-
HDD Gear Deals: Up to 25% Off Amazon Fire Tablets[teaser]Select Fire and Fire HD tablets are now on sale.[/teaser] As part of a limited-time offer, Amazon is currently discounting several Fire HD, Fire, and Fire Kids Edition tablets. Here's a full rundown of the models included in the sale: Fire HD 8 Tablet 16 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $60 (25% off) Fire HD 8 Tablet 32 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $90 (18% off) Fire HD 10 Tablet 32 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $120 (20% off) Fire HD 10 Tablet 64 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $160 (16% off) Fire 7 Tablet 8 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $40 (20% off) Fire 7 Tablet 16 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $60 (14% off) Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case - Currently $80 (20% off) Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet 32 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case - Currently $100 (23% off) These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Tue Feb 13, 2018 at 12:30 PM PST by: -
VIZIO Launches Amazon Alexa Voice Control Support for Select 4K Displays[teaser]Alexa-enabled devices can now provide voice control for select VIZIO SmartCast displays.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the release of the VIZIO SmartCast skill for Amazon Alexa devices. The hands-free voice control feature is now compatible with 2016 and 2017 P-Series, M-Series, and E-Series 4K displays paired with an Alexa-enabled device. "VIZIO SmartCast is an industry leader with voice control and mobile device integration, in addition to a traditional remote and SmartCast TV interface," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "With the introduction of the VIZIO SmartCast skill for Alexa, we're excited to expand voice controls, giving users with Alexa-enabled products a convenient way to control key features on their VIZIO SmartCast TVs and displays." The VIZIO SmartCast skill enables users to control select functions on compatible VIZIO displays through hands-free voice commands via an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Echo Show or other Alexa-enabled device. Supported voice controls include volume adjustment, channel and input switching, and turning the display on and off, along with playback functions like pause, fast forward, and rewind for select apps. And beyond the new voice control feature, the SmartCast platform also allows users to control their display via the SmartCast app for iOS and Android mobile devices, along with the ability to cast various apps to the big screen. Likewise, customers can also use a traditional remote to control settings and playback, and access a select lineup of apps through an integrated on-screen interface. In addition to support for 2016 and 2017 P-Series, M-Series, and E-Series displays, the SmartCast skill for Alexa is also set to be compatible with 2018 VIZIO SmartCast Full HD and HD displays in the coming weeks as well. Source: VIZIOPosted Tue Feb 13, 2018 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition' Announced for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The classic musical starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John has been fully remastered and will arrive on both formats in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount says 'Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition' will be available on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on April 24. Featuring an explosion of song and dance, as well as star-making performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Grease made an indelible impact on popular culture. 40 years later, the film remains an enduring favorite as legions of new fans discover the memorable moments, sensational soundtrack and classic love story. Boasting unforgettable songs including “Greased Lightnin,” “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” “Beauty School Drop Out” and, of course, “Grease,” the film is a timeless feel-good celebration. Paramount worked with director Randal Kleiser to restore Grease to its original vibrancy with the highest quality sound, picture resolution and color. The original negative was scanned and received extensive clean up and color correction using previously unavailable digital restoration tools such as high dynamic range technology. In addition, the audio was enhanced from a six-track mix created for an original 70mm release, giving the music more clarity. The resulting picture and sound create an exceptional home viewing experience. The Grease 40th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include the fully restored version of the film plus an all-new, in-depth exploration of the little-known origins of what would become a Broadway play and then a feature film and worldwide phenomenon. “Grease: A Chicago Story” features new interviews with writer Jim Jacobs and original cast members of the Chicago show. In addition, the discs include the original song the title sequence was animated to and an alternate ending salvaged from the original black & white 16mm work print discovered by director Randal Kleiser. Supplements include: • Commentary by director Randal Kleiser and choreographer Patricia Birch• Introduction by Randal Kleiser• Rydell Sing-Along• The Time, The Place, The Motion: Remembering Grease• Grease: A Chicago Story—NEW!• Alternate Animated Main Titles—NEW!• Alternate Ending—NEW!• Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes with Introduction by Randal Kleiser• Grease Reunion 2002 – DVD Launch Party• Grease Memories from John & Olivia• The Moves Behind the Music• Thunder Roadsters• John Travolta and Allan Carr “Grease Day” interview• Olivia Newton-John and Robert Stigwood “Grease Day” interview• Photo Galleries• Theatrical Trailer You can find the latest specs for Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition linked from our Blu-ray and 4K Release Schedules, where it is indexed under April 24.Posted Tue Feb 13, 2018 at 07:55 AM PST by: -
Everything You Need to Know About the Black Panther Before Watching Marvel's 'Black Panther'***SPOILER WARNING about two Marvel Cinematic Universe films*** After his big debut in a 1966 summer issue of Fantastic Four, the Black Panther character immediately made history by becoming the first Black superhero in mainstream comics. In the following years, he quickly grew into an important fixture of the Marvel universe, teaming with various other superhero organizations, most notably the Avengers, and eventually marrying Ororo Munroe, a.k.a. Storm of the X-Men. Starring in his first standalone Black Panther film this weekend, the character is poised to make history once more, breaking presale records according to Fandango and potentially becoming the biggest superhero movie yet. Unlike other film franchises, going blind into the 18th installment of the massively huge Marvel Cinematic Universe arguably won't lead to much confusion for those unfamiliar with previous entries. But that's not to say some background details and history on the Black Panther and his role within the MCU can't help either, and we're here to help guide you to one of the coolest of all superhero characters. [Teaser]Here is everything you need to know about the Black Panther, with brief recaps of a couple Marvel films, before you watch Black Panther film. [/Teaser] A Brief Summary on the Black Panther Legend As any Marvel Comics fan already knows, the film adaptations make several changes and alterations to the original source material, but it, nonetheless, is useful to know certain key details for better appreciating what is sure to be an awesome superhero movie. With that in mind, here is a heavily condensed summary with only the most relevant information. The name Black Panther is a ceremonial title for the king of The Panther Clan in the fictional East African country of Wakanda. In the early 20th Century, King T'Chaka and his people unearthed an extremely rare metal called vibranium, which was deposited by a meteorite crash several thousand years before. Moviegoers know this mineral best as the alloy used for making Captain America's impenetrable shield. At the height of WWII, T'Chaka joined forces with the Cap to defeat a host of supervillains, essentially making him the first superhero known as The Black Panther. Afterwards, T'Chaka began mining the metal for both profit and scientific research, eventually making Wakanda the richest and most technologically-advanced nation in the world. It was also during this time, the king's wife N'Yami gave birth to T'Challa, but sadly, she died from complications. Despite remarrying, the king mostly raised his son on his own, providing him with the best education and physical training in order to prepare the prince as the heir to the throne. Unfortunately, when T'Challa was an adolescent, Wakanda was invaded by a group of deadly mercenaries led by the ruthless South African physicist Ulysses Klaue, who wanted to steal vibranium for his own selfish needs. In this conflict, T'Chaka died at the hands of Klaue, which the young prince witnessed and in a fit of rage, used Klaue's sound-emitting weapon, shooting the villain's right hand off. In the years following, T'Challa studied abroad to earn his doctorate in Physics and returned home to become the new king of his tribe. As part of the crowning ceremony and after a few challenging trials, T'Challa was given the Heart-Shaped Herb, which gifted him with near superhuman powers. Thus, he took the mantle of The Black Panther, and when donning the vibranium suit that further enhances his abilities, he also began his new role as the superhero moviegoers will come to love and admire. He protects the world and his people from evildoers like Klaue, who returns with a weaponized prosthetic hand and renamed Klaw, traitorous usurpers like M'Baku, who is better known by his villain alias Man-Ape, and those simply seeking vengeance against the Wakanda kingdom, like highly-intelligent N'Jadaka, who changed his name to Erik Killmonger. Avengers: Age of Ultron The Black Panther's journey from comic book to the silver screen actually dates back to 2015, and perhaps even earlier to 2013 when Joss Whedon completed his script for Age of Ultron. In this sequel to his 2012's The Avengers, audiences were first introduced to the arms-dealer Ulysses Klaue, played by the always impressive character actor Andy Serkis as some grimy, filthy criminal scrounging about a ship graveyard. His appearance in the film is relatively minor, but it's a memorable and vital role nonetheless because Ultron steals Klaue's vibranium supply for constructing the perfect body, which, of course, leads to the birth of Vision instead. More importantly, the confrontation between the two is a significant departure from the original storyline. Here, it is Ultron who cuts Klaue's right hand. In its entirety, the whole episode is brief and may not seem like much, largely feeling like a cool nod and wink for fans of the comics foreshadowing future events. However, it's a good place for newcomers to start as it is the first time audiences hear mention of the Wakanda nation, the weaseling villainy of Klaue and how incredibly valuable vibranium is. Captain America: Civil War The following year, Black Panther makes his official big-screen debut to the MCU in the Russo Brothers' sequel, Captain America: Civil War, with even more alterations to the character's origin story. The filmmakers slowly introduce T'Challa's storyline into this universe with an opening battle sequence between the Avengers and Brock "Crossbones" Rumlow in Nigeria. It ends with a massive explosion that kills Wakandan humanitarian workers, and the attack prompts the United Nations to pass the Sokovia Accords and take control of the team, which in the comics was a strict Registration Act created by the U.S. government. At a conference to ratify the Accords, we meet King T'Chaka, who apparently is alive in this timeline, and his son, Prince T'Challa. The meeting is interrupted by a terrorist bombing, sadly killing the king. A rage-fueled T'Challa vows revenge, and all the evidence points to Bucky Barnes. This makes for an interesting turn of events because audiences are initially introduced to a character driven by vengeance. A little later, the Black Panther finally makes his appearance in the awesome Bucharest action sequence where Captain America tries to save his childhood friend. Here, moviegoers are shown what makes the Wakandan superhero so freaking cool and a formidable match to both the Cap and the Winter Soldier. Better yet, due to T'Challa believing Bucky murdered his father, the Black Panther sides with Iron Man on the whole Sokovia Accords controversy, which again is different from the comics where T'Challa originally sided with the Cap. This, then, leads to the explosive and fantastically memorable showdown at the Leipzig/Halle Airport where once again, the Black Panther goes toe-to-toe with the Winter Soldier until the Black Widow intervenes, allowing Bucky and the Cap to escape and fly to the Siberian Hydra facility. Eventually, everyone learns Bucky was actually innocent of the terrorist act, framed by Helmut Zemo, who frankly, is underplayed and underused in the MCU. Thinking he succeed in destroying the Avengers for the Sokovia tragedy in Age of Ultron, Zemo attempts to commit suicide but stopped by the Black Panther, who at this moment, also comes to the epiphany that vengeance only leads to more death and hatred rather than healing. "Vengeance has consumed you. It's consuming them. I am done letting it consume me." During a closing-credits scene, we learn T'Challa has granted Bucky and Cap asylum in Wakanda, and the camera zooms out for a panoramic extreme wide shot of the country, setting the stage for an upcoming Black Panther movie. There you have it! These are the movies leading up to Black Panther, the feature-length debut of the kick-ass Wakandan superhero with the awesome vibranium suit. In this latest installment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we can expect Klaue to return with a weaponized sonic gun for a prosthetic hand and going by the moniker Klaw. However, the central conflict will be against N'Jadaka, who the filmmakers have renamed Erik Stevens, and rather than being a genius MIT grad, he is a special black-ops soldier nicknamed Killmonger. Assuming the writers are borrowing heavily from the Panther's Rage storyline, Killmonger's quest to overthrow T'Challa will reveal several moral and ethical quandaries forcing our hero to face the previously unknown dark history of his country. Meanwhile, M'Baku is also set to make an appearance, but his role is likely going to be small and probably won't serve in a larger capacity until Avengers: Infinity Wars. Either way, I'm excited to finally see Black Panther in his own standalone spin-off this weekend.Posted Mon Feb 12, 2018 at 09:04 PM PST by: -
Sony Reveals Pricing for X900F and X850F 4K HDR TVs[teaser]The new Ultra HD TV lineup starts at $1,100.[/teaser] Sony has announced pricing for its upcoming X900F and X850F Series 4K HDR TVs. The displays range in size from 49-inches to 85-inches and pre-orders are now rolling out to Amazon. The new X900F LCD 4K Ultra HD TV series will be available in 49-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch screen sizes. The display uses Sony's TRILUMINOS wide color tech and the X1 Extreme 4K HDR processor which incorporates Object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR, and Dual database processing technology. In addition, HDR10 and Dolby Vision (via future firmware update) are supported as well. Likewise, the TV features direct LED panel local dimming and new X-Motion Clarity tech to help keep fast motion smooth. Android TV with Google Assistant is integrated as well. Here's a full rundown of pricing for each screen size: Sony XBR-49X900F 49" class (48.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $1,099.99 MSRPSony XBR-55X900F 55" class (54.6" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $1,499.99 MSRPSony XBR-65X900F 65" class (64.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $2,299.99 MSRPSony XBR-75X900F 75" class (74.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $3,999.99 MSRPSony XBR-85X900F 85" class (84.6" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $6,999.99 MSRP Meanwhile, the X850 Series will be available in 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch screen sizes. The display uses Sony's TRILUMINOS wide color tech and the 4K HDR Processor X1. In addition, HDR10 support is included as well but not Dolby Vision. Likewise, the TV features an edge-lit LED panel with frame dimming. Android TV with Google Assistant is integrated as well. Here's a full rundown of pricing for each screen size: Sony XBR-65X850F 65" class (64.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $1,999.99 MSRPSony XBR-75X850F 75" class (74.5" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - $3,299.99 MSRPSony XBR-85X850F 85" class (84.6" diag) 4K HDR Ultra HD TV - MSRP TBA And in addition to Sony's 2018 X900F and X850F LCD 4K HDR TVs, the company is also gearing up to launch its new A8F Series 4K HDR OLED TV. Source: SonyPosted Mon Feb 12, 2018 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Jessica Jones,' 'Sneaky Pete,' 'Hard Sun,' and More[teaser]Check out the latest crop of trailers for upcoming streaming titles.[/teaser] Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have released new trailers and info for several of their new shows and movies. Here's a full rundown of upcoming titles set to hit each streaming service: Everything Sucks! (Netflix, February 16) - A quirky, funny coming of age story that follows two groups of high school misfits, Everything Sucks! follows an A/V club and a Drama club who collide in 1996 Oregon. The series stars Peyton Kennedy (American Fable, The Captive) and Jahi Winston (The New Edition Story) as students Kate Messner and Luke O’Neil, with Patch Darragh (Sully, Boardwalk Empire) and Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako (Grimm) as their respective parents. The series also features Sydney Sweeney (“Emaline”), Elijah Stevenson (“Oliver”), Quinn Liebling (“Tyler”) and Rio Mangini (“McQuaid”). First Team: Juventus (Netflix, February 16) - A look behind the scenes of Juventus FC. Follow the club during the 2017-2018 both on and off the field, with interviews to legends like Alessandro Del Piero and players like Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini, Douglas Costa, Gonzalo Higuaín, Claudio Marchisio, Miralem Pjanic, Daniele Rugani, the captain Gianluigi Buffon and the coach Massimiliano Allegri. The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale (Netflix, February 18) - A new, weekly half-hour topical series that takes a sharp, absurdist look at pop culture and news from across the globe. It’s a fast and funny distillation of everything people are talking about that week. Featuring celebrity guests, comedy sketches, and insane video clips from the worldwide realms of TV, sports, politics, celebrity culture, and every corner of the internet, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale is destination viewing for comedy lovers, or people who just really, really like green screens. Ugly Delicious (Netflix, February 23) - From James Beard Award-Winning Chef David Chang and Academy Award-Winning Director Morgan Neville comes Ugly Delicious, challenging both our taste buds and minds. Over eight episodes, David travels the world with writers and chefs, activists and artists, who use food as a vehicle to break down cultural barriers, tackle misconceptions and uncover shared experiences. Ugly Delicious ventures out of polished kitchens into the wider world to explore Viet-Cajun cuisine in Houston, Neapolitan Pizza in Tokyo, home cooking in Copenhagen, and much more. Marseille: Season 2 (Netflix, February 23) - The battle for the heart of Marseille heats up as right-wing nationalists gain power and a shadowy conspiracy targets the city's beloved soccer team. In season 2 Gérard Depardieu as Robert Taro and Benoît Magimel as Lucas Barrès compete again for the love of Marseille.The original cast including Géraldine Pailhas and Stéphane Caillard return, and are joined by Natacha Régnier and Vladimir Consigny. Seven Seconds (Netflix, February 23) - In an instant, life is forever changed for Brenton Butler and his family. After a white cop accidentally hits and critically injures a black teenager, a northeastern city explodes with racial tensions, an attempted cover up and its aftermath, and the trial of the century. Jessica Jones: Season Two (Netflix, March 8) - Jessica Jones is back as New York City’s tough-as-nails private investigator. Although this time, the case is even more personal than ever before. Fueled by a myriad of questions and lies, she will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. EDHA (Netflix, March 16) - A dramatic thriller set in the fashion-conscious city of Buenos Aires, as seen through the eyes of a trendsetting designer, Edha, whose untraditional male model, Teo, becomes her muse. On My Block (Netflix, March 16) - Co-created by Lauren Iungerich (creator of Awkward) and Eddie Gonzalez & Jeremy Haft, On My Block is a coming of age comedy about four bright and street-savvy friends navigating their way through the triumph, pain and the newness of high-school set in the rough inner city. The Mechanism (Netflix, March 23) - Get ready to join a small group of dogged investigators on the hunt to discover the inner workings of the biggest corruption scheme of all time and the impact their pursuit will have on everyone involved - including themselves. 3%: Season Two (Netflix, 2018) - 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. Sneaky Pete: Season Two (Amazon Video, March 9) - On the verge of starting fresh, Marius (Giovanni Ribisi) is dragged back into the role of Pete Murphy when two thugs—believing he’s Pete—threaten to kill the Bernhardts if he doesn’t take them to Pete’s estranged mother and the millions she stole from their employer. Now Marius must tread a dangerous line to find her and protect the family, all while keeping up the Pete con. Hard Sun (Hulu, March 7) - Jim Sturgess and Agyness Deyn play detectives Robert Hicks and Elaine Renko, partners and enemies, who seek to enforce the law and protect their loved ones in a world that every day slips closer to a world-ending natural disaster. Hicks is a family man and a great, committed officer. He’s also profoundly corrupt. Renko is a difficult and damaged, but utterly incorruptible officer. Thus, the two cops stand on different ends of the social and moral spectrum and also seriously distrust one other – and for good reason. But they must somehow learn to work together if they’re going to survive until the end of the world. March of the Penguins 2 (Hulu, March 23) - Filmmaker Luc Jacquet returns to the Antarctic to revisit the Emperor Penguins who call the frozen continent home. A decade after making his Academy Award winning March of the Penguins, Jacquet spent two months shooting in the Antarctic winter using the new technology of 4K cameras, airborne drones, and under-ice diving to show the astonishing lives of these mysterious creatures in an entirely new light. March of the Penguins 2 tells the story of two penguins, a father and son, as they face and overcome the almost unimaginable challenges of life in this hostile land. - 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 $99 per year or $11 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials ($6 limited time promotional price now available). In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Fri Feb 9, 2018 at 02:05 PM PST by: -
Coming Soon to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray: 'The Incredible Hulk,' 'Pitch Perfect,' and More[teaser]Check out the latest lineup of titles announced 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 2018 from Warner Bros., Universal, and Lionsgate. Here's a full rundown of all the recently added listings: First up, Universal has announced plans to release Jason Moore's Pitch Perfect starring Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Brittany Snow, and Rebel Wilson on March 20. The disc will feature 2160p video with HDR10 and a DTS:X soundtrack. Supplements will include: - Feature Commentary with Director Jason Moore and Producers Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman- Feature Commentary with Producer Paul Brooks- Sing-Along Version: Sing Along with the Bellas to All Your Favorite A Capella Songs- Starships, The Pitch Perfect Music Video- Deleted and Extended Scenes- Meanwhile...- Line-O-Ramas- Backstage at Barden- On The Set: Burrito Drive By!- A Look Inside In addition, the studio will also release Elizabeth Banks' Pitch Perfect 2 starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, and Rebel Wilson on March 20. The disc will feature 2160p video with HDR10 and a DTS:X soundtrack. Supplements will include: - Feature Commentary with Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producers Paul Brooks and Max Handelman- Bonus Song Performed by the Treblemakers- Extended Musical Performances- Das Sound Machine Finale Breakdown- Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes- Gag Reel- Line-Aca-Rama- Green Bay Rap- Elizabeth Banks' Directorial Debut- The Bellas Are Back- Aca-Camp- The Making of the Riff-Off- The World Championships of A Cappella- Snoop Is in the House- Residual Heat Internship- An Aca-Love Story: Bumper and Fat Amy- Legacy: Hailee Steinfeld Meanwhile, Universal will bring Louis Leterrier's The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth, and Tim Blake Nelson to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on April 10. The disc will feature 2160p video with HDR10 and a DTS:X soundtrack. Supplements will include: - Feature Commentary with Director Louis Leterrier and Tim Roth- U-Control: Thunderbolt Files- U-Control: Scene Explorer- U-Control: Comic Book Gallery- U-Control: Animated Comic- U-Control: Picture in Picture- Alternate Opening- Deleted Scenes- The Making of The Incredible Hulk- Becoming The Hulk- Becoming The Abomination- Anatomy of a Hulk Out- From Comic Book to Screen Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-ray Lionsgate is prepping Alex Proyas' Knowing starring Nicolas Cage, Chandler Canterbury, Rose Byrne, Lara Robinson, D.G. Maloney, and Nadia Townsend for April 10. Full specs have not been revealed yet, but supplements will likely mirror those found on the previous Blu-ray release. In addition, the studio is also bringing Paul McGuigan's Push starring Dakota Fanning, Djimon Hounsou, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, and Maggie Siff to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on April 10. Full specs have not been revealed yet, but supplements will likely mirror those found on the previous Blu-ray release. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-ray Finally, Warner Bros. has announced plans to release a new DC animated movie titled The Death of Superman on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray later this year. Specs, supplements, and an exact release date have not been detailed yet, but pre-orders are now live. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 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 March, April, and PENDING.Posted Fri Feb 9, 2018 at 09:25 AM PST by: -
10 Steamy Thrillers For Valentine's Day That Are WAY Better Than The Fifty Shades TrilogyIt's that time of year again, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. That wonderful time where you and that special certain someone in your life are allowed to get a little romantic, a little passionate, and celebrate your personal and intimate partnership. Whether you plan on going out for an expensive candlelit meal or curling up on your faux bear rug in front of a roaring fire wearing your favorite PJ's with some cheese and wine, you no doubt need something a little steamy to watch. With Fifty Shades Freed whipping and slapping its way onto cinema screens this weekend, we wanted to offer our readers a healthy list of alternatives that are, you know, actually good. [Teaser]So get ready to Blu-ray-and-chill with our list of 10 Steamy Thrillers For Valentine's Day That Are WAY Better Than The Fifty Shades Trilogy:[/Teaser] Basic Instinct Yeah, we know, this gem of 90s excess is a bit tried and true, basic if you will, but that doesn't mean it has lost any of its steam. Featuring Michael Douglas and Sharron Stone in their prime, this Paul Verhoeven directed thriller plays with the meat and potatoes of a typical murder mystery but spices things up with numerous lusty bits that'll keep you and your significant other entertained - in between the horrifying stabbing scenes! It's a decent Blu-ray release and well worth giving a spin. The Handmaiden When you stir up sex, lust, deceit into a pot with a dash of Chan-wook Park's signature flair for visual panache you have the makings of a tight and tense historical drama. Thanks to some committed performances, the film is an intricate and dramatic thriller in the tradition of Dangerous Liaisons with plenty of intrigue and seductively steamy moments to hold your interest. The picture and audio quality are fantastic and will play nicely on your home theater setup. Dressed To Kill If you take a moment to think about 80s era sexy thrillers, it's impossible not to think of Brian De Palma's Dressed To Kill starring the beautiful Angie Dickinson alongside Nancy Allen and Michael Caine. In between revealing and literal steamy shower scenes, there is an intricate and unnerving psycho-killer thriller played throughout this suspenseful film. Not only is it one of De Palma's best films, it's one of the greatest Erotic Thrillers committed to film. Don't pass up the terrific Criterion Collection release. Sea Of Love After The Godfather and Scarface, Al Pacino had a tough time in the mid-80s. This 1989 thriller from Harold Becker brought Pachino back to top form in a big way. He's a tough New York cop investigating a string of gory murders where the killer stalks the personal ads. All Pachino has to do is lure the killer. Things get complicated, and more than a little interesting when Ellen Barkin answers the ad. The two clearly had some impressive on-screen chemistry. While the movie may be a bit generic, it's better than average and makes for a great evening of entertainment. The Hunger If you're in the mood for a sexy horror film with some vampire bloodletting, don't turn to Twilight. Tony Scott's 1983 erotic horror/thriller The Hunger has more than enough bite for your night. Starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon, this kinky love triangle is 97-minutes of stylized 80s flair with a slick horror story wrapped up inside. It may have been a bit of a flop upon initial release, it's grown into a true cult classic. The Warner Archive Blu-ray is a terrific release and you won't regret giving it a spin. Malice Cast a movie with Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin (the thin years), and genuine everyman Bill Pullman, toss in a medical malpractice plot with a strange interlude into with a serial killer and you have a wild ride of an early 90s thriller. Another entry from Harold Becker boasting a decent script from dialogue maestro Aaron Sorkin and you have a better than average erotic thriller on your hands. There are certainly enough twists and turns to keep you and your special person guessing. Fatal Attraction In all honesty, you can't have a list of Erotic Thrillers with only one Michael Douglas movie. The man practically built his career on them and this thriller from director Adrian Lyne and co-starring Glenn Close and Anne Archer is a staple of 1980s thrillers. It's creepy, kinky, and makes you rethink ever owning a pet rabbit and having an affair with someone you hardly know. While it may fall a bit heavy on the "Man is the victim" category, Close delivers one hell of a creepy performance providing two hours of tense entertainment. 9 ½ Weeks The 80s was a saucy time, to say the least! Also directed by Adrian Lyne and starring the sultry Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke before all of the plastic surgery, this was the signature steamy thriller that easily puts the Fifty Shades films to shame. It may be a bit light on thrills, but there is plenty of kink to make up for the rather barebones plotting. Its attractive stars do more than enough heavy lifting - so to speak - to hold your attention. Gone Girl Based on the hit Gillian Flynn novel, David Fincher crafts an intricate and absorbing murder mystery thriller starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. While this film may rely on smart storytelling, plotting, and it's core focus on the frenzy of a media circus, there's more than enough here to hold your attention. It's a classy stab at the erotic thriller genre by a master filmmaker who knows how to keep you guessing. Mulholland Dr. David Lynch is no slouch when it comes to crafting labyrinthian thrillers with so many twists and turns that you need a Google Maps to help you find your way home. He also has a knack for creating interesting characters you want to see figure things out. So when two women played by Naomi Watts and Laura Harring find themselves wrapped up in a mystery and become lovers, you naturally pay attention! In true Lynch form, not everything you see makes sense, but it's a hell of a ride and one of the most haunting films of his career. While you could go and experience the anemic end to the Fifty Shades franchise in theaters this weekend, you could save your time, money, and enjoy some up close and personal time with that special someone in your life with any of these great flicks. We hope this list has been helpful as you plot and plan your Valentine's Day evening. With a big winter storm hitting much of the country, it's a great time to keep warm under the covers with a good movie.Posted Fri Feb 9, 2018 at 06:02 AM PST by: -
Hands on First Look: McIntosh XRT2.1K LoudspeakersInstantly recognizable for the iconic blue light of their meters and the trademark green glow of their logo, McIntosh is a company synonymous with high-end audio. And last week, High-Def Digest was invited to attend a special demo of the brand's latest premium speaker: the XRT2.1K Loudspeaker. Part of a two-day event held at the historic 5-story World of McIntosh Townhouse in New York City, the demonstration allowed us to hear the monolithic speakers in person with an extended listening session marked by a variety of music tracks covering just about every genre and style. [teaser]At a commanding 7 feet tall, the towering XRT2.1K speakers use McIntosh's line array design to help create an evenly dispersed stereo image with deep and spacious fidelity[/teaser], resulting in a truly enveloping sound that is every bit as big as the speaker pair's $130,000 price tag. SPECS & DESIGN With its attention-grabbing monolith design, the XRT2.1K features a double architecture construction comprising of an array panel that is suspended in front of a bass column to hold a combined total of 81 drivers. This suspended configuration is inspired by the steel spiders used in skyscrapers to connect glass walls, and the results are strikingly beautiful, creating a faintly sci-fi aesthetic that makes the speaker look like some kind of high-tech terminal you might find aboard an alien spaceship. The array panel itself houses the unit's (28) 2" upper frequency midranges and (45) ¾" tweeters, and features a glossy black design with aluminum trims reminiscent of the classic McIntosh faceplate. Meanwhile, the bass column is separated into three separate enclosures to contain the speaker's (6) 8" woofers and (2) 6.5" low frequency midranges. The bass cabinet is made of a combination of brushed and black aluminum and is finished with 7 layers of high gloss piano black paint. Influenced by the speaker configurations used in PA systems for live concerts, the XRT2.1K takes advantage of its vertical line array design to enable sound projection at a greater distance than a traditional point source design would allow. Likewise, the line array provides reduced sensitivity to early reflections, great power handling, low THD (total harmonic distortion), and an even sound dispersion pattern. With that said, in the past this arrangement has been known to have trouble creating a well-defined soundstage with clear stereo separation, but McIntosh has worked hard to avoid this issue through the specific design and placement of its drivers. Here's a full rundown of specs per McIntosh's website: ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS IMPEDANCE NOMINAL 8 Ohms POWER RATING 2000 Watts FREQUENCY RESPONSE 16Hz to 45kHz SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL, 2.8V/1M 89dB CROSSOVER 250Hz, 1.5kHz DRIVER SPECIFICATIONS NUMBER OF WOOFERS 6 WOOFER SIZE 12" WOOFER TYPE Aluminum Long Throw NUMBER OF MIDRANGES 64 MIDRANGE SIZE 2" MIDRANGE TYPE Inverted Titanium Dome NUMBER OF TWEETERS 40 TWEETER SIZE 3/4" TWEETER TYPE Titanium Dome GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS SYSTEM TYPE Sealed, Dual Column, 3-Way GRILLE Black knit cloth AVAILABLE FINISHES Piano Black WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) 19" (48.26cm) x 83-7/8" (213.04cm) (including feet) x 18" (45.72cm) WEIGHT 452 lbs (205 kg) SHIPPING WEIGHT 522 lbs (236.8 kg) LISTENING DEMOS To demo the XRT2.1K speakers, McIntosh had a listening area set up in one of the townhouse's larger spaces, providing a much more open environment with higher ceilings compared to the cozier room used for the Sonus faber demonstration. And unlike that shorter session, this extended demo allowed guests to spend quite a bit more time with the speakers as we listened to a variety of high dynamic range digital tracks. All of the digital files were played off of a laptop connected to a McIntosh amp. Setting the stage with some playful fanfare, the first track we heard was the iconic 20th Century Fox theme with blaring trumpets and steady drums, and each element of the score came through with precision and commanding presence. Next, we transitioned to Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side," and it's here where the speaker's detailed sonics really came into focus. Reed's matter-of-fact vocals were clear and clean, and the chorus of "doo doo doo" revealed surprisingly strong stereo separation with a pleasing sense of space between the voices and the instruments. Perhaps most striking, however, was just how full the track's famous bass line sounded. Each strum came through with a deep, textured thud that I could feel subtly resonating beneath my feet, reproducing an impressive level of dimension and nuance in every note. Switching to a classical composition, the demo went on to sample Strauss' "Also sprach Zarathustra," most well known for being used as the opening theme to Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The iconic piece highlighted the XRT2.1K's impressive range, as the instruments gradually built to an absolutely room-filling crescendo. After that, we entered blues territory with Mighty Sam McClain's "Too Proud." The speakers gave the vocals a velvety timbre while offering an intimate and realistic sense of dimension between the dancing piano keys, steady drum beat, and gliding guitar strings. Other tracks by The Beatles, The White Stripes, and more all came through with similarly impressive results, though the most memorable track ended up being Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." Stereo imaging was fantastic and the song's ethereal use of reverb spread a distinct array of tones throughout the room with a layered yet cohesive sound. As a whole, the extended demo session did a great job of revealing the speaker's many strengths, creating dynamic and richly detailed audio that was capable of getting loud without sacrificing detail. Much like the similarly high-end Sonus faber Aida speakers that I also got to demo (I heard the two a day apart from each other), the XRT2.1K often made it seem as if the band was right there in the room playing live. But while the Aida's created a comparatively intimate soundstage that evoked a small club or recording studio setting, the XRT2.1K seemed to excel more at replicating the feel of a larger concert venue with a bit more kick behind the low end. Of course, the different listening environments could have also contributed to this, but in general I found that the XRT2.1K had a slightly more aggressive approach -- which is something some listeners might either prefer or dislike depending upon personal preferences. In addition to sampling tracks in the typical sweet spot right between the left and right channels, I also walked around the room to hear how the line array configuration handled dispersion. And while the sweet spot was still the best seat in the house, the speakers maintained an impressively consistent sound no matter where I stood, offering little change in perceived volume even when I stood toward the back of the room. Stereo separation did suffer more, but in general, the XRT2.1K was capable of creating a large listening radius, seemingly turning the room into a mini amphitheater. FINAL THOUGHTS Blending a striking suspended array design with incredibly detailed sound, the McIntosh XRT2.1K Loudspeaker is a genuine marvel of audio technology. With even dispersion that still maintains pleasing stereo separation marked by clean highs, rich mids, and deep lows, the speakers are able to produce a sometimes startlingly realistic presence behind every note they play. The XRT2.1K speakers are now available for an MSRP of $130,000 per pair. As with the equally expensive Sonus faber Aida speakers, a product this pricey is only going to appeal to a limited selection of wealthy audiophiles, but based on what I heard, those with the necessary funds aren't likely to be disappointed. After all, the cost of an average house is but a small price to pay for being able to turn your living room into a private rock concert on demand.Posted Thu Feb 8, 2018 at 05:30 PM PST by: -
First Details Emerge on Launch Lineup for Disney's New Streaming Service[teaser]Potential titles set for the new streaming platform have been revealed.[/teaser] As reported by Deadline, new details about Disney's upcoming streaming service have been revealed. The platform is set for a fall 2019 release and a potential launch lineup has been unveiled, including a Star Wars series and a new Marvel show. Though full details and pricing have not been announced yet, Deadline's sources indicate that the service will arrive in the US first before eventually expanding to foreign markets. Programming goals for the first year include four to five original movies and five TV series. With that said, the platform will not include R-rated movies. Instead, the plan is for R-rated content to be relegated to Hulu. Meanwhile, current Marvel shows, including those on Netflix, are expected to remain on their respective networks and services. Some new movie titles reportedly in development or consideration for the Disney streaming service include Don Quixote from a script written by Billy Ray, Stargirl from director Julia Hart, Togo from director Ericson Core, Lady and the Tramp, The Paper Magician, 3 Men and a Baby, Sword and the Stone, and Timmy Failure. Likewise, films already in post-production that are set for the platform include director Mark Waters' Magic Camp, and director Mark Lawrence's Noelle starring Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, and Shirley MacLaine. Finally, TV projects expected to launch on the streaming service include a new Star Wars show, a new live-action Marvel series, a Monsters Inc show, and High School Musical. More details, including pricing and an exact launch date for Disney's new streaming service are still forthcoming. Source: DeadlinePosted Thu Feb 8, 2018 at 02:08 PM PST by:
