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John McNaughton's 'The Harvest' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 2013 thriller starring Samantha Morton and Michael Shannon will hit Blu-ray this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory is set to release 'The Harvest' on Blu-ray on September 1. In his first film in nearly 15 years, the director of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer harks back to the depravity that made his 1986 debut a horror milestone. Equally terrifying, but less based in reality, The Harvest is closer to a fairy tale from Grimm's darkest nightmares. Maryann (an impressive Natasha Calis, The Possession) moves in with her grandparents after she's orphaned. Desperately lonely, the preteen sets out to befriend a deathly ill, bed-ridden boy (Charlie Tahan, Gotham), despite the outright disapproval of his mother (Samantha Morton, Minority Report, Sweet and Lowdown). Maryann's persistence pays off, however, and during a series of secret visits she gradually uncovers some seriously sinister goings-on in the house... Morton's performance as the boy's overprotective surgeon mom is the stuff of great screen villainy — at once utterly monstrous and tragically desperate — so much so that she makes even frequent heavy Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire, Man of Steel), as the more subdued dad, pale in comparison. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.97. You can find the latest specs for 'The Harvest' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 1. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jun 11, 2015 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Adam MacDonald's 'Backcountry' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Blu-ray will have to bear another trip to Canada this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory says Backcountry' will be available on Blu-ray on September 1. A tense thriller about a young couple who go camping in the Canadian wilderness. Alex (Jeff Roop, Jekyll + Hyde) is a seasoned camper, but Jenn (Missy Peregrym, Rookie Blue) is not. But when they realize that they have entered bear territory, the terror gets turned up to a whole new level. Also starring Eric Balfour (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Skyline, Haven), Melanie Mullen (Dead Before Dawn 3D) and Nicholas Campbell (The Brood, The Dead Zone) and written and directed by actor Adam MacDonald (Rookie Blue, Transporter: The Series, Wolves), Backcountry is a heart-stopping, full-tilt run through deadly territory. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Backcountry' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 1. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
The CW's 'The Originals: The Complete Second Season' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The second season of the fantasy series will sink its fangs into Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is preparing 'The Originals: The Complete Second Season' for Blu-ray on September 1. As Original vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson returned to the vibrant, supernaturally charged city of New Orleans in season one, he was stunned to learn — along with his siblings Elijah and Rebekah — that Hayley, a werewolf, was pregnant with his child, and his vampire protégé, Marcel, whom the Original siblings had thought long dead, was ruling the French Quarter. Soon, a bloody war escalated between vampires and witches — the stakes raised by powerful teenage witch Davina and by Klaus’s bond with Cami, a student with a painful past — and a ruthless pack of wolves seized the opportunity to stage a violent coup. Now, in season two, a new status quo must be adjusted to, as the newly empowered werewolves control the city. Klaus struggles with weaknesses as Elijah desperately tries to save Hayley — now a hybrid — from a vicious spiral of self-destruction. Meanwhile, with the re-emergence of several Mikaelsons, “family is power” takes on new meaning. The four-disc set will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: 2014 Comic-Con panel, featurettes, behind the scenes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. You can find the latest specs for 'The Originals: The Complete Second Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 1. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 10, 2015 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Sixth Season' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The CW vampires return to Blu-ray this fall. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is working on 'The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Sixth Season' for Blu-ray on September 1. The Vampire Diaries continues its sixth season with more delicious drama to sink your teeth into. In season five, after a passionate summer with Damon, Elena headed to Whitmore College with Caroline, not knowing Bonnie sacrificed her life for Jeremy's. Meanwhile, Stefan and Caroline's friendship deepened as they stood up to the Travelers, a nomadic witch tribe driven to strip Mystic Falls of magic and cast out its supernatural residents. In the shocking season finale, Damon, fearing he would lose his loved ones on the crumbling Other Side, made a huge sacrifice to bring them all back — with catastrophic and heartbreaking results. Season six follows the characters' journey back to each other as they explore the duality of good versus evil inside themselves. Matt Davis reprises his role as Alaric Saltzman, recently returned from The Other Side. Plus, the season will make you misty-eyed as the departure of a major character will turn lives upside down and leave us asking what happened to Mystic Falls. The four-disc set will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: The Vampire Diaries: Good Bite and Good Luck; The executive producers and cast of The Vampire Diaries say a final farewell to Nina Dobrev, Steven R. McQueen, Marguerite MacIntyre, and Michael Trevino, after six memorable years; The Vampire Diaries: Best.Reaction.Ever; Fan reactions to big moments throughout the season will be curated from Twitter, fan sites and other social media, and pieced together to tell the story of season six via fans' reactions; Ep.615 Audio Commentary; Writer/Director Julie Plec provides commentary on her directorial debut; The Vampire Diaries: 2014 Comic-Con Panel; Come Visit Georgia PSA; Deleted Scenes; and Second Bite: Gag Reel. You can find the latest specs for 'The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Sixth Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 1. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 10, 2015 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest Goes Back To The Park: 8 Thrilling Amusement Park MoviesIt's closing in on summer time. Kids will be out of school and in need of some recreational activity to keep them occupied and wear down those excessive high energy levels. Parents naturally flock with their children to the brightest beacons on the horizon - Amusement Parks! Growing up in South Eastern Michigan, I have fond memories of my parents hauling my sister and I 90 minutes south on one of the most dangerous expanses of expressway known to man just so we could reach Cedar Point - home to some of the largest and most terrifying rollercoasters in the world. Given the natural adrenaline kick that comes from having your body flung down a two hundred foot drop it's only natural that Hollywood would want to try and replicate that high. [teaser]Having horror or science fiction thrillers set in a theme park or amusement park is only natural - and with 'Jurassic World' about to unleash some dinosaur fury on its guests this Friday - now is the best time to look at some of the best amusement park flicks. [/teaser] For all intents and purposes this list will be limited to sci-fi and horror movies; if we included comedies, we'd have to list the phone book. And with that, keep your arms and legs inside your cubicle or work station at all times while reading this article. The Unofficial Universal Theme Park Trilogy Amazingly a single studio has effectively remade the same movie three times! And no, I'm not referring to just the three previous 'Jurassic Park' films! Every 20 or 30 years, Universal Studios seems to have a need to have one of their franchise movies involve people meeting an untimely end at their favorite theme park destination. I'm shocked and saddened that the 'Fast and Furious' franchise hasn't used bumper cars yet! 'Revenge of The Creature' 1955 The first time Universal Pictures got the bright Idea to terrorize innocent amusement park bystanders with a franchise monster was in this 1955 followup to 'The Creature From The Black Lagoon.' After being captured from his Amazon River home, The Creature is hauled to Florida where he is to be the signature aquatic attraction for "Ocean Harbor" A.K.A. Sea World while being studied by a team of scientists. As with the first film, 'Revenge of the Creature' was shot in 3D - only this time many concessions were made to make the production run smoother - the chief of these was Creature performer Ricou Browning got to actually have breathing equipment in the suit! A novel idea except bubbles are frequently seen escaping through a small hole in the head making him look rather goofy. In fact the only truly terrifying moments in the film come at the expense of John Agar and his disturbingly tight and tiny swim trunks. It also stands as the only 'Creature' film to be appropriately savaged by Mystery Science Theater 3000. For a good bit of fun, keep a look out early in the film for one of the first onscreen appearances from some guy named Clint Eastwood playing a lab technician who has trouble keeping rats in their cage. Sadly this sequel has yet to make its proper 3D Blu-ray appearance stateside, but hopefully that will change soon as Germany and other European outlets will be getting their 3D Blu-ray discs later this summer! 'Jaws 3D' 1983 Just when you thought it was safe to visit Sea World! Prior to the recent resurgence of 3D on movie screens, the late 70s and 80s saw to it that cinema audiences were frequently gouged in the eyes with three dimensional entertainment that graced the biggest franchises of that time including 'Friday the 13th,' and 'The Amityville Horror.' Not even a gigantic great white shark was safe from the extra dimension with this semi-unrelated followup to 'Jaws.' Here we have Dennis Quaide, Bess Armstrong, Simon MacCrokin, John Putch, Lea Thompson and then recent Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr. all doing battle with a big momma shark and her pup that were trapped in a new state-of-the-art Sea World park. When the young pup shark dies after being captured, big momma Jaws gets angry and takes her wrath out on the park goers who are trapped in an underwater attraction. Boy is this a gloriously wonderfully bad movie. Personally I cannot wait for its 3D Blu-ray debut. Everything about this movie yells "gimmick" in that deliciously cheap sort of way. From the static floating shark to the clearly animated yellow submarine - I give all credit in the world to Director and one-time Spielberg cohort Joe Alves for trying to bring this one home. The man was always working against the current since the film was originally pitched as a National Lampoon film. But still, a shark terrorizes Sea World and that's all it needed to be for audiences to have a great time. 'Jurassic Park' 1993 This is perhaps the most obvious one on this entire list. It screams theme parks run amok that place stranded people in the maws of danger and was one of the biggest box office hits of the 1990s. Of course you have the human element with Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Samuel L. Jackson, and the youngsters Joseph Mazzello and Ariana Richards, but the main focus with this movie is the resurrected dinosaurs. When I saw this when I was 12 I was blown away by the CGI and animatronic special effects and was then equally terrified. Part of what is so brilliant about this film is how it combines the best elements of Steven Spielberg's films 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'Jaws.' On one hand you marvel at what you're seeing on screen and then the next moment you're cowering in fear when Wayne Knight buys it at the claws of a spitter or when the raptors chase the kids through the kitchen. The sequels 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic Park III' offered their own fun parts but are mostly viewed as lesser entries. With some hope the sight of seeing Star Lord training raptors to hunt with him as he zips through the jungle will get the franchise back on track for more rampaging dinosaur fun in upcoming years. As much fun as the sequels are - it's the original film that still brings home the theme park terror in glorious fashion. More Thrill Ride Horrors 'Westworld' 1973 & 'Futureworld' 1976 In addition to being a household name for writing numerous best selling novels - Michael Crichton was also a pretty decent screenwriter and director in his own right. He may have written and directed 'The Great Train Robbery' and the underrated 'Runaway' - but his principal cinematic achievement is the science fiction thriller 'Westworld.' A state of the art amusement park for well-to-do vacationers which allows people to live out their every fantasy through the use of technologically advanced robots. Two such vacationers happen to be wild west nuts. When a computer glitch causes the robots to go haywire James Brolin, Richard Benjamin and Alan Oppenheimer are stalked by Yul Brynner as the black clad Gunslinger. I've often wondered what happened to Brynner's character Chris from 'The Magnificent Seven' - now I know! Not only is this movie a great techno-thriller it also serves as the prototype for bigger and badder things to come in the form of Crichton's own 'Jurassic Park' novels and their film adaptations. 'Westworld' also spawned a sequel 'Futureworld' that takes place several years later at the same facility. It works as a nice little sequel, but it has the feeling of being unnecessary and doesn't quite live up to the original. It's still fun, but it suffers from a pronounced "been there, done that" vibe. Now with a miniseries on the 2016 TV horizon, this sort of theme park thrills and chills will hopefully find a new audience. 'Final Destination 3' 2006 One of my greatest theme park fears is getting stuck on top of a rollercoaster just as it's about to go down a two hundred foot drop. The chances of it happening are slim, but at least once a year it happens. With that, the third entry in the 'Final Destination' series hits me a bit harder than the pervious films. Directed by James Wong and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead - this third entry largely tosses story and character development out the window in favor of big spectacle gross-out kills, which for this particular franchise is all anyone could ask for! Originally this movie was planned to be shot and released in anaglyph 3D, but those plans were evidently scrapped for a cheaper production saving the 3D shenanigans for 'The Final Destination' and 'Final Destination 5.' Other than the amusement park setting, this movie is basically the first two films all over again without any of the returning cast. 'Zombieland' 2009 Yeah, I know I said I wasn't going to include comedies, but this one is a "horror-comedy" so I'm bending the rule just a tad. Plus, as funny as it is, it has some pretty fantastic jump scares and enough zombie gore to make every genre fan happy. Starring Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as a makeshift family of survivors, they take on hoards of the undead just so they can reach their favorite amusement park in LA - which is supposedly a "zombie-free" zone. Much like 'Final Destination 3' this one again plays on my fears of getting stuck on a ride, only this time there are zombies waiting to rip my flesh apart if I ever got down. Granted, most of this film plays like 'National Lampoon's Vacation' with zombies, but the fun of the road trip to the park and then the carnage that ensues once they get there makes the whole thing worthwhile. Sadly an ill-conceived TV show didn't get past the pilot stage. There is a rumored official sequel in the works and my only hope is our favorite group of gun-toting humans gets to go to Sea World. If it worked for 'Jaws' it can work here just as well! 'The Funhouse' 1981 Tobe Hooper had a heck of a run in the 80s. 'Invaders From Mars,' 'Poltergeist,' 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' were all tons of fun, but one of my absolute favorites from when I was a kid watching horror movies edited for TV was 'The Funhouse.' A group of friends hang out at a carnival, smoking dope, necking, and riding the rides. They get the bright idea to sneak into the funhouse and spend the night inside the park. Only their plan for fun goes off the rails when they witness the murder of a fortune teller at the hands of a masked man. They flee out into the carnival hoping to escape the nightmare only to discover they're locked inside - with a murderous maniac. Basically this movie is 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' in a carnival. There isn't much more to say about it. The story is thin, the characters are kinda weak - but the kills are a blast! 'Ghoulies II' 1988 Armed with a bigger budget and better creature effects, this sequel to 'Ghoulies' is a riot from start to finish. Starring Damon Martin and the late great Royal Dano, the titular creatures are out to cause as much mayhem as they possibly can. Plot really doesn't matter here so long as our favorite toilet creatures get to inflict as much damage and destruction as they can loosening bolts on rides and running over people with bumper cars. After this one the franchise gets a bit weird, the Ghoulies even go to college at one point, so the series peaked with this entry. This list could go on and on, but I think we've found ourselves the best of the best. There are a lot of great movies out there where rollercoasters and carnivals are the central setting for cinematic joy - if you have a favorite that didn't make the list, sound off in the forums! Happy movie watching and if you do find yourself at a theme park, just be careful - as we've seen from the above examples the fun can stop abruptly and with deliciously bloody results!Posted Tue Jun 9, 2015 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 10th season of the hit CW series will possess Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is set to release 'Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season' on Blu-ray on September 8. After Dean Winchester lost his battle with power-mad angel scribe Metatron last season, he was resurrected by the power of the First Blade and transformed into a demon, cursed with the Mark of Cain. The road to recovering wayward Dean takes brother Sam down sinister paths himself with consequences that will shake the boys to their core. The Winchesters' angelic comrade-in-arms Castiel must pick up the pieces in the aftermath of Metatron's campaign to overtake Heaven. With his divine "grace" failing and rogue angels still loose, Cas faces the ticking clock of his own mortality while all-new and ages-old threats again push our heroes to their human and otherworldly limits. At the same time, the King of Hell, Crowley, must deal with dissension within his own twisted family. Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season will unleash your inner demon and hold you spellbound. The four-disc set will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: A Very Special Supernatural Special; Supernatural Theatre: Staging the 200th Episode; The Winchester Mythology: Battling the Mark and the Blade; Supernatural Fans; Supernatural at Comic-Con 2014; Three Audio Commentaries; Deleted Scenes; and Gag Reel. You can find the latest specs for 'Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 8. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Jun 9, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Helix: The Complete Second Season' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The second and final season of the SYFY series will infect Blu-ray this July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be releasing 'Helix: The Complete Second Season' on Blu-ray on July 28. After barely escaping with their lives, the survivors of Season One attempt to move on from the horrors that took place at Arctic BioSystems. But when their work takes them to a mysterious and remote wooded island, they quickly discover the Ilaria Corporation's reach is deeper and darker than anyone imagined, and a deadly new virus presents a threat that no one thought possible. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, lossless 5.1 audio, and supplements include deleted scenes and outtakes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $59.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Helix: The Complete Second Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 28.Posted Tue Jun 9, 2015 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
An 'Army of Frankensteins' Will Be Unleashed on Blu-ray this Fall[teaser]The sci-fi/horror is planned to be released on Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory will be releasing 'Army of Frankensteins' on Blu-ray on September 1. An unstoppable terror is set loose upon a nation divided… and history will never be the same! After a failed attempt to propose to his girlfriend, Alan Jones (Jordan Farris) is beaten within an inch of his life by a street gang. Transported to the mysterious lab of Dr. Tanner Finski and his kid genius assistant Igor, Alan becomes the subject in a series of horrible experiments as part of the doctor's plan to reanimate the legendary Frankenstein monster. But all bets are off when these experiments lead to a hole being ripped in space and time, pulling an army's worth of the infamous creatures from hundreds of parallel universes and sending them all back to the 19th century – directly into the heart of a bloody battle between the North and South! An over-the-top sci-fi/horror hybrid, Army Of Frankensteins is an outrageous film that dares to examine a history that never happened: The War Between The States… of Life and Death. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Army of Frankensteins' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 1.Posted Tue Jun 9, 2015 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's 2015 Father's Day Gift GuideDads. Without them, we wouldn't be here. But that's not the only reason we celebrate Father's Day. [teaser]For many of us, the first time we realized movies were more than mere entertainment was when our fathers shared their favorite films with us.[/teaser] Maybe it was your dad who let you watch your first scary movie and didn't laugh when you covered your eyes through most of it. Maybe it was your dad who first introduced you to 'Star Wars,' 'Indiana Jones,' or the greatness of 'Jaws.' Maybe your dad taught you about James Bond, or instilled in you an appreciation of war films, gangster movies, or just great television. Whatever movie or television experience your dad shared with you, Father's Day is a great time to remind him that part of the reason you love the medium is because he was one of the first to watch them with you. So, whether your dad is into big explosions or quiet dramas, documentaries or thought-provoking television series, chances are you'll find something on this list. Here's High-Def Digests' 2015 Father's Day Gift Guide: American Sniper Nothing says "quintessential dad movie" more so than Clint Eastwood's Academy Award-nominated 'American Sniper' on Blu-ray. Bradley Cooper's portrayal of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle garnered the actor plenty of critical acclaim, and the film went on to become the one of the highest grossing films of the year. Whether your dad is into war films, action movies, or compelling dramas, chances are 'American Sniper' will be one disc that will fit the bill. If this isn't already in your father's collection, consider presenting your dad with the film HDD's very own Shannon Nutt calls "a moving piece of work from one of America's best directors." The Roosevelts: An Intimate History It's a scientifically proven fact that dads love them some history. Why, before it was home to Ice Road Truckers and programs about alien conspiracies, History Channel was the network more dads could fall asleep to on a Sunday afternoon than any other network on your basic cable package. So it makes sense that Ken Burns' exhaustive 7-part, 14-hour documentary, chronicling the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, would make it to this list. Whether your dad missed it when it aired on PBS earlier this year (or he simply snoozed through parts of it, as dads are wont to do), you'll want to make sure he has access to this incredible documentary before and after naptime American Experience: Last Days in Vietnam Whether your dad grew up during the Vietnam War era or not, history and war buffs will find this documentary to be a fascinating glimpse into a protracted conflict whose complicated legacy continues to attract attention and discussion. Focused on the tumultuous final days of the conflict, 'American Experience: Last Days in Vietnam' takes viewers inside Saigon, as the North Vietnamese Army closed in and withdrawal was all but imminent. This revealing look at the final days of the United States' lengthy, bloody conflict will keep anyone who lived through the period, or is simply interested in learning more about the war itself glued to the screen. True Detective: The Complete First Season No television series captivated audiences quite like 'True Detective' did in 2014. The series, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson became the sort of unexpected water-cooler hit that HBO had been searching for since the launch of 'Game of Thrones.' Written and created by Nic Pizzolatto and directed by Cary Fukunaga, the eight-hour first season came very close to being a modern noir masterpiece. And now, with season 2 almost upon us, what better way for your dad to catch up, or start that epic re-watch than with the first season of this dark crime drama. The Wire: The Complete Series David Simon's epic, five-season look at life in Baltimore became one of the greatest television shows of all time. And this year, HBO finally released the series in its entirety on Blu-ray. With an HD re-mastering of all 60 episodes, multiple commentaries from the creators and cast on each season, and some enlightening documentaries, this massive box set makes the perfect Father's Day gift for the 'The Wire' fan you know. Goodfellas: 25th Anniversary Edition It's a good bet that there's not a dad around who doesn't think this is potentially the greatest gangster movie ever made. And even if it's not at the top of your dad's list, 'Goodfellas: 25th Anniversary Edition' is still a must-own disc for any serious Blu-ray collector. This anniversary edition is packed with special features that include: Two commentaries and a host of documentaries, including a new on for this edition. Whether he's a fan of Martin Scorsese, or he simply loves the film's true-life tales from the mob and its killer soundtrack, there's something on this disc for everyone. Interstellar The Sci-fi Dad Flick of 2014 was certainly Christopher Nolan's epic 'Interstellar.' This space-faring drama from the director of the Dark Knight Trilogy was a surprisingly heartfelt story about the special bond between a father and his daughter, as well as an unsurprisingly engaging science fiction romp through space and time. With some truly astonishing visuals to accompany its complex, captivating storyline that sees a Matthew McConaughey's grounded pilot venture into deep space, in a last-ditch effort to save mankind, the hit film is a perfect Father's Day gift. Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season There really isn't a gift-giving holiday that 'Game of Thrones' isn't a suitable present for. So it makes sense that this Father's Day might see dads everywhere receiving HBO's visually stunning and incredibly well crafted adaptation of George R.R. Martin's fantasy novels. The fourth season was marked by plenty more of what makes this series a Sunday night obsession for millions of viewers: Harsh times and even harsher truths as the denizens of Westeros wage wars big and small for control of the Iron Throne. The season saw a handful of game-changing deaths and decisions that were not only subversive takes on the typical fantasy genre, but they also made the game of thrones that much more complicated. This is a must for fathers who are fans of the series, but haven't yet added the fourth season to their collection. Munich Munich certainly took its sweet, sweet time getting to Blu-ray, but it looks as though the wait was worth it. Steven Spielberg's film about the Israeli government's clandestine plan to seek revenge for the terrorist attack at the 1972 Summer Olympics was more than just a provocative revenge film; it sought to explore the notion of revenge and the endless cycle of violence that it perpetuates. Starring Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush, Ciarán Hinds, and Mathieu Amalric, the film offers a little something for everyone: drama, suspense, action, and a little humor. Certainly one of Spielberg's best offerings in recent memory, this Blu-ray comes with the kind of gorgeous picture and sound that is sure to please any any dad on Father's Day. Kingsman: Secret Service Director Matthew Vaughn returns to adapt another of Mark Millar's mischievous, violent, and misanthropic comic books with 'Kingsman: The Secret Service,' a tongue-in-cheek riff on the James Bond formula. The film boasts an impressive cast with Academy Award-winners Colin Firth and Michael Caine, as well as the inimitable Samuel L. Jackson, and newcomer Taron Egerton as Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, an "unrefined but promising street kid" who joins the super secret organization to take down the bad guys. If your dad is a fan of comic books, or just loves anything to do with spies and loads of off-the-wall action, this disc will likely tickle his fancy. John Wick With more headshots than a late night game of 'Halo,' Keanu Reeves' stylish revenge drama 'John Wick' was a surprisingly fluid and engaging action film from director Chad Stahleski. The story of a retired assassin, mourning the death of his wife, and then spurred into action after gangsters kill his dog, 'John Wick' is not your typical revenge thriller. In fact, with its surprisingly rich world building, the film puts as much emphasis on creating a tangible setting and characters as it does on making the lengthy and violent action sequences look like a ballet of bullets rather than a chaotic mishmash of quick cuts and filtered explosions. Action lovers are not going to be able to look away once you hit play on this disc. A must for fathers who like a little grace with their mayhem. Steven Spielberg Director's Collection Director Steven Spielberg isn't just one of America's finest and most successful directors, he is a filmmaker who always manages to weave the notion of family into the storyline his films. He's the essential director for Father's Day, and this eight-disc collection that includes 'Duel', 'The Sugarland Express', 'Jaws', '1941', 'E.T. the Extra Terrestrial', 'Always', 'Jurassic Park', and 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' is the easiest way to add these essential films to any dad's Blu-ray collection. Boasting great HD images and sound, and some truly impressive and immersive supplements, this collection will keep your dear ol' dad busy long after Father's Day has come and gone.Posted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
'Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection' Blu-ray Up For Pre-Order[teaser]A dozen acclaimed animated shorts will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista will be releasing 'Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection' on Blu-ray on August 18. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes an extraordinary new collection of award-winning and beloved short films featuring Disney's "Frozen Fever," starring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristoff, and the Oscar-nominated "Lorenzo" (Best Animated Short, 2004). The Short Films Collection includes contemporary shorts starring classic characters, such as the groundbreaking 2013 Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Get A Horse!" And the holiday treat "Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa," as well as celebrated Oscar winners "Paperman" (2012) and "Feast" (2014). Enjoy them together for the first time in this must-own collection with all-new extras including an inside look at the Disney Animation shorts, featuring introductions and interviews with the acclaimed filmmakers themselves. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the Blu-ray Combo Pack will feature: Filmmaker Intros - The filmmakers behind the shorts share their journeys and introduce their films; @DisneyAnimation: A Short Story on Shorts - Continuing a legacy started in the earliest days of the Studio by Walt Disney, the Shorts Program is thriving today at the Animation Studios that bears his name, producing award-winning shorts that tell new stories and experiment with artistic and technical innovations. This latest chapter in the @DisneyAnimation series gives us an inside look at the process of developing and producing a short. Hosted by actor/comedian T.J. Miller (voice of "Fred," Big Hero 6), we will meet a few of the artists and filmmakers who make the shorts, and learn why they are such an important part of the fabric of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Round Table Panelists include Lauren MacMullan (Get A Horse!), Mike Gabriel (Lorenzo), Kristina Reed (Feast, Paperman), Stevie Wermers-Skelton and Kevin Deters (the team behind The Ballad of Nessie, Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa, How to Hook Up Your Home Theater); and Runaway Brain (1995) - DMA debut – Short film originally released in 2004 as part of the Walt Disney Treasures Collection: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Vol. 2 DVD set. This short was nominated for an Academy Award® and screened during 1996 Cannes Film Festival. You can find the latest specs for 'Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 18. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Jun 8, 2015 at 12:30 PM PDT by:
