The Blog is dead, long live the site!

I am sorry.

That is all can really be said about my absence on the Blog-o-sphere. I really loved the Frankenstein-ian experience of creating something but I am sad to say that for the foreseeable future this blog is on hiatus.

Do not feel said though, friend, because my writing on all kinds of movie techno-gadgetry lives on over at JoBlo.com. For several months now I have been getting paid to do what I gladly did here on Cine-a-tech for free (total sell-out, I know!) , but as school starts back up and a myriad of obligations take up my precious little free time some things had to be neglected.

So as of now Cine-a-tech will go dormant, but I would like to thank all of you who read, followed and the few that commented on my humble blog. It was a valuable learning experience that re-affirmed my love for movies and landed me a part-time gig. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me feel free to stop by The Digital Dorm section of JoBlo.com where I post at least a couple of news articles every weekday as well as handle some feature columns.

Thank you all again., maybe someday in the future Cine-a-tech will rise again.

Until then just keep enjoying the films that make you happy and maybe discover some new ones on the way. Happy travels, it is time for me to hit that dusty old trail ...

Yours in cinephilia,

Jake Riley

Deal: Battlestar Galactica 56% Off!

Source: Amazon.com

Frak yeah!

For those of you waiting to pick up the SciFi Channel's bold re-imagining of the 1970's TV series Battlestar Galactica on Blu-ray now me be the time to open up your wallets.

Amazon.com is running an amazing deal on Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series through August 7th. For $133 (Over half off!) you will get the BSG 3-hour mini-series, all 4 seasons of the show (75 episodes full of frying toasters!) plus Battlestar Galactica: The Plan which recaps the story from the Cylon's point of view.

This is the cheapest Battlestar Galactica has ever been, and it is definitely worth checking out the political/SciFi thriller. I loved this series (can you tell?) and man I am seriously considering picking this bad boy up!

"So say we all!"

Get Him to the Greek in September

Source: HighDef Disc News

The hilarious follow-up to 2008's Forgetting Sarah Marshall is rocking its way into your living rooms September 28th.

Let me set the scene for those of you who didn't catch one of the funniest movies of the year, or just think you are a rock star and due to your binge drinking/drug habit your memory isn't what it used to be ...

Get Him to the Greek revolves around the life and times of Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) a burnt out dying breed of rock star, but his biggest fan who is also an aspiring music producer (Jonah Hill) makes it his mission to get Snow back to The Greek Theatre in L.A. from London in under 3 days for possibly the greatest anniversary show to happen to Rock'n'Roll ... ever.

If they make it there that is.

Get Him to the Greek has three ways to rock: 1-Disc DVD, 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD and 2-Disc Blu-ray release. The extras you get depend on which option you go with and the 1-Disc DVD seems to be just a bare bones release with no extras, but the collector's edition DVD and Blu-ray are jam-packed with goodness!

Extras for 2-Disc DVD and Blu-ray Include:

• Gag Reel
• Line-O-Rama
• Blind Medicine: A promo for Sarah Marshall’s new TV series
• Feature Commentary with director Nicholas Stoller, cast members Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne, Elisabeth Moss and producer Rodney Rothman
• Getting To Get Him to The Greek Documentary
• Getting In Tune With The Greek Documentary
• The Making Of “African Child” Documentary
• Five Complete Music Videos featuring Aldous Snow, Infant Sorrow and Jackie Q
• Musical Performances from Infant Sorrow’s triumphant 1999 Greek Theater Concert and 2009 Comeback Concert, plus a peek at their infamous World Tour and the 2002 London Concert.
• Deleted, Extended and Alternate Scenes including an Alternate Intro and Ending
• Digital Copy

Blu-ray Exclusive Extras:

• More Additional and Extended Scenes
• Musical performances from The Today Show and VH-1 Storytellers
• Karaoke - Sing along to 15 Outrageous Songs
• The Actual Auditions that landed Rose Byrne, Elisabeth Moss, Nick Kroll, Aziz Ansari and T.J. Miller their roles
• Instant access to stream a bonus movie by choosing one of three hilarious comedies: Uncle Buck, Dazed and Confused or Life

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary

Source: HighDef Disc News

"I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey."

Fox Studios may be celebrating its 75th year in the movie biz, but it just so happens on of their films is also celebrating an anniversary!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 35 years old, and to celebrate this comedy/rock opera cult classic Fox is releasing a fully restored Blu-ray overflowing with bonus materials.

And the kicker? The Rocky Horror hits shelves October 19th, just in time for your Halloween party! So dig that old Dr. Fank-N-Furter costume and the lady friends make-up!

I refuse to apologize for the following pic ... it is obligatory:

Rocky Horror Extras Include:

• The Midnight Experience: The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture-in-Picture Show, Vintage Callback Track (Unrated), Prop Box, All New Trivia Track
• Audio Commentary by Richard O'Brien and Patricia Quinn
• Rocky-oke: Like the song? Now sing It!
• Don't Dream It, Be It: The Search for the 35th Anniversary Shadowcast, Part I
• An-tic-i-pation: The Search for the 35th Anniversary Shadowcast, Part II
• Mick Rock (A Photographer)
• Mick Rock's Picture Show Gallery
• Pressbook and Poster Gallery
• Deleted Musical Scenes and Outtakes
• Alternate Credit Ending and Misprint Ending
• Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show Beacon Theater, New York City
• "Time Warp" Music Video

Fine I do apologize if I offended your eyesight with a transsexual Tim Curry.

WTFriday?! - People of Wal*Mart iPhone App

Source: Gizmodo

For those of you that are not familiar with the site Peopleofwalmart.com, I envy you. You probably still believe in the goodness of humanity.

For those of you that just love to check out photos of the patrons of America's favorite mega-store in all of their zany/disgusting/offensive/gravity defying glory you may appreciate this new iPhone application.

Not only will you be able to peruse the most recent Wal*Mart sightings, as well as their extensive archives, there is a built in feature that will allow you to take a picture and have it automatically uploaded to the site itself. Some things just have to be shared, and some things that should have never seen the light of day are going to be shared anyway, so do you part!

For you viewing displeasure I present you with some of the tamer pics from Peopleofwalmart.com. They all involve hair-do(n'ts)s:

GRANDMA?!

Metroid: Other M to have movie ... sort of ...

Source: Kotaku

Their is a lot to be said for cinematic game play, but what if after you beat a game you can re-visit your glory as an actual movie?

Would you do it?

Metroid: Other M will give that chance! Coming out exclusively for the Wii in August this newest Samus adventure will have a "Theater Mode" in which, upon completing the story you can sit back, crack a cold one and watch a Metroid movie.

Nintendo designer and Other M creator Yoshio Sakamoto revealed how this novel idea would play out in an interview with 1up.com. According to him the goal for Theater Mode will be to weave cut-scenes and saved game play video together to tell an epic Samus story. The movie itself will be about two hours long and while game play footage would be included it is pre-recorded, which means you aren't actually watching a video of your self playing, which almost defeats the purpose for me but I can see how that would take a lot of processing power to accomplish ... which is unfortunately not a Wii strong point.

I really do, however, like the precedent that Metroid: Other M sets. I would love to see Theater Mode in some of my favorite games (*cough*Like the Uncharted series*cough*) and I can really see this working out well in the long run.

What do you guys think about Theater Mode in video games? Is it something you dig, or would you just be ready to move onto the next game?

The Last of the Mohicans Blu in October

Source: HighDef Disc News

The 75th year of Fox Studios keeps pumping out amazing movies from their catalog for Blu-ray releases. This time Michael Mann's 1992 Oscar winning historical epic The Last of the Mohicans.

Starring Daniel Day Lewis as Hawkeye, one of three trappers that take it upon themselves to escort two daughters of a British Officer to a frontier fort after an ambush completely destroys their Redcoat escort, Mohicans drops you right in Colonial America during the tumultuous 1750's French and Indian War. In short; scalps are taken, tea is drank and cannons will go *BOOM*!

The word "epic" gets thrown around a lot like the word "literally". That said I literally can't describe how epic this movie really is, and I think a fair amount of that epicness is due to the amazing score by Trevor Jones.

And it sure as hell doesn't hurt that this Blu-ray release, due out October 5th, has been dubbed The Last of the Mohicans: The Director's Definitive Cut, so I would expect some goodies in store! But no details on bonus features info has been released yet, but when we know so will you!

Halo:Reach Combat Trailer

Source: Kotaku

Just a few hours ago a new trailer for the final Bungie Studios created Halo game got a new single-player campaign trailer.

Here is that trailer:

I have to say, while it is short and sweet, it looks pretty damn awesome. I completely forgot that you were going to be able to have starfighter battles! There is just so much going on in that 1-Minute trailer that it will take me a while to process it.

And just because I am a swell guy here are some screens for Halo: Reach:

For all of you who have loyally remained Space Marines, get ready to get some Halo dust on your G.I. space combat boots September 14th!

Robin Hood (2010) in September

Source: HighDef Disc News

Ridley Scott's interpretation of the Robin Hood folklore hits DVD and Blu-ray shelves on September 21st. The film stars Russel Crowe as the titular archer from the hood, Cate Blanchet as Maid Marion and Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes) as the corrupt sheriff of Nottingham.

Robin Hood will be released as a "flipper-disc" Blu-ray, which means one side will be a DVD while the other a Blu-ray format, as well as a 2-Disc DVD release. Both the theatrical version of the movie as well as 15-Minute longer unrated director's cut will be included. There are a slew of bonus materials, some of which will be exclusive to the Blu-ray release.

Robin Hood Extras Include:

• Deleted Scenes with introductions and commentary by Director Ridley Scott and Editor Pietro Scalia
• Rise and Rise Again: The making of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood
• Ballad, Legend & Myth: An intimate look at the preparation of the filmmakers and actors tackled the challenge of breathing new life into the longest surviving character in the English language.
• The More The Merrier: The filming of Robin Hood.
• No Quarter Given: A post-production featurette showing how Ridley Scott and editor Pietro Scalia work with the post-production team.
• Digital Copy of Unrated Director's Cut

Blu-ray Exclusive Extras Include:

• Director's Notebook: A seamless multimedia experience focusing on the director’s vision gives viewers a peek inside Ridley Scott’s unique filmmaking process. Incorporating behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Scott and his trusted inner circle of collaborators, this feature launches at critical moments throughout the film to illuminate the task of mounting a vast production like Robin Hood.
• The Art of Nottingham: A special look at the portfolio of designs generated for the film. Including galleries of concept art, costume designs, storyboards and other imagery are featured.

Space:1999 S1 Blu in November

Source: Blu-ray.com

Oh the 1970's when the future looked so bright ...

Oh wait, in the first episode of Space:1999 a space garbage nuke goes off sending the Moon spiraling out of orbit along with the hundred of people stationed on Moonbase Alpha. And there only hope for survival is to find a new home while being trapped on a one way Moon ticket out Milky Wayville?

Crap dude ...

Well the almost 40 year old BBC SciFi series Space:1999 is getting all of the advantages of Blu-ray for its first season. On November 2nd you will have the opportunity to join Martin Landau and the "Alphans" on their cosmic journey, fully restored from the original 35mm film and remastered for the highest quality possible of course.

No details on extras are available yet, but stay tuned!

The Amityville Horror ('05) Blu in September

Source: HighDef Disc News

The Michael "Awesome!" Bay produced 2005 remake of The Amityville Horror is getting the combo Blu-ray/DVD treatment September 14th.

The horror ("Based on a true story") begins when a family moves into an old house that was the location of some heinous murders, and before long some evil force begins terrorizing them out of their wits. Classic.

The Amityville Horror has a pretty solid cast with the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Nichols (G.I. Joe) and Mellissa George (30 Days of Night) that are constantly scared beejeebusless by various ghosts, ghouls and poltergeists.

No word on special features as of yet but we won't let them sneak up on you! Stay tuned!

Family Guy: It's A Trap! in December

Source: HighDef Disc News

You can't repel comedy of this magnitude!

When Family Guy: Blue Harvest successfully parodied Star Wars: A New Hope back in 2007 we wanted more. Then the farce was with them yet again when Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side took on The Empire Strikes Back and we knew it was only a matter of time before the trilogy would be complete.

We now have that time: December 21st will see the DVD and Blu-ray release of Family Guy: It's A Trap!

It's A Trap will of course parody Return of the Jedi, and I am sure it will not disappoint. No special features have been announced as of yet. But to hold you over until December here is a table read from Family Guy: It's A Trap!

Apocalypse Now Blu in October

"My mission is to make it up into Cambodia. There's a Green Beret Colonel up there who's gone insane. I'm supposed to kill him."

Source: Blu-ray.com

That's right!

Francis Ford Coppola's '79 masterpiece Apocalypse Now is getting the Blu-ray treatment. This Blu-ray transfer was directly supervised by Coppola himself, meaning the video and audio quality should be amazing if he dedicated as much time as he did with the restoration of the first two Godfather films. Adapted from the Joseph Conrad's classic novella "Heart of Darkness" the film follows a disenfranchised Army Captain (Martin Sheen) sent on one last mission to find and assassinate a Green Beret Colonel (Marlon Brando) that has gone rogue. As if you didn't already know Apocalypse Now is a descent into madness with the tumultuous Vietnam War as a backdrop.

On October 19th you will have a choice between two Apocalypse Now releases. The first is a 2-Film set that features both the original theatrical cut of Apocalypse Now as well as the re-released deluxe edition Apocalypse Now Redux. Your second option is Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure Edition which along with both versions of the film will include the infamous making of documentary Hearts of Darkness. The documentary parallels the films descent into madness with the film crew, actors and even Coppola himself losing their grasp on reality showing how dangerously close Apocalypse Now came to not being completed.

Although details have not yet been released on additional special features the 2-Film Apocalypse Now set will feature over 9 hours of bonus materials along with both versions of the film. While Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure Edition will feature, along with everything from the 2-Film set, a third-disc with the documentary Hearts of Darkness as well as a 48-page booklet featuring storyboard art, photos, essays and more!

I will be sure to keep you updated on specs and official cover art as they become available!

Dead Space 2 in January

Source: Kotaku

Did you experience the first Dead Space game?

I did, and I can vividly recount my first experience with the SciFi horror/first person shooter. It was well past midnight, it was a Tuesday so the dorms were pretty dead but the Dead Space Dismemberment Demo had just finished d-loading to my PS3. What would follow was two hours of screaming like a little girl while repeatedly playing the 10 minute demo.

Well I may get to re-experience that magic when Dead Space 2 hits shelves January 25th next year.

The sequel, that is still in production, is looking pretty damn awesome. For fans of the first game these pictures will raise all sorts of questions, but we will have to wait a while before these queries will be answered.

Hurry up January! I got me some alien monsters to decapitate!

Monster House 3D Blu in September

Source: HighDef Disc News

2006's animated comedy/horror Monster House will be getting a re-release, this time as a 3D Blu-ray. This will be Sony's second 3D release (The first was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) in full 1080p resolution.

The plot of Monster House revolves around three kids who discover that an old neighborhood house is actually a living, breathing creature that sustains itself bey apparently devouring all who make the mistake of entering it. And with Halloween just a day away they take it upon themselves to stop this monster before it can get it's maw around clueless trick'r'treaters.

Monster House uses the voice talents including Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard and Maggie Gyllanhaal in the animated family flick. It will get a 3D Blu-ray release on September 14th, and it comes with a goodie bag of extras!

Extras for Monster House Include:

• Filmmakers’ Commentary
• 7 Featurettes: – Imaginary Heroes – Beginner’s Luck – The Best of Friends – Lots of Dots – Black Box Theater – Making it Real – Did You Hear That
• Evolution of a Scene: Eliza vs. Nebbercracker
• Photo Gallery

Go North Young Man!

As many of turn your heads South to the little shindig going on in San Diego known as Comic-Con I will be heading North for a long overdue vacation with some friends I haven't seen in a long time.

It will be Jake versus the Canadian Wilderness. Maple syrup, moose, Mounties and booze are sure to be aplenty.

I will be gone until Sunday, and if I get some free time and WiFi I will try to throw in a couple of posts ... but antlers are not a recommended substitute for Broadband, so no promises.

Later days!

Jake

Deal: Back to the Future Blu-ray Amazon Pre-Order

Source: Amazon.com

"Where we're going, we don't need roads ..." But a kickass deal might be nice!

The release date might not be until October 26th but if you are planning on getting the 25th Anniversary Back to the Future Trilogy Blu-rays now may be the time. Unless you have a DeLorean capable of time travel, then it doesn't really matter because you have all the time in the world.

But for those of us lacking Doc Brown's skills you can pre-order the BTTF Trilogy for $30 off of the retail price over at Amazon.com. So instead of dropping $80 in October you can invest in three classic films now for a mere $50.

The future is back, and it is Blu! Check out this heavy deal right here!

The League: The Complete First Season in September

Source: Blu-ray.com

I don't play fantasy football, but if it is anything like it is portrayed on the TV show The League I totally would.

The League is just a fun show, plain and simple. Starring a great comedic ensemble cast of guys that are total dicks to each other the way only best friends can be. The best way I can describe it is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia meets fantasy football, so awesome!

On September 14th (a few days after the NFL kicks off its season) you can get your hands on complete first season of The League on DVD and Blu-ray.

Extras Include:

• Extended Cuts of All the Episodes
• Over 45 Minutes of Unrated and Uncut Featurettes
• Deleted Scenes & Bloopers

JoBlogathon: Equilibrium

How can I attempt to describe the 2002 dystopian SciFi action/thriller film Equilibrium, one word: Gunkata!

Before I get into this review I had a one major initial beef with this film. For the first 10 minutes of the movie I couldn't see past the emotionless acting. It felt stale, deadpan and in general I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. But then it hit me that is EXACTLY what this film was going for.

Synopsis:

You see Equilibrium is a portrayal of a not to distant future where man, in an effort to be more humane to their fellow man, have forsaken all feeling. People walk around alive, but they don't truely live. With an emotion sedating substance known as Prozium fascist leaders, known as Tetragrammaton Council, control the populace. Where the drugs fail to control special soldiers known as Clerics completely destroy all resistance using superior fighting skills with extreme efficiency.

The Tetragrammaton Councils top Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) has always done his job unrepentingly until he accidentally misses one dose and begins to feel. These feelings will turn his world upside down, and in the process maybe humanity will be human again.

My Take:

I loved Equilbrium, and have now watched it twice. The action scenes are amazing well done, and have a very similar feel to watching The Matrix, but without CGI as a crutch. Everything is done practically; shootouts, swordplay and fisticuffs all happen in a rapid flurry of camera pans and hard cuts that allow you to experience them instead of just admiring them. And the aforementioned Gunkata wasn't a joke! The martial art of firearms has never looked so damn good, and is just exhilarating to watch!

The acting is a little trickier to rate, as the majority of the characters are meant to be emotionless, and in that respect they do an adequate job. But the ones that do feel such as Preston, Cleric Partridge (Sean Bean) and Emotional Content violators (Such as Emily Watson) are a sharp contrast to the sedated majority. It is in Christian Bale's performance that we see true acting chops as he slowly transforms from apathetic drone into a real person who feels, loves, hates and questions his own existence.

Equilibrium has something for everyone in it. Intense action (I feel is superior to The Matrix) that is just fun to watch. Social commentary on what it means to truely be human and the importance of emotions. Hell, there is even some heavy hitting drama, especially revolving around Preston's relationship with his young son. Oh, and there is a cute puppy ... you know, if you are into that thing.

Do yourself a favor, and check out Equilibrium today! And just in case you don't want to take my word on it here is the trailer:

You can check out all of the upcoming JoBlogathon Participants over at 24FPS. Or check out these blogs for the entries already completed:

• Sam Inglis of 24FPS reviews 11:14 (Spoiler, he didn't like it!)
• Marcy over at SuperMarcy.com attempts to review Dogtooth
• Aaron Elliot weighs in on Dahmer at his blog Islanded in a Stream of Stars
• I'll post more as they become available!

WTFriday?! - Lost Chaplin Film Found!

Source: THR

The thought to be long-lost short film A Thief Catcher has recently been found.

The 1914 silent film may be only 10 minutes long, but it includes an early cameo of now legendary actor Charlie Chaplin. Film historian; and proud owner of A Thief Catcher, Paul Gierucki after buying the reel at an auction thought it was just another old film reel of no real importance and set it on his shelf for 16 months. Imagine his amazement when upon finally watching it he recognized the iconic bumbling movements of Chaplin!

Now here is the coolest part for you Schmoes in the greater Washington D.C. area, if you want a chance to see the recently rediscovered Charlie Chaplin film A Thief Catcher it is re-premiering (probably the first time since 1914!) at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater just outside of D.C. during the annual Slapsticon Film Festival THIS Saturday, July 17th at 8pm!

What is your favorite Chaplin film? I know I may get some flack for this seeing as it is one of his later ones, and is a talkie, but I loved 1947's Monsieur Verdoux.

James Bond 007: Blood Stone in December

Source: Deadline Hollywood

While the next actual big screen 007 adventure is currently up in the air (Thanks MGM ...) but Bond isn't dead.

Not by a long shot.

Our favorite British super-spy is not only getting one video game re-release this year with the classic Goldeneye for the Wii but also a whole new original game entitled James Bond 007: Blood Stone.

Check out an early teaser trailer here:

While the trailer itself leaves a little to be desired (There is plenty of time, yo!) all of the flourishes of a good Bond movie are in there. And this game is going to have all of the trappings of an actual 007 film in spades.

They have Bruce Feirstein penning the screenplay, who has worked on four of the Bond films and including 007: Blood Stone four Bond games. It features a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, Joss Stone, both creating original music for the game and lending her voice talent as a Bond girl. And the icing on the awesome cake, both Daniel Craig and Judi Dench reprise their roles as Bond and M (respectively, of course)!

James Bond 007: Blood Stone promises to pack the cinematic punch of a real Bond movie with an all new, epic single player adventure as well as a variety of multiplayer opportunities. We can all hope that James Bond makes it back to the big screen, and he most definitely will at some point, but 007: Blood Stone may help hold you over in the meantime!

Look for it on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC this December!

A Little Box of Butters in September

Source: TV Shows On DVD

South Park has been on hiatus for a while when it appeared that they had finally crossed the line, but the show must go on!

So until new South Park episodes return on October 6th you will have a second option, besides watching re-runs, to get your fix. That option is a special DVD box set featuring everybody's favorite innocent: Butters Stotch.

The DVD collection endearingly entitled A Little Box of Butters hits stores September 28th. This boxed set will feature 13 widescreen Butteriffic episodes as well as an exclusive It's Butters! A Trivia Game.

Other Butterdacious Extras Include:

• A pimp chain from “Butters’ Bottom B*tch”
• Inspector Butters Badge from ”Butters Very Own Episode”
• All new manuscript of the lost chapter from The Poop That Took A Pee from “The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs”
• A cancelled check from Paris Hilton from “Stupid Spoiled Whore Video Playset”
• And more!

Frankly, I can't believe it took 14 seasons of South Park before somebody tried to blow them up!

Criterion Collection: 5 Films In October!

Source: Blu-ray.com

"God, I love the Criterion Collection."

I said it and now so will you when you see what they have in store for you come October! Criterion is releasing not one, not two but FIVE Blu-rays. Hold on to your butts, because this is going to get awesome!

First up on October 12th we will see the Blu-ray release of the 1958 Swedish classic, The Magician. Directed by the legendary auteur Ingmar Bergman The Magician pits a incredulous mid-19th century mesmerist and elixir salesman, Dr. Volger, against a traditional physician, Dr. Vergarus, in a entertaining battle of wits that will have you both laughing and cringing.

Extras for The Magician Include:

• New visual essay by Bergman scholar Peter Cowie
• Brief 1967 video interview with director Ingmar Bergman about the film
• Rare English-language audio interview with Bergman, conducted by filmmakers Olivier Assayas and Stig Björkman
• A booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoff Andrew, a reprinted essay by Assayas, and an excerpt from Bergman's autobiography
• Images: My Life in Film

October 12th will also see the release of director Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited. This film stars Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman as three estranged brothers who set off on a journey to rediscover themselves, and when they are left stranded in the desert with nothing but each other and a bunch of random junk the real journey begins.

No official cover art yet, stay posted!

Extras for The Darjeeling Limited Include:

• Anderson's short film Hotel Chevalier (Which ended up as part one of The Darjeeling Limited), starring Natalie Portman, with commentary by Anderson
• Audio commentary featuring Anderson and cowriters Jason Schwartzman and Roman Coppola
• Behind-the-scenes documentary by Barry Braverman
• Anderson and filmmaker James Ivory discussing the film's music
• Anderson's American Express commercial
• On-set footage shot by Coppola and actor Waris Ahluwalia
• Audition footage, deleted and alternate scenes, and stills galleries
• Original theatrical trailer
• A booklet featuring an essay by critic Richard Brody and original illustrations by Eric Anderson

A week later on October 19th some very awesome happens. My favorite film of all time finally gets the Blu-ray transfer it deserves! That's right Akira Kurosawa's 1954 essential classic Seven Samurai is coming to glorious Blu-ray. Retold, homaged and often copied Seven Samurai is easily one of the most influential films to ever come out of Japanese cinema, or just cinema in general!

The story of course revolves around a ragtag band of seven noble samurai who take it upon themselves to help poor farmers defend their lives and livelihoods from an army of marauding bandits.

Extras for Seven Samurai include:

• Two audio commentaries: 1) Film scholars David Desser, Joan Mellen, Stephen Prince, Tony Rayns, and Donald Richie 2) Japanese film expert Michael Jeck
• A 50-minute documentary on the making of Seven Samurai
• Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create
• My Life in Cinema, a two-hour video conversation between Akira Kurosawa and Nagisa Oshima produced by the Directors Guild of Japan
• Seven Samurai: Origins and Influences, a new documentary looking at the samurai traditions and films that impacted Kurosawa's masterpiece
• Theatrical trailers and teaser
• Gallery of rare posters and behind-the scenes and production stills
• A booklet featuring essays by Peter Cowie, Philip Kemp, Peggy Chiao, Alain Silver, Kenneth Turan, Stuart Galbraith, Arthur Penn, and Sidney Lumet and an interview with Toshiro Mifune

As if that were not enough October 26th will see the release of another, albeit very different, Japanase film. This time it is the 1977 comedy horror House, directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi this movie has everything we know and love about Japan: A bevy of schoolgirls, check. Possessed house, check. Gratuitous death scenes, check. Nudity, you bet your ass!

Extras for House include:

• Constructing a House: a new video piece featuring interviews with director Nobuhiko Obayashi, story scenarist and daughter of the director Chigumi Obayashi, and screenwriter
• Chiho Katsura Emotion, a 1966 experimental film by Obayashi
• New video appreciation by director Ti West (House of the Devil)
• Theatrical trailer
• An essay by Chuck Stephens

How about some Kubrick for the fifth and final October Criterion Blu-ray release? You got it as also on October 26th the 1957 Stanley Kubrick war/crime/drama Paths of Glory gets a Blu-ray. Starring Kirk "Spartacus" Douglas one of three men selected by incompetent generals as scapegoats for a failed WWI suicide mission. If they are proven guilty the firing squad awaits them, but to defend them against the generals will take nothing short of divine intervention.

Also no official cover art yet, but we'll keep you posted!

Extras for Paths of Glory Include:

• New audio commentary by critic Gary Giddins
• Television interview from 1979 with star Kirk Douglas
• New video interviews with Kubrick's longtime executive producer Jan Harlan,Paths of Glory producer James B. Harris, and actress Christiane Kubrick
• Excerpt from a French television program about real-life World War I executions similar to the events dramatized in Paths of Glory
• Theatrical trailer
• An essay by Kubrick scholar James Naremore

The Good, The Bad, The Weird in August

Source: DVD Active

The Good, The Bad, The Weird is a Western in the true spirit of Sergio Leone, but instead of being filmed in Italy they went with South Korea. The film, directed by Ji-woon Kim, made the festival rounds last year including both at Cannes and Toronto with an overall positive reception.

The plot revolves around three men, one treasure map and no limits! But no words of mine can do this film justice, so just sit back and enjoy the trailer:

Pick up The Good, The Bad, The Weird August 17th on DVD and Blu-ray!

Extras Include:

• Cannes Highlights
• The making of Good/Bad/Weird
• International trailers

Robot Border Patrol

Source: Popular Science

No it isn't US/Mexico, hell it isn't even the US/Canada border we are talking about here! It is in a little place between South Korea and its neighbor to the North (North Korea, FYI) known as the DMZ.

South Korea has recently unleashed not one, but two killer sentry robots to patrol the area between the two countries Korea. Each robot cost $334,000 but they have some serious hardware, just looking for an excuse to decimate some commies, such as fully automatic weapons and 40-millimeter grenade launchers.

Before you run to the hills and barricade yourself in for the Robocalypse these robots are not fully autonomous, and when a potential threat is encountered a real live operator makes the final kill/let live call.

I would try to do the humane thing and warn the North Koreans about the robo-twins of death, but they are a simple people who don't have fancy things like the internet ... or electricity.

ESPN 3D

Source: Wired

The 3D World Cup broadcasts spread out the over past couple of weeks were only the beggining of a much larger 3D push into the wide world of sports.

And now the biggest name in sports, ESPN, has made a year long commitment to this booming technology by starting its very own 3D production unit. Expect to see various 3D sports events over the coming months.

Initially the events featured will be ones that will be easier to shoot in 3D, such as golf and baseball (The Home Run Derby was already shot using 3D cameras) but if these are successful expect more variety soon.

If you are wondering how serious ESPN is about its new 3D mission just look at the camera setup for just the initial 3D Home Run Derby broadcast:

• One 3D camera suspended behind the pitchers mound 15 feet in the air.
• Dual 3D rigs, set up 5 feet away on both sides of of the batters box.

That is a lot of new hardware, and it should make for a very unique viewing experience. I feel if 3D can be at home anywhere, it would be in sports. I would love the rush of sitting on my couch staring down a pitcher who is about to throw a 102 mph pitch right into my living room, I would probably flinch like a little girl and that would be awesome.

There are some obvious limitations to ESPNs ambitions 3D programming as most viewers do not yet have the new 3D TVs, but ESPN VP Anthony Baily has a simple game plan to combat that initial problem, "The more 3-D content we give the viewers, the more people will want to watch it."

I am inclined to agree with that logic.

Deal: WB Blu-ray Sale

Source: Warner Bros

Warner Bros wants you to have a decent Blu-ray library, so yet again they are having an excellent sale over at WBShop.com.

For the remainder of this week (ending Monday, July 19th) you have the opportunity to get 5 Blu-ray discs for $45. Some of the titles do cost a little bit more, so it may take some shuffling and mathmagic to get yourself the optimum deal for the movies you want.

There are over 50 Blu-rays to choose from included in this deal, so I figure you need all the time you can get to make an educated decision by Monday.

The Usually $9.95 Blus Include:

• Every Which Way But Loose
• A History of Violence
• Letters From Iwo Jima
• Natural Born Killers: Director’s Cut
• Observe and Report
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Extended Cut
• Bullitt: Special Edition
• Blazing Saddles
• Speed Racer
• Grumpy Old Men

The Usually $14.95 Blus Include:

• The Hangover
• All 6 of the Harry Potter films
• The Invention of Lying
• Terminator Salvation
• Watchmen