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HDD EXCLUSIVE: Fox Introduces a New BD-Live Special Feature on 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

Fri Sep 11, 2009 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: Fox, Industry Trends, Michael S. Palmer (all tags)

High-Def Digest's man in the field attends a special event and gets some new details on the upcoming release.

by Michael S. Palmer

I just came back from the 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' Blu-ray release event on the Fox Studios Lot. On hand were passionate director Gavin Hood (Tsosti) and the charming producer, Lauren Shuler Donner. Donner has been living in the X-Men universe for over a decade, after one of her employees pitched the idea of an 'X-Men' movie and handed her a series of character bios. The first one she read? Logan a.k.a Wolverine.

Donner went on to tell the origin story of her origin movie. Around the time they were making 'X-2', she read Wolverine’s Japanese Samurai saga and approached Hugh Jackman about a spin off. He loved it, and the studio said they’d make it, but only after grounding the character for the audience in an origin story, which is precisely where we are now. As I’m sure most of you know, Christopher McQuarrie ('The Usual Suspects') is writing the currently untitled 'Wolverine 2' based on that saga. Hood was approached for this project after filming 'Rendition.' He was attracted to the material because of the complex lead character -- mutants, Hood remarked, mutate psychologically after a traumatic event, which causes them to then mutate physically. So what mutants can do is always steeped deeply within who they are.

As for this Blu-ray, in addition to Fox’s high standards of a widescreen presentation on a 50GB dual-layer disc authored with AVC (MPEG-4) compression and the spectacular 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (English) soundtrack, we’ll find a few new nifty features:

-- Head out to Wal-Mart for the exclusive “triple-play” edition, which will feature a Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copy (all other Blu-rays come as the “Ultimate 2-Disc Edition” which will feature the Blu-ray and a digital copy). Apparently there are DVD-only editions of the movie too, but truthfully, why bother?

-- Fox is introducing a new feature with 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' called LIVE LOOKUP, allowing any Blu-ray player equipped with BD-Live and a working Internet connection to access IMDB.com filmography information about any of the actors on screen, or in the movie. No doubt hecklers will point out that anyone with a laptop or iPhone can do the same thing. And they're right. So this isn’t revolutionary, but as demonstrated, LIVE LOOKUP is seamless and easy to use for those less tech savvy (but still interested in learning what other movies they should rent to watch Hugh Jackman’s muscles), and much more visually pleasing than going to the stand-alone IMDB.com site. Plus, unlike early DVDs, where filmographies were stored directly on the disc, and therefore out-of-date quite quickly, LIVE LOOKUP will remain forever current. Fox Marketing hinted that this is just the surface of the live, interactive applications they’d like to explore, so we’ll see what’s next. In terms of other features on this release:

  • Len Wien and Stan Lee are on hand to talk about the creation / roots of Wolverine.
  • There’s a 50+ minute feature about the Weapon X Mutants.
  • A breakdown of how they made the helicopter chase sequence.
  • A short feature about Hugh Jackman’s dedication and hard work, through diet and training, to bring out the animalistic nature of his character.
  • Four different information tracks that can display trivia and behind the scenes materials during playback.
  • And lastly, deleted scenes, which include a young Storm cameo, an alternate memory erase sequence, and an alternate Japan tag.

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'Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead' Blu-ray Details and Box Art

Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Fox, Disc Announcements (all tags)

As previously reported, Fox will bring the third film in the 'Wrong Turn' horror franchise to high-definition later this year.

The direct-to-video 'Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead' will hit Blu-ray on October 20.

Specs are still a bit foggy, but supplements will include deleted scenes and three featurettes: Action, Gore and Chaos; Brothers in Blood; and Three Finger’s Fight Night.

We also have a preview of the packaging:


Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99.

The previous two films 'Wrong Turn' and 'Wrong Turn 2: Dead End' will hit Blu-ray on September 15, and a 3-pack will be available as soon as the third film hits stores.

You can find the latest specs for 'Wrong Turn' and 'Wrong Turn 2: Dead End' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 15. 'Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead' is listed under October 20.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Wrong Turn (Blu-ray)
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (Blu-ray)
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead (Blu-ray)

'Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side' Blu-ray Detailed

Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 07:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

As previously reported, a sequel to Seth Mcfarlane's 'Blue Harvest' is coming this winter and Fox has detailed the Blu-ray.

'Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side' hitting Blu-ray on December 22 will feature 1080p video, an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include "Something Something Something" pop-up video, The Dark Side of Poster Art, an animatic version of the episode, deleted scenes, and exclusive to the Blu-ray will be a digital copy.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 22.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side (Blu-ray)

'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas' Blu-ray Detailed

Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

20th Century Fox has detailed the Blu-ray release of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas'.

The hour-long Christmas special of the FX original comedy series will be available in high-definition on November 17.

The Blu-ray will feature 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include "Young Charlie & Young Mac" Deleted Scenes, Behind-the-Scenes/Making-of featurette, and Sunny Sing-a-Long.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 17.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas (Blu-ray)

Redbox Sues 20th Century Fox Over DVD Delays

Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 04:30 PM ET
Tags: Redbox, Fox (all tags)

Apparently Blu-ray reviewers aren't the only folks Fox is slow to send titles to.

A lawsuit filed by Redbox says Fox’s 30 day delay on new DVDs is unfair.

20th Century Fox is being sued for unfair practices by the increasingly popular DVD rental company Redbox. The suit is based on a recent request from Fox to its wholesalers to put a 30 day delay on sales to Redbox, a move which appears to have caught the ire of Redbox execs.

“At the expense of consumers, 20th Century Fox is attempting to prohibit timely consumer access to its new release DVDs at Redbox retail locations nationwide,” said Mitch Lowe, president of Redbox. He went on to state that Fox will have no effect on their efforts. “Despite this attempt, Redbox will continue to provide our consumers access to all major new releases including 20th Century Fox titles at our more than 15,000 Redbox DVD rental locations”

Redbox has issued a press release on the subject noting that just yesterday they signed a deal with Lionsgate, and referencing their mutually beneficial July deal with Sony.

Fox isn’t convinced though, they believe that Redbox is abusing their ability to price their rentals low. “This lawsuit aims to limit Fox's ability to make legitimate business decisions, and Fox believes it will prevail in defeating Redbox's meritless claims,” said a spokesman from Fox on the subject.

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Fox Details 'Miracle on 34th Street' Blu-rays

Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 02:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

As previously reported, both versions of the holiday film will be released on high-definition simultaneously this fall.

20th Century Fox will bring the Christmas films 'Miracle on 34th Street (1947)' and 'Miracle on 34th Street (1994)' to Blu-ray on October 6.

The original 1947 version will be presented in 1080p full screen with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentary by Maureen O’Hara, AMC Back Story: Miracle On 34th Street, Movietone News: Hollywood Spotlight, Promotional Spot, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Floating in History, and a Poster Gallery.

As for the modern 1994 version, the release will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and there don't appear to be any bonus supplements.

Suggested list price for the Blu-rays is $34.99 each.

You can find the latest specs for both versions of 'Miracle on 34th Street' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under October 6.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) (Blu-ray)
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) (Blu-ray)

'My Life In Ruins' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray

Tue Aug 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

The comedy starring Nia Vardalos ('My Big Fat Greek Wedding') heads to high-definition this fall.

20th Century Fox will release 'My Life In Ruins' on Blu-ray October 6.

The Blu-ray will be presented in 1080p video with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: deleted scenes; an alternate ending; Everybody Loves Poupi - getting to know the Greek God Alexis Georgoulis; and an audio commentary with actress Nia Vardalos, Director Donald Petrie, and writer Mike Reiss.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'My Life In Ruins' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 6.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
My Life In Ruins (Blu-ray)

'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas' on Blu-ray

Thu Jul 30, 2009 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

An hour-long Christmas special of the comedy series 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' will be available in high-definition this November.

In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has announced 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas' will be heading to Blu-ray on November 17.

Specs and features haven't been announced yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 3.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas (Blu-ray)

'Say Anything: 20th Anniversary Edition' on Blu-ray

Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Fox (all tags)

In an early announcement to retailers, Fox has revealed plans to release the classic eighties film in high-definition in a 20th Anniversary Edition this November.

20th Century Fox will bring the coming-of-age romance 'Say Anything: 20th Anniversary Edition' starring John Cusack to Blu-ray on November 3.

Specs and features haven't been announced yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'Say Anything: 20th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 3.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Say Anything: 20th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)

'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' Detailed for Blu-ray

Tue Jul 28, 2009 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements , Fox (all tags)

One of the year's hottest films at the box office will slash its way onto high-definition this fall.

20th Century Fox will unleash 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' marking Hugh Jackman's return as everyone's favorite temperamental mutant on Blu-ray September 15.

The Blu-ray will be presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Commentary by Director Gavin Hood; Commentary by Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter; The Roots of Wolverine: A Conversation with X-Men creators Stan Lee and Len Wein; Wolverine Unleashed: The Complete Origins; Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Director Gavin Hood; Alternate Memory Erase Sequence; Alternate Tag Scene: Japan; and a Digital Copy.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray will be: “The Thrill of the Chase: The Helicopter Chase Sequence” featurette; “Wolverine Weapon X Mutant Files Featurette: 10 Character Chronicles; Fox Movie Channel Presents: World Premiere; “X Connect and On Set with Gavin Hood” featurette; X-Facts: Trivia Track; and IMDB BD-Live technology.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.99.

You can find the latest specs for 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 15.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Blu-ray)


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