Die another day? - 12:00am

I suppose fans of the superspy James Bond are no strangers to explosive gadgets, but a self-destructing DVD!? MGM sent out over over 5,000 promo discs this week as a preview for the upcoming Bond flick Die Another Day, but there's a catch. If you want to check out the 25-odd minutes of cool material included on the DVD, you may want to stand back after you put it in your player. As the tag on the mailer warns, "Once removed from its packaging, the DVD will self-destruct in 36 hours!"

Flexplay Technologies' special self-immolating DVD technology employs special coatings when creating discs that, after being exposed to air, become unusable within a preselected time period. As a DVD player's laser is extremely sensitive to any changes in a disc's surface and coating, even the slightest change can affect a disc's playability. Depending on which coatings are used, the discs can remain operational anywhere from 8 to 60 hours. Sounds just like a Bond movie!

If visions of Circuit City's failed DIVX technology are dancing around in your head, you're not alone. Flexplay has been pushing their technology for over a year now, but has so far achieved only moderate success with noncommercial industry and promo titles, mostly music videos. But industry sources say the upstart's real goal is to entice the major Hollywood studios to use the technology to create "single-view titles," providing a workable way to take back rental revenues currently lost to VHS erosion. Potentially even more attractive to studio interests is the elimination of the video store altogether, as these single-view discs would severly reduce the need for return trips at all. With "rental" titles now readily available at any retail outlet across the country, the majority of the profits on these "rental" discs could then go directly to the studios.

Many of the same issues raised with DIVX - namely the environmental consequences of so many throwaway discs, and possible consumer confusion - are likely obstacles to mass acceptance of the Flexplay scenario. And, of course, this 007 DVD is just a promo. But as they say at the end of every movie, James Bond will return...

Love not Wim - 12:00am
 
New from Anchor Bay Entertainment comes from the first three releases in The Wim Wenders Collection, newly restored, first-ever DVD releases for some of the famous German director's finest works. Debuting on January 7th is The American Friend, presented in a new 1.77:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, with German 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks and optional English subtitles, plus plenty of extras including an audio commentary with Wenders and Dennis Hopper, deleted scenes with optional commentary, talent bios and the trailer. Next up is Notebook on Cities and Clothes, also presented in 1.77:1 anamorphic widescreen and German 5.1 and 2.0 surround with optional English subtitles, plus an audio commentary with Wenders, deleted scenes with optional commentary, the 7-minute "Twelve Years Later" featurette, a Wenders bio and the trailer. Rounding out this trio of Wenders gems is his acclaimed documentary on the late Nicholas Ray, Lightning Over Water. Specs are again the same, with a 1.77:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, G2.0 Dolby surround track, audio commentary with Wenders, the "Nicholas Ray: Especially For Pierre" 38-minute lecture by Ray, and talent bios. Retail is $24.95 each.

Rounding out Anchor Bay's January 7th releases is the thriller The Deathmaker, presented in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen and German mono, and includes the short films Coup De Boule and Demontage IX. Retail is $19.95.

Out of the closet - 12:00am

Just announced from Home Vision (home of the Criterion Collection) is one of the most daring films ever to appear on the British screen, Basil Dearden's Victim. Arriving on January 21st, this cult classic is presented in 1.66;1 anamorphic widescreen and English mono, with the only extra the film's theatrical trailer. Retail is $29.95.

Also hot off the wire is some early news on the upcoming Criterion re-release of the Jean Cocteau 1921 classic Beauty and the Beast. Renowned composer Philip Glass has created a new 5.1 surround mix for inclusion on the set, which will be one of four audio tracks. Others include audio commentary by film historian Arthur Knight, a second commentary by writer and cultural historian Sir Christopher Frayling, and the film's original soundtrack. Look for this new 2-disc set in early 2003.