Smart Discs

by Chris Raley
Spring 2001

Here at Smart TV we're on the lookout for DVDs and CD-ROMs that look good on TV and offer enhanced levels of interactivity. Check out these reviews and see what some of today's discs offer the interactively inclined.

Men in Black
Columbia Pictures
DVD-Video (DVD-ROM features)
$29.95
www.cthv.com

While many feature films on DVD are not interactive in the strictest sense (you can't change the plot or control the fate of the characters) they sometimes have interactive features that enhance the movie and give you insights to the making of the film. Men in Black is a prime example of this type of DVD.
In addition to the standard DVD features like running, conversational-style commentary by director Barry Sonnenfeld and actor Tommy Lee Jones, you can see stages of animation and watch the tunnel scene go from storyboard to reality. The DVD "Angles" feature takes you from blue screen to final cut while you listen to either the movie or a commentary from Industrial Light and Magic. Lastly, on select scenes you can watch a split screen of the storyboard along side the final take.
The DVD also features Metamorphosis of Men in Black (a documentary), extended and alternate scenes, Will Smith's music video and some of the conceptual art. With all the added features of the DVD, don't forget to just sit down and watch the movie.

I'm Your Man
DVD-Video (DVD-ROM features)
$29.98
www.dvdinternational.com

From ChoicePoint Film comes this completely interactive movie on DVD-Video. I'm Your Man is a consummate example of the potential of interactivity on disc. Their claim that you never see the same movie twice is right on target.
The opening sequence of this light-hearted, comical action mystery introduces you to three characters, Leslie, Jack and Richard. After a few moments of exposition, one of the characters turns and addresses the viewer with the option to choose which character to follow through the rest of the story. Throughout the story, you make decisions that control the plot line, choosing the destinies of the characters with each click of the remote. Each version of the program runs less than 30 minutes, so viewers can watch several different versions of the movie in the amount of time it would take to watch a longer production just once.
Originally designed for a theater-wide interactive experience, I'm Your Man now sets an example of how fun and addictive a truly interactive DVD can be.

Riven
Cyan Productions
DVD-ROM (requires a PC/TV)
$29.95
www.mattelinteractive.com/store , www.riven.com

The makers of Myst, one of the best selling computer games on record, now give us the sequel: Riven. The combination of two aesthetics, the computer game and the epic movie, is striking and impressive. The blend of these two things with superb, detailed animation makes this disc a winner.
For those unfamiliar with Riven or Myst, they are intellectually and visually stimulating computer games in which the player goes on an involved quest in a mysterious world. Movement through the game is very intuitive and compelling. You simply use your mouse to click in the direction you want to go or to manipulate objects. For couch users a remote with a trackball will be ideal to navigate this game. You also have access to a virtual book of information that will help you in your quest. The type, designed to look like writing, is large enough to be readable from the couch.
Everything from the rock and metal to the sound of the birds and insects is exquisitely rendered on this DVD-ROM. Riven expands the limits of computer games. Its cinematic feel should attract those interested in gaming but not shooting everything that moves. Riven is a good choice for PC/TV users. Living room gamers will enjoy a rich gaming experience. The bigger the screen the better!