A Close Look at Masters of Cinema's Two Lane Blacktop and Silent Running Steelbooks

Masters of Cinema has been releasing some excellent Blu-rays recently, and we're going to take a closer look at a couple of its Steelbooks, Monte Hellman's Two Lane Blacktop and Doug Trumbull's Silent Running.

Both films are making their Blu-ray debut here and are available as both standard editions and these limited edition Steelbooks, complete with custom artwork.  The cases are both white - and in Silent Running's case, completely white on the back - and feature subtle, but appropriate cover images.

We'll start with Silent Running, which features a beautifully restored 1080p transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and DTS-HD audio track.  If the loving attention given to the image doesn't inspire you to pick this disc up, then the extra features may do:

• Commentary track with Doug Trumbull and Bruce Dern.
• The Making of Silent Running. The 1972 documentary which runs for 50 minutes.
• A conversation with Bruce Dern.
• Video conversations with Doug Trumbull.
• Isolated score.
• Original trailer.

Inside the set is a small 48-page booklet with interview snippets from the crew, on set pictures and rare artwork.  The disc is labelled as Region B.

For Two Lane Blacktop, the cover art is perhaps less successful than Silent Running's, but the addition of the bold, black text on the rear cover looks great.  It too has been restored, a process supervised and approved by the director, plus in addition to the original mono audio track, it has a new DTS-HD 5.1 remix too.

Here are the extras:

• Commentary track with Monte Hellman and producer Gary Kurtz.
• On the Road Again: Two Lane Blacktop Revisited. A 43 minute documentary revisiting the locations from the film.
• Somewhere Near Salinas.  Monte Hellman interviews Kris Kristofferson.
• Sure Did Talk to You.  Interviews with the producer, production manager and Hellman's son.
• Archival Test Footage.
• Isolated score.
• Original trailer.

Like Silent Running, a 36-page booklet can be found inside the Steelbook, with an on-set report and a new essay on the movie.  The set is also locked to Region B.

Silent Running appears to have sold out online, although copies of Two Lane Blacktop can still be found.

 

Early Release for Star Wars The Phantom Menace 3D Blu-ray?

With Star Wars Episode One - The Phantom Menace in 3D currently showing in cinemas, it's perhaps a surprise to hear about a potential Blu-ray release, however according to TechRadar it could be coming sooner than we'd normally expect.

However, there's a catch.  Like the Blu-ray of Star Wars, Panasonic is being rumoured to have snapped up the rights to The Phantom Menace in 3D, and will be packaging the movie with its home cinema sets in the spring.

This would be a very fast turnaround, and a massive coup for Panasonic, however a more feasible September date is also being suggested.

At this stage there's no mention of the film being an exclusive title to Panasonic, so fans shouldn't face the same problems as they did with Avatar.  It also means there's a chance it'll hit retail around the same time as it becomes available through Panasonic.

Amazon UK and USA both have place-holder pages for the 3D Blu-ray, but neither have dates attached. This points to a release schedule which will follow the theatrical re-release, in that we'll get one a year instead of an entire 3D boxset at the end. Although don't rule out a deluxe version when we get to Return of the Jedi in six years' time.

Oscar Blu-ray: The Artist Coming in April

Already having bagged several high-profile awards including Best Actor at Cannes and the BAFTA for Best Film of the Year, The Artist has been confirmed for its Blu-ray release ahead of The Academy Awards at the end of the month.  The film has 10 nominations, and is widely tipped to take home several Oscar statues at the end of the night.

The Artist will be released on the 24th April in the USA, and although it has yet to be confirmed for the UK, it has been speculated it will go on sale on the 7th May.

The disc will be presented in 1080p and will use the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio.  The press release didn't include details on the audio format, but we'd expect a DTS-HD Master Audio track.

Extra features are as follows:

• The Artist: The Making of a Hollywood Love Story.
• Hollywood As a Character: The Locations of The Artist.
• Blooper Reel.
• Cast and Crew Q&A.

As that's hardly a stellar collection of extras, it's probably safe to assume we're in for a deluxe version of The Artist in the future.

 

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?