Got sidetracked last week, so looks like this week you’re going to get a double shot of new releases, both for last week and this week. So I’ll just get on with it now.
Yellow Submarine- This actually came out a couple weeks back and I forgot to add it. But it’s the top release right now, having been released for the first time on Blu-Ray. It’s the legendary animated Beatles movie, and it’s a must-have especially if you love the Beatles, or animation and music in general.
The movie is a vivid fantasy in which the world of Pepperland has been taken over by the Blue Meanies. Captain Fred escapes in the eponymous submarine and makes his way to England to recruit the Beatles, who are the only ones who can stop them.
As they make the journey back to Pepperland, we’re treated to visual interpretations of many Beatles songs. In addition of course to “Yellow Submarine,” the soundtrack also features such classics as “Eleanor Rigby,” “All Together Now,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “Only a Northern Song,” “Nowhere Man,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “With a Little Help From my Friends,” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” This is a must-see.
The Dark Crystal/Labyrinth: Brian Froud Art Edition- The two classic Jim Henson Fantasy movies together in on Blu-Ray in one package. As far as I know, there’s nothing new here except for the packaging.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows- This sequel to Robert Downey Jr.'s surprise hit as the classic detective was reportedly something of a letdown, despite having him go up against his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty. This was also the American motion picture debut of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace. But this movie really gave her little to do. She was much better served in Prometheus if you ask me.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance- Nicholas Cage reprises his role as Johnny Blaze, host to the Ghost Rider. It looked good, but I missed out on it in theaters. Was it better than the first movie? You tell me.
Superman Vs. The Elite- This is the latest animated offering from DC/Warners animation, based on the storyline “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way?” As Superman’s play-by-the-rules and Boy Scout image begins to be questioned, a new league of superheroes calling themselves The Elite arrives on the scene. Eschewing any kind of code of conduct, and demonstrating a willingness to go above and beyond what’s necessary in pursuit of justice, Superman begins to look outdated by comparison. But when the Elite starts going too far, Superman has to show that his attitude towards justice still has a place in this world. The cast includes George Newbern as Superman, Pauley Perrette as Lois Lane, and Robin Atkin Downes as Manchester Black.
Harold & Maude- The classic dark comedy released for the first time on Blu-Ray. Harold (Bud Cort) is a young man obsessed with death, to the point where he regularly stages fake suicide attempts and regularly attends funerals. In short, Harold is both Emo and Goth before they became a thing. At one of these funerals, he meets the 79-year-old Maude (Ruth Gordon). What ensues has to be one of the strangest May-December romances ever!
Dean Koontz’s Intensity- Based on the novel of the same name, this miniseries originally aired on Fox back in 1995. A young woman survives the murder of her best friend’s family by a serial killer, only to wind up his prisoner. Finding a fellow captive, the two must find a way to escape and outwit him. The answer to their salvation lies in the killer’s own addiction to high-impact experiences. In other words, “Intensity.”
Doctor Who: The Seeds of Death- In this Second Doctor Adventure, the Doctor must thwart his classic foes, the Ice Warriors, who have hijacked Earth’s matter-transportation system and plan on beaming in Martian seed pods loaded with a fungus that will engulf the entire planet.
Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks- After a long absence from the series, the Daleks make a big return in this Fifth Doctor Adventure. Following their defeat in their war with the Movellans (chronicled in the episode, “Destiny of the Daleks”), the Daleks break into the prison facility housing their creator Davros, as he is the only one capable of curing the plague the Movellans created to defeat the Daleks. It’s at this time that the Doctor shows up, and must defeat the Daleks and Davros once again.
The Sarah Jane Adventures: Season 5- A bittersweet end to the series, seeing as how these were the last episodes made with Elizabeth Sladen before she passed on.
The Tribe: Series 1, Vol. 2- The nest installment of the New Zealand-produced series in which teens and pre-teens must struggle to survive in a world where all the adults have been wiped-out.
