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'Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series' Dated and Pre-Orders Up[teaser]All 45 episodes (plus the Christmas special) of Paul Reubens' iconic series is planned for Blu-ray in October and pre-orders are now available here! [/teaser] Scream along to the secret word with Pee-wee Herman and his pals: Jambi the Genie, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Reba the mail lady, Captain Carl, Magic Screen, Conky, Globey, Chairry, Pterri, Randy and all the rest. 'Pee-wee’s Playhouse: The Complete Series' Blu-ray box set, with special bonus content, debuts on home entertainment shelves October 21, 2014 from Shout! Factory. Also available to own on the same day is Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Seasons One and Two in a high-definition 4-DVD set. Mecka-lecka hi, Mecka-hiney ho! Winner of an amazing 22 Emmy® Awards, Pee-wee’s Playhouse is a cultural touchstone for a generation, and its visually dynamic design and offbeat sense of humor were a genuine phenomenon. Whether reliving childhood memories or introducing this beloved series to a new generation, the newly re-mastered Pee-wee’s Playhouse will take you back to being a kid. This is an essential Blu-ray collection for loyal fans and collectors. TV Guide named Pee-wee’s Playhouse #10 on their list of THE TOP 25 CULT TELEVISION SHOWS EVER! For over 25 years, the enormously popular Pee-wee Herman and innovative television series Pee-wee’s Playhouse, created by, and starring Paul Reubens, has captured a special place in the hearts of millions of viewers, young and old. Since its initial premiere on CBS in 1986, this highly acclaimed children’s program became Saturday morning appointment viewing for kids in the ‘80s and ‘90s and has been a staple in the pop culture zeitgeist ever since. Pee-wee’s Playhouse is an educational, artistic and entertaining show that teaches kids strong ‘life lessons.’ With its innovative production design and Reubens’ rich original characters and humor, Pee-wee’s Playhouse is a magical place that sparks creativity and imagination—and brings joy to children and adults alike. Parents and grown-ups have always enjoyed the show’s many double entendres. The series features beloved regulars Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne), Reba the Mail Lady (S. Epatha Merkerson), Miss Yvonne (Lynne Marie Stewart), Captain Carl (Phil Hartman), The King of Cartoons (William Marshall), Jambi the Genie (John Paragon), Ricardo (Vic Trevino) and Mrs. Rene (Suzanne Kent). And of course, Chairry, Pterri, Conky, Magic Screen, Clocky, Cool Cat, Dirty Dog, Chicky Baby, Penny, the Dinosaur family, and the rest of the gang! You can find the latest specs for 'Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 21.Posted Fri Jul 18, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Bates Motel: Season Two' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The second season of A&E's 'Psycho' prequel is bound for Blu-ray in October. Pre-order the Blu-ray here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO is preparing to release 'Bates Motel: Season Two' on Blu-ray on October 7. As Season Two opens, Norman is fixating on the death of a local woman, the economic livelihood of the motel is threatened when Norma finds out the bypass is moving forward, ahead of schedule, and Bradley's (Nicola Peltz) hunt for her father's killer drives her to dangerous extremes. The Blu-ray/Ultraviolet combo pack will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Deleted Scenes; Origins of a Psycho: Inside Bates Motel; and After Hours: Season Two Premiere/Finale. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Bates Motel: Season Two' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 7.Posted Fri Jul 18, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Justin and the Knights of Valor' Blu-ray Available Soon[teaser]The animated adventure arrives in stores on July 22. You can preorder it here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Arc Entertainment will be releasing 'Justin and the Knights of Valor' on Blu-ray on July 22. Young Justin dreams of following in his grandfather Sir Roland’s footsteps and becoming one of the legendary Knights of Valor. Along his quest, he encounters a slew of quirky characters, including the beautiful Talia and handsome Sir Clorex, who try to teach Justin the skills he needs to become a mighty knight. Justin is put to the test when he is forced to face a power-hungry army of thugs, led by the mighty Sota, but soon learns that true strength comes from the heart. From Antonio Banderas comes this wonderfully animated adventure for the whole family, with an outstanding cast of voice talent that includes Freddie Highmore, Rupert Everett, Alfred Molina and Saoirse Ronan. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include a making-of and trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Justin and the Knights of Valor' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 22.Posted Fri Jul 18, 2014 at 05:30 AM PDT by: -
'The Sopranos: The Complete Series' up for Blu-ray Pre-Orders![teaser]All 86 episodes of the landmark HBO crime drama are headed for Blu-ray in November. The set is up for pre-orders at Amazon right now! [/teaser] As previously reported, HBO will be releasing 'The Sopranos: The Complete Series' on Blu-ray on November 4. The 28-disc set will include all 86 episodes in 1080p with lossless 5.1 audio and supplements will include more than five hours of bonus features including lost scenes, two roundtable dinners with the cast and crew, 25 audio commentaries, and a new and exclusive featurette exploring how The Sopranos was created and ultimately transformed the TV landscape. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $279.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Sopranos: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 4.Posted Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
'Neighbors' Moving to Blu-ray in September[teaser]Nicholas Stoller's frat comedy heads to Blu-ray in September. Order your copy here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal says 'Neighbors' will arrive on Blu-ray September 23. By all appearances, new parents Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Rose Byrne) are living the American Dream, complete with an adorable baby girl and a beautiful new starter home in the suburbs. Still, the early-thirtysomethings want to believe that they have a modicum of coolness left within them. So when they discover that their new next-door neighbors are none other than dozens of Delta Psi Beta fraternity brothers led by charismatic president Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron), they try to play along and make the best of an awkward situation. But when the frat's parties grow increasingly more epic, both sides of the property line begin to fend for their turf. The neighbors' relentless sabotage escalates into outrageous one-upmanship, beginning an epic Greek war for the ages. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Deleted/Alternate Scenes, Line-O-Rama, Gag Reel, An Unlikely Pair, Partying with the Neighbors, On the Set with…, and The Frat. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Neighbors' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 23.Posted Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Roger & Me' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Michael Moore's directorial debut is bound for Blu-ray in October. Pre-orders are also now available. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is preparing 'Roger & Me' for Blu-ray on October 7. Michael Moore burst upon the American moviemaking scene with Roger & Me, a forerunner of the independent film movement that was inducted to the 2013 National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and the National Film Preservation Board. In the documentary, Moore doggedly tries to do what every working stiff dreams of: talk to the man at the top. His efforts to meet General Motors Chairman Roger Smith and persuade him to visit Flint, Michigan, frame a film that uses humor to overwhelming effect. While slyly lampooning corporate America, Roger & Me exposes the devastating first stirrings of the economic tsunami that swallowed Flint, Detroit and all of southeastern Michigan. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Roger & Me' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 7.Posted Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Criterion Announces October Titles[teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of October releases, including Federico Fellini's 'La dolce vita' and Orson Welles' 'F for Fake.' [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing 'My Darling Clementine,' 'F for Fake,' 'La dolce vita,' 'The Complete Jacques Tati,' and 'The Vanishing' for Blu-ray throughout the month of October. 'My Darling Clementine' (October 14) - John Ford takes on the legend of the O.K. Corral shoot-out in this multilayered, exceptionally well-constructed western, one of the director's very best films. Henry Fonda cuts an iconic figure as Wyatt Earp, the sturdy lawman who sets about the task of shaping up the disorderly Arizona town of Tombstone, and Victor Mature gives the performance of his career as the boozy, tubercular gambler and gunman Doc Holliday. Though initially at cross-purposes, the pair ultimately team up to confront the violent Clanton gang. Affecting and stunningly photographed, 'My Darling Clementine' is a story of the triumph of civilization over the Wild West from American cinema's consummate mythmaker. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: High-definition presentation of the 103-minute prerelease version of the film; New audio commentary featuring John Ford biographer Joseph McBride; New interview with western historian Andrew C. Isenberg about the real Wyatt Earp; Comparison of the two versions by the UCLA Film & Television Archive’s Robert Gitt; New video essay by Ford scholar Tag Gallagher; A Bandit’s Wager, a 1916 short costarring Ford and directed by his brother, Francis Ford, featuring new music composed and performed by Donald Sosin; NBC broadcast reports from 1963 and 1975 about the history of Tombstone and Monument Valley; Lux Radio Theatre adaptation from 1947 starring Henry Fonda and Cathy Downs; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by critic David Jenkins. 'F for Fake' (October 21) - Trickery. Deceit. Magic. In 'F for Fake,' a free-form documentary by Orson Welles, the legendary filmmaker (and self-described charlatan) gleefully reengages with the central preoccupation of his career: the tenuous line between illusion and truth, art and lies. Beginning with portraits of the world-renowned art forger Elmyr de Hory and his equally devious biographer, Clifford Irving, Welles embarks on a dizzying journey that simultaneously exposes and revels in fakery and fakers of all stripes—not the least of whom is Welles himself. Charming and inventive, 'F for Fake' is an inspired prank and a clever examination of the essential duplicity of cinema. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio commentary from 2005 by cowriter and star Oja Kodar and director of photography Gary Graver; Introduction from 2005 by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich; Orson Welles: One-Man Band, a documentary from 1995 about Welles’s unfinished projects; Almost True: The Noble Art of Forgery, a fifty-two-minute documentary from 1997 about art forger Elmyr de Hory; 60 Minutes interview from 2000 with Clifford Irving about his Howard Hughes autobiography hoax; Hughes’s 1972 press conference exposing Irving’s hoax; Extended, nine-minute trailer; PLUS: An essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum. 'La dolce vita' (October 21) - The biggest hit from the most popular Italian filmmaker of all time, 'La dolce vita' rocketed Federico Fellini to international mainstream success—ironically, by offering a damning critique of the culture of stardom. A look at the darkness beneath the seductive lifestyles of Rome's rich and glamorous, the film follows a notorious celebrity journalist—played by a sublimely cool Marcello Mastroianni—during a hectic week spent on the peripheries of the spotlight. This mordant picture was an incisive commentary on the deepening decadence of the European 1960s, and it provided a prescient glimpse of just how gossip- and fame-obsessed our society would become. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a uncompressed Italian mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: New visual essay by : : kogonada; New interview with filmmaker Lina Wertmüller, who worked as assistant director on the film; Scholar David Forgacs discusses the period in Italy’s history when the film was made; New interview with Italian film journalist Antonello Sarno about the outlandish fashions seen in the film; Audio interview with actor Marcello Mastroianni from the early 1960s, conducted by film historian Gideon Bachmann; Felliniana, a presentation of ephemera related to 'La dolce vita' from the collection of Don Young; PLUS: An essay by critic Gary Giddins. 'The Complete Jacques Tati' (October 28) - Though he made only a handful of films, director, writer, and actor Jacques Tati ranks among the most beloved of all cinematic geniuses. With a background in music hall and mime performance, Tati steadily built an ever more ambitious movie career that ultimately raised sight-gag comedy to the level of high art. In the surrogate character of the sweet and bumbling, eternally umbrella-toting and pipe-smoking Monsieur Hulot, Tati invented a charming symbol of humanity lost in a constantly modernizing modern age. This set gathers his six hilarious features—'Jour de fête,' 'Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday,' 'Mon oncle,' 'PlayTime,' 'Trafic,' and 'Parade'—along with seven delightful Tati-related short films. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, uncompressed French mono soundtracks on 'Jour de fête,' 'Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday,' 'Mon oncle,' 'Trafic,' and 'Parade' and an uncompressed French stereo soundtrack on 'PlayTime.' Supplements will include: New digital restorations of all seven short films: On demande une brute (1934), Gai dimanche (1935), Soigne ton gauche (1936), L’école des facteurs (1946), Cours du soir (1967), Forza Bastia (1978), and Dégustation maison (1978); Original 1953 theatrical release version of Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday; My Uncle, the version of Mon oncle that director Jacques Tati created for English-language audiences; Introductions by actor and comedian Terry Jones to Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Mon oncle, and PlayTime; Archival interviews with Tati; In the Footsteps of Monsieur Hulot, a 1989 documentary about Tati’s beloved alter ego; Five visual essays by Tati expert Stéphane Goudet; New interview with film scholar Michel Chion on the sound design of Tati’s films; “Jour de fête”: In Search of the Lost Color, a 1988 documentary on the process of realizing Tati’s original color vision for that film; Two alternate versions of Jour de fête, a partly colorized 1964 version and the full-color 1994 rerelease version; Once Upon a Time . . . “Mon oncle,” a 2008 documentary about the making of that film; Everything Is Beautiful, a 2005 piece on the fashion, furniture, and architecture of Mon oncle; Selected-scene commentaries on PlayTime by Goudet, theater director Jérôme Deschamps, and critic Philip Kemp; Tativille, a documentary shot on the set of PlayTime; Beyond “PlayTime,” a short 2002 documentary featuring on-set footage; An Homage to Jacques Tati, a 1982 French TV program featuring Tati friend and set designer Jacques Lagrange; Audio interview with Tati from the U.S. premiere of PlayTime at the 1972 San Francisco International Film Festival; Interview with PlayTime script supervisor Sylvette Baudrot from 2006; Tati Story, a short biographical film from 2002; Professor Goudet’s Lessons, a 2013 classroom lecture by Goudet on Tati’s films; Alternate English-language soundtracks for Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday and PlayTime; PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by critics David Cairns, James Quandt, Jonathan Rosenbaum, and Kristin Ross. 'The Vanishing' (October 28) - A young man embarks on an obsessive search for the girlfriend who mysteriously disappeared while the couple were taking a sunny vacation trip, and his three-year investigation draws the attention of her abductor, a mild-mannered professor with a diabolically clinical mind. An unorthodox love story and a truly unsettling thriller, Dutch filmmaker George Sluizer's 'The Vanishing' unfolds with meticulous intensity, leading to an unforgettable finale that has unnerved audiences around the world. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed Dutch mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: New interview with director George Sluizer; New interview with actor Johanna ter Steege; Trailer; PLUS: An essay by critic Scott Foundas. Suggested list price for each single-disc Blu-ray is $39.95. Suggested list price for 'The Complete Jacques Tati' 7-disc boxset is $124.95. You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout the month of October.Posted Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 08:15 AM PDT by: -
'Last Embrace' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]Jonathan Demme's 1979 thriller is in the works for Blu-ray this October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino is working on Last Embrace' for Blu-ray on October 14. CIA secret agent Harry Hannan (Roy Scheider) has not been the same since his wife's murder. He suffers a nervous breakdown after the tragedy, which lands him in a sanitarium. Once released, he is pushed in front of a train and only narrowly escapes. Then he receives a cryptic letter that foretells his death. Now Harry suspects that he too is in danger and perhaps the target of a larger conspiracy, especially after he meets a graduate student named Ellie who might not be whom she claims to be, and malevolent types such as a homicidal prostitute and a pushy detective begin to crowd his sinister world. Are Harry's mournful anxieties just degenerating into paranoid madness? He has to discern reality from illusion while on the run because the menace is closing in on him fast. Jonathan Demme directed this elegant homage to director Alfred Hitchock that features several sequences that mirror the suspense master's own. A shower curtain pulled quickly back might remind viewers of Psycho; a frame filled with people all wearing the same raincoat mimics the famed overhead shot of a crowd of umbrellas in Foreign Correspondent; and the ominous soundtrack was composed by Spellbound scorer Miklos Rosza. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Last Embrace' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 14.Posted Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Proxy' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Zack Parker's thriller is planned for Blu-ray in August. Pre-order it here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MPI is preparing 'Proxy' for Blu-ray on August 12. In the last month of her pregnancy, Esther Woodhouse is savagely beaten in an alleyway by an unknown assailant and loses her baby. To aid in her recovery, she attends a support group for grieving parents where she meets Melanie, who claims her son and husband were killed by a drunk driver. Esther and Melanie develop a friendship, but soon it becomes clear that both are harboring much darker secrets than they initially let on. And when both their lives are transformed by another shocking act of violence, they find that recovery may be impossible. With wildly unpredictable twists and turns, PROXY is a "fascinating, unnerving and endlessly unpredictable" (Inkoo Kang, LA Times) psychological thriller. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include a commentary, behind the scenes, and trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Proxy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 12.Posted Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Chef' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Jon Favreau's comedy will be served up on Blu-ray this August. Place your order here. [/teaser] As previously reported, Universal and Open Road Films will be releasing 'Chef' on Blu-ray, and now the date has been set for August 19. When Chef Carl Casper (Favreau) suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling owner (Dustin Hoffman), he is left to figure out what comes next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), his friend (John Leguizamo) and his son to launch a food truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen and zest for life and love. Supplements have yet to be revealed, but the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack will feature lossless audio and will have a suggested list price of $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Chef' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 19.Posted Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
