DVD Releases For July 1, 2008
Check out VANTAGE POINT and GANGS OF NEW YORK on DVD along with some BOB THE BUILDER and FIREMAN SAM, all out on DVD today.
GANGS OF NEW YORK On Blu-ray
Miramax's GANGS OF NEW YORK, an epic tale of vengeance and survival, hits harder than ever on Blu-ray on July 1. Directed by Academy Award-winner Martin Scorsese (2006 Best Director for THE DEPARTED) and written by two-time Oscar nominee Jay Cocks (2003 Best Writing for GANGS OF NEW YORK; 1994 Best Writing for THE AGE OF INNOCENCE), this visually stunning motion picture event stars two-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis (1989 Best Actor for MY LEFT FOOT; 2007 Best Actor for THERE WILL BE BLOOD), Leonardo Di Caprio (THE DEPARTED; TITANIC) and Cameron Diaz (THE HOLIDAY; IN HER SHOES).
The 2002 film's vfx were by ILM, Custom Film Effects, Corridori G&A Cinematografica, Special Effects Unlimited and Snow Business International.
Scorsese's masterpiece transports you into the tumultuous atmosphere of 1860s New York with phenomenal sound and stunning visual clarity on Blu-ray High-Definition. GANGS OF NEW YORK chronicles a vivid period in New York City's history, when tensions among immigrant groups lead to a dramatic clash of cultures. After years of incarceration, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon (DiCaprio) returns to lower Manhattan's lawless, corrupt Five Points Section seeking revenge against the rival gang leader Bill "The Butcher" (Day-Lewis) who killed his father. But before long, Amsterdam's personal vendetta becomes part of an erupting wave of full blown gang warfare that explodes out of the television screen with the high definition quality of Blu-ray.
Special Features (In 480i standard definition):
--Commentary from Director Martin Scorsese
--"Set Design" featurette
--"Exploring The Sets Of GANGS OF NEW YORK" featurette
--"History Of The Five Points" featurette
--Discovery Channel Special: UNCOVERING THE REAL GANGS OF NEW YORK
--"Costume Design" featurette
--Music video for U2's THE HANDS THAT BUILT AMERICA
--Theatrical trailer, teaser trailer, animated menus and chapter selection
VANTAGE POINT On DVD And Blu-ray
During a historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each witness, the reality of the assassination takes shape. But just when you think you know the answer, the shattering final truth is revealed. From Sony Pictures Home Ent., VANTAGE POINT is a political action-thriller starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (2006 Best Actor, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), with Sigourney Weaver and Academy Award winner William Hurt (1985 Best Actor, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN).
On the surface that seems like a pretty cut and dry thriller blueprint, one that utilizes a standard in camera shooting style to get the story told, but VANTAGE POINT Visual Effects Supervisor Paddy Eason reveals that if you peel back the layers, there are plenty of vfx surprises.
Eason explains that Rainmaker Visual Effects, with studios in Vancouver and London, (now CIS Vancouver and CIS London) initially approached him to work with them on the film. "Rainmaker had a good relationship with Sony, most recently from work for THE DA VINCI CODE. I was looking for a good show to get involved with, and Rainmaker approached me and asked if I was interested. I read the script and thought it was amazing. Plus, Rainmaker seemed to be going places, and so I jumped at the chance."
Initially, Eason says there were two issues that needed to be smoothed out early on with VANTAGE POINT. One was the fact that it is a low-key political thriller in theme and tone, so visual effects needed to melt into the background. Second was the fact that first time director Pete Travis wasn't even very keen on integrating visual effects into the film at all. "The initial vfx breakdown of the script was driven very much from Rainmaker," Eason explains.
GANGS OF NEW YORK On Blu-ray
Miramax's GANGS OF NEW YORK, an epic tale of vengeance and survival, hits harder than ever on Blu-ray on July 1. Directed by Academy Award-winner Martin Scorsese (2006 Best Director for THE DEPARTED) and written by two-time Oscar nominee Jay Cocks (2003 Best Writing for GANGS OF NEW YORK; 1994 Best Writing for THE AGE OF INNOCENCE), this visually stunning motion picture event stars two-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis (1989 Best Actor for MY LEFT FOOT; 2007 Best Actor for THERE WILL BE BLOOD), Leonardo Di Caprio (THE DEPARTED; TITANIC) and Cameron Diaz (THE HOLIDAY; IN HER SHOES).
The 2002 film's vfx were by ILM, Custom Film Effects, Corridori G&A Cinematografica, Special Effects Unlimited and Snow Business International.
Scorsese's masterpiece transports you into the tumultuous atmosphere of 1860s New York with phenomenal sound and stunning visual clarity on Blu-ray High-Definition. GANGS OF NEW YORK chronicles a vivid period in New York City's history, when tensions among immigrant groups lead to a dramatic clash of cultures. After years of incarceration, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon (DiCaprio) returns to lower Manhattan's lawless, corrupt Five Points Section seeking revenge against the rival gang leader Bill "The Butcher" (Day-Lewis) who killed his father. But before long, Amsterdam's personal vendetta becomes part of an erupting wave of full blown gang warfare that explodes out of the television screen with the high definition quality of Blu-ray.
Special Features (In 480i standard definition):
--Commentary from Director Martin Scorsese
--"Set Design" featurette
--"Exploring The Sets Of GANGS OF NEW YORK" featurette
--"History Of The Five Points" featurette
--Discovery Channel Special: UNCOVERING THE REAL GANGS OF NEW YORK
--"Costume Design" featurette
--Music video for U2's THE HANDS THAT BUILT AMERICA
--Theatrical trailer, teaser trailer, animated menus and chapter selection
VANTAGE POINT On DVD And Blu-ray
During a historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each witness, the reality of the assassination takes shape. But just when you think you know the answer, the shattering final truth is revealed. From Sony Pictures Home Ent., VANTAGE POINT is a political action-thriller starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (2006 Best Actor, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), with Sigourney Weaver and Academy Award winner William Hurt (1985 Best Actor, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN).
On the surface that seems like a pretty cut and dry thriller blueprint, one that utilizes a standard in camera shooting style to get the story told, but VANTAGE POINT Visual Effects Supervisor Paddy Eason reveals that if you peel back the layers, there are plenty of vfx surprises.
Eason explains that Rainmaker Visual Effects, with studios in Vancouver and London, (now CIS Vancouver and CIS London) initially approached him to work with them on the film. "Rainmaker had a good relationship with Sony, most recently from work for THE DA VINCI CODE. I was looking for a good show to get involved with, and Rainmaker approached me and asked if I was interested. I read the script and thought it was amazing. Plus, Rainmaker seemed to be going places, and so I jumped at the chance."
Initially, Eason says there were two issues that needed to be smoothed out early on with VANTAGE POINT. One was the fact that it is a low-key political thriller in theme and tone, so visual effects needed to melt into the background. Second was the fact that first time director Pete Travis wasn't even very keen on integrating visual effects into the film at all. "The initial vfx breakdown of the script was driven very much from Rainmaker," Eason explains.
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