Tuesday, May 30, 2006

DVD Releases - May 30

Some of this past spring’s movies start to make their way to DVD this week, combined with some special editions of a pair of films that I can guarantee you’ll never see together as a double feature. So here are some of the notables for May 30:

“Date Movie” (Unrated) - From some of the same people behind the “Scary Movie” franchise is this ugly stepsister of a film, featuring a lot of scatological humor and nonstop parodies of other, better movies. As if it matters, Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Eddie Griffin and Fred Willard are among the cast.
Extras: Deleted/extended/alternate scenes, audio commentaries with the cast and crew, several featurettes, screensavers, an optional laugh track, and more.
Official Web site

“Dukes of Hazzard: Season 6” - After a near disastrous fifth season that saw the show’s stars hold out and be replaced, only to return by season’s end, the sixth season has Tom Wopat and John Schneider firmly back in place. Lucky you, as now all 22 episodes of the season have been preserved on DVD for posterity.
Extras: History and design featurette on the General Lee, as well as a tour of the real Hazzard County with Ben “Cooter” Jones and Sonny “Enos” Shroyer. Does life get any better than this?!
Official Web site

“Freedomland” (R) - Despite material in the form of a novel by acclaimed writer Richard Price (who also adapted the screenplay), and a strong cast, led by Samuel L. Jackson and Julianne Moore, “Freedomland” largely sunk at the box office. There’s some interesting ideas at work here, dealing with racial issues brought about after a white mother (Moore) claims her son was kidnapped by a black man in the projects. Perhaps a second life for the film can be found on DVD.
Extras: The big nada.
Official Web site

“Numb3rs: Season 1” - This surprise hit for CBS with the annoying spelling of its title (using the number 3 as an E – give me a break) has all 13 episodes of its first season out on four discs. The series focuses on FBI Special Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow) who utilizes the help of his brother (David Krumholtz), a math genius, to help crack cases. For those wondering what use math has for your everyday life, here you go.
Extras: Commentary from cast and crew on multiple episodes, audition reels, blooper reels and more.
Official Web site

“Platoon: 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition” (R) - In what would be the first of his three movies dealing with the Vietnam War, writer-director Oliver Stone delivers a brutal, but undeniably powerful depiction of the struggle of a young infantryman (Charlie Sheen) in 1960s Vietnam. The great cast includes Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, John C. McGinley, Forest Whitaker and Kevin Dillon, among others.
Extras: Commentary with Stone and military advisor Dale Dye, deleted scenes with optional commentary from Stone, and multiple featurettes.
Official Web site

“Smokey and the Bandit: Special Edition” (PG) - How have we survived so long without a special edition of this “classic” film? Well, good buddy, your dreams have come true as the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) is here, ready to deliver 400 cases of beer from Texarkana to Atlanta in under 28 hours, avoiding Smokey (Jackie Gleason) along the way. Many, many, many car chases ensue.
Extras: Making of featurette and a “Smokey and the Bandit” CB tutorial (that’s no joke).
No official Web site

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