By Peter M. Bracke

APRIL 14 through 16: NEW LINE announces NEXT FRIDAY; new RHINO TV classics and more INDIE fun

NEW LINE debuts NEXT FRIDAY this June

Coming off of its solid box office, New Line debuts the sequel NEXT FRIDAY on 6/20. The disc features 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame transfers, a English 5.1 Dolby Digital mix as well as an audio commentary with the director, a making-of featurette, outtakes and 2 alternate endings, 2 music videos, cast bios and the trailer. There is also the complete script and web links accessible via DVD-ROM. Retail is $24.95.

COLUMBIA doubles your fun

Just a quick one that along with the new BAD BOYS SE due on 6/27 from Columbia, they'll be releasing a double-disc set of BAD BOYS and BLUE STREAK for $49.95. Both discs are the same as the individual discs.

More RHINO TV fun and more new INDIE titles

I must say, I am often amazed at how big DVD must be getting, judging by some of the wacky, cult and obscure titles coming out on our beloved format. Rhino really has some interesting stuff on the way this year, including some TV show favorites. Note that for all of the following (except where noted), the price is $19.95 and aspect ratio 4:3 full frame.

Coming on 4/25 are two new ANDY KAUFMAN documentaries, SOUNDSTAGE and I'M FROM HOLLYWOOD, the first volume of SIGMUND AND THE SEAMONSTERS episodes, and two more MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 movies ($24.95 each), EEGAH! and THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE. All are English 1.0 mono.

Next up on 6/20 is the first batch of two episodes from the short-lived sci-fi series VR-5, complete in 2.0 stereo sound.

Then on 7/25 comes the cult film PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW as well as first volume of LAND OF THE LOST (featuring 4 episodes: The Stranger, Tag Team, The Search and The Paku Who Came To Dinner).

Following on 8/22 is a series of discs I really never thought I'd ever see. Watch for Volume One of both THE FLIP WILSON VARIETY SHOW and THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR (the latter being $24.95). Each disc features two episodes, and imagine watching those as a double feature! Also due on this day is JAZZ CASUALS.

Finally, on 9/26 comes DOMO ARIGATO, VOLUME 2 of MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, THE REAL MCCOYS and THE RAMONES LIVE. All are $24.95 except MARTIAN which is $19.95.

Not too much more indie stuff this week, but coming on 6/27 from Pioneer is 20th CENTURY MUSIC FOR TWO PIANOS. This full frame disc features Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and PCM 2.0 stereo tracks, as well as a running commentary on each piece of music, liner notes, a glossary of music terms, historical markers for the pieces, and performer profiles. Retail is $29.95.

Relative newcomer Kinowelt has a number of $29.95 titles due on 4/25. Look for BLACK TIGHTS (2.20:1), COMING APART (1.66:1 and including two extra shorts "Coming Apart 2: Adventures in Re-Releasing" and Allen Ginsberg's "The City Below the Line" as well as an essay by Ginsberg "How to Fall into Oblivion and Take Your Movie with You"), CONSPIRATORS OF PLEASURE, DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST (1.85:1 and with audio commentary by writer/director Julie Dash, an isolated music score, deleted footage and "Touching Our Own Spirit" making-of featurette), HANGMEN ALSO DIE, HITCH-HIKER, 1934's MANIAC, MIRROR, NEW ORLEANS, OGRE (1.85:1), 1924's PETER PAN, RAILROAD, SACRIFICE, 1979's THE TEMPEST, THOSE WHO LOVE ME CAN TAKE THE TRAIN (1.85:1), UNCLE TOM'S CABIN and SON OF THE SHEIK. All of the above widescreen versions are non-anamorphic.

Finally, due on 6/20 from Central Park Media is the anime GARZEY'S WING, which includes the original Japanese track and an English dub, English subtitles and the trailer plus some DVD-ROM features including an art and character gallery, cast bios and the script. Retail is $29.95.

APRIL 13 : COLUMBIA announces two new spring titles; UNIVERSAL price drops; a bit more on THE GREEN MILE

BAD BOYS, BAD BOYS...WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU?

Columbia TriStar has announced another special edition reissue of one of their older movie-only titles, the Will Smith actioner BAD BOYS. Due 6/27, the disc features a new audio commentary by director Michael Bay, the documentary "Making The Boom & Bang In Bad Boys," a multi-angle enabled featurette called "Damage Control" which details the various guns & ammo used in the film, as well as three music videos for "Shy Gun" by Diana King, "So Many Ways" by Warren G and "Five O Five O" by 69 Boyz. There is also the isolated score, production notes, talent files and the trailer. The disc is in anamorphic widescreen only and retails for $29.95. Also, we visited the set during the making of the multi-angle featurette, so watch for a full on-set report that we can post next week now that the disc has been announced. It was a lot of fun and there was some cool stuff made for the disc, so it should be a good piece!

Also coming on 6/20 is the comedy HANGING UP, which includes both widescreen and full screen versions, English 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks and a number of features including a deleted sequence, an outtake reel, an isolated music score, the HBO First Look Special "Getting Connected To The Making Of Hanging Up" as well as Talent Files and the trailer. Retail is $24.95.

Also coming on 6/27 is a slightly different kind of movie, Jennifer "Love" Hewitt in THE AUDREY HEPBURN STORY. This was high rated when it played on TV just a couple of weeks back, and the full frame disc features a 2.0 soundtrack, talent files and some trailers. Retail is $24.95.

New UNIVERSAL price drops and where for art thou TOUCH OF EVIL?

Some good news for fans of Universal DVDs, including their line of great Collector's Editions. They have announced a number of price drops for a wide variety of titles. FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, GRACE OF MY HEART, FLINTSTONES, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, MALLRATS, ANIMAL HOUSE and PATCH ADAMS all have gone from $34.95 to $29.95, while LIFE, THE RED VIOLIN and NOTTING HILL go from $29.95 to $24.95. Also, Universal will be eliminating their $26.96 price for dual-layer titles, going to a standard $24.95. Very cool, but figures now I'm going to be enticed to spend more money!

And even good news for Orson Welles fans (aren't we all?), we've received word that the long-delayed TOUCH OF EVIL has been rescheduled finally for a late October release. There was much controversy and a potential lawsuit brewing over the "Editor's Cut" of the film that was redone and re-released in theaters, as apparently some members of the Welles' estate objected to using the Welles name on a cut the director (who of course has long been deceased) had no actual hand in (though the film was reedited to some of Welles' past editing notes). While I don't know the full particulars, I'll be very excited to finally see this DVD, as this is my favorite Welles film. I just hope no more lawsuits get in the way this time!

A bit more on THE GREEN MILE

Just a quick note that yesterday morning I received more details on Warner's THE GREEN MILE DVD, which was added a bit after the original post went up so some of you may have missed it. While I stated that the DVD wouldn't be feature-packed, I didn't mean to say it wouldn't have any, just that it wouldn't be quite so extensive as other Warner titles such as, say, THREE KINGS. However, the disc will feature a documentary called "Walking The Mile" and the trailer. Again, it is a very looooong movie, so it is good that Warner did put something extra on nonetheless. Street date is 6/13 and price $24.95.

APRIL 12 : WARNER announces GREEN MILE and LIBERTY HEIGHTS; two new MGM spring art house titles

New WARNER June Titles

A couple of hotly anticipated new titles are arriving from Warner this June. First is the Oscar-nominated THE GREEN MILE, which will arrive on 6/13. Perhaps due to its length (over 3 hours) it will not be particularly feature loaded like some Warner special editions, but it will have the full making-of feature "Walking The Mile," along with the usual Warner anamorphic transfer and 5.1 mix (and if it looks as good as THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION does, it should be great). Coming a week later on 6/20 is LIBERTY HEIGHTS, which though didn't make a big splash at the box office is a very good film in its own right. Both are $24.95, and expect the full details very soon.

Also, due on 5/16 is another Warner repackaging of a previous MGM release, NETWORK. It includes the same features and transfer as the previous MGM release. Price is the same at $24.95, but gone is the 8-page booklet and keepcase packaging.

Late MGM announcements

Somehow I missed these last week, but MGM has two new announcements coming this spring. First up on 5/23 is Mike Figgis' MISS JULIE, followed by KISS THE SKY on 6/6. Both feature full frame transfers though only MISS JULIE has a widescreen version, while both are in 5.1 and feature booklets and the trailer. Retail is $24.95 each.

Quick Correction

Another from the "oops" department. I guess we owe Buena Vista a bit of an apology...while THE COLOR OF MONEY was indeed mislabeled as being 16x9 Enhanced on the packaging, OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE is indeed anamorphic. While we'll still say that Buena Vista has had a few packaging mistakes in their DVD history, OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE wasn't one of them. Er, um, oops.. please don't sic Mickey on us for the error!

APRIL 11 : BUENA VISTA tidbits; STAR TREK news; RHINO announcements

STAR TREK stuff

In addition to today's new STAR TREK III review, it is worth mentioning that inside the DVD is another nice little booklet of upcoming Paramount releases, including the expected STAR TREK I & II DVDs, as well as episodes of THE NEXT GENERATION. While exact dates are still unannounced, a detail or two came our way from Paramount on the STAR TREK films. While it was expected by many that we wouldn't be treated to the highly-awaited STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF CHAKA KHAN, we're told to expect the announcement of the disc very soon (hint: for this summer), and naturally one would guess that THE MOTION PICTURE won't be far behind sometime this fall (damn I'm smart, eh?) As for KHAN, we have been informed by Paramount PR that it will not contain any extra scenes as seen on the Sci-Fi channel and elsewhere, but it will be 2.35:1 and anamorphic. Stay tuned for the full details, of course, which will probably arrive in a few weeks...

BUENA VISTA tidbits

Just a quick update on more labeling concerns some readers have had recently with Buena Vista titles. For the record, both THE COLOR OF MONEY which is listed on the packaging as being Enhanced For 16x9 Televisions, which it does not, and OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE also is listed as having a trailer but it does not. Also, today's debut of THE INSIDER features some interesting back packaging. It lists "Production Featurette - Audio Commentary with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe." While the featurette is on the disc, it features interviews with both actors as well as the real Jeffrey Wigland and Director Michael Mann. But, there is not audio commentary to be found on the disc, and most likely it is just a, er, creative way of listing interviews as "commentary." Hmmmm...?

RHINO announcements

The folks at Rhino have announced some new television episode collections and other interesting new titles for late spring. Coming on 5/23 the first volume of four MY FAVORITE MARTIAN episodes as well as the late 70's comedy COACH starring Cathy Lee Crosby(!). Then on 6/20 comes G.I. JOE: THE MOVIE, which contains a still gallery, the trailer and some cast bios, Matt Dillon in LIAR'S MOON (also with stills and the trailer). All of the above are full frame only, 2.0 mono and retail for $19.95.

APRIL 10 : New TOP PICK contest; COLUMBIA debuts Woody Allen's SWEET & LOWDOWN, bits on CLUE & GUN SHY

This Week's TOP PICK

Since it is the beginning of the week, it is time for this week's new TOP PICK and giveaway. Our choice this week is Warner's new special edition of THREE KINGS, which has a very good transfer and sound mix and tons of features including 2 commentaries, 3 featurettes, a great Video Diary from Director David O. Russell and plenty more DVD-ROM features. It is a great disc $24.95, and we're also giving away a copy as well. Access all the disc features and enter to win via the box to your right.

COLUMBIA announces SWEET & LOWDOWN

With the Oscars officially over, the nominees and winners continue to arrive on DVD. Coming on 6/20 from Columbia is Woody Allen's latest SWEET & LOWDOWN, which features nominated performances by Sean Penn and Samantha Morton. In typical Allen fashion, the disc is in 2.0 stereo with 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame transfers and has no special features aside from the trailer and talent files. Retail is $29.95.

Brief updates on CLUE and GUN SHY

Just a couple of quick notes on a couple of upcoming DVD releases. First, Buena Vista's GUN SHY (due 6/20) will be the studio's first live-action title to feature both widescreen and full frame versions on the same disc. Retail remains at $32.95, and no word yet on whether the disc will be dual layer or double-sided. Nice to see Buena Vista supporting multiple aspect ratios, and perhaps this is another sign that full frame is becoming more desired by the ever-growing legions of DVD consumers (for better or worse), or perhaps it is just a sign that studios think consumers want full frame options. Guess we'll see how it all develops as DVD continues to grow more mainstream.

Also, just a bit more on the multiple endings of CLUE and how they might be presented on the DVD. While Paramount PR did confirm the disc will have all three endings, they want to keep the exact nature of how the endings will be accessible a "surprise" though the word "easter egg" was bandied about. Hmmmm...intriguing! Guess we'll have to be patient, rats!

Wonder Twin Powers ACTIVATE!

It took quite a while, but finally the contents of the disc database (now the "software database" as it will eventually include DVD-Audio, DVD-ROM and DVD game titles) is now fully updated with all current DVD-Video titles. While there are some blank spaces and entries (especially for some titles in the future which don't have full info yet), there are now over 6,500 titles and updated release dates listed. This week we'll be updating box art and some features, and hopefully in a couple of weeks the back end of the new database will be completed, and I'll start announcing some of those new interactive features I've been blabbing about for a while now. Also, the faulty search parameters will be fixed this week, so you'll be able to start searching via more parameters than just the title. Sorry it took so long to update this thing, but hopefully you'll find the database a useful resource once again. Thanks for your patience (if you still have any), and stay tuned for more!