 'The Rock,' 'Tombstone'), John Savage ('The Deer Hunter'), Alexandra Daddario ('Hall Pass,' 'Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief,' “White Collar”), and Brett Rickaby ('The Crazies,' 'The Assassination of Richard Nixon'). In 1989, six-year-old Martin Bristol (Spencer List) was kidnapped from his backyard swing in Minersville, PA. Graham Sutter (Rickaby), a psychotic recluse, kept Martin imprisoned on his derelict pig farm, forcing him to witness and participate in unspeakable horrors. Chosen at random, his victim’s screams were drowned out by the rural countryside. Martin’s whereabouts would have remained a mystery, until 17-year-old Allison Miller (Daddario) comes to live with her Uncle Jonathan (Biehn). While exploring her new surroundings, Allison discovers things aren’t quiet at the farmhouse down the road. What started as an innocent exercise in satisfying her curiosity will soon disturb a hornet’s nest of evil and despair. For everyone involved, there can only be two outcomes: bereavement or death! Like the critically-acclaimed 'Malevolence,' 'Bereavement' already wowed audiences during its theatrical run earlier this year. Michael Gingold from Fangoria Magazine gave the film “3-out-of-4 skulls,” saying “For fans of Stevan Mena’s accomplished, classical slasher opus 'Malevolence,' his prequel Bereavement is worth the long wait,” while Mike Snoonian from All Things Horror called it “an intelligent in-depth look at a tortured killer.” The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary track with director/writer Stevan Mena, Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, Deleted Scenes, and a Theatrical Trailer. . Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Bereavement' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 30.Posted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Bill to Make Streaming of Copyrighted Content Illegal Clears Senate[teaser]What this means for sites like YouTube is anyone's guess. [/teaser] There has been a lot of focus on illegal downloads in the last few years, but streaming really hasn't been touched. Sure, some people will have their YouTube videos taken down and some sites will have their content pulled, but that's about it. The newest bill to pass through the senate takes an incredibly harsh stance on illegal streaming. Those breaking the law could face up to five years in jail. Just what constitutes an offense? Any website that streams copyrighted content 10 or more times within 180 days is up for grabs. Seems a little harsh, doesn't it? "Make no mistake: the illegal streaming of content for commercial or financial gain is a crime," writes the anti-piracy group PROTECT IP, "and the Commercial Felony Streaming Act places the appropriate criminal label on the activity." Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Top Gear: The Complete Season 16' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The complete 16th season of the long-running BBC series will fill 'er up with unleaded on Blu-ray this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers/BBC has just revealed 'Top Gear: The Complete Season 16' for a Blu-ray release on August 9. The series begins with Jeremy, Richard and James embarking on a monster three-part US road trip which starts with America's greatest driving road and ends with a race through New York. Later in the series Jeremy subjects the Skoda Yeti to a remarkably thorough road test while James May makes a rare visit to the test track in the insane Aerial Atom V8. The boys also head to Albania to test the super luxurious Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Mercedes S65 AMG and a rather unusual Bentley Mulsanne; back home, they discover some of the unusual pitfalls to watch out for when buying second hand convertibles. And Jeremy races the new Jaguar XJ against something even bigger and more powerful–the rotation of the Earth itself. “Celebrities in a Reasonably Priced Car” include standup comedian John Bishop, tennis legend Boris Becker, Jonathan Ross, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and Amber Heard. The Blu-ray will include all seven episodes on 3 BD-50 Blu-ray discs with 1080p video, a stereo soundtrack, and supplements will include: US Road Trip "Director's Cut", "Middle East Road Trip" Special, "Celebs in a Reasonably Priced Car" extended scenes, Chats, Outtakes, and a Studio Tour. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Top Gear: The Complete 16' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 9.Posted Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'The Longest Day,' 'Patton,' and 'The Sand Pebbles' are $9.99 each at Amazon[teaser]Three classic war films are this week's featured Blu-ray deal at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is now selling the must own boxed set 'The Longest Day,' 'Patton,' and 'The Sand Pebbles' for $9.99 each (67 - 71% off suggested list price). Click here to order any or all of these great films for your Blu-ray collection today! The deal will run from now through June 25.Posted Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 08:16 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Toy Story Trilogy' Blu-ray $44.99 at Amazon[teaser]Amazon's Gold Box special today brings the Pixar trilogy starring Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys in high-definition! UPDATE: This deal has now expired.[/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'Toy Story Trilogy: Toy Box' for $44.99 (55% off suggested retail price). The 10-Disc set includes 'Toy Story,' 'Toy Story 2,' and 'Toy Story 3' all housed inside a spiffy stagecoach toy box packaging. Click here to order yours and this offer is available today only and while supplies last.Posted Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 07:18 AM PDT by: -
The Bonus View Digest - June 17, 2011[teaser]We're really ramping up our efforts on The Bonus View to bring you the widest variety of news, opinion, and editorials about the high-def world as humanly possible. This week was no exception as we had some great entries from our crack team of writers. If you missed out on any of these fun and informative posts, it's time to catch up as we rundown the past week's posts.[/teaser] Blu-ray News Josh, as he does every week, gave us a quick look at what Blu-rays we could expect to see in stores this week. It wasn't a big week for Blu-ray releases, but if you're a fan of skull-crushing LFE then you'll probably want to take a gander at 'Battle: Los Angeles.' We like to cover all aspects of the Blu-ray experience, right down to the artwork that comes on the disc. This week's Uncovered showed us some of the new cover art for 'Blood Simple', 'Nikita: The Complete First Season', and 'The Island'. We also had a big exclusive contest this week where we're giving away 'The Adjustment Bureau' on Blu-ray. The deadline to enter is today, so if you haven't done so you'd better get on that. Nothing is better than a free Blu-ray. Stay tuned because we always have contests popping up on the blog and you wouldn't want to miss out. Oh, and a little movie called 'Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence' got banned in the UK for being too downright disgusting. TV Recaps As always we here at The Bonus View try to give you a wide variety of recaps of your favorite TV shows. These posts are places where you can discuss the plots and characters of the TV shows you've become invested in with other fans just like you. This week we had recaps of 'Game of Thrones', 'The Killing', and 'Covert Affairs'. As the summer TV season heats up we'll have more recaps to bring you. Keep checking the blog for recaps of 'Burn Notice' and the new alien invasion series 'Falling Skies'. Video Game News On the video game front Dick Ward treated us to an overview of the E3 2011 video game expo, and also let us know that 'Duke Nukem Forever' finally came out after over a decade of waiting. Theatrical News Luke Hickman covers everything about what's going on in the theaters near you, and this week he had a review for 'Green Lantern'. He let us know what we can expect to see this weekend in theaters, and we had another controversial 3D post go up. This time Luke dissects how Hollywood is starting to feel about the technology and if it's worth it to continue the saturation they've begun. Aaron Peck checked out some of the new movie posters for 'Super 8' and 'Conan' in this week's edition of Posterizing. Special Features This week we saw quite a few editorials where we got a chance to voice our opinions on the ever-changing world in Hollywood. This week The Academy announced that they are going to a variable number of Best Picture nominees. One year we could have five, the next year maybe eight. What do you think about their decision? Join in on the conversation. In our Weekend Roundtable us writers took on the subject of trying to find good things about bad movies. Looking for the positive in a piles of crap is hard, but we did it. In last week's Mid-Week Poll we already figured out that Stephen Sommers was a worse director than Michael Bay. This week's Poll pitted Sommers against Uwe Boll. As you can see we're up to quite a bit on The Bonus View and we'd love for you to join us. So what are you waiting for? Come on over!Posted Fri Jun 17, 2011 at 11:50 AM PDT by:
