Blu-Ray and DVD Geek Picks for the Third Week of September

   Howdy Hey, fellow film geeks. Tomorrow is Tuesday, and you know what that means- a whole new batch of discs to put on the ol' movie shelf. Below you'll find my picks for the week. As always, this is far from a complete list of what's coming out, just the things that tickle my fancy.

Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures (Blu-Ray)

   Here it is, folks. All four Indiana Jones films in high definition. I'm a huge fan of all of these films. That's right, I said ALL. I know it may make me lose some geek cred in the film community, but I never had the same problems with KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL that others had. Just as the first three films were a tribute to the RKO adventure serials of the 30's, the last film was a loving send up of the drive-in sci-fi of the 50's. Sure, there are a few unbelievable moments, but I feel that if anyone can survive being nuked n a fridge, it's Indiana Jones.

    There are some new extras on these discs, but I have heard that not all of the special features from previous sets carried over, so you'll have to make the decision for yourself to keep them or pass them on.
    All in all, this is an essential piece of any film geek's collection. My girlfriend has only ever seen RAIDERS (at my insistence), so I'm looking forward to showing her the rest of my favorite archaeologist's great adventures. Furthermore, when my sons grow up a little bit more, I know this box will be well used. This is definitely the biggest release this Tuesday.

Modern Family : Season Three

When I first saw promos for this, I rolled my eyes. It looked like a major failure in the making, but -you know what- it's pretty darn good. I'm particularly impressed by the cleverness of it all and Ed O'Neill as the patriarch of the clan. The biggest surprise for me was how much I liked Cam and Mitchell. Their relationship is comedy gold.

Steve Martin : The Television Stuff

    I cannot wait to get my hands on this. Ever since I saw THE JERK (edited for TV, no less) in junior high, Steve Martin has been my main comedy idol. I still remember finding an old 8 track player and a copy of WILD AND CRAZY GUY shortly after my obsession began. The tape broke after one play through, but the album was a revelation. Here was a guy who found out how to play an idiot while being extremely highbrow. After that, I tracked down all of his albums on vinyl, listening to them repeatedly until I knew every word. The whole time, however, I really wanted to be able to see what sounded like a fairly visual act.
    Now, that dream is reality. This set contains some of the only filmed performances of his stand up act, as well as some TV specials and talk show appearances. I'm super excited about putting this on, getting "small", and laughing my ass off at one of the greats.

Ed Wood (Blu Ray)

    I've only seen this once, and I feel it demands another viewing. Now, it's coming to Blu-Ray for the first time, so it seems like a good opportunity to revisit what is surely one of Tim Burton's most personal films. I have such foggy memories of this, so it'll be good to get them all straight in my head. In particular, I remember liking Martin Landau a lot, and Sarah Jessica Parker not so much. I also seem to remember Bill Murray having a short bit that was pretty funny.

Weekend Flix Pix - Fish, Cults, and Zombies.

Wondering what to see this weekend in your local cinema? Well, here are a few suggestions...

FINDING NEMO 3D

I know some of you out there hate the current trend of rereleasing older films to theaters in 3D. Even more perplexing to me is the disdain aimed at films getting rereleased at all. Sure, you can rent the same movie or pull it off your shelf and watch it in the comfort of your home, but there is something truly special about seeing some of these films on a screen that's way bigger than anything you could put in your house - no matter what dimension you see it in.
As far as the 3D thing goes, I am a fan as long as the theater adjusts the brightness accordingly. I think that it really does offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the movie's universe. Sure, there have been films that use it purely as a gimmick, but in something like AVATAR, it really adds to the overall experience.
The latest film to use the technology to find new life is Pixar's FINDING NEMO, which should be mesmerizing. The underwater setting is already gorgeous and can only benefit from 3D.
When NEMO first came out, I was literally living and breathing Disney, since I was working at Epcot in Florida. I remember loving the film, finding it funny and touching with a great voice cast. I've seen a few times in the interim, and it always held up to further scrutiny.
If you have really young children who never got to see everyone's favorite clownfish on the big screen, do yourself (and them) a favor and revisit this classic film. I know I wish my son was old enough to sit still in a theater. Maybe he will be in time for FINDING NEMO 2 when that hits in a few years...

THE MASTER - limited release

I can't wait to see this, but I will have to. At least until September 21. Some of you will be able to see it this weekend, though, and for that, I envy you.
I first heard about director Paul Thomas Anderson back when BOOGIE NIGHTS came out. I liked that film and his somewhat confusing followup, MAGNOLIA. Unfortunately, I have yet to see PUNCH DRUNK LOVE. As much as I liked his early films, they weren't movies that I just raved about. Then, a few years back, he really won me over with THERE WILL BE BLOOD, which I considered to be the best picture that year.
Now he turns his eye on the weird world of cults and the people who join them. Joaquin Phoenix plays a WWII vet seeking what Phillip Seymour Hoffman's cult leader is selling. I don't know a ton of the plot outside of that, wishing to watch it unfold before me on screen - much as I did with THERE WILL BE BLOOD. If this film can reach even a portion if the greatness of that film, I will be a happy camper.
Advance word is good, and we may be looking at a major Oscar contender here. Side note: see this in 70mm if you can.

RESIDENT EVIL RETRIBUTION 3D

Look, either you want to see Milla Jovavich fight 3D zombies, or you don't. While I honestly lean towards the latter, I feel that this film definitely falls under the "Geek" banner.
I only saw one of these films (the second?) and I thought it was pretty good for a mainstream zombie flick based on a series of video games I've never played. Of course, the fact that I haven't seen any of the others shows how little impact it made on me overall.
I feel like I will eventually see the others. In particular, I remember kind of wanting to see the one that had the trailer with Las Vegas in ruins. Some day...

Well, those are my picks for the week. Overall, not a big weekend, but we are in that weird early fall film season.

Blu-Ray and DVD Geek Pix for the second week of September

Even in the age of digital media, there's something almost magical about owning some of your favorite films in a physical format. Having a disk to go to any time you want to revisit something will always be the way to go for someone like me. So, with that in mind, here's a a few things to look forward to this Tuesday.

Titanic 3D

     Since my exile to West Texas, I haven't been able to see as many movies in theaters. This 90's epic was one of the big re-releases I was looking forward to seeing on the big screen. I've only seen the movie once, and that was back in '97 at the Northpark 1&2 in Dallas (God rest its soul). It was one of the most impressive theatrical screenings I have ever seen. Projected in glorious 70mm- with incredible sound- I was captivated by this film.
     Of course, this was several weeks after it had come out. The initial night of its release, I went to an epic of a different sort, Kevin Costner's postapocalyptic The Postman with my dad. I remember being confused by the long lines around the building full of teenage girls waiting for Titanic. Everything I had heard about the film was that it was going to be a disaster, but the lines seemed to indicate a major hit. And it was...it really was.
    The rest is history. The movie went on to become one of the biggest films of all time, giving Leonardo DiCaprio true superstar status and filling all of our ears with Celine Dion for months on end.
    Having not seen it for myself, I can't speak of the 3D quality on this film, but the word is good. I can't wait to give this a spin and see Titanic in all it's Blu-Ray glory. 3D re-releases in general seem to get a lot of hate, but this geek thinks the technology is actually kind of fun. I never thought I'd enjoy The Phantom Menace as much as I did when that came out in 3D, but I loved that particular revisit, so hopefully this one will be even better.

Terra Nova

    I only got the chance to see the pilot for this show when it was airing, so I can't speak to how the series played out. All I know is that Spielberg and dinosaurs are involved, so it deserves my attention - even if it does wind up being crap.
   The story of Terra Nova starts in the future, when the world has become unlivable. Certain people are chosen to go back in time to start a new human colony in the time of the dinosaurs. Doesn't look like this show is coming to Blu Ray - yet.


Produced by George Martin

     Confession time - I am a fanatic when it comes to The Beatles. So it is with great glee that I discovered this documentary on their longtime producer George Martin. Of course, George Martin did so much more than just sit in the booth during the recording of some of the greatest songs ever laid down. He produced comedy albums for the likes of Peter Sellers and even scored the adventures of 007 in Live and Let Die.
     Of course, I haven't seen this, but I would hope such a legendary man would get a top notch doc.


Tim Burton Collection -  wide release

     This set has previously been available only on Amazon bundled with a book. This week, the set goes out for wide release, losing the book and about ten dollars on its price tag. For around forty bucks you get seven of Tim Burton's movies in glorious Blu-Ray. Here's the lineup:

Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985) 
Beetlejuice (1988) 
Batman (1989) 
Batman Returns (1992) 
Mars Attacks! (1996) 
Corpse Bride (2005) 
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

     Those first five are worth the cost for me, with Corpse Bride and Charlie as nice bonuses. (that's how I see it, anyway.) I know some will deride the fact that it is missing some big titles like Edward Scissorhands, but that is from another studio. Same goes for the rest of the missing flicks. These seven are all from Warner Brothers.


Well, that's all for this week. Happy shopping, disc collectors!