“Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection” on Blu-ray October 2nd

Eight Chilling Classics from the Studio that Pioneered The Horror Genre, Digitally Restored and Released on Blu-Ray™for the First Time Ever
in Celebration of Universal’s 100th Anniversary 

UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION 

The Ultimate Box Set with eight Films Plus Over 12 Hours of Bonus Features ArrivesOctober 2nd, Just in Time for Halloween!

Universal City, California, June 28, 2012—For the first time ever, eight of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces of the horror genre are available together on Blu-rayTM as Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection debuts on October 2, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Digitally restored from high resolution film elements in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound for the first time ever, Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection brings together the very best of Universal’s legendary monsters—imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror that launched a uniquely American movie genre. This definitive collection features eight films on Blu-rayM, a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and much more.  Each iconic film is accompanied by an array of bonus features that tell the fascinating story of its creation and history, including behind-the-scenes documentaries, filmmaker commentaries, interviews, storyboards, photo galleries, and trailers. Especially appealing for fans are a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of The Creature from the Black Lagoon in its original 3D version.

From the era of silent movies through the present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection honors the studio’s accomplishments with the most iconic monsters in motion-picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Featuring performances by legends of the horror genre, including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester, these eight iconic films also feature groundbreaking special effects and innovative makeup that continue to influence filmmakers into the 21st century. Sure to be a Halloween favorite for years to come, Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection is the ideal gift for film buffs and horror aficionados alike.

Synopses and Bonus Features

Dracula (1931)

The original 1931 movie version of Bram Stoker’s classic tale has for generations defined the iconic look and terrifying persona of the famed vampire. Dracula owes its continued appeal in large part due to Bela Lugosi’s indelible portrayal of the immortal Count Dracula and the flawless direction of horror auteur Tod Browning. The Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection includes the original version of this chilling and evocative tale, as well as the rarely seen Spanish version of Dracula.  Filmed simultaneously with the English language version, the Spanish version of Dracula is an equally ominous vision of the horror classic shot with the same sets and script. Cinematographer George Robinson and a vibrant cast including Carlos Villarias and Lupita Tovar deliver a chilling and evocative tale filled with the same terror, mystery, and intrigue.

Bonus Features:

  • Dracula, the 1931 Spanish version, with Introduction by Lupita Tovar Kohner
  • The Road to Dracula
  • Lugosi: The Dark Prince
  • Dracula: The Restoration – New Featurette Available for The First Time!
  • Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About the Making of Dracula
  • Dracula Archives
  • Score by Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet
  • Feature Commentary by Film Historian David J. Skal
  • Feature Commentary by Steve Haberman, Screenwriter of Dracula: Dead and Loving It  
  • Trailer Gallery

Frankenstein (1931)

Boris Karloff stars as the screen’s most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) dares to tamper with the essential nature of life and death by creating a monster (Karloff) out of lifeless human body parts. Director James Whale’s adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel and Karloff’s compassionate portrayal of a creature groping for identity make Frankenstein a timeless masterpiece.

      Bonus Features:

  • The Frankenstein Files:  How Hollywood Made a Monster
  • Karloff: The Gentle Monster
  • Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About The Making of Frankenstein
  • Universal Horror
  • Frankenstein Archives
  • Boo!: A Short Film
  • Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
  • Feature Commentary with Historian Sir Christopher Frayling
  • 100 Years Of Universal: Restoring the Classics
  • Trailer Gallery

The Mummy (1932)

Horror icon Boris Karloff stars in the original 1932 version of The Mummy in which a team of British archaeologists accidentally revives a mummified high priest after 3,700 years. Alive again, he sets out on an obsessive—and deadly—quest to find his lost love. Over 50 years after its first release, this brooding dream-like horror classic remains a cinematic masterpiece.

      Bonus Features:

  • Mummy Dearest:  A Horror Tradition Unearthed
  • He Who Made Monsters:  The Life and Art Of Jack Pierce
  • Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy
  • The Mummy Archives
  • Feature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent Armstrong
  • Feature Commentary by Film Historian Paul M. Jensen
  • 100 Years Of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
  • Trailer Gallery

The Invisible Man (1933)

Claude Rains delivers an unforgettable performance in his screen debut as a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives in a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery, but the drug’s side effects slowly drive him to commit acts of unspeakable terror. Based on H.G. Welles’ classic novel and directed by the master of macabre, James Whale, The Invisible Man fueled a host of sequels and features revolutionary special effects that are still imitated today.

      Bonus Features:

  • Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed
  • Production Photographs
  • Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
  • 100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

The acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein has become one of the most popular horror classics in film history. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen’s most misunderstood monster, now longing for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the proud and overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-fated bride (Elsa Lanchester). The last horror film directed by James Whale features a haunting musical score that helps make The Bride of Frankenstein one of the finest and most touching thrillers of its era.

      Bonus Features:

  • She’s Alive! Creating The Bride Of Frankenstein
  • The Bride Of Frankenstein Archive
  • Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen
  • 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
  • Trailer Gallery

The Wolf Man (1941)

Originally released in 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and redefined the mythology of the werewolf forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, The Wolf Man is the saga of Larry Talbot, a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full. The dreamlike atmospheres, elaborate settings and chilling musical score combine to make The Wolf Man a masterpiece of the genre.

      Bonus Features:

  • Monster by Moonlight
  • The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
  • Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.
  • He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
  • The Wolf Man Archives
  • Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Lot
  • Trailer Gallery

Phantom of the Opera (1943)

This lavish retelling of Gaston Leroux’s immortal horror tale stars Claude Rains as the masked phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. A crazed composer who schemes to make beautiful young soprano Christine DuBois (Susanna Foster) the star of the opera company, the Phantom also wreaks revenge on those he believes stole his music. Nelson Eddy, as the heroic baritone, tries to win the affections of Christine as he tracks down the murderous, horribly disfigured Phantom.

Bonus Features:

  • The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
  • Production Photographs
  • Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Lot
  • Theatrical Trailer

Creature from the Black Lagoon  (1954)

Captured and imprisoned for scientific study, a living “amphibious missing link” becomes enamored with the head researcher’s female assistant (Julie Adams). When the hideous creature escapes and kidnaps the object of his affection, a crusade is launched to rescue the helpless woman and cast the terrifying creature back to the depths from which he came. Featuring legendary makeup artist Bud Westmore’s brilliantly designed monster, Creature from the Black Lagoon is an enduring tribute to the imaginative genius of its Hollywood creators.

Bonus Features:

  • The Creature From The Black Lagoon in 3D
  • Back to The Black Lagoon
  • Production Photographs
  • Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
  • 100 Years of Universal: The Lot
  • Trailer Gallery

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

BD

Street Date: 10/2/2012

Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61123308 (US); 61123470 (Canada)

About Universal Studios Home Entertainment

In honor of its Centennial anniversary, Universal Pictures proudly salutes 100 years of unforgettable films that have entertained audiences and touched the hearts of millions around the globe. In celebration of its first 100 years, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is proud to present a selection of its many beloved movies as part of an extensive year-long program that underscores the studio’s rich cinematic history and indelible cultural impact.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Featured, Film Headlines Tagged With: 2nd, bluray, classic, collection, essential, monsters, ...

Her Universe and BBC Worldwide Launching “Doctor Who” Fangirl Fashion Collection

Her Universe and BBC Worldwide Launching

Doctor Who Fangirl Fashion Collection

Los Angeles, CA, June 26, 2012 – Her Universe™, a leader in female genre merchandise, announced today a license with BBC Worldwide, to create a collection ofDoctor Who apparel for the ever-growing female fan base for the television show.

Her Universe recognized the burgeoning force of female Doctor Who fans and the need to create unique apparel and merchandise just for them. The international iconic brand and television hit Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi series in the world and continues to earn critical acclaim as BBC AMERICA’s highest rated series as well as the #1 downloaded series for iTunes in 2011. The new Doctor Who collection by Her Universe will premiere in July with fashion tops featuring images, characters and phrases from the Doctor Who universe all with fashion-forward designs for girls to look “Geek Chic.” To recognize their female Doctor Who fans, BBC Worldwide has created a special Doctor Who logo which will only appear on merchandise from the Her Universe collection.

Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe and known to sci-fi fans as the voice of Ahsoka Tano on the hit animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars also designed and created the Her Universe merchandise. “Her Universe is a line for the fans,” said Eckstein. “Many of our design choices and decisions are influenced by our fans and Doctor Who was the #1 requested license by fangirls for us to pursue next. It was truly a dream come true when BBC Worldwide asked us to do their female merchandise and I am beyond excited to share this extraordinary announcement with our girls today! In the words of the Doctor, I feel like screaming Geronimo!”

Doctor Who apparel and accessories from the Her Universe collection will be available in the U.S. and Canada at both www.heruniverseshop.com and BBCAmericashop.com and through national retail outlets such as Hot Topic. Throughout 2012, the Doctor Who merchandise will also be available at select conventions including San Diego Comic Con.

About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for its Doctor Who franchise. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Twitter and visiting the Her Universe Facebook page.

About BBC Worldwide Ltd.
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has five core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Sales & Distribution, Consumer Products and Brands, Consumers & New Ventures, with digital ventures incorporated into each business area. In 2010/11, BBC Worldwide generated profits of £160 million on sales of £1158 million and returned £182m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview

Photo credit: – Kelsey Edwards Photography

 

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: TV Headlines Tagged With: bbc, collection, doctor, fangirl, fashion, launching, ...

DVD Review “The Three Stooges: The Ultimate Collection”

Starring: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard
Number of discs: 20
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Running Time: 635 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I have been watching “The Three Stooges” from since before I could walk…or probably talk (thanks to my Grandfather).  There is something about that humor that really lasts through time and never looses its laughs.  When they released this under the title of “The Ultimate Collection”, they were not joking…this is really the ultimate collection of the Three Stooges.  They cover 25 years of the Three Stooges and really captures their unique brand of humor.  Included in this set is all 190 short films, plus 11 hours of movies and other never-before-released material…like I said really the ultimate collection.  Get ready to enjoy all the eye-pokes, face slaps, hollow head knocks and knuckle cracks that you can possibly handle.

These have been properly and beautifully remastered for the best quality picture and sound. For shorts that were filmed back as far back as the 30’s, they definitely do not show it.  Great job from Sony for a great digital restoration.  You’ll experience the Stoogers  like you’ve never heard or seen them before. This collection also not only includes all of the Three Stooges Columbia shorts but also three discs of bonus material as well featuring the solo work of the Stooges!  This never-before-released bonus content features included are films “Rockin’ In The Rockies” (1945) and “Have Rocket–Will Travel” (1958) . There are also 14 Shemp Howard solo shorts, 10 Joe Besser solo shorts and 4 Curly-Joe solo shorts.  Lastly, there is also three animated shorts from Columbia as well. This is worth the purchase of the collection alone.

Besides the three discs of rare and unreleased content, the rest of the collection is split up into eight individual volumes.  The first volume covers from 1934-1936, includes the first 10 Columbia shorts, including “Punch Drunks” which made them big. Vol. 2 focuses on 1937-1939 in chronological order including 24 shorts and such classics “Dizzy Doctors”, “Saved By The Belle”, and “Calling All Curs. Vol. 3 covers what some thought to be the Golden Age from 1940-1942. Included are 23 shorts among was also a historical first featuring Moe Howard as the first American to portray Hitler on film, in 1940’s “You Nazty Spy”, which was also Moe’s personal favorite. Vol. 4 covers 1943-1945 and include 21 shorts with some of their best work, including “Micro-Phonies” (1943). Also featured are “They Stooge to Conga” (1943) and “The Yoke’s On Me” (1944), both were very controversial shorts.

Next up we have Vol. 5 which covers 1946-1948 and features 25 shorts. This period also marks the end of Curly’s career with the Stooges and the return of Shemp. Vol. 6 covers from 1949-1951, which continues with Shemp as the third Stooge. These collection of 24 shorts contain classics like “Merry Mavericks” (1951) and a reworking of “Phony Express” (1943) featuring Red Morgan. Vol. 7 features 22 shorts from 1952-1954. It was a hard time for the Stooges with the passing of Curly in 1951. Though it did still includes such classics as the first 3-D short, “Spooks!” (1953) and “Shot In The Frontier” (1954), a parody of the film “High Noon”. Lastly Vol. 8 covers the last 32 short for Columbia from 1955-1959 and marks the end of comedy era. 1955 also came with the sudden death of Shemp Howard, which caused Moe and Larry to use a stand-in on some of the shorts. This concludes 24 years and 190 shorts with Columbia.

The Three Stooges are really a comedy team that to this day remains unparalleled in both their success and popularity. I have a feeling that it will stay that way as well. They are true Hollywood legends. Their slapstick humor and physical comedy have influenced numerous icons in today’s times like Robin Williams and Jim Carrey and will continue as time goes on. Luckily for studios like Sony, we get to enjoy this complete and ultimate collection of The Three Stooges work and if you are fan of theirs this release is extremely recommended and also very affordable. Do not miss out of this wonderful release!

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: collection, dvd, review, stooges, ultimate

Blu-ray Review “Lethal Weapon Collection”

Starring: Danny Glover, Mel Gibson, Joe Pesci
Number of discs: 5
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Running Time: 476 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love the “Lethal Weapon” franchise? This collection includes all four films from this action-packed franchise, “Lethal Weapon”, “Lethal Weapon 2”, “Lethal Weapon 3″,”Lethal Weapon 4”. It is rare that franchise continues to be entertaining as the series goes on and that is the case with these films. This Blu-ray collection is a fantastic representation of the “Lethal Weapon” series. Warner Brothers did a really good job with this release and really aimed to please the fans of this series. Even if you own this series already, this really stacks up to be an excellent release with a bunch of new content. This Blu-ray looks and sounds completely amazing. Each film received a fantastic overhaul in its video presentation and it such an improvement from previous Blu-ray releases. With the video, this release really pushed the HD 1080p format! In the sound department, each film comes with an extremely impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which was blowing up my system. The track for “Lethal Weapon 1 & 2” is the most impressive since there was issues with the audio in the past releases.  So, all this greatness and we haven’t even touched on the special features yet.

The special features are jammed back as well. In “Lethal Weapon”, there is an audio commentary with Richard Donner. Fourteen deleted scenes running about 30 minutes, presented in sharp HD. There is a music video for “Lethal Weapon” by Honeymoon Suite. Lastly there is a theatrical Trailer. “Lethal Weapon 2” also comes with an audio commentary with Donner again. There are three deleted scenes for this film, presented in SD. There a vintage featurette called “Stunts & Action”, runs short. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer. “Lethal Weapon 3” includes an audio commentary with Donner, yet again. There is three deleted and extended scenes, presented in SD. There is a music Video for “It’s Probably Me” with Sting and Eric Clapton. Lastly there is a teaser and theatrical trailers included. “Lethal Weapon 4” brings the best commentary track with Donner, producer J. Mills Goodloe and associate producer Geoff Johns. One of my favorites features is “Pure Lethal! New Angles, New Scenes and Explosive Outtakes”, which runs just over 30 minutes. It complies all four films and is hosted by star Danny Glover. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer included.

The fifth disc in this release consists solely of newly produced documentaries, all presented in HD. Like I said Warner Brothers went to town on this release. “Psycho Pension: The Genesis of Lethal Weapon” runs just over 20 minutes and features Donner, Gibson, Glover, writer Shane Black and many more talking about ’80s culture, the script and characters and the birth of “Lethal Weapon”. “A Family Affair: Bringing Lethal Weapon to Life” runs about 30 minutes and takes us into the world of the “Lethal Weapon” series with Donner, Gibson, Glover, Black again talking about their experiences. “Pulling the Trigger: Expanding the World of Lethal Weapon”, runs about 30 minutes Home video success stoked the flame for the Lethal Weapon sequels, but it took more than a hungry audience, an audacious director and a willing cast to make it happen. It required an ever-expanding story, new characters, new actors, and new obstacles for Riggs and Murtaugh to overcome, bigger action and set pieces, higher and higher stakes, and something more than “more of the same” to complement the original. The last doc, “Maximum Impact: The Legacy of Lethal Weapon” looks deep into the franchise and what made it work.

Buy It 5/22 on Blu-ray™ http://bit.ly/K6kWM3
Like us on Facebook – http://on.fb.me/WBEntFB
Follow us on Twitter – http://bit.ly/WBHETW

Synopsis: Lethal Weapon (1987) With over seven minutes of previously unavailable scenes, the director’s cut of Lethal Weapon is a long-overdue present for fans. Riggs’s solitary homelife and the tragic loss spurring him in a reckless disregard for his own safety now come into greater focus. We see that recklessness is new scenes underlining the differences between the two cops. Murtaugh, just 50, needs reassurance about his skills at a firing range. Riggs, not caring if he sees another birthday, coolly walks into a schoolyard sniper’s field of fire. All the humor and adrenaline that made this original an entertainment milestone are here, too. No scenes have been removed. But new action and new insight are now included. Include yourself in the excitement. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Riggs wows the pretties of a hotel spa before getting to Getz. Murtaugh receives bad bodywork news from an auto repairman after his beleaguered station wagon sees some Riggs-piloted street action. Plus, feisty Leo shares a newly included scene in which he recalls a suspect’s address by complex spins of numbers that, well, no one can tell it like Leo. And no one would follow his lead but Riggs and Murtaugh. It’s police procedure, Lethal style. And it’s yours to enjoy as the duo draws a bead on criminals hiding behind diplomatic immunity. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Riggs and Murtaugh are back again. This time, they must stop a former cop who has become an arms dealer to L.A. street gangs. Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Mel Gibson and Danny Glover return as buddy cops Riggs and Murtaugh, with Joe Pesci riding comedy shotgun as chatterbox Leo. Murtaugh is still the family man. Riggs is still the gonzo loose cannon and – what’s this? – family man. His will-he/won’t he marriage to Cole (Rene Russo) is one of the new wrinkles in this powerhouse crowd-pleaser that also stars comedy favorite Chris Rock and international action star Jet Li. This sequel involves an action packed battle with a Chinese ganglord.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, collection, lethal, review, weapon

Blu-ray Review “The Prophecy Collection: 4 Film Set”

Directed by: Gregory Widen, Patrick Lussier, Joel Soisson
Starring: Christopher Walken, Eric Stoltz, Viggo Mortensen, Virginia Madsen, Vincent Spano
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Running Time: 344 minutes

The Prophecy: 4 out of 5 stars
The Prophecy 3: The Ascent: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Prophecy IV: Uprising: 3 out of 5 stars
The Prophecy V: Forsaken: 3 out of 5 stars

First off, Christopher Walken delivers one of his best roles as Gabriel in this franchise. I am psyched to have this series available on Blu-ray.  Though, I am very disappointed with that fact that “The Prophecy II” is M.I.A and why isn’t it included in this box set. I am absolutely clueless on that one but it is a little irritating overall. This collection does include the first and third, both with Christopher Walken and then also its back-to-back sequels four and five. Overall this series is always fun to watch and continues to be entertaining throughout each viewing.  Not the best Blu-ray transfers but still enough to make this worth the purchase.

“The Prophecy” follows an L.A. homicide detective, who while fighting to stop the forces of evil, finds an unlikely ally in an elementary school teacher. Together they race against time and terror to save the world as we know it. “The Prophecy 3: The Ascent” concludes the Gabriel trilogy, as fearsome armies of rebel angels wage war in heaven and on Earth, Pyriel, the brutal Angel of Genocide, rises to power and intends to destroy mankind. The only one on Earth with the ability to stop the bloodshed is Danyael, who was born of an angel and a woman. “The Prophecy: Uprising” jump starts the series again, when an ancient religious manuscript lands in the hands of an unsuspecting young woman, she is suddenly thrust into the center of an epic battle between ruthless fallen angels. “The Prophecy: Forsaken” follows the fighting for control of the Lexicon – an ancient religious text that reveals the arrival of the Antichrist – a group of fallen angels will stop at nothing to capture it and the young woman who possesses it.

The Blu-ray presentation on these collection sets are usually lacking the perfect Blu-ray quality but are still better than DVD. What I found is weird is that all these films are packed with 1080p high definition transfer except “The Prophecy 3: The Ascent” which is only 1080i. Each film is also presented with an impressive 5.1 Dolby Digital track, which is an impressive stand for Echo Bridge. Like most Echo Bridge releases there is no special included for any of these films, unlike the past DVDs. But if you are a fan of the series, and don’t mind missing the second film, this is a cheap and quick way to get the films on Blu-ray.

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 4, bluray, collection, film, prophecy, review, ...

DVD Review “The Frank Sinatra Film Collection”

Starring: Frank Sinatra
Number of discs: 10
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: April 3, 2012

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love “ol’ blue eyes”? Frank Sinatra is a true Hollywood legend. He did it all, singer…actor…all around superstar. Unlike some musicians who decide to act, Frank actually has the chops and is an Academy Award Winner. This collection includes ten of his signature films, which cover the basis of Sinatra’s acting career. This set has got everything from musicals to dramas to action-adventures and just completely captures the phenomenal range and talent of this amazing man.

The 10 films are: The Pride And The Passion / Kings Go Forth / A Hole In The Head / Can-Can / The Manchurian Candidate (1962) / Von Ryan’s Express / Cast A Giant Shadow / Tony Rome / The Detective / Lady In Cement.  Some of my favorites are Oscar nominees like “Can-Can” and “The Manchurian Candidate”.  “A Hole in the Head” is another classic directed by Frank Capra and is an Academy Award winner for Best Music/Song.    This set has seriously got it all, I just love its range.  The aspect ratios of each film slightly differ but they are still sharp and very impressive.

The film collection consists of two volumes and packaging is very impressive.  Sometimes with box sets, they are just bare bones but these really are impressive with great images and all around classy release just like Frank himself. All Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for releasing this great collection.  Even if you have never seen a single Sinatra movie, this will be a great introduction into his film career.  Of course, upon first look at this set my wife’s first comment was “Wait, no ‘On The Town'”.  Though there is still enough great entertainment here to satisfy your fix of Sinatra.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: collection, dvd, film, frank, review, sinatra, ...

Marvel Animated Collection DVDs Giveaway [ENDED]

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING, THE CONTEST HAS ENDED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

…

To celebrate the release of Marvel’s The Avengers, we would like to DVD the follow DVD collection set, “Marvel Animated Features: 3-Movie Collection” and “Ultimate Avengers Movie Collection”. If you would like to win one of these great prizes, leave a comment below with your favorite Marvel characters! This giveaway will be open until Monday May 15th, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

“Marvel Animated Features: 3-Movie Collection” consists of the following:
PLANET HULK: A whole new world of hurt! He was a monster, impossible to control, too dangerous to ignore. So Earth’s mightiest heroes exiled him into outer space. But now THE INCREDIBLE HULK crash-lands on the distant planet SAKAAR, ruled by the tyrannical RED KING.
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN: Past and present collide in this epic adventure that reveals the origin of Iron Man.
DOCTOR STRANGE: Darkness is winning. Yet there is hope… Join Dr. Stephen Strange as he embarks on a wondrous journey to the heights of a Tibetan mountain, where he seeks healing at the feet of the mysterious Ancient One.

“Ultimate Avengers Movie Collection” consists of the following:
ULTIMATE AVENGERS: “The Ultimates,” this is the extraordinary story of six very independent heroes who, like it or not, must fight as one to save the world.
ULTIMATE AVENGERS 2: To save humanity, the Earth’s mightiest heroes must reunite for a rematch of heroic proportions. These mightiest of heroes have battled the aliens before, and barely survived.
NEXT AVENGERS: Whenever the forces of evil threatened mankind, Earth’s mightiest heroes the Avengers were there to stop them – until they made the ultimate sacrifice in their final fight with the indestructible robot, Ultron. If these young heroes have any hope of winning they must find the missing Hulk and come together as…the Next Avengers!

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: animated, collection, dvds, giveaway, marvel

Blu-ray Review “Dirty Dancing 2-Film Collection”

Directed by: Emile Ardolino, Guy Ferland
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Romola Garai, Diego Luna
Number of discs: 2
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Lions Gate
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Running Time: 191 minutes

Films: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

After the 2007 Blu-ray release of “Dirty Dancing” and its terrible transfer, I was hoping this one was going to be a great improvement.  I won’t say I had the time of my life reviewing these…but it was better than carrying a watermelon.  Overall, it is much better and, if you consider this is a bonus, it also comes with the sequel, “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights”, which is available for the first time ever on Blu-ray. With two films, a whole mess of special features and a ridiculous low price of $14.99, this is a no-brainer if you don’t already own the film on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray presentation on both films looks good in 1080p high-def transfer and both with widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio.  The audio on both films are also very impressive boasting a sharp 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.  While it is not the best 7.1 track ever, I am impressed that Lionsgate hooked these films up. “Dirty Dancing” also packs an alternate audio track, Dolby Digital EX 5.1.

The special feature for “Dirty Dancing” are fantastic, though nothing new for this 25th anniversary release. There are two audio commentary tracks from writer Eleanor Bergstein which dates back to the original DVD and the second commentary track from the Ultimate Edition DVD release with Choreographer Kenny Ortega, Assistant Choreographer Miranda Garrison, Cinematographer Jeff Jur, Costume Designer Hilary Rosenfeld, and Production Designer David Chapman.  Both are decent but kind of dated.  There is a text-based copy of the entire “Dirty Dancing” script from writer Eleanor Bergstein.  There is an interview with Miranda Garrison, who played Vivian Pressman and served as assistant choreographer for the film. “Dirty Dancing: Live in Concert” is fun feature just to watch fro the 80’s fashion.

There a bunch of featurettes including on this release including “Kellerman’s: Reliving the Locations of the Film” features crew revisiting shooting locations.  “The Dirty Dancing Phenomenon” takes an inside look with interviews through the success of the film.  “The Rhythm of the Dancing” features Swayze discusses the music in the film. “Dancing to the Music” focuses on the film’s music and dancing. Lastly, there is also a vintage featurette to show take you back to when “Dirty Dancing” was in theaters.

“In Memoriam” looks at the cast that has since passed including Jerry Orbach, Jack Weston, Emile Ardolino, Max Cantor, and Patrick Swayze.  The late Patrick Swayze discusses the impact the film had on his life in “Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze”.   There are some retro interviews with Jennifer Grey, Eleanor Bergstein and Kenny Ortega. There are two “The Life” and “Everybody Dance” presented in “Multi-Angle Dance Sequences” with four different angles. There are Screen Test Montage with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey and also Screen Test Comparisons with Jennifer Gray. There are eleven deleted scenes adding up to about twelve minutes.  There are three alternate scenes and also seven extended scenes. There is also a short outtakes, running only about 30 seconds.  Worth checking out if you love this film but most likely you would have see on past releases.  Easily my favorite feature is the music videos for this including “Hungry Eyes”, “She’s Like the Wind”, and “The Time of my Life”. Lastly there is a photo gallery, a fan reel,  theatrical trailer and full-feature trivia track.

The special features on “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” don’t compare to the first film’s but is not bare either.  There is a decent commentary track from producer Sarah Green and choreographer JoAnn Jansen. We are giving the option for multi-angle on a few dance sequences.  There are a few deleted scenes included.  There are featurettes, the first “Inside Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” including interviews with cast/crew.  The other featurette, “Baila! A Dance Piece” is a split-screen view of the rehearsals to the final scene. There is a music video for Yerba Buena’s “Guajira”.  Lastly there is Facebook credits included for the “Dirty Dancing Facebook Game”.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 2film, bluray, collection, dancing, dirty, review, ...

DVD Review “Marvel Animated Features Collection”

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Lions Gate
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Running Time: 259 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I am a big fan of Marvel’s animated features but lets just say if these were being reviewed individually the score would be lower. All of them together equal some decent superhero fun. The three movies included are “Planet Hulk”, “The Invincible Iron Man” and “Doctor Strange”. In that order they actually go from best to least. Especially for such a low price, if you don’t own this and love Marvel, I recommend you picking them up.

“Planet Hulk” focuses on the big green man but takes place on another plnet. Since Hulk is so impossible to control and dangerous, Earth’s mightiest heroes exiled him into outer space. But once he lands on distant planet SAKAAR, things get ugly. “The Invincible Iron Man” reveals the origin of Iron Man. “Doctor Strange”, who is not a very well known hero, focuses on Dr. Stephen Strange’s journey to seeks healing at the feet of the mysterious Ancient One. He faces his own and actual monsters in the process of finding the magic.

To top off this impressive collection of movies, there is also a ton of bonus features included on this release. There are a few making-of featurettes, interactive games, concepts art gallery and more. The animation on this film are very colorful and sharp. The movies are just plain fun and if you are fan of Marvel’s work it is a no brainer. I would honestly prefer these on Blu-ray since, they would look even better and packed with 7.1 surround sound.  If you have the choice, I would recommend that route for this collection.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: animated, collection, dvd, features, marvel, review, ...

DVD Review “Ultimate Avengers Movie Collection”

MPAA Rating: PG-13 / PG
Distributed by: Lions Gate
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Running Time: 217 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

With “Marvel’s The Avengers” on the way this May, this is very hot content. The “Ultimate Avengers” series was made back in 2005 and “New Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow” was made in 2008. If you already own the “Ultimate Avengers” films, you don’t need to re-purchase this for the bonus film “Next Avengers”. If you don’t own any of these I would run out to the store and grab these, especially since they are being sold at a very reasonable price. If you have a Blu-ray player, I would recommend you grab this set

“Ultimate Avengers” is inspired by Marvel’s best-selling books, The Ultimates. It focuses on six heroes, lead by Captain America, who must fight as one to save the world. “Ultimate Avengers 2” forces our heroes to reunite in order to fight a rematch of heroic proportions in order to assist The Black Panther. “New Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow” focuses on the spawn of The Avengers taking the lead after their parents demise was met by Ultron.

To top off this impressive collection of movies, there is also a ton of bonus features included on this release. There are a few making-of featurettes, interactive games, concepts art gallery and more. The animation on this film are very colorful and sharp. The movies are just plain fun and if you are fan of Marvel’s work it is a no brainer. If you are looking to get more excited for “Marvel’s The Avengers” to hit theaters then this collection is a good way to brush up on your favorite superheros and get ready for May 4th.

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: avengers, collection, dvd, movie, review, ultimate, ...

Blu-ray Review “Battle Royale: The Complete Collection”

Directed by: Kinji Fukasaku
Starring: Beat Takeshi, Chiaki Kuriyama
Number of discs: 4
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: March 20, 2012
Running Time: 368 minutes

Collection: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out 5 stars

It is really sad that it took this film this long to get released properly in the US. “Battle Royale” has been proclaimed by many as “One Of The Most Controversial Film Series Of All Time”. It is definitely that for sure…and then some. The reason for this release occurs due to the unbelievable hype from the upcoming movie “The Hunger Games”. There has been talks of doing a US version of “Battle Royale” for many years but those were silenced since “The Hunger Games” came along. They are relatively similar in a sense besides the fact that “Battle Royale” is a no-holds barred kick-ass movie not backed by a teeny-bopper/Twilight-esque following like with “The Hunger Games”. Nonetheless, I am happy to finally see this film and its sequel “Battle Royale II: Requiem” released in the America and in glorious high definition.  So if you enjoy “The Hunger Games”, you should enjoy this release as well, no question.

The complete collection consists of four discs within fantastic case/box. The box comes with great photos from the films through the case. The first disc is the director’s cut of “Battle Royale”. The second disc is the theatrical cut of “Battle Royale”. The third disc is the sequel “Battle Royale II: Requiem”, less superior that the first but still very enjoyable. The fourth and final disc is jam packed with bonus content. The video resolution looks great with its 1080p transfer, with its original aspect ratio: 1.85:1. The audio is also fantastic specifically with its Japanese track boasting a very impressive Dolby TrueHD 7.1. The English dubbed track only included a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track.

Kinji Fukasaku’s violet yet poetic “Battle Royale” follow a group of Junior High students forced by the government to hunt and kill their classmates for sport. Sounds similar to “The Hunger Games” huh? When they are flown to a remote island, the rules are laid out for the game. Each student is put in a group with another student, given a weapon and set against their fellow classmates. Only one group will be allowed to leave the island alive. Of course what separates this from “The Hunger Games” is that one your team member is killed the device around the team members neck will explode in a few seconds.

“Battle Royale II: Requiem” follows right about the events of the first film. The survivors of previous Battles Royale, led by Shuya Nanahara have formed a rebel group called the “Wild Seven”. A class of teenagers are kidnapped by the Japanese government again. Instead of being forced to kill each other, like the first film, the students are sent off to war and ordered to attack and kill terrorist group and its leader.

The special features on this release are so fantastic and include more than 3 hours of extras. The main issue with these is that they are only presented on DVD, it would have been great to see these presented on Blu-ray and in high definition. The extras includes the following: The Making of Battle Royale, TV Spot: Tarantino Version, Basketball Scene Rehearsals, Tokyo International Film Festival 2000, Special Edition TV Spot, Original Theatrical Trailer, Battle Royale Documentary, Special Effects Comparison Featurette, Filming On-Set, Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, Audition & Rehearsal Footage, Instructional Video: Birthday Version, Battle Royale Press Conference. If you previously purchased the Special Edition International versions, then this is nothing new here just with subtitles now.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: battle, bluray, collection, complete, review, royale, ...

BREAKING NEWS: “The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection” Announced!

ONLY ONE NAME DEFINES THE ULTIMATE HERO…

ONLY ONE FORMAT DELIVERS THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE…

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE COMPLETE INDIANA JONES

FILM COLLECTION COMES TO BLU-RAY!

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (February 29, 2012) – The man with the hat is back – and looking better than ever! The world’s favorite globe-trotting archaeologist is, at long last, embarking on his greatest adventure – when The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection comes to Blu-ray Disc from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution. The Complete Indiana Jones Blu-ray Collection will be excavated in the fall of 2012 and will include all four of Indy’s thrilling adventures, using the highest possible high definition picture and audio presentation – along with a “best of” collection of documentaries, interviews, featurettes and a few new surprises.

We should be receiving cover art and further details on the collection shortly, so stay tuned and get ready for this amazing release!

About Paramount Home Media Distribution

Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.  PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

Lucasfilm, Indiana Jones™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Featured, Film Headlines Tagged With: announced, bluray, breaking, collection, complete, indiana, ...

DVD Review “Astron-6 Collection”

Created by: Adam Brooks, Matthew Kennedy, Conor Sweeney, Jeremy Gillespie and Steven Kostanski
Includes: 18 Short Films
Studio: Troma Entertainment
Run Time: 80 minutes

Overall Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

If you are fans of Grindhouse style films and Troma Entertainment, then you should be aware of Astron-6. The DVD contains Astron-6’s best known short films. So of the films range from thirty minutes to barely two minutes. Some are good but most of bad. There is a mix of comedy and horror blended through all of these shorts. Overall if you are fan of 80’s exploitation films and Grindhouse send-ups then you would love these, otherwise steer clear and go rent “Hobo With a Shotgun”.

One of the films, I enjoyed the most was “Cool Guys”, which is a real tribute to 80’s and is very funny. Some of the short but still goodies were “Fireman” and “Inferno of the Dead”. “Laser Ghosts” is also pretty decent, especially FX-wise. The films span over two DVDs and in fact I feel that the entire second disc ranks better than the second disc as a whole.  The amount of watchable shorts is outweighed by the not watchable ones unfortunately.

The extras are quite decent since each short film includes a commentary track and most of them also include a behind the scenes. I have always love the “fake” Grindhouse trailers, so the trailers on the disc are my favorite part. Easily though, the best part of this disc entirely is the extended preview for the upcoming film “Father’s Day”. It reminds me a lot of “Hobo With a Shotgun” but more intense.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: astron6, collection, dvd, review

DVD Review “Trancers: The Ultimate Deth Collection”

Directors: Charles Band
Actors: Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, Michael Stefani
Number of discs: 5
Rated: Unrated
Studio: New Video Group
Run Time: 392 minutes

Overall Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I have always been a big fan of Charles Band/Full Moon and their films. The “Trancers” series has always had a special place, no matter how “bad” they are. Included in this Ultimate Deth Collection is “Trancers”, “Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth” (both directed by Charles Band), “Trancers III, “Trancers 4: Jack of Swords” and “Trancers 5: Sudden Deth”.

The franchise focuses on cop Jack Deth who starts in the future and is sent back in time to 1985 to whip out the Trancers. Basically he spends the whole franchise chasing these Trancers. The series contains appearances from great talent like Helen Hunt, Art La Fleur, Jeffrey Combs, Richard Lynch and Andrew Robinson. Tim Thomerson is such campy fan dream to watch in this films. As the series progresses he reminds me a little bit of Bruce Campbell from “Army of Darkness”.

The extras on the disc are not packed but do include the making of each film, which is definitely a good addition to this great set. Fans of Tim Thomerson, this character Jack Deth and Full Moon should definitely pick up this series for sure. The DVD is not the best presentation and probably could use some cleaning up but I guess that is also what ads the charm for these films.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: collection, deth, dvd, review, trancers, ultimate, ...

Comcast Brings Annual “Halloween Moviethon” Collection to Xfinity

COMCAST BRINGS ANNUAL “HALLOWEEN MOVIETHON” COLLECTION WITH
MORE THAN 200 OF THE BEST SILVER SCREEN SCARES TO XFINITY ON DEMAND AND XFINITYTV.COM

WHAT: During the month of October, Xfinity On Demand and XfinityTV.com are serving up more than 200 movies in a comprehensive collection of classic and current horror and monster films, from edge-pushing slasher and giant monster epics to family-friendly animated scares in its “Halloween Moviethon” collection.

Xfinity On Demand

Xfinity On Demand’s “Halloween Moviethon” offers instant access to a bevy of the greatest movies that can get any member of the family into a scary holiday mood, from the vampire-obsessed teens to the 20-somethings and Scooby-Doo loving toddlers.  The films are grouped according to genres, such as: Creepy Classics, Frightful Family Fun, Horror Franchises and Scream with Laughter. Highlights include:

Creepy Classics

  • The Birds
  • Bride of Frankenstein
  • The Shining
  • Carrie
  • Alien

Frightful Family Fun

  • Young Frankenstein
  • Addams Family Values
  • Edward Scissorhands
  • Ghostbusters
  • It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
  • Men in Black

Horror Franchises

  • Friday the 13th (starts 10/7)
  • Resident Evil
  • Halloween (starts 10/7)
  • Saw
  • Final Destination
  • The Grudge
  • Underworld
  • Human Centipede (starts 10/12)
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street (starts 10/7)
  • Romero’s Living Dead (starts 10/7)

In addition, to help make this Halloween even more haunting, Xfinity On Demand will be offering a slew of activity-oriented programming just for kids.  This varied content includes activities such as costume making, pumpkin carving, magic tricks and much more and can be found at Xfinity On Demand>Kids>Kids Picks>Halloween.

XfinityTV.com
XfinityTV.com is also hosting films, including classic creepers like The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror (1979) The Phantom of the Opera, Village of the Damned, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and Bride of Chucky along with special Halloween themed TV episodes including HGTV’s Halloween Block Party and VH1’s Scream Queens, to get revelers in the mood for the season of scary.

WHEN: Now throughout the month of October

WHERE: For the “Halloween Moviethon” collection, customers can go to Xfinity On Demand >Top Picks>Halloween Moviethon or visit XfinityTV.com.

For kid-friendly activities customers can go to Xfinity On Demand>Kids>Kids Picks>Halloween.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: annual, brings, collection, comcast, halloween, moviethon, ...
« sdf
Previous
Page 8 of 9
Next
Next Page »