Smart Discs

by Chris Raley
Fall 2001

Many DVDs, CD-ROMS and audio CDs have enhanced and interactive features. They range from choose-your-own-ending feature films to music CDs with added video clips. Here's our take on some of these smart titles.

The Matrix
Warner Bros.
DVD-Video, DVD-ROM features
[www.warnerbros.com]
$24.98
The mind-bending sci-fi flick with Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne has some cool DVD features for the "How'd they do that?" crowd. "Take the red pill" and learn about how the makers used sequenced photography to create those 360-degree shots. And if you "follow the white rabbit," you can learn more about the special effects. As you watch the movie, you are given the option of clicking on the rabbit icon at the bottom of your screen. Doing so will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the special-effects creation process. DVD-ROM features include the Are You "The One" Challenge, screenplay, storyboards and a link to the original theatrical Web site.

Don't Tell Me (single)
Madonna
Warner Bros.
Enhanced Audio CD
[www.wbr.com]
$3.49
The single Don't Tell Me from Madonna has enhanced features that might be a valuable addition to fan collections. The main attraction is the video of the song, which requires a CD-ROM and the Windows Media Player. There are also links to two Web sites, one of which is the Warner Bros. site that promotes the new album Music, where you can listen to the album or watch video clips. The other is Madonna's Web site where you can check out news, photos, lyrics and more.

Stuart Little
Columbia TriStar Home
Entertainment
DVD-Video, DVD-ROM features
[www.cthv.com]
$19.95
The Stuart Little DVD is packed with features that add to the fun, family feel of the movie including music videos, commentaries and deleted scenes. You'll also find games such as Central Park Adventure, which has three difficulty levels and asks you trivia questions about the movie. As you answer questions correctly, you move along the trail in the park. DVD-ROM users can check out the Hasbro Race with Stuart game. There's also a feature called Read Along with Stuart. Stuart takes you through his photo album and your kids can either read with the narration or you can turn Stuart off and read them yourself.

Seven
New Line
DVD-Video, DVD-ROM features
[www.newline.com]
$24.98
This disturbing movie with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman features a second disc which includes deleted and extended scenes. Most of the scene selections are extended takes of what already appears in the movie. However, you can view the original beginning that was ultimately cut from the film. You can also view two alternate endings, one on film and the other in storyboard form. The optional commentary elaborates on minor changes that affected the final impact of the movie. Also, you can explore the opening title sequence from multiple camera angles and learn about the creation of the Joe Doe Notebooks. The DVD-ROM feature takes you to a Web site where you can explore the killer's mind and enjoy a fun reading list on the seven deadly sins.

Point of View
DVD International
DVD-Video
[www.dvdinternational.com]
$29.99
DVD International and the makers of Tender Loving Care bring us Point of View, an interactive thriller. The movie is about a woman who develops a voyeuristic relationship with her neighbor. This dark, strange story is similar to TLC in that it asks you questions about the film and your prejudices and uses your answers to alter the film's development. One additional feature POV has is the option to study each character by viewing brief monologues between chapters. With multiple endings and scene combinations, Point of View is an interactive movie with adult themes. While it is highly interactive, this is definitely not for family viewing.