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Streaming News Roundup: 'The Tick,' 'Narcos,' and More[teaser]New trailers for Amazon's The Tick and Netflix's Narcos are among the latest streaming updates.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new trailers, date announcements, and other info for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including The Tick, Ozark, The Incredible Jessica James, Icarus, Atypical, Naked, Narcos, and Suburra. Check out a full rundown of the latest streaming news and trailers below: The Tick (Amazon Prime Video, August 25) - In a world where superheroes have been real for decades, an underdog accountant with zero powers comes to realize his city is owned by a global super villain long-thought dead. As he struggles to uncover this conspiracy, he falls in league with a strange blue superhero. The Tick stars Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy), Griffin Newman (Vinyl), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Valorie Curry (House of Lies), Yara Martinez (Jane the Virgin) and Brendan Hines (Scorpion). The Tick is executive produced by Ben Edlund (Supernatural), Barry Josephson (Bones) and Barry Sonnenfeld (A Series of Unfortunate Events), directed by Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight), and written by Edlund. The Tick is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television. Ozark (Netflix, July 21) - The Byrdes, husband and wife Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy (Laura Linney), their teenage kids Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) -- are for all intents and purposes an ordinary family. Ordinary save for Marty’s job: The top money launderer for the second largest drug cartel in Mexico. The Incredible Jessica James (Netflix, July 28) - Jessica Williams (The Daily Show) stars as a young, aspiring playwright in New York City who is struggling to get over a recent breakup. She is forced to go on a date with the recently divorced Boone, played by Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) and the unlikely duo discover how to make it through the tough times in a social media obsessed post-relationship universe. Lakeith Stanfield (FX’s “Atlanta”, Straight Outta Compton) and Noël Wells (Netflix’s Master of None) co-star. The film was written and directed by Jim Strouse and produced by Michael B. Clark and Alex Turtletaub of Beachside. Jessica Williams and Kerri Hundley serve as executive producers. Icarus (Netflix, August 4) - In the audacious documentary Icarus, director Bryan Fogel’s bold gambit was this: to investigate doping in sports, Fogel (an amateur bike racer) would dope himself, observe the changes in his performance, and see if he could evade detection. In doing so, he was connected to a renegade Russian scientist, Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, a pillar of his country's "anti-doping" program. Over dozens of Skype calls, urine samples, and badly administered hormone injections, Fogel and Rodchenkov grow closer despite shocking allegations that place Rodchenkov at the center of Russia's state-sponsored Olympic doping program. When the truth is more complex than imagined, and accusations of illegalities run to Russia's highest chains of command, the two realize they hold the power to reveal the biggest international sports scandal in living memory. Exemplifying the special bond between filmmaker and subject, this is a vital portrait of the sacrifice some people will make to stand up for truth. Icarus places you at the heart of an international game of cat and mouse, where a miscalculation can cost you your life. Atypical (Netflix, August 11) - The coming of age story follows Sam (Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum on his search for love and independence. His funny yet painful journey of self-discovery upends his entire family, forcing them all to grapple with change in their own lives as they all struggle with the central theme: what does it really mean to be normal? Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as his mother, Elsa, who is on her own journey of self discovery, and Michael Rapaport plays his father, Doug. Brigette Lundy-Paine (Margot vs Lily, The Glass Castle) will play Sam's sister Casey and Amy Okuda (How to Get Away with Murder) portrays his therapist Julia. Naked (Netflix, August 11) - When Rob Anderson (Marlon Wayans), a charming man-child, arrives in Charleston the night before he is about to marry the woman of every man's dreams, Megan Swope (Regina Hall), he hasn't written his vows, learned the steps for the first dance, or even remembered to bring the ring. Instead of taking care of his responsibilities, Rob goes out for a night on the town with his best man (Jonathan Todd Jackson). Then something unexpected happens... Rob wakes up naked in an elevator with no idea how he got there. When the elevator doors open Rob is shocked to find that it's late in the morning and he has only one hour to get to the church or miss his own wedding. He tries desperately to get to the chapel, streaking through a city marathon, stealing clothes, avoiding capture by local police, a near death confrontation with a vicious motorcycle gang, and many other obstacles only to find himself waking up in the elevator again and again. Some unknown force has conspired to make Rob live this hour repeatedly until he finally grows up and becomes the man that his amazing fiancée deserves to marry. Narcos: Season 3 (Netflix, September 1) - This raw, gritty series chronicles the gripping real-life stories of the drug kingpins of the late 1980s and the corroborative efforts of law enforcement to meet them head on in brutal, bloody conflict. It details the many, often-conflicting forces - legal, political, police, military and civilian - that clash in the effort to control cocaine, one of the world's most valuable commodities. Suburra (Netflix, October 6) - Suburra is a crime thriller set in Rome that describes how the Church, the state, organized crime, local gangs and real estate developers collide and blur the lines between the legal and the illicit in their quest for power. At the heart of the story three young men with different backgrounds, ambitions and passions will have to forge alliances to achieve their deepest desire. Based on the novel of the same name but set several years before, Suburra the series, is full of action, drama and crime that sees 20 days of turmoil in 10 powerful episodes. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 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. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Wed Jul 19, 2017 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray News Roundup: 'Bram Stoker's Dracula,' 'The Purge,' and More[teaser]Vampires, killers, and the Peanuts gang are all heading to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases from Warner Bros., Universal Studios, and Sony Pictures. First up, Universal Studios is set to release James DeMonaco's The Purge: 3-Film Collection on September 12. The package will include: The Purge starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, and Max Burkholder. The Purge: Anarchy starring Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, and Zach Gilford. The Purge: Election Year starring Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Mykelti Williamson. All three films will feature 2160p video with HDR10 high dynamic range and DTS:X soundtracks. Supplements will include: - Surviving the Night: The Making of The Purge- Deleted Scenes- Behind the Anarchy- Inside The Purge- Character Spotlight: Leo Order the 4K Blu-ray Meanwhile, Sony is prepping Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and Keanu Reeves for Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 3. The disc will feature 2160p video with HDR (high dynamic range) and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Supplements will include: - Reflections in Blood: Francis Ford Coppola and Bram Stoker's Dracula- Practical Magicians: A Collaboration Between Father and Son- Deleted Scenes- 4 Legacy Featurettes- Audio Commentary & Film Introduction by Director Francis Ford Coppola- 1993 Audio Commentary with Francis Ford Coppola, Roman Coppola and Greg Cannom Order the 4K Blu-ray Finally, Warner Bros. has announced plans to bring several Charlie Brown holiday films to Ultra HD Blu-ray. The upcoming releases will include: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on September 26. The release will also include It's Magic, Charlie Brown and Charlie Brown's All-Stars. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on October 24. The release will also include The Mayflower Voyagers and Play It Again, Charlie Brown. A Charlie Brown Christmas on October 24. The release will also include It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown and It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown. In addition, a Peanuts: Holiday Collection box set with all nine of the above specials will be available on October 10. All four Ultra HD Blu-ray releases will feature 2160p video with HDR (high dynamic range). No other details have been announced at this time. You can find the latest specs for all of the 4K titles listed above linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Tue Jul 18, 2017 at 09:45 PM PDT by: -
Criterion's October 2017 Blu-ray Titles Now Available for Pre-Order![teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of October releases, including David Lynch's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing Vampyr, The Lure, Othello, Barry Lyndon, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, and Personal Shopper for Blu-ray throughout the month of October. Vampyr (October 3) - With Vampyr, Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer channeled his genius for creating mesmerizing atmosphere and austere, unsettling imagery into the horror genre. The result—a chilling film about a student of the occult who encounters supernatural haunts and local evildoers in a village outside Paris—is nearly unclassifiable. A host of stunning camera and editing tricks and densely layered sounds creates a mood of dreamlike terror. With its roiling fogs, ominous scythes, and foreboding echoes, Vampyr is one of cinema’s greatest nightmares. -Alternate version with English text-Audio commentary featuring film scholar Tony Rayns-Carl Th. Dreyer, a 1966 documentary by Jørgen Roos chronicling Dreyer's career-Video essay by scholar Casper Tybjerg on Dreyer's influences in creating Vampyr-Radio broadcast from 1958 of Dreyer reading an essay about filmmaking-PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by critics Mark Le Fanu and Kim Newman, a piece by Koerber on the restoration, and a 1964 interview with producer and actor Nicolas de Gunzburg-AND: A book featuring Dreyer and Christen Jul'’s original screenplay and Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 story "Carmilla," a source for the film Order the Blu-ray The Lure (October 10) - This genre-defying horror-musical mash-up—the bold debut of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczy?ska—follows a pair of carnivorous mermaid sisters drawn ashore to explore life on land in an alternate 1980s Poland. Their tantalizing siren songs and otherworldly auras make them overnight sensations as nightclub singers in the half-glam, half-decrepit world of Smoczy?ska’s imagining. The director gives fierce teeth to her viscerally sensual, darkly feminist twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” in which the girls’ bond is tested and their survival threatened after one sister falls for a human. A coming-of-age fairy tale with a catchy synth-fueled soundtrack, outrageous song-and-dance numbers, and lavishly grimy sets, The Lureexplores its themes of emerging female sexuality, exploitation, and the compromises of adulthood with savage energy and originality. -New program about the making of the film, featuring interviews with director Agnieszka Smoczy?ska, actors Marta Mazurek and Michalina Olsza?ska, screenwriter Robert Bolesto, Kijowski, composers Barbara and Zuzanna Wro?ski, sound designer Marcin Lenarczyk, and choreographer Kaya Ko?odziejczyk-Deleted scenes-Aria Diva (2007) and Viva Maria! (2010), two short films directed by Smoczy?ska-PLUS: An essay by writer Angela Lovell Order the Blu-ray Othello (October 10) - Gloriously cinematic despite being made on a tiny budget, Orson Welles’s Othello is a testament to the filmmaker’s stubborn willingness to pursue his vision to the ends of the earth. Unmatched in his passionate identification with Shakespeare’s imagination, Welles brings his inventive visual approach to this enduring tragedy of jealousy, bigotry, and rage, and also gives a towering performance as the Moor of Venice, alongside Suzanne Cloutier as his innocent wife, Desdemona, and Micheál MacLiammóir as the scheming Iago. Shot over the course of three years in Morocco, Venice, Tuscany, and Rome and plagued by many logistical problems, this fiercely independent film joins Macbeth and Chimes at Midnight in making the case for Welles as the cinema’s most audacious interpreter of the Bard. -Audio commentary from 1995 featuring filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich and Orson Welles scholar Myron Meisel-Return to Glennascaul, a 1953 short film made by MacLiammóir and actor Hilton Edwards during a hiatus from shooting Othello-New interview with Welles biographer Simon Callow-Souvenirs d’“Othello,” a 1995 documentary about actor Suzanne Cloutier by François Girard-New interview with scholar François Thomas on the two versions-New interview with Ayanna Thompson, author of Passing Strange: Shakespeare, Race, and Contemporary America-Interview from 2014 with scholar Joseph McBride-Filming “Othello,” Welles’s last completed film, a 1979 essay-documentary-PLUS: An essay by film critic Geoffrey O’Brien Order the Blu-ray Barry Lyndon (October 17) - Stanley Kubrick bent the conventions of the historical drama to his own will in this dazzling vision of brutal aristocracy, adapted from a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray. In picaresque detail, Barry Lyndon chronicles the adventures of an incorrigible trickster (Ryan O’Neal) whose opportunism takes him from an Irish farm to the battlefields of the Seven Years’ War and the parlors of high society. For the most sumptuously crafted film of his career, Kubrick recreated the decadent surfaces and intricate social codes of the period, evoking the light and texture of eighteenth-century painting with the help of pioneering cinematographic techniques and lavish costume and production design, all of which earned Academy Awards. The result is a masterpiece—a sardonic, devastating portrait of a vanishing world whose opulence conceals the moral vacancy at its heart. -New documentary featuring cast and crew interviews as well as excerpts from a 1976 audio interview with director Stanley Kubrick-New program about the film’s groundbreaking visuals, featuring focus puller Douglas Milsome and gaffer Lou Bogue, as well as excerpts from a 1980 interview with cinematographer John Alcott-New program about Academy Award–winning production designer Ken Adam with historian Sir Christopher Frayling-New interview with editor Anthony Lawson-French television interview from 1976 with Oscar-winning costume designer Ulla-Britt Söderlund-New interview with critic Michel Ciment-New interview with actor Leon Vitali about the 5.1 surround soundtrack, which he cosupervised-New piece analyzing the fine-art-inspired aesthetics of the film with art curator Adam Eaker-PLUS: An essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien and two pieces about the film from the March 1976 issue of American Cinematographer Order the Blu-ray Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (October 17) - In the town of Twin Peaks, everyone has their secrets—but especially Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). In this prequel to his groundbreaking 1990s television series, David Lynch resurrects the teenager found wrapped in plastic at the beginning of the show, following her through the last week of her life and teasing out the enigmas that surround her murder. Homecoming queen by day and drug-addicted thrill seeker by night, Laura leads a double life that pulls her deeper and deeper into horror as she pieces together the identity of the assailant who has been terrorizing her for years. Nightmarish in its vision of an innocent torn apart by unfathomable forces, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is nevertheless one of Lynch’s most humane films, aching with compassion for its tortured heroine—a character as enthralling in life as she was in death. -The Missing Pieces, ninety minutes of deleted and alternate takes from the film, assembled by Lynch-New interview with actor Sheryl Lee-Interviews from 2014 by Lynch with actors Lee, Ray Wise, and Grace Zabriskie-More!-PLUS: An interview with Lynch from the 2005 edition of filmmaker and writer Chris Rodley’s book Lynch on Lynch Order the Blu-ray Personal Shopper (October 24) - With this intimate supernatural drama, the celebrated French filmmaker Olivier Assayas conjures a melancholy ghost story set in the world of haute couture. Starring Kristen Stewart, whose performance in Assayas’s Clouds of Sils Mariamade her the first American actor to win a César Award, this evocative character study tells the story of a young American fashion assistant and spiritual medium who is living in Paris and searching for signs of an afterlife following the sudden death of her twin brother. A stirring depiction of grief in the form of a psychological thriller, Personal Shopper—which won Assayas the best director award at Cannes—is a chilling meditation on modern modes of communication and the way we mourn those we love. -New interview with Assayas-2016 festival press conference featuring members of the film’s cast and crew, including actor Kristen Stewart-PLUS: An essay by critic Glenn Kenny Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout October.Posted Tue Jul 18, 2017 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
'The Lion King: The Signature Collection' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The Blu ray release also known as 'The Circle of Life Edition' will be available this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is working on 'The Lion King: The Signature Collection' for Blu-ray on August 29. Audiences will fall in love all over again with the treasured classic, and a new generation of fans will laugh with Timon and Pumbaa, cry with Simba and Mufasa, burst into song, and find their place in the "Circle of Life." The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes over three hours of classic bonus material and exclusive, brand new features inviting viewers to sing along with the film's award-winning music, observe recording sessions, step inside the story room, witness the evolution of a villain, and join Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) and Matthew Broderick (voice of Adult Simba) for an extended conversation regarding the legacy of "The Lion King." "The Lion King" follows the adventures of Simba, a feisty lion cub who cannot wait to be king, as he searches for his destiny in the great "Circle of Life." The film earned a Golden Globe® for Best Motion Picture—Comedy or Musical and inspired a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical that is currently the third longest-running musical in Broadway history. In 2019, a reimagined live-action film, helmed by Jon Favreau, will delight audiences with the thrilling retelling of the original tale utilizing groundbreaking technological advances—as only Disney can do. "The Lion King" is the fifth title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, which includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. It takes its place alongside "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Beauty and the Beast," "Pinocchio" and "Bambi." Special features include: Brand New Sing-Along Version Audio Commentary – View the film with commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Visualizing a Villain – Against a backdrop of live dancers and the animated "Be Prepared" sequence, artist David Garibaldi paints a masterpiece of evil. The Recording Sessions – Watch rare footage of the actors recording their roles, matched with the final animation. Intro by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation – Nathan Lane (Timon) and Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba) offer candid and hilarious insights into their Lion King experiences. Inside the Story Room – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches. Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film's iconic opening. Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen. Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film! Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the "Hakuna Matata" sequence. Rafiki and Reflecting Pool – Co-directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff pitch a sequence that became the emotional heart of The Lion King to Producer Don Hahn. Music & More – Sing along to your favorite songs from the movie! "Circle of Life" "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" "Be Prepared" "Hakuna Matata" "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" Galleries Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie's look and feel. Character Design – Trace the development of the film's unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings. Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of "The Lion King." Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of "The Lion King." Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of "The Lion King." Classic Bonus Features (Digital Only) – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as bloopers, audio commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, and in-depth journeys into the music, film, story, animals and stage show. You can find the latest specs for 'The Lion King: The Signature Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 29. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jul 18, 2017 at 09:17 AM PDT by: -
Exclusive: Sony Announces 'Zero Dark Thirty' for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Kathryn Bigelow's Academy Award nominated film is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in September.[/teaser] In an exclusive announcement to High-Def Digest, Sony is prepping Zero Dark Thirty for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 12. The release will initially be a Best Buy exclusive. For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives working in secret across the globe devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar®-winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (2009, Best Picture, The Hurt Locker) for the story of history's greatest manhunt for the world's most dangerous man The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray will feature 2160p video with HDR and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Supplements will include the previous bonus material found on the original Blu-ray: -The Compound-Geared Up-Targeting Jessica Chastain-No Small Feat: Making Zero Dark Thirty Check out the box art below! You can find the latest specs for Zero Dark Thirty linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 12.Posted Tue Jul 18, 2017 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Starship Troopers' and All-New 'Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars' Announced for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The brand new animated adventure and the original action-packed movie will receive the 4K UHD treatment in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on September 19. Directed by celebrated anime filmmaker Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed Alpha, Appleseed Ex Machina) and written by sci-fi master Ed Neumeier (Starship Troopers, RoboCop), STARSHIP TROOPERS: TRAITOR OF MARS sees Rico and Dizzy reunite on screen twenty years after the release of 1997’s sci-fi classic Starship Troopers for an action-packed and breathtakingly animated outer space military adventure co-starring comedian and Starship Troopers superfan DeRay Davis (TV’s “Wild 'N Out,” 21 Jump Street). C’mon You Apes, You Wanna Live Forever?! I have only one rule. Everybody fights, no one quits. The bugs have breached Mars and the Federation’s Fleet is too far to help. It’s up to us to save the planet. On the bounce, Troopers! The only Good Bug is a Dead Bug! Oorah! Casper Van Dien and Dina Meyer return as the voices of Johnny Rico and Dizzy Flores alongside comedian and Starship Troopers superfan DeRay Davis in an all-new military adventure from the writer of Starship Troopers and Robocop, Ed Neumeier. The home entertainment release of STARSHIP TROOPERS: TRAITOR OF MARS includes the featurette “Expanding the Universe,” offering fans a comprehensive look at the making of the new Starship Troopers, interviews with star Casper Van Dien and screenwriter Ed Neumeier, and reflections from cast and crew on the legacy of the original film. Additional bonus materials include a deleted scene and photo gallery. Also debuting September 19 is the original 'Starship Troopers' on 4K Ultra HD. Experience this sci-fi action classic like never before with all-new 4K picture and Dolby Atmos audio. This special anniversary release also includes the film on Blu-ray, featuring classic special features including director and cast commentary, deleted scenes, 19 featurettes, screen tests, and more! You can find the latest specs for 'Starship Troopers' and 'Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars' linked from our 4K UHD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under September 19.Posted Tue Jul 18, 2017 at 08:44 AM PDT by: -
Don't Miss 'War for the Planet of the Apes' in Dolby Vision & Dolby AtmosWhile we'll leave the full review to Phil Brown over on the Bonus View (read his thoughts HERE), I set out to see War for the Planet of the Apes this weekend at one of the 100 Dolby Cinema locations now open worldwide and thought I'd share my thoughts with you all here. If you don't know what I mean by Dolby Cinema or Dolby Cinema at AMC, please check out THIS ARTICLE where we first demonstrated the premium cinema auditorium. And, for more information on Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies, please click HERE and HERE, respectively. WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE AWESOME FRANCHISES I'm a pretty big fan of this new Apes trilogy despite (or perhaps because of) my limited affinity for the original Apes movies. I'm not saying they're bad, mind you; it's just a franchise I haven't experienced outside of a few casual Saturday afternoons back in the days where you had to watch commercials OR flip channels to find something else to watch. Still, the new trilogy is special to me because these films are equal parts blockbuster entertainment and character-focused dramas. Also, as far as prequels go, they're uniformly surprising and dramatic where many feel inert and unnecessary. Especially in an era where blockbusters and franchise movies are often overlong and/or dramatically depend on you watching later chapters, the Apes trilogy works equally well as stand-alone chapters or one complete story. In short, I'm in awe that these new Apes movies exist AND stand up next to modern cable television for having dynamic and complex characters... who just so happen to be CGI-rendered apes. Where Rise began in our world, showcasing Caesar's childhood and the outbreak of a biological virus that was meant to cure Alzheimer's, Dawn took audiences ten years into the post-apocalypse for the first armed conflict between mankind and ape-kind. Both stories highlighted well-intentioned characters making mistakes while trying to do good things and a whole bunch of tragic outcomes. War picks up only two years after Dawn, with Caesar trying to protect the apes from The Colonel and his army of soldiers who are hell-bent on hunting down and killing every last ape. Caesar still hopes for peace, sending back human survivors after battles, but The Colonel's definition of mercy is as brutal as his desire to destroy anyone, human or ape, who opposes his tactics. There's more to the story, of course, but I managed to go into War unaware of the bigger plot-points and, because of this, was genuinely surprised by the story choices the filmmakers made. Effectively, if you're expecting another chapter akin to Dawn, this one goes in a different sub-genre direction. What I will say is that the movie is grounded in some heartbreaking emotions that layer thematics on top of character arcs. War is very much about whether or not Caesar will lose his soul to avenge and defend his ape family, which is dramatically explored through every choice and consequence Caesar makes and experiences. The filmmakers have also added more of a female presence, which I applaud, and smartly continued to build, through callbacks and payoffs, towards a world that resembles the original franchise. If you enjoyed Rise and Dawn, War is highly recommended; for everyone else, I would definitely recommend giving this trilogy a try so you can experience its third chapter on a premium, immersive, big screen where it's meant to be seen and heard. Speaking of which... DOLBY VISION As I was watching War for the Planet of the Apes, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. It looked quite good, don't get me wrong. Everything was clear and sharp, and the contrast was very good. Still, when you compare it to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 or The Jungle Book, those movies are so much more aggressively stylized (and colorful) than this gritty blockbuster with its cold and wintry color palette. In fact, I was considering not writing this article... Until afterward, when I popped into a conventional digital cinema auditorium, and my jaw dropped. It looked like UTTER GARBAGE by comparison. Graying black levels. Jacked contrast with severe shadow detail crushing. Drab and muted colors, especially the yellow subtitles for when the apes use sign language. And it wasn't as visibly sharp. Hands down, watching War in Dolby Vision is like getting laser eye surgery after needing glasses for years. You can see all the fur follicles and tree branches and rusted metal fencing. You can see characters and locations in the shadows, even when they're intentionally out of focus. You can see the flickering orange fury of campfires and explosions. Colors are more vibrant and vivid and true. And black levels are actually black. In short, it's a night & day difference, folks. One you might not realize you're missing until it's too late. Bottom line, and what I take away from this screening, is this: Dolby Vision won't always be show-stopping from an in-your-face color and visual spectacle department, in very much the same way that not all Blu-rays are demo material even when the transfers reproduce the original source materials perfectly. BUT when you go into a Dolby Cinema, or see a movie in Dolby Vision, you're going to get a dramatically more accurate, detailed, and colorful version of whatever film you're seeing. It's like buying an OLED display -- everything looks better even if you're not always obviously-wowed. [EDITOR'S NOTE: by the way, there are other great premium cinema formats too -- IMAX Laser is extraordinary, for example -- and my intention here is ONLY to compare Dolby Cinema to standard digital cinemas, primarily because they are the only two formats in which I've seen War thus far. In short, if you prefer something else, that's great and feel free to tell us about it in the comments. Cheers!] DOLBY ATMOS War arrives with another outstanding Dolby Atmos mix that, at times, is a touch more subtle than the theatrical mix released with Dawn, but serves its world-building well before becoming outright demo material during the film's climax. With more of a wintery setting than the previous films, War knows when exactly when to ramp up, ping-ponging sound around the hemisphere, and when to be quiet. In that sense, the film often portrays moments of action and mayhem in a somber, dreamlike quality before returning to more traditional bombast. This Dolby Atmos mix also excels at expanding the film's locations, where cave chambers echo with falling water and wind whips through snowy mountaintops and fire crackles in an empty hotel lobby. All of these choices uses Atmos' pinpoint precision to extend the movie OFF the screen, thrusting us into its universe. Still, the mix can seem a little less overt compared to Dawn's theatrical mix, which featured many scenes in rainy forests with plenty of overhead sound placement. Until the climax that is, when War's Dolby Atmos mix becomes absolutely bonkers in a Fury Road kinda way. Precision Chaos is the good way to describe it; where, despite the madness on screen and surrounding us aurally, you can hear every sonic choice amidst the overall bombast. It's a lot of fun. Overall, War boasts a very good Dolby Atmos mix and here's hoping Fox includes it on (at least) the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray because it's going to make a lot of sound enthusiasts happy. FINAL THOUGHTS Regardless of where it ranks in the series and against other modern franchise pictures, War for the Planet of the Apes is extraordinary blockbuster filmmaking that seamlessly blends emotion and character and thematics with a heaping dosage of thrilling action. Dolby Cinema, with its one-two punch of Dolby Vision projection and Dolby Atmos, enhances the whole experience with far more clarity and contrast and color. To be clear, the HDR grading and color palette isn't as in-your-face WOW as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 or The Jungle Book, but the standard SDR grading and performance capabilities of conventional digital cinemas literally pale in comparison.Posted Mon Jul 17, 2017 at 06:28 PM PDT by: -
Dolby Opens 100th Global Dolby Cinema Location[teaser]A new Dolby Cinema theater has opened and even more are on the way.[/teaser] Dolby is celebrating the opening of its 100th global Dolby Cinema location. The new site is located at the AMC South Bay Galleria 16 in Redondo Beach, California. And beyond the 100 current sites, a total of 325 Dolby Cinema sites have been committed worldwide, and there have been more than 100 titles released or announced in the format so far. "It is very gratifying to see top filmmakers and industry creatives whose first choice is to showcase their work in Dolby Cinema," said Doug Darrow, Senior Vice President, Cinema Business Group, Dolby Laboratories. "Audiences continue to embrace Dolby Cinema as well. The rapid growth of Dolby Cinema to 100 locations shows that movie lovers around the world are hungry for a truly immersive experience with state-of-the-art images and sound that make them feel like they are inside the story." Dolby Cinema is a premium theater format that uses the Dolby Vision laser projection system to deliver high dynamic range images with expanded colors and enhanced contrast. Likewise, Dolby Cinema also uses Dolby Atmos object-based mixing to create an immersive surround sound experience with overhead audio. In addition, Dolby Cinema at AMC theaters have been designed with comfort in mind, offering reserved recliners with seat transducers. In the US, AMC currently has 77 Dolby Cinema locations open and the company has plans to have a total of 160 sites by the end of 2018. Likewise, more Dolby Cinema sites are also planned for China, Europe, and the Middle East. For a full rundown of US Dolby Cinema at AMC locations, click here. Source: DolbyPosted Mon Jul 17, 2017 at 05:45 PM PDT by: -
Sharp Releases 2017 4K Ultra HD Smart AQUOS TV Lineup, Prices Start at $450[teaser]New 4K models with HDR and local dimming are now available.[/teaser] Sharp has announced the release of its 2017 4K Ultra HD TV lineup. The collection includes the P8000 and P7000 series with sizes ranging from 43-inches to 65-inches. The premium P8000 series features HDR support, Motion Rate 120, Full Array Local Dimming, and 4K Ultra HD Upscaler tech. Meanwhile, the P7000 series features HDR, a slim, super-thin panel, direct-lit LED backlighting, and UHD Upscaling. Exact HDR specs are not listed and performance will vary by model. In addition, both series use Sharp's new simplified Smart TV platform with a streamlined user interface and access to 4K streaming through popular apps like Netflix, Amazon Video, and YouTube. Here's a full rundown of key features and pricing for each model per Sharp: Sharp P8000 Series – 4K Smart AQUOS® TV • HDR • Full Array Local Dimming • Motion Rate 120 • UHD Upscaler • Smart TV with Apps and Web Browser • dbx-tv® Award-Winning Audio Technology • ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM Tuner • MSRP 50" Class LC-50P8000U: $699.99 • MSRP 55" Class LC-55P8000U: $899.99 • MSRP 65" Class LC-65P8000U: $1,299.99 Sharp P7000 Series – 4K Smart AQUOS ® TV • HDR • Direct-LED Backlight • UHD Upscaler • Motion Rate 120 • Smart TV with Apps and Web Browser • dbx-tv® Award-Winning Audio Technology • ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM Tuner • MSRP 43" Class LC-43P7000U: $449.99 • MSRP 50" Class LC-50P7000U: $549.99 • MSRP 55" Class LC-55P7000: $649.99 • MSRP 65" Class LC-65P7000U: $1,199.99 Beyond the new 4K Ultra HD displays, Sharp has also launched its new P5000 series of Full HD displays as well. Sizes range from 32-inches to 55-inches and prices range from $230 to $530. The Sharp brand is currently used under sub-license in the United States by Hisense USA Corporation. Source: SharpPosted Mon Jul 17, 2017 at 02:05 PM PDT by: -
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HD Gear News Roundup: Samsung Sound Bar, Onkyo Amplifier, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including a Samsung sound bar, new amps, 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 Samsung's latest sound bar model, new amps from Onkyo and Rotel, and a Mohu all-in-one cord cutting kit. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Samsung Releases MS750 Sound+ Sound Bar Samsung has announced the launch of its newest sound bar model. The MS750 Sound+ Soundbar is available now for a MSRP of $700. "Bringing the best viewing and listening experience to our home entertainment lineup is paramount at Samsung," said Jim Kiczek, Vice President of Digital Audio/Video Marketing for Samsung Electronics America. "MS750 Sound+ Soundbar provides a sweet spot no matter where you sit with Samsung’s patented distortion cancelling technology." The sound bar features 5-channels of audio through 11 speaker units with dedicated amplifiers, three wide-range tweeters, six woofers, and two vertical wide-range tweeters. With that said, while the unit does include upward firing drivers, the device does not offer Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support. A UHD upscaling option which uses Ultra High Quality 32-bit audio technology to automatically preserve a recording’s original sound is offered as well. Likewise, the speaker features a Smart Sound Mode capable of identifying and optimizing content as Movie, Voice, Music or Sports. The cross-over range is rated for 600Hz ~ 20kHz and the unit supports 4K pass-through for Ultra HD video sources. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and multi-room audio capabilities are integrated as well. Finally, users can also add an optional W700 subwoofer ($500) for deep bass as low as 27Hz. Source: Samsung Onkyo Details A-9150 Integrated Stereo Amplifier Onkyo has revealed its newest audio component. The A-9150 Integrated Stereo Amplifier is now available for an MSRP of $599. The amp is rated for 60 W + 60 W (4 Ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 Channels Driven, FTC). Likewise, the device features a high-current transformer; two large, custom-made filter capacitors, and discrete output-stage transistors. In addition, the unit uses a Discrete SpectraModule to generate a class-leading 500 volts per microsecond slew rate, and incorporates AKM's premium 768 kHz/32-bit AK4452 digital-to-analog converter with Onkyo's original DIDRC Filter technology. A gold-plated MM/MC phono input backed by an independent phono circuit board with dedicated MM and MC equalizers and custom head amp is integrated as well, along with four gold-plated RCA line inputs; two gold-plated coaxial digital inputs; two optical digital inputs, and gold-plated speaker posts with A/B selector. Here's a full rundown of key features per Onkyo: • Refined Power Amplification Circuitry with Discrete SpectraModule • Dedicated MM/MC Circuit Board and High Quality Discrete Head Amp • High Current Power Supply • Natural Music Reproduction with Hi-Grade DAC and DIDRC Filter • Robust Flat Chassis • Quality Audio Terminals Source: Onkyo Rotel Launches RA-1572 Amplifier, RC-1572 Stereo Preamp, and RCD-1572 CD Player Rotel has released its latest lineup of 15 Series audio gear. The collection includes the RA-1572 integrated amplifier ($1,699), RC-1572 stereo preamp ($1,099), and RCD-1572 CD player ($899). The RA-1572 is a stereo integrated amplifier with 120 watts per channel. The device features an AKM premium 32-bit/768kHz Digital to Analog Converter and an oversized toroidal transformer. Support for DSD capable PC-USB (32-bit/384kHz), Bluetooth with aptX, and LPCM music sources with up to 24-bit word lengths sampled at 192 kHz via two coaxial (RCA) and optical (TOSlink) inputs are integrated as well. In addition, the unit includes a pair of balanced XLR connectors and conventional RCA jacks. Meanwhile, the RC-1572 stereo preamp also features a 32 bit/768kHz AKM stereo digital-to-analog converter along with a large toroidal transformer, regulated power supply, and premium circuit components. Four digital inputs (2 coax and 2 optical), and a rear PC-USB support digital sources up to 32/384 resolution, and analog inputs include balanced XLR connectors and four pairs of conventional RCA inputs. Bluetooth connectivity with aptX is included as well. Finally, the RCD-1572 CD player uses a Wolfson WM8740 digital filter/stereo digital-to-analog converter to process digital signals up to 24-bits in length at sampling rates from 8 kHz to 192 kHz. In addition, the unit features an oversized custom Rotel-designed and precision-manufactured toroidal power transformer that feeds precise rectifiers, tight-tolerance voltage regulators, and advanced Slit-Foil low-ESR storage capacitors. RCA and XLR rear panel connectors are integrated as well, and the device also supports MP3 playback. The Rotel RA-1572 integrated amplifier ($1,699), RC-1572 stereo preamp ($1,099), and RCD-1572 CD player ($899) are available now. Sources: Rotel, AVS Forum Mohu Announces Premium Pro Pack Cord Cutting Kit Mohu has announced the launch of its new Premium Pro Pack. The all-in-one Professional Installation Kit is designed to provide businesses with access to HDTV, HD Radio, and FM Radio through one device. The Premium Pro Pack includes: - Mohu's newest 65-mile range antenna, the Mohu Leaf 65- 3 high performance, low-loss coaxial cables (two 10 feet and one 16 feet)- A patented HDTV Amplifier with low noise figure and one-of-a-kind RF filtering for outstanding HDTV reception, made possible by patented USB power- A Two-Way RF Splitter In addition to the new pack, Mohu also recently released the new Leaf Glide, a powerful indoor HDTV antenna for consumers with a 65-mile range; Amplified by Jolt with Clean Peak filter technology to remove unwanted RF signals and boosts the ones you want; patented SignaLift technology for receiving VHF channels; and Multi-directional support to eliminate the need for "pointing." Mohu's Premium Pro Pack will be available in mid-August at select retailers like BrandSmart for an MSRP of $100. Meanwhile, the Leaf Glide is available now for an MSRP of $90. Source: MohuPosted Mon Jul 17, 2017 at 09:45 AM PDT by:
