New to Blu: November 7-13

The HD quality of Snow White & the Huntsman on Blu-ray is as pure as the driven snow.

“The fairest of them all? Snow White and the Huntsman’s 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer, which stands as a stunning testament to the most enchanting aspects of the film.”

“From beginning to end, contrast is spot-on and crisp, exposing every minute aspect with splendid clarity.

“Every pore and wrinkle of the cast and the texture and stitching in the costuming is exposed and appreciable.”

“Just as impressive, the accompanying DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio track also secures the film’s position as demo material, also edging into the same perfect-10 rating that reflected the flawlessness of the video.”

After getting lost in the theatrical wilderness post its NZ Film Festival premiere, The Cabin in the Woods comes up short on Blu-ray, too – at least in this territory.

“The video quality on the Lionsgate Blu-ray is generally excellent. The movie is occasionally so dark that it’s a little hard to make things out but that’s a choice, not a flaw. The 7.1 DTS-HD sound is phenomenal.”

That was an American perspective; it turns out the Australasian release has only (albeit excellent) DTS-HD MA 5.1 and lacks the picture-in-picture mode.

“This makes the Region A pressing more attractive for those whose player is Region A compatible.”

It’s a big week for back-catalogue collectibles, with 22 of the 007 movies being re-issued on Blu-ray, along with Donnie Darko, 3D versions of Up! and I, Robot, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and, to mark its 50^th anniversary, Lawrence of Arabia.

“Sony’s meticulous 4K restoration is not just a treat, it’s a revelation and perhaps the definitive Blu-ray catalogue release, if not the format’s finest presentation.”

Heading the TV-on-Blu newcomers are Underbelly: Badness, and seasons one of Person of Interest and Once Upon a Time, and four of Fringe, along with National Geographic: Untamed America.

Also new are Friends With Kids, Katy Perry: Part of Me and the direct-to-disc Swerve, Assassin’s Bullet, Chained, Recoil, War of the Arrows and The Christmas Shoes.

Spruced up in time for The Hobbit is the animated The Lord of the Rings but the week’s top-selling ‘toon is bound to be Tinker Bell and the Secret of the Wings, which has been huge in the US.

Also out are Dragon Ball Z Kai Complete Collection Limited Edition, RVBX: Ten Years of Red vs Blue and Red vs Blue: Season 10.