To kick things off early today, we've got another new Blu-ray Disc review for you: My take on Paramount's HD spiff of the classic It's a Wonderful Life. One thing's for sure - the film looks better than ever. Speaking of Blu-ray (and DVD) reviews, we're working on a lot more, including Up, The Prisoner: The Complete Series, Heat, Leon: The Professional, Farscape: The Complete Series and much more, so stay tuned over the coming days.

In announcement news today, Lionsgate has set Death Warrior for DVD release on 12/1, followed by The Cove on 12/8 and Facing Ali on 12/29.

Meanwhile, Warner Home Video has set Southland: The Complete First Season for DVD only release on 1/16/10 (no Blu-ray version is yet announced), followed by Scarecrow and Mrs. King: The Complete First Season on 3/9/10.

Universal has set Atonement and Pride & Prejudice for Blu-ray release on 1/26/2010. Both are already available on DVD. It appears that all the previous DVD extras will be included.

And Fox has set Jennifer's Body for DVD and Blu-ray release on 12/29, followed by Post Grad on both formats on 1/12/10 and Whip It on both formats on 1/26/10. In terms of catalog Blu-ray releases, look for Walk the Line and The Last King of Scotland on 2/2/10. Fox will also release MGM's previously announced (but delayed) To Live and Die in L.A. Blu-ray on 1/6/10.

In other news - following up on yesterday's word of impending holiday Blu-ray software price drops - Video Business is also now reporting that Amazon.com, Best Buy and Wal-Mart have joined Target is selling select new release and catalog titles for under $20.

And speaking of Best Buy, the retailer has just increased its retail store presence for Blu-ray by up to three times what it offered the format last year for the holidays. You can read more here at Home Media.

Here's a look at more new cover art... Fox's Jennifer's Body, Walk the Line and The Last King of Scotland Blu-rays...



By the way, just so you know in advance and don't wonder, there will be no Friday post here at The Bits. We've got family visiting, so we're going to be spending the day with them. But we'll be back on Monday with the usual news updates and more. So have a great weekend (in advance) and we'll see you then!

11/11/09

Today's post is going to be a quick one, but we've got a couple good things for you. First of all though, we wanted to send a big shout out to all you folks serving your country in uniform around the world, or those of you who have served in the past. Thank you all, and here's hoping this day finds you well.

Now then... we've got a couple more Blu-ray Disc reviews for you today. I've posted my thoughts on Warner and Lucasfilm's new Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Season One (now available) as well as Paramount's BD upgrade of Galaxy Quest (due to street with STAR TREK next Tuesday, 11/17). Both are worth your time and attention, so do check them out.

Also today, there's word from Video Business that key retailers are going to be offering amazing sales prices for Blu-ray Disc movie titles on Black Friday. In particular, Target will be offering select titles priced at just $9.99 each! That's pretty tough to pass up.

What's more, Home Media is reporting that premium pricing for Blu-ray titles is starting to become less common as we move into the holiday shopping season this year. Growing pressure from consumers and retailers to see the format hit mass market acceptance levels is resulting in key new release titles priced as low as $20 at select retailers. We're pleased to finally see this start happening. It's about time!

That's all for now. Stay tuned...

11/10/09

Afternoon, folks! We've got a few good things for you today.

First of all, our own Barrie Maxwell has checked in with a pair of new Criterion Blu-ray Disc reviews... James Ivory's Howards End and Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire. Both are exceptionally well mastered and filled with great extras. In fact, the Wings of Desire Blu-ray even carries over some of the bonus content DVD producer Mark Rance created for the recent MGM special edition, including the director's commentary. Do check it out.

Also today, Dr. Jahnke - having mostly recovered from his recent Oktoberfest effort - has delivered a new installment of his Jahnke's Electric Theatre column for you all to enjoy. Included in this edition is Adam's take on The Men Who Stare at Goats (now in theatres) and Sony's Synecdoche, New York on Blu-ray. Enjoy!

Also today, we've posted the weekly update of the Release Dates & Artwork section, featuring all the latest DVD and Blu-ray cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. As always, a portion of anything you purchase from Amazon after clicking to them through our links goes to help support our efforts here at The Bits and we greatly appreciate it.

In release news today, Universal has just kicked off a new level of BD-Live bonus content on their discs, some of it compatible with Apple's iPhone. These features will be found on the forthcoming Blu-ray versions of Bruno, 9, Funny People, American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, Inglourious Basterds and Public Enemies. You can read more here at Home Media.

Finally this afternoon, I wanted to mention one last thing from last week's Blu-Con 2.0 conference. Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese addressed the conference as the keynote speaker live via satellite from the Film Foundation offices in New York City. He spoke very positively about the Blu-ray format: "BD's potential to replicate the original theatrical experience is the best I've seen in forty years of [movie] collecting. Blu-ray offers the ability to see the film as it was intended." The most interesting quote he offered, however, was something I HOPE was not lost on the audience of studio executives and mastering engineers on hand. He noted that Blu-ray is capable of displaying "a film grain texture which I think is very important in recreating the film experience." Can I get an AMEN?

Stay tuned...

Bill Hunt, Editor
The Digital Bits
billhunt@thedigitalbits.com