SWEET SASSY MOLLASSIE!!!
What a pantload of stuff we have today!!!
A FULL(!!!) set of TWILIGHT ZONE!!!
Read on Tony Rockyhorror!!
First up today, a whack of new release announcements from our friends at the WB…
On January 7 look for the 1935 George Stevens classic ALICE ADAMS, starring Katherine Hepburn and Fred MacMurray, featuring commentary by George Stevens Jr., excerpts from a doc-u-mentary on the director and an essay on Katherine Hepburn and her years at RKO Pictures.
Also on the 7, George Roy Hill’s controversial A LITTLE ROMANCE starring Sir Laurence Olivier and a very young Diane Lane, the 1997 film BREAKING UP, starring a little known fella by the name of Russell Crowe and some young actress named Salma Hayek. Also new on the 7 from WB is the underrated River Pheonix flick DOGFIGHT, a personal favorite.
January 14 sees the debut of 2 Ric Burns PBS do*censored*entaries from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE series, ANSEL ADAMS and THE DONNER PARTY. Both programs are presented in the original 1.33:1 Fullscreen ratio with 2.0 Surround stereo.
On January 28, look for DENNIS THE MENACE: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION featuring an ABC special, interview segments with stars Mason Gamble and Walter Matthau and writer/producer John Hughes, behind-the-scenes featurette and Easter eggs. A 1.85:1 Widescreen transfer and 2.0 Surround sound fill out the package. Also on the 28th is the sequel DENNIS THE MENACE STRIKES AGAIN also with behind-the-scenes features. This one is a double sider with a 4×3 Fullscreen transfer on one side and 16×9 on the other, along with 5.1 DDS sound.
January 28 also sees the release of the FREE WILLY series to DVD. FREE WILLY: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION will come replete with a 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer and 5.1 DDS sound, as well as a Michael Jackson video, Interviews, an episode of the FREE WILLY animated series and a set-top game. FREE WILLY 2 is also in 2.35:1 Wide, with 5.1 sound and features a musical montage and a behind-the-scenes featurette. FREE WILLY 3 is in 1.85:1 Fullscreen, 5.1 sound and no extras.
Heading into February, Warner has a slate of more adult-oriented fare, starting on the 4th with recent Indie hit IGBY GOES DOWN. IGBY comes in a nice 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer with 5.1 DDS sound and features including an IN SEARCH OF IGBY featurette, commentary from star Keiran Culkin and director Burr Steers, Deleted scenes, a photo gallery and trailers.
On February 11, the WB has the comedy WOMEN VS. MEN, starring Paul Reiser, Joe Mantegna and Glenne Headley. 1.33:1 Fullscreen transfer and 2.0 Surround with no extras.
On February 18 the currently in-theatre brit-indie ALL OR NOTHING makes its bow on DVD. The touching dramedy will be presented in 1.85:1 Fullscreen with 5.1 DDS sound. No extras have been announced.
DVD Newby studio Another Universe has announced a major release. The relative newcomer will release a limited edition FULL-SERIES SET of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. That’s right, a full-series set. The set will necessitate a 49 disc set. All 156 episodes from the original 5 season run will be included on 44 discs, as well as 5 bonus discs full of extras. This set will also include the first availability of two episodes – Cult classic episode #42 “The Eye Of The Beholder, and episode # 142 “An Occurance At Owl Creek Bridge”. The 5 bonus discs will include information on host and creator Rod Serling, a history of the series, reviews of each episode, cast info and season by season commentaries. The set is now available for a US retail price of $400, but is limited to 2500 sets.
MTI Home Video has a few upcoming gems with the direct-to-video flicks BLACK NINJA and SEX, SECRETS AND LIES due on January 14, and GIRLS FIGHT TONITE, described as a ‘female FIGHT CLUB’ arriving on January 21. Check it out at MTI HOME VIDEO
Sorry, Trekkies. Cappy James T. Kirk will NOT be helming a Director’s Cut for the 2-disc “Collector’s Edition” of his directorial debut STAR TREK 5: THE FINAL FRONTIER. While the disc will still have plenty of previously unseen supplemental material, it will be the theatrical cut that is featured in the set.
Our good buddies at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment have hit another solid Grand Slam, with the announcement of their release of a trio of Sci-Fi classics. On March 4, look for the Robert Wise classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, possibly the greatest and most influential sci-fi film of it’s era, featuring a newly retooled 1.33:1 transfer and remastered original mono sound. The double-sided disc will feature commentary by Robert Wise and Nicholas Myer, a “MovieTone News” clip of the premiere, a making-of doc-u-mentary, 6 still galleries, a restoration comparison and many trailers, including an original theatrical trailer for the film.
Also on March 4 is the Jean Jacques Arnaud masterpiece QUEST FOR FIRE in a new Anamorphic Widescreen transfer and 2.0 Surround, with extras including director and cast audio commentary, a 1982 featurette, 15 photo galleries with commentary, and trailers.
Last, but not least, in this SciFi troika is JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, the 1959 classic starring Pat Boone, James Mason and Arlene Dahl. This one also comes with a brand-spankin’ new Anamorphic Widescreen transfer and remastered mono sound, but extras are kept to a restoration comparison and trailers.
Also on the horizon from Fox, February 28th sees the release of recent hit THE BANGER SISTERS, in a “Special Edition” release with an AW transfer, 5.1 DDS sound, audio commentary by director Bob Dolman, an HBO First Look special, blooper reel and trailers.
Also recent, but not so much a hit, BROWN SUGAR hits DVD shelves on February 11 with both Anamorphic Widescreen and Fullscreen transfers, audio commentary, 5 deleted scenes, 2 music videos and trailers.
On February 18, Fox lets loose with SORDID LIVES. The dark comedy will be featured in a 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer with a 5.1 DDS soundtrack. Extras will include audio commentary, cast interviews, deleted scenes, trailers and two songs by the films star Olivia Newton-John.
Fox also has news on two of its upcoming TV sets. ANGEL: COMPLETE FIRST SEASON hits town on February 11 with Fullscreen transfers, 2.0 Surround, audio commentary and features including “I’m Cordelia”, Introducing Angel” and “The Demons” featurettes and still galleries.
NYPD BLUE: COMPLETE FIRST SEASON arrives on March 18 featuring all 20 first season ep’s on 6 discs. 4:3 Fullscreen transfers and 4.0 Surround audio. Extras include audio commentary on 1 episode per disc, “The Making Of Season 1”, “Love on NYPD BLUE” and “Cast Blotter” featurettes and a script-to-screen comparison.
Last on our list from Fox is a much loved classic by the name of AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER. Coming to a loved one near you on February 4, the ultimate romance flick will feature a new 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, audio commentaries, “Shipboard” premiere footage, still galleries, an AMC backstory featurette and trailers.
Also on the fabled romances front, just in time for Valentines, HBO announced their February 11 release date for MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. No specs are available yet, but you’re gonna buy it anyways, right?
On the other end of the spectrum, StudioWorks announces their December 31 release of two new workout videos for the GoddessLife Goddess Workout series. INTRODUCTION TO BELLYDANCE and WARRIOR GODDESS: BEYOND BASICS are sure to get you in shape and work out those past-life Goddess issues.
Artisan Home Entertainment has announced more releases from their acquisition of the Republic Pictures library. Look for the brilliant 1947 Western/Film Noir PURSUED, starring Robert Mitchum and Dean Jagger. Also on the release slate, John Wayne westerns FLAME OF THE BARBARY COAST and LADY TAKES A CHANCE. Also in the pipe is the 1969 cult classic comedy THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN featuring the late god of comedy, Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, as well as cameos by Christopher Lee, Yul Brenner and Raquel Welch among many others. Finally, the 1947 comedy COPACABANA, starring Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda in a cat-and-mouse comedy classic. All 5 films arrive on January 21.
On the other side of the quality coin, recent stinker SWEPT AWAY, starring that great thespian Madonna, and directed by her husband Guy Ritchie, makes it’s DVD debut on February 11 from Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment. No extras have been announced.
Columbia Tristar will redeem themselves for this unholy travesty, by releasing a long awaited classic from the Humphrey Bogart collection on January 14. DEAD RECKONING, one of the finest and most creative Film Noirs of the era, will feature remastered Dolby Surround audio and a newly retouched Fullscreen transfer. Only photo galleries and trailers have been announced as extras thus far, but stay tuned for more info if and when available.
Buena Vista has finally announced the full details for the DVD release of THE OSBOURNES – THE FIRST SEASON. The 2-disc set will be available March 4, in censored and uncensored versions, and extras will include – never-before seen bonus footage, cast interviews, audio commentary (including an Ozzy translator), a “Too Oz For TV” blooper reel, top moments from each member of the family and outtake conversations about “Life on the Road”, “Family Values”, “First Season Stories”, and the long-awaited “Untold Story of Michael the Security Guard”. Also look for DVD-Rom and set top features, including an Osbourne Bingo game and a scene editing workshop.
Finally today, for any of our readers in the L.A. area –
From FANGORIA.COM –
November 19: Asia Argento DVD signings in CA West Coast fans of Asia Argento will have three chances to meet the actress this month as she promotes the DVD release of her directorial debut, SCARLET DIVA.
She’ll be appearing and signing copies of the disc Thursday, November 21 at Tower Records & Video, 8801 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA (310-657-7300);
Friday, November 22 at FYE, Century City Shopping Center, 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA (310-277-1916);
and Tuesday, November 26 at Best Buy, 1717 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA (415-626-9682). All these events begin at 6 p.m.
Also on a little side note… Happy Birthday to our Fearless Leader Shane-O-Mac!!
