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Blu-ray Highlights for February 12th, 2013This week belongs to Bond, James Bond, as the franchise's biggest and (arguably) best entry to date comes to Blu-ray. If that doesn't do it for you, some other new titles will also compete for your attention and your dollars. Read all about the latest Blu-ray releases in the blog today.Posted Tue Feb 12, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Strictly Ballroom' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1992 romantic comedy dances to Blu-ray in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Strictly Ballroom' is coming to high-definition on April 30. From Baz Luhrmann - the director of 'The Great Gatsby' and 'Moulin Rouge!' - comes the hilariously funny romantic comedy that will leave you singing, laughing and cheering for more. Experience the magical story of a championship ballroom dancer who's breaking all the rules. A hit with fans and critics all across the globe, 'Strictly Ballroom' will hold you tight and dance straight into your heart. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: "Strictly Ballroom: From Stage To Screen" featurette; "Samba to Slow Fox Dance" featurette; Deleted Scene; Design Gallery with Narration; and Audio Commentary with Director Baz Luhrmann, Production Designer Catherine Martin and Choreographer John "Cha Cha" O'Connell. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $14.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Strictly Ballroom' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 30.Posted Tue Feb 12, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Clint Eastwood 20 Film Collection' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]Go ahead, punk. Get dad a load of squinty goodness on Blu-ray this Father's Day! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will release 'Clint Eastwood 20 Film Collection' on June 4. Clint Eastwood’s illustrious motion picture career has spanned more than half a century and touched generations of filmgoers. The filmmaker/actor has received five Academy Awards®[1]and his films have grossed more than $2 billion at the domestic box office. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the relationship between Warner Bros., Clint Eastwood and Malpaso Productions, which has culminated in more than 40 films made for the studio. In addition to his most recent film, 'Trouble with the Curve,' this collection will include “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story,” produced by Richard Schickel. This unprecedented new film focuses on Eastwood's directorial style as seen through the eyes of many of his producing partners and actors. It explores how Eastwood’s style is unique and illustrates why he has managed to be successful for more than four decades. The major talent participating includes Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and many others and the insights that emerge are nothing short of extraordinary. “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story” will be making its television debut on TCM in May. The 20 films in this set include: A Perfect World Dirty Harry Every Which Way But Loose Firefox Gran Torino Heartbreak Ridge Hereafter Invictus J. Edgar Letters from Iwo Jima Magnum Force Million Dollar Baby Mystic River Pale Rider Space Cowboys Sudden Impact The Gauntlet The Outlaw Josey Wales Trouble with the Curve Unforgiven Specs and full supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $129.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Clint Eastwood 20 Film Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 4.Posted Mon Feb 11, 2013 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
'Argo: Declassified' Featurette Now Available[teaser]Check out a 28-minute video for Ben Affleck's Academy Award nominated film arriving on Blu-ray next week. [/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Brothers is readying 'Argo' for Blu-ray on February 19. Based on real events, the dramatic thriller "Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top "exfiltration" specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Feature Length Picture in Picture: Eye Witness Account; Audio Commentary with Director Ben Affleck; Rescued from Tehran: We Were There; Argo: Absolute Authenticity; Argo: The CIA & Hollywood Connection; and Escape From Iran: The Hollywood Option. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Argo' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 19.Posted Mon Feb 11, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'The Great Magician' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The Chinese period drama will magically appear on Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA says 'The Great Magician' will hit Blu-ray on March 19. In 1916, China is in turmoil with warlords battling against each other and Japanese conspirators lurking in the dark. One day, a mysterious man named Zhang Xian takes the capital city by storm with his mesmerizing magic tricks. He soon catches the attention of ruthless warlord Commander Lei, who is eager to please his seventh wife Liu Yin by taking her to see Zhang's performance. Unbeknownst to Lei, his favorite concubine was once the fiancée of Zhang, and approaching him to earn his trust is just the first step in the vengeful illusionist's secret agenda... The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include a making-of featurette. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Great Magician' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 19.Posted Mon Feb 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
'Crimewave' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The 1985 cult serial killer spoof debuts on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Shout Factory will release 'Crimewave' on Blu-ray on May 14. Sam Raimi ('The Evil Dead') directs this unconventional comedy penned by Oscar-winning siblings Joel and Ethan Coen, a film told mostly in flashback that blends elements of cartoons and black-and-white crime dramas. The plot follows the exploits of two outlandish professional killers (Paul L. Smith and Brion James) who whack the owner of a security company and pin the crime on an innocent man (Reed Birney). Specs, supplements, and suggested list price for the Blu-ray are still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Crimewave' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 14.Posted Mon Feb 11, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'Bond 50' Blu-ray $129.99 at Amazon![teaser]In honor of Skyfall' hitting stores this week, Amazon is serving up the boxed set of all the other Bond films for nearly sixty percent off![/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'Bond 50' on Blu-ray for only $129.99 (57% off suggested retail price). This collection includes the first 22 James Bond feature films from 'Dr. No' to 'Quantum of Solace' and more than 130 hours of bonus features including never-before-seen content from the Bond archives, and more. This box set also includes an open slot for forthcoming James Bond film 'Skyfall.' Click here to order yours and this offer is available from now through February 16.Posted Sun Feb 10, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Bonus View Digest - February 8, 2012[teaser]It's been a very busy week on The Bonus View. New home theaters, film festivals, and movie reviews galore![/teaser] Sundance Film Festival Throughout the week we continued to publish reviews for the movie's Aaron saw at Sundance. Check out reviews for 'The Lifeguard,' 'The Look of Love,' 'Manhunt,' 'Lovelace,' 'Virtually Heroes,' and 'Austenland.' Blu-ray News Still trying to figure out what to pick up this week? Well, Josh has his weekly comprehensive Blu-ray Highlights column to guide your home video purchases. This week we get Disney's 'Peter Pan,' 'Flight,' and 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' just to name a few. Home Theater News If you've been following Josh's home theater renovations closely, then you'll definitely want to see his newest entry. The soon-to-be theater gets a coat of paint, carpet, and begins to look like a real home cinema. Theatrical News We have a review for 'Identity Thief.' Is the new comedy any good? Or should you skip it and wait for funnier stuff? Luke and Aaron continue their Box Office Pick'em Showdown this month. Aaron easily won the month of January. Check out the draft of movies for February and join in on the discussion on who will ultimately be crowned the Box Office Prognosticator Champion. TV Recaps This week we covered some of our favorite shows, along with some 2013 series premieres. Find out what we thought about FX's brand-new thriller 'The Americans' and NBC's 'Do No Harm.' We also have recaps for 'Happy Endings,' and 'American Horror Story.' Special Features "I'm too old for this sh--!" was the theme for this week's Weekend Roundtable. What actors or filmmakers do you think are so over the hill that they are grasping at straws with the new roles they're taking? We discuss some of our favorites, what are yours? Thanks for joining us this week. As always it's been a lot of fun covering the latest and greatest in high-def entertainment for our great readers. We wish you a weekend full of great movies with flawless presentations.Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
Weekend Roundtable: Famous Last FilmsDirector Steven Soderbergh claims that he's retiring and that this week's release of 'Side Effects' will be his last theatrical feature. For today's Roundtable, we look at other famous examples where a director or an actor's final film (whether due to death or retirement) was a particularly fitting (or not fitting) way to go out. Read about it in the blog today.Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'The Newsroom: The Complete First Season' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The first season of the acclaimed HBO series starring Jeff Daniels is bound for Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO has revealed 'The Newsroom: The Complete First Season' will be released on Blu-ray on June 11. Created by Aaron Sorkin (Academy Award® winner for writing 'The Social Network,' executive producer and writer of the multiple Emmy® winner 'The West Wing'), the new HBO® drama 'The Newsroom' follows the ACN news team on their quixotic mission to reclaim the legacy of Murrow and Cronkite in the face of a fickle audience, corporate mandates and tangled personal relationships. The first season of the "noble and earnest" (Entertainment Weekly) series, which was nominated for two Golden Globe awards - Best Television Series Drama and Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series (Jeff Daniels) - co-stars Emily Mortimer ('Hugo') as MacKenzie McHale, Sam Waterston (Academy Award® nominee for 'The Killing Fields') as Charlie Skinner; John Gallagher, Jr. (Tony winner for 'Spring Awakening') as Jim Harper; Alison Pill (HBO's 'In Treatment') as Margaret Jordan; Thomas Sadoski (Tony nominee for 'Reasons to Be Pretty') as Don Keefer; Dev Patel ('Slumdog Millionaire') as Neal Sampat; Olivia Munn ('I Don't Know How She Does It') as Sloan Sabbith; and two-time Academy Award® winner Jane Fonda ('Klute,' 'Coming Home') as ACN's corporate owner. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: The Rundown: Sorkin, Daniels, Mortimer, Waterson, executive producer Alan Poul and co-executive producer Greg Mottola detail their experiences shooting the first season in this exclusive conversation; Five Audio Commentaries with Sorkin, Poul, Daniels, Waterston, Mortimer and others; Mission Control: Behind-the-scenes look at the state-of-the-art sets with the cast and crew; Inside the Episodes: Inside perspectives with revealing interviews from Sorkin; Deleted Scenes; and Episodic Previews & Recaps. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $79.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Newsroom: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 11.Posted Fri Feb 8, 2013 at 10:25 AM PST by:
