In addition to today’s release of The Incredibles, there’s animation and digital effects to be found in two other home video debuts–What the Bleep Do We Know? and Star Trek: First Contact–Special Collector’s Edition.
Made by William Arntz, Betsy Chasse and Mark Vicente, The experimental documentary What the Bleep Do We Know? strives to make basic theories of quantum physics accessible and entertaining for the average person. Hosted by Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God, TV’s The West Wing), the film employs digital effects and amusing character animation in illustrating talking head interviews with leading physicists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, physicians molecular biologists, spiritual teachers, mystics and scholars. The highly engrossing film ultimately raises more questions than it answers, but given the title, that seems to be the aim. If pondering the concepts behind The Matrix blew your mind, this is right up your alley.
What the Bleep’s vfx and 3D animation were handled by Atomic of Capetown, South Africa, Lost Boys Studio in Vancouver and Mr. X in Toronto. DVD extra features include a Q&A with the directors, a music video and a featurette titled The Top 5 Bleeps. The Fox Home Entertainment release carries a suggested retail price of $29.98. More information can be found at www.whatthebleep.com.
The 1996 feature voyage of the Starship Enterprise is back on shelves with a special collector’s edition. Directed by cast member Jonathan Frakes, Star Trek: First Contact reunites Star Trek: The Next Generation stars Patrick Stewart, Marina Siritis, Alfre Woodard, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton and Gates McFadden. The story has the Enterprise crew following the Borg back in time to prevent them from impeding Earth’s first contact with alien life.
This deluxe, two-disc edition is packed with extra features, including commentary by Frakes and screenwriters Brannon Braga and Ronald Moore; and text commentary by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda. Featurettes include a tribute to Jerry Goldsmith, The Star Trek Universe and The Legacy of Zefram Cochrane, First Contact: The Possibilities, The Borg Collective, Unimatrix One and The Queen. There are also several behind-the-scenes production featurettes, storyboards, a photo gallery, trailers and more. The Paramount Home Entertainment release lists for $19.99 on DVD.
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