| HD DVD NEWS TAGGED "BCI" | Receive HD DVD News via RSS |  |
BCI Moves to Blu, Cancels Upcoming HD DVD Slate (UPDATED)
Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Industry Trends, BCI (all tags)
UPDATE 03/26/08: We've received word from BCI that the 'Son of Paleface/My Favorite Brunette' HD DVD will be available via select retailers as originally scheduled. The company has no plans to support the format with any further releases. We've updated our database accordingly.
BCI/Eclipse has announced it has become the latest indie to go Blu, and has cancelled all previously-scheduled HD DVD titles.
The indie distributor was the first major indie to announce HD DVD support in late 2006, with a line-up of diverse cult gems that included 'Galaxina,' 'Golgo 13' and 'The Way of the World.' After a delay of over a year, however, only 'Galaxina' finally showed up in stores earlier this year, joining such recent BCI HD DVD releases as 'Ultimate Force' and the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby double-feature 'Road to Rio/Road to Bali.'
BCI had originally announced its latest HD DVD title (another Bob Hope double-header, 'My Favorite Brunette'/'Son of Paleface') was due to hit stores this week, but it failed to materialize on retail shelves. When asked for comment, a BCI rep confirmed to us that the company has nixed the release, as well any future support for the format.
Fans can still look forward to future next-gen BCI titles, however, as they will continue to throw their weight behind Blu-ray (the company has so far released 'Ultimate Force' on the format, as well as the "double feature" titles, 'Night of the Werewolf/Vengeance of the Zombies' and 'Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2'). According to the rep, it is planning a more aggressive Blu-ray line-up for later this year, although exact titles and street dates have yet to be determined.
As always, we'll keep you posted of all of BCI's future announcements as soon as they are officially confirmed.
In the meantime, we've removed the listing for 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' from our HD DVD Release Schedule.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Galaxina (HD DVD)
- The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)
- Ultimate Force (HD DVD)
- Ultimate Force (Blu-ray)
- The Night of the Werewolf/Vengeance of the Zombies (Blu-ray)
- Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2: Hanging By a Thread (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way (Jul 03, 2006)
More Bob Hope Flicks Bound For HD DVD
Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
BCI has revealed that it's bringing another double dose of Bob Hope to high-def this March, with the HD DVD bow of the classics 'Son of Paleface' and 'My Favorite Brunette.'
The second high-def release in BCI's Bob Hope Collection (following next month's 'Road to Rio/Road to Bali' HD DVD release), the 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' double feature will make its next-gen debut on March 25, 2008.
Tech specs see both features presented on a single HD-30 dual-layer disc, each remastered from new source elements in 1080p video (no codec yet announced) and English Dolby 1.0 mono audio.
There are no announced supplements, but we'll keep you posted as any further specs are revealed.
BCI has set a suggested retail price for the HD DVD of $19.98.
You'll find disc details for 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 25, 2008.
We've also set up a dedicated thread for BCI's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface (HD DVD)
- The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bob Hope/Bing Crosby 'Road' Flicks Bound For HD DVD (Oct 25, 2007)
Bob Hope/Bing Crosby 'Road' Flicks Bound For HD DVD
Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 01:15 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
BCI has announced it will bring the classic comedies 'Road to Bali' and 'Road to Rio' to HD DVD as a double-feature disc this January.
Two of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's most famous "road pictures," both 'Bali' (1953) and 'Rio' (1947) have fallen into the public domain in recent years, and have seen over a dozen different DVD releases by nearly many distributors, most of substandard quality.
BCI hopes to change all that with its upcoming HD DVD double-feature disc on January 8, which will see both films presented in full 1080p video for the first time, and minted from newly-remastered source elements. (Audio specs are still TBA.)
At press time there were nosupplemental features planned, but we'll keep you posted if any new specs are announced.
Retail for the HD DVD will be $19.98.
As always, you'll find disc details for 'The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio' double feature linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 8, 2008.
We've also set up a dedicated thread for BCI's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Road to Bali/Road to Rio' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)
'Galaxina' Returns to HD DVD Slate This January
Wed Oct 24, 2007 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Disc Annoucements, BCI (all tags)
After a delay of over a year, BCI will finally bow the cult classic 'Galaxina' on HD DVD in early January.
First announced way back in May of 2006, 'Galaxina' had originally been scheduled as part of an ambitious HD DVD line-up of B-movie gems that also included 'Gorgo 13' and 'That's the Way of the World.' But only days before their intended release date in late September 2006, indie distributor BCI indefinitely postponed all three titles, citing a lack of retailer interest.
Now, with next-gen sales on the rise, BCI has finally rescheduled 'Galaxina,' which will hit HD DVD on January 8 in a slyly-named "26th Anniversary Edition."
The delay has turned out out to be a blessing in disguise, with BCI bumping up the disc's video to full 1080p/VC-1 (it had previously been announced as 1080i only), and also adding a remixed Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 surround track in addition to the original Dolby 1.0 Mono.
Extras will include an audio commentary with the filmmakers, an additional audio interview, multiple still galleries, storyboards, the original theatrical trailer and a 6-page collectible booklet.
BCI has dropped the originally-announced list price for 'Galaxina,' too, reducing the previous MSRP by five dollars to $19.98.
Though the distributor has not yet announced new dates for its other delayed HD DVD titles, the return of 'Galaxina' has us optimistic that they'll be on the way soon. We'll certainly keep you posted
In the meantime, you'll find disc details for 'Galaxina' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under its new date of January 8, 2008.
We've also set up a dedicated thread for BCI's return in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Galaxina' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Galaxina (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Indie BCI Throws Hat in HD-DVD Ring with Twenty New Titles (May 01, 2006)
- BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way (Jul 03, 2006)
- BCI Postpones First HD DVD Titles (Sep 21, 2006)
BCI Preps 'Son of Pale Face' For High-Def Release
Mon Oct 08, 2007 at 12:18 PM ETTags: BCI (all tags)
No release date yet, but we can exclusively report that the technicolor classic 'Son of Pale Face' is headed to high-def disc.
A senior executive at indie distributor BCI told us that the company is currently preparing the title for high-def release, and that the test footage looks "amazing."
A sequel to Bob Hope's earlier hit, 'Pale Face,' the 1952 film reunites Hope with Jane Russell, and adss in singing cowboy Roy Rogers and Trigger the Wonder Horse for good measure.
The technicolor film's DVD release in 2000 was praised for its pure and brilliant colors, and we can only expect will look even more brilliant in glorious high-definition.
BCI is officially a dual-format supporting studio, so this one's likely to hit both Blu-ray and HD DVD.
In anticipation of a future announcement for 'Son of Pace Face,' we've added a listing for the title under the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule. Stay tuned!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Report: 'He-Man' Blu-ray, HD DVD Release "Very Likely" (UPDATED)
Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 07:55 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include some late-breaking comments from our friends at BCI (see below).
2008 may just be the year of 'He-Man' on high-def, with BCI said to be seriously weighing a next-gen release for the classic cartoon character.
TVShowsonDVD.com has the first concrete details on the indie distributor's plans to bring the 2002 television version of 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' to disc. Spanning three separate single-disc volumes with 13 episodes a pop, the site reports that a feature-packed, remastered version of the series is currently being planned for a February 2008 DVD debut, and that there is a "better than 90%" chance of a release on Blu-ray and/or HD DVD.
According to information provided by BCI, testing of the episodes in high-def yielded "much better-quality visuals with extra depth to the scenes, more dynamic colors and greater background details."
While we're optimistic that 'He-Man' will find his way to next-gen disc, we've had our hopes dashed by BCI in the past. The distributor, which has yet to release a title on either HD DVD or Blu-ray originally announced a series of cult classics for release on HD DVD in late 2006, including 'Galaxina,' 'That's the Way of the World' and 'Golgo 13, but those titles were ultimately delayed without explanation, and have yet to see next-gen release.
More recently, the company announced it would finally make its high-def debut with the dual-format November release of 'Ultimate Force.' So far as we know, that release is still on track.
UPDATE (9/28/07, 9:58PM ET): We've just heard from BCI, and they've confirmed that indeed it's all systems go for the November 13 next gen release of 'Ultimate Force.' According to an high-placed exec at the company, BCI's earlier next-gen releases were delayed due to a lack of interest at retail due to limited shelf space, but they now believe demand should be much higher.
Needless to say, we'll let you know as soon as a confirmed street date and details come in for 'He-Man.'
In anticipation of a future announcement for 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,' we've added a listing for the title under the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule. Stay tuned!
(Thanks to Dave for the tip!)
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' Scoop - Amazing Plans on DVD; Blu-ray and HD DVD Too! [TVShowsonDVD.com]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Galaxina (HD DVD)
- Shrek the Third (Blu-ray)
- That's the Way of the World (HD DVD)
- Ultimate Force (Blu-ray)
- Ultimate Force (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- BCI to Exercise 'Ultimate Force' on Blu-ray, HD DVD
- BCI Delays First HD DVD Titles
- BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way
BCI Postpones First HD DVD Titles
Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 03:44 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
In the second delay for its HD DVD launch titles in less than a month,
BCI has announced they have postponed all releases until further notice.
Originally set to debut its first three HD DVD titles beginning last week, including the cult faves 'That's the Way of the World,' 'Galaxina' and 'Golgo 13,' indie distributor BCI now says they, and all its future scheduled titles, have been delayed indefinitely.
Though BCI did confirm to us the postponement, no reasons were divulged for the reasons behind the bump, so like you, we'll just have to stay tuned.
In the meantime, we've relegated all BCI titles on our HD DVD Release Schedule to the "Release Dates Postponed" section until further notice.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- BCI Delays First HD DVD Title (Aug 30, 2006)
BCI Delays First HD DVD Title
Wed Aug 30, 2006 at 03:15 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
With no advance notice, indie distributor BCI has quietly pushed back
the debut of its first HD DVD title, 'That's
the Way of the World,' which was originally set to hit stores yesterday.
First announced for release last month, the disc will now debut on September 12, one week before BCI's next two scheduled HD DVD titles, 'Galaxina' and 'Golgo 13,' are due at retail.
BCI has issued no official reason for the sudden delay, though the company confirmed that none of the technical specs or bonus features for 'That's the Way of the World' will be affected by the street date change.
The title's suggested list price of $29.95 also remains intact.
The street date change has been noted on our HD DVD Release Schedule, and we've also added full specs for all of BCI's announced HD DVD disc titles, including box cover art.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles (Jul 03, 2006)
BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way
Mon Jul 03, 2006 at 02:54 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
After announcing support earlier this year for HD DVD, leading indie
distributor BCI Home Entertainment is planning an early Fall debut for their
first three titles on the format.Due in stores on August 29 is the '70s cult classic 'That's the Way of the World,' starring Harvey Keitel and Earth, Wind & Fire. It will be followed on September 19 by a "26th Anniversary Edition" of the Dorothy Stratten sci-fi spoof 'Galaxina,' and the Sonny Chiba martial arts favorite 'Golgo 13.'
All three releases will feature widescreen transfers encoded at 1080i (not the industry standard 1080p) and remixed Dolby Digital-Plus soundtracks. 'That's the Way of the World' and 'Galaxina' will come chock full of extras, including audio commentaries, still galleries, trailers and a collectible booklet, while 'Golgo 13' will be presented for the first time in the United States in its original uncut and uncensored version. None of the releases will include exclusive HD bonus content.
BCI has also announced it will release further HD DVD titles by year's end, including three themed box sets, 'The Sonny Chiba Collection,' 'The Bob Hope Collection,' and 'The Spanish Horror Collection' featuring seven films from cult actor Paul Naschy.
The studio also plans to release its first Blu-ray titles later this year, in time for the debut of the PlayStation 3 in November. Further details are expected in the coming weeks.
Complete specs and box art for the BCI titles have been added to our complete HD DVD Release Schedule.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Indie BCI Throws Hat in HD-DVD Ring with Twenty New Titles (May 01, 2006)
Indie BCI Throws Hat in HD-DVD Ring with Twenty New Titles
Mon May 01, 2006 at 02:03 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, BCI (all tags)
BCI, an independent distributor of genre and cult DVD product, today announced
support for the HD-DVD format with an initial slate of twenty new titles,
reports Home Media Retailing.The indie company's lineup are nothing if not eclectic. The first four titles scheduled for release this August include the 1975 music business comedy 'That's the Way of the World' starring Harvey Keitel, the horror sci-fi comedy 'Galaxina,' and two foreign '70s cult horror pics, 'Night of the Werewolf' and 'Vengeance of the Zombies.'
"With the immediate consumer excitement and demand for HD-DVD players, we're excited to be one of the first suppliers out of the box with HD programming," Ed Goetz, president of BCI, told HMR.
BCI has not yet announced full specs or exact release dates for its first HD-DVD titles, though retail price will be $24.95 each.
Watch our complete HD-DVD Release Schedule for further details as they become available.
- Related links:
- BCI Reveals Eclectic HD-DVD Slate [Home Media Retailing]
» High-Def Digest home page
|
|