DVD News
THE NEW LOOK….
Sorry about the delays, but hope you like the new look. One of drawbacks of doing this site on a daily basis has been the layout. Doing several DVD reviews, a weekly video column and several film reviews, plus news became a major headache. Not the writing, but composing the layout. Too many graphics, too many colors.
All that changes with the new look. I went for a streamlined look that is easier to maintain and much easier to read and access. It should make updating the site a breeze. Sometimes it would take two hours to update the site. Now it takes fifteen minutes.
Pages should also load faster. Hope you like the new look. I’ll do my best to keep things fresh on my end.
Now about the DVD news. Instead of trying to compete or beat the other DVD web sites, I thought I would just compliment their DVD news. I’ll post exclusive news when I get it, but for the most part the DVD news page will consist of new release information. I’ll post more links to other sites when they have special features that you need to read. I’ll also introduce a press release page where I’ll post releases from the studios.
Hopefully this will give me more time to do what I do best. I’ve got so many reviews backed up, including numerous DVD and theatrical reviews. I’ve also got a month-and-a-half worth of video reviews waiting to be formatted and posted. They should be updated by this weekend.
So hope you like the new look. It should be the start of something big.
OCTOBER 18
13TH WARRIOR IN JANUARY…
After sitting on a shelf for over a year and a short release in theater in August, Touchstone Home Video will release “The 13th Warrior” on DVD and video January 18. Antonio Banderas stars in the action-adventure directed by John McTiernan from the best-selling novel “Eaters of the Dead” by Michael Crichton. January 18 will also see the release of “An Ideal Husband” from Miramax Home Entertainment. The romantic comedy stars Rupert Evertt, Minnie Driver, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Jeremy Northam. The prequel to “From Dusk Till Dawn” entitled “From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter,” arrives on January 18 from Dimension Home Video. P. J. Pesce directs the prequel set in the old West and starring Michael Parks, Rebecca Gayheart, Danny Trejo, Sonia Braga, Marco Leonardi and Ara Celi. Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez serve as executive producers. I’m expecting a screener any moment, so expect the first on-line review here. A week later, Miramax Home Entertainment will release “My Son The Fanatic” starring Rachel Griffiths and Stellan Skarsgard. The romantic drama has been rated R. Also part of the release schedule but bypassing DVD are “Warren Miller’s The Fifty,” “My Life So Far,” starring Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob and Malcolm McDowell, and “Woman Wanted,” starring Holly Hunter, Keifer Sutherland (who also directed) and Michael Moriarty, due January 25. On January 18, look for the video releases of two made-for-television features, “Goldrush: A Real Life Alaskan Adventure,” and “Safety Patrol,” starring Leslie Nielsen.
OCTOBER 12
DISNEY DOES DECEMBER…
Walt Disney Home Video will bring a little summer to winter this year with the release of Spike Lee’s “Summer of Sam” on video and DVD. Lee’s controversial film is just but one of several new titles due from the label and its subsidiaries in December, including several day-and-date releases with their VHS counterparts. Here’s the line-up and some of the announced features. Please note that several titles have been anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions:
DECEMBER 7:
EDDIE
SENSELESS
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE: SPECIAL EDITION
DECEMBER 14:
FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE
ROGUE TRADER (1.85:1 widescreen/16×9/Dolby Surround)
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU (1.85:1 Widescreen/16X9/Dolby Surround)
DECEMBER 21:
SUMMER OF SAM (1.85:1 widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital)
SUPERCOP 2 (1.85:1 widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Dubbed)
TEACHING MRS. TINGLE (1.85:1 widescreen/16×9/5.1 Surround & DTS)
NEW LINE BRINGS CHRISTMAS CHEER….
New Line Home Video steps up production in December with two sets of releases tied around the day-and-date availability of two new theatrical titles. Look for the comedies “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and “Detroit Rock City” in December, along with some fabulous support titles. Here’s the line-up:
DECEMBER 14:
8 SECONDS
CORRINA CORRINA
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS
NOW AND THEN
DECEMBER 21:
DETROIT ROCK CITY
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S LOADED WEAPON
PUMP UP THE VOLUME
SURVIVING THE GAME
COMING NEXT WEEK:
Here’s the DVD line-up for October 19….
ANCHOR BAY
Two Lane Blacktop
AMAZING FANTASY
Freeway 2: Confessions Of A Trickbaby
ARTISAN
Blair Witch Project: Special Edition (October 22)
COLUMBIA-TRISTAR
Beverly Hills Ninja
City Of Lost Children: Special Edition
Inheritors
Last Hurrah
Nuttiest Nutcracker
SLC Punk: Special Edition
Someone To Watch Over Me
CRITERION
Autumn Sonata: Special Edition
DIGITAL LEISURE
Dragon’s Lair 2:Time Warp
Space Ace
DISNEY
Children Of The Corn 666: Isaac’s Return
Existenz
Halloween H20: Special Edition
Walk On The Moon
INTERNATIONAL
Aquaria
Coral Sea Dreaming
FOX LORBER
Dashiell Hammett: Detective, Writer
Ladies & Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen
GOOD TIMES
Bustin’ Loose
Funhouse
March Of The Wooden Soldiers
Nighthawks
Peter Pan
Problem Child
Rough Night In Jericho
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
Wind In The Willows/The Willows In Winter
IDEAL
Ninth Street
IMAGE
Across The Moon
Ayn Rand: A Sense Of Life
Bee Gees: One Night Only-Live
Computer Animation Marvels
Fairport Convention: Beyond The Ledge
Roy Ayers: Live
Steps Ahead
MACDADDY
Casting Couch Cuties
MGM
For Your Eyes Only: Special Edition
Goldeneye: Special Edition
Goldfinger: Special Edition
License To Kill: Special Edition
Live & Let Die: Special Edition
Thunderball: Special Edition
Tomorrow Never Dies: Special Edition
MPI
Faces Of Death/Fact Or Fiction?
MTI
Me & Will
PARAMOUNT
Clueless: Special Edition
Election: Special Edition
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Special Edition
Friday The 13th 1
Friday The 13th 2
Star Trek TV #3:The Man Trap/The Naked Time
Star Trek TV #4:Charlie X/Balance Of Terror
PIONEER
Altius: On Air Extreme Sports #4
Bittersweet
Blue Angels: Backstage Pass
Bride Of Re-Animator: Special Edition
Hole In The Sky
Picture Windows
Rawhead Rex
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
RHINO
Cheap Trick: Live In Australia
Pat Benatar: Live In New Haven
SIMITAR
Cybernator/Hyperspace
Jackie Chan Collection
Natural World Collection
STERLING
Free Money: Special Edition
Modern Vampires: Special Edition
UNIVERSAL
Bride Of Frankenstein: Special Edition
Hercules Action Pack
Liar Liar: Special Edition
Life: Special Edition
USA
Last Days
VCI
Secrets Of The Millennium #1-4
Secrets Of The Millennium #1: In Quest Of Ancient Aliens
Secrets Of The Millennium #2: Aliens & Man
Secrets Of The Millennium #3: Man Versus. Nature-Who Will Win?
Secrets Of The Millennium #4: Ancient Prophecies
WARNER
Short Cinema Journal #1:6
Wizard Of Oz: Deluxe Edition Gift Set
Wizard Of Oz: Special Edition
XENON
Ill-Gotten Gains: Special Edition
WHAT’S ON MY PLATE…
I’ve been so busy recently that I’m sure if I’m coming or going. Still, I’ve managed to squeeze in a few DVD’s for review, and here is what you can look forward to in the next several weeks: Child’s Play, The Dark Half, Thunderball and Live and Let Die from MGM Home Entertainment; The Bride of Frankenstein and The Mummy, 1932, from Universal; Spellbound, Rebecca, Halloween: Collector’s Edition, Napoleon & Samantha, and Candleshoe from Anchor Bay; Warlock III: The End of Innocence from Trimark; The 13th Floor and Tingler from Columbia-TriStar; Friday the 13th & Election from Paramount; Rebel without a Cause and Goodbye Lover from Warner; Tales from the Crypt: Robert Zemeckis Collection from HBO; The Cassandra Crossing from Pioneer; Saving Private Ryan from Dreamworks; “10 Things I Hate About You” and “A Walk on the Moon” from Disney; and several Fox titles. That will take us through the end of the month. Check back for frequent updates.
OCTOBER 6
ALL THE NEWS…
Artisan Entertainment will release director Wim Wender’s highly acclaimed documentary “Buena Vista Social Club” on video and DVD December 14, priced at $29.98. The DVD will feature added concert footage of the popular Cuban musical ensemble. On the same day, Artisan will release the suspense-thriller “The Boys from Brazil.” Starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Oliver, the DVD has been priced at $24.98….HBO Home Video will release the action-adventure “The Last of the Dogmen” on DVD November 23, priced at $24.98. The film, starring Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey, will be transferred in widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround….Warner Home Video will release High Grant’s mob comedy, “Mickey Blue Eyes” on December 28, day and date with the video. The comedy, which has been rated PG-13, will be transferred in its original widescreen ratio and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround. The retail price is $24.98….Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Joe Cocker, Chris Issac and Stevie Ray Vaughn are among the acts on “MTV Unplugged Classic Moments,” due October 12 from Sony Video. The 60-minute compilation will be presented in Digital Stereo and retail for $19.98. On the same day Sony will release “MTV Unplugged Finest Moments.” The DVD features performances by Oasis, The Cure, Elvis Costello, Soul Asylum, and 10,000 Maniacs. It also retails for $19.98…..Director Abel Ferrara’s latest film “New Rose Hotel,” starring Christopher Walken and Willem Dafoe, arrives on DVD December 7 from A-PIX. The film will be transferred in its original widescreen ratio with commentary by the director, behind-the-scenes footage, the trailer and DVD-ROM content. The DVD retails for $29.98….Trimark Home Video will rush release the recent “Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary” show on DVD November 30, priced at $34.98. The 250 minute tribute features clips from the show and live musical performances…..Paramount Home Video has officially announced “The General’s Daughter” for release on December 14. The DVD features Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, English Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround, English Subtitles, Widescreen Version enhanced at 16:9, interactive menus, 2 theatrical trailers, 4 deletes scenes including alternative ending, commentary by director Simon West, and a behind-the-scenes featurette. The DVD retails for $29.99. On the same day, Paramount will release “The Presidio,” starring Sean Connery and Mark Harmon. The DVD features Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Surround English, Dolby Surround French, English subtitles, widescreen, interactive menus, scene selection, and the film’s original theatrical trailer. Finally, look for the classic war film “Stalag 17,” starring William Holden. Specs on the DVD include Dolby Digital mono English, English subtitles, standard version, and interactive menus. Both DVD’s retail for $29.99….Columbia-TriStar Home Video will release the heavily anticipated animated feature “Heavy Metal” on DVD November 23, loaded with a plethora of extras. Here’s the line-up: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2 Channel English; widescreen enhanced at 16:9; English, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles; The “Imagining Heavy Metal” documentary; deleted scenes; a feature length rough cut with optional commentary by Carl Macek; a production photo gallery, plus a Heavy Metal Magazine cover gallery; the deleted “Neverland” scene; pencil portfolio with animation; single and layered cels portfolio, plus a conceptual art gallery. There are also production notes and Macek reading his book “Heavy Metal: The Movie.” The DVD retails for $29.99. A week later Columbia-TriStar will release Ray Harryhausen’s “The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad,” starring Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant. The DVD will feature the following extras: “The Ray Harryhausen Chronicles” documentary, two Interviews “A Look Behind the Voyage” and “Jason and the Argonauts”, plus a “This Is Dynamation” special effects featurette, and the film’s original theatrical poster. There are also production notes and talent bios. In other Columbia-TriStar news, they have moved the release dates for the “Pal Joey” and “Ma Vie En Rose” to December 14…..
SEPTEMBER 27
DISNEY’S DECEMBER DAY & DATES….
Walt Disney Home Video and their subsidiaries have announced their day and date DVD line-up for December. One December 21, look for director Spike Lee’s controversial (is there any other kind of Spike Lee movie?) “Summer of Sam,” starring John Leguizamo, Mira Sorvino and Adrien Brody. Rated R, the DVD will be delivered in its original widescreen ratio in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, with closed captions in English for the hard of hearing. Rated R, “Summer of Sam” is from Touchstone Home Video. On the same date look for the action-sequel “Supercop 2,” starring Michelle Yeoh and directed by Stanley Tong. “Supercop 2” hasn’t been rated at press time, but will be delivered in widescreen and Dolby Digital Surround, and is on the Dimension Home Video label. On December 14, look for the romantic comedy “The Very Thought of You,” starring Joseph Fiennes and Monica Potter. Rated PG-13, the Miramax Home Entertainment release will arrive in widescreen and Dolby Digital Surround….
NEW LINE TOWS THE LINE IN DECEMBER
New Line Home Video will add four more catalog titles to their November DVD release schedule. All four titles street on November 16, and have a retail price of $24.98. The line-up includes the courtroom comedy “Trail & Error,” delivered in 2.35:1 widescreen and full frame, with 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround. Rated PG-13; “A Thin Line Between Love & Hate,” arriving in 2.35:1 widescreen and full frame, plus Dolby Digital Surround. Rated R; “Feeling Minnesota,” transferred in the film’s original 2.35:1 widescreen ratio (with a full frame version included) with 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround. Rated R; and “Dangerous Ground,” hooking up with the theatrical film’s original 1.85:1 widescreen (plus full frame) ratio and Dolby Digital Stereo Surround. Rated R. All four titles include cast & crew bios, theatrical trailers and closed captions.
WARNER HOME VIDEO’S NOVEMBER OFFERING…
Warner Home Video has announced their November slate of titles, and it includes such power houses as “The Wild Wild West,” “Deep Blue Sea” and the recent animated feature, “The Iron Giant.” Here’s the line-up. Details will follow….
NOVEMBER 2:
Jack Frost
NOVEMBER 9:
Bonfire of the Vanities
Clan of the Cave Bear
Great Santini, The
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Lone Star
Mr. Wonderful
Sea Wolves
Stealing Home
NOVEMBER 23:
The Iron Giant
NOVEMBER 30:
Anchors Aweigh
Before Sunrise
Big Sleep, The
Black Beauty
Deep Blue Sea
Jimi Hendrix
Outsiders, The
Pacific Heights
Song Remains the Same, The
Wild Wild West
DVD RELEASES-SEPTEMBER 18…
A & E
Monty Python’s Flying Circus Set #1: Volume 1
Monty Python’s Flying Circus Set #1: Volume 2
Monty Python’s Flying Circus Set #2: Volume 3
Monty Python’s Flying Circus Set #2: Volume 4
ANCHOR BAY
Bears & I
Candleshoe
Halloween 1
Napoleon & Samantha
One Magic Christmas
Something Wicked This Way Comes
ALL DAY
Strange Woman/Moon Over Harlem: Edgar Ulmer Coll. #1
ARTISAN
Action Collector’s Pack
Christmas Classics Series
Christmas Collector’s Pack
Comedy Collector’s Pack
Crime Collector’s Pack
Director’s Choice Collector’s Pack
Foolish: Special Edition
Hallmark Home Entertainment DVD Collection
Horror Collector’s Pack
Indie Collector’s Pack
Joan Of Arc
John Wayne Collector’s Pack
Rambo Collector’s Pack
Sci-Fi Collector’s Pack
Stallone Collector’s Pack
Urban Collector’s Pack
BMG
Alabama: For The Record-41 Number One Hits Live (Special Edition)
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Lyve From Steel Town
Styx: Return To Paradise
CAV
Driller Killer: Special Edition
COLUMBIA-TRISTAR
Alvarez Kelly
City Of Lost Children: Special Edition
Desert Heat
I Know What You Did Last Summer/I Still Know What You Did
Immortal Beloved: Special Edition
Knock Off/Nowhere To Run
Night Of The Living Dead: Special Edition
Sleepless In Seattle: Special Edition
Someone To Watch Over Me
Tommy
CRITERION
39 Steps: Special Edition
And The Ship Sails On
Charade: Special Edition
Grand Illusion: Special Edition
Night Porter
Peeping Tom: Special Edition
Sanjuro
Yojimbo
DISNEY
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money
Smoke Signals
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
E REAL BIZ
Hollywood: Wild On The Streets
FANTOMA
Fando & Lis: Special Edition/Constellation Jodorowsky
FOX LORBER
Anne Murray 2-Pack: Classic Christmas/Intimate Evening
Cartoon Crazys: And The Envelope Please
Cartoon Crazys: Fairy Tales
Dashiell Hammett: Detective, Writer
Dizzy’s Dream Band
Emmanuelle 2-Pack: #1 & 2
Gulliver’s Travels: Special Edition
Habit
Hugo Pool
Kurt & Courtney
Ladies & Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen
Mrs. Dalloway
Musketeers 2-Pack: Three & Four Musketeers
Superman 2-Pack: Max Fleischer’s Superman/Lost Episodes
FOX
Strange Days
Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection
IMAGE
AFI’S 100 Years, 100 Movies
Body Puzzle
Carmen, Baby
Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies #1
Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies #2
Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies #3
Dirty Girls
Elm-Chanted Forest
Gustav Mahler: To Live, I Will Die
Kenny Drew: Live
Lee Ritenour: Rit Special
Magic Voyage
Playboy Strip Search
Roots: Salute To The Saxophone
Treasure Island
Woman Who Came Back
Yosemite: The Seasons-Special Edition
LYRICK
Barney’s Night Before Christmas
MGM
Child’s Play 1
Dark Half
Monkey Shines
Phantasm: Special Edition
MTI
Motel Blue
Winner Takes All
PIONEER
Bunin: Chopin/Debussy
El-Hazard: The Alternative World #2-The Spring Of Life
Monkey Magic #3: The Quest Begins
RYODISK
Macross Plus #1: Pt. 1 & 2
Macross Plus #2: Pt. 3 & 4
UNIVERSAL
Ed-TV (DTS)
Mummy: Special Edition (1932)
Mummy: Special Edition (1999)
VCI
Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx
VISTA STREET
Leaving Scars
WARNER
Christmas Story
How The Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears A Who
Jerry Seinfeld: I’m Telling You For The Last Time
YORK
Kolobos
SEPTEMBER 17
THE LATEST….
Okay, let’s get started…..No doubt you’ve heard that Steven Spielberg as green-lighted the DVD of “Saving Private Ryan” to debut day and date with the sell-through video on November 2. The DVD will feature a widescreen transfer, enhanced at 16:9 for widescreen televisions, plus Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. Also look for an original behind-the-scene documentary and two theatrical trailers. Director Spielberg will also offer a special introduction. The DVD will also feature extensive bios and filmographies….Warner Home Video has just announced two special edition DVDs. First up is “The Iron Giant,” due November 23 for $24.98 retail. The animated feature tanked at the box office, but Warner Home Video will give it a grand send-off on video and DVD. The DVD will feature both an Anamorphic widescreen and full frame version of the film, plus a “Making-Of” documentary. There is also a music video by Eddie Platt, theatrical trailer, cast & crew bios, and DVD-ROM features. A week later look for a special edition of “The Wild Wild West.” The Will Smith-Kevin Kline action-adventure will retail for $24.98, and feature an Anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen transfer in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. Director Barry Sonnenfeld provides a running audio commentary, while the DVD also features an HBO First Look feature called “It’s a Whole New West.” Check out the “Loveless Lair,” which will take you to several behind-the-scenes features, including “Good Guy Gadgets,” “Wardrobe of the West,” “Loveless Ladies” and “Evil Devices.” Two music videos, cast& crew bios, theatrical trailers and a plethora of DVD-ROM features complete the package…..Aside from “Saving Private Ryan,” Dreamworks Home Video will celebrate November with the release of two other high profile titles. On November 23 look for the recent ghost story “The Haunting,” starring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lily Taylor, and “The Love Letter,” with Kate Capshaw and Tom Selleck. “The Haunting” will arrive as one of Dreamworks delightful Signature Series DVDs with the following features: a widescreen transfer enhanced at 16:9; a running audio commentary with director Jan De Bont and production designer Eugenio Zanetti; Deleted scenes with additional commentary; a behind-the-scenes featurette; theatrical trailers; biographies and filmographies, and more. “The Love Letter” will feature an Anamorphic widescreen transfer in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, with deleted scenes, the film’s theatrical trailer and cast & crew bios and filmographies…..Columbia-TriStar Home Video has set December 21 as the release date for the recent independent hit “Run Lola Run.” The German thriller arrives a running audio commentary by director Tom Twyker and actress Franka Potente, plus a music video and theatrical trailer. The DVD is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen enhanced at 16:9, with a German language soundtrack with English and French subtitles. There is also a dubbed English soundtrack. The DVD retails for $27.95. Columbia-TriStar has set December 28 as the release date for the DVD of Frank Capra’s “It Happened One Night.” The Best Picture winner starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert arrives with a running audio commentary courtesy of Frank Capra Jr., plus a full-frame version and Dolby Digital Mono. On December 7, the studio will release the newly remastered version of “Easy Rider.” Retailing for $24.98, the DVD features commentary by Dennis Hopper, and a behind-the-scenes documentary called “Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage.” The DVD will feature an Anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen transfer and a new Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack. On December 14, look for the recent political comedy “Dick.” The DVD, which features an Anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, an audio commentary with the film’s director, isolated music-only soundtrack, deleted scenes and bloopers, plus a music video. The DVD retails for $24.98…
