Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'Friday Night Lights'

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'Friday Night Lights' Kicks Off on DVD and VHS January 18, 2005 "One of the Greatest Sports Movies Ever Made!" - Larry King "Two Thumbs Way Up!" - Ebert and Roeper UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- "Friday Night Lights," the acclaimed hard-hitting, adrenaline-pumping, no-holds-barred story of Gary Gaines, a dedicated football coach and his team, the Permian Panthers, who aspire to be Texas State champions, comes to DVD and VHS on January 18, 2004. Academy Award(R)-winning producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind," "Apollo 13," "8 Mile") and director Peter Berg ("The Rundown," "Very Bad Things") team up with Oscar(R) winner Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade," "Bad Santa") to create an unforgettable and gritty film based on Pulitzer Prize winning journalist H.G. Bissinger's acclaimed non-fiction book "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team and a Dream," hailed by Sports Illustrated as the best football story -- and one of the five greatest sports stories -- of all time. Grammy(R)-winning country superstar Tim McGraw makes his feature film debut with rising young stars Derek Luke ("Antwone Fisher," "Biker Boyz"), Jay Hernandez ("Ladder 49," "The Rookie"), Lucas Black ("Cold Mountain," "Sling Blade") and Garrett Hedlund ("Troy"). The DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP. The VHS is $23.98. Named as one of the "Top 10 Films of the Year" by the American Film Institute and Newsweek, and hailed by the sports press for its uncompromising depiction of the tough competitive world of high school football and the electrifying action sequences of the game plays, "Friday Night Lights" is ideal entertainment for film fans and sports enthusiasts alike. Bonus Features The Friday Night Lights DVD's line-up of powerful bonus features takes viewers into the action of the bone-crunching plays and into the unique world experienced by the real people who have lived the phenomenon of Friday night lights as part of their dreams. Extras include: * Player Cam -- Experience first hand the action that ensues when 40 actor-athletes live together for six weeks on the field, in the locker room and even when they're off the clock exploring the great Texas plains. * Tim McGraw: Off the Stage -- From country music star to the silver screen, Tim McGraw will share his experience bringing this best selling novel to life. * Real Life, Real Games, Real People -- Through the eyes of the "Friday Night Lights" cast and crew and the real Permian players and fans, viewers will be treated to a scene witnessed by few: the real Friday night lights. * Never-before-seen action-packed Deleted Scenes * Commentary with Director Peter Berg and Writer Buzz Bissinger Synopsis Based on the best-selling book by H.G. Bissinger, "Friday Night Lights" chronicles the 1988 season of the Permian High Panthers of Odessa, Texas, the most successful football team in the state's history. For Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton), it is a season filled with tremendous pressure as he tries to drive his team to the championship after failing to do so the previous two years. For the young men of the team, every play is a chance to transcend their small town and the fleeting dream of gridiron stardom whose pinnacle may be reached by the time they turn 18. The movie paints a vivid portrait of Odessa and places like it across America where once a week during the fall season, the town and its hopes come alive beneath the dazzling Friday night lights. For more information please visit: www.fridaynightlightsmovie.com. CAST & FILMMAKERS Director: Peter Berg Screenwriters: David Aaron Cohen, Peter Berg Based on Book By: H.G. Bissinger Producer: Brian Grazer Executive Producers: James Whitaker, John Cameron Director of Photography: Tobias Schlessler Production Designer: Sharon Seymour Editors: David Rosenbloom, Colby Parker Jr. Costume Designer: Susan Matheson Music Producer: Brian Reitzell Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Lee Jackson, Lee Thompson Young, Tim McGraw TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD Street Date: January 18, 2005 Pre-Order Date: December 14, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: $29.98 SRP Selection Numbers: 25476 (Anamorphic Widescreen); 25477 (Full Frame) Running Time 1 Hour and 58 Minutes Layers: Dual Layers Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1); Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) Rating: PG-13 (for thematic issues, sexual content, language, some teen drinking and rough sports action) Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Captions; French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Subtitles; Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Subtitles VHS Street Date: January 18, 2005 Pre-Order Date: December 14, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: $23.98 SRP Selection Numbers: 62775 Running Time 1 Hour and 58 Minutes Aspect Ratio: Full Frame Rating: PG-13 (for thematic issues, sexual content, language, some teen drinking and rough sports action) Technical Info: Hi-Fi Stereo Surround 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. CONTACTS Universal Studios Home Video Vivian Mayer Senior Vice President, Publicity (818) 777-3594 Craig Radow Manager, Print Publicity (818) 777-4572 Evan Fong Executive Director, Publicity (818) 777-5540 Heather David Manager, Broadcast Publicity (818) 777-0549 Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment CONTACT: Vivian Mayer, Senior Vice President, Publicity, +1-818-777-3594, or Craig Radow, Manager, Print Publicity, +1-818-777-4572, or Evan Fong, Executive Director, Publicity, +1-818-777-5540, or Heather David, Manager, Broadcast Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, all of Universal Studios Home Video Web site: http://www.fridaynightlightsmovie.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment