Posted Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by Peter Bracke
Phoenix Entertainment has announced that it is switching allegiance to Blu-ray with this month's release of 'Naked Beneath the Water,' and canceling its entire line-up of previously-scheduled HD DVD titles.
The indie distributor first announced HD DVD support late last year, scheduling an early 2008 release for its first two titles ('The Lawless' and 'Naked Beneath the Water'). The pair never arrived in stores, however, and when asked for comment, a company rep has confirmed to us that Phoenix has ceased support for the format and has canceled all of its previously-planned releases.
Phoenix has not exited the next-gen business, however, and has chosen the horror-thriller 'Naked Beneath the Water' as its first Blu-ray offering. Due for release on March 25, 'Naked' will be followed by two additional (but still unnamed) Blu-ray releases this Spring.
Specs for 'Naked Beneath the Water' will mirror the now-canceled HD DVD version, with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio.
Extras include audio commentary with writer-director-star Sean Cain, the "Big Explosion" documentary, a blooper reel and an "alternate ending" easter egg.
Exclusive to the Blu-ray will be a collection of additional deleted & extended scenes.
Phoenix has set a suggested retail price of $19.99 for the Blu-ray.
You'll find specs for 'Naked Beneath the Water' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25. We've also removed all of Phoenix's now-canceled HD DVD titles from our HD DVD Release Schedule.
We've also set up a dedicated thread for Phoenix's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Naked Beneath the Water' Blu-ray release.
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