Blu-Ray Best Of The Best - for discussing releases only

[Salsa Party Animal]

either Amazon.com/movietyme

[Lyris]

DVD Pacific.com

[JP]

I use a few now and it's worth comparing prices between shops before buying.

USA
MovieTyme DVDs
HD Movie Source
DVDWorld
DVD Pacific
Amazon.com

UK
DVD.co.uk
Benson's World

Australia
EzyDVD

Germany
Amazon.de

[Number45]

I got around to watching Curse of the Golden Flower at the weekend, and I have to say I thought it was awesome. It wasn't what I was expecting and it was all the better for it.

As much as I enjoyed the action at the end, the relationships between the main characters were the star of the show for me.

I also thought it looked and sounded absolutely stunning, particularly the surround effects for the scenes where there were lots of people preparing things.

[JP]

It's a biggie but here's the press release from paramount...

"FROM DIRECTOR MICHAEL BAY AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STEVEN SPIELBERG COMES THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED BLU-RAY RELEASE OF THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT

TRANSFORMERS

Arriving September 2, DreamWorks Pictures and Paramounts #1 DVD Release of 2007 With Immersive Experiences for Fans of All Ages

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. � TRANSFORMERS, the $700+ million smash hit from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, rolls out in a fully-loaded, two-disc Blu-ray presentation on September 2, giving fans the chance to discover that there�s definitely �More Than Meets The Eye� to the legendary AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS. The highly-anticipated release is Paramount Home Entertainment�s first to incorporate BD Live capabilities.

The massive production exploded onto screens last year from the creative minds of director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, taking audiences by storm and becoming the top-selling DVD of 2007. The first live-action film based on the enduringly popular �robots in disguise�, TRANSFORMERS features the ultimate battle between good and evil, as the peace-loving AUTOBOTS seek to protect humanity from the evil forces of the DECEPTICONS. The action-packed film stars Shia LaBeouf (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Josh Duhamel (�Las Vegas�), Tyrese Gibson (Four Brothers) and Megan Fox (�Hope & Faith�, as well as seasoned performers such as Jon Voight (National Treasure) and John Turturro (The Good Shepherd). Still, the biggest stars are the TRANSFORMERS robots themselves � including fan favorites OPTIMUS PRIME, MEGATRON, BUMBLEBEE, RATCHET, JAZZ and more � brought to life by revolutionary VFX techniques developed by the innovative digital wizards at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

The TRANSFORMERS Blu-ray presentation offers consumers an incredible movie experience, packed full of bonus material that delivers excitement and fun for long-time fans, as well as for viewers who are new to the TRANSFORMERS universe. Among the extensive special features, viewers can access commentary from director Michael Bay along with two documentaries that provide an in-depth look at the human elements of the film as well as the phenomenal robot stars. Presented in multiple parts, �Our World� and �Their War� include segments with Steven Spielberg discussing his love for the franchise and the early concept for the movie. The segments also cover the extensive casting process, the training, consultants and real-world weapons provided by the military to lend authenticity to the film, the evolution of the robots from Hasbro�s iconic toy line to big-screen stars, the unique vehicles created for the movie, a discussion with ILM�s legendary digital artists and much more.

The discs go even further behind-the-scenes with early sketch concepts of the robots and an in-depth look at the making of the SKORPONOK attack from writing and conceptualization through the creation of the stunning visual effects.

Out-Of-This World High-Def Content:

In addition to superior picture, sound and bonus material presented in high definition, the Blu-ray presentation provides consumers with sensational BD-Live features, allowing for compelling experiences around the film and the opportunity to maintain engagement with fans. Features include a TRANSFORMERS Intelligence Mode in which an on-screen dashboard over the film provides information about the robots and weapons, their strength levels, character updates, a GPS Locator and more. The TRANSFORMERS Profiler can be activated at any time during the film and allows viewers to access detailed information about the cast, voice talent and filmmakers including biographies and filmographies, as well as extensive production notes on the movie itself. The Menubots can be downloaded through BD-Live and give fans the option to customize their in-movie menus with Optimus Prime, Megatron or Bumblebee themes.

Additional on-disc features include the TRANSFORMERS H.U.D. (Heads Up Display), which lets viewers access running text commentary while watching the film and even view relevant behind-the-scenes footage in a picture-in-picture window; and the Tech Inspector, which delivers 360 detailed, high definition views of the heads, torsos and bases of six of the TRANSFORMERS with rotational capabilities.

TRANSFORMERS BLU-RAY

The Blu-ray disc is presented in 1080p High Definition with English in Dolby True HD, and French and Spanish versions in 5.1 Dolby Digital. The TRANSFORMERS Blu-ray includes the following special features:

Disc 1:

- Feature film

- Commentary by Director Michael Bay

- TRANSFORMERS H.U.D. (Heads Up Display)�In this mode, viewers can access running text-based behind-the-scenes background information on the production during the feature. Users can also watch relevant picture-in-picture b-roll and video with Bay, Spielberg and other filmmakers during select sequences.

- BD-Live Features: TRANSFORMERS Intelligence Mode, Menubots, TRANSFORMERS Profiler

Disc 2:

OUR WORLD

- The Story Sparks - Steven Spielberg discusses his love for the franchise and early concept art for the film. Explores how the writers adapted the cartoon into a live-action movie and why Michael Bay is the perfect director for the film.

- Human Allies - A look at how the actors were selected and their experiences on the set.

-I Fight Giant Robots - An exploration of the military training that Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson underwent for their roles and the various stunts that the actors were asked to perform.

-Battleground - A piece on the senior officials from the Department of Defense and Air Force who consulted on the film to give it authenticity and the key locations that the U.S. government provided access to.

THEIR WAR

- Rise of the Robots - Explores the interaction between Hasbro designers and Michael Bay to bring the toy line roaring to life.

- AUTOBOTS Roll Out - Michael Bay discusses working with Chevy and its designers and the modifications that were made to the cars seen in the film.

- DECEPTICONS Strike - The film�s military advisors discuss the �toys� they allowed the production to borrow: F-22 Raptors, Ospreys and A-10 Warthogs.

- Inside the AllSpark - ILM�s digital artists discuss the challenges of bringing the TRANSFORMERS to life.

- TRANSFORMERS Tech Inspector - Gives viewers an unprecedented look at the TRANSFORMERS robots through the exquisitely detailed models created by ILM artists. Users can zoom in on each detail for a closer examination and pause and change the rotation of the models.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

- From Script to Sand: The SKORPONOK Desert Attack - An in-depth look at the making of this particularly epic and challenging scene from initial storyboarding through production and visual effects.

- Concepts - Early sketch concepts of the robots.

- Theatrical Trailers

Synopsis:

From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg comes a thrilling battle between the AUTOBOTS and the DECEPTICONS. When their epic struggle comes to Earth, all that stands between the evil DECEPTICONS and ultimate power is a clue held by Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Join the fight for mankind in the extraordinary adventure that features some of the most spectacular action and effects sequences of any movie of its kind and will appeal to the kid in all of us (Claudia Puig, USA Today)."

[Number45]

Shortens to: HD Megan Fox = WIN!

[JP]

Universal Plotting 'Back to the Future' Blu-ray Release

'Back to the Future' fans got a sneak peek this past weekend at an apparently in-the-works Blu-ray release of the '80s favorite.

As first reported by the fansite BTTF.com, 'Future' producer Bob Gale surprised fans at a special screening near Orlando with a new digital remaster of the flick, which he said had been produced for an eventual release on Blu-ray.

"What you're going to be seeing today is the digital master for the upcoming high-definition Blu-ray version of 'Back to the Future,'" Gale told the crowd. "I don't know when it's coming out yet, but I was involved in the mastering of this tape, so I can tell you that it looks absolutely beautiful!"

Gale also spoke to potential supplemental features on a Blu-ray version of the trilogy, saying only that never-before-seen bonus materials may appear, though he stopped short of offering any specifics.

[dvdmike]

Commentaries this time on BTTF please

Happy with the PCM on Transformers

[Salsa Party Animal]

So by christmas I aim to buy whole film trilogy boxset to go with my Spiderman boxset

Terminator, Die Hard 1-4, BTTF, Dirty Harry, POTC, Indiana Jones 1-4

That would be fine for me

Now I hope there will be a 25 (if that is correct) film boxset for James Bond on Blu Ray this time next year.

[SuperBeatBoy]

Anyone picked up Appleseed: Ex Machina yet. Saw it in HMV this week, didn't mind the original film. If anyone has, whats the disc like?

[dvdmike]

Great image and nice sound

[SuperBeatBoy]

Awesome, thats on my to buy list this week then.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Amazon say they can't get me cloverfield until next month so I cancel it and order it at Movietyme.com and shipped in 90 minutes. I might even get it tomorrow with 2 games and a book and possibly other blu rays.

I don't even know what kind of film is Cloverfield or know who is in it. But who care as it is from the guy who made alias.

[Lyris]

Just watched The Orphanage tonight (New Line, Region A), what a fantastic film.

Looks very nice too, there's an odd sort of horizontal blockiness, perhaps this came from a 1440x1080 source, but it's very subtle and the film looks great regardless.

[Strider]

Just watched The Orphanage tonight (New Line, Region A), what a fantastic film.

Looks very nice too, there's an odd sort of horizontal blockiness, perhaps this came from a 1440x1080 source, but it's very subtle and the film looks great regardless.

Good isn't it

Love the detail in the orphanage itself. It almost feels like it's alive.