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November 8, 2009

CSI Season 9 - New Downloadable Content



There are a lot of things I love about Blu-ray, the great sound, the incredible picture, but I think possibly my favorite thing about it is it's ability to connect to the internet, thus enabling the studios, creators, etc to give us more and more features.  While this feature has been used in the past to some extent, it seems that studios are putting more and more thought into the content released online.  And I really feel that we've just seen the tip of the iceberg as far as what can be done with this.

One new release that's really using this feature to the fullest is the new CSI: Season 9 set.  By connecting to BD-Live via your Blu-ray player you can now access some really amazing sounding content.  Currently using the BD disc you can gain access to exclusive footage from two recent forensic conferences, a chance to see CSI through the lens of real professionals. The footage includes crime scene re-enactments, CSI gear demonstrations, and investigator interviews.  Personally I think it's great that we can dive deeper into what real CSI's are doing in their day to day careers, and learn what really goes on during a crime scene investigation.

I haven't had a chance to explore these features, but I'm hoping to have that chance soon, and if I do get to check them out, I will be sure to let you know what I think about it.  For now you can check out the full press release below:

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - Season 9

Now Available on Blu-ray

Gives Fans Exclusive Forensic Conference Coverage Via BD-Live

 

Fans taken to CSI conferences for exclusive insights from forensic pros

 

Owners of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Season 9 on Blu-ray are now able to access exclusive video coverage from two forensic conferences directly from the disc's BD-Live portal. 

 

Following its well received BD-Live coverage of Comic-Con and Star Trek conventions in Germany and Las Vegas for the recently released Star Trek: The Original Series Blu-ray sets, CBS Home Entertainment had teams onsite at the CSI: Regis University Conference in Denver, Colorado and the annual conference of the American College of Forensic Examiners in Las Vegas, Nevada, filming crime

scene re-enactments, CSI gear demonstrations, investigator interviews and more which is now available for direct download for CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Season 9 Blu-ray owners.

 

These forensic conventions, featuring appearances by noted criminologists, are attended by hundreds of professionals and students of criminology eager to learn the latest developments in criminal forensics.  CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Season 9 Blu-ray owners are taken there in the comfort of their living rooms exclusively via BD-Live.

 

The pivotal ninth season of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION on Blu-ray, released on September 1st from CBS Home Entertainment, features a dynamic 16:9 widescreen transfer and DTS-HD Master

Audio 7.1 surround sound.

 

Note: M80 contacted me on behalf of Paramount Home Video in order to let you know about these great features.

 

 

 

 

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November 8, 2009

JENNIFER'S BODY - On Blu-ray Disc and DVD December 29

This past August there was one movie I was really excited to see, but that I just didn't have a chance to see before it left theaters.  That movie, you might be able to guess from the title of this blog post, was Jennifer's Body.  I had actually been anticipating this movie for over a year having gotten my hands on a copy of the script, besides it was written by Diablo Cody.  Cody, you may remember, was the mind behind Juno, and the thought of her writing a horror-comedy mad me giddy with anticipation.  And I'd be lying if I wasn't a fan of the cast, yes Megan Fox is in it, and yes she's beautiful, but I was really excited about Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, and Adam Brody.

I've been a fan of Seyfried since her days on Veronica Mars and Mean Girls, and I think she's proven over the last few years that she's an amazing actress.  Add in Johnny Simmons, who is the cousin of a good friend of mine, and one of the nicest guys you'll meet,  and Adam Brody, the guy who made geeks cool on The O.C, and you've got one killer cast.  And the story, about a girl whose possessed by a demon and start hunting the boys in her high school, sounds like it turns the conventional horror story on it's head a bit.  Plus I've been a fan of horror comedies since the days of Scream.

But, as I said, I never got the chance to see the film, mainly because I just haven't had the time or money to do so.  But luckily the DVD is coming out relatively quickly hitting shelves just 4ish months after premiering in theaters.  The Blu-Ray looks like it will be packed full of some great special features as well as two versions of the film, with the extended version being "too sexy and gruesome for theaters!"  Even though the movie didn't get the best reviews or have a huge box office presence, I still think it looks like one that will be fun to sit and watch in the comfort and safety of your own home, just make sure there's no cheerleaders around! 

You can see the full press release below:


SHE’S EVIL… AND NOT JUST HIGH SCHOOL EVIL…
MEGAN FOX STARS AS A KILLER CHEERLEADER IN

JENNIFER’S BODY

Written By Academy Award® Winner* Diablo Cody, The Wickedly Sexy Horror Arrives On Blu-ray Disc And DVD December 29

Featuring An All-New Unrated Extended Cut Too Sexy and Gruesome For Theaters

LOS ANGELES, CA – (November 6, 2009) In every school there’s one girl, every girl wants to be friends with…and every guy would die for. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents a “student body” with a ferocious bite when Jennifer’s Body arrives on unrated Blu-ray Disc (BD) and DVD December 29. Sexy temptress Megan Fox (Transformers) is hotter than hell as Jennifer, a gorgeous, seductive cheerleader who takes evil to a whole new level after she’s possessed by a sinister demon. Steamy action and gore galore ensue as the male student body succumbs to Jennifer’s insatiable appetite for human flesh. Now it’s up to her best friend (Amanda Seyfried; Mamma Mia!) to stop the demonic diva’s reign of terror before it’s too late!

Fueled by the satiric wit of Oscar®-winning writer Diablo Cody (Juno), the sexy horror directed by Karyn Kusama (Aeon Flux) features a strong supporting cast of young Hollywood stars including Adam Brody (“The O.C.”), Johnny Simmons (Hotel For Dogs) and Chris Pratt (Bride Wars) as well as J.K. Simmons (Juno) and Amy Sedaris (“Strangers With Candy”). Killer bonus features include an unrated extended cut packed with more sex and terror in addition to writer and director commentary, deleted scenes, gag reel, video diaries, a Megan Fox PSA and much more. Jennifer’s Body will be available on Blu-ray (BD) as a two-disc release featuring a Digital Copy version of the extended cut for the suggested retail price of $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada and available on standard DVD for $29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada. Prebook is December 2.

Blu-ray (BD) Features: (Catalog # 2263164)
Disc One
 ● Theatrical Widescreen Feature Film
   ○ Audio Commentary with Director Karyn Kusama and Writer Diablo Cody
 ● Extended Widescreen Version
   ○ Audio Commentary with Director Karyn Kusama
 ● Deleted Scenes
   ○ Dead Boys
   ○ Jennifer Check Is Gross
   ○ Needy Confronts Jennifer
    ○ Who’s Cindy Crawford?
   ○ Needy Faces The Band
   ○ Ass, Gas or Grass…
 ● Gag Reel
 ● Jennifer’s Body: The Dead Pool
 ● Video Diaries
   ○ Megan Fox and Johnny Simmons
   ○ Amanda Seyfried
    ○ Diablo Cody
   ○ Dan Dubiecki
 ● Megan Fox Is HOT
 ● Megan Fox “Peer Pressure” PSA
 ● Fox Movie Channel Presents ‘Life After Film School’ With Writer Diablo Cody
Disc Two
 ● Digital Copy of Jennifer’s Body (Extended Version)

Standard DVD Features: (Catalog #2263151)
 ● Theatrical Widescreen Feature Film
   ○ Audio Commentary with Director Karyn Kusama and Writer Diablo Cody
 ● Extended Widescreen Version
   ○ Audio Commentary with Director Karyn Kusama

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November 7, 2009

Owen and Santa

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November 5, 2009

USA's New Character Arcade



You may have noticed the new banner towards the top of the page, or maybe the new column on the right hand side which says "USA's Game of the Week" both of which should take you to the USA Network's redesigned and reintroduced Character Arcade.  There's a slue of new games, most of which I haven't even had time to check out.  But there's also some great new features that help to incorporate your friends and make it all a more social experience.  What are those features you ask?  Well I'm glad you did ask, because there listed right below:

Character Arcade now features:

-Facebook Connect Integration; sign in with your Facebook account & challenge friends

-Game of the Week promotion featuring weekly prize give-aways

-Point System to buy accessories and upgrade avatars [redeemable for physical rewards coming soon]

-New virtual trophy case

-New Games including MMO and downloadable PC Games

-A new gaming blog: http://theclik.characterarcade.com/

-A new Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/CharacterArcade


One of the few games I had time to check out was the Psych Food Fight, featuring Little Shaun and Gus.  The game reminds me of the game a few years ago where you see how far you can throw the cat and it hits bombs and other explosives to make it go further, that one was a favorite of mine in Law School.  Here instead of a cat you fling food across the cafeteria hitting other kids and their lunches, seeing how far you can fling it.  It's a blast!


Overall I really like the new look and feel of the Character Arcade and will be spending some time exploring it in the near future.  In fact I'm hoping to run a new column every week or so spotlighting a new game or two, so look for that.  Overall I think the new features really add something to it and make it more of a community experience.  I for one can't wait to spend some more time there.

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November 3, 2009

"Say Anything," "I Love You, Beth Cooper"

This week sees the release of two very different romances on blu-ray.  One is a classic 80s romance that is beloved by many and features one of the most iconic film images of the 80s.  The other is a new comedy that is packed full of laughs, despite the unceremonious way it was dumped into theaters with hardly any publicity.  Both are great flicks that should be on your list to at least rent, if not to own.

The first movie is, Say Anything, the directorial debut of Cameron Crowe and featured John Cusack in what is arguably the most memorable performance of his career.  The movie also features great performances from Jeremy Piven, Eric Stoltz, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, and Ione Skye.  The movie's plot is one we've all seen a thousand times, boy falls for girl from afar and ends up winning her over, but here the unique characters really help the film rise above what could have been a typical romantic comedy.  Cusack's Lloyd Dobler is far from the typical male lead, he's a bit off, and speaks in a way that few people, or characters do, yet he still feels so real that you'll swear you knew him in high school.  Skye does a magnificent job as Diane Court, she's a girl who upon meeting Lloyd, suddenly realizes she's let high school pass her by while she did all she could to gain accolades and scholarships.  And it's the journey these two take as they get to know each other, and themselves, that really makes this something special.

The movie also has some great (and quotable) lines and as I said one of the most iconic images of 80s film.  One of these lines, featured on the box, is one I love so much that my AIM screenname is derived from it: "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."  And if anyone doesn't immediately recognize the image of Cusack holding the boombox over his head, then they probably weren't alive in 1989.  That scene alone, with Dobler professing his love for Diane, by allowing Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" to say everything he can't is worth the purchase of this movie.  

I highly recommend you get out there and grab yourself a copy of the film.  Although I will say if you already own the previous DVD release, it's probably not worth double-dipping, as this one has all the old features, with the only new addition being the inclusion of a retrospective of the film.


I Love You, Beth Cooper couldn't be further apart from Say Anything, it's slapstick and whimsy as opposed to emotional and romantic, but it's still a good film.  In fact I'd say it's one of the most overlooked films of 2009.  The movie was unfairly dumped into theaters with hardly any promotion, do you remember seeing ads for it, and barely had a chance at the box office, despite decent reviews.  While the movie is not as good as the excellent book by Larry Doyle, it is still quite funny, and just plain fun.

Paul Rust (Inglorious Basterds) stars as Denis Cooverman, a nerdy, nervous sweaty senior who uses his valedictorian speech to profess his love for the head cheerleader, Beth Cooper, who barely knows who he is.  What follows is a typical "one night in the life" of a bunch of partying high schoolers.  As the night goes on the extremely nerdy Denis actually gets to know the real Beth Cooper and discovers that she's not who he thought she was, and although she's not what he expected, she's actually better, she's a full-fledged person.  The movie really touches on some great issues that comes with graduating high school, and might even take you back to your own high school days.  It's definitely worth renting.

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November 3, 2009

Owen in the car

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November 1, 2009

Owen at the pumpkin patch.

   
Click here to download:
owen-at-the-pumpkin-patch-oCznGByqqazxhfgjebyf.zip (520 KB)

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October 24, 2009

Halloween '09: Ghostbusters Theme Performered by One Strange, Strange Man!

So in honor of Halloween I thought I'd post quite possibly the weirdest video I've seen in a long time. It's one man, Matt Mullholland, performing the Ghostbusters Theme on multiple tracks, all added together to perfectly capture the theme acapella.  It's very strange and for some reason one portion of the song is sung shirtless with a monkey stuffed animal.  But overall it's pretty impressive.  Enjoy!

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October 22, 2009

"GLEE" SEASON 1: ROAD TO SECTIONALS - On DVD December 29



If there's one new show this season that has captured my attention it's Fox's Glee.  The show is an almost perfect blend of comedy, drama, and of course, music.  It's a pretty good depiction of high school hierarchy, not just for the teens, but for the teachers and activities as well, even if it borders on absurd sometimes.  Every week I look forward to Wednesday night and the Glee it brings, both the show and the emotion that I get from watching it.

The show has included some amazing renditions of classic songs including "Bust A Move" and an amazing mash-up of "Halo" and "Walking on Sunshine" among many others.  But one of the best things about Glee is the amazing cast which includes newcomers Lea Michele, Cory Montieth, and Chris Colfer.  It also includes the amazing Matthew Morrison as the teacher who sets out to make Glee club cool again, and get enough members to even go to competition.  But the scene stealer here is definitely the brilliant Jane Lynch as the coach of the "Cheer-ioes" the schools cheer squad, who despises Glee club because it takes away from her accomplishments.  Lynch does what she does in everything she's in and swipes the show in every scene she is in.



Now Fox has announced that the hit show is coming to DVD much sooner than I think anyone expected releasing the first 13 episodes as Volume 1 on December 29.  With this move I think Fox is hoping to get the show out there and get more people watching, while also making money from the already large fanbase who will likely flock to stores to purchase it.  I for one can't wait to get a copy so I can clear up some space on my DVR, as I've yet to delete an episode.  The set comes with a load of Special Features including the director's cut of the pilot and cast auditions.  You can check out all of the details in the press release below.


Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Debuts
TV’s #1 Smash Hit Musical Comedy Series

Your All-Access Hall Pass to Everything “Glee”
Arrives Exclusively On DVD December 29

“One of the best shows of the fall season.”
- Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES, CA – (October 21, 2009) – Give a cheer for TV’s hottest, funniest and most talked-about new series when “Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals debuts on DVD December 29 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Filled with beloved characters and sensational musical numbers, “Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals is an electrifying, pitch-perfect winner. William McKinley High School once had a champion glee club, but now they are floundering. That is when an idealistic Spanish teacher (Matthew Morrison, Music & Lyrics) takes up their cause, vowing to transform the rag-tag group of singers and dancers into champions.

From Ryan Murphy, the creator of “Nip/Tuck,” “Glee” also stars Jane Lynch (The 40 Year Old Virgin), Jessalyn Gilsig (“Nip/Tuck”) and a slew of talented newcomers including Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer. Featuring the first 13 episodes, “Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals DVD will also include the Director’s cut of the pilot episode; exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes; audition videos from the talented cast and the hit music topping the charts at iTunes such as cast versions of Queen’s “Somebody To Love,” Heart’s “Alone,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Céline Dion’s “Taking Chances,” Rihanna’s “Take A Bow,” Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name,” Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows,” Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” and REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”. “Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $39.98 U.S/$49.98 Canada. Prebook date is December 2.

DVD Content: (Catalog #2264367)
Disc One
●Episodes
○Pilot – Director’s Cut
○Showmance
○Acafellas
○Preggers
Disc Two
●Episodes
○The Rhodes not Taken
○Vitamin D
○Smackdown!
○Mash-Up
Disc Three
●Episodes
○Wheels
○Ballads
○Hairography
Disc Four
●Episodes
○Once Upon a Mattress
○Sectionals
○Special Features

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

# # #

Press materials available at www.foxpressroom.com

Follow TCFHE on Twitter @foxhomeent

“Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals
Street Date:December 29, 2009
Pre-book Date:December 2, 2009
Screen Format:Wide Screen – 1.85:1
Audio:English Dolby Surround
Total Run Time:580 Minutes
MPAA Rating:Not Rated
Closed Captioned:Yes


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October 21, 2009

500 DAYS OF SUMMER - On Blu-ray Disc and DVD December 22

If there's one movie this summer that I'm completely bummed that I missed it's (500) Days of Summer.  The movie looked amazing, and stars two of my favorite actors, Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  These two have been in some of the best movies of the past ten years including Elf, Brick, The Lookout, and many more.  With all that was going in the CineManiac household I just never got the chance to see it.  (although I had tickets to a preview screening by the time I got there it was already full)  So I can't wait to check it out when it hits stores on December 22. 

And if the movie wasn't enough the Blu-Ray is packed with extra goodies including deleted scenes, featurettes, commentary, and much, much more.  You can read all about it in the full press release below.


THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY. IT’S A STORY ABOUT LOVE.

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

Get More Summer Days On Blu-ray Disc And DVD December 22

Blu-Ray Disc Includes Lost Days of Summer: Deleted and Extended Scenes,
A Music Video, Audition Tapes and Much More

“Smart, sexy and seriously funny!”
- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

LOS ANGELES, CA. – (Oct. 15, 2009) – Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents the critically acclaimed, offbeat romance that proves when it comes to love some people know nothing at all as (500) Days of Summer arrives on Blu-ray Disc (BD) and DVD December 22. Zooey Deschanel (Yes Man) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) star in this quirky romantic comedy about love and fate, as a young greeting card writer (Gordon-Levitt) who is hopelessly, helplessly searching for the girl of his dreams... and his new co-worker, Summer Finn (Deschanel), may just be “the one.” But the 500 days of their offbeat relationship reveal (in no particular order) that the road to happiness can be unpredictable, uncontrollable — and unbelievably funny! From first time feature film director Marc Webb (Jesse McCartney: Up Close), the hilarious true-to-life film also stars Matthew Gray Gubler (Alvin and the Chipmunks) and Clark Gregg (“The New Adventures of Old Christine”) in a unique dissection of the uncertain and whimsical year-and-a-half of one young man’s no-holds-barred love affair, where he learns that love can be difficult, but it’s also by far the best thing life has to offer.

The (500) Days of Summer two-disc BD with Digital Copy* includes cast and crew commentary, deleted and extended scenes, a “making-of” featurette, Summer storyboards, audition tapes, music videos and much more, and will be available for the gift-giving price of $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada. The (500) Days of Summer standard DVD features the cast and crew commentary, deleted and extended scenes, and will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada. Prebook is November 25.

Blu-ray Disc Special Features: (Catalog # 2263473)
Disc One
●Feature commentary with Director Marc Webb, Writer Michael Weber, Co-Writer Scott Neustadter and Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt
●Lost Days of Summer: Deleted and Extended Scenes With Optional Commentary by Director Marc Webb, Writer Michael Weber, Co-Writer Scott Neustadter and Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt

○“Love Testimonials”
○“I Think We Should Stop Seeing Each Other”
○“Family Dinner” (Day 11)
○“Paul Meets Summer”
○“Tom and Summer Argue”
○“Tom in the Movie Theatre” (Day 286)
○“The Worst Morning Ever”
○“Tom Sees Summer Everywhere” (Day 306)
○“Date With Allison” (Day 345)
●Not A Love Story – Making (500) Days of Summer
●Summer At Sundance
●Two Audition Tapes With Optional Commentary By Director Marc Webb
○Geoffrey Arend (“McKenzie”)
○Matthew Gray Gubler (“Paul”)
●Summer Storyboards
●Bank Dance Directed By Marc Webb
●Mean’s Cinemash: “Sid and Nancy/(500) Days of Summer”
●Music Video: “Sweet Disposition” By Temper Trap
●Six Conversations With Zooey and Joseph
●Filmmaking Specials

Disc Two
●Digital Copy of (500) Days of Summer

DVD Special Features: (Catalog # 2263462)
●Feature commentary with Director Marc Webb, Writer Michael Weber, Co-Writer Scott Neustadter and Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt
●Lost Days of Summer: Deleted and Extended Scenes With Optional Commentary by Director Marc Webb, Writer Michael Weber, Co-Writer Scott Neustadter and Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (see list above)

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

# # #

Press materials available at www.foxpressroom.com
Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Street Date:December 22, 2009
Prebook Date:November 25, 2009
Screen Format:Widescreen - 2.40:1 (All)
Audio:English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio/5.1 Dolby Digital in Spanish/Portuguese/French (BD)

English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Spanish/French Dolby Surround (Standard)
SubtitlesEnglish and Spanish (All)
U.S. Rating:PG-13
Total Run Time:95 minutes
Closed Captioned:Yes


*A Digital Copy of the film can be transferred to any portable media device


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