New releases, 22 Nov 2005
Full list at DVDJournal.com. Highlights below:
8mm 2 (unrated) (2005)
8mm 2 (R-rated) (2005)
I find it weird that a Direct To DVD film is coming out in both an R and an Unrated version. Do they really expect that anyone who’s thinking of picking this thing up straight on video is going to be squeemish enough to buy the “R.” The only reason the movie companies cut movies to an “R” rating is so that theaters will carry them. There are no theaters with these direct releases, so why bother? Is it the fear of Wal Mart or something?
Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection (3-disc set)
I barely remember the animated series anymore. I was more interested in THE MAXX cartoon at the time. I remember I liked it somewhat, even if it seemed sorta random.
Alien vs. Predator: Unrated Collector’s Edition (2-disc set) (2004)
If this is the unrated edition, does that mean we’ll see explicit Alien On Predator love scenes?
CSI Miami: Season Three (7-disc set)
I include this one for Beau, whose hatred for the show is well nigh legendary by now.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Season One (2-disc set)
I started once writing a parody of this show in a comic book script format. I should get back to it. I’m done with the show. I feel like I’ve seen all it has to offer already, and that they’re just repeating themselves now. Plus, all the shortcomings of the show are the parts they highlight. It’s become a tedious exercise to watch it.
King Kong: Special Edition (2-disc set) (1933)
King Kong: Collector’s Edition (2-disc set) (1933)
The King Kong Collection (4-disc set)
King Kong (1976)
Kong: King of Atlantis
The Son of Kong (1933)
Mighty Joe Young (1949)
I promised you plenty of Kong action last week, didn’t I? Here you go. Feast, furry monkey fans.
Leave it to Beaver: Season One (3-disc set)
The classics don’t die, thankfully.
The Polar Express (widescreen) (2-disc set) (2004)
The Polar Express (widescreen) (2004)
Merry Creepily Animated Christmas!
Seinfeld: Season Five
Seinfeld: Season Six
This is the one with the pirate shirt. It’s everywhere in the promotions for the new discs. You can even get a replica pirate shirt in one of the special gift packs, if you’re really a nutty fan.
War of the Worlds: Limited Edition (widescreen) (2-disc set) (2005)
War of the Worlds (widescreen) (2005)
It’s the end of the world as Tom Cruise knows it. . .
The Warner Classics Mega Collection (237-disc set - not a typo)
Who’s adding this to their Amazon Wish List? Odds are, anyone who would be seriously interested in a set like this would already own a bunch of it. Amazon.com has the set for $1450. It sounds huge, but it’s not a bad price — something like $6 or $7 a disc. (It includes the 4-disc BEN HUR set.) It is available for the free shipping method, too, but it’ll take a few weeks for the set to ship.
Next week: Reissues of the Muppets movies begin. MR. & MRS. SMITH. THE FAMILY GUY Volume 3. THE TOMORROW PEOPLE. And more.
Update: TVShowonDVD.com also lists the AMERICAN IDOL discs as coming out this week. I didn’t see them in Best Buy this afternoon, but I also didn’t look very hard.
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:32 pm
Is it the fear of Wal-Mart? Yes, absolutely. Them, and Blockbuster. Neither generally stocks NC-17 or unrated movies. There are a few exceptions — some DVDs don’t give the option of the watered-down version — but with a marginal flick like 8MM 2, where Wal-Mart or Blockbuster might just as well have said, “There’s really no need to stock this at ALL,” offering an R-rated version was their insurance on getting some shelf space. Can you tell I’m not a big fan of Blockbuster OR Wal-Mart? I am so grateful I don’t live in a place where I need to rely on either of them for my entertainment needs.
November 22nd, 2005 at 3:05 pm
The funniest thing is on the Amazon listing. After you scroll down all the DVDs included in the set, they have a special offer: “Buy this DVD with Tootsie!” For the people that just don’t feel the set is complete without “Tootsie”.
November 22nd, 2005 at 4:54 pm
Oops. The Amazon listing I was referring to above is the Warner Classic DVD set.
November 22nd, 2005 at 5:54 pm
The Kong Collection (4-disc set) is the one to get. Best value out of the multiple releases.
The Kong LE Tin is a rip-off because it costs as much as the 4-disc set but has the SAME 2 King Kong discs in it!
Other than that, not much of a day.
Just the overhyped X-Box 360 launch.
That system will be toast within 18 months I’d wager. Unless Sony really, really blows it, analysts are predicting PS3 will EASILY outdraw X-360.
Right now, my major turn-offs are the purposely-done shortages of the system, lack of anything but FPS shooters on it, and the general MS mentality.
No thanks. I’ll wait for the Japanese systems next year…
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:25 pm
It should be noted that KING OF THE HILL really has nothing at all to do with monkeys, giant or otherwise.
November 22nd, 2005 at 10:50 pm
Whoops. Sloppy proofreading. Thanks, Bart. I’ll cut that out right now. . .