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IFC Films Dates 'The Lovers' & 'The Pact II' for Blu-ray[teaser]The studio has revealed two new Blu-ray releases for July. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, IFC Films is preparing 'The Lovers' and 'The Pact II' for Blu-ray on July 7. 'The Lovers' - Unfolding across multiple centuries and continents, this breathtaking epic time travels to 18th century India and beyond to tell a sweeping saga of treachery, betrayal, and a love that defied all boundaries. Josh Hartnett stars as present-day marine archaeologist Jay Fennel who, following a diving accident while rescuing his wife, is left brain dead. In his comatose dream state, Fennel is transported to India circa 1778, where a young British captain (also played by Hartnett) embarks on a life-threatening mission and a steamy romance with a female warrior (Bollywood superstar Bipasha Basu). Oscar-nominated director Roland Joffé helms this exhilarating action adventure. Order the Blu-ray 'The Pact II' - Picking up only a few weeks after the events in the new horror classic The Pact left off, this stunning sequel finds June Abbott (Camilla Luddington, Grey's Anatomy) plagued by nightmares of murder so awful that they disturb her waking life. Meanwhile, a copycat of the Judas Killer has been terrorizing her neighborhood, and when the FBI agent assigned to the case informs her of the danger, June is horrified to discover that the actions of this new killer mirror the bloody visions she's been having in her sleep. Determined to pursue her own investigation even while her grip on reality weakens, June sets off on a quest that may lead her to the horrifying truth of the Judas Killer's master plan. Order the Blu-ray Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for both titles linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under July 7.Posted Tue Jun 30, 2015 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Rupert Goold's 'True Story' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The drama starring James Franco and Jonah Hill is now available for pre-order. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'True Story' for Blu-ray on August 4. ACADEMY AWARD® Nominees James Franco and Jonah Hill* star in this mesmerizing thriller from cowriter-director Rupert Goold, based on a chilling real-life story. After journalist Michael Finkel (Hill) is fired from The New York Times for embellishing a story, he learns that accused murderer Christian Longo (Franco) has been claiming to be him. Hoping this story will save his career, Finkel begins interviewing Longo in prison. But soon, the men find themselves in an eerie game of cat and mouse in this psychological drama that also stars OSCAR® Nominee Felicity Jone The Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Alternate Ending; Deleted Scenes; Mike Finkel Featurette; Who is Christian Longo?; The Truth Behind True Story; The Making of True Story; Audio Commentary by Director Rupert Goold; and Gallery. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $27.99. You can find the latest specs for 'True Story' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 4. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Top Five Dolby Atmos Demos: 'The Gunman'In our continued series aimed at delivering you the best Dolby Atmos demos, let's roll our sleeves up and breakdown the format's latest Blu-ray disc. Starring Sean Penn and Javier Bardem, with cameos by Ray Winstone and Idris Elba, 'The Gunman' is an old fashioned political thriller about black ops assassin Jim Terrier (Penn) who must confront his past in order to find out who wants him dead. This film features an engaging and immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack with numerous shootouts, explosions, and some interesting subjective-POV audio sequences BEST SOUND EFFECT The AssassinationChapter 3: 00:12:31 - 00:13:35 This movie's called 'The Gunman' for a reason. The black ops assassin is called to do his job: shoot a man in a moving car at an impossible distance. The moment the call his made, the op a go, music filters into the overhead channels and the movie ramps up the tension. The audience desperately anticipating the moment Jim Terrier pulls the trigger. When it comes, it sounds much less like a single bullet, and more like an artillery shell arcing across a battlefield. We get the initial thunder of the gun shot, followed by the a very specific bullet which pans from left to center (also over our heads), and landing with a deafening, glass shattering thud. It's an impressive sequence and a great sound effect. BEST DOLBY ATMOS MOMENT The FlyoverChapter 2: 00:06:07 - 00:06:21 A quickie, but a goodie for those who want to demonstrate their height channels and the biggest difference between Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and Dolby Atmos. In a fun transition moment, we cut from a brightly lit bedroom to a night-soaked jungle as an aircraft flies over the audience from the back of the sound field to the front. It might be a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but this flyover reminds me of the early version of Dolby Atmos tested at the Dolby Labs "sandbox" -- it's an all-encompassing sound effect that is extremely lifelike and immersive. BEST SUBJECTIVE CHARACTER POV Are You Alright?Chapter 7: 00:30:30 - 00:31:15 Great audio is about more than bullets and booms; it's about supporting the story. In 'The Gunman', Jim Terrier suffers from head trauma that manifests itself as a ringing headache and visuals that fall somewhere between passing out and hallucination. For this demo, we get a combination of swirling ear-ringing which tears around the soundscape, followed by deep LFE-distorted vocal intonations and a thumping MRI machine. This sequence is not only great for character, for being fully in Jim Terrier's shoes, but it also offers wonderful dynamic range. BEST EXPLOSION The Hotel BoobytrapChapter 14: 01:10:30 - 01:12:31 Our protagonist Jim Terrier is a hunted man. Sneaking back into his hotel room, he finds it rigged with explosives and assassins watching him from across the street. Now's the time for Jim to set his own trap, to lure his enemies to their deaths. This fun sequence builds sonically, adding suspense with musical score, the audience hoping Jim can set the trap in time (and not kill himself in the process). Finally, the big pay off... A wonderfully nuanced and complex explosion that ping pongs around side and rear channels before the sequence ends with a smattering of debris sprinkling downwards. It's all very dynamic. Very subtle. And very specific. BEST SHOOTOUT Then We Have Nothing to Talk About.Chapter 16: 01:28:00 - 01:29:30 In the film's second act climax, Jim finds himself alone and underground with the man who tried to have him killed. With nothing left to say, the first gunshot goes off, attracting Henchmen who unleash auditory hell, chasing Jim around in a series of underground tunnels. Gunshots are always great for testing your speakers' ability to reproduce lifelike sounds because they're percussive and sharp and cover a range of different frequencies. 'The Gunman', again living up to its own title, offers excellent-sounding weapon fire as well as articulate panning and placement as this shootout climaxes. BONUS DEMO -- keep this scene running until 01:31:17. The shootout ends and is replaced with a cat n' most chase. It's more subtle, populated by dripping water and echoing footsteps, and culminates in another one of Jim's subjective POV head trauma / ears ringing sequences. ~~~ There we have it. The Top Five Dolby Atmos Demos for 'The Gunman'. What are some of your favorite Blu-ray demos? Let us know in the comments below.Posted Tue Jun 30, 2015 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: June 2015Every 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 biopic about a gangster, a biopic about a civil rights leader, and a biopic about an American soldier. 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, and May 2015. [teaser]For June, we're covering a groundbreaking TV series, a fantastical animated adventure, and an action-packed spy flick. [/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in June, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'The Wire" The Complete Series' - Cops and robbers. They're tried and true stock television characters -- fodder for endless detective procedurals and sensational action series. As seen on most TV shows, these two sides of the law are clearly delineated by black and white distinctions of right and wrong. The police are the heroes, and the criminals are the bad guys, and there's little in between the two besides a string of whizzing bullets. Thankfully, HBO's 'The Wire' is not most shows. Through its masterful five season run, the series shines a light on one city's social, economic, and political struggles, turning every cop, robber, politician, addict, lawyer, teacher, blue-collar worker, and reporter into an actual human being -- complete with complicated motivations, sympathetic hardships, and devastating flaws, tapping a cinematic wire right into the heartbeat of Baltimore. Led by David Simon, the writers craft an unprecedented sense of realism while still creating an utterly riveting story. Every nook and cranny of the city is examined, drawing an intricate portrait of the systematic failings of government and society. The series carries the depth and texture of a novel, allowing every episode to build the plot, weaving a larger narrative that unfolds over five years. Each season takes on a new socio-economic topic while still organically evolving the central story and core group of characters introduced in episode one. From the drug trade on the streets, to political corruption in city hall, to the public school system, and the news media covering it all, 'The Wire' tackles every cog in the machine, putting a tragically human face on each piece of the puzzle. Since the show finished its run in 2008, the series has been universally praised to such a seemingly unrealistic degree by various critics, that I was actually dreading writing about it. After all, there really is nothing left to say that hasn't already been said. Every bit of hyperbolic praise is warranted, and then some. Though there is some controversy regarding the aspect ratio change on these discs, creator David Simon seems to be (mostly) satisfied with the high-def results (click here for a lengthy discussion about the trade-offs involved with the switch to 16:9 from the man himself). For all intents and purposes, this is the Blu-ray set that fans have been waiting years for. In fact, this is not only the month's absolute top must own title, it's one of the format's most essential releases period, and one of the small screen's greatest achievements. This is a series so good that it can legitimately commandeer HBO's famous slogan purely for itself. It's not TV… it's 'The Wire.' Buy the Blu-ray 'Spirited Away' - Though I've come across snippets of his work here and there, before sitting down to watch 'Spirited Away' this month, I had never actually seen a Hayao Miyazaki film all the way through. I know… it's motion picture blasphemy, right? But believe me, I wasn't proud of this fact, and now that I've finally watched one of the great director's animated masterpieces, I'm even more ashamed that it's taken this long. Filled with an unbridled sense of imagination and an effortless air of magic, the movie offers a stirring adventure marked by heartfelt storytelling and bustling personality, easily rivaling anything a certain mouse-eared studio has ever produced. Using classic fairy tale conventions as his jumping off point, the director takes us down the rabbit hole, transporting the film's frightened young protagonist, Chihiro, into a spirit world full of dangers and wonders. As she is forced to navigate these uncharted (and potentially living) waters, Chihiro slowly grows as a person, overcoming her fears through inner strength and the bonds of love and friendship. At its core, it's really a very simple and familiar tale -- but the particulars of Miyazaki's approach are wonderfully unique. The movie carries a slightly atypical episodic rhythm and an increasingly fun and inventive mythology, creating a gradually fleshed out universe of gods, demons, witches, spirits, dragons, and monsters that remains easily approachable yet still distinctly Japanese. And to realize all of the story's overflowing creativity, the movie employs an utterly breathtaking animation style. Packed with an exquisite attention to detail, every frame of the runtime is worthy of being hung on a wall. Each character and location is brimming with unique personality, bringing a fantastic level of emotion to their movements and faces. Though subtitles or a dubbed track are of course essential for fully appreciating the narrative, the animation is so captivating and expressive on its own, that the movie would likely remain engrossing even with the audio on mute. But then you'd be missing out on the amazing sound design work, and charming vocal performances, and stirring music, and…Thanks to 'Spirited Away,' I now feel like my eyes have been opened up to an entirely new world of animation, and like a certain no-faced spirit, I'm hungry for more. Very hungry. With exceptional video, audio, and supplements, this Blu-ray release is top-notch all across the board, making it an easy buy for any fan of fantasy storytelling. A family film suitable for all ages, this really is a true gem of the medium. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got an entire decades-spanning backlog of Miyazaki classics I need to watch. Buy the Blu-ray 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' - In his 2010 comic book movie, 'Kick-Ass,' director Mathew Vaughn adapted a Mark Millar graphic novel into a subversive, postmodern, action-packed superhero flick that twisted the genre in amusingly fun (and violent) ways. In his 2014 spy movie, 'Kingsman: The Secret Service,' the filmmaker does the exact same thing, but this time for the espionage genre… and the results might actually be even more entertaining. Funny, exciting, and marked by a biting satirical edge, the movie offers a 21st Century spin on retro Bond conventions, fully bringing 007 into the smartphone era.'Love Actually,' 'Pride and Prejudice,' 'Nanny McPhee,' 'Bridget Jones's Diary,' and 'Mamma Mia!' These are all films that feature actor Colin Firth, and while they are all perfectly fine movies… none of them particularly scream "action star." And yet, in 'Kingsman' that's exactly what Firth becomes. Yes, that's right. That charming Brit from all those rom-coms your mom loves so much can actually kick some ass -- and he always manages to look rather classy while doing it. Seriously, the man impales someone and still comes off like a gentleman. And much more than just a vehicle for Colin Firth's surprisingly impressive physical prowess, the film is also home to Samuel L. Jackson talking with a lisp, a deadly henchwoman with blades for legs, exploding heads, an adorable pug, tailored suits, and tons of spy gadgets. Really, what more could a genre movie fan need? What's that? You want Mark Hamill? Fine, here's here too!Every year the industry becomes more and more crowded with comic book adaptations, and though I've become increasingly jaded by these sometimes lazy efforts, 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' is the real deal through and through. For those squeamish to violence, this might not be your particular cup of tea, but this is easily one of June's coolest Blu-ray releases. Thanks to an engaging ensemble, fantastic action sequences, and clever writing that is both juvenile and sophisticated all at once, I'm now genuinely excited for this flick to launch a full franchise of sequels… even if bad-ass Colin Firth will have to sit future installments out. But even if his time in the 'Kingsman' universe is up, I really hope the actor takes a cue from Liam Neeson and decides to keep punching things on screen. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do. 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 Tue Jun 30, 2015 at 08:01 AM PDT by: -
'I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 2' Blu-ray Delayed[teaser]The second season of the classic TV series will now arrive on Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] Previously, Paramount stated that they were planning to release 'I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 2' on Blu-ray on July 14, but now the date has been changed to August 4. There's more to love on Blu-ray! You've loved and laughed at Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel for years - but you've never seen I Love Lucy like this on glorious high-definition Blu-ray. Highly collectible Blu-ray set! Includes every episode from the second season, beautifully restored in high definition, in original night-of-broadcast form with original sponsor openings and closings. The five disc set will include: Audio commentary on the classic "Job Switching" (aka "Chocolate Factory") episode. A newly-colorized version of "Job Switching." Scenes from "Stars in the Eye," a CBS special from November, 1952, featuring the I Love Lucy cast. An I Love Lucy comedy sketch originally presented on "The Red Skelton Show" from May, 1953. A French-Canadian version of "Job Switching," including unique opening and closing graphics and French-Canadian audio track. Special gloss packaging; this makes the perfect gift for any classic TV fan! You can find the latest specs for 'I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 2' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under August 4. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 30, 2015 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Prepare to Ask 'Do You Believe?' on Blu-ray in August[teaser]The Christian drama is now available for pre-order. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Pure Flix Entertainment is preparing 'Do You Believe?' for Blu-ray on August 4. A dozen different souls-all moving in different directions, all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the Cross of Christ ... even if they don't yet believe it. When a local pastor is shaken to the core by the visible faith of an old street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a faith-fueled journey that powerfully impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate. More than a movie, it's a question we all must answer in our lifetimes: DO YOU BELIEVE? Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Do You Believe?' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 4. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 30, 2015 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Attends 'Terminator Genisys' Premiere at the Dolby TheatreCourtesy of our good friends at Dolby Laboratories, [teaser]HDD was lucky enough to score tickets to last night's Los Angeles 'Terminator Genisys' premiere[/teaser] where, for the sake of unbiased journalism, I enjoyed complimentary appetizers, single malt scotch, stale popcorn, orchestra level seating, after party appetizers, and a St. Pauli Girl lager beer. Stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, and Jai Courtney were on hand to walk the red carpet and celebrate. I personally never saw any of them. But I was sitting a few rows in front of Sylvester Stallone, who likely caught me stealing a selfie with him, and directly behind Robert Rodriguez. My Geekdar was pinging pretty hard. The Movie Itself I'll leave the full review to our in-house theatrical critic, but I have to say I really enjoyed this fifth entry into the 'Terminator' franchise. Sure, the bar is set enormously high, but if you keep an open mind and even expectations, there's a lot of fun to be had. 'Terminator Genisys' plays as equal parts sequel and reboot to the first two 'Terminator' films, taking place inside and around those timelines. It begins in the future, post Judgement Day, with Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) and John Conner (Jason Clarke) leading the rebellion against Skynet and the machines. And even though they succeed in defeating Skynet, the machines manage to send a Terminator back in time to kill Conner's mother, Sarah (Emilia Clarke). For those keeping score, that's the original Terminator from the original 1984 flick. So, as we'd expect, John Conner taps Kyle Reese to also go back to 1984 to save Sarah Conner so John Conner can be born and lead the human rebellion to the machines. All sounds familiar, right? Right. But, when Reese arrives in 1984, everything has already changed. There's an asian T-1000 liquid metal terminator waiting to kill him and Sarah Conner is no longer the every-woman waitress in need of saving. She's already morphed into a T2-esque badass warrior ready to stop Judgement Day. How? She's been living with another (good) Terminator (current age Arnold Schwarzenegger) since she was nine years old. She's grown up trusting, and even loving, her Terminator. Sarah Conner, Kyle Reese, and the Terminator must now set out to destroy Skynet before it's ever been created. They've even built their own time machine. But since things have changed so much, Skynet no longer wakes in 1997, so the must travel to 2017 where the movie throws out one more epic twist. You've probably seen it in the trailers and TV spots, but I won't spoil it here. Suffice to say, the movie makes a bold choice with its new Antagonist Terminator character, one that I've been skeptical about, but overall works quite well. Aside from some wonky, weightless CGI set-pieces (oddly enough, the action isn't the film's strongest suit), this new 'Terminator' is a blast. There are unexpected twists, grounded character thematics, and lots of humor that doesn't undercut the tension. Arnold loves one-liners still, but the best character gags go to JK Simmons, who plays an older version of a young cop who has been waiting 30-plus years to find out the truth behind the crazy events back in 1984. I would also argue that 'Genisys' takes a little while to settle into its new rhythms, and could use more moral complexity ala T2 as well as little more investigation to what our heroes goals ultimately needed to be (there's a little too much dream-help answers here), but the movie threads a fine line between remake and reboot. I would say if the 'Star Trek' reboot worked for you, 'Genisys' is equally successful. And, for the first time since Skydance took over the franchise, I'm intrigued to see where the filmmakers go next. Dual 4K Dolby 3D Projection The Dolby Theatre is the home of the Academy Awards, not a traditional cinema, but man the folks at Dolby seem to have really figured out how to get maximum visual and audio out of this auditorium. While not Dolby Vision, we were treated to a dual-4K Dolby 3D projection system. The filmmakers were so exacting in their recreation of certain 1984 locations, sometimes it felt like they were using the original footage... even though there's no way it could look this good (also, the new film has a wider aspect ratio than the original). The 3D was deep and clear. No signs of cross talk or other issues. It offered up that wonderful window-into-another-world sensation with deep black levels and almost no noise. Day time sequences were also colorful and bright, though this title could have used high dynamic range to help properly expose skies, which are sometimes blown out. The only issues were some special effects shots that just felt weightless. Example: pay special attention to the Golden Gate Bridge set-piece. One gag involves Terminator-Arnold getting thrown under a bus where he rolls and crashes into a police car. It looks awful and fake. A moment later the bus itself flips over and cartwheels. This gag either involved a real bus, model bus, or the CGI work is perfect trickery. Who knows. I only wish, ala 'Mad Max Fury Road' more in-camera work had been completed; it really helps engage viewers. Overall, 'Terminator Genisys' looks fantastic and should translate well to Blu-ray and, dare we dream, 4K Blu-ray. Dolby Atmos Audio Last week I had the opportunity to review 'The Gunman' on Blu-ray, which was a pretty good audio track, but never fully embraced Atmos' capabilities. 'Terminator Genisys', my friends, is what happens when you do Dolby Atmos right. It's no surprise that 'Terminator Genisys' is bombastic and filled with all sorts of (nuclear-sized) explosions. But there's so much Dolby Atmos pinpoint specification on hand, it really makes all the environments feel lifelike. It's incredible to remember a soundtrack like this one couldn't exist only a couple short years ago. I normally take notes to call out certain audio moments, but as it was a public screening, that wasn't an option. However, keep an ear out for the 2017 hospital sequence and the Golden Gate bridge set-piece. Both offer some really fun height-encoded objects like footsteps walking overhead. There's also an incredibly immersive helicopter chase. If you're planning to see 'Terminator Genisys' in cinemas, definitely try to see it in an Atmos-equipped auditorium. And hopefully the home entertainment gods will encode this Blu-ray in Atmos as well. It's definitely demo material. After Party As soon as the credits rolled, the audience flooded out of the Dolby Theatre and across the street to the legendary Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Tropicana Bar. Guests were able to get their mugshots taken (it's a scene from the movie) and enjoy appetizers and an open bar. Strangely enough, there was even a 'Terminator Genisys' theme wall of donuts...because why not. It might not have matched, but the donuts themselves were tasty. As the sun set over Hollywood, ushering in a sky of crimson and purple, I couldn't help but take a moment to feel so thankful to Dolby for including us. It was a fun and festive evening in support of a movie that but goes a long way to restore a popular franchise to its earlier roots.Posted Mon Jun 29, 2015 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Criterion's September Blu-ray Titles Now Available for Pre-Order![teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of September releases, including Wes Anderson's 'Moonrise Kingdom' and James Ivory's 'A Room with a View.' [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing 'Blind Chance,' 'Mister Johnson,' 'Moonrise Kingdom,' 'Breaker Morant,' 'The Honeymoon Killers,' and 'A Room with a View' for Blu-ray throughout the month of September. 'Blind Chance' (September 15) - Before he stunned the cinematic world with the epic 'The Decalogue' and the 'Three Colors' trilogy, the great Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski made his first work of metaphysical genius, Blind Chance, a compelling drama about the difficulty of reconciling political ideals with personal happiness. This unforgettable film follows Witek (a magnetic Boguslaw Linda), a medical student with an uncertain future in Communist Poland; Kie?lowski dramatizes Witek’s journey as a series of different possibilities, suggesting that chance rules our lives as much as choice. First suppressed and then censored by the Polish government, 'Blind Chance' is here presented in its complete original form. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed Polish mono soundtrack, and supplements will include:New interview with Polish film critic Tadeusz Sobolewski; Interview with director Agnieszka Holland from 2003; Nine sections from the film originally censored by the Central Film Board in Poland; PLUS: An essay by film critic Dennis Lim and a 1993 interview about the film with director Krzysztof Kieslowski. Order the Blu-ray 'Breaker Morant' (September 22) - At the turn of the twentieth century, three Australian army lieutenants are court-martialed for alleged war crimes committed while fighting in South Africa. With no time to prepare, an Australian major, appointed as defense attorney, must prove they were just following the rules of war and are being made into political pawns by the British imperial command. Director Bruce Beresford garnered international acclaim for this riveting drama set during a dark period in his country’s colonial history, and featuring passionate performances by Edward Woodward, Bryan Brown, and Jack Thompson; rugged cinematography by Donald McAlpine; and an Oscar-nominated script, based on true events. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed English mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio commentary featuring Beresford from 2004; New interviews with Beresford, cinematographer Donald McAlpine, and actor Bryan Brown; Interview with actor Edward Woodward from 2004; New piece about the Boer War with historian Stephen Miller; 1974 documentary The Breaker, profiling the real Harry "Breaker" Morant, plus a 2010 statement by its director, Frank Shields; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by film scholar Neil Sinyard. Order the Blu-ray 'Mister Johnson' (September 22) - A decade after he broke through with 'Breaker Morant,' Australian director Bruce Beresford made another acclaimed film about the effects of colonialism on the individual. In a performance that earned him the Berlin Film Festival’s Silver Bear for best actor, Maynard Eziashi plays the title character, a Nigerian villager eager to work as a civil servant for the British authorities, including a sympathetic district officer (Pierce Brosnan), in the hopes that it will benefit him in the future. Instead, his ambition leads to his tragic downfall. 'Mister Johnson,' based on a 1939 novel by Joyce Cary, is a graceful, heartfelt drama about the limits of idealism, affectingly acted and handsomely shot. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed English mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: New video interviews with Beresford, producer Michael Fitzgerald, and actors Maynard Eziashi and Pierce Brosnan; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by film scholar Neil Sinyard. Order the Blu-ray 'Moonrise Kingdom' (September 22, delayed from July 21) - An island off the New England coast, summer of 1965. Two twelve-year-olds, Sam and Suzy, fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As local authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing offshore . . . Wes Anderson's 'Moonrise Kingdom' stars Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as the young couple on the run, Bruce Willis as Island Police Captain Sharp, Edward Norton as Khaki Scout troop leader Scout Master Ward, and Bill Murray and Frances McDormand as Suzy's attorney parents, Walt and Laura Bishop. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Bob Balaban. The magical soundtrack features the music of Benjamin Britten. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio commentary featuring Anderson, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, and Roman Coppola; Selected-scene storyboard animatics; Interviews with cast and crew; Exploring the Set of "Moonrise Kingdom," an original documentary about the film; Norton's home movies from the set; Behind-the-scenes, special effects, and test footage; Auditions; Trailer; More!; PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien, a map of New Penzance Island and other ephemera. Order the Blu-ray 'A Room with a View' (September 29) - Merchant Ivory Productions, led by director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant, became a household name with 'A Room with a View,' the first of their extraordinary adaptations of E. M. Forster novels. A cherubic nineteen-year-old Helena Bonham Carter plays Lucy Honeychurch, a young, independent-minded, upper-class Edwardian woman who is trying to sort out her burgeoning romantic feelings, divided between an enigmatic free spirit (Julian Sands) she meets on vacation in Florence and the priggish bookworm (Daniel Day-Lewis) to whom she becomes engaged back in the more corseted Surrey. Funny, sexy, and sophisticated, this gargantuan art-house hit features a sublime supporting cast—including Simon Callow, Judi Dench, Denholm Elliott, Maggie Smith—and remains a touchstone of intelligent romantic cinema. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an English DTS-HD MA 2.0 surround soundtrack, and supplements will include: New interviews with director James Ivory, Pierce-Roberts, costume designer John Bright, and actors Helena Bonham Carter, Simon Callow, and Julian Sands; Segment about Merchant Ivory Productions from a 1987 NBC television program; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by film critic Farran Smith Nehme. Order the Blu-ray 'The Honeymoon Killers' (September 29) - Martha Beck (Shirley Stoler) is sullen, overweight, and lonely. Desperate for affection, she joins Aunt Carrie’s Friendship Club and strikes up a correspondence with Ray Fernandez (Tony Lo Bianco), a charismatic smooth talker who could be the man of her dreams—or a degenerate con artist. Based on a shocking true story and filmed in documentary-style black and white by the confident and inspired first-time filmmaker Leonard Kastle, 'The Honeymoon Killers' is a stark portrayal of the desperate lengths to which a lonely heart will go to find true love. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed English mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: New interview program featuring actors Tony Lo Bianco and Marilyn Chris and editor Stan Warnow; Interview with writer-director Leonard Kastle from 2003; "Dear Martha," a new video essay by writer Scott Christianson, author of Condemned: Inside the Sing Sing Death House; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by critic Gary Giddins. Order the Blu-ray Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout September.Posted Mon Jun 29, 2015 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
'Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The stop-motion movie featuring a voice cast that includes Jim Parsons, Mark Hamill, Kate Micucci and Ed Asner is planned for Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas' on Blu-ray on October 20. Buddy's Musical Christmas tells the story of Buddy the elf, and his quest to reunite with the human father he never knew existed. While Buddy's sincerity and idealism are commonplace at the North Pole, these attributes are rejected in cynical New York City. But through song, dance, and relentless good cheer, Buddy rekindles the spirit of Christmas for the entire city. The combo pack will feature 1080p video, lossless 5.1 audio, and supplements include Elf-in' All The Way: Inside Buddy's Recording Sessions. You can find the latest specs for 'Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 20.Posted Mon Jun 29, 2015 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Olive Films' Summer Blu-ray Titles Now Available for Pre-Order![teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of Blu-ray releases. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Olive Films is preparing a slew of new Blu-ray titles for July and August. The upcoming lineup includes seventeen announced titles so far, and pre-orders are now live! July 7 Wild Thing Order the Blu-ray Roller Boogie Order the Blu-ray Criminal Law Order the Blu-ray Street Smart Order the Blu-ray Ned Kelly Order the Blu-ray July 14 Adventures of Captain Fabian Order the Blu-ray Hell's Five Hours Order the Blu-ray Baby, It's You Order the Blu-ray King of the Gypsies Order the Blu-ray The Eternal Sea Order the Blu-ray Man of Conquest Order the Blu-ray August 25 Student Bodies Order the Blu-ray The Babysitter Order the Blu-ray The Singing Detective Order the Blu-ray Daniel Order the Blu-ray The Sender Order the Blu-ray The Last American Virgin Order the Blu-ray Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $29.95. You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout July and August.Posted Mon Jun 29, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by:
