Indy meets Jason

Just can't wait until November 12th when that Indiana Jones Collection box set arrives? No? Well, you're not alone. We just got confirmation from Paramount Home Entertainment regarding most of the specs for the highly-anticipated box, which is sure to be one of the biggest catalog sellers of all time.

The four-disc box will be available in separate 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, with audio options including Dolby Digital tracks in English 5.1 and French and Spanish 2.0 surround (sorry, no DTS or EX) plus subtitles in English, French and Spanish plus English Closed Captions. With all the extras on the fourth disc, what can you expect? While still untitled, thrill to a new full-length documentary on the series, four separate featurettes on the sound, the music, the stunts and the wizards at ILM. As of now, no word on whether or not all the film's many trailers will be able to be squeezed on the bonus disc, but stay tuned.

And in one of those rumors that only the Internet could produce, we've received a number of emails regarding a possible special bonus 5th disc offer for the Indy Jones set, which would available to purchasers at specific retailers only, such as Best Buy. However, we've received official word from both Paramount and Lucasfilm that they have no such plans or any awareness of such a promotion or bonus disc offer. Of course, watch this space for any further updates.

In other Paramount news, fans of that big guy in a hockey mask have been clamoring for special edition reissues of the Friday the 13th series for some time now, so we talked with Paramount Home Entertainment's head of publicity Martin Blythe, who had some good news for fans of the sultan of summer camp slaughter.

Holding distribution rights to the first eight films in the never-ending series, Paramount is currently in the beginning stages of planning new reissues of the Friday flicks, although due to the very limited availability of archival materials, just what form such a release would take, such as a box set, remains formative. There is also no word on whether uncut versions of the films, which have always been the most sought after by fans of the series, will be possible to include. As for a release date, a late 2004 arrival is hoped for. Watch this space!

Blood feast - 1:23pm

In other horror news, Lion's Gate Home Entertainment has just announced the full specs for Rob Zombie's directorial debut, House of 1,000 Corpses. The feel-good comedy of the year will street on August 12th and feature an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, audio commentary by Zombie, an isolated score, featurettes specifically for the DVD by Zombie, still and FX galleries, and the trailers including Zombie's original favored promo. Note that this will be the R-rated cut only, and there will be no unrated release. Retail is $26.95.

Cat in the hat - 1:23pm

Rounding out today's news are some more new summer titles from Universal Studios Home Video. Previously released in only a bare-bones edition from Image Entertainment, Universal will reissue the cult comedy Amazon Women on the Moon on August 26th in a new special edition. Goodies include a new anamorphic widescreen transfer, English and Spanish Dolby Mono tracks, deleted scenes, outtakes and the theatrical trailer. Retail is $19.95.
 
And for you Dr. Seuss fans, on October 7th Universal will finally release the classics The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax (plus Pontoffel Pock & His Magic Piano as a bonus), Green Eggs and Ham and Other Favorites (with the short Grinch Night), and The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (with The Hoober-Bloob Highway). All feature 4:3 full screen transfers, 2.0 tracks and promos. Retail is but $14.95 a pop.