Action Blu-Ray Round Up, May 19, 2009: ‘Changing Lanes,’ ‘The Machinist’

Submitted by BrianTT on May 19, 2009 - 3:57pm

CHICAGO – Paramount Home Video is unleashing waves of catalog titles this month. It started with the comedy wave last Tuesday and continues with a diverse slate of action films this week.

Like the comedy set, the films have very little in common other than their genre (and even that is a bit sketchy with “The Machinist” bearing little resemblance to “Paycheck”). The highlights of the wave are clearly “3 Days of the Condor,” “The Machinist,” and “Changing Lanes” with “Enemy at the Gates” certainly having enough visual power to warrant a look in HD. “Paycheck”? Good luck with that one.

All five titles were released on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009.

“3 Days of the Condor”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “In Sydney Pollack’s critically acclaimed suspense-thriller, Robert Redford stars as CIA Agent Joe Turner. Code name: Condor. When his entire office is massacred, Turner goes on the run from his enemies…and his so-called allies. After reporting the murders to his superiors, the organization wants to bring Condor in - but somebody is trying to take him out. In his frantic hunt for answers and in a desperate run for his life, Turner abducts photographer Kathy Hale (Faye Dunaway) eventually seducing her into helping him.

Every twist leads Condor to the end of his nerves…and will take you to the edge of your seat. With nowhere to turn and no one to trust, Turner realizes his most dangerous enemy may be closer than he ever feared. And as he zeroes in on the truth, he discovers there are some secrets people would kill to keep”

“3 Days of the Condor” stars Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max Von Sydow, and John Houseman. The film was written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr. and David Rayfiel and directed by Sydney Pollack. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. The only special feature is the theatrical trailer in HD.

“Changing Lanes”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Modern society draws lines between right and wrong, good and evil, rage and redemption. A moment of self-absorption and a spark of anger will cause two men to cross them. As the battle of wills escalates, both lives are changed forever. Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck star in a provocative and gripping drama that exposes the best and worst in all of us.”

“Changing Lanes” stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Affleck, Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack, William Hurt, and Amanda Peet. The film was written by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin and directed by Roger Michell. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Roger Michell, “The Making of Changing Lanes,” “A Writer’s Perspective,” 2 Deleted scenes, 1 Extended Scene, and the theatrical trailer in HD.

“Enemy at the Gates”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “An all-star cast lights up the screen in this riveting epic hailed as “a vivid dramatization of one of history’s titanic turning points”. (Gene Shalit, TODAY) The year is 1942 and the Nazis are cutting a deadly swath through Russia. Under the leadership of Kruschev (Bob Hoskins), the citizens of Stalingrad are mounting a brave resistance, spurred by the exploits of their local hero, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law). An expert sniper, Vassili’s deeds have become legendary - thanks to propaganda produced by Vassili’s best friend, a political officer named Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). To stop Vassili, the Germans dispatch their best sniper, Major Konig (Ed Harris), to Stalingrad. When Vassili and Danilov both fall in love with a beautiful soldier (Rachel Weisz), Danilov deserts his friend, leaving Vassili to face his German counterpart alone. As the city burns, Vassili and Konig begin a cunning game of cat and mouse, waging a private war for courage, honor and country.”

“Enemy at the Gates” stars Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins, and Ed Harris. It was written by Alain Godard & Jean-Jacques Annaud and directed by Annaud and is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include “Through the Crosshairs,” “Inside Enemy at the Gates,” deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer in HD.

“The Machinist”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) hasn’t slept in a year. The shocking deterioration of his physical and mental health has made his every waking moment an unrelenting state of confusion, paranoia, guilt, anxiety and terror. His only solace from this living nightmare comes from an affectionate prostitute (Jennifer Jason Leigh.

When cryptic notes turn up mysteriously in his apartment and when hallucinations of a co-worker that no one else sees causes a gruesome machine shop injury, he embarks on a journey to find out whether there is an elaborate plot to drive him made or is his fatigue has simply robbed him of reason. The more he learns, the less he wants to know.”

“The Machinist” stars Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, John Sharian, and Michael Ironside. It was written by Scott Kosar and directed by Brad Anderson. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Brad Anderson, “Manifesting the Machinist,” “The Machinist: Hiding in Plain Sight,” “The Machinist: Breaking the Rules,” deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer.

“Paycheck”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “From director John Woo comes this futuristic thriller that combines spectacular action sequences with a spellbinding mystery that will keep you guessing from beginning to breathtaking end.

Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) is a brilliant computer engineer hired for top-secret projects. After each job, Jennings’ short-term memory is erased so he cannot recount any project information. Emerging from his latest assignment, a three-year contract with an eight-figure paycheck given to him by his longtime friend (Aaron Eckhart), Jennings is jolted when he is told that during the end of his assignment, he agreed to forfeit all payment.

Jennings has no recourse - until he receives a mysterious envelope containing clues to his forgotten past. With the help of a beautiful scientist (Uma Thurman) he once loved but now cannot remember, Jennings races to solve the puzzles of his past…while a terrifying discovery waits in his future.”

“Paycheck” stars Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Joe Morton, Colm Feore, and Michael C. Hall. It was written by Dean Georgaris and directed by John Woo. It is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Special features include a commentary by director John Woo, a commentary by screenwriter Dean Georgaris, “Paycheck: Designing the Future,” “Tempting Fate: The Stunts of Paycheck,” and extended/deleted scenes.