Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...

Okay. So for the first time since we started New Release Tuesday columns, I’m late on one. That may be the single best sustained stretch of timely posting I’ve ever accomplished in my time at AICN, so give me a freakin’ cookie. This week and next are actually more frantic for me than Christmas or New Year’s will be, so I wanted to go ahead and put up two week’s worth of column now. As you know, Butt-Numb-A-Thon is this weekend, and I’m flying straight from Texas on Sunday night so I can be in Montreal Monday morning. That’s where Zack Snyder’s hard at work on 300, his new film adapted from Frank Miller’s graphic novel. I’ll be back in LA by sometime Tuesday, which means that either I’m late two weeks in a row, or you get one week’s worth of new releases early. Seems like the best option, so here we go.

In the meantime, over at my DVD blog, I’ve been busy reviewing all sorts of stuff. Drop by and check it out if you haven’t already. Every week, the conversations over there continue to get better. Now let’s get moving on the titles that hit the street this week. As always, if there’s an asterisk (*) next to the title, it’s here in the house, and I can recommend it. If not, then I’m just as curious to get a peek as anyone else, and I’m sure I’ll find a copy when I’m at Amoeba next time. This week was big one, starting with:

*AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE, VOL. 4

An exceptional collection of episodes, and it seems like the Adult Swim team gets better and better at putting together DVD sets as they do more of them. There are lots of rewards for the avid ATHF viewer as you make your way through all the bonus materials, but for me, it’s just such a pleasure to have these episodes preserved on DVD now. Of the extras, I’d say that coolest one is probably the look at the voice actors who contribute to the show. None of them look like I expected them to, and it’s a real testament to how good their work on the show is that it’s hard to accept hearing their voices come out of anyone other than the characters they play at this point. Great stuff.

BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, VOL. 4

SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, VOL. 2

THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES was actually a separate show from the original Dini/Timm vision of BATMAN, produced two years after that show ended production. It picks up where that show left off, and this collection offers up all 24 of the episodes that were produced. It’s not as ground-breaking or as consistently great as the earlier series, but there’s a lot here to like for Bat-fans, and this really was the start of the larger DC Universe that’s been unfolding in animation ever since.

This season of SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES features “World’s Finest,” the crossover that brought Batman and Superman together, as well as appearances by some of the real heavy hitters in Superman’s rogue’s gallery. It’s a good season, and this may end up being my all-time favorite interpretation of Superman on film. It’s an action show that actually gives Superman opponents worthy of him. It’s also fun, and it never seems to get bogged down in angst, which seems totally counter to what Superman’s all about.

Both box sets have been packed with commentaries and bonus materials, and it’s just nice to see Warner Bros. making good on the release of all of this material in chronological order finally.

BILL HICKS: SANE MAN

Rykodisc has done right by Bill Hicks fans, finally putting out what many maintain was his finest filmed performance, a full-length set shot in a club in Austin, TX. This is a guy who had figured out his voice and was just really building up a head of steam as a performer, and it’s exciting because it’s so raw. Hicks had tremendous command of a crowd, and this is a perfect example of that. I’ve seen the VHS versions of this show, so I know to expect some fairly raw audio and video quality, but that’s fine. The reason to buy this is because of its importance to the all-too-short career of a true American original, one of the best comics to ever work. Check it out.

*CINDERELLA MAN

I didn’t see this one until last night for a number of reasons, but now that I have, I’m quite fond of what Ron Howard did with a story that could have easily played as the worst sort of pandering feel-good crap. He approaches it with a clean, no-nonsense style that actually makes it more genuinely affecting than it would have been if he’d ladled on the false movie sentiment. Sure, you’ve still got a few groaner lines like, “Jim Braddoc, you are the champion of my heart,” but for the most part, the film’s grounded by Russell Crowe’s excellent work and the overall approach that Howard took. A great film? I don’t know. But a rock-solid inspirational piece? Sure.

Universal’s two-disc collector’s edition is fairly nice, and if you want to dig deeper into the historical record to get a sense of how the film stacks up against reality, you’ll have the opportunity.

SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER - Criterion

FORBIDDEN GAMES - Criterion

Nice day for Criterion. First up, you’ve got Francois Truffaut’s second film, as strange a sophomore effort as a director could manage, and then you’ve got Rene Clement’s devastating story of children dealing with WWII. Fans of French cinema have got to be jumping up and down at these two titles.

SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER feels surprisingly modern when you see it now, like Truffaut realized while making it that he didn’t have to stick to any one genre or style, and he just went nuts. It wasn’t particularly well liked when it came out, but it’s reputation has grown deservingly over the years, and now, looking at how remarkable his technique was or how adroitly he mixes comedy and pathos and the conventions of noir, it’s a minor miracle. When you talk about filmmaking as the ultimate form of film criticism, this is one of the films you have to include in that conversation.

FORBIDDEN GAMES is one of those movies about children that isn’t really a film for children, a subgenre that includes titles like NIGHT OF THE HUNTER or the first of the APU films. Clement’s film comments on the way adult affairs like war can intrude upon the innocence of childhood, but also the way children can construct elaborate fictions to protect that innocence without even realizing they’re doing it. It’s a powerful movie that has aged beautifully, and I’m excited to see it again when I pick this disc up.

*EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON

My wife discovered this show late in its run, and now she’s addicted to these DVD box sets, watching every episode in order. I think RAYMOND is a classic sitcom in the sense that it doesn’t try to be post-modern, it doesn’t try to shatter the form, and it’s not in the least bit embarrassed about what it is. It’s a family show built around a comedian, filled out with a strong supporting cast that got better and better the longer they worked together. Brad Garrett alone makes the show worth watching, but when you add in the comic performances of Doris Roberts, the legendary Peter Boyle, and even Patricia Heaton, you’ve got a pretty nimble troupe that wrings the most laughs possible out of the very simple scripts. RAYMOND resonates because of how close to home it hits, and there are times I can’t even sit in the room because I know my wife is laughing at me as much as she is at the show.

*FANTASTIC FOUR

I didn’t review this over the summer because I didn’t see it until it had been out for a few weeks. I may have my problems with the film overall, but even in a lesser Marvel movie, my inner comic geek finds things to enjoy. The Human Torch seems to be the one character that this movie gets right pretty much all the way through, and The Thing isn’t bad. I just wish there was a better movie surrounding the characters, or that Dr. Doom wasn’t quite as lame as he is, or that Jessica Alba could act. I don’t think Tim Story is a terrible director, but I also don’t think there’s much on display here that distinguishes him, either. This is a prime example of corporate filmmaking, and everything about it ends up being sort of perfunctory. The disc’s nice enough, and it’ll fit on the shelf right next to all the other modern Marvel movies, but in the future, if I revisit this film, it’ll be for certain scenes, not the entire film, and that’s a shame.

FOX IN A BOX Featuring Pam Grier

Dude... it’s three Pam Grier movies in a box. What else do you need to know about it? COFFY and FOXY BROWN may already be out, but if you buy them here, it’s cheaper, and you get SHEBA BABY and a bonus disc to boot. It may not be a comprehensive collection of her films (or even of the ones that MGM owns), but there’s still a lot to like included.

FRANZ FERDINAND LIVE

One of the more enjoyable pop acts at the moment, Franz Ferdinand writes great hooks and they’ve got just enough attitude to pull it off. I buy DVDs like this because they’re great while you’re writing or working, something you can pop in and crank up and just tune in and out of. I haven’t seen it yet, but this two disc set appears to be packed with material from a number of different shows and all sorts of bonus materials. I’m sure it’ll be a huge kick for the hardcore fans, and for a casual fan like me, a real immersive education in all things Franz.

FUN WITH DICK & JANE

Ted Kotcheff’s 1977 comedy seems like an odd choice for a remake, especially when you look at it now. It’s so obviously a product of its time, made while Jimmy Carter was in office and the country was suffering from a full-blown economic recession. It’s sporadically funny, but it’s all over the place. The main pleasures to be had come from the chemistry between George Segal and Jane Fonda, and there are some real laughs in the film. If you’re curious, it might be fun to check this one out before the Jim Carrey remake lands in theaters next Friday.

*IMAGINE: DELUXE EDITION

It actually hurts me to be including this title on this list on this date. It seems hard to believe that we’ve been without John Lennon for 25 years now. It’s equally hard to believe that we really only had Lennon as a solo artist for a decade, and he spent half of that not making music. This film stands as the definitive distillation of Lennon’s private archive of audio and video, and the film’s packed with some amazing performances of some of his best songs. The new DVD also features a number of extras that fill things out even more. Watching the movie again this week only made Lennon’s passing sting anew, but it’s important to remember just how vital an artist he was, and how much more he had to give us.

*THE JACKASS BOX SET

I’ve written before on this site about my love for JACKASS, but I sincerely hope that this is the last word on the series as far as DVD is concerned. It struck me as a perverse joke when MTV released VOL. 2 and VOL. 3 a few years ago, but no VOL. 1, and now that they’ve actually gone back and done so, they’re finished. Right?

I mean, not only have they finally released VOL. 1, but they’ve also included a bonus disc that really does sum up the entire JACKASS experience quite nicely. The “Where Are They Now?” documentary traces the entire history of the show from start to finish, and everyone’s refreshingly honest about their feelings. The result is something that feels like a summation, like everyone’s moved on and they’re happy to have done this when they did, but that’s it. I know there’s a sequel to the movie that’s been announced, and I’m sure I’ll be eager to see it when it comes out, but for now, this is a fitting tribute to something that burned bright, and burned fast, which is exactly the way it should have been.

KID GALAHAD

Because Elvis movies rule.

KONGA

And so do terrible KING KONG ripoffs.

THE MATT HELM LOUNGE

And awful Dean Martin spy films.

BROKEN LIZARD’S PUDDLE CRUISER

*THE DUKES OF HAZZARD: Unrated Director’s Cut

I know Broken Lizard hotly divides the readership of this site. Hell, one of the cast members of DUKES OF HAZZARD explained to me that Broken Lizard simply isn’t funny one night. All I know is, I enjoy the chemistry between the guys, and I think Jay Chandrasekhar is one of the most promising young comedy directors working. I’ll take a mediocre film from him over the latest horseshit squeezed out by Shaun Levy or *shudder* Adam Shankman any day of the week.

Having said that, PUDDLE CRUISER has eluded me up till now, so I’m interested in finally seeing the first thing the guys did as a group. DUKES was something I missed in the theater, but I sat down and watched it last week, and I guess my big question for people who complained about it is “What were you expecting?” To my eyes, it seems that Jay’s made a very faithful rednecks-and-cars movie, a throwback to the original DUKES and the Burt Reynolds movies of the ‘70s. It’s not some snickering post-modern reinvention of the genre. It’s just pretty much rednecks and cars, and the casting goes a long way towards clueing you in on his intentions as a director. I think actually including Reynolds here was a nice choice, and he seems to be having a good time. So does Willie Nelson, who makes me laugh just by showing up. There are some genuinely great driving stunts, including the longest sustained controlled slide I’ve ever seen in a movie.

It’s funny... I watched the Gumball Rally episode of JACKASS right before this film, and Johnny Knoxville’s basically the same in both. Sean William Scott’s rapidly developing as one of those guys who needs a script, because left to his own devices, as he is here, he’s not that interesting a performer. As a result, Knoxville kind of steals the film out from under him. Jessica Simpson looks crazy hot in the film, but she really is a horrific actress. She makes great eye candy. Several other performers show up and make the most of small moments, like Dave Koechner, Kevin Heffernan, and, in a scene that should make any SUPER TROOPERS fans laugh out loud, Chandrasekhar and Eric Stolhanske. This isn’t a film that’s going to stick with you for long, but anyone who manages to work up any wrath towards it should probably relax a bit. Look at the source material. Seems like they hit the target to me.

*THE ROCKFORD FILES: SEASON ONE

Many of our younger readers may be unaware of THE ROCKFORD FILES, because it isn’t one of those shows that has been a giant cultural juggernaut in the years since it went off the air. But if you do remember the show, chances are you remember it fondly. Personally, I’m delighted that Universal finally got around to putting out their second-best detective series on DVD, since that means I now have both COLUMBO and ROCKFORD on my shelf. James Garner played a fascinatingly flawed human being, a rarity on ‘70s TV, and the way he unraveled his cases was a real joy to watch. It’s a show that is often laugh out loud funny, but it’s also built on very solid mysteries. As a result, it really holds up, and getting a chance to revisit it has been a joy this week. As a bonus, there’s a great interview with Garner on the disc about the series and about Jim Rockford, his very best role.

STAR WARS: CLONE WARS VOLUME 2

Now that the smoke’s cleared and the hype is over and STAR WARS is just another catalog title (at least until the TV shows get started), it’s a little easier to discuss the franchise. I think it was accidentally canny of Lucas to allow Gendy Tartakovsky and his team to create these animated adventures that flesh out the moments between the movies, because it gave the fans some pure action that the films just didn’t have time for. I think overall, VOL. 1 is a stronger batch of episodes, but VOL. 2 has plenty to like as well. And if you’re already gearing up to hop into the talkbacks to tell me and everyone else why STAR WARS sucks, save it. That ship sailed, and at this point, you either enjoy the overall world or you don’t. I do, and I look forward to sharing these with my kid as a charming sidestep from the films.

*WALT DISNEY TREASURES: Disney Rarities – Celebrated Shorts 1920s- 1960s

*WALT DISNEY TREASURES: Elfego Baca and The Swamp Fox: Legendary Heroes

*WALT DISNEY TREASURES: The Adventures of Spin & Marty

WALT DISNEY TREASURES: The Chronological Donald Duck, Vol. 2

Now, I’m not sure if THE CHRONOLOGICAL DONALD DUCK actually shipped to stores this week or not, but it was supposed to be part of this batch of titles. It was not sent for review, and there was a note in the envelope saying it had been delayed. If that’s the case, I’m sure Disney will have it ready soon. For now, there’s plenty to chew on in the other three new additions to this line of releases, which really does represent some of the most esoteric and interesting stuff from the Disney Vaults.

Two of the collections this time focus on the live-action Disney shows from the ‘50s and ‘60s. SPIN & MARTY was shows as part of the MICKEY MOUSE CLUB, and this collection is the entire first season, along with extensive behind-the-scenes material. ELFEGO BACA and THE SWAMP FOX were both historically based adventure shows about unconventional heroes. Honestly, I’ve never seen an episode of either, so I’m not sure what to expect when I do finally watch them.

For me, the most exciting of the batch is DISNEY RARITIES: CELEBRATED SHORTS 1920s – 1960s. There’s a lot of stuff here I’ve read about but never seen, like the ALICE’S WONDERLAND shorts, and these cartoons that don’t feature the more recognizable Disney characters were often the ones where the animators were allowed to express themselves the most. They were experimental at times, like with “Toot, Whistle, Plunk And Boom,” or mythic, like with “Paul Bunyan.” This is the real value of a series like the WALT DISNEY TREASURES collection. You get a chance to see the full artistry of the studio’s output, and not just a few familiar titles. I’ll definitely review this entire collection over on the DVD blog very soon.

*THE DARK CORNER

*KISS OF DEATH

*WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

And what better way to round off a busy week of new releases then with three great new titles from 20th Century Fox’s Film Noir Collection? I love that there was a sense of competition between Warner Bros. and Fox when they both started putting out noir collections, but right now, Fox is the clear winner in this particular race. They’ve been steadily putting out title after title, and they’ve made some great choices like with HOUSE OF BAMBOO or NIGHTMARE ALLEY. This particular trio of titles includes one widely-acknowledged classic (KISS OF DEATH), one decent but not great picture (WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS), and one film I’ve never heard of that rocks the house (THE DARK CORNER). All of them are worthwhile for fans of the genre, but it’s that mix of the familiar and the unexpected that makes these releases so much fun. Fox has obviously been carefully combing the vaults to make sure they keep things interesting, and you can’t ask for more from a studio.

Holy crap. Halfway done, and I’ve got to be on a plane in about nine hours. I’ve got to get it in gear. Took some time out tonight for the MATCH POINT premiere, but now it’s back to business.

Okay… so now we’re going to jump ahead. As you can see, it was a pretty groovy week at the DVD store, and next week just adds even more options for every good film geek’s Christmas stocking. Check these titles out:

*AIRPLANE: THE “DON’T CALL ME SHIRLEY” EDITION

If you weren’t around when AIRPLANE was first released, you may not realize the impact it had. Lots and lots of imitators have turned spoof movies into a fairly mundane thing at this point, but when AIRPLANE came out, it was bracingly original, like a MAD magazine parody of a movie come to life, and people went to see it over and over and over. It was a phenomenon, and looking back at it now, it’s still one of the best of the bunch. This special edition is long overdue, and there are some really nice extra materials included. It’s a little annoying that the only way to get to them is through the movie itself, but that’s okay. It’s not like it’s a hard film to sit through. Great disc, and well worth the wait.

ANTHROPOPHAGUS – THE GRIM REAPER

I have no idea if this edition of the film will finally be the unedited movie or not, but this grimy little horror film has been the source of much consternation for fans over the years as one butchered edited version after another has been released. I’ll be curious to see what people have to say as they get a peek at this one, and if you know anything about it right now, please... let me know.

ATRAGON

Another giant monster movie from Ishiro Honda, the godfather of kaiju. That’s all you need to know. Either that makes you want to pick it up or it doesn’t. Debate is futile.

*THE BAD NEWS BEARS

I wish I could just say I hated this remake and be done with it... but I didn’t. It’s not great. It’s not even particularly good. But it’s hard for me not to laugh at Billy Bob Thornton talking trash to kids. Paramount deballed this film, taking out all the venom and the bad behavior of the original, and more than anything, it’s a fascinating example of how political correctness has made us a nation of pussies. We’ve childproofed the whole world, to the point where even children aren’t allowed to be children, which is incredibly stupid. The original BAD NEWS BEARS is a classic, and should be revered, but as remakes go, this one offers a few chuckles and one great casting choice that really did pay off.

THE BAXTER

Here’s one I’ll buy blind. I haven’t seen it, and to be honest, I didn’t even read much about it, but Michael Showalter is a very funny man, and I like the basic theory the film is based on, that it’s about that nice guy who seems to always get dumped in the romantic comedy so the main girl can run away with the movie star. It sounds like a really nice vehicle for Showalter’s very particular sensibilities, and I’m looking forward to it.

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY

Produced by Terence Malick, this film was largely ignored when it came out earlier this year. It had a few ardent supporters, however, and it certainly sounds interesting. It’s about a child of an American GI and a Vietnamese woman who comes to America, trying to track down his long-absent father. Nick Nolte and Bai Ling are the biggest names in the film, but Damien Nguyen is the actual star. Before I start making my end of the year list, this is definitely one of the films I plan to take a look at.

*BIG BAD MAMA

*ROCK’N’ROLL HIGH SCHOOL

*DEATH RACE 2000

Buena Vista just made a deal for what they describe as “hundreds” of Roger Corman titles, but if you’re going to kick off a release schedule of his movies, you can’t go wrong with these three. BIG BAD MAMA is great exploitation fun, a gangster movie with a very naked Angie Dickinson. ROCK’N’ROLL HIGH SCHOOL features PJ Soles back when she was ridiculously cute and a soundtrack by The Ramones. And then there’s DEATH RACE 2000, Paul Bartel’s jet black action comedy starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone. All three films deliver the goods, and none of them are “so bad they’re good.” These are genuinely great little drive-in movies, and these DVDs come stuffed with extras produced specifically for this new release. What a great idea, and hats off to Buena Vista for kicking the series off right.

*FAMILY BONDS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

LONG WAY ROUND

These two “reality” shows broke from the formula that’s set in over the last few years, and as a result, they both offered some genuine characters that I wasn’t expecting, and I think they’re both worth revisiting now that they’re hitting DVD.

FAMILY BONDS played on HBO, and it’s an uncensored look at the Evangelista family, bounty hunters in New Jersey who are loud, crass, and totally unpolished. As a result, they come across as some of the most genuine people I’ve seen on TV in a long time. They’re fascinating because they don’t seem able to filter themselves, even with cameras running. The show isn’t about the business of bounty hunting... not really. That’s just an excuse for the producers to follow around the family, and it’s more entertaining than any description can impart.

LONG WAY ROUND stars Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman, but it’s not a movie star show. The two decided to take a motorcycle trip around the world, and the result is genuinely affecting. It’s a show about friendship, and it’s a really great eccentric look at the world, a reminder of how far-reaching fame can be, and how little it truly matters. I had a great time with this show when it aired, and it’s worth keeping.

*FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY: RECUT EXTENDED UNRATED

I don’t think this extended remix of Robert Rodriguez’s experimental comic book movie is going to win over anyone who hated it when it was released earlier this year, but I do think it’s going to please the fans of the film enormously. The first disc is the theatrical cut of the film, a feature commentary with Rodriguez and Miller, another commentary with Rodriguez and Tarantino, the audio track that Rodriguez recorded at the Austin premiere, a piece about how Rodriguez got Miller to sign over the rights, a piece about Tarantino, a piece about the cars in the film, a piece about the props in the film, a piece about the make-up, a piece about the costumes, and some trailers. And that’s just on the first disc.

The second disc is where you can watch the stories individually, with extra footage added to each. You also get another 15-MINUTE FILM SCHOOL with Rodriguez, the high-speed green-screen version (which anyone interested in FX should be required to watch at least once), a segment about Tarantino’s scene called “The Long Take,” and another 10-MINUTE COOKING SCHOOL with Rodriguez. This is the giant fat package that fans were hoping for the first time, and it’s well worth the extra time it took to put together. Trust me... if you loved SIN CITY, then this disc will keep you smiling for the rest of the year as you try to watch it all.

*THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN: UNRATED

This is one of those rare comedies that I actually liked much more the second time I saw it. I enjoyed it in the theater, but watching it at home this week, I’m struck by just how much fun everyone seems to have in it. Steve Carell is a perfect lead, and Judd Apatow plays ringleader to a whole bunch of funny people who make the most of their time onscreen. The DVD has some hilarious extended scenes, including a preposterously long version of “You Know How I Know You’re Gay?” between Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd that just gets funnier and funnier and dirtier and dirtier. There are some really nice extras on the disc, and the “unrated” material doesn’t really change the film much, but it does punctuate it a little bit more. Highly recommended.

*GALLIPOLI: SPECIAL EDITION

I’ve said before that not enough films dealt with WWI, which was really the moment the world transitioned from what we thought of as war before to what we think of as war now. Technology had reached a stage where we could kill with new efficiency, but it was dirty and awful and still primitive in a lot of ways. Peter Weir’s always been a special filmmaker, but this was one of his early triumphs.

I’m not sure why Paramount decided to get busy putting out Peter Weir films in special edition form this year, but this is the third (after WITNESS and TRUMAN SHOW), and the best of the three. Young Mel Gibson is the lead here, and he’s great. This was an early indicator of just how good he was, and it helped propel both he and Weir into the international spotlight. Gibson plays one of a group of young men who are sent from Australia to Turkey to fight in WWI, and what unfolds is beautifully shot and painful to watch.

GODZILLA FINAL WARS

I’ve been waiting to see this film again since I reviewed it last year, and I’m sorry Sony’s sending it straight to DVD. I still think there’s an audience out there that would have enjoyed a chance to see this in a theater. Never mind, though, because here it is, and at last, you can enjoy one of the silliest, most exuberantly goofy movies in recent memory. Kitamura threw everything he could at this title, and the result made me smile the entire time I was in the theater. Is it a “great” movie? Nope. Is it great fun? Hell, yes.

THE ISLAND

I know this one took a beating this summer, but I’m going to say again that I think it’s probably Michael Bay’s most coherent film. He’s actually started to calm down a bit as a director, and for the first time, I wasn’t irritated by his hyperstylization. I’m sure the leads, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett “Mmmmmmm” Johansson, helped a lot. They almost made me care about these clones. Ultimately, the film does get a little silly, and I think they miss some pretty obvious opportunities, but as big dumb action movies go, I enjoyed it, and I’ll see it again.

KING KONG: PETER JACKSON’S PRODUCTION DIARIES

All I know is, I’m happy to pick this up, and it looks great, and I’m sure it’s packed with fascinating stuff, but when the inevitable DVD for KONG is released, they’d better not include this stuff again. That would be crass to a degree that even studios that triple-dip on titles would have to be ashamed of, considering much of this material is currently available for free online. Now that I’ve seen the film, I’m going to want to enjoy these diaries, which I avoided during production, and I’m sure that many more people will be giving these to newly converted KONG fanatics when Christmas arrives.

*KRONK’S NEW GROOVE

*VALIANT

For the record, I hate Disney’s policy of churning out direct-to-video sequels for every animated property they’ve ever touched.

Having said that, I love Patrick Warburton, and Kronk is a funny character. This isn’t as funny as THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE, but there are still chuckles to e had, and kids will enjoy themselves quite a bit. With VALIANT, even though the film has the Disney name on it, it was actually an independenly produced CG animated film that Disney picked up for release. Like KRONK, it’s not a terrible film, but it’s not a great one. In both cases, you have to enjoy these films in bits and pieces. Ricky Gervais contributes some very funny vocal work to VALIANT, and like I said, Warburton rocks the house every time he’s in front of a microphone. In both cases, these are children’s films that parents won’t suffer because of, which seems to be reason enough to recommend them.

MIAMI VICE: SEASON TWO

When a show becomes a hit in its first season, especially if it becomes a huge monster runaway hit, then that second season can be very interesting. It’s either great because you see the writers and producers and directors and stars all working to top themselves and make sure that people get what they tune in to see, or it collapses under the weight of all the hype. MIAMI VICE was one of those shows that got it right, and the second season was the best year the series ever had. Great episode after great episode hit the air, and people were practically fistfighting to both guest-star and to contribute songs to the soundtrack. I haven’t seen these episodes since they first aired, but I’ll be digging in as soon as this arrives.

NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE

Paul Mazursky was a powerful filmmaker in the ‘70s, and it’s because he had a unique sensibility, a mix of humor and pathos that very few of his peers were willing to attempt. He wasn’t edgy, really, although he included references to social unrest, drugs, the sexual revolution and more in his films. He viewed it all through this great wry filter that made the movies comfortable for people on both sides of the generation gap, and I think that’s why his best films endure. This is the story of a guy named Larry (Lenny Baker) who wants to be famous. He moves to Greenwich Village, ignoring the protests of his mother, played memorably by Shelly Winters. The film is enormously affectionate for a particular time and place, and it may well be Mazursky’s best film. Fox deserves a lot of credit for releasing both this and HARRY & TONTO in the same year on DVD, and I’m excited to finally revisit this film.

*PRETTY PERSUASION

I’ve heard this compared to HEATHERS and DANGEROUS LIASONS and ELECTION, and I think any comparison sells the film short. It’s original and ferocious and shocking, and it made me laugh out loud in several places at the sheer audacity it took to put some of these scenes onscreen. I applaud anyone who demonstrates a knack for dark comedy, and director Marcos Siega and screenwriter Skander Halim certainly do.

*ROLL BOUNCE

Yes, I’m recommending a film starring Bow Wow that is set against the world of roller skating. This is the sort of movie that you put on with no expectations, and then suddenly you find yourself smiling and tapping your foot and, sure as shit, enjoying yourself. It’s fun, pure and simple, and makes no pretense at anything else. You’ve seen coming of age stories like this before, but it doesn’t matter. The film knows what it is, and all it wants to do is make you smile. Let it.

THE SIMPSONS: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON

It’s awesome that Fox has finally picked up the production pace on the SIMPSONS box sets, and I’m starting to think that they might actually get the whole series out at some point. I love watching even the most familiar episodes with commentary on, and this is one of those seasons where the show was really working on all levels. Looks like Fox is also allowing the consumer to choose from two different types of packaging on this one, so there really shouldn’t be any reason for fans and collectors to complain.

And now I’m on my way out the door. I’m going to have to post my reviews of SYRIANA, MATCH POINT, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, and, yes, KING KONG when I get back from Austin on Tuesday night. Sorry about that, but I’m just plain out of time. I may even have a few more reviews to post courtesy of this weird event I’m going to in in Texas... but we’ll see. Until then...