THE SMASH-HIT SEQUEL TO THE ORIGINAL BLOCKBUSTER CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY ON 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY™

 

Eddie Murphy returns in the wildly entertaining action-comedy BEVERLY HILLS COP II, arriving on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray May 17, 2022 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

Directed by Tony Scott, who followed up Top Gunwith this highly anticipated sequel, BEVERLY HILLS COP II celebrates its 35^th anniversary this year, having been originally released on May 20, 1987.  Produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer,BEVERLY HILLS COP II was a massive box office success, earning over $153 million domestically and becoming the #1 film of 1987.  The movie also earned Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song for “Shakedown.”

 

Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back where he doesn't belong, this time going "deep, deep, deep undercover" to stop a gang of international munitions smugglers. Also returning are Judge Reinhold and John Ashton as Murphy's crime-busting sidekicks, ready to unleash blazing gunfire alongside rapid-fire gags.

 

BEVERLY HILLS COP II is presented with exceptional picture and sound quality on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with Dolby Vision® and HDR-10 and Dolby 5.1 DTS Master Audio.^*

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Shout Factory Launches Scream Factory TV On April 15th, 2022

 

GET READY TO STREAM AND SCREAM Scream Factory TV Launches on April 15th

Shout! Factory TV presents Scream Factory TV, a 24/7 channel that is every fright-fan's final resting place for  horror, sci-fi, thrillers, and more! Immerse yourself in the snarling monsters, stalking slashers, terrifying aliens, and shocking moments that have haunted you for years. Following the success of Shout! Factory's immensely popular home entertainment brand Scream Factory, Scream Factory TV will allow fans to stream and scream their favorite thrills and chills at home 24/7. Focusing on the notable horror, sci-fi, and thriller cult classics that fans love, every movie comes uncensored and ready to terrify. Tune in starting April 15 to the new channel that's so good ... it's scary. For more information about where to find Scream Factory TV,  please visit: ScreamFactoryTV.com Titles launching on April 15th: Bad Moon Black Christmas Carnival Of Souls The Cat O' Nine Tails Chopping Mall Class Of 1984 Communion The Company Of Wolves The Crush Dark Star Day Of The Dead The Exorcist III Forbidden World Galaxy Of Terror House On Haunted Hill Humanoids From The Deep The Last Man On Earth Magic Night Of The Demons Night Of The Living Dead Nightbreed: Director's Cut Nosferatu Piranha (1978) Silent Night, Deadly Night: Part 2 Sleepaway Camp The Slumber Party Massacre The Stepfather Willard Witchboard Witchery ABOUT SCREAM FACTORY Scream Factory is a DVD, Blu-ray and Digital brand created to focus on notable (and underrated) horror, sci-fi, thriller films from the past that have massive cult followings. The Scream Factory brand also includes recent contemporary genre films released and distributed in the US and international territories. Follow Scream Factory TV Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Follow Scream Factory Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Follow Shout! Factory TV Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

HBO Releases New Photos And Details Regarding House Of The Dragon

 

• The ten-episode HBO Original drama series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON debuts SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
   
• Logline: Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen.
   
• Starring: Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans.
   
• Additional Cast: Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn.
• Credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer, Ryan Condal; Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Director, Miguel Sapochnik; Executive Producer/Writer, Sara Hess; Executive Producers, Jocelyn Diaz, Vince Gerardis, Ron Schmidt; Directors Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel; Director/Co-Executive Producer, Greg Yaitanes. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”

New photos:

STARRING:

Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal.  A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather's legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon.  But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Sea Snake.” Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As “The Sea Snake,” the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, "The Queen Who Never Was" was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, of Dornish descent, the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven.  Cole has no claim to land or titles; all he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword.

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall.  She could have wilted... but instead she rose to become the most trusted -- and most unlikely -- ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king's brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

 

ADDITIONAL CAST (in alphabetical order):

Milly Alcock as Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. She's the king’s first-born child, of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen, eldest daughter of Laena Velaryon and rider of the young dragon Moondancer.

Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen, second daughter of Lady Laena and sister to Baela.

Emily Carey as Young Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. Alicent was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon, eldest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong. 'Breakbones', Harwin is said to be the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms.  Ser Harwin is the eldest son to Master of Laws Lyonel Strong and heir to Harrenhal.

Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen, first-born son of King Viserys.

Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister, a crafty and calculating politician, twin to Lord Jason Lannister.

Jefferson Hall as Lord Jason Lannister, the Lord of Casterly Rock and twin to Ser Tyland Lannister.

David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos, a voice of reason and trusted advisor to King Viserys.

Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon, younger brother to Coryls Velaryon and commander in the Velaryon navy.

John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon and  Rhaenys Targaryen.

Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling, who has served in the Kingsguard since the days of King Jaehaerys; he is a paragon of chivalry and honor.

Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen, second-born son of Viserys, nephew to Daemon, and half-brother to Rhaenyra.

Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.

Matthew Needham as Larys Strong, younger son of Master of Laws Lyonel Strong, brought to court by his father.

Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury, Lord of Honeyholt and Master of Coin on King Viserys's small council. 

Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen, second-born daughter of Viserys, sister to Aegon and Aemond, half-sister to Rhaenyra.

Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong, Master of Laws to King Viserys and Lord of Harrenhal.

Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron, daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.

Bread and Circuses at the Academy Awards.

People have been making lots of claims attempting to stir the pot regarding Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock and subsequent profane exclamation afterwards before winning a Best Actor Oscar and delivering an apology to the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences during his acceptance speech. We are all human beings and there is no easy answer to this because we all know whether it is true or not, the Oscars has consistently lost viewers over the last few years and a big reason for that is that people know it is all show business. They expect the cliches and the long pomp and circumstance of the show. Now suddenly a professional comedian gets slapped on live TV by a man, whose brand has been “The Nice Guy.” Will Smith is charismatic and he has made a lot of money for movie and TV industry. In the years before the internet it was easier to control a person’s brand. What happened last night was almost a paradoxical instance because in reality it felt real and Smith even punctuated it with saying a curse word twice while showing his rage. The takeaway is you can argue, what Smith did was the best thing to happen on the Academy Awards in years because it felt real. It was not someone lecturing the world about something that has nothing to do with what they do for a living and for which they are not an expert to discuss. If you need to go to a specialist in a field, do you go to a celebrity or do you go to a qualified person you know personally and trust. That is the problem with Awards shows and why people have tuned out. However when a man defends his wife by assaulting another man who has besmirched her, that’s drama. That is what Actors do. They perform drama and drama is conflict so ironically Will Smith’s reaction was something that will raise the ratings for next year’s show and right or wrong, no one can’t say it was not an Actor literally improvising an impromptu dramatic moment on live TV that was real. 

Right or wrong, his actions are his own and while he apologized on live TV later, it may have been good that he did not apologize to Chris Rock then because it would not have been sincere. Personally I think whatever happens should be behind closed doors and one person’s suggestion that Smith should go on Oprah to apologize again may yield ratings, but who does it benefit? The public has nothing to do with what happened. He did what he did and I have seen too many apologies on TV that do nothing, but aggravate a situation. Apology tours don’t work. It just creates more bread and circuses for something that is a private matter now. If anything Smith might get fined by the FCC for cursing twice on live TV, which hurt his brand more than hitting Chris Rock. I am more concerned with the bigger picture than I am an incident where a man slapped another man on live television. Far worse things have happened on live TV. Let it sort itself out and let’s not be distracted by what is going on in another person’s life that has no effect on 99.9 percent of us living on planet Earth. 

(C) Copyright 2022 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

Fully Restored Director’s Edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture Makes Its Long-Awaited Debut

 The Definitive Vision of Director Robert Wise Debuts Exclusively on Paramount+ 

April 5, 2022, in Celebration of First Contact Day

 

Film Arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ in September with Extensive New Bonus Content 

 

Click Here to Watch the New Trailer

 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – March 24, 2022 – Eagerly anticipated by Star Trek fans for over two decades, Star Trek: The Motion Picture—The Director’s Edition will make its long-awaited debut exclusively on Paramount+ on April 5, 2022, in celebration of First Contact Day.  The film will be available to stream on Paramount+ in 4K Ultra HD on supported devices and platforms.  The newly restored film will subsequently arrive on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in September from Paramount Home Entertainment.  In addition, fans will have the opportunity to see the restored version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture—The Director’s Edition on the big screen for the first time when Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures bring it to theaters for an exclusive two-day event on May 22 and May 25.  Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 8 at FathomEvents.com.

 

Originally released in 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture became the fourth highest grossing movie of the year and earned three Academy Award® nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and Best Music, Original Score.  The film successfully launched the Star Trek franchise beyond the original television series, despite having been rushed to theaters with incomplete special effects and forced editing choices. 

 

In 2001, director Robert Wise revisited the film to refine the edit and enhance the visual effects.  His updated vision was released on DVD in standard definition and embraced by fans but has never been available in higher definition until now.  Meticulously assembled and restored by producer David C. Fein with preservationist Mike Matessino, both of whom originally collaborated with Wise, the film has been prepared for presentation in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision™ high dynamic range (HDR) and a new powerful and immersive Dolby Atmos® soundtrack.^*  Fein and Matessino assembled a team of special effects experts, led by returning visual effects supervisor Daren Dochterman, and utilized the extensive resources in the Paramount Archives to recreate the effects not just in HD, but in Ultra HD. After more than six months of painstaking work, the updated movie looks and sounds better than ever while staying true to Wise’s original intention.

 

“I couldn’t be prouder and more thrilled to have completed the film in 4K,” said Fein.  “Paramount offered unprecedented access to the original elements and exceptional support and the results are stunning.  Utilizing the latest discoveries and innovations of modern film production, The Director’s Edition delivers so much more today than was previously possible.  It’s an adventure you’ll never forget!”

 

Star Trek: The Motion Picture—The Director’s Edition Synopsis

The U.S.S. Enterprise boldly debuted on the big screen with the cast of the original Star Trek series, including William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and James Doohan.  Meticulously restored and remastered, with enhanced visual effects and state-of-the-art sound, this definitive vision of director Robert Wise has been optimized for a new generation of fans. When an unidentified alien intruder destroys three powerful Klingon cruisers, Admiral James T. Kirk (Shatner) returns to the helm of a newly transformed U.S.S. Enterprise to take command and confront an alien spacecraft of enormous power heading toward Earth.

 

The Star Trek: The Motion Picture—The Director’s Edition 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital releases will include HDR-10 and Dolby Vision,™ as well as Dolby Atmos®, accompanied by extensive new and legacy bonus content, which will be detailed at a later date. 

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About Paramount+

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and a mountain of entertainment. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. The service is also the streaming home to unmatched sports programming, including every CBS Sports event, from golf to football to basketball and more, plus exclusive streaming rights for major sports properties, including some of the world’s biggest and most popular soccer leagues. Paramount+ also enables subscribers to stream local CBS stations live across the U.S. in addition to the ability to stream CBSN for 24/7 news, CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis, and ET Live for entertainment coverage.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus on social platforms.

About Paramount Home Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide.  The PHE division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios, Paramount Players, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles.  PHE additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

 

About Fathom Events 

Fathom is a recognized leader in the entertainment industry as one of the top distributors of content to movie theaters in North America. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC); Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK); and Regal, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group (LSE: CINE.L), Fathom operates the largest cinema distribution network, delivering a wide variety of programming and experiences to cinema audiences in all the top U.S. markets and to more than 45 countries. 

 

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE—The Director’s EditionU.S. Rating:  PG for sci-fi action and mild language

 

Endorsement Guidelines:  Paramount Pictures Corporation and Paramount Home Entertainment (collectively “Paramount”) are not requesting or requiring any online or social media coverage, publication, or posting (i) in connection with this press release or (ii) in exchange for any products, materials, services, or any other benefit provided to recipient (“Recipient”) by Paramount in connection herewith.  Recipient agrees that any social media posts or public statements made by Recipient in connection with this press release, any products, materials, services, or benefit provided to Recipient by Paramount will comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, and/or policies (collectively, the “Laws”), including, without limitation, those concerning endorsements and testimonials in advertising in the territory(ies) in which Recipient resides and/or in which Recipient’s posts will be featured (for example, in the United States:  Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) endorsement disclosure guidelines, FTC FAQs, and “Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers,” all available at https://www.ftc.gov/influencers)).  To the extent required by any Laws, Recipient shall include an accurate, clear, and conspicuous disclosure of any relationship between Recipient and Paramount in language that is easy to understand and in a noticeable manner.  

 

 

* To experience Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos at home, compatible devices are required; 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision are available at select digital retailers.

 

“ACADEMY AWARD®” and “OSCAR®” are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

 

Paramount’s Yellowstone is Number 1!

PARAMOUNT NETWORK’S MEGAHIT SERIES “YELLOWSTONE” WRANGLES $100M+ 

IN 2021 TO BECOME THE #1 TV FRANCHISE ACROSS ALL TRANSACTIONAL PLATFORMS

Cable’s Top Drama is Home Entertainment’s #1 TV Franchise of 2021

 

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—March 16, 2022—Paramount Home Entertainment today announced that Paramount Network and 101 Studios’ “Yellowstone” was the #1 TV franchise of 2021 across both physical and digital transactional media.  Along with Marvel and DC, “Yellowstone” was one of 2021's top three entertainment franchises in transactional ownership.  Cable’s #1 series generated over $100 million in consumer spending on transactional platforms in 2021 and Season 4 of the show was the #1 TV release on Digital in 2021.  Season 4 arrived on Blu-ray^™ and DVD March 8, 2022, generating the highest first-week physical sales for a TV series since the final season of “Game of Thrones” in December 2019.

A growing pop culture sensation, the SAG, PGA, and Emmy® Award-nominated^* “Yellowstone”continues to be a massive hit.  In 2021, the series was the #1 show on television excluding news and sports among adults 18-49 [source: Nielsen, L+3, P18-49 (000)].  The show has been renewed for a fifth season on Paramount Network.

“Yellowstone” made its domestic debut in June 2018 and was followed by a home entertainment release in December.  As the show’s popularity has grown, so have sales of subsequent seasons, with the first four seasons having sold well over 2 million units on Blu-ray and DVD in the U.S. to date. 

David Glasser, CEO, 101 Studios, said, “As we continue to build out the ‘Yellowstone’ universe, it's amazing to see that there is an enormous audience out there who is as eager as we are to expand this world in ways that are rivaling the largest film and television franchises in the industry.  We are indebted to the fans who have made that a reality, who make us strive even harder to keep offering even more compelling characters and stories.”

“We are thrilled to be part of the phenomenon that is ‘Yellowstone,’” said Bob Buchi, president, Worldwide Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures.  “The passion from the show’s fans is undeniable, and the support from our digital and physical retail community has been tremendous. As fandom continues to grow, we look forward to bringing Taylor Sheridan’s iconic series to people who want to relive the experience again and again via home entertainment.”

Written and directed by Academy Award®-nominated^** screenwriter Taylor Sheridan,“Yellowstone” is an engrossing family drama that follows the epic story of a multi-generational family that controls the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S.  The series stars world-renowned actor and Oscar®-winner^*** Kevin Costner, along with an impressive ensemble cast including Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham and Gil Birmingham with Will Patton.

“Yellowstone” is co-created by Sheridan and John Linson.  The Paramount Network original drama is co-produced by 101 Studios.  Executive producers for “Yellowstone” are John Linson, Art Linson, Taylor Sheridan, Kevin Costner, David C. Glasser and Bob Yari.