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Sonos Details New Beam Smart Sound Bar with Amazon Alexa[teaser]The new smart speaker is now available for pre-order.[/teaser] Sonos has revealed its latest audio device, the Sonos Beam. The smart sound bar is now available for pre-order for an MSRP of $399. Initial units are scheduled to be delivered by July 17. "In a smart speaker category increasingly filled with tech clutter, poor audio quality and ulterior motives, Beam is the best example yet of what makes Sonos different," said Sonos CEO Patrick Spence. "Our open approach, obsession with design, maniacal focus on quality and commitment to building a system that's easy to use and gets better over time are at the heart of everything we do. We believe we've created the best, most versatile, smart speaker in the world." The Sonos Beam uses four custom-built elliptical full-range woofers, three passive radiators, and a single tweeter. In addition, the device features a low profile, compact design measuring 25.6 inches long. A five linear far-field microphone array is integrated a well for advanced noise suppression and multi-channel echo cancellation, and the speaker offers integrated Amazon Alexa voice control functions. Support for additional voice assistants is planned for the future as well. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2 (via update in July), and HDMI-ARC. Likewise, the unit comes with an Optical Audio Adapter for displays that don't support HDMI-ARC. Meanwhile, the Sonos Beam can also be paired with two additional Sonos One speakers for surround sound and a Sonos SUB for extra bass. Likewise, the sound bar can be integrated into a user's existing Sonos multi-room set-up. The Sonos Beam will be available in black or white fabric with a matte finish. Source: Sonos via PR Newswire, SonosPosted Wed Jun 6, 2018 at 04:15 PM PDT by: -
New 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Trailer Looks like a Comic Book Brought to Life[teaser]The animated Spider-Man flick is swinging into theaters this December.[/teaser] Sony has released the official trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, offering fans an extended look at the film's gorgeous animated art style. The movie comes from executive producers Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, and is set to premiere on December 14, 2018. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of a different Spider-Man Universe, with a groundbreaking visual style that’s the first of its kind. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. Check out the official trailer below! The film stars the vocal talents of Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man, Jake Johnson as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman, Liev Schreiber as The Kingpin, Lily Tomlin as Aunt May, Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis, Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis, and Luna Lauren Velez as Rio Morales. Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman all serve as directors. The script comes from Phil Lord based on characters created by Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli, Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko. Other upcoming films in the Spider-Man franchise include Ruben Fleischer's Venom which is set to hit theaters on October 5, and a still currently untitled sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming which is scheduled for July 5, 2019. And beyond Spider-Man, Marvel is set to release Ant-Man and the Wasp on July 6, 2018, followed by Captain Marvel on March 6, 2019, Avengers 4 on May 3, 2019, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2020. Source: Sony (YouTube)Posted Wed Jun 6, 2018 at 01:55 PM PDT by: -
Father's Day Gear & Gadgets Gift Guide for 2018June has begun, which means Father's Day is just around the corner. And what's the perfect way to show your appreciation for dear old dad? Well, some of the latest and greatest home theater gear and gadgets, of course! For many dads, a sweet home theater setup can offer a welcomed respite from the pressures of daily work and parenting. And with one of those fancy new smart speakers, he might not ever need to leave the couch again. Well, except for bathroom breaks, of course. But with TVs, media players, sound bars, and other gadgets all varying wildly in quality and price, figuring out which products are right for your dad can be a little tricky. With that in mind, we've put together a special gift guide full of worthy gear items and accessories for any tech-loving father at every budget level. [teaser]Whether you're going all-in on an OLED display or opt for a more affordable streaming stick, these suggestions will all let dad know you care.[/teaser] Please note: prices are subject to change, and do not include taxes or shipping. Displays Sure to provide dad with endless hours of 4K HDR entertainment, these two display recommendations cover both ends of the Ultra HD TV spectrum, offering a killer bang-for-your buck Roku TV option from TCL and an industry-leading flagship OLED from LG. TCL 6-Series 55R617 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku TV ($650) - Packed with several advanced features normally reserved for more expensive sets, TCL's 6-Series just might offer the best performance to price ratio of any new display for 2018, cementing itself as one of, if not the, top 4K TV in its price range. The display includes Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, along with the Roku OS smart TV platform. In addition, the set uses full array local dimming with 96 zones (120 on the 65-inch model) for improved black levels and contrast. Likewise, the panel incorporates NBP Photon technology with LED phosphors to provide Wide Color Gamut support. A 65-inch model is available as well for an introductory price of just $1,000. Order from Best Buy (Note: Best Buy model does not include Voice Remote) LG OLED65C8PUA 65" 4K Ultra HD OLED TV ($3,462) - If money is no object, few home theater items would make a better gift for dad than one of LG's top-of-the-line 2018 OLED TVs. With some of the best overall picture quality on the market, this set offers perfect blacks and the company's new α (Alpha) 9 intelligent processor for improved image and color performance over last year's models. In addition, the panel also supports onboard Dolby Atmos audio and LG's 4K Cinema HDR suite of high dynamic range formats with wide color gamut capabilities, including Advanced HDR by Technicolor, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). Meanwhile, the TV's new ThinQ AI tech gives dad the option to take advantage of advanced voice assistant features by speaking directly into the remote. 55-inch ($2,497) and 77-inch ($8,997) C8 models are available as well. Order from Best Buy Sound Bars If you're tired of watching poor dad settle for wimpy integrated TV speakers, these sound bar suggestions should all offer a sizeable upgrade without breaking the bank or upsetting mom by taking up the entire living room. VIZIO SB2820n-E0 Sound bar Home Speaker ($71) - Basic but still a solid improvement over TV speakers, this 28" model might not include a subwoofer or advanced audio features, but it provides a simple, inexpensive 2-channel solution. The sound bar is rated for 95 dB with less than 1% Total Harmonic Distortion and a frequency response of 70 Hz - 19 KHz, and offers Dolby Digital playback and DTS sound enhancement through a digital optical connection. And though HDMI and Wi-Fi are not included, the device does support Bluetooth streaming. Polk Command Sound Bar with Amazon Alexa Voice Control ($300) - Offering added convenience, this sound bar model actually features built-in far-field microphones atop the device, enabling integrated Amazon Alexa support. With the Polk Connect Skill, users can control the speaker's master volume, mute, bass, sound modes, and source selection through voice commands. Likewise, customers can also ask Alexa to play music, control compatible smart home devices, provide news and weather, set alarms, read audiobooks from Audible, control a connected Amazon Fire TV, and more. The sound bar system incorporates two 1.25 x 3.25-inch full-range drivers, two 1-inch tweeters, and a ported, wireless 6.5-inch subwoofer. Connectivity options include dual HDMI 2.0b inputs with 4K Dolby Vision HDR passthrough, an optical input, an HDMI ARC out, a USB port, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Finally, Dolby and DTS audio decoding are offered as well. Samsung HW-K950/ZA 5.1.4 Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos Technology ($1,000) - Though a new 2018 HW-N950 7.1.4 model is set to arrive later this year, this 2016 5.1.4 sound bar system still has a lot to offer, providing a compact immersive audio solution. The package includes a 3.1.2-channel 47.6" sound bar unit with eleven built-in speakers, including two upward-firing drivers, along with two separate wireless rear satellite speakers with upward-firing drivers of their own. With that said, while the unit can properly decode Dolby Atmos tracks, it does not include DTS:X support, resulting in upconverted DTS mixes. Finally, the 500-watt system also includes a wireless subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, and HDMI with 4K pass-through. Media Players While it's likely that most of your dad's TVs already offer access to some apps, these dedicated streaming players will make sure that he's not missing out any digital content. And if dad does somehow still happen to have an old "dumb" HDMI TV, these set-top boxes and dongles will up its IQ in no time. Amazon Fire TV Stick ($40) - Amazon's compact streaming stick is limited to 1080p SDR video, but the affordable streaming solution offers access to over 15,000 apps, games, and Alexa skills including Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, YouTube, Prime Video, NBC, WatchESPN, Disney, and more. Likewise, the device includes the Alexa Voice Remote, allowing users to control functions through spoken commands. Roku Ultra ($99) - As the company's current flagship media player, the Roku Ultra offers support for 4K Ultra HD streaming and HDR10 (but not Dolby Vision) with access to 450,000+ movies and TV episodes across 4,500+ paid or free channels. A Dolby Digital Plus decoder with support for Dolby Atmos bitstreaming, USB input, Optical Digital Out, enhanced point anywhere remote with voice search, premium headphones for private listening, and gaming buttons are all integrated as well. Apple TV 4K ($179) - Marked by 4K playback capabilities at up to 60 frames per second with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and an upcoming Dolby Atmos update set for the fall, the Apple TV 4K just might be the most well-rounded media streamer on the market. In addition, the device is powered by the A10X Fusion chip and includes 4K scaling for HD sources, Siri voice search, iCloud support for media sharing, standard AirPlay capabilities, and the ability to serve as a smart home hub for HomeKit accessories with remote access and automated control. Smart Speakers Though a flesh-and-blood personal assistant is likely not an option for most dads, you can still get him the next best thing with a voice-controlled smart speaker -- offering hands-free access to music streaming, weather updates, football scores, smart home control, and more. Echo Dot ($40) - This compact, hands-free smart speaker is powered by Alexa -- allowing customers to ask questions, play music, turn on the lights, set timers, give sports updates, check the weather, access over 3,000 Alexa skills, and much more. The product is designed to be connected to existing speakers through a 3.5mm stereo cable or Bluetooth, enabling users to add voice control to their sound systems. In addition, the device also includes a small integrated speaker for use as an alarm clock or a voice assistant for smart home devices. The Echo Dot uses the same array of seven microphones found in the larger Amazon Echo, and this 2nd generation model features a more powerful speech processor for improved far-field speech recognition accuracy. Finally, the device also includes Amazon's new ESP (Echo Spatial Perception) tech. This feature automatically determines which Echo device should respond to a user's request when multiple Echo products are within hearing distance. Echo ($100) - Amazon's 2nd generation flagship smart speaker model features an updated design with a dedicated tweeter, a 2.5" down-firing woofer, and Dolby processing to deliver 360 degree omnidirectional audio. Likewise, Alexa support allows users to play music, make calls, set music alarms and timers, ask questions, control smart home devices, and more through spoken commands. In addition, the device uses the company's second generation far-field technology, offering improved wake word processing, beamforming technology, and enhanced noise cancellation. Supported music services include Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. Google Home ($99) - Google's smart speaker features a high-excursion driver with a dual passive radiator design, offering clean highs and deep lows for Hi-Fi streaming audio. The device also includes hidden LED lights and a capacitive touch surface on its top face, and buyers can customize the base with different colors and finishes. Using the new Google Assistant experience, Google Home lets customers ask questions, enjoy entertainment, stream music, and manage everyday tasks through conversational speech commands. Music support includes playback from services like Google Play Music, Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and YouTube Music (with additional platforms like iHeartRadio coming soon). Likewise, users can also stream audio directly from a smartphone to their Google Home by casting tracks from 100+ Chromecast-enabled apps on Android or iOS devices. In addition, customers can get real-time answers to various questions through their Google Home using integrated Google Search, offering easy access to weather forecasts, stock market info, traffic updates, sports news, and more. Order from Best Buy Accessories The perfect complement to many of the devices listed above, these last few suggestions will ensure that dad's living room experience is complete with OTA broadcasts, all the necessary cables, and voice-controlled light bulbs. Philips Hue White A19 Dimmable LED Smart Light Bulb Starter Kit ($69) - After years of child-rearing and hard work, should your dad really still have to get up to turn off the lights? A great addition to any smart speaker purchase, this Smart Bulb kit includes 2 A19 60W White Bulbs and 1 Bridge designed to control up to 50 Hue lights without slowing a user's Wi-Fi. Once installed, customers can control the lights via the Philips Hue App or through voice control with an Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant device. Winegard FlatWave FL-5000 Indoor HDTV Antenna ($34) - Streaming apps offer access to tons of content, but some cord-cutting dads may still want to tune into live local broadcasts, especially when their favorite sports team is on TV. Thankfully this digital antenna should cover most needs offering a 35 mile long range, and an extra long coaxial cable (15'), AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable, 6 Feet, 3-Pack ($12) - All those fancy displays and media players are pretty useless without some trusty cables to connect them all with, and AmazonBasics HDMI cables get the job done for a great price. This pack includes three 6 feet cables with support for up 18 Gbps, 4K@50/60, and HDR video. So, there you have it, those are our top gear and gadget picks for Father's Day. What do you think about the selection? Do you have suggestions of your own? Let us know your thoughts in the forum!Posted Wed Jun 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
VIZIO Releases 2018 P-Series 4K HDR Smart TV Lineup[teaser]The company's new P-Series displays are now available at various retailers.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the official release of its 2018 P-Series 4K HDR lineup. The displays range in price from $899 to $2,499 and are now available for purchase from retailers like Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, Sam's Club, and Target nationwide. The premium P-Series displays feature a three-sided bezel-less industrial design with 4K Ultra HD resolution and Active Full Array Pro tech powered by up to 120 local dimming zones. In addition, the units include support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats with UltraBright 1,000 for up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness and Ultra Color Spectrum for nearly 100% coverage of the P3 wide color gamut and about 72% coverage of the Rec. 2020 wide color gamut. Meanwhile, the SmartCast OS is used for integrated on-screen streaming apps and the ability to cast even more from a mobile device, along with voice-control support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. And unlike 2017 VIZIO displays, this TV does feature an integrated tuner for OTA broadcasts with a digital antenna. Models are available in sizes ranging from 55-inches to 75-inches. Here's a full roundup of pricing for each size: VIZIO P-Series® 55” 4K HDR Smart TV (P55-F1) - MSRP $899.99 VIZIO P-Series® 65” 4K HDR Smart TV (P65-F1) - MSRP $1,299.99 VIZIO P-Series® 75” 4K HDR Smart TV (P75-F1) - MSRP $2,499.99 "Picture quality technologies like Ultra Color Spectrum, Dolby Vision HDR and UltraBright 1000 enable the P-Series to take 4K HDR performance to the next level," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "Incredibly realistic on-screen imagery is complemented by cutting-edge smart TV features to round out the collection's entertainment experience. VIZIO SmartCast OS not only expands discovery and streaming options so consumers can watch content they love from their favorite apps, but also serves as an ideal centerpiece to any smart home with easy-to-use voice-control support through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant." Beyond the P-Series, VIZIO's 2018 lineup also include new D-Series, E-Series, and M-Series models, along with the upcoming P-Series Quantum. Source: VIZIOPosted Wed Jun 6, 2018 at 08:25 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'You Were Never Really Here,' 'Ash vs Evil Dead,' and More[teaser]Films starring Margot Robbie, James Franco, Joaquin Phoenix, and more are all heading to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-rays from RLJ Entertainment, Lionsgate, Troma, Milestone, Mondo Macabro, Mill Creek Entertainment, Music Box Films, and Ronin Flix. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, RLJ Entertainment is prepping Vaughn Stein's Terminal starring Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, and Matthew Lewis. Supplements will include: - “The Cast of Terminal” featurette- “Building the World of Terminal” featurette- “From Concept to Creation” featurette- Photo Gallery Order the Blu-ray Lionsgate is set to release James Franco and Bruce Thierry Cheung's Future World starring James Franco, Milla Jovovich, and Lucy Liu on July 10. Supplements will include: - Behind the Scenes Featuring Interview with James Franco" Featurette In addition, the studio is bringing Lynne Ramsay's You Were Never Really Here starring Joaquin Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov, and Alessandro Nivola to Blu-ray on July 17. Supplements have not been detailed yet. Meanwhile, Alexandros Avrana's Dark Crimes starring Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Marton Csokas will then follow on July 31. Supplements will include: - “The Making of Dark Crimes” Featurette Likewise, the Starz series Counterpart starring J.K. Simmons, Harry Lloyd, and Olivia Williams has also been dated for July 31. Supplements will include: - “Season Outlook” Featurette- "Inside the World of 'Counterpart'" Featurette And rounding out Lionsgate's upcoming lineup will be Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete Third Season starring Bruce Campbell, Ray Santiago, and Dana DeLorenzo on August 21. Supplements will include: - Audio Commentary with Executive Producer Rob Tapert on every episode Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Troma is prepping Salem Kapsaski's Spidarlings starring Sophia Disgrace, Rahel Kapsaski, and Lee Mark Jones for Blu-ray on July 10. Supplements will include: - Introduction by Lloyd Kaufman- Behind the scenes Interviews- Original Theatrical Trailer- VEGAS IN SPACE Trailer Order the Blu-ray Milestone is set to release Luchino Visconti's Rocco and His Brothers starring Alain Delon, Renato Salvatori, and Annie Girardot on July 10. The disc will feature a new 4K restoration of the movie by the Film Foundation and Cineteca di Bologna. Supplements will include: - NEW video interview with Caterina d'Amico, daughter of legendary screenwriter Suso Cecchi d'Amico (Rocco, The Leopard, Bicycle Thieves)- Video introduction by Martin Scorsese- Video interview with cast and crew- Before-and-after restoration featurette- Original production outtakes In addition, the label is also bringing Hirokazu Koreeda's Maborosi starring Takashi Naito, Tadanobu Asano, Akira Emoto, and Mutsuko Sakura to Blu-ray on July 10. No other details have been announced at this time. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Mondo Macabro has announced plans to release Narciso Ibáñez Serrador's Who Can Kill a Child? on July 10. The disc will feature a brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, and supplements will include: - Two options for the opening credits; the longer 'mondo'-style opening of the Spanish/export version and the shorter U.S. Island of the Damned opening- Brand new audio commentary by Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan of the Daughters of Darkness podcast- Brand new interview with horror historian and critic Kim Newman- Archival Spanish TV documentary on the film- Archival interviews with director Narciso Ibanez Serrador and cinematographer Jose Luis Alcaine- Trailers and radio spots- Mondo Macabro previews Order the Blu-ray Mill Creek Entertainment is bringing Masters of Sex: The Complete Series starring Michael Sheen and Lizzie Caplan to Blu-ray on August 7. No other details have been announced so far. In addition, the label will release Documentary Now! Seasons 1 & 2 starring Fred Armisen and Bill Hader on August 7. Supplements have not been revealed at this time. Likewise, Happy Endings: The Complete Series starring Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Adam Pally, and Damon Wayans Jr. is also in the works for Blu-ray on August 7. No other info has been detailed. Meanwhile, William Castle's Psycho Biddy Double Feature - Straight Jacket & Berserk will hit Blu-ray on August 7 as well. Supplements have not been announced. And rounding out Mill Creek's August 7 releases will be Sasha Louis Vukovic's Flora starring Teresa Marie Doran, Dan Lin, and Sari Mercer. Supplements will include: - Audio Commentary with Sasha Louis Vukovic, Teresa Marie Doran, Dan Lin- Behind the Scenes Featurette- Deleted Scenes- Trailers Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Music Box Films is preparing Usher Morgan's Pickings starring Raul Fernandes, Katie Vincent, Michelle Holland, and Elyse Price for Blu-ray on August 10. Supplements will include: - Deleted Scenes- Filmmakers' Commentary- "The Mop" ~ A Pickings TV Short- Behind the Scenes Featurette In addition, the label is set to release Xavier Beauvois' The Guardians starring Nathalie Baye, Laura Smet, and Iris Bry on August 28. No other info has been revealed at this time. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Finally, Ronin Flix has announced plans to bring Richard Stanley's Hardware starring Dylan McDermott, Stacey Travis, John Lynch, William Hootkins, and Iggy Pop to Blu-ray later this month. The 2-disc set will feature a brand new 4K remaster of the film scanned from the original negative, and supplements will include: - Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Stanley- Deleted and Extended Scenes- NEW Interview with writer/director Richard Stanley- Interview with Iggy Pop- No Flesh Shall Be Spared - The Making of Hardware- 3 Richard Stanley Shorts (Incidents in an Expanding Universe - Early Super 8 version of Hardware; The Sea of Perdition; and Rites of Passage)- Richard Stanley on Hardware 2- Vintage Hardware Promo Videos featuring Iggy Pop and Lemmy- Theatrical Trailer (English & German)- Reversible cover art You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
First 'Bumblebee' Teaser Trailer Injects Some Heart into the 'Transformers' Franchise[teaser]The spinoff will hit theaters in December.[/teaser] Paramount has released the first teaser trailer for Bumblebee, offering a surprisingly healthy assortment of emotion to go along with the Transformer franchise's trademark reliance on giant robot action. The prequel spinoff comes from director Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings) and will arrive in theaters on December 21, 2018. On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug. Check out the teaser trailer below! Additional cast members include John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Jason Drucker, Kenneth Choi, Gracie Dzienny, Rachel Crow, and Pamela Adlon. Meanwhile, Michael Bay, Stephen Davis, Tom DeSanto, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura all serve as producers. The script comes from writer Christina Hodson and is based on the Transformers line of Hasbro toys. Bumblebee will serve as the sixth entry in the Transformers series, though its story is set before the first movie. Previously released films in the franchise include Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen, Dark of the Moon, Age of Extinction, and The Last Knight. All five were directed by Michael Bay. Other upcoming movies from Paramount include Mission: Impossible - Fallout which is set to hit theaters on July 27, 2018. The film comes from director Christopher McQuarrie and stars Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Michelle Monaghan, Alec Baldwin, Henry Cavill, Wes Bentley, Vanessa Kirby, and Angela Bassett. Source: Paramount (YouTube)Posted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Chris Pratt Is on a Mission to Make Everything Awesome Again in First 'LEGO Movie 2' Trailer[teaser]The animated sequel will assemble in theaters next year.[/teaser] Warner Bros. has released the first teaser trailer for The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part. The film comes from director Mike Mitchell (Shrek Ever After, Trolls, Sky High) and is set to open nationwide in 2D and 3D on February 8, 2019. The much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure to save their beloved city. It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild. The battle to defeat them and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet, Lucy, Batman and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are. Check out the teaser trailer below! Returning voice cast members include Chris Pratt as Emmet, Elizabeth Banks as Lucy (aka Wyldstyle), Will Arnett as LEGO Batman, Nick Offerman as Metal Beard, and Alison Brie as Unikitty. Meanwhile, new additions to the ensemble include Tiffany Haddish as Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi, Stephanie Beatriz as Sweet Mayhem, and Arturo Castro as Ice Cream Cone. The film is produced by Dan Lin, Roy Lee, and the directing duo behind the original movie, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. Previous entries in the LEGO Movie franchise include The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie, and The LEGO Ninjago Movie. Source: Warner Bros. (YouTube)Posted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'The Staircase,' 'It Happened One Night,' and More[teaser]Several new titles and classic films are coming to various streaming services.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new trailers and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. In addition, FilmStruck has announced new content for June, including special curated content in celebration of Pride Month and the latest lineup of Criterion Channel titles. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: The Staircase (Netflix, June 8) - The compelling story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16 year judicial battle that followed. The brand new episodes of this true crime phenomenon will air alongside the original series. Produced by Matthieu Belghiti and produced and directed by Academy-award winner Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. The Ranch: Part 5 (Netflix, June 15) - Part 5 picks up where we left off: After hearing the shocking news of the pipeline falling through, Colt and Rooster have to face Beau and Maggie as well as the realities of running two ranches without operating money. Meanwhile, Abby and Colt’s relationship is tested with twists and turns (including the announcement that they're expecting a baby AND engaged to be married). Beau’s kindness during a community crisis brings him closer to Joanne (Kathy Baker) and a new friendship with Neumann’s Hill. But with the tough financial times, Mother Nature’s fury, and risky decisions made - even the country-strong Bennett family will struggle to keep it all together. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette - (Netflix, June 19) - In her hilarious debut Netflix Original stand-up special, comedian Hannah Gadsby gets up close and personal about her life and growing up gay on the small island of Tasmania. Recently hailed by the New York Times as a “major new voice in comedy,” Hannah keeps her audience at the Sydney Opera House laughing with her sharp observations as she takes aim at everything from pride parades, unsolicited opinions and the whole history of art before she turns her punchlines into sucker punches, silencing the laughs and flipping the art of comedy completely on its head. A Christmas Prince — The Royal Wedding (Netflix, Winter 2018) - Ms. Amber Moore and His Royal Highness Prince Richard of Aldovia kindly request the honor of your presence at their royal wedding later this year. Serves as a sequel to the cult hit, A Christmas Prince, which followed an aspiring young journalist sent abroad to get the scoop on a handsome prince who's poised to be king. Rilakkuma and Kaoru: Season 1 (Netflix, Spring 2019) - Rilakkuma is a mysterious bear who turns up to live with Kaoru, a seemingly ordinary young woman, in this stop motion teaser. Besides Rilakkuma, Kaoru also lives Korilakkuma (a small white bear cub) and Kiiroitori (Kaoru's pet bird), and they have adorable, surreal, and amazing adventures. Super Drags (Netflix, Coming Soon) - Super DragsDuring the day, they work in a department store and deal with their uptight bitchy boss. By night, they tighten up their corsets and transform into the baddest SUPER DRAGS in town, ready to combat shade and rescue the world's glitter from the evil villains. Get ready, because the SUPER DRAGS are going deeper than you think. 3%: Season 3 (Netflix, Coming Soon) - A post-apocalyptic thriller set in near-future Brazil, where a select few are allowed to join a privileged society after undergoing an intense and competitive process. A Very English Scandal (Amazon Prime Video, June 29) - The shocking true story of the first British politician to stand trial for conspiracy to murder. Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant), the leader of the Liberal party, has a secret he's desperate to hide. His ex-lover Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw) is putting Thorpe's brilliant political career at risk so Thorpe schemes and deceives until he realizes there’s only one way to silence Scott for good. Meanwhile, the FilmStruck streaming service has announced five curated collections dedicated to exploring LGBTQ themes and artists in cinema to celebrate Pride month throughout June. Here's a rundown of the schedule per FilmStruck: - Dressing the Part, streaming 6/1/18: Alan Cumming and Charles Busch offer their experiences and thoughts on this cinematic look at cross-dressing as an art form with films ranging from 1959’s Some Like It Hot to 2001’s Hedwig & The Angry Inch- Star of the Week: Liza Minnelli, streaming 6/8/18: named as one of OutMagazine's "12 Greatest Female Gay Icons of All Time," Liza Minnelli shines in films like Cabaret (1972) and Tell Me You Love Me, Junie Moon (1972)- Written by Tennessee Williams, streaming 6/8/18: featuring films based on the iconic playwright’s works like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)- Director of the Week: Derek Jarman, streaming 6/15/18: featuring nine feature films from director and AIDS activist Jarman, like Sebastiane (1976) and Jubillee(1978) as well as a documentary of his life and work narrated by Tilda Swinton,Derek (2008)- Classics of Lesbian Cinema, streaming 6/22/18: Lea DeLaria examines these seven Sapphic films including the first feature film directed by a black lesbian, The Watermelon Woman (1996), and an adaptation of Jane Rule’s novel, Desert Hearts (1985) In addition, Criterion has also revealed its June lineup of films set to hit the Criterion Channel on the FilmStruck streaming service. Here's a full rundown of titles premiering throughout June: June 1 It Happened One Night, Frank Capra, 1934 June 5 Old Man, Leah Shore, 2012 June 12 Madame Tutli-Putli, Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, 2007 June 19 Edmond was a Donkey, Franck Dion, 2012 June 26 Begone Dull Care, Norman McLaren, 1949 June 29 The Other Side of Hope, Aki Kaurismäki, 2017 - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - 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. - A current FilmStruck Subscription starts at $7 per month. In addition, a FilmStruck + The Criterion Channel Subscription costs $11 per month, and customers can also opt for an annual Subscription for $99 per year. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), FilmStruckPosted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
LG Unveils V35 ThinQ Smartphone with OLED FullVision Display & DTS:X Support[teaser]The company's latest premium handset has been detailed.[/teaser] LG has announced the newest addition to its mobile lineup. The V35 ThinQ smartphone is set to launch the US later this month through AT&T and Project Fi. "The LG V35ThinQ is part of our strategy that we announced early this year to introduce new iterations of existing products that improve on a proven and successful idea," said Hwang Jeong-hwan, president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "With carefully considered updates that increase performance and convenience, the LG V35ThinQ is a great option for anyone looking for a complete and powerful multimedia smartphone." The V35 features a 6.0-inch OLED FullVision 18:9 Display with a QuadHD+ resolution of 2880 x 1440 and 538ppi. In addition, the screen uses scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and offers support for HDR10 video playback. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. A rear dual camera with 16MP standard and Super Wide Angle lenses, and a front 8MP Wide Angle camera are integrated as well. And when it comes to audio, the smartphone features a Hi-Fi Quad DAC and offers DTS:X support for virtual 3D sound with up to 7.1 channel audio using earphones. Finally, the device also implements several advanced AI features, including AI CAM with 19 shooting modes for intelligence-optimized shots; Google Lens for discovering more information about objects like landmarks, plants, animals, books, and text; and support for Super Far Field Voice Recognition (SFFVR) via Google Assistant. Exact pricing and availability for the LG V35 ThinQ smartphone have not been announced yet, but the device is scheduled to start rolling out in the Americas this month before expanding to limited markets in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Source: LG 1, LG 2Posted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to 4K: 'Equalizer', 'G.I. Joe,' 'The Quick and the Dead,' & More![teaser]Films starring Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Sharon Stone, and more are all in the works for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, several new discs are being prepped for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray throughout July and August from Sony, Paramount, Magnolia, and Cinedigm. Here's a full rundown of all the recently added listings: As previously reported, Sony is prepping Antoine Fuqua's The Equalizer starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, and Chloë Grace Moretz for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on July 10, and now Best Buy has an Exclusive SteelBook Edition of the release up for pre-order. The disc will feature 2160p video with HDR10 and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Supplements will include: - ALL-NEW: Five Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, featuring McCall’s Epilogue teasing The Equalizer 2- “A Villain's Psychosis”- “Boston: On Location”- “A Modern Hero”- “Joining Forces Again: Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua”- “Playing the Part: The Cast of The Equalizer”- “The Home Mart Advantage: The Action of The Equalizer”- Theatrical Trailers In addition, the studio is bringing Sam Raimi's The Quick and the Dead starring Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio to 4K Blu-ray on July 17. The disc will feature 2160p video with HDR10 and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Supplements will include: - All New: 7 Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes- Theatrical Trailer Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K SteelBook Order the 4K Blu-ray According to a recent pre-order listing on Best Buy, Paramount is set to release Stephen Sommers' G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra starring Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, and Marlon Wayans on July 31. Full specs have not been announced yet, but supplements will likely mirror those found on the previous Blu-ray release. In addition, the retailer also has a listing for Jon M. Chu's G.I. Joe: Retaliation starring Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, and Adrianne Palicki slated for July 31 as well. Full specs have not been announced yet, but supplements will likely mirror those found on the previous Blu-ray release. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-ray Magnolia has announced plans to bring Sergio G. Sánchez's Marrowbone starring George MacKay, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Heaton to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on August 7. Full specs have not been announced yet, but supplements will include: - Deleted Scenes- Marrowbone Behind The Scenes- Marrowbone Visual Effects Reel Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Finally, Cinedigm is set to release Terry Miles' Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story starring Trace Adkins, Kim Coates, Judd Nelson, and Michelle Harrison on August 7. Full specs and supplements have not been announced yet. Order the 4K Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed throughout July and August.Posted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
