UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- "Ray," the
critically acclaimed, inspirational true story of the late music legend
Ray Charles and his triumphant fight to control his own destiny, comes
to DVD and VHS on February 1, 2005. Hailed by audiences as one of the
most powerful, dramatic and moving stories of the year, "Ray" is
nominated for two Golden Globe(R) Awards including "Best Picture"* and
"Best Actor" (Jamie Foxx). The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominated Ray
for "Best Performance by a Cast" and Jamie Foxx for "Best Male Actor in
a Leading Role." The film also received Critics Choice Awards for "Best
Actor" and "Best Soundtrack" from the Broadcast Film Critics
Association, and was cited as "One of the Ten Best Films of the Year" by
the National Board of Review and over 50 publications.
Jamie Foxx's lead performance as the "Genius of Soul" also
garnered a "Best Actor" nod by the National Board of Review, the Boston
Society of Film Critics, the National Society of Film Critics and the
Washington D.C. Film Critics among others. Director Taylor Hackford has
been nominated for the Directors Guild of America's "DGA Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2004." The DVD
is priced at $29.98 suggested retail price. The VHS is $23.98 SRP.
Three DVD Versions Include Extended Musical Performances
and a Tribute to the Late Ray Charles Among the Many DVD Bonus Features
The "Ray" DVD is packed with an array of bonus features
including an extended edition of the film with over 25 minutes of
additional footage not shown in theaters that allows the viewer a
seamless, enhanced viewing experience; two complete uncut musical
performances from the film; deleted scenes; a segment with
behind-the-scenes footage of Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx trading piano
riffs; and a moving tribute to the memory and impact of Ray Charles.
A DVD version with DVS(R) (Descriptive Video Service) of the
film intended for blind and low-vision audiences will also be available
on February 1, 2005. Further information is available at the American
Council of the Blind website at www.acb.org and at (800) 424-8666.
In addition, a two-disc "Ray Limited Edition Gift Set" includes a
photo journal; over 20 additional minutes of uncut musical
performances from the film; a segment narrated by the producer and
director about the film's 15-year journey to completion; and an
insightful look at the women who played significant roles in Ray's
personal life. The gift set is priced at $44.98 SRP.
The culmination of a 15-year effort by director Taylor Hackford
("An Officer and a Gentleman," "When We Were Kings") to bring the life
story of the venerated musician to the screen, "Ray" stars Jamie Foxx
("Collateral") as the impoverished, blind child of the segregated south
who not only went on to become one of the world's most innovative,
successful and cherished musical performers of all time, but also broke
down artistic and racial barriers along the way. Kerry Washington,
Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis and Sharon Warren provide stellar support
as the strong-willed women in his life.
Critics Rave About "Ray"
Ever since its theatrical debut, film reviewers have been
ecstatic about "Ray" and star Jamie Foxx. "'Ray' is superb," stated
Time magazine's Richard Corliss while Michael Wilmington of the Chicago
Tribune gave "Ray" "4 out of 4 stars." Joel Siegel of "Good Morning
America" called "Ray" "One of the best films." Newsweek's David Ansen
dubbed Foxx's portrayal "amazing." "The Today Show's" Gene Shalit
labeled it "phenomenal" and Leah Rosen of People magazine wrote, "Jaime
Foxx gives a powerhouse performance." Entertainment Weekly called Foxx's
astonishing portrayal of Charles "the performance of a lifetime."
"'Ray' is electrifying," wrote Peter Travers of Rolling Stone.
Bonus Features Worth Singing About
The "Ray" DVD is loaded with in-depth behind-the-scenes bonus materials and two versions of the film:
* Theatrical and Extended Version -- "Ray" can be viewed in its original
theatrical version or in an extended version with over 25 minutes of
additional footage not shown in theaters
* Extended Musical Performances -- Featuring two complete uncut
performances of "Hit the Road Jack" and "What Kind of Man Are You"
* Audio Commentary -- with director Taylor Hackford
* Deleted Scenes -- 14 scenes not shown in the theatrical version
* "Stepping Into The Part" -- On-set interviews, voiceover, and
exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx
preparing Jamie for his incredible physical, mental and musical
transformation into the character of Ray Charles
* Ray Remembered -- friends and fellow musicians remember Ray Charles
* Plus -- Theatrical trailer and previews
The two-disc "Ray Limited Edition Gift Set" contains all of the above and in addition:
* More Uncut Musical Performances -- Seven additional complete uncut
musical performances of "Hallelujah, I Love Her So," "Leave My Woman
Alone," "Night Time is the Right Time," "Unchain My Heart," "Mary
Ann," "I Can't Stop Loving You," and "Hard Times"
* Filmmakers' Journey -- An in-depth interview with director Taylor
Hackford and his producing partner Stuart Benjamin on their 15-year
journey to portray Ray Charles' musical genius and bring their vision
to the screen
* 28-page Bonus Photo Journal
"Ray" is the unforgettable story of a man who defied convention
by fusing jazz, gospel, rhythm & blues with pop to create a unique
sound that changed the musical landscape of America.
Synopsis
Jamie Foxx ("Collateral") stars as the one-of-a-kind innovator
of soul who beat impossible odds to become a music legend. "Ray" is the
triumphant and remarkable story of one of America's true musical
geniuses, Ray Charles. From his humble beginnings in the South through
his meteoric rise to the top of American music charts, "Ray's"
inspirational journey is a tale of hope, redemption and the power of
the human spirit. Witness the incredible true story of a musician who
fought harder and went further than anyone could imagine.
For more information please visit: www.raymovie.com.
CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Taylor Hackford
Screenwriter: James L. White
Producers: Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, Taylor Hackford, Stuart
Benjamin.
Executive Producers: William J. Immerman, Jaime Rucker King
Director of Photography: Pawel Edelman
Production Designer: Stephen Altman
Editor: Paul Hirsch
Costume Designer: Sharen Davis
Composer: Craig Armstrong
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Aunjanue
Ellis, Harry Lennix, Larenz Tate, Terrence Dashon Howard, Bokeem Woodbine
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: February 1, 2005
Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
$44.98 -- Limited Edition Gift Set
Selection Numbers: 25944 (Anamorphic Widescreen); 25945 (Full Frame);
27246 (Gift Set)
Running Time: 2 Hours 33 Minutes
Layers: Dual/Single
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 and 1.33:1
Rating: PG-13 (for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality, and some
thematic elements)
VHS
Street Date: February 1, 2005
Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $23.98 SRP
Selection Numbers: 62898
Running Time: 2 Hours 33 Minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for depiction of drug addiction, sexuality, and some
thematic elements)
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal
Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part
of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment
companies in the development, production, and marketing of
entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May
2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment,
NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the
fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news
and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company,
significant television production operations, a leading television
stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is
80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi
Universal.
Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Web site: http://www.raymovie.com/