Spike Jonze's Her on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD May 13

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing home Spike Jonze sci-fi romance Her to Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on May 13, 2014. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Olivia Wilde and Rooney Mara. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





Burbank, CA, March 21, 2014 –A heartfelt love story for the modern era, “Her” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on May 13 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Written and directed by Oscar®-winning filmmaker Spike Jonze (“Being John Malkovich,” “Where the Wild Things Are”), “Her” stars Oscar® nominee Joaquin Phoenix (“The Master,” “Walk the Line,” “Gladiator”), Oscar® nominee Amy Adams (“American Hustle”, “The Master,” “Doubt”), Oscar® nominee Rooney Mara (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”), Olivia Wilde and Scarlett Johansson.

“Her” is produced by Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze and Vincent Landay. Daniel Lupi, Natalie Farrey and Chelsea Barnard serve as executive producers.

“Her” recently won the Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay (Spike Jonze); it was also nominated for Best Picture, Music – Original Score, Music – Original Song, and Production Design.

“Her” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and includes the film in high-definition on Blu-ray Disc, a DVD, and a digital version of the film in Digital HD with UltraViolet*. Fans can also own “Her” in Digital HD via purchase from digital retailers.


**SYNOPSIS**


Set in Los Angeles in the slight future, “Her” follows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a complex, soulful man who makes his living writing touching, personal letters for other people. Heartbroken after the end of a long relationship, he becomes intrigued with a new, advanced operating system, which promises to be an intuitive and unique entity in its own right. Upon initiating it, he is delighted to meet “Samantha,” a bright, female voice (Scarlett Johansson) who is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. As her needs and desires grow, in tandem with his own, their friendship deepens into an eventual love for each other.

From the singular perspective of Oscar®-winning filmmaker Spike Jonze comes “Her,” an original love story that explores the evolving nature—and risks—of intimacy in the modern world.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**

* The Untitled Rick Howard Project

* How Do You Share Your Life with Somebody

* Her: Love in the Modern Age

Out of the Furnace Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


From Scott Cooper, the critically acclaimed writer and director of Crazy Heart, comes a gripping and powerful drama about family, fate, circumstance and justice. Russell Baze (Oscar Winner Christian Bale) leads a dead-end life – he works a meaningless steel mill job all day, and cares for his terminally ill father at night. When Russell’s brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) returns home from Iraq, he is lured into one of the Northeast’s most ruthless crime rings and mysteriously disappears. When the police fail to solve the case, Russell puts his life at risk in order to seek justice for his brother. This absorbing film features a knockout cast that includes Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana and Sam Shepard.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


Director Scott Cooper did a phenomenal job with his previous film Crazy Heart and I looked forward to his next project. Out of the Furnace is a dark and gritty tale with pitch perfect performances from a brilliant cast. The standout for me is Woody Harrelson as the intimidating criminal Harlan DeGroat in what is his one of his all time best roles. Christian Bale is all cold steel intensity when things go pear shape. Having traveled through some of the areas that were used for filming locations was nice to see on screen. 8/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Out of the Furnace arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - A solid if a bit bleak presentation. Colors exhibit a muted and natural tone. Black levels are deep and inky throughout though some scenes appear to be awash in darkness. Seems that is the intention of the filmmaker and cinematographer as far as I can tell. The image is sharp with fine detail highlighting facial hair, pores and the rust of the depressed area. No signs of digital enhancement. 8.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Dialogue is crisp and clear throughout. Surround activity is good at creating a sense of environment and bringing the bone crunching fight scenes to life. Bass adds good depth to the smart music choices and the more thrilling moments of the film. No pops, cracks or anomalies. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Inspiration (HD, 3min30sec) - The cast gives insight on their process and inspirations.

* Scott Cooper (HD, 6min40sec) - A look at the career of Director Scott Cooper.

* Crafting the Fight Scenes (HD, 5min15sec)

* The Music of Out of the Furnace (HD, 9min)

* Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2min24sec)

The Book Thief Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Based on the beloved best-selling book comes this profoundly moving story of a girl who transforms the lives of those around her during World War II, Germany. Although Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) is illiterate when she is adopted by a German couple (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson), her adoptive father encourages her to learn to read. Ultimately, the power of words helps Liesel and Max (Ben Schnetzer), a Jew hiding in the family’s home, escape from the events unfolding around them in this extraordinary, acclaimed film directed by Brian Percival (Downton Abbey).





**MOVIE REVIEW**


Director Brian Percival's adaptation of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief is a haunting film with some really strong performances. Sophie Nelisse brings authenticity to the role of young girl Liesel. The always reliable Geoffrey Rush is great as Hans. Legendary composer John Williams does some of his finest work in years. 8.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


The Book Thief arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - Colors tend to stay in the range of browns and more natural tones with some cold, crisp whites when required. Fine detail is excellent providing razor sharp clarity in any scene and showing the period accurate wardrobes. Black levels were deep and inky with good shadow delineation overall. No signs of edge enhancement or unnecessary digital tinkering. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - The major strength of this presentation is the wonderful score by John Williams driving the more emotional and tragic moments of the film through all five channels. LFE response compliment the score with added depth and is also adept at some tight rumbles when explosions go off. Dialogue was consistent in it's clarity. Surrounds are used for environmental effects that help bring the places on screen to life. 9/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


*A Hidden Truth: Bringing The Book Thief to Life (HD) - A perfectly fine if a little fluffy look at the different parts of production and that work of adapting the beloved novel to the silver screen.

* Deleted Scenes (HD) - A collection of scenes that wouldn't have added much more to the film as it stands.

*Theatrical Trailer (HD)