Tim here. Very exciting news today!!! First we know the date when The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will hit shelves on 3D Blu-Ray and DVD: March 17th, with an early digital release on March 12th. Plus came word of a special sneek peek of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on March 24th at 3PM Eastern/12PM Pacific.
Here's the official Press Release:
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), arriving on Digital Download on March 12th and on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and 2-Disc DVD Special Edition on March 19th from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. All disc versions feature UltraViolet and over 130 minutes of bonus content. The first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” which is nominated for three Academy Awards*, is an epic adventure that immerses audiences once again in the fantastical world of Middle-earth. The March 19th home entertainment release will be followed by an Extended Edition in time for the holidays.
In addition, Peter Jackson will host a live first look at “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the second film in The Hobbit Trilogy, on Sunday, March 24th at 3:00PM Eastern/Noon Pacific. Content will be streamed live and an edited version will be archived on the Trilogy’s official website. Access to the live event will be limited to holders of an UltraViolet code available by purchasing “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack or 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. Select digital retailers will issue access codes upon purchase of the film.
Visit www.thehobbit.com/sneak for more information.
| Product | SRP | |
| Blu-ray Combo Pack | $35.99 | |
| Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack | $44.95 | |
| 2-Disc Amaray Special Edition (WS) | $28.98 |
Two very cool, yet brief behind the scenes clips show us the creation and destruction of that small desert town that was used in THOR. I am always intrigued with the magic that goes on behind the camera and the extent at which a director will go to get the right shot. That includes the whole circle of life for a town!
If you have seen THOR then you know what happens to much of the town and why they had to build it from scratch. I won't go into detail but feel free to discuss in the comments. Obviously, as seen in the second clip, devastation is around the corner...
I wish the featurettes were longer but I am sure they meant to just whet our appetites for the Blu-ray disc release today. Have a look...
Source: TrailerAddict via /Film
This is actually very cool. Definitely a must watch for TRON fans! The clip supposedly is included on the upcoming disc releases for TRON LEGACY.
This clip will probably be removed VERY quickly so enjoy while you can online.
The teaser gives us an idea of where the TRON braintrust is taking us next on this journey. Be careful, there are minor spoilers at the end of the clip.
Want it all on disc? The DVD and Blu-ray are coming April 5. :-)
**UPDATE Nov 6: AVATAR official site has new footage! Thanks Nick!
Guys - this is thrilling footage, shot by our friend Steve over at Collider (one of my favorite movie sites) - it is definitely worth investing the time to view these two clips. Steve recorded the ENTIRE HOUR that director James Cameron and producer Jon Landau spoke to the audience at BLU-CON 2010.
Here's what they discussed:
- Why they love the Blu-ray format & the technical benefits associated with the format.
- How AVATAR SPECIAL EDITION will have 3 different versions on the same disc.
- Why Fox gave them the $1 million / minute needed to finish those extra 16 minutes of deleted scenes.
- Why if you buy this special edition disc, there will NOT be another one coming out later to soak you again.
- Those same 16 minutes of deleted scenes were completed in 3D so when it comes time for the 3D disc release it is all set to launch.
- Much, MUCH more. Riveting details...
Here are the clips! ENJOY:
Awesome or what? And these guys are getting set to weave their magic again and AGAIN with AVATAR 2 & 3! More when I get it... GREAT JOB Steve!
Hey guys - its not much, but here is a taste of what is coming in the AVATAR Extended Collector's Edition three disc set on November 16.
We have seen bits and pieces of future Earth crop up here and there, but this is the first time we have anywhere near the 45 second run time of this partial scene that was aired at the SPIKE 2010 Scream awards. That is director James Cameron and producer Jon Landau introducing the clip.
Click here for more details as to what to expect in the disc release.
I don't know how long this will be up on YouTube, but have a look:
It seems Jake Sully can handle himself quite well even from his disadvantage! The scene reminds me more of the old James Cameron and you know what? It doesn't fit very well with how the rest of the movie is cut, so I don't blame Jim for not including it. Thanks for the link JoeyFFgtr.
Keep it on MarketSaw for all things Cameron!!
Super update on the upcoming AVATAR Collector's Edition Blu-ray for you! It is not just the extended AVATAR movie you will be buying, but a heckuva lot more.
Bleedingcool (original source BBFC) has outlined the following disc details:
- Deleted Scenes - Never Before Seen: Wow - a astonishing 68 minutes and 4 seconds!
- User's Guide For Viewing Unfinished Shots: 3 minutes, 10 seconds.
- "The Night Before AVATAR": 4 minutes, 46 seconds.
- Production Shorts 1: Sculpting AVATAR, The AMP Suit, Na'vi Costumes, Speaking Na'vi and Pandora Flora. Total featurette time is ~27 minutes.
- Test Footage From BROTHER TERMITE: James Cameron was going to adapt this novel into a movie! An alien invasion story. Cameron used some performance capture in this footage and it never did get made. 2 minutes of this test footage is included.
Look for the DVD and Blu-ray AVATAR Collector's Edition to be launched November 16. The 3D Blu-ray will apparently be bundled with new Panasonic 3DTV purchases exclusively for the short term.
Good news and bad news. Can't say whether this is authentic or not, but Blu-ray.com is reporting they have a source that says the AVATAR 3D blu-ray will be distributed starting this December 1, bundled with Panasonic 3DTVs only.
They further said that ALICE IN WONDERLAND will be available in 3D as well but bundled only with Sony 3DTVs.
I know this is going to upset people but if this is true, I don't expect we will see the phenomenon much longer as 3DTV adoption in homes is expanding rapidly. Obviously money exchanged hands to grant the TV manufacturers an exclusive window to release their respective bundles, and a domino effect may have been started with the first agreement to be signed for them to stay competitive with each other.
The sooner these agreements stop though, the better it will be for consumers. I want both titles, but not two 3DTVs.
Thanks David for the heads up...
Here is the cover art for the upcoming AVATAR Box Set that is scheduled to be released November 16!
The video clip in this post includes segments from a cool documentary that will be included in the box set focusing on James Cameron's research trip to Brazil's rainforest. Sigourney Weaver and Joel David Moore accompanied him as well. Add in all the deleted scenes and additional movie footage and you have the makings of a heckuva blu-ray offering.
Have a look:
More when we get it!!
Some breaking news on the AVATAR box set blu-ray that is coming out in November - the disc will include about 4.5 minutes of future Earth scenes to open the movie!!
James Cameron told oregonlive: "Well, if you buy the box set in November, you can sit down, and in a continuous screening of the film, watch it with the Earth opening. It works very well. It just takes a long time to get the movie started. You have to be sort of predisposed to like the movie like a fan, you know what I mean? And then you can sit and you can have a great ride -- a different telling of "Avatar." Not inconsistent -- it's just the stuff that happened off-camera. We call it "the Earth opening." It's about 4 1/2 minutes of stuff. And it was in for the longest time. It was very late in the day that we took it out. I walked in one day and said to my two editors, "Guys, I want each of you to cut a new version of the start of the film, Reel 1, that doesn't have any Earth in it at all." And they looked at me like I was out of my mind. And I said, "No -- it's gonna work." They had to figure out the details. I said, "Just grab a couple of things to use as flashbacks, and start it in space when Jake opens his eyes."
However, the re-release that just opened today does NOT have this future Earth footage in it.
Cameron continued: "In November, you can buy a box set with all the bells and whistles. It's got like 45 minutes of unfinished deleted scenes that exist in a supplement where you can just play the scenes individually. But it's all a big negotiation with the studios; how much money do they want to spend on these sort of revisionist versions of the movie? Because on the whole Earth opening, the visual effects weren't done, and we had to go back and spend a million bucks or whatever to get those shots done. So there's a price-tag dangling from anything that gets re-inserted. It's not like "Apocalypse Now," where they blow up a Vietnamese village and the footage is done – there are no visual effects after the fact. We've got to go back, and it's our time and our energy and the studio's money to re-create this stuff. But (in November) you'll be able to watch a 16-minute-longer version of the film that's a nice, flowing, cohesive version of the movie. If you just want to wallow in "Avatar" for three hours, I can get that for you."
Three hour AVATAR!! Yes! :-) And of course 45 minutes of unfinished, deleted scenes! Guess what will be in my stocking this year? I have the feeling I won't be the only one. All this and the 3D version is still not out yet! Just as well, I have not purchased a S3DHD TV yet - I just have a 3D monitor at the moment.
Be sure to read the whole interview right here. More info when we get it!! Thanks Jsayson15 for the headsup.
**UPDATE: Jan 15 - To clear up a question on timing, it looks like it is going to be standard protocol for release. I heard back from my source and as far as he knows, first up will indeed be the theatrical version with the potential for some added extensions (perhaps as standalone components). And YES there will be a "director's cut" or extended cut and this is probably coming later if they don't release up front. This was never in doubt. Don't forget that there is tons of room on a Blu-ray!
Jim here. I just got a rather cool inside update from the very same source who gave me the video clip of AVATAR's footage from Comic Con 2009. Time to mull over some rumors and clarifications direct from one of my top, top sources!
- AVATAR 2 will definitely be helmed by James Cameron and no one else, contrary to rumors saying otherwise. The story arcs that are being developed for potential sequels are EPIC. More info coming soon!
- What's on AVATAR's Blu-ray disc? It will obviously be SPECTACULAR! The best of its kind with in depth features, extended and deleted scenes - the movie will be much longer because of it. We know he left a lot of scenes off the theatrical cut to make length commitments. Further, most of these additional scenes will be in the first half of the movie, for example future Earth. Finally it will also clear up a few plot holes like how Tsu'tey got his headset towards the end of the movie, etc.
- What about 2010? What S3D movie should pique our interest the most? Two words: TRON LEGACY - Believe it or not, and I find it hard to believe, but internal word is that TRON LEGACY's 3D will blow AVATAR away. Those were his words. This coming from a guy who is connected and knows a great deal from the inside out about AVATAR. I am struggling with trying to figure out just how TRON plans on topping AVATAR in 3D. The concept art for TRON 2 is incredible apparently. Expect it in our theaters December 17.
Because of what he is saying about TRON LEGACY, I am placing the Disney movie at the top of my MUST SEE 3D 2010 movies guide - look for this soon!
You know I have the best sources on the planet for AVATAR - therefore, through transitivity, I have the best sources for the sequels :-) And believe me, the exclusives will be coming soon enough. Think I am kidding? Lightstorm will be hard at work soon for AVATAR 2 as the potential turnaround is only 2 years! Much of the pioneering work has been done with the original movie and the sequels will enjoy the fruits of their labor. I don't have to say it, but - STAY TUNED. :-)
Jim here. Disney is releasing A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Blu-ray in the fourth quarter of 2010 along with a special 3D Showcase Disc. And yes, it will be aligned closely with the launch of the S3DHD TVs from various manufacturers.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is pegged to be their first S3DHD Blu-ray disc ever.
The Showcase Disc includes upcoming promotional items for Disney 3D Home Videos - like trailers and clips. Likely to be highlighted will be ALICE IN WONDERLAND, TOY STORY 3 and some original content exclusively for this disc. The disc is actually available right now for manufacturers to include with their new S3DHD TV offerings.
Finally we are getting 3D home videos that are NOT anaglyph (blue & red glasses)! Can't wait. I have not decided on equipment for myself yet, but I will keep you informed as to what I decide upon.
Jim here. Set to launch in the first quarter of 2010, Testronic Laboratories, a quality assurance and testing service provider to the Blu-ray and Broadcast industries, has announced the opening of its new 3D Test Lab, which will be housed in the company’s 1st Street Facility in Burbank, CA.
The 3D Test Lab will thoroughly test Blu-Ray discs for the entire 3D and 2D viewing experience and ensure quality for the consumer. With the cooperation of the company’s 3D supply chain partners, the equipment at the new Testronic 3D Test Lab will include pre-release 3D players and monitors.
Says Adam Lesh, CTO of Testronic Labs: "Testronic Labs has been on the forefront of every technology shift in home entertainment from the day that these new things called DVDs were unloaded off the truck, to the launch of BD-Live. In that sense, 3D is no different. We will continue to lead the industry in safeguarding the consumer experience for our clients."
Good to see them up and running! S3D in the home is almost upon us guys :-) Love it!!
About Testronic Labs
Testronic Laboratories, established in 1998, is the worldwide leading Quality Assurance provider of choice for the software, hardware, digital media and entertainment industries. Services cover DVD, Blu-ray and video game QA, along with a range of services for telecommunications, e-learning, interactive software and hardware products, as well as a suite of certification standards.
Testronic Labs' skilled team provides testing of any content across any medium to any end device. Based in Burbank, CA; Pinewood Studios and Central London, UK; Diepenbeek, Belgium; and Warsaw, Poland; Testronic Labs is the only global Quality Assurance company operating across the entire digital media industry.
Jim here. I don't mean to bump Michael's blue carpet talk with Cameron but this can't wait!
The Blu-ray Disc Association is DONE with its task of standardizing stereoscopic 3D Blu-ray content!!
1080p will still be the top resolution, however there are many changes:
1. ANY type of S3D technology can be used with it (active shutter, polarized, etc).
2. It will be backwards compatible with existing 2D content: Existing Blu-ray players will be able to the new S3D content and display it on their 2D setups in 2D (in 2D of course). This allows for the distribution on only one format of disc for ALL audiences.
3. The Sony PS3 console will be able to play Blu-ray S3D content in 3D.
The specification enforces the use of a Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec (coder-decoder) which is an extension to the H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) codec currently supported in Blu-ray players today.
Further, the spec allows for the integration of 3D menu systems and subtitles.
The final spec will be published very soon and should make for a VERY interesting Consumer Electronics Show in January! I can't wait to see what is in store for 2010 - S3D is taking off baby!!
Source: RegHardware
Jim here. THE FINAL DESTINATION will be released on DVD / Blu-ray on January 5, 2010. Suggested retail has the discs at $28.98 and $35.99.
Both of them will feature 2D and 3D versions of the film and will come with 2 pairs of 3D glasses (these things have always been anaglyph so don't get your hopes up).
Of course we will be seeing new standards for 3D Home Videos soon - just not in time for these discs unfortunately. I am sure it will be re-released with the new spec soon after (perhaps as THE FINAL, FINAL DESTINATION).
Special Features:
- Additional scenes
- Alternate endings (Blu-ray only)
- Body Count: The Deaths of The Final Destination featurette (Blu-ray only)
- Pre-Visualization/Storyboard Segments (Blu-ray only)
- BD-Live features (Blu-ray only)
- Digital copy of the film (Blu-ray only)
In the meantime you can enjoy the first three FINAL DESTINATION movies from Amazon :-)
Michael here. Thanks to Fuad Zain for pointing me to this article from Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits, which has an update on 3D Blu-Ray from Blu-Con 2.0, which was held this past week in Los Angeles.
Read an excerpt from Hunt's report below (emphasis mine):
According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, the final spec for 3D Blu-ray (possibly called 3D-BD or something like it) will be announced by the end of the year, likely in December. The spec WILL REQUIRE that all 3D capable displays (regardless of how they process the 3D-BD signal) will use the same signal. The spec will be DISPLAY FORMAT AGNOSTIC, meaning whether the display is Plasma or LCD based (or whether it uses active or passive glasses) won't matter. So if you buy a 3D-BD player, it will work will all properly marked 3D display technologies. What's more, all 3D-BD discs will be backwards compatible with current Blu-ray players, so the disc will include both a 3D version in the new spec AND a standard 2D version for current players - all in full 1080p. The 3D-BD spec will require full 1080p signal delivery for each eye - left and right. The intent is that there's only one shot to get it right, so make sure it's a standard that will work for a long time to come.
An important point to make: THERE IS NO 3D-BD spec format war. Every company in the industry is cooperating on the final spec. The only difference is that the DISPLAY technology each company uses may be different, but the 3D-BD spec will be used by ALL of them.
Manufacturers will introduce a variety of 3D signal processing technologies, some based on plasma and some on LCD. Some will use active shutter glasses and some will use passive or polarized glasses. These technologies will be on display at CES in January and the first gear (and 3D-BD movie titles) will start arriving by mid-2010. Some product announcements MAY be made at CES. The glasses needed will be sold with the DISPLAYS, not the players, because the type of glasses needed will be dependent on the display.
All of the CE manufacturers stressed that 3D display is here to stay. It's not just about Blu-ray - you'll see cable and satellite offerings, live sports broadcasts and even gaming in 3D. The next round of gaming consoles are likely to support 3D gaming.
There WILL be a premium for the 3D capability in terms of display/player pricing, but as with all new technologies, this will drop over time.
This is particularly interesting: Multiple sources at the event - including one Sony source - informed me that there's a possibility that the PS3 can be firmware-updated to make full 3D gaming and (possibly even) 3D Blu-ray playback possible. All you'd need to do is to buy the glasses as an accessory. This may be possible because of the power of the PS3's Cell processor.
I am very excited for 3D Blu-Ray and am very happy that the powers that be are working towards a standard that provides the best possible 3D experience.
Hey guys - Jim here. We all know how well MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D performed this year at the box office - taking in $72 million worldwide on a budget of only $15 million.
So how about it? You interested in getting a copy for home? You can now - available for pre-order on Amazon. It will be formally released on May 15. However, and a big however - is that while they provide four 3D glasses with the movie, they are sadly anaglyph.
Once we have a "3D in the home TV standard" then you will see 3D home videos with the cool new modern 3D glasses (and of course $ invested in equipment). You can also watch this movie in 2D though whenever the old technology gets too much for ya.
Fangoria got the scoop on the full disc details:
The film will be in both widescreen 2-D and 3-D (with four pairs of glasses); the DVDs present the movie with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, and the Blu-ray sports DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio. Supplements on the Special Edition DVD and the Blu-ray include: Audio commentary by director Patrick Lussier and co-writer Todd Farmer; Deep Inside MY BLOODY VALENTINE making-of featurette; Sex, Blood and Screams—The Special Make-Up FX of MY BLOODY VALENTINE featurette; Deleted and extended scenes; Gag reel.
Jim here. It's happening very fast - Panasonic is jumping ahead of the crowd and moving for 3DHD standardization. Here is a quote from EngadgetHD:
"Just days after hearing that the HDMI specification could be updated to better handle stereoscopic 3D content, along comes word that Panasonic has submitted a proposal to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) for an official BD standard to store 3D imagery formed of "left / right-eye two-channel Full HD images." Panny reportedly made the move early in order avoid a format war, but really, it's just looking to cash in on royalties for the next decade five years or less. It's no secret that movie studios are dead set on moving forward with 3D production -- might as well be ready on the other end, right?"
Looks like a powerplay, but of course it was coming. Let's see what pans out - there are a lot of players in the market! The sooner we get 3DHD into our homes the better.
Source: EngadgetHD
Thanks to Jason for the headsup.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
The family oriented action adventure is based on the original classic Jules Verne story. If you didn't see it in theaters than you definitely missed out on some fun - but there is always the 3D Home Videos route.
The T-Rex scenes are awesome - and so is the Icelandic scenery (congrats to Vince Pace on his work on these segments).
