We’ve been posting loads of stories here on JoBlo about Shout Factory’s Hong Kong Cinema Classics line, which features 4K restorations of gems from the Golden Princess catalogue. These movies have long been out of print in North America because The Weinstein Company owned the rights to many of them and, as was their custom, kept everything on the shelf. Some of the key titles included John Woo’s entire Hong Kong output, including The Killer and Hard-Boiled.

Where You Can Watch the Restorations

One of the cool things about Shout is that they’ve made the restorations easy to see. They’re streaming on Shout’s FAST channels, on Tubi, and on The Criterion Channel. At the same time, they’ve also been re-releasing the movies on 4K Blu-ray in feature-heavy editions.

Why A Better Tomorrow Is the Standout

Of their various releases, one of the most essential is the A Better Tomorrow trilogy. Not only are the three films included in new 4K transfers, but the set also includes some real treasures in the special features, such as a revelatory workprint cut of the second film (which I wrote about at length HERE).

Primer on the Films

For anyone unfamiliar with the films, here’s a quick primer. In 1986, John Woo was a fairly middling Hong Kong director, but everything changed when he made A Better Tomorrow. Inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville and Sam Peckinpah, Woo moved away from the kung-fu action Hong Kong cinema was known for and embraced gunplay instead, helping give birth to the Heroic Bloodshed genre.

One of the key ingredients was the against-type casting of Chow Yun-Fat as Mark Gor, a triad gangster in a trench coat and sunglasses with a matchstick hanging out of his mouth. Inspired by the cool of Alain Delon, the character was technically a supporting role, but it turned Chow into an overnight star and eventually one of the biggest global Chinese actors ever.

The movies themselves set the template for the style Woo would later perfect with The Killer and Hard-Boiled. The trilogy is inconsistent, since Woo only had full creative control over the first film, which is melodramatic and ragged but still an undisputed classic. The sequel resurrects the long-dead Mark Gor by giving him a twin brother, and although the film was hacked to pieces in the editing room, it still features one of the greatest action climaxes of all time — a sprawling final shootout where Ti Lung’s Ho, Ken (Chow), and Dean Shek’s Lung unleash brutal vengeance.

The Elusive Third Film

The Better Tomorrow films were previously released in North America by Anchor Bay, but their versions didn’t include the third movie, A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon. The main reason is that John Woo didn’t direct it. Tsui Hark took over, using Woo’s original Vietnam-set prequel idea, which features Chow as a younger Mark Gor hustling weapons in Saigon near the end of the Vietnam War. Woo later revisited the concept with his own masterpiece, Bullet in the Head.

A Better Tomorrow III isn’t on the same level as the first two films—Hark didn’t have Woo’s flair for gunplay—but it’s still worth seeing for its vivid finale set during the fall of Saigon and the strong performances by Chow and co-star Anita Mui, who sadly passed away young (as did A Better Tomorrow I & II star Leslie Cheung).

Final Thoughts

The set is on the pricey side, but if you’re a fan of Hong Kong action cinema, it’s a must-have, especially for the A Better Tomorrow II workprint, the longer cut of the third film, and the candid John Woo interviews. If you have someone in your life who loves action movies, this is the Christmas present to end all Christmas presents. BUY IT HERE!

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Alex

The holiday season is here and that means there are lots of new releases coming out just in time to make the season bright. Below are some of the picks coming out sure to make the movie fan in your life smile. Whether it is an upgrade to a 4K edition, a reliable Blu-ray, or a special edition Box Set, this list has something for everyone!

One disclaimer: Deals as good as these can be fickle, so there’s no telling if and when a money-saving opportunity might end or if the price may change. So if you want something – snap that shit up quick! Don’t wait, only to have Festivus roll around and discover you’ve nothing to give or the price suddenly changed and you no longer have the bread. And remember that if you want to support JoBlo.com, please make all your purchases by initially clicking through our links, since that is beneficial for us

So click away, buy what you like, and happy Holiday hunting!

Battle Royale 25th Anniversary ($39.99)

Eyes Wide Shut Criterion Collection ($24.98)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy Limited Edition ($59.30)

Five Nights at Freddy’s Ultimate Collector’s Edition ($74.99)

Scarface Ultimate Collector’s Edition ($74.99)

One Battle After Another ($29.95)

The Killer Deluxe Edition ($49.99)

John Carpenter’s In The Mouth of Madness Limited Edition ($36.69)

Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way ($96.99)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Ultimate Collector’s Edition ($49.99)

Dogma 25th Anniversary Edition ($29.96)

Boogie Nights Limited Edition ($29.99)

This Is Spinal Tap Criterion Collection ($24.98)

Shin Godzilla Limited Edition ($34.95)

Pride & Prejudice 20th Anniversary Edition ($54.99)

Re-Animator 40th Anniversary Special Edition ($34.99)

Jarhead 20th Anniversay Limited Edition ($38.21)

Ninja Trilogy Collector’s Set ($83.99)

Black Phone 2-Movie Collection ($44.95)

Stargate: The Blu-Ray Collection ($179.99)

Birth Criterion Collection ($49.99)

Pulp Fiction Steelbook ($29.99)

The Emperor’s New Groove ($45.99)

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure Criterion Collection ($45.23)

Perfect Blue Collector’s Edition ($78.99)

His Girl Friday Criterion Collection ($29.98)

The Blues Brothers Limited Edition Steelbook ($45.49)

Planes, Trains & Automobiles Steelbook ($17.99)

The Shining Film Vault Very Limited Edition ($99.99)

The Wes Anderson Archive ($249.98)

Flow Criterion Collection ($24.98)

F1: The Movie ($29.95)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps ($25.99)

Superman ($27.99)

Altered States Criterion Collection ($24.98)

Peanuts: 75th Anniversary Ultimate TV Specials Collection ($71.16)

Downton Abbey: The Ultimate Legacy Collection ($144.99)

The Naked Gun ($27.29)

Casino 30th Anniversary Edition ($29.99)

Creepshow: The Complete Series ($99.98)

The Dark Knight Trilogy Limited Edition ($129.99)

Eddington ($29.99)

Yellowstone: The Complete Series ($104.29)

Jurasic World Rebirth Limited Edition ($37.95)

Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection ($124.99)

28 Years Later ($29.90)

The Life of Chuck ($23.99)

Clue 40th Anniversary Limited Edition ($24.96)

Silverado Steelbook Collector’s Edition ($36.99)

Dark City ($29.99)

Friday the 13th 8-Movie Collection ($37.99)

Clueless 30th Anniversary Edition ($39.89)

The Quick and the Dead 30th Anniversary ($39.99)

Superman 5-Film Collection: 1978-1987 ($72.96)

Chucky: The Complete Series ($56.24)

Sorcerer Criterion Collection ($24.98)

The Sound of Music Collector’s Edition ($34.96)

Wicked Limited Edition Gift Set ($239.99)

The Running Man ($31.99)

A Better Tomorrow Trilogy ($78.99)

Sinners ($23.49)

Nightmare Alley Criterion Collection ($44.09)

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas 25th Anniversary Edition ($29.99)

Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Trilogy ($41.52)

The Americas ($37.99)

Ballerina: From The World of John Wick Limited Edition Steelbook ($89.99)

The Long Walk Steelbook ($34.99)

Evil Dead Rise ($38.02)

The Wolf of Wall Street Steelbook ($32.79)

FOR MORE BLACK FRIDAY DEALS ON MOVIES (DVD & BLU-RAY), CHECK OUT THIS SECTION ON AMAZON.COM!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST BLU-RAY AND DVD RELEASES

The post Cool Holiday Gifts 2025: 4K, Digital, and Box Sets for the movie geek you love appeared first on JoBlo.

Pluribus debuted on Apple TV+ with a two-episode premiere. If you watch the show all the way to the end credits, you’ll notice a disclaimer saying the show does not rely on AI to create any of its post-apocalyptic sci-fi goodness.

“This show was made by humans,” reads the credits, following a list of acknowledgments from the producers.

“I will never use it. No offense to anyone who does,” added Gilligan. “I really wasn’t thinking about AI [when I wrote Pluribus], because this was about eight or 10 years ago.”

According to the official description, Pluribus is a genre-bending original in which the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness. Seehorn is joined in the cast by Karolina Wydra (Sneaky Pete) and Carlos-Manuel Vesga (Donde Tú Quieras), plus guest stars Miriam Shor (American Fiction) and Samba Schutte (Our Flag Means Death).

Some months ago, Gilligan said, “I’m excited for audiences to see Rhea play a very different character than the character she played on Better Call Saul. She plays someone who’s trying very hard to be good. She’s a bit of a damaged hero, but she’s a hero nonetheless. And it’s just a pleasure to work with her because she’s just the best, and she is so sweet and kind and talented. I can’t say enough good about her.” Seehorn added, “I can’t wait for it to come out though. Some of the stuff that audiences have loved about his writing where it’s really rich characters but also him playing with the idea of tropes and genres and tone, and switching, like injected humor in a very dark moment — in this new show, he pushes that to a limit that was both very thought-provoking and upsetting sometimes, and other times, so, so funny. It really swings for the fences. I had so much fun.”

Pluribus is produced by Sony Pictures Television and executive-produced by Gilligan alongside Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer, Allyce Ozarski, and Jeff Frost. Jenn Carroll and Trina Siopy serve as co-executive producers.

Do you find comfort in Vinge Gilligan’s reluctance to feature AI in Pluribus? Let us know in the comments section below.

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If you think Spooky Season is over just because we’ve closed the book on another Halloween, think again! Today, Stern Pinball invites players to embark on the epic journey of surviving the apocalypse in The Walking Dead Remastered – a technologically advanced version of one of the most beloved pinball games of all time.

Proceed with caution, Pinball Wizards, there will only be a limited number of The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machines available to purchase soon on the Stern Store! You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for a countdown for a chance to buy one of these rare tables, with only registered All-Access members having access to the sale while supplies last.

The following details arrive courtesy of Stern’s official website:

In Stern Pinball’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball game, players will battle walkers and survive key scenes from The Walking Dead in an immersive physical pinball experience like none other.  The development team, led by John Borg, the designer of the original game, have created a modern version of the original masterpiece.  The playfield features enhanced versions of the “Cell Block C” Prison building, bicycle girl ramp, and an interactive Well Walker toy.  The fan-favorite crossbow device that shoots a pinball has been re-engineered and updated for increased precision and flexibility in gameplay.  The game also features new RGB lighting and illuminated zombie heads on the slingshots.

Extra care and attention to detail have gone into every facet of The Walking Dead Remastered, honoring the original masterpiece by John Borg and Lyman F. Sheats, Jr. The game includes an updated version of the revolutionary ruleset that introduced a new mode structure and risk-reward elements that have stood the test of time. Through the iconic Prison, Well Walker, and Blood Bath multiballs and the depth of each Dead Feature mode (Barn, CDC, Riot, Tunnel, and Arena), players are immersed in a pinball battle that can ultimately leave a “Last Man Standing”… that is, if you’re able to survive the Horde and escape Terminus along your adventure.

In The Walking Dead Remastered, players will be introduced to newly developed visuals that blend high-quality video elements with a vibrant painterly art style, both on the cabinet and on the display. Extraordinary care has been taken to ensure the new visuals mirror scenes from the classic game, while also going beyond with additional updates. Software enhancements will introduce additional game rules, including new custom audio call-outs from actors Michael Rooker (Merle) and Danai Gurira (Michonne). Players will also experience Stern’s Insider Connected (IC) system that provides advanced connectivity features, enabling real-time engagement and a more connected experience for all.

The Walking Dead Remastered features Stern’s next-generation SPIKE 3 technology platform, which includes a larger 18.5″ full HD display with true color depth, along with a more powerful processor, and a new high fidelity immersive audio system. Players will get to experience completely overhauled 3D-rendered graphics and custom animations that pay homage to the dot matrix display from the original  pinball machine. SPIKE 3 electronics also feature more efficient power handling, improved Wi-Fi support, and wireless headphone capabilities.  This release will also feature an updated cabinet lighting customization system designed to allow for internal and external expression lighting on all versions of the game.

Stern Pinball’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machine is limited to 500 game units globally. Meanwhile, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes the updated Expression Lighting System and Speaker Expression Lighting System with The Walking Dead-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, exclusive custom The Walking Dead Remastered pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.

Will you attempt to survive the zombie apocalypse while playing Stern’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machine? How many zombies do you think you can mow down with a silver ball before getting overrun by a horde of ravenous undead? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Stern Pinball reanimates one of its most beloved games with The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machine appeared first on JoBlo.

I love a good 4K transfer. As a movie fan, there’s nothing more exciting than cracking open an old favorite that’s been restored in a pristine 4K transfer taken straight from the negative. Some movies truly have never looked better. But not all 4K transfers are created equal—some are downright problematic. Why? Mostly due to the use of AI to “enhance” their look, which can make films appear significantly different than they did in theaters. After all, replicating the theatrical experience should be the gold standard.

So, what are the most controversial? Here are five notorious examples:

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

James Cameron’s name dominates this list. Terminator 2 was the first of his films to receive a 4K remaster, and reactions were far from positive. Excessive digital noise reduction removed virtually all grain, leaving characters looking waxy and unlifelike. It’s widely considered a disastrous transfer, and it has yet to be corrected. Even compared to some of Cameron’s other controversial remasters, this is the worst offender.

True Lies

Another Cameron transfer, True Lies doesn’t necessarily look bad—it just looks very different. Shot on Super 35, the film has natural limitations in sharpness. A faithful transfer, like the one done for Point Break (shot on the same format), preserves grain; instead, True Lies now looks like it was shot on 70mm IMAX film. It’s visually impressive—but perhaps too impressive.

Sorcerer

This transfer isn’t bad, but it is different. Criterion, long the standard for high-quality transfers, has recently stirred controversy with its color timing adjustments. Sorcerer has a distinct teal tint that makes it look more modern than older transfers (see examples here). Their recent transfer of Arthur Penn’s Night Moves has also received mixed reactions.

The Terminator

I hate to single out Cameron again, but he seems obsessed with making his older films look “new.” The Terminator, shot on a modest budget in 1984, now looks like it was filmed on 70mm. While the visual upgrade is extreme, Cameron did preserve the original mono track on the latest 4K release—a relief for purists who disliked the 5.1 remix from 2001. To note, Gale Anne Hurd, who produced this and many of Cameron’s movies, vehemently defended his upgraded transfers when we spoke to her recently.

Jaws 3D

No film on this list looks more different from its theatrical version than Jaws 3D. Shot in a cheap 3D format, the 35mm negative was split in two, with each half capturing one eye. As a result, earlier 3D releases effectively used half the negative, making the film look like it was shot on 16mm. Universal applied extensive AI to “upgrade” the image for modern audiences, but they arguably went too far—the coloring now borders on psychedelic, bearing little resemblance to what 1983 audiences saw.

Did I miss any? Let us know in the comments!

The post What are the 5 most controversial 4K transfers of all time? appeared first on JoBlo.

The movie relies heavily on the music of U2, and luckily those songs are intact. However, two other soundtrack cuts—Here’s Where the Story Ends by The Sundays and All Night Long by Aretha Franklin—have been replaced. In the case of Here’s Where the Story Ends, the replacement is a cover version you might not notice right away. The Aretha song, however, has been swapped out for some generic jazz, and they even removed Aretha’s name from a piece of dialogue spoken by Forest Whitaker’s character.

Clearly, this comes down to licensing costs, but it’s not the only example. The Carl Reiner comedy Fatal Instinct, a spoof of Basic Instinct, has had two songs removed: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, which plays twice in the original. This is also the case for all streaming versions of the film, although—curiously—the Blown Away streaming version still has its soundtrack intact.

I wouldn’t blame Kino Lorber for the changes. No doubt these substitutions were made by Amazon/MGM, the rights holders. But where does it stop? Apparently, a few years ago, the streaming version of When Harry Met Sally was missing many of its original songs, although (thankfully) that seems to have been fixed. For a while, the streaming version of The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear was also missing an important song by The Righteous Brothers, but it’s now intact.

This has been a long-standing issue with TV re-releases (many versions of Dawson’s Creek are missing its iconic theme song), but I didn’t realize it was creeping into movies, too. Back in the ’80s, this was commonplace, with Universal infamous for changing music on their home video releases—Sixteen Candles, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and most notoriously The Wild Life. Thankfully, since the DVD era, these movies have had their original soundtracks restored (although music licensing kept The Wild Life out of print for years). But this new trend feels like a slippery slope.

Even worse, consumers aren’t being warned that the movies have been altered. So—I hate to say it—be wary whenever a new catalogue title shows up on Blu-ray.

Anyone know of any other movies with altered soundtracks? Let us know in the comments!

The post Buyer Beware: Some 4K discs and streaming versions of cult classics have soundtrack changes appeared first on JoBlo.

The iPhone Air weighs just 165 grams but has a large, immersive 6.5-inch display and an A19 Pro chip. It will be available in black, white, gold and sky blue. Despite its small size, Apple claims the battery is still powerful, giving users 27 hours of video playback, the same as the iPhone 16 Plus. However, the company is also selling a new low-profile MagSafe battery pack developed specifically for the iPhone Air, which will apparently boost that number to 40 hours.

The iPhone 17 Pro is Apple’s most powerful phone, with a revamped “Camera Plateau” design that includes a separate 48MP telephoto lens. The front camera has also been upgraded with an 18MP camera, which supports Apple’s Center Stage technology. Simply tap to expand the field of view and rotate from portrait to landscape without moving your iPhone. Plus, the field of view automatically expands when more people join the shot.

Apple also introduced AirPods Pro 3, which features enhanced in-ear active noise cancellation and sound quality. The most interesting addition is an AI-powered live voice translation feature. When the person wearing the earbuds speaks, the translator can display their response on the iPhone scene in the other person’s language, but if both people are wearing the buds, each side of the conversation will be live-translated in the other’s ear.

There are also three new watches, the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch 11, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The Series 11 and the Ultra 3 will include a hypertension notification, which affects many people around the world and can lead to heart attacks, kidney disease, and stroke.

The iPhone 17 starts at $799. The iPhone Air is $999, the iPhone 17 Pro is $1,099, and the iPhone Pro Max is $1,199. The Watch SE starts at $249, the Watch Series 11 at $399, and the Watch Ultra 3 at $799. The AirPods Pro 3 sell for $249. All of the new products will be available on September 19.

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CEO of Take-Two Interactive — the parent company of Rockstar Games — Strauss Zelnick said that a price point foR GTA VI is imminent but nowhere near being ready for announcement. Regarding the rumor of a triple-digit tag, Zelnick did indicate that gamers will likely be seeing those “premium” prices that we have grown accustomed to. “Our goal always is to deliver more value than what we charge, so we’ve had variable pricing at the company forever. As you know, the approach of the industry is to launch at a premium price, sometimes with special editions, and over time, typically to reduce the price to enhance the overall size of the market. We do the very same thing. I think, probably more than most, we’re highly focused on making sure that the experience is great, not just because the game itself is great, but also because consumers have paid a fair price for it.”

It will be a while before we know just how much GTA VI will cost at release. And while we can complain about what some might call insane prices, when it comes down to value, a $100 MSRP really isn’t all that bad. Yes, it’s a lot to ask and could set a dangerous tone for the video game industry moving forward, think about how many hours we got from GTA V. Value-wise, $100 is, when it comes down to it, totally reasonable for GTA VI, because we know it’s going to be massive in a way we have never seen in terms of story, scope and gameplay. Add to that the sheer anticipation we’ve had for all these years, and $100 is something we should all be content shelling out at launch. And deep down, we know we all will.

GTA VI was originally set to hit streets in the fall of this year but was delayed to next spring, with the release now slated for May 26th.

What is the most you’d be willing to pay for GTA VI? Do you think a $100 launch price is unreasonable? Give us your take in the comments section below.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures is implementing a new strategy that will try to cut off AI users at the source. Normally, programs would need assets to pull from as a jumping-off point to create something. So, starting this summer with films like How to Train Your Dragon, Jurassic World: Rebirth and Bad Guys 2, the studio has added a legal warning to their credits which states that their films “may not be used to train AI.” The warning also reads, “This motion picture is protected under the laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.”

While statements like this have been used in the past to combat general piracy of the film, Universal is adding the practice of data mining and content-pulling for AI usage under this umbrella, so that images, voices, music or anything else cannot be used to train AI programs. Per THR, “In some countries, the warning cites a 2019 European Union copyright law largely opposed by major tech companies that allows creators to opt out of having their material used in scientific research by explicitly reserving their rights.”

Universal is getting more aggressive as AI is becoming a bigger presence in the movie industry for concerning reasons beyond being useful tools. Last month, Edward Saatchi’s Fable Studios announced that Amazon had invested in an AI platform called Showrunner, which allows users to create episodes with a prompt of just a couple of words. Saatchi stated, “Hollywood streaming services are about to become two-way entertainment: audiences watching a Season of a show, loving it will now be able to make new episodes with a few words and become characters with a photo. Our relationship to entertainment will be totally different in the next 5 years. We can do so much more with AI.”

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Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Lawrence offered a hot take about what could be done with AI regarding Robin Williams. “I would love — now, obviously, with the respect and with the okay from his family — but I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic…It’s not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it’s in my head — it’s in everybody’s head. And it would be so cool.”

But “cool” doesn’t equate to necessity – and even thinking this is “cool” is highly subjective. Now, Lawrence isn’t pushing to physically bring back Robin Williams courtesy of AI but rather seems to be suggesting only his voice. But even still, it all just seems so unethical and gross, even if Lawrence does have the best intentions. Besides, it seems highly unlikely that his family would sign off on any such endeavor, especially since Williams’ daughter Zelda has been actively against the use of artificial intelligence in regards to her father.

Lawrence said he got the idea from watching an old commercial that Robin Williams did, adding, “It’s kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what’s going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover. And it always stuck with me. And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I’m like, ‘Man, he’s gotta be the voice of AI. He’s gotta be the voice in something.’ So yeah, I would love to do that….It would be so cool. I’m telling you.” Please, for the brotherly love of all things holy, stop thinking this is cool, Matthew Lawrence.

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As Netflix delivered their financial results for Q2 – which saw an estimated income of nearly $4 billion – co-CEO Ted Sarandos said that AI is a part of the process that is meant to enhance films and TV shows. “We remain convinced that AI represents an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper. So this is real people doing real work with better tools. Our creators are already seeing the benefits in production through pre-visualization and shot planning work, and certainly visual effects.” Sarandos previously said that AI could help make movies 10% better, a figure that is entirely arbitrary and backed up only by hypothesis.

Netflix, expectedly, has already begun dabbling in bringing AI to the small screen, with Argentinian series El Eternauta (The Eternaut) using the generative form to showcase a building collapsing. (That the story went widely underreported in the three months since it debuted might be saying more than we are proud of…) As Sarandos put it, “Using AI-powered tools, they were able to achieve an amazing result with remarkable speed and, in fact, that VFX sequence was completed ten times faster than it could have been completed with traditional VFX tools and work flows…The creators were thrilled with the result. We were thrilled with the result, and more importantly the audience was thrilled with the result. So I think these tools are helping creators expand the possibilities of storytelling on screen, and that is endlessly exciting.” The reported budget for the six episodes was $15 million, a figure that would have no doubt been higher had artificial intelligence not been used.

Admittedly, I have yet to see The Eternaut – which arrived on Netflix in April – so cannot properly comment on its use of generative AI. But fundamentally, it’s growing increasingly difficult to support such a thing since it is inevitably costing jobs and craftsmanship. Yet, it’s here to stay…unlike that building in Buenos Aires it helped destroy.

The post Netflix boss Ted Sarandos hails generative AI as creative tool, not just cost cutter appeared first on JoBlo.

Additionally, while Villeneuve hasn’t yet achieved the stature to film the entire movie with IMAX cameras like Christopher Nolan will with The Odyssey, there will be sequences that will be filmed with the special format cameras.

While Denis Villeneuve has been keeping much of what Dune: Part Three will hold secret, he did tease that Chani (Zendaya) will have even more character development, especially given how things were left in Dune: Part Two. However, we do of course know how the book goes, as it was published nearly 60 years ago. As for that more specific plot: “Dune Messiah continues the story of Paul Atreides, better known-and feared-as the man christened Muad’Dib. As Emperor of the Known Universe, he possesses more power than a single man was ever meant to wield. Worshipped as a religious icon by the fanatical Fremens, Paul faces the enmity of the political houses he displaced when he assumed the throne-and a conspiracy conducted within his own sphere of influence. And even as House Atreides begins to crumble around him from the machinations of his enemies, the true threat to Paul comes to his lover, Chani, and the unborn heir to his family’s dynasty.”

The career of Villeneuve is gaining even more high-profile projects as he was just named the new director of the next James Bond reboot. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” said Villeneuve in a statement. “I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.“

The post The next Dune will be shot with IMAX cameras and has an official title appeared first on JoBlo.

When the sci-fi horror film M3GAN reached theatres in January of 2023, it was such a financial success (it made almost $182 million at the global box office, on a budget of $12 million), everyone at Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, and Atomic Monster seemed to believe they had just created an incredibly popular new genre icon. But the sci-fi action comedy sequel M3GAN 2.0 has turned out to be a box office disappointment. Made on a budget somewhere between 15 and 25 million, it had a domestic opening weekend of $10 million (1/3 of the first movie’s $30 million opening weekend) and, a week and a half later, has only just managed to cross the $30 million mark in worldwide totals. Things aren’t going the way anybody behind the film hoped they would during the theatrical run, but maybe M3GAN 2.0 will draw in more viewers on home video. There will be an added incentive, as director Gerard Johnstone has confirmed to Discussing Film that there will be an unrated cut of the film when it reaches home video.

Based on a story crafted by producer James Wan, M3GAN was directed by Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) from a screenplay by Akela Cooper (Malignant). Johnstone worked from a Cooper script again for the sequel. The first film has the following synopsis: She’s more than just a toy. She’s part of the family. From the most prolific minds in horror — James Wan, the filmmaker behind the Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring franchises, and Blumhouse, the producer of the Halloween films, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man — comes a fresh new face in terror. M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma, M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes friend and teacher, playmate and protector, for the child she is bonded to. When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady, Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems — a decision that will have unimaginable consequences. And the sequel: Two years after M3GAN, a marvel of artificial intelligence, went rogue and embarked on a murderous rampage, its creator, Gemma, has become an advocate for government oversight of AI. Unbeknownst to her, a defense contractor has created a military-grade weapon known as AMELIA, the ultimate infiltration spy. However, as AMELIA’s self-awareness increases, it becomes less interested in taking orders. Hoping to stop AMELIA, Gemma decides to resurrect M3GAN, making it faster, stronger, and more lethal.

Allison Williams and M3GAN co-star Violet McGraw came back for the follow-up (reprising the roles of roboticist Gemma and her niece Kady), as did Brian Jordan Alvarez and Jen Van Epps (as Gemma’s associates Cole and Tess). This time, they’re joined in the cast by the aforementioned Ivanna Sakhno, Jemaine Clement (What We Do in the Shadows), Timm Sharp (Blunt Talk), and Aristotle Athari (Saturday Night Live). Amie Donald and Jenna Davis bring M3GAN herself to life. 

Both M3GAN movies have been rated PG-13 for their theatrical releases. The first M3GAN also got an unrated cut on home video, adding in some blood and gore, plus multiple F-bombs. Speaking with Discussing Film about M3GAN 2.0, Johnstone said, “There will be an unrated version with a few [extra] scenes. We pack a lot in… I get it, it’s a long time to sit in the theater. So, we really wanted the [theatrical cut] to be under two hours. However, in the unrated cut, you’ll see a few things that didn’t make it into the theatrical version. Also, there are many lines in the trailers that help tell the story, but M3GAN doesn’t say them in the film at all (laughs). The studio needed promotional material. Sometimes, the trailers were already made before we could decide, ‘Can this beat make it into the movie or not?’ But, in a way, it still informs the universe.“

Are you glad to hear there will be an unrated cut of M3GAN 2.0? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

The post There will be an unrated cut of M3GAN 2.0 on home video appeared first on JoBlo.

The description reads,
“Winner of the Academy Award for Best Director and winner of five BAFTA Awards including Best Film, The Graduate is one of the most celebrated and highly influential classics in modern cinema. Truly iconic and utterly groundbreaking in its unique visual style and subject matter, it changed the face of modern film and the minds of expectant audiences.

Deep in the suburbs of Pasadena, a bored, confused and alienated twenty-one-year-old graduate named Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) awkwardly drifts from moment to moment, in constant turmoil over his lack of direction and the uncertain, impending future. Driven by a desire for experience and desperate to avoid the corporate, deluded, and mediocre world of his affluent parents, Benjamin succumbs to the advances of an older woman and begins an affair with the persuasive and enigmatic Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the wife of one of his father’s business partners. But what starts as a farcical fling becomes painfully complicated when Ben finds himself falling in love with her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross).”

Details from the release say:
Available on 4K Blu-ray for the first time, this iconic film, meticulously restored for its 50th anniversary in 2017, is presented with a Blu-ray disc and a copy of Simon & Garfunkel’s unforgettable Grammy-winning soundtrack featuring classic hits Mrs. Robinson and The Sound of Silence, and includes archive interviews and audio commentaries with cast & crew alongside a selection of other bonus material.

Also included is a 64-page booklet with new essays by film writers Christina Newland, Helen O’Hara, David Jenkins and Simon Brew, a print of the original film poster and a new artwork designed by Concepción Studios. Additionally a brand new trailer has been created for its September release.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• PREVIOUSLY RESTORED IN 4K (2017)
• DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
• COMPLETE CD SOUNDTRACK
• NEW TRAILER
• Audio commentary by Professor Thomas Koebner
• Audio commentary with Mike Nichols and Steven Soderbergh
• Audio commentary with Dustin Hoffman and Katharine Ross
• Meeting with an Author: Charles Webb
• One on One with Dustin Hoffman
• Interview with Producer Lawrence Turman
• The Graduate: Looking Back
• The Graduate at 25
• Students of The Graduate
• Screen Tests
• Scene Analysis
• About the Music
• The Seduction Featurette
• 64-page booklet with new essays by film writers Christina Newland, Helen O’Hara, David Jenkins and Simon Brew
• Two posters
• Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: 4K (2160p)
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Audio
TBA

Subtitles
English SDH

Discs
4K Ultra HD
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BD, 1 CD)

Packaging
Slipbox
Booklet
Figure/replica/props/memorabilia included

Playback
4K Blu-ray: Region free
2K Blu-ray: Region B 

The post The Graduate: The Dustin Hoffman classic seduces you with a new 4K Blu-ray appeared first on JoBlo.

Last week, Julien’s Auctions (in partnership with Turner Classic Movies) had 441 items up for bidding, with David Lynch fans attending both in person and virtually. When it was all said and done, the estate brought in more than the entire budget of David Lynch’s final film, Inland Empire. As for which items took in the most money, that would be the screenplays. The top earner on that front with $195,000 was a collection of 11 scripts for Lynch’s unproduced Ronnie Rocket: The Absurd Mystery of the Strange Forces of Existence, one of which is annotated. At the exact same price was a copy of Lynch’s Lost Highway script, which was estimated to fetch $200-300.

Outside of screenplays, the David Lynch auction also saw one of his director chairs going for $91,000, an incense holder made by Lynch himself at $52,000 and his personal espresso machine at $45,000. Considering Lynch was a renowned coffee fiend, it’s no surprise it took in 15 times the estimate. One of the cooler items was prop menus from Mulholland Drive’s Winkie’s. On the lower end of sold items was an unopened atmospheric water generator, which, at $910, is quite the bargain if I do say so myself and I can’t wait for it to arrive at my front door next week.

As the auction shows, David Lynch’s personal collection was extremely well-curated. A fun fact is that Eli Roth was one of the people tasked with its upkeep decades ago. He even once revealed that he lifted items for himself, only returning them after Lynch said they would eventually be sold. One of those items was actually a director’s chair, so the winning bidder on this auction may have taken home an item owned by both David Lynch and Eli Roth.

David Lynch passed away in January at the age of 78, leaving behind an unmatched, wholly unique style and body of work. Despite that legacy, there is, sadly, a wealth of films and TV shows that the world will never see.

The post David Lynch auction drives in $4.25 million. Which items sold for the most? appeared first on JoBlo.

You may have noticed that the logo features the iconic hockey mask, but with very subtle changes to give it a fresher look. Now, AdWeek has the exclusive first look of the new full design of the man himself, which sports the new mask. The president of Horror Inc., Rob Barsamian, made a statement about their new design, “We strive to maintain Jason’s original essence, while continuing to move toward the future with a defined look and feel that takes Jason into his next chapter. We’re also working with both familiar and fresh franchise voices to strike that balance.” After variations that include a burlap sack, working overalls and a futuristic space suit, it looks as if a “back-to-basics” approach was the name of the game here. Check it out below.

Special effects guru Greg Nicotero was said to have been consulted on this redesign. Barsamian explained, “We gave Greg our new 13-hole mask and worked together on this full body look that embodies classic Jason. He’s a strong, towering and terrifying slasher with a machete, his weapon of choice.” With a planned A24 and Peacock Crystal Lake series being developed, Horror, Inc.’s chief marketing officer Sheri Conn, assures fans that Voorhees will be slashing teenagers on the big screen again as well. Conn stated, “We’re listening to fans and actively developing a slate under the Jason Universe banner that spans new movies, gaming, immersive experiences, collectibles and more. Our film franchise is one of the most enduring horror properties in cinematic history, and we’re actively reimagining what the next chapter—and the slasher genre overall—can become.”

Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller, Robert M. Barsamian, and Robert P. Barsamian are currently working with Stuart Manashil, A24, and showrunner Brad Caleb Kane to executive produce the Friday the 13th series Crystal Lake for the Peacock streaming service. That show, which recently signed Linda Cardellini to play Jason’s vengeful mother Pamela Voorhees, is gearing up to go into production.

The post Get a first look at the new Jason Voorhees design for the Jason Universe appeared first on JoBlo.

The newly launched JoBlo Action 4K channel is for action fans, run by action fans, and will gather together 4K, Blu-ray HDR quality clips from several decades worth of action classics. The official description lets us know it will feature all of the coolest, most insane movie action sequences from the 80s, 90s and 2000s… all in gorgeous high-res 4K quality! Stay tuned for daily updates and more 4K insanity to come! And from what I hear, the range is even wider than mentioned in the description, as you can expect to see some clips that dip back into the 1970s as well. Basically, if a cool action movie has come out at any point in the last fifty years, you’ll see the most impressive moments from that movie on the JoBlo Action 4K channel.

In addition to celebrating the classics (old and recent), we’ll also be sharing exclusives from new movies.

If you love action, the JoBlo Action 4K channel is for you – so click over to YouTube and check it out, and don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there! We already have a couple weeks worth of clips on there, showing off some of the best moments from (as of right now) Charlie’s Angels, The Fast and the Furious, The Equalizer, Bad Boys II, King Kong, The Rundown, xXx, Men in Black, Resident Evil, Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters II. There’s a lot more to come! Here are some of our most popular clips:

The post JoBlo launches the Action 4K YouTube channel! appeared first on JoBlo.

Netflix’s redesign will start hitting your screens over the course of the next few weeks and months, with one of the ultimate goals being to make your decisions easier and faster. In other words, in theory you won’t be scrolling through hundreds of titles before inevitably settling on The Great British Baking Show as you always do. So how does Netflix plan to do this?

For one, Netflix will utilize a vertical feed in the redesign. This will offer short clips of Netflix programming that you can scroll through in such a fashion, sort of like an Instagram reel or TikTok feed. From there, you can watch, add and share. As Eunice Kim, who serves as Netflix’s chief product officer, explained, “Our current TV experience was built for streaming shows and movies. This one is designed to give us a more flexible canvas now and in the future. We are always going to keep sight of what we think is the best experience for our members, particularly driving discovery and engagement with all of the movies and shows and live events and games that they love. And we believe that the improvements to the member experience will ultimately drive lots of great outcomes for us as well.”

Another element that Netflix will introduce in their redesign comes through a collaboration with OpenAI, the company responsible for ChatGPT. Here’s how that will function: Instead of searching for a movie title or landing at one of their pre-programmed pseudo-genres (Lazy Day Comfort Binges, anyone?), you can type in something along the lines of, “movies that will make me LOL” or “TV shows that my wife will get fed up with and I’ll get the 95” all to myself”. From there, Netflix will find the perfect programming for you – provided they actually have it streaming…This feature, it should be noted, is going to initially only be on iOS.

What do you think about the redesign that Netflix has in store for subscribers? What do you see as the biggest benefit?

The post Netflix introduces redesign that uses OpenAI & TikTok-esque feed appeared first on JoBlo.

Chris

A few weeks ago, we dropped what turned out to be a bombshell story here on JoBlo. As I wrote previously, almost every DVD manufactured by Warner Bros between 2006-8 is unplayable now. The list of DVDs affected contains many titles that are out of print and nearly impossible to replace, including many classic Hollywood titles, vintage WB cartoons, TV series, and many more. It’s a devastating loss in some ways because one of the appeals of physical media has always been its permanence. When you buy a film digitally, you’re really only buying a long-term license. Physical media was supposed to be different, but now it turns out that discs are very prone to laser rot, where not only will a DVD essentially “go bad” at some point, but there’s nothing you can do about it. You could have a factory-sealed DVD, but it is still affected by laser rot. Basically, if you have a DVD manufactured by WB between 2006-8, it’s an expensive coaster now. The same goes for HD-DVDs, although I doubt anyone is too broken up about that.

Worse than that, it seems Blu-rays are also somewhat prone to laser rot, although not to the same extent, and it’s not as specific an issue – so far. VHS tapes, on the other hand, seem to hold up perfectly well, as do compact discs. Why are DVDs affected? It has something to do with the layering, but at any rate you can learn more about it here. Usually a DVD should hold up just fine, but something went wrong during the manufacture of these dics, which came along at a time when WB was easily the most prolific disc manufactures, as it was around this time that they really opened up their vaults For me, the biggest loss has to be the fact that all the amazing box sets they put out, including most of their famous Film Noir ones, no longer have playable discs. WB has issues many of the titles digitally or through the Warner Archive on Blu-ray, but they’ve also lost the rights to many titles, which are hard to find now.

The silver lining, if there was one, was that Warner Bros reached out to us and promised that they would do right by their customers, promising to replace DVDs when possible, and if the films didn’t happen to be in print, they’d offer customers something of equal value. Here is their official statement:

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is aware of potential issues affecting select DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2008, and the company has been actively working with consumers to replace defective discs. 

Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title.  However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value.

However, it’s come to my attention that WB has been less than responsive to the many readers who have contacted them via the email address we were given (whv@wbd.com). I’ve received dozens of complaints from readers, while none have contacted me saying they successfully got replacement discs. 

So what’s going on? Was Warner Bros Home Entertainment not serious when they stated they would replace the discs? To be sure, we were NOT the first ones to reveal that there was a problem. This was a known issue in the home media forums for months before we wrote about it. It seems like our story shone a particular light on the issue, subsequently covered by Forbes, Morning Brew, John Campea, and several other big outlets. 

To give WBV a chance to have their say, I reached out to the same contact who sent me their initial response. Here’s the statement I received back (in full):

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and its customer support partners will respond to all product inquiries.  We appreciate our customers and thank them for their ongoing support. 

So, they maintain they will respond to product inquiries (note they dropped the part about replacing the discs), but the people who have contacted me have said otherwise. At this point, I’d like to open it up to our readers and see if anyone has successfully gotten replacement discs or even an answer from WB. We want to be fair with them, as it’s possible some readers have had success with the company. So please let us know in the comments (or you can email me at chrisbumbray@joblo.com) with your experience.

The post Will Warner Bros replace the hundreds of defective DVD’s they manufactured? appeared first on JoBlo.

In a statement, Rockstar wrote of the GTA VI delay, “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”

The GTA VI delay is something that many had a feeling was coming, as it seemed especially suspicious that we hadn’t gotten a single clip from the game since the trailer — which hit 90+ million views in just 24 hours — late 2023. Only this year did we get the once-confirmed window of Fall 2025.

In his own statement on the delay of GTA VI, Take-Two Interactive’s CEO In his own statement on the delay of GTA VI, Take-Two Interactive’s CEO said,“We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations. While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence.”

Obviously the news of GTA VI seeing a delay is just about the worst thing fans of the series can hear — hell, the subreddit is even on lockdown right now due to the free fall the news has sent people into. Remember, it’s been 15 years (16 with this stall) since Grand Theft Auto V, so of course we’re all impatient and eager. That said, we all know GTA VI is going to be the game many of us will be locked into for years to come, so we have to have faith that Rockstar is doing this to give gamers the greatest experience possible. Then again, sound reason is sort of out the window for a lot of gamers, who no doubt want to go full Trevor on Rockstar.

What is your take on Rockstar hitting GTA VI with a delay?

The post Rockstar delays GTA VI until 2026 appeared first on JoBlo.

Stern Pinball has announced its latest pinball machine, which takes us back to the granddaddy of giant monsters: King Kong.

King Kong: Myth of Terror Island will find players joining “Ann Darrow, Jack Driscoll, and Karl Denham on their journey to the mysterious Terror Island, which results in King Kong traveling back to New York City with disastrous (and fun) consequences.” The custom-sculpted King Kong reacts “to player action through a new animatronic animation system, swinging his arms and torso to assert his dominance. Summon him by hitting the custom sculpted Gong bash target, but beware, when pinballs are locked into a New York City train car, an agitated King Kong will destroy and flip it over to start King Kong multiball.“

The description continues, “Encounter and escape danger as players enter ‘The Pit’ on Terror Island. Guarded by a custom-sculpted giant spider, this area magnetically grabs and attacks the ball, so be prepared. Travel through dangerous terrain by exploring the thrilling helix-shaped Biplane ramp featuring a custom sculpted biplane toy in addition to a secret river ball path and river log diverter.“

“King Kong has been a true staple of pop culture for decades, and we’re so excited for players to experience his larger-than-life persona through pinball,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “We can’t wait for players to take on the eighth wonder of the world in this completely original interpretation of this legend that is designed perfectly for pinball.” The machine will be available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Editions, which will run you $6,999, $9,699, and $12,999, respectively. What makes the Limited Edition so special? Well, it will be limited to 932 games globally and includes the “Speaker Expression Lighting System with King Kong-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color reflective foil high-definition cabinet decals with hand-drawn artwork, exclusive custom King Kong art deco inspired pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.“

If you’re still hungry for more pinball action, Barrels of Fun also has a new pinball machine to announce based on Dune. “Step into the epic universe of Dune like never before with the all-new limited edition Dune Pinball machine from Barrels of Fun,” reads the official description. “Developed in official collaboration with Legendary Entertainment, this machine brings the cinematic world of Dune to life in breathtaking detail. Only 1,000 units worldwide forged for fans, collectors, and warriors of Arrakis. Fully immersive experience featuring iconic scenes, original score elements, and character moments from Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) by Denis Villeneuve, all made possible through our exclusive partnership with Legendary.” The Dune pinball machine will run you $11,600.

The post Stern Pinball announces new King Kong machine, plus Barrels of Fun reveals Dune machine based on Denis Villeneuve’s movies appeared first on JoBlo.

Blumhouse’s annual Halfway to Halloween Film Festival will kick off at the end of the month. The studio will be bringing M3GAN, Annabelle, and Ma back to theaters nationwide for one night only over three consecutive weeks. Blumhouse is also joining forces with Meta’s second-screen experience, Movie Mate, to give the festival a high-tech twist. That’s right, you don’t have to put your phone away this time.

“The question we always ask ourselves is why can’t every day be Halloween? So Halfway to Halloween brings us one step closer, and I couldn’t be happier that this year we are going nationwide,” said Jason Blum, Founder and CEO, Blumhouse. “In that same spirit of trying new things, we’re excited to give M3GAN fans an all-new experience in theaters from the team from Meta.“

Fans will be able to interact with the M3GAN chatbot during the screening, which will send them “never-before-seen content, trivia, and behind-the-scenes info on the film in real time.” The screenings are also expected to include “sneak peeks, exclusive recorded messages from directors and talent from the films, and surprise special appearances in select markets.“

“We are excited to continue our longstanding history of innovation in the theatrical space with our friends at Universal Pictures,” said Omar Zayat, Group Lead Entertainment, Tech, Travel & Gaming, and Auto at Meta. “The M3GAN in-theatre Movie Mate is a first-to-market moviegoer experience. We are happy to introduce filmgoers to it by way of Instagram Direct and Click-to-Messenger Ads. We are thrilled to be working with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse to deliver rich experiences designed to get audiences back into theatres.“

Tickets are now on sale for the following films and dates:

• April 30th – M3GAN
• May 7th – Annabelle
• May 14th – MA

According to the press release, “Movie Mate is only available to moviegoers who are in a theater, and works by DM’ing the Instagram account @M3GAN account to start the experience. The entire experience is designed to leverage Meta’s capabilities to augment and uplevel the “second screen” viewing experience aimed at generating excitement ahead of the release of M3GAN 2.0 on June 27.” I’m not someone who pulls out their phone at the theater under any circumstances, so this isn’t for me. But sadly, we all know there are plenty of folks who just can’t help themselves, so maybe this is the screening for them.

The post Don’t put your phone away: M3GAN, Annabelle, & Ma heading back to theaters with Meta’s second-screen tech Movie Mate appeared first on JoBlo.

Sean S. Cunningham will always be primarily remembered for directing the original Friday the 13th, but he has taken the helm of some other movies that are worth checking out, like 1985’s The New Kids and the deep sea horror film DeepStar Six. The 1989 movie will now be getting a new 4K Blu-ray release, according to Blu-ray.com. Kino Lorber is behind this physical media distribution. The movie stars Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, Greg Evigan, Miguel Ferrer, and Nia Peeples. DeepStar Six is set to hit retailers on June 17.

The description reads,
NOT ALL ALIENS COME FROM SPACE! Far below the surface of the unforgiving sea, the daring crew of DeepStar Six are explorers in a forbidding world of impenetrable darkness and unimaginable pressure. They have invaded the icy fathoms into which no human has ever ventured. Their mission is to establish a top secret Navy base on the ocean floor. But something’s down there and the crew of DeepStar Six are about to make a startling discovery—there’s no escape from the terror of the deep. DeepStar Six will plunge you into the depths of fear… save your last breath… to scream.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

DISC ONE – 4K BLU-RAY

• NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE BY STUDIOCANAL
• DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
• NEW Audio Commentary by Horror-Fix.com’s James G. Chandler and Ash Hamilton
• Audio Commentary with Director Sean S. Cunningham and Visual Effects Supervisor James Isaac
• Audio Commentary with Screenwriters Lewis Abernathy and Geof Miller
• Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with Composer Harry Manfredini
• 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
• Optional English Subtitles

DISC TWO – BLU-RAY

• NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE BY STUDIOCANAL
• NEW Audio Commentary by Horror-Fix.com’s James G. Chandler and Ash Hamilton
• Audio Commentary with Director Sean S. Cunningham and Visual Effects Supervisor James Isaac
• Audio Commentary with Screenwriters Lewis Abernathy and Geof Miller
• Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with Composer Harry Manfredini
• From the Deep: Interviews with Creature Effects & Special Make-up Designer Mark Shostrom, Creature Supervisor Greg Nicotero and Creature Artist Robert Kurtzman
• The Survivors: Interviews with Actors Greg Evigan and Nancy Everhard
• Water Damage: Interview with Stunt Coordinator Kane Hodder
• Original EPK
• Extended Vintage Interview Clips
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• Image Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot
• 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
• Optional English Subtitles

The post DeepStar Six dives into the world of 4K with a new Ultra HD Blu-ray from Kino Lorber appeared first on JoBlo.

The Digital Bits has just revealed that Ridley Scott’s historical war epic, Kingdom of Heaven, will be getting a brand-new three-disc Blu-ray set with the movie remastered in 4K UHD. This new release commemorates the 20th anniversary of the film and will be hitting retailers on May 27. Additionally, 20th Century Studios will present a special one-night-only 4K theatrical re-release of Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, May 14.

Last year, we included Kingdom of Heaven in our list of five of the best director cuts from Ridley Scott. When Kingdom of Heaven hit theatres in 2004, many thought it was paled next to Gladiator, feeling scattershot and unfinished. The Director’s Cut reinstated forty-five minutes, and the extra running time was crucial. One of the things many people complained about in the original was Orlando Bloom’s turn as the hero, Balian, and in the new cut, his character is fleshed out, with so many great scenes involving him you wonder why Scott ever agreed to trim the movie in the first place. He even (initially) cut the final climactic sword fight between Balian and the movie’s main villain. If you’ve only ever seen the shorter version of the film, do yourself a favour and check it out (as well as the Best Movie You Never Saw episode we did on it!).

Bonus Materials

3-Disc Set Includes Over 8 Hours of Bonus Extras!

Disc 1: 4K Ultra HD Movie + Bonus Content

• Director’s Cut Roadshow Version & Director’s Cut
  • Introduction by Director Ridley Scott
  • Roadshow Commentary with Orlando Bloom, Ridley Scott and Writer William Monahan
  • 2 Additional Roadshow Commentaries with Filmmakers
  • The Enginer’s Guide (Roadshow Version only)

Disc 2: Blu-ray Movie + Bonus Content

• Director’s Cut Roadshow Version & Director’s Cut
  • Introduction by Director Ridley Scott
  • Roadshow Commentary with Orlando Bloom, Ridley Scott and Writer William Monahan
  • 2 Additional Roadshow Commentaries with Filmmakers
  • The Enginer’s Guide (Roadshow Version only)

Disc 3: Blu-ray Bonus Content

• The Path to Redemption
• Sound Design Suite
• Visual Effects Breakdowns
• Press Junket Walkthrough
• World Premieres
• Special Shoot Gallery
• Poster Explorations
• Deleted & Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary
• Orlando Bloom “The Adventure of a Lifetime”
• Additional Featurettes and Much More

Disc Size

4K UHD Blu-ray: 100GB; Blu-ray: 50GB

The post Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven director’s cut gets a new epic 4K UHD Blu-ray release for the 20th anniversary appeared first on JoBlo.

Late last year, it was announced that a number of Warner Bros. classics would be making their way onto 4K Blu-ray remaster releases. The titles for this year’s releases included Lethal Weapon, Amadeus, Constantine and David Fincher’s Seven. It would also be announced that a collection of the Sean Connery James Bond films was to be sold in a new set. Blu-ray.com has reported that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be making the classic Ian Fleming spy movies available to retailers on June 3.

The description reads,
“Complete your James Bond Collection with this 007: Sean Connery Complete 6-film 4K Collection. All Sean Connery films available for the first time on 4K Blu-ray in a beautiful, limited edition exclusive Steelbook Library Case.”

The collection includes 6 Steelbooks featuring unique art, all 6 007: Sean Connery films on 4K Blu-ray and Digital, and all of it is housed in a Steelbook Library Case.

DR. NO (1962)
Terence Young directs this action feature based on the novels by Ian Fleming. Secret Service agent James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to Jamaica to investigate the murder of one of his colleagues. It transpires that the island is being used as a base for the terrorist organization SPECTRE who, under the guidance of the despotic Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), have developed technology to divert rockets launched from Cape Canaveral.

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
Agent 007 (Sean Connery) is back in the second installment of the James Bond series, this time battling a secret crime organization known as SPECTRE. Russians Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) and Kronsteen are out to snatch a decoding device known as the Lektor, using the ravishing Tatiana (Daniela Bianchi) to lure Bond into helping them. Bond willingly travels to meet Tatiana in Istanbul, where he must rely on his wits to escape with his life in a series of deadly encounters with the enemy.

GOLDFINGER (1964)
The powerful tycoon Auric Goldfinger has initiated Operation Grand Slam, a cataclysmic scheme to raid Fort Knox and obliterate the world economy. James Bond, armed with his specially equipped Aston Martin, must stop the plan by overcoming several outrageous adversaries.

THUNDERBALL (1965)
Led by one-eyed evil mastermind Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), the terrorist group SPECTRE hijacks two warheads from a NATO plane and threatens widespread nuclear destruction to extort 100 million pounds. The dashing Agent 007, James Bond (Sean Connery), is sent to recover the warheads from the heart of Largo’s lair in the Bahamas, facing underwater attacks from sharks and men alike. He must also convince the enchanting Domino (Claudine Auger), Largo’s mistress, to become a key ally.

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
During the Cold War, American and Russian spacecrafts go missing, leaving each superpower believing the other is to blame. As the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war, British intelligence learns that one of the crafts has landed in the Sea of Japan. After faking his own death, secret agent James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to investigate. In Japan, he’s aided by Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tamba) and the beautiful Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi), who help him uncover a sinister global conspiracy.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
James Bond, equipped with an armoury of hi-tech gadgets, infiltrates a Las Vegas diamond-smuggling ring in a bid to foil a plot to target Washington with a laser in space. However, as 007 prepares to tackle the evil Blofeld, the mastermind who threatens to destabilise the world, he is captivated by the delicious Tiffany Case – but is she really a double agent?

The post Warner Bros. announces the 6-film 4K Blu-ray collection of the Sean Connery James Bond films appeared first on JoBlo.

Get ready to bust Dixie! Soon, you’ll be able to bring Riggs and Murtaugh home to meet the family as Warner Bros. is releasing a new crisp ultra-high-def transfer of the 1987 Richard Donner classic Lethal Weapon. Last year, Warner Bros. announced the release of the buddy cop pop culture staple along with other studio titles. The original street date looks to have changed as Blu-ray.com is reporting that the new 4K physical media transfer of Lethal Weapon will now be hitting retailers on April 29. The film catapulted Shane Black as his script for this film was a hot property in Hollywood. The movie stars Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, and Tom Atkins.

The description reads,
“Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs’ volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals — if it doesn’t kill them both first.”

There were no special features reported as of yet, although the former concept art for the package seemed to include a couple of poster replicas, character cards and behind-the-scenes cards. The newly released artwork can now be viewed.

Lethal Weapon is a classic that we love to revisit every now and then, and last year, it made our list of The Best Christmas Action Movies at number 2. Although, it’s very close to our number 1, Die Hard, we still celebrated it by saying, “The film would solidify its holiday classic status by staging the first big gunfight at a Christmas tree lot. Nothing gets us in the holiday spirit like some bad guys getting their comeuppance. Of course, as this is an L.A.-based film, we don’t get any snow to give you that cold holiday season feeling, but occasionally, a Christmas tree and lights will pop up to remind you when the movie was set. The film ends with a pile of dead bad guys, a lovely Christmas meal for Riggs and his new surrogate family, and Elvis singing, ‘I’ll be home for Christmas.'”

Former concept art with information about package extras can be seen below.

The post Bring Riggs and Murtaugh home in a new 4K Blu-ray release of Lethal Weapon [Updated with final artwork] appeared first on JoBlo.

Announcements for the next generation of video game consoles are usually made in advance to build hype and get the presales rolling. The Hollywood Reporter is revealing that not only has Nintendo officially announced a new console with the Nintendo Switch 2, but it will also already be hitting retailers sometime in 2025. The legacy video game company has also provided a new image of the upcoming console.

As with every video game console, whether it be Microsoft’s X-Box or Sony’s Playstation, there are usually games that are exclusive to the brand in addition to the games that can be played across every platform. Nintendo will continue to capitalize on its mascots that include the Mario brothers, Donkey Kong, Zelda and the like. The popular titles featuring these characters usually are the next iteration of games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong, and more.

It is yet to be determined how much of a jump in technology the Nintendo Switch 2 will have, but it is also reported that the new machine will be able to support the physical and digital versions of games from the original console, which was released in 2017. According to THR, “more details on the Switch 2 will be announced at a premiere event to be held in cities around the world on April 2. The company will also bring the console on a tour around the world for gamers to try it out, with stops in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo planned.”

Nintendo also released a teaser trailer of the console, which you can view below. The teaser shows a newer aesthetic design for the system itself, which includes a bigger screen and controllers for the handheld mode. Much more detail has been added along with seemingly new hardware capabilities.

Are you excited for the new Nintendo Switch? What are some of your favorite games on the original? Mario Kart 8 has been updated with the largest number of tracks to date. Do you think they will be able to top it? Let us know below!

The post The Nintendo Switch 2 will officially be hitting stores this year and a teaser has been released appeared first on JoBlo.

Put away your dice and pour yourself a flagon of ale to wash down your Nachos Supreme because Stern Pinball is back with a brand-new pinball machine that sets you up for adventure! Today, Stern Pinball is teasing its Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball machine, available now in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models.

In celebration of 50 years of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game, Stern Pinball, in collaboration with Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast division, brings you the pinball adventure of a lifetime in Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye! Stern’s thrilling journey into the Forgotten Realms features iconic enemies, including a red dragon, gelatinous cube, mimic, Sammaster the lich, Xanathar the beholder, an owlbear, and locations including those in Faerûn such as Arabel and Westgate.

All models for Stern Pinball’s Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye feature artwork by prolific artist Vincent Proce, music from world-renowned composer Cris Velasco, and voiced by a talented cast including Michael Dorn, Kevin Smith, Luke Gygax, Chris Prynoski, Brendon Small, Gerard Way, Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Marisha Ray, Anthony Carboni, and Mica Burton.

According to Stern Pinball’s official press release for the Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball machine, players are chosen members of the Dragonshield Guild, trying to defeat the dragon queen Tiamat, who is hatching a plan to rise again, triggering the War of Dragons, with Xanathar, Balinor and Sammaster all fighting for power. Players will experience the game’s fantasy world under the glass, fusing pinball with the iconic franchise like never before.

Battle Rath the Relentless, the red dragon, the most advanced animatronic mech in pinball, intelligently reacts to player action with multi-axis motion and features omnidirectional impact sensing technology. Voiced by the iconic Michael Dorn, players will attempt to defeat Rath the Relentless with pinballs and by hitting the 3-bank target, steal its treasure. When Rath the Relentless breathes his magnificent fire, multiple pinballs shoot from its mouth but be prepared. Players can activate a metal shield between the flippers to not only defend against attacks but also assist with playfield shots.

Enjoy mysterious and exciting features by navigating through hidden passageways, experience an electromagnet-powered gelatinous cube that freezes the pinball, and explore dynamic dungeon levels that are accessed through a disappearing playfield trap door. Other features include Fizmo’s store that allows players to acquire unique items, a treasure chest that unleashes mimic monsters, and more secrets to uncover.

Roll the dice with randomness as players unlock where shots and choices control the path of the game’s campaign, driving toward different story endings. Each path is different for players, spanning from characters to trinkets to weekly items and more; once the game campaign has concluded, additional characters will be unlocked.

For more details about Stern Pinball’s Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, including information on how you can pre-order your game of choice, check out their official website.

Dungeons & Dragons has offered players unique and imaginative experiences across far-reaching realms with inspired storytelling, gameplay, and character design for decades. Stern’s latest pinball machine brings a new level to the D&D experience with precision gameplay, a high skill ceiling, and dazzling effects. It’s the perfect pinball machine for any Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast and a must-play for silver ball wizards across generations.

The post Stern Pinball rolls a Natural 20 with a trailer for its Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball machine appeared first on JoBlo.

A few years ago, Spooky Pinball LLC created a pinball machine inspired by John Carpenter’s 1978 classic Halloween, and a while back they also built a Texas Chainsaw Massacre pinball machine, inspired by Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic. Now, they’re continuing their journey through some of the greatest horror movies ever made, as they’ve revealed that their latest pinball machine is inspired by Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise!

Here’s the information: Evil Dead Pinball is a wide body pinball machine set in the world of the first two films of the iconic franchise, The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn. The players will be guided along by Ash Williams, voiced by Bruce Campbell, as they battle the relentless forces of evil. Ash’s now evil girlfriend Linda (voiced by Lara Sluyter) and Professor Knowby (voiced by Scott Innes) will provide an additional level of Deadite trickery and direction to the game. Evil Dead Pinball is our most ambitious game to date, featuring the highest number of mechs in a Spooky Pinball machine yet. The game also features original clips, speech, and sfx from both films. Evil Dead Pinball is the 4th game by the designer duo “Spooky Luke” and Corwin “Bug” Emery. Many other Spooky crew members have returned for this release, including Ben Heck on the code, Matt Montgomery providing the score, Back Alley Creations, on the sculpts. This is also the first in a series of many Spooky Pinball games featuring a full art package by Christopher Franchi. It’s time to officially “Join Us” in what we can confidently say is our most beautiful, most loaded, most impressive world under glass yet. You can watch a 35 minute featurette HERE.

The Evil Dead Collector’s Edition pinball machine will go for the price of $9,999 plus tax and shipping when applicable. (Shipping will be calculated when game is ready to ship. Sales will go live today at 11am Eastern, 10am Central, through SpookyPinball.com, through your favorite Spooky distributor, or through the phone number in the image at the bottom of this article.

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Written and directed by Raimi, the original The Evil Dead has the following synopsis: Ash, his girlfriend Linda, his sister Cheryl, and couple Scotty and Shelly, drive to a remote cabin in the woods for a fun getaway. While there, they find the Naturom Demonto / Necronomicon Ex-Mortis (aka “The Book of the Dead”), an ancient tome whose text reawakens the dead when read out loud. After unintentionally releasing a flood of evil, the five friends must fight for their lives or become possessed.

The film stars Bruce Campbell, Betsy Baker, Ellen Sandweiss, Hal Delrich, and Sarah York. Campbell’s character Ash would go on to fight a whole lot of these demonic creatures over the decades, as Campbell reprised the role in Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, and three seasons of the Ash vs. Evil Dead television series. He has also voiced the character for multiple video games and for this new pinball machine.

Will you be buying the Evil Dead pinball machine? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Evil Dead pinball machine is coming from Spooky Pinball! appeared first on JoBlo.

Dutch Pinball is ready to chase a white rabbit through a brightly lit landscape of twisting turns where the Jabberwok waits to ruin multipliers as silver ball wizards run from angry playing cards, a hookah-smoking caterpillar, and an angry Queen of Hearts while playing the new pinball game Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Inspired by the timeless 1865 novel by Lewis Caroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland finds players at the heart of a bizarre fantasy where tea parties invite chaos every day is your unbirthday. Using John Popadiuk Jr’s black-and-white concert art, lead designer Melvin Williams combines Caroll’s strange world with 2024 technology to create a new pinball game that harkens back to the tables of the 1990s.

Dutch Pinball’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland pinball game has more bells and whistles than you can imagine. The pinball company shared a detailed list of the table’s features, which you can read below:

• Flippers and Playfield: Two flippers and a multi-level playfield
• Mini Upper Playfield: Featuring two magna-flippers
• Multiball Modes: 2-ball, 3-ball, and 5-ball multiball
• Ball Savers: User-controllable motorized ball savers at both outlanes
• Lighting: Fully RGB lighting for both general illumination (GI) and inserts
• Special Features:
  • Powder-coated side rails, legs, lockdown bar, coin door, and speaker panel frame
  • Illuminated laser-cut apron
  • Laser-cut protectors and metal ball guides
• Art and Design:
  • Fully 3D-sculpted and hand-painted art plastics by Lior, designed with art direction from Melvin Williams (industry first)
  • Extra 3D-sculpted mini IPS LCD display on the playfield for additional instructions
  • 3D-sculpted shooter handle
  • 3D-sculpted animated topper
• Playfield Enhancements:
  • All mirror-polished ball guides
  • Motorized Jabberwock arm movement
  • Hidden magnet under the main playfield that interacts with the ball
  • Physical 3-ball lock under the playfield
  • Three pop bumpers
• Interactive Elements:
  • Full RGB interactive side rails (industry first)
  • Full RGB lit-up shooter lane plastic
  • Special mobile app created by Stumblor to customize your own RGB light show for the side rails. His mod board comes with extra ports for you if you wanna get creative with the game or get familiar with Stumblor mod boards
• Visual Quality:
  • Non-reflective playfield glass
  • Non-reflective translite glass for richer colours and 90% less glare than a conventional translite (industry first)
  • Direct art-printed mirror blades (industry first)
  • Hand-drawn artwork
• Additional Features:
  • Fully integrated shaker motor
  • Magnet-plated apron score cards
  • Ruleset interesting enough for the experienced player yet understandable for the casual player
  • Individually numbered (1-500) plaque

Dutch Pinball’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired pinball machine features highly detailed, nightmarish art reminiscent of that of the Zenescope comic book publisher. You can find more information about the game on Dutch Pinball’s official website here.

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