Following the release of the Predator – Ultimate Hunter Edition, DNR (digital noise reduction) in Blu-ray releases seems to have become a concern for some of us. On the topic of DNR in the new Aliens release, The Digital Bits recently posted this:

“Everyone we trust who was involved, and/or has actually SEEN the new Aliens HD master for Blu-ray, reports to us that the film looks terrific. To the degree that DNR (digital noise reduction) was used, it was applied carefully and with a light hand, with an eye toward striking the proper balance between maintaining the detail and integrity of the image and the desire to reduce grain and address the deficiencies of the stock used at the time. There is apparently STILL grain left in the image, it’s just no longer excessive or distracting.”

Cameron himself supervised the restoration of the Blu-ray release. You can hear what he said here. Thanks to Griffith for the link.

 ScriptFlags.com has posted up that actress Noomi Rapace of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has also met with Ridley Scott:

“The most interesting report is that Rapace met with and told Ridley Scott (and Scot Free’s Michael Costigan) that she grew up on his films when she left home at 15. Scott is most likely currently looking for lead actresses and with the films he has on his slate their is really only one that requires personal meetings at this stage, Alien Prequel.”

So this could be our potential lead actress. Thanks to GigerCounter for the news.

IGN have posted full details of the upcoming Predators release on Blu-Ray and DVD. It will be released on October 19th in the US with a retail price of $29.98 for the DVD and $39.99 for the Blu-Ray.

Full features on the next page.

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It seems like we may finally be breaking out of the bubble of silence surrounding Aliens: Colonial Marines. Gearbox is going to be attending gaming convention PAX:

“Gearbox Software continues the now well established PAX tradition of “What’s up with Gearbox” panel! We’ll be discussing Borderlands and the DLC packs, the Brothers in Arms franchise and Aliens: Colonial Marines. There will be time during the panel for gamers to get answers on all their favorite Gearbox games. There may even be a little Claptrap surprise!”

PAX begins on the 3rd of September with the Gearbox panel on Sunday the 5th.  Thanks to Chris!(($$))! for the link.

A week or so back in the forums we had some links to HMV’s Predators page but with small cover art on them. Play have just put up their updated Predators pages with some lovely large cover art:

• Commentary by Robert Rodriguez and Nimrod Antal
• Tactics of War: Featurette from Theatrical
• Fox Movie Channel Presents Making A Scene
• Motion Comics: Moments OF Extraction & Crucified
• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• Evolution of the Species: Predator Reborn
• The Chosen: Character Featurette

The UK releases will have the usual cover “Triple Play Edition” (left image), a Play Exclusive Steel Book “Triple Play Edition” and the Predators Trilogy. Thanks to DazAvP85 for the news.

While speaking to James Cameron about his Avatar re-release, Coming Soon.net snuck in some questions about the upcoming Blu-Ray release of Aliens:

• Cameron personally remastered Aliens with the same colourist he used on Avatar. In his words, it’s spectacular.
• They de-noised it, de-grained it, up-rezed it and colour corrected every single frame.
• He thinks it looks better than it looked in theatres.
• This was done to the Special Edition.

The Blu-Ray is due out October 2010. Keep an eye on AvPGalaxy for some interesting Anthology related updates in the future. Thanks to DazAvP85.

AvPGalaxy is proud to offer all you fans in England the opportunity to see Alien and Aliens back in the cinema. It’s a perfect opportunity for those who weren’t around the first time round or for those of you who just wish to do it all again.

“The showings will be taking place at The Screen Room, an independent one screen cinema in Nottingham, England. We’ll be using the upcoming Blu-Ray release of the films for the showing. While the Screen Room has the classification as being the smallest cinema in the world, the screen is far from being tiny. Bigger than any home theater the screen is 115cm x 212cm. The event will be taking place on Saturday the 6th of November from 12.30 pm until 5pm. Now the seats are limited to 21 so book now to ensure you get a seat.”

Please check out the whole details. While we wont be charging for the tickets, we do ask for a donation of £5 to cover the costs of hiring the cinema out. We’ll also be offering AvPGalaxy t-shirts only normally available for subscribers at the event. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

The BBFC website has posted up a list of deleted scenes from Predators that will be featured on the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release:

• 00:00:48:15   (DEAD MAN’S PARACHUTE)
• 00:00:52:03   (CUCHILLO AND ISABELLE)
• 00:01:13:21   (TEAM “ORIENTATED” GROUP)
• 00:01:33:20   (THIRD MOST WANTED)
• 00:00:34:04   (CUCHILLO UNLEASHES)
• 00:02:42:03   (“WHY ARE YOU HERE?”)
• 00:00:42:13   (“THEY’RE SMARTER THAN THAT”)
• 00:01:25:05   (STANS AND ISABELLE NAKED)
• 00:00:35:11   (“THEY’RE STILL COMING”)

No descriptions as of yet. Thanks to the optimistic pessimist for the link.

I recently had chance to have a chat with Brian Steele, the performer responsible for Mr Black and Falconer in the recent Predators film:

“It was different in scope because there was so much source material on the Predator. The character isn’t being developed from scratch. There is already an outline in place on what is expected from the performance. With other characters I have done the canvass is blank which allows me a different type of freedom on personality and movement.”

I’d like to thank Brian for taking the time to talk to us. Be sure to read the whole interview here.

Dennis Lowe just emailed to let us know he’s released his 4th documentary regarding people involved in the production of Alien:

Dennis also talks about his experiences for the first time, along with Nick Allder and Michael Seymour. If you visit Dennis’ website you’ll also find his other Alien documentaries.