Well it’s that time of year again…
The leaves are turning twelve shades of autumn, the jackets are heavier, faces are rosier, and there are a million little kids in plastic Anakin Skywalker costumes beating up little Spongebob’s for candy.
Oh to be young and full of sugar!
On that note, Here is the last edition of the DVD news for October…
Music Video Distribution is planning to release a special DVD/CD compilation dedicated to the late George Harrison. Titled simply GEORGE HARRISON: THE QUIET ONE the set will make it’s bow on January 28. The DVD will feature a do*censored*entary look at Harrison throughout his rich and complex life. Along with interviews from those closest to him, professionally and personally, the film will use archival interviews, rare film and concert footage and clips featuring Harrison himself. The CD portion of the set will feature the voice of Harrison providing his thoughts on music, philosophy, religion, love and friendship. A 32 page booklet will round out the package.
Columbia Tristar has released deets on three classic films due in the new year. Michael Caine and Oscar winner Julie Walters headline EDUCATING RITA on January 7. The film is unfortunately light on extras, but the Anamorphic Widescreen transfer and remastered 2.0 Surround is accompanied by trailers.
Also January 7 is the Sidney Poitier gem BROTHER JOHN in both AW and Fullscreen transfers with mono sound and trailers.
Finally, on January 21 Columbia brings out the Warren Beatty – Goldie Hawn – Carrie Fisher – Lee Grant superflick of the 70’s swing scene SHAMPOO. Also presented in both AW and Fullscreen transfers with mono audio tracks, this is another gem with only trailers for supplements.
Guess we’ll just have to imagine of the things they could have revealed about this legendary “sexual revolution” epic!!
Warner Brothers has announced a November 19 bow for it’s basketball-in-drag comedy JUWANNA MAN. Basically a remake of TOOTSIE, which is an offshoot of SOME LIKE IT HOT, which inevitably comes from some ancient Greek comedy, JUWANNA MAN follows an NBA bad boy who is kicked out of the big leagues and has to camp it up in drag to get into the WNBA so that he has a chance to still play ball. Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen with a 5.1 DDS soundtrack, extras include deleted and expanded scenes, 2 featurettes, a BET special, 2 audio commentaries, trailers and a music video from Fat Joe.
Once again, our good friends at 20th Century Fox deliver the goods with a massive repricing of a zillion and one films. Just in time for Xmas, Fox is dropping the suggested retail on more than two dozen catalogue titles. December 17 look for new tags on QUILLS, INVENTING THE ABBOTS, THE ICE STORM, BROKEDOWN PALACE, RANGERS, GRAND CANYON, PARADISE ROAD, SMILLA’S SENSE OF SNOW, 2 GIRLS AND A GUY, BARTOK THE MAGNIFICENT, NORMA RAE, DRIVE ME CRAZY, RAVENOUS, SILENT TRIGGER, ACTIVE STEALTH, DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET, THE NEWTON BOYS, SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS, FIRESTORM, PING!, SHOOTING FISH, COUSIN BETTE, MOM’S OUTTA SIGHT, EXTREME LIMITS, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, FIVE ACES, RECKLESS AND WILD, poop-fest WING COMMANDER, Sean Connery flick ZARDOZ and one of my faves, THE IMPOSTORS. Also debuting with nice low prices on December 17 are RED SCORPION, HUSTLE, TO WALK WITH LIONS, JACK OF HEARTS, LA CUCARACHA, LAYOVER, LYING IN WAIT, RPM, TUNNEL, BLIND TERROR, CARNIVORE, FINAL STAB, MOVING TARGETS, ISLAND OF THE DEAD and ROADKILL. That was a mouthful.
In January, Fox celebrates Black History month with a slate of reduced films including LIGHT IT UP, HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, CARMEN JONES, MEN OF HONOR, WAITING TO EXHALE, SOUL FOOD and THE FIVE HEARTBEATS. Also debuting that month are CLAUDINE and all-time classic SUGAR HILL. These 2 come replete with Anamorphic Widescreen transfers, trailers, a making-of featurette on SUGAR HILL and commentaries on CLAUDINE, including James Earl Jones, Spike Lee and Diahann Carroll. No exact dates yet, but we’ll keep you posted, shugah.
On February 4, Fox keeps the ball rolling with yet another repricing extravaganza on action and comedy hits. Included in this whack O’ bargains is CHAIN REACTION, UNLAWFUL ENTRY, BIG, MY COUSIN VINNY, POINT BREAK, THE EDGE, ANNA AND THE KING, WALL STREET, THE RATS, PREDATOR, ABLAZE, ROMANCING THE STONE, JEWEL OF THE NILE, Q&A, LAKE PLACID and two flicks off of my “Best of 2002” list – DONNIE DARKO and THE DEEP END. Also on February 4, making it’s long-awaited debut, is Danny Glover in PREDATOR 2. This one will come in an AW transfer with 5.1 DDS sound with trailers and “Predator 2: Creating the Ultimate Hunter” featurette.
Last but not least, also from Fox, February 11 marks the spot for the XMEN 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITON. A 2.35:1 AW transfer and both DTS and DDS 5.1 audio tracks, will be joined by an audio commentary from Bryan Singer and an enhanced viewing mode a’la THE MATRIX. 26 branching segments will feature 6 deleted scenes reintroduced, as well as 17 behind-the-scenes vignettes. Also look for four extensive featurettes “The Uncanny Suspects”, “X-Factor – The Xmen Costumes”, “Special Effects” and “Reflection of The Xmen”. There will also be storyboard-to-animatic-to-film comparisons, multi-angle scene study, still galleries, footage from the film’s premiere at Ellis Island, 3 trailers, 14 TV spots, 12 web spots and a sneak preview of XMEN 2.
MGM is also releasing a slate of catalogue faves in February. The Mel Brooks flick LIFE STINKS will come with commentary from Brooks and a featurette. Also look for urban superhero comedy METEOR MAN, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT, MAXIE, BASIC TRAINING, BANK SHOT and comedy cult fave HOW TO BEAT THE HIGH COST OF LIVING starring a diverse cast including Jane Curtin, Jessica Lange, Fred Willard, Dabney Coleman and Sybil Danning. All of these fine films street on February 14, so hold hands you lovebirds…
Finally, for all of you die-hard David Lynch fans out there, visit the webstore at WWW.DAVIDLYNCH.COM for the long awaited DVD version of ERASERHEAD. This special edition disc is only available through the website…
