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Fast 5 Blu-ray arrives October 4 with Second Screen feature in tow (video)
Fast 5 may have dropped "Furious" from the title but we saw it in theaters and can confirm things are just as angry as ever with director Justin Lin at the helm once again, and throwing The Rock into the mix with stars Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Plot descriptions between fast cars, explosions and Brazil are wholly unnecessary for this flick, although the reason we're highlighting it is because of a bevy of Blu-ray exclusive extras. Beyond the usual set of featurettes and behind the scenes look, Universal is making this the first flick to work with the Second Screen feature of its pocket BLU app, now updated for tablets. We'll have to wait and see if it lives up to previous efforts by Disney or if the flick is just dragging it around like a vault through city streets, but there's a trailer for the feature included after the break if you're interested.
Unstoppable: the first Blu-ray film with Android-compatible Digital Copy
It's a little shocking that it's taken this long to get a Digital Copy that's compatible with Android, but clearly it's the week of shackles being broken. Just yesterday, Qualcomm announced that all future Snapdragon devices would be cleared for Netflix streaming, and now Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is announcing that its impending Unstoppable launch will allow Android users to watch the flick on the go. By enabling the transfer through BD Live, it marks the first time that this has been possible with Google's mobile OS, though it should be noted that consumers will need the disc itself, a WiFi-connected BD player, Android 1.6 or higher and the free PocketBLU app to make the magic happen. Both the movie and app can be downloaded starting today, but here's the real question: are you willing to invest in a movie just to experience Digital Copy... on Android?
Despicable Me Blu-ray, 3D combo packs dated for December 14
Add yet another disc to the slew of retail Blu-ray 3D discs announced for the fourth quarter, as Universal is shipping Despicable Me in Blu-ray/DVD combo and Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo forms December 14. Beyond the ubiquitous digital copy, extended adventures of the minions and a few games, the Blu-ray versions add a picture-in-picture (GR)U-Control feature with behind the scenes info, Miss Hattie's top secret cookie recipes and a few iPod/iPad exclusive apps for Universal's pocket BLU integration. Check out all the details in the press release and trailer after the break after updating your Blu-ray 3D release tracking spreadsheets.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Blu-ray arrives November 9, with bonus streaming movie
Michael Cera fans can smile, as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is coming to Blu-ray November 9, and appears to be getting the premium treatment with plenty of extras. Check the press release after the break for a full list of the special features exclusive to this Blu-ray, but beware as it's long, with plenty of time dedicated to explaining the story's journey from comic book page to screen. Of course, since it's a Universal disc it's also getting the pocket BLU BD-Live integration that allows remote control and content access from computer or mobile device, and viewers choice of either Tremors or Pitch Black as a free streaming movie for a short time. Not that many people checked this one out in theaters, but we imagine its video game-style look will fit very well on the HDTV this winter.
Repo Men Blu-ray disc gets the premium treatment
With a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and no Emilio Estevez we're not sure Repo Men deserves a top of the line Blu-ray release, but it appears to be getting one. Universal's stuffed the disc full of extras, including pocket BLU functionality, letting uses control the action from their iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry device or a connected PR or Mac, as well as pull up the video timeline or browse other titles while the movie plays. Of course, its U-Control tech, BD-Live My Scenes bookmarking and social BLU social networking features are also accounted for, plus a wealth of extras in HD and DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack. Even with all those extras... we're thinking rent at best, are any one of you buying up discs just to control them from their phone?
