By Peter M. Bracke

Two new Columbia announcements

Details have just come in from Columbia on two new children's titles due on 4/24. Actually, The 5,000 Fingers Of Dr. T is a cult classic in its own right, so it is exciting to finally have it on DVD. The disc is in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, with English, French and Spanish mono tracks, a: "Gerald McBoing Boing's Symphony" bonus cartoon, a still gallery with production stills, and trailers. Also coming on 4/24 is The New Adventures Of Pippi Longstocking, in full screen and mono, with talent files and trailers. Retail is $24.95 each.

Not Quite Famous?

Bad news - sort of - for Almost Famous fans anticipating the upcoming 3/13 DVD release of the film. Though director Cameron Crowe revealed to the press late last summer (including DVDFILE in this video interview) that the upcoming DVD would feature a longer cut of the film, production delays have pushed back those plans. Crowe's busy schedule, and the home video industry's ever-shortening theatrical-to-video release windows, means fans will have to wait just a little longer for what Crowe has stated is his preferred vision of the film.

Though only one DVD edition of the film was initially expected with Crowe's longer cut, the upcoming DVD release features the theatrical version. According to DreamWorks marketing head Terry Press in a statement made earlier this week, Crowe "didn't have time to oversee the longer version or (record) the commentary." However, a second, more extensive DVD "will come later." But in the meantime, according to a Dreamworks spokesperson yesterday, the upcoming DVD edition will still boast a few extra goodies. In addition to an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 tracks, the disc will include a making-of featurette, a "Fever Dog" music video, and 7 rare Crowe articles from his days at Rolling Stone. Retail for the edition will be $26.95.

Strangely, a full press release for the title has not been issued, despite the fact that the release is little more than a month away (in contrast to most new title announcements, which are issued around two months before street date.) According to sources, the unexpected delays in finishing the extend version have caused internal concern at Dreamworks on the proper approach to handling the publicity and marketing of the upcoming DVD when there is second, extended version on the way. In any case, expect the full details within a few weeks.

More 'The Motion Picture' news

Ever since word got out that the last of Star Trek big screen voyages yet to make it DVD, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, was getting the special edition treatment, the anticipation (and inaccuracies) have just grew and grew. But yesterday, the New Times has just posted an article on the film and the upcoming new cut that should help put to rest many of the rumors floating around. It is an excellent, well-written piece, but the article says it better than I can, so just check it out here.

"Do you like Gladiator movies?"

Geez, Criterion is really being good to us with some big announcements lately, aren't they? First The Rock, now Spartacus. Due on 4/24 (so expect it to arrive around August, har har) is the long-awaited 2-disc of Kubrick's classic. The set features a new anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks, and what looks to be a port of the Criterion laserdisc special features. Disc one includes an audio commentary with Producer/Actor Kirk Douglas, Peter Ustinov, Novelist Howard Fast, Producer Edward Lewis, restoration expert Robert A. Harris plus designer Saul Bass; Scene by scene analysis with Dalton Trumbo plus a restoration demonstration. Disc two will include: deleted scenes; newsreel footage; 1960 promotional interviews, 1992 interview with Peter Ustinov and many of the original features from the laser disc supplement. The set will be streeting for $49.95.

Some other Criterion announcements on 4/24 are The Scarlet Empress with Marlene Dietrich, Jules Dassin's Rififi and from director Jacques Tati, Mon Oncle and M. Hulot's Holiday. All three of these films are newely restored in their original full frame, black and white transfers, except for Mon Oncle which is in full color. All four of these disc will street for $29.95

Billy Elliot details

Universal has issued the press release for the Billy Elliot DVD, due on 4/17. The disc is relatively sparse, but is a very heartwarming, enjoyable film, so for only $24.95, it is definitely worth checking out...

Disney's 'New Groove'

Some more Buena Vista news comes in, including good news for fans of The Crow. Initially, word was that if you wanted the new Collector's Series edition of the first film (or its sequel, The Crow: City Of Angels) you had to pick up the entire box set of all three films. However, Buena Vista will now be releasing the first two movies separately as well as the third, for $29.95 each. Features are the same on all versions.

Buena Vista is also the latest studio to jump on the price reduction bandwagon, and have begun to drop prices on up to 8 new DVD titles a month as part of the "DVD Reprice" promotion. The suggested retail price on these discs will drop to $24.95, with the titles for February including Miami Rhapsody, I Love Trouble, Sister Act 2 and Up Close & Personal. The titles for March are The Color Of Money, Cradle Will Rock, Quiz Show, Instinct and the standard edition of Nixon. The April reprices include When A Man Loves A Woman, The Other Sister, Mumford, Outrageous Fortune, The Rich Man's Wife and What's Love Got To Do With It. Finally, the May drops are She's All That, Color Of Night, Mother's Boys, The Associate, Son-In-Law, Encino Man and The Tie That Binds.

Finally, Disney has announced 5/1 arrival for The Emperor's New Groove. No details nor pricing is available yet, though there will be standard and special edition versions available. Stay tuned.

Random Notes

Just a few little tidbits to end the week. First up is some potentially good news for all you fans of The Simpsons. At the Global Toy Week industry expo last week, Fox showed off the usual array of Simpsons figures, toys and collectibles. But more importantly to DVD fans were some of the marketing plans Fox revealed for the series. According to their promotional materials at the event, the studio plans a "DVD Launch" in September 2001. Sounds good, though Fox Home Video would not return calls for this posting...

Finally, two corrections on posts this week. The Our Lips Are Sealed DVD, starring Mary-Kate and Ashley, will be in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, not full frame, and the correct release date for the Stargate SG-1 Series 1 set is 5/22, not 4/10 as originally reported. That is the preorder date cutoff for retailers. Sorry for the errors!

FEBRUARY 8

Temperature rising

Looks like it is going to be a good spring for Marilyn Monroe fans, for in addition to the Fox Monroe box set, MGM will be releasing two versions of the classic Some Like It Hot on 5/22. The movie-only edition features a 1.66:1 widescreen transfer, English, French and Spanish mono tracks and subtitles, and the trailer. Retail is $14.95. The special edition, also due the same day, features the same video and audio specs, plus the "A Look Back" documentary with Leonard Maltin and Tony Curtis, and the featurettes "The Sweet Sues (The All-Girl Band)" and even an "Interactive 3-D Hall Of Memories" Retail is $24.95.

We've gotten few emails over some apparent confusion surrounding MGM's upcoming release of the Stargate SG-1 Series 1 gift set. The release date we've received is 5/22, and the set will contain 5 discs, not 6 as some have asked. The entire first season, plus some cast interviews, will be included, and retail will be $89.95. MGM has issued the packaging artwork, which seems to confirm it is a 5 disc set. If any of this information changes, we'll post any updates or corrections.

New Concorde teaches 'Chemistry'

Some more fun exploitation titles on the way from our friends at New Concorde. On 5/22 comes a quartet of low, low priced "gems" Body Chemistry, Body Chemistry 2: Voice Of A Stranger, Body Chemistry 3: Point Of Seduction and Body Chemistry 4: Full Exposure. For only $9.95 each, you can't expect much extras, and you won't get them. The discs are full frame and 2.0 stereo only, with brief bios and previews only. Also on 5/22 comes a special edition of 1988 remake of Not Of This Earth, in full frame and 2.0 stereo, with an audio commentary with director Jim Wynorski, cast bios, production notes, trailers and previews. Retail is $19.95.

Columbia sets Tokyo Raiders

Finally today, and perhaps to capitalize on the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" craze of the moment, Columbia will be releasing Toyko Raiders on 4/10. The disc features 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame transfers, English and Cantonese 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, a making-of featurette and talent files. Retail is $29.95.

FEBRUARY 7

MGM's May slate

MGM has announced another big batch of titles for May, and the full specs have come in. As usual, a varied batch, both in terms of titles and presentation. First up on 5/8 are Buffalo Bill And The Indians, City Slickers, Eight Men Out, A Family Affair, Return Of The Magnificent Seven, Throw Momma From The Train and Mississippi Burning, all in anamorphic widescreen. Note that, alas, Mississippi Burning will not contain any of the extra features aside from the trailer that were on the Image special edition, which is now discontinued. Also due on 5/8 are The Pope Of Greenwich Village, Semi-Tough and The Westerner in non-anamorphic widescreen, and Apache in full screen only. None of the above titles has any supplements of note aside from trailers, and retail is $19.95 each.

Then on 5/22 comes another batch, including Canadian Bacon, Southern Comfort and The Winter People in anamorphic widescreen, and Amos & Andrew, Frankie & Johnny, A Home OF Our Own, The Mean Season, Posse, Shag: The Movie and Youngblood in non-anamorphic widescreen. All of the above are $14.95, and don't even include trailers...

Fox goes to boot camp

Fox has just announced a couple of new day & date, testosterone-fueled titles for April, perhaps to offset all the estrogen in their catalog batch? Anyway, on 4/10 comes the recent Robert DeNiro and Cuba Gooding, Jr., drama Men Of Honor, and then a week later on 4/17 is the massively overlooked Tigerland from director Joel Schumacher. Both are in anamorphic widescreen, and feature some extra goodies, too. Both contain audio commentaries, while Men Of Honor also includes a making-of. Expect additional features as well to be announced, and retail for each is $29.95.

Also, a note on the pricing of the upcoming Cleopatra mega-set. Fox has set the pricing lower than expected for the 3-disc set. Not $34.95, not even $29.95...no, a low, low $26.95. Alright, all you studios pricing your movie-only, old catalog title DVDs for much higher, what's the deal!?

New Line April title specs

New Line has just issued the press releases for their two big April titles, Little Nicky and Bamboozled. Both of these Platinum Series titles are pretty loaded, so check out the full specs for all the details...

The 6th Day gets downgraded

Columbia has just announced a rather surprising downgrade and street date change for the upcoming The 6th Day DVD. Poor Arnie, he just can't get a break lately, can he? Columbia will be dropping "The Future is Coming" HBO First Look special, plus the 10 featurettes, the 3 storyboard-to-film comparisons and the 2 animatics. The remaining features still on the disc include the isolated music track with composer Trevor Rabin with commentary; the "Re-Pet" infomercial, talent files, production notes, trailers and TV spots. Columbia is lowering the price of the disc to $24.95, and will be removing the "Special Edition" banner from all advertising and the packaging. The street date has also been bumped to 3/27.

Warner date change and updates

A couple of new announcements from Warner and a date change. Coming on 5/1 from the BBC is the award-winning UK comedy Father Ted: Series 1. The disc is in full frame and 2.0 mono, with production notes on the show, a featurette and cast bios. Retail is $29.95. Then, under the HBO banner is For Love Or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story, starring Andy Garcia. The disc is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and English, French and Spanish 2.0 surround. Retail is $19.95.

Finally, the street date for the oft-postponed The Killing Fields disc has been pushed back again from 3/13 to 5/8. Features (anamorphic widescreen, commentary) and the $24.95 price tag remain the same.

February 6

Buena Vista April specs

Buena Vista has set the full specs for their April new DVD releases, and judging by these announcements, it looks like they are becoming more and more consistent in their support of value-added features and two-disc sets. Four new titles are due in April, toplined by the Ben Affleck and Gwenyth Paltrow romantic drama Bounce. In addition to the already-announced anamorphic widescreen transfer, audio commentary with Director Don Roos and Affleck, and behind-the-scenes featurette, the set includes deleted scenes with optional commentary, music video, soundtrack spot, and theatrical trailers. Strangely, though the spec list does not indicate a 2-disc set, the cover art released by Buena Vista does. Weird. Retail is $29.95 and street 4/10.

Coming on 4/17 is the action drama The Proposal, in anamorphic widescreen and English and French 2.0, with an audio commentary with director Richard Gale, a behind-the-scenes featurette and the trailer. Up next is Marky Mark in The Yards, which is also in anamorphic widescreen with English and French 5.1 tracks, an audio commentary with director James Gray, behind-the-scenes featurette, a gallery with concept art, and the trailer. Finally, we have Playing Mona Lisa and the latest Hamlet modern interpretation, this time with Ethan Hawke. Both discs are in anamorphic widescreen and 5.1, with trailers but no additional features. All of the above are $29.95 each.

Two for April from Columbia

Columbia has just announced a couple of new titles for April. Due on 4/24 are My Life, the spiritual drama from filmmaker Bruce Joel Rubin, and the comedy Princess Caraboo with Phoebe "Where the heck has she been?" Cates. Both feature anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, English, French and Spanish 2.0 surround mixes, talent files, production notes and trailers. Retail is $19.95 each.

Up, up, and away...again

Here's a quick update with a clarification on the Superman set audio specs announced yesterday. Thankfully, Superman II, III and IV will not be digital mono only...all four discs will feature full Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks. The rest of the features and pricing remains the same, and street is again 5/1.

Also from Warner, here's the news you've really been waiting for. Everyone's favorite pair of prepubescent millionaires, Mary-Kate and Ashley, are finally coming to DVD for the first time! Filmed in Sydney, Australia, Our Lips Are Sealed is Mary-Kate and Ashley's "hilarious" misadventure in the land Down Under! The disc includes a special introduction by Mary-Kate and Ashley, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a film fashion segment, games, weblinks and even an audio commentary! Wow, I'm in heaven! All this beauty, romance, intrigue and fashion can be yours for only $24.95! Street date is 3/27!

Finally from Warner, the full specs have been released for the Blackadder series due on 5/15, a co-release with the BBC. Each release (The Blackadder, Blackadder II, Blackadder The Third, Blackadder Goes Forth and Back & Forth) will feature archival interviews, an outtake reel, a gallery of the cast with biographies, a karoake function (?) and "Blackadder Specials." The Complete Series will include all of the discs, though according to Warner the Blackadder Christmas Carol is not included in these sets. (For the original posting, click here.)

New Line April titles

Last but not least, New Line has announced the dates and some preliminary specs for their April titles. Due on 4/24 is the box office disappointment Little Nicky, Despite the presence of Adam Sandler and Satan, this film failed to live up to the usual box office heights of most Sandler flicks. The DVD will be another feature-heavy New Line Platinum Series edition, with an anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks and English captions and subtitles, an audio commentary, two featurettes and more to be announced. A week earlier on 4/17 comes Spike Lee's Bamboozled, in anamorphic widescreen and full screen, with English 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, cast filmographies and the trailer. Retail for both of the above is $24.95 each.

February 5: Superman flies high in May; 'The Rock' special edition details; new Top Pick contest

New Top Pick Contest

Well, here's a first. Since, quite frankly, there really isn't anything we feel is worthy of a top pick (sorry, we just can't bring ourselves to pick Urban Legends: Final Cut), we're letting you choose. We'll choose three winners, each of whom will win any $29.95 MSRP or less disc of their choice, and one of the three will also get a $25 gift certificate from our new Top Pick sponsor, Better Cables. We're calling this our Pot Luck sweepstakes, so enter here for your chance to win!

And congrats goes out to last week's winners, Chris Nance of Springfield, Tennessee; David Sumner of Chicago, Illinois; Adam Wheat of Phoenix, AZ; Christopher Lyndon of Sarasota, Michigan; and David M. Kay of Lees Summit, Missouri. All snagged a copy of Dreamworks' What Lies Beneath DVD and T-shirt. Great job!

Up, up, and away!

Ahhh, boy is this a nice announcement to get! While I know many of you are still waiting for the "Holy Grails" to arrive on DVD (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc.) this one is just as high on the list for me as those. After a seemingly endless wait, Warner is finally set to release to retail this week the street date and full specs for (drum roll please) the Superman quartet on DVD. It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...one kick-ass 2-disc Superman special edition! Due on 5/1 are all four Superman films, each available separately (though you can pick 'em all up if you so desire.) Given all the prerelease buzz, you probably all know most of the extras that are gonna be on this thing already. But here goes...

Of course, Superman: The Movie is receiving the most special care and attention. Billed as "2-disc set" (guess no DVD-18 after all?) the $24.95 release will feature a new, fully remastered 2.35;1 anamorphic widescreen transfer of a new extended cut of the film with additional footage supervised by director Richard Donner himself. There is also a new 5.1 Dolby Surround mix, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles and loads of goodies. Also included is an audio commentary with Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz, four making-of featurettes on the Special Effects, (with rare green-screen and test footage) Production and Release, Casting, (with early Christopher Reeve screen tests) and Pre-Production , over 20 minutes of deleted scenes, John Williams's score isolated in 5.1 surround (yeaaah!), additional audio outtakes including alternate dialogue and scoring cues for 8 scenes (which was also released on the recent Superman 2-CD set), two theatrical trailers, cast and crew filmographies and extensive DVD-ROM features including links to a new Superman web site featuring additional photos, production information and future web events. All this can be yours for only $24.95.

Warner will also be issuing new remasters of the other three Superman films, Superman II, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. All are in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with English and French mono tracks and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles, and their respective trailers. (These are listed as mono, but quite frankly I find it very hard to believe these are not being releaased in their original surround tracks. I believe this is some sort of mistake and will be corrected!) Given the limited features, each disc is priced at $19.95. No 4-pack or box set has been announced (yet?).

Alright, despite my excitement for these announcements, a few caveats. First, I'm surprised Warner is not going to rerelease Superman: The Movie theatrically. Given all the work that went into the restoration of the elements, I'd have to think that even if the film isn't likely to gross the numbers Star Wars did in rerelease, it would at least match or surpass the $40 million domestic take of The Exorcist reissue. I, for one, would love to see Superman fly high again on the big screen. But, ah well, at least we'll have the DVDs.

Second, I'm a bit surprised by the rather poor treatment Superman II is receiving. While I enjoy III and IV in a campy way as most do, many still regard Superman II as at least as good of a film as the first, if not better. There is apparently much deleted footage lying on the cutting room floor from Superman II, and it was a 6-track soundtrack presentation theatrically (if I'm not mistaken.) Geesh, a little something extra on the Superman II disc would have been nice, wouldn't it? However, technical information released by the sales divisions of studios can often be wrong or incomplete, so I have to believe there will be better soundtracks on all the Superman discs. In any case, May 1st can't come soon enough for me!

Can't stop 'The Rock'

Now, here's another one DVD fans have been waiting (and waiting and waiting) to get there hands on for years. After much anticipation, Criterion has announced a 3/13 arrival date for their 2-disc special edition of the Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer testosterone extravaganza The Rock. Many feel (myself included) that this is Bay and Bruckheimer's best collaboration, and superior to Armageddon, despite what the box office said. (Of course, we still have Pearl Harbor to look forward to...)

Anyway, this 2-disc set from Criterion features a 2.35;1 widescreen transfer and English 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS mixes, and English Closed Captions (still no definitive word on the anamorphic status, but stay tuned for a confirm.) Additional goodies include an audio commentary with Michael Bay, actors Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris, technical advisor Harry Humphries, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Other extras include multiple featurettes including a "Video Interview with Jerry Bruckheimer," "Analysis Of the Dive Sequence," "Movie Magic" episode detailing the film's special effects, "Do's and Don'ts of Hollywood Gunplay," and "Excerpts from Secrets of Alcatraz," documentary. There is also a wealth of still content, including a storyboard gallery, production design drawings, and behind-the-scenes photographs, as well as the theatrical trailer and multiple TV spots, an outtake reel, and footage from the world premiere of the film at Alcatraz itself.

Note that the "Milk" commercial from the Criterion laserdisc is not included, and overall this looks mainly like a port of the laserdisc. But, it was a very good LD, so it should make a pretty great DVD, too. Retail is $39.95.

February 2 through 4: Warner paints it 'Black'; MGM issues 'Stargate' episode collection; new Artisan titles; Final Mummy details?; new music titles from Sony and Universal

Warner paints it 'Black'

Wasting no time since landing the distribution rights to BBC's catalog in the U.S., Warner will be releasing the acclaimed British series The Black Adder here on 5/15. The Black Adder, Black Adder II, Black Adder The Third, The Blackadder Goes Forth and Blackadder Back & Forth will all be available as stand-alone discs, retailing for $24.95 each ($19.95 for Back & Forth) and containing 6 episodes apiece. Black Adder: The Complete Collector's Set will also be available for $119.95 and feature all of the above discs. Each episode is presented in its original full frame aspect ratio with English 2.0 stereo tracks.

Into the Stargate

Well, many have criticized some studios such as Warner and Paramount for failing to release television series such as Friends and Star Trek in complete season-by-season episode collections instead of "greatest hits" packages, it seems along with Fox, MGM now "gets it." Coming on 4/10, MGM will issue Stargate SG-1: Season One Gift Set. All 21 episodes, including the pilot, will be spread across 5 discs. All episodes are presented in anamorphic widescreen, with English, French and Spanish 2.0 surround tracks and subtitles, and the set also includes making-of featurettes with the cast, and a collectible booklet. Retail is $89.95.

New Artisan titles

Artisan has just announced a few new titles due this April. First up on 4/24 is the Lonesome Dove sequel Streets Of Laredo. The disc features a full frame transfer, English 2.0 surround track, trivia, some production notes, and TV spots. Retail is $24.95. Also coming is the horror flick If I Should Die Before I Wake, in full frame and 2.0 surround, and with the trailer. And finally, we have a sequel I just know you've all been breathlessly awaiting, The Substitute 4: Failure Is Not An Option. What a title, and what a cast! Treat Williams and Angie Everhart in the same film, who can ask for more? The disc is in anamorphic widescreen and English 5.1 surround, with more production notes and the trailer. Retail for all of the above is $24.95 each.

More Mummy details

Finally, after a long while, Universal has issued the full press release for the new 2-disc set of The Mummy: The Ultimate Edition . In addition to the previously-announced features, the disc will also include two new audio commentaries (along with the previous one with Director Stephen Sommers and Editor Bob Ducsay), featuring Brendan Fraser on track two and stars Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O'Connor on track three. This should be the final press release, so check out the full details.

Go "All The Way" with Celine

Noooooo!!! Not another one!!!! Why, oh why, does Sony keep doing this to us!? Ugh, another damn Celine Dion DVD! Don't they have anything else in the vaults besides her, Gloria Estefan or Bruce Springsteen? Geesh! Anyway, here she comes again to torture us on 2/20 with All The Way...A Decade Of Song. Featuring 17 of her biggest videos plus a bonus track(" It's All Coming Back To Me Now [Long version]"), the disc is presented in full frame and English 5.1 surround, and also includes a photo gallery, biography and a discography. Retail is $29.95. Also coming is Rage Against The Machine: The Battle Of Mexico City, in full frame and 5.1 surround, with bonus videos, a photo gallery and downloadable DVD-ROM gallery. Retail for this puppy is only $19.95.

Bix!

Finally today, as Madonna says, "Music brings the people together" (yeah, whatever.) Coming from Universal is Bix Beiderbeck: Ain't None Of Them Play Like Him Yet, due on 2/13. The disc is full frame and 2.0 stereo, with production notes and the trailer. No extra features, and retail is $24.95.

.February 1, : Columbia announcements and 'Angels' specs; Paramount price drops; Universal spring news

Good morning, Charlie!

Columbia has announced specs for the upcoming kick-butt Charlie's Angels special edition due on 3/27. In addition to the 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 and English and French 2.0 surround tracks, features include a making-of featurette, mini behind-the-scenes segments on the film's fight sequences, an audio commentary with director McG, 2 music videos, cast interviews, an outtake reel, talent files, production notes and trailers. Retail is $27.95.

Also on 3/27 comes Girlfight (a tougher, more indie version of Save The Last Dance?) in anamorphic widescreen with English 5.1 surround and English and French 2.0 surround tracks, English, French and Spanish subtitles, an audio commentary with director Karyn Kusama, a making-of featurette, talent files and the trailer. Retail is $29.95.

Finally, on 5/1 comes one of my favorite guilty pleasures, Threesome. The disc includes anamorphic widescreen and full screen formats, English, French and Spanish 2.0 surround tracks, an audio commentary with director Andrew Fleming, an alternate ending, talent files and "bonus trailers." Retail is $24.95.

Paramount price drops

Looks like it is shaping up to be a bit of a Paramount week here, with lots of news coming down from the mountain. No sooner than I lamented yesterday about some of rather high (in my opinion) prices of Paramount catalog titles, then they go and announce reductions no 45 titles. Dropping from $29.95 to $24.95 are 1997's The Saint, Kiss The Girls, The Ghost & the Darkness, First Wives Club, Breakdown, Switchback, Deep Impact, Event Horizon, Private Parts, Hard Rain, Escape From LA, 48 Hours and Another 48 Hours, Snake Eyes, Black Rain, Jade, Escape From Alcatraz, Internal Affairs, Night At The Roxbury, War Of The Worlds, Relic, Virtuosity, The Phantom, Drop Zone, Witness, Gallipoli, Payback, Congo, the first two Friday The 13th films, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Tommy Boy, Scrooged, Rattle & Hum, Chinatown and its sequel, Beavis & Butthead Do America, The Presidio, both Addam's Family movies, Jennifer 8, Clue, all three Naked Gun films and finally the westerns Shane, True Grit and El Dorado. These price drops become effective on February 1.

Also, Paramount has moved Terms of Endearment to 4/10, and has announced the release of Mach 2 on 3/13. The disc includes an anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 surround track, an audio commentary with Director Edward Raymond and actor Brian Bosworth, and the trailer. Retail is $29.95.

Universal spring fun

As spring approaches and we finally move out of the "home video graveyard" (the winter months traditionally being a bit light on new releases from the studios), I thought we'd offer a preview of some upcoming Universal DVD plans we've learned of recently. As you may or may not know, Universal had licensed out a big batch of their catalog titles to Image Entertainment for DVD release in 1997, the agreement for which has since expired. There were some pretty good titles in that bunch, with some of the most asked-about ones being the 80s John Hughes favorites Sixteen Candles, Weird Science and The Breakfast Club (which Universal released themselves as a non-anamorphic, bare bones edition.) We've heard through the ol' pipeline to expect new Universal issues of these titles real soon. No official word yet on any specs or release dates, but let's hope Universal actually does a spiffy redo of these as special editions, because I know I can't be the only one wanting new transfers and supplements on these!

Also, we've gotten some email asking if Universal has plans to issue any more titles in their Classic Monsters Collection, especially since the DVD titles released thus far are only the tip of the iceberg compared to what is available on VHS. A Universal spokesperson did confirm that there is good news for fans of the series, who will have something to look forward to later this year. Expect more Classic Monster titles in time for next Halloween, though release of which titles and specifics are still a ways off. But if this next batch is as good as the ones released so far, they should live up to expectations.

Finally, speaking of monsters and 80's classics, Universal has recently reacquired the home video distribution rights to John Landis' An American Werewolf In London (a film they originally produced and released theatrically with Polygram), which was previously issued on DVD by Artisan (formerly LIVE Entertainment) in a rather lackluster presentation. Let's hope Universal gives it better treatment, and it certainly would make a nice Halloween release too, wouldn't it?