Warner Bros. Turns 90, Gives Wizard of Oz 3D Release

Just as Universal Studios is winding down their impressive 100th Anniversary celebration, Warner Bros. is starting their 90th Anniversary in 2013.

Warner Bros. announced their new 90th Anniversary logo today, and with it they also announced three massive box sets, not to mention their intentions to convert the beloved classic, The Wizard of Oz, into 3D. Take a look at the new logo:

The 3D version of The Wizard Oz is slated to arrive sometime next year, around September or October. No word just yet whether this post-conversion will see a theatrical release or just Blu-ray 3D.

Warner Home Video also announced a slew of box sets in anticipation for their 90th Anniversary, including a 100-film DVD collection and 50-film Blu-ray collection, out January 29, 2013. Both limited edition sets will have a suggested retail of $597.92 and feature lobby cards and a collectible poster. There will be UltraViolet cloud streaming digital copy of each included film. The sets will also include two documentaries, "Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot" as well as another documentary, "The Warner Bros. Lot Tour."

You can pre-order the Blu-ray or DVD box sets on Amazon. Both are currently selling $418.54.

More about the documentaries, according to the press release, "Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot is a full-length documentary that features some of Warner Bros.’ top talent and executives giving an inside look at the history of the studio. In on-the-lot interviews, stars including Clint Eastwood, Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Martin Sheen, along with current and former studio toppers Barry Meyer, Alan Horn, Bob Daly, and Terry Semel, and others, recount personal reflections and anecdotes about their experiences at the studio. Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot was produced by documentarian Gary Khammar (It’s So Audrey! A Style Icon) and producer Bill Gerber (Gran Torino).

Now, for the first time, home viewers can take the hugely popular Warner Bros Studio VIP Tour in this new documentary produced exclusively for the 90th Anniversary collections. In The Warner Bros. Lot Tour, an official WB Lot Tour Guide gives guests a “virtual” tram ride (of what some 200,000 annual visitors experience) — an extraordinary opportunity to see first-hand where movie magic happens at the world’s busiest motion picture and television studio. Unlike a theme park, the Tour represents a rare and intimate “behind-the-scenes” look at real Hollywood, winding through back lot streets, sound stages, sets and craft shops."

The collections will contain the following films:

The Best of Warner Bros. 100 Film DVD Collection:

The Broadway Melody (1929)

Cimarron (1931)

The Public Enemy (1931)

Grand Hotel (1932)

42nd Street (1933)

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

A Night at the Opera (1935)

The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

The Life of Emile Zola (1937

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Dark Victory (1939)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Gone with the Wind (1939)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Citizen Kane (1941)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Casablanca (1942)

Gaslight (1944)

Anchors Aweigh (1945)

Mildred Pierce (1945)

The Big Sleep (1946)

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

A Streetcar Named Desire: The Original Director’s Version (1951)

An American in Paris (1951)

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

A Star Is Born (1954)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

East of Eden (1955)

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

The Searchers (1956)

Giant (1956)

Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

A Face in the Crowd (1957)

Gigi (1958)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

North by Northwest (1959)

Ben-Hur (1959)

How the West Was Won (1962)

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Bullitt (1968)

The Wild Bunch: The Original Director’s Cut (1969)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Dirty Harry (1971)

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Cabaret (1972)

Enter the Dragon (1973)

The Exorcist: Extended Director’s Cut (1973)

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

All the President’s Men (1976)

Superman: The Movie (1978)

The Shining (1980)

Caddyshack (1980)

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Chariots of Fire (1981)

The Outsiders (1983)

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Risky Business (1983)

The Right Stuff (1983)

Amadeus: Director’s Cut (1984)

The Goonies (1985)

The Color Purple (1985)

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Batman (1989)

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

GoodFellas (1990)

Unforgiven (1992)

The Bodyguard (1992)

The Fugitive (1993)

Natural Born Killers: The Director’s Cut (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Seven (1995)

L.A. Confidential (1997)

The Matrix (1999)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The Notebook (2004)

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

The Departed (2006)

300 (2007)

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Hangover (2009)

The Blind Side (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Inception (2010)

Best of Warner Bros. 50 Film Blu-ray Collection:

Grand Hotel (1932)

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Gone with the Wind (1939)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Casablanca (1942)

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

A Streetcar Named Desire: The Original Restored Version (1951)

An American in Paris (1951)

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Gigi (1958)

North by Northwest (1959)

Ben-Hur (1959)

How the West Was Won (1962)

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Bullitt (1968)

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Dirty Harry (1971)

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

The Exorcist: Extended Director’s Cut (1973)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Superman: The Movie (1978)

The Shining (1980)

Chariots of Fire (1981)

Risky Business (1983)

Amadeus: Director’s Cut (1984)

The Color Purple (1985)

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

GoodFellas (1990)

Unforgiven (1992)

The Bodyguard (1992)

Natural Born Killers: The Director’s Cut (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Matrix (1999)

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The Departed (2006)

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Hangover (2009)

The Blind Side (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Inception (2010)

Warner Bros. also plans to bring home a smaller 20-film DVD collection, as well as numerous themed-collections including a 40-film Clint Eastwood collection, a Best of Superman collection (combining live action television and animated television shows in one collection), a Best of Warner Animation collection and more!

Be on the lookout for more news regarding The Wizard of Oz, as well as the Warner Bros. 90th Anniversary celebration!

Source : ign[dot]com

ParaNorman Haunts Blu-ray

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will bring the 3D stop-motion horror-comedy, ParaNorman, to Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and DVD Nov. 27, 2012. The critically acclaimed film (review here) went on to gross roughly $85 million worldwide, not quite reaching the heights of Coraline, the last feature produced by Laika.

Here's a synopsis of the film, direct from the official press release, "From the makers of Coraline comes the story of Norman, a boy who must use his gift of seeing and speaking with the dead to save his town from a centuries-old curse about to come true. Caught in a wild race against time, the young ghoul whisperer will find his paranormal abilities pushed to their otherworldly limits as he bravely summons up all that makes a hero – courage and compassion.

Featuring the voice talents of Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In), Tucker Albrizzi (Good Luck Charlie), Anna Kendrick (The Twilight Saga), Casey Affleck (Tower Heist,), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (How to Train Your Dragon), Leslie Mann (Knocked Up), Jeff Garlin (WALL-E), Elaine Stritch (30 Rock), Bernard Hill (Titanic), Jodelle Ferland (Silent Hill), Tempestt Bledsoe (Guys with Kids), Alex Borstein (Family Guy), and John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.), it’s a hilariously spooky adventure for the whole family in eye-popping 3D, made by LAIKA in stop-motion animation."

ParaNorman will come to Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D encoded in 1080p, mixed in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The DVD will feature an anamorphic widescreen presentation, with 5.1 Dolby Digital audio.

There will be three releases of ParaNorman on home video -- a three-disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, featuring a 3DBD, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet copy of the film; a two-disc Blu-ray combo pack, which nixes the 3DBD; and a single-disc DVD.

Extras for all three releases will include the following:

• Preliminary Animatic Sequences with commentary
• “Peering Through the Veil” Behind-the-Scenes featurette
• 7 short segments showcasing Norman and his co-stars
• Feature commentary with Director Sam Fell and writer/director Chris Butler

Suggested retail for ParaNorman is set at $48.98 for the Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, $34.98 for the Blu-ray combo pack, and $29.98 for the DVD. Amazon already has all three titles available to pre-order. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack is currently $34.99. The Blu-ray combo pack is available for pre-order for $23.99, and $26.98 for the DVD.

Stay tuned for artwork and more news regarding this exciting release!

Source : ign[dot]com

Underworld Director Reboots The Mummy

Len Wiseman, he of Total Recall reboot and Underworld franchise fame, is in talks to direct Universal's reboot of The Mummy. Or re-reboot, one might say.

We learned last April that Jon Spaihts -- who also handled the first draft of Prometheus -- was scripting the film. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek, Transformers) are producing with Sean Daniels and Jim Jacks, the producers of Universal's Mummy series with Brendan Fraser that began in 1999.

Not much is known about Spaihts' script, though it is said to be set in the modern era. "I think the sensibility and the cutting edge of Underworld is a fantastic meld for what we want to do going forward with The Mummy,” Daniels told Heat Vision. “We are going to push the edge of scary entertainment.”

Boris Karloff, of course, starred in the original The Mummy in 1932. That film spawned a successful franchise in and of itself, which eventually culminated in a run-in with Abbott and Costello. Watch:

Talk to Movies Editor Scott Collura on Twitter at @ScottIGN, on IGN and on Facebook.

Source : ign[dot]com

First Look at Jim Carrey in Kick-Ass 2

Universal Pictures' Kick-Ass 2 has begun shooting in Toronto, and now someone has uploaded a video featuring Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars, as well as Lindy Booth's Night Bitch and Robert Emms' Insect Man.

Check out the footage below (via SuperHeroHype), followed by a new photo of Donald Faison as Doctor Gravity (tweeted by the film's director Jeff Wadlow).

Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall hits theaters June 28, 2013.

Source : ign[dot]com

Universal 100th Anniversary Collection Headed to BD, DVD

For the past year, Universal Studios has been celebrating their 100th anniversary, with big releases like The Sting, Jaws, E.T., To Kill a Mockingbird and many, many more.

Culminating this impressive anniversary release schedule is the Universal 100th Anniversary Collection, out on Blu-ray and DVD November 6, 2012. This massive box set that will collect some of Universal's most memorable films, spanning the studio's first 100 years.

From the official press release, "The collection features a selection of 25 unforgettable films that helped shape the legacy of one of the most successful movie studios of all time. Featuring prestigious Academy Award winners such as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Sting, genre-defining classics like Dracula and Spartacus, captivating storytelling such as Field of Dreams and Do the Right Thing, blockbusters like Jurassic Park and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and pure entertainment with franchises including The Bourne Identity and The Fast and the Furious, these movies continue to have an enduring impact throughout the world. The Universal 100th Anniversary Collection includes an exclusive “100 Years of Universal” 72-Page collector’s book chronicling the history of Universal over the last 100 years including rare photos and memorabilia from the studio’s archives."

Below is a breakdown of all the titles included in the set. Please note the DVD or Blu-ray exclusive titles.

• All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
• Dracula (1931)
• Dracula Spanish (1931) (Blu-ray Collection only)
• Buck Privates (1941)
• Pillow Talk (1959)
• Spartacus (1960)
• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
• The Birds (1963)
• American Graffiti (1973)
• The Sting (1973)
• Jaws (1975)
• National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• Scarface (1983)
• The Breakfast Club (1985)
• Back to the Future (1985)
• Out of Africa (1985)
• Field of Dreams (1989)
• Do the Right Thing (1989)
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Schindler's List (1993) (DVD Collection only)
• Apollo 13 (1995)
• The Fast and the Furious (2001)
• The Bourne Identity (2002)
• Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008)
• Despicable Me (2010)

Each Blu-ray will include a 1080p presentation, remasterd lossless audio and hours of bonus content (anamorphic widescreen transfers on DVD, with Dolby Digital audio).

Both the DVD and Blu-ray set features an exclusive bonus DVD with the following content:

"100 Years of Universal"

• The Carl Laemmle Era: Explore the early years of Universal and its founder Carle Laemmle.
• The Lew Wasserman Era: A look at Universal under the visionary leadership of Lew Wasserman.
• Academy Award Winners: A look back at the most honored films in Universal’s history.
• The ‘70s: A look at Universal’s iconic movies and filmmakers during this dynamic decade.
• The ‘80s: Explore Universal’s legacy of groundbreaking movies and filmmakers from this memorable decade.
• The Backlot: A behind-the-scenes look at the movie magic created on the famous Universal Studios lot.
• Unforgettable Characters: Revisit Universal’s most memorable heroes, villains, comedians and screen legends.
• Restoring the Classics: An in-depth look at the intricate process of preserving the studio’s film legacy.

Vintage Cartoons:

• Spooks (1930) – A parody of Universal’s Phantom of the Opera featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
• Merry Old Soul (1933) – Universal’s first Academy Award nominee for Best Short Subject featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
• Wax Works (1934) – A spoof of Universal’s classic monsters featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
• Jolly Little Elves (1934) – A Cartune Classic nominated for Best Short Subject Academy Award.
• Hollywood Bowl (1938) – A Cartune Classic featuring caricatures of some of the most popular Hollywood stars at the time.
• Life Begins for Andy Panda (1939) – Andy Panda in his debut cartoon.
• Knock Knock (1940) – Woody Woodpecker in his debut cartoon.
• Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company ‘B’ (1941) – Academy Award nominee for Best Short Subject based off the song from Buck Privates.
• The Barber of Seville (1944) – Often considered one of the greatest cartoons from this era featuring Woody Woodpecker.
• Musical Moments from Chopin (1947) – Academy Award nominee for Best Short Subject featuring Woody Woodpecker.
• Maw and Paw (1953) – Inspired by the popular “Ma and Pa Kettle” film series.
• Chilly Willy (1953) – Chilly Willy in his debut cartoon.
• Crazy Mixed Up Pup (1955) – Academy Award nominee for Best Short Subject directed by animation legend Tex Avery.
• Sh-h-h-h-h-h (1955) – A Cartune Classic directed by animation legend Tex Avery.

Vintage Shorts:

• Runt Page (1932) – Starring Shirley Temple
• Slide, Babe, Slide (1932) – Starring Babe Ruth
• Cartoonland Mysteries (1936) – Go behind the scenes at the Walter Lantz studios as an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon is created in this vintage “Going Places” short.

The set also includes a 15-Track CD highlighting score selections from the following titles:

• The Bride of Frankenstein
• Touch of Evil
• Psycho
• Spartacus
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Airport
• The Sting
• Jaws
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
• Scarface
• Back to the Future
• Out of Africa
• Jurassic Park
• Apollo 13
• The Bourne Identity

Suggested retail for this release is set at $349.98 for the Blu-ray set, and $299.98 for the DVD. Amazon has the Blu-ray set currently available for pre-order for $244.99, and $209.99 for the DVD set.

Stay tuned for more news regarding this awesome release!

"Never recreate from your memory. Always imagine new places!" Follow R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook and MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : ign[dot]com

Jurassic Park 3D Gets Bumped Up to Spring

Universal Pictures has recently changed up several of its release dates for 2013, including Steven Spielberg's 3D release of Jurassic Park. The 1993 adventure film will now be hitting theaters in the spring, moving from July 18 to April 5.

Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Ryan Reynolds' zombie flick R.I.P.D. will take over the July 19 slot, leaving behind its original June 28 frame.

The studio has also set release dates for About Time (May 10), Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall (June 28) and 2 Guns (August 16).

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Moonrise Kingdom Explores BD, DVD

Grab your scout handbook -- it's time for an adventure! Universal Studios Home Entertainment will bring the Focus Features hit, Moonrise Kingdom, to Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand October 16, 2012.

The film, directed by Wes Anderson and featuring an all-star cast including Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand and Bill Murray (among many others), was a surprise success, grossing nearly $60 million worldwide (on a modest budget) -- no small feat considering the crowded summer filled with big budget action flicks.

Moonrise Kingdom will arrive on Blu-ray presented in 1080p, preserving the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be mixed in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The DVD will include an anamorphic widescreen presentation, with 5.1 Dolby Digital audio.

Take a look at the box art for the Blu-ray:

Bonus features for the Blu-ray and DVD will include the following:

• A Look Inside Moonrise Kingdom
• Welcome to The Island of New Penzance: Bob Balaban narrates a series of guided tours from the locations of Moonrise Kingdom featuring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and Wes Anderson
• Set Tour With Bill Murray: Bill Murray personally takes viewers on a tour of the Moonrise Kingdom sets.

The Blu-ray will also include a DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet cloud streaming copy of the film, in addition to Universal's standard BD-exclusives, from BD-live to pocketBlu.

Suggested retail for this release is set at $34.98 for the Blu-ray Combo Pack, and $29.98 for the DVD. Amazon has the Blu-ray Combo Pack currently up for pre-order for $23.99, and $19.96 for the DVD.

Stay tuned for more news regarding this release. Also, be sure to check out our glowing theatrical review of the film, or scroll through some interviews with the cast and crew, like this one:

Holy Social Networks, readers! Now you can follow R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook or MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : ign[dot]com

Lundgren Returns for Universal Soldier 4

Magnet Releasing announced today via Twitter and Facebook that they will be distributing Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning On Demand and in theaters.

The fourth installment, which stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, picks up where the third film, Regeneration, left off. The franchise centers on Luc Devereaux (Van Damme) and Andrew Scott (Lundgren), two soldiers who kill each other in Vietnam but are subsequently reanimated through a secret government project along with a large group of other once dead soldiers.

John Hyams, who wrote Universal Soldier: Regeneration, has co-written and directed this latest film.

Source : ign[dot]com

J.J. Abrams' Earthquake Moves Forward

Oscar-winning writer Dustin Lance Black (Milk) has just been hired to write Universal's new Earthquake movie, which will be produced by J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk under their Bad Robot banner.

Deadline reports that, while the studio also produced another film called Earthquake in 1974 starring Charlton Heston, the title and subject matter are where their similarities end. In other words, this should not be considered a remake. Meanwhile, New Line continues development on its own competing Earthquake picture, San Andreas 3D.

Black is currently working on a number of projects, including Under the Banner of Heaven at Warner Bros. and Barefoot Bandit for Fox. He's also adapting the Dark Horse graphic novel 3 Story, which he intends to direct.

Source : ign[dot]com

Snow White and the Huntsman Coming to BD, DVD

As if September wasn't crowded enough, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will bring Snow White and the Huntsman to Blu-ray and DVD September 11, 2012. Both releases will include the original 128-minute theatrical edition as well as an all-new 132-minute extended version of the film.

Here's a synopsis of Snow White and the Huntsman direct from Universal, "Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga) is Snow White, the only woman in the land fairer than the evil queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron, Young Adult). Ravenna wants nothing more than to destroy her young rival, but she doesn't know that Show White has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor, The Avengers) the queen dispatched to kill her. Together with a handsome prince (Sam Claflin) enchanted by Snow White's beauty and power, they assemble an armed force to recapture the kingdom."

Snow White and the Huntsman will be presented on Blu-ray in 1080p (2.39:1 aspect ratio), mixed in 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The DVD will be presented in anamorphic widescreen, mixed in 5.1 Dolby Digital audio.

DVD and Blu-ray Extras:

• Theatrical and Extended Versions


• A New Legend Is Born


• Feature Commentary with director Rupert Sanders, visual effects supervisor Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and co-editor Neil Smith

Blu-ray Exclusives:

• Reinventing the Fairy Tale


• Citizens of the Kingdom


• The Magic Of “Snow White and the Huntsman”


• Around the Kingdom: 360° Set Tour


• Universal’s Second Screen including Flick View, Behind the Scenes (Picture in Picture), Around the Kingdom: 360° Set Tour, Virtual Flip books, and Cast of Characters


• DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet

Suggested retail for the Blu-ray is $34.98. Amazon's current pre-order price for the Blu-ray is $31.48. Suggested retail for the DVD is $29.98. Amazon's pre-order price for the DVD is $26.98.

Be on the lookout for a review of the Blu-ray in September. While you wait, be sure to read our theatrical review of the film.

Source : ign[dot]com