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Theatrical Review: 'Captain Phillips'As the end of the year approaches, the race for awards glory has officially begun. Our reviewer Luke Hickman says that the Tom Hanks true story piracy drama 'Captain Phillips' may just be an Oscar contender. Check out his theatrical review in the blog.Posted Thu Oct 10, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'The Smurfs 2' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]The Smurfy sequel is bound for Blu-ray in December. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be bringing 'The Smurfs 2' starring Neil Patrick Harris and Hank Azaria (as Gargamel) to high-definition in a Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Copy Holiday Gift Set on December 3. 'The Smurfs 2 - 3D' (2D and DVD included) will also be available on the same date. Evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) creates Hackus and Vexy, a pair of mischievous Smurf‑like creatures, hoping they will let him harness the magical Smurf‑essence. However, he soon discovers that he needs the help of Smurfette, who knows the secret to turning the pair into real Smurfs. When Gargamel, Hackus and Vexy kidnap Smurfette from Smurf Village and bring her to Paris, it's up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy and Vanity to reunite with their human friends, Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays), to rescue her. The Blu-rays will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks, and supplements include: Deleted Scenes; Daddy's Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette – Learn all about Smurfette's "golden" past as we trace her origins back to Peyo's stories, and how that in turn inspired the filmmakers as they were putting together this newest Smurf's tale. Then, hear from Katy Perry on how she tapped into her inner Smurf to pull off the role in the voiceover booth; and Animating Azrael – Discover how the filmmakers animated our favorite feline sidekick. Blu-ray exclusives include: The Puurrfect Companion: Azreal's Tail – See how Azrael was created, from the live-action cat to the digital double, and how actor Frank Welker brought the character to life; Evolution of the Naughties – Learn how the filmmakers designed the newest additions to The Smurfs, Hackus and Vexy; The Naughties! The Tale of Hackus and Vexy – Meet the new characters, Hackus and Vexy, and hear from actors Christina Ricci and J.B. Smoove on what it was like to voice the Naughties; and a Smurfs Mini-Movie "The Legend of Smurfy Hollow" - When Brainy Smurf is favored to win the annual Smurfberry Hunt for the ninth year in a row, Gutsy Smurf sets out to discover how Brainy wins every year. Gutsy's investigation takes him into spooky Smurfy Hollow – and right into Gargamel's trap! Can Brainy and Gutsy, with the help of Smurfette, put aside their rivalry before Gargamel captures them, or worse, will they come face-to-face with the legendary ghost, the Headless Horseman? Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99 and $40.99 for the Blu-ray 3D. You can find the latest specs for 'The Smurfs 2' and 'The Smurfs 2 - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under December 3.Posted Thu Oct 10, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'I'm in Love with a Church Girl' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]A former drug dealer will find love and religion on Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Vivendi Entertainment is preparing 'I'm in Love with a Church Girl' for Blu-ray on January 14. Miles Montego has it all. Including a past. He was king of the streets as a high-level drug trafficker, and although he has tried to move on, the DEA isn't convinced. Miles is still rolling with his old friends, and the feds are certain he has not fully retired from his criminal past. When Miles meets Vanessa, a woman who is different than every other woman he's met, he is drawn to her beauty and her spirituality. As their connection grows deeper, both are tested to their last ounce of faith in God and in each other. Specs and supplements have not been announced yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.95. You can find the latest specs for 'I'm in Love with a Church Girl' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 14.Posted Thu Oct 10, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'All is Bright' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The holiday black comedy arrives on Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay will be releasing 'All is Bright' on Blu-ray on November 19. Playing ex-cons trying to make fast cash selling Christmas trees in New York City, Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd star along with Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) for director Phil Morrison (Junebug). Screenplay is from Melissa James Gibson, one of the writers for the hit FX TV show, “The Americans.” Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'All is Bright' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 19.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Casshan: The Complete Series' Gearing up for Blu-ray[teaser]All 35 episodes of the 1973 anime are heading to Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Section23 is preparing 'Casshan: The Complete Series' for Blu-ray on January 21. When lightning strikes the prototype android BK-1, a new horror is unleashed on the world as the resulting monster Buraiking begins taking over all other robots on Earth, setting them against their creators in a massive orgy of planet-wide destruction! With humanity helpless in the face of the new Neoroiders and their mechanical armies, mankind's only hope may lie in the hands of Tetsuya Azuma, son of the creator of BK1, who transfers his consciousness into an android body to become a Neoroider himself… the ultimate robot fighter: Casshan. Now, together with his robot dog Flender and the beautiful Luna Uetsuki, the daughter of another scientist and wielder of the most robot-lethal gun on the planet, Casshan is on a mission to clear his father's name, avenge his mother's death, and save the Earth from the iron clutches of Buraiking. But things aren't going to be easy, not when you're three against thousands, and Buraiking has some shocking surprises in store that will rip Casshan's world in two. It's the ultimate blast from the past as the battle for the future pits the good bots against the bad in Casshan. Supplements have not been detailed yet, but the 4-disc set will feature 1080p video and lossless audio. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $59.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Casshan: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 21.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Gravity' Director Alfonso Cuarón Talks Dolby ATMOSby Michael S. Palmer As a film geek, it's all too easy to slip into hyperbole. Movies are emotional, right? When you have certain gut reactions, you can't help but let fly with, "this flick is the worst-best-least-most I have ever-seen-this-year-used-to-love-changed-my-life-made-me-want-to-shove-a-hot-poker-in-my-eye." Personal weakness not withstanding, I say with zero reservations that Alfonso Cuarón's 'Gravity' is probably a masterpiece (we'll let time and multiple viewings inform here), and is most definitely a technological marvel and a filmmaking master class. Honestly, not everyone's going to connect with 'Gravity' -- and that's totally cool too -- but for my money, it's one of the most visceral and effective and suspenseful thrillers ever. Regardless of whether or not you love or hate (or just don't care about) the film afterwards... 'Gravity' is a Must See In Cinemas movie. If you are at all able, go find the best auditorium with the biggest screen in the nicest theatre in your town or city. For some, that's going to be in IMAX 3D and its proprietary 7.1 surround sound format (5 front channels, stereo rear). For others, if you are one of the lucky few to live anywhere near the 300-400 screens worldwide equipped with Dolby Atmos, run-don't-walk to hear this extraordinary sound mix as soon and as often as you can. There aren't enough Atmos auditoriums yet in the world, and the movies that play in these houses don't last long. If you love surround sound, and I know many of you do, don't miss out. Other than the glorious 'Life of Pi', 'Gravity' is hands down the smartest and most precise Atmos mix to date (granted, there haven't been many). It literally makes you feel like you are in space -- that you are the camera -- and Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are floating all around you. And then when the music and the sound effects spin up into full effect… Just go hear it for yourself. [teaser]There's a reason director / co-writer Alfonso Cuarón calls Atmos the sound system he always dreamed of. It's a system that offers perfect separation, depth, and full range in every single one of the speakers. [/teaser]The speakers on the ceiling also compliment the experience, the immersive experience of cinema." To learn more about the film's sound mix, here are a couple videos with Cuarón and re-recording mixer Skip Lievsay talking about their process and how they took the base 7.1 sound mix and, "doubled down, made it even more precise." SoundWorks Collection: The Sound of Gravity from Michael Coleman on Vimeo. Gravity: Interview with Alfonso Cuarón from Dolby Laboratories on Vimeo. UPDATE: The original version of this article stated 'Gravity IMAX 3D' had a different aspect ratio than the non-IMAX formats. This was incorrect. All versions 'Gravity' are in the director's intended 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Thanks to IMAX and to our readers for helping to correct this.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 09:20 AM PDT by: -
'The Big Gundown' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The classic 1966 spaghetti western will ride onto Blu-ray in December. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Grindhouse Releasing is preparing 'The Big Gundown' for Blu-ray on December 10. Jonathan Corbett is a gunman so brave to have eliminated all the bandits of Texas. For this he is proposed for the candidacy to the Senate of the United States. In exchange he has only to support the construction of one railway line. Only after he accepts does he come to know that the Mexican Cuchillo has raped and killed a 12 year old girl. Corbett leaves on a long manhunt during which he gets to know his adversary better and discovers a variation on the crime for which the accused Cuchillo may not be as guilty as he first thought. The release will be a Four Disc Deluxe Limited Edition Combo Pack (Two Blu-rays, one DVD and one bonus CD) individually numbered and limited to 3000 copies and will feature a spectacular new 2k digital restoration of the original uncensored english language version, Newly Expanded With Three Additional Scenes. Supplements will include: LA RESA DEI CONTI - The Complete, 110 Minute Director's Cut Presented In Italian With Optional English Bubtitles And Special Musical Subtitles; Bonus CD - THE BIG GUNDOWN - Original Soundtrack By Ennio Morricone; Compelling In-Depth Interviews With Director Sergio Sollima, Star Tomas Milian And Screenwriter Sergio Donati (ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST); Audio Commentary By Western Film Experts C. Courtney Joyner And Henry C. Parke; Liner Notes By C. Courtney Joyner And Euro-Music Expert Gergely Hubai; Extensive Still Galleries, Trailers And TV Spots; And Other Surprises... You can find the latest specs for 'The Big Gundown' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 10.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Poll: Do You See New Movies on Opening Weekend?Are you the sort of viewer who must see a new movie in the theater as soon as it opens, or do you prefer to wait for bargain shows, or even the eventual Blu-ray release? Vote in this week's blog poll.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Companeros' Blu-ray Planned for 2014[teaser]Sergio Corbucci's 1970 spaghetti western will saddle up Blu-ray next year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Blue Underground is working on 'Companeros' for Blu-ray sometime in 2014. Yodlaf Peterson (Franco Nero of 'Keoma') is a suave Swedish arms dealer with a love for fast money. Vasco (Tomas Milian of 'Traffic') is a trigger-happy Mexican bandit with a hate for suave Swedish arms dealers. But when the two team up to kidnap a professor who holds the key to a fortune in gold, they find themselves hunted by the American army, stalked by a marijuana-crazed sadist (Academy Award winner Jack Palance) and trapped in the middle of a revolution about to explode. Can these two enemies blast their way across Mexico together without killing each other first? Specs, supplements, and a suggested list price have yet to be revealed. You can find the latest specs for 'Companeros' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Despicable Me 2' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]Gru and his mischievous minions will be back on Blu in December! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal will release 'Despicable Me 2' on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on December 10. In the animated family sequel, Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. Each Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, lossless soundtracks, and supplements include: Three all-new mini-movies featuring the mischievous but lovable Minions; A Closer Look at the Evil Minions; Deleted Scenes; and Much More! Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98 and the Blu-ray 3D is $49.98. You can find the latest specs for 'All is Bright' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 10.Posted Tue Oct 8, 2013 at 01:30 PM PDT by:
