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…

 

Their big screen adventure in Miami hit theaters last week, and now’s the time to brush up on your Reno 911! with the single-disc Reno 911!: Most Wanted (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP), featuring their seven best episodes (including Paul Reuban’s hilarious turn as Rick from Citizen’s Patrol). The disc also features a live musical performance and a featurette of “Favorite Calls.”

 

 

I’m not really sure it’s possible to know Terry Gilliam as a person. I’ve known him for almost 7 years, and I don’t think I’m any closer to unlocking what makes him tick than I was the first time I ever talked to him all those years ago. As a filmmaker, Gilliam is only slightly less of an enigma – but an enigma nonetheless. It’s easy to try and say that the uncompromising cinematic and storytelling vision Tideland (Thinkfilm, Rated R, DVD-$27.98 SRP) – made during a break in filming the troubled Brothers Grimm – was somehow a reaction against the negative producorial influence that was tearing Grimm apart, but I think that oversimplifies Gilliam as an artist and a person… actually, it’s probably more an attempt to eternally cast him in the underdog role that has followed him since the now-famous events that surrounded both Brazil and Baron Munchausen. Divorced from all of that role-playing nonsense (some of which is explored in the Gilliam documentary that is featured on the second disc of this set, Getting Gilliam), I think Tideland is a beautiful piece of filmmaking for filmmaking’s sake. For many, it’s rather ersatz Alice in Wonderland tale of young Jeliza-Rose may be a little hard to stomach – this is not exactly a film that one walks away with whilst wearing a happy-go-lucky grin – but it’s a powerful film nonetheless, and one that deserves a second chance on home video (much like the renaissance of opinion that overtook Gilliam’s Fear & Loathing upon its home video release). The 2-disc set features audio commentary, an intro from Terry, deleted scenes, interviews, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and more.

 

 

Twomorrows turns the spotlight of their essential, must-have series Modern Masters on the wonderful Charles Vess (Twomorrows, $14.95 SRP). From Spider-Man to Sandman and Stardust in-between, the book covers the breadth of Vess’s career with an exceptionally in-depth interview and more artwork than you can shake a bundle of sticks at. It’s a shame that Twomorrows focus is largely on superhero comics, as I’d love a Modern Masters on Don Rosa. How ’bout it, guys? What if I begged?

 

 

A creature of profound habit whose every action of every days is exactly that of the day before, IRS agent Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) awakes to a sudden, terrifying realization – he is the character of a novel-in-progress being written by author Karen Eiffell (Emma Thompson)… a rather depressive sort who has a penchant for killing of her lead characters at the end of every book. Aided by a professor of literature (Dustin Hoffman), he’s got to try and find a way to take back his life and make sure it doesn’t all end with a period on the page. Stranger Than Fiction (Sony, Rated PG-13, DVD-$27.95 SRP) is a fun, quirky little flick, and Will Ferrell is fast becoming the versatile, drama-capable actor that Jim Carrey has been trying to lock for years. Bonus features include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and an outtake reel.

 

 

Taking a page from Shout! Factory’s wonderful Dick Cavett Show releases, Rhino gives us a 3-disc box set featuring a total of 6 unedited episodes of Cavett contemporary Flip Wilson’s The Flip Wilson Show (Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP). Featuring guests including Albert Brooks, Johnny Cash, Tim Conway, Tony Randall, Richard Pryor, Ray Charles, Joan Rivers, Redd Foxx, and more, it’s an appetite-whetting taste of what I hope is more releases to come. Bonus materials include additional featurettes, episode intros from Conway and Phyllis Diller, and an interview with producer Bob Henry.

 

 

As much as I enjoyed the intricately woven script of the conspiracy thriller that is The State Within (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) – about a British ambassador who slowly unravels a complex, and shocking, plot after an airplane explodes in mid-air above Washington, DC – I got an even bigger kick out of the performance given by the actor playing the British Ambassador to Washington, Jason Isaacs. Always a delight in whatever he’s in, he’s doubly so as a man who realizes that he may just be a puppet in a much larger plan. The 2-disc set features a making-of documentary.

 

 

If you’re only familiar with – and dismissive of – the disco icons that the Bee Gees became in the 70’s, you’re in for a real shock when you hear their original late-60’s sound, courtesy of their first three, newly-remastered international debut albums (Rhino, $24.98 SRP each). Those albums – 1st, Horizontal, & Idea – are wonderfully evocative of the Brit-pop sound of the period, from The Beatles and Cat Stevens to The Hollies and even a bit of Cream. If you’re stuck in the mindset that all the Brothers Gibb had to offer was variations on “Staying Alive,” do check these out. These new 2-disc special editions feature the albums in both stereo and mono, plus dozens of unreleased demos, alternate tracks, and rarities.

 

 

I know what you’re thinking – “Didn’t we already get a director’s cut of Oliver Stone’s Alexander?” Well, yes, we have. Still, Stone obviously thought he could make it better, so we’ve gotten the relatively unprecedented (outside of a mook named Lucas) Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP). Bottom line – is it better? Markedly so, but still not a great flick, no matter how hard Stone tries. Bonus features are limited to a brand new introduction from Stone.

 

 

If you’ve yet to pick up either the box set’s of Patrick McGoohan’s super-spy tun in the UK as Danger Man or its international incarnation Secret Agent, A&E has collected both of their previous box-set releases into one supersized 18-disc Secret Agent aka Danger Man Megaset (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$149.95 SRP), featuring all 86 episodes, including the color finale episodes and the US opening titles (with Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man” as its theme).

 

 

To a kid unaware of animation history, the sudden appearance of a cartoon calling itself Ghostbusters but with nary a Slimer in sight seemed like a cruel joke being played upon my Ghostbusters-loving childhood. Little did I know (but I soon found out) that this Filmation series – starring Jake, Eddie, and a super-smart gorilla named Tracy – was, in fact, the original Ghostbusters. It’s enjoyable for what it is, sure, but it will never replace Ray, Winston, Peter, and Egon. Still, as another slice of animation history, I’m glad that it’s getting a release on DVD from the fine folks at BCI, who’ve packed the 6-disc first volume (BCI, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) with the first 32 episodes, plus creator interviews, the original pilot, an episode of the live action series, an image gallery, storyboards, and more.

 

 

Dolly Parton & Friends (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) is a 2-disc collection of performances from the singer-songwriter’s eponymous 1976-77 variety show Dolly. Those guests include Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Ann Murray, and more. There’s no denying Dolly’s infectious appeal.

 

 

 

It’s measured, contemplative, and a love letter to one harried expat’s recuperative, reinvigorating experience in France’s bucolic wine country… And, ultimately, Ridley Scott’s A Good Year (Fox, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.99 SRP) – starring Russell Crowe as the aforementioned English expat – is just, well, boring. Sad, but true. Bonus features include an audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, music videos, and more.

 

 

How about a bit of a TV-on-DVD bonanza from the fine folks at Universal Home Video? As if the complete third season of The Rockford Files (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) weren’t welcome enough, there’s the sixth seasons of both Magnum P.I. (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) and Northern Exposure (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP) – its final season – as well as the debut season of old west adventure in Alias Smith and Jones (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), which even sports audio commentary from series creator Glen Larson on the pilot.

 

 

Any flick that has a cast that includes Brendan Fraser, Scott Glenn, and Mos Def is at least worth a check-see, if only for that eclectic mix. Journey To The End of the Night (First Look, Rated R, DVD-$26.99 SRP) is by no means the greatest little crime thriller ever, but it’s a pleasant enough way to kill a cold winter evening. For the cast alone. Bonus features are limited to a behind-the-scenes featurette.

 

 

And finally, we wrap up this week with a look at the quite nifty Mutts vinyl figures from Dark Horse ($17.99 SRP each). Both Mooch and Earl stand about 6″ each, and just looking at them, you know you want them…

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…

-Ken Plume

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