Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'Ray' Nominated for 'Best Picture'* and 'Best Actor' Golden Globe(R) Awards

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'Ray' Nominated for 'Best Picture'* and 'Best Actor' Golden Globe(R) Awards One of the Most Entertaining Films and Inspirational Stories of the Year Debuts on DVD and VHS on February 1, 2005 "Electrifying" - Rolling Stone "Foxx is amazing" - Newsweek "The Year's Best Film" - FOX TV 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. *Musical or Comedy CONTACTS Universal Studios Home Entertainment Evan Fong Executive Director, Publicity (818) 777-5540 Craig Radow Manager, Print Publicity (818) 777-4572 Heather David Manager, Broadcast Publicity (818) 777-0549 Vivian Mayer Senior Vice President, Publicity (818) 777-3594 PRNewswire -- Jan. 12 Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Web site: http://www.raymovie.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment