It’s a pretty slow week for DVD releases, with only one top-of-the-line release hitting shelves.

Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
d. Tim Burton
c. Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman

  • Single-Disc Edition
  • Featurette: Burton + Depp + Carter = Todd – A behind-the-scenes looks at the collaboration of Tim Burton with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter featuring exclusive footage from rehearsals, recording sessions and more.
  • Two-Disc Special Edition
  • Featurette: Burton + Depp + Carter = Todd – A behind-the-scenes looks at the collaboration of Tim Burton with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter featuring exclusive footage from rehearsals, recording sessions and more.
  • Sweeney Todd is Alive: The Real History of the Demon Barber
  • Musical Mayhem: Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd
  • Sweeney’s London
  • The Making of Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
  • Grand Guignol: A Theatrical Tradition
  • Designs for a Demon Barber
  • A Bloody Business
  • The Razor’s Refrain
  • Sweeney Todd Press Conference, November 2007
  • Moviefone Unscripted with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Photo Gallery

Who else but Tim Burton could convince a studio to finally make the theatrical version of the Broadway musical adaptation of the British play based on the mid 19th century legend of a murderous barber who slices the throats of clients and then passes them on to his partner in crime to bake into meat pies. This ain’t your daddy’s musical. In a year with fluffy sing-song films such as Enchanted we get a musical about a serial killer with the songs warbled by one Johnny Depp, who continued in his quest to never look remotely human (of course that changes in this year’s Public Enemies, where he looks – dare I say – normal?). The American version apparently contained an edited ending that differs from the International version, and cuts out a lot of the splattering of blood and destruction to achieve an R-rating. I have not seen any news of which version will be on the DVD, only assuming it will be the U.S. version that remains since nothing is being said of an Unrated version. There is a single disc and a double disc edition, but there will not be a High Def edition yet, as it was one of the scheduled HD-DVD discs that were cancelled when the format was shit canned.

Alvin and the Chipmunks
d. Tim Hill
c. Jason Lee, Alvin, Simon and Theodore

  • Single-Disc and Blu-ray Editions
  • Chip-Chip-Hooray! Chipmunk History
  • Hitting the Harmony featurettes.
  • Two-Disc Special Edition
    Digital Copy download feature – allows viewers to quickly and easily download a digital version of the film to a Mac or Windows-based PC computer and then transfer to select portable video devices including an iPod and/or iPhone
  • Behind the Nuts Munkumentary featurette
  • Chip-Chip-Hooray! Chipmunk History featurette
  • Hitting the Harmony featurette
  • “Witch Doctor” Music Video
  • Two exclusive iTunes music downloads – “Get Munk’d (DeeTown Remix)” and “Get You Goin’ (DeeTown Funk Remix)”
  • Inside Look at Horton Hears a Who

Hmm. I don’t know how popular this DVD will be around these parts, but I know I will be picking it up for two reasons. The first is the fact that my wife still giggles like a little kid whenever she hears the Chipmunks talk and sing. Hell, I have to buy the Best Buy version so she can get the plush toys. But the second reason has to do with me. When I was a kid, I loved the Chipmunks. I still have the Chipmunk Rock and Chipmunk Christmas vinyl albums from when I was a kid. Hell, I could still sing along with Momma’s Don’t Let You Babies Grow Up to be Chipmunk Cowboys. We bought the Chipmunk Christmas DVD last year and I still enjoyed it, so whatever. Second, I love me some Jason Lee. The former skater, turned Kevin Smith superstar, turned white trash Earl is still high on my list whenever he appears in a movie. So, that’s about it. There are three editions, a single and double disc as well as a Blu-ray edition. The single disc is one of those shitty flip discs with the widescreen on one side and the full screen on the other. The Blu-ray edition only includes what is on the single disc, ignoring the double-disc special features. Nuts to that.

Unbreakable [Blu-ray]
d. M. Night Syamalan
c. Bruce Willis, Samuel Jakcson

Lots of people hate them some M. Night lately. After breaking out with the very solid The Sixth Sense, he followed up with the polarizing Unbreakable. The film, which plays as a super hero origin story might be his best film to date. I am sure lots of you will say that ain’t hard to do, but Signs was pretty popular when it came out and it wasn’t until he turned people off with The Village that people backlashed against his prior output. Fuck that. Unbreakable has been accused of being a super hero movie with no action, and therefore a failure. I think that would make the people who say that look boring and a little retarded. At its center is a story of two men, one almost super human and the other fragile and weak. The story is about the development of these men and studies the differences between the two as it relates to their place in the world. It is a really solid little film and deserves none of the backlash that Night’s other flicks have gotten. I have the great Vista Series edition, so I’ll probably skip this, but if you have completely made the switch to High Def or don’t own this one yet, I say give it a shot.

Also Available in Blu-ray
   

Fear House
d. Michael R. Morris
c. Kiersten Hall, Matthew Montgomery, Monique La Barr

For this week’s edition of “Let’s see if we can find a midnight movie to watch,” I look at Fear House. The plot is as follows (from Amazon): “Relatives and colleagues of reclusive writer Samantha Ballard track her to an isolated house in the California desert where they discover a traumatized Samantha. She greets them with the grim announcement that they will die if they attempt to leave the house. After Samantha’s ex-husband and his girlfriend suffer horrible deaths while trying to escape, the others realize that she was serious.” Ok, with that out of the way, the cast is a mishmash of DTV actors such as Kiersten Hall (from the AWFUL Dorm of the Dead), Matthew Montgomery (Long Term Relationship) and Monique Le Barr (666: The Beast). It’s directed by Michael R. Morris, who served as a Production Assistant on Children of the Corn III (his job description might have been to protect director James D.R. Hickox from actual Stephen King fans who were attempting a ritual sacrifice of their own to stop the bleeding of that “franchise.”) Any good word? Not really. It apparently has really bad dialogue and the story is kind of ridiculous, but it’s got gore, so I won’t recommend it, but if you like to watch bad horror movies you might want to give it a look. Or you could watch . . .

Eye of the Beast
d. Gary Yates
c. James Van Der Beek

This one has an automatic advantage over Fear House because there is an actual famous actor in it. Dawson himself, James Van Der Beek stars in this movie that clearly stars a sea creature that rips a man in half! Unfortunatly it is a TV Movie, so how graphic can it really be? It is also directed by the man who led Gary Busey into battle with a killer tiger in Maneater, so there’s that. The plot goes like this: “After several locals disappear off the coast on Fells Island, a small fishing community in the North Atlantic, terrified survivors claim the existence of a Giant Squid. A group of courageous seafarers venture into the dangerous waters themselves to kill the creature before it makes a feast of the entire island.” Reviews claim it is better than most giant squid movies, but once again, is one of those bad horror movies for a late night with the guys. Or you could try . . .

The Return of Swamp Thing
d. Jim Wynorski
c. Heather Locklear, Dick Durock

In 1982, Wes Craven adapted the popular comic book character The Swamp Thing into a fairly entertaining movie with Dick Durock as the Swamp Thing battling the evil Dr. Arcane (Louis Jourdan) while trying to reconnect with his girlfriend (Adrienne Barbeau). Seven years later, Jim Wynorski (who gained some popularity with his Bare Wench Project franchise) directed the sequel. Durock and Jourdan took time out of their busy schedules to return (Durock was in Octopussy during those seven years while Durock returned to stunt work). Barbeau would not return however, being replaced by the future Mrs. Richie Sambora, Heather Locklear. This was, of course, following her tremendous success as Officer Stacy Sheridon on T.J. Hooker and during her starring role as Sammy Jo Dean Carrington on Dynasty. Just proves that banging the guitarist of Bon Jovi and drummer of Motley Crue before eventually loving Chachi could make you a bigger persona than Melrose Place and Spin City combined.

TELEVISION on DVD

Murder, She Wrote – The Complete Eighth Season
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit – The Sixth Year
Martin – The Complete Fourth Season
Father Knows Best: Season One
That ’70s Show – Season 8
Doctor Who – The Time Warrior (Episode 70)
Doctor Who – Timelash (Episode 142)
Becker – The First Season
The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder
John from Cincinnati – The Complete First Season
New Street Law – The Complete Second Season
Gene Simmons Family Jewels: The Best of Seasons 1 and 2

OTHER SHINY SILVER DISCS FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

The Osmonds Live in Las Vegas 50th Anniversary 2 DVD Collector’s Edition
The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 3 (The Old Maid / All This, And Heaven Too / The Great Lie / In This Our Life / Watch on the Rhine / Deception)
The Cutting Edge – Chasing the Dream
Terry Jones: Medieval Lives
The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb: The Complete Miniseries
10.5 Apocalypse: The Complete Miniseries
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (Extreme Unrated Edition)
Ring of Honor: Bloodstained Honor
Ring of Honor: Stars of Honor
What Love Is
The Cook
Country Matters
Kaos
The Chipmunk Adventure
Alvin & The Chipmunks Go To The Movies – Funny We Shrunk The Adults
The Island on Bird Street
Christie’s Revenge
Believe In Me (Director’s Edition)
Mayhem Motel

BARGAIN BIN

No Country For Old Men – $19.99
I Am Legend – $19.99
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium – $15.99
The Who: Amazing Journey – The Story Of The Who – $17.99 (3 DVDs)
Rolling Stones: The Biggest Bang – $24.99 (4 DVDs)

Alvin & The Chipmunks – $15.99
Alvin & The Chipmunks DVD Giftset – $22.99 *
Alvin & The Chipmunks Blu-Ray Giftset – $29.99 *
* Get a Free Alvin & The Chipmunks Plush Toy set when you purchase either the standard DVD or Blu-Ray DVD version of the movie

Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber Of Fleet Street – $16.99 *
Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber Of Fleet Street 2 DVD Special Edition – $22.99 *
* Free Movie Money to see The Ruins included when you purchase either version of Sweeney Todd

Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle: Extreme Unrated Remastered Edition – $12.99 *
* Free Movie Money included to see Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

2 For $30 Titles:
Single Titles Are $19.99 EACH:
Enchanted
Snow Buddies
101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition

$4.99 EACH:
Just My Luck, Robots, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Aquamarine, Legally Blonde, All Dogs Go To Heaven 2, Bend It Like Beckham, Because Of Winn-Dixie

$7.50 EACH:
Tommy Boy: Holy Schnike Edition, Forrest Gump, Top Gun: Special Collector’s Edition, Raging Bull, The Pursuit Of Happyness, Talladega Nights: Ballad Of Ricky Bobby, Platoon: Special Edition, Rocky Balboa, Anchorman, Ghost (It may be the Special Collector’s Edition), Rounders (I believe It’s the Collector’s Edition), The Da Vinci Code, Risky Business, The Matrix, American History X, The Bodyguard, Dazed & Confused: Flashback Edition, King Kong (Peter Jackson), Dr. Strangelove: Special Edition (White Case), A River Runs Through It

$14.99 EACH BEFORE Savings:
Save $5 Instantly on these movies when you Pre-Order JUNO in store or at BestBuy.com
Little Miss Sunshine
Thank You For Smoking
Napoleon Dynamite
I Heart Huckabees

Get DOUBLE Reward Zone Points When You Buy Any Of These Titles:
Bratz: Glitz & Glamour – $9.99
My Girl – $9.99
Click: Special Edition – $9.99
The Benchwarmers – $9.99
Stuart Little: Deluxe Edition – $9.99
She’s The Man – $9.99
The Goonies – $9.99
RV – $9.99
National Treasure – $14.99
Bridge To Terabithia – $14.99
Nanny McPhee – $14.99
The Last Mimzy – $14.99
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition – $19.99
The Game Plan – $19.99
Shrek The Third – $19.99

Blu-Ray High Definition Discs:
I Am Legend – $34.99
No Country For Old Men – $29.99
Across The Universe – $29.99
30 Days Of Night – $29.99
Hitman: Unrated – $34.99

DVD Sets:
Martin: Season 4 – $21.99
That 70’s Show: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 – $24.99 each
That 70’s Show: Season 8 – $33.99
John From Cincinnati : Complete Series – $44.99
Becker: Season 1 – $24.99
Father Knows Best: Season 1 – $24.99
Law & Order – Special Victims Unit: Season 6 – $34.99
Flight Of The Conchords: Season 1 – $16.99
OZ: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 – $16.99 each
Six Feet Under: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 – $16.99 each
Nip/Tuck: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 – $19.99
The West Wing: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 – $19.99 each
Babylon 5: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 – $19.99 each
Smallville: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 – $19.99 each
Triple-Play Collection – $22.99 (Bull Durham / 8 Men Out / Pride Of The Yankees)

50% Off These Anime Box Sets // Selection Will Vary By Store:
Tokko: The Complete Series (3 DVDs) – $12.49
Noein: To Your Other Self – The Complete Series (5 DVDs) – $17.49
Elfen Lied: Complete Collection (Thinpak, 3 DVDs, no extras) – $15.99
Dragon Ball Z: Season 4 Uncut Boxset (6 DVDs, 32 episodes) – $19.99
Mars Daybreak: Complete Collection (Anime Legends) (6 DVDs) – $19.99
FullMetal Alchemist: Season 2, Part 2 (3 DVDs, Vol.11 – 13 or Episodes 41 – 51) – $19.99
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Collection (Thinpak, 5 DVDs, no extras) – $28.99
Samurai Deeper Kyo: Complete Collection with GBA Game (6 DVDs) – $29.99
Robotech: Protoculture Collection (21 DVDs / 7 of which are for extras, 85 episodes, English dub only) – $37.49

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Chipmunk Adventure – $9.99 Bonus CD
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street – $15.99
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street Special Edition – $22.99
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium – $13.99 Premier Price: 5 Days Only
Edward Scissorhands – $4.99
I Am Legend – $17.99
Enchanted – $17.99
* Circuit City Premiere Price: A Low Price That is in Effect Tuesday – Saturday (5 Days only)

Alvin & The Chuipmunks – Low Price ($13.99) * *
Alvin & The Chuipmunks Blu-Ray – $34.99 *
* Circuit City Exclusive: Free Alvin & The Chipmunks singing pen while supplies last
* Circuit City Exclusive: Free Alvin & the Chipmunks stickers with purchase of DVD or Blu-Ray editions

Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle: Extreme Unrated Remastered Edition – $12.99 *
* Free Movie Money included to see Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

$9.99 DVDs:
Buy One Title From This Section and Get One Other Title From This Section FREE:
School Of Rock, The Italian Job (Wahlberg), Anchorman, Ocean’s Twelve, Sleepy Hollow, American History X, Forrest Gump, Click: Special Edition, Legends Of The Fall, Runaway Jury, The Thin Red Line, Die Another Day: Special Edition, The Day After Tomorrow, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Antone Fisher, 28 Days Later, Ronin, S.W.A.T., High Crimes, Baby Boy, Not Another Teen Movie, This Is Spinal Tap (MGM), The Karate Kid: Special Edition, The Last Dragon, Something’s Gotta Give, Phat Girlz, Taxi

DVD Sets
Martin: Season 4 – $21.99
That 70’s Show: Season 8 – $34.99
That 70’s Show: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 – $17.99 each

HD-DVD Clearance Titles:
Save 50% On HD-DVD Titles // Title Selection May Vary By Store // While Supplies last // 50% Off EXCLUDES Shrek The Third & Beowulf
Select titles available at CircuitCity.com
Titles shown but with NO Prices Listed:
Knocked Up: Unrated
King Kong
Shooter
Transformers