DAVE'S STUDIO DAY 2000 - PART 2

MGM

Now boasting the largest and most diverse library of titles of any studio, MGM is putting the pedal to the metal and scheduling 10 or more titles a month for DVD release in 2000. unfortunately, in our estimation, this is a bit of a mixed blessing. MGM has never really had a consistent commitment to DVD in terms of anamorphic, special features or even widescreen. However, the very nice MGM representatives present at Studio Day did indicate a stronger, if not across the board, commitment to at least doing anamorphic transfers of new titles or those that will be remastered. Still, a complete commitment to widescreen and anamorphic would be preferred, but then I don't run MGM, alas!

Anyway, I suppose the big news is the postponement of the ROCKY box set until the first half of 2001. All, though, will be getting new anamorphic transfers and special features. It will be a five-disc set, though as it is still so far off the features are TBA, as is the price.

Getting reissued this year are MISERY (a port of the previous Polygram disc) and PLATOON, though the rights to the supplements are not yet worked out, so it may not have all the features of the prior Artisan/LIVE release. Also disappointing is the news that THE PRINCESS BRIDE will no longer be a special edition. Though it will get a new anamorphic transfer, it will not feature any of the Criterion supplements or newly-produced ones though MGM may "revisit it again" in the future.

A few interesting titles coming are SWAMP THING in August, RUNNING SCARED with Billy Crystal sometime in the next year, anamorphic special editions of DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (thank the lord!) and, yes, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN and CASINO ROYALE. And finally, the reason they were not included in the box set was revealed. Only "official" Bond films will be included in these sets, and as you Bond fans know, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN was a Warner production not sanctioned by the Broccoli clan, and neither was CASINO ROYALE. Look for these to arrive with the 3rd Bond set (but not in the box) later in 2000.

Due in 2001 are planned editions of Brian De Palma's BLOW OUT and DRESSED TO KILL, John Carpenter's THE FOG. Also due is a new special edition of THIS IS SPINAL TAP, and he rights to titles like THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and ROBOCOP films will revert to MGM very soon. Look for new versions of those, though features are a long way from being decided upon.

Another exciting title is a special edition of THE TERMINATOR, which will feature supplements produced by Van Ling, who you may know from his excellent work on THE ABYSS and the upcoming TERMINATOR 2 special edition...

Artisan

One of the earliest DVD supporting studios, we only had the time for a brief chat with Artisan about their upcoming plans. Certainly the biggest is the exciting news about the "major" TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY special edition. It is slated as a DVD-18 and we were told it will arrive in August. Since this title has been hinted at for a long time now, we'll cross our fingers! However, aside from the content of the disc itself (loads of supplements, seamless branching of the various cuts of the film, etc.), it will also be Artisan's first DTS title. Certainly, big news, so stay tuned for more details as the disc's arrival approaches.

Buena Vista

Though the Buena Vista folks turned out for the event, truth be told there wasn't as much news revealed as some of the other studios. But what may have lacked in quantity was made up for in at least a few quality announcements.

First, I of course asked about their animated titles and anamorphic support. Quite simply, all new titles are going to be anamorphic. It is only older titles that already have good transfers that I'm still not clear on. Like Fox and MGM, it is usually decided up on a case by case basis, though I'm told more information on how the older animated titles will be handled in terms of anamorphic may become more clear soon. Also, there will be more Buena Vista DTS titles on the way, so no, TEACHING MRS. TINGLE will not be an isolated case.

Anyway, the good news is that the June 6 arrival of POCAHONTAS will be the first Disney title that will see a simultaneous release of both the movie-only and collector's edition 2-disc set at the same time. Since so far only the basic movie-only edition has been officially announced, this was a pleasant surprise. The collector's edition will feature the laserdisc contents, new menus and packaging. No word on anamorphic, but we'll try to find out what we can.

Also exciting are some future Disney plans. FANTASIA 2000 is due by next Christmas and should be a stunner and perhaps Disney's biggest DVD release yet. Also on the docket is a new edition of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, to feature the laserdisc materials and more. And good news, the TARZAN collector's edition will indeed feature the proper audio track! Lastly, like all the studios, Buena Vista is beginning to think a bout the DVD long before a film is released to theaters, so look for more and more extensive on-set material to be included on future disc releases (hint, hint)

In the no-show department, there are still no plans for DICK TRACY, despite the fact there is an official overseas anamorphic release. Also, Buena Vista is not yet going back and redoing any older titles aside from the recent PRETTY WOMAN 10th Anniversary Edition, so don't look for the extended cuts of titles like RANSOM or DEAD POET'S SOCIETY anytime soon. But, on the plus side, just about all the planned Buena Vista and Disney titles will have some sort of special features on them. Disney has heard the consumer and like all the studios, the realization that special features do drive the format has been made. Of course THE SIXTH SENSE should be a great disc, and expect more Disney animated special editions (like the laserdisc versions) as well.

As far as Miramax titles go, no representatives from this division of Buena Vista have yet attended a Studio Day. I hope they decide to for the next one, as they have a great catalog and I'm sure we'd all certainly like to know more about what they are up to. Maybe next time?

Universal

Universal made an appearance this time, and had some good new announcements to share. Universal has always had a strong DVD commitment (a few of their early titles aside), and their recent output has been quite impressive to say the least.

In addition to continuing to license more special-interest fare like cult films and such to Anchor Bay and GoodTimes, Universal will be releasing feature-laden DVD product most of their new and catalog titles. Let's get the big news out of the way. A 25th Anniversary Edition of JAWS may sink it's teeth into DVD as soon as mid-July. It will be anamorphic and feature a new 5.1 transfer. The laserdisc supplements will be carried over, though how it will presented remains to be seen, since the documentary runs 2 hours and the film itself as well, so official specs yet on if it will be two-disc set, or if it will be reedited or changed in any way to fit on a dual-layer disc. Also, though like most Spielberg/Amblin titles a DTS version is expected, it will be a separate release in this case.

Aside from that, no new news on the Jurassic Park films, other than to look for them in the second half of 2000. Alas, BACK TO THE FUTURE now has no set date, and it may not even be in 2000. Can't put too many good Spielberg titles out in one year, eh? Also, a documentary and other supplements have been completed for CASPER, though there is no date yet set for that one. Also, don't expect any more Spielberg titles like SCHINDLER'S LIST in 2000. Those have to wait to 2001 and beyond...

Also due from Universal is that BACKDRAFT special edition, which features the direct input from Ron Howard to make it very special (along with a new transfer). Look for that in the second half of 2000 along with those CAPE FEAR discs. Also coming around Halloween time are three more CLASSIC MONSTERS titles, including THE INVISIBLE MAN and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, and more Hitchcock is on the way, including the aforementioned MARNIE, along with ROPE and THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. REAR WINDOW will eventually arrive, though it is still being run theatrically...

Also, due to rights holdups, no work on when, if ever, a TOUCH OF EVIL special edition will arrive, nor THE FRIGHTENERS. And for Cliff, we had to ask about FLETCH LIVES, which is not currently on the schedule. In terms of reissues, there is a new version of DEATH BECOMES HER in the planning stages, though details are scare as of now. For the most part, Universal titles will be day & date, with select catalog titles only. Also, the LEGEND disc seems to be in flux, with the Universal representative indicating there is not set release date, if any. Hmmmm.

Warner

Finally, we paid a visit with Warner. Of course they've been the most prominent and vocal supports of DVD from day one, and continue to release new and old titles alike. I suppose the big news recently was the announcement of their first five DTS titles this June, including TWISTER, INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and the first three LETHAL WEAPON movies among them. However, there are currently no other DTS titles planned at this time, as reaction to these first five will undoubtedly be assessed first.

On the Amblin front, those GOONIES and GREMLINS 2 discs are in the pipeline, though EMPIRE OF THE SUN isn't on the docket for now. As for SUPERMAN, there is no new information, other than that a late 2000 date is not likely but then you never know. The talent is all involved, so while details are slim, it should be pretty dang good, and yes, expect the extra footage from the "longer cut" to show up...

Not a week goes by when a new BABYLON 5 email does not arrive in our mailbox. Unfortunately, no BABYLON 5 DVDs are yet scheduled. Warner has been considering it and is aware of the interest from the show's devoted following, but it just doesn't seem to be moving forward. I'm just hypothesizing, but perhaps there are still lingering doubts about the appeal of "cult" titles and the still relatively small installed base of DVD players (in comparison tot he number of VHS homes). Of course if any new information comes we'll post on it...

In the world of DIRTY HARRY, though there will be no box set arriving this year, plans are moving forward to do DVD versions of the films. However, all the originals were in mono and would be remixed, and of course Mr. Eastwood would be involved. Expect DVDs "eventually," though certainly not in 2000. But remixed soundtracks will probably make it worth the wait!

Finally, no plans at the moment for any unrated EYES WIDE SHUT release, nor a BATMAN special edition. The BLADE RUNNER disc is in the pipeline of course, which should be great, and for some reason the title MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN popped into my head while talking with Warner, but that title is not on the way right. Aside from that, watch for plenty of day & date stuff from Warner, and slowly but surely they will e delving into their deep library for classic musicals, and CITIZEN KANE is getting remastered (again) for an eventual DVD release. Hey, gotta take your time with what is considered The Greatest Motion Picture Of All Time!

Paramount

Finally, Paramount was unable to attend the event at the last minute, which is too bad, as we had plenty of questions for them! However, while on the Home Theater Forum tour of Warner's post-production facility (which works on many more titles other than just Warner releases), the group and I were shown some of the material being worked on the time.

We saw this very imposing room of boxes and hi-tech gadgets compressing material. Lo and behold, we all gasped when we saw some little movie called BRAVEHEART on one of the monitors. An audible hush fell upon us...could it be? Was it real? Why, yes, it exists! I think one fellow even hid in the corner in embarrassment after shedding a few tears of joy. Though the monitor was small and probably cost like a zillion dollars, it was anamorphic and looked great! A magical moment...sigh.

Home Theater Forum Week - Thanks and praise!

Well, that's about it for the latest Studio Day fiesta, and it was a great capper to a great week. I'd like to take a moment to thank Ron Epstein and Parker Clack of Home Theater Forum, who did an absolutely magnificent job of staging the week-long HTF 2000 event. They somehow managed to put together not only this special Studio Day, but tours of most of the studios, visits to production houses, TV show visits, dinner at the Hard Rock and a free trip to the Universal Studios park. It was great not only to meet Ron and Parker, but also all the HTF enthusiasts and other webmasters, which was a definite highlight of the week. If you were considering attending the HTF week, by all means do so if there is one next year!

So until next time...

I will be updating the site all week with new editorials highlighting some of the important issues that surfaced partly at Studio Day. DVD is certainly more than just titles, and some of the developments are just as important if not moreso to DVD's future than just what is coming out when. Watch this space!

So, in all, a great day for me, and I would just like to say thanks to Dave's Video for staging this event, their great staff including Linda & Dave Lukas, Hobie and Keith, and of course all the studio representatives who took the time to come down and chat with the masses. And, most of all, thanks to all of you who read this. Hope you enjoyed it.

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