Monty Python's Meaning of Life: 30th, The Beatles: Help!, Mud & more!

Thursday, 30 May 2013 15:52

Monty Python's Meaning of Life: 30th, The Beatles: Help!, Mud & more!

by Bill Hunt

Afternoon, folks!

Doogan has checked in this afternoon with a quick update on Criterion’s May newsletter – he’s got a line on the latest clues Criterion has offered on upcoming titles for the Collection. You’ll find that in Gripe Soda, so do check it out.

In announcement news, Universal has officially set Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life: 30th Anniversary Edition for Blu-ray release on 10/8. The Blu-ray will include an all-new Sing-Along Version as well as the all-new and hour-long The Meaning of Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Reunion documentary with John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Additional features will include the 2003 Prologue with Eric Idle, audio commentary with Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, The Snipped Bits (7 deleted scenes), the 4-part The School of Life documentary (including The Meaning of Making The Meaning of Life, Educational Tips to Prepare You For Life in the Real World, Un Film De John Cleese: A Trailer for the John Cleese Version of the Film and Remastering a Masterpiece: How to Revive an Old Master), a Song and Dance featurette, Songs Unsung (alternate versions of the original songs), Selling the Meaning of Life (“in your face” promotional material), Fish (including Virtual Reunion: The Pythons Together Again and What Fish Think: Go Into the Minds of Fish) and finally a Soundtrack for the Lonely. SRP is $19.98.

Note that Universal has also set Liar Liar and The Jerk for Blu-ray release on 7/9, followed by Battlestar Galactica: The 35th Anniversary Edition on 8/6.

Also today, Lionsgate has officially set Mud for Blu-ray and DVD release on 8/6 (SRP $24.99 and $19.98). Extras will include audio commentary with writer/director Jeff Nichols and 4 featurettes (A Very Personal Tale: Writing and Directing Mud, The Arkansas Ensemble: The Distinctive Characters and Cast of Mud, Southern Authenticity: Shooting the Real Arkansas and The Snake Pit: The Slithering Costars of Mud).

And here’s something for you Beatles fans: Capitol/Universal Music has set The Beatles: Help! for Blu-ray release on 6/25 (SRP $29.98). The film has been digitally restored and remixed with a new 5.1 soundtrack. This is also the first time it’s been available on disc in its original widescreen aspect ratio. Extras will include the 30-minute The Beatles in Help! documentary about the making of the film with Richard Lester and the cast and crew, A Missing Scene (a film outtakes featuring Wendy Richard), The Restoration of Help!, Memories of Help!, 2 original U.S. trailers and the Spanish trailer (from 1965) and original U.S. radio spots hidden as Easter eggs. Here’s more information from the official Beatles website, and you’ll find the cover art and Amazon pre-order links below.

Here’s a look at the temp BD art for Universal’s Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life: 30th Anniversary Edition, plus BD art for The Beatles: Help! and Lionsgate’s Black Rock (7/30)…

Stay tuned!

- Bill Hunt

Published in My Two Cents

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