Blu-ray Review “Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection”

Actors: Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester
Number of discs: 24
Rated: NR
Studio: Universal Studios Home EntertainmentRelease Date: August 28, 2018
Run Time: 2764 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

As a kid, I grew up loving and also fearing the classic Universal Monsters. I used to be terrified going to Universal Studios Horror Make-Up Show as a kid cause I would see these terrifying creatures and monsters. Just fell in love. Universal Home Entertainment is making horror fans biggest dream come true bringing all these wonderful films together in “Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection”, available now. The thing that I am more excited about is that I will be able to share these great films with my daughter as she is growing up and continue the wonderful legacy that these films that brought and influenced over the decades! This is the first time ever that these film’s have been available together on Blu-ray.

The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes Dracula (1931), (1931 Spanish Version of Dracula included as extra feature), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939). The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1942), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942), Invisible Agent (1942), Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956) wraps it up, WHEW!

In the time we live in together were we have films like “Saw” or “The Purge” posing as horror films, it is great to be able to showcase the ORIGINAL most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. This collection features the each of their films which stared some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester. These are characters that we can not let disappear they pioneered the horror genre with their with groundbreaking stories and productions.

First time ever hitting Blu-ray are the following films: The Invisible Man Returns, The Invisible Woman, Invisible Agent, The Invisible Man’s Revenge, Revenge of the Creature (first time also in 3D) and The Creature Walks Among Us. I should mention that Revenge of the Creature isn’t even available on the included set at the time of receiving. Universal has already setup a replacement program to receive a corrected Blu-ray disc featuring the 3D version of Revenge of the Creature and 2D version of The Creature Walks Among Us. Hopefully that is correct in future wave of this release. To receive an updated disc, please email USHEConsumerRelations@visionmediamgmt.com.

To think that some of these films are nearly 90 years old! YES nearly 90! These films simply look amazing. I am not a film specialist but when you are watching these films on Blu-rays, the 1080p transfers are simply amazing. You can see all the fine detail that went into these wonderful productions. Top it off with beautiful scores from each of these films. Music drove these films and it added suspense, which is nothing like we have today. These films are still scary with their DTS-HD Master Audio Mono tracks. Simply beautiful and makes me really miss these types of scores.

The bonus feature in this set are literally jam-packed with great extras. There are great behind-the-scenes documentaries and great featurettes focusing on these legends like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce. If you are a commentary buff like myself you will be happy to hear that their are 13 feature commentaries with film experts. Lastly there are tons of great archival footage, photos and trailers. I think this giant box set has more content that I can even watch. Additionally this also includes a 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs. Seriously, just a must have for any horror fans!

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 30film, bluray, classic, collection, complete, monsters, ...

The Dude Is Back in the Cult Classic “The Big Lebowski” 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack on October 16, 2018 From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Universal City, California, October 2, 2018 – Get ready for a laugh in the cult-classic comedy that has captured everyone’s hearts when The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Limited Edition debuts for the first time ever on 4K Ultra Combo Pack that also includes Blu-ray™ and Digital via the digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on October 16, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Fans can relive the hilariously freewheeling plot of one of the most beloved films of all-time with the twisted crime-comedy starring Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, True Grit), John Goodman (10 Cloverfield Lane, Argo), Julianne Moore (The Hours, Still Alice), Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Ghost World), Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master, Capote) and John Turturro (Barton Fink, Fading Gigolo). The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is the perfect gift for any fan and the exclusive set includes a collectible bag, bowling ball pencil holder, polishing cloth and sweater packaging offering an experience like no other to look back on the cultural phenomenon of The Dude in the “#1 cult film of all time” (The Boston Globe).

With unforgettable scenes and outrageous humor, The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Edition showcases hours of bonus features including retrospective documentaries, an interactive map, an in-depth look at the phenomenon known as the Lebowski Fest taking audiences deeper than ever before into the upside down world of “The Dude.”

From the Academy Award®-winning Coen brothers, The Big Lebowski is a hilariously quirky comedy about bowling, a severed toe, White Russians and a guy named…The Dude. Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski doesn’t want any drama in his life…heck, he can’t even be bothered with a job. But, he must embark on a quest with his bowling buddies after his rug is destroyed in a twisted case of mistaken identity.

BONUS FEATURES:

  • The Dude’s Life: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi and John Turturro take a look back at their performances and how their delivery of the Coen brothers’ dialog became classic movie lines.
  • The Dude Abides: The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later: A conversation with the cast about the film’s decade-long reign as a cult classic.
  • Making of The Big Lebowski
  • The Lebowski Fest: An Achiever’s Story: An in-depth look at the annual Lebowski Fest, a celebration of The Dude and his world, attended by thousands each year.
  • Flying Carpets and Bowling Pin Dreams: The Dream Sequences of The Dude: A look at some of the Dude’s trippiest fantasies so fans can learn for the first time how these innovative scenes were created.
  • Interactive Map: Take a tour of the locations of The Big Lebowski, then and now.
  • Jeff Bridges Photo Book: For more than 30 years, Jeff Bridges has been snapping pictures on movie sets. The accomplished photographer presents a portfolio of shots taken on the set of The Big Lebowski.
  • Photo Gallery
  • And Much More!

The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Edition will be available on 4K Ultra HD combo pack which includes Blu-rayTM and Digital, and Movies Anywhere.

  • 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
  • Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
  • Movies Anywhere is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.

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Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection First Time Ever on Blu-ray!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, A LANDMARK COLLECTION SHOWCASING THE LEGENDARY MONSTERS IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY

UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS: COMPLETE 30-FILM COLLECTION AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY™ ON AUGUST 28, 2018 FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, August 22, 2018 – Thirty of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces starring the most famous monsters of horror movie history come together on Blu-ray™ for the first time ever in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection on August 28, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring unforgettable make-up, ground-breaking special effects and outstanding performances, the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes all Universal Pictures’ legendary monsters from the studio that pioneered the horror genre with imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror in unforgettable films from the 1930s to late-1950s.

From the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases all the original films featuring the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Starring some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles that they made famous, these films set the standard for a new horror genre and showcase why these landmark movies that defined the horror genre are regarded as some of the most unforgettable ever to be filmed.

Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes a 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs and is accompanied by an array of bonus features including behind-the-scenes documentaries, the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula, Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce, 13 expert feature commentaries, archival footage, production photographs, theatrical trailers and more. The perfect gift for any scary movie fan, the collection offers an opportunity to experience some of the most memorable horror films of our time.

The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection includes Dracula(1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1942), The Mummy’s Tomb (1942),Invisible Agent (1942), Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, and includes a 3D version), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955 and includes a 3D version) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).

 

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries
  • 3D Versions of Creature from the Black Lagoon and Revenge of the Creature
  • 1931 Spanish Version of Dracula
  • Featurettes on Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., and Jack Pierce
  • 13 Expert Feature Commentaries
  • Archival Footage
  • Production Photographs
  • Theatrical Trailers

 

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: 13, 1930s, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, ...

Universal Orlando Resort And Warner Bros. To Host Second Annual “A Celebration Of Harry Potter” Event In January 2015

“A Celebration of Harry Potter” will Feature Incredible Experiences at Both Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida Jan. 30 – Feb. 1

Vacation Packages with Exclusive Benefits, Including Exclusive Q&A Sessions with Harry Potter Film Talent, Go on Sale Thursday, August 21 at Noon EST

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. announced today that they will host the second annual “A Celebration of Harry Potter” event – a special event for fans celebrating the global phenomenon that is Harry Potter.

Beginning January 30, 2015, fans will enjoy three days of incredible experiences – including the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo, Q&A sessions with Harry Potter film talent and more. Special vacation packages, including annual passholder packages, will go on sale August 21 and will include exclusive benefits such as access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and the all-new The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.  Full vacation package details are below.

All general admission park guests will have the opportunity to:

  • Attend Q&A sessions with Harry Potter film talent and other special guests (talent attendees will be announced at a later date)
  • Experience and participate in the interactive and unique exhibits of the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
  • Enjoy special discussions regarding various aspects of the Harry Potter franchise
  • Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Plus, ride the Hogwarts Express between the two lands with a park-to-park ticket.
  • And much more!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley officially opened in Universal Studios Florida on July 8, 2014 bringing even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life at Universal Orlando Resort. The new land features incredible shops with windows full of magical surprises, authentic dining experiences, a fire-breathing dragon and the new multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Guests with a park-to-park ticket will also be able to board the iconic Hogwarts Express and enjoy a unique journey as they travel between London and Hogsmeade. The new immersive area expands upon The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, launched in 2010 in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and doubles the size of the sweeping area already dedicated to Harry Potter’s adventures to create a spectacularly themed environment across both Universal theme parks.

While most of the activities for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will be open to all Universal Orlando park guests and annual passholders, only guests who purchase the exclusive event vacation package or annual passholder package will enjoy certain special benefits and reserved seating for select events. Packages are limited and will go on sale at noon EST on Thursday, August 21, 2014. See below for full package details.

Packages for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort

On Sale at Noon EST on August 21, 2014

On-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at  $219 per adult per night, tax inclusive
  • 3-night on-site hotel accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Orlando Resort’s all-new retro-themed moderate & value priced hotel
  • 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (includes access to the Hogwarts Express)
  • Exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
  • Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, including light desserts and Butterbeer
  • Specially themed Welcome Parcel and complimentary commemorative merchandise item
  • Special Guest access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
  • Reserved seating or viewing area for select Celebration events
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open
  • Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one per person
  • Complimentary on-site transportation to and from both theme parks and Universal CityWalk
  • Note: This package does not include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access

On-Site Deluxe Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at   $285 per adult per night, tax inclusive
  • 3-night on-site hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s spectacular deluxe on-site hotels:  Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  • 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (includes access to the Hogwarts Express)
  • Complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines in both theme parks for all three days – a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day
  • Exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
  • Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, including light desserts and Butterbeer
  • Specially themed Welcome Parcel and complimentary commemorative merchandise item
  • Special Guest access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
  • Reserved seating or viewing area for select Celebration events
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open
  • Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one per person
  • Complimentary on-site transportation to and from both theme parks and Universal CityWalk

Universal Partner Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $185 per adult per night, tax inclusive
  • 3-night accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel near Universal Orlando
  • 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (includes access to the Hogwarts Express)
  • Exclusive Q&A session with select Harry Potter film talent
  • Access to an exclusive evening event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, including light desserts and Butterbeer
  • Specially themed Welcome Parcel and complimentary commemorative merchandise item
  • Special Guest access to the “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo
  • Reserved seating or viewing area for select Celebration events
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the parks open
  • Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, one per person
  • Free scheduled transportation between the hotel and Universal Orlando Resort
  • Note: This package does not include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access

 To book special annual passholder event vacation packages, please call 1-888-343-8991 starting August 21, 2014 at noon EST.

Access to select events within “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included in regular admission to Universal Orlando or with an annual pass. For more information about the event, tickets and vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.

About the Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into 77 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

About Universal Orlando Resort
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts. It is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family. Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D. And now, you can step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure; four magnificently themed on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the newest addition, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort; and Universal CityWalk – a unique dining and entertainment complex featuring one-of-a-kind restaurants, shops and nightclubs.  And located just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort is Wet n’ Wild, Orlando’s premier waterpark.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company.  Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

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Mimoco® Announces Star Wars x MimoPowerBot™ Line of Universal Backup Battery Chargers for Smartphones and Tablet Devices

(New York – June 25, 2014) – At CE Week 2014 (Booth #169 in the iLounge), Mimoco, the Boston-based consumer electronics design studio, is proud to announce the Star Wars x MimoPowerBot™ line of backup batteries for smartphones, tablets, and other 5V USB-powered devices.

MimoPowerBot is Mimoco’s newest tech’cessory, originally hatched on Kickstarter where fans were invited to preorder the product concept expanding upon Mimoco’s character-based spin on designer electronic accessories.

Renowned for the MIMOBOT® collection of designer USB flash drives and eight Star Wars x MIMOBOT series, yielding more than 30 different stylized Star Wars characters in the form meets function electronic line, Mimoco’s newest crossover collaboration with Lucas Licensing continues the trend of pioneering licensed electronics.

The Star Wars x MimoPowerBot line kicks off with a pair of fan-favorite characters: the loveable droid, R2-D2; and the Empire’s own Sith lord, Darth Vader.

Both Star Wars x MimoPowerBot styles will be powered with a 5200mAh capacity lithium-ion battery with a 2.1A output for fast universal charging of tablets, smartphones, and other 5V USB-powered devices. The MimoPowerBot can charge a smartphone up to 3 times on a single charge and will serve as a trusty companion on long intergalactic trips to keep one’s device powered up while on-the-go.

In addition to the Star Wars crossover products, Mimoco is also showcasing at their CE Week booth their original Bloohvian and Animobotz designs, as well as the Adventure Time x MimoPowerBot collection. The full MimoPowerBot line will ship in time for holiday 2014, alongside the currently available MimoPowerTube assortment also on display in the Mimoco booth.

For more info, please visit Mimoco.com and prelaunch.com where Mimoco is currently accepting preorders for the new Star Wars x MimoPowerBot line.

If you want to pre-order these, click below:

Darth Vader: http://goo.gl/VmsRdK

 

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Filed Under: Featured, Technology Tagged With: announces, backup, battery, chargers, devices, line, ...

Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Celebrates Grand Opening

No. 1 selling American band of all time – The Beach Boys – Performed at Grand Opening
Celebration of Fourth On-Site Hotel

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 19, 2014) – Universal Orlando celebrated the official Grand Opening of its fourth on-site hotel –Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – this evening with a beach bash featuring a surprise performance by The Beach Boys. The brand-new hotel features a total of 1,800 moderate and value priced rooms that evoke the classic, retro-feel of iconic beach resorts from the 1950s and 60s.

Located on-site at Universal Orlando Resort, the new hotel is a destination within itself – featuring a stunning design with bold colors, retro-inspired architecture and sweeping vistas that transport guests back to a time of relaxation and endless family fun. Cabana Bay guests can experience incredible amenities throughout the hotel, including:

  • Soaking up the sun at the 6,000 square foot sand beach surrounding the 8,000 square foot zero-entry pool at the Lazy River Courtyard
  • Enjoying a leisurely float around Universal Orlando’s first Lazy River at an on-site hotel, with waterfalls and cannons for interactive fun
  • Taking in the stunning view of the Lazy River Courtyard while savoring a specialty cocktail, a freshly made smoothie and simple grill menu items from the rooftop deck at The Hideaway Bar & Grill
  • Bowling a strike at the 10-lane Galaxy Bowl
  • Channeling the godfather of fitness at the Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio
  • Racing down the iconic dive tower waterslide and splashing into a 10,000 square foot zero-entry pool in the Cabana Courtyard
  • Enjoying a retro-themed specialty cocktail from Swizzle Lounge or Atomic Tonic
  • Finding something delicious for the entire family at Bayliner Diner, a food court with something for everyone to enjoy including a salad bar, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and grab-and-go items

Click here to watch a video series to learn more about the hotel and all the amenities it has to offer, including an all-new look at the Lazy River Courtyard and brand new standard guest rooms.

Rates for the standard guest rooms begin at $119 per night, and can run as low as $93 per-night depending on the length of stay. Rates for the family suites begin at $174 per-night, and can run as low as $134 per-night depending on the length of stay. Cabana Bay guests also get exclusive benefits only available to on-site hotel guests at Universal Orlando, including Early Park Admission one hour before the theme parks open.

The value-priced standard guest room features two queen size beds, a mini fridge, and a flat screen TV for a comfortable and affordable stay. The family suite sleeps up to six people and includes two queen size beds, a fold-out foam bed, kitchenette, a sliding partition for privacy, two flat-screen TVs and a bathroom with preparation spaces for three people at once.

“Our new hotel is a destination unto itself,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Parks and Resorts. “From the incredible retro design to the bowling alley to the lazy river and more – this hotel is the perfect complement to our other hotels.”

“Cabana Bay Beach Resort is an exciting and first of its kind addition to the Loews Hotels & Resorts family,” said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman, Loews Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to bring a unique and fun offering to guests traveling to Orlando, as we open our fourth hotel with our partners at Universal Parks and Resorts.”


To learn more or to make a reservation, call 1-888-273-1311 or visit www.universalorlando.com. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts.

About Universal Orlando Resort
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts.  It is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family.  Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D.  And coming this summer:  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure; four magnificently themed on-site hotels:  Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the newest addition, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal CityWalk – a nighttime entertainment complex featuring a collection of nightclubs, restaurants and shops.  And located just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort is Wet n’ Wild, Orlando’s premier waterpark.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company.  Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Loews Hotels & Resorts
Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels & Resorts owns and/or operates 20 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada including the newly acquired Loews Madison Hotel located in the heart of Washington at the epicenter of legendary D.C. landmarks and the Loews Boston Hotel, one of Boston’s preeminent historic buildings, situated on the corner of Berkeley and Stuart Streets. Located in major city centers and resort destinations in North America from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience. For reservations or more information about Loews Hotels & Resorts, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or visit: www.loewshotels.com.

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: bay, beach, cabana, celebrates, grand, opening, ...

Universal Orlando Announces All-New Vacation Package Featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley


New Vacation Package Available Now for Travel Beginning June 29 –
Giving Guests the Opportunity to Experience the Incredible New Land

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 22, 2014) – Universal Orlando Resort is announcing an all-new exclusive vacation package giving guests the opportunity to enjoy this year’s most anticipated theme park experience:  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.  Travel for the vacation package begins June 29.

The new travel offer starts at $135 per adult, per night, tax inclusive for a four-night stay on-site at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and includes multi-day Park-to-Park tickets to experience both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. As part of the vacation package, guests will enjoy access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, plus exclusive benefits like Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.  They will also receive a specially themed Welcome Parcel delivered to their doorstep.

Additional vacation package details can be found below.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package

The Wizarding World of
Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package

Summer Package
~ Starts at $155 per adult, per night, tax inclusive for travel June 29 to Aug. 16

Fall Package
~ Starts at $135 per adult, per night, tax inclusive for travel Aug. 17 to Oct. 2 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 18
  • 4-night on-site hotel accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – an all-new hotel inspired by the iconic beach resorts of the 1950s and 1960s
  • 3-day Park-to-Park tickets
  • One breakfast per person at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and the all-new Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme parks open
  • Special themed Welcome Parcel
  • Complimentary on-site transportation to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk
  • Book by July 31
  • Upgrade to one of three AAA Four-Diamond deluxe on-site hotels at Universal Orlando Resort to receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines at select attractions in both theme parks all day (a FREE benefit worth up to $89 per person, per day)
  • Vacation package also available at Universal Partner Hotels

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida will double the size of the Harry Potter experience offered at Universal Orlando Resort – expanding it across both of Universal’s theme parks.  Guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city. The new land will offer one-of-a-kind adventures where guests can:

  • Experience the next generation thrill ride – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – where guests are propelled into a pivotal scene from the final Harry Potter book and film
  • Stroll along the streets of Diagon Alley and stop inside well-known shops like Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Magical Menagerie and Quality Quidditch Supplies
  • Experience the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley
  • Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC
  • And more!

And, just like in the books and films, guests can ride the iconic Hogwarts Express to travel between King’s Cross Station in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure. The scenic, breathtaking journey will transport guests through the British countryside as they encounter magical creatures and familiar Harry Potter characters.

In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, which opened in 2010 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, guests can experience Hogsmeade village and Hogwarts castle – which houses the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction.

To book a vacation package, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For additional information about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotter.

About the Harry Potter Series 
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into 77 languages.  The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

About Universal Orlando Resort
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts.  It is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family.  Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D.  And, coming this summer, you can step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure; four magnificently themed on-site hotels:  Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the newest addition, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort; and Universal CityWalk – a nighttime entertainment complex featuring a collection of nightclubs, restaurants and shops.  And located just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort is Wet n’ Wild, Orlando’s premier waterpark.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company.  Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Warner Bros. Entertainment
A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

 

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Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Details for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

2014’’s Most Anticipated New Theme Park Experience Opens This Summer and Brings More of Harry Potter’s Adventures to Life 

Expansive New Area Will Feature Something for Everyone:

  The Hogwarts Express, A Groundbreaking Ride, Plus Spectacular Shops and Dining

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 23, 2014) – Never before has a theme park created a guest experience like this: you climb aboard the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade and moments later arrive at King’s Cross Station – where the wonders of London and Diagon Alley unfold before you.  And it is all real.

With this summer’s opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life inside a new, magnificently themed area that includes a revolutionary attraction experience, as well as all-new themed shops and dining.

The two companies today revealed first-ever details about the new area and the one-of-a-kind adventures it will offer the whole family.  The spectacularly themed environment will double the size of the sweeping area already dedicated to Harry Potter’s adventures at Universal Orlando, expanding it across both Universal theme parks.

And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between the two areas aboard the iconic Hogwarts Express.

Universal Orlando launched a global phenomenon when it opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at its Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010.  That area includes the iconic Hogwarts castle – which houses the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction – and the village of Hogsmeade.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be located within Universal Orlando’s second theme park, Universal Studios, and will create new experiences based on the signature areas of London, Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.

Universal’s creative team has been working closely with Stuart Craig and the production team from the Harry Potter films to make the new area as authentic and spectacular as possible – just as it did with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.

The vision for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is unprecedented, with Universal Orlando creating the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience.

After arriving at King’s Cross Station aboard the Hogwarts Express, guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway from the films into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city.  There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will give visitors the exciting opportunity to: 

  • Board the Hogwarts Express and journey between London’s King’s Cross Station (located in Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade Station (located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure). The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required.
  • Experience a groundbreaking new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which will place riders in the middle of an incredible adventure as they navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults
  • Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops
  • Discover the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley, the darkest of dark places that features Borgin and Burkes – a shop specializing in the Dark Arts that will offer a wide variety of Dark objects, such as Death Eater masks, skulls, and other sinister items
    • Explore some of Diagon Alley’s famous shops, including:
      • Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone
      • Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where guests will find a variety of wizardwear from Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes
      • Magical Menagerie, which features a collection of plush animals, such as owls and Hippogriffs
      • Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses
      • Quality Quidditch Supplies, offering a wide assortment of apparel and equipment including Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more
      • Scribbulus, featuring authentic writing implements and products such as feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards
      • Enjoy traditional British fare that includes favorite dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and more at the Leaky Cauldron
      • Visit Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour for frozen treats in a variety of tantalizing and unique flavors such as strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice-cream and many others
      • And more!


More details about the unique experiences that can be found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time. For more information about the area, visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter.

About the Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into 77 languages.  The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

About Universal Orlando Resort
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts.  With two incredible theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex, Universal Orlando is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family.  Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D.

About Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms.  A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

 

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Universal Orlando and Warner Bros. announce “A Celebration of Harry Potter” in January 2014

Universal Orlando and Warner Bros. to Host Celebration of Harry Potter in January 

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT AND WARNER BROS. TO HOST AN EVENT IN CELEBRATION OF HARRY POTTER IN JANUARY 2014

“A Celebration of Harry Potter” will Feature Exciting Activities Across Both Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure from Jan. 24 – 26

Vacation Packages with Exclusive Benefits, Including Access to a Private Evening Reception in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Go on Sale Thursday, August 22 at Noon EST

Orlando, Fla. (August 7, 2013) – Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. announced today that they will host “A Celebration of Harry Potter” – a special event for fans of all ages that will celebrate all of Harry’s adventures, from the beloved books to the Warner Bros. feature films.

Beginning January 24, 2014, fans will enjoy three days of unforgettable experiences – including interactive Q&As with Harry Potter talent and more. Special event vacation packages will go on sale August 22 and will include exclusive benefits such as access to a private evening reception held in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Full vacation package details are below.

Guests will have the opportunity to:

Attend Q&A sessions with Harry Potter talent, filmmakers, and other special guests (talent attendees will be announced at a later date)
Revisit some of their favorite Harry Potter film moments during a film tribute with Harry Potter talent and filmmakers (talent attendees will be announced at a later date)
Learn the art of “duelling” at a wand masterclass that’s featured at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and hosted by Paul Harris – the choreographer who trained the cast of the Harry Potter films
And much more!
Guests will also have access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where they can soar above Hogwarts on the thrilling attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, sip Butterbeer at the Hog’s Head pub, see a wand choose a wizard in Ollivanders, explore iconic shops like Honeydukes, Zonko’s, and more.

While most of the activities for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will be open to all Universal Orlando park guests and annual passholders, only guests who purchase the special event package will enjoy exclusive benefits and reserved seating for select events. Packages are extremely limited and go on sale at noon EST on Thursday, August 22. See below for full package details.

Packages for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort On Sale at Noon EST on August 22, 2013

On-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $675 per adult, tax inclusive

  • · 3-night accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s award-winning on-site hotels – including complimentary Universal Express access to select rides and attractions
  • 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida
  • Access to the exclusive evening reception held in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Reserved seating for select events – including the Harry Potter film tribute, Q&A sessions and the wand masterclass
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and breakfast at the Three Broomsticks

Off-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $395 per adult, tax inclusive

  • 3-night accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel near Universal Orlando
  • 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida
  • Access to all celebration activities– including reserved seating for select events and access to the exclusive evening reception in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and breakfast at the Three Broomsticks
  • Note: This package does not include complimentary Universal Express access

Access to select events within “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included in regular admission to Universal Orlando or with an annual pass. For more information about the event, tickets and vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.

About the Harry Potter series
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.

###
About Universal Orlando Resort
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts. With two incredible theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex, Universal Orlando is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family. Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, be transformed into a banana-loving minion in the hilarious Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Warner Bros. Entertainment
A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

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John Hyams talks about directing "Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning"

John Hyams is the writer and director of “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning”, officially the fourth film in the series. John breathed new life into this franchise with “Universal Soldier: Regeneration” also reuniting Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with John about this franchise and the latest film.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us where “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning” fits in the franchise?
John Hyams: When I first became involved with the Universal Soldier franchise in 2009 (with Regeneration) the idea was to focus on the broad mythological themes while ignoring specific storylines from the previous films. Although it was an action movie, I immediately responded to the Frankenstein myth elements, which kept one foot firmly planted in the sci-fi and horror genres. I felt that a movie made 20 years after its predecessors should be a stand alone film, while at the same time pay respect to the mythology of the first movie. With Day of Reckoning, the idea was to embrace the very same challenge – to make a movie that picked up where Regeneration left off, from a mythological standpoint, but could also stand alone as a unique interpretation of the material. This time we focused more on the psychological horror elements. We aimed to create a subjective, often hallucinatory experience, punctuated by moments of explosive action and violence. So, to me it fits right next to Regeneration, where they both can stand together or alone.

MG: Tell us about working with and also reuniting Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme?
JH: Regeneration served as a more formal reuniting of Dolph and Jean-Claude, since that movie pitted the two against each other, and allowed for a dramatic showdown more reminiscent of the scenario from the first movie. This time, their characters served a different function – as obstacles standing in between our protagonist, played by Scott Adkins, and his goals. As for working with them, I know them better this time around and we have a comfortable working relationship. I like them both as people and collaborators, but they’re very different from each other and present unique challenges. Jean Claude is emotional and leads with his heart, whereas Dolph is more analytical, and thinks in more technical terms. We all had a good time working on this one.

MG: What made take on the role of writer, as well, this time around?
JH: It’s always better to be involved with a story from the ground up. By coming up with the story and writing the script I could take part in the evolution of the mythology, and take it into directions I’d like to see it go. Ultimately, it leads to a much more interesting, challenging experience.

MG: After four films in the franchise, tell us about turning the hero Luc Deveraux into the villain?
JH: Regeneration ended with Luc Deveraux escaping. Day of Reckoning answers the question of what happened to him after he escaped. In order to facilitate this story, it was necessary that we introduce a new protagonist, whose journey was to find Luc Deveraux and, in this case, attempt to kill him. Therefore, Luc is the antagonist of the story… however, whether or not he is actually the villain is the central idea the film seeks to explore.

MG: Tell us about the decision to shoot “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning” in 3D and was it a challenge?
JH: It wasn’t my decision to shoot in 3D, the producers sold it that way oversees, so it was part of the deal. 3D is a huge challenge because, quite simply, it costs more money and takes longer. So, on a budget as low as ours, it leaves you with less shooting days and less hours each day to work with. Therefore, the fact that it was going to be shot in 3D directly affected the content of the story. In essence, the decision to focus on subjective, horror thriller elements instead of large scale spectacle was informed by our budgetary constraints, due in large part to working in 3D. From an aesthetic standpoint, we used 3D to create an immersive environment. Since the perspective of the movie is very subjective, we felt that 3D could help enhance that feeling of being in the room with the characters while they interact. Conversely, we avoided the ‘comin-at-ya’ gimmickry often associated with 3D. The goal was to make the film work just as well in 2D as 3D.

MG: How did the productions differ from “Regeneration” To “Day of Reckoning”?
JH: Regeneration was shot in 2D, had a bigger budget and was shot in Sofia, Bulgaria, whereas Day of Reckoning was shot in the US. Therefore, Regeneration had a shooting schedule of almost 47 days, vs Day of Reckoning, which was shot in 29. So, Regeneration was larger in scope, involved more group battles, and was more of a straight action movie. Day of Reckoning, because of it’s schedule, became a much more intimate movie, though in some ways I think we achieved some even better action this time around.

MG: With 2012 being 20 years from the first film, how do you feel this franchise has evolved?
JH: I feel like the first Universal Soldier film was a product of its time, when movies like Terminator and Robocop had inspired an interest in bio-mechanical ideas. That coupled with the tongue in cheek nature of action movies from the 80s and early 90s, led to an aesthetic that was very much of its time. It did not take itself too seriously, and, in fact, embraced the comedic aspects of the story. For Regeneration and Day of Reckoning I took my cues from films like Alien, Sorcerer, The Terminator, as well as films by John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, among others, to create an aesthetic that took the mythology seriously, and tried to create a believable aesthetic. That idea led to the dark, serious tone that ended up dominating the proceedings.

MG: How was it getting to bring this series back to theaters after going DTV?
JH: I feel a sense of accomplishment that we took a franchise that had long been forgotten and reintroduced it in a way that created renewed interest. From the discussions I’ve had with people, whether during interviews, film festivals or on Facebook, there seems to be an appreciative audience out there that Is pleased with the direction we’ve taken things.

MG: Now that you have life back to “Universal Soldier”, do you see yourself continuing with this franchise?
JH: I have been developing a concept with the producers that we imagine as a larger scale production. If we are able to raise the budget necessary to execute these ideas, than I’d be interested.

MG: Can’t wait to see what you have planned next, any ideas?
JH: In addition to Universal Soldier, I’m developing a potential action franchise with a renowned sci-fi writer, as well as finishing an original screenplay of my own. Other than that, reading scripts and meeting with producers. Truth be told, I’m itching to get back in the trenches. When I’m not making a movie I feel like Captain Willard — drunk, naked and bleeding in a Saigon hotel room, just waiting for a mission.

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Blu-ray Review "Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning"

Actors: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Dolph Lundgren
Directors: John Hyams
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: January 22, 2013
Run Time: 113 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
EXtras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

First I would like to thank director John Hyams for breathing life back into the “Universal Soldier” franchise with “Regeneration”, which was a fun action packed ride. “Day of Reckoning” packs a nice punch as well but really focuses more in the horror/thriller genre (at least for the first 45 minutes). This installment brings back Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren but in very minor and rather useless roles, yet they are the focus on the box art – which is very misconceiving. The star and main focus of the film is Scott Adkins, who don’t get me wrong kicks some major ass but it really doesn’t feel like a “Universal Soldier” installment. Fans of the franchise should still check it out though (in 3D if possible) but don’t expect an action packed entry.

Official Synopsis: John (Scott Adkins) wakes up from a coma to discover his wife and daughter were slaughtered in a brutal home invasion. Haunted by images of the attack, he vows to kill the man responsible, Luc Deveraux (Jean Claude Van Damme). While John tries to piece his reality back together, things get more complicated when he is pursued by a relentless UniSol (Arlovski). As John gets closer to Deveraux and the rogue army of genetically enhanced warriors led by back-from-the-dead leader Andrew Scott (Dolph Lundgren), John discovers more about himself and begins to call into question everything he believed to be true.

The story itself starts off really interesting with a quite haunting opening scene but where a normal film would then explain the plot, this drags a bit and never really regains focus. I originally had the privilege of watching this film in 3D and it really is the way to watch this film, without it you lose a lot of the added depth especially in the first half of the film. The 2D version still is decent but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. Unfortunately, there is no 3D US Blu-ray release planned by Sony. I watched it via VOD on DirecTV, so if you can catch it there, I would! Also there is an NC-17 cut of the film, which is also not on this Blu-ray release.  I am not sure why Sony missed the mark on both of these great aspects of the film, it would have made this quite more desirable to purchase. I would just put this Blu-ray now as a renter.

The release looks sharp with its 1080p transfer and watch out for the strobe light scenes (which look better in 3D, sorry I will stop now). The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track really comes in great for the second half of the film, where the action is amped up. The special features are not jam-packed but overall decent. There is a nice audio commentary track from the director John Hyams and Dolph Lundgren. Besides the commentary, there are also three behind-the-scenes featurettes. The first is called “Coming Into Focus”, which takes a look at the production, it’s challenges and the films characters. “There Is No End” is a look at the tools used to create the final scene. Lastly “Production Wrap” is an in-depth look on the last days on set with cast/crew.

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Kelly Marcel to Write the Screenplay to Universal Pictures and Focus Features’ Film Adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey”

KELLY MARCEL TO WRITE THE SCREENPLAY TO UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND FOCUS FEATURES’ FILM ADAPTATION OF “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” 

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, October 8, 2012—Universal Pictures and Focus Features today announced that Kelly Marcel will write the screenplay to the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey.”  Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will produce the film based on E L James’ #1 Bestselling book, alongside James.  The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Co-Chairman, Donna Langley and Focus Features’ Chief Executive Officer, James Schamus.

Marcel wrote the 2011 Black List script, Saving Mr. Banks, the story of Walt Disney’s twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to author P.L. Travers’ novel, “Mary Poppins,” and the rocky relationship that formed between the two.  The film is currently in production at Walt Disney Studios starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell with John Lee Hancock directing.  Marcel served as the co-creator and executive producer of the Amblin/FOX-TV series Terra Nova, for which she wrote the series’ pilot episode.  She will also produce The Madonnas of Echo Park for HBO.

“Kelly’s work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humor and depth of character which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks,” said De Luca.  “We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelley’s engagement with the characters and world E L James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family,” added Brunetti.

Universal Pictures and Focus Features acquired the rights to the three books in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” Trilogy in March of this year.  Focus Features will market and distribute the first film in partnership with Universal.  “Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 45 languages worldwide since its release.  In the U.S. alone, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 32 million copies in e-book and print making it one of the fastest selling book series ever.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele.  Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” (September 2011) and “Fifty Shades Freed” (January 2012) explore the couple’s deepening relationship.  For more information please see the official Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiftyshadesofgreymovie.

Marcel was represented in the deal by WME and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Limited.

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).  Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks.  Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

About Focus Features

Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as Focus Features in North America, and as Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world; and is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2012.

Focus Features and FFI are part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

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Blu-ray Review “Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection”

Directors: James Whale, Arthur Lubin, George Melford, Karl Freund, George Waggner, Jack Arnold
Starring: Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Edward Van Sloan, Dwight Frye, Claude Rains, Colin Clive
Number of discs: 8
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Running Time: 644 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When it comes the the Classic Monsters, there is hands down nothing better in horror.  It’s all starts from these films.  This Essential Collection includes eight of Universal’s most popular monster films, including “Dracula” (1931), “Frankenstein” (1931), “The Wolf Man” (1932), “The Mummy” (1932),  “The Invisible Man” (1933), “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), “The Phantom of the Opera” (1943) and “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954).  These films have been digitally restored and released on Blu-Ray for the first time ever in this release. These are some of the most iconic films in history with creatures that are simply timeless.  Of course Universal timed this release perfectly to compliment Halloween.  And what better way to get in the mood for the holiday than enjoying these great films in beautiful in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound for the first time ever.

This wonderful release not only comes packed with goodies but also looked fantastic.  It is very sleek and sharp.  The inner case holding the discs comes on nice stock and with beautiful art displaying for each film.  Also included in the case is a collectible 48-page book, perfectly titled “The Original House of Horrors: Universal and a Monster Legacy”. This book features some really amazing behind-the-scenes photographs, original and foreign posters, trivia facts and much more.  This year is the celebration of Universal’s 100th Anniversary and they just went all out on this release. Each classic monster film is also accompanied with a massive amount of bonus features. Also a major draw for myself included is the rarely seen “Drácula”  [Spanish-language version], now also in high-def.  But the disc that I rushed to put in first and watch has to be the 3D Blu-ray presentation of “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954).  This is the first time that this film has been released in 3D, since it’s original theatrical release.  Wow, let me tell you I think this was worth the purchase alone.

When I put in the disc for “Dracula”, I have to admit I was rubbing my eyes since I was just blown away by its restoration.  This film is 81 years old…81 years! The film look glorious on Blu-ray, I have seen films together that don’t even come close to this scale of greatness.  The same is the case for the rest of the films as well, I seriously couldn’t find anything wrong with this restoration.  Each film is presented in its 1080p transfer in full frame 1.33:1 aspect ratio.  Each film also comes with a perfect DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track.  I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect audio presentation for these films.  Universal has really put a lot of love into these since I believe that they are fans of these classics themselves and are doing it as fans.  Trust me, they could have just plopped these films onto Blu-ray and you know that we still would have bought it, no questions.  But with this release, you know you are really getting both quality and quantity.  All fans of these classic films, should be left with their most open and their tongue rolling out at the screen.

Now let’s get to the massive amount of special features.  Which are presented in a variety of formats including 1080i/p and 480i/p.  They are also mostly include a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track, “Dracula” and “Creature” also include a DTS-HD Master Audio track for the extras. The extras on “Dracula” are easily the spotlight (if you don’t count “Creature” in 3D as an extra).  “Dracula: The Restoration” is a new featurette available for the first time and it is amazing to watch how this film was done. The 1931 Spanish version of “Dracula” comes with an introduction by Lupita Tovar Kohner.  There are also three other featurettes covering this production and legacy including “The Road to Dracula”, “Lugosi: The Dark Prince” and “Dracula Archives”. I really enjoyed watching the film with the “Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About the Making of Dracula”.  There is an extra focusing on the brilliant Score by Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet. If you are of a fan of commentary tracks, this contains two completely different angles.  The first is with Film Historian David J. Skal and the second is with Steve Haberman, Screenwriter of Dracula: Dead and Loving It.  Lastly we get a trailer gallery, which closes the extras for “Dracula”.

Next up is “Frankenstein” and it also delivers some really great features. First off we have “100 Years Of Universal: Restoring the Classics”, focusing on the companies plan to restore and release numerous films this year.  There are also a bunch of great featurettes including “The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster”, “Karloff: The Gentle Monster”, a look into the world of “Universal Horror” and lastly “Frankenstein Archives”. Like “Dracula” there is also a great “Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About The Making of Frankenstein”. Boo!: A Short Film, which is comedy directed and written by Albert DeMond. It contains clips of famous horror films including The Cat Creeps (1930), Frankenstein (1931) and Nosferatu (1922). There are two very interesting and details audio commentaries with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer and Historian Sir Christopher Frayling. Lastly we get a trailer gallery.

The Mummy” follows the similar path of the others as well. First off we have “100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era”, which I highly recommend. There are also a bunch of great featurettes including “Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed”, “He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce”, “Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy” and lastly “The Mummy Archives”. These featurettes were among some of my favorites. “The Mummy” also includes two of the best audio commentaries with Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent Armstrong and also Film Historian Paul M. Jensen. Lastly we get a trailer gallery.

The Invisible Man” includes the only two featurettes. The first one is the only one specifically aimed at the production, “Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed”.  There is also “100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters”.  There are Production Photographs, which are a must to view.  There is also only one audio commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer.  Overall this film included the least features but still some good content.  “Bride of Frankenstein”  includes two featurettes including “She’s Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein” and “The Bride of Frankenstein Archive”.  It also included a duplicate from the “Frankenstein” extras “100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics”.  There is also a commentary track with Scott MacQueen and a trailer gallery.

Are you tired yet of special features? Besides we are just getting started, with next up “The Wolf Man”. First off we have “100 Years of Universal: The Lot”, this shows the lots in the good ‘ole days.  There are also a bunch of great featurettes including “Monster by Moonlight”, “The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth”, “Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.”, “He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce” and lastly “The Wold Man Archives”. These are some really quality featurettes and left me howling (What…too much?). “The Wolf Man” also includes an audio commentary track Film Historian Tom Weaver. Lastly we again end with a trailer gallery.

“Phantom of the Opera” has always been a favorite creature of mine.  I have always loved the makeup in this film.  There is one featurette for this film “The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked”, which is good enough for me.  There is also some Production Photographs, liked “The Invisible Man” and a repeat for “100 Years of Universal: The Lot” from “The Wolf Man”. There is also a commentary track with Film Historian Scott MacQueen and a theatrical trailer included. Last up but not least is “Creature from the Black Lagoon”.  This includes both the 2D and 3D versions of the film There is also one featurette “Back to The Black Lagoon” and a repeat from the previous two “100 Years of Universal: The Lot”.  There are also Production Photographs, an audio commentary track with Film Historian Tom Weaver and Trailer Gallery included.

There is not much more that you can ask for…except maybe to release now a Blu-ray restored collection of all of these films classic sequels. Some greats are “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man” (1943), “House of Frankenstein (1944)”, “The Mummy’s Tomb” (1942), “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944), “The Invisible Man Returns” (1940), “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944)”, “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) and yes even “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956). I also just realized that “The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)” is missing, so maybe a second Essential Collection might should in the cards! Fingers crossed.

 

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, classic, collection, essential, monsters, review, ...

Universal’s Peter Schade talks about restoring “JAWS” for Blu-ray

“Jaws” fans can now breathe a sigh of relief because after years of begging and pleading Universal Studios is about to release Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster in an all new Blu-ray DVD package. But how do you take a film almost four decades old and make it look like better then brand new? That job fell to Peter Schade, Vice President of Content Management and Technical Services for Universal.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication and Film from California State University, Schade began his career as a scheduler for Turner Entertainment in 1989. He later worked in the technical services departments of both Turner and Worldvision. In 1999 he joined Universal as Director of Worldwide Home Video and Television Servicing, playing a key role in the relocation of International Home Video Servicing. He was promoted to his current position in August 2002. While finalizing his work on “Jaws” Mr. Schade found the time to sit down with Media Mikes.

Mike Smith: You have a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication and Film. What were your goals when you left college? Did you intend on working in the technical side as you are now or were you looking to be more hands on as a filmmaker?
Peter Schade: When I was in school I always gravitated more towards being an editor. On student projects I was always the guy putting them together. But when I got my first “real” job after school I did intend to grativate more towards the technical side but circumstances pulled me more towards a management role. But I am managing a technical department so I’m very happy where I am.

MS: Can you describe a normal work day?
PS: Wow. My job has many facets so there are really no two days that are alike. My department sits right between production and distribution, so upstream of me you’ve got production both in the feature and television side creating content and delivering it to the studio. Then my team creates all of the archived assets that are made in support of distribution and then downstream of me are divisions like Home Video and Television…International…Domestic…Non-theatrical. So we’re delivering content every day to any number of those groups. The rest of the library has us dealing with contents that are decades old to contents that are brand new so there are lots of challenges. There’s never a dull moment!

MS: Were there any special processes that you needed to employ to transfer “Jaws?”
PS: The special processes begin in the way we care for the elements, from the original negative on down through any of the distribution masters that we make. We have our own vaults – buildings that are specifically designed to store material – that are kept at the proper temperature and humidity. In terms of taking the original negative and transferring it…digitizing it…we specifically used a film scanner that employed wet gate technology. This means the film is passed through a chamber before the gate which is filled with a liquid that is the same as the film base. Therefore any surface damage on the film is filled in and we don’t see the things that have gotten on the film as a result of its age. It’s scanned at 6K resolution, which is probably eight to ten times more then you’d see on High Def. Once that image information is digitized off the filmwe use any number of tools to work on color correction and dirt fixes and stabilization. There are manyparallel processes that go on at the same time that take weeks and sometimes months until we have a product that we think is of the quality needed to put out on Blu-ray.

MS: In the featurette describing the processes currently on line, it looks like you’re actually inspecting , cleaning and digitalizing the film frame by frame. Is that correct?
PS: There is an inspection that goes on. Before you put the film on a mechanical device you want to make sure there’s no broken sprocket holes or loose splices. You have to make sure the film is in good shape before you even begin to scan it. That is what they are referring to in the documentary as far as studying the film frame by frame. It’s literally a negative expert who is used to handling film. They go through every reel and hand inspect every foot…every frame…of that film.

MS: Do you also spend any extra time working on the supplemental aspects of the disc? I know the fan documentary “The Shark is Still Working” is included. Did your team work on that film as well?
PS: My team only focuses on the actual feature itself. There are other groups that focus on the supplemental material.

MS: I think I can speak, not only for “Jaws” fans, but for film fans when I say that the release of “Jaws” on Blu-ray is probably one of the most anticipated releases in the history of the format.
PS: It’s a great film. It’s one of my favorites as well. It stands the test of time. And coming out on Blu-ray, we’re very proud and honored to get it out there and have fans see it better than it’s ever been

 

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: content, management, peter, president, schade, services, ...

Celebrate Universal 100th Anniversary’s with our “JAWS” Blu-ray Giveaway [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Media Mikes is happy to be giving away ONE Blu-ray to celebrate 100 years of Universal for “Jaws”. If you would like to enter this great prizes leave us a comment below or send us an email telling us your favorite quote from “Jaws”. The giveaway will be open until Friday, August 24th at Noon Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends Media Mikes will randomly select one of the winners and notify them via email.

Premise: Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, Jaws set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

Special Features on this fantastic release include:

  • Digitally remastered and fully restored from high resolution 35MM original film elements to get the most from your HDTV
  • Digital Copy of Jaws (download by 12/31/2013)
  • UltraViolet Copy of Jaws (download/redeem by 12/31/2013)
  • The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of Jaws – All-new feature-length documentary featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with cast and crew including Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider
  • The Making of Jaws: A feature-length documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew
  • Jaws: The Restoration – An all-new in-depth look at the intricate process of restoring the movie
  • Deleted Scenes and Outtakes From the Set: An insider’s look at life on the set of Jaws, featuring an interview with Steven Spielberg Storyboards Production Photos
  • Marketing Jaws
  • Jaws Phenomenon
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
    pocket BLU: App for smartphones and tablets – take content on the go! BD-Live: Internet-connected features
  • My Scenes: Bookmark your favorite scenes

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: 100th, anniversarys, bluray, celebrate, giveaway, jaws, ...
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