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'The Double Life of Véronique' Announced For Blu-ray[teaser]Krzysztof Kieślowski's 1991 fantasy romance will be receiving the high-definition treatment in February. [/teaser] The Criterion Collection has announced 'The Double Life of Véronique' starring Irène Jacob for a Blu-ray release on February 1. Krzysztof Kieślowski’s international breakthrough remains one of his most beloved films, a ravishing, mysterious rumination on identity, love, and human intuition. 'The Double Life of Véronique' is an unforgettable symphony of feeling. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary by Annette Insdorf, author of Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieślowski; Three short documentary films by Kieślowski: Factory (1970) Hospital (1976), and Railway Station (1980); The Musicians (1958): a short film by Kieślowski's teacher Kazimierz Karabasz; Kieślowski's Dialogue (1991): a documentary featuring a candid interview with Kieślowski and rare behind-the-scenes footage from the set of The Double Life of Véronique; 1966-1988: Kieślowski, Polish Filmmaker: a 2005 documentary tracing the filmmaker's work in Poland, from his days as a student through The Double Life of Véronique; A 2005 interview with actress Irène Jacob; New video interviews with cinematographer Slawomir Idziak and composer Zbigniew Preisner; and a booklet featuring an essay by Jonathan Romney, and a selection from Kieślowski on Kieślowski. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Double Life of Véronique' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 1.Posted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Sony Earns CES Innovations Award for Google TV Products[teaser]Both the Google TV enabled Blu-ray player and TV are being honored. [/teaser] Award season is always exciting, even if some of the honorees are a little obvious. Sony will be up a CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering award for its Google TV products, which should come as no surprise. Innovations awards are based on four criteria: engineering qualities, aesthetics, unique/novel features and how the product compares to others in the marketplace. The Sony Internet TV has those wrapped up nicely, and while you might question the look of the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Player, you've got to admit it tackles the other three categories completely. Also being honored is the Sony alpha SLT-A55V Digital SLR camera which uses a new translucent mirror technology, designed to provide the fastest auto-focus speed for both movies and stills. Source: PR NewswirePosted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Weeds: Season Six' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The drug-induced sixth season of the hit series will light up a doobie this February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is working on 'Weeds: Season Six' starring Mary-Louise Parker and Kevin Nealon for Blu-ray on February 22. The release will be a two-disc set with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary with writer Jenji Kohan, cast, and crew; Showdown: featurette with Justin Kirk and Kevin Nealon; Cast and crew answer fan questions; Behind-the-scenes featurette; and a Gag reel. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Weeds: Season Six' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under February 22.Posted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Mitsubishi Updates 2010 3D TVs for Full 3D Compatibility[teaser]No longer will Mitsubishi owners be stuck with checkerboard. [/teaser] If you've got a 3D capable Mitsubishi TV, you've had the frustrating task of having to deal with compatibility issues. Luckily, those days are behind you. There's an update available now from Mitsubishi that adds support for top/bottom and frame packing 3D formats. "With this new 3D TV software update, we keep our customers on the leading edge of 3D home entertainment," says VP Frank De Martin. "They can now experience a full range of 3D TV content on our cinema-like large screen 3D TV." The simplest way to upgrade is to simply have your set plugged in to the internet and get the automatic update that will hit between now and the first of December. If you're a little less patient, you can download it directly from Mitsubishi. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Nurse Jackie: Season Two' on Blu-ray[teaser]The second season of the hit Showtime series will make high-definition turn its head and cough this February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is readying 'Nurse Jackie: Season Two' starring Edie Falco for Blu-ray on February 22. The release will be a two-disc set with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include commentaries, interviews, and featurettes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Nurse Jackie: Season Two' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under February 22.Posted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung Will Make a Google TV Related Announcement in January[teaser]It's vague, sure, but it's exciting nonetheless. [/teaser] According to Bloomberg, Samsung will be making an announcement in January – which usually means they'll make it at the Consumer Electronics Show – regarding televisions with Google TV software. That could make Samsung the first company on board with Google TV since the initial launch. What's particularly interesting here is that nothing is said about Google TV equipped Blu-ray players, which seem like an obvious move for the company. When the idea of Google TV was first announced, it seemed like a no-brainer. A manufacturer would have to be a fool not to jump on that. After some setbacks with streaming content though, that initial wariness can be understood. Update: 11/18/10 Samsung says that while Google TV is certainly a possibility, it's not a definite. "Samsung is focused on delivering the most complete smart TV experience to consumers and this will guide our approach as we consider introducing new services or platforms such as with Google," explains one Samsung representative. "A relationship with Google TV is currently under consideration but no decision has yet been reached." Source: BloombergPosted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Discover Planet Ocean' & 'Ocean Odyssey: The Blue Realm' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Two aquatic-themed nature documentary series will be getting the high-definition treatment this February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment is bringing 'Discover Planet Ocean' and 'Ocean Odyssey: The Blue Realm' to Blu-ray on February 8. Shot in glorious High Definition, 'Discover Planet Ocean' explores the Pacific coast of Baja California, one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico—and one of the most extraordinary diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. The series covers a lot of ground (and cubic feet of water), ranging across the entire 1,000-mile peninsula. Your guide on this extraordinary voyage of discovery—marine journalist Masakazu Nagata—hits all the area's high spots, including coral reefs and its twin UNESCO World Heritage sites (the rock paintings at Pintada and the Vizaino Whale Sanctuary). However, the 13-episode series provides more than enough scope for a sustained investigation of the region's less publicized aspects–including the daily workings of a typical fishing village. For the people in Baja California, the Ocean is more than just a source of wonder and fear (the Great White Shark is a frequent visitor) — it is the key to economic survival. 'Discover Planet Ocean' brings you all of these elements together in order to provide you with a rich protrait of life above and beneath the waves. 'Ocean Odyssey: The Blue Realm' is a natural history series about amazing creatures of the sea. Utilizing superb High-Definition imagery, engaging stories and leading marine scientists, the series takes viewers on extraordinary journeys of discovery. Shark Business: Beyond the security of a protective cage, camera teams test the limits of shark behavior, including a face-to-face encounter with a 15 foot great white! Miracle Venom: The oceans harbor an exceptional variety of venomous fish, reptiles and invertebrates. The poisons of these animals are some of the most lethal known to man, but they also hold enormous potential in the development of new medicines. Tentacles: This program joins scientists in a remarkable quest to unravel the secrets of one of the sea’s most enigmatic creatures, cephalopods. The episode features the bizarre behavior and sexual rituals of reef squid, giant octopus and cuttlefish. Giant Manta Rays: This program focuses on giant manta rays, their unusual behavior and surprising intelligence. The episode also features the successful release of a of a captive manta ray back into the wild. Whale Sharks— Gentle Giants: Whale sharks can reach nearly 50 feet in length and weigh 30 tons or more! The program also features the remarkable story of the capture and transport of whale sharks to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Shark Divers: Some thrill seekers deliberately pursue close encounters with deadly sharks – without the protection of a cage. The bigger and more dangerous the shark, the better. But have we taken this risky sport too far? In 2008 the first tourist on a shark expedition was killed by one of the animals. Manatees and Dugongs: Each year, hundreds of critically endangered manatees are killed in U.S. waters by boats, disease and cold weather. With only a few thousand remaining in the wild, the clock is ticking in efforts to save the amazing manatees and its close relative, the dugong from extinction. Humpbacks— From Tonga to Antarctica: Humpback whales were hunted to the brink of extinction until a moratorium was implemented in the 1980s. After finally rebounding in numbers, whaling nations are exploring ways to re-open the hunt. In Antarctica, Japan is targeting minke, fin and now...humpbacks. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $17.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Discover Planet Ocean' & 'Ocean Odyssey: The Blue Realm' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under February 8.Posted Wed Nov 17, 2010 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Justified: The Complete First Season' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The previously reported first season of the addictive FX series looks to be coming to Blu-ray in January! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has revealed 'Justified: The Complete First Season' starring the charming Timothy Olyphant is headed for a Blu-ray release, and now the title appears to be scheduled for January 25. U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is a modern day 19th century-style lawman, enforcing his brand of justice in a way that puts a target on his back with criminals and places him at odds with his bosses in the Marshal service. That conflict results in a reassignment for Givens to the U.S. District covering the town where he grew up. He is an anachronism - a tough, soft spoken gentleman who finds his quarry fascinating, but never gives an inch. Dig under his placid skin and you'll find an angry man who grew up hard in rural Kentucky, with an outlaw father, who knows a lot more about who he doesn't want to be than who he really is. The 3-disc set will include all 13 episodes in 1080p with a lossless soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary - "Fire in the Hole" with executive producer Graham Yost, actor Nick Searcy, Elmore Leonard expert Gregg Sutter and director Michael Dinner; Audio commentary - "Blowback" with Graham Yost and writer Ben Cavell; Audio commentary - "Hatless" with actors Tim Olyphant and Natalie Zea, and writer Dave Andron; Audio commentary - "Bulletville" with Graham Yost and writer/producer Fred Golan; What Would Elmore Do?; The Story of Justified; Justified: Meet the Characters; Shooting for Kentucky; The Marshals; Music video: "Long Hard Times to Come"; and Season Two: A Look Ahead. Suggested list price for this set is $49.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Justified: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 25.Posted Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
IOGear Launches Two New HTPC Controllers[teaser]Two new options are available for HTPC users, including a handheld model and a full sized keyboard. [/teaser] If you're using an HTPC, things are looking good. You get to scoff at the news of blocked content and chortle at the news of Apple TV preorders and now you even get some cool new gear. The GKM571R from IOGear is small enough to fit in your hand and features a full QWERTY keyboard as well as a tiny out of the way trackball in the upper right corner. It's also got a closing lid, though it's not exactly clear why. IOGear's GKM581 is a bit more traditional. It's a full sized keyboard with a trackball on the right and the mouse buttons on the left. It's a bit bigger, but it seems much simpler to browse with. You'll find the GKM571R at a price of $89 while the larger GKM581 runs $99. Both are slated to ship before the end of the year. Source: Crunch GearPosted Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Takers' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The heist action thriller will crack Blu-ray this January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has just revealed 'Takers' for Blu-ray on January 18. The film stars Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Michael Ealy, and Tip "T.I." Harris and made $57 million at the box office. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Filmmaker and cast commentary, Executing the Heist: The Making of Takers, Take Action!, Music Video: T.I., "Yeah Ya Know (Takers)", movieIQ, BD-Live, and PS3 wallpaper theme. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Takers' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 18.Posted Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 10:00 AM PST by:
