The Vampire Diaries Season 2 DVD and Blu-Ray have been released

Good news The Vampire Diaries fans !! Especially for the U.S and Canada fans. The Vampire Diaries DVD and Blu-ray were just released on August 30th. The DVD and Blu-Ray version comes with several bonuses such as The Myth & The Mystery (Werewolf Lore), Building the Beasts (Working with Actual and Mechanical Wolves) and Howling at the Moon (Michael Trevino’s Transformative Makeup Process), Her Own Worst Enemy…Elena, Catherine and Nina!: Nina Dobrev Rises to the Challenge of Playing Two Roles The Perfect Love Triangle: Vampires, Werewolves, Witches: Setting the Record Straight on Who’s Nibbling on Whom for the First Two Seasons, Unaired Scenes, Audio Commentary on “Masquerade” With Executive Producers Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec, Second Bite AKA Gag Reel.




If you order either the DVD or Blu-ray version in 9 hours, you will get them delivered by Sept 1st. And also you can save 38 % for the DVD (initial price was US $ 59.98, but it is sold for US 36.99), and 39 % for the Blu-ray (initial price was US $ 69.97, now sold for US $ 42.99).

Here, the links:

DVD

US and Canada
the UK

Blu-ray

the US and Canada
the UK

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Blu-ray Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ultimate Edition

Release Date : June 14th, 2011
Edition : Blu-ray Ultimate Edition
Distribute by : Warner Home Video
Directed by : David Yates
Starring : Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton, Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Felton
Region : free
Video : VC-1 codec, 1080p resolution, 2.40:1 aspect ratio
Audio : English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1); French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Portuguese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitle : English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, German SDH, Dutch.
Runtime : 153 min
Price : US$49.99
Rating : PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.
SPC feature :
Disc 1: Maximum Movie Mode; Focus Points; BD-Live
Disc 2: Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 6: Magical Effects; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Behind the Magic; Additional Scenes in Hi-Def; J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life; Close Up with the Cast of Harry Potter; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; What’s on Your Mind?; First Footage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Interstitials; Theatrical Trailers.

With a budget reached US $ 250 million, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince maybe was the favorite movie of Harry Potter, but in other sides, some people think it's the weakest from other Harry Potter movies. But, at least we all agree to collect the Blu-ray version. For this newest Blu-ray version, the movie that got Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, is visualized by using 2.40:1 that is converted by using VC-1 codec with 1080p resolution.

Pictures quality are not so different with previous version. This is because maybe the previous Blu-ray has displayed the best quality, so it doesn't need a lot of changes. There are not many colors variation on movie, which was directed by David Yates, but the lighting whether on outdoor scenes on indoor scenes produce wonderful pictures. Skin colors look realistic with black level looks dark during entire movie.

New quality enhancement is found on its sound that previously used TrueHD Dolby format. Now, it uses DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, various sounds can be channelled well. Dialogs sound clear, while Death Eater scenes in actions produce great voices. All voices that are channelled make viewers feel that they are parts of the movie and involve in the scenes.

Just as the previous Ultimate Edition, the package was released with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ultimate Edition Blu-ray also offers various bonus features that are divided into two Blu-ray discs. On the first disc, there are only two main features, which are Maximum Movie Mode and Focus Points that are divided into 14 segments. And also BD-Live as a companion.

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Save 48 percent for Black Swann DVD

Release Date : March 29th, 2011
Edition : DVD Regular
Distribute by : Fox Searchlight Pictures
Directed by : Darren Aronofsky
Starring : Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Benjamin Millepied, Ksenia Solo, Kristina Anapau, Janet Montgomery, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway
Region : 1
Video : 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio : English (Dolby Digital 5.1); Spanish, French (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitle : English, Spanish
Runtime : 108 min
Price : US$29.98
Rating : R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use
SPC feature :
Metamorphosis: A Three-Part Series



One more masterpiece from Director Darren Aronofsky. If previously he succedeed to deliver Mickey Rourke to come back with his best performance on The Westler, so this time he delivered Natalie Portman to perform her best acting. And everything was useful because the actress who involved romance with her co-star Benjamin Millepied could reach various prestigious awards including Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, also Screen Actors Guild.

The Moviethat got five Oscar nominations is visualized on anamorphic widescreen format with 2.40:1 aspect ratio, where the pics can be adjusted with 16: 9 TV screen. The pictures look sharp. The lighting is great so every detail can be showed maximally, while the black color looks dark and solid.

Using Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound as its main audio choice, various audios are flowing to available channels sound clear and intricate. Dialogs sound clear, while background music flow smoothly.
There are dubbing in France and Spain that bring Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. And as additional, there are subtitle in English and Spain.

Fox Searchlight Pictures as the distributor of Black Swan DVDapparently only gave one feature on this package. But, you don’t have to worry because the feature that is immersed on the disc reaches 50 minutes. The bonus feature is Metamorphosis. A three-part series that will bring you to various behind the scene from production process to interviews with actors and crew day by day.

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Best Deal : 53 % discount for Green Hornet

Release Date : May 3rd, 2011
Edition : DVD Regular
Distribute by : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Directed by : Michel Gondry
Starring : Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, David Harbour, Tom Wilkinson.
Region : 1
Video : 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio : English, Spanish, French, Portuguese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitle : English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Runtime : 119 minute
Price : US$28.95 US $ 13.49 (Update price on Amazon )
Rating : PG-13 for sequences of violent action, language, sensuality and drug content.
SPC feature :
Audio Commentary with Star Seth Rogen, Director Michel Gondry, Writer/Producer Evan Goldberg, and Producer Neil Moritz; Gag Reel; Writing 'The Green Hornet'; Black Beauty: Rebirth of Cool.

Review:

This was one of pretty ambitious projects that has a lot of problems, so production process and release schedule were interrupted. After it dealt with various problems, from studio changed, also director to actors changed, The Green Hornetfinally was released in early this year and it got a predicate as the most popular movie in 2011 with total earning reached $ 228, 306, 168; before finally it was defeated by Rango.

Carrying wide-screen anamorphic format with 2:35:1 aspect ration, DVD from the movie, which was directed by Michel Gondry, offers beautiful palette colors game, and accentuate certain colors as an amplifier, such as green and red. While black color looks dark, but it successful maintain various detail on screen, including Black Beauty detail. Unfortunately, several disturbances on pictures, such as squared pictures and spotted pictures still be seen on several scenes.

Differs with the pictures where we still find some flaws, audio quality that is carrying Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound format successfully spoil our ears. Combination of sounds, from dialogs, explosion sounds, background music, or various other sounds can be split perfectly.

Actually, there are not many bonus features that are immersed by Sony Pictures as distributor of the DVD, but the bonuses are interesting enough to be heard. There are several bonuses among others audio commentator from Seth Rogen, and the director Michel Gondry, writer and producer Evan Goldberg, also producer Neil Moritz, Gag Reel, Writing "Green Hornet," also the last feature is Black Beauty: Rebirth of Cool.

Conclusion:

The Green Hornet isn't a movie with a strong storyline. But, for people who want to be entertained, a movie with $ 120 million budget can be an option. And with support from various bonuses that are interesting enough, this DVD package can be considered one of your DVD collection.

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Taxi Driver Classic film on Blu-ray

A home video package from a movie, which had 4 Oscar nominations has been launched several times. Of course each newest version always has superiority than the previous version. Now, after 35 years since its initial release, Taxi Driver   is released on high definition Blu-ray with significant quality enhancement.




On this newest package, Taxi Driver is visualized with 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It was converted with MPEG-4 AVC codec on 1080p resolution. If previously there were various textures found on screen, now everything looks sharper, and with various colors, especially skin color looks more real. While black color looks dark, but solid.

Colors and contrast are sharp enough, which make some scenes, such as close-up to Travis Bickle's eyes looks better than on DVD version. Not only that, various details that were unseen before now look clearly, such as detail of Travis' apartment, or light's texture that becomes background.


It also has great audio quality. Using DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 format, including dubbing on France and Portugese, various sounds will be stomping all rooms. Various background music sounds more intense than before. The audios sound dynamic, its LFE very spectacular, while various channels successful to deliver various sounds.

On the Blu-ray of this classic film, there are a lot of features, which are guaranteed can satisfy Martin Scorsese's movies lovers. The bonuses are Interactive Script to Screen, Original 1986 Commentary with Director Martin Scorsese and Writer Paul Schrader recorded by The Criterion Collection, Commentaries by Writer Paul Schrader and by Professor Robert Kolker, Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver, Producing Taxi Driver, God's Lonely Man, Influence and Appreciation, Taxi Driver Stories, Making Of Documentary, Travis' New York - The changes of New York from 1975 to today, Travis' New York Locations - We visit the famous locations in New York City 2006 and compare them to the same locations in 1975, Storyboard to Film Comparisons with Martin Scorsese Introduction, Animated Photo Galleries, MovieIQ Live, and of course BD Live Enabled.

Conclution :

Taxi Driver is one of the best classic film that has ever been existed. And now, in high definition format that has better technical quality from the previous version, also equipped with plenty feature bonuses, it is a must-have Blu-ray for your movie collections.

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Battlestar Galactica The Complete DVD Series Review

Release Date : July 28th, 2009
Edition : DVD
Distribute by : Universal Studios
Directed by : Glen A. Larson, Ronald D. Moore
Starring : Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Michael Hogan, Tahmoh Penikett, Aaron Douglas, Alessandro Juliani, Michael Trucco, Kandyse McClure
Region : 1
Video : 1.77:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio : English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitle : Spanish, English, French
Runtime : 4020 min
Price : US$ 199. 98 $ 105.49 (update the price on Amazon.com)

Rating : Unrated

SPC feature :

Evolution Of A Cue; What the Frak is Going On With Battlestar Galactica?; ...And They Have A Plan; The Journey Ends: The Arrival; A Look Back; So Say We All; Manifesto Destiny; Battle-Style Galactica; Martyr To A Cause; The Sins Of The Forgiven; Battlestar Revelations; Audio Commentaries By Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, And Edward James Olmos; Ronald D. Moore's Podcast Commentaries; David Eick's Video Blogs; Deleted Scenes

Premiere in 2001, Battlestar Galactica became one of the best science fiction series that ever existed. The TV Series, which won three Emmy, is a part of Battlestar Galactica franchise created by Glen A. Larson and Ronald D.Moore. Battlestar Galactica had been airing for four seasons with 75 total episodes and ended in 2009. After that, this DVD packagewas released.

For this DVD package, Battlestar Galactica is visualized on wide-screen format with 1:77:1 aspect ratio, which looks great from the beginning until the end. The brightness level is beautifully arranged so every detail, although from the scenes with low light, still can be seen clearly. There are no broken images from the 25 discs.

Using Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound format as the main audio, we can hear anything clearly. The sub-woofer effects spoil our ears on every fighting scenes. Various channels successfully separated various audios, so it can really produce surround effect that we hope. Meanwhile, the dialogs and background voices can be fused without reduce the clearness and clarity from each sound.

On this DVD package, Universal inserted various feature bonuses that are spread on 25 discs. Generally, they are Evolution Of A Cue, What the Frak is Going On With Battlestar Galactica?, ...And They Have A Plan, The Journey Ends: The Arrival, A Look Back, So Say We All, Manifesto Destiny, Battle-Style Galactica, Martyr To A Cause, The Sins Of The Forgiven, Battlestar Revelations, Audio Commentaries By Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, And Edward James Olmos, Ronald D. Moore's Podcast Commentaries, David Eick's Video Blogs, serta Deleted Scenes.

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Pre-order for our favorite TV Series (Smallville, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries) are available on Amazon

The seasons of our favorite TV Series will end soon. Some of fans probably think: 'Thanks god, this boring season finally will end.I hope they will make the better season." While, the others, like Smallville fans probably will feel really sad since it will be the last season of Smallville. While the other, probably curious and wonder what will happen on the next season.

I recently visited Amazon, and found some good news for us. We now can pre-order the DVD of our favorite TV Series. In this article, I will share brief explanations of each DVD pre-order.

1. Smallville The Complete 10th Season DVD

Amazon initially wanted to sell Smallville: The Complete Tenth Season for US $ 59.98, but then it get discounted for US $ 41.99. You save 30 % of your money. I checked the information, and there are several benefits if you pre-order now (in February). For instance, if the price is decrease between your order time and the end of the day of release date, you only will pay the lowest price. So, if it will be sold for US $ 20 at the end of release day, that's the price that you should pay.

You also will get US $ 5 for Amazon Video on Demand after you order this DVD. With US $ 5, you can watch at least 3 video on demand of eligible movies and TV Series for free. There are another bonuses after you order this DVD, just read the detail information on Amazon.

Great Deal

I dug further, and I found another great deal. Order all seasons of Smallville (yes from Season 1-10) for only US $392.47. You can see the detail on Amazon.

2. Supernatural The Complete Sixth Season

Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season also available for pre-order. Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season DVD is sold for US $ 59.98, but it get discounted for 30 %. You only have to pay for Us $ 41.99. While the Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season [Blu-ray] is sold for US $ 69.99, but it get discounted for 30 %. So, you only have to pay for US $ 48.99.

The same bonuses that people get when they order Smallville Season 10 also apply for both Blu-Ray and DVD.

3. The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season

The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season DVD also available for pre-order. It is sold for US $ 59.98, but it get discounted for 30 %. So, you only have to pay for US $ 48.99. While the Blu-Ray is sold for US $ 48.99. The same bonuses that apply for the TV Series above are also apply for The Vampire Diaries.

Other great deal:

If you don't have the first season DVD, you can have both the first and second season DVD for only US $ 60.98.

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