Best known for playing a young Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek franchise and for roles in films such as Terminator Salvation and Green Room, actor Anton Yelchin died this morning. He was 27.

The cause of Yelchin’s death, according to his representative, was a fatal traffic collision at his San Fernando Valley home. The rep stated, “His family requests you respect their privacy at this time.”

Terminator Genisys hit theaters last week, and while some people greatly disliked the new movie, director James Cameron — who helmed the first two films of the popular franchise — reportedly gave the fifth feature in The Terminator film series his stamp of approval.

With the recent release of Genisys, the folks over at the JoBlo Network have put together a 10-minute video look back at the history of The Terminator film franchise that includes scenes from all five films, as well as plenty of behind-the-scenes footage mainly from the first two installments, focusing on the outstanding special effects. Watch the video here below.

The Gold Box spotlight deal of the day over at Amazon today is the Terminator Anthology Blu-ray box set for only $24.99 (that’s 50% off the list price of $49.99). The set includes all four Terminator films – The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation – along with bonus features.

Also on sale today is the Terminator Anthology Blu-ray box set for only $27.99 (that’s 44% off the list price of $49.99). The set includes all three Mad Max films – Mad Max, The Road Warrior, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome – along with bonus features, like feature-length commentary.

Note, this deal is valid only for today, Thursday, August 15, 2013, until 11:59pm PST while supplies last.

Terminator Salvation: Trial By Fire
Mass Market Paperback
By Timothy Zahn
Titan Books
Release Date: August 17, 2010

Have you been wondering what happened after Terminator Salvation? Are you waiting for the next movie? Well stop what your doing and go pick up Terminator Salvation: Trial By Fire. Trial By Fire not only continues the story, but also fills in the gaps and explains things that happened in the movie. All that and it’s written by one of the most prolific Star Wars extended universe authors, Timothy Zahn. If that doesn’t sell you on this book, I don’t know what will.

Without spoiling the book, let me run down the basics of the story for you. There are four stories to follow which are all equally riveting. First you have Kyle Reese fighting to survive in a horrible situation underground. Next you have Blair Williams and Barnes investigating a lead from the recently destroyed Skynet base while trying to mend their respect for each other after Marcus coming between them. Third, you have a new character, Jik, fighting to survive and make it to Baker’s Hollow while being hunted down by Terminators for an unknown reason. Finally there’s the story of Baker’s Hollow and the Prestons, Daniel and Hope and how they have fought to survive as a community after Judgment Day.

FREE STUFF ALERT:

Right now, visit Amazon’s CODE REDEEM page and enter code AVODGIFT to receive $4 credit (no purchase necessary) to use towards a Video On Demand rental or purchase through Amazon’s VoD catalog. You have until January 3, 2010 11:59 PM PST to redeem the code and apply it to a rental or purchase.

Also, Amazon is currently offering several Buy Now Watch Now deals on the latest movie releases for U.S. customers.

Check out some of my picks here below from the eligible Buy Now Watch Now titles.

– Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – 2-disc DVD or Blu-ray
– Terminator Salvation – Blu-ray
– The Hangover – 2-disc Unrated DVD or Blu-ray
– Paranormal Activity – 2-disc DVD or Blu-ray
– Interview with the Vampire – Blu-ray
– Ghostbusters – Blu-ray
– North by Northwest – 50th Anniversary Edition DVD
– Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Blu-ray