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'It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The Muppets' Christmas movie is up for Blu-ray pre-order Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal will be bringing 'It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie' to Blu-ray on October 7. Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the entire Muppet gang in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie! 'Tis the night before Christmas and the Muppet Theater is in danger of being torn down. When bad goes to worse, Kermit begins to believe that the world would be a better place if he had never been born. With a little heavenly help and hilarious holiday shenanigans, Kermit and the Muppets discover what matters most is their love for each other. Featuring a celebrity cast including David Arquette, Joan Cusack and Whoopi Goldberg, plus show-stopping musical numbers like "Moulin Scrooge," this heartwarming holiday classic will bring joy to the world every Christmas season! Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include deleted scenes and outtakes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 7.Posted Fri Aug 1, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Firestorm' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The Andy Lau crime-thriller will target Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA will be releasing 'Firestorm' on Blu-ray on September 23. A storm is heading toward the city of Hong Kong, threatening the lives of everyone in its path. As citizens scramble for cover, a crew of seasoned criminals stage a series of armored car heists in broad daylight, showing no mercy to anyone who gets in their way. Hardboiled police inspector Cao Nam (Andy Lau) has had enough. He vows to take back his city, but quickly learns that regular police tactics are no match for the thieves' unmerciful brutality. The more Nam pursues them, the more unhinged he becomes - and the savage confrontation brewing in the streets may leave an aftermath even more horrifying than the devastating effects of nature itself. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: "The Making of Firestorm" Featurette and the Original Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Firestorm' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 23.Posted Fri Aug 1, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: July 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 totally awesome animated film, an absorbing HBO series, and a highly influential musical comedy. 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, and June 2014. [teaser]This month, we're covering an utterly unique TV mystery, a powerful biblical epic, and an experimental sci-fi drama. [/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 July, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery' - "Harry, I have no idea where this will lead us, but I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange." And with those immortal words uttered by Dale Cooper, the writers behind 'Twin Peaks' essentially sum up the experience of watching the show itself. A highly influential and original piece of serialized storytelling, the series might be one of the most important TV shows ever produced. And it's also one of the greatest. Creators David Lynch and Mark Frost manage to weave an engaging murder mystery that defies all classifications. Dark, funny, and inexplicably weird, the series refuses to adhere to any one genre. Instead, it creates its own, taking audiences on an unforgettable journey into the woods -- where nightmares and reality blur into a red room with no entrance and no exit. But in this case, that's not really a problem. After all, why would you want to leave?It all begins with a body. A dead body. Wrapped in plastic. Her name is Laura Palmer. She was the Homecoming Queen. She was loved by her community and appeared to live the perfect life. But appearances in 'Twin Peaks' are not always what they seem. And neither are the owls. Through the mystery of Laura Palmer's murder we are introduced to a town full of quirky characters and ominous secrets, leading to a complex and enthralling web of good and evil. Hopelessly optimistic FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) serves as our window into this bizarre new world, and through his eyes we encounter sights both disturbing and amusing, maddening and absurd. Indeed, perhaps more than any other show (or movie, for that matter), 'Twin Peaks' manages to balance an utterly manic tone that somehow always feels completely cohesive. At once an unsettling murder mystery, a melodramatic soap opera, a kooky comedy, an eerie supernatural thriller, and a tongue-in-cheek parody of everything it otherwise earnestly strives to be -- the show absolutely, unequivocally should not work. But it does. Brilliantly. Throughout its thirty episodes, we bear witness to eccentric townspeople, dancing dwarfs, backwards talking dreams, enigmatic giants, violent demons, gorgeous femme fatales, and plotlines that are both unrelentingly tragic and unashamedly silly. Under the wrong hands, this hodgepodge of seemingly incompatible ideas would cluster into an unsalvageable mess, but Lynch and Frost glue these pieces into an utterly original, esoteric masterpiece. Contemporary television owes a heavy debt to 'Twin Peaks.' Everything from 'The X-Files,' 'Northern Exposure,' and 'The Killing,' to 'Lost,' 'Carnivale,' and 'True Detective' bears a clear influence from this series. Likewise, the show's genre-bending, serialized narrative and artistic cinematic style have helped to pave the way toward our current golden age of cable TV dramas. This comprehensive box-set from Paramount includes every episode of the show, tons of supplements, the feature length prequel movie 'Fire Walk with Me,' and about 90 minutes of previously unreleased deleted material from said film. In other words, it's everything a 'Twin Peaks' fan could want (myself very much included). As far as TV on Blu-ray goes, this is a must own in every sense of the word. So, grab "a damn fine cup of coffee" and prepare to travel back into the woods. It is a place both wonderful and strange. You can pick it up here! 'Noah' - In the beginning there was darkness… and then of course the Blu-ray loaded up and the film began. But as Darren Aronofsky's controversial biblical epic played back before my eyes, I initially had no idea what to think. I was cautiously intrigued when the project was first announced, but the film's trailers did little to win me over. In fact, they made me want to stay away. Thankfully, now that the credits have rolled, my doubts have been assuaged, and while I'm not exactly a devout fan, the movie is an undeniably powerful and visually awe-inspiring experience. With religious parable as his starting point, the director is able to create a surprisingly deep examination of punishment and mercy, tackling ideas of sin, love, and freewill amidst an impossibly grand backdrop of cleansing waters and cosmic destiny. Also, there are lots of animals. Lots and lots of animals.Through Aronofsky's interpretation, Noah becomes a painfully conflicted protagonist. Charged with an impossible task by his creator, we watch as the man is forced to increasingly bury his humanity in order to complete his sacred mission. Russell Crowe carries the picture with palpable anguish and steadfast resolve. And when moments of doubt do creep up, they prove to be heartbreakingly powerful. Throughout his teetering emotional rollercoaster, Crowe imbues the character with a carefully concentrated sense of duty, compassion, madness, and shame, and his overwhelming burden hangs heavy in every frame. Likewise, the rest of the cast is also very effective, and as the morally conflicted narrative continues to unfold we are often left unsure who to root for -- man, woman, child, beast, or god. To Aronofsky's credit, the filmmaker creates an unexpectedly complex rumination on wickedness, retribution, savagery, kindness, family, conservation, and healing, offering thought provoking layers of gray within an ostensibly black and white moral frame work. Beyond this engaging narrative, the movie's visuals prove to be absolutely stunning, engendering a mournfully apocalyptic mood that ebbs and flows into awe-inspiring crescendos. Quick montages economically reveal religious backstory, weaving breathtaking tales of serpents in Eden, malformed fallen angels, and the very birth of creation. The great flood sequence itself is of course a standout, and the director does not shy away from the horror it brings, resulting in a disturbing set piece that is likely to linger with audiences long after the raging waters have receded.Though some viewers have taken issue with several aspects of Aronofsky's approach, the filmmaker has accomplished a rare task by creating a biblical epic that has appeal to both believers and non-believers alike. With a stirring thematic backbone marked by concepts of guilt, innocence, corruption, and forgiveness, the movie tells a timeless story about humanity's dual nature and its questionable worthiness to exist. More than just a special effects extravaganza or a preachy Sunday school lesson, the film uses religious allegory to tackle morally ambiguous ideas in a visually arresting style. The Blu-ray features demo worthy video and audio, as well as a few worthwhile supplements, rounding out a stellar release that commands a spot on July's must own list. You can pick it up here! 'Under the Skin' - Sexuality can be a dangerous tool. At its most superficial, it can lead to exploitation and manipulation. And at its most raw and passionate, it can lead to confusion and deep vulnerability. Through a heady but intentionally vague filter of science fiction mystery, Jonathan Glazer's dreamy and unsettling 'Under the Skin' examines these very concepts -- using an alien seductress as a means to probe deep into the complicated world of human sexuality and identity. Marked by an esoteric visual style and an isolated, haunting mood, the movie mixes actual hidden camera documentary footage of its star with absorbing sci-fi imagery to create a multifaceted and affecting meditation on our species' tragic longing to connect -- both physically and emotionally. When we first meet Johansson's nameless character, she is nothing but a seductive predator -- a facsimile of a person fueled only by a primal necessity. She preys upon unsuspecting men, luring them into her trap, using smiles and flirtations to put them at ease, but there is no person behind the facade. She is an approximation of a woman, skilled at pleasantries and superficial sexuality but bereft of empathy or depth. She is an empty thing. But it seems that one can only wear a face for so long, before it starts to feel real. As the filmmakers point out in supplemental materials, the movie focuses on a character who goes from being an "it to a she," and Johansson plays up these gradual emotional turns with remarkable subtlety and complexity. Likewise, Glazer's narrative and visual approach perfectly complements his enigmatic and dangerous protagonist, essentially stripping away any semblance of verbal exposition in favor of a purely visceral form of storytelling. Dialogue is sparse and nothing is ever explained through words. But there is still a clear method here, and as we bear witness to the alien's process, we learn all that we need to learn through disturbingly dreamy images alone. At its core, 'Under the Skin' actually tells a surprisingly straightforward story: An alien succubus preys upon human men until she gradually learns what it's like to be a person. But the director's approach couldn't be further from straightforward. Using visual style as a means of expressing meaning and tone, Glazer emulates the seduction, mystery, horror, loneliness, and confusion of his protagonist through the very tempo and form of his images and editing. Experimental in execution, the film becomes a fascinating mixture of stark reality and cryptic science fiction, finding a layer of uncommon truth within its cinematic dream world. Though some viewers may be put off by the film's unconventional approach and disturbing imagery, this is one of the genre's most original and affecting efforts in quite a long time. For those who enjoy challenging art house sci-fi, this is a clear must own. You can pick it up here! So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this July, 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 July's must own titles?Posted Thu Jul 31, 2014 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
'The Great Race' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1965 Blake Edwards comedy will race to Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Archive is preparing 'The Great Race' for Blu-ray on September 9. Blake Edwards turns a marvelous cast loose on a round-the-world highway booby-trapped by some of the funniest screen gags ever. Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk are nasty Professor Fate and his dim henchman Max. Tony Curtis is their good-guy nemesis, the Great Leslie. And Natalie Wood is cheroot-puffing suffragette reporter Maggie DuBois. Zestily scored by Henry Mancini and ravishing in a new digital transfer with revitalized digital audio from restored elements, The Great Race is great fun! Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: Original Road Show Version with Overture, Intermission, Entr'acte, and Exit music, Behind the Scenes with Blake Edwards' "The Great Race"; and Theatrical Trailer. The suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'The Great Race' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 9.Posted Thu Jul 31, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection' Amazon Exclusive Blu-ray[teaser]An Amazon exclusive Blu-ray boxed set featuring 8 Stanley Kubrick films is up for pre-order. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner is preparing 'Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection' for Blu-ray on November 4 as an Amazon exclusive. The Masterpiece Collection features Lolita (1962), Dr. Strangelove (1964), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1975), The Shining (1980), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999). "Kubrick Remembered" offers a new look into the Kubrick archives, with special appearances by the director's wife, Christiane Kubrick, as well as never-seen footage of Stanley's works, his house and his film production facilities. "Stanley Kubrick in Focus" presents such directors as Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Oliver Stone, William Friedkin and Martin Scorsese relating how Kubrick's directorial style influenced their work. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $199.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 4.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'More Dead Than Alive' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1969 thriller starring Vincent Price and Clint Walker arrives on Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino will be releasing 'More Dead Than Alive' on Blu-ray on November 11. After serving 18 years, "Killer" Cain (Clint Walker) is released from prison, determined never to touch a gun again. But the only job he can get is with Dan Ruffalo's (Vincent Price) traveling sideshow as the sharp shooting main attraction. As Cain works to build an honest future free of bullets and bloodshed, his enemies look to settle old scores. Now Cain must risk his new life to become the "Killer" once more- or be haunted by his past forever. Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: New On-camera Interview with Star Clint Walker and Original Theatrical Trailer. The suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'More Dead Than Alive' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 11.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Swedish House Mafia: Leave The World Behind' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The electronic band's final tour will be chronicled in this documentary coming to Blu-ray in September. Pre-orders are now live. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Universal is preparing 'Swedish House Mafia: Leave The World Behind' for Blu-ray on September 2. 'Leave the World Behind' follows global music sensation Swedish House Mafia as they complete their 'One Last Tour,' the largest worldwide electronic music tour in history with over 1,000,000 tickets sold worldwide in just one week. Director Christian Larson ('Take One') captures the band's decision to bring an end to their life's biggest achievement in order to save their friendship. Audiences will get a front-row seat as Larson films the trio in an honest, raw and emotional showcase of the group's final chapter as electronic music's finest. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $21.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Swedish House Mafia: Leave The World Behind' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 2.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson: Thick As A Brick - Live In Iceland' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The famous concept album will hit the stage on SD Blu-ray in August. You can pre-order the disc now. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Eagle Rock is preparing 'Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson: Thick As A Brick - Live In Iceland' for Blu-ray on August 25. Jethro Tull's famous concept album "Thick As A Brick" was originally released in 1972 and featured one continuous track spread across two sides of an LP telling the story of a young boy called Gerald Bostock. 40 years later in 2012, Jethro Tull’s founder and leader Ian Anderson created "Thick As A Brick 2: Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock?" Following this release Ian Anderson took both albums on the road to perform the complete Bostock saga and this concert from the tour was filmed in Iceland. The show combines music, video and mime to bring Gerald's tale to life as never before and create the definitive presentation of the complete 'Thick As A Brick.' Full specs and supplements have not been detailed yet, but the Blu-ray will feature upconverted 1080p video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson: Thick As A Brick - Live In Iceland' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 25.Posted Wed Jul 30, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Penny Dreadful: Season One' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The first season of the Showtime thriller series arrives on Blu-ray in October. Pre-order it here. [/teaser] In an announcement to retailers, Paramount says 'Penny Dreadful: Season One' will have a Blu-ray release on October 7. Some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. Penny Dreadful is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama. The 3-disc set will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Ray Donovan: Season One, Episodes 1 & 2; What is a Penny Dreadful?; Literary Roots; Coming Together; The Artisans Pt. 1 & 2; The Grand Guignol; Prostitution and Sex in Victorian Times; British Exploration & The Search for the Nile; The Science of Medicine. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $54.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Penny Dreadful: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 7.Posted Tue Jul 29, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Filth' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]James McAvoy stars in this crime drama making its way to Blu-ray in August, and you can pre-order the movie now. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia is preparing 'Filth' for Blu-ray on August 12. Scheming Bruce Robertson, a bigoted and corrupt policeman, is in line for a promotion and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Enlisted to solve a brutal murder and threatened by the aspirations of his colleagues, Bruce sets about ensuring their ruin. As he turns his colleagues against one another by stealing their wives and exposing their secrets, Bruce starts to lose himself in a web of deceit that he can no longer control. With his past is slowly catching up with him, the question is: can he keep his grip on reality long enough to disentangle himself from the filth? Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Behind the Scenes and Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Filth' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 12.Posted Tue Jul 29, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by:
