How to Spend $20,000,000,000 over Two Weeks
By Les Winan
December 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.
It’s been a crazy two weeks in the DVD world. As Christmas approaches, the plethora of spending opportunities is downright overwhelming. This week alone, you could easily spend all the money you had planned to use on Christmas gifts on yourself. Now is the time of the year to ask for large gift cards from your favorite DVD retailer. Next week is equally exciting, with the long-overdue release of the complete fifth season of The Simpsons and the overlooked Shaun of the Dead hitting DVD.
While last week was a big week for movies with balls hitting people in the face and television shows with overly verbose families, this week is a festival of Julie Andrews and Tom Cruise movies, not to mention a movie with even more homoerotic overtones than Top Gun. We’ll explore the best of both weeks below…
December 7, 2004
For people who feel that movie titles have too many letters: M (2-Disc Criterion Edition) (1931)
Fritz Lang’s German thriller about a child murderer (happy subject matter alert!) manhunt that is so intense, even the non-child murdering criminals are helping the police (so the police leave them alone) is considered a classic. How do we know this? It’s being given a Criterion Collection DVD release. That’s a sure sign. As with any Criterion release, the extra features are impressive. Included on the disc are an audio commentary with German film scholar Eric Rentschler and BFI Film Classics volume on M author Anton Kaes; an interview Lang; an interview film by William Friedkin; a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Stanley Kauffmann; a 1963 interview with Lang; the script for a missing scene; a short film inspired by M; classroom tapes of the film’s editor discussing the film and its history; more interviews; historical information on the film M; a photo gallery and a new subtitle translation. It’s a massive DVD set and one that any fan of the film shouldn’t miss.
For fans of Wolverine: The Bourne Supremacy (Widescreen) (2004)
When you think about it, the back story of both Jason Bourne and the Marvel Comics (and now X-Men movie) character Wolverine are awfully similar. Neither remember their past. Both are highly deadly, well-trained government assassins. Both have long metal claws…okay, so their stories aren’t exactly the same, but there is something there. If you didn’t see The Bourne Identity, you missed out on Matt Damon’s birth as an action star. The Bourne Supremacy, a welcome and worthy follow-up to the original film, only confirms Damon’s arrival. Well-directed by Paul Greengrass, Supremacy essentially picks up with the Bourne character not long after we last left him. His life is as close to normal as it will get for someone with the ability to kill with his bare hands and no memories. He lives with his girlfriend (Franka Potente) and is trying to regain his memory. But, as it does for most people in situations like this, it all goes awry when someone tries to kill him. Naturally, action and adventure follow, with terrific car chases, fights and suspense. It’s a terrific movie. Included on the DVD are deleted scenes and a variety of featurettes on subjects like “Blowing Things Up”. It’s just what any fan of the film would ask for…aside from another sequel.
For people who haven’t seen Ben Stiller do “over-the-top guy” enough: Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Widescreen) (2004)
When someone makes a movie like Dodgeball, a film with such a promising premise, and it doesn’t quite deliver, who do you blame? Personally, I blame Ben Stiller. Perhaps it’s just me, but now that nearly every Stiller movie features some sort of variation on his “over-the-top-(insert character here)-guy” persona, just a whiff of that is all it takes to spoil a movie for me. Luckily for moviegoers, in the next film Stiller has in theaters has him displaying his dramatic range, playing his other character: nervous nerdy guy. Should be exciting. Dodgeball does, however, have some good laughs, though when a cameo by Lance Armstrong is one of the high points of the film, you know Dodgeball might not be the greatest movie ever made. Fans of the film will enjoy the extra features, which include a commentary track with writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber, Stiller and Vince Vaughn; deleted scenes with commentary; an alternate ending; four featurettes; a blooper reel and easter eggs. Not a bad package.
Forpeoplewhotalkreallyfast: Gilmore Girls: The Complete Second Season (6-DVD Set) (2001)
No show on television has more of a bum rap than Gilmore Girls. It’s marketed as a show for teenage girls, yet it appeals to pretty much anyone smart enough to pay attention. Pop culture references, well-written storylines, and a great deal of humor come flying at you like machine gun bullets. If you haven’t given Gilmore Girls a shot, take this chance to pick up the second season and see what it’s all about (and try the first season too). These discs include the entire second season, unaired scenes, featurettes and “Gilmore-isms” booklet. It’s a shame that there isn’t more involvement from the cast and creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, but we’ll have to dream of fast talking commentary tracks for seasons yet to come.
December 14, 2004
For people who haven’t seen a good Hector Elizando film in far too long: Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement (Widescreen) (2004)
Now, I’ve never seen The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement, but due to my much younger sister, I have seen The Princess Diaries. I’m going to go ahead and assume that I’m not missing much by not watching the sequel. Particularly because Mandy Moore is not prominently involved (read: naked) in the sequel. If you just happen to love these movies, this disc is just your speed. It includes an audio commentary with director Garry Marshall and Julie Andrews (which I have to admit is pretty cool…how often do film legends do audio commentaries these days? Not enough.); bloopers; deleted scenes; a Kelly Clarkson music video (hey it could be worse, it could be Clay “My Holiday Album Bombed and the clock is at 14:59” Aiken); and featurettes.
For people who like lengthy made up words: Mary Poppins (40th Anniversary Edition) (1964)
Speaking of Julie Andrews, her second entry in this week’s column is the Disney classic Mary Poppins. I highly doubt there are many educated people in the English-speaking world who haven’t seen the film, particularly those of us 40 or younger. For Mary Poppins fans out there, and there are legions of them, this is a fantastic release. Included on the disc are an audio commentary by actors Andrews, Dick Van Dyke (I wonder if he trips over an ottoman during the commentary?), Karen Dotrice, composer Richard Sherman, and others including Walt Disney (using archival recordings); a deleted song; photo galleries; a Dick Van Dyke make-up test (thrilling!); fun facts; songs and games; and featurettes. It’s a terrific package that could, in any other week, be the DVD Pick of the Week.
Me, not interested: I, Robot (Widescreen) (2004)
Will Smith blows some crap up. How original. While this film was the subject of more nerdy science fiction bickering among BOP staff than any other (excluding The Lord of the Rings trilogy), I have yet to find anyone actually excited that Will Smith is doing yet another action movie. I would dearly like to make $20 million a picture whacking a robot on the head and then making pithy comments about it, but unfortunately for all of us, I’m stuck making significantly less than that making snide comments on the internet. If you enjoyed this film, and I’ll admit that there are many who did, you’ll likely enjoy audio commentary with director Alex Proyas and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (Batman Forever alert!); a photo gallery and a making-of featurette.
For those intrigued by the 37 Golden Globe nominations Jamie Foxx received: Collateral (2004)
Michael Mann’s hitman drama was the beginning of the year of Jamie Foxx. A project that began as a “Tom Cruise playing against type” Oscar vehicle for one of the biggest stars on the planet became the appetizer to at least one Oscar nomination for former In Living Color and Booty Call cast member Jamie Foxx, whose career track at this point is slightly similar to the notion that somehow Horatio Sanz will soon be appearing on an awards show near you. The film itself is terrific, both Cruise and Foxx are outstanding, but there is certainly something to Foxx’s performance that stands out. Maybe it’s that he’s not the star Tom Cruise is and thus isn’t expected to be a star, but he is truly outstanding in Collateral. It helps a great deal that, unlike Ray, the movie itself is actually very good. Fans of the film will be slightly disappointed with the DVD offering. The only included features are the theatrical trailers; deleted scenes; production notes; rehearsal footage; and three featurettes. It’s too bad there isn’t a commentary track with Mann and/or Cruise and Foxx. Cruise and Foxx supposedly got along famously during the shooting of the film, so it would be interesting to listen to that rapport carry over.
For everyone who has ever been on the highway to the danger zone: Top Gun (Widescreen Collector's Edition) (1986)
One of the great guy movies of all time, and perhaps the first R-rated film I ever saw in theaters, Top Gun is a classic. In the modern, Jerry Bruckheimer sense. Filmed back in the day when Bruckheimer was still partnered up with the completely insane Don Simpson, Top Gun was Tom Cruise’s breakout role. Oddly enough, most of the main cast members went on to have significant and successful acting careers (Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Anthony Edwards, even Tom Skerritt) except for Kelly McGillis, who went on to be in a Harrison Ford movie and then disappear for ten years. One of my favorite signs of the lasting impact of Top Gun was about three years into Anthony Edwards’ run on ER (roughly 1997), he went on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and soon after sitting down, waving to the crowd, and being pitched his first softball by Leno, there was enough silence for an audience member to yell out “GOOOOOOOOOOOSE!”. That moment may have received more applause than Edwards’ actual entrance (and most of Leno’s monologue, I would guess. Is 2009 really five years away?). For the many, many guys running out to pick this disc up (and in denial about the homoeroticism of the film), we will all enjoy an audio commentary with producer Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott, and Navy experts; a documentary; never-before-seen footage; 4 music videos (please tell me this includes the hilarious “Take My Breath Away” video); a vintage (the '80s? Vintage?) gallery of storyboards, production materials, and featurettes. It’s a terrific package for one of the seminal films of the 1980s.
For never having to say “the end”…or so you’d think: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Ring (Extended Edition) (2003)
The DVD Pick of the (last two) Week(s) is an obvious choice. Rarely has a highly acclaimed, blockbuster film (or trilogy, no less) delivered on DVD the way The Lord of the Rings trilogy has. In fact, I dare say that for a fan of the book and/or films, the extended edition DVD version of each film is the definitive version. The same can’t be said for, say, the Star Wars trilogy. Like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Star Wars films have been released on DVD in “new” versions. However, unlike the Lord of the Rings movies, which have also been released on DVD in the theatrical versions to the delight of no fans, the Star Wars films have not been released as originally presented, to the delight of no fans. It’s an interesting comparison. While personally, I would rather have the Star Wars trilogy in any form on DVD than not at all, I do still have a sense of something being taken from me when I see some of the “new” additions to the films. With The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, seeing the new additions was like watching the movie again for the first time.
So much has been written about the trilogy, it’s not really necessary to rehash the plot of the film except to point out that it’s basically about a war going on while midgets carry a ring around. That said, the film did win all 11 Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture. In rewatching the extended editions of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers over the past few days, it’s clear just what an amazing accomplishment the trilogy is and how deserving Peter Jackson was of the Best Director Oscar. Just an incredible accomplishment.
As with the two previous installments in the trilogy, the Extended Edition is just that, bringing the total running time of the film to more than four glorious hours. All that before an additional 24 hours or so of extra features. Included on the four-disc set are an audio commentary track with director (and co-screenwriter) Peter Jackson, screenwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens; another with the production designers; one with the post-production team, and finally, one with cast members Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Lawrence Makoare, Smeagol and Gollum. That’s right, Smeagol and Gollum offer their comments on the film. Also included on the discs are; photo galleries; two short films: "DFK6498" and "Strike Zone"; and a massive number of documentaries and featurettes. I think it’s safe to say that the full trilogy of Extended Edition DVDs total the most impressive array of extra features and expository material ever put together for any film, let alone three. It’s an accomplishment that should stand along side the films in history and quite obviously the DVD Pick of the (past two) Week(s).
December 7, 2004
24: Season Three (6-DVD Set) (2003)
Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (Full Frame) (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (Widescreen) (2004)
Daddy's Dyin', Who's Got the Will? (1990)
Demons at the Door (2003)
Distant Thunder (1988)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Full Frame) (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Widescreen) (2004)
Dracula 3000 (2004)
Eminem: Aka (2004)
The Flintstones: Season 2 (4-DVD Set) (1961)
Gilmore Girls: The Complete Second Season (6-DVD Set) (2001)
The Girl From Paris (2004)
Gunga Din (1939)
Heart of America (2003)
Hell's Angels (1930)
Hi, Mom! (1970)
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1977)
How to Steal a Million (1966)
I Remember Mama (1948)
Infernal Affairs (2004)
Jack (2004)
Jinxed! (1982)
King of Kings (Criterion Edition) (1927)
The Last Horror Movie (2003)
M (2-Disc Criterion Edition) (1931)
Made in Estonia (2004)
Maria Full of Grace (2004)
Out Cold (1989)
A Show of Force (1990)
Smooth Talk (1985)
Species III (2004)
Star Trek Voyager: The Complete Sixth Season (7-DVD Set) (2000)
Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2003)
The Watermelon Heist (2003)
Wild at Heart (Special Edition) (1990)
Young Doctors in Love (1982)
December 14, 2004
All Night Long (1981)
Anything but Love (2003)
Blessed (2004)
Breaker Morant (Masterworks Edition) (1980)
Carlita's Secret (2004)
Collateral (2004)
The Door in the Floor (2004)
Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Second Season (5-DVD Set) (1997)
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972)
Fuehrer Ex (2002)
The Goalkeeper (2000)
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
Hitman's Code (2003)
I, Robot (Full Frame) (2004)
I, Robot (Widescreen) (2004)
Kitchen Stories (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Ring (Extended Edition) (2003)
Loving Glances (2003)
Mary Poppins (40th Anniversary Edition) (1964)
Meet the Parents (Full Frame Special Edition) (2000)
Meet the Parents (Widescreen Special Edition) (2000)
My Wife Maurice (2002)
Perfect Opposites (2003)
Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement (Full Frame) (2004)
Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement (Widescreen) (2004)
Quantum Leap: The Complete Second Season (3-DVD Set) (1990)
Reba: The Complete First Season (3-DVD Set) (2001)
Relative Evil (2001)
Serial Slayer (2004)
This So-Called Disaster (2003)
Son of Godzilla (1967)
Star Trek: The Complete Third Season (7-DVD Set) (1969)
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (2003)
Time of the Wolf (2003)
Top Gun (Full Frame Collector's Edition) (1986)
Top Gun (Widescreen Collector's Edition) (1986)
We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004)
Westender (2003)
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