Afternoon, everyone! Today's post is going to be a quickie, but we've finally got a couple of those reviews for you...

Our own Barrie Maxwell has checked in with a look at Sony's new Angels & Demons: Two-Disc Theatrical & Extended Edition Blu-ray, which hits stores next Tuesday (11/24). Also, Jeff Kleist has turned in his thoughts on Disney and Pixar's excellent UP Blu-ray, which is now available. Both are well worth your time and attention, so enjoy!

Meanwhile, I'm working on a review of A&E Home Video's new Farscape: The Complete Series DVD box set, among other titles. There's a LOT to cover in the box, but I hope to have that review for you on Monday.

Before we sign off for the week, however, I do have one quick update for you on Let the Right One In. As we posted yesterday, Magnolia has finally re-released the Region 1 DVD version in the States with corrected theatrical subtitles, but a corrected Blu-ray version is still MIA here. HOWEVER, the good news is that if you love the film and you just can't wait for Magnolia to get its BD fix in stores... we're told that Momentum Pictures' U.K. Blu-ray release (available here at Amazon.co.uk for about $22 USD shipped to the States) DOES have the correct theatrical English subtitles AND it's an all-region disc, compatible with U.S./Region A players. Thanks to all you crafty/import-savvy Bits readers who sent us e-mails to let us know about this edition. Where there's a will, there's a way... [EDITOR'S NOTE: We're now getting reports that the DTS-HD MA track on this import BD is defective, and that Momentum will have fixed copies available soon. Wait to order your copy until we've confirmed that fixed copies are in stock at Amazon.co.uk. Guess this film just had bad luck all around on Blu...]

All right, it's back to Farscape for me. Have a great weekend and we'll see you back here on Monday!

11/19/09

Okay, those reviews are coming. We should have a couple of them up for you tonight and there will be more tomorrow. The reason for the delay gets back to our dog rescue story - the one I told you about on Monday. Turns out, our sweet German Shepherd now has a new home!

First of all, thanks to all those of you who e-mailed about the dog, either with advice and encouragement or with interest in getting her adopted. It's sure nice to know that there are lots of good people out there willing to help an animal in need. As it turns out though, she already has a new home! It seems that Matt's sister-in-law (Sally Jo) and her husband had been looking for another big dog to adopt as a friend and playmate for one they already have. So I went over to the vet a couple hours ago to visit the dog and be there when her new mom arrived. It was pretty adorable - the staff at the vet had bathed her, given her a new bandana and were generally doting over her like crazy, so when I arrived she was all clean and shinny. Then she met her new mom and they hit it off right away! Maizy (that's her new name) was just as excited as can be. So the story has a very happy ending. Best of all, Sarah and I will get to keep seeing her on a regular basis! Here's a couple pictures of Maizy with her new mom, and the two of them riding off into the sunset...



Anyway, back to business! We've got a couple of interesting bits of information for you today...

First, it seems that Magnolia has finally fixed that subtitle issue on DVD copies of Let the Right One In. As you may recall, there were a lot of complaints that the English subtitles on the disc were a new (and decidedly lackluster) translation, rather than the theatrical subs seen in theatres. Well, the new DVD version is in stores now and it says "English (Theatrical)" right on the back where it lists the subs. You can also still choose the original English DVD subs, though I think if you compare you'll agree the theatrical subs are far superior. There's still no word as to when Blu-ray copies with the theatrical subs will begin appearing in stores, but we'll keep our eyes peeled. Let us know if you spot them. Thanks to Bits reader Bob G. for the heads-up about the DVD version.

In announcement news, Anchor Bay will be releasing Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story on DVD and Blu-ray on 12/29. The company also has Cyclops, Behind the Mask and The Alphabet Killer set for Blu-ray on 12/8 (all three are already available on DVD). And on standard DVD only, look for Ghost Machine on 12/22, followed by Trek vet Walter Koenig in Inalienable on 1/19/10.

Also, we've got an update on that Fight Club note from yesterday. Turns out that when you put the Blu-ray in your player, menus for the film Never Been Kissed appear for a few moments before the Fight Club menus finally appear. This isn't an authoring error - it's a deliberate gag director David Fincher cooked up with the approval of actor Drew Barrymore. Nice.

Meanwhile, media market research firm Screen Digest is predicting that some 45.4 million Blu-ray capable devices will be in homes around the world by the end of the year (18.4 million stand-alone decks and another 27 million PS3s), which they believe will mean that Blu-ray will help offset DVD sales declines going into 2010 and beyond. You can read more on this at Home Media.

And finally, we wanted to say a few words of acknowledgement about the passing of actor Edward Woodward, who died on Monday at the age of 79. U.S. audiences will likely best recall him from his starring role in TV's The Equalizer. Film fans will no doubt remember him fondly for his turns in The Wicker Man and (my favorite) Bruce Beresford's Breaker Morant, or any of dozens of other TV and big screen appearances. Most recently, Woodward appeared in Hot Fuzz and the BBC's Eastenders TV series. He'll be missed.

Here's a bit of new cover art: Sony's Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Blu-ray (due 1/5/10), and Universal's The Wolf Man: Special Edition (with a revised cover) and She-Wolf of London: The Complete Series on DVD (both now set for 2/2/10, though Amazon claims to have Wolf Man in stock now in the originally promoted packaging)...



Back later. Stay tuned...

11/18/09

We're still working to get those reviews up today if possible, but first I wanted to check in with some pretty interesting breaking news...

If you haven't heard, word has leaked that Wal-Mart is planning to sell a Magnavox profile 1.1 Blu-ray player for just $78 on Black Friday. They're also planning to sell profile 2.0 models from Sony and Samsung for just $148. You can read more at Home Media, Video Business and even CNN. Rest assured, Wal-Mart isn't going to be alone. Many other retailers are planning MAJOR BD player sales over the Black Friday weekend. So If you've just been waiting for super-low hardware prices before jumping on the Blu-ray bandwagon, get ready. They're coming.

In release news today, Magnolia has set The Burning Plain for DVD and Blu-ray Disc release on 1/12/10 (SRP $26.98 and $29.98). Extras will include a trio of behind-the-scenes featurettes.

Newly announced by Anchor Bay is the recent sci-fi thriller Pandorum for DVD and Blu-ray release on 12/22/09 (SRP $29.98 and $39.98). Extras will include audio commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette and still galleries. The Blu-ray will also include a Digital Copy version.

Meanwhile, Criterion has announced a number of new releases due in stores in February, including Götz Spielmann's Revanche (#502), Steve McQueen's Hunger (#504) and Max Ophuls' Lola Montčs (#503), all on both DVD and Blu-ray. Also due on DVD only is Leo McCarey's Make Way for Tomorrow (#505).

Universal has rescheduled its delayed The Wolf Man: Special Edition for DVD release on 2/2/10. Also coming that day on DVD are Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Eleventh Season and She-Wolf of London: The Complete Series.

Sony has set Soul Power for DVD and Blu-ray release on 1/26/10. Also coming that day on DVD only are St. Trinian's and Bright Star.

Paramount and CBS have set Beverly Hills 90210: The Ninth Season and Dynasty: Season Four, Volume Two for DVD release on 2/2/10, followed by JAG: The Final Season, The Sarah Silverman Program: Season Two, Volume Two and Vegas: The First Season, Volume 2 on 2/9, and Barnaby Jones: The First Season and Cannon: Season Two, Volume Two on 2/16.

And Fox has set The Keeper (starring Steven Seagal) for DVD release on 1/19/10.

Stay tuned...

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