300: Rise of an Empire on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, 2-disc DVD special edition and Digital HD on June 24

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially announced they will release 300: Rise of an Empire to Blu-ray 3D combo pack, Blu-ray combo pack, 2-disc DVD special edition and Digital HD June 24, 2014. The film stars Eva Green, Sullivan Stapleton , Lena Headey and Rodrigo Santoro. The Blu-ray specs are 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for audio. Below are the official details:





Burbank, CA, May 9, 2014 – Vengeance is sought when “300: Rise of an Empire” arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD Special Edition and Digital HD on June 24 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Producer Zack Snyder teams up with Director Noam Murro to create the follow up to the 2007 hit “300” in the same visually stunning style as the original. The stylized epic follows two warring nations that fight for glory amidst a raging sea.

Adapted from a screenplay by Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad, and based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel “Xerxes,” Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “300: Rise of an Empire” was directed by Noam Murro. Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Bernie Goldmann produced the film, with Thomas Tull, Frank Miller, Stephen Jones, Craig J. Flores and Jon Jashni serving as executive producers.

The film stars Sullivan Stapleton (“Gangster Squad”) as Themistokles and Eva Green (“Dark Shadows”) as Artemisia, alongside Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”) as the Spartan Queen, Gorgo; David Wenham (“Better Man”) as Dilios; Andrew Tiernan (“Ripper Street”) as Ephialtes; Andrew Pleavin (“The Borgias”) as Daxos; and Rodrigo Santoro (“The Last Stand”) returns in the role of the Persian God-King, Xerxes. The main cast also includes Hans Matheson (“The Christmas Candle”) as Themistokles’ closest friend and advisor, Aeskylos; Callan Mulvey (“Zero Dark Thirty”) and Jack O’Connell (“Skins”) as father and son soldiers, Scyllias and Calisto; and Igal Naor (“Ambassadors”) as the Persian King Darius.


**SYNOPSIS**


“300: Rise of an Empire,” told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster “300,” is a new chapter of the epic saga, which takes the action to a new battlefield—the sea.

The story pits the Greek general Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces, ruled by the mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and led by Artemisia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

Knowing his only hope of defeating the overwhelming Persian armada will be to unite all of Greece, Themistokles ultimately leads the charge that will change the course of the war.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* The 300 Effect
- 3 Days in Hell
- Brutal Artistry
- A New Breed of Hero
- Taking the Battle to the Sea

* Real Leaders & Legends

* Women Warriors

* Savage Warships

* Becoming a Warrior

The Grand Budapest Hotel on Blu-ray and DVD June 17

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing the critically acclaimed Wes Anderson tale The Grand Budapest Hotel to Blu-ray and DVD on June 17, 2014. The Wes Anderson directed film stars Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jude Law and Bill Murray. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be provided by a DTS-HD Master 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





***SYNOPSIS***


The Grand Budapest Hotel recounts the adventures of legendary concierge Gustave H. and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft of a priceless painting; a raging battle for an enormous family fortune; and a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis - all against the backdrop of a suddenly and dramatically changing continent.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Bill Murray Tours The Town

* Kunstmuseum Zubrowka Lecture

* The Society of the Crossed Keys

* The Making of the Grand Budapest Hotel
- Part 1 – The Story
- Part 2 – The Society of the Crossed Keys
- Part 3 – Creating The Hotel
- Part 4 – Creating A World

* Mendl’s Secret Recipe

* Promotional Featurettes – “Cast” and “Wes Anderson”

* Stills Gallery

* Theatrical Trailer

RoboCop on Blu-ray and DVD June 3

20th Century Fox & MGM Home Entertainment has officially announced they will be bringing the 2014 remake of RoboCop to Blu-ray and DVD on June 3, 2014 and Digital HD on May 20,2014. The film stars Joel Kinnaman, Michael Keaton, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish and Samuel L. Jackson. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be provided by a DTS-HD Master 5.1 track. Below are the official details:





***SYNOPSIS***


Crime has a new enemy in this action-thriller starring Joel Kinnaman, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton! In the year 2028, greedy conglomerate OmniCorp uses robotic technology to transform critically injured police officer Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) into the ultimate crime fighter. He's part man, part machine...he's RoboCop! Back on the streets, Murphy is hard-wired for law enforcement, but the mind and memories of the human inside long to take over...and the results could be catastrophic.


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Deleted Scenes

* OmniCorp Product Announcement

* Robocop: Engineered for the 21st Century
- The Illusion of Free Will: A New Vision
- To Serve and Protect: Robocop’s Weapons
- The Robocop Suit: Form and Function

Once Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


A serendipitous meeting on the streets of Dublin between a down on his luck Irish street performer and a poor Czech immigrant sparks a bond that plays out in this hip, modern day music film. ONCE follows the two as they write, rehearse and record the songs that reveal their unique love story.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


A passionate and beautiful little film about love, music and taking the chance to improve and change your life. The leads played by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová feel completely natural and at ease with one another. They share great chemistry on screen, especially when they make music together, "Falling Slowly" won an Academy Award for best song and it is the first song in the film where you can see this burgeoning relationship grow into something deeper. Rest of the cast fit into their roles like a glove. If you haven't yet seen this little gem you owe it to yourself to take the time to do so. 9/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Once arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1 - The movie was shot digitally and on a shoestring budget so one should not expect an eye popping presentation but is a decent upgrade from the problematic DVD transfer. Colors have a natural, earthy tone and the same can be said for fleshtones. Black levels were fine if not that deep. There is some fine noise in lower lit scenes. Detail is good on close ups and clothing but the overall image does show some softness in scenes. No signs of compression artifacts. 7.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. - The stereo track has good fidelity and lets the haunting music shine. Dialogue is crisp and clear but the Irish accents are thick which may lead to some viewers not understanding all that is said. The mix is well balanced and does a good job of bringing you into the characters lives. 8.5/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Audio Commentary - Commentary featuring Director John Carney and he is joined by the leads Hansard and Irglová.

* Musical Commentary (HD, 36min37sec) Carney, Hansard and Irglová participate on this one as well.

* Making a Modern Day Musical (SD, 12min43sec) - Cast and crew discuss the inspiration for the film, the music and the work that went into shooting low budget and still making a good film.

* More Guy, More Girl (SD, 9min39sec) - Focuses on the characters of Guy and Girl. Director Carney and the leads are shown in interview clips.

* Webisodes: Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy (SD, 56sec)

Great Expectations Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


From the director of Four Weddings and a Funeral comes this fresh, “absorbing” (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times) cinematic realization of Charles Dickens’ beloved novel starring Oscar® Nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes*. After an orphaned, blacksmith’s apprentice inherits a fortune from an anonymous benefactor, he moves to London – and towards a promising future. But the machinations of a bitter heiress (Bonham Carter) seem to put the beautiful young woman (Holliday Grainger) he loves forever out of his reach. This “satisfying” (David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer) drama featuring vibrant cinematography and lush costumes also stars Jeremy Irvine, Jason Flemyng and Robbie Coltrane.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


Based on the great Charles Dickens' classic novel this Mike Newell directed aaptation does an admirable job of bringing the story to screen. The cinematography is brilliant and brings you into the world. The cast play their roles well. Toby and Jeremy Irvine do fine work as the younger and older Pip. If I had any issues it would be pacing as the film tries to cram a large novel into just over a two hour run time. 8/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Great Expectations arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1 - The presentation has muted colors that lead to some more beautiful primaries later on. Skintones have a natural appearance. Black levels were deep with excellent shadow detail. Overall sharpness was good and reveals all the detail in clothing and the makeup used to bring the characters to life. No signs of edge enhancement. This is a beautifully shot film and the transfer brings it home in strong fashion. 8.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Dialogue was crystal clear and benefits from smart placement in the mix. Surrounds are used for environmental and panning effects and to allow the score to breath. LFE is used to add some heft to the score from Richard Hartley. No audible pops or cracks. 8/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* Great Expectations Premiere (HD, 3min37sec)

* Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2min29sec)

Veronica Mars: The Movie Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Veronica Mars (Bell) has put Neptune and her amateur sleuthing days behind her on the eve of graduating law school. While interviewing at high-end law firms, Veronica gets a call from her ex-boyfriend Logan (Dohring) who has been accused of murder. Veronica heads back to Neptune just to help Logan find an attorney, but when things don’t seem right with how Logan’s case is perceived and handled, Veronica finds herself being pulled back into a life she thought she had left behind.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


Veronica Mars: The Movie was thought to be off the table for years and then a historic Kickstarter campaign changed all that in the first day of fundraising. Creator Rob Thomas and the adorable Kristen Bell have always been great with the fans and this film is a hallmark card to everyone who loved the series and always hoped for more. The plot is a little bare but seeing the characters on screen again is a lot of fun. It takes a few minutes to get going and once Veronica arrives back in Mars and connects with her old pals, her awesome Father and former bad boy/love interest Logan it starts to gel and ends on a satisfying conclusion. There are quite a few unexpected cameos with the highlight being James Franco. Kristen Bell is charming as ever and gets right back into the role with ease. Being a "Marshmallow" I can't recommend this one enough. 9.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Veronica Mars arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - The movie was shot digitally and this is a solid presentation overall except for some moments where the image looks a bit flat. Colors have a natural appearance with vivid primaries popping up. Black levels were okay but there were a few scenes with crushing. There's also noticeable noise in some low light scenes. Fine detail was good with crisp, well defined textures and some nice close ups. No signs of compression artifacts. 8.5/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Granted the production was not a big budget Hollywood film but the audio presentation was slightly disappointing. For the most part front heavy and sounding a little hollow at times. Dialogue is crisp and clean and placed front and center. Surrounds are used for effects and some bleeding of the score but never create a fully immersive soundfield that I was hoping for. Bass performance was strong, adding some weight to source cues and the score. 7.5/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* By The Fans: The Making of the Veronica Mars Movie (HD, 56min) - I was happy to see that this making of was going to run nearly an hour. This is a must watch for long time fans. We get cast and crew and even some special fans lending insight on the history of the show, the enduring fandom for the tv series, the Kickstarter campaign, and of course the production of the movie. A superb bonus feature.

* More On-Set Fun (HD) - These are brief featurettes that total just under 20 minutes and look at various aspects of the production and also a look at cast and characters. These are the six included:
- Welcome to Keith Mars Investigation
- Game Show with Kristen Bell and Chris Lowell
- On Set with Max Greenfield
- Veronica Mars' Backers
- "It's Not All About You, Monkey"
- Young Veronica

* Deleted Scenes (HD) - Nothing too special or surprising but ammusing to watch nonetheless.

* Gag Reel (HD) - The cast being silly and having fun together.

Son of Batman Blu-ray Review

**SYNOPSIS**


Hidden atop a secret mountain stronghold lies the League of Shadows and its fearless leader, Ra’s al Ghul. Together with his equally dangerous daughter Talia, he oversees a trained army of assassins with plans for global domination. But an uprising from within the league now threatens to shift the balance of power and sends Talia and her young son, Damian, fleeing to Gotham City. With assassins on their trail, Talia seeks the protection of Batman, who, unbeknownst to him, is the boy’s father. With his son in tow, Batman wages war against the villain Deathstroke and the League of Shadows, all while teaching his headstrong boy that one can’t fight crime by becoming a criminal. With help from Gotham’s finest, including Commissioner Gordon and Nightwing, Batman will soon discover that his son and most trusted ally are one and the same.





**MOVIE REVIEW**


This latest DCU animated film has some exciting action and the art design is certainly impressive but overall I just couldn't get involved in Damian being Batman's son. The voice acting was good if not great. Pacing is an issue because there is a lot of time taken up following Damian Wayne which I understand was necessary for character development but they aren't nearly as strong a presence as Batman himself. So I would suggest checking it out first and then consider a purchase. 7.5/10


**VIDEO QUALITY**


Son of Batman arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - The image is sharp with crisp lines and detail. Colors are decidedly dark in tone but they are some splashes of more vivid hues. Black levels were inky while showing good shadow detail. No glaring signs of compression noticed. 9/10


**AUDIO QUALITY**


Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Like past DCU titles this one has some nice dynamic range and good immersion. Dialogue is crisp and clear throughout. Surrounds are used for environmental and panning effects. LFE performance was solid with deep bass notes for the score and some of the more exciting action beats of the film. No anomalies were heard. 8.5/10


**SPECIAL FEATURES**


* The Fang and the Demon Head: The League of Assassins (HD, 10min10sec) - Includes insight from various members of the production and explores the characters in the film.

* Strange Blood Tie: Damian Wayne (HD, 15min12sec) - A really good look at the character of Damian with interview clips from the writers and producers.

* Designing the Characters (HD, 9min37sec)

* A Sneak Peek at the next DCU Animated Movie - Batman: Assault on Arkham (HD, 7min29sec) - An intriguing look at the anticipated Arkham animated film. Cast and crew participate.

* From the DC Comics Vault – 4 Bonus Cartoons - The 4 titles include "The Knights of Tomorrow" from Batman: The Brave and the Bold, "Out of the Past" from Batman Beyond, "Showdown" from Batman: The Animated Series, and "Sidekicks Assemble" from Batman: The Brave and the Bold