Blu-ray releases on July 22nd, 2008
This week is finally the week, it's finally the week when Universal Studios releases its first Blu-ray Disc, and by the looks of the reviews, the big U is getting started with a bang. The biggest two titles from the new Blu studio are the first two installments of the Mummy franchise, released in preparation for the third movie due in theaters next week. We've seen over and over again this summer, that there is no better time to release a catalog title then just before the sequel is released on the big screen. But even if you aren't the biggest Brendan Fraser fan, you may want to check this out as the reviews seem to indicate that Universal didn't slouch on its first Blu-ray titles. The specs are a good start with BD-50, VC1, and the best in audio at DTS-HD MA 48kHz/24bit; but Hi-Def Digest review sums up the picture quality with "It's as close to a reference-caliber disc as any catalog title I've seen," while the audio was "absolutely excellent -- this is a demo-worthy presentation." But even if Mummy movies are your thing, you can check out Sony's date-and-date 21, or maybe a few older horror titles like Urban Legend or I know What You Did Last Summer. As big as this week is though, next is even bigger as just about every studio has something on the calendar with a total of 24 new releases in one week.Blu-ray
- 21 (Sony)
- The BBC High-Definition Natural History Collection (BBC)
- Daft Punk's Electroma (Vice Records)
- Earth: The Biography (BBC)
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (Sony)
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (Sony)
- Kiss of the Spider Woman (City Lights)
- The Mummy Returns (Universal)
- The Mummy (1999) (Universal)
- The Perfect Storm (Warner)
- The Scorpion King (Universal)
- Urban Legend (Sony)





















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
h0mi @ Jul 21st 2008 11:24AM
I know that in some B&M stores, the Mummy films come with vouchers for theater cash/ecash/etc. to use to see the new mummy film. My Q is if this is in the blu-ray package or if this is a special promotion from BB/CC ?
DrXym @ Jul 21st 2008 12:07PM
The Mummy was passable, the Mummy Returns was poor (especially because of the dire CGI and annoying brat son/sidekick), and the Scorpion King was execrable. I guess they must have made money though because they're churning out even more sequels. Even SK is getting a straight-to-video sequel.
Joe T. @ Jul 21st 2008 12:19PM
Kiss of the Spiderwoman? Awesome flick-- unavailable even on DVD for the longest time. You can keep The Mummy-- I'm buying this.
Leonardo DiCrapio @ Jul 21st 2008 12:47PM
I think the new Jet Li Mummy movie might be all right (which I think is actually the Mummy 3 -- I don't think the Scorpion King is considered the Mummy 3). It'll definitely be worth using Movie Cash to see.
Scorpion King 2 and Lost Boys: The Tribe are both being released within the next month. I believe they are both direct-to-video (and should both be crap).
Anything would have to be better than the last Highlander made-for-television movie which came out about a year ago.
EQC @ Jul 21st 2008 12:50PM
Anybody know if/when Succubus (from Evil Motion Pictures) is due on Blu-ray? The online trailer is in HD...
JimC @ Jul 21st 2008 3:42PM
Who buys new DVD's or Blu-ray at blockbuster anyway? I have looked there in the past and their prices were always premium. But glad to see you tried to sneak a negative slant in for this blu-ray post. Check it off your list!
tama @ Jul 21st 2008 4:15PM
Wouldn't dts hd ma 98khz/24 bit be better, if there is such a thing?
Ryan P @ Jul 21st 2008 4:31PM
Yeah I have a hard time justifying any Blu ray purchase. I held off before hi def formats came out and now I'm finding Netflix is sufficient for all my movies needs at a fraction of the price (I did just go see Dark Knight though so I'm not that frugal).
Who goes to Blockbuster?
EQC @ Jul 21st 2008 4:54PM
At my local BlockBuster, you can buy "pre-viewed" DVD's -- basically, scratched up disks that they used to rent out.
Funny thing is, those used disks cost more there than a new copy would cost down the street at Fry's. Who is buying them?
JimC @ Jul 21st 2008 5:26PM
Who said you can't buy at Best Buy? They have good sales. I got Batman Begins there for $19.95....probably going to go to Walmart though to get The Mummy...
JeffDM @ Jul 21st 2008 5:49PM
I don't know who said people shouldn't buy movies from Best Buy. Blockbuster is probably just trying to sell the movies at SRP. I've seen pretty good deals on Blu-Rays at Target.
ceilingfanboy @ Jul 21st 2008 9:39PM
Wait, no bashing of The Mummy in this article? I can't really blame Universal for putting this out because while it's cheesy, it will probably still sell some copies and make money. Let's face it, a lot of people buying blu-ray movies are looking more for something to show off their TV than an award winner. Besides, most action movies are cheesy, the acting just isn't what you are looking for when you watch most action movies.
Galley @ Jul 21st 2008 10:37PM
Blu-ray has its own island now? Wow!
DEEZNUTZ @ Jul 21st 2008 11:11PM
@NFINITY:
Wow, how convenient. So online shopping is niche now? Rather desperate claim... funny how you used to clamor about how HD DVD was doing based on AMAZON's bestsellers on players, and thier prices on HD DVD movies.
Man, if online shopping is niche, than where does that leave movie downloads???
Fred @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:04AM
everyone here is missing the real point. Who cares about the Mummy. they are on TNT HD everyday. But the great news is that 21 is coming out on Blu. I liked that movie. Hopefully its cheaper than 34.95, someone quick find me the cheapest place to buy it.