Street date alert - 12:01am

Snagging the home video distribution rights to one of the biggest independent films in history, HBO has picked up the $200 million sleeper smash My Big Fat Greek Wedding for a February 11th release date. Specs have not yet been announced for what is sure to be one of the biggest video hits of all time, but stay tuned...

In less esteemed news, imagine being stuck on a deserted island with Madonna for a month, and you'll get an idea of why her most recent foray into method acting, the much-maligned Swept Away, sank without a trace at the box office. Also debuting on February 11th from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (hmmm, do you think it will outsell My Big Fat Greek Wedding?), no specs have been announced for this stinker, but stay tuned.

Also on tap from Columbia is the Michael Glaser action sleeper Band of the Hand on January 28th, the 1997 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film Character and the recent Samuel L. Jackson flop Formula 51 on February 4th, and the little-seen indies Wasabi, Glory Daze, The Fast Runner and Little Secrets (which includes a bonus CD). Watch this space for further details...

Shake those hips! - 12:01am

Speaking of Madonna, how about a little bellydancing? StudioWorks, a division of Ventura Distribution, has just announced the first two DVD releases in the GoddessLife's Goddess Workout series, The Goddess Workout: Introduction to Bellydance and The Goddess Workout: Warrior Goddess-Beyond Basics. Both street on December 31st, and how's this for a great PR blurb: "Featuring Dolphina, the ultimate fitness goddess, The Goddess Workout videos provide an exhilarating cardiovascular workout, teach the fundamentals of bellydance, and encourage women to celebrate their 'inner goddess.'" Featured on Sex and the City, each release retails for only $14.95.