Category: News (Page 53 of 53)

An all star cast including Golden Globe winner Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci come together in “Shall We Dance?” for the first time on Blu-ray Disc, May 6, 2008.

For longer than he can remember, a middle-aged workaholic named John Clark (Richard Gere) has led an incredibly dull existence – the mundane accounting job, the mind-numbing commute, etc. But one night he catches a glimpse of a beautiful dance instructor (Jennifer Lopez) in the window of a shabby ball room dancing school. When this painfully shy and awkward man finally muscles up the nerve to sign up for dance lessons, he is assigned to an eccentric group class taught by an older woman.  Nevertheless, the seemingly predictable man sticks with his new hobby hoping to catch the attention of the young beauty.

Bonus features will include: Deleted Scenes with optional Director Commentary from Peter Chelsom, Behind the Scenes of Shall We Dance?, Beginner’s Ballroom, Audio Commentary by Director Peter Chelsom, The Music of Shall We Dance? and Pussycat Dolls “Sway” Music Video.

Shall We Dance? is presented in 1.85:1, Widescreen adapted for 16×9 televisions, 1080p, English 5.1 Uncompressed, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 French Dolby Digital.

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes the comedy, Coyote Ugly – The Double Shot, available on Blu-ray for the first time on April 1, 2008. The romantic comedy stars Piper Perabo, Maria Bello, John Goodman, Bridget Moynahan and Tyra Banks. This “Double Shot” Edition includes two versions of the movie, both the Theatrical version and the Unrated Extended Cut.

After moving to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a famous songwriter, Violet Sanford (Perabo) finds she is desperate and broke. But, through a twist of fate, the shy Violet lands a job as one of the barmaids at the hottest nightclub in New York City – Coyote Ugly.

Blu-ray Disc bonus features include audio commentary, additional scenes, theatrical trailer, music video featuring Leanne Rimes and many short featurettes.

The movie is presented in 2.35:1, Widescreen adapted for 16×9 televisions, 1080p and English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, English 5.1 Dolby, French 5. 1 Dolby, Spanish 2.0 Dub Ave Dolby.

While speaking at this year’s Game Developers Conference, John Schappert of Microsoft had the following to say in regards to a Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox 360:

“We have no plans to announce anything like that right now. But I’d also urge you to look at the attach rate for the HD-DVD drive. It was a 3% attach rate…”

With 18 million Xbox 360 units sold worldwide a 3% attach rate just isn’t worth it for Microsoft. So those wanting some Blu-Ray love will have to turn elsewhere… like a PlayStation 3.

Not to be left out in the cold, Amazon has announced that Blu-ray will be supported as the high def format of choice for costumers. This means that Amazon will prominently promote Blu-ray movies and players throughout Amazon.com

Peter Faricy of Amazon.com commented, “The high-definition landscape is rapidly changing, and consumers are looking for guidance on how to make the best high-definition buying decisions. Our customers have clearly voiced their support for the Blu-ray format. Blu-ray titles have increased from just over half of our high-definition sales to over three-quarters of our high-definition sales since early January. In order to best serve our customers, Amazon is recommending Blu-ray as the preferred digital format and will continue to carry the ‘Earth’s Largest Selection’ of Blu-ray products.”

Via Blu-Ray.com

Following in Universal’s footsteps, Paramount has also shifted focus to the Blu-Ray format:

“We are pleased that the industry is moving to a single high-definition format, as we believe it is in the best interest of the consumer. As we look to releasing our titles on Blu-ray, we will monitor consumer adoption and determine our release plans accordingly.”

Universal Studios Home Entertainment President Craig Kornblau has confirmed that Universal will now support Blu-Ray:

“The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def’s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate. While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray.”

Fox has announced that the surprise blockbuster hit Juno will arrive on Blu-Ray on April 15, 2008. Made for a mere $7.5 million, Juno has grossed over $155 million worldwide and is on hundreds of top 10 lists. Not only a financial success, Juno has also been nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Screenplay.

Extras featured on the disc include audio commentary by director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody, four making-of featurettes, eleven deleted scenes, three outtake reels, screen tests and two Fox Movie Channel specials. And if you can’t get enought Juno, the disc will include a Digital Copy of the film that you can sync to your iPod, iPhone, etc.

The film will ship on a BD-50 dual-layer disc with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video, English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround and French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio and English, French and Spanish subtitle options.

Onkyo in the next company in line to drop the defeated HD DVD format. Effective immediately, Onkyo will discontinue the development and production of HD DVD players and will  shift focus to the newly crowned Blu-Ray format.

Onkyo has distributed and sold approximately 2000 units of the HD DVD players in the selected markets. Onkyo manufactures HD DVD players with core parts supplied by Toshiba, which would make it difficult for Onkyo to continue its development and production of HD DVD players. Despite this, Onkyo will continue to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Onkyo HD DVD players.