Home video releases for July 14 include season 1.1 of G.I. JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO on DVD, BOB THE BUILDER, THE WIGGLES and THOMAS & FRIENDS DVD releases, plus the Blu-ray debut of a CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON / CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER / HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS trilogy set plus the DVD/Blu-ray bow of THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT.
BOB THE BUILDER: BUILT FOR FUN on DVD
Packaged with a bonus collectible toy vehicle, Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew lend a helping hand in the all-new BOB THE BUILDER: BUILT FOR FUN DVD arriving in stores July 14, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.
Team up with Bob the Builder and the Can-Do Crew in five fun-tastic episodes as they build a radio station complete with a sky-high broadcast tower, play skidsies with Roley and Muck, design greenhouses out of recycled material and much, much more. Alongside Bob, Scoop, Benny and the rest of the team, kids see that they can accomplish anything with a Can-Do attitude.
Episodes include:-- "Radio Bob"-- "Super Slasher"-- "Roley Brings the House"-- "Silent Scoop"-- "Scrambler Gets Prepared"
DVD Special Features Include:
-- "Build with Bob" The Game-- "Building Buddies" Read-Along
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON / CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER / HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS Trilogy on Blu-ray
From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON Named "Best Picture of the Year" by over 100 critics nationwide! Two master warriors (Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh) are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi) prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. As each warrior battles for justice, they come face to face with their worst enemy -- and the inescapable, enduring power of love. Set against 19th-century China's breathtaking landscape, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is the action-packed, box office smash from acclaimed director Ang Lee (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, THE ICE STORM) featuring stunning martial arts choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (THE MATRIX).
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2000) featured vfx by Asia Legend, Blue Sky Studios, CFC/MVFX and Manex Visual Effects.
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER From the director of HERO and HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS comes the martial arts epic masterpiece whose savage beauty and exquisite elegance has mesmerized and captivated audiences around the world. Set in the lavish and breathtakingly colorful world hidden from the eyes of mere mortals behind the walls of the Forbidden City, a tale of a royal family divided against itself builds to a mythic climax as lines are crossed, trust is betrayed, and family blood is spilled in the quest for redemption and revenge. Starring Chow Yun Fat of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON as the embattled Emperor and Gong Li of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA as his poisoned Empress, CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER grants you entry into a dazzling and spectacular world of betrayal, vengeance and passion that will change the way you think of martial arts forever.
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER (2006) featured vfx from Centro Digital Pictures, Moving Picture Company and Picasso Pictures.
The epic climactic battle, brought to life in resplendent scale through the coordination and direction of visual effects supervisors Frankie Chung Chi Hang of Centro and Angela Barton of Moving Picture Co. (MPC) serves as the ultimate visual metaphor for the entire film.
Both Hang and Barton were brought onto CURSE to take care of the disparate visual effects needs for the film. Under Hang, Centro's Computer Graphics department has become a powerhouse visual effects source for Asian cinema. He supervised KUNG FU HUSTLE and A MAN CALLED HERO. "Mr. Bill Kong, the producer of CURSE called us up one day and asked us if we would like to take on this project," Hang says about how they were approached to work on Curse. "After a few weeks, we met with director Zhang Yimou and Tony Ching, action director of CURSE. They gave us their visions on the visual effects. We were so excited and accepted this new challenge." Hang's team was then assigned the task of focusing on their expertise, the complex wire removal work for the confrontation sequences.
For the other myriad of visual effects, Yimou hired MPC and Barson to coordinate the other shots. "They wanted MPC for the expertise and experience we could bring to the big CG army shots. He was attracted to us because of our previous work involving CG armies in TROY, ALEXANDER and KINGDOM OF HEAVEN," Barson explains.
"He wanted the highest standard of vfx work so that it wouldn't detract from the overall quality of the film. Yimou had a clear idea of what he wanted right from the start. The initial concept art and storyboards conveyed the strong sense of colour and the mood of the shots really clearly. It was a great experience just going out to China and meeting with Yimou and his team. All the way through, Yimou wanted the vfx shots to blend seamlessly into the surrounding live-action shots, it was critical to him that the shots looked real."
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS"Prepare your eyes for popping," in this "martial-arts fireball that throws in a lyrical love story, head spinning fights and dazzling surprises" (Rolling Stone). "A gorgeous entertainment" (A.O. Scott, NEW YORK TIMES). Mei is an exotic, beautiful blind dancer, associated with a dangerous revolutionary gang, known as the House of Flying Daggers. Captured by officers of the decadent Tang Dynasty, Mei finds herself both threatened - and attracted - to the most unusual circumstances. Here, her heart and loyalties battle each other, amid warriors in the treetops and dazzling combat -- the likes of which have never before been seen!
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (2004) featured vfx from Animal Logic, Digital Pictures Iloura and Menfond Electronic Art & Computer Design Company.
With the HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS script calling for a more ambitious visual effects agenda than HERO, director Zhang Yimou collaborated again with his vfx house, Animal Logic, along with adding the services of fellow Sydney-based house, Digital Pictures, to get all of the visual elements created for the film. Andy Brown and Kirsty Millar, both of Animal Logic, worked as the co-visual effects supervisors on the film, overseeing 115 shots, with a total crew of around 40 artists and technicians working in a very compressed schedule, taking only six months from shoot to final visual effects delivery. At the same time, Jane Maguire, the post-production supervisor on the film at Digital Pictures, worked with the Sydney and Melbourne groups on grading, wire removal and a high-end bamboo forest effects shots.
"Zhang's directing style on set is both precise and collaborative and his filmmaking process can seem quite fluid," Millar says. "He will think up a plot twist and ask the vfx supervisors for ideas on how to visually convey a narrative nuance. Zhang is extremely focused and succinct in his direction, yet he is open to suggestion as to how visuals can be used to broaden the narrative, through vfx or otherwise."
Special Features Include:
-- Creating the Visual Effects-- Storyboard Comparisons-- Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: "Secrets Within"-- Los Angeles Premiere
G.I. JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO: Season 1.1 on DVD
G.I. Joe is the code name for Americas highly-trained special missions force. Its purpose: to defend human freedom against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world!
In 1983 Hasbro made a bold statement when it re-launched its classic toy line of military action heroes as an adventure-based team of unique characters, each with his, and her, own specialties. And because it captured the imaginations and hearts of boys and girls aspiring to make a difference in the world, G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO was an immediate success lasting over 25 incredible years. Now you can relive the original animated adventures of Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Flint, Lady Jaye and rest of the Joe team with this 4-disc DVD set of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO from Shout! Factory, including the first part of the series inaugural season, the three annual 5-part miniseries that started it all: THE MASS DEVICE, THE REVENGE OF COBRA: THE WEATHER DOMINATOR and THE PYRAMID OF DARKNESS.
Special Features Include:
-- "Knowing Is Half The Battle" PSAs-- Looking Back With Writer Ron Friedman-- Archival Hasbro Toy Commercials-- The original G.I. Joe 1963 Toy Fair Presentation-- Printable Script for "Jungle Trap"
THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT on DVD and Blu-ray
Lionsgate presents the July 14, 2009 DVD and Blu-ray release of the supernatural ghost tale The HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT. Based on a chilling true story, the film chronicles one family's terrifying, real-life encounter with the dark forces of the supernatural. THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT features an all-star cast led by Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen (SIDEWAYS, Actress in a Supporting Role, 2004), Elias Koteas (THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON) and Martin Donovan (Showtime's WEEDS).
The 2-disc Special Edition DVD features the unrated version of the film while the Blu-ray Disc features the PG-13 theatrical version of the film with an option to view the unrated version of the film. In addition, the Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc contain a standard definition digital copy of the theatrical film as well as bonus materials that include separate audio commentaries with the filmmakers and the actors plus multiple featurettes that look at the making of the film, post mortem photography and an interview with a PHD and psychic examining the haunting. A two-part documentary on the actual 1987 haunting with interviews from the real life family and demonologists is also included. The standard one-disc DVD of THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT will include a Widescreen and Full Screen version of the film and the theatrical trailer.
When the Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house formerly a funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner's clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Now, unspeakable terror awaits when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the dead, returns to unleash a new kind of horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family.
DVD Special Features Include:
-- "Two Dead Boys: The Making of THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT" featurette-- "The Fear is Real: Re-Investigating the Haunting" two-part documentary-- "Memento Mori: The History of Post Mortem Photography" featurette-- "Anatomy of a Haunting" -- a conversation with Barry Taff PhD and Psychic Jack Rourke-- Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Director Peter Cornwell-- Audio Filmmaker Commentary with Director Peter Cornwell, Co-writer Adam Simon, Producer Andrew Trapani and Editor Tom Elkins-- Audio Commentary with Director Peter Cornwell and actors Virginia Madsen and Kyle Gallner-- Theatrical Trailer
Blu-Ray Special Features Include:
-- Unrated Version of the film with optional audio commentaries with the Director, Producer, Cast and Crew -- "Two Dead Boys: The Making of THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT" featurette-- "The Fear Is Real: Re-Investigating the Haunting" two-part documentary-- "Memento Mori: The History of Postmortem Photography" featurette-- "Anatomy of a Haunting" -- a conversation with Barry Taff PhD and Psychic Jack Rourke-- Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Director Peter Cornwell-- Theatrical Trailer
THOMAS & FRIENDS: PERCY AND THE BANDSTAND on DVD
Thomas and his engine pals prove they are Really Useful Engines as they travel around the Island of Sodor in four fun adventures in the all-new THOMAS & FRIENDS: PERCY AND THE BANDSTAND, available on DVD July 14, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Teaching timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation, the THOMAS & FRIENDS animated series invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.
The host, Mr. Arkwright, returns with never before seen content that can only be found on DVD! Mr. Arkwright is Sir Topham Hatt's right-hand man and the new driver on the Island of Sodor, and he engages children with interactive dialogue and railway fun.
Come along with Thomas, Toby, Duncan, Percy and all the other engine friends and Sir Topham Hatt for a hot-air balloon ride, a top-secret birthday party, a special surprise at the bandstand and much more. It's a non-stop celebration of fun and friendship! Future engineers -- hop aboard for trainloads of action in these four adventures:
Episodes Include:
-- "Toby's Special Surprise"-- "Duncan and the Hot Air Balloon"-- "The Man in the Hills"-- "Percy and the Bandstand"
DVD Special Features Include:
-- "Songs of Sodor" Game-- Three Read Alongs: Toby and the Flood, A Better View For Gordon and Busy Going Backward
THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS! on DVD
Join the kings of the pre-school jungle in their newest animal kingdom adventure THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS! available on DVD from Warner Home Video (WHV) on July 14, 2009 for $14.98 SRP. Featuring an all-new collection of 24 groovy songs and celebrity guest appearances by Kylie Minogue and John Waters, THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS! will be released just in time for their upcoming U.S. concert tour kicking off on July 15.
Currently airing six days a week on the Disney Channel and the #1 program in its time period, THE WIGGLES continue to dance and sing their way into the hearts of children everywhere. In their latest adventure, THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS!, our favorite fab four swing into the jungle and record some of their most catchy and infectious songs to date. THE WIGGLES GO BANANAS! features 24 brand new original songs including "The Lion Is King," "Kangaroo Jumping," "Tassie Devil" and "The Chicken Walk." Even international pop superstar Kylie Minogue joins in on the fun in a pink skivvy and performs "Monkey Man" with The Wiggles, while Australia's John Waters croons "Rusty The Cowboy" and Captain Feathersword sings "The Dingle Puck Goat."
The Wiggles Go Bananas! DVD includes the following songs:
"Monkey Man," "The Chicken Walk," "Kangaroo Jumping," Bless You, Bless You, Bonnie Bee," "The Monkey, The Bird And The Bear," "Little Robin Redbreast," "The Dingle Puck Goat," "One Monkey Who," Wags The Dog Is Chasing His Tail," "Cock-A-Doodle-Doo," "The Lion Is King," "Rusty The Cowboy, "Sing, Sing!," "The Poor King," "Here Comes A Camel," "Dickory, Dickory, Dare," "Frankie The Blue-Eyed Koala," "I'm A Scary Tiger," "Hodley Podley," "Standing Like A Statue," "Kangaroo, Kangaroo, What Do You See?," "Tassie Devil," "Once I Saw A Little Bird" and "Hippo, Hippo!."
Special Features Include:
-- Safety Around Dogs (With RSPCA Inspector Matt French)-- Two Bonus 'WIGGLE AND LEARN' Episodes: "The Black Velvet Band" and "Let's Get The Rhythm Of The Feet"-- Bonus "DOROTHY THE DINOSAUR" Episode - "Vegetable Soup!"-- Photo Gallery
