Metallica…And Justice For All (Remastered) Definitive Re-Release Out Nov. 2

METALLICA …AND JUSTICE FOR ALL (REMASTERED)
DEFINITIVE RE-RELEASE OUT NOVEMBER 2, 2018

PRE-ORDERS FOR 1988 BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM OPEN TODAY

EXPANDED AND DELUXE EDITIONS TO FEATURE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED MATERIAL INCLUDING DEMOS, ROUGH MIXES, VIDEO, LIVE ALBUMS, INTERVIEWS, NEVER BEFORE SEEN PHOTOS & MORE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA –

SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 – Today Metallica commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of their breakthrough fourth album …And Justice For All with the announcement of its definitive reissue, out November 2nd on the band’s own Blackened Recordings.

The re-release of …And Justice For All has been remastered for the most advanced sound quality, as overseen by Greg Fidelman, and will be available in multiple digital and physical configurations. Pre-orders begin today at www.metallica.com where fans can see the full package details and track listing. Pre-orders of all configurations will receive an instant download of “Dyers Eve (Remastered),” while pre-orders of the expanded and deluxe editions will receive an additional instant download of “Eye of the Beholder (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England – October 10th, 1988).”

The …And Justice For All reissue will be available physically as a Standard Double 180 gram LP, Standard CD, 3 CD Expanded Edition, Cassette, Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set and digitally as a Standard album (available to stream and download), an Expanded Edition (available for download only), and a Digital Deluxe Box Set (available for streaming and download). The Expanded Edition will include previously unreleased demos, rough mixes, previously unreleased live tracks, and an expanded booklet of never-before-seen Ross Halfin photos. The one-pressing-only Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set will include the remastered double 180g LP, a “One” picture disc, 3 LPs featuring their iconic performance from Seattle in 1989 remixed by Greg Fidelman, 11 CDs, 4 DVDs, a set of four patches, a Pushead print, a tour laminate, lyric sheets, a download card for all material in the set, and a deluxe 120-page book with never-before-seen photos and never-before told stories from the people who were there.

Click HERE to watch Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett unbox the reissue.

…And Justice For All was originally released—despite what the internet might tell you— September 7th, 1988, on Elektra Records. Certified 8x Platinum in the United States, …And Justice For All marked a series of firsts for Metallica: The first full length Metallica recording to feature bassist Jason Newsted, the first Metallica album to crack the U.S. Top 10 where it peaked at #6, the band’s first video and top 40 single (“One”), their debut performance on the Grammy Awards, as well as their first Grammy loss (Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental for …And Justice for All), and first Grammy win (Best Metal Performance for “One”). It also received more widespread critical acclaim than any of its predecessors, with Rolling Stone hailing the album as “a marvel of precisely channeled aggression,” Spin calling it “a gem of a double record,” and ultimately placing in the Village Voice annual Pazz & Jop critics poll of the year’s best reviewed albums.

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Drummer Anton Fig talks about re-release of solo album “Figments”

Drummer Anton Fig has been performing both live and in the studio since the mid 1970’s.  He has worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Madonna and most notably as the drummer for David Letterman’s house band the CBS Orchestra. Anton released his first solo album “Figments” in 2002 and recently re-released it in 2015. Media Mikes had the chance to talk with Anton recently about the albums re-release and its creation and also about his impressive session work.

Adam Lawton: “Figments” was originally released in 2002. Can you tell us about the decision to re-release the album?
Anton Fig: When the album was initially released there were a few people who heard it however at that time the transition from retail to online sales was just starting to take place. Stores were closing up and the stuff on the web was still just starting to happen. Things weren’t the way they are now with social media and everything so it was hard for people to access the album. I felt the album still sounded fresh and vibrant and with there being a number of ways to get the word out about it re-releasing the album seemed like a good thing to do.

AL: Thinking back to when you first started working on the album what do you feel was the driving element in releasing your first solo album after being in the music business for quite some time prior?
AF: I always had said to myself that once it became easier to record and digital recording was more available that I would put out a record. Going into a traditional studio is quite expensive so being able to record from your home and not have to travel and all that made things much easier. I did travel a little bit to work with some of the people on the album and I did my drums in a studio but all the mixing and overdubs I did at home which was relatively inexpensive. In 2002 home recording was still new. Nowadays everyone has the ability to record digitally from just about where ever. By doing things the way I did back in 2002 it was more affordable at the time. All the songs that make up the album were ones that I had sort of saved up over time. From there I went about putting the right people to each of the songs.

AL: How far back in your career did you actually start writing some of this material?
AF: I was in a band in the 80’s called Spider. We were managed by Bill Aucoin who had managed Kiss and we were always encouraged to write in that group. After that group ended I just kept writing. Over the years I had built up a group of songs that I wanted to get out there. I picked the songs I liked the best and just went from there with finding the right combination of players for each one.

AL: Do you find it hard for people to really take notice of an album like this being you are mostly know for your drum work?
AF: I think what surprised people most was the fact that “Figments” isn’t really a drum record. This is a song record along the lines of a Phil Collins album or something like that. There aren’t drum pyrotechnics or anything like that as it more about song production. That’s the record I wanted to make. I feel it adds something because it has a bit of a surprise element to it based just on that score.

AL: Did you creative process differ any on this album as opposed to some of the others you have appeared on?
AF: When I am working on someone else’s project generally my main concern is the drums. They are the ones in charge of the overview of things and how they want the song to sound. I am there to try and help them realize that vision as quickly as possible. When you are doing your own record you have to have that overview. Once I had the drum sounds down I sort of forgot about them and had the big picture more on my mind. It actually helped my drumming a lot as I was forced to look at the big picture as opposed to only the drumming.

AL: When you are approached with session work opportunities what is it that you look for in a project prior to agreeing to work on it?
AF: I think mostly it’s if I am the right person for the session. I look at if it’s something that I can be mostly myself in. If they are asking me to do something that I am not really suited to do you almost want to tell them to get so and so to do it but, I generally try to do all of the projects I am asked to do. Nowadays I have a set up where I can do drums remotely as I have my own studio. In a situation like that you are not in a room with a producer or artist so you have to decide what the best way to approach things are and how much of yourself you can put into that session. It can be a bit harder working that way at times.

AL: One of the groups you have been involved with over the years was with Kiss and later on Ace Frehley. How did that relationship come about?
AF: At the time I think Peter Criss had broken his arm or something like that and wasn’t going to be able to drum on the upcoming album “Dynasty”. I worked on that album and from there I got asked to do another album with them titled “Unmasked”. With Ace I was playing in my band Spider at the time and we were auditioning bass players. One of the guys who came in was friends with Ace and mentioned he was looking for a drummer for his solo project. He got me an audition with Ace and from there I ended up doing the record and becoming friends with Ace. Right after that is when I got the gig with the Late Night Show so that’s where things ended with the band. I have played on a good majority of Ace’s stuff most recently “Anomaly”.

AL: Up until recently your work with Kiss was done as a ghost writer. Is it hard going into projects like that where you know you will not to be credited?
AF: With Kiss I knew upfront that I wasn’t going to be credited. They told me I would be paid well however I could not talk about it. That was always my understanding with them so I never talked about it. Gene Simmons mentioned it in a book of his recently and my name was also added to the liner notes of the re-issued “Dynasty” album. Once they started talking about I also started talking about it. It was over 20 years or something like that where I didn’t say anything about my involvement. I knew we had an agreement and I stuck to it. Today it’s hard to do something like that as there are no secrets.

 

AL: Are there plans to tour behind “Figments”?

AF: I would like to but with every song having a different line it would be quite difficult. The album is almost like a playlist that you would put together. It would be hard to fully recreate the albums line up. I suppose I could put together a band and do some of the songs. I think if a song off the record gets a lot of attention and people are asking for it then I will think more about taking it out on the road. For now though I am out with Joe Bonamassa and have be selling the album at the shows so I am out there with it.

 

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Sony Pictures Entertainment Celebrates “Ghostbusters” Milestone Anniversary with Theatrical Re-release and All-New Special Edition Blu-ray Anniversary Editions

Theatrical Re-release Hits Theaters August 29; Blu-ray Anniversary Editions of “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II” Available September 16

CULVER CITY, Calif. (June 5, 2014) – Sony Pictures Entertainment will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its blockbuster franchiseGhostbusters with a series of special events and home entertainment releases.  As a highlight of the celebration, the original 1984 film has been restored and remastered in 4K and will be returning to the big screen, in over 700 locations in the United States and Canada, for a limited engagement starting August 29 (Labor Day weekend).

Commenting on the announcement, Rory Bruer, president, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures, said, “Ghostbusters is still one of our studio’s most beloved franchises – I was lucky enough to work on the release of the film on its first run, so it’s a real thrill for me to see that it’s still connecting with audiences everywhere.  On the big screen or in home entertainment, this is a great movie to experience again and again.”

Following the theatrical release of the film, on September 16, fans will be able to own the Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray and the Ghostbusters II 25th Anniversary Edition, as that film makes its Blu-ray debut.  The Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases of the films will also be available in a two-disc anniversary edition Blu-ray™ Digibook including both films, as well as a Limited Edition gift set that includes an exclusive collectible Slimer figurine and the two-disc Digibook.  This special gift set will only be available for a very limited time, with the collectible Slimer figurine being a true must-have for fans. Both films have been fully restored and remastered in 4K and will be presented in high definition on Blu-ray from those 4K sources.

Both the Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II Blu-rays come loaded with exclusive bonus materials, including revealing conversations with director Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd, as well as never-before-seen deleted scenes from Ghostbusters II and more. The Ghostbustersanniversary edition features the original music video of the Oscar® nominated song “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr., while Ghostbusters IIincludes the original music video for “On Our Own” by Bobby Brown. In addition, Ghostbusters will contain all previously released legacy content, commentary and an interactive Slimer Mode, offering fans a picture-in-picture graphical viewing experience.

“To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we wanted to create something new and collectible for fans.  These new Ghostbusters Blu-rays will feature the highest quality presentation along with new content that reflects the rich history of this iconic franchise,” said Lexine Wong, Senior Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Today also marks the premiere of the new website, GHOSTBUSTERS.COM, where fans can access new franchise offerings, including collectible merchandise, music, and more.  Fans can register for updates, unique video content, as well as Ghostbusters news.

There will also be a slew of new merchandise from Sony Pictures Consumer Products to be released. Collaborations include Lego, Mattel, Funko, Mad Engine and other select items to help celebrate the occasion. In addition, SPCP partnered with Gallery 1988 to create a once-in a lifetime experience, displaying original paintings, limited edition prints, and sculptures inspired by the film.

Finally, Legacy Recordings / Sony Music Entertainment, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Ghostbusters soundtrack with multiple collectible vinyl LP releases this year.

Fans can follow the action on social media with the hashtag #GB30 or visiting the following sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ghostbusters

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ghostbusters30

Instagram: http://instagram.com/ghostbustersofficial

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ghostbusters30/

 

Directed and produced by Ivan Reitman (Meatballs, Stripes), with the screenplay written by Dan Aykroyd (My Girl) and Harold Ramis (Knocked Up), GHOSTBUSTERS is listed as No. 28 on the AFI’s List of America’s Funniest Movies. Bill Murray (Stripes), Dan Aykroyd (Blues Brothers), and Sigourney Weaver (Aliens) star, along with Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day), and Rick Moranis (Honey I Shrunk the Kids). Ernie Hudson (TV’s “Oz”) and Annie Potts (TV’s “Designing Women”) also star in the films.

 

SYNOPSIS:

GHOSTBUSTERS: University parapsychologists Dr. Peter Venkman (Murray), Dr. Raymond Stanz (Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Ramis) lose a research grant when their experiment methodology is proven to be bogus. The team decides to go into business for themselves and open ‘Ghostbusters,’ a ghost removal service. After struggling to get on their feet, they are summoned to investigate the strange happenings in Dana Barrett’s (Weaver) Central Park West apartment. What they discover is that all Manhattan is being besieged by ghosts and other worldly demons through a portal in her building.

 

GHOSTBUSTERS II: Supernatural superstars Peter Venkman (Murray), Dr. Raymond Stanz (Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Ramis) spring back into action when the infant son of Dana Barrett (Weaver) becomes the target of a powerful demonic force. Reunited with their industrious secretary Janine (Potts) and the nerdy, near-sighted Louis (Moranis), the ‘heroes of the hereafter’ must put a stop to an enormous underground river ready to rot the roots of the entire Big Apple.

 

GHOSTBUSTERS™ Blu-ray Special Features:

  • NEW! Who You Gonna Call: A Ghostbusters Retrospective – Roundtable Discussion with Director Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd (Part 1)
  • NEW! Poster Art Gallery – Gallery 1988 artwork
  • NEW! “Ghostbusters” Music Video – Ray Parker, Jr.
  •  Legacy Content:
  •     Slimer Mode – Picture in Picture and Trivia Track
  •     Commentary w/ Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis & Joe Medjuck
  •     10 Deleted Scenes
  •     1984 Featurette
  •    Cast and Crew Featurette
  •     SFX Team Featurette
  •     Multi-Angles
  •     Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car
  •     Ghostbusters Garage: Ecto-1 Gallery Storyboard Comparisons

GHOSTBUSTERS™ II Blu-ray Special Features:

  • NEW! Time Is But A Window: Ghostbusters II and Beyond – Roundtable Discussion with Director Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd (Part 2)
  • NEW! Deleted Scenes
  • NEW! “On Our Own” Music Video – Bobby Brown

 

GHOSTBUSTERS™ has a run time of approximately 105 minutes and is rated PG

GHOSTBUSTERS™ II has a run time of approximately 108 minutes and is rated PG.

 

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

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2013 DVD Re-Release Review “Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy”

Actors: Kevin McDonald, Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson
Director: Kelly Makin
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Archive / Paramount
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Running Time: 89 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When it comes to “Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy”, it is really a crap shoot between fans. I personally have always loved this film. To me this film was absolutely hysterical in 1996 and is still extremely funny in 2013. I think the film was troubled from the start since it was when the group were having issues so it is not perfect but still effective. I even had (and still do) the cassette tape of the film’s soundtrack, which I know by heart track for track. This may not be for every “Kids in the Hall” fan but I still highly recommend it. Thanks to Warner Archive for pulling this film out of print and giving it a new life.

Official Premise: The Country hits cloud nine when obsessed scientist Chris Cooper (Kevin McDonald) invents Gleemonex, a happiness drug. Soon everybody is taking the little orange pill. But Cooper gets a heavy dose of the blues when he discovers that early test subjects have slipped into comas. Can Cooper stop the people’s happy habit – before it’s too late?

This film has not been available now for many years due to being out of print, so it is great to see it available to fans again for a reasonable price. I would have loved to seen this film make the jump to Blu-ray but I highly see that happening…ever. The transfer isn’t restored from the previous DVD but it still holds it’s own over the years. This DVD does not come with any special features but then again neither did the original 2002 Paramount DVD. I would have loved to seen some commentary tracks but since this film was made during the break up of the group they do not have good memories surrounding it and do not really support this film.

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Blu-ray Review “Spider-Man 2” (2012 Re-release)

Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina
Distributed by: Sony Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 127 minutes

Blu-ray Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Film Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has decided to reissue the “Spider-Man” Trilogy in lieu of this summer’s reboot “The Amazing Spider-Man”.  The film is presented in a nice individual O-Ring package. In addition, this release includes a bunch of great features including an Ultraviolet streaming digital copy.  Also their is a sneak peek included for “The Amazing Spider-Man”, as well as “The Amazing Spider-Man” movie money (worth $10 bucks). I enjoyed “Spider-Man 2” but I thought it was a loud and started the trend of Spider-Man crying (a  lot).  If you are a fan of the “Spider-Man”  series and do not already own this, I would recommend for sure though.

The Blu-ray presentation is impressive. “Spider-Man 2” really amped up the visual effects from the first one.  The 1080p transfer looks fantastic and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1.  The audio track included on this release though is different from past releases. Included is an DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track instead of the prior release which included PCM 5.1 Surround and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround tracks.

The special features on “Spider-Man 2” are very impressive.  Besides the theatrical cut of the film, this release also includes the extended version, 2.1, with additional footage and fight sequences not seen in theaters.  This cut also comes equipped with optional commentary by producer Laura Ziskin and screenwriter Alvin Sargent.  On the theatrical version there are two other commentaries with cast and crew and a technical commentary.  If you are a fan of featurettes, this release is jam-packed.  There is a twelve-part “Making the Amazing” featurette, “Hero in Crisis” behind-the-scenes featurette and “Ock-Umentary” behind-the-scenes featurette.  There is a fantastic five-part visual effects breakdown, which is worth a watch.  Lastly there is a blooper reel included.

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Blu-ray Review “Spider-Man” (2012 Re-release)

Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Willem Dafoe
Distributed by: Sony Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 121 minutes

Blu-ray Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Film Score: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has decided to reissue the “Spider-Man” Trilogy in lieu of this summer’s reboot “The Amazing Spider-Man”.  The film is presented in a nice individual O-Ring package. In addition, this release includes a bunch of great features including an Ultraviolet streaming digital copy.  Also their is a sneak peek included for “The Amazing Spider-Man”, as well as “The Amazing Spider-Man” movie money (worth $10 bucks).  If that is not enough there is still more…this release also comes with a few new special features including  ‘Spider Sense Trivia Challenge” and “The Spider-Man Cutting Room”. I personally have always enjoyed “Spider-Man”, the most out of the trilogy.  If you are a fan of the “Spider-Man”  series and do not already own this, I would recommend for sure.

The Blu-ray presentation is impressive, as “Spider-Man” is a film meant for a high-def presentation.  The 1080p transfer looks fantastic and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1.  The audio track included on this release though is different from past releases. Included is an DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track instead of the prior release which included PCM 5.1 Surround and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround tracks.

The rest of the extras include three audio commentaries.  The first consists of filmmakers and cast: Sam Raimi, Laura Ziskin, Grant Curtis, and Kirsten Dunst.  The second includes Visual effects designer and crew: John Dykstra and special effects crew and the last includes actors: Tobey Maguire and J.K. Simmons.  There are various behind-the-scenes features including “Spider-Man: The Mythology of the 21st Century”, “HBO Making of Spider-Man” and “Spider-Mania: E! Entertainment Special”.  There are eight behind-the-scenes featurettes additional including a costume design featurette. There is a filmmaker profiles for director Sam Raimi and a composer profile for Danny Elfman.  There is screen tests included for Tobey Maguire, J.K. Simmons, and CGI Spider-Man, as well as costume and makeup tests.  There is gag/outtake reel included.  There are six multi-angle webisodes included.  Lastly there are two music videos for “Hero,” performed by Chad Kroeger and featuring Josey Scott and “What We’re All About,” performed by Sum 41.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 2012, bluray, rerelease, review, spiderman

Blu-ray Review “Spider-Man 3” (2012 Re-release)

Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church
Distributed by: Sony Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 139 minutes

Blu-ray Score: 4 out of 5 stars
Film Score: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras Score: 2 out of 5 stars

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has decided to reissue the “Spider-Man” Trilogy in lieu of this summer’s reboot “The Amazing Spider-Man”.  The film is presented in a nice individual O-Ring package. In addition, this release includes a bunch of great features including an Ultraviolet streaming digital copy.  Also their is a sneak peek included for “The Amazing Spider-Man”, as well as “The Amazing Spider-Man” movie money (worth $10 bucks). I am not a fan of this film at all but it does have a lot of perks in this release and looks and sounds the best.  So if you want to complete the trilogy on Blu-ray, this is the release to get.

This Blu-ray consists of the best release of the three films.  It packs the best video and audio presentation out of the trilogy.  The 1080p transfer looks fantastic and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1.  The audio track plays similar to the past releases unlike recent 2012 re-releases of “Spider-Man” and “Spider-Man 2”  including LPCM 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks.

The special features for “Spider-Man 3” are not as grand as the first two films and falls short like the film itself.  In fact, the past Blu-ray for this film has actually provided better features. There are  two commentaries tracks included.  The first is a director and cast track with Sam Raimi, James Franco, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Hayden Church and Bryce Dallas Howard. Second, there is a filmmaker’s track with producers Avi Arad, Grant Curtis, Laura Ziskin, visual effects supervisor Scott Stokdyk and editor Bob Murawski. There are two photo galleries focusing on concept art and special effects.  There is a blooper reel like the first two films.  Lastly there is a music video for “Signal Fire,” performed by Snow Patrol.

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