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The DVD Dossier is the free newsletter published weekly by DVD Direct 4 Less.
This is the archived issue for February 27, 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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February 27, 2005
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Out of the Disney vault this week and onto DVD for the first time is Walt's masterpiece "Bambi," the first of Disney’s animated films to feature an all-animal cast. The new 2-Disc "Bambi" Special Edition comes with fully restored picture and sound, an all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix and lots of special features.
We first told you about the DVD release of "Bambi" back in January when it was announced. You can find that story online in the DVD Dossier archive, if you'd like to learn more about the film, the animators or the extensive list of extras included in this Special Edition.
Another animated favorite (though perhaps not at James Dobson's house) is SpongeBob SquarePants. He arrives on DVD this week in his first full-length movie, an over-the-top little ditty titled - appropriately enough - "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie."
Also out on Tuesday is "Flight of the Phoenix," an action-adventure in which a group of air crash survivors - cast-offs from society who will never be missed - are stranded in the Mongolian desert with no hope of rescue.
As they attempt to build a new plane from the wreckage of the old one, in hopes of flying back to civilization, they experience a rebirth of their own. The film stars Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Giovanni Ribisi and Miranda Otto and was directed by John Moore.
Also new this week is "The Exorcist: The Beginning," Renny Harlin's prequel to "The Exorcist," in which we go back to, well, the beginning and the story of Father Merrin's first encounter with the Devil during his missionary work in Africa.
In "Easy," Marguerite Moreau plays a 25-year-old self-proclaimed "jerk magnet."
After determining not to spend the rest of her life as "the easy chick," she gets involved in a romantic triangle with 2 great guys (Brian F. O'Byrne and Naveen Andrews), only to discover that love is anything but "Easy."
Two very special older films are out this week. There's "My Own Private Idaho," Gus Van Sant’s haunting tale of two young street hustlers (River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves), which premiered in 1991. It's out now in a new 2-Disc Criterion Collection Edition, with lots of special features.
Then there's "Hoosiers," also being released in a 2-Disc Collector's Edition.
This is the 1986 film starring Gene Hackman as the coach of an underdog high school basketball team from Indiana that makes it all the way to the state championships. The supporting cast includes Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey.
And Warner Home Video's new "Classic Comedies Collection" brings together six uniquely American films, including five that are making their DVD debut.
On DVD for the first time this week are "Libeled Lady," "To Be Or Not to Be," "Stage Door," "Dinner at Eight" and "Bringing Up Baby," the classic starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.
Another major Grant/Hepburn movie, "The Philadelphia Story," which had been previously released on DVD, comes out this week in a new remastered Special Edition with improved picture and sound. And like all these titles, it's available separately and as part of the collection.
It seems like Eric Idle - of Monty Python fame - is everywhere lately. He has a new Broadway musical ("SPAMalot") opening next month, a new book and this week the 2003 sequel to his Beatles mockumentary ("The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash") is out on DVD.
Previously unavailable on home video and seen only by fans in exclusive, limited movie house screenings, "The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch," looks back on thirty years of Rutles history and features never-before-seen footage found in a warehouse in New Jersey.
Fans of the PreFab Four can now revisit this great band’s story, including footage from historic performances, plus interviews with many artists who were inspired by them including David Bowie, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Jewel, Garry Shandling, Salman Rushdie, Clint Black, Billy Connolly and Bonnie Raitt.
Eric Idle wrote and directed this sequel to his 1978 spoof documentary with brand new Rutles songs written and produced by Neil Innes (a founding member of the cult comedy-rock group The Bonzo Dog Band).
In addition to providing the film's narration, Idle appears as Dirk McQuickly (the Paul McCartney role), with Innes as Ron Nasty (the John Lennon character), Ricky Fataar (a top session musician and 70's-era Beach Boy) playing Stig O'Hara (the George Harrison character), and British drummer John Halsey as Barry Wom, The Rutles version of Ringo Starr.
"The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch," executive produced by Idle with Lorne Michaels, is packed with special features including extensive deleted scenes, a never-before-seen alternate ending and a bonus Easter egg.
Highly recommended, if you like this sort of thing. (We do.)
From TV this week comes the First Season of that pop culture favorite "The Brady Bunch," the Fifth Season of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's "South Park," Volume 3 of "SCTV, Second City Television Network" and the "French & Saunders Collection."
That's it for now, folks, but don't worry... there's a whole new bunch of DVDs coming out next week, too. We've previewed them for you down below, but we'll be back next Sunday with full details.
Please join us.
Regards,
DVD Direct 4 Less
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| This Week's New DVD Releases - Street Date: March 1, 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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| Marion Morrison, American Hero |
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The "John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection," featuring 5 classic films from the larger-than-life American hero, will debut on DVD May 3rd.
Born Marion Robert Morrison, Wayne played the lead in 142 movies in his 50 year film career (an as yet unsurpassed record) and was nominated for three Academy Awards®, winning the Best Actor award in 1970 for his performance in "True Grit."
All 5 titles in this new collection, including "Blood Alley," "McQ," "The Sea Chase," "Tall in the Saddle" and "The Train Robbers," will be available on DVD for the first time. (All titles also available separately.)
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You may remember that last October, Warner Home Video released a different John Wayne boxed set, the "John Wayne Signature Collection," with 4 films on 4 Discs. It's still available and includes "Stagecoach," "The Searchers," "Rio Bravo" and "The Cowboys."
You can preorder the "John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection" now and save 30%. |
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| Unlocking Secrets of Human Behavior |
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Liam Neeson stars as Alfred Kinsey, a true story of a man driven by scientific passion and personal demons to investigate the elusive mystery of human sexuality in "Kinsey," just announced for release on May 17th.
Laura Linney costars and received a Best Actress Oscar® nomination for her compelling performance as Kinsey’s free-thinking wife. This provocative drama lifts the veil of shame from a society in which sex was hidden, knowledge was dangerous and talking about it was the ultimate taboo.
Neeson is fabulous, Linney is nothing short of phenomenal and the supporting cast - Peter Sarsgaard, Timothy Hutton, John Lithgow, Tim Curry, Oliver Platt and Dylan Baker - is every bit as good.
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Director Bill Condon has crafted an intelligent portrait of a pioneer who attempted to unlock the secrets of human behavior. It's one of last year's best reviewed films, but also one of its most overlooked.
Much like the topic itself, you don't hear a lot of people talking about "Kinsey," which may mean that we, as a society, still have a ways to go in our acceptance and understanding of the most intimate aspects of our lives.
Preorder "Kinsey" today and save 30%. |
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| Send in the Cartoon Clones |
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The Star Wars saga continues with Volume One of "Star Wars: Clone Wars," coming to DVD March 22nd, just as a new season debuts on TV and the new Star Wars film hits theaters.
Blending Star Wars thrills and epic battles with a unique animation style, this 2004 Emmy Winner for Outstanding Animated Program first aired on the Cartoon Network in nineteen 3-minute and one 5-minute "chapters" in Fall 2003 and Spring 2004.
This sci-fi "micro-series" was created by renowned producer/director Genndy Tartakovsky.
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More than a simple cartoon, "Star Wars: Clone Wars" details the adventures that bridge the story arc between "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones" and the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith."
You'll be introduced to new planets, creatures, ships, villains and Jedi, including the first glimpse of General Grievous, the new super-villain for the next Star Wars movie.
Special features include audio commentaries, art/storyboard galleries, an entire level of the Star Wars Republic Commando Xbox® video game and an exclusive featurette with George Lucas and Tartakovsky explaining the Clone Wars connections between "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith."
Preorder "Star Wars: Clone Wars, Volume One" now and save 30%.
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| Preview of Next Week's Releases - Street Date: March 8, 2005 |
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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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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.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please let us know.
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.
No DVDs were harmed in the making of this newsletter.
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