Warner Home Video Premieres Deluxe Editions Of Popular Urban Film Classics On DVD And Blu-Ray

(June 1, 2009 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Home Video celebrates three popular urban film classics with the Deluxe Edition DVD and Blu-ray debuts of “Friday,” starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker; “Set It Off,” starring Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (2002 actress in a supporting role – “Chicago”) and Jada Pinkett-Smith; and “Menace II Society,” starring Larenz Tate and Samuel L. Jackson. On September 8, 2009, these well-loved urban films complete with new commentaries, featurettes and Director’s Cuts, will be released on DVD for $14.96 SRP and Blu-ray for $28.99 SRP each. The order date for each title is August 4, 2009. “Friday” Before he embarked on superstardom in the box office topping “Rush Hour” trilogy, Chris Tucker was known as “Smokey,” his iconic stoner character in the cult classic comedy “Friday.” Alongside multi-platinum rapper/actor Ice Cube, Tucker and team chronicled the lighter side of life in the ’hood. Directed by first-time filmmaker F. Gary Gray (“The Italian Job”), the film is laced with shrewd and hilarious looks at family (including Southland’s Regina King), a preacher (Bernie Mac), a girl-next-door (Nia Long) and the ups and downs of life in South Central Los Angeles. “Friday: Deluxe Edition” features an uproarious, never-before-available Director’s Cut, plus a new 30-minute featurette entitled “Friday Straight Up,” and music videos from Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. “Set It Off” From the housing projects to the bank vault, the classic crime caper “Set It Off” pits four of the most memorable urban female characters on celluloid against a full arsenal of law enforcement, culminating in a stunning finale. Queen Latifah (“Hairspray”), Jada Pinkett-Smith (“Matrix Reloaded”/“Revolutions”), Vivica A. Fox (“Kill Bill”) and Kimberly Elise (“Diary of a Mad Black Woman”) star as a jaw-droppingly talented ensemble in this unforgettable urban drama with Blair Underwood (“Sex and the City”). “Set It Off: Deluxe Edition” features a Director’s Cut from F. Gary Gray in his follow-up to “Friday,” plus a new 30-minute featurette entitled “Setting it Straight: Making of Set It Off,” and Ray J’s “Let It Go” music video. “Menace II Society” “Menace II Society” debuted at Cannes Film Festival in 1993 to critical acclaim as part of the Directors’ Fortnight. Set in the Watts district of Los Angeles, the uncompromisingly honest portrayal of inner city life by the Hughes Brothers follows 18 year old Caine (Tyrin Turner) as a young black man in a downward spiral amidst gangs, guns and a lack of education. Packed with bravura early performances by Jada Pinkett-Smith, Larenz Tate (“Rescue Me”) and Samuel L. Jackson (“Iron Man II”), “Menace II Society: Deluxe Edition” features an Extended Director’s Cut, the new featurette “Gangsta Vision: Making Menace II Society” and all-new commentary by directors Allen and Albert Hughes, producer Darin Scott, screenwriter Tyger Willilams and actors Larenz Tate and Ryan Williams. With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.# # #