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Blu-ray Player Sales Still on the Rise[teaser]Sales are up, but 57 percent of people say they're still using a standard DVD player. [/teaser] Unlike LCD and plasma televisions, players have increased in growth during the first quarter of 2011. Displays may be in a slump, but Blu-ray players went from a nine percent sales increase in the first quarter of 2010 to a 16 percent increase in the first quarter of 2011. Blu-ray still isn't making up for all the lost sales from the decline of DVD, but it's certainly helping slow the effect. The NPD group estimates that the number of physical disc buyers has decreased by 22 million since 2009, but 26 million Blu-ray players have been sold. "While Blu-ray may not be the replacement for DVD that many once hoped for," says NPD analyst Russ Crupnick, "it is certainly adding strength to the physical video-disc market. This added stability is helping to extend the life of discs, even as digital options gain in popularity." Source: NPDPosted Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
'Raising Arizona,' 'Blood Simple,' and 'Miller's Crossing' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]August is shaping up to be the month of the Coen Brothers, with three more of their films joining the long awaited 'The Big Lebowski' on Blu-ray this summer! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox says 'Raising Arizona,' 'Blood Simple,' and 'Miller's Crossing' are planned for Blu-ray on August 30. The three movies will be available separately or in 'The Coen Brothers Collection' box set which will also include the previously released 'Fargo.' Specs have yet to be finalized, but the Blu-rays will likely have 1080p video, lossless soundtracks, and supplements for 'Blood Simple' will include a commentary with Kenneth Loring of Forever Young Films; cast and crew biographies; production notes; and a theatrical trailer. 'Miller's Crossing' will include Shooting Miller's Crossing: A Conversation with Barry Sonnenfeld; Interview Soundbites with cast members Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, and John Turturro; a still gallery; and theatrical trailers. Finally, 'Raising Arizona' will only come with a theatrical trailer and TV spots. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $24.99 and $69.99 for the four-pack. You can find the latest specs for 'Raising Arizona,' 'Blood Simple,' 'Miller's Crossing,' and 'The Coen Brothers Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under August 30.Posted Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' Blu-ray Up for Pre-order![teaser]Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow will once again set sail on Blu-ray, as well Blu-ray 3D and in a Blu-ray 4-Film Collection later this year! [/teaser] Disney/Buena Vista will be releasing 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (Blu-ray/DVD) and DVD/Blu-ray (DVD packaging) combo packs each with a suggested list price of $39.99. Also available will be a 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 3D' combo pack priced at $49.99. Finally, there will be a mega 15-disc combo pack set containing all four films in the franchise housed inside a collector's chest packaging for $169.99. Amazon is also offering an $8 coupon on the 3D version here located just below the price for instant savings. You can find the latest specs for 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean Four Film Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under PENDING.Posted Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Megadeth: That One Night - Live in Buenos Aires' Blu-ray Announced[teaser] The legendary metal band returns to Blu-ray this July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment is working on 'Megadeth: That One Night - Live in Buenos Aires' for Blu-ray on July 12. Filmed live at Obras Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 9, 2005. Megadeth is one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands, selling more than 20 million albums worldwide, including the Grammy nominated multi-platinum Countdown to Extinction. In the U.S. alone, Megadeth have received four platinum records, six gold records, and seven Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. Performances include: Blackmail the Universe, Set the World Afire, Wake Up Dead, In My Darkest Hour, She Wolf, Reckoning Day, A Tout Le Monde, Hangar 18, I'll Be There, Tornado of Souls, Trust, Something That I'm Not, Kick the Chair, Coming Home, Symphony of Destruction, and Peace Sells. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include an alternate version of Symphony of Destruction. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Megadeth: That One Night - Live in Buenos Aires' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 12.Posted Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Trust' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]David Schwimmer's acclaimed dramatic thriller coming to Blu-ray this July has now been fully detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, Millennium Entertainment will instill 'Trust' on Blu-ray on July 26. This gripping family drama stars Academy Award® nominees Clive Owen ('Children of Men,' 'Closer') and Catherine Keener ('Into The Wild,' 'Capote') and tells the tale of a suburban family that is torn apart when fourteen-year old Annie (Liana Liberato) meets her first boyfriend online. After months of communicating via online chat and phone, Annie discovers her friend is not who he originally claimed to be. Shocked in disbelief, her parents (Owen and Keener) are shattered by their daughter’s actions and struggle to support her as she comes to terms with what has happened to her once innocent life. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include a behind-the-scenes featurette, previews, and a digital copy. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Trust' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 26.Posted Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Save $8 on Disney's 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 3D'[teaser]Pre-order the fourth installment in the swashbuckling franchise on Blu-ray 3D (2D included) and instantly save an additional $8! [/teaser] Amazon is currently offering 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 3D' for $26.99 (30% off suggested list price + an instant $8 savings with a coupon)! And as usual, if the price drops further between now and the falrelease date, Amazon's price guarantee will ensure the lowest price is passed on to the buyer! Click here to access the page where you can pre-order your copy and clip the coupon (located beneath the price) right now!Posted Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 10:33 AM PDT by: -
'Super Hybrid' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The murderous set of wheels coming to Blu-ray this August has been fully detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, Starz/Anchor Bay is revving up 'Super Hybrid' for Blu-ray on August 23. Late one night, a mysterious car is brought into the Chicago police impound garage after a deadly traffic accident. The garage's female mechanic, Tilda, and her young, hip fellow mechanics soon discover the car has a mind of its own: it morphs into different cars to confuse them and instead of needing an engine to run, it breathes. It's a killing machine that is capable of outrunning and outwitting humans. In a high-octane fight to the death, it's our group of determined humans versus the car in this supernatural action-adventure in the vein of Stephen King's 'Christine' and 'Transformers.' The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include the featurette: Under the Hood of Super Hybrid. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Super Hybrid' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under on August 23.Posted Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Disney's 1997 animated Christmas movie will arrive on Blu-ray in late November, just in time for the holiday season. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is planning to release 'Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas' on Blu-ray on November 22. This direct-to-video sequel to 'Beauty and the Beast' takes place in the middle of the original animated film, while Belle is still a prisoner in the castle. She is determined to celebrate Christmas with traditional holiday cheer, a prospect that does not appeal to the Beast. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but the release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack (also available in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack w/DVD packaging). Suggested list price for each combo pack is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 22.Posted Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Soul Surfer' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton’s journey from tragedy to triumph will debut on Blu-ray this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'Soul Surfer' will catch the high-definition wave on August 2. The inspiring story of a girl’s comeback after a shark attack stars AnnaSophia Robb ('Race to Witch Mountain'), Academy Award® winner Helen Hunt (Best Actress, 'As Good As It Gets,' 1997), Dennis Quaid ('The Rookie,' 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra'), Grammy Award® winner Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo (TV's “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”) and Lorraine Nicholson ('Click'). The release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include deleted scenes, Soul Surfing Onto The Screen featurette, Surfing for the Screen: Inside the Action featurette, Becoming Bethany featurette, and Heart of a Soul Surfer documentary. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $38.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Soul Surfer' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 2.Posted Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Breaking News: Secret 'Super 8' Showings TONIGHT![teaser]Can't wait until Friday to see 'Super 8'? You're in luck! Twitter and Paramount Pictures have teamed up for the first-ever "Tweet Movie Sneak Preview" of 'Super 8' for one day only on over 300 IMAX and standard screens across the nation.[/teaser] The ultra secret 'Super 8' sneak previews will be taking place on June 9, one day before the film's theatrical release. Since Twitter is partnering for the sneak previews, the only way you can find out about showing information is via Twitter. Go to the official page of the preview and share the info with your friends on Twitter by using #Super8Secret. Based on the screenings in our theatrical reviewer Luke Hickman's area, it looks like all secret screenings will be taking place late tonight at 12:01AM (technically falling on June 9). Directed by J.J. Abrams ('Star Trek') and produced by Steven Spielberg ('Indiana Jones'), 'Super 8' is a widely anticipated adventure film that follows a group of children as an unknown beast forces a military take-over of their small town. Trailers and TV spots have revealed nearly nothing about the film, causing a curiosity to drive the pre-release buzz. Since Luke is under embargo to not review 'Super 8' until it's opening, he can't yet tell you how great it is. What he can tell you is that he has already seen it twice, and he's contemplating going back to a secret screening in Salt Lake City tonight. 'Super 8' needs to be seen on the big screen. Check The Bonus View very soon for his review.Posted Wed Jun 8, 2011 at 12:00 PM PDT by:
