Home Media Magazine - June 1-7, 2008 - (Page 26)

NEWS www.homemediamagazine.com Anchor Bay Parties With ‘The Lather Effect’ By Chris Tribbey nchor Bay Entertainment and the stars from the 1980s reflection romp The Lather Effect took over Joseph’s in Hollywood May 27 to mark the DVD’s release. “We think it’s going to perform quite well,” said Anchor Bay president Bill Clark. “When we first heard about it, we loved it. The [DVD] orders have been above expectations.” Every member of the film said the movie is perfect for anyone wanting a new taste of the 1980s, especially the music. “It’s indelible, the music,” said actor William Mapother, while 1980s DJ Richard Blade played ’80s tunes in the background. “Of course, what we listened to on the set and what we listen to in A the movie aren’t necessarily the same.” “It wasn’t so much a nostalgic time,” said actress Caitlin Keats. “It was a more innocent time, in a sense.” To promote the DVD, Anchor Bay has mostly stuck with a viral campaign, going to Classmates.com, Facebook. com, the cast members’ own Web sites, online giveaways, and music sites. “Overall, we were using the high-school reunion angle with a play on the ’80s for the nostalgia factor,” said Starz Entertainment’s Floresha Schultheiss. “The Lather Effect is about reflecting back on your life and questioning whether you made the right decisions. Everyone’s done that at some point in their lives, and that’s what makes this film so relatable.” Anchor Bay Entertainment hosted a DVD release party for The Lather Effect at Joseph’s in Hollywood May 27. The party was well attended by the film’s cast members as well executives from Anchor Bay. (L-R): Gordon Prend and Sally Seraphim of Anchor Bay Entertainment, actors William Mapother and Caitlin Keats, Bill Clark of Anchor Bay, actress Sarah Clarke, director Sarah Kelly, actor Tate Donovan and Brian Daley of Anchor Bay. JUST ANNOUNCED A Weekly Product Update* BRIEFS I ARTISTS, PRODUCERS AGREE TO TV CONTRACT The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) agreed to a new, three-year prime-time TV contract May 28. Highlights of the new agreement include wage increases during each year of the contract, increased employer contributions to AFTRA’s health and retirement plans, new residuals for Internet downloads, and sunset provisions that allow both sides to revisit their agreements for divvying up new media revenue. Home video, including DVD, residuals did not change. “This is another groundbreaking agreement for AFTRA,” said AFTRA national president Roberta Reardon. “In addition to achieving meaningful gains in compensation and working conditions for performers, it also establishes AFTRA jurisdiction in the dynamic area of New Media and it preserves performers’ consent for the use of excerpts of traditional TV shows in new media.” AFTRA’s national board still needs to approve the agreement, and the union must ratify it. If the new contract is approved during the board’s scheduled meeting June 6-7, it will go into effect when the current contract expires June 30. “This is a challenging time in the entertainment industry, and this was a tough negotiation,” Reardon said. “Our ability to achieve these crucial breakthroughs for performers was a direct result of AFTRA members’ pragmatic approach to collective bargaining.” The Writers Guild of America West, the Screen Actors Guild, Teamsters Local 399, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the Directors Guild of America all attended negotiating sessions, which began May 7. – Chris Tribbey Harold and Kumar Escape … STREET DATE In Bruges BOX OFFICE (MILLIONS) Starship Troopers 3: Marauder I ‘ULTIMATE PANDAS’ SALES TO RAISE MONEY FOR PANDAS Half the revenue from the Ultimate Pandas DVD, from DVD International, will go to beneﬁt panda conservation and breeding center Wolong Nature Reserve. The joint effort by DVD International and nonproﬁt nature learning group Globio will help the people and pandas of China rebuild in the wake of the country’s recent devastating earthquake. “The Giant Panda is one of the most delightful and captivating of animals, yet one of the most endangered species in the world, and they need our help now more then ever,” said David Goodman, president of DVD International. “We are so glad that we can use the Ultimate Pandas DVD not only to educate the next generation on just how adorable, beautiful and unique these creatures are, but also to raise money to help save them in these desperate times.” The Ultimate Pandas DVD comes with a 10-inch plush panda and is listed at – Billy Gil $29.95. TITLE PREBOOK GENRE PRICE Harold and Kumar Escape From 7/29 6/24 $36.3 Comedy DVD $28.98, BD $35.99 New Line. 2008. John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry, Roger Bart, Neil Patrick Harris. The pot-smoking duo try to escape authorities when they are suspected of terrorism after bringing a bong onboard an international flight. A two-DVD set is available at $34.99. In Bruges 6/24 Now $7.6 Comedy DVD $29.98 Universal. 2008. Colin Ferrell, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson. Two hitmen reevaluate their lives when they are temporarily exiled to Belgium by their boss after a difficult job. Includes deleted scenes, gag reel and more. Starship Troopers 3: Marauder 8/5 6/26 DTV Sci-Fi DVD $27.96, BD $38.96 DATE CHANGE. Sony Pictures. 2008. Casper Van Dien, Jolene Blalock, Amanda Donohoe, Boris Kodjoe. The third installment of the killer-bug adventure is also available on UMD at $24.94 and in a trilogy boxed set with the first two films on Blu-ray ($89.95) or DVD ($39.95). Watching the Detectives 8/12 7/1 DTV Romance DVD $19.95 Genius/Peace Arch. 2007. Lucy Liu, Cillian Murphy. A bored video store clerk gets his wish that his life could be more like the movies when he meets an adventurous femme fatale. My Sassy Girl 8/26 7/23 DTV Romance DVD $27.98 Fox. 2008. Elisha Cuthbert, Jesse Bradford. The American re-make of the Korean movie based on the graphic novel series by Kim Ho-sik that details his relationship with his off-the-wall college girlfriend. The Big Lebowski: 10th Anniversary … 9/9 8/5 Re-release Comedy DVD $19.98 Universal. 1998. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi. The Dude abides in a two-disc anniversary edition with all-new bonus features, including retrospective documentaries and more. Also available in a limited-edition bowling-ball package at $34.98. * In order of box office, then prebook date 26 Home Media Magazine June 1–7, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.classmates.com http://www.facebook.com http://www.classmates.com http://www.facebook.com

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Home Media Magazine - June 1-7, 2008 Contents News Gay/Lesbian Reviews TV DVD Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced

Home Media Magazine - June 1-7, 2008

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