We've got a pretty full plate today of new DVD releases, including the latest from Will "Papa Burgundy" Ferrell, yet another Japanese horror remake, and the newest documentary that tries to make you think.

It wouldn't be Tuesday without a visit from resident filmologist Videoport Jones.

Semi-Pro

Videoport Jones:"I love Will Ferrell. There, I said it. When he’s got a firm hand and a trusty editor behind him (see Adam McKay in 'Anchorman' and 'Talladega Nights') the results can be pants-wettingly sublime movie comedy. In the hands of lesser talents (see 'Kicking and Screaming,' 'Blades of Glory'), Big Willie Style can seem lost and floundering, with an 'I'm mugging as fast as I can desperation' that can get tiresome, even if Ferrell is always likeable. 'Semi-Pro' falls, I'm afraid, into the latter category, although it is more or less enjoyable as Ferrell, as Jackie Moon, the manic owner/promoter/coach/power forward of the fictitious ABA Flint (Michigan) Tropics, tries to bring folks into the arena, keep his team happy, and fight the coming demise of the ABA (or at least get his woeful squad absorbed into the NBA). Ferrell's got the funny 70’s hair, the short shorts and the granny-style free throws as fitfully amusing props and some pleasant, if not hilarious, support from Woody Harrelson (still trying to jump as the Tropics’ decrepit former NBA ringer), Andre 3000, Tim Meadows, Andy Richter, the Upright Citizens Brigade's Matt Walsh and Ian Roberts, Rob Corddry, Dave Koechner, Will Arnett, etc, but the movie’s not especially sharp and the generous helpings of 'heart' kind of fall flat. I'm in the minority around the office, as Videoport's JackieO, Sam(uel James), and Andy all assure me that the movie is very funny, but I persist in saying, 'eh.' Papa Burgundy it's not."

Justin: "I think part of the problem might be some sort of Ferrell fatigue. He keeps coming at you with these movies that are vaguely similar and sports-related. I was pretty excited about this movie because it had plenty of things I love, least of which is Papa Burgundy, basketball, Will Arnett and Andy Richter. But the thing is, the pull of this movie was not so powerfully strong that I had to go see it. Somehow it fell into the 'I'll get around to seeing it' category, and before I knew it, it was gone. Now, I was upset about that, but not crushed and despondent in the way that waiting for the DVD release would seem too long. I think you're spot on about the editor/director role in Ferrell movies. You want that manic energy he has and the ability to get great stuff when he's improvising, but you also need to be able to reign it in and tighten things up where either he or the script falls short. I'll be anxious to rent this one, and will be eager to see where I fall on the Videoport Office Staff scale of funny to feh."

Darfur Now

VPJ: "Shifting gears a little...this completely-wrenching documentary about the (ongoing, as in happening RIGHT NOW) genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan is, well, completely wrenching as it examines the situation with harrowing, heartbreaking, horrifying tales of shattered survivors. Brought to your attention by celebrity activist (and all-around good person) Don Cheadle (and buddy George Clooney), it's, well, it should be seen. By you."

JE: "Wha? Humanitarian crisis? Geo-political strife? Oh, this sounds right up your alley Jonesy. And yes, you really know how to mix things up -- who else would jump from a Will Ferrell movies to a documentary on Sudan. I could not agree with you more on recommending it. See it, learn from it, tell others."

The Eye

VPJ: "Sigh. Okay, mustering the energy to go on. Here we go again with another bland, minor-celebrity-peppered remake/destruction of a vastly superior Asian horror movie. It’s the Pang Brothers' turn this time, with one of the identical bland, blonde Jessicas Hollywood keeps around for just such things (I think it’s Alba this time, but who can be sure, really) as a cream puff who gets eye transplants and starts seeing things. Videoport has the original, which is - surprise - a lot better."

JE: "You cut to the bone, sir. I don't know what more can be said any more about these American remakes. They have about as much strength and character as the Saw franchise, not in the gruesomeness, but in the thought behind it. It's the same Hollywood machine that keeps remaking 80s movies, or TV shows into movies, or pumps out romantic comedies. It will meet some sort of box office margin and they'll call it a day. Maybe we're on the wrong side here, not seeing the simplicity and cold hard calculus involved."

Meet the Spartans

VPJ: "Speaking of movies I want to hurl things at, here comes the newest entry in the lowest-common-denominator dumbass parody genre by the same people responsible for 'Date Movie,' 'Scary Movie,' 'Epic Movie,' and 'We Have No Idea What Constitutes an Actual Joke Movie'. This time they make the absolute lamest jokes possible at the expense of '300'; it's like a Mel Brooks movie written by overeager, stoned teenagers who worship 'Dracula: Dead and Loving It' rather than 'Young Frankenstein' or 'Blazing Saddles.' Seriously, if I ever meet these people I will have to be bodily restrained."

JE: "Amen to that brother. You'll get no argument out of me. But again, this goes in that same studio meat-grinder I was talking about before. Who cares if it makes sense just as long as it makes money? I've said it before and now again, good parody and satire is hard to do and even harder to find now. Should we seriously be worried about a lack of good satire in American comedy? Are the wrong people trying to do it and the goods ones too busy elsewhere? I'd still take 'Dracula: Dead and Loving It' over this crap."

Flawless

VPJ: "Demi Moore tries one of those comebacks with this swinging-London-set diamond heist thriller. Got decent reviews and has Michael Caine along for always-reliable gravitas but I don’t know if, in good faith, I can support anything that will bring Ms. Moore back into the national consciousness."

JE: "What did happen to her? And more importantly, did anyone miss her? Seriously. Name the last movie she was in, name a good movie she was in. Seems like she could do well just making guest appearances on TV shows at this point and restraining Ashton Kutcher."

Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show

VPJ: "Vince is a funny guy, so why is he wasting his time shepherding a gaggle of mediocre college comics around to mid-level venues? Umm..."

JE: "Just because he can, basically. There's money to be made on that type of circuit, but more than that you can double-dip by grabbing a camera crew and documenting all the behind the scenes stuff and package it as a road movie. Brilliant. I won't judge having not seen it, but on first blush it seems like a little bit of an ego project because he's out there, but you don't know much about the comics. Then again, he is the big name, so what do I know. He is a funny actor though, so that counts for...something?"

"Weeds" - Season 3

VPJ: "Mary Louise Parker’s daffily sane pot dealer suburban housewife finds herself up to her perky boobs in trouble, laughs, and Cheetos in the third season of this entertaining Showtime comedy series. Able support from 'The 40 Year Old Virgin's' Romany Malco, Elizabeth Perkins, and good old Kevin Nealon. And I’m sure not everyone who rents this show is stoned...we’re not here to judge."

JE: "I can cop to that. I watched the first season and it's a very funny show. It's a good example of how you can do funny TV and it does not have to involve a fat guy and his smokin' hot wife or a gay sidekick. Also, I think it's a great example of how you get a show to get past what might be a gimmicky catch: A pot dealing suburban mom! Weed-induced hijincks ensue! But seriously, great cast - my celeb-u-crush on Mary Louise Parker aside - that is definitely a solider renter or buy."

What Would Jesus Buy?

VPJ: "Activist/performance artist Reverend Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping tries to make the (undeniable) point that Americans buy too much worthless, wasteful crap. Fine, although he accomplishes this by, as the ‘Onion AV Club’ put it, 'walking into a Starbucks with a bullhorn and acting like an a-hole.' Loudmouthed jerk or visionary? You decide?"

JE: "Tough call. I've heard of Reverend Billy and his crusade before, and that seems to be the one take-away that most people have. Is the shtick over the top, or on-point? Does the method overshadow the message? Since I'm no performance artist it's tough to say, but, I do think it is telling that most people bring up that subject whenever they mention the good reverend."

The Onion Movie

VPJ: "Speaking of 'The Onion,' this sketch comedy-style movie from the creators of the world’s funniest fake newspaper/website was long considered a dead project, with massive rewrites, re-shoots, and various abandonings. Usually, that betokens complete disaster, but this 'Kentucky Fried Movie'-style satirical revue which slinks onto DVD this week is actually pretty funny. Loosely based around the travails of stalwart 'Onion News' anchor Norm Archer and his attempts to keep the parent company from compromising his newscasts (recycled from some of the newspaper's best jokes) with advertising for its latest Steven Seagal flick. It’s all just a clothesline for jokes, jokes and more jokes, most of which made me laugh out loud. And while I do not support the existence of Mr. Seagal in any way, his self-parody in this is actually pretty funny (I won’t spoil the name of his movie)."

JE: "You hit the nail on the head there. This thing had been in what some would call development hell for a long time, and that is usually not a good indicator of anything. 'Maybe they went back to make it even BETTER!' I've heard a mixed bag of reviews, ranging from 'does not live up to the papers hilarious standard,' to 'awful.' I personally think it's seemingly logical conclusion to go from making satirical news stories to a satirical movie, even though there are a few problems in making that leap. I hope for the best and give it a try."

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