-
'Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The collection includes a dozen classic episodes and will take fans behind-the-scenes with never-before-seen footage. [/teaser] As previously reported, CBS and Paramount will be releasing 'Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault' on Blu-ray, and now the date has been set for December 13. During the production of Star Trek: The Original Series, bits and pieces of episodic footage were left on the cutting room floor, then stored away in film cans for decades by the Gene Roddenberry Estate. Now, in celebration of the show's 50th Anniversary, The Roddenberry Vault has finally been opened. Along with 12 of their favorite episodes, fans can see and own behind the scenes footage from the making of the series as well as alternate takes, deleted scenes, omitted dialogue, outtakes, and original visual FX elements. 'Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault' Blu-ray set includes newly-produced special feature documentaries that incorporate the “Vault” materials and feature all-new interviews with cast and production personnel, including new insights from William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk), writers Dorothy "D.C." Fontana, David Gerrold, & John D.F. Black, director Ralph Senensky, casting director Joseph D'Agosta, visual effects artist Richard Edlund, and more. Also featured is an exploration into the series’ long-lasting appeal through interviews with some of Star Trek’s biggest fans including The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady, The Simpsons writer/producer David Mirkin, Family Guy writer/producer David A. Goodman, NASA's Bobak Ferdowsi, Bill Nye (The Science Guy), and many more. 'Star Trek: The Roddenberry Vault includes 12 classic Star Trek episodes in high-definition Blu-ray chosen for their relevance to the Vault's lost/unseen material: · The Corbomite Maneuver · Arena · Space Seed · This Side of Paradise · The Devil in the Dark · The City on the Edge of Forever · Operation: Annihilate! · Metamorphosis · Who Mourns for Adonais? · Mirror, Mirror · The Trouble With Tribbles · Return to Tomorrow Special features include: Inside The Roddenberry Vault – A multi-part glimpse at classic episodes from new angles and perspectives; Star Trek: Revisiting A Classic – A look at life on the set during production; Strange New Worlds: Visualizing The Fantastic – An inside look at the groundbreaking work of the series’ designers and visual effects artists; three episode commentaries, and isolated music tracks for most of the episodes. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 13.Posted Tue Sep 6, 2016 at 06:25 AM PDT by: -
Rick Sloane's 'Hobgoblins' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 1988 horror flick is headed for the high-definition format. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Vinegar Syndrome says they are working on 'Hobgoblins' for Blu-ray. A young security guard must track down diminutive aliens who kill people even as they make their fantasies come true. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Hobgoblins' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Tue Sep 6, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Star Trek Beyond' Blu-ray & Ultra HD Blu-ray In The Works[teaser]The Enterprise is setting a course for Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray soon! [/teaser] As previously reported, Paramount is preparing 'Star Trek Beyond' for Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and Ultra HD Blu-ray. In addition, an Amazon Exclusive Ultra HD Blu-ray Gift Set will also be available. 'Star Trek Beyond,' the highly anticipated next installment in the globally popular Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry and reintroduced by J.J. Abrams in 2009, returns with director Justin Lin ('The Fast and the Furious' franchise) at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew. In “Beyond," the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D is $48.99. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray is 48.99. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray Gift Set is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Trek Beyond' 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 Ultra HD Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray 3DPosted Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Bryan Cranston is 'The Infiltrator' on Blu-ray[teaser]Brad Furman's crime thriller will debut on Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Broad Green Pictures is preparing 'The Infiltrator' for Blu-ray on October 11. Based on a true story, Federal agent Robert "Bob" Mazur (Bryan Cranston) goes deep undercover to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's drug trafficking scene plaguing the nation in 1986 by posing as slick, money-laundering businessman Bob Musella. Teamed with impulsive and streetwise fellow agent Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo) and rookie agent posing as his fiancé Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger), Mazur befriends Escobar's top lieutenant Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt). Navigating a vicious criminal network in which the slightest slip-up could cost him his life, Mazur risks it all building a case that leads to indictments of 85 drug lords and the corrupt bankers who cleaned their dirty money, along with the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, one of the largest money-laundering banks in the world. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Audio Commentary with Director Brad Furman and Bryan Cranston; Deleted Scenes; "The Three Bobs"; and "How to Infiltrate". You can find the latest specs for 'The Infiltrator' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 11. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Bad Moms' Announced and Detailed Blu-ray[teaser]The comedy starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Jada Pinkett Smith and Christina Applegate is planned for Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal is preparing 'Bad Moms' for Blu-ray on November 1. In this outrageous comedy from the writers of 'The Hangover,' Amy (Mila Kunis) has a seemingly perfect life - a great marriage, over-achieving kids, beautiful home and a career. However she's over-worked, over-committed and exhausted to the point that she's about to snap. Fed up, she joins forces with two other over-stressed moms (Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn) on a quest to liberate themselves from conventional responsibilities – going on a wild, un-mom-like binge of long overdue freedom, fun and self-indulgence – putting them on a collision course with PTA Queen Bee Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate) and her clique of devoted perfect moms (Jada Pinkett Smith and Annie Mumolo). The combo pack will feature 1080p video, lossless 5.1 audio, and supplements include a gag reel and interviews. You can find the latest specs for 'Bad Moms' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 1. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Gabriel Carrer's 'The Demolisher' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The vigilante thriller is headed for Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MPI and Dark Sky Films will be bringing 'The Demolisher' to Blu-ray on October 4. Tormented by a crippling sense of responsibility for his disabled wife Samantha, an ex-policewoman, seemingly ordinary cable repairman Bruce channels his sense of injustice into a dark path of vigilantism. Donning riot gear and taking to the streets to right the seemingly infinite number of wrongs committed every day, Bruce becomes The Demolisher, a one-man wrecking ball tearing through a neon-lit city blighted by crime and hatred. As his tenuous grasp on reality weakens with each foray into the urban decay that surrounds him, Bruce's rage eventually reaches a boiling point that may cost him his own life as well as the lives of the innocent he thought he was protecting. Like the stylistically brutal films of Nicolas Winding Refn, The Demolisher is an unapologetic portrayal of what can happen when a fragile mind is pushed too far. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Demolisher' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 4. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Sep 2, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest Essentials: August 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 cinematic love letter to carefree youth, a beautiful animated adventure, and a punk-rock horror thriller. 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, and July 2016. [teaser]For August, we're covering a visually stunning Disney adventure, a thrilling noir comedy, and a classic buddy flick. [/teaser] If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in August, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'The Jungle Book' - When it comes to directing, creating a fully believable world on screen is rarely an easy task. And when that world happens to require building a life-like, photorealistic jungle populated by talking animals all within the confines of an LA soundstage, some real movie magic is in order. Thankfully, Disney and director Jon Favreau seem to be in no short supply. Brimming with heart, this live-action/CG take on 'The Jungle Book' manages to breathe palpable life into its visually stunning artifice, blending innovative cinematic technology with good-old-fashioned storytelling to transport audiences into a gorgeous land filled with adventure, danger, and singing bears. To be honest, I was initially put off by the movie's extreme use of CG to create its sets and animal characters. Early on, actor Neel Sethi (who plays Mowgli) seemed oddly out of place compared to his surroundings, and the computer generated animals' facial performances appeared slightly off. But, once my eyes adjusted to this unique style, the undeniable beauty of Favreau's chosen aesthetic quickly revealed itself and the movie's various elements began to coalesce seamlessly, creating some absolutely draw-dropping imagery. And thankfully, the simple yet gripping narrative beneath these gorgeous visuals proves to be just as rich. Taking their inspiration from Rudyard Kipling's original stories and the 1967 animated film, the filmmakers do a great job of expanding the drama, weaving a rather engaging adventure about self-discovery, growth, family, and friendship. Likewise, the vocal performances from stars like Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Scarlet Johansson, Lupita Nyong'o, and Idris Elba are all bursting with personality, helping to make each intricately rendered animal feel real -- even when that animal happens to be a giant monkey who sounds just like Christopher Walken. Though it might rely on state-of-the-art computer wizardry, 'The Jungle Book' is packed with classic Disney magic, imbuing its breathtaking visuals with equally affecting soul. A thoroughly enjoyable remake, this is an entertaining adventure for all ages. And with an exceptional technical presentation and solid supplements, this Blu-ray is a simple bare necessity for all film fans. Buy the Blu-ray 'The Nice Guys' - What kind of people are Jackson Healy (Russel Crowe) and Holland March (Ryan Gosling)? Well, if the title of writer/director Shane Black's latest noir comedy is to be believed, then they're 'The Nice Guys.' But few things in any good mystery flick should be taken at face value, least of all titles. And in this case, "nice" might not be the most accurate adjective. Prone to drinking, cheating, lying, fighting, and even killing, the lovably flawed pair are capable of their fair share of decidedly unpleasant actions -- and yet deep down, both might secretly fancy themselves heroes. Fortunately for them, they happen to be in a Shane Black flick. And it turns out that in a Shane Black flick, heroes don't actually have to be nice at all. With its winding plot, the screenplay hits all the right detective story beats with stylish energy and a killer sense of humor, checking off all of the director's recurring trademarks -- including a missing girl, witty banter, and even a scene set during Christmas. But as involving as the actual narrative is, what really makes 'The Nice Guys' so special, are the guys themselves. Playing off each other beautifully, Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling become an unexpectedly perfect comedic duo, with Crowe taking on the more competent straight(er) man role and Gosling tackling the more overtly foolish part. In fact, Gosling virtually steals the show, displaying a surprising gift for physical comedy with impeccable timing. To this end, most of the film's funniest moments occur when March attempts, but invariably fails, to pull off something slick and cool, with Black sharply undercutting the character's fleeting bravado at every turn. Together, the actor and director turn frequent incompetence and accidental success into comedic brilliance. Coupled with some exciting action scenes and a fun 70s aesthetic, the movie offers laughs and thrills in equal measure, perfectly balancing slapstick, smart dialogue, and genuine noir suspense. Though supplements are disappointingly light, the 5-star video transfer and audio mix are both stellar. One of the most entertaining flicks I've seen all year, this Blu-ray is a clear must own... and stuff. Err, I mean, this Blu-ray is a clear must own. Period. Buy the Blu-ray 'Midnight Run' - How long does it take to get from New York to Los Angeles? Well, if you travel by plane, roughly six hours. If, however, you happen to be traveling by plane and then train and then bus and then stolen car while escorting a seemingly mild-mannered accountant who happens to be wanted by bounty hunters, the mob, and the FBI -- well, it could take considerably longer. A quintessential action comedy led by one of the genre's greatest odd-couple pairings, 'Midnight Run' continues to prove that memorable chemistry, entertaining performances, smart writing, and strong direction are all well worth a little extra travel time. Much like the previous title on this list, the movie's success mostly hinges on the relationship between its two leads -- Robert De Niro as bounty hunter Jack Walsh and Charles Grodin as wanted accountant Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas. And while that might seem like a rather bizarre coupling on paper, the actors' clashing temperaments end up contrasting perfectly, resulting in an effortlessly amusing and increasingly affecting friendship that plays to both performer's strengths. On that note, the filmmakers let their bond slowly evolve over the runtime, peppering in some healthy laughs, solid drama, and potent action scenes as the two attempt to make their way cross-country in one piece. Add in a punchy Danny Elfman score, and fun supporting turns from Joey Pants, Dennis Farina, and Yaphet Kotto, and the movie easily cements itself as a genre classic. With this Collector's Edition Blu-ray from Shout Factory's new "Shout Select" imprint, fans get a new and improved video transfer along with two audio mixes and a nice assortment of supplements. The disc might not carry a $100,000 bounty on its head, but the release still easily makes this month's "most wanted" list, offering an enticing reward for any cinephile. Buy the Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there were many titles worth picking up this August, 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 August's must own titles?Posted Thu Sep 1, 2016 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Bob Clark's 'Black Christmas' Getting Collector's Edition Blu-ray[teaser]The 1974 slasher film will be available in a Collector's Edition this holiday season [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory says 'Black Christmas: Collector's Edition' will hit Blu-ray on December 6. The college town of Bedford is receiving an unwelcome guest this Christmas. As the residents of sorority house Pi Kappa Sigma prepare for the festive season, a stranger begins to stalk the house. A series of obscene phone calls start to plague the residents of the sorority and it becomes clear that a psychopath is homing in on the sisters with dubious intentions. And though the police try to trace the calls, they discover that nothing is as it seems during this Black Christmas. "Stuffed with extremely tense moments, chilling cinematography, amazing characters and long-lasting dread… [this] genuine classic is completely deserving of every bit of respect and admiration it's picked up over the last 40 years" (addictedtohorormovie.com). No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'The Demolisher' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 6.Posted Thu Sep 1, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Unholy Four' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 1970 spaghetti western will ride to the high-definition format later this year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino is working on 'The Unholy Four' for Blu-ray later this year. When a violent gang robs a bank, they also commit arson because the diversion eases their getaway. While the local prison is burning, four of its inmates profit from the general turmoil too. Among the four escapees is Ciakmull, a young man suffering with amnesia, who only remembers about his previous life that he has been home in the town Oxaca. For lack of a better idea all the fugitives go there. It shows that Ciakmull is not forgotten in Oxaca. Lion Udo, the father of one of the bankrobbers, recognises Ciakmull. He, whose clan has a feud with Ciakmull's family, takes advantage of his condition by turning him against his own kin. Before this plan works out, however, Ciakmull is warned on time by one of his fellow fugitives. Soundtrack by Riz Ortolani (Il Sorpasso, Don't Torture a Duckling). No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'The Unholy Four' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Thu Sep 1, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Universal Details 'The Purge: Election Year' Blu-ray[teaser]The latest entry in the 'Purge' franchise will wreak havoc on Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal is preparing 'The Purge: Election Year' for Blu-ray on October 4. It has been two years since Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) stopped himself from a regrettable act of revenge on Purge Night - the 12 hours of lawlessness. This year, the annual ritual comes at the eve of a heated presidential election with the nation deeply divided between those who are pro- and anti-Purge. As head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), Leo's mission is to protect her during her controversial and contested run for president. But when a betrayal forces them onto the streets of Washington, D.C. on the one night when no help is available, they must stay alive or both be sacrificed for their sins against the state. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Deleted Scenes; Inside The Purge - Featurette; and Character Spotlight: Leo - Featurette. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Purge: Election Year' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 4. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Sep 1, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
