How to Spend $20
By Les Winan
September 2, 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 unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for you.
I'd like to officially apologize for last week's How to Spend $20, in which my well-meaning fill-in (who shall remain nameless to mask his shame) actually recommended purchasing a full-frame edition of a movie. Suffice it to say, he was the subject of modest ridicule around the BOP water cooler. Also, I would like to apologize for the lateness of this week's edition.
For a realistic assessment of what it's like when JLo marries into your family: Monster-in-Law (2005)
Did anyone ever notice that there's really no reason (aside from whoring herself...to the media) that Jennifer Lopez is a star? Her only good movie was one where the director and star (Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney) were good enough to drag pretty much any actress into some form of respectability. No, seriously, JLo sucks. Suuuuucks. As, I'm sure, does this DVD, despite an audio commentary with director Robert Luketic, Wanda Sykes, producer Chris Bender, production designer Missy Stewart and director of photography Russell Carpenter. The disc also includes seven featurettes, a gag reel (that given the humorless cast involved – Lopez and Fonda – is sure to be hi-larious); and deleted scenes.
For remembering that Julia Roberts was not an accurate representation of a prostitute's beauty or quality of life: Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Edition) (1990)
The movie that made Julia Roberts a star came out 15 years ago, making the time right for an anniversary edition. At least this is an anniversary edition that actually adds something to the DVD, not just another pointless reissue of the same material. Included on the disc are a new commentary with director Garry Marshall; deleted scenes; a cast reunion interview; Blooper Reel; a music video and three featurettes.
For people who like movie titles that help describe the type of geographical terrain the film is set in: Sahara (Widescreen) (2005)
The only thing I know about Sahara is that it involves the desert, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn and Penelope Cruz. That's not enough to make me want to see the movie, but I will admit to being intrigued by the audio commentary with McConaughey and director Breck Eisner, mostly because McConaughey seems like someone it would be fun to hang out and have a beer with. This audio commentary is also a prime reminder of the shameful treatment Dazed and Confused has received on DVD. Given Ben Affleck's history of entertaining commentary tracks (on his View Askew films, Michael Bay films and hell, even Bounce), getting him and McConaughey into a room together for a commentary track would be one for the ages. I assume. Also included on the disc are featurettes and deleted scenes.
For people who like their "special editions" just as special as the non-special edition: The Transporter (Special Delivery Edition) (2002)
A surprisingly capable action movie, The Transporter was entertaining and just clever enough to make you forget it was a B-action movie. Shockingly, just in time for the theatrical release of The Transporter 2: Electric Boogaloo (please note, sequel name may be different in your theater), there's a magical "Special Edition" DVD release of the original film. Featuring an audio commentary by actor Jason Statham and producer Steven Chasman; a "all-new behind-the-scenes documentary"; featurettes; storyboards and extended fight sequences, it's a terrific DVD package, but only if you like the film and didn't buy the first edition.
For every guy's favorite baseball team, the Yankees: Tommy Boy (Holy Schnike Edition) (1995)
Perhaps the most enduring movie to come out of the recent Saturday Night Live casts (if you don't count Adam Sandler's oeuvre), Tommy Boy should be nowhere near as funny as it actually is. It's a tribute to Chris Farley (in the best film role of his too-short career) and David Spade (in the best film role of his too-long career) and their creativity and chemistry that the film is as terrific as it is. Endlessly quotable, Tommy Boy also features entertaining performances from Rob Lowe, Dan Aykroyd (yes, I used "entertaining" and "Dan Aykroyd" in the same sentence), Brian Dennehy and Bo Derek. Lowe should stick to terrific supporting roles in comedies rather than trying to headline crappy network television shows that don't hide the fact that he never should have left The West Wing.
Finally being released in a respectable DVD form, Tommy Boy gets the gold treatment that is actually somewhat unexpected. Included on the disc are an audio commentary with director Peter Segal (too bad there's no Spade on the track talking about Farley); featurettes; storyboards; deleted scenes; a photo gallery and TV advertising; 15 extended scenes and a gag reel. It's a terrific package for a movie that actually deserves it and the DVD Pick of the Week.
August 30, 2005
Almost Heroes (1998)
Blue Ice (1992)
The Blues Brothers (Full Frame 25th Anniversary Edition) (1980)
The Blues Brothers (Widescreen 25th Anniversary Edition) (1980)
Body Language (1995)
Campfire Tales (1998)
Chrystal (2004)
Clueless (Whatever Edition) (1995)
College Girl Murders (1967)
Corvette Summer (1978)
CrossBones (2005)
Cup of My Blood (2005)
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Fourth Season (2-DVD Set) (2004)
Curly Top (1935)
Dance with Death (1991)
Dead Silence (1997)
Death of a Dynasty (2005)
Devil in the Flesh (1987)
Faith of My Fathers (2005)
Fathers and Sons (2005)
Fire and Ice (2-Disc Limited Edition) (1983)
Frankenstein Reborn (2005)
Girl Slaves of Morgana Le Fay (1971)
Go Tell the Spartans (1978)
Going Down (2003)
The Gumball Rally (1976)
The Heist (1989)
Hero at Large (1980)
Highway to Heaven: Season Two (6-DVD Set) (1985)
Justice (2004)
Kontroll (2005)
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004)
Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch (2005)
Little Miss Broadway (1938)
Loving Couples (1980)
MPD Psycho II (2000)
Monster-in-Law (2005)
The Morning After (1986)
Nature of the Beast (1995)
Nip/Tuck: The Complete Second Season (6-DVD Set) (2004)
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)
Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Edition) (1990)
The Purifiers (2004)
Rollover (1981)
Sahara (Full Frame) (2005)
Sahara (Widescreen) (2005)
Schultze Gets the Blues (2003)
Sex, Politics & Cocktails (2002)
Shot Through the Heart (1998)
The Staircase (2004)
Strapped (1993)
Strawberry Shortcake: Moonlight Mysteries (2005)
Street Trash (1987)
Thriller: They Call Her One Eye (1974)
Tommy Boy (Holy Schnike Edition) (1995)
The Transporter (Special Delivery Edition) (2002)
Twelfth Night (1996)
Walk on Water (2004)
Warm Springs (2005)
The Winter Guest (1997)
Wise Guys (1986)
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