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 two of my top five films of 2005 and believe it or not they’re both on Aaron’s top five too. Also out this week are season sets of MacGyver, I Dream of Jeannie and Murder She Wrote. Take a peek inside for the full list.
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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:
Film:
Good Night, and Good Luck – My #1 movie of 2005 and Aarons’ #4 (take a look at my list here, and Aaron’s list here) retells the on-air war between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy (who plays himself through a series of newsclips). Beautifully shot and in black and white that perfectly sets the mood and helps recreate the era. Clooney does double duty as director and co-star in this movie that was good enough to be nominated but never took home any gold. Not to be forgetten is David Strathairn’s Murrow and great supporting performances by Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, and Frank Langella. The DVD contains commentary from Clooney and producer/screenwriter Grant Heslov. Read original reviews here, and here, and here.
A History of Violence – Aaron’s #5 film of 2005 and my #3 involves a violent event in a small town that causes the past to come crashing down on an entire family. David Cronenberg directs this violent tale starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello in an Oscar worthy performance, Ed Harris and William Hurt. For me the most haunting film of the year (and that includes Spielberg’s Munich) and some of the best filmmaking in every meaning of the word in this or any year. The DVD contains commentary from Cronenberg, deleted scenes, a collection of featurettes, and a documentary. Read the original review.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio – Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Laura Dern star in this “true” story about a mother raising ten kids off of jingle-writing contests.
Townes Van Zandt – Be Here to Love Me – Documentary on the life and career of the amazing songwriter includes interviews from Zandt before his death and friends Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson and more. The DVD includes performances of Van Zandt and commentary from director Margaret Brown, cinematographer Lee Daniel and musician Joe Ely and interviews with artists featured in the documentary.
Collections:
The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection – Four disc collection of Miss Marrple (Margaret Rutherford) that includes Murder She Said, Murder at the Gallop, Murder Most Foul, and Murder Ahoy.
TV:
MacGyver – The Complete Fifth Season – MacGyver returns hunting for buried treasure, stopping poachers, learning the true meaning of Christmas, fighting Nazis, and more. All 21 episodes on 6 discs. (Read the DVD review here)
Murder, She Wrote – The Complete Third Season – Angela Lansbury continues as author and murder investigator Jessica Fletcher when people keep dying around her in 22 episodes. I think it’s creepy and a little suspicious that people keep dying when she’s around. This years guest stars include George Clooney, Tom Selleck, and Courtney Cox.
Columbo – The Complete Fourth Season – The bumbling genius detective continues to track down criminals including guest villains Dick Van Dyke (”Negative Reaction”), Robert Conrrad (”An Exercise in Fatality”), and George Hamilton (”A Deadly State of Mind”).
I Dream of Jeanie – The Complete First Season – An astronaut finds a genie and becomes her master though her magic gets him into more trouble than he barganed for. All 30 episodes are available in two different collections: one in the original black and white, and a colorized version. The pilot episode includes commentary from the show’s cast and the DVD also contains inteviews with Larry Hagman, Barbara Eden, and Bill Daily.
Babylon 5 – The Legend of the Rangers – Two-hour television movie spin-off from the original show focusing on the Rangers and their contact with a previous unknown alien race.
Sleeper Cell– Nine episodes including the two-hour finale on three discs tell the story of FBI hunting down terrorist cells in this 24ish action drama. Incuded in the set are deleted scenes, featurettes, and commentary fom executive producers Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris.