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'Kung Fu Panda' Gets Sequel, Sunday Street Date

Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Marketing, Street Date Changes, DreamWorks (all tags)

In a first-of-its-kind marketing move, DreamWorks Animation is bundling the Blu-ray of 'Kung Fu Panda' with its direct-to-video sequel, and giving it a Sunday release date instead of the usual Tuesday.

Unlike most studios which release video premiere sequels as stand-alone releases, DreamWorks will package 'Secrets of the Furious Five," a companion film to the $215 million-grossing 'Kung Fu Panda' with both the Blu-ray and DVD versions. 'Furious Five' will again feature the voices of 'Panda' stars Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman.

Also unique to the video release of 'Panda' is DreamWorks confirming a Sunday, November 9 street date (day-and-date on Blu-ray and DVD), which bucks the industry norm of releasing new titles on a Tuesday.

The studio has yet to reveal full supplement details or tech specs for the Blu-ray of 'Kung Fu Panda' and its companion sequel, but as always, we'll keep you posted.

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

You'll find the latest specs for 'Kung Fu Panda' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 9.

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)
Kung Fu Panda (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
First Alert: 'Kung Fu Panda' Headed to Blu-ray this November (Aug 21, 2008)

Cinevolve Jumps Into High-Def with Low-Priced Blu-rays

Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, Cinevolve (all tags)

Pledging to bring affordable high-def to the masses, newcomer Cinevolve Studios has announced a Fall debut for its first two low-priced Blu-ray titles.

Initially jumping into the DVD market earlier this year, the indie distributor will now launch its next-gen support, pledging "Blu-ray titles at DVD prices."

"We believe the new and better format shouldn't be a luxury item, and we want audiences to see our films on the best formats out there," said Arik Treston, co-founder and CEO of Cinevolve.

The company will kick-off their Blu-ray support with 'Holiday Favorites with the Wonderland Carolers,' which streets on October 21. Suggested list price has been set at $22.95.

The studio will follow that up with the 2007 Australian thriller 'The Line,' which arrives on November 25 (day-and-date with the standard DVD) with an MSRP of $29.95.

Cinevolve has not yet announced tech specs or supplement details for either title, but we'll keep you posted.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'Holiday Favorites with Wonderland Carolers' and 'The Line (2007)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under October 21 and November 25, respectively.

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 Line (2007) (Blu-ray)
Holiday Favorites with the Wonderland Carolers (Blu-ray)

Warner Boxes Up Four Holiday Blu-ray Faves as 'Essential Collection'

Thu Aug 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, Warner (all tags)

Warner has announced their latest Blu-ray bundle, packaging four Christmas classics as the 'Essential Holiday Collection.'

Due on October 28, the four-disc set will include the Blu-rays of 'Elf' and 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,' and the standard editions of 'A Christmas Story,' and 'The Polar Express' (both of the latter titles will receive separate re-issue versions in Q4 of the year).

Each is presented on an individual disc, and is identical to the previously-released stand-alone editions. (For complete specs, click the linked movie titles above.)

Warner has not yet set a suggested list price for the 'Essential Holiday Collection,' but we'll keep you posted as soon as an MSRP is confirmed.

You'll find a listing for the 'Essential Holiday Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 28.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Essential Holiday Collection (Blu-ray)
A Christmas Story (Blu-ray)
Elf (Blu-ray)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Blu-ray)
The Polar Express (Blu-ray)

Anchor Bay Bundles Up 'Masters of Horror,' Zombie Classics

Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, Anchor Bay (all tags)

Anchor Bay has announced two new Blu-ray bundles for a September release, boxing together the first season of 'Masters of Horror' and three of its biggest zombie classics.

Marking the first such bundles for the company, Anchor Bay will bring 'Blu-ray Masters of Horror Bundle (Season One)' and 'Blu-ray Zombie Bundle' to the format on September 9.

'Masters of Horror Bundle' will see all four volumes of the hit series packaged together for the first time, each identical to the previous stand-alone versions Anchor Bay released last year.

'Zombie Bundle' will contain 'Dawn of the Dead (1979),' 'Day of the Dead (1985)' and 'Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn,' which are also identical to the currently-available versions.

Offering no discount versus buying each title separately, suggested list price for 'Masters of Horror Bundle' is $119.88, and $89.84 for the 'Zombie Bundle.'

As always, you'll find listings for the 'Masters of Horror Bundle' and 'Zombie Bundle' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under September 9.

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)
Masters of Horror Bundle: Season One (Blu-ray)
Blu-ray Zombie Bundle (Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn0 (Blu-ray)
Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. One (Blu-ray)
Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. Two (Blu-ray)
Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. Three (Blu-ray)
Masters of Horror: Season One - Vol. Four (Blu-ray)
Dawn of the Dead (1978) (Blu-ray)
Day of the Dead (1985) (Blu-ray)
Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (Blu-ray)

Warner to Re-Box 'Harry Potter Giftset' on Blu-ray

Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, Warner (all tags)

'Harry Potter Years 1-5' is returning to Blu-ray this November, sans bonus discs and collectible packaging.

One of the studio's biggest high-def releases of the 2007 holiday season, Warner issued the 'Harry Potter Years 1-5: Limited Edition Giftset' on Blu-ray, HD DVD, and standard DVD as a seven-disc set, complete with all five 'Harry Potter' films plus two bonus DVDs with hours of supplemental content.

Warner has now announced that a slimmed-down Harry will return to Blu-ray (and standard DVD) on November 11, as 'Harry Potter Years 1-5 Giftset.' This repackaged collection will contain the first five 'Harry Potter' movie discs, but drop the bonus DVDs as well as the collectible packaging and memorabilia included for the first go-round.

Techs and supplemental features for the five stand-alone Potter discs in the 'Years 1-5 Giftset' remain the same as previously released.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray collection has been set at $129.98.

You'll find specs for 'Harry Potter Years 1-5 Giftset' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 11.

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)
Harry Potter Years 1-5 (Giftset) (Blu-ray)
Harry Potter Years 1-5 (Limited Edition Giftset) (Blu-ray)

Warner to Offer Discounted Blu-rays Beginning this Fall

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Marketing, Industry Trends, Warner (all tags)

Starting in September Warner Home Video will begin offering retailers a new series of multi-tier discounts on select Blu-ray catalog titles.

According to Video Business, WHV will begin to sell retailers specific Blu-ray catalog releases for as low as $11 each (after rebate), allowing them to discount the titles for consumers at a few dollars off their current suggested list price.

Warner has not issued a complete list of the titles to be made available for discounting, but some of the "deep" catalog offerings will include: 'The Shining,' 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'The Aviator,' 'The Road Warrior,' 'Enter the Dragon,' 'The Fugitive' and 'Swordfish.'

Among more recent new releases to be offered at a slimmer discount are: '300,' 'Ocean's 13,' 'The Departed,' 'I Am Legend' and 'We Are Marshall.'

The studio has not specified an exact date when the new retail pricing strategy will go into effect aside from the September window, but as always, we'll keep you posted on this story as it develops. Stay tuned.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Warner Lowers Blu-ray Pricing [Video Business]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
300 (Blu-ray)
Ocean's Thirteen (Blu-ray)
The Departed (Blu-ray)
I Am Legend (Blu-ray)
We Are Marshall (Blu-ray)
The Shining (1980) (Blu-ray)
A Clockwork Orange (Blu-ray)
The Aviator (Blu-ray)
The Road Warrior (Blu-ray)
Enter the Dragon (Blu-ray)
The Fugitive (Blu-ray)

CMT Brings Exclusive 'Elvis: Viva Las Vegas' Blu-ray to Wal-mart

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing (all tags)

The King is headed to high-def in the Sam's Club and Wal-mart exclusive Blu-ray release of the CMT retrospective special, 'Elvis: Viva Las Vegas.'

Celebrating Elvis' long career in Vegas and his enduring musical legacy, 'Viva Las Vegas' features a host of performances by today's top stars. Among the artists reinterpreting the King's top hits are Toby Keith and Joe Perry performing "Mystery Train;" Faith Hill with the gospel classic "Peace in the Valley;" Chris Daughtry singing "Suspicious Minds" and Celine Dion delivering "Can't Help Falling In Love."

Set to debut on CMT August 11, the network will release Blu-ray and standard DVD versions of 'Elvis: Viva Las Vegas' only one day later, on August 12, exclusively through Wal-mart and Sam's Club. (At press time, there are no plans to release the Blu-ray through other retailers.)

Extras include additional footage not seen during the original network broadcast.

There are no tech specs yet, but we'll keep you posted.

The Blu-ray will retail for a suggested list price of $18.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Elvis: Viva Las Vegas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 12.

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)
Elvis: Viva Las Vegas (Blu-ray)

Disney Bundles 'Pirates' Trilogy on Blu-ray

Fri Jun 27, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, Disney (all tags)

Disney today announced plans to bundle all three 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films in a six-disc Blu-ray box set, due this September.

Dubbed 'Pirates of the Caribbean: 3-Movie Collection,' the set features the complete blockbuster trilogy -- 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl,' 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' -- packaged together on Blu-ray for the first time.

Replicating the stand-alone two-disc versions currently available, there are no new bonus features or box set exclusives. Disney also says the individual keepcase packaging will mirror the existing releases.

Suggested list price for the '3-Movie Collection' is $82.98, representing a more than $20 savings over buying each title individually.

You'll find a listing for 'Pirates of the Caribbean: 3-Movie Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 16.

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)
Pirates of the Caribbean: 3-Movie Collection (Blu-ray)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (Blu-ray)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (Blu-ray)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Blu-ray)

Amazon to Offer Exclusive 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Blu-ray

Fri Jun 27, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, City Lights, Amazon (all tags)

In an industry first, the acclaimed 1985 drama 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' is set to make its Blu-ray debut this July exclusively through Amazon.com.

Long out of print on VHS, the Oscar-nominated William Hurt-Raul Julia starrer will finally make its way to Blu-ray, standard DVD, and as an online download on July 22, via an exclusive partnership between distributor City Lights Home Entertainment and Amazon. The release marks the first such cross-format online exclusive for the format.

"Amazon customers have asked for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman' for many years," said Peter Faricy, Vice President of Movies and Music, Amazon. "By making it available in so many mediums on Amazon.com, independent film fans can rediscover a classic that has not been seen in theaters for more than 23 years and has not been available on video for more than 15 years."

City Lights and Amazon have not yet issued tech specs for the Blu-ray, but full details should be made available shortly.

Extras on the Blu-ray include the full-length documentary "'Tangled Web: Making Kiss of the Spider Woman.'"

Retail for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98. (The disc is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com for 27.95 -- see the link below.)

You'll find the latest specs for 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 22.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Kiss of the Spider Woman [Amazon.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Kiss of the Spider Woman (Blu-ray)

'American Werewolf' Blu-ray to Pack More Bite

Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Marketing, Universal (all tags)

'American Werewolf in London' fans got a sneak peek from director John Landis over the weekend at a Blu-ray version of the cult horror flick that's set to feature all-new bonus features.

According to a report from Bloody Disgusting, Landis attended the HorrorHound Convention this past weekend in Pittsburgh, and gave fans a sneak peek at a first-ever Blu-ray version of his pioneering horror-comedy that the director says is currently in the planning stages by Universal.

Originally released by the studio on HD DVD back in the Fall of 2006, extras on that version included audio commentary and brief making-of materials, all of which mirrored the 2001 DVD special edition.

But according to Landis, Blu-ray fans will get even more, including a brand-new 90-minute documentary called "Beware the Moon: The Making of 'An American Werewolf in London,' that features retrospective interviews with cast and crew.

Landis said there is no street date yet, but Universal is currently preparing the Blu-ray release for "sometime next year."

At press time Universal had neither confirmed nor denied plans for an 'American Werewolf' release on Blu-ray, but as always we'll keep you updated as any official news comes in.

In the meantime, we've added 'An American Werewolf in London' to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
'American Werewolf' Comes to Blu-ray With 'Beware the Moon' Doc! [Bloody Disgusting]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
An American Werewolf in London (HD DVD)


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