Better Tomorrow DVD by M.I.A. in UK

A Better Tomorrow DVD was released in UK by M.I.A., the same company released it on VHS and DVD looks the same. No extras other than theatrical trailer. Collector's box VHS did include short (10 min 40 s.) with John Woo and Ti Lung interviews, nothing amazing but it could have been added in DVD. Soundtrack is original Cantonese mono which is good, Dolby Digital 5.1 remix on Mega Star HK version is not so good I could say. I've heard that Japanese disc has original Cantonese mono soundtrack as well and it should be anamorphic widescreen as well. If so it seems to be the best version available especially if it still has English subtitles. Of course it is not too cheap. 

M.I.A. is planning to release some other Hong Kong films on DVD. Schedule includes Return of the God of Gambles, Return to a Better Tomorrow, Evil Instinct, Young and Dangerous and Project S. 

TECHNICAL INFO
Sound: Cantonese Dolby Digital 3.0 mono
Subtitles: English (non removable)
Chapters: 17 
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 non anamorphic 
Case: Keep Case 
Format: Single side / Single layer
Extras: Theatrical Trailer
Region code: none (cover says region 2 but disc has no region code)
PAL color system
Price: £19,99

Once a Thief TV series in Finland Channel 4?

TV show based on John Woo's Hong Kong movie Once a Thief (1991) now comes to Finland. The same Channel has showed original Once a Thief movie twice but TV pilot of this show has been available on video only. John Woo directed pilot episode for the show in 1996 and worked behind scenes as producer for the series itself. Show has been rated 16 and first episode airs Monday November 8th 23.20 (11:20 PM) GTM+2.

Once a Thief episode 1   Monday 8.11.1999 - 23.20

Tom Cruise's Impossible Stunt 

Tom Cruise is known as a demanding producer, but did he really expect the star of his mega-budget Mission: Impossible sequel to do his own stunts? Well, yes, when that star is Tom himself.

The actor, who so famously felt the need for speed in Top Gun, apparently felt the need for ultra-realism by electing to perform his own cliffhanging — on a sheer rock face 1,500 feet above the ground.

On location in Utah, filming Mission: Impossible 2's nail-biting opening sequence, Cruise ignored pleas by Paramount execs to scrap the opener entirely, or to use a stunt double for the harrowing scene, reports the New York Daily News.

We imagine there was a collective gasp as Cruise slipped — but only once. Cruise's spokeswoman Pat Kingsley, who was one of the (probably queasy) onlookers, says, "He lost his footing and was hanging by his hands."

Thank goodness Cruise was tethered to an emergency wire. But Kingsley says director John Woo couldn't help but ask, "Is Tom OK?"

At least the Hong Kong auteur is concerned for his leading man's well being. Reports had the two clashing over the spiraling budget and schedule delays of the pic.

Kingsley tells the News that after the irreplaceable star had completed the risky action scene, "everybody [at Paramount] is happy with the footage."

Paramount execs can't confirm that the film is behind schedule by 43 days, as the News supposes, or that its original budget has leapfrogged from $80 million to $100 million. One Paramount exec tells the News, "It's maybe just squeaking into the 90s."

The same can't be said for the film's release date. Once scheduled for the late '90s, Christmas 1999 to be exact, it's now been bumped until May 2000.

Warning! Spoilers!

The details of the sequel have been a well-kept secret, but November's Premiere reveals that the impossible mission for Cruise, Ving Rhames, and Anthony Hopkins (taking over for oops-he's-evil Jon Voight) is to stop a lethal virus from destroying the world.

Cruise sends teammate, and lover, Thandie Newton to seduce turncoat agent Dougray Scott into giving up the world-saving info they need.