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)