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DVD Releases for 20 March, 2001
Well, I gotta admit I'm pretty psyched about this week's crop of new releases. The theme is definitely sci fi, but there's a little of everything thrown in here. So as always, here are this week's new dvd titles, in order of my perceived importance...
- Farscape, Vol. 2 -- Season one, episodes 3 & 4 -- "Exodus From Genesis" and "Throne For a Loss". Both are filler episodes, but at this early juncture, all of them were. No story arcs had been established yet, except the perpetual running from the PeaceKeepers. "Genesis" is where Moya hides in a nebula of sorts, but becomes infested with some very interesting lifeforms. "Throne" introduces the gauntlet-wearing Tavleks, and is most certainly the superior episode. The format here is exactly like Vol. 1, with a different pair of actors doing the commentary for each episode, a few extra minutes of footage, and an in-depth character profile. This time around, it's TNMC fav, Aeryn Sun. (the majestic Claudia Black....) This is an ADV release, and from my experience can only be found at your local suncoast if you forgot to pre-order.
- Frank Herbert's Dune (TV Mini-Series) -- Sci Fi Channel's reworking of Herbert's classic. Bound to stir controversy among Lynch devotee's and opponents alike, this baby clocks in at a healthy 295 minutes. I thought it was good, although different in many ways. One minus, however, were the varying production values. Some shots looked theatrical (the sandworms), while others looked...well, like a Sci Fi original movie. Another gripe is the audio track-- Dolby Digital 2.0. What's with that? Oh well. Also has production notes, trailers, behind the scenes, making of special, cinematography special, and photo galleries. Certainly a nice counterpiece to your David Lynch/Kyle McLachlan version.
- The Crow - Salvation (Collector's Series) -- The second sequel in a franchise that really shouldn't exist. The Crow, with Brandon Lee, was a seminal work, but City of Angels was pretty much a remake and added nothing. I haven't seen this one yet, because it went straight to video after test audiences snoozed. Not a positive sign. I will, however, give it a fair shake. It just seems pointless though. No Crow sequel could ever recreate the magic that Proyas and Lee gave us in 1994. As an aside, Miramax is simultaneously re-releasing The Crow as a Collector's Edition, which is way past due, and if you actually liked City of Angels, you can buy all three as a set for about 60 bucks.
- Dancer in the Dark - New Line Platinum... -- The critically acclaimed film from Lars Von Trier starring Bjork as the titular blind woman. Rumor is that Bjork got so into character while filming that she had a nervous breakdown and has vowed never to act again. Don't know if that's true or not, but makes for an interesting story. Anyway, this comes with two commentary tracks, two documentaries, including one I can't wait to see, "An Exploration of DV (digital video) Filmmaking."
- Remember the Titans (Widescreen Edition) -- The second time in 2000 that Jerry Bruckheimer deviated from his standard fare. (He also produced TNMC debate favorite Coyote Ugly) This story about an integrated high school football team in Virginia connected surprisingly well with audiences, to the tune of over $100 million. But is it good? Well, read John's review. As for the DVD, you get a couple commentary tracks, six additional scenes, and two featurettes.
The rest....
Gundam Wing - Operation 6 , The Tao of Steve, Barenaked Ladies - Too Little Too Late, Lucky Numbers (2000 was unkind to Travolta, to say the least), and worst movie of all-time candidate, A Life Less Ordinary.
Sexy Pre-Orders:
Charlie's Angels, The 6th Day, Red Planet, Nurse Betty, Stargate SG-1 Giftset (5 discs), Men of Honor, Bounce, Space Cowboys, Billy Elliot and Requiem for a Dream.
Well...that's about it.
Til All Are One --
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