The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition comes to Blu-ray September24th

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing the Christopher Nolan directed set of Batman films to Blu-ray as the The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition on September 24, 2013 The massively popular trilogy will be collected in an all new collector's set with new bonus features and memorabilia. Below are official details from the press release:


Burbank, Calif. July 1, 2013 – Christopher Nolan’s reimagining of the Batman franchise beginning with 2005’s Batman Begins enjoyed phenomenal critical and box-office success.

Now on September 24, Nolan’s three Batman films – Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises – will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition. The six-disc set will feature all three films with their existing extra content, two new featurettes and exclusive new collectible memorabilia. This must-own collection for fans of DC Comics’ Caped Crusader is available in premium packaging and will sell for $99.97 SRP.


About the Ultimate Collector’s Edition (UCE):

*Disc 1 – Batman Begins Feature and Special Features

*Disc 2 – The Dark Knight Feature

*Disc 3 – The Dark Knight Special Features

*Disc 4 – The Dark Knight Rises Feature

*Disc 5 – The Dark Knight Rises Special Features

*Disc 6 – Bonus Disc of New Special Features


NEW Special Features:

The Fire Rises: The Creation and Impact of The Dark Knight Trilogy - The inside perspective on the fascinating story behind the creation of one of the most celebrated franchises and how it changed the scope of movie making….forever. Full of never-before-seen footage, rare moments, and exclusive interviews with Guillermo Del Toro, Damon Lindelof, Michael Mann, Richard Roeper, Zack Snyder and others.

Christopher Nolan & Richard Donner: A Conversation - For the first time, Directors Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy) and Richard Donner (Superman) sit down to discuss the trials and triumphs involved in bringing the two most iconic superheroes of all time to the big screen, and how Superman influenced Nolan when developing Batman Begins.

IMAX® Sequences: The Dark Knight; The Dark Knight Rises - See your favorite scenes as they were intended in the original IMAX© aspect ratio


Exclusive NEW Memorabilia:

* Premium Mattel Hot Wheels Vehicles: Batmobile, Batpod and Tumbler

* Newly commissioned collectible art cards by Mondo featuring Scarecrow, Joker, Bane, Harvey Dent, and Ra's al Ghul

* 48-page hardcover book featuring production stills and behind the scenes images from all three movies

Sons of Anarchy Season 5 riding on to Blu-ray August 27th

Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing the crew of SAMCRO home with the Sons of Anarchy Season Five Blu-ray on August 27, 2013 The gritty and powerful drama stars Charlie Hunnam, Ron Pearlman and Katey Sagal. Below are official details from the press release:





**SYNOPSIS**


From creator Kurt Sutter comes the adrenaline-charged Sons of Anarchy, featuring extended episodes and kicking into high gear with its biggest, most explosive season ever! As SAMCRO's new president, Jax is surrounded by ruthless enemies and gut-wrenching betrayal. With Gemma fighting for control of the family and a bloodthirsty Clay out for revenge, Jax finds himself haunted by the sins of his past. Alliances are forged, friends are murdered, and loyalties are put to the ultimate test. Now, with the truth in sight, Jax must do whatever it takes to secure the legacy of brotherhood and protect his family --- even if it costs him everything.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Deleted Scenes
* Commentary on "Sovereign" featuring Kurt Sutter, Paris Barclay, Katey Sagal, Maggie Siff and Dayton Callie
* Commentary on "Darthy" featuring Peter Weller * Gag Reel
* Opie Winston
* Kurt Sutter: Creating Anarchy
* Fan Concert at The Club House

Stoker Blu-ray Review

***SYNOPSIS***


Academy Award® Winner Nicole Kidman*, Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode star in this “darkly wicked, beautifully executed mystery” (Los Angeles Times) by critically acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Oldboy).

Following the tragic death of her father on her eighteenth birthday, India Stoker (Wasikowska) meets Charlie (Goode), her charismatic uncle, whom she never knew existed. When Charlie moves in with India and her unstable mother (Kidman), both are drawn to his charming and calming demeanor. But it soon becomes clear that Charlie’s arrival was no coincidence, and that the shocking secrets of his past could affect India’s future...or shatter it completely.





***MOVIE REVIEW***


Beautifully shot and featuring strong performances Stoker still left me a bit cold. The film runs 99 minutes but feels a bit longer than that do to slow pacing. The tension builds slowly and keeps you interested but it takes bit to get there. When all is revealed I expected something a bit more disturbing. Nicole Kidman is wonderful as the mother to Mia Wasikowska's beautiful young India. Matthew Goode as the charming but unsettling uncle Charlie plays it with a poker face that keeps you guessing. Wasikowska has a haunting beauty and gave a stunning performance. This is a film worthy of a rental and perhaps a purchase depending on how you feel about it all at the end. 7.5/10


***VIDEO QUALITY***


Stoker arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1. - As I mentioned in my review of the film Stoker is beautifully shot and being filmed in 35mm makes this a pleasing visual presentation. Colors are graded to look natural with a slight blue cast to them. There are some deep warm moments of color though and skin tones were spot on. Black levels were good but the contrast sometimes leads to more grayish blacks on some instances. Fine detail was quite good with clothing textures and close ups benefiting the most. No signs of DNR or Edge Enhancement were noticed. 9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a DTS -HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - A crystal clear audio presentation that was a bit front heavy. Surrounds are used to help Clint Mansell's score bleed through and not much else. Stereo separation in the front though was excellent with well placed effects. Dialogue was consistently crisp and clear. 8/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***


* Deleted Scenes (1080p, 10min) - Three scenes total. Play all feature is available.
* Stoker: A Filmmaker's Journey (1080p, 27min50sec) - A well made behind-the-scenes doc that looks at locations, cast and crew insight , and insight from the director.
* Photography by Mary Ellen Mark (1080p) - A fine gallery of photos that Mary Ellen Mark took during production of the film
* London Theater Design (1080p ) - Another gallery this time looking at the films premiere and the items on display.
* Featurettes
The Making of the Limited Edition Poster (1080p, 2min55sec)
Mysterious Characters (1080p, 3min33sec)
Director's Vision (1080p, 3min28sec)
Designing the Look (1080p, 3min2sec)
Creating the Music (1080p, 2min39sec)
* Red Carpet Footage (1080p, 15min38sec) - Cast and crew are featured on the red carpet of the premiere.
* "Becomes the Color" Performance by Emily Wells (1080p, 4min46sec)
* Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2min27sec )
* TV Spots (1080p, 1min21sec)

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***


Brace yourself for awesome action and legendary laughs in this fun-filled animated TV series based on the Academy Award®-Nominated hit movie Kung Fu Panda*! As the chosen Dragon Warrior and sworn protector of the Valley of Peace, Po the panda is highly skilled, ever vigilant and hungry for justice...and dumplings. Together with the Furious Five—Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Crane and Viper—Po must fend off fierce villains, including an evil version of himself (courtesy of the Mystical Mirror of Yin and Yang) and the toothy Croc Bandits!





***MOVIE REVIEW***


If you have any children under the age of 10 you more than likely have watched Kung Fu Panda and it's sequel a hundred times. This collection of 7 animated tales from the TV series based on the films. The voice actors do a good job and I didn't miss Jack Black too much. The characters are endearing and Po is adorable so this is fun and cute collection that will hold the little ones attention and yours too if you give them a chance. 8.5/10 Episodes included are:

**Good Croc Bad Croc
**The Princess and the Po
**Chain Reaction
**Bad Po
**Jailhouse Panda
**Father Crime
**Po Fans Out


***VIDEO QUALITY***


Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness arrives on DVD in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1. - A clean presentation with crisp detail and wonderful colors. Black levels were quite good. Contrast was well balanced.9/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. - Voices were crisp and clear throughout. Surrounds were used sparingly for directional effects. Bass was never booming but it had some nice heft and was tight and precise.8.5/10

Phantom Blu-ray Review

***SYNOPSIS***


At the height of the Cold War, the world holds its breath when a Soviet submarine armed with nuclear missiles goes missing in the Pacific. On board the vessel, the battle-tested captain (Ed Harris) and a rogue KGB agent (David Duchovny) are waging a life-and-death game of cat and mouse. With enemy forces closing in and time running out, the captain fights to keep control with nuclear Armageddon hanging in the balance. Starring four-time Academy Award® Nominee Ed Harris*, Golden Globe® winner David Duchovny and William Fichtner.





***MOVIE REVIEW***


This was a above average submarine thriller with some good suspense. The stellar cast really helps the viewer get into the story. Ed Harris is a strong presence on screen and commands your attention. There are quite a few tense action moments and the pacing was balanced. If I have on gripe it would have been nice if the actors tried to use accents instead of their everyday speaking voices. If you enjoy movies like Crimson Tide or U-571 then this is definitely worth taking a look. 7.5/10


***VIDEO QUALITY***


Phantom arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1. - The film was shot digitally and has razor sharp clarity. There were instances of noise in darker scenes. Colors had a natural appearance. Black levels were okay if not very deep. 8/10


***AUDIO QUALITY***


Audio is provided by a DTS -HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - I felt as if I were inside the submarine and the events happening on screen for the movie's 98 minute running time. Surrounds are in constant use to make you feel trapped in the surroundings of a submarine. Pans and directional effects had striking clarity. Dialogue was crisp and heard even when the action ramps up. LFE was powerful and had the room shaking when the crew has to go deep into the ocean. 10/10


***SPECIAL FEATURES***


* Audio Commentary - Director Todd Robinson is joined by Ed Harris joins to provide some great insight into the production.
* Facing the Apocalypse: Making Phantom (1080p, 12min58sec) - The cast and crew along with the director give their thoughts on the film.
* The Real Phantom (1080p, 6min3sec) - A really nice but too brief look at the actual Russian sub that went rogue.
* Jeff Rona: Scoring Phantom (1080p, 3min) - Jeff Rona who composed the musical score talks on how he went about creating it.
* "An Ocean Away" Music Video (1080p, 2min54sec)