I guess the first thing that pissed me off was the fact that Amazon had There Will be Blood and Cloverfield listed as Blu-ray releases for the week. That is not true and they are actually coming out on June 3rd. The good news is that this is not a dead week for quality Blu-rays after all. We still get two movies – one is a fan loved classic from the 80s, and the second is a great, great more recent release.
First up we get the release of the wonderful V for Vendetta. Forget about the Wachowski brothers supposed failures when continuing the story of The Matrix. Forget about their failure (or I should say the marketing team’s failure) with Speed Racer. V for Vendetta, written and produced by the brothers and based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, was a fantastic piece of work that proves they still have something to offer cinema lovers. The story is set in a totalitarian future where a mysterious man named V plots a terrorist act to help free his beloved Britain. It provided Natalie Portman with a quality role to offset her performances in the Star Wars prequels and also contains a wonderful performance by Hugo Weaving, one of the hardest working men in Hollywood. He appeared in both The Matrix trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, equaling a $4.528 billion worldwide take for his four years or work. Not many other people can say their movies made that much money in that short of a time (Ian McKellen was in two trilogies that made $4.068 billion over 7 years). It will include In-Movie Experience: Director’s Notebook: Re-imagining a Cult Classic for the 21st Century, Behind the Story: Designing the Near Future; Remember, Remember: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot; Freedom! Forever!: Making V for Vendetta; England Prevails: V for Vendetta and the New Wave in Comics, Additional Footage: Cat Power Montage (Music Video); Saturday Night Live Digital Short – Natalie Portman, Trailers and Soundtrack Album Information. Video specs are Video codec: VC-1, Video resolution: 1080p, Aspect ratio: 2.40:1 and the audio specs are English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and, Japanese. Subtitles are available in English SDH, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Danish, Finnish and Norwegian.
The 80s classic I mentioned is the sci-fi flick Short Circuit. It still holds a spot in the hearts of many people today. Just mention the movie’s title and people will more than likely spout something along the lines of Number 5 is Alive! Or maybe that’s just my wife. I don’t know, I’ve never seen it. Sue me. Lots of people have and this is a pretty big Blu-ray release, or at least it would be if it had more to offer in the way of extra features. As it is, you get Audio commentary with director John Badham and screenwriters S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock and an Isolated music and effects track. The video specs are 1080p with an Aspect ratio of 2.40:1. The Audio specs are English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English: Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles in English SDH and Spanish.
And now for something completely different:
With the new Indiana Jones movie coming out this week, we can also see one of the more successful copy-cat movies. Following up the successful National Treasure, National Treasure 2 – Book of Secrets continues to show us the treasure hunting Ben Gates and his friends, while adding in the fun characters of his parents (Jon Voight and Helen Mirren) and an over-the-top bad guy (Ed Harris). There will be a single release version, a double disc special edition and a Blu-ray release. The single disc version only includes a commentary track with director Jon Turteltaub and actor Jon Voight (!!!). The double disc edition will include the commentary along with extended and deleted scenes including “Pursuit At Rushmore: The Unseen Chapter”, multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes (Secrets of a Sequel, The Book of Secrets: On Location, Street Stunts: Creating the London Chase, Inside the Library of Congress, Underground Action, Cover Story: Crafting the Presidents’ Book, and Evolution of a Golden City), a short Knights of the Golden Circle documentary, bloopers, and more. The Blu-ray will include everything on the 2-Disc edition plus 2 additional deleted scenes with introductions by director Jon Turteltaub, and an exclusive Book of History: The Fact and Fiction of National Treasure 2 pop-up quiz. The pop up quiz is not a picture-in-picture presentation, and instead uses branching video to show you historical facts surrounding the scene you are viewing. The Blu-ray video is presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video, and framed at 2.40:1. The Blu-ray audio uses an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround track (48kHz/24-bit).
Remember last week when I mentioned the increase in western films this month? Well, this week comes a couple of box sets collecting some movies that are already available by themselves. In the Tom Selleck box you get Monte Walsh, Last Stand at Saber River and Crossfire Trail. In the James Stewart box you get Destry Rides Again, Winchester 73, Bend of the River, The Far Country, Night Passage and The Rare Breed. The final DVD is the pilot episode for The New Maverick television series.
This week Janus Films and the Criterion Collection will release the next set in their Eclipse Series. Eclipse Series 9 – The Delirious Fictions of William Klein will include all three of his fiction films, all of which seem to be of the eclectic type favored round these here parts. From 1966, we get Who Are you Polly Maggoo? It tells an alternately glamorous and grotesque portrait of American in Paris Polly Maggoo, a mannequin-like supermodel who becomes the pinup plaything of media hounds and the fragmented fantasy of haunted Prince Igor. 1969’s Mr. Freedom piqued my attention the most of the three films. In the film, Mr. Freedom goes to France to stave off the advances of the mysterious French Anti-Freedom (FAF) organization. He joins forces with Marie-Madeleine to lead his own anti-communist Freedom organization. The Freedom mission is complicated by the communist foes – the Stalinist Moujik Man and the ferocious Maoist Red China Man (portrayed as a giant inflatable dragon). Yep. The third film in the set is 1977’s The Model Couple. In France, the Ministry of the Future chooses two “normal,” white, middle-class citizens for a national experiment. They will be monitored and displayed for six months in a model apartment outfitted with state-of-the-art products and nonstop surveillance. None of the films will have any special features.
Leading up to the release of George Romero’s Diary of the Dead, they are re-releasing Night of the Living Dead in a remastered edition. This will be the 1,068th different release of the classic film (give or take) that redefined the zombie genre. The DVD looks to be stacked. I’ll mention the extras and then compare it to the version I already own. There will be a commentary by George A Romero, producer/actor Karl Hardman, actress Marilyn Eastman and writer John A. Russo, a second commentary with producer Russell W. Streiner, production manager Vince Survinski, actresses Judith O’Dea and Kyra Schon and actors Bill Hinzman and Keith Wayne, and a One for the Fire: The Legacy of Night of the Living Dead documentary. Completing the set will be a Ben Speaks: The Last Interview With Duane Jones feature, a Speak of the Dead: A Conversation With Duane Jones feature, a still gallery, and the original trailer. Now when comparing that with my Millennium Edition, I realize I cannot get rid of my DVD, because it has lots of features not on this new release. However, the new release has the One For the Fire documentary, which is not on my copy. It is also remastered, while my copy was only a “newly approved THX transfer.” Decisions, decisions.
Despite the lackluster reviews, it’s a no brainer when deciding whether or not to buy Diary of the Dead. I’m all over that movie. I loved every movie in the series up to now, with a little less love for Day of the Dead than other people, and a lot more love for Land of the Dead. The documentary style has been done before (Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield), but this is George Romero doing zombies. The extras will include a commentary by George A Romero, director of photography Adam Swica and editor Michael Doherty, a For the Record: The Making of Diary of the Dead documentary, and 4 featurettes (Character Confessionals, The First Week, The Roots, Familiar Voices). It will also feature five winning shorts as created by MySpace users and personally selected by George A. Romero. Those shorts are: The Final Day, Deader Living through Chemistry, Opening Night of the Living Dead, & Teller and Run for Your Life.
This week sees the release of a few classic films, including the 20th Anniversary Edition of Hamburger Hill and a 3-Disc Special Edition of Inglorious Bastards, the film that Quentin Tarantino has been talking about remaking forever. Hamburger Hill will include Hamburger Hill: The Appearance of Reality Featurette, Medics in Vietnam Featurette, Vietnam War Timeline and Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer Jim Carabatsos and Actors Anthony Barrile, Harry O’Reilly and Daniel O’Shea. Inglorious Bastards will include – oh, wait! It’s another DVD that Amazon fucked up the release date on. Looks like we can see this one in July. Sons of Bitches.
HIT OR MISS?
Do these flicks deserve Cult Status or are they just bad B-Flicks?
TV on DVD
24: Season One (Special Edition) – aka. this is how to rape your fans
The Muppet Show – The Complete Third Season
Cranford
JAG (Judge Advocate General) – The Sixth Season
WWE: Wrestlemania 24
A Haunting: Season 3
Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.: The Fourth Season
Penn & Teller – Bullsh*t! – The Complete Fifth Season
Charles in Charge: Season 3
Exes and Ohs: The Complete First Season
The Bill Engvall Show: The Complete First Season
COMING SOON
Criterion Update!
June: 
July: 
August:
With the death knell of McSpaced being shouted out from rooftops round the world, I bring you the joyful news of the release of Spaced in the U.S. Yeah, it’s old news, but look – it’s the DVD cover! The 3-disc release will be available to own on July 22 and will include commentary by Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Bill Hader, Matt Stone, Patton Oswalt and Diablo Cody, plus the original commentaries included on the VCI release, deleted scenes, raw footage, a Spaced On Stage reunion Q&A, a feature length documentary, outtakes, a Homage-O-Meter, and more. I cannot wait to see this show.
Brotherhood of the Wolf was a brilliant movie. It was hyped here on Chud for a long time and holds a special place in my memory for one particular transition. Think snow covered mountains and Monica Bellucci’s body. Oh, yeah. Well on August 26, it’s getting a 2-Disc Special Edition. There is no cover art yet and the full list of special features has not been revealed yet, but this is an announcement I wouldn’t wait on.
Chud fav Neil Marshall released a movie this year that was said to be a load of fun. Doomsday tells the story of a post-apocalyptic society and seems to be a homage to great classic flicks like Escape from New York and Mad Max. The release day for the DVD is July 29 and it will include a commentary with Director Neil Marshall and Cast Members Sean Pertwee, Darren Morfitt, Rick Warden and Les Simpson, and 3 featurettes (Anatomy of Catastrophe: Civilization on the Brink, The Visual Effects and Wizardry of Doomsday, Devices of Death: Guns, Gadgets and Vehicles of Destruction).
Disney appears to be pulling no punches when it releases its first animation classic on Blu-ray. Sleeping Beauty will be the title Disney breaks into the format when it is released on October 7. Disney president Bob Chapek mentioned that the Blu-ray will be cutting edge and include BD-Live and BD-Java in its extras. Viewers will be able to chat with friends on the screen during playback (using a laptop, BlackBerry or other PDA) through Disney’s protected network. They’ll also be able to insert customized video messages anywhere in the movie and send them through a “movie mail” feature. Viewers will also be able to play trivial games with others people across the country and also have access to numerous trailers. By using these features, viewers will be able to accumulate “reward points” which can be traded in for ringtones or wallpaper. While that’s all neat for the little girls, I want to know what the extra features are and those are – to – be – determined.
THE BARGAIN BIN
Cloverfield $14.99
Strange Wilderness $19.99
WWE Wrestlemania XXIV $22.99
Finding Nemo $12.99
A Bug’s Life $12.99
Monsters, INC. $12.99
The Incredibles $12.99
Toy Story 2: Special Edition $12.99
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets $14.99 *
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets – 2 DVD Special Edition $22.99 *
* Free 30 Day Pass to play games at PiratesOnline.com when you buy any version of National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets
Diary Of The Dead $17.99
Diary Of The Dead: Deluxe Version $19.99 *
* Best Buy Exclusive Zombie Manual included with Diary Of The Dead: Deluxe Version
Buy 2 Of The DVDS in This Section And Save $10:
Harry & The Hendersons: Special Edition $9.99, National Treasure, The Chronicles Of Narnia, Transporter 2, Everyone’s Hero, Back To The Future: The Complete Trilogy, Night At The Museum, Bridge To Terabithia, Déjà Vu, Glory Road, Firehouse Dog, E.T., The Extraterrestrial, Peter Pan (2004), The Monster Squad, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, Ultimate Avengers 2, The Invincible Iron Man, Fantastic 4 (1st Pressing), Evan Almighty, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl
Buy 2 Of The DVDS in This Section For $12:
ID4: Independence Day, Dodgeball, Predator, Kingdom Of Heaven, Alien, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Alien vs. Predator, The Transporter, The Day After Tomorrow, 28 Days Later, The Girl Next Door, I, Robot, X-Men, X-Men United: X2
$14.99 DVDs:
27 Dresses, Across The Universe, 30 Days Of Night, We Own The Night, The Game Plan, There Will Be Blood, Beowulf: Unrated Director’s Cut, Walk Hard: Theatrical Edition, Bee Movie, High School Musical 2: Extended Edition, The Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep, Underdog, Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End, Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?, P2
Blu-Ray High Definition Discs:
WWE Wrestlemania XXIV $29.99
V For Vendetta $24.99
Full Metal Jacket $24.99
Black Hawk Down $24.99
Tears Of The Sun $24.99
The Chronicles Of Narnia $29.99 *
National Treasure $29.99 *
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets $29.99 *
* Buy Any Two Of The Marked BluRay Discs together on the same receipt and Save $10
Buy Any Two Of The BluRay Discs In This Section together on the same receipt and get both for $30
Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban, Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets, Big Fish, The Italian Job, A Knight’s Tale, Flags Of Our Fathers, The Patriot: Extended Cut
DVD Sets:
24: Season 1 – Special Edition $39.99
Square Pegs: The Complete Series $24.99
JAG: Season 6. $39.99
Weeds: Season 1 / 2 $14.99 each
Will & Grace: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 $14.99 each
Flight Of The Conchords: Season 1 $16.99
The King Of Queens: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 $19.99 each
Babylon 5: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 $19.99 each
Nip/Tuck: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 $19.99 each
Dawson’s Creek: Season 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 $19.99 each
Family Guy: Volume I / II $24.99 each
My Name Is Earl: Season 1 / 2 $24.99 each
The Riches: Season 1 $24.99
LOST: Season 3 $27.99
Dirt: Season 1 $27.99
Saturday Night Live: Season 1 / 2 $29.99 each
Bones: Season 1 / 2 $29.99 each
30 Rock: Season 1 $29.99
Prison Break: Season 1 / 2 $29.99 each
The Muppet Show: Season 3 $34.99 *
Sex & The City: The Complete Series $109.99 **
* Save $10 on Seasons 1 or 2 when you buy with Season 3
** Free Movie Money To see The Sex & The City Theatrical Movie when you purchase the complete series
Diary Of The Dead $13.99 Premier Price: 5 Days Only
Strange Wilderness $13.99 Premier Price: 5 Days Only
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets $13.99 Premier Price: 5 Days Only
National Treasure $13.99 Premier Price: 5 Days Only
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets 2 DVD Collector’s Edition $24.99
Flock $12.99
Indiana Jones & The Raiders Of The Lost Ark: Special Edition $14.99
Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom : Special Edition $14.99
Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade: Special Edition $14.99
* Circuit City Premiere Price: A Low Price That is in Effect Tuesday – Saturday (5 Days only)
WWE Wrestlemania XXIV 3 DVDs $19.99 *
* Circuit City Exclusive: Free Mini WWE Signature Moves book with purchase
$4.99 DVDs:
Firewall, Jarhead, Inside Man, The Patriot: Extended Cut, Entrapment: Special Edition, U.S. Marshals: Special Edition, Taking Lives, Starsky & Hutch, Just Cause, Mercury Rising: Collector’s Edition, Glory, 8 Mile, Friday Night Lights, The Client, Knockaround Guys, Frequency, The Negotiator, Cinderella Man, Tin Cup, Seabiscuit, U571: Collector’s Edition, Grumpy Old Men, Battlestar Galactica, Little Nicky, Proof Of Life, Empire, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Dragon: Collector’s Edition, Dreamcatcher, American Me, Breakdown, Van Helsing, First Blood: Ultimate Edition, DOOM: Unrated Extended Edition, Unleashed: unrated, Air Force One, Black Hawk Down, Assault On Precinct 13 (2005), Catch Me If You Can, The Game, The Rundown, The Fast & The Furious: Tricked Out Edition, Seven, A Few Good Men: Special Edition, Top Gun: Special Collector’s Edition, Spy Game: Collector’s Edition, We Were Soldiers, End Of Days: Collector’s Edition, Patriot Games, The Fugutive, Munich
$8.99 DVDs:
* Free Movie Cash To See: “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan Included With Purchase of One Of These Titles
Anger Management, Big Daddy, CLICK: Special Edition, Mr. Deeds, 50 First Dates
$12.99 DVDs:
Wild Hogs, The Game Plan, Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Underdog, High School Musical 2: Extended Edition, The Incredibles, Monsters, INC., Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story: 10th Anniversary Edition, Toy Story 2: Special Edition
BluRay High Definition Discs:
WWE Wrestlemania XXIV $29.99
National Treasure $27.99 *
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets $27.99 *
* Buy both National Treasure Movies together on the same receipt and save $10
DVD Sets:
24: Season 1 Special Edition $36.99 *
* Buy Season 1 Special Edition Plus any other 24 Season Set on the same receipt and save $15
National Treasure $15.99
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets $15.99
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets – 2 DVD Collector’s Edition $24.99
$10.00 DVDs:
The Chronicles Of Narnia, Happy Feet, The Holiday
BluRay High Definition Discs:
National Treasure $29.99 *
National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets $29.99 *
* Purchase both BluRay Editions Of National Treasure together on the same receipt and receive a free Target $10 gift card
DVD Sets:
The Muppet Show: Season 3 $29.99
JAG: Season 6 $39.99