Have gun, will travel - 12:03am

After generating plenty of controversy during its hit theatrical run this fall (which only increases ticket sales, of course), MGM will debut the Ice Cube comedy Barbershop just in time for the New Year on January 1st. Presented in anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, extras include an audio commentary with director, producers and Mr. Cube, 4 making-of featurettes, deleted scenes with optional commentary, a blooper reel, still gallery, "Barber School" interactive game, and the "Trade It All" music video. Retail is $26.95.

Other new theatrical releases on the way include Michael Winterbottom's 24-Hour Party People on January 21st. Presented in anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 surround, extras include 2 audio commentaries with Steve Coogan, Tony Wilson and producer Andrew Eaton, 2 featurettes, a still gallery, and trailers. Up next on January 14th is Our Song, also presented in anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 surround, and extras including an audio commentary with director Jim McKay, the "JRC Steppers Marching Band" article that inspired the movie, and the trailer. Retail is $26.95 each.

Coming in February is another huge batch of MGM catalog faves, led by the what-took-ya-so-long special edition of Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise. Featuring a new 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround track, extras include 2 audio commentaries, with director Ridley Scott and a second with Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and screenwriter Callie Khouri, 30 minutes of deleted scenes, an alternate ending with Scott commentary, 4 new making-of featurettes, "The Final Chase" multi-angle storyboards, a music video, still gallery, and trailers. Retail is $24.95 and street date February 4th.

More action adventure due on the 4th includes the Patrick Swazye hit Roadhouse, Mickey Rourke in A Prayer for the Dying, and the Charlie Sheen car theft thriller No Man's Land. All include anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers (except No Man's Land, which is full screen only) and English and French 2.0 surround tracks. Extras include trailers, and retail is $14.95 each. MGM will also release six new-to-DVD Charles Bronson thrillers: 10 to Midnight, Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects, Messenger of Death, Assassination, Mr. Majestyk and Murphy's Law. All include anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, English, French and Spanish mono tracks (except Assassination, which is presented in 2.0 Dolby surround) and trailers. Retail is $14.95 a pop, or $54.95 for a Bronson 6-pack.

Rounding out MGM's February 4th lineup are a wave of family titles, led by the Bill Murray comedy Larger Than Life, the kangaroo adventure Joey, and the sequel The Black Stallion Returns. All are presented in full frame only with trailers as extras. Also making their DVD debuts are three Hello Kitty adventures, Hello Kitty Goes to the Movies, Hello Kitty Saves the Day, and Hello City Becomes a Princess. Each is presented in full screen and English and French mono, with no extras. Retail is $14.95 each.

Eastwood en Espanol - 12:03am

After a blink-or-you'll-miss-it theatrical run, Warner will bow the Clint Eastwood thriller Blood Work on December 27th (yes, a Friday). Available in separate pan & scan and widescreen versions, extras include "The Making-of Blood Work" featurette, "A conversation in Spanish with Clint Eastwood, Wanda DeJesus and Paul Rodriguez" (subtitled in English), and the trailer Retail is $26.95 for either version.

Also coming in time for the holiday season is the loose western adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, King of Texas. Due to hit stores on December 10th, the film is presented in anamorphic widescreen and English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 and extras are slim, with only a trailer included. Retail is $24.95.

For the music lover in the family, on December 3rd Warner Music will debut Andrew Lloyd Webber: Live From Beijing. Featuring 35 of the composer's most-beloved compositions, this two-hour extravaganza is presented in full frame with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks and a Lloyd Webber biography and discography. Two versions will be released: a single-disc edition for $24.95, and a special two-disc set featuring a compact disc audio-only version of the show for $34.95.