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Warner Announces 'Superman: Doomsday' for Blu-ray

Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Warner Premiere and DC Comics have announced a late-November Blu-ray bow for the direct-to-video animated film 'Superman: Doomsday.'

Promising the "most shocking showdown in Superman history!", and featuring the voices of Ray Wise, Anne Heche, and Adam Baldwin, 'Superman: Doomsday' will make its long-belated premiere on Blu-ray November 28, timed to coincide with a new standard DVD re-issue. (Warner previously released the film on DVD in a bare bones edition in September 2007.)

Supplements will mirror the new two-disc DVD, including an audio commentary with the filmmakers, a spate of featurettes ("When Heroes Die: The Making of Superman Doomsday," "The Clash of the Juggernauts," "Requiem and Rebirth: Superman Lives," "Superman Doomsday: Behind the Voices"), four episodes of 'Superman: The Animated Series,' and a sneak peek of the upcoming 'Wonder Woman' direct-to-video premiere film.

Tech specs will see 1080p/VC-1 video and a standard Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Superman: Doomsday' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 28.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Superman: Doomsday (Blu-ray)

Artsmagic Jumps into Blu with 'Bird People in China'

Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements (all tags)

Next-gen newcomer Artsmagic has given its debut Blu-ray title, the Takashi Miike fantasy 'The Bird People of China,' an October release date.

Marking a thematic change of pace for cult director Miike, 'The Bird People of China' mixes fantastical adventure with everyday realism to spin a unique allegorical fairy tale.

Previously released on DVD by Artsmagic, the title will debut on Blu-ray on October 28.

Artsmagic has not yet announced tech specs or supplement details for its maiden Blu-ray release, but full details are expected shortly. We'll keep you posted.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'The Bird People of China' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 28.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Bird People of China (Blu-ray)

Fox Bringing 'Dungeon Siege Tale' to Blu-ray

Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

In an early alert to retailers, Fox has set a December release date for the fantasy epic 'In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale.'

Based on the best-selling fantasy game, the Uwe Boll-helmed 'In the Name of the King' grossed less than $5 million domestically during its brief theatrical run earlier this year. Fox will debut a 162-minute director's cut version on Blu-ray December 16, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

There are no tech specs or supplement details yet for the Jason Statham-starrer, but we'll keep you posted.

Suggested list price has been set at $34.95 for the Blu-ray.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 16.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
In the Name Of The King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (Blu-ray)

Trio of Jeff Dunham Titles Headed to Blu-ray

Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Image Entertainment (all tags)

Making his next-gen debut, comic Jeff Dunham will bring a trio of his best-selling comedy routines to Blu-ray this November courtesy of Image Entertainment.

Due for release on November 18, Dunham's latest 'Very Special Christmas Special' will hit high-def day-and-date with the standard DVD, where it will also be joined by the previously-released stand-up comedy specials 'Arguing with Myself' and 'Spark of Insanity.'

Extras on 'Very Special Christmas Special' include never-before-seen material and a music video, while 'Spark of Insanity' boasts an audio commentary with Dunham and cast, outtakes, and bonus clips. There are no announced extras for 'Arguing with Myself.'

There are no tech specs available for any of the titles, but we'll keep you posted.

Also due for release on November 18 is the 'Jeff Dunham 3-Pack,' a bundle that includes all three titles. Specs and extras are identical to the stand-alone versions.

Suggested list price has been set at $29.98 for the stand-alone releases and $89.98 for the bundle.

You'll find the latest specs for all four Jeff Dunham titles linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under November 18.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special (Blu-ray)
Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity (Blu-ray)
Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself (Blu-ray)
Jeff Dunham 3-Pack (Arguing with Myself, Spark of Insanity, Very Special Christmas Special) (Blu-ray)

Warner Brings 'NBA Champions' to Blu-ray

Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Warner (all tags)

Marking the studio's first sports-themed next-gen release, Warner has announced a November debut for 'NBA Champions 2007-2008.'

A compendium of highlights from the 2007-2008 NBA season, 'NBA Champions' will arrive on Blu-ray November 4, one week after the standard DVD release.

Warner has only issued the barest of early specs, with the release to be presented on a BD-25 single-layer disc. No extras have been announced.

At press time, Warner has not announced if it is planning any further high-def releases in the 'NBA Champions' series (which has also seen DVD titles devoted to season highlights of individual teams), but it's likely that if sales are strong for 'NBA Champions 2007-2008,' we'll likely see more installments on Blu-ray.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.98.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'NBA Champions 2007-2008' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 4.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
NBA Champions 2007-2008 (Blu-ray)

DreamWorks to Kick It 'Old School' on Blu-ray

Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, DreamWorks (all tags)

Over a year since it hit HD DVD, DreamWorks has announced plans to bring the comedy 'Old School' to Blu-ray in mid-December.

Starring Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell, the $75 million-grossing frat boy smash will arrive on Blu-ray on December 16 in its 92-minute unrated form, over a year after it first hit HD DVD.

Extras will match previous video versions, including audio commentary (with director Todd Phillips and cast Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Luke Wilson), the "Inside the Actors Studio" spoof, deleted scenes, outtakes, trailers, and a pair of easter eggs.

There are no tech specs yet, but watch this space for final details when they are confirmed.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has beens et at $29.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Old School' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 16.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Old School (Blu-ray)
Old School (HD DVD)

Disney Previews Upcoming Platinum Blu-ray Title Plans

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

Walt Disney Studios has revealed the first news on its upcoming Platinum title plans, saying it will bring five of its most beloved animated classics to Blu-ray over the next two years.

In a New York Times article detailing the studio's efforts to accelerate consumer adoption of the Blu-ray format, the company confirmed that it will release five Platinum titles from its animated library by the end of 2010.

The films due to receive the Platinum treatment (though not necessarily released in this order) are : 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' 'Fantasia,' 'Fantasia 2000,' 'Pinocchio' and the Oscar-nominated 'Beauty and the Beast.'

The release of Disney's upcoming animated titles will follow 'Sleeping Beauty,' which will kick off the studio's Platinum support on October 7.

Disney did not confirm any street dates or outline further spec details, though each title will feature extensive bonus features and next-gen enhancements, including a continued emphasis on BD-Live interconnectivity.

"BD Live is not a niche product," said Bob Chapek, president of Disney Home Entertainment, adding that the studio expects its animated favorites will reach a wider group of consumers. "We see mass adoption of the technology.

Needless to say, we'll bring your more on this story as it develops. In the meantime, we've added all five of Disney's new Platinum title announcements to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Stay tuned!

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Related links:
At Disney, Blu-ray Sales Team Is a Cast of Characters [New York Times]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray)

Criterion Kicks Off Blu-ray Support with 'Third Man,' 'Man Who Fell to Earth'

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Criterion Collection (all tags)

The Criterion Collection has announced their first wave of next-gen releases, bringing the classics 'The Third Man' and 'The Man Who Fell to Earth' to Blu-ray in mid-November.

Much to the delight of cineastes everywhere, Criterion confirmed earlier this year that it was planning to jump into Blu-ray by the end of the year, and unveiling an impressive roster of planned titles (though they offered no hard release dates).

Now Criterion has finally confirmed their first pair of titles, setting a November 18 launch for the Orson Welles classic 'The Third Man' and Nicolas Roeg's cult gem 'The Man to Fell to Earth.'

Each will receive a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video (codec TBA) in the film's original aspect ratio, with 'The Third Man' enjoying a Dolby Digital 1.0 mono track and 'Man Who Fell to Earth' an uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo mix.

Extras on 'The Third Man' include a video introduction by Peter Bogdanovich, a pair of audio commentaries (with filmmaker Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Tony Gilroy, and film scholar Dana Polan), two documentaries, a 'Third Man' vintage radio broadcast, archival material, an illustrated production history, a still gallery, a collectible booklet and more.

'The Man Who Fell to Earth' features an audio commentary by Roeg and actors David Bowie and Buck Henry, new video and audio interviews with cast and crew, multiple still galleries, an additional poster gallery, and theatrical trailers.

Suggested retail price for each Blu-ray release has been set at $39.98.

You'll find complete specs for 'The Third Man (1949)' and 'The Man Who Fell to Earth' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under November 18.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Third Man (1949) (Blu-ray)
The Man Who Fell to Earth (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Criterion Launches Blu-ray Support (May 08, 2008)

Katt Williams Goes 'Pimpin' on Blu-ray

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Vivendi Visual (all tags)

Making his high-def debut, comedy superstar Katt Williams has set an early-November Blu-ray release for his concert film 'It's Pimpin' Pimpin'.

Featuring 80 minutes of Williams' latest comedy stylings and captured entirely with high-def cameras, Vivendi Visual Entertainment will bring 'Katt Williams: It's Pimpin' Pimpin' to Blu-ray on November 11, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

There are no confirmed tech specs as of yet, and at presstime, Vivendi has not announced any bonus features. We'll keep you posted.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.98.

You'll find complete specs for 'Katt Williams: It's Pimpin' Pimpin' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 11.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Katt Williams: It's Pimpin' Pimpin' (Blu-ray)

Universal Pumps Up 'Incredible Hulk' Blu-ray with Exclusives, BD-Live

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Universal (all tags)

Universal has officially announced the October Blu-ray release of 'The Incredible Hulk,' which it will turbocharge with hours of exclusive features and BD-Live content.

Following weeks of speculation, Universal finally alerted the trades last week to its early "Green-ray" plans for the $130 million-grossing reboot of 'The Incredible Hulk,' which is now confirmed to hit high-def on October 21 (day-and-date with the standard DVD).

Newly-unveiled supplements are extensive and impressive. Exclusive to the Blu-ray are five U-Control features, including picture-in-picture commentary, a comic book gallery, an additional animated comic, a scene explorer, and the "Thunderbolt Files." BD-Live content is set to include both "MyChat" and "MyScenes" sharing, as well as additional features still TBA.

Extras shared with the standard DVD boast audio commentary with director Louis Leterrier and actor Tim Roth, five featurettes ("The Making of Incredible Hulk," "Becoming The Hulk," "Becoming The Abomination," "Anatomy of a Hulk Out," "From Comic Book to Screen"), deleted scenes, and an alternate opening.

Tech specs will see a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround audio.

Housed in a limited edition 3-D lenticular package, suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'The Incredible Hulk' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 21.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Incredible Hulk (2008) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Universal to Go 'Green-Ray' with 'Incredible Hulk' (Aug 19, 2008)


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