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'Dredd' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]Justice will be served on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Dredd - 3D' (2D included) is coming to high-definition on January 8. Mixing pulse-pounding action with mesmerizing visual effects sequences, the post-apocalyptic thriller hailed by audiences and critics alike stars Karl Urban ('Star Trek'), Olivia Thirlby ('Juno') and Lena Headey (HBO’s “Game Of Thrones”). The hugely anticipated sci-fi thriller directed by Pete Travis ('Vantage Point') takes place in a futuristic America. The Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo will feature 1080p video, a English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack optimized for 11.1 Neo X, and supplements include multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes including a look back at the 35 years of Judge Dredd. Suggested list price for the release is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Dredd - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 8.Posted Fri Nov 16, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Holiday Gift Guide 2012: HD Streaming Gear and ServicesWhile we here at High Def Digest specialize in content on disc, we recognize that Blu-ray isn't the only way to get your high def kicks. In a world where studios are making more and more content available in remastered, high resolution transfers, and home internet speeds are getting ever faster, it only makes sense that streaming media solutions are becoming more and more popular. [teaser]Whether you want access to more movies than you could reasonably afford to buy on disc, or you're looking to cut your costly cable TV expenses, there are many reasons to turn to a streaming service. Most of these services are configured to play on your PC, but what do you do if you want to watch them on your nice, big HDTV? Why, you get a streaming device, of course! But with so many to choose from, which one is right for you? Well don't worry, we here at High Def Digest have you covered with our guide to HD Streaming Gear and Services![/teaser] Signal To Noise Before you find a device, it would help to take a look at what services are out there, and what they have to offer. If you know what services you want to use, you'll have a better idea of what device fits your needs. Netflix The granddaddy of all these services, Netflix is so popular that it reportedly uses one-third of all the bandwidth in North America, an incredible sum. It's not hard to see why Netflix is so ubiquitous. For $7.99, you get unlimited streaming of thousands of ad-free movies and TV shows on a variety of devices. And because Netflix is so frequently used, virtually any device you can think of supports it. In fact, many new TVs and Blu-ray players offer Netflix support baked-in. And, for an additional fee, you can still get DVDs and Blu-rays shipped to your house, including titles that aren't currently available for streaming. Netflix isn't perfect, of course. At times, the gaps in their catalogue can be infuriating, and their stream seems to be especially sensitive to the strength of your signal, downgrading image quality if your router even threatens to waver in its connection. Also, as the service has eaten into the profits of physical media, the studios have generally seen fit to enforce a 28 day waiting period before allowing Netflix to stream their new releases. However, these issues are relatively small when you compare their large selection, ease of use, and constantly improving suggestion system. Hulu Plus As great as Netflix is, there's one area where it falls woefully short: Timely TV content. Sure, Netflix has a ton of TV shows, including many currently on the air, but they only offer episodes that are available on home video, meaning that it's useless for watching a show within days of airing. That's where Hulu comes in. Hulu offers ad-supported TV shows which are available to view the day after they air on TV. They also offer a selection of movies, although not as robust as Netflix. And all of this is 100% free. Well, not exactly. Yes, much of the content on Hulu is free, but you can only watch it on the web. If you want to watch any of it on a device that isn't a computer, you'll have to upgrade to Hulu Plus. Hulu Plus is also $7.99 per month, but isn't quite the slam-dunk that Netflix is. While Hulu Plus allows you to watch on TVs and other devices, your payments don't get rid of the ads. And the frequency and length of ad breaks has increased as the service has risen in popularity. Variety, sadly, has not, and you will see the same five or six ads over and over for weeks. Hulu Plus gives you access to more content, such as older seasons of shows (the free version only lets you watch the five most recent episodes of current series), as well as more titles that aren't available for free (but may be available from Netflix). By far the most annoying thing about Hulu Plus is that despite the fact that you're paying for off-web access, some titles remain web only. And we're not talking about old titles that people hardly watch. Big name shows like '30 Rock' currently can only be watched from a computer. However, the service offers plenty of options, such as the ability to favorite shows, changing the image quality to best fit your connection, and an attractive, intuitive GUI. Of most interest to cinephiles is the news that Criterion has partnered with Hulu to provide many of their films in high quality, including a few titles that the company hasn't been able to release on disc, such as 'Eraserhead'. Hulu is almost as popular as Netflix, meaning that device support is almost as strong, and again, many new TVs come with Hulu support out of the box. If you're looking to drop cable TV, Hulu Plus, even with its flaws, is a must have. VUDU VUDU has taken a different approach from Netflix or Hulu. Instead of signing you up for a monthly subscription for unlimited streaming, your account is entirely free, and you pay per title. In this way, it's more like a rental service, especially because each payment is only for a predetermined period. On Netflix, because you're paying monthly for all the content, you can start a movie in January and finish it in October, provided the license doesn't expire in-between. For VUDU, you only have a few days to watch the film. VUDU does offer many attractive elements, such as a catalogue of over 20,000 titles presented using HDX, a process that allows for 1080p24 with the least amount of compression artifacts. Even better, because you're paying per title, the studios don't enforce the 28-day waiting period, meaning that you can watch new films in 1080p the day they came out on home video. VUDU is reasonably well supported, and since the account is free, you can try it one time for a low cost (most movies are $2) to see if you like it. Amazon Instant Video Amazon, the little bookseller that become an internet commercial monolith, began offering video streaming and downloads as a competitor to iTunes, initially on a pay-per-title basis. As they've expanded their Prime offerings (which was originally unlimited 2-day shipping on any item for $79 per year), they've included free unlimited streaming for Prime members. Amazon's catalogue isn't as expansive as Netflix's, although they do have a few exclusive titles. Of course, $79 per year, paid in one lump sum, sounds awful compared to the low monthly prices of the other services, but when you divide it out, it comes out to about $6.58 per month, cheaper than the competition. And on top of it, you still get the free 2-day shipping on Amazon purchases and access to the Kindle lending library. Like Apple, Amazon wants you to play in their walled garden, but they do offer more points of access. Crackle Crackle, a streaming service with ties to Sony, is more of a newcomer to the streaming scene. You can watch all of the content for free, and if you register you can get a slew of personalization and notification options. As Crackle is backed by Sony, the vast majority of content is Sony's, and you have far less selection than in the other streaming services. Even worse, Crackle isn't actually in HD. It's also supported by less devices. On the other hand, you can watch a lot of Sony movies completely for free, so why not use it? iTunes Apple has been incredibly successful at turning their iTunes music player into a content delivery platform. They have a pay-per-title model. You can set up subscriptions for whole seasons of TV shows, but you're still paying a per-episode price. However, they have a large offering of titles with high quality encodes and all purchased content will immediately work on Apple devices. The problem, of course, is that they come with built-in DRM and are really designed to work on Apple-branded devices. However, if you're firmly entrenched in Apple's ecosystem, iTunes will be easy to use both for content purchasing and viewing. HBO Go and Epix HBO Go is really a supplementary service, as you cannot use it unless you currently have an HBO subscription with your cable provider. The nice thing is that there's no additional cost to use HBO Go, which allows you to stream all sorts of HBO on-demand content on a variety of devices. However, it's not useful for people who wish to drop cable entirely, because you can't access it without an existing HBO subscription. Even worse, HBO Go isn't offered by all cable providers, meaning that even if you are paying for HBO, you might not have access to it. Still, if you manage to meet the requirements, HBO Go is a nice option to have. Epix is a TV channel offered through cable providers as well as a paid streaming service. Offering content from Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate, Epix offers movies and specials like UFC fights and comedy shows. Like HBO Go, you have to have a cable provider and a subscription to Epix in order to take advantage of their streaming service. YouTube YouTube is so closely associated with user-created content that it's easy to forget that there's plenty of professional-grade material on there, all for free. Of course, in this case, you get what you pay for, and YouTube offers practically no quality control. Still, as a repository of public domain material, YouTube is absolutely unbeatable. Again, as with Netflix and Hulu, YouTube is so ubiquitous that a lot of hardware supports it natively, making it the perfect go-to site for casual video viewing. Delivering The Goods Okay, so you've reviewed the services above. You've decided which ones you want to use. Now comes the hard part: Choosing the device that will deliver all of this content to your TV. The nice part of the streaming services is that you can try them at your leisure. The price of entry is low, and if you don't like it, you can cancel at any time. Choosing a device is a much harder decision. The price of each device is much higher, so you want to make sure it does everything you need. Roku Roku has been in the streaming hardware game for a while. Their boxes have a small footprint and start at some of the lowest prices on the market. If you're content with 720p output, you can go for the $60 Roku HD. If you want 1080p, you'll have to add $20 to get the Roku 2 XD. There is a higher end model with some gaming options, but if you're actually interested in gaming, we wouldn't recommend doing it through a Roku. Roku offers hundreds of channels, from free to premium. Most of the aforementioned services are offered, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, Amazon, Crackle, HBO Go, and Epix. It also offers several music services, such as MOG.com and Pandora. It does not offer YouTube, nor does it play iTunes content. However, for under $100, the Roku is a cheap and easy introductory player that will serve many streamers well. Apple TV Jumping up $20 from the Roku 2 XD, you can get an Apple TV for $100. Also sporting a small footprint (you may hear users affectionately refer to the device as a "hockey puck"), Apple TV is best used by people who are most enmeshed in Apple's ecosystem. You can browse iTunes offerings through the device, or you can stream previous Apple purchases to it from your Mac, iPhone, iPod, or iPad using AirPlay. You can also download the remote app on your iDevice to control the Apple TV without having yet another remote control cluttering up your coffee table. Offering 1080p output, Apple TV supports Netflix and Hulu Plus, but not Amazon Instant Video. There is an Amazon Instant Video app on the iPad, which allows you to view free videos but not purchase new ones, nor does that app support AirPlay for the Apple TV. The device does offer YouTube support as well as support for several sports websites such as MBL.com and NHL.com, although you have to have subscriptions to the sports sites in order to access their content. With iOS at its core, the Apple TV is also one of the easiest, most stable, and most well-supported streaming devices on the market, all for one bill. WD TV Live A somewhat unexpected entry into the HD streaming market comes from Western Digital, best known for making hard drives (you might even have one in the computer you're using to view this site right now). The WD TV Live will run you $90, and supports Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, YouTube, as well as other services like Pandora and Spotify. Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go, Crackle, and others are absent. The real draw of the WD TV Live is that it can play a wealth of file formats, such as MKV, MOV, MP4, XVID, AVI, and more. You can plug in all sorts of sources through the USB port, whether it be a flash drive, hard drive, camcorder, camera, and so on, and play the files directly. Or you can use the built-in wifi to connect to your home network, where the device will search all networked drives for compatible media files. You can also download the WD TV Live app on an iPhone or Android phone to control the device. If you choose not to go that route, a programmable remote is included. Western Digital also offers the WD TV Live Hub, which has all of the same features as the lower priced option, plus includes a built-in 1 TB hard drive, media server for streaming to other rooms in the house, and HDMI 1.4 connection (the WD TV Live offering HDMI 1.3). For the privilege of getting all these extra features, you'll have to shell out $170, which doesn't seem quite worth it, as Western Digital bizarrely neglected to include on-board wifi in this model, meaning you'll have to buy an adapter or plug it in via ethernet. At almost double the price of the base model, this doesn't seem like a great value. If your goal is to play a wealth of files you already have stored digitally, something the Roku and Apple TV don't specialize in, then the WD TV Live is an excellent, versatile choice for under $100. Boxee The Boxee Box is an interesting attempt to combine the high-end power of a Home Theater PC with the ease of use of a set-top box. Boxee aims to be your sole entertainment hub, with a very attractive GUI that automatically pulls in content information. Like the WD TV Live, Boxee streams and supports existing files. If there's a file format the WD TV Live can't handle, chances are Boxee can. With a unique remote that offers basic controls on one side and a full keyboard on the other, Boxee integrates internet content seamlessly. Unfortunately, despite grand ambitions, Boxee falls short in several important areas. Boxee supports Netflix, YouTube, and VUDU out of the box, but still has yet to offer support for Amazon Instant Video or Hulu Plus, two major streaming services. And the price, $175, is significantly higher than the Roku, Apple TV, or WD TV Live. Boxee does have a new product, the Boxee TV, which strives to combine the experience of the Boxee Box with a working DVR and cable box. At $99, it's certainly a more attractive proposition than the Boxee Box, but it's still missing Amazon Instant and Hulu Plus, and currently is only available from a few select retailers, so reviews from real-world users are still sparse. If you need something to work with your cable service, Boxee TV might be a good solution, but as of right now we can't give a recommendation until we hear more about it. As for the Boxee Box, we admire its ambition but the missing features, combined with the high price, make it a miss. Playstation 3 When Sony introduced the Playstation 3, it was considered the best Blu-ray player on the market. Now that the format has matured, the gaming console still retains its status. Aside from being a top notch Blu-ray player, the Playstation 3 also offers many streaming options, including Netflix, Hulu, VUDU, Crackle, YouTube, and Amazon Instant Video. It does not currently support HBO Go, although that could always come in the future. As the Playstation Network is free, you can download and use all of these services at no extra charge (although of course you must pay for those services that require a paid account). The PSN offers HD movies and shows that you can buy or rent right through the console. You can also plug in flash drives to watch existing files, or stream them through your wireless network, although its file support isn't as robust as the WD TV Live or Boxee Box. Of course, the Playstation 3 is a game console first, meaning you'll have to pay extra for a remote. Although, if you do, the PS3 remote is well designed and connects via Bluetooth, which means it does not require a line of sight connection to work. If there's any real issue with the system, it's that the wifi connection is notoriously slow. Downloads and updates take far longer than other devices will over wifi, and streaming services may suffer because of this. If you do choose to get a PS3, you'll get a lot more out of it by plugging it in via ethernet. The other issue is price, with the console starting at $250, pricier than even the Boxee Box. However, for that price you get a Blu-ray player, gaming console, and media streamer all in one. Xbox 360 The other gaming option would be the Xbox 360, which offers all of the streaming options that the PS3 does, plus HBO Go and others as well. It's also cheaper, starting at $200 (although at that price you only get 4 GB of storage space). Like the PS3, you can also buy and rent content through the console itself. However, unlike the PS3, you have to pay for an Xbox Live Gold account in order to use the streaming apps, at a cost of $25 for a three-month period, or $60 for thirteen months. Further, the 360 can play DVDs but not Blu-rays. On the other hand, it has much better wifi performance than the PS3. If your goal is to use a console mainly for media with a little gaming, the PS3 is the better choice. On the other hand, if you're a big gamer that does a little media consumption, the 360 may be the better option, depending on what games you prefer. Home Theater PC At the highest end of this spectrum you find the Home Theater PC, or HTPC. HTPCs are exactly what they sound like, a computer that you plug in to your television. The benefits of this approach are immediately obvious. You can play any service without restriction because you're using a computer. No more worrying that your device may not support one service or another, and as new options pop up, you'll be able to use those as well. The downsides should also be obvious. HTPCs are by far the most expensive and complicated option, ranging anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. And, just like any computer, the components you use will greatly affect your performance. You'll have to deal with drivers, antivirus protection, and more. You'll need to buy a wireless keyboard and mouse combo as well. If you are willing to invest the time and money into it, though, an HTPC will be the last device you'll ever need for your home theater. Tablets You may not think that a mobile tablet would appear in a list of HD devices, but 720p and even full 1080p displays are becoming more and more common. The new iPad with retina display features a 2048x1536 display that is absolutely gorgeous. The upcoming Google Nexus 10 sports a 2560x1600 display. Acting much like a computer, these tablets offer apps for every streaming service you can think of, and as long as you stay within the Apple or Android ecosystems, you're guaranteed to get support from future services as well. These tablets also support a variety of movie files, and you can download apps to view files that the tablet doesn't natively play. Many tablets offer options for connecting to a TV, although not all content will be compatible. Of course, the starting price for a tablet with an HD display is even higher than it is for some of the lower end HTPCs, with the 16 GB Nexus 10 at $400 and the iPad with retina display starting at $500, but you can take a tablet anywhere. Blu-ray Players and Televisions Before you go looking to add new devices to your home theater, you might want to take a look at the ones you already own. Many Blu-ray players come with streaming services included, and even offer built-in wifi. Of course, these won't have offerings as robust as dedicated streaming devices, but with Blu-ray players now at reasonable prices, and the convenience of having one device for all your media consumption, it's not a bad idea. Panasonic offers a 3D Blu-ray player with Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, VUDU, and Amazon Instant Video support for $100. Similarly, many new TVs, dubbed Smart TVs, now include streaming apps as well, no need for a separate device at all. For example, Vizio offers a 60-inch LED TV with Netflix, Hulu, VUDU, and YouTube support for $1,000. If you're a fan of keeping things simple, streaming through your Blu-ray player or TV might be the perfect solution. As you can see, the HD streaming field is vast, and growing every day. We couldn't include every possible option on this list, but this guide should provide a good primer to help get you started. Do you use one or all of these services? Have a particularly strong opinion on which device is the best? Tell us all about it in the forums!Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012 at 12:35 PM PST by: -
'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Ho! Ho! Ho! The 1964 ultra-guilty pleasure will be climbing down Blu-ray's chimney in December! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino Video says 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' will hit Blu-ray on December 4. A film this bad has never looked so good! Horizon Movies proudly presents a fully restored edition (from HD elements) of the notorious holiday classic. The Martians are irked that their children spend so much time watching TV shows from Earth that sing the praises of Santa Claus, so they decide to make a trek to the planet to capture Mr. Claus. During their mission, they also abduct two children who lead the aliens to the North Pole and Santa. The Martians take all three earthlings back to Mars, where, with the help of a native, they manage to spread Christmas cheer throughout the red planet. 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' took on newfound fame in the 1990's after being featured on "Mystery Science Theater 3000 'and became a holiday staple on Comedy Central in the years following its 1991 premiere, becoming one of the series' most popular episodes. It has since found new life again in the 2000's, having been riffed by Cinematic Titanic, which includes former cast members from "MST3K," as of November 2008. Scenes from the movie were also used in both Comedy Central's ''A Colbert Christmas'' and ''Eloise at Christmastime''. Specs have yet to be revealed, but special features include: ''The Retro Holiday Film Festival'' that includes Vintage Max Fleischer Holiday Cartoons, Seasons Greetings from Classic TV Stars, Howdy Doody's Christmas Story, Rare, Remastered Holiday Commercials and much, much more! Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 4.Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Deal of the Day: 'The Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions' Blu-ray $43.49 at Amazon[teaser]The precioussssss Blu-ray set is once again on sale today only at Amazon! [/teaser] Amazon is selling 'The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Limited Edition Extended Editions' for $43.49 (64% off the suggested list price) Click here to visit the sale page and be sure to stock up for the holidays!Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012 at 08:50 AM PST by: -
'TerrorVision / The Video Dead' Blu-ray Date Correction[teaser]The TV-themed horror double feature is now on its way to high-definition at the end of February. [/teaser] As previously reported, Scream Factory is working on 'TerrorVision / The Video Dead' for Blu-ray on February 1, but the official date appears to be February 19. 'TerrorVision' - A family's new satellite TV system starts receiving signals from another planet, and soon it becomes the passageway to an alien world. 'The Video Dead' - A family takes delivery of a new TV set, unaware that it is the gateway by which killer zombies enter the world. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, and suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $26.99. You can find the latest specs for 'TerrorVision / The Video Dead' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 19.Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Let the Music Play: The Story of the Doobie Brothers' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The documentary on the classic band will hit Blu-ray next week. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Eagle Rock Entertainment is prepping 'Let the Music Play: The Story of the Doobie Brothers' for a high-definition release on November 20. 'Let The Music Play' is the authorized story of The Doobie Brothers from their beginnings as a biker band in California in 1970, through their breakthrough with Listen To The Music in 1972, sustained success and line-up changes in the mid-seventies and their change of musical direction and further success following the arrival of Michael McDonald in 1976. Worn out by non-stop touring and internal disagreements, the band broke up after a farewell concert in 1982. There were sporadic reunions in the eighties before the band reformed permanently in the early nineties and have continued touring and recording ever since. This new film features contributions from all the surviving key band members, their manager Bruce Cohn and long term producer Ted Templeman to tell the full story of the band's highs and lows through four decades of musical evolution. The release will include bonus live performances of: 1) Rainy Day Crossroad Blues 2) Without You 3) Listen To The Music 4) Black Water 5) Takin It To The Streets 6) Rockin Down The Highway 7) Neal's Fandango 8) Long Train Runnin 9) China Grove Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Let the Music Play: The Story of the Doobie Brothers' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 20.Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Holiday Gift Guide 2012: The Ultimate Blu-ray Shopping ListWith the holiday shopping season looming, and Black Friday bearing down on us, we here at High-Def Digest wanted to give you a head start on your holiday shopping. [teaser]2012 has been a stellar year for Blu-ray releases. We've seen numerous highly sought after catalog titles finally make it to the format. In an effort to ease your holiday shopping stress, High-Def Digest presents "The Ultimate Blu-ray Shopping List" for 2012. We've got everyone in your family covered here, don't worry.[/teaser] Family-Friendly Want to get the whole family together for an activity? There isn't a more effective way to capture everyone's attention than sticking in a movie that everyone can enjoy. This year has been full of family-friendly releases that will not only dazzle the little ones, but will also entertain the grownups as well. We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Pixar's latest film. 'Brave' may not be their best movie, but it certainly is entertaining. Pixar's lush animation is on full display here as the Blu-ray is sure to provide demo quality visuals. One of the most anticipated Pixar titles finally gets its Blu-ray due. 'Finding Nemo' has long been a highly sought after title and it's finally getting released on December 4th. This film is certainly worth a pre-order as it remains one of Pixar's very best movies. It's almost assuredly going to be as close to perfection as any demo-quality Blu-ray has ever been. Pixar may be the king of computer animation, but when it comes to hand drawn animation few do it better than Hayao Miyazaki. This year we saw the release of two of his great catalog titles, 'Castle in the Sky' and 'Whisper of the Heart.' Along with those wonderful releases we also got 'The Secret World of Arrietty.' It may not be directed by Miyazaki, but the screenplay is written by him and the movie has his fingerprints all over it. If you're a fan of emotion-filled storylines mixed with absolutely stunning animation then do yourself a favor and seek out a few of these Studio Ghibli titles. On the Disney side of things, the long-awaited fourth Tinker Bell movie has finally come out. After being delayed and undergoing a name change, 'Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings' is sure fun for the entire family. It may appear to be something that only pre-teen girls will love, however, it will end up surprising you with its wonderful animation and its light, bubbly spirit. Animation not your thing? Well, there's also some really great live-action family-friendly material out there. The 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' movies are always a light and breezy way to spend time with the family. This year the third installment in the franchise gets a release on December 18th. If you haven't seen any of these movies then make sure to pick up 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.' Action Junkie You've most likely got a few action junkies in the house. You may even be one yourself. It's a good thing that 2012 didn't have any shortage of action movies. This was a great year for action and it's time to jump on a few of these releases if you haven't already. Perhaps the biggest Blu-ray release this holiday season is the final chapter in Christopher Nolan's 'Batman' franchise. This is certainly one of those must-pre-order-now titles. Coming out on December 4th, 'The Dark Knight Rises,' promises to look every bit as awesome on Blu-ray as it did in the theaters. Not to mention this is going to have one rocking audio mix. Speaking of thumping audio, how could we not mention the impending release of 'The Expendables 2'? This will be the first Blu-ray to ship with DTS Neo: X, meaning if you have the equipment you'll be able to produce sound that will fill a whopping 11 channels, plus a sub-woofer. This is going to be one loud audio mix. Audiophiles should be all over this. One of the greatest action movies in years hit Blu-ray in 2012. If you haven't seen 'The Raid: Redemption' then you have missed one of the most exciting Blu-ray releases of the entire year. 'The Raid' is non-stop martial arts action from beginning to end. It's a choreographed dance of blood and carnage. Seriously, this is the pinnacle of the action genre in 2012. Whether you love action, adventure, or cinema in general there's no way you can pass up the recently released 'Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures' collection. This is probably one of the best releases of 2012. After 'Star Wars' it was probably the most anticipated set of titles to get a Blu-ray release. Finally, they're here! If you haven't picked this set up yet, the holiday season is a perfect excuse to get it. Film Lover Not all great movies are big budget blockbusters. This year has seen its fair share of cinematic gems that didn't rake in the box office dough, but will certainly find places in the hearts of film lovers everywhere. After it premiered at Sundance earlier this year, 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' became one of the most talked about and beloved independent films of 2012. There's a reason for that. It's one of the most powerful films you'll see all year. This is a story that will challenge your emotions. Plus, the little actress Quvenzhané Wallis provides one of the year's best performances. This has truly been the year of Hitchcock. We have seen a boom in Blu-ray releases when it comes to Hitchcock's illustrious filmography. The crown jewel of these releases has to be 'Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection' which houses 15 of his most famous films. Released by Universal 'The Masterpiece Collection' includes first-time Blu-ray releases of 'Saboteur,' 'Shadow of a Doubt,' 'Rope,' 'Rear Window,' 'The Trouble with Harry,' 'The Man Who Knew Too Much,' 'Vertigo,' ' The Birds,' 'Marnie,' 'Torn Curtain,' 'Topaz,' 'Frenzy,' and 'Family Plot.' Also included are 'Psycho' and 'North by Northwest,' which are repurposed discs from recent standalone releases. MGM has also released a bunch of great Hitchcock movies this year. 'Notorious,' 'Rebecca ,' and 'Spellbound' can all be acquired easily. Warner Bros. has gotten in on the act releasing 'Strangers on a Train' and 'Dial M for Murder.' Speaking of fantastic Blu-ray sets, what about the 'Bond 50' set that includes all 22 Bond films? This is an enormous set that the Bond fanatic in your family is sure to enjoy. Many of the movies included are finding their way to Blu-ray for the very first time. This is a set you'll be proud to display. Even its packaging is beautiful. Looking for a more adult-oriented animated effort? 'Chico and Rita' is a beautifully animated movie with a stunningly rich soundtrack. It's sexy, sultry, and has a great love story attached to it. You may not have heard of it, but it's undoubtedly worth your time. There are many more options for the hardcore film lovers in your life. Also check out 'Moonrise Kingdom,' 'Le Havre,' 'A Separation,' and 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.' 3D Enthusiast There has been no shortage of 3D releases this year. If you're looking to fire up your newly purchased 3D HDTV over the holidays then these are some of the discs you should invest in. These discs will show off your freshly acquired 3D technology. You'll be the envy of the neighborhood. We got the 2D version a while ago, but 3D owners everywhere have been anticipating the release of 'Avatar' in glorious 3D. Well, it's here and it earned top marks from our reviewer: "The 3D effects are amazing, proving that the work put into the creation of Cameron's camera system was worth its weight in gold." Another demo-quality 3D Blu-ray is 'Hugo.' Released back in February, this is a must-own for anyone with a 3D setup. Hugo's visual style is perfect for the technology and looks spectacular in three dimensions. If you don't have this disc, get it now! Computer animation usually lends itself perfectly to 3D technology. 'Arthur Christmas' is further proof of this. The beautifully simple animation takes on three dimensions like it was destined to do. The entire movie looks amazing with those glasses on. Plus, you'll be getting into the holiday spirit while watching it. It's a win-win situation for everyone. No matter what you think of Ridley Scott's latest foray into the beloved 'Alien' universe one thing is for sure, 'Prometheus' is a gorgeously filmed movie. Adding to the wonder is a spectacular 3D presentation that is sure to blow your friends away. You must own this title if you're truly looking for demo-quality 3D material. Other titles that are bound to look great on your 3D TV are 'Finding Nemo – 3D,' 'Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings - 3D,' and 'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted - 3D.' Have a Laugh Looking for something that will have you and your family rolling on the floor? Well, these titles are guaranteed to keep you laughing all the way through. At Nate Boss says in his review, "All 236 episodes of the much-loved sitcom have been fully remastered for Blu-ray. At $149.99 on Amazon, that comes out to a measly sixty three cents per episode. That, and the 1080p video, is priceless. 'Friends' has aged quite well since it ceased producing new episodes in 2004, and whether you're a fan of Ross, Joey, Chandler, Rachel, Phoebe, or Monica, this show doesn't work on nostalgia alone. This was, and is, a genuinely funny, touching series. As for the set, it's highly recommended." This is sure to please many of the folks on your holiday shopping list! If you are a fan of horror movies, but always like to see a well done spoof, then 'Cabin in the Woods' is for you. Written by Joss Whedon, 'Cabin in the Woods' features his trademark humor as he pokes fun at the entire genre. Because it's so serious about itself, 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' is almost impossible to watch without a smile plastered on your face. This is a hilarious take on the presidency of one of our most beloved American historical figures. Lincoln beats the crap out of dozens of vampires with his silver-tipped axe. Honestly, how can you not laugh? Are you a big football fan? Do you play fantasy football? It doesn't really matter. Sure, FX's 'The League' is about a group of guys who play fantasy football together, but knowing anything about football isn't necessary. The fact is you'll laugh regardless at this irreverent show and its slew of clever potty humor. Just know that this show isn't suitable for younger audiences. Looking for some more laughs? Check out the following titles: 'Key and Peele: Season 1,' 'Magic Mike,' 'Looney Tunes: Vol. 2,' and 'School of Rock.' The holidays are a time for enjoying each other's company, and what better way to do that than with a good movie? There are plenty of 2012 Blu-ray releases that you'll be able to enjoy this holiday season. Pick up a few for the people on your list, we know they'll love them! We here at High-Def Digest would like to wish you all a very merry holiday season. Be safe and watch great movies!Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012 at 02:55 PM PST by: -
'Star Trek: Enterprise' Planned for Blu-ray in 2013![teaser]The first season of the 2001 series is expected to warp to Blu-ray in Q2 of next year and YOU can choose the packaging design! [/teaser] According to this Facebook page, Paramount/CBS is planning to release 'Star Trek: Enterprise' on Blu-ray starting with the first season in the first half of 2013. The prequel series, set 100 years before the original Star Trek, focuses on the early years of Starfleet, leading up to the formation of the Federation and the Earth-Romulan Wars. The series is set aboard the Earth ship Enterprise NX-01, captained by Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). The Facebook page for The Enterprise Blu-ray Project is also currently enabling fans to vote on their favorite images to be used for the packaging. Click here for complete details. Specs, supplements, and suggested list price have yet to be revealed, but as always we'll be sure to keep you posted with any new developments. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Trek: Enterprise' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012 at 02:30 PM PST by: -
'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The drama from filmmaker and novelist Stephen Chbosky will hit Blu-ray this February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' is coming to Blu-ray on February 12. Stephen Chbosky adapts his own novel for this coming-of-age drama about an introvert teen whose eyes are opened to a world of new experiences after he becomes friends with two older kids. When shy freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) makes friends with Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his stepsister Sam (Emma Watson) almost by accident, he soon finds himself immersed in a newfound world of music, friends, soft drugs and sexual confusion. The film is executive produced by John Malkovich and Lianne Halfon and Russel Smith ('Juno'). Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Audio commentary with Screenwriter/Director Stephen Chobsky; Audio commentary with Director Stephen Chbosky and the cast; "Best Summer Ever" featurette; Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary with Stephen Chbosky; and Dailies. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 12.Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'Liberal Arts' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The latest dramedy from filmmaker Josh Radnor is bound for Blu-ray in December! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MPI is working on 'Liberal Arts' for Blu-ray on December 18. When Jesse (Josh Radnor, 'Happythankyoumoreplease'), a 35-year-old New York college admissions adviser, is invited to his Midwestern alma mater to attend his favorite professor's retirement dinner, he quickly falls back in love with the university life. But when he meets 19-year-old student Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen, 'Martha Marcy May Marlene,' 'Peace, Love & Misunderstanding'), the bright, beautiful, book-loving daughter of his professor's friends, he suddenly finds himself caught in a moral dilemma: does he pursue a relationship with this kindred spirit, or does he break her heart and return to the "real world"? The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include deleted scenes and an original IFC featurette. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Liberal Arts' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under December 18.Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by:
