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Blu-ray Review “Raise the Titanic”

Actors: Richard Jordan, Jason Robards, Alec Guinness
Directors: Jerry Jameson
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Run Time: 114 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

“Raise the Titanic” was based on Clive Cussler’s fourth book in his “Dirk Pitt Adventure” book series. It was released back in 1980 or five years before the actual wreck was discovered and was never well received and or found an audience. What “Raise the Titanic” does have is a great score, impressive visuals and solid cast including Alec Guinness (“Star Wars”) popping up but personally I was never a huge fan of the film since it is borderline silly and not practical at all. But it is still worth a look on Blu-ray if you do enjoy it.

Synopsis: Join the underwater race to salvage the Titanic and its vital defense cargo. Adapted from Clive Cussler’s international best-seller, the story follows the exploits of American special agent Dirk Pitt as he sets out to recover vital material from the Titanic which could make the US impregnable to atomic attack. The ship is down too deep for divers and the only solution is to raise it. The incredible project must be managed in absolute secrecy because of deadly interference from a rival nation. The Titanic is finally, and majestically, brought to the surface — but the vital, rare mineral is missing…

Despite my opinions on the film itself, Shout! does deliver a solid Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer holds up well for a film that is over 30 years old. It is quite sharp and there is little noise interference. They also delivered a great DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Like I mentioned above, I was a fan of the score to this film and it is well represented here for sure. In terms of special features, unfortunately is nothing special here including only one behind-the-scenes extra called “Making of ‘Raise the Titanic'” and a theatrical trailer.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, raise, review, titanic

Book Review “Exploring the Deep: The Titanic Expeditions”

Author: James Cameron with Don Lynch, Ken Marschall, and Parks Stephenson
Hardcover: 252 pages
Publisher: Insight Editions
Release Date: June 4, 2013

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who isn’t completely obsessed with events of the Titanic. James Cameron really did a number on us not only with delivers us his 1997 mega hit but also continuing to make this topic relevant. This expeditions are unlike any other of the sunken ship and the mysteries surrounding it. “Exploring the Deep: The Titanic Expeditions” is a great companion to his work over the years, it gives us a detailed look into his expeditions and more than thirty dives that he and his team has made with special robotic vehicles. We get to explore the interiors and exteriors of the Titanic wreck and get a great inside perspective our the teams voyages.

Director James Cameron, since directing “Titanic” has become the go-to person for anything relating to the sinking of that ship. This deluxe coffee-table book, coming just after the hundred anniversary gets to tell the complete story of his work with exploring the wreckage and also diving into many new technological advances to assist in capturing more information. There are tons of previously unpublished images and revelations about the wreck. The book itself is a powerhouse. Insight Editions really strives to deliver quality releases and they have most definitely succeeded here. My only main issue is the size of some of the images used. Since we are talking underwater images of a hundred old wreck, the quality is not perfect. But then again, I understand that but maybe I wouldn’t have blown the image up to a full page then. That was my only main issue, otherwise the content and visual feel is fantastic.

Even though James Cameron is the man, we can’t forget his team. This book contains contributions from three of the world’s foremost Titanic experts, Don Lynch, Ken Marschall, and Parks Stephenson. It really feels like a team effort also. If you still want more there is also Cameron’s exclusive dive journal and previously unpublished images include dive maps and personal photographs. That also adds a sort of human and emotional feel to the book, which is why I also feel that should recommend it. Overall, the book is very informative and impressive, any history buff or Titanic buff should want to jump all over this book.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, deep, expeditions, exploring, review, titanic, ...

3D Blu-ray Review “Titanic: Limited 3D Edition”

Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet
Number of discs: 4
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Paramount Home Entertainment
Release Date: September 10, 2012
Running Time: 194 minutes

Titanic 3D: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

When you hear the word 3D conversion, most avid film-goers will cringe. Though you can relax with this film since the 3D is nothing short of amazing and breathtaking. The film looks like it was even originally shot in 3D. The 1080p presentation is easily one of the best on the Blu-ray format. As is the film’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, definitely the highest of high definition audio presentations. I mean what else did you expect honestly from Mr. James Cameron. The film is the second highest grossing film to Cameron’s latest “Avatar” and deserves such an amazing presentation. Within this four-disc combo pack, the breakdown of the discs are as follows: Disc one is the Blu-ray 3D movie- part one, Disc two is the Blu-ray 3D movie- Part Two, disc three contains a standard Blu-ray (with the film in 2D) + three filmmaker commentaries and disc four includes the bulk of the special features with never before seen footage. Lastly there is also a Digital Copy included (wish it was Ultraviolet though).

To be honest knowing how much love that Cameron put into this 3D conversion that there are no 3D bonus content included on the 3D discs. Nonetheless this release is extremely jam-packed with special features. The first disc including the three audio commentary tracks, all from 2005. I guess everything was said well the first time so no need to revisit it for this release. I would have liked to seen Cameron do a track just on the 3D of the film. On disc three, we get three commentary tracks. The first is with James Cameron and he covers all aspects of the film from beginning to end. This is obviously a must-listen commentary track, no question. Next up. there is an audio commentary from Historians Don Lynch and Ken Marschal. This is a very technical and thorough commentary track but still a must for all people interested in the history of the Titanic.

Lastly, there is an packed audio commentary with a crazy amount of cast and crew, also from 2005. This is single biggest commentary track that I have ever seen, so I going to try and split it up. There are 15 members of the cast participated, including primary cast of Gloria Stuart, Kate Winslet, Frances Fisher, Bill Paxton, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates. Also included is Bernard Hill, Danny Nucci, Ioan Gruffudd, Lewis Abernathy, Jason Barry, Jeanette Goldstein, Jonathan Hyde, Suzy Amis and Victor Garber. On the production side there is Executive Producer Rae Sanchini, Producer John Landau, Second Unit Director Steve Quale, First Assistant Director Josh McLaglen, Camera Operator/Steadicam Jimmy Muro, Director of Photography Russell Carpenter, Costume Designer Deborah Scott, 4-Ward/VFX Supervisor Robert Skotak, Art Director Martin Laing, Production Designer Peter Lamont, Unit Production Manager Kevin De La Noy, Digital Domain-VFX Supervisor Rob Legato and Stunt Coordinator Simon Crane. Composer James Horner, Music Editor Joe Rand, Re-Recording Mixer Gary Rydstrom and Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer Christopher Boyes cover the sound of the film, as well as its music and score. Some miscellaneous crew including Deep Dive Technology Coordinator Ralph White, Core Extra Ellen Mower, Core Extra Judy Prestininzi and Etiquette Coach Lynne Hockney. Most had been recorded separately and later edited together, but they are well edited and works well.

Moving on to disc four, we get the bulk of the special features starting off with two fantastic documentaries. The first is called “Reflections on Titanic”, runs just over an hour long. It is a four-part look at the this epic film. Cast and crew speak on setting the sinking of the ship against a classic romance. The feature covers the film before it’s release, during its releases and evening leading into its 3D conversion and 3D premiere. Easily one of my favorite features. Next up with have “Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron”, which runs just over an hour and a half. I had watched this prior on the Bio Channel, I believe. I wasn’t a big fan of it but it still deserves to be checked out. It features James Cameron and eight other field experts discussing what really happened to the RMS Titanic.

There are about an hour of deleted and extended scenes, all which include optional commentary from James Cameron. These also are the last of the extras to be presented in HD. The rest are all in 480p standard definition. There are 31 production behind-the-scenes short featurettes, each running about 1-3 minutes. Included are “Upside Down Wreck Miniature”, “1912 Morph Transition VFX”, “Digital People”, and “Iceberg/Deck VFX”, just to name a few of my favorites. Continuing with the production side of the extras, “Construction Timelapse” is a look into the making of the ship with optional Ed Marsh commentary. “Deep Dive Presentation” is a narrated tour with James Cameron through the wreckage of the Titanic. “$200,000,001: A Ship’s Odyssey” is a montage of behind-the-scenes footage from the crew, basically a long gag reel. There are three featurettes on the “Videomatics” including an intro, “Sinking Sequence” and “Deep Dive”. There are also four short but sweet featurettes focusing on the “Visual Effects” with “VFX Shot Breakdown: “Engine Room””, “VFX How-To For “I’m Flying”” and “VFX How-To For “First Class Lounge”” and lastly, “Titanic Sinking Simulation”.

Rounding up these astounding amount of extras, we get to some of the archive material. There is a music video for “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. There are many trailers and TV spots included as well as a still gallery. There is a reproduction of his script included, storyboards, photographs, as well as concept posters and one sheets from both the 1997 and 2012 releases. Lastly there are Titanic Parodies including the MTV’s ‘1998 Movie Awards’ Skit, Saturday Night Live’ Skit from January 9, 1999 and ‘Titanic’ in 30 Seconds. So overall, this release is obviously a MUST-PURCHASE!!! One of my favorite releases of the entire year! I can finally enjoy the film in not only HD but also 3D, while not having to worry about getting up many times to use the bathroom.

3D Blu-ray Review “Titanic: 100 Years in 3D”

Presented by: The History Channel
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distributed by: A&E Home Video
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Running Time: 45 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the events that occurred with the Titanic. “Titanic: 100 Years in 3D” contains powerful untold stories of passengers and crew combined with amazing 3D HD imagery. It gives us a unique view of the event of the Titanic in a way never before possible. The History Channel delivers yet another amazing 3D Blu-ray release. My only main issue is that I would have loved this to be a little longer, only running at about 45 minutes.

Back in 2010, an expedition lead by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and RMS Titanic, Inc. went on location to document the entire wreck site of Titanic. This wasn’t your typical dive though since it includes high-resolution optical video, sonar, acoustic imaging, and 3D HD video and acoustic modeling. To match these amazing visuals they are accompanied by the untold stories of people who were on the ship, narrated in voice-over by actors.

The 1080p 3D transfer looks awesome and really adds a lot of depth. The film is presented in aspect ratio of 1.78:1. I personally didn’t see James Cameron’s “Titanic” in 3D when it was re-released this year. I know that this release won’t match the quality of the 3D but it sure looks great to see the Titanic presented in 3D. The audio contains an Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which sounds impressive. The only special features for this release are English, Dutch, German, Polish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Spanish Subtitles…if you consider that a special feature.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 100, 3d, bluray, review, titanic, years, ...

Experience James Cameron’s Epic Masterpiece Like Never Before when “Titanic” Comes Home for the First Time Ever on Blu-ray 2D and 3D

EXPERIENCE JAMES CAMERON’S EPIC MASTERPIECE LIKE NEVER BEFORE WHEN TITANIC COMES HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON BLU-RAY™ 2D AND 3D

Spectacular Love Story Debuts On Blu-ray Worldwide September 10, 2012 With More Than 2 ½ Hours of New Special Feature Content

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 31, 2012) – The two billion-dollar box office phenomenon and winner of 11 Academy Awards®,TITANIC, makes its highly anticipated debut on Blu-ray 2D and 3D on September 10, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Available in high definition for the first time ever, James Cameron’s timeless and unforgettable tour de force will be presented in stunning 2D and 3D, providing a cinematic in-home experience of TITANIC like never before. Marking 101 years ago today that the RMS Titanic was launched into the Belfast Lough, film fans worldwide can now pre-order the epic love story on Blu-ray 2D or Blu-ray 3D™ with participating online retailers.

James Cameron commented, “Blu-ray extends TITANIC’s immersive 3D theatrical experience into audiences’ homes, where their living room becomes the backdrop for big spectacular environments and intense action, as well as profoundly intimate human moments, allowing generations of fans—new and old—to truly become part of the movie like never before.”

Presented in a four-disc 2D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with Digital Copy or, for the ultimate experience in fully immersive 3D, in a four-disc Blu-ray 3D and 2D combo pack with Digital Copy, this high-definition presentation of TITANIC is a must have for film fans’ home media collections. Both sets feature more than 2 ½ hours of new bonus footage never-before-released on disc, including a fascinating in-depth exploration of the film with James Cameron, as well as documentary footage produced by National Geographic with James Cameron that brings the world’s leading RMS Titanic experts together to solve the lingering mysteries of why and how the “unsinkable” ship sank.

The sets also boast previously released special features including 30 deleted scenes, over 60 behind-the-scenes featurettes, a look at the groundbreaking visual effects, over 2,000 photos, three commentaries and much, much more. TITANIC will also be available in a two-disc DVD set with deleted scenes and, for the first time ever, for digital download.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the roles that would make them global stars, TITANIC tells the story of the epic romance between two star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the legendary and ill-fated maiden voyage of the “ship of dreams.”

Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

The TITANIC Blu-ray containing the feature film is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The DVDs are presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles.

The disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc 1 (Blu-ray):

Feature film in high definition
Commentary by director James Cameron
Cast and Crew Commentary
Historical Commentary by Don Lynch and Ken Marschall

Disc 2 (DVD):

Feature film in standard definition (Part 1)

Disc 3 (DVD):

Feature film in standard definition (Part 2)

Disc 4 (Blu-ray):

Documentaries

o Reflections on Titanic—NEW!

o Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron—NEW!

Deleted Scenes with commentary by James Cameron
Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
Construction Timelapse
Deep Dive Presentation—Narrated by James Cameron
$200,000,001: A Ship’s Odyssey—the Titanic Crew Video
Videomatics
Visual Effects
Music Video—“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
Trailers
TV Spots
Still Galleries

o Titanic Scriptment by James Cameron

o Storyboard Sequences

o Production Artwork

o Photographs

o Ken Marshall’s Painting Gallery

o Concept Posters and One Sheets

o By the Numbers

o Bibliography

Titanic Parodies

o MTV’s 1998 Movie Awards skit

o Saturday Night Live skit

o Titanic in 30 Seconds

Four-Disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack

The TITANIC Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray containing the feature film are presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc 1 (Blu-ray 3D):

Feature film in high definition and 3D (Part 1)

Disc 2 (Blu-ray 3D):

Feature film in high definition and 3D (Part 2)

Disc 3 (Blu-ray):

Feature film in high definition
Commentary by director James Cameron
Cast and Crew Commentary
Historical Commentary by Don Lynch and Ken Marschall

Disc 4 (Blu-ray):

Documentaries

o Reflections on Titanic—NEW!

o Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron—NEW!

Deleted Scenes with commentary by James Cameron
Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
Construction Timelapse
Deep Dive Presentation—Narrated by James Cameron
$200,000,001: A Ship’s Odyssey—the Titanic Crew Video
Videomatics
Visual Effects
Music Video—“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
Trailers
TV Spots
Still Galleries

o Titanic Scriptment by James Cameron

o Storyboard Sequences

o Production Artwork

o Photographs

o Ken Marshall’s Painting Gallery

o Concept Posters and One Sheets

o By the Numbers

o Bibliography

Titanic Parodies

o MTV’s 1998 Movie Awards skit

o Saturday Night Live skit

o Titanic in 30 Seconds

Two-Disc DVD

The TITANIC DVDs are presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc 1 (DVD):

Feature film in standard definition (Part 1)

Disc 2 (DVD):

Feature film in standard definition (Part 2)
Deleted Scenes with commentary by James Cameron

Digital Download

The digital download includes the following:

Feature film in standard or high definition
Deleted Scenes
Still Galleries

About Paramount Home Media Distribution

Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment, digital and television 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 Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

TITANIC

Street date: September 10, 2012

Runtime: 194 minutes

SRP: $44.99 (Four-Disc Blu-ray 3D combo pack)

$39.99 (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack)

$29.99 (Two-Disc DVD)

U.S. Rating: PG-13 for disaster related peril and violence, nudity, sensuality and brief language

Canadian Rating: 14A for frightening scenes, coarse language, violence, disturbing content

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: 2d, 3d, bluray, camerons, epic, experience, ...

CD Review: “Titanic: Collector’s Anniversary Edition”

Composer/Conductor: James Horner
Release Date: March 26, 2012
Number of Discs: 4
Running Time
Label: Sony Masterworks

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

With the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic launch and the 15th anniversary and re-release in 3D of James Cameron’s film, I can’t seem you get enough of “Titanic“. It is one of those movies that once you start watching you are hooked. The same goes for the wonderful score by James Horner. I spent countless hours listening to this score on repeat back in ’97 through at least ’99. It has been quite a while since I’ve listened and it still is just amazing. This amazing Collector’s Anniversary Edition is not just the score to “Titanic”. It includes much much more.

Sony Classical is the label behind this amazing 4-CD set with newly remastered versions of both the original and “Back to the Titanic” soundtracks. It also features a previously unreleased disc of period music recorded for the movie by I Salonisti (the 5-piece quintet that appears in the film) and also “Popular Music From The Titanic Era”, which is a new compilation of songs from the early 1900’s. I mean honestly what else can you ask for if you are a fan. Well, there is more…this release also comes packaged with four vintage Titanic luggage stickers and a booklet with previously unseen production photos. This is easily one of composer’s James Horner best pieces of work and it will be recognized for many years to come.

Even if you own the “Titanic” soundtrack already, I mean who doesn’t it sold over 25 million copies worldwide. I would suggest picking this up. It is a wonderful compliment to the film and includes so much new recordings that it is worth it just for the three bonus discs. I really enjoyed the disc of music from I Salonisti, which was recorded for the movie itself but never recorded. I am a big fan of music from that period and this was a great addition to the already amazing score. It really made you feel like you were re-experiencing the movie and the music for the first time.

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: anniversary, cd, collectors, edition, review, titanic, ...

Book Review “The Titanic For Dummies”

Author: Stephen Spignesi
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: For Dummies
Release Date: February 1, 2012

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

With the Titanic celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year, expect a lot of coverage on this subject all year. This book is a must for an history buff and it provides enough information for even those to claim to know everything about the Titanic. “The Titanic For Dummies” covers every single aspect of the shipping from its building of the ship to that fateful night to its affect on pop culture i.e. James Cameron’s “Titanic”.

The book is split over six parts and twenty chapters. Part 1 focuses on the last 100 years and how the Titanic has become a legacy. This ranges from the building, to its board members and even the menu on the ship. Part 2 deals with unfortunate sinking of the ship. It focuses on its collision, the survivors (including first hand accounts), the news coverage and its investigation. Part 3 explores the mystery of what went wrong and many other unanswered questions for the final hours of the ship. Part 4 deals with the journey to revive the sunken ship wreck. Part 5 takes a look into how the Titanic has been explored in pop culture. Lastly the final part is called “The Parts of Tens” and focuses on ten artifacts, myths and documentaries about the Titanic.

If you are familiar with other “For dummies” book then this one is really no different, expect it is a very interesting read. I have read many of these but they are usually about computer or technology and more for necessary knowledge and not pleasure. I really enjoyed reading this and I will look forward to spread this book around to others who will also able to enjoy it. If you are unaware also this April, James Cameron’s “Titanic” is being re-released in 3D to commemorate the 100th anniversary. This topic is one that will never fade away and never forgotten through time.

Tag: titanic

Blu-ray Review “Raise the Titanic”

Book Review “Exploring the Deep: The Titanic Expeditions”

3D Blu-ray Review “Titanic: Limited 3D Edition”

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3D Blu-ray Review “Titanic: 100 Years in 3D”

Experience James Cameron’s Epic Masterpiece Like Never Before when “Titanic” Comes Home for the First Time Ever on Blu-ray 2D and 3D

CD Review: “Titanic: Collector’s Anniversary Edition”

Book Review “The Titanic For Dummies”

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