The shelves have been stocked with this week's new DVD releases. We can only hope for lots and lots of Hugh Jackman.

Here to give a few picks, tips and a health dose of cautious enthusiasm is Videoport Jones!

What Just Happened

Videoport Jones: "Robert DeNiro tries to be funny. Oh, sweet lord, no. But I kid the formerly great actor who's been coasting on his past achievements and receiving lukewarm plaudits from the completely undiscriminating for the last twenty five years. But not really. Bobby D. has become one of the most lazy, unadventurous actors in the world, and the thought of him trying to enliven a screen comedy these days fills me with dispirited ennui (I mean, 'Midnight Run' was a long, long time ago). Luckily for us, director Barry Levinson seems to have spiked his star's decaf latte with something peppier this time around in this barely-fictional adaptation of producer Art Linson's Hollywood memoir and, again luckily, Bob mostly plays straight man as the Linson surrogate dealing with runaway movies, arch auteurs, and recalcitrant stars and lets more nimble guest stars John Turturro, Katherine Keener, Michael Wincott, and Stanley Tucci make with most of the yuks. Add in a paunchy, bearded Bruce Willis playing some fun self-parody (or, really, Alec Baldwin [he was the hirsute star in the book] parody, and this one actually gets off the ground once in a while."

Justin: "Someone pull Jonesy off DeNiro before he brutalizes him! 'Dispirited ennui?' Really? Seriously man, you are relentless on the guy. Not that I can blame you, I understand the feeling. When an actor reaches a certain point they're allowed some vanity, a few bad choices and a get out of jail free card. But you expect that after a few half-hearted performances they'll always rebound and again turn into that actor who audiences, directors and studios love and respect. But DeNiro's just been going through the motions. Did this start with 'Meet the Parents?' I thought that movie was fun (if not predictable), but not the comedy smash that it was received as. I'll take a look at this one largely on the strength of the ensemble, and hope for the best. Also, I'd take Alec Baldwin over a facsimile (even if it's Bruce Willis) any day."

Islander

VPJ: "Finally, this shot-in-Maine (Vinalhaven, if you want to be specific...which I unerringly do) indie drama gets a DVD release (it was shot three years ago). And, apart from the look-I totally got wasted right there one time on Summer vacation!' factor, how good is the actual movie? Above average, I'd say. The story of a disgraced ex-con/ex-fisherman (the too-pretty-for-the-average-fisherfella but solid Thomas Hildreth) returning home after a stay at the crowbar hotel and trying to reconnect with his erstwhile wife, father, and profession, 'Islander' benefits greatly from the ever-august presence of the wonderful character actor Philip Baker Hall (see 'Hard Eight,' 'Magnolia,' 'Secret Honor,' the Bookman episode of 'Seinfeld') as the one old-timer on the island that'll give our hero a chance. Man, is he a great actor. I bet he was really nice to everyone when he was here, too. Just a feeling."

JE: "I have not been to Vinalhaven on summer vacation, and consequently, have not gotten wasted there. So perhaps the effect will be lost on me. But, I think we should give this one a 'go rent' just on merit because it's based (and was shot) in Maine, right? Sure the story is a little worn and familiar in the world of movies. But it's about a lobsterman! In Maine! And you can't ignore the fact the film probably hits home if it even remotely touches on the tough times lobstermen and the whole fishing industry is having here in Maine. I say we give it a gold star."

Sex Drive

VPJ: "Oh, finally, a punning title. I've been waiting. This amiably smutty trifle about a nerdy guy and his two pals heading cross country so he can lose his virginity to his internet-only girlfriend is, obviously, aiming pretty low, but it actually has a couple of things to recommend it. Wacky pal #1 is played by Clark Duke, who pals around with the undeniably-funny Michael Cera on the web series 'Clark and Michael,' James Marsden is actually kind of amusing as a meathead, and, really the only reason I'm still talking about this thing, Seth Green steals the show as a confusingly modern snarky Amish guy named Ezekiel. Someone please get Green a movie that's not beneath him. Please? Dude is hilarious, can actually act, and would probably really like me and become my best friend if we ever hung out. Justin, you're in the media, could you see if you could hook that up for a pal?"

JE: "If I had that kind of pull, don't you think I would get myself in good with Green and his entourage? I could totally do voices on 'Robot Chicken!' We could all be pals! ANYWAY, I thought this movie was odd for the simple fact that it had no real bankable star, but was marketed as something on par or better than 'Superbad.' As the governor of California would say, 'Big Mistake.' Look, we all like a good raunchy teen comedy, and really, the National Lampoon brand has long lost its claim to that title belt, but this one just didn't seem to register for a number of reasons. Maybe it'll find an audience on DVD, develop a cult following and we'll be made fools. Maybe. I only plan on watching this thing if I wake up after a nap on the couch and happened to leave the TV on...and can't reach the remote."

Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder

VPJ: "I could go on about the plot of this, the fourth (and presumably final) made-for-DVD Futurama movie, but what good's that going to do? At this point, after four superlative seasons and three feature length films of this, the underrated poor cousin of the Matt Groening animation empire, if you're not already a fan of Bender Bending Rodriguez, Philip J. Fry, Dr. Zoidberg, Turanga Leela, and the sublimely dimwitted Zapp Brannigan and the rest, then nothing I say is gonna sway you. Plus, you're the reason the show got canceled in the first place. And I hate you. So rent (or buy) this one, jack up the numbers, and ensure the continuation of the 30th century adventures of the greatest bunch of f-ups the future has to offer."

JE: "I can't imagine a world where Zapp Brannigan is not part of our lives. That's not a world I want to live in. Don't be despondent old chum! Sure things look bleak for the Futurama and the Planet Express crew, but they looked bleak when the series originally died and we thought we'd never hear from them again. At the very least we got four awesome movies and continuing adventures. But I'd like to think this could be the beginning of a new life for Futurama, depending on how well the dvds do overall. As for the plot on this one kids, well, it's not easy to explain (as many of them are), but expect plenty o' references to past and current science fiction, high level math, U.S. politics, and well, anything to be honest. It's what makes this show so funny, that and their ability to mix the smart comedy with the slapstick and other hijincks. Do yourself a favor meatbag, and rent this."

In Search of a Midnight Kiss

VPJ: "Indie rom-com. Craig's List. New Year's Eve. Black-and-white. Quirky characters dropping pop culture references. 'Cool' soundtrack. Does it make me a sap that I still want to see this?"

JE: "Are you kidding? Of COURSE not! This movie is right up our alley my friend. That is of course, unless it falls to pieces in the final act under the unbearable weight of sappiness. But I like snark! I like pop culture references! I like movies with a modern soundtrack filled with music I've never heard before. Plus, it's in black and white, so that's either a good thing or a bad thing. Give it a try, what's the worst thing that could happen?"

Consider the following before you go:

- Is DeNiro just mailing it in or is Jonesy's rage misplaced?
- Should we automatically give a pass to movies about (and made in) Maine?
- Will Futurama live to see a new day on DVD or elsewhere?

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