By Peter M. Bracke

MARCH 31 : This week's INDIE ROUNDUP

Indie Stuff : After a general lack of new indie updates last week, a few new interesting and varied announcements have come in from the land of independent DVD...

Due from BMG on 5/9 is a special edition (!) of WHITNEY HOUSTON'S GREATEST HITS, which features all of her videos, some making-of footage behind the scenes and rare TV appearances. The disc will also feature a commentary by Ms. H herself, and I can only hope she smokes a few doobies beforehand to make it really interesting, har har. Retail is only $24.95 for the dual-layer disc, and is full frame with a 2.0 stereo mix.

Coming from Pioneer on 6/6 is a variety of special interest titles. Look for COWBOY BEBOP SESSION 2 and SESSION 3, one of the best-selling anime titles ever in Japan, ESCAFLOWNE DRAGONS AND DESTINY (which features interviews with the creators and additional footage) and finally the HAUNTED JUNCTION COLLECTION. All are full frame, 2.0 stereo and $29.95 except Haunted Junction, which is $39.95.

New Horizons will be releasing a variety of new titles this spring. First up on 4/18 is the return of Buck Rogers himself Gil Gerard in MOM, CAN I KEEP HER? and the horror film CORONER, then following on 5/9 are separate R-Rated and Unrated versions of FIRE ON THE AMAZON, SEDUCTION OF INNOCENCE and MOVING TARGET. Then on 6/13 comes the complete ÛWHITE WOLVES series: WHITE WOLVES: A CRY IN THE WILD, WHITE WOLVES 2: LEGEND OF THE WILD and ÛWHITE WOLVES 3: CRY OF THE WHITE WOLF.

Note all of the above are $19.95, down for the usual New Horizons price of $24.95. All the discs are full frame, and 2.0 only.

Finally, Image Entertainment has announced they will be lowering the prices of some of their early Universal licensed releases from $29.95 and $24.95 to $14.95. These titles include Brighton Beach Memoirs, Buck Privates, Buck Privates Come Home, Casual Sex?, The Electric Horseman, Ghost Story, Legal Eagles, Mad Dog And Glory, Matinee, Radioland Murders and Road To Morocco. These new prices will go into effect on 5/2.

MARCH 30 : Tidbits on AMERICAN BEAUTY, GALAXYQUEST and BEING JOHN MALKOVICH

Odds & Ends : Since there really isn't any release news today, it gives me an opportunity to mention just a couple of quick tidbits...

First, check out today's editorial for some interesting news on the delayed AMERICAN BEAUTY disc, and some very curious comments from Director Sam Mendes on his feelings regarding extras like deleted scenes. Definitely a controversy in the making!

Next, we've gotten a fair amount of email regarding the extras and aspect ratio of the upcoming GALAXYQUEST disc due on 5/2. While we've heard that the film was shown in two aspect ratios theatrically (1.85:1 for the earthbound scenes, and 2.35:1 after the crew take off into space), the DVD is entirely in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. Since I'd never seen it in a theater, I can't say for sure what aspect ratio(s) it should be in. Maybe the film was shot Super 35 and then matted to different aspect ratios? In any case, aside form some brief footage from the fictional show-within-a-show that is presented "windowboxed" to 1.33:1 in the 2.35:1 frame, the disc is entirely 2.35:1. Also, the roughly 30-minute "mockumentary" that some readers had written in to say they had seen on TV is not on the disc...just a 10-minute featurette. Unless it is really hidden somewhere, we couldn't find it, but the disc is still very good, so check out our review for our full take on it.

Moving on, the full specs have come in for USA's BEING JOHN MALKOVICH DVD. I think this was one of the best films of 1999, and too bad it wasn't nominated for Best Picture. Anyway, it arrives 5/2, and features a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, English 5.1 and 2.0 surround mixes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, interviews with the cast and the trailer. Retail is $24.95.

Also, many have asked us about the STING BRAND NEW DAY DTS CD review we did a few days ago, and why they can't find it on store shelves. Actually, we didn't realize when received a review copy that it was not out yet, and we've been told it has a street date of 4/25. Sorry if we sent any of you on a wild goose chase to find the CD, but you should be able to preorder it online or get it at retail by the end of April.

Speaking of the database, sigh, it is still very glitch and many of the search options (like the one to your right) still don't work. I'm working on it, but it is a bit behind due to the premiere this weekend of our new DVD DRIVE-IN feature, which will allow you to watch trailers for some upcoming DVDs. Watch for that, and thanks for your patience with all the delays. Hopefully the new databases will be done in a couple of weeks (I'm crossing my fingers!)

MARCH 29 : WARNER reissues more MGM titles and adds SPACE JAM SE; New COLUMBIA announcement and more FOX LORBER Director's Series discs

WARNER : Has set a 6/6 date for more reissues of previous MGM releases. You may recall that MGM and Warner terminated their long-term distribution pact last year, and thus some previous MGM titles are now owned by Warner. The 6/6 reissues include BRIGADOON, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. All will be the same discs as the previous versions, but repackaged in the Warner "snapper" case. Retail remains at $24.95.

Also coming from Warner on 7/25 is a special edition of SPACE JAM, a previous version of which was released back in early 1997. Many were disappointed, though, with the old version as it contained meager special features and was full frame only. This new disc will correct that with a new anamorphic widescreen transfer and extensive supplements, but for now only the date and retail price of $24.95 is known. Watch for more details to arrive in the coming weeks.

COLUMBIA : Has announced another new title today, the foreign film THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN which streets 6/13 and retails for $29.95. The disc is anamorphic widescreen only (due to its 161 minute length) and features Mandarin, Chinese and Spanish 2.0 surround tracks and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Also included is an audio commentary with Director Chen Kaige (which I assume is in English, though it is not specified on the press announcement) as well as Talent Files, Production Notes and the Trailer.

FOX LORBER : Finally today, Fox/Lorber has announced a 5/23 arrival date for "Wave 3" of their DIRECTORS SERIES, this time featuring WILLIAM FRIEDKIN, TERRY GILLIAM, LAWRENCE KASDAN and SPIKE LEE. Each disc features retrospectives of the director's work, interviews and clips. Retail is $19.95 each or $79.95 for a 4-pack.

MARCH 28 : CLIFFHANGER details from Columbia; Criterion 2000 update; Universal introduces you to MR. DEATH

COLUMBIA : The long-awaited special edition reissue of the Renny Harlin action-o-rama CLIFFHANGER is due on 6/13, and Columbia has now issued the full details. In addition to an anamorphic widescreen transfer, a English 5.1 and English, Spanish and Portuguese 2.0 surround mixes and a host of subtitle options, the disc includes an introduction from Renny Harlin, the making-of featurettes "Stallone on the Edge" and two on the special effects, audio commentaries by Renny Harlin and Sylvester Stallone and a second commentary by Technical Crew, three deleted scenes also with Harlan commentary, three storyboard-to-screen comparisons, theatrical trailers and two photo galleries, one on the special effects, another with on-location production photos. The disc retails for $29.95 and looks pretty darn good, huh?

CRITERION : A few days ago Criterion released their schedule for 2000, which included many great titles but few hard specs on the discs. But, we received word from Criterion on some long-asked about titles as well as little sneak preview with some updated details on their 2000 schedule.

First up, just to get the two MIA titles out of the way, the CHASING AMY disc will be out this summer with an anamorphic transfer, and despite fears to the contrary, SPARTACUS is still in the pipeline and if you're worried they're going to use the old transfer, don't! No date yet on the horizon for that Kubrick classic, though, but as expected look for the same laserdisc features on the CHASING AMY DVD.

Speaking of anamorphic, Criterion is really supporting it wholeheartedly on widescreen films and look for the following to receive spiffy new transfers from Hi-Def masters in their original aspect ratios, and most featuring the input of the filmmakers: AND GOD CREATED WOMAN (2.35:1, though sadly Director Roger Vadim passed away recently limiting his involvement with the supplements though he did approve the transfer), THE ELEMENT OF CRIME (1.85:1), THE HARDER THEY COME (1.66:1, which includes a new cut of the film and an audio commentary with Director Perry Henzel) and DO THE RIGHT THING (which is a new transfer and features all the laserdisc supplements). Some other films have undergone extensive restoration and attention to detail, including CHILDREN OF PARADISE, IVAN THE TERRIBLE and ALEXANDER NEVSKY, Brian De Palma's SISTERS and THE BLOB (1.85:1 and 1.77:1, and both from their original negatives), BLACK NARCISSUS (1.33), THE RULING CLASS (1.85), GIMME SHELTER (1.33 and the uncensored version), THE BANK DICK (1.33) and SCARLET EMPRESS (1.33).

Looks like a pretty exciting year for fans of The Criterion Collection and classic film. Hope your credit cards have a lot of room left!

UNIVERSAL : Has added another new title to their June slate, an immensely interesting documentary by Errol Morris, MR. DEATH: THE RISE AND FALL OF FRED A. LEUCHTER JR. This $24.95 disc features a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and 2.0 sound mix, production notes and the trailer. Street date is 6/6, and this one is worth checking out for you documentary fans.

MARCH 27 : Quick OSCAR DVD watch; Early Buena Vista June title info; Image sets Dreamscape special edition for June

Oscar Titles : With this year's Academy Awards, only three of the five Best Picture nominees remain unannounced for DVD. While American Beauty is not due until fall, I'm told to expect announcements very soon for The Green Mile and The Hurricane, and The Cider House Rules as well. Stay tuned, I'm sure details will arrive very soon, but in the meantime...

Buena Vista : Has released some early street dates for their June titles on their press site, though full details remain MIA. Look for four new day & date titles in June, including Bicentennial Man and Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo on 6/13, and Play It To The Bone and Twin Warriors on 6/20. Expect the full specs very soon.

Also, two new late additions to the May slate, both due on 5/23. The recent television version of Annie will arrive along with something called Life-Size, which I'm completely unfamiliar with. Annie will be full frame and 2.0 Surround, and both are featureless and run for $29.95.

Image : Well, some of you may not remember this minor cult hit that came out in 1984, a film called Dreamscape. Film buffs might know that it was the film many studios rejected Wes Craven's A Nightmare On Elm Street because of, as they two share similar story ideas. Dreamscape is horror thriller also involving dreams and reality, and was a bit of sleeper upon release.

Anyway, Image has announced a new special edition DVD of the film due 6/6. It features a new 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes, as well as an audio commentary with Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis and Writer David Loughery, a making of featurette, a still gallery and the trailer. Retail is only $24.95.

MARCH 24 through 26 : Columbia announces GIRL INTERRUPTED; MGM June titles and price reduction; DREAMWORKS adds DTS version of GALAXYQUEST

Columbia : Has announced the full details and street date for Girl, Interrupted, the Winona Ryder drama that also features Academy Award nominee Angelina Jolie. The disc arrives 6/6, features an anamorphic widescreen transfer (no full frame version is included due to the film's length) and English 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks. Extra features include an audio commentary with Director James Mangold, deleted scenes also with commentary, an isolated music score with song highlights, the HBO First Look special "The Making Of Girl Interrupted" (very original title, eh?) and talent files. Retail is $27.95. Sounds like another winner from Columbia!

MGM : You know, I've been perplexed by many stories I've read that talk of the raising of DVD price levels and an overall increase in cost to consumers. Quite frankly, I think the opposite is happening as many of the studios have done nothing but lower prices, not raise them, over the past three years since DVD was launched.

Warner, Universal, DreamWorks, Artisan and Columbia (amongst other independents) have all lowered the prices not only on older catalog titles, but also on their general price levels. DreamWorks dropped their signature series line from $34.95 to $29.95, as did Universal, while Columbia pretty much prices everything now from $24.95 to $27.95, down from their original $29.95 price point. And all of these price drops have just been in the past year...one can only expect that prices may drop even further as DVD becomes more and more mainstream.

Now, MGM is joining the fray, introducing a $19.95 MSRP on some of their catalog titles due 6/13, down from their usual $24.95 list. Desperately Seeking Susan (which includes an audio commentary with Director Susan Seidelman and Producers Sarah Pillsbury and Marge Sanford and an alternate ending), the Jeff Bridges and Clint Eastwood buddy comedy Thunderbolt & Lightfoot, The Hot Spot, Married To The Mob, Missing In Action, FX and FX 2: The Art Of Illusion will all be $19.95 and include both widescreen and pan & scan versions (except for The Hot Spot which is widescreen only), 2.0 soundtracks and trailers. No word yet on the anamorphic status of these (it just says "widescreen," grrrr), but we'll try to find out more as soon as we can.

In any event, congratulations to MGM for offering consumers even more value for the price, though I'll cross my fingers over the anamorphic status of these...

DreamWorks : As one of the few studios to be doing relatively consistent DTS releases along with Universal and Image, DreamWorks has announced their next DTS-encoded title, GalaxyQuest, which will debut alongside the separate Dolby Digital release on 5/2. The DTS disc will have all the same features, including the Theremin language option (!), the featurettes and the trailers. Cost is the same, $29.95. Nice to see more equality of support for DTS in terms of day & date availability, pricing and features to give consumers the most choice possible.

MARCH 23 : Tidbits and Updates; lots of new Anchor Bay titles for 2000 and beyond

Anchor Bay : The fine folks over at Anchor Bay have sent along a list of new acquirees and an updated release schedule through the middle of 2001. There are many new cult titles on the way, and you fans of 70's and 80's movies should be in heaven!

Some notable titles coming in 2000 and 2001 are Angel's Egg, The Being, Billy's Holiday, John Carpenter's Black Moon Rising, C.H.U.D., Codename: Wild Geese, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, a remastered version of Crimes of Passion, Alex Cox's Death & The Compass, Death Before Dishonor, Def Con 4 and Elvira Mistress of the Dark.

But wait, there's more...Fata Morgana, Fear City, the camp classic Flowers in the Attic, Girls Just Want To Have Fun (yes!), Heart of Glass, a newly remastered special edition of Heathers, Hell Comes To Frogtown, Hiding Out, Jake Speed, Little Dieter Needs To Fly, Michael Nesmith - Live at the Britt, Midnight Madness and the incomparable Mountaintop Motel Massacre.

Wait, did I say there was more? Murder One, Mystery of Kaspar Hauser, Nattevagten (Nightwatch), Parasite, Pelle the Conqueror, Portrait of Jenny, Reform School Girls, Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2, SpaceCamp(!!), Straight To Hell, Stroszek, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, Timerider, Tuff Turf, Vamp, The Vineyard, Wanted: Dead or Alive and finally Wavelength.

For a complete list of titles, visit Anchor Bay's web site for the full schedule.

Tibbits : Ahhhh...the never-ending saga that is Chasing Amy. When Criterion's 2000 schedule was released just two days ago (see the March 21 releases for the full details), alas Chasing Amy wasn't on there. So, what is the deal with this long-awaited but always frustrating no show? The disc was listed on the Buena Vista press site as coming in April, but has since been removed.

One our readers Michael Olshansky received a short reply back from Criterion's John Mulvaney on the subject: "Criterion does not have a definite release date for 'Chasing Amy' at >present. We hope to have it in stores this summer." Well, short but sweet, and I'll be crossing my fingers we'll see this disc sometime soon!\

Also, a quick update on Fox's new Boys Don't Cry disc. There have been varying reports on if the disc will include an audio commentary track with Director Kimberly Pierce, and the press info did not list it. However, we received an early copy of the disc, and it does indeed have a commentary. Watch for our review real soon of what I thought was one of 1999's best films.

Then, coming on 6/13 we've got early word to look for the Cliffhanger special edition from Columbia, which will be another reissue of previously movie-only edition. This will feature many new extras and cool stuff, so look for the full details to arrive very soon.

MARCH 22 : NEW COLUMBIA JUNE TITLES

Columbia : A trio of new announcements have come in for some early June Columbia titles. All are due on 6/6 and retail for $24.95.

First is The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad, which will be 4:3 full screen and 1.0 mono, and includes three featurettes "Mysterious Island," "Three Worlds of Gulliver" and "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers," as well as a vintage advertising, Talent Files and the original theatrical trailer.

Next up is Angelina Jolie in Foxfire (not to be confused with Clint Eastwood's Firefox), which is 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, 2.0 surround and includes talent files and the trailer.

Finally, the camp classic The Eyes Of Laura Mars disc we've been hearing about for so long finally arrives with an audio commentary with Director Irvin Kershner, the original making-of featurette, some original photography from the film with notes and talent files. There is no trailer on the disc, but the film is in anamorphic widescreen and full frame with a a 1.0 mono soundtrack.

MARCH 21 : CRITERION'S 2000 SLATE; NEWS ON FOX'S FIGHT CLUB

Criterion : The nice folks over at Home Vision, the PR/partial distributor of The Criterion Collection on DVD, have sent over a nice preview of Criterion's 2000 slate of upcoming DVD releases. Best known as the pioneers of the laserdisc special edition, of course, Criterion is continuing that tradition on DVD, and I'm really salivating over some of these upcoming titles...

Due in June are The Bank Dick, the original And God Created Woman (don't worry, this isn't the one with Rebecca DeMornay in it) and a W.C. Fields Collection of six of his short films.

Then in July, watch for the acclaimed documentary Olympia, As well as Children Of Paradise, The Lady Eve, Element Of Crime, Knife In The Water and The Harder They Come.

Following in August is a film that inspired just about every modern blockbuster you can think of, from Star Wars on up, The Hidden Fortress. Also coming is a Universal licensee, Do The Right Thing, which will feature all the great supplements from the laserdisc and more (though the movie-only Universal edition will remain available). Also due is Ivan The Terrible (parts 1 & 2) and a new version of Alexander Nevsky, which was previously issued by Image as a movie-only edition.

Then in September comes (yeah!) Brian De Palma's Sisters, the original The Blob (double yeah!), as well as Kwaidan and Fiend Without A Face.

Following in October is Black Narcissus and The Ruling Class, and in November the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter, Bergman's Cries & Whispers, and The Scarlet Empress. There are no December releases scheduled.

Note that all dates are subject to change, but this is the schedule Home Vision sent off, so it looks to be a good one. I guess, though, this doesn't leave too many future Criterion updates, but of course watch for the full details on each of these discs as they arrive. Finally, as you may have noticed, there is no mention of Kubrick's Spartacus nor Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy, both of which were announced by Criterion as coming soon. Neither are on the schedule, obviously, but we'll try to find out why and if it will ever be coming out. Let's hope!

Fox : If you've been reading the DVD web sites or the trades for Fox news, you've undoubtedly noticed the name Peter Staddon popping up more and more. Mr. Staddon is Fox's senior VP of Marketing at Fox, and has been appreciably talkative as of late, stopping by for a live chat over at the Home Theater Forum, as well as talking to the trades and us sites about Fox's increasingly commitment to high-quality DVD.

Mr. Staddon recently revealed most of the cool details on the upcoming Fight Club disc and the news went out to the trades so expect a press release soon. The $34.95, two-disc set finally has a firm date of 6/6 and looks to be pretty dang cool! The first disc features the film along with four commentary tracks: the first is with Director David Fincher solo; the second with cast members Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter; the third with screenwriters Chuck Palahnuik and Jim Uhls; and the last with the special effects team (participants TBA).

Also included is a way-cool "multi angle" feature that interacts with the commentaries. For various scenes and sequences, you can check out alternate camera angles that weren't used, as well as alternate looks at some stunt sequences. Sweet.

In addition, the second disc will feature deleted scenes and outtakes, making of featurettes and the EPK, as well as a "motion" still gallery that shows, for example, paintings illustrating the construction of sets and storyboards of sequences. There are also trailer's and I'm sure more surprises. The disc will be anamorphic and 5.1. If this is the direction Fox is going in with future releases, than I can't wait to start giving them good reviews!

Paramount : Last but certainly not least, paramount has delivered the final specs for their May titles. Arriving on 5/23 along with Sleepy Hollow, the titles American Gigolo, Franco Zefferelli's Romeo & Juliet and The Firm will all be anamorphic widescreen and include trailers, and The Firm will feature a 5.1 track while Gigolo is 2.0 and Romeo & Juliet 1.0 mono. All are $29.95. (Also, you Richard Gere fans need not fret, that An Officer And A Gentleman disc mentioned here a few weeks back will be out, probably in June or July...)

MARCH 20 : NEW WARNER EXORCIST DISC; DETAILS ON FOX'S ENTRAPMENT; PARAMOUNT UPS SPECIAL EDITION CONTENT

Warner : Alright, okay, I love "director's cuts" and "expanded editions" as much as the next guy, but I sometimes wonder just how many times Warner is going to re-release The Exorcist on DVD. To be fair, the first version was part of the initial 25 format launch titles in early 1997 and was a bit lacking, so it was cool when they released the 25th Anniversary Edition DVD in the fall of 1998.

But of course, in the tradition of the Close Encounters and Blade Runner "director's cuts" which turned out not to be so final, we now have the new theatrical re-release of The Exorcist, complete with 12 minutes of new footage, as well as some added CGI effects (yes, it's true, eeek!) Since it just opened last weekend and is only playing in three smaller markets (Atlanta, Michigan and some other place), I'll have to wait and see it before I make my final determination (I just hope to god it doesn't have that awful "happy" ending that was in the deleted scenes section of the previous DVD).

Anyway, with the new re-release, I wondered like many of you if we'd see a new, third DVD edition of this new cut. In a somewhat rare occurrence, Warner PR was able to divulge that yes, there will definitely be a new DVD of this new cut, though the features and release date have yet to be determined, pending how successful the theatrical re-release turns out to be. Since this additional 12 minutes would take the film to nearly 2 and 1/2 hours, it seems doubtful Warner could fit this new cut and all the extras on the previous DVD on a dual-layer disc. Here's to hoping we get a DVD-18 or double-disc set. Anyway, stay tuned, and if you have one of the previous Warner DVD releases, you may have a collector's item on your hands!

Fox : Though it seemed like the upcoming Entrapment special edition reissue would not arrive until later this spring, a last minute retailer announcement has come out, putting the arrival date of this new deluxe disc for 4/4. This new version bears the input of director Jon Amiel, and includes an audio commentary with the director, deleted scenes, a making of featurette and a new anamorphic transfer. Retail is $34.95, the same as the previous edition which will be discontinued.

Paramount : While the quality of Paramount's transfers and sound mixes has been terrific for almost a year now (the blip of Titanic aside), they haven't really released too many special editions, at least in comparison with some of the other studios. However, judging by the hints that have been dropped as of late and some details that have come may way on their upcoming releases, it looks like Paramount will be adding more and more feature-packed discs to their slate.

Aside from recent titles like The General's Daughter and Runaway Bride, Sleepy Hollow of course will have lots of extras, and that little movie that won an Oscar or something, Braveheart, will also have a nice audio commentary with Mel Gibson. Though originally slated for 6/6, we've been told by Paramount that that date has now been postponed, and retailers should be getting that notice soon. No new date as of yet, but hey, it should be worth the wait, especially with that new anamorphic transfer from a hi-def master and 5.1 mix.

Coming on 6/27 is The Talented Mr. Ripley, which will also feature many extras on par with Sleepy Hollow and The General's Daughter, though as of now only an audio commentary and some making-of footage is know for sure. The $29.95, anamorphic disc should be a winner, though, when the full details arrive soon. Beyond that, Paramount will be adding more features to there discs in the future, and watch for an editorial on the subject tomorrow...

MARCH 17 THROUGH 19 : NEW COLUMBIA SPRING ANNOUNCEMENTS, PIONEER MAY TITLES

Columbia : A trio of new late-in-the-week announcements from Columbia today. First, coming on 5/16 is the original 1955 version of The End Of The Affair, which will feature a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and 2.0 stereo mix, as well as the trailer. There are no extra features on the disc, and list is $24.95.

Then on 5/23 is the next volume of Jim Henson's The Bear In the Big Blue House, Friends. It features three episodes "The Big Sleep," "And To All A Good Night" and "Friends For Life," six sing alongs and a karaoke function. The disc is in its original full frame aspect ratio and 2.0 stereo mix. Price is $24.95.

On 6/6 is Backlash, which is a "suspense thriller" in all honesty I'm not familiar with, but it stars Mrs. Freeling herself JoBeth Williams so it can't be all bad. Unusually for a Columbia theatrical feature, it is full frame only, with a 5.1 and 2.0 tracks and an audio commentary with Director Jack Ersgard and Writer/Actor Patrick Ersgard. Retail is $24.95.

Pioneer : Has a variety of new titles coming in May:

First on 5/16 is Little Feat: Rockpalast Live and Stephen Stills & Manassas Best Of MusikLaden. Both are full frame and 2.0 stereo, with no other extra features. Price for each is $24.95.

Then following on 5/30 is Mozart In Salzburg, which features Hans Graf conducting the classical works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The disc features 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 PCM tracks, and a full frame presentation. Retail is $29.95.

MARCH 16 : "HEADS WILL ROLL" THIS MAY FROM PARAMOUNT; NEW UNIVERSAL MAY TITLES

Paramount : Eeek...it's the Headless Horseman! The full details and press release have finally arrived for the 5/23 bow of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. The disc, in addition to featuring an anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 track, will also include Paramount's strongest set of supplements yet. Included is an audio commentary with Director Tim Burton (guess the Headless Horseman was a no-show), a behind-the-scenes featurette with deleted scenes, additional cast interviews, a still gallery with production photos and artwork, and the trailers. Retail is $29.95.

And look for our visit to the recent Sleepy Hollow commentary track recording and an interview with Tim Burton very soon, probably by Monday...

Universal : Has announced two new day & date special editions for 5/30. Though neither were not the big box office hits expected, they'll probably find a second life on video. First is Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman in Man On The Moon. The disc features 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer and both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks. There is also two making-of featurettes, one a Spotlight On Location, the other on the life of Andy Kaufman. Also look for two R.E.M. music videos, deleted scenes and the usual bevy of production notes, bios and trailers.

Then following is Snow Falling On Cedars, which also features a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 mixes. Additional features include an audio commentary by Director Scott Hicks, two featurettes and deleted scenes and production notes, bios and trailers. Retail for both of the above is $24.95.