Things must be getting back to normal around the NXT Desk, because it's Tuesday and we actually got the "Press Play" blog out on time!

Sit back and get ready as Videoport Jones runs down this week's new releases on DVD!

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

Videoport Jones: "To paraphrase the late great Troy McClure, '[Sequel]- is there any word more thrilling to the human soul?' Nicolas Cage is back as some sort of Lara Croft-ian, Indiana Jones-esque grave robber or somesuch. I dunno, he is really suntanned, occasionally packs a grappling hook, and can usually be seen sprinting from some sacred temple, clutching a protected artifact, and thumbing his nose at pursuing, weeping natives. So, naturally, he’s the hero. In this one, Cage finds out that his ancestor may have been the master-mind behind that whole, um, unpleasantness with Abraham Lincoln and sets out to prove the dead dude’s innocence along with his mopey, plastic-faced daddy (seriously, Jon Voight is looking like a makeup school-quality Jack Palance mask these days), and a couple o' really dull sidekick and/or love interest types. I dunno, I still like Cage, although his last good movie was six years and nine movies ago ('Adaptation'), but I’m gonna have to disagree with Troy on this one and say a big Videoport Jones 'eh'..."

Justin: "See, I would take a swipe at sequels, particularly this one, but I'd feel disingenuous because I am out of my mind excited to see the new 'Indiana Jones' flick. Sure Harrison Ford is getting on in years, and watching the previous movies only reinforces that. Sure Speilberg and Lucas' recent track record is less than stellar...but I hear that damn John Williams score and my heart starts pumping. But, who am I kidding, there's no way I could live with myself if I did not unload on this movie. In their unending quest for the next franchise Disney has once again come up with a watered-down also-ran, retread. This movie has Nick Cage, Mr. Voight and Ed Harris and Helen Mirren all doing the equivalent of slumming through the Disney brand. Don't get me wrong I love globe-trotting histo-archelogical adventures and chase scenes, but I feel like it's been done and the only reason Disney did it now is because there is a generation of kids who haven't seen all the forerunners to this plum."

Diary of the Dead
VPJ: "First things first- ZOMBIES!!!! Ahem. Second, this is zombie godfather George A. Romero’s fifth installment in his seminal undead 'of the dead' saga, and I couldn’t be more excited, especially since this one is a definite shambling step forward from his previous zombie outing, the pale 'Land of the Dead.' From his original, the visceral classic 'Night of the Living Dead,' to the splashy red social satire of the mall-set 'Dawn of the Dead,' to the egregiously-overacted 'Day of the Dead' (which I persist in admiring), to the pallid, stumbly misstep 'Land of the Dead,' I truly love Romero’s nasty, scruffy, furious films, which mix horror, gore, satire, and admittedly variable acting into a multilayered saga for the ages. 'Diary' goes back to the beginning, with a group of would-be filmmakers viewing the beginning of the zombie plague with the aid of the intra-nets and digital cameras. Sure, big George hasn’t ever really learned much about casting or directing actors, but this back-to-basics flick delivers. Zombie lovers unite- big George is back. Oh, and fast zombies are really, really stupid and only pinheads prefer them."

JE: "Don't start another speed zombie vs. slow zombie flame war Jonsey. You would not believe the email I get from people about this topic, it's more passionate than the responses I get to any series topics I write about. So lets let undead dogs lie, shall we. As for Mr. Romero, the 'zom-father,' you have to give credit to a man for having a singular focus on the living dead and the rest of us stiffs with beating hearts. I think it's interesting how in the time he's been making these flicks they've gone from Saturday afternoon B-movie horror jokes to cult films and now basis for a zombie revival. I think it goes without saying that if you are a zombie person, this movie should be on the top of your buy or rent list."

Strange Wilderness

VPJ: "Okay, here’s the set-up: a bunch of stoned and/or drunk layabouts go on a bumbling search for Bigfoot in order to save their nature show. Wait, wait...check out the cast before you throw things at me: Steve Zahn (who’s always money), Jonah Hill (from 'Superbad' and 'Knocked Up'), and Kevin Heffernan (better known to those in the know as Officer Rod Farva from the hiLARious 'Super Troopers'). Even if the movie isn’t great (and I’m fairly sure it’s not), these dudes should provide enough yuks to make this worth a rental. Especially if stoned."

JE: "See movies like this SHOULD go straight to DVD, but not in a bad way. I could give this movie a shot simply because of that cast, but definitely not in the theater. For one thing going to the theater makes a statement, that you, among the small gathering of stoners, slackers and other cast-offs in the audience, support the flick and took time out of your day to do so. Renting on the other hand you can be more discrete, and if you find the movie hilarious you can laugh it off in the privacy of your own home. Annnnnd once again I must state I and this family newspaper do not condone or advocate stonage, even if for entertainment purposes."

National Lampoon’s Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo

VPJ: "Remember when National Lampoon was looked to as the touchstone for edgy, irreverent, groundbreaking comedy (the magazine, 'Animal House,' the original 'Vacation') and not direct-to-DVD abominations starring the likes of Paris Hilton, Steve-O, and Nikki Ziering? No? Well, it was an unconscionably long time ago, but, before assuming the worst, take a look at this 'Spinal Tap'-py mockumentary about a Phish-y jam band directed by Primus frontman Les Claypool and talented comics Seth Green, Matt Stone (of 'South Park'), and Arj Barker (Dave from 'Flight of the Conchords'). Some good reviews, some funny guys...the road back to comedy glory? Well, no. But at least it's not Paris Hilton."

JE: "I think a long time ago there was some sort of take-over or buy-out of the 'National Lampoon" brand. I think the most recent 'National Lampoon' movie I saw was 'Van Wilder,' but that was only because I think Ryan Reynolds can be funny. The fact is if you go to any mainstream video store or electronics store you'll find row after row of bizarre 'National Lampoon' flicks that went to the DVD aisle and basically center around boobs, beer and weed. Now there have been plenty of hilarious movies made around those themes and the godfather of all 'National Lampoon' movies had those things, but it seems like they forgot that 'Animal House' was also a great satire and had a great cast. Same with 'Vacation.' Maybe if they shot to get their brand back among the satire greats, or maybe just to produce a film not exclusively for DVD things will change."

Autism: The Musical

VPJ: "Five autistic children and a very dedicated teacher set out to perform an original musical play in this documentary which has a line of sniffling Videoport customers shuffling in the door unable to speak. That sounds like a recommendation to me."

JE: "Someone mentioned this to me a while ago and I completely forgot about it until right now. But I distinctly remember that the recommendation was something along the lines of 'they're so happy they were just able to perform and remember their parts and you'll be just as happy too.' Hey, a heartwarming documentary that shines a light on a disorder that seems to be touching a growing number of American families, and is fun? Sign me up."

Finally here's Mr. Jones' recommendations for a few more new releases this week:

The Color of Freedom: "The very underrated Dennis Haysbert (known to most as President What’s-his-name on the reprehensible '24') essays the role of Nelson Mandela in this dramatization of a book by the bigoted white guard who tormented him for 20 years (played by Joseph Fiennes). Check out Haysbert’s fine, subtle work in films like 'Suture' and 'Far From Heaven.'"

Meeting Resistance: "Sure-to-piss-off-the-right-people documentary dares to seek out the views of Iraqi insurgents explaining why they fight against what they view as a hostile force invading their sovereign country. Are they right to do what they do? I dunno. But I do know that I’m interested in hearing more about their motives than idiotic platitudes like 'they do it because they hate our freedom.' I can’t remember who said that...hmm...name’s on the tip of my tongue..."

And a couple of new additions to Videoport’s Bollywood section with the lavish musical weirdnesses "Om Shanti Om" and "Saawariya."

Final questions before you head off:

- Is there any difference between "Indiana Jones" and the "National Treasure" series?
- Are we going to reach a zombie tipping point when zombie movies overstay their welcome?
- What happened to the "National Lampoon" brand? What was the last "National Lampoon" movie you saw?

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