Spidey swings into action - 11:03am

Welp, here it is, the first big 4th quarter DVD release of the year, and it's...Spider-Man. Sony has just announced a huge 11/1 kickoff for what is sure to be one of the biggest DVDs of the year, if not all time. They've pulled out all the stops for this one, so check out the press release for all the gory details!

(And, by the way, Spidey isn't the only big 2002 summer blockbuster coming soon to video stores everywhere...we've heard from the Lucasfilm camp that an announcement for Episode II isn't that far off, so keep watching this space!)

Warner pumps up the jam -12:09am

Yikes, just what is Warner trying to do to us? Along with MGM, they seem to be trying to set the record for the most catalog titles a studio can release in a single month, if only to drive us all to bankruptcy? Just announced is their October slate, with over a dozen more long sought-after titles due to hit stores on 10/1.

First up are three new entries in Warner's ongoing Clint Eastwood Collection, including the war drama Heartbreak Ridge, Clint as action hero in Firefox, and the anti-Kevin Costner in A Perfect World. Each features a new anamorphic widescreen transfer with English 5.1 Dolby surround tracks (except Heartbreak Ridge which is 2.0 surround only), plus filmographies and trailers. Retail is $19.95 each.

Raiding the classics vault comes James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan in The Shop Around the Corner, which features a new 1.37:1 full screen transfer, two featurettes "The Miracle of Sound" and "Catching Lubitsch at Work on the Set," production notes, and trailers. Next up is the Rosalind Russell classic Auntie Mame, featuring a brand-new 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, filmographies and the trailer. Last but not least we have Dashiell Hammett's lovable sleuths Nick and Nora in the 1934 version of The Thin Man, presented in 1.37:1 and mono along with production notes and trailers. Retail is $19.95 a pop.

Just in time for Halloween is another batch of horror flicks, including Stephen King's It, featuring the entire 193-minute miniseries presented in its original 4:3 broadcast aspect ratio and 2.0 surround, plus filmographies. More Stephen King includes the anthology scare-fest Cat's Eye, featuring a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 2.0 stereo mix, an audio commentary with director Lewis Teague, filmographies and the trailer. Finally, some classic monster fun can be had with Horror of Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein, both presented in anamorphic widescreen and mono with filmographies and trailers. Retail is $19.95 each.

Last but not least, at long last Dave and Doug McKenzie come to DVD in Strange Brew, the 80's cult classic that's best viewed when plastered. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and 2.0 surround, extras include excerpts from "Great White North" SCTV episodes and "The Animated Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie," and the trailer. Retail again is $19.95.

Street date alert - 12:09am

Why waste time? Even though it just debuted in theaters this past weekend, Buena Vista has already announced a 11/13 DVD release for Reign of Fire, the CGI "Dragon's Attack!" flick. No specs yet, but start saving those pennies...

Also just announced from Disney is wave two of their acclaimed Walt Disney Treasures series. Arriving on 11/27 are Mickey Mouse in Black and White, a collection of classic Mickey shorts from the early days of Disney, The Complete Goofy, and Behind the Scenes at The Walt Disney Studio. All are presented in their original 4:3 aspect ratios with varying audio specs depending on the program material, and extras are extensive and varied, including shorts, still galleries, promo spots and plenty more. Retail is $32.95 apiece.

Last but not least is the animated Spiderman: The Return of the Green Goblin, which is presented in 4:3 full screen and 2.0 Dolby surround, with no extras. Retail is $29.95.

Rounding out today's update, a spec change on the upcoming 9/27 release of Trading Places from Paramount, which will not include the retrospective interviews as previously announced. (Those of you lucky enough to tape last fall's anniversary TV special will have a nice collector's item.) The rest of the specs and the retail price of $24.95 remain the same.