The TV people? - 12:04am

One of the few blockbuster trilogies that still remains unavailable on DVD, the Back to the Future series has suffered so many different announcements, release dates and postponements that it has almost become a running joke among DVD enthusiasts. But as you may or may not be aware, Universal has already announced DVD release dates and specs for overseas releases of the trilogy later this summer, yet no official word has come on a Region 1 edition. Since then we've been inundated with great info from all over the place on those international releases, including specs and box cover art, as well as a bit of hate mail because we haven't posted on it yet. Why not? Well, this is a Region 1 site after all, and as often turns out to be the case, releases from across the globe don't always end up with the same features...

But although Universal has all but confirmed that a Region 1 release will come by the end of the year (check out Universal's DVD website for a look at the preview trailer), it's worth noting that the specs announced for the overseas versions of the trilogy will not be the same as the eventual Region 1 release. We've received some news from Back to the Future producer Bob Gale himself that production is still underway for some of the features, and director Robert Zemeckis recently held a Q&A session at his alma mater, the USC School of Cinema-Television, that was recorded for the Region 1 DVD. So, be warned. Those who just can't wait and are thinking of ordering the overseas editions of the trilogy, you may want to hold off until the official announcement comes for the domestic release. There just may be a few surprises in there...?

In other "What's going on with that one?" news, you may recall that at last year's Studio Day event, as well a few months back on their press website, Warner announced a new 2002 release of the 1982 blockbuster Poltergeist. Alas, no new version of title will now be released at all, and the entry has been removed from the website. It is a disappointment, but after doing a little digging, sources at Warner and Amblin say that it wasn't Warner that nixed this one, but actually Spielberg's camp. Perhaps, they say, it has something to do with all that controversy at the time of the film's original release over who really directed the film, Spielberg or the de facto director, Tobe Hooper? Guess we'll never know the real story for sure, but at least we'll still be getting those Gremlins SEs this year...

Last but not least, also just announced from Warner are two new double-disc special editions due out later this year, Clint Eastwood's Best Picture Academy Award winner Unforgiven, and the Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino collaboration True Romance. Stay tuned for specs...

Let's get rocked - 12:04am

Just in from Universal are four new announcements, all hitting store shelves on 8/27. First up are two recent independent theatrical releases, Rock My World and Seduced: Pretty When You Cry. Both are presented in anamorphic widescreen with 5.1 surround tracks, production notes and trailers, and Seduced also includes deleted scenes and filmographies. Retail is $24.95 apiece.

Taking over for the new-defunct USA Home Entertainment, Universal will continue to release more sports-themed programming on DVD, Stanley Cup: Official Championship DVD and NBA Finals 2002: Official Championship DVD. Each release is presented in full frame and includes championship highlights, team facts, and promos. Retail is $19.95 each.