DVD Pick of the Week: Eureka - Season One

This week is split by the Independence Day holiday, and along with that comes a pair of new movie releases, which actually open today. What does this have to do with the pick of the week? Everything. This week brings scarcely anything to the new release racks. The most likely cause for this dearth of releases would have to be the new movies hitting theaters. Why put out new releases that will likely sit a few days before anyone pays attention? How would the studios brag about their sales figures when they are low due to everyone being in the theater, or otherwise celebrating the mid-week holiday? Exactly, better to pick another week. Still, there is one title coming out worthy of your attention.

Just in time to cash in on the impending start of the second season, Eureka: Season One is arriving on DVD. The show takes place in a town called Eureka. Search as you may, you will not find the town an a map. You see, Eureka plays host to the nation's greatest scientific minds, and it is in this town where they get to flex their intellectual muscle free from prying eyes.

Colin Ferguson stars as US Marshal Jack Carter. The series opens with Jack transporting his teenage daughter back to her mother, but through a twist of fate, they find themselves in Eureka. Before long, Jack finds himself embroiled in a situation in the town that he is ideally suited for, and not long after that, he finds himself employed as their sheriff. That is out in, the man we identify with as we navigate this wacky town.

The series is a lot of fun, it doesn't take itself too seriously, offering plenty of humor as well as science fiction based intrigue. It spans a few different genres, and has plenty of interesting characters, played by the likes of Joe Morton, Matt Frewer, and Erica Cerra. It is not the greatest show you are likely to discover, but it is fun, enjoyable, and one of the shows to look forward to summer for. Now you can catch up with the first season before season two starts next week.

Also out this week:

• Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society. The latest entry in the GitS expanding universe. Comes in two flavors, the limited edition which includes a second disk of extras as well as the soundtrack on CD.
• Queensryche: Mindcrime at the Moore. The band performing both Operation: Mindcrime and Mindcrime II, fully produced in a live setting. Sounds good to me.
• Welcome to the Grindhouse - The Teacher and the Pick-Up. A double feature set that seeks to attempt to recreate the grindhouse experience. Likely looking for audience among the fans of the Tarantino/Rodriguez teamup earlier this year, as well as those who actually remember them.
• Welcome to the Grindhouse - Black Candles and Evil Eye. See above.
• Filmation's Ghostbusters - The Animated Series, Vol. 2. The fun 80's cartoon series. Not great, but still brings nostalgic fun.
• The Bells of Death. A Shaw Brothers production, remastered and being released by Image.

So, anything for you?