So this week is not really a huge week for new releases. Only two major studio releases were put out, the others being more "Direct To Video" titles, that I could really care less about, so we're going to put the focus on the two, because I actually liked these movies!
First up, (No pun intended) is the Disney/Pixar film, "Up". (Forch Rating: 9/10) Which undoubtedly is the biggest release of the week. The movie itself, like all Pixar films is a visual masterpiece. Obviously aimed at kids, however the film is a great film that I think the whole family can enjoy.
The story is centered around Carl Fredricksen (Voiced by Ed Asner, who ironically enough would play my grandfather if a movie of my life ever came out, remember that, there's going to be a quiz later) who, aged and after a wonderful life with his wife and lifelong best friend, Ellie. Decides to honor a promise made on her deathbed, and he basically flies his house (With the Aid of a ton of Balloons) to Paradise Falls in South America. Caught up in this adventure is Russell, a wilderness explorer who's trying to earn his final merit badge, ironically enough for assisting the elderly.
Not giving away too much of the plot, I just wanted to say, like all of Pixar's movies, I love this one, and you will too. The DVD as well is loaded with your typical fare of Pixar extras, nothing too out of the ordinary for any Pixar afficianado.
Next on the Docket, is a romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. "The Ugly Truth" (Forch Rating: 7/10). It is your typical "Run of the Mill" romantic comedy, where the girl thinks the guy's a pig, only to fall in love with him at the end of the movie. This time, all of it is focussed around Abby Richter (Heigl) who is a producer for an A.M. morning show out of Sacramento, CA who's ratings are slipping, so along comes Mike Chadway (Butler) who's the host of a cable access show called "The Ugly Truth". The Station buys the rights to the show, and starts putting Chadway on in the mornings, much to the Chagrin of Abby, who can't stand him.
Once again, plot aside, this was another in the long line of romantic comedies that really doesn't go much further than any other before it. However, the movie's saving grace is that of Butler, who's portrayal of Mike Chadway is brilliant. You can tell that he had a lot of fun playing this role, as his eyes gleamed in a way that shows he was having a good time. The character is brilliant, and I doubt there would have been anyone else to play it better. That, is the reason the movie got as high a rating as it did.
There are a bunch of Box Sets that are out this week, so let's take a look at those!!!
First off, one that my ex-wife would love, and I would dread... "Dawson's Creek: The Complete Series" Chronicles Dawson Leery and his rag-tag much of misfit teens who get into typical teen situations, and have adventures in time and space. Oh wait, wrong show. What was Dawson's Creek About? I have no idea, I never watched it! I do know John Wesley Shipp (TV's "The Flash") Played Dawson's Father. Anyway, I know that this show is the reason we have other shows like "One Tree Hill" and it basically ushered in shows like "Smallville" (Which honestly, the first 3 years were Dawson's Creek with Superpowers) so I can't bash it too much.
Warner Bros. has come out with a Box Set of "Justice League: The Complete Series". So if you're like me, and already own the individual box sets, you're not going to blow your money on this. But, if you don't already have it, I am sure that it's a worthwhile purchase. The show was a great cartoon. Apparently, it's 15 DVD's, which means that it should include "Justice League Unlimited" as well as "Justice League". The description shows that there's a lot of behind the scenes featurettes, however it's probably the ones that are already on the existing discs.
MLB Productions has a great box set out in time for the holidays, and perhaps timed perfectly since the season just ended last week (Damned Yankees!). "MLB: The Official World Series Film Collection" displays all of the iconic moments over a span of seven decades of the greatest game around. It is a 20-disc collection, which also features a 58-page World Series Pictorial. Now 2009's World Series is not included (Thank God) but every world series from 1943-2008 is featured within this beautiful looking set.
If you're looking for something special to get me, I suggest this item. For those of you who know me, know I love baseball, and this is the baseball fan's ultimate present!
"G.I. Joe: The Complete Series" is also out in stores this week, following suit like the Transformers before it, it's just another repackaging of material that's been out for a number of years, just in a different box. Heck, the series has been put out in box sets individually for the last few months to capitalize on the movie, so this box set really is nothing new for consumers.
In Current Television, there aren't too many releases of Note. "JAG", the Ninth Season (Really, it's been on that long?) comes out today, fans of the series rejoice! I've never seen an episode, but I do know that "Major Babe" Catherine Bell was/is on it, and that would be my only reason!
"The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Complete Second Season" arrives on DVD today, I imagine this one will be a little harder to find, as the show doesn't really air in Canada, and I am not sure about the U.S. It's a more kid-friendly version of Doctor Who (Without Time travel) and features everyone's favorite companion, Ms. Sarah Jane Smith (Played my Elisabeth Sladen, who still looks beautiful!). The show is good, not as good as Doctor Who, but a Who fan will get some enjoyment out of it.
in "Cult and Classic" only one film springs to mind, and that's "Logan's Run". A movie no one remembers, except pop-culture junkies like myself, the film has been immortalized a number of times on cartoons like Family Guy and the Simpsons, as well as featured Prominently in the 1999 comedy: "Free Enterprise". This movie is a must-see for anyone approaching the age of 30! And now that it is available on Blu-Ray, you can see the ultimate version of a movie who's special effects were cheap, even in 1975! But it is a classic, and we honor it!
So that's this week's Celluloid Sell-Out. Next week we have a huge release on the docket, in Star Trek. Undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of 2009 is coming to DVD and Blu-Ray. Can it surpass all expectations like it did in theaters? We'll see next week!
By Forch F. Fortier (Who reminds you that the MLB World Series Box Set does make a great Christmas gift for those who you truly care about... If you want to buy it for me, e-mail me at forchman@hotmail.com and I will provide you with an address to mail it to me for Christmas, unless of course, you already have my address!)
0 comments:
Post a Comment