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'Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem' Hits Blu-ray This Summer[teaser]The next Batman animated adventure will debut on Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem' on Blu-ray on August 18. It’s Halloween night in Gotham City and Scarecrow, Clayface, Silver Banshee and Solomon Grundy have hit the streets to stir up trouble! Batman is on the trail of the city’s spookiest villains while, further complicating matters, the clown prince of crime himself, The Joker, is ruling over this mysterious crew of misfit criminals. It’s up to the Dark Knight to stop this gruesome gang before they unleash “digital laughter,” a computer virus that’s part of a diabolical plan to jeopardize all of Gotham City’s vital technology. Batman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, Nightwing and Red Robin must combine forces to battle these baddies and save the city. The stellar voice cast features Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins) as Batman, Troy Baker (Batman: Assault on Arkham) as Joker, Khary Payton (Teen Titans Go!) as Cyborg, Chris Diamantopoulos (Episodes, Silicon Valley) as Green Arrow, Will Friedle (Batman Beyond, Boy Meets World) as Nightwing, Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10) as Red Robin, Kari Wuhrer (Sharknado 2, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) as Silver Banshee, Fred Tatasciore (LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham) as Solomon Grundy, Brian T. Delaney (Mad, Halo 3 & 4) as Scarecrow, Dave B. Mitchell (World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor) as Clayface, Noel Fisher (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2) as Gogo Shoto, and Alastair Duncan (Mass Effect games, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) reprising his The Batman TV series role as Alfred. Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem follows Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts as the second release in a series of films rooted in Mattel’s popular Batman Unlimited merchandise line. The films feature characters, vehicles, designs and color schemes brought to life within this enthralling toy collection. “We are thrilled to release Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. Batman fans of all ages can enjoy the newest DC Comics animated adventure,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “This original movie will provide family-friendly action and electrifying plot twists, and keep viewers on their toes until the very end.” The Blu-ray Combo Pack will include: GOTHAM 2030: Designing a Future World – The artistic team responsible for bringing this future Gotham City to life will take you on an exploration of their creative process, from their earliest concept sketches through the final eye-popping landscapes. Welcome to a Gotham City of tomorrow; as well as ten shorts from the popular DC Nation collection, including “SHAZAM! Courage,” “SHAZAM! Wisdom,” “SHAZAM! Stamina,” “Green Arrow: Onomotopoeia-Bot,” “Green Arrow: Brick,” “Green Arrow: Cupid,” “Deadman: Deadman Catch,” “Animal Man vs. Captain Cold,” “Animal Man vs. Black Manta” and “Riddler: Riddle Me This!” Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 18.Posted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Showtime's Standalone Streaming Service Heads to Roku & PlayStation Vue[teaser]More device support has been announced. [/teaser] Showtime has revealed more partners for its upcoming standalone streaming platform. In addition to Apple devices, the app will also arrive on Roku players, Roku TVs, and through the PlayStation Vue internet TV service in July for $11 per month. "We are thrilled that Roku and Sony have come on board for our launch in early July," said Blank. "Both platforms have distinct and loyal audiences and together they will build on our service and greatly expand the number of homes that will have access to the SHOWTIME service over the internet. This is fundamental to Showtime’s strategy of putting the choice in the hands of the consumers regarding how, when and on what unique devices they watch our programming." The Showtime standalone OTT platform will allow users to subscribe to Showtime streaming without the need for a traditional cable or satellite contract, giving cord-cutting customers access to live feeds, on-demand content, and all of the network's popular movies and shows, including 'Homeland,' 'Masters of Sex,' 'Shameless,' and 'Penny Dreadful.' The service will be available on Roku players and Roku TVs, and customers can subscribe right through the Showtime App in the channel store. Likewise, customers will also be able to sign up for Showtime streaming through Sony's PlayStation Vue cloud-based TV platform. New customers who sign up through Roku will also be given a 30-day free trial when the service launches. Support for Apple products has been announced as well. The platform is now poised to compete with HBO's standalone service, HBO Now, which currently costs $15 per month. Source: CBSPosted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
The Riveting Thriller 'Child 44' Planned for Blu-ray[teaser]The film starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, and Gary Oldman will arrive on Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is set to release 'Child 44' on Blu-ray on August 4. After a friend's son is found dead, Soviet secret-police officer Leo Demidov (Tom Hardy) suspects his superiors are covering up the truth. When Leo dares to raise questions, he is demoted and exiled to a provincial outpost with his wife (Noomi Rapace). There, Leo soon discovers other mysterious deaths with similar circumstances and convinces his new boss (Gary Oldman) that a deranged serial killer is on the loose-and must be stopped before he strikes again in this electrifying thriller. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Reflections of History featurette. You can find the latest specs for 'Child 44' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 4.Posted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
The Action-Comedy 'Barely Lethal' Headed for Blu-ray[teaser]Kyle Newman's film starring Hailee Steinfeld will target Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is set to release 'Barely Lethal' on Blu-ray on August 4. A teenage special-ops agent (Hailee Steinfeld) yearning for a "normal" adolescence fakes her own death and enrolls as a student in a typical American high school. She quickly learns that surviving the treacherous waters of being a teenager can be more difficult than international espionage. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Deleted Scenes; Audio Commentary with Director Kyle Newman and Actors Dove Cameron and Thomas Mann; "Back to School: On the Set of Barely Lethal" Featurette. You can find the latest specs for 'Barely Lethal' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 4. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Outing/The Godsend' and 'Cellar Dweller/Catacombs' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Two double features are headed for Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory is preparing 'The Outing/The Godsend' and 'Cellar Dweller/Catacombs' for Blu-ray on July 14. The Outing - An ancient genie is released from a lamp when thieves ransack an old woman's house. They are killed and the lamp is moved to a museum to be studied. The curator's daughter is soon possessed by the genie and invites her friends to spend the night at the museum, along with some uninvited guests. The genie kills them off in an attempt to fulfill her ultimate wish. The Godsend - An English family of six takes in a pregnant woman who disappears shortly after giving birth. They raise the baby girl as their own, but over the years the strange deaths of their children make them consider whether the little girl is more than she appears. Cellar Dweller - In the 1930s a horror-comic artist's creations come alive and kill him. Years later a new cartoonist revives the creatures in his house, now part of an artist's colony. Catacombs - A demon is trapped in a monastery. 400 years later a young girl arrives at the monastery to study. You can find the latest specs for 'The Outing/The Godsend' and 'Cellar Dweller/Catacombs' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under July 14. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD's Mobile Entertainment Gear Guide for Summer TravelWell, it's finally almost summer… and you know what that means, right? No, not just sunburns and blockbuster movies. It means that it's time to travel! Time to leave your dark home theater rooms behind to venture out into the unknown. To relax on sunny beaches. To climb towering mountains. To sail across vast oceans. To experience new things and explore new locations. To stand before the Great Pyramid of Giza and peer out at its overwhelming beauty… through the LCD screen of a tablet as you snap a photo and post it on Instagram. And you might want to add one of those sepia-toned filters just to make it look vintage. Those pyramids are really old, after all.Yes, travel is a lot of fun and the great outdoors sure are majestic, but that doesn't mean that we can't bring a little bit of portable tech with us, does it? Seriously, does it?! I love Caribbean cruises as much as anybody, but I need my Fruit Ninja fix! Now that mobile gear has become so feature-rich and affordable, travelers can basically bring an entire digital entertainment system with them wherever they go. And though most itineraries will likely have enough fun planned out to take up most of your day -- could it really hurt to be able to catch up on 'Game of Thrones' during a little bit of downtime? Of course not! With that in mind, we've compiled a gear guide filled with all of the most essential mobile entertainment items suited for traveling graduates and families alike. [teaser]Perfect for summer adventures, these portable devices will help keep you connected during all of those sunny beach days, backpacking excursions, camping treks, hotel stays, and long road trips. [/teaser] Tablets For most tech enthusiasts, tablets have now become the go-to device when it comes to portable entertainment, and it's easy to see why -- especially with an HD OLED screen. Thin, light, and packed with features, these mobile gadgets offer every form of digital entertainment imaginable along with built-in cameras. From movies and TV shows, to e-books, video games, and countless apps, tablets allow customers to bring their entire media library with them wherever they go, making them the perfect companions for summer trips. Well, the perfect companions besides actual friends... or your significant other... or your children. You still remember them, right? Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 16GB Tablet ($379) - 8.9-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 2560x1600, 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 2GB of RAM, 720p front facing camera, 8MP rear camera, Dolby Atmos mobile support. Check our full review! Amazon Fire HDX 7 16GB Tablet ($179) - 7-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1920x1200, 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 720p front facing camera. Apple iPad Air 2 16 GB Tablet ($443) - 9.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048x1536, A8X chip with 64‑bit architecture and an M8 motion coprocessor, 8MP iSight camera, 1.2MP FaceTime camera Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 16GB Tablet ($398) - 8.4-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2560x1600, 1.9 GHz Exynos 5 Octa Processor, 3GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 2.1MP front camera. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8-inch 16GB Tablet ($229) - 8-inch TFT screen with a resolution of 1024x768, 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm APQ 8016 CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, 2MP front camera, 5MP rear camera. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7-inch 8GB Tablet ($149) - 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x800, 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, 3MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera. Streaming Sticks Streaming media players are nothing new, but as relatively compact as they are, carrying around an Apple TV or Roku on vacation might not be the most practical idea. Especially when all that precious luggage space really needs to be used for more important things. You know, like clothes. Thankfully, we now have media dongles to satiate our mobile entertainment needs! Packed with access to numerous apps or mobile casting support, these little sticks are tiny enough to fit in your pocket and plug right into a TV's HDMI port. So forget ordering those expensive hotel movies -- just bring your Netflix account with you on the go! Fire TV Stick - $39 Chromecast - $29 Roku Streaming Stick - $48 Portable Projectors Small screen mobile devices are great and all, but what if you want to bring the big screen with you on the go? I mean, you can't really watch 'Lawrence of Arabia' on a smartphone can you? Well then, your only real large-screen mobile solution is a portable projector. With lower resolution pico projectors that can fit right in your pocket and some compact HD models small enough for travel, there's no longer any reason why you can't beam your movies and even live OTA TV anywhere you go.LG PW600G Portable Projector ($500) – 1280x800, 600 Lumens, DLP 3D Ready, Up to 100-inch class size.Optoma ML750 Portable Projector ($565) – 1280x800, 700 Lumens, Included Battery, DLP 3D Ready, Up to 100-inch class size.LG PH300 LED Minibeam Projector ($420) – 1280x720, 300 Lumens, Integrated Battery, Built-in Digital TV Tuner, Up to 100-inch class size. AAXA P4 P4X Pico Projector ($284) - 858x480, 125 Lumens, Included Battery, Up to 80-inch class size.Brookstone HDMI Pocket Projector Mobile ($250) – 1280x720, 100 Lumens, Rechargeable Battery, Up to 80-inch class. Portable Music Players While some users might be content to listen to music on their smartphones while traveling, those looking for more features and higher quality audio playback might want to invest in a dedicated digital music player. Beyond just standard MP3 playback, many new model players -- including a premium Walkman that will set you back around $1,200 -- also support high-resolution audio formats, allowing customers to enjoy their music without any lossy compression, even on a deserted tropical island. Or if high-res isn't your thing, an ultra-compact MP3 player might be all you need to add some tunes and audiobooks to your next trip.SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip MP3 Player ($98) – 8GB, microSD slot, 10 hour battery, 1.1 inch LCD Display.Sony Walkman NWZA17SLV Hi-Res Digital Music Player ($300) – 64GB, Up to 50 hours MP3 playback and 30-hours Hi-Res playback, Bluetooth, NFC, microSD slot, 2.25" WVGA LCD Display.Sony Walkman NWZX2BLK Hi-Res Digital Music Player ($1,998) – 128GB, Up to 60-hours MP3 and 33-hours Hi-Res playback, Bluetooth with LDAC, Wi-Fi, microSD slot, 4.0" FWVGA TRILUMINOS LCD Touchscreen Display. Bluetooth Speakers So now that you've got your portable audio player picked out, how do you plan on actually hearing all that music you have stored up? Well, that's where a good pair of portable Bluetooth speakers comes in. Available in all shapes and sizes, wireless speaker systems let you listen to your music unencumbered by headphones. Likewise, they allow you to share your audio goodies with your friends and family, making them the perfect fit for vacations and trips to the beach. After all, what good is a beach party without some Bob Marley? Sony SRSX11 Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($68) - 10-watts, Dual Passive Radiators, Up to 12 hours of battery life.Sony SRSX33 Powerful Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($130) - 20-watts, Full Range Stereo Speakers, Dual Passive Radiators, LDAC, NFC, Up to 12 hours of battery life.FUGOO Style Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($180) - Six drivers on four sides, Waterproof, 40 hours of battery life.FUGOO Sport Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($200) - Six drivers on four sides, Waterproof, Snow proof, Sand proof, 40 hours of battery life.FUGOO Tough Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($230) - Six drivers on four sides, Waterproof, Snow Proof, Sand Proof, Mud Proof, Shock Proof, 40 hours of battery life. Headphones As great as sharing your music is, sometimes you're really just going to want (or need) to listen to your audio solo. With that in mind, investing in a solid pair of headphones is probably a good idea. From standard ultra-portable earbuds, to higher quality over the ear models, to noise canceling pairs, headphones are the perfect travel companions. Whether hiking or relaxing, music is always a welcomed addition to any vacation activity -- and now many mobile devices and apps are even starting to support advanced audio tech like DTS Headphone:X and Dolby Atmos. And if a long flight is in your cards this summer, then a noise-canceling model is an absolute must. That is, unless you actually want to hear that crying baby for eleven hours straight…Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones ($299) – Noise Cancelling Feature with AAA battery, Lightweight around-ear fit.Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Wireless 09077 Headphones ($379) - Over Ear Design, Dual-Mode Adaptive Noise Canceling Tech, Built-in Rechargeable Battery, Bluetooth.Klipsch Image S4 –II Headphones ($100) – In-Ear Design, Noise Isolating.Panasonic RP-HJE120 Ergo Fit Stereo Earphones ($11) – In-Ear Design, 3 pairs of soft earpads included. So, there you have it. Whether you're a recent graduate enjoying a European trip before you finally enter the "real world," or a family of four venturing to the Grand Canyon in a beat-up station wagon, these mobile gear items should satiate all of your portable entertainment needs. Of course, actually enjoying the beautiful locals and stirring vistas you encounter should always be your first priority... but snapping a few Facebook pics, listening to Pandora, and watching the latest episode of 'True Detective' no matter where you are should definitely remain a close second. A very close second.Posted Fri Jun 5, 2015 at 08:30 PM PDT by: -
The First Season of Fox's Hit Series 'Gotham' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The first 22 episodes of the pre-Batman crime drama will arrive on Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Gotham: The Complete First Season' on Blu-ray on September 8. Before there was Batman, there was Gotham City. Everyone knows the name of Commissioner Jim Gordon, but what of his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the layers of corruption in Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world's most iconic villains? Gotham tells the story of the world's most iconic DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes from the very beginning, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer Bruno Heller (The Mentalist, Rome), this crime drama follows GCPD Detective James Gordon's rise through a dangerously corrupt city, while also chronicling the genesis of one of the most popular DC Comics Super Heroes of our time. Although the crime drama follows Gordon's turbulent and singular career, it also focuses on his unlikely friendship with the young Bruce Wayne – with his mentorship a crucial element in developing the mythology of Gotham City. With an average of 9.6 million viewers per week, Gotham has captured and held the attention of audiences since the premiere episode which delivered FOX's highest-rated fall drama debut in 14 years with Adults 18–49. Before the series returns to FOX for a second season this fall, fans will be able to enjoy all 22 episodes, plus nearly 2 hours of extras including new featurettes, unaired scenes and a gag reel. "We are thrilled to release Gotham: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray and for fans to explore the unique origin story of Gotham and its characters" said Rosemary Markson, WBHEG Senior Vice President, Television Marketing. "With this release, fans will be able to get acquainted with the early chapters of their favorite Super Hero prior to the premiere of Season Two." The 4-disc set will feature 1080p video, lossless 5.1 audio, and supplements include: Extended Pilot Episode; Gotham Invented: Building Our Gotham; Gotham Invented: Paving the Way for the Caped Crusader; Gotham Invented: Fractured Villains of Gotham; Designing the Fiction; The Game of Cobblepot; Gag Reel; Unaired Scenes; DC Comics Night at Comic-Con 2014 Presenting Gotham, The Flash, Constantine and Arrow; GOTHAM: The Legend Reborn; Character Profiles; and Digital Copies. You can find the latest specs for 'Gotham: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 8. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Jun 5, 2015 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2' Starring Kevin James Arrests Blu-ray[teaser]The comedy sequel will arrive on Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is preparing 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2' for Blu-ray on July 14. In this sequel, in which Kevin James reprises the role of Paul Blart, the security guard is headed to Las Vegas to attend a Security Guard Expo with his teenage daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez) before she departs for college. While at the convention, he inadvertently discovers a heist – and it's up to Blart to apprehend the criminals. The Blu-ray combo pack will feature 1080p video, lossless 5.1 audio, and supplements include deleted scenes, 6 featurettes, a gag reel, and a photo gallery. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $38.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under July 14. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Jun 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
James McTeigue's 'Survivor' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The action-packed thriller starring Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan will target Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Alchemy says 'Survivor' for Blu-ray on July 7. A Foreign Service Officer (Milla Jovovich) newly posted to the American embassy in London is charged with stopping terrorists from getting into the US. After surviving a vicious attack on the embassy, she finds herself framed for crimes she didn't commit and racing to elude assassins while trying to clear her name and stop a large-scale terrorist attack set for New Year's Eve. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Survivor' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under July 7. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Jun 5, 2015 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Will Make a 'Pit Stop' at the End of the Month[teaser]Jack Hill's 1969 film will be speeding to high-definition in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Arrow Video is working on 'Pit Stop' for a Blu-ray release on June 30. The most dangerous game ever devised, to pit man against man, flesh against steel - the figure-8 race! Jack Hill (Coffy, Foxy Brown) follows up Spider Baby, once again teaming up with Sid Haig (House of 1000 Corpses) in one of his greatest roles for this action-spectacular crash-o-rama! Richard Davalos (East of Eden) stars as Rick Bowman, a street punk who winds up in jail after a street race goes wrong. Bailed out by race promoter Grant Willard, Davalos is put in the deadly track where he comes up against Haig's maniacal winner Hawk Sidney. Featuring an outstanding supporting cast including Brian Donlevy (The Quatermass Xperiment) in his last film appearance, Ellen Burstyn, billed as Ellen McRae (The Exorcist), and Beverly Washburn (Spider Baby), Pit Stop is one of Hill's lesser known films but arguably his greatest. Filmed on a real figure-8 track, Hill and his crew were able to capture gripping real-life car wreck scenes lending the film a brilliant sense of realism. You've never seen a motion picture like this before - can you take it? The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack will feature a new high-definition digital transfer supervised and approved by director Jack Hill; Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jay Shaw; Original Mono 1.0 audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray); Crash and Burn! - Jack Hill on the making of Pit Stop; Drive Hard - Actor Sid Haig speaks about his experience of acting in Pit Stop; Life in the Fast Lane - producer Roger Corman on the genesis of Pit Stop; Restoring Pit Stop - Restoration demonstration with Technical Supervisor James White; Original Trailer; Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Glenn Kenny and musicologist and writer Gray Newell on the film's soundtrack, illustrated with original stills and artwork. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Pit Stop' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under June 30. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Jun 5, 2015 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
