Each week DVDs come out. Some of them are worth your time and money and some aren’t. Some of them are movies I’ve seen, and some of them aren’t. Regardless, I give you my opinion on the big releases of the week. Take it or leave it, here’s the DVD Blend.
Cube Zero - 1997’s original Cube was quite an interesting and intriguing film. Seven strangers found themselves inside of a giant puzzle - a three dimensional cube made up rooms that shift around inside. The rooms are trapped, and the people have to make their way through the traps and rooms to try and escape. A sequel came five years later but was kind of a rehash, with different people and new kinds of traps. This prequel takes the concept a step farther and shows some of the world outside of the cube (something the other movies hadn’t done). If you aren’t a fan of the other flicks, I wouldn’t suggest this one, but if you liked the concept of the original thriller, and were able to stomach the sequel, this one might be a good one to check out.
Get Shorty: Special Edition - Get Shorty has been out on DVD for years, but has lacked a decent release. The version that’s out is pretty much a bare bones edition, but it’s where my love for the movie was born (I missed the film in theaters). What better way to celebrate the release of the sequel to this 1995 comedy than a two disc special edition, complete with outtakes, deleted scenes, and featurettes. And, just to entice you further to see Be Cool it comes with a free ticket to the upcoming theatrical release. Considering everything you get (and current movie theater prices) this is quite a buy for $20 (and it’s advertising for around $15 for its release week discount price) not to mention Get Shorty just as a movie is worth it. Usually I don’t recommend double dipping, but I’d grab this one regardless of whether I had a bare bones edition or not.
I Heart Huckabees - This release wins the award for double dipping this week - two releases of the film in the same week. One version is a two disc release with special features, the other is a single disc version with the movie and two commentary tracks. Guess which version we were sent to review? (answer: not the version you’d expect a studio to promote). Since I Heart Huckabees’s was an independent film it’s hard to believe Fox thinks there are enough people who just want the special features to warrant a separate release. Just tack the special features on the normal release and don’t do two versions. That would make sure everyone gets the extras and everyone would be happy.
The King of Queens - Season Three - There are often sitcom characters that you find you relate to a bit too easily. I’m almost afraid my wife and I one day will be Doug and Carrie Heffernan, especially if the day ever comes that her father moves in with us. Quite frankly if that were to happen I probably would gain the weight of Doug... I only hope I could be that funny. I don’t usually support sitcoms that are as formulaic as “Queens”, but one can’t help but laugh as Doug or Carrie messes things up and has to deal with the consequences. Kevin James and Leah Remini are usually enough to get me laughing, but add in Jerry Stiller, and the frequent appearances of Patton Oswalt and I can’t help but chuckle and guffaw at each and every episode.
The Shield - Season Three - “The Shield” started on television to critical acclaim, with Golden Globe and Emmy awards for the show, as well as for series star Michael Chicklis for his portrayal of the corrupt Vic Mackey. As the show has gone on some of that acclaim has died down, and the Emmys this year overlooked the show altogether. I’m betting soon Chicklis will hope the show takes back off, after his take on Benjamin “The Thing” Grimm crashes and burns this summer. For now, fans who missed the basic cable tv show can catch the third season on DVD, well timed for the show’s upcoming Season Four premiere (March 15th) . Interestingly, Amazon.com also has listed a soon to be released video game based on “The Shield” as well.
South Park - Season Five - Today’s kids don’t have the experience I had growing up - waking up on Saturday morning and watching cartoons for hours. Part of that, I think, is because cartoons have grown up with my generation, becoming cartoons that those of us who used to wake up on Saturdays now rush home from work to catch. “South Park” is one of those cartoons, and the fifth season must really scare those who thought the show wouldn’t make it past its first. In this season we see Cartmanland, the addition of Towilie, how many times the word “shit” can fit into an episode, the South Park response to Osama Bin Laden, and the final death of Kenny. Honestly, by the time these shows aired on television I wasn’t a regular viewer of “South Park”, but I look forward to seeing these moments for the first time on DVD.
Stripperella - Season One - Uncensored - Stripperella is another one of those cartoons that targets those of us who used to wake up for Saturday Morning cartoons. Stan Lee used to bring the world characters like Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk, but even he seems to have updated his portfolio with Stripperella - a stripper turned super hero voiced by none other than the perfectly cast Pamela Anderson. Stripperella fights criminals like Dr. Cesarean and Pushy Galore, detects lies with her ample chest, and crushes villains with her thighs. Obviously not for kids, although meant for the kid in all of us. Excelsior!
