Today is a strange day to release a title on Blu-ray or DVD (almost always released on Tuesdays), but since the holidays are right around the corner, looks like Warner Bros. is giving shoppers an earlier chance to pick up a copy of their new titles, THE TOWN and LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE.

Hit the break to get a rundown of the Blu-ray features of both titles.

THE TOWN
Written by Chase Whale

Ben Affleck has had two successful runs at feature directing. His freshman debut, GONE BABY GONE, proved he can do more than look good in front of the camera, and with THE TOWN, Affleck once again proves he has what it takes to continue a successful career as a filmmaker. Instead of frolicking around town as a tough guy with a lesbian Jennifer Lopez, Affleck robs banks with Jeremy Renner, and falls in love with their once temporary hostage, played by Rebecca Hall.

THE TOWN's Blu-ray comes with both the theatrical and extended cut, which features 28 more minutes of the movie. Affleck supplies a commentary on both cuts of the film. If you eyeballed THE TOWN like I did, you'll appreciate the extended cut, which brings the film's running time to 153 minutes. In these extra 28 minutes, we get more backstory, more violence, and more garden. Also featured on the Blu-ray are featurettes where Affleck takes us through scenes of the film, which were shot in his hometown; "Nuns with Guns" is by far the most entertaining look. Buyers of THE TOWN Blu-ray will also get a DVD/Digital Copy to load on your iPhone and/or iPad. Must you own this? Yes!

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA'HOOLE
Written by J.C. De Leon

Perhaps too easily dismissed by many this year because of the silliness/simplicity of the concept, Zack Snyder’s debut animated feature LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS: THE OWLS OF GA’HOOLE is anything but simple in its execution. Based on the popular series of books The Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky, this film follows Soren (Jim Sturgess), a young owl who has been thrilled by his father’s grandiose tales of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who fought many great battles against the evil Pure Ones. While Soren yearns to one day become a Guardian, his brother Kludd (Ryan Kwanten) instead longs for his father's favor. One day when Kludd’s jealousy reaches a boiling point and he, along with Soren and other owlets from their tree are kidnapped by the Pure Ones. Soren, and other brave young owls make an escape and seek out the help of The Guardians, their only hope of defeating the Pure Ones and saving the rest of the owl kingdom. The rest of the cast features a great pool of talent along side Jim Sturgess and Ryan Kwanten, including: Helen Mirren, Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush and Anthony LaPaglia. While this movie may be full of cliché’s that could very well cause most adults to roll their eyes, there are some truly amazing sequences that make for an overall entertaining kids film full of action despite the occasional requisite Zack Snyder slow motion shot(s).

Not a very packed disk, it’s lacking in a behind the scenes featurette as well as a commentary, but this package does boast an incredibly informative  short featuring Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family). It details exactly what it is that makes owls truly special creatures, and even includes ways humans can assist in the conservation of these magnificent birds. As has seemingly become standard, there is an extra mode for this movie that acts as a substitute for a director commentary. Dubbed “Maximum Kid Mode," throughout certain spots in the film, Soren can guide you through the movie and provide real life stories from the animal kingdom about owls. A few interactive games (costuming the characters for battle, and a treat matching game) a concept art gallery, music video for the main song from the movie (“To The Sky, by Owl City) and a Looney Tunes short round out the rest of the extras for this Blu-Ray. It is also comes with a DVD/Digital Copy disk for those with mobile devices. Overall your feelings on the movie will determine whether or not you buy this disc, since the extras are fairly bare. For any Zack Snyder fan, or someone with children, this should be considered a definite buy.