By Peter M. Bracke

New & noteworthy

First up, just a quick date change notice. Artisan has postponed the The Doors special edition 2-disc set to 2/20, but unfortunately the details we've received thus far from Artisan are a bit confusing. Will the version in the original press release for the box set still be there (street date for the Warner set is 1/16), or just the previous stand-alone version? The Artisan date change is a bit confusing, but stay tuned and we'll try to get an update. In any case, this 2-disc set will have all features already announced (commentary by Director Oliver Stone, "The Road Of Excess" Documentary, original concert footage, cast interviews and over 40 minutes of additional scenes) and retail is $34.95.

Then, while due for release on 1/23 on VHS, watch for a full-on DVD special edition of the recent Sci-Fi Channel miniseries adaptation of Dune on 3/20. This 2-disc set features the entire 270 minute miniseries, extensive making-of footage, cast & crew interviews, behind-the-scenes look at the series "groundbreaking special effects" and more to be announced soon. Watch for the full press release in a couple of weeks.

To celebrate Black History Month, Xenon Pictures will be issuing four new titles on 1/30. Oprah Winfrey's acclaimed The Women Of Brewster Place, Cicely Tyson in A Woman Called Moses, Race To Freedom: The Story Of The Underground Railroad and Say Amen Somebody all feature full frame transfers, 2.0 stereo soundtracks and are priced at $19.95 each.

On 2/6 from Showtime comes Rated X, the porn "mockumentary" director by Emilio Estevez and starring he and his brother Charlie Sheen. The disc is the unrated version, and features an audio commentary with Estevez and Sheen. Retail is $24.95.

Finally, Warner has announced a 1/23 release date for the hockey comedy MVP (aka Most Valuable Primate.) From the "Producers Of Air Bud!" this family comedy includes an audio commentary with Director Robert Vince, a making-of featurette, trailers and TV spots. Retail is $24.95.

(S-l-o-w-w-w. That is the name of the game in December, at least when it comes to release news. If the past two years are any indication, about now is the time release news begins to trickle, until the start of the new year and the anticipation for later winter and spring titles begins. So while you can expect updates here everyday when there is news, though don't expect a flood until after the holidays...)

Strange highs and strange lows

Columbia has issued the final specs for the new special edition of Dr. Strangelove, due on 2/27. First things first, though digitally remastered, due to the multi-aspect ratios of the film (1.37,:1 to 1.66:1) this disc will not be anamorphic. Also included are English, French and Spanish 1.0 mono tracks, and in addition to the new documentary "Inside the Making of Dr. Strangelove," there is the new featurette "The Art of Stanley Kubrick: From Short Films to Strangelove," the "original split-screen interview with Peter Sellers and George C. Scott," a still gallery with advertising materials, trailers and talent files. Retail is $29.95. (And note that this disc is not a part of the upcoming Warner Kubrick reissues, nor are the previously-released MGM titles like The Killing and Paths Of Glory.)

Bring on the date change

Just a quickie, Universal has just announced a date change for the upcoming Bring It On special edition, originally due on 1/23. The new date is now 2/13, and features and pricing remain the same...

This week's Top Pick contest

Finally, after weeks and weeks of new big-budget releases, we have our first television release as our new Top Pick of the week. In anamorphic widescreen and looking better than ever, HBO has released the entire first season of The Soprano's on DVD. Featuring a commentary, making-of and more, this is a must-have disc for fans. Enter for your chance to win, and don't miss it.

And a nice job goes out to last week's winner, Mick McRoy of Owensboro, Kentucky, who picked up a copy of Universal's Nutty Professor II special edition. Congrats!

New announcements from Artisan

It has been somewhat of a long time since we last posted any Artisan announcement, so today we finally have a new update on their winter titles. They've announced a batch of new releases, thought he quality and depth of presentation seems a bit mixed.

On 2/6 comes Robert Altman's latest, Dr. T And The Women, in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, along with an audio commentary with director Robert Altman, an isolated music track with audio commentary by composer Lyle Lovett, an additional interview with Robert Altman, cast bios and the trailer. Also on 2/6 is Seamless, in full frame and 5.1 surround, with an audio commentary with director Deborah Lamettre and cinematographer Denise Brassard, and the trailer. Retail is $24.95 each.

Then on 2/20 comes the telefilm In The Beginning, in full frame and 2.0 stereo surround, with production notes and cast & crew bios. Retail is $19.95. Next up is the thriller Knight Moves, in 2.35:1 non-anamorphic widescreen and 2.0 surround. And from the "let's just throw it out on DVD" department comes Sean S. Cunningham's DeepStar Six, in full frame and 2.0 surround. Both of the above have no extras, though retail is just $14.95.

Finally, on 2/27 comes In The Presence Of Mine Enemies in full frame and 2.0 surround, and a special edition of the 60's classic Speed Racer: The Movie. Featuring a full frame transfer and new 5.1 mix, the disc also features an audio commentary with vocal talent Peter Fernandez and Corrinne Orr, a trivial game, music video and production notes. Retail is $19.95 each.

Highlander specs

Finally today, Buena Vista has issued the full specs for the upcoming Highlander: Endgame disc due on 2/20. In addition to an anamorphic transfer and English 5.1 surround mix, and English and French subtitles, the disc features an extended rough cut of the film, a making-of featurette, and theatrical trailer. Retail is $29.95.