Paramount Home Media Distribution Preps Reno 911!: The Complete Series For A DVD Mega-Set Product Offering For Nov. 4 Delivery

The most inept policing agency (and deliberately so) in the annals of law enforcement history were the men and women of the Reno Sheriff's Department.  Reno 911!, the satirical comedy series produced by Comedy Central, will be available on Nov. 4 — all 88 episodes — from Paramount Home Media Distribution in the 15-disc mega-pack titled Reno 911!: The Complete Series.

In addition to the complete collection of laugh-filled episodes, the set comes loaded with bonus goodies, including cast and director commentaries, extended scenes, outtakes, featurettes — “Cop Psychology: Inside the Minds of Reno's Deputies” and “Lt. Jim Dangle Explains Reno 911!.com” — mock-promos for action figures and uncut version of the “Tupperware for Tampa” episode.

Also on the Nov. release docket from Comedy Central is comedian Jeff Dunham’s latest special, which is derived from his recent “All Over the Map” tour.   On Nov. 18 there will be both Blu-ray and DVD editions of Jeff Dunham: All Over the Map available for fans to savor.

Yes, Achmed the Dead Terrorist — except in Malaysia (something about being culturally offensive) — joins Dunham on stage, along with everyone’s favorite, Walter, plus Peanut and Bubba J. also get in the action.   12 countries and 19 cities in in a little over a month on the road … and everyone had a great time, even the audiences in Malaysia!

Lastly, Nov. 11 will see the DVD release of Gabriel Iglesias Presents: Stand-Up Revolution - Season Three.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Zeitgeist Films Tabs Oct. 21 For The Domestic DVD Debut Of Director Richie Mehta's Siddharth

Director Richie Mehta’s heartfelt tale of an Indian “wallah” named Mahendra (Rajesh Tailang), who hires out his 12-year old son, Siddharth (Irfan Khan), to a factory only to discover that it was a child trafficking scam will be heading to the domestic DVD market place on Oct. 21 from Zeitgeist Films.

The ARR is 116 days and the box office take thus far from the film’s limited arthouse run stands at $48,617.

In India a “wallah” is a craftsman who specializes in a particular skill set.  In Mahendra’s case he deals with zippers.   It’s not much of a living, so when the opportunity presents itself to secure his son a solid position, he and his wife Suman (Tannishtha Chatterjee) jump at it.   Yes, it is child labor, but for the Saini family it could make all the difference in the world.

When the ruse is discovered Mahendra embarks upon an impossible quest across India (a billion people) to find and rescue his son.   His journey is truly an amazing bit of film work by Richie Mehta, who spares nothing — it’s the real deal!!!

Presented in Hindi with English subtitles … bonus features include a making-of featurette and deleted scenes.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Adds Batman: 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Diamond Luxe Edition To Its Nov. 11 Release Calendar

With the complete Batman television series from the 1960s (a massive 18-disc DVD set) already in place for retail delivery on Nov. 11, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment deftly added to the DC Comics’ 75^th Anniversary celebration — without overshadowing that unique collection — with the announcement this past week that a double-disc 25th Anniversary Blu-ray edition of director Tim Burton’s 1989 film release of Batman has been added to the company’s Nov. 11 release calendar.

This collectible edition of Batman is being packaged as part of the newly-launched “Diamond Luxe” series.   Included as a bonus nugget here is “Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster.”

Also added to the already busy post-Labor Day release schedule for delivery on Sept. 9 are DVD editions of Desert Song (1953, Kathryn Grayson, Gordon MaCrae) and Desert Song (1944, Dennis Morgan, Bruce Cabot and Irene Manning).

Debuting on DVD on Sept. 23 are Five and Ten (1931, Marion Davies), Man Who Played God (1932, George Arliss and Bette Davis) and One Night At Susie's (1930, Billie Dove and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.).

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Oscilloscope Laboratories' Portrait of Jason: Project Shirley, Volume 2 Heads To DVD On Nov. 11

Milestone Films, in association with Oscilloscope Laboratories, will release DVD and Blu-ray editions of Portrait of Jason: Project Shirley, Volume 2 on Nov. 11.

Shirley Clarke, born of wealth and privilege, educated and a devotee of modern dance might have lived out her life with her interest in dance as nothing more than a passion, a love, but nothing more.   But in the mid-1950s she took up film — legend has it that it was for therapy — and at that she did excel, which included an Oscar nomination in 1960 for her short film, Skyscraper.

On a December evening in 1966 filmmaker Shirley Clarke set down with Jason Holliday, a gay black man with dreams of becoming a performer.   For 12-hours Clarke filmed this man as he spoke of his life, his desires, frustrations … the result was Portrait of Jason, one of the most celebrated cinéma vérité films of the period.

A restored version of this landmark film is the centerpiece of this remarkable collection that also includes “The Lost Confrontation,” “Where’s Shirley?,” “Jason in Color!,” “Jason: Before and After,” “Butterfly” and “Shirley Clarke in Underground New York,” plus audio outtakes and a Pacifica Radio interview with Shirley Clarke (1967).

Also included is the audio from a 1967 album titled “Jason Holliday Comedy Album.”

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Mill Creek Entertainment Expands Post-Labor Day Release Slate With Priced-To-Own Collectibles

Mill Creek Entertainment has added two additional $9.98 movie collections to its post-Labor Day release package.

Streeting on Oct. 14 is the four-film DVD package titled TV Guide Spotlight: Made-For-TV BioPics.   Included in this set are: The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as Hepburn, with Gabriel Macht as William Holden and Eric McCormack as Mel Ferrer), The Brooke Ellison Story (2004, Lacey Chabert, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and John Slattery), Who is Clark Rockefeller? (2010, Eric McCormack) and Serving In Silence: The Colonel Margerthe Cammermeyer Story (1995, Glenn Close and Judy Davis … both won Emmy Awards for their performances).

And added to the Sept. 30 release calendar is Ice Cube'd: Triple Feature, which is price at just $9.98 and includes xXx: State of the Union, Anaconda and John Carpenter’s Ghost of Mars.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Ariztical Entertainment Picks Sept. 30 For The DVD Debut Of Thai Filmmaker Sarunya Noithai’s She: Their Love Story

Ariztical Entertainment has announced that Thai filmmaker Sarunya Noithai’s explosive tale of love, betrayal, tragedy and heartbreak, She: Their Love Story, will be heading to the domestic DVD market place on Sept. 30.

 

Don’t assume anything going into this film.   The Thai film market is peppered with action films — and, quite frankly, the old chop-socky mimicry of Hong Kong-based martial arts films has long-since past.   Stories have improved, the acting has stepped-up to international standards and budgets and technical aspects are now first rate.   

With that said, it was just a matter of time before domestic filmmakers would begin to explore other issues.   Several of these are touched upon here … some would have been taboo just a few short years ago.   

The story revolves around sisters Bua (Penpak Sirikul) and Da (Apassaporn Saengthong), the former being a successful Bangkok-based publisher, while Da, her young sister works for her as a writer.   The catalyst for the screenplay here begins with an indiscretion on the part of Da, who becomes the subject of workplace ridicule when her former boyfriend spitefully circulates videos of them having sex.

Meanwhile, Bua has a secret that is driving her to divorce her husband … again, assume nothing!

Da, hurt and embraced, decides to write a story about women, like herself, taking comfort with sympathetic women of a somewhat different sexual persuasion.   Her piece lurches forward in starts and stops, but once she gets beyond her “cold feet,” she manages to find a relationship with a woman named Be (Kitchya Kaesuwan).  

Meanwhile, the secretive Bau strikes up a professional relationship with a photographer named June (Ann Siriwan Baker) and things quickly blossom into a relationship.   But, it is not what it seems … that will be revealed in the tragic third act.

She: Their Love Story combines beautiful locations with both sensual and provocative storylines … technical aspects are all first rate.  In Thai with English subtitles.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report

Paramount Home Media Distribution Preps Diamond Anniversary Edition Of White Christmas For DVD And Blu-ray On Oct. 14

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … if Paramount Home Media Distribution’s latest round of product announcements is any indication of what is just over the Labor Day horizon.

On Oct. 14 the “Diamond Anniversary” of director Michael Curtiz’s 1954 musical classic, White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney, will be celebrated with newly-prepared DVD and Blu-ray product offerings.   No word just yet on bonus nuggets that will be included with these collectible SKUs.

On Nov. 4, John Denver will be featured in director Michael Pressman’s 1986 seasonal classic, The Christmas Gift and Paramount has a Jason Robards double-feature ready for DVD on the same date titled Holiday Family Classics … this includes The Thanksgiving Treasure (1973) and The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972) … both co-starring Lisa Lucas and Mildred Natwick (Best Supporting Actress nominee in 1967 for Barefoot in the Park).

When Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Jason 'Wee Man' Acuña and the rest of the gang get together they are certainly celebrating something … perhaps not Christmas.  On Oct. 14 Paramount has a four-disc collection ready for their fans to enjoy — it is titled Jackass: The Classic TV Collection – Unrated.

Lastly, documentary filmmaker Andrew Rossi’s Ivory Tower, a look at the value of a college degree versus the ever-increasing cost thereof, has been added to the Sept. 30 DVD release calendar.   

The ARR is 109 days and the limited theatrical run has generated ticket sales of $99,555.

To download this week's complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report:  DVD & Blu-ray Release Report