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Netflix Announces Summer 2019 Premiere for 'Stranger Things' Season 3[teaser]Viewers will have to wait a little longer for their next trip to Hawkins, Indiana.[/teaser] According to a report by Entertainment Weekly, Netflix has announced a release window for the third season of Stranger Things. Though fans were hoping for a 2018 premiere, the new season is now slated to start streaming in summer 2019. The news comes from Netflix programming executive Cindy Holland, who made the announcement during the Television Critics Association's press tour. The extra time is being used to make sure the new episodes are as good as they can be, with Holland teasing a "bigger and better" season marked by even more special effects work. Season one of Stranger Things originally premiered in July 2016 and season two debuted in October 2017. Though plot details for the new season have not been revealed yet, Netflix did recently release a playful teaser highlighting a new location for the series. Check out the promo clip below to learn all about Hawkins' exciting new shopping mall -- complete with an appearance by everyone's favorite baseball bat wielding bad boy turned babysitter, Steve Harrington (Joe Keery)! In addition to Steve, the promo clip also features new cast member Maya Hawke as 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." Stranger Things 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. Seasons one and two are now available to stream through Netflix. In addition, the first season is also available on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. Source: Entertainment WeeklyPosted Mon Jul 30, 2018 at 11:25 AM PDT by: -
Amazon Recruits 'Star Trek 4' Writers for 'Lord of The Rings' Prequel Series[teaser]A creative team has been announced for the upcoming streaming series.[/teaser] As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon has hired writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay to develop the studio's new Lord of the Rings prequel series for Prime Video. Though plot details remain elusive, the show is expected to premiere by 2021. The news comes from Amazon Studios' head of TV and film Jennifer Salke, who made the announcement during the recent Television Critics Association's summer press tour. JD Payne and Patrick McKay were chosen to help spearhead the project after an extensive search. The pair also wrote the upcoming fourth entry in the big screen Star Trek franchise and are attached to Disney's Jungle Cruise set to star The Rock. Salke also revealed that Amazon is still in talks with director Peter Jackson about his potential involvement with the series. Jackson previously directed the big screen Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies for New Line Cinema. Amazon's $250 million agreement with the Tolkien estate, HarperCollins, and New Line Cinema covers the small screen rights to the Lord of the Rings franchise for a five-season commitment. Likewise, the deal also includes the potential for a spin-off series. With that said, in order to be in compliance with the contract, Amazon has to get production rolling on the project within two years. And it's looking like the whole endeavor could end up costing more than Smaug's treasure. All in, the budget estimate for the proposed five-season run is over $1 billion. An exact release date for the new Lord of the Rings series has not been announced yet, but the show will debut exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. Sources: The Hollywood ReporterPosted Mon Jul 30, 2018 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: Deezer Hi-Fi Streaming Arrives on Samsung Products, DTS Play-Fi Expands Alexa Support, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the launch of Deezer HiFi on Samsung products, expanded Alexa support for DTS Play-Fi devices, and more.[/teaser] From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed. For this edition, we're covering the launch of Deezer Hi-Fi streaming on select Samsung audio products, the expansion of "Works with Alexa" support to more DTS Play-Fi devices, and the release of Echobox's newest earphones. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Samsung Adds Deezer Hi-Fi Audio Streaming Support to Select Audio Devices Samsung has announced the launch of Deezer High Fidelity Lossless Audio support on select audio products. "At Samsung, we prioritize innovation and sound quality when introducing audio products to our consumers," said Taeho Park, Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "We are driven by our commitment to providing a listening experience that’s unrivaled by our competitors, and our partnership with Deezer speaks directly to our mission to produce the best sound quality in the market." Unlike typical lossy compressed digital music services, Deezer HiFi allows users to stream tracks at 16-Bit/ 44.1 kHz lossless CD quality. In addition, the service also includes a personal soundtrack feature called Flow. Flow uses smart data to compile favorite music and new recommendations. Likewise, the platform offers ad-free listening, unlimited music play with access to 36 million HiFi tracks, an extensive library of playlists, and more. "Our partnership with Samsung ensures that Deezer HiFi and Samsung users will have even more opportunities to discover and experience the music they love in the way it was meant to be heard," said Riad Hawa, Vice President of Hardware Partnerships at Deezer. "Providing greater accessibility to FLAC quality sound is really important to us and to all audiophiles who have a greater appreciation for lossless audio. Teaming up with Samsung allows us to deliver the best quality sound to our consumers who care about high quality sound." Deezer HiFi is now available through select Samsung sound bars and wireless speakers, including the company's Wireless Audio 360 collection. The music streaming service currently costs $20 per month, and new subscribers can receive a free 30-day trial. Source: Samsung Alexa Support Expands to More DTS Play-Fi Devices DTS has announced the expansion of "Works with Amazon Alexa" support to several additional DTS Play-Fi enabled audio products. The feature is now compatible with select devices from Aerix, Klipsch, McIntosh, Onkyo, Pioneer, Phorus, and Soundcast. "DTS Play-Fi is excited to have built an open wireless multi-room audio platform that offers both integrated Alexa Voice Services (AVS) and Works with Alexa certification, giving consumers the most flexibility when it comes to voice control," said Dannie Lau, general manager, DTS Play-Fi, at Xperi. "As more customers request and use voice control with Alexa, we will continue to expand support for Alexa in the DTS Play-Fi family of products to create a seamless experience for users." With the "Works with Amazon Alexa" feature for compatible DTS Play-Fi products, users can control audio playback from another room via spoken commands through an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Show, or other Alexa device. Customers just need to link an Amazon account to their compatible DTS Play-Fi product. One linked, Alexa will recognize the speaker by name and users can begin to play, adjust volume, skip tracks forward, mute, pause, stop, and more with their voice. Here's a full rundown of DTS Play-Fi products that have received Works with Alexa support per DTS: Aerix Duet Klipsch Gate Klipsch PowerGate Klipsch RW-1 Klipsch "The Capital Three" Klipsch "The Three" McIntosh MB50 streaming audio player McIntosh RS100 Onkyo P3 Smart Speaker Phorus PS10 Smart Speaker Pioneer F4 Smart Speaker Soundcast VG10 DTS Play-Fit tech enables customers to wirelessly play high quality lossless music from smartphones and tablets over an existing Wi-Fi network throughout the home. The tech can synchronize playback of a single source to multiple speakers; can stream different sources to different speakers simultaneously from the same mobile device; and can support individual music streams to separate speakers from different devices at the same time. Likewise, Play-Fi is not brand exclusive. This means that Play-Fi audio products from different manufacturers can actually work together seamlessly. Works with Alexa support is also set to be added to even more DTS Play-Fi products throughout the year, including select sound bars and receivers. Source: DTS Echobox Releases Ti-22BT Bluetooth Earphones Echobox has announced the release of its latest audio device. The new Ti-22BT earphones are the world's first Bluetooth earphones crafted from Titanium housings. "The Ti-22BT was designed for a simple and important purpose, which is to deliver the highest quality sound available in today's wireless audio market, and pair this sound with the most durable and functional Bluetooth design ever crafted," said Echobox Vice President Sam McKinney. "By using Titanium, we were able to accomplish this task by creating an earphone with housings that are both intensely strong, yet exceptionally light. Once we had the housings, we completed the project by precision tuning the inner drivers to our established Echobox sonic standards, resulting in the most 'audiophile' sound presentation available in any current Bluetooth earphone." The Bluetooth earphones feature machined titanium housings, offering a nearly indestructible yet still very lightweight design. In addition, the Ti-22BT uses a wing-tip ear hook style, and each unit includes a pair of Comply T-400 Isolation Series heat-reactive memory foam ear tips, silicone tips, and a cloth carry bag. Charging is handled via a single micro-USB port and battery life is rated for eight hours. Here's a full rundown of key specs and features per Echobox: Housings: Machined Titanium Drivers: 6mm Wear Style: In-Ear Bluetooth: V4.1 aptX Sensitivity: 94 dB/mw Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz THD: <0.5% The Echobox Ti-22BT Titanium Bluetooth Earphones are now available for an MSRP of $129. Source: EchoboxPosted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 09:55 PM PDT by: -
'The Shield: The Complete Series' Finally Heads to Blu-ray![teaser]All 88 episodes of the groundbreaking series have received 4K restorations and will be hitting Blu-ray in November. UPDATE: The release date is now December 18. [/teaser] Mill Creek Entertainment is set to release 'The Shield: The Complete Series' on Blu-ray on November 06, but the release date is now December 18. Controversial, compelling and critically acclaimed, The Shield takes place in a tough, morally ambiguous world in which the line between right and wrong is crossed every day and the road to justice is twisted. Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winner Michael Chiklis portrays one of television’s greatest antiheros, Detective Vic Mackey, who runs his elite Strike Team under his own set of rules as he tries to maintain balance in the criminal ecosystem on the streets of Los Angeles. Creator Shawn Ryan hails this Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set “as the exclamation point to the legacy of The Shield.” Ryan recalls, “A high-definition restoration was not possible until now.” Thanks to a new patented process, the entire series has undergone a 4k transfer and restoration from the 16mm film elements preserving the intentional grit and raw texture that’s unique to this series. “We are thrilled to be able to present The Shield in its entirety, available for the first time on Blu-ray having been masterfully restored in widescreen, high definition,” says Barrett Evans, VP of Marketing and Product Development for Mill Creek Entertainment. “The series had a monumental impact on television when it debuted, and its themes and subject matter are still poignant and relevant today.” In celebration of this release, Mill Creek Entertainment is orchestrating a reunion with the principal cast and crew including Shawn Ryan, Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins, Jay Karnes, Benito Martinez, CCH Pounder, Cathy Cahlin Ryan, Kenny Johnson, David Rees Snell, Paula Garcés, and David Marciano. Also included on this special Blu-ray release will be a writers panel from the ATX Festival featuring Ryan, Kurt Sutter, and Glen Mazzara plus interviews with the executives and critics who framed and followed the show as it changed the television landscape. “The Shield redefined cable television and paved the way for a new level of hard-hitting shows that followed,” says J.W. Starrett, Director of Product Development for Mill Creek Entertainment. “Getting the cast and crew back together 10 years after the final episode aired gives some really interesting insight and fascinating stories about their experience working on the show.” Additional special features will be included from previous DVD releases as well as new features currently in development. A complete listing will be announced in the coming weeks. The exclusive Blu-ray features include: The Shield Reunion – cast & crew reunion special to reminisce and reflect on being a part of this landmark series The Shield: A Retrospective – a look back at the lasting impact the series has had on TV and how its themes are still relevant today Restoring The Shield – a behind-the-scenes look at the technological processes involved in the High Definition upgrade The Critical Response to The Shield – how critics initially received the series and if/how their opinions changed throughout the duration of the series' run The Shield Writers Room Reunion from the ATX Festival Panel AND MORE... The Shield originally aired on FX from 2002-2008. Created by Shawn Ryan, the series won 2 Golden Globe® awards, including Best Television Series – Drama, a Primetime Emmy® award and 2 AFI Awards for “TV Program of the Year.” The series is also included on numerous “Top TV Shows Of All Time” from publications including TV Guide, Time and Rolling Stone. You can find the latest specs for The Shield: The Complete Series linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 18. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 07:13 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'The First,' 'Disenchantment,' and More[teaser]A new Hulu series starring Sean Penn and Matt Groening's latest animated series are among this week's streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Demetri Martin: The Overthinker (Netflix, August 10) - With his signature one-liners and drawings, Demetri Martin muses on doughnut holes, dogs, sports bars, the alphabet's most aggressive letters and more. Disenchantment (Netflix, August 17) - From the mind of Matt Groening, comes the 10-episode adult animated comedy fantasy series, Disenchantment. In Disenchantment, viewers will be whisked away to the crumbling medieval kingdom of Dreamland, where they will follow the misadventures of hard-drinking young princess Bean, her feisty elf companion Elfo, and her personal demon Luci. Along the way, the oddball trio will encounter ogres, sprites, harpies, imps, trolls, walruses, and lots of human fools. The series will feature the voice talents of Abbi Jacobson (“Bean”), Eric Andre (“Luci”), and Nat Faxon (“Elfo”) along with John DiMaggio, Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, David Herman, Matt Berry, Jeny Batten, Rich Fulcher, Noel Fielding, and Lucy Montgomery. To All The Boys I've Loved Before (Netflix, August 17) - What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once? Lara Jean Song Covey’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control when the love letters for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all– are mysteriously mailed out. From New York Times Bestselling Author, Jenny Han, the film adaption of the popular YA novel stars Lana Condor (Alita: Battle Angel, X-Men: Apocalypse), Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars) and Noah Centineo (Sierra Burgess Is A Loser, The Fosters), directed by Susan Johnson. Paradise PD (Netflix, August 31) - They’re bad cops. Not bad like no nonsense. Not bad like cool. Bad like shitty. Paradise PD: They’re the worst responders. From the creators of Brickleberry comes this take on a small-town police department. Cable Girls: Season 3 (Netflix, September 7) - Welcome to the 30's. This season, they'll have to stand their ground. Coming 7 September. Watch Las Chicas Del Cable on Netflix: LINK Season 3 of Netflix's first original Spanish series features Blanca Suárez, Ana Fernández, Nadia de Santiago, Maggie Civantos, Ana Polvorosa, Yon González, and Martiño Rivas, among others. The Dragon Prince (Netflix, September 14) - Two human princes forge an unlikely bond with the elfin assassin sent to kill them, embarking on an epic quest to bring peace to their warring lands. In addition, Netflix has announced a second season renewal for Altered Carbon. The show comes from Skydance Television and is based on Richard K. Morgan's series of science fiction novels. Season two will star Anthony Mackie (Avengers: Indinity War) as Takeshi Kovacs. Laeta Kalogridis will serve as co-showrunner and executive producer along with Alison Schapker. All Or Nothing: Manchester City (Amazon Prime Video, August 17) - In this ground-breaking docu-series, follow Manchester City F.C. behind the scenes throughout their Premier League winning, record-breaking ‘17-18 season. Get an exclusive look into one of the best global sports clubs, including never-before-seen locker room footage with legendary coach Pep Guardiola, and delve into the players’ lives off and on the pitch. The Man In The High Castle: Season 3 (Amazon Prime Video, October 5) - Based on Philip K. Dick's award-winning novel, and executive produced by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), and Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files), The Man in the High Castle explores what it would be like if the Allied Powers had lost WWII, and Japan and Germany ruled the United States. Starring Rufus Sewell (John Adams), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars), and Alexa Davalos (Mob City). Good Omens (Amazon Prime Video, Coming 2019) - Good Omens takes place in 2018 when the Apocalypse is near and Final Judgment is set to descend upon humanity. According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch (the world’s only completely accurate book of prophecies), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, and tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming war. And…someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist. Crime + Punishment (Hulu, August 24) - Amidst a landmark class action lawsuit over illegal policing quotas, Crime + Punishment chronicles the real lives and struggles of a group of black and Latino whistleblower cops and the young minorities they are pressured to arrest and summons in New York City. A highly intimate and cinematic experience with unprecedented access, Crime + Punishment examines the United States' most powerful police department through the brave efforts of a group of active duty officers and one unforgettable private investigator who risk their careers and safety to bring light to harmful policing practices which have plagued the precincts and streets of New York City for decades. The First (Hulu, September 14) - Created by Beau Willimon (House of Cards) and starring Sean Penn. Set in the near future (2030), this groundbreaking story explores the challenges of taking the first steps towards Mars. Viewers will get an intimate look at the dedicated characters trying to reach the unknown while dealing with the psychological and physical toll it takes to achieve the impossible. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 07:10 PM PDT by: -
Disney Announces Cast for 'Star Wars: Episode IX'[teaser]Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will both make appearances in the final installment of the Skywalker story.[/teaser] Disney has revealed a full cast list for Star Wars: Episode IX. In addition, the studio has announced that filming will commence on August 1, 2018 at Pinewood Studios in London. The movie comes from director J.J. Abrams and is set to hit theaters in December, 2019. The film's returning cast will include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd, along with new additions Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. Meanwhile, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams will all be featured as well. Likewise, Carrie Fisher will also make an appearance in the film as Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. "We desperately loved Carrie Fisher," says Abrams. "Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie's legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII." The film is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a script written by Abrams and Chris Terrio. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan are all on board as producers. Finally, John Williams will once again return to compose the movie's score. Beyond Episode IX, Disney is also developing a new trilogy of Star Wars films with director Rian Johnson, and Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are also working on new films for the franchise. Meanwhile, Jon Favreau has been tapped to executive produce and write a new live-action Star Wars show for Disney's upcoming streaming platform. Source: StarWars.comPosted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 02:20 PM PDT by: -
Everything Coming to iTunes & the Apple TV App in August 2018[teaser]Check out all the new digital titles coming to the iTunes library and Apple TV App in August.[/teaser] Apple has revealed its August lineup of iTunes movies and TV shows. The collection includes films like Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2, Tag, Ocean's 8, and Hereditary, along with series like The Handmaid's Tale: Season 2, Billions: Season 3, and more. And beyond iTunes, Apple has also compiled a list of August streaming titles set to be available via the Apple TV App on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices. The Apple TV App allows users to browse through content from over 60 video services without switching from one app to the next, including titles from Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, Showtime, CBS All Access, Hulu, and many other pay-TV subscriptions. Here's a full rundown of August iTunes titles per Apple: Movies 7/31 Avengers: Infinity War 7/31 LEGO DC Super Heroes: Aquaman 8/7 Deadpool 2 8/7 Death of Superman 8/7 Life of the Party 8/7 Show Dogs 8/7 Breaking In 8/14 Scooby Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost 8/14 Tag 8/14 Action Point 8/14 Book Club 8/21 Ocean’s 8 8/21 DC Superhero Girls: Legends of Atlantis 8/21 Hereditary 8/21 Adrift 8/28 Black Water 8/28 DC: Freedom Fighters: The Ray 8/28 Barbie: Dolphin Magic 8/28 Scooby-Doo! And the Gourmet Ghost Movies Indies 8/3 RBG 8/7 The Rider 8/7 Summer 1993 8/7 On Chesil Beach 8/7 A Prayer Before Dawn (same day as theaters) 8/10 Elizabeth Harvest (same day as theaters) 8/14 First Reformed 8/14 American Animals 8/14 Mountain 8/21 Hereditary 8/21 Won’t You Be My Neighbor? 8/21 Beast 8/24 Summer of 84 (same day as theaters) 8/28 Support the Girls (same day as theaters) TV 8/5 The Venture Bros S7 8/6 Succession, Season 1 8/10 The Handmaid’s Tale, Season 2 8/11 Freaky Friday 8/11 Paw Patrol Vol. 10 8/13 Sharp Objects Season 1 8/13 Billions Season 3 8/14 Sons of Anarchy, Seasons 1-7 (Digital Box) 8/31 Impractical Jokers And here's a rundown of August streaming titles set to arrive on various digital services through the Apple TV App: 8/1 The Sinner S2 (USA) 8/1 Alone Together S2 (Freeform) 8/2 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (CMT) 8/2 Shahs of Sunset S7 (Bravo) 8/3 Animals S3 (HBO NOW) 8/3 Random Acts of Flyness S1 (HBO) 8/5 Keeping up with the Kardashians S15 (E!) 8/5 Chesapeake Shores S3 (Hallmark) 8/6 Better Call Saul S4 (AMC) 8/6 Lodge 49 (AMC) 8/6 Agatha Christie, S1 (Prime Video) 8/7 Bachelor in Paradise (ABC) 8/7 Castaways (ABC) 8/7 Wrecked S3 (TBS) 8/8 Are you the One S7 (MTV) 8/12 Get Shorty, S2 (EPIX) 8/12 Fear the Walking Dead S4B (AMC) 8/12 Ballers S4(HBO) 8/12 Insecure S3 (HBO) 8/13 All or Nothing: Manchester City, S1 (Prime Video) 8/18 Esme & Roy, S1 (HBO) 8/19 Sharknado 6 (Syfy) 8/20 The Last Ship S5 (TNT) 8/24 The Contender (EPIX) 8/28 GreenLeaf S3 (OWN) 8/30 One Dollar (CBS All Access) 8/31 Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Prime Video) Source: iTunesPosted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 01:40 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Snags Rights to Andy Serkis' 'Mowgli'[teaser]The upcoming Jungle Book adaptation is swinging to Netflix in 2019.[/teaser] According to a report by Deadline, Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to Andy Serkis' Mowgli from Warner Bros. Pictures. While the movie was previously set for an October 19 theatrical debut through Warner Bros., Netflix is now planning to release the film through its streaming service in 2019, along with a theatrical run to allow viewers a chance to see the movie in 3D. The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins. Mowgli blends live action and motion capture performances. The motion capture cast for the animal characters includes Christian Bale as Bagheera, Cate Blanchett Kaa, Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Naomie Harris as Nisha, Andy Serkis as Baloo, Peter Mullan as Akela, and Tom Hollander as Tabaqui. Meanwhile, the live action ensemble playing the human characters includes Matthew Rhys as Lockwood, Freida Pinto as Messua, and Rohan Chand as Mowgli. The film is produced by Steve Kloves, Jonathan Cavendish, and David Barron, along with Nikki Penny who is on board as an executive producer. Andy Serkis directs from a script written by Callie Kloves. Though Disney released a similar live action/motion capture version of The Jungle Book back in 2016 from director Jon Favreau, this new take promises a darker and more serious approach to the classic story. Mowgli marks the latest Netflix acquisition of a film originally slated for a traditional theatrical release from a major studio. The streaming platform previously purchased and debuted The God Particle from Paramount earlier this year. Source: DeadlinePosted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Prediction: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Will Open June 7, 2019 at Disneyland[Teaser]Does Disneyland's Deluxe Annual Passport Blockout Date Calendar predict the opening day of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Here's our theory.[/Teaser] Venture with me, friends, to Batuu, a remote outpost on the galaxy edge. Home to smugglers and rogues and adventurers, it's a smart place to hide out from First Order. And starting next year, it's a place where you'll have a chance to fly the Millenium Falcon, board a Star Destroyer during a battle, drink blue milk in a Cantina, and mingle with your favorite Star Wars characters. That's right, for the first time in the history of the 40-year franchise, fans are going to literally be able to step into the Star Wars Universe in a new theme park land called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. What We Know Currently under construction, Disney Parks says Galaxy's Edge will open "Summer 2019" at the Disneyland Resort in California and "late Fall 2019" at Walt Disney World in Flordia. There's also going to be a Star Wars Hotel in Flordia, but no opening "season" has been set. As alluded to above, there will be at least two rides and a restaurant. The Star Destroyer-set ride has been described by Disney Imagineers as the most epic attraction ever created. It will send riders on a Resistance Transport ship into a battle, around life-sized AT-AT walkers, and into a Star Destroyer. The second ride is a Millenium Falcon flight simulator. It should be a bit like Star Tours, but much more interactive with your ability to flip switches and press buttons. As for the Cantina, the only confirmed food or beverage item is the blue milk. I'm personally less familiar with the Florida iteration (so we have no prediction about that), but if you're ever in Anaheim, the best way to sneak a peek at Galaxy's Edge is to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which has been offering riders glimpses of the construction for over a year. If you'd like to learn more about Batuu, the droid L3-37 references the planet while talking to Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story and, apparently, the Thrawn Alliances novel, written by Timothy Zahn, makes a few references as well. The Reasoning Behind Our Prediction Outside "Summer 2019", Disney hasn't officially announced a specific opening date for Galaxy's Edge in California, but we think there might be a big clue tucked into Disneyland's Annual Passport Blockout Date Calendars. The Deluxe Annual Passport is a mid-tier passport, giving folks park-hopper access to both the Disneyland Park or Disney's California Adventure most Sundays through Fridays during busier months. Generally, Deluxe blockout dates include March-to-September Saturdays along with big holiday weekends and the last two weeks of the year (Christmas & New Year's). Disneyland and California Adventure blockout dates have traditionally been synced; check one calendar to see if you can enter both parks. Last month, Disney separated the Disneyland Park and California Adventure blockout date calendars. Meaning, if you're an annual passport holder, you now need to check two calendars to see if you can enter a given park on a given day. Many speculated Disney's blockout date park-splitting was being put in place in advance of the large crowds expected for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The idea, we think, is to get most tiers of Annual Passport holders used to checking two calendars and the idea that park entry can and will vary. But since the new split-calendars appeared, we haven't seen any variances between the two park schedules... Until now. Annual Passport Blockout Date Calendars typically preview up to one year in advance. As I write this, you can currently see July 2018 through June 2019. And it's in June of next year where I think we can pinpoint the exact launch date of Disneyland's iteration of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Checking out the Deluxe Annual Passport Calendar, June 2019 looks different from any other June in recent history. Not only are there no Saturday blockout dates at Disney's California Adventure, but, after June 2, 2019, Deluxe Annual Passport holders won't be able to enter Disneyland Park on any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Ergo, my prediction: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens on Friday, June 7, 2019, or, if that Friday becomes an invite-only media day, Saturday, June 8, 2019 will serve as the grand opening. What do you think, readers? Have we cracked the code? Let us know your theories in the comments and tell us what you hope to see most in Galaxy's Edge, or what you hope the Disney Imagineers capture about Star Wars in this new park. Cheers! Sources: CNET, Disney Parks, DisneylandGalaxy's Edge Renderings Source: StarWars.comPosted Fri Jul 27, 2018 at 09:58 AM PDT by: -
'Ocean's 8' Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The movie starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna and Anne Hathaway will be available in stores this September. [/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Brothers has been preparing 'Ocean's 8' for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and now the date has been set for September 11. Five years, eight months, 12 days...and counting. That's how long Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock)—just released from prison—has been concocting the greatest heist of her storied career. She knows what it's going to take—a team of the best in their field, starting with her former partner-in-crime Lou (Cate Blanchett). Together, they recruit a crew of specialists: jeweler Amita (Mindy Kaling), street con Constance (Awkwafina), expert fence Tammy (Sarah Paulson), hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna) and fashion designer Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter). The target is $150 million in diamonds—diamonds that will adorn the neck of world-famous actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway), who will be center stage at the event of the year, the Met Gala. Their plan appears rock solid, but it will need to be flawless if the team is to get in and get away—all in plain sight. The 4K UHD will feature Dolby Vision HDR as well as a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and supplements on both releases include: • A Heist in Heels • Ocean’s Team 3.0 • Reimagining the Met Gala • Deleted Scenes You can find the latest specs for Ocean's 8 linked from our Blu-ray and 4K Release Schedules, where it is indexed under September 11. Order the Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Thu Jul 26, 2018 at 07:35 PM PDT by:
