Watchmen BD-Live Commentary, Director’s Cut Theatrical Screening Confirmed (UPDATED)

Brenden — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:27:09 +0000

A couple of pieces of Watchmen news coming late today.

The first comes from Collider.com, who confirm via an interview with director, Zack Snyder that his longer cut, the one North America will see released on Blu-ray July 21st, will be screening in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and Minneapolis for the weekend of July 17-19.

Seriously? Four screens? Three days only?! Is this in an effort to promote the Blu-ray and DVD or just to piss off the fans who don’t live in any of these four privileged cities?Perhaps the studio is just being sensitive to all the folks overseas who may never get a chance to see this longer version of the film at all, seeing as how they’re only getting the theatrical cut on home video.

The second bit of news is kind of a rumour. It’s something I overheard at last weeks Warner Home Video press event. One of the reps from the studio was speaking about the special features on the Watchmen Blu-ray and let it slip that Zack Snyder will make available an audio commentary track over BD-Live! I don’t know if this is anything to write home about, seeing as how we’re getting the Maximum Movie Mode with On-Camera Commentary. But extra stuff is extra stuff and I’m all for BD-Live finally delivering the goods!

UPDATE: Blu-ray.com has further details of the Watchmen screenings and BD-LIve features today.

“On July 25, there will be a “Live Community Screening” of the film at the convention, which will be relayed via BD-Live, so owners of the Blu-ray (which comes out on July 21) can watch the film along with Snyder and talk about the film.

Any viewer in North America will be able to watch the movie at the same time as the audience at Comic-Con, see and hear Snyder comment on the movie, and even ask questions. The screening will then be archived and will be available for future viewings.

“Warner Bros. is hoping to use the filmmakers of its movies to produce immersive home movie experiences,” said the studio’s VP high-def market expansion Kris Brown. “We’re lucky to have filmmakers at Warners that believe in that.” “

And regarding the BD-Live features:

“…something new this release offers is a “Director Walk-On” where Snyder will stand before the monitor talking about his favorite moments from the film. According to Joblo, “it feels like Mr. Snyder is right there in your living room.”

As previously announced, other extras include a timeline comparing the alternate history of the Watchmen as opposed to the real world; storyboard comparisons, focus points on a variety of topics and photo galleries.”

Seeing as how all of these features are directly related to the director’s cut of the film, it looks to me like North America is the only continent that will be able to experience them. What a shame.

Who watches the Watchmen on Blu-ray? Watchmen: Director's Cut Detailed, includes Facebook Social Media Connectivity

Brenden — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:37:03 +0000

Has it really been months since Watchmen was released theatrically? Seriously? I feel like I was just sitting in the Scotiabank’s IMAX theatre here in Montreal, wrestling with the awkward, bombastic confusion I was witnessing on-screen. I can admit, here and now, that I’m not sure if I’m ready to watch this film again. At least not right now. Maybe I’ll feel a little different when the Blu-ray street date of July 28 rolls around.

I am, however excited to play with the Watchmen: Director’s Cut Blu-ray disc as soon as possible. Warner Home Video is pushing the limits of BD-Live functionality with this release, giving us our first in-movie social media experience! While watching the film, you’ll be able to sync your Facebook friend network with BD-Live, allowing for interactive community-screening and commenting. Expect scores of posts on your “wall” regarding the lamentable song selection accompanying the Owl-Ship love scene (I love your work, Mr. Cohen…just not so much as the soundtrack to neon-lit, nasty superhero cavorting).

After taking a good, hard look at the special feature list of this upcoming Watchmen: Director’s Cut I’m not quite sure if this is the last we’ll be seeing of this title on home video. While the disc seems feature rich, the lack of inclusion of the theatrical cut (outside of the “Digital Copy” file provided) and the rumoured “Black Freighter” 205 minute cut (incorporating the animated feature, Tales of the Black Freighter) keeps it from feeling like a complete or comprehensive edition. Don’t be surprised to find an Ultimate Collector’s Edition box set on the shelves, much like Warner prepared for their I Am Legend double dip, sometime next year.

WATCHMEN: DIRECTOR’S CUT
190 minutes (vs. 162 minutes for Theatrical Cut)
Video: 1080p VC-1
Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD

Special Features:

• Maximum Movie Mode (BD exclusive split-screen, on-camera commentary)
• Watchmen: Focus Points
• The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed Comics
• Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes (BD exclusive)
• Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World (BD exclusive)
• Music Video: Desolation Row (My Chemical Romance)
• Digital Copy (theatrical version)
• BD-Live

Previously on The Blu-ray Blog: Watchmen: Black Freighter Blu-ray details and Animated Trailer

The Blu-ray Blog » Director’s Cut

Watchmen BD-Live Commentary, Director’s Cut Theatrical Screening Confirmed (UPDATED)

Related posts

Who watches the Watchmen on Blu-ray? Watchmen: Director's Cut Detailed, includes Facebook Social Media Connectivity

Related posts