12/18/07 Edition -- The New AISLE
SEAT BLOGIs Now Live & Relaunched!
Holiday Buyer's Guide From HALLOWEEN to THE SIMPSONS, Over 30 Titles Covered Plus: HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Round Up!
What
a year it’s been for DVD lovers. Special Editions of older
titles, and the slow rise of both high-definition formats (sure the
“war” is tough, but with prices as low as they’ve
plunged because of the competition, deals have been widespread since
Thanksgiving), have made this a terrific viewing year for movie buffs
-- even if DVD sales continue, in the big picture, to decline (perhaps
the sagging film industry with its continuously disappointing major
high-profile releases are partially, at least, to blame).
For our annual Aisle Seat Holiday Buyer’s Guide we’ve
rounded up all the latest DVDs, HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, from new
releases to re-issues of catalog titles in spiffier (or not) packaging.
We’ve also included a look at Disney’s latest
“Treasures” tins, a full rundown on recent TV on DVD
titles, and capped it off with a box-set for Red Sox fans everywhere.
Without further ado, here’s this year’s Holiday Gift Guide,
complete with the warmest wishes for a splendid Christmas and New Years
from yours truly. Ho ho ho!
New on HD-DVD
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Season One HD-DVD (13 Episodes, 2003-04; Universal):
Smart, exciting modern remake of the ‘70s sci-fi favorite
improves immeasurably upon its predecessor and hits HD-DVD in a fine,
if not quite flawless, new high-definition edition from Universal.
For those unfamiliar with the Sci-Fi Channel updating, the central
scenario remains the same (more or less) as Glen A. Larson’s
predecessor: in a distant galaxy, the long-dormant, robotic Cylons
revive to destroy all remnants of humanity, while the surviving humans
-- led by a reluctant President (Mary McDonnell) and the gruff
Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) -- try and navigate through the
universe to find Earth...if it actually exists.
Developed characters, intense dramatic situations that result from
genuine human emotion -- not just special effects -- and tremendous
performances have made “Battlestar Galactica” one of the
top series (and not just a genre series, either) on the air today.
“Next Generation” vet Ronald D. Moore spearheaded this
serious reworking of the old Universal series, which has managed to
reap solid ratings, unanimous critical acclaim and only a bit of
disdain from hard-core fans of the ‘70s version. For everyone
else “Battlestar Galactica” is television, basically, at
its best in the 21st century.
Universal’s HD-DVD box set offers VC-1 transfers and Dolby
Digital Plus soundtracks that, for many viewers accustomed to seeing
the series in regular-definition, ought to be quite satisfying. On the
other hand, the video isn’t flawless, with some artifacting
on-hand at times, grain and other issues that prevent the set from
appearing pristine. That said, it’s hard to tell if this is an
issue with the mastering, or simply a product of the show’s
budget and how it is shot.
In terms of content, the original, two-part pilot mini-series is
present, along with the 13 episodes from the first season. Commentaries
from the show’s creators are on-hand for the pilot and nine of
the hour-long episodes, while other extras include numerous
behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, storyboards and more.
Additional picture-in-picture content and web-enabled bonus features,
as well as an interactive guide to the characters and spacecraft, put
the icing on the cake. Overall, this is a must for all BG and HD-DVD
owners, in spite of its not-quite-powerhouse transfer.
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM: HD-DVD (***½, 116 mins., 2007, PG-13; Universal):
Matt Damon reprises Jason Bourne in this stirring, sensational third
entry in the Robert Ludlum spy series, one that wisely offers some
fresh twists on the formula established by its prior installments.
A marked improvement in particular on “The Bourne
Supremacy,” “Ultimatum” finds Damon chasing after his
identity at long last, with the government in hot pursuit and few
allegiances on his side. Director Paul Greengrass keeps the action
moving along at a rapid clip with stupendous set-pieces and a story
that’s more straightforward and satisfying than the previous
effort, with Damon as the ideal embodiment of Ludlum’s hero and
Julia Stiles finally getting more to do as this installment’s
female lead.
“The Bourne Ultimatum” is exciting, fast-paced and
enormously entertaining -- superior to the recent James Bonds (yes,
even “Casino Royale”), an ideal spy film and arguably last
summer’s finest movie on top of it.
Universal’s HD-DVD (a “combo disc” with the
standard-definition version on the platter’s flip side) includes
a dynamic VC-1 encoded 1080p transfer with a powerhouse Dolby TrueHD
audio track and a load of extras, including “U-Control”
picture-in-picture content, deleted scenes, featurettes, and commentary
from Paul Greengrass.
As satisfying an HD experience as any title released this year, “The Bourne Ultimatum” comes highly recommended!
STARDUST: HD-DVD (***, 127 mins., 2007, PG-13; Paramount):
Rollicking, offbeat fantasy epic from director Matthew Vaughn, who
adapted (along with co-writer Jane Goldman) Neil Gaiman and Charles
Vess’ novel. This comic, sweepingly romantic fantasy stars
Charlie Cox as a dashing hero who falls for a literal star (in the
physical form of lovely Claire Danes) battling a witch (Michelle
Pfeiffer) in a faraway land that also features Robert DeNiro as a
pirate (!) and assorted supporting roles filled by the likes of Ricky
Gervais, Rupert Everett and Peter O’Toole. A little long but
filled with enough imagination and visual splendor to make for an ideal
HD-DVD, where the transfer and Dolby Digital Plus sound are both
exceptional. Extras include a Making Of (in HD) plus deleted scenes, a
blooper reel, and the trailer (also in high-definition); the
standard-definition DVD includes the same extras along with a fine 16:9
(2.35) transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
THE HEARTBREAK KID: HD-DVD (**½, 114 mins., 2007, R; Dreamworks):
The Farrelly Brothers and Ben Stiller reworked the old Neil
Simon/Charles Grodin “Heartbreak Kid” for this box-office
disappointment, which was theatrically released just over two months
ago! Dreamworks’ HD-DVD and DVD releases are available next week
and present a solid presentation of this not-bad comedic re-do,
peppered with a few laughs as well as misfired jokes that feel like
leftovers from “There’s Something About Mary.” That
being said, Stiller and Michelle Monaghan are engaging, while co-star
Rob Cordry nails his role as Stiller’s married-to-the-bone
cohort. The HD-DVD edition sports a terrific 1080p transfer with TrueHD
sound, while both discs include commentary from the Farrellys, deleted
scenes, a gag reel and other featurettes, as well as the trailer (in
high definition on the HD-DVD side). Blu-Ray New Releases
LOST: Season 3 Blu-Ray [also on DVD] (2006-07, 991 mins., Buena Vista):
Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse got their groove back during
“Lost”’s third season -- one which may not have
brought back the millions of viewers who jumped ship during the
program’s turbulent second season, but nevertheless restored the
faith of those die-hard fans who remained, all of whom had reason to
wonder exactly where “Lost” was heading.
Season Three may not give us any more answers, but after a dismal
opening arc (which was separated from the rest of the broadcast season
by several months -- directly resulting in the show losing viewers it
may never regain), “Lost” settles back into the satisfying
mix of adventure, mystery, and psychological thriller that marked it as
one of television’s most inventive and entertaining series during
its first season. And yes, the producers even give us some answers as
to what’s really happening, even though they -- as always --
raise other questions as much as they provide some semblance of a
resolution.
It’s all enormously entertaining, even if the final episode seems
to head off in a direction you’d wish it wouldn’t go...but
at the same time, “Lost” has never been a series
that’s been overly predictable, and undoubtedly Lindelof and Cuse
will have more tricks up their sleeve when the series returns in
January (albeit for only seven or eight shows if the strike isn’t
settled).
Buena Vista’s DVD box-set of “Lost”’s third
season looks and sounds great, but it’s blown away by the Blu-Ray
edition, which offers a marvelous AVC-encoded 1080p transfer with
uncompressed PCM sound and numerous extras, including never-before-seen
flashbacks, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes,
commentaries, bloopers, and even a look at the show’s countless
literary references. The Blu Ray release also includes two exclusive
extras, including an interactive game that supposedly unlocks answers
to some of the show’s greatest mysteries (yeah, right!).
It’s a stellar package on every count, a must for “Lost” and Blu-Ray buffs. Highly, highly recommended!
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: Blu-Ray (111 mins., 2007, Disney):
The most-watched non-sporting event in cable TV history (and the second
most-viewed overall) comes to Blu-Ray in a vivacious HD transfer with
uncompressed PCM audio and extras its teenage audience ought to love
(including a “rehearsal cam,” sing-along karaoke, music
videos and bloopers). The standard DVD edition is also fine (though
it’s full-screen only), with both versions including a bonus
musical number re-cut into the film proper.
MASTERS OF HORROR, Season 1, Vol. 4: Blu-Ray (Anchor Bay):
Fourth Blu-Ray edition of the Showtime series includes Takashi
Miike’s “Imprint”; Joe Dante’s
“Homecoming”; John McNaughton’s
“Haeckel’s Tale”; and Mick Garris’
“Chocolate,” starring Henry Thomas and Matt Frewer. Extras
include commentaries on every episode along with excellent HD transfers
and PCM 5.1 audio tracks.
CAST AWAY: Blu-Ray (***, 144 mins., 2000, PG-13; Fox):
It's not the best movie of either director Robert Zemeckis or star Tom
Hanks, but in spite of an often contrived screenplay (with deadening
"civilization" sequences that open and close the picture), "Cast Away"
manages to work just well enough to fit the bill as a solid enough
entertainment and an excellent Blu Ray disc.
Hanks plays a FedEx manager (blatant commercial tie-in #1) whose plane
is ditched en route to Russia. Washed up on an isolated island, the
sole survivor braves the elements in a tropical paradise where his only
companion is a Wilson volleyball he names after the manufacturer
(blatant commercial tie-in #2).
Thanks to fine cinematography by Don Burgess and solid work from Hanks,
"Cast Away" works splendidly in its isolated-from-the-world sequences,
even if glaring plot deficiencies abound (there's no wildlife, birds,
or insects aside from conveniently placed fish that frolic near the
shores). Of course, while this section of the movie pales in comparison
to other "Robinson Crusoe"-like chronicles of survivors shipwrecked or
lost in the wilderness (the original "Blue Lagoon," "Walkabout," and
the first half of "The Black Stallion" come immediately to mind), the
drama and Hanks' performance offset the lack of freshness in the story.
What ultimately sinks "Cast Away" from being a great movie are the
bookending sequences involving Hanks and his fiance (Helen Hunt), which
never work since neither character is developed enough to garner any
kind of emotional resonance -- she's there as a plot device, and the
movie never dives into what makes Hanks tick aside from his being a
FedEx employee. The obvious message of our civilization being obsessed
with deadlines and work is hammered home time and time again in the
William Broyles, Jr. screenplay, but there's nothing else to pique our
interest or emotions aside from the basic plot of a man being marooned
on a desert isle.
In fact, once Alan Silvestri's modest score makes its first appearance
right near the end, "Cast Away" turns into a Discovery Channel-like
variation on "Forrest Gump," managing to be less heavy-handed but
equally cliched in its own way.
If a different script could have improved the film's open and close,
"Cast Away" could have been a classic. As it is, the picture is worth
viewing for Hanks's performance and the cinematography, even if some
shots that look "too good to be true" were almost certainly enhanced by
CGI effects --- so much for stressing man's own ability to
single-handedly triumph without the use of ever-present technology (and
a sad precursor to Zemeckis’ subsequent “all digital”
productions “The Polar Express” and “Beowulf”).
Fox’s Blu Ray disc includes an excellent AVC-encoded transfer
with 5.1 DTS-Master Audio and only a few extras ported over from the
prior DVD, including commentary, a trivia track, and the trailer in HD.
MR. & MRS. SMITH: Blu-Ray (**½, 2005, 120 mins., PG-13; Fox): Brad
Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s star power fuels this so-so action romp
from director Doug Liman (“Bourne Identity,”
“Swingers”), which grossed over $170 million and turned
into one of 2005's few bona-fide box-office hits. Pitt and Jolie play a
married couple unaware that their spouse is actually a professional
assassin, hired to take out a hit on a target (Adam Brody) both are
pursuing! Simon Kinberg’s script unfolds leisurely, allowing for
the palpable chemistry between Jolie and Pitt to take center stage.
Vince Vaughn pops up in an unbilled role as Pitt’s co-worker, and
John Powell’s score punches up the action. Still, “True
Lies” this isn’t, with the movie’s story being too
simplistic and straightforward to offer much entertainment outside of
its lead performances.
Fox’s
Blu Ray edition sports a fine AVC-encoded transfer with 5.1 DTS-MA
audio and a hodgepodge of extras from prior DVDs, including deleted
scenes, three different audio commentaries, trailers, and the Fox Movie
Channel “Making a Scene” featurette.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE: Blu-Ray (**½, 2007, 87 mins., PG-13; Fox):
Matt Groening’s animated clan made the leap to the big-screen
last summer with huge box-office results in tow -- a big surprise to
the pundits given how many years the Fox series has been on the air,
and also how stale the series itself has become in recent seasons. That
said, “Simpsons” fans will love this “epic”
tale of Homer and the clan trying to save the world, with Fox’s
Blu-Ray edition sporting a fine MPEG-2 encoded transfer with DTS-MA
audio, two commentaries, deleted scenes, trailers and other goodies.
Although the movie isn’t much more than a few episodes of the
show glued together (with music by Hans Zimmer and slightly better
animation), given how bad most of this year’s films have been,
perhaps it’s unsurprising how well the film performed
theatrically.
THE LEGEND OF ZORRO: Blu-Ray (***, 130 mins., 2005, PG-13, Sony):
OK, so this sequel to the 1998 hit has a bit too much story and not
enough dramatic momentum moving it forward -- it's as if the filmmakers
never found a compelling hook for a “Zorro” sequel, and the
movie was eventually made with as promising a plot as they could find.
That being said, director Martin Campbell's reunion with stars Antonio
Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones is still a rousing slice of
old-fashioned matinee fun, with Zorro out to stop a terrorist (the
wonderful Rufus Sewell) from causing havoc when California is about to
join the union. James Horner's spirited score and Phil Meheux's scope
cinematography provide a boost to the entertainment, which ought to
please fans of the original, provided you realize going in that this
sequel is inferior -- but still fun. Sony's Blu-Ray disc offers just an
outstanding AVC-encoded 1080p transfer with uncompressed PCM
audio, commentary from Campbell, deleted scenes (including an
abandoned sequel set-up prologue and epilogue), and several Making Of
featurettes. Hopefully the “Mask of Zorro” will follow
shortly from Sony on Blu-Ray as well. New on DVD
HALLOWEEN: 2-Disc Special Edition (**, 121 mins., 2007, Unrated; Dimension/Genius): Rob
Zombie’s graphic “reworking” of John
Carpenter’s seminal 1978 horror classic is a little better than
the franchise’s last few sequels, though that’s faint
praise given how low the series has fallen since the days of Donald
Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Zombie here tries to tap into the psychological, white-trash origins of
masked killer Michael Myers, who as a kid enjoyed torturing animals
before trying to slay his family. As you might expect, those
revelations aren’t especially shocking, the film not especially
scary, and the performances all just kind of bland (even Malcolm
McDowell’s Doc Loomis seems muted, lacking the unhinged vivacity
of Pleasance’s performance). Tyler Bates’ score reuses John
Carpenter’s classic theme but for the most part
“Halloween” 2007 shows how more is less, especially when
compared to the relative subtlety of the original.
Dimension’s two-disc Special Edition DVD includes commentary from
Zombie, an alternate ending, bloopers, cast auditions, the trailer,
deleted scenes, and several other featurettes, along with a top-notch
16:9 (2.35) transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.
THE LAST LEGION (**½, 2007, 102 mins., PG-13; Weinstein/Genius):
Old-fashioned action spectacle -- which tanked in theatrical release
late last summer -- offers Colin Firth as a general who tries to take
down invading enemies during the final days of the Roman empire, aided
by a wizard (Ben Kingsley), a daring female warrior (Aishwarya Rai),
and a certain sword named Excalibur. Director Doug Lefler handles this
international Dino DeLaurentiis production with moderate success, the
movie offering some occasional derring-do and a decent Patrick Doyle
score. Certainly it’s not the grand, sweeping epic DeLaurentiis
intended (and some of the dialogue is terrible), but for escapist fare
“The Last Legion” is watchable enough and not-bad for a
night’s rental. Genius’ DVD includes a fine 16:9 (2.35)
transfer with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, deleted scenes, commentary,
Making Of featurettes and the trailer.
UNDERDOG: DVD & Blu Ray (**½, 82 mins., 2007, PG; Disney): Cute,
forgettable Disney live-action adaptation of the ‘60s cartoon
hero here stars a CGI-enhanced canine who takes to the skies after
being doused with a mad scientist’s secret potion. Jason Lee
provides the voice of “Underdog” in this moderately
entertaining film for kids, which Disney brings to both DVD and Blu Ray
this week with a few special features, including bloopers, deleted
scenes, a Making Of featurette, Dolby Digital sound and 2.35 (16:9)
widescreen transfers (the DVD also includes a full-screen version).
RUSH HOUR 3: DVD & Blu Ray (**, 90 mins., 2007, PG-13):
Mediocre third installment in the Chris Tucker-Jackie Chan series
treads water with a bland, uninteresting script that finds our unlikely
duo tracking a Chinese criminal in Paris. A few good set-pieces and a
couple of chuckles are barely enough to sustain the film’s 90
minutes, which still generated a surprising amount of box-office
interest last August. New Line’s DVD and Blu Ray sets offer 2.35
transfers, commentary from director Brett Ratner, the trailer, deleted
scenes and outtakes, a Making Of and production diary. New Special Editions, Re-Issues & More
BRAVEHEART: 2-Disc Collector’s Edition (****, 1995, 177 mins., R; Paramount):
Long-overdue Special Edition of Mel Gibson’s stirring 1995 Oscar
winner offers several excellent new supplements and a fresh transfer.
Billed as a “digitally remastered” edition,
Paramount’s 16:9 (2.35) effort here may not substitute for a
HD-DVD version (which hopefully will follow in 2008), but still is an
appreciable enough upgrade on the prior, single-disc DVD offering
(thanks to a higher bit-rate). The 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack is
potent and the set is graced with a number of new extras, as well as
Mel Gibson’s commentary, which has been carried over from the
prior release.
“Albu gu Brath! The Making of Braveheart’” is the
set’s highlight, a 50-minute documentary sporting a new Gibson
interview and overview of the production, mixing archival footage with
fresh comments from the filmmaker, who rightly praises James
Horner’s score in its closing moments. “A Writer’s
Journey” profiles scribe Randall Wallace’s efforts in a
20-minute profile; “Tales of William Wallace” is a
half-hour examination of the real Wallace; a handful of archival
interviews are on-hand with numerous cast and crew members, while a
photo montage and two trailers round out the package.
Strongly recommended for all “Braveheart” admirers, though
HD-DVD owners may want to pass for now in lieu of a possible
high-definition release in the new year.
NATIONAL TREASURE: 2-Disc Collector’s Edition (***, 131 mins., 2004, PG; Disney):
Two-disc “National Treasure” DVD (timed to coincide with
the theatrical debut of the sequel opening Friday) offers some new
extras along with a good-looking action-adventure yarn that provides
solid escapism for viewers of all ages. Making their DVD debut here are
additional deleted scenes with comments from director Jon Turteltaub
and four new featurettes, joining most of the previous DVD’s
supplements which have been reprieved here (including an alternate
ending, other deleted scenes and featurettes). The 16:9 (2.35) transfer
and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound are both superb. CINDERELLA II: Dreams Come True (73 mins., 2002, G; Disney): Re-issue
of one of the more harmless Disney direct-to-vid efforts,
“Cinderella II” is back in circulation this week on DVD. A
short, surprisingly well-drawn small-screen follow-up, “Dreams
Come True” presents several self-contained stories focusing on
the adventures of Cinderella, her villainous step-sisters, and the
lovable mice immediately following the "Happily Ever After" conclusion
of its predecessor. Disney’s “new” DVD package
doesn’t offer a whole lot of new and/or improved content outside
of a bonus interactive game, making it recommended only for family
audiences who missed the prior DVD.
ROCKY: THE COMPLETE SAGA (1976-2007; MGM/Fox): Yet
another “Rocky” box-set from MGM, offering the complete
series from “Rocky” I-V plus last year’s triumphant
“Rocky Balboa.” Sadly there’s nothing new here for
fans, with the original “Rocky” being presented in a
Non-Special Edition, single-disc offering (there’s an outstanding
two-disc SE still available) and the first five installments offering
no extras except trailers. Sigh.
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (**, 87 mins., 1964; MGM/Fox):
So-so adaptation of Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend”
starring Vincent Price returns to DVD, conveniently repackaged to
tie-in with the release of the new Will Smith rendition. Anyone who
picked up the title in MGM’s Midnite Movies Double Feature will
have no reason to invest in this version, as it sports the same 2.35
transfer, mono sound, and interview with Matheson from its prior DVD
release.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (**½, 1977, 163 mins., PG; MGM/Fox):
Double-disc set of Martin Scorsese’s occasionally brilliant,
mostly-overlong musical with Liza Minnelli and Robert DeNiro offers a
fine 16:9 (2.35) transfer, 5.1 Dolby Digital audio, and a plethora of
extras both familiar (deleted scenes, commentary, photo gallery) and
new (interviews with Minnelli and a fresh two-part documentary). TV on DVD: New Releases
ADVENTURES OF YOUNG INDIANA JONES, Vol. 2: The War Years (Paramount):
Paramount didn’t wait long to release this second anthology of
episodes from the expensive, though only moderately-seen, Lucasfilm
television series following a young Indy (Sean Patrick Flannery)
through a series of adventures spanning the globe.
This second DVD box-set offers the middle-third of re-edited episodes
from the series, including “Trenches Of Hell” (Somme 1916,
Germany 1916), “Demons of Deception” (Verdun 1916, Paris
1916), “Phantom Train Of Doom” (Africa 1916),
“Oganga, The Giver And Taker Of Life” (German East Africa
1916, Congo 1917), “Attack Of The Hawkmen” (France
1917), “Adventures In The Secret Service” (Austria 1917,
Petrograd 1917), “Espionage Escapades” (Barcelona 1917,
Prague 1917), and “Daredevils Of The Desert” (Palestine
1917).
As with the prior DVD, Paramount and Lucasfilm have crammed a series of
lengthy, individual documentaries onto each episode’s
corresponding platter, lending enormous historical insight into the
background settings of each program. Visually, the full-screen
transfers and Dolby Digital soundtracks are excellent across the board,
making this another highly recommended purchase for all “Young
Indy” fans.
THE MOD SQUAD, Season 1, Vol. 1 (1968-69, 12 hours, Paramount):
Groovy ‘60s crime drama with Peggy Lipton, Clarence Williams III
and Michael Cole as hippies-turned-undercover cops finally hits DVD in
a superb package from Paramount. Though the DVD set only offers the
first-half of “The Mod Squad”’s first-season, the
transfers appear to be in good condition and extras include a trio of
featurettes looking back at the production. Recommended, man!
RAWHIDE: Season 2, Vol. 2 (1960, 14 hours, Paramount):
Back-end of “Rawhide”’s second season hits DVD in a
four-disc set preserving the series’ later 16 episodes in
remastered black-and-white transfers with mono sound. FRASIER: Season 10 (2002-03, 9 hours, Paramount): Four-disc set features the tenth season of the long-running NBC comedy in full-screen transfers and Dolby Stereo sound.
ROB & BIG: Complete Seasons 1 & 2 (2006-07, 320 mins., Paramount):
Street Skater Rob Dyrdek and cohort (and bodyguard) Christopher
“Big Black” Boykin star in this nutty MTV series from the
creators of “Jackass.” Paramount’s DVD box set
includes all 16 episodes from the series’ first two seasons in
full-screen transfers with ample extras on-hand for fans. (Available
Jan. 8th)
THE TUDORS: Season 1 (2007, 9 hrs., Paramount):
Inaccurate but entertaining enough portrayal of a young King Henry VIII
makes for a soapy, stylish Showtime series. Paramount’s DVD set
preserves the “Tudors”’ first season on DVD in superb
16:9 (1.85) transfers with 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, featurettes and
more. (Available Jan. 1st)
JACKASS 2.5 (2007, 64 mins., NR, Paramount):
Mini-feature from Johnny Knoxville and his fellow “Jackass”
buddies offers more manic stunts and laughs in footage primarily left
over from “Jackass 2.” Bonus features include a Making Of
featurette, bonus segments, a 16:9 (1.85) transfer and 2.0 Stereo
sound. (Available Dec. 26th)
DIRT: Season 1 (2007, 607 mins., Touchstone):
Courtney Cox stars as the editor-in-chief of a Hollywood gossip
publication in this so-so F/X original series, which garnered okay
ratings and mostly apathetic reviews last summer. Touchstone’s
DVD box-set preserves the cable series’ first season in 16:9
(1.78) transfers with 5.1 Dolby Digital audio, deleted scenes,
outtakes, and several featurettes that take fans behind the scenes.
THE WIRE: Season 4 (2007, 800 mins., HBO):
Highly acclaimed HBO original series about life in the tough inner-city
streets of Baltimore returns to DVD in a new box-set sporting its
complete fourth season in fine 1.78 (16:9) transfers with 5.1 audio,
six audio commentaries featuring creator David Simon and cast and crew
members, plus a two-part, hour-long documentary. Disney Treasures, SNL & The Red Sox
If you’re looking for something a little more unique for your
DVD-loving gift recipient this season, Disney has issued three more of
their wonderful DISNEY TREASURES limited-edition tins.
THE ADVENTURES OF OSWALD, THE LUCKY RABBIT
is the most interesting of the batch, compiling the adventures of
Disney’s pre-Mickey animated hero (brought to life by legendary
animator Ub Iwerks) in shorts produced between 1926 and ‘28.
Historians including Leonard Maltin and Jerry Beck are on-hand to lend
their thoughts during several of these shorts, while Robert Israel
offers new musical scores that accompany the segments. Bonus features
include interviews and documentaries recounting Oswald’s legacy
and his return to the Disney canon.
THE CHRONOLOGICAL DONALD, VOLUME 3,
meanwhile, features 31 more shorts starring Disney’s favorite
duck, all produced between 1947 and 1950. Extras include a
retrospective on Donald with comments from his current vocal alter-ego,
animator Tony Anselmo, as well as an “easter egg hunt” for
variations of the Donald gag found at the end of the Mickey Mouse
Club’s opening credits.
Last but not least is DISNEYLAND: SECRETS, STORIES AND MAGIC,
offering vintage specials and footage of the first Disney park leading
up to its opening and early years. Among the highlights: a vintage
Cinemascope tour of the park (with a remastered 5.1 audio track as well
as an isolated track of Oliver Wallace’s score), three
“Disneyland” TV specials (“Golden Horseshoe
Revue,” “Disneyland Goes to the Worlds Fair,” and
“Disneyland Around the Seasons”), plus a new documentary
including more archival materials and interviews. For Disney park
aficionados this two-disc set is a must-have, packed with trivia and
priceless footage.
As
with the previous “Disney Treasures” releases, each of
these limited-edition tins have a set amount of copies being pressed
(50,000 on “Donald” and “Disneyland,” and
120,000 on “Oswald”).
Universal has also issued the Complete Second Season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1976-77, aprx. 25 hours)
in a marvelous eight-disc DVD package offering the complete, unedited
contents of its sophomore year, from its host segments to various
musical performances.
The incredible, varied array of celebrity hosts during this second year
include Lily Tomlin, Norman Lear, Eric Idle, Karen Black, Steve Martin,
Buck Henry, Dick Cavett, Paul Simon, Jodie Foster, Candice Bergen,
Ralph Nader, Ruth Gordon, Fran Tarkenton, Steve Martin (again!), Sissy
Spacek, Broderick Crawford, Jack Burns, Julian Bond, Elliott Gould,
Eric Idle (a second time), Shelley Duvall, and Buck Henry. Musical
performances are likewise as eclectic, including Joe Cocker, the Band,
Brian Wilson, Chuck Berry, The Kinks, Santana and others.
As if seeing these nostalgic time capsules in their entirety
wasn’t enough, Universal has also included the extremely-rare SNL
Mardi Grais prime-time special (which has never been re-run in its
entirety since its original Sunday night airing back in ‘77),
dress rehearsal audio, Andy Kaufman’s screen test, and a
collector’s photo book.
Finally, last on the docket this week is A&E’s eight-disc BOSTON RED SOX: 2007 WORLD SERIES COLLECTOR’S EDITION,
a superlative package that preserves the Sox’ second World Series
win in four seasons with complete Fox broadcasts of Games 5, 6 and 7
from the American League Championship Series (the Sox’ comeback
win over the Cleveland Indians) and the complete, four-game World
Series sweep of the Colorado Rockies. Fans have carped that the set
should've included Games 1-4 from the ALCS, at the least, if not the
Division Series as well, but just going on the merits of what's
included, this is still an essential purchase for Sox fans.
A&E did an excellent job here by mastering the transfers from the
16:9 HDTV broadcasts, making for a superb visual package, while fans
can select between Fox audio and the actual WEEI radio broadcasts on
the four World Series games. Ample extras are also on-hand, including
all the post-game coverage you’d want, highlights from earlier
playoff games with the Indians and Anaheim Angels (including Manny
Ramirez’s memorable Game 2 walk-off homer against the latter),
and regular-season highlights as well. Whether it’s Clay
Buchholz’s no-hitter or David Ortiz’s walk-off home run
over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from late in the season, A&E has
assembled the majority of the year’s most memorable highlights in
a convenient set complimented by stats on each of the games and other
goodies in the individual game packaging.
Obviously if you are a Yankee or Rockie or Indian or Angel fan,
you’ll have no interest in this set, but for all of Red Sox
Nation (of which I’m a non-card carrying member), you’ve
got another superb DVD box-set to place on the mantle -- one that will
warm your heart long into the long, cold months of winter. Batter up! NEXT
TIME: BLADE RUNNER at last as we close out 2007! Until
then, don't
forget
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