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Paramount Offers Ten Dollar Rebate for Blu-ray Upgrades (UPDATED!)

Thu Aug 21, 2008 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: Paramount (all tags)

According to the representative who alerted us to this promotion, this offer will apply to applicable HD DVD titles as well.

Paramount is working to lure fans to their new slate of Blu-ray offerings by dangling a ten dollar carrot before their eyes.

Beginning with the release of the 'Transformers' Blu-ray on September 2nd, the company will roll out a special promotion to customers who replace their Paramount and Dreamworks DVD’s with Blu-ray editions of the same titles. Consumers who mail in promotional certificates from inside the eligible Blu-ray products, along with the proof-of-purchase tabs from both the DVD and Blu-ray versions will receive a $10 rebate for the upgrade.

Other eligible titles will include 'The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration,' 'Sweeney Todd,' 'Old School,' 'Stardust,' and 'Zodiac.'

All of the pertinent details will be included on the inserts included with specially marked packages. Eligible titles must be purchased before December 31, 2009, with all rebate certificates post-marked by January 31, 2010.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


'Indiana Jones' Coming to Blu-ray this October

Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Paramount (all tags)

Indiana Jones is coming to Blu-ray, with Paramount Home Entertainment announcing an October next-gen debut for his latest adventure, 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.'

In what is sure to be one of the most highly-anticipated Blu-ray releases of the year, Paramount has confirmed an October 14 street date for the $300 million-plus-grossing 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,' which will hits day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Arriving as a two-disc set, disc one will see a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio. (French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround dubs are also included, along with English, French and Spanish subtitle options.)

Extras on disc one include a pair of featurettes ("The Return of the Legend," "Pre-Production") and -- exclusive to the Blu-ray release -- the "Indiana Jones Timeline," a Bonus View picture-in-picture track presenting three different journeys that "explore the movie through interactive timelines that include video featurettes, in-depth information and unique imagery."

Disc two boasts six "Production Diary" segments with cast & crew ("Shooting Begins: New Mexico," "Back To School: New Haven, Connecticut," "Welcome to the Jungle: Hilo, Hawaii," "On-Set Action," "Exploring Akator," "Wrapping Up!"), six additional featurettes ("Warrior Makeup," "The Crystal Skulls," "Iconic Props," "The Effects of Indy," "Adventures in Post Production," "Closing: Team Indy"), three pre-visualization sequences, and five still galleries ("The Art Department," "Stan Winston Studios," "Production Photographs," "Portraits," "Behind-the-Scenes Photographs").

Finally, Paramount has issued the Blu-ray box art for 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull':


Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

At press time, Paramount has confirmed that there are no plans to bring any of the classic Indiana Jones trilogy to Blu-ray, nor any box set release of all four films, at least not in 2008. Of course we'll keep you posted should there be any further developments.

You'll find complete specs for 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 14.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Blu-ray)

First Look: 'Iron Man' Blu-ray Box Art

Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Packaging, Paramount (all tags)

The Blu-ray won't arrive until late September, but we've got an early peek at the box art for 'Iron Man.'

As previously reported, Paramount set a September 30 landing for the Robert Downey, Jr. blockbuster, which grossed over $300 million at the domestic box office and proved to be one of the summer's biggest hits. (The studio will debut the Blu-ray day-and-date with the standard DVD.)

As announced, 'Iron Man' will hit Blu-ray as a two disc set, with the feature film presented across a BD-50 dual-layer disc with 1080p video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras include the documentaries "Hall of Armor: The Invincible Iron Man" and "I Am Iron Man," the "Wired: The Visual Effects of Iron Man" featurette, deleted scenes, a Robert Downey Jr. screen test, "The Actor's Process" rehearsal footage, a short film by The Onion ("Wildly Popular Iron Man Trailer to be Adapted into Full Length Film"), still galleries, and the original theatrical trailer.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray release will be BD-Live functionality (Profile 2.0 required) on disc one, including the "Iron Man IQ" interactive feature.

Finally, Paramount has unveiled the final box art for 'Iron Man,' which offers a new twist on the film's original theatrical key art:


As previously announced, suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Iron Man (2008)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 30.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Iron Man (2008) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Paramount Announces 2-Disc 'Iron Man' Blu-ray (Aug 08, 2008)
Paramount Planning September Blu-ray Landing for 'Iron Man'? (Jul 17, 2008)

Paramount Announces 2-Disc 'Iron Man' Blu-ray

Fri Aug 08, 2008 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Paramount (all tags)

Confirming the rumors, Paramount has officially announced 'Iron Man' for Blu-ray release this September, as a two-disc special edition with hours of HD bonus features.

Ending weeks of speculation, Paramount has finally confirmed a September 30 Blu-ray touchdown for the Robert Downey Jr. blockbuster, which grossed over $300 million at the domestic box office this summer. Due day-and-date with the standard DVD, the Blu-ray will come as a two-disc set with extensive bonus features and BD-Live content.

Tech specs for the main feature include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras will be consistent between the Blu-ray and the DVD (with the Blu-ray content in full 1080 HD). Disc one will include the six-part documentary "Hall of Armor: The Invincible Iron Man" ("Origins," "Friends & Foes," "The Definitive Iron Man," "Demon in a Bottle," "Extremis and Beyond," "Ultimate Iron Man"), plus deleted and extended scenes.

Disc two includes an additional seven-part documentary "I Am Iron Man" ("The Journey Begins," "The Suit that makes the Iron Man," "The Walk of Destruction," "Grounded In Reality," "Beneath the Armor," "It's All in the Details," "A Good Story, Well Told"), the "Wired: The Visual Effects of Iron Man" featurette, a Robert Downey Jr. screen test, "The Actor's Process" rehearsal footage, a short film by The Onion ("Wildly Popular Iron Man Trailer to be Adapted into Full Length Film"), still galleries, and the original theatrical trailer.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray release will be BD-Live functionality (Profile 2.0 required) on disc one, including the "Iron Man IQ" interactive feature.

As previously announced, Paramount has set the suggested retail price at $39.98 for the Blu-ray.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Iron Man' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 30.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Iron Man (2008) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Paramount Planning September Blu-ray Landing for 'Iron Man'? (Jul 17, 2008)

Paramount Planning September Blu-ray Landing for 'Iron Man'?

Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Paramount (all tags)

Get ready to suit up, 'Iron Man' fans: the trades are saying that Paramount is planning to bring the comic book blockbuster to Blu-ray in late September.

That's according to Home Media Magazine, which is reporting that the $310 million box office smash (the biggest hit of the year so far) will touchdown on Blu-ray September 30, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

No further specs or supplement details are known thus far, but given 'Iron Man's big-ticket action sequences and CGI effects, it seems poised to be one of the season's biggest next-gen hits.

At press time, official word from a Paramount spokesperson is that "...the studio has not made any official announcements regarding a release date for Iron-Man on Blu-ray," though we're told the studio's official release plans are due shortly. Needless to say, stay tuned.

In the meantime, we've added a listing for 'Iron Man' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 30.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Ruins (Blu-ray)

First Look: 'Godfather Collection' Blu-ray Box Art

Wed Jul 02, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Packaging, Paramount (all tags)

It's one of the most eagerly-anticipated high-def catalog releases ever, and Paramount has now issued the final box art for 'The Godfather Collection' Blu-ray box set.

As reported earlier this week, Paramount and Zoetrope Studios unveiled full specs for 'The Godfather Collection',' an extensive four-disc box set containing all three landmark 'Godfather' films, plus a bonus disc containing hours of supplement content. Paramount will street the set on September 23, day-and-date with a new standard DVD re-issue.

Tech specs include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation for each film, with 1080p video and first-ever high-res audio tracks in English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround.

As announced, extras are extensive, with audio commentaries by Francis Ford Coppola on all three films, multiple featurettes, still galleries, additional scenes, storyboards, trailers and more.

Now, Paramount has revealed the final piece of the 'Godfather' Blu-ray puzzle with a look at the set's final box art:


As previously announced, suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $119.95

As always, you'll find final specs for 'The Godfather Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 23.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Godfather Collection (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Godfather' Coming to Blu-ray (Jun 30, 2008)

'Godfather' Coming to Blu-ray

Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Paramount (all tags)

Making next-gen fans an offer they can't refuse, Paramount is boxing up the entire 'Godfather' trilogy and bringing it to Blu-ray this September with newly-restored elements and hours of bonus material.

Due on September 23 (day-and-date with a new standard DVD re-issue), 'The Godfather Collection' contains all three installments in the epic saga -- 'The Godfather,' 'The Godfather Part II,' and 'The Godfather Part III' -- each painstakingly restored by the team at Zoetrope Studios in what is being dubbed "The Coppola Restoration." Enjoying a frame-by-frame remaster under the auspices of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and restoration supervisor Kim Aubry, the project reportedly took a year to complete and was recovered using freshly-minted source materials.

Tech specs for each film include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video, and first-ever high-res audio tracks in English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround. (Optional Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround in English and French, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish, with 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather Part II' also including the original English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono presentation.)

Extras on each of the three individual film discs in the set include audio commentary with director Francis Ford Coppola.

Also included in 'The Godfather Collection' is a bonus fourth disc with hours of extensive bonus material (much of it presented in full HD video). Among the supplemental content is a suite of five featurettes ("Godfather World," "The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't," "...Then the Shooting Stopped," "Emulsional Rescue-Revealing The Godfather," "The Godfather on the Red Carpet"), a quartet of "Short Films on The Godfather" ("The Godfather vs. The Godfather, Part II," "Cannoli," "Riffing on the Riffing," "Clemenza"), a multi-part "Behind the Scenes" documentary ("The Godfather Family: A Look Inside," "On Location," "Francis Coppola's Notebook," "The Music of the Godfather," "Coppola & Puzo on Screenwriting," "Gordon Willis on Cinematography"), additional vignettes on "The Filmmakers" ("Francis Ford Coppola," "Mario Puzo," "Gordon Willis," "Dean Tavoularis," "Nino Rota," "Carmine Coppola"), storyboards, additional scenes, an "Acclaim & Response" marketing and publicity section, a "Crime Organization Chart," two still galleries, and theatrical trailers.

Though Paramount and Zoetrope plan to make the three 'Godfather' films available as standalone DVD releases, the studio has confirmed that at this date, only the 'The Godfather Collection' box set will be made available on Blu-ray. Suggested list price has been set at $119.95

You'll find the latest specs for 'The Godfather Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 23.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Godfather Collection (Blu-ray)

First Look: 'Transformers' Blu-ray Box Art

Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: High-Def Disc Packaging, Paramount (all tags)

The Blu-ray won't arrive until September, but Paramount'/DreamWorks has released a first look at the box art for the Michael Bay blockbuster.

As previously reported, Paramount/DreamWorks set a September 2 Blu-ray bow for 'Transformers,' nearly a year after the HD DVD version became that format's all-time top-seller.

Confirmed specs for the Blu-ray sees a matching set of bonus features, including audio commentary with Bay, a pair of four-part documentaries ("Our World," "Their War"), the "From Script to Sand: The SKORPONOK Desert Attack" featurette, a "Concepts" still gallery, theatrical trailers, and multiple easter eggs.

Although Paramount has yet to detail whether all of the exclusive content found on the HD DVD (including PIP, a GPS tracking feature and more) will be included on the Blu-ray, the studio has confirmed the release will be BD-Live-enabled with exact details to be announced soon.

Tech specs include 1080p video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio -- a bump up from the non-high-res audio Dolby Digital track found on the HD DVD.

Finally, Paramount/DreamWorks has revealed final box art for 'Transformers,' which will also mirror the HD DVD and DVD releases:


As previously announced, suggested retail for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

As always, you'll find final specs for 'Transformers' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 2.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Transformers (2007) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Transformers' Blasts to Blu-ray This September (May 28, 2008)

Paramount Sets Specs, Box Art for 'Beowulf' Blu-ray

Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Disc Packaging, Paramount (all tags)

Paramount has unveiled final specs for the July Blu-ray debut of 'Beowulf,' which will match the studio's earlier HD DVD release with high-res audio and extensive bonus features.

As we've previously reported, Paramount will unleash the Robert Zemeckis-directed CGI adventure on Blu-ray July 29, nearly six months after first bringing it to HD DVD.

Matching the earlier release spec for spec, the Blu-ray will again present the film in its Director's Cut form, boasting 1080p/VC-1 video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio.

Extras will include the 16-part documentary "The Making of 'Beowulf,'" plus a dozen deleted scenes, original theatrical trailers, and easter eggs. (All of the bonus content will be presented in full HD.)

Paramount has also confirmed that the Blu-ray edition will feature the "In the Volume" picture-in-picture commentary that was previously exclusive to the HD DVD version, making full use of the Blu-ray format's Bonus View (Profile 1.1) capabilities.

Finally, the studio has released the final Blu-ray box art for 'Beowulf':


As previously announced, Paramount has set the suggested retail price at $39.95.

You'll find final specs for 'Beowulf: Director's Cut' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 29.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Paramount's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Beowulf' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Beowulf: The Director's Cut (2007) (Blu-ray)
Beowulf: The Director's Cut (2007) (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Paramount Sets July Blu-ray Bow for 'Beowulf' (May 30, 2008)

Paramount Adds Extras, DTS-HD MA to 'Top Gun' Blu-ray

Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Paramount (all tags)

Announced last week for a July 29 arrival on Blu-ray, Paramount has now officially confirmed specs for 'Top Gun,' which will outgun the earlier HD DVD version with multiple high-res audio formats and several new-to-high-def bonus features.

Unlike the bare-bones HD DVD (released last November), the Blu-ray edition will port over all of the supplements found on the previous special edition DVD release, including audio commentary (with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and co-screenwriter Jack Epps, Jr.), the featurette "Danger Zone: The Making Of Top Gun," a multi-angle storyboard comparison, still gallery, music videos and TV spots.

Tech specs include 1080p video, English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio (identical to the HD DVD) and in a first for Paramount, a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 6.1 Surround option.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $29.99.

You'll find final specs 'Top Gun' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under its new date of July 29.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Paramount's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Top Gun' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Top Gun (Blu-ray)
Top Gun (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Top Gun' Blu-ray Set for July Re-Entry (May 27, 2008)


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