Audio Video News

We’ll take whatever positive news we can muster during these otherwise uncertain, coronavirus-racked times. Paramount Pictures recently announced plans to launch a label dedicated to the release of collectible movies on Blu-ray.

The new “Paramount Presents” banner will kick off April 21 with the 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction, 1958’s King Creole, starring Elvis Presley, and a 65th anniversary release of Alfred Hitchcock’s romantic thriller To Catch A Thief. Respective pricing on amazon.com is $24.99, $22.99, and $27.76.

Paramount said the titles have been “meticulously remastered” and will include new bonus content featuring interviews with filmmakers and film historian Leonard Maltin in addition to being presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the original movie poster and interior artwork featuring key scenes.

Fatal Attraction is also scheduled for a limited theatrical release in 2020, likely late this year due to the recent nationwide closure of movie theaters.

Other titles slated for release under the “Paramount Presents” banner include remastered editions of 1983’s Flashdance, the 1980 timeless spoof Airplane!, 1990’s Ghost, and two titles that will appear for the first time on Blu-ray: the 1986 coming of age classic Pretty In Pink and 1986’s The Golden Child, starring Eddie Murphy.

Nowhere in the official announcement was 4K Ultra HD mentioned so we can only hope that the remastered versions of these classic movies will see the light of day in the higher-resolution, high dynamic range-enabled format coveted by enthusiasts.

“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,” said Bob Buchi, president of Paramount’s home media distribution arm.

“Movies have the power to hold a mirror up to the world,” added Leonard Maltin. “Sometimes they make us think about big issues and sometimes they simply reflect the times in which they were made. The ‘Paramount Presents’ banner encompasses a wide array of films that are worth revisiting because they captured something unique that resonated with audiences. Whether you’re watching them for the first time or the hundredth, you will see why these films have stood the test of time.”

To preorder the first round of titles, visit amazon.com.