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The DVD Dossier is the free newsletter published weekly by DVD Direct 4 Less.
This is the archived issue for May 21, 2006.
Click Here To Subscribe To The DVD Dossier Newsletter
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Published Weekly by DVD Direct 4 Less and The DVD Dossier Blog
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In This Issue
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May 21, 2006
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As usual, there are more new DVDs than we can possibly cover in our newsletter this week, so we're going to rush straight to the good stuff!
 If you don't know anyone under the age of fourteen or fifteen, chances are you may be completely unaware of the sensation that is "High School Musical."
A contemporary movie musical comedy (the highest-rated original program in the history of the Disney Channel), "High School Musical" is a "break into song" production that follows two teens, Troy and Gabriella, who must learn to believe in themselves and follow their dreams, despite the polarization of high school cliques.
The film follows a popular high school basketball star and a shy, academically gifted newcomer who discover they share a secret passion for singing. But when they audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High's rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar.
In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the "jocks," the "brainiacs" and even the drama club regulars hatch plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, Troy and Gabriella inspire other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.
The DVD includes two versions of the film: the original movie as shown on TV and a new sing-along version which displays lyrics on screen during all the musical numbers, so you can learn the words of the film’s hit songs.
Also included is a “Learn the Dance Moves” feature led by director and choreographer Kenny Ortega. "High School Musical" features a talented cast - Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Oleysa Rulin and Alyson Reed - many of whom were seen at a premiere party last week in Hollywood.
We're associates of Amazon and normally we recommend you buy all new releases there, but some sort of glitch has caused all Disney titles to be sold at full retail price. We're looking into it, but as of press time early on Sunday, you're better off going with Barnes & Noble, DVDPlanet or DVD Empire if you wish to add "High School Musical" to your DVD collection.
 Steve Martin returns in a disappointing sequel to "Cheaper By The Dozen" called, perhaps not surprisingly, "Cheaper By The Dozen 2."
Unfortunately, that's about as creative as this film gets.
Tom Baker (Martin) and wife Kate (Bonnie Hunt) bring their clan together for a memorable summer getaway. But their dream vacation turns into an outrageous competition with the overachieving, overzealous family of Tom's long-time rival, Jimmy Murtaugh (Eugene Levy).
This film features all the original Baker kids - including Hilary Duff, Tom Welling and Piper Perabo - but the one to watch is little 11-year-old Alyson Stoner, who somehow manages to find meaning and emotional depth that is otherwise absent in the formulaic screenplay.
All that aside, the movie is by no means the worst film we've seen this year and if you liked the first one, well, you'll probably enjoy this family-friendly sequel, too.
 Director Ridley Scott has contributed generously to a new 4-Disc Collector’s Edition of "Kingdom Of Heaven."
Featuring his new widescreen Director’s Cut of the film and hours of extras - including a six-part behind-the-scenes tour from conception to completion of filmmaking - this will certainly be the definitive version of this epic, which takes place during the crusades of the 12th century.
"Kingdom Of Heaven" stars Orlando Bloom as Balian, a Jerusalem blacksmith who has lost his family - and his faith. But when his father (Liam Neeson) shows him his destiny, Balian vows to defend his country, and in the process, falls in love, becomes a formidable leader, and steps forever into history.
 Christian Slater, Peter Facinelli and Laura Regan star in the action-packed direct-to-home-video sequel to the box office hit "Hollow Man," which debuted in the year 2000.
In "Hollow Man 2," a volunteer soldier/assassin (Slater) goes mad after he turns invisible. Facing his demise, he goes in search of a life saving serum. He hunts down the biologist involved in his transformation, the detective assigned to protect her, and the government forces that created him.
Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette capturing all the action not seen on screen, a visual-effects featurette offering a glimpse into the art of how certain visual effects are accomplished, a story board comparison and storyboard gallery.
"Hollow Man 2" will also be available in a 2-Pack which includes both films.
 "The Boondock Saints," one of the most sensational and graphic cult films ever made, arrives this week in an all-new 2-Disc Unrated Special Edition.
First-time writer/director Troy Duffy's violent, character-driven film revolves around fraternal twins Connor and Murphy MacManus who - after killing a Russian mobster in self defense - come to believe that God has ordained them to rid the earth of evil men.
An intelligent, stylish and gritty modern day morality tale, "The Boondock Saints" - first seen in theaters in 2000 - features powerful performances by Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Connolly and Norman Reedus.
 Hey, remember a couple of weeks ago when we told you about "Transamerica," the film that marks the directorial debut of writer/director Duncan Tucker?
Well, we goofed. (It does happen from time to time.)
The studio had originally announced the title for May 23rd, then it was apparently moved to May 9th and then moved back again to this Tuesday, May 23rd.
But we didn't know.
So, at the risk of repeating ourselves: yadda yadda yadda, Felicity Huffman... yadda, yadda, yadda, Academy Award Nomination... yadda, yadda, yadda, Dolly Parton... funny, touching, original, highly recommended, blah, blah, blah.
In "Transamerica," Huffman plays Bree, a transsexual about to take the final step in her transformation from man to woman while at the same time playing new mother to the son she never knew she had.
As it happens, this release date snafu now gives us an opportunity to share something with you that we weren't able to at the time. We told you that the film would feature two covers, or more accurately two cover images, displayed alternately through a special animated lenticular process.
 We've now snagged a shot of that second cover.
This will not be sold to collectors alongside the other one in a separate edition. Nor is it the art for the full screen version of the film. (There is no full screen version of "Transamerica.")
This image will alternate with the first as you walk past the box as it sits on the shelf, or as you rock the box back and forth in your hand. It adds a few pennies to the production cost, which is why this printing process is normally reserved for deluxe collector's sets with a much higher retail price.
But for communicating the unique nature of this particular film, while still exploiting the huge commercial appeal of Felicity Huffman, this was well worth it.
Don't you agree?
That's all we have room for today, but we suggest you also take a look at the new 2-Disc Special Edition of "The Dirty Dozen," the 5-Disc "Cecil B. DeMille Collection," the new Special Edition of "Patton" and "Julie Johnson" with Lili Taylor, Courtney Love and Mischa Barton.
As for what's new on disc from television, don't miss the value-priced "Ozzie And Harriet TV Collection" (five DVDs for about fourteen bucks!) and the First Seasons of "Boston Legal" and "The Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan."
We'll be back next week with more DVD news and reviews; please join us.
Regards,
DVD Direct 4 Less
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| This Week's New DVD Releases - Street Date: May 23, 2006 |
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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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| Preview of Next Week's Releases - Street Date: May 30, 2006 |
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Coming next week will be "Date Movie," about looking for love in all the wrong movies, "Freedomland," an explosive action thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson and Julianne Moore, a 20th Anniversary Edition of "Platoon," Oliver Stone's Vietnam epic, the Second Volume in "The Bette Davis Collection," plus an 80th Anniversary "Marilyn Monroe Collection."
Television will bring us the First Seasons of "Rollergirls," "Numb3rs," "The Chris Rock Show," "The Venture Brothers" and "Joey" (all available separately). Also due on May 30th: the new "Night Stalker," the Sixth Season of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and the "Will & Grace Series Finale." |
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| Over at the DVD Dossier Blog... |
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At the DVD Dossier Blog this past week, we brought you Father's Day advice from Blockbuster and Warner Home Video and shared photos from the DVD launch party for this week's big release, "High School Musical."
We also shared the news that "The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" has become the year's top-selling DVD and we announced the debuts of several new animated titles: "Magilla Gorilla," "Hong Kong Phooey" and two new volumes of "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo."
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Also coming soon to a DVD player near you will be a new 2-Disc Collector's Edition of "Some Like It Hot" starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe, the thought-provoking Christian drama "The Second Chance" starring Michael W. Smith, Wes Craven's remake of his own cult-classic horror film, "The Hills Have Eyes, " the Fourth Season of "Home Improvement" and the Second Season of "Desperate Housewives."
You'll find details over at the DVD Dossier Blog, which is updated daily with breaking DVD news. |
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Support The DVD Dossier by buying your DVDs online from these respected merchants...
Amazon l Barnes & Noble l DVD Empire l  DVDPlanet l ebay  l Half.com l Target l Wal-Mart
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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 the DVD Direct 4 Less and DVD Dossier web sites, as well as advertisements and promotional information provided by movie studios.
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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.
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