All four FAST AND THE FURIOUS films come out on Limited Edition DVDs and Blu-rays, plus the debut of DOLLHOUSE season one and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA season 4.5 on DVD/Blu-ray and the complete BSG series on DVD and Blu-ray.
2 FAST 2 FURIOUS (2003) on Limited Edition DVD and Blu-ray
The adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that began with THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS takes an explosive new turn in 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS! It's the nitro-fueled answer to the question: how fast do you like it? Now an ex-cop on the run, Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) hooks into outlaw street-racing. When the Feds strong-arm him back, O'Connor's no rules, win-or-die skills are unleashed against an international drug lord. With his velocity-addicted buddy (Tyrese) riding shotgun, and a drop-dead-gorgeous undercover agent (Eva Mendes) dialing up the heat, 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS accelerates the action into a desperate race for survival, justice... and mind-blowing, jaw-dropping speed, now on Limited Edition versions from Universal Studios Home Ent. and featuring vfx from BUF, Black Box Digital, CIS Hollywood, Gentle Giant Studios, Hammerhead Productions, Illusion Arts, Lidar Services, Pacific Title and Art Studio and Pixel Liberation Front.
Blu-ray Limited Edition Special Features Include:
-- Fast Females
-- Hollywood Impact
-- BD Live: Generic Download Center
-- BD Live: My Scenes Sharing
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Outtakes
-- Inside 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Actor Driving School
-- Tricking Out a Hot Import Car
-- Supercharge Stunts
-- Making Music with Ludacris
-- Actor Spotlights
-- Furious Afterburners
-- Feature Commentary with Director John Singleton
-- D-Box
-- Digital Copy of 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
DVD Limited Edition Special Features Include:
-- Choose Your Ride - Themed Menus
-- Spyder Exclusives - Spotlight on Tyrese Gibson
-- Spyder Exclusives - The Spyder
-- Spyder Exclusives - Driving School with Tyrese
-- Evo VII Exclusives - Spotlight on Paul Walker
-- Evo VII Exclusives - Mitsubishi Spot
-- Evo VII Exclusives - The Evo VII
-- Evo VII Exclusives - Driving School with Paul
-- S2000 Exclusives - Spotlight on Devon Aoki
-- S2000 Exclusives - The S2000
-- S2000 Exclusives - Driving School wiht Devon
-- Inside 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Feature Commentary with Director John Singleton
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Outtakes
-- Tricking Out a Hot Import Car
-- Supercharge Stunts
-- Making Music with Ludacris
-- Animated Anecdotes
-- Cast and Filmmakers
-- DVD-ROM Feature - Key to Unlock a New Car
-- Digital Copy of 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Fast Females
-- Hollywood Impact
-- Furious Afterburns
-- Preview: THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK Game Trailer
-- Preview: WANTED: The Game Trailer
-- Preview: BACK TO THE FUTURE Trilogy Trailer
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Season 4.5 on DVD and Blu-ray
All will be revealed as the thrilling final episodes of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 4.5 land on Blu-ray Hi-Def from Universal Studios Home Ent. From their initial action-packed battles against the Cylons to their desperate attempts to find the fabled 13th colony, Earth, a determined band of human survivors has captivated audiences everywhere with their desperate quest to find a new home for their dwindling numbers. Join them now as the fleet journeys into the furthest reaches of unexplored space and faces a crucial decision that will change all of their lives irrevocably. This epic 3 disc set contains over 10 hours of intense, groundbreaking bonus features, including extended episodes that never aired -- a must own addition to every fan's collection. Relive the anticipation, the action and the excitement of this groundbreaking series that is destined to live on as "one of the best dramas on TV." (TIME MAGAZINE)
In an exclusive chat with VFXWORLD, series re-inventor and exec producer Ronald D. Moore says of Visual Effects Supervisor Gary Hutzel's team, "Their contribution has been enormous. They provided a reality to the world that allowed the audience to suspend their disbelief and accept the dramatic story taking place with our characters. The vfx team convinced the audience that all of these things were really happening, that these Vipers really did fly around and someone had to go shoot them with real cameras. I feel like this was the first time that what happened outside a spaceship was as real as what was happening inside."
Read more at
VFXWorld.com .
Special Features Include:
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Episode Commentary with cast and Executive Producer and Director Ronald D. Moore
-- Ronald D. Moore's Podcast Commentaries
-- Featurettes
Blu-ray Special Features Include:
-- U Control on selected episodes
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: The Complete Series on DVD and Blu-ray
Now you can relive every action-packed moment of the epic story that ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY proclaims "Riveting"! Rejoin the fight to save the human race as a small but determined fleet quests for the fabled planet Earth while being hunted by their nemesis, the robot cylons. Presented uninterrupted and in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, experience the phenomenon from beginning to end, now on DVD and Blu-ray from Universal Studios Home Ent.
Read VFXWORLD's stories on various seasons
here ,
here ,
here and
here .
Special Features Include:
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Episode Commentary with cast and Executive Producer and Director Ronald D. Moore
-- Ronald D. Moore's Podcast Commentaries
-- Featurettes
Blu-ray Special Features Include:
-- U Control on selected episodes
DOLLHOUSE Season One on DVD and Blu-ray
From Joss Whedon, the creative mastermind behind BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and ANGEL, comes the provocative DOLLHOUSE, a sexy, suspenseful thriller starring the stunningly talented Eliza Dushku from Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent. As an "Active," the mysterious Echo (Dushku) serves as an unwitting agent of Dollhouse, an illegal underground organization that provides its elite clientele with programmable human beings. Actives receive personality imprints, allowing them to temporarily become anyone or anything -- the perfect burglar, lover, spy, or assassin. Now, with the FBI and her own shadowy past closing in, Echo must face a rogue Active who will stop at nothing to bring Dollhouse down -- forever.
In order to create the many lives of Echo and others, Whedon turned to frequent visual effects collaborator Zoic Studios to undertake that aspect of the production. Rocco Passionino, DOLLHOUSE's visual effects supervisor at Zoic, won an Emmy working with Whedon on FIREFLY and he says their long, successful relationship brought them together again.
Yet unlike Whedon's other, more sci-fi series, DOLLHOUSE has a much more naturalistic tone that belies a more subtle approach with the visual effects. "They wanted to keep it very grounded," Passionino explains. "They wanted to keep most of the effects that we were doing fairly invisible. They didn't want it to be in-your-face effects outside of the mind wipe. Most of our work is used to augment the show and make it look fairly seamless.
Read more at
VFXWorld.com .
Special Features Include:
-- Episode commentary by Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku and writers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen
-- Never-before-seen episode "Epitaph One" and original unaired pilot "Echo"
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Making-of Featurettes
DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION on DVD and Blu-ray
Based on one of the most popular Japanese manga series of all time, DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION follows a young warrior on an epic adventure to discover his destiny... and save the world from the forces of darkness, now on DVD and Blu-ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent.
For his eighteenth birthday, mild-mannered Goku is given a mystical Dragonball, one of only seven in existence, which combine to grant a perfect wish to whoever possesses them. But an ancient warlord named Piccolo has escaped eternal imprisonment and is on his own quest to gather the Dragonballs. Goku must enlist the help of his friends -- and the power of his evolving martial arts skills -- to defeat Piccolo before it's too late! Packed with spectacular visual effects, high-flying action, and over an hour of hard-hitting extras, DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Z-Edition brings the legend to life as never before!
Together director James Wong and Overall Visual Effects Supervisor Ariel Velasco-Shaw rounded up a small army of vfx vendors and artists to create the world envisioned on the manga page and anime for a whole new audience. VFXWORLD talked to three of the vendors: Hybride, Frantic Films VFX and CafeFX to discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of this mystical world.
Hybride of Quebec was brought on early in the pre-production phase to help establish the visual parameters of the film. Pierre Raymond, Hybride founder and CEO, explains their initial connection to the project after being hired by Fox's VFX Producer Janet Hamilton and VFX Supervisor Ariel Velasco-Shaw.
"Being involved in the very early stage of the production was great for Hybride because it gave us the chance to work on R&D in order to develop the look of the different energy blasts such as Ki, Shadow Crane and Ma Fu Ba," Raymond offers. "We also worked on look development for the Dragon Temple, as well as for the Flying Hummer and Lord Piccolo's dirigible. Having our staff on-stage working closely with Ariel Velasco-Shaw alongside director James Wong, was very helpful in achieving our goal."
Read more at
VFXWorld.com .
Special Features Include:
-- Eight Deleted Scenes
-- Goku's Workout: Stunt Work featurette
-- Fox Movie Channel Presents: Making a Scene
-- Fox Movie channel Presents Life After Film School with Justin Chatwin
-- Dragonball Gag Reel
-- Brian Anthony "Worked Up" Music Video
Blu-ray Also Includes:
-- Goku's Quest -- BD Exclusive scavenger hunt game
FAST & FURIOUS (2009) on DVD and Blu-ray
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam with Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed, now out from Universal Studios Home Ent. From big rig heists to precision tunnel crawls, FAST & FURIOUS takes you back into the high-octane world to race through crowded city streets and across international lines!
Obviously director Justin Lin (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT) found the right balance of cars, characters and eye-popping visuals that translated into box office supremacy.
And in achieving those visuals that couldn't be created practically, Lin went to some of the best vfx houses to craft sequences that pushed the limits of what the franchise has been able to achieve on film. Visual Effects Supervisor, Michael J. Wassel, a veteran of all previous Fast films, commissioned more than eight separate vendors to create elements or sequences for the film. VFXWorld spoke with two: Rhythm & Hues Studios and Double Negative (dNeg) about what they were able to achieve.
Read more of the interviews at
VFXWorld.com .
DVD Special Features Include:
-- Gag Reel
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
Special Edition DVD Special Features Include:
-- Gag Reel
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
-- Digital Copy of Fast & Furious (Expires 07/31/2010)
-- Under the Hood - Muscle Cars
-- Under the Hood - Imports
-- Getting the Gang Back Together
-- Driving School with Vin Diesel
-- Shooting the Big Rig Heist
-- Races and Chases
-- High Octane Action: The Stunts
-- South of the Border: Filming in Mexico
-- Los Bandoleros
-- "Blanco" Music Video by Pitbull Featuring Pharrell
-- Trailers
Blu-ray Special Features Include:
-- U Control - Take Control
-- U Control - Virtual Car Garage and Tech Specs
-- Gag Reel
-- Under the Hood - Muscle Cars
-- Under the Hood - Imports
-- Getting the Gang Back Together
-- Driving School with Vin Diesel
-- Shooting the Big Rig Heist
-- Races and Chases
-- High Octane Action: The Stunts
-- South of the Border: Filming in Mexico
-- Fast & Furious Video Mash-Up
-- Los Bandoleros
-- Trailers
-- "Blanco" Music Video by Pitbull Featuring Pharrell
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
-- D-Box Motion Control
-- BD Live - Video Mash-Up
-- BD Live - My Scenes Sharing
-- BD Live - My Chat
-- BD Live - My Commentary
-- Digital Copy of FAST & FURIOUS
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (2001) on Limited Edition DVD and Blu-ray
They've got the adrenaline rush and the mean machines, but most of all, they've got the extreme need for speed. On the turbo-charged streets of Los Angeles, every night is a championship race. With nitro-boosted fury, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), rules the road turning all his challengers into dust. He and his rival, Johnny Tran (Rick Yune) are the boldest, the baddest and the best. But now, there's new rage on the road. They know he's tough, they know he's fast, but what they don't know is that he's a speed demon detective (Paul Walker) with enough drive and determination to come out the winner. With intense full-throttle action, awesome high-speed stunts, and full-on pedal to the metal intensity, this fast and furious assault puts you in the driver's seat and dares you to exceed all limits, now out from Universal Studios Home Ent. and featuring vfx from Digiscope, Hammerhead Productions and Illusion Arts.
Blu-ray Limited Edition Special Features Include:
-- Dom's Charger
-- Quarter Mile at a Time
-- THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Video Mash-Up
-- BD Live: Custom Download Center
-- BD Live: Custom My Scenes Sharing
-- BD Live: Custom THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Video Mash-Up
-- Deleted Scenes with Optional Director Commentary
-- Hot Off the Street
-- Paul Walker Public Service Announcement
-- The Making of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
-- More Than Furious
-- Tricking Out a Hot Import Car
-- Turbo Charged Prelude to 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Multiple Camera Angles - Stunt Sequence
-- Movie Magic Interactive -Special Effects
-- Featurette on Editing for MPAA
-- Visual Effects Montage
-- Storyboards-to-Final Feature Comparison
-- Sneak Peek at 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Ja Rule "Furious" Music Video
-- Cadillac Tah "PV City Anthem" Music Video
-- Saliva "Click Click Boom" Music Video
-- FAST AND FURIOUS Soundtrack Spot
-- Theatrical Trailer
-- Speed News Wrap
-- Crash Montage
-- Feature Commentary with Director Rob Cohen
-- D-Box
-- Digital Copy of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
DVD Limited Edition Special Features:
-- The Making of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
-- Feature Commentary with Director Rob Cohen
-- Racer X: The Article That Inspired The Movie
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Multiple Camera Angle - Stunt Sequence
-- Movie Magic Interactive - Special Effects
-- Featurette on Editing for the Motion Picture Association of America
-- Visual Effects Montage
-- Storyboards-To-Final Feature Comparison
-- Ja Rule "Furious" Music Video
-- Caddillac Tah "POV City Anthem" Music Video
-- Saliva "Click Click Boom" Music Video
-- Music Highlights
-- Theatrical Trailer
-- Production Notes
-- Cast and Filmmakers
-- DVD-ROM Features
-- Recommendations
-- DVD Newsletter
-- THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Special Offers
-- Digital Copy of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
-- Dom's Charger
-- Quarter Mile at a Time
-- Turbo Charged Prelude to 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Sneak Peek at 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Tricking Out a Hot Import Car
-- Hot Off the Street
-- More Than Furious
-- Paul Walker Public Service Announcement
-- Preview: THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK Game Trailer
-- Preview: WANTED: the Game Trailer
-- Preview: BACK TO THE FUTURE Trilogy Trailer
DVD Collector's Edition Special Features Include:
-- The Making of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
-- Feature Commentary with Director Rob Cohen
-- Racer X: The Article That Inspired The Movie
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Multiple Camera Angle Stunt Sequence
-- Movie Magic Interactive Special Effects
-- Featurette on Editing for the Motion Picture Association of America
-- Visual Effects Montage
-- Music Video
-- Music Highlights
-- Theatrical Trailer
-- Production Notes
-- Cast and Filmmakers
-- DVD-ROM Features
-- Recommendations
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT (2006) on Limited Edition DVD and Blu-ray
From the makers of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS and 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS comes the highest-octane installment of the hit movie franchise built for speed, now out from Universal Studios Home Ent. When convicted street racer Sean Boswell (Lucas Black) tries to start a new life on the other side of the world, his obsession with racing sets him on a collision course with the Japanese underworld. To survive, he will have to master drifting -- a new style of racing where tricked-out cars slide through hairpin turns, defying gravity and death for the ultimate road rush. With more mind-blowing stunts and heart-pounding racing sequences than ever, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT puts you in the driver's seat. "Strap yourself in for a blistering, super-charged ride."-- Pete Hammond, MAXIM.
Some 10 vendors contributed to the project, including (in credits order): Hammerhead (206 shots), Rhythm & Hues (123), CIS Hollywood (172), CafeFX (58), Pacific Title (164), Illusion Arts (4), Industrial Light & Magic (2), Perpetual Motion Picture (19), Digital Backlot (4) and Hatch FX, who provided cliff extensions and a complete environment for six Hammerhead shots. Sixteen additional shots were created by Proof, the previsualization unit set up by overall visual effects supervisor Mike Wassel, a veteran of the first two movies. Coordinating the project with Wassel were vfx producer Crystal Dowd and vfx plate producer Lynn Gephart.
Read more at
VFXWorld.com .
Blu-ray Limited Edition Special Features Include:
-- Making of the Fast Franchise
-- Drift: A Sideway Craze
-- Custom Made Drifter
-- BD Live: Generic Download Center
-- BD Live: My Scenes Sharing
-- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary with Director Justin Lin
-- Drifting School
-- Cast Cam
-- The Big Breakdown: Han's Last Ride
-- Tricked Out to Drift
-- Welcome to Drifting
-- The Real Drift King
-- The Japanese Way
-- Don Omar "Conteo" Music Video
-- Far East Movement "Round Round" Music Video
-- Fast 3 Soundtrack Spot
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
-- D-Box
-- Digital Copy of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT
DVD Limited Edition Special Features Include:
-- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Justin Lin
-- Drifting School
-- Cast Cam
-- The Big Breakdown: Han's Last Ride
-- Tricked Out to Drift
-- The Real Drift King
-- The Japanese Way
-- Don Omar "Conteo" Music Video
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
-- Digtial Copy of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
-- Making of The Fast Franchise
-- Drift: A Sideways Craze
-- Preview: The Chronicles of Riddick Game Trailer
-- Preview: Wanted: The Game Trailer
-- Preview: Back To The Future Trilogy Trailer
THE FAST AND FURIOUS 4-Movie Collection on DVD
THE FAST & FURIOUS 4-Movie Collection is filled with heart-pounding racing sequences, mind-blowing stunts and intense full-throttled action. It all begins with THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS in Los Angeles, where an undercover cop infiltrates the city's infamous street racing subculture. Adventure takes an explosive turn with 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS in Miami as an ex-cop is forced to bring down an international drug lord. Halfway across the world, American street racing collides with the Japanese underworld in THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT. Then, from big rig heists to precision tunnel crawls, FAST & FURIOUS takes you back into the high-octane world to race through crowded city streets and across international lines, all from Universal Studios Home Ent.
Special Features Include:
-- The Making of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
-- Feature Commentary with Director Rob Cohen
-- Racer X: The Article That Inspired The Movie
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Multiple Camera Angle: Stunt Sequence
-- Movie Magic Interactive: Special Effects
-- Featurette on Editing for the Motion Picture Association of America
-- Visual Effects Montage
-- Music Videos
-- Music Highlights
-- Theatrical Trailer
-- Production Notes
-- Cast and Filmmakers
-- DVD-ROM Features
-- Recommendations
-- Inside 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Feature Commentary with Director John Singleton
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Outtakes
-- Tricking Out a Hot Import Car
-- Supercharged Stunts
-- Making Music with Ludacris
-- Animated Anecdotes
-- THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Video Game Trailer
-- Cast and Filmmakers
-- DVD-ROM Features
-- Brian's Car Exclusives: Spotlight on Paul Walker
-- Brian's Car Exclusives: The Ride
-- Brian's Car Exclusives: Driving School
-- Roman's Car Exclusives: Spotlight on Tyrese
-- Roman's Car Exclusives: The Ride
-- Roman's Car Exclusives: Driving School
-- Suki's Car Exclusives: Spotlight on Devon Aoki
-- Suki's Car Exclusives: The Ride
-- Suki's Car Exclusives: Driving School
-- Turbo-Charged Prelude for 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
-- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Justin Lin
-- Gag Reel
-- Drifting School
-- Cast Cam
-- The Big Breakdown: Han's Last Ride
-- Tricked Out to Drift
-- The Real Drift King
-- The Japanese Way
-- Don Omar "Conteo" Music Video
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
-- Gag Reel
-- Feature Commentary with Director Justin Lin
GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT on DVD and Blu-ray
A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the illuminated hero's first-ever full-length animated film will be distributed by Warner Home Video. GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT will be available as a special edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray Hi-Def for $24.98 (SRP) and $29.99 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP).
Christopher Meloni (LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT) fills the lead voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. Meloni is joined by Victor Garber (MILK, TITANIC) as the villainous Sinestro, Tricia Helfer (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) as the voice of Boodikka, and Michael Madsen (RESERVOIR DOGS) as Kilowog.
Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT is helmed by director Lauren Montgomery (WONDER WOMAN, SUPERMAN DOOMSDAY) and scripted by Alan Burnett (THE BATMAN).
GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his new-found powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe.
Special Features Include:
-- Three hours of extra content
-- Two featurettes
-- Digital copy download
-- Two episodes of JUSTICE LEAGUE picked by Bruce Timm
Blu-Ray versions will include all the extras as the two-disc special edition as well as an additional two episodes of JUSTICE LEAGUE picked Timm.
KNIGHT RIDER Season One on DVD
An iconic TV classic is back and better than ever in the reinvented, updated, and super-charged KNIGHT RIDER Season One, on DVD from Universal Studios Home Ent. From executive producers Doug Liman (THE BOURNE IDENTITY franchise), David Bartis (The O.C.) and Glen Larson (Battlestar Galactica) comes this action-packed series about the coolest car ever created, K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Three Thousand), that's equipped with artificial intelligence capable of hacking into any computer, the weapons system of a jet fighter, and incredible custom body technology that allows it to transform into other vehicles. Relive every Season One episode as an elite team of crime-fighters work with K.I.T.T. to track down elusive, high-tech villains. Presented in uninterrupted Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, you won't want to miss this fast-paced ride to the wild side!
In the TV movie, KITT actually used nanotechnology to change colors and temporarily morph into other cars. But a lot has changed in only a few months as KNIGHT RIDER has developed into a series. New showrunner and executive producer Gary Scott Thompson (LAS VEGAS) says it's his goal to push the envelope of television visual effects in order to meet the expectations of today's savvy audience.
"Here's the thing about features," Thompson explains. "Once they do [something] for the first time in the feature world, even if it costs $100 million, the price then comes down [everywhere] because it's digital and CG. So if I see something, I immediately turn to our guys and ask how it was done and how we can replicate it or do our version of it. It's all moving so quickly what with Xbox and PS3 in gaming and then IRON MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK in movies. And I think the bigger thing is what's being seen by audiences. They are too sophisticated now and if we don't do at least what those other mediums are doing and take it to the next level, I don't think we will make it. So that was the idea with us using nanotechnology as KITT transforms and morphs into other cars. We are finding ways to afford to do it and make it work because we aren't limitless with the visual effects."
Read more at
VFXWorld.com .
Special Features Include:
-- The Icon Reborn
-- K.I.T.T. - From 2000 to 3000
-- Knight Rider - Legacy
-- Knight Rider 2008 Commentary With Executive Producer David Bartis and Stars Justin Bruening & Deanna Russo
THE MIDDLEMAN: The Complete Series on DVD
Think your life has its wild twists and turns? You've got nothing comparable to the adventurous life of twenty-two year-old aspiring artist Wendy Watson as she gets recruited by a top secret agency to fight comic book-esque criminals under the guidance of her straight-laced boss who introduces himself only as... The Middleman. Based on the series of graphic novels by acclaimed writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach (LOST, MEDIUM), the popular ABC Family live-action television series THE MIDDLEMAN star Matt Keeslar (SNOWGLOBE), Natalie Morales (CSI: MIAMI), Mary Pat Gleason (I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY), Brit Morgan (BURIED ALIVE) and Jake Smollett (EVE'S BAYOU).
Fans of this ABC Family cult hit series can relive the thrilling adventures of "The Middleman" when Shout! Factory, in partnership with ABC Family, present THE MIDDLEMAN: THE COMPLETE SERIES DVD box set on July 28, 2009. Fans can further immerse themselves in the world of "The Middleman" and his trusty side-kick Wendy Watson when "The Middleman -- The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse" collector's comic book edition will be released this July from Viper Comics and ABC Family.
Available for the first time, THE MIDDLEMAN: The Complete Series DVD box set contains all 12 one-hour episodes that aired on ABC Family in 2008 and a payload of DVD bonus content featuring commentaries with the cast and crew, alternate scenes, web featurettes, gag reel, audition footage, The Complete "The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome" table read, a gallery of THE MIDDLEMAN photography by Ralph King and much more! This collectible 4-DVD box set is priced to own at $34.99.
Wendy Watson (Morales) is a 22 year-old art school graduate struggling to stay afloat at a series of dead-end temp jobs. Living with her best friend Lacey (Morgan) in an illegal sublet, she bounces from one temp job to another while putting off her mother's daily inquiries to what she is going to do with her life. Wendy's situation takes a drastic turn during a routine temp assignment at a local laboratory, when she is thrown into the middle of a science experiment gone very wrong. If that weren't bizarre enough, who should show up to save the day, but a mysterious, handsome, gun-wielding stranger who introduces himself only as... The Middleman (Keeslar).
A covert hero who neutralizes any and all danger humanity isn't prepared to face, the milk-drinking, ruggedly wholesome Middleman is in need of a new colleague in the fight against other worldly evil and thinks Wendy fits the bill. After a series of tests that would make grown astronauts weep and Navy Seals beg for mercy, Wendy is quickly recruited into the Middleman ranks. Now fighting criminals under the guidance of her new boss, Wendy tries to wrap her head around the new and definitely weird situation. But the Middleman is sure she can do the job, even though his cranky robot assistant Ida (Gleason) questions his choice every step of the way.
Soon Wendy learns that there will always be another unfathomable peril to contain and focusing on her painting will be easier said than done. Now living a double life, can Wendy balance an undercover Middleman mission with "normal" life in her offbeat circle of artist friends?
THE MIDDLEMAN is created and executive produced by Javier Grillo-Marxuach, based on his Viper Comics Graphic Novels (illustrated by Les McClaine). The series is also executive produced by John Ziffren and co-executive produced by Hans Beimler. Director Jeremiah Chechik acts as supervising producer, with producer Jon Pare, co-producer Sarah Watson and supervising producer Tracey Stern. VFX work is by Zoic Studios.
THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN: The Complete First Season on DVD
The web-slinging Marvel Super Hero returns to DVD July 28 with the release of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN: The Complete First Season. This collection contains all 13 episodes from the first season of the hit television show that was executive produced by Stan Lee, Craig Kyle, Eric S. Rollman and produced by Greg Weisman, Victor Cook and Diane A. Crea. The animated network series is re-launching in 2009 on Disney's XD network, after its successful run on CW network drawing more than 1.8 million viewers weekly. This two-disc DVD set contains nearly five hours of exciting content, includes two all-new "spectacular" behind-the-scenes featurettes and a "Play All Episodes" function for a seamless Spidey viewing experience. The DVD set will be available for $28.96 SRP.
Helping to make these hip and exciting adventures come to life are the voices of Josh Keaton (TV's BEN 10); Lacey Chabert (MEAN GIRLS); Josh LeBar (TV's ENTOURAGE); Vanessa Marshall (TV's UNDERFIST: HALLOWEEN BASH); Deborah Strang (EAGLE EYE); Alanna Ubach (STILL WAITING); James Arnold Taylor (TV's STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS); Daran Norris (BOLT); and Grey Delisle (TV's THE REPLACEMENTS).
Witness the Spider-Man mythology from the beginning. Peter Parker is not your typical high school junior. This 16-year-old returns to school after an exciting summer of nabbing common criminals with his new found powers as "Spider-Man". Now Peter Parker must conceal his real identity and deal with the multi-leveled pressures of teenage life, while, at the same time, battling bigger, badder super villians in the real world!
Broadcast Year: 2008 (CW -- KidsWB!), 2009 (Disney XD)
Episodes Included in this Volume:
-- Episode 101: "Survival of the Fittest"
-- Episode 102: "Interactions"
-- Episode 103: "Natural Selections"
-- Episode 104: "Market Forces"
-- Episode 105: "Competition"
-- Episode 106: "The Invisible Hand"
-- Episode 107: "Catalysts"
-- Episode 108: "Reaction"
-- Episode 109: "The Uncertainty Principle"
-- Episode 110: "Persona"
-- Episode 111: "Group Therapy"
-- Episode 112: "Intervention"
-- Episode 113: "Nature vs. Nurture"
DVD Special Features Include:
-- All-New Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: Stylizing Spidey -- A look at the creative decisions made in creating the show, stylizing the look and storylines.
-- All-New Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: Spider-Man Re-Animated -- A behind the scenes look at making the animated series, featuring interviews with the cast and crew.
-- "Play All Episodes" Option
SUPER WHY! JACK AND THE BEANSTALK & OTHER FAIRYTALE ADVENTURES on DVD
SUPER WHY! is the first superhero property that helps children 3-6 learn to read through interactive story adventures. Each episode begins behind the bookshelves in the library in a magical neighborhood where all fairytale characters live, including four main fairytale friends, Wyatt, Red Riding Hood, Princess Pee and Pig. One of the main characters experiences a preschool relatable social emotional problem. In each show, when there's a question at hand, the fairytale friends rush to the Book Club to look... in a book! Whyatt and friends, including the viewer, transform into a team of literacy-powered super heroes to solve the problem and save the day all while teaching children core reading fundamentals, now on DVD from Paramount Home Ent.
Special Features Include:
-- Interactive Games
-- Music videos
-- Coloring Pages
