Tag Archives: Forest Whitaker

Oliver Stone film Platoon arrives on 4K September

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The 1986 Academy Award winner (for “Best Picture”) “Platoon“ is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on September 13th via Shout Select (Shout! Factory).  The film, winner of four Academy Awards, was written & directed by Oliver Stone, and it starred Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, Tony Todd, James Terry McIlvain, Keith David, Forest Whitaker, Francesco Quinn, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, and Johnny Depp.

Tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray have yet to be fully detailed but should include a 2160p video presentation in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and presumably HDR10 (at least) in terms of high dynamic range as well as perhaps Dolby Atmos sound and/or the original DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless mix — as found on the original 2011 Blu-ray release.  The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will include a new Blu-ray counterpart.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. You can also find the 4K available for preorder directly from the ShoutFactory.com store with an added bonus poster [while supplies last].  The bonus materials set to be included with the release are “currently in progress” and will be announced at a later date. So, stay tuned for an update on that and the final tech specs.

The 1995 film Species is arriving on 4K in July

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The 1995 modern cult-classic sci-fi (science fiction) film “Species“ is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray in a “Collector’s Edition” on July 26th via Scream Factory (Shout! Factory), according to retailers.  The film, directed by Roger Donaldson, starred Natasha Henstridge, Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker, and Michelle Williams.

The tech specs and bonus materials for the release have not yet been detailed, but stay tuned for any update(s).  It is known that the release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with its Blu-ray Disc counterpart included.  You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon.

Respect with Jennifer Hudson on Blu-ray November

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The 2021 film “Respect“ starring Jennifer Hudson is officially coming to Blu-ray Disc on November 9th, via Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The film, a biopic about the late singer Aretha Franklin, was directed by Liesl Tommy, and co-stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Tituss Burgess, Audra McDonald, and Marc Maron.

The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Atmos sound on a BD-50 disc. The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will come with its DVD counterpart as well as a digital code (copy) of the film. You can find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • The Making of Respect – Explore the unique telling of this Aretha Franklin story, what the project meant to all involved and how music played a pivotal role in crafting this film.
  • Becoming Aretha – Take a behind the scenes look at Jennifer Hudson’s incredible transformation into the Queen of Soul including her commitment to the character, her connection with the late singer, and why inhabiting the legendary artist felt more like destiny than anything else.
  • Capturing a Legacy – A celebration of director Liesl Tommy’s artistry and professionalism as the cast and crew express their appreciation and admiration for her and her process.
  • From Muscle Shoals – Sit-down with the cast, crew and some of the original musicians that recorded with Aretha at Muscle Shoals to learn about this crucial time period in Aretha’s life and how it helped propel her evolution.
  • Exploring the Design of Respect – Production designer Ina Mayhew and costume designer Clint Ramos discuss the research they conducted in order to create the beautiful sets in the film as well as the various custom-made wardrobes that span three decades of style.

Further below, after the break, you can find the trailer and full announcement about the home video release of the film.

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High gets Criterion Blu-ray in May

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The 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” will be getting a new Blu-ray Disc on May 11th via The Criterion Collection. The film, directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe (based on his book), starred Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Forest Whitaker, Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz, and Phoebe Cates. The movie has received a new 4K restoration that was supervised by the director Amy Heckerling. Tech specs for the upcoming Criterion Blu-ray include a 1080p HD presentation in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray of the film is now available for preorder over at Amazon. The full bonus materials set to be included with this release are detailed below.

  • Audio commentary from 1999 featuring Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe
  • Television version of the film from the eighties, featuring deleted and alternate scenes
  • NEW conversation with Heckerling and Crowe, moderated by filmmaker Olivia Wilde
  • Reliving Our “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” a 1999 documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew
  • Audio discussion from 1982 with Heckerling at the American Film Institute
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by film critic Dana Stevens and, for the Blu-ray edition, a new introduction by Crowe
  • New cover by F. Ron Miller

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai on Blu-ray

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ghost_dog_-_the_way_of_the_samurai_criterion_bluray– Amazon Commissions Earned –

The 1999 film “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai“ is getting a Blu-ray Disc release on November 17th via The Criterion Collection. The film was written & directed by Jim Jarmusch, featured an original soundtrack by RZA (of the Wu-Tang Clan), and starred Forest Whitaker. The film’s cast also included John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Richard Portnow, Tricia Vessey, Henry Silva, John Tormey, Victor Argo, Camille Winbush, and Damon Whitaker.

Tech specs for the Criterion Blu-ray include a 1080p HD presentation in the (OAR) original aspect ratio 1.85:1, from a new 4K restored transfer, supervised & approved by Jim Jarmusch, with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. You can find the Criterion Blu-ray available for preorder now over at Amazon as well as directly via Criterion. The info regarding this upcoming release and a list of bonus materials set to be included are listed below.

  • New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Jim Jarmusch, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
  • Alternate isolated stereo music track
  • New Q&A with Jarmusch, in which he responds to questions sent in by fans
  • New conversation between actors Forest Whitaker and Isaach De Bankolé, moderated by film scholar Michael B. Gillespie
  • New interview with casting director Ellen Lewis
  • New interview with Shifu Shi Yan Ming, founder of the USA Shaolin Temple
  • New video essay on RZA’s original score for the film
  • The Odyssey: A Journey into the Life of a Samurai, a 2000 program on the making of the film
  • Deleted scenes and outtakes
  • Archival interviews
  • Trailer
  • More!
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Greg Tate and quotations from Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai, by the early-eighteenth-century monk Yamamoto Tsunetomo
  • New cover by Eric Skillman

All “Star Wars” films come to 4K UHD Blu-ray March

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The remaining films in the “Star Wars” film franchise – so far – are all coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on March 31st it seems, via Disney, according to retailer listings. There will first be a very lavish, expensive box set available (seemingly exclusive) at retailer Best Buy called “The Skywalker Saga” (pictured above) which is now available for preorder. That Skywalker Saga set will include Episodes 1-9 of the films, as well as two Blu-ray Disc counterparts for each film, filled with bonus materials – yet to be detailed. Stay tuned for further details regarding this release as it develops.

Now, as of today, there also are most certainly individual releases for Episodes 1-7 coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on March 31st as well as the film “Rogue One – A Star Wars Story” (2016). It’s certainly worth noting that these titles are now all listed over at retailer Best Buy, individually. So, as you’d expect I’ll be listing the films coming out in theatrical chronological order with direct links to the Best Buy preorder listings – not yet functional but currently placeholder pages. UPDATED: I am now adding Amazon preorder listings to this post as they are getting listed.

NOTE: The final film in the Skywalker Saga (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”) has been announced officially, as you can read HERE in my previous news post regarding it. This story regarding the individual releases is still developing, so once again, stay tuned.

Finding Steve McQueen on Blu-ray in August

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The 2019 film “Finding Steve McQueen“ is coming to Blu-ray Disc on August 13th via Universal. The film, based on a true story and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, stars Travis Fimmel, Rachael Taylor, Lily Rabe, William Fichtner, and Forest Whitaker. Tech specs for the  Blu-ray release include 1080p HD video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound. The Blu-ray is now available for pre-order over at Amazon. The only bonus material set to be included on the release is listed below.

  • Crime Beat: Stealing Nixon’s Millions Podcast Preview

Critically acclaimed 2018 film “Sorry to Bother You” comes to Blu-ray in October

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The 2018 Boots Riley written and directed film “Sorry to Bother You“  starring Lakeith Stanfield is coming to Blu-ray Disc on October 23rd via Fox Home Entertainment. The film, at time of writing this, is “Certified Fresh” over at Rotten Tomatoes where its carrying a 93% rating based on the critics’ reviews. This comedy co-stars Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, Omari Hardwick, Terry Crews, Danny Glover, Steven Yeun, Armie Hammer, Forest Whitaker, and also features the voices of David Cross, Patton Oswalt, and Lily James.

Tech specs include full 1080p video in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio. The release will come in the form of a “combo pack” with a DVD and digital copy of the film being included. The title is available for PRE-ORDER now over at Amazon. Bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • Beautiful Clutter with Director Boots Riley
  • Audio Commentary with Director Boots Riley
  • Gallery
  • The Cast of Sorry to Bother You
  • The Art of the White Voice

“Platoon” Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray with new transfer coming September

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The 1986 Oliver Stone film “Platoon” in a Limited Edition Steelbook packaging with a new transfer is coming to Blu-ray Disc on September 18th via Shout! Factory. This release promises to be “the definitive edition” of the film on Blu-ray. Tech specs include full 1080p HD video in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound. This (as mentioned) contains a new 4K transfer of the film that was actually approved by Writer/Director Oliver Stone himself. The title is available for PRE-ORDER now over at Amazon. Bonus materials set to be included on the release are listed below.

  • Audio Commentary by Writer-Director Oliver Stone
  • Audio Commentary by Military Advisor Dale Dye
  • Deleted And Extended Scenes With Optional Commentary by Oliver Stone
  • “Flashback To Platoon”:
    • “Snapshot In Time: 1967 – 1968”
    • “Creating The ’Nam”
    • “Raw Wounds: The Legacy of Platoon”
  • Documentaries:
    • “One War, Many Stories”
    • “Preparing For ’Nam”
  • Featurettes:
    • “Caputo & The 7th Fleet”
    • “Dye Training Method”
    • “Gordon Gekko”
  • Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots

Below, after the break, you’ll find the official announcement for this release.

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