Universal Puts Out A Blu-Ray Triple Play

Looks like mama Blu-Ray has three more babies on the way. According to Blu-Ray.com, 8 Mile (2002), Jarhead (2005) and The Kingdom (2007) are all getting the Blu-Ray banner in November. The movies will be available individually and as an "Action/Thiller" bundle. 2002 seems like an eternity ago, but how could we forget Eminem’s performance as Jimmy Smith, Jr., aka Rabbit, a struggling younger rapper living in Detroit. Rabbit takes refuge from his failing relationship and financial situation and immerses himself in his dream of making it as a big-time rapper. The rather controversial rap star is joined by Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy and Mekhi Phifer to round out the cast. But I’m sure those of you who are itching to get your hands on the disc don’t care much for them. The rap junkies out there will enjoy bonus features including an uncensored “Superman” music video, uncensored Eminem rap battles and a making of the movie featurette.

From rap war on 8-Mile Road to real war in Saudi Arabia; Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) enlists in the marines and squeezes his way through boot camp to be sent to the Gulf War as a sniper. With his trusty buddy and fellow-sniper Troy (Peter Sarsgaard), he braves the heat and lack-of-action through stints of sarcastic humanity and dark comedy. 175 days later Desert Storm begins and “Swoff” gets a little more blood and guts than he bargained for. Don’t expect to get any gory details or making-of information in the DVD extras; looks like just two feature commentaries. I was really hoping for some shirt-off extras of Gyllenhaal, but that’s just me.

And so the wars continue. Jamie Fox, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman team up as an FBI counter-terrorism team sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate an attack on a secure American compound during which hundreds of innocent Americans were killed. It isn’t until the agents befriend a Saudi police officer that they are able to assuage their cultural differences and the strict bureaucracy and get closer to bringing those responsible to justice. You’ll get your money’s worth if you opt for this thriller. Bonus features include deleted scenes, commentary by director Peter Berg, an interactive timeline of the apartment shootout scene with a character-by-character analysis, behind-the-scenes work on the construction of the freeway scene and a featurette called “Creating he Kingdom.” Oh, and there’s a fifth feature called “U Control: Picture-in-Picture.” I’ll leave that one up to your imagination.

An urban drama and two action-packed war flicks. Looks like mom is going to have her hands full with these babies. Thanks to Universal Studios Home Entertainment you can get these 8 Mile on November 18th and the other two movies on on November 25th for a retail price of $29.98.

Perri Nemiroff

Staff Writer for CinemaBlend.