Those of you intending to acquire or make a gift of the new DVD release of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial this holiday season, don't miss the E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial Ultimate Gift Boxed Set, which includes both the new 2002 edit (walkie talkies for guns) and the original 1982 version, the soundtrack, the screenplay, and much more. It costs twice as much, but if the person you're buying it for cares at all about the movie, they will be disappointed if you don't get them this one.
Any mention of the E.T. DVD must be accompanied by the obligatory complaint about the "limited release" marketing strategy. All editions of E.T. on DVD will no longer be made available to retailers after December 31, 2002-- which means that if someone is expecting to get it for Christmas and doesn't, they may only have a few days to acquire it. Someone expecting it for Hannukah at least has a few weeks this year. (Hannukah 2002 begins the evening of November 30.)
P.S. I'm not dropping any hints. Lisa has already ordered it for me. :)
Ads and press releases for the Beauty & the Beast DVD imply a similar limited "Disney vault" release. Anyone know the stop date, or does Disney never set one until they've evaluated demand?
Despite earlier press releases to the contrary, it turns out that -both- the high and low end releases of E.T. will contain both cuts of the film. Frankly, I never liked the movie but this might be good news for you and other readers.
As for Beauty and the Beast, moratorium day is 31 January 2003, about 90 days. This pretty much maps to the Snow White release last winter; Disney's current plans say that the moratorium will last ten years, so get 'em quick if you want them.