I’m a day late getting my Blu-ray picks posted. Sorry ’bout that. Yesterday was pretty packed with news and with the limited time I had, I could only squeeze so many posts in. But here we are now, a little light on titles overall but with some quality Blu-ray discs nonetheless. Guess which boxed set I’m most excited about this week…

All right, this isn’t really my top pick. But it’s probably the biggest release of the week so it seemed right to shine the spotlight on it. I still haven’t seen The Hangover yet (WHV sent me the DVD to review…Still trying to explain to them that the site is about the Blu-ray format…sigh…) but I’m really looking forward to it. My pals tell me it’s one of the best comedies they’ve seen in a long while. And I always believe my pals. Read all about the Blu-ray release in our post here: The Hangover Blu-ray announced and detailed

Amazon: $15.99

And yet another film I missed out on in the cinema. Word on the street is that this Blu-ray edition of Tarantino‘s Inglourious Basterds is not to be missed. I’ll be picking up a copy today. I’m pretty excited to finally get a chance to see it. Tarantino doesn’t always knock it out of the park for me but as a fan of the original Inglorious Bastards and the Dirty Dozen, I can’t wait to check out what he does when he sinks his teeth into the genre! Read all about the Blu-ray release in our post here: Inglourious Basterds announced and detailed!

Amazon: $17.99

This is the biggest release of the week for me. I’m constantly amazed at the quality of these Star Trek: The Original Series Blu-ray disc sets. They’re absolutely beautiful! I never thought these old episodes could possibly look or sound this good. Yeah, this set contains the worst episodes of the series but if you’ve picked up the first two seasons (and I really hope you have…they’re some of the best Blu has to offer!) you’ve got to grab this up to complete the set. If you don’t have any of the season sets yet, Paramount is offering a bundle with all three together, the entire series for a slight discount.

Highly recommended!!

Amazon: $52.99

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:

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Do I even have to review this for you? Is there anything I can say about the Star Trek: The Original Series Season Two Blu-ray Disc set that won’t make me sound like a broken record? In my eyes, the previous set was the best thing going for the last few months. And this follow up hits all the same notes – amazing video transfer, fantastic sound and great features in a near-pitch perfect comprehensive collection of the classic 60s sci-fi television series. Sigh…I think I’ve fallen in love all over again…

There isn’t much point in going over the main content of the second season set. All 26 episodes are present from the awesome Amok Time (Spock needs sex, kills Kirk!) to the less-than-awesome Catspaw (magic cats in space.) and look far better than ever before. Far better than they even deserve to, given their age and origin. The team responsible for restoring the show and adding the new HD special effects should be proud of the amazing work they’ve done in rejuvenating Trek. I, for one, love watching the episodes with the new CGI effect work. I think it’s incredibly effective and in the spirit of the original work. And, hey, if I want to see the old, cheesy 60s effects, they’re a mere button push away. That’s right, you can toggle back and forth between old and new effects as you watch the episodes. Sheer bliss!!

Speaking of bliss, the restored audio is amazing too! You can choose to listen to episodes in their original mono or the brand spanking new, clean as a whistle 7.1 DTS HD audio! EXCLAMATION MARK! I’m getting too excited for my own good here…

There’s good, even great news about the bonus features, along with some not-so-great news. Let’s start with what I loved. This set has a metric ton of extras (for a full list of features and episodes, read the press release here)! Disc four alone blows away most stand alone Blu-ray releases. It’s like a loving tribute to the episode Trouble with Tribbles, including the original Tribble episode, the sequel from the animated series, the Deep Space Nine follow up (made in the 90s, digitally inserting actors into footage from the original episode), documentary featurettes, commentary tracks and the Starfleet Access Mode picture-in-picture track. So much to take in…and that’s just on Disc 4!

A handful of short clips and featurettes are littered throughout the other 6 discs in the set, most in standard def and culled from previously available DVD season sets with a few new HD ones thrown in to keep things fresh. A Starfleet Access Mode picture-in-picture track pops up on the episode Amok Time (I need more of these, CBS!) and proves to be one of the most consistently enjoyable and informative features available.

The not-so-great news is that the rest of the special features are only available through BD-Live and the new Mobile-Blu (watch videos and control BD from your iPhone) platforms. I’m kind of picking nits here but I find both means of viewing content aggravating. I had to jump through a lot of hoops to check out what amounts to a collection of very short (I’m talking one to two-minute clips here), often barely informative Trek video-bites. I love the idea of being fed new content over time and for that reason, I see a great future for both formats. But almost everything available now could have been included in the Star Trek: The Original Series Season Two Blu-ray set. There was some good stuff here – examinations of new CGI on select episodes, short conversations with those responsible for the episodes – but not enough to warrant having to sign up for a BD-Live account, long load times, application downloads and clumsy phone pairing. Sheesh. I wasted a lot of time with this on the weekend only to discover that the content wouldn’t be available until the 22nd. Perhaps that coloured my impression of the experience.

NOTE – The Deep Space Nine episode is HD on the disc but is clearly an up-convert from standard-def sources, as speculated some time ago. It turns out that all of the effects were created in SD back in the day and would have to be re-created for a proper HD transfer. As it is, it looks pretty decent. But the exteriors (space ships, stations, etc.), especially during the opening credit sequence, look aliased and nasty. Outside of that, I can’t really complain. I’m kind of just happy to own a copy of Trials and Tribble-ations. It’s a lot of fun.

FINAL NOTE: The Star Trek: The Original Series Season Two Blu-ray set is currently on sale at Amazon.com for only $59.99. That’s a whopping 54% off of the retail price! I don’t know how long this sale will last. Get over there and snap one up now, while you still can!

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We haven’t even posted our review for the Season 2 Blu-ray set yet (hint: IT’S AMAZING!!!) and we’ve already got details and a release date for Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3. Hitting shops on December 15, the season 3 set seems to continue the pattern of collecting the standard-def special features from the previously released DVDs while adding a whole host of brand new HD content. The list of extras we’ve got here looks great but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t grow before the release date. I’m expecting to see more BD-Live and Mobile-Blu content on the Season 3 set!

If you’ve been waiting for all three seasons to be available before grabbing any of them, you might be in luck. Paramount is set to release a bundled set of all the boxes on the same date, December 15. But it doesn’t look like there’ll be much benefit beyond convenience. No extra content or special pricing. “I AM KIROK!!!”

Special Features:

• “Where No Fan Has Gone Before”: the restored, unaired alternate pilot episode
• David Gerrold Hosts “2009 Convention Coverage”
• Life Beyond Trek: Walter Koenig
• “The Anthropology of Star Trek” ComiCon Panel 209
• Chief Engineer’s Log
• “The World of Rod Roddenberry” ComiCon 2009
• Memoir From Mr. Sulu
• Captain’s Log: Bob Justman
• Billy Blackburn’s Treasure Chest: rare home movies and special memories Part 3
• “To Boldly Go…” Season Three
• Collectible Trek
• Star Trek’s Impact
• Trailers
• BD-Live

Previously on The Blu-ray Blog: Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2 Press Release

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Has anyone else been talking about this online? I haven’t seen a single post about the fact that the Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2 Blu-ray Box set includes an episode of the Star Trek Animated Series in HD! Holy crap!

This show was so cool back in the day. Never mind that the actual animation was complete garbage. Never mind that Chekov was suspiciously absent from the show. Focus instead on the awesome stories crafted by the team that made the original series and the fact that almost all the actors from the live action show returned to voice the animated versions of their characters! So cool.

So, it looks like this new Blu-ray set from Paramount devotes an entire disc to the famous Trouble with Tribbles episode of the Original Series. And as part of the celebration of said episode, they include the “sequel” animated episode, More Tribbles, More Troubles (watch a preview up above). Both were written by David Gerrold who provides commentary for each episode (watch the Comic-Con preview in our previous post).

Another Blu-ray first in this box, as well as another celebration of everything Tribble is the first ever Deep Space Nine episode in HD. While I’m far from being a fan of this show, I’m more than happy to have the excellent Trials and Tribble-ations included in this set. It took a cross-over episode featuring Kirk and Spock to make DS9 palatable for me. But wow, what an episode!

Paramount isn’t missing a step here. I still marvel at the near-perfect Season 1 box set on an almost daily basis. The inclusion of the tribble sequels, both animated and DS9 just seals the deal for me. This box set just may be my pick for best of the year!

Now, I eagerly anticipate the release of all 22 Star Trek Animated episodes on Blu-ray. C’mon Paramount. Don’t be a tease! I’m waiting…

UPDATE: Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits has confirmed with CBS/Paramount that “this is merely a 1080p upconvert from the original 480 digital master – not a full HD rebuild, a la TOS Remastered” Sigh. Oh well. I’m assuming he’s talking about the DS9 episode here, seeing as how it was originally rendered out at 480p and that the Animated Series can be easily transfered to HD from its original film elements. Still pretty happy to have the content, despite the original resolution…

STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SEASON TWO

Street Date: September 22, 2009
Pricing: $118.99 US/ $136.99 CAN
Runtime: Approx. 22 hours

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Experience one of the greatest action-adventure sagas like never before when the thrilling second season of STAR TREK®: THE ORIGINAL SERIES blasts onto Blu-ray disc September 22 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.

The seven-disc set features all 26 sophomore season episodes, each with superior picture and pristine audio, bringing fans closer than ever to the history and characters of STAR TREK®. An entire disc is dedicated to “The Trouble With Tribbles,” arguably the franchise’s most famous episode for its depiction of the cute and fuzzy, though ultimately quite dangerous, creatures.

Starring one of the most endearing casts in television history – led by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols – STAR TREK® is a worldwide phenomenon and served as a launching pad for numerous television series and feature films, including this year’s J.J. Abrams-directed mega-blockbuster.

Offering the best of both worlds, the second season Blu-ray release of STAR TREK®: THE ORIGINAL SERIES features Seamless Branching technology that allows fans to toggle between the newly-enhanced and original special effects. In addition, the series is presented in 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, the best sound format possible, with the option to select mono as heard on the series’ original television airings.

Beyond the Tribble-specific bonus disc, this set also includes “Starfleet Access” content on select episodes which provides fans with special pop-up trivia and picture-in-picture video commentaries, rare on-set home movie footage and new special features on BD Live. Also, every disc is Mobile Blu™ enabled. Once downloaded, Mobile Blu™ allows Trekkies to turn their iPhones into Blu-ray player remote controls and download exclusive featurettes for on-the-go entertainment. The definitive release that fans have been waiting for, STAR TREK®: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SEASON TWO BLU-RAY will be available for the suggested retail price of $118.99 US and $136.99 CAN. Exclusive Star Trek Monopoly cards will also be included in early shipments of the Blu-ray set, while supplies last.

STAR TREK®: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SEASON TWO BLU-RAY is a seven disc set presented in the original 4:3 aspect ratio with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Original 2.0 Mono, Spanish 2.0 Mono and French 2.0 Mono sound. STAR TREK®: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SEASON TWO BLU-RAY is not rated in the U.S. and rated G in Canada. The total running time is approximately 22 hours. The Blu-ray disc breakdown is as follows:

• Disc 1:
  • Amok Time
  • Who Mourns for Adonais?
  • The Changeling
  • Mirror, Mirror
  • Special Features:
    • Preview trailers for each episode
    • Billy Blackburn’s Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories Part 2 (HD)
  • Starfleet Access episode – Amok Time
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled
  • Content To Go™ exclusively via Mobile Blu™
    • Writing Spock

• Disc 2:
  • The Apple
  • The Doomsday Machine
  • Catspaw
  • I, Mudd
  • Metamorphosis
  • Special Features:
    • Preview trailers for each episode
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled
  • Content To Go™ exclusively via Mobile Blu™
    • Creating Chekov

• Disc 3:
  • Journal to Babel
  • Friday’s Child
  • The Deadly Years
  • Obsession
  • Wolf in the Fold
  • Special Features:
    • Preview trailers for each episode
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled
  • Content To Go™ exclusively via Mobile Blu™
    • Listening to the Actors

  Disc 4:

  • The Trouble With Tribbles
    • Special Feature: Brand New Audio Commentary by David Gerrold
  • Special Features:
    • The Trouble With Tribbles preview trailer
    • More Tribbles, More Troubles Episode From Star Trek®: The Animated Series (HD)
      • Audio Commentary by David Gerrold
    • Trials And Tribble-ations From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine® (HD)
    • Trials And Tribble-ations: Uniting Two Legends
    • Trials And Tribble-ations: An Historic Endeavor
    • Star Trek®: The Original Series On Blu-ray
  • Starfleet Access episode – The Trouble With Tribbles
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled
  • Content To Go™ exclusively via Mobile Blu™
    • Spock’s Mother

  Disc 5:

  • The Gamesters Of Triskelion
  • A Piece Of The Action
  • The Immunity Syndrome
  • A Private Little War
  • Special Features:
    • Preview trailers for each episode
    • “To Boldly Go…” Season Two
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled

  Disc 6:

  • Return To Tomorrow
  • Patterns Of Force
  • By Any Other Name
  • The Omega Glory
  • Special Features:
    • Preview trailers for each episode
    • Designing the Final Frontier
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled

  Disc 7:

  • The Ultimate Computer
  • Bread And Circuses
  • Assignment: Earth
  • Special Features:
    • Preview trailers for each episode
    • Star Trek®’s Favorite Moments
    • Writer’s Notebook: D.C. Fontana
    • Life Beyond Trek: Leonard Nimoy
    • Kirk, Spock & Bones: Star Trek®’s Great Trio
    • Star Trek®’s Divine Diva: Nichelle Nichols
    • Enhanced Visual Effects Credits
  • BD Live and Mobile Blu™ enabled

CBS Home Entertainment manages the worldwide DVD and Blu-ray businesses for the CBS Corporation across all lines of content including current hits and classic series from the vast CBS library, as well as new releases from Showtime Video.

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

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