New to DVD this week is Sean Bean’s ‘North Country’. A fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States — Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines, where a woman who endured a range of abuse while working as a miner filed and won the landmark 1984 lawsuit. [more]

JAN. 6 LAS VEGAS—Early adopters will have plenty of high-definition discs on offer, such as Warner Home Video’s Batman Begins and Million Dollar Baby set for March 28 release and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on April 11, all in HD DVD. Most major studios once again announced plans to collectively release hundreds of titles in high-def this year, including simultaneous releases with DVD of their newest and biggest theatrical releases, such as Paramount Home Entertainment’s Mission: Impossible 3 on both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Though not officially announced, scenes from Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s new King Kong were being shown in HD DVD here at the CES show, and that title, also listed on Amazon.com as coming in HD DVD, is expected to be one of the earliest releases for that format. [More]

DVD critic Ken Miyamoto raves: “A wonderful special edition with A-List interviews, detailed history, and some fine extras as well! ….What surprised me most was that RINGERS was not just about the excellent Peter Jackson epic adaptations. This film covers everything from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and to the present. Everything you’d want to know about Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” is in this fine film!” [More]

CULVER CITY, Calif. (September 12, 2005) – This November 22, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) invites you to return to the Shire with the release of the feature-length documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, direct to DVD. In association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, Carlene Cordova produced, directed and wrote this award-winning film with executive producer Tom DeSanto (X-Men, X2: X-Men United and Transformers), which charts the incredible influence and ripple-effect that Lord of the Rings has had on worldwide pop culture over the past five decades. Whether you are a fan or first timer, critics agree, RINGERS, stands as the most comprehensive film documenting the ongoing impact of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary achievement. [Pre-Order ‘Ringers’]

Watch the trailer here!

SEATTLE, Washington (AFP) – Internet retailer Amazon.com reported record holiday sales, coaxed by hot demand for electronic consumer goods such as the Apple iPod music player…Among the highlights for the holiday period: DVD sales in the week ending December 12 set a one-week record. “Lord of the Rings, Return of the King Extended Edition” made a single-title, one-day record of 13,000 orders on December 14. [More]