News and Opinions

Fox Home Entertainment will release the Martin Lawrence comedy Big Momma's House 2 on May 9th. This disc will include both anamorphic widescreen and fullscreen transfers, along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 (English) audio track. Extras will include an audio commentary (by director John Whitesell, producer David Friendly, & actor Zachary Levi), a "Big Momma's Secrets" Featurette, 12 deleted/extended scenes (with optional commentary), & a collection of trailers.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment will release the basketball drama Glory Road (starring Josh Lucas) on June 6th. This disc will be presented in separate 2.35:1 anamorphic and fullscreen versions, both with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks. Extras will include two audio commentaries (the first with director James Gartner & producer Jerry Bruckheimer; the second with screenwriters Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois), deleted scenes, extended interviews (with the actual UTEP players), two featurettes ("The ...eal Coach Haskins" & "Coach Haskins' Practice Schedule") & a music video by Alicia Keys.

Just so you all know - UPCD is undergoing a big redesign right now. In addition to a new aesthetic treatment, there will be a tonne of great new features added and functionality improvements - long needed things like spam filters on comments, for instance. Also, DVD Battle will return to review pages, along with renewed and reinvigorated hardware and game reviews sections.

So, stay tuned! And if you have any comments or suggestions, please email me at rod@upcomingdiscs.com....Also, if you'd like a sneak preview of the new site, drop me a line, and I'll hook you up!

Well, eat my hat - looks like Blu-ray has an official launch date for hardware and titles - May 23, as reported by Engadget. Here's the official release from Sony, which in addition to the date, drops the list of release titles:

The first Blu-ray Disc titles from SPHE and MGM Home Enterta...nment willinclude: 50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, Hitch, House of Flying Daggers, AKnight's Tale, The Last Waltz (MGM), Resident Evil Apocalypse and XXX.
BD titles streeting June 13 include: Kung Fu Hustle, Legends of the Fall,Robocop (MGM), Stealth, Species (MGM), SWAT and Terminator (MGM). UnderworldEvolution will debut in early Summer day and date with the DVD.

Here's a quick one from Engadget: Sony and NEC have and optical drive joint venture underway, slated to get rolling this spring. The key finding here is that Sony has a 5% edge in the JV, implying that it will be to manufacture BR drives exclusively - which takes a major hardware manufacturer out of the running for HD-DVD production.

CNET has a good round up article on the recent issues with Blu-ray DVD technology, and the business fallout that's resulted. After starting hot, Blu-ray has been beset by delays; its now reached the point where the PS3 is rumoured to be delayed as a result, and CNET is actively comparing Blu-ray to Beta. Good luck, Sony!

Paramount Home Entertainment will release the Queen Latifah & LL Cool J comedy Last Holiday on May 2nd. This disc will be in an anamorphic widescreen transfer, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. Extras shouls be posted soon.

On May 23rd, Fox will release the Director’s Cut of the Orlando Bloom film Kingdom of Heaven on May 23rd. This 4-disc set will be presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, along with both English DTS & Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks. Extras will include an Introduction by Ridley Scott, an Audio Commentary (with Ridley Scott and crew), a multi-part Documentary entitled Path to Redemption (Part I: Good Intentions, Part II: Faith and Courage, Part III: The Pilgrimage Begins, Part IV: Into ...he Promised Land, Part V: The Burning Bush and Part VI: Sins and Absolution), a "Tripoli" Overview & Gallery, a first draft screenplay by William Monahan, Screen Tests & Cast Rehearsals, three featurettes (“Costume & Weapon Design,” “Creative Accuracy: The Scholars Speak,” & “Unholy War: Mounting The Siege”), Multiple Galleries (location scouting, production design, conceptual art, and costume), Storyboard Comparisons, Deleted & Alternate Scenes, Trailers, and more.

On March 28th, Universal Home Video will release Peter Jackson's King Kong in separate 1-disc Standard and 2-disc Special Editions. Each version will be presented in an anamorphic widescreen transer, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. As extras are announced, we will pass them along.

Fox Home Entertainment will release the Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt family comedy Cheaper By The Dozen 2 on March 14th. This disc will be presented in both anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. Extras will include an Audio Commentary (by Director Adam Shankman), trhee featurettes ("Fox Movie Channel: Casting Session," "Camp Chaos," & "Comedic Trio"), and Trailers.