The world according to Dan.

“Shrek”‘s video and DVD sales have topped the $420 million mark.

Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas has died of cancer. Rest in peace, Sir. And thanks!

TREK 10 News (Deja Vu?!?!)

According to The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, Steven Culp (Thirteen Days, Jag) and Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers) have signed on to play Federation officers in STAR TREK: NEMESIS.

This 10th TREK film, directed by Stuart Baird, also stars Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hardy, Majel Barrett, Kate Mulgrew, Wil Wheaton and Ron Perlman.

Yune, Madsen Join Next BOND Movie

According to The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, Tommy Yune (The Fast and the Furious) and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) have joined the cast of the next JAMES BOND film.

Yune will play the lead villain — a mutated North Korean general — while Madsen will portray a rogue CIA agent.

Madsen is also expected to star in Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL, as well as an adaptation of Jean-Michel Charlier and Jean Giraud’s French comic BLUEBERRY.

A&E Adapts Welles’ AMBERSONS

A&E presents its remake of Orson Welles’ 1942 film THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS this Sunday night at 8 ET.

The story of the declining Midwestern family in the early 20th century, based on the novel by Booth Tarkington, heavily relies on Welles’ original screenplay, which was greatly re-edited by RKO Pictures against Welles’ wishes at the time of its original release.

Alfonso Arau (Like Water for Chocolate) directed the remake, which stars Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood and Jennifer Tilly.

LOVE THOSE EXTRAS!

Thanks to the rising popularity in DVDs, rentals of home videos and DVDs topping $8.42 billion in 2001, up 2.1 percent from last year according to industry figures.

Here are the new DVD and video releases for Tuesday January 8th, 2002.

M*A*S*H: THE TV SERIES, SEASON 1 (DVD)
M*A*S*H: FIVE STAR COLLECTION (DVD)- Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H movie is released in a 2-disc set with audio commentary, as well as a couple documentaries and featurettes, while the series collection gathers all 24 episodes from the show’s premiere season in 1972-1973.

QUEER AS FOLK – SEASON ONE (U.S) BOX SET (VHS & DVD)
OCEAN’S 11 [1960] (DVD)
ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS (DVD)
JEEPERS CREEPERS (VHS & DVD)
BATTLE OF THE PLANETS, Vol. 3 & 4 (DVD)
THE THREE STOOGES CARTOON CLASSICS (DVD)

Plus… DVD releases of *THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION, STEALING BEAUTY, FRENCH KISS and EVER AFTER.

This is very sad, very unfortunate news. Whoopi Goldberg will once again host the Academy Awards. Man, and I can’t stress this enough, did I think she was a horrible, horrible host!! I am in shock!

Bring back Dave! Bring back Dave!!!

‘The Evil Dead’ special-edition DVD on its way

The awesome cult horror classic “The Evil Dead” will get the deluxe DVD treatment with two different editions.

The film, from director Sam Raimi (who is helming the new “Spider-Man” movie), will arrive in stores March 5, 2002, in a standard-edition that will include a new widescreen transfer, revamped sound, and two commentary tracks: one with Raimi and producer Rob Tapert, and the other featuring star Bruce Campbell.

At the same time, a “Book Of The Dead” special edition will be released as a two-disc set with all of the same features as the single-disc version, plus a 26 minute documentary “Fanalysis” by Bruce Campbell, a “Discovering Evil Dead” featurette, and “Within The Woods,” the short film that was the genesis of the original film, the report said.

The “Book Of The Dead” comes in limited edition, book-styled packaging with exclusive notes and conceptual art.

Pre- Order yours now!!

Crowe’s ‘Say Anything’ gets deluxe DVD

“Vanilla Sky” director Cameron Crowe — who recently pulled out the stops for a deluxe DVD edition of his movie “Almost Famous” — is about to give similar treatment to his early film “Say Anything.”

The incredible romantic comedy will get a new widescreen transfer and will include commentary from Crowe and co-stars John Cusack and Ione Skye. As well, the disc will include 10 deleted and extended scenes, a making-of featurette, trailers, and TV ads.

The disc arrives in stores March 5, 2002.

And on a related note, my laserdisc of the film is currently available for sale on eBay.