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…)
It’s not pristine, but Paramount has done a fantastic high definition restoration job on Sergio Leone’s legendary spaghetti western Once Upon A Time In The West (Paramount, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-S24.99RP), presenting not only the original theatrical edition, but the extended cut as well. In addition, there’s a filmmaker-laden commentary track full of ardent fans, 5 retrospective featurettes, a gallery, and the theatrical trailer. You’ll also want to buy a harmonica.
Got an mp3 player or phone and want to be able to easily access it while on an exercise bike or pushing a stroller or riding your old-fashioned wheelie bike? Try the Texthook ($9.99), which is a mount intended to be placed on a bar and provide security and easy access for your mobile device.
Before George Lucas became GEORGE LUCAS and coming of age tales and nostalgia became a cliché, there was American Graffiti (Universal, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP), which makes its high-definition debut in an edition that services the brilliant cinematography and eternal soundtrack to a T. In addition to the retrospective documentary and screen tests found on the original special edition DVD, the Blu-Ray adds a brand-new video commentary with Lucas and an interactive interface with the soundtrack.
While the Stanley Kubrick library has been available on Blu-Ray for a few years now, it was inevitable that it would be revisited, and the first title to get an even more deluxe treatment is the 40th anniversary edition of A Clockwork Orange (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP). Not only does the film look and sound better than ever, but it’s loaded with bonus features, including an interview with and documentary on star Malcolm McDowell, an audio commentary, a retrospective documentary, featurettes, and the feature-length documentary Stanley Kubrick: A Life In Pictures.
And while you’re at it, be sure to pick up the DVD release of Malcolm McDowell’s powerful one-man show about his mentor Lindsay Anderson, Never Apologize (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP).
You know those films that you can see once and, though you found it agreeable, you really don’t ever feel the need to see it again? Sydney Pollack’s adaptation of John Grisham’s The Firm (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP) is one of those films. Yes, even though it co-stars Gene Hackman. I know, right? The Blu-Ray is currently a Best Buy exclusive, so if you want it, that’s where you’ll have to head.
From the famous to the lesser known, Genius Of Britain (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP) profiles and interviews Britain’s current crop of geniuses – from Stephen Hawking to Richard Dawkins – and asks them to reflect on the brilliant, often eccentric thinkers that preceded them. The set also includes the documentary Stephen Hawking And The Theory Of Everything.
Back before they were adapted to live action for the big screen, or even live action for the small screen, I remember my elementary school class being ushered into the library to watch the animated version of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP), which was directed by Bill Melendez, who’s perhaps more well known for bringing the Charles Schulz’s Peanuts characters to animated life. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, a deleted sequence, and galleries.
Really, I could care less about the whole vampire thing. The only reason I watch True Blood (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$59.99 SRP) is to support a show that has a character named “Sookie”. This needs to be encouraged. Yes, yes, she also goes in search of kidnapped Bill and there’s werewolves and a vampire king, but still… “Sookie”. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, minisodes, featurettes, a Snoop Dogg music video, and Post Mortems.
Wade into the complete fifth season of the underrated Psych (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), as Shawn and Gus take on everything from ghosthunting to polar bears. The 4-disc set contains all 16 episodes plus commentaries, deleted scenes, and more.
You can tick another series off your lists, completionists, as the fine folks at Shout Factory release the final two seasons of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom – All In The Family: Season Eight and All In The Family: Season Nine (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$29.93 SRP each). As an added bonus, the 9th season set also contains the 90-minute retrospective special aired during that season that celebrated the 200th episode.
Just as the show was finally finding its feet, SyFy axed it – which made the second season of Stargate Universe (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) its last. The 5-disc set collects all 20 of those final episodes, plus audio commentaries, interviews, featurettes, and more.
I have begun to loathe the History Channel, as it becomes a pathetic bastion of hare-brained reality series that don’t even try to apply a thin veneer of historical worth anymore. So what we get now is shows like Swamp People (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP), which follows a bunch of hicks hunting alligators. Week after week. The 3-disc 1st season set contains additional footage.
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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