Warner Bros Home Entertainment Announces Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Plans

To coincide with the availability of Ultra HD Blu-ray players in the marketplace in early 2016, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be offering four titles on Ultra HD Blu-ray at initial launch showcasing 4K Ultra HD resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR), offering consumers a sharper, brighter and more colorful home entertainment viewing experience than ever before.

The first available titles will be Mad Max: Fury Road, San Andreas, The Lego Movie and Pan. Actully  release date has yet to be announced.  Following the initial titles, WB plans to make new release titles available day and date with their initial home DVD & BD entertainment release. They  have also committed to releasing a selection of catalog titles throughout the year including Man of Steel and Pacific Rim. By the end of 2016, Warner Bros plans to have over 35 titles available on Ultra HD Blu-ray.  Dolby Atmos will also be included on select titles for a truly immersive home theater experience.

"We are excited to take this next technological leap which will allow us to bring our audiences the best possible home viewing experience with crystal clear images and immersive audio," said Ron Sanders, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Home Entertainment Distribution. "Ultra HD with HDR is the next, and most exciting, advancement in home entertainment, and with the anticipated proliferation of Ultra HD televisions in the coming years, our Ultra HD Blu-ray product offerings will truly complement the stunning capabilities of this new generation of home entertainment hardware. Warner Bros. is fully committed to releasing a wide range of Ultra HD Blu-ray titles, including both new release titles and offerings from our vast catalog."

The Intern Clocks in on DVD & BD on January 19, 2016

Academy Award winners Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, Silver Linings Playbook) and Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables, The Devil Wears Prada) star together in Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Intern. Oscar-nominated and award-winning filmmaker Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated, Something’s Gotta Give, Private Benjamin) is directing the dramatic comedy from her own screenplay.

In The Intern, De Niro stars as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Hathaway).

The film’s multi-generational cast also features Rene Russo (Thor), Anders Holm (Workaholics), Andrew Rannells (Girls), Adam Devine (Pitch Perfect), Celia Weston (No Reservations), Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars), Linda Lavin (Wanderlust), Zack Pearlman (The Inbetweeners), newcomer Jason Orley, and Christina Scherer (Living with Uncle Charlie).

Pan Drops in on DVD & BD on December 22

From director Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) comes Pan, a live-action feature presenting a wholly original adventure about the beginnings of the beloved characters created by J.M. Barrie. 

Peter (Levi Miller) is a mischievous 12-year-old boy with an irrepressible rebellious streak, but in the bleak London orphanage where he has lived his whole life those qualities do not exactly fly. Then one incredible night, Peter is whisked away from the orphanage and spirited off to a fantastical world of pirates, warriors and fairies called Neverland. There, he finds amazing adventures and fights life-or-death battles while trying to uncover the secret of his mother, who left him at the orphanage so long ago, and his rightful place in this magical land. Teamed with the warrior Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara) and a new friend named James Hook (Garrett Hedlund), Peter must defeat the ruthless pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) to save Neverland and discover his true destiny—to become the hero who will forever be known as Peter Pan.

Wright directed Pan from a screenplay written by Jason Fuchs. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Oscar nominee Paul Webster (Atonement) produced the film, with Tim Lewis serving as executive producer.

The film stars Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) as Blackbeard; Garrett Hedlund (Inside Llewyn Davis) as James Hook; Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as Tiger Lily; newcomer Levi Miller as Peter; and Amanda Seyfried (Les Misérables) as Mary.

Ex-Warner Exec Departs Redbox

Redbox owner, Outerwall quietly announced that Mark Horak, president of Redbox, is stepping down, just 21 months after joining the kiosk video vendor following a long tenure with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Outerwall CEO Erik Prusch will serve as interim president of Redbox until the position is filled. The company will initiate a search process to fill the role.  While no official reason has been given for Horak’s departure, Prusch alluded to ongoing softness in kiosk disc rental as a concern.

"Consumers' rental patterns have not returned to the levels we had expected by this time,” Prusch said in a statement.

Horak was hired by former CEO J. Scott Di Valerio in March 2014 and Mr Di Valerio was let go in January.  Wedbush Securities media analyst Michael Pachter says Horak was hired during the 28-day embargo discussions period with studios, which he said Horak help successfully navigate. Inventory management, however, was another issue for the firm.

"It appears he didn’t do a great job understanding their customer," Pachter said. "Horak allowed them to over-order inventory in the current quarter and demand dropped, costing them millions of dollars. That’s why he’s gone."

MAX Arrives on October 27 from Warner Home Entertainment

From Warner Home Entertainment comes Max, a family action adventure from writer/director Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans, Fresh) releasing on DVD/BD on October 27.

A precision-trained military dog, Max serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott. But when things go terribly wrong on maneuvers, Kyle is mortally wounded and Max, traumatized by the loss of his best friend, is unable to remain in service.

Sent stateside, the only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle’s teenage brother, Justin, so Max is saved when he is adopted by Kyle’s family. But Justin has issues of his own, including living up to his father’s expectations, and he isn’t interested in taking responsibility for his brother’s troubled dog. However, Max may be Justin’s only chance to discover what really happened to his brother that day on the front, and with the help of Carmen, a tough-talking young teen who has a way with dogs, Justin begins to appreciate his canine companion.

Justin’s growing trust in Max helps the four-legged veteran revert back to his heroic self, and as the pair race to unravel the mystery, they find more excitement—and danger—than they bargained for. But they each might also find an unlikely new best friend…in each other.

SAN ANDREAS Crashing in on DVD/Blu-ray on October 13 from Warner Home Entertainment

After the infamous San Andreas Fault gives, triggering a magnitude 9-plus earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter.

But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over… it’s just getting started.

The action thriller San Andreas reunites Dwayne Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

Russel Crowe Directed and Starrer, "The Water Diviner" Arrives on July 28

Academy Award winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator) makes his directorial debut on The Water Diviner, an epic and inspiring tale of one man’s life-changing journey of discovery that arrives on DVD/Blu-ray from Warner Bros Home Entertainment on July 28, 2015.  Crowe also stars in the film as Australian farmer Joshua Connor, who, in 1919, goes in search of his three missing sons, last known to have fought against the Turks in the bloody Battle of Gallipoli.

Arriving in Istanbul, he is thrust into a vastly different world, where he encounters others who have suffered their own losses in the conflict: Ayshe (Olga Kurylenko), a strikingly beautiful but guarded hotelier raising a child alone; her young, spirited son, Orhan (Dylan Georgiades), who finds a friend in Connor; and Major Hasan (Yilmaz Erdoğan), a Turkish officer who fought against Connor’s boys and who may be this father’s only hope. With seemingly insurmountable obstacles in his path, Connor must travel across the battle-scarred Turkish landscape to find the truth… and his own peace.

Crowe directed The Water Diviner from a screenplay by Andrew Knight and Andrew Anastasios, who were also executive producers on the film. The film was produced by Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum, with James Packer, Brett Ratner, Kerry Stokes, Tim Worner, Angus Ross and John Collee also serving as executive producers.

MAX Original Soundtrack Out from Sony Classical

Sony Classical announces release of the soundtrack to Warner Bros. Pictures' and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures' film MAX. With music composed by one of Hollywood's most in-demand film composers, Trevor Rabin, the soundtrack is available now on CD.

MAX, a family action adventure from co-writer/director Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans, Now You See Me), is a coming-of-age story about a young teen from a family dealing with loss, who finds friendship, comfort and adventure with the heroic military dog of his fallen brother, a United States Marine who served his country on the frontlines of the war in Afghanistan.

Composer Trevor Rabin (Armageddon, Deep Blue Sea, The Great Raid, National Treasure and Snakes On A Plane) created an equally adventurous and uplifting soundtrack. By combining suspenseful sequences and heroic highlights with both classical and contemporary tone colors, Rabin managed to arrange a score that is inspiring and entertaining.

GET HARD to DVD, Blu-ray on June 30

Receive an education in incarceration when Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart join forces in the feature comedy “Get Hard,” arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on June 30 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The film also stars Tip “T.I.” Harris, Alison Brie and Craig T. Nelson.  “Get Hard” is directed by Etan Cohen, who makes his feature directorial debut following a successful writing career (“Tropic Thunder,” “Men in Black 3”). The screenplay is written by Etan Cohen, Jay Martel & Ian Roberts and the story is by Adam McKay, Jay Martel & Ian Roberts. Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy produced the film alongside executive producers Ravi Mehta, Kevin Messick and Jessica Elbaum.

“Get Hard” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99, and includes the film in high definition on Blu-ray disc, a DVD and a digital version of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD versions include an unrated cut of the film featuring footage never before seen in theaters. Per Warner Home Entertainment policy, public libraries are required to purchase a "Rental Ready" version without special features.

When millionaire hedge fund manager James (Will Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison. 

Ryan Gosling's LOST RIVER Hits Home Entertainment on May 5

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced that Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut film, “Lost River,” will release on May 5 on DVD / Blu-ray.   The film had it's North American premiere as part of the SXSW Film Festival in March in Austin TX and had a limited theatrical run in NYC and L.A.

“Ryan is one of the most exciting actors of his generation and ‘Lost River’ reveals that he is also one of its most promising young directors,” said Kroll. “His debut film is a singular vision of stranded people finding connection in a broken world. We believe in this film and in Ryan as a director, and are delighted to be working with him in this new role. This is a great opportunity to give audiences the chance to discover this compelling, original work for themselves.” said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Added Fellman, “By capitalizing on the growing variety of film release opportunities, we can better target the right audience and give ‘Lost River’ a bigger and more focused voice than it would have if we put it exclusively in theaters. We are excited to see the result.”

Inherent Vice on DVD/BD on April 28

 

 

Inherent Vice, is the seventh feature from Paul Thomas Anderson and the first ever film adaption of a Thomas Pynchon novel. When private eye Doc Sportello's ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him in a loony bin…well, easy for her to say.

It's the tail end of the psychedelic `60s and paranoia is running the day and Doc knows that love is another of those words going around at the moment, like trip or groovy, that's being way too overused—except this one usually leads to trouble.

With a cast of characters that includes surfers, hustlers, dopers and rockers, a murderous loan shark, LAPD Detectives, a tenor sax player working undercover, and a mysterious entity known as the Golden Fang, which may only be a tax dodge set up by some dentists... Part surf noir, part psychedelic romp—all Thomas Pynchon.

The film stars Oscar nominees Joaquin Phoenix (The Master, Walk the Line), Josh Brolin (True Grit, No Country For Old Men) and Owen Wilson (The Royal Tennenbaums, Midnight in Paris); Katherine Waterston (Michael Clayton, Boardwalk Empire); Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) and Benicio Del Toro (Traffic); Martin Short (Frankenweenie); Jena Malone (The Hunger Games series); and musician Joanna Newsom. It releases on DVD and Blu-ray on April 28th.

Island of Lemurs: Madagascar on DVD & Blu-ray March 31

Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman narrates Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, the incredible true story of nature's greatest explorers: lemurs. Originally in theatres on April 04, 2014 and captured with IMAX 3D cameras, the film, releasing on DVD & Blu-ray on March 31, it takes audiences on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. Lemurs arrived in Madagascar as castaways millions of years ago and evolved into hundreds of diverse species but are now highly endangered.

 

Join trailblazing scientist Patricia Wright on her lifelong mission to help these strange and adorable creatures survive in the modern world.

 

Directed by David Douglas and written and produced by Drew Fellman, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Entertainment.

Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME to Hit the Big Screen

Adventure Time, one of the most popular kids/YA TV shows on Cartoon Network, is being developed at Warner Bros. for the big screen as an animated feature. 

Created by Pendleton Ward at Cartoon Networks Studios, Adventure Time follows the escapades of twelve year-old boy Finn and best friend dog Jake who fight fiercely in a quest to protect their beloved Land of Ooo.  They're usually saving Ooo from the Ice King who is searching high and low for his Princess Bubblegum. The project will be produced by the winning combo of Chris McKay and Roy Lee reports Deadline Hollywood. 

More @ deadline.com/2015/02/adventure-time-film

Advernture Time videos are available now from B&T!  Currently, twenty dvd/blu-ray  titles are available via ts360.baker-taylor.com/titlesourcec

This is Where I Leave You, on DVD / Blu-Ray December 16

The dramatic comedy This is Where I Leave You is directed by Shawn Levy, and based on the hilarious and poignant best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper. It features a starring ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman (Arrested Development); Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Tina Fey (30 Rock); and two-time Oscar® winner, multiple Golden Globe honoree and 2013 Emmy Award nominee Jane Fonda (Klute, Coming Home, HBO’s The Newsroom).

When their father passes away, four grown siblings, bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Confronting their history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, they ultimately reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide — driving us insane even as they remind us of our truest, and often best, selves.

The film also stars Adam Driver (HBO’s Girls), Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, X-Men: First Class), Corey Stoll (House of Cards, Midnight in Paris), Kathryn Hahn (NBC’s Parks and Recreation).

Warner Home Entertainment, releases 12/16/14
UPC-

DVD- 00883929388912                     SLP- $22.97
Blu-Ray- 00883929388769                SLP- $34.97

Dolphin Tale 2 Available Now on DVD/Blu-Ray

Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertain continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and rehabilitation—thanks to the invention of a groundbreaking prosthetic tail—made her a symbol of perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie Dolphin Tale.

The film reunites the entire main cast, led by Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell, Austin Highsmith and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby). The remarkable dolphin Winter returns as herself. Charles Martin Smith, who directed Dolphin Tale, wrote and directed the sequel.
 

Several years have passed since young Sawyer Nelson (Gamble) and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Connick, Jr.), rescued Winter, a young dolphin who lost her tail after being entangled in a crab trap. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Freeman), who developed a unique prosthetic tail for Winter, they saved her life against all odds. In turn, she helped save the Aquarium—as people came from far and wide to see the courageous dolphin firsthand, enabling CMA to greatly expand their mission to “rescue, rehabilitate and, when possible, release” injured animals.

Yet their fight is not over. Winter’s surrogate mother, the elderly dolphin Panama, passes away, leaving Winter alone and grieving, unwilling to engage with anyone, even her best friend, Sawyer. However, the loss of Panama may have even greater repercussions for CMA. The USDA warns Clay they will have to move Winter from the Aquarium because regulations require these social creatures to be paired. If they don’t find a female companion for her—one that she accepts—CMA will lose their beloved Winter. But as time runs out, there may still be Hope…

Available Now on DVD and Blu-Ray
DVD UPC 883929388950  $22.97 SLP