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TechnoFile's Blu-ray Disc Previews


The Karate Kids 1&2

Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Karate Kid I From Academy Award-winning director John G. Avildsen (1976, ROCKY) comes the highly entertaining, coming-of-age classic that will have you cheering! Starring Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki “Pat” Morita in his Academy Award®-nominated performance (Best Supporting Actor, 1984) as Mr. Miyagi. Karate II Returning with Daniel (Ralph Macchio) to his Okinawa home for the first time in 45 years, Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita) encounters Yukie (Nobu McCarthy), the woman he left behind when he immigrated to America.
From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
The latest addition to the acclaimed & award winning Classic Albums series tells the story behind the making of one of Heavy Metal’s greatest achievements: “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath. Released in the autumn of 1970, the band’s second album is regarded by many as the finest Heavy Metal album of all time, is hugely influential and has come to define the Heavy Metal genre. The four original members of Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward talk us through the making of the album, together with the original engineer via interviews, demonstrations, archive videos and use of the original multi-track tapes. Bonus Features: Over 40 minutes of additional interviews, archive footage and new demonstrations not included in the broadcast version.
from Eagle Rock Entertainment

Michael Bolton Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Legion

Join Michael Bolton for an unforgettable concert at London's famous Royal Albert Hall as he delivers hit after hit in his trademark soulful style in front of a packed audience. With his inimitable voice, charismatic stage presence and superb songwriting Michael Bolton holds the audience in the palm of his hand as he performs classics such as "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?", "Time, Love And Tenderness", "Can I Touch You There" and "How Can We Be Lovers" alongside his unique interpretations of "Fly Me To The Moon", "Summertime", "That's Life" and "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" plus his own rendition of "Murder My Heart", the hit he co-wrote with Lady Gaga. Simply a wonderful night.
From Eagle Rock Home Entertainment

At a remote desert truck stop, the fate of the world will be decided. Evil's armies are amassing. Armed and united by the Archangel Michael (Paul Bettany), a group of strangers become unwitting soldiers on the frontlines of the Apocalypse. Their mission: protect a waitress and her sacred unborn child from the relentless, bloody siege of the demonic legion. Also starring Dennis Quaid (G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF THE COBRA, VANTAGE POINT), Tyrese Gibson (TRANSFORMERS) and Lucas Black (JARHEAD).
From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

The Last Station

Jienat: Mira

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer star in this compelling look at the final days of literary icon Leo Tolstoy. Having renounced his title and property, Tolstoy makes plans to donate his royalties to the Russian people, supported by his trusted disciple Chertkov (Paul Giamatti). Tolstoy’s outraged wife wages a one-woman war to challenge her husband’s outrageous act of idealism. Co-starring Golden Globe® nominee James McAvoy (Atonement) as the novelist’s worshipful assistant whose romance with a free-spirited young woman puts Tolstoy’s notion of ideal love to the ultimate test.
From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

This music is made in the northernmost town on Earth– Hammerfest, Norway,  less than 20 lines of latitude from the North Pole. Their recording studio is 150 metres from the edge of the arctic ocean. Some lyrics are in languages that are spoken by merely 5- 600 persons.
The disc is sold as a twin-pack – one CD/SA-CD that will play in any regular CD player plus providing 2.0 stereo or 5.1 surround in SA-CD players, and one Blu-Ray disc. The Blu-Ray have two options as well: Stereo or 5.1 Surround. Both are in 96KHz/24 bit resolution.
It is apparently the first Blu-ray release outside the classical vein to be recorded in high definition true 5.1 surround sound. It is also one of the ten first releases worldwide on the Pure Audio Blu-Ray format. 


The White Ribbon

TrondheimSolistene
in Folk Style

On the eve of World War I, strange accidents in a small Protestant village in Northern Germany involve the children and teenagers of a choir run by the schoolteacher and their families. The abused and suppressed children of the villagers seem to be at the heart of this mystery as these events gradually take on the character of a punishment ritual.
from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

In Nordic Melodies we find Grieg in passionate play with folk songs. The work sparkles with harmonies and expression, developing a whole story from just a few short stanzas. The Holberg Suite, loved for its beauty and feared for its challenges, is a fusion of European musical tradition and a genuine Norwegian sound palette. The Trondheim Soloists follow up with two brilliant soloists, Emilia Amper on nyckelharpa and Gjermund Larsen on fiddle, in newly commissioned music characterized by the same energy and tenderness. Wild nature and Nordic light are essential elements of the folk style. This lies at the core of the Trondheim Soloist's soul, a meeting between the musical playfulness and passion.
from 2L


Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones

Rush - 2112 and Moving PIctures (Classic Album)

"Ladies and Gentlemen… The Rolling Stones" finally comes to Blu Ray. This Legendary Rolling Stones concert film, shot over four nights in Texas during the "Exile on Main Street" tour in 1972, was released in cinemas for limited engagements in 1974 and has remained largely unseen since. Now, restored and remastered, "Ladies and Gentlemen" makes its first authorised appearance on DVD. This is one of the finest Rolling Stones concerts ever captured on film and features outstanding performances of classic tracks from the late sixties and early seventies. Also included as a bonus is previously unreleased rehearsal footage for the tour filmed in Switzerland and interviews with Mick Jagger from 1972 and 2010.
From Eagle Vision Home Entertainment
The latest addition to the acclaimed & award winning Classic Albums series tells the story behind the making of two legendary albums from Rush. “2112” was the album that saw Rush break through to major chart success, going to No.1 in their native Canada and Top 75 in the USA where it would eventually be certified triple platinum. “Moving Pictures” opened them to a mass audience for the first time and remains the biggest selling album of their career. It also went to No.1 in Canada and went quadruple platinum there while hitting No.3 in both the UK and USA. Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart talk us through the making of the albums, together with original producer Terry Brown via interviews, demonstrations, archive videos and use of the original multi-track tapes. BONUS FEATURES Over 50 minutes of additional interviews, archive footage and new demonstrations not included in the broadcast version.
from Eagle Vision Home Entertainment

Katherine Jenkins
Believe - Live from the O2

Michael McDonald
This Christmas, Live in Chicago

International star Katherine Jenkins first UK solo arena tour, celebrating her latest album "Believe" was heralded an outstanding success by fans and critics alike. Filmed at London's O2 Arena, Katherine takes her live performance to a phenomenal new level. This show presents Katherine as singer, dancer, actress and circus performer across a range of music running from virtuoso classical pieces to standards, cabaret and musical theatre. Directed by renowned choreographer Kim Gavin we are invited to enjoy fantastic performances from Katherine plus a troupe of singers, dancers, orchestra and band. This is Katherine Jenkins as you've never seen her before!
From Eagle Rock Home Entertainment

Multi-Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald has had a hugely successful career over four decades with firstly Steely Dan, then with the Doobie Brothers and finally as a solo artist. This festive concert was filmed in high definition in Chicago in 2009. It combines traditional and original Christmas songs featured on Michael’s two Christmas albums bookended with classic tracks from both his solo career and his time with the Doobie Brothers. Michael McDonald’s distinctive husky, soulful voice is perfectly suited to this material, which he delivers with sincerity on the more thoughtful songs and with a real panache on the fun numbers. This Blu-ray makes a perfect addition to anyone’s Christmas collection. Bonus Track: Hallelujah
From Eagle Vision Home Entertainment


Bee Gees
In Our Own Time

The Maltese Falcon

“In Our Own Time” is the compelling story of the Bee Gees career. From their roots in the North West of England, through their early career in Australia, their return to England and international breakthrough in the late sixties and then on to global superstardom with “Saturday Night Fever” and beyond. Alongside the success there is the heartache of the tragically early deaths of first their younger brother Andy and then later Maurice. The story is told “in their own words” through in depth new interviews with Barry and Robin Gibb and through extensive interviews with Maurice filmed shortly before his death in January 2003. These are lavishly illustrated by live performances, TV and film clips and home movies of their early days. .
from Eagle Rock Home Entertainment
A gallery of high-living lowlifes will stop at nothing to get their sweaty hands on a jewel-encrusted falcon. Detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) wants to find out why – and who’ll take the fall for his pertner’s murder. An all-star cast (including Sydney Greenstreet, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Elisha Cook Jr.) joins Bogart in this crackling mystery masterwork written for the screen (from Dashiell Hammett’s novel) and directed by John Huston. This nominee for 3 Academy Awards®* – Best Picture, Supporting Actor (Greenstreet) and Screenplay (Huston) – catapulted Bogart to stardom and launched Huston’s directorial career. All with a bird and a bang!
From Warner Home Entertainment

Toy Story 3

The Bridge on the River Kwai

They’re back! Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios present the critically-acclaimed, global box office smash Toy Story 3, an
exciting, heart-warming story filled with humor, adventure and surprises, that reunites America’s
favorite animated toys, Buzz and Woody, and introduces a whole new set of favorites to
audiences around the globe.
From Walt Disney Home Entertainment
When British POWs build a vital railway bridge in enemy-occupied Burma, Allied commandos are assigned to destroy it in David Lean's epic World War II adventure THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. Spectacularly produced, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI captured the imagination of the public and won seven 1957 Academy Awards(r), including Best Picture, Best Actor (Alec Guinness), and Best Director. Even it's theme song, an old WWII whistling tune, the Colonel Bogey March, became a massive hit. THE BRIDGE ONTHE RIVER KWAI continues today as one of the most memorable cinematic experiences of all time.
From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

White Christmas

Alien Anthology

Two talented son-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. The Irving Berlin classic finally comes to Blu-ray!
Also starring Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes
From Paramount Home Entertainment
Sometimes, the scariest things come from within. All four ALIEN films have been reinvigorated for an intense Blu-ray high-definition viewing experience. The release also marks the debut of MU-TH-UR Mode, a fully interactive companion that takes the extensive materials in the ALIEN ANTHOLOGY and puts them in the user’s hand – connecting fans to special features on all six discs and instantly providing an index of all available ALIEN content, including over 60 hours of special features and over 12,000 images.
from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Phil Collins - Going Back, Live at Roseland Ballroom, NYC

   
This concert Blu-ray sees Phil Collins take his superb new album “Going Back” into the live arena. Filmed in June of 2010 in the intimate surroundings of New York’s famous Roseland Ballroom, this is a real chance to get up close and personal as Phil Collins faithfully recreates the soul and Motown classics that he loved as a teenager.
From Eagle Rock Entertainment
 

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