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…

I can think of no better way to spend this weekend than kicking back and making my way through a few dozen listens of the new Warren Zevon remasters. Not only have we got a pristine edition of his legendary album Excitable Boy (Rhino, $18.98 SRP) – featuring “Werewolves of London”, “Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner”, “Lawyers, Guns And Money”, and the still-shocking title track – but we’ve got a pair of previously unreleased on CD gems, The Envoy and the live Stand In The Fire ($11.98 SRP each). All 3 discs features a nice selection of bonus tracks, but the real delight are the albums themselves. Viva la Zevon!

With the DVD release of Batman and Superman’s animated adventures already wrapped, it’s with a measure of sadness that the release of the third seasons of Justice League Unlimited & Batman Beyond (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP each) mark the official end of the Bruce Timm version of the DC Universe (those new direct-to-videos don’t count, as they’re heavily influenced by the talentless bastard currently running Warner Animation… but I digress). Both of these 2-disc sets features creator interviews, featurettes, and more (but surpassingly no audio commentaries).

You might think that you’ll be drown in saccharine smarm watching a flick about a black sheep penguin who’s unable to sing a note in tune in an Antarctic penguin society that relies upon song (popular tunes, no less!) for their courting rituals. As if that didn’t make him enough of an outcast, young Mumble (Elijah Wood) does have a talent – for dance. Eventually kicked out of his Emperor penguin society, he sets out to find his place in the world, accompanied by a ragtag, fun-loving group of Adelie penguins (most of which are voiced by Robin Williams). But here’s the shock, for those of you thinking Happy Feet (Warner Bros., Rated PG, DVD-$28.98 SRP) would give you insulin shock – it’s actually a fun, enjoyable flick. Imagine that? Bonus features include a pair of new animated sequences, music videos, a private dance lesson with Savion Glover, and the classic Warner/Tex Avery cartoon “I Love To Singa.”

Our documentary corner this week features two different looks at childhood. The first is Stagedoor (Docurama, Not Rated, DVD-$26.95 SRP), about the children who attend the Stagedoor Manor theater camp deep in the Catskills, leaving their regular humdrum lives behind and letting their inner diva out for a romp, some of whom hope to follow in the footsteps of famous camp alums like Natalie Portman and Zach Braff. The other doc is Following Sean (Docurama, Not Rated, DVD-$26.95 SRP), which follows up with a 4-year-old flower child who literally spent his late-60’s childhood running barefoot in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury. Now in his 30’s, it an interesting perspective on the legacy of the 60’s generation.

Long before it became fashionable, Victor Meldrew was forced into an early retirement. Unfortunately, his transition into a life of leisure is stymied by the maddening, frustrating world around him, which – with its hypocrisies, lack of logic, ignorance, and indifference – never ceases to get on his nerves. One Foot In The Grave (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98/$29.98 SRP) is one of those modern classics of British Comedy, and Richard Wilson’s Victor Meldrew is as memorable a comic creation as Basil Fawlty or David Brent. By all means, snap up the first two seasons, featuring a total of 12 episodes, the 1990 Christmas special, and a “Britain’s Best Sitcom” featurette.

Although he’s a bit of a culture lightning rod in his native England, Jeremy Clarkson is one of the most engaging – and often funny – TV presenters I’ve ever run across. Although he’s often to be found on panel shows and presenting a series of historical and cultural documentaries, his main focus is automobiles – reviewing and featuring them. I could care less, really, about cars, but if it’s one of Clarkson’s programs – including the wonderful Top Gear – I can’t help but enjoy it. For the past few year’s, he released an annual home video in which he features his favorite cars, eviscerates his least favorite, and blows things up (usually the objects of his derision). Finally, one of these vids has made its way to the US – Clarkson: Heaven and Hell (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), and it is fantastic. Can we have more, please?

Forest Whitaker arrives on the scene as Lieutenant Jim Kavanaugh in the 5th season of The Shield (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), shaking up an already tense situation in the Barn. Kavanaugh is an internal affairs cop focused on bringing Vic Mackey down – even if it means going through Vic’s ex-wife. This 4-disc set features all 11 episodes, plus audio commentaries, deleted scenes (with optional commentary), behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a season 6 prequel.

 

 

IMAX films aren’t really about narrative, so let’s just say that the new DVD release of IMAX: Deep Sea (Warner Bros., Rated G, DVD-$27.98 SRP) looks absolutely stunning on my big HDTV. Presenting stunning views of the creatures populating the ocean depths, it’s one of those “oooo” discs that are fun to pop in just for the visual thrill.

 

 

You gotta love a nice little dystopian future pic – one that gets the inner sci-fi geek rooting for the small glimmer of hope that enters into that world. In Children of Men (Universal, Rated R, DVD-$29.98 SRP), that glimmer of hope is a pregnant woman – in a future (2027, to be exact) where the last human birth occurred 18 years prior and society has largely disintegrated. Clive Owen is tasked with delivering the woman and her unborn charge safely out of the country, potentially saving the human race in the process. Slick and largely satisfying, it’s worth checking out. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

Another week, another great Teeny Weeny Mini-Maquette from Electric Tiki and Sideshow Collectibles. This week, it’s everyone’s favorite near-sighted septuagenarian, Mr. Magoo ($59.99). As you would expect, the nifty design (courtesy of Tracy Mark Lee) finds Magoo stepping gingerly into the abyss, blissfully unaware of what’s in front of him. The piece is limited to an edition size of 500.

As if the Zevon releases weren’t enough, Rhino has doubled the listening pleasure this weekend with the 40th anniversary remasters of all 6 Jim Morrison Doors albums (Rhino, $11.98 SRP each). The albums in question – The Doors, Waiting For The Sun, L.A. Woman, Morrison Hotel, The Soft Parade, and Strange Days – all sport a wonderful selection of bonus cuts, including alternate takes and rarities. Show me the way to the last whiskey bar…

 

It’s documentary series like Engineering An Empire (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$49.95 SRP) that call me out as the geek I am. This 12-part series focuses on the engineering marvels of civilizations from the Egyptian empires of the pharaohs to more modern structures including the Kremlin and Notre Dame. Hosted by Peter Weller, it will appeal to all of your basest nerdly needs. I love it.

 

 

 

A few years after wrapping his multi-year stay with the Tanner family, ALF found himself a prisoner of the US government in the TV movie Project: ALF (VSC, Not Rated, DVD-$14.95 SRP). Co-starring Martin Sheen, Ed Begley, Jr., Miguel Ferrer, and the late, great Ray Walston, this special edition features a brand new commentary track with creator (and ALF himself) Paul Fusco.

 

 

Warners Signature Series sets have oft-times been anchored by one or two films that have been on DVD previously. It’s always welcome, then, when we get a set that features a completely new-to-DVD line-up, which means we’ve essentially “raided the vaults” for goodies that, save for these themed sets, probably wouldn’t have seen the light of day. Such is the case with the 5 flicks featured in the Erroll Flynn Collection: Volume 2 (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) – which sports The Charge of the Light Brigade, Adventures of Don Juan, Dive Bombers, Gentleman Jim, and The Sawn Patrol. Bonus features include vintage cartoons & short subjects, radio shows, making-of featurettes, trailers, and a commentary on Don Juan.

I’m a sucker for rarely seen comedic performances, so I’m very pleased with what we’ve gotten from MPI’s “Comic Legends” line so far, including their two latest releases. The first – Dick Van Dyke: In Rare Form (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) – features classic comic and dance sequences from Van Dyke’s recurring appearances during the 1958-59 season of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, plus an episode of Van Dyke’s ultra-rare panel show Laugh Line. The second release is a double bill – Groucho Marx & Redd Foxx (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) – and the stars alone should make this a must have.

Continue your collection of the creepy, kooky, mysterious, and ooky Addams Family (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) with the second and penultimate volume, featuring the middle 21 episodes from its all-too-short 2 season run. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, a “Mad About The Addams” appreciation featurette, and an interactive guest star featurette. For some reason, though, Fox continues to urinate on the parade with their abysmal double-sided discs. Please guys… Stop.

 

 

It’s definitely a piffle, but there’s something eminently likeable about sprite-ly, vivacious Amanda Bynes in Lovewrecked (Genius, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.95 SRP), where she stars as a young woman who finds her self stranded on a deserted island with her rock idol. Well, maybe not so deserted – as their resort is only a stone’s throw away – but she tries everything in her power to hide that fact in order to spend as much time with him as possible.

 

 

Night Of The Comet (MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, DVD-$14.98 SRP) is on DVD. Can you believe that? One of the most gloriously schlocky 80’s cult flicks has hit little shiny disc. A comet! Zombies! Valley girls as humanity’s saviors! And there’s even time for shopping!

 

 

 

In the 1970’s, a rather fascinating by-product of the success of The Godfather films was a mini-series that featured a re-enactment filled history of organized crime in Italy and its eventual arrival in America. Stretching back 400 years, the 5-part Origins of The Mafia (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP) featured a cast that included Eddie Albert, Joseph Cotton, and Lee J. Cobb. It’s certainly an interesting overview of the roots of organized crime in America, a subject that continues to be mined in films and television to this day.

 

 

In front of the camera, George and Weezy become grandparents in the 6th season of The Jeffersons (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP), while behind-the-scenes, actor Mike Evans returned to the role of son Lionel, which he had originated all the way back during All In The Family. Still at the top of its game, this season also found George coaching neighbor Tom Willis on how to act black and also wining small businessman of the year (literally), and Louise even fires Florence. Season 7, post haste!

 

She may not have one another Oscar this year, but you can get more than your fill of everyone’s favorite stern Dame courtesy of the BBC’s 8-film Judi Dench Collection (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$99.98 SRP). The films on the docket are both the 1962 & 1981 versions of The Cherry Orchard, Talking To A Stranger, Keep An Eye On Amelie, Going Gently, Ghosts, Make And Break, Can You Hear Me Thinking?, and Absolute Hell. Bonus features include a trio of radio plays, Dench singing “Send in the Clowns,” interviews, and more.

 

No 80’s childhood was complete without at least one viewing (on cable) of the post-apocalyptic roller-skating flick Solarbabies (MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, DVD-$14.98 SRP). In a world where water is a rare commodity controlled by a global corporation that snatches children from their families to raise them as workers, can a band of roller-rebels change the future? What about if I throw in a weird, glowing extraterrestrial globe with healing powers? And Charles Durning?

 

 

I would hope that, after the numerous failures in the last election and the disturbing lack of a paper trail, the existing electronic balloting system would be cause for concern amongst American voters. If it’s not, then I recommend you take a look at the documentary Hacking Democracy (Docurama, Not Rated, DVD-$26.95 SRP), which examines the machines and the system behind them.

 

 

 

Before Soap, Norman Lear’s Mary Hartman Mary Hartman (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) was the first sitcom to spoof the conventions of the serialized storytelling known as Soap Operas. Housewife Mary Hartman (Louise Lasser) lives in the fictional town of Fernwood, a burg best by kidnappings, mass murders, and a recurring flasher, but she’s more focused on her daily travails, specifically the shine on her kitchen floor and saving her marriage. It really was a groundbreaking show, and it’s well worth checking out the 25 first season episodes featured in this 3-disc box set.

 

I have to admit, by the third season of A Family Affair (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), I’m mainly watching it for the wonderfully subtle Sebastian Cabot as English manservant Mr. French. Otherwise, it’s still an amiable sitcom that’s a very comfortable viewing experience, even 30 years later. The 5-disc set features all 28 episodes, plus the Family Affair reunion special.

 

 

The Tanners return in the wacky and comfortably predictable sixth season of Full House (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP). If you’ve seen any episode of the show, you know what to expect… It’s like comfort food for Gen Y. Sadly, no bonus features… Not even an uncensored Saget commentary. Shame.

 

 

 

In the age of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, there’s something a bit naff about the big screen adaptation of the kid and his dragon fantasy Eragon (Fox, Rated PG, DVD-$34.98 SRP). It’s like The Neverending Story, but without the charm. The 2-disc special edition features an audio commentary, behind-the-scenes documentary & featurettes, interviews, galleries, and more.

 

 

As the big 30th anniversary Star Wars Celebration approaches, I thought we’d end this week with a look at Sideshow’s 1/4-scale Premium Format Luke & Yoda – Dagobah Training figure ($349). Featuring a pretty spiffy likeness of Mark Hamill (and Yoda, too), as well as the attention to detail – including clothing and the Dagobah Swamp environment – that we’ve come to expect from Sideshow, it’s another stellar piece to add to your collection. And, if you order the Sideshow inclusive edition, you’ll get a 1/4-scale replica of the Luke/Vader head from Luke’s training vision in the cave. Creepy, ain’t it?

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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