Jack Ryan, ‘Top Gun’ Lead Paramount Blu-Ray Releases

Just to prove it’s serious about this Blu-ray business, Paramount Home Video is releasing several titles in the high-definition DVD format.

The group includes four Jack Ryan thrillers based on Tom Clancy’s work and “Top Gun,” the 1980s action adventure starring Tom Cruise.

Leading the Ryan films is “The Hunt for Red October” (1990, $29.99) featuring an excellent performance by Sean Connery as a Russian submarine captain who disobeys orders and heads toward the United States. Alec Baldwin is CIA agent Ryan aboard an American sub whose mission is to track the Soviets and make sure it doesn’t fire a missile at the USA. A fine, tense Cold War thriller. Also in the cast are Sam Neill and James Earl Jones

“Patriot Games” (1992, $29.99) has Harrison Ford taking over the role of Ryan who, while in London, thwarts a terrorist attack on a member of the Royal family. Suddenly, Ryan finds his life and the lives of his family are in danger from members of the IRA. Among the others in the cast are Anne Archer, Samuel L. Jackson, James Earl Jones and Richard Harris.

Ford returns as Ryan in “Clear and Present Danger” (1994, $29.99). This time Clancy’s hero finds himself smack in the middle of a Colombian drug power struggle that also involves the United States. William Dafoe and Anne Archer co-star.

In “The Sum of All Fears” (2002, $29.99) Ben Affleck assumes the role of Ryan who becomes involved in a terrorist plot to ignite a conflict between the United States and Russia. Morgan Freeman and James Cromwell co-star. OK thriller but not up to previous Jack Ryan standards.

Then there is “Top Gun” (1986, $29.99) It’s hard to resist this entertaining action romance starring Tom Cruise as Maverick, one of several students in an elite Navy training school for fighter pilots. Anthony Edwards plays Maverick’s flying buddy Goose and Val Kilmer is his rival Ice. Kelly McGillis provides the love interest. The film includes memorable flying sequences and one of the all-time great sound tracks. If ever a film was made for Blu-ray, this is it.

Other notable Blu-ray releases:

“Beowulf: The Director’s Cut” (Paramount, 2007, $39.98) Ray Winstone plays the warrior who must fight the dreaded dragon Grendal and later face the beast’s mother. Inspired by the old epic English poem whose author is unknown. Also in the cast are Robin Wright-Penn and Anthony Hopkins.

“The Lost Boys” (Warner, 1987, $28.95) This comedy-thriller follows the adventures of two boys (Jason Patric, Corey Haim) who move to Santa Carla, California with their mom. But things aren’t quite normal there. Vampires prowl the area. Kiefer Sutherland, Edward Hertmann, Bernard Hughes and Jami Gertz are also in the cast.

“Doomsday” (Universal, 2008, $39.98) A deadly plague, known as the Reaper Virus, breaks out in Great Britian and kills thousands. The government finally believes it has a solution but 30 years later, the virus breaks out again. Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins and Adrian Lester head the cast.

“Stargate: Continuum” (MGM, 2008, $39.98) Time takes various twists and turns in this one as Ba’al (Cliff Simon) journeys to the past in an effort to stop the Stargate program from ever being launched. The SG-1 folks have to figure out how to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“Shine A Light” (Paramount, 2007, $39.98) Martin Scorsese puts the spotlight on the Rolling Stones during two days of shooting their 2006 performances at the Beacon Theater in New York. A total of 18 cameras were used. Those who are fans of the legendary group will probably love it; those who aren’t should pass on this one.

“Never Back Down”: (Summit Entertainment, 2008, $34.95) Sean Farris plays Jake, a new kid in school who must prove himself at mixed martial arts against tough guy Ryan (Cam Gigandet). At the center of the dispute is a beautiful girl named Baja (Amber Heard).

“Harold amd Kuman Go to White Castle” (New Line, 2005, $28.99) John Cho and Kal Penn stars in this comedy about a two guys who get a craving for White Castle burgers and what they go through to get them.

All prices listed are the suggested retail price and can be purchased cheaper for those who shop around or go to www.amazon.com.

___

(c) 2008, McClatchy-Tribune News Service.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.