What an exciting week this was, don’t you agree. Just before last weekend Columbia came out with their announcement of the two “Ghostbusters” films. Certainly some of the most eagerly awaited films on DVD. The new week then started on Monday with our exclusive coverage of the “Stanley Kubrick Collection”, a release announcement that came almost out of the blue, so it was hardly surprising that you couldn’t find this information anywhere else. The flood of information wouldn’t stop however, when later that day we got the cover artworks in. Tuesday then brought us Warner’s entire June line-up, while Thursday saw the artwork for the box set of the “Stanley Kubrick Collection”  which, according to unconfirmed rumor, has been scrapped at this point in favor of a black one. Friday then presented us with new title announcements from Fox and Paramount, including the long awaited “There’s Something About Mary” and “The Thin Red Line”. Time to take a breather, don’t you think?

It is also, once again, an indication how important and strong DVD has grown. From its fledgling existence only a year ago, DVD is well under way to become the leading home video format of the future. The variety of films is becoming bigger by the day and the release schedules of the studios are jam packed with new films taken form their catalog, along with day & date releases. While certain studios have a stronger vested interest in DVD, and show this through stronger commitment than others, there can be no denying that every DVD publisher has recognized the importance DVD plays in the overall market. No matter how large or big, every studio has seen that DVD can account for a substantial part of their home video business. DVD is gaining acceptance and as such is putting more and more pressure on other formats, such as Laserdisc and VHS. More and more day & date releases make DVD a valid, if not preferable, alternative to VHS for many people and there is also a good reason why many companies have stopped producing Laserdiscs altogether. No matter who the publishers is, DVD is generating enough revenue for them these days to make it worth their while. Gone are the days when studios told me DVD revenues were negligible.

Especially Columbia’s announcement of “Ghostbusters” showed an interesting turn in the company’s approach to DVD. While always delivering some of the finest DVDs in the market, as well as solid Special Editions, the “Ghostbusters” Special Edition is so rich in content and so imaginative in its presentation that it’s simply stunning. Now that DVD publishers have managed the basics of the format and serious flaws and incompatibilities are literally non-existent, we can see their attention directed towards new areas, to make sure to use DVDs potential to its fullest. DVD-ROM content is one end of the spectrum that still leaves an endless array of possibilites open. New Line’s and MGM’s usage of these capabilites are great and exciting, but I am sure we will see much more sophisticated usage of these capabilities in the future. The same is true for other features of DVD that have so far gone almost unnoticed, and I feel Columbia’s approach to “Ghostbusters” has just opened a door to a new contest between DVD publishers as to who can create and deliver the most sophisticated content on DVD. Let’s see who’s turn it is next to score a goal like that!

Before I go, I would also like to direct your attention to a new section here in “DVD Review”, the “Stock Watch”. This page lists the most the stock quotes for some of the major players in the movie industry and the home video business. You will find the likes of Time Warner, Fox, Disney and other there, as well as Image Entertainment, Pixar and Laser Pacific, a company that is peripherally associated with the home video and television business. Not only will this page give you an idea how powerful some of the players in the market are or how they develop over times, but also how box office success, failure to deliver on time or general strategic decisions impact the companies’ overall values. Please bear in mind that these are no buying recommendations but mere quotes for your information. We will update these quotes once a week to give you an idea over the development over time. If you feel we have forgotten an important stock in our listing, please let us know so we can add it, however only a few companies in the industry are publicly traded at the stock exchange.

Take care everyone and have a great week!

 April 27, 1998

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