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…
Though a rather nice Criterion edition of the flick has been on shelves for quite awhile, the new Life Of Brian: Immaculate Edition (Sony, Rated R, DVD-$ SRP) is worth your hard-earned shekels for the extra-spiffy remastered, high definition picture and sound. The two commentary tracks, five deleted scenes, and radio ads are ported over from the Criterion edition (sadly, the 1979 BBC documentary “The Pythons” did not make the transition}, while new additions include an audio reading of the script done before shooting began and an all-new retrospective documentary, “The Story Of Brian”.
A few years back, I reviewed the incredible limited edition release of Star Wars: Dressing A Galaxy, which featured a supplemental DVD, fabric swatches from the iconic costumes, and much more. Truly, I was impressed. Well, as much as that blew me away, I was gobsmacked by the limited edition of Sculpting A Galaxy: Inside Star Wars (Insight Editions, $395.00 SRP). Not only do you get the book itself – a comprehensive overview of the ILM model shop’s work on all 6 films, written by model and sculpture designer Lorne Peterson – but the limited set (only 3,000 produced) is also signed by Peterson. The true geek of it all, though, is the replica of the original Landspeeder model, Death Star pieces, and Millennium Falcon piece that are included in the set. Truly a nerdly delight, and an incredible set.
The first “important” film I ever saw, The Last Emperor (Criterion, Rated R, DVD-$59.95 SRP) still holds a very special place in my cinema viewing heart. I’m delighted that Criterion has decided to dive into a beautifully remastered special edition of director Bernardo Bertolucci’s tale of China’s final monarch with a sumptuous 4-disc special edition, loaded to the brim with both the theatrical and television versions of the film (with a commentary on the theatrical version), multiple in-depth documentaries on Bertolucci and the making of the film, interviews, an analysis of the history presented in the film, and a essay and interview filled booklet.
It’s not often that lightning strikes twice, but it certainly did for Bob Newhart. While the 70’s had him anchoring the legendary Bob Newhart Show, the 80’s found him with another hit on his hands, starring as the owner of a small Vermont Inn staffed by characters only slightly less eccentric than the local townspeople in Newhart (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP). The 3-disc first season set features all 22 episodes, but sadly not a single bonus feature. Come on, people, bring Bob in while you can…
Oh, Robert Zemeckis… When did your ego become so goddamn infuriating? I know you’re desperate to prove… something or another… about your motion capture animation technique, and about how it allows you to, I dunno, achieve things you never could with live action. Well, if Beowulf (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$29.99 SRP) is your proof of concept after the creepy Polar Express, then I think you’re in serious need of a slap across the face. Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary’s script is enjoyable, and the actors are clearly engaged, but the animation is about on par with videogame cutscenes, and nothing within it could not have been handled much more believably by live actors and special effects. The unrated edition features behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.
One of the more iconic filmmakers to ever ply his trade gets a nice set of his flicks courtesy of the Stanley Kramer Film Collection (Sony, No Rated, DVD-$59.95 SRP), which contains a 2-disc special edition of Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, Ship Of Fools, The Member Of The Wedding, The Wild One, and The 5,000 Fingers Of Dr. T. All of the films sport bonus features, while the Dinner bonus disc features an introduction, retrospective featurettes, Kramer’s Thalberg Award acceptance speech at the 1962 Academy Awards, the 2007 Producers Guild “Stanley Kramer” Award presentation to Al Gore, and a photo gallery.
I feel so bad for Frank Oz. Here he is, one of the finest comedy directors of our age (I’m ignoring Stepford Wives as the work of a pod-Oz), and his latest – Death At A Funeral (MGM, Rated R, DVD-$29.99 SRP) – is pretty much sent straight to DVD. It’s a shame, because this very British farce is a very funny flick. Bonus features include an audio commentary from Oz, a second screenwriter/actors commentary, and a gag reel.
I still bear a great deal of resentment towards all of these new DC animated projects, since the insipid Sander Schwartz cancelled the wonderful Justice League Unlimited – slapping Bruce Timm across the face in the process – and brought these projects forward. The latest is Justice League: New Frontier (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, DVD-$24.98 SRP), which is adapted from Darwyn Cooke’s graphic novels of the same name – a cold war version of the formation of the famous league. Packed with a subpar voice cast that makes me long for the perfectly cast versions of the DC icons from the old series, it’s an awkward flick that at least is better than the horrid Superman: Doomsday. The 2-disc special edition features a pair of audio commentaries, two behind-the-scenes documentaries, Justice League episodes, and more.
Every bit as comprehensive as you’d hope it would be, the 14-disc America At War (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$199.95 SRP) is a massive documentary series that charts American warfare from the Revolution to the war in Iraq – including everything from the Alamo to Korea and more.
Yes, I’ll admit to being one of those children of the late 70’s who spend the early 80’s watching The Smurfs (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP) on Saturday mornings, and who begged their parents for the Smurf figurines the rest of the week, desperate to create their own Smurf village. The Hanna-Barbera adaptation of Peyo’s still-appealing characters makes its DVD debut with a 2-disc first volume from season one, featuring 19 episodes, The Smurfs’ Springtime Special, and a music video. Frighteningly Smurfy.
As the aging criminal Des – who does no intend to go quietly into that good night – Sir David Jason is a still-spry, still funny guy in Rough Diamond (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP). Still scheming and acting as a slightly selfish latter-day Robin Hood, Jason and Des is a real treat. The complete first series in now available, which features text interviews with the cast.
I remember seeing 30 Days Of Night (Sony, Rated R, DVD-$28.95 SRP) in the theater and wondering – after the vampires have pretty much wiped out the Alaskan town during the titular winter period in their first night of feeding, leaving just a small handful of morons – that the 29 remaining days were terribly boring padding. On DVD viewing, my initial assessment holds true. Bonus materials include an audio commentary and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
I’m usually not a fan of pop star forays into classical music, but I did find myself enjoying Paul McCartney’s Ecce Cor Meum (EMI, Not Rated, DVD-$30.98 SRP), a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall of which is featured on a new DVD. The set also features a behind-the-scenes documentary about the creation of the piece.
It’s been a long while, but Comanche Moon (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) picks up the Lonesome Dove saga with a brand new miniseries focusing on young Texas Rangers Augustus McRae (Steve Zahn) and Woodrow F. Call (Karl Urban) as they face off against the Comanches, who defiantly intend to preserve their fast-disappearing territory and way of life. Bonus features include a pair of behind-the-scenes featurettes, and featurette focusing on Comanche heritage.
Long an importer of our trashy prime time soaps, the Brits have been growing their own in recent years, and Hotel Babylon (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) certainly adheres to all of the common cliches of the form, this time revolving around the staff of a high class, high drama hotel. The 3-disc set features all 8 episodes, plus a commentary on the first episode and a making-of featurette.
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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Last December I attended my first Hollywood movie premier. It was for the independent film, The Power of Mentorship. This phenomenal film, is about the importance of having a mentor in life, to help one get where they want to go. It is based on the life of the film’s producer, Don Boyer, how he became a self-made millionaire, by following certain steps his own mentor gave him. It stars many of the top people in the personal development industry, such as Bob Proctor, and Marie Diamond, from the hit movie, The Secret. The ideas presented in the film truly get ones thinking going in the direction of pursuing their goals, and fulfilling their dreams. What made my attendance even more special was that I wasn’t only going as a fan or one interested in the personal development industry, but as a fellow cast member. No, I don’t make a physical appearance in the film, but a song I wrote, A Matter of Choice, plays during the credits of the film.
Don Boyer: I had a desire to be a writer since I was 12 years old when I sent away for a course that I saw in a comic book called “how to become a writer”. Although it would not be for another 20 years I did see that dream come true in 1991. I wrote my first book called 7 keys to increase. I self published that book but it was soon picked up by a major Christian publishing company.
Don Boyer: The future holds more books, more movies and more trainings. I will be doing this as long as I live. .
Cabin Fever (hosted by the twisted souls Brian Fitzpatrick and Aaron Poole) is the result of having too much time on your hands and access to your local community radio station.
CABIN FEVER #12: The World On iTunes – And so we’re back from outer space. Don’t turn around now with that sad look upon your face. We can blame the delay of episode 12 purely on the fact that Aaron went on a trip to Belgium (no, he wasn’t “In Bruge”). However, we came back with a little wizzbang show containing pedophilic elephants, handlebar mustachioed air-hostesses and talk of an odd statue Aaron found on holidays. There’s music from the likes of Credit, The Bad Habits and, Jasper McVain. Good times! As always if you like what you hear, then drop us a line. We’re whores for props so feed this machine!
On the shortlist of my absolute favorite Britcoms – alongside such luminaries as Fawlty Towers and Blackadder – I must include Father Ted. In fact, I love it so much that I re-watched the entire run of the caustically hilarious misadventures of the trio of daft priests living on a backwater island in Ireland, contained in their entirety in 
We’re finally into Oscar DVD season, when the previous year’s more high profile “important” films arrive in stores, and I’d certainly include 
Best known as bumbling Baldrick in Black Adder – and also as the presenter of the BBC’s Time Team and Worst Jobs In History – Tony Robinson did a one man show last year detailing his life and career, 
Why has it taken so damn long to finally get a DVD release featuring classic material from the 20-year history of the US Comic Relief? It’s ridiculous, really, but at least we have the 2-disc 
Just when I was about to write off Nicole Kidman after a string of abysmal flicks (Hello, Invasion!), she goes and turns in a stellar performance in 
I always love tales of subcultures that are enormously full of their own self-importance. It’s even more delightful when that subculture involves Donkey Kong, and the quest for high scores. 
Writer/Director Paul Haggis’s 
The year is flying by, and I’ve decide to mark its quick passage with Warner’s remastered re-releases of the animated Peanuts catalogue. With the Valentine’s releases already passed, we’re now up to 
That 
After 20 seasons of bad boys, what’cha gonna do? Put out a 2-disc 
One of the many US policy based dramas to hit screens last year, 
Always ready to learn more about the Fab Four, I was interested in giving a spin to 
Theater nerds will surely snap up their own copy of the 
WACO, TEXAS – The gruff voice on the other end of the phone is unmistakable. Stone Cold Steve Austin is ready to talk.
