The Aisle Seat by Andre Dursin

6/26/12 Edition

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Aisle Seat Summer Spectacular
WRATH OF THE TITANS, THE ARTIST Lead Big June Releases
Plus: 21 JUMP STREET, THE FACULTY, DVDs and More

Dino DeLaurentiis produced a pair of psychedelic comic adaptations in 1968: Mario Bava’s “Danger: Diabolik” and the high-flying BARBARELLA (***, 98 mins., PG), which arrives on Blu-Ray next week in a marvelous high-definition transfer courtesy of Paramount.

Writer Terry Southern and director Roger Vadim were placed in charge of bringing Jean Claude Forest’s French sci-fi strip to the big-screen, and did so by tailoring the project around star Jane Fonda, then Vadim’s wife and who fits quite snugly into a bevy of tight-fighting costumes as the title character. Here, Fonda’s Barbarella is an Earth astronaut sent to the far reaches of the galaxy in order to track down missing scientist Durand Durand (Milo O’Shea), whose Positronic Ray threatens the welfare of the universe by virtue of its sheer power. En route, Barbarella encounters a blind angel who has lost the ability to fly (John Phillip Law); engages in futuristic intercourse with David Hemmings’ Dildano; butts heads with the “Great Tyrant of Sogo” (Anita Pallenberg); and becomes the subject of the “Excessive Machine,” an organ that generates feelings of arousal instead of music.

“Barbarella” is very much of the era, no question, with its individual highlights being more satisfying than the sum of those parts. Barbarella’s memorable opening striptease sets the tone for an intentionally silly, campy romp that features one of Fonda’s more disarming performances and appropriately “out there” visuals and sets, credited to Mario Garbuglia but reportedly supervised by comic-strip creator Forest himself. Shot on Italian soundstages, the film has a unique artistic design, punctuated by stylish production design and outlandish costumes, and Claude Renoir’s attractive widescreen lensing gives you plenty to look at throughout. The music is also a huge plus: Charles Fox and Bob Crewe’s infectious ‘60s pop scoring functions in much the same way that Burt Bacharach’s classic “Casino Royale” did a year prior, with laid-back, groovy melodies and colorful orchestral underscore working in concert with each other. The end title track, “An Angel is Love,” is one of my personal favorites, a vocal performed by Crewe and “The Glitterhouse” that splendidly caps the entire picture – not a classic, but still an entertaining romp for sci-fi/fantasy and comic-book aficionados, similar to how DeLaurentiis’ big-budget “Flash Gordon” entertained audiences over a decade later.

Paramount’s Blu-Ray of “Barbarella” streets on July 3rd and looks just about perfect. Fine details, colors and contrasts abound in an AVC encoded 1080p presentation untouched by any obvious use of DNR. “Barbarella”’s visuals are a huge component to its appeal and Paramount has done the picture justice with a wonderful transfer here. On the audio side, the DTS MA mono sound is decent – though a 5.1 remix would’ve been welcome – while the original, three-minute trailer (in HD) is also included, along with an attractively designed slipcover with fold-out artwork from its original promotional campaign.

Also New on Blu-Ray

THE ARTIST Blu-Ray (***½, 100 mins., 2011, PG-13; Sony): This year’s reigning Best Picture Oscar winner, “The Artist” is an emotional, lovingly crafted paean to Hollywood’s silent and early talkie era, beautifully performed and entertaining despite a somewhat hollow story line.

Jean Dujardin is marvelous in his Oscar winning turn as George Valentin, a Hollywood silent movie star about to see his box-office fortunes fade as the industry veers into the era of talking pictures. George’s fall is contrasted with the improbable rise to stardom of Peppy Miller (the lovely Berenice Bejo), who accidentally bumps into George and lands on the front pages of the trades – launching a career that sees her quickly spring into the limelight. But while Peppy’s movies generate tickets, George’s life free falls, with the former star losing nearly everything except the companionship of his faithful Jack Russell terrier.

Michel Hazanavicius’ film pays tribute to the heyday of Hollywood in the ‘20s and ‘30s, all of it framed in 1.33 B&W and lusciously scored by Ludovic Bource (sans a controversial quote from Bernard Herrmann’s “Vertigo” that still remains in this Blu-Ray edition, despite reports it was going to be replaced for the home video version). Dujardin’s mannerisms and physical performance are just remarkable, helping to carry a film that relies heavily on the expressions of its cast to relay its rags-to-riches/riches-to-rags story (there are few title cards present in the film). The luminous Bejo is terrific too, while supporting turns from veteran character actors (John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller and Malcolm McDowell among them) lend some American domestic appeal to the the French-made picture.

If there’s a quibble I have with “The Artist,” it’s that the film takes a bit too much time getting to where we all know it’s heading – and tends to languish in George’s despair and darkness during the final third (something not uncommon with French films) before doing an about-face in a bouncy finale.

Sony’s Blu-Ray of “The Artist” is framed in 1.33 and boasts a nicely detailed, though at times inconsistent looking, AVC encoded 1080p transfer; some sections of the film appear completely smooth and digital in nature, while others appear to have some intentionally-added grain. The DTS MA audio is fine, and extras include a blooper reel, Q&A with the cast, an Ultraviolet copy, and a number of other behind-the-scenes featurettes, in which the American actors seem a bit surprised by how well the film turned out (co-star Missi Pyle even refers to Dujardin and Bejo as “the French leads,” not by name!).

WRATH OF THE TITANS Blu-Ray 3D/Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultraviolet (**½, 99 mins., 2012, PG-13; Warner): Watchable if humdrum sequel to the 2010 remake of “Clash of the Titans” brings back Sam Worthington as Perseus, once again living in his small fishing village with his young son when Zeus (Liam Neeson) comes calling. Unsurprisingly, Zeus demands Perseus’ help once again when Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Aries strike a deal with the nefarious Kronos to unleash the rest of the Titans and rule human kind. Setting out with a party that includes Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike, replacing Alexa Davalos), Perseus treks across ancient Greece in order to defeat another army of giants, monsters and similar CGI creatures.

Director Jonathan Liebesman (“Battle: Los Angeles”) replaced Louis Leterrier for “Wrath of the Titans,” a formulaic sequel that oddly jettisons the intention of its predecessor’s reshot ending (which brought Gemma Arterton’s heroine Io back from the grave, only to have her character be deceased from this sequel’s opening frame!). The film also lacks Laterrier’s set-pieces – not to mention its 2.35 widescreen dimensions – but still functions adequately enough as an effects-filled fantasy for genre fans and younger viewers. Worthington seems more relaxed here and the 3-D – though once again converted in post-production – is much more effective than “Clash,” boasting little ghosting and an overall natural appearance.

Warner’s combo pack includes a satisfying 3-D Blu-Ray presentation of the film plus a copy of the standard Blu-Ray, DVD and Ultraviolet copy. Extra features are highlighted again by a “Maximum Movie Mode” with behind the scenes featurettes plus storyboards and over 10 minutes of deleted scenes also offered on the regular BD disc. A lenticular 3-D cover also graces the 3-D combo pack.

21 JUMP STREET Blu-Ray (***, 109 mins., 2012, R; Sony): Unusual hybrid of straight ahead buddy-action pic and outright spoof riffs on the premise of Stephen J. Cannell’s popular ‘80s Fox series with an undeniably appealing pair of protagonists in Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

Hill (who also produced and co-wrote the film) and Tatum play a pair of reckless young cops who find themselves assigned to a special undercover unit overseen by Ice Cube – one that sends them back as students to a southern California high school where a popular new drug is making its way around the student body. Typical shenanigans ensue, but directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (of the “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” animated feature) have fashioned something inspired here – a movie with its share of laugh-out loud moments, but one that seems to function in its own universe, referencing the original series (with cameos from a number of familiar faces), but still playing seriously enough so you care about the characters – at least to a degree. Though the film is ultimately more successful as a comedy than an action film, the new “21 Jump Street” deserves credit for not being strictly a put-down of its source material, and ought to earn more fans on video following a successful box-office run (grossing over $130 million domestic).

Sony’s Blu-Ray boasts a clear, vibrant 1080p transfer, DTS MA soundtrack, and loads of extras, including 20 deleted scenes, commentary, a gag reel, featurettes, and an Ultraviolet streaming copy.

PROJECT X Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultraviolet (**½, 88/94 mins., 2012, R; Warner): Yet another “found footage” film, this teen comedy – not to be confused with either the ‘60s George Pal sci-fi film or the ‘80s Matthew Broderick monkey thriller – generated decent revenue at the box-office this spring.

“Project X” follows three teens – outsiders, of course, in their high school – as they attempt to pull off a massive party while birthday boy Thomas (Thomas Mann)’s parents are out of town. Matt Drake and Michael Bacall’s screenplay takes its time developing the situation, but when all hell breaks loose, Nima Nourizadeh’s film really takes flight as the not-quite-intimate gathering becomes a full-blown neighborhood event, spiraling out of control as dozens of teens get high, drunk, take off their clothes and pull off a few stunts that the “Jackass” cast would be proud of.

Although none of the principal characters is particularly appealing, “Project X” delivers the goods in its agreeably outlandish final half-hour. Though obviously R-rated with plenty of drug use and profanity, I also give the filmmakers some credit for not scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of bodily-fluid jokes and sexual content – the picture is instead content to serve up wanton destruction and a flamethrower-wielding drug pusher who literally torches the teens’ neighborhood in a climax that’s, well, at least something you haven’t seen before.

Warner’s Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultraviolet combo pack includes both the film’s theatrical version as well as an Extended cut (both R rated) in 1080p AVC encoded transfers and DTS MA soundtracks. Extras include three brief featurettes, “Project X: Declassified,” “Pasadena Three” and “Project Xpensive: Tallying Up the Damages,” plus a DVD and Ultraviolet digital copy.

A THOUSAND WORDS Blu-Ray (*½, 91 mins., 2012, PG-13; Paramount): Tepid Eddie Murphy comedy – yet another box-office flop for the star – finds Murphy as Jack McCall, an obnoxious literary agent whose unlikely encounter with a spiritual guru lands him with just 1000 words left to speak before his life is over. The fact that this misfire from writer Steve Koren (one of the authors of Adam Sandler’s godawful “Jack and Jill”) sat on the shelf since 2009 is all the evidence you need – beyond its ridiculous premise – to know that “A Thousand Words” is another Murphy bomb unworthy of your time. Paramount’s Blu-Ray includes a 1080p transfer and DTS MA soundtrack, and nada in the way of extras (did you expect that someone would WANT to talk about this film?).

AN AMERICAN GIRL: McKENNA SHOOTS FOR THE STARS Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy (94 mins., 2012; Universal): The latest feature film offering from the uber-popular American Girl label, “McKenna” is a contemporary tale focusing on an aspiring gymnast (Jade Pettyjohn) who finds herself struggling in school and sidelined with an injury. Her attempts to get back on track physically and also straighten out her school life – while trying to juggle assorted friendships – is the centerpiece of this feel-good, inspirational tale based on Mary Casanova’s “McKenna” stories and written for the screen by Jessica O’Toole and Amy Rardin. Nia Vardalos, Ian Ziering and Olympian Cathy Rigby all co-star in a light, well-meaning entertainment for young viewers, timed no doubt to coincide with the London Olympics coming up in just a few weeks. Universal’s Blu-Ray also includes a DVD and digital copy, plus a 1080p transfer, DTS MA soundtrack and Ultraviolet streaming copy.

Echo Bridge New Releases

A handful of Blu-Ray catalog titles from the Buena Vista vaults highlights Echo Bridge’s slate of upcoming July discs. Here’s a rundown:

THE FACULTY Blu-Ray (**½, 105 mins., 1999, R; Echo Bridge): Director Robert Rodriguez (coming off “Desperado”) and “Dawson’s Creek” writer Kevin Williamson's much-awaited collaboration is a hodgepodge of sci-fi/horror cliches from celebrated genre films like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and “The Thing,” mixed with the teen angst drama of John Hughes' “Breakfast Club.” Yet, as an individual piece, “The Faculty” feels a bit shallow, more than it ought to be, in its depiction of an alien plague that possesses the teachers of a small-town high school (shades of “Invaders From Mars” and “The Puppet Masters”) and the group of kids from various cliques (Hughes territory) who join together to stop the evil foe.

Despite the movie's sometimes uneven pacing and tendency to gravitate towards juvenile humor (frequently drug-oriented), there's still a lot to like in the movie – Rodriguez's derivative but effective climax for one, and a frequently on-target sense of humor for another. The relationship between some of the kids (including Elijah Wood, Jordana Brewster, Josh Hartnett and Usher [Raymond]) could have been further elaborated upon, but at least “The Faculty” scores a few points for actually trying to develop its protagonists, and the casting of the teachers (even if they're under-utilized) is excellent – a pre-“Daily Show” Jon Stewart, Bebe Neuwirth, Famke Jenssen, Piper Laurie and Robert Patrick among them. If the movie feels overly predictable, that's because it is, and while Williamson's script – working from an original story by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel – lacks the satirical or insightful perpsective he brought to the “Scream” films, “The Faculty” still nets a passing grade for genre fans.

Echo Bridge’s Blu-Ray also satisfies as well: the DTS MA 5.1 audio is strong and the 1080p transfer, while showing a bit of edge-enhancement, boasts fair detail and no excessive use of DNR. No extras are included.

IMPOSTOR Blu-Ray (*½, 95 mins., 2002, PG-13; Echo Bridge): Gary Sinise plays a scientist on a future Earth attacked by an invading army from Alpha Centuri. One day while heading into work, Sinise is captured and interrogated by a government inquisitor (Vincent D'Onofrio) who suspects that Sinise is really an Alpha Centurian spy with an implanted bomb intended to kill Earth Chancellor Lindsay Crouse.

“Impostor” was the second 2002 film adapted from a story by Philip K. Dick ("Blade Runner," "Total Recall"), but it couldn't be any more different than Steven Spielberg's superior “Minority Report.” Writer-director Gary Fleder’s film is a simplistic chase picture with few surprises, offering scant character development or anything interesting in the way of big plot revelations (aside from the movie's pre-requisite "twist" ending). D'Onofrio's bombastic, scenery-chewing performance as the heavy is the best thing about the picture, which boasts solid production values and a strong cast (Madeleine Stowe is Sinise's wife; Tony Shalhoub plays his scientist friend), but throws an interesting premise away through a pedestrian treatment of the material.

In fact, if the film feels padded, that's because it is. Like several Miramax films made during the era, “Impostor”’s unusual behind-the-scenes history is far more interesting than the finished product. In the late ‘90s, Miramax started production on a sci-fi anthology picture entitled "Alien Love Triangle." The film was comprised of a segment of the same name (starring Kenneth Branagh, Heather Graham and Courtney Cox, and directed by Danny Boyle), what eventually became Guillermo Del Toro’s “Mimic,” and "Impostor" with Gary Sinise and Madeline Stowe.

Obviously, "Alien Love Triangle" itself was never released (the Branagh segment remains unavailable on video after having been screened at a film festival several years ago). However, studio executives liked what they saw of the "Impostor" segment so much that they decided to expand the movie into a full-length feature, upping the budget and adding more elaborate visual effects (by Industrial Light & Magic) to enhance the presentation. The story was also expanded to accommodate additional supporting players (namely, Mekhi Phifer as an unlikely ally to Sinise), with lots and lots of padding (i.e. chase sequences) extending the film's running time.

Reuniting the same cast and crew, “Impostor” -- the feature film -- was supposed to be Dimension's big Christmas release in 2001, but something went astray along the way. After numerous delays, the film was dumped into theaters with hardly any fanfare in February 2002, where it received poor reviews and exited from multiplexes in a matter of days.

I didn't see the film theatrically, but Echo Bridge’s Blu-Ray includes the 95-minute theatrical version of “Impostor” (an R-rated 102-minute cut surfaced on DVD back in the day) in a so-so 1080p transfer with DTS MA audio. The original, 37-minute version of the film is also included (in standard def), and it eliminates an hour's worth of Sinise running around, trying to elude the bad guys. Watching it after seeing the released film confirms just how superfluous most of the action in Gary Fleder's feature version is.

While an intriguing project due to the cast and premise, “Impostor” should have either remained as a short film, or re-written entirely instead of the patchwork pad job performed on the original script (credited to Caroline Case, Ehren Kruger, and David Twohy, with an "adaptation" credit to Scott Rosenberg). Echo Bridge’s Blu-Ray transfer isn’t as impressive as “The Faculty,” just serviceably capturing the dark nuances of Robert Elswit's cinematography, while Mark Isham's heavily-electronic score offers little relief from pounding bass and generic suspense music (it does sound good in 5.1, however). A better-than-average behind-the-scenes promotional featurette rounds out the disc, which should rank as a curiosity item for sci-fi buffs but little more.

DIRTY PRETTY THINGS Blu-Ray (97 mins., 2002, R; Echo Bridge): Audrey Tautou starred in this 2002 British thriller from director Stephen Frears. Echo Bridge’s Blu-Ray rounds up the extras from its prior DVD (commentary, behind the scenes featurette) and offers a respectable 1080p transfer with DTS MA English audio.

HELLRAISER: HELLSEEKER Blu-Ray (89 mins., 2002, R; Echo Bridge): Original “Hellraiser” Ashley Laurence returns to her role of Kristy in this unremarkable direct-to-video sequel with an occasional appearance from Doug Bradley’s Pinhead. DTS MA 5.1 audio and a 1080p transfer are on-tap in this single-disc presentation of “Hellseeker,” which previously made the rounds in a couple of Echo Bridge’s multi-film BD sets last year.

PROJECT A Blu-Ray (98 mins., 1995, PG-13; Echo Bridge): Re-edited Jackie Chan martial arts flick, co-starring Sammo Hung, was rescored by Nicholas Rivera for its U.S. home video release. Echo Bridge’s Blu-Ray includes a 2.0 stereo soundtrack and, fortunately, a proper 1080p (2.35) presentation of the abbreviated “Project A.”

O BLU-RAY (90 mins., 2001, R; Echo Bridge): Tim Blake Nelson directed this modern-day take on Shakespeare’s “Othello” with Mekhi Phifer as the contemporary “O”, Josh Hartnett as his friend, and Julia Stiles as the daughter of his high school basketball coach, played by Martin Sheen. Echo Bridge’s Blu-Ray offers a satisfying 1080p transfer with DTS MA 5.1 audio and extras including deleted scenes and interviews with Nelson and the cast.

New From Lionsgate

POWER RANGERS SAMURAI (92 mins. each, 2012) hits DVD in a pair of volumes: THE TEAM UNITES finds a new squad coming together to fight Master Xandred in four episodes from the recent series. Extras include a character gallery, two videos, an auditions featurette, 16:9 transfers and 5.1 audio. A NEW ENEMY, meanwhile, includes four other episodes from the series with bloopers, a weapons gallery and an “Ask the Ranger” featurette also on tap...C’MON MAN (101 mins., 2012, R) follows a Dave Chappelle-like comedian (Tony Rock) who gets out of rehab and tries to climb his way back to the top. Lionsgate’s DVD includes a 16:9 transfer, 5.1 soundtrack and deleted scenes...Scott Martin’s BATTLE FORCE (102 mins., 2012, R) arrives on DVD in time for the Fourth of July – a low-budget WWII tale of an elite U.S. fighting unit in Italy comprised of “misfits and mountain men.” Martin provides a commentary in this Lionsgate release, hitting DVD with 5.1 audio and a 16:9 transfer.

TYLER PERRY’S GOOD DEEDS (110 mins., 2012, PG-13) stars the writer-producer-director as a businessman who meets a single mom (Thandie Newton) who turns his life around in a typically heart-wrenching Perry drama with earnest performances from Newton, Gabrielle Union, Phylica Rashad, Brian White and Rebecca Romjin. Lionsgate’s Blu-Ray sports a 1080p transfer, itunes digital copy, and two featurettes. Perry fans will also want to check out the DVD of AUNT BAM’S PLACE (105 mins., 2011), a taped production of Perry’s play with Cassi Davis as a motherly aunt who tries to sort out her nephew-in-law’s domestic issues. Several featurettes, a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 soundtrack are on-hand in Lionsgate’s DVD edition.

The title is the best thing about YOU’RE NOBODY TIL SOMEBODY KILLS YOU (86 mins., 2012, R), an otherwise mundane urban thriller from writer-director Michael Pinckney with James McDaniel and Michael Mosley as NYC detectives going after a serial killer. Lionsgate’s DVD sports a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 soundtrack.

New From History/A&E

To mark the 100th anniversary of the vessel’s sinking, the History Channel – among other networks – rolled out a new documentary, TITANIC AT 100: MYSTERY SOLVED (96 mins., 2012), which uses CGI recreations and recently uncovered evidence to give viewers yet another glimpse into what happened during the ship’s final voyage. The DVD includes a 16:9 transfer and stereo soundtrack...GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS’ Season 6 has been split into two separate DVD volumes: Volume 1 (aprx. 9 hours) featuring nine episodes with a bonus disc of unreleased episodes from season 5, while Volume 2 (aprx. 6 hours) offers eight episodes including the long-awaited wedding between Gene and his long-time love Shannon...Volume 4 of the popular History reality series PAWN STARS (aprx. 6 hours) includes 16 fan-favorite, never-before-released on DVD episodes following the Harrison family and their adventures at their Gold and Silver Pawn shop.

New From MPI

Jason Ritter and Jane Sandvig play a pair of twentysomething slackers running scams in order to avoid growing up in Brian Crano’s A BAG OF HAMMERS (85 mins., 2010, Not Rated), an indie comedy-drama that turns more serious when a single mom (Rebecca Hall) shows up on the scene and the duo get her young son involved in their shenanigans. A behind the scenes featurette and trailer are on tap in MPI’s Blu-Ray, which also includes a 1080p transfer and DTS MA soundtrack....Also new on Blu-Ray, THE DECOY BRIDE (89 mins., 2011, PG) is a British import with Alice Eve as an international star about to marry well-known author David Tennant when their event is ruined by the paparazzi. The duo decide to relocate their wedding to a Scottish island and hire a local girl (Kelly MacDonald) as a decoy bride in order to throw the press off – but she ultimately falls for Tennant in an easy-going romantic comedy that hits Blu-Ray this week in a 1080p transfer with DTS MA audio. Extras in the IFC BD include interviews, a featurette, deleted scene, FX shots and the trailer.

New MGM Limited Edition DVD Titles

SAINTLY SINNERS (78 mins., 1961) is an early ‘60s programmer with Don Beddoe as an old priest who tries to reform a collection of rascals and other offbeat folks in his parish. This 1961 B&W release includes a 1.33 full-screen transfer.

Michael Moriarty and David Huffman star in THE WINDS OF KITTY HAWK (101 mins., 1978) a TV movie focusing on the trials and tribulations of the Wright brothers. This Charles Fries production from prolific TV director E.W. Swackhamer boasts a respectable full-screen transfer.

Finally, Topol, Nick Mancuso and Martin Balsam star in a compelling TV movie, THE HOUSE ON GARIBALDI STREET (101 mins., 1979), an adaptation of Isser Harel’s book with a script by Steve Shagan and fine direction from Peter Collinson. A profile of the 1960 capture of Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann by Israeli agents in Argentina, this is the type of drama viewers would routinely see on network TV, back when quality original telefilms were airing on a regular basis. Recommended.

Also New & Upcoming

ADVENTURE TIME: SEASON 1 DVD (286 mins., 2012; Cartoon Network/Warner): First season of the eclectic Cartoon Network series hits stores on July 10th from Warner Home Video. The multi-disc set offers ample extras including behind the scenes featurettes; animatics; episode commentaries, 16:9 transfers and 2.0 stereo soundtracks.

THE NOTE III: NOTES FROM THE HEART HEALER DVD (87 mins., 2011; Sony): Third TV movie based on characters in Angela Hunt’s bestselling book brings back Genie Francis as Peyton MacGruder, an advice columnist who here finds an infant left at her doorstep. What Peyton and husband King Danville (Ted McGinley) decide to do from there – acting as surrogate parents while they search for the child’s mother – forms the basis of this agreeable TV film written and directed by Douglas Barr, former star of “The Fall Guy.” Sony’s DVD includes deleted scenes and a featurette on the stars, plus a 16:9 transfer and 5.1 soundtrack.

SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE DVD (97 mins., 2011, R; Anchor Bay): Kevin Corrigan stars as a comic book fan who fantasies about killing people – and then does so – in Jack Perez’s indie horror flick that’s a cut above the usual slasher fare we’ve seen of late. Executive produced by John Landis and featuring Barry Bostwick and Karen Black in supporting turns, Anchor Bay brings “Some Guy Who Kills People” to DVD in a 16:9 transfer with 5.1 audio and numerous extras. Commentary with writer-producer Ryan Levin is on tap along with a short film, “The Fifth,” that inspired the film, a featurette, and the trailer.

MAC + DEVIN GO TO HIGH SCHOOL Blu-Ray (76 mins., 2012, R; Anchor Bay): Wiz Khalifa plays a Valedictorian who decides that his academic pursuits have left his social life behind. In order to make up for time lost, he befriends the biggest underachiever on campus – Snoop Dogg, playing a 15-year senior! – who tutors him in how to talk to ladies while Wiz attempts to help him graduate. This barely 75-minute feature from director Dylan Brown has a few laughs to go along with its potentially outrageous comic premise, but the production of “Mac + Devin Go to High School” is too amateurish and the writing too low-brow to connect. Anchor Bay’s Blu-Ray boasts a 1080p transfer, Dolby TrueHD soundtrack, and a commentary with Brown, Dogg, and Khalifa.

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