By Peter M. Bracke

February 29 : More Warner June titles

Kinda a short update today...

Warner : Have some more June titles in addition to the aforementioned DTS titles. There are three Shaft movies coming, including the original Shaft, Shaft In Africa and Shaft's Big Score. Also coming on 6/6 are White Sands and the sci-fi thriller Freejack. All have anamorphic widescreen and full frame versions except The Mission which is just widescreen. Included on each $24.95 are the trailers.

Also, that postponed Chill Factor has a new date, 3/21. Features and pricing are the same...

February 28 : Be John Malkovich this May; Brief Men In Black change

USA : I've been waiting for this announcement for a while, and now you, too, can be John Malkovich this May. USA has set a 5/2 bow for the clever, inventive and hysterical Being John Malkovich. The disc is in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, English 5.1 and features cast interviews, bios, production notes and the trailer. Retail is $24.95. Coolness.

Artisan : Also on the more independent end of things comes the somewhat overlooked drama Felicia's Journey. The disc will be anamorphic and 5.1, and feature an audio commentary by Atom Egoyan, the trailer and some TV spots. Retail is $24.95 and street 5/16.

Columbia : Just quick note on the features I put up yesterday for the Men In Black DVD. The "Editing Room" function will not be done via chapter programming, but will be more seamless. I'm not sure how exactly, but no details on how this will work are available yet, but it will definitely not be a simply chapter programming kind of thing. Can't wait to find out!

February 25 through 27: Men In Black...finally!; new Universal titles; Supergirl!

Columbia : Originally announced back in the summer of 1997, it is hard to imagine a time with there wasn't massive anticipation of a Men In Black DVD. Now, three years after it was supposed to arrive, Columbia has issued minimal initial details on the DVD. It will now arrive September 5, with no other details available in the brief press announcement, aside from the intriguing info that it will be available in a "collector's edition and limited edition."

Since as is always the case with big titles, my life is threatened not to reveal any 'big secrets," but the secret has already come out in terms of all the features, so I will now blab them:

Collector's Edition: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, English 5.1 and 2.0 Surround, new audio commentary by Barry Sonnenfeld (with a "light pen" feature that allows him to highlight parts of the screen), five deleted scenes, all-new documentary "Metamorphosis of MIB," the original EPK, a multi-angle preview of the different characters, the "tunnel sequence" in multi-angle with optional commentary, three film to storyboard comparisons, extensive still gallery with storyboards, production drawings and production photos, the trailers and finally the Will Smith music video.

Limited Edition: The Collector's Edition above on a DVD-18 with the full frame version as well, a second commentary, the isolated score. In addition, there is a second DVD with more featurettes: "The Making Of...Creatures," "Editing Room" to edit your own sequences (which I'm excited to see), "The Final Battle" with multi-angles, and finally some screen tests of animation by ILM. Whew!

Universal : A couple of new Universal announcements today, which unusually are not being lumped in with their usual monthly updates. Anyway, look for Bill Plympton's I Married A Strange Person in its original uncut version. The disc is in 1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen and 1.0 mono. Also coming is the foreign gem The Dinner Game, in 1.33:1 full frame and original French 2.0 soundtrack. There are no special features. Both discs are $24.95 and street 4/25.

Finally, full details have come in on the Ends Of Days disc. It will feature an audio commentary by Director Peter Hyams (Arnold himself will not be on the track as previously hoped, they he will be on the Conan SE commentary), two features ("Special Effects: The Devil's Playground" and a spotlight On Location) and the usual cast bios, production notes and trailer. The $26.95 disc streets 4/18.

Anchor Bay: Finally, just the briefest of Anchor Bay updates. They have sent us the good news that Helen Slater will appear on the Supergirl commentary track! The disc is now due this July. Can't wait, and Anchor Bay are P-H-A-T!

February 24 : New Artisan titles; final May Paramount specs; Tarzan price drop

Artisan : Has a few new ones on the way. First on 4/11 comes the thriller Dark Harbor, starring Kim Cattrall and Alan Rickman. The $29.95 disc features a 5.1 mix, an audio commentary by director Adam Coleman Howard and the theatrical trailer. Also on this date comes The Minus Man, also widescreen and 5.1, with "serial killer info" and the trailer. Finally, the recent broadcast adventure Journey To The Center Of The Earth also arrives. This disc is only $19.95 and in its original 4:3 full frame ratio. There are no supplements included.

Though the miniseries hasn't even debuted yet, Artisan has set a 5/2 date for The 10th Kingdom. The 480-minute feature will be spread over two discs (too big even for a DVD-18), and features a behind-the-scenes, outtakes, interviews with the actors and executive producer Robert Halmi, Sr.. Retail, though, is only $29.95.

Paramount : While bits and pieces have come through so far, the final full Paramount May specs have come my way. First up on 5/2 are four Elvis features, G.I. Blues, Blue Hawaii, Roustabout and King Creole. All include anamorphic widescreen transfers, English 5.1 and original 1.0 mono tracks, and trailers, except G.I. Blues which is in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio and 2.0 surround.

Also on 5/2 is Martin Scorcese's Bringing Out The Dead. The disc features an anamorphic widescreen transfer, 5.1 and 2.0 English surround tracks, the trailer and interviews with the cast & crew. All of the above five titles are $29.95.

Finally, on 5/16 comes Star Trek: The Original Series Volumes 11 & 12. Each $19.95 disc features two episodes: Tomorrow Is Yesterday and "The Return Of The Archons" (#11) and "A Taste Of Armageddon" and "Space Seed" (#12). Each has remixed 5.1 tracks and the original 4:3 aspect ratio.

Also, many of you have emailed about future Star Trek plans, including The Next Generation episodes and the rest of the films. I inquired with Paramount just today before writing this about what is upcoming and all the hopes, and all I got was to expect "a surprise" this summer. Hmmm...can't wait!

Buena Vista : Finally, some good news for you Tarzan fans. We received a confirm that Disney has dropped the price of the Tarzan Collector's Edition from $49.95 to $39.95. The price should start showing up at retailers soon, if it hasn't already. Make sure if you have preorder it you make your retailer aware of it, or switch to someone who will give you the correct price! See today's editorial for more...

February 23 : Warner news; a few more Buena Vista spring titles; Fox registers more domain names

Warner : Two new updates in the world of Warner today. Warner Family Entertainment will be making a more aggressive entry into DVD this fall (in the past they've put out only a few select family-oriented titles on DVD). The previously announced new Tom & Jerry and Scooby-Doo episodes started it, and coming later in October look for the day & date titles like Scooby-Doo And The Alien Invaders as well as the next in the Batman Beyond series, Return Of The Joker. Also coming in the future will be day & date titles as well as more Looney Tunes titles and more back-catalog Warner family titles. Stay tuned for more info to come, and good to see Warner really supporting children's DVD titles aside from just live-action theatrical fare.

Also, sigh, conflicting information continues to come in regarding The Little Shop Of Horrors. The initial info I got and posted as that it would not have any alternate endings. However, an interview with Frank Oz and a call to Warner last week indicated that the alternate ending would be on the disc in color, unlike the previously recalled disc which only featured the B&W "workprint" version. However, now Warner PR has contacted us, The Digital Bits and others that the ending will not be on the disc. So, I guess that is the case, which is too bad. Guess you owners of the other version really have a valuable collector's item!

Buena Vista : Just a brief update today on more Buena Vista sales info on titles coming in May and July. First is Buena Vista's first double feature disc, a $32.95 title that includes both Best Of The Best and Best Of The Best 2. The dual-layer disc has no aspect ratio listed on the early press info, though it does have 2.0 surround tracks and the trailers.

On 7/11 comes two comedies, Bill Murray in What About Bob? and the late Jessica Tandy in her final film, Camilla. Both feature anamorphic widescreen transfers, 2.0 surround mix and trailers. Retail is $32.95 for each.

Fox : Just a brief Fox post. The Digital Bits has some cool info on new Fox domain name registrations for a variety of titles, including Planet Of the Apes, The Sound Of Music, The Grapes Of Wrath and more. Though of course there are no dates for these, it is usually a good sign when Fox registers the domain names, so here's to hoping!

February 22 : New MGM April titles; Columbia debuts Stuart Little in two versions; brief Warner and Anchor Bay tidbits

MGM : Will be debuting two new day & date titles on 4/1. First is the comedy drama Flawless, which features an anamorphic widescreen transfer only, a 5.1 mix, the trailer and a collectible booklet. Then is the comedy Molly, which is 1.85:1 anamorphic, 2.0 surround and also has the trailer and a booklet. Retail for both is $24.95.

Then Tidbits : Just a couple of cool bits of news. First, the upcoming Warner reissue of The Little Shop Of Horrors will indeed include the original ending found on the previous DVD and the cause of much calamity. After producer David Geffen learned of the black & white rough version of the ending, he asked Warner to recall the disc as he had the original ending in a more pristine and color version. Thankfully, word has come from Warner that the DVD will include the color version of the alternate ending, which is good news for fans no doubt. However, if you own the old version you still have a collector's item of sorts, I guess...?

Columbia : Though this is a late posting, you fans of computer-generated mice will be happy to hear that 4/18 will see the arrival of Stuart Little. Interestingly, this is the first Columbia release that will have separate anamorphic widescreen and full frame discs available. I'm guess this is due to the wealth of the supplemental features on the disc, as well as the fact that the demand for full frame versions is believed to be higher with family titles.

In terms of features, both discs retail for $27.95 and contain an audio commentary by the director, animation supervisor and effects supervisor;two making of features "Making It Big" HBO First Look special and an additional visual effects featurette, deleted footage with commentary, early conceptual reel with commentary; a blooper reel and visual effects gag reel, artist's screen tests, read-along with Stuart; the isolated score, the "Race with Stuart" Hasbro Interactive game; Blooper Reel; Visual Effects Gag Reel and finally the music video, production notes, talent files and the trailer. Whew!

Anchor Bay has also sent along some further details on the upcoming special editions of Repo Man, Evil Dead 2 and Halloween 5. Each edition will come in a limited edition collectible tin with the DVD as well as a 48 page color booklet containing interviews, essays, photos, artwork and more. Note the discs will also be available separately, a la other Anchor Bay special editions. Cool.

February 18 through 21 : Indie update

Time once again for this week's latest from the world of independent DVD...

First up are some new Pioneer announcements. Coming on 3/21 are Earth, Wind & Fire in Concert which is 2.0 stereo and $24.95 and Sol Bianca: The Legacy - Lost Treasures which is 5.1 and $29.95. Both are full frame.

Then on 4/4 are Kitaro: Tamayura, the Bette Midler 1993 version of Gypsy, The Marshall Tucker Band - Then & Now, the comedy Search & Destroy and finally the Ranma 1/2 OAV Series DVD Box Set. All are full frame, 2.0 and $24.95 except Ranma which is $119.95.

Coming form Elite on 4/25 is Don't Mess With My Sister (ouch!), which features deleted footage never seen before and the theatrical trailer for $24.95. Also, the disc will be 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, which I believe is Elite's first (though I could be wrong). Then on 5/16 comes the first of Elite's Drive-in Discs series, featuring Screaming Skulls and Giant Leeches. Each feature is in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, and (I love this stuff!) "To recreate the drive-in experience, each volume includes cartoons, countdown clock, concession stand ads, coming attractions, intermission and "Distort-O" low-fidelity," while a second audio track "replicates the horrific quality of the drive-in window speaker by delivering the audio signal only to the left speaker." Pretty cool. Retail is only $29.95 for the disc.

From GoodTimes on 3/28 comes the "religious thriller" The Omega Code. I sat through this piece of shit in the theater, and I found it neither a religious experience nor very thrilling. But, then, I already know I'm going to hell so perhaps I just didn't get it. Anyway, the open matte only disc is $24.95 and has no special features of note.

Then from Trimark on 4/11 are Diplomatic Siege, starring the "What the hell happened to my career?" club of Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger and Peter Weller. The disc is widescreen and 2.0 surround with a trailer. Following are the documentary Ryder Cup in full frame, and two more volumes of The Best Of Saturday Night Live, The Best Of Steve Martin and The Best Of Chris Farley. All are $24.95.

Coming on 3/21 are two Sterling special editions for The Highwayman and another Albert Pyun classic Wrecking Crew (and if you know who I'm talking about, I'm really frightened for you). Both are 1.85:1 widescreen (anamorphic is not specified) and English 5.1, with the former including an audio commentary and trailer, while the latter features no less than 2 audio commentaries, a still gallery, the isolated music track, behind the scenes interviews, trivia game, 3 trailers and DVD-ROM features including the screenplay with scene access as well as a secret hidden feature. Retail is $29.95 for both.

Then on 3/14 from Amazing Fantasy comes Crash & Burn, The Dead Hate The Living (with audio Commentary, deleted footage and bloopers, a making-of featurette, the trailer and a still gallery), Dying To Get Rich...Susan's Plan, and Phantom Love and Shadowzone (both with making-of featurettes). Each are $24.95 and 1.85:1 non-anamorphic widescreen.

From Synapse on 6/6 comes The Beast From The Haunted Cave, which contains the full extended cut with additional television scenes, the trailer and an audio commentary by reclusive director Monte Hellman. All this for $24.95. Also coming from Synapse on 6/6 is Evil Dead Trap (with audio commentary by director Toshiharu Ikeda) and She Killed In Ecstasy. Both of these licensed foreign titles are non-anamorphic widescreen and $29.95.

On 3/21 from Rhino comes a series of $19.95 titles, Galaxina, the 80's classics My Chauffeur and My Tutor (!) as well as Sigmund & The Sea Monsters. Unfortunately, all are full frame only, 1.0 mono and have no extra features. Hope the transfers are at least decent...

From New Horizons in April and May is the series we've all been waiting for (Rocky who?)...Bloodfist, Bloodfist 2, Bloodfist 3: Forced To Fight and Bloodfist 4: Die Trying. Now, that's cinema! Also coming are Coroner, Fire On The Amazon (two separate discs, one R-Rated the other Unrated) and Mom, Can I Keep Her? All are the usual New Horizons full frame and of course will feature a booklet on Roger Corman!

On 3/14 comes New Yorker's first DVD title, the documentary Jazz On A Summer's Day. It has a new 5.1 mix, a making-of and some deleted footage. Retail is $29.95.

February 17 : MGM Bond details; Dogma delay; New Line goes dark; Anchor Bay update and reader survey

MGM : The full details on the second Bond Collection have come in, and given the success of the last box, it is no surprise MGM is sticking to the same blueprint for these next six titles. However, there is one little thing that kind of irks me about the set, but check out today's editorial for more on that...

As for the set, it looks like a good batch of titles and features, though it is rather Connery-light this time. As we all know by now, the six titles coming are The World Is Not Enough, Moonraker, Dr. No, The Man With The Golden Gun, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and The Spy Who Loved Me. Each is $34.95, and a five disc set of the older Bonds is $149.95. The box will contain an empty space for The World Is Not Enough, which is only available separately. Yes, this is what I'm complaining about in today's editorial...

Anyway, all of the Bond films will contain a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer (except Dr. No which is 1.66:1), a collectible booklet, theatrical trailers, TV spots, radio spots and a still gallery, except for The World Is Not Enough and Moonraker which only feature the trailer. In addition, each disc has the following extras:

The World Is Not Enough includes screen-specific audio commentaries by Peter Lamont, Vic Armstrong and Composer David Arnold, "The Making Of The World Is Not Enough" 30-minute documentary, "The Secrets Of 007" Alternate Video Option (look for the 007 on the screen, click the button and get a mini-making-of on the action scene you were just watching) and the Garbage music video and making-of the video.

Dr. No features a screen-specific audio commentary by Terence Young and second track with audio interviews with the cast & crew, "Inside Dr. No" 30-minute documentary, additional Dr. No featurette

The Man With The Golden Gun contains a screen-specific audio commentary by Director Guy Hamilton and audio interviews with the cast & crew, "Inside The Man With The Golden Gun" 30-minute documentary and additional "Inside Q's Lab" featurette

Moonraker contains a screen-specific audio commentary by Director Lewis Gilbert and and second track with audio interviews with the cast & crew, "Inside Moonraker" 30-minute documentary and additional "The Men Behind The Mayhem" special effects featurette

On Her Majesty's Secret Service contains a screen-specific audio commentary by Director Peter Hunt and second track with audio interviews with the cast & crew, "Inside On Her Majesty's Secret Service" 30-minute documentary and additional "Double-0-Stuntman" featurette

The Spy Who Loved Me contains a screen-specific audio commentary by Director Lewis Gilbert and second track with audio interviews with the cast & crew, "Inside The Spy Who Loved Me" 30-minute documentary and additional featurette "Ken Adams: Designing Bond"

DreamWorks : Just a quick little correction on the GalaxyQuest disc info I posted a day or so ago. The disc arrives on 5/2, and I received the info that it would have an extra commentary track, and in my literal minded thinking I assumed it would be the director or something, or surely a human being. But, actually, it is an Alien Foreign Language Track! I believe this must be a first for DVD, and I'll certainly be interested to hear it, as I have no idea what it would sound like or how entertaining it would actually be! Also on the disc in addition to the real making-of feature is a "mockumentary" which should be pretty fun. Price is $26.95.

Columbia : If you are a Kevin Smith and Dogma fan, you've probably read our interview with View Askew's Vincent Pereira, and are awaiting the Dogma special edition. However, news has come from View Askew that there will actually be two releases of the film on DVD, and we got subsequent confirmation on this as well. The first will street with the VHS in May and be pretty much movie-only. However, the real goodies for fans of the film will come around next October when the special edition is released. If what I'm hearing is any indication, it will be worth the wait and since consumers are being alerted to it early, I don't mind waiting. If you just want the film, you can get it May, or be patient for the SE next fall. Watch this space for more info as it arrives...

New Line : Coming on 5/23 from New Line will be another of their more highly-requested catalog titles, Keith Gordon's Mother 'Night. The disc will feature anamorphic and full frame versions, a new 5.1 sound mix and cast bios and the trailer. Retail will be $24.95.

Anchor Bay : The folks over at AB have sent along some news of their most recent acquisitions, and there are more intriguing titles in there (I must say, Anchor Bay has very unique but cool tastes!). The five newest acquired titles for eventual DVD release are Parasite, The Shooting Party, Goodbye Emmanuelle, The Being and Hiding Out. Really varied stuff!

Also, in a move I'd like to see more of, Anchor Bay is asking for consumer input, and have a new survey up. I think it is great when companies actively try and connect with consumers to find out what they want. So spend a few minutes and take their survey and let them know what you think!

February 16 : DreamWorks launches GalaxyQuest; updates on Legend, Invasion America, The Exorcist and more

After yesterday's big update, hopefully today won't seem anticlimactic!

DreamWorks : Though it got off to a slow start, DreamWorks' GalaxyQuest built up speed fast and garnered very good word of mouth. I missed this one in the theaters, but am really looking forward to catching up with it on DVD. It will arrive on 5/2 and be a Signature Series $26.95 title, and is sure to be as great as previous DreamWorks special editions. Disc specs are still a bit limited, but it will feature an anamorphic transfer and English 5.1 mix, an audio commentary, a making-of feature, trailer and the usual production notes and bios. Expect full details soon.

Updates & Corrections : Speaking of DreamWorks, I've gotten a fair amount of email wondering what ever happened to the Invasion America animated set rumored to be in production last year. The most recent info I received just recently is that the set is no longer on the schedule, though that doesn't mean it won't ever come out. But, for now it is simply MIA.

Another new tidbit has surfaced regarding the hotly-anticipated Legend special edition from Universal. In addition to the new cut of the film, it will feature the Jerry Goldsmith score and not the "Americanized" Tangerine Dream one. No set date for this disc yet, though according to Universal it won't be until the second half of 2000 at the earliest. Can't wait!

Also on the radar is the longer cut of The Exorcist bandied about for a while now. I certainly got a good amount of email asking me whatever happened to the "William Peter Blatty cut" of The Exorcist that William Friedkin talked about here last year. Well, now Fandom has some new information on the rerelease, which looks to happen this fall. Personally, I hate most of the footage that was cut and will be sticking with the current version. And that original ending...bleech! I think Friedkin had the right idea cutting it out in the first place...

Finally, a couple of corrections to yesterday's post. The Interview With The Vampire "featurette" is actually a newly-produced full-length documentary. Sounds cool, and the wrong info was just my input error. Second, thanks to all who emailed about Jagged Edge, which was indeed letterboxed on the previous Columbia laserdisc (now out of print). Ooops.