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Danny McBride (left), an alumnus of UNCSA, and Nick Nolte are part of the supporting cast in Tropic Thunder.
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Published: November 20, 2008
Pixar's WALL-E puts future in a realistic perspective
WALL-E (G): Pixar's latest computer-animated megahit is this charming tale of a lonely little robot left behind on Earth to clean up mankind's trash while everyone else moved into outer space. The animators do a fantastic job bringing personality to the robot characters and envisioning a future that is more realistic than we might like to admit. The film is available in various configurations. A single-DVD release includes a new animated short, Burn-E; deleted scenes; and featurettes. The three-disc DVD special edition and Blu-ray versions have even more extras.
Tropic Thunder (R and Unrated versions): This over-the-top action comedy has such stalwarts as Ben Stiller, Jack Black and -- in a ferociously brave, politically incorrect performance -- Robert Downey Jr. They play actors on a tropical film shoot who mistakenly stumble into real-life peril. The supporting cast includes such scene-stealers as Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte and Danny McBride, an alumnus of UNC School of the Arts. Extras include commentaries and, on the two-disc special edition and Blu-ray versions, extended and deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes documentaries.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (PG-13): America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel and Blake Lively return as the foursome of friends who bond over a ragged article of shared clothing. Extras include commentary, a gag reel, and a featurette on how the movie's final scene was developed.
The Zombie Diaries (Unrated): This intense British zombie horror film uses the increasingly clichéd technique of telling its story through a camcorder (think The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield and, heck, another zombie flick, Diary of the Dead). The story works in large part thanks to the fact that we witness the zombie apocalypse from three perspectives. The first act is set during the beginning of the outbreak, followed by segments as people begin to adjust to a new way of life and struggle to maintain the vestiges of civilization.
Southland Tales (R): Director Richard Kelly's follow-up to his cult hit Donnie Darko is this drama about a series of bizarre events in Los Angeles on the verge of an apocalypse. It's surreal, maddening and intriguing. It makes its Blu-ray debut this week with bonus features not included on the already-available DVD, including a prequel graphic novel and director commentary.
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (R): The eccentric journalist is the focus of this documentary from Alex Gibney, the creator of the acclaimed Taxi to the Dark Side and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 3 Remastered (Unrated): The final season of the 1960s favorite has more clunkers than the earlier seasons, including the infamous "Spock's Brain," in which nefarious aliens steal … well, Spock's brain. But there's still plenty to enjoy, and this set offers episodes that have new special effects that blend in well with the original footage. The set also includes the pilot episode "The Cage," with Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike instead of Kirk.
Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series (Unrated): David Tennant returns for another season of this British sci-fi series, the latest incarnation in a saga that began on British television in 1963. He plays The Doctor, an alien time traveler with a fondness for planet Earth and a tendency to save mankind from extraterrestrial bad guys. This season, he is partnered with Donna (Catherine Noble), a take-no-guff sidekick. The season includes appearances by many co-stars from the previous three seasons of the show, and culminates in an epic saga that involves the theft of Earth itself. Extras include documentaries and commentaries.
Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest (Unrated): Also new this week, this single-DVD release is an animated adventure featuring The Doctor and one of his earlier sidekicks, Martha, as they battle galactic pirates. The animation, originally created for a British children's show, is pretty basic stuff, but this a fun romp with nice performances.
Bones Season 3 (Unrated): Fox's reliable forensics drama veers dangerously close to going over the top this season with a serial-killer story arc. But the show is still a lot of fun, thanks to the chemistry between the cast members.
Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season (Unrated): If you want to see how this whole Miley Cyrus thing became such a phenomenon, check out these early episodes of her hit sitcom.
The Odd Couple: The 5th and Final Season (Unrated): Those bickering roommates Felix and Oscar return for the show's 1974-75 season.
Hawaii Five-O: The Fifth Season (Unrated): Book 'em, Danno! Here are 24 more episodes of stalwart police detectives (led by Jack Lord) fighting crime in the 50th state.
The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus (Unrated): This is a hefty 21-disc set with all four seasons of the surreal British sketch comedy show, "Personal Best" DVDs with the cast members' favorite skits, and live DVDs, plus two new bonus documentaries. Many fans will already have most of this material (except the two documentaries) from previous releases.
Home Movies: The Complete Series (Unrated): This smart animated sitcom follows an ambitious youngster with a camcorder and a desire to make his own movies. Much of the humor revolves around stream-of-consciousness conversations, many of them improvised during the recording. The set has all four seasons, plus a clapboard and a tote bag.
Charmed: The Complete Series (Unrated): Some found this long-running series about three sisters who happen to be witches to be charming and empowering; others found it a flimsy excuse to have the sexy stars in revealing wardrobe each week. This complete-series set includes an exclusive bonus disc.
Popeye the Sailor 1941-1943 (Unrated): This two-disc set has 32 uncut Popeye cartoons from World War II, including episodes where he takes on the Axis powers with his own Spinach power. They don't stand a chance.
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