Weekly Digital Disc Picks – June 8, 2010

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.”

2 replies on “Weekly Digital Disc Picks – June 8, 2010”

  1. 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.

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