Okay... we've got just a couple more updates for you to close out the week... but they're GOOD ones!

First, Shout! Factory has just unveiled the 2-disc DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of Roger Corman's StarCrash: Special Edition on 9/14 (SRP $19.93 and $26.97). Aspect ratio will be 1.85:1 with DTS-HA 5.1 audio on Blu-ray and Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD. Extras will include interviews with writer/director Luigi Cozzi and actress Caroline Munro, 2 feature-length commentaries by historian Stephen Romano (one on the history and making of the film and its importance in 1970s fantastic cinema, and one with scene-by-scene trivia, anecdotes and critical analysis), 17 deleted and alternate scenes, 2 featurettes (StarCrash: The Music of John Barry and The Making of the Special Effects of StarCrash), a 20-minute behind-the-scenes footage reel with commentary, galleries of behind-the-scenes images, artwork, promotional artwork and fan art, the theatrical trailer (with commentaries by Eli Roth and filmmaker/editor Joe Dante), TV and radio spots, and the complete, original StarCrash screenplay (illustrated with original storyboards and early, full-color concept art).

Also coming soon to DVD only from Shout! Factory's Corman line are The Intruder on 9/21, and The Slumber Party Massacre Collection triple feature and The Evil/Twice Dead double feature on 10/5.

Next, here's some AWESOME news: Amazon.com is now taking pre-orders on a Blu-ray version of Sir David Lean's Bridge on the Kwai from Sony (SRP $34.95, but Amazon has it for just $24.49). There's no street date listed yet, but we'll post more details as they come in. [Editor's Note: I HAVE just confirmed with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment that Bridge on the River Kwai IS coming to Blu-ray Disc this year. Watch for an official announcement in the coming weeks.]

Meanwhile, Lionsgate has revealed their October release slate as follows: On 10/5, look for Blue Mountain State: Season One (DVD and Blu-ray), The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: There is Nothing to Fear in Here, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: The Cat's Musical Tales and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: The Cat's Adventures. Following on 10/12 are Manson, My Name is Evil and Kung-Fu Master. And on 10/19, as we've reported, look for the Apocalypse Now: 2-Film Set and Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure Edition (Blu-ray) along with Agora and The Hitmen Diaries: Charlie Valentine on DVD.

Also today, Screen Media has set The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond for DVD and Blu-ray release on 9/7 (SRP $24.98 and $29.98).

Finally, Warner and the BBC has set Being Human: Season Two for release on DVD and Blu-ray on 9/21.

Have a great weekend and we'll see you back here on Monday!

(LATE UPDATE - 7/29/10 - 2 PM PDT)

Couple of quick updates for you this afternoon...

First, for those of you trying to get a hold of Paramount's customer service to arrange your Gladiator BD swap, the phone number is still working but they're pretty overloaded so they would prefer people e-mail them (phe_customerservice@paramount.com) to setup the exchange.

Also today, Universal has set It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie for DVD release on 10/12.

Speaking of Universal, here's a look at the DVD cover art for their Smokey and the Bandit: The 7-Movie Outlaw Collection (due 10/12) and The Bionic Woman: Season 1 (10/19), along with DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon single-disc DVD (due Friday, 10/15)...



Also, an Alien update: We've just learned that when ordering the new Alien Anthology Blu-ray limited edition set on Foxconnect.com, if you type in the coupon code "COMIC" (a reference to Comic-Con), you'll get 10% off the total after tax. It's good only until 7/31/10. Thanks to Bits reader Steve K. for the heads-up! [UPDATE: We've learned that the "COMIC" or "QC12YT9EA" 10% off codes are already included in the $149.99 online ordering price, so no need to use them.]

Finally, any fans of director Guillermo del Toro out there? Yeah, us too. So how cool is this news? Nikki Finke's Deadline is reporting that he may be teaming with James Cameron to finally bring H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness to film for Universal! Word is Guillermo will direct with Cameron producing and the film will be shot in native 3D, a-la Avatar. Yeah, baby! Now THAT's the film we want to see him tackle if he can't do The Hobbit.

Stay tuned...

Bill Hunt, Editor
The Digital Bits
billhunt@thedigitalbits.com