Reviews of recent and upcoming DVD releases

By: Billy O’Keefe (KRT)
Posted In: Entertainment

`Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price’ (NR, Disinformation Company/ Bravenewfilms.org)

According to Robert Greenwald’s latest documentary, there exist, in the U.S. alone, nearly 27 million square feet of abandoned Wal-Mart stores that nobody knows how to fill. So how does a store that has everything and sells it cheaper than anyone else create so much dead weight in a country that loves shopping and saving? Let Greenwald count the ways.

“The High Cost of Low Price” combines the forces of neighbors, former employees and numbers to paint a darkly unflattering picture. Lest you think it’s 97 minutes of “Wal-Mart squashed the mom and pop shops,” think again: Everything from flimsy parking-lot safety to outsourcing to the corporation’s use of your taxpayer dollars to fund its ventures comes under the microscope.

Extras: Greenwald commentary, condensed version, behind-the-scenes feature, parody commercials, spoofmakers feature, bonus segments.

`Home Movies: Season Three’ (NR, Shout Factory, Nov. 22)

All hail “Home Movies.” Not only is it one of the funniest and most inventive cartoons on TV, it manages to be so without trying too hard or drinking from the pop culture-slash-current events well so many other toons have slurped dry. In “Home Movies,” the funny comes from within.

The art style will remind you of your 6-year-old nephew’s drawings, but the characters and stories _ told in an improvisational style a la “Curb Your Enthusiasm” _ are completely unique. Season three highlights include the fat enabler episode, the rock band and the trip to prison. Includes 13 episodes (seven with commentary), plus one game, one music video, one behind-the-scenes feature, one radio interview and more than one animatic.

`Astro Boy: Deluxe DVD Collection’ (NR, 1983, Manga Video/Anchor Bay, Nov. 22)

The ironic thing about “Astro Boy,” the arguable godfather of popular Japanese anime, is that you can despise the genre it helped bring forth and still completely enjoy this set, which contains the complete color series that first aired in the early 1980s.

The story of Astro _ a spirited, pint-sized robot who looks like the Bob’s Big Boy mascot and acts like a human being _ has been interpreted multiple ways through multiple series, but the quality and accessibility of the storytelling has consistently remained many cuts above the stuff you flip past on Saturday mornings. The 1980s series features less action than the recently-aired new series, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The characters in the “Astro Boy” universe are what make the series stand out, and they’re as complex and likeable here as they are anywhere. Includes 51 episodes, plus alternate opening and closing sequences, Japanese/English episode comparisons, merchandise and art galleries, character profiles and a really nice companion booklet.

`Ringers: Lord of the Fans’ (PG-13, Sony Pictures, Nov. 22)

“Ringers” is to Ringers what “Trekkies” was to Trekkies _ namely, a film that’s half documentary and half celebration. “The Lord of the Rings” was a cultural phenomenon long before 2001, and “Ringers,” narrated by Dominic “Merry” Monaghan and featuring interviews with most of the films’ major players, delves into everything from the books’ very humble origins to the bizarre takeover of hippie culture in the 1960s to the current craze that runs wild today.

“LOTR” fans will be relieved to know the film paints a more flattering picture of them than “Trekkies” did of “Star Trek” fans. They’re every bit as crazy about their passion, but they at least appear to be smiling and winking all the way through.

Extras: Director commentary, deleted scenes, uncut confessionals, two bonus featurettes, photo gallery.

`Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection’ (NR, 1995, MTV/Paramount, Nov. 22)

It’ll be very interesting to see how Charlize Theron handles the live-action embodiment of Aeon Flux, a secret agent whose libido is as strong as her resolve. “Aeon Flux” threaded a very difficult needle when it debuted on MTV 10 years ago: How many shows, after all, can appeal to the high-brow sci-fi crowd while simultaneously appeasing the red meat-chomping American male at the same time? It’s not an easy task _ which might explain why the series ran out of gas so quickly. Nevertheless, you don’t become a cult favorite and get a movie and video game spin-off a decade later without earning it. Includes 10 episodes, plus the pilot, the original shorts, two behind-the-scenes features, art galleries, “Liquid Television” shorts and more.

`Madagascar’ (PG, Dreamworks)

A quartet of zoo animals (Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer) has it made in the Manhattan Zoo. Unfortunately, one of them can’t leave well enough after suffering a mid-life(?) crisis, and before he and his friends know it, they’re not in New York anymore. “Madagascar” falls into the “good enough” category of computer-animated films _ not as good as Pixar’s best, but better than the annoying likes of “Robots” and “Shark Tale.”

An excessive reliance on parody and pop culture continues to undermine Dreamworks’ efforts: Only when the writers find a way around these crutches will the studio really make something special. Until then, your kids and younger siblings will probably enjoy the show more than you.

Extras: New short, “A Christmas Caper,” starring the penguins. Also: penguin commentary, three behind-the-scenes features, feature about the real Madagascar, galleries, games, activities, DVD-rom content, more.

`The Honeymooners’ (PG, Paramount, Nov. 22)

Four screenwriters are credited with cobbling together the script for “The Honeymooners.” Guess what? It shows. “The Honeymooners” is a uniquely Hollywood cash grab: Random stuff happens, sitcom-esque plot emerges, more wacky stuff happens, tearjerker moment waltzes in, happy ending somehow materializes.

Resemblances to the “Honeymooners” TV show are superficial at best. All that aside, it’s not as big a mess as it should have been. In fact, it’s disposably enjoyable, thanks to the really likeable cast (Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, John Leguizamo, Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall) and their dog, whose love of Crunch Berries provides the movie’s funniest moment.

Extras: Commentary with Cedric, Epps and director John Schultz, deleted scenes (with commentary), behind-the-scenes feature.

`Cheaper by the Dozen: Baker’s Dozen Edition’ (PG, Fox, Nov. 22)

“Cheaper by the Dozen” stars two boring parents (Bonnie Hunt and Steve Martin) and 12 kids, of which only one (Forrest Landis as “FedEx”) is worth watching. When he, the dog or the frog aren’t in the picture, “Dozen” is Hollywood hackery at its finest. Enjoy.

Extras: Director commentary, kids commentary, deleted/extended scenes, storyboards, four behind-the-scenes features, preview of “Cheaper by the Dozen 2” (ka-ching!).

SITCOM ALERT

`Scrubs: The Complete Second Season’ (NR, Buena Vista): One of the funniest and most mistreated sitcoms to hit TV in a painfully long time, maybe ever. “Arrested Development” fans bemoaning the imminent demise of their show will find this (along with the first season set) a most excellent consolation prize. Set contains 22 episodes (six with commentary), plus John McGinley interview, music feature, deleted scenes/outtakes, behind-the-scenes features, cast secrets, nifty embossed case.

`Seinfeld: Season 5′ (NR, Sony Pictures, Nov. 22): No introduction needed. Highlights include Jerry’s (Jerry Seinfeld) puffy shirt, George’s (Jason Alexander) marine biologist glory grab, the close-talker, Elaine’s (Julia Louis Dreyfuss) refusal to spare a square and Kramer’s (Michael Richard) unfortunate stint as a ball boy at the U.S. Open. Set contains 22 episodes, plus bonus standup material, deleted scenes, bloopers, behind-the-scenes feature, promo spots and more. “Season 6” releases on the same day.

`The Golden Girls: Complete Third Season’ (NR, Buena Vista, Nov. 22): A show about four old ladies that even today is ahead of its time? Unthinkable _ and yet, here it is in the flesh (literally). Season three highlights include Rose (Betty White) writing a letter to Gorbachev, the live-in pig, the girls posing nude and Sophia (Estelle Getty) snapping on everyone per usual. Set contains 25 episodes, plus two compilations (in case you’re too impatient to actually watch the episodes).

`Leave it to Beaver: The Complete First Season’ (NR, Universal, Nov. 22): The classic finally makes its way to DVD. What it lacks in realism, it recoups in charm. Highlights include the pet alligator, the black eye and Beaver (Jerry Mathers) running away. (Don’t worry, he came back.) Set contains 39 episodes, plus the pilot (starring a different Wally and Ward). A limited edition gift set, packaged with a Cleaver family album inside a slick “LITB” lunchbox, is also available.

`The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Fourth Season’ (NR, Paramount, Nov. 22): Welcome to Mayberry, Goober (George Lindsey). Don’t let the small-town facade fool you: If you’ve never seen an episode of “Andy Griffith,” you might be surprised just how intelligently funny it is. Set contains 32 episodes, no extras.

(Billy O’Keefe writes video game and DVD reviews for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.)

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(c) 2005, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.