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Weekend Roundtable: Sci-Fi Gadgets You Wish Were RealIn this week's Roundtable, we highlight the gadgets and hardware from science fiction movies, TV, books, comics or videogames that we wish we could have in the real world today. Tell us in the blog about the sci-fi technology you look forward to becoming a reality.Posted Fri Jan 24, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'Chicago: Diamond Edition' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Rob Marshall's musical is getting a double dip Blu-ray in February. Pre-order it here! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is working on 'Chicago: Diamond Edition' for a Blu-ray release on February 11. At a time when crimes of passion result in celebrity headlines, nightclub sensation Velma Kelly and spotlight-seeking Roxie Hart both find themselves sharing space on Chicago's famed Murderess Row! They also share Billy Flynn, the town's slickest lawyer with a talent for turning notorious defendants into local legends. But in Chicago there's only room for one legend! The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet combo will feature 1080p video, a lossless 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include Feature commentary with Director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon; Deleted scene: "Class" with optional commentary; From stage to screen: the history of Chicago; and two Blu-ray exclusives: NEW! "Chicago in the Spotlight" and a feature-length retrospective documentary. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $14.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Chicago: Diamond Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 11.Posted Fri Jan 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'Little House on the Prairie: Season One' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The classic TV series will be heading to Blu-ray in March! You can pre-order the complete first season here! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'Little House on the Prairie: Season One' for a Blu-ray release on March 25. One of the most cherished TV series of all time, "Little House on the Prairie" continues to capture new generations of fans around the world by sharing its timeless themes of love, morality and rich family values. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the pilot movie premiere, the beloved series has been completely restored and remastered and will be available in high definition for the first time from Lionsgate Home Entertainment and NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products. First introduced to American families in March of 1974, the show remained a top-rated series throughout its nine season run and garnered 17 Emmy® and three Golden Globe® nominations along with two People's Choice® Awards. "Little House on the Prairie" was produced by NBC in association with multiple Emmy® nominated and highly successful television producer Ed Friendly. The show remains one of television's most meaningful TV series and now loyal fans along with new viewers will be able to discover the Ingalls' unconquerable courage as they strive to build a better way of life. Not seen since their original TV broadcast, all twenty-four season one episodes are now presented complete and uncut, newly restored and remastered for optimal picture and sound quality. Plus, you'll discover where the "Little House on the Prairie" TV legend began-with the original, full-length pilot movie that introduced the Ingalls family to millions of viewers around the world. Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert both earned Golden Globe® nominations for their unforgettable roles as Charles Ingalls and Laura Ingalls in the inspiring story, based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's best-selling and much-loved "The Little House on the Prairie" book series which chronicles the dramatic, gripping adventures of a young pioneer family's struggle to build a new life for themselves on the American frontier of the 1870s. Relive all the heartwarming adventures from season one-from the arrival of Charles Ingalls and his family in Walnut Grove, through the building of a new home and friendships to battling for their lives against a vicious blizzard. The Blu-ray/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Original Screen Tests from Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert and "The Little House Phenomenon: Part One - A Place in Television History". Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $38.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Little House on the Prairie: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25.Posted Fri Jan 24, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Oldboy' (2013) Blu-ray Pre-Order Live[teaser]The Spike Lee Joint/Remake will be confined to Blu-ray in March. Pre-order your copy here! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'Oldboy' will be available on Blu-ray on March 4. An advertising executive (Josh Brolin) is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his punishment, only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $40.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Oldboy' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 4.Posted Fri Jan 24, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Son of Batman' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]It's a boy! The next all-new DC animated movie arrives on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner will be releasing 'Son of Batman' on Blu-ray on May 6. Batman (Jason O'Mara) is shocked to learn that not only does he have a son (Stuart Allan), but that the boy's mother is Talia (Morena Baccarin), the daughter of the international overlord Ra's Al Ghul (Giancarlo Esposito). Nevertheless, the Dark Knight and his willful boy -- as the new Robin -- become uneasy allies when Talia enlists a team of ninja man-bats on a criminal enterprise with international consequences. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements have yet to be revealed. You can find the latest specs for 'Son of Batman' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 6.Posted Thu Jan 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]A brand new animated Marvel movie is bound for Blu-ray in March. Pre-order here! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher' on Blu-ray on March 25. After interfering with a top secret mission, The Punisher is taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent and Avenger, Black Widow. At the orders of Director Nick Fury, Punisher and Black Widow are sent on a mission to stop LEVIATHAN, a global terrorist organization that plans to sell stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. technology to the highest bidder. Now, the vigilante and spy must work together to prevent this technology from falling into the wrong hands. The fate of the world, and of the Avengers, hangs in the balance. Specs have yet to be revealed for the Blu-ray/Ultraviolet Combo Pack, but supplements will include: Espionage and Punishment featurette -- This featurette looks at the exciting versions of these popular Marvel characters as adapted in this stunning style of anime. From early concept art and storyboards to the final film, all aspects of creating the compelling story of this unique anime feature are explored; The Vigilante Vs. The Spy featurette – A look at Marvel's Frank Castle (The Punisher) and Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow). Each of these characters feature dark and complex origins that led them to extreme action and extraordinary lives; and a Blu-ray exclusive Conceptual Art Gallery. You can find the latest specs for 'Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25.Posted Thu Jan 23, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Blu-ray Bound for 'Nebraska'[teaser]Alexander Payne's Academy Award-nominated film is planned for Blu-ray at the end of next month. Pre-orders are now live! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount will be releasing 'Nebraska' on Blu-ray on February 25. Hailed as an American masterpiece, Nebraska is nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Alexander Payne), Best Actor (Bruce Dern), Best Original Screenplay (Bob Nelson), Best Supporting Actress (June Squibb) and Best Cinematography (Phedon Papamichael). The film was also named one of the best movies of the year by the AFI, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, New York Times, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Huffington Post, Slate, the National Board of Review and numerous critics associations. The film tells the captivating story of a father (Bruce Dern) and his adult son (Will Forte) who embark on a journey to claim a million-dollar prize; what begins as a fool's errand becomes a search for the road to redemption. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a lossless 3.0 soundtrack, and a multi-part The Making of Nebraska featurette. You can find the latest specs for 'Nebraska' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 25.Posted Thu Jan 23, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Trans-Europ Express' & 'Successive Slidings of Pleasure' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Two films from French director Alain Robbe-Grillet will make their Blu-ray debut in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino is preparing 'Trans-Europ Express' and 'Successive Slidings of Pleasure' for Blu-ray on February 11. 'Trans-Europ Express' - A film director, Jean, his producer, Marc, and his assistant, Lucette, board the Trans-Europ-Express in Paris bound for Antwerp. Once in their compartment it occurs to them that the drama of life aboard the train presents possibilities for a film, and they begin to write a script about dope smuggling. Subsequently, they see actor Jean-Louis Trintignant walking through the station. As seen through the eyes of Jean, Marc, and Lucette, Trintignant becomes Elias, the chief character in the script. Elias is going to Antwerp to pick up a suitcase of cocaine for delivery to an international organization based in Paris. 'Successive Slidings of Pleasure' - A young woman is questioned by the police and the judges, suspected of being a modern witch. The girl who shared her apartment has been found dead, and a pair of scissors impaled through her heart, as she lay attached to the bedposts. Apparently, the girl does have powers, to make all people around her fall prey to her spell, glissing progressively into desire, lust, and the unknown. Specs have not been announced yet but both films have been newly mastered in HD from the original 35mm elements, and supplements for each disc will include: an Interview with Alain Robbe-Grillet; Three trailers for the films of Alain Robbe-Grillet; and a 2014 promo short. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Trans-Europ Express' & 'Successive Slidings of Pleasure' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under February 11.Posted Thu Jan 23, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Call the Midwife: Season Three' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The complete third season of the acclaimed BBC series will hit stores in April. Pre-orders are now live! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers/BBC has just revealed 'Call the Midwife: Season Three' for a Blu-ray release on April 22. What a relief! All the young midwives and good sisters return in the next season of this immensely absorbing and popular drama, set in poverty-ridden East London in the 1950s. But with Nonnantus House scheduled for demolition, where, exactly, will they live? Hop on a bicycle with Jenny (Jessica Raine), Chummy (Miranda Hart) and Trixie (Helen George). Wherever they ride, you'll share sadness and joy, tears and humor, struggle and survival. Based on the best-selling memoirs of former nurse Jennifer Worth. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $44.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Call the Midwife: Season Three' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 22.Posted Wed Jan 22, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Deep Color Encoding Process Developed for Blu-ray[teaser]A new encoding and decoding algorithm could lead to Blu-ray content with expanded colors. [/teaser] Folded Space has announced plans to license its proprietary DCE algorithm for deep color video content. If implemented into Blu-ray disc media and players, the encoding and decoding process would enable expanded colors on compatible displays. Currently, most content is encoded with 8-bits which offers a limited range of colors. With Folded Space's new algorithm, discs can be encoded with 12-bits per color, offering a wider gamut that can produce deep colors and high dynamic range images on supported displays. With DCE, 12-bit content can be encoded onto standard 8-bit Blu-ray discs, allowing those with supported displays and players to unlock the extra color information while still remaining backwards compatible with current equipment. In addition, the algorithm uses little additional bandwidth and processing power, and can also be used for future 4K disc mediums. No manufacturers or studios have announced plans to use Folded Space's DCE yet, but the company will be offering the encoding algorithm free of charge to software partners. Likewise, the decoding algorithm will be made available to manufacturers for a modest fee. Source: Folded Space via EngadgetPosted Wed Jan 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by:
