By Peter M. Bracke

Columbia : Ahhhh, it is about time! As the Spielberg DVD train rumbles onward, some very highly anticipated news has finally come on one of the biggest Spielberg-request titles, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Though Columbia is remaining mum on specifics, we've finally heard from both them and a Spielberg representative via Amblin that the film is a go and in production for DVD this year.

However, that is it...no details on content nor a definitive date, other than that it will be the "Special Special Edition" cut that was on the most recent deluxe laserdisc and VHS releases (I think that makes the third edit of the film released.) I'd assume the arrival date for this would be late 2000, but no matter, I'm excited. Though we can hope for a big set like Columbia's terrific Men In Black discs due in September, even if they just port over the laserdisc supplements, I'd be happy. We hope to get some printable quotes from Amblin soon on Spielberg titles in general, so need I say stay tuned for more?

Anchor Bay : Has some cool new finalized specs and dates for some of their spring titles due 4/11.

First up is a special edition of The Abominable Snowman, which features an 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer and English 1.0 track, as well as an audio commentary by Director Val Guest and Writer Nigel Kneale, the "World of Hammer" episode "Peter Cushing" and the trailer. Retail is $29.95.

Also due is X: The Unknown, William Friedkin's Good Times (starring Sonny & Cher!), and Four-Sided Triangle, which are 1.85:1 non-anamorphic widescreen and feature trailers. Price is $29.95 except for Good Times, which is $24.95.

Finally on 4/11, look for Quatermass 2 with an audio commentary by director Val Guest, writer Nigel Kneale & Marcus Hearn, co-author of "The Hammer Story" and the trailer. The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 full frame and 1.0 mono soundtrack. Price is $29.95.

Last but not least, on 5/23 comes Mario Bava's Shock, which is 1.85:1 anamorphic and includes the trailer, cast bios and an audio commentary by assistant director Lamberto Bava, Price is $29.95.

Trimark : Our friends at the "big T" have some interesting new titles on the way for spring. Coming on 5/16 is a box set of seven classic Hercules films from the 1960's: Hercules Vs. Moloch, Sons of Hercules Vs. Medusa, Hercules Vs. The Hydra, Hercules Vs. The Sons of the Sun, The Triumph of Hercules, Lion of Thebes, and The Trojan Horse. All are 1.33:1 and mono, and there are no special features. With a retail price of $34.95 for the whole set (!), I just hope that quality isn't being sacrificed. I'll cross my fingers for you Hercules fans.

Following on 5/23 is Hide & Seek, which features Daryl Hannah, Jennifer Tilly and Vincent Gallo in the cast! This sounds interesting, to say the least! The disc is full frame and 2.0 stereo, and price is $24.95.

Finally, in what is one of those head-scratchers where I just go "how did Trimark end up with this one?" is the 1988 camp classic Rent-A-Cop with Burt Reynolds and Liza Minelli. Unfortunately, Trimark failed to realize the massive demand for this one, and there won't be any double-disc special edition. Rats. Anyway, the disc features a full frame transfer and 2.0 stereo mix, and the trailer. Retail is $24.95.

March 14 : New Criterion David Lean disc; updates on Pocahontas, Jurassic Park and Supergirl

Criterion : Has just announced their fourth DVD release of a David Lean classic, Brief Encounter, the director's adaptation of Noel Coward's play "Still Life." The disc will feature a new transfer in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, an audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and the original theatrical trailer. Street is 5/16 and price is $39.95.

Brief Tidbits : Just a few updates on some big email-getters. First, we heard back from Buena Vista and the upcoming editions of Pocahontas will not be anamorphic, but will be 1.66:1 widescreen. The special edition and movie-only will both premiere on the same day (6/6), thought he later will feature two music videos, a sing-along and trailer. Price for the movie-only is $29.95, and the price for the two-disc SE is not yet available, but will most likely be $39.95. Stay tuned.

Also, we've gotten a fair amount of email on a recent report on Video Store Magazine on the upcoming Jurassic Park DVD due this fall from Universal. They had some good features listed as being considered, such as a commentary with Director Steven Spielberg and storyboard-to-screen comparisons and more. Certainly, we're excited about these possibilities ourselves, but a reply from Universal on any features for Jurassic Park explained that those possibilities are just some ideas that may or may not be able to be produced, but as of now nothing has actually been done. I'm crossing my fingers, would be great to have a Spielberg commentary track!

Finally, a some changes have been sent to us from Anchor Bay regarding the content of their Supergirl DVD. There has been a change to Helen Slater's contribution to the disc. She will not longer be featured on the commentary, but will provide a video introduction, very similar to the kind Fairuza Balk did for Anchor Bay's Return To Oz. The set is still going to be great, and Director Jeannot Schwarz will provide the commentary.

March 13 : New Columbia announcements

Columbia : Has a few new May title announcements today, including one particularly long-awaited classic and a critical and cult favorite.

First up on 5/9 is the 1981 comedy Hollywood Knights, a title I forgot to add in my last Columbia update. It features a new 5.1 surround mix as well as 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame transfers. Extras include an audio commentary with director Floyd Mutrux, production notes and the trailer. Retail is $24.95.

Also due on 5/9 is the next in Columbia's The Three Stooges collections, All The World's A Stooge. Featuring 180 minutes of Stooge classics, the disc is 1.0 mono and in the original full frame aspect ratio. Retail for the collection is $24.95.

Also coming in May is American Movie, the very engaging documentary about a pair of independent would-be filmmakers on a quest to make a movie. The $27.95 disc is presented in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and 2.0 stereo track, along with extras still to be announced. Street date is 5/23.

Also due on that date is the Ashley Judd and Ewan McGregor "thriller" Eye Of The Beholder. The disc features 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and full frame transfers, a 5.1 mix, talent files, production notes and the trailer. Retail is $24.95.

Finally on 5/23 is perhaps the most exciting of the bunch, the long-awaited special edition of The Guns Of Navarone. The film has received a nice new 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and English 5.1 remix, and includes plenty of extras. Look for "A Message from Carl Foreman," an audio commentary by director J. Lee Thompson, the new Sharpline Arts documentary on the film "Memories Of Navarone," four original featurettes, talent files, production notes and the theatrical trailer. All this and the disc will only set you back $24.95.

Finally, just a note on my recent Studio Day report and a mention I made there on the upcoming Luc Besson DVDs due from Columbia (which I'm told will arrive this summer, around July). I mentioned that the discs would not have any new special features, and that may have been misconstrued by some of you (it should have been better written on my part, to be honest). Though The Messenger, for example, will have extras like the isolated score, the HBO First Look featurette, the trailer, etc., what I was trying to say in my update was that along with The Big Blue and Leon, there would be no newly-produced features specific to the DVDs (such as commentaries, making-of footage or documentaries, etc.).

The discs will also include the longer respective cuts, so not to worry. However, Mr. Besson will not be contributing to any new special features for these discs, nor will there be a new edition of The Fifth Element. We'll try to find out exactly why if we can...watch for a future update!

March 10 through 12 : Indie update

Indie Stuff : Capping up a rather slow week after Studio Day, just a few announcements for the week...

Perhaps the biggest news of the week comes from EMI, who is (finally) releasing a newly-remastered and remixed version of John Lennon Imagine, under the care of Yoko Ono. It will be 5.1 and full frame, and run 100 minutes. Retail is only $24.95. Should be good!

Avalanche will be releasing the horror thriller Believe on 4/4. It is full frame and English 2.0 with no extras and a price tag of $24.95.

Then on 3/28, Monarch delivers Luke Perry and James Belushi (!) in Florentine, which is also full frame and 2.0, though retail is a bit less at $19.95.

Newcomer Focus Film will be releasing the William Holden classic Our Town in a newly restored version. Supplements include the original Lux Radio Theater version of the play, and a trio of 1930 classic shorts featuring the work of production designeroWilliam Cameron Menzies, entitled "Hungarian Rhapsody," "Zampa" and "Wizard's Appentice." The disc retails for $29.95.

Columbia : Just a single new announcement from Columbia today. Though it is not particularly a surprise, the full Dogma details have come in, and the $24.95 disc is due on 5/2. This is the bare-bones edition, with a full-on special edition expected next fall. This slim edition will have the 130-miute theatrical cut in both full frame and anamorphic widescreen on a double-sided disc (guess they are really pushin' that bit rate with this one), with no features of note aside from production notes and the trailer. For more info on the special edition, check out our interview with View Askew's Vincent Pereira.

March 8 : Artisan May titles

Guess with all the Studio Day activity, there is some sort of ban on new release news...kinda a slow week for new announcements. In any case, Artisan has some new stuff...

Artisan : Has a few new spring titles on the way. First, on 4/11 comes Ice-T in Judgment Day, which is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 surround, and also includes the trailer and "asteroid and comet facts." Alson on that day is the foreign film Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker which is 2.0 surround and 4:3 full frame with no extras.

Coming on 5/16 is the Sam Elliot and Susan "I am not a Partridge!" Dey in Blue River. The featureless disc is in 2.0 surround and 4:3 full frame only. Also full frame only and 2.0 surround is Partners In Crime, a comedy I've never heard of. No extra features of note on this one except the trailer and cast bios. The last full frame only extravaganza is the 1995 Anne Heche drama Wild Side, which also is featureless and in 2.0. Finally, the only widescreen title of the bunch is the comedy Breaks, which is 5.1 surround, 1.85:1 anamorphic and features cast bios and the trailer.

All of the above titles are $24.95 retail, except for Judgment Day which is $29.95.

March 7 : BBC and Fox part ways; Universal finally supporting music video on DVD?

BBC Goes It Alone : After a nearly 15-year partnership, we've received word from BBC and 20th Century Fox Home Video that they have decided to part ways for the U.S. distribution of BBC product. While the number of BBC titles released on DVD by Fox has been very small (limited mainly to the Wallace & Gromit collection released last fall), expect a much stronger slate to arrive from the BBC by fall. Though sources say the BBC will most likely go it alone for U.S. distribution, no formal statement has been made, nor what titles to expect. Given the success independents like A&E have had on DVD with collector's titles like MONTY PYTHON and THE AVENGERS, let's hope the BBC finds similar success with their library, including such series as DR. WHO. We'll keep you posted if any exciting developments come in...

Universal Music Titles? Well, it is about damn time! You long-time readers may recall I've been continually perturbed by Universal Music's lack of DVD support, as they haven't supported the format at all nor release any titles. Now, finally, they've released their first music title on DVD, a Shania Twain compilation (hey, it is start). Hopefully it will lead to more titles to come.

Why the reluctance, after over three successful years on the market, to support DVD? All my past correspondence with them has resulted in vague at best answers, so the sudden change of heart is anyone's guess. Universal currently owns a huge music library, including the recent acquisition of some of the Polygram library (including titles by groups such as U2) and Interscope (home to Marily Manson, amongst others), so a strong showing from them would be great for music video on DVD. I can only hope they'll start to support the format on the same level as a Sony or a Warner Reprise. I'm crossing my fingers that Ms. Twain is the start of something good. (By the way, many previous Universal music titles, such as The Doors and Lord Of The Dance, are actually through Universal Home Video, not the Universal Music...)

March 6 : Studio Day news; American Beauty a spring no-show

Studio Day : While there are no new announcements today, if you missed our Studio Day 2000 report this past weekend, you can get your fill of all that is new and coming to DVD anyway. Certainly there was plenty of exciting developments at the show, so definitely give it a read if you didn't catch it this weekend.

DreamWorks : Well, I can hear the sighs now from you American Beauty fans out there (and I'm one of 'em). Though the film will debut on VHS at rental pricing this May, the DVD will be held off release to coincide with the sell-through videotape this fall. While on the surface it may seem to be some sort of nefarious plot or attempt to prevent the "cannibalization" of VHS rental revenue by the DVD, in actuality I'm told it is mainly due to the accumulation of supplements. Given the success of DreamWorks' Saving Private Ryan last fall, which also was held off of DVD until the sell-through VHS tape arrived, it is not that surprising that rather than rush and release a movie-only DVD day & date, DreamWorks decided to add supplements and just hold off and time it with the sell-through. Hopefully after all this wait, though, the old adage "good things come to those who wait" will ring true. (And while a press release will be issued for American Beauty, it won't be posted here since it is VHS only anyway...)

March 3 through 5: Let's do the time warp again; Universal price drops; Image update

Fox : When I read the info on this, I had to admit I couldn't believe it has been 25 years since The Rocky Horror Picture Show first time-warped its way to the silver screen. Though just a brief blurb on the Fox web site, an email to Fox confirms that a 25th Anniversary Edition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show DVD and VHS will arrive this October. No word at all on features, but hopefully some more info will surface at Studio Day tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the Fox Rocky Horror contest at their web site.

Image : The Image Entertainment site has a big new update on their upcoming May titles, including some good classics and cult gems. Watch for the surfer classic Endless Summer, The Fantasy Worlds Of Irwin Allen, The Gay Deceivers, a special edition of Charlie Chaplin's Gold Rush, Herschell Gordon Lewis' The Gore Gore Girls, Les Vampires, Lisa & The Devil, and the wonderful Visions Of Light documentary. Also coming are some music titles including discs by Nancy Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer , Pet Shop Boys and Peter Frampton, as well as more Twilight Zone episodes. Check out the Image site for the full specs and complete title list.

Universal : Has sent along some info on some price drops as part of their "Coming Of Age" promotion. Four DVD titles will be newly repriced to support the program. American Pie (both versions) will be lowered a couple of bucks to $24.95, while the Mallrats, American Graffiti and Animal House Collectors Edition will all drop from $34.95 to $29.95. These are all truly great discs, so if you haven't picked them up already, now you can do so at even a lower price.

Coming Real Soon? I heard from DreamWorks that the press release for American Beauty would be coming, but it still hasn't shown up...sigh! Man, I'm waiting...impatiently. Of course post when something arrives...

March 1 and 2 : New Columbia announcements; New Line debuts Tumbleweeds

Columbia : Has set a few new catalog titles for May release. First up on 5/2 is the "dramedy" Things Change, with anamorphic and full screen versions, a mono soundtrack and the trailer.

Then on 5/9 comes the indie release The Myth Of Fingerprints, which is notable for the first big screen role for ER's Noah Wyle. The disc is in anamorphic widescreen only with a 2.0 stereo track, talent files and an audio commentary by Director Bart Freundlich and Cinematographer Stephen Kazmierski. Also on 5/9 is Dennis Miller Live From Washington, which is in its original full screen aspect ratio, English 2.0 Stereo and with English, French and Spanish subtitles.

A week later on 5/16 comes the Sally Field romantic comedy Murphy's Romance. The disc contains anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, an English mono soundtrack, the trailer and the usual bevy of Columbia subtitles in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai.

Finally, also on 5/16 is the day & date with VHS release of The End Of The Affair. This disc is feature-packed, and in addition to widescreen anamorphic and full screen transfers and a English 5.1 track, it includes an audio commentary by director Neil Jordan and Julianne Moore, a making-of featurette, the isolated music score in 5.1 and talent files. All of the above titles are $24.95 except The End Of The Affair, which is $27.95.

New Line : Has set a 4/11 date for the critically acclaimed (and perhaps Oscar-winning) drama Tumbleweeds. The $24.95 disc features anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions on a dual-layer disc, an audio commentary with Director Gavin O'Connor, the complete script accessible through DVD-ROM drives, cast bios and the trailer. This overlooked movie was a small gem I thought, so check it out when it comes to DVD.

Coming Real Soon: The press release for DreamWorks' American Beauty is due today, so stay tuned!