Vampires & Werewolves

Kicking off this week's news is the latest from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. On January 6th comes the return of...the female Crow? Kate Beckinsdale stars in the vampire and werewolf action thriller Underworld, which grossed over $50 million at the box office this fall. Available in both anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, each with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks, extras include not one but three audio commentaries, with the director and cast, the writers and the technical crew, "Production," "The Look of Underworld," "Stunts" and "Make-Up and Effects" featurettes, a storyboard comparison and bonus trailers. Retail will set you back $27.95.

Also due for release on the 6th from Columbia TriStar are three new catalog favorites. A real head-scratcher is a new Director's Cut of the not-really-a-hit comedy The New Guy, starring Road Trip's DJ Qualls. Presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, this extended, unrated cut includes only a music video and theatrical trailer. Retail will set you back $19.95. Other new library gems include Dick Van Dyke in Divorce American Style and the Ingrid Bergman classic Adam Had Four Sons. Each is presented in 4:3 full screen and mono and retail is gonna cost ya $24.95 a pop.

Rounding out Columbia's January 6th lineup are two classic ToHo titles, Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidora: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. Each is presented in new 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfers with remixed Japanese and English 5.1 Dolby soundtracks. Extras include only bonus trailers. Retail will also be set at $24.95 each.

Bullet Time - 8:23pm

Just in from MGM Home Entertainment is another speedy theatrical-to-DVD announcement, for the recent Denzel Washington thriller Out of Time, which just dropped out of the box office top ten this past weekend. MGM will debut the Carl Franklin-helmed pic on January 6th. PResented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, extras including an audio commentary with Franklin, the "Out of Time Crime Scene" featurette, outtakes, screen tests, character profiles, a still gallery and the trailer. Retail will cost you $27.95 worth of bullets.

Also announced by MGM is a January 20th release date for the acclaimed Don Cheadle drama Manic. Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, extras include an audio commentary by director Jordan Velaneo, the "Manic: Behind the Scenes" featurette, deleted scenes and the trailer. Retail will set you back $29.95.

Disaster Central - 8:23pm

Rounding out today's news are some new catalog announcements from Universal Studios Home Video. On February 10th comes the Airport Terminal Pack, featuring the four famous Airport disaster classics - Airport, Airport '75, Airport '77 and - for the first time on DVD - The Concorde: Airport '79. All feature new anamorphic widescreen transfers and no extras. Retail has not yet been set, but stay tuned. I know you can hardly wait...

Also due for release on the 10th are some kiddie TV titles, includingThe Adventures of Ma and Pa Kettle: Volume 1, Franklin: Favorite Turtle Tales, Good Night Maisy, Playtime Maisy and Good Morning Maisy, and Sitting Ducks, VOlumes 1 - Duck Cravings, Volume 2 - Ducktown Adventures, Volume 3 - Bill and Friends, and Season 1 Quack Pack. All are presented in full screen and the single discs will cost you $14.95 a pop while the Season 1 Quack Pack will retail for $39.95. Watch this space tomorrow for Universal's latest March catalog announcements.