Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - (Page 22) NEWS Warner Brings Earlier ‘Batman’ Films to BD By John Latchem PRODUCT Warner Home Video will release Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 on Blu-ray Disc March 10 (prebook Feb. 3) at $129.95. The set includes the two “Batman” films directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton — 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns — as well as the sequels directed by Joel Schumacher — 1995’s Batman Forever, with Val Kilmer in the title role, and 1997’s Batman & Robin, starring George Clooney. The Blu-ray versions are available only in the collection. The five-disc Blu-ray set includes www.homemediamagazine.com ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ GETS ANNIVERSARY RELEASE By John Latchem ‘Madagascar 2’ to Get Companion Disc By Thomas K. Arnold PRODUCT Paramount Home Entertainment is once again doubling up with its Feb. 6 release of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, the $177 million-grossing sequel to 2005’s Madagascar. Both the DVD and the Blu-ray Disc version of the animated film will come with an entirely new companion piece: two all-new, never-before-seen animated adventures from Nickelodeon’s new “The Penguins of Madagascar” TV series. The additional program will come on a second disc as part of the “Move It! Move It! Double DVD Pack,” while on the Blu-ray Disc edition, it will be included on the same disc as the film. DreamWorks chief Ann Daly said the decision to offer consumers a “sneak peak” of the new TV series came after a similar strategy with Kung Fu Panda paid off handsomely. Sales of the “Pandemonium Double Pack,” which included the direct-to-video companion film Secrets of the Furious Five, accounted for nearly 30% of total unit sales, at a significantly higher price point of nearly $25. Kung Fu Panda wound up the top-selling animated DVD of 2008, with estimated unit sales of 6.7 million units, according to Home Media Magazine market research. Single discs of new releases typically sell for about $15 their first week in stores. “In this economy, the fact that we sold nearly 30% of our volume in that configuration, and at that price point, is great,” Daly said. “It shows consumers are looking for value, not just the lowest price.” a bonus digital copy of the original film for an iPod or PC. More than 18 hours of extras from the previously released DVD special editions of the films also will be included. In addition to the Blu-ray release, Warner will repromote the earlier films on DVD at $12.97 each, $26.99 per two-disc special edition, and $79.92 for the collection. The recent “Batman” films, 2005’s Batman Begins and 2008’s The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale, proved to be huge sellers on Blu-ray, with The Dark Knight becoming the all-time Blu-ray bestseller its first week in stores. In celebration of the film’s 25th anniversary, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases the 1984 paranormal comedy Ghostbusters on Blu-ray Disc June 16 at $38.96. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as a team of ghost hunters who use science to fight supernatural activity in New York City. Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts and Rick Moranis also star. All-new extras for the high-def set, timed for a worldwide release, include a featurette about the Ecto-1 car and the new picture-inpicture “Slimer Mode,” which examines the team’s firehouse headquarters, takes a look at the creatures of the film’s mythology, and goes behind the scenes with new interviews. Held over from the DVD version are commentary, featurettes and deleted scenes. PRODUCT OBAMA DVDS SLATED FOR INAUGURATION DAY By John Latchem A&E Home Video and Vivendi Entertainment have slated biographical DVDs about Barack Obama to hit shelves Jan. 20, the day the new president is sworn into office. A&E will repackage its Biography Channel documentary about Obama with a special $12.95 “Inaugural Edition.” The update to the DVD, which had been released PRODUCT during the campaign, includes new footage of Obama’s campaign and election victory. Vivendi will release Codeblack’s President Barack Obama: The Man and His Journey, a $19.99 documentary chronicling the former Illinois senator’s path to the White House. The film, narrated by Blair Underwood, combines interviews with prominent national figures with news footage to tell the story of the president-elect, including exclusive video of Obama’s election-night acceptance speech. The program also includes an original song by Brian McKnight, titled “Yes We Can!” Extras include a trading card, a digital download of the song, extended interviews, a collection of seven short films covering a number of issues, and an “I Am an American” music video by the Bergevin Brothers. LG TVs to Stream Netflix Fare Continued from page 1 JUST ANNOUNCED A Weekly Product Update* TITLE STREET DATE PREBOOK BOX OFFICE (MILLIONS) GENRE PRICE give consumers better options for home entertainment. “LG was first to embrace Netflix as a streaming partner a year ago, and was first in 2008 to introduce a Blu-ray Disc player that streams movies from Netflix,” Hastings said. “So it’s fitting that LG is the first to introduce Netflix instant streaming directly to the TV with these next-generation HDTVs.” The broadband HDTVs, available this spring, were showcased at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. LG also unveiled two new slimmer Blu-ray Disc players (BD370 and BD390). Michael Ahn, president and CEO of LG Electronics North America, said expansion of high-definition products was based on research that found 59% of consumers sought home entertainment in 2008, including 39% who opted for TV programming and 35% for a packaged media disc. Peter Reiner, SVP of marketing and strategy, said consumer demand necessitated partnering with Yahoo for news, music and video, and YouTube for user-generated content. “Now consumers have two ways to get information from the Internet: our Blu-ray players and HD televisions,” Reiner said. LG also showcased a 55-inch LED backlit LCD TV display that is just 24.8mm thick. The company is carrying 36 models, the majority in 1080p resolution. It also announced three Blu-ray-based home theater systems. LG revenue topped $13 billion, up 16% from 2007. Global revenue was just $5.6 billion five years ago. “We will not reduce marketing spending and R&D in 2009,” Ahn said. “2009 will be a challenging year in many ways, but it will also present an opportunity [for LG] to differentiate itself from its competitors.” Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa 2/6 Now $177.1 Animated DVD $29.99, BD $39.99 Paramount/DreamWorks. 2008. Voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith. The zoo gang is stranded in Africa when their plane is forced to crash land. Available in a $34.99 double pack with episodes from the Nickelodeon series “The Penguins of Madagascar.” Zack and Miri Make a Porno 2/3 Now $31.3 Comedy DVD $29.95, BD $34.99 Genius/Weinstein. 2008. Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes. In order to solve their cash-flow problems, lifelong friends decide to make an adult film, and discover they have romantic feelings for each other. Includes deleted scenes, bloopers and more. The Haunting of Molly Hartley 3/3 2/4 $13.5 Horror DVD $29.98 Fox. 2008. Chace Crawford, AnnaLynne McCord, Haley Bennett, Shannon Marie Woodward, Shanna Collins. A young girl hopes to put her violent past behind her in her new private school but soon is haunted by a terrifying secret. The Express 1/20 Now $9.8 Drama DVD $28.98, BD $39.98 Universal. 2008. Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Omar Benson Miller. Based on the life story of football hero Ernie Davis, the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy. Includes deleted scenes, commentary, several featurettes and more. I’ve Loved You So Long 3/3 1/29 $2.4 Drama DVD $28.96, BD $39.95 Sony Pictures. 2008. Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein. A woman who has spent 15 years in prison for an unspeakable crime is invited to live with her estranged sister. In French with English subtitles. Includes deleted scenes and an English dub with Thomas. Passengers 3/24 2/19 $0.29 Thriller DVD $24.96, BD $39.95 Sony Pictures. 2008. Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, Andre Braugher, Clea DuVall, Dianne Wiest. A young therapist is determined to solve the mystery of a plane crash when the survivors she has been counseling begin to disappear. * In order of box office, then prebook date Home Media Magazine January 12–18, 2009 http://www.homemediamagazine.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 Contents News Cine Mercado Reviews Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - News (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - News (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - News (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - News (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Cine Mercado (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Cine Mercado (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Reviews (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Reviews (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Reviews (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Reviews (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 25) Home Media Magazine - January 11, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 26)
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