The DVD Times has posted a first picture of the limited UK Blu-ray Disc Deluxe Edition of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo coming from Optimum Home Entertainment on June 7th. At least package-wise, this edition should please those who don’t want to import the expensive limited Japanese Blu-ray Disc but want something more than the simple standard design of Disney’s US release. The fold-out digipak looks almost like the one used in the Japanese release but without the premium price.
Plus, the extra features listed in the article will have English subtitles. Maybe Optimum even manages to please audiophiles by beating Disney and including the Original audio in a lossless compressed track. Currently this limited edition is only listed at HMV for 16.99GBP. It’s now also available from Amazon.co.uk, thanks Marco!

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Manga Entertainment UK has made some very interesting announcement via the label’s official Twitter account. In the first place, Yoichi Sai’s Kamui Gaiden is supposed to be released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in the UK this Summer. The live-action adaptation of the anime classic Ninpu Kamui Gaiden opened in Japan in September 2009 and will be released there on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (without English subtitles of course) in February.
And just a few hours ago, it was also announced that Mamoru Hosoda and Satoko Okudera’s hit anime Summer Wars will be released in September in the UK on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, just six month after the subtitle-less Japanese DVD and Blu-ray Disc release from VAP.
Talking about Mamoru Hosoda and Satoko Okudera, I also asked @MangaUK about the often announced and delayed Blu-ray Disc of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time but I didn’t receive an answer yet…
[06.01.10] Update: Jerome Mazandarani, Manga Entertainment UK’s acquisitions & marketing manager has stated in the Twitch comment section (why not here when the AHT is mentioned as the source?) that Summer Wars will (hopefully) get a limited theatrical release in the UK in September followed by a DVD and Blu-ray Disc release later in 2010. Thanks to Ard for the heads up!

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How Amazon.co.uk made my day…

Screenshots

Trailer

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Nippon Cinema reports that Third Window Films will release its first Blu-ray Disc in February 2010 and that the British independent label has chosen Tetsuya Nakashima’s 2004 GothiklolitaBikergirlComedyDramaThingy Kamikaze Girls starring Kyoko Fukada and Anna Tsuchiya as the first high definition title.
Planned release date is February 8, 2010, the Blu-ray Disc will include the original Japanese audio and English subtitles. Features are tba, but I guess TWF has lots of extra material since Kamikaze Girls will be released as a two disc special edition on the same day. According to Kevin, the BD will be Region B locked.

btw, a representative of Third Window Films has left a statement regard a Blu-ray Disc release of Sion Sono’s Love Exposure in the Twitch comment section stating that they acquired the Blu-ray discs rights but are worried if such a release will pay off because of the market situation…
However, Love Exposure will be released on DVD in the UK on January 11, 2010.

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mmh, I don’t think the German customs officers will pleased when they see this…
Universal Pictures will release the limited edition Blu-ray Disc steelbook of Quentin Tarantino’s historically accurate WW2 documentation Inglourious Basterds in the UK on December 7th. Currently only Play.com shows the steelbook packaging, but since the product page doesn’t say “Play.com exclusive” I guess it will be available from other online retailers (like the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Disc steelbook) as well.

[via Cinefacts Forum]
[Update] Looks like our British friends won’t get a steelbook after all:

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Sometimes it really pays off to re-read updated posts.
DVD Times has updated one of its posts regarding Manga Entertainments upcoming UK Blu-ray Disc release of Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell 2.0 with the little fact that the original 1995 version (’1.0′) will be included on the same disc that will hit the shelves October 26th! However, according to this comment the picture quality of the original is nothing to write home about:

The original movie is on the Blu-ray and is in HD, but it’s 1080i and has to be the worst transfer I’ve ever seen on Blu-ray. The source looks like a VHS tape.

I _guess_ Manga Entertainment used of their own transfers for this instead of using the Japanese 1.0 Blu-ray Disc, probably because of legal reasons.

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Here’s something nice for you steelbook lovers from our friendly neighbours in the UK. While Sony Pictures USA decided to release Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon only as a part of a Blu-ray Trilogy Box together with House of Flying Daggers (cut) and Curse of the Golden Flower (Code A) on July 14, British film lover can enjoy Ang Lee’s masterpiece on Blu-ray without the extra weight (film wise), over a week earlier (UK release is on July 6th) and in a sweet steelbook package.
At the moment only the Jersey based retailer Play.com shows the steely package but I think/hope that other retailers will offer this edition as well since the product description says nothing about this being an Play.com exclusive.
Update: Someone in the German Cinefacts forum got his steelbook from dvd.co.uk today, so I guess it’s available everywhere. Update²: Amazon.co.uk also ships steelbooks.

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