New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave: Hitching a Ride with Paul and Your Highness? Super!

By Chris Kavan - 08/09/11 at 12:49 PM CT

Hopefully your funny bone is in need of some tickling this week, because ithis week we have an abundance of comedy films - from aliens to superheroes to medieval tomfoolery to creepy CGI box office bombs - hey, whatever floats your boat, people! At least there's plenty to choose from, even if some of the choices are kind of questionable.

1) Leading the pack has to be the dynamic duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who team up so well (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) - even if this one is a little off the beaten path: Paul. They've tackled horror comedy, buddy cop comedy - so why not sci-fi comedy? While I don't know if it can quite reach the level of Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, I'm willing to give it shot given their track record. At least for me, I've enjoyed the hell out of their films.

2) Coming in second for me is a film that may have flown under the radar but looks, well, super. Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon come together for Super. This kind of looks like Kick-Ass, but with an adult donning the costume instead of a teen. I expect lots of violence and over-the-top situations - pretty much tailor made for my tastes.

3) While this next one kind of took a nose-dive at the box office, I feel it's at least worth a rental. I'm talking about the medieval romp Your Highness. Despite having an excellent cast including Oscar winner and nominee Natalie Portman and James Franco, it turned out the chemistry was nil and jokes flat. Bah! I bet it will work on one of those days when nothings on and you feel like chuckling a few times. I'm not expecting fireworks, just some amusing entertainment.

4) The next film probably is better than Your Highness, but it's not one I would seek out. Jumping the Broom earned some good reviews, but it veers to far into romantic comedy territory for my tastes. Plus the high class / working class thing has been done before (Coming to America, anyone?) and I just don't see much appeal. For the right audience, however, it could be a home run.

5) While Your Highness may not have lit up the box office, at least it can boast better numbers than this final entry. If you're desperate to keep the kids entertained, that's the only reason to throw in Mars Needs Moms. From creepy CGI to dull story, this is one film that didn't make the grade and its box office numbers back it up. It was a major bomb and while sales of this for home viewing might help things, I doubt it will ease all the pain.

On the Blu-Ray front, Disney puts a new shine on another animated classic, The Fox and the Hound for its 30th Anniversary. Now, I don't think this is one of Disney's stronger films, but it does have a good story. Even a mediocre Disney is probably in the top 10% of animated films. A classic 80s film also gets an update with the release of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. One of my favorite 80s films (and no, not just because of Phoebe Cates' red bikini) with a bitchin' soundtrack to equal its memorable characters. As Jeff Spicoli so eloquently put it "Hey, Bud, let's party! "

I can't end any better than that - but for a full list of all the movies being released this week, please visit the FilmCrave New DVD Releases and FilmCrave New Blu-Ray Releases pages today.

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