This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: April 28, 2009

Star Trek leads the way with some Criterion releases to consider

Star Trek (Original Series) – The Complete First Season
I have watched about five of the first season episodes on Paramount's Blu-ray release of the original "Star Trek" series and as expected they look phenomenal, just as they did when I reviewed the HD DVD edition of the first season. However, gone is the bulky packaging, and the set has been cut down to seven discs instead of ten, both details are fantastic news. As far as differences, the main absence is a 90-minute documentary called "Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier" and there isn't an included booklet of any kind. However, improved menus, on the fly switching between the enhanced versions and the original effects is an impressive addition even if you only check it out once or twice. Overall, I think this is a must own, but I absolutely love the original "Star Trek" series and this is the third incarnation of the complete first season of the show I have owned and I can't wait for season two to hit Blu-ray, the best of the three season series.
Buy Star Trek (Original Series) - The Complete First Season
Criterion Collection
In the Realm of the Senses on Blu-ray and DVD
Empire of Passion on DVD
I just published my review of the Blu-ray edition of In the Realm of Senses and to give you an idea of how that played out, here is my final sentence, "Perhaps the best way to describe this film is to say now that I have seen it I will likely never watch it again, but at the same time I will never forget it." As for Empire of Passion that is the 1978 follow-up by Realm director described as "a pessimistic rebuke to Realm" by Dave Kehr at the New York Times as a result of Realm's censoring. I haven't seen it, but I am sure cinephiles interested in Realm will likely want to pick up Empire as well, but unfortunately only Realm is getting a Blu-ray treatment.
Buy In the Realm of the Senses (Criterion Collection)
The Uninvited
I also just reviewed this one and as I was watching I began to get a little frustrated I have now seen the U.S. remake of the Korean horror A Tale of Two Sisters twice and have still not seen the original. As for what you should do, if interested, give Uninvited a rent. It isn't worth more than one viewing… at best.
Buy The Uninvited
The Hit
I have never seen this film, which is directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen), but based on what I have heard it is a must buy. Here is the synopsis from Criterion:

Terence Stamp is Willie, a gangster’s henchman turned “supergrass” (informer) trying to live in peaceful hiding in a remote Spanish village. Sun-dappled bliss turns to nerve-racking suspense, however, when two hit men—played by a soulless John Hurt and a youthful, loose-cannon Tim Roth—come a-calling to bring Willie back for execution. This stylish early gem from Stephen Frears boasts terrific performances from a roster of England’s best hard-boiled actors, music by Eric Clapton and virtuoso flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, and ravishing photography of its desolate Spanish locations—a splendid backdrop for a rather sordid story.

This release comes with a commentary with Frears, actors John Hurt and Tim Roth, writer Peter Prince, and editor Mick Audsley as well as an interview piece with Terrence Stamp and the theatrical trailer.

Buy The Hit
Nothing but the Truth
This is a film I saw late last year, but in the midst of the madness never ended up reviewing it along with a What Doesn't Kill You, another Yari Film Group release hitting shelves this week. As for Nothing but the Truth, it has a fantastic cast led by Kate Beckinsale with yet another great performance from Vera Farmiga. In all likelihood I expect this film will remain as a favorite of critics that ended up seeing it, but should the proposed Fair Game get made I expect mainstream audiences will point to that one as the perennial film based on the story of Valerie Plame Wilson.
Buy Nothing but the Truth
What Doesn't Kill You
Between this one and Nothing but the Truth, this is certainly the weaker of the two, but only because What Doesn't Kill You feels like another film you have seen before. Nothing about it feels all that new, but the performances by Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke are great and even Amanda Peet gives another good performance.
Buy What Doesn't Kill You
Hotel for Dogs
There's nothing I can say here that would benefit you or me. This isn't my kind of film, but if it fits your viewing habits then by all means add it to your collection.
Buy Hotel for Dogs
Bride Wars
Now this film, however, I can tell you is awful and doesn't deserve anymore ink… even if it is only digital ink.
Buy Bride Wars
JCVD
This film wasn't all that bad, in my review last November I said, "This is a decent bit of entertainment best suited for a weekend rental, but I can’t help but wonder if it was made as a piece of entertainment or a legitimate late term attempt at rehabilitating a tattered image. If the reasoning is the latter it may be a bit sadder than I originally expected because while Van Damme does a good job parodying himself it doesn’t do much in terms of proving his ability to play anything more than JCVD, a role he has nailed since Bloodsport in ‘88 and people grew tired of by ‘96."

My suggestion, obviously, is to rent it and if you have Netflix you can watch it right now via their Instant Play.

Buy JCVD
The Da Vinci Code (2-Disc Extended Cut)
Angels and Demons is coming to theaters soon so Sony decided to see if they could convince you to waste even more of your money on The Da Vinci Code and have somehow managed to make it even longer. Who wants to watch this film again, let alone a 2 hour and 54 minute version? Yikes, that hurts to even think about.
Buy The Da Vinci Code (2-Disc Extended Cut)
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LOL!!! An extended Da Vinci Code! Holy crap.

- Drew
( April 28th, 2009 | 9:33 am )
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