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'Kung Fu Panda 2' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]Don't be a sad panda! Amazon is now taking pre-orders for the hit CGI animated sequel on Blu-ray! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, DreamWorks has already begun preparations for 'Kung Fu Panda 2' to hit Blu-ray sometime later this year. In this movie, that lovable Po (voiced by Jack Black) joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon. The release will also feature an all-new adventure, 'Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters' - Po and the Furious Five uncover the legend of three of kung fu’s greatest heroes: Master Thundering Rhino, Master Storming Ox, and Master Croc. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release will be a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and other supplements will include: Filmmakers’ Commentary; Sneak peek episode of the upcoming Nickelodeon TV series “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness” (HD); Meet the Cast (HD); Panda Stories: Inside the World of the Giant Panda (HD); Kung Fu Shuffle (HD); and more! Blu-ray exclusives include: The Animator's Corner, Trivia Track, and Go With Po (all in HD). Also in the works seems to be a 'Kung Fu Panda Collection' which will include the original 'Kung Fu Panda' and the sequel. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $49.99 while the double feature is still TBA. You can find the latest specs for 'Kung Fu Panda 2' and 'Kung Fu Panda Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under PENDING.Posted Sun Jun 26, 2011 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'The Sound of Music: Limited Edition Collector's Set' Blu-ray Set is $38.99 at Amazon[teaser]The hills are alive... with the sound of music, in this week's Blu-ray deal at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'The Sound of Music: Limited Edition Collector's Set' for $38.99 (57% off suggested list price). Share the magical, heartwarming true-life story that has become the most popular family film of all time - Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, the spirited young woman who leaves the convent to become governess to the seven children of Captain von Trapp, an autocratic widower whose strict household rules leave no room for music or entertainment. The 3-disc set (2 Blu-rays and a DVD) features 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and loads of supplements including audio commentaries; Your Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration — all-new immersive viewing experience with behind-the-scenes images, on-screen lyrics, trivia track and location quiz; Music Machine Sing-Along; Musical Stages: Creating The Sound of Music — all-new interactive "backlot tour" with in-depth featurettes on the songs, the stage show & movie, the film and sound restoration and the real-life von Trapp family; and more! This individually numbered Limited Edition Collector's Set also includes the 45th Anniversary soundtrack; 100-Page "My Favorite Things" scrapbook; Snapshots from Salzburg; Reproduction of the original 1965 Souvenir program; and an exclusive "My Favorite Things" Music Box with letter of authenticity. Click here to order this definitive edition of the 1965 classic today! The deal will run from now through July 2 or while supplies last.Posted Sun Jun 26, 2011 at 06:34 AM PDT by: -
The Bonus View Digest - June 24, 2011[teaser]It's hard to believe that the end of June is almost here. Still, even though it took a little while for summer to get here, things have been heating up on The Bonus View for quite a while. We've discussed a bevy of controversial topics this week. Take a look at the links below and see if you find any articles that strike your fancy or tickle your fury bone.[/teaser] Blu-ray News First of all we'd like to congratulate our winners of the contest we ran this week on The Bonus view. Congrats go to Bonus View readers Keith and Jim. They each won a free copy of 'The Adjustment Bureau' on Blu-ray. If you didn't get in on this contest, then you see what you've been missing if you haven't visited the blog lately. We routinely run contests for free goodies, so stay up to date with it so you know when the next chance to win comes around. Josh also let us know what movies we should be looking forward to on Blu-ray with his weekly rundown on which films were hitting store shelves this week. Theatrical News We had a big week with numerous reviews being posted by our resident theatrical specialist, Luke Hickman. Luke posted reviews for 'Cars 2', 'Bad Teacher', 'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' and 'Tree of Life'. Wondering what to see this weekend? Check out which ones Luke recommends. Hint: It isn't 'Cars 2.' Luke also informed us that Disney has now announced that they will be showing the first four minutes of 'Lion King' in 3D before every 3D showing of 'Cars 2'. TV Recaps Some of the summer shows have started and we've got the scoop on them. Want to know how the premiere for 'Falling Skies' was? Check out our recap and see if it's worth your time to watch. See what Josh thought about 'Game of Thrones' thrilling season finale. We also had recaps of 'Cover Affairs' along with a look at 'The Killing's lackluster season finale. Follow all of your favorite shows with us. Special Features Josh let us in on a fun little game you can play the next time you see a superhero movie. It's Bingo! with a twist. This time you have to mark off the clichés as they happen. It looks like lots of fun. Perhaps our most controversial post came in last Friday's Weekend Roundtable where we (heatedly) discussed which TV shows "jumped the shark". That's it for this week. As for next week we'll be here, posting news and editorials about everything that has to do with movies and high definition. Stay tuned!Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 12:20 PM PDT by: -
'Scarface' Blu-ray Full Details Inside! Check out the Humidor![teaser]Check out the humidor, winning art card images, and more for the highly anticipated Blu-ray release of Brian De Palma's landmark 1983 crime drama this September! [/teaser] As previously reported, Universal Studios is preparing 'Scarface' for a Blu-ray release on September 6. Considered one of the most influential gangster films ever made, 'Scarface’s' gritty depiction of Tony Montana’s lethal ambition has made it a cultural touchstone that spans generations. Now, fans can experience the film’s raw power in the newly restored, high-resolution, high-definition picture and explosive 7.1 audio for the first time ever. Exclusive new bonus content created especially for this release reveals the film’s iconic legacy as one of the greatest crime sagas of all time. For a limited time only, 'Scarface Special Limited Edition' Blu-rayTM comes with collectible SteelBookTM packaging, ten exclusive art cards, a digital copy of the film and a DVD of the original 1932 'Scarface,' making it a must-own addition to every film fan’s library. And, for the ultimate collector and cigar enthusiast, an elegantly hand-crafted Scarface-themed humidor will be made available in an exclusive, never-before-available, limited edition. Created by the renowned Daniel Marshall, the humidor’s exterior is hand painted and polished with the Marshall’s trademark “1000 coat brilliant finish.” The interior – made with untreated Spanish cedar – will properly condition and age approximately 100 cigars at optimal humidity levels. Limited to 1,000 worldwide, each individually numbered humidor comes embellished with custom medallions inspired by the iconic film and includes a certificate of authenticity. “Nearly 30 years after it first exploded onto the screen, Scarface stands as a cultural icon with a passionate and growing fan base that continues to exert an enduring influence on not just moviemakers but artists across the entire pop-culture landscape,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “Now, for the first time ever, fans of this jewel in the Universal crown can enjoy Scarface with the spectacular picture and sound quality that only Blu-rayTM provides.” A masterful collaboration between acclaimed director Brian de Palma ('The Untouchables,' 'Carlito’s Way') and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Oliver Stone ('Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,' 'Platoon'), 'Scarface' features extraordinary performances from a powerhouse cast that includes Academy Award® winner Al Pacino ('The Godfather'), Academy Award® nominee Michelle Pfeiffer ('The Fabulous Baker Boys,' 'Hairspray'), Academy Award® nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ('The Color of Money,' 'The Perfect Storm'), Academy Award® nominee Robert Loggia ('Jagged Edge') and Steven Bauer ('Traffic'). The film was nominated for three Golden Globe® Awards (including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Score), and was named one of the Top 10 Gangster Films of All Time by the American Film Institute. To celebrate the film’s Blu-rayTM debut, fans were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design Scarface-inspired artwork using classic Tony Montana images from the film. Fans have now voted on their favorites to be featured as exclusive art cards in the 'Scarface Limited Edition' Blu-rayTM. The winners are: Grand Prize Winner – Adolfo Maalindog (Gainesville, FL) #2 – Macaulay Whiting (North Hollywood, CA) #3 – Dean Simpson (Charleroi, PA) #4 – Ty Webster (Massillon, OH) #5 – Kris Kuhn (Medicine Hat, AB Canada) #6 – Moises Arguello (Whittier, CA) #7 – Andrea Mandarino (Huntington Station, NY) #8 – Adam Paige (Omaha, NE) #9 – Trevor Molag (North Vancouver, BC Canada) #10 – Michael Avent (Greenbrier, TN) Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98 and the Humidor Gift Set is $999.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Scarface' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 6.Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 12:10 PM PDT by: -
'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]About a month after the Barbarian and the Destroyer descend on high-definition this summer, Conan: The Comedian will bring his hilarious documentary to Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia says 'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' is coming to Blu-ray on September 13. The documentary joins Conan on his North American comedy tour in 2010 following his short-lived gig as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show." Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 13.Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 10:10 AM PDT by: -
'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part Six' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The sixth box set in the anime series is slated for Blu-ray this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation is working on 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part Six' for a high-definition release on September 13. The epic showdown between Goku and Frieza reaches its climax as planet Namek crumbles beneath their feet! In the aftermath of battle, neither fighter is anywhere to be found, but Earth’s few remaining heroes have much bigger problems. A mysterious and powerful stranger known only as Trunks arrives from the future with a warning: the Androids are coming, they take no prisoners, and even Goku – wherever he may be – is no match for their kind! Supplements have yet to be revealed, but the two disc set will feature 1080p video and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. Suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray set is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part Six' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 13.Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]The first season of the acclaimed series based on George R.R. Martin's best-selling novels is in the works for Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, HBO seems to be preparing to release 'Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season' on Blu-ray in the near future. One of the best reviewed shows of the year stars Sean Bean ('The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring') and Lena Headey ('Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles') and currently holds an impressive 9.5/10 rating on IMDb.com. Specs, supplements, and a release date have not been set yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $79.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Spotlight Bargain: 'The Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions' Blu-ray $64.99 at Best Buy (U.S.), Future Shop (Can), Amazon (Can)![teaser]The long-awaited precioussssss is on sale at a bunch of different retailers! [/teaser] Both Best Buy and Amazon are selling 'The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Limited Edition Extended Editions' for $69.99 (42% off the suggested list price), but with the Best Buy $5 off coupon (in-store only) the set is only $64.99. For our Canadian readers, both Amazon Canada and Future Shop are selling it for $64.99 as well! Also according to forum member LordoftheRingsEE, Wal-Mart Canada should be selling the Blu-ray box set for $59.83 June 28-30! Don't miss out on these great sales for one of the most anticipated releases of the year!Posted Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 06:34 AM PDT by: -
'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]Another sweaty dose of gladiator-style sex and violence will hit the high-def format this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay Entertainment will unleash 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' on Blu-ray on September 13. The six episode miniseries is a spinoff prequel to 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' already available on Blu-ray. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 13.Posted Thu Jun 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Win Win' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The much-touted comedy/drama will put Blu-ray in a sleeper hold this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is planning to release 'Win Win' on Blu-ray on August 30. The film stars Paul Giamatti ('Barney's Version') and Amy Ryan ('Jack Goes Boating') and is directed by Tom McCarthy ('The Visitor'). Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Tom McCarthy and Joe Tiboni discuss Win Win, David Thompson at Sundance 2011, In Conversation with Tom McCarthy and Paul Giamatti at Sundance 2011, Family, deleted scenes, and a music video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is expected to be $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Win Win' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 30.Posted Thu Jun 23, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
