Just got my shipment of Fox's May DVDs -- and I have to report the WWII 2-disc re-issues (PATTON, TORA TORA TORA, and THE LONGEST DAY) all have 16:9 transfers and some new supplemental content on them! Coppola contributes a brand new commentary and intro to PATTON, which also reprises the supplements from the previous LD & DVDs (including the Goldsmith-underscored montage); LONGEST DAY and TORA TORA TORA are also 2-disc sets with AMC Backstory episodes and some other new materials which I haven't fully gone through (in addition to whatever extras were on their previous DVDs)...but on the surface these seem to be quite appealingly priced and superior new packages than their predecessors. Another excellent job by Fox following on the Irwin Allen DVDs coming next week!

Also got my hands on the 4-disc KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Director's Cut -- a full 194 minutes with Overture and Intermission music (!), additional deleted scenes, a full documentary and more. I wasn't a huge fan of the theatrical cut (in fact I thought it was one of Ridley Scott's sleepiest films), but I am looking forward to seeing if the new version is a noticeable improvement.

Haven't had time to go through their other catalog titles but there are some vintage faves in there (100 RIFLES, THE SEVEN-UPS) and a lot of goodies to appeal to movie buffs in general this month. Thumbs up!

I'm really looking forward to the new cut of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. I've heard it's much improved -- practically a different movie. Let us know your opinion, Andy, once you've seen it.

It's also available for pre-order for just $17.46 (that's half price!) over at Amazon.com. Just make sure you access Amazon from the link at Andy's site before you go shopping!

Mark

Mark,

Cheers!

I'm looking forward to seeing it. I also have a wedding that I happen to be a part of coming up a lot faster than I thought so I'm doing what I can to keep pace with it all. It's not easy but things will settle down by the end of June I hope!!

AndyDursin wrote:Mark,

Cheers!

I'm looking forward to seeing it. I also have a wedding that I happen to be a part of coming up a lot faster than I thought so I'm doing what I can to keep pace with it all. It's not easy but things will settle down by the end of June I hope!!

Slacker! You'll do anything to get out of your DVD viewing obligations, won't you?

Seriously, though, congratulations and best wishes. Your priorities are definitely in the right place.

Mark

MarkB wrote:

AndyDursin wrote:Mark,

Cheers!

I'm looking forward to seeing it. I also have a wedding that I happen to be a part of coming up a lot faster than I thought so I'm doing what I can to keep pace with it all. It's not easy but things will settle down by the end of June I hope!!

Slacker! You'll do anything to get out of your DVD viewing obligations, won't you?

Seriously, though, congratulations and best wishes. Your priorities are definitely in the right place.

Mark

Thank you Mark

We're not going on the honeymoon until after Thanksgiving, so the delay in reviews will really only turn up then. I am sure to enjoy our getaway but shudder at the thought of how many discs I'll have to pillage once I'm back!

I should mention most of the extras in THE LONGEST DAY are brand-new as well -- 2 commentraries, numerous documentaries, which makes it an upgrade on even the 2-disc Special Edition that international territories received. TORA TORA TORA has the previous DVD's commentary with new documentary materials as well.

If you liked POSEIDON and TOWERING INFERNO you'll enjoy all three of the Special Editions (PATTON included with Coppola's sporadic but interesting commentary). Reviews will be up this weekend.