Just forget the words and sing along

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Wow! I've gotten so used to dumping the new DVDs into my blog here for show prep. You know, if I ever slip and don't get around to dumping, just go to Cinescape. That's where I get all this stuff. Anyway, what's out today:

LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING Extended Edition (New Line) Four-disc set holds Peter Jackson’s special 50-minute longer version of the final chapter in Tolkein’s epic, plus four commentraks, tons of featurettes, galleries, interactive maps, etc., etc. Also available in a collectors’ gift set that includes a 52-minute documentary on composer Howard Shore and a sculpture of Minas Tirith (hey, that’s my favorite character!).

LORD OF THE RINGS: Motion Picture Trilogy (New Line) All three extended editions in a box set.

COLLATERAL (Universal) Contract killer Tom Cruise hires cabbie Jamie Foxx to drive him around on violent errands in this taut thriller from Michael Mann. Includes Making-Of, deleted scenes, rehearsal footage, hidden goodies and more.

I, ROBOT (Fox) Alex Proyas takes concepts from Isaac Asimov’s robot stories and glues them into a big budget action f/x movie, with mixed results. Widescreen and fullscreen editions include commentrak, Making-Of, etc.

MARY POPPINS (Buena Vista) A new nanny exhibits bizarre magical abilities in this once state-of-the-art musical fantasy vehicle. Two-disc 40th anniversary edition includes a remastered transfer of this Disney favorite, plus Making-Of, a new cartoon short, interviews, deleted song, games, and more.

QUANTUM LEAP: Complete Second Season (Universal) More of the time travel favorite.

STAR TREK: Complete Third Season (Paramount) Third and final deluxe collection of 24 original series episodes on seven discs, including two versions of "The Cage" and featurettes. Also available bundled with the previous two sets.

TOP GUN (Paramount) Typically overhyped gung ho 1986 Tony Scott jet fighter movie, with stars like Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer and Meg Ryan providing the charisma. Widescreen and fullscreen special editions comes in either fullscreen or widescreen format. Also available in a TOM CRUISE ACTION PACK with DAYS OF THUNDER and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.

FAMILY GUY: Freakin’ Sweet Collection (Fox) Five favorite episodes of the wickedly funny sitcom. Includes commentraks and preview featurettes on the upcoming series AMERICAN DAD.

But the big one for me...

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

YES!! I've been dying to see this one! As you all know, I saw Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla when I was in Japan. Tokyo S.O.S. came out one year later (Dec. 2003) and was designed to be a DIRECT SEQUEL to Against Mechagodzilla. It's like this. After their climactic battle, Godzilla is thought to be dead and Mechagodzilla is in the shop for extensive repairs. But then, Mothra begins attacking Tokyo! And soon, Godzilla returns to do battle with Mothra! The race is then on to get Mechagodzilla's repairs done to fight off both Mothra and Godzilla. But, there are still problems with Mechagodzilla's DNA computer. Will Mechagodzilla fight off these giant monsters...or join them?

Oh, and with all this talk of DVDs, I've got to share the big news I just saw on the 6 o'clock news. Blockbuster Video is abolishing late fees! They say they're doing this to battle increasing competition from cable TV and online rental services (like Mr. Anderson's highly endorsed Zip.ca). Now, it's going to work like this. There's still a due date, and if you miss the due date, you go into a one-week "grace period." If you don't get it back in the grace period, they make you buy the DVD/video game/VHS tape. It starts on January 1 for the Yankees, and the end of March for us.

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