Three new (U.S.) Paramount blu-rays

By Matt Holmes /

Paramount - the studio who own the whole original Indiana Jones series (so far only the latest movie is in Blu, which is a travesty) have decided to release K:19: The Widowmaker on Blu-ray this May 4th, a movie that proved to be a huge financial disaster for the studio eight years ago. I guess they gotta get their money back eventually but what about Raiders of the Lost Ark, damnit? What about a Harrison Ford movie we care about? Paramount will also release on the same day a barebones Escape From L.A. transfer - even though that intolerable piece of garbage would only be worthy of a pick-up if it contained a Kurt Russell/John Carpenter commentary track. Not just because they are fun guys to listen too but just to find out what in blazers they were thinking. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it comes from the Sapphire series - Paramount's move to promote high-end releases, up until today has only included Oscar winning titles. So far they've released Braveheart (one of the top TOP blu-ray transfers I've ever seen), Gladiator (one of the high profile worst, ironically) and Forest Gump. Their newly release of Saving Private Ryan for May 4th should have continued this trend but somehow, someway... ah. I don't need to say it again, do I? 1998 Oscars sucked. Regardless, Ryan - that opening war battle on blu. Gotta be a must have, right?