'Future' finally gets a date - 12:04am

It's not entirely unexpected, but Universal has finally officially announced a Region 1 street date for the Back to the Future trilogy. Slated to hit stores on 12/17, the have launched a new sneak peek trailer on the official BTTF website, so go check it out. Details should be forthcoming in the coming months...

Watcher in the woods - 12:04am

After a very long wait for fans, Universal has finally set a street date for the French sensation Brotherhood of the Wolf. This supernatural action-fest received only a limited run here in the States, but was a phenomenon just about everywhere else in the world. Arriving on 10/1, this Region 1 single-disc set is rather disappointing, featuring a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English and French 5.1 surround tracks, deleted scenes, filmographies, production notes and trailers. Not nearly as full-featured as the two- and three-disc sets released by other distributors overseas, it is too bad Universal didn't follow their lead and give us something better.

However, word has it that Canadian distributor TVA is planning on releasing a Region 1 Canadian version that will include considerably more supplements, so stay tuned for further details...

Criterion times two - 12:04am

Yet more new street dates today for a couple of new ones from criterion. First up on 7/23 is Lynne Ramsey's Ratcatcher, an acclaimed drama about growing up a troubled child in Glasgow, Scotland. Presented in a new anamorphic widescreen transfer, extras include a new video interview with Ramsay, three short films by Lynne Ramsay, a still gallery and the trailer. Also arriving on 7/23 is the classic Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson comedy Hopscotch, presented in anamorphic widescreen with the original television audio track remixed for family viewing as well an alternate audio track. Extras include a video introduction and interviews with director Ronald Neame and novelist and screenwriter Brian Garfield and the original theatrical trailer and teaser. Retail is $39.95 each.

'A Hard Day's' DVD - 12:04am

After many delays and postponements, looks like that long awaited new Miramax Collector's Series release of The Beatles classic A Hard Day's Night will finally see the light of day on DVD on 9/24. Presented in a newly remastered 1.37:1 transfer with a remixed 5.1 Dolby surround track, this two-disc set includes plenty of extras: a new original documentary with more than 30 minutes of never-before-seen footage, another 20 minutes of behind-the-scenes material, not one but three audio commentary tracks with the cast and the filmmakers, the "Running, Jumping, Standing Still" short film, a scrapbook, music retrospective, and trailers. Retail is $29.95.

Street date alert - 12:04am

Just in from Columbia are a new batch of September releases. Arriving on 9/10 are the foreign imports Green Dragon with Patrick Swayze and Son of the Bride, and the Anthony Hopkins drama Road to Wellville. Stay tuned for specs...