We were completely taken by surprise with "FINAL DESTINATION"!  What a good thriller!  No, not "great", but really good!  For a film that's clearly marketed for teens, "good" is enough to recommend this as a collectible!  The director and co-writer, James Wong,  really devised an interesting premise here.  A boy with a premonition of a doomed plane trip, gets off, along with several others, minutes before the plane explodes in front of everyone.  An F.B.I. investigation ensues, and "death" begins to catch up with those that escaped it the first time!  The lead character is racing against death and time in order to figure out the pattern with which death is working.   While the NEW LINE film doesn't steer clear of some of the mediocre conventions of horror/slasher films, it's original enough to recommend it highly! 

        The transfer is spectacular!!!   While there's a lot of saturation, there's no noise, artifacts, or grain!  There's incredible depth and resolution.  Fleshtones are natural.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix is extremely active.  While many recent 5.1 tracks, underutilize the .1 (LFE), that's not a problem here.  In fact, some receivers with a protection shut-off may experience it here, as we did. So, set your levels right!  There are some great explosion scenes utilizing the sub-woofer.  Besides that, there's a great range of rear speaker directional effects.  The music track is also wonderful, and included on an optional isolated track with composer commentary!

Living up to the "Platinum Line" label from NEW LINE, "FINAL DESTINATION" provides a huge amount of supplements!

All dvd lovers should like any "deleted scenes" segment, but most of them are miniscule.  The section offered here will definitely help fans understand the filmmaking process.  While some of them are interesting, there's an immediate "what?" factor to one of them.  This response makes better sense when viewing another supplement offered, entitled "A LOOK AT TEST SCREENINGS".  The director, producer, NEW LINE exec, marketing department explain how test screenings actually influence the editing of a film, and even changes!  A new, better ending was devised after test audiences expressed concerns with a particular character not being killed off!

Another featurette, entitled "Premontions" introduces a psychic who uses her powers to solve crime. Not particularly interesting, believable, or entertaining.

There are three great audio commentaries.  The first with the director, editor, and writer, gives enough production info to please most aspiring filmmakers researching, as they should, these kind of commentaries.  The second features cast members, and while it's less informative, it offers more entertaining moments behind the film's making, from the "actor" perspective.  The third commentary offers the isolated music track, along with insight from the composer, Shirley Walker.  She actually provides some fine moments and the music is quite effective.

There are two "games" offered as well.  Add to this the theatrical trailer with 16:9 enhancement.  Another important note: All of the supplements are 16:9 enhanced! HOORAY!

Kurt Vonnegut's "Mother Night" received a worthy film adaptation by director Keith Gordan, and is now available on dvd. Nick Nolte gives a terrific performance as a radio host whose program is filled with Anti-American, Anti-semetic commentary.  An obvious racist and nazi-sympathizer, or was he?

His explanation for his war time actions is that he was actually working on behalf of the Americans giving secret codes during pauses in his diatribe.  Of course, the government won't acknowledge his working as a spy for them.  The film is suspenseful at times, but mostly provocative.  It asks the important existentialist question: What makes us who we are?

The transfer from NEW LINE, is terrific! The image is extremely sharp and without any grain or artifacts.  There are a few soft spots, but the great definition makes up for it, and colors are generally vivid..

The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix isn't extremely active, but it does offer an environment with adequate amounts of atmospheric effects. This is a dialogue-driven film, and the center channel is where the focus belongs.

However, when the wonderful musical score comes along, the listener has the chance to become fully surrounded by the speakers!  A simply wonderful score, and well mixed!

Nick Nolte provides some commentary on an isolated track.  Unfortunately, it's not at all scene-specific.  It's really an interview taking place at the actor's home, focusing on acting in general, as well as other points of interest, to the actor!

Much more interesting is the 2nd commentary track, with director Keith Gordan and writer Robert Weide.  This focuses mostly on the writing of the film, and the relationship between the characters and the narrative structure of the script.  While there's some interesting production info, it takes a back seat to the writing process.

There is a deleted scenes segment, offering 7 scenes with/without commentary.  All of the scenes were rightfully cut, but it's great to have the advantage of viewing them and better understanding the editing process.

The late Kurt Vonnegut has a brief "conversation" with Nolte and the screenwriter in a section, taking place on the film's set.  It's short but fun.

"HARD EIGHT", director Paul Thomas Anderson's first film is offered as a great dvd presentation by COLUMBIA TRISTAR.  But, his biggest film, "BOOGIE NIGHTS" has just received its "second" outstanding  dvd presentation courtesy of NEW LINE.

Mark Wahlberg stars as a misunderstood kid with a huge "you-know-what" whom finds his calling, in the adult film industry, thanks to adult film director "Burt Reynolds".  Anderson has a gift for revitalizing the career of actors, and Reynolds gives what may be his best performance here.  The narrative structure of the films is a bit demanding at times, but the terrific ensemble cast and engaging characters make "BOOGIE NIGHTS" a film worth owning, and re-visiting again and again!

The film explores the adult film industry and its changes due to VHS, but it also explores the '70s and '80s with great detail.  It's also a commentary on "family", in its own weird way.

The transfer to this release appears "new" to the previous transfer, with even richer colors and superior contrast.  There are no artifacts, and there's exquisite detail in every scene!  This is a "FLAWLESS" presentation!  DEMONSTRATION QUALITY!!!

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix isn't the most active in comparison to other NEW LINE releases.  Still, it's extremely effective in its depiction of atmosphere, offering a wonderful blend of natural environmental effects with a terrific soundtrack.

It's a big disappointment that the documentary, originally intended for inclusion here, is unavailable.  With that said, there are great supplements, exceeding what was offered in the previous dvd release!

There are several commentaries. The first one, with director Anderson, is new, and even more insightful than the one previously offered.  He's more animated here, sounding at times like Tarentino at his best!  he comments in detail on the storytelling process, as well as the actual film and production info.  Anderson is filled with energy and there are few lulls in the commentary.

The second commentary consists mostly of interviews with different actors from the film, including Heather Graham and John C. Reilly.  They provide some entertaining stories about the production.

Also here is the supplement: "THE JOHN C. REILLY FILES".  This section features scenes with Reilly not included in the previous dvd release, but they're in mediocre shape, transfer-wise, in comparison to other deleted scenes.