This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: December 30, 2008
Plenty of new release dates, but not a lot of new releases
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I can't say I am upset this is a light week for DVD and Blu-ray releases and I am hoping next week I will have my new format in which I post two articles – one for DVD and one for Blu-ray – ready to go, but that all depends on work schedule as I am also hoping to catch up watching a few movies I haven't had a chance to peruse. For now, check out this week's limited selection and perhaps browse last week's article or even the week before for a few older buying options.
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Paramount Catalog Blu-ray Wave #2
Ghost / The Last Holiday / The Truman Show / Event Horizon / Days of Thunder |
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Ghost: If someone asked me I would say this is probably considered one of the most romantic films of all-time for many people. Personally I haven't seen it in ages and may be way off on that assumption. As with all five of these Paramount catalog releases there are no new special features as this one has a commentary with the director and writer, four featurettes, the trailer in HD and a photo gallery.
The Last Holiday: This is perhaps one of the most shocking releases of them all. Is there a single person out there that was waiting for the critically panned Queen Latifah comedy Lost Holiday? If so, please stand up and accept your reward, it is here in pristine high definition. The Truman Show: I like this film and believe it is a bright spot on Jim Carrey's career, if not the brightest spot. Carrey is both funny as well as brings a character we can connect to emotionally. This film managed to bring a slightly quirky guy to the forefront and allow audiences to connect with his plight. A great film, but not sure it is one you want to upgrade to Blu. Event Horizon: These last two flicks are probably the two most worthy of high-definition releases simply based on their genre. I have never seen Event Horizon, but I have the Blu-ray right here in my hot little hands and hope to watch it within the next couple of days and weigh in with an opinion. From what I have been told it is the best Paul W.S. Anderson film as well as a film that has one of the worst final 15 minutes ever? Does that sound about right? Days of Thunder: I love this film. I have not yet popped the Blu-ray in, but if it is even the slightest improvement over my DVD version I will have to say it is a must buy. I know this firmly cements me as a fan of cheesy '80s action films and a bonafide Tom Cruise fan, but that is exactly what I am… is there a club I can join? Clicking on the Buy Now link below will open up a page at Amazon where you can select any of the films listed above. As of the posting of this article all five were listed at $19.99. |
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Serenity
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I think Universal has now beaten this film into the ground and mustered just about as much money as possible out of the rabid fanbase. Personally I enjoy this film, but I just couldn't watch all of these freaking features over again in order to put together yet another review. The Blu-ray comes with every feature from the prior releases as well as a slew of Blu-ray Exclusive features such as:
I sound like I am down on this release, but that is only because I am all talked out on Serenity. However, I would definitely upgrade to this version, toss out the others and never look to buy another version of this film again. I don't think Criterion will be picking this one up. |
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Nip Tuck – Season Five (Part One)
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| This show hit the skids eh? I remember when Warner Home Video was sending me the latest seasons to review and all of a sudden – *POOF* – that ended and here we are with a part one release of the fifth season as the boys move to Hollywood. "Nip/Tuck" just couldn't maintain its momentum as "The Shield" did with shows such as "Rescue Me" and now "Damages" becoming the best shows on FX. I have yet to see the fourth season and just the other day boxed up seasons 1-3, I definitely won't be giving this release a second thought. | |
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Wedding Crashers (Unrated)
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| Another film I am tired of talking about hits Blu-ray today. I wonder, are most of you like me in thinking that once Will Ferrell's character shows up in this movie you can pretty much eject it and forget about it? | |
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Towelhead
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| I have heard good things about this flick and it remains one of the few 2008 releases I didn't see and to be honest I don't really care. The film follows the life of Jasira, a 13-year-old Arab-American girl, as she navigates the confusing and frightening path of adolescence and her own sexual awakening. I originally was excited to give it a peek, but then I watched the trailer and lost all interest. | |
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Surfer, Dude
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| Here it is, the film you have been waiting to buy. The Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson team-up that hit 69 theaters for a grand total of 21 days and managed to make a whopping $52,132 on a $6 million budget. I bet you have already clicked Buy Now haven't you? | |
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- Kyle XY: The Complete Second Season
- An American Carol
- Hellbound: Hellraiser II – 20th Anniversary Edition
- Rachel Getting Married (buy now)
Releasing on March 17, 2009 - Synecdoche, New York
Releasing on March 10, 2009 - Cadillac Records
Releasing on March 10, 2009 - Ashes of Time Redux (buy now)
Releasing on March 3, 2009 - The Robe (Special Edition) (buy now)
Releasing on March 17, 2009 - Lake City (buy now)
Releasing on March 3, 2009 - Yentl (Extended Director's Edition) (buy now)
Releasing on February 3, 2009 - How To Lose Friends and Alienate People (buy now)
Releasing on February 17, 2009 - The Children of Huang Shi (buy now)
Releasing on January 20, 2009 - El Norte (buy now)
Releasing on January 20, 2009 - The Last Metro
Releasing on March 24, 2009
- Rachel Getting Married (buy now)
Releasing on March 17, 2009 - Synecdoche, New York
Releasing on March 10, 2009 - Cadillac Records
Releasing on March 10, 2009 - Kramer vs. Kramer (buy now)
Releasing on February 17, 2009 - Gandhi (buy now)
Releasing on February 17, 2009 - El Norte (buy now)
Releasing on January 20, 2009 - The Last Metro
Releasing on March 24, 2009 - Battle in Seattle (buy now)
Releasing on March 10, 2009
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