Blu-ray announcements, specs

Disc Announcements, News, Rumors

Warner Bros. has announced plans to bring the Austin Powers trilogy to Blu-ray this December. Set to hit store shelves on Dec. 2, the collection will include all the extras that were found on the DVD releases. At this time, we are unclear if any Blu-ray exclusive features will be included. The studio has also announced plans to double-dip on the original Polar Express release. However, in what is a first for Warners, the release will include a 3D version as well as a 2D version, plus all the extras from the previous Blu-ray release. The title will street on October 28.

Firefly, the cult TV series that spawned a theatrical sequel, has been announced by Fox today. In an official press release, the company said the series will hit Blu-ray on November 11 as a three-disc set containing the short-lived series’ complete fifteen-episode arc. Tech specs see three BD-50 dual-layer discs, presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround. Audio options include French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround dubs, an additional German DTS 5.1 Surround track, and English, Spanish and Dutch subtitles.

Extras include audio commentaries with cast & crew on eight episodes, four featurettes (Here’s How It Was: The Making of Firefly, Serenity: The 10th Character, Joss Sings the “Firefly” Theme, Joss Tours the Set), deleted scenes, a gag reel and audition tapes.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray is an additional audio commentary by executive producer Joss Whedon and actors Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk and Ron Glass (on “Our Mrs. Reynolds”), and the featurette Firefly Reunion: Lunch with Joss, Nathan, Alan and Ron.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $88.98.

Universal has announced the Oscar-nominated crime saga American Gangster for October. Looking to make up for its bumbled HD DVD release last year (only including the theatrical cut and few extras), the studio will include both the extended unrated and theatrical versions on a single BD-50 dual-layer disc, and hours of bonus and exclusive material.

Tech specs feature 1080p video (codec TBA) and an English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track (48kHz/24-bit).

Extras shared with the previous two-disc DVD edition include audio commentary with director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Steven Zaillian (theatrical cut), three featurettes (Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster, Case Files, Hip-Hop Infusion Featuring Common and T.I.), a pair or TV special excerpts (The BET Special: The Making of American Gangster, Dateline NBC: American Gangster First Look), deleted scenes, two music videos, and the original theatrical trailer.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a picture-in-picture (Bonus View) commentary on the unrated cut featuring additional cast & crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.95.

This next bit a news is purely speculative at this point, but a new trade advertisement shows that Disney is planning to release Wall-E on DVD and Blu-ray on November 18. No other details are known. Once we get a formal announcement we’ll post the details.

Travis Leamons is one of the Inside Pulse Originals and currently holds the position of Managing Editor at Inside Pulse Movies. He's told that the position is his until he's dead or if "The Boss" can find somebody better. I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!