Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Jennifer Connelly: Film Focus BLU RAY REVIEW + Menu | Career Opportunities, Waking the Dead, House of Sand and Fog

Reviewing and unboxing the Film Focus: Jennifer Connelly collection on Blu-ray. 

Buy it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PtKz31

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The Film Focus Jennifer Connelly collection is not available on 4K Ultra HD (UHD). This edition does not include the DVD or Digital HD.


From mystical fantasy films to blockbuster action hits, Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Connelly has achieved Hollywood legend status. 


This collection brings together three of her best performances in limited edition Hardbox packaging, with a special collector’s booklet. Released by Via Vision’s Imprint label.


Career Opportunities (1991)

Waking The Dead (2000)

House Of Sand and Fog (2003)

Limited Edition 3-Disc Hardbox. 1500 copies only. 


Career Opportunities (1991) – Imprint Collection #240


Jim Dodge is a smooth-talking small-town guy with a knack for putting up a front – but no talent for holding down a job. Jim’s life suddenly takes a turn for the fantastic when he finds himself locked inside the local department store one night with Josie McClellan, the daughter of the town’s wealthiest citizen. 


This romantic comedy was written by beloved filmmaker John Hughes (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), and stars Jennifer Connelly alongside Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction), as well as Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding) and his brother Kieran Mulroney.


Special Features & Technical Specs:


1080P High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan

NEW Audio Commentary by director Bryan Gordon (2023)

NEW Interior. Night. – director of photography Donald McAlpine on filming Career Opportunities (2023)

NEW Crafting Criminals – Interview with actors Dermot and Kieran Mulroney (2023)

Theatrical Trailer

Optional English HOH Subtitles

Audio English LPCM 2.0 Stereo

Aspect Ratio 2.35:1


Waking The Dead (2000) – Imprint Collection #241


When one man’s 70’s idealism confronts his 80’s aspirations, he begins an emotional rollercoaster that brings ghosts back to life and asks the ultimate question: Does love conquer all, even death?


Jennifer Connelly stars alongside Billy Crudup (Almost Famous) in this thrilling drama based on the novel of the same name by Scott Spencer. Robert Dillon’s screenplay garnered a nomination for Best Screenplay at the 2001 Independent Spirit Awards. 


Special Features & Technical Specs:


1080P High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan

Audio Commentary by director Keith Gordon

NEW Audio Commentary by film critic Bilge Ebiri (2023)

NEW The Sum Total of Change – Interview with director Keith Gordon (2023)

NEW Desperately Clinging to Utopian Ideals – Interview with actor Billy Crudup (2023)

Making-Of – archival featurette

Deleted scenes (with optional commentary by director Keith Gordon)

Theatrical Trailer

Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Audio DTS HD 5.1 Surround

English HOH Subtitles


House Of Sand and Fog (2003) – Imprint Collection #242


An Iranian Colonel, forced to flee the life he once knew, pours the remainder of his life savings into the purchase of a house that he believes will, at last, bring back his family’s prosperity. But a bureaucratic bungle has left the original owner, recovering drug addict Kathy Nicolo (Jennifer Connelly), unjustly evicted.


Based on the novel of the same name by Andre Dubus III, this critically acclaimed drama was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Ben Kingsley (Schindler’s List, Shutter Island), and Best Supporting Actress for Shohreh Aghdashloo. 


“Here is a film that seizes us with its first scene and never lets go… it stands with integrity and breaks our hearts.” – four out of four stars from Roger Ebert


Special Features & Technical Specs:


1080P High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan

Audio Commentary with actor Ben Kingsley, director Vadim Perelman and novelist Andre Dubus III

NEW When The Fog Clears – director Vadim Perelman Twenty Years Later (2023)

NEW Building The House – editor Lisa Zeno Churgin on House Of Sand And Fog (2023)

NEW Finding Nadi – a conversation with actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (2023)

Deleted scenes (with optional audio commentary by Vadin Perelman)

Behind-the-scenes – archival featurette

Shohreh Aghdashloo Audition Footage

Slide Show with comments by cast and crew

Aspect Ratio 1.78:1

Audio English LPCM 2.0 Stereo

English HOH Subtitles