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'The Bonfire of the Vanities' & 'The Client' Blu-ray Pre-Orders Live![teaser]Brian De Palma's legendary misfire and Joel Schumacher's John Grisham adaptation are both planned for Blu-ray this November. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is readying 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' and 'The Client' for Blu-ray on November 6. 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' - A hit-and-run accident in the Bronx prompts a citywide conflict, fueled by ambitious politicians, greedy lawyers and jaded ministers with a wealthy businessman in the center of the controversy. Based on the best-selling novel by Tom Wolfe. 'The Client' - Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones join newcomer Brad Renfro in 'The Client,' a whirlwind thriller that "starts like a house afire and keeps on blazing" (Chicago Tribune). Renfro plays Mark Sway, an 11-year-old torn between what he knows and what he can never tell. A hitman will snuff him in half a heartbeat if Mark reveals what he learned about a Mob murder. An ambitious federal prosecutor (Jones) will keep the pressure on until Mark tells all. Suddenly, Mark isn't a boy playing air guitar anymore. He's a pawn in a deadly game. And his only ally is a courageous but unseasoned attorney (Sarandon) who risks her career for him. . . but never imagines she'll also risk her life. Spec and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' & 'The Client' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under November 6.Posted Fri Jul 13, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Get ready (ready Freddie!) for Rhys Thomas' Queen documentary arriving on Blu-ray this September! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Eagle Rock is working on 'Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender' for a Blu-ray release on September 25. Freddie Mercury was one of the most charismatic, complex and fascinating characters in British rock music. A generous, caring, thoughtful man with a self-deprecating sense of humor and a genuine passion for music. Freddie Mercury touched the lives of millions through his career both with Queen and as a solo performer and this new program is sure to delight and inform his legions of fans as never before. Created by the same team behind the widely acclaimed 'Queen: Days of Our Lives' BBC documentary, 'The Great Pretender,' in similar vein, presents a compelling insight into its subject matter, unearthing previously undiscovered or rarely seen footage and presented for the first time in High Definition. Produced and directed by Rhys Thomas, life-long Queen fan and expert (to the extent that Rhys famously broke the Mastermind all time record points score with a specialist subject of Queen), Rhys has this time turned his attention to the Freddie archive, going back as early as 1976 in search of vintage gems which reveal more than ever before the inside story of Freddie’s life and career and the solo projects he worked on outside of Queen. The extensive archive footage is drawn from rare interviews with Freddie, concerts, video shoots and personal material, much of it being seen for the first time, along with newly filmed contributions from fellow Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, Queen manager Jim Beach, soprano Montserrat Caballé, composers David Arnold and Mike Moran, lyricist Tim Rice, comedian and lifelong fan Matt Lucas and many more. From it emerges a portrait of a man who was very different to his flamboyant onstage public persona. Among the treasures to be anticipated, 'The Great Pretender' includes for the first time ever Freddie and Rod Stewart singing their demo for “Take Another Piece of My Heart,” an unreleased song from 1984, a snippet of the unreleased Michael Jackson / Freddie Mercury collaboration “There Must Be More To Life Than This”, and Freddie with the Royal Ballet 1979 – never seen in full before. Rhys, whose extensive scouting for lost material turned up a copy of the band’s first TV appearance among the belongings of late comedian Dick Emery, brings to the light Freddie’s earliest filmed interview from 1976 unearthed in Australia and another unseen interview from 1976 filmed by NBC in the USA. Rhys also found 10 cans of Freddie’s 39th Black and White birthday party in Mrs. Henderson’s nightclub in Munich in 1985. Originally filmed for the video for “Living On My Own,” and promptly banned by Freddie’s record company because of its cross-dressing theme, there’s much to be enjoyed in watching Freddie and his friends go full out in their efforts to help Freddie celebrate his last birthday before turning 40. On top of this, 'The Great Pretender' has a feast of outtakes from the video shoots for “I Want To Break Free,” “One Vision,” “Days of Our Lives,” “I Want It All,” “A Kind Of Magic,” “Princes of the Universe,” “Living on My Own,” Born To Love You,” “Great Pretender,” “Made In Heaven,” and “Who Wants to Live Forever.” As bonus features (that will not make up part of the version to be broadcast by the BBC) the program includes “Freddie Mercury Goes Solo” and an extended interview with Montserrat Caballé. Coinciding with the release of 'The Great Pretender' DVD will come the release of the new “Barcelona: Special Edition” album with Freddie and Montserrat’s original album re-recorded with full 80 piece orchestra [a feature on the making of this album is included on both formats] and a new book, also entitled 'The Great Pretender' with matching artwork, in September. The Savoy Hotel hosts the second “Freddie For A Day” charity event on September 3 in aid of The Mercury Phoenix Trust – Fighting Aids Worldwide and there is a special premiere of 'The Great Pretender' film at BAFTA on September 6. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is 19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 25.Posted Fri Jul 13, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Modern Family: The Complete Third Season' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The third season of the Emmy-winning mockumentary series will hit Blu-ray this fall. [/teaser] in an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is working on 'Modern Family: The Complete Third Season' starring Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vargara, Julie Bowen, and Ty Burrell for a Blu-ray bow on September 18. As the extended Pritchett/Dunphy clan faces an uproariously unpredictable array of family vacations, holiday hassles, troublesome in-laws, and surprising secrets, they still somehow manage to thrive together as one big, loving family - even as they drive each other absolutely insane. The 3-disc set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, and supplements will include: A Modern Family Christmas, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted and extended scenes, deleted family interviews, and gag reel. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $59.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Modern Family: The Complete Third Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 18.Posted Thu Jul 12, 2012 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
HDD Cool Stuff: 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection' Announced[teaser]Own the first six Marvel Avengers-themed live-action films on Blu-ray packaged together in a cool S.H.I.E.L.D. briefcase -- complete with a glowing tesseract -- this September! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is readying 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection' for September 25. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Marvel’s elite Super Heroes with this limited-edition, 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection. Complete with glowing Tesseract, this exclusive replica of Nick Fury’s iconic briefcase includes stunning Blu-ray 3D™ and Blu-ray™ presentations of 'The Avengers;' 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'Thor,' as well as Blu-ray™ versions of 'Iron Man;' 'Iron Man 2' and 'The Incredible Hulk' in exclusive collectible packaging. Plus, now that you possess the highest level of security clearance, you have been granted access to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most confidential files, including a top-secret bonus disc filled never before seen, classified information. Also featuring exquisitely detailed art, prop reproductions and artifacts from the motion pictures, the must-own 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection' will verify your status as the world’s greatest authority on the Marvel Super Hero mythos! Suggested list price for this awesome package is $219.00. You can find the latest specs for 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 25.Posted Thu Jul 12, 2012 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Piranha 3DD' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]What jiggles, splashes, and has millions of sharp-pointy teeth? Find out when the campy horror film spawns this September! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay will unleash 'Piranha 3DD' on Blu-ray on September 4. A sequel to 'Piranha 3D' – the 2010 reboot of the fan-favorite franchise from the ‘70s – 'Piranha 3DD' stars Danielle Panabaker ('The Crazies,' 'Friday the 13th'), Katrina Bowden (TV’s “30 Rock”), David Koechner ('Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,' 'Get Smart'), David Hasselhoff (TV’s “Baywatch,” “Knight Rider”), Christopher Lloyd ('Piranha 3D,' 'Back to the Future'), and Gary Busey ('Lethal Weapon,' 'The Buddy Holly Story'). Directed by John Gulager ('Feast') and written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton (the writing team behind four 'Saw' titles). 'Piranha 3DD' incorporates the classic elements of the teen horror/exploitation movies of the 1970s, packed with ferocious flesheaters, scantily-clad young victims, and bizarre and exciting twists and turns. Whereas 'Piranha 3D' took place on a lake, the 2012 sequel is set at a water park, complete with water slides and a lazy river – the perfect places for piranha mayhem! Back for more outrageous fun, Christopher Lloyd reprises his role as the eccentric piranha expert. The Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Commentary with the filmmakers, The Story Behind the DD, The Hofftastic World of David Hasselhoff, Wet and Wild with David Koechner, Busey's Bloopers, Short film: A Lesson with John McEnroe, and deleted scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D combo pack is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Piranha 3DD' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 4.Posted Thu Jul 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'I, Robot - 3D' Dated for Blu-ray 3D + Comic Con Exclusive[teaser]The 2004 Will Smith sci-fi epic is coming to Blu-ray 3D in October, and an exclusive collector's set will also be available in very limited quantities at San Diego Comic-Con. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is working on 'I, Robot - 3D' for Blu-ray 3D on October 23. But for fans making the annual trek to San Diego for Comic-Con, Fox has created something special for you - a Limited Edition Collectible I, ROBOT Head, inspired by the film and jam-packed with goodies for robots and humans alike. The limited run of 250 serialized I, ROBOT heads is available for pre-order only at Fox booth #4313 for a special price of $99.99 and includes the all-new revolutionary 3D Blu-ray, a DVD version of the film and a bonus DVD disc chock full of extras. Specs, supplements, and suggested list price for the regular Blu-ray 3D release is still undetermined at this time. 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 Thu Jul 12, 2012 at 08:46 AM PDT by: -
'The Viral Factor' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The critically-acclaimed Hong Kong thriller starring action icons Jay Chou and Nicholas Tse is spreading to Blu-ray this August! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA is prepping 'The Viral Factor' for a Blu-ray release on August 28. Rising superstars Jay Chou ('The Green Hornet,' 'True Legend') and Nicholas Tse ('Shaolin,' 'The Stool Pigeon') team up in award-winning Director Dante Lam’s ('The Beast Stalker,' 'The Stool Pigeon') all-action, bio-terror thriller. The film also stars Andy On ('White Vengeance,' 'Three Kingdoms') and Bing Bai ('Shaolin') in the story of an International Security Affairs agent (Chou) who gets caught up in a deadly, international crime ring developing biological weapons. The release includes a new English dub. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include a making-of featurette and cast and crew interviews. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Viral Factor' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 28.Posted Thu Jul 12, 2012 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Big Easy Express' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Emmett Malloy's music documentary released on iTunes on June 26 is coming to Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 52bn Holdings Inc is working on 'Big Easy Express' for a Blu-ray release on July 24. 'Big Easy Express,' directed by Emmett Malloy ('Under the Great White Northern Lights'), is a film documenting indie folk heroes Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Tennessee’s Old Crow Medicine Show, and Britain’s acclaimed Mumford & Sons, as they climbed aboard a beautiful vintage train in California, setting out for New Orleans, Louisiana ona the Railroad Revival Tour in April 2011. Part road movie and part concert film, 'Big Easy Express' bears witness to the birth of a new musical era. With poignancy and beauty, Malloy documents these incredible musicians as they ride the rails and wow the crowds, from Oakland...to New Orleans. The film was SXSW's Headline Audience Award winner this March and has continued to have closing and opening night showings at various film festivals including Silverdocs, Los Angeles Film Festival, and more. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature DTS-HD master audio 5.1 and uncompressed 2.0 soundtracks and supplements will include an interview with the director, deleted scenes, still gallery, and a trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $16.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Big Easy Express' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 24.Posted Thu Jul 12, 2012 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
The Best Comedy Blu-rays of 2012, So Far...by Aaron Peck [teaser]Our "So Far…" series continues since we've come to the halfway point of 2012. We've already covered this year's best action movies on Blu-ray, so let's hit up some of the funniest movies that have been released on the format this year.[/teaser] Below you'll find my list of the movies that made me laugh more than most this year. Some are darker than others, but all of them are funny in their own way. 10. 'Goon' Hockey and comedy haven't gone so well together since 'Slap Shot.' This movie starring Jay Baruchel, Sean William Scott, and Liev Schreiber is nasty, brutal, bad-mouthed fun. If you like your hockey fights bloody and your dialogue salty then look no further than 'Goon.' It came to fruition without much fanfare at all, but chances are good you'll be cheering by the end. Okay, that sounded ridiculously corny. How about this: Sean William Scott beats the shit out of people and it's really funny? Was that better? 9. 'Carnage' Based on the play 'God of Carnage,' Roman Polanski's 'Carnage' features a perfect cast for a one-room set (Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christoph Waltz). Even though they spend much of the movie yelling and screaming at each other the comedy is found in the subtext. The realization that these so-called adults haven't progressed at all past juvenile delinquency is funny indeed; in a rather morbid way of course. 8. 'Wanderlust' It's hard to admit that Paul Rudd can do any wrong, especially nowadays with his string of R-rated comedies which have run the gamut of pretty funny ('Role Models') to downright friggin' hilarious ('Knocked Up'). 'Wanderlust' falls somewhere in the middle. This was a movie that I wasn't really anticipating being as funny as it was. Paul Rudd transplanted to a hippie commune, er, intentional community, made room for all kinds of laughs. The moment when Rudd tries to psyche himself up to have sex with Malin Ackerman by talking to himself in the mirror remains one of the only comedic scenes this year that has brought tears to my eyes from laughing so much. 7. 'Young Adult' Comedy can be dark, and it doesn't get much darker than 'Young Adult,' the story of an egotistical misanthrope played by Charlize Theron who goes back to her hometown to win back her high school boyfriend. While there is plenty of drama in 'Young Adult' there are also plenty of laughs, albeit they're more like "should I really be laughing at that" laughs. Theron's performance here is reason enough to see it. 6. 'The Guard' Speaking of dark comedy, 'The Guard' has all the dry Irish wit you'll be able to handle. This is Gleeson's finest darkly comedic role since 'In Bruges.' Anyone who liked 'In Bruges' will adore 'The Guard' like I did. This is one of those movies that you have to watch multiple times because there are sure to be jokes you may have missed the first time around, what with Gleeson's thick accent and all. 5. '21 Jump Street' Did I expect this remake of a somewhat popular 80s television show to be any good? Hell no. Next thing I knew I was laughing and I couldn't stop. What was this? A remake with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill that was genuinely funny? It was suddenly like the world didn't make sense anymore. I felt dizzy. '21 Jump Street' is the poster movie for not judging a movie before you have a chance to see it. 4. 'The Muppets' One of my favorite theatrical releases of 2011 became one of my favorite Blu-ray releases of 2012. Jason Segal's adaption of 'The Muppets' franchise was spot-on in humor, comedic timing, and character understanding. You could tell that he was a fan of Jim Henson's Muppets long before he put pen to paper for this movie. His love for the characters shows. Plus, each one of the movie's songs is borderline brilliant in humor and emotional tone. 3. 'The Artist' Sure it's got its emotional tugs here and there, but deep down 'The Artist' is one of the most wonderfully made romantic comedies out there. There are plenty of laughs to go along with the tears. As far as I'm concerned its Academy Award was well deserved. Who says comedies don't have a chance at the Oscars? 2. 'The Gold Rush' There aren't many black-and-white 87-year-old films that can still reproduce the same joy and heartfelt laughter that they inspired when they were first released. High-Def Digest reviewer Luke Hickman watched Charlie Chaplin's 'The Gold Rush' with his five-year-old daughter who laughed all the way through it. Consider that for a second. In a world filled with a bombardment of seizure-inducing cartoons and unfunny kid-oriented sitcoms, a kid can still find joy in a black-and-white movie from the 20s. That's amazing and a true testament to Chaplin himself. 1. 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' Ah, the comedic Holy Grail itself. I could spend the rest of this paragraph quoting its immortal lines one after the other, and you'd soon realize that this is indeed one of the funniest movies ever filmed. 'Holy Grail' is one of those films that no matter how much you've watched it, you can stick it in and watch it again (like 'The Princess Bride'). 'Holy Grail' offers endless enjoyment so it was rather nice to see it finally offered in high definition this year. Like all lists, this one is relative, but it should give you a good idea of what kind of comedy we've already had on Blu-ray this year. Please let us know which comedies this year would make your top ten. Follow the link below and join the discussion in the forums.Posted Wed Jul 11, 2012 at 01:20 PM PDT by: -
'Freelancers' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Robert De Niro teams up with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson in the police thriller coming to Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Freelancers' is coming to Blu-ray on August 21. Multi-platinum recording artist and rising Hollywood film star Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson ('Get Rich or Die Tryin') adds to his growing resume as an actor with his portrayal of Malo, the son of a slain NYPD officer who joins the force only to discover the villainous story behind his father's death. Jackson is surrounded by an all-star supporting cast that includes two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro ('Raging Bull,' 'The Godfather Part II') and Best Actor winner Forest Whitaker ('The Last King of Scotland'), who head up the band of rogue New York City cops that recruit Jackson and his partners into their corrupt ranks. The film also features two-time Emmy Award winner Dana Delaney (TV's "China Beach"). The Blu-ray will feature 1080P video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary with director Jessy Terrero and Curtis Jackson; Behind-the-scenes interviews with Jessy Terrero, producer Randall Emmett, writer L. Philippe Casseus, and actors Curtis Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Beau Garrett, Malcolm Goodwin, Ryan O'Nan, & Anabelle Acosta; Extended interviews with Terrero, Randall Emmett, L. Philippe Casseus, and actors Curtis Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Beau Garrett, Malcolm Goodwin, Ryan O'Nan, & Anabelle Acosta. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Freelancers' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 21.Posted Wed Jul 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
