Kino Lorber Releases “The Getting of Wisdom” (1978), a film by Bruce Beresford, on DVD

Kino Lorber Announces the DVD Release of a classic of Australian cinema, The Getting of Wisdom (1978), a film by Bruce Beresford.

New York, NY – April 16, 2012 – Kino Lorber is proud to announce the DVD release of The Getting of Wisdom (1978), a film by Bruce Beresford, a classic of Australian cinema which centers around one of the most celebrated and beloved characters of Australian literature, Laura Tweedle Rambotham (played by Susannah Fowle).

The Getting of Wisdom (1978) comes to DVD on April 17th, with a SRP of $24.95. Included on this disc is such bonus material as a feature length documentary, “Telling Schoolgirl Tales”, original posters, the original press kit, a stills gallery and the theatrical trailer.

In The Getting of Wisdom (1978), Oscar®-nominated director Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies) crafts a tender coming-of-age tale that introduces one of Australian literature’s most beloved characters to the screen, Laura Tweedle Rambotham (Susannah Fowle).

Chronicling her stormy passage through the sedate halls of an expensive Melbourne finishing school, the film delivers a rich and amusing portrait of an imaginative country girl who refuses to be broken to fit the mold of a Victorian-era young lady. Arriving in the dowdy clothes of her rural home, Laura is mercilessly teased until she learns to give as well as she gets – until a tiny white lie about an imagined love affair blows up in her face and clouds her future.

Based on the immortal best seller by Henry Handel Richardson, and boasting a riveting lead performance from Susannah Fowle, The Getting of Wisdom (1978) is an Australian cinema classic.

Bonus Material
“Telling Schoolgirl Tales” feature-length documentary
Original posters
Original press kit
Stills gallery
Theatrical Trailer

1.85:1, 16×9 * 97 minutes * English Stereo * Not Rated * Color

The Getting of Wisdom (1978)
Director: Bruce Beresford
Genre: Drama
Street date: April 17, 2012
SRP: $24.95

 

THE WOMAN IN BLACK arrives on Blu-ray & DVD May 22nd

THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Starring Daniel Radcliffe
In his First Film since Harry Potter

Arrives on Blu-ray™ & DVD May 22nd

Culver City, CA (April 16, 2011) – Daniel Radcliffe stars in THE WOMAN IN BLACK, the hit CBS Films ghost story that scared up more than $53 million at the box office, which will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on May 22nd.  In the supernatural thriller, Radcliffe (Harry Potter) plays Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer who travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.  The film also stars Ciaran Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Academy Award® nominee Janet McTeer (2011, Supporting Actress, Albert Nobbs) and Liz White (Wild Bill).

THE WOMAN IN BLACK Blu-ray™ and DVD both include commentary by the writer and the director as well as two all-new featurettes: “Inside The Perfect Thriller: Making Woman in Black,” a discussion with the filmmakers and cast; and “No Fear: Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps,” in which Radcliffe discusses the most challenging and interesting parts of playing this character.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake) and produced by Richard Jackson (Setup), Simon Oakes (Let Me In) and Brian Oliver (The Ides of March). The screenplay is by Jane Goldman (X-Men: First Class) and based on the 1983 novel by Susan Hill. The film is a Hammer and Alliance Films presentation, in association with Cross Creek Pictures and is a Talisman production in association with Exclusive Media Group and The UK Film Council. Executive Producers are Guy East, Nigel Sinclair, Tobin Armbrust, Marc Schipper, Neil Dunn, Xavier Marchand, Roy Lee and Tyler Thompson. CBS Films released the film theatrically on February 3, 2012.

Synopsis:  Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost… and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.

Blu-ray™ and DVD Special Features include:
·         Commentary with Director James Watkins and Screenwriter Jane Goldman
·         Inside The Perfect Thriller: Making Woman in Black Featurette
·         No Fear: Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps Featurette

THE WOMAN IN BLACK has a run time of approximately 95 minutes and is rated PG-13 (for Thematic Material and Violence/Disturbing Images). Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

“Academy Award®” is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

 

Kino Lorber Releases Restored Version on Ganja & Hess (1973) on DVD and Blu-ray

“One of the most literate, allegorical, and evasive of all horror films.”
– David Walker and Tim Lucas, Video Watchdog

New York, NY- April 16, 2012 – Kino Classics is proud to announce the Blu-ray and DVD release of Bill Gunn’s rarely-screened feature Ganja & Hess, a 1973 erotic thriller that revolutionized the vampire film and has become recognized as a cornerstone of the African American cinema.

For years circulated in a bastardized version created without Gunn’s involvement, this Kino Classics edition presents the original director’s cut, mastered in HD from a 35mm negative restored by the Museum of Modern Art, with support from The Film Foundation. Kino Classics is releasing Ganja & Hess (1973) on May 8, 2012, with a SRP of $29.95 (on Blu-ray) and $24.95 (on DVD).
In one of his few screen appearances, reclusive actor Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) stars as anthropologist Hess Green, who is stabbed with an ancient ceremonial dagger by his unstable assistant (Gunn), endowing him with the blessing of immortality, and the curse of an unquenchable thirst for blood. When the assistant’s beautiful and outspoken wife Ganja (Marlene Clark in an unforgettable performance) comes searching for her vanished husband, she and Hess form an unexpected partnership. Together, they explore just how much power there is in the blood.

In is landmark book American Film Now, James Monaco called Ganja & Hess, “An underground classic…the most complicated, intriguing, subtle, sophisticated, and passionate Black film of the Seventies.”

Almost forty years after its original release, Ganja & Hess remains an utterly unique viewing experience — blending an experimental audiovisual style with elements of the 1970s blaxploitation film.

An award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and actor, Gunn’s voice as a director is defiant, lyrical, insightful and one-of-a-kind, making it all the more tragic that he died in 1989, of encephalitis, at age 54. In a 2010 article in Filmmaker Magazine, Brandon Harris praised Gunn as, “a man who came before his time…a man with a vision we were never quite ready for, black or white, studios or independents, 1970 or 2010.”

Special Features

* Mastered in HD from the new restoration 35mm negative.
* “The Blood of the Thing” (25 Min.) an interview-based documentary produced for the 1998 DVD release.
* Audio commentary by producer Chiz Schultz, actress Marlene Clark, cinematographer James Hinton, and composer Sam Waymon.
* Original screenplay by Bill Gunn
* Essay on the making of the film (and subsequent recutting) by David
Walker and Tim Lucas (ROM access only).
* Photo gallery

Ganja & Hess (1973)
U.S. 1973 Color 113 Min. 1.66:1 2.0 Mono
Released by Kelly-Jordon Enterprises
Written and directed by Bill Gunn / Produced by Chiz Schultz
Photographed by James F. Hinton / Music by Sam Waymon
With Duane Jones, Marlene Clark, Bill Gunn, Sam Waymon, Leonard Jackson, Mabel King
Restored by the Museum of Modern Art and The Film Foundation
Produced for video by Bret Wood
Special features produced by David Kalat

 

SWITCHBLADE PICTURES LICENSES Oniroku Dan’s THE DEVIL’S FEAST

HOUSTON, April 10thth,  2012 — Switchblade Pictures has tied up the rights to THE DEVIL’S FEAST, the suspense and shibari erotic thriller from the late, internationally acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Oniroku Dan (FLOWER AND SNAKE, ROPE HELL, LADY BLACK ROSE.)   Widely considered to be  Japan’s greatest master of dark erotica, Dan, who passed away in May of 2011, wrote over two hundred novels over his career, as well as the screenplays for many of Japan’s most successful and influential features, being especially known his popularization of the Japanese rope-bondage art of Shibari.  Directed by Kenji Hanyu from an adaption by Hiroshi Yoshino, THE DEVIL’S FEAST was distributed theatrically in Japan by Shintoho and stars Chihiro Koganezaki (CRUEL RESTAURANT,) Yuya Matsuura (ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA,) Hitoshi Kajiki (RINKO 18) and famed AV model Arisa Matsumoto.

When the beautiful Kumiko joins the editorial desk at a small local newspaper, the most deeply kept secrets of the rich and powerful leader of a religious cult suddenly begin finding their way into print in blistering exposes… scandalous exposes which have even more shocking repercussions for the paper’s sales manager, Okomoto, and his elegant wife Shizuyo.   Ensnared in the escalating war of wits and chains between the sadistic cult master and Kumiko, his former sex slave, Shizuyo finds herself strung in the rope bonds of a ruthless game that mixes sensuality with humiliation.  Could it be that Shizuyo’s only hope of release may come in the form of her own husband’s mistress?  Or is that exactly what the Devil has been planning on all along?  From the novels of the late legendary SM Master Oniroku Dan, prepare to be served a dark and unsettling vision of twisted lust and inhuman bondage:  THE DEVIL’S FEAST!

THE DEVIL’S FEAST will begin Home Video release on subtitled DVD July 31st 2012.

About Switchblade Pictures:
Switchblade Pictures is a distributor of Japanese exploitation films in North America, with a rapidly growing roster of releases that includes cult phenomenons like ATTACK GIRLS SWIM TEAM VS. THE UNDEAD, ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA, A FISTFULL OF FUKU and SIREN,) and together with sister company and anime specialist Maiden Japan (GLASS MAIDEN, HIMAWARI!, RAY and POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S)  is dedicated to bringing the best in international entertainment to the western hemisphere.

About Section23 Films:
Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings.  With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.

 

Franklin & Bash: The Complete First Season arrives on DVD June 19th

Starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer

FRANKLIN & BASH:
THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

Debuts on DVD June 19th

Also Starring Reed Diamond, Dana Davis, Garcelle Beauvais, Kumail Nanjiani and Malcolm McDowell

Culver City, CA (April 10, 2012) – The first season of the hit offbeat legal drama, FRANKLIN & BASH, airing on TNT, debuts on DVD June 19th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  Following the personal and professional escapades of two young, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants street lawyers, the series stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (TV’s “Raising the Bar,” “NYPD Blue”) as Peter Bash, the confident ladies’ man who has a knack for connecting with judge and jury, and Breckin Meyer (TV’s “Robot Chicken,” Road Trip) as Jared Franklin, his quick-witted best friend who loves sticking it to authority every chance he gets.  The unconventional duo, newly recruited by a legendary, button-down law firm, is ready to shake up the establishment with their nontraditional courtroom approach to every new case. The Sony Pictures Television original series also stars Reed Diamond (Moneyball, TV’s “24”), Dana Davis (TV’s “10 Things I Hate About You,” Prom Night), Garcelle Beauvais (TV’s “NYPD Blue”), Kumail Nanjiani (Life as We Know It) and Malcolm McDowell (TV’s “Entourage,” A Clockwork Orange).

The three-disc set of FRANKLIN & BASH: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON comes with all 10 episodes and is loaded with special features, including: a never-before-released blooper reel; a free first episode of “Men at Work,” created and written by Breckin Meyer; three “Franklin & Bash” commercials, advertising the duo’s services; and, seven behind-the-scenes featurettes, providing an inside look at the making of the show.

FRANKLIN & BASH is produced by Four Sycamore Productions, Left Coast Productions and FanFare Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. FRANKLIN & BASH is executive-produced by Jamie Tarses (TNT’s HawthoRNe, Mr. Sunshine and Mad Love), Jason Ensler (The West Wing, Chuck), Kevin Falls (Journeyman, The West Wing) and Bill Chais (Shark, Dirty Sexy Money).

SYNOPSIS:
Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer star as Peter Bash and Jared Franklin, two fly- by-the-seat-of-their-pants attorneys who are recruited by senior partner Stanton Infeld (McDowell) to bring new energy into the Infeld Daniels law firm.  Despite their antics and sometimes shocking tactics, this pair of devoted pals are good lawyers that will do whatever it takes to win for their client.

FRANKLIN & BASH: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON includes a full docket of special guest appearances by Natalie Zea (TV’s “Justified”), Beau Bridges (The Descendents), Tom Arnold (TV’s “Roseanne”), Jason Alexander (TV’s “Seinfeld”), Kathy Najimy (TV’s “Veronica’s Closet”), Tommy Chong (Up in Smoke), James Van Der Beek (TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”), Tricia Helfer (TV’s “The Firm”) and Danny Trejo (Grindhouse).

The Three-Disc FRANKLIN & BASH DVD Set Includes:
Never-been-released Blooper Reel
Free first episode of “Men at Work,” created and written by Breckin Meyer
Seven Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
Creating the Cases, discussing the cases that Franklin & Bash take on
Franklin & Bash & Friendship, delving into the duo’s friendship
Franklin & Bash Behind the Scenes, a look at the making of the show
Behind the Behind, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar talking about the scene where he exposes his bottom
Malcolm McDowell Office Tour
Working for Franklin & Bash, a look at the two actors (Nanjiani and Davis) that work for Franklin & Bash
Man Cave Tour, in which Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer give us a tour of their home/office/man cave
Three “Franklin & Bash” commercials, advertising the duo’s services

BROADCAST YEAR: 2011 TNT

FRANKLIN & BASH: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON has a run time of approximately 471 minutes and is not rated. Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

 

JAWS on Blu-ray 8/14 Announcement and New Restoration Video

Academy Award® Winner Steven Spielberg’s
Iconic Summer Classic Comes to Blu-Ray™

for the First Time Ever, Digitally Remastered &   

Fully Restored in Honor of

Universal’s 100th Anniversary Celebration

JAWS

on august 14th,
own the blu-rayTM combo pack with dvd, digital copy, ultravioletTM
& over 4 hours of bonus features including
an all-new documentary “the shark is still working”

Universal City, California, April 10, 2012:  JAWS – the landmark motion picture that still makes audiences afraid to go in the water – comes to Blu-rayTM for the first time ever on August 14th, 2012. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered and fully restored picture, as well as 7.1 surround sound, the JAWS Blu-rayTM Combo Pack with DVD, Digital Copy and UltraVioletTM gives fans the ultimate way to watch the breathtaking and terrifying action-thriller.

One of the most influential motion pictures of all time and nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award®, JAWS stars Oscar® winner Richard Dreyfuss and Oscar® nominees Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw.  Produced by legendary filmmakers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, the film earned an Oscar® for composer John Williams’ instantly recognizable minimalist score, as well as Oscars® for Best Editing and Best Sound. When it was first released in 1975, JAWS smashed box-office records and became the highest-grossing film of its era, earning Spielberg a reputation as a Hollywood visionary.  Today, it remains one of the highest-grossing films in motion-picture history[1] and is largely considered the film that launched the summer blockbuster.

JAWS is one of 13 classic Universal films to be digitally remastered and fully restored from 35mm original film elements as part of Universal’s ongoing 100th Anniversary celebration. The JAWS restoration began with researching and evaluating the existing film elements to determine the best means to restore the film. Over the course of several months, skilled technicians at Universal Studios Digital Services meticulously balanced color, removed dirt and scratches, and repaired any damage to the film elements shot by shot and frame by frame. Following the picture restoration, Universal Studios Sound team up-mixed the iconic JAWS soundtrack to DTS-HD Master 7.1, optimizing the sound on the Blu-rayTM for the latest home theater technology. The entire restoration process was conducted in conjunction with Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment’s post-production team to ensure the integrity of Spielberg’s original vision remained intact.

“JAWS holds a unique place, not just in Universal Pictures’ history, but in global pop culture,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “It is only fitting that this phenomenal film should be given the extensive restoration needed to ensure that long-time fans as well as newcomers can enjoy this unforgettable cinematic achievement for generations to come.”

The JAWS Blu-ray™ Combo Pack is available in collectible Universal 100thAnniversary packaging for a limited time.  The Combo Pack also contains a Digital Copy of the film for a limited time, compatible with iTunes®, iPad®, iPhone®, iPod™ touch, Android or online retail partners, as well as an UltraViolet™ copy.  UltraViolet is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows in the cloud to download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones.  Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.
Blu-ray™ Bonus Features:
·           The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of JAWS:  All-new feature-length documentary featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with cast and crew including Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider.

·           JAWS: The Restoration:  An all-new, in-depth look at the intricate process of restoring the movie.

·           The Making of JAWS:  A two-hour documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew.

·           From the Set:  An insider’s look at life on the set of JAWS, featuring an interview with Steven Spielberg.

·           Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

·           JAWS Archives:  Take a peek inside the JAWS archives, including storyboards, production photos and marketing materials, as well as a special segment on the JAWS phenomenon.

·           Original Theatrical Trailer

·           UltraViolet™:  The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones. Currently available in the United States only.

·           Digital Copy:  Viewers can redeem a digital version of the full-length movie from a choice of retail partners to watch on an array of electronic and portable devices.

·           pocket BLU™ App:  The popular free pocket BLU™ app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad®, Android™ tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of the devices’ larger screens and high resolution displays.

Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease.
Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.
Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.
·           BD-LIVE™:  Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to access the latest trailers, exclusive content and more!
DVD Bonus Features:

·           Spotlight on Location: The Making of JAWS:  Highlights from the full-length documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew.

Synopsis
Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, Jaws set the standard for edge-of-your seat suspense quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Produced By: Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown
Music By: John Williams
Based on Novel By: Peter Benchley
Screenplay By: Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb
Director of Photography: Bill Butler
Production Design By: Joseph Alves Jr.
Editor: Verna Fields
TECHNICAL INFORMATION

BD

Street Date: 8/14/2012
Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61121167 (US); 61121267 (Canada)
Running Time: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1
Rating: PG
Technical Info: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1/DTS Digital Surround 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French DTS Digital Surround 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

 

The Three Stooges Ultimate Collection Arriving on DVD June 5th

All 190 Short Films, Plus 11 Hours of Movies, Shorts
and Never-Before-Released Material!

The Masters of Mayhem — Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard, Joe Besser and Curly Joe Derita — Are in One Definitive Collection on DVD June 5th  

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (April 9, 2012) – Fans will enjoy more than 60 hours of fun and laughter for the whole family from the masters of mirth, merriment and mayhem when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases THE THREE STOOGES ULTIMATE COLLECTION on DVD June 5th. The entire Three Stooges Columbia shorts catalog spans three decades of slapstick silliness, featuring 190 shorts, plus three discs of rare and unreleased content. Fans will revel in this chance to see several of the Stooges work separately in solo shorts, developing the comic skills that would lead them to their roles as successors to Curly in the comedy trio.  The collection includes 28 never-before-released short films starring Stooges actors Shemp Howard, Joe Besser, and Joe DeRita, as well as the feature length films Have Rocket, Will Travel and Rockin’ in the Rockies available for the first time on DVD.  From the classic teaming of Moe, Larry and Curly to later cast members Shemp, Joe and Curly Joe, this 20-disc set is a must-own collection for any Stooges fan.

ABOUT THE THREE STOOGES
The Three Stooges were the longest-running comedy act in motion picture history. The team included Moe Howard (born Harry Horwitz, June 19, 1897 – May 4, 1975), Larry Fine (born Andrew Feinberg, October 22, 1902 – January 24, 1975), Curly Howard (born Jerome Horwitz, October 22, 1903 – January 18, 1952), Shemp Howard (born Samuel Horwitz, March 4, 1895 – November 22, 1955), Joe Besser (August 12, 1907 – March 1, 1988) and Joe “Curly-Joe” DeRita (born Joseph Wardell, July 12, 1909 – July 3, 1993).

Moe Howard and brother Shemp started in 1922 as noisy assistants to lead comedian Ted Healy in the vaudeville act, “Ted Healy and His Stooges;” Larry Fine joined the team in 1925. Five years later, the act would make its screen debut in Fox’s Soup to Nuts (1930). The Stooges quit Healy soon after and struck out on their own as “Howard, Fine and Howard.” Healy begged them to return, and in 1933 they did, with young brother Jerry (aka Curly) replacing Shemp. After a single film at Universal, they were signed by MGM, making shorts and feature films until the Stooges left Healy for the last time and signed with Columbia in 1934.

After the boys’ first two-reelers, Woman Haters and Punch Drunks (both 1934), Healy relinquished his claim to the word “Stooge,” and they were rechristened “The Three Stooges,” beginning with the Oscar®-nominated Men in Black (1934). Curly stayed until 1946, when a stroke forced him into retirement. Among his personal best were Violent is the Word for Curly (1938), A-Plumbing They Did Go (1940), In the Sweet Pie and Pie and An Ache in Every Stake (both 1941), Micro-Phonies (1945) and You Nazty Spy! (1940), the classic Hitler spoof that earned the boys a prominent place on the Nazis’ death list.

Shemp rejoined the Stooges as Curly’s replacement in 1946. He would make 73 two-reelers with the team, as well as an unsold TV pilot, “Jerk of All Trades,” and a feature, Gold Raiders (1951) with George O’Brien. A gifted comedian with an unrivaled talent for zany ad-libs and non sequiturs, Shemp is considered by some the funniest Stooge of all and appeared in numerous classics, including Brideless Groom (1947), Hot Scots, Squareheads of the Round Table (both 1948), Merry Mavericks (1950) and a pair in 3D, Spooks! and Pardon My Backfire (both 1953).

When their popularity skyrocketed after the release of their shorts to television in 1958, the Stooges returned to Columbia, where they made five hit feature-length films: Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959); The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962); The Three Stooges in Orbit (1962); The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze (1963); and The Outlaws is Coming (1965).

In 2002, Punch Drunks (1934) was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” the first Stooge film to achieve such an honor.

The Three Discs of Rare and Unreleased Content Features:
§  11 hours of Stooges content never before released on DVD
§  Full-length Columbia films starring the Stooges:
o   Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959)
o   Rockin’ In The Rockies (1945)
§  A collection of 28 short films starring Stooges actors Shemp Howard, Joe Besser and Joe DeRita
§  The Three Stooges in Columbia Pictures’ animated shorts:
o   Bon Bon Parade
o   Merry Mutineers
o   Hollywood Detour

The Three Stooges Ultimate Collection has a running time of approximately 635 minutes and is not rated.

Visit Sony Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

 

The Artist Debuting on Blu-ray™ and DVD with UltraViolet™ June 26th

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (April 9, 2012) – The recipient of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Musical Score and Best Costume Design, THE ARTIST, arrives on Blu-ray™ and DVD with UltraViolet™ June 26th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  Declared “a love letter to the movies” by The Los Angeles Times, THE ARTIST is the recipient of three Golden Globe® Awards — more than any other picture — including Best Comedy, Best Actor and Best Score.  The film also took home the top prize for Achievement in Directing in a Theatrical Release from the Directors Guild of America, and Oscar Winning Best Actor (Jean Dujardin) won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. Uggie, the film’s surprise breakout star and 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier, also took home the top honor from the first annual “Golden Collar Awards.” Set in 1927, THE ARTIST tells the story of film superstar George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) who is about to be banished from the movie business by the advent of talking pictures. With the introduction of “The Talkies,” as movies with sound were known at their onset, came the abrupt end to the careers of many silent film stars, including George’s screen persona, which soon falls into oblivion. For young, movie extra Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), the sky’s the limit, and major movie stardom awaits.

Starring Jean Dujardin (George Valentin) and Bérénice Bejo (Peppy Miller), THE ARTIST also features dynamic performances by: John Goodman (Al Zimmer); James Cromwell (Clifton); Penelope Ann Miller (Doris); Malcolm McDowell (the Butler); and 10-year-old “Uggie” the dog, most recently featured in “Water for Elephants,” barking opposite Robert Pattinson.  The film also includes an all-star lineup of filmmakers, including: writer/director Michel Hazanavicius; producer Thomas Langmann; director of photography Guillaume Schiffman; and production designer Laurence Bennett.

THE ARTIST Blu-ray™ and DVD is packed with extras for both movie aficionados and casual film fans:  Blooper Reel; Q&A with the filmmakers and cast; “Hollywood As A Character: The Locations of The Artist” Featurette, which takes viewers on a tour of film locations; “The Artist: The Making of A Hollywood Love Story” Featurette, allowing fans to go behind the scenes on set; and four mini Featurettes, “The Artisans Behind The Artist,” providing a look at the film’s costume designs, cinematography, production design and the composer.  THE ARTIST also includes UltraViolet™, an entirely new way to collect, access and enjoy your digital entertainment.

Synopsis:
Hollywood, 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), it seems the sky’s the limit – major movie stardom awaits. THE ARTIST tells the story of their interlinked destinies.

THE ARTIST Special Features include:
Blooper Reel;
Q&A with the filmmakers and cast;
“Hollywood As A Character: The Locations of The Artist” Featurette;
“The Artist: The Making of An American Romance” Featurette; and
The Artisans Behind The Artist Featurettes:
The Costumes
The Cinematography
The Production Design
The Composer

THE ARTIST has a run time of approximately 100 minutes and is rated PG-13 for a disturbing image and a crude gesture.

Academy Award® is the registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Golden Globe® is the registered trademark of the HFPA.

 

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Unleashed June 12th on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ & DVD – all include UltraViolet™

Culver City, CA (4/9/12) – Academy Award® winner Nicolas Cage (1996, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Leaving Las Vegas) is back as Johnny Blaze in Marvel’s action-packed 3D sequel GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, unleashed June 12th on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ and DVD – all with UltraViolet™ – from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  In this thrilling follow-up to the worldwide, box-office hit Ghost Rider, the world’s darkest hero takes on the ultimate bad guy: the devil, himself. The sequel is directed by acclaimed action filmmakers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank series, Gamer), and co-stars Ciarán Hinds (John Carter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2), Violante Placido (The American), Johnny Whitworth (Limitless, 3:10 to Yuma), Christopher Lambert (Highlander, Mortal Kombat), and Idris Elba (Thor, Takers).

The GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ and DVD releases each include deleted scenes, as well as UltraViolet™, which allows consumers to add the film to their Digital Rights Library, enabling them to download or instantly stream the film.  Exclusive to the Blu-ray 3D™ and Blu-ray™ are explosive special features, including a Directors’ Expanded Video Commentary and The Path to Vengeance: Making Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, a six-part documentary that goes behind-the-scenes into how the film was made.  In addition, the Blu-ray 3D™ will also include a 3D bonus featurette, Riding Into Another Dimension, which details the creative hurdles and advantages of moving Ghost Rider into the world of 3D filmmaking.

Synopsis: In the successor to the worldwide hit Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter, is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy from the devil. At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy and possibly rid himself of the curse forever.

GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE was written by Scott M. Gimple and Seth Hoffman (TV’s “The Walking Dead”) and David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), based on the Marvel Comic. It was produced by Stefan Brunner, Ashok Amritraj, Michael De Luca, Avi Arad and Ari Arad.

The film has a run time of approximately 95 minutes and has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, and language.

DVD Bonus Material
·         Deleted Scenes

Blu-ray 3D™ and Blu-ray™ Bonus Material
·         Deleted Scenes
·         Directors’ Expanded Video Commentary
·         The Path to Vengeance: Making Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Six-Part Documentary, Including:
o   Blazing a New Path, a behind-the-scenes look at how the film was made;
o   Patience Is Not a Virtue: Pre-Production, an in-depth look at the challenges the production crew had during pre-productions;
o   We Will Burn This City To Bitter Ashes, allowing for the discovery of the shooting locations in Romania and Eastern Europe;
o   To Hell and Back: Production, a look at the shooting style that directors brought to the film and some of the key stunt sequences;
o   Walking in Both Worlds: Moving into Post-Production, exploring the challenges of completing a film; and
o   The Fires of Hell Will Purify You: Release.

Blu-ray 3D™ Exclusive:
o   3D Featurette: Riding Into Another Dimension

Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com

“Academy Award®” is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

ABOUT ULTRAVIOLET
UltraViolet is an entirely new way to collect and enjoy your digital entertainment, giving you the power to instantly access your movies and TV shows with unprecedented flexibility.  For more information, visit www.uvvu.com.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

 

ABC Studios’ THE RIVER, MISSING, SCANDAL & GCB on DVD!!!

ON DVD JUST WEEKS AFTER FINALES

ABC STUDIOS DEBUTS
FOUR EXCITING ‘SEASON ONE’ TV SERIES

The Complete First Seasons of Acclaimed Drama Series
 “The River,” “Missing” & “Scandal” and the
Hilarious Hit “GCB”

Available On DVD This Spring – Loaded with Never-Before-Seen Bonus Materials

BURBANK, Calif. – March 23, 2012 – ABC Studios is proud to announce the May/June DVD debut of four new TV series on DVD, just weeks after their season one finales on ABC-TV.  Exciting spring releases begin May 22 with the DVDdebut of the paranormal thriller “The River.”  The network’s hilarious “GCB” struts its stuff to DVD on June 12, and both the explosive thriller “Scandal” and the mystery-suspense sensation “Missing” head home to DVD, also on June 12.   These outstanding ‘Season One’ DVD collections will dig deeper into these new series with never-before-seen material such as exclusive bonus features, deleted scenes, blooper reels and featurettes from favoritecharacters.  Each allows fans the chance to relive all their favorite moments uninterrupted, catch up on missed episodes and share theirlove for some of the best new series on TV with friends and family.

MAY 22, 2012

THE RIVER: The Complete First Season
From Executive Producer Steven Spielberg, and the director of “Paranormal Activity” Oren Peli, a truly harrowing and hair-raising series comes to DVD. “The River: The Complete First Season” tells the tale of famed wildlife explorer and TV personality Dr. Emmet Cole who went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned.

Now, six months after he vanished, a brave crew of family, old friends and new acquaintances embark on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him in the deepest and darkest depths of South America. The DVD is filled with exclusive bonus features, including deleted scenes that draw audiences further into this heart-pounding adventure.

Release Date: May 22, 2012                              Distributor Prebook: April 10, 2012
Rating: TV14 LV                                                        Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 US; $35.99 Canada
Direct Prebook: March 27, 2012                       Running Time: 344 minutes (8 episodes)

JUNE 12, 2012

GCB: The Complete First Season
From Darren Star, creator of ‘Sex And The City,’ and Robert Harling, writer of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ comes a deliciously fun, wicked new drama that shows you can go home again…but only if you’re ready to face the sins of your past.

Back in high school, original mean girl Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) mercilessly tormented her less attractive classmates. Twenty years later, after her hubby is busted for a Ponzi scheme – and meets his
maker in a particularly scandalous way – a disgraced Amanda is back in Dallas to start life anew under her mother’s (Annie Potts) palatial roof.

But will the good women of her hometown welcome her with open arms or dole out some kick-ass karmic payback? Let’s just say, hell hath no fury like the cosmetically enhanced!
“GCB” stars Leslie Bibb, Kristin Chenoweth, Annie Potts, Jennifer Aspen, Miriam Shor, Marisol Nichols, David James Elliott, Mark Deklin and Brad Beyer.  Released in a three-disc DVD set.

Release Date: June 12, 2012                              Distributor Prebook: May 1, 2012
Rating: TVPG D L S                                                    Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 US; $44.99 Canada
Direct Prebook: April 17, 2012                           Running Time: 430 minutes (10 episodes)

JUNE 12, 2012

SCANDAL: The Complete First Season
From the creator and executive producers of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” comes a drama revolving around the life and work of a professional crisis manager and her dysfunctional staff. A formermedia relations consultant to the President, Olivia Pope dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of America’s elite.

After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter — both professionally and personally — but she can’t seem to completely cut ties with her past.

Slowly it becomes apparent that her staff, who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, can’t quite fix the ones closest at hand — their own.

Kerry Washington and Henry Ian Cusick lead a stellar ensemble cast in this two-disc DVD set, complete with bonus features and deleted scenes.

Release Date: June 12, 2012                              Distributor Prebook: May 1, 2012
Rating: TV14 DLSV                                                   Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 US; $35.99 Canada
Direct Prebook: April 17, 2012                          Running Time: 301 minutes (7 episodes)

JUNE 12, 2012

MISSING: The Complete First Season
How far would you go to save the one you love most?  Emmy® Award Nominee Ashley Judd stars in Missing, ABC’s thrilling new series, bursting with international intrigue and a full season of brilliant twists and turns.

After Becca Winstone’s son disappears while overseas for a summer internship, she takes it upon herself to travel to Europe to track him down.  It soon becomes clear that Becca is no ordinary woman, but a former CIA agent deactivated after the devastatingdeath of her husband.  If she wants to find her son alive, Becca will have to rely on old friends…and old enemies…thus reopening old wounds.  Her resourcefulness, skill and determination will be put to the test – but a mother’s love knows no limits.

ABC’s inspiring, action-packed drama grabs you from the very first minute and never lets go.  This DVD set includes exclusive bonus features, plus interviews with star Ashley Judd and the show’s creators, in a three-disc DVD set.

Release Date: June 12, 2012                              Distributor Prebook: May 1, 2012
Rating: TV14 LV                                                        Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 US; $44.99 Canada
Direct Prebook: April 17, 2012                          Running Time: 430 minutes (10 episodes)

About Walt Disney Studios:
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

 

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