The TV set of the week is definitely the first season of The Amazing Race, perfectly timed to hit shelves the very day the latest ‘season’ of reality TV’s class act premieres. (More on this later today.) Supposedly includes very neat extras, including participant commentaries and a documentary on what’s involved putting the around the world trip together.
Other TV sets today include Beverly Hillbillies Volume 1 (that’s what it’s called, so I’m not sure if it’s the first season or not; however, there are 26 episodes in it, so probably); Dark Shadows Set 20 (!!—it was a daily soap opera, so there are like a billion episodes); Gilmore Girls S4; Hogan’s Heroes S2; Law & Order SVU S2; Sigmund & the Sea Monsters S1 (!!); Star Trek: Enterprise S3.
The movie of the week is the nifty looking Blind Dead Collection that brings together all four of the movies (along with a fifth disc of extras) and packages them in a coffin shaped-box. (!!) It’s pricey, running about $60 or more on the Net, but in a way that just shows you how spoiled we’ve become. Paying $15 a movie now strikes us as excessive, even with phenomenal widescreen transfers and extras and such. Set review here.
Also be on the look out for the Ultimate Billy Jack Collection, which finally releases the films in the widescreen format, along with a new disc of extras and spiffy new transfers and remastered sound. Moreover, each film includes both the commentaries on the old DVD, and a second, newer one. That’s six hours of commentaries on Trial of Billy Jack alone!! I’ve already double dipped on these movies (including VHS tapes back in the day that cost me like $30 each), so you’re welcome to them. However, if you’re interested, Deepdiscountdvd is selling the set for under $30, including tax.
Big Alligator River is better known in this country as The Great Alligator, and is indeed a Jaws knock-off about a bigass alligator. (“We can’t close the resort hotel! It’s tourist season!”) Features a reportedly good looking widescreen transfer. Review of the DVD here.
Descent Finally! That DTV knock-off of The Core starring Michael Dorn and Luke Perry we’ve all been waiting for. Earthquakes threaten mankind, and a team goes underground to deal with it, only are the earthquakes in fact the result of an eeee-vil guv’ment secret experiment gone awry?! Three guesses.
Destination MarsA simply terrific parody of a ’50s sci-fi movie, along the lines of the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, but in my mind even better. Well worth the $14 it’ll run you.
Devil Dog Yep, the old Omen-era TV movie classic in which Richard Crenna battles the family pooch, a literal Hound of Hell. $12
Driller Killer Yucky ’70 slasher stuff, if that’s your bag. $14
Evil Dead 2 Limited Book of the Dead Edition The 407th Anchor Bay release of this film. This one comes in a case that looks like the film’s Necronomicon (complete with face), and it shrieks when you poke it’s eye. (!!!)
Freakmaker, aka The Mutations A sleazy ’70s Brit horror film featuring actually freaks, and a typical ’70s horror movie ending. Stars Tom Baker and Donald Pleasance. A little too mean spirited for my tastes, but mileage will vary. Two audio commentaries. $15 DVD review here.
Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer Again, ick. $18 DVD review here.
Long Weekend Cult ’70s Ozzie eco-horror flick in which Nature serves up justice to some polluters. Audio Commentary $12 Hey, Liz, when do we get a review of this? DVD review here.
Silver Hawk Michelle Yeoh is a superhero! ‘Nuff said.
A Whisper in the Dark Another Euro gothic. $14 DVD review here.
Wild Geese Beloved mercenary flick that’s heavy on the ham, featuring the thespic efforts of Richard Burton, Richard Harris and Roger Moore. $10
