disc news
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2004
'Garfield,' Fox holiday fun; Universal TV on DVD; 'Live Aid' anniversary

That Darn Cat! - 4:15pm

He's furry, he's cute, he's got the voice of Bill Murray and he's made up entirely of computer-generated pixels. It's Garfield: The Movie, the summer sorta-hit that will make its way to DVD on October 19th. Fox Home Entertainment will give this one the special edition treatment, which includes both 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, audio commentary by director Peter Hewitt and producer John Davis, the "Inside Look" featurette, two music videos and theatrical trailers. Retail will be $26.95. And due for release on the 26th is the animated Garfield: Holiday Celebrations, which features three episodes: "Garfield's Halloween Adventure," "Garfield's Thanksgiving" and "Garfield Christmas Special," each presented in 4:3 full screen and Dolby 2.0. List will be $19.95.

More holiday fun from Fox this fall includes the classic Beyond Christmas, presented in both black & white and colorized versions, each in 4:3 full screen and Dolby 2.0 stereo. Extras include deleted scenes, "vintage holiday extras" and theatrical trailers. Retail will list for $14.95. And cut from an entirely different cloth is Greg the Bunny, the ribald and vulgar cult hit featuring the voices of Seth Green and Eugene Levy. Fox will give this one the deluxe treatment on October 19th, complete with 4:3 full screen transfers and Dolby 2.0 surround tracks, plus audio commentary on every episode, the - "Humans Behind the Fabricated Americans," "Puppet Auditions," "Blah Bawls" and "IFC Presents: Greg the Bunny Show" featurettes, deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary, still galleries with storyboards and conceptual art, dailies, promo spots, a wrap reel and additional easter eggs. Retail? Only $26.95.

Last but not least, Fox will debut the inspiration war drama The Flight of the Phoenix, starring Jimmy Stewart, on October 12th. Presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 2.0 surround, extras include a restoration comparison and theatrical trailers. Retail will be a mere $14.95.

Home is Where the Heart Is - 4:15pm

The TV on DVD deluge refuses to stop, with the announcement of four more faves due this fall.

First up from Rhino Home Video is the 80's sitcom hilarity of Too Close For Comfort: The Complete First Season. Starring the late Ted Knight and Jim J. Bullock, this three-disc set includes all 19 episodes in 4:3 full screen and Dolby 2.0 surround, and includes audio commentaries on select episodes by cast and crew, new interviews and episode synopses. List price will go for $39.95.

Then, coming from Universal Studios Home Video is Quantum Leap: The Complete Second Season, which will street on October 26th. Like the first season collection, this one features remastered 4:3 full screen transfers and Dolby 2.0 tracks, but no extras. Retail will list for $59.95. And due a week later on November 2nd is Northern Exposure: The Complete Second Season. Also presented in 4:3 full screen and Dolby 2.0, this three-disc set is bereft of extras and will boast a retail price of $39.95.

last but not least, Universal will also unleash Traffic: The Miniseries on November 2nd. This American remake of the acclaimed British series (which itself was adapted to the big screen by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh) will come in a special extended Director's Edition with footage not seen on the telecast, presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1. No extras have been announced, and retail will be a mere $27.95.

Imagine - 4:15pm

The most legendary rock spectacle of all time, Live Aid defined a decade, raised millions for famine relief and turned Bob Geldolf into saint. Now, on November 1st, almost twenty years after the historic live event in 1985, Warner Home Video has announced that they will release the entire concert on November 2nd.

The unforgettable global event, staged in London and Philadelphia on Saturday, 13 July 1985, was watched on television by over 1.5 billion people around the world. Featuring performances by U2, Sting, David Bowie, Madonna, Queen, Duran Duran, Neil Young, Sade, The Cars, Bryan Ferry, Simple Minds, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello and more, Warner has scoured the vaults and will remaster the event in its original 4:3 full screen and Dolby Digital 5.1 from the best-quality materials available. Also to be included on this four-disc set are additional performances from other parts of the globe, as well as the documentary "Food, Trucks & Rock 'n' Roll."

Retail price has not yet been announced, but stay tuned for further details.

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