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See 'Iron Man 3' in 4DX... in Tokyo[teaser]The motion, the smells, the moisture, the 3D, and the hot air of 'Iron Man 3' in 4DX.[/teaser] 4DX, the amalgam of gimmicks that are unlikely to make it to home theater anytime soon state their case with 'Iron Man 3.' In an article on the Verge, the sensory overload available only in the near Tokyo city of Nagoya is related in full detail. The verdict not unsurprisingly is that some gimmicks work better than others. For 'Iron Man 3' it starts with 3D conversion, a feature which is aided by the motion sensation derived from moving seats. The immersion felt from the "seats' movement is surprisingly high, and in scenes where Iron Man soars through the air it lends an appreciable level of immersion." The theater's colored strobe lights also receive high marks and seem to add a little visual shock to each explosion. On the other hand, haptic feedback receives little love. "One of the first 4DX-enabled events sets the tone: a mysterious plant smolders on screen, and you feel a vibration in your back. This is weird and off-putting, and highlights a major limitation of 4DX — its haptic feedback comes from behind, but all the action happens in front of you." With the viewer's behind feeling the vibration, the front is left to be blasted with water. That's right, a bar in front of the viewer sprays water in sync with (loosely) aquatic situations onscreen. "Does it really add to the moment to get a faceful when Iron Man falls into the ocean following a helicopter attack?" The 4DX aroma array is likewise less loved. Regardless of the system's library of scents, the viewer "was only able to distinguish a single one during the entire film, a chemically sweet, metallic odor that seemed to pop up at random." More effective than water is air, and when timed with onscreen gunfire can be interesting but at a cost. The air jets, situated on either side of the headrest, tend to drown out sound when activated, which quickly hurts any onscreen action. Ultimately, it would seem that 4DX is a mixed bag, and when considering how appropriate 'Iron Man 3' is, with so much action and cool onscreen suit experiences, "4DX is (still) going to come off to you as little more than a Disneyland ride... If a blockbuster like this isn’t the perfect use case, what is?" Source: The Verge Author: Brian HossPosted Fri May 3, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
'The Last Exorcism Part II' Blu-ray Dated & Detailed[teaser]Director Ed Gass-Donnelly's horror sequel will possess Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony has slated 'The Last Exorcism Part II' for Blu-ray on June 18. Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found terrified and alone in rural Louisiana. Back in the relative safety of New Orleans, Nell realizes that she can't remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean her last exorcism was just the beginning. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Shooting in New Orleans; Hair Salon Scare - The Last Exorcism Part II goes Viral; and Blu-ray exclusives include Nell's Story and an Audio Commentary with Ed Gass-Donnelly and Eli Roth. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Last Exorcism Part II' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 18.Posted Fri May 3, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Theatrical Review: 'Iron Man 3'After the huge success of 'The Avengers', Tony Stark is already back in action in a new solo adventure. Our theatrical reviewer Bryan Kluger says that 'Iron Man 3' may just be the best 'Iron Man' film yet. Check out his review in the blog today.Posted Fri May 3, 2013 at 06:30 AM PDT by: -
'Movie 43' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The star-studded comedy hitting Blu-ray in June has now been fully detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox is bringing 'Movie 43' to Blu-ray on June 18. From the twisted minds of producers Peter Farrelly ('Hall Pass,' 'Shallow Hal') and Charles Wessler ('There's Something About Mary,' 'Dumb & Dumber'), comes 'Movie 43' -- the outrageous new ensemble comedy starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood. 'Movie 43' is not for the easily-offended and contains jaw-dropping, sometimes shockingly disturbing, but always entertaining intertwined storylines you'll have to see to believe. The all-star cast includes Emma Stone, Kate Winslet, Justin Long, Jason Sudeikis, Kristin Bell, Gerard Butler, and Halle Berry. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Find Our Daughter and a Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Movie 43' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 18.Posted Fri May 3, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Oz The Great and Powerful' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Dated and Detailed[teaser]Prepare to travel somewhere over the rainbow again on both Blu-ray formats in June. [/teaser] As previously reported, Disney's 'Oz The Great and Powerful' for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D (2D not included) were up for pre-order, and now an official release date of June 11 has been announced. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot. Fame and fortune are his for the taking. That is until he meets three witches: Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity and even a bit of wizardry, Oscar transforms himself not only into a great wizard but into a better man as well. The Blu-rays will feature 1080p video, DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtracks, and supplements will include: The Magic of 'Oz The Great and Powerful' (Second Screen Experience); Bloopers; My Journey in Oz by James Franco; Mr. Elfman's Musical Concoctions; China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief; Before Your Very Eyes: From Kansas to Oz; Mila's Metamorphosis; and Walt Disney and the Road to Oz. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and the Blu-ray 3D/Digital Copy combo pack are both set at $44.99. A separate Blu-ray/Digital Copy combo pack without a DVD is also planned for a suggested list price of $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Oz The Great and Powerful (3-Disc Combo Pack),' ' Oz The Great and Powerful – 3D,' and 'Oz The Great and Powerful' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under June 11.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Banshee: The Complete First Season' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]There will be a new sheriff in town when the first season of HBO's new crime drama hits Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO is working on 'Banshee: The Complete First Season' for Blu-ray on July 30. From the creator of 'True Blood,' 'Banshee' centers on Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pennsylvania, where he continues his criminal activities, even as he’s hunted by the shadowy gangsters he betrayed years earlier. The 4-disc Blu-ray set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Six Audio Commentaries with Cast and Crew; Zooming In: Episodes 7 & 8; Deleted Scenes; Inside the Title Sequence; NYC Bus Crash; Town of Secrets; Banshee Origins; Season 2 Teaser Trailer; and Banshee Prequel Comic Book. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Banshee: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 30.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Denon Adds Four New IN-Command Receivers Starting at $500[teaser]IN-Command line includes smartphone, web, and home automation control options. [/teaser] As Denon continues to thread the needle with a somewhat prestigious and somewhat exclusive air about its products with the "Denon Difference," four new networked receivers join the company's product offerings. The IN-Command feature set not only includes smartphone control through Denon's iOS and Android app, but also control through a web browser, or through a home automation system. At $500, the 5.1 80 Watt per channel AVR-X1000 features 6 3D ready HMDI inputs, USB input, DLNA 1.5 certification, and multi-zone pre-amp output (audio only) in addition to the IN-Command feature set. At $700, the 7.1 95 Watt per channel AVR-X2000 adds 4K Ultra HD pass-through and scaling, and a RS-232 port. At $900, the 7.2 105 Watt per channel AVR-X3000 adds a second HDMI output, HDMI SACD support, +12v Trigger Output, multi zone video output, a second parallel LFE output, and digital to analog audio conversion. At $1300, the 7.2 125 Watt per channel AVR-X4000 adds a third HDMI output, Denon Link HD capability, phono input, three zone audio output, analog and digital multi zone output, 11.2 channel pre-amp output, DSX surround, and AL24 Processing Plus. Source: TWICE Author: Brian HossPosted Thu May 2, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Phantom' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The cold war submarine thriller is arming itself for Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'Phantom' for Blu-ray on June 25. At the height of the cold war, the world holds its breath when a Soviet submarine armed with nuclear missiles goes missing in the Pacific. On board the vessel, the battle-tested captain (Harris) and a rogue KGB agent (Duchovny) are waging a life-and-death game of cat and mouse. With enemy forces closing in and time running out, the captain fights to keep control with nuclear armageddon hanging in the balance. Starring four-time Academy Award® nominee Ed Harris, Golden Globe® winner David Duchovny (TV’s 'The X-Files'), and William Fichtner ('Armageddon'). The Blu-ray/UltraViolet Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary; Facing the Apocalypse; The Real Phantom; Jeff Rona: Scoring the Phantom; and "An Ocean Away" Music Video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Phantom' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 25.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
In Old Arizona' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The classic western featuring Warner Baxter's unforgettable performance as the legendary Cisco Kid will ride onto Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has set 'In Old Arizona' for Blu-ray on June 4. A charismatic bandit must outsmart the sheriff trying to catch him and a double-dealing Mexican beauty in this Western that was nominated for 5 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. Featuring an Oscar®-Winning performance by Baxter, 'In Old Arizona' is a must-own cinematic treasure for any classic film fan. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless mono soundtrack, and supplements have yet to be revealed Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for In Old Arizona' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 4.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4' Blu-ray Dated and Pre-Orders Live![teaser]The much-anticipated fourth season will be arriving on Blu-ray at the tail end of July! [/teaser] As previously reported, Paramount and CBS are gearing up to release 'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4' on Blu-ray, and now the official date looks to be July 30. The Fourth Season includes all 26 episodes including fan-favorites “The Best of Both Worlds, Part II,” “Reunion,” “Redemption,” “Final Mission,” “Qpid,” “The Drumhead,” “Brothers” and “In Theory,” all painstakingly restored and remastered from the original negatives like the previous releases. The 6-disc set will feature all 26 remastered episodes with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentaries by Rob Bowman, Brannon Braga, Mike and Denise Okuda and Ronald D. Moore; gag reel; and episodic promos; plus brand-new features will include Relavitity: The Family Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation; and In Conversation: The Art Department. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $129.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 30.Posted Wed May 1, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
