By Lee Pfeiffer

VCI Entertainment, which has traditionally specialized in quality video releases of public domain films, is aggressively moving into the realm of Blu-ray with some prestigious releases. The top of the list is the Blu-ray debut of the 1951 version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim in what is considered to be the definitive screen interpretation of Scrooge. It's hard to argue with that assessment, but I would give equal rank to George C. Scott's superb performance in the 1980s TV movie. VCI has pulled out all the stops with this release, offering the best print I've seen to date. After decades of being shown in TV syndication, many of the prints we've literally grown up with look as milky as Marley's ghost. This digitally remastered print was struck "from a new 1080p, 24fps high definition transfer master produced from the 35mm negative and fie grain." The resulting release isn't flawless...some nitpickers have pointed out there are visible defects in certain aspects of the print, but the average person won't be a humbug and will applaud VCI for its efforts.

Cinema Retro has received the following press release that will be of interest to all Disney fans:

(November 1, 2009) Disney Theme Park Merchandise releases in November, the second in a series of DVDs highlighting the creation and enhancement of the Disney Theme Parks and Attractions as told from the perspective of the Walt Disney’s Imagineers. The DVD will be available for sale throughout the Disney Parks in California and Florida .

The DVD, “Imagineering the Magic-Magic Kingdom”, hosted by Imagineer Diego Parras, details through historical and rare film footage, the inspiration for the creation of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and the early beginnings of the Magic Kingdom theme park.

The DVD focuses on the Walt Disney’s efforts to build on the success of Disneyland in Anaheim , California and to take that creativity and experience eastward . The challenges of building in Florida ’s swamplands and the high expectations of the guests for a world bigger and better are told from personal recollections by Walt Disney Ambassador and Chief Imagineer, Marty Sklar.

Among the many notables joining Marty for these development stories and Imagineer recollections include Tom Fitzgerald, Tony Baxter, Kathy Rogers, Eric Jacobson and Kevin Rafferty.

“Our Imagineering the Magic-Disneyland DVD has been one of most successful park DVDs,” commented Betsy Singer, Product Developer for Disney Theme Park Merchandise. “Our guests enjoy the behind the magic stories and inspiration that the Imagineers bring to these videos and we hope they will enjoy Imagineering the Magic of Magic Kingdom as much as they have our first DVD”.

“This DVD shows the incredible team of men and women Walt Disney brought around him to create experiences and attractions that entertain and bring families together.”

 “Imagineering the Magic-Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort” can also be ordered from Disney Theme Park Merchandise mail order at  407-363-6200  407-363-6200 . The "Imagineering the Magic" DVD series was created by Richard Skillman of richsmedia.com   and co-produced by Richard with Cameron Roberts ,Greg Jones and Mark Rhodes of D7, a Disney production partner.  

By Lee Pfeiffer

We long ago gave up on seeing dynamic artwork on most DVD releases from major studios. Before you blame the studios, however, keep in mind that one studio executive told me in confidence that the sleeve designs are basically dictated by the buyers at Wal-Mart, who believe consumers can only relate to very simple, basic graphics. Thus, most major releases feature horrid scanned-in head shots of the movie's stars...often super-imposed on other actor's bodies. (See some of the James Bond releases). Once in a while, a studio will actually use original poster graphics on older, catalog titles and independent labels generally have visually creative sleeves for DVDs. However, the low point has to be the new DVD release of Paramount's Star Trek film. Director J.J. Abram's has not only reinvigorated the flaccid series, but enthused people like myself who were not major fans of the original films. However, the DVD sleeve is a boring, graphic-free piece of work that simply spells out the name of the title and doesn't convey a bit of the film's excitement or the acclaimed cast members. Granted, Star Trek doesn't need traditional marketing to make it succeed, but it would have been nice if someone in the home video department had put more than two minutes thought into the packaging of such a prestigious release. Come on, guys, you can do better...On the up side, the Blu-ray release promises to be a 3-DVD doozy. Click here to order from Amazon.

The cut-throat competition between Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target and other major on-line retailers has resulted in cut-throat pricing reductions pertaining to pre-orders of DVDs slated for holiday release. Many major titles including the new Star Trek film can be ordered for as little as $10. However, the deals are only good until the titles "street" (i.e, actually hit store shelves.) Studios are generally not happy about these tactics, fearing they reduce the inherent value of DVDs to the general public. For more click here

At the prompting of a group that protests marketing campaigns designed to get infants weened on watching TV, Disney has admitted that its hugely popular line of Baby Einstein DVDs are virtually worthless as educational tools. The company had promoted the line as being relevant to stimulating baby's intellectual capabilities. In fact, there is evidence to suggest the opposite: getting infants hooked on watching TV can actually cause learning problems. Disney is now offering refunds to consumers who want to return the DVDs. This can prove to be a costly program: it's estimated that one third of American families with babies have at least one of the videos.  For more click here

Writer William Bradley provides an in-depth and fascinating analysis of Roman Polanski's Chinatown to mark the film's 35th anniversary. Bradley makes a poignant case as to why it's his favorite movie- and illustrates the points through extensive film clips. He also uses the film to put Roman Polanski's life and woes into perspective. To read click here

Click here to order the new anniversary edition DVD from Amazon

The web site TV Shows on DVD announced that Image Entertainment will release the classic TV series Thriller as a deluxe boxed set of DVDs next year. The acclaimed series was hosted by the great Boris Karloff and was favorably compared to The Twilight Zone. The set will include many extras and represents the first time the show has had a professional release on home video. Among the young up-and-coming stars featured in the series: Richard Chamberlain, Mary Tyler Moore, Rip Torn and Robert Vaughn.  For a synopsis of the episodes, visit the web site the Last Drive-In by clicking here. For more on the DVDs click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

I had long wanted to see director Samuel Fuller's 1961 low-budget film noir Underground U.S.A. ever since its star, Cliff Robertson, extolled its virtues to me. Now the movie has finally come to DVD as part of an outstanding new boxed set dedicated to the maverick filmmaker, the seven disc Samuel Fuller Collection. Underground U.S.A. represents the style that has defined Fuller's work: no nonsense, fast-moving and featuring believable characters and dialogue. There isn't a wasted frame of film. Robertson stars as a small time crook from the inner city who witnessed the beating death of his father at the hands of locals thugs when he was a teenager. Years later, after doing a stint in jail for safe-cracking, Robertson makes it his life's mission to track down his father's murderers and extract his revenge. He learns that these goons are now prominent figures in a national crime syndicate. He concocts a scheme to infiltrate the syndicate and gain their trust before dishing out his violent vision of justice.The film largely consists of studio interiors, which gives the story a claustrophobic feel that was probably exactly what Fuller had hoped to achieve. Robertson is particularly good, playing against type in the kind of role Robert De Niro would play in Martin Scorsese's films years later. He's given able support by ultra sexy Dolores Dorn (who should have been a much bigger star) as a streetwalker marked for death by the mob; Beatrice Kay as a lovable old maid/saloon keeper and noted character actors Robert Emhardt and Larry Gates - neither of whom ever received enough recognition for their consistently fine work in the cinema.An excellent and thoroughly engrossing film on every level.