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Monday, December 2, 2024

PHOTOS FROM LUCASFILM’S “STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW” LAUNCH EVENT AT DISNEYLAND


Disney+ shared photos from Lucasfilm’s upcoming Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” launch event that took place at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Nick Frost, Alia Shawkat and Jaleel White joined filmmakers Jon Watts, head writer, executive producer and director; head writer and executive producer Christopher Ford; executive producers Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy; and directors Bryce Dallas Howard, David Lowery, Jake Schreier and Lee Isaac Chung to celebrate at the exciting, Star Wars-themed event.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.  

 

The series stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost. Episodes are directed by Jon Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung.


Jon Watts and Christopher Ford are the head writers and also serve as executive producers along with Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Chris Buongiorno, Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are the co-executive producers, and Susan McNamara and John Bartnicki are the producers.  

 

Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” launched today, with the first two episodes, exclusively on Disney+  







Sunday, December 1, 2024

Disney and Pixar’s Cosmic Misadventure “Elio” – Teaser Trailer and Poster

 


What if the thing you were searching for found you first? In Pixar Animation Studios’ big-screen comedic misadventure, alien-obsessed Elio discovers the answer to that question when he is transported to the Communiverse, an interplanetary paradise that is home to intelligent life from galaxies far and wide. But when he’s mistaken as Earth’s leader, he’ll have to form unexpected bonds, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and make sure he doesn’t lose the opportunity to live out his ultimate dream. The new trailer and poster for Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” are now available.  

 

Opening only in theaters June 13, 2025, “Elio” features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Zoe SaldaƱa as Aunt Olga, Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO. The film is directed by Madeline Sharafian (“Burrow” Sparkshort), Domee Shi (“Bao” short, “Turning Red”) and Adrian Molina (co-screenwriter/co-director of “Coco”), and produced by Mary Alice Drumm (associate producer of “Coco”). 




DISNEY, ESPN AND THE NBA TEAM UP TO PRESENT DUNK THE HALLS – THE FIRST REAL-TIME, ANIMATED NBA GAME: SPURS VS. KNICKS ON CHRISTMAS

 


Disney, ESPN and the NBA are teaming up to present Dunk the Halls – the first real-time animated NBA game using Sony’s Beyond Sports technology – on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, at noon ET when the New York Knicks – led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns – host the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul. Dunk the Halls will be presented on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast marks the first animated presentation of an NBA game and the first NBA game to stream on Disney+.

 

The setting

The virtual, live re-creation of the Spurs vs. Knicks game will be set on iconic “Main Street, USA” in Magic Kingdom® Park as the teams play while Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy and Chip and Dale cheer them on. Shots of “Main Street, USA” and other famous landmarks within Magic Kingdom® Park will be regularly shown, including Cinderella’s Castle.

 

The story

The storyline behind the Dunk the Halls presentation begins with Mickey’s Christmas wish to Santa Claus to bring the NBA players to “Main Street, USA” at Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World Resort to play the first animated NBA game on Christmas Day.

 

The first-of-its-kind technology

Each Spurs and Knicks player will appear as a motion-enabled, animated player for the special Christmas matchup. Through state-of-the-art real-time visualization technology enabled by Sony’s Beyond Sports, combined with Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations’ optical tracking, fans watching Dunk the Halls will see every three-pointer, dunk, layup, pass and more from the real-life Spurs vs. Knicks game at Madison Square Garden in New York as it happens.  


More production highlights:

  • At halftime of the Spurs vs. Knicks game, the Disney characters, led by Mickey Mouse, will compete in a special slam dunk contest;
  • Santa’s Elves will operate the cameras for the game while Santa himself will operate ESPN’s “SkyCam” during the game;
  • The Disney characters will deliver pregame and halftime speeches to the players and decorate a large Christmas tree during the game;
  • Fans will also get to find out if it will snow on “Main Street, USA” and see how many churros Goofy can eat.

 

ESPN commentators

Drew Carter will serve as the play-by-play commentator alongside ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt. The duo will be joined by a very special guest – Daisy Duck – who will serve as the sideline reporter. Carter and McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast and don ESPN Edge Innovation Partner’s Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game from “Main Street, USA” thanks to VR technology and Sony’s Beyond Sports’ Virtual Commentator Technology.  

 

All five NBA Christmas games on December 25 will be available on ABC, ESPN, Disney+ and ESPN+. The traditional broadcast of the Spurs vs. Knicks game will be called by Ryan Ruocco, analyst Cory Alexander, and reporter Cassidy Hubbarth. For more details on the schedule, visit ESPNPressRoom.com

 

Dunk the Halls continues ESPN and the NBA’s well-documented history innovation, including alt-cast executions that utilize the unmatched depth and scope of The Walt Disney Company.




WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS’ “MOANA 2” SMASHES BOX OFFICE RECORDS

 


With a 5-day domestic debut of $221M, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2” is shattering numerous box office records including the biggest 5-day opening of all time, the biggest Thanksgiving debut and Thanksgiving weekend (3-day and 5-day), the biggest Thanksgiving day, and the biggest Black Friday ever. The film, which reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage, opened in most markets around the world with $165M internationally, bringing its global cume to date to $386M, the second biggest global debut of 2024. 

 

“‘Moana 2’ has far surpassed our high expectations this weekend and is a testament to the phenomenon that ‘Moana’ has become,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. “We’re fortunate to have an incredibly talented and hard-working creative team at Disney Animation who brought this new adventure to life, alongside our wonderful stars Auli’i and Dwayne and great new music. This is a moment to celebrate, and we’re thankful to all the moviegoers and fans who’ve helped make this a record-breaking debut.”


Domestic records include:

  • Biggest 5-day opening of all-time (surpassing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”/$204.6M)
  • Biggest Thanksgiving weekend of all time by far ($221M 5-day, $135.5M 3-day, surpassing “Frozen 2”/$125M 5-day and $94M 3-day)
  • Biggest Thanksgiving debut by far (more than doubling “Frozen”/$94M 5-day and $67M 3-day)
  • Thanksgiving Day of $28M (nearly doubling “Frozen 2”/$15M) 
  • Highest ever Black Friday at the box office with $54.5M (exceeding “Frozen 2”/$34.2M)
  • Biggest Walt Disney Animation Studios debut of all time.
  • Disney now holds the top 7 Thanksgiving debuts of all time and 9 of the top 10. 

 

This is Disney’s third film this year to surpass $150M domestically in its opening weekend, alongside Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($211M) and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” ($155M), marking the three biggest openings of 2024.


“Moana 2” is off to a strong start internationally as well, driven by No. 1 openings around the world. 

  • Highest animated opening weekend of all time in France
  • Second highest animated weekend of all time in Italy and Brazil
  • Highest WDAS opening weekend of all time across the Latin American region and in nearly 30 individual markets worldwide, including France, Italy, Australia, Brazil and Mexico

 

It is now open in all markets except Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, releasing in all three in the coming week. 




New Verse to “It’s a Small World” Featured in New Disney Short Paying Tribute to the Sherman Brothers

 



The Walt Disney Company premiered a poignant short film debuting a new verse to the iconic song, “It’s a Small World,” written by Richard Sherman before his passing in May of 2024. Sherman, who along with his late brother Robert wrote the song’s original verses from 1964 and many other timeless classics from some of Disney’s most celebrated films, shared the new verse with The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger in the summer of 2023 as his final gift to the studio that he so deeply cherished. The three-minute and 30-second short film, The Last Verse, premiered Wednesday as part of an ABC News Studios' two-hour documentary event, The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney Studios’ Mary Poppins (1964), for which the Sherman Brothers earned Academy Awards® for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

 

"As the legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” said Bob Iger. “Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse to ‘It’s a Small World’ before he died will be a moment I will carry with me forever. This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, their memory, and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.” 


The Last Verse serves as a tribute to the remarkable impact of the Sherman Brothers during their decades-long musical collaboration with Disney, ranging from “It’s a Small World,” to the timeless songs and scores from enduring Disney classics like, Mary PoppinsThe Jungle Book (1976), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and many more.

 

“It's a Small World” was written for the attraction of the same name, which was created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Personally overseen by Walt Disney in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the attraction was a major success and after two seasons, it was moved to Disneyland Park, where it opened on May 28, 1966. Today, the attraction and the Sherman Brothers’ original song are part of five Disney Parks around the world, including Disneyland Park, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

 

This touching short film takes viewers on a journey through the past 60 years of the song's history, showcasing its impact on global pop culture. Renowned director Henry Alex Rubin, best known for his award-winning documentary Murderball, helmed the project for Disney and creative partner adam&eveDDB.

 

Richard Brim, Global Chief Creative Officer for adam&eveDDB said, “It’s hard to truly capture the influence and impact that Disney has had on our lives over the past century. With this film, we wanted tap into those feelings of nostalgia that are so often associated with the iconic brand, whilst paying homage to the legends that are the Sherman brothers.”




Sunday, November 17, 2024

4K Digital Review of Alien: Romulus

 


The Alien franchise has been one of my favorites for years. The combination of sci-fi and horror has captivated me for decades. While the more recent takes on the franchise have been less than stellar, Alien: Romulus is a return to form. While it is a standalone film set between the first two movies, it pays homage to the first three movies while carving out its own narrative. 

The story takes place on a remote mining planet. A group of young colonists are joining an expedition to salvage a space station and use it as their opportunity to escape from their livelihood. Little do they know that the station was once a bio-lab where deadly experiments took place. As the station comes back online, so do the creatures that that were meant to be left behind.

Director Fede Alvarez creates an atmosphere that fits the aesthetic of when the original movie was made. It doesn't feel like a harsh leap in technology. It feels rough and gritty like the original movies. Alvarez sets the tone perfectly. The young cast also helps with stellar performances. Led by Rain (Cailee Spaeny), the entire cast is solid and do not try to recreate the performances of any other actors in the franchise.


Video:

The 4K Digital transfer here is stunning. It intensifies everything from the close-ups of the Xenomorphs to the claustrophobic interiors of the space station. The shadows are inky black and the details of the station are crystal clear. The sharpness of the video adds to the intensity of each scene and only adds layers to the creepy atmosphere. 


Audio:

The Dolby Atmos track only adds to the the terror. The sound design is immersive from the acid blood dripping around you to the shrieks of the creatures stalking their prey. The film's score adds to the tension and fear.


Bonus Features:

Return to Horror: Crafting AlienRomulus
  • The Director’s Vision – Discover how one of today’s greatest horror directors, Fede Alvarez, collaborated with master filmmaker Ridley Scott to craft a new, heart-pounding chapter in the Alien franchise.
  • Creating the Story – Learn what inspired the story of AlienRomulus and see the many easter eggs from previous Alien installments that you may have missed.
  • Casting the Faces – Meet the stars of AlienRomulus as they take us inside the hearts and minds of their characters. Explore the parallels between Rain and the iconic franchise heroine, Ripley, and learn how filmmakers brought back a face from the past.
  • Constructing the World – Explore the massive, practical sets of AlienRomulus that hearken back to the futuristic style established in the '80s and get up close and personal with a hoard of practically built facehuggers, chestbursters, and xenomorphs.
Inside the Xenomorph Showdown – Experience the film’s climactic zero-gravity sequence from every angle as filmmakers break down what it took to make the moment spectacular. From sets and performances, to wirework, stunts, and VFX, see how it all came together.

Alien: A Conversation – A special conversation with Ridley Scott and Fede Alvarez for the Alien 45th Anniversary theatrical re-release.

Alternate / Extended Scenes – Check out scenes that didn't make the final cut.

*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Alien: Romulus is now available on digital and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on December 3rd.

Conclusion:

Alien: Romulus delivers all of the tension, fear and horror that one expects from an Alien movie. The 4K Digital release only heightens all of these to another level. Extremely detailed video and exceptional audio make this the definitive way to experience the movie. A welcomed addition to your movie library. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

4K Digital Review of Sideways

 


For its 20th Anniversary, Sideways got a 4K Digital release. When the film came out in 2004, it started a cultural movement about wine. And much like the wine, the film has only gotten better with age. 

The story centers around Miles (Paul Giamatti) and his old college roommate Jack (Thomas Haden Church), who is about to get married. They are out on a pre-wedding bachelor trip for wine and a mid-life crisis. Miles is fresh from a divorce and a series of rejections for his unpublished novel. Jack, on the other hand, is ready for his last hurrah. He wants one last fling before he gets married.

Then things begin to take a turn when they meet Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh) who both work at wineries they two men visit. Jack begins a torrid affair with Stephanie while Miles takes a much slower approach with Maya. 

In the end, both men must deal with some hard truths about their lives, their choices and their futures. Life is unpredictable and not always smooth sailing. The fears of aging, regret and second chances all hit home.   


Video:

If you have never seen the film before, then there is no better to experience it. The 4K transfer is stunning and the lush landscapes of California's Wine Country sparkle and shine. The natural light and earthy tones will make you feel like you are right there in wine country. 


Audio:

The Dolby Atmos audio mix also really immerses you into the film. The ambient sounds of the backgrounds, the subtle clinking of wine glasses, the crystal clear dialogue and the wonderful jazz score make you feel like you are right there with the actors.

Bonus Features:

    All of the bonus features are from the previous release.

    Audio Commentary from Paul Giamatti and Thomas Hayden Church

    Behind-The-Scenes Featurette

    Theatrical Trailer

    Deleted Scenes


Conclusion:

On the 20th Anniversary of the release of Sideways, the movie ages like fine wine. Incredible performances, humor and heartache make this a modern classic. Whether it is your first time or your 20th time watching it, this 4K release is the definitive way to experience the movie. A fantastic addition to your movie library.

Sideways is available for the first time at digital retailers (Fandango, Prime Video and Apple TV)


*the copy of the film was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of the review and the review is strictly my own opinion*

Monday, October 28, 2024

4K Digital Review of Deadpool & Wolverine

 


The third installment of the Deadpool franchise and the 14th X-Men film is the perfect send off to the 20th Century X-Men movies and hopefully a huge new beginning in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) has said goodbye to his alter ego Deadpool until he is taken from his timeline by the TVA. The TVA's Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) offers Wade a future on Earth 616. Wade accepts but then realizes that his timeline is deteriorating on Earth 100005, he sets off to save his universe by restoring its anchor being, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Paradox sends the two heroes to the Void, a wasteland of pruned people, places and things sent there by the TVA. 


Video:

The 4K transfer is one of the best I have ever seen! Everything is crisp and clear and colors pop off the screen. Details such as the textures of the costumes really shine here. The level of detail is extraordinary and the 4K visuals are a triumph! 


Audio:

Equally impressive is the audio quality. It felt as good as the theater experience. Dialogue is normalized through the center channel and you do not need to adjust the volume. Action sequences make great use of the surround channels. The audio is perfectly mixed for big action pieces and quieter moments. You feel immersed into the movie. 

Bonus Features:

  • Finding Madonna: Making the Oner – Director Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds break down a historic scene in the film: the “Oner,” which highlights the first fight in which Deadpool and Wolverine finally unite.
  • Practical Approach: Celebrating the Art of Ray Chan – A tribute to longtime Marvel Studios collaborator Ray Chan, who sadly passed away in 2024 – the cast and crew recall anecdotes and echo the resounding positive effects of filming on the set he helped design, full of intricate details and Easter eggs.
  • Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes – Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and the cast and crew go through some of the mind-blowing cameos and the characters who finally get their deserved endings. They cover the intensive choreographed sequences, updated costumes, and assembling the iconic team.
  • Wolverine – Hugh Jackman describes the return to his iconic role as Wolverine. Cast and crew discuss how he picks up his yellow and blue suit for the first time, brings variety to the role, and continues his legacy from previous films.
  • Filmmaker Commentary – Listen to audio commentary by director Shawn Levy and actor Ryan Reynolds.
  • Gag Reel – Watch some hilarious outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Deadpool & Wolverine
  • Deleted Scenes
    • Elevator Ride – Paradox explains the sacred timeline to Deadpool as they walk around the TVA.
    • Do Nothing – B-15 instructs Paradox to stay out of trouble, rejecting his efforts to take action.
    • Daddy’s In Love – B-15 and Peter strike up a romance. Peter announces he is in love to his friends, Headpool and Kidpool.
  • “Fun Sack”
    • Dr. Deadpool – Dr. Deadpool, Ph.D. very kindly informs us of the risks of testicular cancer and tries to convince Hugh Jackman to do a live checkup.
    • Product Review – Deadpool shows off some toys and trinkets from the franchise, including one top-secret item that may or may not be a spoiler.
    • Wade is Back – Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman promote a movie...but Ryan misleads Hugh on just exactly which movie they are there for.

Conclusion:

Easily my favorite live-action movie of the year comes home in a video and audio presentation that rivals the theater. Complete with wonderful bonus features including an incredible audio commentary with Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy makes this a must add to your home movie collection! 

Deadpool & Wolverine is now available on digital, DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K UHD.

*The digital copy was sent for review purposes by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and the review is strictly my own opinion*

Sunday, October 6, 2024

4k Review of Kinds of Kindness

 


Kinds of Kindness is available on digital and out on Blu-ray and DVD on October 8th.

The movie features three stories, starting with a man trying to take control of his life, a policeman whose wife was missing-at-sea has returned and seems like a different person, and a woman who is determined to find a person with a special ability and destined to become a spiritual leader. 

Now, the films of Yorgos Lanthimos have an acquired taste. Some of his films stay within the realm of understanding while others are offbeat and require some patience to understand the perspective. Kinds of Kindness is far from being offbeat. There is little to no setup to what is happening as you sit there and try to figure out what is unfolding. And as we have come to expect from Lanthimos, this film uses sexuality to help the story. If you are not a fan of graphic nudity and sexual situations then this is a movie to avoid. While the film will more than provide a lot of discussion, the pay off at the end isn't worth the very long runtime. At times it is a tough film to watch and definitely not a film for everyone. 


Video:

The streaming 4K presentation is nearly perfect here. Color reproduction and skin tones are practically flawless. The blacks and shadows are inky and stand out when combined with mixed content.  


Audio:

The audio mix is very front heavy as to be expected with this type of movie. Dialogue, music and sound effects are crystal clear. There is very little use of the surround channels but when utilized create an enveloping experience. 

Bonus Features:

Featurette

  • It Takes All Kinds: The Vision of Kinds of Kindness

  • Join cast and crew for a behind-the-scenes look at this unique triptych story written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou. See how the sets, costumes, cinematography and music amplify the film's themes, and discover — maybe — what RMF stands for.

 

Deleted Scenes

  • Robert ignores the SatNav

  • Liz isn't recognized

 

Conclusion:


Kinds of Kindness is another bizarre and perplexing film from Yorgos Lanthimos. The 4K Digital version features excellent video and audio along with a few bonus features. The film is definitely not for everyone but I do recommend it for Lanthimos fans or those that enjoy different types of films. 

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment solely for the purpose of review and the review is strictly my opinion*

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

The Sixth Sense/Signs 4K Digital Review

For the first time ever, M. Knight Shyamalan's movies The Sixth Sense and Signs are out on 4K UHD Digital and coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray disc on October 22.

It's crazy to think that the films are 25 and 23 years old. The original negatives for both films were scanned at 4K resolution and restored in High Dynamic Range (HDR).  

Once you have seen The Sixth Sense, you can never see it the same way again. So watching the 4K presentation was really watching the masterpiece that Shyamalan put together. Bruce Willis play Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist meets 8 year old Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment). Crowe is not prepared for the things that haunt Cole. The brilliant performance of Osment also brings it all together. 

The 4K video is great for a film shot on film and restored. The shadows, and there are a lot of shadows, are rich and inky. The colors are vibrant and the details of the clothing and skin tones are very evident here.

The audio mix is subtle as there is not much use of the surround channels but dialogue, score and sound effects are crystal clear. 


Signs is the alien invasion movie for people who aren't into crazy special effects or large battles. It will make you question if things happen for a reason or just a coincidence. It tests the faith of Graham Hess (Mel Gibson), a former reverend who lives with his brother Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix) and two children on a farm in Pennsylvania. After the accidental death of his wife, he has left his congregation and has lost hope in the things he stood for as a pastor. 

The 4K presentation looks even better than The Sixth Sense. The video is crisp and clean and the colors are vibrant. The audio also gets a boost and the surround channels are very effective with all the subtle sound effects. The dialogue is crisp and clear here and the score has never sounded better.


Conclusion:

The films are two of my favorites from Shyamalan and have never looked or sounded better. I really wish there were some sort of bonus material here for either film. If you have never seen them, this is the way to watch the for the first time. If you have seen them then they will be a welcomed addition to your library if you haven't added them already.


*The films were sent to me by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of reviewing but the review is strictly my own opinion*

Sunday, September 29, 2024

DISNEY ANIMATION’S “MOANA 2” -- NEW TV SPOT AND POSTER

 



A new TV spot offers a sneak peek at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” including a new song, “We’re Back,” from the film. The epic animated musical, which opens in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024, reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.  

 

The voice cast also features returning stars Rachel House (Gramma Tala), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui) and Nicole Scherzinger (Sina), as well as Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo as Moana’s new crew members Moni, Kele and Loto, respectively. Awhimai Fraser voices mysterious new character Matangi; Gerald Ramsey plays Moana’s ancestor, Tautai Vasa; and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable little sister, Simea. 

 

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson. 

Alien: Romulus Invades Digital Retailers on Oct. 15 and Terrorizes on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on Dec. 3

 



The legendary Alien franchise gives birth to an all-new terrifying sci-fi horror thriller when 20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus arrives to digital retailers (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home) on October 15 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on December 3.

Director Fede Alvarez takes the phenomenally successful Alien franchise back to its iconic roots in the next jaw-dropping installment heralded by critics as “sheer terror” (Brian Truitt, USA Today) and “utterly breathtaking” (Andrew J. Salazar, Discussing Film). Alien: Romulus is Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™ and has already thrilled audiences at the box office, becoming the second highest grossing film in the Alien franchise globally.

Alien: Romulus is the start of a new chapter with a brand-new story unlike any other Alien movie that came before it, featuring all-new creatures and characters that are “tense enough to grab you by the throat” (Owen Gleiberman, Variety). Fans can delve deeper into the Alien franchise with all-new exclusive bonus features, including featurettes with filmmakers Fede Alvarez and Ridley Scott, behind the scenes content, and alternate and extended scenes. The 4K UHD will be available in a collectible limited edition SteelBook® with custom artwork and packaging.


The original 1979 sci-fi thriller, Alien, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Fans can experience the terror in a 2-Movie Collection digital bundle (Alien & Alien: Romulus) on October 15 in 4K UHD, HD and SD.


Bonus Features*
Return to Horror: Crafting Alien: Romulus
  • The Director’s Vision – Discover how one of today’s greatest horror directors, Fede Alvarez, collaborated with master filmmaker Ridley Scott to craft a new, heart-pounding chapter in the Alien franchise.
  • Creating the Story – Learn what inspired the story of Alien: Romulus and see the many easter eggs from previous Alien installments that you may have missed.
  • Casting the Faces – Meet the stars of Alien: Romulus as they take us inside the hearts and minds of their characters. Explore the parallels between Rain and the iconic franchise heroine, Ripley, and learn how filmmakers brought back a face from the past.
  • Constructing the World – Explore the massive, practical sets of Alien: Romulus that hearken back to the futuristic style established in the '80s and get up close and personal with a hoard of practically built facehuggers, chestbursters, and xenomorphs.
Inside the Xenomorph Showdown – Experience the film’s climactic zero-gravity sequence from every angle as filmmakers break down what it took to make the moment spectacular. From sets and performances, to wirework, stunts, and VFX, see how it all came together.

Alien: A Conversation – A special conversation with Ridley Scott and Fede Alvarez for the Alien 45th Anniversary theatrical re-release.

Alternate / Extended Scenes – Check out scenes that didn't make the final cut.

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE ARRIVES ON DIGITAL 10/1 AND ON 4K UHD, BLU-RAY & DVD 10/22

 



LFG! Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine bursts onto digital retailers (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango) on October 1 and explodes on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 22.

The highly anticipated introduction of the edgy, and dynamically comical heroes into the Marvel Cinematic Universe has already proven to be a massive success, becoming the biggest rated-R movie in history and the #5 highest-grossing MCU domestic release of all-time. “The movie broke so many records,” said Ryan Reynolds. “The only way to describe how I feel is, just south of ‘I’m finally enough’ and slightly north of, ‘I forgive my father.’”

Certified-Fresh and Verified Hot on Rotten Tomatoes™ and celebrated by critics as “Just really f*cking fun” (Kristy Puchko, Mashable), “Fires on all cylinders, and one viewing is not enough” (Pete Hammond, Deadline), and “The Greatest Film Ever Made” (Ryan Reynolds), the home entertainment release goes far beyond the fourth wall with exclusive content featuring a hilarious gag reel, deleted scenes, all-new featurettes, filmmaker commentary with director/producer/writer, Shawn Levy and star/producer/writer, Ryan Reynolds and much more of that extras s$%t fans love.

Plus, get your socks ready, nerds…you can look for all the cameos and easter eggs you missed in the theater when the film arrives in stunning, mind-blowing 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision® along with Atmos® audio for the finest picture and sound presentation at home!

Moreover, a maximum effort has gone into Amazon Prime Video’s Bonus X-ray Experience. More revealing than red spandex, it includes featurettes you can’t get just anywhere including Deadpool doodles, character pros and cons, and trivia that’s been fact-checked by the Merc with a Mouth himself (pinkie swear). And there’s a carousel of fun on Fandango at Home and crisp, juicy bits on Apple TV for pumpkin-pie lovers and everyone else, including those who are Avengers-adjacent, to enjoy.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray will be released in a national sku and special limited-edition SteelBooks®, featuring exclusive custom art and packaging. Fans will see red and yellow with two SteelBook versions to choose – one version spotlights Deadpool and the other showcases Wolverine, with images of each character’s multiple variants in all their glory included inside!


Film Synopsis
Marvel Studios presents their most significant mistake to date – Deadpool & Wolverine. A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life. His days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. When his home world faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit up again with an even more reluctantlier... reluctanter? Reluctantest? He must convince a reluctant Wolverine to... oh hell, just watch the movie. Synopses are stupid.

Bonus Features*
  • Finding Madonna: Making the Oner – Director Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds break down a historic scene in the film: the “Oner,” which highlights the first fight in which Deadpool and Wolverine finally unite.
  • Practical Approach: Celebrating the Art of Ray Chan – A tribute to longtime Marvel Studios collaborator Ray Chan, who sadly passed away in 2024 – the cast and crew recall anecdotes and echo the resounding positive effects of filming on the set he helped design, full of intricate details and Easter eggs.
  • Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes – Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and the cast and crew go through some of the mind-blowing cameos and the characters who finally get their deserved endings. They cover the intensive choreographed sequences, updated costumes, and assembling the iconic team.
  • Wolverine – Hugh Jackman describes the return to his iconic role as Wolverine. Cast and crew discuss how he picks up his yellow and blue suit for the first time, brings variety to the role, and continues his legacy from previous films.
  • Filmmaker Commentary – Listen to audio commentary by director Shawn Levy and actor Ryan Reynolds.
  • Gag Reel – Watch some hilarious outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Deadpool & Wolverine
  • Deleted Scenes
    • Elevator Ride – Paradox explains the sacred timeline to Deadpool as they walk around the TVA.
    • Do Nothing – B-15 instructs Paradox to stay out of trouble, rejecting his efforts to take action.
    • Daddy’s In Love – B-15 and Peter strike up a romance. Peter announces he is in love to his friends, Headpool and Kidpool.
  • “Fun Sack”
    • Dr. Deadpool – Dr. Deadpool, Ph.D. very kindly informs us of the risks of testicular cancer and tries to convince Hugh Jackman to do a live checkup.
    • Product Review – Deadpool shows off some toys and trinkets from the franchise, including one top-secret item that may or may not be a spoiler.
    • Wade is Back – Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman promote a movie...but Ryan misleads Hugh on just exactly which movie they are there for.