TV fun from MGM and BBC; more on 'E.T.'
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TV fun from MGM and BBC; more on 'E.T.'
The explosion of television programming on DVD continues, with plenty more new announcements of TV classics new and old, led by a number of new fall releases courtesy of MGM and BBC. Arriving on 9/3 from MGM is Stargate SG-1: Season 2, featuring the entire second season spread over five discs presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and English 5.1 Dolby surround, Extras include four making-of featurettes and promo spots for every episode. Retail is $69.95. In non-TV fare, MGM also announced price drops on two of its biggest recent hits, Bandits and both the R-Rated and Unrated versions of Original Sin, which will now retail for a low $14.95 a pop. From BBC comes more classic TV programming, all arriving on 8/27. Available separately are volumes 1 through 6 of Are You Being Served? for $19.95 each, plus The Complete Collection box set for $119.95. Each episode is presented in their original 4:3 aspect ratios with mono soundtracks, plus minimal extras including stills and promos. Also available on 8/27 is The Blue Planet: The Seas of Life Collection, featuring the complete 540-minute series in 16:9 widescreen and 2.0 surround, plus a host of extras including a behind-the-scenes featurette on each episode, interviews with the creators, the "Deep Trouble Exploring our Impack on the Earth's Oceans" feature, still galleries, fact files and trailers. Retail is $59.95 for this three-disc set.
Given all the hubbub yesterday over the news of E.T.'s long-awaited arrival on DVD this October, we received a few more bits of info from Universal on the different releases. Yes, we're not all that happy either that those wanting the original, unaltered 1982 version of the film are going to have to shell out $70 bucks (see the press release for the full scoop), but at least it should be presented in very fine fashion...? According to a Universal spokesperson, the 1982 cut of the film will be presented in widescreen, and although oddly worded in the press release, the $70 box set will also feature all the same extras as the two-disc special edition, nothing more, nothing less. And what about those fearing that the original cut of the film will be given the short thrift in terms of picture and sound quality compared to the 2002 re-release? Well, the original film was restored and cleaned up before the new effects were added, so both the 1982 and 2002 re-release editions should be comparable in quality. And for $70 bucks, I'd hope so! Stay tuned, but it's likely until we receive our copy, we won't know for sure... |
TV Land - 12:54am
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