TRON and TRON: Legacy have been restored for fans old and new.


TRON

TRON is a movie phenomenon. It stunned audiences in 1982 with the story and imagery.
When Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a computer game creator, is beamed into a digital world, everything is new and confusing. He must play the game he is making in order to get back to his real life.

Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner star in this memorable and sci-fi-fan favorite that was nominated for 8 nominations in 1983.

Back in 1983 there were no laptops, cell phones, or any of the technologies we take for granted today. This was indeed a film for the future. But the future is now, at least some of what was portrayed in the original movie. With AI taking over, it’s just a matter of time before TRON is considered outdated, well, maybe.

Bonus features on TRON include “The Tron Phenomenon” in which Jeff Bridges says the film is “a myth for modern time.” He said the whole movie was on the “cutting edge” of everything. The visuals are what fans think of when they think of Tron.

The futuristic world, including the litecycles, completely enthralled audiences when the film debuted in 1982.

In another featurette, writer/director Steven Lisberger discusses looking at the archives and remembering the process and creation of the story and film.

There is a look at the fantasy world and how computers are the people. The “Digital Imagery” bonus describes how the film combined real with digital to create the iconic movie.
There is also a short “making of” bonus and deleted scenes round out the additions to the movie.


TRON: Legacy

The sequel, Tron: Legacy, premiered in 2010 and continued enthralling viewers – especially sci-fi fans. This time, Kevin Flynn’s son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) receives a message from his long-lost father and goes on a high-tech adventure to rescue him.

There are several bonuses including a look at how the imagery of the initial film was what made it unforgettable. There is no doubt audiences back in the 1980s were amazed at what they saw on the screen, and this sequel continues that experience. 

Another bonus looks at the iconic vehicles and how they were updated for this film. The vehicles are an important element to the film and story. Casting the characters is another bonus feature.

Disney is not done with the franchise. TRON: Ares hits theaters next month, and yes, Jeff Bridges is back for this one too.

The films

• TRON was digitally scanned and carefully restored by The Walt Disney Film Restoration team, who corrected dirt, warping, and other imperfections to ensure pristine image quality. The work was supervised by director Steven Lisberger. TRON: Legacy has been remastered in High Dynamic Range from the original digital sources under the supervision of director Joseph Kosinski. Meticulously remastered, both films transport audiences back to the digital frontier with an experience more immersive, dynamic, and visually spectacular than ever before.
• Available on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, the releases showcase breathtaking Dolby Vision picture quality and pulse-pounding Dolby Atmos audio for the ultimate home-viewing experience.
• TRON and TRON: Legacy will be available to own on 4K Ultra HD Digital and Blu-ray, beginning September 16, 2025. Re-watch the two films before the new film TRON: Ares debuting in theaters October 10, 2025.

The Tron phenomenon has lasted decades and through generations. And that is evident in Walt Disney World with the TRON Lightcycle Run coaster in which guests ride the iconic vehicles through a colorful umbrella, recreating the experience of the characters in the films.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

All images are courtesy and Copyright Disney

The iconic 1970 movie Airport started a long list of disaster films. From the best-selling book by Arthur Hailey, the movie stars Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin Jacqueline Bisset, George Kennedy, Helen Hayes, Jean Seberg, Van Heflin, Maureen Stapleton, Barry Nelson, Lloyd Nolan, Dana Wunter, and Barbara Hale. Needless to say, it is an all-star cast.

When a disturbed man sets off a bomb aboard a flight from Chicago (fictional Lincoln airport) to Rome, not only does it affect those on the jetliner, but also on the ground. With pilots Demerest (Martin) and Harris (Nelson) trying to keep the plane steady and return back to Chicago, the airport manager Mel Bakersfeld (Lancaster) is confronting a difficult dilemma on the ground. Another plane slid off the runway in the snowstorm causing the main runway to be shut down as it is stuck part way on the runway. Unfortunately, that is the runway the bomb-damaged flight needs to keep the jetliner in tact when they land.

So, with the help of Joe Patroni (Kennedy) leading the extraction of the stuck plane, Bakersfeld is also confronted by the locals who do not want the other runway to stay open due to the noise the takeoffs generate over their homes. This is just one more item causing him stress as he does his job overseeing the extraction of the stuck plane while hoping the bomb damaged plane will make it back.

And to add to his night, Bakersfeld is dealing with is his failing marriage to his wife (Wynter) who could care less about the problems at the airport. She is only interested in her social engagements that elevate her in society.

Patroni is a fun character who does things his own way and is determined to save the stuck plane while at the same time freeing the runway for the incoming flight.

On board the flight, Demerest is also plagued by the fact he just found out his girlfriend, flight attendant Meighen (Bisset), is pregnant. He has kept his affair from his wife Sarah (Hale), who happens to be Bakersfeld’s sister. And to add to this anguish, Meighen is badly injured from the bomb.

Playing out on the ground is the emotional distress of Inez Guerrero (Stapleton) whose husband (Heflin) is the man who detonated the bomb thinking the insurance she would get from his death would help ease her life. She is completely distraught by what he did.

Now, the fun aspect – yes, there is a fun aspect to this disaster story – is Ada Quonsett (Hayes) who is a perpetual stowaway. Unfortunately for her, she chose the wrong flight on which to stow away this time. She is aboard the tragic plane.

Now, add all of these aspects together and you get a memorable movie with an all star cast combining several interpersonal stories with a tragic incident that could spell doom for an entire plane. 

Spoiler alert (if you don’t already know) the plane does return with minimal damage and few casualties. 

This is an intriguing story with many interesting characters played out in the air and on the ground. And the soundtrack is definitely worthy of the blockbuster film.

Helen Hayes won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (1971), and the film was nominated for Best Picture as well as eight other nominations. Maureen Stapleton won the Golden Globe for best supporting actress (1971).

The movie inspired three other Airport films: Airport 1975, Airport ’77, and Airport ’79: The Concord.

The suspense in this film, along with the lives and interactions of the characters, provide an exciting viewing experience. To say it is emotionally-charged and dramatic is an understatement. Even though it is a disaster movie, there are some cute elements that help make it memorable.

Airport is available in a 4K/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber and other retailers.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

When Father Brown first appeared in 1910, the stories of this kind-hearted Catholic priest touched the hearts of readers. Writer G.K. Chesterton hit a winner with this character who has gone on to impress generations of readers and viewers. The first film was produced in 1934 and starred Walter Connolly as the compassionate priest. This 68-minute film is now available on Blu-ray.

Throughout the years, the character of Father Brown has been inhabited by Alec Guinness in the second movie, which came out in 1954. Then twenty years later Kenneth More starred as the beloved priest in a 13-episode British TV series.  

Viewers were not done with Father Brown. In 2013 Mark Williams stepped into the cassock of the ingenious little priest, and has remained in that role ever since, with a 13th season due out next year.

Father Brown, Detective

The first movie, Father Brown, Detective, introduces the personality of the character for viewers. He is a devout man whose compassion for others and his commitment to steering those who go down the wrong path back to the right path is heartening.

Father Brown and Sir Leopold Fischer (Halliwell Hobbes) both received identical letters from the notorious jewel thief Flambeau (Paul Lukas), informing them he will be stealing their diamonds. Four of the diamonds are in a special cross in the possession of Father Brown, and the other six are in the possession of Sir Leopold. Together they form “The Flying Stars” and Flambeau wants them to give to a special woman who took his breath away.  Evelyn (Gertrude Michael) has no idea who he is and when she finds out she tries to persuade him against stealing the diamonds.

Father Brown meets Flambeau who comes to his house in a disguise. But he can’t fool the priest. Father Brown insists the thief will never get the diamonds. God is protecting the cross, and as for the others, he says he should not even try to steal them.

When the other six are stolen, Father Brown sets up a situation in which Flambeau will attempt to take the cross from him. But the priest is more cunning than anyone realizes.

Father Brown is not as worried about saving the diamonds as he is about saving Flambeau’s soul. That is his goal. He wants to make Flambeau realize stealing is wrong. 

Reforming the notorious and intrepid, not to mention illusive thief, is Father Brown’s goal. The question is – will he be able to finally get through to Flambeau?

Father Brown  through the years

Flambeau is not gone from the Father Brown stories. The next film, 1954’s The Detective, has Father Brown (Alec Guinness) once again trying to save the soul of art thief Flambeau (this time played by Peter Finch). 

The charming thief returns in the form of actor Dennis Burgess when Kenneth More takes over the role of Father Brown in the first British TV series. 

And fans of the new Father Brown series (although it is not that new as it began in 2013), continue to enjoy the interactions between Flambeau (John Light) with the current Father Brown played by Mark Williams.

Making a priest a detective was a brilliant decision for the father of the character. Being devout combined with his compassion and brilliant mind, as well as his clumsiness, make Father Brown a delightful character that generations of readers and viewers have enjoyed. With a character so entertaining it is easy to see how he has endured for well over a decade. 

Father Brown has sensitivity, charm, inquisitiveness, and intellect. He is also cool, calm, and collected. He is loyal to God, the church, his friends, and doing right. His insight into people’s souls is brilliant as he confronts one situation after another.

The bottom line is Father Brown is a character everyone can enjoy, even non-Christians. He is the epitome of a character that embraces life, love, the world, and good against evil. 

Father Brown, Detective gave the world the first look at this character. It is now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. This 1934 black-and-white movie is fun to watch for those viewers who have been enjoying the TV series for decades.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.