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'Dead Shadows' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The French sci-fi horror flick coming to Blu-ray in April has been fully detailed, and you can pre-order it now. [/teaser] As previously reported, Scream Factory is preparing 'Dead Shadows' for Blu-ray on April 29. 'Dead Shadows' tells the terrifying story of a young man, named Chris (Fabian Wolfrom), whose parents were brutally killed 11 years ago, on the same day that Halley's Comet could be seen from earth. Tonight, a new comet is appearing and everyone in his building are getting ready for a party to celebrate the event. There’s even an apocalypse theory going around. As the night falls, Chris discovers that people are starting to act strange – and it seems to somehow be connected to the comet. They are becoming disoriented and violent and it doesn’t take long before they begin to mutate into something far beyond this world. In a fight for survival, Chris tries to escape from his building with the help of a gun taunting tenant named John (John Fallon) – but will they make it out alive? The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a French DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Making-Of Special Effects Featurette; Deleted Scenes; Interview With Director David Cholewa; and Theatrical and Teaser Trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $22.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Dead Shadows' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 29.Posted Fri Feb 28, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: February 2014by Steven Cohen Every 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 affection, 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 high seas thriller, a complex character study, and a sensitive coming of age story. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November 2013, December 2013, and January 2014. [teaser]This month, we're covering a tense sci-fi thriller, an acclaimed HBO series, and a spirited biopic. [/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are MAJOR SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in February, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Gravity - 3D' - In many ways, Alfonso Cuaron's 'Gravity' could be interpreted as a film about space -- but by space, I'm not simply referring to outer space. I'm referring to on-screen cinematic space as well. Not just an exceptional science fiction thriller, the movie is also a technical marvel that experiments with the spatial relationship between camera and audience, creating a 3D experience unlike anything that has come before. As the intricacies of outer space and screen space mingle before our eyes, the director and his collaborators weave a harrowing story of survival and rebirth that uses filmmaking innovation to enhance emotions in fascinating ways, gripping audiences into the narrative's own unrelenting pull. From the moment its unbroken, highly immersive opening shot slowly forms before our eyes, we know we're in for something truly special. Cuaron has displayed a great penchant for extended reframing camera movements before, heightening the tension of key sequences in previous efforts, and all of this past work seems to have been building toward this moment. Coupled with the movie's seamless 3D effects, the frequent long takes help to create the illusion of a living, breathing world, and just like the characters, the camera continues to gently drift throughout the frame, creating an utterly enveloping sense of space. It really seems as if Cuaron's lens has complete freedom, as if it could literally go anywhere in the three dimensional plane that it wishes, creating a boundless viewpoint that's not tied to the conventional restraints of filmmaking. And while all of this technical ingenuity is impressive on its own, the director takes it all one step further by using his groundbreaking form to enhance the visceral emotions and drama of his story. To this point, Cuaron actually ends up using 3D in a way that I haven't really seen before (at least, not to this extent). He uses 3D as a means to elicit empathy, as a way to further connect the audience to Sandra Bullock's character. Through frequent POV shots from Stone's perspective, or close-up angles where we are literally inside her helmet but still focused on her face, Cuaron places us directly in her dire situation, forcing us to experience what she experiences -- and with the added depth and texture achieved from the use of 3D and the lack of cuts, the director creates an unprecedented level of intimacy and immediacy, carrying us through Stone's entire, unrelenting ordeal as if we are right there with her. At times, 'Gravity' almost feels more like an interactive experience than a traditional film -- a high art thrill ride that evokes all of the best aspects of a great theme park attraction. To be honest, the script itself is actually rather lacking on several fronts, with very basic characterizations and obvious metaphors, but Cuaron's deeper visual and emotional achievements elevate the entire production tenfold, creating a genuinely unique and groundbreaking picture. While nothing can compare to watching the movie on an IMAX screen, this Blu-ray release comes pretty damn close. With breathtaking video and audio, this disc is reason enough to own a 3D TV, cementing itself as February's top must own title. 'Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season' - It's not exactly uncommon for a television series to kill off major characters, but on HBO's 'Game of Thrones,' death is not just a shocking plot point or a ratings stunt. It's a fundamental fact of life, a tragic reality that even noble heroes can't escape. Traditional fantasy stories and fairy tales have taught us that knights always save their princesses, that happy endings are all but guaranteed, and even if one hero is defeated, another will surely rise to avenge his fallen brethren. Hell, this tried-and-true cycle is practically an unspoken rule at this point -- but the villains of Westeros don't follow rules, do they? And when our champions eventually fall, unceremoniously beheaded or violently impaled by treachery and deceit, their passing does not go unfelt. Instead, their loss hits us hard in the gut and reshapes the evolving narrative in devastating and irrevocable ways, helping to define a masterful season of television that fans won't soon forget. The infamous "Red Wedding" has managed to leave such a notable impression on audience members not just because of its shocking content, but because of just how much viewers have come to actually care about the characters and their story. Thanks to the series' impressive writing, directing, and acting, the inhabitants of Westeros all feel like real people, with complicated motivations, flaws, and goals. While the show's visuals and intricate plotting consistently impress, it's these multifaceted characterizations that really keep us coming back, fully investing viewers in all of show's political intrigue, backstabbing, sex, violence, and magic. It would be easy to simply haphazardly dispose of protagonists left and right, but 'Game of Thrones' makes us truly feel for Robb and his family, making the sudden and bloody end to his quest especially powerful. Since Ned's execution, we've been building toward a classic arc of revenge and justice, with the son poised to avenge his father's death, but the writers masterfully (and rather cruelly) undercut this convention, pulling the rug from right under our feet. Some might be frustrated by this abrupt end to the storyline, but the tragedy serves a greater purpose, elaborating on the show's continual punishment of love and honor in a murky world filled with corruption. And beyond episode nine's major developments, the season as a whole is packed with interesting character developments, furthering deeper themes tied to power, redemption, sacrifice, and the loss of innocence. To this end, Arya's slow descent into darkness proves to be one of the show's most heartbreaking, affecting, and perfectly realized arcs. A peerless example of serialized storytelling, the show continues to exhibit incredible nuance and depth, laying the groundwork for more incredible revelations yet to come. With demo worthy video and audio, and an exceptional collection of supplements, this is one of the most impressive television releases available on Blu-ray, making it a clear must own. Season four premieres on April 6, and if this new batch of episodes is anything like the last, viewers will be wise to remember one inescapable fact: "Valar morghulis… all men must die." 'Dallas Buyers Club' - What do you do when you're told by your doctors that you have just 30 days left to live? Well, if you're anything like Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), you prove them wrong. Very wrong. An emotional drama based on a true story, 'Dallas Buyers Club' manages to tell its heartfelt and inspirational story without devolving into overtly sentimental mush -- resulting in an affecting and lively film that never wallows in its inherent tragedy. Instead, like its determined main character, the film fights for its life with effortless charm. After being trapped in romantic comedy purgatory for far too long, Matthew McConaughey has entered a career defining renaissance with his last few pictures, crafting memorable characters in acclaimed films like 'Mud' and 'Killer Joe.' In 'Dallas Buyers Club,' the actor reaches entirely new heights, turning in a simply breathtaking performance. Woodroof starts off as nothing more than a homophobic hustler, but once he is diagnosed with AIDS, his entire perception of the world is shattered. While transformative stories that see jerks become good human beings are nothing new, the gradual and subtle growth that McConaughey reveals here is nothing short of masterful. The man doesn't simply become a saint overnight when he finds out that he's dying, and even when he does realize the error of his ways it doesn't occur in some sudden epiphany. It's a slow and natural progression, and the actor carries the role (and the movie) with palpable charisma and personality. Likewise, his much talked about physical transformation is startling, making it hard to believe that the frail, sickly cowboy hat-wearing man on the screen was once the ripped, hunky cowboy hat-wearing stripper in 'Magic Mike' (I think it's a contractual obligation that he has to wear a cowboy hat in all his films). And as amazing as McConaughey is, co-star Jared Leto is equally impressive. In the role of Woodroof's transgender partner Rayon, Leto reveals remarkable depth as an actor. The part could potentially come across as flashy and over-the-top in the wrong hands, but Leto imbues Rayon with striking soul and vulnerability. Director Jean-Marc Vallée balances the movie's heavy content with a fitting handheld shooting style and some much needed bursts of humor peppered throughout, creating an assured tone that treats the sensitive subject matter with respect without sacrificing a certain dynamic edge. Though the script takes some notable liberties with the true story that inspired it, the filmmakers use the basis of Woodroof's real life experiences to create a moving portrait of determination, survival, selflessness, and family. As days become months, and months become years, Woodroof defies the short term expectancy he was given, finding renewed purpose and meaning in his life -- and despite the weighty content, his bittersweet yet uplifting journey is always engaging. The movie's heavy subject matter does limit some its replay value, but this release is still easily one of the month's best discs, and rightfully earns a spot on this list. So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this February, 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 February's must own titles?Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 01:46 PM PST by: -
'Devil's Due' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]It's a boy! No wait, it's a girl! No, that's not right... What the hell is tha--AHHHHH!!!!! Pre-order it here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'Devil's Due' for Blu-ray on April 29. A young couple's blessed event turns into their worst nightmare in one of the most terrifying horror films ever conceived! After a mysterious night on their honeymoon, Zach and Samantha McCall find themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything on video for posterity, Zach notices odd behavior in his wife, which they initially attribute to nerves, although it soon becomes evident that the disturbing changes to Samantha's body and mind have a much more sinister origin. All will suffer...but who will survive? The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Deleted Scenes; Radio Silence: A Hell of a Team; Director's Photo Album; Music Index; Ashes to Ashes; The Lost Time; Roommate Alien Prank Goes Bad; Mountain Devil Prank Fails Horribly; Audio Commentary with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillet, Chad Villella, and Justin Martinez; and Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Devil's Due' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 29.Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
And the Oscar Goes to...Eight-Plus Decades of Best Picture Winners on Blu-ray, Part Sixby David Krauss Over the past five weeks, we've examined Best Picture winners from the 1920s and 1930s, the 1940s and 1950s, the 1960s and 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s . This week, in our final installment, we turn our attention to the 21st century. Social networking proved to be a valuable tool for filmmakers trying to hype indie releases, and the return of 3D and proliferation of larger screen formats, such as IMAX, ramped up excitement levels – and raised box office receipts – for potential blockbusters. In 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expanded the number of Best Picture nominees to no more than 10 – the first time in 66 years the field grew larger than five. The move was designed to increase interest in the Oscars and allow more popular films to be recognized. [teaser]All 13 Best Picture winners of the 2000s are currently available on Blu-ray, and they are…[/teaser] 'Gladiator' (2000) – Oscar loves epics, but director Ridley Scott injects some welcome angst into this eye-filling spectacle about a heroic Roman warrior (Russell Crowe) whose bitter clashes with the new emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) lead to tragedy, enslavement, and eventual life as a vengeful gladiator who must either kill or be killed. (Sounds a little like 'Ben-Hur,' huh?) Crowe won a Best Actor award for his brooding performance (Phoenix also was nominated in the supporting category for a far more colorful portrayal), and the film was also cited for its costume design, sound, and visual effects. Surprisingly, Scott lost the Best Director award to Steven Soderbergh for 'Traffic,' and is still waiting to be honored by the Academy. Hopefully, that will happen in the not-too-distant future. 'A Beautiful Mind' (2001) – Some have criticized Ron Howard's portrait of the brilliant, Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash, Jr., whose long struggle with schizophrenia severely impacted his life, for its deceptive storytelling technique and sentimental tone, but I feel 'A Beautiful Mind' is often a beautiful film that allows us to see inside a highly intelligent yet deeply disturbed brain, and gain a deep appreciation for all that Nash has overcome. Russell Crowe was poised to receive his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar for his finely etched, sensitive portrayal (I feel Crowe is better here than in 'Gladiator'), but his bad-boy off-screen behavior and supposedly monstrous ego may have sabotaged the rare back-to-back victory. (Denzel Washington was honored instead for 'Training Day.') Jennifer Connelly took home the Best Supporting Actress prize for her compassionate performance as Nash's devoted wife, Howard was named Best Director, and the film was also cited for its adapted screenplay by Akiva Goldsmith. 'Chicago' (2002) – The first musical to win Best Picture since 'Oliver!' in 1968, this imaginative, kinetic adaptation of the long-running Broadway hit not only impresses with its dazzling numbers, but also tackles such potent themes as celebrity worship, the media's fickle nature, and ruthless opportunism as it chronicles how two hot-headed murderesses (Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones) and their slick lawyer (Richard Gere) make a circus of the system in 1920s Chicago. Director Rob Marshall masterfully constructs the film so the musical sequences evolve out of the star-struck imagination of heroine Roxie Hart (Zellweger), and their exhilarating presentation stokes the senses. Zeta-Jones won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar (her sultry rendition of 'And All That Jazz' is a showstopper), and other awards went to the movie's art direction-set decoration, costume design, editing, and sound. 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003) – The first two installments of director Peter Jackson's monumental 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy were nominated for Best Picture in 2001 and 2002, but the climactic chapter nabbed the coveted prize…as well as 10 other Academy Awards! 'The Return of the King' tied 'Ben-Hur,' and 'Titanic' for the most Oscars won by a single film, and its absorbing mix of fantasy, action, and intrigue coupled with breathtaking production values and impressive technical wizardry makes it an enduring fan favorite. Jackson at last won a Best Director award, and the movie triumphed in all 11 categories in which it secured nominations – an awe-inspiring feat that may never be equaled. 'Million Dollar Baby' (2004) – Billed as a movie about female boxers and the unlikely contender who makes good despite long odds, 'Million Dollar Baby' might seem like a gender-bending 'Rocky' knockoff, but Clint Eastwood's moving and perceptive character study is the antithesis of the feel-good sports film. Emotionally charged yet subtly presented, this affecting film about perseverance, dedication, devotion, and the bonds of family earned Eastwood his second Best Director Oscar and Hilary Swank a well-deserved second Best Actress award. Morgan Freeman also was at last honored for a brilliantly understated supporting performance. Though many felt Martin Scorsese's 'The Aviator' should have prevailed, the Academy's heart belonged to this quiet yet searing film. 'Crash' (2005) – One of the biggest – and most controversial – upsets in Oscar history occurred when Jack Nicholson opened the envelope and said, "Whoa!" 'Crash,' a low-budget ensemble piece directed by Paul Haggis about racial tensions in Los Angeles beat Ang Lee's widely acclaimed "gay cowboy" romance, 'Brokeback Mountain,' much to the consternation of social groups and many film fans. Those deriding the victory of 'Crash' claimed a decided L.A. bias turned the tide, as well as a backlash against homosexuals by the stodgy and conservative Academy. Whatever the case, 'Crash' remains a well-made, thought-provoking, and tightly constructed film that features fine performances from Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Phillippe, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, and others. In addition to Best Picture, the movie also won awards for its original screenplay and editing. 'The Departed' (2006) – After inexplicable snubs for such masterpieces as 'Raging Bull' and 'GoodFellas,' arguably America's finest contemporary director – on his sixth try – at last received the Academy recognition he so richly deserved. Though 'The Departed,' a rough, crude, violent – and mesmerizing – mob flick, doesn't possess the artistic merit of the aforementioned Scorsese films, it stands as the most commercially successful movie of Marty's four-decade career. Blistering performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Vera Farmiga elevate the material, and Scorsese's firm grasp of the genre makes this pulsating drama, which also was honored for its adapted screenplay and editing, a pleasure to watch from start to finish. 'No Country for Old Men' (2007) – For the second year in a row, the Academy went to the dark side, foregoing the sweeping romantic elegance of 'Atonement' for this lean, mean, oh-so-bleak examination of greed and vengeance in the American Southwest. Joel and Ethan Coen each took home three Oscars for producing, directing, and adapting Cormac McCarthy's brooding, suspenseful tale of the violent fallout from a drug deal gone wrong. As the ruthless killing machine bound and determined to retrieve what he perceives to be rightfully his, Javier Bardem sports the worst haircut in film history, but creates arguably cinema's most frightening villain, and won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his excellent work. Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Woody Harrelson also contribute first-rate performances in this terrific thriller. 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008) – Feel-good made a return in 2008, as Danny Boyle's exuberant chronicle of how a young Indian man's unlikely success on a TV quiz show spawns an investigation into his poor and checkered past won a whopping eight Academy Awards, including Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Score, Song, and Sound Mixing. Boyle thrusts us into the slums of Mumbai and mystical culture of India as he weaves this romantic and inspirational yarn that renews our faith in true love, a never-say-die attitude, and the power of fate. Mixing Bollywood and Hollywood conventions, this magnetic, often magical hybrid production expanded our horizons and became a popular phenomenon that snowballed into Oscar gold. 'The Hurt Locker' (2009) – Not only was 2009 the first year since 1943 to see more than five movies nominated for Best Picture, it was far more importantly the first time in the 82-year history of the Academy Awards that a woman was named Best Director. Kathryn Bigelow beat out her ex-husband James Cameron and 'The Hurt Locker' bested the insanely popular (and overrated) 'Avatar' in the year's top categories. This taut, macho, and agonizingly intense portrait of an Army bomb disposal unit and the renegade leader who puts his team in perpetual jeopardy also won awards for its original screenplay, editing, sound editing, and sound mixing. 'The King's Speech' (2010) – Richard III's hunchback was nothing compared to the crippling infirmity that afflicted England's George VII, and 'The King's Speech' chronicles how the insecure monarch, who reluctantly ascended to the throne after his selfish and weak-willed brother abdicated, learns to live with and manage his debilitating stammer. It's an inspiring – if often agonizing – story, and Tom Hooper, who won the Best Director award, presents it with elegance, humor, warmth, and grace. Though I preferred the brash and stylish 'The Social Network' to this more refined period piece, the performance of Colin Firth as the tortured king was by far the year's best, and he was justly honored with the Best Actor award. In addition, the original screenplay for 'The King's Speech' also was appropriately cited. 'The Artist' (2011) – Before 'The Artist,' the only silent film ever to win Best Picture was the 1927 World War I aerial epic, 'Wings,' and it took home the prize at the very first Academy Awards. Eighty-four years later, French director Michel Hazanavicius – who was named Best Director – boldly revived the form, and his clever, endearing love letter to old Hollywood during the turbulent time when sound rocked the industry charmed audiences nationwide. While my favorite film of 2011 was another reverent salute to the even earlier days of cinema – Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' – I couldn't help but appreciate the meticulous attention to detail and inventive presentation of 'The Artist,' which perfectly captures a bygone style and era. French actor Jean Dujardin won Best Actor for his spirited portrayal of a vain and stubborn matinee idol unable to accept change, and the film also received honors for its costume design and score. 'Argo' (2012) – Many fine films vied for last year's top Academy honor, including Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln,' Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi,' Kathryn Bigelow's 'Zero Dark Thirty,' and my personal favorite, David O. Russell's 'Silver Linings Playbook,' but the ultimate winner was Ben Affleck's 'Argo,' an absorbing chronicle of a little-known undercover CIA mission to rescue a handful of kidnapped Americans during the notorious Iran hostage crisis of 1979-80. Affleck wasn't even nominated for Best Director, but his movie, which mixes humor with tension and tells an unbelievable true story of courage and audacity, developed a devoted following that grew over the course of several months, culminating in an Oscar victory. Affleck also stars in the film, giving one of his better performances, and a stellar cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin (nominated for Best Supporting Actor), and John Goodman does justice to the Academy Award-winning adapted screenplay. Best Picture Nominees of the 2000s Available on Blu-ray: 'Chocolat' (2000) 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (2000) 'Erin Brockovich' (2000) 'Traffic' (2000) 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (2001) 'Moulin Rouge' (2001) 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' (2002) 'Gangs of New York' (2002) 'The Pianist' (2002) 'Lost in Translation' (2003) 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' (2003) 'Mystic River' (2003) 'Seabiscuit' (2003) 'The Aviator' (2004) 'Finding Neverland' (2004) 'Ray' (2004) 'Sideways' (2004) 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005) 'Capote' (2005) 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (2005) 'Babel' (2006) 'Letters from Iwo Jima' (2006) 'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006) 'The Queen' (2006) 'Atonement' (2007) 'Juno' (2007) 'Michael Clayton' (2007) 'There Will Be Blood' (2007) 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' (2008) 'Frost/Nixon' (2008) 'Milk' (2008) 'The Reader' (2008) 'Avatar' (2009) 'The Blind Side' (2009) 'District 9' (2009) 'An Education' (2009) 'Inglorious Basterds' (2009) 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire' (2009) 'A Serious Man' (2009) 'Up' (2009) 'Up in the Air' (2009) 'Black Swan' (2010) 'The Fighter' (2010) 'Inception' (2010) 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010) '127 Hours' (2010) 'The Social Network' (2010) 'Toy Story 3' (2010) 'True Grit' (2010) 'Winter's Bone' (2010) 'The Descendants' (2011) 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' (2011) 'The Help' (2011) 'Hugo' (2011) 'Midnight in Paris' (2011) 'Moneyball' (2011) 'The Tree of Life' (2011) 'War Horse' (2011) 'Amour' (2012) 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' (2012) 'Django Unchained' (2012) 'Les Misérables' (2012) 'Life of Pi' (2012) 'Lincoln' (2012) 'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012) 'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012)Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 10:50 AM PST by: -
'Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East, Season 1' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The first batch of 13 episodes from the anime series is planned for Blu-ray in May. Pre-orders are available here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sentai Filmworks will be releasing 'Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East, Season 1' on Blu-ray on May 20. When their village was wiped out five years ago, there were only three young survivors: boys Shino Inuzuka and Sosuke Inukawa and the girl Hamaji. Through a quirk of fate, both boys share the same peony-shaped birthmark. Genpachi Inukai and Kobungo Inuta were raised hundreds of miles away as foster brothers, but they too share the same birthmark. When they went north as part of the army three years ago, they went to confront demons and came back forever transformed. Now the Imperial Church has come for Shino and Sosuke and they must find eight mystical gems and their owners or face a fate worse than death at the hands of the Church. Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: Clean Opening Animation, Clean Closing Animation, and Six Episode Audio Commentaries. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $69.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East, Season 1' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 20.Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Taiwanese Companies Lead 4K Panel Manufacturing[teaser]A new report breaks down 4K panel production for 2014 by manufacturer. [/teaser] According to the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly LCD TV Value Chain & Insight Report, Taiwanese manufacturers Innolux and AUO are set to lead 4K panel production and shipments in 2014. Combined, the two companies are poised to seize about 58 percent of the market. Meanwhile, global suppliers Samsung and LG are expected to hold about 25 percent of the 4K panel production market, and Chinese companies ChinaStar and BOE will take hold of about 14 percent. The report also notes that there is a growing difference in the Chinese and global manufacturers' approach to panel development. On the one hand, the Chinese companies are focusing on their own domestic market with cheaper, low cost panels, while global brands like LG and Samsung are placing their emphasis on high picture quality for expanded markets. "The 4K display demand from their related TV brands is critical to the ability of Samsung Display and LG Display to compete effectively within the growing 4K TV market," said Deborah Yang, research director for monitors and TV for DisplaySearch. "The ability of the Korean panel makers to expand 4K panel production is dependent on their success in securing more 4K display clients, beyond satisfying the needs of their own 4K TV brands." "The rise of the 4K TV market is mainly driven by the supply side, while leading TV brands are concerned about the value proposition of 4K TVs," Yang said. "While some TV brands are considering increasing their 4K TV shipment targets, we continue to see a mismatch between 4K TV panel supply plans and consumer purchasing expectations." Both Samsung and LG announced new 4K television lineups at CES in January. The companies plan to supply around 60 percent of their 4K panels from their individual in-house panel production. Sources: Display Search via TWICEPosted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Mademoiselle C' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Prepare to hit the runway with this fashion doc coming to Blu-ray in March. You can pre-order it now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Cohen Media Group is preparing 'Mademoiselle C' for Blu-ray on March 11. Carine Roitfeld ran French Vogue for 10 years, building a reputation as one of fashion's most influential movers. Her inner circle of friends includes Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld, Diane von Furstenberg, and Alexander Wang, yet few people outside the fashion world have heard of her... until now. 'Mademoiselle C' tells her amazing story and provides a look inside the glamorous universe of high fashion and chronicles Roitfeld's launch of her own magazine, CR Fashion Book. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: footage from the film's celebrity-filled Paris premiere and the Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Mademoiselle C' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 11.Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Oscar Polls: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and MoreYesterday, we asked you to predict which movie will win Best Picture at this Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony. Today, let's see how well we can forecast some of the other prize categories. Best Picture Best Actor Best Actress Best Supporting Actor and Actress Best Director Best Visual Effects Place your votes in the blog today!Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'The Who Sensation: The Story of Tommy' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The legendary album is explored in depth in this new film heading to Blu-ray in March, and you can pre-order it now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Eagle Rock Entertainment is preparing 'The Who Sensation: The Story of Tommy' for Blu-ray on March 11. The Who's seminal double album 'Tommy', released in 1969, is a milestone in rock history. It revitalized the band's career and established Pete Townshend as a composer and Roger Daltrey as one of rock's foremost frontmen. The first album to be overtly billed as a 'rock opera', 'Tommy' has gone on to sell over 20 million copies around the world and has been reimagined as both a film by Ken Russell in the mid-seventies and a touring stage production in the early nineties. This new film explores the background, creation and impact of 'Tommy' through new interviews with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, archive interviews with the late John Entwistle, and contributions from engineer Bob Pridden, artwork creator Mike McInnerney plus others involved in the creation of the album and journalists who assess the album's historic and cultural impact. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Who Sensation: The Story of Tommy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 11.Posted Thu Feb 27, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Hisense Announces HD Phablet[teaser]The Maxe X1 smartphone features a massive 6.8-inch screen and impressive specs. [/teaser] During the Mobile World Congress being held in Spain this week, Hisense revealed a new large-screen handset, the Maxe X1. The mobile device combines the functionality of a smartphone with the display size of a tablet and the connectivity options of a set-top box. The Maxe X1 features a 6.8-inch 1080p display and is powered by a Snapdragon 800 2.3GHz quad-core CPU. In addition, the smartphone includes a 13MP rear camera that is capable of full HD video recording, a panoramic mode, and burst shooting options. The phone runs Android 4.4 and also features two front stereo speakers with Dolby Digital 5.1 virtual surround sound and three noise cancelling microphones. Finally, smart TV features are integrated as well with wired and wireless media sharing options that allow users to watch content from the phone on their televisions. Exact pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but the Hisense Maxe X1 is expected to launch globally next month with a US release planned for the near future. Sources: Hisense via PR NewswirePosted Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by:
