The Blu-ray Blog » Paramount

Hugo Blu-ray announced and detailed

Brenden — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:40:21 +0000

Oh man, I can’t believe Scorsese‘s Hugo has already been announced for release on Blu-ray. Didn’t it just make its theatrical debut a few weeks ago? I’m going to be gutted if I don’t get a chance to see it in 3D in the cinema, as this one was shot in the format and, apparently, takes subtle advantage of it. These shorter release windows are killing me. In any case, check out the disc details below, as Hugo will be available in two flavours at two different prices – a 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo and a 3-disc set with the 3D version.

HUGO
(February 28, 2012 – MSRP $44.99 [2-disc], $54.99 [3-disc])
Video: 1.85:1 1080p
Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Special Features:

Shoot the Moon (The Making of Hugo)
The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès
The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo
Big Effects, Small Scale
Sacha Baron Cohen: Role of a Lifetime

Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Blu-ray tomorrow, video message from Michael Bay

Brenden — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:38:16 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video]

Michael Bay wants you to know that this 4-disc version of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Blu-ray is the one to get. It’s out in shops tomorrow (Tuesday the 31st) and stacked with 3 hours of brand new bonus features. Oh yeah, and in case you love you some 3D, this disc set has got that too. Watch the video above and check out all the disc details below.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON 3D
(January 31, 2012 – MSRP $54.99)
Video: 2.39:1 1080p
Audio: 7.1 Dolby TrueHD

Disc 1 (Blu-ray):

Feature film in high definition

Disc 2 (Blu-ray):

Above and Beyond: Exploring Dark of the Moon
- Rising from the Fallen: Development and Design
- Ready for Prime Time: Filming Across America
- Battle in the Heartland: Shooting in Chicago
- Attack of the Birdmen: Aerial Stunts
- Shadow of the Sentinel: Post-Production and Release
Uncharted Territory: NASA’s Future Then and Now
Deconstructing Chicago: Multi-Angle Sequences
- Previsualizations with optional commentary by director Michael Bay and previsualization supervisor Steve Yamamoto
- Previsualizations/Final Shot Comparison with optional commentary by director Michael Bay and previsualization supervisor Steve Yamamoto
- Visual Effects with optional commentary by visual effects supervisors Scott Farrar and Matthew Butler
- Visual Effects/Final Shot Comparison with optional commentary by visual effects supervisors Scott Farrar and Matthew Butler
The Art of CYBERTRON AUTOBOTS
DECEPTICONS
Environments
Weapons and Gear
Ships

The Dark of the Moon Archive

3D: A Transforming Visual Art
Moscow World Premiere
Birdmen Featurette
Cody’s iPad
The Sound of Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The Matrix of Marketing

Trailers
Marketing Gallery

Disc 3 (Blu-ray 3D):

Feature film in high definition 3D

Disc 4 (DVD):

Feature film in standard definition
Digital Copy—Compatible with iTunes® and Windows Media

Chinatown coming to Blu-ray

Brenden — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:36:28 +0000

More great news! Paramount has announced that they’re finally ready to unleash Roman Polanski‘s finest film on Blu-ray. Chinatown, one of my favourite films of all time and possibly the best and most influential modern noir, makes its HD debut this coming April 3rd, complete with “a new high definition transfer” and a surprisingly robust set of special features that includes a three part documentary and a commentary track by screenwriter Robert Towne and – wait for it – David Fincher?!

I’m not complaining about Fincher’s inclusion in the commentary – if anything, he’ll probably be more willing to dive into the controversial aspects of the work than anyone present during filming – but it seems an odd choice to feature a filmmaker on a commentary track when said filmmaker wasn’t involved in the creation of the film. That said, some of the best commentaries out there are by critics and scholars and not the directors, writers, producers or actors themselves. Anyway, I’m excited about this disc and, if the transfer manages to impress, anticipate it being one of my favourite discs of the year.

From the press release:

Teeming with murder, corruption, greed and sex, director Roman Polanski’s unforgettable classic CHINATOWN arrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray April 3, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston, the film follows an intricate web of deception as private investigator Jake Gittes (Nicholson) unravels a mystery involving water rights that are critical to the development of Los Angeles, as well as unspeakable family secrets. Written by Academy Award® winner Robert Towne, CHINATOWN was nominated for 11 Oscars® and was named by the AFI as one of the top 25 American films ever made.

With a new high definition transfer, the CHINATOWN Blu-ray sports packaging that features the original theatrical poster and includes a collectible booklet. The disc includes over 2 ½ hours of bonus material such as an illuminating, feature-length commentary by screenwriter Robert Towne and director David Fincher (Zodiac); an in-depth, three-part documentary on the history and impact of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the continuing efforts to cultivate water resources for the metropolis; an appreciation of the film by prominent filmmakers; a look at the filming; an exploration of the legacy of this cinematic masterpiece; and more.“

CHINATOWN
(April 3, 2012 – MSRP $26.98)
Video: 2.39:1 1080p
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1/mono

Special Features:

Commentary with Robert Towne and David Fincher— Towne and Fincher offer unique insights into this classic film. No matter how many times you’ve watched Chinatown, this commentary will open your eyes to a whole new experience.
Water and Power (HD)— In this three-part documentary, Robert Towne visits sites along the original Los Angeles Aqueduct for the first time. He is informed of the social and environmental impacts and given insight into the major issues around the creation and ongoing operation of the aqueduct.
- The Aqueduct (HD)— The City of Los Angeles completed the 233-mile gravity-fed aqueduct from the Owens Valley in 1913, under the leadership of a self-taught engineer named William Mulholland. L.A. Department of Water and Power representatives along with Catherine Mulholland, granddaughter of the engineer, discuss the development of the aqueduct and its contribution to the growth of the nation’s second-largest city.
- The Aftermath (HD)— For decades a large rural community was desiccated under the management of water rights by the City of Los Angeles over a vast area of the Owens Valley. Legal victories beginning in the 1970’s lead to successful reductions in environmental damages and the restoration of some natural habitats. Historians, local ranchers and activists discuss the up-to-date impacts of the aqueduct and struggle to maintain a stable environment and community.
- The River & Beyond (HD)— Prior to the building of the first aqueduct a century ago Los Angeles relied solely on its own local water supply: the Los Angeles River and its aquifer. Today the river as a water resource is largely forgotten. Currently there are plans to re-develop the river to reduce L.A.’s dependence on imported water, reducing the environmental impact on distant communities, while creating parks and open spaces for the city.
Chinatown: An Appreciation— Chinatown has been hailed as a perfect film.
Robert Towne’s cynical labyrinth of secrets and sin, Roman Polanski at the top of his form, Jack Nicholson in all his glory, Faye Dunaway at her sexiest and most mysterious, John Huston as one of the creepiest and most unrepentant villains of all time, the great cinematography, the wonderful score, the bandage on the nose…

In this featurette, prominent filmmakers express their personal admiration for the film:
- Steven Soderbergh – Director – Traffic
- James Newton Howard – Composer – The Dark Knight
- Kimberly Peirce – Writer/Director – Boys Don’t Cry
- Roger Deakins – Cinematographer – No Country For Old Men
Chinatown: The Beginning and the End
Chinatown: Filming
Chinatown: The Legacy
Theatrical Trailer (HD)

Kung-Fu Panda 2 Blu-ray coming next week

Brenden — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:57:05 +0000

When I first reported on Kung-Fu Panda 2 coming to Blu-ray way back in July, there were only a handful of pre-order hints about the disc lingering around the fringes of the internets. Well, now that we’re just over a week away from its official release on October 13th I thought I’d post the full feature list, found below and the nifty, detailed trailer above. I’ve got the disc in hand and will have a full review for you early next week. I’m really looking forward to diving into it.

KUNG-FU PANDA 2
(December 13, 2011 – MSRP $49.99)
Video: 2.39:1 1080p
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 7.1

SPECIAL FEATURES:

An episode of Nickeleodeon’s Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness television series
Kickin’ It with the Cast featurette which highlights old and new cast members
Three deleted scenes, hosted by director Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Filmmakers’ commentary with director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach, and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer, and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden
World of DreamWorks Animation promos
Previews
Sneak peek at DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular
Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters feature
Panda Stories featurette on the animals that inspired Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2
Kung Fu Shuffle featurette where Master Shifu teaches an update of the classic shell game
Ni Hao—Learn Chinese featurette
Two Kung Fu Panda World memberships
Blu-ray Exclusives

Animation Inspiration featurette on the real locations that influenced the film
The Animators’ Corner featurette with the film’s creators, animators, and cast and crew offering commentary on Kung Fu Panda 2‘s development
Pop-up trivia track

Top New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 22

Brenden — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:25:44 +0000

I actually started tackling this post early this week, knowing full well that the onslaught of Black Friday deals would chip away at what little free time I would have to look at and review new Blu-ray discs. But alas, I find myself in the unfortunate position of publishing this New Release update late in the day as per usual. Luckily, there’s a lot of good stuff to check out here. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page for titles I didn’t get a chance to review like Three Amigos!, Birth of a Nation and the latest season set of the Doctor Who TV show.

As always, clicking the Blu-ray package art will zip you over to Amazon where every purchase you make through our links helps the site stay on its feet. We appreciate every single click and thank you again for continuing to read The Blu-ray Blog.

Blu-ray disc of the week: SUPER 8

JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg join forces in this extraordinary tale of friendship, mystery, and adventure. Super 8 tells the story of six friends who accidentally film a train wreck only to discover that something unimaginable escaped during the crash. Now, the only thing more mysterious than what it is – is what it wants. Experience the film that critics rave is, “filled with unstoppable imagination and visual effects to spare. It will put a spell on you.” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone.

There are those of us who’ve been longing for the type of films and the style of filmmaking we came to know and love in the early ’80s in the work of Steven Spielberg – the magical, innocent feel of Close Encounters and E.T. that seems very elusive in cinema these days. I have a feeling that we can count filmmaker J.J. Abrams among us, as his latest film Super 8 is as much a love letter to a youth spent making films on the titular handheld camera as it is to the cinematic style of a man who would become something of a mentor to him.

Super 8 has just about everything going for it. It’s so slick and well shot, it stars the best and brightest cast of young kids to appear on the big screen since The Goonies and it sports another fantastic Michael Giacchino score. And, oh yeah, Abrams is a hell of a director who, In this case, absolutely nails that vintage Spielberg tone. It’s a cracking good yarn that really only loses some steam upon the moment of the big reveal. I mean, it’s not a bad reveal, I think I was just hoping to see something new or a little more imaginative. Perhaps a younger audience would look upon the plot with fresher eyes and not see that the twist in the tale is actually tired and predictable. It’s a testament to the filmmaking and all those involved in the production, though, that the single shortcoming of the film hardly matters a whit when the movie is just so overwhelmingly entertaining.

Super 8 looks fantastic on Blu-ray. I give Paramount a tough time about a good deal of their catalogue transfers but when they put their mind to these new releases they just knock them out of the park! And this one is no exception. This Blu-ray disc is reference quality with spot on colours, deep blacks and a light, perfect sheen of film grain. The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 sound track is also a winner, providing booming lows, clean, clear dialogue and perfectly dynamic representation of the score. It’s honestly one of the most immersive tracks I’ve hear in ages. Just wait until you hear the train crash sequence. You’ll hardly believe your ears!

The Super 8 Blu-ray comes packed with special features including a killer commentary from Abrams, producer Bryan Burk, and cinematographer/lens-flare fanatic Larry Fong, a series of featurettes that, if viewed together, form an exhaustive feature-length doc about the making of the film and around 12-minutes of deleted scenes. There’s also a DVD and digital copy of the film in the package.

Highly recommended!

Special Features:

Commentary by writer/director J.J. Abrams, producer Bryan Burk and cinematographer Larry Fong
Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
- The Dream Behind Super 8
- The Search for New Faces
- Meet Joel Courtney
- Rediscovering Steel Town
- The Visitor Lives
- Scoring Super 8
- Do You Believe in Magic?
- The 8mm Revolution
Deconstructing the Train Crash
Deleted Scenes

DVD:

Feature Film
Digital Copy

AMAZON: $19.99

12 ANGRY MEN

12 Angry Men, by Sidney Lumet, may be the most radical courtroom drama in cinema history. A behind-closed-doors look at the American legal system that is as riveting as it is spare, this iconic adaptation of Reginald Rose’s teleplay stars Henry Fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a Puerto Rican teenager charged with murdering his father. The result is a saga of epic proportions that plays out over a tense afternoon in one sweltering room. Lumet’s electrifying snapshot of 1950s America on the verge of change is one of the great feature film debuts.

Some say this film, Sidney Lumet’s first is his best. And now some are saying that this new Blu-ray edition of the courtroom classic from Criterion is the best it’s ever looked or sounded. I’m dying to get my hands on it and, by gum, if it doesn’t end up in a Black Friday sale some time this week it’s going to be the number one item on this year’s Christmas list.

AMAZON: $27.99

RUSHMORE

The dazzling sophomore film from Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox) is equal parts coming-of-age story, French New Wave homage, and screwball comedy. Tenth grader Max Fischer (The Darjeeling Limited’s Jason Schwartzman) is Rushmore Academy’s most extracurricular student—and its least scholarly. He faces expulsion, and enters into unlikely friendships with both a lovely first-grade teacher (The Ghost Writer’s Olivia Williams) and a melancholy self-made millionaire (Groundhog Day’s Bill Murray, in an award-winning performance). Set to a soundtrack of classic British Invasion tunes, Rushmore defies categorization; it captures the pain and exuberance of adolescence with wit, emotional depth, and cinematic panache.

Also making my Christmas list, if it doesn’t dip in price this week, is my favourite Wes Anderson film ever. I’ve just about burned out my Criterion DVD edition of Rushmore so I guess I’m about due for this upgrade. And with this release, I can tick another title off my list of Criterion DVDs most deserving of a Blu-ray upgrade. Now if only the studio would get around to Brazil…

AMAZON: $27.99

COP LAND

This tense action -thiller explodes with nonstop excitement and riveting star performances! Sylvester Stallone stars as Freddy Heflin, the sheriff of a place everyone calls “Cop Land” – a small and seemingly town populated by big-city police officers he’s long admired. Yet something ugly is taking place behind the town’s peaceful facade. And when Freddy uncovers a massive, deadly conspiracy among these local residents, he is forced to take action – and make a dangerous choice between protecting his idols…and upholding the law!

Cop Land was released on Blu-ray a couple of weeks back by Lionsgate in the US of A. We, here in Canada, see the film hit shelves on Blu today via Alliance. This is exactly the same presentation that’s on the American disc. The only differences come in the form of branding and some trailers.

The transfer is a mixed bag and I can’t really pinpoint why. It looks really great at times, exhibiting tons of detail and definition but then, with other shots, suddenly appears soft. I can only imagine that the source material is all over the place – no doubt a result of limited budget – and resulted in this transfer that’s less than perfect. Lionsgate has been doing a bang up job with their Blu-ray presentations lately and I’d be shocked to learn that they cut corners here. All things considered, though, the disc looks pretty decent. It’s a big step up from the DVD.

Speaking of which, it’s been years since I’ve watched Cop Land and it really holds up. This is one of the best catalogue films I’ve watched recently and I’m so glad I’ve had this chance to revisit it. James Mangold writes and directs here and reminds me with every nuanced character and every show of machismo on screen why he’s the perfect choice to helm the next Wolverine film (yes, I’m actually kind of excited about Mangold directing Wolverine. Sue me!) But as awesome as the story is here, Cop Land is all about its killer cast – Sylvester Stallone, Robert DeNiro, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Patrick, Peter Berg, just about every cast member of The Sopranos and the list goes on and on.

The special features here are carried over from the previously available DVD edition of the film (which is actually included here as well, in the Canadian release) and include a decent commentary track from Mangold, Stallone, Patrick and producer Cathy Konrad, a 15-minute “making of” featurette, a storyboard comparison and a couple of pretty decent deleted scenes that you can choose to watch with optional commentary from Mangold, Stallone and Konrad.

AMAZON: CDN$ 22.09

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND

George Clooney (Up in the Air) makes his directorial debut and stars alongside Drew Barrymore (He’s Just Not That Into You), Sam Rockwell (Iron Man 2) and Julia Roberts (Eat Pray Love) in the comedy thriller that poses an irresistible question: What would happen if a wildly successful TV producer was also a top secret CIA assassin? While a maverick creator of America’s favorite game shows gains notoriety for his smash television hits, he is also drawn into a shadowy world of danger as a covert government operative! But soon his double life begins to spiral out of control. Based on Chuck Barris‘s cult classic autobiography, this entertaining comedy is a killer hit!

Exactly along the lines of Cop Land, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind was released on Blu-ray a couple of weeks back by Lionsgate in the US of A. We, here in Canada, see the film hit shelves on Blu today via Alliance. This is exactly the same presentation that’s on the American disc. The only differences come in the form of branding and some trailers.

And just like Cop Land, this one was a pleasure to watch again, after only having seen the film once, way back when it was released in 2002. I’ve got to tell you that, as weird and subjective as it is, it really holds up. Clooney is one hell of a director and this is one hell of a debut. The script is never uninteresting and the performances are absolutely out of the world, with Rockwell devouring the screen at every opportunity. The only thing that makes the work feel dated is the over-the-top use of filters in the photography. It’s as if cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel, fresh off his experimental work on Three Kings, felt like pushing every limit of the medium here in this production. And, as effective as that style might be at times, I find it simply distracting here.

So, don’t adjust your set, your Blu-ray looks exactly as it should – weird. Don’t worry, it’ll settle down after a time. And when it does, you’ll see just how fine this transfer is. There’s a lot to like here but with all the filtering and processing it’s tough to tell exactly how the disc is handling the source material. That said, fans of the film will be be more than happy with this upgrade. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also quite strong.

Much like the Cop Land disc again, the Confessions Blu-ray has carried over extras from the previously issued DVD which is included here as well, in the Canadian release. Bonus features include an entertaining commentary track from Clooney and Sigel, a fairly decent “Behind the Scenes” featurette that runs over 20-minutes, 23-minutes of, frankly amazing deleted footage with excellent optional commentary from Clooney and Sigel, screen tests, more footage of Gong Show acts and a few minutes looking at “The Real Chuck Barris”.

AMAZON: CDN$ 22.09

THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE

Based on a shocking true story, The Devil’s Double follows the riveting journey of Latif, a man forced to become the body double of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless son, Uday. Thrust into the debauched life of fast cars, easy women, and limitless power, Latif becomes virtually indistinguishable from the feared “Black Prince”. As war threatens Uday’s gangster regime, Latif realizes he must escape from the devil’s den – or die trying.

I enjoyed Lee Tamahori‘s The Devil’s Double for its story and design but the film belongs to Dominic Cooper, who plays both leading roles to perfection. The Blu-ray release is very strong with a vibrant, if not occasionally strange presentation and nice collection of extras. Check out my full review of the Canadian edition of the Blu-ray, linked to below.

AMAZON: CDN$ 24.99

Also available: THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE (US Edition)

AMAZON: $19.99

CONAN THE BARBARIAN

A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.

I’ve got a lot to say about this new Conan film but I’ll hold most of my thoughts for the inevitable full length review I’m plan to tackle whenever my screener arrives. I saw the film in theatres and feel comfortable saying that there’s a lot of fun to be had with the film. There are exciting action sequences, some scantily clad women and imaginative Frank Frazetta inspired images, rendered, for the most part, using the powers of the mighty CGI paint brush. Sadly, there’s also a whole lot that doesn’t work. But then again, I’m a massive fan of the original Conan film and might have had my personal bar set too high on initial viewing. Perhaps I’ll like this remake a lot more on Blu-ray?

AMAZON: $22.99

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:

Top New Blu-ray releases for the Week of October 25

Brenden — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:54:53 +0000

I’m so, so, so late getting this column up this week so let’s just get to it – the cornucopia of new Blu-ray releases that hit shops a couple of days ago. So much gold in one week. My wallet is weak…

Blu-ray disc of the week: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Captain America leads the fight for freedom in the action-packed blockbuster starring Chris Evans as the ultimate weapon against evil! When a terrifying force threatens everyone across the globe, the world’s greatest soldier wages war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving, The Matrix). Critics and audiences alike salute Captain America: The First Avenger as “pure excitement, pure action, and pure fun!” – Bryan Erdy CBS-TV

Y’know, say what you will about director Joe Johnston, but he really turned out a fun summer action film in Captain America: The First Avenger. Sure, it’s not the best film to be released on Blu-ray this week but it’s pretty damn great on a lot of levels and is unquestionably the biggest, shiniest, most obviously hot release this week (if you don’t believe me, just take a gander at the list of Blu-ray bestsellers at Amazon!) That’s why I just had to make it the pick of the week.

Almost everything about Captain America: The First Avenger rings true, for a superhero film (special consideration must be afforded the genre, I feel.) The performances are particularly excellent from top to bottom, with Chris Evans’ earnest portrayal of the all American boy scout helping to sell even the most obvious of CG background. Stanley Tucci‘s brilliant turn as the fatherly, affable scientist Doctor Erskine also resonates through the film, even though his screen time is limited. Johnston and team wisely keep things light, for the most part, allowing the film to harken back to the spirit of the era in which it’s set. The only time the tone feels compromised at all is when the obvious Avengers tie-in moments rear their ugly heads. While the epilogue of the film excites the fanboy in me, I really would have preferred that the narrative wrap up just before it. That epilogue just screams post-credits sequence, if you ask me.

Cap looks great on Blu-ray. But this film isn’t as bright and detailed as its modern peers. The subdued palette and hazy visuals that give the film its retro vibe often cloak the vivid nature of the transfer. Believe me though, this is a solid, impressive presentation. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is even better, delivering thunderous explosions, immersive atmospheric effects and clear dialogue.

The special features on the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray are informative and a lot of fun but there’s no real stand out here. You’ll enjoy watching the new Marvel short film starring Agent Coulson, ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer‘ and there’s plenty of behind-the-scenes material on display through the collection of featurettes. A ‘Play All’ option would have made that material a lot easier to wade through. The deleted scenes are brief and not worth watching with the almost absentee filmmakers on their commentary track. Thank goodness the feature commentary is a bit more lively and informative. I was honestly hoping for a little more on the Avengers here but there’s nothing that hasn’t been on the internet for ages and well combed over by all the nerd sites.

Special Features:

Commentary by Director Joe Johnston, Director of Photography Shelly Johnson and Editor Jeff Ford
Marvel One Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer
Featurettes
- Outfitting a Hero
- The Assembly Begins
- Howling Commandos
- Heightened Technology
- The Transformation
- Behind the Skull
- Captain America’s Origins
Deleted Scenes
- Attack in Norway
- The Battle at Azzano
- Steve Rogers Gets His Medal
- Steve Rogers Meets Nick Fury
Sega Game trailer
The Avengers Animated Trailer

AMAZON: $21.99

Also available: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER 3D COMBO PACK

AMAZON: $26.99

THE CONVERSATION

Francis Ford Coppola‘s provoking mystery-thriller stars Gene Hackman as Harry Caul, an expert surveillance man. A routine wiretapping job turns into a nightmare when Harry hears something disturbing in his recording of a young couple in a park. His investigation of the tape and how it might be used sends Harry spiraling into a web of secrecy, murder and paranoia. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco, “The Conversation” is a harrowing psychological thriller that costars Cindy Williams, Frederic Forrest and Harrison Ford and symbolizes the uneasy line where technology and privacy cross.

If The Conversation isn’t a perfect film I don’t know what is. As much as I recognize the brilliance and cinematic significance of the Godfather films and Apocalypse Now, this one is really the high point in Coppola’s career as a filmmaker, if you ask me. There’s an assured subtlety to the storytelling rarely seen in film, especially in work of this complexity. Most films wear their creators’ efforts on their sleeves, but The Conversation, while paranoid and specific, feels remarkably natural and organic in both structure and character. At no time do you feel the filmmaker’s hand manipulating you or manipulating the people on screen, even though Coppola’s style is evident in every frame. I can only credit the artistic triumph of his work here to its personal nature. Some criticize the film for being too slow and not engaging enough to hold one’s attention for the duration of its runtime (in fact, composer David Shire tells, in one of the extras, of an early screening where he, Coppola and others dozed off) and yes, I admit, as brilliant as it is, it isn’t for everyone. But this is incredible work, with great performances from Hackman and the legendary, late John Cazale (among others) and a truly wonderful piano score by Shire. I would have no trouble watching this film every day. For real.

Coppola and the team at Zoetrope have done it again! I had little doubt that they’d deliver the best possible presentation for this film after their stellar work on last year’s Apocalypse Now Blu-ray sets. And sure enough, The Conversation is a slam dunk. Keep in mind, this is a natural looking, early ’70s film and the high-def presentation echoes that on every level. It looks like film, with all its grain and vibrancy. It’s a rich, thick image that any fan of the film will be impressed with. I have a feeling, however, that those with an eye more attuned to modern high-def presentations might not find this disc quite as pleasing. Lossless audio is presented in both the original mono as well as a new, expanded DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. The mono track is great for those who want to experience the film as it was initially released but the 5.1 track is worth a listen for its innovative sound design and the more dynamic treatment of Shire’s score. Fantastic!

The Conversation comes to Blu-ray with a nice selection of special features including one of the best director’s commentary tracks I’ve had the pleasure to listen to. Coppola always gives good commentary (check out his Godfather tracks or the original Criterion Bram Stoker’s Dracula Laserdisc commentary for some excellent examples) but this is one of his best, packed with tons of info on the production and the business in general. A great listen. Editor Walter Murch also provides a solid commentary track that isn’t quite as lively and well rounded as the director’s but a worthwhile listen all the same. David Shire’s interview features a handful of anecdotes and sees the composer revisiting his score on the piano as well as paying and singing with his former brother in law, Coppola.

Special Features:

Cindy Williams and Harrison Ford Screen Tests
Close-Up on The Conversation vintage featurette
“No Cigar” – 1956 student film by Coppola
Harry Caul’s San Francisco—Then And Now
Archival Gene Hackman Interview
Script Dictations from Francis Ford Coppola
David Shire Interviewed by Francis Ford Coppola
Commentary tracks by Coppola and editor Walter Murch
Theatrical Trailer

AMAZON: $17.99

JURASSIC PARK: ULTIMATE TRILOGY

Experience one of the biggest movie trilogies of all time like never before with the Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy! “You won’t believe your eyes” (Rolling Stone) when dinosaurs once again roam the Earth in an amazing theme park on a remote island. From Academy Award®-winning directors Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) and Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III), the action-packed adventures find man up against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking filmmaking that has been hailed as “a triumph of special effects artistry” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times), this epic trilogy is sheer movie-making magic that was 65 million years in the making. “Welcome to Jurassic Park.”

I haven’t laid eyes on this long awaited Blu-ray boxed set myself, but by all accounts Universal got Jurassic Park completely right. After the studio’s less-than-stellar track record bringing catalogue titles to the format, I was concerned that Steven Spielberg’s dino epics would suffer at their hands. But I’m excited to see that early reviews are glowing. I’m betting that Spielberg had a hand in making sure these films looked their best and I’m also betting that Universal wouldn’t dare publish new high-def editions of his films that are less than stellar. I think this bodes well for their upcoming release of Jaws on Blu. Fingers crossed they get that one right too!

AMAZON: $48.99

Also available: JURASSIC PARK: ULTIMATE TRILOGY GIFT SET

AMAZON: $79.99

ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, DAZED AND CONFUSED, IDENTIFICATION OF A WOMAN

This has been one of the best months of Criterion Blu-ray releases ever! And this week caps off the month with style and volume. I haven’t screened Antonioni‘s Identification of a Woman or the re-issue of Dazed and Confused on Blu but I can attest to the quality of the Island of Lost Souls disc. While all three are must-haves for film fans and Criterion collectors, Souls is a landmark release – the first time this classic 1932 horror has been issued on optical disc! And, I’ve got to say, it’s a thrill to watch it looking better than ever. And equally, it’s a thrill to watch all the fantastic extras on the disc. Read more raves in my full review, linked to below.

AMAZON: Various

ATTACK THE BLOCK

From the producers of Shaun of the Dead, Attack the Block is a fast, funny, frightening action adventure movie that pits a teen street gang against an invasion of savage alien monsters. It turns a London housing project into a sci-fi battleground, the low-income apartment complex into a fortress under siege. And it turns a crazy mix of tough street kids into a team of kick ass heroes. It’s inner city versus outer space and it’s going to explode.

I had the pleasure of seeing Attack the Block in the cinema. It’s like a harder edged, modern, British Goonies with aliens. Nothing wrong with that! I haven’t seen the Blu-ray yet but this is definitely one that’s on my radar to pick up soon. Bonus features include three audio commentaries, a one-hour behind-the-scenes doc and more! Sounds like a nice little package for a great little movie.

AMAZON: $22.99

TOM & JERRY GOLDEN COLLECTION: VOLUME ONE

Celebrate the most enduring team in animation history with a collection fans will want to chase and catch! This highly anticipated release includes over 40 remastered shorts starting with “Puss Gets The Boot”! Enjoy these highly collectible set with Improved Picture and Audio for the first time ever! Also includes: “The Midnight Snack”, “The Night Before Chritmas”, “Fraidy Cat”, “Dog Trouble”, “Puss N’ Toots”, “The Bowling Alley Cat”, “Fine Feathered Friend”, “Sufferin’ Cats”, “The Lonesome Mouse”, “The Yankee Doodle Mouse”, “Baby Puss”, “The Zoot Cat”, “The Million Dollar Cat”, “The Bodyguard”, “Puttin on The Dog”, “Mouse Trouble”, “The Mouse Comes To Dinner”, “Mouse In Manhattan”, “Tee For Two”, “Flirty Birdy”, “Quiet Please!”, “Springtime For Thomas”, “The Milky Waif”, “Trap Happy”, “Solid Serenade”, “Cat Fishin’”, “Part Time Pal”, “The Cat Concerto”, “Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Mouse”, “Salt Water Tabby”, “A Mouse In The House”, “The Invisible Mouse”, “Kitty Foiled”, “The Truce Hurts”, “Old Rockin’ Chair Tom”, and “Professor Tom”.

I’m absolutely blown away by how fantastic these cartoons look on Blu-ray. I wasn’t expecting any of the original 37 Tom and Jerry shorts to sport such vivid colours or to retain any of their vintage film-like qualities. But Warner has just knocked it out of the park here in this initial collection of the uncut, unedited versions of these films that date back as far as 1940. It’s tough to complain about any aspect of this 2-disc boxed set except, perhaps that the only audio option for the shorts is a compressed Dolby Digital mono mix. In this day and age, it’s nice to have lossless when possible, even when the source material is somewhat lacking.

Tom & Jerry Golden Collection: Volume One sports a fair number of special features, including 12 stellar commentary tracks from the likes of animator Mark Kausler, comedienne Nicole Parker, author Michael Mallory, historian Earl Kress, director Eric Goldberg and animation historian, author and ruler of the ever-awesome cartoonbrew.com, Jerry Beck. The brand new HD doc ‘Vaudeville, Slapstick and Tom and Jerry‘ is also outstanding, examining the roots of the films’ comedy. Four additional standard-def features culled from previous DVD releases are also included in the set, with the longest of them, the half-hour long ‘How Bill and Joe Met Tom and Jerry‘ the best of the bunch. ‘The Midnight Snack Pencil Test‘ runs around 9-minutes and is worth a look for any animation aficionado. ‘The Worry Song from Anchors Aweigh‘ is 8-minutes of little Jerry dancing with Gene Kelley. ‘The Comedy Styling of Tom and Jerry‘ is a featurette that’s 6-minutes of your life you’ll never get back. Don’t bother.

This boxed set is clearly marketed at adult animation fans as there are numerous warnings about the content and the complex, potentially offensive nature of it. In fact before each disc plays, Warner plays the following:

Some of the cartoons you are about to see are a product of their time. They may depict some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that were commonplace in American society. These depictions were wrong then and are wrong today. While the following does not represent the Warner Bros.’ view of today’s society, some of these cartoons are being presented as they were originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed.

Despite the controversial nature of the shorts, I’m certain that with proper guidance any child can enjoy them too, without suffering any adverse effects.

AMAZON: $23.99

RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE

It’s the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, and an ‘archeological’ dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus. But this particular Santa isn’t the one you want coming to town. When the local children begin mysteriously disappearing, young Pietari and his father Rauno, a reindeer hunter by trade, capture the mythological being and attempt to sell Santa to the misguided leader of the multinational corporation sponsoring the dig. Santa’s elves, however, will stop at nothing to free their fearless leader from captivity. What ensues is a wildly humorous nightmare – a fantastically bizarre polemic on modern day morality. “Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale” is a re-imagining of the most classic of all childhood fantasies, and is a darkly comic gem soon to be required perennial holiday viewing.

Oh my God. I have a new favourite Christmas movie.

It’s not often that I stumble across a seasonal gem like this – a film I just know I’ll return to year after year in some twisted, dark ritual of cinematic holiday celebration. I had never even heard of Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale until a few weeks ago but after watching what just might be the finest film to ever come out of Finland, I know I’ll never forget it. Writer/director Jalmari Helander has crafted a tight, little creature adventure that riffs on the Scandinavian myths of trolls and goblins, blended with the origins of the Santa Clause story. Brilliant! If you were the kind of kid who cried when placed on Santa’s lap at the mall, you might want to give this one a pass. It’ll bring all that scary shit from your childhood rushing back in a wave of Christmas-creature terror. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale plays with frightening themes and images but never executes with a heavy hand, calling to mind the playfulness of better Joe Dante or Tim Burton efforts. If that’s a flavour you enjoy, this film is right up your street In fact, now come to think of it, this would play a pretty decent double-feature with Attack the Block! Nice!

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale looks like a million bucks on Blu-ray. I don’t have a single criticism of this vivid, detailed, exceptional transfer. I wish slickly produced, bajillion dollar Hollywood fare looked this good in high-def! The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also a marvel, incredibly active and dynamic for a film of such limited on-screen action. The skilled, mad scientists at Oscilloscope Labs have delivered an incredible, reference quality presentation on this disc. Bravo!

The good folks from the Labs have also provided a bevy of bonus goodies on the Blu-ray disc, chief amongst which are the original shorts that inspired the film – ‘Rare Exports Inc.‘ from 2003 and ‘Rare Exports Inc. – The Official Safety Instructions‘ from 2005. Both are worth a look (after you’ve completed the feature, of course) and offer a compelling look at the growth of the filmmakers. ‘The Making of Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale‘ runs almost half-an-hour in length and covers the film from pre-production to its debut at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. A good deal of the footage is from pocket cameras and the like, so the quality of this HD presentation is all over the map. But no matter. The quality of the content is top notch. For those who want to dig a little deeper there’s also a look at the concept art, animatics and computer effects, a photo gallery and a trailer. The Blu-ray also includes the almost unwatchable 1964 film Santa Claus Conquers the Martians in SD. It’s a good gag and a nice bonus exclusive but don’t even try to sit through that stinker while sober or on your own. Just don’t do it. A DVD of the feature film is included in the package (which is a handsome digipack made out of recycled paper and is gorgeous to look at, by the way.)

Super-highly-extra recommended!

AMAZON: $19.99

THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY and ZOMBIE

“Read The Fine Print… You May Have Just Mortgaged Your Life! A young family moves from their cramped New York City apartment to a spacious new home in New England. But this is no ordinary house in the country: the previous owner was the deranged Dr. Freudstein, whose monstrous human experiments have left a legacy of bloody mayhem. Now, someone – or something – is alive in the basement, and home sweet home is about to become a horrific hell on earth. Catriona MacColl (THE BEYOND), Paolo Malco (THE NEW YORK RIPPER), Ania Pieroni (TENEBRE), Carlo De Mejo (CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD), and Dagmar Lassander (HATCHET FOR THE HONEYMOON) star in this outrageous Italian shocker from ‘The Godfather of Gore,’ Lucio Fulci (ZOMBIE, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD). Now Blue Underground proudly presents the definitive version of THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY: freshly transferred in blood-soaked High Definition from its original uncut and uncensored negative and loaded with exclusive new Extras!”

So, I was sure that both Zombie and The House by the Cemetery were released last week. Oops! My bad. Hope I didn’t have too many of you running around trying to hunt those bad boys down. Anyway, they’re both available now. And I’ve seen The House by the Cemetery for myself and I’ll tell you, Blue Underground have done it again!

Say what you want about the film itself (most say it’s a confusing mess with a boneheaded plot and an annoying child star but some of the best spooky haunted house scares ever…and I’d have to agree!) but this Blu-ray edition of The House by the Cemetery is the bees knees. Not only is the transfer out of this world but there’s a good number of extras to boot! The image here is bright and detailed, much more so than any previous home video edition of the film. It’s stable as a rock and exhibits excellent contrast and skin tones throughout. The English language DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack gets the job done but won’t win any awards. It’s clean and clear throughout but the score betrays the source material’s limited dynamic range.

There are supplements aplenty, most in the way of interviews with cast and crew. ‘To Build a Better Death Trap‘ runs over 20-minutes and is the most extensive of the six included pieces, featuring interviews with actor Diovanni De Nava, cinematographer Sergio Salvati, make-up effects artist Maurizio Trani and special effects artist Gino De Rossi. There’s also a deleted scene, trailers and a poster and stills gallery.

AMAZON: $14.99

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:

Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-ray in 2012

Brenden — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:24:45 +0000

It’s been rumoured for a while now, but this past week, Paramount and CBS finally confirmed that Star Trek: The Next Generation will be making its way to Blu-ray in 2012! Just in time to celebrate the series’ 25th Anniversary, the entire run of 178 episodes is being transferred to HD from the original negatives, recut to resemble the original broadcast versions with digital special effects, “painstakingly recompositioned, not upconverted from videotape.” This is incredible news and an unbelievable undertaking by the studios. A four-episode “preview” will be released in January to show off the studio’s work and to tease the full season sets that will begin shipping later next year. It’s a pretty good time to be a Trek fan, that’s for sure. For more detail, see the full press release and details below and the official trailer above.

LOS ANGELES – September 28, 2011 – The beloved series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION® will be transferred to high-definition for the first time ever and released on Blu-ray™, it was announced today by Ken Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CBS Home Entertainment.

All 178 episodes from seven seasons will be transferred to true high-definition 1080p for release on Blu-ray and eventual runs on television and digital platforms both domestically and internationally.

“Fans have been clamoring for a high-definition release of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION® for years,” said Ross. “Transferring the series to high-definition presented difficult technical challenges, but our team has come up with a process to create true 1080p HD masters with true HD visual effects. We can’t wait to show fans how pristine the series looks and sounds with our upcoming Blu-ray releases.”

Transferring STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION® to high-definition presented numerous challenges – The series was originally shot on film and then transferred to videotape, which was used to edit episodes together. In order to create true HD masters, CBS is going back to the original uncut film negative – all 25,000 plus film reels of it – and cutting the episodes together exactly the way they originally aired. The visual effects were all shot on film and will be painstakingly recompositioned, not upconverted from videotape. The newly cut film will then be transferred to true high-definition with 7.1 DTS Master Audio. Denise and Mike Okuda are consulting on the project.

While the first full season won’t be available until later in 2012, CBS Home Entertainment is releasing STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION® – THE NEXT LEVEL, a single Blu-ray disc to give fans a taste of the series in HD, on January 31, 2012. The disc will include the feature-length pilot – “Encounter at Farpoint” – as well as two more “fan favorite” episodes, “The Inner Light” (Season 5) and “Sins of the Father” (Season 3). The single disc will be available for a suggested retail price of $21.99.

One of the most popular series in the STAR TREK franchise, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION® celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2012. It premiered in first-run syndication during the week of September 28, 1987 and ran through 1994.

Set in the 24th century on the Starship Enterprise, about 100 years after the original STAR TREK series took place, the series starred Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Jonathan Frakes as Commander William T. Riker, LeVar Burton as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge, Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi, Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data, Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf, Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher and Wil Wheaton as her son Wesley Crusher.

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – THE NEXT LEVEL
(January 31, 2012 – MSRP $21.99)
Video: 1.33:1 1080p
Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Special Features:

[VIDEO] Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray trailer

Brenden — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:12:50 +0000

Heyyyyy. Remember how once upon a time we had all the details and art for the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray releases and then BAM, they were gone? Yeah. Those are the pains of having early info but being friendly with the studio and the studio really not wanting that info to get out into the wild yet. So, I pulled the story. And every other site ran with it. Sigh… Well, now that the Blu-ray has officially been announced, I’ve brought the old story back (read it here) and I’m clear to post this trailer, which actually shows a decent amount of behind-the-scenes clips from Captain America as well as from the upcoming Joss Wedon film, The Avengers. The Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray hits shelves on October 25.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
(October 25, 2011 – MSRP $42.99, 3D Combo Pack $54.99)
Video: 2.39:1 1080p
Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Special Features:

Commentary by Director Joe Johnston, Director of Photography Shelly Johnson and Editor Jeff Ford
Marvel One Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer
Featurettes
- Outfitting a Hero
- The Assembly Begins
- Howling Commandos
- Heightened Technology
- The Transformation
- Behind the Skull
- Captain America’s Origins
Deleted Scenes
- Attack in Norway
- The Battle at Azzano
- Steve Rogers Gets His Medal
- Steve Rogers Meets Nick Fury
Sega Game trailer
The Avengers Animated Trailer

Top New Blu-ray releases for the Week of September 20

Brenden — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:23:45 +0000

It’s not a really big week for Blu-ray releases but I guess, no matter how many new discs were unleashed today, nothing could live up to the epic nature of last week. Aside from the discs I highlight below, there are a handful of notable TV-on-Blu releases (the multi-Emmy winning Modern Family!), Alejandro Amenábar‘s The Others, Chromeskull 2, Vamp and many more. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to check them out!

Blu-ray disc of the week: BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S

The names Audrey Hepburn and Holly Golightly have become synonymous since this dazzling romantic comedy was translated to the screen from Truman Capote‘s best-selling novella. Holly is a deliciously eccentric New York City playgirl determined to marry a Brazilian millionaire. George Peppard plays her next-door neighbor, a writer who is “sponsored” by a wealthy Patricia Neal. Guessing who’s the right man for Holly is easy. Seeing just how that romantic blossoms is one of the enduring delights of this gem-like treat set to Henry Mancini‘s Oscar(R)-winning score and the Oscar(R)-winning Mancini-Johnny Mercer song “Moon River”.

When Paramount gets one of their classics in their sites and really puts their heads down and gets to work on it, they deliver one hell of a stunning Blu-ray release. Breakfast at Tiffany‘s has long been recognized as one of the more iconic Audrey Hepburn performances, if not the iconic performance (I’m personally more of a Roman Holiday kind of guy, myself), but it’s so much more than that. It features a terrific straight-man turn by George Peppard, inspired direction by Blake Edwards and one of the finest Henry Mancini scores ever. And don’t forget that this picture spawned the Johnny Mercer hit ‘Moon River’! An then there’s the script, based on Truman Capote’s book and the clothes by Hubert de Givenchy and the photography by Franz Planer and Philip H. Lathrop… And the list goes on. If any film in Paramount’s library is worthy of a special Anniversary release it’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. You’d think that this one would have been worthy of the Sapphire label, wouldn’t you? Leads one to believe we might have seen the last of that line of discs from the studio…

The transfer to Blu-ray of Breakfast at Tiffany‘s seems to have elicited something of a controversy online, in early reviews. There have been claims that the image is scrubbed to the bone by DNR, digital noise reduction, reducing detail to a minimum and skin to wax. I’m here to tell you that’s bunk. This is one hell of a great looking disc. Grain is there for the observant eye to see, not reduced but very fine in the image and always on the move. Colours pop as if the film was only lensed yesterday and detail is in crazy abundance. I can’t say enough about this presentation but that it needs to be seen to be believed. And if there’s been an overzealous use of DNR, then I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.

In addition to a fine restoration of the original mono track (sadly, only presented in compressed Dolby Digital), there’s a very respectful 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that adds just the right amount of surround flavour to the original mix, without spicing things up to the degree that a modern track would. You won’t hear any booming bass here but Mancini’s score sounds incredible and dialogue is clean and clear up the middle. Fantastic!

The special features on the disc are a mix of new HD content and featurettes previously available on DVD editions of the film. All are worth watching, though I will say that I found the 20-minute ‘A Golightly Gathering‘ tough to sit through, as members of the cast who appeared in the famous party scene gather together years later to reminisce about the film. ‘Henry Mancini: More than Music‘ is an excellent 20-minute look at the life and work of the famous composer. ‘Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective‘ also runs around 20-minutes and deals with the controversy of Mickey Rooney‘s infamous “yellowface” performance in the film, attempting to give some modern perspective to the only black-spot on the production. The galleries and trailers are also presented in HD. The bulk of the remainder of the extras are still in SD, culled from the DVD extras. They’re short and show their age but are worth a look. Producer Richard Shepherd‘s commentary track is a pretty decent listen as well, offering tons of anecdotes and information on the production.

All in all, this is a killer package. One of Paramount’s finest Blu-ray offerings of 2011. Super extra highly recommended!

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Commentary by producer Richard Shepherd
A Golightly Gathering
Henry Mancini: More Than Music
Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective
The Making of a Classic
It’s So Audrey: A Style Icon
Behind the Gates: The Tour
Brilliance in a Blue Box
Audrey’s Letter to Tiffany
Photo Galleries
- The Movie
- Production
- Publicity
Original Theatrical Trailer

AMAZON: $19.99

LE BEAU SERGE and LES COUSINS

Criterion is releasing the first two films by Claude Chabrol on Blu-ray today. I had a chance to screen Le Beau Serge, the film that kicked off the French New Wave movement, and the disc is phenomenal! I haven’t seen Les Cousins yet but there’s little doubt that it’ll sport a similarly excellent transfer. I’ll chime in on that one once I get my hands on it. In the meantime, check out my full review of Le Beau Serge!

AMAZON: $27.99 each

DUMBO

For the first time ever, in celebration of this landmark film’s 70th anniversary, experience the daring adventures of the world’s only flying elephant with a dazzling all-new digital restoration and brilliant Disney Enhanced High Definition Theater Mix Sound. The inspirational tale of Dumbo, the courageous baby elephant who uses his sensational ears to soar to fame with the help of his clever best friend Timothy Q. Mouse, will thrill and delight audiences of all ages. And now, the award-winning music and empowering messages about friendship and belief in yourself reach new heights in this must-have Blu-ray(TM) high definition presentation of Walt Disney’s animated classic, “Dumbo“.

This is another amazing restoration of a Disney classic, easily as stunning as the presentations on the Blu-ray disc releases of Bambi and Pinocchio. Animation collectors and film fans alike will want to pick up the Dumbo Blu-ray disc for its transfer and exceptional special features before the studio throws it back in “The Vault” for another few years! Read my full review linked to below.

Super 8 Blu-ray announced and detailed

Brenden — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:45:48 +0000

I’m still kicking myself for missing Super 8 when it was playing in theatres this past summer. It’s this year’s Scott Pilgrim for me – the film I kept making failed efforts to see. Hopefully it’s not going to take me a year to see J.J. Abrams‘ ode to Spielberg and sci-fi films of the ’70s and ’80s, as it did for me to finally see Pilgrim. Thankfully, Paramount is bringing the film to Blu-ray on November 22 to help me out. Thanks, guys! Looking forward to it!

SUPER 8
(November 22, 2011 – MSRP $44.99)
Video: 2.39:1 1080p
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 7.1

Special Features:

Commentary by writer/director J.J. Abrams, producer Bryan Burk and cinematographer Larry Fong
Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
- The Dream Behind Super 8
- The Search for New Faces
- Meet Joel Courtney
- Rediscovering Steel Town
- The Visitor Lives
- Scoring Super 8
- Do You Believe in Magic?
- The 8mm Revolution
Deconstructing the Train Crash
Deleted Scenes

DVD:

Feature Film
Digital Copy

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