Polarized, Not Stirred: DR. NO *PERHAPS* Going Into Three Dimensions! And An IMAX 3D Release??

**UPDATE - Feb 22:  Apparently this is all just a rumor and nothing has been substantiated. This is from a reliable person with knowledge of the franchise. Oh well, one can wish can't one?


This is very interesting news indeed! I love the earlier Bond films and yes, Sean Connery is my favorite Bond - by a wide margin. Apparently DR. NO, the first of the James Bond franchise movies, has been converted to 3D and is now available in Asia for purchase on Blu-ray 3D.

Here's what we know about the Asian release of the disc:
Number: B0418
Level: protected
Sound: British: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1ch
Subtitle: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English, French, German, West, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean
Running time: 110 minutes
Picture: HD High Definition 1.78:1 (1920 X 1080)
Issued: INTRODUCTION good

No word on when the disc will be available in North America retail and online outlets.

That being said there is a possibility of an IMAX 3D theatrical release of the DR. NO conversion because of a posting on Moviefone listing DR. NO: IMAX 3D. Coincidence? I think not. Stay tuned for more info when we get it!

Sources: Bleeding Cool | Moviefone

TITANIC Hits Blu-ray 3D In September!

Finally we are going to be able to enjoy James Cameron's top two grossing movies (that just so happen to be the top two grossing movies of all time) in 3D and in our homes. We heard about AVATAR and now it's TITANIC's turn.

You can pre-order the Titanic Blu-ray 3D right now.

Here's the press release:
The two billion-dollar box office phenomenon and winner of 11 Academy Awards®, TITANIC, makes its highly anticipated debut on Blu-ray 2D and 3D on September 14, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Available in high definition for the first time ever, James Cameron’s timeless and unforgettable tour de force will be presented in stunning 2D and 3D, providing a cinematic in-home experience of TITANIC like never before. Marking 101 years ago today that the RMS Titanic was launched into the Belfast Lough, film fans worldwide can now pre-order the epic love story on Blu-ray 2D or Blu-ray 3D™ with participating online retailers.

Cameron commented, “Blu-ray extends TITANIC’s immersive 3D theatrical experience into audiences’ homes, where their living room becomes the backdrop for big spectacular environments and intense action, as well as profoundly intimate human moments, allowing generations of fans—new and old—to truly become part of the movie like never before.”

Presented in a four-disc 2D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with Digital Copy or, for the ultimate experience in fully immersive 3D, in a four-disc Blu-ray 3D and 2D combo pack with Digital Copy, this high-definition presentation of TITANIC is a must have for film fans’ home media collections. Both sets feature more than 2 1/2 hours of new bonus footage never-before-released on disc, including a fascinating in-depth exploration of the film with James Cameron, as well as documentary footage produced by National Geographic with James Cameron that brings the world’s leading RMS Titanic experts together to solve the lingering mysteries of why and how the “unsinkable” ship sank.

The sets also boast previously released special features including 30 deleted scenes, over 60 behind-the-scenes featurettes, a look at the groundbreaking visual effects, over 2,000 photos, three commentaries and much, much more. TITANIC will also be available for the first time ever for digital download.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the roles that would make them global stars, TITANIC tells the story of the epic romance between two star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the legendary and ill-fated maiden voyage of the “ship of dreams.”

At Long Last The Wait Is Over: AVATAR Blu-ray 3D Freely Available For Purchase In October!

Watch the personal invitation from James Cameron to at long last purchase and enjoy AVATAR in the way it was meant to be seen: In 3D, in your home and on any 3D television set.

For the past couple of years, AVATAR 3D has been tied up in an unique marketing agreement with Panasonic that would only allow the distribution of the blu-ray 3D with a new Panasonic 3D television.

That agreement will expire on October 15th (worldwide) and the 16th (North America) and then you may buy the Avatar Blu-ray 3D in stores.

Of course by now you know that AVATAR is the highest grossing movie of all time, and by a long shot. It has resonated around the world with its cutting edge 3D experience and message of environmental awareness. Now you can own it, even if you don't own a Panasonic 3D television.


The wait is soon over!

Marvel Update: New Logos For Franchise Sequels And The Trailer For The 10 Disc AVENGERS ASSEMBLED Blu-ray Set

Click to enlarge

As if we really needed further validation after Marvel's THE AVENGERS moved into third position on the all time worldwide box office, but here it is: The movie has now claimed third spot on the domestic North American market as well.

Here are the accumulated stats as of June 27, 2012:

Domestic Box Office: $601,215,735
Foreign Box Office: $837,900,000
Worldwide Total: $1,439,115,735 

Approaching one and a half BILLION dollars. I think we all knew that the ensemble movie had the capability of being a huge success, but #3 all time is a HUGE leap to make. I remember claiming when the movie was in production that THE AVENGERS had a legitimate chance of catching and passing THE DARK KNIGHT as the top superhero movie of all time, but wow. Almost $1.5b.

And Marvel is not resting on it's laurels either. Onward and upward. We've got their official branding ready (top photo) for their upcoming sequels in the Marvel universe, though I would wager that the titles may be augmented somewhat from simple numbers. The shots are from Ciné 2012.

To Cap (pun intended) it all off, Marvel has unveiled their new AVENGERS ASSEMBLED 10 disc blu-ray set that we spoke of before. You can order it from the official website at $189.99 or you can order from Amazon for an even lower $152.99.

Here's what's included:
• Marvel’s The Avengers (Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray) 
• Captain America: The First Avenger (Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray) 
• Thor (Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray) 
• Iron Man 2 (Blu-ray) 
• The Incredible Hulk (Blu-ray) 
• Iron Man (Blu-ray) 
• Bonus Disc - “The Phase One Archives” (Blu-ray) 
• Collectible packaging with exclusive memorabilia from the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Check out the trailer!

 

Happy Marvel endings to you all... Bring on IRON MAN 3!

Sources: Logos via BadTaste | Trailer via Marvel

You Sank My BATTLESHIP! Third Weekend In A Row Owned By THE AVENGERS - Soon To Be In Top 5 Of All Time *AND* Some Disc Release Info!

BATTLESHIP never really stood a chance against the behemoth known as THE AVENGERS. The ensemble Marvel movie took in an astounding $55,050,000 in it's third week of domestic bliss bringing it's total up to $457m (US and Canada) thus far. Peter Berg's BATTLESHIP meanwhile took in $25,350,000 in it's first weekend.

THE AVENGERS is now Disney's biggest box office success topping the top two PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films. Up next on the ladder? STAR WARS. That should happen THIS weekend propelling the superhero movie into 5th on the all time list.


So the obvious question is will THE AVENGERS defeat MEN IN BLACK III this coming weekend? I'm pretty sure this won't happen. MIB3 carries a huge fanbase into the theaters and let's face it, it is Will Smith. So, will it would be cool to see Marvel / Disney continue swinging it's big stick, it's time for another 3D movie to step in and clobber some aliens...

We do have some more information on what to expect regarding the upcoming disc offering for THE AVENGERS set for release on September 25:

AVENGERS 4-Disc BD Combo Pack:
2-Disc BD Combo Pack
2-Disc DVD Combo Pack Special Features:
• AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR JOSS WHEDON
• MARVEL ONE-SHOT: ITEM 47
• SECOND SCREEN
• GAG REEL
• DELETED SCENES
- Alternate Opening – Maria Hill Interrogation
- Extended Scene – Loki & Barton Strategize
- Steve Rogers – Man Out of Time
- Nick Fury & World Security Council
- Extended Viaduct Fight – Raw Footage
- Fury & Hill Discuss the World Security Council
- Extended Scene – Banner and Security Guard
- Alternate Ending – Maria Hill Interrogation
• FEATURETTES
A Visual Journey - Assembling the Ultimate Team
• SOUNDGARDEN MUSIC VIDEO – “Live to Rise”

AVENGERS DVD Special Features:
• AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR JOSS WHEDON
• FEATURETTES - Assembling the Ultimate Team

In other words, you really should get the Blu-ray :-) Rumor has it that Marvel is prepping a 10 disc set that will include ALL the previous films, namely Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America. Rumor only at this point!

Disc details via JoBlo

Disney Offering Up 15 Films On Blu-ray 3D In 2011!!

WOW. Talk about instant 3D content for the home! Disney has announced that 15 movies from their classic movie library will be available in Blu-ray 3D in 2011!! That brings total Disney 3D offerings to almost 20.

Included in this stunning line up are TRON: LEGACY, TANGLED, THE LION KING, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, BOLT, MEET THE ROBINSONS, TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, G-FORCE and CHICKEN LITTLE. These titles and others join the existing Blu-ray 3D lineup that already have ALICE IN WONDERLAND, DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL and STEP UP 3D on retail shelves.

“As our contemporary library of 3D content continues to grow, and the original artists and filmmakers meticulously ‘dimensionalize’ their work for release on the Blu-ray 3D format, we will be offering movie-lovers the most incredible in-home entertainment experience they will ever have,” noted Lori MacPherson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “In addition to offering new releases day-and-date in 3D and further cementing our leadership in the marketplace, we’re thrilled that consumers will have the exclusive Blu-ray 3D experience of two of the most celebrated Disney animated features, THE LION KING and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, in their homes.”

In addition to the film being in 3D, each disc will include thematically linked 3D menus, 3D previews of coming-attractions trailers and an introduction to the eye-popping world of Disney Blu-ray 3D featuring beloved characters Timon and Pumbaa from THE LION KING.

The first of many such library announcements! Too bad BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was not re-released in 3D theaters. I was looking forward to that as I know many were. More 3D library announcements from the studios when I get them!

Source: Disney

AVATAR 3D Blu-ray Coming December 1?

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...

3D Geek Alert: Comin' At Ya! Sony Unveils Three New S3DHD Blu-ray Players

Jim here. Well we don't have their complete pricing (one price is disclosed below) or official launch date yet but we do have some details to pass on to you about Sony's three new entries into the S3DHD blu-ray player race.

Sony's BDP-S370, BDP-S570 and BDP-S770 (pictured) all feature Blu-ray 3D playback. When they are connected to the Internet via broadband they can also stream entertainment from Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Pandora, NPR, and of course Sony. There are 25 partners in the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Platform.

Further, you can use your iPhone/iPod Touch as a remote control device for these units (with a downloaded app). The app also includes functionality to access cover art for movies, music, actor and production information as well as that all important search capability for additional media. Keep in mind that the App Store has this particular app called "BD Remote" rated as 2.5 stars out of 5.

The BDP-S770 has Wi-Fi built in, DLNA and a front USB input to act as a media converter. Something else - it has a quick start feature to improve the lag time when starting these units up.

Here are the details for the other two units:
BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc player features built in Wi-Fi wireless (802.11) with WPS for easy access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality.
Other features include:
• DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)
• Photo, music, and video playback via front USB and DLNA (firmware update required)
• DVD upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Quick start and fast loading

Sony's BDP-S370 Blu-ray Disc player, shipping this spring, also offers full HD 1080p picture quality and access to the BRAVIA Internet Video platform and BD-LIVE functionality.
Other features found in this model include:
• DVD, CD, and SA-CD playback
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch BD Remote Control application)
• Wi-Fi-ready (UWA-BR100 USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• Photo, music, and video playback via front USB and DLNA (firmware update required)
• DVD Upscaling to near high definition with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Quick start and fast loading

Great to see these units ramping up production! The BDP-S570 will lighten your wallet by about $250 - well worth it! Samsung had better rethink their $399 price point for their BD-C6900. You will need to flash your firmware as well once the Blu-ray 3D update is ready. Can't wait to start comparing some of these units.

Sources: Engadget, RegHardware