DVD Pick of the Week

There are a lot of good looking titles coming out this week, but there can be only one that stands above the rest. This week the winner of this coveted slot is none other than the animated micro series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This was a series of shorts between 3 and 8 minutes in length that aired on cartoon network blast year. George Lucas and crew brought in Genndy Tarkovsky to head up the project, and they couldn't have picked a better guy. Genndy has a wonderful visual style and can tell a story, he is the creative mind behind the wonderful Dexter's Laboratory (where is this on DVD??), and Samurai Jack.

This series was created to chronicle the events of the Clone Wars which began at the end of Attack of the Clones and will end at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith. My memories of the tales are bit fuzzy, I haven't seen them since they aired. What I do remember is a wonderful style, a great addition to the universe, and possibly the most pure addition to the legend since the original trilogy. There are good guys and bad guys and jedis and light sabers and lots of action. Mace Windu cuts loose and lays waste to the droid armies, the droids leader, General Grievous makes his entrance, great stuff. Any Star Wars or animation fan should definitely look into this if you haven't seen it.

Here are the other titles of note, for better or worse:

• Batman and Robin the 1949 Serial. This looks cool, the complete collection of serial episodes of the Caped Crusader.
• Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. The first was much better, this one just seemed to be put on, but it is not completely without charm.
• Doogie Howser, MD: Season 1. A lot of people have been waiting for this one, I'm not one of them.
• Fat Albert. See Doogie.
• The Final Cut. Here is one I have been wanting to see for awhile now. Robin Williams stars in this tale of the near future and recorded memories.
• Finding Neverland. Johnny Depp gives another wonderful performance in this tale of reality and fantasy. Also one of the best of 2004.
• The Flintstones Season 3. The first primetime toon.
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Volume 5. Very good anime series keeps moving along.
• Kojak Season 1. The template for detective shows for years to come.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. I have had this recommended to me for along time, now maybe I'll get to see it.
• Stand By Me: Special Edition. Stephen King's coming of age tale, which I have not yet seen.
• Volcano High. This is the chopped and dubbed version of this wild Korean film. I'd recommend seeking the original over this, although I am tempted to pick it up to put next to my real one. This version does make for some sad comedy.
• Star Wars Episode I and II. These two films are being put back on the market to get us ready for the coming of Episode III.
• Starter sets. Remember those TV Premiere DVD's that were out last year? Well it appears a form of that concept is coming back. This week sees the release of 24, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Pretender starters, there may be others that I missed. The pack is a disk with the first 2 episodes of the series and a $10 rebate if you buy the season.

That does it for this week, I hope there is something that you like out there!