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Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.
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Star Trek Finally Coming to Blu-ray

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Drama, Science Fiction, Sequels, Home Entertainment, Upcoming Releases

The Wrath of Khan

To promote the upcoming premiere of , Paramount Home Entertainment will catch up with the technological times.

Beginning April 28, a series of Trek-related offerings will be finally be rolled out on Blu-ray. Star Trek: The Original Series—Season One is first on that list. In addition to the 29 episodes, the seven-disc set will allow viewers to choose between the original television or remastered versions.

On May 12 (a few days after the film’s premiere), the studio will issue two Blu-ray boxed sets: Star Trek Original Motion Picture Collection and Star Trek Motion Picture Trilogy. The “collection” will include the six films - from 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture to 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - featuring the show’s original cast. Meanwhile, the “trilogy” will only include The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock and The Voyage Home.

The 2009 version of Star Trek premieres on May 8.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: January 20, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Home Entertainment

Here are some of the options available this Tuesday:

Max Payne

Huge First Week for Dark Knight DVD

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Sequels, Home Entertainment

The Dark KnightAlthough you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t already seen on the big screen, there are many who would still like to watch it at home as well.

In just one week, the Warner Bros. film has set itself up to be the hottest DVD title of the year. The blockbuster earned nearly $1 billion during its first theatrical run and has now sold 13.5 million discs worldwide. The figure includes 1.7 million Blu-ray units - a record number for that format.

The Batman sequel is expected to officially surpass - the current #1 seller - within the next week.

Come next month, Dark Knight will be returning to the cineplexes as well.

Read More | Variety

Kung Fu Panda Released with Companion Piece

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Paramount, Animation, Family, Home Entertainment

Kung Fu PandaThe upcoming home video release of will break against two long-standing traditions.

Those planning to buy either the DVD or Blu-ray version of the Dreamworks hit have the opportunity to get a brand new companion piece as well. While it’s not a surprise to see direct-to-video sequels of an animated film, those creations are typically produced at a later time. A purchase of the “Pandamonium Double Pack” will give fans an extra disc titled “Secrets of the Furious Five.” This feature will expand on the characters’ backgrounds and will also include the voices of and Dustin Hoffman.

Although Tuesdays are typically reserved for new releases, Paramount Home Entertainment will release this two-disc set (and a single-disc version) on Sunday, November 9th.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Disney Titles Coming to Blu-ray

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Animation, Classics, Family, Home Entertainment, Technology

Sleeping Beauty Blu-rayThis fall, will be releasing its first Platinum Collection title on Blu-ray. Now we’re being told of five other films that will eventually get the same treatment.

  • Pinocchio - available Spring 2009
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - available 2009
  • Fantasia - available 2010
  • Fantasia 2000 - available 2010
  • Beauty and the Beast - available Fall 2010

The animated classics - with all their extra bells and whistles - will be available for a limited time only. (As if Disney would have it any other way.)

Sleeping Beauty hits the shelves on October 7.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Paramount Titles Going Blu-ray

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Science Fiction, Comedy, Technology

Face/Off, John Travolta, Nicolas Cage

After declaring loyalty to HD DVD last year, Paramount has unfortunately been forced to switch gears thanks to the format’s demise.  Here are a few Blu-ray titles the studio now plans to release in the upcoming months:

May 20

  • Bee Movie, Face/Off, Next

June 3

  • Cloverfield, There Will Be Blood

June 24

  • The Spiderwick Chronicles

Read More | Reuters

Toshiba Stops HD DVD Production

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Picturehouse, Universal, Corporate Shakeups, Home Entertainment, Technology

Toshiba, HD DVD

It’s official.  is DOA.

Toshiba finally announced Tuesday what had been rumored for days—it is pulling out of the high-definition market.  Although the HD DVD system preceded Sony’s product, sales have steadily outpaced its competitor.

In the past few months, major studios have aligned themselves with the Sony brand.  Even though Paramount and Universal continued to offer their titles on HD DVD, it was clear the Toshiba format was being crippled.

Recent decisions made by Wal-Mart and Netflix helped drive a nail into the HD DVD coffin.  The companies announced they would no longer be making the high-def option available to its customers.

Shipments of the Toshiba systems will wrap up by March.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: February 05, 2008

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Classics, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Music, Musicals, Religious, Satire, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, New Releases

Elizabeth The Golden Age HD DVDAs the 80th Annual Academy Awards inch ever closer, some of us are still scrambling to see the contenders in question before the big night. Those anxious to see their favorites before the inevitable acceptance speech or scowl-behind-forced-smile have the chance to watch a few in high-def this week.

On HD DVD is Elizabeth: The Golden Age, nominated for Cate Blanchett‘s performance and the opulent costumes. On Blu-ray are Across the Universe, nominated for its costumes, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, nominated for Casey Affleck‘s supporting performance.

Look for other nominees, brought to you in crystal clear high definition, throughout the month.

Check out the full list of high-def releases after the jump.

Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: February 05, 2008


This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: January 29, 2008

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Sony, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Classics, Drama, Foreign, Music, Musicals, Religious, Satire, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, New Releases

Life of Brian Blu-rayHappy Tuesday, all!

The big news this week is the release of Monty Python’s Life of Brian on Blu-ray. The classic film, walking the hyper-sensitive line between important social issues and side-splitting comedy, is easily one of the best from the Python team, and should have a place on every movie lover’s shelf. Why not own it in gorgeous 1080p resolution and Dolby 5.1 surround sound? The harmless religious satire is that much better.

On a side note, am I crazy, or has Warner started consistently releasing films on HD DVD weeks later than those released on Blu-ray? For instance, this week’s Blu-ray release, The Invasion, won’t come out on HD DVD until February 19. And it’s not this one time either—the list of upcoming titles from High-Def Digest shows a serious lag in Warner HD DVD releases. I realize that Warner is phasing the format out, but have they officially put HD DVD on the back burner?

Check out the full list of high-def releases after the jump.

Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: January 29, 2008


Thousands Sign Petition to Save HD DVD

Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Corporate Shakeups, Home Entertainment, Technology

HD DVD Blu-ray clashImpassioned high-definitionites are still fighting to save their precious HD DVD with an online petition. Beginning January 5, the outcry had hoped to urge Warner Home Entertainment to reconsider its recent decision to go Blu-ray, after long-time indecisiveness regarding the format war.

Petitioners also hope the two remaining studios, Paramount and Universal, will see that HD DVD has many supporters and shouldn’t be relegated to history along with Betamax.

Many people have left comments vilifying Warner for allegedly choosing money over consumer choice. Some even swore to never buy another Warner-related film. To be sure, the decision dealt a mighty blow to HD DVD owners; it is clear they feel passionately.

As of this writing, the petition had topped nearly 14,000—not bad considering its short existence—though one wonders what it would take to convince a monolithic conglomerate like Warner.

If you want to do your part to keep HD DVD alive, or if you simply like the competition, sign the petition. Or if you’re ready for the format war to end— eschewing consumer choice and embracing monopoly—you can always sign the Let HD DVD Die Petition.


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