Hold off on heading to the video store or your Netflix queue just yet, people. It's new DVD day, and that means it's time to break down the best and worst with Videoport Jones.

The re-return of Futurama, the antro-blunders of 10,000 B.C., an animated drama and a few thoughts on George Carlin.

Futurama: The Beast With a Billion Backs

Videoport Jones: "They're back, baby! One of the best things about the DVD revolution is the ability of unfairly, criminally canceled TV series to continue their legacy without the interfering, philistine hand of some network deciding to yank the rug out from under them. This is the second of four proposed direct-to-DVD movies starring everybody's favorite band of futuristic cartoon malcontents and I, for one, couldn't be happier. 'Futurama' is one of the all-time classic comedies, whether the FOX nincompoops (or, for that matter, most of the viewing public) realizes it or not, and these DVDs haven't missed a step in their transition from the small screen to the shiny disc. C'mon, do the Bender! Who's with me!"

Justin: "You're not going to get an argument from me on that. Sadly I feel like I was one of the people who contributed to the show's demise, I only got into it before the end. But thanks to the wonder of syndication I was able to get more acquainted with the Planet Express gang. The show is easily funnier than the Simpsons, I'd argue, and it holds up incredibly well - I find myself rewatching episodes all the time. Heads in jars, scruffy the janitor, headless Spiro Agnew, The Globetrotters, Zapp freaking Brannigan, I could go on about all the stuff that makes it great. We can only hope the power of DVD and geek fanaticism will keep Futurama coming back."

Persepolis

VPJ: "Changing animated gears slightly, this Oscar-nominated, black and white foreign language cartoon feature about a rebellious little girl who tries to maintain her independence both in Iran after the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, and in Vienna, where she's sent to school, has got, as they say, 'the buzz.' It's been wowing everybody, so line up and get wowed already...even if it doesn't feature any wisecracking, binge-drinking robots, it's still probably okay..."

JE: "Maybe. Boozing robots can go a long way to helping out a feature. I was very curious about this one, mostly from seeing brief bits of the animation, which was fresh and breathtaking in its simplicity. It was only after a little research did I find out what the film was all about. A great story along the lines of Art Spiegelman's 'Maus.' Worth checking out."

10,000 B.C.

VPJ: "I sort of want to watch this cavemanny action extravaganza with my girlfriend (the lovely Ms. Emily S. Customer) just to watch her (the archaeologist and anthropologist) turn all shades of purple as she sees hunky cave dudes with caucasian features, perfect skin, straight white teeth, and their cavegirlfriends with prehistorically-boob-jobbed bods and a preternatural knowledge of conditioner and bikini waxing take on armies of CGI sabretoothed tigers, woolly mammoths, and extras dressed up in animal skins and nose appliances. It'll be funny. From Roland Emmerich, the purveyor of 'loud noises and shiny things' behind 'Independence Day,' 'Godzilla,' and 'The Patriot.' God, Roland, how we've missed you..."

JE: "You sir are a fine boyfriend, a model for what we all should aspire to in our relationships. If subjecting your lady to a pseudo-historical, steroid-infused, Bruckheimer-esque film of this quality isn't love, I don't want to know what is. But seriously, what is supposed to be the appeal of a movie like this? Knowing that Roland is going to shove in as many possible explosions and broad shouldered beasties, what is the draw here?"

The Hammer

VPJ: "''The Man Show' not withstanding, I've always sort of appreciated the snarky wit and gargantuan teeth of Adam Carolla, so I'm (thanks to some decent revies) actually looking forward to seeing this semi-autobiographical boxing comedy where Carolla plays a former boxer (he was a Gold Glover) turned carpenter who gets a shot to train, at 40, for the Olympics. So sue me, I think he's funny..."

JE: "I think we're almost on the same wavelength with Mr. Carolla. I always thought he was kind of funny, in a 'never for center stage' kind of way. He's a smart ass, plain and simple, which can be great sometimes and grating at others. I was on the fence until I caught a short-lived reality TV show he did on TLC about renovating the house he grew up in, and he was doing it with his buddies. The comedy was off the charts, and not in a 'trying too hard for the camera' way. I've been sold ever since."

In Bruges

VPJ:"First of all, fellow ignorant Americans, my coworker, Videoport's token European Dennis2/The Rage explained to all of us that the titular Belgian city is pronounced 'broozjh'. Come on, say it with me...'broojzh'...that's okay, but give the 'r' a little French roll...there, that's better. Anyway, this is one to see this week, with a great cast (Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes), comedy, great scenery, and that nice blend of gangster violence and snappy direction that the Brits seem to do so well. And hey, Belgium! What more could you ask for?"

JE: "I'm a sucker for wacky chase/gangster movies, and if you say it's set in Europe than I'm sold on it as well. And hey, another chance to see whether Colin Farrell is really worth all the hype. I'm on the fence about this guy, but I want to give him a chance. Of course it does not help that I saw him in 'Daredevil' and 'Miami Vice.' I know, I know, what was I thinking."

The Spiderwick Chronicles

VPJ: "Is it time for another would-be Harry Potter film series based on some kids book? Gosh, how time flies. Well, this one has a good cast at least (the little kids from 'Finding Neverland' and 'In America,' Mary Louise Parker, David Strathairn, and even the voice of Seth Rogen), and was co-written by personal filmmaking hero John Sayles. Plus, it has to be better than 'The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising,' right?"

JE: "I wish I knew what you were talking about. Seriously. I don't think anything makes me feel older than the ever growing crop of 'would-be Potters' out there. Now, I want to make the point that I got no problem with these flicks, or the books that sprang from. I'm of the mindset that anything that gets kids to read is a great thing (for me it was comic books). Having said that, I wish I had a better gauge of whether Hollywood is pumping these out to find one that may have the staying power of Harry, or if these movies can stand on their own. Time will tell."

Honeydripper

VPJ:"And speaking of my personal filmmaking hero, this is the newest from big John Sayles himself, a 50's era tale of the goings-on at the titular blues hotspot. With a typically-great Sayles cast (Danny Glover, Stacey Keach, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Charles S. Dutton), and Sayles' signature indie integrity, I'm first in line to see this one. You know...after all of you paying customers have had your crack at it of course..."

JE: "Wow, you got a serious jones for Mr. Sayles. Since I could not say whether I knew him or his work, I did a quick search. Apparently I do know his work. 'Brother From Another Planet.' Yes, that's right, the 80s cult flick about the black dude running through New York being chased by his intergalactic captors. Yup, I do know that one. Oh, also, it appears he directed a little film you may have heard of called 'Eight Men Out' about baseball and some sort of scandal or something."

Charlie Bartlett

VPJ: "A precocious high schooler finds himself playing psychiatrist (and occasionally prescribing medication) to the entire student body in this indie comedy. Lots of buzz, plus Robert Downey Jr. as the principal."

JE: "I'll take the template rather than the retread. Everything about this movie screamed to me 'FERRIS BUELLER.' I don't know why. So that may have colored my interest. But then again I think any high school movie with a smart-ass, quick-witted and power-defying main character reminds me of Ferris. Also, I now prefer my Robert Downey Jr. in metal suits that fly. Nothing else."

Definitely, Maybe

VPJ: "Ryan Reynolds tries to escape his Van Wilder persona again, this time as a divorcing dad who tries to explain things to his daughter, all the while telling stories about the three saucy ladies (Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks, and Rachel Weisz) who may or may not be the girl's mom. I dunno, I like Reynolds, and Fisher, Banks, and Weisz are all various kinds of exciting, but I think I like him better when he's allowed to be a little more spazzy than he looks like he'll be allowed here."

JE: "Even with all my love for Ryan Reynolds, I'll sum this one up pretty easily - only if I was on a flight and had read through my magazines and finished a book. Don't take that as a slight, I love Reynolds and Abigail Breslin is precious and funny, but it's not my speed."

VPJ: "And, if I may be indulged, I's like to give a crabby, foul-mouthed shout-out to another personal hero, George Carlin, who I just found out died. There was no one funnier or more courageous in his desire to speak the truth, no matter what. I'm with George in thinking that there is no hereafter, but, if he was wrong and there is a God, then I picture Him running away from GC, His hands over His ears while Carlin chases him from room to room of Heaven, pestering him hilariously with complaints about life on Earth. He will be missed."

JE: "I'd more than agree with you. And to second what Jon Stewart said the other night on 'The Daily Show,' I'm getting pretty tired of people we really need passing away."

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