How To Spend $20
By Les Winan
August 10, 2005
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. The massive unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for you.
For aging members of former hair metal bands looking for a potential future wife: T.J. Hooker: The Complete First and Second Seasons (6-DVD Set) (1982)
Mostly, I just find it amusing that Heather Locklear went from a real rocker in Motley Crue's Tommy Lee to Bon Jovi's feathered haired guitarist Richie Sambora. If (and I think I speak for all of us when I say "God forbid") they happen to divorce, does this mean she ends up sliding further down the scale and marrying Rob Thomas?
For rock stars who want to play guys named "Otis": Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)
The film adaptation of Kate DeCamillo's novel may be most noticeable for the inclusion of rock star Dave Matthews in the cast. That and the fact that the main character (a ten-year-old girl) has a lovable scamp of a dog. Included on the disc is an audio commentary with ostensible star Jeff Daniels and producer Trevor Albert; a scene-specific commentary with ten-year-old lead AnnaSophia Robb; a gag reel (which I assume features a lot of the crazy feet dance Matthews does on stage) and two featurettes.
For making catty comments from the balcony: The Muppet Show: Season One (4-DVD Set) (1976)
One of the more original variety shows in television history (and certainly the first where the "actors" were made entirely of cloth and had a hand up their ass), The Muppet Show featured enormous stars as guests and fantastic characterizations fo puppets. If you think about it, the Muppets might be some of the most fully realized, long-running pieces of cloth that were ever given personalities. Included on the disc are 24 episodes from the first season, including the original pilot; the show's original pitch reel; a "pop up video" type feature and a promo gag reel.
For wacky kung fu hijinks: Kung Fu Hustle (Widescreen) (2005)
Stephen Chow's acclaimed (if not immensely commercially successful) kung fu comedy hits DVD this week with an impressive DVD set. Included on the disc are an audio commentary with the film's cast and crew; outtakes and bloopers; featurettes; an interview; and deleted scenes. The film is apparently an interesting mix of slapstick comedy and kung fu action, but having never seen it, I certainly can't do it justice in a small blurb here. For more information, I recommend either seeing the movie or seeing what the Box Office Prophets Big Boards or our own Chris Hyde had to say.
For Eagles fans everywhere praying against the curse of the Madden cover: Madden NFL '06
Let's be real here, the real winner of the week is EA Sports, who released Madden NFL 06 this week. Given that the vast majority of DVD buyers are men (I'm assuming) and given that the vast majority of video game players are men (I'm not assuming) and, finally, given that the vast majority of football fans are men (again, not assuming), you have to think that this release took a major bite out of the DVD market this week. In fact, given the cost, it might take a bite out of several weeks worth of DVD sales (though given next week's releases, maybe not next week). Aside from the typical Madden features of updated rosters, outstanding franchise options and the massively annoying John Madden game commentary, new features abound on the new Madden. Included new this year are a new QB vision control, QB precision placement (allowing you to aim high or low, inside the shoulder of the receiver or outside, and to purposely under or over throw receivers), new "Truck Stick", allowing you to break tackles and deliver hits to defenders, and finally, most importantly: Superstar Mode, which allows you to either be Terrell Owens or someone who is not an asshole but still can fire his agent. Sounds like a package that will make me late for a lot of things, including finishing this column.
August 9, 2005
Beautiful Boxer (2005)
Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)
Bodysong (2003)
Columbo: The Complete Third Season (2-DVD Set) (1973)
Dallas: The Complete Third Season (5-DVD Set) (1979)
Dallas 362 (2003)
The Eye 2 (2004)
Hardcore (2004)
Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1965)
Jail Party (2004)
Kung Fu Hustle (Full Frame) (2005)
Kung Fu Hustle (Widescreen) (2005)
Legion of the Dead (2005)
Lightning Bug (2004)
Look at Me (2004)
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)
Memories of Murder (2003)
Merci Docteur Rey (2002)
The Mummy an' the Armadillo (2004)
The Muppet Show: Season One (4-DVD Set) (1976)
Murder at the Presidio (2005)
Off the Map (2003)
Oh, Heavenly Dog! (1980)
Oil on Ice (2004)
Roswell: The Complete Third Season (5-DVD Set) (2001)
Severed Ties (2004)
Sunland Heat (2005)
T.J. Hooker: The Complete First and Second Seasons (6-DVD Set) (1982)
Tom Sawyer (1973)
Under Milk Wood (1973)
Vampire Assassins (2005)
The Volcano Disaster (2004)
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