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HD DVD Backer Weinstein Goes MIA; Speculation Mounts
Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Weinstein Co. (all tags)
With no releases or announcements from the Weinstein Company in over four months, speculation is mounting that there are changes afoot for the HD DVD exclusive distributor.
Although the well-regarded indie had been among the HD DVD camp's most high-profile exclusive studio partners, releasing nearly a dozen titles over the first six months of this year (including 'Clerks II,' 'Lucky Number Slevin' and 'Scary Movie 4'), the studio has been uncharacteristically quiet in recent months.
In fact, we haven't heard a peep from Weinstein on the next-gen front since the studio's June 12 HD DVD releases of 'Harsh Times' and 'Black Xmas.'
Could the studio be re-evaluating its HD DVD exclusivity stance? That's the current speculation among industry insiders and fans alike.
We recently brought the question to the studio itself, asking a Weinstein spokesperson to comment on the ongoing rumors, but his response seems likely to only add fuel to fire. "We aren’t commenting on our High-Def plans at this time" was the only word back from the studio.
So what's cooking? Darned if we know, but with such highly anticipated next-gen titles as 'Grindhouse' and '1408' waiting in the wings, here's hoping the studio will break its silence sometime soon.
- Related links:
- Where's Weinstein? [High-Def Digest Forums]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Clerks II (HD DVD)
- Lucky Number Slevin (HD DVD)
- Scary Movie 4 (HD DVD)
- Harsh Times (HD DVD)
- Black Christmas (2006) (HD DVD)
Weinstein Co. Bumps 'Black Christmas,' 'Harsh Times' HD DVD Dates
Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 12:01 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
The Weinstein Co. is shuffling its upcoming HD DVD line-up, moving the late spring releases 'Black Christmas' and 'Harsh Times' back one month to early summer.
Both titles had been scheduled for a May 8 release, but the studio confirmed late Tuesday that they have now been slotted for June 12.
The Weinstein Co. has also revealed full details for both titles. Tech specs include 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfers, plus full-blown Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks on each.
Extras include two making-of featurettes, seven deleted scenes and three alternate endings on 'Black Christmas,' while 'Harsh Times' gets a lone high-def trailer gallery.
Each title will list for a suggested $29.99.
We've added full specs for both titles to our complete HD DVD Release Schedule, under June 12. Stay tuned for box cover art in the days ahead...
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)
- Black Christmas (2006) (HD DVD)
- Harsh Times (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Weinstein Co. Scares Up 'Black Christmas,' Rejiggers Winter HD DVD Line-Up (Feb 25, 2007)
Weinstein Co. Scares Up 'Black Christmas,' Rejiggers Winter HD DVD Line-Up
Sun Feb 25, 2007 at 10:59 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
Bringing a dose of holiday horror to HD DVD, the Weinstein Co. has announced the 2006 remake of 'Black Christmas,' and split its original March slate into two waves now due in April and May.
A gory reimagining of the 1974 cult classic, 'Black Christmas' failed to make much of a box office impression this past December. However, horror fans will have a second chance to check out the bloody results when the Weinstein Co. debuts the title on HD DVD May 8.
'Black Christmas' will be joined by another Weinstein title, 'Harsh Times,' which as previously reported, was originally set for a March 27 HD DVD debut along with two other titles, 'School for Scoundrels' and 'Feast.'
The studio will further splinter that original March wave, with both 'Scoundrels' and 'Feast' now receiving a new street date of April 17.
Though no specs are yet available for either 'Black Christmas' or 'Harsh Times,' the Weinstein Co. has issued tech deatils for 'Feast' and 'Scoundrels.' Each will feature 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfers, and loads of extras. The goodies include audio commentaries on each disc, multiple featurettes, deleted scenes, and on 'Feast,' a blooper reel and a "Project Greenlight: Where Are They Now?" follow-up special.
In even more exciting news for audiophiles, 'Scoundrels' and 'Feast' will also boast Dolby TrueHD tracks. Word from Weinstein is that the studio hopes to make the lossless format standard on their HD DVD titles going forward, so we can expect to see a lot more high-resolution audio from the Weinstein Co. in the future.
Retail has been set at $29.95 for each release.
The latest specs and updated street dates for all upcoming Weinstein Co. titles can be found in our complete HD DVD Release Schedule.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- 'Feast,' 'Harsh Times' Fill Out Weinstein Co.'s March HD DVD Slate (Feb 14, 2007)
'Feast,' 'Harsh Times' Fill Out Weinstein Co.'s March HD DVD Slate
Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 12:01 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
Adding two new titles to their growing HD DVD library, the Weinstein Co. will bring 'Feast' and 'Harsh Times' to the next-gen format on March 27.
No tech specs or supplemental details are yet known for either release, though we can certainly expect the usual 1080p video transfers and, if recent Weinstein titles like 'Clerks II' and 'Pulse' are any indication, possibly Dolby TrueHD soundtracks as well.
Both titles join 'School for Scoundrels,' which was previously announced late last month for a March 27 HD DVD release.
The Weinsteins have set a $29.95 list price for each.
The latest details for both 'Feast' and 'Harsh Times' have now been added to our HD DVD Release Schedule under March 27. Stay tuned for full specs to come in the days ahead.
We've also set up dedicated threads for these titles in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Feast' HD DVD release and 'Harsh Times' HD DVD release.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Weinstein Co.'s 'School for Scoundrels' in Session on HD DVD (Jan 23, 2007)
Weinstein Co.'s 'School for Scoundrels' in Session on HD DVD
Tue Jan 23, 2007 at 04:12 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
The Weinstein Co. continues their exclusive support of the HD DVD format with the release of the comedy 'School for Scoundrels,' due in stores March 27.
Though the $18 million-grossing comedy was not a huge hit, the Weinsteins will be giving a generous treatment on HD DVD, as part of a "Ballbuster Edition" that includes an Unrated version of the film, audio commentary with director Todd Phillips, and more features to be announced.
Tech specs include a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, and audio formats to be revealed.
Genius has set a $29.95 list price for the release.
We've added the most current specs for 'School for Scoundrels' to our HD DVD Release Schedule under March 27. Stay tuned for complete details as they're announced...
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Weinstein Co. Sets Date, Specs for Second HD DVD Wave
Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 02:40 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
With little time to spare, the Weinstein Co. has officially set a January 16, 2007, street date for its second wave of HD DVD titles, including 'Clerks II,' 'Pulse' and 'Lucky Number Slevin.'
Each title will receive the 1080p and Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 surround treatment, and a host of extras. Both 'Pulse' and 'Lucky Number Slevin' feature audio commentaries, featurettes and deleted scenes, while 'Clerks II' is a two-disc behemoth with no less than three audio commentaries, a 90-minute documentary, a VH-1 TV special, and more.
Retail is $29.95 a pop.
You can check out full specs for each in our HD DVD Release Schedule, and today we received copies of each title for review, so watch for our coverage to appear beginning later today.
We also set up dedicated threads for all the titles in our new Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Clerks II' HD DVD release, the 'Pulse' HD DVD release and the 'Lucky Number Slevin' HD DVD release.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Weinstein Co. Drops More Hints at HD DVD January Line-Up (Dec 07, 2006)
Weinstein Co. Drops More Hints at HD DVD January Line-Up
Thu Dec 07, 2006 at 02:39 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
Weinstein Co./Genius continues to leak out info (very) slowly for its pending January slate of HD DVD titles, today releasing box art which further hint at specs.
The company's second next-gen wave of titles will include the indie hits 'Lucky Number Slevin,' Kevin Smith's 'Clerks II' and the horror opus 'Pulse.'
Genius sent along box art for all three titles, though full specs remain elusive. But it looks like 'Pulse' will be coming in an Unrated version, and 'Clerks II' with six hours of bonus materials, so much of it in fact that it will take two discs to hold it all, making the release a bit of a rarity for HD DVD.
Oddly, Weinstein/Genius has still not announced a release date for the wave -- only that they are coming sometime in January.
We've added all the specs that we know, plus cover art, to our HD DVD Release Schedule. Stay tuned for further details and street date when they are finally announced.
We also set up dedicated threads for all the titles in our new Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Clerks II' HD DVD release, the 'Pulse' HD DVD release and the 'Lucky Number Slevin' HD DVD release.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- 'Clerks II,' 'Slevin' and 'Pulse' on Deck at Weinstein for Early 2007 (Nov 14, 2006)
'Clerks II,' 'Slevin' and 'Pulse' on Deck at Weinstein for Early 2007
Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 01:26 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
We're beginning to get a clearer picture of The Weinstein Company's 2007 HD DVD plans, with word that 'Clerks II,' 'Lucky Number Slevin' and the horror chiller 'Pulse' are being prepared for a January 2007 release.
That's according to Genius Products, the home video distributor 70 percent-owned by the Weinsteins, which also yesterday re-confirmed the Weinstein's December 19, 2006 HD DVD launch slate, which as we've previously reported, is set to include 'Scary Movie 4,' 'Derailed,' 'The Matador' and 'Wolf Creek.'
"HD DVD represents the next step in the evolution of home entertainment," Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of Genius Products, said in a statement. "Our first wave of titles offers an excellent array of entertainment options to showcase the phenomenal picture and sound quality of the new format."
Unfortunately, Weinstein/Genius have yet to set an official date for the three January titles, and we're still awaiting a full press release with complete specs for the four launch titles. However, sources say to expect the usual 1080p video transfers and comparable extras to the standard-def DVD versions.
Genius has set a suggested $29.95 list price for each of the four Weinstein launch titles.
We've updated our listings for all Weinstein Co. titles in our complete HD DVD Release Schedule, and stay tuned for complete specs and box art as soon as they are officially announced.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Genius to Bow Titles on HD DVD [Home Media Retailing]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Weinstein Co. Adds 'Scary Movie 4,' More HD DVD Launch Titles (Oct 05, 2006)
Weinstein Co. Adds 'Scary Movie 4,' More HD DVD Launch Titles
Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 01:55 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
The Weinstein Co.
has added three new titles to their lineup of HD DVD launch titles, led by
the smash hit 'Scary
Movie 4.'
In addition to 'Scary Movie 4,' 'The Matador' and 'Wolf Creek' will also hit HD DVD on December 19. All three titles join the Jennifer Aniston thriller 'Derailed,' which Weinstein previously announced for release last month.
Unfortunately, neither technical specs nor supplement details have not yet been issued for any of the Weinstein Co.'s HD DVD launch titles, which, as previously announced, will all be distributed by Genius Products.
We expect a full announcement from the Weinstein Co. in the coming days, and we'll keep you posted. In the meantime, we've added listings for all titles to our HD DVD Release Calendar.
Thanks to Eddie for the clarification!
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Genius Jumps into HD DVD, Blu-ray (Sep 14, 2006)
Genius Jumps into HD DVD, Blu-ray
Thu Sep 14, 2006 at 04:47 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, Weinstein Co. (all tags)
Genius Products, the home video distribution partner of The Weinstein Company,
have announced their first wave of HD DVD titles will debut this holidays season,
with Blu-ray support to follow early next year.
At presstime, only the thriller 'Derailed' has been given a definite release date of December 5, though Genius plans to release seven HD DVD titles by the end of 2006, spread across two waves. Among other titles expected to be included in the lineup are 'Clerks 2,' 'Scary Movie 4,' 'Wolf Creek,' 'Pulse' and 'The Matador.'
Early next year, Genius also plans to unleash their first Blu-ray titles, beginning with releases from ESPN, which is owned by ABC/Disney, a big Blu-ray backer.
The company unveiled their next-gen format plans at the CEDIA Expo 2006 earlier today.
With the exact titles in Genius' first two HD DVD waves still unspecified, we've only added a new listing for 'Derailed' to out HD DVD Release Calendar. But stay tuned for further details as soon as they are announced.
- Related links:
- Genius Ready to 'Feast' on Success [Home Media Retailing]
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