Paramount Presents is a new label to recognize and celebrate films from the studio’s vast and storied library. The Paramount Presents banner will be used for a new line of collectible Blu-ray Discs incorporating a curated selection of enduringly popular movies, as well as films that had a cultural impact upon their release. The label will also be used to bring classic films to select theaters for limited theatrical runs so audiences can experience them again on the big screen.
“Paramount’s library represents over a century of filmmaking and includes some of the greatest films in cinematic history,” said Bob Buchi, president, worldwide home media distribution, Paramount Pictures. “We look forward to opening the vault and sharing some of our most treasured films with fans under the new ‘Paramount Presents’ banner, both in theaters and in our new Blu-ray collection, which has been crafted to offer something special to casual fans, dedicated film enthusiasts, and collectors.” This new collection will return each title to the spotlight with remastered releases that include brand new bonus content.
Fatal Attraction
Plot: For Dan Gallagher, life is good. He is on the rise at his New York law firm, is happily married to his wife, Beth, and has a loving daughter. But, after a casual fling with a sultry book editor named Alex, everything changes.
Director: Adrian Lyne
Runtime: 119 min
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus: A potboiler in the finest sense, Fatal Attraction is a sultry, juicy thriller that’s hard to look away from once it gets going.
King Creole
Plot: Denied his high school diploma because of a schoolyard fight, Danny Fisher is unsure how he’s going to support himself and his unemployed father. He briefly flirts with a life of crime before a club owner hears him singing and offers him a job.
Director: Michael Curtiz
Runtime: 116 min
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus: Presley shows himself to be a surprisingly sympathetic and believable actor on occasion. He also does some very pleasant, soft and melodious, singing.
To Catch A Thief
Plot: Notorious cat burglar John Robie has long since retired to tend vineyards on the French Riviera. When a series of robberies is committed in his style, John must clear his name. Armed with a list of people who own the most expensive jewels currently in the area, John begins following the first owner…
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Runtime: 106 min
Rotten Tomatoes Consensus: It may occasionally be guilty of coasting on pure charm, but To Catch a Thief has it in spades — as well as a pair of perfectly matched stars in Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
Review:
Something exciting about Paramount setting up this collection is the intended purpose; focusing on people like me and you; film enthusiasts and collectors. I’ve seen some people in the forums complain about “having to buy these again,” but we all know buying anything is an option — if you want re-releases with the best possible image, you’ll always have to reach into your pocket. What else is new?
The best news is that all of these releases look the best that they ever have! I know that’s the big question and the elephant in the room, so once again yes, all three of these releases are significant to modest jumps over their previous releases. If you love them, you will have to have them.
- Fatal Attraction practically looks like an entire new film — it’s a huge leap over the previous release. It’s remasters like this that make you want more films from the past to get the same treatment. To top of the new look, you’ll also get a new feature entitled Filmmaker Focus with director Adrian Lync speaking about the film. Two thumbs up!
- King Creole (a black and white film) will see it’s upgrade in newfound depth and dimension. How? This disc showcases deeper blacks and a brand new image quality to bring them front and center. On top of the nice upgrade, you will also get a new feature called Filmmaker Focus with film critic and historian Leonard Maltin speaking about the film.
- To Catch A Thief is not as much of an upgrade as Fatal Attraction, but it’s still a noticeable upgrade. The obvious bump is the showcase of the film’s new color palette — all the color POP!’s like it never did before. On top of the upgrade, you will also get a new feature entitled Filmmaker Focus with film critic and historian Leonard Maltin speaking about the film. Thumbs up!
The only “off” thing about this lineup is that they’re being released on Blu-ray and not 4K. My only guess?Personally, I think it’s the best option to help keep the cost down and nothing else. Some are already predicting that next year (2021) these will be released again in 4K… but I doubt it. That would be a strange strategy… who would buy them again? I certainly wouldn’t.
In conclusion —
Taking everything I’ve said into account, all three of these films (#1, #2 & #3) get my day-one recommendation to add to your collection! You can grab a copy at your local retailer today! Nobody knows how many movies Paramount is setting up to release. Is it 10? 25? 50? I think it all depends on the sales and word of mouth… if these releases gain popularity, then more will be added. I’m sure there’s a standard dozen to start things off, so we will have to wait a few months and see what happens.
For now, the next three to come are Flashdance, Airplane! & Days of Thunder.
Are you a fan of these movies? Will you be picking it up to own? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Cheers & stay safe,
Matt.
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