PICKS OF THE WEEK
“The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter” (The Criterion Collection) — In 1969, The Rolling Stones asked documentary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin to film their American tour. Little did they know that the tour, which began with a triumphant, electrifying performance at Madison Square Garden in New York, would eventually end in a tragedy at the Altamont Speedway in California, as a man named Meredith Hunter is murdered by a Hell’s Angel just a few feet from Mick Jagger.
In addition to the remastered film, the DVD includes commentary by David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, deleted footage, a featurette on the restoration of the print and the usual trailers, photo galleries and such.
“Mystery Science Theater 3000: XVI” (Limited Edition) — Fans of the show will definitely want to grab this boxed set, as it comes with a Tom Servo figurine, lobby cards and a whole slew of awesome extra features. The four episodes featured in this boxed set are: “The Corpse Vanishes” (along with a Commando Cody short), “Warrior of the Lost World,” Roger Corman’s “Night of the Blood Beast,” and finally a bizarre Mexican Christmas film, “Santa Claus,” wherein Santa lives on a cloud in outer space and is assisted by the wizard Merlin.
“Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” — I wasn’t a big fan of the first film, but I have to admit, this sequel is a lot better than the original film and well worth watching. Ben Stiller stars as Larry Daley, former security guard at the Museum of Natural History, who is called in to help the exhibits (who come to life after closing time) fight an evil group with a nefarious plan. Special features include: Two commentary tracks, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, a gag reel and an alternate ending.
DOG OF THE WEEK
“Terminator: Salvation” — Seriously, the only good thing about “Terminator: Salvation” is the viral video that made its way around the interwebs earlier this year of Christian Bale going ballistic on the lighting guy. The film’s plot is convoluted, and it doesn’t follow the mythology created by James Cameron in the first two films. Frankly, with a director like McG, did you really expect anything other than a bunch of explosions and choppy edits? “Terminator: Salvation” is so bad, it makes “Transformers 2” look like a masterpiece of cinema.
TV SERIES
“Mental” The Complete First Season
“The Donna Reed Show” Season Three
“Saturday Night Live” The Complete Fifth Season
“Better Off Ted” Season One
“Sid the Science Kid: Inside and Out”
“Hunter X Hunter” Vol. 4
© 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.