In time for its 45th birthday, the classic Disney err 20th Century Fox musical The Sound Of Music will be singing a new tune in digitally remastered Blu-ray form on November 2nd.  Fox is going all out on this one, starting with a 3 Disc Blu-ray combo pack and for you super fans a limited edition Limited Collector’s Set packaged in a keepsake music box with all kinds of goodies in it.  This set will be priced at $89.99 SRP and the standard disc will be $34.99 SRP. Check it out below!

Limited Edition Collector’s Set

• 2-Disc Blu-ray with all extras as detailed below
• Standard Definition DVD
• 45th Anniversary Soundtrack
• 100-Page “My Favorite Things” scrapbook
• Snapshots from Salzburg
• Reproduction of the original 1965 Souvenir program
• Exclusive “My Favorite Things” Music Box with letter of authenticity

Blu-ray Details: Blu-ray Disc 1:

• Feature Film Remastered in 1080p Hi-Def with 7.1 DTS-HD Sound
• Your Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration — All-New Immersive Viewing Experience with Behind-the-Scenes Images, On-Screen Lyrics, Trivia Track and Location Quiz
• Music Machine Sing-Along
• Audio Commentaries with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Director Robert Wise

BD-LIVE**: Live Lookup™ Powered by IMDb^®

Blu-ray Disc 2:

• Musical Stages: Creating The Sound of Music — All-New Interactive “Backlot Tour” with In-Depth Featurettes on the Songs, the Stage Show & Movie, the Film and Sound Restoration and the Real-Life von Trapp Family
• A City of Song — Virtual Map of Filming Locations in Salzburg, Austria
• Vintage Rodgers & Hammerstein and The Sound of Music Programs
• Screen Tests, Rare Treasures, Interviews, Photo Galleries & More!

DVD Disc:

• Feature Film In Standard Definition
  • Newly Remastered Picture and Sound
  • Optional Sing-Along Track
• Music Machine Sing-Along
• The Sound of Music Tour – A Living Story

BD/DVD Combo Pack Specs

• BD features all the bonus materials listed above
• Standard DVD

Looks like the vault has been reopened, and one of the Disney Crown Jewels has been let back out into the harsh Blu light. Look for the Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 2 Disc Movie Collection on November 30th, and oddly enough these will be in combo pack form and a 2 disc DVD set coming out separately.  Naturally the original Fantasia has been remastered for the HD format, and will be part of the 4 disc Blu-ray set.  The Blu-ray edition is priced at $45.99 SRP while the less glamorous DVD set is $39.99 SRP. Heres the box art and the scoop on both sets:

Fantasia DVD Bonus Features:

• New Audio Commentary with Disney historian Brian Sibley
• Disney Family Museum (running time: approx. 5 minutes) – Walt’s daughter Diane Disney-Miller takes viewers on a tour of the new Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California featuring a very large exhibit on Fantasia and most importantly, the Schultheis notebook with long lost Fantasia production notes found in more recent years in the walls of a convent.

Fantasia Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD plus:

• Disney View – This viewing mode maximizes the Blu-ray viewing experience with a 16 x 9 aspect ratio. Original artwork created by a Disney artist, in a style that complements the beauty of the film.
• The Shultheis Notebook: A Disney Treasure (running time: approx. 14 minutes) –An in depth look at the recently discovered Schultheis Notebook.  The detailed log was created by Herman Schultheis, an effects man on Fantasia, and intricately breaks down the film from a technical view. Many of the special effects used in Fantasia were a mystery to modern day animators until this notebook was recovered.
• Interactive Art Gallery and Screensavers – Viewers can explore the artwork of Fantasia as never before, in HD resolution with unique Blu-ray interactivity and programming.
• Audio Commentaries from Fantasia Legacy Collection
  

o  With executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, animation historian John Canemaker, and Scott McQueen, manager of film restoration.
o Audio commentary with interviews and story note recreations by Walt Disney, hosted by John Canemaker.


Fantasia 2000 DVD Bonus Features:

• Musicana – Walt’s Inspiration for a Sequel (running time: approx. 10 minutes) – This documentary reveals rarely-seen art created for Musicana, a late 1970’s project intended as a Fantasia sequel with a focus on exploring other cultures via their greatest musical compositions.  Viewers are offered a look at the origins of pieces that were started by Walt, such as “The Emperor and the Nightingale” which was then taken over by a very young John Lasseter.  Ultimately, Musicana was stopped to begin production on “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” but the memories of this piece still live on with the animators who conceived it.

Fantasia 2000 Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD plus:

• Dali & Disney: A Date With Destino (running time: 82 minutes) – This feature length documentary explores the collaborative relationship between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali, revealing how and why the Destino short came to fruition under the lead of Roy E. Disney in 2003 so many years after its inception in 1946.
• Destino (running time: approx. 7 minutes) – The legacy of Walt Disney and Salvador Dali lives on in this highly anticipated short film.
• Disney’s Virtual Vault — BD-Live Feature
  

o  Original DVD Bonus Features from Legacy Collection

• Audio Commentaries from Fantasia Legacy Collection (total running time: 84 minutes)

o  With executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, and producer Don Ernst.
o  Audio commentary with the directors and art directors for each segment.

The original Mad Max film is making its Blu-ray debut on October 5th courtesy of MGM in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. You’ll be able to watch a really young and maybe not so insane Mel Gibson take on the ‘Knight Rider’ (Sorry no KITT in this one)  in all its hi def glory and see what eventually turns him into the Road Warrior. The film has been remastered for the DVD it seems, what about the Blu-ray? Or else it could be a grainy mess. MSRP is set at $24.99.  Check out the details:

MAD MAX Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack:

DISC ONE (Blu-ray):

• Filmmaker Commentary by Jon Dowding, David Eggby, Chris Murray & Tim Ridge
• Documentary: “Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon”
• New-To-The-U.S. Original Australian Language Track
• Two theatrical trailers
• TV Spots

DISC TWO (DVD):

• New Digitally Remastered Transfer
• “Mel Gibson: The Birth Of A Star” Documentary
• “Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon” Documentary
• New-To-The-U.S. Original Australian Language Track
• Theatrical Trailers”Road Rants” Trivia & Fun Fact Track
• Photo Gallery
• TV Spots

Thats right, this classic film from the late eighties and its not so great sequels will be coming out on Blu-ray October 5th from MGM. Although you won’t be able to buy it for a dollar, you can for $59.99 SRP. Unfortunately no where does it say what else is included in this set or if they can be purchased as stand alone products. I’ll update when I have more info and for now just gander at the box cover:

Hey, its for a good cause! Won’t you help a young Cub Scout raise some money for his Scouting activities? Besides, its delicious and the perfect snack for watching DVDs and Blu-rays while at home. So please click on this link to help out a young kid and I would be eternally grateful for the support. Scouts Honor!

Fox has announced today that two of Baz Lurhmann’s films that put him on the map will be going Blu-ray with all new transfers supervised by the Baz himself. Yep, one might have guessed its Moulin Rouge! and William Shakespeare’s Romeo+Juliet, both will be priced at $34.99 SRP, going on store shelves October 19th. These refreshed catalog titles will also have some new content as well as the BD-Live function.  No artwork yet but I’ll update when it shows up. In the mean time check out these specs:

Updated with box shots:

Moulin Rouge! Blu-ray Disc

• New High Definition Transfer supervised by Director Baz Luhrmann
• Spectacular, Spectacular Picture-in-Picture Mode* with Audio Commentary by Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Donald M. McAlpine and Craig Pearce and featuring Behind-the-Scenes Footage and Stills
• All-New Featurette A Creative Adventure and Introduction by Baz Luhrmann A Word from Baz
• Uncut Footage from the Bazmark Vault including:
  • Father & Son – A Look at an Alternate Opening
  • Nicole Kidman’s First Vocal Test
• Production Featurettes and Interviews: The Stars, The Writers, The Design, The Dance, The Music and The Cutting Room
• The Making of Moulin Rouge and More!
• BD-LIVE:** Live Lookup^™ powered by IMDb^®

William Shakespeare’s Romeo+Juliet Blu-ray Disc

• New High Definition Transfer supervised by Director Baz Luhrmann
• Shaking Up Shakespeare Picture-in-Picture Mode with Audio Commentary by Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Donald M. McAlpine and Craig Pearce and featuring Behind-the-Scenes Footage and Stills
• Uncut Footage from the Bazmark Vault
• Romeo + Juliet: The Music Documentary
• Filmmaker and Interview Galleries
• BD-LIVE**: Live Lookup^™ powered by IMDb^®

Robert Rodriguez’s reboot of the franchise Predators will be showing its ugly mug on October 19th. 20th Century Fox will release this film on Blu-ray and DVD editions, with the aforementioned Blu-ray coming with a digital edition.  The sets will be priced at $39.99 SRP and $29.98 SRP or most likely lower in the store. Check out the rest of the details below:

PREDATORS 1-Disc Blu-ray Special Features

• Commentary by Robert Rodriguez and director, Nimród Antal
• Motion Comics
  • Moments of Extraction: Robert Rodriguez presents exclusive prequel vignettes voiced by the cast of PREDATORS. Witness the secret adventures that turned our world’s most ruthless killers into the ultimate Predator prey
    • Noland Intro (part 1)
    • Isabelle
    • Cuchillo
    • Hanzo
    • Mombasa
    • Noland Ending (part 2)
  • Crucified
• Evolution of the Species: Predators Reborn
  • Bloodline
  • De-cloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain
  • Intelligent Design: The Hunting Camp
  • Predators as Prey
  • Yuatja Transformed
  • Rite of Passage
• The Chosen Featurette
• Fox Movie Channel presents Making a Scene
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
  • Dead Man’s Parachute
  • Cuchillo and Isabelle
  • Team “Orientated” Group
  • Third Most Wanted
  • Cuchillo Unleashes
  • “Why Are You Here?”
  • “They’re Smarter Than That”
  • Stans and Isabelle Naked
  • “They’re Still Coming”
• BD-Live Extras
  • Exclusive PREDATORS Features
• Live Lookup – Powered by IMDB

PREDATORS DVD Special Features

• Commentary by Robert Rodriguez and director, Nimród Antal
• De-cloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain
• Motion Comics
  • Moments of Extraction: Robert Rodriguez presents exclusive prequel vignettes voiced by the cast of PREDATORS. Witness the secret adventures that turned two of our world’s most ruthless killers into the ultimate Predator prey
    • Isabelle
    • Mombasa
  • Crucified

Blu-ray Features Video: 2.35:1 1080P Audio: DTS-MA 5.1,  French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio Commentary By Director Shawn Levy Deleted, Alternate And Extended Scenes Directing 301 Featurette Disaster Dates Featurette Directing Off-Camera Featurette Steve Carell And Tina Fey Camera Tests Gag Reel Public Service Announcements Includes Digital Copy Of Date Night For Portable Media Players Theatrical release: 4/09/2010 DVD released on 8/10/2010 by 20th Century Fox Running time of 88 minutes Starring: Tina Fey, Steve Carrell Director: Shawn Levy Plot:Phil and Claire Foster are a sensible, suburban husband and wife slogging through their daily lives and marriage. But a case of mistaken identity sets off an outrageous chain of events involving small-time thieves, big-city mobsters, corrupt cops and a crazed cabbie, as the Fosters’ “date night” turns into a wild ride they’ll never forget!

I suppose it was only a matter of time, the audiences wanted it to happen, the studio execs wanted it, and especially the bean counters. Well, we got it. Here it is, the ultimate team up of the two powerhouse comedians that rule the Thursday night lineup on NBC. Together at last, it will be a magical unforgettable uproarious affair that everyone will be talking about! The comedy to end all comedies. Or will it?  Steve Carrell and Tina Fey can’t seem to do no wrong on television, but on the silver screen they do not have the midas touch just quite yet. Its getting there though, they just need to find their footing just like in television.  Date Night is a film that fits perfectly into Carrell’s and Fey’s acting resume, they were almost made for the part.  Its got its funny moments and has some great lines, and the main characters are familiar enough to resonate with the audience, but director Shawn Levy seems like he’s holding back a bit. It just needed that extra oomph to push it over the edge. I’m afraid this will be one of those films that will sit on the back of the shelf eventually, a lost neglected child.

Although I believe the film is of average, comedic value it still got a few laughs out of me, if it were anyone else who was in the movie then it would not have been as good me thinks. I can relate to Phil and Claire Foster, a typical suburban couple lost in a sea of routine after many years of marriage. The spark just isn’t there, and any efforts to revive it are quickly brought down by work, children and life’s obligations. Hey, I know this feeling well! During the setup me and my wife looked at each other in recognition of the many similarities of their situation.  At least they get to go out sans kids! Would be nice eh honey?  So after they both realize their relationship and lives are stuck in neutral, Phil decides this date night will be special. Instead of the usual, they go to the city and crash the hottest restaurant in town only to begin their adventure from hell.  This becomes a case of mistaken identity, a la North By Northwest, and thus becomes a chase film where the Fosters must figure why they are being hunted down by two rogue policemen, played by Common and Jimmi Simpson. What is a flash drive anyway? Oh right, the computer sticky thing.

They end up running around New York City all night, trying to figure out why these guys are trying to get them. Phil and Claire are in over their heads, but they quickly work together to think fast to get out of this situation. This where Tina Fey and Steve Carrell shine the most, they have great chemistry on screen and they know how to do comedic timing. They are after all, Second City veterans with extensive improv experience and this really comes into play here.  It also helps to stack the film with other notable actors, including Mark Wahlberg, Kristen Wiig, James Franco, Mila Kunis and Ray Liotta just to name a few. Any scene with the shirtless Mark Wahlberg is hilarious. “Will you please put your f$%@king shirt on?!”

I just so happen to be watching the Blu-ray version, and if you don’t have a player yet don’t sweat it because the DVD is almost identical in features. Oh sure you won’t get the superior sound and picture but really who is going to notice with a standard film that doesn’t have expansive vistas or huge digital sets and effects. In other words, a film made in reality.  When you finally load the Blu-ray, and get past all those previews and promos, you are given the choice of theatrical or extended cut. Naturally, I went with extended. Having not seen it beforehand I have no idea how different it is from the regular version. There are a surprising amount of extra materials on here, the most interesting I thought was the Directing 301 feature. This gets really down in the technical aspects of making film on location and what goes into making a night shoot. I liked it, it was very fun,educational and shot in a guerilla style. The principles talk to the audience while they are on the job, almost as if they were giving a school tour on set. The rest of the features are fairly standard, from the gag reel to the deleted scenes. I got bored after a while honestly.

Although its not going to go down as a classic comedy, it still is quite enjoyable I think. If your standing infront of a Redbox kiosk looking for a fun flick, this would be a great candidate, Blu-ray or DVD.

Reviewer’s Opinion: RENT IT!!

It was only a matter of time, maybe I’ll actually see the film now (Yes! I have not! Sorry.)  Newly restored and remastered, Rocky Horror Picture Show will be making its Blu-ray debut on October 19th from 20th Century Fox in a 35th Anniversary edition. Its going to be priced at $34.99 SRP and they are pulling out all the stops for this release, including a commemorative photo book.  Theres no artwork yet, I’ll update once its available.

September 14th is the date Disney has announced for the Jake Gyllenhaal tentpole summer film Prince Of Persia that will come in three flavors. The long running video game series adaptation will be available in a 3 disc Blu-ray combo pack. a single disc Blu-ray and single disc DVD editions.  Pricing has been set for $44.99 SRP, $39.99 SRP, and $29.99 SRP in the aforementioned order. Check out the Combo Pack artwork and specs below, which seem a little weak to me considering this was supposed to be a huge summer film.

DVD Bonus Feature:

An Unseen World: Making Prince of Persia – A look behind the scenes on
the set of the film.
1-Disc Blu-ray Bonus Feature:
All of above DVD bonus plus
Deleted Scene – The Banquet: Garsiv Presents Heads
3-Disc Combo Pack Bonus Features:
All of the above DVD and Blu-ray bonus features plus
CineExplore: The Sands of Time – Take control of the dagger and use it to
unlock secrets behind your favorite scenes! Turn back time and uncover over 40
spellbinding segments – including ?Walking Up Walls,? ?Filming in Morocco?,
and ?Ostrich Jockey Tryouts? – with this exclusive interactive feature. Blu-ray
puts you in control!