This Week in DVD

Get Smart: This spy spoof follows in the great tradition of the recent "Johnny English," the original "Casino Royale," and, eh, probably some old TV show did it, too, at some time or other.

Popeye the Sailor Volume 3: This is an instance of Warners downsizing a classic cartoon collection, going from 4 discs to two discs, but apparently not sacrificing too much in the way of quality and extras.

Budd Boetticher Box Set: Talk about an inelegant title. That isn't my informal way of describing this collection of Westerns beloved by film snobs the world over (and Clint Eastwood, as I found out in a TCM documentary of director Boetticher). That's actually what it's called: "Budd Boetticher Box Set." I know the important thing here is that Sony is finally exploring its film library to such an extent, but...gee, why not "The Budd Boetticher Collection"? "The Budd Boetticher Special Edition"? "Double B's Western Roundup?"

Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas: Ain't no hole in the washtub! Here's the deal: The previous version of this Jim Henson classic was edited--mainly, Kermit the Frog's scenes were removed. This "new" version is evidently a just reissue of that 2005 DVD. I've held off on buying it, but I'd love to see this again after enjoying it as a child year after year on HBO. It's been so long since I've seen it, I think I can get it without being irritated at the missing footage.

Return to Sleepaway Camp: I only include this because I'm somehow fascinated by this part of the description on the movie's Netflix page: "Vincent Pastore ("The Sopranos") and Isaac Hayes ("South Park") also star in this horrific thriller from writer-director Robert Hiltzik."
Together at last!