THE WIZARD OF OZ ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION comes to DVD and Blu-ray, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS on DVD and Blu-ray, THE DARK CRYSTAL makes its Blu-ray debut, along with LABYRINTH on Blu-ray, SNAKES ON A PLANE on Blu-ray, SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES on DVD and Blu-ray, HERO: SPECIAL EDITION on Blu-ray, LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER on Blu-ray, IRON MONKEY on Blu-ray and ZATOICHI on Blu-ray.
THE WIZARD OF OZ ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION on DVD and Blu-ray
It is difficult to imagine a motion picture more magical and more wonderful than Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's wonderful The Wizard of Oz. Over the last seven decades, the film has indelibly woven itself into America’s cultural consciousness: Is there anyone who doesn’t immediately think of the film upon hearing the words, “Dorothy,” “Toto,” “Emerald City,” “Ruby Slippers” and “Yellow Brick Road” -- or the lines to the song “Over the Rainbow?”
Now, the colorful characters and unforgettable songs of Oz come alive as never before when Warner Home Video brings this cinematic treasure into the digital age with the September 29 Blu-ray release of The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition. The commemorative edition contains nearly 4 hours of all-new and never-before-available bonus features and is housed in numbered collectible packaging, and will be available for a limited time only for $69.92 SRP (DVD) and $84.99 SRP (Blu-ray Hi-Def). Orders are due by August 25.
In order to bring all the visual splendor of The Wizard of Oz to the Hi-Def world of Blu-ray Disc, the film has been entirely remastered, with each of the original Technicolor camera negatives scanned using 8K resolution. From this scan, a final ‘capture’ master was created in 4K, yielding twice the resolution seen in the master utilized for the film's previous DVD release.
Working in ‘full film Resolution’, extreme care was taken to ensure that all of the image fidelity contained in the original negatives was properly captured for this new presentation. The sounds of Oz will come alive on Blu-ray disc utilizing the full audio spectrum capabilities available through Dolby TrueHD audio. The net result is one of unprecedented quality that is sure to make The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Edition a benchmark in the history of the Blu-ray format.
The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition
The following components are ALL-NEW and exclusive to this release:
The Dreamer of Oz – which makes its long-awaited home video debut. Also remastered for the occasion, this full-length motion picture was an NBC-TV special event in 1990 and thrilled critics and audiences as it told the back story of author L. Frank Baum, "the Royal Historian of Oz.”
John Ritter shines in the title role -- the man who defied all odds to create the famous characters and stories. Annette O'Toole beautifully co-stars as his supportive wife, with Rue McClanahan as his challenging witch of a mother-in-law.
Victor Fleming, Master Craftsman -- a new feature-length documentary produced specifically for this release about the Hollywood director who, in the same year, miraculously brought both Oz and Gone With the Wind to the screen.
Hollywood Celebrates It’s Biggest Little Stars-- a new featurette that stars seven of the original "Munchkins of Oz" and tells the saga of the long journey, culminating in them receiving their own 2007 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Magic Cloak of Oz -- the first release of the complete 1914 silent film, including lost footage never before included in a home video presentation of this feature (produced by Baum himself).
The Patchwork Girl of Oz -- another 1914 Baum-produced, feature-length silent film, new to Warner Home Video.
The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along Track -- here making its home entertainment debut.
Reproductions of Archival Material -- Extraordinary renderings of the original 1939 Oz campaign, exploitation, and press books. These materials constitute a Hollywood "holy grail" for Oz, Garland, and motion picture fans alike and, for decades, have been among the most sought-after and impossible-to-find collectibles.
Behind The Curtain -- a 52-page miniature coffee-table book, assembled by pre-eminent Oz historian John Fricke. Encompassing much previously unpublished material, the deluxe volume includes behind-the-scenes Oz photographs, studio memos, and script pages for abandoned scenes and musical numbers.
Exclusive Wizard of Oz Watch -- A collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary watch, incorporating art from the film and enhanced with genuine crystals. Available nowhere else, this beautiful timepiece was created specially for this DVD edition.
And for the Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector’s Edition, the original extended version of “If I Only Had a Brain” performed by Ray Bolger has been remastered in hi-definition especially for this release.
TWO DISC DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
Disc 1
• Remastered feature with Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio (NEW)
• Sing-along Track (NEW)
• Commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr (daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton), Dona Massin (MGM choreographer), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook
• Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
• We Haven’t Really Met Properly
• Music and Effects Track
• Original Mono Track
DISC 2
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic [1990 TV special]
• Memories of Oz [2001 TCM documentary]
• The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
• Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz
• Harold Arlen’s Home Movies
• Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
• It’s a Twister! It’s a Twister! The Tornado Tests
• Off to See the Wizard
• 3 Vault Shorts
• Audio Jukebox Selection
o Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo
o Good News of 1939 Radio Show
o 12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast
• Still Galleries
• Six Theatrical Trailers
DVD & BLU-RAY HI-DEF ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS
Includes everything listed in the Two Disc SE as well as the following:
Disc 3
• Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman (NEW)
• L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain
• Celebrating Hollywood’s Biggest Little Stars (NEW)
• The Dreamer of Oz [1990 TV special] (NEW)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
• The Wizard of Oz [1933]
Disc 4
• His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz
• The Magic Cloak of Oz [1914] (NEW)
• The Patchwork Girl of Oz [1914] (NEW)
• The Wizard of Oz [1925 feature]
(Blu-ray Hi-Def will have Discs 1 & 2 and Discs 3 & 4 combined)
Also included are unique premiums:
• Collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary Wizard of Oz watch with genuine crystals
• Replica of the original film budget
• Behind the Curtain, A 52-page, coffee-table book
• Reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book
EXCLUSIVE TO THE DVD and BLU-RAY HI-DEF RAY ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS
• Digital Copy on Disc
EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAY HI-DEF ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS:
• MGM: When The Lion Roars Documentary
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS on DVD and Blu-ray
The “laugh-out-loud funny” (“Access Hollywood”) adventure featuring the “funniest animated action stars ever” (Westwood One) prepares to take over the planet when DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) worldwide sensation /*MONSTERS VS. ALIENS*/ arrives on Earth on DVD and Blu-ray September 29, 2009. One of the highest-grossing films of the year, earning over $196 million at the domestic box office, “the year’s coolest comedy” (“Sixty Second Preview”) delighted kids and parents alike with its uproarious story and unforgettable characters. Now, for the first time ever, DreamWorks Animation has created a spectacular 3D companion story to continue the excitement and fun of the theatrical film. The Ginormous Double DVD Pack and Blu-ray both feature the world premiere of B.O.B.’S BIG BREAK, an all-new 3D adventure starring everyone’s favorite gelatinous hero and featuring the voice talents of Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett and Kiefer Sutherland.
The Ginormous Double DVD Pack and Blu-ray each include four pair of 3D glasses and have even more of what audiences loved with an all-new interactive game in 3D, three all-new music videos, three never-before-seen deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, filmmaker commentary and hours of activities, such as the Creature Feature Fun Factory and much, much more. Additionally, the Blu-ray boasts an exclusive Animators’ Corner and Trivia Track so viewers can learn everything they want to know about the characters and story. With something for the whole family to enjoy, the Double DVD Pack is the year’s best entertainment value with an anticipated retail price under $25. The film also will be available on a single-disc DVD.
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
When Susan Murphy (Reese Witherspoon) is unexpectedly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall and is instantly labeled a “Monster” named Ginormica. The military jumps into action, and she is captured by General W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland) and held in a secret government compound filled with other “monsters” like herself. This ragtag group consists of the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach P.H.D. (Hugh Laurie); the macho half-ape-half-fish The Missing Link (Will Arnett); the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B. (Seth Rogen); and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement time is cut short however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to save the world from imminent destruction.
Special Features:
B.O.B.’S BIG BREAK
B.O.B. (Seth Rogen) and his monstrous crew are on a mission to bust out of Area 52, the government’s top-secret holding cell. Led by mad-scientist Dr. Cockroach P.H.D. (Hugh Laurie) and macho amphibian The Missing Link (Will Arnett), the trio outwits grizzled General W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland) to make a triumphant escape…almost.
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS Ginormous Double DVD Pack delivers more 3D and 2D fun with a universe of bonus features including the following:
Disc 1:
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
_GINORMOUS EXTRAS_
• Modern Monster Movie Making
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
o Monger’s Plan
o War Room Turns on Monsters
o If You Don’t Know
• DWA Music Video Juke Box
• Filmmaker Commentary
• The Tech of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
• Top Secret Sneak Peek Files
o How To Train Your Dragon
o Shrek The Musical
o Kung Fu Panda World
o The Penguins of Madagascar
o Shrek The Halls
o Secrets of the Furious Five
o MONSTERS VS. ALIENS Activision Game trailer
Disc 2:
B.O.B.’S BIG BREAK (in Monster 3D & 2D)
_OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD FEATURES_
• Karaoke Music Party
o “More Than A Woman” with B.O.B.
o “Born To Be Wild” with Dr. Cockroach & Missing Link
o “I Will Survive” with Ginormica
• Paddle Ball Game in Monster 3D
• DVD-Rom
o MONSTERS VS. ALIENS Activision Game Demo with Cheat Code
o Creature Feature Fun Factory
o Kung Fu Panda World
o Shrekster.com
o MonstersVsAliens.com
o DreamWorksAnimation.com
The MONSTERS VS. ALIENS Blu-ray will be presented in 1080p high definition. The disc includes the following:
_GINORMOUS EXTRAS_
• B.O.B.’S BIG BREAK in Monster 3D & 2D
• Paddle Ball Game in Monster 3D
• Modern Monster Movie Making
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
o Monger’s Plan
o War Room Turns on Monsters
o If You Don’t Know
• DWA Music Video Juke Box
• Filmmaker Commentary
• The Tech of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
• Top Secret Sneak Peek Files
o How To Train Your Dragon (HD)
o Shrek The Musical (HD)
o Kung Fu Panda World (HD)
o The Penguins of Madagascar (HD)
o Shrek The Halls (HD)
o Secrets of the Furious Five
o MONSTERS VS. ALIENS Activision Game trailer
• Karaoke Music Party with:
o “More Than A Woman” with B.O.B.
o “Born To Be Wild” with Dr. Cockroach & Missing Link
o “I Will Survive” with Ginormica
• Exclusive Blu-ray Extras
o Animators’ Corner - Picture-In-Picture
o Trivia Track
A MONSTERS VS. ALIENS single-disc DVD will also be available and includes the following:
_GINORMOUS EXTRAS_
• Modern Monster Movie Making
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
o Monger’s Plan
o War Room Turns on Monsters
o If You Don’t Know
• DWA Music Video Juke Box
• Filmmaker Commentary
• The Tech of MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
• Top Secret Sneak Peek Files
o How To Train Your Dragon
o Shrek The Musical
o Kung Fu Panda World
o The Penguins of Madagascar
o Shrek The Halls
o Secrets of the Furious Five
o MONSTERS VS. ALIENS Activision Game trailer
THE DARK CRYSTAL on Blu-ray
Enjoy incredible footage from the Henson archives in THE DARK CRYSTAL. Travel back in time to the faraway planet of Thra. Cheer on the Mystics as they fight to overthrow the evil Skeksis and take back control of their planet! When Jen, a member of the Gelfling tribe, sets out to find the crystal's missing shard, his dangerous journey brings him face to face with monsters at every turn. Determined to restore peace to their planet, Jen will not back down! From the brilliant imagination of Jim Henson, this masterpiece of animation recounts the timeless tale of good vs. evil and has become a cult favorite of children and grown-ups alike!
Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
The World of "The Dark Crystal"
Reflections of the Dark Crystal: "Light on the Path of Creation"
Reflections of the Dark Crystal: "Shard of Illusion"
Commentary with Brian Froud
SkekTek’s Crystal Challenge Trivia Game
Storyboard Track
Original Skeksis Language - Test Scenes with Introduction by Screenwriter David Odell
The Book of Thra: Dark Crystal Collector
LABYRINTH on Blu-ray
Relive the magic! This newly restored, 2-disc anniversary edition of Jim Henson's LABYRINTH contains an all-new commentary and bonus features that are guaranteed to captivate as never before. David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly invite you into a magical universe where nothing is what it seems! Babysitting infant stepbrother Toby on a weekend night isn't young Sarah's (Connelly) idea of fun. Frustrated by his crying, she secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, LABYRINTH, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).
Special Features:
Making of Documentary: Inside The Labyrinth
Commentary with Brian Froud
Journey through the Labyrinth: "Kingdom of Characters"
Journey through the Labyrinth: "The Quest for Goblin City"
The Storytellers (PiP - Blu Ray Exclusive)
SNAKES ON A PLANE on Blu-ray
A red-eye 747 flight out of Hawaii swooshes along at 30,000 feet toward L.A. Suddenly, there’s no pilot. Later, there’s no co-pilot. There are, however, snakes – hissing, slithering, attacking, venomous snakes. A crime boss has subverted security and planted the reptiles in order to bring the plane down, along with a witness slated to testify against the mobster in L.A. Can the FBI agent (Samuel L. Jackson) guarding the witness rally what’s left of the crew and passengers for a reptilian rumble in the jumbo? Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy fight.
Special Features:
• Commentary by Samuel L. Jackson, Director David R. Ellis and Others
• Blooper Reel • Deleted Scenes
• Cobra Starship Snakes on a Plane (Bring It) Music Video, Including Behind-the-Scenes
• Featurette Gallery:
• Pure Venom: The Making of Snakes on a Plane
• Meet the Reptiles
• Visual Effects
• Snakes on a Blog
• Theatrical Trailers & TV Spots
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES on DVD and Blu-ray
A desperate solution for a troubled country: Lex Luthor for President with the Justice League in the service of the government. Only Batman and Superman stand against the new regime – and their disloyalty proves to be exactly what Luthor intended. Using their outcast status to instigate a scandal against Superman, Luthor finally tastes a victory in his vendetta against The Man of Steel. From Executive Producer Bruce Timm and voiced by the cast from both hit Batman and Superman animated TV series including Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Clancy Brown, this DC Universe Original Animated Movie of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’s popular graphic novel seethes with political intrigue and action-packed battles between heroes all believing they’re on the right side of the law.
Special Features:
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Animated Movie (runtime 75 min)
**Recent Releases**
HERO: SPECIAL EDITION on Blu-ray
Master filmmaker Quentin Tarantino presents HERO -- starring martial arts legend Jet Li in a visually stunning martial arts epic where a fearless warrior rises up to defy an empire and unite a nation.
With supernatural skill ... and no fear ... a nameless soldier (Jet Li) embarks on a mission of revenge against the fearsome army that massacred his people. Now, to achieve the justice he seeks, he must take on the empire's most ruthless assassins and reach the enemy he has sworn to defeat.
Acclaimed by critics and honored with numerous awards, HERO was nominated for both an Oscar® (2002 Best Foreign Language Film)and Golden Globe.
Special Features:
* Hero Defined (SD, 24 minutes)
* Inside the Action (SD, 14 minutes)
* Close-up of a Fight Scene (SD, 9 minutes)
* Storyboards (SD, 5 minutes)
* Soundtrack Promo (SD, 1 minute)
LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER on Blu-ray
Jackie Chan returns in one of his greatest roles in this action-comedy sequel to his 1978 Hong Kong blockbuster Drunken Master. Wong Fei Hong (Chan) is a young master of the martial art of "drunken boxing," in which fighters use alcohol to blind themselves to pain and release the angry brawler within; with the right amount of drinks under his belt, Hong can become a furious one-man army. Hong accompanies his father (Ti Lung) on a voyage to China, where they purchase a precious supply of ginseng. When Hong discovers thugs stealing from their luggage, he leaps into action to get their belongings back. Instead, he winds up with a box of valuable Chinese artifacts, which criminals are hoping to smuggle to England at a tremendous profit. Hong sets out to fight the gangsters and give the artifacts back to their rightful owners, but while his stepmother (Anita Mui) encourages him to use his drunken boxing skills, his father feels his boozy antics bring shame to the family.
Special Features:
* Promotional interview with Jackie Chan (SD, 7 minutes).
IRON MONKEY on Blu-ray
With sensational, nonstop martial arts excitment supplied by the acclaimed choreopgraher of THE MATRIX and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, IRON MONKEY is the spirited tale of a mysterious and mythical Chinese legend. In a desperate and unjust land, where government corruption rules the day, only one man -- known as the Iron Monkey -- has the courage to challenge the system and fight back. Under the shadow of night, in the silence before dawn, he fights to give hope to the poor and oppressed. Although no one knows his name or where he comes from, his heroism makes him a living legend to the people ... and a wanted man to the powers that be! Presented by Quentin Tarantino -- don't miss the exhilarating action adventure that critics everywhere have called one of the greatest martial arts films of all time! ~ via Fandango.
Special Features:
* Interviews with presenter Quentin Tarantino (SD, 9 minutes) and star Donnie Yen (SD, 6 minutes).
ZATOICHI on Blu-ray
Inventive and bold, this film shines with pristine picture and theater-quality sound on Blu-ray Disc(TM). In an empire ruled by fear, the people's only hope is the ultimate weapon: Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano) -- a blind, nomadic samurai whose sword has made him a hero and whose courage has made him a legend. Determined to help the desperate residents of a village, Zatoichi seeks justice through revenge. It's a wildly entertaining film that's even more brilliant in Blu-ray(TM) High Definition.
Special Features:
* A behind-the-scenes documentary (SD, 40 minutes)
* A collection of interviews (SD, 22 minutes) with cinematographer Katsumi Yanagishima, production designer Norihiro Isoda, costume supervisor Kazuko Kurosawa, and master swordsman Tatsumi Nikamoto.