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Image Cancels Upcoming HD DVD Slate
Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Street Date Changes, Image Entertainment (all tags)
Image Entertainment has canceled its entire remaining HD DVD release slate, and says an official announcement ending support for the format is forthcoming.
One of the leading suppliers of independent titles on high-def, Image had previously supported both the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, releasing a variety of music, special interest, and theatrical releases over the past two years.
A company spokesperson tells us that a written press release, due in the next several days, will confirm an end to their HD DVD support. Furthermore, effective immediately, Image has canceled all of the remaining HD DVD titles on its release schedule.
Among the HD DVD titles affected by the change are 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' (originally due April 15), and a spate of IMAX films (which had been set for an April 8 release).
Image's upcoming Blu-ray release schedule will be unaffected by the news.
We'll keep you posted on Image's official exit from the HD DVD format as soon as an announcement is released.
In the meantime, we've removed all of the distributor's upcoming titles from our HD DVD Release Schedule.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' Heads to HD DVD (UPDATE: Blu-ray Too!)
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Image Entertainment (all tags)
UPDATE: (2:30pm, 12/14/07) We've just received word from Image Entertainment that this title is planned for both HD DVD *and* Blu-ray release. (Earlier retail reports suggested HD DVD-only.) We've updated the text of this article accordingly.
Image Entertainment is planning an April high-def release for the acclaimed Sidney Lumet crime thriller 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.'
Starring Ethan Hawke and Philip Seymour Hoffman as brothers who get entangled in a plot to rob their parents jewelry store, 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' has been hailed as a return to form for Lumet, and is generating early Oscar buzz.
Image has now revealed plans to bring the thriller to HD DVD and Blu-ray on April 15, day-and-date with the standard-def DVD. Both high-def editions are expected to retail at a suggested $35.98 list price.
There were no tech specs or supplemental details available at press time, but a full announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, you'll find preliminary disc details for 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule and our Blu-ray release schedule, where it's indexed under April 15, 2008.
We've also set up dedicated threads for Lumet's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' HD DVD release or the 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' Blu-ray release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Hannah Montana And Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds Concert Tour (Blu-ray)
- Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (Blu-ray)
UK Cult Fave 'Dead Fish' Bound for Blu-ray, HD DVD (UPDATED)
Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Image Entertainment (all tags)
UPDATE (11/27/07, 4pm ET): Contrary to earlier reports, it looks like high-def early adopters will have to keep waiting for the UK crime caper 'Dead Fish' to hit Blu-ray and HD DVD. We've just received word from Image Entertainment that despite the fact that next-gen editions of 'Dead Fish' had been listed on their website, 'Dead Fish' is *not* currently planned for release on either HD DVD or Blu-ray.
Though it's been compared to such classic UK gangster flicks as 'Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Get Carter,' 'Dead Fish' barely got a theatrical release Stateside back in 2004. Since then, it's gained a small but passionate US following as an import, earning particular notoriety for several go-for-broke performances from stars Gary Oldman, Robert Carlyle and Terence Stamp.
Image clearly hopes to grow that cult audience with the film's long-delayed domestic home video debut which will see 'Dead Fish' hit Blu-ray and HD DVD day-and-date with the standard-def DVD on April 8, 2008.
Given the early announcement, there are no tech specs or supplement details available yet for'Dead Fish,' but as always we'll keep you posted.
Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, we can bring you the theatrical trailer for 'Dead Fish,' which provides a taste of the film's decidedly eccentric sensibilities. Click "play" below to watch:
Image has set a suggested list price of $29.98 for the Blu-ray and HD DVD.
You'll find the latest disc details for 'Dead Fish' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 8, 2008.
We've also set up dedicated threads for Image's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Dead Fish' Blu-ray release or the 'Dead Fish' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Dead Fish (Blu-ray)
- Dead Fish (HD DVD)
New Batch of IMAX Classics Bound For HD DVD
Tue Oct 02, 2007 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, IMAX, Image Entertainment (all tags)
Traveling through land, sea and air, Image Entertainment will bring a quartet of nature-themed IMAX films to HD DVD early next year.
The latest in a series of recent announcements from the indie distributor, debuting on January 8 will be the IMAX classics 'The Alps,' 'Coral Reef Adventure,' 'Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag' and 'Mystery of the Nile.'
Although Image is a dual-fomat supporting distributor, as of yet, these four titles have been announced for HD DVD only. This continues the company's recent pattern of issuing entirely different slates for each of the two next-gen formats.
Each title will receive remastered 1080p transfers (codec TBA) in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio recomposed for HDTV-friendly dimensions. Audio options include Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 surround tracks on each title, with 'Fighter Pilot' also enjoying a full-blown Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix. At press time, no supplements were planned for any of the titles.
Image has set a suggested retail price of $24.95 apiece.
You'll find final disc details and box art for all four of the titles linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where they are indexed under January 8.
We've also set up a dedicated thread for discussion of these latest IMAX releases in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Alps'/'Coral Reef Adventure'/'Fighter Pilot'/'Mystery of the Nile' HD DVD releases.
(Thanks to Diabolo for the tip!)
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (Blu-ray)
- Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (Blu-ray)
- Starship Troopers Trilogy (Blu-ray)
- Transformers (2007) (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Image Entertainment Reveals New Mini-Wave of HD DVD Concert Discs (Sep 21, 2007)
- Image Entertainment Plans Wave of Special Interest Titles For Blu-ray (Sep 20, 2007)
Image Entertainment Reveals New Mini-Wave of HD DVD Concert Discs
Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 11:45 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Image Entertainment (all tags)
We can't imagine a more disparate set of musicians, but R. Kelly, Roy Orbison and The Moody Blues will topline Image Entertainment's next wave of HD DVD concert discs.
Due December 18th, the three releases continue a trend we first reported on yesterday, with indie distributor Image Entertainment returning to the high-def scene after a nearly a year. But while each of the titles we reported on yesterday were announced for Blu-ray only, the distributor is demonstrating its own special approach to dual-format support with each of today's three concert discs thus far only announced for HD DVD.
Kicking off the trio of releases is 'R. Kelly Live! The Light it Up Tour,' first released on DVD in March of this year. Shot with ten high-def cameras at at the world famous Paramount Theater in Oakland, CA, the 110 minute concert features live renditions of over 40 tracks, including "Bump and Grind," "Fiesta," "Step In The Name of Love" and "I Believe I Can Fly."
Next up, 'The Moody Blues: Lovely to See You - Live' captures the seminal progressive rock band live at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles during their 2005 World tour. Billed as the Blues' first live release without an orchestra since 1969, this 106-minute disc boasts 20 live tracks, including the classics "Nights In White Satin," "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock 'n' Roll Band)," and "Tuesday Afternoon."
Finally, closing things out is an (apparently) upconverted HD DVD edition of the classic, 'Roy Orbison: A Black & White Night.' Originally produced in 1987, this hour-performance features Orbison performing many of his classic hits with the help of an all-star line-up that includes Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, J.D. Souther, Jennifer Warnes, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits.
Complete tech specs have not yet been released, but each title is confirmed to include Dolby TrueHD audio tracks, and mong the various extras are musical biographies, artist interviews and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Retail is $24.99 each.
You'll find disc details for all three of Image's new music titles linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where they are indexed under December 18.
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)
- Roy Orbison: A Black & White Night (HD DVD)
- The Moody Blues: Lovely to See You - Live at the Greek (HD DVD)
- R. Kelly Live - The Light It Up Tour (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Image Entertainment Plans Wave of Special Interest Titles For Blu-ray (Sep 20, 2007)
Image Delays First HD DVD Music Titles
Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 02:59 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Image Entertainment (all tags)
Originally due in stores today, Image Entertainment has quietly bumped its debut HD DVD music titles 'Heart: Alive in Seattle' and 'Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek' until mid-December.
First announced two months ago for a November 14 HD DVD release, Image has now shuffled both music releases to December 12. They join 'Barry Manilow Live!', which as we previously reported was also pushed back to the new date.
No changes to disc specs or additional features are expected, and retail remains $24.95 apiece.
We've updated our HD DVD Release Schedule with the new street date for these discs, and stay tuned for any further news as it comes in.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Image Amps Up First HD DVD Releases (Aug 16, 2006)
- Barry Manilow Suffers High-Def Laryngitis (Nov 08, 2006)
Barry Manilow Suffers High-Def Laryngitis
Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 12:25 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Image Entertainment (all tags)
He may write the songs, but the whole world won't be singing them just yet -- at least in high-def -- as Image Entertainment has delayed next week's HD DVD release of 'Barry Manilow Live!'.
Originally set to debut on November 14, Image has set a new date of December 12 for the beloved crooner's high-def debut.
Image has given no reason for the delay, but there are no changes expected to the disc's technical specs and supplemental features, which are scheduled to include a commentary by Manilow.
List price for the release also remains the same at $24.95.
We've added the date change for 'Manilow Live!' to our HD DVD Release Schedule, and we hope to have a full review for you when the disc finally arrives.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Image Amps Up First HD DVD Releases (Aug 16, 2006)
Image Amps Up First HD DVD Releases
Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 02:47 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Image Entertainment, Music (all tags)
Leading indie DVD distributor Image Entertainment has thrown
its hat in the HD DVD ring, announcing three music titles for release
on the format this Fall.
Arriving in stores on November 7, Image has selected three of its catalog music titles to kick things off: 'Barry Manilow Live!,' 'Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek Theatre' and 'Heart: Alive in Seattle.'
Though video and audio specs are not yet available, all three titles were originally shot in full 1080p video, so expectations are for a similar presentation on HD DVD.
As for extras, no major supplements have been announced, save for an audio commentary by Barry Manilow on 'Barry Manilow Live!' and the bonus track "Drum Duel" on 'Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek Theatre.'
Image has set a suggested $24.99 list price for each release.
The latest details for all three titles have been added to our complete HD
DVD Release Calendar, and stay tuned for final specs as soon as they are
officially announced.
Image to Power Up High-Def DVD Strategy
Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 02:24 PM ETTags: Industry Forecasts, Image Entertainment (all tags)
One of the leading distributors of DVD programming including the Criterion
Collection, Image Entertainment is gearing up to bring
its growing library of titles to high-def DVD, reports Home Media Retailing.Image currently controls a library of more than 1,600 DVD titles, including feature films, music videos, classic TV series and special interest programming. They also handle distribution duties for the 290-title Criterion Collection.
To spearhead their aggressive high-def DVD plans, the company has tapped one of the key lieutenants to the father of DVD. John Powers, one-time VP of DVD market development for Warner Home Video when president Warren Lieberfarb was masterminding the launch of the format, has been tapped to pilot Image's high-def sales marketing efforts.
"John was a key driving force behind the successful launch of DVD, and we cannot think of anyone more qualified to lead our charge into high-definition, furthering the value of our catalog," Image president David Borshell told HMR.
Image has yet to announce their first high-def DVD release on either the HD DVD or Blu-ray formats; further announcements on the company's future high-def strategy is expected later this year.
- Related links:
- Image Adds Powers for HD Strategy [Home Media Retailing]
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