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2002 NEWS TIDBITS

January 2002 Headlines 

01/30/02

FANTOMA ANNOUNCES TWO MASTERPIECES FROM JAPANESE NEW WAVE MASTER YASUZO MASUMURA...AFRAID TO DIE

Legendary/notorious Japanese novelist and cultural icon Yukio Mishima makes a rare screen appearance as Takeo, a young yakuza who reluctantly leaves prison to re-enter a dizzying world of kidnappings, attempted assassinations, attacks and retaliations. Torn by family duty, self-preservation, and his desire for his new-found love Yoshie (Ayako Wakao, Manji), Takeo blasts and bluffs his way through this treacherous maze, until he finds he can no longer outrun destiny. Japanese New Wave master Yasuzo Masumura propels this delirious fast paced yakuza satire with a jazzy score, eye-popping visuals, and a trademark sense of the absurd. Fantoma is proud to present Afraid To Die for the first time in the US, uncut and in its original DaieiScope aspect ratio.

 

MANJI

A dutiful, unhappy lawyer’s wife falls in love with a young, mysterious woman she encounters at an art class. Soon their affair involves her husband and the young woman's impotent lover and together the four slowly descend into web of desire, deceit, blackmail, blood oaths and suicide pacts. Featuring superb performances and director Yasuzo Masumura’s stunning visual precision, this exquisitely wrought tale of erotic obsession is a hothouse of tangled passions and over the top emotion. Fantoma is proud to present this landmark film for the first time in the US, uncut and in its original DaieiScope aspect ratio.

 

01/30/02

WORLD’S FIRST 360-DEGREE ADULT MOVIE BECOMES THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED DVD EVER "BUTTERBALLS MCFADDEN’S PANEROTICA 1" CREATES A NEW ENTERTAINMENT MEDIUM BY STRETCHING THE CAPABILITIES OF THE DVD.

Butterballs McFadden LLC, A Los Angeles based adult photography company may have just started the next trend of high-tech entertainment by introducing the world’s first 360-degree movie-an interactive DVD with an image that has no sides.

"Butterballs McFadden’s PANEROTICA 1" is the first movie that allows viewers to navigate through its video image by panning, tilting, and even zooming in to the most interesting areas.   The resulting experience is like sitting in the middle of a room in which a scene is taking place all around you, and being able to turn all the way around in your chair-360 degrees-to watch what you want to watch, when you want to watch it.  Essentially, you could watch the movie time and time again, each time seeing things you haven’t seen before.

Using a state of the art camera system that shoots video in every direction, BMP took on the daunting task of creating a consumer-friendly 360-degree product back in September of 2000. "Shooting and watching the movie was the easy part-if you had about $300,000 worth of rare high-powered equipment," says BMP president Brandon Elsey (a.k.a. Butterballs McFadden),"Making the whole thing viable for the consumer was a difficult 16 month process".  The final product-a two-disc DVD-Video and DVD-ROM set that gives viewers two ways to watch the movie.

Viewers with a PC-based DVD-Rom drive can enjoy all the bells and whistles-smooth, real-time panning, tilting and zooming through the seamless video image.  Plus DVD-Rom users can get Head Mounted Display glasses (HMD’s) that allow them to watch the movie hands-free just by turning their head in the direction they want to look.  While HMD’s are a bit costly, they do create an immersive 3-D experience that makes the old Virtual Reality look like Atari 2600.  Plus they make for an impressive conversation piece placed strategically on the coffee table right before your big Superbowl party.

The DVD-Video disc lets people who only have a normal DVD Video player to watch the movie by choosing from 6 overlapping angles, each with its own directional multi-channel audio.

"You think of a DVD as being this ‘limitless’ thing," Elsey says, "but our application was actually a little too advanced for the existing system-we had to invent ways of "tricking" the disc, not to mention your player, into performing some of the operations that it does."  Among the groundbreaking features on "PANEROTICA 1"; of course the DVD-ROM version is the first of its kind with a 360-degree image.  To make it work on a common PC, BMP had to put together its own Panerotica Player program, since no existing program could handle such an image.  The immersive audio tracks actually blend from one to another as the viewer moves around.  Whichever direction you are looking in, the sound from that direction is the most prominent; the sound from "behind" you is sent through your rear surround speakers.

The DVD-Video disc isn’t without its own firsts.  Viewers can choose their angle four different ways, including using the arrow keys on their remote previously only useable in menu navigation.  Watching the DVD-Video on a PC or Mac, viewers can even navigate by clicking on superimposed numbers that pop up on their screen when they move their mouse.  No other DVD has ever been equipped with such features.

While "PANEROTICA 1" is the first and only movie of its kind, BMP certainly realizes the possibilities of their new interactive medium, and have already considered expanding into mainstream 360-degree movies, video vacations, and live-video supergames for the general public.  Says Elsey, "Since the technology is now here, I’m excited to think of all the types of immersive media we can create with it........What am I saying......how do you top a 360-degree adult movie?"

Initially, "Butterballs McFadden’s PANEROTICA 1" will only be sold from BMP’s main website, www.Panerotica.com, which is also the only place, Butterballs boasts, to see his entire gallery of high-resolution web images, and other interactive adult content.  Retail price for the two-disc collector’s edition: $39.95.  $24.95 for Panerotica.com members. 

01/29/02

DRAWING FLIES THE EAGERLY AWAITED ‘LOST’ VIEW ASKEW FILM STARING JASON LEE, WAS FILMED BETWEEN "MALLRATS" AND "CHASING AMY" AND HAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED BY FILMAKER OWNED INDIEDVD COMING TO DVD & VHS FEBRUARY 26

The ‘Lost’ View Askew film, DRAWING FLIES will be released by IndieDVD on DVD and VHS on February 26.

DRAWING FLIES stars Jason Lee who can be currently seen in Vanilla Sky and who was nominated by the screen actors guild for his performance in Almost Famous.  DRAWING FLIES also stars View Askew regulars Jason Mewes who plays one of the title characters in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Renee Humphrey who appears in Mallrats and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Carmen Lee.

Directed by Malcolm Ingram and Matthew Gissing DRAWING FLIES was filmed in 1995, directly after Mallrats prompting Kevin Smith to negotiate a fund in his contract with Miramax, to support two undiscovered filmmakers per year. The fully completed DRAWING FLIES has never been available for viewing until now.

DRAWING FLIES Synopsis

Slackers in Vancouver B.C. lose their welfare checks and head for a cabin in the woods to save cash – or so they believe.   In actuality their guide Donner (Jason Lee) leads them further and further into the forest on a delusional pursuit of Bigfoot. It was Lee’s intensity in this film that prompted Kevin Smith to write Lee's challenging role in Chasing Amy and convinced Lee to move from professional Skateboarding to acting full-time.

"DRAWING FLIES is a great film that is the unsung gem of all of the View Askew productions…. It doesn’t get enough attention. DRAWING FLIES is the best film that we were ever involved with, that was shot in Canada, that wasn’t Good Will Hunting." --Kevin Smith, DRAWING FLIES introduction.  

The IndieDVD release of DRAWING FLIES includes these DVD Extras:

Price and availability:

 

HUSBANDS AND WIVES TO DEBUT ON DVD APRIL 16, 2002

HUSBAND AND WIVES, writer/director Woody Allen's hilarious game of marital musical chairs that has two New York City couples examining their marriages and wanting more, will debut on DVD April 16, 2002 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.  Woody Allen heads an all-star cast that includes Judy Davis in an Academy Award®-nominated performance, Mia Farrow (Rosemary's Baby), Academy Award®-winner Sydney Pollack (Best Director, Out of Africa), Academy Award®-nominee Juliette Lewis (Cape Fear) and Lysette Anthony (Krull).

Synopsis

Woody Allen and Mia Farrow star as a long-married couple whose own relationship starts to crumble when their best friends (Pollack and Davis) announce they are separating.  They immediately pair up with younger, sexier paramours and once again enjoy the pleasures of fresh passion. But smoldering resentments and unexpected jealousies soon rise to the surface, erupting in savage humor and hilariously unpredictable reunions.

DVD:

 

NEW DRAGON TALES ADVENTURES DEBUT ON VIDEO AND DVD APRIL 2

Two new videos and two new DVDs from the hit PBS animated television series DRAGON TALES will debut April 2, 2002 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. The videos, DRAGON TALES: Let's Stick to It! and We're Special!, along with the DVDs, Yes, We Can! and It's Cool to be Me!, feature more new adventures of six- year-old Emmy, her four-year-old brother Max, and their fantastical dragon friends helping each other learn to persist at challenging tasks and accept differences in themselves and others. Each DVD contains five favorite adventures with four sing-along songs and is priced to own at $19.95

Co-produced by Sesame Workshop, the creators of "Sesame Street," and Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group, Dragon Tales was the #1 children's program among kids ages 2 to 5 across all broadcast and cable networks for the 2000-2001 season, with ratings growing 26% over the premiere season (1999- 2000).  Recipient of the highly coveted Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award as well as the KIDS FIRST! seal of approval from the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, DRAGON TALES has also been nominated for a daytime Emmy Award. Just this month, the video DRAGON TALES:  Let's Be Friends was chosen to be one of the six finalists in its age category for Best Kid's Video of 2001.

Special features on the DRAGON TALES DVDs include four Sing-Alongs, a continuous play button, English and Spanish audio, English, French and Spanish subtitles, full screen presentations and digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video.

Synopses

DRAGON TALES: Yes, We Can! (Persisting at a challenging task)

 "Zak and The Beanstalk" -- The Do-Re-Mi birds are gone, and Zak and Wheezie are afraid something bad has happened to them!  A worried Sid Sycamore says that the birds have been kidnapped by Mungus the Giant.  When Emmy, Max, Zak and Wheezie sneak into Mungus' castle and confront him, he confesses that he's not mean at all.  He only took the birds because he loves their music. He agrees to let them go if the kids and dragons can teach him to make his own music.

"Whole Lotta Maracas Goin On" -- Quetzal loves to make music with maracas but his set is broken, so the gang decides to make him a new pair for Teacher's Day. Emmy joins Cassie in pursuit of tricky Stickleback Sticks for the handles.  Max teams up with Ord to get past some crabby pincher crabs to obtain beach gourds for the rattles.  But Zak and Wheezie have the hardest task of all - they must coax some seeds from a boy and girl Songflower team who hold them "captive."

"Up, Up and Away" -- The gang has a great time playing Pop the Bubbles until Ord accidentally flattens their bubble bucket.  Ord and Max decide they don't need a bucket and dump Zak's entire package of bubble powder into a nearby puddle, which instantly erupts into a bubble geyser.  Soon Ord is trapped inside a humongous bubble floating helplessly toward the sky!  The gang tries several ways to pop it, but when they can't they tie a rope around it and pull it to the School in the Sky.

"The Jumping Bean Express" -- Quetzal gives the gang some jumping beans to return safely to his brother.  But on the way they accidentally drop the carrying case.  When the cover opens, the hyperactive beans grab their suitcases, wave goodbye and make a mad dash for the forest.  The kids chase the beans everywhere -- under bridges, between tree trunks and over streams. Frustrated and exhausted, the kids consider giving up, but all vow to complete the task Quetzal has given them no matter how difficult.

"The Great White Cloud Whale" -- The kids and dragons spot Captain Scaliwag's pirate ship.  He's searching for the Great White Cloud Whale, who's swallowed his favorite ship.  When they see the whale swimming through the sky, they help Scaliwag use balloon bait to try to trap him between two mountain peaks.  But the whale grabs the bait and pulls their ship instead.  When the string snaps and he swims away, Emmy tells Scaliwag not to give up. The five adventures in Dragon Tales: Yes, We Can! are linked by four songs, "Stretch," "Hum," "Clap" and "Wiggle."

DRAGON TALES: It's Cool To Be Me! (Accepting and accommodating differences)

"Not Separated at Birth" -- Zak and Wheezie are bickering over what they'll build for the new playground - the xylophone slide or the drum trampolines. When they wish they had separate bodies, Quetzal gives them some magic crystals -- and their wish comes true!  But when Wheezie's slide collapses because she didn't follow directions, she misses Zak's patient input.  Zak makes the trampoline so loose and saggy that Cassie and Emmy can't jump on it.and he misses Wheezie, who always knows how to make things fun.

"The Greatest Show in Dragon Land" -- The kids and dragons are really excited about flying to Wonder World amusement park.  When they find out Zak and Wheezie have a broken wing and are unable to fly, however, they agree to accommodate their friends by walking there instead.

"A Tall Tale" -- Eunice the unicorn, who is terribly near-sighted, has lost her glasses, and Max and Emmy join the dragons to help her find them.  Max wants to steer Eunice so she can see where she's flying, but he's too small to climb up on her back.  And when they spot an object that looks like her glasses, he's too short to reach it.  Poor Max, who was already feeling frustrated about being too little to do the things he wants, feels even worse.

"Dragon Sails" -- The group sets sail for Rainbow Canyon in search of a special rainbow-colored crystal to complete Cassie's shimmering crystal set. When Ord's heavy weight rocks their little boat and they all fall into the water, he's sad because he fears they'll have to continue on their adventure without him.  He hates being so big!  The gang solves the dilemma by crafting a bigger, Ord-size boat and off they go again.

"Staying within the Lines" -- The Stickleback Mountains have lost their colors! They were washed away in a big rainstorm, so Quetzal puts the gang to work painting the scene.  Max, who is not worried about staying within the lines, gets carried away with the blue he's using for the stream.  As the river threatens to overflow, Emmy and Cassie finish off a boulder dam just in time. The five adventures in Dragon Tales: It's Cool to be Me! are linked by four songs, "Shake Your Dragon Tale," "Hello," "Zoo" and "Round & Round."

 

FIRST RUN FEATURES DVD ANNOUNCEMENTS

ABERDEEN 

DVD:

 

 COOL & CRAZY 

DVD:

 

01/25/02

LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT INTRODUCES SPECTACULAR TWO-DISC DELUXE EDITION DVD OF ITS BIGGEST BOX OFFICE HIT EVER "O"

Available On February 19, DVD Boasts Cast And Crew Interviews, Audio Commentaries, Deleted Scenes, The Classic Film Version of Othello With New Score, And Much More!

The Critically Acclaimed Film Features Riveting Performances From Super-Hot Talent Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia -Stiles And Martin Sheen

With only a limited theatrical release, Lions Gate Entertainment's ground-breaking film "O" grossed more than $16 million at the box office, making it the company's highest-grossing independent feature ever. Now, the company will debut the critically acclaimed "O" as a two-disc Deluxe Edition DVD and for rental on VHS on February 19, 2002. Packed with extras including cast and crew interviews, audio commentaries and more, the two-disc Deluxe Edition DVD will be priced at just $24.99.

Directed by Tim Blake Nelson (The Grey Zone, Eye of God), this profound and stirring contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's Othello features unforgettable performances by Mekhi Phifer (Clockers, Soul Food), Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor, The Virgin Suicides), Julia Stiles (Save The Last Dance, 10 Things 1 Hate About You) and Martin Sheen (NBC's "The West Wing," Apocalypse Now). An emotionally charged film, "O" also includes an all-star supporting cast with Andrew Keegan (10 Things 1 Hale About You, "Party Of Five"), Rain Phoenix (To Die For, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues), Elden Henson (She's All That, Cast Away) and John Heard (Pollock, My Fellow Americans).

DVD FEATURES

Boasting an audio commentary by director Tim Blake Nelson and cinematographer Russell Lee Fine, disc one also includes both widescreen and full frame versions of the film. The bonus DVD features interviews with Julia Stiles, Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett and Nelson, deleted scenes and the classic version of Othello with a newly re-mastered score.

"O" SYNOPSIS

Hot young stars, a hip soundtrack, plus a provocative tale of jealousy and betrayal combine to create this controversial modern-day version of Shakespeare's classic, Othello. "O" is Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), the school's star basketball player and future NBA hopeful. Even though he's the only black student at the elite Palmetto Grove Academy, he has the adoration of all, including the team's coach (Martin Sheen) and the Dean's beautiful daughter, Desi (Julia Stiles). Odin's troubled friend Hugo (Josh Hartnett), the coach's son, is deeply resentful of his father's preference of Odin on and off the court. When Hugo plots a diabolical scheme to sow the seeds of mistrust between O and Desi, it sets in motion a disturbing chain of events, which erupts into a firestorm of breathtaking intensity. "O" is a stunning tale that will stay with you long after its final, powerful frame.

"O"

 

LIFE AS A HOUSE POIGNANT, HUMOROUS DRAMA STARRING KEVIN KLINE AND GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN, COMING TO PLATINUM SERIES DVD & VHS MARCH 26 FROM NEW LINE HOME ENTERTAINMENT

LIFE AS A HOUSE, the touching and comic journey of one man who decides to tear down his house and rebuild his world, will be released on Platinum Series DVD and VHS March 26 by New Line Home Entertainment.

LIFE AS A HOUSE stars Academy Award®-winner Kevin Kline, who’s getting strong advance buzz as a potential Academy Award nominee for his performance as architect George Monroe. Kline captured his previous Oscar® for his role in A Fish Called Wanda. Critics have also lauded the performance of Hayden Christensen, the young actor who also stars as Anakin Skywalker in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. LIFE AS A HOUSE will be available for rental on VHS and DVD, and for sale on Platinum Series DVD at the suggested retail price of $24.98.

In addition to Kline (Dave, In & Out), LIFE AS A HOUSE stars an ensemble cast of Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), Hayden Christensen (The Virgin Suicides), Mary Steenburgen (Powder, Melvin and Howard), Jena Malone (Stepmom), Jamey Sheridan (The Ice Storm), Sam Robards (A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, American Beauty) and Scott Bakula (TV’s "Quantum Leap," American Beauty). Produced and directed by Irwin Winkler -- a filmmaker responsible for such movie classics as Rocky, GoodFellas, The Right Stuff, Raging Bull, Nickelodeon and New York, New York -- the film was written by Mark Andrus (co-writer of As Good As it Gets), with Vilmos Zsigmond (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) serving as Director of Photography and Mark Isham providing the original music.

DVD Extras Send Value Through the Roof

LIFE AS A HOUSE Synopsis

Divorced from a woman (Scott Thomas) he still loves, alienated from his troubled teenage son (Christensen), and bitter at the loss of a job he never enjoyed anyway, architect George Monroe (Kline) has hit rock-bottom when he decides that it’s now or never to tear down his dilapidated home and build a long-postponed dream house worthy of his spectacular ocean cliff property. He begins the project solely with the forced participation of his son in a last-ditch effort to salvage their relationship, but soon more and more people are drawn to his project -- from his next-door neighbor (Steenburgen) and her teenage daughter (Malone) to his ex-wife along with her kids by her current husband (Sheridan). What begins as George’s attempt to redeem his own bruised dream turns into something much bigger than he ever imagined -- and something far stronger than just a house.

LIFE AS A HOUSE BASICS

 

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF "MOULIN ROUGE" ON DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME, WITH BONUS FEATURES STRICTLY BALLROOM

10th Anniversary of Comic Gem

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the outrageously funny comedy STRICTLY BALLROOM comes to DVD for the first time on March 19, 2002, from Buena Vista Home Entertainment. A dazzling comedy about life, love and ballroom dancing, STRICTLY BALLROOM on DVD features a slate of bonus features, including audio commentary by director Baz Luhrmann, the acclaimed director of the hit film "Moulin Rouge." STRICTLY BALLROOM is priced to own at $29.99 (SRP.). Prebook is January 22, 2002.

STRICTLY BALLROOM was Baz Luhrmann’s first feature film, and the first in his "red curtain" trilogy, comprised of the hits STRICTLY BALLROOM, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO + JULIET and MOULIN ROUGE. One of the hottest directors in cinema today, Luhrmann contributes a special bonus audio commentary to the DVD version of STRICTLY BALLROOM. This fascinating feature allows viewers to listen in as Luhrmann explains the story behind the making of this landmark film. Other bonus programming includes a special DVD "Easter Egg" that leads viewers to a special deleted scene, cut from the Theatrical version of the film and unseen by audiences until this DVD. Film fans will also enjoy the "Samba to Slow Fox" dancing featurette, an entertaining documentary that actually inspired STRICTLY BALLROOM.

The DVD of STRICTLY BALLROOM includes the features a host of bonus programs:

Technical Specifications:

STRICTLY BALLROOM is the magical story of a championship ballroom dancer (Paul Mercurio, "Cosi") who, with his ugly duckling dancing partner (Tara Morice, "Moulin Rouge") breaks all the rules of ballroom dancing. Together they make their dreams come true, in a comedy that soars to hilarious heights of comedy. STRICTLY BALLROOM is rated "PG For Mild Language and Sensuality" and has a running time of approximately 94 minutes.

BOUDICCA TO RELEASE BOY MEETS GIRL AFTER 7 YEAR UK BAN

The UK controversial psychological horror cult classic "BOY MEETS GIRL" by Ray Brady has been finally granted an 18 certificate by the BBFC following a ban of 7 years on video. " BOY MEETS GIRL " is now available uncut and uncensored on Video and will be released on DVD in March by BOUDICCA. For more information please visit their website: www.boudiccafilms.com 

01/24/02

ON MARCH 12, THE WORLD'S FAVORITE CAT-AND-MOUSE DUO ARRIVE ON VHS AND DVD IN THE ALL-NEW MOVIE TOM AND JERRY: THE MAGIC RING

On March 12, Warner Home Video (WHV) brings the hilarious cat-and-mouse adventures of Tom and Jerry to life in the all-new movie TOM AND JERRY: THE MAGIC RING.  This fully-animated, theatrical quality release is sure to both cast a spell on fans of these timeless characters and to enchant a whole new generation of viewers.  Just in time for Easter, TOM AND JERRY: THE MAGIC RING is available exclusively on VHS for a low $14.95 SRP and on DVD for $19.98 SRP. 

Left in charge of a magical ring by his young wizard master, Tom is horrified when the magic ring gets stuck on Jerry's head - and the little mouse takes off into the big city!  Before you can say "abracadabra," the sorcerer's ring is spouting a torrent of mischievous magic, and Tom and Jerry are up to their ears in the most hilarious escapade of their lives!

Magical DVD features include:

Exciting special features on the Tom and Jerry: The Movie DVD (also available on March 12, 2002) include the following:

 

LEGENDARY JAPANESE ANIME COMIC METROPOLIS COMES TO LIFE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON DVD IN SPECIAL EDITION 2-DISC SET AVAILABLE MARCH 12, 2002

Directed by Rintaro ("X", "Galaxy Express 999") Screenplay by Katshuhiro Otomo ("Akira")

The acclaimed Japanese anime film Osamu Tezuka's METROPOLIS will be released as a Special Edition two-disc DVD set (featuring the first-ever "pocket DVD" of added value features) and on videocassette on March 12, 2002 by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment. Following a national theatrical release, Osamu Tezuka's METROPOLIS will feature a newly subtitled version of the film on the videocassette and Special Edition DVD, along with the dubbed version featured on the DVD as well.

Based on the classic manga (comic) by Osamu Tezuka, the Godfather of anime and manga, Osamu Tezuka's METROPOLIS was brought to the screen by two of the most respected figures in Japanese animation today: screenwriter Katsuhiro Otomo ("Akira") and director Rintaro ("X," "Galaxy Express 999"). In the late 1940s, long before "Astro Boy" and "Kimba the White Lion" established Osamu Tezuka as one of the most influential animators of all time, the legendary illustrator created the classic manga "METROPOLIS."  More than fifty years since it was first imagined, Tezuka's vision of the inability of scientific progress to fulfill basic human needs -- in spite of its mechanizing even the most fundamental aspects of life -- confirms him as a prophet as well as a fabulist. Directed by Rintaro and written by Otomo, the retro-futurism of the story - as well as its precautionary tale -- is spectacularly rendered in its visual style, combining the best in Japanese cel animation with the latest in digital technology.

DVD:

Synopsis

Set in the future, METROPOLIS is a grand city-state populated by humans and robots, the cohabitants of a strictly segmented society.  Amidst the chaos created by anti- robot factions, detective Shunsaku Ban and his sidekick Ken-ichi are searching for rebel scientist Dr. Laughton.  But when they locate him, his secret laboratory is destroyed by fire under sinister circumstances, and instead Ken-ichi finds Tima, a beautiful young girl bereft of memory and speech, seemingly helpless at the site. Little does he know that Tima is a new top-of the-line android created to take over METROPOLIS, and that behind her creation lie the ambitions of a powerful man and his fierce desire to reclaim a tragic figure from his past.

DVD SPECS:

 

"VERTICAL LIMIT" AND "THE BIG HIT" JOIN SUPERBIT COLLECTION ON MARCH 19, 2002.

The Superbit Collection of titles has been hailed as a new benchmark in DVD. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content and multiple audio streams, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at approximately double their normal bit rate while offering full compatibility with the DVD Video format.   The result is picture quality that provides outstanding detail which complements the performance of the latest progressive DVD Video players. After the initial "test" phase, Superbit is considered a success having garnered praise from the media for the quality of its DVDs. CTHE will continued to release Superbit product each quarter throughout 2002 and will continue to support the brand on-line and in targeted print media.

VERTICAL LIMIT

An emotionally-charged, action adventure story, VERTICAL LIMIT is a high-adrenaline tale of a retired climber (Chris O'Donnell, Batman and Robin, Scent of a Woman) who must launch a treacherous and extraordinary rescue effort up K-2, a 28,250 foot mountain in Pakistan's Karakoram Range, to save his estranged sister (Robin Tunney, End of Days, The Craft) and her team in this race against time. Martin Campbell (The Mask of Zorro, Golden Eye) delivers high-voltage action and exhilarating suspense in a film that pits man against his own limitations and the awesome power of nature's uncontrollable elements. The special effects are jaw- dropping!

Rated: PG-13 for intense life/death situations and brief strong language. Running time: 124 minutes

The Superbit DVD includes:

 

THE BIG HIT

THE BIG HIT is a fast, funny, irreverent action-thriller starring Mark Wahlberg (Planet of the Apes, Boogie Nights),  Lou Diamond Phillips (Courage Under Fire), Christina Applegate (TV's Married with Children), Bokeem Woodbine (The Rock), Antonio Sabato, Jr. (High Voltage), Lela Rochon (Waiting to Exhale), Elliot Gould (Oceans Eleven) and Lanie Kazan (Beaches).

The film follows the professional and romantic misadventures of Mel (Wahlberg), a beleaguered hitman who is drawn along with his professional associates into a moonlighting gig that turns sour. As his professional and domestic woes collide, Mel finds himself dodging bullets while trying to impress his potential in-laws. Throw in an overzealous store clerk demanding the return of an overdue videocassette, and it's not long before Mel's carefully constructed life starts to unravel. Rated: R for violence, pervasive language and some sexuality Running Time: 91 minutes

The Superbit DVD includes:

 

01/23/02

SCREEN LEGEND GLENN FORD STARS IN 3:10 TO YUMA COMING TO DVD APRIL 2, 2002

On DVD April 2, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on DVD 3:10 TO YUMA, the story of an Old West outlaw and the bad girl who loves him. Glenn Ford (Gilda) stars with Academy Award®- winner Van Heflin (Johnny Eager), Felicia Farr (Timetable) and Academy Award®-nominee Richard Jaeckel (Sometimes a Great Notion).

Synopsis

After a hold-up and a murder, outlaw Ben Wade (Ford) and his gang are captured.  Wade's men break out of jail and wait for a chance to rescue him.  The authorities suspect that a daring escape plan is underway, so they look for a guard to escort Wade by train to Yuma to stand trial.  The marshal offers a bounty and Dan Evans (Heflin), a poor rancher hit hard by a crippling drought, takes the job.  His wife pleads with him to save his own life by letting Wade go free, but for Evans, it's a matter of principle as well as money.  He takes Wade and begins the dangerous trek to the station.

DVD:

 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT TO REPRICE SIX BEST-SELLING DVDS TO $14.95 ON APRIL 2, 2002

On April 2, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will reprice the following six hit DVD titles to $14.95 SLP:

TITLE

DVD #

UPC CODE

BLUE STREAK SPECIAL EDITION

04011

0-43396-04011-?

THE DEEP

01689

0-43396-01689-?

LA BAMBA

08549

0-43396-08549-?

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

03933

0-43396-03933-?

SNIPER

70759

0-43396-70759-?

STEPMOM

02852

0-43396-02852-?

 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT TO REPRICE EIGHT BEST-SELLING DVDS TO $19.95 SLP ON APRIL 2, 2002

On April 2, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will reprice the following eight hit DVD titles to $19.95 SLP:

TITLE

DVD #

UPC CODE

CAT BALLOU SPECIAL EDITION

04864

0-43396-04864-5

JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS

06250

0-43396-06250-4

GIRLFIGHT

05668

0-43396-05668-8

JOE DIRT

06161

0-43396-06161-3

STAND BY ME SPECIAL EDITION

05517

0-43396-05517-9

STEEL MAGNOLIAS SPECIAL EDITION

70247

0-43396-70247-9

TOOTSIE

03747

0-43396-03747-2

THE TAILOR OF PANAMA SPECIAL EDITION

06395

0-43396-06395-2

 

A GLIMPSE OF HELL ARRIVING ON DVD FEBRUARY 26, 2002

On February 26, get ready for an explosive mix of action and adventure aboard a U.S. Navy Battleship as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents the VHS and DVD debut of A GLIMPSE OF HELL. This gripping military suspense stars James Caan (Eraser, Misery) as a Navy Captain battling to uncover the truth behind a deadly blast that claims the lives of 47 sailors. Roberts Sean Leonard (Dead Poet s Society) co-stars as a Lieutenant who questions the Navy s position and risks his reputation - and his career - to find the truth. Absorbing and intelligent (Los Angeles Daily News) with top-notch performances (TV Guide), A GLIMPSE OF HELL is available on VHS (for rental) and on DVD for the suggested retail price of $34.99 US/$46.98 Canada. Pre-order date is January 30, 2002.

Synopsis:

The Battle for truth rages on in this true-life account of a deadly blast aboard a U.S. Navy battleship. James Caan (Eraser, Misery) and Robert Sean Leonard (Dead Poet’s Society) star in this powerful military action film that finds a Navy Lieutenant caught between the top Navy brass and the shocking reality.

A GLIMPSE OF HELL

 

ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED DVD RE-ISSUES IS ABOUT TO ARRIVE AS ELITE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE CULT HORROR CLASSIC "RE-ANIMATOR"

Two-Disc "Millennium Edition" DVD Includes A Wide Array of Brand New Features

Available April 30'° for $29.95

***NOTE TO HORROR FANS FAR AND WIDE: THE WAIT IS OVER. It has been one of the most popular cult favorites since its initial theatrical release in 1985. Now, Elite Entertainment, as part of its specially designed Millennium Edition series, will release a brand new, two-disc set of "RE-ANIMATOR." Highlighted by an endless array of extras and special features-including THX certification, a brand new digital widescreen transfer and an isolated 5.1 Surround Sound music score-" RE-ANIMATOR " will be available on April 30'° at a suggested retail price of $29.95.

"This film has reached way beyond its cult status, becoming one of the few films of its genre to hit a mainstream audience, thanks to various mentions in the Academy Award winning film `American Beauty,"' said Vini Bancalari, President, Elite Entertainment. "For fans that have been waiting patiently, the anticipation will pay off, and in their wildest dreams, they never could have imagined the final product we have in store for them."

In addition to the THX certification, brand new digital widescreen transfer and isolated 5.1 Surround Sound music score, the Millennium Edition of "RE-ANIMATOR" will feature:

"RE-ANIMATOR" follows the story of scientist Herbert West and his obsession: he wants to bring the dead back to life. While experimenting with a glowing green liquid, he successfully reanimates dead tissue. Unfortunately, the tissue is uncontrollable and difficult to subdue. Enter Dr. Carl Hill, West's instructor, who is determined to steal the secret and reap the rewards.  But West isn't giving up so easily. What follows is a non-stop gore fest filled with wit and humor, as West does whatever is necessary to keep his discovery.... no matter what the consequences may be.  "RE-ANIMATOR" was written by Dennis Paoli, based on the short story Herbert West: The Re-animator by H.P. Lovecraft, produced by Brian Yuzna and directed by Stuart Gordon. The film has a running time of 86 minutes and is not rated.

RE-ANIMATOR Millennium Edition

 

GHOST WORLD ARRIVING ON DVD ON FEBRUARY 5

From the director of the critically acclaimed feature film Crumb, the "uproariously funny" Premiere) GHOST WORLD debuts on DVD and rental VHS on February 5, 2002 from MGM Home Entertainment. Based on the hit underground comic book of the same name, GHOST WORLD features the hot new talents of Thora Birch (American Beauty), Scarlett Johansson (The Horse Whisperer) and Brad Renfro (The Client), and includes veteran favorites Steve Buscemi (Fargo) and Illeana Douglas (Stir Of Echoes). A "whip-smart comedy" (People), GHOST WORLD is an outrageously wry coming-of-age satire about two social misfits who learn the hard way that life gets even weirder after graduating from high school.

Available for $26.98, the GHOST WORLD DVD boasts deleted and alternate scenes and a "Making-Of' Ghost World featurette, which features interviews from the cast and crew. In addition, the DVD includes a rare music video from Gumnaam, circa 1965, showcasing the music of Mohammed Rafi's "Jaan Pehechaan Ho."

While their classmates head for college, Enid (Birch) and Rebecca (Johansson) focus their energies on tormenting those around them! From a goofy convenience store clerk (Renfro) to an eccentric art teacher (Douglas), these two saboteurs wreak havoc on all who cross their paths. But when they zero in on an oddball loner (Buscemi) looking for Miss Right, their seemingly innocent meddling threatens to shatter one of their hearts ...not to mention their lifelong

friendship!

GHOST WORLD

 

01/22/02

THRILLS AND CHILLS ABOUND WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THIRTEEN GHOSTS ON DVD APRIL 2

Special Feature-Packed DVD Includes Behind-The-Scenes Documentary and Additional Scenes With Director Commentary

On April 2, hot, young newcomers Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie I and II, Scary Movie) and Matthew Lillard (this summer’s Scooby-Doo movie, Summer Catch) bring the classic horror film THIRTEEN GHOSTS back to life in a remake with a modern twist, available from Warner Home Video, on direct to sellthrough VHS and DVD, priced at $22.98 SRP for VHS and $24.98 SRP.

The family has moved in – but the ghosts aren’t moving out in this special-effects update of the classic 1960s shocker from hit-making producers Joel Silver (The Matrix, Swordfish) and Robert Zemeckis (Cast Away, What Lies Beneath) and starring Tony Shalhoub (Spy Kids, Galaxy Quest), Shannon Elizabeth, Matthew Lillard and F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus, Finding Forrester).

The THIRTEEN GHOSTS DVD is web-enabled and will be presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio and 16x9 full frame format. The DVD includes several outstanding features including "Ghost Files" produced especially for the DVD by Joel Silver:

THIRTEEN GHOSTS is rated "R" (horror violence/gore, nudity and some language) and has a running time of 91 minutes.

DRUNKEN MASTER DEBUTS ON DVD APRIL 2, 2002

On April 2, 2002, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on DVD and videocassette a comic martial arts classic DRUNKEN MASTER, starring international action comedy legend Jackie Chan (Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon). DRUNKEN MASTER was the second collaboration between director Yuen Woo Ping, fight choreographer for The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Jackie Chan.  The film blends intricate martial arts moves with Jackie Chan's trademark slapstick comedy.  DRUNKEN MASTER ushered in a new genre of kung fu comedy and established Chan as its uncontested king.

Synopsis

Won Fei Hung (Jackie Chan) is the mischievous young son of a martial arts schoolmaster who is constantly clowning around when he should be learning kung fu. After his comic antics injure the son of a powerful local man, his father enlists the help of his sadistic uncle to teach his son a little self-discipline. This strange man, who has a reputation for crippling his students, tries to teach Fei Hung a bizarre style of kung fu.  At first, Fei Hung resists, but after losing a fight with a local assassin who has been hired to kill his father, he realizes he must master the special art of the "Drunken Boxer." Produced by Ng See Yuen.  Co-Produced by Chang Chuan.  Screenplay by Ng See Yuen and Hsiao Lung.  Directed by Yuen Woo Ping.

DVD:

 

THE NET SPECIAL EDITION DVD COMING ON APRIL 2, 2002

On April 2, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release a special edition DVD of THE NET, director Irwin Winkler's (Academy Award®-winner for Best Picture, Rocky) hit thriller about a computer expert whose life is erased by a computer conspiracy. Sandra Bullock (Miss Congeniality), Jeremy Northam (Gosford Park), Dennis Miller (Joe Dirt), Ken Howard (At First Sight) and Diane Baker (Mulholland Drive) star.

SYNOPSIS

Angela Bennett (Bullock) is a computer expert who is never far from a computer and modem. The only activity she has outside of computers is visiting her mother. A friend, whom she's only spoken to over the net and phone, Dale Hessman, sends her a program with a weird glitch for her to de-bug. However, he is killed in a plane crash the night he leaves to meet her. Angela discovers secret information on the disk, which she receives only hours before she leaves for her first vacation in years. Her life then turns into a nightmare, her records are erased from existence and she is given a new identity, one with a police record.  Angela is now in a race against time determine who is behind this plot and why.

DVD:

 

THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL DVD RELEASE OF 2002 IS COMING FROM SYNAPSE FILMS

From highly acclaimed director Radley Metzger, THE IMAGE (aka THE PUNISHMENT OF ANNE) is a fascinating study of the sadomasochistic relationship between a young girl and an older woman. Based on the classic novel "L’IMAGE" from Jean De Berg, this sexual masterpiece is hailed by critics as one of the best erotic films ever made. Beautifully photographed and loaded with highly charged sexual imagery and provocative situations, THE IMAGE is a cinematic masterpiece that brings the darker side of your deepest erotic fantasies to life.

Restored directly from the original 35mm camera negatives, this DVD of THE IMAGE is the definitive release of this erotic cinema classic. Presented uncut and uncensored for the first time on home video, THE IMAGE is a powerful, erotic film that will definitely be one of the most talked about and controversial DVD releases of the year!

THIS DVD SPECIAL EDITION CONTAINS:

THE IMAGE - DVD SPECIAL EDITION (aka THE PUNISHMENT OF ANNE)
FOR MATURE VIEWERS ONLY.THIS FILM IS UNRATED BUT CONTAINS SCENES OF EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT.

 

BREAD & TULIPS DEBUTS ON DVD MARCH 26, 2002

On March 26, 2002, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on DVD and videocassette the internationally acclaimed romantic comedy BREAD & TULIPS.  The story takes place in the beautiful setting of Venice, Italy and reminds you its never too late to bloom.  Directed and  co-written by Italy's acclaimed director Silvio Soldini (The Acrobats; A Soul Split in  Two; The Peaceful Air of the West).  BREAD & TULIPS stars Italy's acclaimed actress Licia Maglietta (Le Acrobate; Rumori di Fondo) and Bruno Ganz (Faraway, so Close! The Boys from Brazil).  The film also includes a stellar cast of award-winning Italian stars.

Synopsis

When Rosalba (Maglietta), a busy housewife is accidentally left behind while on vacation with her family, she decides to take a holiday on her own in ravishing Venice. Charmed by the city and her newfound freedom, she extends her stay, finding a job in a flowers hop, renting a room from a wistful waiter (Ganz), whom she befriends, and rediscovering her love of playing the accordion. But her solo sojourn does not sit well with her tyrannical husband (Antonio Catania), who recruits an amateur detective (Giuseppe Battiston) to bring his wife  back home. Will Rosalba return to her old life or embrace the exciting possibilities of a new one? BREAD & TULIPS was an Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight category.  The film was also an Official Selection at the Toronto International Film Festival and the winner of the Best Screenplay at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

DVD:

 

01/21/02

STEAMY THRILLER ORIGINAL SIN COMES TO DVD

Antonio Banderas And Angelina Jolie Heat Up The Screen On March 26 In Never-Before-Seen. Un-Rated DVD Version From MGM Home Entertainment

Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie embark on a sensual journey to the depths of human nature in MGM Home Entertainment's erotic thriller ORIGINAL SIN. Including scenes deemed too racy for the theatrical release, the ORIGINAL SIN DVD features provocative never-before-seen footage in an un-rated version with two new scenes and an extended love scene available only on DVD. The un-rated DVD also features an audio commentary by director Michael Cristofer, a photo gallery, the "You Can't Walk Away From Love" music video by Gloria Estefan and the original theatrical trailer. The original, R-rated theatrical version also will be available on DVD and for rental on VHS on March 26. Both versions of the DVD are priced at $26.98.

Set against the sizzling backdrop of Cuba in the 1800's, ORIGINAL SIN captures the seething passion of the time through mesmerizing performances by Banderas and Jolie, exotic locales and a haunting musical score by Terence Blanchard. ORIGINAL SIN is a re-telling of the classic 1969 French film Mississippi Mermaid, starring Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Wealthy Cuban coffee merchant Luis Vargas (Banderas) only knows his bride-to-be through letters of love. And when he finally meets Julia (Jolie) on their wedding day, he is astounded and left breathless by her beauty and smoldering sexuality. But behind that beauty, a devious mind is at work and when he finds his business in ruin, his life in shambles and his new wife on the run, Luis begins a relentless pursuit for the woman who not only stole his money, but also his heart ...and he'll stop at nothing to get her back.

ORIGINAL SIN (theatrical version)

 

ORIGINAL SIN (un-rated version)

 

BRUCE WILLI$ I$ RIGHT ON THE MONEY IN MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT'$ EXHILARATING ACTION-PACKED COMEDY BANDITS

Billy Bob Thornton And Cate Blanchett Score Best Actor And Best Actress Golden Globe Nominations For Their Winning Performances

Brimming with non-stop action and a cunning comedic performance by Bruce Willis, the clever heist action-comedy BANDITS debuts on Special Edition DVD and for rental on VHS on April 2, 2002 from MGM Home Entertainment. Touted as "Flat-out finny!" (USA Today), BANDITS was directed by Barry Levinson (Rain Man) and garnered more than $40 million at the box office. Billy Bob Thornton (A Simple Plan, Sling Blade) and Cate Blanchett (Academy Award® Nominee, Elizabeth) earned Best Actor and Best Actress Golden Globe nominations for their energetic performances in the fast-paced action-comedy. BANDITS features Willis, Thornton and Blanchett as they embark on a wickedly finny romp through the Northwest as fugitive bank robbers, leaving a trail of terrified bankers, bad wigs, and an adoring public in their wake.

Available for $26.98, the BANDITS Special Edition DVD is packed with extras, including an alternate ending and deleted scenes. Boasting two featurettes, including "Inside Scene 71," an in-depth look at how one scene in the film evolved and changed as it went from script to screen, and "Making-Of Bandits," the disc also contains English 5.1 surround sound and more.

Joe Blake (Willis) and Terry Collins (Thornton) have set up the perfect crime. As the "Sleepover Bandits," they place bank managers under house arrest the night before the holdup to facilitate the robbery ...and to get a home-cooked dinner. But something's about to upset the balance of their partnership ...and that something is Kate Wheeler (Blanchett). At first this unhappy housewife is The Hostage Who Wouldn't Go Away. But as Joe and Terry become accustomed to her eccentricities - and devotion to sappy love songs -her vulnerability takes on a romantic appeal to both men.

BANDITS

 

01/18/02

FROM ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING DIRECTOR NATHAN JURAN AND RAY HARRYHAUSEN COMES: FIRST MEN IN THE MOON TO DVD MARCH 26, 2002

FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, Academy Award-winning director Richard Nathan Juran's (Best Art Direction, How Green Was My Valley) story about he first humans on the moon who battle giant ants will debut on DVD March 26, 2002. The film stars Edward Judd (Sink the Bismarck), Martha Hyer (Houseboat), Lionel Jeffries (Camelot) and Academy Award®-winner Peter Finch (Network).

Synopsis

H.G. Wells' fantastic account of life on the moon is vividly brought to the screen by special effects master Ray Harryhausen in this amazing sci-fi epic featuring unforgettable extra-terrestrial creatures.  The film begins with a team of United Nations astronauts planning an upcoming moon mission.  The astronauts are both confused and intrigued by a man (Judd) who claims he, his fiancée and a scientist journeyed to the moon 65 years ago and were attacked by "Selenites," grotesque, human-like ant forms that live in immense crystal caverns. Now it is up to the U.N. team to attempt a lunar landing that could be more horrifying than ever believed possible.

DVD:

 

BITE THE BULLET COMES TO DVD APRIL 2, 2002

All-Star Cast Includes Academy Award®-winner Gene Hackman, Emmy Award®-winner Candice Bergen, Academy Award®-winner James Coburn, Academy Award®-winner Ben Johnson, Jan Michael Vincent, Dabney Coleman and Academy Award®-nominee Sally Kirkland Nominated for Two 1975 Academy Awards®: Best Sound and Best Original Score

BITE THE BULLET, Academy Award-winning director Richard Brooke's (Best Screenplay, Elmer Gantry) hard-hitting action drama about the trials of the rugged west in a grueling, 700-mile horse race, will debut on DVD April 2, 2002. Two-time Academy Award®-winner Gene Hackman The French Connection and Unforgiven) heads an all-star cast including multiple Emmy Award®-winner Candice Bergen (TV's Murphy Brown), Academy Award®-winner James Coburn (Affliction), Academy Award®-winner Ben Johnson (The Last Picture Show), Jan-Michael Vincent (TV's The Winds of War), Dabney Coleman (9 to 5) and Academy Award®-nominee Sally Kirkland (Anna).

Synopsis

BITE THE BULLET is an epic western, turn-of-the-century tale of high stakes and harsh tests of endurance that glorifies the kind of gutsy men and women who built this country.  Gene Hackman plays a former roughrider who matches wits with a lovely but shady lady-in-distress (Bergen).  James Coburn is a drifting ex- cowboy who joins a grueling 700-mile race and competes against a young, reckless cowboy (Vincent), a haughty English sportsman (Ian Bannen, Academy Award®-nominee, The Flight of the Phoenix) and a gutsy Pony Express rider (Johnson).

DVD:

 

01/17/02

SHE CREATURE A HORROR THRILLER DEBUTING ON DVD APRIL 2, 2002

On April 2, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on DVD and videocassette SHE CREATURE, a sexy stylish horror thriller starring Rufus Sewell (A Knights Tale), Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) and Gil Bellows (TV's Ally McBeal).  SHE CREATURE is a winning combination of eye-popping visuals mixed with good old-fashioned story-telling to create a terrifying tale of mermaids and mayhem. This all-new Creature Features film delivers state-of-the-art creature effects by the legendary monster maker Stan Winston (Alien, The Terminator, Jurassic Park).

Synopsis

Angus (Sewell) and Lillie (Gugino) are traveling the Irish countryside with their carnival sideshow when they befriend a wealthy old sailor.  After giving him a ride to his castle, he shows them his deadly prize: a real live mermaid held captive in a tank.  Eager for fame and fortune, Angus and his crew steal the sea creature and make plans to set sail for America. After loading their cargo and boarding a boat, they soon learn that the animal they possess is as dangerous as it is beautiful.  But nothing can prepare them for the horror that awaits them as their boat drifts further and further out to sea.  Get ready for an edge-of- your-seat thrill ride that will scare you to the bone! Produced by Lou Arkoff, Stan Winston and Colleen Camp.  Executive produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff, Robyn Rosenfeld and Buddy Epstein.  Written and directed by Sebastian Gutierrez.

DVD:

 

ALL IN THE FAMILY - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON COMES TO DVD IN A THREE-DISC SET ON MARCH 26, 2002

Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner And Sally Struthers Star In This Groundbreaking Comedy

On March 26, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on DVD ALL IN THE FAMILY - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON. From one of television's pioneering creators, Norman Lear (One Day at a Time, Sanford and Son, Maude, The Jeffersons), comes one of the most beloved families in television history, the Bunkers, starring Carroll O'Connor as Archie, Jean Stapleton as Edith, Rob Reiner as Mike "Meathead" Stivic and Sally Struthers as Gloria. Television was changed forever the night of January 12, 1971, when the premiere episode of ALL IN THE FAMILY debuted. The show's central character, Archie Bunker, is a working-class family man who holds bigoted, conservative views of the world. His viewpoints clash with nearly everyone he comes into contact with, especially his liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (or, as Archie delights in calling him, "Meathead"). The two disagree about nearly everything: politics, minorities, sex, religion, economics, war, gun control, crime, free speech, women's rights, morality, philosophy and (so it seems) life in general. Archie's daughter, Gloria, often (but not always) sides with Mike, while his saintly wife, Edith, is the rock that holds the family together. Edith is as friendly, reserved, considerate and open-minded as Archie is bigoted, loud, rude and closed-minded; however, the love and faithfulness between them is undeniable. During the course of its remarkable eight-year run, ALL IN THE FAMILY was nominated for an amazing 48 Emmy Awards, taking home 20 trophies with multiple wins for all of the lead characters as well as three wins for Outstanding Comedy Series. Numerous spin-off series resulted from ALL IN THE FAMILY including the very successful Maude and The Jeffersons.

DVD:

 

THE EVIL THAT MEN DO TO DVD MARCH 19, 2002

Cast Includes Charles Bronson, Theresa Saldana and Jose Ferrer

THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, director J. Lee Thompson's (Academy Award®-nominee, The Guns of Navarone) hard-hitting action drama about a professional killer brought out of retirement to avenge his friend's murder, will debut on DVD March 19, 2002. Action superstar Charles Bronson (Death Wish) stars with Theresa Saldana (Raging Bull) and Jose Ferrer (Academy Award®-winner Cyrano de Bergerac).

Synopsis

Professional killer Holland (Bronson) is forced out of retirement to break a Central American government's political torture ring when one of his friends, a Latin American journalist, is killed.  The murderer, Dr. Clement Molloch (Joseph Maher, In & Out), is the master sadist behind the political torture of innocent victims.  Posing as a journalist, Holland lures Molloch out of his fortress-like headquarters by using his murdered friend's wife (Saldana) and daughter as bait. When Holland kidnaps Molloch's sister (Antoinette Bower, TV's The Thorn Birds), the doctor is led on a wild chase that takes him to an abandoned opal mine where he finally comes face to face with Holland.  Their long-awaited confrontation soon comes to a shattering conclusion.

DVD:

 

ME & ISAAC NEWTON COMES TO DVD FROM HOME VISION ENTERTAINMENT

ME & ISAAC NEWTON--the latest DVD from Home Vision Entertainment, the premiere distributor of foreign and classic feature films in North America--hits the streets January 22, 2002.  An engaging glimpse into the life of contemporary scientists, Me & Issac Newton is a wonderful companion piece to Ron Howard's critically acclaimed A Beautiful Mind, answering the question of why science. Award-winning director Michael Apted (Gorillas in the Mist, Coal Miner's Daughter), explores the inner worlds of seven scientists in this captivating documentary. From Madagascar lemurs and a unified theory of everything, to language disorders and robotic communities, the distinguished scientists featured in ME & ISAAC NEWTON reveal the creative side of the scientific endeavor. Beginning with their earliest scientific questions and including their most personal ponderings, these remarkable individuals share their histories and professional obligations to affect the world.

 

01/15/02

WILDE SPECIAL EDITION DVD DEBUTS ON MARCH 19, 2002

On March 19, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release a special edition DVD of WILDE, a lush, historical beautifully filmed biography of famed and controversial writer Oscar Wilde.  The all-star cast includes Stephen Fry (A Fish Called Wanda), Jude Law (Academy Award®-nominee The Talented Mr. Ripley), Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) and Vanessa Redgrave (Academy Award-winner, Julia).

SYNOPSIS

Brilliant, egocentric and completely unique, Oscar Wilde (Fry) defied convention on almost every level.  While coming to terms with his newfound sexual identity, he also experienced his most creative period resulting in some of his best-known works.  As his literary career flourished, the self-realization of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas (Law). It is this passionate and stormy relationship which consumed and ultimately destroyed him.

DVD:

 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE FIVE NEW THREE STOOGES CLASSIC SHORT FILMS ON ONE DVD MARCH 26, 2002

On March 26, 2002 Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release the following five hilarious short films on DVD:

Three Arabian Nuts

The Stooges are delivering some Arabian antiques, which include a magic lamp complete with genie. Three Arabian bad guys are after the magic lamp, but the Stooges defeat them once they get the "genius" (as Shemp calls the genie) on their side.

Three Little Beers

The Stooges are inept deliverymen at a brewery. When they learn about a company golf tournament, they sneak onto a golf course to get some practice. They quickly proceed to bother the other golfers and destroy the course. Forced to escape in their beer truck, more havoc ensues when the load of beer barrels spills out down a steep hill.

Three Smart Saps

The Stooges are engaged to the three daughters of a prison warden. When they learn that some crooks have taken over the prison and their prospective father-in-law has been locked up, they decide to go undercover to rescue him. The Stooges sneak into the prison where they find a casino with a fancy party in progress. After swiping some formal attire, they crash the party and get candid camera evidence to expose the crooked goings-on. With the crooks behind bars once again, the Stooges are able to get married and all ends well.

Three Dark Horses

A campaign boss is looking for three delegates to the presidential convention, delegates that are too stupid to discover that his candidate, Hammond Egger, is a crook.  Enter the Stooges as janitors sent to clean the man's office. After some of their antics, the boys' suitability for the job is apparent and they're hired. The Stooges go to the convention, but double cross their boss and vote for another candidate, Abel Lamb Stewer. When the boss and his muscle man come looking for revenge, the boys defeat them in a wild fight.

Three Loan Wolves

Told in flashback, the Stooges tell their son how he came to have three fathers. The Stooges, owners of a pawn shop, owed money to the gashouse protection society, a bunch of loan sharks. To complicate matters, a lady leaves a baby in the shop as part of a plan to sell a phony diamond and the Stooges wind up caring for the kid. The Stooges manage to defeat the crooks and, when they finish telling the story, the kid goes off to find his real mother.

 

SYNAPSE FILMS ANNOUNCES THE GRAPES OF DEATH - SPECIAL EDITION

One of the most eagerly anticipated cult films of all time is finally coming to home video from Synapse Films, an independent leader in cult films on DVD.

A vacation with a friend turns into a horrifying nightmare when a young woman flees from a train, only to stumble into a remote village overtaken by its zombie-like inhabitants. One by one, the townspeople are slowly turning into violent deformed killers. The local winery may hold the key to the hellish transformations. Perhaps the pesticide used in the grape field does ore than just kill insects…

Director Jean Rollin (LIVING DEAD GIRL, FASCINATION) is in top form with THE GRAPES OF DEATH (aka Les Raisins De La Mort, Pesticide). His expert direction and visual imagery have made him one of the most honored horror directors of all time. Mastered directly from the original 35mm camera negatives, this DVD release has all the blood, gore and scares in a glorious new uncut, uncensored anamorphic transfer.

 

NEW TITLE ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM TEMPE DVD

"VENGEANCE OF THE DEAD"

LIMITED LUNAR EDITION FEATURES:

 

"WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE"

WIDESCREEN SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:

 

"HELL ASYLUM"

LIMITED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:

 

FIRST RUN FEATURES PROUDLY PRESENTS TWO NEW TITLES FROM RADLEY MEZTGER'S AUDUBON FILMS COLLECTION:

THE NUDE SET (86 minutes; B&W; 1961)

Description: French sex kitten Agnes Laurent is a spoiled young provincial girl who coerces her wealthy parents into sending her to Paris, where she plans to continue her romance with a hunky medical student. In gay Paris, Agnes discovers the bohemian nightclubs where strip-tease has become so popular – and in no time the timid country girl goes from spectator to performer!  This classic French sex comedy, originally titled Mademoiselle Striptease, is a charming sexual frolic that features outstanding striptease and cabaret performances. It was also the first release by Radley Metzger's Audubon Films - the beginning of a new era of film distribution and marketing.

DVD Features:

 

THE LIBERTINE (96 minutes; Color; 1969)

Description: Starring European sex kitten Catherine Spaak and French superstar Jean-Louis Trintignant, The Libertine is about a young woman named Mimi who discovers that her recently deceased husband had kept a secret apartment equipped to satisfy his unusual sexual desires. Upset that he had turned to others instead of herself, Mimi decides to use the apartment to explore the world of sex!  Considered by many to be a classic of late 60’s Euro sex comedies, The Libertine comes to DVD in a newly remastered widescreen edition with restored footage and a wealth of bonus materials. Fans of all things 60’s won’t want to pass up this beautiful new version of the film that Radley Metzger himself calls one of his favorite Audubon releases!

DVD Features:

 

NEW TITLE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM FANTOMA FILMS

Yasuzo Masumura's GIANTS & TOYS When three rival candy companies go to war for market supremacy, World Caramels enlists a lower-class girl with appallingly bad teeth to be their new spokesmodel. In a world of industrial spies, hostile takeovers and boardroom hysterics, the animal instincts of this overnight star prove to be the most cutthroat of all. This razor-sharp, fast-paced attack on post-war corporate society and TV culture plays like a Japanese combination of Dr. Strangelove and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?. More valid today than the day it was made, New Wave master Yasuzo Masumura’s DaieiScope explosion of color, sound and acid wit ranks with the best satires of Billy Wilder and Frank Tashlin.

 

01/11/02

THE USUAL SUSPECTS SPECIAL EDITION DVD TO DEBUT

The film that keeps you guessing long after its final frame, THE USUAL SUSPECTS debuts as a Special Edition DVD on April 2, 2002 from MGM Home Entertainment. Winner of two Academy Awards®, including Best Supporting Actor for Kevin Spacey and Best Original Screenplay for Christopher McQuarrie, THE USUAL SUSPECTS is "a stylish and intricate thriller stocked with powerhouse performers" (Newsweek). Directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men), this masterful and atmospheric film noir features riveting performances by Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Pollak, Stephen Baldwin, Pete Postlethwaite, Chazz Palminteri and Benicio Del Toro.

Priced at $24.98, the Special Edition DVD boasts over an hour of brand new, in-depth interviews with Spacey, Byrne, Pollak, Baldwin, Palminteri, Del Toro, Singer, screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie and editor/composer John Ottman. In addition, the DVD features a "colorful" gag reel created by Singer to amuse his cast, a featurette that finally answers the question "Who is Keyser Soze?" and a home video shot by Pollak's wife, Linda Pollak that showcases the world debut of THE USUAL SUSPECTS at the Cannes Film Festival from the point of view of the director and cast.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS DVD Special Features:

  • 16X9 Hi-Definition Transfer and 5.1 Stereo Surround Sound

  • "Round-Up - Deposing the Usual Suspects" Featurette

  • "Keyser Soze - Lie or Legend" Featurette

  • "Heisting Cannes with The Usual Suspects" Featurette

  • Deleted Scenes

  • Gag Reel with Introduction by Bryan Singer

  • New Audio Commentary with Director Bryan Singer and Writer Christopher McQuarrie

  • New Audio Commentary with John Ottman (Composer and Editor)

  • Theatrical Trailers, Original Advertising Materials and TV Spots

  • Collectible Booklet

Hounded by a determined customs agent (Palminteri), con man Verbal Kint (Spacey) nervously recounts an incredible tale: Several weeks earlier, united by their arrests on bogus charges, Verbal and four other criminals decided to team for a series of successful heists. But when they learn that one of the jobs has indebted them to the mythic Keyser Soze, a powerful and merciless underworld kingpin, the gang is blackmailed into performing their last crime: a suicidal assault on a mysterious ship that leaves no one unscathed.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS Special Edition DVD

 

ELITE ENTERTAINMENT PREMIERES ITS MILLENNIUM EDITION TM SERIES WITH A NEW VERSION OF THE HORROR CLASSIC "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD"

Disc to Include More Extras Than Before, Including Interviews with Film's Stars

Available March 12th for $24.95

It's one of the most celebrated horror films in the history of cinema. Now, Elite Entertainment-one of the industry leaders in the restoration and distribution of cult and horror film classics-has added even more bonus materials and special features to its classic title "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD." Marking the initial release in Elite's Millennium Edition TM DVD series-which features an abundance of extras added to the company's classic horror titles-"NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" has been restored with a newly approved THX Transfer, and includes a wide array of never-before-seen DVD features. The disc will be available on March 12t` at a suggested retail price of $24.95.

"`NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD' has become one of the most talked about titles in the history of horror films," said Vini Bancalari, President, Elite Entertainment. "Because of this overwhelming interest, we thought it would be the perfect title to start our Millennium Edition series. Fans that have come to expect only the best from our horror titles will now be treated to more extras than they've ever seen before."

The Millennium Edition of "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" will include:

Considered one of the true, classic horror films of all time, "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" tells the story of a group of strangers taking shelter in a farmhouse while the rest of the world is doing battle against an army of hungry "un-dead." NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD-Millennium Edition

 

01/11/02

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION COMES TO DVD

The Entire, Highly Anticipated Series Beams to DVD in 2002, Loaded with Extras, With New Seasons Every Two Months-- Launching with Season One on March 26

Setting the stage for an entire year of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, Paramount Home Entertainment is proud to bring the series to DVD for the first time, beginning in March, 2002. The year-long campaign will launch on March 26 with SEASON ONE, a seven-disc collector's box set containing all 26 episodes from the first season, along with four newly created documentaries exclusive to the DVD release. A new season will be released every other month and the entire series is presented in newly remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.

Each season of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION is presented in a highly collectable box set, with seven discs (Season 2 has 6 discs) and a pull-out booklet of episode information and panoramic montage of the crew. Moving forward, each season of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION will be released as a box set to create an attractive library of the entire series. This will appeal not only to fans of Star Trek but any consumer who loves DVD.

"STAR TREK is one of our most popular and enduring video franchises," said Eric Doctorow, president, Paramount Home Entertainment Worldwide. "We are very excited to be releasing STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION on DVD because we are now offering consumers the ultimate home viewing experience for this immensely popular show."

DVD Contents:

Disc 1: Encounter at Farpoint Parts 1 & 2 (episodes 101, 102), The Naked Now (103), Code of Honor (104)
Disc 2: The Last Outpost (107), Where No One Has Gone Before (106), Lonely Among Us (108), Justice (109)
Disc 3: The Battle (110), Hide and Q (111), Haven (105), The Big Goodbye (113)
Disc 4: DataLore (114), Angel One (115), 11001001 (116), Too Short a Season (112)
Disc 5: When the Bough Breaks (118), Home Soil (117), Coming of Age (119), Heart of Glory (120)
Disc 6: The Arsenal of Freedom (121), Symbiosis (123), Skin of Evil (122), We'll Always Have Paris (124)
Disc 7: Conspiracy (125), The Neutral Zone (126), Special Features

Disc 7 of the DVD includes the following special features:

The Beginning: focusing on the challenges of creating a new series and keeping to Gene Roddenberry's vision. Includes interviews with Roddenberry, Patrick Stewart, Robert Justman (former producer of the Original Series), Rick Berman (Co-Executive Producer at the time), Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Denise Crosby and other cast members.

Selected Crew Analysis: features first season cast members talking about their roles, their acting backgrounds prior to being cast and their impressions of the Star Trek legacy. Also features a comparison between the launch of the series in 1987 and the comments from the cast seven years later (1994), using archive interviews and b-roll to present a fascinating ‘before' and ‘after' look from the series cast members.

The Making of a Legend: features commentary from the first season production staff members: Michael Westmore (Make-up), Herman Zimmerman (Production Designer), Mike Okuda (Scenic Artist), Richard Stembach (Scenic Artist), Dan Curry (Visual Effects), Peter Lauritson (Co-Producer), Rick Berman and others, as they discuss the making of the new series. Uncovers information on how the beaming effect is achieved, Worf's make up process and how much time and effort goes into creating each episode.

Memorable Missions: cast and crew discussions of specific episodes and events that occurred during the first season.

Picking up decades after Captain Kirk and his original crew left off, Emmy-winning STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION follows the exciting adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) as he leads an all new U.S.S. Enterprise on adventurous missions into deep space. The series also stars Jonathan Frakes as William T. Riker, LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge, Denise Crosby as Tasha Yar, Michael Dorn as Worf, Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher, Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi, Brent Spiner as Data and Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher.

The DVD of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - SEASON ONE is presented in a full frame version and the audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. The DVDs are subtitled in English and closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired.

SYNOPSES

In STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - SEASON ONE, it is 78 years after the adventures of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, taking place in the 24th century. Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the all-new Enterprise NCC 1701-D as the crew travels to distant planets seeking out new life and adventures.

Disc 1: In the series' two-part pilot, "Encounter at Farpoint," (Episodes One and Two), the U.S.S. Enterprise crew is assigned to determine how the native Bandi inhabitants created the energy-powered Farpoint station. This first mission introduces "Q," the mysterious and powerful being who challenges the crew to prove that humans are not a barbaric race. Thus begins the adventures of THE NEXT GENERATION. In "The Naked Now," the Enterprise and crew are summoned to investigate strange occurrences aboard the research vessel U.S.S. Tsiolkovsky, only to return to their ship unknowingly carrying a contagious virus, while "Code of Honor" finds U.S.S. Enterprise on the planet Ligon II, sent to obtain a rare vaccine necessary to avert a plague on Stryris IV.

Disc 2: "The Last Outpost" follows the crew as they are rendered powerless above an unknown and mysterious planet, while "Where No One Has Gone Before" finds the starship in uncharted territory, when a test on the ship's propulsion system backfires and blasts the starship more than a billion light years away from their own galaxy. "Lonely Among Us" finds the crew of U.S.S. Enterprise passing through a mysterious "cloud" that contains combinations of complex energy patterns, and "Justice" finds the crew anxiously awaiting a shore leave on the pastoral planet of Rubicon III.

Disc 3: "The Battle" unveils the old style starship U.S.S. Stargazer on a direct course with Enterprise, and containing a mysterious mind-altering devise onboard. In "Hide and Q," the dangerous "Q" stops the U.S.S. Enterprise as they attempt to aid the survivors on a planet rocked by a lethal explosion, while "Haven" presents an unexpected visit from Counselor Troi's mother. "The Big Goodbye" finds Captain Picard at a crossroads, as he must deliver a precise greeting to the Jarada, the insect-like race inhabiting the quadrant Korona IV, where the U.S.S. Enterprise wishes to enter.

Disc 4: In "DataLore," the crew investigates the mystery surrounding the disappearance of an earth colony in the Omicron Theta star system, and "Angel One" finds the crew traveling to Angel One, a planet run by women, to search for survivors from a Federation freighter disabled by an asteroid collision seven years earlier. "11001001" focuses on the computer intelligence aboard U.S.S. Enterprise, as the starship docks at Starbase 74, where the Bynars are scheduled to upgrade the ship's computer system, and "Too Short a Season" finds the crew transporting the infamous Admiral Mark Jameson to Mordan IV, where several Federation officials have been taken hostage by the planet's governor.

Disc 5: In "When the Bough Breaks," U.S.S. Enterprise accidentally discovers a planet with advanced technology that provides every need or want a person could have, while "Home Soil" follows the starship on a visit to Velara III, where a group of terraformers are working to transform the seemingly desolate planet into one capable of supporting life. In "Coming of Age," Wesley beams down to Relva VII to take the grueling Starfleet Academy entrance exam, while "Heart of Glory" finds Lt. Worf having to choose between his loyalty to Starfleet and his Klingon heritage, when two Klingon fugitives take over the Enterprise.

Disc 6: "The Arsenal of Freedom" follows an investigation into the disappearance of the U.S.S. Drake, while "Symbiosis" finds Enterprise receiving a distress signal from a disabled freighter ship. "Skin of Evil" follows U.S.S. Enterprise to a rendezvous with Troi's shuttlecraft, when a bizarre malfunction occurs, causing the transport vehicle to crash on Vagra II, and in "We'll Always Have Paris" Captain Picard is reunited with an old flame.

Disc 7: "Conspiracy" follows the Enterprise on a journey to Pacifica, only to be halted by an emergency message for Captain Picard to attend a secret and important meeting. In "The Neutral Zone," as the U.S.S. Enterprise awaits Captain Picard's return from a Federation conference, only to discover a disabled 20th century Earth satellite containing three perfectly preserved bodies, frozen for over 300 years by cryogenics.

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - SEASON ONE carries no suggested retail price but is expected to be priced by retailers for their customers at under $100. It is not rated in the U.S. by the Motion Picture Association of America and is rated G in Canada. Each disc has a running time of approximately 176 minutes, with the exception of disc seven, which has 88 minutes of features and approximately 60 minutes of special features. All seven discs are encoded with the Macrovision‘ AntiCopy process.

 

MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS KEVIN COSTNER, SUSAN SARANDON AND TIM ROBBINS IN AMERICA'S FAVORITE BASEBALL COMEDY BULL DURHAM

Available On April 2, 2002, Special Edition DVD Features A Brand-New Documentary With The Cast, New Audio Commentary With Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins, And More

MGM Home Entertainment has your "bases loaded" with the debut of BULL DURHAM on Special Edition DVD on April 2, 2002. Kevin Costner (Tin Cup), Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking) and Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption) star in this "funny, sexy" (Newsweek) film hailed as the "#1 sports movie of all time" (Sports Illustrated)

about playing ball, playing the field, and playing for keeps. Priced at just $24.98, the DVD features a brand-new documentary on the making of the film including new interviews with Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, brand-new audio commentary with Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins, audio commentary with director Ron Shelton, a photo gallery, original

advertising materials, TV spots, and more. Nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Screenplay, BULL DURHAM is the quintessential film for romantic-comedy and sports lovers alike.

Baseball season gets off to a rocky start when the Durham Bulls' new catcher, "Crash" Davis (Costner), punches out the cocky young pitcher "Nuke" LaLoosh (Robbins), he's just been hired to train. Then sexy Annie Savoy (Sarandon) informs both men that each season she chooses one player to share her bed - and Nuke and Crash are this year's "draft picks." After Crash passes on the offer, Nuke eagerly enlists as Annie's summer fling ...until Crash convinces Nuke that sex with Annie will jinx the Bulls' newfound winning streak! Does Crash really want to preserve the team's winning ways, or is this veteran free agent looking for a more long-term contract with Annie?

 

BULL DURHAM Special Edition DVD

 

APPLE COMPUTER FIRST: PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE CLASSIC VIDEO GAMES NOW RELEASED FOR MAC BY DIGITAL LEISURE

DRAGON’S LAIR, SPACE ACE and Timeless Laser Disc Games Able to be Enjoyed Nationwide by Macintosh Users

Digital Leisure announced today that seven of the company's hit arcade titles for DVD Video including DRAGON’S LAIR, SPACE ACE and DRAGON’S LAIR II: TIME WARP are now Mac compatible.  The latest Mac Operating System, version 10.1, enables fans of these much-loved titles to enjoy these classics for the first time at home.

In addition to the titles listed above, Digital Leisure will also feature the world's first holographic video game - Hologram Time Traveler, the Sega arcade classic that debuted in 1991 - in a version that plays on Apple computers.  Created by legendary game designer Rick Dyer, Hologram Time Traveler will join Dyer's latest game creation Shadoan, a fantasy-based action adventure title in which the hero must journey through a land filled with danger as he seeks to recover the five pieces of a magical amulet in order to defeat the evil wizard Torlock and rescue the beautiful princess Grace Delight.

But Dyer is best known for his work in co-creating the revolutionary arcade classic DRAGON’S LAIR with former Disney animator Don Bluth.  Having been played by more than a quarter of a billion people throughout the world, DRAGON’S LAIR is one of only three games on display at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution.  Bluth, whose most current film credits include Anastasia and Titan A.E., also collaborated with Dyer on SPACE ACE and DRAGON’S LAIR II: TIME WARP and the vibrant animation showcased in all three of these titles maximizes the Mac's strong visual capabilities.

Video game enthusiasts will have fond memories of timeless American Laser Games, now available for Apple computers: Mad Dog McCree, where players have to be quick on the draw in order to rescue the Mayor and his daughter of the sleepy town you're sworn to protect.  Mad Dog McCree features live action video and sound and is enhanced by true Western scenery.  Or prowl for clues as a private detective in the classic murder mystery Who Shot Johnny Rock. Mumps, Measles and Lockjaw Lil are among your prime suspects in the case as you navigate through the back streets of Chicago, gaming halls, funeral parlors and unsavory sections of the city.  Gather clues to Johnny Rock's safe combination and bring in the killer while taking care of gangsters that get in your way.  Watch your back though…or you'll end up a corpse…just like Johnny Rock in this classic gangster who-done-it. These seven games that redefined the video game industry are available throughout North America at major retailers including Electronics Boutiques.

"Timeless classics never go out of style, and as Mac fans ourselves, we wanted to ensure that these ground breaking adventures could be enjoyed by those with Apple computers," said David Foster, general manager of Digital Leisure. "It's exciting to be able to introduce these games that we feel so passionate about to Apple computer owners because we anticipate an entirely new generation of game players to feel the same enjoyment as we did when we first played these games we loved so much in the arcades. "

01/10/02

NEIL SIMON’S SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES COMES TO DVD MARCH 19, 2002

Stellar Cast Includes Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Charles Grodin, Robert Guillaume and Harold Gould

SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES, writer Neil Simon's (four-time Academy Awardâ -nominee, California Suite, The Goodbye Girl, The Sunshine Boys and The Odd Couple) romantic farce about a lawyer whose life and marriage are disrupted by her ex-husband's criminal inabilities will debut on DVD March 19, 2002. Academy Awardâ -winner Goldie Hawn (Cactus Flower) stars with Chevy Chase (Orange County), Charles Grodin (Midnight Run), Robert Guillaume (Emmy Awardâ -winner, TV's Benson) and Harold Gould (Stuart Little).

Synopsis

Writer Nick Gardenia (Chase) is kidnapped from his California cliffhouse and forced to rob a bank. Now a fugitive, he seeks help from his ex-wife, Glenda (Hawn). She is now a public defender remarried to a prosecutor (Grodin), and what follows is a houseful of hijinks.

DVD:

 

2001: A SPACE TRAVESTY DEBUTS ON DVD MARCH 19, 2002

On March 19, 2002, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on DVD and videocassette 2001: A SPACE TRAVESTY, a hilarious comedy that dares to spoof where no one's spoofed before: on another planet. Starring Leslie Nielsen (Airplane!, The Naked Gun) Ophelie Winter and Ezzio Greggio. Written by Alan Shearman (off-Broadway hit "El Grande de Coca Cola) and Leslie Nielsen.

Synopsis

First there was Airplane! Then came The Naked Gun series, this time Leslie Nielsen is even more far out than ever in 2001: A SPACE TRAVESTY. When the president of the United States is kidnapped by aliens and replaced with a clone, the police call on Marshal "Dick" Dix (Nielsen) of the International Security Force to help rescue him-and quickly before the clone the rest of the world's leaders.  With the fate of the world in his clumsy hands, Dix heads to the planet Vegan, a strange place run by an evil doctor and inhabited by aliens who, having learned to speak English from watching television, all talk like different Hollywood movie stars. After engaging in some freaky lunar socializing, Dix joins forces with sexy officer Cassandra Menage (Winter) and master of disguise Captain di Pasquale to rescue the saxophone-playing president.  They return to Washington, D.C. and accomplish their mission of replacing the cloned president with the real president.  Or do they?

2001: A SPACE TRAVESTY is directed by Allan A. Goldstein, winner of the 1988 Toronto International Film Festival Award for Best Canadian Feature Film for "The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick."

DVD:

 

FEBRUARY & MARCH 2002 VCI ENTERTAINMENT DVD TITLES

TITLE: ELE, MY FRIEND

 

TITLE: RAW DEAL

 

TITLE: SLIGHTLY SCARLET

 

TITLE: T-MEN

 

TITLE: YOUNG LAND, THE

 

TITLE: BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS

 

TITLE: CUANDO HABLA EL CORAZON A.K.A: WHEN THE HEART SPEAKS

 

TITLE: DRAGON LIVES

 

TITLE: FIND A PLACE TO DIE AKA: JOE! CERCATI UN POSTO PER MORIRE

 

TITLE: JACK ARMSTRONG

 

TITLE: TAN BUENO EL GIRO COMO EL COLORADO AKA: ONE’S THE SAME AS ANOTHER

 

TITLE: TODAY WE KILL, TOMORROW WE DIE AKA: TODAY IT'S ME… TOMORROW YOU!

 

01/07/02

HEIST AVAILABLE ON DVD MARCH 12

On March 12, consumers will watch Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito stretch the limits of trust and loyalty in the suspense thriller HEIST available from Warner Home Video (WHV) on VHS and DVD, priced at $19.96 SRP for VHS and $24.98 SRP on DVD. Gene Hackman (Behind Enemy Lines, Crimson Tide, Unforgiven) plays a master thief forced into one last questionable job by a greedy stolen goods dealer, played by Danny DeVito (L.A. Confidential, Man on the Moon) in this hot caper full of action, suspense and "endlessly clever plotting." HEIST also stars Delroy Lindo (The One, Gone in 60 Seconds), Rebecca Pidgeon (State and Main, The Winslow Boy) and Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Galaxy Quest) and is written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet (Hannibal, Wag the Dog, State and Main, The Untouchables). The HEIST DVD will be presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio and 16x9 widescreen format and includes the original theatrical trailer, cast/crew highlights, languages in English and French (dubbed in Quebec) as well as English, French and Spanish subtitles.  HEIST is rated "R" (language and some violence) and has a running time of 109 minutes.

01/04/02

TRAINING DAY ARRIVES MARCH 19 ON DVD

Packed DVD Includes Additional Scenes and Alternate Ending, Behind-The-Scenes Documentary and Feature-Length Commentary by Director Antoine Fuqua

On March 19 Warner Home Video (WHV) delivers the gripping star-powered action hit, TRAINING DAY, on VHS and DVD. Academy Award winner Denzel Washington's (Remember the Titans, The Bone Collector, The Hurricane) edgy performance has been honored with both a Golden Globe* nomination and the Best Actor award by the L.A. Film Critics Association. Rolling Stone touts the film as "...Washington's show, his Scarface, and his smiling seductive monster is a thrilling creation that gives TRAINING DAY all the bite it needs."1 Earning more than $76 million at the box-office as an unforgettable narcotics officer, Washington blurs the line between cop and criminal as he mentors an idealistic rookie partner, played by Ethan Hawke (Snow Falling on Cedars, Gattaca).  This hard-hitting action film also stars platinum-selling recording artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Macy Gray. The TRAINING DAY DVD will be presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio and 16x9 widescreen format and is packed with the following special features:

TRAINING DAY is rated "R" (strong brutal violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity), has a running time of 122 minutes and is priced at $22.98 SRP for VHS and $26.98 SRP on DVD.

 

RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS DEBUTS ON SPECIAL EDITION DVD MARCH 19, 2002

On March 19, 2002, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release on Special Edition DVD and videocassette director Penny Marshall's RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS, a fresh and unbelievably true story of writer Beverly Donofrio and her often irreverent, always unique personal journey. Drew Barrymore (Charlie's Angels) heads an all-star cast which includes Steve Zahn (Saving Silverman), Brittany Murphy (Don't Say A Word), Lorraine Bracco (TV's The Sopranos), Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly) and James Woods (Academy Award-nominee, Ghosts of Mississippi).

SPECIAL EDITION DVD ADDED VALUE ELEMENTS

SYNOPSIS

From celebrated director Penny Marshall comes the true story of a girl who did everything wrong but got everything right.  Make way for Beverly (Drew Barrymore), a smart, beautiful young woman who can't wait to grow up, much to the frustration of her police sergeant father (James Woods).  Her life takes its first detour when she gets pregnant at age sixteen.  The baby's father, her husband (Steve Zahn), turns out to need more mothering than her newborn son.  But through all the trouble, Beverly makes a life that's more than she ever imagined and lives a story that's waiting to be told.  Join the ride and watch Beverly kick life where it counts.

 

VCI PRICE UPDATE

As announced, the price for THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS JANE PITTMAN was incorrect. The correct price is $24.99. (Street date 2/12/02). DVD Item # 8309 - UPC # 0-89859-83072-3.

January 2002 Headlines 

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