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DirecTV on Demand adds Quantum of Solace in 1080p


Just that quickly, DirecTV's come through with some of the 1080p video on demand promised earlier, debuting Quantum of Solace in both HD and 1080p today. Seven other Bond movies in the "007 Collection" are also available (in HD) until May 7: Casino Royale, Diamonds Are Forever, Die Another Day, Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldeneye and Goldfinger. The services is still claiming "the highest HD resolution format available for HD video enthusiasts" and one of the easiest to use on demand interfaces, let us know if they're getting any co-signs from the audience.

Blu-ray releases on March 24th 2009

Quantum Of Solace - Blu-ray

We like weeks like this when there is little doubt what the biggest title is. In fact we'd go as far as to call this the James Bond week with MGM releasing the latest addition to the franchise with the Quantum of Solace, as well as some of our favorite classics like Goldfinger and The World Is Not Enough. Also this week Universal has The Fast and the Furious Trilogy box set -- although we're not sure why we mentioned it -- while Paramount has Things We Lost in the Fire, The Kite Runner and A Mighty Heart. Next week the top Oscar winner finally hits Blu as Slumdog Millionaire hits the streets.


Amazon goes looney: James Bond Blu-ray Collection six-pack for $64.95


We know that some of the James Bond classics on Blu-ray have had issues playing back on certain BD players (Samsung BD-P1500 and LG BH200, we're looking at you), but at this price, we're almost willing to take the risk. Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day (read: this won't exist tomorrow) offers up all six of the 007 hits that were recently released on Blu-ray for a whopping 64% off of MSRP, or $64.95. We're too embarrassed to share our Calculus III grade here, but we're pretty sure that makes each film right around $10.82 given that shipping is free. We know money's tight, but seriously, how could you possibly resist whipping out the plastic for this? Who's in?

[Via HighDefDigest]

Poll: Are your new James Bond Blu-ray Discs acting up?


We've been hearing of complications surrounding playback of the new suite of 007 Blu-ray classics since last week, but we suspected the issues were contained. Apparently we were badly mistaken. A week later, we're still hearing reports that players from nearly every manufacturer are having one issue or another, with no real rhyme / reason as to what's going on. It seems as though deck manufacturers are aware of the issues and are working towards a solution, but we're just curious to see how many of you are experiencing problems. Are your new Bond discs causing headaches, or is everything humming along nicely?

[Via CDFreaks, thanks Anthony]

Are your new James Bond Blu-ray Discs acting up?

James Bond Blu-ray classics seen early


Sir Bond's Blu-ray classics aren't slated to ship until October 21st, but apparently, the box sets have found their way into at least one particular store. It seems as if the six films are split between two box sets (though we imagine you'll also be able to purchase them individually), and one lucky poster over at AVS Forum finally decided on Volume Two. Packed within was For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love and Thunderball. Lookin' good, James, and that pair of e-Movie Cash Certificates for Quantum of Solace is much appreciated as well.

[Via CommanderBond]

007: Casino Royale Collector's Edition first Blu-ray Disc to double-dip

Studios just love to re-release older titles just before a follow-up film hits the silver screen, and Sony's making darn sure it milks the 007 franchise for every dime it's worth prior to Quantum of Solace landing in theaters. Not only are six Bond classics slated to hit Blu-ray on October 21st, but now one of Sony's best-selling 007 BD titles will be joining 'em. Yep, 007: Casino Royale will be re-released in a Collector's Edition with seven hours of new material, free e-Movie Cash to catch the aforesaid QoS in cinemas, Bonus View picture-in-picture visual commentary with Director Martin Campbell and Producer Michael G. Wilson and a "Know Your Double-O" BD-Live-enabled multi-player trivia game. To our knowledge, this is the first Blu-ray title to double-dip, as we're not counting the whole Fifth Element fiasco as a true double release. Prepare to spend $38.96 for the 2-disc Blu-ray set or $29.95 for the 3-disc DVD package.

[Thanks, Chris]

Six James Bond movies due on Blu-ray in October spec'd, priced

More info on all six of the James Bond pictures coming to Blu-ray October 21 is finally available, the individual discs of Dr. No, Die Another Day, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love and Thunderball will carry a pretty standard $34.98 MSRP, or as two separate volumes of three with an $89.98 SRP. The special features and 4K Lowry transfers seen in the Ultimate Edition Bond DVDs return here, so if you've already got those the net benefit is 1080p and possibly better sound (and a Quantum of Solace movie ticket), although it wasn't specified. Still, if you're awaiting the best looking home editions of these Bond movies yet there's no doubt these are the ones you're looking for.

James Bond classics coming to Blu-ray this October


Before you rush off to theaters to catch Quantum of Solace this November, MGM and Fox are planning to keep you squarely planted on the couch for at least a few days in October. Announced today, the two studios have agreed to push out a half dozen Bond classics on Blu-ray this October (20th internationally; 21st in North America), each of which will be "restored and re-mastered." The films in question are Dr. No, Die Another Day, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love and Thunderball. There's no mention of a price just yet, but judging by how extraordinarily well Casino Royale did, we're sure these will do just fine.

[Image courtesy of OriginalProp]

The Departed, 007: Casino Royale films snag more awards


As if moving over 100,000 units wasn't enough, those involved with the making of The Departed have yet another reason to celebrate -- right alongside the equally successful crew involved with 007: Casino Royale, of course. At the first Entertainment Merchants Association's Home Entertainment Awards to hand out honors for high-definition titles, Scorsese's latest gem managed to take home the awards for HD DVD Title of the Year as well as DVD Rental Title of the Year, while the latest in the Bond series took home Blu-ray Title of the Year. Unfortunately, these two films (Casablanca notwithstanding, which nabbed the Hall of Fame Award) were the only notable winners residing on an HD format, but we'll be interested to see how all that changes on the next go 'round.

[Via HighDefDigest]

Euro PlayStation 3 buyers get a James Bond bonus

After the somewhat disappointing Talladega Nights pack-in with the U.S. release of the PlayStation 3, Sony has announced that the first 500,000 people to buy a European PS3 and register it on the PlayStation Network will get a free copy of the James Bond flick Casino Royale. Sony's been pimping Blu-ray synergy with the movie from the start, as it prominently features a Blu-ray player in one scene, and is headlining Sony Pictures 2007 lineup of releases. Casino Royale is slated for U.S. release on March 13th while the PS3 hits Europe on March 23rd.


[Via Joystiq]

Sony Pictures reveals first quarter Blu-ray release schedule

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed its first quarter Blu-ray lineup, and the studio is putting the new Bond front and center right away. A Blu-ray player was featured in the movie as a result of the close ties so we're not very surprised, but new Bond Daniel Craig is actually hitting Blu-ray twice in one day. The studio is releasing another film of his, the previously delayed Layer Cake, the same day. Both are on dual-layer 50GB discs and feature uncompressed soundtracks, which make up a large part of SPHE's early 2007 lineup, while Casino Royale is encoded in MPEG-4 AVC. Also of note is Resident Evil: Apocalypse, the second Blu-ray movie featuring Blu-Wizard technology to custom select special features that can then play during the movie. Hopefully this combination of high profile movie and 50GB disc works out better than on the universally panned transfer of Talladega Nights. Check the press release for complete special features details or after the break for a list of movies and release dates.




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