OH! YOU WANT THE NEWS??!?!How about LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS on DVD?!?!Or maybe you’re more into THE OSBOURNES or THE BEN STILLER SHOW???How’s about some news on how to fix that little BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY problem??I’ve also gots some MTI news, WB and… How to watch a movie while holding it in your hand…All today – in your Friday edition of the DVD NEWS!!! First off today, a couple of “soon-to-be-announced” releases, and Universal gets their shiznit together…Retailers have let slip that New Line is following the successful release pattern they set last year with LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING by releasing the initial version of THE TWO TOWERS on June 30, with the much-anticipated 4-disc “Deluxe” edition to follow in November, as a lead in to the December 17 release of RETURN OF THE KING, the final film in the trilogy.Universal Home Video has finally released some news on the replacement of the mis-framed BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY box sets. New discs will be available in March, and will be discernible by the “V2” printed under the barcode on the packaging. Here is the official word from Universals customer service department…The new packaging will have a “V2” printed near the bottom of the screen format/bar code sticker. This will indicate that the set contains the remastered versions of BTTF II and BTTF III. The same “V2” will also appear on the new discs after the copyright language line.Universal Studios will exchange Back to the Future parts 2 and 3 for copies with the updated framing in late February 2003. You may send the DVDs back now or wait until February. Please send Back to the Future disks 2 and 3, without the case, and a letter with the following information: Name, Full Mailing Address, Daytime Phone Number, Reason for Return and Return Address. Send to:Back to the Future DVD ReturnsPO Box 224468Dallas, Texas 75260 Canadian consumers can call 1-866-532-2202 for info on Canadian returns.In other Universal news, THE EMPEROR’S CLUB will be released to DVD on May 6. Look for both Anamorphic Widescreen and Fullscreen versions featuring both 5.1 DDS and DTS sound, audio commentary, a featurette, filmographies, deleted scenes and a trailer.Universal also has the critical darling FAR FROM HEAVEN ready for an April 1 release. Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with 5.1 DDS and DTS sound, this one also features directors commentary, a Q&A with the director, a making-of featurette, an “Anatomy Of A Scene” featurette, filmographies and trailers. And June 3 is the date set for the new FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TRICKED OUT EDITION, which will be available in 2.35:1 AW and Fullscreen versions, 5.1 DDS and new extras including 2 featurettes on the upcoming sequel, 2FAST 2FURIOUS, new stunt footage, a hot-rod transformation video, “car casting” for the sequel and a sneek peak at the video game.And…MGM has confirmed that DIE ANOTHER DIE will be released in early June.Paramount Home Entertainment will release the latest big-screen incarnation of the Enterprise crew, STAR TREK: NEMESIS, on May 20. Something of a disappointment at the box-office, NEMESIS will be available in 2.35:1 AW and Fullscreen with 5.1 DDS and extras including audio commentary, 4 featurettes, still galleries and trailers.Buena Vista Home Entertainment has full deets on THE OSBOURNES- THE FIRST SEASON, available in censored or uncensored versions on March 4. You get all ten first season eps with unaired footage, the “Too Oz For TV” blooper reel, “Top Moments” from Jack, Kelly and Lola, “Advice” from Ozzy and Sharon, 4 sets of “Conversations With The Osbournes”, commentary tracks, the “Ozzy Translator” subtitles, a “Name That Dookie” game, a set-top editing suite, “Osbournes Bingo” and DVD-Rom material including a game where Ozzy throws food into the obnoxious neighbor’s yard. Original 1.33:1 Fullscreen. SHAAAAAAAAARROOOOOOOOON!!!BVHE also has the Walt Disney Home Entertainment release TUCK EVERLASTING coming to a player near you on February 25. Extras include Audio commentary from the cast and director Jay Russell, a second commentary track with the director and screenwriter James Hart, the “Lessons Of Tuck” featurette and the documentary “A Visit With Natalie Babbitt” detailing the life of the author of the classic children’s tale on which the film is based. This one comes in 2.35:1 AW with 5.1 DDS sound.And, last but not least on Disney street, BVHE and Walt Disney Home Entertainment have BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: BELLE’S MAGICAL WORLD – SPECIAL EDITION ready to rock for February 25. This one comes in standard 1.33:1 form with 5.1 DDS and DTS sound and an additional 22 minutes of Beastly fun. Also look for a set-top game, Disney Song Selection features and a “virtual tour” through Belle’s enchanted forest. Groovy.Flipping from the Mouse House to MTI, the bad boys at the little indie that could have 4 more titles on the home video horizon…April 15 marks the debut of Gator Entertainment’s slasher-thriller PHOBIC, which follows a young man haunted by the death of his sister at the hands of a maniac slayer. Joey becomes agoraphobic, and the killer is still on the loose.April 29 sees the debut of ICEBREAKER, starring Stacy Keach, Sean Astin and the almighty Bruce-ter, Bruce Campbell. Campbell plays the leader of a group of terrorists holding a ski resort hostage with a nuke (!?!), Astin is the Ski-bum who has to save the day, and the girl…Also on April 29, Check out the romantic comedy THE ATLANTIS CONSPIRACY, from the peoples who brought you SPANKING THE MONKEY and FLIRTING WITH DISASTER… Amanda Donohoe stars with Jeremy Davies and Adrienne Shelly.And finally, also on April 29, MTI presents the drama DRIVEN starring Chad Lowe, Daniel Roebuck and Tony Todd in a story about a mystical Cab driver and his effect on his coworkers.Columbia Tristar has a “Special Edition” of THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT due on May 6. An Anamorphic transfer and 5.1 DDS audio are complimented by extras including cast commentary, writer commentary, deleted scenes, “Free Speech Or Porn?” and “Larry Flynt Exposed” documentaries, filmographies, photo galleries and trailers. Warner Brothers Home Entertainment has announced a tremendous cult fave coming to DVD on June 3. THE BEN STILLER SHOW, which ran for a single season, starred Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Dick and John O’Donohue in an innovative sketch series that gave a twisted taste of what was to come from these talented comedians. 2 years before REALITY BITES, Stiller and Garofalo are in top form, and Andy Dick and Bob Odenkirk were still 3 years away from their stints on “Newsradio” and “Mr.Show”. This 2-disc set will feature all 13 episodes from the 1992 Fox Television series (not the 1990 MTV series). Original 4:3 Fullscreen and 2.0 Stereo, with extras including a featurette, interviews and promos. Ahhh yes… I remember it well…And, finally, just a little piece of interesting news. TuneIn Entertainment, PocketPC Films and Ed Baran Publicity are teaming up to provide a new service where PocketPC users can get filmed content for viewing on their PDA’s!!! With a library of 25,000+ titles, including feature-length films, this new venture may turn Pocket PC’s into the next big option for people who don’t want to cart around bulky private DVD systems. Using their new software, called “Pocket Cinema Installer”, anyone with a Pocket PC or Palm can conceivably watch movies out of the palm of their hand!!! Check it out at WWW.POCKETPCFILMS.NETNow…Go rock out that weekend, you crazy kids!!
