News

We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar.  Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves.  This week we’ve got Johnny Knoxville “pretending” to be mentally retarded, a film December and I disagree about, another flick from my worst list of 2005, special editions of convicts flying the friendly skies, Napoleon Dynamite, Gene Hackman and Will Smith arguing on a submarine, and people chasing Will Smith (hmm, maybe they saw I, Robot), season sets of Hill Street Blues and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

The Producers – Unnecessary re-adaption of the Broadway play (which itself was adapted from the original Mel Brooks film) starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Will Ferrell, and Uma Thurman.  Extras include a commentary by director Susan Stroman, deleted scenes, outtakes, and an analysis of a scene.  The film earned a spot on my worst of 2005 (click here).  Let’s just say Broderick is no Gene Wilder.  Check out the original review here.

Winter Passing – Speaking of films I disliked (check out the original review).  This one stars Zoeey Deschanel as a moody drug addict daughter of a famous writer (Ed Harris) who goes home to find letters her parents wrote to each other years ago to sell them to a publisher.  Included on the DVD are trailers and a behind the scenes featurette.  I couldn’t find it in myself to like or care for any of these characters but December enjoyed it for what it was (read her DVD review here).

The White Countess – Ralph Fiennes plays a blind American diplomat who falls for a Russian refuge (Natasha Richardson) in Shanghai during the 1930’s.  Extras include commentary by directory James Ivory and Natasha Richardson, a making of featurette, a behind the scenes featurette, and a tribute to Ismail Merchant.

The Ringer – Johhny Knoxville and his friends scheme to make some cash by entering himself as a contestant in the Special Olympics.  The DVD includes commentary by director Barry Blaustein, screenwriter Ricky Blitt, Peter Farrelly, Johnny Knoxville, Edward Barbanell and John Taylor, deleted scenes, featurettes on the Special Olympics and the movie, and a message from the Chairman of the Special Olympics Tim Shriver.

Something New – A young black female lawyer (Kenya McQueen) finds love in the arms of a white landscaper (Simon Baker) to the consternation of her friends and family.  The DVD includes an introduction by Blair Underwood and featurettes on the making of the film and the do’s and dont’s of dating.

When a Stranger Calls – A high school student (Camilla Belle) is harassed by a threatening prank caller while babysitting only to discover the calls are (gasp) coming from inside the house.  Extras include commentary tracks from the director, writer, and cast, deleted scenes, and a featurette on the making of the film.

Special Editions:

Napoleon Dynamite (Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!) – Jon Heder as the alienated teen who, when not bustin’ the moves,  helps his friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez) run for student president.  This collection contains two discs with commentary by director and co-writer Jared Hess, Heder, and producer Jeremy Coon, and commentary with Ramirez, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, and Tina Majorino, deleted and extended scenes with commentary, outtakes, audition clips, and featurettes on Jared Hess, shooting on location, and the wedding.  Also included are promo spots, trailers, a still gallery, and clips from TV appearances.  All of this is also available in the “Freakin’ Sweet Collector’s Set” which also includes iPod stickers and bobble-heads of Napoleon and Kip.

Con Air (Unrated Extended Edition) – A former US ranger gets out of prison after serving a stint for manslaughter only to have the transport hijacked by the other fellons (John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, Dave Chapelle).  John Cusack and Colm Meaney also star. 

Enemy of the State (Unrated Extended Edition) – “You’re not paranoid if they’re really after you.”  Yeah, whatever.  Will Smith plays a lawyer who beomes the subject of an NSA investigation when a man drops evidence a corrupt politician into his unsuspecting lap and turns his life upside down.  This edition includes a featurette on the making of the film, deleted scenes, and the trailer.

Crimson Tide (Unrated Extended Edition) – The nuclear submarine Alabama has a new XO (Denzel Washington) who doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the captain (Gene Hackman) during a possible nuclear attack by Russia.  Extras include deleted scenes and a featurette on the making of the film.

Family/Animated:

Home Movies – Season Four – The final 13 episodes of eight year-old Brendon Small’s visionary early work captured in his homemade movies staring his friends Jason and Melissa.  The set also contains bonus commentary tracks with cast, crew and guests, episode animatics, a featurette on the genesis of the series, and a bonus CD with 52 tracks collecting music from all four seasons.

Duma – Parents of young South African boy (Alexander Michaletos) bring home an abandoned baby cheetah who grows up with the boy until the day Duma becomes old enough to return to the wild.  Extras include extended scenes and the trailer. 

TV:

Hill Street Blues – Season Two – Another season Steven Bocho’s overworked inner-city cops in all 19 episodes.  The set includes commentary on two episodes, featurettes on the show, star Richard Belker, Captain Freedom, and more.

That Girl – Season One – Before Mary Tyler Moore there was Marlo Thomas as the liberated and single struggling model and actress in New York City.  All 30 first season episodes are included with the original pilot, series promos, featurettes on the making of the show, outtakes and clips, and an eight page episode guide.

The Big Valley – Season One – Western soap opera involes the brood of the Barkley Ranch in the San Joaquin Valley during the 1870’s.  All 30 episodes of the first season are collected here.

We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar.  Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves.  This week we’ve got a movie that Aaron and I both agree is one of the best of 2005, disaster in both a building and a ship, Jennifer Aniston discovering the rumor might be true, season sets of That ‘70’s Show, Scrubs, The West Wing, The Facts of Life and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Munich – Steven Spielberg’s gripping tale of the fallout from the murders at the 1972 Olympics follows the Israeli team put together to hunt down those responsible.  The DVD comes in a regular one-disc edition with an introduction by Spielberg and a two-disc limited editon also including featurettes on the impact of the real events, the movie’s 70’s style, a behind the scenes look, and the music, cast, editing, and sound of the film.  Aaron immediately dubbed it his best film of 2005 (see his list) and it found it’s way to #2 on my list.  Read the original reviews here, and here.

Rumor Has It – Sarah Huttinger (Jennifer Aniston) life is shaken when she discovers her mother and grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) were the inspiration for The Graduate.  A clever and amusing film that sadly is only available in a barebones DVD with the theatrical trailer as the only extra.  Read my original review.

Nanny McPhee – Emma Thompson as a kind of anti-Mary Poppins who serves as a governess of seven unruly children.  The DVD contains commentary by director Kirk Jones and the children of the film, and another track with Emma Thompson and producer Lindsay Doran, featurettes on the children, creating the character, the making of the film, a gag reel, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending.  Check out the original review.

The New World – Terrance Malick’s retells the story of John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Pocahantos (Q’Orianka Kilcher).  The DVD contains a 60 minute documentary on the making of the film.

Big Momma’s House 2 – Martin Lawrence returns as a cop who likes to dress up in fat women’s clothing.  The DVD includes commentary from director John Whitesell, producer David T. Friendly and Zachary Levi, deleted and extended scenes, and a behind the scenes featurette.

Special Editions:

The Poseidon Adventure (Special Edition) – The original film (check back for my review of the remake this Friday) of where a ship capsizes at sea and a group of passengers struggle to survive.  This two-disc collection includes a commentary track with director Ronald Neame and a second with Pamela Sue Martin, Stella Stevens and Carol Lynely, nine new featurettes including a look back by the cast, the fans of the film, the effects and more.  Also included are storyboard comparisons, original trailers and promos, an article from the “American Cinematographer”, and still galleries.

The Towering Inferno (Special Edition) – A massive fire erupts in an enormous office building as those trapped struggle to stay alive and find a way out.  The special edition includes commentary by film historian F.X. Feeney, nine new featurettes on Irwin Allen, the art, direcing, and effects of the film and more, storyboard comparisons, three articles form “American Cinematographer,” an interview with Irwin Allen, still galleries, and the original trailer and promos.

Grandma’s Boy (Unrated) – A 35 year-old video game tester moves in with his grandma and a lack of anything resembling hilarity soon ensues.  The DVD includes features on both versions of the film, commentary by Allen Covert, Nick Swardson, Peter Dante, and director Nicholus Goosen, a collection of featurette, deleted scenes, and a music video.

Family/Animated:

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist – Season 1 – All six episodes of comedian Jonathan Katz as an animated therapist dealing with his friends, family and patients (voiced by other stand-up comedians).  Included are commentary by Katz, Dave Attell, J. Jon Benjamin, Ray Ramano, and Tom Snyner, a biography of the doctor, and original shorts.

TV:

The West Wing – The Complete Sixth Season – The race for the White House begins with the addition of Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits to the cast.  The set includes all 22 episodes with commentary on two episodes from the executive producers, a featurette on C.J. Cregg, and an easter egg interview with John Spencer.

Scrubs – The Complete Third Season – All 22 episodes of season three in Sacred Heart Hospital with extras that include commentary on two episodes from writer Mark Stegmann, creator Randall Winston, Donald Faison, and Judy Reyes, a cast and crew featurette, behind the scenes of this season, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and alternate lines.

That ‘70’s Show – Season 4 – All 27 episodes from the fourth season with commentary on select episodes, a featurette on the season, a flashback, and a featurette on director David Trainer.

The Andy Griffith Show – The Complete Sixth Season – 30 more episodes of Andy and the Mayberry gang that includes the first episode of the series broadcast in color.

Everybody Loves Raymond – The Complete Sixth Season – All 24 episodes of the season featuring Ray Ramano and his TV family are included with commentary for six episodes by Romano, creator Phil Rosenthal, Doris Roberts, and writers Tucker Cawley, Mike Royce, Lew Schneider, and Steve Skrovan, bloopers, deleted scenes, and a retrospective on the first six seasons.

The Golden Girls – Season Five – All 26 episodes from the blue-haired foursome.  Extras include cast commentary on selected episdoes.

The Facts of Life – The Complete First and Second Seasons – All 29 episodes of he first two seasons of the Diff’rent Strokes spin-off involving Mrs. Garrett, blair, Natalie, and of course Tootie.  Also included are featurettes on the cast’s memories and life after the show.