“Blu-ray is just a bag of hurt. It’s great to watch the movies, but the licensing of the tech is so complex, we’re waiting till things settle down and Blu-ray takes off in the marketplace.” Steve Jobs, Oct. 14 2008
In anticipation of the the upcoming iPhone 3.0 OS update expected to arrive on handsets in June, Apple has seeded it’s latest build of the software beta to developers, along with a pre-release of iTunes 8.2. While nothing spectacular and new has been spotted in the iPhone software, this updated version of iTunes is another matter altogether. Keen eyes over at the MacRumors.comforums have spotted references to Blu-Ray data from Gracenote iTunes 8.2 information. This is a clear indication that upcoming versions of the media-player software will have the ability to decode and play Blu-ray media. And from that evidence, an assumption can be made that a hardware update complete with Blu-ray optical drive is in our near future. Guess the real “bag-of-hurt” is going to be the amount of money I’m going to have to spend on a new Blu-ray compatible MacBook Pro.
ARRRRGH! I can feel my wallet getting lighter and lighter!
What an amazing week of releases. How can I possibly select only one as my pick of the week when there is both a new Criterion disc AND a box of my favourite TV episodes hitting the shelves? Solution: choose both!
Paramount brings us the long awaited release of Star Trek: The Original Series with this first season box, timed to coincide with the theatrical release of J.J. Abrams’ re-imagining. I really can’t wait to get my hands on this and deliver a full review but from what I’ve read around the internets, I can tell you that this box is truly the definitive collection of this classic series. Season One features the first 29 episodes of Star Trek, starring William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as his Vulcan first officer, Mr. Spock, in full 1080p High Definition in the original 4:3 television aspect ratio, with your choice of either 7.1 DTS-HD MA or the original English 2.0 Mono. While this set is chock-a-block full of special features (click over to our previous report to read all the details), what intrigues me most about it is the ability to toggle back and forth using the ‘angle’ button on your Blu-ray player remote between the original special effects and the updated CGI effects! I can’t wait to compare 1960s Enterprise-on-a-string to 2009 computer-generated, super-powered Enterprise. Here’s hoping that George Lucas is paying attention and gives his Star Wars films this treatment when they eventually hit Blu.
It’s sad that In the Realm of the Senses, an explicit Franco-Japanese production directed by Nagisa Oshima, is looked upon as pornography. As a result, it’s been hacked, reframed and out-right banned in most countries, including Canada. Based upon a true story taking place in 1930s Japan (read profiles of the real-life Sada Abé and the actress who portrayed her on Criterion‘s website), Senses is “a graphic portrayal of insatiable sexual desire” about a prostitute and a hotel owner willing to sacrifice everything to indulge their hunger for one another. The film focuses on the power dynamics between the two characters, leaving Abé’s status as folk hero for others to explore (see Noboru Tanaka‘s film A Woman Called Sada Abé). Criterion’s Blu-ray treatment sports a 1.66:1 theatrical aspect ratio delivered in 1080p using the AVC codec and looks spectacular. Colours are rich and deep and the overall image is sharp without a hint of edge enhancement. Just what you’d expect from Criterion.
Get ‘em while they’re hot folks! It’s another Amazon.com Gold Box sale, this time however, the item in question isn’t the spotlight “Deal of the Day“, 24 hour sale item. Instead, Resident Evil – The High Definition Trilogy is one of Amazon’s “Lightning Deals“, on sale for a limited time only and only while supplies last.
In this case, the discs will be on sale from 9AM EST (6AM PST) to 1PM (10AM PST) at a discount of 56% off of the MSRP of $89.95 for a fantastic price of $39.45. As incredible as this deal is, Amazon sells the set for $49.99 everyday – not a bad deal, if you ask me.
As of this writing, 4 minutes since the sale began, Amazon has sold more than 5% of it’s stock. These discs won’t last long! Hurry over!!
Once again Warner Bros. is taking the lead in the home video industry and is doing something about that stack of HD-DVD coasters they conned you into buying two years ago. Instead of putting your drinks on them, you can package up your old, dead media, throw some loose change at Warner and they’ll get you back some shiny new Blu-ray discs in 4-5 weeks for your trouble. While not a perfect deal (there are a handful of limitations in place) Warner is at least attempting to rectify the damage caused by the format conflict. When will the other major studios do the same?
1. Click here and select the HD DVD titles you want to exchange for Blu-rays.
◦ Limit one exchange per title
◦ Upgrade fee of $4.95
◦ Shipping fee of $6.95 per order ($8.95 per order for Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico)
2. Mail the original cover-art to Warner’s processing center
3. Receive new discs in 4-5 weeks
In addition, if you’re looking for something to do with your busted up HD-DVD player, Engadget has got you covered.
We’ve told you all about the ship date and shown you the package art and now, thanks to James Hibberd‘s “Live Feed” column over at The Hollywood Reporter, we have have a full list of all the special features on the Battlestar Galactica – The Complete Series box set!
In addition, Amazon.com has posted a pre-order page for the ‘Complete Series’ box. Priced at $244.99, 30% off the MSRP of $349.98, Amazon neglects to offer up any further information about the set, including release date and number of discs in the package. All details should be confirmed very, very soon.
• U-CONTROL: Universal’s exclusive signature feature puts viewers one click away from going deeper into the making of the film without ever leaving the movie.
• THE ORACLE: An interactive guide including ships and characters.
• BATTLESTAR ACTUAL: A glossary of all the unique Battlestar Galactica terms.
• WHAT THE FRAK HAPPENED TO YOU? Explore the history and connections of your favorite characters through video clips and relevant facts.
• BD-LIVE™: Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers and more!
• BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ULTIMATE BATTLE: Players can battle their friends as Colonials or Cylons using strategy and luck to achieve victory.
• MY SCENES: Pick your favorite scenes from the film to create your own video montage.
• THE MUSICIANS BEHIND DAYBREAK: Composer Bear McCreary interviews and explains how many unique musicians have contributed the show and specifically the series finale, Daybreak.
BONUS FEATURES (BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF and DVD):
• EVOLUTION OF A CUE: Composer Bear McCreary takes us step by step through his process of creating the music of Battlestar Galactica.
• What the Frak Is Going On With Battlestar Galactica?: A recap of Battlestar Galactica’s first three thrilling seasons – in only eight minutes!
• …AND THEY HAVE A PLAN: What do they mean every episode when the opening sequence on the Cylons states “And They Have a Plan”? All will be revealed in the upcoming movie The Plan.
• THE JOURNEY ENDS: THE ARRIVAL: Battlestar Galactica has traveled full circle. The journey has concluded never to be revisited. But how did we arrive at the end?
• A LOOK BACK
• SO SAY WE ALL: Executive producer Ron Moore and the cast and crew reveal their personal insights on Battlestar Galactica.
• MANIFESTO DESTINY: It all began with this manifesto. Why was it written and what was the response?
• BATTLE-STYLE GALACTICA: Those behind the camera delve into their approach to visual style of Battlestar Galactica.
• MARTYR TO A CAUSE: As the only actor to appear in both the original and reimagined series, Richard Hatch offers his unique perspective on Battlestar Galactica.
• THE SINS OF THE FORGIVEN: Insights on the curious religious aspects of Battlestar Galactica.
• BATTLESTAR REVELATIONS: Firsthand accounts from those on the Battlestar for the past five years.
• AUDIO COMMENTARIES BY RONALD D. MOORE, DAVID EICK AND EDWARD JAMES OLMOS
• Ronald D. Moore’s Podcast Commentaries
• David Eick’s Video Blogs
• DELETED SCENES
It’s sad that 
