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DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray Announced & Detailed[teaser]The latest re-imagining of the Dr. Seuss classic is already up for pre-order at Amazon. [/teaser] As previously reported, Universal's Dr. Seuss' The Grinch is already up for pre-orders on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray. The Blu-rays will be available in stores on February 5. For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures presents The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism. Each release will include a Dolby Atmos soundtrack with the 4K release presented in Dolby Vision/HDR10. BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO 4K ULTRA HD, 3D BLU-RAYTM, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD: • Who's Who in Who-ville (interactive map) - There are so many interesting characters that call Who-ville home that it’s hard to keep track of them all. This “Who’s Who” pop-up book uses animation to create a virtual storybook that takes us from Who-ville to Mt. Crumpit. • "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" Lyric Video – Tyler, The Creator puts a modern spin on the Seussian Christmas classic. MINI-MOVIES ON 4K ULTRA HD, 3D BLU-RAYTM, BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL: • Yellow is the New Black – Before they all make their big escape from prison in Despicable Me 3, a couple of lucky Minions get a taste of freedom as they break free with the help of one of their fellow human inmates. • Dog Days of Winter – Max braves the harsh winter weather and an uncooperative Who to bring a sick Grinch his favorite hot tea. • Santa's Little Helpers – Fan favorites – the Minions – are back for another adventure! Having been accidently dropped off at the North Pole, our Minion pals make the most of the situation by trying to become elves. BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, 3D BLU-RAYTM, BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL: • The Making of the Mini-Movies - Mini in size but not in heart, these short films are fan favorites. From the Grinch and Max to the Minions – you’ll explore the themes of each of the mini-movies through the eyes of the filmmakers who made them. • From Green to Screen - It takes a lot to bring grumpy green to your home screen. This inside look at the making of Illumination’s Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch features interviews and behind-the-scenes moments with the cast, filmmakers and artists whose hearts have all grown three sizes bringing this classic tale to life. • Illuminating THE GRINCH - Using filmmaker and cast interviews, concept art and progression reels, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how the characters evolved from initial sketches to fully realized characters. • My Earliest GRINCH Memories - The cast and filmmakers of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch reveal their earliest memories of the grumpy green character and the enduring appeal of this Christmas curmudgeon’s journey to redemption. • Grinchy Gadgets - From his body-size blow dryer to his moving mechanical chair, from his catapult to his dog drone-rig and more… you’ll get to explore the wondrous world of Grinch’s gadgets. • "I Am The Grinch" Lyric Video - A stylized look at Tyler, The Creator’s original song created just for the film. • Songs From His Little Heart - Take a deep dive into the toe tapping beats of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch. From score to specialty songs, you’ll hear from the film’s A-list musicians on what it took to create the music behind the movie. • X-mas Around the World - Every culture practices Christmas in a slightly different way. We’ll highlight some of the more fun permutations of the holiday around the globe. • Cindy-Lou's Yule Log - Nothing says the holidays quite like an animated fireplace blasting fake heat from your living room television. Just in time for winter, we’ll recreate Cindy-Lou’s living room on Christmas Eve for all to enjoy. • Production Babies - A celebration of the babies born to the filmmakers during the production of Illumination’s Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch. • Any Who Can Draw - Hosted by an Illumination artist and head of story Mark O'Hare, you’ll see step-by-step how to draw some of your favorite characters from this beloved holiday classic; Grinch, Max and Fred! You can find the latest specs for Dr. Seuss' The Grinch linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under February 5. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 3D Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jan 3, 2019 at 09:49 AM PST by: -
LG Reveals New 4K & 8K ThinQ TVs with Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor[teaser]The company has unveiled the first details for its 2019 display lineup.[/teaser] In advance of CES 2019, LG has announced several new OLED and LCD ThinQ TV models, including an 88-inch 8K OLED and a 75-inch 8K LCD. LG's 2019 flagship OLED lineup will consist of the 8K Z9, and 4K W9, 4K E9, and 4K C9 series TVs. All of the displays will use the company's new Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor. Thanks to the processor's deep learning algorithm, the sets will be able to optimize picture and sound quality based on the source content being played, along with the ability to adjust their tone mapping curve and screen brightness to better match ambient lighting conditions in a user's room. Likewise, Dolby's latest imaging innovations will allow the TVs to intelligently configure Dolby Vision content for varying ambient light as well. In addition, the 88-inch 8K Z9 model will feature even higher processing capabilities to offer 8K upscaling. And beyond video, an intelligent algorithm can also be used to up-mix two-channel audio to virtual 5.1 surround sound, along with the ability to optimize sound output based on content type. Meanwhile, the company's α9 Gen 2 processor will also be incorporated in its flagship 75-inch SM99 8K NanoCell LCD TV. The new NanoCell branding will also apply to the SM8X 4K LCD TV Series, emphasizing the displays' use of NanoCell tech for expanded color (NanoColor), wide viewing angles (NanoAccuracy), and ultra-narrow thin bezels (NanoBezel). And when it comes to AI services, 2019 ThinQ TVs will once again feature built-in Google Assistant functionality, along with newly added support for Amazon Alexa. HDMI 2.1 ports will also be implemented on all 2019 OLED TVs and select NanoCell TVs, offering support for high frame rate (HFR) 120 fps playback and enhanced audio return channel (eARC). Likewise gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and an automatic low latency mode (ALLM) will be supported as well. Pricing and availability for LG's 2019 display lineup have not been announced yet, but more details are expected to be announced at CES 2019 in Las Vegas from January 8 through January 11. Source: LGPosted Wed Jan 2, 2019 at 05:00 PM PST by: -
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Dated & Detailed[teaser]Bryan Singer's Queen biopic starring Rami Malek as the enigmatic Freddie Mercury will hit home video in February. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox is working on Bohemian Rhapsody for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray, and now the date has been set for February 12. Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day. Nominated for two Golden Globe® Awards including Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Rami Malek), and two SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Malek), Bohemian Rhapsody has captured the hearts of fans globally. For the first time, fans can experience a truly one-of-a-kind music movie event with the complete “Live Aid” Movie Performance featuring two never-before-seen songs (“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “We Will Rock You) packed into a 22-minute collective experience recreating the original event. In addition, on Blu-ray & Digital, fans will get a look behind the making of the film including interviews with Queen, the cast and creative team. The titles will include a lossless 7.1 soundtrack (Dolby Atmos on the 4K release) and supplements include: • The Complete Live Aid Movie Performance Not Seen in Theaters (featured in 4K Ultra HD™ HDR on the 4K Ultra HD™ Disc) • Rami Malek: Becoming Freddie• The Look and Sound of Queen• Recreating Live Aid You can find the latest specs for Bohemian Rhapsody linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under February 12. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jan 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
Netflix Announces STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 3 Premiere Date[teaser]Viewers can return to the Upside Down in July.[/teaser] Netflix has released a new date announcement teaser for Stranger Things: Season 3. New episodes are set to hit the streaming platform on July 4, 2019. Though full plot details have not been revealed yet, the new season will take place during the summer of 1985. The show comes from The Duffer Brothers and stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Cara Buono, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, and Sadie Sink. And beyond the returning cast, the season will also feature Maya Hawke as a new character named Robin. According to Netflix, Robin is "an alternative girl who is equal parts sharp and playful. Bored with her mundane day job, she just wants a little excitement in her life... and gets more than she bargained for when she uncovers a dark secret in Hawkins." Check out the date announcement teaser below! Season three of Stranger Things will consist of eight episodes. The recently revealed episode titles will be: "Suzie, Do You Copy?," "The Mall Rats," "The Case of the Missing Lifeguard," "The Sauna Test," "The Source," "The Birthday," "The Bite," and "The Battle of Starcourt." In addition, Netflix has also released the first poster for the new season playing off the summer and 4th of July setting. Check out the poster below! Stranger Things seasons one and two are now available to stream through Netflix. In addition, both seasons are also available on Blu-ray (S1, S2) and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (S1, S2). A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. Source: Netflix (YouTube)Posted Tue Jan 1, 2019 at 10:30 AM PST by: -
Oppo Releases HDR10+ Firmware Update for UDP-203 & UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Players[teaser]Though the company has ceased manufacturing new players, an update is now available for previously released models.[/teaser] Oppo has announced the release of a new public beta test firmware update for its UDP-203 & UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Players. The 64-1221B upgrade adds HDR10+ support along with a few other tweaks. HDR10+ is an open, royalty free dynamic metadata platform for high dynamic range developed in partnership with Samsung, Panasonic, and 20th Century Fox. The format allows a compatible display to adjust brightness levels, color saturation, and contrast on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis on specially graded HDR10+ content, producing images that are closer to the director's intent -- similar to the competing Dolby Vision dynamic HDR format. To watch HDR10+ content via Oppo's 4K Blu-ray players, customers will also need an HDR10+ TV. Compatible displays include 2018 and 2017 Samsung 4K HDR TVs in the US, along with select Panasonic models in Europe. Meanwhile, the first Ultra HD Blu-ray releases with HDR10+ support include A Beautiful Planet and Journey to the South Pacific. To install the public beta test firmware, users will need to download the update to a USB drive or disc. CLICK HERE for full instructions on how to upgrade. An official release version of the firmware downloadable via the player's internet connection is also expected to follow the beta update. Here's a full rundown of the firmware's upgrades via Oppo: Added the HDR10+ support. A HDR10+ enabled TV is required to view content in HDR10+. Added the "HDMI IN BYPASS" mode for Dolby Vision passthrough via HDMI In. General fixes and disc compatibility improvements based on recent and upcoming UHD Blu-ray releases as well as user-submitted samples. The UDP-203 & UDP-205 both provide 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc playback along with support for regular Blu-rays and DVDs. And in addition to the new HDR10+ upgrade, both models also support Dolby Vision, standard HDR10, and Wide Color Gamut capabilities. Sadly, however, both models are no longer being produced, as Oppo announced the end of its AV product business back in April. Sources: Oppo via AVNirvanaPosted Mon Dec 31, 2018 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Best Blu-rays Of 2018[Teaser]While 4K Blu-ray and streaming get most of the big headlines these days, 2018 was a great year for the Blu-ray format too. From new releases to definitive special editions, from dramas to classic to kid films and horror, there were too many incredible releases to list them all – but this gets pretty darn close! Here are our favorite 2018 releases available only on 1080p Blu-ray![/Teaser] Great New Dramas with Amazing Performances I, Tonya Who would ‘a thought that a movie about the Olympics most notorious ice skater of the 90s would get a biopic movie that is not only incredibly entertaining, it’s actually an incredible character study featuring a string of impressive performances from Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, and Sebastian Stan. We never thought we’d want to relive that period of history - but this movie makes it worth it with a stunning picture and a great audio mix giving that infamous THWACK!-Heard-Round-The-World a nice kick! Buy The Blu-ray Call Me By Your Name Call Me By Your Name was an unexpected tour de force. It’s an incredible film about the heartbreak of young romance between two people split by societal conventions. It just happens to be a romance between Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet. Both actors delivered intense and committed performances – so much so a follow-up film is now in the works and we can’t wait to see it. The film is a beautiful travelogue and the picture-perfect transfer captures every vivid frame. Buy The Blu-ray Detroit Director Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit is not an easy film to watch. Our reviewer called it one of the best movies he never wants to watch again. We can see why – racism isn’t an easy issue to discuss and it’s especially difficult when it’s steeped in historical events and the Detroit riots left their scars on the Motor City for decades. This film ain't easy, but with the incredible performances from John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith, and Anthony Mackie – it’s essential viewing. The pitch-perfect video transfer and audio mix make for a stellar release on Blu-ray and one worth having in your collection. Buy The Blu-ray Other Great New Dramas To Own On Blu-ray The Disaster Artist Tully Battle of the Sexes Roman J. Isreal Esq. All The Money In The World Criterion Classics Night of the Living Dead Criterion Collection George Romero’s seminal zombie horror classic at long last is given the due appreciation it deserves. Featuring a fresh new restoration and stuffed to the gills with new bonus features, this is a Must Own disc not only for horror aficionados but Criterion devotees. This film has never looked or sounded better – and they’re coming to get you! Buy The Blu-ray The Silence of the Lambs Criterion Collection A mainstay of The Criterion Collection dating back to the days of LaserDisc finally at long last gets a proper restoration effort with a tremendous Blu-ray release. Not only does this film get a new 4K restoration but the original 2.0 stereo mix is finally presented in its full glory. Not only do you get to enjoy every ghastly sight, but you can revel in the impactful sound design. Packed with a tremendous array of bonus features, this is an essential piece of everyone's Criterion Collection. Buy The Blu-ray Midnight Cowboy Criterion Collection John Schlesinger's groundbreaking classic Midnight Cowboy starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight as the unlikeliest of friends is finally given a worthy Blu-ray release thanks to the Criterion Collection. With a fresh new 4K video restoration and the newly restored LPCM 1.0 mono track, the film has never looked or sounded this good on home video and this Blu-ray is packed with an impressive assortment of new and archival bonus features with hours of extra material to dive through. This film is an essential part of any collection and it's more than worthy of the Criterion treatment. Buy The Blu-ray Tree of Life Terrance Malick's catalog of films is no stranger to the Criterion Collection so it shouldn't be any surprise that his masterpiece Tree of Life would be given their fullest attention. Complete with a new extended cut of the film as well as the theatrical presentation, this Blu-ray boasts a picture-perfect transfer with a lively and effective audio mix not to mention a robust assortment of worthwhile bonus features. It's a singular experience and this release from Criterion makes replacing the original Blu-ray from 2011 a very easy thing to do. Another truly must-own release from a company that knows how to treat films with respect. Own The Blu-ray Other Essential New Criterion Collection Blu-rays: The Passion of Joan of Arc Criterion Collection Deadman Criterion Collection The Virgin Suicides Criterion Collection Female Trouble Criterion Collection Sisters Criterion Collection Some Like It Hot Criterion Collection The Young Mr. Lincoln Criterion Collection "You know, for the kids!" Lady and the Tramp: Signature Collection While this disc may sport the same video transfer and audio presentation as the previous Diamond Edition disc, it's extremely difficult for us not to include this one on the list. It's a beautifully animated film and a true Disney classic. Coupled with a fine assortment of bonus features, it's a nice movie to have on for kids of all ages. Buy The Blu-ray Isle of Dogs One could certainly argue that Wes Anderson's latest animated effort isn't exactly a kids movie, but that doesn't mean kids won't love it. Like The Fantastic Mr. Fox, this film has a subtle sense of humor with terrific stop-motion animation that is simply beautiful to look at - while being absolutely hilarious to watch. With a terrific A/V presentation, this was an instant favorite and one we considered Highly Recommended. Buy The Blu-ray The Sandlot: 25th Anniversary Edition If you've ever played a pickup game of backyard baseball, this classic kids favorite hits the heartstrings hard. A kids movie at heart, it's great for adults who don't mind waxing nostalgic about their childhood summers. The bonus feature selection may be slim, but this disc offers a solid A/V presentation making it a great addition to anyone's collection. Soon your entire family will be shouting "You're killing me, Smalls!" Buy The Blu-ray Peter Pan: Signature Collection Nothing quite stirs your imagination and sense of thrilling adventure quite like this Disney Classic. It's a truly timeless piece of entertainment that has endured for generations. Like Lady and the Tramp, the previous disc's transfer was recycled, but that's okay because it's gorgeous. With some great new bonus features, it's a worthy addition to the family-friendly shelf of your Blu-ray collection. Buy The Blu-ray Bingeable TV Boxed Sets! Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series This one certainly wasn't for everyone - but then again no David Lynch production ever is. This continuation of the seminal television series was sprawling, often confusing, but unendingly engrossing and entertaining. Will there be more? Only David Lynch knows if "What year is this?" will be the last words Agent Dale Cooper speaks in the chilling finale. While we hope there's more to come - this Blu-ray is still an absolute must-have for fans of the series. Buy The Blu-ray The Shield: The Complete Series You only need to say the name "Vic Mackey" to get fans of The Shield salivating. At long last, this groundbreaking television series has made its way to Blu-ray. With brand new A/V restorations of each episode along with dozens of hours of bonus features, this is a stacked package of criminally thrilling entertainment. All 88 episodes in one convenient package with the best possible picture and audio presentations - you know you want it. Treat. Yo. Self. You've earned it this year! Buy The Blu-ray Batman: The Complete Animated Series This iconic animated television series is finally given the high-definition treatment that it's long deserved. After all these years, this show is still the most faithful adaptation of the Caped Crusader we've seen in movie theaters or on T.V. It set a high benchmark and it continues to influence the character all these years later. Complete with beautiful A/V presentations for each episode with a bunch of great bonus features as well as the two feature-length films, this is truly the Complete package for animated Dark Knight fans. Buy The Blu-ray Black Sails: The Complete Series Who would have thought that Treasure Island would inspire one of the most lively and entertaining fantasy television series - that sadly very select audience watched. If you missed it during its broadcast run, now you can make room in your television diet to give the entire series a go. Believe us, once you start, you're not going to want to stop. Steeped in a mix of historically accurate real-life characters and fantasy, it's an adventure worth plundering all the way through. It's a favorite around these parts and we're sure you'll get a kick out of it. Buy The Blu-ray More Great Binge-Worthy Television: Better Call Saul: Season Three Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Four Gravity Falls: The Complete Series The Outer Limits: Season One The Outer Limits: Season Two Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series Horror & Sci-Fi Not To Be Missed! Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection Long before Marvel and Disney had grand designs for a shared universe of films, Universal pictures concocted its own marvelous monstrous universe featuring the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Invisible Man, Phantom of the Opera, and the Creature! While each film in the series may not be better than the last, they're all entertaining and each given terrific A/V presentations. It's truly a complete collection and not one to miss! Buy The Blu-ray In The Mouth of Madness: Collector's Edition One of John Carpenter's scariest, creepiest, and easily the best of his later career entries, Scream Factory finally gives fans the true Collectors Edition for In The Mouth of Madness. 25 years later this film is just as chilling and unsettling as ever and this disc is blessed with a hell of an A/V presentation as well as a host of bonus features worth picking through - especially if your favorite color is Blu. Buy The Blu-ray Zombie: 3-Disc Limited Edition Fan favorite Lucio Fulci's pseudo-prequel/sequel of George Romero's Dawn of the Dead is at long last given a grand and complete home video release. Complete with fresh new 4K restoration, a stunning stereo audio mix, some new bonus features, and the film's iconic score on CD, Blue Underground unearthed one hell of a celebration of the living dead! With three different lenticular covers to choose from, it's an exciting release to see get such quality treatment. Buy The Blu-ray Re-Animator: Special Edition An all-time classic entry in Horror-Comedy, Re-Animator comes back to live in a beautiful special edition Blu-ray release thanks to Arrow Video. Offering a massive improvement in image and audio quality over the previous release, this disc also contains some magnificently horrifyingly delightful bonus features - complete in some dramatic and beautiful packaging. Arrow keeps killing it with their Special Editions and this is one you're going to want to free up shelf space for. Buy The Blu-ray Suspiria: 40th Anniversary This one may divide fans as to how frightening it actually is - but one that can't be denied is the incredible quality of this new Blu-ray release. Sourced from a brand new 4K restoration, this iconically colorful and symphonic film has never looked this good or sounded this beautiful. If you're a fan of the psychedelic visuals and Goblin's chilling score - you need to have this release in your collection. Buy The Blu-ray 12 Monkeys Special Edition Ever since Universal started porting over their early HD-DVDs to Blu-ray, this has been a film in desperate need of a little TLC. Thankfully Arrow Video hear the fans' calls for help and delivered. Coupled with an incredible assortment of informative and worthwhile bonus features, this disc also includes a splendid newly restored A/V presentation. This Special Edition release finally does Terry Gilliam's science fiction masterpiece the just presentation it deserves on Blu-ray. Don't miss it! Buy The Blu-ray Piranha II: The Spawning No, this is not the greatest movie ever made, nor will it ever be considered that - but it's a huge fan favorite namely because it's where the aquatically-obsessed James Cameron first cut his teeth as a director for this cheesy schlockfest. Not only is this one of the goofiest movies you can watch, this disc gives the film the 1080p justice it deserves. How else are you going to enjoy those rubber flying fish? It's for diehard fans of the film - but we loved it just the same. Buy The Blu-ray Other Great Horror / Sci-Fi Blu-rays To Watch For: It's Alive Trilogy Trick 'R Treat: Collector's Edition Candyman Collector's Edition The Thing From Another World Mandy Upgrade As 2018 inches to a close, we have a massive catalog of films that came out this year to look back on and appreciate. With 4K UHD giving physical media fans something exciting to see for new releases and some classic older titles, it's great to see the studios and niche distributors and publishers step up to the plate and ensure that some great films aren't forgotten by giving them impressive 1080p Blur-ay releases. No list like this is ever complete. It was extremely difficult limiting this list to these precious few. What do you think? What's on YOUR list of Best 2018 Blu-rays? Let us know in the comments!Posted Mon Dec 31, 2018 at 08:34 AM PST by: -
Criterion Details March 2019 Blu-ray Titles[teaser]Robert Zemeckis' I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Ingmar Bergman's The Magic Flute, and more are all in the works for Blu-ray.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing The Kid Brother, The Magic Flute, Detour (1945), Wanda, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and Japón for Blu-ray throughout the month of March. The Kid Brother (March 12) - Silent-comedy legend Harold Lloyd goes west in this irresistible blend of action, romance, and slapstick invention. The bespectacled everyman is at his inimitable best as Harold Hickory, the gentle son of a prominent lawman who lives in the shadow of his rough-and-tumble brothers. When a traveling medicine show rolls into town, it brings with it excitement, the possibility of love, and a chance for Harold to prove his mettle. Deftly balancing Lloyd’s brilliant sight gags and thrilling set pieces—including an epic, knock-down, drag-out fight aboard an abandoned ship—with one of the actor-filmmaker’s most fully realized, root-for-the-underdog narratives, The Kid Brother is a hilarious and heartwarming high-water mark of early screen comedy. New 4K digital restoration Orchestral score by composer Carl Davis from 1989 Alternate archival organ score performed by Gaylord Carter Audio commentary from 2005 featuring filmmaker and Harold Lloyd archivist Richard Correll, film historian Annette D’Agostino Lloyd, and Harold Lloyd’s granddaughter Suzanne Lloyd Harold’s Leading Ladies, a new conversation between author Cari Beauchamp and Suzanne Lloyd Anatomy of a Gag: Monkeyshoes, a new video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns Behind-the-scenes stills gallery curated by Harold Lloyd archivist Richard Simonton Jr. Close to Home, a new video essay on the film’s shooting locations by author John Bengtson Dutch television interview with Lloyd from 1962 Featurette from 2005 about Greenacres, Lloyd’s estate, hosted by Suzanne Lloyd Two restored rare early Lloyd shorts: Over the Fence (1917) and That’s Him (1918), with new Wurlitzer theater pipe organ scores and a discussion of their early film formats by archivist Dino Everett New tour of the Wurlitzer organ with composer Nathan Barr and organist Mark Herman PLUS: An essay by critic Carrie Rickey Order the Blu-ray The Magic Flute (March 12) - This scintillating screen version of Mozart’s beloved opera showcases Ingmar Bergman’s deep knowledge of music and gift for expressing it cinematically. Casting some of Europe’s finest soloists—Josef Köstlinger, Ulrik Cold, Håkan Hagegård, and Birgit Nordin among them—the director lovingly recreated the baroque theater of Sweden’s Drottningholm Palace to stage the story of the prince Tamino and his zestful sidekick Papageno, who are sent on a mission to save a beautiful princess from the clutches of evil. A celebration of love and forgiveness that exhibits a profound appreciation for the artifice and spectacle of the theater, The Magic Flute is among the most exquisite opera films ever made. New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray Interview with director Ingmar Bergman recorded in 1974 for Swedish television New interview with film scholar Peter Cowie Tystnad! Tagning! Trollflöjten! (1975), a feature-length documentary produced for Swedish television about the making of the film PLUS: An essay by author Alexander Chee Order the Blu-ray Detour (March 19) - From Poverty Row came a movie that, perhaps more than any other, epitomizes the dark fatalism at the heart of film noir. As he hitchhikes his way from New York to Los Angeles, a down-on-his-luck nightclub pianist (Tom Neal) finds himself with a dead body on his hands and nowhere to run—a waking nightmare that goes from bad to worse when he picks up the most vicious femme fatale in cinema history, Ann Savage’s snarling, monstrously conniving drifter Vera. Working with no-name stars on a bargain-basement budget, B auteur Edgar G. Ulmer turned threadbare production values and seedy, low-rent atmosphere into indelible pulp poetry. Long unavailable in a format in which its hard-boiled beauty could be fully appreciated, Detour haunts anew in its first major restoration. New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen, a 2004 documentary featuring interviews with filmmakers Roger Corman, Joe Dante, and Wim Wenders and actor Ann Savage New interview with film scholar Noah Isenberg, author of Edgar G. Ulmer: A Filmmaker at the Margins New program about the restoration of Detour Trailer PLUS: An essay by critic and poet Robert Polito Order the Blu-ray Wanda (March 19) - With her first and only film—a hard-luck drama she wrote, directed, and starred in—Barbara Loden turned in a groundbreaking work of American independent cinema, bringing to life a kind of character seldom seen on-screen. Set amid a soot-choked Pennsylvania landscape, and shot in an intensely intimate vérité style, the film takes up with distant and soft-spoken Wanda (Loden), who has left her husband, lost custody of her children, and now finds herself alone, drifting between dingy bars and motels, where she falls prey to a series of callous men—including a bank robber who ropes her into his next criminal scheme. A difficult-to-see masterpiece that has nonetheless exerted an outsize influence on generations of artists and filmmakers, Wanda is a compassionate and wrenching portrait of a woman stranded on society’s margins. New 2K digital restoration by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, The Film Foundation, and Gucci, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray I Am Wanda, an hour-long documentary by Katja Raganelli featuring an interview with director Barbara Loden filmed in 1980 Audio recording of Loden speaking to students at the American Film Institute in 1971 Segment from a 1971 episode of The Dick Cavett Showfeaturing Loden The Frontier Experience, a short educational film from 1975 about a pioneer woman’s struggle to survive, directed by and starring Loden Trailer PLUS: An essay by film critic Amy Taubin Order the Blu-ray I Wanna Hold Your Hand (March 26) - On February 9, 1964, the Beatles made their first live appearance on American television on The Ed Sullivan Show, ratcheting up the frenzy of a fanbase whose ecstatic devotion to the band heralded an explosive new wave of youth culture. I Wanna Hold Your Hand looks back to that fateful weekend, following six teenagers, each with their own reasons for wanting to see the Fab Four, from New Jersey to Manhattan on a madcap mission to meet the band and score tickets to the show. With this rollicking first feature, director Robert Zemeckis and cowriter Bob Gale established themselves as a filmmaking team par excellence, adept at mining America’s cultural memory for comedy and adventure with a winning mixture of sweet nostalgia and playful irreverence. New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Robert Zemeckis and cowriter Bob Gale, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray New conversation among Zemeckis, Gale, and executive producer Steven Spielberg New interview with actors Nancy Allen and Marc McClure Audio commentary from 2004 featuring Zemeckis and Gale The Lift (1972) and A Field of Honor (1973), two early short films by Zemeckis Trailer and radio spots More! PLUS: An essay by critic Scott Tobias Order the Blu-ray Japón (March 26) - In this preternaturally assured feature debut by Carlos Reygadas, a man (Alejandro Ferretis) travels from Mexico City to an isolated village to commit suicide; once there, however, he meets a pious elderly woman (Magdalena Flores) whose quiet humanity incites a reawakening of his desires. Recruiting a cast of nonactors and filming in sublime 16 mm CinemaScope, Reygadas explores the harsh beauty of the Mexican countryside with earthy tactility, conjuring a psychic landscape where religion mingles with sex, life coexists with death, and the animal and spiritual sides of human experience become indistinguishable. A work of soaring ambition and startling visual poetry, Japón is an existential journey through uncharted cinematic territory that established the singular voice of its director. New 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Carlos Reygadas, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray New conversation between Reygadas and filmmaker Amat Escalante Video diary shot by actor Alejandro Ferretis during the film’s production Adulte, a short film directed by Reygadas in 1998 Deleted scene Trailer PLUS: A new essay by novelist Valeria Luiselli Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout March.Posted Sun Dec 30, 2018 at 07:30 PM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Top 10 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays of 2018This past year has seen more titles released on the still-relatively-new format than the previous two years, an interesting assortment of older features, and newer releases with picture quality ranging from mediocre to reference level. The best part of this year is seeing our favorite classics benefit from the improved HDR and wider color gamut along with the uptick in resolution. So, with that in mind, [Teaser]here are our picks for the best 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays of 2018 that rightly belong in your go-to demo collection. [/Teaser] Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Not only did this sequel/reboot of the favorite family comedy starring Robin Williams surprise audiences with another fantasy adventure through adolescence, but the movie also astounded and thrilled with a beautiful Dolby Vision presentation, awash in a wide range of sumptuously animated colors. The video is matched only by an equally excellent Dolby Atmos soundtrack that brings the lively sounds of the jungle home, winning the game over its HD SDR counterpart. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray Blade Runner 2049 Yet another surprisingly good sequel shocks fans with a stunningly gorgeous 4K transfer brimming with one marvelously dazzling image after another. The out-of-this-world HDR10 video is a remarkable display of visual delights where Roger Deakins' cinematography makes the best use of the format, igniting the screen with spectacular highlights and a hypnotically splendid array of secondary hues, sure to impress anyone those still sitting on the fence. And the gorgeous visuals partner with a marvelously enveloping Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray Justice League Say what you will of the DCEU and Warner's rush to unite legendary superheroes for the first time on the big screen, but this fifth installment to the series is a strong, vividly colorful entry. The team flexes their superpowers with a jaw-dropping Dolby Vision HDR picture that shows intensely brilliant, demo-worthy contrast with radiant highlights and an astounding assortment of rapturous colors that ignite the screen during the climactic battle in the small Russian village. The pandemonium also erupts with a reference-quality Dolby Atmos soundtrack! Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray Black Panther Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year is the massive critical and commercial success of Ryan Coogler's adaptation of a lesser-known Marvel superhero, making it arguably the best entry in the MCU. The visually-stunning and poignant actioner tackles global affairs with a spectacularly elegant Dolby Vision HDR presentation, boasting deep, inky blacks throughout and a succulent spectacle of colors that are more vibrant and dazzling than its Blu-ray counterpart. Sadly, the Atmos track isn't quite the match for the visuals. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray Murder on the Orient Express The mystery is afoot on the UHD train, powered by an eye-popping HDR10 video that undoubtedly leaves the Blu-ray version waiting back at the station. Made to look as visually extravagant and elegant as possible, the freshly-minted transfer is an absolute stunner with razor-sharp detailing throughout. However, the astonishing balance of radiantly crisp contrast and inky rich blacks is the real showstopper while also flaunting gorgeously lavish primaries. It's all topped off by a highly-satisfying Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray 2001: A Space Odyssey Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Kubrick's visual masterpiece makes contact once again with a spectacularly mesmerizing Dolby Vision HDR presentation. After several delays created some mild doubts about the quality, the end result is nothing short of phenomenal with striking contrast, luxurious blacks and richly-saturated colors. Remastered from the original 70mm camera negatives, this is the very best the classic has ever looked on home video. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray First Blood From a brand-new 4K remaster and full restoration of the original camera negatives, the military drama easily bests its Blu-ray counterpart in one-to-one combat. Considering Andrew Laszlo's stylized, restrained cinematography, giving the plot a somber feel, the film displays a notably brighter image where the highlights shimmer and gleam with dramatic realism. Although not the most colorful movie on the list, primaries are fuller with a beautiful cinematic appeal. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray The Matrix Trilogy As with the two movies mentioned above, the groundbreaking, massively influential sci-fi trilogy is further evidence of what can be accomplished with a proper 4K remaster of the original elements. The difference in seeing all three movies in Dolby Vision HDR is shocking and dramatic enough to make previous home video editions pale by comparison, thanks to the remarkably improved highlights and colors. It's almost as if watching them for the first time, accompanied by new Dolby Atmos tracks that plug viewers into the digital apocalypse. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray Superman: The Movie Richard Donner's superhero classic fights for justice and liberty, equipped with yet another Dolby Vision presentation that pops with animated, richly-saturated colors, from the vibrant blues and reds of Superman's costume to the glowing browns and true-to-life yellows surrounding Lex Luther. Although Geoffrey Unsworth's photography is on the softer, dreamier side, the improvement in contrast and brightness is more than enough to upgrade to this UHD. To make the upgrade even more tempting, the classic film comes with an awesome Atmos soundtrack that repurposes some of the original sound elements into the height channels. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray The Avengers Unlike the above titles, this MCU favorite isn't the result of a new remaster, but the source appears to be in excellent condition nonetheless, as this 4K HDR10 presentation is splendidly beautiful, giving fans a fantastic upgrade over the Blu-ray. The improved contrast and brightness not only provide the action with a dazzling pop and cinematic appeal, but it also leaves its HD SDR counterpart feeling somewhat flat by comparison thanks to a brighter, more colorful palette. Meanwhile, the new Dolby Atmos soundtrack adds a welcomed layer of immersion. Buy the 4K UHD Blu-ray Honorable Mentions Mission: Impossible - 6-Movie Collection Avengers: Infinity War The Lion King Predator Incredibles 2 Earth: One Amazing Day Ant-Man and the Wasp Maze Runner: The Death Cure Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom The LEGO Ninjago Movie Ocean's 8 Ready Player One Pacific Rim: UprisingPosted Fri Dec 28, 2018 at 03:11 PM PST by: -
Everything Coming to Netflix in January 2019[teaser]Check out all the new streaming titles coming to Netflix throughout January.[/teaser] Netflix has revealed its January 2019 lineup of movies, series, and specials. Highlights include original shows like A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 3, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 4 Part 2, and Marvel's The Punisher: Season 2, along with several recent Disney films like Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Incredibles 2. Likewise, the lineup also features a nice assortment of catalog titles like Black Hawk Down, City of God, Pan's Labyrinth, The Dark Knight, The Departed, the Indiana Jones series, and more. Here's a full rundown of Netflix's schedule for January 2019 per Netflix: January 1 A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 3 (Netflix Original) Across the Universe Babel Black Hawk Down City of God COMEDIANS of the world (Netflix Original) Definitely, Maybe Godzilla Happy Feet Hell or High Water I Know What You Did Last Summer Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom It Takes Two Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Jersey Boys Mona Lisa Smile Mr. Bean's Holiday Pan's Labyrinth Pinky Malinky (Netflix Original) Pulp Fiction Swingers Tears of the Sun The Addams Family The Boy in the Striped Pajamas The Dark Knight The Departed The Mummy The Mummy Returns The Strangers Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (Netflix Original) Watchmen xXx XXX: State of the Union January 2 Monty Python and the Holy Grail January 4 And Breathe Normally (Netflix Film) Call My Agent!: Season 3 (Netflix Original) El Potro: Unstoppable (Netflix Film) Lionheart (Netflix Film) January 9 GODZILLA The Planet Eater (Netflix Original) Solo: A Star Wars Story January 10 When Heroes Fly (Netflix Original) January 11 Friends from College: Season 2 (Netflix Original) ReMastered: Massacre at the Stadium (Netflix Original) Sex Education (Netflix Original) Solo (Netflix Film) The Last Laugh (Netflix Film) January 15 Revenger (Netflix Film) Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry (Netflix Original) January 16 American Gangster January 17 American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace January 18 Carmen Sandiego (Netflix Original) Close (Netflix Film) FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Netflix Original) GIRL (Netflix Film) Grace and Frankie: Season 5 (Netflix Original) IO (Netflix Film) Soni (Netflix Film) The World's Most Extraordinary Homes: Season 2 Part B (Netflix Original) Trigger Warning with Killer Mike (Netflix Original) Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 5 (Netflix Original) January 21 Justice (Netflix Original) January 24 Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (Netflix Original) Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation January 25 Animas (Netflix Film) Black Earth Rising (Netflix Original) Club de Cuervos: Season 4 (Netflix Original) Kingdom (Netflix Original) Medici: The Magnificent (Netflix Original) Polar (Netflix Film) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 4 Part 2 (Netflix Original) January 27 Z Nation: Season 5 January 29 Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias: One Show Fits All (Netflix Original) Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and the Wasp January 30 DisneyPixar's Incredibles 2 Coming Soon Marvel's The Punisher: Season 2 (Netflix Original) Source: Netflix via ForbesPosted Fri Dec 28, 2018 at 12:40 PM PST by: -
Kevin Feige Discusses Bringing X-MEN and FANTASTIC FOUR into the MCU[teaser]Marvel Studios' head honcho is anticipating the arrival of Fox's superhero properties.[/teaser] While 20th Century Fox has held the movie rights to Marvel properties like the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool for many years, Disney's recent acquisition of Fox will finally allow the characters to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And now we're starting to get a better idea of when such an arrival might actually take place. The news was shared via a recent Variety Playback podcast with Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios. Though the official greenlight has not been given just yet, when asked about starting development for MCU movies with Fox film properties like the X-Men and Fantastic Four, Feige told Variety: "We've been told it's looking very, very good and could happen in the first six months of next year. The notion of the characters coming back is great. It's nice when a company that created all these characters can have access to all those characters. It's unusual not to. But in terms of actually thinking about it and actually planning things, we haven't started that yet." Of course, even if development does begin within six months, it will likely still be a couple of years before we actually start to see any finished MCU movies with those characters on the big screen. But the groundwork is definitely being laid for that Wolverine vs. Hulk showdown we've all been waiting for. Beyond the Fox acquisition, the podcast also features Feige discussing Marvel Studios' 10 year anniversary, the success of Black Panther, working with Stan Lee, and more. Be sure to check out the full Playback Podcast for the entire interview. Source: VarietyPosted Fri Dec 28, 2018 at 11:50 AM PST by:
