DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 12.13.11)

With Christmas fast approaching, there's no shortage of DVD and Blu-ray newcomers. This week’s Recommendation of the Week is the surprisingly excellent prequel Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The disc features include writer and director commentaries, documentaries and deleted scenes.

First Releases
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Kung Fu Panda 2 (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Kung Fu Panda Collection (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Fright Night (2011) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Transformers Trilogy (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Contagion (DVD and Blu-ray) (Release Date Dec. 16)
- Dolphin Tale (DVD and Blu-ray) (Release Date Dec. 16)

Re-Releases
- Branded to Kill (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Tokyo Drifter (DVD and Blu-ray)
- City of God (Blu-ray)
- Heavenly Creatures (Blu-ray)
- The Rocketeer (Blu-ray)
- Velvet Goldmine (Blu-ray)
- Meet Me in St. Louis (Blu-ray)


Rise of the Planet of the Apes (DVD and Blu-ray) *Recommendation of the Week*

What’s the Deal?
Before it came out, few had any real hope for Rise of the Planet of the Apes: It pushed back its release date, changed its title and was directed by a man who only made one movie before it. Its major selling point was Weta Digital provided the special effects. But it surprised everyone, even us PAMers, and made over $481 million worldwide. James Franco leads this character and story-driven blockbuster that featured Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), John Lithgow, Brian Cox and Draco Malfoy himself, Tom Felton. But it was Andy Serkis who stole the show as Caesar the ape, showing why he is the best motion-capture actor around. Rupert Wyatt, the director of the British movie The Escapist, helmed this project.

Will Rodman (Franco) is a young and gifted scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer’s, the disease that curses his father (Lithgow). But after an experiment goes wrong all his test apes have been put down and only one baby survives. Will cares for the ape he names Caesar which displays extraordinary intelligence because of tests done to his mother. But after Caesar is taken away from Will, the chimp discovers the plight of his kind and knows he is only one who could lead them.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 83% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 9.0/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Additional Blu-ray Special Features: Deleted Scenes; Mythology of the Apes; The Genius of Andy Serkis; A New Generation of Apes; Scene Breakdown; Character Concept Art Gallery; Breaking Motion Capture Boundaries; Composing the Score with Patrick Doyle; The Great Apes; Audio Commentary by Director Rupert Wyatt; Audio Commentary by Writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver; Theatrical Trailers

Amazon Price: $16.99 (DVD), $22.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 4 stars, Video 0 stars, Audio 0 stars, Extras 2.5 stars, Replay 4 stars (out of 5). Highly Recommended.





If you are still looking for Christmas presents then you are in luck. Children will love the Kung Fu Panda Collection and Kung Fu Panda 2 and adults have the thrills of Contagion. Movie fans also have the Blu-ray re-releases of City of God and Heavenly Creatures in this massive release week.


Kung Fu Panda 2 (DVD and Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
Because of the folly that was Cars 2, it's an open field for the Best Animated Feature Oscar this time around. Kung Fu Panda 2 is one of strongest contenders for the award. This sequel was big hit, making over $663 million and with all the major players reprising their roles: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman among others. Joining the action is Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Haysbert (24). The storyboard and visual effect artist of the first movie, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, got promoted to be the director for the sequel.

After Po the Panda (Black) has fulfilled his destiny as the Dragon Warrior to protect kung fu and the Valley of Peace, he is forced into action once again when a new threat emerges that could destroy kung fu, Lord Shen (Oldman). But how can Po and the Furious Five stop Lord Shen, who could disarm any form of kung fu? Po has to look into his own mysterious past to stop him.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 82% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 7.5/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Additional Two Disc DVD Pack Special Features: Disc One: Kung Fu Panda 2 movie; Sneak peek episode of the upcoming Nickelodeon TV series “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness"; Filmmakers’ Commentary; Kickin' It with the Cast; Deleted Scenes; World of DreamWorks Animation; Exclusive Sneak Peak: How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular: Disc Two: An all-new Po adventure, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters.; Panda Stories; Kung Fu Shuffle; Ni Hao; Legend of the Wu Sisters Game; Create 3D Characters and Masks: Kung Fu Panda World: Get 2 free Kung Fu Panda World Online Game Memberships (memberships good through 4/30/12).; Kung Fu Panda World is the virtual game world for kids to follow in Po’s footsteps to become a kung fu master.; Create avatars, play games with favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more!

Additional Blu-ray Special Features: The Animator's Corner; Trivia Track; Animation Inspiration

Amazon Price: $16.99 (DVD), $23.99 (Two Disc DVD Pack), $24.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Kung Fu Panda Collection (DVD and Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
DreamWorks has followed the conventional wisdom of releasing a boxset with its new sequel right before the holidays. Before 2008, DreamWorks only had the "Shrek" series to sustain itself. That all changed with Kung Fu Panda and the studio has been going through a renaissance ever since, with movies such as How to Train Your Dragon, Megamind and recently Puss in Boots. The Jack Black-led series about Po the Panda and his mishaps in kung fu has been a critical and commercial success for DreamWorks.

Kung Fu Panda
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 88% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.0/10

Kung Fu Panda 2
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 82% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 7.5/10 (read our review)

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Disc One: Kung Fu Panda 2 movie; Sneak peek episode of the upcoming Nickelodeon TV series “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”; Filmmakers’ Commentary; Meet the Cast; World of DreamWorks Animation: Disc Two: An all-new Po adventure, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters; Panda Stories: Inside the World of the Giant Panda; Kung Fu Shuffle; Ni Hao; Fortune Telling; Create 3D Characters and Masks; Disc Three: Kung Fu Panda 1 movie; Dragon Warrior Training Academy; “Kung Fu Fighting” Music Video; Food Network Exclusive: Alton Brown at Mr. Ping’s Noodle House; Help Save the Wild Pandas; How to Use Chopsticks

Additional Blu-ray Special Features: The Animator's Corner; Trivia Track; Po Around the World

Amazon Price: $22.99 (DVD), $34.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Fright Night (2011) (DVD and Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
Directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl), the horror-comedy Fright Night is a remake the 1985 movie of the same name. Starring Anton Yelchin (Star Trek, Terminator Salvation) and Colin Farrell, Fright Night hoped to cash in on the dual trends of vampires and 3D, but ended up being a box-office disappointment. Other actors involved include Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine), David Tennant (Doctor Who), Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Kick-Ass).

Charley Brewster (Yelchin) is a high school senior in the suburbs of Las Vegas who discovers his new neighbor, the sexy and charming Jerry (Farrell), is a vampire. Charley has to stop this ruthless killer but he cannot do it alone, so he recruits the services of vampire hunter Peter Vincent (Tennant) to stop him.
 
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 75% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 6.5/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $16.99 (DVD), $22.99 (Blu-ray), $29.99 (3D Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


The "Transformers" Trilogy (DVD and Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
The "Transformers" trilogy has been a blockbuster juggernaut and the bane of critics the world over because of its levels of stupidity, poor humor, length, racism and being a big fat commercial for the American military. Steven Spielberg acted as executive producer of this series based on the popular '80s cartoon and toy series I grew up with, and action director Michael Bay helmed all three movies and is likely to direct the fourth entry.

Writing partners Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek) and Ehren Kruger (Scream 3, The Ring, 2002) have written for the series led by Shia LaBeouf and that made Megan Fox a star. Luckily the universe has been rebalanced. Peter Cullen reprises his role as the voice of the always-awesome Optimus Prime.

Follow Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) during his love and employment struggles, I mean with him in the middle of the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons.

Transformers
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 57% (average)
Player Affinity Score: 6.1/10

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 20% (awful)
Player Affinity Score: 3.8/10

Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 35% (poor)
Player Affinity Score: 5.5/10 (read our review)

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Additional Blu-ray Special Features: Commentary by Director Michael Bay; Transformers H.U.D. (Heads Up Display); BD-Live Features: Transformers Intelligence Mode, Menubots, Transformers Profiler, Trailers (will play after the feature via a menu), Iron Man Trailer, Transformers Teaser Trailer, Rise of the Autobots

Amazon Price: $25.49 (DVD), $46.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com):  N/A


Contagion (DVD and Blu-ray) (Release Date Dec. 16)

What’s the Deal?
Contagion  we thought of very highly, a compelling and haunting medical based thriller that scared audiences the world over. Steven Soderbergh, soon to retire from this profession, directed this globally set movie and worked closely with writer Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum) in conducting tons of research. A massive cast was recruited: Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Soderbergh shows what happens when the world suffers from a pandemic, society starts to breakdown, scientists rush to find a cure and mad conspiracy theories start to develop.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 84% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 8.1/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: Includes Instant Streaming with UltraViolet Digital Copy; Contagion: How A Virus Changes The World

Additional Blu-ray/DVD Combo Special Features: The Reality of Contagion; The Contagion Detectives

Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $19.99 (Blu-ray), $19.99 (Blu-ray/DVD combo)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Dolphin Tale (DVD and Blu-ray) (Release Date Dec. 16)

What’s the Deal?
Based on a true story, the family movie Dolphin Tale hopes to capture the spirit of similarly themed flick, Free Willy. Air Bud director Charles Martin Smith took control of this project that stars Nathan Gamble (The Hole), Henry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd (Kiss the Girls), Kris Kristofferson (Blade) and Morgan Freeman, as well Winter the Dolphin playing herself.

Sawyer Nelson (Gamble) is a young boy who is struggling at school and left going to summer school. But when he finds a dolphin washed up on the beach without a tail he ends up determined to help the poor creature, including finding a prosthetic specialist, Dr. Cameron McCarthey (Freeman) to make her a new tail.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 83% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $24.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Branded to Kill (DVD and Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
This week’s fims from the Criterion Collection come curiously from Japan, specifically from famed filmmaker Seijun Suzuki. His 1967 effort Branded to Kill is a highly stylized gangster movie about a Yakuza assassin, Goro Hanada (Jo Shishido) who after fumbling his latest job falls into conflict with his wife and an another assassin only known as The Phantom (Koji Nanbara).

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 100% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: New high-definition digital restoration; Video interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and Masami Kuzuu; Interview with Suzuki from 1997; New interview with actor Joe Shishido; Original theatrical trailer; New and improved English subtitle translation; PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic and historian Tony Rayns

Amazon Price: $21.99 (DVD), $35.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Tokyo Drifter (DVD and Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
Not to be confused with The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Toyko Drifter is another Yakuza based movie from Suzuki about ‘Phoenix Tetsu’ (Tetsuya Watari), a Yakuza hitman who attempts to go straight after his own crew breaks his code of ethics and he ends up becoming a drifter.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 100% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: New high-definition digital restoration; Video interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and Masami Kuzuu; Interview with Suzuki from 1997; Original theatrical trailer; New and improved English subtitle translation; PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Howard Hampton

Amazon Price: $21.99 (DVD), $27.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


City of God (Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
The Brazilian movie City of God is simply fantastic, a well-paced crime story and social commentary that was based on Paulo Lins’ novel. Fernando Meirelles’ (The Constant Gardener) movie was highly praised, being placed in a number of Critics Top Ten Lists in 2003 and best movie and best World Cinema list. Yet it did not get nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Insanity.

Meirelles cast unknown and non-professional actors as we follow “Rocket” (Alexandre Rodrigues), a young man who dreams of becoming a photographer and avoids falling into a life of drug dealing, violence and gang warfare in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 90% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 9.6/10

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $14.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Heavenly Creatures (Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
Before making Heavenly Creatures, Peter Jackson was only known for making horror-comedies. After Heavenly Creatures, he showed that he was one of the best directors around, showing he could change his approach. He also helped Weta Digital become a massive special effects company. Most of all it was Kate Winslet’s big break. This New Zealander movie also stars Melanie Lynskey (Two and A Half Men) and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Based on the 1954 Parker-Hulme murder case in Christchurch, Pauline Parker (Lynskey) is a 14-year-old working class girl who befriends Juliet Hulme (Winslet), a 15-year-old wealthy girl from England. The two share a love of literature and escape to a world of fantasy, so much so that their parents become concern and separate them, leading to them plotting their revenge.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 95% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $14.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 4.5 stars, Video 4 stars, Audio 3 stars, Extras 0.5 stars, Replay 3.5 stars (out of 5). Highly Recommended.


The Rocketeer (Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
Based on a comic book series by Dave Stevens, The Rocketeer was the main reason why Joe Johnston earned the Captain America: The First Avenger gig. This deliberately old fashioned action movie starred Billy Campbell (The Killing) and the beautiful Jennifer Connelly. Air pilot Cliff Secord (Campbell) accidentally discovers a prototype jetpack and becomes a superhero in the 1930s who takes on Nazis and gangsters.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 60% (good)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $18.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A


Velvet Goldmine (Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
The British-American co-production Velvet Goldmine certainly has an impressive cast that includes Christian Bale, Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors), Toni Collette and Eddie Izzard (Valkyrie). American Todd Haynes (Safe, I’m Not There) directed and co-wrote this movie about a journalist (Bale) investigating the disappearance of a famous glam rocker (Meyers) a decade earlier.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 56% (average)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $14.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 4 stars, Video 4 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 4 stars, Replay 4.5 stars (out of 5). Highly Recommended.


Meet Me in St. Louis (Blu-ray)

What’s the Deal?
Last but not least this week is the re-release of the old-fashioned musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Starring the ever popular Judy Garland, the Vincente Minnelli movie tells the story of four sisters living in 1904 St Louis who face issues in love and life as they prepare for a reluctant movie to New York City.

Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 100% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: N/A

DISC DETAILS

DVD Special Features: N/A

Amazon Price: $25.99 (Blu-ray)

Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 4 stars, Video 4 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 4 stars, Replay 4 stars (out of 5). Highly Recommended.