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Theatrical Review: 'Iron Man 3'After the huge success of 'The Avengers', Tony Stark is already back in action in a new solo adventure. Our theatrical reviewer Bryan Kluger says that 'Iron Man 3' may just be the best 'Iron Man' film yet. Check out his review in the blog today.Posted Fri May 3, 2013 at 06:30 AM PDT by: -
'Movie 43' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The star-studded comedy hitting Blu-ray in June has now been fully detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox is bringing 'Movie 43' to Blu-ray on June 18. From the twisted minds of producers Peter Farrelly ('Hall Pass,' 'Shallow Hal') and Charles Wessler ('There's Something About Mary,' 'Dumb & Dumber'), comes 'Movie 43' -- the outrageous new ensemble comedy starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood. 'Movie 43' is not for the easily-offended and contains jaw-dropping, sometimes shockingly disturbing, but always entertaining intertwined storylines you'll have to see to believe. The all-star cast includes Emma Stone, Kate Winslet, Justin Long, Jason Sudeikis, Kristin Bell, Gerard Butler, and Halle Berry. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include Find Our Daughter and a Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Movie 43' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 18.Posted Fri May 3, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Oz The Great and Powerful' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Dated and Detailed[teaser]Prepare to travel somewhere over the rainbow again on both Blu-ray formats in June. [/teaser] As previously reported, Disney's 'Oz The Great and Powerful' for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D (2D not included) were up for pre-order, and now an official release date of June 11 has been announced. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot. Fame and fortune are his for the taking. That is until he meets three witches: Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity and even a bit of wizardry, Oscar transforms himself not only into a great wizard but into a better man as well. The Blu-rays will feature 1080p video, DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtracks, and supplements will include: The Magic of 'Oz The Great and Powerful' (Second Screen Experience); Bloopers; My Journey in Oz by James Franco; Mr. Elfman's Musical Concoctions; China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief; Before Your Very Eyes: From Kansas to Oz; Mila's Metamorphosis; and Walt Disney and the Road to Oz. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and the Blu-ray 3D/Digital Copy combo pack are both set at $44.99. A separate Blu-ray/Digital Copy combo pack without a DVD is also planned for a suggested list price of $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Oz The Great and Powerful (3-Disc Combo Pack),' ' Oz The Great and Powerful – 3D,' and 'Oz The Great and Powerful' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under June 11.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Banshee: The Complete First Season' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]There will be a new sheriff in town when the first season of HBO's new crime drama hits Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO is working on 'Banshee: The Complete First Season' for Blu-ray on July 30. From the creator of 'True Blood,' 'Banshee' centers on Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pennsylvania, where he continues his criminal activities, even as he’s hunted by the shadowy gangsters he betrayed years earlier. The 4-disc Blu-ray set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Six Audio Commentaries with Cast and Crew; Zooming In: Episodes 7 & 8; Deleted Scenes; Inside the Title Sequence; NYC Bus Crash; Town of Secrets; Banshee Origins; Season 2 Teaser Trailer; and Banshee Prequel Comic Book. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Banshee: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 30.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Phantom' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]The cold war submarine thriller is arming itself for Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'Phantom' for Blu-ray on June 25. At the height of the cold war, the world holds its breath when a Soviet submarine armed with nuclear missiles goes missing in the Pacific. On board the vessel, the battle-tested captain (Harris) and a rogue KGB agent (Duchovny) are waging a life-and-death game of cat and mouse. With enemy forces closing in and time running out, the captain fights to keep control with nuclear armageddon hanging in the balance. Starring four-time Academy Award® nominee Ed Harris, Golden Globe® winner David Duchovny (TV’s 'The X-Files'), and William Fichtner ('Armageddon'). The Blu-ray/UltraViolet Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary; Facing the Apocalypse; The Real Phantom; Jeff Rona: Scoring the Phantom; and "An Ocean Away" Music Video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Phantom' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 25.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
In Old Arizona' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The classic western featuring Warner Baxter's unforgettable performance as the legendary Cisco Kid will ride onto Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has set 'In Old Arizona' for Blu-ray on June 4. A charismatic bandit must outsmart the sheriff trying to catch him and a double-dealing Mexican beauty in this Western that was nominated for 5 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. Featuring an Oscar®-Winning performance by Baxter, 'In Old Arizona' is a must-own cinematic treasure for any classic film fan. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless mono soundtrack, and supplements have yet to be revealed Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for In Old Arizona' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 4.Posted Thu May 2, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4' Blu-ray Dated and Pre-Orders Live![teaser]The much-anticipated fourth season will be arriving on Blu-ray at the tail end of July! [/teaser] As previously reported, Paramount and CBS are gearing up to release 'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4' on Blu-ray, and now the official date looks to be July 30. The Fourth Season includes all 26 episodes including fan-favorites “The Best of Both Worlds, Part II,” “Reunion,” “Redemption,” “Final Mission,” “Qpid,” “The Drumhead,” “Brothers” and “In Theory,” all painstakingly restored and remastered from the original negatives like the previous releases. The 6-disc set will feature all 26 remastered episodes with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Audio commentaries by Rob Bowman, Brannon Braga, Mike and Denise Okuda and Ronald D. Moore; gag reel; and episodic promos; plus brand-new features will include Relavitity: The Family Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation; and In Conversation: The Art Department. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $129.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 30.Posted Wed May 1, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Tom and Jerry's Giant Adventure' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The crazy cat and mouse will be climbing up a beanstalk in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers says 'Tom and Jerry's Giant Adventure' will hit Blu-ray on August 6. This Tom and Jerry original movie finds the classic Hanna-Barbera duo assisting Jack, the young owner of a storybook amusement park, which has fallen on hard times. All that changes, though, when a handful of magic beans provide the means for Jack, Tom and Jerry to get their hands on a golden goose. But what dangers (and hijinks) await atop the beanstalk the beans produce? Specs and supplements for the Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy Combo Pack haven't been revealed yet, but suggested list price is $24.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Tom and Jerry's Giant Adventure' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 6.Posted Wed May 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'Star Wars: Original and Prequel Trilogies' on Blu-ray $32.99 Each at Amazon[teaser]Pick your favorite 3-film set on Blu-ray and save over fifty percent at Amazon![/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI' and 'Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy (Episodes I-III' on Blu-ray for only $32.99 each (53% off suggested retail price). Each 3-disc set features 1080p video, 6.1 lossless audio, and supplements include audio commentaries for the films. Click here to head to a galaxy far, far away and this offer is available now through May 4.Posted Wed May 1, 2013 at 09:42 AM PDT by: -
HDD Interviews the Filmmakers Behind 'Mama,' Andres and Barbara Muschiettiby Luke Hickman Guillermo Del Toro has made a name for himself. Now, he's not only making huge movies of his own, but helping other filmmakers rise to higher levels. His latest production 'Mama' is boosting the careers of two other up-and-coming Spanish filmmakers break into the international market. Their little $15 million film grossed $138.6 million at the worldwide box office and will be available on Blu-ray on May 7, 2013. 'Mama' introduces us to the Spanish filmmaking siblings Andres and Barbara Muschietti. The idea for 'Mama' came from a chilling three-minute short film that Andres and Barbara made in 2008. Del Toro hopped aboard to produce their feature length version of the short, which was released in January 2013. After watching the short, which is available as a special feature on the Blu-ray, it's no wonder a feature was to follow. [teaser]Andres and Barbara Muschietti are two humble, personable, and very likeable filmmakers, hopefully their personalities and charisma translate in the following interview transcript.[/teaser] Enjoy! Andres Muschietti: Hello, Luke! Barbara Muschietti: Hi, Luke! HDD – Luke Hickman: Hi, guys! How are you? Andres Muschietti: Doing well. Barbara Muschietti: Very good. HDD: Being international filmmakers, I have to ask – where are you right now? Barbara Muschietti: We are in our house in Barcelona ... and it's raining outside. Andres Muschietti: It's not a great day. Being the beginning of spring, it sucks. HDD: It's the same here. I live just outside Salt Lake City. It rained this morning and we even had a snow storm last week. Andres Muschietti: During spring?! HDD: Oh, yeah. That's why I feel your pain! Andres Muschietti: Enjoy! (laughs) Barbara Muschietti: (laughs) HDD: (laughs) Well, thank you for taking time out of your evening to talk with me. Barbara Muschietti: It's our pleasure. HDD: We only have 10 minutes so let's dive into this. First off, I love that the original short film is included on the Blu-ray because it's fantastic. I hadn't seen it prior to watching the feature film, so it was a real treat. How did the short come about? Andres Muschietti: It actually wasn't through the usual way. Instead of writing a story, it came up in a morning vision. I was just thinking in bed and this image came in my head. The whole sequence came in. I sort of sat on it because these sorts of things you don't give much focus to, but I thought, 'Maybe I could make this into a beautiful and horrifying short film.' I tried to make it make sense and to rationalize it – create the story behind it – but this was not the case. I thought, 'Why not make it without [a backstory]?' And it works! There's a shock behind the images of the film that I think makes it enigmatic. People want to know what the story is, so there's an important hook there. … There's the build up of the tension, the atmosphere. And that's how we came to it. I told my sister, 'I have this idea' – because we have have a production company here. We have been doing commercials for more than 10 years. We are shooting all the time and during one day of a shoot, when the shooting was done, I realized that - we were in this house on the outskirts of Barcelona – I realized that it was the house from the dream. HDD: No! Andres Muschietti: Yeah! It was the exact house – it had the hallways, the spiraling staircase, the connection to the kitchen. It was exactly what my vision was. I said to my sister, "We have to do it." So she talked to the owner and the owner said, "Okay, but you have to shoot this fast. We're tearing the house down in two weeks." And we made it! HDD: That's awesome. So let me make sure I have this right – when you made the short film, you didn't have a backstory to it at all? Andres Muschietti: No, we didn't. It was enigmatic. That was the value of the movie. Watching it with an audience and hearing, "What the fuck was that? Why are they being chased by their mom? Why is their mom a ghost or a monster?" - some people think it's a zombie – but she's definitely not. HDD: Was it difficult expanding this three-minute short into a feature length film? Andres Muschietti: Well, it's complicated and complex, but I wouldn't say "difficult." There's a lot of work that we put into it, especially when they are a few parties involved. In this case, Guillermo [Del Toro] was involved and there was a studio, so the most complex thing of it all was making consensus with all of the parts. But finding the story wasn't difficult at all. As I was trying to come up with story of the feature film, I came across this video about a cheetah eating a monkey, a baboon. The monkey gives birth to a baby as she's being killed and so the cheetah starts to take care of the baby [cheetah]. That's a crazy story of nature, but it's true. It happened and it's a reflection of how things work in nature. I thought that was an amazing idea to carry on into a story, so I thought, 'That's what 'Mama' is about' – it's about two little girls who think that the monster is their mom and that's why she's there when they are abandoned. The idea of imprinting, which is the reverse of that, like when a baby looks up and the first thing that she sees she becomes attached to it. HDD: That's crazy! Andres Muschietti: I'm sorry. I'm extending too much! HDD: No – it's great. I love hearing about it. So, how did Guillermo Del Toro become involved? Was he the one that provoked the feature? Barbara Muschietti: The first person that really inspired us and encouraged us to go on for a feature is another director and friend Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. He basically told us, "You guys have to write a feature about this. Drop whatever you're doing and go for it." So, then we basically started shopping the project around. We had phone calls with quite a few people – with Sam Raimi's production house, with the Weinsteins, with Lorenzo di Bonaventura – but when we heard that Guillermo had seen the short, we knew that it was a match. The next day, he called us and said, "I'm going to help you make this movie. It doesn't matter if we make in English or Spanish or Chinese – I'm going to help you make this movie." And that's what he did! HDD: Where did the decision come from for making the film in English? Andres Muschietti: It was a hot week. Barbara Muschietti: (laughs) HDD: (laughs) Andres Muschietti: Of course, I was concerned with jumping to a Formula 1 just like that, from a short film to a high budget – which wasn't really a high budget, but for us, we don't get to shoot with that kind of money and in English with Hollywood actors. It was tough, a challenge that we had to face. For a moment, we were thinking, 'Let's do it here in Spain. Let's make it small.' but Guillermo told us, "You're going to do this movie in Spanish in Spain and it's going to be a success and the Americans are going to do it as a remake." HDD: (laughs) Barbara Muschietti: With a much bigger budget! Andres Muschietti: At that time, it didn't seem like something bad for me, but from a financial point-of-view, of course, the producers of a remake would make hundred of thousands [of dollars] more than us. HDD: (laughs) Alright, I've only got time for one more question. Do you two see yourselves continuing as a sibling duo for the rest of your careers? Andres Muschietti: Yeah yeah yeah. We are a duo. Barbie is the producer, I am the director and we intend to keep it that way for at least 20 movies. Barbara Muschietti: (laughs) HDD: (laughs) Andres Muschietti: We'll see what happens after that.Posted Wed May 1, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by:
