News: IMAX movies on Blu-ray 3D

IMAX Under the Sea 3D movie sceneWarner Home Video, LG Electronics and Sony Electronics have partnered to offer three 3D IMAX movies to consumers who purchase select Blu-ray 3D players, 3D TVs and 3D projectors.

Documentaries IMAX Under the Sea 3D, IMAX Space Station 3D and IMAX Deep Sea 3D will be available on Blu-ray 3D as a promotion for 3D in the home.

Consumers who buy an LG BX580 or BX585 3D Network Blu-ray Disc Player through Dec. 31 will be elegible to receive IMAX Under the Sea 3D via a mail-in coupon. And consumers in territories in Europe, Asia, South America and Central America who purchase any LG Blu-ray 3D player, Blu-ray 3D Home Theater, 3D Projector or 3D TV will find a mail-in coupon for IMAX Space Station 3D in the unit’s box. Full details are on LG’s website.

Consumers in North America and territories in Europe, Asia, South America and Central America who buy any Sony Blu-ray 3D player, 3D TV or set of 3D glasses will be eligible to receive IMAX Deep Sea 3D via a mail-in coupon.

Blu-ray 3D advances the regular red/green 3D of old, instead using the active shutter technology that’s used in 3D screenings in theaters. Blu-ray 3D do require a new Blu-ray 3D player, 3D TV and active shutter 3D glasses.

The first Blu-ray 3D title released was Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s family animated comedy movie CloudyWith a Chance of Meatballs. Sony will release animation Monster House on Blu-ray 3D on Sept. 14.

IMAX Under the Sea 3D explores underwater life in the Great Barrier Reef and other South Pacific realms. The movie is narrated by Jim Carrey (A Christmas Carol).

Tom Cruise (War of the Worlds) narrates IMAX Space Station 3D, which journeys to the International Space Station to view life in zero gravity.

IMAX Deep Sea 3D, narrated by Johnny Depp (Alice in Wonderland) and Kate Winslet (Hamlet, The Reader), examines a humboldt squid that changes color four times a second, a mantis shrimp whose claws have the speed of a 22-caliber bullet and other ocean stories.

Both Under the Sea 3D and Space Station 3D will have 3D and 2D playback capabilities. Deep Sea 3D will be playable only in 3D.

The IMAX Blu-ray 3D titles will only be available with the purchase of Blu-ray 3D equipment, but Warner told Disc Dish the titles would be released for separate purchase soon.

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.