We know St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and you’ll be needing some help to recover from the brain damage the next day. So it’s a good thing that there are some new animated and comic-book-related DVDs arriving in stores to help you nurse your hangover.
Directed by David Cronenberg, A History of Violence received generally strong reviews when it was first released last September. Based on a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, the drama centers on a small-town man (Viggo Mortensen) who has to face his past after a violent crime endangers his family. William Hurt earned an Oscar nomination for his memorable portrayal of Mortensen’s gangster brother. Maria Bello and Ed Harris co-star in the New Line DVD release, which also includes deleted scenes, commentary by Cronenberg , an hour-long documentary titled Violence’s History: U.S. vs. International Versions, and the featurettes Too Commercial for Cannes and The Unmaking of Scene 44. The DVD is priced at $29.98 but can be yours for $17.98 on amazon.com.
It’s also a big week for fans of Japanimation. Not only is Bandai’s Gundam: SEED Destiny Vol. 1 ($29.98) up for grabs, there’s also Funimation’s Lupin the 3rd: Missed by a Dollar movie ($29.98), Funimation’s Code Lyoko Vol. 3 ($14.98), and Artistan’s Speed Racer: Limited Edition available for $22.98.
For younger audiences, there’s MGM’s All Dogs Go to Heaven sequels Dogs Undercover and Friends to the Rescue, each 89-minute toon available for $9.95. And yes, that’s Mattel’s Barbie starring in yet another CG-animated adventure. This new 90-minute Lions Gate release is called Barbie: Mermaidia and finds the little vixen under the sea, trying to save a merman prince with the help of a headstrong mermaid. The DVD includes all kinds of games and cool trailers and retails for $19.98.
