Various sites had the news — the rumors — that circulated like the speed of light during these past two weeks. Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous was going to be get the 4K Ultra HD treatment from Paramount Home Entertainment.
Could it be true? Would it also include the fan-favorite “Bootleg” cut of the film? What other treasures? What about the music … so many questions!! On Friday afternoon, May 21, Paramount made it official, Almost Famous will be available on July 13 as a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Pack.
And yes, both the original theatrical cut and the “Bootleg” cut of the film (clocking in at an additional 35 minutes) are included in this package.
But wait, there is more. Almost Famous is also joining the “Paramount Presents” promotional line-up as a new Blu-ray release on July 13 as well (yes, the Blu-ray includes both cuts of the film).
The film is perfect. Great writing (Cameron Crowe won the Oscar for his script), a magnificent cast (both Frances McDormand and Kate Hudson went head-to-head in the Best Supporting Actress category … they knocked each other off and Marcia Gay Harden slipped in for Pollock), that begins with Patrick Fugit in his feature-film debut as teenage rock writer William Miller; Philip Seymour Hoffman as his begrudging rock mentor, Lester Bangs; the Stillwater band members — Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond nailed it — the rock groupies (aka: "Band Aids" … Kate Hudson, Anna Paquin, Fairuza Bulk and more) all make sense, even if the morals and parental supervision are a little suspect … it goes on and on, perfect.
The music … the soundtrack won the Grammy. Again, perfect … the “Tiny Dancer” sequence on the bus captured the moment; everyone fits.
This is a movie that you can watch again, and again, and again. And yet, ironically, at the time of its theatrical release it did not re-coup its production budget, but you cannot call Almost Famous a failure. In the 21 years since its release (September of 2000) the film has become a legend … not cult, legend.
As to bonus goodies — beyond the two viewing options — we have the newly-minted “Filmmaker Focus” feature with Cameron Crowe, four new featurettes — “Casting and Costumes,” “Rock School,” “Extended Scenes” and “Odds & Sods” — and the “Bootleg” cut features commentary with Cameron Crowe (and someone very close to him). There are also a ton of vintage goodies.
In other release news this week from Paramount Home Entertainment, two-time Oscar-winner in the Best Supporting Actor category, Christoph Waltz, directs and stars in Georgetown, a murder mystery based on the 2011 murder of wealthy socialite Viola Herms Drath. It will be making its DVD debut on July 20.
Christoph Waltz plays Ulrich Mott, a role-playing schemer who had the very good fortune of marrying a woman, Elsa Breht (Vanessa Redgrave), who is rich and very much older than him … old enough to be his mother (and more). He uses her position and wealth to create a fantasy world of parties and fictions about himself.
This all comes crashing down when Elsa is found murdered.
Enter Amanda Breht (Annette Bening), her daughter, who suspects that the darling of Georgetown society is not what he seems to be … can she uncover his deception before he walks away clean … or, before she too becomes another victim?
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