DVD Pick of the Week: Deja Vu

Welcome, once again. This week brings with it a large number of television titles, so if you are a fan of the so-called idiot box, this is going to be a happy week for you. As for you fans of the big screen, there are still a few choice selections for you, including an Oscar winner and one of the biggest box office hits of 2006. So whatever you may be looking for, I am sure there is at least one title for you in this week's crop of freshly grown home entertainment.

This week's pick is the latest wild visual extravaganza from director Tony Scott, who teams with writers Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio to deliver the inventive and surprisngly intelligent time travel thriller, Deja Vu. This is a film that is high on flash, yet doesn't skimp on the story. It is true that if you stop and think about it, you will likely end up with a migraine, but that can be said about any time travel themed movie. These films open themselves up to loopholes and plotholes, and all manner of reality based issues.

Denzel Washington stars as an ATF agent who is recruited by Val Kilmer into a secret branch of the FBI, where the secret of time travel has been cracked and is being used to prevent crimes before they can occur, shades of Minority Report but very different in execution. One of the best segments of the film is a car chase, which stands as one of the best that I have witnessed. It is one that ties into the time travel element of the movie, and is very exciting visually. If you see it for nothing else, you should check out this chase sequence.

The DVD includes a behind the scenes featurette called "The Surveillance Window," as well as deleted and extended scenes.

Also out this week:

• Planet Earth. This is that excellent documentary that has been running on The Discovery Channel. I have not seen all of it, but it is an absolutely gorgeous look at the world. It will also be available in the high definition formats.
• The Queen. This won the OScar for Best Actress, with Helen Mirren taking the top prize. It is a very good portrait of the Royal Family during a difficult time.
• Night at the Museum. Well, you either like Ben Stiller, or you don't, I do. This turned out to be a fun special effects filled comedy/fantasy that is just flat out entertaining.
• WKRP in Cincinnati: The Complete First Season. OK, this is one that you will probably want to skip. The reason being that music replacement is rampant as they were unable to secure the rights for the majority of the music used. In addition to that, many of the episodes are the cut syndicated versions. In short, this is a butchered release.
• The Odd Couple: The First Season. I always enjoyed the reruns of this that I saw, it is finally arriving on DVD.
• Harry and the Hendersons. Who doesn't have a soft spot for this family flick? It may not be hard hitting, but it is sweet and fun to watch.
• Kidnapped: The Complete Series. This short-lived drama arrives on DVD to strike while some of you may remember it. I watched the first few and thought it was mediocre at best.
• The Drew Carey Show: The Complete First Season. I didn't start watching this until very late, but I have caught some more in reruns, and it is a really funny series, very underrated.
• Thr3e. This looks like it could be fun, I'm always game for a movie about a psycho killer.
• Stryper: Live in Puerto Rico. Do you remember Stryper? They had their heyday back in the mid 1980's, they reunited and went on tour a few years back and proved they still had it. Here is that document.

What are you getting this week?