TROPIC THUNDER On DVD And Blu-ray
Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. lead an ensemble cast in TROPIC THUNDER, an action comedy about a group of self-absorbed actors who set out to make the most expensive war film, now on DVD and Blu-ray from Paramount Home Ent. After ballooning costs force the studio to cancel the movie, the frustrated director refuses to stop shooting, leading his cast into the jungles of Southeast Asia, where they encounter real bad guys.
The DreamWorks film (vfx by CIS Vancouver, CIS Hollywood and CIS London, Hammerhead Productions, Custom Film Effects and Proof) is now available in standard and 2-Disc Special Edition Director's Cut DVD and on Blu-ray.
"Comedy is serious business," deadpans Michael L. Fink, visual effects supervisor on
TROPIC THUNDER . And Fink should know. An Academy Award winner for his work on last year's THE GOLDEN COMPASS, Fink has supervised everything from X2 to Wargames, but TROPIC THUNDER was the proverbial glass of cold water in his veteran's face.
"It was a lot of fun, but there were times when I was going for reality," Fink says about the challenges of making a war film that's funny. "There are visual effects that should be real, but Ben would look at it and say, 'Well, it's pretty good, but it's not funny.' I've never done effects to be funny! I really understood what it was he wanted, but it was difficult to articulate because what he was looking for was something that always helped him to tell a joke."
The TROPIC THUNDER Unrated Director's Cut two-disc DVD set includes the feature film with over 14 minutes of never-before-seen footage and comes fully loaded with an arsenal of special features that take viewers even deeper into the s&*t including RAIN OF MADNESS, an uproarious faux documentary about the making of the film within a film, filmmaker and cast commentaries (including some in character), behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast profiles, "Dispatches from the Edge of Madness," deleted and extended scenes, including an alternate ending, TROPIC THUNDER at the MTV Movie Awards and more.
Single Disc DVD Special Features Include:
-- Cast commentary with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.
-- Blowing S&*t Up -- An explosive look at the dynamite, smoke bombs, and fireballs that make Tropic Thunder light up the screen
-- The Hot LZ -- An in-depth look at the making of the film's spectacular opening battle sequence.
-- The Cast of TROPIC THUNDER: Stiller, Black, Downey Jr., Jackson, Baruchel, McBride, Nolte.
-- Full Mags -- The camera keeps rolling as the actors improvise some of the most hilarious material in the film: "Portnoy Tied to Tree" and "Choose a Dude."
-- Rain of Madness Trailer -- The cast of Tropic Thunder stars in the world's first mocku-prequel, which tells the true story of how the fake film almost never happened.
-- MTV Movie Awards -- TROPIC THUNDER
2-Disc Director's Cut DVD and Blu-ray Special Features Include:
-- Filmmaker commentary with Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, Stuart Cornfeld, Jeff Mann, John Toll and Greg Hayden
-- Cast commentary with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.
-- Before the Thunder (HD) -- The filmmakers discuss the decade-long process of bringing TROPIC THUNDER to the big screen
-- The Hot LZ (HD)
-- Blowing S&*t Up (HD)
-- Designing the Thunder (HD)
-- The Cast of Tropic Thunder (HD): Stiller, Black, Downey Jr., Jackson, Baruchel, McBride, Nolte
-- Rain of Madness (HD)
-- Dispatches from the Edge of Madness
-- Deleted Scenes -- Water Buffalo Wrestling (HD) and Speedman Unpacking his Backpack (HD)
-- Alternate Ending
-- Extended Sequences -- Snorkels (HD) and Eight Minutes in Hell (HD)
-- MTV Movie Awards -- TROPIC THUNDER
-- Video Rehearsals -- A picture-in-picture comparison of raw rehearsal footage and the final film.
-- Full Mags -- Cody at Bar (HD), Portnoy Tied to Tree (HD), Choose a Dude (HD), Laz at Campfire (HD)
Retail Exclusives Include:
**Best Buy -- Booty Sweat T-Shirt only available on Blu-ray)
**Walmart -- Exclusive two-pack: TROPIC THUNDER Single-disc DVD and "Get Some" music sampler CD -- "Name Of The Game" (The Crystal Method), "I Just Want To Celebrate" (Mooney Suzuki), "Ready Set Go" (Ben Gidsjoy), "Run Through the Jungle" (Creedance Clearwater Revival), "U Can't Touch This" (MC Hammer) and "War" (Edwin Starr)
WALL-E On DVD And Blu-ray
The year's most acclaimed and original film, an intergalactic story of the lovable robot WALL-E, comes home to Blu-ray and DVD on November 18, 2008, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Ent.
Disney-Pixar's hilarious box-office favorite transports viewers to another galaxy with five different versions. Consumers can choose from two Blu-ray disc versions and from three standard definition DVD versions. Each home entertainment release contains the feature film and a payload of bonus features, including an all-new animated short film BURN-E, the story of a stalwart repair robot by the same name who is determined to do his job, but is foiled at every turn by WALL-E's adventures aboard the Axiom.
The Blu-ray release (both two and three-disc versions) of WALL-E offers audiences the chance to really enjoy the true colors, depth and sound exactly as the filmmakers envisioned it. Additionally, Blu-ray owners in the U.S. have access to Disney BD-Live Network that allows viewers to combine some of today's most popular interactive communications platforms -- chat, video messages, online interactivity and communal gaming -- with their movie watching experience and provide exclusive access content to receive sneak-peaks of upcoming trailers, downloadable extras and more.
WALL-E is an out-of-this-world action-adventure filled with heart and humor that follows an extraordinary cast of characters on a fantastic journey across the universe. Oscar-winning director Andrew Stanton's (Best Animated Feature, FINDING NEMO 2003) beautiful story of WALL-E is a love letter to the Golden Age of sci-fi films. The film's cast of exciting new characters has thrilled and delighted movie-lovers of all ages while once again showcasing Pixar's amazing abilities to create entire new worlds.
WALL-E's voice cast includes Jeff Garlin (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), Elissa Knight (CARS), Sigourney Weaver (ALIEN), John Ratzenberger (TOY STORY), Kathy Najimy (KING OF THE HILL) and Fred Willard (CHICKEN LITTLE). Academy Award-winning sound designer Ben Burtt (the STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises) provides the endearing voice of WALL-E, the little robot who never quits.
After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL-E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. Joining WALL-E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future, is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.
Jeremy Lasky, DP camera on
WALL-E , who worked in close collaboration with Danielle Feinberg, DP lighting, was eager to break new ground at Pixar. "At the very beginning of preproduction, when I came on, Andrew had a lot of preconceptions of what he wanted for a film without traditional dialogue. All of the staging, all of the shots have to be really clear for the audience to understand the backstory in addition to the main plot of the film. The planet's covered in trash: What happened? So we had to convey it visually. As always, the first pressure is just telling the story right. Only in this case, there's no dialogue crutch.
"So the question became: How can we make this work? Shots have to be so specific that you're always following what's going on. On top of that, Andrew said, 'I want it to feel real.' He wasn't talking about photoreal, but that you believe you're watching a little robot doing what he's doing. To me, that triggered the notion that we have to raise our game a little."
Single Disc DVD Special Features:
-- PRESTO -- The Pixar Animation Studios original theatrical short that accompanied the WALL-E theatrical release, about a star magician's ego that provokes some clever revenge from his neglected rabbit co-star.
-- Animation Sound Design: Building Worlds from The Sound Up -- Ben Burtt introduces viewers to the art of sound design using examples from WALL-E and historic footage of the early Disney sound effects masters at work.
-- Audio Commentary by WALL-E director Andrew Stanton.
-- Deleted Scenes, Easter Eggs and More
2-Disc DVD (Canadian French Only) Includes All Of The Above Special Features, Plus:
-- Robots -- Find out everything about the film's robot heroes, including hilarious web vignettes, the names and functions of all of WALL-E's malfunctioning misfit robot friends and an interactive storybook packed with kid-friendly challenges.
-- Behind the Scenes -- Six featurettes give fans an insider's view of the making of WALL-E, including the film's visual design, character development and musical score, plus the story behind the special effects challenges and a look at building the robot characters that populate the film.
-- Buy n Large Shorts -- Straight from the BnL archives, five revealing short films provide insight into the inner workings of the company, from its humble beginnings to the intergalactic plan that launched EVE into space. Learn how to operate the Axiom, find out about the company's line of "robots for every need" and hear the story behind the Earth Exit Plan.
-- THE PIXAR STORY, A Documentary by Leslie Iwerks -- The first in-depth look at the most influential animation studio of its time, THE PIXAR STORY goes behind the scenes of the groundbreaking company that pioneered a new generation of animated feature films. Academy and Emmy Award-nominated director Leslie Iwerks uses never-before-seen footage from the Pixar library, along with historic archival animation and firsthand accounts by animators, studio executives, directors, producers and voice performers to chronicle the remarkable company that revolutionized an industry
-- Early WALL-E Development Test
3-Disc DVD Includes All Of The Above Special Features, Plus:
-- "DisneyFile" Digital Copy -- Allowing viewers to enjoy WALL-E via a computer laptop or other portable device, Walt Disney Studios Home Ent. also is adding a special "DisneyFile" Digital Copy of the movie -- enabling DVD and Blu-ray owners to receive a digital version of WALL-E in their choice of iTunes or Windows Media formats. DisneyFile Digital Copy is a fast and easy way to enjoy your favorite Disney movies, anytime, anywhere on your Mac, PC and/or compatible portable device.
Blu-ray Bonus Features:
-- Everything on the Standard Definition DVDs, Plus...
-- Cine-Explore -- A fascinating viewing option in which filmmakers comment on WALL-E, accompanied by behind-the-scenes visuals, in sync with the movie.
-- Geek Track -- An additional commentary full of obscure references, little known trivia and lively sci-fi discussion, this pop-up silhouette in-movie feature gives viewers a peek inside the minds of some of the more passionate geeks at Pixar.
-- The Axiom Arcade -- A retro suite of video games with a Wall-E twist, including Eve's Bot Blaster, Wall-E's Dodge & Dock, M-O's Mop-Up Madness and Burn-E's Break Through.
-- 3D Set Fly-Throughs -- Cut-away illustrations of the Axiom and Earth sets provides viewer access to HD set fly-throughs from ten of the film's most detailed locations.
-- Disney BD-Live Network -- Disney's BD-Live Network is just one of the many ways U.S. movie lovers, families and loved ones can continue to stay connected and engage in their favorite movies:
* Movie Chat -- Communicate with your friends on-screen using any text-enabled device such as a laptop, desktop or PDA device such as a Blackberry, iPhone or most other cell phones. Your chat session will appear over the movie and occur in real-time while watching the movie together.
* Movie Mail -- Blu-ray owners will be able to record a personalized video message of themselves, superimpose that capture into a pre-selected clip of the movie, and send it off to a friend, colleague or relative. This specific feature enables the WALL-E Blu-ray Disc owner to personalize a very special greeting as never before.
* Movie Challenge -- Users will be able to test their skills against online players in a synchronized, real-time, online trivia game while watching WALL-E. There is always a Movie Challenge game in progress to join, regardless of the time of day.
* Disney Movie Rewards Live -- WALL-E Blu-ray owners will be able to accumulate reward points by participating in any Disney BD-Live Network activity. In return, viewers can redeem points for exclusive content such as ringtones, avatars, previews of upcoming movie trailers, downloadable extras and many more exciting possibilities.
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: Season 5, Volume 2 On DVD
This holiday season, kids will want their stockings stuffed with the best laughs straight out of Bikini Bottom as Nickelodeon releases SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: Season 5, Volume 2. This latest season, SpongeBob and his friends find the Oldest Living Bubble, survive Picture Day at school, accidentally board a boat with inmates going to a prison, and much more! Created by Nickelodeon Home Ent., and distributed by Paramount Home Ent., SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: Season 5, Volume 2 will be available on DVD on Nov. 18, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $26.99.
In addition to 21 laugh-out-loud episodes from the top-rated series, the 2-disc DVD set also includes exclusive karaoke music videos -- "Bubble Song," "Good-Bye Atlantis," "Dead Eye," "Together" and "If I Could Talk to Money."
Episodes include:
Disc One:
"Atlantis Squarepantis," "Picture Day," "A Flea in Her Dome," Mermaidman vs. SpongeBob," Le Big Switch," "The Donut of Shame," "Blackjack," "Pest of the West," "The Krusty Plate," "Pat No Pay."
Disc Two:
"The Inmates of Summer," "To Save a Squirrel," "20,000 Patties Under the Sea," The Battle of Bikini Bottom," "Whatever Happened to SpongeBob?," "Goo Goo Gas," "The Two Faces of Squidward," "SpongeHenge," "Banned in Bikini Bottom," "Stanley S. Squarepants."
Special Features Include:
-- "Bubble Song," "Good-Bye Atlantis," "Dead Eye," "Together" and "If I Could Talk to Money" karaoke music videos.
DOCTOR WHO: THE INFINITE QUEST On DVD
This November, The Doctor travels to a new dimension on DVD -- animation -- as BBC Video releases the animated feature DOCTOR WHO: THE INFINITE QUEST. Never before broadcast in North America, this family friendly adventure from exec producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, follows The Doctor and Martha as they set off to find the legendary lost spaceship, the Infinite. Based on the longest-running sci-fi television series of all-time, DOCTOR WHO, THE INFINITE QUEST features the voices of David Tennant (DOCTOR WHO, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE), Freema Agyeman (DOCTOR WHO, TORCHWOOD) and Anthony Head (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, LITTLE BRITAIN).
The DVD is packed with exciting bonus material including David Tennant's animation test, exclusive cast interviews, animation and voiceover behind-the-scenes, animatics of episodes and deleted scenes, a photo gallery and character profiles.
DOCTOR WHO: THE INFINITE QUEST arrives on November 18, 2008 for the suggested retail price of $9.98 in the United States and $12.48 in Canada.
Special Features Include:
-- Exclusive Cast Interviews with David Tennant, Freema Agyeman, Anthony Head, Toby Longworth and Gary Russell
-- David Tennant's Animated Test featurette
-- Animation and voiceover behind-the-Scenes
-- Animatics of episodes and deleted scenes
-- Photo Gallery
-- Character Profiles
MIRRORMASK On Blu-ray
The White Queen sleeps and will not wake. Black shadows have fallen across her kingdom. The balance between Dark and Light is broken and only the
MIRRORMASK can restore it. So Helena, a stranger in a strange land, embarks on an epic quest to find the missing charm before darkness envelops the Dreamworld forever. Written by award-winning fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, MIRRORMASK is a phantasmagorical treat for the eyes and mind, a wondrous blend of live action and CG animation, where strange, magical creatures dwell in a fantasy world of unbridled imagination and scope, as told through the spectacular, cutting-edge visuals of designer/director Dave McKean. The 2005 theatrical release is from Sony Pictures Home Ent. with vfx by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, Artem Digital and Hourglass Prods.
"The Jim Henson Co. wanted to make a fantasy film in the spirit of THE DARK CRYSTAL [1982] and LABYRINTH [1986]," McKean said. "They didn't know how to do it, as they had a very small budget, maybe a 10th of what LABYRINTH had cost. Producer Lisa Henson knew I had made my short films for no money at all... so, she thought that might be a way to go. All we had to start with was a budget and a request to make a fantasy film that would eventually be rated G or PG. That was it! As for the rest, Neil and I had a completely blank page to begin with, which was very nice."
Special Features Include:
-- Director and writer commentary
-- Neil Talks -- Interview with writer Neil Gaiman
-- Dave Talks about Film -- Interview with director Dave McKean
-- Beginnings -- The Genesis of Mirrormask
-- Cast & Crew Interviews
-- Day 16 -- Time lapse video of one entire day of production
-- Flight of the Monkeybirds - Making the monkey bird sequence
-- Giants Development -- Design and creation of the giant sequence
-- Questions & Answers -- Q&A sessions from the San Diego Comic-Con
-- Poster and Cover Art Gallery
SOUTHLAND TALES On Blu-ray
SOUTHLAND TALES (Sony Pictures Home Ent., vfx by Digital Filmtree, LOOK! Effects, Gradient Effects is an ensemble piece set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster. Boxer Santaros (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) is an action star who's stricken with amnesia. His life intertwines with Krysta Now (Sarah Michelle Gellar), an adult film star developing her own reality television project, and Ronald Taverner (Seann William Scott), a Hermosa Beach police officer who holds the key to a vast conspiracy.
Special Features Include:
-- USIDent TV: Surveilling the Southland featurette
-- This Is The Way The World Ends Animated Short
-- Commentary with Writer/Director Richard Kelly
-- Southland Tales: The Prequel Saga Graphic Novel Gallery
KITARO On Blu-ray
In modern-day Japan, the worlds of the humans and the yokai often collide, and usually not in the most pleasant of manners.
Half-human and half-yokai, one-eyed Kitaro (Wentz Eiji) lives with his eyeball father and his bickering friends, Nezumi Otoko (Oizumi Yo) and Neko Musume (Tanaka Rena), in Gegege Forest where he dedicates his time to maintaining peace between humans and yokai.
But when a magical ball of power ends up in the wrong hands, Kitaro must recover it or both worlds could fall into grave danger. Based on the manga series from Mizuki Shigeru, KITARO is now on Blu-ray from Navarre Corp.
Special Features Include:
-- "Yokai in the City" and "Making of 'Yokai in the City'" featurettes
-- Trailers
-- TV Spots
