This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: September 1, 2009

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No major new reviews this week, but if you have some time I too a rather extensive look at the Warner Bros. Archive title Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark yesterday. It’s a film being remade with Guillermo del Toro producing and may be of interest as well as it will introduce you to Warner’s attempt to creatively distribute some of their never-before-released titles on DVD. You can check that piece out right here if you are interested.

Paramount Blu-ray Sapphire Series Braveheart / Gladiator

	I am expecting to have review copies of these two in my hands any day now, and I will hustle through them as fast as I can. However, considering the two titles in question I would expect many of you are already eying one or both of them. I know I would definitely be looking to pick up Gladiator right away, but I haven’t revisited Braveheart for some time and I’m not sure I would want another copy. I guess I’ll have to wait and see and report back on both of them as soon as I can. The Gladiator disc includes both the theatrical and extended versions of the film.

Heroes – The Complete Third Season

	I still haven’t popped this one in the player yet, but I hope to this week. Finding time to watch a complete network television series isn’t as easy as finding time to watch a 12 episode Showtime series, such as the glorious “Dexter.” Of course, after making fun of the season three premiere last year I can’t lie and say I am all that anxious to give the rest of the season a try.

State of Play

	I did a short capsule review of this one last week. Short story even shorter… rent it.

Earth

	I was actually hoping this one would arrive on Blu-ray for review. I have Planet Earth on DVD, but this looks like it is just a condensed version in high-definition. Nothing wrong with that. However, I really need to shell out the dough for Planet Earth on Blu-ray, I love that series.

Sugar

	I have heard some good things about this one, but nothing so good it would prompt me to buy it. Here’s the synopsis: Sugar follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Sugar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro De MacorÃs, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United Statesâ€™ minor league system; but when his play on the mound falters, he begins to question the single-mindedness of his lifeâ€™s ambition.

Sin Nombre

	I saw this one earlier this year, but never reviewed it. A lot of folks out there were talking it up as one of their favorites, but I swear to you this one dwells in depression for so damn long I don’t care how good it is, it is too damn depressing for me to enjoy.

C.S.I. – The Complete Ninth Season

	I won’t be reviewing the “C.S.I.” seasons this year, but I have seen all of this one and I really liked the introduction of Laurence Fishburne. I thought he was a perfect transition from William Peterson. The two characters aren’t all that much different, but Fish brings enough to the show to give it a unique feeling.

Supernatural (4th Season) / Desperate Housewives (5th Season) / Rescue Me (Season 5 Vol. 1)

	Here are three you may be interested in picking up. I enjoy “Rescue Me,” and for those that don’t know, FX went with a full 22-episode schedule for the show this year as opposed to the typical 13, which is why they went for a volume release this time around, but I haven’t heard a lot of great things about this year’s season. “Desperate Housewives” is a show I actually quite liked the first time I saw it, but I have since lost interest. “Supernatural” I included here because I know it has a huge fanbase. I have never seen it and never plan on it so I have nothing more to add there. Click on the Buy Now link below for purchasing options for all three.