Hey folks, Harry here on Twitter and here giving you my weekly DVD PEEKS & PICKS! There are some fun items on the column this week, with my very favorite being first. As usual, you can click on the boxart or the title – and your computer screen will whisk you to Amazon where you can learn more on the title in question or you can purchase the item, which would be throwing a penance of the price to help support this column’s best efforts. Without further bs, let’s close out May for 2009…

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

HARLAN ELLISON: DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH

Harlan Ellison is one of the friends I’ve made in this life that had amazed me, all my life, until I saw this documentary – then, it all kinda made sense. Harlan is brilliant, cantankerous and is never ever afraid to speak his mind – and this documentary shows the man, warts and all – but celebrates that we have such a man amongst us. For everyone that loves him, hates him and especially those that don’t yet know him… This documentary is amazing because it captures one of the world’s most passionate men this world has ever conjured. My highest recommendation of the week!

TRUE ROMANCE

My very favorite Tony Scott film – and one of the best Tarantino screenplays ever. I love TRUE ROMANCE, I remember going to see it with my sister. She had a crush, like all little girls did at that time, on Christian Slater… and after many miserable experiences, I went into TRUE ROMANCE with no fore-knowledge of what it was going to be. Shocked the fuck out of me. I love this film. And now… well now we this fantastic edition with 3 commentaries. 1 with Christian and Patricia. 1 with Tony Scott and 1 with Quentin. It’s a pretty full disc and looks great!

POWDER BLUE

This isn’t a very good movie. It has a lot of talent. But there’s only one reason to buy this film on Blu Ray and that’s because it is the first time every that Jessica Biel has the exact costume that a lot of you pervs have been waiting for. And man, that’s one helluva costume.

MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS

Because this shit is the kinda funky shitty shit that makes me giggle at the astonishing shittiness of it all. As retarded as that trailer was, it can not touch the blissfully terribleness of the full travesty. But you know what it is? It is MEGA SHARK VS GIANT OCTOPUS. And it delivers on the title, though little else.

THE SKY CRAWLERS

The first Mamoru Oshii film that just left me completely cold. Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely stunning to watch. The aerial plane animation is jaw-dropping and the story is compelling, but I like the pieces more than the whole. Am I glad I own it? Yeah, I am, I just wish it was more consistently awesome.

CHILDREN OF MEN (Blu Ray)

An absolutely great science fiction film that is a technical marvel that doesn’t wear it on its shoulders. Invisible effects – all the more amazing by the clarity of Blu Ray. Watched this earlier last night and I’m really impressed by how much it still plays like it did the very first time. I still find myself surprised and amazed by it. Every bit as beautiful as the HD DVD.

THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SEASON Three

In addition to all the other brilliance – this season contains “SEX IN SPACE” – which is something we’ve all been wondering about. Seriously – we need to know how things work in space. I don’t know about you, but I love THE HISTORY CHANNEL and this is one of my favorite series on there. A must get for geeks like me.

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS: 1960s Vol. 1

There’s a lot on this set that I had never seen before. I’ve seen an episode or more of pretty much all these series, but not these particular episodes. You get quite a few things, but let’s just let you know what is exactly on here:

Disc #1
TOP CAT - The Tycoon (Also on the Complete series DVD set)
ATOM ANT SHOW with PRECIOUS PUP & HILLBILLY BEARS - Up & Atom / Precious Jewels / Woodpecked
THE PETER POTAMUS SHOW with BREEZLY and SNEEZLY & YIPPEE, YAPPEE and YAHOOEY - Fe-Fi-Fo Fun / All Riot on the Northern front / The Volunteers
SECRET SQUIRREL SHOW with SQUIDDLEY DIDDLY & WINSOME WITCH - Sub Swiper / Way Out Squiddly / Prince of a Pup
THE FLINTSTONES - The Happy Household (Also on the seasonal DVD sets)
THE PORKY PIG SHOW - Often An Orphan/Mice Follies/The Super Snooper (Daffy Duck)
THE QUICK DRAW McGRAW SHOW with SNOOPER AND BLABBER & AUGIE DOGIE - Dynamite Fright/Outer Space Case/Growing Growing Gone

Disc #2
THE JETSONS - Rosey The Robot (Also on the season 1 DVD set)
MARINE BOY - Battle To Save The World {Anime}
SPACE GHOST/DINO BOY SHOW - The Heat Thing / The Worm / Zorak (also on the complete series DVD set)
HERCULOIDS - The Beaked People / The Raider Apes
FRANKENSTEIN JR. AND THE IMPOSSIBLES - The Shocking Electric Monster / The Bibbler / The Spinner
THE MAGILLA GORILLA SHOW with PUNKIN PUSS & RICOCHET RABBIT - Gridiron Gorilla / Small Change / Atchison, Topica and San Jose (Also on the complete series DVD set)

Bonus Materials:
THE QUCK DRAW McGRAW SHOW (with SNOOPER AND BLABBER and AUGIE DOGIE) - Dough Nutty / El Kabong Was Wrong / Gem Jam
Bonus Documentaries on QUICK DRAW McGRAW, MAGILLA GORILLA, FRANKENSTEIN JR. and THE IMPOSSIBLES.

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS: 1970’s Vol. 1

Now this is what I grew up with… at least the Hanna Barbera side of my childhood. It is a sampling of their Saturday Morning slate in the Seventies. There’s some crazy memories boxed up here – and here’s some of it:

Disc #1
THE JETSONS - The Space Car (also on season 1 DVD set)
THE BATMAN TARZAN ADVENTURE HOUR
HONG KONG PHOONEY (also on complete series DVD set)
GOOBER AND THE GHOST CHASERS
SPEED BUGGY
WHEELIE AND THE CHOPPER BUNCH

Disc #2
YOGI'S GANG
AMAZING CHAN AND THE CHAN CLAN
ROMAN HOLIDAYS
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS (also on season 1 DVD set)
THE NEW SCOOBY DOO MOVIES (also on a Best-Of DVD set)
FUNKY PHANTOM

Bonus Documentaries on THE FUNKY PHANTOM, JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS and THE CHAN CLAN.

ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (Blu Ray)

I don’t hate this film. But I’m not really a fan. I think a lot of my problems with the film stem originally from the way Kevin Costner belittled the brilliant Errol Flynn version. He really pissed me off with that. I kinda can’t help but like the aspects of it that I like, because they’re inherent to the basic Robin Hood story… but the cast gives me hives. I haven’t seen this disc yet, so I can’t comment on the Extended Version yet, but I am picking it up today.

LAND OF THE LOST: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Ok. This rules. First off – you get the complete series in an authentic pressed metal LAND OF THE LOST lunchbox. That’s cool. Then you get this crazy off it’s ass series. I’m about halfway through the first season and it just gets weirder and weirder. So far my favorite crazy episode is this one where they meet an old civil war coot that’s mining giant jewels in this cave. He has an old cannon on big wheels that he uses to fight off the Sleestaks – but my favorite is this. The Daddy Marshall is telling his kids that the civil war guy has been eating mushrooms – and there’s some mushrooms that can make you see and do things that you wouldn’t otherwise see or do. It was hilarious. This show had funky effects, surreal family dynamics and Wah Chang designs! And I have to say, I’m very curious to see how this latest film adapts all this lunacy.

FIELD OF DREAMS (Blu Ray)

Great Great film. Great image and sound. FIELD OF DREAMS. Part of my graduation year, now 20 years ago. It is hard to believe it was that long ago, but not when you look at Ray Liotta’s Shoeless Joe Jackson. My god. He’s like 14 looking. You know what makes this movie for me? It’s James Earl Jones once he’s watching the game in the cornfield. He’s got that impossibly warm smile, his eyes shining like halogens. It is genius. This is a warm blanket movie. Great to have on Blu Ray!

SEABISCUIT (Blu Ray)

Directed by Gary Ross – this is a wonderful film and a wonderful story. And there’s a part of me that wonders when Jeff Bridges is gonna play Henry Ford. Or one of the other big Auto guys. Cuz he’s played 2 now. And I’ll always prefer the fetishistically wonderful TUCKER to this, but this film is a testament to the unlikely amazing story of a horse and a rider that both defied all logic, but were still the best! Lovely film on Blu Ray.

ZABRISKIE POINT

Ok – This movie is wonderfully bizarre, erotic and strange. Did I mention bizarre? Honestly – this is a film that should be given the Criterion treatment. Also God, I’d love this on Blu. However, whether you’re interested in purchasing this film or not – there’s something you have to click on the box or title for. That’s Gary Fike’s story about being a part of this film – which is in the user review section.

FALLING DOWN (Blu Ray)

A damn fine film from Joel Schumacher. One that is never more than it needs to be. This isn’t the outlandish Schumacher. This is a very good filmmaker at play. I just wish that Joel was consistent. Bad filmmaker or Good filmmaker – just be consistent so I know beyond any doubt how to govern my expectations. So I can stop guessing. Michael Douglas and Robert Duvall are both great in this film. I’m still not real sure why this has a book edition. I flipped through it, it’s very nicely done, but still strange.

CINDERELLA MAN (Blu Ray)

I love this flick. This and Seabiscuit are very similar stories set in the Depression Era – and I prefer this story. I really love Russell Crowe’s Jim Braddock. I love his story, I love Paul Giamatti – I love the look and the production design. I love everything about this movie. It’s one of the great sport stories and is gorgeous on this disc!

MARK OF THE WITCH / DEVIL TIMES FIVE

MARK OF THE WITCH is forgettable shit. DEVIL TIMES FIVE is fantastic! I saw this on 35mm at the Alamo Drafthouse and man, they don’t make psycho kid flicks like this anymore. It’s a film about people in the middle of nowhere dying – badly… via kids. It’s a whole lot of fun – and especially useful if raising psychopaths!

THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE

I love James Cagney in comedies and as a romantic lead. I can’t help but think he’s gonna smash something in the gal’s face, but he hardly ever does. But here, he’s just funny. And so is Olivia de Havilland, which I didn’t expect. When I heard about this movie, I expected her to be the “Straight” to Cagney’s antics, but they’re equally adept at the chuckles and guffaws. Also look for Superman! The one Ben Affleck played!

Euro-Western Double Feature: THE FIGHTING FISTS OF SHANGHAI JOE / ANY GUN CAN PLAY

So much better than SHANGHAI NOON. –In some ways it is actually funnier, but I just love how mean this film kinda gets. And Klaus Kinski as Scalper Jack? GENIUS and what about that song, “CHIN CHIN CHINAMAN”? This Spaghetti Western is pretty darn sweet, despite the sour parts. I can’t vouch for the second film, didn’t watch it.

That completes May in terms of DVDs. Next week we’ll kick off June with Season 4 of WEEDS & PRISON BREAK. FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVEN CHILDREN COMPLETE (Blu Ray), DEFIANCE, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, THE GRADUATE (Blu), GLORY (Blu), AIR FORCE ONE (Blu), INSIDE MAN (Blu), ROAD HOUSE (Blu), TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (Blu), THE JETSONS: SEASON 2, UNE FEMME MARIEE, FLETCH (Blu), ANACONDA (Blu), BRUCE ALMIGHTY (Blu), THE LEGEND OF THE BLOOD CASTLE, SHINOBI NO MONO Vol 4, TENDER MERCIES, THE SWEET PUSSYCATS, DIRECT CONTACT, ROLLERBALL (Blu), PUNK ROCK/PLEASURE PALACE, RETARDEAD, DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG and much more…