Thanks to Dave, I now know the specs for the upcoming Collector’s Edition of “The Dead Zone.” Wow. What a disappointment those extra features are … and there is no Cronenberg audio commentary! Gah!!! So, those facts coupled with the super crappy cover art means this one will probably be a pass. Boo to you, Paramount.

THE DEAD ZONE:
– Memories from THE DEAD ZONE featurette on the history of King’s novel, how David Cronenberg took on the film version and its casting.
– The Look of THE DEAD ZONE featurette on the locations, photography and costumes.
– Visions from THE DEAD ZONE featurette on how Cronenberg created Johnny Smith’s flashes of the future.
– The Politics of THE DEAD ZONE featurette on the political aspects onscreen (Martin Sheen’s Gregg Stillson character), and off (regarding the film’s ending and scoring).

These featurettes include all-new interviews with Cronenberg, actress Brooke Adams, cinematographer Mark Irwin, editor Ronald Sanders and King biographer Douglas E. Winter.

The big debate in the next couple of months is whether to just keep watching the original theatrical versions of the Star Wars trilogy on my 1990 widescreen laserdisc editions (no cost to me now) or to fall into Mr. Lucas’ money trap and buy the “limited edition” dvd versions (probably $60 for all three) that are coming out in September.

Part of my being hesitant about the new dvd releases is that I just don’t trust that Lucas hasn’t fucked with them somehow … whereas I know the laserdisc versions haven’t been.

Davis DVD has complied a “Star Wars Home Video Timeline” which might be of some interest to you. It’s amazing to see just how many times the original movies have been offered (in various formats and sets).

Finally! “Oz: The Complete Sixth Season” will be released on September 5th.

Finally! A 2-Disc collector’s edition of Stephen King’s “The Dead Zone” (directed by David Cronenberg!) will be available on September 26th. This is long overdue, in my opinion, even if the cover art is really shitty. So far it’s been hard to find specs on the extras … but hopefully there will be a Cronenberg audio commentary as he does simply the best commentaries.

Finally! The out of print 1971 horror film “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” will see its dvd release on August 29th. I am looking really forward to this one as I wanted to see it for a long, long time.

Laugh and point fingers all you want. I proudly admit that I love “The Towering Inferno.” What’s not to like about big name stars in big time peril? I finally got around to buying the new special edition dvd of the film last night. Oh. My. God. I was totally surprsied by what a super job Fox Video has done. I knew that I was gonna get two discs packed with audio commentaries, deleted scenes and tons of “making of” featurettes and documentaries. What I didn’t expect was the reproduction of the movie’s original press book and lobby cards. Whoo! Plus, it cost under $15! Double Whoo!!! Let me tell you … I am in some Irwin Allen heaven right now.~

Thank you, Video Gods! Universal has announced that the sci-fi classic (and “MST3K: The Movie” fodder) “This Island Earth” will finally get a dvd release on August 29th. It’s gonna be a “bare bones” release with no extras … but, who cares. It will be nice to finally have this one on my dvd shelf.

Hopefully this means that some of Universal’s other 50’s sci-fi catalog will finally see dvd releases here in the States as well. There are three titles that I am anxiously awaiting:
1. “Tarantula” (1955)
2. “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957)
3. “The Deadly Mantis” (1957)

The third (and final) season of “Arrested Development” drops into stores on August 29th.

“Lost: The Complete Second Season” will drop on October 3rd. Whoo!

… for Star Wars fans that is! This is absolutely the last thing I ever expected to see announced. This announcement is a little irritating for those who have already popped for the Trilogy DVD Box … but not unexpected as Lucas is gonna milk the fans for every single cent that he can.

The shock news today is that Lucasfilm and Fox Home Entertainment has announced plans to release the original theatrical incarnations of the classic Star Wars trilogy. In response to overwhelming demand, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release attractively priced individual two-disc releases of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Each release includes the 2004 digitally remastered version of the movie and, as bonus material, the theatrical edition of the film. That means you’ll be able to enjoy Star Wars as it first appeared in 1977, Empire in 1980, and Jedi in 1983. This release will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st. The International release will follow on or about the same day. Each original theatrical version will feature Dolby 2.0 Surround sound, close-captioning, and subtitles in English, French and Spanish for their U.S. release. International sound and subtitling vary by territory. Make sure you stay tuned for further details.
[via dvdactive.com]

You can get the Official Announcement here.

      
I did watch “I Heart Huckabees” last night which I thought was a really kickin’ movie.

01. “Speaking Parts”
02. “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms”
03. “Re-Animator”
04. “Naked Fame”
05. “I Heart Huckabees”
06. “Igby Goes Down”
07. “Chuck & Buck”
08. “Bride of the Monster”
09. “Glen or Glenda”
10. “Jail Bait”
11. “Soul Survivors”
12. “The Thirteenth Floor”
13. “Donnie Darko” Director’s Cut
14. “In the Company of Men”
15. “The Shape of Things”
16. “Tape”
17. “Phone”
18. “The Stepford Wives” (1975)
19. “To Live and Die in L.A.”
20. “The Bourne Supremacy”