Universal 100th Anniversary Collection Reissues Series - BLU RAY and DVD - A List For 2012...

Universal's 100th Anniversary BLU RAY and DVD Reissues For 2012...
An Ongoing List..(June 2012)

USA BLU RAY:
Abbott and Costello – see “Buck Privates”
Abbott and Costello – see “Meet Frankenstein”

1. Airport (1970). 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
2. All Quite On The Western Front. 14 Feb 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Digitally remastered and fully restored print of the 1930 Black & White masterpiece. Special 40-page book pack... (SEE REVIEW)
3. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set, Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
4. American Pie. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
5. Apollo 13. 30 April 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
6. Atonement. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
7. Babe. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
8. A Beautiful Mind. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
9. The Big Lebowski. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
10. Billy Elliott. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Birds. Release date to be advised - restored and remastered and packaged as per "All Quiet On The Western Front"
12. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
13. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
14. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
15. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
16. The Breakfast Club. 10 Jan 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
17. The Bride Of Frankenstein. To be advised... (For DVD version see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set)
18. Bridesmaids. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
19. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
20. (Abbott And Costello in) Buck Privates. 17 April 2012. USA two-disc set. 1941 movie digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack.

Creature From The Black Lagoon (DVD-only at present – see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set in the list that follows this)

21. Casino. 5 June 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
22. The Deer Hunter. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
23. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
24. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
25. Dracula. 1931 Black & White. To be advised… (For DVD version see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set)
26. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital.
27. Erin Brockovich. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
28. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial. To be advised...
29. Eternal Sunshine Of The Mind. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
30. The Fast And The Furious. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
31. Fast Times At Ridgemont High. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
32. Field Of Dreams. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
33. The 40-Year-Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
34. Frankenstein. To be advised... (For DVD version see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set)
35. Harvey. Release Date To be advised. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
36. Inglorious Basterds. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
37. Jaws. August 2012. 2-disc set – Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Card Wrap and Book pack… (two variants)
38. King Kong (Peter Jackson version). To be advised. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
39. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. 4 Sep 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
40. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray and DVD (No Digital Copy).
41. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
42. The Mummy. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
43. National Lampoon’s Animal House. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
44. The Nutty Professor. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
45. Out Of Africa. 6 March 2012. USA Digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack.
46. Out Of Africa. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy [Non Book Pack]
47. Parenthood. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
48. Pillow Talk. 1 May 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. Book pack.
49. Ray. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
50. Scarface. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
51. Schindler’s List. To be advised…
52. Seabiscuit. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray & DVD (No Digital Copy).
53. Sixteen Candles. 5 June 2012. USA two-disc set – Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy
54. Smokey And The Bandit. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
55. Spartacus. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
56. The Sting. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray & DVD 2-disc set. Fully restored and Book Pack like “To Kill A Mockingbird”...
57. To Kill A Mockingbird. 31 Jan 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. See also UK release. (SEE REVIEW)
58. United 93. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
59. Waterworld. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy - Theatrical and Extended cut (40 more minutes).

USA DVD:

Abbott and Costello – see “Meet Frankenstein”

1. Action Adventure Spotlight Collection [The Bourne Identity, The Fast And The Furious, The Mummy]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
2. Airport (1970). 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
3. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
4. American Pie. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
5. Apollo 13. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy
6. Atonement. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
7. A Beautiful Mind – Russell Crowe and Ed Harris. 6 March 2012. DVD.
8. Best Picture Winners Spotlight Collection [Out Of Africa, A Beautiful Mind, All Quiet On The Western Front, Going My Way]. 6 March 2012. 4DVD Box Set.
9. The Big Lebowski. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
10. Billy Elliott – Jamie Bell. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Birds. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
12. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
13. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
14. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
15. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
16. The Breakfast Club. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
17. Bridesmaids. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
18. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
19. Car Wash – Richard Prior. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
20. Casino. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
21. Charade. 6 March 2012. USA 2-disc set. 1963 movie
22. Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection [Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein and Creature From The Black Lagoon]. 6 March 2012. 4DVD Box Set. Note: The “Spanish Language” version of Dracula is also included on the “Dracula” DVD - effectively making this a 5-film box set although it doesn’t actually state it as such).
23. Coal Miner’s Daughter. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
24. Comedy Greats Spotlight Collection [National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, The Jerk, Car Wash]. 6 March 2012. 4DVD Box Set.
25. The Deer Hunter – Robert DeNiro. 6 March 2012. DVD.
26. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
27. Destry Rides Again – James Stewart and Mischa Auer. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
28. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
29. Double Indemnity. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy. 
30. Duck Soup. 6 March 2012. Marx Brothers. DVD & Digital copy.
31. Earthquake. 1974 film with Charlton Heston. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
32. The Egg And I. 6 March 2012 DVD. Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert 1947 film.
33. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
34. 80’s Comedies Spotlight Collection [The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
35. Eternal Sunshine Of The Mind. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
36. Fast Times At Ridgemont High – Sean Penn. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
37. The 40-Year Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
38. Frances The Talking Mule. 6 March 2012. DVD.
39. Harvey. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
40. High Plains Drifter. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy. (See also Westerns Spotlight Box Set…)
41. Hollywood Legends Spotlight Collection [Harvey, Spartacus, Touch Of Evil]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
42. Inglorious Basterds. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
43. Imitation Of Life – Two Movie Special Edition. 10 January 2012. Features both the 1934 version with Claudette Colbert and the 1959 remake starring Lana Turner. 2DVD set and Digital Copy.
44. The Incredible Shrinking Man. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
45. Inspirational Favorites Spotlight Collection. [Apollo 13, Field Of Dreams, Seabiscuit]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
46. It Came From Outer Space. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
47. The Jerk – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
48. Jesus Christ Superstar – Ted Neeley. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
49. Jurassic Park. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
50. Jurassic Park – The Lost World. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
51. Jurassic Park Part III. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
52. King Kong (Peter Jackson version). 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
53. The Last Temptation Of Christ. 6 March 2012. DVD.
54. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
55. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
56. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. DVD.
57. Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life. 6 March 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
58. The Mummy. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
59. Musicals Spotlight Collection [Mamma Mia! The Movie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Flower Drum Song]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
60. My Man Godfrey. 6 March 2012 DVD. William Powell and Carole Lombard 1936 Black and White.
61. National Lampoon’s Animal House. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
62. The Nutty Professor – Eddie Murphy remake. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
63. Out Of Africa. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
64. Parenthood – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
65. Psycho. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
66. Ray – Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
67. Scarface. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
68. Schindler's List. 10 January 2012. USA DVD and Digital Copy.
69. Screen Couples Spotlight Collection [Charade, Double Indemnity, Pillow Talk, My Little Chicadee]. 4DVD Box Set.
70. Seabiscuit – Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper. 10 January 2012. DVD.
71. Sullivan's Travels – Joel McCrae. 6 March 2012. DVD.
72. Three Smart Girls – Deanna Durbin. 6 March 2012. DVD
73. Touch Of Evil – Orson Wells. 10 January 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
74. Vertigo. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
75. Westerns Spotlight Collection [High Plains Drifter, Destry Rides Again, Winchester ‘73]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
76. Winchester ’73. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy. (See also Westerns Spotlight Box Set…)

Universal's 100th Anniversary Collector's Edition – UK RELEASES

UK BLU RAY Reissues For 2012 - An On-Going List…

Today’s Date: 12 June 2012.

1. Apollo 13 - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
2. Back To The Future – Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
3. The Blues Brothers – Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012. SEE REVIEW.
4. The Bourne Ultimatum - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
5. Despicable Me - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
6. Gladiator - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
7. Jurassic Park - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012. SEE REVIEW.
8. King Kong (2005) - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
9. Mamma Mia! - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
10. The Mummy - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
11. Nanny McPhee – Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
12. Paul - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
13. Shaun Of The Dead - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.

ALL OF THE ABOVE – BUT THE FOLLOWING TWO ARE DVD-ONLY

1. The Birds (1963, Hitchcock)
2. Dracula (1931, English Language Version – NOT RESTORED)

UPDATED - 12 June 2012

"To Kill A Mockingbird" on BLU RAY. A Review Of The 1962 Film – Now Fully Restored And Reissued On Blu Ray In 2012.

"…Fairness…Stubbornness…Courage…Love…"

In April 2012 Universal Studios is 100 years old – and to celebrate that movie centenary - they’ve had 13 of their most-celebrated films fully restored for BLU RAY. But it doesn’t stop there. As many as 80 other titles will be given re-launches across the year as well - each featuring distinctive "100th Anniversary" card-wrap packaging and in many cases a host of new features. Most (not all) of these re-issues will be two-disc sets containing the Blu Ray, the DVD and also means to obtain a Digital Copy via download.

1962's "To Kill A Mockingbird" is one of the thirteen singled out for full restoration (see list below) – and an absolute peach it is too.

Released 10 January 2012 - it comes in a gorgeous limited edition 'book pack' (Barcode 5050582881844). The outer hardback holder has a card-pouch wrapped around it at the base and a 45-page booklet contained within. The book has interviews with Veronique Peck (his wife of 40 plus years), Harper Lee (author of the 1960 novel), pictures of the Shooting Script, Original Storyboards, Original Posters and Lobby Cards (from around the world), Press Book Excerpts and even Correspondence surrounding the movie (telegrams of congratulations from Fred Astaire, Betty Bacall and Charlton Heston). It’s a visual feast with loads of photos peppering the wonderful memorabilia. Universal are to be praised for this because it absolutely looks the part. But the real fireworks comes in the other two elements at play here – the extensive extras - and the glorious new print…

Digitally remastered and Fully Restored from Original Film Elements – Universal are reputed to have stumped-up over $300,000 for the restoration – and the Lowry results are BEAUTIFUL. Even from the opening logo and credits of a child drawing - there are no lines of scratches of any kind – and the black and white cinematography of 1930’s Alabama is fantastically clear. Stand-out clarity - the scene where the accused black man Tom Robertson is sweating in the courtroom as he relays his side of the story (a superlative Brock Peters – he read the Eulogy at Peck’s funeral in 2003 at Peck’s request), Atticus’s son Jem is in his dad’s car outside the family home of the black Robertson family as the hateful Bob Ewell looks on, the three children watching from the bushes as the mob try to take the jail with Atticus guarding the doorway, Atticus explaining what happened to Tom Robertson after the trial as the moonlight shines on his suit, the young girl Scout pointing out the simpleton Boo Radley behind the bedroom door (Robert Duvall’s stunning cinematic debut where he doesn’t utter a word but leaves an indelible mark) – it’s all suddenly gorgeous. And the sound is rounded and clean too. An exemplary job.

The extras are equally superb – the centrepiece of which is a near one and half-hour documentary called "A Conversation With…". It’s a feast for Peck fans – interviews with Barry Norman in 1974, Terry Wogan in 1979 and other notables throughout the years are peppered with home movies and footage of Peck giving a one-on-one show to a Virginia audience in 1999. It's a raconteur tour-de-force a la David Niven – an 83-year old Peck is generous, charming, witty, responsive – full of anecdotes about Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and Harper Lee. We get stories about meeting his wife in Paris just before shooting for "Roman Holiday" began – there's footage of dinner in Paris with the President of France Jacques Chirac and his family in Paris – US President Bill Clinton giving Peck the National Medal Of Arts and dropping it! But most of all you 'get' why Gregory Peck was greeted with such staggering affection everywhere he went in the world – he exuded 'good guy' – that old style Hollywood class that didn’t have a mean bone in his body. It's joyful stuff to watch.

The movie itself has entered into folklore – released in 1962 and filmed in Black and White – it primarily centres on a black man accused of raping a white woman and the trial that follows. Such was the power of the story – and especially Peck’s central performance as the principled lawyer Atticus Finch (his only Oscar win) it literally inspired members of the public to take up the law as a profession and even impacted on America’s turbulent and changing racial landscape of the time.

The performances by the children as innocents are particularly superb too – but it’s Peck who dominates the whole thing with a gravitas and sincerity that few actors could match. His stand against bigotry is magnificent and filled with a quiet decency that has touched audiences for decades. As if sensing the importance of the part, Peck’s scrawl is all over the shooting script – to the point that it often obliterates the text - the four words he scribbled on the last page describing the character he plays title this review – and describe the great man himself.

To sum up - with the 1930 anti-war masterpiece "All Quiet On The Western Front" also being amongst the first vanguard of these 'restored' releases – it's heartening to see Universal Studios finally throw some proper money at the preservation of its movie legacy – and be proud about doing so too. I for one will collect the whole series - and live in hope that other studios respect their past in the same glorious way.

An absolutely first-class release – and then some.

BLU RAY Specifications:
EXTRAS:
1. "Fearful Symmetry" – A feature-length documentary on the making of "To Kill A Mockingbird" with cast and crew interviews and a visit to Harper Lee's home town
2. "A Conversation with Gregory Peck" – an intimate feature-length documentary on one of the most beloved actors in film history with interviews, film clips home movies and more
3. "Academy Awards Best Actor Acceptance Speech"
4. "American Film Institute Life Achievement Award" – Gregory Peck’s memorable remarks upon receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award.
5. "Excerpt From Tribute To Gregory Peck" – Cecilia Peck's heart-warming farewell to her father given at the Academy in celebration of his life
6. "Scout Remembers" – Actress Mary Badham shares her experiences working with Gregory Peck
7. "Theatrical Trailer" – Original Theatrical Trailer of the film
8. "Feature Commentary" – with Director Robert Mulligan and Producer Alan Pakula
9. "100 Years Of Universal: Restoring The Classics" – An in-depth look at the intricate process of preserving the studio's film legacy
10. Blu-Ray Exclusive – U-Control
11. Pocket Blu – download content to your Smartphone and Tablet

VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
(Print Digitally Remastered and Fully Restored from Original Film Elements)
AUDIO: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese DTS Mono 2.0
SUBTITLES: English SDH, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Traditional Mandarin

PS: The 13 'restored' Blu Ray titles in Universal's 100th Anniversary series are:

1. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930). Released 13 Feb 2012 in the UK. Restored, Remastered and a beautiful 40-page book pack...
2. The Birds (1963). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as per “All Quiet…” and the packaging probably the same...
3. Abbott And Costello’s Buck Privates (1941). The Blu Ray is USA released 17 April 2012 (see Amazon.com for artwork) - a 2-disc "Collector's Edition" with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. It's fully restored, digitally remastered and in a book pack.
4. Dracula (1931). Release date to be advised. Packaging probably as per "All Quiet On The Western Front" - restored/remastered etc. Will include both English and Spanish versions.
5. E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial (1982). Release date to be advised.
6. Frankenstein (1931). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as per 1 above, packaging probably the same...
7. The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935). Sequel that's better than the 1931 original - release date yet to be advised and will probably be in the same packaging as "Western Front" and "Mockingbird"...
8. Jaws (1975). And about time too - Spielberg's masterful 1975 shark-movie finally gets to Blu Ray. Release date to be advised (probably June 2012) and as above....
9. Out Of Africa (1985). Many will be pleased to see this picturesque romance finally get the Blu Ray makeover. 6 March 2012 release in the States.
10. Pillow Talk (1959). 7 May 2012 UK release - two-disc set – Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. In a beautiful book pack.
11. Schindler’s List (1993). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as above, packaging probably the same...
12. The Sting (1973). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as above, packaging probably the same..
13. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) 10 January 2012 - reviewed above.

THE FULL LIST
Universal's 100th Anniversary Collector's Edition BLU RAY and DVD Reissues For 2012...An Ongoing List

BLU RAY:
1. All Quite On The Western Front. 14 Feb 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Digitally remastered and fully restored print of the 1930 Black & White masterpiece. Special 40-page book pack...
2. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set, Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
3. Apollo 13. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
4. Babe. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
5. A Beautiful Mind. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
6. Billy Elliott. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
7. The Birds. Release date to be advised - restored and remastered and packaged as per "All Quiet On The Western Front"
8. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012 USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
9. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
10. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
12. The Breakfast Club. 10 Jan 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. 1985 classic - but early word is that the print isn't any better than DVD?
13. The Bride Of Frankenstein. To be advised...
14. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
15. Abbott And Costello's Buck Privates. 17 April 2012. USA two-disc set. 1941 movie digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack.
16. The Deer Hunter. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
17. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
18. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
19. Dracula. 1931 Black & White. To be advised…
20. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital.
21. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial. To be advised...
22. Fast Times At Ridgemont High. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
23. Field Of Dreams. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
24. The 40-Year-Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
25. Frankenstein. To be advised...
26. Harvey. Release Date To be advised. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
27. Inglorious Basterds. 4 March 2012 USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
28. Jaws. To be advised...
29. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray and DVD (No Digital Copy).
30. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
31. The Nutty Professor. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
32. Out Of Africa. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack
33. Parenthood. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
34. Pillow Talk. 1 May 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. Book pack.
35. Ray. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
36. Schindler’s List ???
37. Seabiscuit. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray & DVD (No Digital Copy).
38. The Sting. To be advised...
39. To Kill A Mockingbird. 31 Jan 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. See also UK release.
40. Waterworld. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy - Theatrical and Extended cut (40 more minutes).

DVD:
1. Action Adventure Spotlight Collection [The Bourne Identity, The Fast And The Furious, The Mummy]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
2. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
3. Apollo 13. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy
4. A Beautiful Mind – Russell Crowe and Ed Harris. 6 March 2012. DVD.
5. Best Picture Winners Spotlight Collection [Out Of Africa, A Beautiful Mind, All Quiet On The Western Front, Going My Way]. 6 March 2012. 4DVDs.
6. Billy Elliott – Jamie Bell. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
7. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
8. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
9. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
10. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Breakfast Club. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
12. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
13. Car Wash – Richard Prior. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
14. Charade. 6 March 2012. USA 2-disc set. 1963 movie
15. Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection [Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein and Creature From The Black lagoon]. 6 March 2012 4DVD box set - all restored prints.
16. Coal Miner’s Daughter. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
17. Comedy Greats Spotlight Collection [National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, The Jerk, Car Wash]. 6 March 2012. 4DVDs.
18. The Deer Hunter – Robert DeNiro. 6 March 2012. DVD.
19. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
20. Destry Rides Again – James Stewart and Mischa Auer. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
21. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
22. Duck Soup. 6 March 2012. Marx Brothers. DVD & Digital copy.
23. The Egg And I. 6 March 2012 DVD. Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert 1947 film.
24. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
25. 80’s Comedies Spotlight Collection [The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
26. Fast Times At Ridgemont High – Sean Penn. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
27. The 40-Year Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
28. Frances The Talking Mule. 6 March 2012. DVD.
29. Harvey. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
30. Hollywood Legends Spotlight Collection [Harvey, Spartacus, Touch Of Evil]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
31. Inglorious Basterds. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
32. Imitation Of Life – Two Movie Special Edition. 10 January 2012. Features both the 1934 version with Claudette Colbert and the 1959 remake starring Lana Turner. 2DVD set and Digital Copy.
33. The Jerk – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
34. Jesus Christ Superstar – Ted Neeley. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
35. The Last Temptation Of Christ. 6 March 2012. DVD.
36. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
37. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. DVD.
38. Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life. 6 March 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
39. Musicals Spotlight Collection [Mamma Mia! The Movie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Flower Drum Song]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
40. My Man Godfrey. 6 March 2012 DVD. William Powell and Carole Lombard 1936 Black and White.
41. The Nutty Professor – Eddie Murphy remake. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
42. Parenthood – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
43. Ray – Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
44. Schindler's List. 10 January 2012. USA DVD and Digital Copy.
45. Screen Couples Spotlight Collection [Charade, Double Indemnity, Pillow Talk, My Little Chicadee]. 4DVDs Box Set.
46. Seabiscuit – Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper. 10 January 2012. DVD.
47. Sullivan's Travels – Joel McCrae. 6 March 2012.
48. Three Smart Girls – Deanna Durbin. 6 March 2012. DVD
49. Touch Of Evil – Orson Wells. 10 January 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
50. Westerns Spotlight Collection [High Plains Drifter, Destry Rides Again, Winchester ‘73]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.

“The Hustler” on BLU RAY. A Review.

"…One Ball…Corner Pocket…"

Back in the mists of 2008 - I reviewed a 20th Century Fox DVD series called "Cinema Reserve" - this peach was among them. The review was for "The Day The Earth Stood Still" (it gives you the full "Cinema Reserve" list at the end of it). I actually collected all 17 of those titles in their fetching numbered steel tins before Blu Ray saw the series off.

And of the lot - this 1961 black and white gem had by far the most immaculate print. Well - I'm glad to say that this May 2011 BLU RAY reissue of "The Hustler" is the same. The print on here is GORGEOUS and adds hugely to your enjoyment of the dingy smoke-filled poolrooms and dodgy characters therein. And the great extras are all here too. (There's also a subsequent USA 'book pack' reissue of this film that is very tastefully done - and apparently 'all regions').

Paul Newman and Jackie Gleeson – will we ever see their like again? Remember them this way - and buy with confidence.

"The Jane Austen Book Club" on BLU RAY. A Review Of The 2007 Film Now Reissued And Remastered Onto A 'European' BLU RAY.

"…Beautiful And Accomplished…"

I reviewed the DVD to the lovely "Jane Austen Book Club" in November 2008 and have been hoping for a playable UK Blu Ray reissue ever since - and at last - here it is (albeit in a roundabout way). And what a corker it's turned out to be.

First up - the BLU RAY is a European issue on Sony Pictures Classics (Danish to be exact - complete with Danish details on the rear sleeve). The 'billedformat' (aspect) here is a High Definition Widescreen Presentation in 2.40:1. The ratio aspects of 1.78:1 and 16.9 also appear at the bottom of the box too. Whatever way you look at it - it automatically fills your entire screen (no bars top or bottom) and unusual for this kind of reissue, the film is 're-mastered in high definition'. Unlike its US counterpart where some have complained about the softness of the image - the 're-mastered' difference here is gobsmacking. This is a beautiful transfer from start to finish and has made the whole film feel properly grown up all of a sudden. Best of all for European customers - it's 'Region A, B and C' coded - which is all-regions and will therefore play on all players.

Right from the opening montage of busy people on mobiles trying to get through their day without killing themselves or someone else - the clarity of the shots and the actor's names rolling in the credits is absolutely amazing. When Prudie (Emily Blunt) is in her car with Lynn Redgrave (who plays her mother) - the camera is maybe two foot away from her face and you can't see embarrassing blusher or lipstick to up the lips - her makeup is so expertly done and the scene so beautifully filmed that it looks absolutely spot on - without you knowing why. When Maria Bello is showing Grigg around her dog pens (Hugh Dancy) in the morning sunshine - it's fantastically clear - and adds a depth and warmth to the watch the DVD didn't even get close to (if you want an appraisal of the movie itself - go to my separate DVD posting entitled "Never Underestimate The Power Of A Well-Written Letter").

Almost all the extras of the DVD have been transferred to BLU RAY (see list below). Particularly nice is the 'Behind The Scenes' feature which has interviews with most of the cast clearly enthused by the film they're in and Robin Swicord's superb Writing and Direction - and a short but fascinating history on Austen in literature.

To sum up - in a world where I watch and review way too many lack-lustre transfers onto BLU RAY - this BR version of "The Jane Austen Book Club" is a joy to look at. It gives the punter what they want (properly great picture quality) - and I'm thrilled to say that this little peach of a film fully deserves it. And it's reasonably priced too.

Highly recommended.

BLU RAY Specifications:
REGIONS: A, B and C (all regions)
ASPECT: High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1 (1.78:1 and 16.9)
AUDIO: English TrueHD 5.1 and Italian TrueHD 5.1
SUBTITLES: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Italian, English and English for the Hard Of Hearing

BONUS Material:
Cast And Crew Commentary (Subtitles in English and Italian)
Behind-The-Scenes of The Jane Austen Book Club
The Life Of Jane Austen
The Book Club: Deconstructed
Walking The Red Carpet Los Angeles Premier (DVD-only feature)
Deleted Scenes
Trailers

Barcode for Danish disc is 5051159223470 – they’re using it for UK releases too.

"Bond 50" on BLU RAY. A 'Preamble' On The October 2012 22-Disc Box Set.

"…One Of Nature's Finest Killers... ...One Is Never Too Old To Learn From A Master..." 

A few details worth noting about this 22-disc BLU RAY box set as a preamble to its release in Oct 2012... 

Calling itself "Bond 50" - and with 22 films instead of 24 - it does not claim to be complete. 

I mention this because there are fans out there who will always feel that without the original 1967 version of "Casino Royale" with David Niven and Sean Connery's 1983 return in "Never Say Never Again" - a box like this will never represent the 'full' Bond experience (whether you like those films or not). It's a matter of personal choice of course - but their exclusion is unlikely to bother fans eagerly awaiting "Bond 50"... 

Why? Excluding the two Daniel Craig outings ("Casino Royale" and "Quantum Of Solace" which are also in the box) - as of February 2012 there are only 11 of the previous 20 James Bond movies presently on Blu Ray - they are "Dr. No", "From Russia With Love", "Goldfinger", "Thunderball", "Live And Let Die", "The Man With The Golden Gun", "For Your Eyes Only", "Moonraker", "License To Kill", "Die Another Day" and "The World Is Not Enough". [Note: it appears that "The Man With The Golden Gun" and "Licence To Kill" are 'EURO' issues - covering in German writing and with no card wraps]. 

The 11 that are out there are 1-disc Blu Ray versions matching exactly the 2DVD "Ultimate Edition" issues from 2006. They boast a genuinely beautiful print (a full Lowry Digital Frame-By-Frame Restoration) and each is packed with great extras from the time. Overall - you get hundreds of hours of Bond memories. I've reviewed "Goldfinger" and have also raved about "Live And Let Die" as examples of how good reissued Blu Ray can be when its done properly. 

So when this Blu Ray box does come out - it will make the remaining 9 available for the first time on that format - and they will be nothing short of spectacular to look at - "You Only Live Twice", "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", "Diamonds Are Forever", "The Spy Who Loved Me", "Octopussy", "A View To A Kill", "The Living Daylights", "Goldeneye" and "Tomorrow Never Dies". 

Having said all of that - what will bother fans will be the lack of any further extras. At this point (March 2012) - there are no indications of new bonus material and if 20th Century Fox had had any - you would imagine they'd advertise it big time. So we should presume at this point - there isn't. But as I say - what is on there - is huge and endlessly entertaining. 

So to sum up this preamble - at a retail price of a little over four pounds/five bucks per disc - "Bond 50" is a still a bit of a steal and will surely feature heavily in people's Christmas shopping baskets. I'm personally hoping that each of the remaining 9 are reissued 'individually' in the same matching card wraps as the initial releases - so I can match up the spines (oh dear - I need to get out more). 

"Bond 50" is already lining itself up to be a format 'Reissue Of The Year'. And like Plenty O'Toole at the crap table in "Diamonds Are Forever" - I for one can't wait to get my grubby paws on these fully featured beauties (terrible pun intended Mister Bond)...

“The Jane Austen Book Club” on DVD. A Review Of The 2007 Movie Now Released On DVD.

"…Never Underestimate The Power Of A Well-Written Letter…"

It's November 2007 (released on DVD 17 March 2008) and I've just come back from an early evening showing of this film in our nearby multiplex on a wet and windy Saturday night in London. My mate and I were looking for something uplifting and light and decided on this. No one else did. We were the lone two in the cinema - literally. I suspect that's because "The Jane Austen Book Club" has received 3-star reviews almost everywhere - which is a damn shame - because it's so much better than that - and we both thought so.

Here's the basic story: Six women of different ages and sexual persuasions form a book club to discuss something that unites and excites them all - Jane Austen's six period-piece novels. One will be tackled and talked about every month in the club in a different location. There's "Pride & Prejudice", "Sense & Sensibility", "Emma", "Northanger Abbey", " Mansfield Park" and "Persuasion". The actresses are Amy Brennaman (who is married to and having trouble with Jimmy Smits), Emily Blunt (who is a married teacher lusting after an 18-year hunky student, while she gets nothing mentally or physically from her basic guy of a husband and mad hippy mum), Kathy Baker (the oldest in the group, who has been married six times and is happily looking for husband number seven), Maggie Grace who's Amy Brennaman's daughter and a lesbian in love with a manipulative writer - and finally Maria Bello - who loves dogs more than almost anything - including men.

The Writer/Director Robin Swicord has sculpted their lives to mirror Austen's plots and as some reviewers have pointed out, these bits are a little too pat for comfort. But that doesn't stop the dialogue from being repeatedly touching and amazingly on the pulse of how love is in the complicated and confusing 2000s. There are rare insights here and beautifully observed snippets of life too (taking a tip from a device Austen uses in her books - dialogue by Kathy Baker's character titles this review).

The actresses as you can imagine (given great material) are uniformly superb also - especially Emily Blunt - who looks ravishing every time the camera is pointed at her - a huge star in the making if ever there was one. Maria Bello is her usual classy self, bringing real gravitas and warmth to her character, who has to do the most 'growing' and Amy Brennaman adds a real earthiness to what would have been a little too frothy a crew. Maggie Grace is both lovely and sexy as the passionate and headstrong daughter. The warmth and sheer class of Kathy Baker combined with a brilliantly nutty fruitcake turn by Lynn Redgrave only add icing to an already fantastic ensemble cake.

Then come the men who are excellent choices both as actors and eye-candy. The hugely likeable Hugh Dancy plays the hapless Grigg who fancies Maria Bello's character Jocelyn - but she only wants to pair him off with Amy Brennaman's character Sylvia. Sylvia is too much in love with/and hurt by her now parted/cheating husband Jimmy Smits to notice anyone. Jimmy Smits is excellent and so likeable - it's easy to see why Robin Swicord wanted to work with him. Emily Blunt's prim and proper Prudie is driven by her need to be neat, ordered and have everything just so - but she is wild inside for forbidden fruit - licking her rather delicious lips at the heartthrob that is Trey played by Kevin Zegers ("...he looks at me like he's the spoon...and I'm a dish of ice cream..."). But the unfolding surprise is Marc Blucas as Blunt's husband Dean - his performance is clever - he seems like a sap at first trapped in a marriage he no longer understands - but his growth back to his wife is beautifully handled and convincing.

And then of course there's 'that' writer - the gorgeous Jane Austen - who generation-after-generation takes every heart by storm. Hearing each of Austen's novels discussed and critiqued and then hearing extracts from some of them only makes you want to run out and instantly buy all six - then go on a Jane-bender yourself.

"The Jane Austen Book Club" is not quite a rom-com - nor a full-on girly fest - it's much better than that. Like Austen's writing - it's properly romantic and wordy-delicious - and you want to return to it again and again. More importantly - you can't help but feel that real heart, belief and joy went into the making of this 'little film' and all concerned had a total blast doing it.

"The Jane Austen Book Club" is that rarest of things in Hollywood these days - a movie that gives you both romance and heart - and doesn't get cloying on either. Personally I think it's a bit of an unsung masterpiece. Ignore the so-so reviews and give it a whirl...

PS: There now follows extracts from my all new 2007 in-the-real-world kickass street version of "Pride & Prejudice" - coming to a multiplex near you - just in time for Oscars 2008 next year.
Mister Darcy (played by a bald Bruce Willis) has just emerged from the lake all clingy and wet and unable to control his ardor no more.
He pulls Miss Bennett (played by Sharon Stone in a ludicrously tight rubber bodice) to his chest in a saucy-fellow Errol Flynn kind of way.
There is a longing in his visage and it isn't for English tea and muffins.
There is something in his eye and it isn't engine-oil or grit.

MISTER DARCY
(Looking down at her heaving bosoms)
Oh Miss Bennett!

ELIZABETH BENNETT
(Looking down at something else that's heaving)
Oh Mister Darcy! What is ‘that' in your soggy breaches?
(She now looks away to Pemberley's six hundred bedrooms - suddenly acquires a glint in her eye)
Let's go back to your place!!