Horrors! It’s a titanic battle of egomaniacs
Freddy Vs. Jason
Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger
New Line, $30
Two of the major horror stars of the latter half of the 20th century -- the hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees (Kirzinger) from the “Friday the 13th” franchise and the razor-gloved, wisecracking Freddy Krueger (Englund) of the “Nightmare on Elm Street” chillers unite for this disappointing attempt to breathe new life in both series. But tons of blood, severed limbs, a relentlessly loud rock soundtrack and gratuitous, demeaning nude scenes do not a movie make. And the fact is, neither villain wins at the end -- it’s a draw.
The digital edition treats “Freddy Vs. Jason” as if it were an important chapter in the annals of cinema history; it’s filled with far more than one really needs. There are behind-the-scenes documentaries, a look at the visual effects, storyboards, galleries, deleted and alternate scenes with commentary, and an alternate ending that is even lamer than the theatrical ending. Director Ronny Yu, Englund (who dominates the conversation) and Kirzinger, who makes his debut as Jason, offer commentary.
*
Bring It On Again
Anne Judson-Yager, Bree Turner
Universal, $27
Universal Home Video has had success taking popular theatrical films and turning them into made-for-video franchises including “The Land Before Time,” “Beethoven” and “Tremors.” And now Universal has produced a made-for-video sequel to the 2000 cheerleading comedy “Bring It On.” The verdict? Save your hard-earned money.
Though the cast of unknowns is attractive, “Bring It On Again” is vapid and presents women as a gender of backstabbing shrews. This time around, a college freshman gets picked to be on the award-winning cheerleading squad but after her friend is kicked off the team, she quits and starts a rival squad.
The DVD has more than the usual share of extras found on made-for-video products, including a do’s and don’ts of cheerleading, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an alternate opening, deleted scenes and a music video.
*
The Best of Mister Ed -- Volume I
Green Acres -- The Complete First Season
MGM, $30 each
Two fave TV series from the ‘60s -- both of which have catchy theme songs -- make their video debuts. In the case of the CBS series “Mr. Ed,” MGM is releasing 21 of the most popular episodes that were telecast from 1961-63, including the pilot and installments with guest stars Zsa Zsa Gabor and Clint Eastwood. Alan Young is the two-legged star as architect Wilbur Post, who shares his office with a wisecracking, talking Palomino horse named Mr. Ed (the voice of Allan “Rocky” Lane) who always seems to get him in trouble.
The series is goofy, clean fun, though one wonders what they did to the horse to make him look like he was talking. And did you ever pause to think why having his office in a smelly stable didn’t bother Wilbur?
“Green Acres,” a spinoff of “Petticoat Junction,” which was a spinoff of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” is totally surreal fun. The series, which aired 1965-71 on CBS, finds Eddie Albert playing a New York attorney living in a Park Avenue apartment with his sophisticated wife, Lisa (Eva Gabor). Albert, who had been obsessed with farming since he was a little boy, finally fulfills his childhood fantasy in middle age by buying a rundown farm in rural Hooterville.
The series is filled with a wacky group of characters, including crooked Mr. Haney (Pat Buttram), handyman Sam Drucker (Frank Cady) and the pig Arnold.
The three-disc set features all 32 episodes from the first season, though the prints used for the DVD transfer could have looked better.
Fans of the series will enjoy the sets, but will feel left wanting more extras like commentary, retrospective interviews and even a photo gallery.
