Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of September 21

I started writing this post on Monday. As you can clearly tell, it’s taken me a few days of work, chipping away at it whenever I’ve had a few moments to spare, to get this thing done. But I’m really happy to tell you all about the best new Blu-ray releases this week. There’s some really strong stuff here and a few discs you should be certain not to miss out on. As always, any Amazon purchases made through our links help to support this column and the site on the whole and we thank you for them! …Continued…

Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood Blu-ray announced for UK release

Speaking of Ridley Scott films starring Russell Crowe (read all about the new Blu-ray edition of Gladiator here, if you haven’t already), Universal Pictures have announced the September 20th release of the duo’s recent Robin Hood film on Blu-ray in the U.K. I missed this one in the theatres but I have to say, it looks like a major misstep – prequel story, old Robin, too much war, too much like Gladiator, etc. But, as a long time fan of all things Robin Hood, I’m eager to get my hands on it and give it a go. I mean, really…how bad can it possibly be?! …Continued…

New Gladiator Blu-ray release sports updated transfer, disc exchange program

This is some shocking and very welcome news! You might recall all the hubbub surrounding the release of Paramount’s Gladiator: Sapphire Series Blu-ray last year (read our full review of the disc here.) Fans and critics were truly disappointed when the highly anticipated disc turned up with a less-than-stellar transfer, complete with edge enhancement and DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) which effectively turned the film into a muddy mess. Well, now a new Blu-ray release of the film has been unleashed on European audiences, sporting a gorgeous new 4K transfer. And, according to Paramount, those who purchased the previously issued, flawed disc here on this side of the Atlantic, will be able to exchange it for an updated version featuring the same 4K transfer from overseas! …Continued…

Gladiator Blu-ray Disc Review

Holy crap, this Gladiator Blu-ray nonsense has been burning up the internets for the last couple of weeks! Have you heard it? If you believe the hype, you’ll be suffering under the delusion that this disc is the foulest thing to ever ship to your local Best Buy. That it’s damn-near unwatchable. That you might as well just stick with your old DVD copy of the film. Well, I’m here to tell you to ignore the noise and the naysayers. The Gladiator Blu-ray is a truly great, complete and thoroughly enjoyable package…that probably could have had a better transfer. But hell, nobody’s perfect, right? …Continued…

Paramount Sapphire Series Blu-ray Discs Announced: Gladiator, Braveheart, Forest Gump

We read the rumours. We dreamed about them. We hoped they would come before the end of the year. And now Paramount has confirmed its exclusive new “Sapphire Series” series of deluxe Blu-ray discs, kicking off with the September 1st release of Gladiator and Braveheart, followed by Forest Gump on November 3rd.

I’m grateful that we’re getting these fliks on Blu-ray at long last (well, I guess the wait hasn’t been THAT long. Blu-ray is only 3 years old!) But this whole “Sapphire Series” thing stinks of marketing department. I don’t believe for a moment that the quality of these discs – the A/V, the bonus stuff -is any better, is prepared with more love than Paramount gives to their Transformers or Iron Man discs.

Whatever. I could care less. Slap whatever label you want on the packages. Just gimme the movies.

Here are the details of Gladiator and Braveheart. We’ll know more about the Gump later in the summer. …Continued…