Warner
Bros News
The Polar Express Presented in 3-D
on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD Debuts October 28 from
Warner Home Video
BURBANK, Calif.---The Polar Express, the
beloved classic and one of Warner Home Video and Shangri-La Entertainment’s
all-time best-selling family DVDs, is pulling into the station October 28 for
the first time presented in eye-popping 3-D on Blu-ray™
High-Def and DVD. With this dazzling new technology that includes four sets of
3-D glasses, the whole family can experience the magical journey to the North
Pole together like never before. Just in time for holiday gift giving both will
also include the original theatrical 2-D version. The Polar Express
Presented in 3-D will sell for $34.99 SRP in Blu-ray™
High-Def and $20.97 SRP on DVD.
Synopsis
The Polar Express Presented in 3-D joins a
cherished group of holiday films like ‘It’s
A Wonderful Life,’ ‘A
Christmas Story,’ ‘Miracle
On 34th Street,’ and ‘A
Christmas Carol’ to be part of family celebrations at
this time of year.
The Polar Express is based on the beloved
Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg
about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North
Pole on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows the
wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Polar Express
– which has sold nearly 7 million copies in print and
ranked #2 on the National Education Association’s
Teachers Top 100 Books for Children – was
selected as “Critics Choice”
by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA); won the Grammy®
for Best Song Written For a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual
Media and was honored with a Golden Globe®
nomination for Best Original Song and three Academy Award®
nominations including Best Original Song, Sound and Sound Editing.
Picture Perfect''
and Newly Remastered: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, First Time on DVD from
Warner Home Video October 7
BURBANK, Calif.---The Picture of Dorian Gray never gets old. On
October 7, just in time for Halloween, Warner Home Video will introduce one of
their most requested titles on DVD – MGM’s
gripping 1945 adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Victorian horror novel about a man who
stays eternally young while his famous portrait ages through the years. The
film, starring George Sanders, Angela Lansbury and Donna Reed, was nominated for
three Academy Awards,®-winning
one for Best Cinematography and a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Miss
Lansbury. The Picture of Dorian Gray ($19.97 SRP) has been
remastered especially for this release and boasts new bonus features, including
cast commentaries, a vintage short plus a special cartoon.
Special Features
Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.
The Busby Berkeley Collection
Volume 2 Debuts September 16
BURBANK, Calif.---The “Buzz”
continues when word gets around that Warner Home Video will debut more musical
extravaganzas in the Busby Berkeley Collection Volume 2
on September 16. The collection features four more Berkeley classics which are
not only new-to-DVD titles, but are making their long-awaited home video
debut. Included in the collection are Gold Diggers of 1937, Gold Diggers
in Paris, Hollywood Hotel and Varsity Show. Following in
the dancing footsteps of Warner’s successful 2006
collection, this second spectacular volume from one of the greatest motion
picture choreographers of all time also includes musical shorts, featurettes
and classic cartoons. It’s musical entertainment
magic at its toe-tapping, finger-snapping best by the Oscar®
nominated master.
The 4-disc giftset will sell for $39.92 SRP and the single titles will be
available for $19.97 SRP.
The Films
Gold Diggers of 1937 (1936)
Dick Powell plays an insurance agent with musical ambitions while Joan
Blondell is a showgirl who gives up spangles for a stenographer’s
pad.
Gold Diggers in Paris (1938)
The Gold Diggers are headed for Paris, bringing their feathers, frills, and
ballet shoes. A French diplomat has mistaken 43rd Street’s
Club Ballé for the American Academy Ballet, and the
chorus cuties aren’t going to turn down a free trip
to the City of Light over such a tiny misunderstanding.
Hollywood Hotel (1937)
The plot about a Hollywood newcomer (Dick Powell) caught between a spoiled
star (Lola Lane) and her likeable look-alike (Lola’s
look-alike sister Rosemary Lane) is secondary to watching Busby Berkeley’s
ace direction – and music, music, music.
Varsity Show (1937)
Broadway impresario Chuck Daly (Dick Powell) leads an A+ cast of coeds and
their guys, including film-debuting sisters Priscilla and Rosemary Lane and
fluty-voiced comic character star Sterling Holloway, in this exuberant college
musical.
Becker Group and Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Announce 'Harry Potter: The Exhibition'
International Touring Exhibit to Debut in 2009
BALTIMORE, April 25 -- Becker Group, in partnership with Warner Bros.
Consumer Products, today announced it will bring worldwide audiences "Harry
Potter: The Exhibition," a state-of-the-art exhibition highlighting artifacts
from the Warner Bros. films based on J.K. Rowling's beloved book series. The
10,000 square foot experience will premiere in Spring 2009 in a major market,
and will appear in ten or more cities around the world throughout a five-year
span.
"Harry Potter: The Exhibition" will include elaborate displays of authentic
costumes, props and artifacts from popular environments featured in the films
such as those from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the
Gryffindor common room and Hagrid's hut. During its run, the exhibit will also
be updated to include artifacts from the final installments of the Harry Potter
film series. The exhibition will be displayed in major cultural and
entertainment venues, museums and institutions, and will be supported by a
multimedia promotional effort and advance ticket sales worldwide. Tour
information, updates and ticket availability will be posted at
www.harrypotterexhibition.com as details become available, or for more
information, call 866-231-8328.
With more than $4.5 billion in worldwide box office gross sales to date,
Harry Potter is the most successful film franchise in the world. The next
installment of the Warner Bros. blockbuster film series, Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince, is scheduled to open in theaters on November 21, 2008.
"Creating this magical tour around such a legendary property is a true
milestone for Becker Group, both as a company, and a source of creative
entertainment-based attractions," said Glenn Tilley, president and chief
executive officer of Becker Group.
"We've dedicated ourselves to delivering an exciting experience for visitors
that will meet the standards set by the films based on the novels by J.K.
Rowling," added Eddie Newquist, president of Becker Group's Creative Studio and
Exhibits.
"We're thrilled to partner with Becker Group to produce this
multi-dimensional exhibition dedicated to the iconic Harry Potter film series,"
said Brad Globe, president Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "Fans around the
world will finally be able to see the incredible craftsmanship and detail that
went into creating their favorite props and costumes."
"Harry Potter: The Exhibition" is the fourth collaboration between Warner
Bros. and Becker Group. Previous partnerships include the successful "Happy Feet
Snow Globe Experience" and the "Fred Claus Snow Globe Experience," each of which
appeared in 17 Taubman retail centers nationally in 2006 and 2007, respectively,
as well as another project based on the classic holiday film The Polar Express.
About Becker Group
Becker Group, a subsidiary of Viad Corp (NYSE:VVI)
, is an experiential marketing company with over fifty years of experience
creating immersive, entertaining attractions and brand-based experiences for a
wide variety of clients and venues including top consumer brands, movie studios,
retail centers, television networks, theme parks, museums and casinos around the
globe. The award-winning company is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and
has operations in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Miami, Mexico City,
and Sao Paulo, Brazil. For more information please visit www.beckergroup.com.
For information about becoming a host venue for the exhibit, contact Lisa
O'Keefe at Becker Group at 866-231-8328.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one
of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
Web site:
http://www.beckergroup.com/
http://www.harrypotterexhibition.com/
LEGO Group Secures Rights from Warner Bros. Consumer Products to Upcoming
SPEED RACER Film
-- LEGO Group, the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, today
announced an agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) to secure
construction toy rights for the upcoming movie release SPEED RACER, the live
action feature film adaptation of the classic TV series created by anime pioneer
Tatsuo Yoshida.
Under the agreement, LEGO Group will produce four constructible racing
playsets under its LEGO Racers brand, scheduled to race onto store shelves in
April 2008, and ranging in price from $19.99 to $59.99 USD. Builders and
collectors alike will appreciate the inclusion of multiple authentic racers in
each set for head-to-head racing and building fun. Many of the SPEED RACER
characters also will come to life in LEGO minifigure form, including Speed,
Racer X, Trixie, Spritle, Chim-Chim, Mom and Pops Racer, Taejo Togokhan, Snake
Oiler, Gray Ghost and Cruncher Block.
"Warner Bros. Consumer Products has partnered with LEGO on Batman and Harry
Potter, and we are excited to expand our relationship to include products based
on the upcoming SPEED RACER film," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President,
Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, for Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
"LEGO has captured the racing excitement of the film in its own unique way."
"The popularity and universal appeal of SPEED RACER has engaged generations
of loyal and enduring fans," said Jill Wilfert, Vice President, Partnership and
Alliance Management for LEGO Group. "Combined with one of our most popular lines
in LEGO Racers, SPEED RACER has become an awesome proposition for our business
and consumers."
The green flag drops on May 9, 2008, when SPEED RACER makes his feature film
debut in the newest project from writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the
creators of the groundbreaking The Matrix trilogy, and producer Joel Silver. A
live-action, high-octane family adventure based on the classic series created by
anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the big-screen SPEED RACER will follow the
adventures of the young race car driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) in his quest for
glory in his thundering Mach 5. It will feature other characters that fans of
the show will remember, including Mom (Susan Sarandon) and Pops Racer (John
Goodman), girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and the mysterious Racer X
(Matthew Fox).
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one
of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
SPEED RACER: (C) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
(s07)
About the LEGO Group
The LEGO Group (
http://www.lego.com/)
is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was
founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers
of play materials for children. The LEGO Group is committed to the development
of children's creative and imaginative abilities through its products, which can
be purchased in more than 130 countries, and its employees are guided by the
motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is
good enough."
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. (C) 2007 The LEGO
Group.
Source: LEGO Group
Web site:
http://www.lego.com/
Oct 01, 2007 09:29 ET
TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS Film "Runnin' Down A Dream"
to Be Screened in Heartbreaker Hometown, Gainesville, Florida, for Two Nights
Only, October 15th and 16th
LOS ANGELES, CA--- October 01, 2007) - On April Fool's Day 1974, Tom Petty
hopped into a van with his bandmates, including future Heartbreakers Mike
Campbell and Benmont Tench, to pursue dreams of rock and roll stardom. Ten
Miles outside of town the van broke down. And the world paid no mind. But the
cameras were already running. That moment in Heartbreaker history and many
others were caught on film well before Tom Petty was a household name. Still
an unknown outside of his home region, Petty was fronting the band Mudcrutch,
which would only gradually evolve into the Heartbreakers. The music itself was
the only sure sign of what was to come. These remarkable early years, and all
that would follow, are at the center of a new documentary by legendary
director Peter Bogdanovich ("The Last Picture Show"). An unprecedented look
inside the story of America's truest rock and roll band, the documentary will
be screened in Gainesville for two nights only, Monday and Tuesday the 15th
and 16th October at the Regal Gainesville Cinema 14 at 7pm. Tickets will be
available on Thursday, October 4th at Fandango.com.
"Runnin' Down A Dream" has been selected to close the 2007 New York Film
Festival at the legendary Walter Reade Theater on October 14. The film
includes performances from the 30th anniversary concert at the O'Connell
Center on September 22nd, 2006, rare television footage, never before seen
interviews from the archive, clips from Bogdanovich's discussions with such
Heartbreaker friends and family including Eddie Vedder, Stevie Nicks, Rick
Rubin, Jeff Lynne, and many more musicians, friends and collaborators who came
into the band's orbit over the years.
"Runnin' Down A Dream" focuses not only on the Heartbreakers' inspiring
ride to the top but the story of what they did when they got there, as
artists, as a band and as people. Bogdanovich's film explores many of the
underlying reasons for the band's unmatched capacity not only to endure but to
thrive. Gritty, exuberant, infectious: "Runnin' Down A Dream" tells the
Heartbreakers' story as never before, revealing the combination of unwavering
talent, artistic vision, and sheer persistence that has made their
thirty-plus-year run possible.
In addition to tracking the Heartbreakers over their decades together, "Runnin'
Down A Dream" also follows Tom Petty's solo adventures and his time as a
Traveling Wilbury alongside George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Roy
Orbison. A celebration of what can happen when artists are given the chance to
explore the depths of their own talent, "Runnin' Down A Dream" is the story of
an artistic victory unlike any other.
ABOUT TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS released their debut album in 1976. Since
that time they have sold more than 50 million records and remain one of the
biggest touring acts in the business. Despite the scale of their success and
the creative range of their work, the Heartbreakers maintain a reputation as a
rock-and-roll band, always true to the music's original inspiration. Between
the Heartbreakers' recordings and his solo work, Tom Petty has received 18
Grammy nominations. Honored with lifetime achievement awards including
Billboard's Century Award, MTV's Video Vanguard Award, and induction into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Tom Petty, with the Heartbreakers at his side, has
achieved the status of legend among his fellow musicians and listeners
worldwide.
ABOUT PETER BOGDANOVICH
Peter Bogdanovich has earned a reputation as one of American cinema's great
filmmakers. In addition to his work as a director, Bogdanovich has received
acclaim as an author, a critic, a screenwriter, a documentarian, an actor, and
a historian. His films, including "The Last Picture Show," "Paper Moon," and
"Mask," have been Oscar-winning landmarks. "The Last Picture Show" is a
National Treasure as declared by the Library of Congress. Viewers know him for
his recurring role and directing work on "The Sopranos." Film historians and
movie buffs alike know him for his monographs on Orson Welles, Alfred
Hitchcock, and John Ford. On the heels of "Runnin' Down A Dream," Bogdanovich
will return to feature film directing with a new film entitled "Star-Crossed,"
based on a true Hollywood love story. He's also planning a return to the
theater to do a Broadway production of Tennessee Williams's last play, "In
Masks Outrageous and Austere," which is being co-presented by Gore Vidal.
Warner Bros.
Consumer Products and Salvage Debut DC Super Hero Apparel at Las Vegas Project
Show
BURBANK, Calif.----Warner Bros.
Consumer Products (WBCP) announced today that it has teamed up with Salvage to
produce clothing inspired by DC Comics’ Super
Heroes, Superman and Batman. Under the terms of the new
licensing agreement, the Man of Steel and the legendary Gotham
Guardian will lend themselves to the artistic contemporary sportswear
collection. Created especially for DC Super Hero fans, the line will feature
Salvage’s innovative garment treatments coupled with
classic Batman and Superman pictography. The announcement was
made in conjunction with The Las Vegas Project Show that was held August 27th-29th.
Salvage’s original DC Comics-themed attire will
feature not only classic imagery of these two heroic icons but will also
incorporate items inspired by The Dark Knight, the highly anticipated
2008 sequel to 2005’s Batman Begins. The new
line will be a young men’s contemporary collection.
“The alliance between Salvage and DC Comics will
no doubt be turning heads in both the fashion world, as well as the graphic
novel industry,” said Jon Riddle, Creative Director
of Salvage. “These Super Heroes are universally
recognized symbols and we are excited to put our own spin on their classic
likenesses.”
“The iconic status of DC’s
most recognized Super Heroes combined with the fashion-forward designs of
Salvage make for the ideal partnership in this mix of classic and current
favorites,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice
President of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer
Products.
The Super Heroes collaboration debuted at the Las Vegas Project Show and
will be available to consumers at select retailers in Spring 2008.
About Salvage:
Established in 2002, Salvage is the maker of contemporary men’s
and women’s sportswear that melds the attitude of
indie rock and the aesthetic of assemblage art with European sensibility.
Graphics from a deconstructionist’s point of view
turn basic t-shirts, polo’s, denim, hoodies and
jackets into works of art. Salvage has garnered the respect of rock’s
elite due to the artful textures and reworked fabrics coupled with hi-concept
graphics. Salvage is a mingling of that which is rough, immediate and raw
– with that which is beautiful, historic and
layered.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is
one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the
world. DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest
English-language publisher of comics and is home to such well-known characters
as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Flash. DC Comics’
Web site is located at
www.dccomics.com.
About DC Comics
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest
English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic
characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super
Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both
animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for
generations. DC Comics' web site is located at
www.dccomics.com.
BATMAN, SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of
and © DC Comics.
THE CRIBS Release New Online Only EP Today!
BURBANK, CA--(Marketwire - September 19, 2007) - UK working class heroes THE
CRIBS digitally released an exclusive EP on September 18th via iTunes. The
MEN'S NEEDS EP will contain the album track of the same name along with a live
version of the song recorded at the Astoria, London on May 29, '07. Also
included will be the CSS remix of "Men's Needs," and a brand new track
entitled, "Get Yr Hands Out Of My Grave," which is only available as a UK
B-side, until now. The MEN'S NEEDS EP will become available to all other
digital services on September 25th.
Details of this fall's American tour will be announced shortly. Until then,
THE CRIBS begin a new European and UK tour tomorrow and plan to hit American
shores in November and early December. Further UK dates are planned ending
with a huge Christmas show w/ Bloc Party at Alexandra Palace on December 14th.
The Aviator
Soars on HD DVD and Blu-ray November 6
-For some men, the sky was the limit.
For Howard Hughes -- wily industrialist, glamorous movie producer and
unstoppable American innovator -- it was just the beginning.
Now on November 6, The Aviator, the blockbuster epic biopic
directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes and Cate
Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, will be flying higher than ever for its high
definition debut from Warner Home Video ($28.99 SRP).
The Aviator won five Academy Awards®
-- Best Supporting Actress for Miss Blanchett; Best Art Direction;
Cinematography; Costume Design and Editing. Mr. Scorsese and Mr. DiCaprio were
also nominated.
Special Features:
 | Commentary from director Martin
Scorsese |
| Additional deleted scene |
| History Channel documentary |
| Still gallery |
| Theatrical trailer (HD) |
Warner Home Video HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs offer resolution six times
higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as extraordinarily vibrant
contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The new formats also provide a
higher level of interactivity, with instant access to extra features via a
seamless menu-bar where viewers can enjoy features without leaving or
interrupting the film.
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a
Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution
infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film
library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage
titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment,
Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
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