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'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' Announced for Blu-ray![teaser]The star-spangled sequel charges onto Blu-ray this September! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista will be releasing 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' in a Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack on September 9. Based on the classic TV series of the same name, the film stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as a couple of underachieving cops who go undercover at a high school in order to expose a drug ring. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: making-of featurettes, never-before-seen deleted scenes, Blu-ray exclusives including an audio commentary, bloopers, and more! Suggested list price for the combo pack is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 9.Posted Fri May 30, 2014 at 10:17 AM PDT by: -
'The Musketeers: Season One' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]All for one and one for all! The first season of the BBC series rides to Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, BBC will unsheath 'The Musketeers: Season One' on Blu-ray on August 26. BBC AMERICA's new co-production drama series, The Musketeers, is set on the streets of seventeenth century Paris, where law and order is more an idea than a reality. In addition to being King Louis XIII's personal bodyguards, Athos, Aramis and Porthos stand resolutely for social justice, honor, valor, love... and for the thrill of it. D'Artagnan, a skilled fighter from rural Gascony, meets the three Musketeers while on a mission to right the wrong of his father's death. Although he meets the men in unfortunate circumstances, he finds kindred spirits in the other soldiers. Athos, who has rejected his noble roots to become a Musketeer, quickly befriends D'Artagnan, but has a past which is shrouded in mystery, and is prone to getting in trouble. Porthos is a larger-than-life character, who has come from humble beginnings to become a soldier in the most elite regiment in the land, finding a family in the other Musketeers. Never short of admirers, Aramis has an effortless charm which leads him in and out of love. Despite this, he is a shrewd pragmatist who is ferocious in battle and commands a key place in the brotherhood. Constance Bonacieux (Tamla Kari) leads a dull but comfortable life married to a cloth merchant, but her life is turned upside down when D'Artagnan tumbles into her world, and she becomes involved with the Musketeers. Elsewhere, Cardinal Richelieu (Peter Capaldi), while striving to achieve his vision of a thoroughly modern France, is a shadowy character who will stop at nothing to achieve his objectives. Milady (Maimie McCoy) is the Cardinal's secret weapon, the most mysterious and beautiful of villains whose motives are often concealed. The King relies on the advice of the Cardinal, his shrewd wife Queen Anne and also Captain Treville (Hugo Speer), the brave and respected commander of the Musketeers who keeps an eye on the soldiers to ensure they stay out of trouble. Specs, supplements and suggested list price haven't been revealed yet. You can find the latest specs for 'The Musketeers: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 26.Posted Fri May 30, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Normal Heart' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Pre-orders are now available for Ryan Murphy and Larry Kramer's HBO drama at Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO will be releasing 'The Normal Heart' on Blu-ray on August 26. Ryan Murphy and Larry Kramer's drama tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation's sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial. Mark Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand a mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers. Matt Bomer plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned's lover. Taylor Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist. Jim Parsons plays gay activist Tommy Boatwright, reprising his role from the 2011 Broadway revival. Roberts plays physician Dr. Emma Brookner, a survivor of childhood polio who treats several of the earliest victims of HIV-AIDS. Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include New Interview With Director John Hough, New Audio Commentary With Actress Pamela Franklin, and Original Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Normal Heart' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 26.Posted Fri May 30, 2014 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
'Dreamcatcher' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Another Stephen King adaptation is in the works for Blu-ray this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Dreamcatcher' on Blu-ray on September 16. Four young friends perform a heroic act and are changed forever by the uncanny powers they gain in return. Years later, on a hunting trip in the Maine woods, they are overtaken by a blizzard, a vicious storm in which something much more ominous moves. Challenged to stop a deadly alien force, they confront an unparalleled horror, with the fate of the world in the balance. Specs, supplements and suggested list price haven't been revealed yet. You can find the latest specs for 'Dreamcatcher' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 16.Posted Fri May 30, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Jodorowsky's Dune' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Frank Pavich's documentary is planned for home video in July. Pre-order the Blu-ray here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is working on 'Jodorowsky's Dune' for Blu-ray on July 8. Jodorowsky's Dune chronicles the legendary Chilean director's mid-1970 incredibly ambitious attempt to adapt Frank Herbert's cult science fiction novel Dune. The project was to star Mick Jagger, Orson Welles, Salvador Dali, and David Carradine, and have an elaborate soundtrack by Pink Floyd. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include deleted scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $40.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Jodorowsky's Dune' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 8.Posted Thu May 29, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Any Given Sunday: 15th Anniversary Edition' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Oliver Stone's football movie is getting a 15th Anniversary double dip this September. Preorder here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Any Given Sunday: 15th Anniversary Edition' on Blu-ray on September 9. Embattled Sharks coach Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino) faces a full-on blitz of team strife plus a new, marketing-savvy owner (Cameron Diaz) who's convinced the aging Tony is out of his league. An injured quarterback (Dennis Quaid), a flashy, bull-headed backup QB (Jamie Foxx), a slithery team doctor (James Woods) and a running back with an incentive-laden contract (LL Cool J) provide some of the stories that zigzag like diagrams in a playbook. The Blu-ray will feature the Director's Cut with 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and the release is said to be sporting "all new extras" -- pun intended. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Any Given Sunday: 15th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 9.Posted Thu May 29, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The legendary British musician will hit the stage on Blu-ray in July. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Eagle Rock is preparing 'Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano' for Blu-ray on July 1. 'The Million Dollar Piano' was filmed over multiple nights in 2013 at Elton John's residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The show has been running since September 2011, with the most recent leg spanning 16 shows between March 29 and April 26 2014. The concerts are the culmination of Elton John's decades long partnership with Yamaha pianos. This film features classic Elton John tracks from across his extraordinary career performed either with his band, solo, or with percussionist Ray Cooper. The multimedia staging is phenomenal with vast screens behind the stage illustrating the songs and the piano itself acting as a screen for graphics and animations. Track Listing: 1) The Bitch Is Back 2) Bennie And The Jets 3) Rocket Man 4) Levon 5) Tiny Dancer 6) Your Song 7) Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters 8) Better Off Dead 9) Indian Sunset 10) Blue Eyes 11) Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 12) I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues 13) Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me 14) Philadelphia Freedom 15) I'm Still Standing 16) Crocodile Rock 17) Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting 18) Circle Of Life 19) Song For Guy (credits) Specs and a suggested list price for the Blu-ray have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: "The Making Of The Million Dollar Piano," and Four extra tracks filmed in Kiev in 2012: "Candle In The Wind"; "Sacrifice"; "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" and "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." You can find the latest specs for 'Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 1.Posted Thu May 29, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: May 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 affection, 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 two film noir masterpieces and a heart-wrenching true story drama. If you haven't already, 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, and April 2014. [teaser]This month, we're covering a science fiction examination of relationships, a quirky deep sea adventure, and a raunchy comedy series' grand finale. [/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some major spoilers for the discs listed. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in May, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Her' - Love, passion, trust, attraction, and friendship are all important aspects of any romantic coupling, but the core of a truly impactful relationship usually requires something even more challenging and rare: intimacy. The decision to tear down personal walls, to shred away all baggage and insecurity until you lay naked and bare before your partner -– both physically and emotionally -- can be a daunting prospect. It's just about the most vulnerable and potentially rewarding state a human being can choose to engage in, and it's this fragile and precarious concept that lays at the heart of Spike Jonze's 'Her.' A sensitive, quirky, funny, and deeply insightful examination of interpersonal interaction, companionship, empathy, and personal growth, the movie is one of 2013's most original and understated efforts, using subtle elements of science fiction to probe universally relatable ideas. Through Theodore's (Joaquin Phoenix) unconventional romance with a computer operating system named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), writer/director Spike Jonze mixes a high concept premise with a delicately human story. At first merely a disembodied voice that serves as a glorified, high-tech secretary, Samantha is initially little more than a 21st century male fantasy. But as the runtime goes on, this bodiless entity becomes a fully realized character. One with hopes, dreams, fears, and desires all her own, completely separate from her ostensible "owner." As they fall in love, Theodore awakens the full potential of sentient and emotional existence in this artificially intelligent girlfriend, sparking a light toward growth. Likewise, Samantha instills this same impetus toward change in Theodore. Like any flesh and blood relationship, they face numerous obstacles and challenges, forcing them to reevaluate their needs. At first Jonze plays up the inherent difficulties of a man dating a formless voice, but as the runtime goes on, the director wisely changes gears, eventually tackling the difficulties of a formless voice -– capable of an advanced state of consciousness and almost limitless knowledge -– dating a mere human being. And all of these struggles can be viewed as metaphors for any traditional relationship. As the characters grow together, they also can't help but grow apart -– but the lasting impact their relationship has had on each other, will go on to inform the rest of their lives. At the end of the day, this really isn't a movie about evolving technology. This isn't even really a movie about a man dating an operating system. This is a film about the ebb and flow of relationships. About the emotional and personal growth that love can incite, about the give and take and vulnerability and wonderful joy and self discovery that comes with true intimacy –- stripped away of all unnecessary pretense. Beyond its science fiction leanings, this is simply a film about a man who writes letters for other people… finally learning how to write a letter from himself. And all while wearing the most stylish high-waisted pants to ever hit the silver screen. If that doesn't cement this disc's spot as May's top pick, then I don't know what could. 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' - Since Wes Anderson's debut feature, 'Bottle Rocket,' the director has been gradually building his cinematic style, honing his voice as a visual filmmaker and writer while slowly leaving the restrictions of reality behind for something much more imaginative and freeing. With 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' the director made his first big step toward creating a silver screen world of his own, and with his 2004 follow-up feature, 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,' Anderson continues to shape his own universe of quirky humor and vibrant images, evolving his whimsical aesthetic into something wholly unique.As we embark on famed oceanographer Steve Zissou's (Billy Murray) mission to kill the deadly Jaguar shark, the director immediately establishes a singular stylistic tone marked by quirky characters, dry humor, and sumptuous visual flare. All of Anderson's developing trademarks are present throughout the runtime, including a penchant for frequent camera movements that littler the screen with pans, tilts, tracks, and zooms, and a propensity toward slow motion shots set to British rock classics. Likewise, the director goes out of his way to separate the film's colorful world from our own, using idiosyncratic set designs and wardrobe choices, along with a playful use of stop motion animation for the movie's sea creatures to engender a faintly cartoon sense of reality. But all of these formalistic touches never take away from the underlying emotion and deeper themes that are layered throughout the humorous adventure. Indeed, beneath its flashy veneer and silly antics, lies the kind of bittersweet poignancy that defines all of Anderson's work, creating an occasionally tragic story about revenge, fathers and sons, and the startling beauty of life. Add in an incredible ensemble led by Bill Murray's effortless mixture of deadpan humor and sad-eyed pathos, and a surprisingly hilarious Willem Dafoe in one of his greatest roles –- and the movie becomes a funny and heartfelt explosion of style with all of the necessary substance to back up its twee sense of whimsy. While I've always admired the film, along with the director's subsequent effort 'The Darjeeling Limited,' I find myself enjoying the movie more and more with time. Now ten years since its original release, I've come to form a new appreciation for Anderson's approach, and though it still isn't in my top three of his work, it's certainly a strong member of his growing filmography. This Blu-ray release from Criterion features an exceptional technical presentation and a 5-star collection of supplements that are sure to more than please any fan. Underappreciated and underrated during its initial release, this is a title that deserves to be reevaluated and rediscovered, making it a perfect fit for the second slot in May's must own list. 'Eastbound & Down: The Complete Fourth Season' - With the fourth season of their irreverent cult comedy show, 'Eastbound & Down,' creators Jody Hill and Danny McBride were given a very unique opportunity. They were charged with the task of writing a series finale… for the second time. You see, the show's previous third season was already supposed to be its last outing, but after HBO expressed interest for more episodes, another unplanned season was commissioned. Now given the chance to reevaluate Kenny Powers' previous swansong, the writers take things up a notch, giving the loud, belligerent, and utterly hilarious anti-hero a conclusion truly befitting of his exaggerated ego and badass fashion sense. Defined by a season long arc that sees the now average family man potentially return to his previously selfish and outrageous ways, the show finally gives a full sense of closure to the Kenny Powers character. Can the man still be his irreverent self without losing sight of the things that matter most in life? The question leads to a surprisingly effective and emotional story –- one that ranks among the show's very best storylines. Of course, this is 'Eastbound & Down' we're talking about here, so all of this emotional discovery is buried very deep within a relentlessly raunchy series of jokes and outrageous set pieces that skirt into some occasionally dark territory. Still, the hilarious comedy always remains potent, and even after four years McBride still manages to milk every ridiculous line that comes out of Kenny's mouth. And then there's the actual finale itself, which features an appropriately bizarre peek into Kenny's possible future (or most likely just his insane screenplay version of his future), complete with a tragic murder, drug addiction, drug rehabilitation, and a spiritual trek to Africa… on hover bikes. Now that's how you end a show! While this last spot is technically dedicated to the show's fourth season, for all intents and purposes this is really a cumulative slot for the entire show as a whole. The series' vulgar sense of humor definitely isn't for everybody, but those who enjoy raunchy comedy and (almost) irredeemable anti-heroes should start with season one, and then make their way through season two, season three, and season four. As a character, Kenny Powers is unlike any other protagonist on TV, and his arrogant antics and powerful mullet will be sorely missed. That is, until HBO decides to commission a surprise fifth season. I wonder what the writers will come up with for the next series finale. Third time is the charm, right? So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this May, 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 May's must own titles?Posted Thu May 29, 2014 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Noah' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Splish-splash... Russell Crowe will be taking a Biblical bath of epic proportions this July. Pre-order here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is set to release 'Noah' on Blu-ray on July 29. Noah (Crowe) suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge before taking measures to protect his wife (Jennifer Connelly), children and thousands of animals from a coming flood. The following marketing message has been attached to the film since February 2014: "The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis." The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack will feature 1080p video, a lossless 7.1 soundtrack, and over an hour of in-depth featurette delving into the making the film. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $37.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Noah' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under July 29.Posted Wed May 28, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Phantom of the Paradise' Supplements Detailed[teaser]Bonus features have been revealed for Brian De Palma's 1974 cult comedy rocking Blu-ray this summer. [/teaser] As previously reported, Shout Factory is preparing 'Phantom of the Paradise' for Blu-ray sometime in the summer of 2014, and the date has been set for August 5. Brian De Palma's glam rock version of the famous Phantom of the Opera story stars singer-songwriter Paul Williams as Swan, a music business tycoon who steals the work of talented composer Winslow Leach (William Finley), along with his girlfriend Phoenix (Jessica Harper). Leach plans to get revenge, but his plans soon go horribly wrong and he ends up with a terrible facial disfigurement. Assuming a mask to hide his injuries and his identity, Leach's next move is to sign a pact with a Swan to write a rock opera version of 'Faust'. Specs have yet to be revealed for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, but the supplements include: Paradise Regained – documentary on the making of the film featuring director Brian DePalma, Producer Edward R. Pressman, William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham and more; Interview with Paul Williams moderated by Guillermo Del Toro; Interview with costume designer Rosanna Norton; NEW Interview with producer Edward R. Pressman; NEW Interview with drummer Gary Mallaber; NEW Alvin's Art and Technique – a look at the neon poster; NEW Phantom of the Paradise Biography by Gerrit Graham - 1974 Publicity Sheet written by and read by Graham; Alternate Takes; Swan Song Outtake Footage; Radio Spots, TV Spots and Original Theatrical Trailer; and Still Gallery. The Blu-ray will also include: NEW Audio Commentary with Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham and the Juicy Fruits (Archie Hahn, Jeffrey Comanor and Harold Oblong aka Peter Eibling); NEW Audio Commentary with Production Designer Jack Fisk; NEW Interview with director Brian DePalma; NEW Interview with Paul Williams talking about the music of PHANTOM; and NEW Interview with Make-up Effects wizard Tom Burman discussing the Phantom Helmet. You can find the latest specs for 'Phantom of the Paradise' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 5.Posted Wed May 28, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by:
