26. James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace
With its inventive third-person action elements, plus a Grand Theft Auto IV-like camera-panning and running off the Call of Duty 4 engine, the gamer is able to embody the blond Bond — mind, body and shooting. You'll play through levels of espionage quandary pulled from both the Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace films (see #32) but shooting dozens more enemies, oftentimes quicker and quieter than Daniel Craig is able to execute (hand-to-hand combat, too!). It will support Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP, but for Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers that purchase it advance at GameStop, a free multi-player map pack will be redeemable after it officially debuts. (Nov. 4)
27. Comedy Central's Indecision 2008 — Live With Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert
For months now, Stewart and Colbert have been reporting "Something Approximating Election News With Something Approximating Honesty," and our four candidates, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and John McCain and Sarah Palin, have done an exceptional job delivering the fodder to them. But live on Election Night, Stewart and Colbert will follow the votes (somewhat) closely, all the while inserting their trademark snark and outrageous declarations such as: "Does McCain wear a diaper?", "Obama 'Thinks,' McCain 'Knows'," and "Is Sarah Palin a Dude?" They've promised to announce the winning President by night's end … maybe. (Nov. 4)
28. The Cosby Show: 25th Anniversary Commemorate Edition
Bill Cosby's idea for his second boob-tube series named after himself was to depict a successful, middle-class African-American family in a normal, positive light. From 1984-1992, we watched the baby-delivering Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable with his attorney wife Claire raise their five kids in a Brooklyn brownstone; it delivered lots of laughs and family values that resonated better than Full House's. The DVD set offers every original episode from its eight-year run — and yes, Theo and Rudy grow up, Mrs. Huxtable gets an actor switch, but remember the awesome guest stars like Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr. and Adam Sandler? The edition also includes a never-before-seen interview with Cosby on his lasting memories of the sitcom. (Nov. 11)
29. Sukiyaki Western Django (Blu-ray)
It's an English-language remake of Sergio Corbucci's 1966 classic western, Django, but set in Japan with a who's-who cast of Japanese actors "speaking" English the phonetic drawl-out way. Insert tumbleweeds, painted backdrops, Japanese period garb with cowboy hats, and Quentin Tarantino as a narrating character (what better western and Asian-film obsessor is there?), it's obvious that the camp value of the new Django is very high — and bound to be very awesome. Released last year in Japan, director Miike Takashi's marbles-losing genius of outrageous bloodshed and insane action was met with grab-your-belly laughter and joy. (Nov. 11)
30. The Road
Already met with a Pulitzer Prize, Cormac McCarthy's postapocalyptic novel gets the big-screen treatment with Viggo Mortensen, plus an aim to deliver the grimmest father-and-son tale that will, hopefully, be less dull and more touching. Aussie director John Hillcoat (his one American release was the impressive The Proposition) paints the taciturn journey of Mortensen's exhausted father leading his frightened young boy across a desolate America after an unspecified widespread disaster. Surprising encounters with vagrants, soldiers or flashbacks of the boy's mother (Charlize Theron) invite danger, fear, sometimes survival — and most likely, the attention of Oscar. (Nov. 14)
KEEP READING: Beyonce and the blond Bond ... but not like that
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