We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar. Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves. This week we’ve got the fourth installment in the Harry Potter series, some military drama in Jarhead and hijinks in Hogan’s Heroes, the anime Howl’s Moving Castle, and TV season sets of favorites like The Brady Bunch, The Flintstones, and The Cosby Show.
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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:
Film:
Jarhead – Film version of Anthony Swofford’s experiences in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Jamie Foxx star in a film that shows the pointlessness (to the nth degree) of war. The DVD contains commentary by director Sam Mendes, a second commentary track with screenwriter William Broyles, Jr. and Anthony Swofford, interviews with Mendes and editor Walter Murch, and deleted scenes. Check out both the original reviews here and here.
Just Friends – Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart star in this film about a man returning home and meeting his old friend and crush whose rejection of him in high school made him leave home and become a womanizing jerk. DVD contains commentary from director Roger Kumble and producers, deleted scenes, bloopers, a Jamie Smiles music video, and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Read the original review.
Prime – Romantic comedy about a therapist (Meryl Streep) whose patient (Uma Thurman) begins dating her son (Bryan Greenberg). The DVD contains commentary from director Ben Younger and producer Jennifer Todd, and collections of deleted scenes and outtakes.
Family/Animated:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Harry takes part in the Tri-Wizard tournament (and never goes to class) in the fourth installment of the series. The DVD is available in a single disc version or a two-disc special edition that includes interviews with the cast, featurettes, and games for kids based off the film. Oddly enough both DVD’s are priced almost the same (within two dollars of each other). Read original reviews of the film here and here.
Howl’s Moving Castle – Oscar nominated anime feature about a young woman cursed by a witch into an old hag, a wizard named Howl who can see her as she truly is, and a fire demon named Calcifer bound to Howl. The DVD includes both an English track and English subtitles if you would prefer to watch it in the original Japanese. There are interviews with Pixar execs and a featurette on the making of the film.
The Flintstones – The Complete Fifth Season – Yabba-Dabba-Doo! The continuing adventures of this modern Stone Age family. All 26 episodes on four discs with original commercials, an introduction by animation historian Earl Kress, a “Stone Age Parenting Guide” feature, and a short interview with Hanna and Barbara on the creation of the series.
TV:
Hogan’s Heroes – The Complete Third Season – Hogan and his men are back fighting Nazis as undercover operatives serving as POWs in a WWII camp. Read the DVD review.
Star Trek Fan Collective – Borg – We gave you our early review last week of this collection of the top ten fan chosen Borg episodes. Check it out if you missed it.
The Cosby Show – Season 2 – The complete second season of the Huxtable family includes the famous lip synching scene to “The Night Time is the Right Time” among the 26 episodes.
The Brady Bunch – The Complete Fifth Season – Finally 22 episodes of the series about a lovely lady who was bringing up three very lovely girls and a man named Brady who was busy with three boys of his own.
Three’s Company – Season 6 – Come and knock on our door for all 28 episodes of the bumbling threesome, their nosy landlord Mr. Furley (Don Knotts) and their madcap hijinks.