Warner Home Video (WHV) announced it will launch its first titles on HD DVD. Clint Eastwood's four-time Academy Award-winning, Best Picture of 2004, MILLION DOLLAR BABY; four-time Oscar-nominated epic, THE LAST SAMURAI and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Joel Schumacher's movie adaptation of Broadway's longest running show will all be released on April 18, 2006. Each of these titles will be available for $28.99.
"Warner Home Video has been working closely with our CE, IT and retail partners to design an optimal product launch for consumers and we're pleased to announce the launch dates for these initial titles," said Ron Sanders, president of Warner Home Video. "We have always been a leader in home entertainment experiences and are thrilled to be the first studio to deliver movies on high definition discs. Research shows consumers are rapidly moving towards high definition home entertainment experiences, and Warner is uniquely positioned at the forefront of the industry to meet the market's demands."
Seventeen additional titles will be released in the coming weeks including BATMAN BEGINS, CONSTANTINE, TRAINING DAY and THE MATRIX.
Warner Home Video HD DVDs will offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, in addition to crisp sound with up to 7.1 audio. HD DVD also introduces instant access to extra features with the debut of a menu-bar that allows users to view features and settings without leaving or interrupting the film.
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Ent. company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Ent., Castle Rock Ent., HBO Home Video and New Line Home Ent.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
