Sure the fall TV season is now upon us, not to mention the baseball playoffs, and we're still in the early stages of the NFL season.

But who needs that when you can buy (or rent) new DVDs?

Seriously, give the new TV season a few weeks ... you'll come back, trust us.

As always, no cynical look at the work of filmmakers would be complete without a Larry Bird-like assist from Videoport Jones!

"Knocked Up"

VPJ: "Judd Apatow is essentially helping redefine American film comedy. Gather around yourself a talented, quick bunch of original talents (Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Romany Malco, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, etc.) who are great at improvisation while remaining able to stay within characters, let them do their thing, and then edit down, but tiight. Here, as in 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' Apatow creates as assured and reliable a laugh machine as I've had the good fortune to see in the last 10 years, coupling the postadolescent slacker humor with genuine heart. Rogen was great on Apatow's 'Freaks and Geeks', stole the show in 'Virgin', and proves himself the most unlikely, and most welcome, leading man in ages. I am first in line for any endeavor from these two in the future."

JE: "I'll be right there in line with you Jonesy. Setting aside for the moment that I will watch anything with Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow's movies are so far apart from everything else that passes as comedy these days it's (pardon the pun) laughable. The guy produced movies like 'Anchorman' which were great, but his writing and directing finds that perfect, golden line between comedy and reality. I don't know if it's his characters, the dialogue or a combination of all of it, but it's just perfect. The way he can write guys just being guys is true and hilarious. 'Knocked Up' is the perfect example. That movie could have been just another Ben Stiller romantic comedy, but is funny and honestly touching."

"Black Book"

VPJ:"Typically over-the-top action from Dutch schlock auteur Paul Verhoeven highlights this WWII drama. Mix 'Basic Instinct'-ian eroticism, 'Starship Troopers'-worthy action set pieces, Verhoeven's penchant for hysterical combinations of the two, toss in a Reichsload of sneering Nazis, shake well and, well, you won't be bored, that I can assure you. Personally (and perhaps prejudicially) recommended by Videoport's resident little Dutch boy Dennis2."

JE:"I looked this up on IMDB and I still had trouble finding out what it's really about, other than it involves a sexy young Jewish girl who finds herself in impossible situations. Buy you are right, seeing as it does involve Verhoeven, it's guaranteed explosions, gun play and a little skin to keep things moving along. Also, maybe a giant killer Nazi beetle."

"Bug"

VPJ: "William Friedkin has made some very intense thrillers ('Exorcist', anyone? Howsabout 'The French Connection'?), and some absolute toss ('JADE'!?!). You'll have to decide if this psychological creepfest about a woman who may or may not be beset by the titular creepy crawlers. I excuse myself, as I find star Ashley Judd completely forgettable ... yup, I just forgot who was in this ..."

JE: "The pride of the University of Kentucky, forgettable? Wow Jonesy. Wow. Granted from the previews and commercials, this looks like the worst kind of piece of dreck cinema - no redeeming value, not even a late night or hunover morning viewing. Also, I find most folks don't like anything having to do with being overrun by bugs. And why am I just finding out that the guy who made 'The French Connection' also made 'Jade?' I feel sick."

"Next"

VPJ:"Nicholas Cage is a psychic recruited by the government to stop a terrorist attack. This one looks like glowery, tormented Nick averting disaster (a la 'Con Air') rather than funny, spazzy, overacting Nick averting disaster (like in 'The Rock'). Too bad - there aren't many more entertaining hams than Nicholas Cage with a full head of steam. (Mmmm ... steamed hams ...) Co-star arm candy comes in 'capable' (Julianne Moore) and 'vapid' (Jessica Biel)."

JE: "Knowing your tastes, I'm guessing you trend more towards the capable eye candy. I think you nailed it once again. 'Nicholas Cage is a psychic recruited by the government to stop a terrorist attack,' I feel like that was the EXACT line used by a movie exec to get this made. I should note that I have no great problem with Nicholas Cage, despite some misses, I will watch 'Con Air' and yes, spent money to see 'Gone in Sixty Seconds' in the theater. I'll wait for the first run on TNT."

"South Park"- Season 10

VPJ: "This season features vicious, hilarious attacks on Scientology (the boys bid a scathing yet oddly affectionate adieu to Issac Hayes' Chef after Chef gets sucked into a crazy cult that changes him into a total douche), and hideous Simpsons/South Park simulacrum 'Family Guy' (in one of the most dead-on pieces of inter-cartoon character assassination ever."

JE: "I think it's amazing how 'South Park' remains so very watchable, even at its most vile moments. And by watchable I mean funny. Maybe they just have bought a lot of credibility with a certain generation, how else can you explain they can do jokes about drunken fathers, little league and 'Rocky,' and then do something about Mrs. Garrison becoming a lesbian and getting involved in a '300' inspired battle to save a lesbian bar. I omitted a lot in recapping that episode, but if you've seen it, you know what I mean. I do think the 'Warcraft' episode was pretty funny though. What does that say about me?"

Finally, here's Mr. Jones picks for the new stuff to Videoport

Also this week:
"Anne of a Thousand Days/Mary Queen of Scots":
I had to mention this historical double feature DVD, if for no reason than to confirm Justin's suspicions of my obsession with talented older women; Genevieve Bujold is in the first, Vanessa Redgrave in the second...rrrroooowwwrrrr. (Glenda Jackson is in the latter as well, but she scares me, just a little bit).

And with that ... we're done for the day. Thanks again to Mr. Jones, to find out about more new releases and daily deals at Videoport, hop on over to VPJ's blog of entertainment!

Your questions of the day:

-What makes Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen a good pairing?
- Nicholas Cage, great actor of his generation, or greatest actor of his generation?
- How is South Park still funny?

E-mail this entry to a friend