Category: Home Entertainment

Lions Gate Home Entertainment has gained the home video rights for the MR. BILL collection of shorts. In addition, CinemaNow.com has obtained the Internet video-on-demand rights. Lions Gate plans to release several MR. BILL shorts on VHS late this summer with a DVD featuring 2 hours of content following sometime after. Special features on the DVD will be behind-the-scenes commentary by Mr. Bill about his time on SNL, never-before-seen footage and the short MR. BILL 2013: A BILL ODYSSEY. The collections obtained in the deal were: "The Mr.

Anime 18 is set to release MYSTERY OF THE NECRONOMICON on home video, March 13, 2001. The erotic horror series was created by the director of UROTSUKIDOJI: LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND, Takao Nakano. In the film, an evil presence plagues the women of Japan. Volume one, "Book of the Dead," will feature two episodes. Volume two, "Black Chapter" on VHS, featuring two more episodes, and the NECRONOMICON DVD, containing all four episodes, will be released on May 8, 2001. Both the DVD and dubbed VHS versions of the series will sell for US$29.99 each.

U.S. Manga is sailing the first installment of the HARLOCK SAGA onto video, March 6, 2001. Leiji Matsumoto, the creator of STAR BLAZERS, created the series. "Clash of the Space Pirates" begins the voyage of noble space pirate Captain Harlock to return the ancient gods' stolen gold before the universe spirals into chaos. Volume 2: "Wrath of the Gods" and the HARLOCK SAGA DVD will hit video stores on May 8, 2001. The DVD will feature a behind-the-scenes featurette, character sketches, interview with the creator and two language tracks English and Japanese with English subtitles.

Walt Disney Home Video is releasing the direct-to-video sequel to LADY AND THE TRAMP, entitled LADY AND THE TRAMP II: SCAMP'S ADVENTURE. Arriving on DVD and video on February 27, 2001, the film, directed by Darrell Rooney (LION KING II) and Jeannine Roussel (POCAHONTAS II), follows the exploits of Lady and the Tramp's son Scamp, who wishes nothing more than to play in a world without fences.

ADV Films is releasing two new volumes of episodes from the anime hit, MONSTER RANCHERS, on February 27, 2001. "It's Time To Get Tough!" has the crew continuing their search for the Phoenix, but problems get bad when Suezo discovers his new super power. In "Racing To Win!," Holly is wounded by one of Black Worms' poison stingers and Tiger of the Wind must race time to find the berries to save her. Each tape contains three episodes and will sell for US$9.99 each.

ADV Films is set to release the eighth volume of the MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO series on February 27, 2001. This installment reveals the truth about the Jovians to the crew of the Nadesico and the news hits Admiral Munetake very hard. "Memories" will sell for US$19.98 English-dubbed and $29.95 Japanese with English-subtitles.

ADV Films is releasing the first two volumes in the anime mini-series A.D. POLICE. This series is a spin-off of the widely popular BUBBLEGUM: CRISIS 2040 series. After a massive earthquake destroys Tokyo, high-tech robots are set forth to rebuild the metropolis, however when a widespread glitch begins a techno crime wave its the A.D. Police's job to save the city. Hitting stores on February 20, 2001, "Bad Blood" and "Love's Labor Lost" will sell for US$19.98 each.

Central Park Media is releasing AGENT AIKA: FINAL BATTLE on February 13, 2001. While on vacation, Aiko is seduced by a master manipulator and she must fight to retain her freedom. The film is from the creator of the PROJECT AKO series, Katsuhiko Nishijima. An English dubbed version will sell for US$19.99.

Disney is releasing for the first time PETE'S DRAGON in its original theatrical 135-minute cut. Hitting stores on January 16, 2001, the VHS and DVD will have a restored and remastered video and audio track. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Original Song Score and Best Song for "Candle On The Water." The story follows lighthouse keeper Lampie (Mickey Rooney) and Nora (Helen Reddy) as they try to save Pete (Sean Marshall) and his pet dragon Elliot from his cruel foster mother Mrs. Gogan (Shelley Winters) and the scheming quack, Dr. Terminus (Jim Dale).

The erotic anime feature DEMON WARRIOR KOJI will heat up video stores on January 9, 2001. Man-demon Koji, with the aide of a morbid psychic, hunts down a monster hungry for blood. The film is from Toshio Maeda, creator of LA BLUE GIRL, UROTSUKIDOJI: LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND, DEMON BEAST INVASION and NIGHTMARE CAMPUS. The dubbed VHS tape will retail for US$29.99. A dual-language DVD will be available on March 13, 2001.