This might be considered a week where quantity triumphs over quality. Here’s what is new on DVD shelves this week.
DVD’s
G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra – This is the biggest release of the week, and I found it to be quite a lot of fun when I saw it in theatres. I would say that it is a better film than its Hasbro counterpart Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Essentially this G.I. Joe is an origin film about how Cobra came to be. It’s campy, it’s over top, but it’s a lot of fun. Leave your brain at the door, and sit back and enjoy!
The Taking of Pelham 123 – I did not see this film in theatres, but the basic plot is that John Travolta takes over a subway in New York, and it is up to Denzel Washington’s character to save the day. It was not a massive hit, but Denzel is an actor that always intrigues me, so it might be worth checking out.
Aliens in the Attic – The plot is simple – a family must battle Aliens that live in their attic to help save Earth. This was a colossal bomb in theatres, and is for kids only.
I Love You, Beth Cooper – Speaking of bombs, this was another one. It is about a kid who professes his love to the most popular girl in school at his commencement ceremony, and comedic hijinks follow. The film was directed by Chris Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter films, so if you’re a fan of his work, then you might want to check this film out.
Food, Inc. – This is a documentary about the global food production business and takes a look at how the business is being run by only a few corporations who only care about one thing – making food with the largest profit possible. I don’t think that the documentary is going to change anyone from eating processed food, but it will give you a better understanding about the conditions that food are made in.
You’re Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush – This is a taping from Will Ferrell’s sold-out Broadway show that has him recounting the life and times of the American President. I watched it on HBO when it was first televised, and it is a little disappointing. It has some great moments, but goes through long and tedious stretches. I would say that this is for Will Ferrell fans only.
North By Northwest: 50th Anniversary Edition – The classic Hitchcock thriller gets the special 50th anniversary treatment. The plot is about a New York executive who is mistaken for being a spy and races across the country to survive. An absolute must have in your collection.
Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series – This is an animated series that helps to fill in some of the gaps of Terminator: Salvation. As I was not a fan of the film, I don’t think that I’ll be very interested in this.
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut – This is definitely for fans only. It is the third different release of the film this year. We had the regular cut and director’s cut released on the same day, and the Ultimate Cut adds in the Tales From The Black Freighter cartoon into the actual film.
TV SHOWS
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – The Complete Season One – This TV show picks up where the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie left off, and follows the different characters on battles across the galaxy. For the most part you don’t have to watch the series in order, although there are a couple of episodes that take place back to back. Not for everyone, but it is better than the film.
Fraggle Rock – The Complete Final Season – The adventures of the Fraggles, the Doozers, the Gorgs and Doc and Sprocket come to an end this year. This is definitely a nostalgia purchase.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Season 1.2 – Capitalizing on the DVD of the summer film, the original animated series releases the second installment of the series. I bought Season 1.1, and like most things, I thought it was a lot better when I was a kid. Another nostalgia purchase.
Nash Bridges – Season 3 – Don Johnson and Cheech Marin star as cops who deal with crime in San Francisco. I think fans of the show like it because they remember when Don Johnson was on Miami Vice. The show definitely does not take itself as seriously as Miami Vice, but I will admit that I never watched Nash Bridges when it originally aired.
Spin City – The Complete Third Season – Michael J. Fox stars in this comedy series about the goings on in New York’s City Hall. Fox plays the Deputy Mayor who does everything in his power to protect the mayor from making a fool of himself, which proves to be a very hard thing to do. Yet another show that I did not watch when it originally aired.
