The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Quick Stop Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

Following the desperate attempts to move into the “star” category of the acting hierarchy by jobbing actor Andy Melman (Ricky Gervais), Extras (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) is a worthy follow-up to Gervais and co-writer Stephen Merchant’s brilliant The Office. Broader in its comedy than The Office, Extras still features the same kind of post-modern comedy of manners – and its often cringe-inducing fallout – that made their first series such an instant delight. This 2-disc set features the complete 6-episode first season, plus deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, outtakes, and a featurette detailing Gervais & Merchant’s increasingly desperate attempts to secure a cameo from Leo DiCaprio.

Try as a might to resist its crass charms, I admit that I was swept up in the trashy fun of Jackass Number Two (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$29.99 SRP). The formula is exactly the same as the show we all came to know and secretly, ashamedly love, so there’s no real reason to go into any further depth as to what to expect, except to say “more of the same.” And I’m fine with that. I will say, tho, that the Jackass crew are beginning to show their age – particularly Bam – and I can imagine that the pain of the stunts is beginning to linger a lot longer than it used to. While the theatrical cut is available, honestly, if you’re watching it at all, the unrated cut is the only way to go. Bonus features include an audio commentary, a making-of featurette, deleted scenes, outtakes, TV spots, and more.

Just in time to keep my little nephew occupied, the second volume of SpongeBob Sqaurepants‘s 4th season (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$36.99 SRP) has arrived, featuring another 20 episodes across 2 discs, plus the “Best Day Ever” shorts, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a karaoke video for “Best Day Ever.” As my nephew quickly burns through this set, one can only hope that more are on the way, post haste.

Warners continues their annual “Power to the People” release of fan-decided DVD releases with a pair of genre classics – Rod Steiger in the 1969 adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man, and James Garner as Navy Frogman Ken Braden, whose perilous sub journey to the Pacific theater is the subject of Up Periscope (Warner Bros., Rated PG/Not Rated, DVD-$19.97 SRP each). Both discs feature the theatrical trailers, while Illustrated Man also contains a vintage featurette.

One of the films I least looked forward to last year turned into one of the most pleasant, visceral surprises of all the flicks I took in over the past 12 months – Crank (Lionsgate, Rated R, DVD-$29.98 SRP). Its concept is wonderfully straightforward – a hit man (Jason Statham) is poisoned by a mob boss with a chemical that will kill him if his heart rate drops below a certain level, leading to an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster ride as our man tries to settle debts both business and in love before his time is up. The DVD features an audio commentary, featurettes, interviews, and a “family friendly,” expletive-free audio track.

For someone who grew up on Marvel comics, it’s odd to see Stan Lee flourishing as his own producer, creating properties outside the House of Ideas. At least he seems to be successful doing it, with two of his latest efforts – the live action Lightspeed (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP) and the animated Mosaic (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) – have hit DVD, and both are superhero tales (as one would expect) While Lightspeed is entirely featureless, Mosaic sports an intro from Stan, interviews with Stan and director Roy Smith, and a still gallery.

Like a Brit 24, the 4th season of MI-5 (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$79.98 SRP) is an explosively engrossing action drama that gives it’s American counterpart a run for its money, particularly with this season’s dramatic opener. The 5-disc set features audio commentaries for each episode, cast & crew interviews, and a making-of documentary.

Releases like Dark Shadows: Bloopers & Treasures (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) are why I love DVD. Loaded to the rafters with outtakes, music videos, bloopers, and more, this is a real treat for fans.

While I hesitate to praise it too much, The Night Listener (Miramax, Rated R, DVD-$29.99 SRP) is a perfectly good little thriller to pass a winter evening with. Robin Williams is particularly enjoyable as a low-key writer and late-night talk show host who gets swept up in the mystery surrounding a young caller on his show. Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a deleted scene.

Mr. French and the family Davis return in the second season of Family Affair (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), featuring the further adventures of bachelor Bill Davis (Brian Keith) as he and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) raise his brother’s three children when they are unexpectedly orphaned after a plane accident. In addition to all 30 episodes, the 5-disc set features an interview with Kathy Garver (Cissy) and a retrospective featurette.

I have little to know memory of Martin Lawrence’s eponymous sitcom Martin (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) save for its some how infectiously repetitive theme song. The 4-disc box set features all 27 first season episodes, plus a blooper reel and a “favorite moments” compilation with commentary from Lawrence.

While Dreamgirls is holding its own at the box office, it’s worth checking out a little known curiosity from the mid 70’s called Sparkle (Warner Bros., Rated PG, DVD-$19.98 SRP) – featuring a screenplay by one Joel Schumacher – which also tells the tale of the tumultuous rise of a 3-piece girl group that doesn’t exactly have a happy ending. It also features songs by Curtis Mayfield. While the only bonus feature is the theatrical trailer, the release does feature a bonus CD of the songs from the film, featuring Aretha Franklin.

After 8 seasons of sexual innuendo, slapstick, and 70’s sensibilities awkwardly running into the more strait-laced 80’s, Three’s Company (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) came to a close with a final 21 episodes which end – naturally – with Jack Tripper proposing marriage and eyeing a (short-lived) spin-off series. The 4-disc set features the recent reunion special, bloopers, and another tribute to the late John Ritter.

Matt Dillon turns in a captivating performance as Henry, a writer whose stabs at literary greatness are undermined by his powerful alcohol addiction, in the adaptation of Charles Bukowski’s Factotum (IFC, Rated R, DVD-$24.95 SRP). When liquor leads to the potential of love, can even that be strong enough to pull him out of his spiral? Check it out and see. The DVD features a making-of documentary and the theatrical trailer.

So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

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