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…
As a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 from “back in the day”, for years I’ve hoped for the return to performing of MST creator Joel Hodgson and writer/performer Trace Beaulieu (Dr. Forrester & Crow T. Robot). Though we’ll probably never see MST return for various intractable reasons, Both Joel and Trace have returned – along with fellow alums Frank Conniff, Mary Jo Pehl, and Josh Weinstein – to form Cinematic Titanic. For all intents and purposes, it’s pretty much MST – only all 5 members are silhouetted onscreen at the same time, stationed on a tiered series of platforms on either side of the screen and commenting on the flick. Speaking of their first flick, it’s the delightfully awful The Oozing Skull ($15.94 SRP). Skull and all forthcoming titles are available via www.cinematictitanic.com. The magic is back, my friend. Snap it up, post haste.
It’s been a long time coming – 20 years, in fact – but the history of Pixar has been laid down in print courtesy of To Infinity And Beyond!: The Story Of Pixar Animation Studios (Chronicle Books, $75.00 SRP). As one would expect from Chronicle, it’s an impressive, massive, well-crafted tome that draws upon the interviews and notes from filmmaker Leslie Iwerks’s documentary about the studio. If you’re a fan of Pixar and want to read the official take on their rise and success, this is it.
Following close on the heels of it’s holiday wrap-up, you can pick up Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant’s Extras: The Complete Series (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$49.99 SRP). The set features the previously released first and second seasons, plus the special series finale (which they claim is exclusive to this set, but which Ricky Gervais has said will be made available separately in a few months, in response to fans’ cries that they were being bilked). There aren’t any new bonus features that weren’t already on the already-available sets, so consider this the perfect time to jump in and catch up if you’re unfamiliar with the trials and tribulations of jobbing actor Andy Millman… But if you’ve already got both seasons, it’s probably best to hold off until the separate release of the holiday special.
Family Guy‘s big character-recast send-up of Star Wars gets a rather speedy DVD release courtesy of the uncensored 2-disc Family Guy: Blue Harvest (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$22.97 SRP) – featuring an audio commentary, a making-of featurette, an animatic version, a Family Guy Star Wars clip show, a fight scene in 3-D, and even a conversation with George Lucas. Also available is a deluxe box-set ($34.98 SRP), which features the 2-disc set, 3-D glasses, a t-shirt (XL) a collector’s booklet, and trading cards done in the style of the classic Star Wars cards.
Swap Paul Rudd for Chuck Heston and The State‘s David Wain & Ken Marino for Cecil B. DeMille and you’ve essentially got The Ten (City Lights, Rated R, DVD-$26.98 SRP) – a loopy comedy about one flawed man’s quest to introduce the world to the contents of two massive stone tablets. Packed with more cameos than you can shake a bundle of sticks at, it’s worth a spin. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, interviews, alternate/deleted scenes, featurettes, and more.
Brian Froud is the man responsible for the visual look that defined both The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, and for years his artwork detailing the world of Faeries has been collected in this book or that. The ultimate tome exploring his work is now available, titled appropriately enough Brian Froud’s World Of Faerie (Insight Editions, $40.00 SRP), and it’s a lavish hardcover packed full of Froud’s illustrations. It’s a visual treat, and well worth snagging.
As one of the many kids that absolutely loathed the demoralizing embarrassment of PE class, I found much that familiar about the enjoyable if marginal comedy Mr. Woodcock (New Line, Rated PG-13, DVD-$28.98 SRP), which stars Sean William Scott as a formerly chubby kid whose school PE years were made hellish by the demonic Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton). As a slim adult, he returns home to find that his mother (Susan Sarandon) is now dating his old nemesis – a development he decides must be undone. Bonus features include featurettes and deleted scenes.
Still a downer – albeit a classy downer – all these years later, Leo McCarey’s An Affair To Remember (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) gets a snazzy 2-disc edition in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The new set features an audio commentary (with Marnie Nixon and film historian Joseph McBride), a clutch of newly-produced featurettes, AMC Backstory‘s spotlight on the film, Fox Movitone News, galleries, and the original theatrical trailer.
So far, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been the only castmember to chalk up a post-Seinfeld success on TV, and she’s done it with The New Adventures Of Old Christine (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP). The title comes from the fact that her ex husband is now dating a woman with the same first name, which he has dubbed “New Christine” – leaving her with the not quite flattering sobriquet of “Old Christine”. Louis-Dreyfus is endearing in her attempts to adjust to her new life of single motherhood and what her new nickname means in her life. The first season set features an interview with Julia, unaired scenes, and a gag reel.
What’s New Scooby-Doo? continues to be a nicely faithful updating of the adventures of Mystery, Inc. – as you can see in the complete 3rd season (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP). The 2-disc set features all 13 episodes, including run-ins with cowboy robots, gargoyles, sea monsters, and more. The set also contains a bonus episode, “A Scooby-Doo Christmas”.
Often treated as an odd bastard child of his oeuvre, Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York (MGM, Rated PG, DVD-$19.98 SRP) – his big band tale starring Robert DeNiro & Liza Minnelli – gets the 2-disc special edition treatment with a brand new introduction from Scorsese, an audio commentary, alternate takes/deleted scenes, a two part documentary, an interview with Minnelli, select scenes commentary by cinematographer, and a photo gallery.
Every so often, a comedy aimed at teens also manages to pose some interesting questions about our society, wrapped beneath a funny wrapper. The indie comedy Zerophilia (TLA Releasing, Not Rated, DVD-$24.99 SRP) certainly fits that bill. First and foremost, it is a fun watch, as Luke – a virgin – discovers that upon losing his virginity one night (to Kelly LeBrock, no less), he starts exhibiting some decidedly feminine characteristics. Come to find out Luke is a “Zerophiliac” – a person who changes sex upon achieving orgasm… Which complicates his burgeoning love affair with the comely Michelle… Particularly when his female incarnation begins exhibiting feelings for Michelle’s brother. The DVD features a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, an interview with Kelly LeBrock, and the theatrical trailer.
Also getting a special edition is Rob Reiner’s perennial Rom-Com, When Harry Met Sally (MGM, Rated R, DVD-$19.98 SRP). The new edition features an audio commentary (with Reiner, Nora Ephron, & Billy Crystal), deleted scenes, 7 featurettes, and the theatrical trailer.
In an age where sci-fi has largely turned to crap (I’m looking at you, JJ), it’s nice that a flick like Sunshine (Fox, Rated R, DVD-$29.99 SRP) can come down the pike. Sadly, it was largely ignored at the box office, but I have no doubt that this tale – of a brave crew sent to reignite a dying sun and save humanity who are faced with a life or death struggle of their own – will have a nice second life on video. Bonus features include a pair of audio commentaries (one with director Danny Boyle and the other a scientific track with University of Manchester Professor Brian Cox), production diaries, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending.
Although the flicks vary greatly in quality, it’s nice to know that there’s finally a Bob Hope: MGM Movie Legends Collection (MGM/UA, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) available. The 7 films included in the set are Alias Jesse James, Boy, Did I Get A Wrong Number!, The Facts Of Life, They Got Me Covered, I’ll Take Sweden, The Princess And The Pirate, and The Road To Hong Kong. Sadly, no bonus features.
Another remastered Peanuts special edition is here, and just in time for the holiday it addresses. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) has been fully remastered, and the new disc also contains the specials It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown and You’re In Love, Charlie Brown, as well as a new featurette (“Unlucky In Love: An Unrequited Love Story”).
James Garner’s ex-con-turned-P.I. Jim Rockford returns in the 5th season of The Rockford Files (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP). The 5-disc set features all 22 episodes, but why oh why can’t we have bonus features with Garner?
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
##
Comments: 3 Comments
3 Responses to “Weekend Shopping Guide 1/18/08: Ship Ahoy”Leave a Reply |
January 18th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
DVD menu for your downloaded copy of OOZING SKULL:
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8851/cinematictitanicdvdmenuxy2.jpg
January 20th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Picked up the Pixar book yesterday at the Sunset Virgin Mega-Store close-out sale (buh-bye, over-priced mega-store!) at a 40% discount. Really, really great so far, particularly with the stories of Pixar’s inception.
A nice companion piece to the making of “Ratatouille” book. Was surprised that the Pixar book stops cold at “Cars” and doesn’t even speculate towards the future as some of those studio books do.
As for “Sunshine,” how good is Chris Evans in that flick? Wasn’t expecting that based solely on his “Fantastic Four” work.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Glad to see you recommend Affair to Remember. It can be a bit of a downer, but that Carey Grant..va-va-va-voom! I saw it in a revival theater with a friend. We were jacked up on soda and red vines. In the very touching scene when Deborah Kerr has met Grant’s mother (or is it grandmother?)and is offered her shawl, she turns away. I leaned over to my friend and whispered “Gimme that shawl!” just as Deborah turned to throw her arms around the old woman. We busted out laughing at the coincidence. we ended up looking like a couple of asses. Oh those were the days!
I also agree with your Infinity & Beyond recommendation!