Universal witnesses MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU (review)

Witness the rise of super villain Gru as a child when the eleven year old takes on the Vicious 6 in a plan to harness the powers of an ancient Zodiac stone to take over the world.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region ALL UHD/Blu-ray Combo (DVDCompare)

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU UHD/Blu-ray Combo specs: 

• DISC ONE (UHD):
• 2160p24 HEVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Atmos, Spanish (Latin) Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, French (Canadian) Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH, French (Canadian), and Spanish (Latin) Subtitles
• DISC TWO (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 Widescreen 
• English Dolby Atmos, Spanish (Latin) Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, French (Canadian) Dolby Digital 5.1, English Audio Descriptive Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo 
• Optional English SDH, French (Canadian), and Spanish (Latin) Subtitles
• Mini Movies:
• "Post Modern Minions"
• "Minions and Monsters"
• Extended Scene Outtakes
• Character Profiles 
• "Gru-vy Animation" 
• "Fashion, Food & Funk" 
• "Minion Martial Arts" 
• "How to Draw (& Animate)" 
• "Lair Flair" 
• "Super Style Shop"
  

Universal Pictures ushers in DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA (review)

Motion pictures come to Downton Abbey and the older set flee to the South of France to solve a half-century-old mystery involving the Dowager Countess in DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (Canada) Region ALL Blu-ray/DVD Combo (DVDCompare)

DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• DISC ONE (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.39:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Atmos, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish Subtitles
   
• DISC TWO (DVD):
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.39:1 Widescreen
• English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
   
• Audio Commentary by director Simon Curtis
• Behind the Scenes:
• "Good to Be Back"
• "Return to Downton Abbey: The Making of a New Era"
• "A Legendary Character"
• "Creating the Film... Within the Film"
• "Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia"3
• "Spill the Tea(time)"
• Digital Copy Code
• Embossed Slipcover
  

Universal Pictures ushers in DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA (review)

Motion pictures come to Downton Abbey and the older set flee to the South of France to solve a half-century-old mystery involving the Dowager Countess in DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region ALL UHD/Blu-ray Combo (DVDCompare)

DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA UHD/Blu-ray Combo specs:

• DISC ONE (UHD):
• 2160p24 HEVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Atmos, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish Subtitles
   
• DISC TWO (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Atmos, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
   
• Audio Commentary by director Simon Curtis
• Behind the Scenes:
• "Good to Be Back"
• "Return to Downton Abbey: The Making of a New Era"
• "A Legendary Character"
• "Creating the Film... Within the Film"
• "Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia"3
• "Spill the Tea(time)"
• Digital Copy Code
• Embossed Slipcover
  

Universal Pictures lives off the LAND (review)

Unable to cope in the aftermath of unfathomable loss, Edee quits the city for a cabin in the Rockies but is ill-equipped to live of the land.  She is rescued from near death by a hunter who teaches her how to hunt and fish, and their friendship helps her to confront her past and plan her future.  Robin Wright stars and directs.  Co-starring Demian Bichir.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

LAND Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, French and Spanish DTS 5.1
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• "Crafting LAND"
• "Robin Wright: Feature Film Directing Debut"
• "After the Trauma"
• Digital Copy

Universal Pictures takes aim at THE MARKSMAN (review)

Liam Neeson plays an ex-Marine who must help an orphaned Mexican boy evade the cartel in THE MARKSMAN.

REVIEW LINK: Univsersal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

THE MARSKMAN Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English Descriptive Video Service Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles
• "The Making of THE MARKSMAN"
• Start-up Trailers

Universal excavates love from AMMONITE (review)

Dismissed by her male, upper class scientific colleagues, British fossil collector Mary Anning ekes out a living for her self and her ailing mother excavating and selling small fossils on the coast of Lyme Regis, resolved to a life of loneliness until the wife of a naturalist must stay with her to convalesce from depression and illness in AMMONITE.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

AMMONITE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• "The Making of AMMONITE" short

Universal Pictures is IRRESISTIBLE (review)

A hotshot Democratic Party strategist thinks he can turn the tide of the American heartland towards voting Democrat when a video of a farmer and former marine standing up for illegal immigrants goes viral.  He convinces the farmer to run against the incumbent for mayor, but his Republican Party rival turns up, and the town becomes the focus of a media frenzy in this political comedy from Jon Stewart.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

IRRESISTIBLE Blu-ray/DVD Combo Specs:

• DISC ONE (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
  
• DISC TWO (DVD):
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 Widescreen 
• English Dolby Digital 5.1
  
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• Deleted/Extended Scenes
• Gag Reel
• Featurettes:
• "An Irresistible Story" making-of
• "Campaign Comedy: The Cast of Irresistible"
• "Taking the Lead: Jon Stewart"
• Digital Copy Code

 

Universal Pictures takes THE PHOTOGRAPH (review)

When her photographer mother dies, Mae Morton stumbles upon a mystery with the help of an ambitious New York magazine journalist.  Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield star.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

THE PHOTOGRAPH Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French and Spanish DTS 5.1
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• "Shooting The Photograph"
• "Culture in Film"
• "The Film Through Photographs"
• Digital Copy Code 

Universal Pictures goes back to DOWNTON ABBEY (Review)

Welcome back to Downton Abbey where the Crawley family and their servants must prepare for a royal visit from the King and Queen of England amidst personal dramas and tragedies.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE MOTION PICTURE Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French and Spanish DTS 5.1, and English DVS Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 Widescreen
• English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, as well as English DVS Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by director Michael Engler
• Cast Conversations
• The Royal Visit
• True to the Twenties
• Deleted Scenes
• Welcome to Downton Abbey
• The Brilliance of Julian Fellowes
• Series Recap (Blu-ray exclusive)

Universal Pictures gives Jennifer Lopez a SECOND ACT (review)

Passed over for a manager position after thirteen years with her company because she does not have a college degree, forty-year old Maya gets a chance at the job of her dreams thanks to some hacking by her best friend's genius son who fits her with a new identity perfect for a high-powered job.  Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Hudgens, Leah Remini, and Milo Ventimiglia star.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

SECOND ACT Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH and Spanish Subtitles
• Featurettes:
• “Connecting with Milo Ventimiglia”
• “The Empowering Women of Second Act”
• “Friendship On and Off Screen”
• “Working with the Ones You Love”
• Trailer
• Start-up Trailers

Universal serenades MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (review)

Sophie and her mother's baby daddies are back in this sequel to the Broadway jukebox musical turned theatrical box office hit.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Atmos, French and Spanish Dolby Digital Plus 5.1, and English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, and English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• Audio Commentary with Director/Screenplay Writer Ol Parker
• Audio Commentary with Producer Judy Craymer
• Deleted Songs and Scenes with optional commentary by director and screenplay writer Ol Parker
• Extended Songs and Scenes with optional commentary by director and screenplay writer Ol Parker (Blu-ray exclusive)
• Enhanced Sing Alongs
• Featurettes:
• "High Jinks" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• "The Story"
• "Mamma Mia! Reunited"
• "Playing Donna"
• "Sophie's Story" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• "Meeting Cher"
• "Costumes and the Dynamos"
• "Choreographing Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• "Cast Meets Cast" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• "Curtain Call"
• "Dancing Queen: Anatomy of a Scene" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• "Cast Chats" (BLu-ray exclusive)
• "Performing for Legends" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• "Class of '79" (Blu-ray exclusive)
• Today show interview with Cher and Judy Craymer
• Slipcover

Also available in UltraHD/Blu-ray Combo:

Universal Pictures infiltrates DEN OF THIEVES (review)

Gerard Butler, Pablo Schrieber, O'Shea Jackson Jr., and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson star in the heist thriller DEN OF THIEVES in which the Los Angles County Sheriff's Department are on the hunt for armored car thieves after a shootout that leaves four of their own dead.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

DEN OF THIEVES Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles
• Audio Commentary
•  with Director Christian Gudegast and Producer Tucker Tooley
• Alternate Ending
• Featurettes:
• Alpha MalesI
• Into the Den
• Alameda Corridor
• Outtakes - Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Two Theatrical Trailers

Universal celebrates A BAD MOM'S CHRISTMAS (review)

Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn are moms behaving badly in their quest to take back Christmas from their own controlling mothers (Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon).

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

A BAD MOM'S CHRISTMAS Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles
• Gag Reel
• Additional Scenes
• Crew Music Video
• Two Red Band Trailers
• Previews

Universal Pictures searches for A DOG'S PURPOSE (review)

A dog learns the meaning of life in a number of successive lives with different owners as he tries to make his way back to his original owner.  Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, and Josh Gad star.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD/Digital HD (DVDCompare)

A DOG'S PURPOSE Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo; French DTS 5.1; Spanish DTS 5.1
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1; English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo; French Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• Deleted Scenes
• Outtakes
• "Lights, Camera, Woof!" featurette
• "A Writer's Purpose" featurette
• Digital HD Code

Universal Studios is invited to MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (review)

Comedian Nia Vardalos and family are back for a bigger, fatter Greek wedding.  Now raising a moody seventeen-year-old daughter with her husband Ian, Toula is torn between her daughter pulling away and planning to go to college across the country and aging parents who discover that they were never legally married.  As the family rallies for a wedding, Toula realizes that she has neglected her own marriage.  John Corbett, Joey Fatone, Michael Constantine, and Andrea Martin also star.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, French DTS 5.1, and Spanish DTS 5.1
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, French Dolby Digital 5.1, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• Gag Reel
• "My Big Fat Greek Dinner" featurette
• "Making the Greekquel" featurette
• Previews
• Digital HD Download Code

Universal Pictures initiates JARHEAD 3: THE SIEGE (review)

Corporal Evan Albright (Charlie Weber) arrives at his post at an American embassy in a Muslim country in time for danger in JARHEAD 3: THE SIEGE also starring Dennis Haysbert and Scott Adkins.

REVIEW LINK: Universal (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

JARHEAD 3: THE SIEGE Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen presentations of the R-rated and Unrated versions
• English, French, and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen presentations of the R-rated and Unrated versions
• English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks
• Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish
• "Creating JARHEAD 3: THE SIEGE" featurette
• Previews
• Digital HD download code

Universal Pictures uncovers FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (review)

The big screen adaptation of E.L. James paean to BDSM for the vanilla crowd FIFTY SHADES OF GREY hits Blu-ray/DVD combo from Universal Pictures.  Virginal literature student Ana is caught up in a whirlwind romance by billionaire Christian whose quite particular desires open up an alien and enticing world of sensuality.

REVIEW LINK: Universal Pictures (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD specs:

• Disc One (Blu-ray):
• Unrated and Theatrical Versions
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (both cuts)
• French and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DVS Dolby Digital 5.1 (theatrical cut)
• English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles (both cuts)
• "The World of Fifty Shades of Grey": Christian Grey
• "The World of Fifty Shades of Grey": Ana
• "The World of Fifty Shades of Grey":  Friends and Family
• "Behind the Shades"
• "E.L. James & Fifty Shades"
• "Fifty Shades: The Pleasure of Pain"
• "Christian's Apartment: 360 degree Set Tour" interactive tour of all rooms and selected props
• Music Videos:
• Skylar Grey "I Know You"
• The Weekend "Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)"
• Behind the Scenes of "Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)"
• Tease of Fifty Shades Darker
• Disc Two (DVD):
• Theatrical Cut
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• English, French, and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks
• English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles
• "The World of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY" Friends and Family (cast profiles)
• Behind the Shades featurette