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I have a really cheap DVD player that I was able to convert to "region free" by entering one of those 1-2-up-down-3-4 codes, which means this news is only slightly less awesome for me -- but it's freakin' GREAT news for anyone who loves Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz and has yet to experience the very first experiment from sirs Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Nick Frost. Now, in most cases I wouldn't cover TV shows (mainly because TV Squad does such a kick-ass job of covering TV shows), but seeing as how most of America "met" these guys through the movies, I figure it's news worth doing at Cinematical.

I'll keep it brief: The two-season Spaced set will be released on Region 1 DVD by BBC Video. Release date is July 22. (One certainly hopes that none of the music has been altered. Allegedly, "music rights" is the reason it took so long for Spaced to make its North American debut.) For those who have yet to experience the blissful magic of Spaced, here's a recap that makes it sound like a moronically conventional sitcom. (It's not.) "Two young 'grown-ups' pose as a married couple in order to rent a very attractive flat." (Yep, that's it.) Mr. Pegg's fantastic co-star is Ms. Jessica Stevenson (now Jessica Hynes), and the supporting cast features Julia Deakin, Mark Heap, Katy Carmichael, and (of course) Nick Frost -- all of whom you'll love after about six episodes.

It's been almost an hour since I received it, and I'm still not finished reading this monstrous Transformers DVD announcement. Damn. This sucker is going to be packed with stuff to watch -- robot porn, anyone? Anyone? Yes, I'm speaking about Michael Bay's live-action extravaganza -- and the multiple DVDs will arrive on shelves this October 16. I'm going to copy and paste the full specs for you after the jump, but I'll get the ball rolling by saying there's a lot more here than meets the eye. So here's what you're looking at: 1) A single disc featuring (I assume) the theatrical version of the film 2) A Special Edition two-disc set featuring stuff I'll get to in a minute, and 3) a Special Edition HD-DVD two-disc set featuring most of the stuff found in the other two-disc set, except with some added HD-DVD goodies.

Essentially, the two-disc sets will include tons of must-hear commentary from Michael Bay -- in which the director will most likely talk about how hot he is, how hot the movie is and how hot you are for watching his hot movie. Apart from that, viewers will also be able to check out a bunch of special features, including a chat with Steven Spielberg, lots of early concept art, the casting process, military training, and a piece on "the senior officials from the Department of Defense and Air Force who consulted on the film ..." Ya know, it's probably best to find out what our government would do in the event giant f**king robots actually did invade our planet. But that's just the tip of the iceberg -- we're looking at tons more special features, as well as (on the HD-DVD) pretty cool text-based behind-the-scenes background information that you can watch during the feature. Basically, if you're looking for something to do for three days, the Transformers DVD has got you covered. Check out the complete specs for all DVDs after the jump, and mark October 16 down on your calendar ... if you want to live. Oh wait, wrong robot movie. Carry on ...

With the summer season drawing to a close, movie-wise, I'm noticing a lot of DVD announcements for the flicks that actually kick-started the spectacle parade. Just yesterday we covered all the goodies that you'll find on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean 3 DVD, and today we get word (by way of a Sony press release over at SuperheroHype.com) on the Spider-Man 3 DVD specs. Needless to say, multiple options will be available to the consumer once October 30 rolls around.

As is usually the case these days, SM3 will be released in single-disc form as well as a dual-disc mega-set that house all sorts of spider-sized treats. One the solo-disc release you'll find a pair of audio commentaries (one with director Sam Raimi and actors Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace and Bryce Dallas Howard; the other with producers Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad and Grant Curtis; editor Bob Murawski; and FX supervisor Scott Stokdyk), as well as a blooper reel, some photo galleries and a Snow Patrol music video.

Opt for the 2-disc release and you'll get all of the above plus a second disc filled with featurettes called 1) Grains of Sand -- Building Sandman; 2) Re-Imagining the Goblin; 3) Covered in Black -- Creating Venom; 4) Hanging On ... Gwen Stacy and the Collapsing Floor; 5) Fighting, Flying & Driving -- The Stunts; 6) Tangled Web: The Love Triangles of Spider-Man 3; 7) Wall of Water; 8) On Location Cleveland -- The Chase on Euclid Avenue; 9) On Location New York -- From Rooftops to Backstreets; 10) The Science of Sound; and 11) Inside The Editing Room. Sony claims that the dual-disc release has over six hours of supplemental material -- but that includes the two 2-hour commentaries, now doesn't it?

Of course Sony won't be stopping there. In addition to the 1-disc and 2-disc "normal" DVD releases, you'll also be able to pick up the PSP version, a trilogy 3-pack, the Blu-Ray 2-discer OR the Blu-Ray trilogy set. This DVD news would make me a whole lot happier if I didn't think Spider-Man 3 was a pretty big disappointment -- but maybe a second visit will help me warm up to the flick a little more. Obviously I can't NOT buy the DVD ... my trilogy needs to be complete!