By DNA Smith
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“The Walking Dead: Season 1” (Unrated) — Written, produced and directed by Frank Darabont (“The Shawshank Redemption”) and based on the popular series of graphic novels by Robert Kirkman, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” is a solid, edge-of-your-seat adult drama — even for people like me who aren’t particularly big fans of the zombie genre.
Season 1, although only six episodes long, does a great job introducing the major characters and the premise of the series. Police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) is wounded in a shoot-out and falls into a coma. When he eventually awakens in a hospital, he soon discovers that the world is ending. Somehow the dead now walk the earth.
Grimes makes his way back to his home outside of Atlanta, where he finds his wife, son, police partner and a few survivors. Together, they must avoid — or battle — zombies as they search for a safe haven to make a new home.
“The Walking Dead,” although unrated, is definitely for mature audiences only. It contains strong language and graphic depictions of violence and sexuality.
“Jackass 3” (R/Unrated) — Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and Bam Margera are back with another film chock full o’ Pain & Stupid. If you’re looking for a movie that has stunts involving stun guns or cram-packed porta-potties, “Jackass 3” is right up your alley. (And I think we all know how uncomfortable that can be.) The film is available in 3D DVD, Blu-ray, DVD and theatrical and unrated versions.
“Excalibur” [Blu-ray] (R) — John (“Deliverance”) Boorman’s 1981 epic telling of the story of King Arthur is the best Arthurian Romance movie ever made. From the drawing from the stone of Excalibur, to Arthur’s meeting and subsequent marriage to Guenevere, to the formation of the Round Table and Arthur’s tragic death at the hands of his son Mordred, “Excalibur” is a sweeping and spellbinding film, featuring bravura performances by Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne and Patrick Stewart.
TV SERIES
“Mystery Science Theater 3000” Vol. XX
“Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom”
“Hannah Montana Forever” Final Season
“Spongebob Squarepants: The Great Patty Caper”
“Dalziel & Pascoe” Season Three
“Judge John Deed” Season Three
“Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman”
“Dragon Ball Z Kai” Season One, Part Four
“Nature: Birds of the Gods”
“Nova Science Now: Can We Live Forever?”
“Nova: Emergency Mine Rescue”
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.