TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES is now out on DVD and Blu-ray, along with some JUSTICE LEAGUE, HANNAH MONTANA in 3-D and a direct-to-video extension of the Scorpion King story.
TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES: The Complete First Season On DVD And Blu-ray
From Warner Home Video comes the first complete season of
TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES . The mother of all destiny. Her son, the future leader of mankind. Their protector, a terminator from the future. Together they must take back the future as Sarah Connor (300's Lena Headey) prepares her son to fight the war against machines determined to annihilate the human race. The clock is ticking. Can they stop Judgment Day? The man-vs.-machine tale that's thrilled millions gets a reboot in this series set after the events of TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY. Now the battlefield has shifted to the present. Will John Connor (HEROES' Thomas Dekker) seize his destiny? Will a cell phone salesman's chess program evolve into Skynet? Can the sweet but deadly cyborg (Summer Glau of FIREFLY) be trusted? Answers -- and the fight for the future -- are here and now.
With the compressed turnaround time for vfx shots on a television show, Lima says one of the key components they developed to assist their pipeline efficiency is the use of concept art throughout the pre-pro stages.
"We are very, very fortunate to have brilliant EPs," VFX Supervisor Jim Lima explained. "We had meetings very early on about how do we do this pipeline? I'm at the service of the script but also I am trying to enhance it. My philosophy is that vfx is an extension of editing except that it's not really a post-production process despite the fact that's where it kind of lives. It really occurs very early on in the treatment phase. Something I learned from [Steven] Spielberg is that the treatment phase is where you start dynamically visualizing the universe so that each element and continent on that planet fits into the logic of the story. Fortunately, I was able to get treatments very early [on this] so I would do concept art. I have been given the great gift of being able to draw and that's a huge communication tool in a visual medium. I am able to go, 'Here's your idea and here is where it can go.' When [the producers] come back and say is this feasible, because I am also a vfx supervisor I can say, yes, this is how we can do this and explain it to them. From there it's tons more meetings and I never think of it as TV. It's a medium that works on a smaller scale but it's the same thing as a film. So in concept meetings, I will throw out the most grandiose, epic shots and offer why and how it impacts the characters and the audience. I'm a visual storyteller so I work very closely with Josh [Friedman, exec producer and screenwriter] and the writers. From there it gets pared down and we look at the budget."
Zoic Studios in Los Angeles is the vfx house creating the visuals for the series and Lima says they've really tailored all of their software systems to help them manage the rigors of the series. "There has been a lot of software exploration. As an industry, we are all using the same tools, so we ask can we bend this to give us a little extra magic to what we are trying to do to the shot that will separate it from a straight out of the tube Maya render. A lot of it has to do with the classic stuff of lenses and lighting and that is where vfx will never lose its reality because at the end of the day you have to know those things and there's no short cut around that."
Episodes:
"Pilot"
"Gnothi Seauton"
"The Turk"
"Heavy Metal"
"Queen's Gambit"
"Dungeons and Dragons"
"The Demon Hand"
"Vick's Chip"
"What He Beheld"
Special Features Include:
--"Creating the CHRONICLES" featurette -- An all-encompassing look at the production process involved with every aspect of bringing TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES to television
--Commentaries -- Includes exec producers Josh Freidman and John Wirth and cast members Summer Glau and Thomas Dekker.
--Terminated Scenes (deleted scenes)
--Gag Reel
--Cast Audition Tapes -- Includes Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker and Richard T. Jones
--Storyboard Animatic -- Featuring the storyboard sequence of the school session where Cromartie attacks and John narrowly escapes
--Summer Glau Dance Rehearsal
--Extended Director's Cut of Episode "The Demon Hand"
HANNAH MONTANA AND MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS 3-D CONCERT On DVD And Blu-ray
The sold-out concert event that rocked the nation is bursting onto Disney DVD and Blu-ray Disc for a limited time only in a two-disc extended edition with a 3-D concert experience so real it's like having a backstage pass. "Make Some Noise" and get ready for the year's most eye-popping dance-in-your-seat music experience with HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT MOVIE, compete with 3-D glasses. For the first time ever Miley performs as herself and Hannah in the same epic show. With a special appearance by the Jonas Brothers and exclusive bonus features including a sing-along mode additional songs and a rare inside look into the rock star lives of Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers this movie sensation is "as close as you'll come to achieving the best of both worlds" (Elizabeth Weitzman NEW YORK DAILY NEWS).
Special Features Include;
--The Ultimate Personal Tour -- Hang Out with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers during the tour
--Sing-Along Mode
--Additional songs not seen in theaters
JANE AND THE DRAGON: A DRAGON'S TALE On DVD
In the ninth-century English kingdom of Kippernium, adolescent girls are typically raised to be ladies-in-waiting. But Jane isn't exactly the kingdom's typical 12-year-old girl. No, she has much higher aspirations -- life as a brave knight. So, when Jane rescues Prince Cuthbert from a not-so-ferocious dragon, she's granted special permission to begin training as a knight's apprentice with the gentle, wisecracking dragon by her side. And thus begins the fun-filled, flammable and memorable tales of the fair maiden, Jane Turnkey, and her best-friend, Dragon. And, on August 19, Shout! Factory catapults JANE AND THE DRAGON: A DRAGON'S TALE onto DVD for the first time in a single disc release featuring the first five episodes from this animated series adapted from Martin Baynton's popular children's books. Priced at $14.99, the DVD also features a cornucopia of extras fit for a king.
As seen on NBC, ION, Telemundo and qubo, JANE AND THE DRAGON translates the wonderful stories and whimsical illustrations of Baynton's books into an astonishing world of 3D computer-generated animation, using the latest in motion-capture technology and the award-winning talents of Weta Workshop (THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, KING KONG). And whether Jane and Dragon are searching the world for other elusive dragons, playing bandyball and rock, parchment and sword or getting into trouble throughout the kingdom, this series features lovable characters, engaging storylines, and wit reminiscent of the SHREK series.
Presented with both English and Spanish language tracks and in 5.1 Surround Sound, JANE AND THE DRAGON also features these extras:
--The Art Of Jane And The Dragon -- Narrated by Richard Taylor
--Original Concept Art
--Character Profiles
--Printable Coloring Page (PC/Mac Compatible)
THE SCORPION KING 2: RISE OF A WARRIOR On DVD And Blu-ray
See how the legend of the SCORPION KING began. When a young Mathayus witnesses his father's death at the hands of the king (UFC Champion Randy Couture), his quest for vengeance transforms him into the most feared warrior of the ancient world. From the director of RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION and HIGHLANDER comes a heroic adventure filled with heart-stopping action and thrilling visual effects, all from Universal Studios Home Ent.
DVD Special Features Include:
--The Making Of THE SCORPION KING 2: RISE OF A WARRIOR: An inside look at the making of the film, featuring interviews with director Russell Mulcahy and actors Randy Couture, Michael Copon, Karen David, Natalie Becker, and other key members of the cast and crew.
--Fight Like An Akkadian: Black Scorpion Training Camp: Stunt fight coordinator "Mo" Marais takes us through the intricacies of Black Scorpion warrior training and demonstrates some of the moves he used to create the true Akkadian-fighting style.
--Becoming Sargon: One-On-One With Randy Couture: Highly-celebrated Mixed Martial Arts legend Randy Couture discusses how he prepared for the role of the villainous King Sargon.
--On Set With The Beautiful Leading Ladies: Natalie Becker and Karen David discuss the physical demands of their roles and what it was like working with the guys as we watch them learning the choreography of their fight sequences.
--Creating A Whole New World: This piece explores both the specially constructed sets that bring the film to life and the amazing South African locations that give the film its authenticity.
--The Visual Effects Of THE SCORPION KING 2: RISE OF A WARRIOR: Through interviews with both the design and visual effects teams, supplemented with b-roll and pre-visualizations, we discover how movie magic created an alternate reality for the actors to play in (such as the Labyrinth and Thorn Forest) and produced exciting sequences like Sargon's transformation into an invisible scorpion.
--Deleted Scenes
--Gag Reel
Blu-ray Special Features Include:
--Interactive Timeline Bar: Track where you are while watching the film without interrupting your viewing experience
--My Scenes Bookmarks And Clips: Bookmark your favorite scenes while watching the movie
--Screensaver Features: Protect your television screen from image burn-in with this feature
TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED: Season One On DVD
In TRANSFORMERS Season One from Hasbro and Paramount Home Ent., the Autobots swear to protect the Allspark, their adopted new home Earth, and an 8-year old girl named Sari Sumdac, who not only becomes an honorary Autobot, but also a vital component of the team and the keeper of the key, which serves an emergency power supply and healing source for the Autobots. While Optimus Prime and his team of Autobots are out fighting Earth-bound super villains and basking in their newfound superhero status the real threat, the Decepticons, are out there regrouping, preparing to return with a vengeance and will stop at nothing to get their hands on the Allspark and the key.
Episode 4: "Home is Where the Spark is"
Episode 5: "Total Meltdown"
Episode 6: "Blast From the Past"
Episode 7: "Thrill of the Hunt"
Episode 8: "Nanosec"
Episode 9: "Along Came a Spider"
Episode 10: "Sound & Fury"
Episode 11: "Lost & Found"
Episode 12: "Survival of the Fittest"
Episode 13: "Headmaster"
Episode 14: "Nature Calls"
Episode 15: "Megatron Rising, Part One"
Episode 16: "Megatron Rising, Part Two"
Special Features Include:
--Season Two Photo Gallery Sneak Peek
WAYSIDE SCHOOL: Season One On DVD
Based on Louis Sachar's bestselling book series, from Nelvana and Paramount Home Ent., the comically absurd tales of students on the top floor of Wayside, a quirky grammar school that was accidentally built 30-stories high. Join the new kid Todd as he enters a school where cows roam free, class elections are decided by a game of dodgeball, and falling asleep in class is not only okay, but encouraged. As Todd's new teacher Miss Jewels is fond of saying, "students can learn so much when they are asleep." WAYSIDE SCHOOL is more than just another classroom comedy - it is a fantastic, defiant romp through the peculiar twist and turns of kid logic.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: Season One On DVD And Blu-ray
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl they have all used their unique powers to fight evil across the galaxy. These seven super heroes unite to become the Justice League. These 26 adventures, from Warner Home Video feature battles with favorite villains like Lex Luthor, Vandal Savage and sorceress Morgan Le Fey. Acts of justice include saving Aquaman from a coup and clearing Green Lantern's name in a charge of genocide. From the hit TV series, these triumphant tales of teamwork will enthrall and inspire.
Disc One:
"Secret Origins Part 1"
"Secret Origins Part 2"
"Secret Origins Part 3"
"In Blackest Night Part 1"
"In Blackest Night Part 2"
"The Enemy Below Part 1"
"The Enemy Below Part 2"
Disc Two
"Injustice For All Part 1"
"Injustice For All Part 2"
"Paradise Lost Part 1"
"Paradise Lost Part 2"
"War World Part 1"
"War World Part 2"
Disc Three
"The Brave and the Bold Part 1"
"The Brave and the Bold Part 2"
"Fury Part 1"
"Fury Part 2"
"Legends Part 1"
"Legends Part 2"
Disc Four
"A Knight With Shadows Part 1"
"A Knight With Shadows Part 2"
"Metamorphosis Part 1"
"Metamorphosis Part 2"
"The Savage Time Part 1"
"The Savage Time Part 2"
"The Savage Time Part 3"
Special Features Include:
--Audio Commentary: "The Enemy Below Part 2" with Bruce Timm -- Producer, James Tucker -- Producer, Glenn Murakami -- Producer, Rich Fogel -- Producer and Dan Riba -- Director
--Interviews: -- Inside JUSTICE LEAGUE: A private panel discussion takes place between Bruce Timm and his team of creators about JUSTICE LEAGUE with some special surprises
--The Look of The League: Bruce Timm explains character design of JUSTICE LEAGUE
--Storyboards: The Blueprint For Justice: The creative team of JUSTICE LEAGUE discuss storyboarding process
--Audio Commentary: "Legends, Part 2" with Bruce Timm -- Producer, James Tucker -- Producer, Glenn Murakami -- Producer, Rich Fogel -- Producer and Dan Riba -- Director
--Audio Commentary: "The Savage Time, Part 2" with Bruce Timm -- Producer, James Tucker -- Producer, Glenn Murakami -- Producer, Rich Fogel -- Producer and Dan Riba -- Director
--JUSTICE LEAGUE: The First Mission: Promo helping JUSTICE LEAGUE leap into action
