Merrick here...
...with a chance for AICN readers to snag one (1) of three (3) copies of the super-fantabulous ALIEN ANTHOLOGY Blu-Ray set from the excellent folks over at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. We can't thank them enough for facilitating this opportunity - we really do appreciate their thought and effort. That's not me in the unboxing video, by the way. This set is, quite simply, a must have for both Geeks and anyone remotely interested in film history in general. It's startlingly comprehensive (including all of the material available on the previously released on the ALIEN QUADRILOGY DVDs , the ALIEN LEGACY set which came before that, and preceding laserdisc issuances of the films), a newly de-censored documentary on the making of ALIEN 3 (the version available on the QUADRILOGY DVD set was...forcibly abridged...when previously released. I truly respect Fox & Co. for finally making this right...), and a flood of new supplemental material as well. Predictably, all of these movies look fantastic on Blu-Ray. I personally was most impressed by the mastering of ALIENS (you'll be hard-pressed not to say "Wow...") and ALIEN 3, although I'm sure opinions will differ. And, by the way, if you like these films and have never taken the time to watch the extended ALIEN 3 cut (i.e. the "Restored Workprint Version")? It's very much worth your time - the depth, substance, and vibe of the picture are much more effective than what we got in theaters. It's very compelling in many regards, and a more rewarding film all the way around. Check it out. ALIEN RESURRECTION, on the other hand? I don't know. Never bought into the tone of that movie. Many people stomp on ALIEN 3 as being the problem child of the (proper) ALIEN franchise. And, admittedly, it is imperfect. But for my money, RESURRECTION is actually the dodgiest of the lot. What do you think? Here's a rundown of what you'll find in the set...

Alien 1979 Theatrical Version 2003 director's Cut with Ridley Scott Introduction Audio Commentary by director Ridley Scott, writer Dan O'Bannon, executive producer Ronald Shusett, editor Terry Rawlings, actors Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton and John Hurt Audio Commentary (for Theatrical Cut only) by Ridley Scott Final Theatrical Isolated Score by Jerry Goldsmith Composer's Original Isolated Score by Jerry Goldsmith Deleted and Extended Scenes MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience with Weyland-Yutani Datastream
Aliens 1986 Theatrical Version 1991 Special Edition with James Cameron Introduction Audio Commentary by director James Cameron, producer Gale Anne Hurd, Alien effects creator Stan Winston, visual effects supervisors Robert Skotak and Dennis Skotak, miniature effects supervisor Pat McClung, actors Michael Biehn, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, Carrie Henn and Christopher Henn Final Theatrical Isolated Score by James Horner Composer's Original Isolated Score by James Horner Deleted and Extended Scenes MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience with Weyland-Yutani Datastream
Alien3 1992 Theatrical Version 2003 Special Edition (Restored Workprint Version) Audio Commentary by cinematographer Alex Thomson, editor Terry Rawlings, Alien effects designers Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr., visual effects producer Richard Edlund, actors Paul McGann and Lance Henriksen Final Theatrical Isolated Score by Elliot Goldenthal Deleted and Extended Scenes MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience with Weyland-Yutani Datastream
Alien Resurrection 1997 Theatrical Version 2003 Special Edition with Jean-Pierre Jeunet Introduction Audio Commentary by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, editor Hervé Schneid, Alien effects creators Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr., visual effects Supervisor Pitof, conceptual artist Sylvain Despretz, actors Ron Perlman, Dominique Pinon and Leland Orser Final Theatrical Isolated Score by John Frizzell Deleted and Extended Scenes MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience with Weyland-Yutani Datastream
Making the Anthology (Disc Five) The Beast Within: Making Alien The Visualists: Direction and Design Truckers in Space: Casting Fear of the Unknown: Shepperton Studios, 1978 The Darkest Reaches: Nostromo and Alien Planet The Eighth Passenger: Creature Design Future Tense: Editing and Music Outward Bound: visual effects A Nightmare Fulfilled: Reaction to the Film Enhancement Pods Superior Firepower: Making Aliens 57 Years Later: Continuing the Story Building Better Worlds: From Concept to Construction Preparing for Battle: Casting and Characterization This Time It's War: Pinewood Studios, 1985 The Risk Always Lives: Weapons and Action Bug Hunt: Creature Design Beauty and the Bitch: Power Loader vs. Queen Alien Two Orphans: Sigourney Weaver and Carrie Henn The Final Countdown: Music, Editing and Sound The Power of Real Tech: visual effects Aliens Unleashed: Reaction to the Film Enhancement Pods Wreckage and Rage: Making Alien3 Development Hell: Concluding the Story Tales of the Wooden Planet: Vincent Ward's Vision Stasis Interrupted: David Fincher's Vision Xeno-Erotic: H.R. Giger's Redesign The Color of Blood: Pinewood Studios, 1991 Adaptive Organism: Creature Design The Downward Spiral: Creative Differences Where the Sun Burns Cold: Fox Studios, L.A. 1992 Optical Fury: visual effects Requiem for a Scream: Music, Editing and Sound Post-Mortem: Reaction to the Film Enhancement Pods One Step Beyond: Making Alien Resurrection From the Ashes: Reviving the Story French Twist: Direction and Design Under the Skin: Casting and Characterization Death from Below: Fox Studios, Los Angeles, 1996 In the Zone: The Basketball Scene Unnatural Mutation: Creature Design Genetic Composition: Music Virtual Aliens: Computer Generated Imagery A Matter of Scale: Miniature Photography Critical Juncture: Reaction to the Film Enhancement Pods MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience to Access and Control Enhancement Pods
The Anthology Archives (Disc Six) Alien Pre-Production First Draft Screenplay by Dan O'Bannon Ridleygrams: Original Thumbnails and Notes Storyboard Archive The Art of Alien: Conceptual Art Portfolio Sigourney Weaver Screen Tests with Select director Commentary Cast Portrait Gallery Production The Chestbuster: Multi-Angle Sequence with Commentary Video Graphics Gallery Production Image Galleries Continuity Polaroids The Sets of Alien H.R. Giger's Workshop Gallery Post-Production and Aftermath Additional Deleted Scenes Image and Poster Galleries Experience in Terror Special Collector's Edition LaserDisc Archive The Alien Legacy American Cinematheque: Ridley Scott Q&A Trailers and TV Spots
Aliens Pre-Production Original Treatment by James Cameron Pre-Visualizations: Multi-Angle Videomatics with Commentary Storyboard Archive The Art of Aliens: Image Galleries Cast Portrait Gallery Production Production Image Galleries Continuity Polaroids Weapons and Vehicles Stan Winston's Workshop Colonial Marine Helmet Cameras Video Graphics Gallery Weyland-Yutani Inquest: Nostromo Dossiers Post-Production and Aftermath Deleted Scene: Burke Cocooned Deleted Scene Montage Image Galleries Special Collector's Edition LaserDisc Archive Main Title Exploration Aliens: Ride at the Speed of Fright Trailers and TV Spots
Alien3 Pre-Production Storyboard Archive The Art of Arceon The Art of Fiorina Production Furnace Construction: Time-Lapse Sequence EEV Bioscan: Multi-Angle Vignette with Commentary Production Image Galleries A.D.I.'s Workshop Post-Production and Aftermath Visual Effects Gallery Special Shoot: Promotional Photo Archive Alien3 Advance Featurette The Making of Alien3 Promotional Featurette Trailers and TV Spots
Alien Resurrection Pre-Production First Draft Screenplay by Joss Whedon Test Footage: A.D.I. Creature Shop with Commentary Test Footage: Costumes, Hair and Makeup Pre-Visualizations: Multi-Angle Rehearsals Storyboard Archive The Marc Caro Portfolio: Character Designs The Art of Resurrection: Image Galleries Production Production Image Galleries A.D.I.'s Workshop Post-Production and Aftermath Visual Effects Gallery Special Shoot: Promotional Photo Archive HBO First Look: The Making of Alien Resurrection Alien Resurrection Promotional Featurette Trailers and TV Spots Alien Anthology Two Versions of Alien Evolution The Alien Saga Patches and Logos Gallery Aliens 3D Attraction Scripts and Gallery Aliens in the Basement: The Bob Burns Collection Parodies Dark Horse Cover Gallery Patches and Logos Gallery MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience

Amazing. On the whole, ALIEN ANTHOLOGY is quite possibly the fullest, most well-delivered Blu-Ray experience we've ever seen. I would also like to offer a heartfelt tip-of-the-hat to whoever heavily branded the menus of these Blu-Rays with Weyland-Yutani logos, etc. - but were savvy enough not to use that logo for the ALIEN RESURRECTION main menus (although I thought noticed some tiny Y-T stenciling on RESURRECTION sidebars). I was hoping The Powers That Be would go all-out and brand RESURRECTION with Walmart insignias, which would've been a licensing nightmare but quite hilarious. Instead, the United Systems Military Shield is the menu template for the forth film - more appropriate than Walmart, I suppose, given that USM are actually the foils in that one. So what do you have to do to receive this amazing product? Please follow the rules precisely. In the past we've had folks unnecessarily disqualified for deviating from the simple rules laid out below, and we hate to see that happen! ** Sometime between the time you read this and 11:59:59 AM CST USA (i.e. one second before noon CST USA) on Friday November 5, 2010, send an e-mail to me *****via the e-mail link below*****. ** You can enter four (4) times a day for the contest's duration. ** Include your name and mailing address in this e-mail. The address is to expedite prize shipment only and will be summarily discarded once Blu-Ray recipients are chosen and announced. No spam, no mailing lists, etc. ** Be sure to send from an ACTIVE (and frequently checked) E-MAIL ACCOUNT. If I try to reach you & my message bounces back? I'll trash your win and move on to the next closest winning contestant I can reach. Really not trying to be a jerk here, but I've no time to chase folks down. ** I've already pre-selected three (3) times of day between today (Wednesday November 3, 2010) and Friday November 5, 2010. The person who e-mails me at (or closest to) these times will receive 1 (one) copy of the ALIEN ANTHOLOGY Blu-Ray set - approximately a $100 value (or more) depending on where you shop. NOTE: I've been asked this before, so...for clarity...I'm using whatever time is stamped on the Yahoo mailing address established for this contest as the determiner. I'm in Central Time USA, so I guess that's a CST time stamp (?) ** The three (3) recipients will be announced on this site 'round Monday November 8. ** You can only win one copy of this Blu-Ray. ** Contest open to U.S. and Canadian readers only. ** Fox Home Video will have your addresses in hand by Monday November 8, 2010 & have been kind enough to handle fulfillment in this contest. ** As a general FYI, you should know that...due to the number and frequency of entries...recipients in past contests were sometimes determined by matters of seconds. Literally. And that's it!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER !!!

Best of luck to you. And, enjoy! The ALIEN ANTHOLOGY Blu-Ray set is now in stores everywhere, or can be found HERE.
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