Serenity (Collector's Edition) (DVD)

OUTSOURCED – SHADOWCATCHER ENTERTAINMENT September 26, 2007 Limited (SEA) October 5, 2007 Expands (PDX) The story of American novelty product salesman Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton), Outsourced follows the comic twists and turns of Todd’s journey to India as he trains the replacement for his newly outsourced job. Todd does his best to navigate the chaos of Bombay, and bring an office filled with constant cultural misunderstandings up to speed on America. What he least expects, is that his team of Indian call center workers, including the charming Asha (Ayesha Dharkar), will not only teach Todd about India, but also more about America and himself. Conceived by director, John Jeffcoat, and written with writing partner and co-executive producer George Wing, Outsourced is inspired by Jeffcoat’s own experiences traveling in Nepal and India. Said Jeffcoat, “I think the story resonates with people because it showcases the humor that comes with a clash of cultures, while showing how transformative an experience that can be.” At the heart of both the film and the story of its making is how true inspiration, integrity and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom has its own rewards. With wit, intelligence and first-rate storytelling, Outsourced, ultimately brings home a powerful and timely message. UNDER THE SAME MOON – FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES September 28, 2007 Limited Director: Patricia Riggen Cast: America Ferrera, Adrian Alonso, Kate del Castillo, Eugenio Derbez, Maya Zapata, Carmen Salinas In “La Misma Luna” (The Same Moon), Riggen gives us the parallel stories of nine-year-old Carlitos and his mother, Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better life for her son, Rosario works illegally in the U.S. while her mother cares for Carlitos back in Mexico. Unexpected circumstances drive both Rosario and Carlitos to embark on their own journeys in a desperate attempt to reunite. Along the way, mother and son face challenges and obstacles but never lose hope that they will one day be together again. Riggen's film is not only a heartwarming family story; she also offers subtle commentary on the much-debated issue of illegal immigration. MTV http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/08/13/hard-candy-director-to-tackle-gaimans-neverwhere/ When I caught up with Neil Gaiman recently (watch our complete “Rough Cut” interview here), I had only about a hundred questions to ask about probably just as many projects, but only 30 minutes in which to ask them. So what do you do when the crew is wrapping after the cameras have stopped rolling? Ask more questions! That’s how we’re able to add “Neverwhere” to the list of Neil Gaiman works about to be adapted to the big screen — despite its placement in development hell all these years. Many people who have read the book think the BBC “Neverwhere” miniseries was an adaptation, but it’s the other way around: Neil wrote it for the small screen, and started writing the book on set (in the never-seen kitchen of Richard Mayhew’s apartment). Probably because he knew the low budget series, which was shot on video but lit for film, was going to look like a cheesy soap opera from the ’80s. So Neil’s getting a do-over, because he got a call from Lisa Henson (who helped make “MirrorMask”) letting him know that Harvey Weinstein was interested. “They’re using my script from 2000, and they want me to polish it up a bit,” Neil told me. David Slade, who directed “Hard Candy” and “30 Days of Night,” is aboard to helm it as well. “When it comes to movies, the dead certainties never happen and the things you think are dead come back to life,” Neil said. “I have no predictions and absolutely no theories. I watch everything that goes on in Hollywood with amusement and occasional trepidation…but mostly amusement.” New Line has been suffering a little bit of late with their larger box-office efforts. Rush Hour 3 took the tops at the box, but bad reviews and a slightly lower first weekend box-office take than expected doesn't help matters. NL is currently set to release Love in the Time of Cholera this November, and while it might not bring box-office success this little one may have a few award chances if the talented cast and crew is any indication. Cholera seems like a film ripe for festival competition, but since New Line snatched it up I think it is going to take critical buzz to give this one a jumpstart. made the festival rounds to very little acclaim so whether or not it will generate much interest once it hits theaters is highly unlikely even though it has an impressive cast and director. Along with most of you that are probably reading this review I wanted this Collector's Edition to be something special. I wanted to give you numbered reasons as to why you should buy it in an effort to possibly see a Serenity II. Unfortunately, aside from a couple bells and whistles, this 2-Disc set doesn't add anything all that special, but I will say that the major followers of the show and the movie might enjoy a couple of the things I will highlight in the following paragraphs.

Serenity centers on a group of space outlaws that take on two new members in their crew. One is a doctor and the other is his psychic and rather unstable sister River. The ruling government of the universe known as "The Alliance" wants River back after she was rescued from their clutches by our band of space cowboys. You see River knows things about "The Alliance", things that can hurt them in all the wrong ways and they will do anything to get her back. The space chase begins and it is one of the best rides you will ever have in this space western that deserves more respect than it has gotten.

While I have never seen a single episode of "Firefly" it is amazing that a television show that had the following "Firefly" had could get cancelled after only 14 episodes and then two years later spawn a feature film that was hailed by critics, but then pretty much failed at the box-office only earning $38.8 million worldwide on a budget of $39 million. Luckily Universal seems to care about the fans of this film because I really think those are the only people that should take advantage of this double-dip considering the new features are expressly aimed at those folks.

For me the only new feature that makes this DVD worth a purchase is the all new DTS 5.1 surround track. The first disc only had Dolby Digital 5.1 and I am a major fan of DTS sound and think it adds much more to a film like Serenity. Since I missed out on the HD DVD I am happy to have this version in my collection now, but hardly think it is alone worth the upgrade.

Among the new features there is a brand new commentary track featuring director Joss Whedon and stars Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau and Ron Glass. This is a commentary created specifically for this DVD and the group seems to have a lot of fun getting back together and chatting about the flick. Superfans of the show and the movie should really dig it.

Next we have a group of three new extended scenes that didn't do much for me followed by the new River Tam sessions called "Session 416". Now I don't want to ruin the River sessions for you because I think a lot of you may like them, but they are pretty low quality and not interesting in the slightest. Considering they were made specifically for the web and distributed online, you have probably already seen them since they are on YouTube right here.

The "Filmmaker's Journey" making-of featurette runs about 20 minutes and isn't too bad as they cover a lot of ground, but it doesn't really feel new. There is also a feature on cinematographer Jack Green and then a tour of the Serenity in which a lot of comparisons to the ship that was used for television. It is interesting, but I am sure it will be better for those that watched the show. Next is a regurgitated "Sci-Fi Inside: Serenity" feature that most of you probably already saw and considering the film is out the first look footage is hardly interesting.

The one other new feature that I actually got a kick out of was the "We'll Have A Fruity Oaty Good Time!" featurette looking at how the commercial that was used in the bar to set off River was made. Following that you get a look at the commercial in full. It's a fun little piece.

I only think a true special edition for this film will come once the 14 episodes of "Firefly" and Serenity are offered in the same set. Unfortunately "Firefly" is a Fox Home Entertainment property and Serenity a Universal property, so it will take a lot of "working together" for that to actually happen, but if those two studios could somehow find a way to make it work then we will truly have something "special" on hand.