DISC DISH

Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center bowed in theaters last week, and fittingly, a number of recent product announcements offer a look at conflicts around the world.

Specifically related to WTC, Berlin Film Festival winner The Road to Guantanamo is being released on disc on Oct. 24 (prebook Sept. 21; $24.96) by Sony. Michael Winterbottom’s controversial film tells the story of three British Muslim men who were imprisoned at Guantanamo for two years without charges being filed.

Engage the world

Moving over to Africa, Cinema Libre is bringing to the forefront the worsening political and humanitarian crises in Darfur. Darfur Diaries streets Sept. 26 (prebook Aug. 29; $19.95). It was shot in 2004, although the story continues today. As Cinema Libre’s press materials say, “This film seeks to provide space for the marginalized victims of atrocities to speak and to engage the world.”

Engage your customers

Looking at another hot topic area, Facets on Sept. 26 (prebook Sept. 5) is delivering North Korea: A Day in the Life ($29.95), which follows a day in the life of a North Korean family as they go about doing all the things we do—work, school—while being faced with government propoganda.

And Koch reminds us that its Occupation: Dreamland documents the American soldier’s experience in Iraq, and Wall, by a director who identifies herself as both an Arab and a Jew, offers a picture of the turmoil in the region between Israel and Gaza. Both are available now.

Documentaries can entertain, but they can also teach us about our world.

Another DVD version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail?! That’s right. Sony’s The Extraordinarily Deluxe Edition says ‘Nee’ on Oct. 3 (order now; DVD $29.95), packaged with the soundtrack on a CD. Two DVDs offer new features “Holy Grail Challenge Quiz” and a “Spamalot” animation medley, plus the same extras that were on the 2001 Special Edition—which is almost everything that was on the 2003 Collector’s Edition, minus the brilliantly titled “Subtitles for People Who Don’t Like the Film” and a few other delicious offerings.

More scars

Another version of Scarface?! Yep. Universal’s latest outing with the 1983 gangster flick, the Platinum Edition, comes out guns blazing on Oct. 3 as well (prebook Aug. 15; DVD $29.98). The studio’s press materials call the release “an extraordinary home entertainment event,” with remastered sound. The only new bonus features appear to be a making-of the videogame and the “Scarface: Scoreboard,” which keeps track of the number of bullets fired, expletives said, etc. Sounds like fun. There’s also five featurettes from the 2003 Anniversary Edition and deleted scenes, but the 1998 Collector’s Edition and 2004 Deluxe Gift Set had deleted scenes too.

More scares

Another version of The Green Mile and Saw II?! Oh, nevermind, this is only the second release for these movies.

Warner’s The Green Mile: Special Edition walks on Nov. 14 (prebook Oct. 10; DVD $20.97) as a two-disc set featuring the six-part documentary Miracles and Mystery: Creating The Green Mile, commentary by writer/director Frank Darabont, additional scenes and makeup and screen tests, as well as the making-of that was on the 2004 release.

Lionsgate delivers Saw II: Special Edition on Oct. 24 (prebook Sept. 27; DVD $26.98) with a new production commentary, the director’s short film “Zombie,” a making-of and a look at the inspiration behind the franchise, a tribute to producer Gregg Hoffman and—perhaps the most fun—a game in which players navigate through Jigsaw’s hideout. The original Saw II disc, released in February, has different supplements. So better collect them all.

While we wait for the hot summer movies to be announced for DVD, suppliers are continuing to roll out TV offerings.

With Hugh Laurie now a household name from his portrayal of the surly Dr. House, BBC Video, care of Warner, is delivering earlier Laurie comedy the same day as the second season of House bows from Fox. BBC’s A Bit of Fry & Laurie: Season One and Season Two, which was produced in 1995 and aired on Bravo, offers Laurie doing sketch comedy with Stephen Fry, whose V for Vendetta arrives on DVD on Aug. 1. Fry & Laurie bows on disc on Aug. 22 (prebook July 18), each season priced at $24.98.

Keeping us company

Going back a little further, Anchor Bay on July 25 (order now) breaks out the seventh season of Three’s Company, which aired in 1982-83 on ABC. This four-disc set, priced at $29.98, contains all 22 episodes of the season, including “Opening Night,” in which John Ritter’s Jack realized his dream of running a bistro. Among the special features are a tribute to funny man Don Knotts, the featurette “Parlez-Vous Three’s Company?,” best-of moments for Jack, Janet, Terri and Larry, an audio commentary with Larry actor Richard Kline and liner notes.

Seeing is believing

And going back even further, H.G. Well’s Invisible Man: Season 2, from the ’50s, appears from Dark Sky Films on July 25 (order now; $19.98). In these 13 remastered episodes, the Invisible Man saves the world from an invisible army, helps the British government get rid of suspected arms dealers and saves a friend from being blown up by a bomb. What a guy!

The mercury’s rising, and suppliers of fitness videos are promoting more titles to help people slim down for the beach. Gaiam’s GT Media is delivering a host of fitness titles on Sept. 5 (prebook July 25), maybe a little late for summer but in time for people to shape up for Christmas vacations. The company is spending a projected $10 million with a national direct-response campaign to promote a new Billy Blanks collection. The Tae Bo inventor’s three Bootcamp DVDs are being released in an Elite boxed set (DVD $39.98) complete with weighted workout bands and a seven-day eating plan. Blanks promises results in seven days. But he hasn’t forgotten his Tae Bo. Billy Blanks Tae Bo: Billy’s Favorite Moves will be priced at $14.98. And adding to the Prevention line are Get Moving With Chris Freytag and Dance Yourself Thin With Marie Forleo, each also priced at $14.98.

Back to summer

Released last month for this season, one of its latest The Trainer’s Edge installments, Fiesta Fitness Dance With Giselle Roque de Escobar, aims to burn calories with high-energy Latin dance moves. Olé! Another Trainer’s Edge DVD, Killer Kicks With Violet Zaki, also bowed, each priced at $14.98.

An ounce of prevention

And late last month, BayView bowed two new titles in the Classical Pilates series: Neck & Back and Kids & Young Adults. The first helps viewers ease neck and back pain along with strength and stability training, while the second attempts to attack the problem of childhood obesity by focusing on weight management, mental concentration, personal body image, injury prevention, self-esteem and confidence. Each DVD is priced at $19.99.

Meanwhile, BayView’s Yoga For Scoliosis DVD is being promoted through podcasts. Host Elise Browning Miller chatted up the disc in an episode of 10 Minute Fitness Feature, a series of fitness podcasts available on iTunes and other services. Look out, this could be the future of the fitness movement.

New Line’s Infinifilm series lives! We don’t often hear about the major studios’ older premiere DVD lines nowadays, but New Line is delivering A Nightmare on Elm Street on Infinifilm on Sept. 26 (prebook Aug. 22) priced at $26.99. The special edition offers two “All-Access Pass” documentaries (a making-of and a trivia challenge), the line’s signature “Beyond-the-Movie” docs (“The House That Freddy Built” and “Night Terrors,” on the origins of Wes Craven’s nightmares) and, of course, the Infinifilm interactive features, which are exclusive video clips accessible during the movie. There’s also feature-length “audio essays” with Craven and others. Is that the same as a commentary?

Talking of special editions

The original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is returning in an “Ultimate Edition.” Does “Ultimate” mean there won’t be another version in the future? Dark Sky Films is releasing Tobe Hooper’s horror classic in a new two-disc set also on Sept. 26 (prebook Aug. 28; $29.98) with what it’s calling “a buffet of never-before-seen bonus materials produced exclusively for this definitive collection.” Among the new menu items are two commentaries, one with the actors and another with Hooper, the cinematographer and another actor. There’s also two documentaries (“The Shocking Truth” and “Flesh Wounds”) and a tour of the infamous house.

And a collection

Remember Apocalypse Redux? Well, Paramount’s redux-ing the DVD. Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier bows on Aug. 15 (prebook July 4; $19.99) with Redux and the original Apocalypse Now. Plus the two-disc set has commentary by Coppola, a “Watch Apocalypse Now With Francis Ford Coppola” feature and a bunch of featurettes and additional scenes. Looks like this could be every fan’s dream. Maybe it should be called the “Ultimate Dossier.” Oh, wait, they’re probably saving that one for later.

Comic books are getting another crack at DVD. On Aug. 1, Trans World will offer 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s Broken Saints packaged with an exclusive comic book. Developed by Saints creator Brooke Burgess, Broken Saints Issue 0 explores the beginnings of the animated Web-based series. The comic-enhanced set will retail for $49.98, the same price as the straight DVD set that will be available elsewhere.

Tasty promo

Some fish with your anime? Central Park Media is teaming with New York restaurant Sushi Twist for summer screenings of anime product. Last Sunday, Sushi Twist screened the teenage show Animation Runner Kuromi. That will be followed by the award-winning Animation Runner Kuromi 2 on June 18 and Munto on June 25. All are available now from CPM. Sushi Twists’ “focus on satisfying their customers’ demanding culinary tastes in a trend setting and cutting edge atmosphere will allow us to introduce our anime in an exciting and innovative venue,” said Newton Grant, CPM’s director of business development. Perhaps the way to consumers is through their stomachs.

Slimming down

Meanwhile, having come to the end of many series in single DVD releases, ADV is continuing to offer complete collections in thin-packs. Upcoming is Petite Princess Yucie Complete Collection, with all 26 episodes priced at $59.98 on July 18 (prebook June 20). The sixth and last single volume debuted on DVD in July 2005. Fans will no doubt appreciate the added space on their shelves, but what about their lighter wallets? Maybe they’ll sell the earlier single volumes on eBay.