Home Video News 

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 last (and funniest) film of my best of 2005 list to finally get released, Steve Martin on the trail of the Pink Panther, teenagers finding a mermaid, Neil Young playing that rock ‘n roll, a special edition of an inconceivably good film about a princess a pirate and an giant, and season sets of Cheers, Coach, Dharma & Greg and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang – Aaron had a lukewarm reaction to writer/director Shane Black’s pulp detective murder mystery but I fell in love with it from the opening credits (read my original review) and still stand by the film that found its way into my best of 2005 list.  The DVD contains commentary with stars Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr and Shane Black.

16 Blocks – Bruce Willis is a New York cop (no, not that movie) who takes custody of a criminal (Mos Def) and must transport him to the courthouse to testify against cops who will do whatever they can to make sure he never takes the stand.  The DVD includes an alternate ending and deleted scenes.  Read the original review here.

A Good Woman – Screen version of Oscar Wilde’s play “Lady Windermere’s Fan” casting Helen Hunt as the seductive older woman, Scarlett Johansson as the young Mrs. Windemere, and Mark Umbers as her husband.  Read the original review here.

Documentary:

Neil Young – Heart of Gold – A little bit documentary and large part concert film of the music legend performing work from his new album and past hits.  The DVD contains rehearsal diaries, six featurettes and a performance by Young in 1971 on The Johnny Cash Show.  Read the original review here.

Dave Chapelle’s Block Party – Speaking of concert films…  Dave Chapelle’s huge Brooklyn bash includes comedy, stand-up, and some darn good music.  The DVD is available in both original and unrated versions and includes a making of the film featurette and extended musical and comedy acts.

Special Editions:

The Princess Bride (Dread Pirate/Buttercup Edition) – What!  You’ve already bought this film on DVD and now they’ve put out a special edition!  Inconceivable!  Rob Reiner has never been better than here telling the story of young Buttercup (Robin Wright in her first film) and her Wesley (Cary Elwes).  The 2 disc DVD contains commentary tracks from Reiner and screenwriter William Goldman, featurettes on the making of the film and Miracle Max, a mockumentary on the Dread Pirate Roberts, behind the scenes footage, trivia game and more.

The Pink Panther (Special Edition) – Forgettable 2006 Remake that casts Steve Martin as the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau.  Extras include deleted scenes, Beyonce music videos, an alternate opening sequence, commentary by director Shawn Levy, a documentary, and featurettes on the making of the film.  Available in the Dred Pirate Edition with Elwes on the front or the Buttercup Edition with both lovers on the cover.

Valley of the Dolls (Special Edition) – 1967 film about sex and show business gets the special edition treatment with commentary by Barbara Parkins and Ted Casablanca, a new documentary on the film, featurettes on the film and its stars, still galleries, a trivia game, and original screen tests.

Family/Animated:

This is America, Charlie Brown – All eight episodes of the CBS run of the blockhead and gang visiting important events in human history including the Mayflower’s voyage, the Wright Brothers flight, and the signing of the Constitution.

Aquamarine– Think Splash for teenage girls.  Extras include commentary by director Elizabeth Allen, deleted scenes, and featurettes.

TV:

Walker, Texas Ranger – The Complete First Season – All 26 first season episodes of Chuck Norris dispensing Texas justice.

The Rockford Files – Season Two – All 22 episodes from the second season with James Garner as the ex-con turned private eye.

Cheers The Complete Eighth Season – All 26 episodes from season eight in the Boston bar where everybody knows your name.

Coach – The First Season – All 13 episodes from the first season of Craig T. Nelson as the football coach of the Minnesota State Screaming Eagles.

Dharma & Greg – Season One – Opposites attract as hippie yoga instructor Dharma (Jenna Elfman) meets and marries conservative lawyer Greg (Thomas Gibson).  All 23 first season episodes are included along with commentary for select episodes by Elfman, Mimi Kennedy and Alan Rachins, featurettes, and an interactive game.

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 Johnny Knoxville “pretending” to be mentally retarded, a film December and I disagree about, another flick from my worst list of 2005, special editions of convicts flying the friendly skies, Napoleon Dynamite, Gene Hackman and Will Smith arguing on a submarine, and people chasing Will Smith (hmm, maybe they saw I, Robot), season sets of Hill Street Blues and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

The Producers – Unnecessary re-adaption of the Broadway play (which itself was adapted from the original Mel Brooks film) starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Will Ferrell, and Uma Thurman.  Extras include a commentary by director Susan Stroman, deleted scenes, outtakes, and an analysis of a scene.  The film earned a spot on my worst of 2005 (click here).  Let’s just say Broderick is no Gene Wilder.  Check out the original review here.

Winter Passing – Speaking of films I disliked (check out the original review).  This one stars Zoeey Deschanel as a moody drug addict daughter of a famous writer (Ed Harris) who goes home to find letters her parents wrote to each other years ago to sell them to a publisher.  Included on the DVD are trailers and a behind the scenes featurette.  I couldn’t find it in myself to like or care for any of these characters but December enjoyed it for what it was (read her DVD review here).

The White Countess – Ralph Fiennes plays a blind American diplomat who falls for a Russian refuge (Natasha Richardson) in Shanghai during the 1930’s.  Extras include commentary by directory James Ivory and Natasha Richardson, a making of featurette, a behind the scenes featurette, and a tribute to Ismail Merchant.

The Ringer – Johhny Knoxville and his friends scheme to make some cash by entering himself as a contestant in the Special Olympics.  The DVD includes commentary by director Barry Blaustein, screenwriter Ricky Blitt, Peter Farrelly, Johnny Knoxville, Edward Barbanell and John Taylor, deleted scenes, featurettes on the Special Olympics and the movie, and a message from the Chairman of the Special Olympics Tim Shriver.

Something New – A young black female lawyer (Kenya McQueen) finds love in the arms of a white landscaper (Simon Baker) to the consternation of her friends and family.  The DVD includes an introduction by Blair Underwood and featurettes on the making of the film and the do’s and dont’s of dating.

When a Stranger Calls – A high school student (Camilla Belle) is harassed by a threatening prank caller while babysitting only to discover the calls are (gasp) coming from inside the house.  Extras include commentary tracks from the director, writer, and cast, deleted scenes, and a featurette on the making of the film.

Special Editions:

Napoleon Dynamite (Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!) – Jon Heder as the alienated teen who, when not bustin’ the moves,  helps his friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez) run for student president.  This collection contains two discs with commentary by director and co-writer Jared Hess, Heder, and producer Jeremy Coon, and commentary with Ramirez, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, and Tina Majorino, deleted and extended scenes with commentary, outtakes, audition clips, and featurettes on Jared Hess, shooting on location, and the wedding.  Also included are promo spots, trailers, a still gallery, and clips from TV appearances.  All of this is also available in the “Freakin’ Sweet Collector’s Set” which also includes iPod stickers and bobble-heads of Napoleon and Kip.

Con Air (Unrated Extended Edition) – A former US ranger gets out of prison after serving a stint for manslaughter only to have the transport hijacked by the other fellons (John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, Dave Chapelle).  John Cusack and Colm Meaney also star. 

Enemy of the State (Unrated Extended Edition) – “You’re not paranoid if they’re really after you.”  Yeah, whatever.  Will Smith plays a lawyer who beomes the subject of an NSA investigation when a man drops evidence a corrupt politician into his unsuspecting lap and turns his life upside down.  This edition includes a featurette on the making of the film, deleted scenes, and the trailer.

Crimson Tide (Unrated Extended Edition) – The nuclear submarine Alabama has a new XO (Denzel Washington) who doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the captain (Gene Hackman) during a possible nuclear attack by Russia.  Extras include deleted scenes and a featurette on the making of the film.

Family/Animated:

Home Movies – Season Four – The final 13 episodes of eight year-old Brendon Small’s visionary early work captured in his homemade movies staring his friends Jason and Melissa.  The set also contains bonus commentary tracks with cast, crew and guests, episode animatics, a featurette on the genesis of the series, and a bonus CD with 52 tracks collecting music from all four seasons.

Duma – Parents of young South African boy (Alexander Michaletos) bring home an abandoned baby cheetah who grows up with the boy until the day Duma becomes old enough to return to the wild.  Extras include extended scenes and the trailer. 

TV:

Hill Street Blues – Season Two – Another season Steven Bocho’s overworked inner-city cops in all 19 episodes.  The set includes commentary on two episodes, featurettes on the show, star Richard Belker, Captain Freedom, and more.

That Girl – Season One – Before Mary Tyler Moore there was Marlo Thomas as the liberated and single struggling model and actress in New York City.  All 30 first season episodes are included with the original pilot, series promos, featurettes on the making of the show, outtakes and clips, and an eight page episode guide.

The Big Valley – Season One – Western soap opera involes the brood of the Barkley Ranch in the San Joaquin Valley during the 1870’s.  All 30 episodes of the first season are collected here.

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 a movie that Aaron and I both agree is one of the best of 2005, disaster in both a building and a ship, Jennifer Aniston discovering the rumor might be true, season sets of That ‘70’s Show, Scrubs, The West Wing, The Facts of Life and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Munich – Steven Spielberg’s gripping tale of the fallout from the murders at the 1972 Olympics follows the Israeli team put together to hunt down those responsible.  The DVD comes in a regular one-disc edition with an introduction by Spielberg and a two-disc limited editon also including featurettes on the impact of the real events, the movie’s 70’s style, a behind the scenes look, and the music, cast, editing, and sound of the film.  Aaron immediately dubbed it his best film of 2005 (see his list) and it found it’s way to #2 on my list.  Read the original reviews here, and here.

Rumor Has It – Sarah Huttinger (Jennifer Aniston) life is shaken when she discovers her mother and grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) were the inspiration for The Graduate.  A clever and amusing film that sadly is only available in a barebones DVD with the theatrical trailer as the only extra.  Read my original review.

Nanny McPhee – Emma Thompson as a kind of anti-Mary Poppins who serves as a governess of seven unruly children.  The DVD contains commentary by director Kirk Jones and the children of the film, and another track with Emma Thompson and producer Lindsay Doran, featurettes on the children, creating the character, the making of the film, a gag reel, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending.  Check out the original review.

The New World – Terrance Malick’s retells the story of John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Pocahantos (Q’Orianka Kilcher).  The DVD contains a 60 minute documentary on the making of the film.

Big Momma’s House 2 – Martin Lawrence returns as a cop who likes to dress up in fat women’s clothing.  The DVD includes commentary from director John Whitesell, producer David T. Friendly and Zachary Levi, deleted and extended scenes, and a behind the scenes featurette.

Special Editions:

The Poseidon Adventure (Special Edition) – The original film (check back for my review of the remake this Friday) of where a ship capsizes at sea and a group of passengers struggle to survive.  This two-disc collection includes a commentary track with director Ronald Neame and a second with Pamela Sue Martin, Stella Stevens and Carol Lynely, nine new featurettes including a look back by the cast, the fans of the film, the effects and more.  Also included are storyboard comparisons, original trailers and promos, an article from the “American Cinematographer”, and still galleries.

The Towering Inferno (Special Edition) – A massive fire erupts in an enormous office building as those trapped struggle to stay alive and find a way out.  The special edition includes commentary by film historian F.X. Feeney, nine new featurettes on Irwin Allen, the art, direcing, and effects of the film and more, storyboard comparisons, three articles form “American Cinematographer,” an interview with Irwin Allen, still galleries, and the original trailer and promos.

Grandma’s Boy (Unrated) – A 35 year-old video game tester moves in with his grandma and a lack of anything resembling hilarity soon ensues.  The DVD includes features on both versions of the film, commentary by Allen Covert, Nick Swardson, Peter Dante, and director Nicholus Goosen, a collection of featurette, deleted scenes, and a music video.

Family/Animated:

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist – Season 1 – All six episodes of comedian Jonathan Katz as an animated therapist dealing with his friends, family and patients (voiced by other stand-up comedians).  Included are commentary by Katz, Dave Attell, J. Jon Benjamin, Ray Ramano, and Tom Snyner, a biography of the doctor, and original shorts.

TV:

The West Wing – The Complete Sixth Season – The race for the White House begins with the addition of Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits to the cast.  The set includes all 22 episodes with commentary on two episodes from the executive producers, a featurette on C.J. Cregg, and an easter egg interview with John Spencer.

Scrubs – The Complete Third Season – All 22 episodes of season three in Sacred Heart Hospital with extras that include commentary on two episodes from writer Mark Stegmann, creator Randall Winston, Donald Faison, and Judy Reyes, a cast and crew featurette, behind the scenes of this season, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and alternate lines.

That ‘70’s Show – Season 4 – All 27 episodes from the fourth season with commentary on select episodes, a featurette on the season, a flashback, and a featurette on director David Trainer.

The Andy Griffith Show – The Complete Sixth Season – 30 more episodes of Andy and the Mayberry gang that includes the first episode of the series broadcast in color.

Everybody Loves Raymond – The Complete Sixth Season – All 24 episodes of the season featuring Ray Ramano and his TV family are included with commentary for six episodes by Romano, creator Phil Rosenthal, Doris Roberts, and writers Tucker Cawley, Mike Royce, Lew Schneider, and Steve Skrovan, bloopers, deleted scenes, and a retrospective on the first six seasons.

The Golden Girls – Season Five – All 26 episodes from the blue-haired foursome.  Extras include cast commentary on selected episdoes.

The Facts of Life – The Complete First and Second Seasons – All 29 episodes of he first two seasons of the Diff’rent Strokes spin-off involving Mrs. Garrett, blair, Natalie, and of course Tootie.  Also included are featurettes on the cast’s memories and life after the show.

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 Little Red Riding Hood, special editons of Brando and Newman, and season sets of Kate & Allie, Red Dwarf, 3rd Rock from the Sun,  and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Hoodwinked – Clever animated retelling of what happened on the road to Grandma’s house (with the voices of Glenn Close, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Warburton, David Ogden Stiers, Andy Dick and James Belushi).  The DVD contains commentary by writer/directors Cory and Todd Edwards and Tony Leech, deleted and extended scenes, a featurette on the making of an animated film, and a music video.  Read the original review here.

The Family Stone – Sarah Jessica Parker plays the annoying girlfriend (not exactly a stretch) taken home to meet her man’s family.  A good supporting cast can’t save this one from Parker’s endless whining.  The extras include commentray by Parker and Dermot Mulroney, commentary by writer/director Thomas Bezucha, producer Michael London, editor Jeffrey Ford and production designer Jane Ann Stewart, deleted scenes, a gag reel, featurettes on casting the film, behind the scenes, and its premeire, and a Q&A session with the cast.

Last Holiday – Remake of the 1950 romantic comedy starring Alec Guinness and Beatrice Campbell.  This 2006 version stars Queen Latifah as a woman who quits her job and decides to take a trip to Europe when she learns she only has weeks left to live.  The DVD contains featurettes and deleted scenes, recipes, and the theatrical trailer.

Special Editions: –

A Streetcar Named Desire (Two-Disc Special Edition) – 1951 classic film with Viven Leigh, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden (all three won Oscars), and Marlon Brando (in what some argue was his best role) as Stanley Kowalski.  This two-disc edition contains commentary by Karl Malden and film historians Rudy Behlmer and Jeff Young, a trailer gallery of director Elia Kazan, outtakes, Marlon Brando’s screen test, and six documentaries on director Kazan, the Broadway play, the film, censorship, Marlon Brando, and the music of the South.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Deluxe Edition) – Truth comes out and lies are exposed at Big Daddy’s (Burl Ives) 65th birthday party where his doctor infoms the family he is dying of cancer.  Great cas includes Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Judith Anderson, Jack Carson, and directed and adapted from the Tennessee Williams play by Richard Brooks (In Cold Blood, Elmer Gantry).  This deluxe edition includes commentary by Williams biographer Donald Spoto, a new featurette, and the trailer.

Family/Animated:

Dinosaurs – The Complete First and Second Seasons – The first two series of the Sinclair family living in 60 million B.C.  An updated take on The Flintstones that was based on Jim Henson’s original concept; the show features puppets and animatronics.

King of the Hill – The Complete Sixth Season – All 21 episodes of the white trash Hill family on three discs.  Extras?  Nada.

TV:

3rd Rock from the Sun – Season 4 – More wacky fun from the Solomon family trying to learn about this crazy little planet we call Earth in all 24 episodes.  The set contains an interview with Jane Curtin, bloopers, season highlights, and a 16 page booklet.

Red Dwarf – Series 8 – 10 final episodes of the crew of the Red Dwarf.  The set includes commentary by Chole Arnett, Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Norman Lovett, and Mac MacDonald, a documentary, a model-maker video, raw effects footage, deleted scenes, a photo gallery, radio sketch and a fight music featurette.  Also available in a larger box with a Skutter toy.

I Love Lucy – The Complete Sixth Season – The final season of the classic televsion comedy includes all 27 episodes on four discs.  The set also includes commentary by Keith Thibodeaux, Barbara Eden, Doris Singleton, and writers Madelyn Thibodeau and Bob Schiller, lost scenes, flubs, original commercials and promo spots, five episodes of the Lucy radio show, the 1956 Christmas Show, and the sketch done on The Bob Hope Chevy Show.

Leave It to Beaver – The Complete Second Season – More adventures with the Cleaver family in all 39 episodes.  No extras here and oddly no special limited edition gift set like what was released for the first season (which has one of the coolest and most unique packaging ideas ever).

Kate & Allie – Season One – Susan Saint James and Jane Curtain as a pair of divorced women living together and raising their children.  A mid-season replacement of only six episodes, the show coninued for five more full seasons.  The DVD contains an interview with Susan Saint James and director Bill Persky, a gag reel, and a bonus episode from season two “Back to School.”

The Nanny – The Complete Second Season – Fran Drescher and her annoying laugh return for 26 episodes on three discs as the Nanny for a British Widower’s three young children.

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 films with Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni, Robert Redford and Jennifer Lopez, and Maria Bello and Sean Bean, an uncensored stop on the Insomniac Tour, a new collection of Laurel and Hardy DVD’s, season sets of The Bob Newhart Show, Farscape, and In Living Color, and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Fun with Dick & Jane – Jim Carrey and Tea Teoni play a married couple who turn to a life of crime after he loses his job.  Remake of the 1977 original with George Segal and Jane Fonda.  The DVD contains commentary with director Dean Parisot and screewriters Judd Apatow and Nicholas Stoller, deleted scenes, a gag reel and pubicity junket outtakes.

An Unfinished Life – A widow (Jennifer Lopez) and her daughter (Becca Gardner) move to a Wyoming ranch to stay with her father-in-law (Robert Redford) who blames her for the death of his son.  Morgan Freeman and Josh Lucas also star.  The DVD contains commentary by director Lasse Hallstrom, a still gallery, and featurettes on the making of the film and training Bart the bear.

The Greatest Game Ever Played – True story of Francis Ouimet’s surprising victory at the 1913 US Open gets the “based on true events’ treatment here.  Directed by Bill Paxton the film stars his son James Paxton.  The DVD includes commentary by the director and writer Mark Frost and a collection of featurettes on the film and the Francis Ouimet.

Wolf Creek (Unrated Version) – Forgettable horror flick from last year that begins with a group of friends in the Australian Outback and ends with lots of running, screaming, and dead bodies.  The DVD contains commentary from writer/director Greg McLean, producer Matt Hearn, and actors Cassandra Magrath and Kesti Morassi, a featurette on the making of the film, and deleted scenes.

The Dark – Only slightly less forgettable horror flick starring Sean Bean and Maria Bello who play parents of a drowned child who encounter a ghost of a young girl who died 60 years ago and looks more than a little like their daughter.  The only extra incuded on the disc is an alternative ending.

Mission Impossible Collector’s Set – Repackaging the first two films and the extras from those discs on this new all-in-one collection.  Also out today is a separate remastered vesion of the special collector’s editon of the first film.

Family/Animated:

Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin – Christpher Robin goes off to school and Pooh, misunderstanding the situation, rounds up the gang to organize a rescue mission.  Extras include a bonus short, a game, and Pooh’s symphony.

Bratz: Genie Magic – Adventures of fashion concious teens Cloe, Jade, Sasha, and Yasmin who befriend a genie in this movie version of the computer animated television show.  The set includes an extra episode of the show.

Collections:

Laurel and Hardy Giftset – Three of the duos films from the early 40’s Jitterbugs, Great Guns, and The Big Noise are packaged together here.  Extras inclue commentary by historian Randy Skretvedt, Movietone news clips, still galleries, original trailers, and featurettes on the duo.

TV:

Dave Attell’s Insoniac Tour Uncensored! Presents Sean Rouse, Greg Giraldo, and Dane Cook – The Insomiac Tour presents 98 minutes of uncensored stand-up from Attell, Rousse, Giraldo, and Cook.

The Bob Newhart Show – The Complete Third Season – Dr. Bob and gang return for 24 episodes.  The collection includes commentary by Newhart for three episodes and a featurette on the making of the show.

The Merv Griffin Show – 40 of the Most Interesting People of Our Time – Clips from the show that lasted almost a quarter of a century on network TV.  The set includes over nine hours of interviews with guests ranging from Jerry Seinfeld, Ingrid Bergman, and Orson Welles, to Ronald Regan and Richard Nixon.  Extras on the set include a video montage of Merv Griffin and select commentary.

Farscape – Season 3, Collection 3 – The last seven episodes of the third season of the Sci-fi original.  The collection also contains commentary for four of the episodes by directors, cast and series creator Rockne S. O’Bannon.  Also included are cast interviews, deleted scenes, original promos, featurettes on the aliens of the show and the third season, updated character histories, and production design galleries.

In Living Color – Season Five – Final season of the Wayans’ sketch comedy includes all 26 episodes on three discs with Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, David Allen Grier and more.