-
'The Young Victoria' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Jean-Marc Vallée's period drama nominated for three Academy Awards is set for a high-definition release late next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'The Young Victoria' starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, and Jim Broadbent will hit Blu-ray on April 20. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Deleted and extended scenes; Making of The Young Victoria; Lavish History: A Look at the Costumes and Locations; The Coronation; The Wedding; The Real Queen Victoria; BD-Live; and MovieIQ. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Young Victoria' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 20.Posted Tue Mar 2, 2010 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Sony’s 3D Ready Players Hit Shelves[teaser]If you’ve been itching to get your hands on one of Sony’s new 3D ready Blu-ray players, the time is now. [/teaser] It’s sometimes hard to make the argument that a standalone Blu-ray player is the way to go, especially if you’re getting a mid-range Sony. Their new players are no exception. Coming in at $200 and $250, there’s not a lot that they have going for them over the similarly priced PS3 (well, except reliability perhaps). The BDP-S470 is just a run-of-the-mill Blu-ray player. It’s got 1080p output, BD-Live capabilities, and access to online content like Netflix and YouTube. You’ll have to plug in a cord or get a wireless adapter since it’s not equipped with WiFi. Sony’s BDP-S570 kicks things up a tad by adding built-in WiFi and an extra digital output. Aside from that, it’s the same basic thing. It plays Blu-rays, streams video, and kicks out a 1080p signal. Not bad for a $250 player. Both players are marketed by Sony as 3D ready, which means they’ll play back 3D Blu-ray discs after a firmware upgrade. Of course, so will Sony’s game system, which runs only $50 more and includes a 120GB hard drive and plays videogames too. Source: Best BuyPosted Tue Mar 2, 2010 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Uncle Sam' Wants BLU-RAY![teaser]William Lustig's 1997 horror flick will make Blu-ray a little more patriotic this summer. [/teaser] Blue Underground is working on 'Uncle Sam,' starring Isaac Hayes, for a high-definition release on June 29. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: audio commentary with director William Lustig, writer Larry Cohen and producer George G. Braunstein; audio commentary with director William Lustig and star Isaac Hayes; Fire Stunts with audio commentary by stunt coordinator Spiro Razatos; deleted scene; gag reel; theatrical trailer; and poster and still galleries. You can find the latest specs for 'Uncle Sam' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 29.Posted Tue Mar 2, 2010 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Don’t Turn On Your Old PS3!! – Warns Sony[teaser]If you’ve got an older – non-slim – PlayStation 3, an internal clock error may kill your system. [/teaser] Let me get this out of the way. I absolutely love the PlayStation 3. I own one and use it as my primary Blu-ray player and my secondary game system. I’m addicted to PSN download titles like Flower and Mushroom Wars and I play more Burnout Paradise than I’d care to admit. Unfortunately, it’s been having a lot of problems recently. Reports of the recent firmware update bricking systems were spotty, relatively isolated incidents. There wasn’t much in the way of a response from Sony, and issues were worked out individually. This one’s different. Sony has put out word officially that older systems are having trouble dealing with March 1st. Apparently, due to an internal clock error, fat PS3s are freaking out. Clock times are being reset, data isn’t being saved, saved data isn’t being recovered, and trophies aren’t being given out. If you use your PS3 as a Blu-ray player and nothing else, you might be in the clear. Blu-rays still play and the loss of trophies won’t affect you. Regardless, Sony is urging owners of older PS3 systems to keep their consoles off until the issue is cleared up. A post on the official PlayStation blog says that the problem should be resolved within 24 hours. Source: PlayStation BlogPosted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 03:10 PM PST by: -
HDD Exclusive Interview: Writer/Director Troy Duffy Discusses 'Boondock Saints I and II'[teaser]The long awaited return of the MacManus brothers hits Blu-ray on March 9, and High-Def Digest's own Tom Landy talks 'The Boondock Saints' and its sequel with writer/director Troy Duffy! [/teaser] TL: Hi Troy, thanks for setting aside some time to answer a few questions for High Def Digest today. We really appreciate it. TD: No problemo. TL: How have you been lately? TD: Run ragged, thanks for asking. TL: For some of our readers and site members who may not be familiar with 'The Boondock Saints,' would you mind telling us a little bit of what the tale is all about? TD: Vigilantism, executions, catholic ritual -- and cool Irish guys doing cool Irish shit. TL: Did you have any inspiration to write and direct the movie? TD: Poverty and frustration. I was living in a dump with my brother Taylor in Hollywood. Drugs, violence, and crime all around us. You start to feel helpless after a while, like you have no recourse. That was where the seed was planted. TL: That makes sense. Were you also influenced by other films or filmmakers? TD: Yes and no. Influenced by particular films I’d say. Got my favorites like everyone else. But if there is a director who I’d try to model my career after it would be Clint Eastwood (minus the acting angle of course). TL: Was there anything you wanted to do in the movie that you weren't able to, either due to budgetary constraints, time factor, or other reasons? TD: Yes, real in-camera stunt work. I’m a bit old school that way. Don’t like blue screen and it never looks quite right. Fans are very sophisticated these days. They can tell. I also like the excitement on set when you’re doing a big stunt. It raises the game for everyone. TL: On the writing front, the movie is loaded with snappy, clever dialogue. Did you have most of it scripted or did you encourage improvisation? TD: Not much time for improv on small indies like 'Boondock,' more is the pity. 95% of it was written but we’ll all come up with a good line in situation a couple times. Would love to have the time to experiment with improv in my next one. TL: The Latin and butterfly tattoos add a nice touch to your characters. What is their significance, and how did you come up with that idea? TD: Veritas and aequitas, truth and justice in Latin, respectively being on the brother’s trigger fingers is a bit literal, but what the hell. I’ll take it. Besides, not many know Latin so if your flick is good enough they will find out on their own. As for the butterfly, ripped it off from Papillon but extended the meaning in the sequel. TL: Was it a hassle to keep them from smudging? TD: They were what’re called transfers. Held up pretty nicely, if you got good make-up peeps. My wife Angela was doing make-up with a few other gals. She had that stuff tied down. TL: At last, the MacManus boys are finally back in the long awaited 'Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.' What does the story involve for the follow-up? TD: A priest is murdered in Boston and the body is ritualized to make it look like the brothers did it, pennies in the eyes etc. They come out of hiding looking for some payback. TL: Revenge is a dish best served Irish, I guess heh. Were you always intending to make a sequel and how long was it in the works? TD: Yeah. But the fans actually made it possible. Boondock I is a financial juggernaut because of their support. The studios took notice. We were also involved in a lawsuit that lasted five years in which the sequel rights were tied. TL: I didn't realize there was so much hassle. It's great to see that most of the original cast has returned, though. It must have been a blast working with everyone again. TD: You said it. Like a damn family reunion! TL: Is there anyone who survived the mayhem in the last film that you wanted to bring back this time but weren't able to? TD: Nope! Got ‘em all, even Willem. Rocco died in the first film and we even brought him back in a couple dream sequences. TL: That's great to hear they're back in some form at least. Where did filming take place? TD: Toronto. A lot of indies go to Canada to stretch their budgets. We need it. TL: What was your biggest challenge while shooting? TD: We did a lot of new stuff that 'Boondock Saints' fans aren’t used to: female lead, period piece, flashbacks etc. Those were the nail biters to shoot because you just don’t know it they're going to fit until editing. TL: What kind of bonus features should fans expect to see on the DVD and Blu-ray release? TD: Massive. We shot virtually everything. People messed around with cameras on their own as well. I honestly feel that our behind the scenes stuff is very unique. Makes you feel a bit of what it was like. People have become skeptical of featurettes, with good reason. We decided to do it our own way. TL: Is there a funny story that you have from filming that didn't make it into any of the bonus features? TD: No. TL: I've heard you're also in a band, correct? TD: Was in a band. Now we’re out on a Boondock 10-year anniversary tour with a tour bus and everything. And yes, I jump on stage with my brother Taylor and do a few songs. We used one of his tracks in the sequel called Plastic Jesus. I have no intentions of changing careers but it's nice to have more than one creative outlet sometimes. TL: Cool. Are any of your tracks included on the sequel? TD: Yes. One from my old band which was also in 'Boondock Saints' called Holy Fool. TL: Any plans to have the Saints go marching into a trilogy? TD: Got some ideas percolating. Would like to spread my wings a bit and do a few others that I have written. We’ll see what happens. TL: Well, thanks again for the interview. Do you have anything else you'd like to add? TD: Seeing 'Boondock Saints: II' is like taking a playboy playmate to your senior prom and banging her afterward! TL: Take it easy, Troy.Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 03:00 PM PST by: -
Save $10 on 'Ponyo' Blu-ray[teaser]Save $10 on the Studio Ghibli animation title from Disney! [/teaser] Here's another coupon offer to save $10 on the 'Ponyo' Blu-ray in stores tomorrow. Simply click this link to be taken to the page where you can print out your coupon valid at participating retail stores. Printable coupons are available for both the U.S. and English-speaking provinces of Canada, and the promotion expires on March 7.Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 02:50 PM PST by: -
Entire Series of 'Nip/Tuck' Hitting iTunes, Xbox, Amazon on Demand and More[teaser]In celebration of the final episode of 'Nip/Tuck,' Warner Bros is releasing the entire series on practically every service there is. [/teaser] Fans of the series already know the importance of 'Nip/Tuck.' Debuting just a year after 'The Shield,' 'Nip/Tuck' helped lead the charge to turn around FX and make it a channel truly worth watching. It paved the way for more dramatic and comedic programming aimed at adults, and it earned an incredible number of Emmy awards. The series finally draws to a close after seven seasons, and Warner Brothers is giving fans the opportunity to relive the entire series in high definition. You’ll be able to download all episodes from seasons one through six directly from iTunes starting this week, while the seventh will be made available on March 4th. The series will also be available from Amazon’s Video on Demand service and on the Xbox 360, which likely means it will be included on the Zune video marketplace as well. Warner Bros says there are more services getting the downloads too, and assures that all Nip/Tuck downloads will be available in HD.Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 12:30 PM PST by: -
'The Karate Kid' (Parts I & II) Chop Blu-ray[teaser]Blu-ray will wax-on, wax-off with eighties' martial arts in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has revealed 'The Karate Kid' and 'The Karate Kid: Part 2' starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita are slated for Blu-ray on May 11. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements for the first film will include: Commentary with director John Avildsen, writer Robert Mark Kamen and actors Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita; Beyond the Form; East Meets West: A Composer's Notebook; Life of Bonsai Featurette; The Way of Life: multi-part Making-of; and Blu-Pop. The sequel will include an Original Featurette: "The Sequel" and Blu-Pop. Suggested list price for each individual Blu-ray has been set at $24.95, but there will also be a 'The Karate Kid: Part 1 and 2 (Box Set)' for $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Karate Kid,' 'The Karate Kid: Part 2,' and 'The Karate Kid: Part 1 and 2 (Box Set)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under May 11.Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 12:10 PM PST by: -
Could This Best Buy Leak be TiVo’s Big Announcement?[teaser]Tivo has built up their March 2nd announcement pretty heavily, but the leaked info on the TiVo Premiere from Best Buy isn’t too impressive. We’re guessing there’s more to the story. [/teaser] We’ll find out what the real deal is on Tuesday, but for now we’ve got some leaked info from Best Buy that details the TiVo Premiere and TiVo Premiere XL. When TiVo sent out invites to their event, they said that “Inventing the DVR was just a warmup,” but from the info we’ve got so far, it looks like TiVo’s invented a DVR with a bit more storage space. According to the screengrab from Best Buy, the TiVo Premiere XL is slated for a March 27th release and offers enough storage for up to 150 hours of HD recording. It lets users access on demand movies, TV and web videos. It’s also THX certified. THX certification is a bit of a rough subject right now, especially after the Oppo/Lexicon debacle, but it’s nice to see that TiVo put a lot of care into the video and audio quality of their new DVR. The TiVo Premiere is listed with similar features, but a much more limited 45 hour recording time for HD content. We’re guessing there’s more to the story than just this. TiVo could really use a win right now, and if larger hard drives are all they have to offer, they’re probably not going to get it.Posted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 11:30 AM PST by: -
Samsung Announces Skype and DTS Decoding For Upcoming TVs[teaser]The two latest additions to Samsung televisions have a broad appeal, aimed at the casual consumer. [/teaser] Samsung has officially announced that they’re adding Skype to the 7000 series of “Broadband HDTVs”, which we already knew, and the 8000 series, which we expected. The idea behind the addition is, of course, to add some value to their sets. Skype is a free to use (for the most part) internet phone service, so unlike video on demand and streaming services, Samsung 7000 owners can use it right out of the box without having to shell out any extra cash. The inclusion of Skype has not been announced for the LED 9000 series. If you’re not into the whole video phone thing, the inclusion of DTS decoding may be more up your alley. It won’t make any real difference if you’re just using the TV speakers, but those using the TV’s audio outs to send sound to a surround system will benefit. According to the folks at DTS, their decoding will be present in “virtually all Samsung digital televisions worldwide.” Source: TWICEPosted Mon Mar 1, 2010 at 10:30 AM PST by:
