Magnolia will release Is Anybody There? on Blu-ray Disc on 17 November. This Michael Caine drama will arrive with a 1080p transfer, and a set of bonuses that have yet to be determined (audio specs are also TBD). SRP is $29.98.

8 December will bring the Warner Blu-ray Disc release of Harry Pottter and the Half-Blood Prince. This latest blockbuster installment will arrive with a 1080p transfer and a boatload of bonuses, though audio specs are still undetermined. SRP is also TBD.

Criterion has announced a 1 December Blu-ray Disc release of Gimme Shelter. This Rolling Stones documentary will arrive with a 1080p trnasfer, an LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound mix, as well as all the bonus features afforded its first Criterion DVD release (commentary, featurettes, stills galleries, etc.). SRP is $39.95. 

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is headed to Blu-ray Disc from Fox on 1 December. This hit Ben Stiller sequel will arrive with a 1080p transfer, a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound mix, a commentary track with the film's director, Shawn Levy, and another with writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, a set of featurettes, some deleted scenes (with optional Levy commentary), and some trailers. SRP is $39.99.

It's the end of an era: Blockbuster has announced that it's shutting down a huge percentage of their stores, choosing to focus their business on the newfound kiosk business niche (a la RedBox). More than 900 stores will be closed down by early 2010, and the company's brass has made it very clear that they very well may close down up to 1,500 stores in the coming two years if their new kiosk-based paradigm doesn't stick. It's been a long run....