Tag Archives: George Lucas

Labyrinth gets 35th Anniversary 4K release in August

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The 1986 film “Labyrinth” will officially be getting a “35th Anniversary Edition” 4K UHD Blu-ray release on August 17th via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film, directed & co-written by Jim Henson and executive produced by George Lucas, featured a live-action cast that included David BowieJennifer ConnellyToby Froud, Shelley Thompson, and Christopher Malcolm and featured the voice talents of Shari Weiser, Brian Henson, and Dave Goelz.

This film has been available on the 4K UHD Blu-ray format since 2016, when it got another anniversary release, however, this new version on 4K will come with some new things. First off, the tech specs include a 2.39:1 aspect ratio 2160p video presentation from a 4K remaster with HDR10 and Dolby Vision (for the first time) as well as Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 theatrical, and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo sound.

The new 35th Anniversary 4K release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that you’ll get the Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a digital code (copy) of the film included.

UPDATE: as of now, you can find the 35th Anniversary Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. Also, it can be found listed for preorder over at retailer Target. This new release will come with the physical extra of being a DigiBook (digital booklet) that is 28 pages in length. It also will feature some new never-before-released extras and screentests. The bonus materials set to be included with this 2-disc 35th Anniversary Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray are listed below, disc-by-disc, in terms of their contents.

4K ULTRA HD DISC

  • The feature presented in 4K resolution, with Dolby Vision
  • Dolby Atmos audio + 5.1 audio + original theatrical 2-Channel Surround audio
  • Special Features:
    • NEW: Deleted & Alternate Scene Oubliette
      • Over 25 minutes of never-before-seen lost and alternate scenes, with all-new commentary from Brian Henson!
    • NEW: Sarah’s Screen Tests
      • A collection of rare, original screen tests for the role of Sarah! Featuring Molly Ringwald, Trini Alvarado, Tracey Gold, Claudia Wells, Jill Schoelen, Maddie Corman and Danielle von Zerneck

BLU-RAY DISC™

  • The feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master
  • Dolby Atmos audio
  • Special Features:
    • “The Henson Legacy” Featurette
    • Labyrinth Anniversary Q&A
    • “Remembering The Goblin King” Featurette
    • The Storytellers (Picture-in-Picture)
    • Commentary by Conceptual Designer Brian Froud
    • Original Making-of Documentary “Inside The Labyrinth”
    • “Journey Through the Labyrinth: Kingdom of Characters” Documentary
    • “Journey Through the Labyrinth: The Quest for Goblin City” Documentary
    • Theatrical Trailers

Below, after the break, you can find the full announcement regarding this upcoming 35th anniversary limited edition of the film on the 4K UHD Blu-ray physical format.

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1986 film Howard the Duck on 4K UHD Blu-ray in July

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According to retailers, the 1986 film adaptation of “Howard the Duck” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on July 6th via Universal Studios Home Entertainment. It was based on a Marvel Comics character of the same name. The film was executive produced by George Lucas, directed by Willard Huyck, and it starred Lea Thompson, Tim Robbins, Jeffrey Jones, Paul Guilfoyle, as well as featured the voice talent of Chip Zien (as “Howard T. Duck”). The tech specs for the 4K release have not yet at all been detailed, but you should expect it to include at least HDR10 form of high dynamic range and 5.1 lossless surround sound. The release appears (based on the art, above) to be coming in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will include the Blu-ray Disc counterpart and a digital code (copy) of the film. No word yet on what bonus materials will be featured with the release.

UPDATE #1: You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray listed for preorder over at Amazon as well as over retailer Target as well as at online retailer HD Movie Source. That’s where the release date, aside from some rumors online that now seem to be verified, comes from. Stay tuned for further updates and for when this title gets officially announced by the studio [Universal].

UPDATE #2: It now appears that there will be an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook for the film available over at retailer Best Buy, where it now has a preorder listing and the artwork pictured below.

Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection officially comes to 4K in June

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The “Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection” is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on June 8th via Paramount Home Entertainment. The set (collection) includes the four films, all directed by Steven Spielberg, executive produced and based on a story by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. The films, which have all been remastered, included in this set are as follows:

  • “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
  • “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)
  • “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
  • “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)

The four movies have all been remastered from 4K scans and director Steven Spielberg has approved. Below you’ll find a bit of info regarding the work that has gone into this release, quoted from the press release just issued.

“Now, for the first time ever, all four films are available together in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and HDR-10 for ultra-vivid picture quality and state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos® audio*.  Each film has been meticulously remastered from 4K scans of the original negatives with extensive visual effects work done to ensure the most pristine and highest quality image.  All picture work was approved by director Steven Spielberg.

In addition, all four films were remixed at Skywalker Sound under the supervision of legendary sound designer Ben Burtt to create the Dolby Atmos® soundtracks.  All original sound elements were used to achieve the fully immersive Dolby Atmos® mixes while staying true to each film’s original creative intent.”

The tech specs for the films (as mentioned above) include a 2160p presentation for each film with HDR10 and Dolby Vision forms of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound. This release will come as a 5-disc set and does NOT include the Blu-ray Disc counterparts of the films, just the 4K UHD Blu-ray discs and a digital copy of each film.

UPDATE #3: You can find the 4K UHD Blu-ray 4-Movie Collection now available for preorder over at Amazon. Also, it is worth noting that you can find it already listed over at retailer Target.

So, below you can find a glimpse at the box art packaging for a standard 4K set as well as the box art packaging for a 4K SteelBook set. In the latter photo, you’ll see each SteelBook that each film will be housed in. That 4K SteelBook set will be an exclusive over at retailer Best Buy and is now available for preorder there.

The releases on 4K will also come with a collectible booklet as well as a bonus Blu-ray Disc with 7 hours of previously released extras. You can find more information about the release and a full list of bonus materials below after the break in the press release.

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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.

Ron Howard film “Willow” gets 30th Anniversary Blu-ray release in January

willow_30th_anniversary_bluray

The 1988 Ron Howard directed film Willow will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a new Blu-ray release on January 29th, 2019 via Disney (Lucasfilms, Ltd.), according to retailers. The film, based on a story by George Lucas, starred Val KilmerJoanne Whalley, and Warwick Davis. The tech specs and bonus materials for the release have not yet been detailed, however it is known via the artwork (pictured) that it will feature a Digital Copy of the film.

The upcoming 2019 “30th Anniversary” Blu-ray release is available to pre-order now over at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Stay tuned for any updates regarding this release. No word if it will receive a new video transfer or not, as the film was previously released on Blu-ray Disc back in 2013.