A scene from 'Jackass 3'. Courtesy Paramount Home Video.
New On DVD is sponsored by the Toronto-based video store Eyesore Cinema, located at 801 Queen St. West (above Rotate This!). They specialize in rare, out of print, hard to find, and import titles, and will take special orders if you’re nice. They also sell magazines, posters, books, and more. If you’re in Toronto, pop in and show your support (and make sure to tell them we sent you). You can also visit them online for more info.
Jackass 3 (Blu-ray)
Criticize This! Pick of the Week – Jackass 3 gathers Johnny Knoxville and his troupe of stooges for their most ambitious collection of crazy slapstick stunts and gross-out moments. Obviously, if you are not a fan of the MTV show or the previous films, Jackass 3 is not going to magically convert you into becoming one. But if you are a fan, this could be the greatest Jackass ever. Besides the gags — which range from Knoxville dressed as Santa at the top of a 40ft tree being cut down, to Steve-O being strapped into a full porta-potty and slung into the air — the quality of the film is stunning, and parts of it are equally brilliant as they are hilarious. Originally shot in 3-D, the Blu-ray release looks great and includes the theatrical cut of the film as well as an even more awesome extended cut. Special features include deleted scenes, outtakes, and an MTV making-of special. A digital copy and a regular DVD presented in classic 3-D (with four pairs of classic 3-D glasses) are included as well. Film **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Morning Glory (Blu-ray)
– What makes Morning Glory work so well is the always lovely Rachel McAdams and her way to charm the pants off the audience, and her co-stars (in this case Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford). Without her, this behind the scenes look at what goes on at a morning television show would be dead in the water. Instead, it’s a sweet, light-hearted comedy that delivers some memorable moments. The Blu-ray release is decent enough quality but is not required to enjoy the film. Special features include a deleted scene and audio commentary with director Roger Mitchell and writer Aline Brosh McKenna. Film *** Blu-ray ** out of 5 stars.
The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
– Are you a fan of zombies or zombie movies? If you answered yes, then The Walking Dead is the TV show you should be watching each week. The show follows a group of people trying to survive after the world goes nuts and everyone turns into zombies. Based on a graphic novel and produced for AMC by Frank Darabont (yes, the man that directed The Shawshank Redemption), there is a real cinematic feel to the series in the same manner as shows like Mad Men or Dexter. It’s also more gory than one might expect from something made for the little screen, and has officially become a must-watch show of mine. Having caught all six episodes of the first season on regular cable, seeing and hearing it in glorious HD is quite a difference and is the recommended way to go for The Walking Dead. Special features include making-of featurettes and more. Show (Season 1) **** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Also available on DVD and Blu-ray this week:
Inside Job (DVD
/Blu-ray
)
Lemmy (DVD
/Blu-ray
)
Tales From Earthsea (DVD
/Blu-ray
)
The Next Three Days (DVD
/Blu-ray
)
Nausicaa of the Valley (DVD
/Blu-ray)
Excalibur (Blu-ray
)
Hannah Montana Forever: Final Season (DVD
)
