Rio 2, Transcendence top early digital releases

Rio 2 won’t be available to rent for another two weeks and Transcendence won’t be available to rent for another three weeks but you can watch them tonight. Digital film copies have become the rage lately and in some cases are more popular than their DVD and Blu-Ray counterparts. Why pay $22.00 for a new Blu-ray when you can buy it digitally for a few dollars less and get it three weeks early?

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Digital film releases are a popular alternative to building movie libraries. They are stored in that vast universe known as “the cloud” and depending on the digital media service you use, display similar to what you would see on Netflix. Only you actually own the movies.

This weeks DVD releases were nothing to really jump up and down about, Afflicted, The Glades: The Complete Fourth Season, Helix: Season 1, The Killing: The Complete Third Season, Like Father, Like Son, The Lunchbox, The Unknown Known, Vamperifica, and A Young Doctor’s Notebook. Next week proves a little better for the home video market.

While the DVD releases are not that great you can still grab a solid film to watch digitally although you would have to purchase them.

Rio 2 is the highlight of this weeks early digital releases. The sequel to the original hit grossed a respectable $128.2 million at the box office and showcases the voices of returning stars Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Tracey Morgan, George Lopez, and Jamie Foxx.

Transcendence also makes it’s early digital debut as well. The Johnny Depp motion picture didn’t do so well critically or financially at the box office but many movies find a larger following on the home media circuit. This film however really bombed taking in only $22.9 million domestically. The film will be released on hard copy July 22nd.

The third film available this week is Under the Skin starring Scarlett Johansson as an earthbound alien who preys on unsuspecting men. The film released in April to a very few theaters on initial release. In fact it opened in four cinemas across the country and it’s widest release was in just over 150 theaters before bowing off the circuit. The independent film did however receive positive critical reviews.

Most digital films are available on many services, the three above are available today via VUDU so make sure you check your service/s before purchasing.