It's Tuesday, which means all sorts of delicious new DVDs and CDs on the shelves. It also means it's time to wake up our resident film geek Mr. Videoport Jones, and talk about the new releases.

"Blades of Glory"
VPJ: "Will Ferrell is a uniquely talented comic genius. Yeah, I said it. When he is on (as in 'Anchorman,' 'Talladega Nights,' 'Zoolander)', he is capable of wrenching laughs out of me that seem to originate down around my toes. When he's not on, (see 'Kicking and Screaming'), he just seems like the flailing, overacting spaz his critics contend he is. I think his costars and directors are the key; when he has certified improvisational talents around him (like Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Steve Carrell, Sasha Baron Cohen, John C. Reilly, director Adam McKay), Ferrell is like a comedic animal. He's in his element, and he's the big dog. When he's surrounded by, well, mediocrities like John Heder, the soon-to-be-forgotten star of the vastly overrated 'Napoleon Dynamite' and this week's 'Blades of Glory', things get pretty trying pretty fast. On the plus side, married comedic paragons Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are along for the ride, so perhaps all is not lost."

JE: "You're leaving out the delightful Jenna Fischer (Pam to those of you obsessed with NBC's 'The Office.') who I think quietly turned in a funny performance in this flick. Also, Craig T. Nelson! Between this and 'The Incredibles' he's having a resurgence. While funny, this movie is ultimately forgettable. The knock I've always heard against Ferrell is that his characters are all derived from the same vacant, spazzy prototype. The same follows with the character in 'Blades,' who is funny, but nowhere near the levels of Papa Burgundy. But then again, nothing is."

"Kickin' It Old Skool"
VPJ: "Huh? Jamie Kennedy's still making movies. Interesting. And he's still recycling that dorky, b-boy wannabe shtick he's been doing for years, you say? Geez, even after 'Malibu's Most Wanted' was wanted by, well, no one, ever? Weird..."

JE: "You got me on this one. Some people should probably just stick to television. Basic cable is made for people like Jamie Kennedy. It's only a matter of time before he winds up on Bravo or Comedy Central, right? Is the whole 'nerdy white boy makes good in the hood' thing still funny? Also, if you're going to make a b-boy movie, you must pay homage to "Breakin.'"

"Year of the Dog"
VPJ:"Indie workhorse Mike White (Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl) wrote and directed this drama about a chipper secretary (Molly Shannon) whose doggie dies. I know, I know, but White was even able to put a subversive spin on the 'inspirational teacher' genre with the very funny 'School of Rock,' and, while I'm as annoyed by Molly Shannon generally as anyone, I have to admit that, on occasion, she can be kind of affecting (there was this episode of 'Scrubs' where her combination of spastic jabbering and sudden soulfullness worked okay). Plus, everybody loves puppies..."

JE: "This one went under the radar. You combine dog movie and Molly Shannon and I start checking to see if Formula 1 racing is on the Speed Channel. I always thought it was possible for Molly Shannon to be funny, but just didn't really want to find out. Especially after 'Superstar." Why is it Lorne Michaels tries to kill SNL stars' careers with those movies? I can name two redeemable SNL inspired films, one of them is obvious, the other is 'The Ladies Man.' Wow, that went off on a tangent."

"Air Guitar Nation"
VPJ: "I admit that I don't get the appeal of what you'd have to call 'karaoke pantomime' (at least without a LOT of pints down me), but those crazy kids of today seem to like it, with local competitions at Space Gallery and someone from Portland reaching for the imaginary stars and all. This documentary should be right up their alley then."

JE: "You speak of course of McNallica, Portland and New England's reigning Air Guitar champ. I believe she took fourth in the nation. Sadly I have not yet seen 'Air Guitar Nation,' but have high hopes for it. While it's not exactly a Christopher Guest mock-umentary, they must treat the subject matter with just enough respect to be taken seriously, but enough humor to keep people watching. After all, who can't identify with rocking out to 'Separate Ways' on air guitar? Is that just me?"

"Heroes"-season 1
VPJ: "I admit also that I am a geek, a nerd, a 'neek,' AND a 'gerd,' so I guess I'll get sucked into this superhero series at some point. I am assured that fellow Videoport neeks DavidT and JackieO swear by it."

JE: "Oh yeah, big fan. How can you not have been sucked into this when it SWEPT THE NATION as NBC would have us believe? The show really survives on the writing, which Hollywood's superhero franchise machine should take by example. It would be one thing if this was just a show about people with strange powers doing outrageous things, but they mange to keep the characters relatable and interesting. It's also one of those shows with season-wide story arcs, which can be hard for casual fans to get into, but as far as storytelling goes is great to see on TV. If only I could just get people to pick up 'Friday Night Lights' as well..."

"The Ex"
VPJ: "I realize that I must have slipped into the Bizzarro World (talk about a neek) when I say this, but: I'm really looking forward to this Jason Bateman movie. The distance from 'Teen Wolf Too' to that statement can be summed up by the words 'Arrested Development', and I'm not ashamed to say it. Also with Zach Braff, who I also am bewildered to say I like."

JE: "'Teen Wolf Too' does not get a lot of love. Why? Maybe it was Stiles' fault. Then again, maybe it was the Michael J. Fox high people got from the original. Also, he was excellent on 'Arrested Development,' which I thought would really kick-start his career (did anyone see his cameo in 'Smokin' Aces?'). Have not seen it, but it has him, that 'sensie' Braff and Amanda Peet, who can do alright depending on the circumstance."

"Redline"
VPJ:"VROOOOOM. Car go fast. Enjoy."

JE: "I...I got nothing. I like my car movies with Aston Martins, Dodge Chargers (classic) or Trans-Ams (classic). I'll wait to see this at 2 A.M. on TNT."

Finally, here's Mr. Jones' picks for new releases this week at Videoport:

"Man Stroke Woman"- Season 1: "This relationshippy sketch comedy show from England features Nick Frost of 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz.' That should be enough to tell you that it is very funny. If not, then I'll tell you it's very funny."

"Broken English" - "Romantic dramedy starring the ever-adorable Parker Posey. Videoport can't keep it on the shelves, which should tell you how cool Videoport customers are."

"Offsides" - "In Iran, women aren't allowed to make drunken spectacles of themselves in the bleachers at soccer matches. Inveterate Red Sox bleacher creature that I am, and knowing how weirdly uniting an experience that is, I am even more pissed off by the Iranian officials in this movie who lock up a bunch of women who unsuccessfully disguised themselves as men to see a soccer game."

"Trapped In the Closet" - Volume 2: "As bizarre as anything David Lynch has ever thought up. I just ... there are no words ..."

Remember you can always read Videoport Jones' thoughts on his blog, or check back here each week.

Got any thoughts on the new releases? How do you feel about Will Ferrell?
Did you see "Redline?"
Better Teen Wolf - Bateman or Fox?

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