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'The Human Tornado' Bound for Blu-ray in May[teaser]Dolemite is heading back to Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Vinegar Syndrome is preparing 'The Human Tornado' for Blu-ray on May 31. Dolemite (Rudy Ray Moore) is back and badder than ever in The Human Tornado! After being run out of town by a racist sheriff, Dolemite returns to LA only to discover that Queen Bee's (Lady Reed) club has been taken over by the mafia. On top of that they have also kidnapped two of Queen Bee's top girls! With the law hot on his tail, Dolemite rounds up the toughest Kung-Fu fighting badasses in Southern California to take on the mob, culminating in one of the craziest surprise endings in blaxploitation film history! Wilder and more over the top than its predecessor, The Human Tornado is a non-stop assault on the senses, combining comedy, action, horror, and jaw dropping weirdness, featuring supporting performances from Ernie Hudson, Jimmy Lynch and world karate champion Howard Jackson. Vinegar Syndrome proudly presents The Human Tornado on Blu-ray, restored from original 35mm vault elements. Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: "I, Dolemite II" making-of documentary; Soundtrack; Radio Spot; "Der Bastard" - German dubbed version; Commentary track w/ Rudy Ray Moore's biographer, Mark Jason Murray and co-star Jimmy Lynch; Audio interview w/ director Cliff Roquemore and martial arts champion Howard Johnson; Original theatrical trailers for both DOLEMITE & THE HUMAN TORNADO; Original cover artwork by Jay Shaw; and Reversible cover artwork. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Human Tornado' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 31 Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri May 6, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Restored 'The Terror' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Roger Corman's 1963 film is getting a new restored Blu-ray release at the end of the month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, The Film Detective will release 'The Terror' on Blu-ray on May 31. Famous for being one of Jack Nicholson’s earliest film roles, The Terror was shot on sets remaining from the shoot of the iconic horror film The Haunted Palace. Although officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson himself and Francis Ford Coppola. Commented film historian Phil Hopkins, owner of The Film Detective, “After years of sub-par versions, The Film Detective brings The Terror to the screen as it’s never been seen before, fully restored from 35mm archival material in its original aspect ratio. I think fans will be thrilled with the unparalleled quality of this Blu-ray release, not only visually but by the impact of the soundtrack.” In 18th century France, Lt. Andre Duvalier (three-time Academy Award-winner Jack Nicholson, The Departed, As Good As It Gets, A Few Good Men, The Shining), an officer in Napoleon’s army, has been separated from his regiment. Wandering near the coast, he spies a young woman (Sandra Knight, Frankenstein’s Daughter, Blood Bath) and calls out to her. When she fails to acknowledge, he follows her into the dark surf and strangely loses consciousness. He awakens in a house tended by an old woman, Katrina (Dorothy Neumann, Sorry, Wrong Number, The Ten Commandments), who claims not to know the mysterious lady. On his way once again, Andre comes upon the castle of Baron Victor Frederick Von Leppe (Boris Karloff, Frankenstein, The Mummy, How the Grinch Stole Christmas). There he learns that the girl is in fact the spirit of the Baron’s late wife, being used as a pawn by the witchy Katrina who is bent on driving the elderly Baron to suicide. Also starring Dick Miller (A Bucket of Blood) as Stefan, married in real-life to Knight (who portrays the ghost of Ilsa, the Baroness Von Leppe), who was visibly pregnant with their daughter during filming. The Terror is presented in full screen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and original sound. You can find the latest specs for 'The Terror' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 31. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu May 5, 2016 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Lionsgate Details 'The Perfect Match' for Blu-ray[teaser]The romantic comedy is heading to Blu-ray in July. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'The Perfect Match' for Blu-ray on July 19. Charlie (Terrence J) is a bachelor who's convinced that relationships are dead despite attempts by his therapist sister (Paula Patton) and his friends to tell him otherwise. On a bet, he decides to stay with one woman for one month to prove that he is immune to love. Soon, he meets the beautiful and mysterious Eva (Cassie Ventura) and coaxes her into a casual affair. But as Charlie spends more time with Eva, he begins to question whether he may actually want more than just a one-night-stand. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: "Making The Perfect Match" Featurette; "What's Love Without Comedy" Featurette; "Nobody's Perfect" Featurette; and Chillin' with the Perfect Cast - Cast & Director Commentary. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack is $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Perfect Match' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 19. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu May 5, 2016 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The concert disc is heading to Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Reprise is preparing 'Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps' for Blu-ray on May 27. 'Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps' includes the full-length concert film from Neil Young and Crazy Horse's 1978 tour. The show features the legendary hits "Cinnamon Girl," "Like a Hurricane," and the acoustic and electric versions of "Hey Hey, My My." Specs and supplements have not been announced yet Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $21.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Rust Never Sleeps' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 27. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu May 5, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Quick Look: 'Captain America: Civil War' in Dolby Cinema at AMC[teaser]This week Dolby treated us to an advanced screening of Marvel's latest triumph, 'Captain America: Civil War' at the AMC Century City 15 on the west side of Los Angeles.[/teaser] A few years ago this particular auditorium debuted as an ETX premium format cinema, which was effectively a bigger screen with overhead speakers. Later it was upgraded to AMC Prime, adding leather recliners as well as a full Dolby Atmos sound system. Most recently, it was again modified to become one of the first 19 Dolby Cinema locations in these United States. (There are also four in Europe and though it is not a Dolby Cinema, the El Capitan in Hollywood CA has both Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos technologies.)Dolby Cinema takes the ultra-immersive Dolby Atmos sound format and pairs it with a Dolby Vision dual-4K laser projection system (co-developed with Christie) that projects up to 31fL in 2D with a million-to-one contrast ratio. Dolby Vision is also proprietary High Dynamic Range format capable of the Rec.2020 wide color gamut. (For more details, read THIS.) In other words, if you go to a Dolby Cinema auditorium, you're going to experience the best available movie presentation possible. To put them in the parlance of my fellow home theatre geeks, these cinemas are the Pioneer Kuros of our time.Oh, and I almost forgot. "Dolby Cinema at AMC Prime" has been re-branded Dolby Cinema at AMC, which rolls off the tongue a little better I suppose. While not every Marvel movie is a must-see classic, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has effectively become the most expensive television series in history, building up an emotional resonance not seen in many other franchises, and one where each episode feels cohesive, yet has its own tonal flourishes and genre conventions. My favorite episodes thus far have been Captain American and Iron Man heavy (and 'Guardians' is just such a joy). Steve Rogers is yin of The Avengers soul, while Tony Stark is the yang. Contrasting personalities, histories, themes, weaknesses, and prerogatives, these two men are the Mason Dixon line, and here they face an important question:Given the civilian casualties of superhero warfare, should The Avengers be independent vigilantes, or shuld they be overseen by (often corruptible) human governments? These two men, and their super hero friends, debate the topic, argue their sides, and when all else fails, throw down in a series of fights that become more and more personal as the movie chugs towards its closing credits (fan tip: there are TWO post-credits scenes, so stay til the very end if you enjoy that stuff).The Cap movies have been improving with every entry and this is more of the same. Terrific action. Strong thematics. Endlessly evolving character struggles. Emotional resonance. Plenty of jokes. This movie gets a big thumbs up from me (you know, if I was legally allowed to give such a rating). I think Marvel Fans, or anyone that found 'Batman v Superman' a slog, will enjoy this one.If you want a more in-depth review, check out Phil Brown's 4.5-star critique over at The Bonus View. Watch video! // Visually, 'Captain America: Civil War' matches 'Winter Soldier'. Imagery is sharp and clear, but the color palette as a whole is a little washed out as opposed to the over-saturated colors one might find in something like a Michael Bay movie (note: just mentioning this for visual comparison; I am not endorsing or condoning those color choices). I think this look works for 'Civil War', but it does flatten the image a tad, resulting in a visual design that won't drop as many jaws as 'The Jungle Book'. Admittedly, that flick is so gobsmackingly beautiful, it's an impossible act to follow.With its million-to-one contrast ratio, Dolby Cinema does deliver deeper black levels, more accurate colors, and some wonderful shadow detail rendering. Be on the lookout for any type of dark environment (say a villian lair location) as well as blacked out costumes on characters like the Winter Soldier and Black Panther. It's uber impressive that Dolby Vision can render so many shades of black and dark grey.If I was reviewing this film as an Ultra HD Blu-ray or VUDU UHD stream, I'd call it a solid 4.5, if only because the filmmakers made choices that aren't necessarily as eye-popping as they could be. Much like the film's color palette, the 'Captain America: Civil War' sound mix isn't going to change any lives. But only because -- after mixes like 'Life of Pi', 'The Jungle Book', 'Fury Road', or 'Gravity' -- the bar is set impossibly high. In other words, we have a very good mix that'll likely translate quite well to home cinemas, but isn't a top tier entry.My favorite Dolby Atmos mixes are world builders -- they evoke aural landscapes, transporting the audience into other worlds. 'Civil War' feels a little front-heavy, is light on environmentals, and any sense of overhead immersion drops away in more action-packed sequences outside of Henry Jackman's musical score. LFE is good, but never guttural.Sound effect panning and placement evokes a nice sense of geography, especially when the filmmakers take advantage of Dolby Atmos's ability to place sound "objects" in specific auditorium locations. My favorite part of the mix came towards the film's climax, which was an interior location with a nice sense of echo and dimensionality. That said, I'm personally a fan of overhead sound placement and felt this film could have experimented more with the format's capabilities. Blu-ray titles like 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' and 'Game of Thrones: Season 1' did a better job of immersing the audience.Such is filmmaking, though -- different films have different visions and I'm sure the filmmakers involved here have 'Civil War' sounding exactly they way they want. I look forward to hearing this one again at home. Perhaps Disney will finally be supporting Dolby Atmos in the home as much as it does theatrically. While the technical aspects of 'Captain America Civil War' didn't wow as much as my last Dolby Cinema outing (seriously, 'The Jungle Book' is an eye-gasm of 3D and/or HDR glory), I sure was glad to see it on a big, bright screen with booming sound, all while leaning back in a comfy leather recliner. Another fine Disney / Marvel effort 'Civil War', it deserves to be experienced the best way possible.To find a Dolby Cinema at AMC location near you, click HERE.Until next time, hit us up below or in the forums to share what you thought of this movie, and whether or not you've got to experience this movie in Dolby Cinema or any other premium visual or sound formats. Cheers.Posted Thu May 5, 2016 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
'Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The horror flick will terrorize Blu-ray later this year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Severin Films is preparing 'Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror' for Blu-ray in 2016. The nights of terror are unleashed when a professor's thirst for knowledge seals his own demise when he unwittingly unseals a cursed underground crypt in an ancient burial ground! The desecrated graveyard erupts with a ground swell of ravenous, rotting, flesh hungry zombies that shamble into the night in search of living human prey! On the adjoining grounds, a group of clueless, decadent socialites are enjoying a wild weekend retreat of debauchery. Among the the eccentric guest are a nympho mother and her freakish, incestuous son! Unfortunately for the guests, their isolated country villa lies directly in the path of the flesh-eating horde that have party plans of their own! Supplements and a suggested list price have not been detailed yet, but the Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD MA 2.0 soundtrack. You can find the latest specs for 'Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Thu May 5, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Hulu Renews 'The Mindy Project' & 'The Path'[teaser]Both shows have been picked up for additional seasons. [/teaser] Hulu has announced season renewals for its original series 'The Mindy Project' and 'The Path.' 'The Mindy Project' is now set to return for a fifth season while 'The Path' has been granted a second season order. In addition, the streaming platform has announced a new election special from Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. 'The Path' follows a family at the center of a controversial cult movement as they struggle with relationships, faith and power. Each episode takes an in-depth look at the gravitational pull of belief and what it means to choose between the life we live and the life we want. The series blends elements of mystery-thriller, romance and the supernatural. The show was created by Jessica Goldberg who also wrote and executive-produced the series, along with Katims and Michelle Lee of True Jack Productions. Series stars include Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy. The season one finale will premiere on May 25, and past episodes are now available to stream through Hulu. 'The Mindy Project' is a single-camera comedy series created by and starring Emmy®-nominated writer/producer and New York Times best-selling author Mindy Kaling that follows a skilled OB/GYN navigating choppy waters of both her personal and professional life. The show is executive produced by Kaling, Howard Klein, Matt Warburton, Charlie Grandy and Michael Spiller. The cast also includes Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Ike Barinholtz, Beth Grant, Xosha Roquemore and Fortune Feimster. In addition to 'The Mindy Project' and 'The Path,' Hulu has also announced plans to stream a second election special from Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog (Robert Smigel). The new special is set to premiere just in time for the election. Likewise, the company also recently snagged the exclusive U.S. streaming video on demand rights to Ron Howard’s feature documentary, 'The Beatles: Eight Days A Week,' (working title), and revealed plans to offer live streaming content in early 2017. A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Source: HuluPosted Thu May 5, 2016 at 06:30 AM PDT by: -
Vinegar Syndrome Dates 'Psychic Killer' for Blu-ray[teaser]The horror thriller will seek vengeance on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Vinegar Syndrome is preparing 'Psychic Killer' for Blu-ray on May 31. Arnold Masters (Jim Hutton) is a mild-mannered man who obsesses over his mother, but finds himself implicated in a murder he didn't commit, and is sent to an asylum. While incarcerated, a fellow patient teaches him the techniques of Astral Projection, also known as the Kirlian Effect, which is the ability to use his mind to control objects at will. When the real killer is found and Arnold is released, only to find that during his time in the asylum his mother has died, he vows vengeance against those responsible for setting him up and begins to use his powers to exact a bloody revenge. Directed by character actor Ray Danton (Crypt of the Living Dead) and co-starring Julie Adams, Neville Brand, Aldo Ray, and Mary Wilcox, THE PSYCHIC KILLER is a mid 70s Drive-In classic that, despite frequent gore and a blood and nudity filled shower death scene, somehow received a PG rating from the MPAA and is presented here fully uncut and newly restored in 2K from its original 35mm camera negative. Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: "The Danton Force" featurette w/ Mitchell & Steve Danton, co-star Julie Adams, and 1st Assistant Director Ronald G. Smith; "The Psychic Killer Inside Me" featurette with Greydon Clark; "The Aura of Horror" featurette with Mardi Rustam; Original theatrical trailer; Multiple TV Spots; and Reversible cover artwork. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Psychic Killer' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 31 Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu May 5, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Details BDP-S6700 & UHP-H1 Blu-ray Players, Prices Start at $130[teaser]Two new Blu-ray players have been revealed. [/teaser] Sony has announced the launch of its latest Blu-ray players. The BDP-S6700 is a 4K Upscaling 3D Streaming Blu-ray Disc player while the UHP-H1 is a Premium Audio & Video Player with Blu-ray and high-res audio support. Sony's BDP-S6700 offers Blu-ray playback with 3D support and the ability to upscale Hi-Definition content to near 4K quality. In addition, the player offers Bluetooth connectivity with LDAC support for high quality wireless playback through supported speakers and headphones. Likewise, the unit includes wireless multi-room capabilities, allowing users to connect Sony audio products via the SongPal App, enabling playback from CDs and other music files stored on USB memory. The BDP-S6700 is on sale now for a suggested retail price of $130. Meanwhile, the UHP-H1 Premium Audio & Video Player is a Hi-Res certified Blu-ray player with support for SA-CD, DVD-Audio, Hi-Res Audio, and MP3s. The unit features an anti-vibration, reinforced frame and beam chassis design, along with advanced 4K upscaling capabilities for up to 60p playback. Likewise, the player also includes Bluetooth connectivity with LDAC support and wireless multi-room capabilities via the SongPal App. The UHP-H1 will be available soon for a suggested retail price of $350. Beyond Blu-ray players, Sony also recently announced pricing and availability for its 2016 home audio lineup. The collection includes the HT-NT5 Soundbar ($800), SRS-ZR7 ($300) and SRS-ZR5 ($200) wireless speakers, STR-DN1070 ($600) and STR-DH770 ($350) receivers, and CAS-1 High-Resolution Audio System ($1,000). Likewise, the company revealed plans to add HDR support to its VPL-VW365ES 4K Ultra HD Home Theater Projector ($9,999). Finally, Sony's 2016 X850D series, X930D series, X94D series 4K Ultra HD TVs are on sale now as well. Source: SonyPosted Wed May 4, 2016 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
Hulu Plans Live TV Streaming for 2017 & Snags Rights to New 'Beatles' Documentary[teaser]The streaming platform will offer live programming next year. [/teaser] Hulu has revealed plans to stream live TV content in early 2017. In addition, the company has announced a new Beatles documentary from director Ron Howard. Though exact details have not been revealed yet, Hulu live streaming will feature content from broadcast and cable brands, including live sports, news, and events. Likewise, subscribers will be able to tune into the live programming without a traditional cable or satellite plan. Networks have not been confirmed, but a report from The Wall Street Journal indicates that Fox, ABC, ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel are in negotiations with Hulu. Beyond live streaming, Hulu has also snagged the exclusive U.S. streaming video on demand rights to Ron Howard’s feature documentary, 'The Beatles: Eight Days A Week,' (working title). Per the press release: Debuting in theaters and on Hulu this fall, 'The Beatles: Eight Days A Week' is based on the first part of The Beatles’ career (1962-1966) – the period in which they toured and captured the world’s acclaim. Ron Howard's film will explore how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came together to become this extraordinary phenomenon, "The Beatles." It will explore their inner workings – how they made decisions, created their music and built their collective career together – all the while, exploring The Beatles' extraordinary and unique musical gifts and their remarkable, complementary personalities. The film will focus on the time period from the early Beatles' journey in the days of The Cavern Club in Liverpool to their last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966. A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Source: Hulu, The Verge, The Wall Street JournalPosted Wed May 4, 2016 at 02:15 PM PDT by:
