As Halloween breathes down our necks, the horror releases seem to be letting up, the only notable one this week being Captivity. This exercise in torture porn sure isn't anything I'd want to see, but my colleague Chris Beaumont managed to find its redeeming qualities, so read what he has to say and make up your own mind. It certainly isn't finding its way into my Netflix queue, but here are a few things that might.
Spider-Man 3, Sam Raimi's last entry into the series, makes its way to store shelves today. We missed this one in theatrical release but enjoyed the first two very much, so this will definitely be a rental at our house. Sorry I can't say the same for License to Wed, a credibility-straining comedy that wasn't well-reviewed when it was released. The funny Robin Williams seems to have worn out his welcome — personally, I've come to appreciate his dramatic roles more, at least when he chooses darker ones (One Hour Photo, The Final Cut) over sappy ones (What Dreams May Come).
My next choice outs me as a Stooges fan. Not the Iggy Pop kind, although I like them, too. No, I mean Moe, Larry, and Curly. And sometimes Shemp. Sony is releasing the Stooges in sets organized for the first time by chronological order, and this first volume is The Three Stooges Collection, Volume I: 1934-1936. There's something about the eye-gouging, nose-crunching, head-banging slapstick of the Stooges that I've found funny since I was a kid, so I'm happy to see an effort made to present these in this fashion.
Angel: The Complete Series releases today, and damned if that box wouldn't look perfect sitting next to my 40-disc Buffy collector's set. I have another confession to make — I didn't start watching Angel until Buffy ended and Spike showed up at Wolfram & Hart (because Spike, well... you know... I have a thing for vampires, okay?). And just as it was getting interesting, it was over. If you can't get enough of the Buffy-verse, this should probably be on your Amazon wish list. I'm going to put it on mine right now.
The action's probably going to continue to heat up as we enter the holiday shopping season. I'm going to keep scouring the list for the highlights and the obscurities, so check back every week to see what you ought to buy, or at least rent, from the week's new releases. And if you don't like my suggestions and want to come up with some of your own, here's the list:
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
You have a thing for vampires and you didn't watch Angel until Spike joined up? You do know Angel is a vamp, right? LOL
I would like to get both the Buffy and Angel boxes, but I already have most of the individual seasons...
2 - Lisa McKay
I have to confess to not thinking much of David Boreanaz back in the day, although I've since changed my opinion, Chris (I really like him in Bones now). Truth be told, I had a crush on Spike.
There, I said it. Mock me. I don't care.
3 - Chris Beaumont
Ha! My sister is the same way, but she liked both Angel and Spike.... For me it was Gellar, Charisma, and Amy Acker.
Bones is good, I was surprised it lasted past 1 seasonb, but am glad that it did.
4 - Edgeoforever
Some of us lost our enjoyment of the series once Spike started to speechify in the last season - I am not even sure if I fully regret the cancellation they perverted my beloved show so much. So, you might know, there are other points of view as well. Some people's treasure is other people's trash. - and BTW - Angel is my favorite series. Ever.
I'll get the DVD and watch the first 4 seasons plus Smile Time - like I always do with a reruns.
5 - Jon Sobel
Um, didn't half the world have a crush on Spike?
Personally I still haven't gotten over Faith.
6 - Chris Beaumont
Man, how could I forget Faith??....