09/1 - 4:00 PM:
Our Spidey Sense is tingling!!: Everyon'e favorite webslinger is back in action on DVD in November!
Spider-Man 2: Spider-Man 2 swings onto DVD from Columbia Tristar on 11/30. The film will be available in several versions: a two-disc set (available in widescreen and fullscreen), a two-pack containing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 (also in widescreen or fullscreen), a Superbit edition of Spider-Man 2 (widescreen), and a Spider-Man 2 gift set (widescreen). Each version will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS soundtracks.
The two-disc set will include commentary with Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, producer Avi Arad, and co-producer Grant Curits; technical commentary; blooper reel; “Spidey Sense 2” trivia track; four “Web-I-Sodes; Train’s “Ordinary” music video; “Making the Amazing” 12-part documentary; “Hero In Crisis,” a look at Peter Parker’s continuing struggles; “Ock-Umentary: Eight Arms to Hold You,” a look at Doc Ock from comics to screen; “Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Man;” “Enter the Web,” a multi-angle look at the film’s climactic pier sequence; art gallery; “Spider-Man 2: Spinning the Game;” and weblinks.
The Spider-Man 2 gift set also includes a postcard collection of Spider-Man 2 artwork, a limited edition 25-page comic books artists’ portfolio, a collectible “concept-to screen” comparison portfolio, and “The Amazing Spider-Man” #50 (a reduced-sized reprint of the original comic).
The two-disc sets, as well as the Superbit edition will retail for $29.96 each. The Spider-Man/Spider-Man 2 two-pack will carry a price of $39.95, while the Spider-Man 2 gift set will sell for $49.95.
Breakin’ All the Rules: On 10/12, Columbia Tristar will release the Jamie Foxx comedy Breakin’ All the Rules. The disc will include a blooper reel, Quincy Watson Television Interview, making-of featurette, cast and crew commentary, and a colorized version of Three Stooges “Hoi Polloi” short film. The disc features Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, and will include widescreen and fullscreen presentations. The disc will sell for $24.96.
Mary Poppins: 40th Anniversary Edition: Buena Vista will fly Mary Poppins onto DVD on 12/14. The two-disc set will include a sing-along option for some of the more popular tunes, a pop-up trivia track, and an audio commentary with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Richard Sherman, and Karen Dotrice. Disc two also features a host of extras include the deleted song “Chimpanzoo,” “The Cat that Looked at a King” animated short, featurettes “A Magical, Musical Reunion” and “A Musical Journey with Richard Sherman,” and a 50-minute making-of documentary, among other goodies. The film will be presented in anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen format, with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio (as well as two 2.0 tracks, the original theatrical mix, and an “enhanced” mix). The retail price is $29.99.
Walt Disney Treasures: Wave 4: Disney has announced Wave 4 of its Disney Treasures series. Look for The Mickey Mouse Club (Week One), Mickey Mouse In Black & White (Volume 2), and The Complete Pluto (Volume 1) to be released on 12/7. Each disc will feature introductions by Leonard Maltin, featurettes, art galleries, and other extras. Each volume will sell for the retail price of $32.99.
Fox has a number of titles announced for release in November. Look for Daredevil: Director’s Cut, Lost In Space: Season 2, Volume 2, and Tru Calling: Season One on 11/30; Star Wars Animated Double Features on 11/23; Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Seventh Season and National Lampoon’s Holiday Reunion on 11/16; and The Simple Life 2 and The Simpsons Christmas 2 on 11/2.
08/7 - 1:00 PM:
It's a Festivus Miracle!: See the long awaited announcement of Seinfeld on DVD!
Seinfeld: Seinfeld fans rejoice! On 11/23, the first three seasons of the show will finally arrive on DVD from Columbia Tristar. Fans will have three different options with which to enjoy the show: Seinfeld: Volume 1 will include all 18 episodes from seasons one and two; Seinfeld: Volume 2 will include all 22 episodes from season three; and Seinfeld: Re-Gift Set will package volumes one and two together, along with exclusive extras. Each episode will feature digitally remastered audio and video.
Each volume contains the following extras, tailored to each particular set of episodes:
Inside Looks – Behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew on what was happening during filming. (Despite what you may have heard, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards will be participants in the set along with Jerry)
Yada Yada Yada – Audio commentaries from the cast.
In the Vault – Never-before-seen deleted scenes.
Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That – Never-before-seen outtakes and bloopers.
Master of His Domain – Stand-up footage of Jerry shot for the show but never used.
Sponsored by Vandelay Industries – Original NBC promotional ads and trailers.
Notes About Nothing – Behind the scenes “scoop” and production notes.
Volume 1 also includes How it Began, an hour-long documentary on how Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David developed the idea for the show and how it almost didn’t get made. Volume 1 will also includes footage from The Tonight Show.
Volume 2 will also include Kramer vs. Kramer, a segment featuring the real Kramer, Kenny.
Seinfeld: Re-Gift set includes the aforementioned extras, as well as a limited edition script with handwritten notes from Larry David, “Monk’s Diner” salt & pepper shakers, and collectible playing cards. Volumes 1 & 2 will be available individually for a suggested retail price of $49.95, while the Re-Gift set will sell for $119.95.
08/5 - 11:00 PM:
Celebrate a decade of Clerks and shuffle-up and deal with a Rounders reissue: Here's some more news, with detailed info on the Clerks: 10th Anniversary Edition and Rounders: SE from Buena Vista.
Clerks: 10th Anniversary Edition: Go shopping with Kevin Smith on 9/7 for Clerks: 10th Anniversary Edition. This 3-disc set will include the following:
Disc One: The theatrical version of the film with commentary by Kevin Smith and members of the cast; Clerks: The Animated Lost Scene; “Flying Car” short film from The Tonight Show; Jay & Silent Bob MTV spots; theatrical trailer; Soul Asylum Music Video: “Can’t Even Tell”; Clerks restoration; original audition tapes; and DVD-ROM features.
Disc Two: The original “film festival” version of Clerks with audio & video commentary from Kevin Smith and cast members; and an introduction with Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier.
Disc Three: “Snowball Effect” Documentary: The Story of Clerks (95 minutes); Mae Day: The Crumbling of a Documentary (with introduction by Smith and Mosier); 10th Anniversary Question & Answer (45 minutes); still photo gallery; theatrical trailer; Original Kevin Smith journals; DVD-ROM enhanced playback; and a collection of articles on the film.
Clerks: 10th Anniversary Edition features anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 – no word on whether this applies to both the theatrical version of the film as well as the “original” version. All of this can be yours for a suggested retail price of $34.99.
Rounders: Collector’s Series: In an effort to capitalize on the Poker craze sweeping the globe, Buena Vista will release an updated version of Rounders on 9/7. Special features include two audio commentaries – one with professional poker players and the other with cast and crew members John Dahl, David Levien, Brian Koppelman, and Edward Nortion. The disc also contains a behind-the-scenes special, set top games “Head’s Up Texas Hold ‘Em” and “How to Player Poker,” and tips from championship poker players.
The Munsters – The Complete First Season: On 8/24 Universal offers The Munsters – The Complete First Season. For $59.98, fans will be treated to all 38 episodes of the show’s first season, including a never-aired 14-minute pilot episode used to pitch the series. The show will be presented in full frame video with Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio.
Born on the Fourth of July: On 10/19 Universal will release a third version of Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July. This version looks to correct a few previous wrongs with an anamorphic widescreen transfer as well as Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks. Features include an audio commentary with Stone (likely the same track from the previous release), two featurettes, and trailers. The disc will carry a retail price of $14.95.
Fahrenheit 9/11: Columbia/Tristar will the release of Michael Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 on October 5th. The disc will feature director’s commentary, deleted and extended scenes, and featurettes. Retail price is $28.95.
The O.C.: The Complete First Season: Fox readies The O.C. for release on 10/26. For $69.98 fans can live it up with an audio commentary on the pilot by series creator Josh Schwartz and producer Stephanie Savage, introductions by Schwartz, three featurettes, and an O.C. music guide. The episodes will be presented in full frame with Dolby Digital 2.0 surround.
