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August 2002 Headlines 

08/26/02

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD COMING TO DVD NOVEMBER 5

Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd, Ellen Burstyn, Maggie Smith, James Garner and Shirley Knight Star in Comedy that Celebrates Family and Friendship

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, the touching and funny film about the power of family, friends and forgiveness, debuts on VHS and DVD November 5 from Warner Home Video (WHV). The movie will sell for $22.98 SRP on VHS and for $26.98 SRP on DVD.

With a combined box office of $1.6 billion and more than 40 million video and DVDs sold, superstars Sandra Bullock (Murder By Numbers, Miss Congeniality, Speed and the upcoming Two Weeks Notice) and Ashley Judd (High Crimes, Double Jeopardy) headline this star-studded ensemble cast. The film also includes Academy Award® nominee James Garner (Space Cowboys), Academy Award® winner Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream, The Spitfire Grill), Academy Award® winner Maggie Smith (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Gosford Park) and Academy Award® nominee Shirley Knight (Angel Eyes, As Good as It Gets).

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD is based on Rebecca Wells ’ popular novel that was on The New York Times bestseller list for 74 weeks, selling more than 2 million copies to date. Directed by Callie Khouri, who won an Academy Award® for her Thelma & Louise screenplay, the film’s soulful humor about mother-daughter relationships appeals to men as well as women. Mothers, daughters and whole circles of friends will want to enjoy this film together.

SECRETS REVEALED ON DIVINE DVD

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD will be offered on both widescreen [16X9] and full-screen edition DVDs. Both editions will include the following special features:

SYNOPSIS

Sidda Lee Walker (Sandra Bullock), a prominent young playwright living in New York City, is a long way from her Louisiana hometown and a nice safe distance from her loving, but highly dramatic and eccentric mother, Vivi (Ellen Burstyn). And that’s just fine with her. When a TIME Magazine profile on Sidda implies that Vivi was not a good mother, Vivi is outraged and mother and daughter begin a fight that threatens to destroy not only their relationship but Sidda’s tenuous wedding plans. Enter the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Fionnula Flanagan, Shirley Knight, Maggie Smith)--Vivi’s intrepid gang of lifelong friends, eager to restore peace, no matter what it takes.

 

DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD

 

SAME PLANET, NEW SCUM... MEN IN BLACK II IS BLASTING TO SPECIAL EDITION DVD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2002

Culver City, Calif., August 26, 2002 - On November 26, MEN IN BLACK II will take the universe by storm as Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (CTHE) launches the intergalactic blockbuster box office hit in its planetary debut on Special Edition DVD and videocassette.  The smash hit neuralized the box office competition, earning $90 million its first five days, blowing away Fourth of July weekend all-time records, including the record held by the original Men In Black (1997).  The film has earned over $190 million domestically to date, helping to propel Sony's Columbia Pictures to the brink of a moneymaking record, exceeding $1 billion in ticket sales by mid-July, the fastest any studio has reached that mark.

Taking being hip and cool to new heights  - MEN IN BLACK II makes a big bang landing on Special Edition DVD and VHS, equipped with an armory of cool stuff, setting new standards for hipness.  Audiences will learn the secrets of the MIB clandestine alien activity monitoring organization through exploration of the exciting DVD footage on the MEN IN BLACK II two-disc Special Edition DVD (available in both wide and full screen versions), which includes a never-before-seen alternate ending and intergalactic alien featurettes.

Protecting the earth from the scum of the universe yet again, MEN IN BLACK II stars Academy Award® winner Tommy Lee Jones (Space Cowboys, Rules of Engagement), Academy Award® nominated Will Smith (Ali, Independence Day) and Lara Flynn Boyle (Happiness, Afterglow, "The Practice"), and also features Frank the Pug and other out-of-this-world alien creatures who return to save the earth.  The film is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (Wild Wild West, Men In Black, Get Shorty) and produced by Walter F. Parkes & Laurie MacDonald (Gladiator, The Mask of Zorro).

"With MEN IN BLACK II as part of our blockbuster lineup of fourth quarter DVD and VHS releases including SPIDER-MAN, MR. DEEDS, STUART LITTLE 2 and XXX, we are poised to break new home entertainment records," said Benjamin S. Feingold, President, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures' Digital Studios Division.  "MEN IN BLACK II will be a must-have for the millions of fans that embraced the film and helped it become one of the most successful releases of the year."

DVD ADDED VALUE

Loaded with cool value-added 'hardware,' the two-disc MEN IN BLACK II DVD set (available in both wide and full screen versions) will unleash upon an unsuspecting world a "new hotness" from which it might take years for popular culture to fully recover.

MEN IN BLACK II

It's been five years since the alien-seeking agents averted an intergalactic disaster of epic proportions, Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) has since returned to the comforts of civilian life while Jay (Will Smith) continues to work for the Men In Black, the highly funded yet unofficial government agency that regulates all things alien on earth.

In MEN IN BLACK II, Kay and Jay reunite to provide our best, last and only line of defense against a sinister seductress who levels the toughest challenge yet to the MIB's untarnished mission statement: Protecting the earth from the scum of the universe.

 

THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS-- FUNNY, OFFBEAT, COMING OF AGE FILM CO-STARRING TWO-TIME OSCAR WINNER JODIE FOSTER DEBUTS ON DVD AND VIDEOCASSETTE NOV. 5

Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster ("Silence of the Lambs", "The Accused") stars in the critically acclaimed film THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS, debuting on Special Edition DVD and videocassette Nov. 5, from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.  The DVD is priced at $27.96 suggested list.

THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS is "One of the best coming-of- age films I know," said Joel Siegel from GOOD MORNING AMERICA.  An official entry at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS is a dark comedy about a rebellious group of eighth grade boys at a Savannah Catholic school. When the boys get caught drawing an obscene comic book featuring priests and nuns having sex, they avenge a daring prank on their ultra strict teacher, nasty peg-legged nun Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), in hopes of becoming local legends.

The up-and-coming young cast including Kieram Culkin (The Cider House Rules, Music of the Heart), Jena Malone (Contact, Stepmom), Emile Hirsch ("ER", "NYPD Blue") and Vincent D'Onofrio (Men in Black, Ed Wood, JFK, The Cell) all deliver outstanding performances.

THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS also features spectacular comic book art by Thomas Fleming and imagination animation segments art directed by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane.

THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS based on the 1994 book by the late Chris Fuhrman, marks the auspicious directorial debut of Peter Care, who previously helmed music videos for the Grammy-winning group, R.E.M.  The film was produced by Jodie Foster's Egg Pictures, with Meg LaFauve, Tim Harbert, International Entertainment Company and Trilogy Entertainment Group.

THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTER BOYS DVD:

 

COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES `BUY 1, GET 1 FREE' DVD CATALOG PROMOTION FOR FOURTH QUARTER

Program Ties Into DVD Releases of SPIDER-MAN, MR. DEEDS and MEN IN BLACK II

More than Two Dozen Favorite DVD Catalog Titles Offered Free With Purchase of Participating CTHE Titles Ideally timed to coincide with the fourth quarter gift-giving season, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has announced an exciting DVD sales promotion giving consumers the chance to receive a free DVD with the purchase of participating titles. This "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" program will tie into the DVD release of three of this year's highest grossing films - SPIDER-MAN, MEN IN BLACK II and MR. DEEDS. Included in the DVD of each of these three blockbusters will be a specially designed insert offering consumers the opportunity to purchase one of 25 selected titles on a list made up of some of CTHE's most popular catalog titles. With this purchase, the consumer is then entitled to receive a free DVD (plus shipping and handling) from the same list. The promotion begins October 22, 2002 with the release of the Adam Sandler comedy hit MR. DEEDS.

"As more and more consumers enter the DVD market, their first priority is to build a great DVD collection, and there's no better way to do that than by getting a classic film on DVD for free," said Tracey Garvin, vice president of marketing for CTHE. "This is an excellent opportunity for DVD lovers to get a great title for free when they buy one of the most talked-about films of the year - SPIDER-MAN, MR. DEEDS, or MEN IN BLACK II."

The free DVD offer will extend through the holiday season and will be available to consumers until January 31, 2003.

The titles included in the "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" offers are:

* Single-Disc Version

08/26/02

ZOINKS! THE MYSTERY INC. GANG LEADS THE PACK IN THE BONE-A-FIDE BOX Office SMASH SCOOBY-DOO AVAILABLE ON DVD OCTOBER 11

Featuring an All-Star Cast Including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini, the Home Video Release of SCOOBY-DOO is Packed with Special Features

Jinkies! There’s a mystery to solve! On October 11, jump aboard the Mystery Machine as Warner Home Video (WHV) brings the $150 million, live-action hit SCOOBY-DOO to DVD and VHS. The top-dog DVD is packed with "puppy power" featuring cast and filmmaker commentaries, an Outkast music video from the hit soundtrack, DVD-ROM challenges, a Scooby-Doo arcade challenge, mini-featurettes and more! SCOOBY-DOO is available on DVD in separate widescreen and full screen presentations for $26.98 SRP and on VHS for $24.95 SRP.

Two years after a clash of egos forced Mystery Inc. to close its doors, Scooby-Doo and his clever crime-solving cohorts Fred (FREDDIE PRINZE JR.), Daphne (SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR), Shaggy (MATTHEW LILLARD) and Velma (LINDA CARDELLINI) are individually summoned to Spooky Island to investigate a series of paranormal incidents at the ultra-hip Spring Break hot spot. Concerned that his frightfully popular resort might truly be haunted, Spooky Island owner Emile Mondavarious (ROWAN ATKINSON) tries to reunite those notoriously meddling detectives to solve the mystery before his supernatural secret scares away the college crowds. Scooby and the gang will have to overcome their personal differences and forget everything they think they know about fake ghouls and phony creatures to crack the case, save themselves and possibly…the world.

Groovy DVD special features provide crowd-pleasing hours of experience including:

 

THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON OF AMERICA¹S #1 TELEVISION SERIES FRIENDS DEBUTING ON DVD AND VHS SEPTEMBER 3

As Friends-mania reaches a peak with the September premiere of the ninth and very last season, Warner Home Video (WHV) is indulging fans by offering them the complete second season of the comedy phenomenon on VHS and DVD September 3.  FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE SEASON TWO includes 24 episodes, each containing additional, never-before-seen footage.  The four-volume boxed-set is priced at $69.98 SRP for DVD and $49.98 SRP for VHS

During its first eight seasons, FRIENDS has managed to retain and build upon a remarkably devoted audience and almost 35 million viewers tuned in to witness the birth of Rachel and Ross¹s baby and a surprise last-minute proposal. TV Guide recently named FRIENDS as one of the "50 Greatest Shows of All Time" and called it  "a chemistry textbook in cast dynamics Š."  Entertainment Weekly dubbed FRIENDS, "The sitcom gift that keeps on giving Š an incredibly consistent supply of charming, clever comedy."FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE SEASON TWO features an all-star slate of special guests including Julia Roberts, Charlie Sheen, Tom Selleck, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Giovanni Ribisi, Chris Isaak, Brooke Shields, Marlo Thomas, and Elliot Gould.  

Although next year is the final season, 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 rake in the awards, taking home top honors from such prestigious advocates of excellence as the Emmy

Awards, the Golden Globes and the People¹s Choice Awards, among many others. FRIENDS has been equally successful in syndication, currently ranking as the #1 syndicated comedy show.  

Fans of popular TV series have embraced DVD as a spectacular way to collect their favorite television shows.  Not only do the DVDs provide a compact, complete season of shows in chronological order, they also offer fabulous previously unavailable "extras."  The DVD version of FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE SEASON TWO is loaded with special features, including commentary from the show¹s producers, Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, on two key episodes; Open House at Monica and Rachel¹s, which takes viewers on an interactive tour of their to-die-for apartment; Friends Of Friends: a video guide to season two¹s special guest appearances; a How Well Do You Know Your Friends? video trivia challenge;  video character bios and a DVD-ROM link to the FRIENDS website.

EPISODE SYNOPSIS:

1. The One With Ross' New Girlfriend: Ross comes back from China with a new girlfriend and Rachel has a hard time dealing with it. Meanwhile, Phoebe gives Monica a really bad haircut and Joey makes a discovery about his family tailor.

2. The One With The Breast Milk: A heated discussion ensues after Phoebe tastes Carol's breast milk while preparing a bottle for Ben.  Meanwhile everyone but Rachel has become friends with Ross' new girlfriend, Julie, and Monica feels guilty about it.

3. The One Where Mr. Heckles Dies: Upstairs neighbor, Mr. Heckles, dies, leaving his "estate" to Monica and Rachel, which leads to a discussion over who actually owns the girl's apartment.  Meanwhile Chandler fears he is living Mr. Heckles life.

4. The One With The Five Steaks And An Eggplant: Monica gets promoted and invites the gang to an expensive restaurant to celebrate causing Rachel, Phoebe and Joey to feel the disparity between their incomes and Monica, Ross and Chandler's.

5. The One With Phoebe's Husband: Phoebe's unknown husband--a gay, Canadian ice skater, whom she married years ago so he could be a green card--returns to ask her for a divorce. Meanwhile, Ross confides in Rachel that he and Julie haven't had sex yet.

6. The One With The Baby On The Bus: Ross has an allergic reaction to one of Monica's pies, so she rushes him to the hospital, leaving Ben with Chandler and Joey, who try to use him to pick up women and wind up leaving him on the bus.

7. The One Where Ross Finds Out: After Ross and Julie decide to get a cat together, Rachel gets drunk and calls his answering machine to tell him how "over him" she is.  Meanwhile, Chandler works out with Monica and Phoebe has boyfriend troubles.

8. The One With The List: Ross has difficulty choosing between Rachel and Julie, so Chandler talks him into making up a list of pros and cons. Unfortunately, Rachel finds the list and refuses to talk to him, even after he's broken things off with Julie.

9. The One With Phoebe's Dad: It's almost Christmas and Phoebe has found out that her father is living in upstate New York, so she borrows her grandmother's cab and forces Chandler and Joey to accompany her on the road trip to see him.

10. The One With The Prom Video: Rachel had decided not to take Ross back, until a long-forgotten video surfaces, documenting his attempt to rescue her during a prom night when her date stood her up. Meanwhile, Joey gives Chandler a hideous bracelet.

11. The One With Russ: Rachel convinces the gang that she's over Ross, until they meet her new boyfriend, Russ, who is virtually a clone of Ross, even though he doesn't see it. Meanwhile, Joey gets an audition for a role in "Days Of Our Lives."

12. The One With The Lesbian Wedding: Susan and Carol announce that they are getting married and Ross refuses to go, until Carol reveals a secret which changes his mind. Meanwhile, one of Phoebe's patients dies and her spirit enters Phoebe's body.

13. The One After The Superbowl - Part 1: Joey begins dating a woman who believes that he really is Dr. Drake Ramoray, his character on "Days Of Our Lives." Meanwhile, Ross discovers that Marcel has a new career in movies and infiltrates a set to visit him.

14. The One After The Superbowl - Part II: Ross and Marcel have trouble reuniting, but Chandler reunites with a girl from 4th grade who is now a make-up artist on Marcel's movie.  Meanwhile, Rachel and Monica vie for Jean-Claude Van Damme's affections.

15. The One Where Ross and RachelŠ You Know: Ross and Rachel can't seem to make it past the first kiss, until he is unexpectedly called to the museum late at night and she surprises him in the Planetarium.  Meanwhile, Monica hits it off with Dr. Burke.

16. The One Where Joey Moves Out: Now that Joey is making good money as an actor, he decides to move out, prompting a game of foosball between he and Chandler to see who gets the table. Meanwhile, Monica's fling with Richard is discovered at a party.

17. The One Where Eddie Moves In: Ross and Rachel convince Chandler to get a new roommate, Eddie, only to discover that Joey misses him and wants to move back. Meanwhile Phoebe records "Smelly Cat" for a record producer.

18. The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies: Joey angers the writers of "Days Of Our Lives," so they write him out of the show by dropping him down an elevator shaft. Meanwhile, Chandler discovers that his new roommate, Eddie, is a psycho.

19. The One Where Eddie Won't Go: Chandler tries to get Eddie to move out, to no avail, so he and Joey devise a plan to have Joey move back in and pretend that Eddie doesn't exist. Meanwhile, the girls read a new "female power" book.

20. The One Where Old Yeller Dies: Phoebe is disturbed by the ending of "Old Yeller" because her mother never let her see the end of sad movies. Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler start hanging out with Richard and Ross is tired of missing Ben's "firsts."

21. The One With The Bullies: Two guys come into the coffeehouse and tell Ross and Chandler never to come back in again, so they avoid their favorite hangout until they can't take it anymore.  Meanwhile, Phoebe meets her half-brother.

22. The One With The Two Parties: It's Rachel's birthday and Monica decides to throw her a big party. Trouble is, Rachel's parents are divorcing, so she only invites her mom.  When dad shows up, the gang set up an impromptu party at Joey and Chandler's.

23. The One With Barry And Mindy's Wedding: Rachel lives up to her end of the agreement to be Maid of Honor at Mindy's wedding to Barry, only to be dissed by the best man and guests.  Meanwhile, Joey has to practice kissing men for a role.

24. The One With The Chicken Pox: Phoebe's "submarine guy" boyfriend resurfaces for two weeks, but she has contracted chicken pox from Ben. Meanwhile, Chandler talks Joey into using his acting skills to get a job at his company, with disastrous results.

SOUL ASSASSIN SET FOR OCT. 29 DVD RELEASE

Skeet Ulrich and Kristy Swanson Star

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release the sexy thriller SOUL ASSASSIN on DVD/VHS Oct. 29. The DVD will be priced at $24.95 suggested list.  The VHS will be rental priced.

Skeet Ulrich (As Good As It Gets, Scream) stars as young security agent Kevin Burke, who works for a multinational banking firm. Ambitious and smart, Kevin is soon promoted to the company's internal security team--a highly coveted position. The new job gives Kevin the confidence to ask his girlfriend Rosalind (Catherine Orr) to marry him.

But the romantic moment is tragically ended when she is murdered by a hitman. Determined to find Rosalind's killer, Kevin embarks on the most dangerous mission of his life. As he unravels his lover's secret double-life, Tessa (Kristy Swanson, Dude Where's My Car, Big Daddy) appears as a mysterious stranger who is also out to discover the truth. Filled with non-stop thrills and twists, SOUL ASSASSIN is a must have for all action-adventure fans.

Filmed in Rotterdam and other exotic locations, SOUL ASSASSIN premiered on the Encore cable network July 15.

SOUL ASSASSIN DVD:

 

RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON AND TOY SOLDIERS DEBUT ON DVD NOV. 5

DVDS Feature High Definition Remasters, Interactive Menus And Bonus Trailers

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release the romantic adventure RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON and the action drama TOY SOLDIERS for the first time on DVD Nov. 15.  Each is priced at $19.95 suggested list.

The sequel to the 1980 hit The Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields, RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON stars Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element, Resident Evil) and Brian Krause (TV's "Charmed") as children stranded on a beautiful but dangerous South Pacific island. As their time on the island turns into years, the pair experiences blissful young love until a dangerous crew from a passing ship threatens their paradise.

RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON will be presented in full screen with digitally mastered audio and video. The film has been re-mastered in high-definition and features theatrical trailers and interactive menus. Other features include subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese. Running time is approximately 101 minutes.

Also arriving on Nov. 5, TOY SOLDIERS stars Sean Astin (Rudy) and Will Wheaton (Stand By Me) as rebellious teenagers who must use their brains and brawn, to save their fellow classmates when their exclusive boarding school is taken hostage by terrorists.

Co-starring Oscar-winner Louis Gossett, Jr. as the school's principal, Toy Soliders was called "a gutsy, thrill a minute, go-for-it action movie" by WWOR-TV's Pat Collins. The DVD includes a fullscreen version of the film with English and French subtitles.  Remastered in high definition, added elements include bonus trailers, interactive menus and scene selections.

RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON

TOY SOLDIERS

 

08/23/02

RAY HARRYHAUSEN'S STOP-MOTION CLASSIC MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ARRIVES ON DVD OCT. 29 FROM COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT

BASED ON JULES VERNE'S NOVEL FEATURING CHARACTERS FROM "20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA"

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release MYSTERIOUS ISLAND as the next installment of its Ray Harryhausen Signature DVD Collection Oct. 29. The DVD will be priced at $24.95 suggested list.  Considered the sequel to Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND pits Civil War POWs against mutant animals created by the crafty Captain Nemo of the submarine Nautilus. When the POWs escape a Confederate prison in a balloon, a raging storm pushes the aircraft to a remote Pacific Island. Along with two shipwrecked women, the soldiers fight gigantic crabs, bees, and other beasts who Nemo has made to increase the island's food supply. But when a volcano on the island erupts, the group must pull together to survive a fiery death.

Legendary special effects wizard Harryhausen developed a number of breakthrough technologies for MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, including new stop-motion effects for its giant bee sequence. The effect is so realistic that fans call it one of Harryhausen's best. In another innovation, he also intercut shots of a live crab in scenes involving moving mandibles to create a realistic and more exciting scene. Longtime Harryhausen collaborator, composer Bernard Herrmann scores MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, which followed a string of hits he made with Alfred Hitchcock, including Vertigo, North by Northwest and Psycho. Herrmann also scored Harryhausen's The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad and Jason and the Argonauts, produced after MYSTERIOUS ISLAND.

The MYSTERIOUS ISLAND DVD will be presented in widescreen and full-frame versions and has been digitally mastered in audio and anamorphic video. The film has also been remastered in high definition.

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND DVD:

 

COUNT DOWN TO THE HIT TV PHENOMENON EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT… FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT’S EDGY, REAL-TIME DRAMA “24”  SEASON ONE SIX-DISC COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD

In A Home Entertainment First, Fox Will Launch Season One On DVD Prior To The Network Debut Of Season Two Available September 17, 2002, Six Disc Collector’s Edition DVD Set Includes All 24 Episodes From The First Season Plus An Exclusive Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending

The precedent-setting television series “24,” where the entire first season of takes place in one day, with each of the twenty-four episodes covering one hour, told in real time, is coming to DVD on September 17, when Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) begins his search to stop an assassination attempt on a promising presidential candidate in Fox Home Entertainment’s action-packed “24”  SEASON ONE SIX-DISC COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, winner of the 2001 Golden Globe Award® for Best Actor, the critically acclaimed “24”  Season One DVD is available as a collectible six-disc set, making it the fastest TV DVD to market. Boasting a never-before-see alternate ending with optional commentary, “24”  Season One DVD also features an introduction to season one by Sutherland and a season two preview. The six-disc set is available for the suggested retail price of $59.98 US/$89.98 Canada. Singles order date is August 21, 2002.

A precedent-setting television series in which the entire season takes place in one day, with each of the 24 episodes covering one hour, told in real time, the series begins at midnight on the day of the California Primary and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), who heads up the government’s Counter-Terrorist Unit, is trying to stop an assassination attempt on an African-American presidential candidate. Making use of its unique real-time element, “24”  will follow several key characters as they live through a day that none of them will ever forget.

“24” Season One Six-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD Special Features:

Existing and new fans can catch up on this hit TV phenomenon and see what everyone is talking about. All episodes of “24”  Season One DVD are compiled on six dual-layered discs (Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1). Each episode is presented with English Dolby Surround, and Spanish and English subtitles. The following is the breakdown for each disc:

Disc One:

Episodes:

Disc Two:

Episodes:

Disc Three:

Episodes:

Disc Four:

Episodes:

Disc Five:

Episodes:

Disc Six:

Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:

 “24”  SEASON ONE SIX-DISC COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD

 

AMERICA’S FAVORITE MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY COMES HOME ON DVD WITH FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT’S RELEASE OF THE EMMY AWARD WINNING MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE SEASON ONE DVD

Three Disc DVD Set Includes 16 Episodes From The First Season Plus Exclusive Bonus Features; Available Only On DVD October 29, 2002

TV’s favorite boy-genius and his disorderly, demented and downright dysfunctional family make their way on to DVD October 29 when Fox Home Entertainment releases the MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE SEASON ONE DVD featuring all 16 episodes from the first season. Starring the hysterical Frankie Muniz as the “gifted” Malcolm who always seems to be avoiding the school bully, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE SEASON ONE DVD is available as a collectible three-disc set, allowing fans to experience the nonstop laughs from each episode.

Arriving just in time for the season premiere of MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE Season Four, scheduled to air on November 3, 2002, the MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE SEASON ONE DVD is loaded with exclusive bonus features including audio commentary, deleted scenes, original cold opens, gag reel and much more for the suggested retail price of $39.98 U.S./$54.98 Canada.

MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE SEASON ONE DVD Special Features:

Episodes of MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE are compiled on three dual-layered discs (full frame: aspect ratio 1.33:1). Each episode is presented with English 4.0 Surround, French Dolby Surround and Spanish Dolby Surround. The following is the breakdown for each disc:

Disc One:

Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:

Disc Two:

Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:

Disc Three:

Episodes:

Additional Bonus Features:

MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE SEASON ONE

 

ANGELINA JOLIE AND EDWARD BURNS DEFY FATE IN THE “SMART AND SASSY” COMEDY LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT

Choose Your Destiny With Fox Home Entertainment’s Excellent Comedy On DVD October 15, 2002

She’s smart, she’s sexy, she’s just about perfect, and unless she changes her life, she’s about to die. LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE ITfinds a young, career-focused “flawless” woman (Angelina Jolie) creating her own destiny. Fox Home Entertainment’s “glossy, clever adroit crowd-pleaser” (Los Angeles Times) arrives on VHS (for rent) and DVD (for sale or rent) on October 15, 2002.

Starring Jolie (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Original Sin, Girl, Interrupted) and Edward Burns (Sidewalks of New York, 15 Minutes, Saving Private Ryan), LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT is a “hard to beat” (San Francisco Chronicle) look at what happens when people start to live everyday as if it is their last. Priced at $27.98 ($41.98 Canada), the LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT DVD contains director commentary and both widescreen and pan and scan versions of the film on the same disc.

LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT DVD

Presented in English 5.1 Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround and French 2.0 LT/RT, the LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT DVD offers a wealth of bonus features, including full-feature commentary by Director Stephen Herek and widescreen (2.35:1) and pan and scan (1.33:1) on the same disc.

SYNOPSIS

Lannie Kerrigan is an upwardly mobile, career-focused television reporter with her eye on a network assignment. She has the perfect boyfriend, the perfect apartment and the perfect hair. In fact, she thinks her life is perfect…that is until she meets a homeless man who predicts she is going to die the next week. When all of the predictions of the street psychic start to come true, Lannie begins to take a hard look at her life. With the help of her longtime nemesis and co-worker, Pete (Ed Burns), she takes control of her destiny in a touching and hilarious way.

LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT

 

THIS HALLOWEEN FOX IS LETTING LOOSE THE RATS

Get ready…THE RATS are coming…to a video retailer near you. A violent colony of rodents overruns a Manhattan department store, threatening to take over the entire city, in Fox Home Entertainment’s THE RATS, launching on VHS (for rent) and DVD (for sale or rent) October 15, 2002. In the tradition of such cult horror films as Python and Lake Placid, THE RATS stars Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks) and Vincent Spano (The Tie That Binds, Rumblefish) as investigators who must determine how to end the vile vermin’s league of fear before it’s too late! This suspenseful thriller will be released in an "R" rated format - only available on VHS and DVD - prior to its Halloween TV-PG network premiere on FOX. THE RATS DVD will also include extras such as a thrilling featurette – “Wild On The Set Of THE RATS.” Priced for rent on VHS and at $26.98 U.S./$41.98 Canada on DVD, THE RATS pre-books September 18, 2002.

Synopsis

They’re coming – thousands of ravenous, bloodthirsty rats – and the terrified occupants of a New York City department store have nowhere to hide. Not only are these genetically altered creatures smarter, stronger and bigger than normal rats, they’ve also acquired a taste for human flesh. Time is running out for investigator Jack Carver (Vincent Spano), the only man who can discover how these rodents became violent killers and stop their trail of victims before it’s too late. The suspense builds in the sewers and subways of Gotham as a battle rages to determine which species will survive…man or beast!

DVD Special Features:

Presented in English 5.1 Surround and English Dolby sound, in 1.78:1 aspect ratio, THE RATS DVD will feature terrifying extras, including the behind-the-scenes featurette “Wild On The Set Of THE RATS,” as well as chilling trailers from other Fox films.

THE RATS

 

08/19/02

THIS FALL, THE WORLD’S FIRST DVD DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE DVD INDUSTRY WILL BE RELEASED!  DVD DISCOVERIES-- A DVD ABOUT DVD

November 26, 2002 Will Mark The Release Of An Exciting First

DVD is the fastest growing home entertainment in history. For years, millions of consumers have been enthralled with the versatility and diversity of this 5” format. This fall, DVD Angle will be providing consumers with unprecedented access into the inner-world of the DVD industry. DVD DISCOVERIES is the first product of its kind. Dedicated exclusively to the work that goes on behind the scenes with the companies who weave their magic and create hours of insight and entertainment. This will be a true Limited Edition release – one production run, with final numbers based on initial public interest – and when they're gone, there will be no more.

DVD DISCOVERIES is being produced by DVD Angle (www.dvdangle.com) and will be available online this November with pre-orders beginning in late September. Priced at a mere $9.95 US (shipping and handling included), the disc is aimed at the North American home theater and the DVD enthusiast who craves a more in-depth insight at the extensive work that goes into creating these 5" discs.

Discovering DVD

To help bring DVD DISCOVERIES to life, we have enlisted some of the most talented and recognizable names in the industry. All told, there will be more than 3 hours worth of exclusive featurettes covering all aspects of DVD-related production. This fully loaded DVD-9 will contain insightful segments, found nowhere else, from the actual people and companies that have propelled DVD to ever-greater heights. Further information can be found at www.dvddiscoveries.com.

DVD DISCOVERIES will include sections such as:

Content Production: A series of unique featurettes from the content creator’s point of view. Each of the following featurettes will be between 10-15 minutes and will contain exclusive footage and interviews from the behind-the-scenes of DVD:

Disc Production: A collection of exclusive featurettes – ranging from 10-15 minutes in length each – to explore the creation of a physical DVD, both professionally and at home.

Studio Segments:

* All content is subject to change.

DVD DISCOVERIES Specifics:

The DVD will be available in limited quantities to North American residents for $9.95 US (shipping and handling included). The DVD-9 disc will be packaged in a special “shipping” AlphaPak to ensure it doesn’t come loose during transit. The encoding and authoring will be done by Cinesite DVD (a Kodak company). The replication and packaging will be done by a Warner, MGM, and Universal approved replicator.

Pre-orders are set to begin September 24, 2002. DVD DISCOVERIES will be available on a first come, first served basis. Once the DVD sells out, there will be no more produced – this disc will not be re-released or repacked in the future. DVD's start shipping beginning on November 26, 2002.

For more information, visit the website at www.dvddiscoveries.com.

 

CELEBRATE THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER WITH 'THOMAS' CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND OTHER THOMAS ADVENTURES'

Winter is a festive time on the Island of Sodor and even the biggest snowdrifts can't stop the work of the "Really Useful Engines" who travel the rails doing good deeds and celebrating the season.  Now fans of Thomas & Friends can add to their holiday enjoyment and make gift giving even more special with THOMAS' CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND & OTHER THOMAS ADVENTURES from Anchor Bay Entertainment.  This classic holiday release will be available on VHS and, for the first time, on DVD.  Both come with free bonus extras, a perfect holiday treat for Thomas fans!

Available September 24, Thomas' Christmas Wonderland DVD is packaged with a Free music CD sampler featuring four Thomas & Friends songs, including  "Thomas' Anthem," "It's Great to be an Engine," "He's a Really Useful Engine," and "Let's Have a Race." Six snowy adventures with storytellers Alec Baldwin and George Carlin and a music video highlight Thomas' Christmas Wonderland DVD, which also includes a "Connect the Dots" Christmas game and  "Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree" read-along story.  Available for a suggested retail price of $19.98, Thomas' Christmas Wonderland DVD is 42 minutes plus bonus features.

Fans can further discover the holiday magic of Thomas' Christmas Wonderland with the Limited Edition VHS that is packaged with "James the Red Engine" collectable wooden railway engine. Also available September 24 for a suggested retail price of $21.98, the 42 minute VHS features the six seasonal episodes and the "Snow Song" music video.

So hop aboard and celebrate the best Christmas ever with these holiday tales:

Snow - The snow is as deep as it has ever been on the Island of Sodor, and Percy finds himself stuck on the tracks.  Thomas scoffs at his Percy's predicament, but soon finds himself stranded too.  Percy then recollects the worst winter ever when an avalanche threatened the rails. Thomas and Percy are rescued by their engine friends.

Thomas' Christmas Party - Mrs. Kindley once did a great favor for the engines and in return throw her a holiday party.  Thomas and all of his friends from the engine shed have a grand time, making it the best Christmas ever.

Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree - Thomas desperately wants to join in the caroling at the Island's big Yuletide party, but Sir Topham Hatt reminds him of the important work he must do first.  Off he goes to fetch the big Christmas tree, but he gets caught in a snowdrift.  Everyone fears the worst, but the Scottish twins Douglas and Donald rescue Thomas just in time to sing at the celebration.

Terence the Tractor - Thomas pokes fun at Terence's caterpillar wheels, but when the snow falls deep, Thomas finds himself stranded on the tracks.   It takes Terence's slow-but-sure efforts to pull Thomas free.

Thomas & Percy's Christmas Adventure -- An early snowfall strands villagers unexpectedly. Thomas, Percy, Terence and Harold the Helicopter work together to get food and supplies to the villagers.

Special Funnel - Peter Sam's funnel becomes wobbly.  The weather then turns frosty, and icicle in a tunnel rips off the funnel, making the rest of his journey smoky and difficult.  Sir Topham Hatt orders a new funnel, which makes puffing along the line much easier.

The delightful "Snow Song" music video is filled with scenes of Thomas & Friends in festive winter scenes bringing the joy of the Island of Sodor to families everywhere! Thomas' Christmas Wonderland is recommended for children ages 2-6.

08/14/02

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DISNEY DVD & VIDEO BEAUTY & THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION

Disney’s Second Platinum Edition Release Featuring All-New Musical Sequence “Human Again” 2-Disc DVD Includes THREE Versions Of The Film

Disney’s masterpiece BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION will be available for the first time ever on Disney DVD and video as a special “Platinum Edition” title from Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The only animated film ever nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST earned a breathtaking six Academy Award® nominations and won two Oscars®, for Best Song “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” and Best Score (1991).

Now, this “tale as old as time” is new again with footage, never before- released on DVD or video, including the song “Human Again.” Originally conceived for the film but never used, “Human Again” became a hit during the Broadway run of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and has now been fully animated and integrated into the film by the original creators and animators. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION DVD represents the film’s first ever-digital presentation with enhanced picture and sound for home viewing. This classic has been meticulously restored and painstakingly reformatted one frame at a time, allowing audiences to enjoy even greater animated detail. Under the guidance of producer Don Hahn and directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, the film’s original tracks have been remixed and a team of top artists and technicians worked to make this “Special Edition” the best possible.

The Disney DVD features three versions of the film: the Special Edition, with the all-new musical sequence, the Original Theatrical Edition, and the Work-In-Progress Edition, as shown at the 1991 New York Film Festival. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION will be available October 8, 2002 for a limited time only. 2-disc DVD: $29.99 (S.R.P.). VHS: $24.99 (S.R.P.).

The Platinum Edition release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION features the new-to-DVD and video song and segment “Human Again,” one of the fabled collaborations of the Oscar® -winning musical team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. “Human Again” garnered such overwhelming response during the Broadway release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST that it has now been fully animated. This wonderful song is sung from the perspective of the enchanted objects, who long to see castle life return to the days when the Beast was human, and features all the original voice talent from the film.

The animation for “Human Again” has been in production for over two years. Disney animators including the legendary animator Glen Keane (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, TARZAN, POCAHONTAS and many more) animated “Human Again” exclusively for the 2002 release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION is the second of Disney’s Platinum Edition DVDs and follows the success of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, which released to strong critical acclaim and has become the top-selling DVD for a re-released title. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION represents the first ever “Experiential” DVD, which takes DVD entertainment to a whole new level. Viewers will become a participant in the movie’s storyline via special character interactions and activities created exclusively for this “Experiential” DVD release.

Woven into the fabric of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION are seven outstanding songs including the Oscar® -winning title song, “Beauty and the Beast” (Best Song, 1991). Some of the highlights include “Be Our Guest,” the show-stopping spectacular delivered in grand style by Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, a chorus of silverware and dancing plates, and the beautiful Oscar® nominated “Belle.”

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION features a cast of top vocal talent. Veteran stage actress and singer Paige O’Hara is the voice of Belle, one of Disney’s most beloved and independent heroines, and Robby Benson (“Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed In At the House of Mouse”) delivers a powerful portrayal of The Beast. Acclaimed screen star and four-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury (TV’s “Murder, She Wrote;” “Fantasia 2000”) gives a bubbly performance as Mrs. Potts. Stage and screen star Jerry Orbach (TV’s “Law and Order,” “House of Mouse”) shines as the voice of Lumiere, the passionate candelabra, and David Ogden-Stiers (“Atlantis The Lost Empire”) is hilarious as Cogsworth, the tightly-wound mantel clock who functions as the head of the household.

Set in and around a quaint French village during the late 18th Century, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION follows the fantastic adventures of Belle, a bright and beautiful young woman who finds escape from her ordinary life, and the advances of a boorish suitor, Gaston, by reading books. Meanwhile, off in a castle in the distance, a cruel young prince is cast under the spell of an enchantress who turns him into a tormented beast, and transforms his servants into animated household objects. In order to remove the curse, the Beast must discover a true love who will return his affection before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. When Belle’s inventor father stumbles upon the Beast’s castle and is taken prisoner, Belle comes to the rescue and agrees to take her father’s place. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, she sees beneath the Beast’s exterior and discovers the heart and soul of a human prince.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SPECIAL EDITION

DVD FEATURES

DISC ONE:

THE VIEWER IS TRANSPORTED INTO THE STORY, AND BELLE’S PROVINCIAL FRENCH VILLAGE COMES ALIVE

DISC TWO:

ENTER THE ENCHANTED CASTLE AND EXPLORE ITS MANY SECRETS WITH VISITS TO FOUR DISTINCT CHARACTER WORLDS MRS. POTTS – FUN FOR ALL AGES

CHIP’S – PERFECT FOR THE YOUNGER ADVENTURER

WEST WING – THE FORBIDDEN WORLD

COGSWORTH AND LUMIERE – FOR THE ULTIMATE COLLECTOR & FILM FAN

ALL DVD BONUS MATERIAL IS UNRATED AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

 

GERARD DEPARDIEU, BILLY ZANE AND JASON SCHWARTZMAN STAR IN ROMAN COPPOLA'S STYLISH AND SEXY DIRECTORIAL DEBUT-- CQ

Arriving to VHS And Special Edition DVD On September 10, DVD Boasts Five Featurettes, Four Documentaries, Audio Commentary And More

The stunningly original sci-fi experience CQ arrives on VHS and Special Edition DVD on September 10, 2002 from MGM Home Entertainment. From first-time director Roman Coppola, CQ is described as "Visually compelling! Highly entertaining ...a stunner!" (Chicago Tribune) and features an all-star cast including Gerard Depardieu (Green Card, Billy Zane (Titanic), Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore), Giancarlo Giannini (Hannibal), Dean Stockwell (Blue Velvet), Jeremy Davies (Saving Private Ryan), and introducing Angela Lindvall. This captivating film, set in Paris in 1969, goes behind-the-scenes of a futuristic sci-fi thriller and the fledgling director who abandons all reality to follow his sultry lead actress into the exciting fantasy life of her super-spy character. CQ was an official selection of the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

Priced at just $26.98, the Special Edition DVD boasts five outstanding featurettes and four personal documentaries, which provide the experience of making the film from each of the narrator's perspectives. The DVD also includes an audio commentary with director Coppola and director of photography Robert Yeoman, "Codename Dragonfly," an in-depth, personal look at the making of Codename Dragonfly, English 5.1 surround sound, a music video, a photo gallery and the original theatrical trailer.