For April 28, home vid releases include AMERICAN DAD! Volume 4, season one of STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES on Blu-ray, THE DA VINCI CODE on Blu-ray, a Looney Tunes cartoon collection, two volumes of X-MEN the animated series on DVD and more.
AMERICAN DAD! Vol. 4 on DVD
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment raises the comedy alert to red as AMERICAN DAD Volume Four arrives on DVD April 28. From the hilarious minds of FAMILY GUY producers Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, AMERICAN DAD follows the outrageous animated adventures of ultra-conservative CIA agent Stan Smith, a man who will stop at nothing to protect his family and country from the dangers of international terrorism and left-wing America.
Whether it be joining the party during Spring Break or developing an addiction to the electronic game "Simon," Stan always makes it through with the support of his family; beloved wife Francine, outspoken daughter Hayley, socially awkward son Steve, alcoholic extra-terrestrial Roger and German-speaking goldfish Klaus. Featuring outrageous guest appearances from Elizabeth Banks, J.K. Simmons, David Koechner, Patrick Stewart and Amanda Seyfried, AMERICAN DAD Volume Four features 14 episodes from seasons three and four along with commentaries from cast and crew members, deleted scenes and more. The DVD set is available for the suggested retail price of $39.98 US/$54.98 Canada. Prebook is April 1.
Disc One:
-- "Tearjerker" (Uncensored Audio, Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Albert Calleros, Eli Dolleman, Jonathan Fener and Nahnatchka Khan)
-- "Oedipal Panties" (Uncensored Audio, Commentary by Jordan Blum, Rodney Clouden, Eli Dolleman, Kevin Thresher and Brent Woods)
-- "Widowmaker" (Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Bob Bowen, Keith Heisler and John O'Day)
-- "Red October Sky" (Commentary by Jordan Blum, Eli Dolleman, Shawn Ian Kerkhoff, Mike Mayfield and Brent Woods)
-- "Office Spaceman" (Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Chris Bennett, Laura McCreary and Brent Woods)
Disc Two:
-- "Stanny Slickers Ii: The Legend Of Ollie's Gold" (Seamless branching, Unrated audio,
Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Pam Cooke, Erik Sommers and Jansen Yee)
-- "Spring Break-Up" (Seamless branching, Uncensored Audio, Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Albert Calleros, Jonathan Fener and Nahnatchka Khan)
-- "1600 Candles" (Seamless branching, Uncensored Audio, Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Caleb Meurer, Kenny Schwartz and Rick Wiener)
-- "The One That Got Away" (Commentary by Mike Barker, Jennifer Graves, Chris McKenna, Walter Murphy and Tim Parsons)
-- "One Little Word" (Commentary by Albert Acosta, Glenn Buswell, Rodney Clouden, Kevin Thresher and Andria Venturina)
Disc Three:
-- "Choosey Wives Choose Smith" (Uncensored Audio, Unrated audio, Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Alex Cuthbertson, Joe Daniello, Matt Fusfeld and Shawn Murray)
-- "Escape From Pearl Bailey" (Commentary by Bob Bowen, Valerie Fletcher, John O'Day, Kevin Thresher and Brent Woods)
-- Pulling Double Booty" (Seamless branching, Uncensored Audio, Commentary by Mike Barker, John Aoshima, Brian Boyle, Josue Cervantes and Rachael MacFarlane)
-- "The Most Adequate Christmas Ever" (Seamless branching, Uncensored Audio, Commentary by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, John Aoshima, Kurt Dumas, Chris McKenna and Matt McKenna)
Special Features Also Include:
-- Deleted Scenes
-- Tearjerker: And Then They Will Cry
-- Roger: Master of Disguise
-- Comic-Con (2008)
THE DA VINCI CODE Blu-ray
The mystery unfolds in a whole new way April 28, 2009 when
THE DA VINCI CODE : Extended Cut debuts on Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The two-disc extended cut will be available for the first time ever, exclusively on Blu-ray High-Def, for the suggested retail price of $38.96. THE DA VINCI CODE: Extended Cut includes 28 minutes of never-before-seen footage and all-new special features including the interactive picture-in-picture (I-PiP) feature "Unlocking the Code" which allows viewers to toggle between eight simultaneous I-PiP streams, new commentary on select scenes with director Ron Howard, and advanced BD-Live features including cinechat in-movie chat and access to $10.00 e-Movie Cash for ANGELS & DEMONS. The set also includes an exclusive high-def first look at Angels & Demons (in theaters May 15) -- a complete five minute scene from the upcoming film introduced by Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (Best Director, A BEAUTIFUL MIND, 2002) and available only on THE DA VINCI CODE: Extended Cut Blu-ray.
THE DA VINCI CODE: Extended Cut, based on Dan Brown's acclaimed best-seller, is from Oscar-winning creative team of director Ron Howard, producers Brian Grazer and John Calley; and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman. Howard directs a stellar international cast, including two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Best Actor, PHILADELPHIA, 1994; Best Actor, FORREST GUMP, 1995); Audrey Tautou (AMELIE, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS); Sir Ian McKellen (THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy); Alfred Molina (SPIDER-MAN 2, FRIDA); Paul Bettany (A BEAUTIFUL MIND) and Jean Reno (THE PROFESSIONAL).
In THE DA VINCI CODE, noted symbologist Professor Robert Langdon (Hanks) and police cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Tautou) go on a heart-racing quest to unearth the biggest cover-up in human history. Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum late one night where a curator has been murdered, leaving behind a mysterious trail of symbols and clues. With his own survival at stake, Langdon unveils a series of stunning secrets hidden in the artwork of Leonardo Da Vinci, all leading to a covert society dedicated to guarding an ancient secret that has remained hidden for 2000 years. The pair set off on a frantic quest through Paris, London and Scotland, collecting clues as they desperately attempt to crack the code and reveal secrets that will shake the very foundations of mankind.
Director Ron Howard employed a wide range of subtle visual effects in the film, mandating the various houses (which also included The Senate, Brainstorm Digital and Double Negative), through overall visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton, to bring it to life without overly focusing on any of the CGI sequences used to support the narrative. Mark Breakspear, visual effect supervisor at Rainmaker UK, explains, "It's not your typical visual effects movie. There are visual effects in it, but they are so woven into the story that they come and go." Gary Brozenich, visual effects supervisor at MPC, concurs, adding, "I think the real challenge was that it was broken down into very challenging large shots, but very small sequences. Sometimes they were so complex, you would build a pipeline around them for a large show, where here we were creating huge numbers of assets and strong rendering pipelines around single shots."
Special Features Include:
-- BD-Live Features:
* cinechat – In-movie chat feature allows you to create "virtual" viewing parties and chat with your friends through your internet-connected Blu-ray player.
* $10 e-Movie Cash for ANGELS AND DEMONS, accessed instantly via BD-Live (also available by mail for those without BD-Live)
-- Exclusive First Look at ANGELS & DEMONS, introduced by Ron Howard, featuring five minutes of footage from the film that can only be seen on THE DA VINCI CODE: Extended Cut Blu-ray.
-- Unlocking the Code: This interactive picture-in-picture (I-PIP) feature will let you discover even more about THE DA VINCI CODE as you are enjoying the film. Once inside Unlocking the Code, keep an eye on the symbols that appear across the top of the screen. Each gives you direct access to trivia and behind the scenes footage that you can unlock with a click of your remote. When a symbol illuminates, just select it and hit enter to play. The footage, facts or images you've selected will appear on screen as you continue to watch the film.
-- I-PiP streams include:
* Interviews: Hear from filmmakers and the cast.
* B-roll: Observe the action behind the scenes.
* Prop Talk: Learn how props were made.
* Storyboards: See the shots before the cameras rolled.
* Photos: Behind the scenes snapshots.
* Location Trivia: Fun facts about the different locations in the film.
* Langdon's Journey: Keep track of Langdon's every move.
* Symbols & Codes: discover hidden symbols put in place by filmmakers, including the enlightening Alchemic Journeys of our two heroes.
-- New Commentary on Selected Scenes with Ron Howard
-- Featurettes:
* First Day on the Set with Ron Howard
* The Filmmakers' Journey Part 1
* The Filmmakers' Journey Part 2
* A Discussion With Dan Brown
* A Portrait of Langdon
* The Codes of THE DA VINCI CODE
* Who is Sophie Neveu?
* The Music of THE DA VINCI CODE
* Unusual Suspects
* Book To Screen
* Magical Places
* The Da Vinci Props
* Close-up on Mona Lisa
* The Da Vinci Sets
* Re-creating Works of Art
* Scoring THE DA VINCI CODE
* The Visual Effects World of THE DA VINCI CODE
HOTEL FOR DOGS on DVD and Blu-ray
HOTEL FOR DOGS is a funny, heartwarming and inspiring animal adventure that shows how far love and imagination can take you, from Paramount Home Ent. When 16-year old, Andi (Roberts), and her younger brother Bruce (Austin) find themselves in a foster home with a strict "no pets" policy, they must use their quick wit to find a new home for their dog, Friday. When they stumble into an abandoned hotel, they realize they can transform it into the perfect place for Friday -- as well as all the strays in the city. What began as a crusade to save one dog becomes a high stakes adventure as everyone around them starts to wonder -- who let the dogs in.
The film features vfx from Animal Makers and Proof.
Special Features Include:
-- Commentary by Thor Freudenthal, Ewan "Jack" Leslie, Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin
-- A Home For Everyone: The Making Of HOTEL FOR DOGS
-- That's The Coolest Thing I've Ever Seen!
-- K-9 Casting
-- Deleted Scenes: At The Pawn Shop, Checks and Labor, Lois Singing, Photographic Memory, Sean & Jeanine, Vacation and Rescue, Theme Song, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff
-- Theatrical Trailer #2
-- Photo Galleries: On-Set Action, Puppy Love, Dog People
Looney Tunes Movie Collection: LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE on DVD
Cartoon lovers would be crazy not to get their hands on a copy of the upcoming feature-length release, LOONEY TUNES MOVIE COLLECTION: LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE, which will be released by Warner Home Video April 28, 2009. This rollicking and rambunctious collection features a compilation of classic LOONEY TUNES shorts produced by legendary animator, Friz Freleng. This single-disc release will retail for $14.98 SRP.
The ear-repressible Bugs Bunny takes top billing in this rip-roaring feature-length romp through some of the wackiest cartoon classics. Titled LOONEY TUNES MOVIE COLLECTION: LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE, this film is cleverly comprised of three parts. Each portion features a collection of legendary cartoon shorts that are bridged with new material. The result is a seamless work of animated art that takes viewers on a mad cap adventure a la LOONEY TUNES style!
Part one has Yosemite Sam strike a deal with the devil! Sam winds up in hell, after he's crushed by a safe dropped by Bugs Bunny. Satan however agrees to give Sam another chance so long as he brings someone else to take his place. Sam sets his sights on none other than his nemesis, that "wascally wabbit" and sets out for his capture.
Part two finds Bugs Bunny as a police detective who goes after a group of gangsters. The mobsters, Rocky and Mugsy, who in spite of being captured numerous times, always manage to free themselves due to some loophole in the law. Rocky and Mugsy capture Daffy Duck after they learn he's capable of laying golden eggs and go so far as kidnapping Tweety Bird for ransom.
Part three, the finale, showcases a vicious and entertaining satire of the Oscars. Bugs Bunny turns Hollywood's glitziest awards ceremony into a cartoon-star-studded disaster zone called The Oswald Awards. Bugs hosts the ceremony in which the nominees are the wolf from THREE LITTLE BOPS, Sylvester and Tweety and himself. Daffy Duck however, gripes about not being nominated. When Bugs wins the award, Daffy is furious and challenges Bugs to a talent showdown.
Classic cartoons featured on LOONEY TUNES MOVIE COLLECTION: LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE include HARE TRIMMED, DEVIL'S FEUD CAKE, ROMAN-LEGION HARE, SAHARA HARE, WILD AND WOOLY HARE, THE UNMENTIONABLES, GOLDEN YEGGS, CATTY CORNERED, THREE LITTLE BOPS, HIGH DIVING HARE and SHOW BIZ BUGS. Academy Award winners BIRDS ANONYMOUS and KNIGHTY KNIGHT BUGS are also included in this collection.
The release will also include three bonus cartoons: BOX-OFFICE BUNNY, FROM HARE TO ETERNITY and PULLET SURPRISE. BOX-OFFICE BUNNY follows the story of how a massive movie theater gets built over Bugs' rabbit hole. From HARE TO ETERNITY tells the tale of how Pirate Yosemite Sam digs up a treasure chest which belongs to Bugs Bunny. Finally, PULLET SURPRISE covers the action when Pete Puma tries to raid the henhouse Foghorn Leghorn is guarding.
THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN: Volume 4 on DVD
Everyone's favorite web-slinging Super Hero from the Marvel Universe is back for the four final exciting Season One episodes in THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN: Volume 4, arriving April 28 from Sony Pictures Television. Executive produced by Stan Lee, Craig Kyle, Eric S. Rollman and produced by Greg Weisman, Victor Cook and Diane A. Crea, this is the fourth in a series of THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN DVD releases, containing episodes 10-13 from the hit television show debuting in 2008 on the CW, the network series drew more than 1.8 million viewers weekly and will re-launch in 2009 on Disney's XD network. It also features a "Play All Episodes" function for seamless viewing experience, and will be available for $19.94 SRP.
Lending their voices to help make these hip and exciting adventures come to life are 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).
This adventure finds our hero tackling more Super Villains, both old and new, including Chameleon, Venom and the Sinister Six: Electro, Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Sandman, Rhino and Shocker. While these criminals are almost more than Spidey can handle, his real struggle becomes an internal one. The stress is enough to drive any high school Super Hero over the edge, but making mistakes and learning lessons is all in a day's work for the Spectacular Spider-Man!
Episodes Included in this Volume:
-- Episode 10: "Persona"
-- Episode 11: "Group Therapy"
-- Episode 12: "Intervention"
-- Episode 13: "Nature vs. Nurture"
THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN: Volume 4 has a run time of 92 minutes and is rated TV Y7.
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray
Experience the thrilling action and epic adventure like never before when the groundbreaking first season of STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES lands on Blu-ray disc April 28 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. Boasting superior picture and pristine audio for the best possible home viewing experience, the Blu-ray seven disc set includes all 29 first season episodes and loads of special features.
The first season Blu-ray release of STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES features brand-new technology that finally provides fans/viewers with the best of both worlds by giving them the ability to see each episode's newly enhanced or original special effects and hear a new enhanced soundtrack or the original one. Viewers will be able to select either version to view or toggle back and forth between the newly enhanced visual effects found on the remastered episodes and the original broadcast episode effects. Also for the first time, fans will be able to enjoy the series in 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, the best sound format possible, and have the option of selecting the original mono sound heard on the series' original television airings decades ago.
As part of the special features, select episodes include the "Starfleet Access" bonus content. By choosing the "Starfleet Access" option, viewers will be able to watch the selected episodes with special pop-up trivia and picture-in-picture video commentaries. The set also includes an interactive tour of the starship Enterprise, rare on-set home movie footage, an inside perspective on what it took to transport Trek into the 21st century and much more. A definitive STAR TREK collection with more than 24 hours of entertainment, the set will be available for the suggested retail price of $118 U.S. and $136 CAN. An exclusive collectible Sulu figure from Diamond Select Toys is also being made available with purchase of the Blu-ray set; fans pay only shipping and handling charges.
Starring one of the most endearing casts in television history led by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols, STAR TREK is a worldwide phenomenon and served as a launching pad for numerous television series and feature films. These classic first season episodes started it all, introducing the world to Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise's iconic crew.
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES Season One is a seven disc set presented in the original 4:3 aspect ratio with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Original 2.0 Mono, Spanish 2.0 Mono and French 2.0 Mono sound. STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES Season One Blu-ray is not rated in the U.S. and rated G in Canada. The total running time is 24 Hrs., 20 Min. The Blu-ray disc breakdown is as follows:
Disc One:
Episodes Include: "The Man Trap," "Charlie X," "Where No Man Has Gone Before" and "The Naked Time"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
-- Special Feature: Spacelift: Transporting Trek Into The 21st Century
-- Special Feature: Starfleet Access episode -- "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
Disc Two:
Episodes Include: "The Enemy Within," "Mudd's Women," "What Are Little Girls Made Of?," "Miri" and "Dagger of the Mind"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
Disc Three:
Episodes Include: "The Corbomite Maneuver," "The Menagerie, Part 1," "The Menagerie, Part 2" and "The Conscience of the King"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
-- Special Feature: Reflections on Spock
-- Special Feature: Starfleet Access episode -- "The Menagerie," Parts 1 & 2
Disc Four:
Episodes Include: "Balance of Terror," "Shore Leave," "The Galileo Seven," and "The Squire of Gothos"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
-- Special Feature: Life Beyond Trek: William Shatner
-- Special Feature: Starfleet Access episode -- "Balance of Terror"
Disc Five:
Episodes Include: "Arena," "Tomorrow is Yesterday," "Court Martial" and "The Return of the Archons"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
-- Special Feature: To Boldly Go... Season One
-- Special Feature: The Birth of a Timeless Legacy
Disc Six:
Episodes Include: "Space Seed," "A Taste of Armageddon," "This Side of Paradise" and "The Devil in the Dark"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
-- Special Feature: Interactive Enterprise Inspection
-- Special Feature: Sci-Fi Visionaries
-- Special Feature: Starfleet Access episode -- "Space Seed"
Disc Seven:
Episodes Include: "Errand of Mercy, "The Alternative Factor," "The City on the Edge of Forever" and "Operation: Annihilate!"
-- Special Feature: Preview trailers for each episode
-- Special Feature: Billy Blackburn's Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories
-- Special Feature: Kiss 'N' Tell: Romance in the 23rd Century
-- Special Feature: Starfleet Access episode -- "Errand of Mercy"
THE UNINVITED on DVD and Blu-ray
The terrifying psychological thriller THE UNINVITED makes a haunting appearance on DVD and Blu-ray April 28, 2009 from Paramount Home Ent. Called "creepy and intense" (Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV), the film stars Emily Browning (LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS) as Anna, a girl who is driven by her mother's ghost to investigate her untimely death. When her father (David Strathairn, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES) becomes engaged to Rachel (Elizabeth Banks, ROLE MODELS), her mother's former nurse, Anna and her sister (Arielle Kebbel, THE GRUDGE 2) look into Rachel's past and begin to suspect that she is not what she seems. As horrifying truths are revealed, Anna becomes locked in a deadly battle with a shocking conclusion.
The duo of Tom and Charlie Guard is well known as a commercial directing team, but
THE UNINVITED shows off their storytelling skills, and it introduced them to the visual effects artists at CIS Vancouver. "THE UNINVITED is what I would call a complete compositing movie," CIS Vancouver Visual Effects Supervisor Bruce Woloshyn. "Having been a compositor for a very long time, I felt we could shoot all the parts and do it all in comp. I was more comfortable taking that approach in order to turn things around quickly. Even when you're doing CGI, I'm a huge believer in starting with live action photography. Shoot as much as you can, because it makes the CG that much better."
Special Features Include:
-- Unlocking THE UNINVITED (HD)
-- Deleted Scenes (HD)
-- Alternate Ending (HD)
X-MEN, Volume 1 and 2 on DVD
Experience the classic Marvel legacy as the X-MEN animated series finally explodes onto DVD for the first time from Buena Vista Home Ent. Featuring stories adapted directly from the original comic books, this collection is a piece of Marvel history and a must-have for every X-Men fan. Discover the origins of your favorite characters and uncover the secrets of Magneto and more of the world's most diabolical villains in X-MEN: Volume 1. Relive the first 16 episodes of the series, beginning with the 2-part "Night of The Sentinels."
Episode Guide for Volume 1:
Disc 1
-- "Night of the Sentinels (Part 1)," "Night of the Sentinels (Part 2)," "Enter Magnet," "Deadly Reunions," "Captive Hearts," "Cold Vengeance," "Slave Island" and "The Unstoppable Juggernaut"
Disc 2
-- "The Cure," "Come The Apocalypse," "Days Of Future Past (Part 1)," "Days Of Future Past (Part 2)," "The Final Decision," "Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)," "Till Death Do Us Part (Part 2)" and "Whatever It Takes"
Prepare for more electrifying action as the X-Men return in Volume 2 of the classic animated series! The amazing mutant heroes are back for 2 discs full of spine-tingling battles with Mr. Sinister, Omega Red and more of the most fiendish villains on earth! Viewers will be a part of Marvel history with these stories adapted directly from the original comic books. Experience 16 thrilling episodes, including the 5-part amazing epic "Phoenix Saga," in this must-have collection!
Episode Guide for Volume 2:
Disc 1
-- "Red Dawn," "Repo Man," "X-Ternally Yours," "Time Fugitives (Part 1)," "Time Fugitives (Part 2)," "A Rogue's Tale," "Beauty & The Beast" and "Mojo Vision"
Disc 2
-- "Reunion (Part 1)," "Reunion (Part 2)," "Out of the Past (Part 1)," "Out of the Past (Part 2)," "The Phoenix Saga (Part 1): Sacrifice," "The Phoenix Saga (Part 2): The Dark Shroud," "The Phoenix Saga (Part 3): Cry of the Banshee," "The Phoenix Saga (Part 4): The Starjammers" and "The Phoenix Saga (Part 5): Child of Light"
