Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope that this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.
This week brings a strong selection of films that includes some comedy, a little drama, some indie flavor, a splash of blood, some extreme music, a bunch of television, and more. I know there are a few here that I am looking forward to checking out, as well as some that I am eager to see for the first time. Read on and see if any strike your fancy.
Jet Li's Fearless: Unrated Director's Cut. Billed as Jet Li's last martial arts epic, this was a good film, but not nearly what I had hoped for. Now, this is the original version that was screened in Hong Kong prior to being edited for American theaters. It runs more than a half hour longer and is considered to be the definitive cut. I have not seen this version yet, but I am eagerly looking forward to it. Jet Li is an amazing performer and this film provides one of his finest acting efforts, although he will never be called a great actor. If you like martial arts, this is one that you will want to make sure you get your hands on. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)
Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Fourth Season. You know, when this series first started, I was sure I wasn't going to care for it. As that first season went on, I discovered it wasn't that bad, but the characters were not all that well defined. As the seasons have worn on, the characters have gotten better and the series has proved itself to be well worth checking out. I have only picked up one season so far, but I am sure I will be picking up the others at some point. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)
Monk: Season Six. This show is addictive. Once I start watching, I find I cannot stop. Tony Shalhoub is perfect as Adrian Monk, the defective detective. I remember thinking the show would slip somewhat following the exit of Bitty Schram, but Traylor Howard has done a great job bringing another flavor to the show. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)
Batman: Gotham Knight. Produced by those behind the Christopher Nolan films, this release is a series of six short stories that interlock and tack place between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It is an Animatrix-like project with a variety of American and Japanese talent teaming up to tell the tales. Looks good to me! This will be available in single disk and two disk editions. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)
Psych: The Complete Second Season. Here is a show that is a heckuva lot of fun. It is like Monk but with a lead character who is more willing to bend the rules. The two shows are a perfect match on the USA Network. If you haven't seen it, you definitely need to give it a shot. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)
WWE: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection. My wrestling interest has died out over the past few years, but Flair is one of those guys who always puts on a good show. I have seen some debate over the match selection for this three-disk set, but like I said, this guy is always entertaining. (BUY, RENT, SKIP)
Article comments
1 - Jason
The new Directors cut dvd release of Jet Li's Fearless is is really messed up.Both disc contain the same thing the original theater release and the old unrated version.Their is no Director's cut anywhere on either disc,and its not just the three different copy's I been through its completely widespread.What a screw up huh.
2 - Alaris
For those of you who are experiencing problems with getting the same theatrical/uncut versions of the movie on both discs, one solution would be to see if you purchase it from a Canadian website like Amazon.ca.
Here in Canada, it appears our copies of this DVD have been ok. I bought mine from a Best Buy store in Toronto and I watched it. The first disc did contain the longer director's cut. It might have something to do with the fact that the movie is distributed in Canada by Alliance Atlantis, not Universal, and therefore manufactured in Canada.
Someone else I know who lives here in Toronto bought a copy from FutureShop and had no problems either.
Hope that helps!