Wednesday, August 28, 2013

And Then There Were None Available On DVD And Blu-ray From VCI Entertainment

Agatha Christie’s wicked whodunit, Ten Little Indians, was published in 1939, but had to wait for the war to end for adaptation to the silver screen.   In 1945 producer/director René Clair did exactly that with the release of And Then There Were None, which featured a terrific cast that included Walter Huston, Judith Anderson, Louis Hayward and Barry Fitzgerald.
News arrived this past week that VCI Entertainment has a newly-restored edition of And Then There Were None planned for both DVD and Blu-ray release on Aug. 27.   Bonus features include an optional narrative track for the blind.
To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report
 
DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
 

DIck Tracy DVD Collection From The Film Chest On Sept. 10


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
The Film Chest, in conjunction with Topic Entertainment, will bring another classic screen detective collectible to market on Sept. 10.   Already announced for delivery the week prior (street date: Sept. 3) is the second Sherlock Holmes Archive Collection (a six-disc set), which features rare Sherlock Holmes feature films, early silent shorts and a selection of episodes from Sherlock Holmes First Cases television series.

The film detective in focus on Sept. 10 will none other than Chester Gould’s comic strip legend, Dick Tracy.  Titled simply Dick Tracy, this six-disc collection includes the four classic feature films from the short-lived series — Dick Tracy and Dick Tracy vs. Cueball with Morgan Conway as Tracy, and Dick Tracy's Dilemma and Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome with Ralph Byrd returning as Tracy — the entire 1937 Republic Pictures theatrical serial, Dick Tracy (starring Ralph Byrd), and selected episodes from the Dick Tracy television series (also starring Ralph Byrd as Tracy).

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report
 
DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
 


Virgil Films And Entertainment Has Vitality Ready For The DVD Market On Oct. 29


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
Take the Vitality challenge on Oct. 29 when Virgil Films & Entertainment releases the DVD that guides the viewer through exercise, diet, sleep and mindset challenges to achieve the nature of true health.

With the success of Forks Over Knives, it was only natural that more self-empowering health-related programming would be coming from Virgil.   In Vitality, medical experts from around the world have been assembled to provide insights and practical (simple) solutions to the “health trap” that people often are caught in ... in short, take control of your life and live well!

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report








Peyote And Longing Nights From Breaking Glass Pictures In November


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
Breaking Glass Pictures announced this past week that two Spanish-language imports will be heading to the domestic DVD market place this November — one from the “Old World” and one from the “New World.”

Mexican filmmaker Omar Flores Sarabia’s Peyote, in Spanish with English subtitles, will be making its way to consumers on Nov. 19.   After delivering an array of critically acclaimed short films — Isla, The Orange Tree, The Devil, The Spear and the Drum and The Eternal Sapphire — Sarabia makes the move to the feature film arena with this intense tale of two young men — Pablo (Joe Diazzi) and Marco (Carlos Luque) — who embark on a lark “adventure” in the Mexican desert (filmed in and around San Luis Potosí) with little planning and a video camera that will record more than just their travels.   

A raw sexuality punctuates their days together in this ruggedly beautiful landscape — the allure of it, the dangers and the sensual nature of it mark both their journey and their relationship.

Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a photo gallery.
DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey


From Madrid, Spain on Nov. 5 comes the DVD debut of writer/director Tiago Leão’s Longing Nights.   Also in Spanish with English subtitles, this self-styled “docudrama” takes a look — a very candid look — at the lives of four 20-somethings living in Madrid as they struggle to find meaning in their lives.

Playing themselves are Aitana, Pierrick, Jorge and Rita who take us on a whirlwind journey through the metropolis of modern Madrid that features clubs, drugs, sex and a variety of relationships that range from the lonely and desperate to the erotic and sensual.

Bonus features include deleted scenes and a photo gallery.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report


Man Of Steel From Warner Home Video On Nov. 12 As A Three-SKU Product Launch


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
Warner Home Video has let the next “shoe” drop in its post-Labor Day hit parade with the selection of Nov. 12 as the street date for director Zack Synder’s summer super hero blockbuster, Man of Steel.

The ARR for this three-SKU product launch — double-disc DVD edition, plus two Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs, one with and one without a 3D viewing option (all releases feature UltraViolet) — is 151 days.   Ticket sales were a robust $289.6 million.

A Brit as an iconic American comic book super hero … a bold move.   That is whom producer/writer Christopher Nolan (three Oscar nominations — writing for both Memento and Inception, plus Best Picture nod for Inception) hit upon as Superman/Clark Kent in this reboot of the series, Henry Cavill from The Tudors cable series (also such films as Immortals, Blood Creek, Whatever Works, etc.).

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
It worked (reviews and the box office gross say so), even the story, which is faithful to the comic books (in terms of mythology and origins), the 1948 Superman serial (with Kirk Alyn) and the 1978 Superman theatrical launch (with Christopher Reeve) … all of the elements are there.   

Nolan and co-writer David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, Dark City, etc.) have just moved things around a bit and broaden the action.   Which, if the truth be known, is the only negative in that it made the film — at times — seem like a dozen other CGI-laden, overly loud super hero movies of late (a long list).   A little less of that and a little more character development (relationships) would have been welcomed.   

Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russel Crowe as Jor-El and Michael Shannon (perhaps best knows as Van Alden in the Broadwalk Empire cable series, plus Oscar-nominated as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Revolutionary Road in 2008) as General Zod were all excellent casting decisions on the part Nolan and company. 

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph TribbeyIn short, Man of Steel works … a sequel in this re-launch of the series is planned for 2015 (Superman vs. Batman, which has already stirred controversy with the selection of Ben Affleck as Batman).

As to bonus nuggets, there are three production featurettes included on all three SKU selections — “Strong Characters, Legendary Roles,” “All-Out Action” and “Krypton Decoded” — while those choosing the Blu-rays will have two additional featurettes  as bonus goodies — “Journey of Discovery: Creating Man of Steel” and “Planet Krypton.”

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report




Paramount Home Media Distribution Adds Two To Star Trek: The Next Generation Blu-ray Library On Nov. 19


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
Paramount Home Media Distribution continues with its Star Trek: The Next Generation multi-SKU Blu-ray promotion on Nov. 19 with the release of the six-disc collection of Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Five and feature-length presentation of Star Trek: The Next Generation – Unification.

The two-part episode of “Unification” from the fifth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation has been cleverly edited into a feature-length adventure and teams Captain Picard  (Patrick Stewart) with Spock (Leonard Nemoy) from the original Star Trek series and is loosely connected to the theatrical release of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country that occurred the same year (1991).

DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph TribbeyBonus features on the Blu-ray edition of Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Five include deleted scenes and a trio of featurettes — “Archival Mission Log,” “In Conversation: The Klingons” and “What He Left Behind: The Roddenberry Legacy.”

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report





Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's After Earth Available On DVD And Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Oct. 8


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
Will Smith’s vanity sci-fi thriller, After Earth, will be heading home as DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack (with UltraViolet) product offerings from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on Oct. 8.

The ARR comes in at 130 days and the box office tally in the domestic market was a disappointing (considering the product budget) $60.5 million.   After Earth did considerably better overseas and with its theatrical exposure the home entertainment results should be solid as well.

Bonus features include a trio of features, with the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack SKU containing an alternate opening sequence and three additional featurettes for six in all.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Eagle Rock Entertainment's Bryan Ferry: Live In Lyon Heads To DVD And Blu-ray On Sept. 24


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
Eagle Rock Entertainment has tabbed Sept. 24 for separate DVD and Blu-ray editions of Bryan Ferry: Live in Lyon — Ferry’s July 25, 2011 concert at the famed Roman-era amphitheater in Lyon, France. 

Ferry’s “Olympia” album (recorded with former members of the Roxy Music band) world tour arrived in Lyon as part of the Nuits de Fourviere Festival and those lucky enough to be in attendance were treated to a 22-song set.  Included in the mix are “Slave to Love,” “Don't Stop The Dance,” “You Can Dance,” “Avalon” and “All Along the Watchtower.”  

Bonus features include “The Making of Olympia,” which features interviews with Nile Rodgers, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Marcus Miller, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Scissor Sisters.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report


The Intership Available On DVD And Blu-ray From 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment On Oct. 22


DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey
On paper the teaming of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson in a summer-season comedy seemed like money in the bank.  After all, Wedding Crashers did over $200 million at the box office during the summer of 2005.

The Intership, due out on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack (with UltraViolet) on Oct. 22 from 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment only managed to pull in just $44.6 million during its multiplex theatrical run this summer.   The ARR is 137 days.

Two problems.  One, a truly dreadful trailer — it actually made you not want to see the film.  And two, a padded script without focus … and who cares about Google as the subject matter for a comedy!

As to bonus features, both the DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack SKUs have an unrated viewing option (this is a typical studio strategy of cutting an R-rated comedy down to PG-13 to “maximize the audience” during its theatrical launch), commentary from director/producer Shawn Levy (best known for Night at the Museum and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian) and the featurette titled “Any Given Monday.”
DVD & Blu-ray Release Report, Ralph Tribbey 
Exclusive to the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack are deleted scenes.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report