HD-DVD Releases Keep Pace with Blu-ray
For those of you who've written out HD-DVD completely, it's time to edit that script. Although Blu-ray, supported by Samsung and Sony, launched ahead of its competitor in sales during the first weeks of 2007, studios and other promotional firms have refused to let the format war fizzle out. Instead, the Blu-ray blitzkrieg is being counteracted by the HD-DVD Promotions Group's recent release lineup, followed less than two weeks after Universal's own impressive list.
The HD-DVD Promotions Group includes a host of studios firmly behind the format. It includes the aforementioned Universal, Warner Home Video, Paramount Home Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, Genius Products, and Eagle Rock Entertainment. Together, they're prepared to release 70 titles between now and July.
A few days ago, I reported on Universal's announcement of the Matrix Trilogy, which will land on HD-DVD long before Blu-ray. In addition to this, the HD-DVD Promotions Group has only recently set (loose) dates for the following flicks:
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The Good Shepherd (April)
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Smokin' Aces (April)
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A Scanner Darkly (April)
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Flags of Our Fathers: Special Collector's Edition (May)
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Alpha Dog (May)
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The Big Lebowski (May)
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Born on the 4th of July (June)
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Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (June)
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Mallrats (June)
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Shaun of the Dead (July)
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The Untouchables (July)
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Dante's Peak (July)
These are just some of the more impressive titles coming in the next three months, with other hits – like the Lord of the Rings trilogy – still widely rumored for release this year.
While Blu-ray continues to roll out a number of releases every week, so begins the debate on who might be launching better titles.
