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'Skating to New York' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The coming of age sports flick is heading to Blu-ray in February, and you can pre-order the movie now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA is preparing 'Skating to New York' for Blu-ray on February 17. 'Skating to New York' is a contemporary coming-of-age adventure about five boys on a small-town Canadian high school hockey team, who live to skate. After losing a big game, they decide to do something never attempted before - skate across Lake Ontario to New York on the coldest day of the year. From the creators of '8 Seconds,' Mr. Baseball' and 'Pain and Gain,' 'Skating to New York' is a story about home and friendship, about leadership and facing danger, and about growing up - but never giving up. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Skating to New York' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 17.Posted Tue Dec 2, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Lucio Fulci's 'The Beyond' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The cult horror flick will hit Blu-ray in February. You can pre-order the disc here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Grindhouse Releasing is preparing 'The Beyond' for Blu-ray on February 10. The seven dreaded gateways to hell are concealed in seven cursed places... And on the day the gates of hell are opened, the dead will walk the earth! From legendary Italian horror master Lucio Fulci comes the ultimate classic of supernatural terror. A cursed hotel, built over one of the seven gateways to hell, becomes a malevolent abyss that begins devouring both the bodies and the souls of all who enter in a graphic frenzy of gory crucifixions, brutal chain-whippings, eyeball impalements, sulphuric acid meltdowns, flesh-eating tarantulas, throat-shredding demon dogs and ravenous bloodthirsty zombies. 'The Beyond' is a towering achievement in hair-raising, mind-bending cinematic terror! The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Provocative commentary by stars Catriona MacColl and genre superstar David Warbeck; New in-depth interviews with stars Catriona MacColl, Cinzia Monreale and Giovanni De Nava, U.S. production manager Larry Ray, make-up artists Giannetto DeRossi and Maurizio Trani, cinematographer Sergio Salvati, writer Dardano Sacchetti, producer Fabrizio De Angelis, composer Fabio Frizzi, original U.S. distributor Terry Levene, and Antonella Fulci Rare archival interviews with director Lucio Fulci and David Warbeck; Lost German pre-credit sequence in FULL COLOR; Extensive still galleries and theatrical trailers; Liner notes by legendary horror journalist Chas. Balun and EuroHorror expert Martin Beine; BONUS CD - original soundtrack album by Fabio Frizzi newly remastered in stunning 96khz sound from the original studio master tapes; Chilling GLOW-IN-THE-DARK slip cover limited to the first 5000 copies; AND OTHER SURPRISES! Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Beyond' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 10. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Dec 2, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
David Fincher's Latest Film 'Gone Girl' starring Ben Affleck up for Blu-ray Pre-Orders[teaser]The thriller co-stars Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'Gone Girl' on Blu-ray in the near future. Based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Gone Girl' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Dec 1, 2014 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
Tim Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 10th Anniversary Edition' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The family film starring Johnny Depp is getting the 10th Anniversary treatment in March. You can pre-order the disc here. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Bros. is preparing 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 10th Anniversary Edition' for Blu-ray on March 3. Acclaimed director Tim Burton brings his vividly imaginative style to the beloved Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, about eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) and Charlie, a good-hearted boy from a poor family who lives in the shadow of Wonka's extraordinary factory. Long isolated from his own family, Wonka launches a worldwide contest to select an heir to his candy empire. Five lucky children, including Charlie, draw golden tickets from Wonka chocolate bars and win a guided tour of the legendary candy-making facility that no outsider has seen in 15 years. Dazzled by one amazing sight after another, Charlie is drawn into Wonka's fantastic world in this astonishing and enduring story. Full specs and supplements have not been detailed yet, but the release will include a 32-page photobook. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 10th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 3. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Dec 1, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: November 2014Every 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 group of uncanny mutants, a clever sci-fi action flick, and an Italian cinema masterpiece. 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, and October 2014. [teaser]This month, we're covering a comedy about two best friends who go undercover, a detective series about two best friends who solve crimes, and a campy comic book classic about two best friends who dress up in spandex! [/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 November, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... '22 Jump Street' - The term "bromance" gets thrown around out a lot in our contemporary pop culture -- so much so that it now causes me to cringe a little whenever I hear it -- but there really is no better word to describe the amusingly deep friendship between Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum). They're best friends and they love each other and they don't care who knows! And it's this endearing relationship that goes on to fuel much of the heart and comedy of '22 Jump Street.' Playfully self-referential and surprisingly fresh, this is one of those rare sequels that's actually better than the first.Leaving high school behind for college, the movie's central conceit could not be more predictable or potentially groan-inducing -- but the filmmakers inject the script with a meta sense of humor that repeatedly makes clever observations about Hollywood sequel conventions. While some of these winking jokes can be a little too cute for their own good, the majority land wonderfully, creating a sly layer of self aware comedy that lovingly lampoons recycled plot ideas and budgetary constraints. Of course, the real crux of the movie still rests in the deep bond between its likeable protagonists, and after previously solidifying their friendship, there is now trouble in paradise for the two platonic lovebirds. The writers have a lot of fun with this aspect of the script, milking plenty of laughs from their drifting relationship and oscillating roles. Likewise, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller manage to keep the film's tone steady and consistent while injecting a solid helping of over-the-top action -- proving that they're just as adept at directing human beings as they are at directing Legos.Hilarious, smart, and unashamedly heartfelt, '22 Jump Street' is everything a comedy sequel should be. Sure, the overall plot is very similar, but the script takes all that we loved about the first film and expands upon it without merely repeating what came before. Also, the flick is home to one of the best end credit sequences to ever grace the silver screen. Filled with tongue-in-cheek ideas for even more installments in the franchise, the montage offers a cornucopia of sequel parody concepts -- and with '23 Jump Street' on the way, one of these silly premises might actually make it into production! Buy the Blu-ray 'Sherlock Limited Edition Gift Set' - As a rule, I'm normally not a big fan of modernizing classic novels or characters. More often than not, writers get so caught up in figuring out ways to contemporize things that they lose sight of what makes the original concept and protagonist so special to begin with. With that in mind, I was a bit hesitant about the arrival of 'Sherlock.' Despite being developed in part by current 'Doctor Who' mastermind Steven Moffat, I wasn't sure that the traditionally 19th century detective would fit well into a 21st world. Well, boy was I wrong! With their new spin on the iconic sleuth, the cast and crew have come up with one of the most successful interpretations of the character... ever. In its first three seasons, the show has provided a clever series of mysteries -- frequently inspired by classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories -- that keep viewers on their toes with smart twists and turns. But as engaging as the plots are, the real draw of the show is its characters. Led by the rather brilliant casting of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson, 'Sherlock' features some of the best on-screen chemistry that the small screen has to offer. Watching the pair bounce off each other is endlessly entertaining, with Watson's everyman appeal frequently clashing against Holmes' outwardly cold and calculating genius. Of course, it's this contrast that makes the pair such great friends, and the deep bond that forms between both men is downright touching. In fact, one might even say that they're engaged in a bit of a "bromance" themselves (are you sensing a pattern in this month's list?). That is, if Holmes is even capable of any kind of lasting human relationship. Under the writers' guidance, Cumberbatch's take on the character is that of a high-functioning sociopath with a computer-like mind but a complete lack of social niceties. This mixture of quirks leads to a refreshingly original twist on the legendary role and has been the source of some equally fascinating and funny character beats and developments.Yes, there are cars and computers and smartphones -- but at its core this is still Sherlock Holmes, and the modern touches are worked into the mysteries seamlessly, creating a contemporary version of the character that feels perfectly natural. By and large, the show has been consistently exceptional (ignoring that rather convoluted fake death plot), and season two's "A Scandal in Belgravia" remains one of my favorite episodes of any show in a very long time. With all three seasons of the series, a special bonus disc with exclusive supplements, mini-busts of Holmes and Watson, and two original art cards, it's no mystery why this limited edition gift set is a clear must own! Buy the Blu-ray 'Batman: The Complete Television Series (1966)' - Throughout the character's amazing 75 year history -- spanning comics, cartoons, video games, novels, and movies -- there have been many different interpretations of Batman. And while the predominant take on the Caped Crusader tends to veer toward the grim and gritty, this serious and brooding version of the so-called Dark Knight is far from the only valid take on the legendary vigilante. In fact, it turns out that in 1966, Batman wasn't quite so glum. Instead of an angry, growling voice of vengeance, he was a swinging, double-entendre spewing, spandex-wearing, colorful superhero who actually knew how to have some fun... and dance. My god, did he know how to dance! I mean, Michael Keaton, Kevin Conroy, and Christian Bale might get most of the fan's adoration -- but could any of them pull off moves like this? I think not.With its bright colors, 60s production design, endless cliffhangers, incessantly hummable theme song, and iconic flashing "Bams!" and "Pows!", the TV show is a radiant splash of fun that never once takes itself seriously. Marked by a cheeky and impossibly silly sense of humor, the series has essentially become the very definition of camp, inspiring countless and far inferior attempts at similar tones. And then there's the deliciously evil rogues gallery of villains on display, including many heavy hitters like the Joker, Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman, all brought to life by an amazingly talented ensemble of performers gleefully relishing every scenery chewing moment on the screen. But as memorable as the villains are, one can't forget the Dynamic Duo themselves. As Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward play to the show's sensibilities perfectly, hamming it up just right while still remaining oddly and endearingly sincere. And yes, you guessed it, their crime-fighting coupling is definitely something of a bromance as well!Previously tied up in complicated legal issues, it's a bit of a miracle that this full series set has finally been released. Thankfully, it mostly lives up to expectations with strong video, solid audio, and great supplements. Yes, this particular interpretation of Batman might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this really is an effortlessly enjoyable and surprisingly influential show -- and thanks to syndication, despite our 30 year age difference, it's also one of the few series that both my Dad and I grew up watching. It might no longer be on the "same bat time" or "same bat channel," but with this Blu-ray, audiences young and old can now enjoy the wacky adventures of Batman and Robin in glorious HD. In other words... "Holy must own Blu-ray, Batman!" Buy the Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this November, 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 November's must own titles?Posted Mon Dec 1, 2014 at 08:05 AM PST by: -
Studio Ghibli's 'Porco Rosso', 'Pom Poko' and 'Tales from Earthsea' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Disney will be bringing all three animated features to Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is preparing to release 'Porco Rosso', 'Pom Poko', and 'Tales from Earthsea' on Blu-ray on February 3. 'Porco Rosso' - Take flight with "Porco Rosso," a valiant World War I flying ace! From tropical Adriatic settings to dazzling aerial maneuvers, this action-adventure from world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki is full of humor, courage and chivalry. When "Porco"—whose face has been trans- formed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell—infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to get rid of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it's in the air where the true battles are waged. Will our hero be victorious? For the first time ever on Disney Blu-ray, "Porco Rosso" is a thrilling ride you'll never forget! 'Pom Poko' - Studio Ghibli presents a film about the clash between modern civilization and the natural world from acclaimed director Isao Takahata. The raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans. In often hilarious ways, the raccoons use their powers to try to scare off the advance of civilization. But will it be enough? Or will the raccoons learn how to live in balance with the modern world? Celebrate the magic of the forest and the beauty of the creatures who live among us in "Pom Poko"—now on Disney Blu-ray for the first time ever. 'Tales from Earthsea' - An epic animated adventure directed by Goro Miyazaki, "Tales From Earthsea" features the voices of Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe, Cheech Marin and Mariska Hargitay. Based on the classic "Earthsea" fantasy book series by Ursula K. Le Guin, "Tales From Earthsea" is set in a mythical world filled with magic and bewitchment. In the land of Earthsea, crops are dwindling, dragons have reappeared and humanity is giving way to chaos. Journey with Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk, a master wizard, and Arren, a troubled young prince, on a tale of redemption and self-discovery as they search for the force behind the mysterious imbalance that threatens to destroy their world. Featuring a timeless story and magnificent hand-drawn animation, "Tales From Earthsea" is now available for the first time ever on Disney Blu-ray. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements for 'Porco Rosso' include: Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailer, Interview with Toshio Suzuki, and Behind the Microphone. 'Pom Poko' will include Original Japanese Storyboards and Original Japanese Trailers. Supplements for 'Tales from Earthsea' include: Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailers & TV Spots, The Birth of the Film Soundtrack, and Origins of Earthsea. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $36.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Porco Rosso', 'Pom Poko' and 'Tales from Earthsea' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 3. Order Porco Rosso Order Pom Poko Order Tales from EarthseaPosted Mon Dec 1, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Cyber Monday Deal of the Week: 'Back to the Future Trilogy' Blu-ray $14.99 at Amazon[teaser]Amazon's deal will charge your Blu-ray player with 1.21 jigowatts of savings![/teaser] Amazon is selling 'Back to the Future Trilogy' for $14.99 (75% off the suggested retail price). Experience one of the most popular movie series of all time like never before with the Back to the Future Trilogy! Join Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a time traveling DeLorean for the adventure of a lifetime as they travel to the past, present and future, setting off a time-shattering chain reaction that disrupts the space time continuum! From filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, these timeless films feature all-new 25th Anniversary restorations for enhanced picture and sound plus hours of exciting bonus features. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Dec 1, 2014 at 06:34 AM PST by: -
Poor Nicolas Cage Gets 'Left Behind' on Blu-ray this January[teaser]The action-thriller co-stars Chad Michael Murray and Jordin Sparks. Pre-orders for the Blu-ray are now available. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Entertainment One is preparing to release 'Left Behind' on Blu-ray on January 6. The movie stars Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage (NATIONAL TREASURE, CITY OF ANGELS, THE CROODS) as veteran pilot Ray Steel. After millions of people around the globe disappear in the Biblically prophesied rapture, Ray must fight to protect the passengers that remain on his flight. Trapped at 30,000 feet, he must find a way to safely land the damaged plane and comprehend the chaos that awaits as the most devastating event in history unfolds. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Behind the Scenes Featurette and Slideshow; Interviews with Cast and Crew; Author’s Reflections; Films to Believe In; Promotional Videos; and Official Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $36.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Left Behind' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 6. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Dec 1, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Jason Reitman's 'Men, Women & Children' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The film starring Jennifer Garner, Emma Thompson, and Adam Sandler will be released on Blu-ray in January. You can pre-order it here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount will be releasing 'Men, Women & Children' on Blu-ray on January 13. Men, Women & Children follows the story of a group of high school teenagers and their parents as they attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives. The film attempts to stare down social issues such as video game culture, anorexia, infidelity, fame hunting, and the proliferation of illicit material on the internet. As each character and each relationship is tested, we are shown the variety of roads people choose - some tragic, some hopeful - as it becomes clear that no one is immune to this enormous social change that has come through our phones, our tablets, and our computers. The Blu-ray/Digital Copy combo will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Virtual Intimacy—The cast and director discuss the effects of technology and social media on our lives and relationships; Seamless Interface—Behind-the-scenes look at how the digital world of the film was created; and Deleted Scenes—including a never-before-seen storyline. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Men, Women & Children' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 13. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Nov 26, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Disney Dates 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' for Blu-ray[teaser]The family comedy is now available for pre-order at Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista says 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' will be available on Blu-ray on February 10. 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life — a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he's not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn't had one. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements have yet to be revealed. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $36.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 10. Order the Blu-rayPosted Wed Nov 26, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by:
