It’s Tuesday which means new releases! It’s the final Tuesday if April and possibly the best release week all month and that’s saying something, because this has been a good month, full of mainstream hits, indie must owns, and classic reissues. Hope your wallet is full, but if not, at least you’ll be getting that stimulus check soon. I know what mine is going towards, so let’s look at what’s coming out.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

**DVD PICK OF THE WEEK**This was one of last year’s films that pushed the medium in artistic ways and while that sounds pretentious, it’s very true, the film is a visual wonder; director Schnabel crafts the narrative as freely as the character’s mind thinks. It doesn’t sound like a film to sit down and watch, it’s a true story about Elle’s top editor, who suffers a major stoke that leaves him 99% paralyzed. From despair to hope, we travel with a man, who relearns how to live and love life. As dark as sad as it sounds, it’s also a powerful journey to hope and believe. Max Von Sydow gives another extraordinary performance in a supporting role. You must see this.

Extras:
-audio commentary
-Charlie Rose interview
-making of feature


The Golden Compass

While this might be the film that did in New Line Cinema as a separate entity, it’s also a rather standard fantasy film with little to nothing new about it. It’s also another Kidman/Craig bomb after the horrendous “Invasion”. The film is based on a classic trilogy that criticizes the Catholic Church subliminally and little to none of that made it into the final film. It’s just too plain to b accepted as anything else than a copycat fantasy film and I think audience’s either smelled that or were tired of this genre. It didn’t help that much of the film played as a Cliff’s Notes version of something deeper and grander. It’s okay, worth a rental when you’re bored, but don’t expect anything. There’s a single disc, two-disc Special Edition, and a Blu Ray version.

Extras:
-audio commentary
-11 featurettes
-DTS audio


King Corn

“King Corn” changed how I thought about my steak and stopped me from drinking pop. It’s a fun, breezy documentary about how corn is a billion dollar Middle America Corporation that’s killing us one by one. Think “Super Size Me” on a global scale. It’s fast moving and quite informative, without being preachy. It all started when naive Bostonians wanted to plant a seed of corn into Iowa to see when it goes. They uncover this evil substance of High Fructose Corn Syrup. Find out more by giving this a shot.

Extras:
-lost lectures
-deleted scenes
-featurette


Nanking

This was one emotional powerful documentary, filled with the survivors of Nanking recollecting their horrendous lives during that time. In case you might have known, Nanking was a city in the middle of China in which the Japanese raped and killing thousands of Chinese. When the deceased talk through their letters, they have name actors like Woody Harrelson and Stephen Dorff narrate. In between the talking heads nature of the documentary, some rather rare and graphic photos fill in the blank. It’s powerful and raw.

Extras:
-audio commentary


The Red Balloon

**DVD PICK OF THE WEEK** I know this is my second pick of the week, but with its low price tag, it should be picked up ASAP. It’s the first time “Red Balloon” as been released in Region 1 and we can thank Criterion for that. It’s a 28 minute short about a red balloon that befriends a little boy. The balloon follows him everywhere and despite other kids wanting the balloon, it only responds to him. Get caught up in the magic as this is the rare type of short that is better than most family features out there. It’s beautiful, loving, and more importantly, it will stick with you. This short is the subject of a new critically acclaimed film called “Flight of the Red Balloon” which examines the sorts theme in further detail. Both can’t be more recommended enough. Tell your kids to screw “Shrek”; it’s all about the “Red Balloon”. I’ll have a review up soon, but just expect liner notes as the extras.


All Monsters Attack/Terror of Mechagodzilla

I have the reviews up on the site already, if you want a more detailed examination of these titles, but they’re really well done and fun movies.

Extras:
-audio commentaries

New York Ripper & Nightmare City

Blue Underground continues to reissues OOP Anchor Bay titles. I’m sure the extras are slim and are ported over from the Anchor Bay discs, but knowing Blue Underground the sound and picture should be as superb as one could hope and imagine for these films. I’ve seen “Nightmare City” and it’s over-the-top, cheesy, wild and fun, but far from Lenzi’s best. I’ve always wanted to see “New York Ripper” which is said to be Fulci’s more chauvinistic film with nasty gore. I had trouble locating the old Anchor Bay DVD, so this is a welcomed reissue. Later this year, Blue Underground will start releasing Blu Ray titles-can’t wait to see their first slate of releases!

Karaoke Terror & Party 7

Synapse Films are one of those awesome independent DVD companies that release just awesome titles. These two are a part of their Asian Cult Cinema line and sound mildly interesting Can’t really offer much of an opinion, but knowing Synapse, they should be at least in your Netflix queue.

White Mane & Paddle to the Sea

Two more from the Criterion/Janus Films line and are both highly recommended. “White Mane” is another short film by the “Red Balloon” director and while I don’t like the narration I think it’ll help the younger audience handle the film’s deeper themes. The ending is truly haunting and heartbreaking. Not as good as “Red Balloon” but a worth companion. “Paddle to the Sea” is a cherished Canadian short that was Oscar-nominated. Show some love towards the shorts genre and pick these up-they’re cheap enough to work as blind buys and feature liner notes.

First Knight

With Blu Ray now the high def format of choice, older titles and more titles are getting released. Sadly, the recent Fox releases have been sub par. Lack of extras and the 1080p video being “just okay” have made these catalogue titles not worth the money. One’s like “Predator” and “Commando” have disappointed high def fans. Here’s hoping “First Knight” delivers where the other failed. Expect little extras on his one too.

Next week is a bit light, but be here next Tuesday to see what’s being released and are they worth you money.