How to Spend $20
By Les Winan
May 27, 2004
Taking a look ahead at the week's DVD releases is always dicey for your wallet. Nearly every week, there's a disc that would fit nicely into any size collection. When it comes time to decide what to buy, there are really two determining factors: how much you love the content and the quality of the extra features on the disc.
As a result, decisions will be totally subjective (I bought the full run of the unjustly canceled ABC dramedy Sports Night, no matter that the discs are featureless, The Criterion Collection edition of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a disc I had been dreaming of for years). The massive unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for every film fan. So before you think to yourself, "I don’t wonder who President Bush consults to make decisions, but I’ll watch The Brady Bunch in the White House more than once!" stop; ask yourself, "Why!?" and then check to see if The Brady Bunch in the White House (or your disc of choice) is one of the weekly BOP DVD recommendations.
So another week of work went by, crushing my will to live (and write). Apologies for missing out on last week, particularly considering it was the release of The West Wing: The Complete Second Season. What would have been an obvious DVD Pick of the Week, The West Wing: The Complete Second Season features the entire second season, with audio commentary tracks on four episodes, deleted scenes, bloopers and a featurette. But the show’s the thing, and at the time, it was one of the best on television. Check it out.
For people still tying the noose because of the end of Angel: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Six (6-DVD Set) (2002)
Again, I never got this show, but clearly a lot of people did. All I know is that I like the first issue of Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men. Whoo! For those who DO buy, the discs have assorted commentary tracks with cast and crew.
For people waiting for the Elvis and JFK team-up: Bubba Ho-Tep (Collector's Edition) (2003)
I have no idea what’s going on in this movie, but Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis as Elvis and JFK? Sounds like a promising premise. I think it has something to do with fighting mummies or some such, but you’ll have to check it out on your own. If you do, the disc has an audio commentary with director Don Coscarelli and Bruce Campbell (as Elvis); deleted scenes with commentary; featurettes; a photo gallery and assorted other stuff.
For people mistakenly hoping that “Unrated” equals “Kate Beckinsale nude”: Underworld (Unrated Extended Cut) (2003)
I think Kate Beckinsale is hot. Particularly in black leather (call it the “Trinity Factor”?). But that in no way makes me want to watch a longer version of this terrible, terrible movie. Maybe you’ve always wondered what would happen if Romeo and Juliet starred vampires and werewolves, but personally, I don’t think it’s worth satisfying that curiosity. Luckily for director Len Wiseman, he’s now married to Beckinsale, but that’s not enough for me to feel good about this movie. Maybe if I were now married to Kate Beckinsale, that would help. Of course, I don’t think my future wife would be pleased. For people who purchased the original release of this film, there is now a new audio commentary track with Wiseman and Beckinsale, as well as co-star Scott Speedman. Also included are outtakes, storyboards, and featurettes. It’s a nice package, but unless you love the film and don’t own the other version, probably not worth your money.
For suckering people into inferior product (and I don’t mean the movie itself, so stop emailing me): The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2-DVD Widescreen) (2003)
Speaking of not worth your money. While a big fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I have yet to be foolish enough to purchase one of the non-special edition DVDs. Return of the King will be no exception. While great for people who either don’t care what version they have or really want the theatrical cut of the film, the two-disc release out this week does nothing for the ultimate enjoyment of the full trilogy. The “Extended Edition” sets of the first two have added significant depth and back-story to both films. In the case of The Two Towers, the additional footage represented a significant improvement to the overall film. Ultimately, if you really want the full weight of the trilogy, there is no other way to go than the Extended Editions. If you insist on purchasing this (or rent it and have extra time before returning it), you’ll find featurettes, advertisements, video game previews and DVD-rom content. Not much, but, after all, the movie is the real draw. I’m looking forward to the Extended Edition.
For people who like nudity with their “horror” films: Broken Lizard’s Club Dread (2004)
Broken Lizard’s Club Dread, the DVD Pick of the Week, is the second major offering from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe. Their first film Super Troopers, quickly becoming a cult legend, is a fantastic and funny film about Vermont State Troopers. While not quite as inspired, Club Dread is funny.
Starring the Broken Lizard guys and Bill Paxton, the film centers on a tropical resort run by Coconut Pete (Paxton), a Jimmy Buffett-esque singer-songwriter. Impressively, the mocked up Coconut Pete songs are significantly better than any Jimmy Buffett song I’ve ever heard. Other noteworthy cast members include Brittany Daniel, Jordan Ladd, and one of the geeks from Freaks and Geeks. Okay, so the cast isn’t that noteworthy, but the movie is. Basically a spoof of most serial killer horror films, there’s also plenty of time for inspired jokes (life sized Pac-Man, anyone?). It’s certainly uneven, but always fun.
For those of you willing to take a shot at the DVD Pick of the Week, Broken Lizard’s Club Dread features a commentary track with director (and co-star) Jay Chandrasekhar, as well as another with the entire Broken Lizard crew (Chandrasekhar, Erik Stolhanske, Paul Soter, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme). Not as substantial with the extras as the disc should be, but that will happen.
May 25, 2004
2 Days (2003)
Alien Terminator (1995)
Animal Kingdom (1932)
Battle Hymn (1957)
Bells of Innocence (2003)
The Brady Bunch in the White House (2002)
Broken Lizard’s Club Dread (2004)
Bubba Ho-Tep (Collector's Edition) (2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Six (6-DVD Set) (2002)
Burial of the Rats (1995)
By the Sea (2002)
Cheers: The Complete Third Season (4-DVD Set) (1984)
Club Dread (2004)
Crash Dive (1943)
Cruel Intentions 3 (2004)
Eye of the Stranger (1993)
Frasier: The Complete Third Season (4-DVD Set) (1995)
Full Metal Yakuza (1997)
The Game of Death 2 (1981)
Gray Lady Down (1978)
Growing Up Brady (2000)
Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969)
Hell in the Pacific (1969)
Highlander: Counterfeit (1992)
Highlander: Finale (1992)
Highlander: Unholy Gathering (1992)
The Hunters (1958)
The Keeper of Time (2004)
La Belle Noiseuse (1992)
Lamerica (1995)
Lancelot of the Lake (1974)
Larry the Cable Guy: Git-R-Done (2003)
Last Chance (1999)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2-DVD Full Frame) (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2-DVD Widescreen) (2003)
The Lost Treasure of Sawtooth Island (1999)
A Man Escaped (1957)
Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence (1993)
Midnight Kiss (1993)
Miss Firecracker (1989)
Morituri (1965)
New York Cop (1995)
Nora's Hair Salon (2004)
Northern Exposure: The Complete First Season (2-DVD Set) (1990)
On Common Ground (2001)
Saturday Night Special (1994)
Showgirl Murders (1996)
Smallville: The Complete Second Season (6-DVD Set) (2002)
Smiles of a Summer Night (Criterion Edition) (1955)
The Son (2002)
To Hell and Back (1955)
Tomie Rebirth (2001)
Too Late for Tears (1949)
Ultrachrist! (2003)
Underworld (Unrated Extended Cut) (2003)
Wake Island (1942)
The Weather Underground (2003)
What Price Glory? (1952)
The Winds of War (6-DVD Set) (1983)
Wizards (1977)
You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
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