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Paramount Adds Extras, DTS-HD MA to 'Top Gun' Blu-ray[teaser]Announced last week for a July 29 arrival on Blu-ray, Paramount has now officially confirmed specs for 'Top Gun,' which will outgun the earlier HD DVD version with multiple high-res audio formats and several new-to-high-def bonus features.[/teaser] Unlike the bare-bones HD DVD (released last November), the Blu-ray edition will port over all of the supplements found on the previous special edition DVD release, including audio commentary (with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and co-screenwriter Jack Epps, Jr.), the featurette "Danger Zone: The Making Of Top Gun," a multi-angle storyboard comparison, still gallery, music videos and TV spots. Tech specs include 1080p video, English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio (identical to the HD DVD) and in a first for Paramount, a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 6.1 Surround option. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.99. You'll find final specs 'Top Gun' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under its new date of July 29. We've also set up a dedicated thread for Paramount's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Top Gun' Blu-ray release.Posted Thu Jun 5, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Tai Seng Plans 'Perhaps Love' for Blu-ray[teaser]In an early alert to retailers, Tai Seng has set a late-July Blu-ray arrival for the Hong Kong musical 'Perhaps Love.'[/teaser] From legendary director Peter Chan, the big-budget Hong Kong musical was highly-praised for its lavish cinematography and intricate dance sequences, garnering a whopping 11 nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards. First released on standard DVD back in late 2005, Tai Seng will debut 'Perhaps Love' on Blu-ray this July 29 at a suggested retail price of $29.95 The company has not yet issued tech or supplement details, but we'll keep you updated as more information comes in. In the meantime, you'll find preliminary specs for 'Perhaps Love' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 29. We've also set up a dedicated thread for Tai Seng's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Perhaps Love' Blu-ray release.Posted Thu Jun 5, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Final Specs in for 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' Blu-ray[teaser]'The Sarah Chronicles' will hit Blu-ray this August with extensive extras, but without high-res audio.[/teaser] As we've previously reported, Warner announced plans last month to bring 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - The Complete First Season' to Blu-ray on August 19 (day-and-date with the standard DVD). The studio has now released final specs, with the set confirmed to include the complete 392-minute first season spread across two BD-50 dual-layer discs, presented in 1080p video and English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround only. Supplements will feature audio commentaries on select episodes with cast and crew, the featurette "Creating the Chronicles" (in full HD video), plus a "Terminated Scenes" compilation, a gag reel, cast auditions, a storyboard animatic, and an extended Director's Cut of the episode "The Demon Hand." As previously announced, suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.98. You'll find complete updated specs for 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - The Complete First Season' listed in our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 19. We've also set up a dedicated thread for Warner's latest TV release in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' Blu-ray release.Posted Wed Jun 4, 2008 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Dark Sky Jumps into Blu-ray with 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'[teaser]The original "buzz" is coming to Blu-ray, with Dark Sky Films announcing the high-def debut of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' for this September.[/teaser] One of the seminal '70s horror flicks, the original 'Chainsaw' will mark the next-gen premiere for DVD indie distributor Dark Sky, which has set a September 30 for the Blu-ray. Dark Sky has yet to issue any specific tech specs or supplement details, but the distributor is promising newly-remastered high-definition image and sound, as well as extensive bonus features. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.98. As always, we'll let you know when final details are confirmed. In the meantime, you'll find preliminary specs for 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 30. We've also set up a dedicated thread for Dark Sky's debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973)' Blu-ray release.Posted Wed Jun 4, 2008 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Paramount Unboxes Jack Ryan Films for Blu-ray[teaser]Paramount has apparently jettisoned plans to release the 'Jack Ryan Collection' box set on Blu-ray, opting instead to release all four films in the franchise as stand-alone BD releases this July.[/teaser] Originally announced for HD DVD release last year as the four-film 'The Jack Ryan Collection' (only to be recalled from stores days before its release), Paramount had been expected to ultimately issue a Blu-ray version of the box set. But word from the studio is to now expect the entire series -- 'The Hunt for Red October,' 'Patriot Games,' 'Clear and Present Danger' and 'The Sum of All Fears' -- to hit stores as individual Blu-ray releases on July 29. Paramount has yet to issue tech specs or supplement details for the four titles, but expectations are high that the studio will this time include bonus features on the discs (unlike the previously planned bare bones HD DVD box set). Suggested retail for each of the Blu-ray releases has been set at $29.99 apiece. You'll find preliminary specs for all four Jack Ryan films linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under July 29.Posted Wed Jun 4, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Original 'Lost Boys' to Join Sequel on Blu-ray This July[teaser]Warner has announced a late-July Blu-ray bow for the original vampires of 'The Lost Boys.' [/teaser] The beloved '80s cult hit starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric and the two Coreys (Haim and Feldman) will hit Blu-ray on July 29, timed to coincide with the high-def release of the just-announced sequel 'The Lost Boys: The Tribe.' Tech specs include 1080p/VC-1 video (2.35:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio, plus English, French and Spanish subtitles. Mirroring the previously-released standard DVD release, 'The Lost Boys' will feature audio commentary with director Joel Schumacher, a making-of documentary, five additional featurettes, deleted scenes, an interactive map of 'Lost Boys' locations, a music video and the theatrical trailer. The disc will also include the same picture-in-picture video commentary (with the two Coreys and actor Jamison Newlander) that appeared on the previous DVD. At press time there was no word on whether Warner would be updating the track to take advantage of the Blu-ray format's BonusView capabilities. Needless to say, we'll keep you posted. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.99. As always, you'll find specs for 'The Lost Boys' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 29. We've also set up a dedicated thread for Warner's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss 'The Lost Boys' Blu-ray release.Posted Wed Jun 4, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Disney Unwraps 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Specs[teaser]Full specs are in for 'Nightmare Before Christmas,' which is due to hit Blu-ray this Summer with hours of all-new bonus material, including an exclusive introduction from Tim Burton.[/teaser] As we've previously reported, late last week Disney set a August 26 Blu-ray arrival (day-and-date with a new standard DVD re-issue) for the Tim Burton holiday masterpiece. The studio has now issued the full press announcement, with tech specs set to include 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (1.66:1), English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Surround and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio (both 48kHz/24-bit), and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Supplements new to both the Blu-ray and DVD re-issue include audio commentary with Burton, director Henry Selick and composer Danny Elfman, the "What's This? Jack's Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour" interactive tour of Disneyland's Holiday Haunted Mansion, a "Tim Burton Original Poem" narrated by Christopher Lee, and "Introduction To Frankenweenie!" (a new un-cut version of Burton's classic short). Extras carried over from the previous standard DVD special edition release include "The Making of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" documentary, the "The Worlds of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" featurette, deleted scenes, a storyboard-to-film comparison, Burton's complete original short film 'Vincent,' and theatrical trailers and posters. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release will be a special introduction by Burton. Finally, as previously reported -- in a first for Disney -- both the Blu-ray and the standard DVD will include a Digital Copy of the film (dubbed "DisneyFile") for use on portable video devices. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99. You'll find final specs for 'Nightmare Before Christmas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 26. We've also set up a dedicated thread for Disney's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Blu-ray release.Posted Tue Jun 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Report: Universal Plotting 'Back to the Future' Blu-ray Release[teaser]'Back to the Future' fans got a sneak peek this past weekend at an apparently in-the-works Blu-ray release of the '80s favorite.[/teaser] As first reported by the site BTTF.com, 'Future' producer Bob Gale surprised fans at a special screening near Orlando with a new digital remaster of the flick, which he said had been produced for an eventual release on Blu-ray. "What you're going to be seeing today is the digital master for the upcoming high-definition Blu-ray version of 'Back to the Future,'" Gale told the crowd. "I don't know when it's coming out yet, but I was involved in the mastering of this tape, so I can tell you that it looks absolutely beautiful!" Gale also spoke to potential supplemental features on a Blu-ray version of the trilogy, saying only that never-before-seen bonus materials may appear, though he stopped short of offering any specifics At press time Universal had not confirmed nor denied plans for a 'Future' release on Blu-ray, but as always we'll keep you updated as any official news comes in. (Thanks to Mike for the tip!)Posted Tue Jun 3, 2008 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Rolling Stones to 'Shine a Light' on Blu-ray[teaser]Rock legends the Rolling Stones will make their Blu-ray debut in late July with the acclaimed concert film, 'Shine a Light.' [/teaser] Directed by Martin Scorsese, 'Shine a Light' earned rave reviews and big grosses during its theatrical run last year, including an IMAX release that broke house records for a concert film. Distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, the studio has set a July 29 street date for the Blu-ray, day-and-date with the DVD. Confirmed extras include a making-of featurette, plus four music videos ("Undercover Of The Night," "Paint It Black," "Little T and A," "I'm Free"). Tech specs have yet to be revealed, but we'll keep you posted. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.95. As always, you'll find the latest specs for 'Shine a Light' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 29. We've also set up a dedicated thread for the Rolling Stones' high-def debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Shine a Light' Blu-ray release.Posted Tue Jun 3, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blue Underground Previews Blu-ray Launch Titles[teaser]A new promo released by indie horror distributor Blue Underground reveals it will kick off its Blu-ray support with a host of grindhouse classics later this year.[/teaser] As we've previously reported, Blue Underground announced this past March that they were jumping into Blu-ray, although at the same they stopped short of issuing any exact titles. Now the distributor has revealed their initial title line-up via a video promo on their official website, promising the high-def debut of seminal exploitation fare from such filmmakers as Dario Argento, Ralph Bakashi and William Lustig. The nine titles confirmed to be part of Blue Underground's initial Blu-ray wave include: 'The Final Countdown,' 'The Bird With The Crystal Plumage,' 'The Stendhal Syndrome,' 'Maniac (1980),' 'Vigilante (1983),' 'Fire & Ice,' 'Dead & Buried,' 'Two Evil Eyes,' and 'Uncle Sam: I Want You... Dead!' According to Blue Underground, all of their initial Blu-ray titles will be presented on BD-50 dual-layer discs with full 1080p encodes and DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 7.1 Surround and/or Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Surround audio. The company has not yet revealed dates, bonus features or exact pricing for any of the announced titles, but we'll keep you posted with further details and specs as they're confirmed. In the meantime, we've added listings for all nine of Blue Underground's launch wave to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Stay tuned!Posted Tue Jun 3, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
