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Actress Brittany Murphy Dead at 32
Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 01:30 PM ETTags: Death Announcements (all tags)
The actress best known for her roles in 'Clueless,' '8 Mile,' and 'Sin City' has died unexpectedly.
Sources say Murphy collapsed in her bathroom on Sunday morning and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she passed away.
Although police are still investigating to determine an official cause of death, Chief Coroner Ed Winter said that it "appears to be natural." An autopsy will be performed today or tomorrow.
Murphy was married to British screenwriter Simon Monjack and lived in the Hollywood Hills. She was 32.
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'$5 A Day' Blu-ray Announced
Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 01:25 PM ETTags: Image Entertainment, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The quirky independent comedy is coming to Blu-ray in January.
In an early announcement to retailers, Image Entertainment has revealed '$5 A Day' starring Christopher Walken and Sharon Stone is coming to Blu-ray on January 26.
Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.98.
You can find the latest specs for '$5 A Day' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 26.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- $5 A Day (Blu-ray)
'Deadlands 2: Trapped' HD-DVD Gets New Date
Mon Dec 07, 2009 at 05:00 PM ETTags: Anthem, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The previously reported HD-DVD originally slated for October apparently will be released this month.
'Deadlands 2: Trapped' is now coming to high-definition on December 8.
Specs are still unknown for the HD-DVD, but supplements include both the Unrated & Original Work Print versions, director's commentary, work print commentary, featurette on indie filmmaking from the director's POV, featurette on the theatre cineplex location, and more!
Suggested price for the HD-DVD is $29.95 plus shipping and handling, and it can be pre-ordered here.
You can find the latest specs for 'Deadlands 2: Trapped' linked from our HD-DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 8.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Deadlands 2: Trapped (HD DVD)
We Now Return You To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming
Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 07:00 PM ET
High-Def Digest is back on the job after some unexpected technical difficulties!
You probably noticed problems with the site over the last few days. High-Def Digest experienced intermittent website outages caused by a cyber attack. (Editor's Note: I'm not convinced Michael Bay wasn't retaliating for our 'Transformers 2' review).
Our troubleshooting team has resolved the issue, and the site should now be functioning normally. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and apologize for the inconvenience caused by this attack.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled programming.
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FoxPop Debuts for 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian'
Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM ET
Fox will debut a new application for iPhone and PC that will sync with movies and offer information as well as social activity.
Remember that VH1 show Pop up Video, where little facts and tidbits assaulted the screen while music videos played? Twentieth Century Fox does, and they’re bringing it to Blu-ray. It’s not a new concept, and certainly we’ve seen pop up trivia on DVD and Blu-ray before, but by using the iPhone or PC, Fox is eliminating the screen clutter.
After downloading FoxPop on an iPhone or PC and starting the program, users can simply play a compatible Blu-ray disc or DVD and FoxPop will automatically sync up using audio cues. From there, the program will pop up with trivia about the movie and offer insight into each scene, from the filming location to the name of the song in the background.
Additionally, FoxPop will provide Facebook and Twitter access, and let viewers share and chat with friends while watching the movie.
Mary Daily, EVP of Marketing at Fox, says that the new application will create a new, powerful connection between a film and its viewers. She also adds, “FoxPop furthers our commitment to providing consumers with the most exceptional home entertainment experience possible.”
FoxPop will be available on December 1st, right alongside the release of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.
Watch for further coverage of FoxPop later today!
Have YOU become a fan of the High-Def Digest Facebook page?
Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 02:00 PM ET
Fall is here, the leaves are changing, big Blu-rays releases are hitting stores, and there's a party raging on Facebook. Oh, and guess what? YOU'RE INVITED!
Check out the High-Def Digest Page on Facebook, become a fan, and spread the word, so you and your friends can always find the best Blu-ray and high-def reviews online.
Our Facebook page is still going strong! We're gaining new fans with each passing month, and we'd love you to join in the fun. In addition to our reviews and priceless witticisms, we use the page as one more way of spreading the word about the best high-def releases on the market.
If you haven't joined yet, you can check it out here and become a fan.
Hope to see you there soon!
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Reminder: iNetVideo.com Special Giveaway!
Fri Sep 18, 2009 at 04:00 PM ET
As a thank you to their High-Def Digest customers, iNet Video is awarding prizes - including $250 in gift certificates and 10 Blu-rays - to 15 winners!
This week we have an incredible giveaway sponsored by iNetVideo.com!
Grand Prize- $100 gift certificate to iNetvideo.com
2nd & 3rd place $50 gift certificate to iNetvideo.com
4th & 5th place $25 gift certificate to iNetVideo.com
6th - 15th place Your choice of 1 of 3 Blu-Rays discs
3 Blu ray choices for free giveaway (10 prizes where winners get to choose 1 of 3 bluray titles)
Get all the details and sign up here!
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HDD Production Focus: HD Makes Indies Like 'Greener Mountains' Possible
Fri Sep 04, 2009 at 02:45 PM ETTags: Michael S. Palmer (all tags)
High-Def Digest takes a look at high-def production and the way it's helped independent companies like Waterfall Films launch professional productions with limited budgets.
by Michael S. Palmer
Popcorn pops. Lights dim. A screen illuminates. And the sound soars. No, friends, you aren’t at the multiplex. You’re at home, sinking into your favorite chair with family and friends. Perhaps there’s a projector, or maybe a shiny new LCD you just snagged at Best Buy.
Home theater in high definition, a modern wonder that nearly rivals the cinema experience, allowing you to devour high-def content from satellite, cable, downloads, and the current king of resolution kings: Blu-ray.
But have you ever wondered how all this high definition goodness ends up on your screens? Ever watched a terrible flick and said to yourself, I don’t know how to do it, but I could sure as blazes do better than THAT!
Many do. And thanks to emerging technology, the ability to tell a visual story is readily accessible. Yet, for some, a short film on YouTube isn’t enough. These ambitious folks want need to make a *film* destined for the big screen and home theater.
And so begins our tale of two friends, Adam Selkowitz and Hector Hill. Actors by trade, living in Los Angeles, they wanted the same thing everyone in tinsel town wants: more control. Not for ego’s sake, but in order to create the kind of movies they passionately wanted to make. Their dreams lead to the creation of Waterfall Films in 2002, with Hill penning the company’s first script. Two full years of backbreaking work followed as they gathered just over $1 Million dollars to make 'Greener Mountains,' a charming family film about a young man who learns age old lessons about the importance of home and remaining true to one’s self.
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An interesting side note: the two actors didn’t perform in their own movie. By this time, they were Producers. And for those who don’t understand all those mysterious “Produced By” credits up on the screen, don’t fret. Produceris a difficult job to categorize, because it’s all encompassing. Directors often get an author-like “Film by” credit for their work, and while that’s a topic worthy of debate, many times it’s simply not true. Producers are energetic, hardworking individuals who build movies from the ground up. One-part storyteller, in helping writers make their scripts work better. One-part salesman, in finding financing through Hollywood studios or independent means. And one-part general, as they're the ones who hire directors and along with that director, the cast and crew.
So Selkowitz and Hill have a million dollars. Gosh, that sounds great. Time to make your epic. Only in the feature film world, a million dollars, sadly, doesn’t go that far. For perspective, an hour-long (which is really only 44 minutes) prime time television drama can cost over $2 Million per episode, or direct-to-video sequels/remakes can cost anywhere from $3-5 Million each.
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That leaves our first-time producers in a situation where they can make their dreams come true, but they need to be smart and economical with their funds. Which obviously leads to the question: shoot Greener Mountains in high definition video, or on traditional 16 or 35mm film?
Many think HD vs. Film is an easy choice. That HD is a vastly cheaper medium than film stock, which is misleading, says Selkowitz. It’s nothing grand like half-off, but the producers figured they eventually saved about 10% by choosing HD. This may not seem like a whole lot, but imagine being able to buy 10% more groceries every week for the same price. Further, the old independent film standby, 16mm, looks terrible on Blu-ray, thanks to grain that's twice the size of 35mm film, though newer film stocks are trying to fix this issue.
What was the deciding factor that landed Waterfall in the HD camp? Selkowitz did do a cost comparison, which showed potential for savings, but it wasn’t money. Well, not exactly. It was his experienced crew.
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Not all DPs, or Directors of Photography, are created equal. And those less capable might more easily succumb to high definition’s limitations, such as “blown out” (overexposed) whites. Hill and Selkowitz found HD pros by attracting the talent of four time Emmy® Nominee Lee Shallat Chemel, who at the time was directing Fox’s 'Arrested Development,' which was already being made in HD. Chemel brought in her ace DP, Greg Harrington. Together, Chemel and Harrington convinced Waterfall that HD was the best choice.
The odd fact of course regarding the savings is that it’s not what you’re shooting on, or even literally what you are filming that is the most expensive commodity in filmmaking. It’s time. Every minute or day wasted in low budget movies comes right off the finished, final product. But with HD, recorded to tape, Waterfall Films was able to shoot an entire feature film in only 23 days. Compare that to the months typical Hollywood studio pictures take to complete. HD, Selkowitz says, allows you to be versatile (catch up, change directions) and even integrate different levels of HD with greater ease (such as a consumer HD camcorder).
'Greener Mountains' was shot with Sony’s F900 camera (now part of the CineAlta series) utilizing Panavision film lenses, which George Lucas used for 'Star Wars Episode II' (the first major motion picture to be shot 100% digitally), Robert Rodriguez used for 'Sin City,' and most recently, Michael Mann used for his period crime epic, 'Public Enemies.' Although the film is currently available only on standard definition DVD*, the results are impressive, with much of the credit going to DP Harrington who, with a loyal camera assistant in their own free time, captured various “insert shots” and material for the opening title sequence. There’s some marvelous early morning nature photography on display.
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Much of the movie actually looks like film, rather than HD, which brought up an interesting conversation with Selkowitz. Since the rise of digital video/editing a decade ago, is it surprising that digital cinema, or high definition in general, is embraced not for its own intrinsic qualities, but rather its ability to emulate film? Think about it. Every “widescreen” YouTube short wants to be the next 'Pulp Fiction,' or 'Star Wars.' Add to this many televisions that can display 24P (which matches the 24 frames-per-second rate at which film runs through a projector).
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The zenith of story telling aesthetics, at this time, remains that film look, which makes the work of directors like Michael Mann, who has shot HD for 'Collateral,' 'Miami Vice,' and 'Public Enemies,' stand alone. Mann’s movies are clearly video, which aesthetically may not work for some viewers because it doesn’t have that film feeling. With classics like 'The Wizard of Oz' approaching their 70th anniversaries, it’s no wonder the feeling of watching film is so ingrained in our culture and subconscious. The question remains, how much longer will this last?
As for 'Greener Mountains,' Selkowitz spoke of the need in the Indie world, when trying to obtain that elusive, coveted “theatrical distribution” (plays in movie theatres), to help any potential distributor feel like they have a film in their hands, regardless of the original medium. Otherwise, your movie is destined for the small screen.
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Selkowitz is fully in the HD camp now (he’s open to film, but will most likely lean towards HD productions). In addition to on set bonuses, the postproduction process is streamlined in the always-digital pipeline, not to mention through color correction, the ability to achieve just about any desired aesthetic. Yet, despite its wonders, Selkowitz cautions first-timers of HD’s limitations. The key to taking advantage of this impressive technology is finding and listening to experts in the medium, as HD can be much less forgiving than film. For example, in trying to tweak one night scene, Selkowitz spoke of the challenge trying to bring out areas of the screen where the video camera had not recorded enough information (definition). In film, with its millions of grains versus the thousands of pixels in HD, it would have been easier to improve upon an image that appeared too light or dark.
Regardless of its challenges, the all-digital High Definition motion picture has been evolving over the last decade and is here to stay. Thanks to its inherent flexibility both in production, postproduction, and distribution, high-def is a key factor in allowing independent filmmakers to bring their cinematic dreams to both the large and small silver screens.
*(editor's Note - 'Greener Mountains' is currently only available to own on DVD, but be on the lookout for future HD broadcasts on StarzHD. A Blu-ray or HD digital download may eventually be in the works, depending on the domestic and foreign distributors wants/needs.)
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'Deadlands 2: Trapped' on… HD-DVD??!!
Fri Sep 04, 2009 at 02:15 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements (all tags)
You heard that correctly. Anthem Films is bringing Gary Ugarek's indie zombie film to the defunct format in a limited edition.
'Deadlands 2: Trapped' will be released on HD-DVD on October 27. What makes the release special is that it will come with a numbered certificate of authenticity and will be limited to 500 copies.
This not only makes the release the last title to make its way to the deceased format, but will also make it a highly sought-after collectible.
Gary Ugarek has this to say about his release:
“Over the last 18 months, since HD DVD’s demise, I and a small group of HD DVD enthusiasts have scoured every part of the planet trying to obtain the left over releases of HD DVD material. We were early adopters of the format and still feel to this day the format shouldn’t have been left to die off. So I set out to do some research and realized the following:
During HD DVD’s release, over 1,000,000 player units were sold and over 800 titles were released for the format. At the end of its tenure the market penetration still remained strong, and the format built a dedicated fan base."
"So I set out to see if these HD DVD owners would be interested in a brand new release. I presented all the information about the film, gave them access and links to trailers, the press kit and the technical aspects… and you know what… THEY LOVED THE IDEA. The feedback was unbelievable. Within 36 hours of putting the question out there, I received over 200+ emails, within 96 hours 380+ requests from HD DVD fans asking me to make this happen."
"I presented the idea to Anthem Pictures, the distributor, and they liked it, and immediately jumped behind it.”
“Some people thought I was flat out nuts and were asking, why HD DVD? Are you not a Blu-Ray supporter? I answered I am, but when you have a dedicated fan base for a format, like HD-DVD does, and you see the passion of its supporters I immediately knew I wanted to do this for the fans. I want to give them something special.”
“I had been asked by the fans to include something about how I made a micro/low budget zombie film, and what my experiences were, what hoops and hurdles I had to overcome, and I though sure, why not.”
“I know it’s a gamble with HD DVD having lost out on the format war, but based on feedback from HD DVD fans we expect this to be a huge moment for them, the film and HD DVD. Kind of ironic that a zombie film would be helping HD DVD try to come back from the dead, even if for a short period of time, but who knows, if the program is a success maybe other indie filmmakers and distributors can do something similar for the HD DVD fans and keep it alive for the hard core.”
Specs are still unknown for the HD-DVD, but supplements include both the Unrated & Original Work Print versions, director's commentary, work print commentary, featurette on indie filmmaking from the director's POV, featurette on the theatre cineplex location, and more!
Most of the supplements will be exclusive to the HD-DVD version as well.
Suggested price for the HD-DVD has been set at $29.95 plus shipping and handling, and it can be pre-ordered here.
You can find the latest specs for 'Deadlands 2: Trapped' linked from our HD-DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 27.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Deadlands 2: Trapped (HD DVD)
Have YOU Become A Fan of The High-Def Digest Facebook Page?
Wed Sep 02, 2009 at 04:30 PM ET
There's a party raging on Facebook, and you're invited! Check out the High-Def Digest Page on Facebook, become a fan, and spread the word, so you and your friends can always find the best Blu-ray and high-def reviews online.
Our Facebook page has been going strong for the last few months, and we'd love you to become a fan and join in the fun. In addition to our reviews and priceless witticisms, we use the page as one more way of spreading the word about the best high-def releases on the market.
If you haven't joined yet, you can check it out here and become a fan.
Hope to see you there soon!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
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