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…)
You’d expect a series that revolves around the mystery of a murdered child found on the beach to be a somber affair, and Broadchurch (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) is certainly that, but with David Tennant and Olivia Colman as the investigators called in to sort out the ever-deepening mystery, it’s also profoundly gripping television. Bonus materials include deleted scenes and a featurette.
While they’re not nearly as fun as the virtual world they inhabit, the 6″-tall Minecraft Vinyl Figures ($14.99 each) of Steve and Creeper are fun, plastick conversation pieces, display items, or real world toys for kids of all ages. Both are accurate representations of their digital selves, and come with accessories including Steve’s trust pickax.
I didn’t dislike the first Hobbit film, but it did suffer from a bloated sense of not much happening, as well as a decided lack of a dragon. The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, 3D Blu-Ray-$44.95 SRP) certainly ups both the something happening and the dragon quotient, as our band of dwarves (and a thief) finally make their way to the Lonely Mountain and have their confrontation with the titular dragon. The only drawback to this release, despite its inclusion of production featurettes and a newly-produced spotlight on a day in the life of the shoot, is that mere months from now we’ll all be buying the film again in its extended version. C’est la vie.
If you were one of the many fans of the loose, freewheeling, overindulgent chucklefest that was the original film, it’s relatively safe to assume you’ll enjoy the return of much the same in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (Paramount, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which brings the culturally clueless newsman and his cohorts into the nascent world of 24 hour news. Bonus materials include 2 alternate cuts of the film, alternate lines, featurettes, cast auditions, gag reels, and more.
There’s plenty to quibble with when it comes to the historical accuracy, but when viewed as a fuzzy drama in the vein of a classic Disney live action film, Saving Mr. Banks (Walt Disney, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$36.99 SRP) hews a lot closer to that classic arc of nostalgia-laden character redemption. And there’s no denying the fun in seeing Emma Thompson playing the prickly creator of Mary Poppins being wooed for the film rights by Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. Bonus materials include deleted scenes and a pair of featurettes.
I wouldn’t say the Fanboys meets Evil Dead of Knights Of Badassdom (E1, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP) is a great film, but it is an enjoyable romp buoyed by some going for gusto performances from Steve Zahn and Peter Dinklage as two of a band of medieval LARPers who face down a real demon during a weekend lark gone bloody wrong. Bonus materials include featurettes and the San Diego Comic-Con panel.
Tick another Scorsese flick off the list, as The King Of Comedy (Fox, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP) to high definition. And hey, who can’t love a starring turn from Jerry Lewis, as the talk show host kidnapped by a struggling comedian (Robert De Niro) who demands the ransom of a slot on his show.
When a warlord kills their master and banishes them, the titular samurai of 47 Ronin (Universal, Rated PG-13, 3D Blu-Ray-$49.98 SRP) must seek the aid of an enslaved half-breed they once spurned (Keanu Reeves) in order to redeem themselves in this by-the-numbers popcorn flick redeemed by some truly wonderful visuals. Bonus materials include featurettes and deleted scenes.
Just when you think there can’t possible be any more Power Rangers series to be released on DVD, along comes Power Rangers: Seasons 13-17 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$129.99 SRP), which collects SPD, Mystic Force, Operation Overdrive, Jungle Fury, and RPM. It also includes an exclusive bonus disc packed with featurettes.
Little girls are sure to devour the latest CG tale of Tinkerbell & friends, as The Pirate Fairy (Walt Disney, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$36.99 SRP) finds Tink swept up by an ambitious dust-keeper by the name of Zarina whose wild ideas get her in trouble. Fleeing to Skull Island, Zarina gets caught up with the pirates there, including a young cabin boy who will one day be Captain Hook. Bonus materials include featurettes and deleted scenes.
It’s the Rocky vs Raging Bull fanfic you always never really thought about in Grudge Match (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP), which brings together Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro as a pair of old boxing rivals that come out of retirement for one final bout after a promoter (Kevin Hart) makes them an offer they can’t refuse. Bonus materials include an alternate opening, alternate endings, and featurettes.
You may not have really thought about it beyond their visceral appeal during your golden childhood, but The Art Of The Disney Golden Books (Disney Editions, $35.00 SRP) is a lovingly lavish celebration of the artistry and artists behind the illustrations in those sentimental favorites.
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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