Superman Woes November 28, 2006

Today's the big release day for Superman titles, but some serious mistakes have come up. The original audio on Superman: The Movie is missing and the Superman III discs are not the cpecial editions promised, but in at least some cases are the original disc.
Warner is aware of these problems and is offering replacements for these discs, but has yet to offer word on when these replacements will be available. To get a fixed copy, call Warner at 1 800 553 6937.
And to give credit where it's due, thanks must go out to our friends over at The Digital Bits who have done all the work in acquiring this information. We're just passing it along.

Crank debuts in January November 27, 2006

Lionsgate has just unveiled details about the home video release of the actioner Crank starring Jason Statham, in January on both DVD and Blu-Ray Disc.
Jason Statham plays a professional hit man who is poisoned and has only hours to live. He has some big tasks to accomplish before the grim reaper arrives.
The DVD version will be available as a widescreen and a fullframe edition separately and offer up an English 5.1 channel Dolby Digital EX audio track.
As extras the DVD will offer a Crank’d Out Mode in which viewers can experience exclusive behind-the scenes footage, making-of insights, interviews, running commentary , gags and much more without ever leaving the film. Also included is a Family-Friendly Audio Track without all the expletives. Sounds a lot like someone ran out of ideas for bonus materials, but so be it.
The Blu-Ray version will offer up the same content from the DVD version but will also included 3 Additional Featurettes entitled “Shooting Crank,” “The Stunts Of Crank” and “Pushing Crank.”
The film will be in stores on January 9 with a $28.98 suggested retail price for the DVD version and a $39.99 price tag for the Blu-Ray Disc.

Incubus comes to DVD November 27, 2006

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be releasing a new DVD of Incubus early in 2007; not the black and white Esperanto cult film, but the new horror film with Tara Reid.
Reid stars in a gruesome tale about a group of attractive young college students forced to seek shelter in an ominous abandoned factory after a car accident leaves them stranded. Lurking within is a vicious serial killer bringing new meaning to the term "deranged." Soon, though, the group - what's left of them - makes another shocking discovery. Inside a triple-locked, shatterproof glass cage is a mysterious coma patient who holds the key to their escape and, ultimately, their survival.
No supplements will be included on the disc, but it will arrive for $24.96 on February 6th.

Bob Dylan is explored November 24, 2006

Docurama has fully restored the rock documentary Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back. The film comes with a very comprehensive box this February. A must have for every Dylan fan, classic rock music collector and film buff, Bob Dylan: Dont Look Back - 65 Tour Deluxe Edition features the meticulously digitally remastered original feature film, as well as Bob Dylan 65 Revisited, Pennebaker's newly edited feature culled from countless hours of never-before-seen archival footage shot during the tour through England, providing a fresh "fly on the wall" perspective of the young musician on the road and on the rise. The definitive set also contains two photo-laden books - a rare, collectible reproduction of the 168-page companion Dont Look Back book and a "Subterranean Homesick Blues" flip book, providing a frame-by-frame look at what many consider to be the very first music video.
Also featured are a full-length audio commentary by Pennebaker and Dylan's tour manager (and artist in his own right) Bob Neuwirth, as well as a new Bob Dylan 65 Revisited commentary by the pair. Additional bonus material includes an alternate version of the now-famous "Subterranean Homesick Blues" cue-card sequence, and the original theatrical trailer, a D.A. Pennebaker filmography, a Bob Dylan discography, and cast and crew biographies, all housed in collectible packaging, assuring fans an immersive Dylan experience in three mediums: film, music and print.
February 27th, 2007 will see the release of the disc for $19.95.

What's New Scooby-Doo now comes in season sets November 22, 2006

Warner Home Video has just announced that they will begin releasing the animated TV series What's New Scooby-Doo in season box sets, starting with the Complete Season One in February.
Clever sleuthing has led you to treasure: the very first season of What's New Scooby-Doo? Enjoy all 13 episodes of spoofy hilarity and mystery with the crime-busting gang --from scary snowboarding in There's No Creature Like Snow Creature to the season finale The Unnatural, with the voices of real-life baseball greats Mike Piazza and Luis Santiago. As Scooby-Doo fans know, popular stars often lend their vocal talents in such takeoffs as Riva Ras Regas (co-starring teen pop singer Lindsay Pagano) and American pop idol JC Chasez from super group *NSYNC. But everyone knows who the biggest heartthrob of the show is really...who else? Scooby-Dooby-Doo!
The 2-disc DVD set will contain all 13 episodes that make up the show’s first season in their original fullframe aspect ration, complete with Dolby Surround audio. As extra the DVD set will also contain a Bonus Episode called “A Scooby-Doo Valentine”
“What's New Scooby-Doo: Season 1” will be in stores on February 20 for $19.98.

John Waters expores This Filthy World November 22, 2006

Filmmaker John Waters discusses whatever he wants to in his routine This Filthy World, which has be captured on video and will be coming to DVD in December.
Filmed in 2006 over two nights at the Harry De Jur Playhouse in New York City, This Filthy World captures an irreverent stand-up/nightclub routine that John Waters has been developing and changing over the course of 35 years to the delight of audiences and cinephiles all over the country. Alarming but never mean-spirited, the film captures Waters’ insights on everything from the director’s own childhood to his obsession with Michael Jackson, capital punishment, artistic censorship and why he always admired the Wicked Witch of the West more than Dorothy.
Interestingly this DVD will be available exclusively through Netflix when it becomes available on December 12th.

Farewell Robert Altman November 21, 2006

Robert Altman passed away in Los Angeles this morning at the age of 81. Not every Altman film was liked by all, but all of his films were undeniably his and shaped the style of movies today. From his virtually scriptless approach to M*A*S*H including the introduction of The F-Word into the movie houses to his openly self critical eye on Hollywood in The Player, Altman's films always brought varied critiques and often moved things forward. His last film A Prarie Home Companion is fitting in a sense as it was about an end to a long showbiz career.
Goodbye Mr. Altman, and thank you for making us love movies.

I Dream of Jeannie blinks into season three November 21, 2006

It's the third season of Jeannie and Major Nelson with the complete season of I Dream of Jeannie coming to DVD.
Third season highlights include three episodes shot on location in Hawaii, the first appearance of Jeannie's evil sister (Eden in a black wig) and fun guest stars including Bob Denver (TV's "Gilligan's Island"), comedian Don Rickles, Milton Berle (TV's "The Milton Berle Show"), Mike Farrell (TV's "M*A*S*H"), Paul Lynde (TV's "Bewitched"), David Soul (TV's "Starsky & Hutch"), Hawaiian singer Don Ho, Larry Storch (TV's "F Troop"), Susan Howard (TV's "Dallas"), Ted Cassidy (TV's "The Addams Family") and music producer Phil Spector.
On January 30th, the DVD will appear on shelves.

The high def is in the back November 21, 2006

It appears that the format war and the lack of wow factor is letting high definition formats slip further from the forefront of our minds. Electronics retailers pushed DVD to the front of the stores in 1997, but Best Buy is letting HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players sit in the back.
According to Best Buy spokesperson Brian Lucas, “Customer response due to the format war is so muted that it is not even a factor for us. There are people who had to have either one or both when they came out, but most people are sitting on the sidelines to see how this plays out.”
Let's hope someone at either camp figure out how to market this beast.