Genie in a Bottle

Kicking off this week's are three big new announcements from Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The next in Disney's acclaimed Platinum Collection line of two-disc special editions is one of their biggest animated hits of all time, Aladdin. The genie will be let out of the bottle on October 5th, which will include a super-duper new anamorphic transfer (featuring a new version of the film upgraded with new animation) and a Dolby Digital 5.1 "Enhanced Home Theater" surround track. The considerable supplementary materials will boast two audio commentary tracks, a documentary, deleted sequences (including a new musical number "Proud of Your Boy" by composers Howard Ashman and Alan Menken), a pop-up trivia subtitle track, extensive still galleries, storyboards, pencil tests, a virtual carpet ride, 3-D tour of Genie's lamp, sing-along songs, set-top games, "A Whole New World" music video, theatrical trailers, and DVD-ROM material to be announced. Expect a retail price of $29.95, and another relentless marketing campaign. Retail will be $29.99.

Also just announced from Buena Vista Home Entertainment is the sleeper hit Calendar Girls, which hits stores on May 4th. Featuring a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, extras include a featurette and deleted scenes. And on June 22nd comes the nasty comedy Bad Santa, which is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, and includes a featurette, deleted scenes and outtakes, and a a tribute to John Ritter. Both of these releases also include theatrical trailers, and will list for $29.95 each.

Lost in the 70's - 6:10pm

Yes, the Bradys are back...but perhaps they should have stayed away? On May 25th, Paramount Home Entertainment will release the the misbegotten TV sequel The Brady Bunch in the White House , which couldn't recapture the charm of the two big screen Brady adventures. Also due for release that day is the TV biopic Growing Up Brady, which recounts Barry Williams' youthful experiences as oldest brother Greg. Both will feature 4:3 full screen transfers and Dolby 2.0 surround tracks, and no extras. Retail will set you back a Brady-tastic $14.95 a pop.

Other new Paramount announcements include a trio of catalog favorites, all due on April 27th: Sean Connery in The Molly Maguires, the family weepie My Side of the Mountain and the atomic bomb drama Fat Man & Little Boy. Each includes a newly remastered 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, Dolby Digital 5.1 remix, and no extras. Retail will be $14.95 each.

Office Politics - 6:10pm

Rounding out today's news is The West Wing: The Complete Second Season, which Warner Home Video will release on May 18th. This four-disc box set will feature 1.78 anamorphic widescreen transfers and Dolby Digital 2.0 surround tracks, plus the usual plethora of supplementary material: audio commentaries on four episodes by creator Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, the "Access Granted" and "Constructing Two Cathedrals" featurettes, deleted scenes and a gag reel. Retail will go for $59.95.