Next week will see an interesting lineup of new DVD editions for purchase.
At the top of the list is Roland Emmerich’s epic film “10,000 B.C. about prehistoric tribal man speaking perfect English with glistening white teeth and fighting off big ferocious saber-toothed tigers, as well as an advanced pyramid building civilization.
Both the DVD and Blue-ray discs will have deleted footage and an extended ending. The Blu-ray copy will include some featurettes and loads of other extras not available on the standard DVD release. Look to spend $28.98 (US) for the DVD and around $35.99 (USD) for the Blu-ray.
Next up is the highly recommended fantasy film “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” starring Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominate actress Mary-Louis Parker as the single mother of twin boys and a teenage girl who move into the home of her Uncle Arthur Spiderwick, played by David Strathairn, only to be confronted by bizarre, weird creatures and other-worldly happenings. Freddie Highmore co-stars.
The movie will come out in single-disc or two-disc DVD and Blu-ray. Single-disc DVD will run you $29.99 (USD); the two-disc set is $36.99 (USD); Blu-ray comes in at $39.99(USD).
Third on our list is the Anton Yelchin flick “Charlie Bartlett.” Yelchin stars as a new student in public school after being kicked out of nearly every prep school in the community. He learns to fit in and become popular by posing as the other student’s bathroom, resident shrink and unlawful supplier of prescription drugs. Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. and Hope Davis (“About Schmidt”) co-star. This one comes out on standard DVD for $27.98 (USD).
The fourth and final big screen feature hitting DVD shelves this week is the most recommended of the lot. “Persepolis,” the Academy Award nominated film for Best Animated Film, is a poignant autobiographical tale and coming-of-age story about a young Iranian girl who learns first hand the excitement and terror of living in revolution torn Iran in the 1970’s. The girl moves to Europe as a teen and faces new challenges and tries to find her own identity as a young free-spirit and an Iranian cultured young woman.
Some of the actors lending voice are Catherine Deneuve, Sean Penn, Gena Rowlands and, believe it or not, Iggy Pop.
Of all the movies coming out on DVD this coming week, “Persepolis” receives my highest recommendation.
The standard DVD cost $29.95 (USD) and $38.96 (USD) for the Blu-ray edition, which includes extra commentary and chat sessions with the cast and crew during last years Cannes Film Festival.
Coming to DVD from television is “Futurama: The Beast With a Billion Backs.” Matt Groening brings his popular crew of Leela, Fry and Bender, as well as a cast of others, for this second straight-to-DVD full-feature set in the 31st Century. Retail price is $29.98 (USD).
Nice coincidence, but I just got through watching the trailer to Persepolis. It is playing this weekend at the Sydney Film Festival and colleague was trying to talk me into going. Looks fantastic and comes highly recommended.