Things tend to get light when the summer blockbuster season starts, as though companies assume that you just won’t be home and indoors to watch things there. There are a couple of hidden gems in the next few weeks, but they’re mostly TV-on-DVD product.
Title | DVD Release(s) | Blu-Ray Release(s) |
---|---|---|
Action | ||
The A-Team: The Complete Series | DVD | |
Blaine: That’s a nifty looking package for a complete series release timed so people can have time to watch the earlier, stronger seasons before the new movie hits, but maybe not watch the later, weaker seasons. I love it when a plan comes together… | ||
From Paris With Love | DVD | Blu-Ray |
Jackie Chan and the Karate Kids | DVD | |
Alex: This is a collection of, basically, a bunch of dumb kung fu kids comedy films from Hong Kong, in which Jackie Chan makes a few appearances as does, by the way, Bolo Yeung (from Enter the Dragon). | ||
Tales of the Gold Monkey: Complete Series | DVD | |
Blaine: This appears to be a ripoff of Indiana Jones, produced after the success of Raiders. I’d have ignored it, but the reviews show a lot of nostalgic people. | ||
Anime | ||
Bleach Uncut Season 5 – The Assault | DVD | |
Alex: Last half of the Bount Arc. | ||
Ninja Nonsense – Thinpack | DVD | |
Samurai Deeper Kyo – Litebox | DVD | |
Classics (Traditional) | ||
TCM Spotlight: Charlie Chan Collection | DVD | |
Blaine: Includes “Dark Alibi,” “Dangerous Money,” “The Trap” and “The Chinese Ring.” | ||
Comedy | ||
Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories Collection | DVD | |
Blaine: Contains “Thanks for the Memory,” “The Cat and the Canary,” “The Ghost Breakers,” “Nothing but the Truth,” “The Road to Morocco” and “The Paleface.” | ||
Caddyshack | DVD | Blu-Ray |
Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season Seven | DVD | |
Not the Messiah | DVD | Blu-Ray |
Alex: This is essentially the next musical (or Rock Opera – the description isn’t clear) from Eric Idle, this time adapting (if the title didn’t give it away) Monty Python’s Life of Brian. | ||
Shaun the Sheep: One Giant Leap for Lambkind | DVD | |
Documentary | ||
Frontline: The Quake | DVD | |
Alex: Episode of the PBS documentary series focused on the international response to the earthquake in Haiti. | ||
Secrets of the Dead – Deadliest Battle | DVD | |
Alex: Episode of the PBS documentary series focusing on some new documents that have come up about the Eastern Front in World War II. | ||
Secrets of the Dead – Japanese Supersub | DVD | |
Alex: Episode of the PBS documentary series focusing on a Japanese submarine prototype produced before the end of World War II that could also function as an aircraft carrier. | ||
Drama | ||
Ghost Writer Season 1 | DVD | |
Alex: PBS dramatic mystery series for kids from the mid 90s. I thought it was fun when I was a kid, but I’m afraid to go back, as I suspect it hasn’t aged well. | ||
The Illusionist | Blu-Ray | |
Nip/Tuck | Sixth and Final Season | |
Shinjuku Incident | DVD | |
Alex: A rare Jackie Chan film that is neither a comedy, nor is it a martial arts film. Chan plays an illegal immigrant in Japan who ends up getting tangled up with Yakuza. | ||
Shutter Island | DVD | Blu-Ray |
Music | ||
Neil Young Archives 1 (1963-1972) | DVD | Blu-Ray |
Blaine: The Blu-Ray price is just barely higher than the DVD. If you can support the format, make a note. | ||
Sports | ||
WWE Presents: The Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches | DVD | |
Alex: Real mixed bag here. Most of the classic Undertaker matches (Hell in a Cell vs. Michaels and vs. Foley – among other matches) were on the earlier “Tombstone: The History of the Undertaker” release. |
Finally, the picks of the week. Alex says, “Very light week this week. Having seen all of Ninja Nonsense, I’m going to reccoomend that, because when I saw it I thought it was incredibly funny – the series has a lot of fanservice though, so if you’re not into that, be warned.” Blaine says, “the only title I’ve actually seen this week is Caddyshack, though I’ve wanted to watch The Illusionist. Still, I’m going to reccommend holding out for a week or two, especially if you’ve got Blu-Ray capacity.”
Grr! I’m still not in the habit of checking for the Canadian exclusive releases. This should also include the first season of Lexx: The Dark Zone and the third and final season of Relic Hunter.
Tales of the Golden Monkey was a hoot! I remember loving it as a kid. Yes it was a bit of an Indiana Jones rip-off, but was still fun.
Let’s not forget the original BSG was originally a cash-in on the Star Wars craze.