We’re here to keep you informed on hot choices for renting or buying new DVD releases. Released this week: Syriana, Eight Below, Night Watch, The Hills Have Eyes, Charlie Chan Collection Volume 1, The Omen 2-Disc Collector’s Edition, Justice League Season Two, Superman The Animated Serious Volume Three, Lois & Clark The New Adventures of Superman Third Season, News Radion Fourth Season and The King of Queens The Fifth Season.
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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:
Film:
Syriana – Syriana, while not based on any specific events, gives a chillingly accurate portrait of the many pressures brought to bear on the Middle East oil concerns. Multiple storylines (each intrinsically tied together) converge to show how poverty, politics, reform, and economic opportunity work against each other, creating unintended consequences for all. People who don’t follow politics might get lost among the multiple storylines, but in reality each scene impacts every other, even if it’s not readily apparent. Top notch performances from all the leads, with particular notice going to the excellent Jeffery Wright, as a lawyer who slowly gives in to corruption. Check out a more detailed version of Aaron’s review or Alan’s.
Eight Below – Have a box of tissue ready for this one, it’s a tear jerker. You will cry in happiness and sorrow as these 8 dogs make it on their own for over 6 months during storm season in Antarctic. Everybody will want to go out and buy a Husky after watching Eight Below. Based on true events of sleigh dogs and their frontier explorers, this film is great for the family. Hey the actors are good too, especially that American Pie guy, Jason Biggs; ya, I didn’t know he was in it either. Get a detailed review from Alan.
Night Watch – Russia’s, Nochnoy Dozor (Night Watch), is a monster/gore-fest that looks like it was loosely based on a darker (very dark and very German, with out a sexy hero or heroine) version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Moscow is split up between good and evil, day and night, supernatural humans with a truce with the evil/vampire versions roaming the night and the good in the day. The vampires are forced to stay within their realm by a “Night Watch” who controls their temperaments through light forces.
The Hills Have Eyes – Close to Wes Craven’s version from 1977, an A-typical American family find themselves broke down out in the middle of nowhere and being chased by crazy ass psychos who like to torture and murder innocents just for kicks. This group of freaks stayed around for the government nuclear testing during the 50’s and certainly messed with their physical and mental being. Some of the families fight back and escape, very similar to a Chainsaw Massacre feel. I have to wonder, with films like The Hills Have Eyes and Silent Hill exactly why Rob Zombie had such a hard time getting anybody to produce House of a 1,000 Corpses.
Special Edition or Series Release:
The Omen (2-Disc Collector’s Edition) – Next to the original Exorcist, The Omen is a close second to leaving you with that odd uneasy feeling of something evil lurking beneath our souls. Now, we get even more of being scared of possessed children (most are already) in this 2 disc special edition of The Omen.
Animation:
Justice League – Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection) – Here is a 4-disc, 26 episode animated collection that includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and The Flash, all using there super powers to fight evil and save the world and beyond.
Superman – The Animated Series, Volume Three (DC Comics Classic Collection) – A 2-disc, 18 episode Superman animated adventure. Aliens come to town to destroy the world and Superman is no match for Darkseid. The evil warlord takes control of Superman and makes him take over the planet to help Darkseid to rule the world; no worries, everything works itself out in the end.
TV:
Lois & Clark – The New Adventures of Superman – The Complete Third Season – It’s looks like Superman week this week with DVD releases. Lois & Clark is a TV version with a younger Man of Steel and a much younger and more beautiful Lois; saving the world one super power moment at a time and falling in love.
News Radio – The Complete Fourth Season – The 4th season of the politically incorrect sitcom full of humor, office politics, a loony boss and a bit of romance. What boast a wonderful comedian like Phil Hartman can’t be all that bad! Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Jon Lovitz plus many more made up the cast of News Radio, all set on one stage and very funny.