THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKS
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK & LARRY
2007; DVD $29.95, PG-13
While not exactly drop-dead hilarious, this Kevin James/Adam Sandler pairing has a lot to like. They play best friends who come together when James learns his kids are ineligible for his pension unless he is married. That’s “come together” as in “pretend to be a married gay couple.” Things liven up when bodacious bureaucrat Jessica Biel enters the picture, and Sandler must hide his, er, “attraction.” With Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi and Dan Aykroyd.
RATATOUILLE
2007; DVD $29.95, G
The most un-Disney cartoon that Disney ever had a hand in. A French sewer rat dreams of becoming a great chef — despite the obvious shortcomings of being filthy, pestilent vermin — with the help of an awkward, clumsy mop-boy with secrets of his own. No singing, no dancing and completely computer-animated by Pixar, it nonetheless has a warm sense of humor, a great story and terrific voice talent, including Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Brian Dennehy, Peter O’Toole, Brad Garrett and Janeane Garofalo. Highly recommended.
AMAZING JOURNEY: THE STORY OF THE WHO/SIX QUICK ONES
2007; DVD $29.95, UR
A pair of docs forming the definitive Who anthology! Tracing their roots from sci-fi-obsessed British garage band to one of the greatest names in music, they defined a generation with raucous youth anthems (“My Generation”), social commentary (“Won’t Get Fooled Again”) and the birth of rock-opera (“Tommy,” “Quadrophenia”). Includes fabulous concert footage, interviews with bandmates Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, and commentary by Sting, The Edge, Eddie Vedder and more. Our highest recommendation.
CARRY ON CHRISTMAS
1973; DVD $19.95, UR
The rarest of holiday-inspired silliness from across The Pond. Sid James, Barbara Windsor and the rest of the “Carry On”/Thames Studios gang completely demolish tradition with their patented Benny Hill-esque pantomime insanity that’s sure to climax in a mad, mad chase. Had enough of “The Little Drummer Boy”? Here’s the cure!
FULL HOUSE: THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION
1987; DVD $169.95, UR
A 32-disc set with 192 of the whiniest, most wretchedly pabulum-infested episodes in sitcom history (until “According to Jim,” anyway). See the Olsen Twins before they became HOT, with Bob Saget, John Stamos and the dullest woman in America, Lori Loughlin.
HORROR OF DRACULA/DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE/TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA/DRACULA A.D. 1972
2007; DVD $19.95, R
A two-disc set with three underrated Christopher Lee Dracs, plus “A.D. 1972” — which makes a handy coaster.
IN MY FATHER’S DEN
2004; DVD $19.95, UR
Matthew MacFadyen stars as a renowned war journalist who moves back to his childhood home in New Zealand, befriending a restless teen (Emily Barclay) who relishes his dark world-view. But when the girl goes missing, the battle-scarred writer finds himself the prime suspect. A rare, dangerous and thought-provoking look at the human condition.
JAMES BOND ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S SET
1989; DVD $239.95, PG-13
All 21 James Bond films, PLUS 21 bonus discs means (let’s see, carry the 1 ...) 42 perfect spy-platters of fun. From the original Sean Connery “Dr. No” to the latest, “Casino Royale” with Daniel Craig. Finally! Something to get your dad for Christmas!
MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION: WALKING ON THE MOON
2005; DVD $19.95, UR
This terrific Tom Hanks-narrated disc was originally an IMAX 3-D attempt to put the viewer in a spacesuit and give him the dizzying experience of actually walking on the Moon. While it loses something on the 2-D small-screen, this is still an inspiring, exciting and visceral experience, accompanied by accounts from Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
MANUFACTURING DISSENT: UNCOVERING MICHAEL MOORE
2007; DVD $19.95, R
Marketed as “the film Michael Moore doesn’t want you to see!” We doubt he objects as the filmmakers turn the cameras on him in this lively look at the Moore doc-factory, and a hard treatise on “when does fact become lost in the process of uncovering it?”
SEINFELD: THE COMPLETE SERIES
2007; DVD $283.95, UR
Thirty-three discs, 180 episodes and a 226-page anthology. What more could you possibly want to know?
SICKO
2007; DVD $29.95, PG-13
Michael Moore takes a long overdue look at the disreputable American healthcare system — one of the poorest-rated, highest-profit systems of any industrialized nation — in his usual dryly-in-your-face style. Focusing on the people who suffer most at the hands of runaway corporate greed, this is perhaps his most politically incorrect, yet desperately needed outing.
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN: PRIDE AND JOY
2007; DVD $14.95, UR
The first DVD release of this rock-and-blues time capsule featuring SRV and Double Trouble (Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon and Reese Wynans). On VHS it contained only eight short music videos amounting to 36 minutes. This 70-minute release features more rare recordings, all digitally enhanced. Highly recommended.
TALK TO THE HAND: LIVE IN MICHIGAN
2007; DVD $19.95, UR
A crazy-fun live DVD concert by Canada’s greatest export, The Barenaked Ladies. Features classics like “One Week” and “If I Had $1,000,000,” plus a full slate of new stuff.
THE BEST OF THE COLBERT REPORT
2005; DVD $19.95, UR
Unlike his mentor, Jon Stewart and “The Daily Show,” Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report” can be somewhat hit-or-miss — but even his misses can be hilarious as he uses the media tactics of the Right to expose their own mindless, self-serving interests. This Best-Of is a solid 160 well-chosen minutes of Truthiness, just for you.
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS
1981; DVD $24.95, UR
Not the famous Janette Scott/Howard Keel version mentioned in the “Rocky Horror” theme song, this is an excellent two-plus hour BBC production that stays closer to the John Fleming book. Earth is treated to a spectacular light show as it passes through the tale of a comet. But street parties are forgotten the next morning when everyone who witnessed the event is struck blind! ... And an unexpected and unlikely carnivore arises to harvest the helpless population.
THE X-FILES: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
1998; DVD $329.95, UR
Sixty-one discs with all the usual goodies. ’Nuff said?
TIME
2006; DVD $24.95, UR
A savage Korean look at insanity and how women see themselves through the eyes of a woman who undergoes brutal plastic surgery (shown in graphic detail) in order to stay attractive to her man. Powerful and provocative; not for the squeamish.
OTHER DVDS OF INTEREST
1,000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE: COLLECTION 1
2007; DVD $14.95, UR
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
2007; DVD $29.95, UR
THE KING OF QUEENS: THE COMPLETE SERIES
2007; DVD $232.95, UR
THE PINK PANTHER: A PINK CHRISTMAS
1978; DVD $14.95, UR
A more complete listing and free vids at www.videotapeworm.com!
