THX 1138: The George Lucas Director's Cut

Source: Blu-ray.com

George Lucas is at it again, and now that he has run out of Star Wars movies to re-edit he has moved onto another one of his sci-fi properties THX 1138. At least this time it is on Blu-ray.

THX 1138's Blu-ray release slated a while off for a September 7th along with several other Warner Bros sci-fi movies such as Forbidden Planet, Lost in Space (1998) and Tim Burtons tribute to classic sci-fi Mars Attacks! as a planned sci-fi Blu-ray wave. While the street date is still a few months away THX 1138 already has a slew of special features announced.

Announced Extras Include:

• Commentary with Writer/Director George Lucas and Writer Walter Murch
• Theater of Noise (Sound Effects Only Audio Track)
• Master Sessions with Walter Murch
• A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of the American Zoetrope
• Artifact from the Future: The Making of THX 1138
• Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB
• BALD (?!?)
• Theatrical and Re-release Trailers

Warner Bros: DVD2BLU

Source: WBShop.com

Warner Brothers seems to have a kind heart, and want everyone to get the best viewing experience out of their films. They have just started an exchange your DVD for a shiny new Blu-ray program dubbed "DVD2BLU".

They have 91 Blu-rays, spanning decades of the Warner Brother's library, in the catalog and you can choose up to 25 of them to upgrade from your DVD collection. The cost of the upgrade is minimal, to say the least, starting at just $4.95 per title. And to top off this deal if your total is over $35 shipping is free!

To participate simply go here and start selecting the Warner Brother titles that you wish to exchange for a Blu-ray and follow the instructions. You will need to send in the DVD copy of the movie, but you will receive the Blu-ray in the mail in response. Don't let this opportunity to beef up or jump start your Blu-ray collection pass you by!

I am pretty stoked about this deal personally. I have been meaning to upgrade my DVDs of KISS KISS, BANG BANG and THE WEDDING SINGER for awhile and now I have the means to make that happen!

Time Bandits on Blu-ray

Source: Hi-Def Digest

Image Entertainment has just announced that it is releasing Terry Gilliam's 1981 fantastical adventure TIME BANDITS on Blu-ray. Slated for a summer release, August 24th, you will be able to experience the time-hopping adventure right alongside Kevin and his vertically challenged cohorts.

Spawned from the minds of Monty Python alumni Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam and starring the likes of John Cleese as a blissfully oblivious Robin Hood and Sir Sean Connery as a Minotaur slayer it is a classic. It is hard to not be entertained by this masterfully woven story.

This Blu-ray release includes:

• Interview with director Terry Gilliam
• Original theatrical trailer

Criterion Collection: 25 Films by Akira Kurosawa

Source: The Criterion Collection

The Criterion Collection has payed tribute to one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema with its new collection AK 100: 25 Films by Akira Kurosawa. This new DVD collection, released on April 29th boasts the most complete collection of Kurosawa works ever to hit the U.S. and it spans over 50 years of of Japanese cinema.

25 films are included in this collection, starting with Kurosawa's early career with 1943's, Sanshiro Sugata, up to his final film released in 1993,Madadayo. Between these two pillars lies a rich assortment of influential masterpieces such as; Rashomon, Seven Samurai, The Hidden Fortress,Yojimbo and many, many more.

The linen bound collector's set will also include an illustrated book that has introductions and notes on each work by film historian Stephen Prince and a remembrance by author Donald Richie.

If you love the works Kurosawa (who doesn't?!) and have a little over $300 to drop, this collection should not disappoint.

The Magnificent Seven Collection

Source: Amazon.com

The Magnificent Seven is the quintessential Western and since its release in 1960 it has not lost any of its potency.

The film was based of the Kurosawa film Seven Samurai but transplanted into the Wild West. It featured a ridiculous cast of screen legends such as Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and Eli Wallach among others. Following the success of The Magnificent Seven three sequels were created and all of these are included in the collection, while these films might lack the magnificence of the original they are still quality Westerns in their own right.

On May 11th you can get your hands on the complete collection of four magnificent films. The collection includes:

• The Magnificent Seven
• Return of the Magnificent Seven
• Guns of the the Magnificent Seven
• The Magnificent Seven Ride!

Nota Bene: Just like all of the great Westerns The Magnificent Seven had an amazing score. If you haven't heard this song I would question your decision to live under that rock!

The Rental is Dead ...

Source: Home Media Magazine

Long live the rental!

Movie Gallery and all of the companies that they control, such as Hollywood Video, will be shutting down over the course of the next couple of weeks followed by an indefinite liquidation sale. Across the nation the rental giant and over 2,600 stores employing over 19,000 people will be no more.

The company, after filing for bankruptcy for the second time, was still in the red at $540 million. There are several possible reasons why Movie Gallery was not a successful as other rental companies such as Blockbuster, Netflix or Redbox the most significant being that they liked to play it old school in a digital age. They offered no download, mobile, mail or kiosk systems that have allowed it's competitors to stay afloat.

It was a case of adapt or die, and Movie Gallery will sadly be listed among the latter.