Pick of the Week

This week's pick is THX-1138. It was the first film directed by George Lucas, based on a short form student film. I figured this could be used as a good warm-up to the release of the Star Wars Trilogy next week, regardless of your thoughts on that release. I urge anyone with a true love for Star Wars avoid all of the discussion forums, bitter places. Anyway, It has been a long time since I've seen THX, but I eagerly look forward to seeing it again.

It stars Robert Duvall and is set in a dystopian future run by big brother. I don't remember many specifics, but I remember it having a stark colorless look. I also remember it just being bleak overall. This film also got the George Lucas revisionism attached to it. A number of scenes had additions to them, for better or worse. I look forward to seeing the cleaned up copy. I will also say that I love the cover art, a lot better than what we usually get from the studios.

It is a 2 disk set which includes some new commentaries about the film and it's creation. It even includes the original short film. I recommend it.

There are some other titles of interest coming out this week:

• Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Not good by any stretch, but I'm a sucker for Scooby.
• Man on Fire. A good, if over the top, actioner anchored by a great relationship between Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning.
• Close Your Eyes. Starring Goran Visnjic from ER, I remember hearing good things about this thriller.
• Slacker: The Criterion Collection. Richard Linklater's film gets the Criterion treatment, I haven't seen it, but would like to check it out.
• Trigun Vol 8: High Noon. The eighth and final volume of this excellent series is now out. I smell a marathon coming up.

On the music side of things, one title of interest:

• Megadeth: The System has Failed. I didn't even know this was coming. It's good to see Dave Mustaine coming back after his health issues. I hope the music is good.