DVD Talk: July 2007 Archives

This week we have a very special giveaway from First Independent Pictures for the slacker comedy Everything's Gone Green. Written by noted author Douglas Copland (Generation X, Microserfs, Jpod) and Directed by Paul Fox - Everything's Gone Green follows the adventures of Ryan (Paulo Costanzo) an uberslacker who has just been dumped and fired on the same day. Down but not out he stumbles onto a lucrative scam that promises to bring him the good life. The Unrated edition of Everything's Gone Green features: Extended Scenes, Audio Commentary by Director Paul Fox and Writer Douglas Coupland, Video Pop-ups, Special Brownie Recipe, and much much more. Enter now for your chance to one of 5 copies of Everything's Gone Green - Unrated Edition.

A really strong week for notable DVDs including: Hot Fuzz [Interview | Review] - the guys who made Shaun of The Dead are back, and this time it's with a fantastic genre bending buddy-cop-horror-comedy-action film; 300: 2 Disc SE [Review] aggressive, atmospheric and over-the-top, 300 should please action fans and followers of Frank Miller's work; Everything's Gone Green [Review] - a genuinely appealing film with intimate little stories about the corruption of the soul sure to please fans of films like Garden State. Other notable DVDs out this week include: 20 Million Miles to Earth Review], Babylon 5: Lost Tales [Review], Film Noir Classic Collection 4 [Review], Firehouse Dog, Popeye the Sailor: 1933-1938, Vol. 1, Roving Mars [Review], Space 1999 Megaset and Starter for 10 [Review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

On the latest episode of DVD Talk Radio, DVD Talk Editor Geoffrey Kleinman speaks with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg the creative force behind Shaun of The Dead about their latest film Hot Fuzz. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg talk about the genesis of Hot Fuzz, the importance of music in their films, British TV series and what notable genre actors to look for in the film. Listen to our complete interview with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg using our Online DVD Talk Radio Player or Download the complete interview with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg (16 min 12MB). Also be sure to listen to our past interviews on DVD Talk Radio with Bobcat Goldthwait, Oliver Stone, Kevin Smith and Sarah Silverman.

With over 19K DVD reviews in the DVD Talk Review Database, it's easy to overlook some of the great reviews. Recent DVD Reviews include: Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer - a pretty silky, stylish dramatic horror film filled with equal parts tension and vastly dark humor; The Monster Squad - if you're a fan of the film, you can't go wrong in picking this movie up, and if you've never seen it, you owe it to yourself to check it out; The Bourne Files - a nice way to get the first two movies in this successful spy series for a good price; The Taste of Tea - a peculiar, warm, and thoroughly enchanting portrait into a family's typical growth. Other new DVDs recently reviewed include: Brutal, China: A Century of Revolution, The Emmanuelle Beart Collection, John Grisham's The Rainmaker: SE, Kung Fu Hustle: Axe-Kickin' Edition,
Nomad: The Warrior and The Pirate. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week including a the ability to Browse reviews by studio.

DVD Talk is your source for unbiased HD DVD and Blu-Ray Disc Reviews. New Blu Ray reviews include: The Fifth Element - Remastered Edition - Sony revisits one of the key Blu-Ray launch titles with a vastly improved transfer; Casino Royale - Uncut International Version - you'll have to import it from overseas, but every Bond fan with a Blu-Ray player should; Weeds: Season 2 - take everything great from the first season and finish it up with a little cherry we like to call Zooey Deschanel, and you've got a winning dish. New HD DVD Reviews include: Being John Malkovich - lightning will never strike again like it has in this bizarre marriage of Charlie Kaufman's bizarre script and Spike Jonze's unique vision; Meet Joe Black - a three hour romantic film with Brad Pitt... no wait, that's a good thing; Mallrats - the high-def spit-'n-polish is a big step up from the tenth anniversary DVD, and there are enough extras piled on to keep most viewers busy for a couple of days. Read these and over 500 other HD and Blu-Ray Disc Reviews. Also don't miss DVD Talk's HD Talk Column covering all things High-Def no matter what platform its on.

A number of new summer movies rolling into theaters this week including: one of the most anticipated films of the year The Simpsons Movie - it took 17 years to hoist this animated prime-time gem to the big screen and we're extremely happy to report it was worth the wait. Not to be overlooked is the extremely powerful documentary No End In Sight with an extremely sobering look at the Iraq War and the possibility that there may be no good solution to it. Another film that would be easily overlooked but should be sought out is This is England - a thoroughly exhaustive, hand-wringing emotional stick of provincial dynamite that viciously grabs the audience by the collar and drags them through the gummy muck of lives gone horribly wrong. Also out in theaters this week: No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart and Arctic Tale a thematic sequel of sorts to March of the Penguins. Be sure to catch reviews of other recent Theatrical Films: Hairspray, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Sunshine, Rescue Dawn, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Talk to Me and Transformers. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts on films in theaters in our Movie Talk Forum Area.

A number of notable TV on DVD reviews this week including: Weeds - Season Two - a great twelve-episode run that is a pure pleasure from start to finish; Gunsmoke - The First Season - a Western series that is a sure bet for genre and classic television fans; Todd McFarlane's Spawn: The Animated Collection - one of the relatively newer "dark" comic anti-heroes in a solid collection. Other recent TV on DVD reviews include: Eureka - Season One, Jumong, Volume 2, Mile High - Season 2, Vol. 1 and Season 2, Vol. 2, Voyagers! - The Complete Series. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted TV on DVD.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews including: The Host - This year's surprise hit is nothing less than a full-blooded giant monster movie from South Korea; The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing - Savant finishes off the Joan Collins Collection with an extended review of the English actress's most prestigious vehicle; The Stranger - Orson Welles' suspenseful tale sends Nazi hunter Edward G. Robinson in pursuit of escaped butcher Franz Kindler who has hidden himself in a small Connecticut township; Act of Violence & Mystery Street - Crazed Robert Ryan goes gunning for family man Van Heflin, and Ricardo Montalban persists on a 'closed' murder case, using modern forensic medicine; Crime Wave and Decoy Warner's Film Noir Classic Collection Vol. 4 contains five double bills but this is the most unusual; Malpertuis - Harry Kumel's weird tale of strange people imprisoned in the house of a dying sea captain is a mix of nightmarish events and classical allusions; James Ellroy: American Dog - The outspoken (and then some) hardboiled author takes us on a nocturnal tour of Noir L.A. recounting the personal history that spurred his literary obsessions. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

A really strong week for notable DVDs including: Zodiac [Review] - Fincher's finest directing work, an enthralling story and an outstanding cast make one of the best serial killer films ever; The Host [Review] - a Korean monster movie that has a lot to say but never quite takes itself too seriously, absolutely one to watch; Cashback [Review] - undeniably the work of an artist, with a look, feel and story that embraces the concept of beauty in a big bear hug and refuses to let go til the very end. Other notable DVDs out this week include: Benson: S1, The Big Bad Swim [Review], Classic Musicals From the Dream Factory, 2, Hard Boiled, The Monster Squad: 20th Ann., Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer [Review] Todd McFarlane's Spawn: Animated Collection [Review and Woody Woodpecker & Friends Classic Collection. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

This week we have a very special giveaway from Indican Pictures for the critically acclaimed Pariah. Inspired by true events, Pariah tells the story of Steve (Damon Jones) and Sam (Elexa Williams), an interracial couple attacked by Neo-Nazi Skinheads one unexpected night. The brutal attack has a scarring effect on their lives - although the physical bruises heal, the assault permanently destroys their lives. After Sam commits suicide, Steve abandons his former life to realize his goal of revenge. Pariah was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize when it played the Slamdance Film Festival and Roger Ebert called Pariah "a raw and unblinking look at the skinhead subculture." Enter now for your chance to one of 5 copies of Pariah on DVD.

To celebrate the DVD release of Woody Woodpecker And Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Universal Studios Home Entertainment brought together a group of legendary animation icons to talk about Woody Woodpecker including: Phil Roman (old-school Disney animator and producer of shows like , King of the Hill, and The Simpson's), Maurice LaMarche (behind voices like Pepe Le Pew, and Yosemite Sam), Animation historian and film critic, Leonard Maltin, June Foray ("the Queen of Cartoon Voices"), and the voice of The New Woody Woodpecker Show, Billy West. DVD Talk writer Daniel Siwek was there and brings back a complete report on the event and gives a sneak peek into the Woody Woodpecker And Friends Classic Cartoon Collection.

With over 19K DVD reviews in the DVD Talk Review Database, it's easy to overlook some of the great reviews. Recent DVD Reviews include: 300: 2 Disc Special Edition - aggressive, atmospheric and over-the-top, 300 should please action fans and followers of Frank Miller's work; Dynamite Warrior - Thai action viciousness that charges full steam ahead, swallowing the viewer with a raggedy, ballsy energy that's overpoweringly enjoyable, to the point of giddiness; The Film Crew: Killers From Space - basically Mystery Science Theater Version 2.0 and it's a funny, funny disc. Other new DVDs recently reviewed include: Ace in the Hole - Criterion Collection, Blessed By Fire, Esther Williams: Volume 1, George Lopez: America's Mexican, Iraq in Fragments and Land of the Pharoahs. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week including a the ability to Browse reviews by studio.

Adam Shankman directs the latest adaptation of an adaptation with his musical Hairspray. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky and John Travolta star in this excellent adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of the 1988 John Waters film). Plus...Christopher Walken is in the film. How can you go wrong? Hairspray sings and dances into theaters everywhere this weekend. Also in theaters this week is I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry - Adam Sandler, Jessica Biel, and Kevin James lead the way in this wacky comedy about pretending to be a gay couple for domestic partner benefits; Sunshine - Danny Boyle and Cillian Murphy team up again in this chilling tale about eight astronauts on a mission to re-ignite the dying sun; and Rescue Dawn - Warner Herzog returns to the big screen with this war flick starring Christian Bale and Steve Zahn. Be sure to catch reviews of other recent Theatrical Films: Dynamite Warrior, Cashback, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Talk to Me, Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, Spielberg on Spielberg, Captivity, Joshua, Transformers, Punk's Not Dead, Ratatouille, Live Free or Die Hard, Sicko. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts on films in theaters in our Movie Talk Forum Area.

DVD Stalk is back at it and packed with tons of great reviews (including early looks at the highly-anticipated DVD release of The Monster Squad, David Fincher's latest Zodiac, and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer), information on all of this week's horror releases, and previews of some upcoming scares. We also have our usual bag of evil goodies, including the DVD Stalk Blog and an opportunity to load up on DVD Stalk apparel. We hope you'll check out DVD Stalk and drop us a line to let us know what you think. Check out our daily DVD Stalk Blog, friend us on DVD Stalk's MySpace and DVD Stalk's Twitter, drop by the DVD Stalk Apparel Store, and be sure to check out DVD Talk's reviews of over 1,800 Horror DVDs.

A number of key TV on DVD reviews this week including: Extras - The Complete Second Season - yet another killer set from the comedic minds of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant that will make you squirm as much as you will laugh; Monk - Season Five - a strong season with episodes that are funny, intriguing, entertaining, and capture everything that is good about the show; Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown, Vol. 1 - wonderfully dated, with simple pleasures that will still entertain your children this set will bring you back to those early television days before cable. Other recent TV on DVD reviews include: Batfink: The Complete Series, Dog the Bounty Hunter: Best of Seasons 1, 2 and 3 and Tales from the Crypt: The Complete Sixth Season. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted TV on DVD.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews including: Ace in the Hole - Billy Wilder's most uncompromising and acidic noir reaches us in a fully-loaded special edition from Criterion.; The Nightcomers - Marlon Brando gets to act up a storm, but otherwise this prequel to The Turn of the Screw is poorly directed exploitation; 52 Pick-Up - John Frankenheimer lends Elmore Leonard's kinky thriller plenty of style but can't make us like its characters, not even Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret; Attack Force Z - An underbudgeted Australian/Taiwanese co-production that happened to snag Mel Gibson and Sam Neill just as their stars began to ascend; Joan Collins Collection - Fox's slinkiest glamour girl of the 50s makes her way through five choice vehicles, including The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, Sea Wife, Stopover Tokyo, Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys and Seven Thieves. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

This week we have a very special giveaway from Shout! Factory for Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog DVD. The Fastest Thing Alive Is Back. Join Sonic The Hedgehog and Tails as they defend Mobius from the evil Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his notorious gang of robots, including Scratch, Grounder and Coconuts. With heart-pounding action and knee-slapping comedy, The Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog will have you "up, over, and gone!" Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog DVD features: Storyboard-to-Screen: Super Special Sonic Search And Smash Squad, A Conversation with Artist Milton Knight and How-To-Draw: Sonic The Hedghog. Enter now for your chance to one of 5 copies of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog DVD were giving away this week.

A unique mix of notable DVDs out this week including: Yo-Yo Girl Cop - Battle Royale scribe Kenta Fukasaku directs the kind of guilty pleasure that summer DVDs were made for; Voyagers - Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones travel through time in a classic early-eighties TV gem; Ace in the Hole [Review] - Billy Wilder's classic has been an inspiration to many great film makers including Spielberg. Other notable DVDs out this week include: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Blessed By Fire, The Incredible Hulk: S2, Masters of Horror: Black Cat [Review], Okie Noodling, Red Dawn [Review] and Space Ghost and Dino Boy. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

TV has been an extremely important part of DVD and it's success. Now both High Def platforms are getting into the mix with the release of several key TV series on Blu-Ray and HD DVD. In this week's HD Talk we take a look at the TV on HD releases, how they stack up, and what this means for the future of both platforms. Also this week we have great news for people who have been holding off buying a PS3 because of the price with word that Sony has knocked $100 off the price tag. In addition we have a complete wrap up of all the notable recent HD DVD and Blu-Ray releases including: Blood Diamond, Breach and Bridge to Terabithia. In case you missed it be sure to check out our previous HD Talk where we explain exactly why DVD Talk refuses to take sides in the format war. Finally, don't miss DVD Talk's Review database with almost 500 other HD and Blu-Ray Disc Reviews.

With over 19K DVD reviews in the DVD Talk Review Database, it's easy to overlook some of the great reviews. Recent DVD Reviews include: Zodiac - Fincher's finest directing work, an enthralling story and an outstanding cast make one of the best serial killer films ever; Cashback - undeniably the work of an artist, with a look, feel and story that embraces the concept of beauty in a big bear hug and refuses to let go til the very end; Everything's Gone Green - a genuinely appealing film with likable stars, a sharp look and the insightful concepts; Pacino: An Actor's Vision - three films directed by the legendary actor, along with supplemental material and a bonus documentary, it's entertainment of the highest order. Other new DVDs recently reviewed include: McQueen - An American Rebel, The Panic in Needle Park, Puccini for Beginners , Roving Mars, Three Films by Hiroshi Teshigahara and The Three Musketeers. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week including a the ability to Browse reviews by studio.

One of the most anticipated films of the summer hits theaters this week: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and it finds Harry in a much darker and tougher time in his life. David Yates does a solid job with Harry Potter and manages to fit a 900 page book into a 2 hour move. Check out our reviews of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Don Cheadle fans shouldn't let Pottermanina overshadow the release of Talk to Me the bio pic about Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene - ex-con, activist and surprise radio star who shook things up by saying what no one else could or wold say on the radio. Also reviewed this week: Spielberg on Spielberg - TMC's enlightening look at one of our most important directors; Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation - a shot by shot homage to Spielberg's all time great adventure film; Introducing the Dwights - a marvelous Australian family dramedy. Be sure to catch reviews of other recent Theatrical Films: You Kill Me, Captivity, Joshua, Transformers, Punk's Not Dead , Ratatouille, Live Free or Die Hard, Sicko. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts on films in theaters in our Movie Talk Forum Area.

A number of key TV on DVD reviews this week including: Deadwood: The Complete Third Season - a somewhat graceful climax to a masterful series and a set worthy of the DVD Talk Collectors Series honor; The Rat Patrol - The Complete Second Season - delivers the comic-book WWII goods for action fans who don't want to waste time thinking about it; The Best of Kids in the Hall 2 - intermittently great fun, and fans will love revisiting sketches like the Chicken Lady and Dean; Other TV on DVD reviewed recently include: Blue Murder: Set 1, Inside The Actors Studio: Barbra Streisand, John Wayne's Tribute to America and My Super Sweet 16: Seasons 1 & 2. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted TV on DVD.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews including: Kansas City Confidential - Phil Karlson's tough caper noir follows three crooks to Mexico for the big split, and tangles hero John Payne up in a complicated maze of double-crosses; The Woman in the Window - Fritz Lang's purest noir is a deadly combination of desire, sex, guilt and murder; Raining Stones - Ken Loach directs this charming and rewarding story of poverty and pride in northern England; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - excellent video for very small children and surely one of Disney's best video offerings; Heaven and Hell - Director Cheh Chang's colorful Hong Kong kung-fu classic is a martial arts film blanc, with reincarnated souls struggling to find justice here, in heaven, and down in that other place. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

This week we have a very special giveaway from Shout! Factory for The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark DVD. Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett, three of the brilliantly insane minds behind the cult classic TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000, finally reunite to unleash their warped sense of humor on the cinema of yesteryear as The Film Crew. Charged with the task of giving all movies their own commentary tracks, the Film Crew valiantly steps forward to tackle the best of the worst, starting with Hollywood After Dark, which was chosen as the first release by MST fans in an online contest. Enter now for your chance to win one of 5 copies of The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark DVD.

A good mix of notable DVDs out this week including: Sweet Land - A Love Story [Review] - an enormously appealing rustic romance that you probably overlooked but should definitely seek out on DVD; Last Mimzy [Review] - high quality sci-fi for kids on a DVD with stellar presentation; Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark [Review] - if you loved Mystery Science Theater you'll want to run and pick up the Film Crew. Other notable DVDs out this week include: Extras: S2, Kansas City Confidential [Review], Three Films By Hiroshi Teshigahara, Wild Tigers I Have Known [Review and You're Gonna Miss Me [Review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

This week we have several clips from the KOCH LORBER new release Blessed by Fire [view trailer]. This epic film, about the atrocities experienced by a band of Argentinean soldiers during the Falklands War, was hailed by The New York Times as "a visceral force you won't forget." Watch these clips from Blessed by Fire: Battlefield horror, Surrender, Behind-the-scenes. Also new from KOCH LORBER is the award-winning, atmospheric thriller Love [view trailer] that The Village Voice said "gives you hope for the future of independent movies." Watch these clips from Love: Hit-man and decoy, Where's Vanya, You're under arrest.

With over 19K DVD reviews in the DVD Talk Review Database, it's easy to overlook some of the great reviews. Recent DVD Reviews include: The Bow - Kim Ki-Duk is on target with a morality play about the relationship of an old man and a young girl, what it means to be together and how age influences our choices; Pride - Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac star in the kind of inspirational and familiar film that's perfect for a weekend rental; Days of Glory - A strong and compelling film with a one-sided look at the North-African involvement during WW2. Other new DVDs recently reviewed include: Dorm, Elvis Costello: Live - A Case For Song Malpertuis, The Number 23, Pathfinder and Waiting for Happiness. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week including a the ability to Browse reviews by studio.

The summer months are getting hotter and our Anime Talk crew has forsaken time at the beach to bring you the latest anime reviews. From shows like Noein and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya to Karin and Tokko we give up our time in the sun to let you know what's worth checking out. Don also supplies us with a preview of The Third: Girl With The Blue Eye which is RightStuf's latest release. If you're looking for a way to beat the heat check out our column for somethings to watch while in your air conditioned room. In case you missed them check out past columns including: Suzuka, To Heart, and Naruto, Genshiken, Shingu, and Maburaho, oh my!, Afro Samurai, Anime Boston, Samurai 7 Complete Collection and Final Fantasy VII Limited Edition, Disgaea.

Transformers...More than meets the eye? Michael Bay brings the epic battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons to the big screen. Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel star in this summer blockbuster. Transformers rides into theaters everywhere this weekend. Also in theaters this week is License to Wed - Robin Williams and Mandy Moore join "that really funny guy from The Office" in this tepid comedy; Punk's Not Dead - Susan Dynner's excellent documentary about the changing face of punk music; and Once - the "pleasing love story held captive in an extremely low budget, iffy-looking production." Be sure to catch reviews of other recent Theatrical Films: Ratatouille, Live Free or Die Hard, Evening, Heart of an Empire, Broken English, Sicko, 1408. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts on films in theaters in our Movie Talk Forum Area.

The TV on DVD releases keep rolling in at a fast pace and we have several of them reviewed including: Picket Fences: Season 1 - a charming and disarming show with strong writing and excellent performances; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - Second Season - Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton are one of the most accomplished, funniest comic duos in TV history, and several episodes rank among the series' very best; Louis C.K. - Shameless - Louis C.K., the creative force behind Lucky Loiue shows how much his life immitates his art in a brutally funny stand up comedy concert film. Other TV on DVD reviewed recently include: Conviction, The Crow Road, Foyle's War - Set 4 and The Magnificent Seven: S2. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted TV on DVD.

This month Silent DVD takes a look at one of the great comedies from the silent era, Buster Keaton's The General. This hilarious civil war epic has been released once again with a new score by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, and it is the best sounding version of this classic currently available. That, along with the beautifully restored image makes this a must-have disc. Be sure to check out Silent DVDs previous installments including reviews of Romance of the Western Chamber, Pandora's Box, The Films of Jacques Feyder, Criterion's King of Kings and Lubitsch in Berlin.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews including: The Verdict (Collector's Edition) - Fox's 2-disc reissue of the Sidney Lumet / Paul Newman hit combines an older commentary and docus with new quality featurettes; The Original Nancy Drew Movie Mystery Collection - They're smart and funny and a big surprise. Bonita Granville's four Nancy Drew adventures are great entertainment in glorious B&W and just a little more costly than "$22.80"; WR - Mysteries of the Organism - Dusan Makavajev's eccentric docu - satire skewers sex as the key force linking Capitalist and Communist ideology -- wait 'til you learn about William Reich's "Orgonic Energy" theories; The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer - UK correspondent Lee Broughton gives us a Region 2 PAL review of a satire starring Peter Cook, Dehnolm Elliott and a number of other notables, including some Python alumni. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

An interesting mix of notable DVDs heading into the holiday week including: The Untouchables: Special Collector's Edition [HD DVD Review | Blu-Ray Review]- if you were looking for a reason to jump into HD this release is a very compelling reason to check out both HD DVD and Blu-Ray; Eureka: Season One - Scifi channel's quirky and very likable show is a perfect summer TV on DVD marathon; Slings & Arrows: Season 3 [Review] - if you haven't discovered this superb Canadian series, now is the time. Other notable DVDs out this week include: Batfink: The Complete Series, Driving Lessons, Filmation's Ghostbusters - The Animated Series, Vol. 2, George Lopez: America's Mexican and Our Very Own and The Taste of Tea. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

With over 19K DVD reviews in the DVD Talk Review Database, it's easy to overlook some of the great reviews. Recent DVD Reviews include: The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark - the MSTK clan Mike, Kevin, and Bill fight bravely to keep the concept alive; You're Gonna Miss Me - you need not be a psychedelic sycophant to appreciate this fascinating, intimate examination of an exceptional talent and troubled mind; Bitter Films Volume One 1995-2005 - an exceptional collection from Don Hertzfeldt; Big Nothing - a sly, clever twister of a comedy. Other new DVDs recently reviewed include: Dead Silence, Echo & the Bunnymen: Dancing Horses, Isolation, Louis C.K. - Shameless, Peaceful Warrior and Simon Schama's the Power of Art. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week including a the ability to Browse reviews by studio.