An ongoing attempt to make sense of the onslaught of new swag that people want you to buy. Should you? I’ll try and help.
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Sinatra is the 1992 miniseries that covers the life of Frank from his childhood all the way up to 1974. Not too shabby for four hours of content. So yes, it doesn’t delve into things perhaps as much as it could have, but again, it can be forgiven and seen as an overview. Philip Casnoff plays the man himself. Warner Brothers has put this out in a two-disc set. No bonus features. Fans of Sinatra or the miniseries will want to own this, because this is probably the best edition you’re going to see for a while, if ever. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
Bob Dylan apparently “found Jesus” in 1978. That’s where Both Sides of the Rainbow starts in, where Bob was shunting aside his previous songs and embracing Christianity with fervor. Then he entered into the 80s and a period which a lot of fans found depressing, only feeling better about Bob with Oh Mercy‘s release in 1989. So that’s the timeline for the documentary, which takes an in-depth look at this period in the artist’s life. It comes with “The Dylan Gospel Interviews,” in which Dylan talks about his faith–comes with commentary by Derek Barker. Fans of the artist might want to at least rent this to know more about this portion of his career. I was busy listening to his old stuff during this time period, so I myself escaped unscathed. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
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[ad#longpost]Tom Selleck has a few female fans. The ones I know really appreciate Tom Selleck in chaps. Don’t really have the same perspective on that, but whatever cranks your tractor, I say. I enjoyed Quigley and that’s about all I know. Although I do know that this Tom Selleck Western Collection will appeal to especially the aforementioned ladies. In this set, you get three made-for-TV/TNT westerns starring Selleck: Crossfire Trail, Last Stand at Saber River and Monte Walsh. No bonus features, but Selleck makes for a great cowboy, whether you like his acting chops or his acting in chaps. Again, back to the tractor. This is out from Warner Brothers. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
Speaking of westerns, here’s the pilot episode of New Maverick, also from Warner Brothers. Before this landed in my hands, I didn’t realize that there had been two attempts to create sequel series to the original James Garner Maverick, Young Maverick and then Bret Maverick. This is the pilot for the former, which didn’t last, and the Bret variation didn’t last long either, apparently. It stars a new Maverick, Ben, son of Beau (who was played by Roger Moore in the original series). It’s very odd, though, that this pilot gets DVD release out of the blue and nary a sign of the original series on DVD, apart from a “Television Favorites” single disc a couple of years back. Or if you are going to release this, why not just release the entire Young Maverick series…I see that only eight episodes aired, so that would be simple enough. Curious. Anyway, if you haven’t seen this and enjoy the original series, it’s probably worth a rental. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets is the sequel, and I hope you’re ready for another sequel because the thing made over $450 million worldwide…in fact, this is Cage’s most successful thing he’s ever had, at least financially. The sequel outdid the first film even…which is rare. So if it’s your bag to watch Cage–along with an incredible slumming cast including Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Ed Harris, Harvey Keitel and others–then this Disney adventure film two-disc set should be worth at least a rental. You’re looking at an audio commentary from director Jon Turteltaub and Voight, deleted scenes with intros by Turteltaub, bloopers and outtakes, making-of stuff, a stunt featurette and more. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
What do you do when the perfect happy homemaker turns out to be a whackjob serial killer? Such is the question asked by Serial Mom, which, since it’s being asked by John Waters, is being asked with a smirk and crooked eyebrow. It had a release years ago that, if I remember correctly, was completely bare bones. Making up for it is this Universal release that is certainly more of a Collector’s Edition that most releases that have that designation. Not only do you get the delightful Waters sickness that is the film, but there’s also: the “Surreal Moments” featurette which has many of the cast and crew discussing the film; a crash course in gore films focusing on Herschell Gordon Lewis and David Friedman, a making-of bit, plus an entertaining commentary track from Waters and actress Kathleen Turner. Waters fans will definitely want to pick this up; everyone else should at least rent. Waters is always worth seeing at least once. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
The third season of The Muppet Show hits from Disney and it’s a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Because we’re Muppet fiends around here. And I advise you to add this not just for the twenty-four episodes gathered within. And not just for the guest stars, either–even though in this season you get Kris Kristofferson, Gilda Radner, Alice Cooper, Liberace, Harry Belafonte, Spike Milligan, Sylvester Stallone, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and more. But thanks to the prodding and poking of certain saints around Disney, we get bonus bits. There’s the “Muppets on Puppets” television special, a spotlight on the Muppet performers, and a set of classic commercials starring Rowlf the Dog for Purina. Again: I say buy it. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)
