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A&E Dives into Blu with the History Channel's 'Universe'[teaser]A&E Home Video is jumping into Blu-ray with their debut high-def release, the hit History Channel series 'The Universe.'[/teaser] Long one of the leading distributors of television and documentary programming on DVD, 'The Universe: Season One' will mark A&E's entrance into Blu when it hits stores on October 14. Spread across three discs, all 13 first-season episodes will be presented in 1080i video (1.78:1) and standard Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio. Extras on the set include the feature-length documentary "Beyond the Big Bang." Suggested retail for the Blu-ray has been set at $79.98. As always, we'll keep you posted on all future A&E announcements, and in the meantime, you'll find specs for 'The Universe: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 14.Posted Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Direct-to-Video 'Another Cinderella Story' Headed to Blu-ray[teaser]Warner has announced the debut of their latest direct-video premiere title, with the September release of the teen romance 'Another Cinderella Story.'[/teaser] Starring up-and-coming tween sensations Drew Seeley and Selena Gomez, the sequel to the hit 'A Cinerella Story' will arrive on Blu-ray September 16, day-and-date with the DVD. Extras shared across both versions include five featurettes ("Spotlight on Selena Gomez," "Spotlight on Drew Seeley," "Diva Dominique," "Tami's Fantastic Fashion," "Mary: Dancing Ever After"), a "Just That Girl" music video, and a sing-along feature. Tech specs include 1080p/VC-1 video and standard Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio in English, French and Spanish. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $38.95. You'll find the latest specs for 'Another Cinderella Story' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 16.Posted Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Universal Plotting 'Sarah Marshall,' Judd Apatow 3-Pack for Blu-ray[teaser]Making an early announcement to retailers, Universal is planning to bring 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall,' 'Knocked Up' and '40-Year-Old Virgin' to Blu-ray this Fall.[/teaser] According to early word from distributors, Universal has set a September 30 street date for the $60 million-grossing 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' on Blu-ray (day-and-date with the standard DVD), which will join the Apatow-directed smashes 'Knocked Up' and '40-Year-Old Virgin' (both receiving their Blu-ray premiere). Also planned is a Judd Apatow 3-pack box set, which will bundle all three stand-alone releases in one collection (no additional supplemental features or exclusives are expected to be included). As Universal has not yet officially announced the three titles for Blu-ray, there are no tech specs or supplemental details available as of yet. We expect further confirmation in the days ahead, so we'll keep you posted. Suggested retail for 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' has been set at $39.98, and $29.98 a pop for 'Knocked Up' and 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin.' The 3-pack bundle will list for $89.98. As always, you'll find preliminary specs for all of Universal's Judd Apatow releases linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 30. Stay tuned.Posted Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Warner Bringing 'L.A. Confidential' to Blu-ray[teaser]Warner is set to release the Oscar-winning cult classic 'L.A. Confidential' to Blu-ray this September.[/teaser] Scoring over a half-dozen Oscar noms (and a Best Supporting Actress win for Kim Basinger), the critically-lauded crime epic will finally hit Blu-ray on September 23. Long one of the most highly-requested titles in Warner's library to receive the high-def treatment, the studio will debut the Blu-ray day-and-date with a new standard-def two-disc DVD re-issue. Extras are extensive, and include a new audio commentary with critic Andrew Sarris, a suite of four retrospective featurettes ("Whatever You Desire: Making L.A. Confidential," "Sunlight and Shadow: The Visual Style," "A True Ensemble: The Cast," "From Book to Screen"), deleted scenes, a music-only track, and numerous publicity materials, including trailers, TV spots, promotional reels, and a soundtrack sampler. There are no tech specs, but we'll certainly keep you posted as more info comes in for this much-anticipated release. Warner has set a suggested list price of $28.95 for the Blu-ray. As always, you'll find the latest specs for 'L.A. Confidential' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 23.Posted Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Kill Bill' Coming to Blu-ray this September[teaser]At last confirming one of their most sought-after catalog titles, Disney has set a September debut for Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill.'[/teaser] Disney/Miramax will bow 'Kill Bill: Volume One' and 'Kill Bill: Volume Two' concurrently on September 9, marking the film's first-ever domestic debut on high-def. Given the early lead time of the announcement, there are no tech specs or supplement details released as of yet. We also have yet to receive word from Disney whether the films will be presented in their R-rated theatrical or uncut versions, or whether a two-pack bundle will be made available. Needless to say, we'll keep you posted. Suggested retail for each volume has been set at $34.95 a pop. You'll find preliminary specs for 'Kill Bill: Volume One' and 'Kill Bill: Volume Two' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 9.Posted Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Best Buy Offers 2 for $25 Blu-ray Promotion Online[teaser]Best Buy has rolled out a new online only promotional offer for a select batch of Blu-ray titles.[/teaser] Following the cohorts, Best Buy has rolled out a new 2 for $25 Blu-ray promotion. No word on how long this offer will last, but the lineup includes an eclectic assortment of documentaries, horror films, and sc-fi favorites, including 'Halloween,' 'Total Recall,' and 'Terminator 2.' The offer is only available online. Check out the full list of 29 titles by clicking here.Posted Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
First Look Cracks 'The Code' on Blu-ray[teaser]It hasn't even hit theaters, but First Look Studios has set an October Blu-ray arrival for the indie crime thriller 'The Code.'[/teaser] Directed by Mimi Leder and starring Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas, 'The Code' has yet to receive a theatrical release, but will hit Blu-ray on October 14, day-and-date with the standard DVD. (First Look has yet to announce whether 'The Code' will receive a limited theatrical release or go direct-to-video.) No tech specs or supplemental details have been confirmed, but the full media announcement should arrive in the coming weeks. We'll keep you posted. First Look has set a suggested list price of $34.95 for the Blu-ray. You'll find preliminary specs for 'The Code' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 14.Posted Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Only Introduces Line of Low-Priced Blu-rays[teaser]Reaching a new low in Blu-ray pricing, newcomer Blu-ray Only is introducing its first wave of discount next-gen titles this August.[/teaser] Kicking off the distributor's first Blu-ray slate is the 1953 Elizabeth Taylor-Van Johnson classic 'The Last Time I Saw Paris,' and the Humphrey Bogart drama 'Beat the Devil.' Priced at a new format-low of $11.98 each, Blu-ray Only will release both titles on August 12. At press time there were no announced supplemental features, and the company has yet to confirm tech specs. As always, we'll keep you posted. You'll find the latest specs for 'The Last Time I Saw Paris' and 'Beat the Devil' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 12.Posted Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Universal Unwraps 'Heroes' Blu-ray Specs[teaser]Universal has announced full specs for the first two seasons of 'Heroes,' which will hit Blu-ray this Summer with a bevy of bonus material and high-def exclusives.[/teaser] As previously reported, Universal announced a August 26 Blu-ray street date for both 'Heroes: Season One' and 'Heroes: Season Two' (the latter day-and-date with the standard DVD version). Now the full specs are in, with the first season spread across five BD-50 dual-layer discs, and the second, shorter season (cut short by the writer's strike) only a four-platter set. Both releases will enjoy 1080p video and English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround tracks, plus English, French and Spanish subtitles. Supplements on 'Season One' will match the previous HD DVD release, with a bevy of extras including the 73-minute Premiere Episode (with optional audio commentary by show creator Tim Kring), four featurettes ("Making Of," "Special Effects," "The Stunts," "Profile of Artist Tim Sale"), an artwork presentation, and deleted scenes. 'Season Two' will include five featurettes ( "Heroes Season 2: A New Beginning," "Takezo Kensei: Sword Saint," "Genetics of a Scene," "The Drucker Files," "Generations After"), a series of additional NBC.com featurettes, deleted scenes, and a still gallery. Both season sets will also come enabled with Bonus View (Profile 1.1) picture-in-picture commentaries with cast and crew (on select episodes), plus BD-Live extras including cast bios, MyScenes bookmark sharing, and more to be announced. Retail price for 'Season One' has been set at $69.98 with 'Season Two' set at $49.98. As always, you'll find the latest specs for 'Heroes: Season One' and 'Heroes: Season Two' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 26.Posted Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Costco Joins Recent Blu-ray Promo Blitz[teaser]Costco has jumped into the recent flurry of Blu-ray bargains and promotions with a discounted bundle of popular titles.[/teaser] Not to be outdone by fellow retailers Amazon, who both launched aggressive Blu-ray promotions this week, it seems discount superstar Costco is jumping into the fray with it's own bundle of titles, all of which are included in Amazon's current Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer. According to our man in the field, High-Def Digest Founder Jed Rosenzweig, the titles spotted at a Seattle area Costco include 'Spider-Man: The High-Definition Trilogy,' 'Hellboy,' 'Ghost Rider,' 'Underworld,' and 'Underworld: Evolution.' We don't know if this bundle is exclusive to Seattle area Costco locations, but it's something worth looking into if you're thinking of purchasing any or all of these titles.Posted Fri Jun 13, 2008 at 12:15 PM PDT by:
