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Twentieth Century Fox
Following on the heels of their big X-Men event the previous
day, like last year Fox once again made an impressive showing
that highlighted their strengthening commitment to the format.
Fox also had the largest number of reps attending Studio Day,
with personnel from production, marketing and technical all
making appearances (and my how genuinely friendly they all
were, which is a, ahem, nice change from some other studios...)
It is no secret that Fox's initial DVD output was greeted
with skepticism or downright hostility, but since then they
have emerged as one of the leading studios doing DVD right.
Looking at titles like Fight Club, The Sound Of Music or Independent
Day, it is hard to argue with their quality and breadth of
content, isn't it?
However, there has been much talk the past few days regarding
Fox's experimentation with DVD and VHS release windows, and
the "threat" of rental pricing, which many expect
Fox to lead. However, I've the more upfront attitude and openness
of Fox VP Of Marketing Peter Staddon refreshing. While most
other studios just said "No comment," Fox has been
upfront that rental pricing is a big issue and that they will
continue to explore various avenues in which to deal with
it. Fox also expressed support for the DTS format, as evidenced
by the demos playing of the upcoming DTS issues of The Siege
and Courage Under Fire (both looked mighty fine, I must say.)
As for future DTS titles and reissues, all are looked at "on
a case by case basis."
Alright, on to the good stuff, the titles. Fox unveiled most
of their catalog slate through April at the X-Men event. Let's
start with their double feature collection, started earlier
this year with 2-for-1 titles like The Fly series. Fox will
issue two more double packs, featuring Revenge Of The Nerds
/ Revenge Of The Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise and Porky's
/ Porky's 2: The Next Day (yes, these are all anamorphic.)
And though Fox remains committed to supplemental features,
they will be releasing some great catalog titles this year
that will feature remastered transfers (and often soundtracks,
too) though may not be full of extras. Point Break
(in DTS), Alien Nation, Enemy Mine and Chain
Reaction are all due in the first half of 2001.
But don't think all the action is on movie-only releases;
Fox has some great special editions on the way, too. Coming
is (yeah!) a special edition of Big Trouble In Little China,
with a new transfer and sound mix, and supplementary material
produced by David Prior (of Rocky Horror and Fight Club fame.)
Fox showed off some of the menus, and features include a new
commentary with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, deleted scenes,
an alternate ending, still gallery and more. Expect this one
by spring 2001 as well. Also look for a special edition of
M*A*S*H with commentary and all-new documentary produced
by JM Kenny (hot off of Dogma and the "will it
ever be released?" Legend set, which by the way
was a hot topic of conversation.)
Fans of classic film will be excited by two new sets with
revered stars. The Marilyn Monroe Collection will feature
five Monroe films (available separately or as part of a box
set with a special sixth disc.) The Seven Year Itch,
Gentleman Prefer Blondes, How To Marry a Millionaire,
Bus Stop and There's No Business Like Show Business
are all included, and the sixth disc includes an all-new documentary,
and a never before 45-minute "cut" of the "lost"
Monroe film Something's Got To Give. And in another
first for Fox, they will issue their first 3-disc set, a Five
Star Collection edition of Cleopatra. With the film
itself running at four hours, it will be spread over two discs,
with the third disc devoted to supplemental content.
Speaking of the Five Star Collection, I'm still a little
confused on this one. Fox wants to make the label special,
so only plans on issuing four or so Five Star titles a year.
Though originally slated for early this year, the Die Hard
Five Star Collection 2-disc set will now debut around late
spring, along with Die Hard 2 and Die Hard 3.
However, the two sequels will not be Five Star discs
yet will be special editions. So, what is the difference?
From what I could tell by way of Fox's explanation, there
are no set specs that determine a Five Star disc, as it is
more of branding issue. All I can say is I hate that ugly
Five-Star packaging, and the box art images they showed lacked
continuity as Part 2 and Part 3 didn't match Part 1. Hmmmph,
but perhaps I'm just too picky...?
Finally, some more titles in the production pipeline but
with no set dates (though most are expected in 2001): The
Simpsons and more X-Files collections, 9 To
5, Working Girl, The Ice Storm, Grand
Canyon, Hello Dolly, Miller's Crossing,
Nine Months, The Rose, All That Jazz,
That Thing You Do, Zardoz and Cocoon.
Titles we asked about not on the schedule at this time:
Bachelor Party, Hoffa, The Hustler, The
Crucible, Adventures Of Ford Fairlane, Little
Big Man, 1,000,000 Years BC, Predator 2,
Toys, The Verdict, Quest For Fire, Star
Chamber, any reissues of True Lies or Strange
Days, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer episodes. That
last title, by the way, is now indefinitely postponed. The
region 2 version will still be released, but don't expect
a Region 1 set anytime in 2001 at all (really, truly, it is
now a long way off.) Sorry to be a bearer of bad news.
Oh, yeah, you're probably wondering about DVDs of those movies
about Jedis, Ewoks and a galaxy far, far away...the Star
Wars trilogy. I think I'll let Fox VP Peter Staddon's
comments sum up the words that seemed to roll off of everyone's
lips: "I ain't touchin' that one!" 'Nuff said?
Paramount
First things first...when is that damn Indiana Jones trilogy
finally coming to DVD!? Not any time soon, so don't hold your
breath...it won't be in 2001. When? Who knows, but let's move
on...
While some have bagged Paramount for either not including
enough supplemental materials on their discs, pricing them
too high or holding off too long on their big titles, I personally
admire their across-the-board commitment to hi-def transfers
and the fact they put the quality of the actual film ahead
of all else. On the good news front, that $24.95 price tag
on their January "football" catalog titles (North
Dallas Forty, Necessary Roughness and The Longest
Yard) are not misprints. Expect more of their catalog
priced at this point, though not across the board. And in
terms of titles in general, Paramount expects to up their
total output in 2001 by nearly a third, so I feel the strain
already on my pocketbook! Paramount is also taking a bit more
specific approach to releasing their catalog product, focusing
on release "waves" of titles grouped together by
theme (i.e, the "football" titles.) Finally, still
no DTS support from Paramount, and no word on rental pricing...
But on to the good stuff. Paramount is pulling some nuggets
out of the hits chest in 2001, so expect the Wayne's World
and Crocodile Dundee series (just in time for the
next sequel, no doubt), Ghost, Love Story, Top
Secret, Ordinary People, Paper Moon, Terms
Of Endearment (which we should be getting word on soon,
we're told) and more remastered Western classics. American
Zoetrope and Francis Ford Coppola are preparing to add 54
minutes of footage into Apocaplyse Now, though if and/or
when there will be a theatrical release and eventual DVD release
remains unknown. And for you Star Trek fans waiting
to complete your collection with The Motion Picture,
the goal is for a mid-2001 berth, and according to Paramount
"fans shouldn't be disappointed." Also interesting
was the comment that this will open the door for more special
editions of previously issued Star Trek films, though if and
when is unknown. And, as for Star Trek: The Next Generation
episodes, no plans are confirmed at this time...
Perhaps more surprising to some of you are the Paramount
titles we asked about that aren't expected in 2001
at this time: The Godfather series, Pretty In Pink,
Bad News Bears, Dragonslayer, Indecent Proposal,
Fatal Attraction, Popeye, Serpico, Lady
Sings The Blues, Mahogany, and What's Eating
Gilbert Grape? not to mention some "issues"
holding up any releases of such Eddie Murphy hits like Trading
Places or the Beverly Hills Cop movies, and such
fave musicals as Grease, Saturday Night Fever,
Flashdance or Footloose. Rats. Also, Paramount
is aware of the interest in getting unrated, gorier versions
of the Friday The 13th films on DVD, but so far have
been unable to locate this missing footage. Poor Jason, always
a bridesmaid but never a bride...
Oh, one last thing. Just remember that Paramount's schedule
is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna
get...
DreamWorks
Though the last to get into DVD, Dreamworks quickly solidified
their reputation as one of the leading suppliers of top-quality
DVDs. Unwaveringly committed to anamorphic, DTS and great
"Signature Collection" special editions, buying
a DreamWorks DVD is always a pretty safe proposition! Since
DreamWorks is distributed by Universal, supports DTS and doesn't
really have a back catalog, there isn't much in the way of
news. Any rental pricing issues would be addressed to Universal,
as they distribute DreamWorks' titles, and I don't think any
other studio has a higher ratio of DTS releases in their library
than DreamWorks.
In terms of titles, it is all about upcoming new releases.
Expect a signature series edition of What Lies Beneath
early next year, along with The Contender and a possible
longer cut of Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous. The
Legend Baggar Vance should also pop up next year, too.
And with Dreamworks, do you really have to doubt the quality
of these titles? Sorry there isn't much more to say here,
only that I wish Dreamworks controlled some other studio's
libraries!
Universal
No-shows, though the Universal rep scheduled to attend got
a special surprise: his wife went into labor! Best wishes
and we wish him and his new bundle of joy much health and
happiness. Anyway, the Legend drama was a big topic
of conversation, and we even heard a rumor of a Xanadu
special edition! But with no reps in attendance, sadly nothing
more that talk...but we can dream, right?
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