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'Black Death' Blu-ray Announced[teaser] The Middle Ages horror film starring Sean Bean ('The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring') is bound for Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia has revealed 'Black Death' is coming to Blu-ray on May 10. Set during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is tasked with learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Behind the Scenes and the Making of Black Death. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Black Death' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 10.Posted Wed Mar 9, 2011 at 11:30 AM PST by: -
Rent Movies on Facebook - Starting with The Dark Knight[teaser]It's either a brilliant move or a boneheaded decision - it's really too soon to tell. [/teaser] Movies are big money. Facebook is big money. The combination of the two worked well in 'The Social Network' but surely it can go the other way, with Hollywood movies hitting the incredibly popular social networking site. Instead of going to an external site or swinging over to your TV to rent the film on demand, you can simply find it on Facebook and rent it right there. Obviously, this isn't meant to replace Blu-ray. The movie isn't HD and it doesn't offer any cool bonus features. It's an online rental, and at $3 it's a pretty cheap one too. The one weird thing is that you'll be using Facebook Credits instead of proper cash to rent the film. It's 30 credits to rent, which comes out to three dollars. Of course, if you already have Facebook credits on your account (we had 20 and we have no idea why) then the rental is dirt cheap. "Making our films available through Facebook is a natural extension of our digital distribution efforts," says Warner's President of Digital Distribution Thomas Gewecke. It gives consumers a simple, convenient way to access and enjoy our films through the world’s largest social network." Source: Dark Knight FacebookPosted Wed Mar 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Jolene' is heading to Blu-ray[teaser]The 2008 independent drama based on a short story by E.L. Doctorow is planned for Blu-ray this April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Koch Entertainment says 'Jolene' is coming to Blu-ray on April 26. The film stars Jessica Chastain as a southern teenage orphan who spends ten years traveling cross-country to experience life, love, and heartbreak. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release will include an Audio commentary with director Dan Ireland and Interviews with Jessica Chastain. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Jolene' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 26.Posted Wed Mar 9, 2011 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Harry Potter: The Quest - Play Games to Unlock Content Leading to Blu-ray Release[teaser]As the community earns points, more features and videos are unlocked, culminating in the April 15th release of the Blu-ray. [/teaser] If you're a fan of the 'Harry Potter' series, you'll want to check out 'Harry Potter: The Quest.' It's a website created by the folks over at Warner Brothers to add some fun to the experience of watching new videos and checking out new content. Participation is simple - all you have to do is play games. As you play, you and everyone else in the community gains points that go towards unlocking a new reward. It's a group effort, and everyone gets the new piece of content at once. If you play, you also stand a chance at winning prizes that range from DVDs and games to tickets to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando resort. You could even win a trip for two to the world premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' in London this July. Source: Harry Potter: The QuestPosted Wed Mar 9, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
DVD Isn't Dead, Says Disney CEO[teaser]People are still buying discs, he says, but "they’re just not buying as many of them." [/teaser] Disney CEO Bob Iger appeared on the 'Charlie Rose Show' on March 3rd to talk some business. We didn't watch it, but thankfully the folks at Home Media Magazine did. Iger had plenty to say on the subject of DVDs. It seems, from the out of context quotes, that when he says DVD he means all physical media including Blu-ray. Iger says that people aren't buying as many discs, but contends that "the primary reason, I would argue, is that they have other things to do." The CEO says that limiting content is going in the wrong direction. Just because something isn't available streaming, for instance, doesn't mean that people will go out and buy the Blu-ray or watch it on TV. "What we must do is make the product available to them under flexible or expanded circumstances." Source:Posted Wed Mar 9, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Johnny Mnemonic' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Whoa dude! Keanu Reeves may fry some more brain cells when this 1995 science fiction thriller downloads to Blu-ray in June! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment has slated 'Johnny Mnemonic' for Blu-ray on June 14. This film, along with 'A Walk in the Clouds,' earned Reeves a 1996 Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actor. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $17.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Johnny Mnemonic' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under June 14.Posted Wed Mar 9, 2011 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Top 5/Bottom 5: Rachel McAdamsby Aaron Peck [teaser]I had to do this list after our esteemed editor, Mike Attebery, confessed his secret love for Ms. McAdams and her acting. Truthfully, I don't think he has to be secretive about anything. She's cute, and given the right role, she flourishes. Sure there are a couple dark moments in her career, but when she's good. She's very good.[/teaser] With today's Blu-ray release of 'Morning Glory,' we thought this was a fantastic time to revisit the filmography of our favorite Canadian import! The Best 'Mean Girls' Personally I think 'Mean Girls' is Rachel McAdams' best movie by far. Partly because the movie itself is one of the best high school comedies out there, and partly because she's perfect playing the bitchy Regina. I'm sure we can all hearken back to our high school days and remember the snotty, pretty girl that walked around the school like she owned it. 'Mean Girls' nails the high school comedy, and with McAdams' performance, it's a movie that I can sit down and watch over and over again. 'The Notebook' Sure it's a corny Nicolas Sparks movie that makes me want to cringe every time I see it, but McAdams successfully pulls off the melodramatic mess of a script with a quiet refinement. It's actually quite marvelous to watch her. She's invested in this role, even though the movie itself is just so darn manipulative and over-the-top. 'Morning Glory' I thought our Rachel did a great job holding her own against the likes of Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. Even with those two big stars, she was called upon to carry much of 'Morning Glory' and she does so very well. 'State of Play' When the previews for 'State of Play' were playing on TV I couldn't help but watch them and think it looked like a mediocre two-hour episode of 'Law and Order'. It just looked so terribly cliché that I didn't want to have much to do with it. I'm glad I was wrong. 'State of Play' is a taut thriller that packs a sturdy gut punch. Seasoned director Kevin MacDonald is able to draw an exremely strong performance out of McAdams here as reporter Della Frye. A very pleasant surprise! It's also a steal on Blu-ray. 'Red Eye' Guilty pleasure time. I'm allowed at least one on these lists, I'm pretty sure of that. Anyway, as a damsel in distress, McAdams excels. She's not asked to do much, but what she does, she does well. And stabbing Cillian Murphy in the throat with a pen, that was pretty bad-ass (and long overdue!). Good for her. Let's get this one out on Blu-ray, shall we? The Worst 'The Time Traveler's Wife' Is it McAdams' fault that this movie is a complete dud? Not really, but despite playing the film's title character, she's still never convincing in the role. She basically just sits around waiting for her husband to disappear and reappear whenever his time travel disease sees fit. Yawn... 'The Hot Chick' I'm instituting a rule in the Top 5 / Bottom 5 articles. If ever an actor stars in a movie opposite Rob Schneider that movie automatically goes into the Worst List no questions asked. Now imagine having to switch bodies with Rob Schneider. I shudder at the thought. 'Sherlock Holmes' Her Irine Adler was pretty wooden all the way around. Plus it didn't help that she was bumping up against nutty Robert Downey Jr. who completely owned this movie, chewing up most of the scenes that she was in. 'The Lucky Ones' A disappointing Iraq war movie that you probably never saw, and probably never will. What? I needed to fill in the requisite "unknown movie" slot somewhere on this list, right? 'Married Life' Sporting a cast that included Chris Cooper and Pierce Brosnan, this World War II period piece about infidelity was hardly seen by anyone. It came and went without anyone really noticing it, and that's for a reason. It's dry, mundane, and sort of a slog to sit through. The movie's other downfall? It's a movie about adultery that features a PG-13 rating. With a good looking girl like McAdams in a movie about infidelity, I know many people would be hoping for something a little more risqué. Sorry boys. Not going to happen here. Not this time. (but on that note, 'Time Traveler's Wife' does has its moments!) McAdams is cute and bubbly, and has stepped her way up into the A-list crowd of leading ladies. She's still got a little ways to go, however, since big as she's become, she still disappears in scenes involving actors like Robert Downey, Jr. (Then again, who doesn't, right?) She's getting better with every film though. Showing that she could stand up and be seen next to the likes of Ford and Keaton in 'Morning Glory' went a long way for her. As always, if we missed a movie, or included a film in the wrong section (according to you of course) then please let us know in the forums.Posted Tue Mar 8, 2011 at 03:35 PM PST by: -
Top 5/Bottom 5: Russell Croweby Aaron Peck Russell Crowe's filmography is an interesting one. Up until ‘The Insider’ Crowe was a relative unknown. He made appearances here and there, and was even in ‘L.A. Confidential,’ but it wasn’t until after ‘The Insider’ that Crowe solidified himself as an A-list actor. After that, he’s starred in almost nothing but blockbuster hits which were either tentpole releases or close to it. [teaser]Whatever movie he appears in now features his name in big bold letters and he’s the force behind the movie’s marketing engine. Plain and simple, Crowe puts butts in the seats at theaters. Now we take a look back at Crowe’s career and define which roles were great, and which ones weren’t.[/teaser] The Best '3:10 to Yuma' Joining up with director James Mangold and actor Christian Bale, Crowe and company set about remaking a Western classic, and they succeeded. Crowe played the slimy, yet reasonable Ben Wade, who led a crew of outlaws across the wild west. A breakout performance by Ben Foster steals many of the scenes, but Crowe still holds his own in this action-packed, thrill ride of a modern western. Also, a great bargain on Blu-ray! 'Gladiator' A lot of people love it, some absolutely loathe it. I’m on the love it side, and find Crowe’s performance as Maximus intriguing. That moment where he rides back to his home and finds his wife’s and son’s charred bodies hanging there is a moving, emotional scene, to put it mildly. Crowe pulls it off magnificently. 'The Insider' Indeed ‘The Insider’ seemed to thrust Crowe into stardom. Playing pudgy tobacco whistle-blower, Jeffrey Wigand, Crowe really proved his dramatic acting chops were up to snuff. Garnering a Best Actor nomination from the Oscars, Crowe instantly showed us that he was among Hollywood’s leading dramatic men. As a sidenote, we really need a Blu-ray release of this one. 'A Beautiful Mind' Another dramatic role and yet another acting Oscar nomination. Playing John Nash, Crowe delves into a part that has him dealing with an inner battle with his own mind. Is what he’s going through real? Or is it all a figment of his wondrous, but terrifying imagination? 'Cinderella Man' Yes, I know the movie is slightly cheesy and takes the true-life events of Mr. Braddock and embellishes them a bit, but I love Crowe’s performance here. He’s able to perfect the everyman role, all the while staying stoically heroic. A hero for the working class. He pulls it off well. The Worst 'Robin Hood' Forget about the Robin Hood you knew. Forget about the stories of Robin Hood that you’ve read. This Robin Hood is just like any other generic medieval hero out there. He’s devoid of personality, or enthusiasm for what he’s doing. He’s called upon to dispatch bad guys with swords and arrows, and that’s about it. 'The Next Three Days' I admit that the failing of this movie shouldn’t be squarely placed on Crowe’s shoulders. As a matter of fact, he’s pretty good here, along with his co-star Elizabeth Banks. The by-the-numbers movie however drags their performances down like someone single-handedly trying to keep the Titanic afloat. It’s just not working here, no matter how well done his performance is. It’s sad when a bad movie tears down a good performance, but this is the perfect example. 'Proof of Life' Flying high on his success in ‘Gladiator’ Crowe took on another high-profile job in a kidnapping thriller called ‘Proof of Life,’ which was co-written by Tony Gilroy. Asked already to play the cardboard character of Terry Throne, counter kidnapping expert, Crowe didn’t really stand a chance. Paired alongside an insufferable Meg Ryan, the two of them run around for much of the movie avoiding clichéd danger at every turn. Definitely not one of Crowe’s best. 'A Good Year' Yeesh! This is probably the scariest of Crowe’s bad films. Sporting a dismal 25 percent on the TomatoMeter at Rotten Tomatoes, ‘A Good Year’ is simply not good at all. Pairing up again with director Ridley Scott, Crowe takes on a rom-com that clearly shows two things. Scott should stick to directing what he knows best, fast-paced action films and Crowe should continue to act in them. He should never do another rom-com. Never. 'Tenderness' I’ve always got to stick an “I’ve never heard of that” movie on the list. Would you believe that ‘Tenderness’ is actually one of Crowe’s newer movies? Sandwiched between big movies like ‘State of Play’ and ‘Body of Lies,’ ‘Tenderness’ is a head-scratcher. A movie that somehow Crowe was contractually obligated to do, IMDb.com states that Crowe finished filming all of his scenes in nine days. Apparently even he wanted to leave as soon as possible. Like any big actor out there, Crowe has had his hits and misses. Which ones did we leave off the list that you'd like to see added? Or which inclusions do you disagree with? Let us know in the forums!Posted Tue Mar 8, 2011 at 11:25 AM PST by: -
'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]OK, this is getting ridiculous now, but we know Nate Boss is counting down the days! Former teen pop sensations Debbie Gibson and Tiffany unite to tackle their mega-est challenge yet on Blu-ray this June! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment will be releasing 'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid' to high-definition on June 21. The teen idols previously starred in solo adventures with Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus' and 'Mega Piranha.' Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is only $29.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Mega Python vs. Gatoroid' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 21.Posted Tue Mar 8, 2011 at 11:20 AM PST by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'The Next Three Days' Blu-ray $16.99 at Amazon[teaser]Russell Crowe's daring escape plan to break Elizabeth Banks out of prison is now over fifty percent off at Amazon. [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'The Next Three Days' on Blu-ray for $16.99 (58% off the suggested list price). Click here to order this recommended action-thriller for your collection!Posted Tue Mar 8, 2011 at 11:15 AM PST by:
