disc news
MONDAY, JULY 5, 2004
'Van Helsing'; 'New York Minute'; 'Baadasssss!,' more Columbia
Stake Through the Heart - 1:41pm

Ready to stake its claim this September 28th for more booty is the summer disappointment Van Helsing. This $190-million production grossed a good but not great $116 million this summer, which likely curtails any hoped-for franchise but will ensure that the Stephen Sommers-directed pic finds a healthy life on DVD.

Universal Studios Home Video will release the CGI-fueled monster mash in separate anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, each with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks plus two audio commentaries with Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay, and actors Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh and Shuler Hensley, the "Creating the Characters and the Monsters," "Van Helsing's Monster Map," "New World Technology vs. Old World Monsters," "You Are in the Movie" and "Anatomy of a Scene: The Masquerade Ball" featurettes, a "The Filmmaker's Diary" chronicle, deleted scenes, outtakes, the "Designing Van Helsing" 360-degree IPix set tour, time-lapse set comparisons, a "Love Bites" parody and theatrical trailers. And PC enhanced content includes more expansive and interactive set tours and more to be announced. Retail will list for $26.95.

Universal will also release the Van Helsing: Ultimate Edition on the 28th, which includes the same two-disc set above, but also inlcudes a third disc with the bonus, full-length features Dracula, Frankenstein and The Wolf Man. There are no additional extras, and list price will be $39.95.

Superfly - 1:41pm
 
One of the most overlooked films of the year, Mario Van Peebles' ode to blaxploitation Baadasssss! is coming to DVD on September 14th. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will give the film the special edition treatment, complete with anamorphic widescreen transfer, audio commentary with both generation of Peebles, two featurettes, deleted scenes and trailers. Retail will list for $27.95.

Also due on the 14th is the little seen thriller Young Adam, which gets the anamorphic widescreen treatment, a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track and trailers. Retail is $24.95.

From the Columbia catalog comes three library favorites: George C. Scott in Hardcore, the comedy Watermelon Man, and the classic western Blazing Across the Pecos. The first two are presented in anamorphic widescreen, the latter in its original 1.33:1 full screen, and all include bonus trailers. Retail will cost you $19.95 a pop.

Rounding out Columbia's September 14th lineup are two new TV on DVD releases: Sanford & Son: The Complete Fifth Season and, making its first-ever digital disc debut, Diff'rent Strokes: The Complete First Season. Each is a three-disc set with 4;3 full screen transfers, Dolby Digital mono tracks and episode synopses. List will be $29.95 apiece.

Anybody hungry? - 1:41pm

No, it is not a PSA for anorexia or cocaine addiction, it is just the Olsen Twins' New York Minute. Making its DVD debut on August 17th, this failed farce did not give the girls their hoped-for big-screen breakthrough, but should be a hoot on video. Available in separate anamorphic widescreen and full screen editions, each comes packed with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, the "In a New York Minute" featurette, two alternate endings, a slide show gallery, blooper reel and theatrical trailers. List price will be $27.95.

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