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September 27, 2000

We finished our review of the entry-level Mitsubishi DD-4001 DVD player ($350 retail).  It's a got most of the features entry-level DVD players should have.  Read our full review.

 

September 25, 2000

It is our privilege to bring you our advance review of the American Beauty: The Awards Edition DVD, to be released on October 24.  This movie is the winner of five Academy Awards^®, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.  There's lots of good bonus materials, including a really cool screenplay with corresponding film footage and storyboards as a DVD-ROM feature (you'll need a computer with a DVD-ROM drive to access this feature).  We think it's definitely worth your while to "look closer" at this DVD.

 

Speaking of upcoming DVD releases, we were able to confirm the release dates for the following DVD titles recently: Gladiator (11/21), X-Men (11/21), Gone in 60 Seconds (11/28), and Big Mama's House (11/28).  We also added Submerged (10/24) and Scary Movie (12/5) to our list of Upcoming Releases.  Princess Mononoke is now re-scheduled for release on 12/19, after a successful on-line petition from DVD Talk convinced Buena Vista Home Entertainment that the original Japanese language track should be included in the DVD.  Finally, it looks like DreamWork's Road To El Dorado is delayed until 12/12.  All in all, it's shaping up to be a nice holiday season, certainly if you're a fan of DVD anyways.  

 

September 17, 2000

We just completed our review of The Sound of Music DVD.  We give the movie and its 2-disc Five Star Collection DVD edition our highest recommendation.  This title is an absolute "must-have" for every family.  If you only buy a handful of DVDs each year, be sure to consider making this title one of them.  Fox Home Entertainment did a great job of pulling together an exceptional set of extra material for this DVD.  Great going Fox!

 

September 11, 2000

We hope you've had a restful weekend. To start the week, we just completed our review of the Toshiba SD-2200 dual-tray DVD player.  This DVD player is a solid performer that is loaded with features.  Throw in some great prices from our affiliated factory-authorized internet dealers, and you've got yourself a great bargain.  Be sure to read our full review if you're in the market for an entry-level DVD player.

 

September 10, 2000

If you enjoy William Shakespeare's work, check out our review of the Titus Special Edition 2-disc DVD.  It is a powerful interpretation of Shakespeare's play script about vengeance.

 

September 8, 2000

We just completed our full review of the new Sharp DV-710U DVD player today.  If you're considering buying a Sharp DVD player, whether it's this model or not, you should read our full review first.

 

September 7, 2000

There's quite a bit of good news from Sony  
today.  First, they are introducing a new line 
of 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen rear projection 
TVs in late October.  These two new XBR 
models, the 57-inch diagonal KP-57XBR10W  
and the 65-inch diagonal KP-65XBR10W, 
will sell for about $4500 and $5500, respectively. These models feature Sony's Hi-Scan™ chassis, 
full compatibility with high definition TV sources 
when used with a separately available digital TV converter/decoder set-top box, and Sony's proprietary Digital Reality Creation™ (DRC) line doubler technology.  The only other Sony widescreen rear projection TV available to date is the KWP-65HD1 65-inch high definition model that is $12,000 MSRP.  Read the full press release.

 

On the DVD player front, Sony issued two other press releases regarding new DVD-Video players.  First, they confirmed the introduction of a new "reference standard" DVD-Video player, the Sony DVP-S9000ES, which has Super Audio CD (SACD) compatibility.  This model will debut in November at the price of $1,500.  Second, Sony announced the introduction of two brand new 301-disc DVD-Video/CD changer models, the DVP-CX870D (with built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoder) and DVP-CX860. Both will be on sale this fall for $900 and $700, respectively.

  

September 6, 2000

As promised yesterday, we have three new DVD movie reviews for you.  They are pretty different in terms of genres.  Platoon is an Academy Award winner for 1986 Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Sound.  Here On Earth is a romantic movie that will sure to jerk your tears.  Finally, Six Degrees of Separation is a smart comedic drama, starring Will Smith.  Be sure to check out these new reviews.

 

September 5, 2000

We hope that all of you have had a nice Labor Day weekend.  If you've stayed at home for the long weekend, we hope that you've had some time for DVD.   If you've been away, then welcome back... we've got a number of new DVD movie reviews in the works for you.  But first...

 

Today, there is a press release from Warner Home Video formally announcing their DVD release of The Perfect Storm for November 14. The DVD will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (Extended Surround).  (Those of you not familiar with the "Extended Surround" sound formats may want to read our updated Surround Sound page.)  Anyways, it looks like this DVD will be pretty loaded:

• 3 feature-length audio commentaries, from director Petersen, author Junger, and visual-effects supervisor Fangmeier

• Behind-the-scenes documentaries: "HBO first Look: Making The Perfect Storm", "Witnesses to the Storm", and "Creating an Emotion" (with composer James Horner)

• Conceptual art gallery with commentary by director Petersen

• Production stills synchronized to John Mellencamp's "Your Forever"

• Storyboard galleries

• DVD-ROM features: links to the official movie web site and chat rooms, gallery of mini-documentaries on the film's special effects, a theatrical sampler, exclusive game with multi-player feature, and future virtual theater event with live filmmaker and cast chat

That's a lot of extras for the MSRP of $24.98.  If you're interested in pre-ordering The Perfect Storm, click here.

 

Next, we got word that Sony is selling their new DVP-S9000ES DVD player in Asia. Note the "ES" designation in the model name--is that true? A Sony "ES" DVD player? (Sony ES or "elevated standard" is Sony's elite line of high-quality audio products made for audio enthusiasts and audiophiles.) Maybe that's just the Asian model designation.  In any case, all we know is that this new DVD player features progressive scan output. The details are sketchy since the press release really talks about the Genesis progressive processor chip that is used in the unit.  It's the same chip used in the Panasonic DVD-H1000 ($2,500) and Toshiba SD-9200 progressive scan DVD players.  Both are considered high-end DVD players.  When will Sony introduce the DVP-S9000ES to the U.S. market?  When we hear of something, we'll let you know here.  Interesting...

 

Editor's Note: We have official word from Sony regarding the new DVP-S9000ES DVD player, read our September 7 update.

 

We'll be back soon with those promised DVD movie reviews.

 

September 1, 2000

My, how quickly time flies.  It's already September!  We just posted our early review of the Men In Black Collector's Series (DTS) DVD.  It's only the top grossing movie of all 1997.  On DVD, it's jammed packed with bonus materials and innovative features, like use of the DVD angle feature and a new concept of visual commentary.  Check out our full review.  Men In Black is also available as a Collector's Series DVD with Dolby Digital (instead of DTS) and a 2-disc Limited Edition DVD.

 

We also posted our review of Misery a couple of days ago.  Fans of Stephen King thrillers may be interested in this smart thriller.

 

August 26, 2000

It has been officially announced that Mission: Impossible 2 (the biggest movie of 2000 with over $500 million at the box office) will be released on DVD on November 7, a week earlier than rumored.  This Special Edition DVD will include more than 60 minutes of additional footage, most of them are never-before-seen: 

• a 5-minute "Mission Incredible" stunts featurette

• "Impossible Shots" featurette showing the making of 11 stunt sequences

• a 15-minute "Behind the Mission" exclusive cast and crew interviews

• an audio commentary by director John Woo

• a music video of "I Disappear" by Metallica

• an alternate title sequence

• the "Mission Improbable" parody from the MTV Movie Awards with Tom Cruise, Ben Stiller, and John Woo

And, there are interactive DVD-ROM features: agent dossiers for the characters Ethan Hunt, Sean Ambrose, and Luther Stickell, a peek at the "Legend of Chimera", mission locations and the high-tech gadgetry, and links to the "Mission: Impossible 2" web site which features games, photo gallery, a screensaver, and other bonus materials.  To pre-order, click here.  Read the full press release or visit the official movie web site.

 

"Mission: Impossible 2" DVD
coming November 7

 

Speaking of blockbuster movie releases on DVD, it was confirmed that The Perfect Storm will be making its DVD release on November 7.  Yes, November 7 is another big date for DVD fans!

 

We also have official word on Disney's Fantasia 2000 and Fantasia DVD releases for November 14.  Read the full press release.

 

August 23, 2000

It is our privilege to bring you our early review of Mel Gibson's finest work, Braveheart, on DVD.  Braveheart is a 5 Academy Award^® winner, including Best Picture 1995 and Best Director Mel Gibson.  It's a spectacular masterpiece of an epic, very beautifully told.  If you haven't seen "Braveheart", you must read our review of the Braveheart DVD.  This DVD hits the streets on August 29.

 

We also completed a review on another upcoming release (also on August 29), 
The Next Best Thing, starring Madonna and Rupert Everett.  It's a great romance-drama that's definitely worth a look--be sure to read our review.

 

Another good and original piece of work worth seeing is Fargo.  We just completed our review of that DVD today.  And finally, we have Drowning Mona, a hilarious dark comedy.

 

Whew!  That's four reviews rolled out in one day!  Enjoy.

 

August 20, 2000

For those of you who haven't tried renting DVDs from NetFlix.com, check out the offer on this page and read why we think it's a great idea to rent DVDs on-line.  This offer gives you an "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service for only $19.95 per month.  Do yourself a favor and check it out.

 

We added a number of new titles to our Upcoming Releases page: Shanghai Noon (10/10), Keeping The Faith (10/17), Return To Me (10/24), Deal of a Lifetime (10/31), Born on the Fourth of July: Collector's Edition (10/31), Malice (11/21), The Bounty (11/21), and Escape from New York (11/21).  Also, we were able to confirm that Frequency will be released (as originally rumored) on October 31st, and Titan A.E. (with DTS digital surround) will be released on November 7th.

 

August 19, 2000

We just finished our review of Panasonic's new DVD-CV50 5-disc DVD/CD changer/player.  It's solid performer with superb video performance, built-in Dolby Digital decoder, component video output, and glow-in-the-dark remote control buttons.  At about $350 retail (CameraWorld.com sells it for only $299.99), this Panasonic DVD player is a great value.  If you're interested, be sure to read our full review.  We also added this model and its sister model the Panasonic DVD-CV40 5-disc DVD/CD changer/player (without the built-in Dolby Digital decoder, component video outputs, and glow-in-the-dark remote control buttons) to our list of recommended DVD players.

 

August 17, 2000

We just completed our review of Jet Li's Romeo Must Die, his first Hollywood feature film with an English-speaking lead role.  Make sure you catch the action on this DVD.

 

On our Upcoming Releases page, we added the following new DVD titles: The Craft: Special Edition (9/12), Black and White (9/26), La Femme Nikita (10/3), 8 1/2 Women (10/10), Center Stage (10/24), and Where The Heart Is (10/31).  Finally, we got confirmation that Fox's Titan AE is coming November 7, and Disney's Fantasia 2000 is coming on November 14.

 

August 16, 2000

Today, we added the following DVD titles to our Upcoming Releases page: The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas (9/26), Screwed (9/26), But I'm A Cheerleader (10/3), She's The One (10/3), The Brothers McMullen (10/3), The Skulls (10/24), and Gettysburg (12/5).

 

August 15, 2000

It has just been confirmed that Mel Gibson's The Patriot: Special Edition DVD will be released on October 24.

 

August 10, 2000

We just finished our reviews of The Naked Gun trilogy, which is released this coming Tuesday, August 15^th: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.  (Thanks goodness at least the stock market is going to decimals--ha, ha!)  Be sure to check them out.  They are our first DVD titles reviewed prior to the release date.

 

Additionally, we added a few new titles to our Upcoming Releases page: Titus: Special Edition (8/15), 2010: The Year We Make Contact (re-release on 8/22), Timecode (10/10), Legends of the Fall: Special Edition (10/17), U-571 (10/24), and Pitch Black (10/24).

 

August 8, 2000
Last Thursday, Panasonic announced the U.S. launch of its consumer DVD video recorder based on DVD-RAM technology.  The Panasonic DMR-E10 will be able to record 4.7 GBytes of video on a DVD-RAM disc that costs approximately $35.  The DVD-RAM unit will be available late August for about $4,000.  Read the full press release.

click image to enlarge

Today, we also completed our review of the Sleepy Hollow DVD.

 

August 6, 2000

Recently, we added the following titles to our Upcoming Releases page: Any Given Sunday: SE  Director's Cut (9/1), Ready To Rumble (9/19), Pet Cematary (9/19), Snow Day (10/3), Blue's Big Musical Movie (10/3), and Joseph: King of Dreams (11/7).  Joseph: King of Dreams is an animated feature from the creators of The Prince of Egypt and is the first DreamWorks animated title to debut exclusively and directly on video and DVD--read the press release.

 

August 4, 2000

We added three DVD movie reviews today: White Men Can't Jump, My Cousin Vinny, and The Audrey Hepburn Story.

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Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.  Please e-mail us at:

          Editor@TimeForDVD.com
 

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Read our Archives: October, February - July 2000