It ain't easy bein' green - 12:00am

Leading off this week's news is the return of...the Hulk! After opening to the tune of over $60 million, this much-anticipated Ang Lee update on the classic Marvel character dropped mighty quickly but is likely to enjoy a longer life on video. Debuting on October 28th, Universal Studios Home Video will release separate anamorphic widescreen and full screen two-disc special editions each with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks (sorry, no DTS) and identical extras. Goodies include an audio commentary with Lee, deleted scenes, the featurettes "The Making of the Hulk," "Captured Fury," "Superhero Revealed: The Anatomy of the Hulk," "Hulkification," "Evolution of the Hulk," "The Incredible Ang Lee," "Ang Lee Editing Style" and "The Dogfight," plus the option to watch the film in "Hulk Cam" mode, which features flashing icons that let the view access additional behind-the-scenes material. There will also be additional ROM extras including a Total Axess web portal, with more to be announced. Retail is $26.95.

Slice 'n' dice - 12:00am

The latest batch of new announcements from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has arrived, all due to hit shelves on October 14th. Just in time for Halloween is the American direct-to-video release of Anatomy 2, the sequel to the hit German horror film. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and including both German and English Dolby 5.1 surround tracks, the extras are intriguing: a picture-in-picture commentary with the director plus an additional cast and crew audio commentary, deleted scenes also with commentary, a making-of featurette, still gallery, filmographies and the theatrical trailer. Also making its DVD debut is the controversial indie Owning Mahonwy, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman. Featuring an anamorphic widescreen transfer and a 5.1 Dolby track, extras include an audio commentary with director Richard Kwietniowski, filmographies and the trailer. Rounding out Columbia's new release slate on the 14th is the little-seen thriller Home Room, starring Traffic's Erika Christensen. Featuring anamorphic widescreen and full screen trailers, extras are slim, with only filmographies and trailers included. Retail is $24.95 each.

Three new catalog titles will also be making their DVD debuts on the 14th, including the martial drama Afterglow, Men of Respect and Storyville, starring James Spader. The first two are presented in anamorphic widescreen, the later in full frame only, and the only extras are bonus trailers. Retail is $19.95 a pop.

Family affair - 12:00am

The second Michael Douglas comedy in the span of just a few weeks that failed to ignite the box office (after the weakly-received It Runs in the Family), even the presence of co-star Albert Brooks couldn't save The In-Laws. This remake of the classic 70's comedy will get an October 7th DVD release courtesy of Warner Home Video, complete with anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks, an audio commentary by director Andrew Fleming, additional scenes, cast interviews, a gag reel, easter eggs and theatrical trailers for both In-Laws flicks. Retail is $27.95.

Also just announced from Warner are the full-specs for the highly-awaited two-disc special edition of the perennial classic A Christmas Story. Also due on October 7th, in addition to anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, extras include a screen-specific audio commentary with director Bob Clark and the cast, the "Another Christmas Story" documentary hosted by star Peter Billingsley, the "A History of The Daisy Red Ryder" and "Get a Leg UP: A Shining Light of Freedom" featurettes, the "Jean Shepherd Radio Program," "Triple Dog Dare" and "Decoder Match" interactive games, easter eggs and trailers. Retail is $26.95.