THE WIDE ANGLE
‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,’ a cinematic lampoon based on the life of musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic, is now up for grabs in a preorder on Shout Studios’ digital storefront. Available in glossy 4K, Blu-Ray, and DVD, it joins a growing list of stream-only sensations that are taking a leap onto physical discs.
Unveiled for the first time on Roku last holiday season, ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ is journeying from the ephemeral world of streaming to the tangible reality of physical discs. Come this December, Shout Studios will dish it out in 4K, Blu-Ray, and DVD formats.
Eager to snag your copy? Well, you can now secure one on Shout Studios’ website. A 4K Ultra version will set you back $51.00, while the Blu-Ray/DVD combo is priced at $38.00, and the good ol’ standard-definition DVD can be yours for $28.00. As for the bells and whistles, aka special features, those are still cooking in the oven and are yet to see the light of day. This move is just another feather in the cap for enthusiasts of tangible media, as more and more digital-first releases from platforms like Disney+ make their way to disc. Following last week’s announcement from Disney about releasing its exclusives like ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘WandaVision,’ and ‘Loki’ on DVD, it looks like a new wave of digital-to-disc transition is upon us. Even ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,’ once axed from its digital haven on Paramount+ for cost-reduction reasons, is joining the physical media brigade. Netflix has been dragging its feet a bit, but some of its collaborative endeavors like ‘The Crown’ have finally made their physical debut.
What’s the Big Deal About ‘Weird’ Anyway?
Helmed by Eric Appel in his directorial debut, ‘Weird’ doesn’t just claim to be a portrait of Weird Al Yankovic—the King of Parody—it hilariously morphs into a satirical homage to the entire genre of musical biopics. With Daniel Radcliffe leading the charge as Yankovic, the flick delves into Al’s stratospheric ascent in the 1980s, including the dynamics with his folks (portrayed by Toby Huss and Julianne Nicholson), his fortuitous encounter with radio jockey Barry “Doctor Demento” Hansen (played by Rainn Wilson), and even a spicy fling with Madonna (brought to life by Evan Rachel Wood). Ross Bonaime of FilmSweep lauded the film, describing it as “a delightfully entertaining and often uproarious tribute to the greatest spoof musician ever.”
![Image credit: Roku]
Shout Factory’s rapport with Weird Al isn’t a one-hit-wonder. They’ve previously served up ‘The Compleat Al,’ a 1985 mockumentary offering a twisted lens into Al’s universe. They also pieced together the 25th-anniversary edition of Al’s debut starring role in the cult comedy ‘UHF’—a box office dud in ’89 that’s since turned into a cult sensation. What’s more, ‘The Weird Al Show,’ Yankovic’s fleeting stint as a Saturday morning TV host, is up for streaming in all its glory on Shout!TV.
Mark your calendars for December 12 when ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ will drop on physical media. Keep your eyes glued to FilmSweep for any fresh scoops and check out FilmSweep’s video interview featuring Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Blu-Ray Release
When is ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ coming to physical media?
The biopic-satire about Weird Al Yankovic is set to be released on physical media on December 12. It will be available in 4K, Blu-Ray, and DVD formats.
Where can I preorder the physical copies of the movie?
You can preorder the movie on Shout Studios’ website. Various formats are available, and you can select from 4K Ultra, Blu-Ray/DVD combo, or standard-definition DVD.
How much will each format cost?
The 4K Ultra edition is priced at $51.00, the Blu-Ray/DVD combo will cost you $38.00, and the standard-definition DVD will retail for $28.00.
Will there be any special features included in the physical copies?
Special features are currently in development and have not been revealed yet. Keep an eye out for updates to get the full scoop!
What is the movie about?
Directed by Eric Appel in his feature debut, the movie serves as both a biopic and a parody of musical biopics. It stars Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al Yankovic and takes a humorous look at Al’s career and life, including a supposed torrid love affair with Madonna, portrayed by Evan Rachel Wood.
Who else is involved in the film?
Besides Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood, the film includes Toby Huss and Julianne Nicholson as Weird Al’s parents and Rainn Wilson as radio DJ Barry “Doctor Demento” Hansen.
What’s the relationship between Shout Factory and Weird Al Yankovic?
Shout Factory has a history of collaborating with Weird Al. They’ve previously released ‘The Compleat Al,’ a mockumentary about Weird Al from 1985, and also assembled the 25th-anniversary edition of Yankovic’s cult comedy ‘UHF.’
Are other streaming exclusives also moving to physical media?
Yes, other streaming exclusives like Disney’s ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘WandaVision,’ and ‘Loki’ are also making the leap to physical media. Even shows that were removed from streaming platforms, like ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,’ are getting physical releases.
How well was the movie received?
The film has been well-received by both audiences and critics. Ross Bonaime of FilmSweep described it as “a delightfully entertaining and often uproarious tribute to the greatest spoof musician ever.”
Where can I find more updates about the movie?
For the latest news and updates, keep an eye on FilmSweep’s website and social media channels. They’ve also conducted interviews with the cast, like Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood, that you might find interesting.
More about Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Blu-Ray Release
- Preorder ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ on Shout Studios
- Daniel Radcliffe talks about playing Weird Al
- Eric Appel discusses directing ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’
- FilmSweep’s Review of ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’
- Disney’s Announcement on ‘The Mandalorian’ DVD Release
- Rainn Wilson talks about his role as Barry “Doctor Demento” Hansen
- Evan Rachel Wood discusses her role as Madonna in ‘Weird’
- Weird Al Yankovic’s Official Website
- Shout!TV Streaming ‘The Weird Al Show’
- Upcoming Physical Media Releases for 2023
- Interview with Toby Huss and Julianne Nicholson on playing Weird Al’s parents
1 comment
Man, Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al? Never saw that comin, but its genius! Can’t wait to get my hands on the blu-ray, its gonna be epic.