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'Only God Forgives' on Blu-ray[teaser]The crime thriller from Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn will seek revenge on Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is working on 'Only God Forgives' for Blu-ray on October 22. Lying low in Bangkok ten years after killing a cop, Julian (Ryan Gosling) runs a Thai boxing club as a cover for his family's drugs business. But when his brother kills a local prostitute, and is then slain in retribution, Julian's mother Jenna (Kristin Scott Thomas) arrives in the city demanding that he track down the killer and mete out revenge. After learning that the man responsible is a retired police officer and lone dispenser of justice known as 'The Angel of Vengeance' (Vithaya Pansringarm), Julian, confident of success, sets out to find him, little realising what he has taken on. Specs are yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Audio Commentary with Director Nicolas Winding Refn; Behind the Scenes Featurette; Director Interviews; and The Music of Only God Forgives with Cliff Martinez. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Only God Forgives' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 22.Posted Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Body Bags' Blu-ray Features Detailed[teaser]The 1993 anthology directed by John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper is planned for Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] As previously reported, Scream Factory will be bringing 'Body Bags' to Blu-ray later this year, and now the date has been set for November 12. For the first time on Blu-ray™, 'John Carpenter Presents Body Bags' features John Carpenter as a creepy-looking coroner introducing a trilogy of blood-curdling tales: “The Gas Station” (starring Robert Carradine, 'Revenge of the Nerds' and Alex Datcher, 'Passenger 57'), “Hair” (starring Stacy Keach, 'The Bourne Legacy'), and “Eye”(Directed by Tobe Hooper, 'Poltergeist,' and starring Mark Hamill, 'Star Wars'). With special appearances by Deborah Harry ('Scarface'), Sheena Easton ('Miami Vice'), Twiggy, David Naughton ('An American Werewolf in London'), John Agar ('Tarantula'), David Warner ('The Omen') and cameos by notable horror film legends Wes Craven ('A Nightmare on Elm Street'), Tobe Hooper ('Lifeforce,' 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'), Sam Raimi ('The Evil Dead'), Roger Corman ('House of Usher') and Greg Nicotero ('The Walking Dead'), this pulse-pounding horror collection delivers a fright-filled night of terror to remember. Specs have yet to be detailed, but supplements will include: Audio Commentary with director John Carpenter and actor Robert Carradine on "THE GAS STATION"; Audio Commentary with director John Carpenter and actor Stacy Keach on "HAIR"; Audio Commentary with producer Sandy King on "EYE" moderated by Justin Beahm; New Interviews with John Carpenter, Producer Sandy King and actors Stacy Keach and Robert Carradine; and Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.93. You can find the latest specs for 'Body Bags' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 12.Posted Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Laurence Anyways' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Xavier Dolan's award winning Canadian drama is coming to Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Breaking Glass Pictures is preparing 'Laurence Anyways' for Blu-ray on October 1. Laurence (Melvil Poupaud), a French teacher and soon-to-be-published author, enjoys an intense and mutually loving relationship with his fiancée, Frédérique (Suzanne Clément). But on the day after his 35th birthday, Laurence confesses to Fred that he longs to become a woman, asking her to support his transformation. The film follows the course of the couple's on-again, off-again relationship throughout the 1990s. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: MoMA Presents: An Evening with Director Xavier Dolan; and Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Laurence Anyways' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 1.Posted Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Poll: Criterion Dual-Format EditionsRecently, the Criterion Collection announced a bold decision to discontinue separate DVD-only or Blu-ray-only movie releases in favor of dual-format editions for all new titles starting in November. Do you support this move, or are you upset by it? Vote in our blog poll today.Posted Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Lion of the Desert' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]War will erupt on Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing 'Lion of the Desert' for Blu-ray on November 12. 'Lion of the Desert' begins in 1929: Benito Mussolini (Rod Steiger) has been at war with Bedouin patriots for decades, the point of contention being the Italian colonization of Libya. Mussolini has appointed General Rodolfo Graziani (Oliver Reed) as governor to Libya, confident that he can crush the rebellion. However, Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn) – a teacher and humanist, yet skilled in desert warfare – has assumed leadership of the resistance. Led by Mukhtar, the Bedouin troops fight on horseback, using guerrilla tactics against the formidable forces of the Italian Army. Supplements have not been announced yet, but the Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Lion of the Desert' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 12.Posted Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: August 2013by Steven Cohen Every 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 an inspirational biopic on one of baseball's greats, a hypnotic noir thriller, and the gruesome return of a cult horror franchise. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, and July. [teaser]This month, we're covering an expertly crafted Southern drama with a heart, a multifaceted examination of rippling consequences, and a visually stunning science fiction adventure.[/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there might be some spoilers for the films listed. If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in August, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Mud' - Mixing shades of Mark Twain, Cormac McCarthy, and the Coen Brothers, channeled through a unique, singular voice all its own, Jeff Nichols' 'Mud' is a nearly perfect cinematic yarn about youth, love, and the hardships of growing up. With two great turns from its co-starring child actors, and a stellar performance from Matthew McConaughey, the film leaves a lasting impression that tackles deep themes without sacrificing an unabashedly romantic heart. Deftly constructed and concisely scripted, Nichols' approach is seemingly effortless, bringing a perfectly assured style to the screen steeped in Southern Gothic mystery and palpable yearning. Through the tale of two boys (Tye Sheridan & Jacob Lofland) who befriend an enigmatic fugitive named Mud (McConaughey), the filmmakers weave a perceptive and tense story that probes deep into the dangerous yet ultimately life-affirming waters of love. As the title character, McConaughey is both charismatic and filled with dangerous mystery, playing up the ambiguity of his intentions. Full of tall tales about his sensational past, we're often left wondering how much of what he says is really true. Is he actually embarking on a noble quest to reunite with a lost love, or is he merely an opportunistic liar? These questions come to a head during the film's climax, and the emotional payoff is heart wrenching, revealing once and for all if this sweet-talking criminal is a selfish conman or a selfless friend. The relationship that forms between the dubious man and his adolescent confidant, Ellis (Sheridan), is the soul of the film, and the young actor really does a phenomenal job, creating a character that is as brave and staunch as any great storybook hero, and as raw and vulnerable as any real-life kid. Through Mud and his accounts of fairy tale love, the teenaged dreamer catches a tangible glimpse of the kind of impossibly pure romance he dreams of himself, and determined to prove that such affections can truly exist, he helps him. But juxtaposed against a world much murkier than either Mud or Ellis would like to accept, these idealistic concepts come under fire, threatening to tear down the boy's innocence. Infused with a gently mythic quality, the film is both naturalistic and lyrical, evoking the intricate texture and nuance of literature through a rich narrative that is timeless and universal. While the closing scenes come close to skirting into saccharine sentiment, the movie never loses a certain edge, balancing a refreshingly optimistic spirit with darker elements. And at the same time, as sobering as some of these more cynical observations are, this is ultimately a story about hopeless romantics forever fated to be hopelessly romantic and, like any incorrigible, idealistic dreamer will tell you, even in the face of awful tragedy, there's no keeping a starry-eyed Quixote down -- not when there's still damsels to save, and windmills to chase. 'The Place Beyond the Pines' - In a black and white world, there is right and there is wrong. There are good guys and bad guys. There are cops and robbers. Derek Cianfrance's 'The Place Beyond the Pines' does not take place in a black and white world. Instead, the director's ambitious drama is layered in gray, in shades of murk and desperation and guilt. Where motivations are tragically complicated. Where the right things are done for the wrong reasons, and the wrong things are done for the right, and their consequences echo on and on and on. Structured in three distinct yet still irrevocably connected segments, the film chronicles the reverberating winds of cause and effect, tracing the cyclical nature of fate. By examining the life of a stunt rider turned petty thief (Ryan Gosling) and the cop who brings him down (Bradley Cooper), Cianfrance shines a light on different sides of the same coin, revealing that morality might be a lot more ambiguous than we'd like to admit. Noble intentions are mixed with dangerous ambitions, costly blunders result in lost lives, and two families become forever entwined in the mistakes of the past. Emotions of shame, rage, insecurity, and sorrow play on a repeating loop, carrying the sins of the fathers onto their children. Throughout it all, Cianfrance employs a quietly stylized aesthetic, offering a potently honed in command of tone, pace, and imagery. Impressive, unbroken handheld shots maintain tension while extending the texture and believability of the world. Car chases are exciting without being sensationalized, and little hints of somber poetry enhance the narrative's deeper themes. This is a film where men are heralded as heroes and villains, but there are no real protagonists or antagonists. These are flawed souls and messy lives caught in each other's wakes, weaving three different stories that are really all one in the same. While the third act does start to meander a bit, losing some of Cianfrance's previously unwavering sense of narrative confidence, the film still succeeds, offering a rare level of depth and nuance. The Blu-ray itself comes with absorbing video and audio presentations and a solid set of supplements, helping to solidify the disc's place on this list. Moody, affecting, and cinematically dense, this is a powerful drama, and easily one of August's top titles. 'Oblivion' - A good movie trailer wets our appetite for a film without spoiling too many major plot twists, but every now and then a trailer comes along that just goes a little too far. Poor 'Oblivion' had such a trailer, and while I can understand why certain beats were revealed (who wouldn't want to show off Morgan Freeman in their preview?!) it's clear that the movie was structured to keep those elements under wraps. Thankfully, it turns out the plot actually has little to do with one's enjoyment of the film, and while many of its predictable (and very familiar) revelations are unlikely to astonish, the ride itself is a lot of fun. Taking heavy inspiration from previous sci-fi movies like 'Moon' '2001: A Space Odyssey,' 'Total Recall,' 'Star Wars,' and even 'Wall•E' the movie offers a post-apocalyptic mindbender that aims to keep us guessing. Sadly, due to the aforementioned trailer and very clear influences, this "mindbending" element is largely nullified but, thankfully, what's left is still quite entertaining. Cruise is an effective lead as our typical determined hero, elaborating on many tried-and-true sci-fi themes dealing with the indomitable will of man, the nature of memory, and the power of love. Though conventional, his journey to uncover the truth about the world's tragic fate, and the mysterious woman (Olga Kurylenko) who haunts his dreams, is engaging and well executed. Of course, the real draw here isn't the tried-and-true plot or Cruise's charming fortitude -- it's director Joseph Kosinski's impressive eye for tantalizing visuals. To be honest, I really didn't want to like the film's style at first. The overly slick production design, "cool" compositions, grandiose use of music, and thin plot, all initially reeked of superficial, empty filmmaking… but, as the runtime went on, I was fully won over by Kosinski's sense of visual wonder and excitement. There is real craft here, creating a believable and interesting world, and the director expertly designs his set pieces with an air of danger and genuine fun. The chase scene with the bubble ship and drones is now one of my favorite action scenes of the year, and the director does a great job of mixing visceral thrills with unbridled exhilaration and visual personality. The film as whole is simply full of breathtaking imagery, capturing the desolation, loneliness, and quiet beauty of a ruined Earth. Almost derivative to a fault, 'Oblivion' ultimately takes all of its clear influences and lovingly forms them into something that, while not exactly unique, is still thoroughly entertaining and well made. Like several critics pointed out during its theatrical release, the movie almost plays out like a remix of better sci-fi efforts, but that doesn't mean it's without merit of its own. Kosinski may still have a few kinks he needs to work out when it comes to scripting, but as a visual storyteller he certainly knows how to stage some exhilarating action and create engrossing worlds. And despite any qualms with the plot, the Blu-ray features truly stunning video and audio. A five star technical presentation through and through, this release will likely become many home theater owners' go-to title to show off their fancy new equipment. By far the most impressive demo disc of the month, there's also a pretty enjoyable flick here too, earning the move the last spot on August's must own list. So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this August, 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 August's must own titles?Posted Tue Aug 27, 2013 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
'Weeds: The Complete Collection - Limited Edition' Set for Blu-ray[teaser]All eight seasons of the Showtime series will light up on Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'Weeds: The Complete Collection - Limited Edition' for Blu-ray on November 5. When Nancy Botwin (Parker) faces both sudden widowhood and poverty, she's determined to do anything to keep her kids in suburbia - including taking on the job of neighborhood pot dealer. Subversive and hilarious, the complete series is as intoxicating as ever, with everyone's favorite pot-selling soccer mom and the rest of the Botwin clan dealing with the mafia, love affairs, the birth of an illegitimate child and relocation after relocation. Watch as the Botwins' plans go up in smoke! Specs and supplements will mirror those found on the previously released season sets, and the 16-Disc Blu-ray/UltraViolet combo pack will also include exclusive new special features: "Pot Circle: Weeds Cast Roundtable" featurette; "They Came, They Smoked, They Left" featurette; "Nancy's Sexcapades" featurette; and "Suburban Black Widow" featurette. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray collection is $119.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Weeds: The Complete Collection - Limited Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 5.Posted Tue Aug 27, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Bones: The Complete Eighth Season' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The eighth season of the popular crime series will be uncovered on Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has revealed 'Bones: The Complete Eighth Season' starring Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz will be released on the high-definition format on October 8. Finally cleared of wrongdoing, Bones reunites with Booth (David Boreanaz) and the squints. Although the team solves some of their most challenging cases yet, madman Christopher Pelant continues his murderous rampage – inching closer to Bones and Booth daily. From solving the mystery of a roller derby darling's demise to uncovering a previously unrecognized 9/11 hero to stopping a pandemic, Bones and the team make one remarkable discovery after another. Meanwhile, as if the challenges Booth faces with parenthood and his unique relationship with Bones aren't enough, his mother shows up after a 24-year absence, and there is shocking news about some of his colleagues. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks, and supplements include: Commentary on "The Future in the Past"; Deleted Scenes; Dying to Know: Bones Answers Your Questions!; Bare Bones: Total Fandom-onium; and Gag Reel. Suggested list price for the 5-disc Blu-ray set is $69.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Bones: The Complete Eighth Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 8.Posted Tue Aug 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Suddenly (2013)' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Another Uwe Boll thriller has set its sights on Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Gaiam/Vivendi will be releasing 'Suddenly (2013)' on Blu-ray on September 17. Tod Shaw, a small-town cop, is a former Marine who lost his best friend in battle. Now unable to deal with the label war hero, he turns to alcoholism, which costs him his job. But after news hits that the President is coming through their town of Suddenly, he's allowed to remain on duty- and it couldn't come at a better time. Three assassins posing as Secret Service Agents have not only taken over his late friends' home, but has also taken his family hostage and it will be up to Shaw to come to grip with his demons and save not only them, but the President of the United States. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Suddenly (2013)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 17.Posted Tue Aug 27, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Contest: Win 'The Walking Dead: Season Three' on Blu-ray!Want to win 16 hours of zombie-killin' action in all its high-def glory? Of course you do! Enter our contest for your chance to win 'The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season' in the blog today.Posted Tue Aug 27, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by:
