To catch a killer

Leading off this week's news are more details on what is sure to be one of the biggest DVD releases of the year, if not the biggest, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Extended Edition. Replicating the same release pattern as The Fellowship of the Ring last year (if it ain't broke, don't fix it), New Line Home Entertainment will release the theatrical cut as a two-disc set in August, followed by this four-disc behemoth on November 18th.

In addition to a newly-expanded cut of the film featuring over 40 minutes of new material, the extras are vast. The feature is spread over the first two discs, with four audio commentaries by director Peter Jackson and the writers, the second with the design team, the third with the production team and the four with the cast. The feature is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital Surround EX and DTS 6.1 ES Discrete soundtracks.

Disc three features The Appendices: Adapting the book into a screenplay and planning the film, the design and inspiration for locations in Middle-earth storyboards to pre-visualization, a Weta Workshop visit to see the sculptors in action as they create the weapons, armor, creatures and miniatures from the film, an "Atlas of Middle-Earth," an additional interactive map of New Zealand highlighting the location scouting process, multiple featurettes including "Sending Actors to Battle" (preparation for sword fighting), "Post-Production" (editing it all together) and "Principal Photography" (stories from the set), a look at the digital effects including motion capture and "Massive" (a program to create armies of Orcs), additional "Bigatures" (a close-up look at the detailed miniatures used in the film), a sound design demonstration, still galleries of art and slideshows with commentaries by the artists plus additional behind-the-scenes photographs and personal cast photos. Also included are extensive ROM extras to be announced. Retail is $39.95.

Last but not least, New Line will also release a special Gift Set of the Extended Edition, which also streets on November 18th. Expect the same great extras above plus a Collectible Gollum polystone statue created by Sideshow Weta, "The Evolution of Gollum" exclusive documentary on the Weta Workshop and how the Gollum statue was created, a printed companion piece showing how Gollum evolved from pencil sketch to sculpted maquette to digital character, and collectible packaging. Retail is $69.95.

To catch a killer- 7:23pm

Just in from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is their latest batch of new announcements, all set for a September 2nd release. Leading the pack is the recent horror hit Identity, which comes stacked with extra features. Included are both anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, English and French Dolby 5.1 surround tracks, an exclusive branching version of the film with an alternative ending and an additional scene, audio commentary with director James Mangold, deleted scenes with commentary, the STARZ! Special: On the Set with Identity, storyboard comparisons, filmographies and trailers. Retail is $27.95.

More September 9th debuts from Columbia include the documentary The Endurance, hosted by Liam Neeson. Presented in anamorphic widescreen and full screen, extras include production notes, filmographies and trailers. Retail is $29.95. Pulled from the vaults are two cult favorites, the mob drama Ruby and Neeson again in Under Suspicion. Both are presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 2.0 surround, with the only extras being bonus trailers. And for you TV fans comes The Best of Designing Women. This single-disc release features four favorite episodes, all presented in full screen and 2.0 stereo. Retail is $19.95 a pop.

Rounding out Columbia's September 9th lineup is the oft-posted new two-disc special edition reissue of John Singleton's Academy Award-nominated Boyz N' the Hood. Specs have yet to be announced, but retail is $29.95. Watch this space for more...