Screen Time 53: I <3 LaserDisc

On the latest Screen Time, I'm joined by superstar Blu-ray/DVD producers Charles de Lauzirika, Robert Meyer Burnett, and Brian Ward to discuss the world of special editions and supplements, the inevitable decline of physical media, and the future of home video presentation. We take a moment to touch on 4K/UHD and what it means for the next few years.

We also get a couple of exclusive tidbits: The X-Files is being remastered for both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, and Shout! Factory's Pee-Wee's Playhouse set will not only be done before the holidays in 2014, but in all likelihood, much sooner.

In a bit of a new development, much of this WatchList is comprised of supplemental documentaries available on various Blu-rays, DVDs, and iTunes Extras packages.

Wreckage and Rage: The Making of Alien 3

As recounted by Charlie on the show, this doc has had more than one life, and took years to see the light of day in its original cut, resulting in Charlie initially having himself credited as Frederick Garvin, as in Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute. The complete and final version of this is included on the Alien Anthology Blu-ray box set.

Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner

Another great piece by Charlie, this truly completes the Final Cut version of the movie, and is thankfully included as part of the iTunes Extras download for those who've moved away from discs already.

Gladiator (3-disc Extended Edition DVD)

Charlie related how they hid an easter egg in this specific release teasing a Gladiator sequel that has still yet to come to fruition.

Brazil (Criterion Collection) - Docs and "Love Conquers All" version
The Last Temptation of Christ (Criterion Collection) - Martin Scorsese's Video Journal

Charlie cited these two as among his favorite Criterion releases, due to the incredible insight into the struggle to make both of these masterpieces.

Time Bandits (Criterion Collection)
The Seven Samurai (Criterion Collection)
The Rock (Criterion Collection)

Brian is particularly fond of these: the first for its infinite re-watchability, the second for the outstanding docs included, and the last in particular for the memorable Ed Harris outtakes that give a look behind the curtain.

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (Criterion Collection)

Rob really loved being blindsided by the feature-length doc on the director, whom he was completely unaware of until watching this set.

"Missing Discs" longed for by the panel include Tuff Turf, Quick Change, Liquid Sky, Batman (1966 series), and did I mention Tuff Turf?

Screen Time #46: How We Get Kryptonite

I'm joined this week by Badass Digest's Devin Faraci, USA Today's Brian Truitt, and DVD/Blu-ray producer Robert Meyer Burnett to discuss the death of Paul Walker, the future of Fast & Furious, the casting of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, the growing slates full of comic book blockbusters coming from major studios, back channel chatter about X-Men: Days of Future Past, and where (or if) we will hit a saturation point. Are Avengers-scale blockbusters the next bubble in filmmaking?

At the end, we get some nice dirt from Rob Burnett about the work he's been doing on the Star Trek Blu-rays, both The Next Generation and Enterprise.

Daily Grab 114: It's Been a Long Road

I didn't watch Star Trek: Enterprise when it was on the air. I was in college, and there was no regular local Paramount/UPN/whatever affiliate. I caught an episode here and there, usually in really dingy SD. The new Blu-ray set is a great way to experience it for the first time, especially so thanks to the lengthy and candid discussion between Rick Berman and Brannon Braga.

The theme song is still pretty wretched.

Review forthcoming.