I didn’t mind Goro Miyazaki’s first film, Tales from Earthsea, but most critics panned it pretty hard. I saw a lot to like there and have been anticipating the follow up film from the son of the master. From Up on Poppy Hill has received more positive notices than negative and, after a brief arthouse run, is on deck for September Blu-ray release. The weird thing about this release is that it’s not from Disney. The House of Mouse seems to have given up on this Studio Ghibli title, opening the door for GKIDS/Cinedigm to enjoy a partnership with Japan’s finest animation studio.

Few details have been released at this time but the official Facebook page notes that it’ll be “a stacked special edition that includes both versions of the film (English & Japanese), subtitles, dubtitles, feature-length storyboards, featurettes on the recording process and the Yokohama setting, interviews, press conferences and much more.”

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
(2004, Blu-ray released May 21, 2013 – MSRP $39.99)

THE FILM:

“For the first time on Blu-ray, Disney proudly presents a remarkable Studio Ghibli film from Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (best animated feature, 2001, Spirited Away). Howl’s Moving Castle soars like never before with a new HD digital transfer, and perfect picture and sound!

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell. Featuring the voice talents of Christian Bale and Billy Crystal, Miyazaki’s artistry comes to life with inventive characters, unique storytelling, and richly detailed animation. Your whole family will love this epic fantasy on Disney Blu-ray!

“

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO
(1988, Blu-ray released May 21, 2013 – MSRP $39.99)

THE FILM:

“Disney presents a Studio Ghibli film about the magic of friendship and sisterhood from Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (Best Animated Feature, 2001, Spirited Away). Celebrate the 25th anniversary of My Neighbor Totoro – available for the first time on Disney Blu-ray, with a new HD digital transfer and perfect picture and sound!

Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei as they discover their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit named Totoro who can only be seen by the eyes of a child. As Totoro introduces the girls to his extraordinary friends, they embark on the journey of a lifetime. Featuring the voice talents of Tim Daly, Lea Salonga and real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, My Neighbor Totoro is an amazing animated adventure the whole family will fall in love with.

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TRUE BLOOD: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON
(2012, Blu-ray released May 21, 2013 – MSRP $79.98)

THE SERIES:

“Returning for its fifth season, “True Blood” is HBO‘s sexy, scary, wildly entertaining drama series from Oscar(R)- and Emmy(R)-winner Alan Ball (“Six Feet Under”) and based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. In addition to returning cast favorites – human/faerie waitress Sookie Stackhouse, her vampire suitors Bill Compton and Eric Northman, soul-searching pal Tara, shape-shifting boss Sam, rakish brother Jason, clairvoyant Lafayette and teen-vamp Jessica – Season 5 introduces a whole new wave of otherworldly characters. There’s Vampire Guardian Roman, president of the Vampire Authority, who wants co-existence between humans and vampires; vampire zealot Salome (yes, the Salome), intent on recreating the world in God’s vampyric image; Authority Chancellor Nora, who shares the same maker as Eric; werewolves J.D. and Martha, who want a reluctant Alcide to take his rightful place as packmaster; and many more. Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, True Blood Season 5 goes deep into the battle between the Vampire Authority and “vampire fundamentalists” – a political power play whose outcome could decide not only the fate of Sookie and her Bon Temps friends, but of all human existence.“

PARKER
(2013, Blu-ray released May 21, 2013 – MSRP CAN $32.99)

THE FILM:

“Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez team up to get their cut in the crime thriller, PARKER, based on the series of bestselling novels by Donald E. Westlake. Parker (Jason Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don’t steal from people who can’t afford it and don’t hurt people who don’t deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double crosses him, steals his stash, and leaves him for dead. Determined to make sure they regret it, Parker tracks them to Palm Beach, playground of the rich and famous, where the crew is planning their biggest heist ever. Donning the disguise of a rich Texan, Parker takes on an unlikely partner, Leslie (Jennifer Lopez), a savvy insider, who’s short on cash, but big on looks, smarts and ambition. Together, they devise a plan to hijack the score, take everyone down and get away clean. “