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'300: The Complete Experience' Set for July Blu-ray Double Dip
Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Exclusive HD Content, BD-Live Titles, Disc Re-Issues, Warner (all tags)
Two years after its high-def debut, Warner is double-dipping the monster hit '300' with the July release of 'The Complete Experience.'
Though long-rumored for a Blu-ray release, Warner Home Video has today finally confirmed a July 21 street date for '300: The Complete Experience,' which will arrive on high-def as a DigiBook special edition, timed to coincide with the video release of director Zack Snyder's just-announced 'Watchmen: Director's Cut.'
Expanding upon the extras found on the previous, single-disc Blu-ray version of '300,' the three-disc 'Complete Experience' will include over two hours of new making-of footage. Dubbed "The Complete 300: A Comprehensive Immersion,' the Blu-ray will feature three picture-in-picture tracks that offer three unique perspectives while you watch the film:
• Creating a Legend - Frank Miller and Zack Snyder interpret a classic tale
•
Bringing the Legend to Life - Building a world from a comic
•
The History Behind the Myth - The real story of the hot gates
Also new to the 'Complete Experience' Blu-ray are BD-Live connectivity, which will include MyCommunity Screening and My WB Commentary functions, and a media center with additional downloadable content.
Bonus features carried over from previous video releases of '300' include a blue screen-only picture-in-picture track, audio commentary by Snyder, writer Kurt Johnstad and director of photography Larry Fong, multiple featurettes ("The 300- Fact or Fiction?", "Who Were The Spartans - The Warriors of 300," "Preparing for Battle - The Original Test Footage," "Frank Miller Tapes," "Making of 300"), the "Making 300 in Images" still gallery, web-i-sodes, and deleted scenes.
Tech specs will see the main feature presented on a BD-50 dual-layer disc with 1080p/VC-1 video (2.39:1) and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.
A third standard DVD disc will contain a Digital Copy of the film, compatible with PCs and iTunes.
Finally, the set comes housed in Warner's DigiBook packaging, which includes a 50-page full-color collectible booklet with additional liner notes and rare photos.
We have yet to receive a confirmed suggested retail price for the Blu-ray, but we'll keep you posted.
You'll find the latest specs for '300: The Complete Experience' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 21.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- 300: The Complete Experience (Blu-ray)
- 300 (Blu-ray)
- Watchmen: Director's Cut (Blu-ray)
Warner Double Dips with 'Natural Born Killers: Director's Cut' Blu-ray
Tue May 12, 2009 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Disc Re-Issues, Warner (all tags)
The unrated version of 'Natural Born Killers' is getting a Blu-ray release, with Warner setting a late-August street date for the high-def double dip.
Released on Blu-ray in 2008 in only its original R-rated form, Oliver Stone's ultra-controversial 'Natural Born Killers: Director's Cut' will finally receive its high-def premiere on the Warner label (the uncut version had previously only been issued through independent means) August 25.
A two-disc set, the film proper will include four additional minutes of graphic footage, and be presented on a BD-50 dual-layer disc in 1080p/VC-1 video and ENglish Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.
New bonus features boast an introduction by Stone, the "NBK Evolution: How Would it All Go Down Now?" documentary, a 'Director's Cut' theatrical trailer, and a collectible booklet.
Extras carried over from previous video versions include audio commentary with Stone, six deleted scenes, alternate ending, "Chaos Rising" featurette, and a Charlie Rose interview with Stone.
No list price has been confirmed as of yet for the Blu-ray, but we'll keep you posted.
You'll find the latest specs for 'Natural Born Killers; Director's Cut' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 25.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Natural Born Killers - Director's Cut (Blu-ray)
- Natural Born Killers (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- First Look: 'Natural Born Killers' Blu-ray Box Art (Apr 18, 2008)
'Christmas Story' Blu-ray Double Dip Due In November
Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Disc Re-Issues, Warner (all tags)
Warner has announced a November Blu-ray release for 'A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition.'
A new perennial classic (the film routinely shows for 24 hours straight every holiday on TBS), 'A Christmas Story' was first issued on Blu-ray and HD DVD back in late 2006 as a relatively bare bones edition. Reaction to the release was generally mixed, however, with most fans and critics giving the disc's video, audio, and supplements average marks. (Our own Peter Bracke gave the disc an overall grade of only three stars out of five -- read the full review here.)
Hoping the second time's the charm, Warner has now confirmed that it will bring 'A Christmas Story' back to Blu-ray on November 4, in a new 'Ultimate Collector's Edition' featuring all-new deluxe packaging and other surprises.
The full supplements have yet to be revealed, but among the new goodies are a "Holiday Starter Kit" set to include cookie cutters, a holiday cookbook, and a chef's apron.
Warner hasn't revealed tech specs, or whether the film's video and audio have been newly remastered. More details should be coming in soon.
In the meantime, you'll find preliminary specs for 'A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 4.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- A Christmas Story (Ultimate Collector's Edition) (Blu-ray)
- A Christmas Story (Blu-ray)
- A Christmas Story (HD DVD)
Sony Offers New 'Fifth Element' Blu-ray Remaster and "Replacement Exchange Program"
Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 11:55 AM ETTags: Disc Re-Issues, Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)
Following weeks of rumors, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has finally confirmed the planned release of a remastered version of'The Fifth Element' for Blu-ray, as well as a "Replacement Exchange Program" for consumers unhappy with the original release.
Sony first released 'The Fifth Element' on Blu-ray back in June 2006, as part of an inaugural wave of disc releases timed to coincide with the launch of Blu-ray hardware.
Joined in that opening slate by a number of films, including 'xXx,' 'Hitch' and '50 First Dates,' 'The Fifth Element' received exceptionally poor reviews for both image quality and its almost complete lack of bonus features, which many (including High-Def Digest's own Peter Bracke) felt were not up to snuff for a premiere high-def release.
Now, in an extremely rare move, Sony will not only be re-issuing 'the Fifth Element' on Blu-ray in a newly remastered version due in stores on July 17, but also offering a "Replacement Exchange Program" for owners of the original version who may be unhappy with their purchase.
Sony is currently accepting preliminary consumer information for the exchange program, and will contact interested parties closer to the release of the remastered version on exact instructions on how to exchange their discs. Simply contact the company via the email address or phone number listed below, and provide your name, mailing address, and phone number.
Phone: (800) 860-2878
Email: consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com
The new version of 'The Fifth Element' will be presented in upgraded 1080p video (no codec yet available), along with uncompressed PCM and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks. Supplemental features will remain identical to the original, now-discontinued release.
For those wishing to purchase the new version of 'The Fifth Element' at retail when it hits stores on July 17, list price will be consistent with the previous, with Sony offering the remastered 'Fifth Element' at an MSRP of $28.95.
We've added a new listing for the remastered 'Fifth Element' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, under July 17. We also plan to deliver a full review of the upgraded disc in the coming weeks. Watch this space!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- The Fifth Element (Remastered) (Blu-ray)
- The Fifth Element (Discontinued) (Blu-ray)
- xXx (Blu-ray)
- Hitch (Blu-ray)
- 50 First Dates (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Retailers Report 'Fifth Element' Blu-ray Remaster Coming in (May 17, 2007)
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