This is a selection of the August 31 DVD releases
that interest me, as well as some noteworthy DVD
release news for upcoming releases.
First, the release news. The TV-on-DVD announcements
this week, as gleaned from
include news that The Bionic Woman will be
available before the year is out. December 7 is going
to be an expensive day for animation fans such as
myself. We already knew that the next batch of Walt
Disney Treasures (including The Complete
Pluto, Mickey Mouse in Black and White Vol.
2, and The Mickey Mouse Club, all of
which I consider “must haves”) will be out on that
day. Now, we have word that the first few episodes
of the Ewoks and Droids cartoons
will be out on that day (which I’ll pass on), joined
by Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 2
Superman: The Animated Series Vol. 1 (which
I consider “must haves”), the second season of
The Flintstones, and the entire series of
Top Cat (both of which I’ll pass on.)
They’ve also released the cover art for the second
season of The Land Of The Lost, due out on
September 28.
As for movie releases, I don’t remember if this was
known last week or not, but the biggest recent news
is that Spider-Man 2 will be released in
normal and Superbit editions on November 11. If you
noticed anything I missed, let us know about it!
Now, for the August 31 genre releases:
Ghost: The book this is based on is so well
respected, literary critis like to forget it’s genre
material.
Zim Vol. 2: Progressive Stupidity: This was a
subject of discussion in last week’s column.
Claus Conquers the Martians: A true Christmas
classic.
Trek: The Original Series Season One: The
original series is finally coming out in some nifty
looking season sets. Unfortunately, they’re priced
like other Star Trek TV products, so I won’t be
picking them up.
3 / 2001 A Space Odyssey Two pack: These two
titles are being released in a low cost combo pack.
I don’t know who decided that they belong
together.
2: A sequel to the original amusing
documentary.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: This seems to be a recent
version.
Frost: I can’t tell if this is the Michael Keaton
comedy (doubtful) or the horror flick of the same
name (likely.)
Science Theater 3000: The Essentials : This
contains Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
and Manos
and Bullwinkle and Friends Season Two: This may
have more nostalgia appeal for others than it does
for me.
Thing: This is a collection of episodes from the
animated series.
Crusaders: The Movie: Yes, this is coming out
too.
This is getting the Criterion Collection treatment,
so you know it’ll look and sound fantastic. The
Criterion DVDs in my collection are the only ones
with a completely invisible layer change.
Now, for the August 31 non-genre releases:
of the Christ: is bound to be a top seller this
month.
I’ll be out of town for the September long weekend,
so next weeks’ column may be a bit late.
Bigger on DVD
I predict that The Passion of the Christ will be bigger on DVD that at the theater (if that’s even possible). I was blown away, and am definitely buying it tomorrow.
Re: Bigger on DVD
Some claim it will be the biggest selling DVD of the year. Personally, I’m sure (without even seeing it) that it’ll be in the top five sellers, and may sell the greatest number of individual units, but I expect the Star Wars trilogy to be the highest grossing title of the year.
Re: Bigger on DVD
That’s if the Star Wars DVD set comes out when they say it will. :) I hope it does for sure. Although, what to do with my widescreen VHS set of the special editions?