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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. The unreleased studio (film and television) back-catalogue means that every week there's likely something for you.

Well, it's been an impressive two weeks for DVDs, a trend that will continue through Christmas. As always, it's time to choose carefully, because you really could go broke. Since we missed out on last week's selections, they're included below. Just be careful, who knows what evil lurks in the heart of Dakota Fanning?

For people who think Dakota Fanning is the only creepy child around: Polar Express (2-Disc Widescreen) (2004)

The Polar Express is another on the growing list of movie trailers that caused my wife to weep in the theater (Finding Neverland was one of the others). Now, she claims it's because it was one of her favorite books as a child and that's why she as emotional, but I'm fairly certain that it's because those kids in the movie looked damn creepy. Dakota Fanning creepy. I believe the main conceit of this film involves kids being taken on a train to see Santa Claus, which for some odd reason sounds to me like a new "ride" at the Neverland Ranch around Christmas. Included on the DVD are a Smokey and Steamer song not included in the film; featurettes on the various versions of Tom Hanks in the film; a profile of the book's author; a Josh Groban (DANGER!) music video and a behind the scenes look at the making-of the song; games and other features.

For anyone who was in a coma in the '90s: Seinfeld: Season 5 (4-DVD Set) (1993); Seinfeld: Season 6 (4-DVD Set) (1994)

Available separately or in a collectible set that features a "puffy shirt", seasons five and six of Seinfeld are really among the prime years of the series, though I find it amazing as I look through the episode list just how many times I've seen most of the episodes and how familiar they are. Though some portions feel dated, the bulk of the show still connects. Included features on Season Five are a featurette on the evolution of the character of George; deleted scenes; audio commentaries; bloopers and Seinfeld standup material. Season Six includes a "Running with the Egg" featurette; commentaries; behind-the-scenes featurettes; bloopers; trivia tracks; commentaries; standup footage and more. It's really a well put together set for each season and highly recommended for fans of Seinfeld.

For people who didn't realize that a movie came out back when Tom Cruise was going publicly insane: War of the Worlds (2-Disc Limited Edition) (2005)

I will admit I actively avoided going to see War of the Worlds in the theater as a direct result of Tom Cruise. As someone generally grounded in reality, it was a little disturbing to realize he...well, there's no need to give him more attention by rehashing it, but it was disturbing. You all remember. While Cruise was already creepy enough, with his movie star laugh overacting, it was something else when he started telling people how to live. At least with someone like Angelina Jolie, when she tells people how to live, it involves poverty or having so much sex with you that you leave your equally hot wife. It doesn't involve publicly bashing people for their mental health issues. Anyway, the fact remains that The War of the Worlds is not only a terrific movie, Cruise actually sublimates his Cruise-ness and acts. It's amazing. It's as if only director Steven Spielberg has enough pull to make Cruise act. He's even not a particularly nice person in the movie, though in retrospect, that's not much of a stretch. Now, the movie works so well that even Dakota Fanning isn't overly creepy, but that doesn't stop Spielberg from screwing up the ending, as he is always want to do. It's really disappointing when you consider the terrific filmmaking that came before the last few minutes. If you read the BOP big board entries on the film, you'll find a striking unanimity of opinion.

Equally impressive is the DVD, which (while seriously lacking in Spielberg/Cruise audio commentary, of course) is terrific. Included on the disc is an "introduction" with Spielberg; a featurette on H. G. Wells, who authored the original book; a featurette on the original War of the Worlds; and featurettes on the characters, multiple phases of production (Beginning, Exile, Destruction, War), design of the aliens, the score; photo galleries and other features. It's a great set excepting the fact that Spielberg is still too cool to commentary.

For one great director having a valid excuse to not do an audio commentary: Ran (Criterion Collection) (1985)

Akira Kurowsawa's classic adaptation of King Lear finally receives quality DVD treatment by the always reliable Criterion Collection (stay classy, Criterion Colleciton). Included on the disc are a new high-definition digital transfer; an audio commentary by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince; an "appreciation" by director Sidney Lumet; A.K., a 74-minute film by director Chris Marker; a making-of documentary; interviews; new English subtitle translation and more.

November 29, 2005

Did you know that penguins are gay? Watch out for the Republican Congress, penguins: March of the Penguins (Widescreen) (2005)

I have yet to see movie, but I will, simply because I hear that these penguins are gay. No seriously, some people think the penguins are gay. Which is fine, I just think it's entertaining that birds can be gay. Is it nature or nurture? You decide! Included on the DVD are featurettes on the filmmaking process, a feature on the diving and eating habits of emperor penguins; and, of course, a classic WB animated short with Bugs Bunny and a penguin. I wonder if Bugs Bunny will be protested for hanging out with homosexual birds?

"Well, how do you like the film?" "I've seen detergents leave a better film than this.": The Muppet Movie (Anniversary Edition) (1979)

When "Pepe Profiles Presents: Kermit: A Frog's Life" is the only real extra on your "Anniversary Edition" DVD, well, that's shitty. You can't even have a Kermit the Frog audio commentary track? Jim Henson must be (assisted by puppeteers) rolling over in his grave. In fact, I'm so disgusted that I won't write another word about this or the other three Muppet movies out this week. SHAME!

For office workers learning what it's really like to sit all day long: Murderball (2005)

Now this is what I'm talking about: a documentary that explores the light and dark sides of wheelchair sports that includes the subjects of the documentary in the special features. If someone were making a documentary about my life (never happening), I would definitely want the opportunity to respond. For example, I definitely think the maroons who go on reality shows should have the automatic option for a DVD audio commentary written into their contracts. In fact, if they're smart, on their personal web sites, they'll sell CDs burned with their commentary. That would be interesting enough to make me actually watch a reality show that isn't The Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Included on this disc are a "Murderball Special with Mark Zupan (the main "character") and Johnny "Maybe I really was sleeping with Jessica Simpson" Knoxville and Steve-O from MTV's Jackass; a Larry "I'm no Charlie Rose" King interview; a featurette on quad rugby as played in the film; interviews; deleted scenes; commentary by the filmmakers and a separate commentary by the atheletes. It's a great package.

For enjoying the irony of watching Angelina Jolie destroy a home on screen: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Widescreen) (2005)

Boy, is it ironic that the two most played out and ultimately uninteresting celebrity stories of 2005 are present in this column. Ironic, but not interesting enough to talk about any more. Let me just say that Brad Pitt is a truly outstanding comic actor. There's plenty of proof, be it his guest starring turn on Friends, this movie, or any other film he's done, Pitt should really find a smart, intelligent comedy to do quickly. While there are some comedic moments in this film, it isn't a comedy. That said, despite itself, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a pretty great movie. The portion of the plot that makes sense has something to do with husband and wife assassins finding out that they both are assassins and trying to kill each other before teaming up. Ultimately, all that matters is that both Pitt and Jolie are hot, have great chemistry and blow shit up.

Included on the DVD are an audio commentary with director Doug Liman and screenwriter Simon Kinberg and another with producers Lucas Foster and (DANGER!) Akiva Goldsman; deleted scenes; featurettes; and more. It's a nice set.

November 22, 2005

8mm 2 (2005)
9 Songs (2005)
Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection (3-DVD Set) (1995)
Alien vs. Predator (2-Disc Unrated Edition) (2004)
CSI Miami: The Complete Third Season (7-DVD Set) (2004)
The Exterminator (Director's Cut) (1980)
Home Improvement: The Complete Third Season (3-DVD Set) (1993)
King Kong (Collector's Edition) (1933)
King Kong (Special Edition) (1933)
King of the Hill: The Complete Third Season (3-DVD Set) (2000)
Mighty Joe Young (1949)
Now & Forever (2002)
Novo (2002)
Polar Express (2-Disc Widescreen) (2004)
Polar Express (Giftset) (2004)
Polar Express (Single Disc Full Frame) (2004)
Polar Express (Single Disc Widescreen) (2004)
Punishment Park (1971)
Ran (Criterion Collection) (1985)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)
Ringers: Lord of the Fans (2005)
Seinfeld: Season 5 (4-DVD Set) (1993)
Seinfeld: Season 6 (4-DVD Set) (1994)
Skeleton Man (2004)
Son of Kong (1933)
A Sweet Scent of Death (1999)
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)
The Tales of Hoffmann (Criterion Collection) (1951)
Wall (2004)
War of the Worlds (2-Disc Limited Edition) (2005)
War of the Worlds (Full Frame) (2005)
War of the Worlds (Widescreen) (2005)
Werewolf Hunter (2004)
The X-Files Mythology: Super Soldiers (4-DVD Set) (2005)

November 29, 2005

Confession (2005)
CSI: The Complete Fifth Season (7-DVD Set) (2004)
Death to the Supermodels (2005)
Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005)
Don't Go in the House (1980)
Family Guy: Volume 3 (Season 4) (2005)
The Frighteners (Director's Cut) (1996)
The Great Muppet Caper (Anniversary Edition) (1981)
Havoc (Rated R) (2005)
Havoc (Unrated) (2005)
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Let's Go! (2004)
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Rock Forever (2004)
Landscape in the Mist (1988)
Legends of the Fall (Deluxe Edition) (1994)
Lila Says (2004)
The Mangler Reborn (2005)
March of the Penguins (Full Frame) (2005)
March of the Penguins (Widescreen) (2005)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Full Frame) (2005)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Widescreen) (2005)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (Anniversary Edition) (1992)
The Muppet Movie (Anniversary Edition) (1979)
Muppet Treasure Island (Anniversary Edition) (1996)
Murderball (2005)
A River Runs Through It (Deluxe Edition) (1992)
Sexual Life (2005)
Shapeshifter (2005)
Sky High (Full Frame) (2005)
Sky High (Widescreen) (2005)
Steve + Sky (2004)
Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)
Two's a Mob (1998)
Windhorse (1998)