How To Spend $20
By Les Winan
September 16, 2004
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.
As a result, decisions will be totally subjective (I bought the full run of the unjustly canceled ABC dramedy Sports Night, no matter that the discs are featureless, The Criterion Collection edition of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a disc I had been dreaming of for years). The massive unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for every film fan.
For people looking for where the deer and the antelope play: Home on the Range (2004)
More like Home on the Bo-ring! to me. But hey, maybe you're into non-Pixar Disney animated films. I'm sure I will be when I get around to having kids. But hey, if you have kids and want to pick up an animated movie for kids, you'll enjoy the DVD, which has a new short film; deleted scenes; games; a music video; and a featurette. Personally, I'm just excited that the woman who played the neighbor on The Hogan Family is one of the voices. She's also a scene-stealer in one of the top 50 movies of the '80s.
For people who hate themselves and want to die a slow, painful death: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (Widescreen) (2004)
It's nice that everyone with a fond memory of watching Scooby-Doo as a child is now cursed to have their nice sentimental thoughts ruined by a movie starring Freddie Prinze Jr. If you really must watch something starring a Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed cast member, go pick up the Freaks and Geeks DVD set, starring Linda "Velma" Cardellini. Personally, I just prefer to think of this film and its predecessor as "doo". The DVD features additional scenes; music videos; two interactive puzzles; and featurettes. Smells like doo to me. By the way, did you know that Linda Cardellini's middle name is "Edna"? That's funnier than anything in this movie.
For the few people left who haven't seen Denzel playing this character: Man on Fire (2004)
I'm sorry, but doesn't Denzel always play the brooding, intense guy who ends up yelling something important? I just find it very, very tiring. The only reason I even mention this disc is that I find Dakota Fanning to be so freakishly precocious that I'm interested in the audio commentary with her, director Tony Scott, producer Lucas Foster, and screenwriter Brian Helgeland. I'm just guessing, but she's probably the smartest person on the track.
For people wishing they had enough money to go back and "correct" everything they ever did: THX-1138 (2-Disc Collector's Edition) (1971)
Do you think George Lucas goes back and photoshops his wedding pictures once a year to make sure he looks as fashionable as possible? I'm guessing that he and Steven Spielberg have a running competition to see who can screw with their work as much as possible. I'm just surprised that Lucas isn't releasing this on DVD untouched and then several years later, releasing this version, with more special effects and such. But next week is for bashing George Lucas. This week is for pointing out that the THX-1138 DVD has an audio commentary with Lucas and co-writer/sound editor Walter Murch; Lucas' original film, "THX 1138 4EB"; and featurettes.
For people really wanting to see Ewan McGregor's penis...what, he doesn't show it in this movie?: Young Adam (2003)
I have to say, it's odd that Ewan McGregor, who has been completely naked in roughly 57 films, is not quite as nude in Young Adam. Personally, I'm fine with that, as I'd much rather see, well, most women nude than Ewan McGregor. But don't worry, ladies (and other fans of Ewan's penis), he'll be wielding something phallic in the new Star Wars film. In any case, the Young Adam DVD includes an audio commentary by co-star Tilda Swinton, director David Mackenzie, editor Colin Monie, and production designer Laurence Dorman and deleted scenes.
For people really wanting to go buy a DVD, but, well...eh: Slacker (Criterion Edition) (2004)
Slacker, the film that inspired many an indie filmmaker is the easy DVD Pick of the Week. As always, the Criterion Collection disc is worth having, but other than the features on the disc, I don't know much about the movie. I've never seen it. I'm sure not going to get up off my couch, get dressed, find my keys, walk outside, get in the car, drive to the video store, rent the movie, drive back home, put away my keys, put the movie in, get comfortable, and sit for two hours watching the movie to find out what it's about. That would be way too much work.
If you have the energy to check out the extra features, the DVD is stocked with an audio commentary with director Richard Linklater, cast and crew; deleted scenes; additional scenes; the Slacker reunion; a history of the Austin Film Society; a featurette; photo galleries, and an essay by director Richard Linklater.
I'd say more about Slacker, the DVD Pick of the Week, but that would be too much work.
September 14, 2004
7th Heaven: The Complete First Season (6-DVD Set) (1996)
Afterburn (1992)
aka (2002)
Angels in America (2-DVD Set) (2003)
Baadasssss! How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2004)
Body Parts (1991)
Close Your Eyes (2003)
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka (2002)
demonlover (Unrated Director's Cut) (2002)
Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete First Season (5-DVD Set) (1996)
Flashpoint (1984)
Hardcore (1979)
The Hazing (2004)
Home on the Range (2004)
I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)
Law & Order: The Fourteenth Year (3-DVD Set) (2004)
Lost in Space: Season Two Volume One (4-DVD Set) (1966)
Love Comes Softly (2003)
Man on Fire (2004)
A Midsummer Night's Rave (2002)
Orca, the Killer Whale (1977)
Perfect Witness (1989)
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (Full Frame) (2004)
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (Widescreen) (2004)
Slacker (Criterion Edition) (2004)
THX-1138 (1971)
THX-1138 (2-Disc Collector's Edition) (1971)
Truth Be Told (2002)
Watermelon Man (1970)
Young Adam (2003)
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