Feel like you're bouncing off the walls waiting for winter to end? Maybe you just have a few kids to do all of the bouncing for you. This is an excellent week to camp out on the couch and catch up on classic Disney. The House of Mouse opened up the floodgates this week, releasing four classic films on Blu-ray.
That said, we had to give this week's spotlight to Life of Pi. After all, Ang Lee snagged the Best Director Oscar, so it's the least that we could do. Also, it's one of those eye-popping adventures that just begs for Blu-ray -- and it's available in both 2D and 3D.
As we mentioned, this week is also chock full of animation both past and present. One of this week's releases is the highly anticipated 25th anniversary of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. If you're in more of a suspense mood (or at least to learn a little about the art of suspense), check out the acclaimed biopic, Hitchcock.
Did we miss one of your favorites for the week? Have something to say about one of this week's new releases? Sound off in the comments below. Otherwise, all of these titles are out as of March 11, 2013, except where noted. Enjoy!
Life of Pi
Ang Lee took home this year's Best Director Oscar for this grand adventure, which is based on the novel of the same name. It's quite the trippy tale too, focusing on Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma), a 16-year-old shipwreck survivor who finds himself on a raft with a variety of exotic animals.
Expect this gorgeous film to have an equally gorgeous Blu-ray release, in both 2D and 3D. Both editions include a 1.85:1 image, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, a standard-def DVD, a Digital Copy and an UltraViolet Digital Copy. Besides the 3D version of the movie, the 3-disc Blu-ray 3D release has deleted scenes, VFX Progressions, and the film's theatrical trailer, all in 3D. Both versions have several other special features, including an hour-long doc on the making of the film, a piece on the special effects, a featurette on Richard Parker, a gallery and storyboards. [Fox]
Rise of the Guardians
Only DreamWorks Animation could get Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost together in one movie -- to kick some BoogieMan butt, too! When trouble arises, the guardians have to band together to save the hopes and dreams of little ones everywhere. This dazzling film also has a pretty dazzling voice cast, including Alec Baldwin, Chris Pine, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, and Jude Law.
DreamWorks didn't mess around, opting for both a 2D and 3D release. Both have a stunning 1.78:1 image, an equally exciting Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track, a standard-def DVD, a Digital Copy and an UltraViolet Digital Copy. The extras may not look like much on paper, but it's a decent crop. Expect to find two games, a piece about making the movie, a featurette on the the famous voices, a short on author William Joyce, audio commentary, and more. [Paramount/DreamWorks]
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
A toon-hating detective needs the help of a famous rabbit to solve a murder. If this plot doesn't sound familiar, you really need to see more movies. Roger Rabbit was unbelievable back in its day, breaking the barrier between live action and animation -- and the mold for movies. Now that it's turning 25 (p-p-please!), Disney is putting it out on Blu-ray.
The House of Mouse has restored the film's 1.85:1 image, adding in a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and a standard-def DVD. Expect the 2-disc release to include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, three Roger Rabbit shorts, and a bunch of other extras for the short-attention span. [Disney]
Mulan/Mulan II: 2-Movie Collection
Another one of Disney's creations is celebrating a birthday this week, and she's more beautiful than ever. Mulan is the story of a young girl with a lot of dreams -- and a lot of guts. That's probably how she gets up the nerve to take her dad's place in the Chinese army. The direct-to-video sequel, Mulan II, is also included in this anniversary set.
The original Mulan and its sequel are packed onto one Blu-ray, with 1.66:1 and 1.78:1 aspect ratios, respectively. Both also have a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, with the set including standard-def copies of each movie. Each film has its own set of extras, which includes an audio commentary, music videos, deleted scenes, and production featurettes about the making of each film. [Disney]
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: 2-Movie Collection
Another Disney classic is coming to Blu-ray this week. This one is very musical and very weird; the idea that the House of Mouse would bring Victor Hugo's sad, sometimes violent novel to such a young audience is bizzare, but also kind of beautiful. Oh, and this is also one of Disney's 2-Movie Collection editions, so you'll also get the direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II.
Both films are squeezed onto one Blu-ray, with the original getting a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and the sequel snagging a 1.66:1 image. Both are decent, as is the release's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The extras are sadder than the subject matter, however, with each film getting just two short featurettes, with the original adding in audio commentary. Also, each of the film has its own standard-def DVD included in the 3-disc package. [Disney]
Hitchcock
Most film buffs are very familiar with Alfred Hitchcock's on-screen work. However, behind the scenes seemed pretty suspenseful as well. This biopic has Anthony Hopkins in the title role, as he deals with his wife Alma (Helen Mirren) and the production of the 1960 classic, Psycho. Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel and Ralph Macchio also star.
It's bizarre that this film received a limited theatrical release, but Fox is certainly rolling out the red carpet for the Blu-ray. Expect to see a 2.40:1 image, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, and a slew of extras. Besides a standard-def DVD, a Digital Copy and the UltraViolet Digital Copy, the 2-disc set will have deleted scenes, several featurettes on the cast, Hitchcock and composer Danny Elfman, as well as commentary and a pair of shorts revolving around the "Hitchcock Cell Phone PSA." [Fox]
Sound City
When Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl heard that LA's legendary Sound City was planning to close up shop, he decided to purchase a few items from the studio -- and make a documentary about it. It's a topic that's close to the musician's heart, considering it's where his former band Nirvana made music history with 1991's Nevermind. The acclaimed doc also includes interviews with Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, Stevie Nicks, Frank Black, Rivers Cuomo, Trent Reznor, Rick Rubin, and many more.
There's very little known about this release. RCA didn't announce any extras or info about the audio track. However, you can expect a single disc with a 1.77:1 image. [RCA]
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