Hey folks.
Owing to a load of the "nonsense", "tomfoolery", "bullshit" and so on, I'm a little late this week, so let's get on with it, man.
The Duke's Picks
Dogville
The latest Von-Trier effort divided audiences into the usual "pretentious toss", "wondrous art" categories. Decide for yourself, is what The Duke would suggest, and take a peek in the direction of this Nicole Kidman flick involving the "theatrical" sets and the "anti-Americanism" and all that nonsense.
Futurama - Season 4
The latest in the long, long line of "Shows What Get Screwed By The Networks". It took a season to hit the stride, for sure, but it went on to become something approaching genius. And now it's gone. And who's to blame? You, is the answer. Also, probably the communists.
Night Gallery - The Complete First Season
Rod Sterling had more to offer than Twilight Zone, since he also had this much darker series, also involving the tales of the horror and the suspense. Not as iconic and all that as Twilight Zone, but still worth your time.
Here, then, is the full low-down, complete with occasional bouts of Commentary De Duke.
Following Released On Tuesday August 24th
30 DVD Collection - Chon Arauza / Yahari (2004)
Studio: Universal Music & Video Distribution
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Popular Music
30 DVD Collection - K-Paz / Los Horoscopos De Durango / Brazeros Musical (2004)
Studio: Universal Music & Video Distribution
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Popular Music
30 DVD Collection - Los Traileros del Norte / Encuentro Norteno (2004)
Studio: Universal Music & Video Distribution
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Popular Music
30 DVD Collection - Salmon Robles / Los Perenales (2004)
Studio: Universal Music & Video Distribution
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Popular Music
30 DVD Collection - Tropical Panama (2004)
Studio: Universal Music & Video Distribution
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Popular Music
Angelina Ballerina - Magic of the Dance (2004)
Studio: Hit Entertainment
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Kids
Another State of Mind (1995)
Studio: BMG Video
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Popular Music, Punk
The Apple (1980)
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment
Rated: R
Genre: Cult Sci-Fi Musical
At Home With The Braithwaites - Complete First Series (2000)
2 Disc Boxed Set
Studio: Acorn Media Publishing Inc.
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Brit TV Comedy Drama
Baby Boy/You Got Served (2001)
DVD 2-Pack
Studio: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
Rated: R
Genre: Urban Drama Comedy
Baby Faith - God Made Animals (2004)
Studio: Sony Music Distribution
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Kids, Educational, Religious
Article comments
1 - Bryan McKay
"Dare The Duke suggest that this number has gone from being very underrated to being, well, a tad overrated nowadays?"
I fully agree with you, Duke. Although I certainly enjoyed the film, I don't think it's quite worthy of the "cult classic" status bestowed upon it by its fans. And not that this really counts against it, but it does seem to appear a little dated these days, what with the "Miami Vice"-esque soundtrack and all.
2 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Bryan, it's most certainly dated. All that neon lighting seems a bit laughable nowadays. Still, it's fairly tense for the most part, and that shot of Dolarhyde climbing across the windows on the roof is brilliant.
But yes, i think it has gone a bit far, the whole "Manhunter is the best serial killer flick ever" carry-on.
3 - Bill Sherman
The over-elevation of Manhunter is certainly understandable as a reaction to the slick-but-throughly-unmemorable Red Dragon.
4 - Distorted Angel
Manhunter will always be memorable for the prettiness of pre-CSI William Petersen.
5 - Chris Kent
El Senor Duke,
If memory serves, Night Gallery's first season DVD includes the originial pilot, which was Steven Spielberg's first-ever work. I believe he did an episode with the late-great Joan Crawford in which she plays a blind woman? Anyway, Night Gallery was good the first season or so, and then sucked about as bad as Outer Limits, digressing to cheap Time Tunnelesque special effects and no fucking story.
The failure of Night Gallery (Serling lost much of the control, budget cuts decreased the quality, eventually he was just a statue rented for his name) disillousioned Serling. He left the business for the most part. Health problems arose (he smoked about four packs a day) and the great man died a young death in his 50s.
Until the day I die, I will ALWAYS say The Twilight Zone is the greatest TV show in history. It was brilliant, it was quirky and it was creepy - and it has not aged one fucking bit. Night Gallery is a shell of a once-great talent - the twilight of one of the finest writers in American history.
6 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Just a note for the folks who maybe like in the UK, and therefore can't view these flicks. On my own site, Mondo Irlando, as of tonight there's a Monthly Round-Up Of Region 2 DVD’s
Just a heads-up is all. (and a shameless, whore-like plug)