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Spider-Man Blu-ray comes with a Second Screen app for iPad and Sony's Android tablets
Since no blockbuster movie in 2012 can have a home release without a second screen companion app for fans to dig through extra content while they watch, Sony has, naturally, announced one for The Amazing Spider-Man. Just like the only three movies to best its take at the box office this year (The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises and even The Hunger Games), Spider-Man's app syncs with the movie in a Timeline Mode that pulls up featurettes, storyboards and the like, while Production Mode lets users sift through the moviemaking process, then select particular clips to play on their TV. Unlike some of the others it is not only on iPad but also Android, however the press release indicates it's restricted to Sony's own Tablet S and Xperia Tablet S. Still, we were able to initiate the 500MB+ download and access it on non-Sony tablets including the Nexus 7 and an CyanogenMod HP TouchPad, so your mileage may vary. You can check out the apps for free at the links below, a preview trailer embedded after the break and snag the movie itself for $25 on Amazon, delivered November 9th.
Redbox, Sony extend distribution deal, keep the movies flowing with no delays
While Redbox's parent company Coinstar rejoiced over earnings results that showed revenue growth that was partially due to last year's price hike, the kiosk movie renter had more good news after extending its DVD licensing deal with Sony Pictures. This means Redbox can rent Sony movies the same day they go on sale in stores and has the option to license Blu-ray movies as well through September 2014, when Sony will have the option of two one-year extensions. We'll still have to wait and see if it can work out an arrangement with Warner and Disney, and what its streaming service has to offer, but more new movies right away is always good.
Battle: Los Angeles comes to Blu-ray June 14th, includes Resistance 3 PS3 demo
After a disappointing showing in theaters Battle: Los Angeles has suddenly become a much more interesting option on Blu-ray now that Sony Pictures has announced it will include a demo for Resistance 3. This isn't the first time Sony's packed in PS3 demos on its Blu-ray discs, the last time was God of War III on copies of District 9, but Insomniac's highly anticipated shooter won't arrive in full until three months after the flick hits shelves. It's your choice if buying the flick (it's unlikely to be included on rental copies) is worth an early look, but you can still check out an announcement of the feature from G4 and list of other special features (plus trailers for Battle: LA and R3) after the break. Update: The official press release is out, and mentioned the game demo will be included worldwide with the movie, the first time that's happened. Also, concerning the movie itself, it will feature Command Control PiP special features and movieIQ.
Taxi Driver comes to Blu-ray for its 35th Anniversary April 5th
Yet another classic flick finally has a Blu-ray release date now that Sony Pictures has announced Taxi Driver will be released April 5th. There's plenty of extras in store, with the inclusion of a commentary by the director Martin Scorsese and the writer Paul Schrader recorded in 1986 by the Criterion Collection for the Laserdisc, and an exclusive "Script to Screen" feature that scrolls the original script along with stage notes onscreen as the movie plays and points out the differences. Along with a 5.1 audio track, the picture has been remastered in 4K from the original and approved by both the cinematographer and director for this release. It's hard to find anything missing from this release of an iconic film starring Robert DeNiro and Jodie Foster, check the press release after the break for all the details.
Sony schedules The Social Network Blu-ray for release January 11, 2011
After an impressive run in theaters and a recent slew of year end awards, it's no surprise Sony Pictures has quickly scheduled the release of The Social Network on Blu-ray for January 11, 2011. The two disc set includes extras like a commentary with director David Fincher, another with writer Aaron Sorkin and the cast, a documentary about the making of the movie and more. Of course, we think they really might be missing out if there's not some sort of BD-Live powered Facebook checkin included, but that's just us.
Sony Pictures schedules Resident Evil, Piranha flicks for Blu-ray 3D release
Sony Pictures queued up a couple of new Blu-ray 3D releases, revealing that Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D will arrive on shelves December 28, while Piranha 3D is getting ready for a January 11, 2011 release across 3D, Blu-ray 2D and DVD formats. The December release schedule is quickly filling up with 3D, with Despicable Me, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and Step Up 3D already slated for retail release next month. Check after the break for a full list of special features on both, plus another box shot and trailer for Resident Evil.
Sony queues up The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Film in 3D on Blu-ray for November
Just in case you missed out on the 3D broadcast of this year's World Cup or if you simply want to relive the experience, Sony has followed through on its promise of a Blu-ray 3D release, scheduled for November 16. If there's any disappointment (other than remembering the United States team's exit against Ghana) it's that despite a $39.95 MSRP ($27.99 on Amazon currently) it has a running time of a mere 64 minutes and no extras are listed yet. Of course, if you're looking for something to hold you over until 2014, we guess this will have to do, but even if you don't purchase we're sure this is a demo disc that will be playing in Sony Style stores for quite a while.
Warner has six Blu-ray 3D discs headed to retail November 16, Sony brings along Open Season
We're not sure if they were just waiting for the PlayStation 3's Blu-ray 3D update to be officially announced, but Warner Bros. has finally responded to our pleas and mentioned a few Blu-ray 3D discs that are headed for retail without any exclusive bundling holding them back. Home Media Magazine reports that among them, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore will be a day-and-date release along with the standard DVD and Blu-ray editions, while the other five are Clash of the Titans, The Polar Express, IMAX Deep Sea 3D, IMAX Under the Sea 3D and IMAX Space Station 3D, all sporting $44.95 MSRPs. According to SVP Dorinda Marticorena, this push "is just the beginning" and timed to capitalize on an increase in sales of Blu-ray 3D hardware during the holidays. No doubt, as Sony Pictures has also apparently dated the release of Open Season in 3D for November 16 as well, the same day A Christmas Carol arrives -- 3D early adopters mark your calendars appropriately.
Sony's second retail Blu-ray 3D, Monster House, goes on sale September 14
Add one more to the list of retail Blu-ray 3D discs, now that Sony Pictures has put a date on Monster House. Due September 14, Sony Pictures' website currently lists the same special features included on the original Blu-ray release back in '06, which we expect to see included in the package, just like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and a similar $39.95 MSRP. Outside of these kids features, the Blu-ray 3D is looking very dry for the near future, while IMAX: Grand Canyon Adventure has been announced for October 26, we're still waiting to find out when Sony is shipping Open Season and Resident Evil: Afterlife, and when the other movies currently locked in as exclusive pack-in offers will go on sale.
This is It Blu-ray release debuts movieIQ Sync, brings more Michael Jackson info to your iPhone or PC
Unfortunately, the most telling element of this Blu-ray news is that it didn't merit a mention during Sony's CES keynote, but a new BD-Live feature will be included on This is It. movieIQ Sync updates the original by allowing users to pull up additional movie info on a PC or iPhone synchronized with the movie -- we're guessing the recently released FBI files won't be included -- without it popping up on the television. The other new feature is the ability to create & share customized playlists of the songs featured in the flick. We've been waiting for an event that would change both the reality and perception of internet connected features on Blu-ray -- and there's still some hope -- but this probably isn't it.
Sony's movieIQ BD-Live feature attached to Silverado, The Quick and the Dead Blu-ray discs
With Angels & Demons still without a U.S. release date (September 14 in the U.K.) and Easy Rider set to debut September 15, there's a possibility Sony Pictures new BD-Live powered movieIQ feature could find its debut on a pair of western movies: The Quick and the Dead & Silverado. Both are set to hit the streets September 8, while Silverado promises a never-before-seen featurette sure to interest fans in this collector's edition, neither is quite The Man with No Name-series material or packing other notable Blu-ray exclusives beyond movieIQ. Still, it's interesting to see Sony pitching connected features to these audiences, looks like we should expect movieIQ on most titles from here on out.
Sony Pictures responds to your poll results, discusses the future of BD-Live
Last week's poll results and comments came through loud and clear, with an overwhelming majority of responses to the question "Have you seen anything impressive from BD-Live yet?" leaning towards the negative. That many people showing a beef against a key feature of the current dominant HD delivery format? We couldn't let that go so we followed up with Rich Marty, VP of Marketing for Blu-ray at Sony Pictures to let them know what you said, and see what they're doing about it.
Sony still pushing the potential of BD-Live, but is anyone listening?
Still believe in the potential of BD-Live? Sony does, exec David Bishop called this the "Pong" stage of development in the technology during an industry demo yesterday on its lot. Apparently wanting to get some fresh eyes on BD-Live after some glitchy releases and underwhelming features, Sony, Disney and others are still trying to find different ways to work BD-Live into their discs, and new wireless capable players like Samsung's 2009 models mighty see more people going online. We've seen live directors chats, games, story databases and other twists, but at the moment we're not as optimistic about where BD-Live is headed in 2009 and beyond.
Sony embeds Blu-ray exclusives on The Da Vinci Code: Extended Cut
With sequel Angels & Demons ready to hit theaters in May, Sony Pictures is throwing in nearly a half hour of exclusive extra footage on The Da Vinci Code: Extended Cut coming to shelves April 28. Codebreakers can look forward to in movie BD-Live chat, a $10 coupon off tickets to the sequel, new director's commentary and a picture-in-picture mode allowing for eight different ways to watch the movie at once, we think fans (and with $700 million+ grossed worldwide there's more than a few of those) will find this hard to pass up.
Sony Pictures celebrates NXE eve by... blocking Xbox 360 Netflix movie streaming
Just hours before the Xbox 360's newest dashboard update hits tomorrow morning (10:00 a.m. GMT), our friends at Joystiq noticed the list of movies available for Netflix Watch Instantly streaming has suddenly dropped. The culprit? Sony Pictures Home Entertainment subsidiary Columbia Pictures, flicking previously available titles like Superbad, Bad Boys, and We Own the Night over to "Not available on Xbox" status (curiously, SPHE movies are still available to all.) Word from the official Netflix blog cites "the ebb and flow" of what is available on license at any given time causing a few hundred titles to be "temporarily" unavailable on the console, while still open for streaming for other devices, with an eye towards licensing them for the Xbox 360 soon. There's no way to know what movies won't work until adding them to your queue, so when you find your Karate Kid trilogy watching time suddenly wide open for more Gears of War 2 or Left 4 Dead action, just remember you have Sony to thank.[Via Joystiq & Multiplayer]
No other movie studios signed with Sony's PlayStation download service yet
Ok, we know the PlayStation 3 is getting a movie download service this year - but apparently much work remains to be done. Variety checked into the situation and sees the number of movie studios signed on at present stands at exactly one: Sony Pictures. Never fear, because being late to the party could benefit Sony as it negotiates deals with other studios similar to the ones already in place for Xbox Live Video Marketplace and iTunes. Also on board is the possibility of transferring flicks to PSP, although that and any other features that expand on the functionality already seen on other services could slow down a deal. We're torn, while having another competitor in digital downloads (and another way to enjoy movies on our PS3) as soon as possible sounds good, we might be willing to wait if it means Sony's leverage can swing more features (or at least some leeway to the DRM currently in place on other services).[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Sony Pictures reaches DVD, Blu-ray distribution deal in Vietnam
Vietnam is finally getting some love from Hollywood, as Sony Pictures is the first studio to release DVDs in the country. Blu-ray discs are expected to come ashore sometime after the initial package of 15 movies (including Casino Royale) as SPHE expands its worldwide reach in partnership with Galaxy Studio. Variety indicates Vietnam's home video market has been almost all pirated content until recently, but it remains to be seen how legitimate releases and next-gen DRM schemes work out.
Sony readying Men in Black BD-Live release June 17
We've known Sony would bring Men in Black to Blu-ray for a while, but thanks to an ad in the latest Home Media Magazine, we now know the date is June 17. High Def Digest points out the ad mentions the long-awaiting BD-Live extra will include a trivia game, although hopefully it will be more interesting than War's disappointing Yakuza Fighter. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones blasting aliens in 1080p sounds good to us, but throwing the latest tech on top doesn't hurt a bit.
Sony reveals BD-Live extras for Walk Hard
Answering the question of "what can't fit on 75GBs of the Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Blu-ray release?" Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed its first BD-Live extras. For this flick, High-Def Digest says viewers can download three exclusive mini-featurettes based around the Derek Stone character played by Bill Hader, a "Coxologist". Physically present on the two disc set are a bunch of other extras including commentaries, making-of, deleted scenes and more. No word what's in store for The 6th Day owners, but we imagine it's something similar.
Sony Pictures schedules two BD-Live releases for April
Now that the PlayStation 3 will be BD-Live capable, Sony Pictures also announced this morning it's releasing its first two Blu-ray discs with the technology. On April 8, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day will both be released with exclusive downloadable content that will not be available on disc. According to the press release, this is just a preview of what's possible with Blu-ray technology, although any non-PS3 Blu-ray owners might wonder what's so good it couldn't fit on the 2-disc Dewey Cox set.
