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Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'The Disaster Artist,' 'Call Me by Your Name,' and More[teaser]Films starring James Franco, Armie Hammer, and more are all heading to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Grasshopper Films, Well Go USA, Sony, ClassicFlix, Mill Creek, Troma, and Universal. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, Warner Bros. will release Jack Smight's Harper starring Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Arthur Hill, Janet Leigh, and Pamela Tiffin on February 27. Supplements have not been detailed yet. Likewise, the studio is also prepping Stuart Rosenberg's The Drowning Pool starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Franciosa, Linda Haynes, and Melanie Griffith for Blu-ray on February 27. No other details have been announced at this time. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. will bring Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking starring Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, and Lauren Cohan to Blu-ray on March 27. Supplements will include: - Behind-the-Scenes Making of The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking- Commentary featuring Scott M. Gimple, Seth Green, Robert Kirkman, Matthew Senreich, and Tom Sheppard In addition, Lawrence Sher's Father Figures starring J.K. Simmons, Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, Katie Aselton, Glenn Close, and Ving Rhames is set to hit to Blu-ray on April 3. Supplements will include: - Deleted Scenes- Gag Reel (Blu-ray exclusive) And rounding out the studio's upcoming slate will be Darin Scott's Deep Blue Sea 2 starring Danielle Savre, Michael Beach, Rob Mayes, and Lily Spangenberg on April 17. Supplements will include: - Returning to the Deep – The Making of Deep Blue Sea 2 Featurette- Deep Blue Sea 2: Death by Shark Featurette- Gag Reel- Deleted Scenes Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Grasshopper Films is preparing Bertrand Bonello's Nocturama starring Finnegan Oldfield, Vincent Rottiers, and Hamza Meziani for Blu-ray on February 27. Supplements have not been detailed yet. Order the Blu-ray Well Go USA is set to release Yûichi Fukuda's Gintama starring Masaki Suda, Kanna Hashimoto, Yuya Yagira, Hirofumi Arai, and Ryo Yoshizawa on March 6. No other details have been announced at this time. Order the Blu-ray Lionsgate is bringing James Franco's The Disaster Artist starring James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Josh Hutcherson, and Alison Brie to Blu-ray on March 13. Supplements will include: - Audio Commentary with James Franco, Dave Franco, Tommy Wiseau, Greg Sestero, and More- Featurette: Oh, Hi Mark!: Making a Disaster- Featurette: Directing a Disaster- Featurette: Just a Guy Leaning on a Wall: Getting to Know Tommy- Gag Reel- Theatrical Trailer Likewise the studio is also prepping John Gulager's Children of the Corn: Runaway starring Marci Miller, Jake Ryan Scott, Mary Kathryn Bryant, and Lynn Andrews for Blu-ray on March 13. Supplements will include: - Deleted Scene Meanwhile, Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms' Small Town Crime starring John Hawkes, Octavia Spencer, Robert Forster, Clifton Collins Jr., and Michael Vartan will hit Blu-ray on March 20. Supplements will include: - Deleted and Extended Scenes- Featurette: Crime and Character- Featurette: Devising A Small-Town Crime- Technical Commentary- Actor, Producer, and Directors' Commentary- Directors' Commentary In addition, Shawn Christensen's The Vanishing of Sydney Hall starring Logan Lerman, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Michelle Monaghan, and Blake Jenner will arrive on Blu-ray on March 20 as well. Supplements will include: - ''Making SIDNEY HALL'' Featurette Lin Oeding's Braven starring Jason Momoa, Zahn McClarnon, Jill Wagner, and Stephen Lang will then follow on April 10. Supplements will include: - "The Braven’s Views” Featurette And rounding out the studio's upcoming lineup will be Mark Landre Gould's Gone are the Days starring Tom Berenger, Lance Henriksen, Meg Steedle and Danny Trejo on April 10. Supplements will include: - Featurette- Interviews Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Sony is bringing Luca Guadagnino's Call Me by Your Name starring Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar, Timothée Chalamet, and Esther Garrel to Blu-ray on March 13. Supplements will include: - Audio Commentary- Featurettes- Music Video Order the Blu-ray ClassicFlix is prepping Anthony Mann and Alfred Werker's John Alton Film Noir Collection starring Dennis O'Keefe, Claire Trevor, Marsha Hunt, Richard Basehart, and Scott Brady for Blu-ray on March 20. The 3-film collection will include T-Men, Raw Deal, and He Walked by Night. Order the Blu-ray Mill Creek Entertainment is set to release Joe Camp's For The Love Of Benji starring Benji, Patsy Garrett, Cynthia Smith, and Allen Fiuzaton April 3. Supplements will include: - New Audio Commentary with Director Joe Camp and son Brandon Camp - Benji At Marineland - The Double McGuffin Order the Blu-ray Troma will bring its Grindsploitation Trilogy with over 6 Hours of Faux Film trailers, Short Films and more to Blu-ray on April 10. Supplements will include: - Introduction by Lloyd Kaufman (Creator of The Toxic Avenger).- Film Selection with Each Short Film within the 'Trilogy'- Original Film Trailers from Troma Entertainment's Own Grindhouse Cinema- Classic Troma Public Service Announcements, And More! Order the Blu-ray Universal has announced plans to release Cecil B. DeMille's Cleopatra starring Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, and Joseph Schildkraut on April 10. The disc will feature a brand new restoration of the film from original 35mm elements, and supplements will include: - Feature Commentary with Filmmaker F.X. Feeney- Claudette Colbert: Queen of the Silver Screen- Cecil B. DeMille: Hollywood's Epic Director- Forbidden Film: The Production Code Era- Theatrical Trailer Likewise, Delbert Mann's Lover Come Back starring Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Edie Adams, and Jack Oakie will also hit Blu-ray on April 10. No supplements are currently listed. Finally, Universal is prepping Don Michael Paul's Tremors 6: A Cold Day in Hell starring Michael Gross and Jamie Kennedy for Blu-ray on May 1. Supplements will include - The Making of Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell- Anatomy of a Scene- Inside Chang's Market Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Mon Feb 19, 2018 at 01:30 PM PST by: -
Criterion Details May 2018 Blu-ray Titles[teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of May releases, including John Schlesinger' Midnight Cowboy and Robert Bresson's Au hasard Balthazar.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing Moonrise, The Other Side of Hope, Graduation, Beyond the Hills, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, Midnight Cowboy, and Au hasard Balthazar for Blu-ray throughout the month of May. Moonrise (May 8) - A small-town fable about violence and redemption, Moonrise is the final triumph of Frank Borzage, one of Hollywood’s most neglected masters. Stigmatized from infancy by the fate of his criminal father, young Danny (Dane Clark) is bruised and bullied until one night, in a fit of rage, he kills his most persistent tormenter. As the police close in around him, Danny makes a desperate bid for the love of the dead man’s fiancée (Gail Russell), a schoolteacher who sees the wounded soul behind his aggression. With this postwar comeback, Borzage recaptured the inspiration that had animated his long and audacious early career, marrying the lyrical force of his romantic sensibility with the psychological anguish of film noir in a stunning vindication of faith in the power of love. - New, restored 4K digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray- New conversation between author Hervé Dumont (Frank Borzage: The Life and Films of a Hollywood Romantic) and film historian Peter Cowie- PLUS: An essay by critic Philip Kemp Order the Blu-ray The Other Side of Hope (May 15) - This wry, melancholic comedy from Aki Kaurismäki, a response to the ongoing global refugee crisis, follows two people searching for a place to call home. Khaled (Sherwan Haji), a displaced Syrian, lands in Helsinki as a stowaway; meanwhile, middle-aged Finnish salesman Wikström (Sakari Kuosmanen) leaves his wife and his job and buys a conspicuously unprofitable seafood restaurant. Khaled is denied asylum but decides not to return to Aleppo—and the paths of the two men cross fortuitously. As deadpan as the best of the director’s work, and with a deep well of empathy for its down-but-not-out characters (many of them played by members of Kaurismäki’s loyal stock company), The Other Side of Hope is a bittersweet tale of human kindness in the face of official indifference. - New 2K digital transfer, approved by director Aki Kaurismäki, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray- New interview with actor Sherwan Haji- Footage from the 2017 Berlin Film Festival press conference for the film, featuring Kaurismäki and the film’s actors- Aki and Peter, a new video essay by Daniel Raim about the friendship between Kaurismäki and film critic Peter von Bagh, to whom the film is dedicated- Music videos- Trailer- PLUS: An essay by critic Girish Shambu Order the Blu-ray Graduation (May 22) - Blending rigorous naturalism with the precise construction of a thriller, this Cannes award–winning drama from Cristian Mungiu sheds light on the high stakes and ethical complexities of life in contemporary Romania. As his daughter nears high-school graduation, Romeo (Adrian Titieni), an upstanding doctor, counts on her winning a competitive scholarship that will send her to university in England. But when an injury sustained during a sexual assault compromises her performance on an important exam, Romeo’s best-laid plans for her threaten to crumble, leading him to seek favors in a world that runs on backscratching and bribery. Suffused with quiet dread, Graduation takes a humane and deeply ambiguous look at how corrosive rampant corruption is to moral convictions. - 2K digital master, approved by director Cristian Mungiu, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray- New interview with Mungiu- Press conference from the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, featuring Mungiu and actors Adrian Titieni, Maria Drăguș, Mălina Manovici, and Rareș Andrici- Deleted scenes- Trailer- New English subtitle translation- PLUS: An essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri Order the Blu-ray Beyond the Hills (May 22) - With this arresting drama based on notorious real-life events, Cristian Mungiu mounts a complex inquiry into faith, fanaticism, and indifference. At a desolate Romanian monastery, a young novice nun, Voichita (Cosmina Stratan), reunites with her former companion Alina (Cristina Flutur), who plans to take her to Germany. But Voichi?a proves unwilling to abandon her calling, and Alina becomes increasingly desperate to reclaim her devotion, putting the outsider at odds with the monastery’s ascetic priest—and precipitating a painfully misguided, brutal attempt to save her soul. A naturalistic tragedy with the dark force of a folktale, anchored by the fraught dynamic between cinema newcomers Flutur and Stratan (who shared the best actress prize at Cannes), Beyond the Hills bears powerful witness to individuals at cross-purposes and institutions ill-equipped to help those most in need. - 2K digital transfer, approved by director Cristian Mungiu, with 5.1 surround DTS‑HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray- New interview with Mungiu- The Making of “Beyond the Hills,” a documentary from 2013, produced by Mungiu- Press conference from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, featuring Mungiu and actors Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuţă, and Dana Tapalagă- Deleted scenes- Trailer- New English subtitle translation- PLUS: An essay by film scholar Doru Pop Order the Blu-ray Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (May 22) - Paul Schrader’s visually stunning, collagelike portrait of the acclaimed Japanese author and playwright Yukio Mishima (played by Ken Ogata) investigates the inner turmoil and contradictions of a man who attempted the impossible task of finding harmony among self, art, and society. Taking place on Mishima’s last day, when he famously committed public seppuku, the film is punctuated by extended flashbacks to the writer’s life as well as by gloriously stylized evocations of his fictional works. With its rich cinematography by John Bailey, exquisite sets and costumes by Eiko Ishioka, and unforgettable, highly influential score by Philip Glass, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters is a tribute to its subject and a bold, investigative work of art in its own right. - New, restored 4K digital transfer (Blu-ray) and restored high-definition digital transfer (DVD) of the director’s cut, both supervised and approved by director Paul Schrader and cinematographer John Bailey, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray- Two optional English narrations, including one by actor Roy Scheider- Audio commentary from 2008 featuring Schrader and producer Alan Poul- Interviews from 2007 and 2008 with Bailey, producers Tom Luddy and Mata Yamamoto, composer Philip Glass, and production designer Eiko Ishioka- Interviews from 2008 with Mishima biographer John Nathan and friend Donald Richie- Audio interview from 2008 with coscreenwriter Chieko Schrader- Interview excerpt from 1966 featuring Mishima talking about writing- The Strange Case of Yukio Mishima, a 55-minute documentary from 1985 about the author- Trailer- PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Kevin Jackson, a piece on the film’s censorship in Japan, and photographs of Ishioka’s sets Order the Blu-ray Midnight Cowboy (May 29) - One of the British New Wave’s most versatile directors, John Schlesinger came to New York in the late-1960s to make Midnight Cowboy, a picaresque story of friendship that captured a city in crisis and sparked a new era of Hollywood movies. Jon Voight delivers a career-making performance as Joe Buck, a wide-eyed hustler from Texas hoping to score big with wealthy city women; he finds a companion in Enrico “Ratso” Rizzo, an ailing swindler with a bum leg and a quixotic fantasy of escaping to Florida, played by Dustin Hoffman in a radical departure from his breakthrough in The Graduate. A critical and commercial success despite controversy over what the MPAA termed its “homosexual frame of reference,” Midnight Cowboy became the first X-rated film to receive the best picture Oscar, and decades on, its influence still reverberates through cinema. - New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray- Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray- Audio commentary from 1991 featuring director John Schlesinger and producer Jerome Hellman- New selected-scene commentary by cinematographer Adam Holender- The Crowd Around the Cowboy, a 1969 short film made on location for Midnight Cowboy- Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter’s Journey, an Academy Award–nominated documentary from 1990 by Eugene Corr and Robert Hillmann- Two short 2004 documentaries on the making and release of Midnight Cowboy- Interview with actor Jon Voight on The David Frost Show from 1970- Interview from 2000 with Schlesinger for BAFTA Los Angeles- Excerpts from the 2002 BAFTA LA Tribute to Schlesinger, featuring Voight and actor Dustin Hoffman- Trailer- PLUS: An essay by critic Mark Harris Order the Blu-ray Au hasard Balthazar (May 29) - A profound masterpiece from one of the most revered filmmakers in the history of cinema, Au hasard Balthazar, directed by Robert Bresson, follows the donkey Balthazar as he is passed from owner to owner, some kind and some cruel but all with motivations outside of his understanding. Balthazar, whose life parallels that of his first keeper, Marie, is truly a beast of burden, suffering the sins of humankind. But despite his powerlessness, he accepts his fate nobly. Through Bresson’s unconventional approach to composition, sound, and narrative, this simple story becomes a moving parable about purity and transcendence. - New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray- Interview from 2005 with film scholar Donald Richie- “Un metteur en ordre: Robert Bresson,” a 1966 French television program about the film, featuring Bresson, filmmakers Jean-Luc Godard and Louis Malle, and members of Balthazar’s cast and crew- Original theatrical trailer- Plus: An essay by film scholar James Quandt Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout May.Posted Fri Feb 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM PST by: -
Latest 'Ready Player One' Trailer is Full of Even More Pop Culture References[teaser]Audiences can enter the OASIS in March.[/teaser] Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One, inviting viewers to step into a world of pure imagination filled with plenty of references to 80s and 90s pop culture. The upcoming movie will hit theaters on March 29, 2018. The film is set in 2045, with the world on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) decides to join the contest, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger. Check out the new trailer below! Ready Player One is based on Ernest Cline's novel of the same name and comes from director Steven Spielberg from a screenplay written by Cline and Zak Penn. Producers include Spielberg, Donald De Line, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Dan Farah, along with executive producers Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Chris DeFaria, and Bruce Berman. The cast features Tye Sheridan (X-Men: Apocalypse, Mud), Olivia Cooke (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Bates Motel), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One – A Star Wars Story, Bloodline), T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Silicon Valley), Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead), and Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, Dunkirk). Source: Warner Bros. (YouTube)Posted Thu Feb 15, 2018 at 11:20 AM PST by: -
New 'Incredibles 2' Trailer Highlights Challenges of Superhero Parenting[teaser]The superhero family will return to save the day in June.[/teaser] Disney/Pixar have revealed a new trailer for Incredibles 2. The animated sequel comes from director Brad Bird and is set to hit theaters on June 15. In Incredibles 2, Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—whose superpowers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible. Check out the trailer below! The film serves as a sequel to 2004's The Incredibles and features the return of original writer and director Brad Bird. Bird's last Disney/Pixar film was 2007's Ratatouille which he served as a co-director and writer on. Since then, the filmmaker has helmed a couple of live-action films, including MIssion: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and Tomorrowland. Incredibles 2 stars the vocal talents of Holly Hunter as Helen Parr / Elastigirl, Craig T. Nelson as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible, Sarah Vowell as Violet Parr, Huck Milner as Dashiell 'Dash' Parr, Samuel L. Jackson as Lucius Best / Frozone, Sophia Bush as Voyd, Catherine Keener as Evelyn Deavor, Bob Odenkirk as Winston Deavor, Jonathan Banks as Rick Dicker, Isabella Rossellini as Ambassador, Brad Bird as Edna Mode, and John Ratzenberger as The Underminer. Source: Disney/Pixar (YouTube)Posted Thu Feb 15, 2018 at 08:20 AM PST by: -
Anime Fans Get Ready for 'Batman Ninja' in May![teaser]The anime-style Batman movie is heading for Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers says 'Batman Ninja' will be available on Blu-ray (a SteelBook edition will also be available) on May 8. Batman Ninja takes a journey across the ages as Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports many of Batman’s worst enemies to feudal Japan – along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies – including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family – to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: “East / West Batman” (Featurette) – Batman meets the anime medium, as this documentary looks into some of the Western tropes and archetypes, meshed into the world of feudal Japan. East meets West, swords, samurai and giant robots, all playing into the clash between Batman and his Rogues gallery. “Batman: Made in Japan” (Featurette) – To make a special film about Batman requires just the right artist to bring the mix of style and energy that is unmistakably anime. The filmmakers discuss the Japanese character models, influences and design create a fusion experience into this hyper real world. You can find the latest specs for Batman Ninja linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under May 8. Order the Blu-ray Order the SteelBookPosted Wed Feb 14, 2018 at 08:21 AM PST by: -
Lisa Henson Talks The Dark Crystal 4K Restoration & Dolby Atmos Soundtrack"Another world… another time…" Get ready to return to the mystical world of Thrall in a big way! 2018 is turning into one hell of a celebratory year for Jim Henson and Frank Ox's seminal fantasy creature feature The Dark Crystal. After years of development, the film was released in the winter of 1982 and completely revolutionized puppetry and creature films for the next decade. Few people are aware of the fact that so much practical creature effects were conceived and invented just for this film. 35 years after it's original theatrical release, The Dark Crystal has remained a classic and a childhood favorite of this writer. I was all of five months old when my parents took me and my older sister to see it in theaters. I may not remember that first viewing but it was one alongside Labyrinth that we would routinely watch until the sad day when a tape rewinder ate it (insert sad tears here). Now, Sony Pictures and the Jim Henson Company are set to bring The Dark Crystal back to theaters courtesy of Fathom Events with a fresh new 4K Restoration with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that looks and sounds better than ever. I recently got to chat with Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company about the return to the land of Thrall and upcoming Fathom Event screenings of The Dark Crystal on February 25th and 28th and March 3rd and 6th. "It's exciting that people can see it on the big screen on those two days and the restoration looks amazing as well. This is a film that if there is one thing that everybody appreciates about this film is the level of details. The detail in the sets, the detail in the costumes, and in the puppet builds - the way that they were built. the greater definition of the restoration really makes it possible to see all those details as well as when it's on the big screen." As many of you are aware I'm a big fan of practical creature effects as they were a big part of my cinematic upbringing as were the numerous creations of Jim Henson's creature factory. So naturally, I had to gush a little about the critters that populate The Dark Crystal. To which, Lisa offered up a great amount of insight into the vast array of creatures found in the film and how Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and artist Bryan Froud brought them to life. "It's such a handcrafted production I think particularly as people associate to seeing CG, and CG has amazing details as well, they can't really be compared, but what you see in The Dark Crystal is the handy work of people who can really sculpt and sew and punch individual hairs into puppets. It's the handmade quality of everything that jumps out. There are no two things that are the same in that world. Also, think about in making such a large film with such large sets, the sets were populated with props and set dressing that had to be made completely for the world because you couldn't go out and rent props that would fit in The Dark Crystal. The amount of art department creativity that you see on the screen along with the puppet building and puppet sculpting and the performances I hope people look at it and think about of artistry that went into creating that production." On top of the intricate world-building and fantasy character design that artist Brian Froud and Jim Henson and Frank Oz brought to life, you also need to take a step back and appreciate the fact that this was the first film to utilize cable-operated creatures and puppets. Prior to the interview, I was given an opportunity to screen the new short retrospective featurette that will be available on the new Anniversary Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray releases called The Dark Crystal: The Myth Magic and Henson Legacy. This featurette may not be very long, but it covers a ton of ground. I was amazed to learn that for certain scenes featuring the Skeksis as many as six to eight men were required to hold, move, and operate a single creature. "This film enjoyed years of development. They experimented for years before they even had a script. All of that could be done more simply now, but in those days those puppets could be incredibly heavy. it was back-breaking work to perform some of those characters. If you think about the guys on stilts for the Landstriders or in the case of the Mystics somebody walking around in a crouch with their hands over their head literally breaking their backs, there's amazing contortions puppeteers work in addition to the puppetry technology and the invention of creature animatronics that was occurring on this film. This movie comes right at the beginning of all that creature animatronics work that we saw throughout the 80s. We started our creature shop right after this film wrapped. It wasn't just Henson films that had that, we were putting puppets into Star Wars, Little Shop Of Horrors - there were probably a decade's worth of amazing animatronic creature films that all kind of came out of this early development on The Dark Crystal." Now that the film has undergone a full 4K restoration and is about to return to theaters February 25 and 28th followed by a 4K UHD Blu-ray and Aniversary Edition Blu-ray release on March 6th, I was able to view a stream of the new restoration. Unfortunately, it wasn't uncompressed nor did it enjoy an HDR kick, but just looking at my old Blu-ray, the improvements in detail clarity and color were noticeable. I honestly can't wait to spin the 4K UHD Blu-ray. Here is what Lisa had to say about the picture and audio restoration: "I can't really speak to the restoration, my brother worked more closely with that and the team was amazing. When I watched the restoration with them they pointed out some of the highlights of what worked particularly well. I wouldn't say that they had difficulty with it, but there are a couple of shots that still look crude, but those were the shots that looked crude from the beginning which were the old optical shots. Shots like where you have the three suns coming together outside the window, there was really nothing to restore there, it was a crude shot to begin with. But in general, the image is so beautiful and the image particularly brought a brilliance to the light and the crystal that is quite outstanding. I'm glad to hear you're fans of Atmos because it sounds amazing. I feel like the sound is so important particularly for like the forest scenes. We weren't in the forest. We were on a soundstage, the sound is what convinces you that you are in the forest." On top of the film enjoying a fresh new 4K restoration and theatrical re-release, The Dark Crystal will also be taking over your Netflix account late this summer with the 10-episode series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Naturally, I had to express my excitement over the project in hopes of gleaning a little bit of info about the new show. "Oh, you think you're excited? We are so excited! I can't speak much to the Netflix series but what I can say is that they challenged us at the outset "can we make a television series that looks like the film?" and it does and we are and I think the fans are going to be really excited by that." While that may not have been a lot of new information about the show or where it's going, but it's something to get excited about none the less as Lisa and the rest of the Jim Henson Company have set the bar high for themselves to bring a first-rate production to Netflix. If you're a fan of The Dark Crystal, this is an exciting time to be a fan of one of the greatest, most intricate creature features ever committed to film. I personally can't wait to get a look at the 4K UHD Blu-ray release, but I'm very happy and excited to see one of my favorite movies coming back to theaters. For those of you who are interested in delving a little deeper into the world of Thrall, Lisa and the Jim Henson Company has been doing a terrific job expanding the universe of the film with a series of graphic novels. If you didn't know they existed or haven't read them, I strongly encourage you to take a look at them - you can pick up the first collection Jim Henson's Power of the Dark Crystal Vol. 1. It's well worth a read! Pre-order The Dark Cyrstal Special Edition Blu-ray HERE and the 4K UHD Blu-ray HERE. OR check out The Dark Crystal on the big screen and be sure to pre-order your tickets for the Fathom Events screenings on February 25 and 28th or March 3rd and 6th HERE. See you at the show!Posted Wed Feb 14, 2018 at 07:09 AM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'I, Tonya,' 'Molly's Game,' 'Phantom Thread,' and More[teaser]Films starring Margot Robbie, Jessica Chastain, Daniel Day-Lewis, and more are all in the works for Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from Universal, MGM, 20th Century Fox, MGM, Flicker Allery, and MVD Rewind Collection. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, Universal will release Nora Twomey's The Breadwinner starring Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, and Noorin Gulamgaus on March 6. Supplements will include: - Introduction by director Nora Twomey and executive producer Angelina Jolie- Audio commentary with the filmmakers- The Making of The Breadwinner- Original Trailer In addition, the studio is bringing Craig Gillespie's I, Tonya starring Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney to Blu-ray on March 13. Supplements will include: - Audio Commentary with Director Craig Gillespie- Deleted Scenes- Behind the Scenes Featurette- Original Trailers Meanwhile, Aaron Sorkin's Molly's Game starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, and Chris O'Dowd will hit Blu-ray on April 10. Supplements will include: - Building an Empire – Writer/Director Aaron Sorkin and star Jessica Chastain comment on Molly Bloom and her remarkable story Likewise, Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, and Vicky Krieps will also arrive on Blu-ray on April 10. The disc will feature a DTS:X soundtrack and supplements will include: - Camera Tests – With audio commentary by Paul Thomas Anderson- Behind the Scenes Photographs – Photographs from the film by Michael Bauman with demo versions of Jonny Greenwood's score- For the Hungry Boy – A collection of deleted scenes. Music by Jonny Greenwood- House of Woodcock Fashion Show – Fashion Show narrated by Adam Buxton And rounding out the studio's upcoming slate will be Killjoys: Season Three starring Hannah John-Kamen, Luke MacFarlane, Aaron Ashmore, and Sarah Power on April 17. Supplements have not been announced yet. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray As previously reported, MGM is prepping The Handmaid's Tale: Season One starring Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, and Yvonne Strahovski, and the release date has now been set for March 13. Newly announced supplements will include: - From Script to Screen - Go inside the premiere episode's "Salvaging", a harrowing scene where Handmaids violently participate in the execution of an alleged attacker. Interviews with series Showrunner/Executive Producer Bruce Miller, Elisabeth Moss, Ann Dowd and Madeline Brewer, as well as an in-depth look at the story points, character arcs and complexity of shooting this sequence with Director of episodes one through three, Reed Morano.- Hope in Gilead - Examine the reasons why "THE HANDMAID'S TALE" has captivated millions and become a cultural phenomenon. The cast and crew discuss parallels with today's political climate as well as the series' themes of hope, resilience and the fight for freedom. Order the Blu-ray 20th Century Fox is set to release David Mickey Evans' The Sandlot: 25th Anniversary Edition starring Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, and Chauncey Leopardi on March 27. Supplements will include: - Featurette- Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots- Full-Color Poster- Collectible Booklet- 10 Custom Topps Baseball Cards- Slipsleeve Order the Blu-ray HBO is bringing Ballers: The Complete Third Season starring Dwayne Johnson, John David Washington, and Omar Benson Miller to Blu-ray on April 3. Supplements have not been detailed yet. Order the Blu-ray As previously reported, MVD Rewind Collection is bringing Jim Wynorski's The Return of Swamp Thing starring Louis Jourdan, Heather Locklear, Sarah Douglas, Ace Mask, Monique Gabrielle, and RonReaco Lee to Blu-ray, and now the release date has been announced as May 8. The disc will feature a brand new 2K remaster of the film and newly detailed supplements will include: - NEW Audio commentary from Director Jim Wynorski, Composer Chuck Cirino and Editor Leslie Rosenthal- NEW Interview with Director Jim Wynorski (HD)- NEW Interview with Editor Leslie Rosenthal (HD)- NEW Interview with Composer Chuck Cirino (HD)- NEW Interview with Lightyear Entertainment Executive Arnie Holland (HD)- Audio commentary from Director Jim Wynorski (from 2003)- Original Theatrical Trailer (New HD Transfer from original 35mm materials)- 6 Promotional TV Clips (SD) and 2 TV Spots (SD)- 2 Greenpeace Public Service Announcements (SD)- 1989 Promo Reel (SD)- Photo Gallery (accompanied by Chuck Cirino's film's score)- Collectible Mini- Poster In addition, the label is set to release Ryan Schifrin's Abominable: Collector's Edition starring Lance Henriksen, Jeffrey Combs, and Matt McCoy on June 12. The disc will feature a brand new 2K remaster of the film from the original camera negative and supplements will include: - NEW Introduction from Director Ryan Schifrin (HD)- NEW ''Basil & Mobius: No Rest For The Wicked'' (16:28, HD) Short film written and directed by Ryan Schifrin featuring a score by legendary composer Lalo Schifrin and starring Zachari Levi, Ray Park, Malcolm McDowell and Kane Hodder- Audio Commentary with writer/director Ryan Schifrin, Actors Matt McCoy and Jeffrey Combs- 'Back to Genre: Making ABOMINABLE'' featurette (SD)- Deleted and Extended Scenes (SD)- Outtakes and Bloopers (SD)- ''Shadows'' Director Ryan Schifrin's USC Student Film (SD)- The original 2005 version of ''Abominable'' (Blu-ray only, 94 mins, SD)- Original Theatrical Trailer- Poster & Still Gallery- Storyboard Gallery- Collectible Poster Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Flicker Alley is prepping Bill Colleran and Louis De Rochemont III's Windjammer: The Voyage of the Christian Radich (Deluxe Edition) starring Bjørn Amvik, Arne Andersen and Per Antonsen for Blu-ray on May 15. Supplements will include: - New Documentary on the film's original production (56 min.)- Mini documentary featuring before and after demos on the films remastering (14 mins.)- The Windjammer Breakdown Reel (14 min.)- The Christian Radich Today at the Aalbourg Denmark Tall Ships Festival 2010 (7 min.)- Windjammer Trailer (3 mins.)- Special Photo Galleries Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Wed Feb 14, 2018 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Everything You Need to Know About the Black Panther Before Watching Marvel's 'Black Panther'***SPOILER WARNING about two Marvel Cinematic Universe films*** After his big debut in a 1966 summer issue of Fantastic Four, the Black Panther character immediately made history by becoming the first Black superhero in mainstream comics. In the following years, he quickly grew into an important fixture of the Marvel universe, teaming with various other superhero organizations, most notably the Avengers, and eventually marrying Ororo Munroe, a.k.a. Storm of the X-Men. Starring in his first standalone Black Panther film this weekend, the character is poised to make history once more, breaking presale records according to Fandango and potentially becoming the biggest superhero movie yet. Unlike other film franchises, going blind into the 18th installment of the massively huge Marvel Cinematic Universe arguably won't lead to much confusion for those unfamiliar with previous entries. But that's not to say some background details and history on the Black Panther and his role within the MCU can't help either, and we're here to help guide you to one of the coolest of all superhero characters. [Teaser]Here is everything you need to know about the Black Panther, with brief recaps of a couple Marvel films, before you watch Black Panther film. [/Teaser] A Brief Summary on the Black Panther Legend As any Marvel Comics fan already knows, the film adaptations make several changes and alterations to the original source material, but it, nonetheless, is useful to know certain key details for better appreciating what is sure to be an awesome superhero movie. With that in mind, here is a heavily condensed summary with only the most relevant information. The name Black Panther is a ceremonial title for the king of The Panther Clan in the fictional East African country of Wakanda. In the early 20th Century, King T'Chaka and his people unearthed an extremely rare metal called vibranium, which was deposited by a meteorite crash several thousand years before. Moviegoers know this mineral best as the alloy used for making Captain America's impenetrable shield. At the height of WWII, T'Chaka joined forces with the Cap to defeat a host of supervillains, essentially making him the first superhero known as The Black Panther. Afterwards, T'Chaka began mining the metal for both profit and scientific research, eventually making Wakanda the richest and most technologically-advanced nation in the world. It was also during this time, the king's wife N'Yami gave birth to T'Challa, but sadly, she died from complications. Despite remarrying, the king mostly raised his son on his own, providing him with the best education and physical training in order to prepare the prince as the heir to the throne. Unfortunately, when T'Challa was an adolescent, Wakanda was invaded by a group of deadly mercenaries led by the ruthless South African physicist Ulysses Klaue, who wanted to steal vibranium for his own selfish needs. In this conflict, T'Chaka died at the hands of Klaue, which the young prince witnessed and in a fit of rage, used Klaue's sound-emitting weapon, shooting the villain's right hand off. In the years following, T'Challa studied abroad to earn his doctorate in Physics and returned home to become the new king of his tribe. As part of the crowning ceremony and after a few challenging trials, T'Challa was given the Heart-Shaped Herb, which gifted him with near superhuman powers. Thus, he took the mantle of The Black Panther, and when donning the vibranium suit that further enhances his abilities, he also began his new role as the superhero moviegoers will come to love and admire. He protects the world and his people from evildoers like Klaue, who returns with a weaponized prosthetic hand and renamed Klaw, traitorous usurpers like M'Baku, who is better known by his villain alias Man-Ape, and those simply seeking vengeance against the Wakanda kingdom, like highly-intelligent N'Jadaka, who changed his name to Erik Killmonger. Avengers: Age of Ultron The Black Panther's journey from comic book to the silver screen actually dates back to 2015, and perhaps even earlier to 2013 when Joss Whedon completed his script for Age of Ultron. In this sequel to his 2012's The Avengers, audiences were first introduced to the arms-dealer Ulysses Klaue, played by the always impressive character actor Andy Serkis as some grimy, filthy criminal scrounging about a ship graveyard. His appearance in the film is relatively minor, but it's a memorable and vital role nonetheless because Ultron steals Klaue's vibranium supply for constructing the perfect body, which, of course, leads to the birth of Vision instead. More importantly, the confrontation between the two is a significant departure from the original storyline. Here, it is Ultron who cuts Klaue's right hand. In its entirety, the whole episode is brief and may not seem like much, largely feeling like a cool nod and wink for fans of the comics foreshadowing future events. However, it's a good place for newcomers to start as it is the first time audiences hear mention of the Wakanda nation, the weaseling villainy of Klaue and how incredibly valuable vibranium is. Captain America: Civil War The following year, Black Panther makes his official big-screen debut to the MCU in the Russo Brothers' sequel, Captain America: Civil War, with even more alterations to the character's origin story. The filmmakers slowly introduce T'Challa's storyline into this universe with an opening battle sequence between the Avengers and Brock "Crossbones" Rumlow in Nigeria. It ends with a massive explosion that kills Wakandan humanitarian workers, and the attack prompts the United Nations to pass the Sokovia Accords and take control of the team, which in the comics was a strict Registration Act created by the U.S. government. At a conference to ratify the Accords, we meet King T'Chaka, who apparently is alive in this timeline, and his son, Prince T'Challa. The meeting is interrupted by a terrorist bombing, sadly killing the king. A rage-fueled T'Challa vows revenge, and all the evidence points to Bucky Barnes. This makes for an interesting turn of events because audiences are initially introduced to a character driven by vengeance. A little later, the Black Panther finally makes his appearance in the awesome Bucharest action sequence where Captain America tries to save his childhood friend. Here, moviegoers are shown what makes the Wakandan superhero so freaking cool and a formidable match to both the Cap and the Winter Soldier. Better yet, due to T'Challa believing Bucky murdered his father, the Black Panther sides with Iron Man on the whole Sokovia Accords controversy, which again is different from the comics where T'Challa originally sided with the Cap. This, then, leads to the explosive and fantastically memorable showdown at the Leipzig/Halle Airport where once again, the Black Panther goes toe-to-toe with the Winter Soldier until the Black Widow intervenes, allowing Bucky and the Cap to escape and fly to the Siberian Hydra facility. Eventually, everyone learns Bucky was actually innocent of the terrorist act, framed by Helmut Zemo, who frankly, is underplayed and underused in the MCU. Thinking he succeed in destroying the Avengers for the Sokovia tragedy in Age of Ultron, Zemo attempts to commit suicide but stopped by the Black Panther, who at this moment, also comes to the epiphany that vengeance only leads to more death and hatred rather than healing. "Vengeance has consumed you. It's consuming them. I am done letting it consume me." During a closing-credits scene, we learn T'Challa has granted Bucky and Cap asylum in Wakanda, and the camera zooms out for a panoramic extreme wide shot of the country, setting the stage for an upcoming Black Panther movie. There you have it! These are the movies leading up to Black Panther, the feature-length debut of the kick-ass Wakandan superhero with the awesome vibranium suit. In this latest installment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we can expect Klaue to return with a weaponized sonic gun for a prosthetic hand and going by the moniker Klaw. However, the central conflict will be against N'Jadaka, who the filmmakers have renamed Erik Stevens, and rather than being a genius MIT grad, he is a special black-ops soldier nicknamed Killmonger. Assuming the writers are borrowing heavily from the Panther's Rage storyline, Killmonger's quest to overthrow T'Challa will reveal several moral and ethical quandaries forcing our hero to face the previously unknown dark history of his country. Meanwhile, M'Baku is also set to make an appearance, but his role is likely going to be small and probably won't serve in a larger capacity until Avengers: Infinity Wars. Either way, I'm excited to finally see Black Panther in his own standalone spin-off this weekend.Posted Mon Feb 12, 2018 at 09:04 PM PST by: -
10 Steamy Thrillers For Valentine's Day That Are WAY Better Than The Fifty Shades TrilogyIt's that time of year again, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. That wonderful time where you and that special certain someone in your life are allowed to get a little romantic, a little passionate, and celebrate your personal and intimate partnership. Whether you plan on going out for an expensive candlelit meal or curling up on your faux bear rug in front of a roaring fire wearing your favorite PJ's with some cheese and wine, you no doubt need something a little steamy to watch. With Fifty Shades Freed whipping and slapping its way onto cinema screens this weekend, we wanted to offer our readers a healthy list of alternatives that are, you know, actually good. [Teaser]So get ready to Blu-ray-and-chill with our list of 10 Steamy Thrillers For Valentine's Day That Are WAY Better Than The Fifty Shades Trilogy:[/Teaser] Basic Instinct Yeah, we know, this gem of 90s excess is a bit tried and true, basic if you will, but that doesn't mean it has lost any of its steam. Featuring Michael Douglas and Sharron Stone in their prime, this Paul Verhoeven directed thriller plays with the meat and potatoes of a typical murder mystery but spices things up with numerous lusty bits that'll keep you and your significant other entertained - in between the horrifying stabbing scenes! It's a decent Blu-ray release and well worth giving a spin. The Handmaiden When you stir up sex, lust, deceit into a pot with a dash of Chan-wook Park's signature flair for visual panache you have the makings of a tight and tense historical drama. Thanks to some committed performances, the film is an intricate and dramatic thriller in the tradition of Dangerous Liaisons with plenty of intrigue and seductively steamy moments to hold your interest. The picture and audio quality are fantastic and will play nicely on your home theater setup. Dressed To Kill If you take a moment to think about 80s era sexy thrillers, it's impossible not to think of Brian De Palma's Dressed To Kill starring the beautiful Angie Dickinson alongside Nancy Allen and Michael Caine. In between revealing and literal steamy shower scenes, there is an intricate and unnerving psycho-killer thriller played throughout this suspenseful film. Not only is it one of De Palma's best films, it's one of the greatest Erotic Thrillers committed to film. Don't pass up the terrific Criterion Collection release. Sea Of Love After The Godfather and Scarface, Al Pacino had a tough time in the mid-80s. This 1989 thriller from Harold Becker brought Pachino back to top form in a big way. He's a tough New York cop investigating a string of gory murders where the killer stalks the personal ads. All Pachino has to do is lure the killer. Things get complicated, and more than a little interesting when Ellen Barkin answers the ad. The two clearly had some impressive on-screen chemistry. While the movie may be a bit generic, it's better than average and makes for a great evening of entertainment. The Hunger If you're in the mood for a sexy horror film with some vampire bloodletting, don't turn to Twilight. Tony Scott's 1983 erotic horror/thriller The Hunger has more than enough bite for your night. Starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon, this kinky love triangle is 97-minutes of stylized 80s flair with a slick horror story wrapped up inside. It may have been a bit of a flop upon initial release, it's grown into a true cult classic. The Warner Archive Blu-ray is a terrific release and you won't regret giving it a spin. Malice Cast a movie with Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin (the thin years), and genuine everyman Bill Pullman, toss in a medical malpractice plot with a strange interlude into with a serial killer and you have a wild ride of an early 90s thriller. Another entry from Harold Becker boasting a decent script from dialogue maestro Aaron Sorkin and you have a better than average erotic thriller on your hands. There are certainly enough twists and turns to keep you and your special person guessing. Fatal Attraction In all honesty, you can't have a list of Erotic Thrillers with only one Michael Douglas movie. The man practically built his career on them and this thriller from director Adrian Lyne and co-starring Glenn Close and Anne Archer is a staple of 1980s thrillers. It's creepy, kinky, and makes you rethink ever owning a pet rabbit and having an affair with someone you hardly know. While it may fall a bit heavy on the "Man is the victim" category, Close delivers one hell of a creepy performance providing two hours of tense entertainment. 9 ½ Weeks The 80s was a saucy time, to say the least! Also directed by Adrian Lyne and starring the sultry Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke before all of the plastic surgery, this was the signature steamy thriller that easily puts the Fifty Shades films to shame. It may be a bit light on thrills, but there is plenty of kink to make up for the rather barebones plotting. Its attractive stars do more than enough heavy lifting - so to speak - to hold your attention. Gone Girl Based on the hit Gillian Flynn novel, David Fincher crafts an intricate and absorbing murder mystery thriller starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. While this film may rely on smart storytelling, plotting, and it's core focus on the frenzy of a media circus, there's more than enough here to hold your attention. It's a classy stab at the erotic thriller genre by a master filmmaker who knows how to keep you guessing. Mulholland Dr. David Lynch is no slouch when it comes to crafting labyrinthian thrillers with so many twists and turns that you need a Google Maps to help you find your way home. He also has a knack for creating interesting characters you want to see figure things out. So when two women played by Naomi Watts and Laura Harring find themselves wrapped up in a mystery and become lovers, you naturally pay attention! In true Lynch form, not everything you see makes sense, but it's a hell of a ride and one of the most haunting films of his career. While you could go and experience the anemic end to the Fifty Shades franchise in theaters this weekend, you could save your time, money, and enjoy some up close and personal time with that special someone in your life with any of these great flicks. We hope this list has been helpful as you plot and plan your Valentine's Day evening. With a big winter storm hitting much of the country, it's a great time to keep warm under the covers with a good movie.Posted Fri Feb 9, 2018 at 06:02 AM PST by: -
Sony Debuts First Teaser Trailer for 'Venom'[teaser]The Marvel comics villain tuned anti-hero is heading to theaters in October.[/teaser] Sony has released the first teaser trailer for Venom. The movie comes from director Ruben Fleischer and stars Tom Hardy as the title character. One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom. This film is not yet rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. Check out the teaser trailer below -- though fans hoping to catch their first glimpse of Hardy suited up in the symbiote will be sadly disappointed. Venom stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock / Venom, Michelle Williams as Anne Weying, and Riz Ahmed as Dr. Carlton Drake. The film comes from a script written by Scott Rosenberg, Kelly Marcel, and Jeff Pinkner. The character of Venom originated as a villain in the Spider-Man comic books, and previously made his big screen debut in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 where he was played by actor Topher Grace. Though some rumors continue to hint otherwise, Sony has previously stated that this film will not be connected to Spider-Man: Homecoming or the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. With that said, the studio does plan to use the movie to help kick off its own series of films based on supporting characters from the Spider-Man franchise, including Black Cat and Silver Sable. Venom is scheduled to premiere on October 5, 2018. Source: Sony (YouTube)Posted Thu Feb 8, 2018 at 08:15 AM PST by:
