2D and 3D Editions of Hugo Announced Following Oscar Nomination Success

Martin Scorsese's Hugo has been nominated for 11 Academy Awards in total, including Best Picture and Best Director, and has been cited as the best 3D picture to be released since the format's resurgence.  Now the film has been announced for its Blu-ray release, and will come in either a Combo Pack with the DVD and the Blu-ray, or as a 3D Limited Edition.

The film will be presented in 1080p with a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, plus a variety of extras listed below.  The 3D set will add a 3D Blu-ray disc to the standard Combo Pack.  For the US release, an UltraViolet digital copy will also be available to download or stream online.

• Shoot the Moon: The Making of Hugo Documentary.
• The Cinemagician, Georges Melies.
• The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo.
• Big Effects, Small Scale.
• Sacha Baron Cohen: Role of a Lifetime.

In the USA, Hugo will go on sale on the 28th February, while it'll take another month to arrive in the UK, as it's set to make its debut on the 26th March.

The artwork comes from the US edition, and the UK set has yet to appear.

Super 8 Steelbook Details and Pictures

Super 8 was one of the very best blockbusters of 2011, and the Blu-ray release is a must-buy for fans of the movie.  HMV has continued its run of excellent exclusive steelbooks with a special Super 8 edition, released just before Christmas, and we've got all the details and some pictures.

It's an odd release, as the cover isn't especially descriptive, featuring a silhouette of the film's characters looking at a water tower, plus an outline of a super 8 camera below the title.  The tagline "It Arrives" is hidden away in the top right of the cover, while the production company logos - Bad Robot, Amblin and Paramount - take almost centre stage.

What could have been an attractive, subtle steelbook cover, is ruined by a massive barcode in the bottom right though.  HMV had the foresight to add a removeable sticker with the BBFC certification logos on it, but not for the ugly barcde?  What a shame.

The set is a Triple Play edition with the DVD, Blu-ray and a digital copy, and the disc contains the following extras:

• Commentary track with J.J Abrams and others.
• 14 deleted scenes in HD.
• A total of 8 featurettes in HD.
• Deconstructing the Train Crash.

The disc is presented in 2.40:1 widescreen with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio track, and the opening train crash is a spectacular demonstration of lossless audio performance.

HMV's Super 8 steelbook is still available on the website, and is currently priced at £19.99.

 

Hammer Horror Titles to get Blu-ray Treatment

Some good news for fans of Hammer Studios horror movies has emerged this week, as at least 30 titles will be coming to Blu-ray over the coming year.  Studio Canal is spearheading the releases, which will all receive extensive restoration and remastering, along with help from Warner Bros., Cineimage, Pinewood Studios and Anolis Entertainment.

There's not long to go until the first wave of releases hit the shelves either, as UK Blu-ray buyers will be able to grab Dracula: Prince of Darkness, The Reptile and The Plague of the Zombies on the 5th March.  A complete list of films set to appear hasn't been released, however six more titles have been confirmed as headed our way: The Mummy, The Mummy's Shroud, Rasputin the Mad Monk, Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein and The Devil Rides Out.

As far as extras go, all discs will have newly-filmed documentaries and interviews, and Studio Canal has been collaborating with the author of the Hammer Vault to ensure they're of the highest quality.

According to the blog Hammer has set up to chart the restoration projects, Dracula: Prince of Darkness has been scanned at 4K and restored in 2K, and it'll be presented in its original 2.25:1 aspect ratio with UK title cards.

It should be assumed for the moment that the Hammer discs will be Region B, however this could change closer to the time of release.  Also, with the involvement of other studios, there's no reason not to expect a Region A release in the future.

Captain America Blu-ray Steelbook and Pictures

Captain America has been released as an HMV exclusive Blu-ray steelbook in the UK. Available online and in-store, it's another in a line of high-quality limited editions from the retailer, and their second to feature a Marvel character in just a few months.

Featuring a distressed-style front cover image of the iconic sheild, and a rear picture of Chris Evans as the titular character, it's easily on a par with HMV's superb Thor Steelbook. The 'Captain America, The First Avenger' lettering is slightly embossed, and although it came with a dual UK/Ireland certification stamp, it was a removeable sticker.

Inside sees another image of Captain America, along with one featuring the Red Skull behind the discs. In fact, it's only the discs that let this package down, as they have no artwork at all.

This is a Triple Play set, with the Blu-ray, DVD and a downloadable digital copy.  The special features look like this:

• Audio commentary with Joe Johnston, Shelly Johnson and Jeffrey Ford.
• Marvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer HD.
• The Assembly Begins HD.
• Six HD Featurettes: Outfitting a Hero, Howling Commandos, Heightened Technology, The Transformation, Behind the Skull, Captain America's Origin.
• Deleted Scenes in HD.
• Trailers for the Sega game and the animated Avengers film.

The Steelbook is still available through HMV, priced at £19.99.

 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes Steelbook Pictures and Details

UK online retailer Play.com has released an exclusive Steelbook edition of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, out this week on Blu-ray.  One of the most critically acclaimed blockbusters of the year, Rise re-imagines the story behind Planet of the Apes, the 1968 original starring Charlton Heston.

Featuring James Franco, Freida Pinto, Brian Cox and the amazing motion-capture work of Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes sees an experimental treatment produce increased intelligence in apes, particularly one named Caesar.  As he continues to evolve and rally other apes around him, the battle for dominance on the planet begins.

The movie is a Triple Play edition with the Blu-ray, DVD and a digital copy inside, plus the following special features:

• Audio commentary.
• A New Generation of Apes.
• Deleted Scenes.
• Mythology of the Apes.
• The Genius of Andy Serkis.
• Breaking Motion-Capture Boundaries.
• Scene Breakdown.
• The great Apes.
• Character Concept Art Gallery.
• Composing the Score.

The Steelbook has only slightly different artwork to the standard release, but still manages to look special and is another excellent release from Play.  That subtle, atmospheric front cover is unfortunately blighted by permanent BBFC certification logos, and there isn't a design inside the casing either.  Around the back are two images from the film along with all the usual information and promotional blurb.  It's also marked as a Region A, B and C disc.

It's still available from Play for £17.99, but as with all their exclusive Steelbooks, it could go out of stock without warning.

 

Jaws Blu-ray Out Summer 2012, and E.T. to Follow for Christmas?

It was back in June when we last heard anything about Jaws and E.T. being released on Blu-ray, when Steven Spielberg spoke to AICN saying both movies were being prepared for their HD debut, and that neither would be subject to any digital tinkering.

Since then it has been quiet until a tiny snippet of news appeared over at The Digital Bits.  The statement is another tease with no firm information; but it's still exciting - "Our industry sources are now telling us that Universal will release Steven Spielberg's Jaws on Blu-ray in time for Summer 2012, probably around May or June. Also, E.T. is likely to be a Fall 2012 title, released in time for Christmas".

With the end of 2011 just a couple of months away, an official announcement for Jaws - if it is coming May or June - could come in January or February.  A similar timeframe was used for Spielberg's recently released Jurassic Park trilogy Blu-ray set, with the official announcement at the tail-end of June and the release a couple of weeks ago at the end of October.

There's also a chance the Blu-ray release date could coincide with the original theatrical date back in 1975 which according to IMDb, was the 20th June.

Jaws is one of the few remaining 'big' catalogue titles still unreleased on Blu-ray, and is often cited as a reason not to adopt the format, so here's looking forward to a spectacular release!

HMV Announces Exclusive Limited Edition Lion King Trilogy

The Lion King is sure to be a popular Blu-ray release on its own, but fans of the movie or limited Disney collector's editions may want to reserve a copy of this impressive, exclusive Blu-ray set coming from HMV.  Released on the 7th November, The Lion King Trilogy: Collectors Edition has been made available for pre-order with HMV in the UK at a price of £64.99.  What do you get for that price?  This:

• The Lion King: Diamond Edition.
• Lion King 2: Simba's Pride.
• Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata.
• Lion King Special Edition Official Soundtrack.
• 2-disc Special Edition of the Original Broadway Cast Recording.
• Behind the Scenes Bonus DVD.

All this will be presented in a stained wooden box, limited to just 3000 copies.  I think you'll agree it looks really special too!  The Lion King: Diamond Edition includes the following special features:

• Bloopers & Outtakes
  
• Interactive Blu-ray Gallery
  
• Audio Commentary By Co-Directors Roger Allers And Rob Minkoff And Producer Don Hahn (original Version)
  
• Backstage Disney: Diamond Edition
  
• Pride Of The Lion King
  
• The Lion King: A Memoir - Don Hahn
  
• Deleted & Alternate Scenes With Introductions by Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff Music & More
  
• Play Movie With Sing-Along Mode
  
• The Morning Report: Extended Scene
  
• LK2- Timon & Pumbaa's Insectapedia
  
• Classic DVD Bonus Features
  
• "One By One"
  
• Timon & Pumbaa: Find Out Why
  
• Proud Of Simba's Pride
  
• "Love Will Find A Way" Music Video
  
• LK3- Timon & Pumbaa's Vacation Safari
  
• Classic DVD Bonus Features
  
• Deleted Scenes
  
• Intro To "Scurry, Flinch, Sniff"
  
• Timon & Pumbaa look for Oasis
  
• Timon: Behind The Legend
  
• Before The Beginning: The Making of The Lion King 1 1/2
  
• Grazin' In The Grass" Music Video

If you're a Lion King fan, will you be pre-ordering this set?

Star Trek: Next Generation Confirmed for Blu-ray in 2012

It was only logical that Paramount should follow-up its brilliant Blu-ray presentation of the Original Series of Star Trek, with an equally lovingly-prepared edition of Next Generation; the question was, when?  Through an official announcement over at StarTrek.com, we've been given an answer, as a Blu-ray sampler of three Next Gen episodes will be released on the 31st January 2012.

The sampler release will pave the way for a complete Season One boxset before the end of next year, and it promises to be quite a release.  According to StarTrek.com, CBS returned to the original negatives and re-edited them together exactly as they were when they first aired, and then came up with a special process to create true 1080p masters.  The visual FX are being recomposited rather than upconverted from videotape, and the sountrack will be remixed into 7.1 DTS Master Audio.

To show how much Paramount and CBS care about this release, they've enlisted the help of Denise and Michael Okuda, both longtime Star Trek contributors and authors of various books inlcuding the Star Trek Encyclopedia, as consultants.

Back to the January release.  It will be called Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level and will include three episodes: the Encounter at Farpoint pilot, Sins of the Father and The Inner Light.  You can see the artwork above, and a teaser video for the release below.  It's out on the 31st January and has been given a retail price of $21.99 in the US.

As for a release date for Season One, Dark Horizons speculates it'll be out in a year's time, on the 28th September, to coincide with the original pilot's airing.  It's a good theory, but it may also depend on when the sequel to 2009's Star Trek movie hits the big screen, as that's when next year's Star Trek fever will be at its highest.

 

Akira Steelbook Pictures and Features

Genre-defining anime Akira saw its UK Blu-ray release at the end of June, and in addition to a standard edition, it was also treated to a Steelbook release.  Described at the time as 'super-limited' by Manga, the disc is still available from a few outlets, but is getting rarer by the day.  If you need convincing this is a release to grab while you can, take a look at the pictures here.

The iconic image of Kaneda walking towards his motorcycle adorns the front cover, and is printed on a shiny, silver background, while the rear simply shows the silver background image.  A cardboard slip cover contains the information on the film, plus the usual BBFC certificates, but is easily removed to reveal an incredibly clean case - there isn't even a BBFC cert on the spine!

Inside there is both a Blu-ray and a DVD copy of the film, plus an excellent 32-page booklet containing information on the remastering process, the effort put into the audio, interviews and examples of the concept art and storyboards.  Behind all this is another great image from the film spanning the width of the case.

Akira's steelbook is easily one of the best of 2011, and the Blu-ray remaster is equally as fantastic too.  The audio presentation is particularly good, with superb clarity and perfect seperation - something often lacking in modern film.  If you haven't already, make sure you add the Akira Steelbook to your collection soon.

BFCA Announces Top Five Blu-ray Releases Ever, Do You Agree?

The Broadcast Film Critics Association has announced their choice of the top five Blu-ray discs released since the format began selling back in 2006/2007.  The final five came from an original line-up of 32 discs voted on by members, and rather than concentrate on retail successes, took into consideration the things we hold dear about the format.

For example, the audio and video quality was judged, as was any restoration work, along with the choice of bonus material and the overall disc design and operation.  Packaging was also looked at, an area we think has advanced considerably over DVD already.  So, here's the BFCA's winners:

2006/2007 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition.

2008 - Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution Box Set.

2009 - The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Edition.

2010 - Apocalypse Now and Avatar.

2011 - Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition Motion Picture Trilogy Box Set.

Without a complete list of the 32 original titles, it's difficult to evaluate the choices made here, but it's fair to say they're all standout editions which belong in every collection.  However, that doesn't mean we agree entirely, as the Extended Edition of Lord of the Rings is pretty much a reissue of the DVDs, with very little in the way of new material.  While the quality is no doubt outstanding, 2011 has already been a great year for Blu-ray, and there are plenty more exciting discs to come too.

Avatar is indeed a beautiful Blu-ray presentation, as is Apocalypse Now, however we'd substitute one of them for the excellent Alien Anthology release - a truly fantastic set with amazingly in-depth documentaries on each movie.  Plus we'd be very hard pushed not to include the amazing Inception Blu-ray, especially in its limited edition UK form.

What would your choices be?