DVD This Week: Simpsons, Stardust, Once

The Simpsons Movie: Yes, you can finally have your own personal Spider-Pig. Essentially an extended episode of the TV show that some might argue has been long-running for far too long, this movie is still amusing, if not the laugh riot it might’ve been in its prime. It’ll also likely be the only way Homer Simpson can get an Oscar nomination, even if there’s no beating Ratatouille in the Animated Feature category.

Once: A charming independent Irish musical that came out of Sundance to become an unlikely success, Some critics are even lobbying to get it award consideration, but so far it hasn’t been lucky Perhaps the DVD release will give it the boost it needs.

Stardust: A fantasy film that should’ve received more attention than it did, Neil Gaiman produced this adaptation of his work, and the cast is astounding. Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Peter O’Toole, Sienna Miller,Ricky Gervais and even Rupert Everett. Ian McKellen serves as the narrator, because he is legally obligated to be included in every fantasy movie.

Halloween: Rob Zombie reinvents John Carpenter’s classic slasher film. Honestly, the only times I’ve ever really understood the appeal of the horror genre have been from Friday the 13th: Jason Takes Manhattan, when Jason Voorhees punches a guy’s head clean off and it goes soaring out over the rooftops, and in Freddy vs. Jason, when Jason Voorhees is completely indifferent to the fact that he’s on fire while stalking stoners in cornfields. Those were both awesome moments.

Balls of Fury: As amusing as the title is, even Christopher Walken couldn’t save this one from the unfunny disease.

Underdog: Perhaps hoping to cash in on some Alvin and the Chipmunks press, Jason Lee’s other CGI-animal movie for kids swings into stores the week after Alvin’s release. I just can’t get into it, as much as I loved the original show. The Chipmunks at least still look like the Chipmunks..