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Jean Negulesco's 'Road House' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1948 film-noir classic is getting the Blu-ray treatment in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino will be releasing 'Road House' on Blu-ray on September 13. "This slam-bang melodrama of troubled love, murder and unique revenge in a sleazy nightclub" (Cue) is a noir classic filled with "suspense" (Los Angeles Time), "dramatic punch" (Motion Picture Herald) and a "macabre demonstration of a wildly jealous man who is bent on ruining two lives" (The Hollywood Reporter). Jefty Robbins (Richard Widmark) owns a roadhouse near the Canadian border which is managed by his playboy buddy Pete Morgan (Cornel Wilde) and cashier Susie Smith (Celeste Holm). After a trip to Chicago, Jefty brings back Lily Stevens (Ida Lupino), chanteuse with whom he is obviously smitten. At first Pete is loathe to hire another one of Jefty's girls but Lily proves her talent is worth the paycheck. When Jefty goes on a hunting trip with some pals and prepares to ask Lily to marry him, Pete and Lily share some intimate time together and realize they are in love. The news sends Jefty into a psychopathic tailspin. He devises a plan to frame Pete and manically begins a game of endless and brutality, making "the lovers suffer and suffer - until their cup of bitterness runs over" (Daily News)! Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Audio Commentary by Film Noir Historians Kim Morgan and Eddie Muller; Killer Instincts: Richard Widmark and Ida Lupino at Twentieth Century Fox Featurette; and Original Trailers. You can find the latest specs for 'Road House' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 13. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Michael Winner's 'Death Wish II: Special Edition' Blu-ray Dated and Supplements Revealed[teaser]The 1982 action flick starring Charles Bronson will get revenge on Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Shout Factory says 'Death Wish II: Special Edition' will be available on Blu-ray on July 26. Paul Kersey is no victim: He fights back – with a vengeance! Legendary tough guy Charles Bronson resumes his trademark role as the hard-as-nails urban avenger in Death Wish II. With the murder of his wife and the revenge against her killers now behind him, Kersey begins a new life in Los Angeles. But tragedy is never far from his door, and when a group of local hoods viciously assault his daughter, they unleash a wrath unlike anything the city has ever seen. Kersey has the face of each of them branded in his memory, and he will not rest until he tracks every one of them down... and puts them all in the ground! This hard-hitting, action-packed sequel also stars Jill Ireland (Breakheart Pass), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) and Vincent Gardenia reprises his role as Detective Frank Ochoa. The film also features a rocking score by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release will include both the Theatrical Cut and the Unrated Cut of the film and supplements include a new Audio Commentary With Author Paul Talbot (Bronson's Loose!: The Making Of The Death Wish Films); and the Theatrical Trailer. You can find the latest specs for 'Death Wish II: Special Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under July 26. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Launches New Ultra HD TVs with HDR Support, Prices Start at $1,000[teaser]Three new series of 4K Ultra HD TVs have been revealed. [/teaser] Sony has announced the latest additions to its Ultra HD TV lineup. The new displays include five models across three new series: the XBR-X800D, the XBR-X750D, and the XBR-X700D. The new Sony Ultra HD TVs deliver over 8 million pixels and near 4K quality up-conversion from HD sources. Likewise, the XBR-X800D series comes with integrated HDR (high dynamic range) compatibility, and the XBR-X750D and the XBR-X700D series are set to receive HDR support through a firmware upgrade later this year. High Dynamic Range technology offers enhanced brightness and contrast on supported content and displays, resulting in superior highlights, shadows, and colors. In addition, the TVs feature the Google Android TV operating system for streaming, Google Cast, media downloads, and gaming from a variety of apps like Google Play, Amazon Video, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, PBS and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's ULTRA streaming service. Finally, the Android TV platform also offers support for Home Automation control directly from the TV's user interface with a Logitech Harmony Hub, allowing customers to control IoT various (internet of things) devices like lights, shades and thermostats. Here's a full rundown of the upcoming XBR-X800D, XBR-X750D, and XBR-X700D series Ultra HD TVs: - XBR-49X800D, 49" class (48.5″ diag), $1,499.99 MSRP - XBR-43X800D, 43" class (42.5″ diag), $1,299.99 MSRP - XBR-65X750D, 65" class (64.5″ diag), $2,299.99 MSRP - XBR-55X700D, 55" class (54.6″ diag), $1,499.99 MSRP - XBR-49X700D, 49" class (48.5″ diag), $999.99 MSRP Pre-orders for the Sony XBR-X800D, XBR-X750D, and XBR-X700D series Ultra HD TVs wil start today, and the displays will be available for purchase from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy in July. Source: SonyPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Readies New 'Lost in Space' Series for 2018[teaser]"Danger, Will Robinson!" A new version of the 1960s sci-fi classic is rocketing toward Netflix. [/teaser] Netflix has announced its latest original series. From Legendary TV, 'Lost in Space' will be a one our sci-fi drama based on the original 1960s TV series. "The original series so deftly captured both drama and comedy, and that made it very appealing to a broad audience. The current creative team’s reimagining of the series for Netflix is sure to appeal to both fans who fondly remember the original and to create a new generation of enthusiasts around the world," said Cindy Holland, Netflix Vice President of Original Content. The show centers around the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, it is a survival story for the ages. 'Lost in Space' is being developed by feature writing team Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless ('Dracula Untold,' 'Last Witch Hunter'). Zack Estrin ('Prison Break') is on board as showrunner. While an exact release date has not been announced, the 10 episode first season of the show is set to debut worldwide exclusively through Netflix in 2018. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Marco Polo' season two on July 1, the documentary 'Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru' on July 15, season three of 'BoJack Horseman' on July 22, 'The Little Prince' on August 5, 'The Get Down' on August 12, 'Project Mc2' season two on August 12, 'XOXO' on August 12, and 'The Crown' on November 4. Likewise, the streaming platform is also prepping a new sci-fi series called 'Travelers' from writer Brad Wright. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: June 2016Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with High-Def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for attention, and with so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month. From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted a "merc with a mouth," a classic film noir, and an explosive blockbuster. Be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November 2012, December 2012, January 2013,February 2013, March 2013, April 2013, May 2013, June 2013, July 2013, August 2013, September 2013, October 2013, November 2013, December 2013, January 2014, February 2014, March 2014, April 2014, May 2014, June 2014, July 2014, August 2014, September 2014, October 2014, November 2014,December 2014, January 2015, February 2015, March 2015, April 2015, May 2015, June 2015, July 2015, August 2015, September 2015, October 2015, November 2015, December 2015, January 2016, February 2016, March 2016, April 2016, and May 2016. [teaser]For June, we're covering a classic political satire, a genre-bending suspense film, and a stop-motion anomaly. [/teaser]Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some MAJOR SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in June, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Criterion)' - With the right tone, even the most serious and potentially terrifying subject matter can be funny. In fact, it can be downright hilarious. Using dark humor to brilliantly lampoon and dissect Cold War fears, Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove' remains one of the quintessential examples of this paradoxical cinematic phenomenon, resulting in one of the silver screen's most enduring and enlightening political satires. Using the threat of nuclear annihilation as its backdrop, the film points out the inherent absurdities related to "mutual assured destruction," creating a seemingly ridiculous doomsday scenario that is distressingly plausible within its matter-of-fact insanity. To this end, for much of the runtime, Kubrick mostly plays it straight, both with his aesthetic and even with his tone, implying just the right intonation of sardonic humor to tip the scales into comedy. Visually, the movie employs many stylistic techniques usually more closely associated with dramas, including dramatic low angle shots and extended takes with frequently static shots. In fact, with just a few narrative and performance tweaks, the film could have come across as a genuine thriller -- but instead of playing up the drama, Kubrick highlights the innate contradictions and irrationality of the situation through pitch black comedy. Longer takes, specific cuts, and careful reaction shots help to draw out this subversive humor, perfectly guiding the movie's rhythm as the script gradually escalates once deadly serious conversations into childish lunacy. Peter Seller's emergency phone call with the Soviet premier, Dimitri Kissov, is a perfect example, as the President is forced to assure the sensitive premier that he would indeed call "just to say hello" -- that is, if the world wasn't under the threat of complete destruction. Through subtle juxtapositions that pit serious dangers against mundane problems (one character doesn't have enough change to call the Pentagon to stop the attack) and increasingly absurd behavior, Kubrick crafts a deadpan satire that eventually embraces more overt jabs at farcical comedy -- including a notable appearance from the film's infamous title character. A disturbingly hilarious examination of just how close we could have been to nuclear holocaust during the Cold War, 'Dr. Strangelove' continues to be one of the sharpest satires ever made. With an improved video transfer and a great collection of supplements, this new release from Criterion is now the best version of the movie on Blu-ray, easily earning a spot atop June's essential list. But please, if you're going to drink while watching the film, make sure you have a glass of fresh, distilled water. We still need to protect our precious bodily fluids! Buy the Blu-ray '10 Cloverfield Lane' - What's more dangerous? A potentially crazy man holding you captive… or a full-scale alien invasion? With its genre-bending script and carefully crafted suspense, '10 Cloverfield Lane' presents a film where both men and monsters pose equal threats, creating a nail-biting chamber piece thriller that expands into sci-fi spectacle. As Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) finds herself trapped in an underground bunker with the seemingly polite yet uncomfortably stern Howard (John Goodman), we are at first unsure what to think of the situation. Has the country really been attacked? Or is this would-be savior really just a nut-job abductor? This level of deliberate uncertainty helps to amplify the film's growing tension, casting numerous scenes and interactions under an ambiguous cloud of doubt. To this end, the brunt of the runtime becomes a tense examination of human interaction, control, and abuse, and director Dan Trachtenberg maintains a palpably gripping and moody sense of isolation and mystery. And when more secrets are gradually revealed, we're left wondering whether it's really worse inside with Howard or outside with a potentially deadly airborne gas. Of course, the situation outside turns out to be a bit more "complicated," and just when the movie satisfies its initial ambitions as a powerful yet relatively straight-forward thriller, the third act offers one last jolt to the system. Extending the genre into overt science fiction while loosely tying the narrative into the world of 2008's 'Cloverfield,' the potentially out-of-place (or not so potentially for some viewers) climax somehow feels perfectly at home with what came before, offering an exciting and thematically interesting finale. A psychological thriller about manipulation, preparation, regrets, and second chances, '10 Cloverfield Lane' is a genre flick done right. Tense, well-crafted, and filled with carefully constructed characters, the film plays out like a lost feature length 'Twilight Zone' episode, complete with deep insights into the human condition and a sci-fi twist ending (even if the title's implications do kind of spoil it). This is a perfect watch for any movie night with your friends… or casual evening trapped inside an underground bunker. But if you watch this disc with Howard, just make sure to put it back in its sleeve when you're done. Buy the Blu-ray 'Anomalisa' - Though most Hollywood filmmakers appear content to rehash the same ideas, genres, visual styles, and general types of storytelling modes over and over again, Charlie Kaufman almost seems to go out of his way to avoid the norm. Responsible for helping to craft some of contemporary cinema's most unique films ('Being John Malkovich,' 'Adaptation,' 'Synecdoche, New York'), the writer/director continues to push the medium in new and exciting (and often very bizarre) directions. And with 'Anomalisa,' Kaufman may have come up with his most singular creation yet, turning to a world of miniature puppets to shed light on some very human flaws. Along with co-director Duke Johnson, Kaufman creates a meticulously constructed 1:6 scale world focused on a man, Michael, who can't see or hear other people as unique individuals. But instead of playing toward the inherent strengths of animation or the typical stylistic trappings of stop-motion, the filmmakers deliberately subvert visual expectations by crafting a strikingly realistic aesthetic. Despite the use of puppets and the miniature nature of the sets, Kaufman and Johnson shoot the picture like a live-action feature, employing diffuse lighting, intimate camera angles, close-up cuts, and slow push-ins to engender a paradoxically lifelike image. And helping to breathe life into these once inanimate objects, are the vocal cast's deceptively powerful performances. The trio actually recorded their scenes together in the booth, leading to an atypically naturalistic (for an animated film) cadence to their interactions which fits perfectly with the visuals. David Thewlis brings just the right amount of frustrated boredom, faint arrogance, and deep sadness to Michael, and while some of the character's behavior causes him to become deeply unlikeable in the end, Thewlis' honest and intimate performance manages to maintain some semblance of sympathy for the man. Meanwhile, Jennifer Jason Leigh is understated perfection as Lisa, highlighting the ordinary beauty of her character through spirited vocal work. Of course, Leigh's voice can't help but comes across as extraordinarily special when its juxtaposed against an endless chorus filled with Tom Noonans. And though Noonan's comparatively monotonous voice works great to enhance the movie's examination of identity and ego, the actor also displays surprising versatility -- bringing subtle differences, intonations, and vocal quirks to each and every character he plays. In fact, there were times when I even forgot that he was voicing most of the people on screen. While not the most mainstream effort, this is a truly singular work of art, earning the Blu-ray a well deserved slot on this month's list. Wholly unique, deeply moving, and genuinely thought-provoking, 'Anomalisa' uses an artificial world to probe deep into the human condition, finding a greater level of emotional truth through puppets than most Hollywood movies can find with actual flesh-and-blood actors. Buy the Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there were many titles worth picking up this June, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for June's must own titles?Posted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Basket Case 2' & 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The comedy horror sequels are heading to Blu-ray in August.[/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Synapse Films is preparing 'Basket Case 2' & 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' for Blu-ray on August 9. 'Basket Case 2' - Duane Bradley and his surgically-separated twin brother Belial return in this frightfully gory follow-up to Frank Henenlotter’s original monster movie classic, BASKET CASE. After surviving a fall from a hospital window, the two brothers become media targets. Duane’s aunt, Granny Ruth (played by world-famous Jazz singer Annie Ross), whisks the duo away to a secluded mansion, where other freaks-in-hiding live out their days away from public scrutiny. When a snooping tabloid reporter finds the location of the mutants, Duane and his new family must stand together to keep their freedom a secret. And, in all the chaos, Belial might actually find true love! Synapse Films is proud to present BASKET CASE 2 in a beautiful high-definition transfer from the original 35mm camera negative. Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: THE MAN IN THE MOON MASK – Interview with "Half Moon" actor, David Emge; BEYOND THE WICKER – Behind-the-Scenes Featurette from Special Effects Makeup Artist, Gabe Bartalos; and Reversible Cover art with newly commissioned front piece by Joel Robinson. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.95. Order the Blu-ray 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' - He’s back. He’s bad. And, he’s a dad! Belial, everyone’s favorite beast-in-a-basket, is back in this sensational third film in the wildly macabre BASKET CASE horror series. After being separated again from his conjoined twin brother Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck), Belial finds out he’s going to be a deformed daddy! Mrs. Belial (“Eve”, played by Denise Coop) delivers a litter of bouncing baby monsters, but the blessed event turns into a nightmarish ordeal when the police kidnap the little critters. They should know it’s not safe to anger Belial! Attacking the cops in a climactic, gory rampage, everyone’s favorite mutant mauler stops at nothing to get his newborns back! Synapse Films is proud to present BASKET CASE 3: THE PROGENY in a beautiful high-definition transfer from original 35mm vault materials Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Original Theatrical Trailer; and Reversible Cover art with newly commissioned front piece by Joel Robinson. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.95. Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for 'Basket Case 2' & 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under August 9.Posted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Radu Jude's 'Aferim!' Rides to Blu-ray[teaser]The adventure film starring Teodor Corban is now available on Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an announcement to retailers, Big World Pictures has released 'Aferim!' on Blu-ray. Eastern Europe, 1835. Two riders cross a barren landscape in the middle of Wallachia. They are the gendarme Costandin and his son. Together they are searching for a gypsy slave who has run away from his nobleman master and is suspected of having an affair with the noble's wife. While the unflappable Costandin comments on every situation with a cheery aphorism, his son takes a more contemplative view of the world. On their odyssey they encounter people of different nationalities and beliefs: Turks and Russians, Christians and Jews, Romanians and Hungarians. Each harbors prejudices against the others which have been passed down from generation to generation. And even when the slave Carfin is found, the adventure is far from over... Radu Jude's third feature has been aptly compared to films as diverse as THE SEARCHERS, THE LAST DETAIL and PULP FICTION (the latter for its rambling, coarse and endlessly entertaining dialogues), but the film is ultimately a moving parable about late-feudal Europe developed from historical documents and songs: its power structures and hierarchies, people's ideas of themselves and others, interaction with minorities and the resulting conflicts. A Balkan Western in black-and-white that brings the cacophony of the times strikingly to life and explores the thematic arcs that stretch into the present. Jude, whose previous feature films (THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD and EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY) received accolades at numerous festivals in Europe and the US, is also known for a string of prize-winning short films, including THE TUBE WITH A HAT (2006), which took the top prize at Sundance and 15 other awards at festivals around the world. AFERIM! was produced by Ada Solomon's Hi Film, which also produced Golden Bear winner CHILD'S POSE (2013). Specs have not been detailed, but supplements include: Radu Jude's 23-minute short film, 'THE TUBE WITH A HAT.' Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Aferim!' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 28. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Quick Look: 'The Legend of Tarzan' in Dolby Vision & Dolby AtmosMost of my days are spent hunched over a laptop working on my carpel tunnel and twisting my back in ways I'm going to regret in ten to twenty years.Then there are days when I go to movie premieres.Last Monday, Warner Bros and Dolby kindly hosted the world premiere for its latest feature, 'The Legend of Tarzan'. Walking into the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood California is an odd experience. First, it's in a mall. Literally. A high end shopping center with restaurants and jewelry stores and huts hawking sunglasses as tourists snap pictures from passing buses. But it's also this extravagant venue for musicals and, of course, home to the Academy Awards.In that sense, the Dolby Theatre is a magical palace of movie geekdom where you get a free popcorn and soda and the fleeting chance to see your favorite filmmakers and stars. The other great thing is the collective sense of buzz. While celebrities fill some seats, you're generally amongst the people who, in one way or another, devoted time to this production, or are in the middle of their own endeavors. That is to say premieres are generally warm rooms where the thrills chill and the jokes land.Like I said, an odd experience, but a special one I've very grateful to attend.Since Dolby took over the naming rights from Kodak several years ago, they set their genius pro cinema engineers to an impossible task -- make a venue that was in no way designed for cinema look and sound as good as it can. Today that means a Dolby Vision dual-4K projection system capable for 31fL in 2D (and 14fL in 3D) coupled with a custom Dolby Atmos setup. Dual 64-channel arrays (and processors) are necessary to run overhead and surround speakers for floor, mezzanine, and balcony seating. To be fair, it's not the best Dolby room in town, and some seats are more acoustically placed others, but given the restrictions faced, I'm always impressed. THE MOVIE ITSELF Let me begin by saying I have a huge amount of respect for the folks who made this movie. David Yates absolutely crushed his work in the 'Harry Potter' universe. Craig Brewer is an versatile writer-director (I'm not familiar with the other screenwriter's work). Alexander Skarsgård was unforgettable on 'True Blood'. Margot Robbie stood toe-to-toe with Leo in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' in a star-making performance. Christoph Waltz is one of the best all-time screen villains. Samuel L. Jackson is great in everything (even this). And Djimon Hounsou has an unmatched commanding presence.But, man, I just couldn't get into 'The Legend of Tarzan'. Dramatically. Emotionally. Tonally. It was all a miss for me.The basic plot revolves around Tarzan returning to the Congo at the invitation of Belgian's King Leopold II because England is hoping to broker a deal for mineral rights. Tarzan, or John Clayton (Skarsgård) as he likes to be called now, doesn't want to go back for reasons unknown, but his wife Jane (Robbie) very much wants to see her friends in the local tribe. Add in George Washington Williams (Jackson), an American Civil War vet who suspects Leopold might be enslaving the peoples of the Congo, and Tarzan has no choice but return to his past.Shortly after said reluctant return, the villainous Leon Rom (Waltz) kidnap Jane in hopes of luring Tarzan to his death. Tarzan, understandable pissed off, then sets off across the plains and the jungles with Williams to confront his past, rescue his wife, and possibly save the Congo from slavery.Much like the most recent Edgar Rice Burroughs adaptation, 'John Carter', 'Tarzan' manages to thrill at times with some wonderful action and beautiful photography -- Tarzan is effectively a 19th Century super hero -- but the filmmakers opted to treat characters' emotional-motivations as secrets rather than clear driving forces. In that sense, this film also features a flashback structure with all the origin story beats we've seen before, and where the scenes themselves are less engaging than the present day narrative and slow the film's overall pacing. There are also some odd tonal choices (Sam Jackson wondering if he should lick a gorillas testicles) and even though Jane has been modernized and she says she's no damsel, Ms. Robbie's character is woefully underwritten. Honestly, if it were my cinema dollars, I'd probably go see 'The Jungle Book' again or just Netflix Disney's animated 'Tarzan' (which admittedly has its own flaws).That said, if you're curious, completely disagree, or simply wish to stare at Skarsgård's abs for two hours... do yourself a favor and click HERE to find a list of Dolby Cinema locations where you're going to see and hear the best possible version of this film. DOLBY VISION 'The Legend of Tarzan' swings into Dolby Cinemas with Dolby Vision high dynamic range graded in the (I believe) DCI P3 cinema color space. While much of the movie has a muted and gritty color pallet -- jungles and Greystoke manner soaked in oppressive mist -- Dolby Vision has such good contrast and black levels that it makes the whole experience much more vivid than conventional digital cinemas. You can see the rich costume colors even in the darkness. Day time sequences are vivid in their own right. The on-location areal photography is some of the most eye-dropping I've seen since the original 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Cascading waterfalls dumping into jungle-lined river basins. It's a paradise. And the grassy plains seem to extend outward infinitely. Pay special attention to the brighter skies, where you'll glimpse more clouds and other details that will be washed out in standard dynamic range. In comparison to other Dolby Vision titles, 'Tarzan' is somewhat limited by its intended color palette (the warmer, saturated 'The Jungle Book' is more classically demo material), but it looked quite good to my eyes. DOLBY ATMOS 'The Legend of Tarzan' Dolby Atmos mix doesn't evolve the format in any way, but succeeds in implementing Atmos' inherent strengths to bolster the film's technical merits. Surround placement, including bullets and character voice panning, is above average. The Dolby Theatre auditorium is a vast space, but I knew at all times where the characters were going (and what threats were hunting them). Gorilla roars were guttural and deep. And I enjoy the sensation of movement as characters swing through dense jungles. My favorite aural sequence involves rain drenching your senses from the overhead speakers; it was quite effective, even if overall overhead usage is only moderately aggressive. If I had any suggestions, I wish there was a little less epic orchestral music and more jungle environment sonic nuances. Small note. Overall, though, this is a pretty good Dolby Atmos mix and I enjoyed its sonic flourishes more than 'Captain America: Civil War'. FINAL THOUGHTS While 'The Legend of Tarzan' wasn't for me, personally, it is a beautifully photographed film with a few thrilling set-pieces. If you're going to see it, I feel no regret in suggesting a Dolby Cinema auditorium. This type of color grading could easily find itself awash in grey-like black levels. Not so in Dolby Vision, which pushes the blacks and brings out dimensional colors even within the sometimes-muted pallet. Bright skies also resolve well. And, though not life-changing, the Dolby Atmos mix is quite good too, offering bursts of action and rain-soaked environmentals that make for an immersive experience. It should make for a nice Ultra HD Blu-ray and streaming experience.Another plus: after seeing what David Yates did with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos the first time out, I can't wait to see how 'Fantastic Beasts' looks and sounds. Are you going to see 'The Legend of Tarzan'? If so, where?Posted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
NVIDIA Shield Update Adds Netflix HDR Streaming, VUDU 4K, Dolby Atmos, Plex, and More![teaser]The powerful streaming media player now boasts several new features. [/teaser] NVIDIA has released the latest software upgrade for its NVIDIA Shield set-top box. The update includes high dynamic range support for Netflix HDR titles, VUDU 4K playback, and more. Under the hood, the NVIDIA Shield is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor; 256 core NVIDIA graphics 64-bit CPU; and 3 GB of RAM. The player is also Android TV Google Cast Ready and offers 4K Ultra HD playback at 60 fps. Likewise, the streaming box includes support for 10-bit color and HDR (high dynamic range) content. The base model includes 16 GB of storage; a microSD card slot; Wi-Fi; Gigabit Ethernet; USB 3.0; and a micro-USB SHIELD controller along with support for next-gen Android games. In addition, a larger 500 GB model is also available. With the new update, NVIDIA Shield owners can now stream select Netflix titles in HDR (high dynamic range). High Dynamic Range technology offers enhanced brightness and contrast on supported content and displays, resulting in superior highlights, shadows, and colors. Over 100 hours of HDR programming will arrive on Netflix by August, and more than 150 hours will be added by the end of 2016. Current Netflix Ultra HD subscribers can now watch season one of 'Marco Polo' in HDR. Beyond the Netflix upgrade, other new NVIDIA Shield features include Plex media server support, VUDU 4K playback, Dolby Atmos audio pass-through, and more. Here's a full rundown of new features per the release notes: - Netflix in HDR: SHIELD is the first Smart TV box to support Netflix in HDR! Pair with an HDR TV and enjoy brighter highlights, more detail in dark scenes, and a wider color range. One hundred hours of HDR shows coming this summer. Limitations apply (nflx.it/HDR). - VUDU in 4K: Catch up on the latest movies and binge-watch TV series. Joining IS FREE. You only pay for what you rent or buy. VUDU supports UltraViolet and Disney Movies Anywhere playback, as well as 4K and voice search. - Media Streaming At Home and On the Go: With PLEX Media Server built-in, you can stream your personal media collection from SHIELD to mobile devices, even outside the home. Accelerate your media (even from a NAS) with SHIELD’s HD transcode. - Dolby Atmos: Enjoy a home theater experience with rich Dolby® Atmos surround sound pass-through in VUDU, MX Player, SPMC, and SHIELD’s preinstalled Photos & Videos app. - YouTube 4K 60FPS: Watch YouTube videos in 4K Ultra HD resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second—only on SHIELD. - Access SHIELD folders from a network PC or Mac and enjoy drag-and-drop file sharing. Enable in Settings > Storage & reset > Access SHIELD folders on PC. - Mount a network attached storage device (NAS) to SHIELD to access your complete media collection. Stream this media to mobile devices using the Plex app and SHIELD’s HD hardware transcode. Set up in Settings > Storage & reset > Network storage. - Automatically turn off your TV when SHIELD sleeps. Enable in Settings > HDMI > HDMI-CEC preferences. - Enable YCbCr 4:4:4 color space for improved video quality on supported TVs. Go to Settings > HDMI > Color space. - Improves picture quality for RGB TVs - Delivers the latest monthly Android security updates - Improves video playback for 23.976 Hz refresh rate - Improves TV compatibility The SHIELD Experience Upgrade 3.2 is rolling out to customers now. The NVIDIA Shield 16 GB model is on sale for a suggested retail price of $200. Meanwhile, the NVIDIA Shield 500 GB model is currently available for $300. Sources: NVIDIA 1, NVIDIA 2, Engadget, Android CentralPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Customers Can Now Purchase Their Own Private IMAX Home Theatres... For Just $400,000[teaser]You're going to need a pretty big living room. [/teaser] Is your 65-inch OLED Ultra HD TV just not big enough? Well, why don't you upgrade to a floor-to-ceiling IMAX home theatre system? I mean, it only costs a measly $400,000 for the basic setup -- a small price to pay for the gift of larger-than-life entertainment! IMAX is now offering deep-pocketed customers the option to have their very own, very large private theatres. The IMAX Private Theatre Palais is a decidedly luxurious home theater solution that transports the immersive IMAX entertainment experience to the comfort of a user's home with the first turn-key home entertainment system from a holistic source, offering a complete audio/visual package with a giant screen, 4K playback, 3D, Blu-ray, proprietary sound, and more. The $400,000 "Palais" option is designed to accommodate home theatres up to 75 square meters in size with room for 7 to 18 guests. And if that's not enough, the step-up "Platinum" system can house up to 40 audience members for a cool $1 million. In addition to standard playback sources, customers will also have the option to purchase a secure set-top box (about $10,000) to rent and download new release titles directly to their fancy home theatres. Here's a full rundown of IMAX Private Theatre Palais features: - Dual 4K 2D/3D projectors- Daily picture and sound calibration to ensure optimal quality of presentation- Immersive IMAX® floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall screen- Proprietary IMAX® sound system- Complete HD multi-media system including HD television, Blu-ray™, DVD, CD, gaming and karaoke- Exclusive theater design by Theo Kalomirakis- User friendly touch-screen control pad with dedicated control system- World-class after-sales service and 24/7 remote monitoring support IMAX is now expanding sales of its Private Theatre systems into North America and Europe. Sources: IMAX, Engadget, BloombergPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
