3D is going to make 2D look like 1D.

Not content with his $232 million box-office haul from over the weekend, director James Cameron is already thinking ahead to the inevitable Blu-ray release for Avatar.

Considering most of the hype (and serious awards consideration), seems to be centered around Cameron’s unprecedented use of 3D technology – and the recent announcement that the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has adopted official 3D specs for the format – many were wondering about whether or not Blu-ray 3D had found its killer app (so to speak).

Speaking with MTV, Cameron acknowledged Avatar is expected to hit home video before summer, but just a standard release. However, the auteur does have plans for a Blu-ray 3D release sometime in the future.

“Probably the initial Blu-ray release of Avatar won’t be in 3-D and then a subsequent release will be in 3-D. That’s my guess right now,” said Cameron, “So we will probably put out a disk, you know, in six or eight months, let’s call it six months, and then after that we will have a 3-D disc when there are enough sets available.”

There is good news for fans who want more of the Skittle-colored world of Pandora and its inhabitants. It seems deleted scenes with the Na’vi, pulled from the theatrical cut, will find their way back into the standard Blu-ray release.

“It’s all wonderful stuff, but it was sort of bogging down the middle section of the movie. There’s plenty for a value-added DVD experience on this film. Of course, we’ll have to go punch it all up and get it all mixed and stuff like that.”

So we might have to wait a little bit longer for Avatar in 3D, but it is coming.

1. Avatar Smashes UK Blu-ray Sales Record Avatar, it seems, has hit UK Blu-ray sales with quite a resounding thu
2. Big Sales Boost For Blu-ray Blu-ray marches on in Europe as disc sales hit an all-time high.
3. Better 3D Headed to Blu-ray, Eventually The Blu-ray Disc Association wants to put an end to all this red/blue

Matt Damon is Jason Bourne in The Bourne Mid-Life Crisis.

Warner Home Video announced that Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant!, the political comedy starring Matt Damon, will be available on Blu-ray this February 23rd in all Region 1 territories.

[Ed. Note: No date for a Region 2 release has been confirmed by Warner Home Video at the time of this article.]

The Informant!, Soderberg’s latest pairing with star Matt Damon, depicts Damon as a corporate vice-president who decides to blow the whistle on his company’s illegal price-fixing tactics. Based on the novel by Kurt Einchenwald, Damon has generated Oscar buzz with a recent Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Outside of BD-Live support, deleted scenes, and audio commentary with Soderbergh and writer Scott Burns, most of the specs remain unconfirmed at this time. It will, however, be the first Warner Home Video release to be released under its new mandate to include a physical DVD copy with all new releases.

No related posts.

The big red empire is becoming a digital trend setter...

Netflix is out to own your television.

The Internet rental service has been gradually taking over set-top boxes in living rooms throughout America, incorporating its streaming content solution into any device willing and able.

The list of Netflix-ready Blu-ray devices, which now includes the PlayStation 3, is rapidly growing. Coupled with an outstanding rental delivery service, the Los Gatos-based company seems poised to turn the movie industry upside down again.

Yet, despite bloggers’ concerns that its online streaming strategy and Blu-ray surcharges are part of some nefarious plot to prematurely kill the Blu-ray format, Netflix insists it’s all about the customers.

“Everything we focus on is customer satisfaction,” replies Steve Swasey, Netflix VP of Corporate Communications, “If we can’t say, ‘How does this get back to customer satisfaction?’, we don’t do it.”

And to Netflix’s credit, the company has ranked on top the ForSee survey results for customer satisfaction nine years in a row. Stateside, the company is almost unanimously loved with a subscription base that has swelled to over 11 million.

Still, there are Blu-ray and audio/video enthusiasts that claim that Netflix is inadvertently destroying the fledgling format with its streaming service. A service which now streams select titles at 1080p, and while nowhere near the quality of a Blu-ray disc, may prove ‘good enough’ for mass consumers.

Netflix doesn’t see it that way; streaming video is merely a natural evolution for a retailer determined to avoid the same fate as its predecessor, Blockbuster.

“Netflix changed the way Americans rent movies ten years ago, when it offered the subscription DVD-by-mail service,” remarks Swasey, “But the vision all along has been that we were going to be doing it over Internet, and that’s why the company is called Netflix and not DVDs-by-mail.”

Should you start pawning off you Blu-rays immediately, or is the crisis overblown?

No related posts.

What 3D will look like on your 2D television without 3D glasses.

After months of speculation, and various manufacturers demonstrating their individual 3D solutions, the Blu-ray Disc Association settled on official specs for the 3D Blu-ray format.

And it’s pretty much what we’ve already written about.

As previously reported, Blu-ray 3D will use Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec, an extension of the AVC codec currently utilized by most distributors. Exact specifications have still not been released to the press, but the format is said to be display agnostic, meaning it will display 3D video to any compatible display device.

Rumors that Blu-ray 3D glasses would utilize shutter-based technology, such as the NVIDIA 3D Vision solution on display at CES next month, also turned out to be a safe bet.

Another key selling point is that the PlayStation 3, Sony’s flagship player for the fledgling format, will be able to playback 3D Blu-ray content in full, digital 3D.

“Throughout this year, movie goers have shown an overwhelming preference for 3-D when presented with the option to see a theatrical release in either 3-D or 2-D,” said Victor Matsuda, chairman, BDA Global Promotions Committee. “We believe this demand for 3-D content will carry over into the home now that we have, in Blu-ray Disc, a medium that can deliver a quality Full HD 3-D experience to the living room.”

“In 2009 we saw Blu-ray firmly establish itself as the most rapidly adopted packaged media format ever introduced,” said Matsuda. “We think the broad and rapid acceptance Blu-ray Disc already enjoys with consumers will be a factor in accelerating the uptake of 3-D in the home. In the meantime, existing players and libraries can continue to be fully enjoyed as consumers consider extending into 3-D home entertainment.”

1. NVIDIA to demonstrate 3D Blu-ray tech at CES GPU manufacturer to roll out its 3D solution at annual trade show.
2. Sony moves forward with 3D Blu-ray format Could hit shelves as early as 2010.
3. CES 2010 = 3D Blu-ray Players You'll be wearing multi-colored sunglasses indoors in no time.
4. ‘Cloudy’ available early for Sony Blu-ray owners Sony announces exclusive, pre-street perk for eligible Blu-ray and HDT
5. District 9 bows earlier than expected Sony moves the Blu-ray release forward, just ahead of Christmas.

The biggest waste of three discs ever.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the McG-helmed Terminator sequel will perhaps be best remembered for Christian Bale’s profanity laden on-set tirade rather than for the film itself.

That’s not to say that the film is memorable – whatsoever – but it almost makes you pity the production rather than resent it. It helps that Jonathan Mostow and Terminator 3 already popped our Cameron-less cherry, so another Terminator sequel doesn’t feel quite so offensive this time around.

With the sacred cow fully slain, and Hollywood milking its dead corpse without remorse, it’s kind of unsurprising to find out that this Terminator sequel is roughly the same quality as the last Terminator sequel.

(Except this one is in the future.)

McG’s dark and grimy look at a post-apocalyptic future that Cameron only hinted at with his first two installments is fully realized with this solid Blu-ray release, but its supplemental material doesn’t do the underwhelming production any favors.

So does the audio and video presentation carry the film?

1. Public Enemies Blu-ray Review This is one Blu-ray you might want to lock up and throw away the key.

What do you mean you left the ring at home?

After months of speculation, Warner Home Video put the rumors to rest announcing The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy on Blu-ray. The massive, Academy Award-winning epic will finally make the leap to high-definition after years of anticipation, just as the cameras start to roll on Guillermo Del Toro’s Hobbit adaptation.

The nine-disc Blu-ray set is scheduled for release on April 6th in the US, and tentatively scheduled for April 10th in UK territories. While most of the supplemental material is said to be comprised from the DVD sets, the boxset will include digital copies of each film and BD Live access.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, an ambitious undertaking by filmmaker Peter Jackson to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s acclaimed fantasy works, is one of the most commercially and critically successful film series of all-time. To date, the series has hauled in almost $3 billion in worldwide box-office revenue and tied a record for Oscars won – at seventeen.

The only negative bullet point is the exclusion of the extended releases developed for home video, meaning that Warner Bros. is preparing a double-dip with an Extended Edition set sometime in the near future – likely to coincide with the promotion of the Peter Jackson-produced Hobbit adaptation.

Anxious fans can begin to pre-order the boxset on March 2nd, and it will carry a MSRP of $99.99.

1. The Battle for Middle Earth begins! Peter Jackson confirms the 'ole Blu-ray double dip.

To infinity and... something, something.

Disney/Pixar finally started feeding out information to retailers for the much-anticipated release of Toy Story 1 & 2 on Blu-ray, and the good news is, we’re just a few months away.

Both titles will be released with a bevy of supplemental material – and in combo packs with a standard definition DVD disc – on March 23rd to anxious US audiences. There is no release date for UK territories as of print.

Re-released earlier this year in the Disney Digital 3D format as a double feature, Toy Story 1 & 2 saw a resurgence in demand – nearly fifteen years after the original film debuted in theaters.

Arguably one of the most popular children’s series of all-time, grossing just under $1 billion worldwide, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are set to reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz Lightyear for Toy Story 3 (due next year).

Both discs will include a sneak peek at Toy Story 3, as well as making-of featurettes, animated shorts, artist featurettes and promotional material. Most of the specs are still unconfirmed, but information generated by retailers list both titles with BD-Live support.

With the 3D Blu-ray technology likely to hit retail shelves next year, is it too early to request 3D reissues of both Toy Story movies?

1. Disney unveils “Diamond Collection” Disney announces definitive collection of its animated classics for Bl
2. Sony prepares UK launch of ‘movie IQ’ Highly touted BD Live feature rolls out with Angels & Demons next week
3. Clerks, Chasing Amy heading to Blu-ray Kevin Smith's most defining films get the HD treatment.
4. Harry Potter worldwide screening announced for Blu-ray Half-Blood Prince unites the globe with BD Live screening.

Jesse Eisenberg as Michael Cera in a zombie comedy.

Sony Pictures announced that it will be releasing its horror-comedy, Zombieland, on Blu-ray this February 2nd in the US and February 22nd in UK territories.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the American horror-comedy pulled the zombie genre out of a slump with its unexpected $85 million box-office haul. Developed by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, Zombieland depicts a quartet of post-apocalyptic survivors against a nation of undead.

(Left 4 Dead anyone?)

The two-disc Blu-ray set comes loaded with supplemental material, including some Sony-specific features. BD Live fans will be able to access the relatively new movieIQ technology through the disc, and PlayStation 3 owners will find a nifty surprise in the form of pre-packaged wallpaper for their system backgrounds.

Also planned is Picture-in-Picture commentary, full audio commentary with principal cast and crew, behind-the-scenes featurette, retrospective feature, visual effects featurette, promotional material and a standard digital copy.

And don’t let its snide American sensibilities fool you, the film is quite good.

1. Halloween II Blu-ray announced Rob Zombie's slasher sequel gets the HD treatment.
2. Sony details District 9 Blu-ray Neill Blomkamp's surprise hit comes home in December.
3. Sony rolls out digital copies of Blu-ray releases for PSP Go Electronics giant dumps awkward transfer process in favor of direct co
4. Blu-ray 3D technology revealed! Sony plans to roll out 3D sets and decks within a year.
5. Sony prepares UK launch of ‘movie IQ’ Highly touted BD Live feature rolls out with Angels & Demons next week

Similar to the existing PC technology, NVIDIA will demonstrate its 3D Vision solution for Blu-ray.

NVIDIA is poised to unveil its 3D Blu-ray technology, an extension of its 3D Vision technology currently available for the PC, at the Computer Electronics Show (CES) this January.

The GPU manufacturer has been apparently demonstrating the technology behind closed doors with members of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), the film industry and select media. Touting an enhanced version of its pre-existing, shutter-based technology, this new 3D Vision platform has been created as a complete 3D movie solution.

NVIDIA has already lined up support with Arcsoft, Corel, CyberLink and Sonic for Blu-ray playback and support, with 3D Blu-ray titles expected to be announced sometime in 2010. All four vendors had nothing but high praise for the platform.

“3D Blu-ray will be the leading format for watching 3D movies in the home,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “PCs with Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra and NVIDIA 3D Vision will provide movie lovers the perfect platform for experiencing 3D the way it was meant to be seen.”

Similar to technology already unveiled by Sony, NVIDIA’s demonstration is likely to cement the shutter-based technology as the front runner for BDA approval. NVIDIA has gone so far as to encode and playback software using AVC Multi-View Codec, another safe bet as the standard codec for future 3D Blu-ray titles.

Although currently making the rounds, NVIDIA’s 3D Vision technology will be shown to the public January 7th to 11th in Las Vegas, as part of the annual CES trade show.

Toy Story Blu-ray in 3D. Make it happen, Disney.

1. Blu-ray 3D is here! Blu-ray Disc Association announces official Blu-ray 3D specs.
2. ‘Cloudy’ available early for Sony Blu-ray owners Sony announces exclusive, pre-street perk for eligible Blu-ray and HDT
3. Sony moves forward with 3D Blu-ray format Could hit shelves as early as 2010.
4. District 9 bows earlier than expected Sony moves the Blu-ray release forward, just ahead of Christmas.
5. CES 2010 = 3D Blu-ray Players You'll be wearing multi-colored sunglasses indoors in no time.

Why can't we be public friends instead?

If you’re into gangsters and the like, then the chances are you’ll already know who John Dillinger was.

Bank robber, Public Enemy #1 and something of a Robin Hood-type figure, his heisty-shooty-chasey Great Depression era exploits have become the stuff of American legend.

So you’d think a biopic starring none other than Johnny Depp and Christian Bale would be a great idea, right?

Maybe not.

He and his accomplice break in, and then promptly break back out again with several hardened criminals in their wake. And so it begins. This opening sequence is actually based on historical fact and these escapees went on to become the ‘First Dillinger Gang’, gallivanting up and down the Midwest with their eponymous leader, taking from the hated banks and gaining a very positive rep amongst the common people of downtrodden, poverty-stricken 1930’s America.

Johnny Depp is serious business.

It’s not long before the authorities begin to take notice of Depp and his gang’s rather brash style, and it becomes apparent to them that something must be done to stop him. That something comes in the form of a man, and that man’s name is, believe it or not, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale). Yes, he sounds like an accountant, but he’s really a tough, methodical and tenacious cop with a jaunty-hat-and-badge combo to prove it.

An elaborate game of cat and mouse ensues, with Dillinger deftly dodging detectives and frustrating feds, and Purvis desperately trying to make the most of limited resources and political interference. Dillinger meets his love interest, Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard), bullies her into dating him (but they fall in love anyway so it’s OK), and this story plays out in tandem with the overarching ‘catch-me-if-you-can’ plotline.

It’s not actually that easy to summarise what happens in this movie and there’s one very, very good reason for that. It’s because, story-wise, it is a big rambling mess. Quite what was going through director Michael Mann’s head when he was putting this together is anyone’s guess, but I’m pretty sure I know what wasn’t going through it, and that was any kind of coherent grasp of what this film should be about. I

’ve watched it twice now and I honestly still couldn’t even offer up a theory. We jump from gun battle to prison cell to gun battle, occasionally excited by the action but always slightly confused as to who’s doing what and why. There seems to be little direction, no detectable themes, and certainly no character development to speak of.

Depp turns in a low key performance, underplayed and way below his best. Bale does slightly better, managing to pull off a convincingly straight, methodical Purvis, but neither of these two usually fine actors are given enough to work with.

We end up with two lead characters with very little depth and absolutely nothing whatsoever about them that might enable an audience to make that crucial connection which will pull them through the story. Special mention here should go to Marion Cotillard, who does, albeit briefly, manage to engender some sort of sympathetic response as Dillinger’s confused, heartbroken moll.

There are some positives. There are some great ideas lurking in amongst the confusion, and some fantastic set pieces, with gunfights aplenty and some gruesome violence worthy of the genre.

There is a sense of the great bank robber, the ‘Public Enemy’, as a dying breed, detectable in the slow picking off of Dillinger’s gang, and the idea that cooking the books is becoming a far more profitable, and less physically risky, activity. The film’s historical period is very well realised, with the sort of fine detail you’d come to expect from a director like Mann.

But these plusses are not enough to pull the story out of the mire. If you like a good shootout, or you’re a diehard fan of underworld gangster movies such as this then fine, you’ll find something salvageable, but for the rest of us it just seems like a wasted opportunity.

1. Terminator Salvation Blu-ray Review ... but who will save the Terminator franchise?