disc news
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2003
'Justin to Kelly,' '24'; Columbia September titles; Polanski duo from Criterion

A moment like this - 12:36pm

How not to make a movie...breaking the land-speed record for the most embarrassingly quick theatrical-to-video turnaround is From Justin to Kelly, that blockbuster musical extravaganza that grossed an astonishing $4.5 million at the box office in only two weeks. Making a speedy August 26th debut from Fox Home Entertainment, the DVD will come with an extended version of the movie with new dance numbers (like the film needed to be longer) in both anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks, an audio commentary by Justin and Kelly themselves, a gag reel (isn't the movie itself already a gag reel?) and trailers. Retail is $27.95.

Also just announced from Fox are the details on 24: The Complete Second Season. Streeting on September 23rd, this seven-disc set includes all 24 episodes in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0 surround, plus a wealth of extras: audio commentaries with cast and crew on select episodes, over 44 deleted scenes and alternate endings, a two-part "making of an episode" and "CTU" featurette and promo spots. Retail will set you back $69.95.

Hook'd - 12:36pm

Just in from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is their September 9th lineup of new releases and catalog gems. Making its DVD debut on the 9th is...The Debut. This special edition includes an anamorphic widescreen transfer, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, audio commentary, a featurette, deleted scenes and the trailer. Retail is $27.95.

From the vaults comes the heartwarming family drama Casey's Shadow, starring Walter Matthau, and the Debra Winger and Dennis Quaid comedy Wilder Naplam. The former is full screen only, the later in anamorphic widescreen, and both feature Dolby 5.1 surround tracks and bonus trailers. Retail is $19.95.

Rounding out Columbia's September 9th lineup are three new Superbit titles, all in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 (and no extras, of course): bare bones releases sans extras: Lawrence of Arabia (across two discs), Leon: The Professional and Steven Spielberg's Hook. Retail is $26.95 each.

The devil and Roman Polanski - 12:36pm

Rounding out today's news is a couple of Roman Polanski classics due September 23rd, Knife in the Water and The Devil and Daniel Webster. Both feature newly remastered transfers in their original 1.37:1 aspect ratios and mono, plus a new English subtitle translation on Knife in the Water by Polanski himself. Other extras include a new video interview with Polanski and co-screenwriter Jerzy Skolimowski and a still gallery on the former, and on the latter even more extras: an audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and author Steven C. Smith, a video comparison between The Devil and Daniel Webster and William DieterleÕs Òpreview versionÓ of the film titled Here Is a Man, a Columbia WorkshopÕs radio dramatization (with music by Bernard Herrmann), a still gallery and a new essay by author Tom Piazza. Retail is $29.95 and $39.95, respectively.

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