Hit Film Echoes Great Biblical Stories, Shows how Light Triumphs over Darkness - Debuts on Blue-Ray and DVD April 3
Contact: Kellie Barnes, 303-451-4444, kbarnes@alliedim.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) strikes a winning chord with his film WE BOUGHT A ZOO not only by showing how all of God's creatures can exist in harmony, but by returning to a persistent theme in his work -- that victory is always within reach when we respond to challenges with determination and love. This uplifting celebration of life and family arrives on Blu-ray and DVD April 3 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO is based on the true story of newspaper writer Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) who buys a small zoo to begin life afresh with his children after the passing of his wife. Unlike many Hollywood stories, this tale allows its hero to find fulfillment and hope not with the standard conclusion of "getting the girl" but by embracing his cross and turning it into a joyful service of others. By the film's end, Benjamin receives the courage he needs to sacrifice for his family, overcome obstacles, and bring happiness and fulfillment to all the people in his life.
"Telling Benjamin's story ended up being as personal as anything I've done," says filmmaker Cameron Crowe. "One of the reasons I wanted to do the movie was to put some joy out in the world. I love that WE BOUGHT A ZOO is a movie that allows you to feel joy -- to feel what it is to be alive, and is about turning loss into something inspirational."
By turns funny and stirring, the movie is a classic fish-out-of-water story that thrusts a family into a place they know very little about. It brings the audience "backstage" at the zoo and reveals what zookeepers deal with on a day-to-day basis. The Mee children get to experience the fantasy of having a zoo in their own backyard, and the exotic animals become part of their extended family.
Lead actor Matt Damon praised director Crowe's ability to achieve the right balance with this emotionally charged film. "There are incredible moments where you're getting so much about who the people are and you're laughing at the same time," Damon says. "You find yourself laughing and then unexpectedly affected by something. He's able to use humor to get your guard down... which makes things feel so real."
WE BOUGHT A ZOO Blu-ray is loaded with over 2½ hours of special features including 20 deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, four behind-the-scenes featurettes, commentary with Director Cameron Crowe and others. The film also features an English Family Friendly Audio Track that earned the Dove Seal of Approval. The Blu-ray and DVD will be available for an average retail price of $24.99 and $19.99 respectively. Pre-book is March 7.
For more information on WE BOUGHT A ZOO on DVD please contact Kellie Barnes at kbarnes@alliedim.com.
About Allied Faith & Family
Allied Faith & Family is dedicated to serving the increasingly media-engaged "faith market" as well as the broader family marketplace ever in search of entertainment that touches the heart and uplifts the human spirit. With personal backgrounds in ministry and strong track records in the industry, AFF has unique credibility in this highly discerning marketplace, and its network of 21 field offices makes it the ultimate one-stop resource for reaching the grassroots faith & family marketplace in North America. From church-based promotion to family-friendly groups to nonprofits to educational organizations, AFF is a recognized leader in this vital niche market.
About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO Blu-ray (Catalog #2275178)
Street Date: April 3, 2012
Prebook Date: March 7, 2012
Screen Format: 16:9 (1.85:1)
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital,
French 5.1 DTS
Subtitles: English / French / Spanish
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 124 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes
WE BOUGHT A ZOO DVD (Catalog #2275169)
Street Date: April 3, 2012
Prebook Date: March 7, 2012
Screen Format: 16:9 (1.85:1)
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital,
French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 124 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes
