NEWS IS BACK BABY!!It’s true, the Doctor has been out of commision for a few days, but he is back with the cure to what ails ya…Deets on DARKNESS FALLSSignature Series news,BIGGIE AND TUPAC!!G.I.JOE…… THE JACK RYAN COLLECTION……AND… How you can tell Columbia Tristar what TV shows YOU want to see on DVD!!!Let me come to your emotional rescue… Read on babies!! Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment has announced an April 29 release for DARKNESS FALLS, which premiered in theatres a mere 2 weeks ago. This probably sets a new record for Theatre-to-Video turnaround. No details have been announced yet, but look for them to follow quickly, possibly in the next thirty to forty seconds…CTHE has also announced an upcoming compilation, tentatively titled THE GREATEST 70’S COP SHOWS. This set would feature select episodes of “Charlies Angels”, “SWAT”, “Starsky And Hutch”, “The Rookies” and “Police Woman”. Hopefully this set will lead in to full-collection releases of these tres cool old school shows. Other deets as they appear…Speaking of classic TV coming to DVD from CTHE…The studio is actually looking for input from consumers (!!!) on what series you would like to see on disc. Go to http://www.sonypictures.com/cthe/tv/poll/ to let your voice be heard…Lion’s Gate has announced a couple of new entries to their new “Signature Series” line. Look for a fancy new version of CUBE on April 15, featuring an Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, 2.0 Surround, commentaries, interviews, 2 featurettes, storyboards, deleted scenes and a trailer. Also on April 15 is a redux of Adrian Lyne’s remake of LOLITA starring Jeremy Irons and Dominique Swain. This one comes with commentary, casting tapes, a featurette, behind-the-scenes footage and trailers.Speaking of rehashing previous editions, Artisan Home Video has announced an “improvement” on their “Ultimate Edition” of TERMINATOR 2, with the “Extreme Edition” on June 20, to coincide with the theatrical release of TERMINATOR 3:RISE OF THE MACHINES. What, exactly, they are doing to improve on the previous release has yet to be announced, but look for many fans to be totally fed-up sometime soon…Ventura Distribution has the latest controversial Nick Broomfield docu-mentary on the way to DVD for February 18. BIGGIE AND TUPAC explores the web of intrigues behind the murders of two of the rap world’s pioneering superstars. Extras will include commentary by Broomfield, previously unreleased footage, a follow-up interview with Broomfield, 15 additional scenes with intros, discographies for Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur and biographies for crew and docu-mentary subjects.Paramount Home Entertainment has announced a May 6 release for their JACK RYAN SPECIAL EDITION DVD COLLECTION, which will include new editions of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, PATRIOT GAMES and CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. Each disc will feature a new AW transfer, remastered 5.1 DDS and DTS sound as well as new bonus material, including trailers, interviews and audio commentaries as well as trailers. These new versions of the Ryan series will be available seperately or as a 4-disc set with the already-released SUM OF ALL FEARS: SPECIAL EDITION.Also on the Paramount slate is the recent big screen feature THE WILD THORNBERRY’S MOVIE. Look for this one on April 1 in both Fullscreen and Anamorphic Widescreen versions with extras including an interactive game, the theatrical trailer and a video for “Fathers and Daughters” by Paul Simon.Universal has added to their March release slate, with the announcement of the March 4 release of 3 great musicals. The Shirley Maclaine classic SWEET CHARITY comes stacked with a new 2.35:1 AW transfer, 2.0 Dolby Surround, and extras including 2 featurettes, an alternate ending and trailers. THE GLEN MILLER STORY comes in a 4:3 fullscreen transfer, and THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY comes in a 1.85:1 AW transfer and both feature mono sound and trailers.In the not-so-good-news arena, Universal has “indefinitely postponed” the recently announced Special Editions of the John Hughes 80’s trifecta of SIXTEEN CANDLES, WEIRD SCIENCE and THE BREAKFAST CLUB. No details have been announced, but when we know, you’ll know…Rhino Home Entertainment has announced a very special G.I.JOE set, compiling the popular 80’s “mini-series” REAL AMERICAN HERO and THE REVENGE OF COBRA. Available in a no-frills version on February 11, or in a Special Features laden set on May 13, which will also be packaged with an exclusive “Snake Eyes” action figure. GO JOE!!DVD newbies Blue Underground have announced some serious horror cult classics from horror uber-director George Romero. July 1 is the day to remember for THE CRAZIES, which will appear in a 1.66:1 AW transfer with mono sound, Romero audio commentary, interviews, still gallery, trailers, TV spots and filmographies. Romero’s celebrated collaboration with Italian auteur Dario Argento, 1990’s TWO EVIL EYES, features performances by such diverse performers as Harvey Keitel, Adrienne Barbeau, Kim Hunter, Julie Benz and John Amos. This one comes in a limited edition package, with 1.85:1 AW transfer, Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES sound, still gallery, trailers, filmographies, docu-mentaries and interviews in a 2-disc set. Also in Cult fave news, Anchor Bay Entertainment has announced a new “remastered Directors Cut” of MANHUNTER (already available in 2 versions), the Wes Craven creepfest THE HILLS HAVE EYES, Season 1 of XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS and a “Special Edition” of Peter Jackson’s mad muppet masterpiece MEET THE FEEBLES. I don’t know how you could make FEEBLES any more “Special” than it already is! But I welcome the effort!MTI has announced a March 25 release date for the early Angelina Jolie flick WITHOUT EVIDENCE based on a true crime story and including details on how to collect a $1 Million dollar reward for info leading to the capture of the real killer. Also on March 25, MTI has Amber Smith in the psychological thriller CRIME SCENE.Finally, for today, those masters of the obscure and sublime over at Kino International have announced a box set of THE AMERICAN FILM THEATRE SERIES. These are great plays, presented in film theatres across the US from 1973 to 1975. There are 14 titles in the series, which will be released in three special box sets from Kino over the course of the year. Included in the initial offering are THE ICEMAN COMETH directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Lee Marvin and Jeff Bridges; BUTLEY with Alan Bates and Jessica Tandy, THE MAIDS with Glenda Jackson and Susannah York, LUTHER with Stacy Keach and the tremendous one-time repairing of Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder (who appeared together in THE PRODUCERS) in RHINOCEROS. All 5 titles are presented in Anamorphic Widescreen with numerous extras on each title. Available individually or as a set on April 1. Also –Check out the 23rd ANNUAL RAZZIE AWARDS And vote for the worst movies of the year…
