Tag Archives: Liam Neeson
The 1981 film Excalibur comes to 4K in February
Commissions Earned
The 1981 film “Excalibur” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray in Limited Edition sets via Arrow Video on February 24th in the United States. It will also be released on February 23rd in the United Kingdom. John Boorman directed the movie, which starred Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey, and Robert Addie. It co-starred Nicol Williamson, Keith Buckley, Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, and Patrick Stewart. It’s certainly worth noting that this film featured cutting-edge computer graphics for its time. Also, it received an Academy Award [“Oscar”] nomination for “Best Cinematography.”
The movie features a new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative. The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, in SDR (standard dynamic range), with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono and 5.1 surround sound configurations. The Blu-ray version’s tech specs include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio with DTS-HD MA Mono and 5.1 surround sound. The release will be a 3-disc set for each format. More details on the contents are further below.
UPDATED: You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition and Blu-ray Limited Edition sets are now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, you can individually preorder directly via Arrow Video’s website. You can find a glimpse at the contents of the set (in 4K form) below. Also, a list of bonus materials can be found listed below, sorted by disc.
Physical Extras:
- Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
- Collectors’ perfect-bound booklet containing writing by Charlie Brigden, K.A. Laity, Kimberly Lindbergs, Josh Nelson, Philip Kemp, John Reppion, Icy Sedgwick and Jez Winship
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options
- Six postcard-sized reproduction art cards
Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray or Blu-ray):
- Contains the 141-minute Theatrical Cut of the movie
- Brand new audio commentary by Brian Hoyle, author of The Cinema of John Boorman
- Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker David Kittredge, director of Boorman and the Devil
- Archive audio commentary by director John Boorman
Disc 2 (Blu-ray):
- The Making of Excalibur: Myth into Movie, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan during the production of Excalibur
- To Be a Knight and Follow a King, a newly filmed interview with director John Boorman and actor Charley Boorman
- When Death Was but a Dream, a newly filmed interview with creative associate Neil Jordan
- The Charm of Making, a newly filmed interview with production designer Anthony Pratt
- Confessions of a Professional “Pain-in-the-ass”, a newly filmed interview with 2nd unit director Peter MacDonald
- Anam Cara, a new featurette on the working friendship of John Boorman and co-writer Rospo Pallenberg featuring a newly filmed interview with Pallenberg
- Divided Nature, a brand new featurette by film historians Howard S. Berger and Kevin Marr
- Trailers
- Image galleries
Disc 3 (Blu-ray):
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation of the 120-minute TV Version of the film, previously unavailable on home video
- Original lossless mono audio
- Excalibur: Behind the Movie, a 50-minute retrospective documentary in which cast and crew look back on the making of the film
Krull – 4K UHD Blu-ray Screenshots
The Naked Gun 2025 on 4K and Blu-ray in November
Commissions Earned
The 2025 film “The Naked Gun” is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray on November 11th via Paramount Home Media Distribution. Akiva Schaffer directed and co-wrote the film, with Seth MacFarlane serving as producer. It stars Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Moses Jones, and Danny Huston. It’s worth noting that this movie is “Certified Fresh” by critics at Rotten Tomatoes.
The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 form of high dynamic range, along with Dolby Atmos sound. Tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio and Dolby Atmos sound. Both releases will include a digital copy of the film.
The 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray are now available for preorder at Amazon. You can also find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray available for preorder at retailer Walmart. The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.
- Featurettes:
- A Legacy of Laughter—Join the cast and crew as they dive into what keeps the crime hard and the guns naked in this all-new installment of the Naked Gun franchise.
- Son of a (Naked) Gun—Only one man has the particular set of skills to lead Police Squad! Find out what makes Liam Neeson the perfect Frank Drebin Jr.
- On Set of a Set Within a Set that’s in a Set—Take a look within a look for a look into the reality-bending hospital scene that takes practical effects to a whole new dimension.
- The Funny Femme Fatale—Pamela Anderson embodies the perfect femme fatale in her role as Beth Davenport.
- The Really Unusual Suspects—Get to know the cast who steal the show by playing it straight.
- Dropping the Balls—Explore the production and stunt team behind the ball dropping finale sequence.
- Outtakes:
- Outtakes Montage—Breaking the law is easy. Playing it straight? Not so much.
- WWFC Outtakes—See the quips and digs beyond the punches at the WWFC match in these outtakes.
- Deleted, Alternate, and Extended Scenes:
- Bank Fight #1 – Extended
- Bank Fight #2 – Extended
- Noir Opening – Alternate
- Last Year’s Incident Joke – Alternate
- Cane’s Boardroom – Deleted
- Beth Scat – Extended
- Frank Sees Wolf – Deleted
- Tivo – Alternate
- Facade Moment – Extended
- Frank and Ed See Balls – Deleted
- Skybox – Deleted
- Beth Weapons – Extended
- Frank Rant in Octagon – Deleted
- Frank and Cane Under Arena – Extended
- Frank and Ed Under Arena – Deleted
- Revenge Kill Speech – Extended
- Mock Ads:
- Gorilla Nut—Try this enhanced drink supplement for men.
- Muscle Slime—Want to get ripped? All you need is Muscle Slime.
The 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven on 4K in May
Commissions Earned
The 2005 film “Kingdom of Heaven” comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook on May 27th via 20th Century Studios (Disney). Ridley Scott directed and produced the film. This movie will be presented in its Director’s Cut Roadshow (194-minute) version and the Director’s Cut (190 minutes). The film starred Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Sheen, and Liam Neeson.
The movie, in its two Director’s Cut variations, has been restored and remastered. The tech specs include a 2160p video presentation (for both versions) in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision or HDR10. It will also feature Dolby Atmos sound for both versions. The 3-disc release will come as a “combo pack.” It includes a Blu-ray Disc counterpart. There’s also an additional Blu-ray for bonus materials. You can find a glimpse at the artwork, packaging, and discs below.
UPDATED: The 4K UHD Blu-ray is now available for preorder at Amazon. Also, the 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook is now available for preorder at Walmart. The contents and bonus materials included with this set are listed below.
Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray):
- Director’s Cut Roadshow Version & Director’s Cut
- Introduction by Director Ridley Scott
- Roadshow Commentary with Orlando Bloom, Ridley Scott and Writer William Monahan
- 2 Additional Roadshow Commentaries with Filmmakers
- The Enginer’s Guide (Roadshow Version only)
Disc 2 (Blu-ray):
- Director’s Cut Roadshow Version & Director’s Cut
- Introduction by Director Ridley Scott
- Roadshow Commentary with Orlando Bloom, Ridley Scott and Writer William Monahan
- 2 Additional Roadshow Commentaries with Filmmakers
- The Enginer’s Guide (Roadshow Version only)
Disc 3 (Blu-ray):
- The Path to Redemption
- Sound Design Suite
- Visual Effects Breakdowns
- Press Junket Walkthrough
- World Premieres
- Special Shoot Gallery
- Poster Explorations
- Deleted & Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary
- Orlando Bloom “The Adventure of a Lifetime”
- Additional Featurettes and Much More
The full press release announcing this upcoming 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook can be found below after the break.
Read moreDarkman – 4K UHD Blu-ray Review
1990 Sam Raimi film Darkman on 4K in February
Commissions Earned
The 1990 film adaptation of “Darkman” directed by Sam Raimi is officially coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray on February 20th, 2024 via Scream Factory (Shout! Studios). The film starred Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Colin Friels, Larry Drake, Nelson Mashita, Dan Hicks, and Ted Raimi. The tech specs for the release include a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10 forms of high dynamic range as well as DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound. It’s most certainly worth noting that there will be a standard “Collector’s Edition” and a limited edition SteelBook release (pictured below). You can find both available for preorder directly from ShoutFactory.com‘s store. You can also find the 4K UHD Blu-ray standard release and 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook available for preorder over at Amazon, as well as over at Walmart.
UPDATE: The bonus materials have been officially announced now and those included with the release are listed below.
DISC 1 (4K UHD):
- NEW 4K Restoration From The Original Camera Negative In Dolby Vision (HDR-10 Compatible) Approved by Director Sam Raimi And Director Of Photography Bill Pope
- Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0
- NEW Audio Commentary With Filmmaker And Darkman Superfan Josh Ruben
- Audio Commentary With Bill Pope
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- NEW 4K Transfer From The Original Camera Negative Approved By Sam Raimi And Bill Pope
- Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0
- NEW Audio Commentary With Josh Ruben
- Audio Commentary With Bill Pope
- NEW Deleted Scenes
- “Dissecting Darkman” – An Interview With Actor Liam Neeson
- Interview With Actor Frances McDormand
- “The Name Is Durant” – An Interview With Actor Larry Drake
- “The Face Of Revenge” – Interview With Makeup Designer Tony Gardner
- “Henchman Tales” – Interviews with Actors Danny Hicks and Dan Bell
- “Dark Design” – An Interview With Production Designer Randy Ser And Art Director Philip Dagort
- Vintage “Making-Of” Featurette – Featuring Interviews With Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, And More…
- Vintage Interviews With Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson And Frances McDormand
- Theatrical Trailer
- TV Spots
- Still Galleries – Posters And Production Stills, Behind The Scenes, Make-Up Effects And Storyboards
Further below, after the break, you can find the full official announcement about this upcoming release.
Ken Burns Benjamin Franklin Documentary on Blu-ray
Amazon Commissions Earned
The 2022 documentary “Benjamin Franklin: A Film by Ken Burns“ is officially coming to Blu-ray on April 5th via PBS direct. The documentary features a voice cast that includes the likes of Peter Coyote, Paul Giamatti, Josh Lucas, Carolyn McCormick, Liam Neeson, and Mandy Patinkin (as Franklin). Below you can find a brief synopsis for the documentary [via PBS].
“Benjamin Franklin explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States. Franklin’s 84 years (1706-1790) spanned an epoch of momentous change in science, technology, literature, politics, and government—fields he himself advanced through lifelong commitments to societal and self-improvement.
But Franklin’s life was full of contradictions, and his success as a writer, printer, scientist, and statesman came at a cost to the people closest to him. His influence was unmatched in his time, and his impact remains with us today. “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten,” he said in Poor Richard’s Almanack, “either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” Benjamin Franklin did both.”
The tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation it seems in the 1.78:1 (widescreen) aspect ratio and 5.1 surround sound — not yet specified if it will be presented in lossy (Dolby Digital) or in a lossless form (PCM, Dolby TrueHD, or DTS-HD Master Audio). Stay tuned for a possible update on that. It is known the release will span across a 2-disc set. You can now find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon as well as directly from Shop PBS.
Further below, after the break, you can find all the info known about the release via PBS’ store (mentioned above).
Contest: Win 1 of 5 copies of The Marksman on Blu-ray
Amazon Commissions Earned
Contest time again at High Def Disc News and this time I am going to be giving away FIVE copies of the upcoming May 11th release of “The Marksman” on Blu-ray from Universal. Below you can find the full list of details on how you can enter this contest.