The original G.I. Joe animated series is currently streaming on Netflix. I loved that show as a kid. I have many fond memories returning home from school every afternoon and watching the Joes fight COBRA, save the day, and learn something that made knowing worth half the battle. While a part of me wants to bring in the nostalgia and watch it all again, I suspect that would wind up being completely disappointing as my 36-year-old self might find what my 12-year-old self thought was awesome to be utterly cheesy and stupid. Murdering nostalgia sucks so I have yet to rewatch the series.
I saw the Last Days of Disco in college and really rather liked it, but I can’t actually remember anything about it, certainly not why I liked it (excepting the always lovely Chloë Sevigny). Not that Whit Stillman’s critically acclaimed film has anywhere near the ability of an ’80s cartoon designed to sell action figures to disappoint, but that sense of ruining fond memories still remains. I want to watch it again, and yet I fear the reality won’t be nearly as good as the film in my head.
Still, it is a Criterion Blu-ray and it still has Chloë Sevigny and those things wouldn’t disappoint me, would they? I’m sure they wouldn’t which is why The Last Days of Disco gets my Pick of the Week honors. Read the review by Sentry Dusty Somers.
Extras include: a restored high-definition digital transfer supervised by the director, audio commentary featuring the director and actors, four deleted scenes with commentary, an audio recording of Stillman reading a chapter from the book, a behind-the-scenes featurette, stills gallery, trailers and an essay by novelist David Schickler.
Also out this week that looks interesting:
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season One (Blu-ray): I was always an original series man myself over this follow-up series, but I’ve been rewatching The Next Generation on Netflix and I think I like it more now than I did then. The Blu-ray is loaded with special features including audio commentaries and several features.
Boss: Season One: I’ve heard good things about this Kelsey Grammer-starring series on the Starz network so I’m looking forward to binging on the whole first season.
Eclipse Series 34: Jean Gremillon During the Occupation (Remorques, Lumiere d’ete, Le ciel est a vous) (Criterion Collection): I know nothing about these movies and I haven’t ever heard of Jean Gremillion, but the Eclipse Series has contained some remarkable films over the years so I’m interested to learn more.
Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season: This was previously released months ago, but with the controversy over President George W. Bush’s head on a spike HBO has edited that micro-second scene to make the dead head look less like the former President and more like just another pitiful dude without a body.
Metropolitan (Criterion Blu-ray): Whit Stillman’s debut picture. I figure if my rewatch of The Last Days of Disco turns good then I’ll catch this one.
Kino Classics Presents: They Made Me a Fugitive (aka I Became a Criminal): I’ve heard good things about this over the years and its been on my list for ages, so a good Kino release ought to do the trick.
