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'Blade Runner: The Final Cut' 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Trailer (UPDATED)[teaser]Ridley Scott's 1982 science fiction classic is coming to the 4K format in September. UPDATE: Trailer added. [/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Brothers is working on 'Blade Runner: The Final Cut' for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 5. Visually spectacular, intensely action-packed and powerfully prophetic since its debut, Blade Runner returns in Ridley Scott's definitive Final Cut, including extended scenes and never-before-seen special effects. In a signature role as 21st-century detective Rick Deckard, Harrison Ford brings his masculine-yet-vulnerable presence to this stylish noir thriller. In a future of high-tech possibility soured by urban and social decay, Deckard hunts for fugitive, murderous replicates - and is drawn to a mystery woman whose secrets may undermine his soul. The release will feature 2160p video, a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and supplements include: Final Cut introduction by Ridley Scott Audio Commentary by Ridley ScottDangerous Days: The Making of Blade RunnerThe Electric Dreamer: Remembering Phillip K. DickSacrificial Sheep: The Novels vs. The FilmPhillip K. Dick: The Blade Runner InterviewsSign of the Times: Graphic DesignFashion Forward: Wardrobe & StylingScreen Tests: Rachael and PrisThe Light that Burns: Remembering Jordan CronenwethDeleted & Alternate Scenes1982 Promotional FeaturettesTrailers and TV SpotsPromoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster ArtDeck-a-Rep: The True Nature of Rick DeckardNexus Generations: Fans and Filmmakers You can find the latest specs for 'Blade Runner: The Final Cut' linked from our UHD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 5.Posted Mon Aug 14, 2017 at 08:16 AM PDT by: -
Is CGI Ruining Movies?[teaser]Is the industry's use of CGI really that bad, and has the arrival of HDR/WCG only exasperated the problem?[/teaser] CGI is an essential component of modern filmmaking, but is Hollywood's increasing reliance on computer imagery actually hurting the impact of its films? It's an interesting question, and one that RocketJump Film School examined to great detail in their 2015 video essay, Why CG Sucks (Except it Doesn't). In the piece, Freddie Wong takes a look at the move industry's use of CGI, admitting the tech's occasional faults while mounting a defense for why it remains an essential and often seamless tool. Check out the video below! The central thesis of Wong's argument proposes that the reality isn't that most CGI in movies is bad, it's just that we only ever notice the effects when they're done poorly. To this end, for every terrible lifeless render of The Rock as The Scorpion King, there are countless instances of nearly flawless computer imagery that go completely unnoticed because of just how convincing they really are. Wong goes on to point out specific types of effects that computers handle particularly well, highlighting CGI elements like vehicles, buildings, water, animals, objects, and explosions used in films without most audiences even realizing it. Of course, there are still blatantly bad computer effects in some films, but when taking into account just how much CGI work is used in the industry, the terrible examples are really the exception rather than the norm. With that said, this debate is now starting to take on new relevance in the 4K Ultra HD era as HDR (high dynamic range) and WCG (wide color gamut) formats are starting to reveal even more details and, as a result, flaws in every frame. This makes some even previously effective CG work tend to standout or appear unnatural and exaggerated, including some of the fire and explosions in recent films like Mad Max: Fury Road. Hopefully filmmakers will work out these early kinks with HDR/WCG and CGI, improving the rendering and grading process to blend elements a little more smoothly. At the end of the day, however, I still tend to agree with Wong's final assessment: CGI remains a helpful tool like any other VFX technique, whether in 4K, HDR, 1080p, or standard definition on an old VHS, and while it can be overused or poorly implemented at times, even bad effects can be forgivable if they serve a well told story. Source: RocketJump Film School (YouTube)Posted Fri Aug 11, 2017 at 04:10 PM PDT by: -
'Wonder Woman' Blu-ray, 3D, & 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Dated & Detailed (UPDATED)[teaser]Gal Gadot returns as the Batman v Superman show-stealer later this year on home video.[/teaser]As previously reported, Warner Brothers is preparing 'Wonder Woman' for Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray later this year, and now the date has been set for September 19. Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the massive conflict that's raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny. Each release will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and supplements will include:Epilogue: Etta's Mission – Etta Candy gets the boys back together for a secret mission that could impact humanity's future.Crafting the Wonder – Wonder Woman finally comes to life in her first, breathtaking solo film. Explore the journey to create an adventure worthy of DC's greatest warrior.A Director's Vision: Themyscira: The Hidden IslandA Director's Vision: Beach BattleA Director's Vision: A Photograph Through TimeA Director's Vision: Diana in the Modern WorldA Director's Vision: Wonder Woman at WarWarriors of Wonder Woman – Witness the creation of the Amazon army as the women of "Wonder Woman" transform emotionally and physically into the world's most powerful and heroic warriors.The Trinity – Filmmakers and comic book creators explore the legend of Wonder Woman and how she stands shoulder to shoulder with Superman and Batman to create the pillars of the DC Universe.The Wonder Behind the Camera – Meet the women behind the wonder as they welcome a group of aspiring filmmakers on set for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience.Finding the Wonder Woman Within – Feel the power of Wonder Woman as award-winning poets and inspiring public figures reveal the impact and importance of DC's greatest heroine.Extended ScenesBlooper Reel You can find the latest specs for 'Wonder Woman' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 19. Order the Blu-ray Order the 3D Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Fri Aug 11, 2017 at 06:46 AM PDT by: -
Sony Announces 'Men in Black Trilogy' for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The Men in Black are heading to 4K just in time for the first film's 20th Anniversary.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is prepping the Men in Black Trilogy for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on December 5. The collection will include Men in Black, Men in Black II, and Men in Black III. Men in Black - Follows the exploits of agents Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Jay (Will Smith), members of a top-secret organization established to monitor alien activity on Earth. The two MiB find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio) who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. Men in Black II - Agent J and Agent K are back! Agent J needs help with a new breed of alien terror intent on destroying the planet. He is sent to find Agent K, restore his memory and enlist him in the fight of a lifetime. Men in Black III - Agents J and K are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him - secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set will feature 2160p video with HDR and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack on each film. Supplements will likely mirror those found on the previously released Blu-ray editions. You can find the latest specs for the Men in Black Trilogy linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 5. Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Mon Aug 7, 2017 at 09:20 AM PDT by: -
HDD First Look: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-rayUPDATE: We've also reviewed the VUDU 4K UHD streaming version with Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos. Check it out HERE. ``` What's up, everybody! I hope you're all getting ready for a fun movie-or-TV-filled weekend. I just got back from a press preview of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray where we demoed three of the HD Exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes, a new music video starring 80s icon David Hasselhoff and the rest of the GOTGV2 cast, and about 15 minutes of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray itself. Director James Gunn and David Hasselhoff were on hand to chat about working together (the Hoff had just arrived from Berlin because of course he did and he's also a German icon in addition to an American one) where I learned his "We Are Groot" appearance in the closing credits was shot on Gunn's iPhone. As previously reported, Guardians Vol. 2 will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and a 4K/3D Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook on August 22nd. The 4K Blu-ray version will be encoded in HDR10 (not Dolby Vision, unfortunately, but don't worry it still looks AWESOME -- more below) and Dolby Atmos, while the HD & 3D Blu-rays will feature 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mixes. (no sign of 4K UHD digital yet via Disney Movies Anywhere Pre-Order) Guardians Vol. 2 will also be available August 8 via Digital on a bunch of different streaming platforms, including Disney Movies Anywhere, iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, Microsoft, or Fios by Verison. FYI, as I'm writing this, you can pre-order the movie in HD on iTunes, Amazon, and VUDU. Today we confirmed with Disney that VUDU.com will be offering a 4K UHD streaming version of Vol. 2 in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, although it doesn't appear to be up for pre-order at this time. It's not clear where one can stream the film in HDR10 or if there will be any other Dolby Vision streaming options (Google Play?). Stay tuned, we hope to know more next week. During our Q&A period, Gunn reiterated his passion for Dolby Vision saying, in regards to the theatrical release, "I love the Disney 3D version, but I also really love the Dolby Vision so putting that version on home video was really important because I thought it was the best version." Also import and kinda bad news: Disney PR reps informed me that the digital code included with the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray will NOT unlock the 4K UHD digital / streaming version, which is a big bummer for those who are fans of Dolby Vision, but also enjoy the reliability and increased bitrate of physical media. That said, they didn't seem 100% sure and a month ago Disney PR reps told other journalists, incorrectly, that the 4K Blu-ray would feature Dolby Vision. So we'll have to play the waiting game to see what happens. I'll be checking a Disney-provided code on August 8 to see what happens, and we'll check again when our 4K Blu-ray screener arrives for M. Enois Duarte to review. IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT If you're reading this article and aren't up to date on terms like HDR or HDR10 or Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos or even 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, no worries, we have a whole bunch of articles explaining those technologies which you can read here: -What is HDR?-What is Dolby Vision?-What is Dolby Atmos?-Everything We Know About 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The short version: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is a year-old physical media format that displays content at a 4K resolution that's been graded for HDR, which improves contrast as well as visible details in dark and ultra bright imagery, and Wide Color Gamut, which gives you access to more vivid colors (and colors that more closely reproduce the theatrical experience) even when the images themselves are brighter. It's basically the best physical media format ever (in terms of capabilities) and Guardians Vol. 2 is actually Disney's first 4K disc. GUARDIANS OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES As a reminder, the 4K and Blu-ray versions of Guardians include the following HD Exclusives (there are no bonus materials on the DVD): -The Making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2-Visionary Intro with director James Gun-Guardians Inferno Music Video-Gag Reel-Four Deleted Scenes-Audio Commentary with director James Gunn And the Digital HD versions exclusively add: Three Scene Breakdowns and a look at the new Disneyland ride, Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout. In our demo, we saw three of the four chapters from the aforementioned Making Of documentary as well as the music video. The Director's Chair with James Gunn. Behind the scenes footage, movie clips, and talking-head interviews make up this love letter to James Gunn. The filmmaker talks about his intentions with, and success of, the first film and how he hopes to carry it into Vol. 2. Then everyone talks about how great Mr. Gunn is at writing and directing. And, by the looks of it, they all worked very hard and had a great time doing so. Mr. Gunn oozes confidence talking about his story and while leading on set. Showtime: The Cast of Vol. 2. Similar to the director's chair in construction, James Gunn talks about how he collaborates with each actor to build their characters and what they each bring to the production. Again, from hours in makeup to goofing around between takes to high-wire green screen stunts, everyone is having a visibly grand time and it really translates to the final product. Reunion Tour: The Music of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Before Spotify lists, there were honest-to-God mixed tapes. In the Guardians universe, the soundtracks are characters in and of themselves, born early in the writing process and used to build emotions and drive action. Here, Mr. Gunn describes the backstory behind a number of his musical selections, like how he used Fleetwood Mac's The Chain at key parts of his characters' arcs, along with his musical score collaborations with Tyler Bates. Guardians Inferno Music Video. Speaking of which, Gunn and Tyler Bates further collaborated to write a 70s disco-rap song, performed by 80s icon David Hasselhoff, which you might recognize from the film's end credits. Actor/filmmaker David Yarovesky directs a love letter to the ultra cheesy late 70s disco music videos, featuring long-haired ladies and mustache-and-super-chopped adorned guys draped in glittering polyester and blown out across the screen through kaleidoscope-inspired video effects (sadly, no star wipes). Definitely watch this one for the cast cameos. GUARDIANS OF THE 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY While we didn't get a full home cinema experience with surround sound -- so I can't tell you anything about the home theatre Dolby Atmos mix (though I have high hopes because it sounded pretty dang great at the premiere) -- we did do a side-by-side demo comparing the HDR/WCG 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and the SDR/Rec.709 Blu-ray using two LG G7 OLED 4K displays (with all noise reduction and motion enhancements flipped OFF) and two Oppo UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players in a darkened conference room. During our demo, we started (I think) around Chapter 2 where the Guardians are in the blue and gold Sovereign throne room and watched all the way to the scene where Sylvester Stallone and The Ravagers confront Yondu at the neon-covered city of ill-repute. (BTW, I know these places all have specific names, but I forgot them and haven't been able to find them online, so my apologies for the lack of specificity). Make no mistake, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray DESTROYS the Blu-ray in every possible way (even when said Blu-ray is up-rezzed by what's probably the BEST 4K player on the market on arguably the BEST 4K display available today). I'm not kidding or exaggerating. No hyperbole whatsoever. The difference is visible and dramatic. I'll still need to check out the VUDU version and watch the whole disc to be certain, but unless there are serious flaws hiding somewhere, Guardians Vol. 2 is probably going to set a new standard as the best, demo-worthy 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray the young format has ever seen. How so? I'm glad you asked. First, we need to talk about highlight details. From chandeliers to lights reflecting off spaceship windows to suns blazing in cloudy skies to fiery explosions, GOTGV2 features a ton of in-frame bright objects. On the Blu-ray, these bright spots are hazy and monolithic and, pretty much, one tone of white or off white. On the 4K Blu-ray with HDR, the light sources themselves are smaller and more precise, especially during shots of the sun (or a star, I suppose, since it's not Earth, but I digress). You can see the glowing orb along with clouds and window frames around them. You can see the fine details of the billowing clouds. You can see Mantis' antennae as she emerges from Ego's ship (where in the Blu-ray they vanish). In other words, these details make the Guardians universe dramatically more realistic and realized. Next, let's talk sharpness. Many 4K Blu-rays are, admittedly, not noticeably sharper than up-rezzed Blu-rays. Most of this comes down to source materials and, while I don't know the specifics of the Guardians Vol. 2 post-process (I believe it's was finished in 4K, but don't quote me on this), again the differences are clear as can be. The Blu-ray is sharp-ish as presented on the 2017 LG OLED. Details are defined. Locations are well rendered. You can see the textures and fabrics and sets, but they're never wholly CRISP. In side-by-side comparisons, the Blu-ray looks evvvvvvvver-so-slightly out of focus and washed out. The 4K Blu-ray, by comparison, is razor sharp to the point where you can see wrinkles in Nebula and Gamora's makeup, gold flake in the Sovereign citizens' skin, individual tree branches as they're crash landing on the planet with the green forests, each whisker in Kurt Russel's beard, and the paint on the set walls. To be fair, many folks won't appreciate these fine details, but, again, they add to the realness of the world and picky perfection-demanding viewers are going to love peeping pixels because it's all there. Moving on to black levels Sometimes, especially with OLEDs, HDR10 encoded movies with really dark scenes crush shadow details. There are ways around this and the 2017 OLEDs are brighter than the 2016 model we reviewed HERE, but still, it's a concern given the way HDR10's static metadata is encoded. I'm happy to report, even in darker scenes like the space battle and the interior of the Guardians' ship and the early-evening scene with Yondu, there was no crushing or lost details. This is a very good HDR transfer even though it lacks dynamic metadata. Black levels are, as they tend to be with OLEDs, perfect. Lastly, let's talk color volume. Much like my press events at Fox where we demoed The Revenant and Deadpool, doing side-by-side comparisons offers a far quicker and more perfect demonstration of how 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray bests Blu-ray because A-to-B-to-A-to-B testing allows just enough time to pass for one's memories to cloud. Seeing the same images moving in (semi) sync allows your eyes to linger over both frames at once and it's here you realize that, while Guardians doesn't have a dramatically different color palette like The Revenant, Vol. 2 boasts a much more vibrant and richer color palette that is so gorgeous, you can imagine this very disc and demo selling HDR capable TVs to the masses. Like Pixar and other CGI animations, the colors in this movie are perfect for showing off your display. From the blue Sovereign palace and Nebula's skin to the green forests and Gamora's skin to the Neon-adorned buildings of the shady world where Yondu meets up with the other Ravagers who all hate his guts. In every single scene, the 4K Blu-ray's BOLD colors pop and catch your eye, even in those brighter areas mentioned above -- where the Blu-ray pushes into white when it runs out of a certain color in Rec.709, this P3 color space allows for blue skies and orange flames and red laser blasts, which all adds to the overall sharpness and vibrancy. FINAL THOUGHTS (IS IT TOO SOON TO GIVE IT 5-STARS?) The featurettes and music video were definitely fun, and fans are going to love those, but I went to this event to see the demo and the results are, to put it mildly, spectacular. The Blu-ray is like watching the movie with sunglasses on, where as the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is like watching after you've had laser eye surgery. I can't wait to own it. To be fair, we've only seen 15 minutes of GOTGV2 on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, so we can't go giving out the 5-Star score just yet, but, caveat aside, this movie looks bolder, brighter, and more colorful than Pacific Rim and The Great Gatsby, my favorite HDR10/WCG demo discs thus far (and unlike those 2K-up-rezzed titles, I didn't notice any other flaws that would chip away at a perfect score). Honestly, guys and gals, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 looks shockingly good in 4K and I'm so very excited for you to see what I just saw. Is it a bummer that Dolby Vision isn't available on the disc? Sure, but after seeing this 4K Blu-ray with HDR10, you're going to be very, very happy. That said, look for a VUDU 4K UHD review as well in the coming days so we can describe the Dolby Vision version as well as what the lossy Dolby Atmos track sounds like on streaming. Stay tuned and thanks so much for reading!Posted Thu Aug 3, 2017 at 07:12 PM PDT by: -
'Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie' Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Dated & Detailed (UPDATED)[teaser]The animated comedy is now available for preorder on both formats at Amazon. [/teaser] As previously reported, DreamWorks is set to release 'Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie' on Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray later this year, and now the date has been set for September 12th. One of the funniest, most heartwarming films of the year" (William Bibbiani, Crave Online). Certified Fresh on RottenTomatoes.com, this outrageous family comedy tells the story of two overly imaginative best friends, George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch), who hypnotize their principal (Ed Helms) into thinking he's the hero from their comic books: Captain Underpants. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie also features the voice talent of Nick Kroll as Professor Poopypants. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: The Really Cool Adventures of Captain Underpants Motion ComicThe Captain Underpants Guide to Being a HeroThe Professor Poopypants (Totally Original and Supercool) Guide to Being a VillainKevin Hart and Ed Helms Surprise FansLunch Lady PSA with Kristen SchaalSock Puppets Real StarsDeleted ScenesCaptain Underpants Theme by "Weird Al" Yankovic (Lyric Video)"A Friend Like You" by Andy Grammer (Lyric Video)Tighty-Whitey Q&A with the Stars - Part 1 and Part 2GalleryComic Book CoversThe Art of DreamWorks CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE You can find the latest specs for 'Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 12. Order the Blu-ray Order the UHD Blu-rayPosted Wed Aug 2, 2017 at 10:40 AM PDT by: -
'Baywatch' Announced for Blu-ray & 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The action-comedy will hit both formats this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is preparing 'Baywatch' on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on August 29. When a dangerous crime wave hits the beach, legendary Lt. Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson, The Fate of the Furious) leads his elite squad of badass lifeguards on a mission to prove you don't have to wear a badge to save the bay. Joined by a trio of hot-shot recruits including former Olympian Matt Brody (Zac Efron, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising), they'll ditch the surf and go deep undercover to take down a ruthless businesswoman (Priyanka Chopra, TV's "Quantico"), whose devious plans threaten the future of the bay. Each release will feature both the Theatrical & Extended Cuts of the film, Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and supplements include: Meet the Lifeguards; Continuing the Legacy; Stunts & Training; and Deleted & Extended Scenes You can find the latest specs for Baywatch linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 29. Order the Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 12:43 PM PDT by: -
'E.T.' & 'Close Encounters' Headed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (UPDATED)[teaser]Two Steven Spielberg classics are heading to the 4K format this September. [/teaser] Universal Studios is working on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 12. In 1982, acclaimed director Steven Spielberg created iconic movie magic with his classic film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the unforgettable and emotional adventure of an adorable alien lost on Earth and the lonely boy who befriends him. Winner of four Academy Awards®, including Best Music, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial has become a cinematic touchstone for generations of moviegoers and one of the most beloved films of all time. Now, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates the film’s original theatrical release with a special gift set, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 35th Anniversary Limited Edition on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray™ + Digital available on September 12, 2017. This special gift set features premium packaging, includes a re-mastered CD soundtrack of the original Grammy Award®-winning album, is packed with over three hours of bonus features and includes a collector’s booklet with behind-the-scenes stories and rare images from the archives. This 35th Anniversary Limited Edition retains all the excitement, drama and warm-hearted humor that made it an instant worldwide classic. Fans can also relive the adventure and magic of one of the most beloved motion pictures of all-time, with the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack along with the new Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD editions that showcase new artwork of the beloved cast on September 12, 2017. All releases include a code to redeem the film on Digital plus over three hours of bonus features such as deleted scenes and revealing interviews that bring back the film’s humor, suspense and wonder, making this a must-own movie for everyone’s library. Captivating audiences of all ages, this timeless story follows the unforgettable journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends. Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way home. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is “one of the great American films” (Leonard Maltin) that forever belongs in the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere. Special features on this release include: -Marketing E.T. A Look Back - A special insider’s look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film. -The E.T. Reunion - The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film. -The 20th Anniversary Premiere - Composer John Williams played the score of E.T. live at the Shrine Auditorium for the re-release premiere of E.T. This featurette gives us a behind the scenes look at this presentation. Also, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial returns to movie theaters nationwide for a two-day cinema event on Sunday, September 17, and Wednesday, September 20. These special event screenings will feature an exclusive commentary from TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz. Tickets and participating theaters are available at www.FathomEvents.com. Meanwhile, Sony is preparing to bring Close Encounters of the Third Kind to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray well on September 19 following a limited 4K theatrical release on September 1. Richard Dreyfuss stars as cable worker Roy Neary, who along with several other stunned bystanders experience a close encounter of the first kind - witnessing UFOs soaring across the sky. After this life-changing event, the inexplicable vision of a strange, mountain-like formation haunts him. He becomes obsessed with discovering what it represents, much to the dismay of his wife and family. Meanwhile, bizarre occurrences are happening around the world. Government agents have close encounters of the second kind - discovering physical evidence of extraterrestrial visitors in the form of a lost fighter aircraft from World War II and a stranded military ship that disappeared decades earlier only to suddenly reappear in unusual places. Roy continues to chase his vision to a remote area where he and the agents follow the clues that have drawn them to reach a site where they will have a close encounter of the third kind - contact. Close Encounters of the Third Kind is presented with an all-new 4K restoration, fully restored from the 35mm original camera negative, thereby utilizing in 4K the full resolution, detail and color depth inherent in the film. 4K Blu-ray brings the full power of this restoration into the home, featuring four times the resolution of high definition, high dynamic range (HDR)--which produces brilliant highlights, vibrant colors and greater contrast on compatible displays. The Blu-ray will also utilize this new restoration at HD resolution. Both 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray versions will feature all three versions of the movie and the original restored 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Both Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD releases include all three restored versions of the film, including the 1977 theatrical version, the 1980 Special Edition and the 1997 Director's Cut. Special features include: ALL-NEW: "Three Kinds of Close Encounters" FeaturetteNEW interview with Director Steven Spielberg on the legacy of the film, as well as new interviews with directors J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) about the impact of Close Encounters. ALL-NEW: "Steven's Home Movies & Outtakes"Rare never-before-seen home movies & gags from the set of Close Encounters. Close Encounters of the Third Kind Making-of Documentary"Steven Spielberg: 30 Years of Close Encounters" FeaturetteDeleted Scenes1977 Featurette "Watch the Skies"Storyboard to Scene ComparisonsExtensive Photo Gallery"A View From Above"Theatrical Trailers There will also be a 4K Blu-ray Gift Set that lights up and plays the iconic 5-tone theme and also includes a 64-page booklet with rare photos from the film's production. You can find the latest specs for the E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays over on our 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under September 12 and September 19, respectively.Posted Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 01:25 PM PDT by: -
'Kick-Ass' and 'Warm Bodies' Announced for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Both catalog titles are expected to hit the 4K format this October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'Kick-Ass' for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 3. Dave Lizewski (Taylor-Johnson) is an ordinary teenager who goes unnoticed in high school until he takes a chance to "do something" and dons a mask and becomes "Kick-Ass" to fight real-life crime. Bruised and beaten and without any real super powers, he is saved by a father-daughter duo (Cage as "Big Daddy," Moretz as "Hit-Girl") who know all the right moves and have a vendetta against a vicious crime lord, D'Amico (Mark Strong). After a fiery internet storm of publicity for Kick-Ass, D'Amico wants to meet the masked man, and his son (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) dons a costume of his own and becomes "Red Mist" to befriend him and get in his father's good graces. The story comes to a head when D'Amico succeeds in luring the crime fighters to his home and ass-kicking destruction ensues. The release will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and special features include: "A New Kind of Superhero: The Making of Kick-Ass" 4-Part Documentary; "It's On! The Comic Book Origin of Kick-Ass" Featurette; Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Matthew Vaughn; Marketing Archive; Ass-Kicking Bonus View Mode (Blu-ray Disc Exclusive) – Synchronous with the feature film, this innovative multi-media presentation incorporates video and audio commentary, behind-the-scenes clips and illustrative graphics with Co-Writer/Producer/Director Matthew Vaughn, plus cast and crew providing an all-access perspective on Kick-Ass; and "The Art of Kick-Ass" Gallery. 'Warm Bodies 4K' will also be available on the same date. A funny new twist on a classic love story, Warm Bodies is a poignant tale about the power of human connection. After a zombie epidemic, R (a highly unusual zombie) encounters Julie (a human survivor), and rescues her from a zombie attack. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human – setting off an exciting, romantic, and often comical chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world. The release will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack and special features include: Audio Commentary with Screenwriter/Director Jonathan Levine and Actors Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer; 9 Featurettes; Deleted Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary by Director Jonathan Levine; Gag Reel; and Theatrical Trailer. Suggested retail price for each release is $22.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Kick-Ass 4K' and 'Warm Bodies 4K' linked from our 4K UHD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under October 3.Posted Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 10:05 AM PDT by: -
'Terminator: Genisys' Rumored for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The latest entry in the Terminator franchise could be headed to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.[/teaser] Rumors indicate that Paramount is prepping Terminator: Genisys for a potential 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release in the US. The 4K disc is already available in several foreign markets, including France, Spain, Japan, and the UK. When John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Now, Sgt. Reese finds himself in a new and unfamiliar version of the past, where he is faced with unlikely allies, including the Guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger), dangerous new enemies, and an unexpected new mission: To reset the future... Specs have not been revealed, but the import Ultra HD Blu-rays feature 2160p video with HDR10 and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. And though those releases only include the previously available Blu-ray special features, Terminator fan site, Skynet's Army, continues to hear rumblings about a possible Special Edition disc with new supplements, including deleted scenes. With that said, Paramount has not confirmed any new releases of the flick, 4K or otherwise, for the US market at this time. For now, be sure to check out our review of the Terminator: Genisys - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (French Import). Likewise, you can order the region free import discs below. Order the French 4K Disc Order the UK 4K Disc Source: Skynet's ArmyPosted Mon Jul 24, 2017 at 02:15 PM PDT by:
