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Taming the wild frontier (09.30.01 - 12:41pm) Just announced from Warner is their December slate, highlighted by two of my favorite unintentionally funny dramas of the year, American Outlaws and Summer Catch. Set to debut on 12/4, both include a ton of features, and check out the full press release for the specs. Also announced for 12/4 is the recent acclaimed television drama The Mists Of Avalon, and 4 Dogs Playing Poker.
Alright, speed freaks, 1/2 is the date to mark on your calendars. Universal has just announced The Fast & The Furious, complete with tons of goodies. Presented in 2.35;1 anamorphic widescreen with English 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, extras include audio commentary with director Rob Cohen, a Spotlight On Location featurette, "Racer X" he article that inspired the movie, deleted scenes with optional commentary; "Interactive 8" camera angle stunt sequence, "Movie Magic" interactive FX featurette, an exclusive featurette on the editing required to appease the MPAA, a visual effects montage, storyboard-to-screen comparisons, three music videos from Ja Rule, Caddillac Tah and Faith Evans, the theatrical trailer, and exclusive DVD-ROM content including never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage and the "Supercar Street Challenge" demo. Retail is $26.95. Universal will also release the little-seen Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci drama The Man Who Cried on 1/2. Features are minimal, with a 1.85;1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks, production notes, filmographies and the trailer. Retail is $26.95. Let the fur fly! (09.28.01 - 12:04am) About the only thing more ferocious than fights between cats and dogs is...widescreen versus pan & scan? Just announced (rather quietly) by Warner is a widescreen release of Cats & Dogs, due out the same day as the previously announced, full-frame only version, due 10/16. Aside from the aspect ratio (1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen), the features are the same - a "cat" audio commentary and a "dog" audio commentary, deleted scenes, the HBO First Look special and "Teaching A New Dog New Tricks" featurette, four easter eggs, and the trailer. Retail is $26.95 for each version. Let the battle begin!
Street date alert Just announced from Columbia are one new title, and a postponement for another. Due on 1/2 is the Tyrone Power classic The Long Gray Line, presented in anamorphic widescreen and full frame, with English and French mono tracks and the theatrical trailer. Retail is $24.95. Columbia has also removed the Boyz 'N The Hood special edition, originally announced for a 11/13 release, from its coming soon list. No new date has been announced, but stay tuned... More 'MASH' (09.27.01 - 11:55am) A bit more on the upcoming MASH movie and MASH: TV Season One releases, both due 1/8 from Fox. Here's a look at the cover art, and both should be typically great Fox releases.
Also, note that we've received a few complaints form consumers regarding problems with the just-released The French Connection, also from Fox. Some readers received two copies of the second supplemental disc, but no feature. While the best recourse is to return it to the point of purchase, if that proves unsuccessful, you can contact Fox's Consumer Hotline at 1-888-223-2FOX (2369). Good luck! Fox early 2002 announcements, 'Rouge' specs (09.26.01 - 11:34am) Just announced from Fox are a number of new 2002 announcements, and full specs for the upcoming Moulin Rouge Five-Star Collection. Due on 12/18, Baz Luhrmann's instant cult classic gets the full Fox treatment, starting with a 1.85;1 anamorphic widescreen transfer (according to Fox's specs), English 5.1 and English and French 2.0 Dolby surround tracks (no DTS track is included) and English and Spanish subtitles. Extras include "Production" commentary by Baz Luhrman, Catherine Martin and Don McAlpine and second "Writing" commentary by Baz Luhrman and Craig Pearce, 8 behind-the-scenes featurettes that "branch" off of the main feature, "The Making of Moulin Rouge" HBO Special, 5 "Star" featurettes, 6 extended scenes, 4 re-cut dance sequences, interview with John "Cha Cha" O'Connell and Caroline O'Conner, Dance pre-shoots, 3 multi-angle dance sequences, 2 music videos and live MTV performance of "Lady Marmalade," still gallery with designs and marketing concepts, early script drafts, trailers, and 10 easter eggs. Retail is only $29.95. Cool! As for Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet, they have not yet been announced, but stay tuned...
Then, in early 2002, Fox answers the prayers of many a TV fan. First let's start with one of the most acclaimed television dramas ever, M*A*S*H. First up on 1/8 is the Robert Altman film that started it all. This 2-disc set includes a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 2.0 stereo and English and French mono tracks, audio commentary with Robert Altman, "AMC Backstory," "The Story of M*A*S*H," "M*A*S*H: History Through the Lens," and "M*A*S*H Reunion" featurettes, a film restoration demo, still gallery, trailers and an easter egg. Retail is $29.95. Also on 1/8, Fox will release M*A*S*H: The Complete First Season, Presented in full frame, with English and French mono tracks, as well an English track "without laugh track." Retail is $39.95 for the set. Last but not least, on 1/15 (finally!) Buffy The Vampire Slayer fans will be rewarded for their patience. After much delays, Fox unleashes Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Complete First Season. Presented in full frame with English and French 2.0 surround tracks, extras include a full length audio commentary on "Welcome to Hellmouth" by Joss Whedon, three "Joss Whedon Talks" interviews on six episodes ("Welcome To Hellmouth," "The Harvest," "Witch," "Never Kill A Boy On the First Date," "Angel" and "Puppet Show"), an additional interview with Whedon and actor David Boreanaz, a Buffy trailer, the original pilot script, a photo gallery, biographies and DVD-ROM weblinks. Retail is $39.95 for the three-disc set. Street date alert, more 'Apes menus and specs (09.26.01 - 12:04am) Just announced on the View Askew website by filmmaker Kevin Smith himself, watch for the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back DVD to hit stores on 2/12. Stay tuned for further details.
Just in from from Fox, director Tim Burton has decided to record an audio commentary for the upcoming Planet Of the Apes mega two-disc set, which was not previously announced as being a part of the set. Also check out tow more menu screens below, and click on an image for an enlargement. Looks like a terrific set - street date is 11/20, and retail $29.95.
Just announced from Buena Vista are the full specs for the sleeper smash The Princess Diaries, which rang up $100 million at the box office this past summer. Two separate versions will be released on 12/18, THX-certified 1.85;1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame editions, both with the same supplements. Extras include an introduction by director Garry Marshall, two audio commentaries - the first with Marshall, the second with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway dubbed "The Ultimate Tea Party" - the "A New Princess" featurette, eight deleted scenes with Marshall commentary, two music videos, and trailers. Retail is $29.95 each. Also, we got a confirmation on the street dates for the two Atlantis: The Lost Empire releases due from Disney, both of which will be released on the same date, 1/29. Sorry for any confusion! We don't need another hero (09.25.01
- 1:14pm)
Don't piss him off...on 1/4, Mad Max returns to DVD in an all-new special edition, courtesy of MGM. One of those "whatever took ya so long" DVDs, this one sports a brand-new anamorphic widescreen transfer, new 5.1 audio remix (complete with Mel Gibson's original audio track, not the dubbed version previously heard in the US), and a wealth of extras. Two documentaries are included, "Mel Gibson: Birth Of A Star," and "Mad Max: the Film Phenomenon," an audio commentary with special effects coordinator Chris Murray, cinematographer David Eggby, and production designer Jon Dowding, a "Road rant Facts" trivia game, and the trailer. Retail is only $19.95. Now, if only Warner would release Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome special editions, our collections would be complete... Paramount December titles (09.25.01 - 12:04am) Just announced from Paramount is their early December slate of releases, both new and old alike. Due on 12/11 is the recent theatrical hit The Score, complete with plenty of extras. In addition to the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and English 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, goodies include an audio commentary with director Frank Oz and director of photography Rob Hahn, "The Making Of The Score" featurette, additional footage not seen in theaters, and the trailer. Leading off the catalog releases on 12/4 are two comedies, including one of my favorite sleepers, Soapdish. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with English 5.1 and English and French 2.0 surround tracks, also included are the original behind-the-scenes featurette and the trailer. 'Til There Was You is also presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and with English 5.1 and English and French 2.0 surround tracks, and the trailer. Perhaps one of David Lynch's most accessible yet accomplished works, The Elephant Man features a new 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and English 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, retrospective cast and crew interviews, a narrated photo gallery and the trailer. Medium Cool is also presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, with an English mono track, audio commentary with filmmaker Haskel Wexler, editorial consultant Paul Golding and actor Marianna Hill, and the trailer. Retail is $29.95 each for all of the above Rounding out Paramount's early December slate are Star Trek The Original Series Volume 39 (including episodes #77 "The Savage Curtain" and episode # 78 "All Our Yesterdays") and - drumroll, please! - the very last Original Series DVD release, Volume 40, which includes the last episode, "The Turnabout Intruder," as well as the series pilot, "The Cage," making its DVD debut. Like all the Star Trek releases, each episode is presented in full frame with new English 5.1 Dolby Digital and mono tracks, and TV spots. Retail is $19.95 a pop. First casualty of war is innocence (09.24.01 - 4:56pm) Just announced from Columbia are the full specs for Brian De Palma's little-seen but well-regarded war drama Casualties Of War. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround, extras include "Eriksson's War: A Conversation with Michael J. Fox" and "The Making of Casualties of War" featurettes, five deleted scenes, filmographies, production notes and theatrical trailers. Street date is 12/11 and retail $19.95. Hey Lady Marmalade (09.24.01 - 4:56pm) Once again, Fox pulls out all the stops for its latest special
edition, the summer musical extravaganza Moulin Rouge.
Though only a moderate hit at the box office, the film developed
an instant cult following and the two-disc DVD set, due 12/18,
comes packed with extras. The THX-certified release sports an
anamorphic widescreen transfer and 5.1 surround track, an audio
commentary with director Baz Luhrmann, the "Behind The Velvet
Curtain" documentary chronicling the entire four-year production
process, deleted and extended scenes, the HBO First-Look special,
a multi-angle presentation of several key scenes with extensive
choreography, two music videos for "Come What May" and
"Lady Marmalade," the MTV Video Music Awards performance
of "Marmalade," filmographies, trailers, and TV spots.
Retail $29.95. Fox will also release a three-disc box set with Moulin Rouge, along with Lurhmann's previous, acclaimed efforts Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet, the latter a new special edition (the previous DVD will be discontinued.) No further details are yet available on this set, but stay tuned.
More 'Jurassic Park' (09.24.01 - 11:10am) Universal has just announced the full press release for Jurassic Park III, which looks to be quite a good set. While details on what will be on the bonus fourth disc (now called "Beyond Jurassic Park," not "The Jurassic Park Franchise") that is only available in the Jurassic Park Trilogy box set are still not announced, kudos to Universal for offering a mail-in solution for those who already purchased Jurassic Park and The Lost World. Buy Jurassic Park III, and for an additional $6.95, the fourth disc and slipcover can be yours. Check out the press release for the full details, and click on a box image for an enlargement. Street date alert (09.24.01 - 11:10am) Once again, Columbia doesn't waste any time in announcing the video release date for a recent theatrical release. Due on 1/2 is the recent Leelee Sobieski thriller The Glass House, along with the comedy Greenfingers. Watch for full specs soon... Disney's early 2002 slate (09.24.01 - 12:01am)Buena Vista ushers in 2002 with announcements and full specs for a number of long-awaited titles, both new and old. First up is Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Disney's recent summer sorta-hit. Announced last week, there seems to be some discrepancies between dates on the website and the press release, but going with the release, the standard edition will debut on 1/29 and include the same features as previously indicated. Also being released - on 3/19 according to the website, and not specified in the press release - is a deluxe two-disc Collector's Edition, complete with tones of extras. Presented in a THX-certified 2.35;1 anamorphic widescreen transfer only (the pan & scan version will not be included on this version) with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks, this release includes all of the extras of the standard release plus a "Visual commentary" with producer Don Hahn and directors Gary Trousadale and Kirk Wise, a "multi-platform navigation system" with three modes - "Explore," "Tour," and "File" (sounds interesting!) - a Whitmore Industries industrial film, and five sections of supplementary material: "Story & Editorial," "Art Direction," "Character Designs," "Music & Sound," and "Publicity." Retail is $29.95 for the standard edition and $39.95 for the collector's set. (Note we hope to get a confirm on the exact street for the Collector's Edition.) Announced for 2/26 is Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, featuring a 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks, a "Musical Magic" featurette, "Put It together" music video by Brooke Allison, the Cinderella DVD Storybook read by Juliet Mills, and a Cinderella's Dollhouse DVD-ROM game. Retail is $29.95. Due way in spring on 5/7 is a 25th Anniversary Edition of The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh. Presented in full frame, this special edition includes a new Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, "A Day For Eeyore" featurette, behind-the-scenes footage, a never-before-seen music video of "The Winnie The Pooh Theme Song" by Carly Simon, DVD storybook, sing-a-long,, interactive games, and a sneak peek at the 2003 theatrical release "Piglet's Big Movie." Retail is $24.95. Two more late 2001 direct-to-video releases include Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story and Princess Of Thieves, both due on 12/18. Both are presented in full frame and 2.0 surround, and include audio commentaries with executive director Melissa Joan Hart and director Peter Hewitt and the "Child Star: Making Of A Legend" and "Princess Of Thieves: The Adventure Behind The Adventure" featurettes, respectively. Retail is $29.95 each. Finally, Disney has delivered full specs for a number of previously-announced titles. Scary Movie 2, due on 12/18, includes footage not seen in theaters and the theatrical trailer, and a retail price of $29.95. The Newsies special edition, now due on 1/15, includes a newly remastered transfer (aspect ratio not specified) and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, an audio commentary with director Kenny Ortega, and a sing-along feature allowing viewers to sing-along to the songs on the screen. Retail is $29.95. Hitting DVD on 3/19 is The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II, complete with 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks, the "A Gargoyle's Life" with Jason Alexander and "Behind the Scenes with Jennifer Love Hewitt" featurettes, "Festival of Fun Activity" interactive games, and DVD-ROM features. Retail is also $29.95. Finally, the full specs for the TRON 20th Anniversary edition look pretty sweet. Due on 1/15, this two-disc set carries a retail price of $29.95, and a THX-certified, newly remastered 2.2:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and English 5.1 Dolby Digital surround track. Extras include a new 75-minute documentary "The Making Of TRON," including new interviews with director Steven Lisberger, the visual effects team, and cast members Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan, Daniel Shore, and Barnhard Hughes; deleted scenes with all-new introductions, the audio commentary from the previous laserdisc release, storyboard-to-film comparisons, extensive still galleries, animation tests, original soundtrack music deleted from the film, conceptual art, computer animation demo reels, publicity materials, and the trailer. Whew! 'Apes' menu pics (09.24.01 - 12:01am) just sent our way courtesy of Fox Home Video are two menu screenshots of the upcoming Planet Of The Apes special edition, due on 11/20. You can check out the press release for the full specs to what Fox is billing as their biggest special edition ever, and click on either menu for an enlargement. Retail is $29.95 for the set.
'Dr. Who' and 'Stunt Man' update (09.24.01 - 12:01am) Last but not least, a correction on last Friday's post on Anchor' Bay's upcoming November titles. Please note that The Stunt Man and The Sinister Saga Of the Stunt Man will both carry retail prices of $19.95 each, not the $24.95 and $19.95 previously specified. The Stunt Man special edition including both discs remains $34;95. Also, The Dr. Who Collection will also contain a third disc with the bonus documentary Dalekmania, presented in full frame and 2.0 stereo. Retail is only $34.95 for this 3-pack. |
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