Sunshine Blu-ray Exchange Program offered by FOX

Blu-ray owners of the Danny Boyle film Sunshine that have been experiencing problems with certain Blu-ray players not allowing you to playback the film without the picture-in-picture track playing over the main feature now have their solution.

20th Century Fox has begun an exchange program for owners of the Blu-ray disc. Contact customer service at 888-223-4369. You will be asked you for your Blu-ray player model , name, and address. They state it should take 1 to 2 weeks to receive your replacement disc.

The Social Network - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***

David Fincher’s The Social Network is the stunning tale of a new breed of cultural insurgent: a punk genius who sparked a revolution and changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever. Shot through with emotional brutality and unexpected humor, this superbly crafted film chronicles the formation of Facebook and the battles over ownership that followed upon the website’s unfathomable success. With a complex, incisive screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and a brilliant cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake, The Social Network bears witness to the birth of an idea that rewove the fabric of society even as it unraveled the friendship of its creators.


***MOVIE REVIEW***

Believe the hype. This is a landmark film and one of the best of this young century. While I personally would choose Inception as the best film of the year, 'The Social Network is in no regard a lesser film or achievement. The rapid fire dialogue and wit of Aaron Sorkins' script is handled with ease by the game cast. Jesse Eisenberg is a revelation and erases the "other Michael Cera" feeling that his previous performances had shown. His portrayal of Facebook mastermind Mark Zuckerberg is the perfect mix of asshole genius that also garners some light sympathy by the end because even with all his business acumen, raw computing talent, and money he is socially inept and alone. The film is an exploration of human connection, frailty , betrayal, and friendships that are broken due to business relationships taking precedent. David Fincher takes what could have been just a film about Facebook with another director and instead has directed a film that will be remembered for years to come as a a commentary of its generation. 9/10

***VIDEO QUALITY***

"The Social Network"arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1. The presentation that Sony has brought to Blu-ray perfectly recaptures the look and feel of the film when I saw it in the theater. The first thing you will notice is that the look of the film is noticeably a couple shades darker than your average Blu-ray and that it was the intention of David Fincher. Black levels were deep and rich with no crush which allowed for good shadow detail. Colors are decidedly muted but help to make scenes with more vibrant colors stand out. Fine detail was very good with textures of buildings and clothing, computer screens, offices, etc. There were no signs of compression artifacts or edge enhancement. A wonderfully filmic transfer that complements the movie well. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The dark, hypnotic score by Trent Renzor and Atticus Ross is the real star of the audio presentation and it fills the soundstage with a full bodied sound. LFE is outstanding with deep, rich notes that provide some of the best, tightest bass performance overall on Blu-ray. There is scene later in the film that takes place at a nightclub and the bass performance is without a doubt pure demo material. With a script that is filled with rapid fire dialogue from Aaron Sorkin it is crucial you can understand every syllable and the listener is provided with crisp and clean dialogue throughout. Surrounds are used for subtle sense of environment and allows for some of the score to breathe to the background. This is a reference track. 10/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

DISC ONE

* Audio Commentary - Director David Fincher continues his streak of excellent commentary tracks with an informative track that was never dull.

* Audio Commentary - Writer Aaron Sorkin is joined by cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Josh Pence, and Armie Hammer. A good track that will provide fans even more insight into the making of this landmark film.

* BD-Live


DISC TWO

* How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? (1hr32min, HD) - An excellent feature length documentary that is one of the best so far. Insight into every aspect of the production is provided. A must watch.

* Jeff Cronenweth and David Fincher on the Visuals (7min48sec, HD)

* Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter, and Ren Klyce on Post (17min24sec, HD)

* Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and David Fincher on the Score (18min52sec, HD) - An informative look at the creation of one of the best film scores in years.

* In the Hall of the Mountain King: Music Exploration (3min2sec, HD)

* Swarmatron (4min28sec, HD) - A look at the fascinating musical instrument that was utilized in the creation of the score.

* Ruby Skye VIP Room: Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown (18min54sec, HD)

Piranha - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***

Ravenous piranhas with razor-sharp teeth terrorize Lake Havasu vacationers in director Alexandre Aja's remake of Joe Dante's campy 1978 horror film, itself a satire of Steven Spielberg's Jaws. When an earthquake tears open the bottom of Lake Havasu, schools of carnivorous piranhas are released from their underwater lair, and the lake turns into a bloody, frenzied death trap for unwitting water-goers.



***MOVIE REVIEW***
Get ready for a campy, gory ride. The film takes a bit to get going but once the Piranhas attack the gore comes in buckets and it is all done with a wink. There are numerous scantily clad and nude college party girls type that get eaten to death. Richard Dreyfuss pays funny homage to his Matt Hooper character from Jaws. Rest of the cast does an adequate job at conveying terror, but as expected this is not a film for strong acting performances or brilliant plotting. Christopher Lloyd is a hoot in a brief role. I saw this film in the theater in August and it was goofy late summer fun. Worth a watch for sure. 7/10


***VIDEO QUALITY***
Piranha arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 2.40:1. A fairly strong presentation with a lush color palette that shows off every individual bikini of the party goers in the film as well as the gorgeous desert images of Lake Havasu. Detail was good when examining clothing textures, rock formations, and the beautiful blue water. Blacks were good but were a little murky in some scenes that take place in the water. I did notice some very light banding in a few underwater shots. 8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. A really strong sense of the environment places the listener right on the boat and docks with rest of the cast. When victims are attacked you feel the pressure of being underwater. Surround effects are constantly heard within the soundstage such as screaming coeds, music, guns blasting, and water slowly lapping against the dock. Bass from the LFE channel provided plenty of kick during several attack scenes as well as the thumping music. Sony has provided a great listen here. 9/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

* Audio Commentary - A commentary track is offered with director Alexandre Aja, producer Gregory Levasseur, and producer Alexi Taylor and they are a fun group to listen to.

* Don't Scream, Just Swim: Behind-the-Scenes of Piranha 3D (2hrs9min, HD) - A multi-part documentary that explores every aspect of the production you can possibly think of. Running longer than the film itself the 10 separate segments give more insight then one would ever need to know for a film such as Piranha. If you enjoyed the film this is well worth your time.

Blu-ray Exclusive Content

* Deleted Scenes (7min43sec, HD) - The following scenes are watchable with or without director Alexandre Aja. (Pet Emporium, Cheerleaders, Sand Island Ghost Train, The Kiss, Cliff Diver, Andrew's Death)

* Deleted Storyboard Sequences (11min12sec, HD) - Included scenes are (Billy's Burger Shack , and Mini-van)

* Piranha 3D Trailer & TV Spots (3min38sec, HD)

*Previews ( HD) - Previews for the following films are included: (Resident Evil: Afterlife, Game of Death, Sniper Reloaded, Ticking Clock, and The Virginity Hit)

* BD-Live

The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System 3D - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***

We are in the midst of the greatest era of space discovery. Twenty first-century spacecraft and sophisticated imaging technology are venturing into uncharted territory every day, and much of the extraordinary phenomena are happening right in our own cosmic backyard.

Take an exhilarating, unprecedented 3D tour of the seven most amazing wonders of our solar system, beginning with a trip to Enceladus, one of Saturn s outer moons, where icy geysers spout from its surface. Then venture to Saturn s famous rings, which contain mountain ranges that rival the Alps; dive into Jupiter s Great Red Spot, the eye of the biggest storm in the solar system; soar through the Asteroid Belt, made of millions of rocks left over from the formation of the solar system; trek up Mount Olympus, the largest volcano located on Mars; have a close encounter with the searing surface of the sun; and finish the journey by exploring our very own home planet Earth.


***VIDEO QUALITY***
The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p 3D transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. A superbly crisp transfer with beautifully saturated colors. Detail is quite strong. The darkness fo space was complemented well with rock solid black level performance. The 3D effects are tastefully done. Space objects stretch beyond the screen towards the viewer as well as subtle details to the side. When in deep space there was a wonderful sense of depth that surrounds your viewing area. Overall this is without a doubt one of the most fun 3d experiences to have in your own home to date. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I highly enjoyed the full bodied sound from this track. Sound effects blast from back to front with strong dynamic range. The soundstage gave me sense of being in space with everything coming through crisp and clean. The LFE channel was utilized to great effect and really complements the nice musical score well. A solid overall presentation. 8.5/10

Warner to release Due Date on Blu-ray February 22

Warner Home Video has announced their plans to release the Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis road comedy on a BLu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack February 22, 2011. Below are the planned special features:

SPECIAL FEATURES
* Complete Two and a Half Men scene featuring Ethan Tremblay
* Additional scenes
* Due Date Action Mash-up: compilation of the physical comedy from the film
* Due Date Too Many Questions Mash-up: What makes Ethan the most annoying guy with whom you could ever be stuck in a car?
* Gag reel

Paramount to release The Ten Commandments on Blu-ray March 29th

Paramount Home Entertainment have announced the debut of The Ten Commandments to Blu-ray for March 29,2011. It will come in either a two-disc Blu-ray set or a lavish six-disc Blu/DVD Combo Limited Edition Box Set which also contain the 1923 silent film version and several collectible extras. The Blu-ray will be presented in full 1080p High Definition and will include a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Below are full details from the press release:

PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATES THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF CECIL B. DEMILLE’S LEGENDARY EPIC WITH A SPECTACULAR BLU-RAY™ AND DVD GIFT SET



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS



Fully Restored and in High Definition for the First Time Ever, Timeless Classic Arrives March 29, 2011 in Six-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Featuring Over an Hour of New Bonus Material, a Commemorative Book, the 1923 Silent Version of the Film and More in a
Limited Edition Box Set with Tablets



HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. – For sheer pageantry and spectacle, few motion pictures can claim to equal the splendor of renowned director Cecil B. DeMille’s (Ben Hur) 1956 epic
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. - To commemorate the 55th anniversary of this beloved masterpiece, on March 29, 2011 Paramount Home Entertainment will release a fully restored version in high definition for the first time ever in an extravagant six-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo gift set, as well as in a two-disc Blu-ray and two-disc DVD. DeMille’s last motion picture made Charlton Heston a superstar and remains a cinematic triumph and perennial fan-favorite. Filmed in Egypt and the Sinai with one of the biggest sets ever constructed for a motion picture, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS tells the story of the life of Moses (Heston). Once favored in the Pharaoh's (Yul Brynner) household, Moses turned his back on a privileged life to lead his people to freedom. With a rare on-screen introduction by Cecil B. DeMille, this unforgettable movie experience is sure to be enjoyed and treasured by the entire family for years to come.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Blu-ray/DVD Combo gift set comes packaged in a stunning limited edition box featuring an image of the Red Sea that parts when the box is opened to reveal two tablets, which encase all six discs in the set. The set also includes a commemorative photo and archive book, a new 75-minute, in-depth documentary about the film and its impact, original costume sketches, the 1923 silent film The Ten Commandments (also available for the first time on Blu-ray), international premiere photos, production notes from Cecil B. DeMille, correspondence from Charlton Heston, feature commentary and more.

The fully-restored version of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS will also be available in a two-disc Blu-ray and two-disc DVD, both of which include commentary, newsreel footage of the film’s New York premiere and trailers.



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Blu-ray/DVD Gift Set

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Surround Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital and Portuguese 2.0 Surround Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Surround, French Mono, Spanish Mono and Portuguese 2.0 Surround with English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. Disc contents are as follows:

Blu-ray

Disc One:

* 1956 Feature Part 1

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments

Disc Two:

* 1956 Feature Part 2

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison

* Newsreel: The Ten Commandments Premiere in New York

* Theatrical Trailers

Disc Three:

* 1923 Feature

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison

* Hand-tinted Footage of the Exodus and Parting of the Red Sea Sequence (from 1923 feature)

* Photo Gallery—1923

* The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles—75-minute documentary

* Photo Gallery—1956



DVD

Disc One:

* 1956 Feature Part 1

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments

Disc Two:

* 1956 Feature Part 2

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison

* Newsreel: The Ten Commandments Premiere in New York

* Theatrical Trailers

Disc Three:

* The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles—75-minute documentary

* Photo Gallery—1956



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Blu-ray & DVD

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS two-disc Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Surround Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital and Portuguese 2.0 Surround Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The two-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Surround, French Mono, Spanish Mono and Portuguese 2.0 Surround with English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. Both two-disc sets include the following (in HD on the Blu-ray):

Disc One:

* 1956 Feature Part 1

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments

Disc Two:

* 1956 Feature Part 2

* Commentary by Katherine Orrison

* Newsreel: The Ten Commandments Premiere in New York

* Theatrical Trailers

Machete - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***
From director Robert Rodriguez (Grindhouse, Sin City) comes an action-packed, cutting-edge serving of carnage...with killer deleted scenes that deliver more guns, more girls and more Machete action! Set up, double-crossed and left for dead, Machete (Danny Trejo) is an ass-kicking ex-Federale who lays waste to anything that gets in his path. As he takes on hitmen, vigilantes and a ruthless drug cartel, bullets fly, blades clash and the body count rises. Any way you slice it, vengeance has a new name--Machete.


***MOVIE REVIEW***
Babes, boobs, knives, and guns. Make no mistake this a movie tailor made for men. Danny Trejo in the role he was born to play is a throwback to antiheroes from the past that talked with action and not their tongues. He exudes a natural screen charisma without saying hardly a word, his awesome face says it all. The violence on display here is over the top fun that includes a guy getting his intestines ripped out by "Machete" which he uses as a rope to descend a building. The supporting characters are a hell of a lot of fun as well. Robert De Niro and Jeff Fahey make humorous pair as a Texas senator and his aid. Michelle Rodriguez plays her usual tough badass role which she does with ease. Steven Seagal has the funniest death scene in years. Just like films such as "Crank", "Crank 2", "The A-Team" it is best to just put your mind at ease and enjoy the exhilarating ride. Remember, "Machete don't text" . 8/10


***VIDEO QUALITY***
"Machete" arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Fans of the "Grindhouse" double feature will be used to the video quality for the opening of the film. It is alive with scratches, jitters, missed frames, and heavy grain. I loved it. Once the opening credits are through you'll be treated to a pristine transfer bursting with desert orange hues, rich blue skies, deep blood reds, and every other color in the rainbow. Fine detail is stunning, Danny Trejos amazingly worn face is a revelation when watching this transfer.
Black levels were deep with solid shadow detail. There were zero signs of compression artifacts, edge enhancement, or DNR. FOX slices the competition (pun intended) with a superb presentation. 10/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. This is a powerful action track accompanied by a cool score by Chingon. Surrounds are constantly engaged during any action scene. Bullets whiz by and hit with stunning clarity. Dialogue was crisp and clean. The LFE channel will give your system a good workout with thumping bass and deep wall rattling explosions. A really fun listen. 9/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

* Audience Reaction Track - A fun option where you can watch the movie along with an audience reacting that was recorded from the theatrical run.
* Deleted Scenes (10min58sec, HD) - Some worth watching scenes are here for your viewing. The best are a deleted subplot of Jessica Albas character having a twin sister.
* Theatrical Trailer (1min56sec, HD)
* Red Band Theatrical Trailer (2min, HD)
* Sneak Peeks (HD - Included are trailers for Street Kings 2, The A-Team, and Twelve.
* BD-Live Exclusive Deleted Scene (42sec, HD)
* Digital Copy - A digital copy of the main feature for download to your PC, Mac , or portable device.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 8 Motion Comic - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***
Proving once and for all that you can’t keep a good Slayer down, Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight Motion Comic picks up where the smash hit TV show left off! Based on the Dark Horse comic book series, these eye-popping motion comic adventures breathe new life into the Buffyverse for long-time fans and new “watchers” alike.


The Hellmouth may have been destroyed, but the world still needs saving and Buffy Summers is back at her butt-kicking, demon-slaying best to do the job. She’s relocated her base of operations to a castle in Scotland to lead the Scooby Gang, including hundreds of newly activated Slayers scattered around the world to battle the supernatural forces of evil. But in the wake of Sunnydale’s destruction, the U.S. government thinks Buffy and her legions of followers have grown too powerful and are now terrorist threats. Meanwhile, a seemingly unstoppable group of Japanese vampires hatch a nefarious plot, while the biggest, baddest Big Bad of them all, Twilight, is on a mission to destroy every Slayer on Earth!



***MOVIE REVIEW***

I have been a fan of Joss Whedon's work and his most beloved creation Buffy The Vampire Slayer since the late 1997. The brilliant writing a perfect casting made Buffy my favorite show of all time until LOST appeared on tv screens one year after the wonderful series finale of Buffy titled "Chosen". When I read that Joss Whedon had plans to work with Dark Horse Comics I honestly had mixed emotions. I felt the series had a perfect ending, but would also love to see what happened to the characters.
Now that FOX has released the first 19 issues of Season 8 in motion comic form it was worth the wait. Taking the story to comic book form helps to expand the action and overall scope. The witty dialogue is still here. I was shocked at the end of the first episode when a recurring character returned in dramatic fashion. There is one problem that I have with Season 8 and that is none of the original cast was used for the voices. Admittedly the voice talent on hand here do a decent job but sometimes I felt they read the lines very dry without the smart, wry cadence that was exhibited from the live action show. I found once I got into the story that the voices weren't as noticeable and overall it was a great time watching new Buffy content. 8.5/10


***VIDEO QUALITY***

Buffy: Season 8 arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080i transfer utilizing the in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This is an almost flawless presentation. Colors are deep and rich. Blacks are inky. Detail in the artwork is razor sharp. I noticed a few instances of banding in the image but those moments were thankfully sporadic. Another solid job from FOX. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. I first noticed the great sense of atmosphere this track exhibited. Surrounds were engaged consistently. LFE performance was strong adding a nice depth to the score. Dialogue was crisp and clean throughout. A really nice mix was done for this series and it was appreciated in bringing me back into the Buffyverse. 9/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***

* Under Buffy’s Spell (5min18sec, HD)
* Buffy Season 8 Motion Comic Test Pilot (5min34sec)
* The Buffy Trivia Experience – If you're as big a fan of Buffy as I am you will get a higher ranking score and be treated to a special bonus.
* Season 8 Comic Book Covers Gallery (HD) - A nice look at the great artwork used for the physical comic book covers.
* Live Extras:
- Exclusive: Covering Jo Chen (HD) – A short interview with the amazing artist.

* DVD – A standard definition DVD presentation.
- DVD exclusive bonus: Tooncast Studio DVD-ROM where fans can create their very own Buffy comic.
* The Long Way Home, Part 1 Comic Book - A nice mini version of the first comic.

Lennon NYC - Blu-ray Disc Review

***SYNOPSIS***
LENNONYC is the story of one of the most famous and influential artists of the Twentieth Century, and how he found redemption not in the public adoration he craved as a youth, but in the quiet and simple pleasures of fatherhood. John Lennon came to New York City in 1971, seeking what every other immigrant who has washed up on its shores has sought: freedom--the freedom to be himself and not Beatle John, the freedom to love without the overwhelming scorn he and Yoko Ono had suffered in London, and, simply, the freedom to live a normal life.

LENNONYC tells this remarkable story with never-before-released in-studio recordings, concert film only recently transferred to high definition, and a trove of rarely-heard Lennon/Ono compositions. It also contains interviews with those closest to Lennon during this period in his life--friend and photographer Bob Gruen; musical collaborator and drummer, Jim Keltner; rock superstar, Elton John; and Jack Douglas, the producer of Double Fantasy. LENNONYC also contains one of the most powerful and emotionally direct interviews Yoko Ono has ever given.

This deluxe Blu-ray edition features a striking 1080p high-definition transfer of the film as well as over 20 minutes of additional interviews with Lennon s close friends and collaborators, giving us deeper insight into the artist whose life and work is as powerful and relevant today as it has ever been.

BONUS FEATURES: Over 20 minutes of additional interviews.



***MOVIE REVIEW***

Lennon NYC is a wonderful look back at John Lennon, friends and family during his time in New York City and the United States in general. There are some beautifully tender moments between John and his young son Sean. The documentary moves swiftly with great focus. Director Michael Epstein has done a tremendous job in understanding the audiences intelligence and doesn't waste time going back to Lennon and his time with the Beatles. New York in the 70's is portrayed as a character all itself. 30 years after the unfortunate and too soon death of John Lennon the loss is still felt and if you're even a casual fan you owe it to yourself to watch this. 9/10



***VIDEO QUALITY***
Lennon NYC arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. New interviews segments are striking in clarity and color saturation. Detail is spot on. Archival footage is as expected a mixed bag with instances of heavy grain. I personally have always liked film clips from this vintage beacause they have a more authentic feel of being there in the moment. There were quite a few scenes with softness due to the quality of recordings years ago. Contrast was solid when watching black and white footage. Overall a solid transfer. 7.5/10



***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Don't go into this documentary expecting big, boisterous sound. For the most part the main feature is dialogue heavy which comes across crisp and clean. There are moments of some nice surround activity during scenes that focus on Lennon recording sessions. A nice presentation. 8/10



***SPECIAL FEATURES***

BONUS INTERVIEWS (20min, HD) - A few extra stories about John Lennon from the same people in the main feature. Worth a watch.