A DVD purchase can be a double-edged sword, and trust me, you’re not the only ones with some not-so-choice choices collecting dust on the shelf. But I can offer some help to answer the conundrum, “How many times am I really gonna watch that?”
This Week’s Releases
A Lot Like Love
Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily (Amanda Peet) “hook-up” clumsily on a plane flight and then run into each other repeatedly over the next several years without really falling for one another. But they can only resist it so many times before cupid intervenes…oh, you know the deal.
Total box office: $21.8 million
Extras! Blooper reels are nice, but we’ll still pass, thank you. There’s something about Kutcher‘s brash, Midwest-frat-boy twang and persona that suggests he can produce a blooper on command. Maybe it’s his unreality-reality show Punk’d, but something about the notion of his bloopers seem a tad banal by now. OK, maybe it’s still worth watching.
When it was relevant: Love was a major disappointment to Disney, Kutcher‘s hordes of fans, and probably Peet‘s agent, as well. They’d all had big things in mind for this romantic comedy. But it hasn’t seemed to affect any of the parties involved much: Ashton’s got two projects in the works, not to mention punk’n his zillionaire friends for another season; Peet has several upcoming projects, most notably the highly anticipated Syriana; and Disney, well, we’re not too worried about them either.
Worthy DVD purchase? You’re best bet would be to rent first, if interested at all. Of course, if you’re a tweener who invites friends and watches MTV all day long, then by all means head over to the mall and make the purchase on Daddy’s credit card.
All things considered: C-
The Ring Two
In the sequel to the killer-tape phenomenon with star Naomi Watts as the anguished single mom, new clues suggest that the evil is still lurking in the well.
Total box office: $75.9 million
Extras! Ho-hum. Looks like lots of boring featurettes.
When it was relevant: The second Ring didn’t pack the shock factor or the punch that the first did, but it was nonetheless a quality, if a little glossy, scare-fest. Watts‘ rising star didn’t hurt business either, and the film no doubt helped land her a coveted role in Peter Jackson‘s sure-thing-of-the-year King Kong.
Worthy purchase? One scary flick–or ten–should be a staple of any DVD collection (to watch with friends, of course), but for a more genuine and innovative thrill, take one step to the left in the aisle and pick up the first Ring. Or, if feeling especially ambitious, rent the original Japanese version, Ringu. Shiver.
All things considered:: C+
Layer Cake
In London’s drug underworld, a relatively urbane cocaine dealer (Daniel Craig) tries to get out of the “game” at the perfect time but fancies himself smarter than he really is.
Total box office: $2.3 million
Extras!. Alternate endings, deleted scenes, commentary from director Matthew Vaughn–could be an interesting way to view this little gem.
When it was relevant: Despite Cake‘s very warm critical reception, it flew somewhat under the radar and failed to catch on with most audiences. But dazzling style and performances from Craig, Sienna Miller and the rest of the superb British cast had the relative few who saw the film swearing by it.
Worthy purchase? Now might be the perfect time for a second (or first, for most) viewing. Interest has surged in Miller since her fiancé Jude Law cheated on her, robbing his own cradle (of proper nanny attention, so to speak) and sabotaging their relationship. And Craig, whose acting has always been impeccable, gave what might turn out to be a preview of the next James Bond film. Plus this one will always reveal something new upon each subsequent viewing.
All things considered: A-
Beauty Shop
A spinoff–of sorts–of the Barbershop films, Gina (Queen Latifah) gets her own beauty shop, where colorful employees and oddball customers speak their minds.
Total box office: $36.3 million
Extras! Ah, another gag reel, which could provide some fun. But, in my opinion, gag reels usually works best when actors are caught butchering their lines in what is supposed to be a serious moment and everybody is heard erupting into sycophantic laughter. I don’t think this’ll be the same thing.
When it was relevant: Was it ever? Even though it didn’t completely tank at the box office, it still failed miserably compared to its mentor Barbershop and Barbershop 2. After Chicago and Bringing Down the House, studios obviously thought Latifah could turn anything she touched into gold. The Cookout should’ve should’ve been evidence enough to disprove this theory, but Taxi and Beauty Shop still got made.
Worthy purchase? Not unless there’s a significant rebate. On the bright side, it could only get better on second viewing–as long as people don’t buy this on a hunch. Resist the DVD hunch, always! Beauty Shop happens when you give in to the hunch.
All things considered: D-
TV on DVD
Six Feet Under: The Complete Fourth Season
Extras!: In addition to the usual “goodies,” there’s an interesting segment on SFU‘s arduous editing process, as well as a cast interview with host Bob Costas. They probably would’ve had someone more Katie Couric-y do the sit-down if HBO didn’t need a shameless promotion for Costas’ show on HBO. Yeah, we forgot he had one, too.
Comments: Now that the show is over and done with, owning this DVD collection might be just the ticket. The fourth season is supposedly Six Feet Under‘s “darkest” season (on a show based around death, mind you), delving more into the characters’ turmoil than previous seasons. Solid extras and exposing the current season’s roots always make HBO DVDs a safe choice–that is, except for Arliss.
All things considered B+
The O.C.: The Complete Second Season
Extras!: All the swag your indulgent little hearts could ever hope for. Everything from commentary on “The Chrismukkah that Almost Wasn’t” to a special on O.C. couture. And, of course, the all-important gag reel.
Comments: Rejoice, southern Californians and everybody else outside of that region–it’s season two of The O.C.! The neo-90210-uber-hip-kitschy pinata’s second season hits stores with a bang. This season was simply enchanting–I mean, at least I’ve heard it was enchanting…I’ve never actually seen it, nor have I ever seen Dawson’s Creek. Oh, yeah? Prove it!
All things considered: B+
