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HDD Deal of the Week: 'Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series' Blu-ray $89.99 at Amazon[teaser]This week's deal at Amazon is the entire run of the re-imagined sci-fi series on Blu-ray for seventy percent off! [/teaser] Amazon has reduced the price on the reissued 'Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series' Blu-ray for $89.99 (70% off suggested retail price. This collection includes all four seasons, the miniseries, 'Battlestar Galactica: Razor,' as well as 'Battlestar Galactica: The Plan.' This offer will last from now through November 23. Order the Blu-rayPosted Sun Nov 16, 2014 at 07:33 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Holiday Gift Guide 2014: All the Best Blu-rays and High-Def Goodies![teaser]The holiday season is right around the corner, which means it's never too early to start stocking up on all the great gifts and stocking stuffers for your film-loving family and friends.[/teaser] This year has seen plenty of Blu-ray releases and other High-Def goodies that are sure to satisfy everyone. Have a hard-to-buy-for uncle who loves horror movies? Cross him off the list with titles that run the gamut from terrifying, to hilariously gross, to artfully sublime. Action fans will be delighted by the onslaught of blockbusters that lit up theaters and will do the same for their living room. Whether you're in the market for some family films, comedies, the latest collection of great television programs, or even a Criterion release, there's a good chance you can find it (or some inspiration) here. Without further ado, let us present High-Def Digest's 2014 Holiday Gift Guide to get you started with the most important part of your holiday gift-buying needs: Holiday Holiday Inn It may be more well known for Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas,' but that doesn't mean 'Holiday Inn' isn't also a fantastic movie. This recently released Blu-ray offers viewers the chance to choose from a brilliantly restored black-and-white version or the less-than-stellar colorized one, which may prove to be just the thing to quiet your philistine relatives when they come visit your house during the season. Like 'It's a Wonderful Life,' 'Holiday Inn' is the kind of film that creates a near-perfect holiday atmosphere, meaning it's ready to be watched again and again throughout the season. Gremlins: 30th Anniversary Diamond Luxe Edition While it may be hard to believe that Joe Dante's 'Gremlins' could possibly qualify as a "holiday" film, it is equally unfathomable that the film is now old enough to be thinking about buying a sports car to fill the nameless mid-life dread it feels deep inside. That's right, 'Gremlins' has hit the 30-year mark, and to celebrate, Warner Home Video will release the film in December – officially putting it on your unconventional holiday movie list (along with 'Die Hard'), and your actual holiday shopping list. A Christmas Story: 30th Anniversary Edition It seems as though 30 years ago, many movies had Christmas on the brain. And while 'A Christmas Story' is a little more conventional than, say, 'Gremlins,' it nonetheless skewers the Christmas season with some pointed observations about family and how they can be driven a little mad over the holidays. Since its release, the tale of Ralphie and his quest to own a Red Rider BB gun has inspired countless quotes and leg lamp imitations that don't just recall the film, but have come to evoke the spirit of the holidays as well. Christmas in Connecticut Classics making their way to Blu-ray are nothing new – especially when the holidays roll around – and the release of the Barbara Stanwyck-starring farcical holiday film 'Christmas in Connecticut' is certainly one that could easily find a place in anyone's Christmas-themed library. Whether you've seen it a million times, or you've never seen it at all, the genuine holiday atmosphere created by this 1945 holiday effort is likely the film's greatest strength, seconded only by its narrative's ambitions. There are more modern films that could be part of your holiday screenings, but sometimes the season just calls for the classics. Family How to Train Your Dragon 2 The sequel to one of the strongest offerings from Dreamworks Animation in a very long time, 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' was, more or less, a forgone conclusion after the initial offering grossed more than $500 million worldwide. But the film still managed to deliver a rousing second effort that built on the series' specific, scaly mythology, while also providing some new characters and scenarios that make the story feel decidedly less like a shameless cash-grab, and more like something the whole family can get behind. The Wind Rises Miyazaki films aren't just great entertainment for the whole family; they're works of art that often take the magical and the realistic to new heights, enhancing them both. This historical, aeronautical effort from the celebrated director was hailed as one of his greatest accomplishments, which is saying something for a man who has directed over 25 films, television programs, and shorts since the '70s. There's no shortage of Miyazaki's magic touch here, which makes 'The Wind Rises' an even more impressive and meaningful effort, considering it is believed to be the director's last. Earth to Echo Earnest family films can be something of a hard sell these days, but 'Earth to Echo' may be one of the few releases in recent memory that manages to evoke the charm of popular '80s – or, specifically, Spielberg – films without solely feeling like a blatant rip-off. This charming family film is not without its faults, but the audience it's aiming for is unlikely to notice or be bothered by them. It may not appeal to those who have matured and (probably) become cynical, but for those looking for a film that will delight younger audiences, this is a solid bet. The Lego Movie Competing for the biggest hit with kids and their parents, 'The Lego Movie' seemingly came out of nowhere to take a ubiquitous children's toy and give it a whole new (animated) life, thanks to the directing duo of Philip Lord and Chris Miller. This tale of an average Joe (voiced by Chris Pratt) finding himself suddenly thrust into an extraordinary adventure is not unfamiliar, but the film's blend of charming humor and sly pop culture references (which includes a whole new kind of Batman) makes this a treat for everyone in the family. Frozen By now most parents are negotiating with their children to let go of 'Let if Go,' but that doesn't mean one of the biggest Blu-ray releases of the year isn't going to be on someone's wish list. The Disney animation machine created a tremendously popular film that rebirthed the notion of the Disney princess, and reestablished the value of these film's musical components, which, since the popularity of Pixar redefined what it meant to be an animated film, had seemingly fallen by the wayside. 'Frozen' has been out for several months and still it seems like a shoe in for a very popular holiday gift. Maleficent One of the biggest films of the summer also cemented Angelina Jolie's status as a true A-list actor. This revisionist telling of a classic fairy tale – and one of Disney's earliest and most enduring animated films – takes the point of view of the villain and manages to transform it a unique origin story in its own right. In addition to bringing a new perspective to the standard hero-villain model, 'Maleficent' is also the kind of effects-heavy blockbuster that has come to define the summer movie season, and because of that, this feminist tale has plenty to offer home theater enthusiasts as well. Action The Maze Runner Over the last few years, YA novels have suddenly become synonymous with post-apocalyptic, dystopian societies. The success of 'The Hunger Games' spawned numerous contenders to the throne, like 'Divergent,' 'The Giver,' and certainly 'The Maze Runner.' But of those titles, only 'The Maze Runner' felt like it was trying to branch out and discover something different in its YA sensibilities and its setting – which has more to do with 'Cube' than Katniss Everdeen. The film was a solid performer in theaters over the summer, and will certainly make for a great gift for fans of the book, or those who like their dystopias filled with plucky teens. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Unlike 'The Maze Runner,' this sequel to the 2011's 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' takes a look at the beginning of the end, through a very particular and familiar lens. Directed by 'Cloverfield' helmer Matt Reeves, 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' takes the next step in the tale of Caesar and his chemically enhanced brethren, as they do battle with – which, as we know, thanks to Charlton Heston's 1968 classic – the species they are destined to overthrow for control of the planet. This is one of the rare occasions where a reboot/sequel combination was highly anticipated and well-received, making it not only one of the better films to grace theaters this summer, but one that will undoubtedly make it on many a holiday wish list as well. X-Men: Days of Future Past After a two-film absence, Bryan Singer returned to the director's chair for the biggest entry in the franchise he launched all the way back in 2000. The fact that 14 years have passed since the first 'X-Men' film is almost as unbelievable as Hugh Jackman's outrageously veiny, fat-free physique. This time-traveling adventure based on the memorable X-Men two-parter by Chris Claremont and John Byrne spins a universe-building yarn that successfully combines the 'First Class' mutants with the more modern versions Singer is associated with. The film was a hit with audiences over the summer, and considering it only recently hit the Blu-ray market, 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' is a worthy addition to any fan's library. Guardians of the Galaxy What would a Holiday Gift Guide be if it didn't include the biggest movie of the year? Marvel hit it out of the park (box office-wise) with its two theatrical releases in 2014, but few would have guessed this space-faring gamble that was James Gunn's slightly off-kilter, '70s-music loving 'Guardians of the Galaxy' would awkwardly dance its way into the hearts and minds of American (and global) audiences. And with the recent announcement that 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' would be hitting theaters much sooner than anyone anticipated, this Blu-ray isn't just a holiday must-have, it's practically required viewing for the next spate of Marvel movies. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Yes, the four anthropomorphic, amphibious "brothers" named for some of history's greatest artists may have been given a Michael Bay-approved digital makeover – which included the addition of somewhat distracting (and flaring) nostrils – but that doesn't mean 2014's live action 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' doesn't qualify as a great gift for that young-ish person on your list. It's totally the pixel-crush video-game version of what was at one point a beloved – and ubiquitous – part of pop culture, and that is, to a certain extent, a part of this particular iteration's appeal. Make no mistake; this one will make probably make someone very happy. Edge of Tomorrow Certainly one of the biggest and best surprises of the year, 'Edge of Tomorrow' didn't quite receive the love it deserved in theaters over the summer, but the "reference quality" Blu-ray that was released in October – complete with curious semi-re-branding as 'Live. Die. Repeat.' Is deserving of a spot on someone's shelf. This energetic Tom Cruise actioner by way of 'Groundhog Day' also proved why Doug Liman is at the top of his game doing these kinds of solid action features with strong, charming leads. Action films are popular around the holidays, and as one of the best to have been released in 2014, 'Edge of Tomorrow' should be at the top of everyone's list. Drama Sideways 10th Anniversary Edition 'Sideways' is one of those films that could easily be considered a straight comedy, but, at its core, it can also be considered a drama with comedic elements about failure, loneliness, and sorrow. The fact that it's so funny is just another great example of how well the film balances tone and intent. One the finest films in Alexander Payne's catalogue, and certainly a shining jewel in Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church's oeuvres, it's been a long while since this film was a serious awards contender (and winner), so perhaps this 10th anniversary edition will make a nice gift for those who were fans of it back then, and have worn out their DVD (or previous Blu-ray) copy. A Most Wanted Man There is absolutely nothing wrong with the phrase: "Philip Seymour Hoffman starring in a film based on the work of acclaimed spymaster John le Carré." Yes, 2014 was a difficult year, due to the very untimely passing of Hoffman, but he left us with an amazing collection of films (including this one) to remember him by. Here, le Carré steps away from the Cold War to focus on the War on Terror with chillingly poignant political and social results. Featuring an all-star cast that includes, Robin Wright, Rachel McAdams, and Willem Dafoe, this could make for the best gift that no one knew they wanted. Natural Born Killers: 20th Anniversary Diamond Luxe Edition Another anniversary edition, this one is of an influential and controversial Oliver Stone film. Featuring fantastic performances from Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, and Robert Downey Jr., 'Natural Born Killers' explores the media's obsession with violence by becoming an orgy of mayhem and hallucinogenic images that flirted with the boundaries of cinematic decency. This edition would make the perfect gift for that Oliver Stone fan on your list (you'll know if you have one, believe me) or a younger cinephile that perhaps hasn't had the chance to partake in one of Stone's most nightmarish and pointed critiques of American culture. Calvary John Michael McDonagh made a splash with 'The Guard,' and his most recent effort sees him reteamed with Brendan Gleeson to tell the tale of an Irish priest who's heard too much in a confession. Blending the kind of black comedy and drama he and his brother Martin McDonagh are so well known for, John Michael has crafted one of the strongest, and unsurprisingly overlooked dramas of the year. With fantastic performances all around, this Blu-ray would make an excellent gift that may just broaden the horizons of its recipient. Once Upon a Time in America: Extended Director's Cut One of the easiest calls someone can make when buying a gift for a film buff is that he or she will almost certainly have an interest in picking up a "new" version or "cut" of a film that was said to have been ravaged by the meddling hands of a studio that didn't know any better. This reassembled 251-minute cut of Sergio Leone's 'One Upon a Time in America' is (for the time being) the closest fans will get to seeing what the director had originally intended for his four-hour crime saga, starring the likes of Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, and more. Whether the film buff on your list has seen other versions of this film a thousand times, or you're just introducing them to a film with a storied Hollywood history, this Blu-ray is a sure bet. Horror As Above, So Below By now, the found footage subgenre has all but run its course. What makes 'As Above, So Below' different from the Dollar Store horror of, say, 'Paranormal Activity' is that it has ambitions beyond the domestic. It can be difficult to take a relatively new concept that has become rather tired and make it feel interesting again. While this Paris-set horror film doesn't necessarily break new ground in terms of the subgenre, it at least takes the concept of found footage and gives it a spark of life that keeps it from feeling so static. Still, for fans of shaky cam scares and POV kills, there's a good chance this fright-fest will make someone's holiday. Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead Zombies are not inherently funny, and neither are Nazi's, and yet somehow, the 'Dead Snow' franchise (apparently this is a franchise, now) has managed to turn them both into the bloody premise of a cultish horror-comedy. This time, the game is all about upping the ante and finding even more inventive, gory, and unsettling ways to kill those characters unlucky enough to have crossed paths with the undead villains of WW II. For those who're looking for a little chuckle to go along with all the bloodletting, 'Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead' might just make the perfect gift. Deliver Us From Evil Future 'Doctor Strange' director Scott Derrickson brought this creepy exorcism drama to filmgoers over the summer. While it offers some genuine scares (for those inclined to be terrified by religious horror), it also features some truly strong (maybe too strong) depictions of a New York accent by Eric Bana and his on-screen wife, Olivia Munn. This stylish film makes for good viewing on Blu-ray, and while it may be the antithesis of what the season represents, there are likely a horror fan or two who wouldn't think it blasphemous to receive as a gift. Under the Skin Some might debate the placement of Jonathan Glazer's sumptuous, seductive 'Under the Skin' in the horror section, but, well, they'd be wrong. This eerie, hypnotic, and often surreal take on the collective fascination/fear we have with what lies beyond the stars, is also a powerful examination of the male gaze. With a stunningly understated performance from Scarlett Johansson, gorgeous cinematography, sound design, and enough subtext to choke a horse, this artfully crafted film might just be the perfect gift for that special someone who is always on the look out for something special. Comedy Let's Be Cops Sure, the film's release coincided with an event that had the actions of the police being scrutinized mightily, but the film still managed to quietly become a modest hit that suggested the future bankability of its stars (and stars of 'New Girl'), Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. This comedic tale of law enforcement gone wrong takes a simple premise and lets it spiral out of control (which will be familiar to those who followed the news this summer), but most of the laughs come from the film letting Wayans and Johnson do their thing. At any rate, whether the recipient saw it in theaters and loved it, or is constantly on the lookout for new comedies, 'Let's Be Cops' might be exactly what's needed to put a smile on someone's face this holiday season. 22 Jump Street Phil Lord and Chris Miller continue their box office and critical dominance with the follow-up to their unlikely smash-hit/television reboot, '21 Jump Street.' This time, instead of looking incredibly old and going undercover in high school, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum take to looking old in college and offering various turns on the gags that made the first one such a success. Sometimes you can't recapture lightning in a bottle, but if '22 Jump Street' proves anything, it's that you can make a full-length feature out of commenting on that fact. UHF: 25th Anniversary Edition 'Weird Al' Yankovic had a banner year in 2014, so it makes sense that his 1989 foray into being an unlikely leading man would find its way to Blu-ray, courtesy of the fine folks over at Shout! Factory. With gags on everything from 'Rambo' to 'Indiana Jones' to 'Gandhi,' 'UHF' wasn't just a loser-with-a-heart-of-gold story, it also turned into an unexpectedly hilarious riff on popular culture, complete with a 'Weird Al' spoof of Dire Straits' 'Money For Nothing.' This will make the perfect gift for the 'Weird' person in your family. Obvious Child Jenny Slate gets a well-deserved chance at a starring role (since she's arguably the best part of almost everything she's in), in this sharp comedy about a young, struggling stand-up comedian who is suddenly faced with the prospect of having an abortion. And yet, despite its hot-button topic, the film is, at its heart, a charming romantic comedy that offers enough of an edge on an otherwise conventional narrative to make it seem wholly original and entertaining. If you have a fan of rom-coms on your list, this slightly different approach to the genre might be exactly what they're looking for. Neighbors Not many people would have thought Seth Rogen and Zac Efron would make for a charming and hilarious comedic duo, but 'Neighbors' certainly proves that theory wrong. This coming-of-age story tells the tale of a reluctantly maturing young couple and the temptation/annoyance that is the fraternity that just moved in next door. With plenty of off-the-cuff humor and pratfalls, this film became one of the biggest comedy hits of the summer. For those who love raunchy humor with a little heart, this one might be a perfect stocking stuffer. Television Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 7 The final season of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' has come to Blu-ray, and would make the perfect gift for the resident Trekkie/completist on your shopping list. This 6-disc set includes all 25 episodes of the season, along with high-def extras exploring the impact 'TNG' had on the 'Star Trek' universe and how the series was far more influential than many might be aware. Winter can sometimes feel like its own 5-year mission, so why not make it a little easier with this season of a sci-fi classic? Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series Although Peter Capaldi just wrapped his first season as the new iteration of The Doctor, fans of 'Doctor Who' can relive all his adventures with this 4-disc set that includes every episode, exploring Clara's relationship with this new, distant, and somewhat dark Doctor. 'Doctor Who' has never been bigger, so it's a good bet this series will make for a great gift come time for the holidays (and the 'Doctor Who Christmas Special'). 24: Live Another Day Several years after Jack Bauer walked off the screen and out of our lives forever, '24: Live Another Day' brought the anti-terrorist expert back for a surprisingly well-made, entertaining, and fast-paced 12-episode season that suggests the best of Bauer is not necessarily behind him. This collection of the most recent season is a must for fans of the series, and those who are always itching to see Kiefer Sutherland reprise his most famous role. Arrow: The Complete Second Season Comic book fans don't have to venture to the theater to see their favorite heroes onscreen. In its second season, The CW's 'Arrow' managed to raise the bar for comic book series on television. Combining a thoughtful examination of familiar hero themes with fantastic action sequences that make the most of what a TV series has to offer, the ongoing adventures of the Emerald Archer is a perfect gift for the comic book fan who like his epic stories in 23 installments. Box Sets Steven Spielberg Director's Collection One of the greatest American filmmakers of all time gets the box-set treatment, just in time for the holidays. Containing 'Duel,' 'Sugarland Express,' 'Jaws,' '1941,' 'E.T,' 'Always,' 'Jurassic Park,' and 'The Lost World,' chances are this magnificent box set will have something for everyone. More that just a box of movies, though, this set contains a boatload of extras that dig deep into Spielberg's career and his impact as a filmmaker. You don't have to know a Dawson Leery to know that the 'Steven Spielberg Director's Collection' will make for a great gift. Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series This year, Shout! Factory released 'Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series' on Blu-ray, much to the appreciation of '80s children everywhere. Since its run ended in 1991, the series (as well as star and creator Paul Reubens) has become something of a slightly tainted cultural relic that is both bizarre and beloved at the same time. With the recent Broadway revival of the Pee-wee Herman character, this box set was put out on the market just in time to capitalize on the vapors of that resurgence. At any rate, this will make for an amazing gift for those nostalgic few who like to be reminded of their childhood over the holidays. The Sopranos: The Complete Series One of the greatest television series of all time has finally been released in its entirety on Blu-ray. 'The Sopranos: The Complete Series' offers fans who like their media physical a chance to pour over the tale of Tony Soprano and his modern-day crime family, as they traverse the tricky landscape of organized crime in the 21st century. This is landmark television at its best, and with a host of terrific extras, it will make for the perfect gift for the television lover in on your shopping list. Batman: The Complete Television Series This is the perfect gift for anyone who likes the Dark Knight a lot less dark and knightly (think semi-gallant court jester). 'Batman: The Complete Television Series' gives fans of the ultra-campy mid-'60s TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward access to every POW! BANG! and BIFF! they could ever want. This box set contains all 120 episodes of the series, remastered in HD with over three hours of extras. Whether you know someone who is a Bat-fanatic or would appreciate a different take on DC's ultimate crime fighter, this box set will likely have them dancing the Batusi. Gone With the Wind: 75th Anniversary Edition Sure, another one of these "Anniversary Editions" comes out every five years, but when you're closing in on a century of still being regarded as one of the best films of all time, you've earned the right to remind people that you have existed long before many of them. This sweeping epic has been given yet another impressive edition that includes the film (naturally), two new documentaries, memorabilia, and a 36-page companion booklet. Maybe you have a long-time fan of this film who would love this edition, or you know someone who is ready to fall in love with the film for the first time. Either way, this will make for a terrific gift. Criterion The Innocents Co-written by Truman Capote, 'The Innocents' is a frightening adaptation of Henry James' 'The Turn of the Screw,' featuring Deborah Kerr at her best. The film has been given a 4K restoration that showcases Freddie Francis' exquisite cinematography, while offering a handful of interesting supplemental features that only Criterion can offer. Although this terrifying tale of a governess and her supernatural suspicions of her charges might have made for better viewing in October, getting this as a gift for the holidays just readies the lucky recipient for next Halloween. All That Jazz This beautiful, uncompromising look at Bob Fosse through the lens of Bob Fosse takes the idea of biopic and transforms it into something slightly different. This examination of an artist pushing himself to the brink of destruction is entertaining and thrilling from start to finish. With tremendous performances by Roy Scheider and Jessica Lange, 'All That Jazz' blends drama, comedy, and musical numbers like no film before. And this Criterion edition offers fans a deeper look into the world of Fosse and Broadway alike. La Dolce Vita The film that made Federico Fellini an international star, 'La Dolce Vita' has been given a tremendous 4K restoration and the full Criterion treatment. The disc features plenty of new supplemental material that explores Fellini and the film's relationship with stardom and how its biting critique of celebrity culture was as relevant in 1960 as it is today. This tremendous film features some of the best work Fellini would do with Marcello Mastroianni, and would make a great gift for lovers of Italian cinema. Eraserhead David Lynch's debut as a feature filmmaker is also one of his most impenetrable. And that's saying something from the creator of 'Mulholland Drive' and 'Inland Empire.' This stylish, unsettling film has perplexed and fascinated fans of Lynch's brand of surrealist storytelling for decades, and now it has been given a fantastic Criterion edition that is sure to please both fans of the director and those looking for a compelling film that can launch a thousand conversations. So that's our Holiday Gift Guide for 2014. Any titles you'd add to the list? Please follow the link below to join the conversation.Posted Fri Nov 14, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Scott Frank's Crime Thriller 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The film starring Liam Neeson will hit Blu-ray in January, and you can pre-order the Blu-ray now. [/teaser]As previously reported, Universal is preparing 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' for Blu-ray in the near future, and now the date has been set for January 13. Based on Lawrence Block's bestselling series of mystery novels, 'A Walk among the Tombstones' stars Liam Neeson as Matt Scudder, an ex-NYPD cop who now works as an unlicensed private investigator operating just outside the law. When Scudder reluctantly agrees to help a heroin trafficker (Dan Stevens) hunt down the men who kidnapped and then brutally murdered his wife, the PI learns that this is not the first time these men have committed this sort of twisted crime...nor will it be the last. Blurring the lines between right and wrong, Scudder races to track the deviants through the backstreets of New York City before they kill again. The release will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: A Look Behind the Toombstones - Investigate the many characters of A Walk Among the Tombstones, and Matt Sudder: Private Eye - Author Lawrence Block and Screenwriter/Director Scott Frank discuss the complex character of Matt Scudder and how he transforms from page to screen. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo pack is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 13. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Nov 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Philippe Falardeau's 'The Good Lie' Starring Oscar Winner Reese Witherspoon Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed drama will hit stores at the end of next month. Pre-orders are now available at Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers has revealed 'The Good Lie' will arrive on Blu-ray on December 23. Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon (“Walk the Line”) stars alongside Corey Stoll (“House of Cards”) and the Lost Boys, a group of real-life Sudanese refugees. Together, against the backdrop of their shared losses, the Lost Boys and these unlikely strangers find humor in the clash of cultures, and heartbreak as well as hope in the challenges of life in America. Along with Witherspoon and Stoll, the film stars real-life Sudanese refugees Arnold Oceng (“My Brother the Devil,” “Adulthood”) and newcomer Kuoth Wiel; Ger Duany (“I Heart Huckabees”) and rapper Emmanuel Jal, who were both former child soldiers and Lost Boys; and Femi Oguns (BBC’s “The Casualty”). Rounding out the cast are Sarah Baker as Faith Based Charities volunteer Pamela Lowi; and, as the younger Lost Boys, Peterdeng Mongok, Okwar Jale, Thon Kueth, Deng Ajuet and Keji Jale, all of whom are children of Sudanese refugees. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include The Good Lie Journey and deleted scenes. You can find the latest specs for 'The Good Lie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 23. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Nov 14, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
John R. Leonetti's Supernatural Horror 'Annabelle' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The follow-up to 'The Conjuring' is now up for pre-order at Amazon. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is working on 'Annabelle' for Blu-ray on January 20. She terrified you in "The Conjuring," but this is where it all began for Annabelle. Capable of unspeakable evil, the actual doll exists locked up in an occult museum in Connecticut — visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month. New Line Cinema's supernatural thriller "Annabelle" begins before the evil was unleashed. John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia—a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia's delight with Annabelle doesn't last long. On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now...Annabelle. The release will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: The Curse of Annabelle, Bloody Tears of Possession, Dolls of the Demon, A Demonic Process, and Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo pack is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Annabelle' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 20. Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Nov 14, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Antoine Fuqua's Action-Packed 'The Equalizer' Starring Denzel Washington Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The one-man A-Team will be available for hire at the end of December. Pre-order you copy here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be releasing 'The Equalizer' on Blu-ray on December 30. In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by, he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is THE EQUALIZER. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Home Mart: Taking Care of Business One Bolt at a Time On the film's climactic Home Mart sequence and Children of the Night - Moretz discusses her character, Teri and the research she did to play the young, exploited girl. Blu-ray exclusives include: Vengeance Mode; Photo Gallery; Inside The Equalizer - Exploring the creative process of re-imagining and bringing Robert McCall to life; Denzel Washington: A Different Kind of Superhero - A behind-the-scenes look at how Washington trained for his physically demanding role in this film; Equalizer Vision: Antoine Fuqua - A firsthand look at the movie-making process from the Director; and One Man Army: Training and Fighting - A discussion with Washington, Csokas & stunt coordinator, Keith Woulard, on the process of building a one-man army. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Equalizer' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 30. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Nov 13, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Nicholas McCarthy's Horror Flick 'At the Devil's Door' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The release will hit stores in mid-December. Pre-order your copy now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MPI will be releasing 'At the Devil's Door' on Blu-ray on December 16. When ambitious young real estate agent Leigh (Catalina Sandino Moreno, 'Che') is asked to sell a house with a checkered past, she crosses paths with a disturbed girl whom she learns is the runaway daughter of the couple selling the property. When Leigh tries to intervene and help her, she becomes entangled with a supernatural force that soon pulls Leigh's artist sister Vera (Naya Rivera, 'Glee') into its web — and has sinister plans for both of them. With nail-biting terror, writer/director Nicholas McCarthy's ('The Pact') 'At the Devil's Door' is an unforgettable venture into the supernatural. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include an audio commentary, making of featurette, deleted scenes, and trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'At the Devil's Door' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 16. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Nov 13, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Lionsgate Prepping 'Little House on the Prairie: Season Four' for Blu-ray in January[teaser]The Ingalls family returns to Blu-ray in the new year. Pre-order your copy here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Little House on the Prairie: Season Four' will arrive on Blu-ray on January 20. The adventure and drama continues for the beloved Ingalls family in Season Four of this treasured American-classic TV series. Life on the frontier brings trials and triumphs in this 22-episode season that includes a disappointing trip to Chicago, a devastating drowning followed by Laura's kidnapping, crime and outlaws in Walnut Grove, love and marriage for Nellie, a surprise family inheritance, Caroline's pregnancy, Mary's tragic blindness and more. Newly restored and remastered for optimal picture and sound, enjoy each episode in its original brilliance, and relive every touching moment of this unforgettable season. The 5-disc set will feature 1080p video, a lossless stereo soundtrack, and supplements will include "The Little House Phenomenon Part Four: A Day in the Life of Little House" Documentary as well as Ultraviolet Digital Copies of every episode. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Little House on the Prairie: Season Four' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 20. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Nov 13, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon' Blu-ray Date Change & Details[teaser]The British biopic will now be painting a dark picture on Blu-ray in January and you can pre-order the movie now. [/teaser]As previously reported, Strand Releasing was preparing 'Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon' for Blu-ray on December 2, but now the date looks to be January 20. John Maybury's searing portrait of the English painter Francis Bacon (Derek Jacobi) at the height of his fame in the 1960s is one of the nastiest and most truthful portraits of the artist-as-monster ever filmed. It's the story of the colossally self-absorbed painted and his self-destructive younger lover, George Dyer (Daniel Craig), begins when Bacon awakens in his studio one night to discover a burglar on the premises. Sizing up the thief as an appetizing piece of rough trade, Bacon makes a proposition: if the robber sheds his clothes and comes to bed with him, he promises, he can have anything he wants…in presuming to take you inside the mind and heart of a major artist, confronting the demonic aspect of the human condition, 'Love Is the Devil,' goes as far and as deep as any movie has dared. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an LPCM 2.0 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary with director John Maybury and actor Derek Jacobi, original theatrical trailer, and other strand releasing trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $27.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under January 20.Posted Thu Nov 13, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
James Gunn Talks 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Blu-ray Special Features & Marvel's Cinematic Universe[teaser]Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' arrives on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D December 9th, so the studio invited journalists to the Disney lot for an early preview of the Bonus Materials followed by an energetic Q&A session with the film's co-writer / director, James Gunn.[/teaser] So, what's on the disc? All physical home video releases include one Deleted Scene (not sure which one of five) as well as an Exclusive Look at "Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron", a short EPK-style behind-the-scenes look at the making of the next Avengers adventure. That film shot in New York, Italy, South Africa, and South Korea to give the story a more global / epic feel. Writer / director Joss Whedon talks about the new characters coming into the universe. Not much more here than what we already know, but that's okay. We should save all the good surprises for the finished movie. Fans will dig it. Exclusive to the Blu-ray, there is an Audio Commentary (we did not hear), a Gag Reel (of which we did not see the entire thing), five Deleted Scenes and (at least) four Making-of Featurettes. The Featurettes, while short, cover everything from world building and design to make up effects to set building to Marvel Easter Eggs to using "intergalactic VFX" to bring two completely CGI charters to life. Mr. Gunn used his brother, Sean, on set to physically act the part of Rocket. Sean, he said, "created" Rocket, and then Bradley Cooper "added to that and created other aspects" of the character. But the fun part is that each featurette begins with an excerpt from a faux 8-bit video game, 'James Gunn Intergalactic Adventurer', where the director himself appears in what looks like a cross between 'Contra' and 'Super Mario Bros.' to help various characters from the movie who then proceed to take the piss out of him. It's a nice package overall, but a little self-congratulatory and too brief. Perhaps the inevitable Phase Two Collector's Set will offer a more in-depth documentary. Deleted Scenes included: Kyln Will Have to Do -- John C' Reily's Corpsman Dey has a sight gag while learning about the "Kyln" prison. Sisterly Love -- a fight breaks out between Zoe Saldana's Gamora and her sister, Nebula. No, I'm the Stupid One -- An unfinished scene between Rocket and Groot where Rocket tries to explain why capturing Star Lord is important, but Groot's distracted. Fake Laugh -- The future Guardians take a vote on whether or not Rocket's laugh is real. Dancing Guard -- The Guard with Starlord's Sony Walkman really enjoys it, even while performing his standard duties. After the screening, Mr. Gunn returned for a Q&A with all of the journalists. Here is a transcript of the entire session:James Gunn: Hi, I'm James Gunn. I'll be today's moderator. [laughter] I was just doing a phone interview upstairs and he asked me what was different now than when I was first doing the press junkets. And actually it feels pretty amazing because the whole time I was doing interviews right before the movie came out, it was exciting and energizing, but it was also pretty terrifying. I think I was understanding by then that people really liked the movie, so that part lifted my biggest worry. But we didn't know how the movie was gonna do and all of that stuff, so it's nice to do these interviews and answer questions when I'm not completely terrified. At what point did you realize [the box office numbers] were exceeding your wildest expectations? It didn't exceed my wildest expectations. I could have beat James Cameron. [uproarious nerd laughter]. My wildest expectations are yet to be beat! [still laughing]. Well I've got even wilder expectation than... no, no, I'm kidding. You know, there was a moment, I think it was the first day. Tracking said we were supposed to come in at $65M opening weekend, and we started getting our first weekend numbers and it kept getting higher every day. At first it was like, "Oh my God" we're going to be near $80M, and then we're going to be $85M, and we ended up at $94M. This is such a boring anecdote, but I was sitting out by the pool with my dog at my house and I almost got this LSD experience where it wasn't real. It felt like a 'Twilight Zone' episode. It wasn't entirely a good feeling. It was sorta creepy. But it was that moment when I realized, "holy shit, we're doing really well." Will there ever be a playable version of that 8-bit video game [from the making-of featurettes]? I think that's just for this, but I wish it could be. I would like to be somebody who jumps over mushrooms and stuff. [laughter] How much bonus footage did you shoot on set? We had a guy on set that was shooting footage all the time. So we have tons of stuff that I would like to go through. I just haven't had the time to do that. But I knew we had a lot of bonus footage. And then we have cut scenes and that stuff. What is your working dynamic with [Marvel President] Kevin Fiege? And how much has the success of 'Guardians of the Galaxy' influenced Phase Three? My dynamic, at this point, with Kevin is, like, I went in and said "this is what I think we should do in the sequel" and he said "okay" and now I'm off dealing with that. So it's not that dynamic. [laughter] And who knows how much we've influenced Phase Three, but I think the one thing is that The Guardians aren't backseat to The Avengers. Captain America, Thor, those other movies really do support The Avengers and they do take a back seat. But The Guardians are their own thing and the cosmic side of the universe is its own thing. Because the movie was so successful, and more successful than 'Iron Man' was, that changed the way other people looked at it, but I still look at it the same way. The first film is really weird and strange, but audiences embraced it. How will you be pushing that forward in the sequel? I don't think about 'Guardians of the Galaxy' as weird because every day I get somebody telling me their eighty-year-old grandmother loved 'Guardians of the Galaxy' so, in some ways, it's different. I think it's unique. But I don't think it's that weird. I actually think it's more accessible to people than a lot of Marvel movies. I think the main thing with moving on is that we can just repeat ourselves. We can't just say, "okay let's start with something sad and shift into something really happy with some music, and let's have the Awesome Mix work in the same way, but with songs from the '80s as opposed to songs from the '70s. And all of those things... that doesn't interest me. For me, the shift is about getting to know the characters on a deeper level, knowing them more intimately, and uncovering facets of the characters that make them more real to us. Because at the center of it, I think what works about 'Guardians' is that people like the characters. Are you going to be delving into more backstories? It's not... Yes. [laughter] Looking more deeply into the characters themselves and who they are and what they think and what their flaws are and what their strengths are, you know. They're a much more flawed group than The Avengers. They have major, major issues. Which of the Deleted Scenes was the last one to be cut? No, I'm the Stupid One. The one that's Rocket trying to explain to Groot and Groot gets distracted was cut pretty late. That one was cut the latest for sure. Can you talk about Sisterly Love? That one seems to provide information that the movie doesn't have. Yeah, that was a hard one. The truth is we had tons of stuff in the first act on the Dark Aster for too long. It does provide information, but it made the movie move slower so we ended up cutting it. There were ones that were cut later that were easier, like that scene with Rocket and Groot, but it didn't even occur to us to cut it until later in the game. Do you have to think about Phase Three while developing the sequel? Again, it's just still more important that the Guardians' story is more important than where they're going with anything having to do with the rest of the Marvel Universe. So no, not really. How much of the world building was done for this movie, and how much was done to save for later? It's somewhere in between. Some of it was for this movie, but there's a lot of things that are way more thought out than they need to be for this movie. In particular, things like "The Ravagers" were thought out really... I'd say "well thought out" but that's like giving myself a compliment. "Good job, James." [laughter] So there are some things that are really, really in-depth, and The Ravagers culture and how they work is one of them. Were you thinking beyond 'Guardians' and the whole cosmic side...? Totally. Very much. I mean, every time I say something, somebody takes it and runs with it. And there was a big rash of "James Gunn is thinking of ideas for 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3'." Well, I don't think I really said that. What I said was, "I had ideas for 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2', I knew what I was going to do for that from the time I was doing the other movie, and I had ideas for beyond that." That doesn't necessarily mean 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3' because there's lots of characters in this movie that go in a lot of different directions. And some of the characters I'm most interested in aren't necessarily Guardians of the Galaxy. I was just wondering about Peter Quill's father's origins. In the comics he's slightly different. His origins are different in the movie. I just thought there was a more interesting way to go for the Cinematic Universe that was more believable. There's things in the comic book that, on film, seemed to come out a little too 'Star Wars' to me. And I'm not a great fan of the name J'son. So there will be a lot of difference. You know, this really is the Cinematic Universe and the fun of it for me, you know I always loved the Marvel Ultimate Comics that presented a different story on the way that we're used to, and we saw characters in a new light and they could show up in different places, different ages, different ways. And I think that's exactly what the Marvel Cinematic Universe is. We see things in a different light. They established that very well at the end of the first 'Iron Man' where Tony Stark says "I am Iron Man." That was like Marvel Cinematic Universe's way of saying "we're different from the comics. What has it meant to you to have the film resonate so well, emotionally? It's touching. It's really touching. I really made the movie completely sincerely, and I love the characters. And I'm moved by it still. Every time I watch the movie and see Drax pet Rocket's head I still get teary eyed, honest to God. I love that moment in particular, but, you know, I love the movie, I love the characters, and I love the people I made the movie with. So to have people respond to it on that emotional level, and to have people get what I was going for with the whole movie. After having a career of doing many things I thought were pretty obvious what I was doing with them, and then sometimes people just didn't exactly see them how they were. Being able to get to a point where I feel like I'm able to speak to people clearly through film is a real joy. Marvel seems to have a plan of where they're going, but it seems like you had a lot of freedom to make the movie you wanted to make. Were you surprised by that? I really was very, very surprised. Most surprised by things people might think of as basic parts of movies. The fact that when I first wrote the story of what the eventual movie became, I came in with a treatment and I think this what the story should be. At the top of that treatment I had a photograph of a Sony Walkman. I don't know what compelled me to do that, but I think it was stupid. [laughter] Because I think if I did that at most other studios people would be like, "whoah, wait a sec, that should be Saturn." Instead, Kevin just loved that Walkman. He just started talking about the Walkman all the time. To me that's just really the center of where the movie is different. It's that Walkman '70s music next to the Space Opera and just everything I brought to those guys that was the most outlandish stuff was the stuff they embraced the most. And I couldn't believe it. I remember when I made my first ever movie, 'Tromeo & Juliet', and I was in New York City on the subway everyday. I was still in grad school, and I was like, "oh my God, I can't believe I came up with this idea for this thing and now they're doing it and they're spending $350,000 on it and I couldn't believe it! It's fucking crazy, you know." [laughter] And I got that same feeling on this. I was like, "I can't believe that they're just kinda going with this." I felt like I was tricking everybody. But it worked. Can you talk about your hand in the music selection and, songs you wanted versus songs you couldn't get. There was nothing I couldn't get and the songs where one hundred percent chosen by me and only me all throughout the movie. Most of the songs were written into the screenplay. And those that weren't I chose later on. But I never had any fight on the music. I think those guys originally thought of it as temp music, but at our early test screenings people loved the music. So I was really happy with that because I didn't want to end up with the newest Britney Spears song. [laughter] Though I like Britney Spears. [laughter]. So that was the choice with that. I had a very specific type of song I was looking for. A song, for the most part, people might know the music, but they probably wouldn't know the name of the band, they probably didn't know the name of the song itself. But some part of you recognized hearing it at Shakey's Pizza or wherever. And then all of a sudden this song that's been in the background of your life is pushed to the foreground. [SPOILER ALERT QUESTION] Why did you choose Howard the Duck for the after credit scene? Originally, the tag scene was going to be Baby Dancing Groot and we loved it so much, I think we should put it at the very end of the movie. And we had the rights to the Jackson Five song for Baby Dancing Groot and I liked the way it ended with Peter flying away and playing that song. So that worked well at the very end of the movie, but meant we didn't have a tag scene. And we didn't have a tag scene to connect us to something else, so I found this footage I had of Benicio that I actually shot for the montage at the end, which originally had Nebula and Benicio and Grandpa Quill, but we cut that for a lot of reasons. And I had that footage, and I'm like, "what could he see?" And I started going through it and I'm like, "he could see something in that box. What could he see in that box?" And I don't know if it was me or my editor Fred Raskin who said "Howard the Duck" and we started laughing. Then we told Kevin and he started laughing. He thought it was really funny. So that's really all it was. [END SPOILER] What was it like directing your old boss, Lloyd Kaufman? Directing Lloyd is always a challenge because he's like the Hiroshima of actors. [laughter] Listen, if you want the acting to be like a background character in Mad Magazine, then Lloyd's a perfect go-to guy. If you want an actual, real human being, Lloyd's a little bit difficult to direct. But he's getting better, actually. It was a pure joy. You seem to have a really clear vision for the film; was any improv used? More often than improv, Chris and I would think of things we could put in the script beforehand. Like the 'Footloose' speech is something Chris came into my office one day and says, "I bet he would think that 'Footloose' was like a great legend." I'm like, "yes, and [Quill] could say that to Gamora, and he doesn't even remember the name of the guy. To him the hero is Kevin Bacon all through his childhood." So that was definitely written by me and Chris together beforehand, which isn't improv. It's just me using Chris' writing and taking credit for it. [laughter]. Chris and I have very similar senses of humor and we know how to work of each other. An improv thing was the Jackson Pollock thing. That was that same thing of me and Chris one-upping each other. Chris said the backlight joke and I went over and I said, "say that again, but this time say it looks like a Jackson Pollock painting in here." And we did it again and everybody on set was like, "are you really waisting out time doing this stupid joke that's never going to make it into a Disney movie?" And I'm like "it's funny, to me." ~~~~ Thanks again to the kind folks at Marvel and Disney for hosting us. Pre-order your copy of 'Guardians of the Galaxy' on Blu-ray or Blu-ray 3D now, or pick one up on December 9. 'Guardians' is also available on Digital HD November 18.Posted Wed Nov 12, 2014 at 03:00 PM PST by:
