Home Media Magazine - July 29-August 4, 2007 - (Page 24)

NEWS I ‘TERROR’ AT COMIC-CON SAN DIEGO — To promote the Oct. 16 DVD release of Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror, Genius Products and The Weinstein Co. brought a Cherry Darling look-alike to Comic-Con International to meet and greet fans. She’s a real-life amputee, with an actual machine gun leg specially fashioned to fit her. Planet Terror will arrive on DVD in a twodisc extended and unrated edition, at $29.95. Extras include a commentary from Rodriguez, deleted scenes and a special feature on the hot women in the movie, appropriately titled “The Badass Babes of Planet Terror.” Genius/Weinstein also used Comic-Con to announce the Sept. 18 DVD release of Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, also available in a $29.95 two-disc extended and unrated edition, nearly 30 minutes longer than the original theatrical version. Extras in- www.homemediamagazine.com ‘Pirates 3’ Sets Sail For DVD, Blu-ray Disc By Thomas K. Arnold P R O D U C T The third “Pirates of the Caribbean” film is the first summer theatrical blockbuster to be slotted for a fourth-quarter home video release. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray Disc Dec. 4 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Since its May 27 theatrical opening, the film has grossed more than $301 million in U.S. theaters and more than $946 million worldwide, the studio said. The announcement, made at Comic-Con International in San Diego, wasn’t much of a surprise, industry observers said. Disney is following the same strategy it successfully used with the first two “Pirates” movies, which also were released on DVD in December at the end of the fourth quarter. Last December, consumers bought 10.5 million DVDs of Dead Man’s Chest in one week, the biggest firstweek tally of any DVD release that Cherry Darling look-a-like clude featurettes on Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike, film editor Sally Menke and “The Guys of Death Proof.” –Thomas K. Arnold Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters’ Lands on Blu-ray Disc Format By Thomas K. Arnold P R O D U C T Steven Spielberg’s landmark Close Encounters of the Third Kind is coming to DVD ($40) and Blu-ray Disc ($50) Nov. 13, four days shy of the 30th anniversary of its 1977 theatrical opening. The release marks the first time a Spielberg film has been issued on high-definition disc and also is the first home video release of all three versions of the film: the 1977 original theatrical cut (which has never been released on video), the re-edited 1980 theatrical special edition, and Spielberg’s director’s cut, released in 1998. Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition also includes an interview with Spielberg created for the release, a retrospective documentary, and, exclusive to the Blu-ray Disc edition, new storyboardto-scene comparisons and the original 1977 “Watch the Skies” featurette. Through the seamless branching process, the Blu-ray version contains all three films on a single disc. The process identifies the differences between each version of the film, segments the footage and then arranges it into three unique playlists, so that footage used in all three films is included on the disc only once — minimizing space requirements. “When Steven Spielberg first released his iconic masterpiece, it was universally hailed for both its cutting-edge technological effects and its compelling message of hope,” said David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. “Now on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its release, it seems only appropriate to make all three versions of the film available on the most advanced high-definition format available, Blu-ray Disc.” year. Three years earlier, The Curse of the Black Pearl, also a December release, moved 11 million videos its first week in stores, 90% of them on DVD. Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, is hoping for another sales record with At World’s End, particularly since the film will make its home video debut in three versions: a single-disc DVD, a two-disc special edition DVD and a high-def Blu-ray Disc. “We’re thrilled to be giving ‘Pirates’ fans even more to cheer about as we bring the biggest worldwide box office hit of 2007 to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc,” Chapek said. “Both versions will be loaded with stunning bonus materials that will make ‘Pirates’ the perfect gift this holiday.” The two-disc “Pirates” DVD and the Blu-ray edition come with bloopers; a breakdown of the “Maelstrom” sequence; a documentary on piracy and the pirate code; a look at the relation- ship between Keith Richards and Johnny Depp; five documentaries on the film’s design teams; featurettes on the special effects behind Captain Jack, composer Hans Zimmer, actor Chow Yun-Fat, and the Pirate Lords and their costume designs, origins and personalities. The Blu-ray Disc edition also contains an interactive exploration of the “Maelstrom” battle sequence between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman, with its groundbreaking blend of live-action footage and computeraided special effects. The BD-Java feature, developed and produced by Disney and programmed by the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, lets viewers explore the Palmdale, Calif. hangar that housed the ships and sets, with pop-ups and icons that reveal multimedia content about the creation of the maelstrom. They can explore the set on their own or take a tour hosted by film producer Jerry Bruckheimer. JUST ANNOUNCED A Weekly Product Update * Surf’s Up STREET DATE Reign Over Me BOX OFFICE (MILLIONS) Rise: Blood Hunter TITLE PREBOOK GENRE PRICE Surf’s Up 10/9 9/6 $57.3 Animation DVD $28.95, BD $38.95, UMD $28.95 Sony Pictures. 2007. Jeff Bridges, Shia LaBeouf, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder. The animated tale of a young penguin who leaves home to join the world of competitive surfing. Includes a three-part documentary on the making of the film, commentary, a music video and more. Reign Over Me 10/9 9/6 $19.7 Drama DVD $28.95, BD $38.96 LIONSGATE PUMPS UP FITNESS LINEUP WITH KATHY SMITH By Angelique Flores F I T N E S S Lionsgate has cut a multiyear distribution partnership with Kathy Smith. The deal grants Lionsgate the North American distribution rights to the fitness guru’s DVDs. Two new DVDs will hit stores by the end of the year, said Kajsa Vikman, VP of marketing and fitness at Lionsgate. Smith’s new line will target women 35 and older. “We’re giving her a new look, something fresh, sporty and classy,” Vikman said. “You’ll be seeing a different Kathy at retail.” Lionsgate’s goal with the addition of Smith’s DVDs is to complement its variety of fitness titles. Lionsgate has the top four fitness DVDs in 2007 so far, the company says. Dancing With The Stars: Cardio Dance garnered more than $1 million in sales during its first month of release, according to the studio. The Biggest Loser: The Workout, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 have earned more than $4 million. Denise Austin had two of the top four titles for the year, according to Nielsen data cited by Lionsgate. Lionsgate has grown its market share by 5% in the past year, Vikman said. “We’re now ranked the No. 2 distributor of fitness, according to Nielsen,” she said. Sony Pictures. 2007. Adam Sandler, Dan Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler. A chance encounter reunites college roommates who are each struggling to find happiness in life. Rise: Blood Hunter 10/9 9/6 $0.11 Horror DVD $24.96 Sony Pictures. 2007. Lucy Liu, Michael Chicklis, Nick Lachey, Robert Forster. A reporter stumbles across an underground vampire cult while investigating the murders of several youths. When she becomes the next victim, she hunts the vampire leader for revenge. Bram Stoker’s Dracula 10/2 8/30 Re-release Horror DVD $24.96, BD $28.95 DATE CHANGE. Sony Pictures. 1992. Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Wynona Ryder, Keanu Reeves. This collector’s edition is offered in a two-DVD standard definition set, or as single Blu-ray Disc. Bonus materials include director’s audio commentary, deleted scenes and featurettes. Safe Harbour 10/30 9/11 DTV Drama DVD $19.97 DATE CHANGE. New Line. Melissa Gilbert. Based on Danielle Steel’s novel, the film is the story of a grief-stricken mother and widow who finds unexpected romance while trying to piece her life back together after a family tragedy. Pixar Short Film Collection 11/6 9/25 DTV Animation DVD $29.99, BD $34.99 Disney. 2007. The collection contains 13 short films, including The Adventures of Andre & Wally B, Luxo Jr., Red’s Dream, Tin Toy, Knick Knack, Geri’s Game, For the Birds, Mike’s New Car, Boundin’, Jack-Jack Attack, Mater and the Ghost Light, One Man Band and Lifted. * In order of box office, then prebook date Home Media Magazine July 29–August 4, 2007 http://www.homemediamagazine.com

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Home Media Magazine - July 29-August 4, 2007

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