Now then... the big piece of news today is that Warner Home Video has just announced the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD release of the animated Batman: The Killing Joke on 8/2 (SRP $24.98 and $19.98 for the disc versions). Based on the original graphic novel, the R-rated thriller was executive produced by Bruce Timm and features actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill returning to voice Batman and The Joker. The Blu-ray will include a sneak peek at the next DC Universe original film, 2 featurettes (Batman: The Killing Joke – Madness Set to Music and Many Shades of Joker: The Tale of The Killing Joke), and 2 episodes From the DC Comics Vault (The New Batman Adventures: Old Wounds and Batman: The Animated Series – Christmas with The Joker). There will also be a Deluxe Edition of the Blu-ray (SRP $39.99) that includes a limited edition Joker figurine. You can see the Deluxe Edition packaging to the left and the regular BD packaging below.
In other news today, Kino Lorber has revealed that The Neptune Factor (1973) is coming soon to Blu-ray. They’ve also set The Mark of Zorro (1940) and Rawhide (1951) for BD release on 8/2, followed by Canadian Pacific (1949) and The Cariboo Trail (1950) for BD and DVD on 8/9, Eleni (1985) and Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1971) on both formats on 8/16, and American Dreamer (1982), Chandu the Magician (1932), 3 Bad Man (1926), and Modesty Blaise (1966) all on BD only on 8/23.
Meanwhile, Scorpion Releasing has set Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981) for BD release on 8/9, followed by City on Fire (1979) on BD on 8/23, and Barbarosa (1982) on BD on 8/30.
Scream Factory has officially set The Crush (1993) for Blu-ray release on 6/21. The disc will include new audio commentary with writer/director Alan Shapiro, along with 2 new featurettes (The Doting Father and Stung by Love), as well as the film’s theatrical trailer and a TV spot.
Paramount and Participant Media have announced that, to honor the 10th anniversary of the global warming documentary An Inconvenient Truth, they’re going to be giving away free Digital HD copies of the film starting on 5/24. They’re also launching a media campaign around the film and the cause of inspiring people to act on the problem of climate change.
And Eureka Entertainment has set Queen of Earth for Blu-ray and DVD release on 7/11.
Here’s a look at the Blu-ray cover artwork for some of the titles mentioned above (click to pre-order them on Amazon.com)...
Stay tuned...
- Bill Hunt (@BillHuntBits)