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 FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…
(Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)
As a follow-up to the equally stunning Planet Earth, the BBC’s Life (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP) is just as incredible in regards to the footage they were able to capture of the animals that populate this planet of ours. My only regret is that Americans are stuck with the crappy Oprah Winfrey narration, while the Brits get the far superior Sir David Attenborough.. Or so it was on TV. Thankfully, you get to choose what home video version you want. The 4-disc set contains behind-the-scenes video diaries, deleted scenes, and a music-only viewing option. A Blu-Ray edition ($69.99 SRP) is available with identical bonus materials, but a far, far superior picture.
So you want a stapler, hole punch, one meter ruler, precision scissors, ballpoint pen, screwdrivers (+/-), screwdriver socket, staple remover, and storage space for paper clips, all in container the size of a deck of cards? Well, the Tool Logic Office Assistant ($9.99) is the answer to the dream you never even knew you had, because it’s all in there. All of it.
I was worried that something would come along and derail Sony’s release of the complete theatrical shorts, but with The Three Stooges Collection: Volume Eight 1955-1959 (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$24.96 SRP), fans now have them all. This last set contains not only Shemp’s final shorts, but also the ones using the fake Shemp (where a stand-in and old footage allowed them to crank a few more Shemps out) and infamous Stooge replacement Joe Besser (famed for not wanting to be hit). Thank you, Sony, for getting them all out there.
If you’re beginning to jones for more Rifftrax shorts DVDs, you can get your fix from not one, but two new releases – Rifftrax Plays With Their Shorts & Shorts-A-Poppin’ (Legend Films, Not Rated, DVD-$9.95 each). Both discs feature 9 brand new shorts apiece, though by the time you reach the end, you’ll be counting the days until the next release.
There was a time when a Tim Burton film meant a fair deal of whimsy with a surprisingly strong core of emotion at its center. Alice In Wonderland (Walt Disney, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$44.99 SRP) is just a mess – as if Burton were simply hurling fistfuls of whimsy at you, all sound and fury. Nothing really hangs together as a narrative, and seems more like a superficial theme park ride of a flick. Sad, really. The 3-disc set contains over a dozen featurettes on the characters and behind-the-scenes, plus the always-welcome standard DVD as well.
Not only do you get the much desired original in high definition, but The Magnificent Seven Collection (MGM/UA, Not Rated/Rated G/Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$69.98 SRP) also contains the sequels Return Of The Magnificent Seven, Guns Of The Magnificent Seven, and The Magnificent Seven Ride!. The first film is loaded with an audio commentary, featurettes, trailers, and a still gallery.
Originally available as part of last year’s big Clint Eastwood box set, you can now get the Richard Schickel produced documentary The Eastwood Factor (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) all on its own. The documentary is a retrospective of Eastwood’s 35-year history at Warners. Think of it as a personal trip down memory lane, at his work both in front of and behind the camera.
They’re not quite up to the same snuff as the classic specials of the 60’s, but there’s still plenty of fun in the Peanuts: 1970’s Collection Volume 2 (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), which contains Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, You’re A Good Sport, Charlie Brown, It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown, What A Nightmare, Charlie Brown, It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown, and You’re The Greatest, Charlie Brown. The 2-disc set also contains a retrospective featurette.
Oh, History Channel – you’re not even bothering to do anything to do with hard history even more. You’ve become MTV, eager to throw up the next reality series, which you have with the garbage combers of American Pickers (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP). The 3-disc first season set contains all 12 episodes.
Fans jonesing for a hit of Meatwad, Frylock, and Master Shake can get their fix from Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Volume 7 (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), which sports 11 episodes plus behind-the-scenes featurettes, Terror Phone II, and a featurette on the live action Carl.
I really hoped you would be able to pull it off, Joe Johnston. I mean, you had Benicio Del Toro as your lead, and a strong mythology behind it, but your new take on The Wolfman (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP) is just dull. You made a werewolf pic that just bored me to tears. It’s not bad. It’s not good. It just exists. Bonus materials include a pair of alternate endings, deleted/extended scenes, and featurettes.
When a shallow size zero supermodel dies in an accident and finds herself given the body of the recently-deceased Jane – a plus-sized attorney – you get Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$38.95 SRP). Surprisingly, it’s an affable, often funny series, even though I’d much rather have just seen a show about Jane. The first season set contains featurettes, deleted scenes, Dreamisodes, and more.
Recovering from some lost momentum, the third season of Burn Notice (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) turns back into the show we’ve all come to love. But really, as long as Bruce Campbell is back, all is good. Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette and the show’s Comic-Con panel.
Insects are the order of the say in the new Sesame release Sesame Street: Firefly Fun and Buggy Buddies (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP), as the Street (and kids!) gets to learn all about the world of creepy crawlies.
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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