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…)

I’m still not entirely sure I understand everything that happened in the 6th season of Doctor Who (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$79.98 SRP), but you have to admire the narrative chutzpah that showrunner Steven Moffat brought to the table as we dealt with the Doctor’s march toward death and the unraveling story of River Song. The 6-disc set contains all 13 episodes plus the Christmas special, plus newly-filmed additional scenes, audio commentaries, Confidential featurettes, the Comic Relief sketches, prequels, monster files, and trailers.

Having a high capacity external battery source handy is always a good thing, which is why the New Trent iCruiser Power Pack ($79.99) is pretty darn nifty, as the rechargeable battery provides hours of power with overheat/overcharge/over-discharge/short-circuit protection.

Borne of dozens of cable TV viewings in my youth, Three Amigos (HBO, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$14.98 SRP) is one of those comedies that holds a warm place in my heart, much like Trading Places, Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, and Vacation. So yes, it’s nice to see it in high definition, looking great, and even sporting newly discovered deleted scenes, a cast interview, and a cast reunion booklet celebrating the film’s 25th anniversary.

As the big screen feature makes its debut, I’m a little disappointed that we’re only getting the first season of the fun, and faithful, animated Adventures Of Tintin (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$19.93 SRP) instead of the complete run. The 2-disc set contains 13 episodes, and is well worth giving a spin.

Has it really been 10 years since the debut of the original – and still far superior – version of The Office (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP)? It must be, because there’s a brand new 10th anniversary special edition set available, sporting both seasons and the Christmas special, plus brand new episode introductions, extended interviews with Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant (and celebrity fans), the Comedy Connections documentary, and the original pilot. If that weren’t enough, the set also ports over all of the special features from the original set. So yeah, a must have.

I’m baffled as to why the beautiful Prep & Landing (Walt Disney, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP) shorts are only making their seasonal debut on standard DVD and not in glorious high definition Blu-Ray, but at least they’re available, along with bonus materials including elf training reels, commercials, and more. But please, Disney – high definition. Stat.

It could be a lot shorter, but My Fair Lady (Fox, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP) is one of my favorite film musicals, owing mainly to the charming chemistry between Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. Now, it’s made its way to Blu-Ray, all spruced up and looking and sounding loverly. Bonus materials include a making-of documentary, featurettes, an audio commentary, alternate Audrey Hepburn vocals on the songs, and more.

I couldn’t shake the feeling while watching JJ Abrams’ Super 8 (Paramount, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$44.99 SRP) that I was watching an homage to classic Spielberg films so slavish as to be completely off-putting in how it tries so hard with an effort that keeps shoving itself in your face. Say what you like about Spielberg’s button pushing ways, in the films that made him a legendary director, that button-pushing came from a genuine place. It’s as if Abrams doesn’t quite understand what he’s trying to capture (the same problem his lamentable Star Trek had). For a point of comparison, see how effortlessly yet completely Attack Of The Block captures the feel of a classic John Carpenter film. Well, at least this had a halfway interesting train crash. Almost balanced out the lens flare. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, and a deconstruction of the train crash sequence.

It’s no great shakes, but kids will probably enjoy the 4th film in director Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids trilogy, Spy Kids: All The Time In The World (Anchor Bay, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP). The film introduces a new pair of kids (with supporting roles given to the old guard) taking on a maniacal villain (Jeremy Piven) bent on time-based world domination. Ricky Gervais even shows up. As a talking robot dog. Bonus materials include featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

For all of the little princesses in your life, Disney has released a new special edition of the direct-to-video Beauty And The Beast: Belle’s Magical World (Walt Disney, Rated G, DVD-$29.99 SRP) and the high definition debut of the holiday-themed Beauty And The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (Walt Disney, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP).

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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