SPEND YOUR MONEY!

NEW RELEASES

*Blu-Ray prices are in BOLD
BLUE
     
Inception                                                                              $17.99  $17.99
Shrek: The Final Chapter                                           $17.99 $22.99  $17.99
Twilight Saga: Eclipse                                                $15.99 $19.99 $19.99 $24.99  

Destination Forks: Real World of Twilight                              $9.99
Remember Me                                                                      $12.99  
Videos/Performances from The Twilight Saga Vol. 1              $19.99  
Twilight Saga: New Moon                                                     $19.99  $24.99

Twilight                                                                                 $19.99  $24.99
Shrek: The Whole Story                                                      $32.99  $42.99                             

BLU-RAY sale

Nothing much

TV on DVD SALE

Nothing Much This Week

———————————————–

NEW RELEASES

*Blu-Ray prices are in BOLD
BLUE
   
Inception                                                                    $17.99  $18.99 $24.99 $29.99
Shrek: The Final Chapter                                            $16.99 $19.99  $22.99 $25.99
Twilight Saga: Eclipse                                                            $15.99 $19.99  
Grown Ups                                                                $13.99   $19.99 $21.99
Shrek: The Whole Story                                                        $34.99  $49.99   
The Universe : 7 Wonders of the Solar System 3-D              $24.99       
Alice in Wonderland 3-D                                                     $34.99   

DVD Sale

$4.99

The Box
Borat
Batman Begins
Se7en
I Am Legend
The Notebook
Grandma’s Boy: Unrated
300
Dodgeball

BLU-RAY sale

3-D BLU-RAY Sale (Get it before the format dies)
$29.99

The Last Airbender
Monster House
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Open Season
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
My Bloody Valentine (remake)

$9.99

The Human Centipede
Gran Torino
Watchmen: Director’s Cut
Hancock
The Ugly Truth
American History X
The Departed
The Wrestler
Slumdog Millionaire
The Taking of Pelham 123 (remake)

$14.99

Sherlock Holmes
Ninja Assassin
2012
The Hangover: Unrated
Where the Wild Things Are
Zombieland
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Blind Side
The Boondocks II: All Saints Day

$19.99

Get Him to the Greek
Wall-E
Eat Pray Love
The Princess and The Frog
Killers
Robin Hood (2010)
Predators
The Last Airbender
Toy Story: Special Edition
Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

TV on DVD SALE

$19.99

Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season
Six Feet Under: The Complete Fifth Season
Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season
Mad Men: Season 2
NCIS: The Sixth Season
Californication: The Second Season
Entourage: The Complete Fifth Season
Dexter: The Second Season
Castle: The Complete First Season

Video Game
Sales

Target

Tron Evolution: $59.99 (360/PS3), $49.99 (Wii), Get $10 Target Gift Card with purchase
EA Sports Active 2: $89.99 (360/PS3/Wii)
Donkey Kong Country Returns: $49.99 (Wii)
Wii Sports Resort: $49.99 (Wii)
Sing It: $39.99 (Wii)
Epic Mickey: $49.99 (Wii)
Halo Reach: $49.99 (360)
Fable III: $49.99 (360)
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: $49.99 (360/PS3)
Medal of Honor: $49.99 (360/PS3)
GoldenEye 007: $39.99 (Wii)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare: $49.99 (360/PS3)
Red Dead Redemption: $49.99 (360/PS3)
Dead Rising 2: $49.99 (360/PS3)
EA Sports Madden 11: $49.99 (360/PS3)
EA Sports FIFA Soccer 11: $49.99 (360/PS3)
EA Sports NCAA Football 11: $49.99 (360/PS3)
EA Sports NHL 11: $49.99 (360/PS3)
Just Dance 2: $29.99 (Wii)
Michael Jackson Experience: $39.99 (Wii)
Toy Story 3: $39.99 (360/PS3/Wii)
DJ Hero 2: $49.99 (360/PS3/Wii)
Family Game Night: $29.99 (360/PS3/Wii)
Fit: $29.99 (Wii)
Monopoly: $29.99 (360/PS3/Wii)
Club Penguin Game Day!: $29.99 (Wii)
Mario Kart DS: $29.99 (NDS)
Super Mario Bros: $29.99 (NDS)
Elmo’s A to Zoo Adventures: $19.99 (NDS)
ZhuZhu Pets 2: $24.99 (NDS)

Best Buy

Tron Evolution: $59.99 (360/PS3), $49.99 (Wii), $29.99 (NDS/PSP)
EA Sports MMA: $39.99 (360/PS3)
Enslaved: $39.99 (360/PS3)
Shaun White Skateboarding: $29.99 (360/PS3/Wii)
Call of Duty – Black Ops: $59.99 (360/PS3)
Brunswick Pro Bowling: $29.99 (Move)
Party Pack: $39.99 (Move)
The Shoot: $39.99 (Move)
LotR – Aragorn’s Quest: $49.99 (Move)
– Buy 2, Save $10 or Buy 3, Save $20 on select Kinect games priced $39.99-$99.99
Golden Sun – Dark Dawn: $34.99 (NDS)
Mario VS Donkey Kong: $29.99 (NDS)
Kung Zhu: $24.99 (NDS)
Zhu Zhu Pets 2: $24.99 (NDS)
Zhu Zhu Pets: $29.99 (NDS)
– Buy 2 for $40 on any NDS games indicated with an * ($29.99 each individually)
BeyBlade*, ICarly 2*, Toy Story 3*, Megamind – The Blue Defender*, Marvel Super Hero Squad*,
The Penguins of Madagascar*, Bakugan*, Super Scribblenauts*, Dora’s
Cooking Club*, Phineas and Ferb Ride Again*, Petz Nursery 2*, Diego’s
Build and Rescue*

K-Mart

Tron Evolution: $59.99 (360/PS3), $49.99 (Wii), Get $10 Gaming Coupon with purchase
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood: $59.99 (PS3)
EA Sports FIFA Soccer 11: $39.99 (360)
EA Sports NCAA Football 11: $39.99 (360)
Medal of Honor: $39.99 (PS3)
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: $39.99 (PS3)
EA Sports NBA Jam: $29.99 (PS3)
EA Sports NHL 11: $39.99 (PS3)
EA Sports MMA: $39.99 (PS3)
EA Sports Madden 11: $39.99 (PS3)
– PS3 Greatest Hits Sale: $19.99 each (selection may vary by store)
– Save $10 on featured NDS games
Super Mario Bros Wii: $39.99 (Wii)
Mario Kart Wii: $39.99 (Wii)
Sin and Punishment Star Successor: $39.99 (Wii)
Wheel of Fortune: $19.99 (Wii)
Family Game Night: $29.99 (Wii)
The Biggest Loser Challenge: $29.99 (Wii)


TOYS R US

Buy 1, Get 1 50% off, ALL Video Games, Accessories, Guides, and T-Shirts
Epic Mickey: $49.99 (Wii)
Raving Rabbids Travel in Time: $49.99 (Wii)

THIS
WEEK’S DVD REVIEWS at CHUD

Did
you miss a review this week? A lot of titles go unnoticed during the
hectic news days around the site.

Click
here to discover some of the latest DVD reviews.

THE REST OF
THE DVDs THIS WEEK

Absence Of Malice
Almighty Debt: A Black In America Special (CNN) (DVD-R)
Anywhere, USA
Apparitions
Barry Munday
Bastard Swordsman (Shaw Brothers)
Big Bad Mama/Big Bad Mama II (Roger Corman’s Cult Classics Double Feature)
Big River Man
The Bob Hope Collection: The Lemon Drop Kid/My Favorite Brunette/Road To Rio/Road To Bali/The Seven Little Foys
Bonanza: The Official Second Season, Vol. 1
Boy Meets World: The Complete Fourth Season
Caged Animal
California Suite
Le Chevalier D’Eon: The Complete Collection (S.A.V.E. Edition)
Crazy Mama/The Lady In Red (Roger Corman’s Cult Classics Double Feature)
Cronos (Criterion Collection)
Destination Forks: The Real World Of Twilight
Dirty Pair, Pt. 1
Disciples Of The 36th Chamber (Shaw Brothers) (Dragon Dynasty)
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation
A Dog Year
The Dolphin: Story Of A Dreamer
Dragnet 1969: Season Three
ESPN Films’ 30 For 30, Vol. 1
Fistful Of Brains
Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor And Other Fantastic Films By Koji Yamamura
Greenlit
Harpoon: Whale Watching Massacre AKA Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre (Theatrical Edition)
Harpoon: Whale Watching Massacre AKA Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre (Unrated Edition)
Hoarders: Season Two, Pt. 1
Hot Wheels Battle Force 5: Season One, Pt. 2
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist And Rebel
Hunter Prey
Ikki Tousen: The Complete Series
Inception
Jaffa
Kimikiss: Pure Rouge, Collection 2
Mademoiselle Chambon
MLB: San Francisco Giants – 2010 World Series
Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Second Season, Pt. 4 (Standard Edition)
Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Second Season, Pt. 4 (Special Edition)
My Friend Rabbit: Season One
Nothing In Common (Reissue)
Only When I Dance
Patrik, Age 1.5
Reformat The Planet
Release
Restrepo
Return Of Bastard Swordsman (Shaw Brothers)
Schoolgirl Hitchhikers
The Shiver Of The Vampires
Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After/Donkey’s Christmas Shrektacular (Holiday Double Pack)
Shrek: The Whole Story
Spice And Wolf: Season One
SpongeBob SquarePants: Season Six, Vol. 2
Strapped
Taxicab Confessions: New York, New York, Pts. 1, 2 & 3 (DVD-R)
The Third: The Girl With The Blue Eye
300 Killers
Twentieth Century Fox 75th Anniversary Collection
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Single Disc Edition)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Two-Disc Special Edition)
UFC 119: Mir Vs. Cro Cop/Nogueira Vs. Bader
UFC: Ultimate Heavyweights
Vega$ (Vegas): The Second Season, Vol. 1
The Wylds
The Year Of Getting To Know Us
Yogi Bear’s All-Star Comedy Christmas Caper

BLU-RAY: IT’S
GETTING CHEAPER

Barry Munday
Caged Animal
Cronos (Criterion Collection)
Harpoon: Whale Watching Massacre AKA Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre
Inception (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Iwo Jima: 36 Days Of Hell
Letters To God
Lost In Translation
Mademoiselle Chambon
MLB: San Francisco Giants – 2010 World Series (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Restrepo
Rush Hour
Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Shrek: The Whole Story
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Movie-Only Edition)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Special Edition) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
UFC: Ultimate Heavyweights
Videodrome (Criterion Collection)
The Year Of Getting To Know Us

Music

Section By Jeb D.

TRON LEGACY SOUNDTRACK

Daft Punk

BUY IT FROM AMAZON!

I don’t particularly share the nostalgia for Tron: I acknowledge its prescience in depicting the computer as the central organizing force of our lives, but it’s really a pretty limp piece of storytelling, and the trailers for the sequel don’t lead me to expect anything better (apart from Olivia Wilde in a catsuit). So, I figured that the high point of the enterprise might be the rather interesting choice of Daft Punk (natural successors to Wendy Carlos, really) to do the soundtrack. And, if you’ve heard the lead track, “Derezzed,” you might feel the same: all snappy euro-beats and whirlpools of synth. Unfortunately, the balance of the album is, well… an action movie soundtrack. Not a particularly bad one, I suppose–it’s got the requisite swelling strings, stabbing ostinati, orchestral tutti passages that end in echoing silence–but with the occasional exception (I’ll be interested in seeing just how “End of Line” gets used in the film) there’s not much particularly distinctive about it, either. I imagine it will sound great in the theater, and if you settle in and listen to the entire thing, letting your mind wander, you might well be able to imagine your own mental movie that would probably be at least as interesting as either of the Tron films.

ENDLESSLY

Duffy

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There was more to Duffy’s 2008 debut than her retro-Petula Clark/Cilla Black stylings: her singing had a slyness that suggested a deep knowledge of white-soul predecessors from Dusty Springfield to Joss Stone, and her writing had a hint of Sam Philips’ quirk-pop sensibility. But promising debut albums like that are, if not a dime a dozen, at least a lot rarer than equally strong follow-ups, and there’s a hint of sophomore slump about this second effort. Co-produced by Duffy and veteran Albert Hammond (fun fact: I once saw him open for T.Rex back in the day), there’s an attempt to blend that lush 60’s backing with radio-ready beats on tracks like “Keeping My Baby” and “Well Well Well.” It makes for a reasonably smooth background-music experience, but the distinctive writing that fueled hits like “Mercy” and “Warwick Avenue” gets blended into a homogenous mix that plays down her personality in favor of obvious diva moments like “Don’t Forsake Me.” However, since I would expect this to be an even bigger hit than the first album, I doubt she’s worried.

JUST CHARLIE

Charlie Wilson

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You know, it’s really unfair of me to be expecting Wilson to keep dropping bombs and burning rubber, but I can’t help the fact that any new release of his reawakens my Gap Band jones. But if lush, smooth contemporary R&B is your thing, stuff like “You Are,” “Crying For You,” and “Once And Forever” is pretty ideal makeout music. Every now and again, a beat or two will surface to suggest that someone in the studio was actually awake when they cut this (“Life Of The Party,” “Lotto”) but that’s quickly squelched lest anything resembling a personality be exposed. I’m glad for the guy’s success, but call me when the Party Train is back in town.

SOPHISTICATED LADIES

Charlie Haden Quartet West

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Haden comes up with his second stunning collaboration this year (following Jasmine with Keith Jarrett), employing his distinctive blend of taste, intelligence, and wit on a collection of songs of bittersweet romance, on half of which the quartet is joined by a first-rank collection of female vocalists, including Cassandra Wilson, Melody Gardot, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Renee Fleming, and Haden’s wife Ruth Cameron. The vocal selections are sweetened with wonderfully subtle string arrangements (conducted by pianist Alan Broadbent), the instrumental tracks focusing mostly on just the players of the quartet. High points are many: Ernie Watts’ sax drives the title track with a verve that’s more than a tad reminiscent of his days touring with the Rolling Stones, while Broadbent and new drummer Rodney Green make Hank Jones’ “Angel Face” dangerously seductive. Frankly, the album would be outstanding if it were just the half-dozen instrumental tracks; adding the vocalists just raises the bar: Jones is slinky and sly on “Ill Wind;” “If I’m Lucky” features Gardot’s almost breathless urgency, subtly decorated with tender solo passages from Broadbent and Watts; and Wilson debuts a newly-discovered set of Johnny Mercer lyrics for “My Love and I,”  her deep, velvety voice trading passages with Haden as he showcases his understated command of tone and color. Honestly, if you know someone who’s always buying those “Standards” collections from people like Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow, this is the ideal Christmas gift to show them how it’s supposed to be done.

Other Noteworthy 12/7 Releases

Hinder, All American Nightmare. Hard rock cliche piled on cliche, shoutouts to and swipes from Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC abound, but almost worth it for “Put That Record On,” which gets all weepy and nostalgic over hearing your favorite music while stoned. And when the white boy singer bellows “Take your Kanye out of my player!” at least he remembers to say “Please.”

T.I., No Mercy. Everyone’s favorite guest star gets the favor returned with appearances from Eminem, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, and more. “Get Back Up” is the snappy single leading the way.

Plain White T’s, Wonders of the Younger. Oh, sure, you dismiss these guys for being cheesy, derivative and obvious. But you’re just jealous that they didn’t choose one of your songs for the Cars video game.

Christian Kane, The House Rules. Under the Bob Ezrin production, plodding 4/4 drumming, and hair-metal harmonies, you know the guy’s country cuz he sounds like Tom Joad and sings about whiskey. At least I think that makes him country… getting harder and harder to tell these days.

Flyleaf, Remember To Live. I’m OK with the idea of “Justice & Mercy,” less certain about “Violent Love,” and I’d probably find this band’s version of TV-show-montage metal more convincing if singer Lacey Mosley didn’t remind me so much of one of the Chipettes.

Eric Johnson, Up Close. Dude can absolutely play, so anything he puts out is worth a listen. If he were a more interesting songwriter, I’d say it was worth two.

Robin Trower, The Playful Heart. See “Eric Johnson.”

Sufjan Stevens, All Delighted People. Evidently, the full version of this EP is only just now coming out on CD. But you have it already.

Einsturzende Neubauten, Strategies Against Architecture IV. Highly entertaining 2-disk compilation of the past decade of Teutonic industrialism from the band that defies the notion that Germans have no sense of humor. At least, I’ve always assumed they were being funny.

Ministry And The Co-conspirators: Undercover. I don’t know why Jourgensen filled this album out by remaking stuff like “N.W.O.” and “Every Day Is Halloween”-I’d love to have heard a few more covers like his lunatic takes on “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Rehab.”

TRON EVOLUTION
Disney Interactive
360, PS3, PC, PSP, DS
11/30
MSRP: $59.99/$39.99 PC/$29.99 PSP and DS

CLICK HERE TO BUY FROM AMAZON!

I could honestly have given two shits about Tron prior to this year. Everything about this property has “I’d like to, but” written all over it. I get the film’s influence, but I was born the year it came out, and around the time I might’ve cared, I had latched onto Robocop. Despite Dre’s early reaction, I’m still intrigued by the film sequel, but the fact that my local theater’s getting Black Swan the same weekend this hits may even put the kibosh on that. I also could’ve sworn there was already a Tron FPS that was actually fairly well received, but my aforementioned shit deficiency played a part in me never getting around to it. Early word on this game makes it sound like Prince of Persia, but busted. So I guess, I’d love to play it, but I have too many games that are good to play.

WORLD OF WARCRAFT: CATACLYSM
Blizzard/Activision
PC, Mac OSX
12/7
MSRP: $39.99

CLICK HERE TO BUY FROM AMAZON!

If you’re reading this, and you care that this expansion is happening, first of all, thank you. You must have so many raids you’re missing out on just to read my shit, and for that, I am gracious. Second, I would like to ask that you not freak out. I have heard some of you have been a little wary because they’re dumbing down the GUI a bit to accommodate new players. DO NOT PANIC. See, this may all be unwanted change for you, but this is Blizzard trying like hell to be warm and welcoming to new players, something most MMORPGs don’t even bother with. That’s important, and it’s nice. I mean, granted, I have a social life, would like to keep it that way, and already have enough nerdery under my belt without having to add “plays a MMORPG” to the pile. Least till The Old Republic happens. But, the effort’s appreciated. Welcome your new players lovingly. Some of them might be female, so it won’t be as weird. Thanks, guys. I’ll let you go back to your neverending level grind.

OOOHHHH: ON THE DLC TIP

NO MAJOR DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT THIS WEEK
Please consume elsewhere.

ROCK BAND TUESDAY

Queen Extravaganza Pack 01 ($10.99/880 MS pts)

• Hammer to Fall X
• Keep Yourself Alive X
• Now I’m Here X
• Play the Game X
• Tenement Funster X
• We Are the Champions (RB3 version)
• We Will Rock You (RB3 version)

Queen RB3 Enhanced Pack ($9.99/800 MS pts)

• I Want It All (RB3 version) X
• I Want To Break Free (RB3 version) X
• Killer Queen (RB3 version) X
• One Vision (RB3 version) X
• Somebody To Love (RB3 version) X
• Under Pressure (RB3 version) X

$1.99/160 MS pts per track
X-Pro Guitar and Pro Bass expansion available for 99 cents/80 MS pts

Well, let’s go with the good new pack first. We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions should be instant purchases.  The rest is made up of some interesting choices, all solid, but none I would’ve singled out in particular. Someday, Harmomix will man up, and give us The Prophet’s Song, and let the vocalists get a workout.

Now the bad news, which is what I was kinda afraid of. That Enhanced pack is all the tracks from the last Queen pack, but “RB3 versions”. Instead of just patching the old pack for a lower price, which i know can be done. Annoying but I suppose it’s the way of the world. And it’s not like I’m not blowing whatever they wanna charge me when an enhanced version of the Nine Inch Nails pack happens.

The Week of December 7th, 2010

GROUP EDITED by: TROY ANDERSON

DVD/BR
SECTION by: Troy Anderson

INCEPTION

Director: Christopher Nolan
Warner Brothers

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

Special Features

Inception remains one of the Best Films of the Year. In a year like this, that’s not really saying much. However I do have to commend Nolan on being able to take his conceptual film artistry to the next level by trying to add tragic romance into the mix. DiCaprio and Cotillard deserve equal praise, as they sell the magic of Cobb and his obsession to return an idealized life. Illusion, fantasy, reality and dream are all portrayed as fleeting moments where two lovers wait for the next kick to bring them back together. Some might say that the film is about forgiveness and trying to find the means to move on. I don’t believe that Nolan is being that straightforward, as he wants us to question the simulation and accept the fallacy that is complacent living. Nothing is real.

CRONOS: CRITERION COLLECTION
director: Guillermo del Toro

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

Special Features

Cronos is a simple debut offering from director Del Toro about the quest for eternal life. When shopkeeper Jesus Gris discovers a small golden box, he believes that it is a long lost treasure from a 16th century alchemist. Working with his nephew, he tries to find a way to keep it safe from those might want to steal it from him. The first time that Jesus tries to use the Cronos device, he discovers that it stabs the user and leaves them with a severe bloodlust. Sure, the wounds closes and the user become revitalized. It’s just that your extended life is dependent on your blood hunt. The Criterion Collection continues to astound me with their recent choices that break out of the Arthouse and go for the underappreciated gems that litter throughout International Cinema. Check out Del Toro’s unreleased early film Geometria in the supplemental material area.

VIDEODROME: CRITERION COLLECTION
director: David Cronenberg

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT AT AMAZON!

SPECIAL FEATURES

Videodrome remains one of my most beloved entries into the