By Peter M. Bracke

June 30 : This week's INDIE WRAPUP

This week's INDIE WRAPUP

Just a short couple of announcements from the land of the independents this week, though by the way some news came in from Criterion yesterday on a few hotly-anticipated titles, including THE ROCK and TRAINSPOTTING. Check out yesterday's update below for more on that, and now back to the indies:

First up is a film from USA that got nary a theatrical release, THICK AS THIEVES, which is somewhat surprising considering it stars Alec Baldwin and Rebecca DeMornay. Anyway, the disc features a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and English 5.1 Dolby Digital surround track, the trailer and TV spots. Retail is $24.95.

Coming from Pioneer this September are some new anime titles, including CARDCAPTOR SAKURA, GUNDAM WING - DVD OPERATION 3, DUAL - VISIONS, KEY THE METAL IDOL - DREAMING and TRIGUN - GUNG-HO-GUNS VOLUME 4. All are $29.95, full frame and in Japanese 2.0 stereo, though GUNDAM WING, DUAL - VISIONS and KEY THE METAL IDOL also feature English 2.0 tracks as well. Street is 9/12. Then on 9/26 comes the "all star" cast of Kate Jackson, Maureen McCormack and Erik Estrada in PANIC IN THE SKIES, and the thriller DEADLY GAME, both in full frame and 2.0 English surround. Retail is $19.95 each.

Finally, Rhino has announced the cancellation of their plan episode collection of the sci-fi series VR-5. No reason was given...

June 29 : New CRITERION announcements; NEW & NOTEWORTHY tidbits; two new family titles from ARTISAN and A&E

CRITERION finally announces THE ROCK and more

Criterion sent us along an updated schedule of their 2000 releases, and there is some great stuff on it I know many of you have been waiting for. The biggest is a two-disc set of THE ROCK, as well as a special edition of TRAINSPOTTING, and a two-disc set of SPARTACUS. The two-disc sets are $49.95 and TRAINSPOTTING is $39.95 and all are listed as "Coming in 2000." Hopefully by Christmas, eh?

Also, there are some street date changes and postponements. THE LADY EVE and L'AVENTURA are now November, and all the following are postponed with no new dates: KNIFE IN THE WATER, DO THE RIGHT THING, OLYMPIA, HIDDEN FORTRESS, PURPLE NOON and THE SCARLET EMPRESS.

A good set of 'JAWS' should never have to swim alone...

We've gotten a lot of email lately asking why despite the release of the 25th Anniversary Edition of JAWS in a couple of weeks, that Universal is not releasing JAWS 2 or JAWS 3 to go along with it. Good question, so we asked Universal and a spokesperson got back to us that they have no plans to release either of those two sequels at the present time on DVD, though the reason is unknown. Sure, JAWS 3 is crap (except for those floating shark gums and Louis Gossett Jr. exclaiming "You mean we're talkin' about some damn shark's mutha!?"), but JAWS 2 is at least a half-respectable sequel that would be fun to have on DVD. I don't know, maybe Universal is missing a golden opportunity here to do a mega JAWS box set with all four parts, and a 1-hour documentary on the life and career of "Mrs. Brody" Lorraine Gary. Hey, it could happen...?

Next up is a couple of updates from Buena Vista. We've been told by PR that the upcoming MARY POPPINS Gold Collection reissue will not be any different than the old one, nor have a new anamorphic transfer. Sigh. Also, we were sent the full specs for the FROM DUSK TIL DAWN disc, and retail price is $39.95. The features include an audio commentary with Director Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, and effects supervisor Greg Nicotero, deleted scenes with optional commentary, outtakes, a documentary "Hollywood Goes to Hell," 2 music videos, a still gallery with storyboards, concept drawings and production photos, the trailer and TV spots. No mention is made of the documentary FULL TILT BOOGIE, but the final press release hasn't arrived yet, and given the $39.95 price, we can cross our fingers and hope for a 2-disc set??

Finally, some good news and bad news from the great folks over at View Askew, the web site devoted to Kevin Smith. The DOGMA special edition DVD seems to be coming along great, with two commentaries recorded (one with Smith, Vincent Periera, producer Scott Mosier and much of the cast, including Ben Affleck, and a second with just Smith, Pereira and Mosier), a documentary and 100 (yes, 100) minutes of deleted scenes. Yikes! In the bad news column is the controversy brewing over the recent Criterion release of CHASING AMY. It seems the DVD may have been improperly framed in one shot, and there is a length forum thread at the View Askew message board on it including responses from Vincent Pereira. Definitely check out the full thread, as it is much too long to paraphrase here fully what happened, but the short of it is that it seems there was some misframing done, so you might want to consider that if haven't yet purchased your copy. Stay tuned to see if anything possibility of a corrected version becomes known...

Is that a tangerine in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

A couple of new announcements for some family titles have come in from Artisan and A&E. Watch for the Cathy Rigby version of PETER PAN from A&E on 10/11, and the animated adventure TANGERINE BEAR on 11/1. Both are full frame and 2.0 stereo, and $24.95 and $14.95 retail, respectively.

June 28 : Four new COLUMBIA September titles; 'MONONOKE' outcry and MISSION details; NEW LINE delivers SIMPATICO in August; a note on archived video news

'MONONOKE' missing Japanese track and full 'MISSION' briefing

Well, the final street date for the long-awaited PRINCESS MONONOKE disc has been announced by Buena Vista, and it will arrive on 8/29. However, it seems many anime fans are not happy, because while the video and supplemental specs seem positive (1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, making-of featurette and the trailer), the disc will only contain an English 5.1 dub and a French track. The original Japanese language track will not be included with English subtitles as many fans had hoped.

However, one web site is trying to do something about it, The Hayao Miyazaki web site Nausicaa.Net. They've given us permission to post this interview with David Jessen, VP of Special Acquisitions, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, and it also includes information on how you can lend your voice to the cause and hopefully get a Japanese language version of the film released on DVD. Since they are trying to compile signatures by June 30th, you have to act fast, so get to it!

The final specs came in for the MISSION TO MARS disc due on 9/12, and the release will have some cool stuff. In addition to the anamorphic widescreen transfer this will be the next Buena Vista title to also feature a pan & scan version as well, along with three featurettes: "Vision of Mars," an animatics to screen comparison and a visual effects production analysis, along with a still gallery with conceptual and storyboard art, the trailer and DVD-ROM features including a screen saver and more Mars info. Retail is $29.95.

Also, I'm reposting my update from yesterday on FROM DUSK TIL DAWN, because I inexplicably deleted half of it (too many pot brownies that night, whoops!). Anyway, here it is, in its entirety...

In good news for FROM DUSK TIL DAWN fans, the long-delayed special edition disc has gotten a new date, 9/26. The disc will feature the same features as the laserdisc, but according to Buena Vista the disc will be getting a new transfer, which I can hope means anamorphic. The rest of the features are all the same from the laserdisc, including the audio commentary and deleted scenes also with commentary. Stay tuned for more.

Four new COLUMBIA September titles

Four new announcements from Columbia today, all due on 9/28. First is 1992's GLADIATOR, the one with Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Marshall. The disc includes anamorphic widescreen and full frame versions, as well as talent files and the trailer. Then comes a special edition of RUDY, a film that really has its fans and has been compared to such feel-good "sports films" as HOOSIERS and ROCKY. The disc includes a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 2.0 surround track, and audio commentary by director David Anspaugh, talent files and the trailer.

Also due on 9/28 is a special edition of James Toback's BLACK AND WHITE, also with a an audio commentary with the director and the trailer. Finally comes SCREWS LOOSE, a film I'm not familiar with, but sounds interesting I guess. The disc features anamorphic widescreen and full frame versions and the trailer. Retail is $24.95 each.

NEW LINE debuts 'SIMPATICO' in August

Coming on 8/22 is a rather overlooked film from last year, SIMPATICO, despite the presence of a topflight cast including Nick Nolte, Sharon Stone, Jeff Bridges and Albert Finney. But I guess now DVD can give you the chance to catch up with it, and the disc will include a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, English 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack and English subtitles and the trailer. Also, the final specs for the upcoming MOTHER NIGHT disc have come in as well, and in addition to an anamorphic widescreen transfer, there are two audio commentaries with Director Keith Gordon and Writer Robert Weide on one and Nick Nolte on the other, along with a video interview with novelist Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Nick Nolte. Retail is $24.95 each.

MOVIE CLIP archives

Just a quick note on yesterday's video clip of Wolfgang Petersen and all the trailers and clips here on the site. If you ever want to find them, we put them in the DVD Drive-In that is a part of the Interactive section. You'll find all the latest clips there as well as an archive of old stuff. Check it out, and watch for more original programming in the coming weeks in addition to straightforward trailers.

June 27 : WOLFGANG PETERSEN talks about DVD; latest BUENA VISTA and CRITERION release news

WOLFGANG PETERSON chats about DVD

Today sees the debut of a new feature here in Release News, the first in a series of video interviews with filmmakers chatting about DVD. You can read more about this in today's editorial, but we're happy to welcome our new part-time contributor Mike Cidoni of The Movie Place who will be producing the interview segments for us. Mike visited Director Wolfgang Petersen on the set of THE PERFECT STORM in Boston and they talked about the DVD of the film as well as some new DVDs of his past work. You can view Peterson's comments in the roughly 2-minute clip to your right.

PLAY CLIP

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However, since we know many of you do not have broadband access, Mike will be contributing text as well in the future, so you can read what's in the clip as well. In today's segment Peterson talks about THE PERFECT STORM DVD which is already in the planning stages and will likely include deleted footage that Petersen couldn't use in the film. He also mentions he just finished recording the commentary for the IN THE LINE OF FIRE special edition, which Columbia is also preparing a new documentary for. Also, Warner and Columbia are planning to reissue the now-discontinued WOLFGANG PETERSEN COLLECTION in time for A PERFECT STORM's eventual video release, and the set should include previous Columbia discs DAS BOOT, AIR FORCE ONE, the new version of IN THE LINE OF FIRE.

So, I hope you like this new addition to the release news, and watch for more of Mike's interviews about one every week or so, and coming up soon is John Turtletaub, who talks about DVD and his new feature THE KID with Bruce Willis, as well as Bryan Singer chatting about X-MEN and DVD, and more cool ones that I'll keep secret for now. And, of course, be sure to visit The Movie Place for more great movie news and interviews.

Changes to database

Speaking of new stuff, if you've looked up any database records in the past day or two, you may have noticed a new layout and some "under construction" features on the way. I'm very excited to report that our database guru Jonathan Chromy is doing a great job preparing our new databases, and though you can't use any of the features on the new database results pages yet, it will give you an idea of the new features to come, and I'm excited (not to mention relieved) that we're getting so much closer to finally being able to relaunch the databases. Thanks for your patience!

New CRITERION late summer titles

A few new late summer announcements have come in from Criterion, and a nice diverse and intriguing selection as always. Due on 8/15 is the Japanese satire GOOD MORNING, in full frame and Japanese 1.0 mono with English subtitles, and Laurence Oliver's HAMLET and the 1938 version of PYGMALION, both in in full frame and English 1.0 mono. All are $29.95 each.

Finally, also due on 8/15 is $39.95 special edition of the 70's drama HARDER THEY COME. The disc includes a non-anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen transfer, an English mono track, an audio commentary with Director Perry Henzell and reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff, Interview with Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, cast bios and a liner essay.

More BUENA VISTA titles and TOY STORY details

First up is a trio of new Buena Vista September titles, both due on 9/12. First is STIFF UPPER LIPS, with a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and English 2.0 surround track, but no special features, not even the trailer. Also due that day is EAST IS EAST, in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and English 5.1 Dolby Digital, and including the trailer. Then, a week later comes the sci-fi comedy ALIEN VISITOR, in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and English 2.0 surround, and including the trailer as well. Retail is $29.95 for each.

And, last but not least, the press release finally came in the for the TOY STORY COLLECTION and THE ULTIMATE TOY BOX sets, and there is a few new details in there from last week's early sales announcement. Perhaps strangely, the discs as expected will not be available separately, and there are notable differences in the discs between the sets. So check out the extensive press release for all the cool final details. Looks terrific!!!

PLANET OF THE APES and ROCKY HORROR cover art

Lastly, for those of you who asked for a while now, I finally got my damn slide scanner to work and here is the kinda cool (well, except for ruining the ending by putting that damn Statue Of Liberty on the cover) artwork for the PLANET OF THE APES box set THE EVOLUTION. Bad monkey, bad monkey! Also, the 25th Anniversary art for ROCKY HORROR is up as well the OMEN set, kinda cool!

June 26 : WARNER October titles; Buena Vista announces MISSION TO MARS and HIGH FIDELITY

This Week's TOP PICK Contest

Time once again for this week's contest, and our Top Pick for the week is Fox's excellent 2-disc set of INDEPENDENCE DAY. The set includes a solid anamorphic transfer and 5.1 sound mix, an audio commentary, making-ofs, deleted footage and more. Click over to the box on your right to enter and win, and congrats goes out to Jeff Maydak of Pendleton, Indiana, who won last week's contest and a copy of METALLICA's S&M music extravaganza.

WARNER's October slate

Warner's October catalog slate has come in, and it is another varied batch of titles, with a bent towards horror and thrillers just in time for Halloween.

Due on 10/3 are special editions of a number of George Pal films, including TOM THUMB in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame, English and French 1.0 mono, an audio commentary with director George Pal, and the trailer, and 1960's THE TIME MACHINE, in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen, a new English 5.1 surround track, a making-of documentary and cast bios and the trailer. Lastly is THE 7 FACES OF DR. LAO, in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame transfers, with a making-of featurette and the trailer.

Also on 10/3 is SCOOBY-DOO AND THE ALIEN INVADERS, in full frame and English 2.0, and including a CD sample, video previews and an interactive Scooby game. Then look for the Eric Red horror film BAD MOON, featuring an "all star" cast including Mariel Hemingway and Michael Pare. The disc features a 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, English 5.1 surround and French 2.0 surround tracks, and the trailer. Then, look for the very dark and hard GET CARTER, starring Michael Caine and arriving just in time for the Sylvester Stallone remake (noooo!) The disc features a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and English and French 2.0 mixes. an audio commentary with Director Mike Hodges, a making-of featurette, filmographies and the trailer.

Finally, coming on 10/24 is BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER, in full frame and English 5.1 surround. Extras include a making-of featurette, deleted footage, a music video, CD sampler, Batman Beyond game demo and "video character biographies."

Retail for all of the above are $24.95 each.

MISSION TO MARS docks this September

A couple of new Buena Vista September titles have been announced, for two very different films. Due on 9/12 is the rather horrible Brian De Palma sci-fi "adventure" MISSION TO MARS. The $29.95 disc is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and English 5.1 surround, along with a making-of featurette and the theatrical trailer.

Then a week later comes HIGH FIDELITY on 9/19, an underrated and overlooked comedy. The disc is in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen and 5.1 Surround, and includes the trailer. Retail list $32.95. As is the case with all early Buena Vista announcements, they don't always contain al the features, so stay tuned for any further updates on these two.