Blu-ray News – Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 40th details, plus Hardware Wars, Star Wars news & more
byBill Hunt
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We’re starting the week with a pair of new Blu-ray reviews. First up,Jim Hemphill has given Twilight Time’sThe Best of Everything a good look for you. And I’ve turned inmy thoughts on the BBC’s excellent 7-partJonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell miniseries, which has just been released on Blu-ray. Both are well worth a look. [Read on here…]
In announcement news today, the big piece of news is that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially setMonty Python and the Holy Grail for 40th anniversary re-issue on Blu-ray on 10/27. New for this edition is “all-new artwork from Terry Gilliam and the all-new 30-minuteMonty Python and the Holy Grail at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, a Q&A with Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, John Cleese and Eric Idle, hosted by John Oliver and recorded live at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.” You’ll be able to buy the Blu-ray in two versions: a regular40th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition (SRP $19.99) and a40th Anniversary Blu-ray Limited Edition Castle Catapult Gift Set (SRP $55.99). The latter includes “collectible castle packaging with real catapult action and rubber farm animals, plus all-new exclusive introductory letters from Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones.” There’s no indication of a new HD transfer, but legacy extras include outtakes and extended scenes with introduction by Terry Jones, lost animations with introduction by Terry Gilliam, commentary by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, “even more revealing” commentary by John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin,The Quest for the Holy Grail Locationswith Michael Palin and Terry Jones,Lego Knights: The Knights of the Round Table in LEGO, theSpecial Japanese Version,How to Use Your Coconuts (An Educational Film),BBC Film Night on Location, 3 sing-along songs, a photo gallery, and the trailer. Here’s what the gift set looks like (click to pre-order on Amazon) and you’ll find the regular version cover artwork (and Amazon link) below.
Also today, here’s a surprise that was probably inevitable: Apprehensive Films is releasing Ernie Fosselius’Hardware Wars on Blu-ray on 11/3 (SRP $29.95), featuring a new HD scan and color correction supervised by Fosselius. Extras will includeDisastrous Shorts (a collection of short films by Fosselius includingHindenburger),Plan 9.1 (a tribute to the Ed Wood Jr. classic featuring an all wooden cast), and an interview with Fosselius onCreature Features hosted by Bob Wilkins. All the extras are in SD.
Lionsgate has setDark Places for Blu-ray and DVD release on 10/6, starring Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, and Christina Hendricks.
And Scream Factory has set theTales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight – Collector’s Edition andTales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood – Collector’s Edition for Blu-ray release on 10/20 (SRP $22.97).
Here’s a look at some new cover artwork, including the regular re-issue versions of Sony’sThe Fifth Element andLéon: The Professional – Supreme Cinema Series (sans book and special packaging but with the new 4K transfers)...
And in other news, there was some bigStar Wars news out of Disney’s D23 fan convention in Anaheim this past weekend, including word that Disney is building newStar Wars-themed lands at both their Orlando and Anaheim theme parks. Also, the first photo of theStar Wars: Rogue One cast was revealed, a new Drew Struzan poster forThe Force Awakens was released, and it was announced thatJurassic World director Colin Trevorrow will be helmingStar Wars: Episode IX. The officialStar Wars.com website has more on all of this.
Stay tuned...
- Bill Hunt
