Your entire High School English reading list is coming to DVD on March 4…
I also have some deets on MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, THE ROAD TO PERDITION and SIX FEET UNDER!!
More! More! And More!
READ ON! O GLORIOUS DISCIPLES OF THE DIGITAL GOD!!
On the way for February 25 from Dreamworks Home Entertainment are two very different recent hits. THE ROAD TO PERDITION, the gangster-era drama from Oscar winners Sam Mendes, Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, will be released in separate Anamorphic Widescreen and Fullscreen versions, with 5.1 DDS and DTS audio tracks. Also look for director commentary, a made-for-TV making-of featurette, filmographies, deleted scenes and trailers. THE TUXEDO, a hijinx-heavy spy flick starring Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt, will feature an Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, 5.1 DDS and DTS tracks, director commentary, featurettes, an HBO first look, deleted scenes, interviews, a blooper reel and trailers.
Buena Vista has announced street dates for a trio of flicks in February. Steven Soderbergh’s experimental FULL FRONTAL will come available on February 11, as will acclaimed indie hit ASUNDER. On February 25, look for the Disney update of TUCK EVERLASTING. No details have been announced yet, but stay tuned…
Also in Buena Vista news…
Buena Vista has inked a deal with MGM Home Entertainment to release 66 popular catalogue titles. Most of these were previously available through Anchor Bay Home Entertainment. Several titles, including Hitch*censored*’s REBECCA and NOTORIOUS, THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS, THE FLAMINGO KID and STRAW DOGS are part of the deal. The first releases in the deal are due mid-2003, with flagship titles including STRAW DOGS, PRIZZI’S HONOR, SILKWOOD and A DUEL IN THE SUN. The full roster of 66 are scheduled to be in release by the end of 2004. Stay tuned for details on these new discs…
Columbia Tristar has FORMULA 51 all ready for distribution to the masses on February 2. While the stylish action flick received mixed reviews during it’s theatrical run, it’s exactly the kind of film that picks up steam on Home Video. The DVD package will carry both a Fullscreen and an Anamorphic Widescreen transfer of the film with 5.1 DDS sound. Extras will include the Cinemax special THE MAKING OF FORMULA 51, a theatrical trailer and Sam Jackson in a kilt. Kick Arse!
Our good friends at Warner Brothers have unleashed a torrent of new release info upon us, and in the spirit of education and the love of Disc, we pass it on to you…
The biggest news, obviously, is the big fat Greek release of MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, hitting shelves on February 11. A 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer will be accented with 5.1 DDS sound, commentary with Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and director Joel Zwick, and Cast and Crew bios/filmographies.
Also on February 11, the WB and HBO will release the do*censored*entary UNCHAINED MEMORIES: SLAVE NARRATIVES, a do*censored*entary look at the stories of slaves released during the Civil War as told to writers working for the Federal Writers Program in the 1930’s. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this is a poignant and moving piece of American History as told by the people who lived through it. This disc will feature a 1.33:1 Fullscreen transfer with 5.1 DDS sound and extras including Bios of the ex-slaves who’s stories are told, web and information links, and intro and performance piece by The McIntosh County Shouters.
Another HBO doc coming to a player near you, is THE YOUNG AND THE DEAD, an examination of Tyler Cassity, a ‘young cemetarian from the midwest’, who restored the crumbling ruin of the Hollywood Memorial Cemetary and turned it into Hollywood Forever, a trendy tour through the history and deaths of some of Hollywoods greatest stars. 1.33:1 Fullscreen and 5.1 DDS sound fill out the package.
See how I tie it all together? Fun isn’t it…
In other funerary news, WB and HBO are setting February 4 as the day to pick up your copy of SIX FEET UNDER: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON. The acclaimed series, about a dysfunctional family in the funeral home business. This four disc set will include all 13 first season episodes in their original 1.33:1 Fullscreen aspect ratio, with 5.1 DDS sound, and extras including a 20 minute behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes from the pilot episode, episodic recaps and previews, 2 audio commentaries with creator Alan Ball, a featurette on the opening title sequence, cast and filmmaker bio/filmographies, weblinks and more. This is an outstanding Emmy winning series, with a cast full of award winning actors, so take this chance to take a peek if you haven’t been able to see it on HBO…
Finally, for today, 8 beautiful catalogue titles finally finding their way to DVD. WB has announced a March 4 release date for these fine films. C’EST LA VIE comes with a 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, the original French audio track in 2.0 Surround and Subtitled in English. OTELLO, the Verdi opera version of the Shakespeare play, stars Placido Domingo and comes with original Italian audio in 2.0 Surround and a 1.66:1 Widescreen presentation. PAULINE AT THE BEACH also features 1.66:1 Widescreen and original French mono audio track.
On the more domestic end, A DOLL’S HOUSE, starring Anthony Hopkins and Claire Bloom is presented in 1.85:1 Fullscreen, with original mono sound and trailers. EQUUS, the 1977 Richard Burton film, features a 1.66:1 Widescreen transfer, mono sound and trailer. 1969’s WOMEN IN LOVE, based on the D.H. Lawrence novel, and starring Oliver Reed, Alan Bates and Glenda Jackson, will come in a 1.66:1 Widescreen transfer, with mono sound, audio commentary, a featurette and trailer. The Special Edition of the 1992 version of OF MICE AND MEN, starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, will come loaded to bear with a 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, 2.0 Surround sound, commentary from Gary Sinise, a featurette, alternate ending, deleted scenes and the trailer. Last, but certainly not least, 1984 starring John Hurt and Richard Burton, will come in a tidy package, with a 1.85:1 Fullscreen transfer, original mono sound and a trailer. Again, look for all of these excellent films to debut on DVD March 4.
