DVD Pick of the Week: Delicatessen

The wallets of DVD lovers the world round, can breathe a little easier this week, there is nothing that could be deemed an absolute must have. Although, this week does have a couple of worthy potential buys. The exception to this would definitely be my choice for the honor of "Pick of the Week." This weeks pick is a must for any lover of film, any lover of world cinema, or anyone who enjoyes the occasional weird film.

This week's pick is Delicatessen. The film is a masterstroke of bizarre, a blast of originality, and a great promise of things to come. The film was co-directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, the duo also made the equally excellent, and equally bizarre, City of Lost Children. Jenuet would then go to have a spotty Hollywood debut with the much maligned Alien: Resurrectin, which I am among the handful of fans., but would then go on to make the masterful Amelie and A Very long Engagement in his native France.

Delicatessen is a delicious black comedy set in a post apocalyptic future. It gets off to a wild start with a man attempting an escape from butcher shop/apartment building by hiding in the trash. The eecape leads the super to advertise for a new handyman. The ad is answered by a quirky former clown, who goes to work with a gusto. To say anymore would be saying too much. Let me just say that meat is at a premium in this future....

This DVD belongs in your collection. It is inventive, original, visually interesting, and even has a sequence that was "borrowed" for a Pepsi commercial some years ago. It has taken long enough for it to get a Region 1 release, so get out there and get it! What are you waiting for?

Also coming out this week:

• Dinosaurs: The Complete First and Second Seasons. I have fond memories of this series, a funny twist on the sitcom with animatronic/costume dinosaurs. It was actually pretty clever, nice to see it getting released.
• The Family Stone. This was a very middling holiday comedy. This can be skipped.
• Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion: Grudge Song. The third in the 701 series. I have only seen the first, but would like to see more!
• Flight 93. This was an A&E movie that aired a few months ago, released to coincide with the big screen interpretation of those tragic events.
• Hoodwinked. I liked this a lot. It may not have first rate animation, but the story and characterizations are a blast. It is Little Red Riding Hood by way of Law & Order. This was the runner up for this week's pick.
• Last Holiday. Haven't seen this yet, but it looks like it could be fun. It is a remake of a film starring Alec Guinness.

Obviously, there are more releases, but these are the highest profile.

What are you getting this week?