This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: May 5, 2009

Ben Button leads a rather weak field, but [REC] is finally coming to DVD

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
I posted my review of the Blu-ray edition yesterday giving Benjamin Button another glowing critique. So, it shouldn't come as any surprise I am leading with it this week and recommend it as a film you should at least watch, since I am willing to admit this isn't a movie everyone will love. However, I do believe this is a film everyone should revisit every few years if they don't like it as I think it is a film that only gets better with age
Buy The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Dexter – The Complete Second Season
Paramount sent this one over and I have also recently taken a look at the first season of the original "Star Trek" on Blu-ray and just a couple nights ago finished watching the first season of "C.S.I." on Blu-ray. I covered the "Star Trek" release last week and the "C.S.I." release comes out next week and I plan on covering all three in an upcoming piece, including "Dexter" as all three are terrific shows if you ask me.

Outside of the impressive picture and audio, what I like most about these specific Blu-ray releases is the ability to go from episode to episode without returning to the main menu each time. Paramount is the only studio I know of that doesn't have a "play all" feature for its television releases, but with Blu-ray menus popping up while you are watching an episode you can skip to the next one as the current episode's credits are rolling. Another benefit is the smaller packaging. I think all three of these seasons take up the same amount of space as only one version of the previous "Star Trek" release.

As for "Dexter", if you haven't seen this show you absolutely must. I reviewed the DVD edition back in August of 2008 and you can read that review right here. I can't imagine anyone no loving this show.

Buy Dexter - The Complete Second Season
Twilight (Special Edition)
I have no idea where this came from or if it is an Amazon exclusive or what, because Summit certainly didn't send me a release notice, but Twilight is heading to Blu-ray and Amazon has it along with a special collector's edition. You can click on the "Buy Now" button below to check out both editions, but I can tell you these are the features listed by Amazon:

Amazon.com Exclusive Collector's Set contains:

· Twilight (Special Edition) Blu-ray Disc
· Twilight Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD
· Jewelry Box: individually numbered
· Exclusive Watch
· Limited Edition Charm Bracelet
· 6 Glossy Photo Cards
· Bookmark
· Certificate of Authenticity

Blu-ray Disc features:

· Presented in widescreen format only
· Audio commentary by Catherine Hardwicke, Kristen Stewart, and Robert Pattinson
· Muse music video: "Super Massive Black Hole"
· Paramore music video: "Decode"
· Linkin Park music video: "Leave Out All the Rest"
· Five extended scenes with director introductions
· Five deleted scenes with director introductions
· Seven-part documentary: "The Adventure Begins: The Journey from Page to Screen"
· Comic-Con "fandom" piece
· Comic-Con NY sizzle reel
· Three trailers
· Penelope trailer
· BD Live with "New Moon" teaser

Don't ask me what that "New Moon" teaser is, but my assumption is it is most likely just a behind-the-scenes featurette since a trailer is not yet available.

Buy Twilight (Special Edition)
Paramount Blu-ray
Grease / Saturday Night Fever / Ferris Bueller's Day Off
I have very little to say here since Grease and Saturday Night Fever are obviously taste specific films and all three films seem to be a product of their generation and I am not sure how well they carryover to new generations. For example, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is an outstanding comedy, but I grew up with this film and considering the nature of the R-rated comedies dominating the box-office nowadays will the PG-13 nature of this one turn off audiences used to much more? The Blu-ray transfers are great with Bueller being the one that needs a high-def transfer the least, and I expect fans that love these movies will come away quite happy.
Buy Grease
Last Chance Harvey
This was a late entry in last year's award season and while it managed to move a few pundits and earned a solid 71% rating at RottenTomatoes it missed out on any gold trophies. However, awards aren't everything and I hope to give this one a first look myself.
Buy Last Chance Harvey
Chandni Chowk to China
I'm not sure if I will ever see this film considering the list of movies I have lined up for myself on top of everything else that arrives for review, but I will say the trailer did look amusing.
Buy Chandni Chowk to China
Enchanted April
I know nothing about Mike Newell's Enchanted April other than the fact it won two Golden Globes for Best Actress (Miranda Richardson) and Best Supporting Actress (Joan Plowright) back in 1992. The film is described as a period drama set in Italy at the turn of the century in which three women experience a holiday that will change their lives forever. I passed on reviewing it, but perhaps it's one you want to check out.
Buy Enchanted April
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Post #1
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Hey Brad, I understand that you're surprised by the Blu-Ray release of "Twilight", so here's the scoop.

Best Buy, Wal Mart, Target and I think a few other retailers got the "exclusive" rights to sell "Twilight" on Blu-Ray when it released back in March. Basically that meant Amazon was left in the cold (although they can still sell the DVD version) until now, May 5th. Although Amazon does get an exclusive Special Edition of the Blu-Ray set to sell, since they waited so long.

Oh and I think the quote-unquote "teaser" for "New Moon" is just background music that shows an image of the title for New Moon, kinda like this vid of the very first "Dark Knight" teaser w/ all the Joker voice-overs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWw0ov-cAUg

- Vince
( May 5th, 2009 | 10:27 am )
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Post #2
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I picked up the Criterion release of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" this morning, and I still haven't finished all of the amazing special features. I hope to get to the DVD commentary sometime tonight. This 2-Disc version is definitely worth the price ($26.00 here), and if you're a big fan of the film, that's a plus, too.

- Garrett
( May 5th, 2009 | 5:45 pm )
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