DVDFILE.COM: DVD-Video Release News - Archive for May 22 through 31, 2000

disc news

Archived updates

By Peter M. Bracke

May 31 : New DREAMWORKS DTS news and COLUMBIA price reductions

DREAMWORKS adds DTS version of THE HAUNTING

We've been waiting for this one for a while, but the DTS version of DreamWork's THE HAUNTING has been set for a 8/29 debut, complete with all the same features as the previous Dolby Digital Signature Series edition. In addition to the 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, expect the 30-minute making-of, cast bios, production notes and the teaser and trailer. But most noteworthy is that the 768kbps DTS track will be the first discreet 6.1 DTS ES soundtrack released on DVD. While previous DTS ES-enabled titles like THE BONE COLLECTOR feature a rear center channel matrixed in the 5.1 track, this will be true 6.1 channels. Yet, DreamWorks says it will remain compatible with current DTS encoders. How this works, I do not yet know, as this is all the info I received. We'll try to figure it out, and retail is only $24.95.

Also, many have asked about a DTS version of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT that was hinted at during Studio Day last year, but as of now DreamWorks has no information on any DTS plans for the title. Stay tuned...

CRITERION gets into the groove

I read a cool article in this week's Video Store Magazine I thought you'd all be interested in. Looks like The Criterion Collection is not just for movies anymore...Video Store had an interview with CEO Peter Becker, who announced Criterion's first DVD music video title, a BEASTIE BOYS 2-disc set that will boast 55 musical tracks, 18 music videos and four hours total of video footage. There is no set date, but it sounds pretty dang cool!

"It's a huge, groundbreaking project for us" Becker was quoted as saying, and he also had some interesting comments to say about music video in general. "The golden age of music videos is over," he said, adding, "These days, MTV is more interested in original shows." I must admit, I agree. I turn on the station now, and I see everything but videos. But, hopefully with companies like Criterion doing such extensive music video programming on DVD, they'll be able to pick up where MTV long ago left off. (If you are interested in the whole article, check out the May 28-June3 issue of Video Store, pg. 10, on select newsstands now.)

May 30 : New MGM and UNIVERSAL release news

MGM blasts off with SUPERNOVA this August

After months and months of bad prerelease hype, MGM's sci-fi adventure SUPERNOVA arrived in theaters last January, but unlike a real supernova, came and went without causing much of an explosion. However, if you followed the controversy, you may know that the original cut of the film was much longer, and actually featured a supernova in the climax, which was edited out entirely of the final release cut! Kinda strange for a movie called SUPERNOVA, don't you think? Director Walter Hill had his director credit removed from the film early on and replaced with the pseudonym "Thomas Lee" (smart thinkin'), and taking out the actual supernova couldn't save it...

Anyway, MGM has set a 8/22 date for the DVD release for SUPERNOVA, including a minute of extra footage in a new R-Rated cut of the film. There will also be 20 additional minutes of cut scenes as a supplement, as well as the theatrical trailer and a collectible booklet. The disc is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with English and French 5.1 tracks, and retail is $26.95, a couple of bucks more than MGM's usual $24.95 price point.

More on SPINAL TAP DVD reissue

After the initial sales announcement and yesterday's press release on the new THIS IS SPINAL TAP special edition DVD due in September from MGM, they have set up a new web site with all the cool info as well. We contacted MGM a week or so and they did say the DVD will feature a new anamorphic transfer, along with the new commentary with the three SPINAL TAP members in character, deleted scenes and more. Should be a cool disc!

More UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTER titles and 8-pack collection

Universal has issued an early press release for their big Universal Is Halloween promotion this fall, though in all honesty I'm not sure what the title "Universal Is Halloween" actually means! Anyway, They will be releasing for four more Classic Monster Collection titles, including ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and THE INVISIBLE MAN. All that is known right now is that each will be $29.95 and will be a collector's edition title, so if the previous DVDs released under the Classic Monsters banner are any indication, they should be great. There will also be a CLASSIC MONSTERS 8-PACK released as well, containing the above four titles plus the previously released Classic Monsters DVDs THE MUMMY, DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN and THE WOLFMAN. Retail will be $199.95 for the set. Check out the details for the promotion known so far via the press release. It is certainly shaping up to be a "ooh, so scary!" Halloween this year for DVD!

May 29 : New TOP PICK contest

New TOP PICK contest

While there is no release news today, we do have a new TOP PICK contest up for the week, with CONAN THE BARBARIAN the prize for the week. It is a really great disc, so check it out for you chance to win! And congrats goes out to last week's winner Will Frasier of Dallas, Texas, who won a copy of Paramount's SLEEPY HOLLOW.

May 26 through 28 : WARNER adds THE BIG TEASE for July; FOX title updates; this week's INDIE WRAPUP

WARNER 'TEASE's this July

Warner has just announced the arrival of a comedy I've quite honestly never heard of, THE BIG TEASE, which the press release describes as "Braveheart with a blow-dryer"! This, I gotta see. The $24.95 disc includes a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital mix and the trailer. Street date 8/11.

"It's all for you, Damien, it's all for you!"

Fox has sent us along the final details for that THE OMEN COLLECTION set due 9/5, and it looks like a pretty dang cool set of discs. In addition to the anamorphic transfers on the first three movies, each will also have an audio commentary track: the first with Director Richard Donner, the second with Producer Harvey Bernhard, and the third with Director Graham Baker. The first disc will also include a new documentary on The Making Of THE OMEN, though it will not have the isolated score that was on the previous laserdisc release. However, perhaps to compensate, a new interview with Composer Jerry Goldsmith will be included. As for the price, admittedly the $99.95 tag for the collection, which also includes OMEN IV (in full frame and featureless) seems a bit steep, especially when you consider that you can buy the first three movies separately for cheaper, and other Fox sets (such as THE ALIEN LEGACY or the PLANET OF THE APES sets) all give you more for the same price. Oh, well, at least the transfers and features look really great.

This Week's INDIE WRAPUP

Time once again for the latest and greatest from the world of independent DVD. The list is a bit smaller this week, but still some good stuff in there...

First up, from Sterling are a couple of new 7/4 titles, ONEGIN and BLOWBACK (sounds like a porno to me.) The former is the next in the Millennium Series collection, and includes an anamorphic widescreen transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, 2 audio commentaries (one with director Martha Fiennes and actor Ralph Fiennes, the second with Producers Ileen Maisel and Simon Bosanquet), 4 making-of featurettes, a behind-the-scenes montage, still gallery, trailers and cast & crew biographies. The later is full frame and 2.0 surround and includes no notable extra features aside fro the trailers. Retail is $29.95 for the ONEGIN, and $24.95 for BLOWBACK.

Then, due on 8/22 from Pioneer are a couple of new anime titles, TENCHI UNIVERSE COLLECTION: TENCHI MUYO ON EARTH 3 and SOL BIANCA: THE LEGACY - SEPARATION. Both are $29.95, full frame and feature English dub and the original Japanese language tracks.

Coming from A-Pix on 7/11 is a special edition of 4TH FLOOR, a thriller starring Juliette Lewis, William Hurt and Shelley Duvall(!) The disc includes a 1.85:1 non-anamorphic transfer, 5.0 sound mix and an audio commentary by director Josh Klausner and an alternate ending. Retail is $24.95.

Finally, from Vanguard on 7/25 comes a quartet of full frame and 2.0 titles. Watch for DEATH WINDS, HEIGHT OF THE SKY, LONG WAY HOME and PRODIGY. All are $29.95, with all but LONG WAY HOME featuring trailers.

May 26 through 28 : WARNER adds THE BIG TEASE for July; FOX title updates; this week's INDIE WRAPUP

WARNER 'TEASE's this July

"It's all for you, Damien, it's all for you!"

This Week's INDIE WRAPUP

Time once again for the latest and greatest from the world of independent DVD. The list is a bit smaller this week, but still some good stuff in there...

May 25 : ANCHOR BAY's July slate; new BMG spring announcements; a note on PLANET OF THE APES

ANCHOR BAY's July slate

The final features and street dates have come in for Anchor Bay's July lineup, and another great batch of cult fun.

Coming on 7/11 is the 1972 version of BLUEBEARD, THE BAT, MUMMY'S SHROUD, SPIRAL STAIRCASE, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN, 1966's THE WITCHES, X THE UNKNOWN, DEVIL RAN OUT and the incomparable SLEEPAWAY CAMP, along with ILSA HAREM KEEPER OF THE OIL SHEIKS, ILSA SHE WOLF OF THE SS and ILSA THE WICKED WARDEN. All feature anamorphic widescreen transfers and trailers except for SPIRAL STAIRCASE and X THE UNKNOWN which are in their original full frame dimensions, and DEVIL RAN OUT which is 1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen. SLEEPAWAY CAMP also includes an audio commentary with director Robert Hiltzik and a still gallery (!). Retail for each is $24.95, except the ILSA series and THE BAT which are $29.95 each.

Then due on 7/25 is RUCKUS, THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, SUPERGIRL (features already announced) and a single-disc version of the ARMY OF DARKNESS DIRECTOR'S CUT. This disc was previously only available in a limited-edition 2-disc set along with the original theatrical cut. This single disc will retail for $24.95 and is not a limited edition...it will remain on the shelf along with the theatrical cut for the foreseeable future.

BMG spring and summer announcements

Two new announcements have come in from BMG, and quite an interesting couple of titles they are. First up is a bit of a surprise, MY SO CALLED LIFE VOLUME 1. The $14.95 disc includes the first three episodes ("The Pilot," "Dancing in the Dark" and "Guns and Gossip") and is full frame and 2.0 surround. While there have been no announcement for further volumes in the series, having the number "1" in the title is a good sign that there will be more...?

Then on 6/20 comes EURYTHMICS: PEACE TOUR, which includes a full live concert taped last December, as well as a 60-minute documentary on the making of the "Peace" album, five music videos, a discography and multi-angles on 3 songs. A very cool-sounding disc, and retail is only $24.95.

A note on PLANET OF THE APES

Just an update on our post yesterday regarding the PLANET OF THE APES collection due in August. We contacted PR, and were told that the discs would be available separately. However, we received a follow-up call from Fox that though the discs will be made available "eventually," the 8/15 release will be a limited edition set of the five films plus the sixth disc only. When all the films are made available separately will have to remain a mystery for now. By the way, the same doesn't go for THE OMEN set...those will still be available separately as well as in a box set.

May 24 : PLANET OF THE APES and other FOX announcements; New DISNEY news; T2 gets a price

New Fox late summer announcements

Some cool new Fox sales information has been announced for some eagerly-awaited titles. First up on 8/15 is PLANET OF THE APES: THE EVOLUTION, a set of the five APES films, all in 2.35:1 non-anamorphic widescreen and THX-Certified and trailers, with the first PLANET OF THE APES in 5.1, with the rest in 2.0 stereo. The complete set will be available for a reasonable $99.95, and includes a sixth disc with the 1998 documentary "Behind The Planet Of The Apes" and a collectible booklet.

Then, on 8/29 comes a two-disc set of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, which features a new anamorphic transfer from a high-def master, though no other features are yet available. Retail is set at $29.95...

Coming on 9/5 comes THE OMEN COLLECTION, featuring THE OMEN, DAMIEN: OMEN II and THE FINAL CONFLICT (each is also available separately for $29.95), while the set includes OMEN IV as well (which is not available outside of the box set.) While this collection includes two fewer discs than the APES set, the retail price is also $99.95. However, the first three are anamorphic widescreen (OMEN IV is in its original TV aspect ratio of 4:3), so I guess the quality should be better? Expect any additional features to be announced for these titles when the full press release arrives in a few weeks.

Finally, the anticipated 11/7 bow of THE X-FILES SEASON TWO COLLECTION has been confirmed, and the set will retail for $149.95 and contain...the entire season two of THE X-FILES! Damn, I'm smart. The episodes are in full frame and 2.0 surround, and extras include the Chris Carter interviews that appeared on the VHS tapes, the next segment of the documentary (part one of which you will remember from the SEASON ONE set), as well as TV spots and commercials. Expect similar packaging, 4 episodes per disc and a 7th disc with the supplements.

Disney's NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS to debut this September

While the previous movie-only disc of Tim Burton's A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS was largely disappointing to fans as it lacked the extras of the laserdisc, Disney will be rectifying that situation with the debut of a new special edition on 9/15. The $39.95 set will feature a 1.66:1 widescreen transfer (no info on whether it is anamorphic, but stay tuned), an "updated" version of the documentary that appeared on the laserdisc (hmmmm), an audio commentary by director Henry Selick and cinematographer Pete Kozachik, a still gallery with production artwork, character concepts and design tests, four deleted scenes, and animated shorts by Selick and Tim Burton, including FRANKENWEENIE. Also debuting that day is JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, which will be widescreen and $29.95, and include the trailer. Both are in 5.1 Surround.

T2 ULTIMATE EDITION finally gets a price

To add to the already impressive list of features on the upcoming T2 ULTIMATE EDITION due 8/29 from Artisan, the DVD-18 will retail for a nice-price of $39.95. Quite frankly, I think that is a terrific price for all you get, though I wonder if they're going to lower the price of the movie-only from $34.95 to something lower. No matter, I know we all just want the ULTIMATE EDITION anyway. Can't wait!

May 23 : New MIRAMAX/DIMENSION August titles;

New MIRAMAX/DIMENSION August titles

Four new Miramax announcements have come in for August for some new day & date titles. But first a quick note on Buena Vista's press release methodology, which seems to be changing a bit recently. As you are probably aware, Buena Vista Home Entertainment distributes product for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Dimension. However,r lately the press releases for these different companies seem to be coming in separately and not just in one big batch, so most likely future announcements here will be separate as well.

Anyway, coming on 8/8 are REINDEER GAMES, Kate Winslet in HOLY SMOKE!, and the comedy JERRY AND TOM. Then, a week later sees the arrival of Jet Li in THE DEFENDER. All are anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Surround, and include trailers. Retail is $29.95 each.

Then on 8/22 from Disney comes the box office hit THE TIGGER MOVIE (click for the press release.) The $29.95 disc is full frame and 5.1, and features a storybook, trivia game, sing-along songs, a "Build-Your-Own-Family-Tree" Game, and behind-the-scenes interviews with the Sherman Brothers and vocalist Jim Cummings. You gotta love Pooh!

A little bit of TREK talk

We've gotten some emails lately on the growing buzz surround the final TREK big-screen adventure not yet available on DVD, STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE, as well as rumors that all 9 TREK films will eventually be recut and reissued on DVD in the future. Some word has come from Paramount Home Video on the matter, and the news is...sort of accurate.

If you've been following the TREK DVD saga, you might recall that Paramount Home Video VP Jeffrey Radoycis stated in a live chat last year that the TREK films may be revisited in the future as special editions, though at the time it was still a way off. As of today, according to Paramount Home Video Head of PR Martin Blythe, that remains true. " It is possible that eventually Paramount may reissue the feature films as Special Editions -- we would always want to retain that option -- but that would be a long long time away and they are not on any long range schedule. Aside from Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, there is currently no activity on the other movies." While the films will most likely be revisited sometime in the future as special editions, the buzz that all 9 films will be "recut" is false. Except...

The only solid news we do know is that STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE will be recut per Director Robert Wise's supervision for a DVD edition sometime in the future. That is the only TREK film currently getting any sort of special edition consideration, and there is no set date yet. I expect we'll see special editions of all the TREK films someday, but for now it seems like THE MOTION PICTURE is the one to anticipate. Stay tuned as any more info comes in...

A note on WARNER DTS titles

In our reviews of the Warner remastered titles INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, TWISTER, and the LETHAL WEAPON TRILOGY we made comments about all five of the titles being encoded 4dB higher than reference. While that is not totally untrue, it should have been worded differently. In fact, all five titles are mastered at 0dB, the same as the DTS tracks. What should have been made clear was that in Dolby Digital decoders that contain dialog normalization compensation, a 4dB boost is applied to the Dolby Digital tracks. This indeed puts them 4dB higher than reference level and the DTS tracks. On decoders with defeatable or no dialog normalization, the tracks will play at reference. We apologize for the confusion, and the reviews have been updated with the information.

Also, in our review for INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, we mistakenly neglected to mention that documentarian extraordinaire J.M. Kenny produced, wrote and directed the excellent thirty-minute documentary In The Shadow Of The Vampire that is included with the disc. We make special mention of this because we recently decided that from here on out, we'll always credit the Director/Producers behind a documentary when the information is available. We hope all studios begin to accredit the talent responsible for putting these supplements together, and names like J.M. Kenny, Van Ling, Laurent Bouzereau and companies like Sharpline Arts are all becoming real selling points for fans, and we want to make sure we give credit where credit is due.

Buena Vista does it again

Just a quick note on another Buena Vista mislabeling. for last month's FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART II. The back cover says there is a "behind the scenes audio commentary with Steve Martin and Martin Short," which is actually a four-minute interview with Martin by Short on the set of the film. While I suppose there is "audio" in the interview, it is not exactly a true audio commentary. While I'm sure Buena Vista is not hatching a secret plot to make consumers angry, hopefully whomever does the artwork and packaging descriptions over there will reconsider using the word "audio commentary" to describe interviews or featurettes (this happened previously as well on THE INSIDER disc.) Just wanted to let you all know...

May 22 : A trio of new COLUMBIA titles; some CRITERION specs; new ANCHOR BAY updates

New TOP PICK contest

Our latest weekly TOP PICK contest is now up, and the prize is Paramount's SLEEPY HOLLOW special edition. It is a very good disc with a commentary, making-of and still gallery, as well as a terrific transfer and sound mix. Check out the Top Pick box to your right to enter and win, and congrats goes out to last week's winner, Dan Rhodes from Detroit, Michigan, who snagged a copy of 20th Century Fox's BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID. Congrats!

A trio of new COLUMBIA imports

Three new Columbia August title announcements today, for a trio of foreign favorites. On 8/22 comes the oft-delayed FARINELLI along with MIFUNE and NOT ONE LESS. Each disc is 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen except MIFUNE which is full frame only, and each feature 2.0 surround tracks in Italian, Danish and Mandarin, respectively with English subtitles. Retail is $29.95 each.

CRITERION July title specs

A few final details have come in for three Criterion July titles. All three titles feature new digital transfers in their original 1.37:1 aspect ratio and 1.0 mono tracks, along with new English captions. VARIETY LIGHTS, W.C. FIELDS: 6 SHORT FILMS (featuring six shorts: "The Pool Sharks,," "The Golf Specialist," "The Dentist," " The Fatal Glass Of Beer," "the Pharmacist," and "The Barber Shop") and THE BANK DICK are all due on 7/18, and retail for $29.95. No other supplements are included.

New ANCHOR BAY updates

The folks at the Anchor Bay web site have some new details and announcements up for more great cult favorites.

HELLRAISER fans should be pleased to know that our friend of misery and pain Clive Barker has finished commentaries for the discs, and will also be involved in producing some new featurettes. The discs will be available separately or as a limited edition two-disc tin. Also, the ARMY OF DARKNESS Director's Cut will be released separately in July (it was previously only available in a limited-edition 2-disc set with the original version), and watch for THE WICKER MAN in 2001. There are also a bit of street date changes, so check out their site for the full details.

Finally, there are more new announcements due in late 2000 and 2001, including Lamberto Bava's MACABRO as well as Albert De Martino's THE ANTICHRIST (a.k.a. L' Anticristo), the Italian westerns KEOMA, A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL and COMPANAROS, Michael Palin and John Cleese fans should welcome the arrival of A PRIVATE FUNCTION, THE MISSIONARY and PRIVATES ON PARADE, and finally in early 2001, more MOONLIGHTING episodes will arrive. Cool stuff!