Classics Releasing on Blu-ray in May 2015
This month's Blu-ray releases feature George Miller's classic dystopian thriller; Steven Spielberg's film debut; an Oscar-winning classic from 1966; and Charlie Chaplin's last great film.
Just in time for the remake starring Tom Hardy, a Collector's Edition re-release of the original Mad Max will be available this month from Shout Factory. Directed by George Miller, the film stars a then-unknown Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, a cop patrolling the Australian highways in a dystopian near-future, where motorcycle gangs rule the roads. But when his family is murdered by the evil Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne), Max jumps into his souped-up V8 to seek revenge. Though not a new transfer, the Blu-ray will contain fresh interviews with Gibson and co-star Joanne Samuel; the featurettes Mel Gibson: The Birth of a Superstar and Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon; the original theater and TV trailers; and a photo gallery.
Releases May 5, 2015
Originally released as part of the Steven Spielberg Director's Collection in October 2014, The Sugarland Express will make its debut as a stand-alone Blu-ray this month. Directed, of course, by Steven Spielberg, the film starred Goldie Hawn as Lou Jean Poplin, a woman determined not to lose her baby to authorities, which leads to her hatching a plot to spring her husband (William Atherton) from jail so they can kidnap their child from its foster parents. But their plan goes awry when they take a police officer hostage (Michael Sacks) and head across the plains to Sugarland, Texas. Released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment, The Sugarland Express will be presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, and will include the theatrical trailer as its only extra.
Releases May 5, 2015
Even though it won six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, A Man for All Seasons has waited until now to make its debut on Blu-ray. And that debut is only a limited release of 3,000 copies from indie distributor Screen Archives Entertainment. Set in 16th century England, the film starred Oscar-winner Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More, the morally principled Lord Chancellor to King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw), who struggles with his king over the monarch's desire to divorce his current wife in order to marry Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave). Directed by Fred Zinnemann, A Man for All Seasons was one of the last great studio films made before the New Hollywood era took over. As usual, Screen Archives has not released any technical specs or details about extras prior to release.
Releases May 12, 2015
One of several movies being released by The Criterion Collection, Limelight is definitely the most familiar to classic movie fans. A master showbiz drama directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, the film focused on Calvero (Chaplin), a once beloved musical performer-turned-washed up alcoholic who meets a melancholy ballerina (Claire Bloom) and returns to the stage in order to help boost her career. Though initially met with failure, Calvero runs into his old partner (Buster Keaton) and finally brings down the house, only to pay the ultimate price. Made at a time when Chaplin was under attack by the press and far right, Limelight was barely released in the U.S., but has since become one of the icon's most important films. Limelight also marked the only time Chaplin and Keaton appeared on screen together. Criterion will release Limelight in a new 4K digital restoration, and will offer a number of extras, including a video essay from Chaplin biographer David Robinson; fresh interviews with actors Claire Bloom and Norman Lloyd; the 2002 documentary Chaplin Today: 'Limelight'; outtakes from the film; and two Chaplin shorts, Chaplin: A Night in the Show (1915) and the never completed The Professor (1919).
Releases May 19, 2015
1. 'Mad Max' – 1979
Just in time for the remake starring Tom Hardy, a Collector's Edition re-release of the original Mad Max will be available this month from Shout Factory. Directed by George Miller, the film stars a then-unknown Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, a cop patrolling the Australian highways in a dystopian near-future, where motorcycle gangs rule the roads. But when his family is murdered by the evil Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne), Max jumps into his souped-up V8 to seek revenge. Though not a new transfer, the Blu-ray will contain fresh interviews with Gibson and co-star Joanne Samuel; the featurettes Mel Gibson: The Birth of a Superstar and Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon; the original theater and TV trailers; and a photo gallery.
Releases May 5, 2015
2. 'The Sugarland Express' – 1974
Originally released as part of the Steven Spielberg Director's Collection in October 2014, The Sugarland Express will make its debut as a stand-alone Blu-ray this month. Directed, of course, by Steven Spielberg, the film starred Goldie Hawn as Lou Jean Poplin, a woman determined not to lose her baby to authorities, which leads to her hatching a plot to spring her husband (William Atherton) from jail so they can kidnap their child from its foster parents. But their plan goes awry when they take a police officer hostage (Michael Sacks) and head across the plains to Sugarland, Texas. Released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment, The Sugarland Express will be presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, and will include the theatrical trailer as its only extra.
Releases May 5, 2015
3. 'A Man for All Seasons' – 1966
Even though it won six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, A Man for All Seasons has waited until now to make its debut on Blu-ray. And that debut is only a limited release of 3,000 copies from indie distributor Screen Archives Entertainment. Set in 16th century England, the film starred Oscar-winner Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More, the morally principled Lord Chancellor to King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw), who struggles with his king over the monarch's desire to divorce his current wife in order to marry Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave). Directed by Fred Zinnemann, A Man for All Seasons was one of the last great studio films made before the New Hollywood era took over. As usual, Screen Archives has not released any technical specs or details about extras prior to release.
Releases May 12, 2015
4. 'Limelight' – 1952
One of several movies being released by The Criterion Collection, Limelight is definitely the most familiar to classic movie fans. A master showbiz drama directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, the film focused on Calvero (Chaplin), a once beloved musical performer-turned-washed up alcoholic who meets a melancholy ballerina (Claire Bloom) and returns to the stage in order to help boost her career. Though initially met with failure, Calvero runs into his old partner (Buster Keaton) and finally brings down the house, only to pay the ultimate price. Made at a time when Chaplin was under attack by the press and far right, Limelight was barely released in the U.S., but has since become one of the icon's most important films. Limelight also marked the only time Chaplin and Keaton appeared on screen together. Criterion will release Limelight in a new 4K digital restoration, and will offer a number of extras, including a video essay from Chaplin biographer David Robinson; fresh interviews with actors Claire Bloom and Norman Lloyd; the 2002 documentary Chaplin Today: 'Limelight'; outtakes from the film; and two Chaplin shorts, Chaplin: A Night in the Show (1915) and the never completed The Professor (1919).
Releases May 19, 2015