DVDizzy.com

<center><b>It’s Kermit’s Anniversary!

CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF BEING GREEN
WITH A QUARTET OF MUPPET MOVIES

<i><u>WALT DISNEY HOME ENTERTAINMENT COMMEMORATES
KERMIT THE FROG’S MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY WITH RESTORED AND
REMASTERED FAMILY FAVORITES ON DVD

Featuring Wacky New Bonus Materials, Available November 29</i></u></b></center>

BURBANK, Calif., August 12, 2005 – In celebration of Kermit’s 50th Anniversary, Walt Disney Home
Entertainment will release four anniversary edition Muppet films on DVD November 29, 2005. Restored
and remastered, <b>THE MUPPET MOVIE</b>, <b>THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER</b>, <b>THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS</b>
CAROL</b> and <b>MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND</b> are all coming packed with new bonus features and are
available for $19.99 (SRP) each. The re-release of these classic family favorites is just one of many
celebratory initiatives planned this year to celebrate the world’s most beloved frog.

<center><b>THE MUPPET MOVIE</center></b>
They’re irreverent, irrepressible and downright irresistible. They’re the Muppets! See how their meteoric
rise to fame and fortune began: with a rainbow, a song … and a frog named Kermit. After a fateful
meeting with a big-time talent agent, Kermit the Frog heads for Hollywood dreaming of show biz. Along
the way, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and the dazzling Miss Piggy join him in hopes of becoming film
stars too. But all bets are off when Kermit falls into the clutches of Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), a fastfood
mogul seeking to promote his French-fried frog leg franchise!

Featuring Oscar®-nominated music (1979: Best Score; Best Song, “The Rainbow Connection”) and sidesplitting
appearances by some of the biggest names on the silver screen – including Steve Martin, Mel
Brooks, Orson Welles and more – <b><i>The Muppet Movie</b></i> is a critically acclaimed comedy classic your family
will treasure for all time.

<b><u>BONUS FEATURE</b></u>:
• PEPE PROFILES PRESENT – KERMIT: A FROG’S LIFE

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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ATQYTM/thehomeimprovemz"><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000ATQYTM.01._PE30_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg">
Buy <b>The Muppet Movie: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b> from Amazon.com</a>

<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/themuppetmovie-50th.html">Read our DVD review of <b>The Muppet Movie: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b></a></center>

<center><b>THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER</center></b>
Stop the presses! The crime of the century has occurred, and investigative reporters Kermit the Frog,
Fozzie Bear and The Great Gonzo are out to crack the case in this song-filled, star-studded extravaganza
directed by the legendary Jim Henson.

Our heroes arrive in London to interview Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg), a high-fashion designer whose
priceless diamond necklace has just been stolen. But when Kermit mistakes the lovely receptionist/wouldbe
model Miss Piggy for her aristocratic employer, it’s love at first sight. Unfortunately, Lady Holiday’s
scheming brother (Charles Grodin) is also wooing the sultry swine – so he can frame her for another
brazen jewel heist! Now it’s up to Kermit and his Muppet pals to clear Piggy’s name and catch the real
culprits.

Packed with music, remarkable production numbers and hilarious cameo performances (including John
Cleese, Peter Falk, Jack Warden, Robert Morley and Peter Ustinov), this edition of <b><i>The Great Muppet
Caper</b></i> is a true tribute to legendary director and creative genius Jim Henson!

<b><u>BONUS FEATURE</u></b>:
• PEPE PROFILES PRESENT - MISS PIGGY: THE DIVA WHO WOULD NOT BE DENIED

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Buy <b>The Great Muppet Caper: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b> from Amazon.com</a>

<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/greatmuppetcaper-50th.html">Read our DVD review of <b>The Great Muppet Caper: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b></a></center>


<center><b>THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL</center></b>
‘Tis the season for love, laughter, and one of the most cherished stories of all time! Join Kermit the Frog,
Miss Piggy and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
Academy Award® winner Michael Caine (1999: Best Supporting Actor, <i>The Cider House Rules</i>; 1986
Best Supporting Actor, <i>Hannah And Her Sisters</i>) gives a performance that’s anything but “Bah, humbug!”
as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the
Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the
Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes – and his heart – to the true meaning of Christmas.

Filled with original music and dazzling special effects, <b><i>The Muppet Christmas Carol</b></i> will become a
holiday viewing tradition.

<b><u>BONUS FEATURES</b></u>:
• PEPE PROFILES PRESENT – GONZO: A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST
AS A YOUNG WEIRDO
• ON-THE-SET GAG REEL
• CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD MUSIC VIDEO
• AUDIO COMMENTARY BY BRIAN HENSON

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Buy <b>The Muppet Christmas Carol: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b> from Amazon.com</a>

<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/muppetchristmascarol-50th.html">Read our DVD review of <b>The Muppet Christmas Carol: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b></a></center>

<center><b>MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND</center></b>
Ahoy, matey! Get ready for hilarity on the high seas with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and all the Muppets
in this exciting action-adventure, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate tale.

When young Jim Hawkins inherits a long-lost treasure map, he hires the great ship <i>Hispaniola</i> to seek
his fortune. With the good Captain Smollett (Kermit the Frog) at the helm – and greedy Long John Silver
(Tim Curry) at the heart of a dastardly plot – they set sail for adventure only to discover danger at every
turn!

Featuring a rollicking score by Academy Award® winner Hans Zimmer (1994: Best Original Score, <i>The
Lion King</i>), <b><i>Muppet Treasure Island</b></i> is a fun-packed, music-filled swashbuckler the entire family will
enjoy over and over.

<b><u>BONUS FEATURES</u></b>:
• PEPE PROFILES PRESENT – FOZZIE BEAR: A LONG DAY’S JOURNEY
INTO NIGHT CLUBS

<center><b><u>MENUS</b></u>
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Buy <b>Muppet Treasure Island: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b> from Amazon.com</a>

<a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/muppettreasureisland-50th.html">Read our DVD review of <b>Muppet Treasure Island: Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition</b></a></center>

<b><u>STREET DATE: November 29, 2005</b></u>
<u>Direct prebook</u>: October 4
<u>Distributor prebook</u>: October 28
<u>Suggested retail price</u>: Each title: $19.99 DVD, $19.99 VHS

<u>THE MUPPET MOVIE</u>
<u>Running time</u>: Approximately 98 minutes.
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.33:1 formatted 4x3
1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
<u>DVD Sound</u>: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
<u>DVD Language</u>: English audio, French audio
<u>Rated</u>: “G.” Bonus material not rated nor close-captioned.

<u>THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER</u>
<u>Running time</u>: Approximately 95 minutes.
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.33:1 formatted 4x3
1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
<u>DVD Sound</u>: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
<u>DVD Language</u>: English audio, French audio
<u>Rated</u>: “G.” Bonus material not rated nor close-captioned.

<u>THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL</u>
<u>Running time</u>: Approximately 85 minutes.
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.33:1 formatted 4x3
1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
<u>DVD Sound</u>: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
<u>DVD Language</u>: English audio, French audio
<u>Rated</u>: “G.” Bonus material not rated nor close-captioned.

<u>MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND</u>
<u>Running time</u>: Approximately 95 minutes.
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.33:1 formatted 4x3
1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9 TV screens
<u>DVD Sound</u>: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
<u>DVD Language</u>: English audio, French audio
<u>Rated</u>: “G.” Bonus material not rated nor close-captioned.

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized
industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company
for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes
and DVDs.

<b><u>About The Muppets</u></b>
The Muppets deliver smiles and laughter to the world through heartwarming characters and stories
inspired by the art of puppetry. Led by Kermit the Frog, the Muppets are a broadly appealing global
franchise built on 50 years of original, award-winning entertainment that includes 44 Emmy nominations,
6 feature films, and <i>The Muppet Show</i> which captured over 235 million weekly viewers worldwide. The
Muppets are true celebrities, with Kermit the Frog having his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In the past year, under the management of The Walt Disney Company, the Muppets have been embraced
by millions of people as part of a global re-launch of the beloved franchise that will culminate in the
release of significant filmed entertainment projects. The Muppets will kick off the worldwide celebration
of Kermit the Frog's 50th anniversary later this year. Visit www.muppets.com for more news and
information.

<u><b>About Muppets Holding Company</b></u>
The Muppets Holding Company, LLC (MHC) is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:
DIS). MHC was established in April 2004 when The Walt Disney Company purchased the Muppets from
The Jim Henson Company. MHC’s mission is to ensure that this beloved, world-class brand franchise
entertains audiences of all ages by leveraging Disney’s best creative resources and worldwide distribution
platforms. MHC plans to develop new content in all arenas, including television, feature films, music,
stage plays and theme parks, and to enhance the Muppets global licensing and distribution presence.

NOOOOOOOOOO!


<img src="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_verymad.gif" width="150" height="150">


Why reformatted fullscreen???????!!!!!!!!!!

I had these on preorder, but not for much longer!!!

Shit.

Well, since I never saw them in their original widescreen, I'll still buy them. But I'm still freakin' pissed that it's not in its OAR.

And why oh why do they continue to push that stupid shrimp?

Escapay

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WIST #60:
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?

WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?

Problem is they aren't widescreen, they are once again pan and scan. That pretty much killed my already on the fence reasons to rebuy these.

Having said that, I actually like Pepe. He's been the only breathe of fresh air for the muppets in the better part of 10 years now.

Man oh freakin' man. I was so looking forward to owning Treasure Island and Christmas Carol. I passed on the current releases because of the MAR. Looks like I'll be passing again. I refuse to give Disney money for this garbage. I'll be emailing and calling to protest, as well (politely, to be sure--I want positive results).


Edit: here is a text of the email I just sent to <a href="mailto:Disneyinfo@Disneyhelp.com">Disneyinfo@Disneyhelp.com</a>. I thought maybe someone might like to use it as a template.


---- cut here ----

I recently came across the press release for the four Kermit's 50th Anniversary Muppet DVD reissues (for The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Muppet Treasure Island) at <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com">http://www.ultimatedisney.com</a>. I was very disappointed to learn that, according to the press release, all four DVDs will be issued with the modified aspect ratio of 1.33:1 instead of with an anamorphic widescreen transfer in their original aspect ratios (1.85:1, if memory serves).

I currently own the now out-of-print release of The Muppet Movie, and have wanted to purchase The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island for quite some time, but have not purchased the last two by reason of the modified aspect ratio on the current releases. When I first heard about the Kermit's 50th Anniversary reissues a few weeks ago I was very excited, hoping to finally be able to view those two particular Muppet films in their original widescreen form. I am saddened to say that I will not be purchasing the new DVDs if the press release is, in fact, accurate, and the films are presented with the modified aspect ratio.

I speak only for myself, but I hope for many others, when I say that I would be at the store on release day to purchase the new DVDs if they were properly presented. I would even be glad to wait a few extra months, if that was what it took to get the DVDs done the right way.

I sincerely hope that the press release I read was in error and the four DVDs will be issued with anamorphic widescreen video transfers. It would truly be a shame to keep the DVDs out of my collection simply because the Disney Company refuses, for whatever reason, to present "restored and remastered" versions of the films with the entire film image intact.

---- cut here ----

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<a href="http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&sub=All&id=grassmonk">My DVD Collection</a>

I posted about this at Muppet Central, and the anger captured in my post there couldn't be matched a second time. So, what you're about to read is a copy of my MC post. Ahem:

"Mark my words. These so-called "special" editions of these movies will not sell. They aren't even special. They are chopped films with lousy special features that I personally hope nobody buys.

Disney, haven't you learned your lesson yet? The last time you tried to release MCC and MTI in pan-and-scan only, they barely sold and hundreds (if not thousands) expressed their disapproval, including Brian Henson himself! That's right! The very man who directed the films did not want pan-and-scan only releases, and yet, you put them out! And not only did you put them out once, you're about to do it again. Who do you expect to buy these? Copies of the Tri-Star TMM and GMC releases are not that hard to find.

The most insulting part of it all: we know you have the widescreen transfers at least for MCC and MTI, and almost certainly TMM and GMC. You've released MTI in widescreen everywhere but here, and MCC in widescreen at least in South America. Why bother releasing cropped films when so many people will not buy them? Why go against the director's wishes (as directly conveyed to you)? Why chop a film? Why would you go against what has been clearly shown to give you more sales? Why would you do this? WHY? WHY? WHY?"

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"Before they made you, they broke the mold!"

I called & emailed Disney. I told the CSR that as we spoke thousands of preorders across the nation are being cancelled at places like Amazon & DDD. I was very nice & so was the CSR who said she would pass the comments along. I was considering all 4 but was definitely going to buy Christmas Carol & Treasure Island but NO Sale.

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15 gallon 7 pint blood donor as of 1-4-11. Done donating. Apparently having Cancer makes you kind of ineligible to donate.

<b><u>OUTRAGEOUS</u></b>

I, too, called Disney and told them that I no longer plan on purchasing any of these unless they are released in anamorphic widescreen in their original aspect ratios, in which case I would surely buy them on the release date. Let's hope there's a large enough of an outcry over this to make a difference. I need my Muppets in OAR! I'll be emailing Disney too. I encourage everyone here to make a phone call, send an email, and pass the word along to any friends you may have who are also Muppets fans and potential consumers to do the same.

-Aaron

_________________
• Author of Hocus Pocus in Focus: The Thinking Fan's Guide to Disney's Halloween Classic
and The Thinking Fan's Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom (Epcot coming soon)
• Host of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod, the longest-running Disney podcast
• Entertainment Writer & Moderator at DVDizzy.com
• Twitter - @aaronspod

Well I don't know if I'll be getting the four Muppets Movies maybe when Best Buy does a 2 for $20 deal.

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The Simpsons Season 11 Buy it Now!

Fox Sunday lineup:

8:00 The Simpsons
8:30 King of the Hill
9:00 Family Guy
9:30 American Dad

Living in the 1980's:

I'm not sure if I'll get this. I love the Muppet movie but why is it in full-screen?

(to the tune of The Rainbow Connection) everybody sing . . .

Why are there all these pan and scan movies,
and why aren't they O-A-R?

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Buffy: We have a marching jazz band?
Oz: Yeah, but, you know, since the best jazz is improvisational, we'd be going off in all directions, banging into floats... scary.

you can't be serious... is Disney just sloppy with their press releases or are they really this clueless?

I don't believe it.

i called and expressed my dislike about the choice, and she said she wasnt aware of any aspect ratio information but that she would pass on my comments about my dissaprovall to the marketing dept.

i told her i puchased the previous titles but was hoping the new ones would be OAR, and that many older muppet fans are looking forward to this release.

well see

everyone keep calling!!!

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"I love school...to bad classes get in the way"-zack morris...the master of scams

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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No widescreen, no sale. Sorry, Disney. You could've easily earned another 80 bucks from me had these been in their OAR. I'm currently taking these off of my DVDAficionado wishlist. Here's hoping at the slim chance that this press release is screwed up, otherwise, I now have more money to spend on other studio's DVDs, all of which are OAR.

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Kelvin

My Blu-ray Collection

I fired off an irate E-mail to Disney earlier on. Here's the full text of that message:

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"Before they made you, they broke the mold!"

Maby its just a crule joke or justa typo like the Ghostbusters I and II set. Maby................

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Let's hope you're right, Jiminy.

As I said before, I'll still get these, simply because I never saw them in widescreen and I really want these movies, so if they decide later on to re-release in widescreen, I'll sell the MAR copies.

Escapay

_________________
WIST #60:
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?

WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?

I just bought the The Muppet Show: Season One and hoped to and these movies to my collection ,I guess not now.
I hate pan and scan so much.

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I love Studio Ghibi, the harry potter books,mario,
disney, the simpsons, family guy, stewie, cats, and my xbox.

no sale

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Why create history when we can change history.