DVD Releases for June 5, 2007

On DVD store shelves today: two hearts set aflame, Eddie Murphy in a very large frame, a camp counselor who knows how to play the game, a couple whose failing marriage they attempt to reclaim and an unusual story about a notorious prison and its shame.

Also this week: a young man in search of horses to tame, an Italian director and his Man With No Name, three drag queens of camp classic fame and two TV series of considerable acclaim.

We'll begin with Mr. Murphy, if - to you - it's all the same...

Eddie Murphy - after snagging a golden Globe for his performance in "Dreamgirls," along with an Oscar nomination - returns to his broad comedy roots in "Norbit."

Murphy plays multiple roles in the film, including the mild-mannered titular character, who gets a second chance at love with his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Thandie Newton).

But he faces one huge obstacle: jealous, mean-tempered Rasputia (also played by Murphy), who wants Norbit all to her sizeable self.

Can Norbit win the heart of Kate... before Rasputia puts the hurt on him?

The answer is rather predictable, but if you're a student of the "Big Momma's House" school of comedy, you'll enjoy "Norbit, " the supporting cast of which includes Cuba Gooding Jr., Marlon Wayans and Eddie Griffin.

"Norbit" arrives today in separate widescreen and full screen editions on standard definition DVD, as well as in HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions. Special features include fourteen deleted scenes.

The Pang Brothers' U.S. directorial debut, "The Messengers" comes to DVD, Blu-ray Disc and UMD (for Sony PSP) today.

In "The Messengers," Roy and Denise Solomon - played by Dylan McDermott and Penelope Ann Miller - are determined to rectify their failing marriage.

So the couple trades the hustle-and-bustle of Chicago life for the solace of a small, run-down farm in North Dakota.

Their children, played by Kristen Stewart and twins Evan and Theodore Turner, soon start seeing ghosts ominous spirits invisible to everyone else. At first, they find the apparitions intriguing until one night, when the ghosts' sinister side is revealed and their true intentions are made apparent.

Special features include seven behind-the-scenes featurettes and commentary with Kristen Stewart.

Zac Efron - star of the Disney Channel's most successful original film ever, "High School Musical" - appears this week in "The Derby Stallion," an uplifting tale of faith, perseverance and the magic that happens when you follow your heart.

Fifteen-year-old Patrick McCardle (Efron) doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, and the pressure put on him by his dad, an ex-professional baseball player, isn't helping. Then he meets Houston Jones (Bill Cobbs), a misunderstood horse trainer who convinces him to train for the famous Derby Cup.

But can Patrick convince his parents to let him compete, beat out the rich town bully - a five-time Derby Cup winner who will stop at nothing to keep his title - and somehow find the champion that lies within?

Here again, you probably already know the answer, but that shouldn't stop you from watching "The Derby Stallion," especially if you've been searching for a family-friendly film.

The work of Italian director Sergio Leone, whose stylistic and unflinchingly graphic depictions of the Old West elevated a marginalized genre to an art form and influenced many of today's filmmakers, gets its own boxed set this week: "The Sergio Leone Anthology."

In a time when Hollywood only seemed interested in squeaky-clean cowboys and good vs. evil stories from the frontier, Leone painted an altogether different portrait of the period, characterized by brutal violence, gritty hardship and questionable morality.

Leone's sweaty, sun-bleached epics launched the career of Clint Eastwood, who set a precedent for the genre - and the generation - with his portrayal of the original anti-hero: The Man With No Name.

"The Sergio Leone Anthology" showcases some of the great director’s legendary ventures with Eastwood, including "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly,"as well as "A Fistful of Dollars," Leone's Western homage to Akira Kurosawa's classic "Yojimbo" and "For a Few Dollars More," which finds Eastwood's Man With No Name in pursuit of the bounty of a ruthless - and intelligent - fugitive.

Also included in the collection is the DVD debut of "Duck, You Sucker!" (aka "A Fistful of Dynamite"), starring James Coburn and Rod Steiger in a turbulent tale set during the Mexican Revolution.

Each of Leone's classic films has been completely restored and the 8-Disc set comes fully loaded with more than 10 hours of bonus extras including never-before-seen-footage and extended scenes, retrospectives, audio commentaries by historian Sir Christopher Frayling and film critic Richard Schickel, featurettes, photo galleries, original theatrical trailers and radio spots.

Director Ivan Reitman's hit comedy, "Meatballs," returns to DVD today in a Special Edition.

The film features Bill Murray in his first starring role and was a blockbuster hit back in the summer of 1979. It's now been digitally re-mastered under Reitman's supervision for this release, which is packed with several first time extras, including a bonus documentary called "Summer Camp: The Making of Meatballs" and a director's commentary.

Filmed on location at an actual summer camp, the movie captures a succession of daily adventures at a typical camp, cheerfully championed by Tripper Harrison (Murray), the wackiest head counselor in North Star camp history.

He's a prankster with a fondness for the ladies and devotes his summer activities to cracking jokes, chasing female staffers, and plotting the demise of their evil rich rivals, the snotty young brats at nearby Camp Mohawk.

"The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" is out this week in a new "Extra Frills" Edition with deleted scenes, bloopers, audio commentary from the director, behind-the-scenes featurettes and a photo gallery.

This cult favorite stars Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving and Terence Stamp as a trio of high-drama drag queens heading to the Australian outback to perform at a new casino.

The action heats up as the flamboyant and fabulous trio try to brave the rugged desert. Christening their battered tour bus "Priscilla," these three soon discover their spectacular adventures are more than matched by their spectacular outfits.

Directed by Stephan Elliot, "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design (1995) and is regarded by many as a camp classic.

Wolfe Video begins their new "Vintage Collection" of classic lesbian films with a new 2-Disc Collector's Edition of Donna Deitch's landmark Sapphic romance "Desert Hearts."

This edition features several new bonus features including a new commentary track from the director, previously unseen footage from the now-famous love scene, new interviews by the director with the film's stars and a photo gallery.

In this 1986 film, Vivian (Helen Shaver) is a repressed English professor who goes to Reno for a quickie divorce in 1959. She spends the weeks waiting for her final divorce papers at a dude ranch where she meets Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), a beautiful young casino worker. The two develop a friendship that stirs desires in Vivian that she cannot deny.

"Desert Hearts" also stars Audra Lindley, Denise Crosby, Dean Butler, Gwen Welles and Jeffrey Tambor.

"The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair" is both a powerful documentary and an absurd comedy.

In a case of mistaken identity, an Iraqi journalist's life is changed forever as his home is invaded by American soldiers and he is sent to Abu Ghraib Prison for allegedly planning the assassination of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The film, made by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein, chronicles the life of Yunis Khatayer Abbas, and his experience as a detainee in the infamous Iraqi prison for over eight months.

"The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair" explains how he was sent to an overcrowded and abusive prison, subjected to a full menu of U.S. interrogation, and had his life threatened daily by unhealthy and unsafe conditions.

The Third Season of "Rescue Me" arrives on DVD and Blu-ray Disc today; it's the first TV show to be released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on Blu-ray Disc.

The 4-Disc standard definition DVD boxed set and the separate 4-Disc Blu-ray boxed set both include all 13 episodes along with exclusive bonus features, including a blooper reel, deleted scenes and six all-new featurettes with the cast and producers.

Created by Denis Leary and Peter Tolan, "Rescue Me" skillfully finds the humor in everyday life while never shying away from the emotional tragedies that affect its characters.

The show centers on the inner workings of a New York City firehouse and the personal and emotional battles of its members in a post-9/11 world.

Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards return to DVD this week in "Seinfeld: The Complete Eighth Season."

The deluxe 4-Disc boxed set contains all 22 episodes from the show's Eighth Season, including such memorable episodes as "The English Patient," "The Yada Yada" and "The Muffin Tops."

"Seinfeld: The Complete Eighth Season," like other seasons of the show, will also contain extensive bonus material, including two all-new animated "Sein-Imation" features, with Seinfeld scenes re-imagined with original cast voices.

The boxed set also includes all-new interviews with the cast and creators, commentaries on select episodes, a factoid track on each episode, bloopers and deleted scenes.

During "Seinfeld: The Complete Eighth Season," George is eager to put Susan's death behind him, Elaine meets a group of friends who are the exact opposite of the gang, Kramer rails against the new Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant, George dates a prison inmate and Elaine loses a boyfriend when she hates "The English Patient."

Also in Season 8: Jerry's new girlfriend uses a toothbrush that has fallen into the toilet, George finds the perfect place to nap at work, Elaine strives to dispose of muffin stems, and after getting fired from the Yankees, George declares it "The Summer of George."

Guest stars in Season Eight include Jerry Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, Kristin Davis, Debra Messing, Amanda Peet, Raquel Welch, Molly Shannon, Rena Sofer, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Wagner, Jill St. John, New York Yankee Derek Jeter and David Letterman.

As always, a list of top DVD releases for this week can be found in our left sidebar. You can also click "continue reading" (below) to read this extended post, which includes a more complete list of top DVD releases for this week.

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Top DVD Releases for Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Norbit: Widescreen Edition

Norbit: Full Screen Edition

Coming to America: Special Collector's Edition

Trading Places: Special Collector's Edition

The Messengers

The Messengers [UMD for PSP]

Desert Hearts: 2-Disc Vintage Collection

World War II Collection, Vol. 2 - Heroes Fight for Freedom

Von Ryan's Express: Special Edition

Command Decision

Air Force

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo

Twelve O'Clock High: Special Edition

The Sand Pebbles

Hell to Eternity

Red Mercury

Obsession

36 Hours

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: Global Warming Edition

A Little Night Music

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert: Extra Frills Edition

Fantastic Four: Extended Cut - 2-Disc Special Edition

Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster

Invasion of Astro-Monster

The Derby Stallion

Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Collection: Volume 2

The Sergio Leone Anthology

Duck, You Sucker: 2-Disc Collector's Edition (a.k.a. A Fistful of Dynamite)

A Fistful of Dollars: 2-Disc Collector's Edition

For a Few Dollars More: 2-Disc Collector's Edition

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: 2-Disc Collector's Edition

Missing Victor Pellerin

Highlander: The Search for Vengeance

The Hill

Fail Safe

Meatballs: Special Edition

Platoon: Collector's Edition

Fight Club: Collector's Edition

Hannibal: Collector's Edition

The Terminator: Lenticular Edition

The Abyss: Director's Cut, Lenticular Edition

Robocop: Lenticular Edition

Alien vs. Predator: Lenticular Edition

X-2: X-Men United - Special Edition

Cast Away: Special Edition

Man on Fire: Collector's Edition

Die Hard: Special Edition

The Day After Tomorrow: Special Edition

The Omen: Collector's Edition

Fantastic Voyage: Special Edition

The Neptune Factor: An Undersea Odyssey

The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair

The Further Perils of Laurel and Hardy

Path to Paradise

The 4 Musketeers

Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

Big Bad Wolf

H.O.T.S.

Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller: Make Ahead Meals

Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller: Volume One

Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller: Quick & Delicious

Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller: Weeknight Solutions

Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay: All Style Grilling

Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay: Blazin' Barbecue

Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay: Sizzlin' Menus

Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay: Grilling Classics

30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray: Fasta Pasta 1

30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray: Fun and Fast

30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray: Fast & Light

30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray: A Little Spice Is Nice

Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen: Sure To Please

Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen: Memorable Treats

Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen: BBQ

Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen: Outdoor Eating

Leslie Sansone: Walk Away the Pounds - Express

Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim: Fast Firming

Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim: 4 Fast Miles

Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim: Fast Start 1 & 2 Mile Walk / 3 Fast Miles

The Cosby Show: Season 3

The Cosby Show: Season 4 

 Seinfeld: Season 8

Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season

Mission: Impossible: The Second TV Season

Hogan's Heroes: The Sixth & Final Season

Hogan's Heroes: The Complete Series

Dante's Cove: The Complete Second Season

Robin Hood: Season 1

The Dead Zone: The Complete Fifth Season

Doctor Who: New Beginnings

Doctor Who - Logopolis (Episode 116)

CHiPs: The Complete First Season

Hex: The Complete First Season

The Fall Guy: The Complete Season 1

What's New Scooby-Doo? - The Complete Second Season

Survivorman

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home: The Complete First Season

The Best of The Tonight Show: King of Late Night

The Best of The Tonight Show: Stand-Up Comedians

The Henry Rollins Show: Season One

Henry Rollins: Uncut from NYC

SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom Adventures

The Best of Chappelle's Show: Uncensored

The Sweeney: The Complete First Series

The Bill: The Complete First Series

The Outer Limits (The Original Series) - Season 1, Volume 1

Dark Angel: The Complete First Season

Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season

Jimmy Carter: The President from Plains

Joan Miro - Constellations: Color of Poetry

NOVA Hurricane Set

Black Woman's Guide to Finding a Good Man

How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It)

Fired!

Craft in America

Secrets of the Code

Maxed Out

Prehistoric Park

Hurricane on the Bayou

Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

Big Easy to Big Empty: The Untold Story of the Drowning of New Orleans

Max & Ruby: Summertime With Max & Ruby

Sesame Street: Kids' Favorite Country Songs

Clifford: Big Fun in the Sun

Clifford: Happy Birthday Clifford!

Clifford: Clifford Saves the Day

Clifford: Clifford's Schoolhouse

Denis Leary: The Ultimate Collection

Larry the Cable Guy: Morning Constitutions

Comedy Club Greats

Jamie Foxx: America's Funniest Comics, Vol. 2

12 Girls Band: Live from Shanghai

Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band: Live In Dublin

Joe Rogan Live

O.A.R.: Live From Madison Square Garden

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Live from Austin, TX

Gil Scott-Heron & Amnesia Express: The Paris Concert

Justin Timberlake: Just Hanging Out

Stevie Nicks: Live at Red Rocks

U2: The DVD Collector's Box

Marshall Crenshaw: On Stage at World Cafe Live

Bonnie Tyler: The Complete Bonnie Tyler

The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour

Rita Coolidge: On Stage at World Cafe Live

A Night With Lou Reed

Rock Case Studies: AC/DC

Vic Damone: On the Street Where You Live

David Beckham: Coming to America

Sportscentury Greatest Athletes: Barry Bonds

Beisbol: The Latin Game

NBA: All Access

WWE: The Ladder Match

The Most Powerful Families in Wrestling

Hank Haney: ESPN Golf Schools - The 3-Club Tour

Hank Haney: ESPN Golf Schools - Top Tips

Ultimate Fighting: Female Boxing

Girls Gone Wild: Freshmen Orientation

Girls Gone Wild: Co-Ed Sex Tryouts

Rio Bravo [HD DVD]

Trading Places: Special Collector's Edition [HD DVD]

Coming to America [HD DVD]

The Cowboys [HD DVD]

Norbit [HD DVD]

Blood Diamond [Blu-ray Disc]

Hellboy [Blu-ray Disc]

Coming to America: Special Collector's Edition [Blu-ray Disc]

Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band: Live in Dublin [Blu-ray Disc]

Trading Places: Special Collector's Edition [Blu-ray Disc]

Rio Bravo [Blu-ray Disc]

The Messengers [Blu-ray Disc]

The Cowboys [Blu-ray Disc]

Norbit [Blu-ray Disc]

Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season [Blu-ray Disc]

Meatballs [Blu-ray Disc]

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