MOVIES AND TV SHOWS THAT SHOULD BE ON DVD

by David Blackwell

It is early 2004 and I have decided it is time for an article on some of the TV shows that deserve a release on DVD in addition to the movies that should be out on DVD (or have a special edition treatment due to such factors as extras that weren't included on the first DVD release of the movie).

Columbia-Tristar/Columbia/SONY PICTURES-

ODYSSEY 5- This sci-fi TV show needs be released to DVD because the last six episodes were never shown by SHOWTIME and Columbia could advertise it as having six episodes that never aired in the US.

DARK SKIES- This show has it's fans and it has gotten plenty of rerun time on the Sci-Fi channel.

SLEEPWALKERS- This show waits to be dsicovered by new fans despite having only nine episodes being filmed. Columbia could advertise it having two never-before-seen episdoes and 5 rarely seen episodes. If Hong Kong and Germany can release some of the episodes to DVD already, I wonder why Columbia can't do a complete release for the US market.    The best idea is to have trailers for all three of these sci-fi titles on the ODYSSEY 5, SLEEPWALKERS, and DARK SKIES DVD sets.  On top of that, they could put the three shows under a Cult Sci-Fi TV range.

MICHAEL HAYES- This one should be a no brainer since it stars David Caurso and it can be adverstised to appeal to fans of NYPD Blue (Caruso was in the first season and early season 2), CSI: Miami, and Michael hayes fans.

DREAMWORKS SKG-

BOOMTOWN- There is a fan base for this show, and one wonders why Dreamworks hasn't planned a collection of all 25 episodes because it will sell.

THE OTHERS- There is a cult fan base for this show that would make this show a must to release.

HIGH INCIDENT- Many fans have been asking for this show to be released on DVD for years and then I realize that Dreamworks isn't as organized with getting their TV shows out on DVD like FOX and Columbia. So I think Dreamworks need to get Boomtown, The Others, and high Incident released to DVD ASAP because they would probably make a profit off of it and the fans want these shows available.

FOX-

JOHN DOE- It may be a cult show, but this show is one of the shows most voted for on the FOX DVD on TV poll last year.

THE PRETENDER- So far another company has started releasing THE PRETENDER on DVD in France as of December 2003 and this show scored high on the DVD poll FOX held last year.

SOLARIS: SPECIAL EDITION- There is so much material that wasn't included on the first dVD release including a longer cut of the movie that I rather see this special edition released sooner than later even if it means having CRITERION do it.

THE VISITOR- There were 13 episodes made, and FOX could advertise it coming from the makers of Stargate and Idenpendence Day.

X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE (SPECIAL EDITION)- I heard mention of deleted scenes on the movie's commentary, and yet FOX won't do a special edition because they still wnat to sell the rest of the stock they have left from the first release of the movie on VHS and DVD. A special edition would sell, but maybe it would be a good thing to release to bring back interest for the next movie (whenever it gets made).

MIRAMAX-

THE TOUCH- Miramax had the ending reshot for a uS release and this movie still hasn't been released here.

HEROIC TRIO- Miramax has unjustly edited many of the Asian action movies including this one and it deserves to be released in it's unedited form.

MGM-

POLTERGEIST THE LEGACY- If MGM can release STARGATE SG-1 and JEREMIAH and OUTER LIMITS and DEAD LIKE ME to DVD, they can start releasing the four seasons of this paranormal series to DVD.

PARAMOUNT-

THE BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN- This installment in the Harry Palmer series (starring Michael Caine) is the only one that has never been released to VHS or DVD. The solution is simple- just remove the two Beatles songs and replace them with other songs.

JADE- This movie starring David Caruso was only released in full frame (and the theaterical version too). A new edition needs to be released to include both the theaterical cut and the superior director's cut in widescreen.

THE SAINT- The movie has material you could include for a special edition like two major deleted scenes (Elizabeth Shue's character originally died and a major climatic action scene that is only glimpsed in the the movie's trailer).

UNIVERSAL-

DOCTOR WHO TV MOVIE (1996)- The TV show to the cult sci-fi show has beeen released everywhere except in North America (BBC holds the right to release it everywhere except North America and it's further compunded by the fact most BBC shows are released through Warner Home Video in North America as of present).

EARTH 2- There's a loyal fan base for this show and I think this is one of the shows they need to release to DVD soon.

EARTH: FINAL CONFLICT season 1 and 2- ADV has released seasons 3-5 to DVD in 2003, but Universal holds the rights to release the first two seasons to DVD and they still haven't. I wonder what is the hold up, or maybe they don't release how big sales for TV shows on DVD have become.

THE EQUALIZER- If Universal released one show from the 1980s on dVD, this is the one they must release.

THE INVISIBLE MAN- This cult favorite has been released to DVD through Kult TV in the UK. I wonder when someone will release the show here because it would be a good way to show fans that Universal is listening.

THE ROCKFORD FILES- This is my favorite of the old shows that should be released to DVD.

SLIDERS- Five seasons of shows and Universal has dropped the ball by not start releasing this show to DVD by now.

WARNER-

BIRDS OF PREY- The show may not have lasted long, but they should release all 13 episodes (and teh unaired version of the pilot) on DVD because there are fans for it and Warner has some other Superhero properties planned (CATWOMAN movie this summer, SMALLVILLE season 2 on DVD, and new movies of SUPERMAN and BATMAN they have been planning).

BRIMSTONE- This was an interesting show and it needs to be released to DVD.

WAKING THE DEAD- The fan base for this show has been growing in the US, and BBC America needs to release this since they have releasing other BBC fare such as Monarch of the Glenn, Doctor Who, Campion, Coupling, and others to DVD. Plus US fans have never seen the uncut versions of the show (20 plus minutes are cut out of each 2 part story that is edited into a 2 hour movie with ads) or the pilot.

OTHER MOVIES and TV SHOWS:

BLUE MURDER- This griity Canadian cop show is one fo the best I have ever seen.

CRYING FREEMAN (live-action)- This movie has been released everywhere except for the USA.

THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER- This unreleased movie directed by Alec Baldwin and starring Alec Baldwin, Anthony Hopkins, and Jennifer Love-Hewitt as the Devil has had troubles being released and at least deserves a DVD release in North America.

FIRST WAVE- This sci-fi show that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel for three years has a devoted following and this show would do well on DVD.

PSI-FACTOR: TALES OF THE PARANORMAL- Another interesting show that deserves the DVD treatment.

STARHUNTER- There is a small fan base for this show that would make this show at least worth selling to the cult fan base including the little seen season 2 that has become harder and harder to find on TV in the US.

TOTAL RECALL 2070- This is one of the most interesting sci-fi shows of the last few years.

this article is (c)2004 David Blackwell and it can't be reprinted without the author's permission. Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  and check for site updates (and additional content) at http://wwww.livejournal.com/users/enterlinemedia