The DVD Files for January 9
by Tim Wick
Welcome to the DVD Files!
Every week studios hungry for a bigger piece of the cash cow that is the DVD
market release over 100 new titles. How is anyone supposed to know what to
spend their hard earned disposable income on? Well, you could sift through
the endless lists on Amazon.com or any number of on line purchasing sites or
you could visit misfit.org!
From now until we decide we are bored with it, we'll be providing insight
into the biggest (or at least most interesting) DVD releases that are
hitting the shelves. You probably know when the current film that you are
in love with is due out on DVD, but do you know when a classic you've always
loved will become available? That's why we - the research scientists at
MISFITS labs - are here.
We'll also include a DVD pick of a recently released DVD release that
we've actually had some time to delve in to and recommend.
Now we know that not all of you have a DVD player yet - but we know you all
want one!
One is a landmark television series, the other is currently #226 on the
IMDB's top 250 movies of all time (according to film geeks who are
remarkably fickle - but that's no the point).
The wonderful thing they are doing with TV Series releases these days is
compacting the number of disks it takes to put together an entire season.
While Paramount releases DVD's with only two episodes per disk, the entire
first season of M*A*S*H is available on only three DVD's. That takes up a
lot less space on your DVD shelf and also means you will pay less for the
set. The DVD's are bare bones with no extras whatsoever, but who cares?
This is one of the great TV series of all time people!
The movie comes with a whole slew of extras including commentary by director
Robert Altman and a 20th anniversary reunion of the cast and most
importantly of all, it is the only widescreen transfer of the film that is
currently available.
Either you love Baz Luhrman or you hate him. The eccentric director of
Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge also made this slick modern take on
the classic Shakespeare tragedy. Aside from the widescreen presentation,
this DVD is stripped. Given Luhrman's love for the DVD format (and the huge
sales of the Moulin Rouge DVD), it would be fair to assume he's hard at
work compiling a special edition release of both Strictly Ballroom and
Romeo + Juliet. If you love the movie and can't wait for widescreen, go
for it. If not, you should probably take a pass and rent it.
A couple of Rat Pack classics that are being released on DVD for the first
time - no doubt a result of the success of Steven Soderburg's Ocean's 11.
Rat pack films have their following and that is well and good. I count the
original Ocean's 11 as one of the worst films I've ever had to endure. I
will admit, however, that the video quality was complete crap. Certainly
the chances are that this new DVD transfer will offer a better viewing
experience - thought I would doubt if that will translate to a more
pleasurable one.
Robin and the Seven Hoods is considered to be the best of the Rat Pack
films - which is kind of like saying that there is a best way to have a root
canal. Seriously, unless you are a Rat Pack fan (there is a twelve step
program), there is no good reason to buy this DVD. All you get is a
widescreen version that I guarantee will be at the local video stores. Save
$12 and rent something else to watch when you turn one of these two off
early.
Aside: I shouldn't be so hard on the Rat Pack. I mean I grew up with the
Brat Pack and they didn't exactly distinguish themselves. When's the last
time you got into an interesting conversation about the merits of St.
Elmo's Fire?
The movie itself is almost sickeningly perky but it somehow never manages to
stop being enjoyable. A lot of this has to do with Reese Witherspoon's
position in the lead role. But more has to do with the fact that this is a
formula movie that understood it's formula well enough to do it well. The
extras on the DVD range from a lame-o rock video (as if there is any other
kind these days) to an amusing text commentary track that is a lot like
MTV's pop-up videos. In between trivia about the stars and the filming
location, you are treated to lists of rocks stars who are blonde, blonde
leading men, etc. It is just the right sense of humor for this film. There
is also a directors commentary track, a couple documentaries and deleted
scenes. All in all, the extras make for a fun addition to a film that is
already better than it has any right to be.
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