I was browsing a nearby store the other day and noticed a copy of American Beauty in gold packaging , is this a different transfer than the first release?
AFAIK, it's just the same disc in a new packaging to promote the Best Picture Winners. I noticed this at Meijer in my neck of the woods a few months ago.
THe studio is repackaging a number of its best picture winners in this packaging. I've seen All's Quiet on the Western Front and The Sting along with several others done this way.
Unfortunately, The Sting was still in its original DVD specs of 1.33:1 MAR.