DVD Pick of the Week: 9/27

This week's pick is a film that has had so many releases already, that it may be hard to get behind yet another release. Somehow, I found a way to support it.

The pick of the week is Evil Dead 2: Limited Edition Book of the Dead. I'm not sure, but this has to be something like the 20th release of this movie. The whole Evil Dead series has been something of a cash cow for Anchor Bay Entertainment. However, they have done a wonderful job, at least at first glance, of making his a worthy entry.

The first thing it has going for it is the packaging. Following in the footsteps of the first Book of the Dead edition, this disk is hidden within a foam replica of the Necronomicon, or Book of the Dead. This design is a bit different than the original, and I believe it has a scream button.

Another thing it has in it's favor is a new transfer, supervised by Sam Raimi. I have seen some screen cap comparisons and the new transfer looks really good, it shows more detail and retains strong black levels. The disk also includes a new behind the scenes documentary. The rest of the features are carried over from the last disk, including the excellent commentary track featuring Raimi and Bruce Campbell.

Also out this week:

• Battlefield Baseball. I've been wanting to see this for awhile, a cult style horror/comedy from Japan. Looks like fun.
• The Blind Dead Collection (Tombs of the Blind Dead, The Ghost Galleon, Return of the Evil Dead, Night of the Seagulls, Amando de Ossorio). Collection of Portuguese horror films, packaged in a coffin shaped box.
• The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus 16 Ton Megaset. Who doesn't like Monty Python? Here is a massive set collecting all of the episodes together.
• Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story. I've been looking forward to this. Family Guy is a hilarious show, and I can always go for more.
• Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer: 20th Anniversary Special Edition. Somehow, I never got around to seeing this. It is said to be one of the scariest films made, are they telling the truth?
• Lords of Dogtown. This was a surprisingly good film. Features an underrated performance from Heath Ledger.
• The Man Who Fell To Earth: Criterion Collection. Nicolas Roeg's tale of an alien living among us, starring David Bowie.
• Red Cockroaches. Someone once said that this was an amazing film. Not sure what it's about, but I am intrigued.
• Robots. Disappointing, but colorful.
• Samurai Champloo: Vol. 5. The next volume of this samurai/hip hop film is here.
• Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior. A highly charismatic wrestler, who sabotaged himself.
• Silver Hawk. I imported this a while back, and enjoyed the heck out of it. Not much too it, but it is a fun superhero story starring the lovely Michelle Yeoh.

That's all for this week.