Crank is Number One in Sales and Rentals!

The new year has just begun and Lionsgate has already Crank'd things up on DVD!

Crank, the non-stop, action-packed theatrical film released on DVD by Lionsgate, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, reigned supreme among this week's new DVD releases, opening at #1 on both the DVD sales and rental charts. Earning almost $30 million in domestic box office, the thriller, starring Jason Statham and Amy Smart sold 2 million units in its first week, with 1.4 millions sold on its first day of release. After its first week, Crank appears positioned to significantly overindex its theatrical box office performance on DVD, reflecting another example of Lionsgate's typically high theatrical box office to DVD conversation rate. The Crank DVD, breaking new ground for the home viewing experience, moved beyond the traditional special features with the creation of "Crank'd Out Mode," providing more information (including in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes- footage, outtakes and more) than has ever been available at one time, all without ever leaving the film. The movie was also released day and date on 50 GB Blu-ray disc in the U.S.

The studio will follow the success of Crank with the DVD debut of Employee of the Month next week and the third installment of the extremely successful Saw horror franchise, Saw III, on January 23. Starring Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook, Employee of the Month earned almost $30 million domestically at the box office. The title will be released on DVD and Blu-ray day and date. Having earned over $80 million domestically and $140 million worldwide, Saw III was the number one horror theatrical release of 2006. Overall, the Saw franchise has surpassed $400 million in worldwide box office receipts and the first two movies debuted in the top spot on the DVD charts. Saw III will also be released on DVD and Blu-ray disc day and date, and 2005's smash hit, Saw II will be making its debut on Blu-ray disc the same day.

"Crank was an exhilarating way to start the year for Lionsgate. It features a high-powered cast and is the type of action thriller that we expect will have a strong following in the home entertainment marketplace," said Lionsgate General Manager and Executive Vice President Ron Schwartz. "Our expectations were extremely high for this release and we put a lot of effort into ensuring that the DVD stood out at retail, including eye-catching packaging that really pops off the shelves. We are looking forward to continuing this success over the next two weeks with the DVD releases of Employee of the Month and Saw III."

Called "startlingly entertaining and original ... a hardcore action classic!" by the Philadelphia Inquirer and "an action-packed, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride!" by Access Hollywood, Crank tells the of a hit man (Statham) who, while trying to escape the business to start a new life with his girlfriend (Smart), wakes up to learn that he has been poisoned by his rival with the "Beijing cocktail," and he must keep moving -- literally -- to stay alive. The only way to prevent the poison from stopping his heart is to keep his adrenaline flowing. As the clock ticks, he negotiates the streets of Los Angeles, wreaking havoc on those who dare stand in his way. He must rescue his girlfriend from danger, stay two steps ahead of his nemeses as they try to eliminate him, and search for an antidote to save his own life.

Dont't forget to also check out: Crank