Click HERE for Full details

Aladdin and the King of Thieves - Review
Cass has reviewed another Disney anim title.  Aladdin and the King of Thieves is actually the THIRD in the series of these films. (Does it match up the Lion King 2 though?)

New Review Features
From Muriel's Wedding on, youll see a few changes to the reviews here at DVDown Under.  nothing too serious, but review ratings will now be out of 10, instead of 5 (hate giving movies a x.75 rating) AND reviews will also list picture and sound higlights.  This is in addition to the usual "there were some moments in this film that were very sharp")...yeah?? well what F*!king moments then tell me!!!

Water and a Wedding
It's been a while in the making but the DVD of Halloween : H20 has finally been released, as well as the impressive looking and sounding Muriel's Wedding

Also slated for a 10th December release is the excellent Eagles DVD : Hell Freezes over.  This DTS 5.1 Music Concert DVD will retail for $39.95.(snapper case and all)

Here's the COMPLETE list of IMAX DVDS coming 7th December.
EXCEPT for Super Speedway, all will retail for only $29.95 and are housed in the Supersized Jewel Case, (Super Speedway is priced at $34.95)

Super Speedway (THX certified)
Africa The Serengeti  / Mystery of the Maya / Grand Canyon
Whales / Ring of Fire / Hidden Hawaii / Yellowstone /
1st Emperor of China / Antarctica / Tropical Rainforest /
The Greatest Places /Genesis /The Great Barrier Reef / Search for Sharks /
Alaska / Niagra / Mysteries of Egypt /Hearst Castle

The Video Shift New Standard Discount
As sad as I am to think that I won't be coming up with those exceptionally clever (and meaningful) passwords any longer  :-),  joy will come from knowing that The Video Shift and DVDown Under decided it was time to drop the exclusive Discount, and replace it with a standard Video Shift Site DVDiscount, now that DVD is in full swing Down Under. 
Also you'll see a few of our Region 4 reviews are sponsored by The Video Shift from now on.

Please Welcome Digital DVD Shop
In line with the recent site changes and what not, Digital DVD Shop has come on board as our newest Region 4 site sponsor (you'll see a few region 4 reviews sponsored by DDS as well)...so a BIG welcome to them

PS the DVD user Group members total reached over 2500 since lunch time yesterday...

Deluxe Collector's Editions to Start the Millennium
With the 10th January DVD release of Universal's The Mummy, Columbia Tristar Home Video are going to introduce a new tier of product under the new banner of Deluxe Collector's Editions. 
With so many collectable DVDs with tonnes of extras coming out, CTHV saw the potential for a better way to generate interest in a DVD with something extra to offer other than the movie.
This idea has worked exceptionally well in the USA as anyone will know who has come across the New Line Cinema Platinum Special Edition DVDs, which are usually the Creme De' La Creme in DVD extras.
To differentiate between the Deluxe release and CTHV's standard DVDs, these will come with a gold banner (similar to the Cruel intentions DVD)  (as well as lotsa of extra goodies of course)

Interactive DVDs coming Soon
Amongst many of their unique toys, coming soon from DVD Australia are Interactive DVDs.  These IA DVDs are in fact cartoon based adventure games where you watch some video footage, and they you decide where the story goes.  A few of the titles mentioned were based on some movie & TV characters such as Ace Ventura, Superman, and Xena : Warrior Princess.  The General Running time is about 40 minutes, though the material you see will change based on the selections you make for the story...cool hah!!!

Lion King Animated Sequel reviewed
Though it's not as good as the original, LK2 : Simba's Pride is a DVD that Cass was most impressed by (I agree totally, it looks fantastic!!!)

And then there were THREE
It would seem that El1zabeth is in fact NOT the first full length  DVD movie to use 4x3 on the fly.. So far we've received reports that 2 other Polygram DVDs used it a while back.  Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, AND Bean : The Movie.  The funny thing is that BOTH these DVDs are dual format (separate widescreen AND Pan & Scan versions on the one disc, YET the 4x3 P&S option works on the Widescreen version) AND again this information has not been mentioned by ex-Polygram....hmmmm (hence the reason I though El1zabeth was the first)

GO BUY THIS DVD NOW (well after you've read the review at least :-)))

Will you be my Bodyguard
As much as Cass Loves a good chick flick, that's not all she looks for in a DVD..read her review of The Bodyguard to find out more.

El1zabeth is on the Fly!!!!!
Yes yes I 'occasionally' crap on a bit with the news headings, I know that, but I am really quite excited about this juicy piece of news.
After reviewing the Matrix last night I popped on the preview copy of El1zabeth, After flipping through some of the chapters, I took a look at the behind the scenes featurette and noticed it was a 4x3 picture inside a 16:9 Enhanced frame.  Remembering that the Halloween special ed's doco was like this AND it used the 4x3 Pan & Scan option (which lets the player unsqueeze the 16:9 picture to play full frame before going to your   telly) I though I'd see if the Lizzy DVD did the same, thing on its featurette, and it did!!!!
So I then though I'd play back the movie itself (with 4x3 P&S still on) and low and behold, the 16:9 Enhanced Feature length movie has ALSO been encoded for 4x3 Pan and Scan playback (on the fly). 
As far as I am aware, this is the FIRST full length Movie to EVER use this feature (some studios have opted to encode 2 separate viewing formats rather than tackle this option) 
While it may play back unsqueezed by turning the 4x3 Pan and Scan feature of your DVD player to ON, I'm yet to see if this movie has actually been fully encoded to properly Pan (left and right) when required to show something at the sides, or if it has simply been 'centre cut' so as  it won't move left and right at all (as in the way you can do on some DVD-ROM player apps). 
At any rate, it's great to see the Ex-Polygram mob take a stab at this option.   Though I am curious to know Why they neglected to mention this feature anywhere on the slicks or Disc.

Click HERE for the Specs

Click HERE for the DVD Slick

Cass has taken a preview look at the Tim Allen Christmas vehicle The Santa Clause, pity it's another Pan a Scan jobbie from BV (they do this a lot with Kids films it seems)

PS Don't forget to check out the H20 screen shots and DVD slick (it's on the loose in a few days )

PPS Wardy's site has a new URL for The Fourth region (almost forgot to mention it again!!!! :-)

Legendary DVD reviewer Cass has taken a look at Born of the 4th Of July (first time she's seen it) Actually she's not at all legendary, she made me say that she was...honest :-)))

Weekend reviews
Between Me, Cass and Paul,  I think all three of us will be totally swamped with reviews this weekend.
Over the next few days, we hope to have previews of the Roadshow's The Matrix, Buena Vista's Mighty Joe Young, & Mafia, as well as reviews for Born on the Forth of July, and One True Thing....

- 2.35:1 16:9 Enhanced picture
- DD5.1 audio track
- Audio Commentary with Director Renny Harlin and Samuel L. Jackson
- Doco : When Sharks Attack
- Making of : Sharks of Deep Blue Sea
- Deleted Scenes (some with & some without commentary)
- Theatrical Trailer
- Stills Gallery
- English Subtitles

Sweeeet.....

Matrix DVD Slick
The Slick arrived with a review copy of the Matrix today.......super sweeet....

Roadshow's Next DVDs
Though the Matrix is only 6 days from release (which is expected to be HUGE...well dah!!:-).....Hot on the heels of this 23rd Nov release of the Matrix from Roadshow is

24th November - Muriel's Wedding
26th November - Black Adder  / Halloween : H20 / True Romance (Dir cut)

More Upcoming Roadshow Releases

Muriel's Wedding is Roadshow's "go to whoa" project, Black Adder is the first 6 episodes on a Dual Layered Disc,  Halloween : H20 was delayed a bit due to audio glitches that Also plagued the USA DVD, and True Romance is the complete uncut DVD which (unlike the region 1 DVD) is 16:9 Enhanced

PS I see on the latest batch of Buena Vista DVDs that the ugly Widescreen Banner is gone...woo hoo (sorry but I really hated that thing)

Upcoming Buena Vista Releases

New DVD Slicks
Only three newbies today of upcoming Buena Vista titles

ATTENTION JOHN & DEBRA
Hi Guys, our replies to you have been bouncing back, would you please confirm your E-mail address..thanks

Here's just a couple of the titles on the huge list. 

Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Blvd
Joe Cocker - Night Calls
The Eagles - Hell Freezes Over
Telarc Various - 5.1 Surround Sampler (gotta love demo discs)...
Titanic - the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Now this ARE NOT DVDs and have now movie pictures, they are purely MUSIC ONLY CDS but with DTS 5.1 audio..so they should be sweet

DVD Australia's deliver MORE IMAX DVDS
Initially the plan was to release 2 more IMAX titles this December (being Africa : The Serengeti and Antarctica), but now, expect to see about 12 IMAX DVDs this December, some of the additional titles are  Mysteries of Egypt (now on at the bris-vegas IMAX) Grand Canyon, and Search for the Sharks.

PS Planet Hollywood have a new web site and also thanks to everyone who emailed in about the Creative MPEG Card problems...(doesn't like my VGA Card)

Reviews, Reviews and More Reviews
Just about through the back catalogue of reviews (it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it:-)

Die Hard : Remastered with a Vengeance

Hard Rain

Mask of Zorro : Collector's Edition

iNterestinG mOviE iNdeeD
Though I had a busy weekend of DVD reviews I still made damn sure I go to the movies yesterday to see just a couple of movies....okay I saw three films so shoot me (and I would have seen 4 if I got there earlier :-).  Anyhoo, One of the films was David Cronenberg's eXistenZ..what a cool movie.  At first I was thinking "oh boy", but it turned out to be wild...and I couldn't stop thinking about getting this on DVD......not for the faint hearted as there are a few gross out scenes, and some bloody funny lines...all good clean wicked fun..gotta love the alternate world Virtual reality theme. 

FREE DTS CD extended
Dave asked me to let you know the comp has been extended a few days due to server problems (if anyone who tried to vote may have noticed) so give it a go again if it played up on you the other day . Dave Furey International DTS CD giveaway see 'ed' below

Clarice may still chow down
Anyone who heard that Jodie Foster Had rejected the idea of appearing in the Lambs sequel (as quoted in W magazine), may be interested to know that she has in fact not even read the script, and is so yet to decide whether she'll replay her Oscar winning role.
Foster issued a statement on Wednesday, saying in part: "I have never made any extensive comments about my feeling about the book to anyone. ... I will make my decision based on a reading of the [movie] script which has not been received."

DVDs that are on the move
It's sad but true, DVDs do often miss their scheduled release date.  The latest victims are EdTV (now making an early  December appearance), Plunkett and Mcleane (release unknown), and Notting Hill(also unknown)..Cass is most disappointed about P&M (so let's all show her our support with a big ohhhhh :-)

T2 Press Release
CTHV emailed out a press release on the December DVD of  Terminator 2 : Judgement Day.  Click HERE for the details

Latest DVD slicks

CTHV DVD Releases

Universal DVD Releases

CTHV DVD slicks soon to mention if they are "16:9 Enhanced"

Latest Review 
Finally did a review of JC's Christine.....most impressed with the picture of this one.

Cass has reviewed one of her all time favourite DVDs Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

DVD-ROM Woes
I took the plunge on the weekend and boughts me a DVD-ROM drive (sony drive and the creative CT7160 card).  What a pain in the arse it has been to get this damn thing working.... 2 PCs' later and the creative software still spews at me about some Video Device Error (make sure the card is plugged in properly or some crap like that).....though it works quite well with the LUXSonnar software, which is only outputting a piccy to my TV (not the PC monitor), so it must have something to do with the VGA card.  
For $250 odd I was pretty impressed with the picture and sound quality run through my HT system..and surprise surprise no audio sync problems here...

(does anyone with this particular MPEG 2 card have any tips / suggestions??..help me!!:-)

PS Did you know DVD just celebrated it's second birthday in OZ.......

Ultimate Demo DVD too big for it's own boots
Due to size constraints, the Ultimate DVD Demo disc won't be coming as a Dual Layered DVD any more.  Seems so much stuff has been packed into this disc that they now have to utilise 2 separate DVDs.  As a result the case will be a double disc variety, which I believe will be the same as the one used for the recent region 1 Halloween: Collector's Edition set, which also came as 2 separate DVDs)

Manga DVDs out really soon
In a few days several manga animation DVDs will hit our shelves.  All retailing for a very low $AU29.95 will be Cyber City OEDO (vol 1, 2 & 3), ODIN Photon Sailer Starlight (vol 1 & 2), and Tokyo Babylon (vol 1 & 2).
Seems as though DVD Australia have snagged some great deals as the retail prices for these titles in the USA is a whopping $34.95........

More CTHV slicks uploaded
The remaining November CTHV/ Universal DVD Slicks have been uploaded

PS I hear the price of the 3D dinosaurs DVD has been dropped to only $14.95...mmmm very tempting

3-D DVDs Out Now
Okay, you have two choices.  Nude chicks on bikes, or Reptiles & snakes, both in 3-D. 
For nude chicks you 'may'be intersted in Wet and Wild Girls in 3-D, but for the latter, Dinosaurs and other amazing creatures is the one for you
I've seen and owned Both of these DVDs and have to say Dinosaurs wins out...while these Dinosaurs may be old, they don't even come close to some of the  saggy tittied old hags in Wet and Wild Girls :-)

Though thesedon't appear to be true 3-D (without goggles) the effect is most impressive and having recently seen New Lines 3-D DVD Freddy Flick, which is total crap looking, these ones are a lot of fun to watch for 3D and however it achieves what it tries to achieve it is still worth a look. 

Rather than adopting the old red / blue lenses for 3-D, this technique uses polarised lenses.  As i said to look at this picture without the supplied glasses the picture looks very normal, 'cept for some bad MPEG artifacting.
The set pieces that are designed for 3-D are on a revolving platform, where the camera remains still, and the platform spins around with a green screen in the background, the background also appears to spin around but slower to the platform and what you see is quite remarkable, and dizzying.

Anyone interested in 3D-DVD will definitely want to suss these two DVDs out, and the only on-line store I am aware of selling them is EZY DVD

CTHV November Slicks
The Universal and CTHV DVD slicks have been scanned and uploadedfor your viewing please.  As I've mentioned before this batch of DVDs contain some beauties. for the DVD specs, please goto the Upcoming Releases Page

Chicken Run
Thought not DVD related, i thought some of you may be interested to know that the Nick Park, Creator of the awesome "Wallace & Grommit" (and Shawn:-) has created his first full feature length animation movie for Dreamworks....called Chicken Run.. (mel gibson and minnie Driver lend their voices)
I saw a trailer for this on the Price of Egypt DVD and it looks like a hoot..for more info goto Aardman on the web

PS heard a rumour that SPR wouldn't be the first region 4 DVD from CIC/Paramount...looks like it may be Mission Impossible instead