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The DVD Dossier is the free newsletter published weekly by DVD Direct 4 Less.
This is the archived issue for December 4, 2005.
Click Here To Subscribe To The DVD Dossier Newsletter
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Published weekly by DVD Direct 4 Less, the online source for DVD Discounts & Deals
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In This Issue
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December 4, 2005
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| The DVD Dossier is Growing |
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Hey, everybody...
Michael here, with a note about some exciting changes we're making in the next few weeks at the DVD Dossier. First off, we're now syndicating the Dossier via an RSS feed. It's been in "beta" for the past few weeks and it's likely to remain "not ready for prime time" for a few more weeks.
But our beta testers have given us an enthusiastic twelve thumbs up (there are six of them), so we think we're on the right track. And if you're a tech-savvy early adopter web geek, my friend, you can subscribe to the feed now through this link. Then again, if you have no idea what we're talking about, you can find a good introduction to RSS here and here.
Essentially, RSS is an alternate means of delivery for web content that bypasses e-mail distribution. If you have a browser-based or desktop news reader application, you'll get the Dossier content - or a capsule summary - delivered to you the moment it's posted on the web. You can then read more by clicking through to our website, where you'll find this week's Dossier waiting for you.
We'll still be sending out the newsletter via e-mail and you're free to subscribe to both the RSS feed and the e-mail version. Frankly, though, one of the reasons we're now providing an RSS feed is because it has become increasingly difficult to get e-mail delivered. Clearly it's not a problem for you because you're reading this now. So, hey, thanks for reading!
But the fact is we have thousands of subscribers who have signed up for this newsletter and a good number of them never receive it because their ISP blocks it. (That can't happen with an RSS feed.)
As part of this change, expect to see a new DVD Dossier logo very soon. (Ooh, I know... it's so exciting!) Also, the format of this newsletter will be changing slightly.
We'll still be bringing you an in-depth look at the week's new releases, But we will no longer be carrying announcements of upcoming titles. Instead, we'll be moving those announcements over to a new daily blog (web log) we're starting up and we'll be increasing the frequency of those announcements, too. So, we hope you follow us over there and make us one of the web sites you look at on a regular basis for DVD news.
We're not quite ready to have you visit our new site just yet - it's also in beta - but we'll be telling you more in the next few weeks. If you're half as clever as I think you are, however, you can probably figure out the URL very easily.
OK, then, that 's enough about us for this week, now let's talk about the DVDs you're going to be buying and renting starting this Tuesday...
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Oh, hello again, everybody -
It's me... Michael. You may remember me from my note just above.
If not, scroll up and take a look... it's fascinating reading! But not nearly as fascinating as the odd lot of new DVDs we have for you this week. So, let's get right to it, shall we?
The big title this week for us is "Cinderella Man." It's a critically acclaimed film, but one overlooked by most moviegoers and overshadowed by star Russell Crowe's offscreen antics during his promotional tour for the film.
Crowe portrays boxer Jim Braddock, who defied the odds against him and stunned the world with one of the greatest comebacks in history. Renée Zellweger costars as his fiercely devoted wife Mae, and Golden Globe® nominee Paul Giamatti plays his manager.
The film is based on a true story and arrives this week in two editions (three versions): a single-disc edition will be available in widescreen and full screen formats and a 2-Disc Collector's Edition - with additional bonus features and exclusive collectibles - will be available in widescreen only.
So, while we like and recommend "Cinderella Man," we realize a lot of folks have been waiting for Tuesday's debut of "Fantastic Four." It's a $151 million box office hit about a quartet of flawed, ordinary human beings who suddenly find themselves with extraordinary abilities.
But the movie is poorly constructed and totally devoid of wit and drama. Nevertheless, if you're game, we're duty bound to tell you that it's available in both widescreen and full screen versions.
We can't imagine anyone has been waiting for "The Dukes of Hazzard." it was - at best - a mediocre TV show and now it's been recycled into an even more mediocre movie.
For the record, though, "Dukes" is available this week in an unrated version - in widescreen and full screen editions - that contains footage never shown in theatres, as well as in a full screen R-Rated Theatrical Edition.
And - me-oh-my - what can we say about "Dirty Love?"
It's a Cinderella story of an altogether different kind. Disaster prone Rebecca (Jenny McCarthy) embarks on a journey in search of true love. Betrayed by her "himbo" boyfriend, and following a palm reader's psychic prophesy, Rebecca goes in search of her one true soul mate.
Carmen Electra (playing a sadistic waxing technician) also appears in this film, which is nothing more than a 91-minute vanity train wreck with a bad screenplay (none other than McCarthy herself is responsible) and a provocative title.
"Ladies in Lavender," a heartwarming tale of two elderly sisters who find their lives changed by a young man, stars a couple of certifiable Dames: Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Featured at the Toronto International and Tribeca Film Festivals, "Ladies in Lavender" marks the directorial debut of actor Charles Dance. Highly recommended.
Based on the hit Disney Channel series, "The Proud Family Movie" makes its way to DVD this week with a never-before-seen extended alternate ending and four animated “shorties.”
(Almost) sixteen year old Penny Proud feels that her parents, especially her dad Oscar, still treat her like a child. Not only did they tell her she can’t be a dancer in the upcoming hip-hop half-time show, they are making her go on a boring family vacation to a tropical island.
What Penny and her family don’t know is that the vacation is actually a ruse to lure the Proud family into the clutches of Dr. Carver so he can steal Oscar’s newest hot-sauce recipe.
The film features the voices of Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud. Also featured are Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, Jo-Marie Payton Noble, Soleil Moon Frye and Orlando Brown.
Also good for kids this holiday season is "The Happy Elf," based on Grammy®-winner Harry Connick, Jr.’s original song of the same name. This animated adventure is the story of Eubie, one of Santa’s helpers whose overly optimistic outlook is put to the test when he decides to bring Christmas joy to a sad little town called Bluesville.
"The Happy Elf" features the voice and brand-new holiday songs of Harry Connick, Jr. and the voice talents of Carol Kane, Lewis Black, Rob Paulsen, and Mickey Rooney. We predict it will become a new Christmas classic .
The Emmy Award-winning animated series "Star Wars: Clone Wars" continues with the release of Volume Two, available for the first time on DVD.
As seen on Cartoon Network, "Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two" concludes the epic adventures that bridge the story between "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith."
Witness firsthand the trials of Anakin Skywalker and the secret ceremony in which he becomes a Jedi Knight. Then, follow the Jedi as they attempt to repel a surprise attack by General Grievous, on the galactic capital, Coruscant.
Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, "Clone Wars Volume Two" captures George Lucas' vision while adding exciting galactic battles that lead directly to the beginning of "Revenge of the Sith."
The life of John Lennon is celebrated with the long-awaited DVD debut of "Imagine: John Lennon, Deluxe Edition." Narrated by Lennon himself, the release of this revealing and personal documentary is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the performer's untimely death (December 8, 1980).
The film was assembled from the legendary musician's own collection of more than 240 hours of film and videotape, much of it never seen by the public. With cooperation from John's wife Yoko Ono, producers David L. Wolper and Andrew Solt transformed the archival footage - and a 36-song soundtrack - into a fascinating account of a complex man.
And we close out this week with five new TV shows on DVD that are worthy of your attention:
The Second Seasons of "Roseanne" and "Murder She Wrote" are out on Tuesday (available separately), along with Season Four of "24" and the Fifth Seasons of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "The West Wing" (available separately).
The 6-Disc boxed set of "The West Wing" includes all 22 episodes of the series’ Emmy Award®-winning Fifth Season, along with two new documentaries, commentaries and deleted scenes.
And that about does it for yet another week here at Casa DVD. As always, we'll be waiting for you next Sunday with more DVD news. See you then... and remember to check out our new RSS feed!
Regards,
DVD Direct 4 Less
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| This Week's New DVD Releases - Street Date: December 6, 2005 |
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Visit us online to see a comprehensive list of new DVD releases for the next six weeks.
Links above are for Region 1 (USA) Editions. Availability and release dates elsewhere may vary.
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| Apple Falls Very Far From Tree |
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"The Thing About My Folks," a comedy-slash-drama written by and starring Paul Reiser, arrives on DVD February 14th.
The film is a journey into the ties that bind family, love and marriage – as well as the misunderstandings that inevitably bring people closer together – and also stars Peter Falk, Olympia Dukakis and Elizabeth Perkins.
After 47 years of marriage, Muriel Kleinman (Dukakis) leaves her husband, Sam (Falk), with only a vaguely worded note of explanation. With nowhere to turn, Sam reaches out to his son, Ben (Reiser), now forced to spend time with his exasperating father.
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Ben suggests a road trip to survey a possible real estate investment, but what begins as a simple car ride turns into a very different and special kind of journey as Ben and Sam are forced to examine what is truly important in life – love, family and marriage.
At once refreshing and heartwarming, "The Thing About My Folks" is Paul Reiser’s first motion picture screenplay based largely on his role as a father, son and husband.
Pre-order "The Thing About My Folks" now and save 30%. |
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| Are You Afraid of the Dark? |
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"Dark Water," a suspense thriller starring Jennifer Connelly, comes to DVD on December 26th.
The film is about a devoted mother (Connelly) and her daughter Ceci (Ariel Gade) who are terrorized by the mysteries of the deserted apartment above them. The haunting tale also stars John C. Reilly, Tim Roth, Pete Postlethwaite and Camryn Manheim.
On DVD, "Dark Water" will include deleted scenes, “The Sound of Terror” a behind-the-scenes featurette revealing the subliminal sounds used throughout the film, a look at the filming of some of the intense scenes; and “Beneath The Surface: The Making of Dark Water."
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"Dark Water," will be available in two versions: the original, theatrical “PG-13” Full Screen version of the film, and an Unrated Widescreen version with footage not seen in theatres.
Pre-order "Dark Water" now and save 43%.
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Paramount Home Entertainment brings the critically-acclaimed "Hustle and Flow" to DVD January 10th. Rising-star Terrence Howard stars in this gritty tale of a hard-living hustler tired of the pimping life.
His character, DJay, is a Memphis hustler who spends most days in a parked Chevy philosophizing about life while Nola (Taryn Manning), turn tricks in the backseat.
He's not very good at pimping, but he can hustle almost anything or anyone and makes enough to keep himself and three girls satisfied and housed in his shotgun home.
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DJay however is in the midst of a midlife crisis; he quietly harbors dreams of becoming a respected rapper. When he learns from a local club owner, Arnel (Isaac Hayes), that rap mogul Skinny Black (Ludacris), is rolling through town, DJay decides to record his "flow" with the hopes of slipping his demo to Skinny.
With little help from his friends and "family" DJay sets in motion the hustle of his life, and galvanizes the lives of those around him as they learn that "Everybody's gotta have a dream."
Pre-order "Hustle and Flow" today and save 30%.
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| Preview of Next Week's Releases - Street Date: December 13, 2005 |
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| Join the Columbia House DVD Club and Save... |
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Choose from big hit films like "Shark Tale," "The Aviator," "Million Dollar Baby," and more.
For a limited time, get FREE SHIPPING when you sign-up here.
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The DVD Dossier is a free weekly newsletter that contains objective information about new DVD releases that has been researched and written by the editors at DVD Direct 4 Less, as well as advertisements and promotional information provided by movie studios.
We send this newsletter only to those who request it. Each newsletter we send directly to you includes an "unsubscribe" link. (This is an online archived issue of The DVD Dossier which does not contain that link.)
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Academy Award(s)® and Oscar(s)® are the registered service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Golden Globe(s)® is the registered service mark of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Emmy is the trademark property of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Republishing the content of this newsletter - online or off-line - or posting the content contained herein on other websites without written permission is expressly forbidden.
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Savings percentages quoted apply to preorder purchases from amazon.com and were in effect at the time of publication; preorder savings may vary at other online merchants.
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Please note: all DVDs were available for sale as of the original publication date of this newsletter. Some may no longer be in inventory at the present time and preorder savings may not be in effect. If you're having difficulty finding a particular title, you can search current availability for any DVD here.
No DVDs were harmed in the making of this newsletter.
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