DISC JUST IN for 4/7/09

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Here’s a look at the latest DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases:

BLU-RAY DISC:
2010: The Year We Make Contact (Warner)
Above the Law (Warner)
Africa’s Elephant Kingdom (Discovery/Genius)
American HIstory X (Warner/New Line)
The Beauty of Snakes (Animal Planet/Genius)
Collateral Damage (Warner)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) (Fox)
Doubt (Disney)
Final Destination (Warner/New Line)
Fly Away Home (Sony)
Gettysburg: The Battle & the Address (Discovery/Genius)
Iditarod (Discovery/Genius)
John Q. (Warner/New Line)
Mars: The Quest for Life (Discovery/Genius)
No Country for Old Men: Collector’s Edition (Disney)
Not Easily Broken (Sony)
Point of No Return (Warner)
Taking Lives (Warner)
The Tale of Despereaux (Universal)
Tango & Cash (Warner)
The Wedding Singer (Warner/New Line)
Winged Migration (Sony)
World’s Biggest & Baddest Bugs (Animal Planet/Genius)
Yes Man (Warner)

DVD:
The Boys From Brazil (Lionsgate)
Cleopatra: 75th Anniversary Edition (Universal)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) (Fox)
Dog Soldiers: Steelbook Edition (First Look)
Disney Animation Collections 1-3 (Disney)
Donkey Punch (Magnolia)
Doubt (Disney)
Faith Like Potatoes (Sony)
The Goldwyn Follies (MGM)
House (2008) (Lionsgate)
Iditarod (Discovery/Genius)
I.O.U.S.A. (PBS)
It’s a Pleasure (MGM)
No Country for Old Men: Collector’s Edition (Disney)
Not Easily Broken (Sony)
Pre-Code Hollywood Collection (Universal)
A Song is Born (MGM)
The Tale of Despereaux (Universal)
Vinyan (Sony)
Yes Man (Warner)

TV-on-DVD:
Africa’s Elephant Kingdom (Discovery/Genius)
The Beauty of Snakes (Animal Planet/Genius)
Beverly Hills 90210: Season 7 (Paramount)
Deadliest Catch: Season 4 (Discovery/Genius)
Dynasty: Season 4, Vol.1 (Paramount)
Gettysburg: The Battle & the Address (Discovery/Genius)
Mars: The Quest for Life (Discovery/Genius)
The Paper Chase: Season 1 (Shout! Factory)
World’s Biggest & Baddest Bugs (Animal Planet/Genius)

HIGHLIGHTS:

This week Warner Home Video went rummaging in their vault and brought a whopping ten catalog hits to Blu-ray. Although some titles haven’t exactly been in high demand (John Q?), kudos to them for adding some much needed variety and affordability to the format. Let’s look at a few of the more noteworthy releases this week:

The Day the Earth Stood Still – One has to wonder what makes the studios decide to tinker with the classics. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to reinvent The Day the Earth Stood Still must be drinking buddies with the clown who greenlit a Psycho remake. Nevertheless, Keanu and Klaatu are here for better or for worse – mostly for worse – but this 3-disc Blu-ray edition from Fox is not without merit. In addition to an attractive 1080p presentation of the film on Disc One and a healthy mix of extras on Disc Two, you also get the Blu-ray edition of the 1951 classic on Disc Three. This presents a great way to own both films in one value-minded package.

Doubt - Nothing says Easter like scandal and outrage in the Catholic church. Was Doubt‘s release timed to coincide with this week’s holiest of Catholic holidays? I wonder. Disney’s Blu-ray release of John Patrick Shanley’s controversial drama receives a technical presentation in keeping with Disney’s track record; that is to say, the film looks and sounds superb. Extras include a commentary with Mr. Shanley and numerous featurettes on the making of the film.

No Country for Old Men – What’s the most you’ve ever lost on a Blu-ray? $25? That’s about what you paid for the first Blu-ray release of No Country, isn’t it? How is it possible that we’re already seeing shameless double-dips on the Blu-ray Disc format – and on such a new title to boot?! If you don’t already own No Country on Blu-ray, this new Collector’s Edition is definitely the one to get, sporting loads of new extras and a Digital Copy of the film on Disc Two.

The Tale of Despereaux – An animated mouse with big ears? Hmm. A rat with a passion for great soup?  Sounds familiar, I know. Relax. On paper, Despereaux may sound like something you’ve seen from the House of Mouse, but it’s actually a unique, adventure-filled fairy tale from Universal with a handsome animation style all its own. And it features an exceptional voice cast including Matthew Broderick as Despereaux, William H. Macy, Dustin Hoffman, Christopher Lloyd and Sigourney Weaver. On Blu-ray, The Tale of Despereaux is a sumptuous, detail-rich wonder to behold and you’ll be counting whiskers in no time, if you enjoy that sort of thing. One word of caution though: the film is rated G but there are a few intense scenes here and there. Children under five may need an adult to cower behind – unless they possess the courage of the titular hero.

Wedding Singer – Adam Sandler’s comedies generally suffer (or benefit, depending on your point of view) from an oversized portion of stupid. Now don’t get me wrong – some of them I absolutely love; Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore will forever hold a special place in my heart.  On the other hand, dreck such as Little Nicky, The Waterboy and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry are proof positive that Sandler’s funny business is hit or miss. His biggest hit and his most enjoyable film is easily The Wedding Singer and Warner has finally brought the 80′s love fest to Blu-ray. I didn’t receive a copy of this one but I can’t wait to see what Billy Idol looks like in 1080p.

Winged Migration – Sony’s documentary film about the migratory patterns of various types of birds is equal parts unique and beautiful to behold. Although the nature photography on display is not quite on a par with BBC’s unequaled Planet Earth series, it’s still astoundingly good at times. Sony’s Blu-ray includes a few standard definition extras including a nearly hour-long piece on the making of the film.

Yes Man – What I said about Adam Sandler (above) could just as easily be applied to Jim Carrey. For every Mask or Dumb and Dumber you’ll find an Ace Ventura 2 or Fun with Dick and Jane. (And if you try to argue that Dumb and Dumber is one of Carrey’s lesser films, you and I need to step outside.) For whatever reason, the trailers for Yes Man left me perfectly content waiting for the DVD. A guy that can’t say no to anything sounds a lot like a guy who can’t lie and Liar Liar didn’t need a sequel. As it turns out Yes Man is one of Carrey’s stronger films in recent years and it’s well worth a spin on Blu-ray. A good deal of credit goes to the lovely Zooey Deschanel and the hilarious Rhys Darby who play Carrey’s love interest and boss, respectively. The film looks great on Blu-ray and Warner has sweetened the pot with plenty of extras.

Greg’s Pick of the Week:

Tango & Cash (Blu-ray)
Warner Home Video | Rated R | 104 minutes | $28.99

It may be big, dumb and loud, but Tango & Cash is also a ton of fun and it’s great to see it now available on Blu-ray Disc. The film works thanks largely to the chemistry between its stars: Sylvester Stallone (Tango) and Kurt Russell (Cash). The derivative and predictable story won’t have you chewing your nails in suspense, but it will keep a smile on your face – if you enjoy prison riots, Jack Palance villainy or seeing Kurt Russell in fishnets and high heels.

I didn’t receive a review copy of this one but here’s hoping this childhood action favorite makes a solid showing in its Blu-ray debut.

EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 projector
Carada Masquerade screen system (92")
Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu-ray Disc player
Oppo DV-983H DVD player
Onkyo TX-SR805 A/V receiver
Definitive Technology ProCinema 1000 speakers
Datacolor SpyderTV PRO 2007 video calibration
Monster Power HTS5100 power center
BetterCables interconnects
UltraLink speaker wire