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HBO NOW Standalone Streaming Service Arrives on Xbox One & Samsung Smart TVs[teaser]The premium cable network's standalone streaming platform is now available on more devices. [/teaser] HBO has announced the addition of HBO NOW to the Xbox One and select Samsung Smart TVs. The premium streaming service initially launched exclusively on Apple devices, and offers full access to the network's library of new and archive programming. The announcement comes just in time for the sixth season premiere of 'Game of Thrones' on April 24. HBO NOW allows users to watch every episode of every season of HBO’s original programming, hit movies, documentaries, sports and exclusive comedy specials separate from a traditional cable or satellite subscription. The service offers more than 2,000 popular series and movies, including 'Game of Thrones,' 'True Detective,' 'Silicon Valley,' 'Girls,' 'Veep,' 'The Wire,' 'Divergent,' 'X-MEN: Days of Future Past,' 'Neighbors,' and 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.' Customers who own an Xbox One or 2016 Samsung Smart TV can now download the HBO NOW app. In addition, support for 2015 Samsung Smart TVs is expected to be added soon. HBO NOW is also available on Roku players, Roku TVs, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, and Android devices. An HBO Now subscription currently costs $15 per month and new users will receive a 30-day free trial offer. Outside of HBO, Showtime also offers its own standalone streaming service for $11 per month. Likewise STARZ offers a separate streaming option for $9 per month; CBS offers its CBS All Access service for $6 per month; NBC has its Seeso comedy platform for $4 per month; and Lionsgate offers several streaming platforms including Tribeca Shortlist, Comic-Con HQ, and the upcoming Laugh Out Loud. Sources: Xbox, Engadget, VarietyPosted Fri Apr 22, 2016 at 04:30 PM PDT by: -
'Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping' Stand-Up Special Now Streaming on Netflix[teaser]The comedian's latest stand-up special is now available to stream. [/teaser] Netflix has announced the release of its latest original comedy special. 'Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping' is now available for streaming exclusively through Netflix. Patton Oswalt delivers a fresh hour (and more) of brand new stand-up that covers everything from misery to defeat to hopelessness. It's his most upbeat special to date. You will believe that a man is capable of: TALKING FOR CLAPPING. Check out the full trailer below! Comedian Patton Oswalt is known for his various stand-up shows, comedy albums, podcast appearances, roles in shows like 'The King of Queens' and 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,' and movies like 'Ratatouille' and 'Young Adult.' Beyond 'Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping,' Netflix also recently announced premiere dates for several more original stand-up comedy specials, including shows from Ali Wong, Bo Burnham, Jeff Foxworthy with Larry The Cable Guy, Jim Jefferies and Iliza Shlesinger. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Special Correspondents' on April 29, 'Marseille' on May 5, the second season of 'Grace and Frankie' on May 6, 'Chelsea' on May 11, season two of 'Chef's Table' on May 27, 'Bloodline' season two on May 27, 'The Do-Over' on May 27, 'Voltron: Legendary Defender' on June 10, 'The Fundamentals of Caring' on June 24, 'Marco Polo' season two on July 1, the documentary 'Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru' on July 15, 'Project Mc2' season two 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 Wight. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Fri Apr 22, 2016 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
Sling TV Adds Viacom Networks to Single and Multi-Stream Services[teaser]Viacom channels are coming to the internet TV service. [/teaser] DISH and Viacom have announced a multi-year contract renewal. As part of the deal, Viacom's channels will remain available through DISH. In addition, Viacom content will soon be available through the Sling TV single and multi-stream services. "Today's agreement ensures Viacom's number one family of networks will continue to be available to our millions of fans on DISH and underscores the value of our programming across platforms," said Viacom Executive Chairman, President, and CEO Philippe Dauman. "DISH has historically been and remains an important partner for Viacom, and as part of our commitment to entertain audiences wherever they are, we are pleased to offer select Viacom networks as part of DISH’s Sling TV product. Today’s renewal, together with several additional affiliate agreements announced over the past year, will enable Viacom to drive growth and deliver better, more engaging viewer experiences for years to come." Specific packages have not been announced yet, but live and on demand content from Viacom channels like Comedy Central, BET, Spike, MTV, Nick Jr. and more will be available through the Sling TV single-stream and multi-stream services in the coming months. The Sling TV single stream "Best of Live TV" package currently includes ESPN, ESPN2, AMC, A&E, TNT, HISTORY, H2, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, IFC, El Rey, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Freeform, Disney Channel, CNN, Bloomberg TV, Local Now, Lifetime and Galavisión. Meanwhile, the multi-stream "Best of Live TV" package includes content from FOX Broadcasting, FOX Sports, FX, National Geographic and other popular networks like A&E, Adult Swim, AMC, Bloomberg, Cartoon Network, CNN, El Rey, Flama, Food Network, Galavision, HGTV, History, IFC, Lifetime, Local NOW, Maker, Newsy, Polaris+, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, UniMás, Univision and VICELAND. The Sling TV platform is now available on Roku players, Roku TVs, the Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, PCs, Macs, Xbox One, Android and iOS devices, and more. Source: Sling TVPosted Fri Apr 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition' to Invade 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Roland Emmerich's explosive film will be getting a 4K Blu-ray release in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition' on Blu-ray on June 7. Experience the original OSCAR®-Winning* sci-fi epic that launched a new era in blockbuster filmmaking. Director Roland Emmerich, producer Dean Devlin and an all-star cast including Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman join forces to deliver the ultimate encounter between powerful aliens and the human race. When massive spaceships appear in Earth’s skies and blast destructive beams of fire down on cities all over the planet, a determined band of survivors must unite for one last strike against the invaders before it’s the end of mankind. The release will feature both the newly restored Special Edition and original Theatrical Cuts with a DTS:X soundtrack and supplements will include: All-new 30-Minute Documentary – Independence Day: A Legacy Surging Forward (Featured on Disc Two of Blu-ray); Commentary with Director Roland Emmerich and Producer Dean Devlin; Commentary with VFX Supervisors Volker Engel and Doug Smith; and Datastream Trivia Track. You can find the latest specs for 'Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 7.Posted Fri Apr 22, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
MPI's 'Emelie' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The thriller starring Sarah Bolger arriving on Blu-ray in May has now been detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, MPI is working on 'Emelie' for Blu-ray on May 3. As their parents head out for a date in the city, the three young Thompson children immediately take to their new babysitter, Anna (Sarah Bolger), who seems like a dream come true: she's sweet, fun, and lets them do things that break all of their parents' rules. But as Anna's interactions with them take on a more sinister tone, the kids realize that their caretaker may not be who she claims to be. Soon it's up to big brother Jacob to protect his siblings from the increasingly nefarious intentions of a very disturbed woman whose weapon is trust, and whose target is innocence. Featuring tour-de-force performances from Bolger and its three young leads, EMELIE is a multidimensional, nail-biting thriller that asks the question: how can you put an end to horror after you've already let it in? The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include a making-of featurette and a trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Emelie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 3. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Apr 22, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Amazon Expands Fire Tablet Lineup with 16GB Model and More Color Options[teaser]The company's fastest-selling tablet is now available with new storage and color choices. [/teaser] Amazon has announced the release of three new color options for its affordable Fire Tablet. Likewise, the device is also now available in a 16GB model, joining the previously released 8GB version. "Fire is the fastest-selling Amazon tablet ever, with millions sold since its launch," said Kevin Keith, GM, Fire Tablets. "We're excited to introduce Fire with bright new colors and even more storage—so that customers can enjoy a great entertainment experience on a fun, colorful tablet starting at less than $50." The Fire features a 7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1024x600 and 171ppi. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Quad-Core 1.3 GHz CPU with 1 GB of RAM. A 2MP rear camera and a VGA front camera are integrated as well. In addition, the tablet includes 8GB or 16GB of internal storage and offers up to seven hours of battery life. Finally, the tablet uses the new Fire OS 5 "Bellini" and includes Amazon Underground support for "a one-of-a-kind app store experience where over $10,000 in apps, games and even in-app items are actually free—including extra lives, unlocked levels, unlimited add-on packs, and more." New color options include magenta, blue, and tangerine. The Fire Tablet is now available with 8GB for $50 or 16GB for $70. In addition, Amazon has also announced the release of a 16GB version of the Fire Kids Edition for $120, along with a new green color option to go along with the previously available pink and blue kid-proof cases. The 8GB model is also available for $100. Source: AmazonPosted Thu Apr 21, 2016 at 01:15 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Reveals Premiere Dates for Upcoming Original Stand-up Comedy Specials[teaser]Five new comedy stand-up specials have been dated. [/teaser] Netflix has announced premiere dates for several new original stand-up specials. The comedy lineup includes Ali Wong, Bo Burnham, Jeff Foxworthy with Larry The Cable Guy, Jim Jefferies and Iliza Shlesinger. 'Ali Wong: Baby Cobra' (May 6) - Unapologetic and nasty mom-to-be Ali Wong desperately wanted a conventional life. Baby Cobra is Wong's hilarious journey of how hard she worked to find Mr. Perfect, get married, buy a house and have a baby. But it all didn't exactly turn out how she planned. And while Wong complains that feminism is the worst thing that's ever happened to women, what's more empowering than being the first and only comic to film a 1-hour stand up special 7-months pregnant? 'Bo Burnham: Make Happy' (June 3) - Bo Burnham delivers a dizzying blend of stand-up, music, and theatre in this hilarious and wholly originally comedy special, filmed at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. 'Jim Jefferies: Freedumb' (July 1) - Jim Jefferies’ second Netflix special, “Jim Jefferies: Freedumb” unleashes his signature, unapologetic take on a variety of topics that range from personal stories including how he is coping with fatherhood to political and social commentary about religion, freedom and even Bill Cosby. “Freedumb" was recorded in front of a sold out audience at Nashville’s James Polk Theater. 'Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy: We’ve Been Thinking…' (August 26) - Grammy Award-nominated stand-up comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy take the stage to bring their distinctive brand of comedy to a sold out crowd at the historic Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. The show features solo performances by both comedians, as well as a show stopping encore as the pair comes together for an audience Q&A. 'Iliza Shlesinger: Confirmed Kills' (September 23) - Filming April 23 at The Vic in Chicago, IL, smart, straight talking Iliza Shlesinger returns to Netflix with her 2nd original special, serving up her fearless and fresh brand of comedy that speaks to everyone. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Thu Apr 21, 2016 at 12:45 PM PDT by: -
Marantz Unveils NR1607 Ultra Slim AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X[teaser]The new receiver features a slim design and immersive audio support. [/teaser] Marantz has announced the launch of its 2015 home theater lineup with the NR1607 Ultra Slim AV Receiver. Geared toward space conscious users, the receiver offers a compact design without sacrificing performance. The NR1607 is a 7.2 channel network AV receiver that measures barely 4 inches high. The unit uses high current discrete power amplifiers and offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, Dolby Atmos support is built in, and the receiver will support DTS:X through a future firmware update scheduled for September 2016. Likewise, HDMI 2.0a connections with HDCP 2.2 compliancy are integrated as well, allowing full rate 4K Ultra HD video with 4K 60Hz, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR), Wide Color Gamut compatibility, 21:9 video, 3D and BT.2020 pass through on every input. Finally, the unit also supports high res audio playback, including DSD (2.8/5.6MHz), FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and WAV files. Here's a full rundown of features: - Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support; built-in Bluetooth- Improved network stability especially in Wi-Fi-crowded homes- 7ch discrete power amplifier, 50W per channel at 8ohm, 20-20kHz, 0.08%THD - Enough power to fill medium size rooms from a small cabinet with renowned Marantz sound- 4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through, 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR and BT.2020- Latest HDMI standard for future-proof compatibility- 8 HDMI inputs (incl. 1 front) with full HDCP 2.2 support- Plenty of inputs for your Blu-ray Player, game console and more- Analog to HDMI conversion and SD/HD 4K Upscaling for legacy video sources- Full HD and even Ultra HD video quality from existing DVDs or analog sources- Dolby Atmos (up to 5.1.2) and DTS:X (via firmware update)- Immersive 3D sound with effects from overhead- AirPlay, Bluetooth, Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, Network Audio Streaming- Access to almost unlimited online music sources- DSD (2.8/5.6MHz), FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and WAV support- High Resolution audio streaming for Hi-Fi enthusiasts- Multi-room/Multi-source- Watch a movie in the home theater and listen to music in another room - Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ- Delivering perfect equalization for your individual room- Color-coded speaker terminals, Setup Assistant, Advanced GUI- Hassle-free installation, setup and operation- Marantz 2016 AVR Remote App- Unprecedented level of command and control- ISF video calibration- Ready for professional calibration of home theater TVs or projectors- Intelligent ECO mode with off/on/auto setting- Energy-conscious without compromising on performance The NR1607 Ultra Slim AV Receiver will be available in May for a suggested retail price of $699. Source: MarantzPosted Thu Apr 21, 2016 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
Criterion's July 2016 Blu-ray Titles Now Available for Pre-Order![teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of July releases, including Terrence Malick's 'The New World' and Alain Resnais' 'Night and Fog.' [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing 'The New World,' 'Night and Fog,' 'Muriel, or The Time of Return,' 'A Touch of Zen,' 'Carnival of Souls,' and 'The In-Laws' for Blu-ray throughout the month of July. 'The In-Laws' (July 5) - Peter Falk and Alan Arkin make for a hilarious dream team in this beloved American sidesplitter. Directed by Arthur Hiller from an ingenious script by Andrew Bergman, The In-Laws may at first seem like a generic meet-the-parents comedy, as Arkin’s mild-mannered dentist suspiciously eyes Falk’s volatile mystery man, whose son is engaged to his daughter. But soon, through a series of events too serpentine and surprising to spoil, the two men are brought together by a dangerous mission that takes them from suburban New Jersey to Honduras. Fueled by elaborate stunt work and the laconic, naturalistic charms of its two stars, The In-Laws deserves its status as a madcap classic—and has continued to draw ardent fans in the years since its release. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed English mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio commentary from 2003 featuring director Arthur Hiller, actors Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, and writer Andrew Bergman; New interview with Arkin; In Support of "The In-Laws," a new interview program featuring actors Ed Begley Jr., Nancy Dussault, James Hong, and David Paymer; Trailer; PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by comedy writer Stephen Winer and a 2011 recollection of the making of the film by Hiller. Order the Blu-ray 'Carnival of Souls' (July 12) - A young woman in a small Kansas town survives a drag race accident, then agrees to take a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City. En route, she becomes haunted by a bizarre apparition that compels her toward an abandoned lakeside pavilion. Made by industrial filmmakers on a modest budget, the eerily effective B-movie classic Carnival of Souls was intended to have “the look of a Bergman and the feel of a Cocteau”—and, with its strikingly used locations and spooky organ score, it succeeds. Herk Harvey’s macabre masterpiece gained a cult following on late-night television and continues to inspire filmmakers today. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed English mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Selected-scene audio commentary featuring director Herk Harvey and screenwriter John Clifford; New interview with comedian and writer Dana Gould; New video essay by film critic David Cairns; The Movie That Wouldn’t Die!, a documentary on the 1989 reunion of the film’s cast and crew; The Carnival Tour, a 2000 update on the film’s locations; Excerpts from movies made by the Centron Corporation, an industrial film company based in Lawrence, Kansas, that once employed Harvey and Clifford; Deleted scenes; Outtakes, accompanied by Gene Moore’s organ score; History of the Saltair Resort in Salt Lake City, where key scenes in the film were shot; Trailer; More!; PLUS: An essay by writer and programmer Kier-La Janisse. Order the Blu-ray 'A Touch of Zen' (July 19) - "Visionary" barely begins to describe this masterpiece of Chinese cinema and martial arts moviemaking. A Touch of Zen by King Hu depicts the journey of Yang (Hsu Feng), a fugitive noblewoman who seeks refuge in a remote, and allegedly haunted, village. The sanctuary she finds with a shy scholar and two aides in disguise is shattered when a nefarious swordsman uncovers her identity, pitting the four against legions of blade-wielding opponents. At once a wuxia film, the tale of a spiritual quest, and a study in human nature, A Touch of Zen is an unparalleled work in Hu’s formidable career and an epic of the highest order, characterized by breathtaking action choreography, stunning widescreen landscapes, and innovative editing. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed Mandarin mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Documentary from 2012 about director King Hu; New interviews with actors Hsu Feng and Shih Chun; New interview with filmmaker Ang Lee; New interview with film scholar Tony Rayns; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by film scholar David Bordwell and notes by Hu from a 1975 Cannes Film Festival press kit. Order the Blu-ray 'Muriel, or The Time of Return' (July 19) - Alain Resnais’s Muriel, or The Time of Return, the director’s follow-up to Last Year at Marienbad, is as radical a reflection on the nature of time and memory as its predecessor. The always luminous Delphine Seyrig stars as an antique shop owner and widow in Boulogne-sur-Mer, whose past comes back to haunt her when a former lover reenters her life. Meanwhile, her stepson is tormented by his own ghosts, related to his service in France’s recently ended war in Algeria. Featuring a multilayered script by Jean Cayrol, and inventively edited to evoke its middle-class characters’ political and personal realities, the fragmented, emotionally powerful Muriel reminds viewers that the past is always present. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed French mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Excerpt from the 1980 documentary Une approche d’Alain Resnais, révolutionnaire discret; Excerpt from a 1969 interview with actor Delphine Seyrig; Interview with composer Hans Werner Henze from 1963; New interview with film scholar François Thomas, author of L’atelier d’Alain Resnais; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by film scholar James Quandt. Order the Blu-ray 'Night and Fog' (July 19) - Ten years after the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps, filmmaker Alain Resnais documented the abandoned grounds of Auschwitz and Majdanek inNight and Fog (Nuit et brouillard), one of the first cinematic reflections on the Holocaust. Juxtaposing the stillness of the abandoned camps’ empty buildings with haunting wartime footage, Resnais investigates the cyclical nature of humanity’s violence against humanity, and presents the devastating suggestion that such horrors could occur again. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed French mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Excerpt from a 1994 audio interview with director Alain Resnais; New interview with documentary filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer; Face aux fantômes, a 99-minute 2009 documentary featuring historian Sylvie Lindeperg that explores the French memory of the Holocaust and the controversy surrounding the film’s release; PLUS: An essay by film scholar Colin MacCabe. Order the Blu-ray 'The New World' (July 26) - This singular vision of early seventeenth-century America from Terrence Malick is a work of astounding elemental beauty, a poetic meditation on nature, violence, love, and civilization. It reimagines the apocryphal story of the meeting of British explorer John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Powhatan native Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher, in a revelatory performance) as a romantic idyll between spiritual equals, then follows Pocahontas through her marriage to John Rolfe (Christian Bale) and her life in England. With art director Jack Fisk’s raw re-creation of the Jamestown colony, Emmanuel Lubezki’s marvelous, naturally lit cinematography, and James Horner’s soaring musical score, The New World is a film of uncommon power and technical splendor, one that shows Malick at the height of his visual and philosophical powers. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an Algonquin/English Theatrical DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, an Algonquin/English Near-Field DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and three different versions of the film: the 172-minute Extended Cut; 150-minute First Cut; and 135-minute Theatrical Cut. Supplements will include: New interviews with actors Colin Farrell and Q’orianka Kilcher; New program about the making of the film, featuring interviews with producer Sarah Green, production designer Jack Fisk, and costume designer Jacqueline West; Making “The New World,” a documentary shot during the production of the film in 2004, directed and edited by Austin Jack Lynch; New program about the process of cutting The New World and its various versions, featuring interviews with editors Hank Corwin, Saar Klein, and Mark Yoshikawa; Trailers; PLUS: A book featuring an essay by film scholar Tom Gunning, a 2006 interview with Lubezki from American Cinematographer, and a selection of materials that inspired the production. Order the Blu-ray Suggested list price for each single-disc Blu-ray is $39.95. Suggested list price the 3-Disc release of 'The New World' is $49.95. 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 July.Posted Thu Apr 21, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Alan Parker's 'The Commitments' Headed for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1991 film will be getting the Blu-ray treatment this summer. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment will be releasing 'The Commitments' on Blu-ray on August 30. Landmark musical comedy from acclaimed director Alan Parker (Angel Heart, Midnight Express). Fueled by raw talent and driven by dreams of glory, a dozen dead-enders from Dublin's gritty North Side share a passion for soul music that takes their band on a wild roller-coaster ride from the streets to the stage... to superstardom! Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Commitments' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 30. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Apr 21, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
