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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. So before you think to yourself, I hate country music, I know that the state of Texas is where history's greatest monster resides and I feel that buying any Austin product somehow helps pay the salary of Terrell Owens, yet I will buy Austin City Limits 2005 Music Festival, stop; ask yourself, "Why!?" and then check to see if Austin City Limits 2005 Music Festival (or your disc of choice) is one of the weekly BOP DVD recommendations.

For cannibals and the people who love and fear them: What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Special Collector's Edition) (1993)

There was a time when no one outside of the Growing Pains fanclub knew who Leonardo DiCaprio was. Then, James Cameron had to ruin it for everyone. Suddenly, every 14-year-old girl in North America found herself fantasizing about losing it to the guy who couldn't figure out Rose could sit in his lap, thereby saving them both. Nothing says romance like needless, idiotic sacrifice, I guess. But I digress. The point is that What's Eating Gilbert Grape is what put DiCaprio on the fast track to superstardom. Playing the sickly, Arnie Grape, he showed a deft touch as the younger brother to the best person in the world, Johnny Depp...err, Gilbert Grape. DiCaprio earned an Academy Award nomination for this role, and it got him cast in an over-budget, never-ending shoot that wound up redefining movie popularity. If you don't already own the DVD, this one is a worthy investment in terms of quality as well as the "look at them then" factor. If you do already own it, there isn't much to get excited about in the new compilation. There is director's commentary and various cast members offer thoughts on the lasting quality of their characters.

For Iditarod fans trying to pass the down time between races: Eight Below (Widescreen) (2006)

Back when people were still focusing upon the fact that this is a Paul Walker movie, BOP received a lot of criticism for predicting this project to be a breakout hit. What we recognized early on that has become readily apparent $81.6 million later is that the dogs are the stars here. Even a soulless zombie like Paul Walker could stand in the way of the success of this amazing story come to life. Eight Below is like a herd of Benji movies all at the same time. This is the rare family film that naturally appeals to all ages without any need for pandering. It is warmly recommended.



For fans of gratuitous nudity (i.e. everyone reading this): NYPD Blue: Season 04 (4-DVD Set) (1996)

This show ran for twelve seasons. Season 4 is one of them. Specifically, it's one of the Jimmy Smits seasons. Presumably, bad stuff happens to Sipowicz and some nekkid butts are shown. If you are a fan of the show, exposed nethers, or the suffering of fat cops, knock yourself out.



For people seeking to learn the truth about why we really won the Cold War: Night Watch (2004)

I should be able to speak in detail about this project. I heard so much about it before it ever found North American distribution that I wound up buying a region-free DVD of it some two years ago. The problem is that I never got around to watching it. This was not for lack of intentions. To the contrary, my wife and I sat down on no fewer than four occasions and pressed play. Each time, something happened that distracted us from finishing the movie. We never even got beyond the first ten minutes. Ergo, I am just like most of you. I have heard wonderful things about this project, occasionally billed as Russia's answer to The Matrix. I simply cannot say with any confidence whether it merits such hype.



For people who want to see the real nuclear family: The Hills Have Eyes (Unrated) (2006)

After tracking box office for as long as I have, there are few films whose performance shocks me. Most of those surprises are of the positive variety, but this re-make is the opposite. Given the popularity of horror as a genre and particularly acknowledging the success of icon reduxes such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Amityville Horror, I had ceded this film $60+ million. When the less credentialed When a Stranger Calls earned almost $48 million, my opinion was crystallized. When a friend and sitemate, a jaded one at that, described the nightmares he had after watching The Hills Have Eyes, I was certain this was a blockbuster. I was wrong.

Reviewers were a mixed bag, offering a coin flip opinion of 50% positive at Rotten Tomatoes. A moderate opening weekend of $15.7 million eventually led to a grand total of $41.7 million in total box office. Given the tiny budget (a reported $14 million), this project is a huge windfall for Fox Searchlight. Considering all of the positives The Hills Have Eyes had going for it, I cannot help but feel this was a missed opportunity on a much more lucrative payday. Given how much money it is poised to make in DVD release, I doubt anyone at the studio is complaining, though. If you are like me, a huge fan of the original, the update at least merits a rental.



For people wanting to send Damien a belated birthday present: The Omen (Collector's Edition) (1976)

The way this generally works is that a title is re-released just before its modern update is exhibited for the first time. I have no idea why The Omen chose to forsake a release on 6/6/6 just as its re-make had. In point of fact, the cynic in me can't help but wonder if this was done for two reasons. The first would be to not steal the box office thunder of the Liev Schreiber/Julia Stiles production. Given that its opening day accounts for a freakishly large chunk of the total box office of The Omen (2006), there is smoke to this fire. The second reason would be that with people unhappy about the new movie, they might want to return to the safe harbor of the 1976 original. Given the 28% Rotten Tomatoes score for the new project and its box office flameout after opening weekend, there is again some support for this line of thinking.

No matter the reason, The Omen's collector's edition release is no great shakes. The big features are director's commentary, three featurettes, production stills and a deleted scene. Back in the day, this was considered an ordinary DVD release rather than a collector's edition. If you already own The Omen on DVD, there is cause for upgrade. If, on the other hand, you haven't purchased the movie before, this would be the version to get...and it really is a title you should have in your collection.



For Greek mythology fans with low standards and Tony Todd fans used to disappointment: Minotaur (2005)

Having seen this movie, I speak from a position of authority when I announce it is terrible. Even so, it has Tony Todd in it. If you are like me, the presence of Tony Todd in anything guarantees that you will watch it. And, if you are like me, you will walk away from this experience shaking your head in disgust about the fact that Todd never got better gigs after The Rock.



For fans of the dullest comic book superhero the world has ever known: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - The Complete Third Season (6-DVD Set) (1995), Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman (2005), Superboy: The Complete First Season (4-DVD Set) (1988), Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)

With a certain superhero icon returning to theaters after an extended absencee, retailers are taking this opportunity to cash in. Superboy's first season is a particularly amusing choice since the original casting choice, John Newton, was 23-years-old when the show started in 1988. Despite this, he appears at least as old if not considerably older than the man cast to portray an older version of the character, Brandon Routh.

The third season of Lois and Clark is noteworthy for the season premiere. In this episode, Lois answers Clark's matrimonial proposal, simultaneously revealing that she is aware of Mr. Kent's secret identity. "Who's asking, Clark or Superman?" became one of the signature phrases in the show's history. The same episode also features BOP fave Bruce Campbell and Peter Boyle as a father/son tandem of entrepeneurial evil, and the sum of these parts is the finest hour in the show's four year run. That alone makes it an intriguing purchase option.

The Brainiac disc is a story arc independent of Superman - The Animated Series. That series was intended to capitalize on Batman's popularity as a children's cartoon. It was well received and lasted for three seasons. This is a standalone movie a la Batman: Mask of the Phantasm or the more recent Ultimate Avengers. I have yet to see it so I will reserve judgment on its quality other than to say that on the current front page poll at BOP, Brainiac gets my vote.

Look Up in the Sky is the most blatant attempt to capitalize on Man of Steel hype. This disc re-traces the Man of Steel's celluloid history. It also offers a sneak preview of Friday's movie in case there is someone out there who cannot wait an additional 72 hours. If you know such a person, please get them into a rehab facility today. Don't put this off. They need help and by the time they have been healed by nurturing caregivers, the actual movie, Superman Returns, will be out on DVD.






For people who wonder why 2005 was George Clooney's year: Syriana (Widescreen) (2005)

I have watched and enjoyed Syriana so much that it made my top ten list for 2005. Whether that means I completely understand the movie is a side issue. Syriana is a stubbornly dense exercise in big oil diplomacy, one that proves occasionally impenetrable even for the brightest cinephiles. Once the movie is over and the viewer has the full spectrum of intent, Syriana has revealed itself to be a staggering work. Even allowing for the difficulty of the subject matter, this is a title everyone should give a chance. George Clooney offers one of the best performances of his career, and a scene where a friend turns on him is one of the most powerful from 2005. Had one of the best television shows of all-time not had a new season released, this would have been the pick for DVD of the week.



For people who understand the phrase "Super Karate Monkey Death Car": NewsRadio: The Complete Fourth Season (3-DVD Set) (1997)

NewsRadio was criminally underrated during its run on NBC. Perhaps no time was this more evident than during season four. The show added Lorelai Gilmore herself, Lauren Graham, as a recurring guest star. Later, they did the unthinkable and promoted Phil Hartman's character, Bill McNeal, in order to show him how hard running the station was. The selfish, entropic on-air talent proved to be a masterful executive, thereby causing everyone to freak out that the promotion would grow permanent. In an elaborate season finale, the cast winds up imagining themselves as passengers on the Titanic. In short, a lot of creative high points in the show's history occur during season four.

Chief among them is Super Karate Monkey Death Car, the brilliant episode in which station owner Jimmy James realizes that a translation of his book of business advice has become a bestseller in Japan. Excited to capitalize on his fame, he has the book translated back into English for a local signing session. To his surprise, there are several excerpts lost in translation. What follows is one of the funniest scenes in sitcom history, one which instantly brings a smile to the face of anyone who has seen the episode. NewsRadio is as good as television gets and even by its lofty standards, season four is the pinnacle. Even with one of my favorite movies of 2005 as competition, this set is the clear choice for DVD of the week.







DVD releases for the week of June 20, 2006

The Aggressives (2005)
Austin City Limits 2005 Music Festival (2006)
Boom Town (1940)
China Seas (1935)
Dancing Lady (1933)
Eight Below (Full Frame) (2006)
Eight Below (Widescreen) (2006)
Equinox (Criterion Collection) (1971)
A Fine Madness (1966)
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971)
The Hills Have Eyes (Rated R) (2006)
The Hills Have Eyes (Unrated) (2006)
I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968)
Insecticidal (2005)
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - The Complete Third Season (6-DVD Set) (1995)
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman (2005)
The Loved One (1965)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: The Complete Fourth Season (3-DVD Set) (1973)
Minotaur (2005)
Mogambo (1953)
Nate and Hayes (1983)
NewsRadio: The Complete Fourth Season (3-DVD Set) (1997)
Night Watch (2004)
NYPD Blue: Season 04 (4-DVD Set) (1996)
The Omen (Collector's Edition) (1976)
Petulia (1968)
San Francisco (1936)
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal (1996)
Superboy: The Complete First Season (4-DVD Set) (1988)
Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)
Syriana (Full Frame) (2005)
Syriana (Widescreen) (2005)
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Special Collector's Edition) (1993)
When Stand Up Stood Out (2003)
Wive vs. Secretary (1936)