There are a lot of big releases today, but no bigger than Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. With a Blu-ray, a DVD, and a digital copy (and a free bonus downloadable movie of your choice), there is really no excuse to not buy this. This is one of the best films of the year, hands down. Edgar Wright and his cast nailed the feel and look of the comic book and told a comic-book movie story in the style of a video game the likes of which the world has never seen. On Blu-ray, the sharp colors and fast action pop in a way I haven’t really seen in a Blu-ray. And I found myself watching this over and over and over again, both with and without my kids. This is one of their favorite movies now, too.
It’s infectious and much be watched repeatedly. This is honestly one of those discs, like Star Wars, where I’ll probably own multiple copies because I’ll have worn previous copies out.
This release collects a host of bonus features in addition to the multi-format copies, making it a must buy this week.
(You can read my full review of the film here. And check back tomorrow for interviews with Edgar Wright and Kieran Culkin)
Next on the list is Season Five of Doctor Who. This is Matt Smith’s inaugural season as the Doctor and I couldn’t be more excited to get to it. I’m a recent convert to Dr. Who and am this close to being caught up and this DVD set is going to get me there just in time for the Christmas episode next season.
If you haven’t jumped on the Doctor Who train, trust me, it’s not too late. Start with the first series from 2005 and you’ll be hooked.
DC Animation brings us their newest short this week, Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam. Packaged on a Blu-ray with all the other shorts they’ve included on other releases (The Spectre, Jonah Hex, and Green Arrow) and four handpicked episodes of various DCU shows by Bruce Timm makes this disc a steal at less than $20. Androidika should have a full review soon.
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 fans have reason to rejoice with the release of another box set of films. This one includes Ed Wood’s classic “Bride of the Monster” whose financing was chronicled in Tim Burton’s best film (Ed Wood). They’re just as funny as you remember and this set comes with an action figure.
For all of you cinephiles out there, Cary Grant’s Arsenic and Old Lace is being rereleased today as well. There are few finer examples of comedy film ever made and I suggest you pick it up.
The Sean Connery/Michael Caine adventure classic The Man Who Would Be King is being re-released again today as well. This is welcome news since my originally DVD is double sided. Much like a laserdisc, you have to flip it mid-film. It’s not even that long of a movie. It is incredible, though, and any fan of adventure films, Sean Connery, or Michael Caine should pick up this John Huston classic.
The last movie on the list today is the Blu-ray release of the original (superior) Ocean’s 11, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the rest of the Rat Pack. This is a great film and works a lot better than the Soderbergh remake. It’s well worth picking up.