Doomsday (Blu-ray) Universal Studios Home Entertainment / 2008 / 113 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Action, Thriller
Starring: Darren Morfitt, Rick Warden, Sean Pertwee
Director: Neil Marshall
Plot Synopsis: From the director of The Descent comes an action-packed thrill-ride through the beating heart of hell! To save humanity from an epidemic, an elite fighting unit must battle to find a cure in a post-apocalyptic zone controlled by a society of murderous renegades. Loaded with ferocious fights and high-octane chases, Doomsday grabs you right from the start, and doesn't let go till its explosive end!
Never Back Down (Blu-ray) Summit Entertainment / 2008 / Rated PG-13
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Action, Drama
Starring: Amber Heard, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Faris
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Plot Synopsis: Jake (Sean Faris) is the new kid in school. When a beautiful girl (Amber Heard) befriends him, Jake thinks he's set. But instead, her fight-club boyfriend, Ryan (Cam Gigandet), smacks Jake a bloody, black-eyed welcome. Humiliated, Jake then turns to a mixed martial arts (MMA) master (Djimon Hounsou), who teaches him how to fight...and how to walk away. But it becomes obvious that a brutal re-match is inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
Shine a Light (Blu-ray) Paramount Home Entertainment / 2007 / 121 Minutes / Rated PG-13
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Documentary, Music
Starring: Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Director: Martin Scorsese
Disc Features:
• Featurette
• 4 Music Videos
Stargate: Continuum (Blu-ray) MGM Home Entertainment / 2008 / 99 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Science Fiction
Starring: Christopher Judge, Amanda Tapping, Ben Browder
Plot Synopsis: While SG-1 attends the execution of Ba’al, the last of the Goa’uld System Lords, Teal’c and Vala inexplicably disappear into thin air. Carter, Daniel and Mitchell race back to a world where history has been changed: the Stargate program has been erased from the timeline. The remaining SG-1 members must find the Stargate and set things right before they world is enslaved by the Goa’uld.
Disc Features:
• Audio Commentary with Executive Producer/Writer Brad Wright and Director Martin Wood
• Featurettes: "The Making of Stargate: Continuum," "Stargate Goes to the Arctic," "The Layman’s Guide to Time Travel"
Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (Blu-ray) New Line Home Entertainment / 2008 / 107 Minutes / Rated R
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Comedy
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn
Disc Features:
- Audio Commentaries - Two tracks are included. Writer-directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are joined by actors Kal Penn and John Cho on the better of the two commentaries. All sit down together to touch on all the basic elements, including the hashing out the basic concept for the sequel, some story points, filming in Shreveport, Connecticut, and various on-set stories. There is a bit too much goofing around at some points, but all in all a solid commentary.
The second track feels redundant. Hurwitz and Schlossberg return, with actors James Adomian and Harold Lee (the latter the true-life inspiration for the Harold character). It's far more jokey than the main track, with Adomian especially trying with his seemingly endless (and lame) George Bush impressions. Lee is sadly subdued by comparison, offering next to no insight on how he has been reflected in the movies. Hurwitz and Schlossberg repeat some of the stories in the first commentary, so there is little apparent reason to listen to this track. - Featurette: "Inside the World of Harold and Kumar" (HD, 22 minutes) - This standard making-of features interviews, film clips, and some plot recap. Hurwitz and Schlossberg are back, as are Penn and Cho, though it is nice to hear from some of the other cast members, particularly Neil Patrick Harris, Beverly D'Angelo, and Chris Meloni.
- Deleted Scenes/Extras (HD, 26 minutes) - For whatever reason, New Line has divided up the deleted scenes into two sections, "Deleted Scenes" (19 total, running 19 minutes) and "Extras" (9 total, running 7 minutes). The "Extras" are more akin to outtakes, but providing some alternate looks at existing material. Of the actual deleted material, little is of much interest, with only an extended sequence on a bus providing anything really substantial that's not in the flick.
- Digital Copy (SD) - New Line has also nicely included a Digital Copy of the film (in standard-def only) available on a second disc, so you can watch 'Escape from Guantanamo Bay' on any PC/Mac or other portable video device.
Lost Boys: The Tribe (Blu-ray) Warner Home Video / 2008 / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Horror
Starring: Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Angus Sutherland
Disc Features:
• Featurettes: "Action Junkies: Extreme Sportslike Stune Choreography," "Edgar Frog's Guide to Coming Back Alive"
• Alternate Endings
• All-new Remix Music Video of Cry Little Sister by G Tom Mac, 3 Yeah Whatever Music Videos: Downfall, Hell is Full, It's Over Now
The Lost Boys (Blu-ray) Warner Home Video / 1987 / 115 Minutes / Rated R
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Suspense, thriller
Starring: Jason Patric, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Haim
Director: Joel Schumacher
Plot Synopsis: Strange events threaten an entire family when two brothers move with their divorced mother to a California town where the local teenage gang turns out to be a pack of vampires.
Disc Features:
- Audio Commentary - Director Joel Schumacher flies solo, for a measured -- if sometimes slow -- commentary. The basics are covered, from how the project developed to the casting to the surprisingly stressful production. Schumacher has a dry wit to the point that some might be bored, but I found him a wry and engaging speaker. Casual fans can probably skip this and just watch the documentary features, but diehards should give it a listen.
- Featurette: "Lost Boys: A Retrospective" (SD, 24 minutes) - This 2001 look back features then-fresh interviews with Schumacher, the two Coreys (Haim and Feldman), Kiefer Sutherland, and assorted crew (including Oscar-winning director of photography Michael Chapman). Unfortunately, many key cast are missing (Jason Patric, Jamie Gertz, Dianne Wiest), and the runtime feels a bit too short given the film's cult status. "A Retrospective" isn't bad, but lacks bite.
- Additional Featurettes (SD) - Four supporting vignettes flesh out the main doc. "Inside the Cave" (6 minutes) offers a peek at the film's visual design with Schumacher and Chapman. "Comedy vs. Horror" (4 minutes) dissects the film's then cutting-edge, post-modern hipness. "A Different Look at Vampires" (4 minutes) on how the flick gave a new twist to an old legend. Finally, "Vamping Out: The Undead Creations of Greg Cannom" runs 14 minutes, and features an interview with Cannom and some cool (if brief) behind-the-scenes footage.
- "Haimster & Feldog/Multi-Angle Featurette" (SD, 23 minutes) - Sigh... must the two Coreys get there own supplement? Haim and Feldman first provide an introduction (4 minutes) where they recall what they consider their "greatest" cinematic effort. Then there is a 19-minute compendium of the pairs best scenes, where they are joined by Feldman's fellow Frog Brother Jamison Newlander for a video commentary that's presented in multi-angle. (You can choose to watch the footage with the trio in a small PIP box, or vice versa.) Their insights are pretty ridiculous, if priceless -- my favorite is Haim's remark on the film's visual style. "Like, nature is green and this is all red and, like, it all coincides with each other." Deep, man, deep.
- Deleted Scenes (SD, 12 minutes) - There are 18 scenes in all, and most quite short. There are no major sequences excised, but of interest is a better set-up for the Edward Hermann character, a subplot involving a summer job for Jason Patric, and an extended sex scene that's even less erotic than the one in the film.
- Vampires Photo Gallery (SD, 10 minutes) - A surprisingly robust gallery with over 78 stills. This is edited as a single 10-minute montage, so there are no interactive navigation options or any upgrade for Blu-ray.
- Music Video (SD) - An enjoyably cheesy clip is provided for Lou Gramm's immortal "Lost in the Shadows." (Sadly, the other superior music video produced for 'The Lost Boys,' INXS' cover of "Good Times," is for some reason not included.)
- Theatrical Trailer (HD) - The film's original theatrical trailer is the only extra offered in full 1080 resolution.
Beowulf: The Director's Cut (2007) (Blu-ray) Paramount Home Entertainment / 2007 / 114 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Adventure, Animated, Fantasy
Starring: Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Plot Synopsis: The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge.
Disc Features:
• Featurettes
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailers
HD Exclusive Content:
• "In the Volume" Picture-in-Picture (Bonus View)
Dark City (Blu-ray) New Line Home Entertainment / 1992 / 111 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Science Fiction
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly
Director: Alex Proyas
Plot Synopsis: Alex Proyas, (The Crow) directs this futuristic thriller about a man waking up to find he is wanted for brutal murders he doesn't remember. Haunted by mysterious beings who stop time and alter reality, he seeks to unravel the riddle of his identity.
Disc Features:
• Never-before-seen director's cut and theatrical cut
• Introduction by Alex Proyas
• Multiple audio commentary tracks featuring director Alex Proyas, writers Lem Dobbs and David S. Goyer, director of photography Dariusz Wolski, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos and film critic Roger Ebert
• Documentary: "Memories of Shell Beach," "Architecture of Dreams"
• Production Gallery
• Text Essays
• Neil Gaiman Review of Dark City
• Director's Cut Fact Track
• Theatrical Trailer
Human Body: Pushing the Limits (Blu-ray) Image Entertainment / 2007 / 180 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Documentary
Plot Synopsis: Human Body: Pushing the Limits takes you across continents and introduces you to people who have pushed their bodies to the max. This groundbreaking program uses CGI technology and hi-tech camera work to examine their physical ordeals in vivid detail both externally and internally!
Sight: Sight is the king of the senses; more than 80 percent of what we know of the world comes through our eyes. Experience one of the body's most critical and fascinating components from the inside out. Strength: The human body is engineered for strength, power and endurance. Bone is as sturdy as concrete but flexible enough to resist breaking. It's even light enough to allow us to be quicker off the mark than a racehorse. Sensation: Less than one twentieth of an inch below the surface of the skin are the ultra-sensitive "antennae" that allow us to sense the world around us. This vital layer is the gateway to the original information superhighway...the nervous system. Brain Power: The driving force behind every one of us is the most powerful organ in the natural world: the human brain. A central processing unit that generates as many electrical impulses in a single day as all the telephones in the world put together.
Robin Hood: Season One (Blu-ray) BBC Video / 2007 / Unrated
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Genres: Action, Drama, Romance
Starring: Richard Armitage, Keith Allen, Lucy Griffiths, Jonas Armstrong
Director: Various
Plot Synopsis: People's hero, war hero, romantic hero and leader of the world's most famous resistance group...Robin Hood is known and loved by millions around the world. His fight against a corrupt government and greedy officials is something we all can connect with. Fun, modern and intelligent, the BBC's Robin Hood is guaranteed to appeal to today's sophisticated viewers and is set to be as popular as the new Doctor Who. Sharp, witty scripts by Dominic Minghella and a striking new look set the tone as the BBC updates this popular legend for all the family.
Top Gun (Blu-ray) Paramount Home Entertainment / 1986 / 109 Minutes / Rated PG
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Overall Grade 
Amazing classics.Disc Features:
- Audio Commentary - This group track brings together director Tony Scott, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, co-screenwriter Jack Epps, Jr., and technical advisors Captain Mike Galpin, Pete Pettigrew and Vice Admiral Mike McCabe. It's rather spliced together (most of the participants were recorded separately), and leans towards the machinery. There is much talk on what is plausible in the movie and what isn't, which is fairly interesting but soon wears out its welcome. I would have preferred to hear more from Scott and Bruckheimer on the actors, the film's commercial aspects and the story, but this track falls between two stools. Unless you're a huge 'Top Gun' fan (or want to join the Navy), I'd say just go with the documentary instead...
- Documentary: "The Making of 'Top Gun'" (SD, 147 minutes) - Wow, I wasn't expecting this. A two-and-a-half-hour documentary on 'Top Gun!?' Yes, it's way too long for a movie that is in my opinion pretty lame, but giving the film's cultural legacy it's due, this doc has the right stuff. Fresh interviews were conducted with most of the major players, including Tom Cruise, Scott, Bruckheimer, Epps and fellow co-screenwriter Jim Cash, fellow cast and crew (though noticeably missing are Kelly McGillis and Anthony Edwards), and various Naval experts. It's a reverential retrospective, with little in the way of critical analysis of the film's weaknesses, instead celebrating the film's rah-rah patriotism, technical audacity and huge success. I suspect your enjoyment of "The Making of 'Top Gun'" will hinge on how much you like the movie, but it's hard to imagine the film getting a more comprehensive doc than this. (Tastiest tidbit: Berlin lead singer Terri Nunn explaining how the relentless "Take My Breath Away" just about destroyed the band's career, and why she subsequently refused to perform the song at that year's Oscar ceremony.)
- Multi-Angle Storyboards (SD) -Two scenes are provided, "Jester's Dead" and "Flat Spin." Watch the storyboards in various stages of completion plus the finished product, which you can rotate with the multi-angle function. Director Scott also provides optional commentary for both scenes.
- Vintage Gallery (SD) - A poorly labeled "feature," this is actually an impressive archive of vintage promotional materials. There are four music videos ("Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin, "Heaven in Your Eyes" by Loverboy, and "Top Gun Anthem" by Harold Faltermeyer), plus a spate of seven TV spots. There is also a 7-minute reel of "Tom Cruise Interviews." And finally, two 1986 EPKs: "Behind-the-Scenes" (6 minutes) and "Survival Training" (8 minutes). Oddly, there is no theatrical trailer on the disc.
HD Bonus Content:
Featurette: "Best of the Best - Inside the Real Top Gun" (SD, 28 minutes) - A bit dry, this nearly half-hour look at the real fighter pilots of Top Gun academy interviews a whole host of 'em. There's some cool footage of the pilots in action, which offsets the sometimes techy talk of training, aircraft and tactical maneuvers. I was kinda bored by this, but if you're really into 'Top Gun' you might find this worth a watch.
Tom Clancy's - Jack Ryan Collection:
The Sum of All Fears (Blu-ray)
Paramount Home Entertainment / 2002 / Rated PG-13
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Patriot Games (Blu-ray) Paramount Home Entertainment / 1992 / 116 Minutes / Rated R
Street Date: July 29, 2008
The Hunt for Red October (Blu-ray) 
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