This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: December 8, 2009
COMMENTS
Harry Potter, Michael Mann and Akira Kurosawa lead a generous batch of new releases
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AK 100: 25 Films by Akira Kurosawa (Criterion Collection) | |
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| Sure, there are some of 2009's bigger film releases hitting DVD and Blu-ray this week, but this set from Criterion is undoubtedly the release of the week. This set offers 25 of Akira Kurosawa's films, four of which had never been released on DVD, and an illustrated book featuring an introduction and notes on each of the films by Stephen Prince (The Warrior’s Camera: The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa) and a remembrance by Donald Richie (The Films of Akira Kurosawa). I was not sent a copy for review, but DVD Beaver has an extensive three page look at the set right here. If you are interested, it is selling for $284.99 at Amazon as of the posting of this round-up. A list of the films included is directly below followed by a link to purchase the set if you are so inclined or know someone in your family that would enjoy this as a Christmas present.
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Public Enemies | |
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| I just reviewed the Blu-ray edition and give it a resounding recommendation. However, I should say I gave this film a "B+" when I reviewed it theatrically with the expectation it would improve the next time I saw it. Guess what… it did. Get my full Blu-ray review right here. | |
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | |
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| My review copy from Warner Home Video hasn't arrived yet so I have no idea how this one looks or what the features offered are like. I can say I am anxious to add it to my collection, but I'm also getting anxious for this franchise to come to a close. | |
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The Cove | |
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| I was sent a review copy of this 2009 documentary, but having already seen it I didn't feel much of a desire to dive back into this incredibly sad story of dolphin destruction. However, with an audio commentary by the director and the producer as well as a documentary on the making of the film I expect to give it a spin soon. After all, this is a documentary that actually stopped the dolphin slaughter it was targeting. Now that's an accomplishment if I've ever seen or heard of one. Oh, and it's a very well made film to boot. | |
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World's Greatest Dad | |
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| This is a surprisingly good film and one I definitely recommend you rent. I'm not sure it's necessarily a title worth buying, but definitely worth a once over. You can read my theatrical review right here. | |
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Julie and Julia | |
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| It's half of a good film and half of a bad film, unfortunately that's not a recipe for one good film. You can get my theatrical review right here. | |
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Lost – The Complete Fifth Season | |
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| This is the first season of "Lost" I have received that I didn't immediately throw in the player to review. I don't know what it is, but TV just isn't doing it for me anymore, movies have so much more to love and appreciate. I think I'll stick to the occasional release of "30 Rock" and "Dexter" and call it good until something else piques my interest. | |
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The Marc Pease Experience | |
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| Right before its theatrical release a bunch of bloggers started complaining The Marc Pease Experience wasn't getting a wide release. You know why? Because it's awful. However, they can all now watch it on DVD. After all, it has Twilight and Up In the Air star Anna Kendrick in it. | |
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Ultimate Edition) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Ultimate Edition) | |
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| I didn't request these for review simply because they are too big and I don't care about anything they have to offer. Just gimme Potter and keep the featurettes and extended versions to yourself. | |
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Coraline (Limited Edition Gift Set) | |
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| I can't help but feel they are attempting to milk this one a little too soon. Then again, I don't see it winning the Oscar so there really is no great time to release a collector's edition, which means before Christmas can't hurt. | |
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EVEN MORE
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Season 5 of Rescue Me, the second half especially, was a return to form. Any fan of the show -or Leary and Tolan in general- should check it out.
Anna Kendrick yeah!! No, seriously!
"Julie & Julia" is $10 at Wal-Mart, Target & Amazon's online stores, so if you like it, you should definitely pick it up at that price. Also, Amazon is awesome, since I used extra credit from a gift card, so I'm only paying $5 for the DVD, and it should be arriving today.
Score!
I loved The Cove in theaters and hope it wins Oscar for Best Documentary, but I'll probably save my money Inglourious Basterds.
Season 5 of Lost is probably the best in my opinion! I can't wait for the final season! And this new season of Dexter has been incredible!