Lots of good stuff this week folks, and although I only picked 4, let it be known that these 4 are definite, bona-fide purchases, is what. Except for Predator, what has been out in the UK for quite a while now. Here's the picks followed by the run-down, as is The Duke's wont of an evening.
Freaks
Finally, a worthy release for this, Todd Browning's profoundly distressing and strangely moving 1932 masterpiece. Banned for years on account of it used genuine "performers" in the lead roles, it remains an eerily tranquil experience. And the fella with no arms or legs lighting a cigarette with a match has to be seen to be believed. This edition has a commentary, a documentary, and no less than three alternate endings. If I only had to pick one this week, this would be it. Gobble, Gobble, motherfucker.
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Thankfully, though, I don't have to, what with the lucrative trade in organ donations and so on. This lung what has been a burden since childhood will thankfully be lopped off and posted to Korea in the morning, so as I can get this here film about Bill gets Killed or something. The extras are marginally better than first time around, with a deleted scene and a making-of featurette thrown in.
I didn't even really like the damn thing, as can be evidenced in The Duke's Review, but I'm still gonna buy it, and I'll still buy the inevitable 4-disc super-edition.
Why? Because The Duke is sad as a story about a kid is an orphan and then the orphanage gets blown up.
The Lost Boys
Let it be known that Joel Schumacher is probably my least favorite director of all ever, and yet this flick here, in 2-disc collector's edition no less, remains a firm favorite. So many great moments, so many great lines. "We don't ride with vampires…. We do now!" and "This is as close to town as I like to get" and "Death by stereo!". Who can resist the damn thing? Plus, Star was very, very attractive.
The pinnacle of the Corey Feldman / Corey Haim creative partnership.
Predator
The Duke recommended this a few weeks back and then the sons a bitches went and postponed it. But you can honestly get it this time, so rush out and pick up the funky black cover with the good but not really exceptional extras. Any chance of a 2-disc edition of the sequel? I think the fuck not, which is a shame, since it was very brilliant indeed.
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Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
I'm lookin' forward to the Freaks package for its extra material on side show, too. Definitely the coolest release of the week. . .
2 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Bill, i agree. The Freaks set is the definate must-buy, although the other three mentioned above are all worth it too (except maybe Kill Bill. anyone with a lick of sense would wait till the special edition).
3 - Mike Kole
I'm delighted to see that "Cosby Himself" is out on DVD. It's one of my all-time favorite stand-up routines. It was recorded at a time where the profanity was really breaking loose in stand-up, and the Cos delivers a hilarious show without the use of a single four-letter word.
It would stand as a huge accomplishment today for most comics to go through their shtick for an hour without a cuss and have it be remotely funny. Every time I'm in a comedy club, I can't help but have the antennae up and the thought "cheap laff" cross my mind at any gratuitous swearing, which is often half of the routine.
I'll be buying this one.