-
'No Strings Attached' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Natalie Portman will get kinky with Ashton Kutcher on Blu-ray in two months. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount has revealed 'No Strings Attached' for a Blu-ray release on May 10. The Blu-ray of this raunchy romantic comedy directed by Ivan Reitman will offer a free 3-month premium subscription (valued at $179) at perfectmatch.com. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and supplements will include: Commentary with director Ivan Reitman; Sex Friends: Getting Together; Inside the Sassy Halls of Secret High; Deleted scenes; Alternate storylines; and the Blu-ray exclusive Modern Love: The Do's and Don'ts. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'No Strings Attached' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 10.Posted Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
What Went Wrong With The Tourist?!by Aaron Peck [teaser]The plan was foolproof, or so they thought. Get two of the biggest stars in the world, pair them in the same movie, and mix in some Hitchcockian action and intrigue. It will be like printing money. Right? So just how did 'The Tourist' go so wrong?[/teaser] Sometimes film critics give the general movie-going audience a bad wrap. Sure, fans run out and ogle the latest dreadfully awful 'Transformers' movie whenever they can, but even the folks who hang on Michael Bay's every slo-mo shot thought 'The Tourist' sucked. On the surface it seemed like the perfect idea. Johnny Depp is all kinds of famous. His portrayal of Jack Sparrow has sent him into the fame stratosphere. Based on popularity, if there's something above the A-list, that's where Depp now resides. As for Jolie, she's also become a worldwide phenomenon – and no that's not just because she's apparently trying to adopt a child from every country around the globe. She's a true movie star. She's got the looks (oh boy, has she got the looks) and the swagger to pull it off. After starring in the vastly underrated 'Salt' last year, it was easy to see that Jolie could pull off just about anything and make it look good. So, these two major stars got together for a movie featuring international intrigue, exotic locales, espionage, mistaken identities, what seemed like a good bit of action, a more than healthy $100 million budget, and a well regarded director at the helm. What could go wrong? After all, both of these stars are quite adept at headlining their own $100 million pictures and making back oodles of money for the studios. "I wonder what Geoffrey is doing right now? Heh... Barbossa." The problems with 'The Tourist' are obvious right from the moment Frank (Depp) and Elise (Jolie) first meet on a crowded train. Depp looks slightly pudgy and altogether bored out of his mind. Like he's just biding his time until he can start filming more 'Pirates' movies. Jolie is still sexy, but utterly disengaged, the chemistry isn't there at all. The two are seated miles apart from one another, but the apparent chasm feels even wider. "Man, Burton always has the best craft services. I miss those little cheese crackers." Without mincing words, the two stars act like they're merely there to collect paychecks, and that's it. There's never one bit of chemistry on display here. They might as well have filmed their scenes separately and been digitally inserted into the same shots, as there's no evidence of any sort of attraction or even interest in playing out the scenes as though playing off one another's physical actions and movements. Wax figures would have been more alluring. As the movie progresses, it, like Jolie, tries its hardest to stay ever-so aloof. Acting like it's smarter than it actually is. Like there's wit at work behind the action. But you'd need action for that to even be a possibility. In other words, nothing happens. At all. We have to watch as the two of them half-heartedly feign some sort of reluctant interest in each other, all the while hoping and praying that at some moment the story will finally break free and that $100 million budget will show its face on screen. Sadly, it never does. "What was that joke Keith was telling me at dinner last night? That wasn't the Queen, it was Jagger..." As you may have noticed, I haven't really discussed the plot here. That's because I'm pretty sure the filmmakers never discussed it either. If they did, they would have thought to themselves, 'This is literally going to bore viewers to tears, reducing them to limp, popcorn sprinkled lumps of despair and regret. Either that, or it's really gonna piss a few people off.' When the end comes you're hoping for some sort of redemption. Something that will make everything worthwhile, a clever twist, a witty payoff, you wait, and you wait, and then you realize that this hopeless production couldn't even get that right. This is one of the worst cop-out endings of last year, if not all time. It even gives this year's 'The Adjustment Bureau' a run for its money in the category of Most Ludicrous Ending. "Sigh... Marlon always said to take their money, but his Superman scenes only took a week." So, what went wrong with 'The Tourist'? Everything! Sony underestimated the American movie-going audience. They obviously believed that pairing these two mega-movie stars would easily bring in the big box office bucks they were seeking. Where that $100 million actually went is a whole other question, as the biggest action in the movie appears to involved Depp jumping on a fruit cart, and Jolie dragging a boat through a canal for a few yards. That's it! What a painful, overlong, mind-bogglingly dull bore. Kudos to the public though! 'The Tourist' cost $100 million to make and only made back approximately $67 million domestically. Even though 'Transformers 3' will easily gross over $350 million bucks, the American public has announced that they do indeed know crap when they see it.Posted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 02:15 PM PDT by: -
'Drive Angry' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]A furious Nicolas Cage puts the pedal to the metal in high-def and the third dimension this May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Summit Entertainment will be revving up 'Drive Angry' for high-definition on May 31. 'Drive Angry - 3D' will also be available on the same date. Cage stars as a vengeful father who escapes from Hell to hunt down the men that kidnapped and murdered his daughter. Specs have yet to be detailed, but supplements will include: Access: Drive Angry –activate dynamic "scene specific" features including interviews with cast and filmmakers, track the body count in Milton's Mayhem, and more; Audio Commentary with Filmmakers Patrick Lussier and Todd Farmer; Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Commentary. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $30.49 and the Blu-ray 3D is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Drive Angry' and 'Drive Angry - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under May 31.Posted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 12:45 PM PDT by: -
'The Tempest' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Julie Taymor's 2010 adaptation of the Shakespeare play is planned for Blu-ray release this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista says 'The Tempest' starring Helen Mirren, Felicity Jones, and Russell Brand will have a Blu-ray release on September 13. The movie had an estimated budget of $20,000,000 and received an Oscar a nomination for Best Achievement in Costume Design, as well as a Satellite Awards nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama (Helen Mirren). Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Audio Commentary with director Julie Taymor; Russell Brand rehearsal riff; and Music video: Reeve Carney, "O Mistress Mine." Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Tempest' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 13.Posted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Samsung Launches New Plasma Sets[teaser]The very top of the plasma line, however, won't be available until April. [/teaser] This month marks the release of seven new plasma TVs from Samsung, all of which take advantage of Samsung's new Plasma+1 design. Thanks to a new plasma design, Samsung has been able to up screen size by a full inch while at the same time reducing the bezel. Sure it's only an inch, but going from a 50 inch set to a 51 inch set is nothing to scoff at. With the entry-level plasmas already out, this month sees the release of the similarly inexpensive D490 series in both 43 and 51 inch sizes. The height of this month's releases is the D6500 which introduces Wi-Fi and an ultra-slim design. If you're looking forward to the top of the line D7000 and D8000 models, then you'll have to wait until they hit in April. Source: SamsungPosted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Legend: Ultimate Edition' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]Ridley Scott's 1985 cult fantasy-adventure that is more D&D themed than the actual 'Dungeons and Dragons' movie will bring the magic to Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios is preparing 'Legend: Ultimate Edition' for a Blu-ray release on May 31. Tom Cruise stars as a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, to undertake a heroic quest. He must save the beautiful Princess Lily (Mia Sara) and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry) or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age! Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $26.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Legend: Ultimate Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under May 31.Posted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
3D Clip-Ons for Prescription Glasses are Finally Here[teaser]It took way too long for this to happen, but high quality clip-ons are finally available. [/teaser] Every 3D film that comes to theaters means that prescription lens wearers have to make the decision between watching the 2D version or suffering through an uncomfortable viewing experience. Thankfully, clip-on attachments are finally becoming available. You can find cheap clip-ons sold on Amazon for around $10, but reviews are mixed - some saying that the attachments don't work at all. It's a possible solution, but not an elegant one. The elegant one comes this spring when Marchon releases its 3D Ultraclips. Instead of literally clipping to your frames, 3D Ultraclips utilize micro-magnets to hold snug to your glasses. It makes for much lighter and more comfortable frames. 3D Ultraclips are also photochromic, and darken into sunglasses when taken outside. This ensures that you can get the eye protection you need outside and the maximum amount of light penetration when you're watching a movie indoors. Sadly Marchon hasn't made images of their clips available yet. Source: PR NewswirePosted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Zombie Holocaust' Blu-ray Announced[teaser] The cult 1980s horror film will shamble to Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Shriek Show has listed 'Zombie Holocaust' for Blu-ray on April 19. In an effort to expose a flesh-eating cult in New York City, a team of scientists sets out on an expedition to the primitive island of Keto. They are soon trapped in the wilderness, surrounded by a tribe of murderous cannibals and an army of deadly zombies! Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo and suggested list price is $20.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Zombie Holocaust' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 19.Posted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung Shows Off a 55 Inch Glasses-Free 3D Display[teaser]The prototype accommodates up to nine different viewing points. [/teaser] Back in October, the folks at Samsung made some very bold statements about the future of glasses-free televisions. Specifically, Samsung's president of visual displays, B.K. Yoon, said that the technology won't be ready for another five to ten years. That statement hasn't stopped the company from working on its own glasses-free 3D display. At the FPD China tradeshow this week, Samsung debuted a 55 inch glasses-free display that uses what seems like the same technology as Toshiba's glasses-free displays. The set offers nine different viewpoints with an optimal viewing distance between 2.5 and 6 meters. It can switch between 2D and 3D, which is an essential for this kind of set and though it uses LCD technology, the folks at Samsung say that popping LED backlighting in is a simple switch. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' Blu-ray Digibook Double Dip Announced[teaser]Paul Newman and Robert Redford will be back on Blu-ray in digibook form this May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has announced 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' for Blu-ray re-release on May 10. After the horrible 2008 edition, here's hoping this is a remaster! Specs and supplements have yet to be detailed, but the release will likely just be a repackage in a digibook. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 10.Posted Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
