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First Look Readies 'The Contract' for Blu-ray[teaser]First Look Studios has announced plans to bring the John Cusack-Morgan Freeman drama 'The Contract' to Blu-ray this October.[/teaser] Previously released on HD DVD back in July 2007, First Look will debut the limited release indie on Blu-ray on October 28. Specs and supplemental details have not yet been announced, but are expected to mirror the previous HD DVD release, which included a making-of featurette and still gallery. We'll keep you posted. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $24.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'The Contract' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 28.Posted Fri Aug 1, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blue Underground Sets Date, Specs for 'Stendhal Syndrome' Blu-ray[teaser]Blue Underground has issued an early announcement to retailers for a November Blu-ray debut of the Dario Argento chiller 'The Stendhal Syndrome.'[/teaser] The 1996 horror-thriller, which also stars Argento's daughter Asia, will make its Blu-ray debut on November 18. (A standard DVD edition was released by Blue Underground late last year.) Newly-remastered, tech specs include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video and DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround audio. Extras boast five featurettes on the creative team ("Director: Dario Argento," "Inspiration: Psychological Consultant Graziella Magherini," "Special Effects: Sergio Stivaletti," "Assistant Director: Luigi Cozzi," "Production Designer: Massimo Antonello Geleng") and the original theatrical trailer. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95. You'll find specs for 'The Stendhal Syndrome' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 18.Posted Fri Aug 1, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Universal Bringing 'Eastern Promises' to Blu-ray[teaser]Universal has announced a mid-October bow for the David Cronenberg crime drama 'Eastern Promises.'[/teaser] Though not as well received as past Cronenberg efforts, 'Eastern Promises' scored a Best Actor Oscar nod for star Viggo Mortensen as well as strong sales on video. Coming almost a year after the HD DVD and standard DVD releases, Universal will bow 'Eastern Promises' on Blu-ray October 14. Tech specs for the BD-50 dual-layer presentation include 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround. Bonus features are as slim as on the previous HD DVD and DVD versions, with a pair of featurettes ("Secrets and Stories," "Marked for Life") the only extras. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95. You'll find specs for 'Eastern Promises' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 14.Posted Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Rumor Patrol: Sony Planning December Blu-ray Bow for 'Hancock'?[teaser]Sony Pictures has yet to announce it, but an overseas release date for 'Hancock,' is fueling speculation that the studio is planning to debut the domestic Blu-ray in early December.[/teaser] The latest blockbuster for Will Smith, 'Hancock' has grossed over $200 million (and counting) at the domestic box office despite dodging a raft of poor reviews. At press time, Sony had yet to outline its video plans for 'Hancock,' though a December 1 Blu-ray and DVD release in the UK has been announced by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Europe (boding well for the domestic version). Retail channels have also reportedly begun planning for a likely December 2 street date for the Blu-ray, due day-and-date with a standard DVD. Again, Sony has yet to officially announce 'Hancock' for Blu-ray, so at this point the information should remain safely in the rumor department. We'll keep you posted. As we await further word on Sony's plans for 'Hancock,' you find a new listing for the title linked from the "Release Dates Pending" section our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Who: Kilburn 1977' Coming to Blu-ray[teaser]Image Entertainment has announced a November Blu-ray release for the classic concert film 'The Who: Kilburn 1977.'[/teaser] Capturing the band's return to the London stage after a year-long hiatus, 'Kilburn 1977' features legendary live performances of such classics as 'Behind Blue Eyes,' 'My Generation' and 'Baba O'Riley.' Image Entertainment will release 'Kilburn 1977' on November 18, day-and-date with the standard DVD. Tech specs include 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (1.78:1) and audio options in English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. Extras include a performance by The Who at the Coliseum in 1969 -- a never-before-seen full length concert with the first complete live performance of "Tommy." This extra concert is comprised of unrestored footage from the original 16mm films with all the inherent technical problems included. Sound specs include English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. Also included is a trailer for The Who At Kilburn 1977 Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.98. You'll find specs for 'The Who: Kilburn 1977' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 18.Posted Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Exclusives Highlight 'Planet of the Apes' Blu-ray Box Set[teaser]Unveiling their most extensive high-def box set yet, Fox has released details for the November Blu-ray debut of all five classic 'Planet of the Apes' films.[/teaser] One of the most iconic sci-fi franchises in cinema history, the five 'Apes' films -- 'Planet of the Apes,' 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes,' 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes,' 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes' and 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes' -- will be packaged on Blu-ray as 'Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution Collection,' which will hit stores on November 4. This six-disc set will see each 'Apes' film get its own BD-50 dual-layer disc (with an additional disc for extras), each in remastered 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and with DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround tracks. Standard extras will see all the same material from Fox's previous 'Apes' DVD releases, including multiple audio and text commentaries, the "Behind the Planet of the Apes" documentary, additional featurettes, multiple still galleries, rare archival materials, and theatrical trailers for all five films. Exclusive to the Blu-ray box set will be a slew of bonus materials both rare and never-before-seen. Included on all five films will be an isolated score in DTS-MA 5.1 Surround audio, while the original 'Planet of the Apes' also gets a BonusView (Profile 1.1) picture-in-picture track dubbed "Science of the Planet of the Apes," which explores the scientific background of the series. Additional exclusives include a new HD featurette for each film ("Evolution of the Apes," "Impact of the Apes," "The Secret Behind Escape," "Riots and Revolutions: Confronting the Times," "End of an Epic: The Final Battle"), the BD-Java interactive game "Beyond the Forbidden Zone," and a PSA from NASA. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set has been placed at $159.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 4.Posted Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony to Drop 'Dr. Strangelove' on Blu-ray this December[teaser]Mark your calendars, Kubrick fans: Sony Pictures has announced a December Blu-ray debut for the comedy classic 'Dr. Strangelove.'[/teaser] Starring Peter Sellars and widely considered one of Kubrick's finest efforts, 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' will make its much-anticipated bow on Blu-ray December 9. Given the early lead time of the studio's announcement, there are no tech specs or supplement details available. However, Sony previously released a special edition DVD release, so a comparable batch of bonus features is expected. Stay tuned. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.95. You'll find preliminary specs for 'Dr. Strangelove' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 9.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Anchor Bay to Cash in 'Mad Money' on Blu-ray[teaser]In an early alert to retailers, Anchor Bay has set a November Blu-ray arrival for the comedy 'Mad Money.'[/teaser] Starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes, 'Mad Money' failed to ring up much in the way of receipts at the box office during its brief theatrical run earlier this year, and likewise did little business when it hit DVD last May. Anchor Bay will give the Callie Khourie-directed heist comedy another shot on Blu-ray when it hits stores November 18. Given the early announcement, there are no tech specs or supplement details as of yet. We'll keep you posted. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95. You'll find preliminary specs for 'Mad Money' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 18.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Taxi Driver' Coming to Blu-ray in 2009[teaser]In a very early announcement, Sony Pictures will bring the Martin Scorsese classic 'Taxi Driver' to Blu-ray in February 2009.[/teaser] One of the seminal films of the '70s, the multiple Oscar nominee (including nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and stars Robert DeNiro and Jodie Foster) will get a much-requested Blu-ray debut on February 3, 2009. As this is an unusually early announcement, Sony has not divulged any tech specs or supplement details for 'Taxi Driver.' Previously released on standard DVD in multiple editions, extras should at least be comparable to past versions -- we'll keep you posted. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.95. You'll find preliminary specs for 'Taxi Driver' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 3, 2009.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony to Double Dip 'Casino Royale' Blu-ray in October[teaser]Ending months of rumors, Sony Pictures has confirmed that James Bond will return for a double dip of 'Casino Royale,' which will hit Blu-ray this October as a two-disc collector's edition.[/teaser] Originally released on high-def in March 2007 to big sales, 'Casino Royale' has long been rumored to receive the deluxe treatment thanks to the original release's relatively paltry bonus features. Now Sony has confirmed an October 21 street date for the 'Casino Royale: Collector's Edition' Blu-ray, day-and-date with a new DVD re-issue. The two-disc set will sport tech specs similar to the previous edition, with the film presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio, and new to the special edition, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround option. Extras are extensive, with the set including a pair of cast & crew audio commentaries (participants TBA), a suite of documentaries ("Becoming Bond," "James Bond: For Real," "Bond Girls are Forever"), an additional pair of featurettes ("The Road to Casino Royale," "Ian Fleming: The Secret Road to Paradise"), six deleted scenes, two storyboard presentations, filmmaker profiles, and the Chris Cornell music video for "You Know My Name." The Blu-ray release will also feature an e-Movie Cash ticket for the upcoming 22nd James Bond adventure, 'Quantum of Solace.' Suggested list price for the two-disc Blu-ray has been set at $38.95. You'll find specs for 'Casino Royale (2006, Collector's Edition)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 21.Posted Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 01:30 PM PDT by:
