SynopsisThe world of the assassin is one cloaked in shadow and steeped in danger. Ensnared in a web of revenge and conspiracy, the assassin embraces power at its most elemental, acting as the dividing line between life and death. As an assassin confronted by perilous new challenges and difficult choices, what path will you choose?Get ready to plunge into the lush and deadly world of the Italian Renaissance, an era of arts, riches and murderous conspiracy. Assassin's Creed II introduces you to Ezio, a new assassin carrying on the deadly lineage of his forebears. Confront an epic tale of power and corruption as you hone your assassin's art, wielding weapons and instruments designed by the legendary Leonardo da Vinci himself in this gripping and deadly sequel.

The vengeful Bride returns to cross a few more names off of her rapidly shortening list in Miramax Home Entertainment's release of Kill Bill Vol. 2, and though it feels like only a precursor to the inevitable feature-packed release that will follow soon after, this release does offer a few choice gems in addition to a solid presentation of the feature attraction. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, the image offers even skin tones, solid blacks, and vivid colors. Though the occasional intrusion of edge-enhancement may prove somewhat distracting to some viewers, the overall commendable visual presentation is generally solid. Audiophiles will be happy to note the inclusion of both an English-language Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 track, both of which are accompanied by closed captioning and provide a rich, full-bodied listening experience without any notable distortion or hiss. In addition to an alternate French-language audio track, Miramax has also seen fit to include optional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish subtitles. Of course, fans of both Kill Bill films are no doubt aware of Miramax's plans to release them at first separately and then with a super deluxe combo package following at some point in the near future, and though the extra materials provided on this disc are indeed satisfying, they do seem more like an appetizer than a hearty meal. A three-and-a-half-minute deleted scene in which Bill faces off against a vengeful gang of thugs whose boss he previously killed finds Tarantino's Shaw Brothers fanaticism in full effect. A 25-minute behind-the-scenes segment offers interviews with Tarantino, Uma Thurman, Daryl Hannah, and David Carradine in which they discuss the appeal of the characters and the manner in which Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2 compliment one another. Though those looking for in-depth details regarding the production may walk away with a slight pang of disappointment, viewers simply looking for a little fun will surely enjoy the featurette. Rounding things out is a solid performance by Chingon at the Kill Bill Vol. 2 premiere, in which the band (featuring director Robert Rodriguez on guitar) strums one of the tunes from the film's soundtrack.