DVD Pick of the Week: Hard Candy

The television season is starting to get into full swing, so that may mean less time to devote to DVDs. That is all dependent on how good this seasons offerings are, and at this early stage there appear to be a few good shows to look forward to, and some returning favorites. However, I am going to do my best to avoid watching as much as I usually do, but I make no promises. Case in point, this week's pick, I was very close to selecting a TV on DVD this week, but I controlled myself, and chose something that may be in even more need of spotlighting.



This week's pick is the indie film Hard Candy. I first heard about it earlier this year, but it never came around my area to see theatrically. Then a friend of mine brought it up at work, asking if I had seen it, and when I answered to the negative, to which he responded that I absolutely had to see it. So, I recently got a copy of my own (full review to be forthcoming). After I watched it, I have to say that I was floored. The film kept me on the edge of my seat as I watched a couple of sociopaths wage a battle. It is set more like a stageplay, but there is plenty of visual flair to keep you interested while the words go back and forth.
To give you just a slightest hint of what the movie is about, the title is internet slang for underage girls. That has turned some people I know off to the film, but it is not what you think. It is a fascinating study of fractured individuals and it is sure to spark conversation over what happened and why it happened. The DVD is loaded up rather nicely, as well. It has a pair of commentaries, a near hour long behind the scenes documentary, the trailer, and a couple of shorter featurettes. This is definitely one to see.

Also coming out this week:

• Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5. This was the runner up for pick of the week. This series is spectacular. This set is the second half of the second season, including an extended version of the mid-season cliffhanger. If you want to see an engrossing and intelligent science fiction series, this is it. Season three begins in October.
• My Name is Earl: The Complete First Season. Jason Lee and Jaime Pressley enjoyed an Emmy winning first season for one of the best sitcoms currently on the air. Relive the funny thing that is karma.
• The Unit: The Complete First Season. This is an interesting new show. It is a special ops type military series that not only takes us on globe hopping missions of high danger, but also takes us into the lives of their wives and families. Looking forward to its second season.
• Stick It. Moderately entertaining tween movie, set in a hard nosed gymastics academy. Jeff Bridges helps bring the film a bit of credibility to help inch it upwards a bit.
• Grease: Rockin' Rydell Edition. I am not much of a fan of this film, but I like the case that this new special edition has, a little black leather jacket. Target has their own special packaging, a pink leather jacket.
• Roar: The Complete Series. Heath Ledger starred in this fantasy series from the late 1990s. It last just a few episodes before it was unceremoniously dumped. It is gaining new life on DVD.
• He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Season 2, Vol. 2. I loved this half hour toy commercial from the 1980s. What else can I say?
• Jigoku: Criterion Collection. Before seeing this listed, I had never seen this precursor to extreme Japanese cinema, but I am definitely intrigued, even if the premise sounds like it was ripped off by I Know What You Did Last Summer.
• Stay Alive: Unrated Director's Cut. I am not sure that any amount of cutting could make this a good movie.
• Spirited Killer. This was Tony Jaa's first film, being released in a two disk special edition. Don't know much about it, but it seems to be available rather cheaply.
• Chucky: The Killer DVD Collection. Another collection for the killer doll. It includes Child's Play 2, Child's Play 3, Bride of Chucky, and Seed of Chucky. It does not include the original.
• Edgar Allan Poe: 11 Poe Tales Hosted by Christopher Lee. Never heard of this series, but how can you go wrong with Lee and Poe?
• The Tomie Collection. This collects 5 of the long running Tomie horror flicks from Japan.

So, what are you getting this week?