Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection First Time Ever on Blu-ray!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A LANDMARK COLLECTION SHOWCASING THE LEGENDARY MONSTERS IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY

UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: COMPLETE 30-FILM COLLECTION AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY ON AUGUST 28, 2018 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, August 22, 2018 – Thirty of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces starring the most famous monsters of horror movie history come together on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection on August 28, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring unforgettable make-up, ground-breaking special effects and outstanding performances, the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes all Universal Pictures’ legendary monsters from the studio that pioneered the horror genre with imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror in unforgettable films from the 1930s to late-1950s.

From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases all the original films featuring the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Starring some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles that they made famous, these films set the standard for a new horror genre and showcase why these landmark movies that defined the horror genre are regarded as some of the most unforgettable ever to be filmed.

Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes a 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs and is accompanied by an array of bonus features including behind-the-scenes documentaries, the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula, Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce, 13 expert feature commentaries, archival footage, production photographs, theatrical trailers and more. The perfect gift for any scary movie fan, the collection offers an opportunity to experience some of the most memorable horror films of our time.

The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes Dracula(1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1942), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942),Invisible Agent (1942), Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, and includes a 3D version), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955 and includes a 3D version) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).

 

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries
  • 3D Versions of Creature from the Black Lagoon and Revenge of the Creature
  • 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula
  • Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce
  • 13 Expert Feature Commentaries
  • Archival Footage
  • Production Photographs
  • Theatrical Trailers

 

Blu-ray Review “The Princess Bride: 25th Anniversary Edition”

Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn
Director: Rob Reiner
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Run Time: 98 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

Has it really been 25 years since “The Princess Bride” came out…simply inconceivable! I remember the first time that I watching this film, I was immediately in love.  This is just one of those films that you can watch over and over and it doesn’t get old. The romance.  The comedy. Good vs. Evil. This film really has everything.  It is one of Rob Reiner’s best pictures. This 25th Anniversary Blu-ray isn’t the first time this film was released on the format, since it was released back in 2009 as well.  If you own the previous version, then you should be good.  But hardcore fans are going to have to double-dip for the amazing new retrospective documentary included in the extras.  Get ready to experience this film again its all its comedy and romantic glory.

Fox’s official synopsis: “Scale the cliffs of insanity, battle rodents of unusual size, face torture in the pit of despair, and join Princess Buttercup (Wright) and Westley (Elwes) on their spell-binding journey to find true love…A classic fairy tale complete with heroes, villains, trickery, mockery, and death-defying miracles, The Princess Bride captured audiences young and old with its…memorable dialogue, enchanting story line, and bewitching characters…[and it features] a cast that includes Mandy Patinkin (Homeland), Andre the Giant (Conan the Destroyer), Chris Sarandon (Dog Day Afternoon), Wallace Shawn (Vanya on 42nd Street), Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap), Peter Falk (Wings of Desire), Carol Kane (Scrooged), and Billy Crystal (City Slickers).”

Fox delivers a wonderful Blu-ray release. The 1080p transfer looks glorious presented in its 1.85:1 original aspect ratio alongside a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, which is easily as impressive. The star of this 25th anniversary is a really neat all-new, two-part retrospective documentary called “True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon”. It is worth the purchase alone for the Blu-ray and brings back all the cast to reflect on the film. There are two audio commentaries, the first with director Rob Reiner and also screenwriter William Goldman. There are four fantastic behind-the-scenes featurettes including “As You Wish: The Story of The Princess Bride”, “The Princess Bride: The Untold Tales”, “The Art of Fencing”, “Fairy Tales and Folklore”, “Miraculous Makeup”, “The Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Pirate of the Seven Seas” and “Love is Like a Storybook”. This covers just about everything you want to know about the production. Cary Elwes’ video diary is fun look behind-the-camera with the star. Lastly there is the original theatrical trailer and a few easter eggs, so keep an eye out.

Maya Entertainment Lands “Ass Backwards” from the Writers of “Bride Wars”

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT LANDS “ASS BACKWARDS” FROM THE WRITERS OF “BRIDE WARS”

Alicia Silverstone, Jon Cryer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Casey Wilson & June Diane Raphael Star In New Comedy

LOS ANGELES, CA – Maya Entertainment Group, Inc., a leading independent multi-platform content and distribution company based in Los Angeles, has acquired the international rights to the comedy “Ass Backwards from the writers of “Bride Wars.”  The film directed by Chris Nelson (upcoming film “Gay Dude” with Sarah Hyland and Megan Mullally) stars Alicia Silverstone (Batman & Robin”, “Clueless”), Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men”), Vincent D’Onofrio (“Law& Order: Criminal Intent”, “Full Metal Jacket”), Casey Wilson (“Happy Endings”, “Bride Wars”), and June Diane Raphael (“Bride Wars”, “Zodiac”).

Two best friends Kate (June Diane Raphael) and Chloe (Casey Wilson) are living the so called “high life” in New York when they run into their former pageant nemesis, Laurel (Alicia Silverstone), who has gone on to become a multi-hyphenated superstar.  Kate and Chloe, whose lives are not as fabulous as they seem to be, embark on a cross country road trip back to their hometown to attempt to win a pageant that eluded them as children. On the road, they face some hard truths about themselves and each other as they encounter spring breakers, strip clubs, a women’s militant group, and their favorite reality star.

“We are excited to have acquired the very funny and quirky comedy Ass Backwards,” said Elias Axume, President, International Distribution for Maya Entertainment. “The cast, led by Alicia Silverstone and Jon Cryer, is terrific and very appealing to many international markets.”

The deal was negotiated by Elias Axume and Tonantzin Esparza, Director of Acquisitions, on behalf of Maya Entertainment.  “Ass Backwardswas produced by Heather Rae (“The Dry Land”, “Frozen River”) and Molly Conners (“Killer Joe”, “Frozen River”).

MAYA ENTERTAINMENT | www.maya-entertainment.com

Based in Los Angeles, Maya Entertainment Group, Inc. is an independent multi-platform content and distribution company that has established itself as the leader of media product that appeals to the “new mainstream” of American Latino and Multi-cultural audiences.  Led by entertainment industry pioneers, Moctesuma Esparza (Selena, Gettysburg) and Jeff Valdez (Sí TV, QuePasa.com), Maya Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes entertainment programming and has established a library of over 100 titles, which are available at retail, for rental, and on VOD through Time Warner Cable, Comcast, iN DEMAND, and TVN.

Maya International Distribution, headed by Elias Axume, sells rights to its entertainment properties worldwide and has a presence at key markets including Berlin Film Festival/European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, MIP-TV, Toronto International Film Festival, MIPCOM and AFM. Currently, Maya International is selling rights to La Mission, starring Benjamin Bratt; The Jesuit, starring Michelle Rodriguez and Willem Dafoe; Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy; Without Men starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; Across the Line, starring Aidan Quinn and Mario van Peebles; and The Last Rites of Joe May, starring Dennis Farina, among others.

Maya’s recent theatrical and home video releases include the Official 2010 Sundance selection The Dry Land, starring America Ferrera, Jason Ritter, and Wilmer Valderrama; the action-drama Across the Line starring Aidan Quinn, Mario Van Peebles, and Andy Garcia; and Sins of My Father (Pecados de mi Padre), the true story of Pablo Escobar, the infamous boss of Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel, as told through the eyes of his son; Sympathy for Delicious, directed by and starring Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, Laura Linney and Juliette Lewis; Without Men, starring Eva Longoria Parker, Christian Slater and Oscar Nunez; and Café, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.