ON DVD TODAY: July 8, 2008
Mummy x3, Van Helsing, Fearless and the Fastlane!
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Well, as you can see I am attempting a new layout this week and I have a feeling it will be changing over the next month or so as I am working on ways to make this column a little easier on me by having the database do most of the work. I can say this week was easier, but I think I still have a little something up my sleeve to speed up the process a little more and perhaps add a few more bells and whistles to the presentation below. Enough of that though, let's see what's out there this week.
Van Helsing (2-Disc Collector's Edition) | |
 | I actually have this here in the lab, and I couldn't bring myself to watch it again. I tried giving it another go around way back when I received the HD DVD version and I just couldn't. This is quite possibly one of the worst films I have ever seen and that is really saying something considering werewolves, Dracula, Frankenstein and Kate Beckinsale in skin tight leather outfits are all good things. It looks like there are a couple of new featurettes on this release when I compare it to my HD DVD version, but don't hold me to that, I didn't do a lot of research. |
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Batman Begins (Limited Edition Gift Set) [Blu-ray] | |
 | I already reviewed the Blu-ray version of this set (read that here) and it is impressive, but outside of a high-definition picture and the addition of the first six minutes of The Dark Knight there isn't much that is new here. For those that didn't get the HD DVD version the In Movie Experience is new, but it isn't all that impressive and outside of a few postcards and a comic book and making-of booklet based on the Dark Knight prologue, this is nothing more than the already released 2-Disc DVD, which I am sure many of you already own. If you were interested in the Blu-ray I would recommend the non gift set Blu-ray edition and save yourself some money (about $16), but don't go and waste any money on the DVD Gift Set, it's just not worth it since all you are really getting is more paper to clutter up your house with. |
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The Mummy (2-Disc Deluxe Edition) | |
 | I have had both of the new 2-Disc Deluxe editions of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns for about a week now, but I held off on reviewing them since I was expecting the Blu-ray editions of each, which actually just arrived yesterday. There are a few differences, but I will say that if you are happy with your current DVD version of The Mummy and/or The Mummy Returns don't worry about buying these Deluxe Edition DVDs. The new features they post are certainly not worth the extra dollars. The big difference between the old release and these new ones are that the new versions have been "Digitally Restored". Now, I don't know how bad your current version looks, but considering these aren't exactly old movies I wouldn't expect the digital restoration to be too great. I will say the picture on these does look quite good, but I'll get into picture a little more when I review the Blu-rays… Since there is more space below I will continue the rest of this commentary in the next box… Join me will you… |
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The Mummy Returns (2-Disc Deluxe Edition) | |
 | Feature wise, both The Mummy and The Mummy Returns carry new features, but nothing all that great. Most prominently would be the "An Army to Rule the World" features on each disc, which is really nothing more than a five minute+ look at some effects work, not at all groundbreaking. There is also the "Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy feature, which is like a mini version of what is shown in feature length form on the new Special Edition version of the 1932 Boris Karloff version, which I will talk about very shortly. Overall, when it comes to these two deluxe editions I would say skip them if you want high-quality and go for the Blu-rays in a couple of weeks. If you aren't upgrading to Blu-ray and you don't already own these movies and you want them, by all means pick them up. You will also benefit from the $7.50 off a ticket to see The Mummy 3, which comes in each package. However, if you are upgrading from DVD to DVD, I would say, "Pass." |
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Jet Li's Fearless (Director's Cut) | |
 | This is a DVD I also have here, and have not watched only because some real time needs to be dedicated to it and thanks to a trip to L.A. two weekends ago and the 4th of July I have not had a chance yet. What we have here is the REAL director's cut, not that shitty "Unrated" cut they tried to pawn off on us initially. This is a 2-disc set that comes with the unrated and theatrical versions of the film on the second disc, which each run an hour and 44 minutes. However, disc one holds the real film, the director's cut, which clocks in at 2 hours and 21 minutes. One of my biggest complaints about this film was how I thought it was too short. I thought Ronny Yu tried to pack too much story into 104 minutes. I am sure it wasn't by his choice either or this wouldn't have the label "Director's Cut" on it. I am sure the studio wanted to push for a more action packed film considering it was Jet Li and it was being sold as his last martial arts film. This is a film I can't wait to check out again, and hopefully very soon. As far as features go there is nothing new, just the new cut of the film, but that's all I really care about in this case anyway. Now I need to find the time to watch the theatrical version first and then immediately watch the director's cut after that. Yup, that's how I roll. |
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Stop-Loss | |
 | I have someone prepping the review for this one and since I have not seen it I can't comment. I will say that I had absolutely ZERO interest in seeing this film as I am not a Channing Tatum fan. However, to that note, I have been told that Tatum is pretty good in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints from 2006 and wouldn't you know I have that flick from Netflix over on the coffee table. Yeah, so put it in line with Fearless and all the others, which includes Doomsday on Blu-ray, which I am actually very anxious to watch. I am sure I will give Stop-Loss a chance soon, but my review pile is pretty stacked at the moment and it isn't one calling out my name. |
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The Ruins | |
 | I reviewed this one in an off-the-beaten-path sort of way as I coupled it with a look back at Sam Raimi's A Simple Plan. Both films are based on Scott Smith novels and the fact that I was covering them both at the same time was a coincidence too good not to take advantage of. Personally I liked The Ruins. I thought it was very well thought out considering it is a film about a killer vine, something Stephen King even tried in an online serial novel at one point and failed as "The Plant" was never finished (at least not to my knowledge). It has a fair amount of gore for the horror freaks and a good bit of tension for those looking for a thrill. I have actually talked about this film quite a bit considering it wasn't exactly a blockbuster, here is an article where I tackle the nature of the film's ending you may enjoy. |
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The Mummy (1932) (Special Edition) | |
 | And finally we have good ol' Boris Karloff and his 1932 version of The Mummy back when Universal was making a name for itself with all its classic monsters. After talking at length on the other Mummy films I will give you a snippet from my review of this DVD and should you want to read the whole thing click here:
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