-
'Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The war drama starring Liam Neeson is planned For Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, CJ Entertainment is working on 'Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite' for Blu-ray on January 24. In this suspenseful, action-packed, military adventure based on death-defying, real-life events, U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur (Liam Neeson, the Taken trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, Star Wars: Episode I, Batman Begins, Schindler's List) is appointed head of the United Nations Command at the height of the Korean War and conducts a covert operation to infiltrate North Korean headquarters far behind enemy lines. Led by Navy Lieutenant Jang Hak-soo (Lee Jung-jae, Assassination, New World, The Thieves, The Housemaid), the courageous X-Ray intelligence unit finds themselves pitted against not only ruthless North Korean commander Lim Gye-jin (Lee Bum-soo, The Divine Move, IRIS: New Generation, The City of Violence) and his men, but the Russian and Chinese troops supporting them. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 24.Posted Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Gerry O'Hara's 'The Bitch' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 1979 drama starring Joan Collins is headed for Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino is working on 'The Bitch' for Blu-ray on March 14. The owner of a trendy disco starts having problems with the men in her life and the Mafia, which is trying to move in on her place. Cinematography by Dennis C. Lewiston (Roger Vadim's Night Dreams). Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Interview with Director Gerry O'Hara; Audio Commentary by Film Historians David Del Valle and Nick Redman; and Original Theatrical Trailers for The Bitch and The Stud. You can find the latest specs for 'The Bitch' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 14.Posted Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Denzel Washington's 'Fences' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play will arrive on Blu-ray in March.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is preparing 'Fences' for Blu-ray on March 14. Denzel Washington directed and stars in this adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which centers on a black garbage collector named Troy Maxson in 1950s Pittsburgh. Bitter that baseball's color barrier was only broken after his own heyday in the Negro Leagues, Maxson is prone to taking out his frustrations on his loved ones. Both Washington and co-star Viola Davis won Tonys for their performances in the 2010 revival of the play. Stephen Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, and Mykelti Williamson round out the supporting cast. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Fences' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 14. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jan 3, 2017 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
'Collateral Beauty' Starring Will Smith Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Director David Frankel's drama is coming to Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray later this year.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Bros. is preparing 'Collateral Beauty' for Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray. When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy, he retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death. But it's not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray is $44.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Collateral Beauty' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING. Order the Ultra HD Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jan 3, 2017 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'The Raid Collection' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The action-packed double feature is headed for Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is preparing 'The Raid Collection' for Blu-ray on February 28. The Raid: Redemption - Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world's most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, they find themselves stranded on the 6th floor with no way out. The unit must fight their way through the city's worst [criminals] to survive their mission. Bonus features include: Audio Commentary with writer/director Gareth Evans; Video blogs; Behind-the-scenes featurettes; An Evening with Gareth Evans, Mike Shinoda, and Joe Trapanese conversation; In Conversation with Gareth Evans and Mike Shinoda feature; Claycat's The Raid; The Raid TV show ad (circa 1994). The Raid 2 - Immediately following the events of The Raid: Redemption, Rama (Iko Uwais) is forced to reinvent himself as an undercover cop in order to provide protection for his wife and child. Working for the anti-corruption taskforce led by the one person he can trust, Bunawar (Cok Simbara), he is given a mission to engage himself as an enforcer for a local mob boss, Bangun (Tio Pakusodewo). Finding a way in through Bangun's son Uco (Arifin Putra), Rama must hunt for information linking Bangun with police force corruption. All the while, he harbors a dangerous and personal vendetta for revenge and justice that threatens to consume him- and bring both this mission and the organized crime syndicates crashing down. Bonus features include: English Dub in addition to the original language version of the film; Director Commentary with Gareth Huw Evans; The Next Chapter: Shooting a Sequel; Cinefamily Foundation Q&A with Gareth Huw Evans, Iko Uwais & Joe Trapanese; Ready for a Fight: On Location (Blu-ray exclusive); Violent Ballet: Behind the Choreography (Blu-ray exclusive); and Deleted Scene: Gang War (Blu-ray Exclusive). You can find the latest specs for 'The Raid Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 28. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jan 3, 2017 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Alex de Renzy's 'Babyface' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 1977 film will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Vinegar Syndrome is working on 'Babyface' for Blu-ray sometime in February. After seducing a girl, a man hides in a male brothel. Starring Charla Miss 42, Marion Eaton, Desiree West, Kristine Heller, Angela Haze, Amber Hunt, Lyn Cuddles Malone, John Leslie, Joey Silvera, and Rudy Graham. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Babyface' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Tue Jan 3, 2017 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Joseph H. Lewis' 'Invisible Ghost' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The 1941 horror flick is planned for a Blu-ray release in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino is preparing 'Invisible Ghost' for Blu-ray on March 21. Horror legend Bela Lugosi stars in one of his most lauded and expressive roles, as the unwitting homicidal killer who is being commanded by his damaged wife to commit murder, albeit while under hypnosis. When the twin brother of a man wrongly accused of one of the murders arrives in town, he begins to unravel the whole dark, twisted truth. The release will feature a new HD transfer and supplements include: Audio Commentary by Film Historians Tom Weaver, Gary D. Rhodes and Dr. Robert J. Kiss; Reverse Blu-ray Art; and Trailers for White Zombie, The Black Sleep & others. You can find the latest specs for 'Invisible Ghost' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 21.Posted Tue Jan 3, 2017 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest Essentials: December 2016Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with High-Def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for attention, and with so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month. From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted a stop-motion fairy tale, a slippery lawyer, and the approaching winds of winter. Be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November 2012, December 2012, January 2013,February 2013, March 2013, April 2013, May 2013, June 2013, July 2013, August 2013, September 2013, October 2013, November 2013, December 2013, January 2014, February 2014, March 2014, April 2014, May 2014, June 2014, July 2014, August 2014, September 2014, October 2014, November 2014,December 2014, January 2015, February 2015, March 2015, April 2015, May 2015, June 2015, July 2015, August 2015, September 2015, October 2015, November 2015, December 2015, January 2016, February 2016, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016, June 2016, July 2016, August 2016, September 2016, October 2016, and November 2016. [teaser]For December, we're covering a classic Hollywood heist flick, a miracle on the Hudson, and a bittersweet comedy.[/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in December, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'The Asphalt Jungle' - I've never attempted to pull off a complicated jewel robbery, but if I ever did, I'd probably give 'The Asphalt Jungle' a few more viewings beforehand. One of Hollywood's quintessential heist flicks, the film has helped to lay the groundwork for an entire subset of crime cinema, offering a veritable checklist of classic caper conventions. But more than just an enduring blueprint for silver screen burglary, the film remains one of the genre's very best efforts … even if its characters prove to be a little less successful in their getaway. Directed by the great John Huston, the movie is marked by an appropriately noir-influenced narrative and shooting style mixed in with a few more naturalistic flourishes, adding a surprisingly human element to the runtime's carefully escalating caper thrills. To this end, the film offers a healthy dose of shadowy imagery and hardboiled slang along with more restrained images and nuanced character moments, allowing us to get to know the gang a bit more beyond their standard heist flick archetypes. For instance, Huston often lingers on smaller, fleeting details to add a little personality to the proceedings, including a moment where one character flips through a bikini calendar and another wipes her fake eyelashes off as she cries. These personal, comparatively raw elements and interactions all help to flesh out the ensemble's quirks as we follow them through the crime's careful planning, gripping theft, and suspenseful aftermath -- complete with plenty of double-crosses and bullet holes. A truly pioneering crime flick, 'The Asphalt Jungle' cements many of the heist genre's defining elements (several of which were later expanded upon and arguably perfected in Jules Dassin's very similar 1955 classic, 'Rififi') while still retaining powerful characterizations and thoughtful themes. And thankfully, this Blu-ray release from Criterion gives the movie the special treatment it deserves with a stellar technical presentation and an extensive collection of supplements. A clear must own, this is required viewing for any film buff… or burgeoning jewel thief. Buy the Blu-ray 'Sully' - When adapting true life tales to the big screen, there's always a fine line between respecting the source material and creating an engaging experience. On the one hand, you want to make sure that the runtime is cinematically potent, but on the other, you don't want to run the risk of overly sensationalizing real events. Skirting this line with effortless poise, Clint Eastwood's 'Sully' offers a refreshingly modest and sobering account of the "Miracle on the Hudson," fully paying tribute to the film's subjects without sacrificing affecting drama. Played with quiet dignity and low-key depth, Tom Hanks anchors the movie beautifully as the title character, imbuing the role with a kind of everyman grandeur. But as powerful as Sully's steadfast competency and calmness under pressure prove to be, the film does not shy away from his pangs of self-doubt and stress, illuminating the personal strains caused by the media storm and investigation following the crash. On this note, the runtime mixes subtle character study with courtroom drama, brief flashbacks to Sully's youth and, of course, the harrowing water landing itself. But rather than show us the crash in just one chunk, Eastwood actually chooses to piece it together in extended fragments from different perspectives, offering a powerfully understated approach to the action that feels real and visceral without becoming overly bombastic for the cameras, letting the incredible reality of the event speak for itself. Avoiding unnecessary flash in its performances, narrative, and aesthetic approach, 'Sully' offers an atypically subdued and delicate look at a truly extraordinary event, creating a gently affecting and inspiring tale about understated heroism and working together. Coupled with a great video transfer and Dolby Atmos soundtrack, this disc easily lands a spot on December's essentials. Buy the Blu-ray Buy the Ultra HD Blu-ray 'Don't Think Twice' - Fully playing up the bitter and sweet in bittersweet, Mike Birbiglia's 'Don't Think Twice' is one of the most biting and insightful dramedies I've seen in quite some time. Through the story of a New York improv group, the director examines the precarious effects of success on friendship while probing deeply into general concepts related to jealousy, self-worth, adulthood, growth, happiness, and failure. When one member of an improvisational comedy troupe, Jack (Keegan-Michael Key), books a gig on a Saturday Night Live-esque show, the once happy gang is suddenly overwrought with turmoil. As the group gradually turns on itself, Birbiglia blends a generous helping of cringe-worthy laughs with poignant bursts of heartbreaking pathos, revealing the deep flaws and insecurities that rest at the heart of his characters. In Jack's success, all his friends can see are their own failures, causing each member to question their life trajectory. Increasingly engaging as the runtime goes on, the evolving (or devolving) friendships create a striking portrait of artistic struggle, delusion, self-absorption, and envy, without ever making any of the characters unlikeable or one dimensional. Instead, Birbiglia and the stellar cast allow us to understand their choices and motivations. And going along with the improv premise, the filmmakers employ a complementary visual style, using free flowing camera movements that constantly sway about the stage during the group's performances, keeping the framing just as unpredictable and fluid as the comedy. A raw, honest, and heartfelt look at mounting resentment, dwindling dreams, strained relationships, and persistent passion, 'Don't Think Twice' reveals the hardships of comedy. Funny and poignant, the film runs the full emotional gamut, all while maintaining a consistent and unique voice. In other words, for comedy aficionados this is one release that you don't have to "think twice" about purchasing… yeah, there's a reason I don't do improv. Buy the Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there were many titles worth picking up this December, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for December's must own titles?Posted Mon Jan 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Mel Gibson's 'Hacksaw Ridge' Announced for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Both releases will be available in stores this February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'Hacksaw Ridge' for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on February 21. 'Hacksaw Ridge' is the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers, was wounded by a grenade, and hit by snipers. Doss was the first conscientious objector to ever earn the Congressional Medal of Honor. Both releases will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and supplements include: The Soul of War: Making Hacksaw Ridge Documentary; Veterans Day Greeting with Mel Gibson; and Deleted Scenes. You can find the latest specs for 'Hacksaw Ridge' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 21. Order the Blu-ray Order the UHD Blu-rayPosted Fri Dec 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Farren Blackburn's 'Shut In' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The thriller starring Naomi Watts arrives on Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is working on 'Shut In' for Blu-ray on February 28. 'Shut In' is a heart-pounding thriller starring Naomi Watts as a widowed child psychologist who lives an isolated existence in rural New England. Caught in a deadly winter storm, she must find a way to rescue a young boy before he disappears forever. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Shut In' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 28.Posted Fri Dec 30, 2016 at 08:00 AM PST by:
