The Blu-ray Blog » Julie Andrews http://www.theblurayblog.com Blu-ray disc news, reviews, releases, movies, films on PS3, Playstation, players, drives, Apple, Mac, OSX, HD, HDTVTue, 04 Jan 2011 16:58:41 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4The Top 10 Best and Worst Blu-ray Discs of 2010 http://www.theblurayblog.com/2011/01/the-top-10-best-and-worst-blu-ray-discs-of-2010/ http://www.theblurayblog.com/2011/01/the-top-10-best-and-worst-blu-ray-discs-of-2010/#commentsTue, 04 Jan 2011 06:09:16 +0000Brendenhttp://www.theblurayblog.com/?p=13706
2010 was a banner year for our favourite home video format. There are a lot of critics saying that it’s the year that Blu-ray really came into its own, with more new titles and overwhelming catalogue support from the majors as well as killer releases from smaller studios. And I tend to agree.

When looking over the best discs of the last twelve months, I had a hell of time singling out a mere ten titles as “The Best” of the year. I could have easily propagated the list with titles from The Criterion Collection, whose commitment to Blu-ray shone through this past year with a host of discs that may go on to define the format for years to come. It would have been equally as simple to pick ten restored classic films from the various studios, as their best work on the best-of-the-best from their film libraries quite often speaks to the benefits of the format. Or ten sparkling, brand-new releases, in all their perfect, demo-disc glory. But I’ve attempted to find a balance in my list of the best Blu-ray discs of the year – new films, classic films, Criterion releases, boxed sets, TV shows, etc. I don’t feel this is by any means definitive. But it’s a fair look back at the best year of Blu-ray releases yet.

2011 certainly has a lot to live up to!

NOTE: This list reflects only the titles released in North America – Region A.


1. AMERICA LOST AND FOUND: THE BBS STORY

THE BBS STORY: AMERICA LOST AND FOUND

As I noted above, I could have easily filled this list with selections from The Criterion Collection. The studio’s output this year has been phenomenal, releasing such must-have Blu-ray discs as Lola Montes, Paths of Glory, The Red Shoes, The Thin Red Line and Night of the Hunter in incredible new, fully restored, feature rich high-def editions. Each one of those title, and many others from Criterion, would be worthy of the top slot on this list but for my money, their America Lost and Found: The BBS Story takes the cake this year!

This is a pretty perfect boxed set. I really couldn’t ask for more – 7 great films on 6 Blu-ray discs in one well-designed box with one 112-page book! It’s not just the sheer amount of films that Criterion delivers for your buck here but the complete nature of the collection (the entire BBS oeuvre, rare films and all), the quality of the discs and the bonus content on them. Out of all the films, we had only seen Easy Rider on Blu thus far and as much as its a treat to finally see some of my favourite films in high-def (The Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces, The King of Marvin Gardens) its equally as thrilling to experience their rarely seen sister films (Head, A Safe Place and Drive, He Said) in such a perfect collection, looking and sounding better than ever.

I can’t recommend this boxed set highly enough. I think it’s the Blu-ray release of the year!

READ MORE: Criterion Collection America Lost and Found: The BBS Story Blu-ray set contains Easy Rider, Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces

AMAZON: $89.99


2. THE ALIEN ANTHOLOGY

THE ALIEN ANTHOLOGY

The Alien Anthology Blu-ray set is such a beautiful thing. Nevermind that it includes all four of the original films, two of which (the two that really matter) look mind-blowingly good, but the set also includes more special features than you’ll probably ever be able watch and listen to unless you’re as obsessive-compulsive about the films you love as I am. After spending time with this 6-disc set (one for each film and two for extras) I almost feel like each individual component is worth the price of the box on its own. I’m particularly knocked out by the extremely candid and thorough documentaries included in the set. The Alien 3 piece is such a revelation it might just boot you onto your ass. All six discs are housed in a hardcover book (the discs are slipped within very firm pages with nested trays) which slips into a shiny, creepy Alien box package.

Highest possible recommendation!!

READ MORE: Alien Anthology Blu-ray Boxed Set Officially Announced and Detailed

AMAZON: $69.99


3. APOCALYPSE NOW: FULL DISCLOSURE EDITION

Apocalypse Now (Three-Disc Full Disclosure Edition) (Apocalypse Now / Apocalypse Now Redux / Hearts of Darkness) [Blu-ray] (1979)

I honestly believe that unless Francis Ford Coppola has something else up his sleeve, this new 3-disc Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure Edition Blu-ray set is the final home-video word on the film. Not only is the transfer reference quality with a killer DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, but the added features alone – both cuts of the film, commentary tracks, behind the scenes footage and featurettes, Eleanor Coppola‘s groundbreaking feature-length doc, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse and so much more – make this set worth the purchase! It’s a must-own for all Blu-ray fans!

READ MORE: Apocalypse Now, Hearts of Darkness doc coming to Blu-ray

AMAZON: $37.99


4. THE SOUND OF MUSIC

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

I’ve got two admissions to make here. The first is that I’ve never cared for The Sound of Music. The second is that this new Blu-ray edition of the film blew my mind and made me a fan. It’s true! Swear to God. The Sound of Music is, hands down, the best looking restoration of the year (okay, maybe it’s tied with Criterion’s The Red Shoes Blu-ray disc.) Want to impress your friends with your home video setup? Got a couple of jerks in your circle of pals who insist that there’s no point in buying older films on Blu? Pop in The Sound of Music and make their eyes jump out of their heads. The disc is fantastic, technically amazing and packed with extras. Another must-have for film fans.

READ MORE: The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

AMAZON: $19.99


5. AVATAR EXTENDED COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Avatar (Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition + BD-Live) [Blu-ray] (2009)

It’s tough to beat the heavyweight champ. The biggest film of the past year or possibly even of all time. James Cameron’s Avatar makes its triumphant return to Blu-ray in a 3-disc set that is, without question, the finest new-release Blu-ray of the past year.

Not only is this Extended Collector’s Edition packed to the gills with the deleted scenes and extras you’ve been waiting the year to see but it also features three cuts of the award winning film, all demo-disc worthy. With the technical quality of the video and audio presentation off the charts (and surprisingly equal to the stand alone disc available earlier this year) this Blu-ray set is easily the best, most complete new-release of the year!!

READ MORE: Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 16 – AVATAR EXTENDED COLLECTOR’S EDITION

AMAZON: $23.99


6. THE COMPLETE METROPOLIS

The Complete Metropolis [Blu-ray] (1927)

The Complete Metropolis is unquestionably one of the finest and most important Blu-ray releases of the year. This restoration, incorporating 25-minutes of newly discovered footage back into the 1927 film for the first time in decades, is absolutely stunning in high-def and is necessary viewing for every film fan. The unfortunate ommision of the U.K. commentary track keeps this disc from the number one slot but don’t let that keep you from owning a copy. If you’re a fan of film, you owe it to yourself to grab this up.

READ MORE: The Complete Metropolis Blu-ray Disc Review

AMAZON: $29.49


7. DEADWOOD: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Deadwood: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]

I hope you’ve been working out because HBO’s 13-disc Deadwood: The Complete Series Blu-ray boxed set is a seriously weighty affair. This is one solid brick of high-def western goodness! The discs, which feature all 36-episodes from the series’ three seasons as well as gobs of special features, are housed within the pages of a gorgeous, solid hardcover book – much the same as last years’ Rome: The Complete Series set. The packaging is honestly a beautiful thing to behold, providing a slipcase for the book and all of the discs to rest in. Along with stunning video transfers, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks that border on perfection and all of the special features from the previously issued DVD sets (17 audio commentaries and over 6-hours of HD docs and featurettes), you’ll be hard pressed to find anything to dislike about this amazing Blu-ray boxed set. Unless, of course, you have an aversion to foul-mouthed (VERY foul) cowboys.

READ MORE: HBO’s Deadwood: The Complete Series Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

AMAZON: $124.99


8. INCEPTION

Inception (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)

Christopher Nolan‘s Inception might just have been my favourite Hollywood film of 2010. I’m fully aware of all the character deficiencies and possible plot holes in the script but I don’t care. The film managed an incredible feat, as far as I’m concerned and spent the first three-quarters of the narrative setting it up – a storytelling gag wherein a group of characters live and interact at different speeds within different dream states. It’s a fantastic narrative gymnastic feat that has never been attempted before and I think it succeeds in a marvelous way. Also, I can’t stop listening to Hans Zimmer‘s incredible score for the film. Seriously. Every time I put my iPod on it’s Inception. I think it might be bordering on unhealthy. Great film presented on a slick looking, ear pounding, feature rich Blu-ray disc.

READ MORE: Inception Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

AMAZON: $17.99


9. THE GHOST WRITER

The Ghost Writer (Single-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2010)

Roman Polanski‘s The Ghost Writer is one of the best films I’ve seen all year and one of the director’s absolute best in decades. It’s got a great script by Robert Harris (adapting his novel of the same name) with some incredible performances by some of my favourite actors (I’ll watch pretty much anything starring Ewan McGregor.) The Blu-ray is demo-disc worthy with a sparkling clean transfer and rich DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack but less remarkable in the special feature department than other discs released this year. I include it here, in the number nine slot by virtue of the quality of the film and its technical presentation itself. Highly Recommended.

READ MORE: Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of August 3 – THE GHOST WRITER

AMAZON: $23.99


10. A PROPHET

A Prophet [Blu-ray] (2009)

Combine the HBO prison drama OZ with a touch of the Godfather and you’ve got a glimpse of where Jacques Audiard‘s A Prophet will lead you. It feels epic at its monster 149-minute run-time but honestly doesn’t waste a minute of screen time. This is two-and-a-half very tense hours that will fly right by. One of the best films of 2009 and highly recommended on this stunning yet feature-lite Blu-ray!

AMAZON: $28.99


There were so many more excellent Blu-ray discs released this past year, there’s no way I can touch on them all but the meager selection of covers below will give you a taste of what I was most passionate about in 2010:

The Bridge on the River Kwai [Blu-ray] (1957)Doctor Zhivago Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray Book) (1965)King Kong [Blu-ray Book] (1933)Jason and the Argonauts [Blu-ray]

The African Queen [Blu-ray] (1952)The Pacific (HBO Miniseries) [Blu-ray]Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]Ponyo (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2008)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2009)Evangelion: 1.11 You Are Not Alone [Blu-ray] (2010)Fantasia / Fantasia 2000 (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)The Secret of Kells (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2010)

Stagecoach (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (1939)M (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (1931)Black Narcissus (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (1947)The Red Shoes (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] (1948)

An Education [Blu-ray] (2009)The White Ribbon [Blu-ray] (2009)The Secret in Their Eyes [Blu-ray] (2010)Cemetery Junction [Blu-ray] (2010)
Red Cliff International Version - Part I & Part II [Blu-ray] (2009)Zombieland [Blu-ray] (2009)Sherlock Jr. / Three Ages [Blu-ray] (1924)Battleship Potemkin [Blu-ray] (1925)


CLICK FOR THE TOP 10 WORST BLU-RAY DISCS OF 2010

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Blu-ray Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Gift Sets http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/12/blu-ray-holiday-gift-guide-2010-gift-sets/ http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/12/blu-ray-holiday-gift-guide-2010-gift-sets/#commentsTue, 07 Dec 2010 14:52:46 +0000Brendenhttp://www.theblurayblog.com/?p=13237Winter is upon us, the snow is falling and the holiday shopping season is well under way. Now, more than ever, we’re faced with such a vast selection of amazing Blu-ray discs packaged in special collector’s multi-disc sets that it can be tough to know just what to add to your wish list or what to buy for that special Blu-ray loving someone. Hopefully this list will provide you a nice place to start.

Tomorrow: TV on Blu-ray!

MORE GIFT IDEAS:


* TV ON BLU
* ANIMATION
* CLASSICS
* THE BEST OF THE YEAR


THE BBS STORY: AMERICA LOST AND FOUND

If you follow The Blu-ray Blog at all, you’ll know of my deep, sincere love for pretty much everything that comes out of the Criterion Collection. It’s easy to be a fanboy when damn near every disc they release features a picture-perfect presentation and is packed to the gills with extras. But this seven film box set aptly named America Lost and Found: The BBS Story is really something special. The studio has gone above and beyond here, releasing their biggest and best Blu-ray boxed set to date. All the films from the famous (Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Last Picture Show, The King of Marvin Gardens) to the less well know (Head, Drive He Said, A Safe Place) are handled with equal skill – each looking and sounding better than ever before and loaded with special features. Each film is housed in its own beautifully designed slipcase, complemented by the box packaging and the incredible 112-page illustrated book of essays on the films.

I can’t recommend this boxed set highly enough. It might very well be the release of the year.

READ MORE: Criterion Collection America Lost and Found: The BBS Story Blu-ray set contains Easy Rider, Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces

AMAZON: $87.99


THE ALIEN ANTHOLOGY

The Alien Anthology Blu-ray set is such a beautiful thing. Nevermind that it includes all four of the original films, two of which (the two that really matter) look mind-blowingly good, but the set also includes more special features than you’ll probably ever be able watch and listen to unless you’re as obsessive-compulsive about the films you love as I am. After spending time with this 6-disc set (one for each film and two for extras) I almost feel like each individual component is worth the price of the box on its own. I’m particularly knocked out by the extremely candid and thorough documentaries included in the set. The Alien 3 piece is such a revelation it might just knock you on your ass. All six discs are housed in a hardcover book (the discs are slipped within very firm pages with nested trays) which slips into a shiny, creepy Alien box package.

Highest possible recommendation!!

READ MORE: Alien Anthology Blu-ray Boxed Set Officially Announced and Detailed

AMAZON: $69.99


THE SOUND OF MUSIC

I’ve got two admissions to make here. The first is that I’ve never cared for The Sound of Music. The second is that this new Blu-ray edition of the film blew my mind and made me a fan. It’s true! Swear to God. The Sound of Music is, hands down, the best looking restoration of the year. Want to impress your friends with your home video setup? Got a couple of jerks in your circle of pals who insist that there’s no point in buying older films on Blu? Pop in The Sound of Music and make their eyes jump out of their heads. The edition you see pictured above is the full-on gift set, complete with soundtrack, books and goo-gahs. The film is also available in a simple 3-disc combo-pack (Amazon: $18.99.)

READ MORE: The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

AMAZON: $59.99


ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST

One Flew over the Cukoo’s Nest was previously released in a nice, hardcover digibook edition Blu-ray. Warner’s newest release of the film features a very similar presentation but extends the “making of” documentary. Sadly, the audio is still only presented in the compressed version found on the previous disc. Still, this is an amazing film in a beautiful box that contains playing cards, posters, character cards, pre-production correspondence and movie trivia.

AMAZON: $34.49


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray] (2004)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Ultimate Edition) [Blu-ray] (2005)

Oh. Em. Gee. Do you remember how I went off about the Harry Potter Ultimate Edition Box sets last year? Well, get ready for another barrage of praise, this time tempered with a hint of disappointment.

Both The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire get the full-on, Ultimate Edition Blu-ray treatment this year, joining the wonderful Philosopher Stone and Chamber of Secrets sets of 2009. Both films carry over their nearly-perfect high-def presentations and extras from previously issued discs while adding a host of brand new special features and collectibles all housed in magnetically latched box packaging. ‘The World of Harry Potter‘ 8-part documentary continues with parts three and four in these sets and is, once again nearly worth the price of purchase alone. The accompanying hardcover books are a nice compliment to each part of the doc. Missing from the Ultimate sets this time around are alternate cuts of the films (both directors have gone on record stating that the theatrical cuts are the only ones they care to present) and the picture-in-picture tracks.

READ MORE: New Harry Potter: Ultimate Edition Blu-ray sets announced for Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire

AMAZON: $33.99 each


Toy Story Trilogy (10-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

This toy box of Toy Story is a really great gift for those who haven’t picked up any of the individual Blu-ray releases from the series. It’s essentially just a bundling of the combo-pack discs from each film with nothing new added aside from the handsome box. So, if you’ve already got the 3-disc Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and the 4-disc Toy Story 3, there’s not much to see here. But if you’ve been holding out for whatever reason, or if you know someone who has, now is the time to dive in to the toy box!

AMAZON: $64.99


Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

I still haven’t managed to get my hands on the Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary boxed set but by all accounts this is one of the best Blu-ray releases of the year. I understand that the new high-def transfers are gorgeous and the 2-hours of brand new special features are worth watching. I’ve got this one on my list and hope to see it under the tree in a couple of weeks!

READ MORE: Back To The Future Trilogy Blu-ray Boxed Set Officially Announced

AMAZON: $49.99


Shrek: The Whole Story Boxed Set (Shrek / Shrek 2 / Shrek the Third / Shrek Forever After) [Blu-ray] (2010)

I’m not personally a big fan of the Shrek films but my four-year old niece certainly is. This Shrek: The Whole Story Boxed Set is like a dream come true for her, packaging together all of the films with over 7-hours of special features.

AMAZON: $39.99


RoboCop Trilogy [Blu-ray]

I’m a huge, unabashed fan of Robocop – the film, not the franchise. So, this boxed set is a bit of a bittersweet release. I was hoping for a better transfer of the first film and the special features from the 2-disc DVD set but alas, the set only features bare-bones editions of the films. It’s a great gift for fans of the character or the series as a whole, as this is the first time the sequels are available in high-def and they both look and sound pretty great.

READ MORE: Robocop Trilogy Blu-ray Disc Review

AMAZON: $36.49


The Goonies (25th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray] (1985)

Here’s another set on my wish list this year – the Goonies: 25th Anniversary set comes jam-packed with a lot of collectibles I’m not interested (ok, maybe I’d play that Goonies board game once or twice over the holiday season) but I genuinely love this film and remain excited to see it in high-def.

READ MORE: Goonies: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray coming in November

AMAZON: $34.99


Apocalypse Now (Three-Disc Full Disclosure Edition) (Apocalypse Now / Apocalypse Now Redux / Hearts of Darkness) [Blu-ray] (1979)

Oh boy. If Santa brings me anything this year, I hope it’s a stocking full of Apocalypse! I’ve been longing for this 3-disc deluxe ‘Full Disclosure Edition‘ set ever since we caught wind of it earlier this year and I swear, I’m buying it on boxing day if I don’t unwrap it the day before. It contains both cuts of Apocalypse Now, the Hearts of Darkness documentary and a crap-ton of special features. Drool drool drool…

READ MORE: Apocalypse Now, Hearts of Darkness doc coming to Blu-ray

AMAZON: $37.99


MORE GIFT IDEAS:


* TV ON BLU
* ANIMATION
* CLASSICS
* THE BEST OF THE YEAR

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Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 2 http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/11/top-5-new-blu-ray-releases-for-the-week-of-november-2/ http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/11/top-5-new-blu-ray-releases-for-the-week-of-november-2/#commentsTue, 02 Nov 2010 15:28:10 +0000Brendenhttp://www.theblurayblog.com/?p=12654

ARGH!! It’s another one of those killer, five-million-amazing-new Blu-ray-disc release weeks! Having so many great new titles out all at the same time makes it damn near impossible to choose a best and a second best release of the week. Unlike last week, where I felt the Alien Anthology was clearly the must-own newly released title, I wouldn’t blame you if you grabbed up any one of the discs listed below. They’re all equally amazing! But for the sake of the Top 5, here they are in somewhat arbitrary order…


1. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (45TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

The Sound of Music (45th Anniversary Edition) (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1965)


There are a few classic releases out on Blu-ray this week but none sport a superior transfer or feature set to The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition. This is probably your best bet. Unless you hate musicals. In which case, I would usher you on to our number two pick this week.

For more information, read our rundown of the Blu-ray disc set here: The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

Special Features:

Limited Edition Collector’s Set

  • 2-Disc Blu-ray with all extras as detailed below
  • Standard Definition DVD
  • 45th Anniversary Soundtrack
  • 100-Page “My Favorite Things” scrapbook
  • Snapshots from Salzburg
  • Reproduction of the original 1965 Souvenir program
  • Exclusive “My Favorite Things” Music Box with letter of authenticity

Blu-ray Details: Blu-ray Disc 1:

  • Feature Film Remastered in 1080p Hi-Def with 7.1 DTS-HD Sound
  • 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
  • Audio Commentaries with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Director Robert Wise
  • BD-LIVE**: Live Lookup™ Powered by IMDb®

Blu-ray Disc 2:

  • 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
  • A City of Song — Virtual Map of Filming Locations in Salzburg, Austria
  • Vintage Rodgers & Hammerstein and The Sound of Music Programs
  • Screen Tests, Rare Treasures, Interviews, Photo Galleries & More!

DVD Disc:

  • Feature Film In Standard Definition
    • Newly Remastered Picture and Sound
    • Optional Sing-Along Track
  • Music Machine Sing-Along
  • The Sound of Music Tour – A Living Story

Amazon: $19.99

ALSO AVAILABLE: The Sound of Music (Limited Edition Collector’s Set) – $59.99


2. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI

The Bridge on the River Kwai [Blu-ray] (1957)

David Lean on Blu-ray. ‘Nuff said, right? Well, The Bridge on the River Kwai is most certainly my personal top pick of the week but while it looks and sounds way better on Blu than ever before on a home video format, the disc itself is simply just not as technically impressive as The Sound of Music and doesn’t include anywhere near the exhaustive amount of special features as that title. Bridge is a must-own for any film fan but won’t blow you away, if you’re looking for the colour and pizazz of newer, slicker discs.

READ MORE: The Bridge on the River Kwai Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

Amazon: $20.99


3. TOY STORY 3

Toy Story 3 (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2010)

Toy Story 3 is, without question, one of the best films of the year. I finally got a chance to see it thanks to the Blu-ray screener that showed up last week and I have to say, the movie really delivers on every level. One of the finest to come out of Pixar. And, it goes without saying, that the digital-to-digital transfer is absolutely pixel-perfect, affording the Blu-ray disc one of the most stunning images of any disc released this year. The 4-disc combo pack includes a seemingly endless supply of special features as well as a DVD and digital copy of the film.

READ MORE: Toy Story 3 and Ultimate Toy Box 3-movie collection coming to Blu-ray

Amazon: $24.99


4. THE PACIFIC

The Pacific (HBO Miniseries) [Blu-ray]

I haven’t watched HBO‘s The Pacific yet (still waiting on my review copy!) but I’m setting this robust disc-set in the number-four position this week on the basis of the quality of it’s sibling show, Band of Brothers. If The Pacific is anywhere near as brilliant as Brothers, it’ll end up being one of my favourite TV shows of the year. And if the Blu-ray set is anywhere near as perfect as Brothers’, The Pacific could be a contender for TV-on-Blu set of the year!

READ MORE: HBO The Pacific Blu-ray set announced and detailed

Amazon: $56.99


5. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (1968)

Ian Fleming wrote more than James Bond novels back in the day. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a Ken Hughes/Roald Dahl adaptation of Fleming’s children book about an eccentric professor and the fantastic car he invents. No screener for this one yet either but I’m hoping for the best for the transfer. The special features on the disc are, sadly, quite focused on the younger-set but thankfully offer up a few nuggets for cinefiles, like the “Remembering Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Dick Van Dyke” and “A Fantasmagorical Motorcar” featurettes.

Amazon: $19.49


6. THE GOONIES (25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

The Goonies (25th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray] (1985)

Another week with six films in the Top 5?! I just couldn’t let the list go without mentioning that The Goonies is out on Blu-ray today. I’m excited to see it for the first time in years in this new Blu-ray edition from Warner. If you’re not interested in picking up this huge boxed-set edition of the film, filled to the brim with goo-gahs and goodies, I’m certain that there will be a film-only release cropping up at some point in the next year. As much as I want to see the film again, I’ll be holding out for the version without the crap.

READ MORE: The Goonies: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray coming in November

Amazon: $34.99


TV ON BLU-RAY: V: The Complete First Season

V: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray] (2009)

Despite my better sense, I really enjoy this revisionist modern version of V. I doesn’t have the impact of the original mini-series’ (naturally, as both the original and sequel series were finite stories with a definitive ending) but it certainly has its charms. The cast is strong and the sci-fi concepts are as fun as ever. I wish the show had a bigger budget or was given more production time though, as I find myself being taken out of the program every time the characters appear to be floating in their greenscreen environments. And they float a lot. The second season of V kicks off in January with a very special, very evil guest star from the original series! Can’t wait!

Amazon: $33.99


ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:

Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales (Two Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (Blu-ray 3D Version) (2008)IMAX: Wild Ocean (Blu-ray 3D Version) (2008)IMAX: Dinosaurs Alive! (Blu-ray 3D Version) (2007)



White Christmas [Blu-ray] (1954)Highlander (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray] (1986)Highlander 2 [Blu-ray] (1991)Centurion [Blu-ray] (Limited Edition + Digital Copy) (2010)



The Wiz [Blu-ray] (1978)Fallen [Blu-ray] (2007)ExTerminators [Blu-ray] (2009)Once Fallen [Blu-ray] (2010)


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[VIDEO] Fox Blu-ray Demo features Alien Anthology, Sound of Music, Moulin Rouge and more! http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/10/video-fox-blu-ray-demo-features-alien-anthology-sound-of-music-moulin-rouge-and-more/ http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/10/video-fox-blu-ray-demo-features-alien-anthology-sound-of-music-moulin-rouge-and-more/#commentsFri, 22 Oct 2010 14:46:03 +0000Brendenhttp://www.theblurayblog.com/?p=12458

If you’re reading The Blu-ray Blog, you most likely don’t need to be sold on the benefits of the technology. And if you follow us at all, you most likely don’t need to be sold any further on Fox‘s amazing slate of recent and upcoming releases on the format. We’ve published a crap-ton of articles on the Alien Anthology, The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition, Moulin Rouge and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Blu-ray discs. Having just received them a couple of days ago, I can personally speak to the outstanding quality of the Moulin Rouge and Rocky Horror releases on the format. I’m simply blown away by the high-standard of the transfers, extras and packaging of these discs and can easily place them amongst the finest of the year.

As to the video above, well, clearly there’s a little something lost in the translation from the high-bandwidth, high-def Blu-ray presentation to the crunched down, compressed YouTube stream you see here. But hey, you get the point, right? Blu-ray rocks! High five!

Via: Bleeding Cool

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The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray officially announced and detailed http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/08/the-sound-of-music-45th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray-officially-announced-and-detailed/ http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/08/the-sound-of-music-45th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray-officially-announced-and-detailed/#commentsMon, 30 Aug 2010 15:08:19 +0000Brendenhttp://www.theblurayblog.com/?p=11610

At long last, Fox has officially unveiled the details of their epic The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray disc sets, due on store shelves this November! You’ll have your choice of a reasonably priced 3-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack or a gargantuan gift set, packed to the living-hills with commemorative stuff like a 100-Page “My Favorite Things” scrapbook and a copy of the films soundtrack.

From the press release:

    Meticulously Restored and Re-mastered, The Sound Of Music 45th Anniversary Edition is presented with new 7.1 audio and offers BD-LIVE: Live Lookup Powered by IMDb; Your Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration featuring a Sing-A-Long, behind-the-scenes images, trivia and a location quiz; A City of Song with a virtual map of filming locations and interactive tour of the movie’s locale of Salzburg, Austria; vintage programs including a hilarious send-up of The Sound of Music from Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews herself; an enchanting interview with the real Maria von Trapp on The Julie Andrews Hour; and, for the very first time in home entertainment format, a spectacular full-length documentary, Rodgers & Hammerstein: The Sound of American Music, hosted by Mary Martin; and much more.

We’re still waiting on the final package art to come in from Fox. In the meantime, here’s a look at some early UK Blu-ray packaging.

UPDATE: PACKAGE ART!!!

The Sound of Music (45th Anniversary Edition) Blu-ray


THE SOUND OF MUSIC: 45TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION


(November 2, 2010 – Blu-ray/DVD combo pack MSRP $37.99, Limited Collector’s Set $99.99)
Video: 2:20:1 1080p
Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Special Features:

Limited Edition Collector’s Set

  • 2-Disc Blu-ray with all extras as detailed below
  • Standard Definition DVD
  • 45th Anniversary Soundtrack
  • 100-Page “My Favorite Things” scrapbook
  • Snapshots from Salzburg
  • Reproduction of the original 1965 Souvenir program
  • Exclusive “My Favorite Things” Music Box with letter of authenticity

Blu-ray Details: Blu-ray Disc 1:

  • Feature Film Remastered in 1080p Hi-Def with 7.1 DTS-HD Sound
  • 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
  • Audio Commentaries with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Director Robert Wise
  • BD-LIVE**: Live Lookup™ Powered by IMDb®

Blu-ray Disc 2:

  • 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
  • A City of Song — Virtual Map of Filming Locations in Salzburg, Austria
  • Vintage Rodgers & Hammerstein and The Sound of Music Programs
  • Screen Tests, Rare Treasures, Interviews, Photo Galleries & More!

DVD Disc:

  • Feature Film In Standard Definition
    • Newly Remastered Picture and Sound
    • Optional Sing-Along Track
  • Music Machine Sing-Along
  • The Sound of Music Tour – A Living Story

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[VIDEO] The Sound of Music (45th Anniversary Edition) Blu-ray Trailer http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/02/video-the-sound-of-music-45th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray-trailer/ http://www.theblurayblog.com/2010/02/video-the-sound-of-music-45th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray-trailer/#commentsMon, 22 Feb 2010 01:04:56 +0000Brendenhttp://www.theblurayblog.com/?p=8119

Fox has plans to release a 45th Anniversary Edition of their classic film, The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer! They haven’t revealed any details or a firm date yet but they have released this fantastic little teaser trailer which tells us to expect the disc around the holidays this year. Can’t wait!

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