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High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: June 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 "merc with a mouth," a classic film noir, and an explosive blockbuster. 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, and May 2016. [teaser]For June, we're covering a classic political satire, a genre-bending suspense film, and a stop-motion anomaly. [/teaser]Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some MAJOR SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in June, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Criterion)' - With the right tone, even the most serious and potentially terrifying subject matter can be funny. In fact, it can be downright hilarious. Using dark humor to brilliantly lampoon and dissect Cold War fears, Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove' remains one of the quintessential examples of this paradoxical cinematic phenomenon, resulting in one of the silver screen's most enduring and enlightening political satires. Using the threat of nuclear annihilation as its backdrop, the film points out the inherent absurdities related to "mutual assured destruction," creating a seemingly ridiculous doomsday scenario that is distressingly plausible within its matter-of-fact insanity. To this end, for much of the runtime, Kubrick mostly plays it straight, both with his aesthetic and even with his tone, implying just the right intonation of sardonic humor to tip the scales into comedy. Visually, the movie employs many stylistic techniques usually more closely associated with dramas, including dramatic low angle shots and extended takes with frequently static shots. In fact, with just a few narrative and performance tweaks, the film could have come across as a genuine thriller -- but instead of playing up the drama, Kubrick highlights the innate contradictions and irrationality of the situation through pitch black comedy. Longer takes, specific cuts, and careful reaction shots help to draw out this subversive humor, perfectly guiding the movie's rhythm as the script gradually escalates once deadly serious conversations into childish lunacy. Peter Seller's emergency phone call with the Soviet premier, Dimitri Kissov, is a perfect example, as the President is forced to assure the sensitive premier that he would indeed call "just to say hello" -- that is, if the world wasn't under the threat of complete destruction. Through subtle juxtapositions that pit serious dangers against mundane problems (one character doesn't have enough change to call the Pentagon to stop the attack) and increasingly absurd behavior, Kubrick crafts a deadpan satire that eventually embraces more overt jabs at farcical comedy -- including a notable appearance from the film's infamous title character. A disturbingly hilarious examination of just how close we could have been to nuclear holocaust during the Cold War, 'Dr. Strangelove' continues to be one of the sharpest satires ever made. With an improved video transfer and a great collection of supplements, this new release from Criterion is now the best version of the movie on Blu-ray, easily earning a spot atop June's essential list. But please, if you're going to drink while watching the film, make sure you have a glass of fresh, distilled water. We still need to protect our precious bodily fluids! Buy the Blu-ray '10 Cloverfield Lane' - What's more dangerous? A potentially crazy man holding you captive… or a full-scale alien invasion? With its genre-bending script and carefully crafted suspense, '10 Cloverfield Lane' presents a film where both men and monsters pose equal threats, creating a nail-biting chamber piece thriller that expands into sci-fi spectacle. As Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) finds herself trapped in an underground bunker with the seemingly polite yet uncomfortably stern Howard (John Goodman), we are at first unsure what to think of the situation. Has the country really been attacked? Or is this would-be savior really just a nut-job abductor? This level of deliberate uncertainty helps to amplify the film's growing tension, casting numerous scenes and interactions under an ambiguous cloud of doubt. To this end, the brunt of the runtime becomes a tense examination of human interaction, control, and abuse, and director Dan Trachtenberg maintains a palpably gripping and moody sense of isolation and mystery. And when more secrets are gradually revealed, we're left wondering whether it's really worse inside with Howard or outside with a potentially deadly airborne gas. Of course, the situation outside turns out to be a bit more "complicated," and just when the movie satisfies its initial ambitions as a powerful yet relatively straight-forward thriller, the third act offers one last jolt to the system. Extending the genre into overt science fiction while loosely tying the narrative into the world of 2008's 'Cloverfield,' the potentially out-of-place (or not so potentially for some viewers) climax somehow feels perfectly at home with what came before, offering an exciting and thematically interesting finale. A psychological thriller about manipulation, preparation, regrets, and second chances, '10 Cloverfield Lane' is a genre flick done right. Tense, well-crafted, and filled with carefully constructed characters, the film plays out like a lost feature length 'Twilight Zone' episode, complete with deep insights into the human condition and a sci-fi twist ending (even if the title's implications do kind of spoil it). This is a perfect watch for any movie night with your friends… or casual evening trapped inside an underground bunker. But if you watch this disc with Howard, just make sure to put it back in its sleeve when you're done. Buy the Blu-ray 'Anomalisa' - Though most Hollywood filmmakers appear content to rehash the same ideas, genres, visual styles, and general types of storytelling modes over and over again, Charlie Kaufman almost seems to go out of his way to avoid the norm. Responsible for helping to craft some of contemporary cinema's most unique films ('Being John Malkovich,' 'Adaptation,' 'Synecdoche, New York'), the writer/director continues to push the medium in new and exciting (and often very bizarre) directions. And with 'Anomalisa,' Kaufman may have come up with his most singular creation yet, turning to a world of miniature puppets to shed light on some very human flaws. Along with co-director Duke Johnson, Kaufman creates a meticulously constructed 1:6 scale world focused on a man, Michael, who can't see or hear other people as unique individuals. But instead of playing toward the inherent strengths of animation or the typical stylistic trappings of stop-motion, the filmmakers deliberately subvert visual expectations by crafting a strikingly realistic aesthetic. Despite the use of puppets and the miniature nature of the sets, Kaufman and Johnson shoot the picture like a live-action feature, employing diffuse lighting, intimate camera angles, close-up cuts, and slow push-ins to engender a paradoxically lifelike image. And helping to breathe life into these once inanimate objects, are the vocal cast's deceptively powerful performances. The trio actually recorded their scenes together in the booth, leading to an atypically naturalistic (for an animated film) cadence to their interactions which fits perfectly with the visuals. David Thewlis brings just the right amount of frustrated boredom, faint arrogance, and deep sadness to Michael, and while some of the character's behavior causes him to become deeply unlikeable in the end, Thewlis' honest and intimate performance manages to maintain some semblance of sympathy for the man. Meanwhile, Jennifer Jason Leigh is understated perfection as Lisa, highlighting the ordinary beauty of her character through spirited vocal work. Of course, Leigh's voice can't help but comes across as extraordinarily special when its juxtaposed against an endless chorus filled with Tom Noonans. And though Noonan's comparatively monotonous voice works great to enhance the movie's examination of identity and ego, the actor also displays surprising versatility -- bringing subtle differences, intonations, and vocal quirks to each and every character he plays. In fact, there were times when I even forgot that he was voicing most of the people on screen. While not the most mainstream effort, this is a truly singular work of art, earning the Blu-ray a well deserved slot on this month's list. Wholly unique, deeply moving, and genuinely thought-provoking, 'Anomalisa' uses an artificial world to probe deep into the human condition, finding a greater level of emotional truth through puppets than most Hollywood movies can find with actual flesh-and-blood actors. Buy the Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there were many titles worth picking up this June, 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 June's must own titles?Posted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Basket Case 2' & 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The comedy horror sequels are heading to Blu-ray in August.[/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Synapse Films is preparing 'Basket Case 2' & 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' for Blu-ray on August 9. 'Basket Case 2' - Duane Bradley and his surgically-separated twin brother Belial return in this frightfully gory follow-up to Frank Henenlotter’s original monster movie classic, BASKET CASE. After surviving a fall from a hospital window, the two brothers become media targets. Duane’s aunt, Granny Ruth (played by world-famous Jazz singer Annie Ross), whisks the duo away to a secluded mansion, where other freaks-in-hiding live out their days away from public scrutiny. When a snooping tabloid reporter finds the location of the mutants, Duane and his new family must stand together to keep their freedom a secret. And, in all the chaos, Belial might actually find true love! Synapse Films is proud to present BASKET CASE 2 in a beautiful high-definition transfer from the original 35mm camera negative. Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: THE MAN IN THE MOON MASK – Interview with "Half Moon" actor, David Emge; BEYOND THE WICKER – Behind-the-Scenes Featurette from Special Effects Makeup Artist, Gabe Bartalos; and Reversible Cover art with newly commissioned front piece by Joel Robinson. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.95. Order the Blu-ray 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' - He’s back. He’s bad. And, he’s a dad! Belial, everyone’s favorite beast-in-a-basket, is back in this sensational third film in the wildly macabre BASKET CASE horror series. After being separated again from his conjoined twin brother Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck), Belial finds out he’s going to be a deformed daddy! Mrs. Belial (“Eve”, played by Denise Coop) delivers a litter of bouncing baby monsters, but the blessed event turns into a nightmarish ordeal when the police kidnap the little critters. They should know it’s not safe to anger Belial! Attacking the cops in a climactic, gory rampage, everyone’s favorite mutant mauler stops at nothing to get his newborns back! Synapse Films is proud to present BASKET CASE 3: THE PROGENY in a beautiful high-definition transfer from original 35mm vault materials Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Original Theatrical Trailer; and Reversible Cover art with newly commissioned front piece by Joel Robinson. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.95. Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for 'Basket Case 2' & 'Basket Case 3: The Progeny' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under August 9.Posted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Radu Jude's 'Aferim!' Rides to Blu-ray[teaser]The adventure film starring Teodor Corban is now available on Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an announcement to retailers, Big World Pictures has released 'Aferim!' on Blu-ray. Eastern Europe, 1835. Two riders cross a barren landscape in the middle of Wallachia. They are the gendarme Costandin and his son. Together they are searching for a gypsy slave who has run away from his nobleman master and is suspected of having an affair with the noble's wife. While the unflappable Costandin comments on every situation with a cheery aphorism, his son takes a more contemplative view of the world. On their odyssey they encounter people of different nationalities and beliefs: Turks and Russians, Christians and Jews, Romanians and Hungarians. Each harbors prejudices against the others which have been passed down from generation to generation. And even when the slave Carfin is found, the adventure is far from over... Radu Jude's third feature has been aptly compared to films as diverse as THE SEARCHERS, THE LAST DETAIL and PULP FICTION (the latter for its rambling, coarse and endlessly entertaining dialogues), but the film is ultimately a moving parable about late-feudal Europe developed from historical documents and songs: its power structures and hierarchies, people's ideas of themselves and others, interaction with minorities and the resulting conflicts. A Balkan Western in black-and-white that brings the cacophony of the times strikingly to life and explores the thematic arcs that stretch into the present. Jude, whose previous feature films (THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD and EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY) received accolades at numerous festivals in Europe and the US, is also known for a string of prize-winning short films, including THE TUBE WITH A HAT (2006), which took the top prize at Sundance and 15 other awards at festivals around the world. AFERIM! was produced by Ada Solomon's Hi Film, which also produced Golden Bear winner CHILD'S POSE (2013). Specs have not been detailed, but supplements include: Radu Jude's 23-minute short film, 'THE TUBE WITH A HAT.' Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Aferim!' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 28. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' Blu-ray & Blu-ray 3D up for Pre-Order![teaser]Cowabunga! The turtles will return to Blu-ray later this year.[/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is preparing 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D. A special 'Gift Set' including the 2D Blu-ray, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014),' a Collectible Metal Turtle Truck Lunchbox, and 2 Double-sided Ninja Masks (all four turtle colors) will also be available. Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael are back to battle bigger, badder villains, alongside April O’Neil (Megan Fox), Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett), and a newcomer: the hockey-masked vigilante Casey Jones (Stephen Amell). After supervillain Shredder escapes custody, he joins forces with mad scientist Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) and two dimwitted henchmen, Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (WWE Superstar Stephen "Sheamus" Farrelly), to unleash a diabolical plan to take over the world. As the Turtles prepare to take on Shredder and his new crew, they find themselves facing an even greater evil with similar intentions: the notorious Krang. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo pack is $39.99. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo pack is $29.96. Suggested list price for the Gift Set is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray 3D Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Warner Bros. Announces 'Shameless: The Complete Sixth Season' for Blu-ray[teaser]The sixth season of the Showtime series will hit Blu-ray in August. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Bros. is preparing 'Shameless: The Complete Sixth Season' for Blu-ray on August 30. Scrappy, stubborn and strong, the Gallaghers are tested by changing times, but Season Six finds them older, wiser… and better at playing the system. The new season picks up a few months after last year’s finale, as the Gallaghers prepare for yet another long Chicago winter. Frank is still mourning the loss of Bianca, while his newfound appreciation for life is freaking the Gallaghers out. This season sees more than just the arctic Lake Michigan winds whipping through the Southside. Carl’s out of juvie. While Fiona struggles with a still-unstable Ian to take his meds, she’s also got another situation looming as Debbie faces a brand new baby-mama-drama. Change is hard and the Gallaghers are as surprised as anyone at how life is turning out for them. But the question remains – as they come into their own and find out who they really are – is it really possible that the Gallaghers could grow apart for good? Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Running The Table: A Shameless Conversation (Featurette); Shamelessly Shanola (Featurette);and Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Shameless: The Complete Sixth Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 30. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Larry Hagman's 'Beware! The Blob' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]"The film J.R. shot" is coming to Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino will be releasing 'Beware! The Blob' on Blu-ray on September 20. Newly Re-mastered in HD! The Blob returns... more outrageous than ever in this 1972 sequel to the popular sci-fi classic! Plenty of familiar faces, including Robert Walker Jr. (Ensign Pulver), Larry Hagman (Dallas), Sid Haig (Busting), Burgess Meredith (Rocky), Dick Van Patten (Eight is Enough), Godfrey Cambridge (Cotton Comes to Harlem), Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley), Carole Lynley (The Poseidon Adventure), Gerrit Graham (Used Cars) and Shelley Berman (You Don t Mess with the Zohan) add to the fun. A geologist (Cambridge) unwittingly brings home an unusual frozen piece of debris from the North Pole. But when it accidentally thaws, the hungrier-than-ever Blob comes to life again, consuming nearly everyone in its path and terrorizing the town. No one is safe as it crawls into a bowling alley, oozes its way across an ice rink, becoming grotesquely bloated with the blood of its victims... can this bizarre creature ever be stopped? TV legend Larry Hagman directed this cult classic, the only feature film he ever directed upon its 1980s re-release, the film was tagged "The Film that J.R. Shot!" Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: Audio Commentary by Film Historian Richard Harland Smith; Alternate Title Sequence; and Trailers. You can find the latest specs for 'Beware! The Blob' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 20. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Big Bang Theory: Season 9' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The latest season of the hit CBS comedy is coming to Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Bros. is preparing 'The Big Bang Theory: Season 9' for Blu-ray on September 13. 'The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season' - which returns to CBS this fall with its tenth season - continues the saga of Leonard and Sheldon, two genius roommates who are brilliant in the lab, but socially challenged outside of it. In Season Nine, Sheldon embarks on some soul-searching adventures, no doubt entailing substantial revisions to his Relationship Agreement with neurobiologist Amy. Meanwhile, Leonard and Penny tie the knot in Las Vegas...but how this will affect the Roommate Agreement with Sheldon is anyone's guess. Meanwhile, Howard and his wife, Bernadette, are living alone in his mother's house (but not for long!), and Raj is not only able to talk with women - but finds the challenges of getting exclusive with only one, Emily (Laura Spencer). With unexpected plot twists, celebrity guest appearances, and moments of social awkwardness that often stimulate an involuntary laugh reflex, The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season successfully melds the worlds of sitcom and science into a series that has captured the hearts of fans all over the country, and the world. The Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: The Big Bang Theory Gives Back; BBT: The Big 200!; Love IS Rocket Science; #Just Ask BBT: If I Had To Go To Mars...; #Just Ask BBT: Who Will Get The Couch?; 2015 Comic-Con Panel; and Gag Reel. Suggested list price for the 2-Disc Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Big Bang Theory: Season 9' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 13. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 28, 2016 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Matteo Garrone's 'Tale of Tales' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The acclaimed fantasy horror film is headed for Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Shout Factory is working on 'Tale of Tales' for Blu-ray on September 6. A rich sensory experience featuring exquisite cinematography and a score by Academy Award™-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, Tale of Tales interweaves three enchanting sagas about universal themes of life, death and love. Overflowing with surreal, dazzling surprises, this intoxicating cinematic spectacle is a delirious excursion into the dark heart of fairy tales. In the kingdom of Longtrellis, the King (John C. Reilly) and his Queen (Salma Hayek) attempt to conceive a child through very unusual means. Meanwhile, in Highhills, the none-too-bright monarch (Toby Jones) marries his daughter off to a brutal ogre while developing a strange obsession with breeding a giant flea. At the same time, the sex-obsessed ruler of Strongcliff (Vincent Cassel) is in for a shock when the woman with whom he falls in love is not quite what she seems. specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: The Making of Tale of Tales and a Theatrical Trailer. You can find the latest specs for 'Tale of Tales' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 6. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The animated adventure will be summoned to Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Shout Factory says 'Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom' will be available on Blu-ray on September 27. After visiting his father in Arkham Sanitarium, young Howard Lovecraft accidentally uses the legendary Necronomicon to open a portal to a strange frozen world filled with horrifying creatures and a great adventure. No other details have been released at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 27. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 28, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Girlfriend Experience' TV Series Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The series based on Steven Soderbergh's film arrives on Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay says 'The Girlfriend Experience: Season One' will be available on Blu-ray on August 2. Christine Reade (Riley Keough) is a second year student at Chicago-Burnham Law School, and a new intern at a prestigious firm. Working hard to establish herself at the firm, her focus quickly shifts when a classmate introduces her to the world of transactional relationships. Known as GFEs, they are women who provide "The Girlfriend Experience" - emotional and sexual relationships at a very high price. Juggling two very different lives, Christine quickly finds herself drawn into the GFE world, attracted to the rush of control and intimacy. You can find the latest specs for 'The Girlfriend Experience: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 2. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 28, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
