Archived On The Mark - October, 2006
October 31, 2006 - Happy Halloween! Here are DVD reviews of Paramount Home Entertainment's "The Dead Zone: Special Collector's Edition" and "Pet Sematary: Special Collector's Edition."
October 29, 2006 - GENRE ONLINE.NET is 7 years old today and here is my annual report. I have also posted a DVD set review of Warner Home Video's "Nightmares & Dreamscapes From The Short Stories Of Stephen King."
October 28, 2006 - Here is a Blu-ray Disc Review of Lionsgate's "The Devil's Rejects: Unrated."
October 27, 2006 - Here is a Blu-ray Disc review of Buena Vista Home Entertainment's "The Haunted Mansion."
October 26, 2006 - Here is a press release for upcoming Fox Blu-ray Disc releases. More reviews coming so stay tuned. Thank you.
FOX
TO RELEASE MORE BLU-RAY TITLES IN DECEMBER FOR HOLIDAY SALES
-- Box-Office Smash and Critical Favorite THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Will Be
Studio’s Second Day-and-Date Release --
Century
City, Calif. (October 24, 2006) – Furthering its unwavering commitment
to the Blu-ray Disc (BD) format, the only high-definition packaged media
platform broadly supported by the film, music, gaming, computing and consumer
electronics industries, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced five
additional titles scheduled for release in December including the $120 million
box office smash and one of the most buzzed about films of the year THE DEVIL
WEARS PRADA as its second BD/DVD day-and-date release on December 12. Like the
Studio’s first day-and-date BD/DVD release, ICE AGE THE MELTDOWN on November
21, the release of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA on the BD format will benefit from a
multi-million dollar promotional marketing campaign. Each of Fox’s BD
releases is available for the suggested retail price of US$39.98/C$49.98.
In addition to THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA on December 12, the Studio will release
four additional, targeted titles that brilliantly showcase the technological
superiority of the Blu-ray Disc format including FROM HELL starring Johnny Depp,
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX and RISING SUN starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes on
December 5. On December 26 the Studio will release the fast-paced action
thriller and box-office favorite TRANSPORTER 2.
Fox takes advantage of the next generation format’s high definition technology
and advanced functionality to present its titles with the highest quality
audiovisual elements.
Fox’s commitment to emerging technologies is dedicated to enhancing the
consumer experience of its products and providing for backward compatibility
with their existing home entertainment libraries while also aggressively
protecting its intellectual property from piracy. The Blu-ray companies fully
embrace the Studio’s steadfast commitment to the fight against piracy and the
preservation of the integrity of its properties. Twentieth Century Fox is a
member of the Board of Directors of the Blu- ray Disc Association.
Titles and disc configurations are detailed below:
FROM HELL: Presented as a dual-layer (50gb) BD release authored in BD-J
with AVC (MPEG 4 compression) and DTS HD Lossless Master Audio, the BD release
of FROM HELL boasts commentary by directors Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes,
Screenwriter Rafael Yglesias, Cinematographer Peter Deming and Robbie Coltrane,
special trivia pop-up feature and 21 deleted scenes with option commentary by
Albert Hughes.
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Authored in HDMV with MPEG 2 compression with DTS
HD Lossless Master Audio, the HDMV Blu-Ray Disc of FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX boasts
commentaries by John Moore, John Davis, Wyck Godfrey and Patrick Lumb, and
selectable HD trailers of upcoming BD releases.
RISING SUN: The Blu-Ray Disc of RISING SUN is authored in HDMV with AVC
compression and DTS HD Lossless Master Audio and features HD trailers of
upcoming BD releases.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: Authored in HDMV with MPEG 2 compression and DTS HD
Lossless Master Audio, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Blu-Ray Disc includes a commentary
by director David Frankel, producer Wendy Finerman, costume designer Patricia
Field, screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, editor Mark Livolsi and director of
photography Florian Ballhaus, plus special trivia track pop-ups, gag reel, 15
deleted scenes with optional commentary by Frankel and Livolski and HD trailers
for upcoming BD releases.
TRANSPORTER 2: Authored in HDMV with MPEG2 compression and DTS HD Lossless
Master Audio, the TRANSPORTER 2 BD release features a host of selectable HD
trailers.
Blu-ray Disc is a next generation optical disc format developed for
high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer
Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc
holds up to 50 gigabytes of data. This greater storage capacity enables the
Blu-ray Disc to store over six times the amount of content than is possible with
current DVDs, and is particularly well-suited for high definition feature films
with extended levels of additional bonus and interactive material. Blu-ray also
features the most advanced copy protection, backward compatibility with the
current DVD format, connectivity and advanced interactivity.
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
LLC is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film
and television programming on VHS and DVD as well as video acquisitions and
original productions. Each year the Company introduces hundreds of new and
newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass
merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce – throughout
the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.
October 25, 2006 - Here is a TV review of the Cartoon Network animated movie debut of "Hellboy: Sword Of Storms," which will premiere on Saturday, October 28, 2006, at 9:30pm (ET/PT).
October 24, 2006 - Here is a Blu-ray Disc review of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's "Monster House."
October 23, 2006 - Here is a combined DVD review of Anchor Bay Entertainment's "Masters Of Horror."
October 21, 2006 - Here is a review of Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "Army Of Darkness: HD DVD And DVD Combo Format."
October 19, 2006 - I am working on some new media reviews, the first of which will go up tomorrow. Still mending a bit as I get back into the groove of things so sorry for the delay. Samsung has released a firmware upgrade for the Blu-ray Disc Player BD-P1000, but to run it you will need a program that understands and decodes RAR files and that may cost you and at the time of this writing, the PDF file you need to be sure you know what you are doing is corrupted. My advice, register and wait until they send you the firmware upgrade or check and see if the necessary files are no longer corrupted and do not require a purchase from a third-party vendor. Click on this link for those interested.
October 18, 2006 - Warner Home Video is really releasing some great HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs with such commitment that I feel everyone who works for Warner Home Video should get some sort of special achievement award or something because regardless of the format, Warner truly seems to be the leading software producer when it comes to all things high definition not just because of the quantity of their titles, but rather it is the fact that the quality has not lapsed once between the competing formats. So below is yet another example of Warner Home Video's unmatched commitment to high definition optical disc media!
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Six Additional Titles From
Warner Home Video
Make Their High Definition Debut on November 14
CASABLANCA
and MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1962)
on HD DVD
MILLION DOLLAR BABY, THE LAST
SAMURAI and
ATL
on Blu-ray Disc
Forbidden
Planet Released as a 50th Anniversary HD DVD and as Ultimate Collectors
Edition in Unique Metal Alloy Collector’s Case
Burbank, California (October 18, 2006)
– Warner Home Video will release six new high definition titles on November
14. Making their HD
DVD debuts are the incomparable Casablanca, the
spectacular 1962 Marlon Brando re-make of Mutiny
on the Bounty, and
the 50th Anniversary edition of Forbidden
Planet which is being released day-and-date
with its Standard Definition version. In
addition, the Oscar-winning Best Picture Million
Dollar Baby, The Last
Samurai and
ATL also
make their Blu-ray Disc debut
Forbidden
Planet will
be available as a 50th Anniversary HD DVD and
as an
Ultimate Collectors Edition packaged in a stunning metal case that
includes the HD DVD, a collectible Robby the Robot replica with moveable
limbs, Forbidden
Planet and The Invisible Boy
reproduction lobby cards portfolio, as well as a Forbidden Planet original
theatrical poster mail-in offer.
Both
HD DVD and Blu-ray titles will be available for $28.99 SRP while ATL will sell for $34.99
SRP and the Forbidden Planet Ultimate Collector’s Edition will sell for
$59.92 SRP. Casablanca and
Mutiny on the Bounty bonus
materials on the Standard Definition versions of these titles will be included
on the HD DVD versions.
About the Movies
Casablanca
The
winner of the Best Picture Academy Award® for Best Picture nearly 65 years ago,
Casablanca
still remains one of the world’s most beloved movies, with its popularity only
growing “as time goes by”. Now, Warner Bros.’ acclaimed restoration that
drew critical acclaim a few years ago on DVD, enters the world of High
Definition looking and sounding better than ever before!
The
story takes us back to the time when the city of Casablanca was easy to enter,
but much harder to leave, especially if you're wanted by the Nazis. Such a man
is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick
Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one,
especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his
heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's transport out of the country
and bitter Rick must decide what counts more - personal happiness or countless
lives hanging in the balance. This release comes jam-packed with documentaries,
commentary, a radio show version, trailers, and many other irresistible special
features.
Mutiny
on the Bounty (1962)
After
winning the Best Picture for the first version starring Clark Gable in 1935, MGM
pulled out all the stops to remake the true story of the H.M.S. bounty as a
multi-million dollar mega-production. Filmed on location, in the 70mm Ultra-Panavision
process, and featuring an unforgettable performance by Marlon Brando,
Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front) directed this color-drenched
spectacular nominated for seven Academy AwardsÒ
including Best Picture. Marlon Brando puts his own stamp on the role of first
officer Fletcher Christian, the tormented first mate transformed into a man of
action. Trevor Howard is Capt. William Bligh, uncompromising in his command and
his cruelty. Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith and Richard Haydn also star.
This HD-DVD release has been created from newly-restored 65mm elements,
and presents the film in its original, uncut roadshow version, along with
many special features, including a prologue and epilogue deleted from the
film before its original theatrical premiere.
Forbidden
Planet
The legendary sci-fi classic that set a
new standard for the genre has been especially restored both in picture and
sound, just in time for its 50th Anniversary. With the added
excitement of High Definition, audiences will experience this masterpiece as
never before! The story tells of
Commander Adams (Leslie Nielsen) and his crew, who set out to investigate the
disappearance of a colony of scientists on the planet Altair-4. After landing,
they discover only two survivors, Dr. Edward Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) and his
exquisite daughter Altaira (Anne Francis). The Morbiuses live a surprisingly
prosperous lifestyle, attended to by Robby the Robot, a super-butler who
performs many amazing feats. Lurking in the background is an invisible force
which may or may not have been responsible for the disappearances of those
scientists and about which only Morbius knows the truth.
Million
Dollar Baby
Winner
of the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2004, Clint Eastwood gave another
career landmark performance as the boxing trainer Dunn, which he also directed,
produced and composed the film’s original music score. A box-office smash,
which earned critical praise and numerous other awards, the film is a haunting
tale of heart, hope and family. Hilary Swank won her second Academy Award as
Best Actress for her performance as the resilient Maggie, determined not to
abandon her one dream. Rounding out the cast is the magnificent Morgan Freeman,
who also earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as Scrap, the gym
caretaker and counterpoint to Dunn’s crustiness.
The
Last Samurai
Set
in Japan during the 1870s, Director Edward Zwick’s epic adventure The Last
Samurai tells the story of Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a respected
American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's
first army in the art of modern warfare. As
the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai warriors in
preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly government policies, Algren
finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the
Samurai, which places him at the center of a struggle between two eras and two
worlds, with only his own sense of honor to guide him. Nominated for four
Academy Awards, the film’s action sequences, spectacular cinematography and
production design are all given an added dimension when experienced in High
Definition.
ATL
Sometimes 17 year old Rashad and his
pals hang out at the Waffle House, trying to figure out what's next after they
graduate. But on Sunday nights, they know what's coming. They'll be at the
Cascade roller rink: laying down moves, chillin' with friends...and for a few
hours leaving what's outside. Video director Chris Robinson makes his feature
debut, guiding an ensemble that includes astonishingly natural movie newcomers
Tip Harris (aka rapper “T.I.”), Lauren London and Antwan Andre Patton (aka
“Big Boi” of the duo OutKast).
Warner
Home Video HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as
extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The new
formats also provide a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to
extra features via a seamless menu-bar where viewers can enjoy features without
leaving or interrupting the film.
With
operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros.
Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the
global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any
studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of
Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home
Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
October 17, 2006 - At this point everyone pretty already knows so it is no longer a big secret. I had to get surgery last week and of course as a result the site went dark for about a week. I'm back now and on the mend and ready to resume my daily reviews and media coverage activities. Today I'm catching up a bit with news and information regarding upcoming releases like the latest wave of upcoming Warner Home Video HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases coming to a retailer near you soon. You can read all about it in the press release below and you can also click on the "Coming Soon" button above to get an up to date listing of upcoming DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray Disc titles coloe coded in green, red, and blue respectively for easy reference. I'll be back with more tomorrow.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Seven New High Definition Titles
from Warner Home Video
UNDER SEIGE, V FOR VENDETTA,
EXCALIBUR on
HD DVD
THE
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE SEARCHERS,
UNDER SEIGE and UNFORGIVEN on
Blu-ray Disc
Burbank,
California (October 10, 2006) – On October 31, Warner Home Video will release
seven new high definition titles. Making
their debuts are V
for Vendetta and Excalibur
on HD DVD and The Phantom of the Opera, The Searchers and Unforgiven
on Blu-ray Disc. Under
Siege will be making a simultaneous debut on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
V
for Vendetta makes
its HD DVD debut with
In-Movie Experience (IME), the interactive feature allowing viewers to enjoy new
ways of accessing interviews and other material -- while the movie is running.
The IME for V
for Vendetta features the Director's Notebook: Reimagining a Cult
Classic for the 21st Century.
Both
HD DVD and Blu-ray titles will be available for $28.99 SRP. All bonus
materials on the Standard Definition versions of these titles will be included
on the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions.
About the Movies
From
Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers, creators of The
Matrix trilogy, comes the most
action-packed, entertaining and talked-about thriller this year. V for Vendetta is the
electrifying story of an everyday woman in futuristic Britain who becomes the
unlikely accomplice of a mysterious freedom fighter in his radical effort to rid
the country of oppression. V
for Vendetta is an exhilarating and innovative film featuring
provocative performances by Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.
Excalibur
- Raised
by Merlin, young Arthur draws the mystical sword of Excalibur from the stone and
becomes King. He grows to manhood and with his wife Guenevere and first knight
Lancelot unites the country and founds the Knights of the Round Table. But the
love between Lancelot and Guenevere, and the treachery of his sister Morgana and
son Mordred cause King Arthur's pride to jeopardize the kingdom. An epic battle
between the knights of good and evil decides the fate of Camelot. Directed with
skill and panache from legendary director John Boorman (Deliverance), the visual splendor of Excalibur will only be
heightened by the thrill of experiencing it in High Definition.
Under Siege - Steven Seagal comes aboard and comes on strong, in this box-office
blockbuster, combining humor and heroics in a fireball of a movie. He's ex-Navy
SEAL and highly decorated combat operative Casey Ryback. Relying
on his slam-bang martial-arts skills and equipped with enough hardware to
single-handedly wage World War III, Ryback turns the Missouri's deck and below
deck areas into guerilla combat zones.
The Phantom of the
Opera tells the
story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneath the Paris
Opera House, waging a reign of terror over its occupants.
When he falls fatally in love with the lovely young soprano Christine,
the Phantom devotes himself to creating a new star for the Opera. The Phantom of the Opera features the acting talent and
exemplary voice of Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson, Miranda
Richardson and Minnie Driver. Joel Schumacher directs.
The Searchers, with an indelible image of the American frontier and the
men and women who challenged it, stars John Wayne and was directed by John Ford.
Wayne plays an ex-Confederate soldier searching for his niece (Natalie Wood),
captured by the Comanches who massacred his family. He won’t surrender to
hunger, thirst, the elements or loneliness. And in his five-year search, he
encounters something unexpected: his own humanity. Meticulously restored by
Warner Bros. for the film’s 50th Anniversary, the magnificent
VistaVision photography comes alive when viewed in High-Definition.
Unforgiven is Clint Eastwood’s classic Western masterpiece which
earned 4 Academy Awards® including Best Picture. Clint Eastwood and
Morgan Freeman play retired, down-on-their-luck outlaws who pick up their guns
one last time to collect a bounty offered by the vengeful prostitutes of the
remote Wyoming town of Big Whiskey.
Warner
Home Video HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as
extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The new
formats also provide a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to
extra features via a seamless menu-bar where viewers can enjoy features without
leaving or interrupting the film.
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
October 10, 2006 - I will be away for a few days on a personal matter, but if anyone needs to contact me and has my contact information., please drop me a note or leave me a voice mail message and I will get back to you presently. Thank you for your understanding and please check the site again for more new media reviews coming soon.
October 9, 2006 - Here is an HD DVD review of Warner Home Video's "The Adventures Of Robin Hood."
October 7, 2006 - Below is a press
release regarding Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's first 50GB Blu-ray Discs
along with details on special features.
SONY
PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT UNVEILS FIRST THREE 50GB BLU-RAY DISC TITLES
CLICK
TO STREET OCTOBER 10
THE
FIRST-EVER 50GB TITLE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS
--
Black Hawk Down (November 14) &
“As consumers make the leap to Blu-ray’s incredible high-definition picture and theatre quality audio, they want access to a diverse selection of content packed with added-value features and reference titles like Ridley Scott’s powerful war epic Black Hawk Down, that will add to their growing Blu-ray Disc libraries,” said David Bishop, President, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. “We're proud to be the first studio to deliver a 50GB Blu-ray Disc title to the marketplace with Click on October 10, along with two other highly entertaining titles this year that offer the expanded capacity and special features only a 50GB disc can provide.”
CLICK
Shot
entirely in high-def, the Blu-ray format captures Click’s
many poignant and humorous remote-controlled moments with pristine picture
quality and superior sound.
Click is the first SPHE Blu-ray Disc title to include all
bonus features from the DVD release in high-definition and also features
uncompressed PCM audio.
High-definition added value features include:
Synposis: In Click, Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is a family man with a busy career as an architect leaving minimal time for his wife Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and two kids. Unable one day to determine which of his many remotes turns on the television, he decides that a universal remote control will solve all of his problems. On Michael’s search for the perfect device, he meets Morty (Christopher Walken), who gives him a one-of-a-kind remote with magical powers that allow him to perform TiVo-like functions. As Michael fast-forwards through annoying quarrels with his wife and mutes the barks and begging of Sundance, the family dog, he begins to feel in control of his career and personal life. However, when the remote starts to override his choices, Michael begins to truly appreciate and embrace the life he already has – the good, the bad and the ugly.
BLACK
HAWK DOWN
Black Hawk Down grossed more than $100 million at the box office and is a gripping true story about bravery, camaraderie and the complex reality of war. “With a richly detailed master and long running time, Black Hawk Down is an ideal title to demonstrate Blu-ray’s 50GB capability, without any compromise in features or quality,” said Don Eklund, Executive Vice President, Advanced Technologies, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Black Hawk Down is also the first Blu-ray Disc title to feature SPHE’s new Blu-Wizard™, a unique playlist technology which lets consumers customize the way they watch special features.
Special features consumers may customize on the Black Hawk Down Blu-ray Disc include:
Synopsis:
Recounting the true story of a war waged in
The hilarious $140 million summer blockbuster Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby chronicles the man with two first names, NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby, as he tries to gain his father’s respect and love while fulfilling his need for speed. The Blu-ray Disc features the Unrated Edition of the film along with added-value features in high-definition including:
Synopsis: The fastest man on four wheels, Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. A big, hairy American winning machine, Ricky has everything a daredevil could want: a luxurious mansion, a smokin' hot wife (Leslie Bibb) and all the fast food he can eat. But Ricky's turbo-charged lifestyle hits an unexpected speed bump when he's bested by flamboyant Euro-idiot Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) and reduced to a fear-ridden wreck. Losing his wife and job to best bud and fellow fool, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), Ricky must kick some serious asphalt if he is to get his career back on track, beat Girard and reclaim his fame and fortune.
Continuing with its commitment to Blu-ray and the promise to deliver the best viewing experience available to consumers today, SPHE will introduce a variety of new and exciting Blu-ray Disc content throughout the fourth quarter 2006. Full of family fun and imagination, Monster House will debut on Blu-ray disc day-and-date with DVD on October 24th and the Wayans brothers’ comedy, Little Man, hits shelves November 7th.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a broad selection of high-definition movies since its initial launch on June 20. Blu-ray Disc titles currently available to consumers from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment include 50 First Dates; The Fifth Element; Hitch; House of Flying Daggers; XXX; Ultraviolet; Underworld: Evolution; Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction; The Benchwarmers; Stealth; RV; Silent Hill; Into the Blue; Memento; S.W.A.T.; A Knight’s Tale; The Big Hit and Tears of the Sun.
October 6, 2006 - Here is a review of Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "George A. Romero's Land Of The Dead: Unrated Director's Cut: HD DVD And DVD Combo Format." This has nothing to do with film, television, DVD, high definition or anything like that, but as anyone from my hometown of Brooklyn will tell you, there is no finer pizza than Brooklyn pizza so when in Brooklyn, visit Nino's on Third Avenue in beautiful Bay Ridge and while your at it, check out this fine young artist's web design work by clicking here too. Thank you.
October 4, 2006 - Here is a DVD box set review of Buena Vista Home Entertainment's "LOST: The Complete Second Season: The Extended Experience."
October 2, 2006 - Here is a review of the first season finale of the SCI FI Channel Original Series "Eureka," which will air on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, at 9pm (ET/PT). In addition I have moved my "On The Mark Updates For September, 2006" to the Archived On The Mark Updates Page. More reviews coming soon so please stay tuned. Thank you.