By Peter M. Bracke

May 11 through 14 : New COLUMBIA announcements; ANCHOR BAY June slate; two new FOX catalog titles

New COLUMBIA July announcements and street date delays

Two new announcements and street date postponements have come in from Columbia. Due on 7/18 is a double dose of GEORGE CARLIN, JAMMIN' IN NEW YORK and DOIN' IT AGAIN. Both 59-minute specials are on one disc, in full frame and 2.0 surround. Retail is $29.95. Then on 7/25 comes the comedy DROWNING MONA, featuring 1.85:1 anamorphic and full screen versions, a 2.0 surround track, audio commentary with the director and the usual talent files, production notes and trailers. Retail is $24.95.

Also, both THE EYES OF LAURA MARS and the second volume of THE BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE HOUSE have been indefinitely postponed. Stay tuned for new dates when they arrive.

ANCHOR BAY June title slate details

The final specs for Anchor Bay's June slate has been released, and as usual it is quite a mix! Coming on 6/6 are the Roadshow Edition of DUEL IN THE SUN and the Steve Guttenberg thriller THE BEDROOM WINDOW. Both are in the their original aspect ratios, and THE BEDROOOM WINDOW is anamorphic. There are no special features on either aside from the trailers. Retail is $29.95 and $24.95 respectively.

On 6/20 comes three pieces of erotica, the coed comedy H.O.T.S., FRUITS OF PASSION and IMMORAL TALES. The latter two are $29.95 and full frame, while H.O.T.S. is 1.85:1 anamorphic (!) and $24.95.

Also on this day are three new special editions. Look for George A. Romero's KNIGHTRIDERS and MARTIN, both in anamorphic widescreen and featuring audio commentaries with the Director and trailers. Also due is KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE, with commentary by John Landis and other members of the crew, on-set home movies and the trailer, followed by PIT STOP, with commentary by Director Jack Hill, a making-of featurette, still gallery and trailer. All four are $29.95 each.

Two new FOX July announcements

Some early sales details have come in for two anticipated Fox catalog titles, MY COUSIN VINNY and WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP. Both are due 7/25, widescreen and $29.95. No other details are currently available, but stay tuned for the full specs soon...

May 10 : A double dose of PT Anderson from NEW LINE; MY DOG SKIP barks up a DVD; new HARRYHAUSEN 3-pack from COLUMBIA; notes on Buena Vista SCREAM 3 pricing

A double dose of Paul Thomas Anderson

Well, that didn't take long. New Line's MAGNOLIA 2-disc set has now been pushed back to 8/29 (though the VHS edition will still street on 7/25.) But, New Line will also be bowing a new 2-disc set of BOOGIE NIGHTS as well on the same day, so I guess it is worth the extra month wait?

To recap the already announced features of MAGNOLIA, the theatrical cut of the film will be presented in its entirety, and the second disc will feature a full-length documentary on the making of the film, deleted scenes, the Aimee Mann "Save Me" music video, and the usual cast & crew bios and trailer.

Details so far are still scarce for BOOGIE NIGHTS, though it is also a two disc set with the feature on disc one and supplements on disc two. The only details New Line would confirm with us is that it will feature a new transfer, an audio commentary, more deleted scenes than were on the previous DVD, and further material TBA. Price for both sets are $29.95 each.

How much is that doggie in the window?

Coming on 7/11 from Warner is a special edition of the surprise box office hit MY DOG SKIP. And like many previous Warner family-oriented titles, they have nicely included some supplemental materials. The $24.95 disc features deleted scenes, an audio commentary with Director Jay Russell, and cast & crew bios and the theatrical trailer. I will admit that I actually saw this movie in the theater (by myself!) and thought it was pretty cute. Hey, I had nothing else to do on a Sunday morning, and I got the cheap matinee price, okay?

Three times the adventure...three times the SINBAD

Due 7/11 from Columbia-TriStar is a new Ray Harryhausen classic, SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER. The disc includes "The Ray Harryhausen Chronicles," "This Is Dynamation" featurette and Talent Files. Unlike the previous two Sinbad titles, THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD and THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD, this new disc is widescreen. There will also be a RAY HARRYHAUSEN SINBAD COLLECTION 3-pack of the trio arriving on 7/11, for $77.95.

Also, an updated list of forthcoming Harryhausen titles has arrived from Columbia, so watch for future titles including 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH, EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS, THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER in the months to come.

Buena Vista toys with COLLECTOR'S SERIES pricing

Just a quick note on the pricing and street date of the new Collector's Edition of SCREAM 3, due on 7/4. While Buena Vista tells us that this is not a new set price point for all their Collector's Series titles, the final chapter of the Wes Craven horror trilogy will carry a $29.95 price, down from the usual $39.95. So, while not a new across-the-board price point, it is a sign that at least they are toying with the idea of lower prices. Also, there has been some confusion regarding the 7/4 or 7/5 SCREAM 3 date seen at retailers. While technically the street date is 7/4, since it is a holiday, retailers cannot be assured of their shipments until 7/5 (as there is no delivery on the Fourth Of July), some retailers may opt to list the street date as 7/5...

May 9 : News on NASHVILLE, Coppola classics, Buena Vista invites you to BREAKFAST with Bruce Willis; Artisan horror trio; METALLICA's S&M gets a new date, and no new MATRIX DVD

Paramount debuts new NASHVILLE remaster

Exciting news for Robert Altman fans, the long-in-production NASHVILLE is finally on its way. Though it wasn't announced in the initial June slate release, a late announcement has arrived for the disc. It will feature a new anamorphic transfer, the trailer and new interviews with Director Robert Altman. Price is $29.95, and street date is 6/27.

Have 'BREAKFAST' with Bruce Willis this June

Buena Vista has added another title to their June slate, for the little-seen Alan Rudolph comedy BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS with Bruce Willis. The $32.95 disc features an anamorphic transfer, 5.1 mix and the trailer, and is due on 6/27. No special features are included.

METALLICA's S&M gets a new date and cool features

Word has come form the official Metallica headquarters that the METALLICA S&M DVD, long delayed, has finally been given a new street date of 6/27. A couple weeks back, a notice was sent out from Elektra/Warner that the DVD was "canceled," but thankfully the news yesterday indicated it was really just postponed, and that the two disc set will be very cool! The complete concert, four songs with multi-angles, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 tracks, another PCM 2.0 track, the ability to isolate either the band or the orchestra in separate 2.0 stereo tracks. There is also the "Maestro" cam featuring a multi-angle look at composer Michael Kamen and the orchestra. If it is as good as Metallica's previous CUNNING STUNTS DVD, and it sure sounds like it, it should be a real winner. Retail is $39.95. For more info on Metallica and the latest news on the band, check out metallica.com.

ARTISAN horror trio

Some of you may recall that last fall, Artisan released a horror movie 3-pack of CUJO, JOHN CARPENTER'S BODY BAGS and STEPHEN KING'S THE LANGOLIERS, though the titles were not available separately. But, now Artisan has decided to release them individually on 7/16. Each disc is full frame only with no supplements, and retail for $19.95 each.

More news on Coppola classics

Check out Film Freak Central, who have a very good interview up with renowned Sound Editor/Director Walter Murch, who gives up some tidbits about the upcoming THE CONVERSATION DVD, as well as the possible theatrical/DVD reissue of APOCALYPSE NOW, as well as the story on some supplements that never surfaced on Anchor Bay's edition of RETURN TO OZ, the only feature film Murch ever directed. It is a very good interview, so definitely check it out for the full story.

No new MATRIX DVD

Just an update on yesterday's post on a rumored new MATRIX DVD with additional footage. Word has come from Warner that it is just a rumor, and there is no new MATRIX DVD on the way. Not particularly a surprise, is it...why mess with a good thing?

May 8 : FOX hits 'THE BEACH', Columbia debuts WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM?, and tidbits on USA and Warner reissues

FOX hits THE BEACH with Leonardo this July

After all the hubbub, teen hysteria and inflated paychecks, Leonardo DiCaprio's first post-TITANIC epic THE BEACH finally debuted this winter at the box office and...nothing happened. While I've never seen the film, I hope whomever paid him that $20 million paycheck got some return on investment. Anyway, the $34.95 disc from Fox debuts on 7/25 and features a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, 5.1 mix and the trailer. However, Fox often sends out additional features and details after the initial announcement, so if anything else gets added to this disc in terms of special features, we'll post it...

What 'PLANET' are you from?

Though it made even less at the box office than THE BEACH, at least no one paid Garry Shandling $20 million to star in WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? Though I missed it theatrically, it sounds interesting, so I'll have to check it out on 7/18 when it arrives on DVD. The 1.85:1 anamorphic disc also sports a 5.1 mix, an isolated score by Carter Burwell, a making-of featurette, talent files and the trailer. Retail is $24.95.

New THE MATRIX and THE GAME reissues?

A couple of new reissue bits of news. First, USA Home Video will be reissuing THE GAME on 6/6, for $24.95 and including the same features as the previous Polygram release. You're probably aware that Polygram is now defunct, and their pre-1996 catalog went to MGM, and their Polygram Filmed Entertainment titles (starting with THE GAME in 1996) are now USA titles. This new release of THE GAME will be the exact same disc, with just slightly different packaging. No word on any possible Criterion or special edition DVD release of the David Fincher thriller as of now...

And in a bit of interesting possible news, the bidding site The MobShop is listing a new DVD reissued version of THE MATRIX coming on 5/6 from Warner, which they list as having new footage. Since I've not seen a press release or read this elsewhere, it is a bit surprising, as you'd think a new MATRIX DVD would be pretty big news and Warner would be trumpeting it. So, we've put out an email to Warner to see what is up, so stay tuned...