Welcome back to another episode of DVD Diggers! Abandon all hope ye who enter here.
Before I get to this week’s big releases, I have a little catching up to do. Several items have passed by that I meant to bring up, but always seemed to fall by the wayside when I sat down to write. This week however, I’ve written everything down so as not to leave anything out. Now if I could just find that yellow piece of paper...
The force is strong with this one
In a few weeks it’ll be my pleasure to talk about the release of the original Star Wars. Recent speculation has formed over what exactly will be released on those DVDs though. We all know it won’t be the original Star Wars movies that we grew up with. George Lucas has declared his contempt for those less perfect films and stated that the only films to be released would be the “Special Edition” versions that came out a few years ago. However, recently information came out to lead fans to believe Greedo shooting first wouldn’t be the only change to these movies, and that perhaps Lucas may be making other changes to the films, including Hayden Christensen’s Anakin inserted over Sebastian Shaw at the end of Return of the Jedi
Well, a couple of weeks ago several members of the Cinema Blend forums started to wage a war. At first I didn’t pay it much attention, thinking it no more then the insane ramblings of a crazy scotsman. It was suggested that fans not buy the upcoming DVD release and send a message to Lucas that fans are tired of his meddling, and want the original films we grew up with. As you might imagine, several other people started rallying behind this cause, adopting a signature on the CB forums which then spread beyond to other movie communities.
Of course, if one person readily jumps to support one side, you know someone else has to be ready to oppose that side. Quickly the message board regulars seemed to break off, some protesting the upcoming release and others dedicated to buying the release. Posters who used to join efforts to belittle Paul Walker found themselves on opposing sides of the battles. Thus far casualties have been minimal... but you never know.
Personally, this DVD Digger will be buying the Star Wars trilogy. I couldn’t possibly not buy them. I disagree with the changes Lucas has made to the films, but between having Star Wars in widescreen (my old VHS are all pan and scan) and THX sound and not having it at all, well - I’ll take the Special Editions, thank you very much.
However, to make it up to my comrades in the forums, here is the anti-Star Wars banner. Use it to spruce up your signature in your movie community, or join ours!
Put everything on it except anchovies.
I have to mention the fellows behind Pizza: The Movie are a stand up bunch of guys. They came to Cinema Blend, took on the harassment and hazing here about their film, and then let us review it, only to get a review that says their film is “better then Torque.” But they’ve taken it all in stride, and within the last few weeks Pizza: The Movie finally went up for sale. I figure with all the hazing they’ve taken, the least I can do is give them a mention in here... well, the very least I can do is give them a mention in here two weeks after their film went up for sale (sorry guys!).
I’m still giving them the benefit of the doubt and will most likely pick up a copy of their movie (just not this week, I have DVD Digger merchandise to buy!). After all, just because Josh didn’t like it doesn’t mean anything, right? I mean, he likes Shatner and Hasslehoff for gods sake!
Click here for the Pizza the movie website.
The Passion of the Money
So onto the actual releases this week. The top release everyone will be talking about is of course The Passion of the Christ, the film that tells the story of the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life. It’s a gut-wrenching, brutal film, and after seeing it in the theater, I can’t imagine wanting to own it on DVD. It’s not the kind of film you’re going to watch casually - sitting around the house on a slow Saturday afternoon and suddenly say “Gee, I’m bored. I know! I’ll watch the torture and execution of Christ!” It’s just not that kind of movie. Obviously they’re expecting it to do well in sales though. Not only are they making it available in widescreen or fullscreen versions, but you can also order it in church friendly packs of 50. Science fiction geeks should be that organized!
The problem with a big Important film like The Passion of the Christ is that like other films, its success becomes tainted as others try to cash in on it. Look at this week’s DVD release list and you’ll see what I mean. Not only do we have Mel Gibson’s film, but also “NBC News Presents: The Last Days of Jesus”, Left Behind, Left Behind II: Tribulation Force, Jesus Christ Superstar: Special Edition, and “Touched By An Angel: The Complete First Season”. Basically, a trip this week to the New Release section of your store will be the equivalent of a visit to the church. I’m waiting to see priests sanctify the shopping aisles before the DVDs arrive, and exorcisms performed on nearby goths and sci-fi geeks looking for a copy of something where Monica Bellucci shows more skin, or the “South Park” parody DVD that also comes out this week - “The Passion of the Jew”.
It’s practically a religious week for the non-christians as well though. The old testament for the sci-fi fan, “Star Trek - The Original Series” finally sees release as a full season this week. The series was originally released as just a couple episodes to a disc, but now it’s been put together as a whole season. You just know Josh will be in Best Buy dodging the bible thumpers trying to get to Kirk. I really think we should set up a video camera to film that. It could be better then a game of football. “Tyler makes it past the action aisle, the drama aisle, ooh - it looks like a convent of nuns might block him before he gets to Children's - holy cow! Did you see that jump? Tyler really must want that Shatner!” I swear, Josh is going to end up in the next version of Trekkies. For now though, we’ll settle for Trekkies 2, the follow up to the original documentary that laughs at (and theoretically with) Star Trek geeks.
For Disney fans, the closest any of the newest movies have come to biblical status is The Lion King. Well, that came out on DVD months ago, so Disney missed their opportunity to try and cash in on The Passion’s audience - or did they? Never one to be left out, Disney tries to get some of their Lion King fans with the DVD release of the sequel The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride. As sequels go, it’s not half bad. As Disney sequels go, it’s pretty darn good. I don’t know how well it’ll sell, but it’s certainly a better Saturday afternoon’s entertainment.
Finally, after last week’s rant about the over exposure of television shows to DVD, a couple of the cult status type shows I like to see on DVD are coming out, both follow ups to previous releases. Volume Two of “Invader Zim” comes out this week, titled “Progressive Stupidity”. For those who aren’t into the more modern cartoons, you’ll love to see Season 2 of “Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends” on DVD. Both sets are sure to please, parodying culture and other cartoons as well as getting a few cheap laughs in here and there. They are the type of shows that fans are craving for, and I guarantee have a lot more appreciative an audience then “Little House on the Prairie” (not coming to DVD this week - but in the future - who knows?)
DVD Pick
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