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2003 NEWS TIDBITS

January 2003 Headlines 

01/30/03

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN: THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EPISODES! VOLUME #2-- AVAILABLE APRIL 1 EXCLUSIVELY ON DVD

Relive The Funniest, Raunchiest, Campiest & Wildest Moments From The Long-Running Golden Globe Nominated TV Sitcom

Television's first and favorite dysfunctional family returns with another hilarious collection of the best shows from the groundbreaking series.  MARRIED WITH CHILDREN: THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EPISODES! VOLUME #2 premieres exclusively on DVD April 1 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment at the must-have collectible price of $19.95 SLP.

Those incorrigible and unusual Bundy's patriarch Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill), wife Peg (Katey Sagal), daughter Kelly (Christina Applegate) and son Bud (David Faustino) are back, and this new DVD collection features some of the show's wildest and funniest episodes! For 11 seasons, Married With Children was one of the most outrageous TV comedies ever produced and garnered 7 Golden Globe nominations.  The series changed the face of TV family sitcoms forever and represented a distinct departure from the saccharine-sweet television families viewers have known since the days of "Father Knows Best."

With its unflinching honesty, raunchy humor, wacky wit and campy characters, MARRIED... WITH CHILDREN paints a painfully funny picture of a not-so-typical middle-class American family.  The less-than-loveable yet ironically endearing Bundy's attempt to survive their dismal middle-class existence with the most outrageous means possible, while their next-door neighbors, Steve and Marcy Rhoades, try to keep their property values from plummeting.

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN: THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EPISODES! VOLUME #2 features the following episodes:

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN: THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EPISODES! VOLUME #2 DVD:

 

EXPERIENCE THE STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF THE GONZALEZS – A TRULY AMERICAN FAMILY--AMERICAN FAMILY SEASON ONE DVD COLLECTION

Fox Home Entertainment Brings Home The First Drama Ever To Feature An Entire Latino Cast On DVD April 29, 2003 With A Six-Disc DVD Collection Including All 22 Episodes From The Landmark First Season

Fox Home Entertainment invites viewers to become part of the Gonzalez family as PBS’s acclaimed AMERICAN FAMILY SEASON ONE comes home on DVD on April 29, 2003. The drama series was the first ever to feature an entirely Latino cast on broadcast television when it premiered on PBS in January 2002. Created by Academy Awardâ nominated director Gregory Nava (El Norte, Selena), the ensemble cast includes a virtual who’s who in the Latino acting community, with some of the hottest stars today including Academy Award nominee Edward James Olmos, Constance Marie, Rachel Ticotin, A.J. Lamas and Raquel Welch as the Gonzalez family, residents of East Los Angeles. The pivotal first season also features special appearances by guest stars Esai Morales, Sonia Braga and Kate Del Castillo in her first American television appearance. AMERICAN FAMILY SEASON ONE DVD COLLECTION is available as a collectible six-disc set and is loaded with never-before-seen extras, interviews with the cast and crew and much more. The set is available for the suggested retail price of $69.98 U.S./$89.98 Canada.

Recognizing the growth and importance of the nation’s Spanish-speaking population, which currently totals more than 35 million people and represents 12% of the population (source: US Census 2000), Fox Home Entertainment will release the AMERICAN FAMILY SEASON ONE DVD with two audio tracks giving the viewer the option of listening in either English or Spanish, as well as a choice of English or Spanish subtitles. As the leading home entertainment provider to the growing Hispanic market within the U.S., Fox found that consumers clearly prefer the high quality dubbed product over subtitles and dedicated the necessary time and resources to release several of its most popular movies and television shows dubbed in Spanish. Currently, DVD penetration is higher among Hispanics than the general population and growing faster. In 2002, DVD purchase transactions among Hispanics reached between 55-60 million units, an increase of 55% from 34 million units in 2001. Based on purchase intentions, it is estimated that 60% to 70% of the Hispanic population will own a DVD player by December 2003.

Series Synopsis:

AMERICAN FAMILY reveals the enduring strength of family in America today as it chronicles the lives of the Gonzalezs, residents of East Los Angeles. Jess Gonzalez (Edward James Olmos), the conservative patriarch, and his daughter Nina (Constance Marie), a feminist attorney, are constantly at odds with each other. Nina has moved back home following a family tragedy. She must make the difficult choice between her dreams of a career in Washington D.C. or staying home to help raise her nephew. Flamboyant Aunt Dora (Raquel Welch) lives next door and adds some spice to

everyone’s life.

"The series is about an American family living in Los Angeles that happens to be Latino," says Director Gregory Nava. "I wanted to create a show that will make audiences laugh and cry as it chronicles the daily struggles and triumphs of a family. ‘AMERICAN FAMILY’ is about everyone’s family."

AMERICAN FAMILY SEASON ONE DVD COLLECTION Special Features:

Disc One:
Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:
Select scene commentary on "American Family", "The Sewing Machine" and "Crash Boom Love – Part 1"

Disc Two:
Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:
Select scene commentary on all four episodes

Disc Three:
Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:
Select scene commentary on all four episodes

Disc Four:
Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:
Select scene commentary on all four episodes

Disc Five:
Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:
Select scene commentary on "The Barber Shop" and "The Masked Eagle – Part 1"

Disc Six:
Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:

 

01/28/03

THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON OF AMERICA'S #1 TELEVISION SERIES FRIENDS
PLUS THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 1 AND THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 2 DEBUTING ON DVD APRIL 1

Your FRIENDS are more popular than ever before, with more than three million DVDs and VHS copies sold to date, a number that is about to get a whole lot bigger as as Warner Home Video (WHV) releases FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON on DVD and VHS April 1, 2003. Continuing to wow audiences and critics alike, the 2002/2003 awards season has also seen the top-rated FRIENDS showered with accolades from prestigious organizations. The Emmy Awards acknowledged FRIENDS with a trophy for Outstanding Comedy Series for its eighth season and recognized Jennifer Aniston as the Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The People's Choice Awards likewise honored both the series and Aniston, while just recently; Aniston went home with her first Golden Globe. In addition, the Screen Actor's Guild nominated FRIENDS for Outstanding Performance by an Actress (Jennifer Aniston), Actor (Matt LeBlanc) and Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

With the highly-anticipated season finale on the horizon and the spectacular news that FRIENDS will be back for a tenth season, WHV plans to release on the same date as the complete third season, THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 1 and THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 2, which will contain the five best episodes of each season as chosen by the executive producers. FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON includes 25 episodes, each containing additional, never-before-seen footage. Responding to the strong TV to DVD market, WHV, a leader in this genre, has competitively priced the four-volume boxed-set at an amazingly low $44.98 SRP DVD and $39.98 SRP VHS. THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 1 and THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 2 will each be available at $14.98 SRP DVD and $14.94 SRP VHS.

The Emmy-winning FRIENDS-starring Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe), Courtney Cox-Arquette (Monica), Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), David Schwimmer (Ross), Matthew Perry (Chandler) and Matt LeBlanc (Joey)- continues to beat the odds, becoming increasingly popular each week. The ninth season premiere had a 21.7 rating and a 34 share, the highest rated season opening ever for the series. With more than 34 million viewers each week, FRIENDS remains the #1 rated TV comedy series for 2002. FRIENDS has also been successful in syndication, currently ranking as the #1 syndicated comedy show.

In addition to Emmys, Golden Globes and People's Choice Awards, FRIENDS has been honored by the American Comedy Awards, GLAAD, the Teen Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild, among many others. The New York Post called FRIENDS "the rarest of shows - a series that hits a new peak of popularity after many years on the air. " TV Guide not only named FRIENDS one of the "50 Greatest Shows of All Time" but also devoted a cover story to "The 50 Best Friends Moments." FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON features a who's who of special guests including Tom Selleck, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, David Arquette, Ben Stiller and Teri Garr.

As the DVD market continues to grow, fans have adopted the format as the perfect way to compactly archive their favorite series. In addition to providing a chronological record of each season, the DVDs also offer a "behind the scenes look" by way of a wealth of special features. The DVD version of FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON includes audio commentary by the show's creators Kevin Bright, Marta Kaufman and David Crane on "The One Where No One's Ready" and "The One With The Morning After" and they are joined by the show's art director, John Shaffner, on audio commentary for "The One With The Football." Additional special features include the "Bachelor Pad" Interactive Map, which takes viewers on a tour of Joey and Chandler's apartment, a "Friends of Friends" Video Guestbook which serves as a guide to the third season's guest appearances, Video Bios and a link to the official "Friends" website.

THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 1 will feature the popular episodes "The One With The Stoned Guy," "The One Where Underdog Gets Away," "The One With The Birth," "The One Where Rachel Finds Out" and "The One With The East German Laundry Detergent." THE BEST OF FRIENDS SEASON 2 will feature "The One With Ross's New Girlfriend," "The One With Phoebe's Husband." "The One With The List" and "The One Where Heckles Dies."

FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

EPISODE SYNOPSES:

  1. The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy: Ross's secret fantasy doesn't stay secret for long after he confides in Rachel. Chandler resumes an old relationship.

  2. The One Where No One's Ready: Ross becomes frantic trying to get everyone ready to leave to hear his speech at the museum.

  3. The One With the Jam: Monica wants to have a baby. Phoebe is stalked by a man.

  4. The One With The Mataphorical Tunnel: Chandler wants to commit to a relationship with Janice. Phoebe poses as Joey's agent.

  5. The One With Frank, Jr.: Phoebe tries to be more friendly with her half-brother. Ross meets Isabella Rossellini (herself).

  6. The One With The Flashback: The friends recall secrets from their pasts.

  7. The One The Racecar Bed: Joey sees Janice kissing her husband, whom she is divorcing, while she dates Chandler. Rachel's father (Ron Leibman) clashes with Ross.

  8. The One With The Giant Poking Device: Chandler and Janice make a difficult decision about their relationship. Monica accidentally injures Ben and tries to hide it from Ross.

  9. The One With the Football: On Thanksgiving a good-natured football game between the friends reveals some serious rivalries.

  10. The One Where Rachel Quits: Rachel wonders if she'll ever get another job after she quits Central Perk. Joey's new job selling Christmas trees upsets Phoebe. Ross breaks a little girl's leg. Comedian Shelley Berman guest stars.

  11. The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister: Rachel meets a handsome stranger (Steven Eckholdt) who might help her career. Chandler gets into trouble with Joey's sister.

  12. The One With All The Jealousy: Ross overreacts when Rachel starts working with a handsome guy. Monica becomes enamored with a sexy busboy.

  13. The One Where Monica and Richard Are Just Friends: When Monica and Richard (Tom Selleck) accidentally meet; they become friends - with dire consequences.

  14. The One With Phoebe's Ex-Partner: Phoebe's ex-singing partner wants to make Phoebe's signature song, "Smelly Cat," a commercial success. Chandler dates a woman (Sherilyn Fenn) with a handicap.

  15. The One Where Ross and Rachel Take A Break: Phoebe becomes involved with a foreign diplomat. Ross becomes involved with another woman after a fight with Rachel.

  16. The One The Morning After: Ross wakes up with Chloe, but an oblivious Rachel wants to resume their relationship.

  17. The One Without the Ski Trip: Ross and Rachel remain apart while their friends feel forced to choose between them.

  18. The One With The Hypnosis Tape: Phoebe is distraught when her brother wants to marry a woman twice his age. While working as a waitress, Monica gets a tip from an admirer worth a small fortune. A hypnosis tape makes Chandler act like a woman.

  19. The One With The Tiny T-Shirt: Ross is upset when Rachel returns his personal belongings and dates Mark. Monica dates a millionaire.

  20. The One With The Dollhouse: Joey thinks he's found his true love. Rachel's boss (Alison LaPlaca) dates Chandler, creating big trouble for Rachel. Monica inherits a dollhouse.

  21. The One With a Chick, and a Duck: When Pete buys a restaurant, Monica must make a difficult decision. Ross makes a sacrifice for Rachel. Joey buys Chandler an unusual pet.

  22. The One With The Screamer: Ross tries to convince Rachel that her date (Ben Stiller) is psychotic. Joey's play gets terrible reviews.

  23. The One With Ross's Thing: Ross finds a strange growth on his buttocks. Phoebe can't choose between two guys. Monica's boyfriend surprises her.

  24. The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion: Monica's boyfriend cannot stop fighting. Chandler's boss is overly friendly. Billy Crystal and Robin Williams guest star. Referee John McCarthy and announcer Bruce Buffer guest star as themselves.

  25. The One At The Beach: The friends stay at the beach house. Phoebe meets someone who knows details about her family. Rachel expresses her jealousy of Ross' uninhibited girl friend.

 

THE CRIME OF PADRE AMARO-- CONTROVERSIAL & PROVOKING SENSUAL DRAMA AVAILABLE APRIL 1 ON DVD

Official Mexican Entry 2002 Academy Awards® & Golden Globe Nominee - Best Foreign Language Film Starring Latin Heartthrob Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También)

The highest grossing film in Mexico's history, THE CRIME OF PADRE AMARO (aka El Crimen del Padre Amaro), is a powerful, emotionally-charged drama about the corruption of power and faith that has become the must- see movie of the year generating buzz around the world, debuting on DVD and videocassette April 1 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Acclaimed by critics as "riveting, incendiary and provocative" (Megan Turner, New York Post), "brave and hard-hitting" (Mike Wilmington, Chicago Tribune) and "Fantastic! One of the most eye-opening dramas of the year!" (Glenn Kenny, Premiere Magazine), THE CRIME OF PADRE AMARO has been nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, honored in the Top 5 Foreign Language Films of 2002 by the National Board of Review, and selected as the Official Mexican Entry for the 2002 Academy Awards®.

Recently nominated as "Most Promising Performer" by the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, international superstar Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También, Amores Perros) stars in the tortured tale of Father Amaro, a recently ordained priest who is sent to help an aging priest run a small parish church in rural Mexico. Arriving wide-eyed and full of optimism hoping to serve God and his parish, he quickly discovers a church rife with sin and corruption starting with the elder priest in charge, Father Benito (Sancho Gracia), who is known to accept drug money in order to subsidise the construction of a new hospital and in addition is carrying on an affair with a local woman.

Father Amaro meets a beautiful young girl named Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancón) with a religious passion that borders on obsession. Quickly, her passion for her faith becomes helplessly entangled in a growing attraction to the new priest. But when the handsome priest crosses the forbidden line that separates temptation from sin, he finds himself torn between the divine and the carnal, the righteous and unjust and must summon the strength to decide which life he will lead. Moral dilemmas abound and Father Amaro's idealism is put to the test by personal, political and church pressures that lead to a harrowing and tragic climax.

THE CRIME OF PADRE AMARO DVD:

 

DREAM FOR AN INSOMNIAC-- NEW TO DVD ON APRIL 8

Emmy Award® Winner Jennifer Aniston Stars in this Hip Romantic Comedy

A dreamer who couldn't sleep. An author who couldn't write. A friend who couldn't help but help! Emmy Award® winner Jennifer Aniston ("Friends," "The Good Girl") is featured in the quirky romantic comedy DREAM FOR AN INSOMNIAC, coming to DVD for the first time on April 8 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Frankie (Ione Skye - Say Anything, Gas Food Lodging) hasn't slept a full night since she was six years old. She's convinced that once she and her best friend Allison (Aniston) leave San Francisco to pursue acting careers in Los Angeles, she'll meet her dream man: one "with the soul of a poet and eyes like Frank Sinatra." Four days before moving to L.A., David (MacKenzie Astin - The Evening Star, Last Days of Disco) walks into her life and she believes he's her very own Prince Charming. Now she only has three days to convince him that she's the love of his life, plus overcome one other small obstacle - his live-in girlfriend.

A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale for everyone who's ever dared to pursue their wildest dreams, DREAM FOR AN INSOMNIAC is a hip and charming modern storybook romantic comedy that the San Francisco Examiner calls a "dreamy debut" from newcomer writer/director Tiffanie DeBartolo.

DREAM FOR AN INSOMNIAC DVD:

 

DRAGON TALES: LET’S START A BAND-- COMING TO DVD ON APRIL 1

Fun-Filled Adventure Featuring Real Kids Interacting With Their Favorite Dragon Tales Friends Plus Special Musical Guests Erykah Badu & Dan Zanes

Cassie, Ord, Emmy, Max, Quetzal, Zak & Wheezie are back in a brand new full-length combination animated and live action musical special DRAGON TALES: LET’S START A BAND (co-produced by Sesame Workshop and Sony Pictures Family Entertainment) available on videocassette for $12.95 SLP and DVD for $14.95 SLP on April 1 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

DRAGON TALES: LET’S START A BAND is an all-new adventure where real kids make music with their favorite Dragon Tales friends, along with special musical guests Erykah Badu and Dan Zanes. It's a great day, but Nina and the neighborhood kids need something to do. When Nina suggests that they start a band, the kids don't know where to begin. But with a little help from Nina and her friends, they discover its as easy as clapping your hands, stomping your feet, playing instruments and using their voices. Then the Dragon Tales characters make a surprise visit to lend a hand and make an afternoon of fun become a musical celebration! With 15 of the most popular Dragon Tales songs it is sure to be a hit with moms and kids.

Dragon Tales has consistently ranked as one of the top-rated programs on PBS among kids ages 2-5 and 6-11 since its launched in September of 1999 by helping guide children through challenging situations and support their growth and development. The series popularity is a 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. It has also been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award® for "Outstanding Children's Animated Program." Newsweek Magazine 11/11/02 cover story named Dragon Tales as one of the top television shows for children. The series' success is also evident by the continuing sold out shows of the VEE Entertainment Corporation's Dragon Tales LIVE national touring show.

DRAGON TALES: LET’S START A BAND DVD includes:

Other Specs:

 

01/27/03

THE HOWARDS OF VIRGINIA-- DEBUTING ON DVD MARCH 25

Silver Screen Legend Cary Grant Stars in this Romantic & Epic Drama-- Nominated for Two Academy Awards®

Honorary Academy Award® winner and legendary romantic leading man Cary Grant stars in THE HOWARDS OF VIRGINIA, a stirring romantic adventure and emotional drama set during the turbulent years of Colonial and Revolutionary America nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Music, Original Scoring and Best Sound), premiering on DVD March 25 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Set against the backdrop of such historical milestones as the Stamp Act Riots, Valley Forge and the Boston Tea Party, THE HOWARDS OF VIRGINIA, (based on Elizabeth Page's epic novel "The Tree of Liberty") follows the romance of a backwoodsman (Grant) and a wealthy conservative reactionary's daughter (Martha Scott).

Beautiful young Virginian Jane (Scott) steps down from her proper aristocratic upbringing when she marries down-to-earth surveyor Matt Howard (Grant). Deeply in love, they move to the backwoods and begin to raise their family. Major differences emerge, however, when the conservative Jane and her Tory father (Cedric Hardwicke) rebel against Matt's staunch democratic ideals. Eventually, Matt joins the Colonial forces in the fight for freedom against England in the War of Independence, and Jane and Matt are forced to choose between their love for each other and their political beliefs. Exciting and dramatic, THE HOWARDS OF VIRGINIA is a tumultuous tale of love and adventure reminiscent of Les Misérables and Gone with The Wind.

THE HOWARDS OF VIRGINIA DVD:

 

I’M WITH LUCY-- THE CHARMING ROMANTIC COMEDY ON DVD MARCH 25

Starring Monica Potter Plus David Boreanaz, Henry Thomas, Anthony LaPaglia & Harold Ramis

Five handsome bachelors, one lucky woman. In the tradition of Bridget Jones's Diary, Serendipity and TV's top-rated reality series "The Bachelorette" comes the charming and sexy romantic comedy I’M WITH LUCY starring Monica Potter (Along Came A Spider, Patch Adams, Head Over Heels). Available on DVD March 25 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Potter stars as Lucy, a terminally single twenty-something NYC woman who, recently dumped by the man she thought was perfect for her, continues to search for Mr. Right. Embarking on a comedy of errors through a disastrous series of blind dates, she meets five handsome and eligible bachelors, each with his own charms and flaws, only to learn that Mr. Perfect is not always Mr. Right and Mr. Right is not always perfect.

There's the macho jock (Anthony LaPaglia, Analyze That), the sexual dynamo (Gael García Bernal, Y Tu Mamá También), the handsome surgeon (David Boreanaz, TV's "Angel"), the divorced writer (John Hannah, The Mummy Returns) and the uptight executive (Henry Thomas, Golden Globe nominee for Gangs of New York). Has she finally met the man of her dreams or will her dating nightmare ever end? I’M WITH LUCY is an endearing romantic comedy that also stars Harold Ramis (Orange County, Ghostbusters) and Julie Christie (Afterglow, No Such Thing).

I’M WITH LUCY DVD:

 

TROOP BEVERLY HILLS-- CAMPING OUT ON DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME MARCH 25

Emmy Award winner Shelley Long (TVs "Cheers", The Brady Bunch Movie) blazes new comic trails in an "exuberant performance" (USA Today) and discovers that when the going gets tough, the tough go camping in TROOP BEVERLY HILLS, a comedy about lifestyles of the rich and outrageous - making its DVD debut March 25 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Flamboyantly wealthy and spoiled Phyllis Nefler (Long) has everything money can buy - a gorgeous Beverly Hills mansion, a classic Rolls Royce, furs, jewelry and designer gowns. The one thing she doesn't have is her husband Freddy (Craig T. Nelson - TVs "Coach"), who's leaving her for good. Determined to prove she's still the creative, energetic woman Freddy once loved, Phyllis throws luxury to the wind and becomes leader of her daughter's Wilderness Girls troop. Though she takes them on outings to the mall rather than in the woods, she later proves her worth as a legitimate leader.

But how much can this chic cookie take before she crumbles? Is saving her marriage really worth trading Gucci bags for sleeping bags - not to mention actually touching bugs? Featuring cameos by Robin Leach, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pia Zadora, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Dr. Joyce Brothers and Cheech Marin, TROOP BEVERLY HILLS is a hilarious trial-by-campfire that leaves the wilderness wilder and funnier than ever!

TROOP BEVERLY HILLS DVD:

 

01/26/03

NEW ADVENTURES FROM THE JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN, THE SUPER FRIENDS AND X-MEN: EVOLUTION AVAILABLE ON DVD APRIL 22

Warner Home Video Re-Promotes Additional Titles Just In Time For Super Heroes(tm) Month April has been declared "Super Heroes(tm) Month," and Warner Home Video (WHV) creates the celebration on April 22 with the release of an array of exciting new titles - featuring episodes from some of the most popular animated series on television: JUSTICE LEAGUE: JUSTICE ON TRIAL, BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES: TALES OF THE DARK KNIGHT, CHALLENGE OF THE SUPER FRIENDS: ATTACK OF THE LEGION OF DOOM and X-MEN: EVOLUTION: MUTANTS RISING. Also available are newly re-priced Super Hero* titles on both DVD and VHS. All four new programs are available on DVD for $19.98 SRP and on VHS for $14.94 SRP.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: JUSTICE ON TRIAL features two 2-part episodes from the acclaimed first season of the popular series. In the first, In Blackest Night, Green Lantern is put on trial for destroying a planet, while the Justice League tries to uncover the real perpetrator of the crime. In the second, The Enemy Below, the Justice League uses their super human strength to help Aquaman save his family and kingdom. Special DVD features include episode introductions by producer/director Bruce Timm, "Justice League Watchtower" character bios, "Draw the Justice League," a set top challenge, trailers and more.

 

 

 

The legend of the Dark Knight continues in four thrilling episodes from the award-winning series, BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES: TALES OF THE DARK KNIGHT, from the killer comedy of The Joker to the first fateful encounter with the diabolical Two-Face. Special DVD features include episode introductions by producer/director Bruce Timm, "Anatomy Of A Cartoon" featurette, "The Line Up" set top challenge, trailers and more.

 

 

 

 

Classic animation enthusiasts will cheer for the release of four spectacular episodes of the Super Friends legend in CHALLENGE OF THE SUPER FRIENDS: ATTACK OF THE LEGION OF DOOM. Join Superman, Batman and Robin, Flash, Wonder Woman and the rest of the valiant Super Friends as they plunge into battle against Lex Luthor, The Riddler, Brainiac and other arch-fiends in the ultimate, earth-shattering battle of good vs. evil. Special DVD features include episode introductions by story editor Jeffery Scott, "Hall Of Doom" character bios, "Super Friends or Super Foe" set top challenge, trailers and more.

 

 

 

 

Mutant mania continues in X-MEN: EVOLUTION: MUTANTS RISING as the youthful X-Men continue to explore the boundaries of their unearthly abilities. The dangers continue to mount in these never-before-seen episodes as Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue and the rest of the heroic band are thrust into the front lines of an epic confrontation between their mentor Charles Xavier and his arch-enemies Mystique and Magneto. Special DVD features include episode introductions by producer Boyd Kirkland, "The X-Men" character bios, "The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants" character bios, "Create Your X-Men Comic Book" set top challenge, trailers and more. Additional new low price Super Heroes* titles available in the promotion include classics such as JUSTICE LEAGUE: SECRET ORIGINS in which the world's greatest superheroes band together to prevent a global catastrophe. This title is priced at $19.98 DVD and re-priced at $14.94 VHS SRP. The Caped Crusader's history is represented in BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES: THE LEGEND BEGINS which features battles with villains such as The Joker, The Scarecrow and Poison Ivy; BATMAN BEYOND: THE MOVIE in which an aging Bruce Wayne forms an alliance with a brave, young high school student and THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN MOVIE where the Dark Knight meets the Man of Steel for the first time. These titles are priced at $19.98 DVD and re-priced at $9.94 VHS SRP.

 

WARNER HOME VIDEO REVEALS THE MYSTERIES OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF REMARKABLE DOCUMENTARIES AVAILABLE ON DVD MARCH 4

Warner Home Video Teams with PBS, National Geographic and the BBC to Recreate Egypt's Past

The mysteries of ancient Egypt have long captured the imaginations of people around the world.  Now, on March 4, 2003, Warner Home Video (WHV) brings those mysteries to life with the stunning CGI virtual tour from the BBC, BUILDING THE GREAT PYRAMID, set to broadcast on the Discovery Channel March 2; one of Fox network's highest rated 2002 summer specials, INTO THE GREAT PYRAMID from National Geographic; the National Geographic exclusive, EGYPT ETERNAL: QUEST FOR LOST TOMBS; the ground-breaking EMPIRES: EGYPT'S GOLDEN EMPIRE from PBS and an array of catalog titles from National Geographic.

Interest in Egypt is at an all-time high with the theatrical and home video successes of The Mummy, The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King.  In addition, "The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt," an unprecedented exhibition of antiquities illustrating the ancient Egyptian concept of the afterlife is traveling to museums in the United States through 2007 and is currently at Boston's Museum of Science through March 2003.  To meet this heightened interest, WHV is releasing BUILDING THE GREAT PYRAMID (VHS $9.95 SRP, DVD $14.98 SRP); INTO THE GREAT PYRAMID (VHS $19.98 SRP, DVD $24.98 SRP); EGYPT ETERNAL: QUEST FOR LOST TOMBS (VHS $14.95 SRP, DVD  $19.98 SRP) and EMPIRES: EGYPT'S GOLDEN EMPIRE (Double VHS $24.98 SRP, DVD $24.98 SRP).

The highest rated history program ever to broadcast on UK television as well as the highest rated factual program of 2002 in the UK, BBC's BUILDING THE GREAT PYRAMID probes the mysteries surrounding what is perhaps considered the most perplexing "wonder of the world," the Great Pyramid.  For four thousand years, men have marveled at the Great Pyramid of Giza and asked two questions: how was it built and why?  By combining the latest archaeological research with the most up-to-date visual technology, viewers can - for the first time - see the Pyramid through the eyes of the men who built it.  In BUILDING THE GREAT PYRAMID, the CGI wizards behind the smash hit Gladiator create extraordinary graphics which rebuild the Great Pyramid using a fact-based historical approach. International star Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago) provides a personal narrative feel to this extraordinary documentary.

This home video edition of BUILDING THE GREAT PYRAMID contains an additional 10 minutes of footage not seen on the Discovery Channel broadcast, as well as an array of captivating bonus features which include an intriguing "making of" featurette, fascinating "Before and After" vignettes about the special effects, pyramid fact files, beautiful photo galleries and trailers. Additionally, a compelling consumer sweepstakes for a trip for four to the Luxor Las Vegas Hotel will be communicated via on-pack stickers, in-store merchandisers and on-site at Luxor Las Vegas.

The Building the Great Pyramid book offers a further look at the historical aspects of the pyramids and will be published by Firefly Books Ltd. in February.

Having one of the most extensive Egypt title catalogs on video, National Geographic builds on its solid legacy with its newest video offerings. The premiere broadcast of its INTO THE GREAT PYRAMID in September 2002 attracted over 9 million viewers and resulted in one of Fox's highest rated summer specials.  Now, audiences can again journey into the Great Pyramid as noted Egyptologist Zahi Al-Hawass showcases the most up-to-date archaeological work currently underway in Egypt and reveals previously untouched sites. The program, moreover, gives viewers a compelling look into the secret chambers of the Great Pyramids.  The DVD version of INTO THE GREAT PYRAMID contains such special features as an interactive pyramids map, an ancient Egypt timeline and an ancient Egypt quiz.

A National Geographic exclusive, initially broadcast on PBS in October 2002 to 3 million viewers, EGYPT ETERNAL: QUEST FOR LOST TOMBS gives exclusive access to one of the most amazing archaeological finds in recent history. Be there as archaeologists begin chipping away in Saqqara, Egypt's city of the dead, to find a honeycomb of burial shafts, passages and funeral chambers connected to Ramses and Tutankhamen.  Filmed over a two-year span, EGYPT ETERNAL: QUEST FOR LOST TOMBS tells an amazing story as the archaeological team uncovers one incredible find after another.  The DVD edition of EGYPT ETERNAL: QUEST FOR LOST TOMBS contains an ancient Egypt timeline.

Part of the groundbreaking Empire series by PBS, EMPIRES: EGYPT'S GOLDEN EMPIRE -- narrated by Keith David, the voice of Ken Burns's Jazz -- was originally broadcast in February 2002 and attracted 5 million viewers. Breathing new life into the legends of Tutankhamen and Nefertiti, this film looks at 500 years of Egyptian history, from 1567 BC until 1085 BC. As the story begins, the pyramids are already 1000 years old, but in the era of the New Kingdom, Egypt would become the most important and the most feared nation on the earth.  From the foundation of the empire to its final collapse marking the end of Egyptian rule, the series brings to life names that still have legendary status.

 

01/23/03

THE CLASSIC SCREWBALL ROMANTIC COMEDY: THE AWFUL TRUTH- PREMIERES ON DVD MARCH 11

Nominated For 5 Academy Awards Including Best Picture
Starring Silver Screen Legends Cary Grant and Irene Dunne

THE AWFUL TRUTH, one of the classic, definitive screwball comedies of the 1930s, comes to DVD for the first time on March 11 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and garnering the Best Director Award for Leo McCarey, THE AWFUL TRUTH features the perfect comic duo of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne in one of the most hilarious and stylish romantic comedies ever made.

Jerry and Lucy Warriner lead madcap high society lives in New York City. Despite being very happy, they start to doubt each other's fidelity and finally decide to separate. But before their divorce becomes final, Jerry and Lucy both do their best to ruin each other's plans for remarriage, Jerry to haughty socialite Molly Lamont, Lucy to oil-rich bumpkin Daniel Leeson (hilariously played by Ralph Bellamy). Among their strategies: Jerry's court-decreed visitation rights with Mr. Smith, their pet fox terrier, and Lucy's flamboyant impersonation of Jerry's brassy "sister" before his prospective bride's scandalized family. Somewhere before the final divorce decree, however, Jerry decides he wants Lucy back ? let the games begin!

A comic battlefield presided over by two superbly matched sparring partners, THE AWFUL TRUTH is a sexy, sophisticated battle of wits that ranks among the wackiest comedies in screen history.

THE AWFUL TRUTH DVD:

 

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER HUMPHREY BOGART STARS IN THE GRIPPING FILM NOIR THRILLER: IN A LONELY PLACE-- COMING TO DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME

Available March 18 With Never-Before-Seen Bonus Features

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment opens its vault to release the compelling and suspenseful film noir thriller classic IN A LONELY PLACE starring Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart, available for the first time on DVD March 18.

Academy Award winner Bogart (Best Actor, The African Queen) gives an electrifying performance as Dixon Steele, a down-on-his-luck studio screenwriter who reluctantly agrees to adapt a trashy bestseller to the silver screen. Rather than read the book himself, Steele convinces a star-struck hatcheck girl, Mildred Atkinson, to accompany him home and tell him the story in her own words.  Later that night, Mildred is found murdered and Steele, who has a history of violent and belligerent behavior, becomes the prime suspect.

Fortunately for him, his sexy neighbor, Laurel Grey (Gloria Grahame), who is attracted to Steele, lies to the police by providing him with an airtight alibi. Laurel proves to be just what Steele needed and their friendship ripens into love.  But is he truly innocent of Mildred's death or is Laurel destined to become the next victim of Steele's inner demons? IN A LONELY PLACE leaves you guessing until the very last frame, with its shocking surprise ending!

IN A LONELY PLACE marked the first film in which Bogart shattered his own well- established "Bogey" image - the wounded, tough-guy cynic with a romantic heart and unswerving moral compass - by playing the strange, tragic character of Dixon Steele giving "his most subtle, disturbing performance.  Bogart truly shines," says Joshua Mooney of Movieline.

IN A LONELY PLACE DVD:

 

THE NUCLEAR FAMILY MEETS THE ATOMIC AGE IN THIS MOVING COMING-OF-AGE MEMOIR: DESERT BLOOM-- DEBUTING ON DVD MARCH 11

Starring Academy Award Winner Jon Voight Along With JoBeth Williams, Ellen Barkin & Annabeth Gish

DESERT BLOOM, the touching family drama that Dennis Cunningham of WCBS-TV / New York hailed as "Terrific," will make its premiere on DVD March 11 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. Academy Award-winner Jon Voight (Best Actor in a Leading Role, Coming Home and Best Supporting Actor nominee for Ali and Runaway Train) stars with JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist), Ellen Barkin (The Big Easy, Sea of Love) and Annabeth Gish (TV's The X Files).

Set against the dawn of the Atomic Age in 1950s Las Vegas, DESERT BLOOM is a powerful human drama, painting an unforgettable portrait of a family struggling to unite in an increasingly frightening world.

Jack Chismore (Voight), a volatile war veteran, is fighting to overcome his personal demons while holding his family together.  His wife Lilly (Williams) is torn between the needs of her family and a secret vice that threatens the very foundation of her marriage.  Their daughter Rose (Gish) is a delicate girl on the threshold of adolescence, struggling to understand the adults surrounding her.  Into this turbulent household comes Lily's sister Starr (Barkin), a sexy divorcee who becomes the unwitting catalyst in an explosive chain reaction that rocks the Chismore family as surely and irrevocably as the A-bomb testing in the nearby desert.

Sensitively directed, brilliantly acted and superbly written, DESERT BLOOM is a compelling study of a family's survival and triumph in a swiftly changing world.

DESERT BLOOM DVD:

 

01/22/03

FROM THE WRITER OF "THE OMEN" COMES HIS MOST TERRIFYING CREATION: THE EIGHTEENTH ANGEL- DVD PREMIERE RELEASE ON MARCH 18, 2003

Rachel Leigh Cook, Christopher McDonald, Maximillian Schell, Wendy Crewson & Stanley Tucci Star in This Spine-Tingling Apocalyptic Thriller

The terrifying mind of David Seltzer, the writer of the horror classic The Omen, unleashes his newest demonic force with THE EIGHTEENTH ANGEL, premiering on DVD March 18 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Talented young actress Rachel Leigh Cook (She's All That, Josie and the Pussycats) stars with Hollywood veterans Christopher McDonald (Thelma & Louise, Requiem for a Dream), Maximillian Schell (Deep Impact, John Carpenter's Vampires), Wendy Crewson (The Santa Clause, The 6th Day) and Stanley Tucci (Maid in Manhattan, Road to Perdition) in this nightmarish and mysterious thriller taking viewers on a dark journey into the ultimate struggle between good and evil.

An ancient Etruscan order has been keeping time with a 500-year-old clock-  a clock that foretells the triumphant return of Lucifer.  In the ultimate marriage between science and Satan, the rector of this dark order hopes to merge the soul of the beast with the beauty of the angels in fulfillment of hell-raising prophecy.  With the help of an outcast genetic researcher, he has already created the human blanks, which will embody the devil's soul....now all he needs is a beautiful face.

THE EIGHTEENTH ANGEL DVD:

 

THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS-- AVAILABLE ON DVD MARCH 18

All-Star Cast Including Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Julianna Margulies, Olivia Williams & James Coburn Star In This Provocative and Sensual Drama

The critically acclaimed and powerful romantic drama THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS featuring a stunning ensemble cast comes to DVD and home video on March 18 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

Hailed as "A poetic and elegant" (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times), THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS "has a raffish and unpredictable charm" (A.O. Scott, New York Times).

A provocative tale about seduction, intrigue and betrayal, THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS stars Academy Award® nominee Andy Garcia (Best Supporting Actor - The Godfather III, Ocean's Eleven), Mick Jagger (lead singer of The Rolling Stones), Julianna Margulies (TV's ER), Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense, Rushmore) and Academy Award® winner James Coburn (Best Supporting Actor, Affliction).

Becoming a successful writer remains an elusive dream for Byron Tiller (Garcia), who is unable to financially support his wife (Margulies) and son when his publisher rejects his most recent novel.  While drowning his troubles at a local bar, he meets Luther (Jagger), the head of Elysian Fields, an exclusive upscale escort service, who recruits the desperate, down-and-out author into the business.  He is assigned to be the male escort for Andrea Alcott (Williams), a beautiful and lonely woman who also just happens to be the wife of one of the most famous writers in the world (Coburn).  Byron becomes involved not only with Andrea, but also befriends her husband who is in ill health and has only a little time left to live.  As he tries to keep his nighttime life a secret from his family, Byron slowly succumbs to the demands of his job and his own desires igniting a destructive pattern of deception that threatens the very thing that he sough to protect his family.

THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS: Directed by George Hickenlooper from screenplay written by Philip Jayson Lasker.  Produced by Andrew Pfeffer, Donald Zuckerman and Andy Garcia.

THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS DVD:

 

01/21/03

THE MAGIC IS BACK…APRIL 11, 2003-- THE $260 MILLION* BOX-OFFICE SMASH HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS COMES TO DVD

Loaded DVD Includes Never-Before-Seen Footage, Exclusive Interviews and Much More!  

On April 11, unlock the magic as Warner Home Video (WHV) releases the $260* million smash, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS on an extra features-loaded double disc DVD and on VHS. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, the second installment in the Harry Potter series, follows Harry, Ron and Hermione through their second year at Hogwarts School. The DVD delivers another adventure with more magic, more laughs and more thrills and with 19 additional/extended scenes, self-guided tours including background characters, an exclusive interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves and all-new interactive challenges.  

"The home video release of HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS extends the movie experience with more exciting DVD features than ever before," said Mike Saksa, WHV head of U.S. Marketing. "With special features such as crystal-clear, self-guided tours and One VoiceDVD technology that allows users to magically control their computers with their voices, the DVD offers fans the ultimate Harry Potter experience."  

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS will also be released on DVD and VHS in key territories such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia on April 11, 2003.

The HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS loaded, two-disc DVD will cast a spell on fans everywhere with magical features including the following:

 

The DVD-ROM has more than 15 special features including the following:

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS grossed more than $88 million in its opening weekend, the third largest opening 3-day weekend of all time just behind Spider-Man and HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE. 

Price
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is releasing on DVD in both widescreen and full-frame DVD formats for $29.95 SRP and for $24.99 SRP on VHS.  

Synopsis
Cars fly, trees fight back and a mysterious elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of the second year of his amazing journey into the world of wizardry. This year at Hogwarts, spiders talk, letters scold and Harry's own unsettling ability to speak to snakes turns his friends against him. From dueling clubs to rogue Bludgers, it's a year of adventure and danger when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron and Hermione's magical abilities and courage in this spellbinding adaptation of J.K. Rowling's second book. Get ready to be amused and petrified as Harry Potter shows he's more than a wizard, he's a hero!

The Credits 
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films/1492 Pictures production of a Chris Columbus film, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith and Julie Walters. 

Directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the acclaimed novel by J.K. Rowling, the film is produced by David Heyman. Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan and David Barron are the executive producers.  

Roger Pratt, B.S.C. is the director of photography; Stuart Craig is the production designer; Peter Honess, A.C.E. is the editor; John Williams is the composer; and the music was adapted by William Ross. 

 

01/20/03

GREG KINNEAR AND WILLEM DAFOE STAR IN SONY PICTURES CLASSICS' CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILM AUTO FOCUS-- DEBUTING ON SPECIAL EDITION DVD ON MARCH 18

Academy Award-nominee Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets, Someone Like You) gives the performance of his career in Sony Pictures Classics' AUTO FOCUS, the film biography of television icon Bob Crane who played Colonel Hogan in the long-running television series "Hogan's Heroes." The film, which also stars double Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man, Shadow of the Vampire, Platoon) and directed by Paul Schrader (Affliction, American Gigolo), will be released on Special Edition DVD and video by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment on March 18.

Bob Crane (Kinnear) became an American icon as the star of the hit TV comedy series "Hogan's Heroes" in the 1960's. With an abundance of fame, wealth and success, Crane dove headfirst into the dark, destructive side of celebrity.  From being a church-going family man to a hardcore hedonist, Crane became the poster child for what the intoxicating, powerful and destructive grip fame and money can have over the ungrounded.

During a chance meeting on the lot while filming "Hogan's Heroes," Crane hooks up with John Carpenter (Dafoe), a video technician who introduces the family man to the world of kinky sex which Crane systematically begins to document on video. Soon, he and Carpenter embark on a voyage of sexploits with beautiful young women and they become addicted to the narcotic pleasures made so easily available by fame and pleasure. But as Crane spirals out of control into this sordid world of sexual fetish and obsession, his family life is destroyed, his fame dissipates and the end result is Crane's brutal bludgeoning  - one of Hollywood's most scandalous and still unsolved murder mysteries.

Sony Pictures Classics' AUTO FOCUS also stars Rita Wilson (Sleepless In Seattle), Maria Bello (TV's "ER"), Ron Leibman (Personal Velocity) and Kurt Fuller (The New Guy). The film was directed by Paul Schrader and produced by Patrick Dollard, Alicia Allain, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszweski and Todd Rosken. The screenplay was written by Michael Gerbosi.

AUTO FOCUS SPECIAL EDITION DVD:

PARAMOUNT JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH 2003 DVD TITLES

 

Title

Street Date

Sound

Screen Format

Aspect Ratio

SRP

Rating

Year

EASY COME, EASY GO

01-07-2003

5.1

Letterbox, 16:9

1.85:1

$19.99

PG

1967

FUN IN ACAPULCO

01-07-2003

5.1

Letterbox

1.85:1

$19.99

PG

1963

GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!

01-07-2003

5.1

Letterbox, 16:9

1.33:1

$19.99

PG

1962

MARTIN LAWRENCE LIVE: RUNTELDAT (Special Edition/ Pan & Scan)

01-07-2003

2.0

4:3 Pan and Scan

1.33:1

$29.99

R

2002

MARTIN LAWRENCE LIVE: RUNTELDAT (Special Edition/ Widescreen)

01-07-2003

2.0

Letterbox

1.85:1

$29.99

R

2002

PARADISE, HAWAIIAN STYLE

01-07-2003

5.1

Letterbox, 16:9

1.66:1

$19.99

G

1966

WHO IS CLETIS TOUT?

01-07-2003

5.1

Letterbox, 16:9

2.35:1

$29.99

R

2001

TWO OF US

01-21-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$29.99

PG-13

2000

MOSTLY MARTHA

01-28-2003

2.0

Letterbox

1.85:1

$29.99

PG

2001

REAL WORLD MOVIE: THE LOST SEASON

01-28-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

2002

REAL WORLD YOU NEVER SAW: LAS VEGAS

01-28-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

2003

RUGRATS: MYSTERIES

01-28-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.95

NR

2003

SERVING SARA (Special Edition/ Pan & Scan)

01-28-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$29.99

PG-13

2002

SERVING SARA (Special Edition/ Widescreen)

01-28-2003

2.0

Letterbox

1.85:1

$29.99

PG-13

2002

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: TALES FOM THE DEEP

01-28-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

2003

BLUE'S CLUES: BLUE'S BIG BAND

02-04-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

2002

DORA THE EXPLORER: MAP ADVENTURES

02-04-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

2000

THIN BLUE LIE

02-11-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$29.99

R

2000

FOUR FEATHERS (Special Edition/ Pan & Scan)

02-18-2003

2.0

4:3 Pan and Scan

1.33:1

$29.99

PG-13

2002

FOUR FEATHERS (Special Edition/ Widescreen)

02-18-2003

2.0

Letterbox

2.35:1

$29.99

PG-13

2002

LADY JANE

02-18-2003

2.0

Letterbox

1.85:1

$19.99

PG-13

1986

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE: SEASON 1

02-25-2003

5.1

4:3

1.33:1

$129.99

NR

1993

STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (Special Edition)

03-03-2003

5.1

Letterbox, 16:9

2.35:1

$24.99

PG

1986

BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY

03-04-2003

2.0

Letterbox, 16:9

1.85:1

$19.99

R

1973

FEAR STRIKES OUT

03-04-2003

2.0

Letterbox, 16:9

1.85:1

$19.99

NR

1957

IT'S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN

03-04-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

1974

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: LOST AT SEA

03-04-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

GA

2002

TALENT FOR THE GAME

03-04-2003

5.1

4:3, Letterbox

1.85:1

$19.99

PG

1991

ABANDON (Special Edition/ Pan & Scan)

03-18-2003

2.0

4:3 Pan and Scan

1.33:1

$29.99

PG-13

2002

ABANDON (Special Edition/ Widescreen)

03-18-2003

2.0

Letterbox, 16:9

1.85:1

$29.99

PG-13

2002

JUST A KISS

03-18-2003

2.0

Letterbox, 16:9

1.85:1

$29.99

R

2002

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

03-25-2003

5.1

4:3

1.33:1

$79.95

NR

2000

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATOR

03-25-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$29.99

NR

2000

JACKASS: THE MOVIE (FULLSCREEN/ SPECIAL EDITION)

03-25-2003

5.1

4:3

1.33:1

$29.99

R

2002

JACKASS: THE MOVIE (WIDESCREEN/ SPECIAL EDITION)

03-25-2003

5.1

Letterbox, 16:9

1.78:1

$29.99

R

2002

TOM GREEN SUBWAY MONKEY HOUR

03-25-2003

2.0

4:3

1.33:1

$19.99

NR

2002

 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT AND JIM HENSON HOME ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MUPPETS WITH THE RELEASE OF "BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW"

Classic Episodes From The Emmy Award Winning TV Series Featuring Guest Stars Peter Sellers, John Cleese, Dudley Moore, Harry Belafonte, Linda Ronstadt and John Denver Available To Own On DVD March 4, 2003

Join in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Muppet Show, as Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment and Jim Henson Home Entertainment release two new video & DVD collections featuring classic episodes from the beloved television series.  BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW starring Peter Sellers, John Cleese & Dudley Moore and BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW starring Harry Belafonte, Linda Ronstadt & John Denver each containing three episodes with special guest stars that join in the Muppet mayhem.  Available to own March 14, 2003, each volume of BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW will be priced at $12.95 SLP (VHS) and $19.95 SLP (DVD).

For nearly five decades Jim Henson's Muppets have entertained audiences worldwide with the mission of "making the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life."  From comedy to creativity, innovation to irreverence, performance to puppetry, the Muppets truly embody the best of all of these talents and qualities, and so much more. The Muppet Show first debuted in syndication on September 26, 1976 and continued for five seasons with 120 shows, catapulting the characters into superstardom in more than 100 countries.  The Muppets have won over 40 Emmy Awards and nominations.  The Muppets remain international superstars with timeless appeal, best known for their clowning, quirkiness, kindness and timeless humor.

This wildly popular series features Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Rowlf the Dog, Scooter, The Great Gonzo, and a myriad of other Muppets as they work together to put on a variety show.  Emceed by Kermit, the show includes comedy sketches, musical numbers, death-defying feats, and satirical vaudeville routines.

Each volume of the BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW contains three hilarious, uncut episodes that are jam-packed with all the outrageous skits, music hits, great guest stars including the Muppet moments everyone loves-plus some extra laugh-out-loud tunes and sketches never before broadcast in North America.

BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW STARRING HARRY BELAFONTE, LINDA RONSTADT AND JOHN DENVER

Harry Belafonte: The Calypso legend performs his classic hit "Day-O," tries to out-drum Animal, and joins a chorus of African-masked chanters for his uplifting "Turn the World Around." Linda Ronstadt: The pop star battles Miss Piggy for Kermit's affections, in between performing some of her smash hits - including "Blue Bayou" and "When I Grow Too Old to Dream." John Denver: John organizes a camping trip, watches his garden grow "Inch by Inch," give Gonzo some helpful advice, and joins the cast in "Grandma's Feather Bed."

BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW STARRING PETER SELLERS, JOHN CLEESE AND DUDLEY MOORE

Peter Sellers: The chameleon-like actor turns into a demented gypsy violinist, plays a very strange doctor on "Veterinarians' Hospital," and joins a temperance band. John Cleese: The Monty Python funny-man portrays a befuddled pirate bent on capturing the cast of Pigs in Space?, helps Gonzo shape up, and reluctantly sings "The Impossible Dream." Dudley Moore: The comic star of Arthur demonstrates his "music and mood management apparatus" - to the dismay of the cast - and brings down the house with the Muppet jazz band.

Both DVD volumes feature some exciting added value elements including "Muppetisms," "Movie Mania" and "From the Archives

BEST OF THE MUPPET SHOW

 

01/16/03

FROM ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR CARROLL BALLARD COMES WIND-- MAKING ITS DYNAMIC DEBUT ON DVD MARCH 11, 2003

WIND, a soaring story that takes you into the world's greatest race and inside nature's strongest force, debuts on DVD March 11 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

WIND is a dramatic, fictional story of an upstart group of American challengers whose drive to win back sailing's top prize plunges them into a world where money, power, love and ambition are inextricably intertwined stars Matthew Modine (Any Given Sunday), Jennifer Grey (Bounce), Cliff Robertson (Spider-Man) and Jack Thompson.

Acclaimed director Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion and Never Cry Wolf) captures spectacular footage of sailing interspersed with a heartwarming comeback story from a script by Rundy Wurlitzer and Mac Gudgeon.

Matthew Modine stars as Will Parker, a hotshot sailor who gets picked for the America's Cup team by a wealthy skipper (Robertson). As the tactician, he makes a miscalculation in the final race and loses the cup to the Australian boat. In order to reclaim the America's Cup for the United States, Will rejoins his aeronautical engineer girlfriend Kate Bass (Grey). The stunning cinematography at the center of a strategic sea battle as two people separate their personal ambitions and unite in a shared dream taking on an arrogant Australian sailor for the coveted cup.

WIND DVD:

 

01/15/03

SUPERSTAR JENNIFER LOPEZ AND RALPH FIENNES STAR IN REVOLUTION STUDIOS' ROMANTIC COMEDY HIT MAID IN MANHATTAN-- SCHEDULED TO DEBUT ON DVD ON MARCH 25

Revolution Studios' blockbuster romantic comedy, MAID IN MANHATTAN, will be released on DVD from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (CTHE) on March 25, 2003. The film, which is still in theatrical release having made more than $85 million to date, stars international superstar Jennifer Lopez ("The Wedding Planner," "Out Of Sight") and Ralph Fiennes ("Red Dragon," "The English Patient").

MAID IN MANHATTAN

MAID IN MANHATTAN is the story of Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a single mother born and bred in the boroughs of New York City who works as a maid in a premiere, luxury hotel in Manhattan. A street smart, beautiful young woman, Marisa is not initially motivated to rise to greater things until she is given the chance for a management position. But the future has some obstacles in store for her. By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, she meets Christopher Marshall (Fiennes), a handsome heir to a political dynasty who believes that she is a wealthy guest at the hotel. Fate steps in and throws the unlikely pair together for a series of comical mix-ups and romantic interludes. But when Marisa's true identity is revealed, the two find that they are worlds apart ? Even though the distance separating them is just a subway ride between Manhattan and the Bronx.

Revolution Studios presents A Red Om Films Production, MAID IN MANHATTAN, a Columbia Pictures release, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. The co-stars are Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci and Bob Hoskins. The director is Wayne Wang. The screenplay is by Kevin Wade from a story by Edmond Dantes. Also starring Frances Conroy, Chris Eigeman, Amy Sedaris and Priscilla Lopez. Introducing Tyler Garcia Posey and Marissa Matrone.

MAID IN MANHATTAN is produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Deborah Schindler and Paul Schiff. The executive producers are Charles Newirth and Benny Medina. Karl Walter Lindenlaub, ASC, bvk, is the director of photography. Jane Musky is the production designer. Oscar® nominee Craig McKay, A.C.E is the film's editor. The costume designs are by Academy Award® winner Albert Wolsky. The music is by Alan Silvestri. The music supervisor is Randall Poster.

MAID IN MANHATTAN DVD:

 

EDDIE MURPHY AND OWEN WILSON STAR IN THE HILARIOUS ACTION-PACKED COMEDY: I SPY-- TO BE RELEASED ON DVD ON MARCH 11.

Superstar Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor) teams up with Owen Wilson (Zoolander) in I SPY, the hilarious, action-packed comedy, which streets on DVD and video on March 11 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

A super-powerful experimental spy plane is stolen by an evil arms dealer and is about to be handed over to an international terrorist. The U.S. Government drafts an egotistical boxing champion (Murphy) to join a very earnest, special agent (Wilson) on a dangerous top- secret mission to get the plane back. Armed with the latest high tech gadgets and a whole lot of attitude, this ultimate odd couple might be able to save the world- that is, if they can just get along! Famke Janssen (X-Men) also stars as an ultra-sexy secret agent who captivates the boys. Produced by Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna. Directed by Betty Thomas.

I SPY DVD:

 

TOM BERENGER STARS IN THE EXPLOSIVE ACTION ADVENTURE SEQUEL TO THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL ORIGINAL SNIPER!-- SNIPER II DEBUTS ON DVD MARCH 11, 2003

Tom Berenger (Training Day, The Rock) returns to one last mission in SNIPER II, a high-octane, action-packed sequel to Sniper will debut on DVD March 11 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. This intense explosive action thriller of all time also stars Bokeem Woodbine (The Big Hit, The Rock), Dan Butler, Linden Ashby and Erika Marozsan.

SNIPER II features Tom Berenger as Sergeant Thomas Beckett, a one-man army who this time gets teamed up with a death row inmate named B.J. Cole (Woodbine) on a suicide mission to the Balkans. Their target: a rogue general accused of running a stealth operation of hit-and-run ethic cleansing missions in an area known as "No Man's Land." But when Beckett discovers that the government is using him as a pawn in a bigger mission, the body count grows and bullets really start to fly! In order to escape alive, they must weave their way through burnt-out cities, desolate landscapes and hired assassins.

SNIPER II: Directed by Craig R. Baxley. Produced by Carol Kottenbrook and Scott Einbinder. Executive produced by J.S. Cardone. Written by Ron Mita and Jim McClain.

SNIPER II DVD:

 

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT PURCHASES SUPERCOMM

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has purchased SuperComm, the Dallas and London-based purveyor of retail home entertainment transaction software and services, from The Walt Disney Company. The newly acquired unit will be managed by SPE's subsidiary unit, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (CTHE). The announcement was made by Benjamin S. Feingold, President of CTHE.

SuperComm is a leading developer of software and services to support the processing of revenue sharing transactions for home entertainment products, as well as the licensing of such software to third parties worldwide. The company was established in 1991 and their products and services are currently in use in 14 countries.

In making the announcement, Mr. Feingold stated, " I am pleased to welcome SuperComm into the Sony Pictures Entertainment ("SPE") family of companies. As a premiere retail information and technology services company, SuperComm can simultaneously expand its servicing for revenue sharing on affordable terms for third parties and enter into data processing activities for other businesses. We think that SuperComm's core technologies have clear applications to other transaction-based retail businesses. Fundamentally, we believe in the revenue sharing model and in opportunities to expand its services."

Adrian Alperovich, CTHE Executive Vice President of International Sales and Worldwide Business Development, will oversee the company's operations. SuperComm will remain in Dallas and London with no plans to change management or standard operating procedures. Mr. Alperovich continued by saying, "I am delighted to be able to work with talented executives like Lesley Morgan, Vice President and General Manager, Matt McIntosh, Executive Director - IS Operations and Chris Dyde, General Manager for Europe in a business with such dynamic and interesting growth prospects.

Information itself and the ability to analyze and apply it usefully have never been more valuable. SuperComm's assets fundamentally bring more detail, accuracy and analytical tools to bear on information processing. As in the past, SuperComm will retain its operational autonomy and maintain data security as a primary business objective."

"Everyone at SuperComm is truly excited about the future of our company as part of CTHE and SPE," added Lesley Morgan, General Manager for SuperComm. "We have been working on expanding the depth and breadth of our current services as well as developing new tools. We have also signed significant deals in the past six months such as new Licensees for Poland and Sweden. And I am particularly pleased to announce our new Category Management Programs, which will kick off this month with two studios. We look forward to meeting with our current and prospective clients to show everyone what SuperComm has been doing and focus on expanding revenue sharing worldwide."

 

01/12/03

LEGENDS OF THE FALL, SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, THE DARK CRYSTAL, LABYRINTH, HEAVY METAL AND DAS BOOT - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT-- ADDED TO SUPERBIT COLLECTION ON MARCH 4!

A diverse slate of new Superbit titles has been announced for release by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. The Brad Pitt starrers LEGENDS OF THE FALL and SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, the classic Oscar winner FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, the special effects-laden animated fantasies LABYRINTH and THE DARK CRYSTAL, the legendary rock fantasy HEAVY METAL and the riveting and critically acclaimed World War II drama Das Boot - The Director's Cut are slated to join the Superbit Collection on March 4, 2003.

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.

LEGENDS OF THE FALL

This extraordinarily photographed epic film tells the story of three brothers (Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn and Henry Thomas) and their father (Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins) who live in the remote wilderness of the USA in the early 1900s. Taken from the Jim Harrison novella, LEGENDS OF THE FALL focuses on the family's attempts to preserve their simple yet noble way of life and on the beautiful woman (Julia Ormond) who irrevocably changes each of their lives. Directed by Edward Zwick. Produced by Edward Zwick, Bill Wittliff and Marshall Herskovitz. Written by Susan Shilliday and Bill Wittliff.

SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET

Brad Pitt stars as the arrogant Heinrich Harrer, a famed Austrian mountain climber who leaves behind his wife and infant son to head a Himalayan expedition in 1939, only to fall into the hands of the Allied Forces as a prisoner of war. He and a fellow escapee, Peter Aufschinalter (David Thewlis), make their way to the Forbidden City of Tibet where Peter finds a wife and Heinrich befriends the Western culture-obsessed teenaged Dalai Lama (Jaamyang Jamsho Wangchuk), the spiritual leader of his Buddhist nation. As Heinrich waits out the war, his friendship with the Dalai Lama begins to transform him from a man of pride to a man of humility. Produced and directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Written by Becky Johnston.

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

It's 1941 just prior to Pearl Harbor - and Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) has requested an army transfer and ends up at Schofield Base in Hawaii. His new captain, Dana Holmes, has heard of boxing prowess and is keen to get him to represent the company. However, "Prew" adamantly declines the invitation to box for the troop. Captain Holmes then gets his subordinates to make Prew's life a living hell. Meanwhile, Sergeant Warden (Oscar-winner Burt Lancaster) starts seeing the captain's wife (Deborah Kerr) who has a history of seeking external relief from a troubled marriage. Prew's friend Maggio (Frank Sinatra) has a few altercations with the sadistic stockade sergeant "Fatso" Judson (Ernest Borgnine) and Prew gets involved with social club employee Lorene (Donna Reed). This film won eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Frank Sinatra) and Best Supporting Actress (Donna Reed) and has what is arguably the hottest "love on the beach" scene ever filmed! Written by Daniel Taradash. Produced by Buddy Adler. Directed by Fred Zinnemann.

DAS BOOT - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT

Considered one of the most compelling and riveting war movies ever made, DAS BOOT - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT takes place in 1942 at the height of the Second World War. The German submarine fleet is heavily engaged in the so-called "Battle of the Atlantic" to harass and destroy English shipping. With the better escorts of the Destroyer Class, however, German U-boats have begun to take heavy losses. Das Boot is the story of one such U-Boat crew, with the film examining how these submariners maintain their professionalism as soldiers and attempt to accomplish impossible missions while all the time attempting to understand and obey the ideology of the government under which they serve. Stars Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Bronemeyer and Klaus Wennemann. Produced by Gunter Rohrbach. Written by Lothar G. Buccheim, Wolfgang Petersen and Dean Riesner.

HEAVY METAL

Inspired by stories from the fantasy graphics magazine HEAVY METAL, this five-part animated feature combines the talents of hundreds of artists and animators from 17 different countries. A glowing green orb called Loc-Nar that contains the sum total of all-evil in the universe travels through space and time spreading violence and discord in its wake. The stories demonstrate Loc-Nar's malevolent presence throughout the universe. The soundtrack features a dazzling array of HEAVY METAL and rock performances including those by Black Sabbath, Grand Funk Railroad, Journey, Nazareth and Stevie Nicks. Written by Len Blum. Produced by Ivan Reitman. Directed by Gerald Potterton.

LABYRINTH

The magic and genius of Muppet puppetry is pitted against living and breathing actors in this Gothic fantasy. The film centers upon a teenage Sarah (Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly) who lives in a fantasy world of myth and magic, evil spells and wondrous enchantment. She is baby-sitting her little brother when she cavalierly wishes that goblins would take him away. She gets her wish and a coterie of goblins abducts him. She then encounters Jareth (David Bowie), the ruler of a mythical world one step removed from reality. He tells Sarah that the only way to get her brother back is to find her way through the LABYRINTH and find the castle at the center. As she makes her way through the maze, she faces a number of horrific challenges before she finds her way to the gravity-defying castle where her brother is being held by the evil goblins. Produced by Eric Rattray. Written by Dennis Lee and Jim Henson. Directed by Jim Henson.

THE DARK CRYSTAL

An all-Muppet fantasy feature directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, THE DARK CRYSTAL spins the tale about a crystal that maintains equilibrium in a mythical kingdom. When the crystal is broken, the evil Skeksis take over, killing off the good-guy Gelflings and enslaving everyone else. Two of the Gelflings have survived: the all-knowing Mystics raised Jen, while Kira grew up amongst the swamp-dwelling Podlings. Jen and Kira join forces to "heal" the precious Dark Crystal and restore order to their world. Stars John Baddeley, Stephen Garlick and David Buck. Produced by Jim Henson and David Odell. Written by Jim Henson and Gary Kurtz. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz.

 

01/10/03

THE TRUE STORY ABOUT ONE OF CHINA'S MOST RENOWNED STARS' STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL "QUITTING"-- DEBUTS ON DVD MARCH 4

In the late 80s, a new film star, Jia Hongsheng, emerged in China. Labeled 'the thug idol,' he gained fame playing gangsters and heroes in a series of Chinese B-movies and went on to star in a stage version of "Kiss of the Spider Woman." That introduction not only lead to his becoming the actor of choice for Chinese sixth generation filmmakers such as Wang Xiaoshuai and Lou Ye, it was the beginning of the nightmare that was his heroin addiction. QUITTING, which debuts on DVD March 4, 2003, from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, recounts Jia's true story with the actor playing himself. Director Zhang Yang ("SHOWER") gathered the men and women who actually lived through the journey with Jia to portray themselves in this memorable tale of recovery and renewal.

Jia's naturally fragile mental/psychological state coupled with his experimentation with drugs gradually led him into a state of despair. He stopped acting and cut himself off entirely from all his friends and family, locking himself in his apartment. QUITTING is the story of Jia's journey, from the cutting edge of China's artistic movement in the early 90s, through a period of conflict with himself and his parents, to a mental institution and finally on the quest to rediscover himself and his family. The film is an insightful, vivid, and imaginative tale about one man's battle against heroin addiction, the painful four years of his life, beginning with his rise to stardom to his tumultuous descent and the family and friends who refused to let him go.

QUITTING is a Sony Classics presentation and was an official selection of both the Toronto and Sundance Film Festivals and won Best Picture at the Bangkok Film Festival. The award-winning film is directed by Zhang Yang, and stars Jia Hongsheng, Jia Fengsen and Chai Xiurong.

QUITTING DVD:

 

A NON-STOP, ACTION-PACKED THRILLER FEATURING THE KING OF ACTION STEVEN SEAGAL IN HALF PAST DEAD-- DEBUTS ON DVD  MARCH 4, 2003

Morris Chestnut and Rap Star Ja Rule Join the Action

A criminal mastermind (Morris Chestnut, "Two Can Play That Game," "The Brothers," "The Best Man"), has set in motion a plan to infiltrate a high tech prison in order to persuade a death row inmate to reveal the whereabouts of $200 million worth of gold. It's up to an undercover FBI agent (Steven Seagal, "Exit Wounds," "Under Siege," "Under Siege 2"), to stop him before it's too late. The action is non-stop in this high-octane thriller, HALF PAST DEAD debuts on DVD March 4 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

HALF PAST DEAD features Seven Seagal as Sascha, a Russian immigrant undercover FBI agent whose quick wits and even quicker temper leave no room for argument. His reluctant partner Nick (Ja Rule) gets caught up in the action when Sascha has to neutralize an attempt on the life of a Supreme Court Justice held hostage in the prison.

HALF PAST DEAD: Written and directed by Don Michael Paul. Produced by Andrew Stevens and Elie Samaha and Steven Seagal. Executive produced by Christopher Eberts, Uwe Schott, Rondall Emmett and George Furla.

HALF PAST DEAD DVD:

 

BORN FREE-- OSCAR-WINNING FILM DEBUTS ON DVD ON MARCH 4.

BORN FREE, the wondrous true adventure from the best- selling novel about a woman who raised a lioness and eventually sets her free, debuts on DVD on March 4 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

With a theme song which won an Academy Award, BORN FREE beautifully captures through it extraordinary photography the majesty of the vast, golden savannas of Central Africa. This is a story of courage and love, nature and human nature, and a relationship like no other ever filmed.

When game warden George Adamson (Bill Travers) is forced to kill a menacing lion and lioness, he and his wife Joy (Virginia McKenna) adopt their three cubs. Two are sent off to zoos. But the third is kept a female they name Elsa to which they have become particularly attached. When Elsa becomes full-grown, the Adamsons realize that she must be set free and taught to survive on her own. A year later the Adamsons return to the savanna and are surprised by a very special welcome from their old friend.

Also starring Geoffrey Keen. Produced by Sam Jaffe and Paul Radin. Written by Gerald L.C. Copley. Directed by James Hill. Year of release: 1966.

BORN FREE DVD:

 

LIVING FREE-- SEQUEL TO BORN FREE DEBUTS ON DVD MARCH 4 FROM COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT LIVING FREE, THE CAPTIVATING SEQUEL TO THE ACCLAIMED BORN FREE, DEBUTS ON DVD ON MARCH 4 FROM COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT.

The heartwarming story of three lion cubs struggling to survive in one of nature's most treacherous settings comes to life in this film. Set against the spectacular backdrop of East Africa, this true adventure continues the story of Joy and George Adamson (Susan Hampshire, Nigel Davenport) and Elsa, the lioness they once raised and set free. Elsa returns to the Adamsons because she is dying. Joy and George are then faced with a painful decision. Should they shelter Elsa's cubs from the dangers of the African wilds? Or should they set them free? A touching story of dedication and courage, Living Free confronts the dilemma of letting go or holding on to what you love.

Written by Millard Kaufman. Produced by Paul Radin. Directed by Jack Couffer. Year of release: 1972.

LIVING FREE DVD:

 

01/09/03

A GLORIOUS EASTER FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO-- THE CARDINAL & KING OF KINGS DEBUT ON DVD FEBRUARY 25TH

Magnificent Movie Epics Given All-New Digital Transfers and DVD Extras Just in Time for Holiday Viewing

February may be a short month, but Warner Home Video (WHV) is making it a full one with two classic epic films premiering on DVD February 25.

THE CARDINAL, acclaimed director Otto Preminger’s award-winning saga about the life of an Irish-American priest, will debut with a two-disc DVD in honor of its 40th anniversary, and KING OF KINGS, a vivid retelling of the life of Jesus Christ from the producer of the spectacular El Cid and the director of Rebel Without a Cause, will also be available for the first time on DVD.

THE CARDINAL double-disc DVD will sell for $26.99 SRP; the KING OF KINGS for $19.98 SRP.

THE CARDINAL, nominated for six Academy Awards® and six Golden Globe Awards®, took home two Golden Globes, one for Best Picture. The movie tells the story of an Irish-American priest’s rise in the church hierarchy through the first half of the 20th century. Set against a backdrop of poverty, racism and personal conflicts at home and a world war abroad, the film stars Tom Tryon, John Huston (who won a Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actor), Carol Lynley and Burgess Meredith head the stellar cast.

The new two-disc set of THE CARDINAL features an all-new color enhanced digital transfer and remastered Dolby Surround Stereo sound. DVD special features include:

KING OF KINGS, Nicholas Ray's lavish and beautifully constructed widescreen classic about the life of Jesus of Nazareth, takes the viewer on a journey through the similarities and differences in the lives of Jesus and Barrabas. With narration by Orson Welles, the film portrays Barrabas as a rebel leader of the Jewish resistance who advocates violence as a means to an end while Christ preaches peace.

Famous scenes include the Sermon on the Mount and a scene in which Salome asks King Herod for the head of John the Baptist. Shot on location in Spain, the motion picture stars Jeffrey Hunter, Robert Ryan, Rip Torn, Siobhan McKenna and Viveca Lindfors.

The widescreen DVD features an all-new digital transfer from the original camera negative and an all-new Dolby Digital 5.1 remix. Other features include:

Details Of Easter DVD Titles

THE CARDINAL DOUBLE-DISC DVD

KING OF KINGS

 

FEMME FATALE-- BRIAN DE PALMA’S SEXY SPELLBINDER STARRING ANTONIO BANDERAS AND REBECCA ROMIJN-STAMOS COMES TO DVD FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO MARCH 25

FEMME FATALE – Brian De Palma’s sensuous cinematic crime drama that won acclaim from top national movie critics -- debuts on DVD and VHS March 25 from Warner Home Video. Starring Antonio Banderas and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, FEMME FATALE will sell for $26.98 SRP on DVD and $22.98 SRP on VHS.

Among those praising FEMME FATALE were national magazines such as Vanity Fair, Premiere, Rolling Stone and Spin as well as major market newspapers across the country including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Examiner and the Boston Globe. Reviewers singled out the erotic and visually stunning style of De Palma, whose other motion pictures include Mission: Impossible, The Untouchables, Scarface and Body Double.

Two-time Golden Globe®-nominee Banderas (Spy Kids movies, The Mask of Zorro) and supermodel/actress Romijn-Stamos (X-Men films) play the lead roles in FEMME FATALE, which follows the twists and turns of a beautiful, seductive jewel thief with an assumed identity and the photographer who uncovers her ruse only to become a part of her elaborate scheme. The film also stars Peter Coyote (A Walk to Remember) and Gregg Henry (Payback).

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

The FEMME FATALE DVD will be available in widescreen format and will include these special features:

Other DVD features include filmography, Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio, English and French (dubbed in Québécois) languages and subtitles in English, French and Spanish.

SYNOPSIS

Master manipulator, Laure Ash (Romijn-Stamos), plays a crucial role in an involved and seductive diamond heist at the Cannes Film Festival. After succeeding in the theft, Ash assumes the identity of a high-profile, respected politico’s wife, but her true identity is revealed when Nicholas (Banderas), a paparazzo, snaps her picture. Ash must now reinvent herself and she uses Nicholas as part of her meticulous plot of deceit.

 

ESPN'S ULTIMATE X - CATCH ALL THE EXPLOSIVE ACTION ON DVD FROM TOUCHSTONE HOME ENTERTAINMENT AND ESPN ON FEBRUARY 4, 2003

Showcasing eye-popping extreme action events including skateboarding, BMX biking, Moto X and street luge competitions, ULTIMATE X delivers the explosive stunts and incredible real-life sports achievements from the X Games. ULTIMATE X also rocks with a killer soundtrack while radical athletes like Bob Burnquist, Tony Hawk, Bucky Lasek, Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist and Travis Pastrana perform some of the most jaw-dropping, gravity-defying tricks in the world.

The awesome soundtrack is presented in Dolby. Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD $29.99 (S.R.P.).

ULTIMATE X also delivers the x-hilarating "x-tras" on DVD. Fans can go behind the scenes to get the inside track on the athletes, their amazing feats and more.

The DVD’s bonus features include:

Other Specs:

 

01/07/03

NICK NOLTE, ALBERT BROOKS and TRACEY ULLMAN STAR IN I’LL DO ANYTHING-- DEBUTING ON DVD FEBRUARY 18

A Heartwarming Romantic Comedy About Career, Children and Life-Changing Choices

I’LL DO ANYTHING, a delightful romantic comedy debuting on DVD February 18 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, features Nick Nolte (Affliction, The Prince of Tides) as Matt Hobbs, a talented but unsuccessful actor whose self-centered life is almost totally destroyed when estranged ex-wife Beth (Tracey Ullman) dumps their six-year-old daughter Jeannie (Whittni Wright) on him for "just a few weeks." Matt's precocious child is accustomed to getting her own way; he's at an all-time low in his career, financially desperate and spending most of his time going to auditions for jobs he doesn't really want, but needs. In order to survive, he takes a job as chauffeur to a driven, verbose producer (Albert Brooks) in hopes of ingratiating himself and winning a role in a new film.

Introduced into the chaos is Matt's budding relationship with Brooks' assistant (Joley Richardson); the ministrations of a well-meaning neighbor looking after his daughter; and the constant struggle to make ends meet while pursuing an unsuccessful acting career. When it seems as though nothing in life is going to work in his favor, things suddenly change when his daughter is offered a prime acting job in a TV situation comedy. Matt eventually faces the choice of family vs. career? with interesting results. Director James L. Brooks (Best Director Academy Award, "Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News") manages to bring together the joy and pain of parenthood, the insanity of the entertainment industry and the chemistry of love with heartwarming results.

Written and directed by James L. Brooks. Starring Nick Nolte, Whittni Wright, Albert Brooks, Julie Kavner, and Joely Richardson.

I’LL DO ANYTHING DVD:

 

GENA ROWLANDS DELIVERS HER MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE AS GLORIA DEBUTING ON DVD FEBRUARY 25 FROM COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Gena Rowlands, in an Oscar-nominated performance for Best Actress (1980), creates what is arguably her most memorable role as GLORIA, the ex-gun moll and showgirl with a warm heart as tough as gold.

Director (and Rowland's husband) John Cassavetes, known for his unique approach to filmmaking, creates a powerful tension-filled story. An accountant (Buck Henry) is in possession of a ledger which could put a number of mob bosses behind bars for a long time. Before he is killed, however, he manages to entrust the ledger and his son to a neighbor, Gloria, for protection. The woman reluctantly takes the kid on the run while keeping the mob at bay, sometimes at the point of a gun. Finally, tired of running, she decides to confront them head on.

GLORIA was written and directed by John Cassavetes and produced by Sam Shaw. Music by Bill Conti. Also starring Buck Henry, John Adames, Julie Carmen, Lupe Guarnica.

GLORIA DVD:

 

SCREEN LEGEND CARY GRANT, JEAN ARTHUR AND RONALD COLMAN STAR IN A FILM CLASSIC FROM HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN AGE OF COMEDY THE TALK OF THE TOWN ON DVD FEBRUARY 25 FROM COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Silver screen legends Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman star in the 1942 classic comedy THE TALK OF THE TOWN, a sparkling gem of a comedy nominated for six. Academy Awards including Best Picture, which debuts on DVD February 25, 2003, from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. Long considered one of the finest movies from the Golden Age of Comedy, this classic is a cross between TV's Three's Company and Seems Like Old Times and its timeless, sophisticated charm comes through even today.

When a handsome fugitive, a beautiful teacher and a stuffy lawyer are forced to become roommates, their unconventional relationship is suddenly THE TALK OF THE TOWN in this madcap comedy. Accused arsonist Leopold Dig (Academy Award winner Cary Grant, Honorary Award 1970) escapes from jail and hides out in the home of friend Nora (Jean Arthur). Posing as a gardener, Dig teams up with Nora to convince her summer tenant, Supreme Court candidate Michael Lightcap (Academy Award winner, Ronald Colman, Best Actor for A Double Life) that Dig was framed.

The zaniness never stops as the three of them dodge the cops, try to snag the real crooks and discover along the way that both men have fallen for Nora. But who has captured Nora's heart?

George Stevens directed THE TALK OF THE TOWN, which was written by Irwin Shaw and Sidney Buchman.

THE TALK OF THE TOWN DVD:

 

JAMES STEWART, JEAN ARTHUR AND LIONEL BARRYMORE STAR IN FRANK CAPRA'S CLASSIC ACADEMY AWARD WINNING COMEDY YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU-- DEBUTING ON DVD FEBRUARY 18

Director Frank Capra is a master of screwball comedies with a message. The prolific director has no equal when it comes to pitting the common man against venal business and political interests. "YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU," featuring a star-studded Academy Award winning cast including James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore, received an Academy-Award for Best Picture and marked one of three Best Director Academy Awards for Capra.

Academy Award winner James Stewart (1940, Best Actor, "The Philadelphia Story;" 1985 Honorary Oscar) stars as the stable, down to earth son of a very snooty and wealthy family. When Jean Arthur who plays the daughter of an offbeat family falls for him, the collision course of cultures is set. The results are classic Capra. The hero, Grandpa Martin Vanderhof, (Lionel Barrymore, 1931 Best Actor, "A Free Soul") reigns over a delightful madhouse full of his wife, children and grandchildren and their spouses, and folks who came for a visit and never left. All are artists, writers, and inventors, and none of them have let a lack of talent interfere with having a good time. That's fine with Grandpa; he opted out of the rat race years ago because it was no fun. Today, he "doesn't believe in income tax" and allows fireworks experiments to go on in the basement. His refusal to sell his home to grasping business magnates prevents the eviction of neighboring tenants and Vanderhof's many dependents.

Into the circus atmosphere of the Vanderhof household comes Tony Kirby (James Stewart), wooing Grandpa's granddaughter Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur). Tony is a bit dismayed by this family of bohemians in which "everybody does just as he pleases," though he later realizes that he gave up his dream when he was pressured into joining the family banking business by his stuffed-shirt father (Edward Arnold) and snobby mother (Mary Forbes). When the off-beat Vanderhof clan meets Tony's parents, Tony comes to realize that most people are "afraid to live" their dreams. The result is an inevitable dressing down of the Forbes that's as humorous as it is well deserved, as only a master like Frank Capra can capture.

Frank Capra accumulated six Academy Award nominations for Best Director during his career. One of them was for "YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU," adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU DVD:

 

SILVER SCREEN ICON CARY GRANT STARS IN THE FAMILY FILM ONCE UPON A TIME-- THIS HEART-WARMING FANTASY MAKES ITS HOME ENTERTAINMENT DEBUT ON DVD FEBRUARY 25.

Cary Grant, one of film's most popular actors, stars in the fantasy film ONCE UPON A TIME, a film never before released to the home entertainment market until now. The comedy debuts on DVD February 25, from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. The film which focuses on the exploits of a dancing caterpillar, also stars Janet Blair, James Gleason, Ted Donaldson, Howard Freeman and William Demarest.

Grant plays Jerry Flynn, a slick showman and Broadway producer, who is anxious to recapture the magic and reclaim audience after a series of costly flops. Outside his theatre one night, Flynn meets a young boy who just might save the day.

Inside a small box, the boy shows Flynn his pride and joy a caterpillar named Curly that dance to "Yes Sir, That's My Baby." Word soon spreads about this amazingly talented hoofer and the caterpillar becomes a symbol of hope for wartime America. Offers are soon pouring in to capitalize on this sensational insect. Will Curly go Hollywood? Or will Flynn's get-richer quick scheme go to the bugs? ONCE UPON A TIME is a furry fairy tale that's fun for the whole family!

Directed by Alexander Hall. Produced by Louis F. Edelman. Written by Norman Corwin and Irving Fineman. Initial theatrical release: 1944

ONCE UPON A TIME DVD:

 

BILL COSBY, GLORIA FOSTER AND LEIF ERICKSON STAR IN MAN AND BOY-- DEBUTING ON DVD FEBRUARY 25.

Bill Cosby makes his motion picture debut in MAN AND BOY (1972), a riveting tale about the post-Civil War West and an ex-Union army cavalry man's battle against bigotry. MAN AND BOY debuts on DVD February 25 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

The Civil War is over and the West offers unlimited opportunities for the adventurous. Yet the celebration is short-lived for Caleb Revers (Bill Cosby), a black veteran trying to plant roots under the scorching sun of the Arizona frontier. A kindly neighbor gives Revers a horse to help plow the land and to support his wife Ivy (Gloria Foster), and their precocious 12-year-old son, Billy (George Spell).

Town bigots resent a black man owning a horse and the stallion is stolen. Revers and his son embark on a dangerous mission to get it back. A murderous horse thief, an archrival from Revers' past, and a crazed sheriff are among the many hostile obstacles which force young Billy to grow up fast. The film provides Cosby a rare opportunity to display his powerful, dramatic talent in his motion picture debut.

E. W. Swackhamer directed MAN AND BOY. Produced by Marvin Miller. Written by Harry Essex and Oscar Saul.

MAN AND BOY DVD:

 

01/06/03

WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD-- ZANY COMEDY COMES TO DVD MARCH 18 FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO

Crime has never been funnier than in WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD, the wacky and eccentric heist comedy debuting March 18 on DVD from Warner Home Video (WHV). Produced by George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh’s Section Eight Production Company, WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD will be available on DVD for $26.98 SRP and on VHS for $22.98 SRP.

WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD is a classic comedy of errors in which a group of bumbling, small-time criminals screw-up what should be the perfect heist. The film features well-known character actors William H. Macy (Fargo, Magnolia), Sam Rockwell (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Charlie’s Angels), Michael Jeter (The Gift, The Green Mile), Luis Guzman (Punch-Drunk Love, Traffic), Patricia Clarkson (Far from Heaven, The Pledge) as well as George Clooney in a supporting role as a veteran safecracking instructor. Written and directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo (Pieces), WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD was an official selection of the Directors Fortnight line-up at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and screened at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival.

DVD FEATURES

The DVD will include these extra features:

SYNOPSIS

In this remake of the 1958 Italian comedy, Big Deal on Madonna Street, Collinwood, a seedy suburb of Cleveland, is home to a group of hapless but colorful low-lifes. When petty thief Cosimo (Luis Guzman) hears of a plan for the perfect heist from a fellow prison inmate, he enlists the help of his girlfriend (Clarkson) to find a group of patsies to execute this dream job. Led by Pero (Rockwell), the motley crew consisting of Riley (Macy), Leon (Isaiah Washington), Toto (Jeter) and Basil (Andrew Davoli) set out to steal from a pawnbroker’s safe. Even the expert advice of veteran safecracker Jerzy (Clooney) can’t save these fools from screwing up what’s supposed to be a perfectly foolproof plan.

 

STUNNING ALL-STAR CAST HEADLINES MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT'S DARKLY HILARIOUS COMEDY IGBY GOES DOWN-- DEBUTS ON DVD FEBRUARY 4TH

Surrounded by a schizophrenic father, a self-absorbed, distant mother and a shark-like young Republican brother, Igby struggles to grow up in a stifling world of "old money" privilege in MGM Home Entertainment's biting coming-of-age comedy IGBY GOES DOWN arriving to DVD and VHS on February 4, 2003. "Pretty damn terrific" (Entertainment Weekly) and "scathingly funny" (Elle), IGBY GOES DOWN features a stunning ensemble of stars, including Kieran Culkin (The Cider House Rules), Claire Danes (Brokedown Palace), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park), Jared Harris (Mr. Deeds), Amanda Peet (Changing Lanes), Ryan Phillippe (Gosford Park), Bill Pullman (Independence Day) and Academy Award® winners Susan Sarandon (The Banger Sisters). Available for the suggested retail price of $26.98, the DVD includes special features, such as audio commentary with star Kieran Culkin and director Burr Steers, deleted scenes with commentary by Steers, a photo gallery, an "In Search Of Igby" featurette and the original theatrical trailer.

Seventeen-year-old rich kid Igby Slocumb is a rebel with a cause - to break free from his pill-popping mother, his schizophrenic dad and his fascist brother. Seduced by sexy older women and subverted by family and friends, the ever-resilient, witty and inventive Igby is determined to keep up - no matter what goes down.

IGBY GOES DOWN

 

WITNESS A BATTLE OF THE SEXES-- WOMEN VS. MEN

Debuting On DVD February 11th. This Hilarious Comedy Examines The Ups ,And Downs Of Romance And Features An All-Star Ensemble Cast

The battle lines are drawn on February 11th when MGM releases WOMEN VS. MEN on DVD. The sexy comedy stars Paul Reiser ("Mad About You"), Joe Mantegna (The Godfather: Part 11I), Glenn Headley (What's The Worst That Could Happen?), and Christine Lahti (Just Between Friends). Directed by Chazz Palminteri, WOMEN VS. MEN takes place over a 24-hour period and explores the inevitable roller coaster of love and war that occurs in a long-term marriage. Also starring Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde) and Robert Pastorelli ("Murphy Brown"), the DVD has a suggested retail price of $26.98.

The marriages of Dana and Michael (Lahti, Mantegna) and Brita and Bruce (Headley, Reiser) suddenly enter a meltdown after Dana catches Michael and Bruce enjoying the ever popular "spectator sport" - the lap dance at a seedy strip club. Now, with the women aided by a lusty, newly divorced neighbor (Coolidge) and the men abetted by a horny, recently separated friend (Pastorelli), the stage is set for a hilarious, high-stakes showdown!

WOMEN VS. MEN

 

MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A HEARTFELT DRAMA FROM OSCAR-NOMINATED DIRECTOR MIKE LEIGH-- ALL OR NOTHING

The Uplifting Story Debuts On DVD On February 18th

A compassionate and humorous film from three-time Oscar-nominated writer/director Mike Leigh (Topsy-Turvy, Secrets And Lies), ALL OR NOTHING arrives on DVD on February 18'h from MGM Home Entertainment. Called "a full-bodied... rewarding drama" by Variety, ALL OR NOTHING tells the story of an ordinary family dealing with the complexities of life and a crisis that takes them on a tumultuous emotional journey. Starring Timothy Spall (Vanilla Sky) and Lesley Manville (Secrets And Lies), the DVD is available for the suggested retail price of $26.98.

In a crowded South London apartment building, Penny (Manville), a working mom, struggles to

keep her wayward daughter (Alison Garland), her lazy son (James Corden) and her disillusioned partner (Spall) on the right path. But when tragedy befalls one of her loved ones, she fords that support comes from the most unexpected places... and brings the most surprising results.

ALL OR NOTHING

 

MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS JOHN STEINBECK'S CLASSIC TO LIFE WITH SPECIAL EDITION DVD RELEASE OF MICE AND MEN

1984, A DOLL’S HOUSE, EQUUS And WOMEN IN LOVE Also Premiere On DVD In Literary Classics Collection On March 4th

Given "Two Thumbs! Way Up!" by Siskel & Ebert, John Steinbeck's classic OF MICE AND MEN magnificently comes to life on Special Edition DVD March 4th, starring Oscar® nominees John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, from MGM Home Entertainment. In this stirring film directed by Sinise and based on an adaptation by Oscar®-winners Horton Foote, the OF MICE AND MEN Special Edition DVD boasts an audio commentary with Sinise, an in-conversation featurette with Sinise and Foote, screen tests, deleted scenes and more. Also premiering on DVD is Oscar-winner Glenda Jackson in WOMEN IN LOVE, which includes two audio commentaries and a photo gallery. Featuring other powerful tales by other renowned writers such as George Orwell, Peter Shaffer, Henrik Isben and D.H. Lawrence, the Literary Classics Collection additionally features 1984, A DOLL’S HOUSE and EQUUS. All titles are available for $19.98 and feature the original theatrical trailer.

All titles are closed captioned, and the pre-order date is February 4.

OF MICE AND MEN

Best friends Lennie (Malkovich and George (Sinise) are unemployed and unable to keep jobs because of Lennie's childlike mentality. But once they are hired on at the Tyler Ranch, they enjoy a brief period of stability until their supervisor's wife (Sherilyn Fenn) becomes the victim of Lennie's compassion, forcing George to make a compassionate decision of his own.

1984

Winston Smith (John Hurt) endures a squalid existence in totalitarian Oceania under the constant surveillance of Big Brother. But his life takes a horrifying turn when he begins an illicit love affair and commits the crime of independent thought. He is sent to the "Ministry of Love" and placed at the mercy of O'Brien (Richard Burton), a treacherous leader determined to control his thoughts.

A DOLL’S HOUSE

Nora (Claire Bloom) does anything to please her authoritarian husband Torvald (Anthony Hopkins). She follows such womanly disciplines as taking care of children while he takes care of the financial affairs. But when Torvald finds out about Nora's past financial mistake, the result is an explosion of fury and a revelation that changes the course of the entire family forever.

EQUUS

What would drive Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a troubled adolescent stable boy, to blind six horses with a metal spike? Psychiatrist Martin Dysart (Richard Burton) investigates these unspeakable acts and delves deep into Alan's psyche, confronting the mysteries of sexual passion and madness - as well as the dark demons buried within his own soul.

WOMEN IN LOVE

Growing up in the sheltered society of 1920s England, Gundrun (Glenda Jackson) and Ursula (Jennie Linden) know little about the ways of love. When they pursue thrilling affairs with a notorious playboy (Alan Bates) and a brooding philanderer (Oliver Reed), what they discover about their lovers and themselves is more dangerously volatile than they ever imagined.

 

MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE STUNNING AND POWERFUL OSCAR-NOMINATED FOREIGN FILM SALAAM BOMBAY!

World Films Collection Debuts On DVD March 4th Including SALAAM BOMBAY! Special Edition DVD, C’EST LA VIE, EUROPA, EUROPA, OTELLO And PAULINE AT THE BEACH

SANTA MONICA, CA - Taking a riveting look at life on the hardened streets of Bombay, SALAAM BOMBAY! premieres on Special Edition DVD March 4`h along with the World Films Collection. A Cannes Film Festival winner* and Best Foreign Film Academy Award@ nominee, the SALAAM BOMBAY! Special Edition DVD is available for $24.98 and features audio commentaries with director Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) and cinematographer Sandi Sissel, six featurettes, including "One Chance in a Million: Chaipau - Shafi Syed" and "A Color in the Hand of the Painter: Rekha - Anita Kanwar," and a photo gallery. Other tales of love, deception and intrigue are featured in the World Films Collection for $14.95 each, including C’EST LA VIE, EUROPA, EUROPA, OTELLO and PAULINE AT THE BEACH.

All titles are new on DVD and include the original theatrical trailer.

SALAAM BOMBAY! Special Edition DVD

From legendary director Mira Nair comes this "brilliantly achieved, stunning and powerful" (Los Angeles Times) film about a young boy (Shafiq Syed) living on the streets with pimps, prostitutes and other homeless children, delivering tea so he can return home to his family. But when his hard-earned money is stolen by his closest friend, he is forced into a life of crime.

C’EST LA VIE (LA BAULE-LES-PINS)

In the summer of 1958 in sunny Brittany, two mischievous sisters, 13-year-old Frederique (Julie Bataille) and 8-year-old Sophie (Candice Lefranc), overwhelm their inexperienced governess with spirited antics. But neither is prepared for the antics of their mother, whose illicit affair with a young sculptor draws the family into an explosive confrontation.

EUROPA, EUROPA

Separated from his family at age 13, Solly (Marco Hofschneider) takes on various identities to hide his Jewish heritage. First, passing himself off as an orphan and later as one of the "Hitler Youth," Solly carries on his charade, hoping desperately to keep his identity hidden and make it through the war alive.

OTELLO

Based on Shakespeare's masterpiece Othello, legendary Italian director Franco Zeffirelli tells the tragic story of Otello (Placido Domingo). While his beautiful wife Desdemona (Katia Ricciarelli) lavishes Otello with affection, Iago (Justino Diaz), a disgruntled ensign, plots his downfall by using Otello's own jealous nature against him.

PAULINE AT THE BEACH (PAULINE A LA PLAGE)

Young and beautiful Pauline (Amanda Langlet) is spending the end of the summer with her older and sexually alluring cousin Marion (Arielle Dombasle) on the stunning Atlantic coast of France. And it isn't long before three eligible men attempt to entice them both into romance. But head games, deceit and lies soon interfere with the amorous mood, threatening to spoil this idyllic playground and Pauline's innocent views of love.

 

01/05/03

MTI & DELTA ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE JIM MENDIOLA'S COME AND TAKE IT DAY ON DVD MARCH 18

Buried treasure, a bogus drug deal, and heavy metal collide in this South Texas tale of dreams, schemes, and revenge!

MTI Home Video, a leading independent home entertainment studio, and Delta Entertainment, a top urban entertainment supplier, will release Jim Mendiola's COME AND TAKE IT DAY on March 18, 2003. Starring Jesse Borrego (Con Air, Mi vida loca, Follow Me Home, Lone Star), Jacob Vargas (HBO's upcoming series Kingpin, the current series Greetings from Tucson, Traffic, Mi Familia, Selena), Maria Candelaria and Rick Delgado, COME AND TAKE IT DAY is a fast-paced, stylish Tejano noir that explores San Antonio's multi layered Latino community, while telling a fascinating story of obsession, betrayal and death.

COME AND TAKE IT DAY will debut on DVD March 18, 2003. The film will be available on DVD (sellthrough priced at $24.95 SRP) Special DVD features include: Wide Screen Version, chapter selection, interactive menus, and optional Spanish subtitles.

Synopsis:

Four Texans working in a Mexican restaurant on the San Antonio Riverwalk, Jesse (Jesse Borrego), a dishwasher; his younger cousin Miguel (Jacob Vargas), a heavy-metal loving cook; Carlos (Rick Delgado), a waiter, and Nena (Maria Candelaria), a brainy college student waitressing for the summer, believe they are on the verge of discovering the century old treasure of the legendary Tejano folk hero Gregorio Cortez. Convinced that he is a descendent of the noble Cortez, Jesse uncovers some old family papers and discovers a disturbing secret, as well as a map to the lost treasure. Jesse enlists his cousin Miguel in a plan to unearth the fortune. On the night of the treasure hunt old grudges and personal histories erupt, resulting in an explosive battle, leaving a trail of tragedy, death, and new stories for both sides of the border.

COME AND TAKE IT DAY Details:

 

01/02/03

STEVEN SPIELBERG’S MASTERFUL ADAPTATION OF ALICE WALKER’S PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING NOVEL THE COLOR PURPLE DEBUTS IN TWO-DISC DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEBRUARY 18

Warner Home Video Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Pulitzer Prize Winner With Newly Remastered Edition Including Four All-New Documentaries Featuring Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, Spielberg, Walker and more

Steven Spielberg’s THE COLOR PURPLE -- which received 11 Oscar® nominations, including Best Picture, was the National Board of Review’s Best Picture of the Year and ignited the careers of Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg -- will be released by Warner Home Video (WHV) as a deluxe, feature-packed, two-disc DVD Special Edition February 18. The double-disc DVD will sell for $27.95 SRP.

THE COLOR PURPLE has been remastered with an all-new digital transfer and enhanced with four newly produced documentaries, which include interviews with Spielberg, Goldberg, Winfrey, Glover and Quincy Jones – plus Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the award. Also included are producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and production designer Michael Riva; director of photography Allen Daviau; costume designer Aggie Rodgers; and actors Margaret Avery, Akosua Busia and Rae Dawn Chong.

A Film of Firsts

THE COLOR PURPLE, released in 1985, has grossed $97 million at the box-office and is marked by a number of firsts.

Steven Spielberg earned his first Best Director Award from the Directors Guild of America and an Oscar® nomination for Best Picture for THE COLOR PURPLE. Both Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg made stellar feature film debuts and each received first Oscar® nominations for their roles.

Goldberg also won a first Best Actress Golden Globe Award for the film and Winfrey earned a Golden Globe nomination. Goldberg then went on to win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar® for Ghost and star in the blockbuster hits Sister Act I and II, both of which grossed a total of nearly $200 million domestically.

Winfrey’s portrayal of Sofia, a fiercely independent woman whose defiance ultimately claims her freedom, also helped to launch her amazingly successful multi-media career. The Oprah Winfrey Show has become the highest-rated talk show in television history and Winfrey was named one of the 100 most influential people of the twentieth century by Time magazine.

Enriching DVD Extras

The movie’s many talents – including Spielberg, Goldberg, Winfrey, Glover, Jones, Walker and others, participate in the following documentaries:

Other special features include behind the scenes and cast photo galleries, the theatrical trailer and two teaser trailers. The DVD will be available in widescreen format and will include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and 2.0 sound, English and French languages and subtitles in French and Spanish.

Synopsis

This inspiring drama about personal triumph and the power of human relationships tells the story of Celie (Goldberg), a poor African American girl growing up in the rural South during the early 1900s. Celie’s world is filled with cruelty and despair. Abused by her father and separated from her sister and children, Celie is forced into marrying a demeaning and philandering man (Glover) who convinces Celie of her own worthlessness. But just as she is about to give up hope of obtaining happiness, a beautiful blues singer named Shug (Avery) walks into Celie’s life and shows her how to love herself.

THE COLOR PURPLE

 

VCI ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2003 NEW RELEASES- FEATURING HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM

All February titles have a Street Date of 2/25/2003

HYPNOVISTA - It Actually Puts You In The Picture, Can You Stand It?

HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM

Actors: Michael Gough, June Cunningham, Graham Curnow, Shirley Ann Field, Geoffery Keen, John Warwick
Director: Arthur Crabtree

London is fear struck, and Scotland Yard is baffled by a series of strange murders that have plagued the city. Stories of the atrocities, by crime journalists Edmond Bancroft (Michael Gough — yes, the same loveable ‘Alfred Pennyworth’ from the new Batman movies), come to their own conclusions missed by the "Yard". This is because of the fact that Edmond is behind these horrible crimes in order to create material for his writing. Along with his assistant, Rick (Graham Curnow) who helps him run a private "Black Museum" filled with murder and torture devices.

Special DVD Features:

Additional Specifications:

The Nightmare Begins with the Kids Next Door

BLOODY BIRTHDAY

Actors: Elizabeth Hoy, Andy Freeman, Michael Dudikoff, Erica Hope, Billy Jayne
Director: Ed Hunt

In 1970, three children were born during the height of a total eclipse of Saturn, the planet governing emotion. Ten years later these seemingly innocent children have become heartless killers able to move around under the radar of suspicion because of their youthful facades. What happens when a teenage girl and her younger brother stumble upon the horrible truth?

13 Chapters of Gigantic Thrills!

SECRET AGENT X-9 (1945)

Actors: Lloyd Bridges, Keye Luke, Victoria Horne, Jan Wiley, Samuel S. Hinds, Edmund Cobb, Cy Kendall
Director: Lewis D. Collins & Ray Taylor

Based on the comic strip written by Charles Flanders and the characters created by Dashiell Hammett. International agents join forces to stop the Nazis from acquiring the formula for synthetic fuel. Lloyd Bridges stars as agent X-9 in this action packed serial. This was the last comic strip inspired serial released by Universal and the second SECRET AGENT X-9 film based on the same comic strip by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. The plot line is different from the 1937 version however the characters are similar.

Sax Rohmer’s Eerie Yarn of a Sinister Oriental Foiled in a Diabolical Plot!

DRUMS OF FU MANCHU

Actors: Henry Brandon, William Royle, Robert Kellard, Gloria Franklin
Director: William Witney & John English

In order to gain complete control of the barbaric bond of Asia, the nefarious Fu Manchu (Henry Brandon) must acquire the fabled scepter of Genghis Khan. To find the lost tomb housing the scepter, he must first locate and assemble the Cardack segment, which will disclose the location of the tomb. Opposing him is his old nemesis, Sir Nayland Smith (William Royle) and Allen Parker (Robert Kellard). The adventures range from the United States to Asia, and contain some of the most fiendish cliffhangers ever put on film.

Special DVD Features:

VCI ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY TITLES

12 Exciting Chapters Of Thrill-A-Minute Action With Undercover Operators!

SECRET AGENT X-9 (1937)

Actors: Scott Kolk, Jean Rogers, Monte Blue, Henry Hunter, David Oliver
Directed by Ford Beebe & Clifford Smith

When the crown jewels of Belgravia are stolen, Secret Agent X-9 (Scott Kolk) is sent to investigate. With the help of Shara Graustark (serial icon Jean Rogers) our hero soon discovers this to be no ordinary heist but the work of a mysterious master criminal known only as Blackstone.

ROY ROGERS WESTERN DOUBLE FEATURE

Actors: Roy Rogers, Andy Devine, Dale Evans, Jane Frazee, Bob Nolan And The Sons Of The Pioneers

Directed by William Witney

This rough-in-tumble double feature stars Roy Rogers, the "King of the Cowboys," in two rare ‘Trucolor’ westerns from Republic Pictures. In "UNDER CALIFORNIA STARS" (1948), Roy roughs up a few bad guys when he plays a border patrol officer and must take on a bunch of no-good smugglers. In "THE BELLS OF SAN ANGELO" (1947), bad guys kidnap trigger and hold him for a $100,000 ransom and Roy must come to his rescue.

January 2003 Headlines 

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