DVD Talk: October 6, 2002 - October 12, 2002 Archives

After a Summer Hiatus Our Week in DVD returns with a look at DVDs pop-up up in interesting places including the new companion DVD released this week with the Alias Declassified: The Official Companion Book it's a first step for what we hope is a new trend. We also take a look at Playboy's Sex in Cinema 2002 (yeah we read it for the articles too) and let you know which of the films listed is on DVD. Alias Declassified: The Official Companion Book. We have a response to our Go Tigers! review from Director Kenneth Carlson and HUGE recommendation to run out and see Spirited Away! All this and more in Our Week.

This week The DVD Savant takes a look at Kino German Horror Classics Kino and German and Italian archives come up with new and (improved?) editions of two silent horror greats, and debut discs for two others. Grand Slam a lighthearted international caper film with a Mission: Impossible - like heist. Horror of Dracula Savant's nomination for the finest horror film of all time and The Curse of Frankenstein With Peter Cushing as a cad scientist, and Christoper Lee as the grossest monster to date. Read all this an more in this week's DVD Savant.

This week The Aisle View takes a look at the Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece Spirited Away - one of the years best films! Also incase you missed them be sure to check out The Aisle View's take on Red Dragon and I Am Trying To Break Your Heart also in our Theatrical Reviews Section check out reviews for Rules of Attraction, Tuck Everlasting , The Moonlight Mile and Secretary.

New Line has officially announced the DVD release for the 3rd chapter in the ever popular Austin Powers Series - Goldmember Infinifilm. Set for release on December 3rd Goldmember will be available in both a widescreen and fullscreen release both with Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES audio and featuring: Audio Commentary with Jay Roach and Mike Myers, Deleted Scenes, The World of Austin Powers, Visual FX Segment, Austin Powers Revoice Studio and the documentaries 'MI-6 International Men Of Mystery', 'Disco Fever', 'English, English', 'Fashion vs. Fiction' and more. Goldmember will also feature the ever popular Revoice Studio on the DVD-Rom part of the DVD. Pre-order Goldmember at 35% off

Columbia Tri-Star has announced the next batch of DVDs to appear in their Superbit line: Heavy Metal 2000 Superbit, Tommy Superbit and Resident Evil Superbit. True to Superbit form, all 3 DVDs will be presented in Widescreen format, enhanced for 16x9 TVs with both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio. Does a Superbit release for Resident Evil mean no future 2 DVD SE? Or will we have at least 1 more release of this movie to look forward to... Only time (and CTHV) will tell.

With all the hype and hoopla over Lord of The Rings Extended Edition it would be easy to miss New Line's announcement of 3 indie films coming to DVD on December 10th: Cherish, Human Nature and Invisible Circus. All 3 movies feature both widescreen and fullscreen versions of the film with Human Nature and Invisible Circus both sporting 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio and Cherish Dolby 2.0. It would be a shame to over look Human Nature and Cherish both enjoyable indie films, but Invisible Circus (which was a huge bomb) should be avoided unless you are absolutely smitten with Cameron Diaz.

Cult 80's icon Alf has found his way on to DVD with the Canadian release of The Alf Files. Set for release on October 22nd The Alf Files will contain 3 one hour episodes: Try to Remember (ALF hits his head and gets amnesia. Soon he has decided he’s an insurance salesman) , Alf’s Special Christmas (ALF spends Christmas in a mountain cabin with the Tanners) , and Tonight, Tonight (ALF and of course Ed McMahon host The Tonight Show.) and feature commentary by ALF! outtakes, and more. Order The Alf Files at Amazon.ca Now.

We always applaud independent film makers effort to get their movies seen. So the recent launch of the Had to Be Made Film Fest certainly got our attention. This unique Film Fest currently has open judging spots for a select number of 'filmgoers'. What's great about Had to Be Made Film Fest is the winners will get their films produced as collector's edition DVD with foreign and domestic distribution. It's a great way for a film lover to get involved or if you have an indie film, it's a shot at getting some great exposure.

A solid week for DVD, starting off with New Line's release of the latest 2 chapters from the Friday the 13th Series: Jason X [Review] and Jason Goes to Hell: The 'Final' Friday, Some great 80's pop films from Paramount Footloose and Flashdance as well as a trio of Travolta classics Saturday Night Fever , Staying Alive and Urban Cowboy. From Columbia Tri-Star is the 'I Am Woman Hear Me Roar' flick Enough with the ever talented J'Lo. Finally there's the classic Grave of the Fireflies from Central Park Media a MUST NOT MISS DVD! (note: we got many of these DVDs in for review days before street, so expect reviews of them soon)

Columbia Tri-Star has announced the DVD release for this summers high octane action hit xXx. Set for release on December 31st, xXx will be released in both widescreen (anamorphic 2.35:1) and full frame versions with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and feature: Director's Commentary, A Filmmaker's Diary Documentary, Deleted Scenes with Optional Director's Commentary, Multi-Angle Scene Deconstructions, Storyboard Comparisons and Featurettes on Vin Diesel, GTO, Design, The Vehicles used and Visual effects.Pre-Order xXx Now! Also read our Theatrical Review of xXx.

This week we have TWO great animated DVD Giveaways. First up is the long awaited DVD release of Beauty and The Beast - with an additional music number an a TON of special features (Beauty and The Beast DVD has received DVDTalk's highest Collector Series Rating!) Next up is a special edition release for one of the most touching films ever made Grave of The Fireflies a look at World War II from the Japanese perspective, guaranteed to have you bawling your eyes out by the end. Enter to win one of 5 copies of Beauty and The Beast Platinum Series AND then Enter To Win one of 5 copies of Grave of the Fireflies - two amazing animated movies on DVD this week!!!

MGM has announced a feature packed DVD release for the quirky and fun The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course. Set for release on December 17th The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course features: a pop-up 'Croc Track' (a subtitled track with insider info on the film), Deleted Scenes Introduced by the Director, Making-Of Documentary, Behind-the-Scenes Effects Footage, Animal rehersal footage, Outback Interactive Games and more. Pre-Order The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course now. Also read our Theatrical Review of The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.

This week The Aisle View takes a look at Universal's remake of the first in the Hannibal Lecter Series: Red Dragon - see how this prequel remake stacks up. Also catch The Aisle View's take on the Wilco Documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, The Banger Sisters, The Four Feathers and Sex and Lucia. Also be sure to SIGN UP and get The Aisle View delivered to your e-mail box as SOON as it's published!

Columbia Tri-Star has announced the DVD release for An Evening with Kevin Smith. Set for release on December 17th An Evening with Kevin Smith is a two-disc anthology bringing together footage from five Kevin Smith appearances at various Universities. An Evening with Kevin Smith is presented in anamorphic widescreen with digitally mastered audio, and while An Evening with Kevin Smith doesn't have many 'special features' it is 2 DVDs full of Kevin Smith talking about everything from being Silent Bob, Doing a Sci-Fi movie, God and more! Pre-Order An Evening with Kevin Smith now.

Based on feedback from DVD Talk Members we've really stepped up our coverage of Theatrical Movies with a great number of Theatrical Reviews written by DVD Talk Reviewers. Recent Theatrical Reviews include The Moonlight Mile, Red Dragon, Spirited Away, Sweet Home Alabama, The Secretary and The Tuxedo. Also we've gotten great feedback over our weekly theatrical column The Aisle View which this week is covering Red Dragon.