BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "SONY"Receive Blu-ray News via RSS

Sony Sets 'Hancock' Blu-ray for November

Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

After weeks of speculation, Sony Pictures has confirmed a late-November Blu-ray touchdown for the Will Smith blockbuster 'Hancock.'

Originally rumored for an early-December release, fans will get the $200 million-plus-grossing superhero spoof earlier than expected when Sony debuts the Blu-ray of 'Hancock' on November 25, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

As the studio has only just issued a trade alert for 'Hancock,' all tech specs and supplement details are still under wraps. We'll certainly keep you posted as soon as the full press announce comes in.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $38.95.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'Hancock' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 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)
Hancock (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Rumor Patrol: Sony Planning December Blu-ray Bow for 'Hancock'? (Jul 31, 2008)

Sony Brings 'This Christmas' to Blu-ray

Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

Just in time for the holidays, Sony Pictures is bringing the drama 'This Christmas' to Blu-ray in early November.

Starring Delroy Lindo and Loretta Devine, the Preston A. Whitemore-directed family reunion drama will arrive on Blu-ray November 4, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Extras shared between the Blu and DVD include audio commentary with cast members Regina King, Sharon Leal and Lauren London, the "Preston A. Whitmore Introduces the Cast and Crew" featurette, deleted & extended scenes and a "This Christmas" music video by Chris Brown.

Tech specs will see 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $38.95.

You'll find the latest specs for 'This Christmas' 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)
This Christmas (Blu-ray)

Sony Adds Exclusives to 'Casino Royale' Blu-ray

Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Exclusive HD Content, Sony (all tags)

Sony Pictures has unveiled updated specs for the October Blu-ray double dip of 'Casino Royale,' which is now set to hit high-def with all-new exclusive content.

As first reported earlier this month, Sony confirmed it was planning a new two-disc special edition re-issue of 'Casino Royale' for Blu-ray on October, designed to tie-in with the first-ever next-gen release of six classic James Bond titles (as well as the November theatrical debut of the latest 007 adventure, 'Quantum of Solace')

Though initial specs revealed by the studio for the set were already impressive, Sony has announced additional material exclusive to the Blu-ray release. Newly-added to the spec list is a Bonus View picture-in-picture visual commentary with director Martin Campbell and producer Michael G. Wilson, and the "Know Your Double-O" the Ultimate James Bond Trivia Quiz (BD-Java-enhanced).

As previously announced, extras shared between the Blu-ray and DVD editions include a pair of cast & crew audio commentaries, a suite of documentaries ("Becoming Bond," "James Bond: For Real," "Bond Girls are Forever"), an additional pair of featurettes ("The Road to Casino Royale," "Ian Fleming: The Secret Road to Paradise"), six deleted scenes, two storyboard presentations, filmmaker profiles, and the Chris Cornell music video for "You Know My Name."

Tech specs include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation of the main feature on disc one, with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Suggested list price for the two-disc Blu-ray has been set at $38.95.

You'll find updated specs for 'Casino Royale (2006, Collector's Edition)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 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)
Casino Royale (2006, Collector's Edition) (Blu-ray)
Casino Royale (2006) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Sony to Double Dip 'Casino Royale' Blu-ray in Octo (Jul 29, 2008)

Sony to Bring 'Standard Operating Procedure' to Blu-ray

Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

In what is bound to be one of the most controversial Blu-ray releases of the year, Sony Pictures has set a date for the incendiary Abu Ghraib documentary 'Standard Operating Procedure.'

From Academy Award-winner Errol Morris and winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, 'Standard Operating Procedure' tells the real story of the Abu Ghraib prison photos that shocked the world. Sony will debut the polarizing documentary on Blu-ray October 14, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Extras shared between both versions include audio commentary with Morris, plus nine deleted scenes.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray are nearly two hours of additional interviews, a Los Angeles Premiere Q&A with Morris, and two Berlin Press Conference panels held with the filmmakers.

Tech specs for the Blu-ray feature a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

As previously announced, Sony has set the suggested retail price at $38.95.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Standard Operating Procedure' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 14.

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)
Interview with the Vampire (Blu-ray)

'You Don't Mess with the Zohan' Coming to Blu-ray

Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 02:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

Sony Pictures has announced it is bringing the Adam Sandler comedy 'You Don't Mess to the Zohan' to Blu-ray this October.

Though not as big a hit as most of Sandler's other recent comedies, 'Zohan' still managed to clear nearly $100 million at the domestic box office during its theatrical run earlier this summer. Sony has set an October 7 release for the Blu-ray, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Extras shared between both versions include audio commentary with director Dennis Dugan, a spate of featurettes ( "Laughing is Contagious," "Disco Break," "Shooting Baja for Tel Aviv," "Getting Sticky," "Look Who Stopped By," "Zohan's Doubles," "All American Redneck," "Dugan: The Hand's on Director," "The Stunts of Zohan," "Dugan Espanol?," "Zohan vs. The Phantom," "From Guns to Scissors," "The Robot"), plus deleted and alternate scenes.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is a "Translating the Zohan" graphics-in-picture track.

Tech specs boast a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $38.95.

You'll find the latest specs for 'You Don't Mess with the Zohan' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 7.

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)
You Don't Mess with The Zohan (Blu-ray)

Sony Plans 'MirrorMask' Blu-ray for December

Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

According to early retailer reports, Sony Pictures will bring the 2005 animated fantasy 'MirrorMask' to Blu-ray this December.

A mix of fantasy, adventure, cutting-edge CGI and classical animation courtesy of the Jim Henson Studios, 'MirrorMask' enjoyed only a brief theatrical run in theaters during its original 2005 release. Enjoying a new cult audience since its video release, Sony will debut the Blu-ray version on December 9.

Given the nature of this early announcement there are no tech specs or supplemental details available as of yet.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.95.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'MirrorMask' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 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)
MirrorMask (Blu-ray)

James Bond Blu-ray Specs Revealed

Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Sony, James Bond (all tags)

MGM has revealed the full dossier on the first six titles in its upcoming James Bond Blu-ray collection, which will debut on Blu-ray with hours of bonus features.

As reported last month, MGM finally confirmed the release of its first wave of six classic James Bond titles, set to bow on Blu-ray October 21 (day-and-date with new standard DVD re-issues).

Spanning all four decades of Bond, the half-dozen titles include 'Dr. No,' 'From Russia with Love,' 'Thunderball,' 'Live and Let Die,' 'For Your Eyes Only' and 'Die Another Day.' (MGM will also package the six titles in a pair of three-pack bundles, with the 'James Bond Blu-ray Collection Three-Pack: Volume 1' featuring 'From Russia with Love,' 'Thunderball' and 'For Your Eyes Only,' and the 'James Bond Blu-ray Collection Three-Pack: Volume 2' with 'Dr. No,' 'Live and Let Die' and 'Die Another Day.')

Now the full specs are in, with each Bond adventure receiving the BD-50 dual-layer treatment, complete with fully-remastered 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and audio tracks in DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround.

Extras will be comparable to the previously-released two-disc DVD editions of each title, with hours of rare bonus materials featuring the participation of Bond cast and crew. The breakdown of extras for each release is as follows:

Dr. No:
• "The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier" - Audio commentary featuring director Terence Young and cast & crew
• Featurettes: "Inside Dr. No," "Premiere Bond," "Terence Young: Bond Vivant," "Dr. No 1963 Featurette"
• "Top Level Access 007: License to Restore" - Featurette detailing the Bond Ultimate Edition film restoration process
• "Declassified: M16 Vault" - The Guns of James Bond
• "007 Mission Control" Interactive Guide Into the World of Dr. No
• "Ministry of Propaganda" - Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery and Radio Communications

Die Another Day:
• "The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier" - Audio Commentary Featuring Director Lee Tamahori and Producer Michael G. Wilson
• Audio Commentary featuring Pierce Brosnan and Rosamund Pike
• "Declassified: M16 Vault" - From Script to Screen
• Featurettes: "Shaken and Stirred on Ice," "Just Another Day," "The British Touch: Bond Arrives in London," "On Location With Peter Lamont
• "007 Mission Control" Interactive Guide Into the World of Die Another Day
• MI6 DataStream
• Madonna’s "Die Another Day" Music Video
• "Ministry of Propaganda" Photo gallery

Live and Let Die:
• Audio Commentary featuring Sir Roger Moore
• "The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier" - Audio Commentary featuring Guy Hamilton
• Audio Commentary featuring Tom Mankiewicz
• "Declassified: M16 Vault" - Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
• Featurettes: "Roger Moore as James Bond, Circa 1964," "Inside Live and Let Die," "On Set With Roger Moore"
• Live and Let Die Conceptual Art
• "007 Mission Control" Interactive Guide Into the World of Live and Let Die
• "Ministry of Propaganda" - Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery and Radio Communications

For Your Eyes Only:
• Audio Commentary featuring Sir Roger Moore
• Audio Commentary featuring Michael G Wilson and Crew
• "The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier" - Audio Commentary featuring John Glen and Actors
• "Declassified: M16 Vault" Deleted Scenes and Expanded Angles
• Featurettes: "Inside For Your Eyes Only," "Bond in Greece, Bond in Cortina," "Neptune’s Journey
•"007 Mission Control" Interactive Guide Into the World of For Your Eyes Only
• Animated Storyboard Sequences
• Sheena Easton’s "For Your Eyes Only" Music Video
• "Ministry of Propaganda" - Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery and Radio Communications

From Russia with Love:
• "The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier" - Audio Commentary featuring director Terence Young and cast & crew
• "Declassified: M16 Vault" - Ian Fleming: The CBC Interview
• Featurettes: "Ian Fleming and Raymond Chandler," "Ian Fleming on Desert Island Discs," "Inside From Russia With Love," "Harry Saltzman: Showman"
• Animated Storyboard Sequence
• "007 Mission Control" - Interactive Guide Into the World of From Russia With Love
• Ministry of Propaganda" - Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery and Radio Communications

Thunderball:
• "The Complete Special Features Library: Mission Dossier" - Audio Commentary featuring Terence Young and others
• Audio Commentary featuring Peter Hunt, John Hopkins and Others
• "Declassified: M16 Vault" The Incredible World of James Bond - Original 1965 NBC Television Special
• "A Child’s Guide to Blowing Up a Motor Car" - 1965 Ford Promotional Film On Location With Ken Adam
• Featurettes: "Bill Suitor: The Rocket Man Movies," "The Making of Thunderball," "The Thunderball Phenomenon," "The Secret History of Thunderball"
• Thunderball Boat Show Reel
• Selling Bonds - Original 1965 Television Advertisements
• "007 Mission Control" Interactive Guide Into the World of Thunderball
• "Ministry of Propaganda" - Original Trailers, TV Spots, Photo Gallery and Radio Communications

Suggested list price for the stand-alone Bond titles has been set at $34.95 a pop, and $89.95 for each 3-pack bundle.

As always, you'll find the latest specs for all of MGM's James Bond titles linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under October 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)
Dr. No (Blu-ray)
From Russia with Love (Blu-ray)
Thunderball (Blu-ray)
Live and Let Die (Blu-ray)
For Your Eyes Only (Blu-ray)
Die Another Day (Blu-ray)
James Bond Collection Three-Pack: Volume 1 (Die Another Day, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball) (Blu-ray)
James Bond Collection Three-Pack: Volume 2 (Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Live and Let Die) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Six Classic Bond Titles To Hit Blu-ray this October (Jun 18, 2008)
MGM Unwraps James Bond Blu-ray Art (Jul 25, 2008)

Rumor Patrol: Sony Planning December Blu-ray Bow for 'Hancock'?

Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

Sony Pictures has yet to announce it, but an overseas release date for 'Hancock,' is fueling speculation that the studio is planning to debut the domestic Blu-ray in early December.

The latest blockbuster for Will Smith, 'Hancock' has grossed over $200 million (and counting) at the domestic box office despite dodging a raft of poor reviews.

At press time, Sony had yet to outline its video plans for 'Hancock,' though a December 1 Blu-ray and DVD release in the UK has been announced by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Europe (boding well for the domestic version).

Retail channels have also reportedly begun planning for a likely December 2 street date for the Blu-ray, due day-and-date with a standard DVD.

Again, Sony has yet to officially announce 'Hancock' for Blu-ray, so at this point the information should remain safely in the rumor department. We'll keep you posted.

As we await further word on Sony's plans for 'Hancock,' you find a new listing for the title linked from the "Release Dates Pending" section our Blu-ray Release Schedule.

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)
Hancock (Blu-ray)

'Taxi Driver' Coming to Blu-ray in 2009

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)

In a very early announcement, Sony Pictures will bring the Martin Scorsese classic 'Taxi Driver' to Blu-ray in February 2009.

One of the seminal films of the '70s, the multiple Oscar nominee (including nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and stars Robert DeNiro and Jodie Foster) will get a much-requested Blu-ray debut on February 3, 2009.

As this is an unusually early announcement, Sony has not divulged any tech specs or supplement details for 'Taxi Driver.' Previously released on standard DVD in multiple editions, extras should at least be comparable to past versions -- we'll keep you posted.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.95.

You'll find preliminary specs for 'Taxi Driver' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 3, 2009.

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)
Taxi Driver (Blu-ray)

Sony to Double Dip 'Casino Royale' Blu-ray in October

Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 04:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony, James Bond (all tags)

Ending months of rumors, Sony Pictures has confirmed that James Bond will return for a double dip of 'Casino Royale,' which will hit Blu-ray this October as a two-disc collector's edition.

Originally released on high-def in March 2007 to big sales, 'Casino Royale' has long been rumored to receive the deluxe treatment thanks to the original release's relatively paltry bonus features.

Now Sony has confirmed an October 21 street date for the 'Casino Royale: Collector's Edition' Blu-ray, day-and-date with a new DVD re-issue.

The two-disc set will sport tech specs similar to the previous edition, with the film presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio, and new to the special edition, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround option.

Extras are extensive, with the set including a pair of cast & crew audio commentaries (participants TBA), a suite of documentaries ("Becoming Bond," "James Bond: For Real," "Bond Girls are Forever"), an additional pair of featurettes ("The Road to Casino Royale," "Ian Fleming: The Secret Road to Paradise"), six deleted scenes, two storyboard presentations, filmmaker profiles, and the Chris Cornell music video for "You Know My Name."

The Blu-ray release will also feature an e-Movie Cash ticket for the upcoming 22nd James Bond adventure, 'Quantum of Solace.'

Suggested list price for the two-disc Blu-ray has been set at $38.95.

You'll find specs for 'Casino Royale (2006, Collector's Edition)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 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)
Casino Royale (2006, Collector's Edition) (Blu-ray)
Casino Royale (2006) (Blu-ray)


MORE BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "SONY":

» High-Def Digest home page