The DVD Files for October 29th - November 5th
by Tim Wick
I am having trouble figuring out why the studios that have been releasing a ton of classic films in special edition format over the last few months seem to be getting cold feet just in time for the holidays. Now I'm not trying to say my holiday stocking will need to be stuffed with something other than DVD's, I'm just wishing we were seeing more than 2002 blockbusters taking up the majority of the sale shelves.
Still, the next two months have some really exciting titles coming out which means I'd better find a new shelf to put my DVD's on. Third time this year. That is really sad.
DVD releases for October 29th
Spider-Man
I don't think any of us dared to dream that someone would come along and make a comic book movie this close to perfect. Sure, you can't classify this as a serious picture, but in the realm of popcorn movies Spider-Man holds it's own. Tobey Maguire manages to capture Peter Parker with remarkable accurcy but it was Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin that really stuck with me. The two disc special edition has two commentary tracks, outtakes, screen tests and a big Spider-Man comic archive.
The Sum of All Fears
The latest Tom Clancy film left me a little bit uninspired. Ben Affleck is fine as the new Jack Ryan but the political intrigue was not as tense because I just didn't believe it. Of interest on the DVD would be the commentary track with director Phil Alden Robinson and novelist Tom Clancy. The track could well be very interesting because it's not often one gets the author's take on an adaptation of their work.
Mad About You - the complete first season
The trend of TV shows coming to DVD continues with the first season of one of the more clever sitcoms of the last ten years. Helen Hunt has managed to parlay her work on the show into an Oscar and a pretty solid film career. The show is smart and funny and features some genuine chemistry amongst it's stars.
Malcom in the Middle - the Complete First Season
Fox has been awfully quick about releasing it's TV series to DVD. This show is only in it's third season and the first is already available. The show has a bevy of Emmy nominations and critical fans but I've never actually seen it.
Eight Legged Freaks
A giant spider movie that wanted to be clever and funny like Tremors but wasn't. There were some moments that were really enjoyable but overall, it just made me want to watch Tremors again.
Farskape - the Complete Season One
After releasing the show in four episode chunks, they are finally going back and producing full season box sets. This isn't good news to anyone who had been purchasing individual DVD's but it's great news for anyone who waited.
The Santa Clause Special Edition
Endearing Tim Allen comedy that has spawned a sequel that will most likely not be anywhere as good as the original. In an attempt to get more people to the theatre, the studio is releasing this "special edition" that contains little in the way of extras aside from a free ticked to The Santa Clause 2
DVD Releases for November 5th:
Babylon 5 - The Complete First Season
Babylon 5 fans will now dissappear into their rooms and emerge in a week impatiently waiting for season two to arrive. Something of a holy grail among many Science Fiction fans, it's a little odd this series has taken such a long road to DVD. But the wait will be over soon.
Band of Brothers
HBO series on a team of airborne infantry in WWII, it was widely recognized as a brilliant peice of dramatic work. For those of us without premium cable, we can now watch every episode back to back without all that pesky waiting around for the next episode to air.
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Complete Fifth Season
Paramount continues to churn out these box sets to make good on it's promise to have the entire series in our hands by the end of the year. Anyone who enjoys good Science Fiction should not be without seasons 3 - 6.
Sports Night - the Complete Series Boxed set
Before The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin wrote for this critical favorite but audience bomb. The network stuck with the show for two seasons and then gave up. If you were one of the few that actually watched the series, you can own every episode forever!
The X-Files - The Complete Sixth Season
This week is all about the TV shows! All you X-Files lovers out there can rest assured - you get your fix too!
To Catch a Thief
There is some argument as to where this film falls in Hitchcock's legacy but one thing is for certain - it's hard to go wrong with the names Grace Kelly, Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock on the box. No, it may not be Hitchcock's best but a mediocre Hitchcock film is still better than almost anything else you can see.
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
The movie features a lot of stars (including Sandra Bullock) on screen but very few from the critics or the fans. I was waiting until it came out on video but I still think I'll give it a pass.
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
And Indie film that didn't fare too well at the box office. The film falls into the teen angst category and features animation by Todd McFarlane to show the main characters fantasy lives. I missed it in the theatre but plan to rent this one.
The Powerpuff Girls - the Movie
Despite the popularity of the subject, this film did not fare well with the public. It makes an early appearance on DVD so all of us who missed it can decide for ourselves.
DVD pick of the week:
Lawrence of Arabia
Nothing will ever be the same as watching this fantastic film on the big screen but it seems criminal to have a DVD collection without David Lean's masterpiece. The documentary on the making of the film is far more imformative than most and the promotional newsreels are extremely amusing. One can easily see how the newsreel's of yesterday have turned into the HBO featurettes of today.
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