Tron 3D
Looking for action, awesome 3D effects and an audio track to blow your speakers away? Why not give Tron 3D on Blu-ray a go. Rebellious teenager Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is still haunted 20 years on from the mysterious disappearance of his father and leading video game developer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). On receiving a message from his father’s former workplace, Sam’s quest to find the truth sends him spiralling into a computer generated world with flying motorbikes, space age weapons and a ruthless villain. Tron’s beautifully built 3D world really is a stunner and this BD is sure to leave you longing to return time and time again. Special features include a Disney Second Screen App which allows viewers to access interactive features online that play in-sync to the film. Accompanying this is a whole host of features looking at the cast, the filming and post-production techniques, the design elements and much more.

Piranha 3D
Want more bite from your scary movies? If so then look no further than Piranha 3D, directed by Alexandre Aja and available in stunning 3D BD. The small community of Lake Victoria is once again swamped with an influx of students hoping to party away the six weeks of Spring break. But this year, something deadly is lurking in the waters and it has a taste for human flesh. Blu-ray.com praises the 3D image quality in their review saying, ‘it’s a solid and exceptionally fun 3D transfer that’s got just the right amount of punch to wow viewers and compliment the craziness’.

Special features include deleted scenes, director commentaries and a huge documentary that runs 30 minutes longer than the movie itself, providing a substantial amount of information on the casting, special effects, stunts and soundtrack.

Alice in Wonderland 3D
A stunning re-imagining of the classic Lewis Carol tale, Burton’s vibrant imagination turns this family favourite into one of the best looking 3D BDs on the market. Awarded four and a half stars by Blu-ray.com for its outstanding picture quality and five stars for its 5.1 surround sound audio, this Double Play pack also includes a 2D BD for those who’ve yet to purchase a TV or player with a third dimension. Telling the story of 19-year-old Alice who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, Burton reunites her with the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), the Mad Hatter (Depp) and the terrifying Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Special features certainly impress including individual character profiles, a look at scoring and animating topsy turvy Wonderland as well as a peek at the props and stunts alongside interviews with cast and crew.

So what do you think of our choices? Hit the comments to tell us what movies you’d like to see in 3D, or tell us what else you’ll be looking forward to watching on Blu-ray this weekend.

Viewers have come to expect nothing but the best from animation today, so how does the BD3D and its 2D counterpart perform? What Culture is certainly convinced, saying:

‘In short it looks stunning… Colours are vibrant and rich, black levels deep and inky, and there is a lovely suggestion of texture in the backgrounds…The songs are wonderfully immersive, the orchestra soars and the voices are lavished with perfect clarity.’

What about the special features on offer?

‘A great selection, including the original special features from the DVD version, and also some continued over from the Blu-ray… the feature-length Beyond Beauty documentary sticks out a mile as a very strong piece. All-in-all it’s another very good, appropriate celebration of the film.’

Tempted? We certainly are. With the recently up-scaled Lion King 3D making waves in its cinematic re-release around the globe we think this is only the start of what the wizards at Disney are capable of!

Check out What Culture for the full review.

But don’t take our word for it; why not listen to those impartial tech gurus at Trusted Reviews who put the LG BD670 through its paces recently.

Trusted Reviews praises its built-in Full HD 3D support, Smart TV (LG’s internet content portal) and Wi-Fi. They also highlight its DLNA media streaming, its much improved web content over previous LG players, its wide digital media support as well as its value for money, writing that it is “an impressive Blu-ray deck that makes a great case for a place high up on your shopping list”.

It also boasts a USB port so you can play your music, video and photo formats from memory devices and external hard-disk drives. Convinced? We are, and so it seems are Trusted Reviews who conclude that “The BD670 is among the best budget Blu-ray decks around.”

Check out the full review here.

Details have emerged on the Blu-ray Disc release of renowned animation studio Pixar’s 12^th film, Cars 2.

Cars 2 follows the adventures of racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and his tow truck sidekick Mater as they head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix. But it isn’t long before Lightning and his pals get caught up in the world of international espionage, leading to a globe-trotting adventure featuring a whole host of new characters, including Brit legend Michael Caine as jet Finn McMissile.

A release date is to be confirmed, but Disney has revealed some of what we can expect when the disc hits European shelves later this year. Alongside master 7.1 DTS audio, the disc will include 3D and 2D versions of the film, the theatrical short film Hawaiian Vacation, an all-new Pixar short called Air Mater and a commentary with director John Lasseter, one of modern animation’s greatest heroes.

Expect more details later in the year, but to help whet your appetite, here’s a sneak peek at the al-new short Air Mater.

Jam packed with specs for high quality BD3D viewing, Pioneer’s exceptional ‘basic’ models, the BCS-414 and BCS-212, come with a larger than average subwoofer – perfect for movie fans that want maximum impact from their action sequences and deep bass from their soundtracks.

At the higher end of the scale the ‘regular’ series models, the BCS-717 and BCS-313, have added iPod and iPhone support alongside Wi-Fi connectivity.

Both ranges provide an option that caters for free standing or wall mounted speakers. So if you’re in need of a new BD system, want to upgrade to a 3D capable model or just fancy having a browse check them out.

In July, we brought you the news that Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, was setting sail on Blu-ray and BD 3D. This week we’re giving you a chance to win your very own copy courtesy of our weekly Blu-ray Monday competition.

The hugely popular, fourth instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, stars Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz and comes packed with special features. As usual with Blu-ray Monday, you have two chances to win. For your first entry hit the tweet button at the top of this post. Then for a second entry, leave a comment on this post to the following question:

With its hidden depths and awesome power, the ocean has long been an exhilarating setting for a thrilling movie but what is your favourite sea film of all time? Do you like films that depict man’s struggle at sea such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Castaway, Master and Commander, The Perfect Storm or Crimson Tide? Maybe it’s what lies beneath the ocean’s surface that fascinates you and you’re a fan of films like Jaws, Open Water or Piranah? Perhaps the romance and tragedy of James Cameron’s Titanic moves you every time? Or do you prefer the more light hearted animated sea films such as Finding Nemo or The Little Mermaid? Either way, do let us know!

To make it easier for us to contact you, leave your Twitter details with your comment. We look forward to your suggestions!

German consumers snapped up seven million Blu-rays in the first half of 2011 (an increase of two million on the figure last year) while throughout Europe 104 million flew off the shelves (up 24 million on the sales this time last year).

The research also revealed that 93 percent of respondents who tested Blu-ray 3D were totally satisfied, and that nearly a third of all German video households now have BD players in them.

“We wanted to analyse how the consumers’ awareness on the format and its acceptance have changed, and which barriers might still exist”, says Christoph Freier, Key Account Manager at GfK. “Overall we can see that nearly everyone in the target group knows Blu-ray by now, and that their intention to purchase Blu-ray products is growing.”

For more information on Blu-ray in Germany, check out www.bluraydisc.de.

Starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by Casino Royale’s Martin Campbell, this adaptation of the DC comic classic packs a serious punch in the fantasy stakes. Reynolds stars as aircraft test pilot Hal Jordan who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the world of the Green Lantern Corps.

The BDs from both packs will include a number of exclusive features such as a technical look at the special effects including the creation of Reynolds’ crime fighting suit as well as deleted scenes, a preview of the animated series and featurette ‘The Universe According to Green Lantern’ looking at the creation of an intergalactic set. Both BDs also come with Maximum Movie Mode and BD-Live functionality.

Check out the full story at Blu-ray.com. In the meantime we’ve also included the trailer below for you to enjoy.

Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution Collection
What better way to get into the spirit of the latest instalment, than to go right back to the beginning? Comprising five films from the franchise, this quintuplet of Blu-ray Discs includes the original Planet of the Apes movie starring the legendary Charlton Heston, alongside sequels Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Escape From the Planet of the Apes, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes. Providing imaginative entertainment for fantasy fans of all ages, the collection also includes audio commentaries from the original actors as well as a variety of features examining the project’s political undertones and marketing. Behind-the-scenes insights into make-up, casting, set design, life on the set and shooting locations complete this mammoth box set.

Ratatouille
Ratatouille arguably boasts some of the finest quality animation ever committed to the big screen, thanks to the wizards at Pixar. Telling the tale of wannabe chef Remy (who just happens to be a rat) this family friendly tale follows his quest to be the most renowned chef in Paris with the help of hapless kitchen porter Linguini. Well written and lavishly entertaining the BD serves up a bountiful plate of extras including extensive commentary from director Brad Bird and producer Brad Lewis, as well as deleted scenes, interviews with cast and crew, picture galleries and a look at the production design and animation techniques.

Piranha 3D
Do you want more bite from your scary movies? If so then look no further than Piranha 3D, directed by Alexandre Aja and available in stunning BD3D. The small community of Lake Victoria is once again swamped with an influx of students hoping to party away the six weeks of Spring break. But this year, something deadly is lurking in the waters and it has a taste for human flesh. Blu-ray.com praises the 3D image quality in their review saying, ‘it’s a solid and exceptionally fun 3D transfer that’s got just the right amount of punch to wow viewers and compliment the craziness’. Special features include deleted scenes, director commentaries and a huge documentary that runs 30 minutes longer than the movie itself, providing a substantial amount of information on the casting, special effects, stunts and soundtrack.

So what do you think of our choices? Hit the comments to tell us your favourite animal movies, or tell us what else you’ll be looking forward to watching on Blu-ray this weekend.

The Digital Entertainment Group is a body made up of 70 companies such as Walt Disney, Time Warner and Samsung. Its mid-year home entertainment report revealed that sales of Blu-rays increased by 10% in the last year, with consumers being attracted by the high quality images Blu-ray offers.

Ron Sanders, president of Warner Home Video commented on the Blu-ray figures, saying, “It’s getting very well-established in households. Consumers are getting more and more comfortable with buying Blu-ray.”

The increase in sales of Blu-ray Discs has also been helped by the drop in prices for players. With officials also commenting that an influx of popular movies will be arriving in the next six months, it would seem that the future for Blu-ray looks very promising.

Digitaltrends.com has more information on the story.