I've highlighted four major "Releases of the Week" that I think are important for one reason or another. I won't be awarding that distinction for the sake of having one each week, but here, it's merited.
New Release of the Week
They Killed Sister Dorothy (DVD only)
This was one of the best documentaries I saw over 18 months ago at South by Southwest 2008. The saints at First Run Features picked it up for DVD release after it got on the Oscar shortlist for the Feature Documentary award. The only extra I'm aware of on this one is an Update featurette. I'll get my hands on it at some point soon I'm sure. Everyone should put it in the top tier of their Netflix queue so that Netflix will buy a bunch of copies.
Vintage Catalog Blu-ray Upgrade of the Week
Easy Rider (Blu-ray only)
The transfer on this disc makes me feel good about owning an HDTV, let alone a Blu-ray player. This needs to be on the "need to get" list once you know you're going Blu.
Recent Catalog Blu-ray Upgrade of the Week
Monsoon Wedding (Blu-ray & DVD)
I don't trust anyone with movies shot on 16mm blown up to 35mm and transferred to Blu-ray except for Criterion, and this release is a great example of why.
New to DVD Catalog Release of the Week
Sherlock Holmes: The Archive Collection (DVD only)
Sherlock Holmes' Fatal Hour: Arthur Wontner, 1931.
Lost in Limehouse: Olaf Hytten as Sheerluck Jones, 1933.
Limejuice Mystery: Herlock Sholmes marionettes, 1930.
Sting of Death: Boris Karloff as the mysterious Mycroft, 1955.
The Man Who Disappeared: John Longden as Sherlock, 1951.
A Case of Hypnosis: Prof. Lightskull the chimpanzee! 1952.
Strange Case of Hennessy: Cliff Edwards as Silo Dance, 1933.
The Speckled Band: Alan Napier as Sherlock, 1949.
The Copper Beeches: Georges Treville, 1912, with special musical score.
Man With The Twisted Lip: Eille Norwood, 1921, with special musical score.
The Screaming Bishop: Hairlock Combs cartoon, 1944.
Bonus Film starring Basil Rathbone as an army officer in The General's Boots from 1954
If you aren't excited by the contents of this set, I'm not certain you have a pulse. Based on my rudimentary research, most if not all of the content in this set has never been available on DVD in the US before now. I haven't touched this thing yet, but at $22.49, I'll have it as soon as Amazon can get it here. I'm eager to see what picture quality is like.
New Release
Cheri (DVD only)
The Making of Cheri, Deleted Scenes
Cheri is very intellectually provocative, beautifully art-directed and staged. It's the kind of arthouse movie that's going extinct right before our eyes. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Lea, a courtesan with a legendary reputation as the best of the best who takes on teaching the ways of romance to the 19-year-old son (Rupert Friend) of a former adversary (Kathy Bates).
They fall for each other, much to the surprise of them both. The ensuing friction caused by their explosive sexual chemistry and conflicts with each other and society at large make for a substantive experience. With regard to aging, neither wants to get older and proceed to a new stage in their lives: for him, adulthood, and her, the days after youth. Cheri is a rich, multi-course meal made with only the finest ingredients. I was hoping they'd release this one on Blu-ray, with all the lovely colors and textures present. It'll happen eventually, but for the time being, at least it's out there.
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead (Direct to Blu-ray & DVD)
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes: "Action, Gore and Chaos!", "Brothers in Blood", "Three Finger's Fight Night"
I love that this direct-to-video second sequel is pitched on its cover as "too violent for theaters". It's almost defensive, if it weren't sort of endearing. I also love that the press release refers to the extras as "horrific". I do not think that means what they think it means.
In this installment of the mutant hillbilly cannibal franchise, the family of man-eaters are pitted against a gang of convicted murderers who've escaped their prison transport. I can't wait for the sequel, in which Three Finger and his family fight half-men, half-animals. Maybe the fifth movie can work in some dinosaurs. I kid, but you'd be surprised what comes out of Hollywood these days. The movie was shot in Romania and directed by the illustrious director of such Sci Fi Channel classics as Cyclops and Rock Monster, the cast is all unknowns trying to find a horror movie that will actually get them some work. I'm going to try my best to get through all three of these movies in the near future. I can't guarantee I won't walk out on them in my living room, but I will try.
Blood: The Last Vampire (Blu-ray & DVD)
Featurettes: The Making of Blood: The Last Vampire, Battling Demons: Behind the Stunts
Blu-ray Exclusive: Storyboard Gallery, BD-Live connectivity
The anime this is based on is actually very good. This movie falls into the Dragonball bin of bad anime adaptations, unfortunately. Saya is a 400-year-old, half-vampire samurai who has spent centuries hunting full-blooded vampires. She works for a secret society called The Council. They send her off to a military base, where she encounters Onigen, the most powerful vampire of all. "Oni" is Japanese for "demon", by the way. The Stunts featurette with Corey Yuen is far more diverting than the feature, frankly.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Blu-ray & DVD)
I grew up a fan of the cartoon, but I really can't bring myself to care about this movie or its predecessor at all (I've yet to watch either one).
Catalog New to Blu
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
I covered this one here. It's a port of the HD-DVD, and that's about it, aside from a little cleanup work I think I saw and the admittedly thin "book" portion of the case.
Ichi the Killer (DVD also)
Escaflowne: The Movie
Waterworld
This is the Theatrical Cut, with nary a mention of the Extended Cut. It's probably better to never watch this movie again.
Reissue
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles:
"Those Aren't Pillows!" Edition (DVD only)
This is an abominable name for anything. I won't bother until this is on Blu-ray, even with new extras. I think Paramount is shooting themselves in the foot by not having a Blu-ray of this available in time for the holidays.
Disc Roundup (Movies) is posted each week at some point, depending on how many discs there are to get through. Unless otherwise noted, screener copies of titles reviewed were provided by the respective studio.
If you think I've missed something, feel free to send me an email.