Today, Paramount is releasing the modern classics Amistad and The Terminal for the first time on Blu-ray, both directed by Steven Spielberg.

The Terminal: First released in 2004, The Terminal follows Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks), an Eastern European immigrant who ends up stranded at the JFK airport after war breaks out in his home country, and he is unable to obtain the papers to enter America. Becoming a resident of the New York airport, he befriends a crew of misfit workers, and falls in love with a kind flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones).

With an uplifting and nicely written screenplay, as well as beautiful cinematography from his frequent collaborator Janusz Kaminski, The Terminal is a charming and touching romantic dramedy from Steven Spielberg, that is brought to life through likeable characters and fine performances.

The Blu-ray includes several featurettes and a photo gallery.

The Terminal is 129 minutes and rated PG.

Amistad: Based on a true story, Amistad recreates the events of 1839 when a group of enslaved African men led by Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) overtake their captor’s ship and try to sail back to their homeland, when they are captured and brought to the United States to be charged with murder.

But their case attracts the attention of an abolitionist lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) who represents their freedom, and is finally brought to the Supreme Court where John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) fights for their release. Released in 1997 and nominated for four Academy Awards, Amistad is a beautifully filmed and powerfully acted historical drama that remains an important connecting chapter in Steven Spielberg’s iconic filmography.

The Blu-ray includes a “making of” featurette.

Amistad is 155 minutes and rated 14A.

-John Corrado