This Week on Blu-Ray 9/16-9/22

This week great catalog titles are being released as well as one of the best new horror movies of the past decade. Also, one of the most anticipated franchises is finally released complete for the first time.

This four-movie collection contains 'Indiana Jones and the... Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Last Crusade, & Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'. '...Crystal Skull' (probably the most hated entry in the franchise, is already available to own on blu-ray, but as of right now, this collection is the only way to get the older three films. 'Temple of Doom' in HD? Can't wait to see it, but I personally will be waiting for a price drop.

Shout Factory is releasing both 'Halloween II' and 'Halloween III: Season of the Witch' on blu-ray, with the latter making it's HD debut. 'Halloween III' is easily the oddest entry in the series. It has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of them. There's no Michael Myers. No Laurie. No anything that relates to the franchise at all. Originally, they were going to do a different type feature annually. After 'Halloween III' bombed, the studio went back to the tried and true slasher flicks. 'Halloween II' is one of the best horror sequels ever made, continuing exactly where the original film took off. However, it was also just released on blu-ray a year ago. So if you already own that, it's a good transfer of the movie, so there isn't much reason to pick up this one. 'Halloween III' isn't a TERRIBLE movie. But it's also not a very good one. Strictly for the 'Halloween' completists.

An earlier Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration, you can't go wrong with 'Ed Wood'. This has been a highly anticipated title on blu-ray, so I foresee lots of people being pleased that it is finally being released.

Here's a release that is sure to hit bargain bins within a years' time. 'Katy Perry The Movie: Part of Me'. Admittedly, I do not hate Katy Perry with a burning passion like I did this time last year. She's come out with some pretty catchy pop songs, and only like one was super annoying. Despite this, I am not defending this movie. Have I seen it? No. Do I intend to? No. Why does this exist? These concerts released into theaters inn the guise of films don't work. Ask the Spice Girls or the Jonas Brothers. You don't see actual artists doing this sort of gimmicky release. Concert DVDs. Ok. Concert "movies" like this one? Lame.

 Two more horror genre flicks are also making their HD debut this week. 'Queen of the Damned', a sequel of srts to 'Interview with a Vampire', and 'Devil's Advocate'. Both decent movies, and if you get them cheap enough, I suppose they would be worth a pick up. Between the two, 'Queen of the Damned' is the worse movie, and it is kind of cheesy in it's own way. I hate to say it, but I think it was only as successful as it was because of the tragic and untimely death of it's lead star Aaliyah. But, it has it's place among vampire movies and it's not a complete waste of time.

I can't think any higher of this movie than I already do. 'The War of the Roses' is one of the most twisted comedies I have ever seen. During a bitter divorce, wife and husband do truly horrible, mean things to each other. And in one way it's kind of disturbing, but in another way, it's hilarious. Perfectly casted as well.

'The Cabin in the Woods' is one of the most original horror movies ever made. It starts with almost every cliche that has plagued the past 20 years of horror movies, and then throws it all out of the window for a huge twist. It'll make you jump. And it's also quite comedic, mostly due to the witty script from 'Buffy' & Angel' creator Joss Whedon, and 'Buffy' alumni Drew Goddard, who directed the movie.

So this week, there are some decent releases, and there are a few duds too.

Pick up: TOP CHOICE The Cabin in the Woods, The War of the Roses, Ed Wood
Pass on: Katy Perry The Movie: Part of Me, Halloween II (if you already own the other edition)

This Week on Blu-Ray 9/9-9/15

This week, one of the biggest movies of all time makes its debut on blu-ray. You guessed it. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is coming to the format this Tuesday, September 11th. Also being released on this day is the critically panned Snow White and the Huntsman. Not surprising, considering they cast Kristen Stewart as someone who was supposed to be beautiful.

A couple of movies that were previously a Best Buy exclusive are exclusive no more. The Ring starring Naomi Watts and The Firm starring everyone's favorite Scientologist, Tom Cruise. Both street on 9/11 as well.

The biggest release of the week naturally goes to... Titanic ,which comes out Monday, September 10th. Say what you will, but 'Titanic' is a classic this set includes the 3D and 2D presentation of the film. While the 3D did not make much pop out, it added depth to the film, almost making you feel immersed on the ship with the characters. If you don't have a 3D tv (neither do I, so don't fret), the restoration in general for 'Titanic' was superb, and I can't imagine the blu ray not looking amazing.

Alan Thinks 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' is Indeed Spotless

Starring

• Jim Carrey
• Kate Winslet
• Kirsten Dunst
• Tom Wilkinson
• Elijah Wood
• Mark Ruffalo

Original Theatrical Release Date: 03/19/2004

Running Time: 108 mins

Synopsis: Jim Carrey stars as Joel Barish, a man who is informed that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of their relationship erased from her brain via an experimental procedure performed by Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson). Not to be outdone, Joel decides to have the same procedure done to himself. As Mierzwiak's bumbling underlings Stan (Mark Ruffalo) and Patrick (Elijah Wood) perform the operation on Joel -- over the course of an evening, in his apartment -- Joel struggles in his own mind to save the memories of Clementine from being deleted. --From Rotten Tomatoes

Review: 

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!

     The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

     Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;

When I was a kid, I thought Jim Carrey was the funniest actor ever. Once I grew up, both him and Adam Sandler started to seem gimmicky to me. Jim Carrey has to make faces for a laugh and Adam Sandler has to yell a lot. That's pretty much the gist of it. Because of this newfound adult wisdom, I came to the conclusion that Carrey wasn't really a great actor at all. That was until I saw 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. 

Imagine yourself in a relationship. It has its ups and downs, but as of late mostly downs. You have a big fight with your significant other and you both say horrible things to each other. You have that feeling of regret as soon as the words leave your mouth, but it is too late. Then, you try and patch it up, only to find out that your significant other has erased all memories of you from their mind, and looks at you as if seeing you for the first time. 

That is the beginning of the plot to the film. Kate Winslet plays as Clementine, who has memories of Joel, played by Jim Carrey, erased from her mind. Joel is so hurt by this, that he decides to do the same. The movie mostly takes place in his mind as the procedure is being done. And as his past is being erased, he realizes that these are memories he does not want to forget. He desperately tries to hold on to the memories that have yet to be destroyed of Clementine.  

It sounds like an odd plot. And honestly, it's not for everyone. Some may consider it too abstract or weird.. But that is truly a shame for them. 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' is a very emotional movie about trying to save what may be too late to save. Being powerless to stop it. It's about realizing that the little moments in your life that make you happy have much more impact on you than you may take the time to realize. It's about fate being bigger than science.

This is not Carrey's most "fun" movie. But it is easily his best one. It is such a deep film, with such emotional performances from the cast, that you FEEL the anguish and joy of the characters. It is so relatable because everyone has had those experiences that felt like they would be almost unbearable to live with. And it shows that if you could eliminate that sadness, you would also have to eliminate anything that reminded you of it. Sometimes, it's easier to live with the pain of something than to risk losing all the good associated with it too. It's a journey of self discovery, and a reminder to appreciate the little things. 

Score: