Under some of the tightest security I've ever seen surrounding a home video release, representatives from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment brought an extensive preview of their long-awaited LOST: The Complete Collection Blu-ray to New York City for private press briefings. We were politely requested not to take any of our own photos, for legal reasons, and I could have sworn that someone added at one point, "Flash photography is strictly prohibited during the ride."
Actual clips from two of the more significant new bonus features were screened. One showed members of the cast visiting the location set one last time and reflecting upon their personal journeys. During this segment it dawned on me that I don't think I've ever really heard Daniel Dae Kim (Jin) speak in English, in his normal voice. The other was particularly intriguing, entitled "The New Man in Charge," produced by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse and starring series regulars. This mini-movie does indeed provide further insight into events of the finale. Any more details and I'd be violating the embargo, sorry. But your curiousity will be satisfied soon as the street date for this ground-breaking Blu-ray boxed set is less than two months away (August 24, 2010).
Also shared were some of the LOST "Slapdowns," with various Muppet characters auditioning for the role of The Smoke Monster, always good for a laugh. The presentation was in standard definition, but we were assured that everything in the retail edition will be HD. BD-Live fans will also be happy to learn that LOST University now offers a Masters Program for folks who successfully completed their undergrad work. (Believe it or not, L.U. had more attendees in 2009 than Arizona State.)
Of course, the geek in me enjoyed poring over the physical package prototype, with goodies and compartments galore. There's secret "stuff" that we need to discover on our own, content not previously announced. It's been commonly known that the set will include a little keychain-ready black-light, a nifty chatchke on its own, but can any LOST fan forget the Season Two episode "Lockdown," wherein a treasure trove of island mysteries were exposed under black light? 'Nuff said.
Officially Amazon lists this as a 36-disc set, undeniably mammoth in the Blu-ray realm, but one of the Disney VIPs dropped the number 37: Could there be a hidden platter, à la the Alias Complete Series box, another J.J. Abrams work of small-screen art? That would be very much in keeping with the show's theme of film and video that's been "lost."
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