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…)
Bill Murray’s big breakout theatrical comedy gets a face lift and a high definition debut with the release of Meatballs (Lionsgate, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$14.99 SRP). While it’s not on par with some of his later flicks, or other comedies of the period, it’s still a lovely, often funny picture that still holds up almost 35 years later. Bonus materials include an audio commentary and trailers.
You’d think it’s be hard to get excited about cups, but how about cups that dry lightning fast? I know! Well, then, get excited about the Totem Stackable Air-Drying Cups ($9.99), which not only dry fast, but are also designed to allow for air flow when stacked. And that’s less than 10 bucks for 4 of them!
While there may be the occasional element that seems dated, Hal Ashby’s deliciously black comedy of unconventional love Harold And Maude (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP) is a welcome addition to Criterion’s catalogue of merit, and arrives not only with a sparkling new high-def transfer and improved sound (perfect for the iconic Cat Stevens soundtrack), but also an audio commentary, illustrated audio excerpts from seminars by Ashby & writer-producer Colin Higgins, an interview w/ Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens, and the usual must-read supplemental booklet.
The more I see of it, the more I’m impressed with just how much of a lovely 50’s cinematic feel the Patrick Troughton years of Doctor Who seem to have. Case in point is the 2nd Doctor story The Seeds Of Death (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP), in which The Doctor must face down the Ice Warriors when they lay claim to 21st century Earth’s “T-Mat” transport system control on the Moon, leaving Earth to face increasingly dire food and medicine shortages. Also available, and a nice contrast to the increasingly-cheap and less-inspired arc of the series is the Peter Davison 5th Doctor story Resurrection Of The Daleks (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP), which features a down-on-their-luck Dalek contingent eager to bring back Davros. As usual, both releases are loaded with bonus features, including commentaries, documentaries, and archival materials.
It’s been years and a lifetime since Jimmy Fallon last put out an album, at the height of his SNL success – and the maturity in both style and substance shows in Jimmy Fallon: Blow Your Pants Off (Warner Bros., $9.99 SRP), which features a much more assured level of musical parody, and guest stars aplenty – including Paul McCartney.
Setting the stage with stellar releases of both Modern Times & The Great Dictator, Criterion releases another Charlie Chaplin classic in high-def with The Gold Rush (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP), which is stunningly restored and packed with an audio commentary, featurettes, a documentary, trailers, and more.
Watching the fifth season of The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) is a bittersweet affair, as its truncated season represents the final work of the late, great Liz Sladen, who passed away during production. In addition to the 3 episodes comprising her finished work, there’s also a lovely tribute special honoring her.
I still find the film odd and slightly off-putting, but the visuals are fascinating and the music is fantastic, which makes the newly-restored high definition debut of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine (Capitol, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP) a recommendation for any fan, as it looks and sounds amazing and is packed with bonus materials.
It’s not my favorite Danny Boyle flick, but I do find much to enjoy in Shallow Grave (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$27.99 SRP), which gets knighted with not only it’s debut in high-definition, but also a special edition from Criterion. As black as pitch but nicely offbeat, the story revolves around a trio of roommates (Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor, & Kerry Fox) whose decision to take in a boarder who dies in an overdose, leading the trio to make increasingly bad decisions when it comes to how to deal with it. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, interviews, a video diary, a documentary, and more.
Opinion on the film itself may be divided, but there’s no denying the memorable design work up on the screen, the evolution of which is documented in The Art Of Prometheus (Titan Books, $39.99 SRP), continuing artwork, photos, and commentary about what went in to developing the visual style of Ridley Scott’s return to sci-fi.
It’s not as much fun as the first film, nor the sublime joy of Moffat & Gatiss’s BBC series, but Sherlock Holmes: Game Of Shadows (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) is a load of fun, as Robert Downey Jr.’s Holmes and Jude Law’s Watson track Moriarty across Europe in hopes of averting his plans for world domination. Bonus materials include the deluxe Maximum Movie Mode guided tour through the film, hosted by Robert Downey Jr.
It certainly couldn’t be worse than the mediocre first attempt at a big screen outing for Marvel’s flaming-skulled avenger, but it’s still a pleasant surprise that Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance (Sony, Rated PG-13, 3D Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) is a decent watch, if unspectacular. Also helpful is that Nic Cage has toned town his Nic Cage-isms and finally seems to realize that they’re not necessary when he, you know, plays a character who’s head turns into a flaming skull. Bonus materials include a video commentary, deleted scenes, and featurettes.
Leave it to HBO to make destination viewing out of a film about the 2008 financial crisis, which is exactly what they’ve done with Too Big Too Fail (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP). Based on Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book, it’s a perfect storm of fiscal disaster on multiple fronts, from Wall Street to Washington. Bonus materials include a trio of featurettes.
I have no affection for sports, but Hoosiers (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP) – like all great sports films – doesn’t require me to like sports to like it, mainly because of the presence of the great Gene Hackman. Now in high definition, this special edition sports an audio commentary, deleted scenes, a documentary, and the original 1954 Championship Game.
Perry the Platypus and the O.W.C.A. take on the nefarious Dr. Doofenschmirtz in the new collection Phineas & Ferb: The Perry Files (Walt Disney, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP), which brings together a clutch of episodes highlighting the egg-laying mammal’s fedora-fueled adventures. And not only do fans get a groovy little adventure packed with wacky fun, but also bonus materials including featurettes.
Based on Joe Kelly’s recent comics storyline for the Man Of Steel, Superman Vs The Elite (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP) is the latest animated direct-to-home-video animated adaptation to grace our screens, and while the storyline itself is fine (as are the visuals), it just makes me long for the original Bruce Timm animated DC Universe of yore. Until Warners comes to their senses and brings back in the likes of Paul Dini to make greatness again, I suppose these’ll do. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, previews, and more.
Get the ol’ soap-a-dope going with a trio of first season releases from ABC – GCB, Missing, & Scandal (ABC Studios, Not Rated, DVD-$24.96 SRP each). All three sport bonus materials including commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers, and more.
Say goodbye to Turtle – because you know you never really cared about anyone else – with the 8th and final season of Entourage (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP), as Vince and the gang are finally confronted with the horrors of actually growing up. Bonus materials include a retrospective featurette with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
The trio from the one and only original return with the complete 18th season of Top Gear (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP), which finds Clarkson, May, & Hammond traveling across India in this season’s centerpiece road trip. Bonus materials include a clutch of featurettes.
This week’s of batch of reality TV releases features the back-to-back releases of the domesticated KISS frontman plodding along in Gene Simmons Family Jewels: Season 6 Volume 1 & Gene Simmons Family Jewels: Season 6 Volume 2 (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP each), as well as the fourth volume of those goofball brokers of Pawn Stars (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 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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Universal continues to impress with their high definition100th anniversary celebration, leading off this week with a lovely restoration of 
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Available for the first time in widescreen and in high definition, as well, 
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If you want a clear example of how to start a big concept series with a resounding thud, look no further than the stillborn 
I’m Ken Plume, and soon you’ll be listening to “A Bit Of A Chat” with me, Ken Plume.