This Week in DVD is a column that compiles all the latest info regarding new DVD releases, sales, and exclusive deals from stores including Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Fry’s.

Please don’t take the commentary on the movies and TV shows too seriously, as they’re meant not to be reviews but rather previews that include the general thoughts and ramblings of a twice-committed DVD addict. The categories represent solely the author’s intentions towards the DVDs at hand, and are in no way meant to be a reflection on what he thinks other people should rent or buy. So if he ends up putting a movie you like in the “Skip it” section without having seen it, please keep in mind that the time you could spend leaving a spiteful but ultimately futile comment could instead be used for more pleasant things in life. Like buying DVDs.

Buy It

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
It’s hard to know what to make of Woody Allen’s career. With a writing/directing filmography consisting of over 40 movies, he’s ranged from undeniably brilliant to frustratingly repetitive to just plain bad. While some filmmakers take ten years to make their next movie, Allen is dropping out a new project every year. Love him or hate him, that’s damn impressive. And while his latest offerings may have provided more than a few clunkers, his recent attempt to move away from his dearly-loved New York scene with Match Point was definitely a step in the right direction. Vicky Cristina Barcelona shows that Allen is continuing this trend, and the reviews have clearly shown the benefits of doing so.
Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: None.

BEST PRICE
Target Best Buy Fry’s
$16.99 $19.99 $16.99
Amazon – $17.99

Rent It

ROCKNROLLA
(Available as single-disc and 2-Disc Special Edition)
Continuing off what I was saying about directors taking a step in the right direction, Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla marks another example, but one with admittedly more mixed results. To say it’s an improvement on Swept Away and Revolver is stating the obvious. The real question is, just how much of an improvement is it? Does it come close to reaching the heights of Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels? Hell no. But it’s an entertaining ride nonetheless. The biggest problem is the story, which is extremely convoluted without ever justifying having such a needlessly complex narrative, or for that matter, even bothering to engage the audiences enough to care about it. What keeps it afloat is the characters and the actors playing them, all of whom are clearly having fun exchanging witty quips and playing around in Ritchie’s slickly rendered world.
Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: The two-disc includes a commentary by Guy Richie and Mark Strong, a deleted scene, a Guy’s Town featurette, and a digital copy of the film.

BEST PRICE*
Target Best Buy Fry’s
N/A $19.99 $16.99
Amazon – $19.49

*Does not include 2-Disc Edition, which costs $22.99 at Best Buy and Fry’s, and $24.99 at Target and Amazon.

LAKEVIEW TERRACE
Lakeview Terrace is not an amazing movie by any means, but it blows my mind how people can so easily dismiss it while simultaneously praising Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino to no end. Don’t let the trailers fool you; this film isn’t some laughably absurd thriller about neighbors trying to kill each other over untrimmed hedges. It’s actually a fairly insightful and engaging dissection of race relations and how two men’s unflinching refusal to accept the things they cannot change lead them down an escalating path of destruction (one obviously more deserving of it than the other). The ending spirals out of control somewhat, but aside from that, it’s a film well worth seeing.
Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: A commentary with Director Neil LaBute and Kerry Washington, deleted scenes with optional commentary, and 3 featurettes (An Open House, Meet Your Neighbors, Home Sweet Home).

BEST PRICE
Target Best Buy Fry’s
$17.99 $16.99
Amazon – $19.99

THE ROCKER
I’m not gonna lie; this is a bad movie. The storytelling is by-the-numbers, the characters are poorly developed, and the direction is bland. The one thing that saves it, though, is Rainn Wilson. His energy and enthusiasm for the role single-handedly keeps the movie engaging, and even helps you to overlook every time a poorly written joke falls flat.
Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: A commentary with director Peter Cattaneo and actor Rainn Wilson, a second commentary with actors Josh Gad, Teddy Geiger, Emma Stone and Jason Sudeikis, 10 deleted scenes, a gag reel, 6 featurettes (Rainn Wilson: Office Rocker, Pete Best Interview, Behind The Band: Vesuvius, Rock Beat With Fish Fishman, The Music of The Rocker, Rock Tales), an MTV Film Festival Panel, an “I’m Not Bitter” music video, 4 exclusive podcasts, Fox Movie Channel Presents…In Character With The Rocker, Vesuvius Public Service Announcements, and a digital copy of the film.

BEST PRICE
Target Best Buy Fry’s
$19.99 N/A
Amazon – $21.99

Skip It

PRIDE AND GLORY
(Available as single-disc and 2-Disc Special Edition)
Holy hell does this movie look dull. I don’t think I’ve ever found myself this disinterested in a project that had so much talent on display, except for maybe We Own the Night, which was a similarly formulaic-looking police procedural. I can’t even tell the difference between these films anymore. They all look like nothing more than weak attempts to recreate the success of The Departed.
Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: The two-disc includes a Source of Glory: The Making of Pride and Glory making of documentary and a digital copy of the film.

BEST PRICE*
Target Best Buy Fry’s
$17.99 $16.99
Amazon – $16.99

*Does not include 2-Disc Edition, which costs $ at each of the listed stores (and $23.99 at Amazon).

FIREPROOF
A movie that clearly cares more about upholding wholesome Christian values than providing an original narrative or strong production values, Fireproof managed to make over 60 times its budget with its limited theatrical release (it grossed $33 million, and only cost half a million). This is great for those who like watching films that reaffirm their faith, but for those looking for some genuine entertainment (other than the unintentionally comedic kind), look elsewhere.
Blu-ray? No.
Notable Extras: A commentary with co-writer/director Alex Kendrick and co-writer/producer Stephen Kendrick, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers, resource film clips, Fireproof Resources, and Fireproof in 60 with Director’s Introduction.

BEST PRICE
Target Best Buy Fry’s
$16.99
Amazon – $16.99

COLLEGE
For a movie with the title College, this movie sure does an impressive job presenting a reality so far removed from actual college life that it’s almost funny. (Almost being the keyword here.)
Blu-ray? No.
Notable Extras: A gag reel.

BEST PRICE
Target Best Buy Fry’s
$19.99
Amazon – $19.99

Other noteworthy DVDs available this week…
Roman Polanski: Wanted and DesiredThe Lucky OnesOpen Season 2Hulk Vs. (Two-Disc Special Edition)Mary Poppins (45th Anniversary Special Edition)Cheers (The Final Season)Blossom (Seasons 1 & 2)

The Specials
NOTE: Some deals may be in-store only.


Exclusive: Bonus Disc with Open Season 2 ($16.99).


Exclusive: Free backpack with purchase of Open Season 2 ($19.99).

Exclusive: Free trading cards with purchase of Hulk Vs. (2-Disc Special Edition) ($17.99).

  • I have to disagree with you on the Pride & Glory.

    Although I wasn't too intrested in actually seeing the movie at first, I found it to be a very satisfying movie. I can see the similarities to We Own The Night, but I think Pride & Glory is a much better movie in the end (even tho it doesn't have Eva Mendes in it...)
  • I think I will actually pick up RocknRolla. I know the movie has a pretty flimsy narrative and not much of a story, but it has great characters and it is pretty funny. After the TERRIBLE Revolver I say RocknRolla is a big step in the right direction. Even though I think Ritchie needs to try something new and I think he is with Sherlock Holmes, it actually didn't bother me much that RocknRolla was similar to Snatch and Lock Stock but Ritchie definitely needs to do some new things. I'll probably buy Vicky Cristina Barcelona some where down the line, very good movie and definitely a more memorable Allen movie in the past few years, though Match Point was very good. I'm going to rent Lakeview Terrace despite thinking it looked funny, your guys review changed my mind to that it was just bad advertisements and is a good movie.
  • I actually enjoyed The Rocker. Maybe it's because it was free, but I thought it was a fun and funny way to waste an hour and a half. Yes it's by the books, but it's got some funny stuff in there and Josh Gad does great as Wilson's nephew Matt.
  • It's because it was free.
  • I think Pride & Glory is worth a rental it doesn't do anything new but what it does do it does effectivly. Strong performances from both Collen Ferral and Ed Norton, it was MUCH better then We Own the Night.
  • Serpico
    We Own The Night > Pride & Glory

    Also, I wouldn't necessarily say that either of these films exist solely because of The Departed's success, especially since Pride & Glory was originally supposed to be filmed back in early 2002. Hollywood has -- and will continue make -- movies about the NYPD (and the corruption that often accompanies it) forever.
  • you're right. I don't think WOTN is terrible at all. And it has Joaquin. Bye! Good. But when I saw Pride and Glory I died in my chair. truly. I didn't think it was going to end ever.
  • @Serpico

    Agree. We own the Night far more compelling than Pride & Glory.
    Neither is muchlike The Departed at all either. And if we're going to split hairs, The Departed was a remake in the first place.
  • Jake
    vicky christina barcelona was horrendous.
    it was one of the least subtle, least complex movies I have ever seen. It seemed like a movie a film student would make with cliched stereotypes (most notably blonde vs. brunette). The narration smacked you in the face with exactly what was happening, like a book on tape. The acting was terrible except for Cruz's role. It was an hour and a half movie that felt longer than the whole lord of the rings trilogy. Skip it.
  • Andrew Aiello
    funniest thing about the rocker was rainn's kidnapping jenna fischer shorts posted online when the movie came out. Saw it last week and the movie's first 5 minutes are pretty solid then a whole lot of meh unitl Will arnett shows up again.
  • INS
    If Pride & Glory is anything like We Own the Night, I wont bother
    RockNRolla doesnt seem like its worth it either

    VERY WEAK movie releases on DVD

    feels like its been this way for the past few weeks, my Netflix queue is getting pretty bare
  • INS
    but I am looking forward to Samuel Jackson playing a bad a$$ cop

    "Why do I always yell in my movies!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
  • Pride and Glory was actually pretty good. Sure, it's no Departed, but Ed Norton is his usual outstanding self, and Farrell continues his "comeback" year. But the one that really surprised me was British actress Jennifer Ehle, who plays the wife of police chief Toby Emmerich. Definitely worth a rental.
  • VCB is Woody's best in a long time.
  • Jake
    then I'm glad I haven't seen his recent one's because VCB was pretty unbearable, a really pathetic offering in all respects of film-making from someone who has been making movies for so long
  • Richard
    What? Pride and Glory in the skip it section? Thats my buy for today, I wasn't expecting much going into it but ended up really enjoying it, I thought it was a very good, well done and entertaining film. Also Vicky Christina Barcelona was very good as well, this was a movie I had no interest in seeing and got dragged into it but found it more enjoyable than the people I was with.
  • Luis
    Dont Forget the Bourne trilogy Came Out On Blu-ray today.. gatta get my copy
  • Lakeview Terrace and The Rocker should easily be in the SKIP IT section. I can't believe you put VCB in the BUY IT section. That movie sucked.

    Sadly RocknRolla is the only thing up there worth a damn.
  • Fred
    Did you guys turn up your font to child preventive/mentally handicapped size? It's gigantic.
  • man. nothing to be excited about this week. guess i'll have to save my $$.
  • Jonathan
    Fireproof was actually a very entertaining movie, and considering the budget, the production values were just fine. Thanks for showing your true colors by hating on this movie simply because it's a Christian movie. I'm guessing you didn't see it either.
  • Seriously? That's what you took from what I wrote? I don't care if a movie is a "Christian movie." What I do care about, though, is shitty Christian movies that spend more time trying to preach to audiences about following the principles of the Bible instead of providing a remotely engaging or original story. A good example of the opposite of this is Millions, which manages to explore the Christian faith in an interesting way without relying on a laughably melodramatic narrative.
  • Richard
    anyone else getting sick of this bonus digital copy crap? it's basically substituting special features or making them so minimum and then tacking on a digital copy, I am getting very sick of the growing trend.
  • Agreed. Have yet to use the stupid digital copy...
  • hating it

    just waiting for movies to start coming on thumbdrives
  • Another bad week in DVDs.
  • Has Dave Chen bought his copy of Fireproof yet?
  • I'd like inform you that Scarlett Johansson "actress"actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created illegally using stolen biomaterial.Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice, CHRISTIAN young lady.I'll tell more,those clones(it's not only 1)made in GERMANY-world leader manufacturer of humans clones,it's in Ludwigshafen am Rhein,Rhineland-Palatinate,Mr.Helmut Kohl home town.You can't even imaging the scale of the cloning activity.But warning,H.Kohl staff strictly controlling their clones spreading around the world,they're NAZI type disciplined and mind controlled,be careful get close with clones you will be controlled too.Original family didn't authorize any activity with stolen biomaterials,no matter what form it was created in,it's all need to be back to original family control in Cedars-Sinai MedicalCenter in LA.Controlling clones is US military operation.Original Scarlett never was engaged,by the way
  • please Lock Stock was a great film. You must admit Guy ritchie has a great way in making a film. RocknRolla wasnt the best but it was still enjoyable to watch.
  • Man!
    Know what really sucks! Over here in australia we havent even gotten theatrical releases of more than half of these movies!
  • I thought rocknrolla was pretty fantastic. a tiny step down from snatch. I disagree with your opinion that the plot was convoluted.

    i bought it, and will be watching it on my ipod during my next road trippppp =)
  • Hi Adam, Lock Stock and Snatch = horribly overrated and both of them have the same exact problems you point out about Rock'n'Rolla.
  • i hate vega bro!
    you're just a hater!
  • I tried to sugarcoat it, but that isnt the point is it? I am not hating anyone am I? I am just trying to talk about films because I love 'em. Every time I present an argument I get blasted and the talking about the films gets lost in that. So could we please leave the "you're just a hater!" in the Junior High film studies class and talk about films rationally?
  • I tried to sugarcoat it, but that isnt the point is it? I am not hating anyone am I? I am just trying to talk about films because I love 'em. Every time I present an argument I get blasted and the talking about the films gets lost in that. So could we please leave the "you're just a hater!" in the Junior High film studies class and talk about films rationally? Why dont you start "I hate vegabro". Tell me what part of my comment you disagree with, or can you?
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