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'JCVD: The True Story of Bloodsport - 3D' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The documentary directed by Jesse Barrett-Mills will arrive on Blu-ray 3D in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Blockbuster Entertainment will bow 'JCVD: The True Story of Bloodsport - 3D' on Blu-ray 3D on September 1. Frank Dux had always been interested in martial arts. After his time in the army he learns secret ninja techniques from Japanese masters, wins a legendary material arts tournament and manages to be the only person in the world to punch through bulletproof glass. In the 80s Hollywood makes part of his life into a movie, but he gets into a fight with the producer and it is claimed that the story of his life was a lie. A documentary about the true life story of world renowned martial artist Frank Dux. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D is $14.99. You can find the latest specs for 'JCVD: The True Story of Bloodsport - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 1.Posted Wed Jul 25, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Bye-Bye Birdie' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The classic 1963 musical comedy directed by George Sidney is getting the Blu-ray treatment in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Twilight Time has revealed 'Bye-Bye Birdie' for Blu-ray on August 14. The film starring Dick Van Dyke, Ann-Margret (in her Golden Globe-nominated role) and Janet Leigh was nominated for two Oscars: Best Sound (Charles Rice), and Best Music/Scoring of Music (Johnny Green). The Blu-ray will be limited to 3000 units and will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include an isolated song and music effects track and the original theatrical trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.95 which can be pre ordered here. You can find the latest specs for 'Bye-Bye Birdie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 14.Posted Wed Jul 25, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Mad Men: Season Five' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The complete fifth season of the highly acclaimed series is planned for Blu-ray in October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate has just revealed 'Mad Men: Season Five' for Blu-ray on October 16. Still going strong, the series has been nominated for seventeen 2012 Emmy Awards including Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jon Hamm), Best Actress in a Drama Series (Elizabeth Moss), Best Writing in a Drama Series (three nominations) and Best Drama Series. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Twenty-six cast and crew commentaries; Mad Men Says the Darndest Things; The Uniform Time Act of 1966; What Shall I Love If Not the Enigma?; Party of the Century; The Music of Mad Men; Newsweek Magazine digital gallery; and Mad Men Easter Eggs. Suggested list price for the 3-disc Blu-ray set is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Mad Men: Season Five' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 16.Posted Tue Jul 24, 2012 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Annie' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]To-MOR-row! To-MOR-row! If Oc-TO-ber... was to-MOR-row, we'd be get-ting John Huston's musical on Blu-raaaay! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is working on 'Annie' for Blu-ray on October 2. Although the 1982 film was nominated for two Oscars (Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Music/Original Song Score or Best Adaptation Score), it was also nominated for several Razzies where young Aileen Quinn won Worst Supporting Actress. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $14.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Annie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under October 2.Posted Tue Jul 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1980s guilty pleasure will invade high-definition this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MGM will be sending in the 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' to Blu-ray on September 11. Finally the truth about clowns is out! Beneath their smirky sinister grins and wildly patterned clothes are clever killers from out of this world. The "juxtaposition of their toy-store arsenal and malevolent intent proves to be a tasty combination" (Los Angeles Times) in this killer entertainment that will leave you fearing these big-top creatures for good. A spaceship - looking like a circus tent - lands in a field near a small town, signaling the attack of deviant, red-nosed, balloon-twisting psychos from another world who plan to annihilate mankind - by turning people into cotton candy! Luckily, the town's teen citizenry decides to fight back and teach the cosmic bozos a lesson. But these klowns are no klutzes, turning popcorn, peanuts and caramel corn into playful - but deadly - weapons of madcap destruction and mayhem! Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Audio Commentary with the Chiodo Brothers, The Making of Killer Klowns, Komposing Klowns, Visual Effects with Gene Warren Jr., Kreating Klowns, Chiodo Brothers' Earliest Films, Two Deleted Scenes with Director's Commentary, Bloopers, and Original Theatrical Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $16.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 11.Posted Tue Jul 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Shut Up and Play the Hits' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The must-own concert release for fans of Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern will be available on Blu-ray in early October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Oscilloscope Pictures will release 'Shut Up and Play the Hits' on Blu-ray/DVD/CD combo pack on October 9. On April 2nd 2011, LCD SOUNDSYSTEM played its final show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. LCD Frontman James Murphy, disbanding one of the most celebrated and influential groups of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensured that the band would go out on top with the biggest concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza featured special appearances by Arcade Fire and Reggie Watts and moved the crowd of thousands to tears of joy and grief. 'Shut Up and Play the Hits' both captures this once-in-a-lifetime event with stunning visuals and serves as an intimate portrait of Murphy as he navigates the 48 hours surrounding the show. Woven throughout is an honest and unflinching conversation between Murphy and author Chuck Klosterman as they discuss music, art, aging, and the decision to call it quits while at the top of your game. This special edition set includes the three-and-a-half-hour concert in its entirety, as well as the documentary film and loads of extras. Suggested list price for the release is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Shut Up and Play the Hits' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 9.Posted Tue Jul 24, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray is 'In the Mood for Love' this October[teaser]The 2000 Chinese drama from Wong Kar-wai is planned for a fall Blu-ray release. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion will release 'In the Mood for Love' on Blu-ray on October 2. Hong Kong, 1962: Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen move into neighboring apartments on the same day. Their encounters are formal—until a discovery about their respective spouses sparks an intimate bond between them. Wong Kar-wai’s 'In the Mood for Love' is a masterful evocation of romantic longing. The Blu-ray will feature a 1080p transfer, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: In the Mood for Love, director Wong Kar-wai's documentary on the making of the film; Deleted scenes with director's commentary; Hua yang de nian hua (2000), a short film by Wong; Archival interview with Wong and a 'cinema lesson' given by the director at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival; Toronto International Film Festival press conference from 2000, with stars Maggie Cheung Man-yuk and Tony Leung Chiu-wai; Trailers and TV spots; Two new interviews with critic Tony Rayns, one about the film and the other about the soundtrack; and a booklet featuring an essay by novelist and film critic Steve Erickson and the Liu Yi-chang story that provided thematic inspiration for the film. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'In the Mood for Love' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 2.Posted Tue Jul 24, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Interviews 'Get the Gringo' (and 'Elysium') Producer and Co-writer Stacy Perskieby Luke Hickman If you've been reading the 'Get the Gringo' interviews that I've conducted, then this one introduces the third ingredient used in making this a throwback to Gibson's earlier films – Stacy Perskie. Like director Adrian Grunberg, Perskie has previously worked alongside Gibson too. Perskie worked as the second unit director on 'Edge of Darkness' and as the second assistant director on 'Apocalptyo.' Perskie not only co-wrote 'Get the Gringo' with Gibson and Grunberg, but he produced it as well. [teaser]Perskie has worked on several very big films, but I believe he's really about to explode. Why? Because he's currently co-producing Neill Blomkamp's first film after his 'District 9' feature debut, the uber-secretive 'Elysium.' The first footage and a general synopsis was finally revealed at Comic-Con two weeks ago, but I conducted this interview just days before that so Perskie still had to be tight-lipped about it – but that didn't stop me from asking. I managed to get one little tidbit out of him about 'Elysium' that got me very excited for it.[/teaser] Read on. Stacy Perskie: Hi, Luke! HDD – Luke Hickman: Hey, Stacy. How are you? Stacy Perskie: Good, good. How are you? HDD: Not bad at all. Are you tired from your full day of interviews yet? Stacy Perskie: This is actually my first one of the day – the first of few. HDD: I spoke with both Kevin [Hernandez] and Adrian [Grunberg] today - Stacy Perskie: Cool! How are they? HDD: They sounded great. I was especially impressed with Kevin because he doesn't sound like a 15-year-old at all. Stacy Perskie: Right?! He's very mature for his age. He's a very great guy. HDD: I see that you've done a few film with Mel Gibson now. Stacy Perskie: That's right. We've done three movies now. I've also done some music videos that he directed. ... HDD: How is it working with Mel? Stacy Perskie: He's extremely creative, you know. He's a lot of fun and a very great guy to work with. He's very humble, sharing a lot of his knowledge – and that's very rewarding because you get to learn a lot. At the same time, he allows you to propose things and he hears you out. It's a very open collaboration. HDD: Was it always the intention of you guys to get him to return to the 'Payback' type of role, or did that just happen naturally? Stacy Perskie: You know, when we started writing the script, it was [Mel's] original idea. We started doing research and he proposed that we all write it together. He never said from the beginning that it was to be an acting vehicle for him. It wasn't until the script was almost ready that he said that he might prefer the role. HDD: I'm glad that he took it. It felt like it was meant for him, especially with all of the quick and witty jokes that might fly over your head if you're not paying attention. Stacy Perskie: I agree. I agree. It's really great. When writing the script, we never said that it was going to be him … but it always seemed – I think from his point of view too – that it was always a very natural character for himself. I agree with you; it's great to see him in that type of role. HDD: It seems like you're keeping busy in the film industry. You've done second-unit directing - Stacy Perskie: Uh-huh. HDD: - producing, writing. Is there one of those roles that you prefer over the others? Stacy Perskie: I really like both writing and producing. I had a lot of fun on this project, so I look forward to being able to do it more. I also hope, at some point, to create the opportunity to direct something myself. But both writing and producing are definitely great. HDD: I know that you probably can't say anything, but the inner movie geek inside me won't let me not ask you. Stacy Perskie: (laughs) HDD: Being a producer on 'Elysium' - Stacy Perskie: Yeah. HDD: - can you say something – anything – at all about the movie just to appease me? Stacy Perskie: I'm pretty locked down at the moment. As you already know, it's a very confidential project. There hasn't been much out there yet, so I unfortunately can't say much. I will say that, personally, it's going to be an amazing movie. HDD: Has the shoot already wrapped? Stacy Perskie: Yes. Shooting has wrapped completely. The film had some additional photography that we shot last month. HDD: Were you on set for most of the shoot? Stacy Perskie: I was, yes. I concentrated on the Mexican portion of it. I was in the entirety of … the six weeks in Mexico, in Mexico City and the outskirt of the city. I was also in Vancouver, where the rest of the film was shot. HDD: Being a big fan of 'District 9,' I'm dying to see what Blomkamp does with it. Stacy Perskie: I think it's going to be a really amazing film. I think it's going to be on a whole other level than 'District 9.' Even though I think 'District 9' was very good, I think 'Elysium' is going to take it up a notch. HDD: Your words are making me excited – and I'm already really excited. Stacy Perskie: (laughs) That's cool! HDD: Do you have anything lined up after 'Elysium?' Stacy Perskie: Both Adrian [Grunberg] and I are reading scripts, we have a few scripts in development to produce. We're working on a movie called 'The Boy Who Smells Like Fish.' It'll probably be out early 2013. … We're looking for a few other projects for Adrian to direct and also thinking of things that we can write ourselves to see where it takes us. HDD: Well, thanks for giving me a call today and I look forward to seeing what you guys do next. Stacy Perskie:Thank you. That's very nice.Posted Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 02:05 PM PDT by: -
HDD Interviews 'Get the Gringo' Director Adrian Grunbergby Luke Hickman 'Get the Gringo' is a Blu-ray I've been anticipating since first hearing about it. Despite the media drama that Mel Gibson has found himself in over the years, I've continued to love his on-screen and behind-the-camera personas just as much as ever. So to hear that he had co-written and starred in a film that threw him back into the crass and gritty action roles that got him started, I was pumped. If you read M. Enois Duarte's review of 'Get the Gringo,' you will read my exact sentiments of the film. Through the character (known as "Gringo"), his hilarious narration and the story, we get to see Mel Gibson return to form. If it wasn't for Gibson's face revealing his age, 'Get the Gringo' could easily appear as one of his movies from "the good old days" of his career. I believe that this is the result of a couple combined things. First, Gibson co-wrote the screenplay. And second, the other minds behind the filming have now worked with Gibson for quite some time. Director Adrian Grunberg co-wrote 'Get the Gringo' with Gibson and producer Stacy Perskie. Grunberg also worked as first assistant director with Gibson on 'Edge of Darkness' and 'Apocalypto.' [teaser]I recently spoke with director Adrian Grunberg about 'Get the Gringo.' I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.[/teaser] HDD – Luke Hickman: Hello, Adrian! How are things going? Adrian Grunberg: Not bad at all. HDD: Are you doing a load of phoners today? Adrian Grunberg: Uh... yes – but thank God it's only today. HDD: Well, let's get this over with then. Let's get you onto the next call. I watched 'Get the Gringo' last night and have to say, I loved the opening sequence - Adrian Grunberg: Was that all you liked?! HDD: No, no, no! (laughs) I just wanted to say that I was gripped from the get-go because of the action, the visuals - Adrian Grunberg: (laughs) I'm kidding. I'm glad you did. I think it's a cool, cool scene as well. HDD: Having worked with Mel Gibson a few times now - Adrian Grunberg: - as first [assistant director] - HDD: - how is having the tables turned, being the guy who gets to fully direct Mel in a movie? Adrian Grunberg: It feels great! (laughs) I can't tell you enough – I love the guy. I've know him for a number of years now and there's an affinity, a friendship, that we've developed over the years. It was good, it was great, it was an amazing experience. This is a film that we brought forth from the idea, all the way through the script and the production, so it was fantastic. HDD: How did 'Get the Gringo' come to be? Adrian Grunberg: Mel had the idea … this idea of putting a "gringo" in a Mexican prison. [Mel] had been reading stuff about Mexican prisons, so he called me up and offered me the movie. We started to get together along with Stacy Perskie, who's the other co-writer and producer – all three of us started to get together and throw ideas around. We would come back the next week with research, we would grow the script, get together with Mel, then tear it apart and put it back together. This went on for almost two years. HDD: How close was the reality of the "Pueblito" (the Mexican prison) that you wrote to the actual "Pueblito" itself? Adrian Grunberg: It's exactly the way that the real Pueblito was. El Pueblito was closed down in 2002 (SPOILER ALERT) in the same way that it is closed down in the movie (END SPOLER). The authorities came in at two in the morning because it was the only way to close this place down. Now, that was in 2002 and the real Pueblito was even worse than the one in the movie. I had trouble about what not to put in the movie because the movie had to be under two hours. The movie is not about the prison, it just happens in the prison. Nowadays you won't find a prison exactly like that one, but that kind of prison does still exist in much of Mexico. HDD: And you shot the whole movie down in Mexico, right? Adrian Grunberg: Yes, all of it was shot there. It was 12-week shoot. HDD: The way it appears on screen, it looks like there was blistering heat. Was it that hot? Adrian Grunberg: Yes. We shot during the hot months, during the summer months, in Vera Cruz. We shot 'Apocalypto' there as well, so it was a comfortable place for Mel as well because it's a fantastic place. It's a cool town and the people are great. It was amazing, very enjoyable. HDD: When shooting a film like this - one filled with violence, torture, rape, language – how do you, as a director, tackle the shoot with such a young actor like Kevin Hernandez? Adrian Grunberg: Umm … shooting with kids is always difficult, but Kevin – as you might have guessed from talking with him (see my interview with Kevin Hernandez from last week) – he's very mature and he's a very cool kid. He's from El Salvador, but he lives in L.A., so he had never been to Mexico, this was his first big role, so he was really excited. We got along great and he came down there with his parents. He understood right away that it was role that he was playing. He had trouble at first because he doesn't swear, he doesn't speak that way – he would say, "I don't talk this way." And we would say, "I know, but you're acting." And he got that, he got it right away. He was fantastic and he did an amazing job. HDD: When casting a young actor like this, what sort of things do you take into consideration? Adrian Grunberg: We knew that the movie's success was largely due to whoever that role was being played by. "The Kid" would make or break this movie. It's such a powerful role and it's so easy to fuck it up, especially because you're dealing with a kid, so I did extensive [cast] testing in Mexico and couldn't find anyone. And it just so happened that he was recommended to me by a casting director who had just seen him for another casting job and I was really luck to get Kevin. I was struggling in finding somebody that could pull this off. HDD: I had seen Kevin in 'The Sitter,' but didn't know that he could dramatically act until 'Get the Gringo.' Adrian Grunberg: By the way, he shot 'Get the Gringo' before 'The Sitter.' HDD: That's what he was telling me. I thought it was great to see this kid acting on the same level as Mel while Mel was going back to a classic sort of Mel Gibson role – kind of like a 'Payback' role. Are you guys working on anything else right now? Adrian Grunberg: Not together. Mel is working on a couple of things that he wants to direct. I'm reading scripts and writing with my partner, Stacy, deciding what the next movie is. If something comes up in the future, I'd be happy to work with Mel. I love the guy. But right now we don't have anything planned together. HDD: I've got to tell you before I go – while watching the movie with my wife last night, we both agree that the best line in the movie is in the intro with Dean Norris, whom I love from 'Breaking Bad,' drops the quick clown line. If I wasn't paying attention, it would have flown right over my head. And this movie is filled with witty dialog like that. Adrian Grunberg: (laughs) I think there's a few of those, lines that I particularly still laugh at when I hear them because they happen so fast. They are little things within the scene that get missed by people on the first watch. I agree. HDD: Mel's voice-over was filled with them. Adrian Grunberg: I agree. HDD: Adrian, thanks for talking with me today. I was afraid that we weren't going to be able to fit this call in, but it worked and I'm glad that it did. Adrian Grunberg: Excellent.Posted Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 01:55 PM PDT by: -
'I, Robot - 3D' Pre-Orders Live![teaser]Pre-orders are now available for the 2004 Will Smith sci-fi epic coming to Blu-ray 3D in October. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox is working on 'I, Robot - 3D' for Blu-ray 3D on October 23. In the year 2035, technology and robots are a trusted part of everyday life. But that trust is broken when a scientist is found dead and a skeptical detective (Smith) believes that a robot is responsible. Bridget Moynahan co-stars in this high-tech action film loosely based on the short stories by Isaac Asimov. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D release is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'I, Robot - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 23.Posted Mon Jul 23, 2012 at 12:30 PM PDT by:
