We have 4 new HD DVD releases this week, and nothing from the Blu Ray BD camp.
The HD media war is really heating up, both sides need new and better content.
All from Universal, we have:
Billy Madison
Dante’s Peak
The War
The Wedding Date
These are all older, previously released movies and they aren’t that spectacular. The War looks worth checking out, especially if you’re a Costner fan.
Netflix announced today that it will support HD DVD when the format launches in late March.
“With Toshiba’s new high-def DVD player now available to be ordered for March delivery at several leading online and big-box retailers, a number of Hollywood studios have announced plans to launch both new and catalog titles on HD DVD beginning late that month. Warner Home Video said at the recent Consumer Electronics Show that it will introduce 24 titles in HD DVD on March 28. Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment and The Weinstein Company made similar announcements. ”
Good deal! Netflix is jumping on the next-gen bandwagon, as it sounds like they are open to supporting BD (Blu-Ray Discs) when that format launches as well. Hmm, I might need to up my subscription soon…
Press Release
Audioholics came up with an abbreviated list of HD-DVD titles due for release.
Expect most or all of these to be available when you can purchase your shiny, new HD-DVD player:
Universal
Warner Brothers
Paramount
Via HDBlog.net
Awright! I’ve been waiting on Serenity to make it to DVD! A quick hop from the theater made it an easy wait.
Sci-Fi is one of my fav genres and I’m looking forward to this tale:
“Captain Malcom Reynolds finds himself running from a skilled Alliance operative who wants River Tam, and who will stop at nothing to get her; meanwhile, River’s capabilities become more clear to the crew of Serenity.”
Rated 8.1 out of 10
Rent Serenity at netflix online. Free 10 day trial - movies sent to your mailbox with a free return mailer include. Great service!
An awesome DVD released this week is The Great Raid. This is a very compelling story and, from what I understand, very authentic and accurate.
The story goes like this: “Taking place during World War II, 500 POW’s have been entrapped in a camp for 3 years. Beginning to give up hope they will ever be rescued, a group of Rangers goes on a dangerous mission to try and save them.”
Rating 7.1 out of 10 at the imdb.
Rent The Great Raid at netflix online. Free 10 day trial - movies sent to your mailbox with a free return mailer include. Great service!
For a technical look at the latest Star Wars release, we get the thumbs up from HomeTheaterMag:
Video: 5
Audio: 4
Extras: 4
The film presentation itself, created directly from the original digital source material, is stunning in its richness of colors and amazing details. Everything you saw theatrically, from helmet glare to the subtle reflection of animated characters, is present and visible on the home screen. There is simply no flaw in the 2.35:1 anamorphic picture, ranking this as one of the best DVD presentations you’ll see.
This DVD is a “must have” for any home theater enthusiast. Unless, of course, you hate Star Wars. (What is wrong with you?)
This could also be a good reference DVD choice for calibration or HDTV shopping.
Rent StarWars Ep III at netflix. Free 10 day trial - movies sent to your mailbox with a free return mailer. See if you like it before you buy it.
Star Wars Episode III
Cinderella Man comes out on DVD today. A great flick with Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger.
This film earns an 8 out of 10 stars by picky viewers like you and me at the imdb.com.
Plot Outline: The story of Depression-era fighter and folk hero Jim Braddock, who defeated heavyweight champ Max Baer in a 15-round slugfest in 1935.
Rated PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language.
Runtime: 144 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital / SDDS
Highly recommended.
Rent this movie at netflix online. Free 10 day trial - movies sent to your mailbox with a free return mailer include. Great service!
I came across a decent roundup of the best DVDs for this year, so far. It’s probably not exactly the list I would pick (maybe I’ll take the time later), but a good selection still.
These were not necessarily chosen as best flicks for their content, but for an excellent home theater experience. (Excellent sound, good digital transfer, crisp and immersive video, etc.)
Batman Begins
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Crash
The Incredibles
Ray
Sin City Recut & Extended Edition
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Steamboy
Titanic Special Collector’s Edition
War of the Worlds
Rent these movies online at Netflix - free 2 week trial. Movies mailed to you with free return mailer enclosed. Great service!
Popular new releases on DVD this week:
War of the Worlds directed by Steven Spielberg is a sure hit.
As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival.
The Polar Express is another great flick for the family, and should get us on the roll for that holiday spirit.
On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home.
Rent either or both at NetFlix - free 2 week trial. (DVDs sent to your mailbox with a free return mailer.)
No, not for when your DVD catches fire, but for all those young and impressionable minds that are watching DVDs full of cancer-stick puffers and draggers.
I’m sure some will hate the notion, and I’m not so sure how effective it may be, but I think the intentions are at least good.
With a new study showing that exposure to on-screen smoking prompts many American adolescents to light up, attorneys general from 32 states want Hollywood to slap anti-smoking admonitions on all new DVDs.
They signed a letter sent this week to 10 movie studios asking executives to add anti-smoking public service announcements to all home-viewing releases that depict smoking.
Interesting factoid - Out of 6,522 adolescents asked, 38 of every 100 who tried smoking did so because of their exposure to smoking in movies. Wow.
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