THE MOVIE WAS FAKE. THE MISSION WAS REAL. ARGO HAS EARNED WHOM YOU KNOW'S HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION AND IT ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAY COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ON FEBRUARY 19, 2013 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP Our Coverage Sponsored by W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company
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SPOILER ALERT!
Riveting. Brilliant. Patriotic. And that's only the start of our high accolades for the best movie we've seen in ages that has given us true patriot love with glowing hearts for O Canada, our even more valued neighbor to the north! Sing that anthem that we love at hockey games...If you love American heroes and visit the silver screen to be drawn in to the most gripping moments of life that suck you in relentlessly and make you believe in the triumph of the human spirit, Argo is for you. If you appreciate the best acting, directing, cinematography, intelligence and top production in the movie business, you've got to see Argo. If you are curious about both clandestine activities of the greatest nation on earth and a way that Hollywood brings magic to reality, you've got to stop what you're doing and start watching Argo now. Peachy Deegan watched it. Then she watched it over a second time the minute it ended: it was that impressive. You will get chills when you step back and reflect on how brave each character was and how adroitly each pulled off their part and your heart will be filled with genuine American pride. Tony Mendez: we are so glad you did not join the circus. Ben Affleck is at his best throughout and is absolutely flawless.
It all begins with a history lesson about the Persian Empire which is Iran today and the Islamic Revolution. We travel back in time to the Carter years complete with old computers and printers, smoking in offices and rubber stamps and inkpads, and every detail captured accurately of the time right down the the television shows-the breaking newscasts of the emerging situation delayed the Love Boat...and turning the knob on a television ages before remote control and cable, nevermind the internet. We shy away from chaos except when it comes to this film, and what you see will make you ever more grateful to live in America, thankful for those that defend us and appreciative of the quick-witted with the ability to keep a tight lip.
In the Iran Hostage Crisis, 52 were captured but 6 miraculously escaped to the Canadian Embassy (previously turned town by the British and the Australians). Iran is a country that "wants CIA blood on their breakfast cereal," and that's just one of a multitude of examples of a smart, snappy script that we have tremendous admiration for. The brilliant combination of the brains in Washington, the creativity of Hollywood and the urgent desire to escape alive by the 6 hostages plus one rescuer in Iran sum up the Holy Trinity needed to serve this mission well.
Who knew watching Planet of the Apes could set minds ablaze with such so-crazy-that-it-could-be-clever ideas! Fat and happy in the California sunshine without a care in the world, John Chambers's life is suddenly interrupted to produce a fake movie. It's not the first time he worked with those destined to be clandestine! And we know if you're going to do it, it must be done right! A big name, a real script, proper business cards and all that goes with making a movie was part of the grand plan.
Attention all businesspeople and students: You'll learn some stellar negotiation skills from the big name, Les. Top acting, Les! And when Tony Mendez has to sell to Statler and Waldorf of the Executive Branch, you'll get a chuckle too. Tony shows sharp sales skills all along from first convincing the CIA of his idea, then John and Lester in Hollywood, and the six people themselves. And we all know that if someone wants to sell a lie, they try to get the press to sell it for them! We are sad to say we missed that Argo event at the Beverly Hilton...but it was way before our time!
The acting and quality of the script will wow you. You are not going to love the fashion (a lot of frumpiness and brown except for that Beverly Hilton part) and certainly you are not going to Argo for the beautiful visuals of the land they visit-as it takes place in Iran in extreme chaos-but Argo does wind up being the best marketing campaign for visiting and appreciating Canada ever! Fashion is not important to the story other than it being appropriate for the occupations of the characters and being accurate to the era, which it is. Cinematography was at its best right down to every last component of the film including the wine glass shaking inside the Canadian Embassy when the inquiring helicopter propellers drew near, the security cameras as the American Embassy was being invaded, and the Kentucky Fried Chicken joint in Iran which entertained us (though we would be happy to point them to better American food...). The audience really is engaged throughout this work evoking true feelings of sympathy (and gladly, not empathy!) and we felt like we were sitting right there with the hostages. Using the old newsreels was key and we appreciate seeing the star Boston College graduate Tip O'Neill!
However, despite all of these amazing components, the single most important factor is the myriad of hurdles that were lined up and passed like a gold-medal winning Olympian. So many things could have gone wrong you'll see as the movie evolves, but the important thing is, everything went right and the true story is the best story of all. Good thing President Clinton declassified the event in 1997. All houseguests returned to US Foreign Service after this ordeal in Iran. You also must see the bonus flick included: Rescued from Tehran which includes President Jimmy Carter, Tony Mendez and the actual houseguests commenting on their ordeal. Absolutely priceless.
Argo won Best Picture and Best Director at the Golden Globes (Checkpoint One). It is no wonder why Argo killed it at the BAFTA awards (Checkpoint Two), especially since intelligence (and we're not talking CIA but literal intelligence) is so highly valued by the English in both the big and small screens. Winning both Best Picture and Best Director-Ben Affleck at BAFTA, Argo is poised to prosper at the Oscars (Checkpoint Three)!
The fake movie WAS a fake hit, and the real movie is an even bigger winner. Argo has earned Whom You Know's Highest Recommendation: We strongly endorse it. It is a patriotic masterpiece.
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Blu-ray Combo Pack includes more than
4 hours of bonus features!
All disc versions feature UltraViolet
Burbank, CA, January 2, 2013 – One of the most acclaimed and honored movies of the year, “Argo” is arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on February 19 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Based on the declassified true story, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played.
Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”) directed and stars in the film, which was produced by Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck”), Affleck, and Oscar® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”). “Argo” also stars Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), Oscar® winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and John Goodman (“Flight”).
“Argo” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray, and the theatrical version in standard definition on DVD. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet, which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.*
SYNOPSIS
On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.
AWARDS
“Argo” has earned numerous major honors to date, including Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture and Best Director; Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Picture and Best Director; and the Screen Actors Guild Award® for Outstanding Cast Performance. In addition, the film earned seven Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Arkin) and Best Adapted Screenplay; and seven BAFTA Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Affleck) and Best Supporting Actor (Arkin). Ben Affleck has also been recognized with a Directors Guild of America Award nomination. (Oscars, BAFTA Awards and DGA Awards not yet announced.)
BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
“Argo” Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:
Feature Length Picture in Picture: Eye Witness Account
Audio Commentary with Director Ben Affleck
Rescued from Tehran: We Were There
Argo: Absolute Authenticity
Argo: The CIA & Hollywood Connection
Escape From Iran: The Hollywood Option
“Argo” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:
Rescued from Tehran: We Were There
DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS
On February 19, “Argo” will be available for download from online retailers including iTunes, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon, Vudu and CinemaNow.
The film will also available digitally in High Definition (HD) VOD and Standard Definition (SD) VOD from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.
ULTRAVIOLET
*UltraViolet allows you to collect watch and share movies and TV shows in a whole new way. Available with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs, DVDs and Digital Downloads, UltraViolet lets you create a digital collection of movies and TV shows. Services such as Flixster and VUDU allow you to instantly stream and download UltraViolet content across a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to ultraviolet.flixster.com/info for details. Learn about VUDU compatible devices at vudu.com.
BASICS
PRODUCT SRP
Blu-ray Combo Pack $35.99
Single disc Amaray (WS) $28.98
Standard Street Date: February 19, 2013
DVD Languages: English, Latin Spanish, Canadian French
BD Languages: English, Latin Spanish, Canadian French
DVD Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Parisian French
BD Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Parisian French
Running Time: 120 minutes
Rating: R for language and some violent images
DLBY/SURR DLBY/DGTL [CC]
The Credits
About Warner Home Video
A division of Warner Bros. Entertainment Group with operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Village Roadshow, HBO Home Video, and New Line Home Entertainment.
About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
A Division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) oversees the electronic distribution of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s content through Video-On-Demand, Pay-Per-View, Electronic Sell-Through and Subscription Video-On-Demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels. WBDD also distributes content through third party digital retailers and licensees. A worldwide industry leader since its inception, WBDD also manages the Studio’s E-commerce sites that include WBShop.com and WarnerArchive.com. Twitter: @WBDigitalDist
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