Horror and comedy dominate the most recent DVD releases
Although Halloween has passed there’s always a bunch of horror to be found on DVD. Luckily for those into something lighter there’s some classic comedy too.
• Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2009 dir. Sacha Gervasi VH1 Films): Rock out with this star-studded metal doc about the “comeback” of the greatest band from the ’80s that never made it.
• Away We Go (2009 dir. Sam Mendes Focus): It may look like a textbook indie flick but John Krasinksi and Maya Rudolf make this story of an expecting couple going cross-country charming and engaging.
• Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009 dir. Edward James Olmos Universal): One of TVs most popular and engaging sci-fi franchises of recent years comes to a close in a sort of side-quel where you get to see the epic battle with the Cylons from the other side
• Castle: Season One (2009 ABC): In the world of disposable crime procedural TV this modern-day Murder He Wrote is as entertaining as they come and Canadian Nathan Fillion proves that he can anchor his own show.
• Drag Me to Hell (2009 dir. Sam Raimi Universal): Raimi gets back to his horror roots with this recession-worthy cautionary tale about a woman whose business sense gets her saddled with a soul-stealing curse.
• Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection Re-mastered (1975-1979 BBC): John Cleese’s legendary Brit-com about the staff of a chaos-ridden hotel comes remastered with new commentary by Cleese himself.
• Grace (2009 dir. Paul Solet Anchor Bay): A new mom will do anything for her child but what happens when that child needs blood to survive? This innovative and disturbing horror movie comes recommended by the Video Vulture.
• Homicide (1991 dir. David Mamet Criterion): Joe Mantegna headlines this Mamet-helmed and scripted thriller that gives you a lot to think about. This new transfer features a commentary by Mamet and co-star William H. Macy.
• Karloff and Lugosi Horror Classics (Universal): These aren’t the movies that made Karloff and Lugosi but fans will want to check out The Walking Dead (1936) Frankenstein 1970 (1958) You’ll Find Out (1940) and Zombies on Broadway (1945).
• Menace II Society: Special Edition (1993 dir. The Hughes Brothers New Line): In the heyday of new black cinema The Hughes Brothers got lost in the wake of John Singleton and Spike Lee but this harrowing and complex look at L.A. gang life is more disturbing and satisfying than Boyz n the Hood. Also on Blue Ray.
• Monsoon Wedding (2001 dir. Mira Nair Criterion): Often ignored after her critically lauded debut Nair explores a chaotic marriage in Dehli with a deft eye for comedy and melodrama. The disc also features some of Nair’s early short films.
• Monty Python: Almost the Truth (2009 dir. Alan Parker Vivendi): Featuring lost sketches new material interviews and archival TV footage this look at the groundbreaking British comedy troupe adds a new chapter to an already impressive legend with input from original Pythons and some of their famous fans.
• Orphan (2009 dir. Jaume Collet-Serra Warner Bros.): Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard get creeped out when it turns out the girl they adopted makes Damien from The Omen look like a perfect little boy.
• Planes Trains and Automobiles: Those Aren’t Pillows Edition (1987 dir. John Hughes Paramount): There is nothing funnier than watching an odd couple like Steve Martin and John Candy go on a hellish road trip. Hardcore fans who already own this one will be choked to find out that this edition finally includes the long-lost “airline food” scene.
• The Proposal (2009 dir. Anne Fletcher Touchstone): When a boss from hell (Sandra Bullock) is faced with deportation she forces her long-suffering assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her. The premise is forced the plot twists cliché but Reynolds is charming enough to almost save this typical rom-com.
• Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: Best of Season 2 (1968 Time Life): What happens when one of the counterculture’s greatest comic duos is given their own TV series with no strings attached? They push the limits and network censors to the breaking point.
• Trick ’r Treat (2009 dir. Michael Dougherty Warner Bros.) Just in time for Halloween this horror anthology exploits the myths behind all hallows eve with the help of Anna Paquin and Brian Cox.
• Whatever Works (2009 dir. Woody Allen Sony): Larry David does what he does best abandoning political correctness in favour of a good laugh in this story of a grumpy old man (David) and a young runaway (Evan Rachel Wood).
