10/04/11 Recommended New Releases

October begins with a decent assortment of titles releasing this week on both the home video and video game fronts:

Scream 4 (Wes Craven, 2011) - Set ten years after the events of the original trilogy, Craven's return to the franchise finds a recovering Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) - who has just published a self-help book detailing how she came to terms with her nightmarish past - returning to her home town of Woodsboro as the last stop in her book tour. While there, she meets up with her cousin, Jill (Emma Roberts), as well as old friends Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox), who are now married. The tranquil reunion quickly unravels, however, when the Ghostface killer reemerges and begins another spree of murders.

Format: DVD - Though I personally chose the Blu-ray release since I had recently upgraded my copies of the first three films to the format, there is nothing exclusive to the release in the way of supplements, though it does come with both a DVD and a Digital Copy of the film. Unless Blu-ray and/or the combo format is your preference, I would recommend sticking with the DVD, which is available for $15.49 at Amazon; most retailers are selling it for around the same price this week, with the Blu-ray on sale for $19.99 as well. Furthermore, it is worth noting that there is a stand-alone Blu-ray release slated for November 22nd; I have not confirmed whether or not the supplemental content will be identical to the current release, but I would wager it will be.

The Lion King (Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, 1994) - The Disney classic, often heralded as the greatest animated film of all time, makes its Blu-ray debut hot on the heels of a 3D theatrical run.

Format: 2-disc Blu-ray - There are quite a few different versions to choose from, but I would recommend the 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo, which is available in either DVD or Blu-ray packaging depending on your preference. There is also a 4-disc version available that includes the 3D Blu-ray and a Digital Copy as well as the 2D Blu-ray and DVD, but nothing in the way of exclusive special features. Also, there is an 8-disc release that includes Blu-ray and DVD copies of the other two Lion King films in addition to the 4-disc of the original film - all packaged in a collectible box. The 2-disc edition is on sale at most retailers for $19.99 this week, while the 4-disc and 8-disc sets are selling for $29.99 and $74.99, respectively.

I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (Park Chan-wook, 2006) - This film, from the director of Oldboy and Thirst, makes its Region 1 (U.S./Canada) debut today. The film is about Young-goon, a woman who believes she is a cyborg and is institutionalized after an attempt to "recharge her batteries" almost kills her. While in the mental hospital, she befriends Il-soon, a kleptomaniac who steals personality traits from the other inmates.


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $22.49.

Nothing Personal (Urszula Antoniak, 2009) - Olive Films' official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "Alone in her empty flat, from her window Anne (Lotte Verbeek) observes the people passing by who nervously snatch up the personal belongings and pieces of furniture she has put out on the pavement. Her final gesture of taking a ring off her finger signals she is leaving her previous life in Holland behind. She goes to Ireland, where she chooses to lead a solitary, wandering existence, striding through the austere landscapes of Connemara. During her travels, she discovers a house that is home to a hermit, Martin, (Stephen Rea). He is a man in his prime living a solitary life in a secluded house on a beautiful island. She is radical and uncompromising. He is wise and ironic. What connects them is solitude they both see as freedom. He proposes her to work for him in exchange of food. She agrees at one condition: there will be no personal contact between them, just work. Soon the two of them become curious about each other and want both: to keep their "nothing personal‟ deal and to break it. Their simple life follows the cycle of days and nights, work and rest but slowly brings the two of them closer to each other. Who will be the first one to break the deal? Urszula Antoniak's stunningly assured debut is touching, gentle and playful. But it takes a firm stand when it comes to negotiating individual freedom and the urge to still wanting be near to somebody - despite all wounds of a past we don't get to know in detail. An enigmatic beauty and confusion underlies this character study that should leave nobody unmoved."

Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $26.99. 

Submarine (Richard Ayoade, 2010) - Weinstein's official synopsis, via RottenTomatoes: "Fifteen-year-old Oliver Tate has two big ambitions: to save his parents' marriage via carefully plotted intervention and to lose his virginity before his next birthday. Worried that his mom is having an affair with New Age weirdo Graham, Oliver monitors his parents' sex life by charting the dimmer switch in their bedroom. He also forges suggestive love letters from his mom to dad. Meanwhile, Oliver attempts to woo his classmate, Jordana, a self-professed pyromaniac who supervises his journal writing - especially the bits about her. When necessary, she orders him to cross things out."

Format: DVD - The two formats sport identical supplements, so I opt for the cheaper DVD version. Amazon has it available for $18.99; Walmart has it available in stores for $15.00.

In Treatment: Season 3 - The third season of the HBO series starring Gabriel Byrne as psychotherapist Dr. Paul Weston hits DVD today. After moving to Brooklyn to continue his practice, Dr. Weston takes on three new patients this season, and begins seeing a new therapist (Amy Ryan) in New York City.


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $38.99.

Lie to Me: The Complete Final Season - The third and final season of the hit show starring Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman is available on DVD today.


Format: DVD - Only available on DVD; Amazon has it for $34.99, and it can be found in Best Buy stores for the same price. 

















Now, on to the video game front:

Rage (developed by id Software; published by Bethesda Softworks) - the much-anticipated post-apocalyptic first-person shooter from the creators of the Doom and Quake franchises is available now for Xbox 360 ($59.99), Playstation 3 ($59.99), and PC ($59.99). The initial, limited shipment of the game is dubbed the 'Anarchy Edition', and includes a few exclusive DLC items. K-mart is offering a $20 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with purchase.

Dark Souls (developed by From Software; published by Namco Bandai Games) - the spiritual successor to the Playstation 3-exclusive, Demon's Souls, is out for Xbox 360 ($59.99) and Playstation 3 ($59.99) today. A brutally-difficult third-person role-playing game, Dark Souls is above and beyond my most anticipated title of 2011. Gamers with patience and perseverance will undoubtedly find themselves immersed in the ghastly-yet-beautiful world in which the game is set; just be prepared to die - a lot. A collector's edition was available as a free upgrade for those that pre-ordered the game, but for those pursuing the regular edition, K-mart is offering a $20 Gaming Coupon* for Shop Your Way Rewards Members (which is free to join) with purchase.












*K-Mart Gaming Coupons are issued with your receipt; those issued this week are valid from October 9th to November 19th. Also, as the name implies, they are only valid on gaming products.