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Amazon Readies 'American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story' Documentary Series for Prime Video[teaser]The new docuseries about the Playboy founder is set to premiere in 2017. [/teaser] Amazon has greenlit its latest original show, 'American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story.' The 13-episode documentary series will feature a combination of archival footage, interviews, and cinematic reenactments. "Although Hugh Hefner is an iconic figure known worldwide, most people may not be aware of the impact he has had on some of this country's most important social revolutions," said Conrad Riggs, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Studios. "We are excited to bring Prime members the untold story of Mr. Hefner's remarkable life and his contributions to modern American history." Produced by Stephen David Entertainment and Alta Loma Entertainment, American Playboy begins in post-war America and takes us through the launch of Playboy magazine in 1953 and the next six decades of Hefner's life and career. As he built his empire, Hefner became both a social justice advocate and a target of the conservative movement, battling with the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover while becoming an outspoken defender of civil rights. With unprecedented access to more than 17,000 hours of never-before-seen footage from the Playboy archives and Hefner's personal scrapbooks (which number more than 2,600 and constitute a Guinness World Record), American Playboy will be the Hugh Hefner story in his own words. The 90-year-old Hefner has been deeply involved in the development and production of American Playboy, imbuing the series with rich first-person accounts and never-before-told stories. Though an exact release date has not been announced, 'American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story' is set to premiere in 2017 exclusively through Amazon Prime Video in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, and Japan. "It has been a long road in finding the right partners to tell the full story of Playboy as it has unfolded over these past 63 years, and I believe we have found them in the collaborative team of Stephen David Entertainment and Amazon," said Hugh Hefner. "I'm pleased that this docuseries will shed light on what has been an incredible journey and the voice Playboy has had in the discussion of our ever-changing culture. Just as importantly, my hope is that it will inspire others to pursue their dreams." A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $99 per year or $11 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $8 per month. Source: AmazonPosted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 02:45 PM PDT by: -
Hulu Premieres 'Triumph's Summer Election Special 2016'[teaser]Triumph the Insult Comic Dog returns for another election special on Hulu. [/teaser] Hulu has released its latest political satire special starring Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. 'Triumph's Summer Election Special 2016' features the infamous puppet dog (voiced by comedian Robert Smigel) as he attends the recent Republican and Democratic national conventions. In his newest election special, Triumph reports from both political conventions, covering the candidates, photobombing news anchors, harassing and pranking delegates, and making sure Roger Ailes and Debbie Wasserman Schultz find their way back in. Check out the official trailer below! 'Triumph's Summer Election Special 2016' is now streaming exclusively through Hulu. The special joins the previously released 'Triumph The Primary Election Special 2016,' which premiered on February 8. In that program, Triumph reports from the primary states, chases down Ted Cruz and other candidates, attends town halls, debates and Trump rallies. All this plus a spirited roundtable discussion including Alan Dershowitz and Sanjaya. In addition to the Triumph Election Specials, Hulu also recently released a trailer for its upcoming show, 'Chance,' starring Hugh Laurie and Gretchen Mol. Likewise, the company announced plans to end its free streaming option while shifting free content to the newly launched Yahoo View ad-supported streaming service. Yahoo View is now available in the US through desktop web browsers. Mobile web and mobile app support will launch soon. A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. A Hulu live streaming platform is also planned to launch in early 2017 with content expected from Turner Networks, Fox, ABC, ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel. Source: HuluPosted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
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LG V20 Set to be First Smartphone with Android 7.0 & Quad DAC[teaser]The upcoming smartphone will include the new Android OS and advanced audio. [/teaser] LG has announced new features for its latest flagship handset. The LG V20 is set to be the first smartphone to launch with Android 7.0 Nougat and a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC (digital to analog converter). "We are excited to offer the first phone in the world to feature Nougat out of the box," said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and Mobile Communications Company. "The LG V20 upgrades and extends its predecessor's cutting-edge multimedia features a step further, providing distinctive mobile experience and sets a new standard for premium phones for consumers." Though exact specs have not been confirmed yet, the V20 will expand upon the multimedia experience found in LG's previous V10 smartphone. The device will launch with Android 7.0, offering several Nougat features like Vulkan-supported graphics, better battery performance with Doze, and Direct Reply, which will allow users to respond quickly to text messages or update tasks through the notification interface. Meanwhile, the LG V20 is also set to be the first smartphone to ship with a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC (digital to analog converter). With the device's Quad DAC, LG and ESS Technology have ensured that the smartphone will be able to produce clear sound capable of resembling a live performance when played back with supported wired headphones. Likewise, the Quad DAC can reduce up to 50 percent of ambient noise, making it superior to traditional DACs. "As smartphones mature, we're seeing more and more customers looking beyond just fast processors and big displays in their devices," said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and Mobile Communications Company. "Higher quality audio is simply the natural evolution of the smartphone, as the industry moves toward a more holistic multimedia consumption experience. We're pleased to continue this long-term partnership with ESS and bring best in class audio to LG V20 users." Full specs and details for the LG V20 smartphone will be revealed on September 6. Sources: LG 1, LG 2Posted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 3D: Collector's Edition' Blu-ray Coming November 15th[teaser]The long awaited 3D version of Episode VII is coming in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney says 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 3D: Collector's Edition' will hit Blu-ray on November 15. Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. When a defector named Finn crash-lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a tough scavenger whose droid contains a top-secret map. Together, the young duo joins forces with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to make sure the Resistance receives the intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi Knights. For the first time—and just in time for the holidays—viewers can bring home Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in 3D, encased in stunning, collectible packaging. The exclusive four-disc 3D Collector's Edition contains the original theatrical release on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and DVD, along with originally released bonus features and brand-new bonus material, including additional deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes conversations with cast and crew and revealing, never-before released audio commentary by director J.J. Abrams. The release will feature 1080p video, lossless 7.1 audio, and supplements include: NEW Audio Commentary with J.J. Abrams – Enter the mind of visionary director J.J. Abrams as he reveals the creative and complex choices made while developing the first film in the new Star Wars trilogy; Foley: A Sonic Tale – Foley artists, consisting of old pros and new talent, unite to bring the world of Star Wars: The Force Awakens alive through the matching of sound to action; Sounds of the Resistance – Hear how the epic sound design of Star Wars: The Force Awakens moves the Star Wars legacy forward; Deleted Scenes – View never-before-shared scenes that didn't make the film's final cut; Dressing the Galaxy – Costume designer Michael Kaplan reveals how the costumes of the original Star Wars movies were re-envisioned for a new generation; The Scavenger and the Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega – The two new stars share the thrill of working together on the adventure of a lifetime and becoming part of the Star Wars legacy; Inside the Armory – Take a fascinating tour through the design and creation of the weaponry in Star Wars: The Force Awakens; and Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from the April release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens include the complete story behind the making of the film, an unforgettable cast table read, insights from legendary composer John Williams, and deleted scenes, as well as features that dig deeper into the creation of new characters such as BB-8, the design of the climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren, the film's remarkable digital artistry, and the Star Wars: Force for Change global aid initiative. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 3D: Collector's Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 15. Order the CE Blu-rayPosted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Waxwork / Waxwork II: Lost in Time' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The double feature will be available on Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Waxwork / Waxwork II: Lost in Time' will hit Blu-ray on October 18. Waxwork - Welcome to the Waxwork... the mysterious place where every picture tells a horror story. The private midnight showing is about to begin with the scariest bunch of drips you'll ever meet! Gremlins star Zach Galligan co-stars in this comedy of terrors with Deborah Foreman (My Chauffer), Miles O'Keefe (Tarzan), Michelle Johnson (Blame it On Rio), David Warner (Time After Time) and the special effects of Bob Keen (Alien, Hellraiser)! Inside the wax museum, a group of teenagers are aghast at the hauntingly lifelike wax displays of Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy and other charter members of the horror Hall of Fame. Each display is perfectly grotesque, yet each is missing one thing... a victim! Admission to the Waxwork was free, but now they may pay with their lives! One by one, the students are drawn into the settings as objects of the bloodthirsty creatures. They are now part of the permanent collection. no movie you've ever seen before can hold a candle to Waxwork! Waxwork II - Lost in Time - A killer is waiting - in the past, present and future. Looking for clues to a bizarre killing, a young couple bravely embarks on a terrifying journey through time in this action-packed sci-fi thriller. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Audio Commentaries with Anthony Hickox & Zach Galligan; "The Waxwork Chronicles" (Parts 1–6); Vintage "Making of" Featurette; Theatrical Trailers; and Still Galleries. You can find the latest specs for 'Waxwork / Waxwork II: Lost in Time' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 18. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Takeshi Kitano's 'Violent Cop' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The 1989 crime thriller will gun down Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Film Movement will be bringing 'Violent Cop' to Blu-ray on October 11. Beautifully restored in HD, this classic film is now released for the first time in North America on Blu Ray. In his explosive directorial debut Japanese renaissance man-cum-comedian-extraordinaire Takeshi "Beat" Kitano plays vicious rogue homicide Detective Azuma who takes on a sadistic crime syndicate only to discover widespread internal corruption in the police force. Facing criminal charges for his unorthodox "Dirty Harry" type methods, Azuma finds himself caught in a web of betrayal and intrigue that sends him on a bloody trail of vengeance. But when his sister is kidnapped by a sadistic drug lord, Azuma's tactics escalate towards an apocalyptic climax. New Collector's Edition art by Benjamin Marra, the influential comic creator and artist, commissioned exclusively for retrospective screenings and the Blu Ray/DVD re-release. Bonus Features, include: 20-minute featurette, That Man Is Dangerous: The Birth of Takeshi Kitano; original Violent Cop trailer; new Violent Cop HD re-release trailer. Package, includes: Collector's Booklet, featuring film essay by Tom Vick, the Asian film Curator for the Freer and Sackler Galleries (The Smithsonian's Museums of Asian Art); cast and crew credits; chapter breaks; stills. You can find the latest specs for 'Violent Cop' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 11. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Blood Diner' Collector's Series Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The 1987 Vestron Video black comedy is bound for Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate will be releasing 'Blood Diner' on Blu-ray on September 27. Two cannibalistic brothers kill various young women to make their flesh part of their new special dish at their rundown restaurant while seeking blood sacrifices to awaken a dormant Egyptian goddess. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the Blu-ray will be newly remastered in high-definition from the original film elements and supplements include: Audio Commentary with Director Jackie Kong; Queen Kong; The Cook, The Uncle, and The Detective; Open for Business; Scoring for Sheetar!; You Are What They Eat; Archival Interview with Project Consultant Eric Caidin; Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots; and Still Gallery. You can find the latest specs for 'Blood Diner' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 27. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Aug 11, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Hulu Teases 'Chance' Starring Hugh Laurie, Streaming Premiere Set for October 19[teaser]The new series will hit Hulu in October. [/teaser] Hulu has released a teaser trailer for its newest original show, 'Chance.' The upcoming series stars Hugh Laurie ('House'). Based on the acclaimed novel by Kem Nunn, Chance is a provocative, psychological thriller that focuses on Eldon Chance (Hugh Laurie), a San Francisco-based forensic neuropsychiatrist who reluctantly gets sucked into a violent and dangerous world of mistaken identity, police corruption and mental illness. After an ill-advised decision regarding an alluring patient who may or may not be struggling with a multiple personality disorder, Chance finds himself in the crosshairs of her abusive spouse, who also happens to be a ruthless police detective. In over his head, Chance's descent into the city’s wayward underbelly, all while navigating the waters of a contentious divorce and tribulations of his teenage daughter, soon spirals into an ever deepening exploration of one of mankind’s final frontiers- the shadowy, undiscovered country of the human mind. Also starring Gretchen Mol, LisaGay Hamilton, Paul Adelstein, Ethan Suplee and Stefania LaVie Owen. Check out the teaser trailer below! 'Chance' comes from creators Kem Nunn and Alexandra Cunningham. The series has been given a two season order for a total of 20 episodes. The first season is set to premiere exclusively through Hulu on October 19. A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Though the company has announced the termination of its free viewing option, select Hulu content will be available through the new Yahoo View free streaming service. The platform also recently announced plans to include Turner Networks in its upcoming live streaming service. Source: HuluPosted Wed Aug 10, 2016 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
AMC & Dolby Announce Plans to Launch 100 Dolby Cinema at AMC Sites by End of 2017[teaser]The companies have accelerated their installation plans for more Dolby Cinema locations. [/teaser] AMC and Dolby have announced plans to expedite Dolby Cinema at AMC installations. Though the original 2015 agreement called for 100 auditoriums over a 10 year period, the companies now expect to have 100 operational sites by the end of 2017. Likewise, Dolby and AMC are discussing expansion plans to add even more theaters. Currently, there are 22 Dolby Cinema at AMC locations open nationwide. "The popularity and success of Dolby Cinema at AMC led to its expansion at an accelerated rate, with 22 locations already open and a few dozen more planned for 2016," said John McDonald, Executive Vice President, U.S. Operations, AMC. "It's clear that our guests enjoy the premium audio, vibrant contrast and color, and the incredible comfort of the plush, power recliners at Dolby Cinema at AMC, and with this announcement, we're thrilled that more guests than ever will have access to this incredible experience." Dolby Cinema uses the Dolby Vision laser projection system, which delivers 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. Since the format's launch in 2015, more than 50 Dolby Cinema titles have been released or announced. Recent or upcoming titles include: Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Suicide Squad,' Disney's 'Pete's Dragon,' LAIKA and Focus Features' 'Kubo and the Two Strings,' Paramount Pictures' 'Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,' Marvel's 'Doctor Strange,' Sony Pictures' 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk,' Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' Disney's 'Moana,' Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast,' Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,' Disney's 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,' Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Wonder Woman,' and Disney•Pixar's 'Cars 3.' "Dolby Cinema has clearly become a preferred cinema experience of consumers, and we look forward to offering the best films to more AMC guests with the most spectacular image, immersive sound technologies and inspired design at Dolby Cinema at AMC," said Doug Darrow, Senior Vice President, Cinema Business Group, Dolby Laboratories. "Today's announcement of the expedited expansion of Dolby Cinema at AMC theatres is a direct result of the incredibly enthusiastic responses we have received from consumers nationwide." For more information on Dolby Cinema at AMC, including showtimes and theater locations, click here. Source: DolbyPosted Wed Aug 10, 2016 at 02:30 PM PDT by: -
'Tab Hunter Confidential' is Coming to Blu-ray[teaser]The documentary on Hollywood's all-American boy arrives on Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, FilmRise will be releasing 'Tab Hunter Confidential' on Blu-ray on August 23. Based on Tab's New York Times best-selling memoir, producer Allan Glaser and director Jeffrey Schwarz (I Am Divine) have assembled dozens of past and present Hollywood stars, and most importantly the man himself, to talk frankly about being a survivor of the Hollywood roller coaster. Throughout the 1950s, Tab Hunter reigned as Hollywood's ultimate heartthrob. In dozens of films, and in the pages of countless magazines, Tab's astonishing looks and golden-boy sex appeal drove his fans to screaming, delirious frenzy, solidifying him the prototype for all young matinee idols to come. Bristling against being just another pretty face and wanting to be taken seriously, Tab was one of the few to be able to transcend pin-up boy status. He earned his stripes as an actor to become a major movie star and recording artist. But throughout his years of stardom, Tab had a secret. Tab Hunter was gay, and spent his Hollywood years in a precarious closet that repeatedly threatened to implode and destroy him. Decades later, Tab's dramatic, turbulent and ultimately inspiring life story has become an explosive documentary feature. Tab Hunter Confidential offers unprecedented access to the man behind the marquee smile, who shares first hand what it was like to be a manufactured movie star during the Golden Age of Hollywood and the consequences of being someone totally different from his studio image. The film traces Tab's dizzying rise to Hollywood super-stardom, his secret life in an era when being openly gay was unthinkable, and his ultimate triumph when the limelight finally passed him by and true love won. Punctuating Tab's on-screen presence are rare film clips and provocative interviews with friends and co-stars including John Waters, Clint Eastwood, George Takei, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Portia de Rossi, Noah Wyle, Connie Stevens, Robert Osborne, and dozens more. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include extended interviews with Tab Hunter, Hollywood legends John Waters, George Takei, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Osborne, Robert Wagner and many others. You can find the latest specs for 'Tab Hunter Confidential' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 23. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Aug 10, 2016 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
