It Will Be a Busy, Tempting Summer for DVD Releases

This summer is a big one for the growing DVD market, with special editions of new and classic films in the offing.

On June 1, Columbia TriStar unveils a collector’s edition of the Martin Scorsese classic “Taxi Driver,” which features a new documentary. Also due that day from Fox is the “Alien Legacy” collection, which marks the DVD debut of the four “Alien” movies.

The 20th anniversary edition of “Alien” is offered in wide-screen and includes commentary from director Ridley Scott. The “Aliens” wide-screen edition features an interview with director James Cameron.

The following week, Universal presents a special edition of Gus Van Sant’s “Psycho,” which includes a documentary, commentary, production notes and trailers.

Also due from the studio June 8 is “Gods and Monsters,” complete with a documentary and theatrical trailer, and the 1984 sci-fi adventure, “The Last Starfighter,” which includes such extras as a documentary, audio commentary and trailers.

Though the Andy Garcia-Andie MacDowell comedy “Just the Ticket” came and went without a blink, MGM is giving the June 15 DVD release the classic treatment with never-before-seen footage and commentary by Garcia and writer-director Richard Wenk.

Another film that didn’t burn up the box office, “Hurlyburly,” will be available in a collector’s edition on June 22 from New Line. The disc features audio commentaries featuring actor Sean Penn, director Anthony Drazan and writer David Rabe.

Also hitting the shelves that day are two DVD versions of Universal’s “Patch Adams,” starring Robin Williams. The wide-screen edition includes a documentary, audio commentary and trailer. The full-frame disc features production notes, trailers and outtakes.

One of cinema’s greatest films, “High Noon” (Artisan), gets the DVD treatment. The digitally remastered disc, scheduled for a June 22 release, includes a documentary hosted by Leonard Maltin.

The following week, Columbia TriStar introduces its deluxe edition of the 1984 blockbuster comedy “Ghostbusters,” which is filled with such goodies as 3-D menus, commentary and deleted scenes.

Also on tap for June 29 are the DVD debuts of Stanley Kubrick’s film classics from MGM, Warner and Columbia TriStar.

Though most of the discs feature only the original trailers, “2001: A Space Odyssey” includes an interview with Arthur C. Clarke, and “The Shining” features Vivian Kubrick’s documentary, “The Making of the Shining.”

Arriving July 20 from Anchor Bay is the 1967 Walt Disney musical comedy “The Happiest Millionaire.” The wide-screen edition includes 20 additional minutes, as well as the overture and intermission music.