Universal February slate - 12:00am

Just unveiled by Universal studios Home Video are the full specs for their February catalog lineup. With many of these titles previously released in bare bones editions via a new-expired distribution deal with Image Entertainment, many fans feared these new reissues would fail to take advantages in the advances in DVD technology since the format debuted. Thankfully, the specs indicate that many of these titles have been remastered, and in some cases, include new value-added material.

Streeting on February 4th, all of the following feature new anamorphic widescreen transfers and are dual-layered to optimize the bit rate, and each priced at a collectible $19.95: Casual Sex?, Cold Comfort Farm, A Countess from Hong Kong, A Little Sex (with trailer), The Money Pit (with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks, "The Making of The Money Pit" featurette, and the trailer), Send Me No Flowers (with trailer) and The Thrill of It All! (with trailer). Universal will also release a triple feature of Here Comes Cookie, Love in Bloom and Six of a Kind for the low price of $19.95. Each presented in its original 1.33:1 theatrical aspect ratio and mono. There are no extras.

Lion's Gate reclaims 22 titles - 12:00am

Adding to their already extensive library of over 2,000 titles, Lions Gate Entertainment recently announced an agreement to buy back the home video distribution rights to 22 of their biggest theatrical films. Originally distributed on DVD Universal Studios Home Video, the 22 titles include such acclaimed and award-winning titles as American Psycho, Affliction, Buffalo 66, Gods and Monsters, Love and Death on Long Island, The Red Violin and Shadow of the Vampire.

With their Universal deal having expired, Peter Block, president of home entertainment, new media and acquisitions, said the company wanted to control the company's own library. "Universal has been a valued partner with whom we continue to work closely in several areas, but we reached a state where controlling our own library was an essential part of our strategy," he said. "Home entertainment is the fastest-growing sector of the industry today, and once our obligations to provide current theatrical titles to Universal expired, establishing an agreement to reacquire our library was the next logical step."

Expect details on the reissues of these titles to arrive in the coming months, as well as the official launch of a new Signature Series line of value-added DVDs, many which will include reissues of some of the 22 titles in the Universal, as well as others from the Lion's Gate catalog. Stay tuned.

Mr. Miyazaki - 12:00am

Fans of the highly acclaimed and wildly successful Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, the wait is almost over. Buena Vista Home Entertainment has announced the April 15th arrival of the first wave of new Miyazaki specials editions. Getting the two-disc deluxe treatment are Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Castle in the Sky. All three will feature their original Japanese language soundtracks as well as new English dubs and plenty of extras. Watch this space for the full details, and expect a retail price of $29.99 each.

Indie roundup - 12:00am

Wrapping up this week's news comes some new announcements from the land of the independents. For you fans of disposable pop music, EMI will debut three new volumes in their Wow Hits series: The Videos 2000, The Videos 2001, and The Videos 1998-97. Exact track listings are not available, but there are no extras, although with the low $9.95 list price, it's hard to complain.

Next up we have what's been called "A living nightmare in hell caught on film!", the cleverly titled terror opus Horror. Elite Entertainment will release this festival award winner this March, and it will feature a variety of extras, including audio commentary with writer and director Dante Tomaselli, behind-the-scenes footage, a still gallery, and more. Stay tuned for the full specs.

Just announced from Vanguard are four acclaimed indie dramas: Allie & Me, the award-winning Earth & Water, and the provocative Rich Kids, plus the spooky thrillers All the Wrong Places, Foreign Ghosts and The Wicksboro Incident. All street on February 25th, and retail is $29.95 a pop.

Last but not least are two new releases from Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, both presented in anamorphic widescreen transfers. The Slaughter Rule features new "afterthoughts" and audio commentary by the director, and exclusive "Snapshot Diaries" from the Sundance festival, while The Sleepy-Time Gal includes audio commentary by Christopher Munch and Jacqueline Bisset, and more exclusive "Snapshot Diaries." Retail is $29.95 each.