Sci-Fi Storm

The movie The X-Files: I Want to Believe hits theaters later this month on July 25th. To help closet X-Philes understand what is going on, producer/writers Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz came up with a list of 8 episodes to act as a refresher for those who in the intervening years since the series may have forgotten some points, and those episodes along with a few extras will be release next Tuesday as The X-Files: Revelations. Read More to find out what is inside.

CENTURY CITY, Calif. ? The truth will be out there? Fox Home Entertainment presents an exclusive insider?s pass to the science-fiction television phenomenon just in time for its second trip to
the big screen when “THE X-FILES” REVELATIONS descends onto a two-disc DVD collection
July 8th. Selected by eight-time Emmy® Award nominated series creator Chris Carter himself, all eight
full hour episodes in the compilation include special on-camera introductions by Carter and producer Frank Spotnitz, revealing why each were chosen and how they relate to the highly anticipated feature film, invading theaters on July 25th. Also featured on the set is the February 2008 WonderCon panel session with Carter and Spotnitz, as well as series stars David Duchovny (Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Scully), making their first fan convention appearance together in several years and taking questions from rabid “X-Philes,” in an interview spanning over 38 minutes. These eight essential episodes ? “Pilot,” “Beyond the Sea,” “The Host,” “Clyde Bruckman?s Final Repose,” “Memento Mori,” “The Post-Modern Prometheus,” “Bad Blood” and “Milagro” ? span seasons 1?6
and cover a variety of paranormal and unexplained cases centering on alien abductions, psychic phenomenon and life forms not quite human that set the stage for the eagerly anticipated sequel. As an added bonus, the DVD set also features the theatrical teaser trailer along with a free Hollywood Movie
Money ticket (valued at $8.50 U.S. / $10 Canada) to see the sequel in theaters. “THE X-FILES” REVELATIONS will be available for the suggested retail price of $22.98 U.S. / $25.98 Canada.

Beginning as a cult hit in 1993, “The X-Files” quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, garnering
16 Emmys and five Golden Globe® Awards including ?Best Dramatic TV Series? during in its nine-season run. Created by Chris Carter (“Millennium,” “Harsh Realm”), the series gripped the imaginations of fans around the globe, launching the careers of David Duchovny (The TV Set, “Californication”) and Gillian Anderson (The Last King of Scotland, Playing by Heart), both honored with “Outstanding Performance” Golden Globes for their roles. Known for its unique blend of science-fiction/fantasy, dry wit and intelligence, the series centers on FBI Agents Fox Mulder
and Dana Scully investigating the existence of alien races, uncovering government conspiracies, and other paranormal and unexplained phenomena.

The DVD set contains two discs which come in a standard plastic DVD case, with the the X-Files logo in silver on a blue-black background and shadows. Each disc is screen printed with the same logo.

The disc menus are static, and have no sound. In fact, it was a little eerie putting in the disc, and having absolutely no sounds play – no ads, just the usual FBI warnings, and then the menu. The menus have some artistic depictions of scenes from the episodes contained on that disc.

There are 8 episodes, 4 on each disc, and each includes an introduction by Carter and Spotnitz (and a bit of a cameo from Gillian Anderson on one) to quickly explain the episode and its importance. You can watch all the intros together, or enable them for each episode and they will play before the episode itself.

Here is a breakdown of the episodes on the discs, with a brief description:

“Pilot” – Agent Dana Scully is assigned to keep an eye on Agent Fox Mulder, who has started investigating the “X-files”, cases where the only explanations seem to be paranormal…

Included for obvious reasons – setting up the characters and the series.

“Beyond The Sea” – After the death of her father, Mulder and Scully begin investigating a death row inmate who suddenly has psychic visions and may be able to solve some crimes. But this time, Mulder is the skeptic, and Scully thinks there might be something to it when he seems to know about her relationship with her father.

A great example of what an episode of the X-Files could be, from the writing to the acting. Includes a great performance from Brad Dourif as (what else) the psychopathic death row inmate.

“The Host” – The agents track down something called the “Flukeman”, an apparent genetic mutation living in the sewers.

A standalone episode “monster” show that struck at many viewers’ fears.

“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” – While tracking down a serial killer, a clairvoyant helping them predicts the death of Mulder.

Won an Emmy for Darin Morgan for writing. A comedy episode starring Peter Boyle as a reluctant psychic who can see murders, but can’t pick lotto numbers.

“Memento Mori” – Mulder and the Lone Gunman try to find a cure for Scully’s inoperable and likely fatal cancer.

An “emergency” script that became possibly the best “mythology” episode.

“Post-Modern Prometheus” – Checking on reported monster sightings and an unusual pregnancy, the agents uncover some genetic experiments.

Filmed in black and white, with comedy but with a great ending.

“Bad Blood” – Cattle are being drained of blood in Texas…could vampires be the cause?

One of Chris Carter’s favorite episodes.

“Milagro” – A writer becomes obsessed with Scully, and moves in to Mulder’s building. He begins writing stories in which people die, and people start dying just as described…

One of Frank Spotnitz favorites, and according to actor Sean Penn (a fan of the show), the best episode X-Files episode made.

In addition, under Special Features you will also find:

Series Introduction – A brief explanation of the series and the DVD by Frank Spotnitz

Series Trailer

Wondercon Trailer – Trailer for the movie screen at Wondercon 2008

Wondercon Panel – From February 2008 with Frank Spotnitz, Chris Carter, Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny. This is edited with the questions being asked by the audience being shown on a black screen in between the answers. Although I’m sure its done due the the questions probably not being audible, it does appear to disrupt the flow.

Also, as an added bonus there is a movie ticket coupon worth up to $8.50 off the price of one admission to The X-Files: I Want to Believe, good through August 31st, so if you are thinking about getting the DVD but definitely seeing the movie, factor that in to your decision!

Bujt, if you already have all 9 seasons on DVD already, there probably isn’t much value added here for you, unless you want it just for the features.