Austin Powers heads to Blu Ray Disc

The Austin Powers trilogy is coming to Blu-ray as a box set, although individual releases haven't been announced as yet.

All three films will make the upgrade to 1080p with a batch of extras. International Man of Mystery will come with an audio commentary, both alternate endings, deleted scenes, a trailer and an animated sequence. The Spy Who Shagged Me will include a commentary, the Comedy Central mocumentary, a featurette, deleted scenes, trailers, and music videos. Goldmember will carry a commentary, a trivia track, featurettes, deleted scenes, an outtake montage and four more music videos.

Many might not remember, but Austin Powers was the first breakaway DVD top seller back in the early days of the format and was one of the first titles to help bring people to the new format (before The Matrix broke all the rules). The three pack will arrive on December 2nd.

Now that's Groovy Baby !!!

BEOWULF ON DVD

I had the glorious task of watching Beowulf on DVD today. It was the director’s cut and I was looking for new scenes, but if they existed - they escaped my notice. I am guessing some of the battle scenes were a bit more violent, and a few shots simply escaped my eye. None the less, it was great to see the film again and although I preferred it with 3-D glasses; the picture quality was incredible and the film was still very watchable a second time around.

The special features on the DVD included: A Heroes Journey: The Making Of Beowulf, Beasts Of Burden: Designing The Creatures Of Beowulf, The Origins Of Beowulf, Creating The Ultimate Beowulf, The Art Of Beowulf, Deleted Scenes, Theatrical Trailer and Previews. I will not go into details on all the special features but will discuss a pair of my favorites. I am not a huge fan of special features; but this set kept me entertained (which is certainly a break from the norm). My love for the film fueled my interest, and I assume those that purchase this DVD will be in the same boat.

A Heroes Journey: The Making Of Beowulf

Love it or hate it, motion capture takes a ton of fucking work; and peculiar work it is. All the neon props and costumes made it look like everyone was acting in the world of Tron. To see the confused looks on the actors faces the day before shooting was hilarious, even when they first started acting in the suits - they seemed embarrassed. Only when the art director showed them concept pictures and “made them up” as costumed characters did their countenances start to change. They realized that they were skeletons for the characters that they could now see, take pride in and ownership of. Tom Hanks shows up in this segment for a quick pop in to say word to Zemeckis, and we also see them pitch Grendel to the man that was born to play him - Crispin Glover.

This segment was my favorite part of the special features. I thought this mini documentary was put together quite well.

The Art Of Beowulf

The art direction on this film was insanely thorough. The concept paintings are delightfully detailed and were very inspirational for the overall look of the film. They created additional miniatures, paintings, props and costumes as points of reference for the actors and animators. With so many talented artists on board, it made me wish they used costumed actors as opposed to motion capture. When possible I always prefer “man i suit” and I certainly think they had the talent here to make Beowulf motion capture, animated or live action. The artistic team behind this film was outstanding and it was a pleasure to see them build a world up from the script.

In Conclusion

This film is an over the top, testosterone-fueled adventure tale where demons are slain, legends are born and kings are made by way of the sword. I love this film and think it should be a staple in every home library. It reminds us that: forgotten mistakes can live on to haunt us later in life, it is essential to know your weaknesses, and when fighting a dragon always go for the tender underbelly.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

It is Lenten season, and I believe that it would be best that we reflect. Hence, I belieed that there is no any new great movie that will be shown this week, I'm suggesting that you check out The Ten Commandments Ultimate 2 Disc DVD edition.

This movie withstands the tests of times due to it's acting and story. There are so many effects laden movies now sometimes the plots are left out and the quality of performances suffer. Not here I highly suggest seeing this classic movie about Moses.

The scale of this movie is insane! Nothing can even come close to the size and scale of this film (made over 50 yearas ago) even by todays standards. A must see for believers and non believers alike!

This is an amazing film for all time. It has every element action, passion, drama, romance etc... It really reached my high expectations, and for the year that it was made that's pretty imppresive. This movie is so much better than some of the pathetic attempts that we have today. You don't want to miss this film!

If you've seen it before,you might wanna check it out again instead of partying on Holy Week

Remembering TITANIC

It has been ten years since Titanic hit the big screen. I still can remember the moment I saw it first. It was after my job interview that I got the chance to watch it. It was a Thursday and Titanic is showing on its first day.

I had no idea about the film, since I haven’t seen its trailer. All I knew then was it was about a ship that sunk. My movie History recalls that there was this film S.O.S Titanic because I always see its cover on my favorite video store.

Neither do I know its stars, Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet. Although Leonardo seems familiar since I saw him in The Quick and The Dead. Now Kate Winslet was a surprise on the film. Whoa, what a beautiful girl and a nice body too or a nice pair of big boobs she had.

From the very beginning of the film, I was hooked up till the end. The movie was just too damn beautiful never mind that it is three hour long, of course every money you paid for was worth it. It was a grand film and an instant classic. Everybody went gaga over this film. Everybody would like to be Jack and Rose, a lot of spoofs had been made regarding the film.

Not only does the movie became a big hit, but also its song “ My Hear Will Go On “ by Celine Dion became the national anthem of every lovers during those time. It became a phenomenon, a karaoke hit.

Ten years after, I still love this film and I wont get tired or bored watching this film well directed by the brilliant James Cameron. No wonder it became the world’s highest grossing film of all time. Its 3 disc DVD edition seems quite expensive but like I’ve said before, every penny is worth it. This film is a masterpiece.

Fifth Harry Potter out now in Video...

The fifth installment in the Harry Pottter series in DVD is now available, Harry Potter and the Oder of the Phoenix. It contains two disc, whereas the first disc contains the movie and the second disc the special features.It was spectacular when it was shown in IMAX theaters especially in the climax where Dumbledore and Voldemort came face to face. How I wish that there will be an IMAX DVD version.

Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for his fifth year at the wizard school. This time around, he’s not only facing Voldemort but also the super strict Dolores Umbridge who happens to be the worst teacher in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Instead of advancing in teaching in preparation for Lord Voldemort, she returns to the basic training. Insisting that Lord Voldemort didn’t return, She also terrorizes the whole school, She’s not allowing students to form any organization. And because of this, Harry Potter led the student to forming a secret organization called Dumbledore’s Army.

It is another value pack DVD, loaded with full of surprises. It contains additional scenes which were not shown in theaters. It also has a Featurette featuring Tonks, entiltled Trailing Tonks.

Another great feature is the Harry Potter: The magic of editing. It also has the Hidden secrets of Harry Potter. So if you’re a Potter fan, grab your copy now and add it to your collection. It sure is worth it,to have one.

YIPPIE-KI-YAY

No wonder Live Free or Die Hard rules the sales chart when it was released. The DVD is just loaded with a lot of great stuff and extras.

Another Action Hero making a comeback in the new Millennium is John McClane. Returning for the fourth installment in the Die Hard series, Live Free or Die Hard continues the life of New York Cop John McClane played once again by Bruce Willis( who do you think can still play him ? ) This time he is pitted against Techno Terrorist led by Timothy Olyphant’s character. The film began with a series of death by Hackers around the country. John McClane task is to aid a hacker played by Justin Long. From then on, the action are just getting better and better. It’s one hell of a ride, it maintains the formula that makes the Die Hard series a box office hit worldwide.

If you’re planning to buy this movie, I suggest you choose the Collector’s Edition. It contains two disc.

The first disc contains the unrated and original version of the film with commentary by Bruce Willis, Director Len Wiseman ( Underworld ), editor Nicholas De Toth.

Now the second disc is the bomb. It contains the documentary of the making of Live Free or Die Hard entitled Analog Hero in a Digital World. Sounds like Old School meet the New Generation. It also contains interviews with Bruce Willis and Kevin Smith entitled Yippie Ki-Yay, Motherfucker . It also has Fox Movie Channel present Fox Legacy which tells the legacy of the series it bought to the world. It also features the original theatrical trailer and a music video by Guyz Nite. Plus it also has behind the scenes featurette with Guyz Nite.

SPIDERMAN 3 OUT NOW ON DVD

Yo!!! Web slinger fans out there, got some good news for you, Spiderman 3 is now out on DVD on Philippine shores. I think were even ahead in the US.

Its distributors released two versions. First version is the single disc which contains only the film and cost around P 595.00 comes free with a calendar or a mini poster I think.

The Second version is the two disc special edition. First disc contains the film, the second disc contains all the good stuff that Spidey fans will surely like. Second disc contains the special features like Bloopers/Outtakes, Deleted scenes, making of the film, how the special effects are made and a lot more. It also contains Snow Patrol’s Signal Fire music video. It’s priced around P 895.00 so it’s a good catch.

So for Spidey fans like me and my son, grab a copy now. I prefer the two disc edition. These complete my Spiderman DVD collection.

One remark about Spiderman 3, the filmmakers should have made Venom ( Topher Grace ) appearance and fight with Spiderman longer.

If you havent seen it cinemas, now’s your chance to see it. Spiderman 3 stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.