Why So Blu?

Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood Takes Aim At Blu-ray

A lot of people including some reviewers on this site were somewhat disappointed with the latest re-imaging of Robin Hood, but I enjoyed it although I wish the movie began where it ended which would have been the traditional Robin Hood story.  I’m a big fan of Ridley Scott and Russel Crowe and I have a lot of respect for their efforts to do something new but for a story that is so ingrained culturally across the world, I think they should have added more of the Robin Hood mythos along with the new back-story. It was still an enjoyable movie with a nice turn by Crowe and Cate Blanchett was a Maid Marian to be reckoned with.   Add in the talents of Mark Strong, William Hurt,  and Mark Addy and it just gets even better! As with all of Ridley Scott’s Blu-rays, this one is packed with great extras and new features that make the experience even better!  Check out all the goodies coming out on my birthday with the press release below:

Universal City, California, Wednesday, July 28— Oscar® winner Russell Crowe reunites with Gladiator director Ridley Scott to reveal the untold story of a common archer’s rise to become a hero in Robin Hood, the $309 million1 worldwide blockbuster coming to Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Combo Pack, 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and single disc DVD on September 21, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  All of these versions will feature the theatrical film, as well as a never before-seen unrated director’s cut of the movie.  The film and its unrated version will also be
available day and date for digital download and video on demand.

The 3-disc Robin Hood Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will feature a Blu-ray and DVD copy of the theatrical and director’s cut film, as well as a digital copy of the director’s cut that can be viewed on an array of electronic and portable devices anytime, anywhere.  Additionally, both the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and the 2-Disc Special Edition will feature deleted scenes and filmmaker commentary, plus an extensive look at the making of Robin Hood that includes behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew.  The Blu-ray™ release also exclusively features an interactive “Director’s Notebook,” which seamlessly takes fans inside the making of the specific scenes of the film, from production
design to special effects.

Sweeping pageantry and heart-pumping action transports viewers to the meticulously recreated medieval battlefields and byways of 13th century England for the inspiring story of a legendary hero.  Robin Hood’s sterling cast also includes Academy Award® winners Cate Blanchett (The Aviator, Elizabeth: the Golden Age) and William Hurt (The Incredible Hulk, Kiss of the Spider Woman), as well as Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes), Mark Addy (The Full Monty), Oscar Isaac (Body of Lies), Danny Huston (The Aviator), Kevin Durand (Legion), Scott Grimes (“Band of Brothers”), Matthew Macfadyen (Frost/Nixon), Eileen Atkins (Last Chance Harvey), Simon McBurney (Body of Lies) and Oscar®
nominee Max von Sydow (Shutter Island).

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVELY ON BLU-RAY™:

• DIRECTOR’S NOTEBOOK—A seamless multimedia experience focusing on the director’s vision gives viewers a peek inside Oscar® nominee Ridley Scott’s unique film-making process.
• Incorporating behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Scott and his trusted inner circle of collaborators, this feature launches at critical moments throughout the film to illuminate the task of mounting a vast production like Robin Hood.
• THE ART OF NOTTINGHAM—A special look at the portfolio of designs generated for the film, including video introductions by key department heads such as production designer Arthur Max and costume designer Janty Yates. Galleries of concept art, costume designs, storyboard sand other imagery are featured.
• BD-LIVETM—Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers and more.

• MY SCENES—Bookmark your favorite scenes from the movie.
• pocket BLU™ APP— Experience Blu-ray in an exciting new way with the pocket BLU™ app for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Blackberry, Android, PC and Macintosh.  With this app, you can work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray™ player to activate advanced features such as:
  • ADVANCED REMOTE CONTROL: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player.  Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease as well as activate a time-line to skip to any point in the movie with the slide of a finger.
  • VIDEO TIME-LINE: Users can easily bring up the video time-line, allowing them to instantly access any point in   the movie.
  • MOBILE-TO-GO: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy exclusive content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
  • VIRTUAL KEYBOARD: Enter data into a Blu-ray™ player with your device’s easy and intuitive keyboard to facilitate such Blu-ray™ features as chatting with friends and sending messages.
  • uHEAR—Always catch every word with uHear! This innovative feature instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray™ disc and turns on the subtitles for the section you couldn’t hear!
  • INTERACTIVE TICKER: Get the latest information about Universal’s theatrical and Bluray™ releases. Plus, get updates about upcoming BD-Live events, awards and TV shows on NBC.

BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY™ AND 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD:

• DELETED SCENES WITH INTRODUCTION & COMMENTARY BY EDITOR PIETRO SCALIA
• RISE AND RISE AGAIN: MAKING RIDLEY SCOTT’S ROBIN HOOD
• BALLAD, LEGEND & MYTH: PRE-PRODUCTION—See how the filmmakers and actors, including Ridley Scott, Brian Grazer and Russell Crowe, tackled the challenge of breathing new life into the longest surviving character in the English language, Robin Hood.
• THE MORE THE MERRIER: PRODUCTION—A stellar cast led by Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett descended on England to shoot this massive epic under the direction of Ridley Scott. With an unparalleled passion for detail, Scott oversees all of the production design, costuming, weaponry and action sequences in the film.
• NO QUARTER GIVEN: POST PRODUCTION—Sifting through a million feet of shot film, Ridley Scott and editor Pietro Scalia perfect the screen story and work with the post-production team to add layers of sound design, visual effects and Marc Streitenfeld’s beautiful score.
• DIGITAL COPY OF THE UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT VERSION OF THE FILM

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Pre-order your copy of Robin Hood on Blu-ray today!