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'Stalag 17' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Billy Wilder's 1953 war drama is planned for Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be releasing 'Stalag 17' on Blu-ray on October 8. Two worthy Academy Award nominees from 1950's 'Sunset Boulevard' -- actor William Holden and producer/co-writer/director Billy Wilder -- reteamed for the gripping World War II drama, 'Stalag 17.' The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant, and actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal." Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Stalag 17' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 8.Posted Fri Jun 21, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Theatrical Reviews: Movies from U to ZHere we are in the heart of blockbuster season, and Hollywood keeps cranking out potential hits. This week brings us the Pixar prequel 'Monsters University' and the zombie apocalypse epic 'World War Z'. Read our reviews of both in the blog today!Posted Fri Jun 21, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]A head-spinning 40th Anniversary Blu-ray double dip is coming in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers has revealed 'The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition' is planned for Blu-ray on October 8. 'The Exorcist' tells the now-famous story of a girl's demonic possession, and a gripping fight between good and evil. Linda Blair, in a breakout role, plays Regan, a young girl who starts to exhibit strange, arcane behavior. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) calls upon a priest, Father Karras (Jason Miller) to investigate. But Karras, who has a spiritual crisis of his own, is suddenly confronted with the unimaginable evil of Regan's possession. Father Lankester Merrin (Max Von Sydow), an archeologist-priest, is called to help, and a horrific battle for her soul begins. When 'The Exorcist' was first released in 1973, viewers were frightened out of their wits, and literally out of their seats. A true cinema landmark, the theological thriller is one of the top ten box-office performers of all time, earned ten Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture) and won two Oscars, for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. Subsequently, the film went on to become a multi-million dollar franchise. Directed by Friedkin (Oscar-winner for 'The French Connection') and written by William Peter Blatty, the film is based on Blatty's best-selling novel, which sold nearly 13 million copies domestically and was the #1 book on the New York Times Best Seller List for 57 weeks, 17 of them at #1. Regarding the Extended Director's Cut, Friedkin says, "After my final cut of the original 'The Exorcist,' I took out 12 more minutes before we actually released it in theatres. Years later, Bill Blatty asked if I'd consider reviewing some of that rejected footage (which he always felt should have remained) with an eye towards putting it into a new version. Bill gave me the best piece of material I've ever received and because of that and because the film had such a major reputation over some 25 years, I agreed to revisit all these scenes. When I saw them, I came to realize that Bill was, in fact, right. With technical advances, scenes that didn't work then could now be fixed with CGI and there were others that I thought strengthened the spiritual aspect of the film. Warner agreed and released a whole new theatrical print in 2000 which we called 'The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen.' And I now agree with Blatty that this is the best and most complete version." Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release will include both the theatrical and extended director's cuts of the film and supplements will include: Introduction by William Friedkin; Two Audio Commentaries with William Friedkin; Audio Commentary with William Peter Blatty; The Fear of God: 25 Years of the Exorcist (1998 BBC Documentary); Raising Hell: Filming The Exorcist; The Exorcist Locations: Georgetown Then and Now; Faces of Evil: The Different Versions of The Exorcist; Interviews: The Original Cut, Stairway to Heaven, The Final Reckoning; Sketches & Storyboards; Original Ending; Radio Spots; TV Spots; and Trailers. New features will include: Beyond Comprehension: William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist: 40 years after his novel was published, The Exorcist author, screenwriter and producer returns to where it all began. First stop is a cabin/guest house in the hills of Encino, California, where Blatty wrote the novel. The author visits the place for the first time in 40 years and shares not only memories of writing the book, but also discusses how it inspired him. We then meet Blatty in two key and iconic locations; Georgetown University where the film was shot, and at the now-famous Exorcist steps. Throughout, Blatty reads from his novel, including an excerpt from a chilling newly published passage; Talk of the Devil: While at Georgetown University, William Peter Blatty heard about a true case of possession from Father Eugene Gallagher. At the time the film came out, the priest talked at length about exorcism, the true story and about Blatty; this footage is now available for the first time in many years. It is as revealing as it is shocking; plus an excerpt from Friedkin's new book, "The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir." Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 8.Posted Fri Jun 21, 2013 at 08:35 AM PDT by: -
'Cavalcade' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Frank Lloyd's 1933 Oscar-winner debuts on Blu-ray for its 80th anniversary this August. [/teaser] In an early retailer announcement, 20th Century Fox will release 'Cavalcade' on Blu-ray on August 6. The Best Picture winner offers a view of English life starting New Year's Eve 1899 through New Year's Day 1933. Presented from the point of view of wealthy London residents Jane and Robert Marryot, several historical events serve as background for the film, including the Second Boer War, the death of Queen Victoria, the sinking of the Titanic and World War I. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono soundtrack, and supplements will include: Commentary by Film Historian Richard Schickel and Fox Movietone News: Cavalcade Wins First Honors. Suggested list price will be $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Cavalcade' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 6.Posted Fri Jun 21, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Reminder: 'Falling Skies' Contest Deadline TodayDo you like free stuff? Well, don't miss your chance to win 'Falling Skies: The Complete Second Season' on Blu-ray. You still have time to enter our contest before the deadline at the end of the day today. Get right on that while you still can!Posted Fri Jun 21, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Empire State' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Dito Montiel's crime drama starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson heads to Blu-ray this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Empire State' is coming to Blu-ray on September 3. The film co-stars Liam Hemsworth and Emma Roberts and centers on two childhood friends who plan to rob an armored car depository, and the NYPD officer who stands in their way. The release will be a Blu-ray/Ultraviolet combo pack with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include Director's Audio Commentary; Deleted Scenes; and Behind the scenes interviews with cast/crew. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Empire State' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 3.Posted Fri Jun 21, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Sleepless in Seattle' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]A limited edition Blu-ray of Nora Ephron's 1993 romantic comedy is now available for pre-order! [/teaser] In an "early" announcement to retailers, Twilight Time says 'Sleepless in Seattle' is headed for a Blu-ray release on July 9. Tom Hanks stars as Sam Baldwin, a widowed father who, thanks to the wiles of his worried son, becomes a reluctant guest on a radio call-in show. He's an instant hit with thousands of female listeners, who deluge his Seattle home with letters of comfort. Meanwhile, inspired in equal parts by Sam's story and by classic Hollywood romance, writer Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) becomes convinced that it's her destiny to meet Sam. There are just two problems: Annie's engaged to someone else, and Sam doesn't know - yet - that they're made for each other. The release will be limited to 3000 units and will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary with Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron; Isolated Score Track; Love in the Movies; "When I Fall in Love" Music Video; Original Theatrical Trailer; and Extensive Liner Notes by Julie Kirgo The Blu-ray can be pre-ordered from Screen Archives here for $29.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Sleepless in Seattle' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 9.Posted Thu Jun 20, 2013 at 09:50 AM PDT by: -
'3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Criterion will be bringing a set of three Ingrid Bergman films directed by Roberto Rossellini to Blu-ray at the end of September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, the Criterion Collection will proudly present '3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman' on Blu-ray on September 24. In the late 1940s, the incandescent Hollywood star Ingrid Bergman found herself so moved by the revolutionary neorealist films of Roberto Rossellini that she sent the director a letter, introducing herself and offering her talents. The resulting collaboration produced a series of films that are works of both sociopolitical concern and metaphysical melodrama, each starring Bergman as a woman experiencing physical dislocation and psychic torment in postwar Italy. It also famously led to a scandalous affair and eventual marriage between filmmaker and star, and the focus on their personal lives in the press unfortunately overshadowed the extraordinary films they made together. 'Stromboli,' 'Europe ’51,' and 'Journey to Italy' are intensely personal portraits that reveal the director at his most emotional and the glamorous actor at her most anguished, and that capture them and the world around them in transition. The 3-Disc Blu-ray set will feature 1080p video, uncompressed monaural soundtracks, and supplements include: Archival television introductions by director Roberto Rossellini to all three films; Audio commentary for Journey to Italy featuring scholar Laura Mulvey; Rossellini Through His Own Eyes, a 1992 documentary on the filmmaker’s approach to cinema, featuring archival interviews with Rossellini and actor Ingrid Bergman; New visual essays about Rossellini by scholars Tag Gallagher and James Quandt; Rossellini Under the Volcano, a 1998 documentary that returns to the island of Stromboli fifty years after the making of Stromboli; New interview with critic Adriano Aprà about each of the films; New interview with Fiorella Mariani, Rossellini’s niece, featuring home movies shot by Bergman; New interview with film historian Elena Degrada about the different versions of Europe ’51; New interviews with Isabella Rossellini and Ingrid Rossellini, daughters of Rossellini and Bergman; Ingrid Bergman Remembered, a 1996 documentary on the actor’s life, narrated by her daughter Pia Lindstrom; My Dad Is 100 Years Old, a 2005 short film, directed by Guy Maddin and starring Isabella Rossellini; The Chicken, a 1952 short film by Roberto Rossellini, starring Bergman; A Short Visit with the Rossellini Family, a six-minute film shot on Capri while the family was there during the production of Journey to Italy; and a booklet featuring essays by critics Richard Brody, Fred Camper, Dina Iordanova, and Paul Thomas; letters exchanged by Rossellini and Bergman; “Why I Directed Stromboli,” a 1950 article by Rossellini; a 1954 interview with Rossellini conducted by Eric Rohmer and François Truffaut for Cahiers du cinéma; and excerpts from a 1965 interview with Rossellini conducted by Aprà and Maurizio Ponzi for Filmcritica. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $79.95. You can find the latest specs for '3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 24.Posted Thu Jun 20, 2013 at 09:40 AM PDT by: -
James Gandolfini Dead at 51[teaser]The actor best known for his portrayal as the iconic Tony Soprano has passed away. [/teaser] According to his managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders, Gandolfini was found by a family member while vacationing in Italy. He died of an apparent heart attack. "It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy," Armstrong and Sanders said. "Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving." Gandolfini has starred in numerous features including such films as 'Where the Wild Things Are,' 'The Taking of Pelham 123,' 'Killing Them Softly,' and 'True Romance,' but he will mostly be remembered for his unforgettable role on TV's 'The Sopranos' that landed him six Best Actor Emmy nominations (winning three). HBO also adds, "We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family. He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us." Gandolfini is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, son Michael, and daughter Liliana. He was 51.Posted Thu Jun 20, 2013 at 08:10 AM PDT by: -
'Scary Movie 5' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The fifth entry in the horror spoof franchise will debut on Blu-ray this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing 'Scary Movie 5' on Blu-ray on September 24. The Scary Movie series lampoons the greatest in horror and genre fare, and has grossed over $800 million worldwide. This latest installment includes send ups of Paranormal Activity, Mama, Sinister, The Evil Dead, Inception, Black Swan, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and pop culture featuring Ashley Tisdale, Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, Snoop Dogg, Katt Williams, Molly Shannon, Terry Crews, Simon Rex, Jerry O'Connell, Sarah Hyland, Katrina Bowden, Tyler Posey, Shad Moss aka Bow Wow, Kate Walsh, Heather Locklear, Mac Miller and Mike Tyson. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Must-See Extended and Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Scary Movie 5' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 20.Posted Thu Jun 20, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
