ADV Films has released the final volume in animes #1 girls-with-guns thriller, MADLAX: REALITY, set to hit stores March 28, 2006. The series was produced by BEE Train, the makers of NOIR.
Universal Pictures U.K. will offer Peter Jacksons KING KONG and 34 other Universal movies on April 10 on a download-to-own basis, as part of a new broadband delivery model, various trades reported. The service allows viewers to download a Universal movie on the same day as the DVD release, allowing them to own the download permanently and watch it on a home computer or portable device.
CHICKEN LITTLE, the first all 3D-animated feature from Walt Disney Feature Animation, makes its DVD bow March 21, 2006 (Walt Disney Home Ent., $29.99). Directed by Mark Dindal and produced by Randy Fullmer (THE EMPEROR�S NEW GROOVE), and featuring the voice talents of Zach Braff (Chicken Little), Garry Marshall (Buck Cluck), Joan Cusack (Abby Mallard) and the late Don Knotts (Mayor Turkey Lurkey), CHICKEN LITTLE takes its inspiration from the classic Goofy shorts, particularly in the heroic baseball sequence.
Warner Home Video (WHV) announced it will launch its first titles on HD DVD. Clint Eastwood's four-time Academy Award-winning, Best Picture of 2004, MILLION DOLLAR BABY; four-time Oscar-nominated epic, THE LAST SAMURAI and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Joel Schumacher's movie adaptation of Broadway's longest running show will all be released on April 18, 2006. Each of these titles will be available for $28.99.
Films by Jove has begun delivery of the much anticipated ANIMATED SOVIET PROPAGANDA series. The unique anthology is based on more than three dozen anti-American, anti-German, anti-British, anti-Japanese, anti-Capitalist and anti-Imperialist animated shorts produced by the Soviets from 1924-1984.
Warner Home Video and DC Comics have teamed up to release first seasons of two of the popular cartoon action series, THE BATMAN: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON and TEEN TITANS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, both available now in Dolby Surround Stereo for $19.98 on DVD.
The Oscar-nominated HOWLS MOVING CASTLE from Hayao Miyazaki bows on DVD March 7, 2006, along with MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and WHISPER OF THE HEART (Walt Disney Home Ent., $29.99). Based on the English novel by Diana Wynn Jones, HOWLS is a fascinating mixture of Eastern and Western sensibilities. Once again, the director follows the magical and spiritual adventures of a young heroine (in this case, Sophie, a hat maker) amid the tumult of war and sorcery. Stylistically, Miyazaki blends 3D environments much more significantly than in the past.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, the fourth feature in the popular POTTER franchise, debuts March 7 on DVD (Warner Home Video, $30.97 for two-disc special edition). GOBLET OF FIRE will also be available in UMD format for PSP.
The Jim Henson Co.s underrated fantasy, MIRRORMASK, featuring the directorial debut of illustrator Dave McKean, makes its way to DVD (Sony Pictures Home Ent., $26.96). Full of evocative imagery set against the backdrop of the kingdom of the Dark Lands, MIRRORMASK utilized a crew of 15 CG artists hired straight out of Bournemouth University and supervised by CG producer Max McMullin, who has worked on all of McKeans shorts. MoCap was done at Artem Digital.
Bonus features include:
For the recently released STUART LITTLE 3: CALL OF THE WILD direct-to-DVD (Sony Pictures Home Ent., $24.94) Mainframe Ent. was called upon to provide a whole new animated look: CG with a cartoony feel aimed at young viewers. While camping during summer vacation, Stuart must save Snowbell the cat from The Beast that lives in the woods with the help of a new friend, a skunk named Reeko. STUART LITTLE 3 is directed by Audu Paden (SPIDER-MAN animated series and ROUGHNECKS: THE STARSHIP TROOPERS CHRONICLES), with Michael J.
Universal Studios Home Ent. has announced that Peter Jackson's KING KONG will be released on DVD March 28, 2006, just 100 days after its theatrical release. There will be two editions: a movie-only single disc ($30) and a two-disc special edition ($31) that includes the final entries in the online production diaries (three hours of post work from Weta Digital), a mockumentary on Skull Island and a tribute to '30s era New York City and the influence of the original KONG. Weta also designed the DVD cover art.
Marvel Enterprises and Lionsgate Home Ent. (LGHE) has released on DVD the first-ever Marvel animated feature, ULTIMATE AVENGERS: THE MOVIE. Based on the best-selling Marvel Comics series, THE ULTIMATES, the film boasts Marvels Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man and Thor. The title will be available on DVD and Universal Media Disc (UMD), compatible with the Portable Sony PlayStation (PSP). The film sells for $19.98. Bob Richardson directed and produced with character designs from Steve Gordon.
In its first week of availability, Walt Disney Pictures' BAMBI II sold more than 2.6 million units on DVD in North America. In tribute to the 70th anniversary of Walt Disney's inception of his animated classic, BAMBI, Walt Disney Home Ent. will place BAMBI II under moratorium just 70 days after its street date.
Warner Home Video has released the direct-to-DVD sequel, DUNGEON & DRAGONS: WRATH OF THE DRAGON GOD ($24.98). The film was directed by Gerry Lively and stars Bruce Payne, Mark Dymund and Clemency Burton-Hill.
Based on the popular role-playing game, this sequel to the theatrically released DUNGEON & DRAGONS follows five champions of Izmer who must perform prodigious feats of brain, brawn and sorcery.
Bonus special features include:
DIC Ent. (DIC) and legendary investor, Warren Buffett, are pooling their assets to create a new direct-to-DVD animated series, THE SECRET MILLIONAIRES CLUB, to promote financial literacy to kids. Now in production, THE SECRET MILLIONAIRES CLUB features 13 titles with the first two titles scheduled for release in fall 2006 released by a major home entertainment distributor and will be available for worldwide distribution.
Coinciding with the launch of Fridays new PINK PANTHER feature starring Steve Martin, comes the recently released THE PINK PANTHER CLASSIC CARTOON COLLECTION on DVD (Sony Pictures Home Ent., $69.96). Now, for the first time, all 124 cartoons produced by Friz Freleng and David DePatie between 64 and 80 are available in this five-disc set. So nows your chance to study the evolution of the cartoons, from the early theatrical releases through the popular TV productions.
BAMBI II comes to DVD (Walt Disney Home Ent., $29.99) on Feb. 7, 2006, after four-year journey. Unlike other direct-to-DVD sequels, this one takes place during the original timeframe of the 42 masterpiece. It concerns the tender relationship between Bambi (voiced by Alexander Gould of FINDING NEMO) and his father, The Great Prince of the Forest (Patrick Stewart), following the death of his mother.
4Kids Ent. Home Video Inc., in association with FUNimation Ent., will release its YU-GI-OH! VOLUME 4.2: MY FREAKY VALENTINE DVD on Feb. 7, 2006. This eight episode, three-hour DVD features two multi-episode storylines.
In My Freaky Valentine Part I, II & III, Mai has done the unthinkable and joined the enemy. Using the sinister sorcery of Seal of Orichalcos, Mai unequivocally plots to trap Joeys soul for Dartzs evil master plan. Has Mai been brainwashed? Or is there a deeper and darker reason for the sudden change?
The Academy Award-nominated WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT is premiering on DVD and VHS Feb. 7, 2006, from DreamWorks Home Ent. The film is featured on more than 50 top ten lists and honored with multiple critics awards and industry honors including 16 Annie Award nominations.
As part of Warner Home Videos aggressive catalog title launch in 2006 more than 200 movies will be released for the first time or reissued in special editions in standard and hi-def formats look for a 14-disc SUPERMAN: ULTIMATE COLLECTORS EDITION box set late in the year. Along with all four of the original movies will be a SUPERMAN II: SPECIAL EDITION with the DONNER CUT. Editor Michael Thaw is reassembling director Richard Donners original cut (he shot both SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN II simultaneously and was replaced by Richard Lester near the end of the shoot).
TIM BURTONS CORPSE BRIDE, the critically acclaimed stop-motion feature made at 3 Mills Studios in London, makes its DVD debut Jan. 31, 2006 (Warner Home Video, $28.98) the very day its nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar. Co-directed by Burton and Mike Johnson, CORPSE BRIDE boasts groundbreaking puppetry from Mackinnon & Saunders and digital cinematography that enhances the look and feel of the characters and sets. Short featurettes explore the making of the film rather than a long doc.
Buena Vista Home Ent. has set March 21, 2006, for the DVD launch of CHICKEN LITTLE ($29.99), Disneys first full 3D-animated feature, and April 4 for the release of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE in both single and double-disc editions with lots of extras ($29.99). NARNIA picked up three Oscar nominations: vfx (courtesy of Rhythm & Hues, Sony Pictures Imageworks and ILM), makeup and sound mixing.
In celebration of Valentine's Day, puppy love and the upcoming 50th anniversary edition DVD of Walt Disney's animated classic, LADY AND THE TRAMP, the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood will present a special two-week engagement of the film from Feb. 2-14, debuting a magnificent new digitally restored CinemaScope version of the film.
ADV Films will release three new anime titles on Jan. 24, 2006. The new releases include new volumes of PRINCESS TUTU and ES OTHERWISE and the colossal new NEO RANGA COMPLETE COLLECTION.
Buena Vista Home Ent. offered sneak peeks today (Jan. 19, 2006) of the upcoming DVDs this spring of CHICKEN LITTLE and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. No street dates were provided, but the CHICKEN LITTLE announcement is expected on Monday. Blu-ray/HD-DVD street dates are forthcoming.
