-
Toshiba Demos 4K Reference Displays[teaser]The concept Ultra HD sets are designed for use as televisions and pro-grade reference monitors. [/teaser] Toshiba unveiled its concept REGZA 40V and 50V 4K televisions at the CEATEC trade show in Japan this week. The 40-inch and 50-inch UHD displays are aimed at traditional consumer use for cable and movies, as well as professional reference monitor applications. Exact specs have not been detailed yet, but the displays feature a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160, ultra-thin bezels, and include superior color accuracy making them suitable for video and photo editing. Users will also be able to easily switch between the TV's reference mode and other more household friendly calibration presets. The concept displays are designed to serve as a pro-grade alternative to the company's currently available consumer 4K sets, which include the 58L9300U, 65L9300U, and the 84L9300U. Pricing and availability for the 40V and the 50V have not been announced and, for now, both models are assumed to be prototypes. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Oct 3, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Dell Reveals New Tablets[teaser]The company has unveiled new Windows and Android tablets. [/teaser] Dell has announced four new tablet models under its Venue brand. The lineup includes the Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro Windows 8.1 tablets, and the Venue 7 and Venue 8 Android tablets. The Venue 8 Pro features an 8-inch 1,280 x 800 IPS display and is powered by an Intel quad-core Bay Trail processor with 2GB of ram and 32GB of storage. A micorSD slot is included as well and the device is rated for 10 hours of battery life. The Venue 11 Pro comes with a 10.8-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS display. The tablet will be available with an Atom quad-core Bay Trail processor or 4th Generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processor options, with up to 8GB of RAM. Both Windows tablets will have several keyboard docking options giving them the added benefits of an Ultrabook. The Venue 11 Pro is expected to launch in November for $500. The Venue 8 Pro will go on sale October 18 for $300. For Android users, Dell is offering the 7-inch Venue 7 and the 8-inch Venue 8 tablets. Both devices feature 1,280 x 800 IPS displays, and dual-core Intel Z2580 processors running Android 4.2.2. The Venue 7 will be available with 16GB of storage and the Venue 8 will have 16GB and 32GB options. The Venue 7 and the Venue 8 will both launch on October 18 for a suggested retail price of $150 and $180 respectively. Sources: Dell, EngadgetPosted Wed Oct 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Seiki Details 65-inch Ultra HD Television[teaser]The upcoming 4K set is one of the most affordable models in its class. [/teaser] Seiki has revealed its upcoming 65-inch UHD TV. The SE65UY04 will go on sale in early December for a suggested retail price of $3,000, making it the least expensive 65-inch 4K set by a sizeable margin. "It's no secret that the Seiki brand is the price leader in the 4K Ultra HD category, and we aim to further our market leadership by offering the best value in large-screen 4K Ultra HD TVs with exceptional picture and build quality," said Frank Kendzora, executive vice president, Tongfang Global, Inc., for Seiki Digital brand. The LCD LED backlit display will feature a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 giving it about four times the pixels of a traditional 1080p HDTV, a 120Hz refresh rate for 1080p signals, a 30Hz refresh rate for 4K signals, support for the HDMI 1.4 standard (not the recently announced 2.0 spec), and a USB port. The SE65UY04 joins the company's already available 39-inch SE39UY04 ($700) and 50-inch SE50UY04 ($966) 4K displays. Source: Seiki via PR NewswirePosted Wed Oct 2, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Goodie Bag: Your Horror Blu-rays For Halloween 2013[teaser]It's that time of the year again when High-Def Digest scrapes together a maggot-infested candy bowl of fun to help you prepare for Halloween! [/teaser] What's in the Goodie Bag? --- Horror Blu-rays for this Halloween Season! by M. Enois Duarte (The HDD Crypt Keeper) Greetings, boils and ghouls! The Hell-idays are upon once again and here at High-Def Die-gest, your pal, the Crypt Keeper, exorcises my top selection of gory treats in celebration of the year's most fearsome season. That's right, kiddies, instead of rotting your gray matter with useless moving pictures, full of romance and drama, I've scraped together a terror list of putrid horror tales sure to set you in the proper feast-ivities mood. It's a time to snuggle next to a warm body (you know, before it gets cold), light some hellish candles, and hang out in front of your crypt theater. The scary stories are separated into three stomach-churning categories and in alphabetical order. The queasy gathering is organ-ized and degraded according to each title's ability to deliver a spooky atmosphere, and offer you creeps the best variety in scares and cryptic laughter. So, without further ado . . . Frights! Camera! Hack-tion! "Why Won't You Die!" THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE Arguably, Guillermo del Toro's second most well-regarded film — 'Pan's Labyrinth' being his best work yet — this little saga about a haunted all-boys orphanage is also an intelligent, spooky campfire tale on the loss of innocence. Set during the last year of the Spanish Civil War, just as the country was doomed to enter a decades-long period of authoritarian dictatorship, a newly-arrived orphan, Carlos, witnesses the cruelty of men when possessed by greed and the pursuit of power. Engulfed with an atmosphere of apprehension, an emblematic reminder of death's relative proximity resting comfortably in the middle of the courtyard, the ghost of a murdered boy that looks like a shattered porcelain doll walks the grounds, forcing the lonely, abandoned boys to confront the realities of the world. EVIL DEAD (2013) The biggest surprise of the year is all the more shocking because it's a remake of a much-beloved cult horror classic. Or should I say, it pretends to be a remake. The gorily twisted and intensely frenetic movie from Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez is more along the lines of a reboot and very loose continuation of a storyline surrounding the mysterious Sumerian "Book of the Dead." This vision is ultimately in the spirit of the sequel in the original series while also returning to the more straightforward tension and horror of the first movie by Sam Raimi. But whatever background info we attach to it doesn't take away the brutally visceral display of violence that'll put a giant grin on the faces of the most ardent of gore-hounds everywhere. Alvarez does the franchise justice and delivers an extremely terrifying experience. FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Granted, whatever horror and scares were to be found in the 'Friday the 13th' franchise died ages ago — probably soon after the first movie signaled the rise of the holiday-themed "slasher" movie flooding theaters. Nevertheless, the movies have become a staple of the Halloween season, practically cemented into the cultural conscious so deeply that one need not watch a single 'Friday' flick to instantly recognize the hockey mask and machete of Jason Voorhees. They continue to be enjoyed not only by the devoted fanbase, but by many thinking each installment as kitsch, quaint, campy entertainment with creative kills and good special makeup effects. My personal favorites have always been 'The Final Chapter' with little Corey Feldman and 'Jason Takes Manhattan' as the last 'Friday' movie I watched in theaters. THE CONJURING The biggest surprise of the summer, which also became the shocking sleeper hit of the year, is this relatively low budget supernatural horror film. From James Wan, director of the first 'Saw' entry, 'Insidious' and other scary movies, the story about one family's frightening ordeal with increasingly bloodcurdling paranormal activity in their newly purchased farmhouse is a sensational spectacle of old-school frights. The plot is inspired by one of many reported cases of unexplained hauntings by Ed and Lorraine Warren, the same married team of paranormal investigators that also studied 'The Amityville Horror' hauntings. With minimal use of spectacular special effects or CGI, Wan splendidly creates a macabre, spine-chilling atmosphere where mysterious noises and pitch-black shadows are incredibly creepy, making for an awesome Halloween treat to enjoy. THE UNINVITED (1944) It's great seeing long-time favorites like this 1944 supernatural classic from Lewis Allen given the Blu-ray treatment. Similar to the above, this wonderfully macabre hair-raiser follows a pair of hapless siblings, Ruth Hussey and Ray Milland, vacationing in an affordable seaside house only to discover they are not alone. All sorts of inexplicable sounds haunt the dark hallways, a chilling air feels like the presence of death and things move in the shadows. It's the chilling atmosphere and an endless sense of dread about the house, like someone is in the room, which really makes the film incredibly creepy and nerve-wracking. Allen, who is probably best known for his work in such TV hits as 'Bonanza,' 'The Fugitive' and 'Mission: Impossible,' was in top-form here, generating a frightful mystery we want to solve along with the brother-sister duo. Others Worthy of the Cleaver: Black Sabbath, The Blob (1958), The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition, Eyes Without a Face, The Fly (1958), Halloween: 35th Anniversary Edition, Maniac (2012), A Nightmare on Elm Street Collection, One Hour Photo, A Tale of Two Sisters, The Vincent Price Blu-ray Collection "I'll Be Right Back" CHUCKY: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION What's Halloween without a barrel of fun and lots of laughs, and what better way to do so than in a monster movie franchise that has embraced its chewy, corny, campy center with a cheeky sense of humor and lots of goofy action. In a horror series revolving around a kid's doll that looks creepily similar to the My Buddy doll and possessed by a twisted serial killer, the unintentional comedy seems rather inevitable. The first movie is undoubtedly the best of the bunch since it attempts to be a straightforward scary actioner in spite of its sillier moments. It's the terrible sequel where we see a sudden shift towards the ridiculous and absurd, with part three introducing more satire and black comedy. Once we enter into 'Bride of Chucky' territory, the franchise becomes an outlandishly campy horror comedy that's enjoyed more for its over-the-top silliness and Chucky's inappropriate wisecracks than any remote possibility of being scared, making it a great choice for fun this spooky season. HAMMER TIME Anytime a Hammer Films classic is made available to own, it instantly becomes a must for Halloween in my book. Horror cinema has never looked as stunningly beautiful or gorgeously stylish as it did during the short period when the independent British production company was at the height of popularity. Their films, and this is especially true for the two 'Dracula' features with Christopher Lee in the starring role, are gushing with a gothic atmosphere, oozing with a highly melodramatic bent and teeming with an understated sense of eroticism that's arresting. While horror fans in Great Britain welcome the release of a special edition to the first 'Dracula' movie (known in the U.S. as 'Horror of Dracula'), American audiences will have to make do with the sequel, 'Prince of Darkness.' And for Hammer purists, the delectable 'The Brides of Dracula,' which lacks Lee's Dracula but features the brilliant Peter Cushing playing Van Helsing, as he does in all three movies, is also available on Blu-ray in the U.K. Whatever your pleasure, all three can be enjoyed as standalone flicks and are a great way to celebrate Halloween. THE HAUNTING (1963) In keeping with the supernatural theme of the above section, why not continue the trend with another classic, especially one that used to haunt the childhood dreams of this reviewer. I can still remember after watching this spooky adaptation of the Shirley Jackson book waking in the middle of the night and seeing weird things in my house. Director Robert Wise ('The Day the Earth Stood Still,' 'West Side Story,' 'The Sound of Music') generates an air of mystery and suspense with the strange and freaky goings-on in a creepy mansion that seems to have a mind of its own. Working closely with cinematographer Davis Boulton and editor Ernest Walter, Wise's camerawork is absolutely marvelous, utilizing a rich variety of camera shots, angles and tricks to awe-inspiring effectiveness. It's a beautifully crafted horror picture of psychological terror that's both spectacular and scary. THIS IS THE END And the laughs keep coming in a laugh-a-minute, end-of-the-world comedy. Yes, the apocalyptic movie by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg is really more of a direct comedy than it is a straightforward horror flick, but the surprise box-office hit of the summer offers plenty of scares to enjoy along with the endless amount of raunchy humor. One of the cleverest aspects of the story about six friends trapped inside James Franco's house while the Biblical apocalypse erupts all around is a cast of actors poking fun at themselves and their Hollywood personas. It's a laugh riot of chaos and panic, a frantic ball of sheer madness when poor Jonah Hill is violated, Craig Robinson turns into whimpering baby, Danny McBride's dark side is really disgustingly dark and Hermione steals everyone's food supply. 'This Is the End' is a great blast of comedy and some funnily scary moments — and I'm not only referring to Satan's schlong either. WORLD WAR Z Admittedly, this apocalyptic vision of a worldwide zombie pandemic is ultimately more an action blockbuster spectacular than a straightforward fright-fest, but sometimes we like thrills and things that go boom mixed in with the blood, gore, and scares. It adds a bit flavor and spice to this life we call horror cinema. Of course, the original theatrical cut of the movie lacks a smidge of the excitement and graphic violence expected of your standard zombie flick, but spectacles of complete chaos and panic are in abundance. In light of that fact, some readers may wonder its inclusion to the list; however, the extended unrated version puts back the missing carnage and bloodshed, making it the preferred, recommended way to watch. Starring Brad Pitt and his scarf on a sightseeing mission to the glamorous sites of zombie mayhem, the movie is a decently entertaining watch this season. Others Worthy of the Cleaver: The Amityville Horror Trilogy, The Awakening, The Burning, Castle Freak, Creepshow 2, Day of the Dead (1985), Demons, Demons 2 (or the Demons/Demons 2 (Limited Edition Steelbook)), The Devil Bat, The Fog (1980), Fright Night 2: New Blood, From Beyond, Idle Hands, House of Wax - 3D, The Howling, In the Mouth of Madness, The Lords of Salem, Prince of Darkness, Prison, Psycho II, Psycho III, Sinister, Stoker, Subspecies: The Blu-ray Collection, White Zombie Dead End Ahead (Stay Away!) HORROR SPOOF FAILURES The spoof movie has become a popular trend lately for some bizarre reason. I suppose cheap production costs with huge profit returns have as much to do with it as actually having an audience gullible enough to fork out the cash to watch them — which is really pretty sad. I just can't figure out why. Unfunny garbage like 'A Haunted House' and 'Scary Movie 5' lack satire, comedy, or any clear understanding of the movies being ridiculed. The filmmakers really don't have a clue of what exactly they want to parody or why. They're ultimately nothing more than an excuse for gross-out gags involving various bodily functions, for being as raunchy as humanly allowed by the MPAA or simply to capitalize on an audience wanting to waste their money. You know Marlon Wayans is doing this just to stay relevant; Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan do it to remind TMZ viewers they're still alive; and Ashley Tisdale does it because she is convinced she's a good actress moviegoers want to see on the big screen. HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET It seems like a regular pattern that once an actor hits mainstream success they must follow it up with something so far from left field that it's bound to be complete and utter garbage. For the highly-promising talent Jennifer Lawrence, this flimsy, dopey psychological thriller is one for the record books, one which she can proudly show off on her resume. Lawrence spends her time on screen rolling her eyes at literally everything and making grumpy, humbug faces as a nosey, troublesome teen in desperate need of a spanking. More shocking and terrifying than the movie itself is the fact that filmmakers actually think being a maddeningly irritating brat is perfectly acceptable as the heroine, but by story's end, I was disappointed she wasn't on the list of the killer's victims. The narrative is essentially a moronic, nonsensical array of very convenient plot devices, and the final twist in the end, as unexpected as it admittedly was, makes no sense since it only gives rise to more questions as to how that would even be possible. MAMA My general dislike of this ridiculously stupid movie is summed up by Jessica Chastain's even more ridiculously stupid performance as some kind of heartless, self-centered Gothic punk rocker. For a good chunk of the time, she was an annoying imbecile witha god-awful wig that I wanted to rip off her head and burn — along with the movie itself and my memory of ever having to sit through this asinine piece of garbage. Making matters worse is seeing Guillermo del Toro's name attached to this disastrous dreck of the same old hat trick, aggravating jump scares and one of the lamest, most irritating ghosts I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing on screen. How in the world is it that a horror film manages to annoy and frustrate more than scare? And just to add insult to injury, why not finish with an over-the-top, completely senseless conclusion. THE POSSESSION This is another in a string of modern horror movies which spew the usual tired and uninspired clichés to scare audiences but only manage to bore horror hounds to sleep. It's a shame, really, because this is a sad missed opportunity at bringing the first possession freak show based on Jewish folklore to the big screen. Inspired by the creepy legend of the dybbuk box, a cabinet that serves as a prison for malevolent, exorcised demons, the story follows a little girl's resisting one such evil spirit from taking over her body and soul. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick star as the parents needing to work out whatever personal issues they may have with one another in order to save their daughter. From producers Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, the plot attempts to be a subtle metaphor for the psychological damage of divorce on children, but in the end, even Matisyahu can't save this abysmal marriage of Jewish folklore and horror. SEQUEL MANIA I'm convinced we're living in a rather sad and depressing era for movies and filmmaking in general. Sequels, reboots, and remakes are really nothing new in Hollywood, but in the last couple decades, the practice has grown to the point of an accepted business tactic of regurgitating what worked in the past rather encouraging originality and creativity, producing more bad movies than good. Even worse, this new habit has spread into the horror genre like some sort of incurable infection with very few making the effort to treat or remedy the problem. So, I'd like to take a brief moment to scream hysterically at this year's crop of crap, starting with two god-awful attempts at reviving Tobe Hooper's 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre': one returning 'The Beginning' while another adds a third dimension. One 'Grave Encounters,' the boringly idiotic low-budget supernatural bomb, was bad enough, and we definitely did not need a worse, doubly idiotic follow-up. Ignoring the confusing title for a moment, 'The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia' is lacking in ghosts, scares, decent filmmaking or pretty much anything to make this mess worth revisiting. 'The Last Exorcism Part II' and 'Silent Hill: Revelation' are sequels to mediocre movies no wanted or even watched. And I'd much rather sit through a battle between Victor Crowley ('Hatchet III') and Pinhead ('Hellraiser VII: Deader') where the two finally die and take up permanent residence in hell, next door to 'Paranormal Activity 4' . Others Worthy of the Cleaver: The ABC's of Death, The Awful Dr. Orlof, Dark Skies, Dead Souls, The Demented, Embrace of the Vampire, The Grapes of Death, The House of Seven Corpses, Oasis of the Zombies, Phantasm II, The Purge, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, Under the Bed, X-Ray / Schizoid, Zombie Lake WANTS FOR NEXT YEAR (Now, This is What I Can Sink My Teeth Into) This past year saw quite an abundance of scary movies released in high definition, so here's hoping for the best and that studios will take note of what horror aficionados really hunger for, of what will truly please our insatiable appetites. Some of these are available on Blu-ray in other parts of the world, but since they are region locked, this list is offered in hopes of one day receiving an announcement of a North American release. Please share your own wish lists in our forums. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, Alone in the Dark (1982), The Beyond, Blood and Black Lace, The Brood, Candyman, Cannibal Apocalypse, The Changeling, The Children (1980), Dellamore Dellamorte (Cemetery Man), Don't Look Now, Eden Lake, Freaks (1932), Ginger Snaps, Hell Night, The Hunger, It's Alive (1974), The Legend of Hell House, Martyrs, May, Night of the Living Dead (1968), Nightmare City, Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), Peeping Tom, Phantasm, Prom Night (1980), Scanners, The Serpent and the Rainbow, The Stepford Wives (1975), Shadow of the Vampire, Sleepaway Camp, The Tenant .Posted Tue Oct 1, 2013 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
New Amazon Kindle Fire Tablets Now Up for Pre-order[teaser]The company has updated its Kindle Fire line of tablets with three new models. [/teaser] Amazon is now taking pre-orders for an updated version of its popular Kindle Fire HD tablet. The revised model features a new design and includes a 7-inch 1280x800 display with 216 ppi. The device is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and runs the new Fire OS 3.0. 8GB and 16GB versions will start shipping on October 2 for a suggested retail price of $139 and $169 respectively. Likewise, the company has also introduced two brand new additions to the Kindle family, the Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch tablet and the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9-inch tablet. The 7-inch model features a 1920x1200 display with 323 ppi and is powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM running Fire OS 3.0. The device is rated for 11 hours of mixed battery use and will be available on October 18th in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models with various Wi-Fi and 4G LTE options starting at $229. The 8.9-inch model features a 2560x1600 display with 339 ppi. Like its smaller sibling, the tablet also includes a 2.2GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM running Fire OS 3.0, and is rated for 12 hours of battery life during mixed use. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB modes will be available on November 7th with various Wi-Fi and 4G LTE options starting at $379. Source: AmazonPosted Tue Oct 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Announces New ES Projector Lineup[teaser]Three new projectors have been detailed, including two 4K models. [/teaser] Last week at the CEDIA Expo, Sony detailed three new home theater front projectors. "Each year, we come to CEDIA to deliver innovative, high performance products for the custom install channel," said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Home Entertainment & Sound division. "Our ES line-up continues to raise the bar on what the most discerning home entertainment enthusiast expects from Sony, whether they want to enjoy the best picture quality or unmatched sound, we have the right solution for every environment." First up is the VPL-VW1100ES, a 4K projector that sports Full Digital Cinema Initiative-based 4096 x 2160 resolution. The model also features 2,000 ANSI-lumens of brightness, a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 3D playback, and Sony's Iris 3 technology for improved black levels. Sony's Reality Creation picture engine for video enhancement is also integrated and the projector includes support for the newest HDMI standard for 4K/60p playback. The VPL-VW1100ES will come bundled with Sony's FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player and an Xperia Z Tablet for a suggested retail price of $28,000. In addition, the company is releasing the more inexpensive VPL-VW600ES 4K projector which also features a resolution of 4096 x 2160. The device has 1,700 ANSI-lumens of brightness, a 200,000:1 contrast ratio, 3D playback, TRILUMINOS display technology, and support for the newest HDMI spec. The projector will be available in November for a suggested retail price of $15,000. A version bundled with the FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player and a Sony Xperia Z Tablet will also be available for $16,000. Finally, Sony has unveiled a new HD projector as well. The VPL-HW55ES features 1080p resolution, 1,700 ANSI lumen of brightness, a dynamic contrast ratio of more than 120,000:1, Sony's Digital Reality Creation picture engine, and 3D playback. The projector will be available in October for a suggested retail price of $4,000. Source: SonyPosted Tue Oct 1, 2013 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: September 2013by Steven Cohen Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with high-def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for affection, and with so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month. From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted an expertly crafted Southern drama with a heart, a multifaceted examination of rippling consequences, and a visually stunning science fiction adventure. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and August. [teaser]This month, we're covering an Academy Award nominated thriller, a Cold War spy tragedy, and a comic book blockbuster.[/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there might be some spoilers for the films listed. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in September, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'The Fugitive: 20th Anniversary Edition' - I love weighty art films as much as any snooty critic -- but there's certainly something to be said about really great popcorn entertainment, especially when there's some legitimate intelligence and craft behind it. 'The Fugitive' is a perfect example of such a film, and even more, it ends up being one of those truly rare flicks that remains infinitely re-watchable. Seriously, whenever this movie is on, I'm somehow compelled to watch, and invariably always get caught up in its effortlessly thrilling drama. With a taut and twisting script, the filmmakers essentially play by all the rules of standard Hollywood filmmaking, but they execute the story's beats with such precision and excitement that this adherence to formula actually ends up being one of the film's strongest suits. And more than just an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride packed with memorable action, tense stand-offs, and strong character moments, the film also succeeds with one particularly tricky break from convention -- the use of dueling protagonists/antagonists. In some ways, both Kimble (Harrison Ford) and Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) could be viewed as the heroes of the film, and while Kimble's quest for justice is the real focus, the movie sheds light on each man's motivations, creating a surprisingly complex dichotomy. Ford is at his grizzly, determined best here, fully selling his character's desperation and steadfast resolve, and Jones, in an Oscar winning turn, is simply perfect as the no nonsense Marshall purely out to get the job done. Add in Joey Pants and a one armed man, and you've got all the essential ingredients for a classic 90s thriller. With an improved video transfer, a new lossless audio track, and some solid special features, this 20th Anniversary release from Warner Bros. actually offers fans a very worthwhile upgrade. Basically the model by which most contemporary Hollywood thrillers are judged, 'The Fugitive' is pure entertainment without losing sight of interesting characters and an intricate plot. This is the type of title that viewers can watch and watch and watch, and somehow never get tired of -- and really, I think that might the very definition of a must own disc. 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' - The over-the-top adventure and debonair thrills of James Bond will always have a special place in my heart, but there is another side to the espionage genre equally worthy of praise. A side cast in murky shadows, where the line between hero and villain is sadly inconsequential. Where right and wrong are sacrificed for efficiency. Where human beings are simply tools, and the world is covered in an icy fog. Through a comparatively realistic take on spies, Martin Ritt's noir thriller, 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,' presents such a world, and its chilling insights are haunting. A far cry from the cheeky escapism of 007, Richard Burton's Alec Leamas is in many ways the antithesis of all things Bond. He's brooding and disillusioned, and though he carries a certain brutish physical appearance, he's not much of a fighter and he doesn't ever brandish a gun. Likewise, he doesn't travel to exotic locations or play around with cool gadgets, and instead of womanizing femme fatales, he sincerely falls in love with an innocent librarian. And perhaps most dramatically of all, his drink of choice is not a martini (shaken or stirred), it's simply whiskey -- and lots of it. This isn't the portrait of suave secret agent. It's the downtrodden reality of a used up civil servant, worn away by foul plays and rotten manipulations, and while this stark and cynical take on espionage lacks the fun of cinema's most famous spy series, the film's examination of heartless Cold War politics and dwindling humanity is palpably rich and thoroughly complex. While my full review covers many of the film's merits, I somehow failed to address the fantastic performances from Claire Bloom and Oskar Werner. As the elegant but naïve Nan, Bloom exudes comfort and support, and her tragic realization of the manipulation she's unwittingly been a part of is handled with heartbreaking frustration. In the role of Fiedler, a Jewish German communist determined to oust a double agent among his party, Oskar Werner is superb. His scenes with Burton are a joy to watch, and the mutual respect that develops between the two exploited men carries strong emotional resonance, especially when the true goals of Leamas' mission are exposed -- painting the solemn picture of a callous system that plays by only one rule: "expediency." Really every aspect of the production, from the gloomy black and white cinematography by Oswald Morris, to the achingly somber score from Sol Kaplan, is perfectly attuned to express an air of defeatist dread -- but as sorrowful as the tragedy is, and as a cold as the intricate plotting remains, there is a real human story here as well, exposing the manner in which even love and morality can be used as weapons by those in control. A near masterpiece of the espionage genre, and a fascinating counterpoint to the frivolous thrills of James Bond, 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' is a spy noir that only continues to gain prestige with age. This release from Criterion is exceptional, with fantastic video, audio, and supplements, making it an essential addition to any classic cinema fan's collection. 'Iron Man 3' - To be honest, though Marvel's celebrated armored hero is listed above, this last spot could have also easily gone to any one of this month's major blockbuster releases -- specifically 'World War Z' and 'Star Trek into Darkness.' They're all enjoyable flicks (though, with some notable flaws), but Tony Stark's latest adventure narrowly beats out the rest for September's final must own title. With Shane Black on board to write and direct, I was quite excited for 'Iron Man 3.' After all, Black and Robert Downey Jr. already proved that they make for a great team in the director's previous film, 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,' and with the added benefit of a super-powered suit of armor, there's really no way this flick could fail. Thankfully, for the most part, this assumption holds true. The cast is uniformly excellent, the plot places a welcomed emphasis on Stark's emotional plight without sacrificing big action, and Black injects the film with the clever wit and personality he's known for while playing up many of the same trademark sensibilities that fueled his 90s action scripts. With that said, not all of these quirks seem to fit well within Marvel's established world, and there are times when certain old school beats feel out of place (as sporadically amusing as it is, I could have done without the kid sidekick subplot). And then of course there's the "twist." As a comic book geek I was a little disappointed (though not surprised), but what really bothered me wasn't the reveal itself -- it's what we were still left with in its wake: a really generic villain. The bad guys have been the weak spots of all the Iron Man films, and sadly the filmmakers don't do much to fix that here. Still, the movie mostly works, and getting to hear Black's dialogue coming out of Downey Jr's mouth is worth the price of admission alone. Probably the most well-rounded of the trilogy, this latest installment in the franchise fits in well with its predecessors and is a very solid addition to Marvel's growing cinematic universe. For better or worse, hiring Shane Black proves to be an inspired choice, and though some might not like all of the decisions made, the director certainly puts his own unique stamp on the flick -- something that's increasingly hard to do on big budget Hollywood productions. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Blu-ray itself features excellent video and audio, making it a great demo disc for home theater enthusiasts. And even those who hate the twist have to admit… Ben Kingsley is kind of awesome. So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this September, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for September's must own titles?Posted Fri Sep 27, 2013 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
DarbeeVision Announces New Products and Technology[teaser]Several new innovations will be on display at the CEDIA Expo, including an updated Darblet video processor. [/teaser] DarbeeVision has offered details on what it plans to show off at the CEDIA Expo being held in Denver, Colorado this week. The company, which focuses on digital video enhancement, will debut its new Reveal technology for security/surveillance systems. Through their inline HDMI processor, obscured details are enhanced, helping to alleviate fog, haze, and poor lighting conditions. In addition, DarbeeVision has announced a licensing agreement with OPPO Digital, resulting in the world's first Blu-ray player with built-in Visual Presence technology. The BDP-103D will be able to make real time picture enhancements, improving depth, clarity, and realism in any image, along with support for 4K upscaling. The company also plans to demo its new DVP 5100, the successor to its popular Darblet video processor, which promises to improve home theater video quality without excessive artifacts. All of DarbeeVisions new products and technology demos will be on display at the company's booth at the CEDIA Expo in Denver from Septmeber 25-28. Pricing and release dates for the DVP 5100 and the OPPO BDP-103D have not been announced yet. Source: DarbeeVision via Market WiredPosted Tue Sep 24, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung and LG Resolve their Legal Issues[teaser]After battling over display patents, both companies have decided to end their disputes. [/teaser] In a somewhat unexpected move, Korean electronics manufacturers LG and Samsung have settled their legal squabbling. The two companies had been fighting over claims of patent infringement and technology theft in relation to their LCD and OLED displays. This decision comes after several lawsuits and a year of legal maneuverings. “It was agreed that we two should focus more on cementing our leadership in the global market by cooperation, instead of engaging in all-consuming patent disputes,'' Samsung said in a statement. LG, in its own statement, continued, “What's most important for both of us is upgrading our competitiveness globally.'' While their legal battles are thankfully now over, the two technology giants will of course continue to compete in the display market. Most recently, both companies have released their own 55-inch curved screen OLED TVs, promising superior contrast, black levels, and colors. Samsung's KN55S9C currently retails for $9,000, and LG's 55EA9800 currently retails for $10,000 as a Best Buy Magnolia Store exclusive. Source: The Standard via EngadgetPosted Tue Sep 24, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Microsoft Details Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 Tablets[teaser]The company has revealed two new 1080p tablets that offer many of the same features as a laptop. [/teaser] Microsoft has announced two new additions to its tablet lineup, the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2. Both devices feature 10.6-inch full HD 1080p ClearType displays, full-size USB 3.0 ports, and updated kickstands. The Surface 2 is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor and features a front-facing 3.5MP camera and a rear-facing 5MP camera. The tablet is rated for up to 10 hours of battery life and runs Windows RT 8.1 with Office Home & Student 2013 RT and Outlook RT pre-loaded. 32GB and 64GB models will be available, starting at $449. Aimed at offering a more versatile alternative to traditional laptops, the Surface Pro 2 features support for virtually all Windows software and combines power with portability. The device uses an Intel Core i5 processor, can output up to 3,840 x 2,160 resolution to an external display, and comes with a Pro Pen for making digital notes and sketches. 64GB and 128GB models with 4GB of RAM, and 256GB and 512GB models with 8GB of RAM will all be available, starting at $899. Both the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2 will launch on October 22 in Microsoft retail stores and select third party retailers, and pre-orders will begin on September 24. As an added bonus, purchasers of each device will also receive free Skype landline calling for one year, unlimited Skype WiFi for one year, and 200GB of free SkyDrive storage for two years. Source: MicrosoftPosted Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
