Warner Delays Shawshank Redemption Blu-ray to Dec
Warner Home Video has (re)announced The Shawshank Redemption is coming to Blu-ray Disc, only this time on December 2instead of November 4 as previously scheduled.
With the announcement comes a look at the Digi-book packaging spread and confirmation of a single-disc BD-50 configuration.
Additional details such as disc specs and supplemental features are unknown at this time.
The Shawshank Redemption on Blu-ray will carry an SRP of $34.99. Check back regularly for updated information and pre-order links.
We’re back. Sorry to John McCain and the Republican Party…
Didn’t mean to offend. Sorry folks.
Iron Man Blu-ray Review
The movie of the summer is now THE movie to own on Blu-ray. Iron Man lands on Blu-ray in a few weeks, September 30, but we received an early copy to review. A full, longer review will be forthcoming — but here’s initial thoughts….
Iron Man is one of the best Blu-ray DVD releases. Images look truly high-def, crisp, with rich colors. If you want to impress your neighbors and friends with the power of Blu-ray, this is the DVD to own.
Not to mentioned a great script, acting and overall entertaining movie. What a blast! We love Batman, but brooding, darkness gets a little bit tired. That’s the diff — Iron Man is FUN…
It is obvious this Blu-ray was rushed (no commentary?!) — so I expect a fuller release to come out next year.
‘Dark Knight’ plans rerelease
Batman wants an Oscar.
More literally, Warner Bros. wants a statuette — or 10 — for “The Dark Knight.” So the studio plans to rerelease its blockbuster Batman sequel in January, the height of Academy Awards voting season.
“It’s just a matter of bringing it back as a reminder for people,” a studio insider said.
Warners domestic distribution president Dan Fellman acknowledged ongoing talks with Imax executives about the prospect of restoring the Christian Bale starrer to some number of giant-screen venues in January. It’s uncertain if “Dark Knight” also will reappear in conventional venues at that point.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film’s huge commercial and critical success has spurred talk of possible Oscar nominations for its director, producers and cast — most specifically Bale’s co-star, Health Ledger, for the late actor’s edgy performance as the Joker.
- from THR
Michael Douglas to play Liberace for Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh is in the early stages of developing a biopic about Liberace for Warner Bros., which he will direct.
The filmmaker said he has drafted his “Traffic” star Michael Douglas to play the flamboyant pianist.
Richard LaGravanese is writing the script, and Jerry Weintraub will produce.
Soderbergh is in discussions with Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace in 1982 for $113 million in palimony, claiming he was the entertainer’s companion for five years. Even though Liberace never wavered from career-long denials that he was gay, Thorson reportedly settled for $95,000 in 1986.
Liberace died in 1987 of complications from AIDS at age 67.
- from Variety
Kanye West Busted
Kanye West has just been arrested at LAX for felony vandalism.
A still photographer was trying to take pics of Kanye at the American Airlines terminal. According to our guy on the scene, Kanye allegedly confronted the photog and smashed his camera to the ground.
Our photog then began videotaping the scene when Kanye’s assistant grabbed our camera — a struggle ensued and the assistant threw the video camera to the ground, breaking it.
- from TMZ
Marvel’s ‘historic’ summer
You could say David Maisel is bullish on Marvel Studios, of which he is chairman, but you’d be understating his enthusiasm.
Maisel not only called the studio’s summer performance “historic” on Wednesday, but he also called the new studio’s launch “arguably the most successful” in modern history, and he backed up his assertion with numbers.
“Iron Man,” he said, has earned $575 million at the worldwide boxoffice, with Japan still to come, and it is the 21st-biggest film domestically of all time. Plus, the first two films financed and produced by Marvel, “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk,” have earned $835 million, and counting, worldwide.
Maisel, speaking at a Merrill Lynch investors conference, then compared Marvel’s “Thor” story to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “Thor” is set for release June 4, 2010.
Then Maisel upped the ante further, suggesting that Marvel’s intention to tie several of its movies together with common characters will make them feel like different episodes of the same story, just like “Star Wars.”
He used the appearance of Robert Downey Jr., the star of “Iron Man,” in a cameo at the end of “Hulk” as an example, calling the device “a taste of what’s to follow.”
Maisel said that one advantage of Marvel being its own studio is that it no longer has to go through an uncertain greenlight process, therefore it can grab release dates early. To wit, the studio set “Iron Man 2″ for April 30, 2010, and insiders said Wednesday that “The First Avenger: Captain America” will bow May 6, 2011, a Friday, and “The Avengers” is set for July that year.
- from THR
Jessica Alba’s ‘Shocking’ Ad for Declare Yourself
Jessica Alba, who appears in a in new bondage-inspired campaign for the voter group Declare Yourself, isn’t afraid to employ a little shock value for a cause she believes in.
“I think it is important for young people to be aware of the need we have in this country to get them more active politically,” says Alba. “People respond to things that are shocking.”The dramatic image “really resonates” with the issue of voting, according to the 27-year-old star. “If you don’t register and vote and make a difference, and hopefully change the bad things that are happening in our country, you are essentially just binding and muzzling yourself.”
- from People
IFC Films picks up Soderbergh’s ‘Che’
In a surprise move, IFC Films has acquired Steven Soderbergh’s double bill “Che,” swooping in and taking rights to the pic after a number of false reports had put it with Magnolia.
“Che” will be the most expensive film by far ever released on the simultaneous release day-and-date distribution model. After a one-week awards qualifying run in Los Angeles and New York in December, IFC will reopen the film in January through IFC in Theaters on VOD and in cinemas.
The movie, in two two-hour parts, focuses on Che Guevara’s twin revolutions in Bolivia and Cuba. It premiered at the Festival de Cannes in May to mixed response.
- from THR