DVD / Blu Review:

Issue #010 — October 4^th 2011

New Releases October 4th 2011

[Our editor, Emily Bloom, brings you the best new releases in her "DVD / Blu Review" article. No filler, no hype, only movies and TV shows we personally buy.]

It was a tough battle deciding between The Lion King Trilogy and Pulp Fiction for the "Pick of the Week" but I had to go with my instinct. Disney decided to include most of it's bonus content through it's online "Virtual Vault" which makes me uneasy. I feel like it may disappear one day which could never happen if it were physically on the disc itself. Of course, Pulp Fiction could have done a little better too but I'll get to that. If you see anything you would like to buy, please support us by clicking through to Amazon from the links below. Our suggestions of each title are honest opinions with the only intention being to direct you to great movies.

Pick of the Week: Pulp Fiction [Blu]

I'll admit, the first time I saw each of Quentin Tarantino's movies I didn't like them. Actually, I hated most of them the first time around. But fate put me in the situation of a second viewing and I ended up loving all of them one-by-one. Though I still prefer the Tarantino written 'True Romance' above all, I highly appreciate Pulp Fiction and it's cinematic qualities. I don't know what it is that I missed the first time around but it can only be desribced as an acquired taste. I think you have to understand QT first and then you begin to watch the movie through his eyes and it comes out beautifully choreographed. For that reason, I don't recommend his movies to everyone. However, if you've tried it and didn't care for it, I suggest you give it another try.

Tarantino seems both like the director that would love to include every frame of bonus material available and the director who disapproves of any and all extras. That's probably why we always get an odd mix with his releases. This set includes some great interviews and whole segments from other shows, including the entire episode of Charlie Rose featuring Quentin. But I would love to have an audio commentary (or five like Eli Roth does) by Tarantino, Travolta, and Jackson. I don't expect much behind-the-scenes footage from such a low-budget movie but here's what you do get:

Special Features

"Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat" (43 min. HD): Interviews
"Here are Some Facts on the Fiction" (21min. HD): Discussion of the film's impact
"Pulp Fiction: The Facts – Documentary " (31 min. SD): Interviews from 2001
Behind-the-Scenes Montages (6 min. SD)
Deleted Scenes (25 min. SD)
"Siskel & Ebert At the Movies: The Tarantino Generation" (16 min. SD)
Charlie Rose Show (55 min. SD)
Featurettes (~23 min.SD)
Trailers & TV Spots

The Lion King Trilogy is still highly recommended, especially if you have kids in the house. Last week, I jumped the gun and listed Friday the 13^th when it was a meager four film collection and now we have all the 80's movies (I-VIII) at a decent price. Also, don't hold out for a complete series release of 'The Walking Dead' unless you're also holding out for 'The Simpsons'. This new Blu-ray release adds bonus material from the first go-around and is a must even though it's still only six episodes.

Buy It

The Lion King Trilogy [COMBO]
Friday the 13^th: Ultimate Collection (I-VIII) [DVD]
Jackie Brown [BLU]
Peanuts Holiday Collection
(It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown / Thanksgiving / Christmas / More…) [BLU]
The Walking Dead - Complete First Season [BLU]

Rent It

Alfred Hitchcok: The Essentials
(Rear Window / Psycho / North by Northwest / The Birds / Vertigo) [BLU]
Scream 4 [BLU]
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure [BLU]
Space Jam [BLU]
Cinema Paradiso [BLU]

Did your pal Emily miss your favorite new release title? Are you sure you aren't the only one that likes it? Let her know at: emily@cineweekly.com

- Emily Bloom -