Tag Archives: Paul Giamatti

Ken Burns Benjamin Franklin Documentary on Blu-ray

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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).

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Man on the Moon gets Special Edition Blu-ray February

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The 1999 film “Man on the Moon“ is officially getting a Special Edition Blu-ray Disc release on February 22nd, 2022 via KL Studio Classics. The film, directed by Milos Forman, which was based on the life of Andy Kaufman, starred Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Paul Giamatti, and Courtney Love.

The movie has received a new 2K master, “approved and Color Graded by Cinematographer Anastas Michos.” The tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless surround and 2.0 Stereo lossless sound mixes. You can now find the Special Edition Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon. The bonus materials set to be included with the release are listed below.

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Moderated by Film Historian Howard S. Berger
  • THIS MIGHT BE A STORY…: Screenwriters Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski in Conversation with Milos Forman (An Excerpt from a Recently Recovered 1999 Micro-Cassette Recording of the Director and Screenwriters of MAN ON THE MOON Discussing the Film and the Craft of the Biopic) (22:01)
  • Spotlight on Location: The Making of MAN ON THE MOON (19:01)
  • Deleted Scenes (12:00)
  • R.E.M. Music Video: Man on the Moon
  • R.E.M. Music Video: The Great Beyond

Jungle Cruise comes to 4K and Blu-ray in November

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The 2021 live-action film adaptation of the popular theme park ride “Jungle Cruise” is officially coming to both 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on November 16th via Disney. The film, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, Veronica Falcón, and Paul Giamatti.

The tech specs for the 4K UHD Blu-ray include a 2160p video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound. The tech specs for the Blu-ray include a 1080p HD video presentation in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless surround sound. Both releases will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that the 4K will get its Blu-ray Disc counterpart, the Blu-ray version will get its DVD counterpart, and each will include a digital code (copy) of the film.

You can now find the 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray available for preorder over at retailer Target. They also are listed over at retailer Best Buy but are not yet functional. Speaking of retailers, both will be getting exclusives for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release. Target will be getting an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray Art Edition packaging (pictured below) and it is now available for preorder.

Meanwhile, retailer Best Buy will be getting an exclusive 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook (pictured below) which is now listed but not yet available for preorder. Stay tuned for an update on the chance that this film gets listed on Amazon.

The bonus materials set to be included with the releases are listed below.

  • Jungle Cruise Expedition Mode – Climb aboard a ramshackle tramp steamer (or your own couch) to learn fun facts, discover Easter eggs and catch some pop-up trivia throughout the movie.
  • It’s A Jungle Out There: Making Jungle Cruise – Director Jaume Collet-Serra, the cast and crew discuss the importance of the film’s elements, from casting to makeup to the use of an ancient indigenous language, in creating the world that honors one of Disneyland’s most beloved rides.
  • Dwayne And Emily: Undoubtedly Funny – Go on-set with the two stars, whose new-found friendship helped them project a natural onscreen chemistry. Although their characters challenge each other throughout the film, the actors make each other laugh. A lot!
  • Creating The Amazon – Explore the cinematic artistry involved in creating the world of Jungle Cruise, including how Frank’s boat coursed “dangerous” water in a tank in Atlanta, how a town was built in Kauai, and how a ferocious jaguar came to life, among other amazing effects.
  • Once A Skip, Always A Skip – Join a panel of “Skippers” at the Disneyland Resort as they reminisce about the rewards, challenges and surprises they’ve experienced while helming the world-famous Jungle Cruise attraction, and hear their advice to aspiring skippers everywhere!
  • Outtakes – Step behind the scenes of the production to catch the cast in a series of flubs, falls, foibles — and a whole lot of laughter.
  • Deleted Scenes
    • MacGregor Drives The Boat
    • MacGregor Water Skis
    • Joachim And Nilo On The Dock
    • Frank Talks To Proxima & Lily’s Nightmares
    • Sub Gets Stuck
    • Proxima Surprises MacGregor
    • Frank Gets The Cold Shoulder
    • Trader Sam And Lily Walk In The Jungle
    • MacGregor And Trader Sam Say Goodbye
    • Frank Makes Tea For Lily
    • The Backside Of Water

Further below, after the break, you can find the full announcement regarding the home video releases of this film — from last month. If you’re wondering why I’m just now reporting this, it’s because there are finally more details, actual artwork, and of course, there are the retailer exclusives and preorder links or listings now up.

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2015 film The Little Prince arrives on Blu-ray in February

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The 2015 stop-motion animated film “The Little Prince” is coming to Blu-ray Disc, for the very first time in North America, on February 9th via Paramount. The film, directed by Mark Osborne, featured a voice cast that included the talents of Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Bud Cort, Benicio Del Toro, James Franco, Ricky Gervais, Paul Giamatti, Riley Osborne, Albert Brooks, and Mackenzie Foy. The tech specs and bonus materials for the release have not yet been detailed but you can expect the studio [Paramount] to very likely officially announce this title next week. Stay tuned for an update regarding the tech specs and bonus materials. It is known, from the art (pictured above) that the release will come with a digital code (copy) of the film. You can now find the Blu-ray listed to preorder over at Amazon.

Howard Stern’s Private Parts on Blu-ray September

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The 1997 film “Private Parts“ starring Howard Stern is finally coming to the Blu-ray Disc format on September 15th, via Paramount. The Betty Thomas directed film, an adaptation of the novel of the same title about the shock jock radio host’s life, featured him playing himself, along with a cast of (co-host) Robin Quivers, Fred Norris, Jackie Martling, Gary Dell’Abate, Mary McCormack, and Paul Giamatti. Tech specs for the release include a 1080p HD video presentation in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound. You can now find the Blu-ray available for preorder over at Amazon and retailer Best Buy. No bonus materials are set to be included with the release, according to the back package art.

– Amazon Commissions Earned –