Well, here we are on Friday…
Things have been a little hectic round the ol’ Eye this week.
But, never one to disappoint, here is your end-of-the-week DVD News-O-Rama!!!
MEAN GENE GETS THE CECIL!
BATS, SUPES AND A BLUE-FREAKIN’-MONKEY!!
UPCOMING RELEASES ABOUND!!
A BLUE LASER DVD WAR!!
First off in our DVD News-O-Rama! today…
Something a little not-necessarily-DVD-related…
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has announced that Gene Hackman will be the 2003 recipient of the Cecil B. Demille Award for his “outstanding contribution to the entertainment field”.
The announcement was made by spokesperson Andy Garcia at a press conference Thursday morning.
The award, a ‘lifetime achievement’ Award of types, will be presented at the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards, which will be held this coming year, on January 13. The ceremonies will be televised by NBC.
Hackman has received 3 Golden Globes during his career – 2 Best Actor wins (THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) and 1 Best Supporting Actor win (UNFORGIVEN). He has also been nominated for an additional 4 Best Actor Awards, and once more for Best Supporting.
Okay fanboys… Get yer Ya-Ya’s out!!! The day we thought we would never see has finally arrived!
Warner Brothers Home Entertainment has announced that they have begun to work up a new DVD set for … wait for it… SUPERFRIENDS!!!!!
That’s right, man! Those hilariously bad, and super-nostalgic days of Superhero shenanigans are coming to your living room for good. A release date of April 22 is being tossed around – but no details yet on formats, specs, extras or episodes to be included – but who are we kidding? – This is the greatest thing since Bizarro Superman teamed with Lex Luthor and Solomon Grundy!!
For those of you who are more into audiophonic Superheros in grubby suede pants, DTS Entertainment has announced a new DVD-Audio release – a remixed 5.1 Surround sound version of David Crosby and Graham Nash’s 1971 concert album, ANOTHER STONEY EVENING. This disc will revamp the previously unheard quality of the original master tapes from the show, reproducing the concert sound as closely as has ever been possible without the aid of hallucinogenics. Extras will include an on-screen photo gallery, transcripts of the lyrics for all you basement Karaokers and at least one Easter Egg. Cool.
Two final candidates have emerged from the wreckage in the deadly race to create the next big thing – “blue laser” technology for HiDef DVD or HD-DVD. Blu-Ray has developed a new laser technology capable of expanding storage to 50Gb from the current DVD standard of 4.7Gb. They are being backed by Pioneer, Philips and Sony, but there is no backwards compatibility with current DVD technology, and factory conversion costs would be astronomical. Enter Toshiba and PC giant NEC who have also perfected a new “blue laser” system, which requires little conversion to facilities and IS DVD compatible. These guys are being backed by the mysterious conglomerate of electronics and software companies known as The DVD Forum. Expect to see the first phases of battle begin somewhere in mid-2003.
The DVD masters at Criterion have made another odd announcement – in that they are going to release a new version of one of their own highly acclaimed titles. #6 (Crunchy frog?), Jean Cocteau’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has been out of print from Criterion for quite some time. Instead of a mere repressing, though, the big C is planning a whole new revamped package. Look for a new 5.1 Surround mix of renowned composer Phillip Glass’s opera BEAUTY AND THE BEAST as one of the films audio tracks, along with audio commentary from film historian Arthur Knight, a commentary by historian Sir Christopher Frayling, and the original mono soundtrack from the 1946 film. No other details have been released yet, but we will keep y’all apprised.
Paramount Home Video has caused an effective overrun of Trekkie bladders everywhere, with news that, yes… STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE will finally come to DVD this coming year. Unusually, the entire seven season run of the show is due in 2003, with DEEP SPACE NINE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON coming to town on February 25. This will be a 6-disc box containing all of the first season episodes in original 4:3 Fullscreen video with accompanying 5.1 DDS sound. Extras are to include featurettes – A BOLD BEGINNING, ALIENS: SEASON 1, SECRETS OF QUARKS BAR, ALIEN ARTIFACTS: SEASON 1, and CREW DOSSIERS. Also look for several photo galleries and more…
MGM Home Video has just announced a February 4 release date for their recent indie hit, IGBY GOES DOWN. This neuveaux-Catcher-In-The-Rye flick features Keiran Culkin as the Igby of the title, a disaffected son of privilege, struggling to cope with his seemingly pointless existence. This one is coming in Anamorphic Widescreen, with a 5.1 DDS audio track and extras including commentaries, deleted scenes, a featurette, a still gallery and the theatrical trailer.
Home Vision is about to unleash the controversial cult classic VICTIM on January 21. The Basil Dearden film will come in a 1.66:1 Anamorphic Widescreen package, with original mono sound, and a trailer.
Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment has a couple of interesting flicks on the horizon.
On January 14, the studio will release the made-for-cable boxing biopic JOE AND MAX. This “action-packed drama” stars Leonard Roberts, Til Schweiger and Shaft hisself – Richard Roundtree, in a look at the historic boxing rivalry between reluctant ‘Nazi Superman’ Max Schmeling and the world famous Joe Louis in the early 30’s. Despite the Nazi hype machine, Schmeling was a liberal and a pacifist, and he and Louis became friends, despite politics and race. Anamorphic Widescreen and a 5.1 DDS audio track are complemented by extras including trailers.
Also from Columbia Tristar, more TV faves are on the way…
On February 4, look for the COMPLETE SECOND SEASON sets for ALL IN THE FAMILY and ‘Ba-doop-Dwee-Dop’ SANFORD AND SONS. Also look for the return of J.J. Walker with GOOD TIMES: COMPLETE FIRST SEASON. As with most of the Columbia TV sets, these are extra-less, in full-frame and mono. Also on the 4th, it is finally time for Bundy – MARRIED…WITH CHILDREN: THEMOST OUTRAGEOUS EPISODES VOLUME 1. This one is in 4:3 Fullframe with 2.0 Stereo and zip for extras.
Last, but not least, from Columbia on the 4th of Feb., are a whole whack-O-price drops. AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, CENTER STAGE, GIRL INTERRUPTED, LEGENDS OF THE FALL, THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK, THE WEDDING PLANNER, ALI, BIG NIGHT, LIFE WITHOUT DICK, MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, TRUE BLUE, the much-contested RESIDENT EVIL, and the underrated teen spoof NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE.
Fox Home Entertainment has a small slate of recent theatrical releases coming to DVD in February.
Look for THE BANGER SISTERS on January 28, BROWN SUGAR on February 11, and SORDID LIVES February 18. More details to come…
Also from Fox’s video division are a couple of much-anticipated TV series, finally making their DVD bows. March 4 sees the release of NYPD BLUE: COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, a 6-disc set with all first season eps in 4:3 Fullscreen and Dolby 2.0 Surround Stereo. Extras will include episode specific commentaries and 2 featurettes.
On February 11, just in time for Valentine’s day at home, by your lonely self… Hey Man! I am choosing to spend my Valentine’s day…Hey! Who asked you anyways? It’s all just a scam by the card companies and chocolate makers!!!
Sorry… On February 11, all of you lovers of the dark side can et your grubby little gothic hands on ANGEL: COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, with episodic commentaries, 4 featurettes, photo galleries and more…
Universal Home Video has some real catalog gems coming just after Christmas to spend those Gift Certificates on… January 7 will see the release of BORN IN EAST L.A., THE NORTH SHORE, AMERICAN ME, CB4: THE MOVIE, and the verbosely named costume dramas TWO WONG FOO…THANKS FOR EVERYTHING JULIE NEWMAR, and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.
Buena Vista has unlocked the secrets of SWEET HOME ALABAMA, due February 4. Look for a 2.35:1 AW transfer, 5.1 DDS sound and extras that will include audio commentary, 8 deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a SheDaisy Video.
Closing out this MAMMOTH edition of the DVD News-O-Rama!, HBO Home Video has the DVD debut of SIX FEET UNDER: COMPLETE FIRST SEASON. This is a 4-discer with 4:3 Fullscreen and 2.0 Surround sound audio, as well as 2 episode commentaries (Eps #1 and #13), a deleted scene, episode synopsis, cast and crew interviews and a featurette on the making of the opening credit sequence. February 4.
Well, that’s all for me Boyz and Grrrrrrrrrrls. I am off to see the wizard, and to dig into my shiny new 5-disc LOTR set… for your edification, of course.
Sees y’all on Monday.
Uncle Evil.
