By Peter M. Bracke

July 7 through 9 : Off to the VSDA; Artisan sets 'BOB ROBERTS' for 9/12 release

Off to the VSDA

Well, as you read this I'm probably in the car on the way to the sun, sin and decadence of Las Vegas for the VSDA convention. Thus, there won't really be any release news nor the indie wrap-up here all weekend. However, I'll be checking in with brief text updates from the show with any exciting announcements or news (hopefully it won't be a big bust!), so check out today's editorial for a link to the update page and how it will work. Also, don't miss the AMERICAN BEAUTY announcement that came in late yesterday...check below for the full press release.

Artisan sets BOB ROBERTS special edition for September

While it may not be as highly requested as other Pioneer special editions like THE FRIGHTENERS or THE DOORS, we still always get emails on what ever happened to that old laserdisc special edition of Tim Robbin's political satire BOB ROBERTS. Would it ever be released on DVD, and by whom? And would it finally be widescreen? Well, Artisan has finally announced the DVD for a 9/12 release, and it looks to be a direct port of the laserdisc. The transfer is full frame with a English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround mix, as well as an audio commentary with Director Tim Robbins, a 20-minute "The Making Of Bob Roberts" featurette, a still gallery and the theatrical trailer. The Saturday Night Live sketch that appeared on the laserdisc, however, is not listed as part of the DVD package. Retail is $29.95.

July 6 : DreamWorks announces AMERICAN BEAUTY; a little VSDA preview; new FOX double feature and July title details and WHAT ABOUT BOB anamorphic update

DreamWorks announces AMERICAN BEAUTY

Well, that didn't take long. Guess we don't have to wait until the VSDA for the official AMERICAN BEAUTY announcement, as DreamWorks just sent us along the press release. It looks good, though admittedly it was a long wait, and it doesn't look like those highly-debated deleted scenes and alternate ending are on there. But, this "Awards Edition" delivers the goods with Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks on the same disc, and what should be a great commentary with Director Sam Mendes and Screenwriter Alan Ball. Can't wait for October 24th!

A little VSDA preview

Here's to hoping for some good news announcements at the VSDA, and already some hints have come in on what we can expect. DreamWorks has told us that AMERICAN BEAUTY will finally be announced at the kickoff of the show on Saturday (Editor: Scratch that...see above for the late-breaking press release) and the disc will include a commentary and another hour of additional bonus material. Also, they may sneak out a few tidbits on the upcoming GLADIATOR disc due by the end of the year...cool!

Also, Universal says to expect "a big announcement" on Sunday, though with JAWS and JURASSIC PARK already announced, I am admittedly quite curious as to what it could be (I hope to god it isn't THE SKULLS!!) Finally, there is "buzz" going around that at least one or two studios may announce or hint at DVD rental pricing as soon as this fall, but for once we're really, really hoping this rumor doesn't turn out to be true!

New FOX double feature and July specs update

Looks like 9/5 is going to be one big day from Fox, with no less than 11 new flicks on the way! In addition to the already announced EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, OMEN COLLECTION, and two FLY double feature sets coming, watch for a double feature of FANTASTIC VOYAGE and VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. Both features are in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, with the former in English and French 1.0 mono, and the latter in English 4.0 and 2.0 surround, and French 1.0 mono. Both include English Captions and Spanish Subtitles and the theatrical trailers. Retail is $34.95 for the double-sided disc.

Also, some updated specs have come in for MY COUSIN VINNY and WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP, both due on 7/25. Both are anamorphic widescreen, and the former includes an audio commentary with Director Jonathan Lynn, the trailer and TV spots, and the latter features deleted scenes, a music video, the trailer and TV spots. Retail is $29.95 each.

No anamorphic for 'BOB'

Finally, just a quick note that we got an early copy of Buena Vista's WHAT ABOUT BOB?, and alas it is not anamorphic as some retailers have listed. Just wanted to let those of you out there who were thinking of picking it up....

July 5 : New TOP PICK contest; BBC finds a new home with Warner

This Week's TOP PICK CONTEST

Oooh, we got a scary one for this week's contest. Receiving the best treatment yet of any of the SCREAM films, Dimension has seen fit to provide the concluding chapter of the horror trilogy, SCREAM 3, with a very nice new Collector's Series release. In addition to an anamorphic transfer and great sound mix, the disc includes a very good commentary track with Director Wes Craven, Producer Marianne Maddelena and Editor Patrick Lussier, as well as an outtake montage, trailers, a music video and a collection of deleted scenes that devotees of the series will really "scream" for (ha ha HA HA!). Check out the box to the right for your chance to win, and congrats goes out to Matthew Giere of Saskatoon, Canada, who won a copy of Fox's double-disc set of INDEPENDENCE DAY. Great job!

BBC Video finds a new home

Ever since BBC Home Video, home of the acclaimed WALLACE & GROMIT series, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS and other great programming, announced they were parting ways with 20th Century Fox Home Video for distribution of their product here in the United States, we've received quite a bit of mail wondering what would happen. Well, finally, they have announce a new distribution agreement with none other than Warner Home Video, who by August 31 will take over the BBC home video and DVD catalog. The Fox versions of all BBC titles here in the U.S. will be discontinued and replaced by new Warner versions (no details yet on how the packaging for titles like WALKING WITH DINOSAURS will change), though the features and transfers are all expected to stay the same.

In addition to straight distribution chores, Warner will also handle marketing and sales duties for the BBC titles, though the length of the agreement has not been released. With BBC gearing up for major expansion and acquisition of new product, this new agreement with Warner paves the way for many oft-planned titles to finally arrive on DVD. According to a BBC Video spokesman, planned upcoming DVD releases include ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS and (oh, no!) the TELETUBBLES. Stay tuned!

July 1 through 4 : New BUENA VISTA and IMAGE news, 'BIG BLUE' gets a theatrical release

Dimension horror box set news

Well, finally Buena Vista sent us the full specs for the FROM DUSK TIL DAWN collector's Series edition due 9/26, as well as the box set of all three FROM DUSK TIL DAWN and PROPHECY trilogies.

In addition to the previously mentioned features, FROM DUSK TIL DAWN will also feature, yes, the FULL TILT BOOGIE documentary on a second disc. The 2-disc set will come in a double-alpha pak, and retail for $39.95. And, yes, the transfer (on the film only, as I'm told FULL TILT BOOGIE was shot full frame) will be anamorphic widescreen. Cool. Also on the same day comes a FROM DUSK TIL DAWN collector's box set, which features the Collector's Series version of the first film, and the other two movie-only editions of DAWN 2 and DAWN 3. Retail is $79.95. Along with the SCREAM box set, looks like an expensive end of September for horror fans.

Though details are very limited, Buena Vista also indicated that on 10/25 a PROPHECY Collector's Series box set will appear, with "new features" not seen on any of the releases of the three PROPHECY films so far released, and all three will be anamorphic widescreen (currently only Part 3 has been released as such). Expect a $79.95 price tag on this set as well, and watch for the full specs in about a month or so...

Image sets SHORT CIRCUIT and more September titles

Image Entertainment has just announced yet another extensive slate of titles due in September, which includes more Fox licensed releases. Perhaps the biggest is a special edition of SHORT CIRCUIT, which features a new 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, English 5.1 mix, an isolated music and effects track, an audio commentary by director John Badham and writers S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, a making-of documentary, a still gallery with production stills, promotional materials and production designs, more behind--the-scenes footage and finally cast and crew biographies and the theatrical trailer. Retail is only $24.95.

Other cool new Image titles include BEWARE! THE BLOB!, BLOOD BEAST TERROR, BRIAN WILSON: IMAGINATION, DETOUR, FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS, NECROMANCER, NUNSENSE 2: THE SEQUEL, STRANGER THAN VENUS, a series of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED swimsuit spectaculars, and finally (drum roll, please) BARRY MANILOW LIVE! Check out the Image site for the full details!

Swim in 'The Big Blue' this summer at a theater near you

Finally, Columbia sent us a short note that in addition to its 8/15 bow on DVD, Luc Besson's Director's Cut of THE BIG BLUE will also get a limited run in art houses in the during the month of August, so check your local listings to see if it is playing in your area. I've never seen it, but it sounds like it might be a very cool movie to see on the big screen. It is playing here in LA, so I guess I'll have to check it out!