The Mummy In Theaters This Week 1 August

Here we go again - that's what been said by Brendan Fraser for the latest installment of the Mummy franchise which opens today. Expectations very high for Universal for this movie to knock down 'The Dark Knight' from the No.1 crown for this weekend box-office. The third entry in the Universal series starring Brendan Fraser ups the ante in terms of special effects and action, but there's an undeniably tired air to the enterprise.

Arriving in theaters on Friday seven years after the last installment, "The Mummy Returns" (assuming you don't count the "Scorpion King" spinoff), its timing is particularly unfortunate coming right on the heels of the recent "Indiana Jones" reboot.

The China setting -- both ancient and 1946 -- might prove beneficial thanks to the publicity generated by the Summer olympics and the presence of Asian superstars Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh certainly won't hurt. My predictions this weekend 1)The Mummy: Tomb of Dragon Emperor USD$55million. Wait and see how it goes....- Ibrahem.S

The Mummy: Tomb of The Dragon Emperor
Copyright © 2008 Universal Pictures

Explorer Rick O'Connell to combat the resurrected Han Emperor in an epic that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. What to say more? You'll know what's this about right. Go and watch it.

	August 1st, 2008
	Rob Cohen
	Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
	Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Anthony Wong, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong
	Universal Pictures
	Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
	themummy.com
	PG-13 for for adventure action and violence

The Midnight Meat Train
Copyright © 2008 Lionsgate

Based on Clive Barker's short story. Bradley Cooper stars as an inquisitive photographer who comes across Mahogany (Jones), a butcher who uses the subway system as his killing floor. But who is he killing for and where is he delivering the meat of his victims?

	August 1st, 2008
	Ryuhei Kitamura
	Clive Barker
	Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones, Brooke Shields, Leslie Bibb, Roger Bart, Peter Jacobson, Barbara Eve Harris, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
	Lionsgate
	Drama, Horror
	lionsgate.com
	R for for sequences of strong bloody gruesome violence, grisly images involving nudity, sexual content and language

Swing Vote
Copyright © 2008 Touchstone Picture

SWING VOTE follows the story of Bud Johnson (KEVIN COSTNER), an apathetic, beer-slinging, lovable loser, who is coasting through a life that has passed him by. The one bright spot is his precocious, over-achieving twelve year-old daughter Molly. She takes care of both of them, until one mischievous moment on Election Day, when she accidentally sets off a chain of events which culminates in the election coming down to one vote... her dad's.

SWING VOTE is a comical look at the journey of one father and daughter who discover that everyone has the power to change the world. Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson are producing.

	August 1st, 2008
	Joshua Michael Stern
	Joshua Michael Stern, Jason Richman
	Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Judge Reinhold, Willie Nelson, Mare Winningham, Richard Petty
	Touchstone Pictures (Disney)
	Comedy
	swingvote-themovie.com
	PG-13 for for language

Review: Californication [TV Series]

I do admit that 'The X-Files: I Want To Believe' really sucks! Nevertheless I'm totally surprise with this TV series 'Californication' which David Duchovny (X Files) was born to play this sly, sarcastic, self-loathing, and--despite all the meaningless sex, booze, and fist fights--kind character. Writer Moody hates the Los Angeles world he lives in; a world that turned his sharp best-seller into a cheesy date movie, where his young daughter and should-have-been wife (Natascha McElhone) are slipping away into the hands of a rich play-it-safe guy, and where everything he truly wants seems just out of his reach. But the man hasn’t lost all hope. "Happy endings may get a bad rap, but they do happen," he assures his daughter. "And when they do, they’re just as true as the unhappy ones." One can’t help but hope Hank finds his happy ending, because it's with his family that his soft side surfaces. Hank takes no shame in trying to woo back his "wife" Karen, even if it is in front of her new fiancé. He knows he’s meant to be with her--plain and simple--and there’s a glint in her eye that always makes you wonder if she’s really thinking the same thing. And his daughter Becca? Well, any guy would melt against this guitar-wielding cutie (played by the adorable Madeleine Martin), but Hank really captures the "I’ll kick a lot of ass for my daughter" mentality that so many dads harbor. He’s also fully prepared to drop a gorgeous woman at a moment’s notice to heed his daughter’s call.The rest of the cast, including Evan Handler (Sex and the City) and Pamela Adlon (Lucky Louie), provide some surprisingly interesting and hilarious side stories. Just when it seems situations in this show can’t get any more ludicrous or disgusting, they most certainly do. That’s the beauty of it. Californication is a dark, coarse, edgy adult comedy. It’s also very real, and quite intelligent.
I strongly recommend this series to all my customers. This is an outstanding one of a kind series. Impressively made. Overall rating: - Ibrahem.s

DVD/ Blu-ray Chart 26th July

Top Blu-ray Sales 26th July 2008

RANK	TITLE (LABEL/DISTRIBUTOR, SRP)
1	21
2	BATMAN BEGINS
3	THE MUMMY
4	THE MUMMY RETURNS
5	THE BANK JOB
6	10,000 B.C.
7	VANTAGE POINT
8	THE SCORPION KING
9	JUMPER
10	STEP UP 2 THE STREETS

Top DVD Sales 26th July 2008

THIS WEEK			TITLE (LABEL/DISTRIBUTOR)			RATING	BOX OFFICE*
1			21			PG-13	81.2
2			STEP UP 2 THE STREETS			PG-13	58.0
3			COLLEGE ROAD TRIP			G	45.5
4			THE BANK JOB			R	30.1
5			ROBOT CHICKEN STAR WARS			NR	-
6			10,000 B.C.			PG-13	94.8
7			VANTAGE POINT			PG-13	72.3
8			SHUTTER			PG-13	25.9
9			PENELOPE			PG	10.0
10			NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS			PG	219.8
11			THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES			PG	71.2
12			SUPERHERO MOVIE			PG-13	25.9
13			THE BUCKET LIST			PG-13	93.5
14			SPACED: THE COMPLETE SERIES			NR	-
15			THE RUINS			R	17.4
16			FOOL'S GOLD			PG-13	70.2
17			BATMAN BEGINS			PG-13	205.3
18			JUMPER			PG-13	79.9
19			TYLER PERRY'S MEET THE BROWNS			PG-13	42.0
20			DRILLBIT TAYLOR			PG-13	32.9

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "21" aced the home video charts for the week ending July 27, debuting at No. 1 in a relatively slow period for new releases.

The Sony drama, with a box office gross of $81.2 million, was the only theatrical feature to be released to the home entertainment market last week. It's no surprise, then, that the film easily captured the top spot on the Nielsen VideoScan sales chart, outselling incumbent champion "Step Up 2 the Streets" by a margin of nearly 4-to-1.

The "Batman Begins" limited-edition gift set remained in high demand. Seven weeks after its release, it was still at No. 3, buoyed no doubt by the theatrical success of "The Dark Knight."

On Home Media Magazine's rental chart, "21" was the only new release among the week's top renters. The previous week's champ, "The Bank Job," slipped to No. 2.

"21" also topped the Blu-ray sales chart, with "Batman Begins" a solid No. 2. In anticipation of Friday's theatrical release of "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," new Blu-ray editions of "The Mummy," "The Mummy Returns" and "The Scorpion King" bowed respectively at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8. Source from: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Heroes Season 2 On Aug.6

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has revealed the final specs for the upcoming Blu-ray release of 'Heroes Season 2' , due to hit store shelves on August 26th, day-and-date with the DVD release. The four BD-50 disc set will feature 1.78:1 1080p video accompanied by a 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack. Place your order now!!!







Extras for this release include:

• U-CONTROL - PICTURE IN PICTURE CAST & CREW COMMENTARIES:
  • Four Months Later with Creator/Executive Producer Tim Kring, Co-Executive Producer Jeph Loeb and Series Star Jack Coleman.
  • Lizards with Executive Producer Allan Arkush, Series Star Greg Grunberg and Co-Executive Producer Michael Green.
  • Kindred with Episode Director Paul Edwards, Co-Executive Producer JJ Philbin and Series Star Zachary Quinto.
  • The Kindness of Strangers with Creator/Executive Producer Tim Kring and Series Stars Dana Davis & Adrian Pasdar.
  • Fight or Flight with Series Star Greg Grunberg and Executive Producer Greg Beeman.
  • The Line with Co-Executive Producers Adam Armus & Kay Foster and Series Star Jack Coleman.
  • Out of Time with Episode Director Daniel Attias and Series Star Masi Oka.
  • Four Months Ago… with Series Star Milo Ventimielia and Executive Producer Greg Beeman.
  • Cautionary Tales with Episode Director Greg Yaitanes and Series Stars Kristen Bell & Ashley Crow.
  • Truth & Consequences with Episode Director Adam Kane and Series Star Stephen Tobolowsky.
  • Powerless with Executive Producer Allan Arkush and Composers Lisa Coleman & Wendy Melvoin.
• HERO CONNECTIONS – Bios and Network.
• HEROES SEASON 2 "A NEW BEGINNING" - Tim Kring introduces us to the theme of "extraordinary people trying to live normal lives." We go behind the scenes with the cast and crew to see what it's like coming back to a hit show and we also meet new Heroes as they share anecdotes about filming the second season.
• TAKEZO KENSEI: Sword Saint
• GENETICS OF A SCENE
  • MAYA AND ALEJANDRO RUN FROM THE POLICE - With an interview with Executive Producer/Director Greg Beeman.
  • THE ANATOMY OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOM/SWORDFIGHT SCENES - With an interview with Executive Producer/Director Allan Arkush.
  • EXPLODING MAN - With an interview with Executive Producer/Director Greg Beeman.
  • THE LOFT - With an interview with Executive Producer/Director Allan Arkush
• THE DRUCKER FILES
• TIM SALE
• GENERATIONS ALTERNATE ENDING
• INSIDE THE ALTERNATE ENDING OF GENERATIONS - What if Peter didn't catch the virus?
• UNTOLD STORIES
• NBC.com Featurettes
  • Hotel Corinthian Explosion
  • Maya Y Alejandro Viral Video
  • Nathan and Peter Brooklyn Cam
• DELETED SCENES

Horton On Blu-ray & DVD Dec.9

JULY 28 | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is launching an extensive $25 million campaign for Dec. 9 release Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!. Grossing $154 million in the U.S., was a hit for Fox and will benefit from an extra large promotional push. Horton, which premiered in theaters in March, will have one of the longest screen-to-DVD windows for a fourth-quarter title.

Horton will street as a single disc ($29.98) and two-disc special edition ($34.98) in standard-definition. It also will bow on Blu-ray ($39.98) and as a DVD gift set, featuring a Horton plush toy ($39.98). Both two-disc and Blu-ray versions will hold a digital copy. All prebook Nov. 11.

Touted as Fox’s largest DVD marketing effort of the year, the Horton campaign is valued at more than $25 million and is expected to generate 1.6 billion consumer impressions spread across TV, print, radio and Web. The campaign should span well after street date and into the New Year.

The Macy’s Day Parade will be a key Horton launch pad, as the annual Thanksgiving Event will star a helium balloon shaped as the lead elephant character. Macy’s also will offer an exclusive plush Horton toy at its 800 stores nationwide.

Energy Star, a program affiliated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, will roll out a print/TV PSA campaign tied to Horton. The program is taking advantage of Horton’s green messages to educate children about how they can help save the environment.

Additionally, L’Oréal Kids will distribute 300,000 units of themed shampoo, stamped with Horton DVD signage, to retailers nationwide.

Bonus feature highlights include picture-in-picture commentary on the Horton Blu-ray version. Both the Blu-ray and two-disc special editions will have several featurettes, cast and crew interviews, a memory game, deleted footage and animation screen tests. [Source from: videobusiness.com

Blu-ray 29th July Release

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)

Paramount Home Entertainment / 1990 / 135 Minutes / Rated PG
Street Date: July 29, 2008

James Bond On Blu-ray October 21

MGM has unveiled a first look at the box art for the first six titles in its upcoming James Bond Blu-ray collection on October 21 (day-and-date with new standard DVD re-issues).