Black Christmas - 12:08am

Just in time for those last-minute stocking stuffers, on December 3rd Anchor Bay Entertainment will release another batch of cult and exploitation favorites. From the Hammer Collection comes Hell is a City, featuring the creepy team-up of horror vets Donald Pleasance (Halloween) and Billie Whitelaw (The Omen). Presented in anamorphic widescreen and English mono, extras include audio commentary by director Val Guest and journalist Ted Newsom, an alternate ending, talent bios and the trailer. Featuring one of his most overlooked performances, Tommy Lee Jones stars as The Amazing Howard Hughes, making its first-ever DVD debut in anamorphic widescreen and mono, with a "Spruce Goose" newsreel, still gallery, and Jones bio. Retail is $19.95 each.

Also coming from Anchor Bay are the cult faves The Criminal, Handgun, Slayground, and Sean Connery in Frightened City. Each features an anamorphic widescreen transfer, mono tracks, poster reproductions and trailers. Retail is $19.95 a pop.

Back in the US - 12:08am

Proving that it isn't just movies these days that can get re-released a zillion times on DVD, Depeche Mode will be offering fans a new two-disc reissue of The Videos 86-98 on November 19th. Featuring all the tracks on the previous single-disc release, this one includes six bonus videos, all the EPKs for the bands studio albums Violator, Ultra and Songs of Faith + Devotion, a short film, and more. Retail is $24.95.

In other music news, on November 26th Capitol Records will release Paul McCartney's long-awaited Back In The U.S live concert DVD, a three-hour extravaganza featuring more than 30 songs. Dubbed "A Rock 'N Road Movie," this one is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, with extras including backstage and on-the-road footage, extensive discography, and more. Check out the official Paul McCartney website for more info.