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…
(Please support Quick Stop by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)
I have been waiting with bated breathe for the high definition release of the original Ghostbusters (Sony, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$28.95 SRP). I admit, I had high hopes for it. Would this 25th anniversary edition live up to expectations? Well, in terms of sound and picture, it certainly is a snazzy affair, looking better than the DVD release. Most of the bonus features from the original special edition have ported over, save for the silhouette commentary, while the Blu-Ray adds a picture-in-picture commentary track, a look at the restoration of the Ecto-1, and a peek at the Ghostbusters video game. What’s glaringly missing YET AGAIN, though, is the Ray Parker, Jr. music video. Come on, people! Clear it up already!
OK, besides the fact that it looks vaguely similar to The Doctor’s sonic screwdriver, there’s something “Ooh! Science & Engineering!” cool about the Hydrokinetic Adjustable Wrench ($24.99). Its liquid core allows doe an instantly adjustable all-in-one wrench that locks tight as a drum over even the most damaged of bolts. It’s just a cool, cool tool.
Although I’m disappointed they’re not doing season sets, at least The Best Of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Uncensored (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP) contains one of the most hilarious episodes the Drew Carey-helmed version ever dared to air – the one featuring Richard Simmons as a surprise guest. The rest of the episodes featured on the 2-disc set are also corkers, but that one takes the cake.
Expanded with a brand new director’s cut and looking & sounding far, far better than it ever has before, I’m going to say that the Collector’s Edition of Woodstock (Warner Bros., Rated R, DVD-$59.98 SRP) is a must-have. Not only does the A/V truly (and appropriately) rock, but you also get additional concert footage, a retrospective documentary, additional interviews, and much more. But truly, the way to go is the Blu-Ray edition ($69.99 SRP), for you reasons you can probably guess. If you can’t, it has something to do with that audio visual remaster being in high definition.
Whatever your opinion of Will Ferrell’s big screen comedic take on the material, those of a certain age probably have a fondness in their heart for Sid & Marty Kroftt’s kitsch Saturday morning adventure series Land of the Lost (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$69.98 SRP). To service those viewers, Universal has released all 3 seasons together in a retro metal lunchbox. It’s practically irresistible.
Audiences largely shied away from The International (Sony, Rated R, DVD-$28.96 SRP), but as action thrillers go, it’s a pretty decent entry in the genre. In short, it stars Clive Owen as an Interpol agent tasked with exposing an arms ring with the aid of Manhattan Assistant DA (Namoi Watts). Bonus features include a making-of featurette, a look at shooting in the Guggenheim, and an extended scene. The Blu-Ray edition ($39.95 SRP) adds a picture-in-picture experience.
The rest of the Kubrick oeuvre is all well and good, but the film I was waiting to get in high-def was Kubrick’s black comedy masterpiece, Dr. Strangelove (Sony, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$38.96 SRP). And now, my wishes have been granted. The film has never looked better, and the disc keeps all of the documentaries and featurettes found on the standard special edition, adding a Blu-Ray exclusive picture-in-picture trivia track.
An uneven but largely entertaining second season turned out to be the last for Reaper (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP). In what must be record time, the 13 episode DVD is already out, featuring deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a gag reel.
In Gran Torino (Warner Bros., Rated R, DVD-$28.98 SRP), Clint Eastwood stars as a Korean War vet and retired blue collar worker who has problems with what he sees as the degeneration of his beloved neighborhood, and the immigrant neighbors who have moved in next door. Violent events conspire to bring him to their defense, though, in a film that is often good, but often heavy-handed in a Crash-ian fashion. Bonus features include a pair of featurettes on the titular car and car culture in America. The Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) also adds an exclusive look at Eastwood’s filmmaking process.
A post-Porridge Ronnie Barker stars with a pre-Only Fools & Horses David Jason in Roy Clarke’s Open All Hours (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), a wonderful little series about a Northern shop-keeper (Barker) trying hard to keep his corner shop open, and his nephew (Jason) in line while playing for the affections of comely nurse Gladys. The 4-disc set features all 4 series, plus the 1973 pilot episode.
After years of dancing around the line, the world comes crashing down for crooked cop Vic Mackey in the 7th and final season of The Shield (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$59.95 SRP). The 4-disc set features all 13 episodes, plus audio commentaries, featurettes, and deleted scenes with optional commentary.
Fox’s catalogue Blu-Ray releases get a so-so bump with the high-def arrival of Danny Glover’s finest acting moment, Predator 2, and the New York in lockdown actioner The Siege (Fox, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP each), starring Bruce Willis and Denzel Washington.
One of the many TV concepts scrawled on napkins and developed after his passing, Earth: Final Conflict (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) was often overlooked in favor of Gene Roddenberry’s other posthumous show, Andromeda. Previously released by ADV and now out of print, the complete first season is available again, featuring audio commentaries, featurettes, and more.
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor diversions ordered by a court of law would keep Jack Bauer from eventually getting 24‘s 7th season mission (Fox, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$69.99 SRP) finished. Bauer has been hauled before Congress to justify his tactics, but wouldn’t you know it – a big national emergency arises, and who are they gonna call? The 6-disc set features audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and a trio of featurettes in high definition.
When something advertises itself as a six-part documentary series investigating bones, skulls, mummies, and vampires and it comes from the fine folks at the Smithsonian – as Tomb Detectives (Smithsonian Networks, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) does, how can you not watch it?
Although I think they would have been a nicely perverse Valentine’s Day release, Paramount has instead waiting until now to give a high definition release to the one-two punch of Indecent Proposal & Fatal Attraction (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP each). Bonus materials is identical to the recent standard def special editions.
Briefly on life support and saved at the last minute, the third season of Friday Night Lights (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) arrives with all 13 episodes, audio commentaries, and deleted scenes – all of which will tide you over until the Fall.
As you can imagine, Fillmore: The Last Days (Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) is a concert film documenting the final concerts to play at Bill Graham’s legendary San Francisco landmark Fillmore West from June 30th to July 4th, 1971. Considering the time period, the line-up is understandably epic, including the Grateful Dead, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, and more.
Raymond Burr’s fearless defense attorney returns in the first volume of Perry Mason‘s fourth season (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$49.99 SRP). The 4-disc set features the first 16 episodes of the season.
Already axed, fans can now own the second – and last- season of Lipstick Jungle (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP). The 3-disc set features all 13 episodes, but nary a bonus feature. Could no one ring up Brooke Shields?
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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I’ve known of Russell Brand – his stand-up and celebrity in the UK – for years, so it was with great delight that I greeted his first US stand-up special, which is now available on DVD in an expanded form. 
As someone who’s stressed himself inordinately trying to reach around corners and through tiny crevices to get to unreachable screws – wither putting them in or taking them out – the 
While Cars, Ratatouille, and Wall-E have all been available on Blu-Ray, 
For all of the drama that surrounded its filming and reception, 
Oh, 
Another pair of classic Bond flicks make their way into spiffy high-definition with the release of both the Moore-era 
Paramount’s prestige Centennial Collection continues with another pair of 2-disc, fully restored special editions – 
Warner Bros. has an immense catalogue of titles. Thousands and thousands of them. And even with their aggressive DVD release schedule, there’s no way they can get to all of them – and, economically, some of the titles have such a small appeal that it’s just not viable to do a wide release on them. Those who thought their chances of picking up some of those obscure titles were nil can rejoice in the continuation of Warner’s Archive Collection – www.warnerarchive.com. Essentially, it’s DVDs on demand, allowing you to purchase either a physical DVD-R copy (for a flat $19.95) or an instantly downloadable digital copy (for $14.95) of an ever-increasingly library of titles from the Warner vaults. I’ve had a chance to look at a pair of new additions – Sidney Lumet’s 
You know how, every once in awhile, you want a simple comedy whose only goal is to give you a chuckle and a smile? 
Paramount kicks out another clutch of brand-new-to-Blu-Ray catalogue titles, leaving other studios in the dust after a slow start (backing HD-DVD). With some very nice high definition transfers and bonus features identical to their standard edition cousins, the new titles are 
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor diversions ordered by a court of law would keep Jack Bauer from eventually getting 
A legendary album gets a fantastic live performance in 
Fox has dropped a pair of catalogue transfers to high definition, bringing both 
Almost 300 years after his reign of terror ended with his capture and beheading, a group of marine archeologists have recovered the remains of Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, in 
Ridiculously over-the-top, 
I don’t know about you, but any movie with a title like 
Anyone familiar with Mystery Science Theater 3000 will remember with glee the cringe-inducing Hercules Against The Moon Men. Well, now you can get that flick – plus 4 other muscle-y kitsch classics – in the 
Schwarzenegger fans hoping to pass the weekend on the cheap should pick up the 
I’m sure the makers of 
If Twilight seemed too tween for you and the Buffyverse was too nerd – and you like your soap drama – then HBO’s 
It’s difficult to sell the 3-D gimmick with the limitations of home theaters, when you’re stuck using rinky-dink red-green glasses. That’s what makes seeing 
Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Romita, Curt Swan, Fred Hembeck… Yes, Fred Hembeck. Destroyer of universes, gentle mocker, ooner of lamps, and master of four-color mirth, our very own Fred Hembeck has been honored with 
Although my interest was certainly piqued, I in no way expected to be as swept up as I became in HBO’s miniseries on the political life of our 2nd president, 
Going in, I had my reservations about 
As far as classic seasons go, I’d have to include the 4th season of 
I’ll never escape a jungle prison with nothing more than bubblegum and a fire ant, but I admit to feeling just a little bit MacGyver-ish when wielding the 
Not realizing just want kind of legs the series would wind up having, Fox originally released the first season of 24 as a borderline bare-bones DVD set. Eager to rectify that mistake (and get fans to purchase a second version), we’ve now got 
Rest assured that not only is Steve McGarrett back in the fourth season of 
After losing themselves in the wilderness of HD-DVD for a year, Paramount has come in from the cold with a full embrace of the high-def victor, Blu-Ray, with a clutch of releases to get up to speed. They all sport the same bonus features as the standard definition discs (save for Bee Movie, which does have some exclusive materials), but fancy-pants cinephiles can now pick up 
There’s always something mildly off-putting about reunion movies featuring the aged cast of beloved TV shows. Maybe that’s because they’re usually frozen in our memories looking and acting like they did when we last saw them, regardless of how time has since treated the actors. Such is the case with the pair of flicks contained on the 
If you made up the story of Raymond Burr’s life, you would call it a an outrageous soap opera fabrication – but the truth is just as outrageous as fiction, as you’ll discover in the biography 
Since everyone and their brother seems to be releasing westerns from their catalogues these past few months, it makes sense that Lionsgate would want to revisit 
I think I’m going to coin a new term for 
If you never got around to picking up either 
Not one, but two more actresses get the featured collection treatment – Sophia Loren and Catherine Deneuve. The 
The one-armed man is still on the loose in the first volume of 
When a TV show is successful, there’s always the a certain amount of curiosity as to whether the characters would transfer to the big screen. Sadly, Don Adams’s Maxwell Smart did not do too well in the transition, which meant the sublime genius that was Get Smart became the tepid disappointment of 
It’s a bit of a grab bag, but 
All good things must come to an end, and so must things that lived a few years beyond their shelf life – the eighth and final season of 
Having long ago given up on watching it since being disappointed when after its first few outings on Adult Swim and the first season DVD, I was curious to see if my opinion would be changed by the second season of 