This Week on DVD and Blu-ray - November 17th, 2009

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"Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence."

This week, new release day is officially Star Trek Day. J.J. Abrams' big-budget reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise hits shelves today. As a long-time "Trek" fan, I was skeptical of a new version of the original crew. I just couldn't imagine anyone except William Shatner as Captain Kirk and the rest of the original cast were equally indispensable. Abrams' younger cast looked more like they'd more comfortable on the set of a CW teen drama than the bridge of the Enterprise. However, the trailers looked cool and the reviews were almost unanimously positive so I figured I'd give "Star Trek" a shot. I'm glad I did as it was one of the best films of the year and one of the most fun experiences I had at the theater in a long time. So much so, I wound up seeing "Star Trek" two more times. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto equate themselves well as Kirk and Spock, but it was Karl Urban who stole the show as the cantankerous Dr. McCoy.

Do I think this new version somehow soils the legacy of the original "Star Trek"? Not one single bit. In fact, I know several friends who have never shown an interest in anything "Trek" who are now eager to learn more about it because of this film. I'm also happy to see that mini-skirts and go-go boots are still fashionable in the future.

John J. Puccio has reviewed the Blu-Ray which will surely be a must-own for any collection. "Star Trek" will also be available in single-disc and 2-disc DVD editions.

John has also reviewed the delightful Galaxy Quest: Deluxe Edition which debuts on Blu-Ray in conjunction with "Star Trek." "Quest" is a witty comedy that pays homage to the show while gently poking fun at it and its fans.

Sacha Baron Cohen had a surprise hit with the mockumentary "Borat." The film was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category and netted Cohen a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Not quite as successful is the follow-up, "Bruno," which comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Cohen goes from Kazakhstan journalist to flamboyantly gay Austrian fashion reporter, duping folks like Ron Paul and LaToya Jackson with his brand of guerilla comedy. Dean Winkelspecht gives a negative review for the Blu-Ray.

Based on the best-selling novel by Jodi Picoult, the melodramatic "My Sister's Keeper," starring Abigail Breslin, Cameron Diaz, Jason Patric, and Alec Baldwin, hits stores this week as well. You've also got Jim Jarmusch's minimalistic noir "The Limits of Control", the South Korean vampire flick "Thirst," and "Is Anybody There?" starring Michael Caine as an aged magician who imparts his wisdom on a young boy.

One classic film sees a big re-release this week while two more make their DVD debut.

Pauline Kael called it "...a work of integrity and a proof of dedication, and Manohla Dargis spoke of the film as "...a near-heavenly vision of a near-hell...situated at the juncture of nonfiction and fiction." They were heaping praise on the film, "The Exiles," directed by Kent McKenzie, and focusing on three twenty-something Native Americans living in the now-redeveloped Bunker Hill section of L.A. McKenzie's narrative film was built largely around interviews he conducted with the nonprofessional actors he cast. Shot in 1961, "Exiles" fell into virtual obscurity until it was restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archives and is now released on DVD by Milestone. Chris Long has reviewed the 2-disc set which he touts as one of the best DVD releases of the year.

The Criterion Collection will be releasing "Downhill Racer" (also reviewed by Chris) this week.

The classic Hollywood epic "Gone with the Wind" comes out in a spiffy new 70th Anniversary Collector's Edition boxset from Warner Bros., similar to "Wizard of Oz." The gift set includes art prints, photo book, CD, and a brand-new remastered transfer of the film. The gift set will be available in standard DVD and Blu-Ray. For the budget conscious, there is a movie-only 2-disc standard DVD also reviewed by Mr. Puccio. A movie-only Blu-Ray will be available exclusively at Target.

There are even more goodies debuting on Blu-Ray this week. In addition to "Galaxy Quest," there's David Fincher's dark comedy, "Fight Club." This 10th Anniversary Edition features a new high definition transfer of the film along with two new featurettes (one on sound design, another with footage from the Spike TV Scream Awards) and all the previous extras from the 2-disc edition.

The star-making debut of Natalie Portman, a stoic performance from Jean Reno, and Gary Oldman as one of the most memorable villains to hit the big screen, what's not to love about "The Professional?" Luc Besson's most lauded picture hits Blu-Ray this week.

Two of Kevin Smith's best films make the jump to high definition too as "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy" will be released on Blu-Ray. The films will be available separately or in The Kevin Smith Collection 3-pack with "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back." Also available on Blu-Ray is Steven Soderbergh's breakthrough film "Sex, Lies, and Videotape."

Oh, we're not done yet. We've got some big TV releases too.

First up is "Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season" which was previously released on DVD in August. Season 8 is now available on Blu-Ray and in widescreen as originally broadcast. James Plath has reviewed the new Blu-Ray set, but says he doesn't offer up much of an improvement over the standard definition release.

David Van Der Haeghen reviews "Rome: The Complete Series" on DVD (a Blu-Ray version will also be available). The HBO historical drama can easily stand beside the cable channel's best like "Oz," "Deadwood," and "The Sopranos."

Speaking of which, "The Sopranos: The Complete Series" will be re-released almost a year after the original version. This new edition features all the previous discs and bonus material of the first boxset (minus the CD soundtracks) repackaged in a lower-priced edition.

Rounding out the TV on DVD releases for the week are A&E's "Farscape: The Complete Series" and Shout! Factory's "Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series."

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