![U2: 360° at the Rose Bowl [Blu-ray]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sjYULGZMPaRltpko2yaIAVXYrkzuFQoJuN9IDYZRy40ytPYihNL_-A53jP0CphiMdymncmhPToVPNy1npy5yNPbzPHee4i8YUO_jc5RJlcanh9lXhzZ7ex0GOCThw=s0-d)
Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 06/01/2010Price: $26.98
Monday, October 18, 2010
Version 1.3 HDMI Cable (15 feet)
Premium high quality HDMI-HDMI gold plated cable suitable for use in HDTV, Plasma, LCD, PS3, home theater, cable box, projectors and more. Compatible Model: HDTV, Plasma, LCD, PS3, DVD Players, Satellite & Cable boxes and more.Price: $74.99
Watchmen: The End is Nigh The Complete Experience
Originally released exclusively as episodic digital downloads, now players on the PlayStation 3 can get get both part one and two of Watchmen: The End is Nigh, along with a copy of the Director's Cut of Watchmen the movie on one Blu-ray disc and exclusive artwork, in the Watchmen: The End is Nigh Complete Experience. A prequel to the events of Watchmen, the celebrated graphic novel by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colorist John Higgins, and released at the same time as Watchmen the movie, the games follow the personal struggles and vocational adventures of freelance costumed vigilantes in an alternate history of the United States. The games featuring both single player and a local co-op multiplayer option and offer players the choice of two playable characters: Rorschach and Nite Owl.
Along with both games in the Watchmen series, The Watchmen: The End is Nigh Complete Experience for playStation 3 also features additional exclusive Watchmen artwork, as well as a copy of the Directors Cut of Watchmen, the movie on Blu-ray disc. This new verision of the action-packed 2009 blockbuster includes an additional 25 minutes of footage not seen in theaters, and together with the included artwork is destined to become a collector's item. |
Price: $19.99
BD-R 25GB 2X LTH Branded 20pkSunday, October 17, 2010
Verbatim 95094 DVD or Blu-ray Tall Video Storage Case, Black, 50-Pack
Item #: 90295D. When it comes to storing and transporting DVDs and CDs, the choice is clear - Verbatim's DVD Video Trimcases are the answer. Verbatim's storage cases prevent your CDs and DVDs from being scratched or broken during transport. Verbatim's DVD Video Trimcases come in standard black and consume half the space of a standard Video Tall Box. These DVD Video Trimcases are ideal for storing favorite family movies and more. Product Description
Verbatim DVD Video Trimcases storage DVD jewel case
Packaged Quantity: 50 (specifications are for single item)
Product Type: Storage DVD jewel case
Capacity: 1 DVD
Manufacturer Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
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Price: $24.00
Zippo BLU Sable Butane Pocket Lighter
The BLU Collection from Zippo Lighters presents the next step in the evolution of the perfect flame. This sable BLU Lighter uses butane gas for a clean-burning blue flame with no odor or aftertaste. The black textured finish enhances the tactile appeal of this understated lighter. The new, smoother more comfortable shape requires only one-handed operation and features a distinctive Z-patterned chimney. Each exceptional BLU lighter includes a date code and unique bottom stamp that enhance its collectability. The Zippo BLU Sable Butane Pocket Lighter offers the same rugged reliability, classic styling and flint-wheel ignition youve come to trust since 1932.Price: $57.44
This Week's New Blu-ray Releases - 29th September 2010
Here is a rundown of this week's major new Blu-ray releases in the UK and USA.
US Releases:
Iron Man 2.
We took a look at this disc's features when it was announced, along with a special edition too, or you can grab a single disc release or the three-disc Combo with the Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy.
The Thin Red Line.
Terrance Mallick's World War II film gets the Criterion treatment with a new transfer, a commentary, outakes, interviews and a booklet.
King Kong.
The original 1933 version of Kong comes inside a digi-book pack and has a commentary track, two documentaries, the Spider Pit sequence and some test footage with a commentary.
Also released: Get Him to the Greek, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Frozen, The Killer Inside Me and Criterion's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.
UK Releases:
The Killer Inside Me.
Also out in the US this week, but any information on the extra features seems to be impossible to find! Let us know if you've purchased this one.
Bad Lieutenant - Port of Call New Orleans.
Werner Herzog's unusual film has a selection of cast and crew interviews along with a making-of.
StreetDance 3D.
Before all you 3D TV owners get too excited, this is an anaglyph 3D presentation of the movie, but it also includes the standard 2D version as well. Interviews, a making-of and some on-set footage make up the majority of the extras.
Also Released: Fringe Season 2, House Season 6 and American - The Bill Hicks Story.
Sony Announce BDX-S500U Portable Blu-ray Drive
Here's a handy creation from Sony Optiarc, the BDX-S500U portable Blu-ray drive, designed to bring the convenience of BD disc storage and the beauty of HD video to your computer, without the need to open up a casing or replace the drive on a laptop.
The drive will write on to a Blu-ray at 6x speeds for a BD-R, 4x for a BD-R DL and 2x for a BD-RE, and happily accepts dual-layer 50GB discs, while it also plays nicely with DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, CD, CD-R and CD-RW, all at speeds from 4x to 24x. Sony say the burner will write a 25GB BD-R in 20 minutes.
Because the S500U uses USB 2.0 to connect to your computer, it should work well no matter what system you use - perhaps it could even bring Blu-ray to Apple Macs! Included in the pack is Cyerlink's Media Suite 8 for Windows software.
Aside from its use for data backup, if you use a PC as part of your home cinema setup the S500U has 3D support built-in, so if you have the correct HDMI links to your 3D TV, this could be a great way to upgrade without the need for a bigger, standalone player.
The BDX-S500U is due to go on sale in the USA this month, where it's reported to cost around $200; a decent price given the read/write options and 3D support.
Avatar Extended Collector's Edition Finally Official
The drips of information concerning the second home release of James Cameron's Avatar have finally turned into a flood, as the official announcement has been made that the set will be released in the UK and the USA on the 15th and 16th November respectively. It's pretty much as we expected, but here are the confimred specifications of the three-disc set anyway:
Disc One.
Theatrical cut.Special Edition re-release.Collector's Extended Cut with 16 more minutes of footage including an alternative opening sequence.A 'family audio track' which removes 'objectionable' language from the theatrical version and the Special Edition. I found Sam Worthington objectionable, perhaps it will remove him too?Disc Two.
Capturing Avatar. A feature length documentary previously rumoured to be two-and-a-half hours long.Deleted Scenes. A total of 45 minutes of material.Production Material.Disc Three.
Pandora's Box. Featurettes explaining the filmaking process.Interactive Scene Deconstruction. Explore the various stages of production, with three different viewing modes.Production Shorts. Seventeen featurettes on the score, the performance capture, the 3D, the stunts and more besides.Avatar Archives. Printed material including the 300-page screenplay.BD-Live.The movie will be presented in 2.35:1 and 1080p, plus it will have a DTS-HD Master Audio track. The cover art that was leaked a while ago has indeed made it on to the final edition, and while in the promo picture it appears to be a digipack, the Play.com pre-order page shows a standard case with a sleeve. It's up for £17.99, or around $35, with most major online retailers.
The UK also has a three disc limited edition coming, although at £99.99, you're going to have to be a serious fan to invest. For your one hundred notes you get the same three disc Blu-ray, plus a film cell signed by James Cameron and a Making of Avatar book, all inside a new solid box. Each appears to have a numbered plaque on the front too. This is going to be limited to just 1000 copies, so you best get your pre-order in soon if you want this one on your shelf!
The Expendables Gets A US and UK Release Date
The Expendables is headed to Blu-ray in the US and the UK before Christmas, with the UK getting a limited edition too. Stallone's action movie will be presented as a three disc Combo set in the USA, with disc two housing the DVD and disc three the digital copy.
The extra features are all found on disc one and are as follows:
Ultimate Recon Mode. A BonusView track played over the film.Comic Con 2010 Panel.Inferno. A feature-length making-of documentary.Sylvester Stallone commentary track.From The Ashes. A documentary on post-production.Deleted scene.Gag reel.Trailers and TV spots.The audio and image specs are to follow, and the disc will be released on the 23rd November. You can see the artwork here.
The UK disc hasn't been confirmed as sharing the same extra features as the US release, but it will be a three-disc Combo set, so we presume it will be the same inside too. Play.com are listing a Steel Tin Collector's Edition alongside the standard release, both of which have a 13th December release date, although the artwork has yet to be finalised.
It's worth noting that it's highly likely there will be another edition of The Expendables along in the future, as Stallone himself has admitted to cutting an extended version, and this release doesn't appear to contain such a cut. If you're a fan of the film but not of the double dip, it may be worth holding back.
Metropolis Gets Restored Blu-ray Release
Fritz Lang's science fiction masterpiece is set for its Blu-ray debut on the 22nd November in the UK, when it will be available as both a standard edition and a limited edition steelbook with both the Blu-ray and DVD editions inside. Currently enjoying a limited theatrical release around the country, the disc will contain the 150-minute reconstructed version of the film, with the 25 minutes of footage previously thought to have been lost.
In addition to this, the film will be in 1080p with a brand-new recording of Gottfried Huppertz's score in 5.1, although whether this is DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD isn't specified. The subtitles have also been tweaked with a newly translated set, plus there are the original German intertitles too. Here are the special features:
Audio commentary with David Kalat and Jonathan Rosenbaum.Die Reise nach Metropolis. A 53-minute documentary on the film.2010 re-release trailer.56-page booklet with interviews, articles and notes on the restoration.The official site still adds 'and more' to the bottom of the special features list, so we can expect a few surprises when the time comes. The price is high for the steelbook - £29.99 - but it can be pre-ordered for a little less, while the standard edition is priced at £24.99.
Further Avatar Collector's Edition Details
We've seen a little information on the Collector's Edition of Avatar scheduled for release in November, such as a potential piece of cover art and some potential extras, but this is the first time we've seen a breakdown of the primary content. Spread over three discs, it's looking like quite a package.
Leaked on a South African website, here is what we can expect:
Disc One:
The theatrical cut of the film.The Special Edition containing 8.02 minutes of new content.The Collector's Extended Cut containing 15.54 minutes of new content.Disc Two:
Brave New Worlds: A Journey Beyond Avatar. A two-and-a-half hour documentary.A Message from Pandora. James Cameron's visit to the Amazon running 21 minutes.Deleted scenes totaling more tha 66 minutes.Disc Three:
Four hours of additional special features.Live Extras. We take this to mean BD-Live bonus content.The running times of the two new versions of the film fit in with what we've heard before, as does the presence of A Message from Pandora. It's also being rumoured that a limited edition set containing a book, a picture frame and a collectible bust will be available too.
We think this will be worth it for that monster of a making-of documentary!
Harry Potter to Receive 3D Blu-ray Makeover
Warner Bros. has confirmed that they will be forging ahead with plans to convert two already released Harry Potter films into 3D for a future Blu-ray release, and will likely do the same for Deathly Hallows Part One and Two, albeit at a later date. This news comes very soon after the studios abandonment of the plan to convert Deathly Hallows Part One into 3D for its theatrical run.
It will be The Order of the Phoenix and the Half-Blood Prince, parts five and six, that will be up for conversion, a process that has been handed to the team behind Clash of the Titans in 3D, Prime Focus. David Yates, the director of these two, and the final two, films will be supervising the transfer, but won't be available until later in 2011.
For this reason, we shouldn't expect any 3D Harry Potter Blu-ray's until well into the tail-end of next year, or perhaps not even until the Blu-ray release of Deathly Hallows. There hasn't been any mention of converting the first four entries into the series over to 3D as yet either, but we wouldn't be surprised to see them in the future too.
This Week's New Blu-ray Releases - 12th October 2010
Here is a rundown of this week's major new Blu-ray releases in the UK and USA.
US Releases:
How to Train Your Dragon.
Not in 3D, but as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack. The Blu-ray has extras including an all-new animated adventure named the Legend of the BoneKnapper Dragon, plus a picture-in-picture track with the animators, a pop-up trivia section and deleted scenes.
The Darjeeling Limited.
The Wes Anderson film gets the Criterion treatment and boasts a new transfer supervised by the director, his short film Hotel Chevalier, an audio commentary, on-set footage, deleted scenes and much more.
Jonah Hex.
A critical and box office failure, will this do any business on Blu-ray? Two featurettes and some deleted scenes are the only extras, but it does come as a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy triple play pack.
Also released: Dollhouse Season 2, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones and Lost Boys: The Thirst.
UK Releases:
The Exorcist.
We've already taken a good look at this super edition, read all about it here.
The Evil Dead.
Another excellent horror Blu-ray release, which we covered when it was announced.
Monster House 3D.
A 3D Blu-ray film you can walk into a shop and buy!
Also released: The Losers, Planet Earth - Special Edition, Lost - the Complete Series Premium Box Set, Dollhouse Season 2 and Ong Bak 3.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
New Oppo BDP-93 Universal Blu-ray Player Announced
The Oppo BDP-83 is a legend amongst Blu-ray player fans thanks to its superb performance, ability to play almost any disc you feed it and at the time of release, reasonably competitive price. Oppo have now announced a successor, the BDP-93, but does it have what it takes to become the player of choice for those wanting high quality without an astronomical price?
The specification certainly suggests it will: As is the current fashion, the BDP-93 has 3D Blu-ray support plus two HDMI ports which can be used seperately for video/audio or for output to a second screen, the Marvell Kyoto G2 chipset, Wi-Fi b/g/n, online streaming services from NetFlix and CinemaNow, and two USB sockets and a dedicated eSATA port.
More online partners are going to be announced closer to the BDP-93's release and although it hasn't been announced when this will be, November has been hinted at. The price has been given though and it matches the BDP-83's $499 tag.
Audioholics managed to grab a few more details from Oppo too, who have said that they are working on a BDP-83SE style version of the 93 and that previous complaints about the BDP-83s transport shouldn't apply to the new model, as they have been working closely with the Tohei Group, who custom-make the parts, to improve rigidity and reduce noise.
One to look forward to we think!
Sony's Super-Stylish Internet TV Blu-ray Player Has Google TV Built-in
Sony have announced the world's first Internet TV and a new Blu-ray player to use the Google TV system. The NSX range of HDTVs come in 24", 32", 40" and 46" sizes, have built-in Wi-Fi, a 1080p display with Edge LED technology on all except the 24" model, and an Intel processor inside to power the web.
The NSZ-GT1 Internet TV Blu-ray player can be used to add Google TV to your existing HDTV, without the need to upgrade. The design is superb, with a white base and what looks like a black glass top, and completely shuns the traditional disc-player styling - we love it! It has an 802.11 b/g/n wireless card inside along with 8GB of internal storage while on the rear, connections include two HDMI ports - one input and one output - and an Ethernet connection. A total of four USB ports can be found dotted around the chassis too.
The GT1 supports DTS and Dolby TrueHD, upscales DVD to 1080p and can play most DVD, Blu-ray and CD discs, plus MP3, JPEG and AAC file types.
Of course, what makes the GT1 and the NSX TVs unique is Google TV. This upgradeable platform allows users to browse the Internet, watch online video and TV shows and use a comprehensive search system all via your TV set. To enable this, a handheld keyboard will be included, complete with a QWERTY keyboard and mousepad, ensuring browsing and using the web is as intuitive as it is on your computer. In the near future, Google TV will be able to be enhanced with apps from the Android Market and independently controlled from your iPhone or Android mobile phone.
Both the TV and the Blu-ray player are available for pre-order and are expected to become available before the end of the month. The NSX TVs range from $599 to $1399 and the GT1 Blu-ray player will cost $399 in the USA, however there is no word as to when Google TV and these products will make it out of the country.
Krell Evolution 555 Is Still On its Way
We know a lot of you out there have been waiting for further news on Krell's $15,000 Evolution 555 Blu-ray player, which we covered during the CES show earlier in the year and had expected to see more of during Q2. Well, the Q2 showing obviously didn't happen, but fear not, as the monster Blu-ray player is now expected in December.
There have been some new developments too. An video-board upgrade will add 3D playback to the 555 in Q2 2011, and Krell will also release an iPad app to control the beast over your home network too. The player will have an Ethernet port as standard, but you'll have to lay down a few more notes to get an 802.11b/g/n wireless card should you want one. We would also imagine the 3D video-board is going to require a further outlay too.
In addition to the specs we talked about before, a USB port for media playback will be onboard, along with on-demand services from Netflix and Hulu, plus WhatHiFi mention that a video stretch feature will remove on-screen black bars without any picture distortion.
There is no news on a European or UK launch, where that $15,000 price tag becomes an equally ridiculous £9,500 or 10,800 euros.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Samsung Transform gets Full QWERTY and Runs Stock Android
The documents also reveal that the Transform will run a stock version of Android 2.2 rather than a modified UI such as TouchWiz. This of course could change when the device lands, but for now it appears that stock is the way forwards for the device.
The specifications we know about the device include wireless (which is standard), Bluetooth and a 3 megapixel camera. As for a release date and pricing, we are not sure yet when it will launch and how much for.
Via: Coated and Android Guys
by Matthew on October 7, 2010Tin Man (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]
![Tin Man (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_slbRCEOSQv6zGqFVWaa0xHuEbIHPFp_kgzCv3f3fM3JHQgHBhTadCKmoCkacOpxdTPLMMEG5CsD--kWsFzUvNviD8MY-dIb86D_V17cipn9OB_zBaRV1wuEXNleMo=s0-d)
Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 07/20/2010 Run time: 88 minutes Rating: RPrice: $19.97
Sony Create a 16.41 Megapixel Cell Phone Camera
The sensor measures 1/2.8 inch and is a back-illuminated Exmor R type sensor with the model number of IMX081PQ.
It is capable at capturing video at 30 frames per second with a resolution of 1080p. Drop that down to 720p and you can get up to 60 frames per second.
To get the sensor working, Sony had to come up with a slightly different method to capture that many pixels in such a small place. This was achieved by using a unique formation of photo diodes that is now capable of a high resolution image without much difference in noise.
Price wise, it is expected that they will cost $30 each when launched in January 2011. This isn't bulk price though which will see them further drop in price. it isn't clear when phone manufacturers will start using them in phones. The smaller sensor on the right can capture 8.13 megapixels and will cost less and be out in April.
Via: Engadget
by Matthew on October 7, 2010Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Fan Created Scott Pilgrim Blu-ray Art is Geeky Heaven!
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is out on the 9th November but the artwork seen so far isn't a patch on this brilliant Nintendo-inspired fan creation! Spotted on Flickr and also shared by none other than Scott Pilgrim's director Edgar Wright, this uses an NES cart with the disc held onto the rear, and then placed inside a retro cardboard case. We love the Blu-ray disc case with the complimentary artwork too!
If only it would happen...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Transformers Hornet Ashtray Cigarette Cigar Yellow
·Transformer Hornet shaped ashtray ·Detachable lid and base
·Innovative design and huge capacity
·Smoker Novelty
Price: $51.20
Sony BNR25R3H BD-R Recordable Disc, 25GB, 2xFriday, October 8, 2010
Sharp's New Blu-ray Players have 3D and a Stunning Design
Two new Blu-ray players have been announced for the US market, the BD-HP90U and the BD-HP80U, both of which offer stunning looks and the latest 3D technology inside. There is very little to split the two in terms of features, so lets take a look at what they share first.
Of course, both output HD pictures at 1080p and 24fps, plus they support the latest 3D discs and upscale DVD too. There are several online streaming services, including those from Netflix, VUDU and Pandora, all of which are accessed using the built-in Wi-Fi, plus the players will accept DivX HD, Jpeg and MP3 media file formats.
The differences occur on the mounting possibilies of the players. They both have the ability to be wall-mounted, however the BD-HP90U comes complete with a stand to allow a tabletop vertical mount, just like a old PS2. This, plus the addition of an RS232 port makes the HP90U $499, while the HP80U will cost $429. These represent the first 3D Sharp products launched outside of Japan, and they have been joined by a range of 3D televisions too.
(picture source: Endgadget)
T-Mobile G2 Reinstalls Automatically After Root
When rooting the device, a microchip embedded inside prevents permanent changes from being made and basically restores the G2 back to factory settings with a fresh firmware install. The chip essentially stops you from modifying your phone as you wish.
This looks to be along a similar vein to the eFuse kill switch and simply an idea that will upset a few people as Android is often viewed as being an open platform. What HTC could be saying here is that although you pay for the phone, you can't do what you want with it.
A comment on Gizmodo sums it up as... "it's like installing Linux on a Windows computer one night, and waking up to find Vista back in place."
Will you be buying one?
by Matthew on October 6, 2010Pioneer Show Future 3D Blu-ray at CEDIA
Although there aren't any official details on these three new players from Pioneer, most of the usual questions we would ask about new machines can be answered, so lets take a look. The Pioneer BDP-430 starts the new 3D capable range off, followed by the BDP-41FD and the BDP-43FD, both of which wear Pioneer's Elite name tag.
All three models will provide access to various online streaming content, with NetFlix, YouTube and Pandora all confirmed, plus if you own an iPhone or iPod Touch there will be a free app to download which will operate as a remote control, although it's not clear whether you'll need Wi-Fi for this. We say this because all three players have the option of adding a Wi-Fi dongle, but none have it built-in.
Pioneer's display blurb for the Elite pair talks of an armoured, layered chassis construction, ready for keeping the drive mechanism nice and stable, plus keeping out any unwanted interference too. According to Engadget, these players are all expected to have a similar pricing structure to the existing range, so $299, $399 and $499 seems likely. No release date was stated though, but an official announcement can't be far away.
Rush- 2112+Moving Pictures Classic Album [Blu-ray]
![Rush- 2112+Moving Pictures Classic Album [Blu-ray]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s5CC5JCTXBwdKshGoXrl7YUJ8GzFPpj-ai5rjpTVSHZfH2B4M9TfnUV_cEdkztrbNbIU0litpB_bD5lbiAjD9PSqhEckOmtlSrWvL2YZBJffqwRBB79Rvq2a_xci4=s0-d)
The latest addition to the acclaimed & award winning Classic Albums series tells the story behind the making of two legendaryalbums from Rush. 2112 was the album that saw Rush break through to major chart success, going to No.1 in their native Canada
and Top 75 in the USA where it would eventually be certified triple platinum. Moving Pictures opened them to a mass audience for
the first time and remains the biggest selling album of their career. It also went to No.1 in Canada and went quadruple platinum
there while hitting No.3 in both the UK and USA. Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart talk us through the
making of the albums, together with original producer Terry Brown via interviews, demonstrations, archive videos and use
of the original multi-track tapes.
BONUS FEATURES
Over 50 minutes of additional interviews, archive footage and new demonstrations not included in the broadcast version.
Price: $19.98
Thursday, October 7, 2010
BEAUTY & THE BEAST: DIAMOND W/DVD IN BDMicrosoft Say No to Xbox Blu-ray
In case any Xbox 360 owners were still holding out hope of that official external Blu-ray player to replace their HD-DVD drive, it now looks like it'll never be happening. Microsoft's Director of Xbox and Entertainment, Stephen McGill, has told the Xbox 360 Acheivement site after having the question posed to him, that 'Blu-ray is going to be passed by as a format.'
He continued to say that 'people have moved through from DVDs to digital downloads and digital streaming, so we offer full HD 1080p Blu-ray quality streaming instantly, no download, no delay. So, who needs Blu-ray?'
Sound familar? Of course it does, as it's the exact same line used by Apple when they explain why they won't be bringing Blu-ray to their Apple Macs. Does this make it correct? It depends on how you consume your media, as if you're a collector, then a physical copy always trumps a digital copy, but if you prefer to rent - as that's what the download services are all about - then cheap HD downloads make sense.
We think there is a sufficient market for both to live alongside each other. What a shame that thoughts of piracy control and the profits to be (potentially) found in digital downloads cloud these two manufacturers' minds.
Ichi the Killer (Koroshiya 1) (Blu-ray Review)
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Koroshiya 1
Tokyo Shock | 2001 | 124 min | Unrated | Feb 23, 2010
Video
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audio
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
Japanese: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
Japanese: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (less)
Subtitles
Discs
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
(2001)
Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller
Welcome to a world where violence is a virtue and depravity is a way of life. This is the underside of Shinjuku, and the Home of Kakihara, a sadistic Yakuza killer. He relentlessly tears apart the underworld searching for the man who killed his boss. The mastermind behind the plot is Jijii, an ex-cop bent on turning the gangsters of Japan against one another. His trump card is a physically powerful lunatic who is constantly on the verge of snapping. This madman is Ichi, the killer, and him and Kakihara, the streets will run red with blood.
For more details about Ichi the Killer on Blu-ray, see the Ichi the Killer Blu-ray Review
Reviewed by Dustin Somner, September 23, 2010
Director Takashi Miike quickly made a name for himself on the subversive end of Japanese cinema, often walking a precarious line between pointless gore and intriguing extremism. For those who can stomach his brand of entertainment, this Blu-ray release of Ichi the Killer likely registered as a highly anticipated addition to your collection, delivering what I'd hoped would stand as the best possible presentation available. We'll get into the technical aspects of this release soon enough, but I thought I should dedicate an early segment of this review to a brief warning on the subject matter of the film, separating those who can stomach extreme violence and gore from others who should stick with material a bit more tame.
In a nutshell, Ichi the Killer is an unabashed experiment in sadist glee, sporting scenes of cringe-worthy torture, unexplained violence, stomach-churning rape, and buckets of severed body parts. If taken literally it's nearly impossible not to be disgusted by such subject matter, but that's the beauty of a cult hit such as Ichi the Killer. Without actually endorsing the depictions strewn throughout, there's a surprising level of entertainment value in the whole sordid mess, leaving Ichi the Killer atop the list of films I enjoy, but would never recommend to friends or family. As such, I'd suggest a film this offensive stay out of the hands of the majority of the population and restrict my endorsement to hardcore genre fans with an iron stomach.
Talk about split personalities.
When the leader of the Anjo yakuza gang winds up missing, many within his clan suspect him of leaving with 300 million yen and his girlfriend Karen. Knowing his boss wouldn't do such a thing, Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano) vows to track down those responsible for the kidnapping or death of his mentor, and restore honor to his clan. During his search for answers (incorporating any sadistic torture method he can conceive), the interim boss of the Anjo clan eventually falls out of favor with rival clans within the umbrella organization, but not before he discovers the name of a brutal killer with a connection to his leader's disappearance. Meanwhile, we're introduced to Ichi (Nao Omori), a young man with severe anxiety related to vivid memories of a childhood rape scene and a strong penchant for violence. Looked after by a man named Jijii (Shinya Tsukamoto), Ichi allows himself to be used as a tool of destruction against the spreading influence of the yakuza clans, entering situations where he becomes so enraged by his own inadequacies that he lashes out in inhuman ways. Orchestrated by a puppetmaster with an ingenious plan to place Ichi on a crash course with Kakihara, a violent ballet of death and mayhem spreads through the Anjo clan, leaving a trail of intestines and limbs in its wake.
Though I'm not typically a fan of excessive gore, I consider Ichi the Killer a guilty pleasure on many levels. For instance, we have the relentless over-the-top violence that quickly becomes the defining factor in the overall success of the production. During my initial viewing several years ago, I was admittedly annoyed by the themes introduced in the first 20 minutes of the film, since Miike focuses all his energy on the introduction of shock value. Between the early rape scene and the subsequent torture of the rival yakuza soldier, we're led to believe this is nothing more than a Japanese version of Grindhouse theatre. Such a suspicion is certainly warranted given Miike's creative use of cinematography and outlandish audio effects, but I've found such labels a bit misleading after multiple viewings. During your initial viewing of Ichi the Killer, it can take awhile for the characters, plot, and in-your-face nature to become something worth relishing, but once that transition eventually takes place, I'd wager most viewers will emerge with at least mild fascination.
Moving beyond the gore and violence of Ichi the Killer it's worth mentioning the dedication Miike showed toward the source material (manga) in creating an unflinching portrayal of the popular illustrated series. If you find the time to watch the included documentary chronicling the history of the film's production, Miike describes his firm stance on honoring the work of Hideo Yamamoto by creating an end product that appeals to fans of the original concept. Though my exposure to the manga is limited, I've read enough panels to recognize the same themes found in Miike's adaptation, confirming the value he placed on a seamless transition from book to screen. That's not to say you should find Ichi the Killer more appealing simply because it remains faithful to the original concept, but in a world where Hollywood bastardizes comic books and graphic novels in an effort to broaden appeal, I find it refreshing to sit through something as repulsive and disgusting as Miike's vision. After all, Ichi the Killer will only appeal to a limited segment of the population as it is, so why not deliver on the demands of that particular market.
Presented in 1080p utilizing the AVC codec (at a measly bitrate of 13Mbps), Ichi the Killer looks downright atrocious in the transition to Blu-ray. I suppose I had my hopes up a bit too high in the first place, but how could we have foreseen the use of such shoddy source material in creating this "new" transfer. Beginning with the worst infractions, clarity barely surpasses the quality of a typical DVD release, colors appear ridiculously washed out (especially in outdoor sequences), and black levels rarely descend below a dark shade of gray. Adding to such profound weaknesses, there's a heavy blanket of noise creating constant movement in the background, and contrast struggles to separate gradual shade transitions. This reveals a blending of the darker elements in the transfer, often causing objects in the foreground to become lost in the background. We could honestly go on and on with the multiple complaints found on this release, but rather than bore you with additional details I'll simply let the screenshots speak for themselves.
While I appreciate the inclusion of dual lossless tracks to satisfy the preference of native language purists and the "subtitle impaired", the end result is a bit underwhelming. Switching back and forth between the lossy 2.0 and lossless 5.1 selections, I failed to notice much improvement in spatial separation, clarity, or the presence of rumbling lows. In fact, it almost seemed as if the lossless offerings were merely reproductions of the lossy stereo mix, but with the added benefit of minor channel separation. Comparing the English and Japanese (lossless) offerings to one another, I'd give the edge to the native language track, which offers a more robust feel to non-dialog elements, and more efficient management of the volume balance between dialog, music, and sound effects. The English version is still passable if you hate subtitles (provided you're comfortable with the odd choice in accents), but I'd recommend the Japanese option to anyone with even a fraction of audiophile blood running through them.
Audio Commentary with Director Takashi Miike and Manga Artist/Writer Hideo Yamamoto: This is the same commentary track found on the prior DVD release, presented with English subtitles.
Interviews (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0): Rather than going the easy way out on this release, Tokyo Shock went to the trouble of including an informative collection of interviews with the producer and main cast members. If you're primarily interested in character analysis from the actors that play each role, the obvious choice should be the latter 5 interviews. However, the best of the bunch in my opinion is with producer Dai Miyazaki, who digs deeper into the inception of the live-action adaptation of the manga.
Dai Miyazaki (producer): 18:35 min.
Tadanobu Asano (Kakihara): 6:12 min.
Nao Omori (Ichi): 6:11 min.
Sabu (Suzuki): 5:21 min.
Shinya Tsukamoto (Jijii): 5:18 min.
Sabu and Tsukamoto: 22:00 min.
Eli on Ichi (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 7:11 min.): Director Eli Roth (Hostel) gushes over Ichi the Killer and director Miike.
Ichi Gallery (480p, 2:17 min.)
Memories of Ichi (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 48:53 min.): Designed as a comprehensive behind the scenes documentary on various aspects of the production, this supplement is the true cream of the crop on this release. I wish we were given more interview time with Miike, but at least he provides adequate insight when given the chance.
The Cult of Ichi (480p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 10:21 min.): Various American writers and critics comment on their reaction to Miike's vision.
I'm not about to suggest Ichi the Killer is high art, but if you're in the mood for twisted entertainment and aren't easily offended, this should fit the bill. Beyond the usual film recommendation, this is one case where a technical evaluation should take center stage. Aside from modest gains in detail, the image quality ranks among the bottom of the Blu-ray barrel, sporting washed out hues and shoddy source material that struggles in almost every way. Additionally, while I commend Tokyo Shock on their decision to include multiple lossless audio options, the resulting gains are far from substantial, leaving us with little justification for an upgrade over the prior DVD version. In the end, I'd only recommend a purchase of the Blu-ray edition if you're a hardcore fan or don't currently own the prior release. For all others, a rental should suffice.
• Ichi the Killer Blu-ray Shipping Now - March 31, 2010
This is not a joke. The Blu-ray release of Takashi Miike's Ichi the Killer from Tokyo Shock/Media Blasters, first announced in December 2008 but delayed on several occasions, and technically released on February 23 but never physically available, appears now as ...• No Ichi the Killer Blu-ray Yet - February 24, 2010 We have lost count of how many times Tokyo Shock has delayed the Blu-ray of Takashi Miike's Ichi the Killer. However, this time hopes were high among enthusiasts that the February 23 date would stick. Alas, Tuesday came and went and no retailers have received any ...
• Today on Blu-ray - February 23rd - February 23, 2010 The name Steven Soderbergh immediately provokes images of intense, thought-provoking dramas akin to his previous efforts (which include Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and Che). Say the name Matt Damon, and the mind is drawn to the image of an intense actor who starred ...
• Ichi the Killer Blu-ray Delayed Again - November 25, 2009 In a last-minute date change, Tokyo Shock has once again postponed the Blu-ray release of 'Ichi the Killer'. This title was initially scheduled for March 2009, but was subsequently pushed back to August, then October, then November and now it is supposed to come ...
• Ichi the Killer Coming to Blu-ray - December 18, 2008 In an early announcement to retailers, Toyko Shock (Media Blasters) has announced that they will bring the infamous Takashi Miike film 'Ichi the Killer' to Blu-ray on March 31st. No technical specs or special features have been announced at this time, but it does ...
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Blu-ray Review)
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Blu-ray + DVD
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | 1978 | 115 min | Rated PG | Sep 14, 2010
VideoVideo codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Original)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Original) (less)
Subtitles
English SDH, French, Spanish (less)
Discs
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Reviewed by Casey Broadwater, September 24, 2010
Jack Finney's 1954 sci-fi novel The Body Snatchers has directly inspired four Hollywood films, and it's not hard to see why. What's more horrifying than the thought of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors changing inexorably?overnight?into emotionally blank automatons? What's more threatening than a silent, subversive invasion by an alien force? Of course, the novel and the first resulting film, director Don Siegel's 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, are clear reflections of the paranoia that gripped America at the start of the Cold War, when the witch- hunt mentality of McCarthyism aroused nationwide suspicions. It wasn't a huge leap from "Could my neighbor be a Communist intent on spreading leftist ideology?" to "Might he be an alien out to colonize the planet?" The political undertones of the first film are largely dropped, however, from the 1978 remake, which instead evokes the cultural and sociological concerns of the so-called Me Decade. As horror/sci-fi remakes go, it's nearly as good as John Carpenter's The Thing, sticking to the premise of the original but giving it a radical?and wholly nihilistic?update.
Snatched body...
Unlike the 1956 film, which tries to sustain some sort of mystery about why people are suddenly acting so strange, the remake?directed by Philip Kaufman, who went on to adapt The Right Stuff and The Unbearable Lightness of Being?wisely assumes we've seen the original and already know the drill. We start here on a distant planet, where bubbly, translucent spores float into space and toward Earth, eventually touching down in San Francisco during a heavy rainstorm. Health inspector Elizabeth Driscoll (Days of Heaven's Brooke Adams) plucks one of the spores?which has since grafted onto a native plant and flowered?and puts it in an open jar on her bedside table. The next morning, her usually enthusiastic live-in boyfriend (Art Hindle) is strangely stoic and aloof. Elizabeth tells her colleague Matthew (Donald Sutherland) about the incident?they trust each other, and he clearly has a thing for her?and he suggests they talk to Dr. Kibner (Leonard Nimoy), a best-selling self-help guru who tries to explain the phenomena away with pop-psychology. People in the city grow progressively more bizare, though, and the horror of the situation is revealed when Matthew's friends, the mud-bath-owning Bellicecs (Jeff Goldblum and Veronica Cartwright), find a half-formed human body covered in tendril-like fibers in their spa.
Understandably, the film is much more graphic than its predecessor and, in many ways, is a contemporary to David Cronenberg's "body horror" films ?think Shivers, Rabid, The Brood, and later, The Fly?in which the human form is subject to grotesque, Kafka- esque transformations. That said, while the practical effects are definitely creepy?twitching bodies coated in slime, "Pod People" birthed out of vaguely vaginal plants, a dog mutated to have a man's head?the horror in Philip Kaufman's remake is mostly subliminal. The film's tone is of slowly suffocating paranoia?the dawning realization that something about the world has changed. Kaufman plays this up visually?with the help of renowned cinematographer Michael Chapmin?giving the movie a neo-noir, soaked in shadows look, wielding the handheld camera like an actor within the scene, and frequently shooting through cracked or otherwise distorted glass as a commentary on the way the characters can no longer trust what they see. Of course, we know what's happening?dramatic irony?but this only increases the tension since we're aware of the fate that awaits Matthew and Elizabeth if they don't escape. Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams invest their roles with believable sincerity?especially toward one another?which makes the gut-punch of an ending even more effective.
Invasion has a thrilling, often outright scary exterior, but what makes it one of the better sci-fi/horror films of the 1970s is its subtext, which is rife with latent cultural criticism. A lot changed between the Leave it to Beaver-style domesticity of the 1950s and the post- Vietnam, fulfillment-obsessed "Me Generation" of the 1970s, and this is reflected in the film's setting, which trades the sleepy, fictional suburban town of Santa Mira?the kind of place where everybody knows your name?for the modern streets of San Francisco, where everyone's a stranger. The San Fran of the late 60s and early 70s was the kind of place where you could put a flower in your hair and be embraced by an all-inclusive hippy community?so the song goes?but in the 1978 Invasion, the city is alienating and unfriendly, and the flower?previously a sign that you'd joined the peace movement?is now a tool for forced transformation. Broadly speaking, the film is all about the dangers of both self-centered individuality and collective conformity. Characters like Jeff Goldblum's failed, woe is me poet Jack Bellicec and Leonard Nimoy's hokey look inside yourself psychiatrist Dr. Kibner?representing the former?are hardly any better off than the heartless, herd-like Pod People who symbolize the latter. And, indeed, a street full of inwardly focused individuals?not talking to one another, mentally ensconced in their own internal realities ?begins to look conspicuously like a soulless collective. You can try to be different, but this only makes you just like everybody else.
Cinematographer Michael Chapmin gave Invasion of the Body Snatchers a murky, moody, shadow-covered color film-noir look, and this 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer from MGM reproduces that style nicely. As a fairly low budget catalog title from the late '70s, you can't expect crystal clarity, but if you're familiar with the film's collector's edition DVD release from 2007, you'll recognize the refinement in resolution immediately. Yes, there are soft shots, and even whole sequences, but fine detail is much more apparent, especial in close-ups of the half-formed Pod People, covered in a mix of ooze and tendril-like, individually discernable hairs. Color is pretty consistent with film stocks of the time, with a realistic, slightly muted quality that occasionally gives way to vivid primaries?especially reds. Likewise, contrast is a bit on the flat side and black levels?in the darker scenes?have a tendency to look slightly grayish and crush shadow detail. The oppressive shadows are definitely part of the film's intended look, but you will notice a mix of heavy grain and mild compression noise during nighttime sequences. Still, this is vastly preferable to DNR smearing, of which there's no evidence here. The film looks its age, but I wouldn't have it look any other way.
It has to be said: For a 1970s sci-fi film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers' sound design is excellent! The movie was among the first to use Dolby mixing/mastering, and you can tell that a great deal of thought went into making the sound effects as unsettling as possible, from raspy breathing and oozy squishes to the Pod People's unmistakable shriek. Everything is clean and well-balanced, and the rear channels get a surprising amount of action, with frequent ambience filling all channels and occasional directional effects, like a pair of motorcycles zipping past us. Even the .1 LFE channel gets more than a few chances to rumble, adding menace to the scene. Denny Zeitlin's largely electronic score is fantastic as well, and sounds great here, with presence and nice separation between instruments. Dialogue is balanced and understandable throughout, and English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are available in easy-to-read white lettering.
Yet again, MGM gives us a director's commentary on the also-included DVD but fails to port it over to the Blu-ray. I'm still not sure what the rationale behind that is. Regardless, the Blu-ray disc itself still has a modest handful of special features. First up is Re-Visitors from Outer Space: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Pod (SD, 16:14), a decent retrospective?covering the timing of, and reasons for, the remake?that features director Philip Kaufman, actor Donald Sutherland, writer W.D. Richter and others. Next, we have Practical Magic: The Special Effect Pod (SD, 4:38), which gives a brief overview of how the "seeds" in the opening sequence were brought to life. The Man Behind the Scream: The Sound Effects Pod (SD, 12:47) is a look at the film's sound design and pioneering use of Dolby Surround, and The Invasion Will Be Televised: The Cinematography Pod (SD, 5:24) explores DP Michael Chapmin's distinctive vision for the film. Lastly, we have the film's Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:12).
One of those rare remakes that verges on the greatness of the original, the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is tense, scary, and a sly rumination on the self-obsessive Me Generation. If you like 1970s horror/sci-fi, you'll definitely want to pick this one up. (It goes without saying that compared to this version, 2007's The Invasion is a hollow shell.) MGM has made the purchase easier by giving the film a fairly strong 1080p transfer, a robust soundtrack, and a modest but in-depth array of extras. Recommended!
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Return of the Living Dead Blu-ray - July 25, 2010
Early retailer alerts indicate that MGM will add to the pre-Halloween glut of horror titles with two titles from its catalog: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Philip Kaufman, 1978) and The Return of the Living Dead (Dan O'Bannon, 1985). Both have a street date of ...
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