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HDD Cool Stuff: 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' Blu-ray Gift Set Exclusive at Best Buy[teaser]There's more than meets the eye with Michael Bay's explosive blockbuster at Best Buy. [/teaser] [teaser]Transformers fans will find a 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' Blu-ray exclusive at the mega electronics retailer.[/teaser] The 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' gift set will include the Blu-ray disc as well as an Optimus Prime miniature bust collectible and $50.00 gift card for sideshowcollectibles.com. The current price for this gift set is $46.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 20.Posted Thu Oct 1, 2009 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'In the Valley of Elah' Blu-ray $9.49 at Amazon[teaser]The Oscar-nominated drama starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron is one of the latest Amazon price reductions. [/teaser] The online retailer has slashed the price of 'In the Valley of Elah' on Blu-ray to $9.49 (a fantastic deal at 74% off the suggested list price). Click here to take advantage of the savings at Amazon, and be sure to read Ken Brown's review here.Posted Thu Oct 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'La Boheme' Soothes the Savage Blu-ray[teaser]The big-budget adaptation of Puccini's romantic opera is coming to Blu-ray in December. [/teaser] Kultur Video is preparing Robert Dornhelm's 'La Boheme' for high-definition on December 15. There's no word on tech specs as of yet, but the supplements will include interviews with Dornhelm and the cast. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $44.99. You can find the latest specs for 'La Boheme' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 15.Posted Thu Oct 1, 2009 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Black Mask' Blu-ray $7.99 at Amazon[teaser]Get the Jet Li martial arts flick in high-definition for under eight bucks.[/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'Black Mask' on Blu-ray for $7.99 (73% off the suggested list price). Click here to head to Amazon, but it should also be noted that the original language audio isn't included on the disc. Buyer beware.Posted Thu Oct 1, 2009 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest chats with Harold Ramis about 'Ghostbusters 3' and the 'Year One' Blu-ray[teaser]The legendary Harold Ramis gives High-Def Digest a call to discuss 'Ghostbusters,' nudity, and most importantly, the 'Year One' Blu-ray.[/teaser] By Michael S. Palmer The phone rang. I answered. And there he was on the other end of the line saying hello. None other than Dr. Egon Spengler. Or in reality -- stepping out of my boy-hood fantasies -- acclaimed writer/producer/actor/director Harold Ramis. The man behind 'Animal House,' 'Meatballs,' 'Caddyshack,' 'Stripes,' 'Ghostbusters,' 'Back to School' (seriously, if it’s on cable, who can turn it off?), 'Groundhog Day,' and now, 'Year One.' First, in the 'Ghostbusters' universe, Ramis said he was not directly involved with the Blu-ray release of the first movie. The studio informed everyone that it was happening, of course, and that they were planning to release it coinciding with Ghostbusters: The Video Game, on which Ramis had already been working. As you’ve probably heard, 'Ghostbusters 3' is definitely in development. 'Year One' and 'The Office' scribes, Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg, broke the story with Ramis, and are penning the first draft. Stupnitsky & Eisenberg actually used to be interns and production assistants at Ramis’ company. After becoming his protégés and proving themselves in television, they collaborated with Ramis on the 'Year One' script. Ramis’ story for 'Year One' was inspired by Mel Brooks’ famous 2,000 Year Old Man character as well as religion in general. What aspects do we take for granted, such as Adam & Eve, or circumcision? And what was Sodom really like? Could it have been the Las Vegas of its time? For the filmmakers/techies amongst us, 'Year One' was shot on film, but Ramis said he would consider HD on future projects. He says film is simply a recording medium now that one scans in order to finish movies digitally. Not a tech guy himself, Ramis said he started watching TV when it was just a 10-inch black & white screen filled with more static than image. He uses his computer only for email, writing, and a handful of games. And anytime the director sees Blu-ray (or High Def in general), he’s amazed. Yet for now, the force behind some of our favorite movies has yet to go Blu. 'Year One' comes to Blu-ray on October 6th in a feature-packed set. It's an Unrated edition (with a Digital copy for playback on PSP, iPod, Mac, or PC), which he says will amount to a few more sex jokes. Since the filmmakers were always aiming for a PG-13 release, Ramis didn’t shoot extra R-rated material such as nudity (but if you, dear reader, need your fix of unrated naughty bits, Ramis joked that when the studio went back for the re-release of Stripes, they added 18 minutes of new footage, 9 of which allegedly involve nudity). There’s also an audio commentary by Ramis with stars Jack Black and Michael Cera (recorded with all three in the room). Ramis can’t say enough kind words about Black and Cera. Two nice, hardworking, professionals who never added conflict to the set. Exclusive to the Unrated Blu-ray disc, viewers and fans will find three BD-Live enabled features: - “Year One Cutting Room”, which lets viewers create their own video using clips and music from the film and share it online. - “movieIQ”, Sony’s answer to Fox’s “Livelookup,” which allows viewers to access real-time trivia about the cast, crew, music, and production. - “cinechat” an in-movie instant message feature allowing viewers to chat with friends around the world as they watch the movie. It’ll be interesting to see the reaction to “movieIQ”. Since this was a quick phone interview, rather than a Blu-ray showcase event, I haven’t seen any of these features in person, but I’m sure High-Def Digest’s impending review will discuss quality and functionality of these new special feature. It’s great to see studios trying to infuse their home entertainment releases with full capabilities of Blu-ray and BD-Live. As for Ramis, what’s next? I was hoping for some type of musical reunion / collaboration with Kenny Loggins (aka, the soundtrack voice of the 1980s), but for now, Ramis is obsessed with building his own guitar, something he has neither the training nor the tools to accomplish. After that, Ramis may rewrite a script of his own, based on work he did in a psych ward during the late 1960s.Posted Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 12:55 PM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Last Chance Harvey' Blu-ray $9.99 at Amazon[teaser]The romantic drama starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson is now available in high-definition for under $10. [/teaser] The online retailer has reduced the price of 'Last Chance Harvey' on Blu-ray to $9.99 (a whopping 75% off the suggested list price). Click here to check out the deal at Amazon.Posted Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Michael Bay Autographs 'Transformers' Blu-rays for Charity[teaser]Purchase an autographed copy of the film with proceeds going to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. [/teaser] On Michael Bay's blog, consumers can purchase copies of the blockbuster 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' signed by Director Michael Bay. Prices range from $40-$55 depending on your preference of DVD or Blu-ray and region. Both films are also available in a combo pack signed by Michael Bay and Tyrese Gibson ranging from $105-$150. The discs will be available for order from now through October 16 and all proceeds will be going to Make-a-Wish. Click here if you're interested in donating to the cause.Posted Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Echo' Announced for Blu-ray... Blu-ray... Blu-ray...[teaser]A creepy psychological thriller from the producers of 'The Ring' and 'Dark Water' is coming in November. [/teaser] Image Entertainment will bring 'The Echo' to the high-definition format on November 10. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, likely a lossless soundtrack (still unconfirmed), and supplements haven't been revealed. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $35.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Echo' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 10.Posted Wed Sep 30, 2009 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Other Man' Slated for Blu-ray[teaser]Another marriage hits a major speed bump in high-definition this winter. [/teaser] Image Entertainment says 'The Other Man' is coming to the high-definition format on December 15. The film stars Liam Neeson as a husband who suspects that his wife (Laura Linney) is having an affair and tracks down the other man (Antonio Banderas). The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, likely a lossless soundtrack (still unconfirmed), and supplements including an audio commentary, interviews, and a trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $35.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Other Man' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 15.Posted Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Polls Say Consumers Willing To Pay Extra For 3D TVs[teaser]According to a recent poll conducted by the In-Stat research group, 43 percent of customers are willing to pay up to a $200 premium for 3D televisions. [/teaser] 3D is getting a huge push in both the cinematic and consumer electronics worlds, and that positive coverage seems to have paid off. According to Michelle Abrahams of In-Stat, 43% of people polled said that they’d be willing to pay a $200 premium for 3D HDTVs. While it’s certainly good news for the new tech that consumers recognize the need for a higher cost, $200 might be underestimating the markup. Of that 43%, nearly a third of them said that they would be unwilling to purchase a 3D-capable Blu-ray player. The problem inherent in these numbers of course is that without a compatible source, viewers would be unable to view 3D content. Just as there has been much education needed to clear up poor information about HDTVS – especially when it comes to the need for an HD signal – Abrahams says that additional education will need to happen in order to make the 3D push work. Source: RapidTVNewsPosted Tue Sep 29, 2009 at 12:30 PM PDT by:
