To say that Wall-E was a hit for Disney would be grossly understating it, and that's evidenced by the robust Blu-ray release that's being primed for a November 18th release. Unsurprisingly, Disney and Buena Vista Home Entertainment will be releasing this one just before the holiday shopping season really gets going, and we have a hunch it'll probably do some record smashing of its own. The 3-disc BD package will include Digital Copy, Burn-E with Boards (PiP), Cine-Explor with director Andrew Stanton, Axoim Arcade: retro suite of video games with a twist and a few Blu-ray exclusive features including at least one that taps into BD-Live. So, are you going to hand over $40.99 (MSRP) to hear that sweetheart utter "EEEEEVVVAAAAAA!" once more?

It's quite possible that you're not really taking a long, hard look at what's coming up in September, but for those acutely aware of what's taking place, you can easily see that said month will be a total drain on the wallet. Shortly after hearing that masterpieces such as The Godfather trilogy, Kill Bill 1 & 2 and Transformers (okay, so maybe the latter hasn't reached masterpiece status just yet) would be hitting in September, now we've got the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy arriving as well. On September 16th, fans of Mr. Depp and Mr. Sparrow alike will have the opportunity to acquire the six-disc set for $82.99, which will include a 1080p presentation of the features and the same supplements found on each of the individually released discs. Just to clarify, what you're seeing here is a repackaging of the titles already out there, so folks who have already snagged all three individually won't find anything new in this.

Better start saving those pennies folks, because September is apt to drain your wallet dry. Not only do we have Transformers launching in Blu-ray format on September 2nd, but we now know that both volumes of Kill Bill will be arriving in Blu cases a week later. According to an insider with access to Disney's retailer website, both flicks will be available on September 9th, and Amazon already has place-holders up for the both of 'em. Can anyone say "must buy?"

[Via Audio/Video Revolution]

Our friends over at Format War Central had the chance to stop by the mall when Disney's Magical Blu-ray Disc Tour was in town. Overall, it seems the presentation was impressive, including a 58-inch Panasonic plasma, Blu-ray player and a Yamaha surround sound system. Tyler liked the demo -- which included a few movies not even avaialble on Blu-ray like, Cars, Ratatouille , and Meet the Robinsons -- but couldn't help but laugh when they plugged Monster HDMI cables. We don't know about anyone else, but we'd rather seem them release more movies, than to go on tour.

While UK users were recently able to catch America's biggest game in crisp HD glory, it now looks like HD lovers on the other side of the pond have even more reasons to celebrate. In a recent deal between Virgina Media and The Walt Disney Company's Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), hit network series such as Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Daybreak, Ghost Whisperer, Night Stalker, and Alias will soon be available in high-definition via Virgin's TV-on-demand service. Although further details were scant, it was also noted that this was probably not the last deal the UK would see in terms of adding additional HD on demand offerings this year, and while a specific timetable wasn't set, Virgin Media stated that the content should be available "before month's end."

Lost fansite The Tail Section is reporting that sources from ABCs marketing department have indicated Disney's home video arm, Buena Vista is close to announcing a series of HDTV shows coming to Blu-ray boxed sets next year. ABC's Lost would be the flagship of the lineup and include many extras not available on the already successful DVD release. Unfortunately, if you thought the $79 Smallville Season 5 boxed set was high priced you may want to sit down as the rumor pegs a single season of Lost at $200. Future plans would include releasing shows in in two-episode discs, for $20 each. Lost is still a wildly popular series, but $200 per season is just a bit much, no matter what the extras...but you do want to be able to catch every single detail right?

Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment added to its enhanced winter Blu-ray release slate today, as Invincible and Pearl Harbor were joined by Touchstone Pictures' Enemy of the State and Flightplan. The company revealed the latter three will all be on dual-layer 50GB discs, as Buena Vista joined Warner, Fox and Paramount in announcing plans for the much-delayed discs this winter. Invincible will include a Blu-ray exclusive HD extra, "Recreating the Vet", while the three others mirror their DVD counterparts, plus an exclusive "Blu-ray Showcase". Flightplan will also add a Blu-scape short "Jet Stream". The two Disney movies are due December 19th, while Enemy of the State and Flightplan will still be released November 21. We're not sure what took them so long, but the Blu-ray camp is obviously trying to make 50GB releases a regular part of the high-def landscape.

All of these titles have been added to our Google Release Calendars

HD DVD


Blu-ray

Disney's home distribution arm, Buena Vista has successfully launched two waves of Blu-ray titles already, and is dropping a couple more before year end. Pearl Harbor and Invincible are the lucky movies, the latter day-and-date with the DVD version. No word on any special features or "Blu-scape" extras, but they carry an MSRP of $34.98. No Pirates of the Caribbean or Cars just yet, seems like we'll have to wait until 2007, meanwhile we'll "enjoy" box office-failure Pearl Harbor.

[Thanks, Dave]

It only took one line from VideoBusiness' note about the DVD details of Pixar's latest hit film Cars to dampen our spirits. The Blu-ray supporting Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment (Disney) didn't mention any plans for a high-def release of the movie yet. The DVD isn't hitting until November 7, well after Disney's first Blu-ray releases featuring Paul Walker in Eight Below on September 19, but we are looking forward to other summer movies getting day-and-date releases, why not one from the friendly budget HDTV calibrators at Pixar?

The end of the year and the launch of the Playstation 3 is far enough away however that we still hold out hope for plenty of Blu-ray content to become available, and maybe with codec and dual-layer issues straightened out as well. We're looking forward to some great 1080p CG this winter, and we don't mean from Killzone.

[Corrected Cars release date]

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney's Buena Vista Home Entertainment is going to announce nine Blu-ray releases today. Four of them are slated for release September 19, with five more to follow October 17th. Several of the movies will feature short films exclusive to the Blu-ray releases called Blu-scape, filmed by cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg. They also indicate all the movies will feature advanced menu and navigational features accessible while the movie is playing, and that most will carry an MSRP of $34.99. This could be kind of cool, or it could be a cheap gimmick to garner attention for the Blu-ray editions of the movies, we may have to wait until they are released to find out.

September 19:

• Dinosaur*
• Eight Below*
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
• The Great Raid

October 17:

• Glory Road*
• Haunted Mansion*
• Gone in 60 Seconds*
• Dark Water
• The Brothers Grimm

* indicates movie featuring Blu-scape short