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HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series' on Blu-ray $143.99 at Amazon![teaser]Take a Blu-ray trip through the classic door of another dimension and save over sixty percent this week at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series' for $143.99 (64% off suggested retail price). For the fans patiently holding out for the ultimate compilation of Rod Serling’s sci-fi masterpiece – the time has finally arrived! The Twilight Zone: The Complete Collection Blu-ray™ features all 156 episodes of Rod Serling’s groundbreaking series completely re-mastered and enhanced in high definition, all in one box set. Enjoy over 75 hours of the iconic episodes featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest names including William Shatner, Robert Redford, Mickey Rooney, Burt Reynolds, Art Carney, Burgess Meredith, Cliff Robertson, Dennis Weaver, Don Rickles, Jack Klugman, Jay Overholts, Lee Marvin, Martin Landau, Robert McCord and many more! Loaded with bonus features found in the Seasons 1-5 releases, this collection gives you another reason to dive back into the cryptic, metaphysical world of The Twilight Zone. The Blu-ray set can be purchased here and this offer will only last until July 7.Posted Tue Jul 2, 2013 at 08:14 AM PDT by: -
'Strike Back: Cinemax Season 2' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The second season of the adrenaline-fueled series takes aim at Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO is preparing 'Strike Back: Cinemax Season 2' for Blu-ray on August 6. The Emmy® nominated series continues to follow the stealth counter-terrorism unit Section 20 and the unlikely alliance between two crack special agents - one an American renegade, the other an elite British spy. With world security storylines ripped from today's headlines, the second season begins with Sgt. Damien Scott (Sullivan Stapleton) on a standard security mission in Kenya and Section 20 facing a new boss, Rachel Dalton (Rhona Mitra). Now out of the unit, Sgt. Michael Stonebridge (Philip Winchester) is training recruits at a military base, staying close to home and being a dutiful husband. When Scott's mission takes an unexpected dangerous turn, the two are back together working to retrieve an elusive box of nuclear triggers coveted by everyone from Al Qaeda to the expatriate leader of a mercenary army. Additional cast members include Rhashan Stone, Michelle Lukes, Vincent Regan, Liam Garrigan and Charles Dance. Strike Back is a Cinemax Presentation in association with British Sky Broadcasting Limited, a continuation of the six-episode series that aired on Sky TV in 2010, which was based on the novels of Chris Ryan, the pen name of a real-life former British Special Forces operative. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but the release will include audio commentaries. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Strike Back: Cinemax Season 2' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 6.Posted Tue Jul 2, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Tremors Attack Pack' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]All four films in the sci-fi franchise will be tunneling to Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios says 'Tremors Attack Pack' will have a Blu-ray release on September 17. The set will include 'Tremors,' 'Tremors 2: Aftershocks,' 'Tremors 3: Back to Perfection,' and 'Tremors 4: The Legend Begins.' Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $44.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Tremors Attack Pack' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 17.Posted Tue Jul 2, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: June 2013by 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 well-crafted Hollywood action thriller, a spooky contemporary horror flick, and an esoteric excursion into experimental science fiction. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. [teaser]This month, we're covering an undead comedy romance, a classic of world cinema, and an imaginative cartoon for all ages.[/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there might be some spoilers for the films listed. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in June, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Warm Bodies' - Paranormal romance flicks are a dime a dozen these days, and it's rare to find a title in the genre that's not only enjoyable but actually brings something new to the equation. Thankfully, Jonathan Levine's endearing and hilarious 'Warm Bodies' does just that, slowly dragging, shrugging, and mumbling its undead way into viewer's hearts and the top spot on June's Essential List. Right off the bat, Levine instantly distances the movie from usual 'Twilight' clones by introducing a supernatural hero that is the antithesis of the increasingly popular brooding, perfectly dressed, flawlessly manicured, sparkling vampire variety. Indeed, unlike typical Hollywood bloodsuckers, werewolves, ghosts, aliens, or witches, our zombie protagonist -- with his decomposing flesh, insatiable hunger for brains, and incapacitated speech -- proves to be an inherently unromantic choice for a movie monster heartthrob, and the filmmakers play up this fact brilliantly. Through "R" (Nicholas Hoult), we're given an atypical perspective and his voice over narration guides us through the trials and tribulations of being a lovelorn undead corpse with clever wit and surprising heart. The decidedly unconventional courtship that develops between our zombie lothario and the living object of his affection, Julie (Teresa Palmer), is funny, sweet, a bit morbid, and appropriately odd in all the right ways, and their burgeoning relationship is set to a truly awesome soundtrack fueled by old school and new school hits. The filmmakers even add their own twist to the usual zombie mythology, playing up the tried-and-true slacker metaphor with a rather poignant new supernatural rule. You see, these brain feasting corpses can actually absorb and relive the memories of their victims, potentially reigniting sparks of emotion that lay dormant in their own decaying minds. By borrowing a dead man's memories, R sets off a revolution, proving that even in the face of the zombie apocalypse, "all you need is love." It's all really quite sappy actually, but the film's unapologetically romantic sensibilities ring true and are wonderfully balanced by humor and horror. Charming, original, and entertaining, 'Warm Bodies' easily rises above the many inferior efforts in its increasingly crowded genre, and this Blu-ray release comes packed with great video, audio, and extras. If nothing else, the movie finally dethrones 'My Boyfriend's Back' to become the best zombie, comedy, romance film of all time (I can't be the only one who remembers that "classic"). And that alone has to earn it the top spot on June's list, right? 'Wild Strawberries' - There are some filmmakers so legendary in their contributions to cinema, and so consistent in their execution of brilliant filmmaking, that no Top 10 list of greatest movies could be complete without at least one film from their impressive repertoire. In fact, some directors' filmographies are so storied, that any number of their works could be included with little protest. Hell, in some very rare cases, an entire Top 10 list could almost be comprised using only the director in question's films, and most would still be hard pressed to argue with the results. Ingmar Bergman is such a filmmaker. Throughout his celebrated career, the Swedish director brought his own unique vision of contemplative, brooding, bittersweet storytelling to the silver screen, giving self reflection and inner turmoil striking visual form. From 'The Seventh Seal' to 'Persona,' his movies weep with introspection and devastating insight -- and his 1957 masterpiece, 'Wild Strawberries,' is easily among his very best work. From the very first frame, Bergman instantly reveals a complete mastery over the screen, harnessing his images to control a sense of space, isolation, emotion, and eerie stillness. Through this pensive visual style, the director weaves a bittersweet story of self reflection that sees an aging man, Dr. Isak Borg (Victor Sjöström), look back upon his life. As he embarks on an existential road trip of the soul, his past and present blur, causing memories and dreams to play out before him in a spectral theater of grief and delight. Interestingly, despite these frequent excursions into recollection, we never actually see Isak's younger self. Instead, we are forced to learn about the character's past exclusively through the perspective of others, and the portrait they paint is frequently contradictory. Throughout the entire film we are told what a cold and callous man Isak is (particularly from his daughter-in-law), but Bergman deliberately refrains from fully showing us this side of him. All we see is a kind old man increasingly overcome by melancholy and regret. We see various past instances that might have helped shape his future insensitivity, but we don't actually see this behavior in action, creating a fascinating disconnect that seems at odds with what we are repeatedly told. Victor Sjöström is simply heartbreaking as Isak, and the actor carries a wealth of emotional baggage in every wistful stare and longing glance. There is a gentleness to his demeanor in the present that is instantly likeable, and yet there are still moments when one can see hints of the icy detachment that his daughter-in-law continually condemns. Bergman mainstay Gunnar Björnstrand is also great as Isak's seemingly heartless son, and through his cold behavior we catch a glimpse of the arrogant, unfeeling man Isak supposedly is. As the aging doctor walks through the halls of his past, a portrait of love, pain, loss, resentment, and healing is formed, allowing Bergman to probe the deepest recesses of the human soul through rich themes, insightful dialogue, and haunting imagery. Surreal dreams and arresting metaphors bolster the otherwise modest content, and the director manages to find an elegant visual beauty in mere conversation. A painful but ultimately joyous reverie on the past, 'Wild Strawberries' is an infinitely rich examination of human connection, life, death, and memory. One of Bergman's very best films, it's also one of the shining achievements of world cinema. The Criterion Blu-ray features a great technical presentation and worthwhile supplements. This is a release that belongs on every cinephile's shelf, and if you still need more reasons to pick it up, here's three more straight from Criterion: 'Adenture Time: The Complete First Season' - What's that? A children's cartoon is capping off June's list of must own titles? This must be some kind of mistake, right? Wrong! Believe it or not, Pendleton Ward's 'Adventure Time' is one of the most unique, creative, intelligent, and wonderfully silly shows on TV. Through the story of a young boy and his magical talking dog, the writers and animators have tapped into something truly wondrous, creating an offbeat sense of humor that somehow appeals to all ages in equal measure. As I detailed in my full review, 'Adventure Time' really is something special. In fact, it's so distinct in its style and voice that it's actually a little hard to describe. Take aspects of 'Dungeons and Dragons' and other classic role-playing adventures, add a dash of video game questing logic, throw in a healthy dose of fairy tale magic, sprinkle in a bit of Lewis Carroll inspired surreal randomness, and finish it off with a pinch of subversive wit and you'll start to form a pretty good idea of what the series is all about. But despite all these clear influences, the show's quirky sense of humor and atypical storytelling rhythms really defy explanation, and the series needs to be seen in order to truly understand its silly madness. With an endearing cast of characters brimming with life and personality, and a fantasy world bursting with limitless possibilities, each episode takes viewers on an imaginative 11 minute journey that creates its own narrative rules. Though seemingly random and nonsensical, the writers actually do build up a pretty comprehensive mythology over the show's run, and all that groundwork is set up here in season one. Filled with fun action, juvenile gags, surprisingly intelligent jokes, offbeat vocal deliveries, and plenty of songs, the show has something for everyone. There's a bubblegum princess, a rocker vampire, a kingdom of candy people, and even a (not so) devious Ice King, and the show plays against typical archetypes, clichés, and storytelling beats to create characters, locations, and plotlines that are wholly unique and refreshingly weird. June saw the release of not only the first season, but season two as well, and both sets are equally strong with great presentations and appropriately odd supplements (the atypical commentaries are especially amusing). Though some might balk at the idea of owning a "kid's show," 'Adventure Time' is one of those rare series that challenges typical demographics. Young or old, this is a show that will appeal to anyone who loves idiosyncratic humor, goofy fun, sharp wit, imaginative fantasy, and good old fashioned (and extremely bizarre) adventure! So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this June, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for June's must own titles?Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
Celebrate DTS' Twentieth Birthday on 7.1 Dayby Michael S. Palmer Get ready to feel old, surround sound fans. [teaser]DTS, which launched in cinema with Steven Spielberg's blockbuster 'Jurassic Park' in 1993, is turning twenty.[/teaser] On the upside, digital multi-channel surround sound has advanced since those early days and revolutionized the way we experience movies in cinemas and our home theatres. Crazy enough, and thanks to lossless codecs like DTS-HD MA, there were a few years where 7.1 channel mixes ONLY existed in our homes. Speaking of which, did you know that today is a multi channel surround sound holiday? No joke. Starting in 2009, the State of California officially declared July 1st: 7.1 Day. To kick off this holiday and to mark their twenty-year anniversary, DTS has created a fun infographic entitled, "Making the World Sound Better", and they're running a month-long sweepstakes over on their Facebook page / Twitter feed. This week, you can enter to win one of twenty 'Jurassic Park' Blu-rays. Over the next month, they'll also be giving away a Yamaha soundbar and Toshiba tablet. Sounds like fun. So good luck trying to win free stuff and grab your favorite 7.1 DTS-HD MA encoded Blu-ray to join in the festivities. Here's the infographic, followed by the full press release below. DTS Infographic: DTS Celebrates 20 Years of ‘Making the World Sound Better’ CALABASAS, Calif. (July 1, 2013)—In recognition of its 20th anniversary, DTS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTSI), a leader in high-definition audio solutions and audio enhancement technologies, today released an infographic titled, “Making the World Sound Better,” commemorating key company milestones and accomplishments that have occurred since DTS was founded in 1993. The anniversary infographic has also been introduced as part of “DTS 7.1 Day,” a July 1 holiday declared by the state of California which honors DTS’ cutting-edge technologies—such as its 7.1 surround sound solutions—and longstanding economic and entertainment contributions to the arts. “These last 20 years at DTS have been a tremendous experience and I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years will bring,” said Jon Kirchner, chairman and CEO at DTS. “In the course of the past two decades, DTS witnessed the CE and entertainment industries undergo several substantial changes, including the shift from film to digital cinema, the Internet boom, the rise of Blu-ray™, the rapid evolution of processing power in CE products, streaming media, social media and the transition to digital content consumption. Embracing the many changes that span the industries in which we do business, DTS is still here and stronger than ever, proving that sound matters.” Major points noted within the infographic include: In its founding year, DTS had a total of 46 patents. In 2013, 20 years later, the company now holds 695 patents. [1] By its 10-year anniversary, DTS’ audio technologies had shipped in more than 200 million CE products worldwide In 2009, the state of California officially recognized July 1 as 7.1 Day Celebrating this year’s 7.1 Day, DTS will be hosting a month-long 20-year anniversary sweepstakes across its Facebook and Twitter pages that will award prizes such as a Yamaha soundbar, Toshiba tablet, Jurassic Park Blu-ray discs—the film that introduced DTS master-quality sound in 1993—and more. Fans are encouraged to use the #DTS20Years hashtag to enter and more entry details can be found via facebook.com/dts.inc and @DTS_Inc. For more information about DTS, please visit www.dts.com, or connect with DTS on Facebook and Twitter (@DTS_Inc). [1.] Patent figures represent the combined sum of those pending and issued. About DTS, Inc. DTS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTSI) is a premier audio solutions provider for high-definition entertainment experiences—anytime, anywhere, on any device. DTS’ audio solutions enable delivery and playback of clear, compelling high-definition audio, which is incorporated by hundreds of licensee customers around the world, into billions of consumer electronic devices. From a renowned legacy as a pioneer in high definition multi-channel audio, DTS became a mandatory audio format in the Blu-ray Disc™ standard and is now increasingly deployed in enabling digital delivery of compelling movies, music, games and other forms of digital entertainment to a growing array of network-connected consumer devices. DTS technology is in automotive audio systems, digital media players, DVD players, game consoles, home theaters, PCs, set-top boxes, smartphones, surround music content and every device capable of playing Blu-ray™ discs. Founded in 1993, DTS' corporate headquarters is located in Calabasas, California with its licensing operations headquartered in Limerick, Ireland. DTS also has offices in Los Gatos and Santa Ana, California, Washington, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Copyright 2013, DTS, Inc. DTS, the Symbol, and DTS and the Symbol together are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved. SOURCE: DTS, INC.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 02:15 PM PDT by: -
'Iron Man 3' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Announced![teaser]The latest Robert Downey Jr. blockbuster is coming to Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D in late September! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is preparing 'Iron Man 3' for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on September 24. Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Deconstructing The Scene: Attack On Air Force One: Jump into action with the stunt-team; Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Look – Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World—Experience the spectacular new worlds, unforgettable characters, and pulse-pounding thrills of the upcoming blockbuster movie; Marvel’s Iron Man 3 Unmasked—Join cast and crew for a crash course in epic movie-making, Marvel style; Gag Reel; Deleted & Extended Scenes; Audio Commentary—With Drew Pearce & Shane Black; and more… Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $39.99 while the Blu-ray 3D combo pack is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Iron Man 3' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 24.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Deluxe Edition' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Both parts of the animated adaptation of Frank Miller's masterpiece on Blu-ray will be bundled together in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Deluxe Edition' on Blu-ray on October 8. Part One: As Gotham destroys itself, an aging Bruce Wayne (Peter Weller) watches from the seclusion of his Wayne Manor, disgusted at both the new criminal element as well as his physical and mental frailties that forced him to retire ten years earlier. When Wayne's old adversary Harvey "Two-Face" Dent (Wade Williams) violently re-asserts his twisted influence, Wayne takes up the Batman mantle once more. But even improved crime-fighting technology and a new sidekick (Ariel Winter) might prove inadequate for Wayne to confront the perils of this new dystopian Gotham City. Part Two: The Dark Knight (Weller), along with Robin (Winter), have finally reclaimed Gotham City and allowed a ray of hope to penetrate the reign of terror that The Mutants had cast upon his city. But with Batman back in the spotlight, the extended media coverage has awoken a far worse evil at Arkham Asylum: The Joker (Michael Emerson). Forever destined to be mortal enemies, The Joker has a diabolical scheme that may pull Batman down to the darkest levels of insanity. Meanwhile, on the horizon, a global catastrophe races towards Gotham and with it a familiar face: The Man of Steel (Mark Valley), though this time he has Batman in his sights. Witness as the aging Dark Knight wages a tireless war against crime while proving that courage and will are indeed timeless. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: View The Dark Knight Returns as One Seamless Epic Film; New 70-minute Frank Miller Documentary: "Creating a Masterpiece" (Deluxe Edition Exclusive); New Cast and Crew Commentary (DE Exclusive); 4 Collector Cards (BD DE Exclusive); and All Previous Part 1 and Part 2 Special Features. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - Deluxe Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 8.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
'Curse of Chucky' First Images Unboxed![teaser]Last fall, High-Def Digest was invited down to the set of 'Curse of Chucky' and although we still can't reveal much yet (we're sworn to secrecy for the moment, sorry!), we can tease you with these first images from the film! [/teaser] Universal will be releasing the sixth chapter in the horror franchise on home video sometime later this fall. Nica (Fiona Dourif) is grieving over the gruesome suicide of her mother when her domineering older sister Barb (Danielle Bisutti) arrives with her young family in tow to help settle their mother’s affairs. As the sisters butt heads over Nica’s plans for the future, Barb’s young daughter comforts herself with a grinning, red-haired talking doll named Chucky (Brad Dourif) that recently arrived mysteriously in the mail. But as a string of brutal murders begins to terrorize the household, Nica suspects the doll may hold the key to the bloodshed. What she doesn’t know is that Chucky has a personal score to settle. He’s determined to finish a job he starteD More than 20 years earlier, and this time he’s going to see it through to the bloody and shocking end. Check out the sneak peek pictures below: And here's a killer package: Specs, supplements, suggested list price, and a release date haven't been revealed yet. You can find the latest specs for 'Curse of Chucky' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'The Lords of Salem' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The latest horror film from rocker/filmmaker Rob Zombie will possess Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is readying 'The Lords of Salem' for Blu-ray on September 3. From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood. The Lords of Salem tells the tale of Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie), a radio station DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a "gift from the Lords." Heidi listens, and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of the town's violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the "Lords of Salem" returning for revenge on modern-day Salem? Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Lords of Salem' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 3.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Highlights: Week of June 30th, 2013Holidays are a slow time for new Blu-ray releases, and this one almost brutally so. Very few new discs will hit stores this week, and fewer still worth buying. However, as always, we have a roundup of the week's highlights in the blog today.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
