Sapphire Series General Discussion Thread

[Buddy Christ]

This thread is for the general discussion of the new Paramount series of Blu-ray releases coming out.

Though only three have been announced so far. Gladiator, Braveheart, and Forest Gump. I am sure there will be more to follow.

Source:http://www.homemediamagazine.com/blu...e-series-16141

Paramount Home Entertainment today announced the launch of a new premium Blu-ray Disc line that will be reserved for its most celebrated movies.

The “Sapphire Series” will consist of two-disc special editions capitalizing on the advanced, high-definition picture and sound quality of the Blu-ray Disc format. The line kicks off Sept. 1 with the release of two of the studio’s most requested films not yet available on Blu-ray, Braveheart and Gladiator, each of which won five Academy Awards. Forrest Gump, which won six Oscars, will follow Nov. 3. Each release includes extensive, never-before-seen special features.

Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures, said it’s “absolutely fitting that we’re presenting the best films in the Paramount library on the finest home entertainment format available.”

“Because of Blu-ray’s phenomenal capabilities,” he said, “the Sapphire Series will deliver the best pictures in the best picture.”

Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis said he’s glad his film has been chosen as one of the first releases in the Sapphire Series, “so that fans can enjoy it at home with pristine picture and sound along with a wealth of special features to give the film context.”

“It’s wonderful that Paramount is taking the time to produce exceptional Blu-ray presentations of these classic films,” he said.

Forrest Gump celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2009. Extras on the Blu-ray Disc edition will include a new roundtable discussion. More details will follow later in the year.

Braveheart will include more than two hours of new special features, including three interactive timelines chronicling the film’s production, storyline and historical background of Scotland’s greatest patriot. Also on tap are a restrospective documentary featuring new interviews with cast and crew members, a documentary on the medieval killing fields of Smithfield, and 3-D models of two major Scottish battlefields.

The Blu-ray Disc edition of Gladiator will include both the original theatrical and an extended version of the film, plus more than four hours of bonus materials. Highlights include the HBO First Look special “The Making of Gladiator”; the diary of Spencer Treat Clark, the young actor who played Lucius; shot deconstructions with the visual effects artists; and a “topic marker.” The topic marker lets viewers tag moments of interest through either version of the film and create “shopping lists” of topics about which they want to learn more. These topics will then be automatically loaded when Disc 2 is inserted, giving viewers immediate access to featurettes and galleries of interest.

[Sussudio]

Do we know of any other expected Sapphire releases besides Forrest Gump?

[Buddy Christ]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

Do we know of any other expected Sapphire releases besides Forrest Gump?

Jeff said today that is all that has been announced for now.
I am sure Universal/Paramount will regroup after this set

[thefutureofhollywood]

i could expect Titanic to be released in this in a few years...

maybe in December when Avatar is released???

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by thefutureofhollywood

i could expect Titanic to be released in this in a few years...

maybe in December when Avatar is released???

I doubt Titanic would be released this December without us knowing anything about it yet. But I too see that as a potential Sapphire release.

[thefutureofhollywood]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

I doubt Titanic would be released this December without us knowing anything about it yet.

True. although i do think it will come out sometime next year. I've been seeing it on TV a lot lately (not the whole 4 hour thing thank god) and it looked great in HD.

[Buddy Christ]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

I doubt Titanic would be released this December without us knowing anything about it yet. But I too see that as a potential Sapphire release.

Agreed, and though it is a Paramount/Fox release I do not see this relevant to a review thread of the Sapphire series.

But it does look like a perfect candidate!

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Blu2U

Agreed, and though it is a Paramount/Fox release I do not see this relevant to a review thread of the Sapphire series.

But it does look like a perfect candidate!

Just a suggestion...why not make this a Sapphire Series General Discussion thread, which can also include reviews (have a mod change the title)? That way, we can discuss potential candidates, upcoming releases, etc. Your thread so your choice , it just seems there are already specific threads for Gladiator and Braveheart (and I assume there will be for all future Sapphire releases as well) so I'm not sure what's left to discuss on here unless it's just a continuation of those threads

[thefutureofhollywood]

yeah. Let's make this a sticky if we can!

[Buddy Christ]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

Just a suggestion...why not make this a Sapphire Series General Discussion thread, which can also include reviews (have a mod change the title)? That way, we can discuss potential candidates, upcoming releases, etc. Your thread so your choice , it just seems there are already specific threads for Gladiator and Braveheart (and I assume there will be for all future Sapphire releases as well) so I'm not sure what's left to discuss on here unless it's just a continuation of those threads

Sounds like a great idea!! I have to ask a mod to change the title huh?

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Blu2U

Sounds like a great idea!! I have to ask a mod to change the title huh?

Already done!

[thefutureofhollywood]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

Beta has the Criterion thread which works out well with general discussion, reviews, etc. Since this is a new line of big releases, I personally don't think have a master discussion thread is such a bad idea

Exactly what I was thinking a few moments ago!

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Blu2U

Sounds like a great idea!! I have to ask a mod to change the title huh?

Jason helped you out

Originally Posted by JasonR

Already done!

Originally Posted by thefutureofhollywood

Exactly what I was thinking a few moments ago!

lol I thought i was quoting a poster but the post disappeared I have no idea what happened

[Buddy Christ]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Already done!

You guys are too fricken fast, now Beta will wake up and say wtf?

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Blu2U

You guys are too fricken fast, now Beta will wake up and say wtf?

I like making Beta say WTF, so no problem!

[sonyfanboy]

I cannot wait for Titanic on BD. I sure hope Paramount will use lots of dnr and edge enhancement to remove the grain and dirt and make it the best transfer possible.

[DMC86X]

Hopefully the Saphire Editions stick to being Oscar winners for best picture. I hope they put out some of the older titles like Midnight Cowboy, The Deer Hunter, Dances with Wolves etc...

[#Darren]

What exactly is The Sapphire Series supposed to offer us that makes it superior to other film releases on Blu ray?

[DMC86X]

Originally Posted by iDarren

What exactly is the Sapphire Series suoposed to offer us that makes it superior to other film releases on Blu ray?

Quality movies that arent on bluray yet...

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by iDarren

What exactly is the Sapphire Series suposed to offer us that makes it superior to other film releases on Blu ray?

Well...in the case of what's coming out...it seems these releases are really trying to offer the "complete package" i.e. all the cuts of a movie, all available special features for a movie, and what we hope would be a masterful transfer with incredible sound. As we've learned with Gladiator, the latter part may not always ring true.