Flash Gordon

Source: Blu-ray.com

On June 15th see the Savior of the Universe battle tyrant Ming the Merciless of the planet Mongo on glorious Blu-ray.

Director Mike Hodges' 1980 take on the Flash Gordon 1930's sci-fi comic and film serials had it all; cheesy special effects, campy acting and costumes that suit Lady Gaga more than an interstellar hero. It is a movie that does not take itself seriously, full of tongue-in-cheek humor and general ridiculousness, and is just plain fun.

But if there is a single thing that makes this film awesome it is the Queen score which could possibly be the greatest soundtrack of all time. I am not ashamed to say that I have rocked out to their Flash Gordon theme on more than one occasion, at least not totally ashamed.

30 years later and this is a movie continues to entertain and with the Blu-ray release you will of course get some extras.

Extras Include:

• Alex Ross, comic artist who did the cover artwork for the Blu-ray, talks about Flash Gordon
• Writing a Classic: Screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr.
• Original episode of the Flash Gordon 1936 serial
• BD Live and more

For your viewing pleasure and to get your Memorial Weekend off to a rocking start here is the original trailer for Flash Gordon:

Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions

Source: Blu-ray.com

Afro? Check.

Badass samurai anime? Check.

Samuel L. Jackson's voice? Hell yeah!

June 22nd will see the release of Afro Samurai on Blu-ray for the first time in a two disc complete collection. This new collection will feature all five episodes of the first season along with a director's cut of the film Afro Samurai: Resurrection that features stuff that you didn't see on Spike TV version.

In a classic tale of justice, revenge and honor Afro Samurai is anything but cliche. A blend of traditional samurai lore, fresh beats and more than it's fair share cool. Uniquely animated and with superb voice acting with the likes or the aforementioned Jackson along with Mark Hamill and Lucy Liu it is going to be hard to find something negative to say about the most badass film samurai this side of Toshiro Mifune.

Sharpen up your funkatana with a slew of extras that were included in the individual initial releases:

• In the Booth, behind the scenes with the voice talent
• RZA Music Production Tour, the music of Afro Samurai
• Afro In-Depth, interview with creator Takeshi Okazaki
• Afro Samurai: East Meets West, a two part look into all of those involved in the creation of the series
• The Comic-Con Panel Discussion, and much more!

Roger Corman Cult Classics

Source: Blu-ray.com

You interested in such fare as Piranha and Humanoids from the Deep on Blu-ray? Well then Shout! Factory has a double serving for you come August 3rd!

Piranha was released in 1978 and has all of the camp that goes along with that glorious decade of horror cinema. This is the film that inspired the infamous James Cameron sequel and the much anticipated Piranha 3D coming out later this summer.

Extras include:

• Commentary with Director Joe Dante and Producer Jon Davison
• Behind the Scenes Footage
• Making of Piranha Featurette
• Additional Scenes from the Network Television Version
• Original Theatrical Trailer, with Commentary

Humanoids from the Deep was the New World World Pictures follow up two years after the success of Piranha. The gore fest flirted with an "X" rating at the time and controversy surrounded the release which had to be heavily edited, but now with this Blu-ray release you can finally see the film as it was made to be seen.

Extras include:

• Never Before Seen Deleted Scenes
• Leonard Maltin interview with Roger Corman on the making of Humanoids
• The Making of Humanoids of the Deep Featurette

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Source: HighDef Disc News

August 3rd has yet another Blu-ray on its slate with the release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

The film, based on Jeff Kinney's anthology of popular children's books, follows the trials and tribulations and misadventures of a kid named Greg. It is a look into the crazy, and more often than not hilarious, time trying to survive the first year of middle school.

I remember some awkward times about middle school, but I was fortunate enough to never have been singled out as having the "Cheese Touch", cooties were bad enough ...

No special features have been announced yet but this release will definitely be a 3-Disc combo; Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Copy and yet to be determined extras.

3D Gaming

Source: Playstation.com

We have 3D movies, now we have 3D porn what did you really think was the next logical step?

In truth 3D gaming has been floating around the past several years but never has really caught on or had the technology really in place to make it affordable, but with the massive 3D typhoon that has hit theaters there has been a significant push into the home market, and Sony wants to lead that charge.

With the release of new 3D Sony Bravia this summer the hardware will be available to make 3D home viewing a reality. Andrew House, president of Sony Entertainment Europe, summed up their hopes best:

"3D is a very exciting technology that has the potential to redefine how people consume their entertainment. More specifically, games are a perfect fit with 3D and I truly believe that it will be games that will lead the way in consumer understanding of how 3D enhances the entertainment experience. Games can be adapted into 3D relatively easily and with this technology we can add depth and make games more immersive than ever."

There are a few games already slated for a 3D upgrade for the PS3 in June including WipEout HD, Super Stardust HD, Pain and a demo of MotorStorm Pacific Rift. I feel it is important to point out that these games are 2D being converted to 3D, which we all know does not make for a good movie experience so I have my reservations.

I will reserve my final judgment until I get to play and actual 3D game made in 3D for a 3D TV set ... man, that is a whole lot of 3D and for that I apologize.

Eye Tracking

Source: Popular Science

All of that head gear to the right is little bit of tech-wizardry import called a HeadCam. Developed in Germany the HeadCam has many possible applications, but how does it work?

There are four cameras built into the HeadCam, two of which are responsible for tracking your eye movements in 3D by following your retinas. Another camera uses that information to provide a zoomed in view of whatever your eyes are currently looking at and the final camera moves in whichever way your eyes move.

Utilizing this technology has practical benefits, such as studying the eyes in general. More advanced possible uses could be for surgeons, or other similar fields, to use the HeadCam as a teaching tool.

What does this technology mean for film?

You may recall the Robert Zemeckis movies such as The Polar Express, Beowulf and most recently A Christmas Carol. All of these films have used a version of the HeadCam to make the eye movements of the animated characters in an attempt to render them as realistic as possible.

While it is not perfect it is technology that has some serious potential both in movies and practically.