Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to Deliver First Blu-ray Titles to Retail Today; Eagerly Awaited New Era in Home Entertainment Arrives

Business Wire, June 20, 2006

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) launches the first slate of Blu-ray Disc (BD) titles today. The delivery of the first seven BD titles, timed to coincide with the first commercially available BD player from Samsung Electronics and BD compatible VAIO PC from Sony, marks the beginning of a new era in home entertainment that will forever change the way consumers look at, listen to and play movies, music and games.

Titles available at retail today from SPHE include: "50 First Dates," starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore; Luc Besson's visually stunning "The Fifth Element"; the hit blockbuster comedy starring Will Smith, "Hitch"; "House of Flying Daggers" from director Zhang Yimou; "XXX," starring Vin Diesel; "The Terminator," featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and the follow-up to the hit action-thriller "Underworld," from director Len Wiseman and starring Kate Beckinsale, "Underworld Evolution."

"Ultraviolet," the first day-and-date BD title from SPHE will debut one week later on June 27.

"Ultraviolet," an adrenaline-charged sci-fi thriller starring Milla Jovovich ("Resident Evil Apocalypse," "Fifth Element"), was filmed entirely in high-definition. "Ultraviolet's" stunning visuals, including high-flying action stunt sequences and audio, are dramatically enhanced by the Blu-ray format, making it an ideal way for consumers to experience Blu-ray Disc for the first time.

On July 11th, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release "Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction" on Blu-ray. "Stealth"; "Species" and "The Last Waltz" (MGM) will debut on Blu-ray Disc July 25th, along with "Benchwarmers" day-and-date with DVD.