Much like the announcement of the second Death Star, George Lucas blew minds last week when he revealed that his complete "Star Wars" series would make its Blu-ray debut next year. Yep, we'll have to blow up our wallets all over again to get one of the all-time classics in the last physical home video format we'll ever own. But the "Star Wars" movies aren't the only classics that have taken a long time to meander to Blu-ray. Here are 10 other notable titles yet to debut in the high-definition format.
1. PULP FICTION
While Harvey Keitel's Winston "The Wolf" Wolfe might talk fast, think fast and work fast as he solves problems, director Quentin Tarantino isn't super-quick when it comes to putting his stuff out on Blu-ray. "Kill Bill" fans, for example, have been waiting several years for a unified special edition including vols. 1 & 2 (even though both have been available individually in the format for a while). With Tarantino releasing an acclaimed two-disc "Pulp Fiction" DVD set in 2002, the special-edition bar is high. Perhaps that's the hold-up. The home video distribution situation has been further clouded by the recent sale of Miramax.
While Harvey Keitel's Winston "The Wolf" Wolfe might talk fast, think fast and work fast as he solves problems, director Quentin Tarantino isn't super-quick when it comes to putting his stuff out on Blu-ray. "Kill Bill" fans, for example, have been waiting several years for a unified special edition including vols. 1 & 2 (even though both have been available individually in the format for a while). With Tarantino releasing an acclaimed two-disc "Pulp Fiction" DVD set in 2002, the special-edition bar is high. Perhaps that's the hold-up. The home video distribution situation has been further clouded by the recent sale of Miramax.
2. INDIANA JONES TRILOGY
The DVD format was five years old before Steven Spielberg first put "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and the first two follow-ups on disc. The fact that "Crystal Skull" has been available for several years on Blu-ray makes this omission even more irksome.
The DVD format was five years old before Steven Spielberg first put "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and the first two follow-ups on disc. The fact that "Crystal Skull" has been available for several years on Blu-ray makes this omission even more irksome.
3. CHINATOWN
Forget it Jake, Roman Polanski was held up in a Swiss ski chalet for the better part of the last year and ain't comin' to Burbank anytime soon to do director's commentary. Would seem like Paramount would issue a meat-and-potatoes Blu-ray by now, however.
Forget it Jake, Roman Polanski was held up in a Swiss ski chalet for the better part of the last year and ain't comin' to Burbank anytime soon to do director's commentary. Would seem like Paramount would issue a meat-and-potatoes Blu-ray by now, however.
4. SCARFACE
Surprising, since every wannbe bad boy in North America, and parts of Europe, Asia and Latin America, quotes Tony Montana several times a day. Come on, when's the last time you introduced a large object to a friend, workmate or correctional officer and didn't say -- in your best Al Pacino-channels-Desi Arnaz accent -- 'Say ello to my little friend!" "Scarface" wasn't available in HD DVD, either, so a hi-def remastering might be in order. Also, director Brian De Palma still has other projects, like "Dressed to Kill" and "Body Double," that he hasn't gotten around to putting on Blu-ray, either.
Surprising, since every wannbe bad boy in North America, and parts of Europe, Asia and Latin America, quotes Tony Montana several times a day. Come on, when's the last time you introduced a large object to a friend, workmate or correctional officer and didn't say -- in your best Al Pacino-channels-Desi Arnaz accent -- 'Say ello to my little friend!" "Scarface" wasn't available in HD DVD, either, so a hi-def remastering might be in order. Also, director Brian De Palma still has other projects, like "Dressed to Kill" and "Body Double," that he hasn't gotten around to putting on Blu-ray, either.
5. TITANIC
It's not all that surprising, since director James Cameron won't have his Full Monty Blu-ray version of "Avatar" ready until November. He's also working on an "Aliens" disc for Fox's upcoming "Aliens Anthology" Blu-ray package, due out in October. When he'll get to the second highest grossing movie of all time is anyone's guess.
It's not all that surprising, since director James Cameron won't have his Full Monty Blu-ray version of "Avatar" ready until November. He's also working on an "Aliens" disc for Fox's upcoming "Aliens Anthology" Blu-ray package, due out in October. When he'll get to the second highest grossing movie of all time is anyone's guess.
6. FINDING NEMO
Released in 2003, the "Nemo" DVD broke sales records, with Disney moving 17 million units (with some VHS thrown in) the first week after release. "Nemo" is actually one of two notable Pixar Blu-ray omissions, with "The Incredibles" not out in format, either.
Released in 2003, the "Nemo" DVD broke sales records, with Disney moving 17 million units (with some VHS thrown in) the first week after release. "Nemo" is actually one of two notable Pixar Blu-ray omissions, with "The Incredibles" not out in format, either.
7. TAXI DRIVER
Director Martin Scorsese has some work to do, with "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Cape Fear" and (if you care) "Color of Money" all yet to be put out on high-def.
Director Martin Scorsese has some work to do, with "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Cape Fear" and (if you care) "Color of Money" all yet to be put out on high-def.
8. JAWS
We wouldn't dwell on the fact that Spielberg has been so slow about releasing his films on disc... But come on, the "Shark Week: Jaws of Steel" collection is out on Blu-ray, and not this?
We wouldn't dwell on the fact that Spielberg has been so slow about releasing his films on disc... But come on, the "Shark Week: Jaws of Steel" collection is out on Blu-ray, and not this?
9. SWINGERS
This one's a little surprising, since writer/star Jon Favreau is an early adopter when it comes to formats and technology. But like fellow Miramax title "Pulp Fiction," a Blu-ray release is now up to new studio owner Ron Tutor.
This one's a little surprising, since writer/star Jon Favreau is an early adopter when it comes to formats and technology. But like fellow Miramax title "Pulp Fiction," a Blu-ray release is now up to new studio owner Ron Tutor.
10. THE BIG LEBOWSKI
When Universal released this Coen Bros. emerging classic on the doomed HD DVD format in 2007, it seemed intuitive that a Blu-ray version would soon be headed down the ol' alley after the studio waved its format-war white flag. But as Walter might say, the Dude don't roll on the Blu.
When Universal released this Coen Bros. emerging classic on the doomed HD DVD format in 2007, it seemed intuitive that a Blu-ray version would soon be headed down the ol' alley after the studio waved its format-war white flag. But as Walter might say, the Dude don't roll on the Blu.
