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The DVD Dossier is the free newsletter published weekly by DVD Direct 4 Less.
This is the archived issue for July 4, 2004.
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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July 4, 2004
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I don't know about you, but we've been dying to see the Second Season of "Six Feet Under" on DVD. Well, our long wait is finally over... it's out this week in a 5-disc boxed set featuring all 13 episodes from the 2002 season. Extras include commentary from Alan Ball and the writers and directors on five episodes, as well as a 20-minute behind-the-scenes featurete called "Anatomy of a Working Stiff."
Created by Ball ("American Beauty"), this HBO series is yet another show about a family business. In this case, the business just happens to be death. The Fisher family owns and operates a funeral parlor in Southern California which puts them into contact with some very unusual people (both dead and alive).
Season Two revolves around Nate who endures several simultaneous life crises. Peter Krause gives an Emmy-nominated performance that strikes the appropriate balance between optimism and anguish.
"Six Feet Under: The Complete Second Season" will be available alone or in a 2-Pack, along with Season One. Rest assured, both boxed sets come with a complete assortment of eccentric characters.
The world’s greatest Super Heroes will be ready to “fight injustice, right that which is wrong and serve all mankind” on Tuesday. That's when Warner Home Video releases two titles in the brand-new “DC Comics Classic Collection” series.
"Batman: The Animated Series," the dark four-time Emmy Award-winning show seen on Fox Kids Network, will be a 4-disc set with 28 adventures... you'll get over 10 hours of original TV programming and enhanced content in this new Collector's Edition.
The vintage animated TV series "Challenge of the SuperFriends" reunites legendary Super Heroes Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Batman and Robin in a 2-disc set containing all 16 episodes from the First Season. Both series have been digitally re-mastered and are available for the first time on DVD.
Also out this week, Season Three of "Star Trek Voyager," which packs 26 episodes onto 7 discs, along with tons of special features and a photo gallery. And rounding out this week's crop of TV shows is Season Two, Part 1 of "Wiseguy: Prey for the City."
Before we get to this week's notable movies, a quick word or two about a couple of documentaries and a re-release of some historic footage from the world of sports.
"The Olympic Series: Golden Moments 1920 - 2002" delivers just what it promises: more than fifty years of Olympic glory, broken down into ten to fifteen minute segments on 3 discs (over six hours in total).
"Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election," an award-winning documentary, covers the battle for the presidency in Florida. This new 2004 "Campaign Edition" offers commentary by Danny Glover and completely new material on the dangers of electronic voting machines.
Martin Scorsese directs and narrates an in-depth look at the careers of great Italian filmmakers and their influence on his work in "My Voyage To Italy." Scenes from their movies combined with Scorsese's deeply personal observations make this a thoroughly enjoyable history of Italian film.
As far as this week's new movies... sorry, ${token1}, but it's not a very exciting bunch. it seems that most of America is on vacation this week and focused on outdoor activiities. That's why the more interesting stuff is being held back by the studios, who are hesitant to release it while video stores have few customers.
But "The Butterfly Effect" is out this week and it's a guilty pleasure popcorn flick that's worth a look, or at least a quick rental. A young man (Ashton Kutcher) struggling to access sublimated childhood memories finds a technique that allows him to travel back to the past.
Occupying his childhood body, he is able to change significant events in his life. Of course, every change he makes has unexpected consequences for him and for those he loves. This chaos theory hackneyed time travel plot actually works... if you don't think about it too long.
Also of interest is "Monsieur Ibrahim," a poignant film about an unlikely friendship between an adolescent Jewish boy (Pierre Boulanger) and an old Muslim man (Omar Sharif, who also provides commentary on the disc). Director François Dupeyron perfectly captures the atmosphere of Paris in the early 1960's, helped by lush cinematography and some great music.
Marc 7, Saafir and Mr. Short Khop star in "Sweet Potato Pie," which - in the great tradition of "American Pie" - is a coming of age adventure for three young men. This direct-to-video comedy (no theatrical release) puts a decidedly urban spin on the story.
We like two concert discs this week, both part of Image Entertainment's "Standing Room Only" series. Fans of Mel Torme and Shirley Bassey will not be disappointed by these live concert appearances preserved on DVD.
There are several older films being re-released this week or being made newly available for the first time on DVD. They include "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (Maggie Smith), "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (Charlton Heston), "Heartburn" (Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep), "Big Top Pee-Wee" (Paul Reubens) and "First Monday in October" ( Walter Matthau, Jill Clayburgh).
And there's also an interesting "Chanthology," (a collection of six Charlie Chan movies) and a collection of four Woody Allen films. Unfortunately, they're not the four Woody Allen films you would probably choose for your collection.
That's it for this week; warm wishes for a very happy holiday to our readers in the USA.
We'll be back here next week, as always, making the world safe for the DVDs of tomorrow.
Until then...
DVD Direct 4 Less
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| This Week's New DVD Releases |
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Street Date: July 6, 2004
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Shipping is FREE when your order totals $25 or more.
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Visit us online to see a comprehensive list of new DVD releases for the next six weeks.
The links above are for Region 1 (USA) Editions. Availability and release dates elsewhere may vary.
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Three different actresses (Sandra Dee, Deborah Walley and Cindy Carol) played "Gidget" from 1959 to 1963 in the three romantic beach comedies that are included in "The Complete Gidget Collection." Dreamy teen idol James Darren, however, played the crush-inspiring "Moondoggie" in all three films.
No extras to speak of in this new collection (except for the original trailers), but "Gidget," "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and "Gidget Goes to Rome" will all feature digitally remastered audio and video.
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Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment will release "The Complete Gidget Collection" on August 3rd.
Preorder now and save 30% |
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The Hitchcock films go on sale September 7th. You'll be able to purchase the entire collection and can also buy each film separately.
Preorder The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection prior to release and save
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One of the most popular children's DVD series at DVD Direct 4 Less is undoubtedly Thomas & Friends. Their latest adventures, entitled "Thomas and The Jet Engine" will be released on July 20th by the folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment.
Thomas the Tank Engine works hard to keep things running smoothly on Sir Topham Hatt’s railway, with a little help from his friends Percy, Gordon, Harold, Salty and Fergus. Join them as they go full steam ahead with some great new adventures, but watch out for some surprises!
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Preorder "Thomas & Friends: Thomas and The Jet Engine" now and save |
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| Preview of Next Week's Releases |
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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 you're having difficulty finding a particular title, you can search current availability for any DVD here.
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