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 was afraid that Wreck-It Ralph (Walt Disney, Rated PG, 3D Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP) would be nothing more than a gimmick-flick played entirely for easy gags based on its videogame setting, but was instead delighted to find a story with a heck of a lot of heart, not terribly dissimilar to the make your own destiny sentiment of another wonderful animated underdog, The Iron Giant. It’s also a film that manages to us 3D to good effect, particularly when Ralph enters the land of the saccharine-racer Sugar Rush. Bonus materials include making-of featurettes, deleted scenes, commercials for the games featured in the film, the theatrical short Paperman, and more.

Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP) makes its high-definition debut via a painstakingly restored edition that looks and sounds absolutely pristine. Bonus features carry over from the previous DVD special edition, including a feature-length documentary with survivor testimonies, a look at the USC Shoah Foundation, and more.

Delayed for years and changed to avoid upsetting China, the largely unnecessary remake of Red Dawn (MGM, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) has arrived, and finds the straightforward guerilla storyline of the original softened by lackluster conviction and an absence of gonzo commitment to the premise. Shame, really.

In the mood for a high octane thriller this weekend? Then you’ll probably want to give a spin to Interview With A Hitman (Well Go USA, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP), about a killer for hire that escapes his old life after a betrayal only to find his new life compromised as well. Bonus materials include a making-of featurette and a trailer.

Fans rejoice, as Regular Show: Party Pack (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$19.82 SRP) brings another 16 episodes to DVD, from “Stick Hockey” to “Karaoke Video” plus a bonus party guest list. Here’s hoping we get a feature-laden full season set soon.

As witty and fun as their videogames, LEGO Ninjago: Masters Of Spinjitsu – Season Two (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP) collects all 13 episodes from the series’ sophomore season, but sadly no bonus features.

Mis-matched detective partners Dalziel & Pascoe (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP) return for a seventh season in a 2-disc set featuring all 6 episodes, which find Dalziel ailing and Pascoe falling out with his father.

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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