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Friday, October 29, 2010

Tsawwasen Area Plan Scrapped After Citizen Revolt

After two years of Tsawwassen Area Plan Committee meetings, Delta Council has decided to turn down the proposed Tsawwassen Area Plan. The plan, which involved untold hours of Delta planning and staff time, contentious public meetings, consultations, and costly surveys met with fierce opposition from the citizens of Tsawwassen and sparked an intense public hearing process that had no end in sight.

The public hearing for the proposed area plan took place on Oct 26 and 27 between 7 and 10 PM at the South Delta Rec Center. Each speaker was allowed 5 minutes to speak to the Area Plan and an additional 2-minutes of rebuttal time after everyone had been heard.

An overwhelming majority of the speakers spoke against the adoption of the plan. The Southlands retaining its agriculture designation was the only part of the plan that received endorsement, although many people requested that the council lobby the provincial government to return the land to the Agricultural Land Reserve.

With development of the Southlands off the chopping block, it became pretty obvious that Mayor Jackson and her council had grossly miscalculated the effect this plan would have on the community. It was the appearance of a vastly extended area of apartments, condos and town homes that proved to be the catalyst of an all-out citizens revolt. This rezoning of established single family neighbourhoods would have affected 600 single family homes. To those in attendance, Mayor Jackson's error became apparent as speaker after speaker took the podium to vocalize their outrage of the plan and their contempt for the council that tried to impose it without public consultation. The new plan would have also allowed for multi-family homes to built along the BC Hydro right of way and there was outrage that this was even considered, let alone be included in the new Tsawwassen Area Plan.

Residents affected by the arbitrary increase of multi-family zoning were united in their disapproval. Their emotional testimonies included tears, pleas, outrage and shock by many that the first they had been informed of the designation changes were when they received the brochure from Delta showing the proposed area plan.

Other issues raised were the exclusion of the Tsawwassen Golf and Country Club from the area plan as well as the lack of inclusion of plans for rapid and large development on the Tsawwassen First Nation lands and how those plans would effect Tsawwassen.

Additionally, there were questions raised about why there had been no discussion or information regarding Tsawwassen's role in the Metro Vancouver Watershed program and a number of speakers called for the resignations of city planning staff for creating this plan. Another day of hearings had to be scheduled as many people had yet to be heard by the end of day two. With Mayor Jackson not in attendance due to failing health, Councilor Robert Campbell put forth a motion to extend the hearings for another day.

It was at this newly scheduled meeting that the bomb was dropped, as Mayor Lois Jackson showed up and brought an end to the meeting. After thanking Delta staff and Councilor Bruce McDonald for all their time and effort, she announced that Delta had decided to withdraw the plan after hearing the overwhelming opposition from residents at the public hearing. She also announced that there will be a review of the process that took place.

The entire public hearing, including Thursday's stunning announcement, can be viewed on Delta Cable, a community access channel.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Tsawwassen Area Plan Public Hearing Held Over For One More Day

News Brief - After hearing testimony until 10pm last night the Tsawwassen Area Plan Public Hearing was adjourned to be continued today at 7PM at the South Delta Rec Centre. People who signed up last night will be heard first followed by people who sign up tonight. After people have had a chance to speak they may be heard a second time to rebut comments made. Speakers are limited to 5-minutes and rebutles to 2-minutes.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Delta Mayor and Council Take Beating TAP Hearing

Tsawwassen - The much anticipated Tsawwassen Area Plan (TAP) public hearing began last night at the South Delta Recreation center. Hundred gathered to voice there opinions on the proposed area plan that has been over two years in the making.

Throughout the process, the Southlands residential development plan had dominated the area plan. After numerous failed attempts to gauge public opinion on the matter, staff conducted an Ipsos Reid survey. The results showed that two-thirds of Tsawwassen residents opposed any development of the old Spetifore farmlands. It was this survey along with a vocal opposition by concerned citizens that predicated city staff to revise the TAP recommending that the Southlands retain its agricultural zoning.

Even with this recommendation many came out to see what would take place at the hearings. Dana Maslovat, one of the founders of Southlands the Facts thinks the plan is only the first step in protecting the land. "I think now that the Southlands is going to retain its agricultural designation council should make an application to the Agricultural Land Commission to have it returned to the Agricultural Land Reserve and settle this divisive issue once and for all."


Maslovat was the third person to address council on the proposed plan. and it was clear his sentiments were shared by the crowd.

Although a number of speakers addressed council and staff with their objections to the development of the Southlands, the majority in attendance were also very much opposed to practically every aspect of the TAP. Citizen after citizen took to the podium to announce their displeasure of the policies, and of the Mayor and council who sat there and nodded as they were drubbed over and over again with displeased constituents.

As Mayor Jackson and council listened to the citizens who spoke last night, it became apparent that public opinion is not reflected in the new TAP with respect to densification proposed for the surrounding area of the town center. The gorwth projections were challenged by the majority in attendance.

The theme of the evening became the obvious lack of community input when deciding where the proposed growth would be located. A large delegations from Camaro Drive and the Hylands owned the podium for the majority of the night, asking why council would consider a plan that would rezone their communities and force them to sell to developers. One gentleman talked about all the additions he had done to his home with permits purchased from the city, "Now I will have to leave my home and walk away from all the money I have invested." After a round of applause he added,"My land will only be worth lot value to a developer My home will be worthless."

It would appear the initial assumption that Tsawwassen requires new zoning options to allow for significant growth is not shared by the residents. It is obvious that the many citizens that attended the public meeting do not see large growth as necessary or wanted.

The last time the Tsawwassen Area Plan was put to the public it resulted in the longest public hearing in the history of the British Commonwealth. That was over 20-years ago when the Southlands was slated for development. From all accounts of people who had been in attendance two decades ago, this hearing was far more civilized.

The only conflict of the night was when former councilor and Hyland resident, Wendy Jeske filibustered well over her allotted 5-minutes (close to 15-minutes) while local activist Carol Vignale jumped up and down wildly in the back of the room screaming, "Boo, Boo," and going on to shout,"this is not democracy!" before storming out of the building in disgust. Jeske's impassioned, and extended, plea was well received by the audience and the Mayor herself didn't interrupt.

By the end of the evening close to 40 people had spoken with many more to be heard tonight.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

DVD Releases Tuesday October 26, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
The Girl Who Played With FireThe Girl Who Played With Fire Noomi Rapace reprises her role as Lisbeth Salander, the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker, along with Michael Nyqvist, who again portrays Mikael Blomkvist, the crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium. In this fast-paced, edgy thriller, two journalists on the verge of exposing their story in Millennium about an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden are brutally murdered. Lisbeth Salander's prints are on the weapon. Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander's innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings that will implicate highly placed members of Swedish society, business and government. Knowing Salander to be fierce when fearful, he is desperate to get to her before she is cornered and alone but she is nowhere to be found. Digging deeper, Blomkvist also unearths some heart-wrenching facts about Salander's past life. Committed to psychiatric care at aged 12, declared legally incompetent at 18, she is the product of an unjust and corrupt system. Meanwhile, the elusive Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past.

Novelist Stieg Larsson died suddenly in 2004 and left behind three unpublished novels known as the Millennium trilogy. Since his first novel, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," was published in Sweden in 2005, the trilogy has become a major international sensation with an estimated 40 million copies of all of Larsson's books sold worldwide. To say it is unusual for a posthumous work in translation to reach No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list is an understatement. To see a posthumous work in translation reach number one around the world is unprecedented. "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," the third novel in the trilogy, was published in the U.S. on May 25. The film adaptation will be released by Music Box Films in theaters on October 15. Vitals: Director: Daniel Alfredson. Stars: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Peter Andersson, Annika Hallin, Per Oscarsson. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: R, 129 min., Mystery Thriller, Box office gross: $5.951 million, Music Box Films.

THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

Against the Current (2009) Joseph Fiennes, Samantha Sherman, Pell James, Justin Kirk, Elizabeth Reaser, Amy Hargreaves, Michelle Trachtenberg. Struggling with a tragic past, a financial writer with an urgent calling enlists two friends to help him fulfill a crazy childhood dream: swim the length of the Hudson River. (IFC/MPI Media Group).

Altitude (2010) Jessica Lowndes, Julianna Guill, Ryan Donowho, Landon Liboiron, Jake Weary. After a mysterious malfunction sends their small plane climbing out of control, a rookie pilot and her four teenage friends find themselves trapped in a deadly showdown with a supernatural force. Commentary by director Kaare Andrews, behind-the-scenes featurette, "Green Storm" featurette, original concepts gallery. Extras: Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).

Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy. Three-disc set with "Back to the Future," "Back to the Future Part II" and "Back to the Future Part III." Extras: "Tales from the Future": New six-part retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, director Robert Zemeckis, producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton, plus executive producer Steven Spielberg ("In the Beginning ..." featurette; "Time to Go" production stories; "Keeping Time" musical score featurette; "Time Flies" behind-the-scenes and visual effects featurette; "Third Time's the Charm" featurette; "The Test of Time" featurette on the pop culture impact of the films); "The Physics of Back to the Future" featurette with celebrity best-selling author and physicist Dr. Michio Kaku about the overall appreciation of the science in the trilogy; "Nuclear Test Site" ending storyboard sequence of the original proposed ending of the film; 16 deleted scenes; Michael J. Fox Q&A; Q&A commentaries with director Robert Zemeckis and producer Bob Gale; feature commentaries with producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton; three archival featurettes; eight short behind-the-scenes featurettes; "Back to the Future: The Ride"; two music videos; photo and art galleries.Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

Barney Learning Pack. Six-disc set celebrates the gift of learning with educational episodes focusing on colors, counting, nursery rhymes and learning the alphabet: "It's Time for Counting," "Numbers! Numbers!" "Now I Know My ABCs," "Rhyme Time Rhythm," "Let's Play School!" and "Red, Yellow & Blue," $29.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

The Best Government Money Can Buy (2010) First behind-the-scenes examination of the lobbying system and its influence on our elected candidates. The January 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) pushed the door wide open for corporations to spend unlimited funds to advocate or defeat the election efforts of federal candidates. These 2010 mid-term elections are expected to be the most expensive campaigns on record. There are already 14,000 officially registered lobbyists working on behalf of special interest -- which averages to 26 lobbyists to every member of Congress -- and over $6.7 billion spent in the last two years to influence them. Veteran documentary filmmaker Francis Megahy takes a non-partisan stance in a comprehensive examination of the influence of K Street on our elected official. The biggest source of campaign funds comes from large corporations, channeled through their lobbyists. AS a result, the number of lobbyists has more than doubled since 2000, with spending exceeding $13 Billion. It would be naive to think that their clients don't expect a return on their investment. $19.95. (Cinema Libre Studio).

Cannibal Girls (1973) Dir.: Ivan Reitman; Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Robert Ulrich. Canadian horror spoof about a couple on a romantic holiday who settle into a quaint little bed-and-breakfast run by a trio of flesh-eating ladies who fancy them for tomorrow's menu. Extras: "Cannibal Guys" conversation with Ivan Reitman and producer Daniel Goldberg; "Meat Eugene" interview with Eugene Levy; original trailers and radio spots; alternate audio track featuring "The Warning Bell" (just prior to a scene of particular malice and gore, viewers would be warned by the sound of a bell, at which point they could shut their eyes). (Shout! Factory).

The Chaser (2008 -- South Korea) Yun-seok Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Yeong-hie Seo. Griity crime drama about a disgraced police detective-turned pimp who gets an unexpected shot at redemption when he goes after a serial killer kidnapping his call girls. (IFC/MPI media Group).

CSI New York Season 6 (2009-10) Seven-disc set with 23 episodes, $62.99. (CBS/Paramount).

The Dead Outside (2009) Alton Milne Sandra Louise Douglas. In the stark aftermath of a neurological pandemic, two strangers come together on an isolated Scottish farm. (Vanguard Cinema).

Down Under the Sea. Two-disc set with two Smithsonian Networks features: "The Big Blue," a documentary on the Big Blue whale, and "Secrets of the Great Barrier Reef"; $19.98. (Infinity Entertainment Group).

Elf Ultimate Collector's Edition (2003) Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Daniel Tay, Faizon Love , Peter Dinklage, Amy Sedaris, Michael Lerner, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, Artie Lange. Packaged in a collectible holiday tin filled with an Elf CD soundtrack sampler, a festive holiday stocking, gift tags and a magnetic picture frame. $39.92. Extras: Deleted scenes; "Fact track" reveals history, facts and trivia about the movie; "Beyond the Movie" featurettes: "Deck the Halls," "Christmas in Tinseltown," "Santa Mania," "Kids on Christmas": "All Access Pass" featurettes: "Tag Along With Will Ferrell," "How They Made the North Pole," "Film School for Kids," "That's Wrap," "Lights, Camera, Puffin!"; Fun and Games: Buddy's Adventure Game, Elf Karaoke, read-along, Elf Karaoke, more. Also available on Blu-ray Disc $49.99. (Warner).

Evening Primose (1966) Steven Sondheim's "lost" TV musical originally broadcast on "ABC Stage 67." Based on John Collier's acclaimed short story, this black-and-white classic stars the very young and talented Anthony Perkins, Dorothy Stickney, Larry Gates and Charmian Carr in the story of a poet, who, unable to cope with the pressures from the outside world, hides inside a locked department store. As night falls, he discovers a group of hermits who have lived there for years. Presented by The Archive of American Television Presents, a partnership between Entertainment One and the Archive of American Television, a program of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. (Entertainment One).

The Girl Who Played With Fire (2010) Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Peter Andersson, Annika Hallin, Per Oscarsson. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Music Box Films).

The Halloween Stories Collection. Three-disc set with 18 slightly scary stories, including "Where the Wild Things Are," "A Very Brave Witch," "The Teacher From the Black Lagoon," "By the Light of the Halloween Moon", "A Dark, Dark, Tale", "Georgie", "The Witch in the Cherry Tree", "The Three-Legged Cat" and more. $24.95. (Scholastic Storybook Treasures).

Harrison Montgomery (2008) Octavio Gomez Berrios, Martin Landau, Melora Walters, Krista Ott. Drama about a petty drug dealer and a reclusive seer with a game show fetish and a secret that just may save his down-and-out neighbors. (IndiePix).

Hotel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie (1988) Directed and produced by Marcel Ophuls, this documentary examines Nazi officer Klaus Barbie, the infamous "Butcher of Lyon," weaving together 40 years of footage and interviews with former Nazis, American intelligence officers, South American government officials, victims of Nazi atrocities and witnesses. Barbie, while Gestapo chief in Lyon, tortured and murdered resistance fights, innocent hostages, Jewish men, women and children, and had thousands deported to death camps. After the war he was protected by and worked with the U.S. Army's Counterintelligence Corps, and then allowed to hide in Bolivia, where he lived peacefully for 30 years. Only in 1987 was he brought to trial in a French courtroom (in Lyon). In a two-disc set with a booklet, $34.98. (Icarus Films).

House (1977 -- Japan) How to describe Nobuhiko Obayashi's indescribable 1977 movie "House" (Hausu)? As a psychedelic ghost tale? A stream-of-consciousness bedtime story? An episode of Scooby-Doo as directed by Mario Bava? Any of the above will do for this hallucinatory head trip about a schoolgirl who travels with six classmates to her ailing aunt's creaky country home and comes face-to-face with evil spirits, a demonic house cat, a bloodthirsty piano, and other ghoulish visions, all realized by Obayashi via a series of mattes, animation, and collage effects. Equal parts absurd and nightmarish, "House" might have been beamed to Earth from some other planet. Never before available on home video in the United States, it's one of the most exciting cult discoveries in years. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: "Constructing a House," a new video piece featuring interviews with director Nobuhiko Obayashi, story scenarist and daughter of the director Chigumi Obayashi, and screenwriter Chiho Katsura; "Emotion," a 1966 experimental film by Obayashi; new video appreciation by director Ti West ("House of the Devil"); theatrical trailer; an essay by Chuck Stephens. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).

Hush (2009 -- U.K.) William Ash, Christine Bottomley. A young couple on a motorway journey are drawn into a game of cat and mouse with a truck driver after a near accident, when, for a fleeting moment, the roll door on the back of the truck opens and the couple glimpse what looks like a half-dressed woman shackled and caged within. (IFC/MPI Media Group).

The Infidel (2010 -- U.K.) Archie Panjabi, Matt Lucas, Richard Schiff, Omid Djalili. An identity crisis comedy centered on Mahmud Nasir, successful business owner, and salt of the earth East End Muslim who discovers that he's adopted -- and Jewish. Extras: Commentary, director and cast interviews, viral trailer, behind-the-scenes featurettes. (New Video/Tribeca Film).

Lake Placid 3 (2010) Colin Ferguson, Yancy Butler, Kacey Barnfield, Michael Ironside. Second sequel in which a swarm of gigantic crocodiles terrorizes a secluded country lake. Unrated, unreleased scenes suitable only for adult audiences. (Sony).

The Last Day of Summer (2009) DJ Qualls, Nikki Reed, William Sadler. An agitated employee of Jum's Burger Haven, who has reached his breaking point after being mercilessly tormented by his boss, finally snaps and decides to take his revenge. (Entertainment One).

Law & Order UK: Season One (2009) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.98. Extras: Interview with "Law & Order" creator and executive producer Dick Wolf, cast and crew interviews, tour of the crown prosecution service with series star Freema Agyeman, commentary on select episodes, tour of police set with Freema Agyeman. (Universal).

Mentor (2007) Rutger Hauer, Matthew Davis, Dagmara Dominczyk. Drama about the power that a famous university professor holds over his students and assistants. (Vanguard Cinema).

A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism (2010) Directed by Oscar-nominee Fridrik Thor Fridriksson and narrated by Kate Winslet, this documentary is the profound chronicle of one mother's search to unlock her son's mind and help him to function in the world. "A Mother's Courage" was an official selection of the Toronto Film Festival. (First Run features).

Mutants (2009 -- France) Helene de Fougerolles, Francis Renaud. In a world devastated by a pandemic virus that turns human beings into primitive and bloodthirsty creatures, Marco and Sonia set off to find a secret base to escape from the 'mutants.' But Marco gets infected and, little by little, he undergoes the same changes. Sonia, who is expecting a baby, is then forced to fight her worst enemy: the man she loves. (IFC/MPI Media Group).

Nice Guy Johnny (2010) Matt Bush, Anna Wood, Edward Burns, Kerry Bishe. Romantic comedy from director Edward Burns. Twenty-four-year-old Johnny Rizzo is engaged to a girl who demands he quit his gig as an overnight sports radio deejay in Oakland and take a soul-killing job in her dad's cardboard box company back home in New York. When he flies to New York to meet her dad, he hooks up with his Uncle Terry, a fun-loving, horndog bartender who wants to stop Johnny from marrying too young. On a ride to the Hamptons, they visit the uncle's married girlfriend who, it turns out, has a beautiful young tennis instructor, Brooke, who takes a liking to Johnny and represents a free and easy alternative to his hard-edged, demanding fiancee. (MPI Home Video).

On the Road With Charles Kuralt, Set 3. Three-disc set with 14 episodes -- with a total of 57 classic "On the Road" pieces, and an exclusive 55 min. interview with longtime Kuralt and "On the Road" cameraman Isadore Bleckman. $39.99. (Acorn Media).

Passenger Side (2010) Adam Scott, Joel Bissonnette. Two estranged brothers get together for a day-long odyssey across a wild and weird Los Angeles in search of a "reason for living." Behind the wheel of a beat up old BMW, the brothers' search leads them through a bizarre, beautiful land filled with surprising, comical characters to a very unexpected and magical destination. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Matthew Bissonnette and actors Adam Scott and Joel Bissonnette, "The Making of Passenger Side." (Strand Releasing).

Paths of Glory (1957) Director: Stanley Kubrick; stars Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Richard Anderson, Joe Turkel, Christiane Kubrick, Timothy Carey. A pivotal work by Stanley Kubrick, "Paths of Glory" is among the most powerful antiwar films ever made. A fiery Kirk Douglas stars as a French colonel serving in World War I who goes head-to-head with the army's ruthless top brass when his men are accused of cowardice after being unable to carry out an impossible mission. This haunting, exquisitely photographed dissection of the military machine in all its absurdity and capacity for dehumanization (a theme Kubrick would continue to explore throughout his career) is assembled with its legendary director's customary precision, from its tense trench warfare sequences to its gripping courtroom climax to its ravaging final scene. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: New commentary by critic Gary Giddins; television interview from 1979 with Douglas; new video interviews with Kubrick's longtime executive producer Jan Harlan, "Paths of Glory" producer James B. Harris, and actress Christiane Kubrick; excerpt from a French television program about real-life World War I executions similar to the events dramatized in "Paths of Glory"; theatrical trailer; an essay by Kubrick scholar James Naremore. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).

Score (1974) Celebrated and ground-breaking soft-core erotic director Radley Metzger's film about a liberated '70s couple that seduces another couple into experimentation with bisexuality and group-sex. Based on a 1971 hit Off-Broadway play that starred 25-year-old Sylvester Stallone in the role of Mike, a horny telephone repairman, played in the film by Carl Parker. The film follows the erotic exploits of a happily married swinging couple (Claire Wilbur and Gerald Grant) who make a bet that they can seduce a couple of naive young newlyweds during a weekend get-together at their luxury Riviera Villa. The young couple is played by Lynn Lowry, who starred in the horror classics "The Crazies" and "I Drink Your Blood," and Cal Culver, who became an early gay icon thanks to his standout performance in 1971's "Boys in the Sand." Uncut and uncensored. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette with Claire Wilbur, Lynn Lowry, Cal Culver, Gerald Grant, Carl Parker and Radley Metzger; new interview with Lynn Lowry; commentary track by Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen; trailers. Available in the original theatrical version on standard DVD and Blu-ray, and a uncut and uncensored version on standard DVD and Blu-ray. (Cult Epics/CAV Distributing).

Scholastic Sign Language Gift Set. Building upon the popular trend of babies learning to communicate by sign language, Scholastic has launched a new ASL series, extending sign language learning for children ages 2 to 9. Three-disc set with nine stories with sign language: "Goodnight Moon ... and More Great Bedtime Stories," "A Pocket for Corduroy," "Five Little Monkeys," "A Creature Was Stirring," "Blue Burt and Wiggles," "Little Quack," "There's Something in My Attic," more. $24.95. (Scholastic Storybook Treasures).

The Scholastic Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics #2. Features classic stories such as "Bark George," "Bear Snores On," "Caps for Sale," Diary of a Worm," "The Dot," "The Emperor's New Clothes," Giggle Giggle Quack," "Is Your Mama a Llama?" "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat," "Miss Nelson Has a Field Day," "The Night Before Christmas," "So You Want to Be President," The Teacher From the Black Lagoon," "Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin" and many, many more on the following DVDs: "Goodnight Moon," "Corduroy," "The Wheels on the Bus," "Good Night, Gorilla," "The Night Before Christmas," "Is Your Mama a Llama?," "Giggle Giggle Quack," "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," "The Hans Christian Andersen Collection," "The James Marshall Fairytale Collection," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," "The Teacher From the Black Lagoon," "Miss Nelson Has a Field Day," "Antarctic Antics," "Crazy Hair Day," "So You Want to Be President?," "A Very Brave Witch." $99.95. (Scholastic Storybook Treasures).

Searchers 2.0 (2007) From Alex Cox, the director of "Repo Man" and "Sid & Nancy"; never before released on DVD in North America. As child actors, Mel and Fred were beaten and whipped by an imperious screenwriter, Fritz Frobisher. Now the elderly Fritz is to appear at a T-shirt signing ceremony in Monument Valley, Arizona, where his great films were made, and Mel and Fred decide to go there to get even. But all is not as it seems when the two men -- driven there by Mel's estranged daughter, Delilah -- arrive. Extras: Making of documentary, commentary by director Alex Cox, composer Dan Wool and sound designer Richard Beggs. (Microcinema International).

Sex and the City 2 (2010) Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Alice Eve, John Corbett, Chris Noth, Jason Lewis, Willie Garson, Liza Minnelli. Extras: Commentary by director Michael Patrick King, "The Style of Sex and the City 2," "The Men of Sex and the City." Also available as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. (New Line).

Sex and the City: Complete Collection. Gigantic boxed set with 20 discs, including all seven re-mastered seasons, plus the two films, and an exclusive bonus disc, $249.99. Extras: Alternate endings, commentaries, behind the scenes, deleted scenes, featurettes, interviews, more. (HBO).

Skeletons (2010 - U.K.) Follows Davis and Bennett (the British comedy duo Andrew Buckley and Ed Gaughan), a pair of mismatched traveling salesmen in the business of literally cleaning out skeletons from closets. Together, they wander in and out of strangers' lives, performing "The Procedure," successfully exposing people's innermost secrets behind their door of lies ... until they arrive at a remote home and face a challenge unlike anything they've seen before. Can they finish the job or will they remain trapped in the closet, perpetually haunted by their own skeletons? Extras: Director's commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes. (IndiPix).

South of the Border (2010) Director Oliver Stone's road trip across five countries to explore the social and political movements as well as the mainstream media's misperception of South America while interviewing seven of its elected presidents. The film features intimate conversations with Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Evo Morales (Bolivia), Lula da Silva (Brazil), Cristina Kirchner (Argentina), as well as her husband and ex-President Nestor Kirchner, Fernando Lugo (Paraguay), Rafael Correa (Ecuador) and Raul Castro (Cuba). $24.95. Extras: Oliver Stone's additional questions for Hugo Chavez (2010), behind the scenes of the South American promotional tour, deleted scenes, "Changes in Venezuela" (a look at Chavez's reforms and the impact on the country's poor), plus two South American TV interviews with Stone. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Cinema Libre Studio).

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Complete Season Two (2010) 22 episodes, $44.98. Extras:Behind-the-scenes featurettes, 68-page production journal. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds "Jedi Temple Archives" test animation, concept art, more. (Warner).

Subprime (2010) Aaron Miller, Quinn Kieffer-Wright, Kristina Plisko, William Gilmore. Comedy about a young college student who is forced to move home after he loses his student loan, only to discover that his family and neighbors are all having their homes foreclosed. (Vanguard Cinema).

Surviving the Holidays With Lewis Black (2010) Comedic look at how to survive the "month-long festival of consumption" without losing your mind. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).

Teknolust (2002) Tilda Swinton, Karen Black, Thomas Jay Ryan, Jeremy Davies. Swinton plays four roles in this science fiction adventure about Rosetta Stone and her three Self-Replicating Automatons, which she cloned from her own DNA. Though they look human, the S.R.A. cyborgs were bred as intelligent machines and are immortal but in order to survive, they need sustenance of male Y chromosome, found only in sperm. Their task is to harvest sperm in the old fashioned way, which leads to a quest for love. (Microcinema International).

Trade Routes (2007 -- Bulgaria) George Zlatarev, Alice Patten, Ross McCall, Kosta Tsonev. With five inter-twining stories detailing the unscrupulous rules that govern foreign espionage after the Cold War, this political thriller is a brazen look at current international politics and American foreign policy, set against the first election in Bulgaria, a country that a few short years ago was the most notorious communist dictatorship. (Vanguard Cinema).

The Twilight Zone: Fan Favorites. Five-disc set with 19 classic episodes, in a limited edition, collectible tin package, $29.98. (Image Entertainment).

Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? (2010) The film profiles the extraordinary life and career of the enigmatic Harry Nilsson, considered by many music critics and peers to be one of the best singer-songwriters of his time. Nilsson was also famous for being The Beatles' favorite "group." Combines interviews with Harry's friends and colleagues, rare and never-before-seen archival footage, home movies and excerpts from Nilsson's recently discovered oral autobiography. The documentary features interviews with Micky Dolenz, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Al Kooper, Randy Newman, Yoko Ono, Van Dyke Parks, The Smothers Brothers, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, Robin Williams, Brian Wilson and many more as well as members of the Nilsson family. A brilliantly gifted songwriter, his work has been covered by a wide range of artists (The Monkees to Harry Belafonte, Blood Sweat & Tears to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Three Dog Night to Ella Fitzgerald, Aimee Mann to Barbra Streisand). And yet, with an irony that was typical of his career, his greatest fame and success came as a singer of other people's songs. Nilsson was the recipient of 17 Gold Records (in addition to his two Grammy Awards for "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Without You") and yet, never cut his music to fit mainstream fashion. He was also considered to be peerless as a wild man, a legendary party animal who could drink John Lennon and Keith Moon under the table -- while also being known as a devoted husband and father. Intertwined throughout the doc are rare performances from two BBC specials, promo films, music videos, home movies, as well as excerpts from the Oscar-winning film, Midnight Cowboy and an unfinished documentary about the recording of the Harry's 1972 album "Son of Schmilsson." Extras: More than 90 minutes of bonus material, including deleted scenes, extended sequences, an alternate ending, and a rarely seen music video of Yoko Ono's song, "Loneliness" with commentary by Yoko. (Lorber Films).

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (2009) Documentary that covers a year in the life of the White family of West Virginia, well known for Jesco White, the star of the "Dancing Outlaw" documentary. Loaded with shoot-outs, robberies, gas-huffing, drug-dealing, pill-popping and tap dancing. Extras: Interviews with director Julien Nitzberg and producer Johnny Knoxville, behind-the-scenes featurettes. (New Video/Tribeca Film).

Wild Grass (2009 -- France) Director: Alain Resnais; stars: Andre Dussollier, Sabine Azema, Emmanuelle Devos, Mathieu Amalric. (Sony).

Winter's Bone (2010) Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee, Tate Taylor. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).

Within (2009) Mia Ford, Lori Heuring, Sammi Hanratty, Sam Jaeger, Brent Sexton, Elaine Hendrix. Paranormal thriller with no chainsaws, no severed heads, horny teenagers, drugs or alcohol, or bad language. Rachel is a sweet girl with a troubled soul, caused by a unique gift -- she can see evil spirits within others. After witnessing the killing of her mother, Rachel and her father look for a fresh start by moving to a new town. After befriending classmate Michelle Lowe, Rachel soon realizes that her new 'best friend' may not be the girl she first appeared to be. Rachel's visions could be the key to stopping a series of violent attacks against the town's children and unlocking the puzzle behind a grim murder. (Bigfoot Entertainment).

World Wresling Entertainment Roundup
• "Breaking the Code: Behind the Walls of Chris Jericho," the definitive Chris Jericho collection with a revealing biography and 19 of his greatest matches, in a three-disc set, $34.95.
• "WWE: SummerSlam 2010," featuring Team WWE vs. The Nexus, five other matches, $24.95
• "WWE: Night of Champions 2010," in which the superstars of Raw and SmackDown battle for battle for the WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, Unified Tag Team Champions, Woman's Champion, and Divas Champion, $24.95
• "Wrestling's Highest Flyers," a three-disc set with two dozen high-flying matches featuring airborne action with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Superfly Jimmy Snuka, Rey Mysterio Jr., Shawn Michaels, Vader and many, many more, $34.95.

Yes, Virginia (2009) Computer animated Christmas special, timed for release of a new hardcover children's book, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and a CBS holiday broadcast. Tells the story of the little girl in 1897 NYC who tries to prove the existence of Santa Claus, and writes a letter to The New York Sun, resulting in the famous editorial, "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus." With the voices of Neil Patrick Harris, Beatrice Miller, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alfred Molina. $9.95. Extras: Commentary, making-of featurette. (New Video).

You Don't Know Jack (2010) Angel of mercy ... or murderous "Doctor Death"? Jack Kervorkian is one of the most polarizing figures in modern American history, a man whose passionate belief that people have the right to die has brought him both praise and vilification. Al Pacino brings "Dr. Death" to life in this HBO Films presentation directed by Barry Levinson. Also stars Brenda Vaccaro, John Goodman, Deirdre O'Connell. (HBO).

Monday, October 25, 2010

Tsawwassen Area Plan Public Hearing October 26 & 27

Tsawwassen Southlands in Boundary Bay

Tsawwassen Area Plan Hearing Begins Tomorrow


The new Tsawwassen Area Plan (TAP) will be presented and discussed at a public meeting on October 26 & 27, 7:00 pm at South Delta Recreation Center. The public will be given an opportunity to provide feedback to Delta Council regarding the bylaw outlining the future direction of Tsawwassen. The proposed TAP recommends maintaining of the agricultural land use Designation for the Southlands.

This follows an 8-1 vote in favour of agricultural designation from the final TAPC meeting, an Ipsos Reid survey showing clear majority support (62%) for maintaining the designation of the land as agricultural, and an earlier staff recommendation from Delta’s Chief Administrative Officer in June to maintain the agricultural designation.

“I’m glad that Council is respecting the will of the public,” stated Dana Maslovat, one of the organizers of Southlands the Facts, “We hope this will be the last step to ensure the agricultural designation of the Southlands is maintained in Tsawwassen’s new Official Community Plan this fall.”

The potential re-designation of the Southlands agricultural land to accommodate a housing development is by far the most contentious component of the process undertaken to revise the existing Tsawwassen Area Plan. Any re-designation will change the Official Community Plan and open up the Southlands for a 1900 unit housing development by Century Holdings. This piece of farmland was the cause of the longest public hearing in Commonwealth history and a resident run plebiscite in 1989, which prevented a 2000 unit development that was proposed for the same property.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

DVD Releases Tuesday October 19, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
Please GivePlease Give Kate (Catherine Keener) and Alex (Oliver Platt) are a couple living in New York City who specialize in vintage furniture -- which they buy on the cheap at estate sales and mark up at their trendy Manhattan store. Kate and Alex have a teenage daughter, Abby (Sarah Steele) -- who has image problems -- and their apartment is starting to feel a bit small for the three of them; Kate and Alex own the unit next door to them, and once the flat becomes vacant, they plan to knock out a wall and take over the space. However, Andra (Ann Morgan Guilbert), their tenant, is an elderly woman with a poor disposition who doesn't seem eager to go anywhere soon, and it's occurred to Kate and Alex that they're probably going to have wait for her to die, since evicting her would be very awkward. Hoping to make the best of the situation, Kate tries to strike up a friendship with Andra and her fiercely protective granddaughter Rebecca (Rebecca Hall), but Andra isn't especially interested in making new friends, and Rebecca's sister, Mary (Amanda Peet), isn't much easier to deal with. Add in Kate's marriage problem of sharing a partnership in parenting, business and life with Alex but sensing doubt nibbling at the foundations. Add in her guilt over the business -- exploiting grief-ridden relatives to buy furniture at low prices -- and her free-floating 21st century malaise -- the problem of how to live well and be a good person when poverty, homelessness, and sadness are always right outside the door, and this quirky comedic tale of human foibles soon takes an unpredictable turn. Vitals: Director: Nicole Holofcener. Stars: Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Sarah Steele, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Comedy Drama, Box office gross: $4.010 million, Sony.


THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

Accidently on Purpose Season 1 (2009-10) Two-disc set with 18 episodes, $41.99. (CBS/Paramount).

Agora (2009) Dir.: Alejandro Amenabar; Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac. Historical drama set in Roman Egypt, about a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria, who proved to be far ahead off her time. Extras: Introduction by Amenabar, commentary by Amenabar, "Journey to Alexandria" documentary, deleted scenes, storyboards: Production and costume design, photo gallery. (Lionsgate).

Bionic Woman: Season One (1976-77) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.98. (Universal).

Colin (2009) Alastair Kirton, Daisy Aitkens, Leanne Pammen. A surprise hit at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, "Colin" was the brainchild of British writer-director Marc Price, offering an original, unique perspective -- a story told through the zombie's eyes. Made for just $75, mostly spent on tea and cookies for his "zombies," Price relied on friends and Facebook to cast his legion of undead extras. Life bites (literally!) for Colin (Alastair Kirton) when, after becoming a zombie snack, he dies and returns as one of the undead. Wandering aimlessly through the streets of London, during the throes of a cadaverous apocalypse, we learn about Colin (from his perspective) ... who he was and, more pertinently, what he has become, through his encounters with objects, places and people. Available as a single DVD with director's commentary and a two-disc Special Edition that adds a "Making of Colin" featurette, deleted scenes, original trailer and Price's new short film, "The End." (Walking Shadows).

The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (2008) Explores the spectacular lives of a million crimson winged flamingos, offering a glimpse of their rare journey. Appropriate for families of all ages, this film showcases a dramatic, never before filmed backdrop, as the regal birds wing to another world in an inspiring and colorful story of majesty. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (DisneyNature).

Forbidden Lies (2009) Norma Khouri is a thief, a saint, a seductress and a sociopath -- depending on who is talking. Khouri won fame and fortune with her "true story," "Forbidden Love," about a shocking honor killing in Jordan, and the book was a runaway bestseller, translated into multiple languages. Khouri became the toast of the literary world, at least until July 2004, when esteemed Sydney Morning Herald journalist Malcolm Knox exposed her book as a work of fiction, and her protagonist, Dalia, a figment of her imagination. Following her shocking "outing," Khouri fights for her credibility and offers to go to Jordan to prove that "Dalia" indeed existed and that the incident in question really took place. Is her story fact or fiction? You decide. Extras: Commentary by director Anna Broinowski and Norma Khouri, director's diary, interviews with the filmmakers, deleted scenes, trailer, featurettes. (IndiePix).

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition (2004) Three-disc set, $39.92. Extras: New features: "Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3: Creatures" and "Tour Nick Dudman's Creature Shop"; additional featurettes: "Creating the Vision" interview with J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers, "Conjuring a Scene: Creating Buckbeak and the Dementors for the Screen," additional scenes, more; 48-page creatures photo book; two collectible character cards: Hermione Granger, Sirius Black; Year 3 lenticular card; bonus digital copy of the theatrical film. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition (2005) Three-disc set, $39.92. Extras: New feature: "Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound & Music"; additional featurettes: "Preparing for the Yule Ball," conversations with the cast, reflections on the fourth film, more; 44-Page sound & music photo book, two collectible character cards: Ronald Weasley, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Year 4 lenticular card, digital copy of the theatrical film. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Holy Rollers (2010) Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha. A Rabbinical student gets involved in the gritty drug smuggling scene in Manhattan and Amsterdam. Based on a true story of how nearly one million ecstasy pills were imported into the country in the 1990s using orthodox Hasidic Jews as carriers, their strict religious dress making them less likely to have their bags searched in customs. (First Independent Pictures/Vivendi Entertainment).

Homeless for the Holidays (2009) Matt Moore, Crystal Dewitt-Hinkle, Cole Brandenberger, Gabrielle Phillips. Jack Baker is a self-made executive who enjoys a happy, upper-middle-class life -- until he loses his job, and finds himself working at a burger joint in order to make ends meet. To make things worse, ends are not being met, and, if something doesn't change soon, the Bakers could lose everything by Christmas. Created by TV filmmaker George A. Johnson, who lost his job in 2008 and put this film together with the help of some 500 volunteers. Info: homelessfortheholidaysmovie.com. (Breathe Motion Pictures/Bridgestone Multimedia Group).

Ironside: Season Four (1970-71) Factory-direct set, 26 episodes. (Shout! Factory).

The Lemon Drop Kid (1951) Bob Hope, Lloyd Nolan, William Frawley, Tor Johnson. (Shout! Factory).

The Maze (2010) Shalaina Castle, Brandon Sean Pearson, Clare Niederpruem, Kyle Paul, Tye Nelson. Five friends break into a closed corn maze in the middle of the night and decide to play a harmless game of tag. Little do they know that a psychopathic killer has decided to play along. (Monarch Home Video).

Mirrors 2 (2010) Nick Stahl, William Katt, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Christy Carlson Romano. When Max, a recovering addict, takes a job as a nighttime security guard, he begins to see visions of a young mysterious woman in the store's mirror: It turns out the woman was brutally murdered in front of the mirror -- a portal to the world of the undead -- and she has embarked on a murderous rampage to get the men and women responsible for her horrific death. Extras: "The Other Side: Making Mirrors 2," "Keeping It Real: The Visual and Special Effects of Mirrors 2," deleted scenes, "Into the Mirror" (original Korean film). Also available on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, which adds Picture in Picture: Watch "Mirrors 2" with the Woman in the Mirror. (Fox).

The Misfortunates (2010 -- Netherlands) Thirteen-year-old Gunther Strobbe grows up surrounded by alcohol, trash and his completely useless father and uncles. Slowly but surely he's being prepared for the same hapless life. Can he defy his destiny? Award-winning film, originally presented at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, and Toronto, Hamptons and Palm Springs Festivals. (Neoclassics Films).

Monster A-Go Go: Special Collector's Edition (1965) June Travis, Peter Thompson, Phil Morton. Directed by Bill Rebane and Herschell Gordon Lewis. Billed as "The picture that could set our space program back at least 50 years" and voted "The Worst Movie Ever" by Mystery Science Theater 3000. An astronaut about to be launched into space is being prepped for his galactic voyage with doses of "radiation repellent," but the doctor really gives him doses previously tested only on animals. As the mission ends and the space capsule parachutes back to earth, it crash-lands in a field and the astronaut disappears, replaced by a monster who begins wreaking havoc in the area. Extras: Commentary by director Bill Rebane; two short films not seen since their original theatrical release, "Twist Craze" (produced as a short subject/added attraction for the 1961 premiere of Frank Capra's "Pocket Full of Miracles" at Chicago's Oriental Theatre) and "Dance Craze" (1962, released internationally); original theatrical trailer; 24-page booklet with a reprint of a 1965 Scary Monsters magazine article about the making of the film. (Synergy Entertainment).

Night of the Demons (2009) Shannon Elizabeth, Edward Furlong, Monica Keena. Remake of the 1988 classic. A group of friends partying on Halloween night at New Orleans' notorious Broussard Mansion discover a horrifying secret in the basement and unleash the wrath of blood-thirsty demons. (Entertainment One).

Oceans (2009) Directed by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud (both of "Winged Migration"). The two filmmakers venture in, on and around our seas to discover photogenic oddities and endangered wonders, diving deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind -- exploring the playful splendor and the harsh reality of the weird and wonderful creatures that live there. A breathtaking and unprecedented high-definition journey to discover nature's mysteries, showcasing creatures captured on film for the first time and highlighting the colorful symphony of animals that live under the sea. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan. Available as a standard DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD). For every Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD purchased between October 19 and 25, Disney will contribute a portion of sales to The Nature Conservancy. (DisneyNature).

Please Give (2010) Director: Nicole Holofcener. Stars: Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Sarah Steele, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featuette, outtakes, Nicole Holofcener Q&A clips. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).

Predators (2010) Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Oleg Taktarov, Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali. Extras: Commentary by Robert Rodriguez and director Nimrod Antal; Motion Comics: "Moments of Extraction" (two prequel vignettes voiced by the cast) and "Crucified"; "De-cloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds an expanded "Moments of Extraction" motion comic with six vignettes, "Evolution of the Species: Predators Reborn" six-part featurette ("Bloodline," "De-cloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain," "Intelligent Design: The Hunting Camp," "Predators as Prey," "Yuatja Transformed," "Rite of Passage"); "The Chosen" featurette; Fox Movie Channel presents "Making a Scene"; deleted and extended scenes; BD-Live extras: Exclusive "Predators" features; "Live Lookup" powered by IMDB. (Fox).

The Psycho Legacy (2010) Two-Disc special edition DVD set that explores the history, impact and mystique of "Psycho" and the films that it spawned. Interweaving rare and never-before-seen interview footage with Anthony Perkins and dozens of interviews with the "Psycho" films' cast, crew, writers and directors including Robert Loggia, Olivia Hussey, Henry Thomas, Diana Scarwid, Tom Holland, Hilton Green, Mick Garris, Richard Franklin, as well as other writers and directors in the horror genre, including Stuart Gordon ("Re-Animator"), Adam Green ("Frozen"), Joe Lynch ("Wrong Turn 2"), Michael Gingold and Tony Timpone from Fangoria, and many more. $19.93. Extras: Extended and deleted scenes, panel discussion with Anthony Perkins, the "Psycho" reunion panel, a tour of the Bates Motel, "Revisiting Psycho II," "Shooting Psycho II," a visit with "Psycho" memorabilia collector Guy Thorpe, "Psycho" on the Web, the Hyaena Gallery presents serial-killer-inspired art. (Shout! Factory).

The Real L Word: The First Season (2010) Three-disc set with nine episodes, $39.99. Extras: Behind-the-scenes footage, audition tapes, "The National Gay & Lesbian Winter Party" with Pam Grier. (Showtine/Paramount).

Shaun the Sheep: Season One Gift Set. Two-disc set with 40 full-length episodes, $29.98. Extras: "Sing-Along With Shaun," "The Mini-Making of Shaun," "Sheep Shearing" game, "Building a Pig" featurette, "Meet the Animals." (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

Shoot the Hero! (2010) Jason Mewes, Samantha Lockwood, Danny Trejo, Nic Nac, Nicholas Turturro, Paul Sloan, Fred Williamson. A thirtysomething couple unintentionally become involved in a botched jewel heist while shopping for wedding rings. Extras: Video production diaries, video director's diaries, photo gallery. (Virgil Films & Entertainment).

Shooting Stars (2009) Documentary follows Johnny Nunez, who was abandoned as a baby and later adopted by a Puerto Rican family, as he overcomes the obstacles imposed by his humble upbringings in Brooklyn to become today's most prominent Hip Hop celebrity photographer. (IndiePix).

The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009) Elisha Cuthbert, Tim Allen, Kelli Garner, Andie MacDowell, Jenna Elfman, Lindsay Sloane, Chris Klein, Paz Vega, Edward Herrmann, Larry Miller, S. Epatha Merkerson, Barbara Barrie. A grieving daughter tries to arrange her father's funeral, while putting up with all of his ex-wives. (National Entertainment Media).

Smash His Camera (2010) Documentary about infamous New York City paparazzo Ron Galella, legendary for his restraining order from Jackie O and losing five teeth at the hands of Marlon Brando, all in the service of generating some of the most iconic and memorable celebrity photographs of the 1970s. Features archival footage of Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and more. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Tapout: The Complete Series (2007) Five-disc set with 20 episodes of the mixed martial arts series, $29.98. (Image Entertainment).

Thomas & Friends: Best Tales on the Tracks. Six-disc set with 50 episodes featuring Thomas and his friends from the Island of Sodor: "Best of Thomas," "Best of James," "Best of Gordon," "Best of Percy," "Thomas and the Treasure" and "10 Years of Thomas & Friends"; $29.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

Unsolved Suburbia (2010) Johnny Lockhart, Alexander Dissan, David Blanco, Kiyoshi Shishido, Steven Christopher. Quirky sex, gang warfare, peeping tomisim and homophobia come to the fore among teens living in the new suburbia. (MTL Home Video).

Wallander (2010) Two-disc set with three 90-minute features starring Kenneth Branagh as Kurt Wallander, a police inspector in the Swedish town of Ystad: "Faceless Killers," "The Man Who Smiled" and "The Fifth Woman," $34.98. Extras: "Wallander Country" location featurette, "Being Kurt Wallander" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (BBC/Warner).

The Warrior and the Sorceress/Barbarian Queen Double Feature. Two Roger Corman action-adventures filled with sword-and-sorcery fantasy, explosive battles and exotic beauties. "The Warrior and the Sorceress" (1984) stars David Carradine, Luke Askew, Maria Socas, Anthony DeLongis and Harry Townes; "Barbarian Queen" (1985) stars Lana Clark Clarkson, Katt Shea, Frank Zagarino and Dawn Dunlap. (Shout! Factory).

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

DVD Releases Tuesday October 12, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
How To Train Your dragonHow to Train Your Dragon photo Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the animated action-comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn't exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup's world is turned upside down when he has to pass his Viking initiation by hunting down the fiercest dragon and bringing it into submission. Instead, he ends up with the smallest, most ornery dragon -- it's even toothless -- who challenges the Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view. Vitals: Director: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders. Stars: Voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 98 min., Animated, Box office gross: $217.387 million, DreamWorks.

THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

Arn: The Knight Templar (2007) Stellan Skarsgard, Simon Callow, Vincent Perez, Michael Nyqvist. Follows Arn's 12th century crusade as a Knight Templar from Sweden to the Holy Land, and away from his life's love, in pursuit of his mission to unite Sweden into one kingdom. Based on the best-selling novels featuring the Swedish crusader Arn Magnusson. Extras: Two behind-the-scenes featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Entertainment One).

As Good As Dead (2010) Cary Elwes, Andie MacDowell, Brian Cox, Frank Whaley, Matt Dallas, Jess Wexler, Laura Harring. Seeking revenge for the murder of their religious leader, fundamental loyalists kidnap and torture the man they believe responsible. (First Look Studios).

Astaire & Rogers Ultimate Collector's Edition Eleven-disc set with all 10 Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers movies restored and remastered: "Flying Down to Rio," "The Gay Divorcee," "Roberta," "Top Hat," "Follow the Fleet," "Swing Time," "Shall We Dance," "Carefree," "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" and "The Barkleys of Broadway"; plus a bonus disc documentary profile: "Astaire and Rogers Partners in Rhythm." $69.92. (Warner).

Bangkok Adrenaline (2009 -- Thailand) Raimund Huber, Daniel O'Neill, Gwion Jacob Miles, Conan Stevens. Kung-fu action thriller: In Bangkok for a good time, five friends end up kidnapping the daughter of a crime boss to pay off a debt to another crime boss. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).

The Busby Berkeley Collection. Ten-disc set with nine magical musicals showcasing the Berkeley touch of all-singing, all-dancing amazements: "42nd Street," "Gold Diggers of 1933," "Footlight Parade," "Dames," "Gold Diggers of 1935," "Gold Diggers of 1937," "Varsity Show," "Hollywood Hotel," "Gold Diggers in Paris," plus a bonus Busby Berkeley compilation disc with 21 astonishing musical sequences. $69.92. (Warner).

CSI Miami Season 8 (2009-10) Seven-disc set with 24 episodes, $62.99. (CBS/Paramount).

Daniel and Ana (2009 -- Mexico) Dario Yazbek Bernal, Marimar Vega, Chema Torre. Brother and sister Daniel and Ana are best friends. Ana is about to be married and Daniel is a teenager discovering his personal and sexual identity, yet the harmony in their lives is instantly shattered when they are kidnapped and something happens that forces them to confront their desires and fears. (Strand Releasing).

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Director Wes Anderson; stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Anjelica Huston. Three estranged American brothers reunite for a meticulously planned, soul-searching train voyage across India, one year after the death of their father. For reasons involving over-the-counter painkillers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray, the brothers eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert -- where a new, unplanned chapter of their journey begins. New high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Wes Anderson. Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection). Anderson's short film "Hotel Chevalier" (part one of "The Darjeeling Limited"), starring Natalie Portman, with commentary by Anderson; commentary featuring Anderson and co-writers Jason Schwartzman and Roman Coppola; behind-the-scenes documentary by Barry Braverman; Anderson and filmmaker James Ivory discuss the film's music; Anderson's American Express commercial; on-set footage shot by Coppola and actor Waris Ahluwalia; audition footage, deleted and alternate scenes, and stills galleries; booklet featuring an essay by critic Richard Brody and original illustrations by Eric Anderson.

Dollhouse Season 2 (2009-10) Four-disc set with all 13 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Commentary by Joss Whedon and series writers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen; 28-page exclusive limited edition comic book by Dark Horse Comics. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).

Dynasty Collector's Edition (2009) Skiing and snowboarding documentary, featuring narration by Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, mind-blowing cinematography and an explosive soundtrack with True HD Audio on Blu-ray and 5.1 Surround Sound on DVD. (Shout! Factory).

The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter (1984) Gordon Liu, Kara Hui, Alexander Fu Sheng. Shaw Brothers kung-fu classic. After his family is ambushed and slaughtered, one surviving brother escapes to a monastery, where he masters bone-crushing pole-fighting techniques and plots his revenge. (Vivendi Entertainment/The Weinstein Company).

Empires. Fourteen-disc set with episodes from the highly praised History series "Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire," "Engineering an Empire," "Ancients Behaving Badly" and "Barbarians." $99.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).

The Essential Bugs Bunny. Two-disc set with 12 cartoons, TV specials, shorts, rare appearances, "Bugs Bunny: Ain't He a Stinker?" documentary. $26.99. (Warner).

The Extreme Hangover Edition (2009) Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, Sasha Barrese, Jeffrey Tambor, Ken Jeong, Rachael Harris, Mike Tyson, Mike Epps. Includes both the unrated and theatrical versions of the film. Extras: Contains an exclusive never before seen 28-page wedding album featuring missing photos from the ill-fated Vegas wedding and more incriminating photos from the lost camera that you couldn't see in theaters; commentary by Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Todd Phillips; "The Madness of Ken Jeong" non-stop improv; "The Dan Band!" performs "Fame"; gag reel; "Three Best Friends Song"; Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis "freestyle" their own song; "Map of Destruction"; "Action Mash-Up" compilation of all the physical comedy from the film. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds picture-in-picture commentary and BD-LIVE content: "Iron Mike Online Teaser" and "Cursing Mash-Up." (Warner).

Four Boxes (2009) Justin Kirk, Terryn Westbrook, Sam Rosen. Nothing is what it seems when three friends stumble upon the bizarre surveillance-cam website fourboxes.tv, where a man named Havoc (who sleeps in a cage and builds bombs in the basement of a dead man's destroyed suburban house) is seemingly hatching a plot to wipe out America. (Entertainment One).

Ghost Whisperer Season 5 (2009-10) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $62.99. (CBS/Paramount).

Great Detectives Anthology. There's a murderer on the moors. Terror on the train. Villains in the village! Only the world's greatest deductive minds can save the day. Fortunately, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple are together, for the first time ever, to confront their most confounding cases. Peter Cushing's Sherlock Holmes exercises his legendary deductive skills in five classic BBC productions, including "The Hound of the Baskervilles," "A Study in Scarlet" and" The Sign of Four." Dame Agatha's diminutive detective, Hercule Poirot, portrayed by the inimitable David Suchet, applies his "little grey cells" to ferret out the cause of a "Death on the Nile" and solve the "Mystery of the Blue Train," among other Christie classics. Rounding out the trio, Joan Hickson plays spinster Miss Jane Marple, who untangles the riddles of the "Murder at the Vicarage," "The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side" and many more. Twelve-disc set, $149.99. (A&E Home Entertainment).

HIT Favorites: Jolly Holiday (2010) Five holiday themed episodes from Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Barney and Angelina Ballerina, $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).

How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig. Available as a single-disc DVD, a Dragon Double DVD Pack and two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. The two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo add the special feature "Legend of the BoneKnapper," deleted scenes, author Cressida Cowell featurette, "Learn to Draw Toothless," "Viking Personality Test," "Race for the Gold in the Viking Winter Games," "Build Your Own 3D Dragons." Blu-ray adds "The Animators' Corner," which enhances the movie-viewing experience through picture-in-picture storyboards, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews; pop-up trivia. (DreamWorks). Released Wed., Oct. 15.

I Am Love (2010) Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Alba Rohrwacher, Pippo Delbono. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Inspector Lewis, Series 3 (2006) Three-disc set with five full-length mysteries, $39.99. (PBS).

In Treatment: The Complete Second Season (2009) Seven-disc set with 35 episodes, $59.99. (HBO).

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002) Tis the night before Christmas and the Muppet Theater is in danger of being torn down. When bad goes to worse, Kermit begins to believe that the world would be a better place if he had never been born. With heavenly help and hilarious send-ups of just about every holiday movie ever made, Kermit and the Muppets discover what matters most is their love for each other. Features guest appearances by David Arquette, Joan Cusack and Whoopi Goldberg. (Universal).

Jonah Hex (2010) Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, Michael Fassbender, Will Arnett, Tom Wopat, Wes Bentley. Available as a single DVD and DVD/Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack. Blu-ray Disc extras: which adds "The Weird Western Tales of Jonah Hex," "The Inside Story of Jonah Hex," additional scenes. (Warner).

Kung-Fu Master (1984) Yuen Biao, Bryan Leung, Ji Chunhua, Yang Lu, Yuan Wu. (Lionsgate).

Language of the Enemy (aka A House Divided) (2008) Eion Bailey, F. Murray Abraham, Linda Hardy, Tovah Feldshuh. A Jewish American businessman attending his father's funeral in Israeil and a Palestinian woman find themselves trapped together behind enemy lines when he is persuaded to do a brief reconnaissance for the Israeli Secret Service inside the city of Ramallah. (MTI Home Video).

Leaves of Grass (2009) Dir.: Tim Blake Nelson; Edward Norton, Tim Blake Nelson, Melanie Lynskey, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell, Ty Burrell. An Ivy League professor is lured back to his Oklahoma hometown, where his twin brother, a small-time pot grower, has concocted a scheme to take down a local drug lord. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (First Look Studios).

The Lost Boys: The Thirst (2010) Corey Feldman, Tanit Phoenix, Jamison Newlander. Direct-to-video sequel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

The Magician (1958) Director Ingmar Bergman; stars Max von Sydow, Gunnar Bjornstrand. An engaging, brilliantly conceived tale of deceit from one of cinema's premier illusionists. Von Sydow stars as Dr. Vogler, a mid-19th-century traveling mesmerist and peddler of potions whose magic is put to the test by a small town's cruel, eminently rational minister of health, Dr. Vergerus. The result is a diabolically clever battle of wits that's both frightening and funny, shot in rich, gorgeously gothic black and white. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: New visual essay by Bergman scholar Peter Cowie; brief 1967 video interview with director Ingmar Bergman about the film; booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoff Andrew, a reprinted essay by Assayas, and an excerpt from Bergman's autobiography "Images: My Life in Film." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).

Marcus Welby, MD: Season Two (1970-71) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $49.97. (Shout! Factory).

S&Man (Sandman) (2006) Documentary takes a look at the classic comparison between filmmaking and voyeurism, particularly within the horror genre. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Saturday Night Live: Presents A Very Gilly Christmas Mischievous Gilly Kristen Wiig takes a look back at some of SNL's most memorable holiday sketches. $19.98. (Universal).

Seven Deadly Sins (2010) Dreama Walker, Jared Keeso, Rachel Melvin, Reila Aphrodite. Eric Close. Short-lived TV series based on Robin Wasserman's seven novels that follow a group of teens living in the town of Grace, California. (Vivendi Entertainment/RHI Entertainment).

Sherman in the Winter (2010 -- Israel) Dark thriller about a detective investigating the disappearance of a town councilman's 12-year-old daughter, last seen with her teacher. Extras: Commentary. (SISU Home Entertainment).

Smokey and the Bandit: The 7-Movie Outlaw Collection. The three original movies that turned Burt Reynolds and CB radios into national obsessions and the four television movies, $26.98. (Universal).

Strikeforce MMA (2009) Two-disc set of mixed martial arts fights from Showtime. (Showtime/CBS/Paramount).

Thomas & Friends: Merry Winter Wish (2010) Thomas and his friends celebrate the holidays with four tales: "Thomas' Merry Winter Wish," "Thomas and the Snowman Party," "Merry Misty Island" and "Henry's Magic Box," $14.98. (Hit Entertainment/Lionsgate).

The Tudors: The Final Season (2010) Three-disc set with 10 episodes, $46.99. (Showtime/Paramount).

You Might as Well Live (2009) Josh Peace, Michael Madsen, Stephen McHattie, Kristen Hager. On the advice of his childhood hero, Robert R. Mutt embarks on a madcap adventure to attain the three keys to being a "somebody" -- a girl, some money and a championship ring. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes. (Entertainment One).

White Night (2010 -- Israel) A white collar criminal befriends a drug dealer in prison with unintended consequences. (SISU Home Entertainment).

White on Rice (2009) Hiroshi Watanabe, Nae, Mio Takada, Lynn Chen. Comedic story of Jimmy, a misguided 40-year-old divorce trying to navigate his way through a new life in America and out of his sister Aiko's basement. Disgraced by his disgruntled brother-in-law Tak, the immature yet adorable Jimmy spends his nights searching for a new wife who shares his love of dinosaurs and geology. Things go horribly wrong when Jimmy falls desperately in love with Tak's niece. Extras: Documentary of the film's Japan premiere, director's commentary, behind-the-scenes montage featuring outtakes, deleted scenes. (eOne Entertainment/Indieblitz).

Monday, October 11, 2010

Armed Robbery at Tsawwassen Gas-Station

Police Scour South Delta for Armed Suspect

News Desk - Tsawwassen was the scene of a police manhunt after an attendant at the Chevron on 56th Street and 12th Avenue was the victim of an armed robbery.

Police were quick to attend the scene and cruisers cordoned off 52nd and 56th Street, effectively cordoning off all escape routes from town. From behind police tape you could observe the attendant being questioned by the officers on scene. A Police dog was also deployed to the crime scene.

Upon questioning, police officers would not give any answers to what was happening, but one officer implied that they were searching for a robbery suspect.

The robbery took place around 8:30pm when a man entered the station demanding the attendant hand over all his money. It is still unknown whether the robber actually produced a firearm, but another staff member who started work this morning said the man had a gun tucked in his waist. "Police told us to close up," the attendant said, "they were more concerned about a man with a gun at large than the small amount of money that was stolen."

His co-worker, a young girl in her early twenties, added "My parent's have lived here a long time. They have never heard of things like this happening here. Between this and the drive by shooting up the street a couple of months ago I don't know what's going on here."

Police have yet to release a statement about this incident, but reaction on the street has people wondering just how safe they are. Morning coffees at the Tim Horton's were accompanied by many people speculating about what took place. The general feeling is one of bewilderment about a big city type of crime here in sleepy Tsawwassen.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

8-Year Old Girl Approached by Man With Badge in Tsawwassen

Delta Police Department British Columbia BCNews Desk - On October 06, 2010 at 0840 a.m. an 8-year old girl was approached by a man in the 200 block of 52A Street, near Pebble Hill Elementary School. The suspicious male stated he was a police officer but was not in uniform. He did however, present what appeared to be a badge. The man spoke with the young girl but no attempt was made to grab her or follow her.

The young girl did the right thing by listening to her instincts and continuing to walk toward the school. She didn't report this incident to school staff immediately and the young girl’s parent notified the school the following day. This prompted school staff to contact their School Liaison Officer.

At this time the Delta Police are unable to confirm whether in fact this man was a police officer. As a proactive and precautionary measure, a notice was sent home with elementary students of Pebble Hill School on Friday to make parents aware of this incident.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, 5’8 to 5’9, 35 to 45-years old, clean cut, short hair, no facial hair, and average height and build wearing jeans and t-shirt. The male produced a gold or yellowish badge from inside a black wallet.

Police would like to remind all parents that it is recommended that if children are walking to school that they be accompanied by either an adult or in the company of others. Police would also encourage parents to discuss safety plans with their children with respect to strangers.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Person of Interest Focus of Szendrei Murder Investigation

Delta Police may be close to identifying a 'person of interest' in the brutal daytime murder of 15-year old Laura Szendrei.

At a media conference held this morning, police spokeswoman Sargent Sharlene Brooks revealed that hundreds of tips from the public may have led to the identification of a suspect in the teen homicide. Police have yet to contact the person.

Although the police are still unable to confirm whether this crime was targeted or random they have concluded that the recent pepper spraying incidents are in no way linked to the attack on Szendrei.

Using Mackie Park as a backdrop for the conference, Brooks hoped the setting would help jog peoples memories and hoped the public would continue to provide the DPD with any information regarding the attack, asking "anyone in Mackie Park who may have seen or heard anything suspicious please call police."

Police are investigating over 350 tips received from the public and have looked for patterns linking recent attacks on women jogging and walking alone to establish if there are any links with Laura's assault. The DPD advises people to walk in groups, don't wear headphones, and be completely aware of your surroundings.

Mackie Park is being completely reopened to the public, but Brooks stated that this investigation is not being scaled back. Currently there are close to 55 officers active on this case and more may be called in to assist.

Police are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed this attack to come forward. If you have any information regarding this crime please call Delta Police at (604) 946-4411

Delta Police to Brief Media on Szendrei Homicide

Close to two weeks have passed since the daytime murder of 15-year-old Laura Szendrei in Delta's Mackie Park. Delta Police Department's Sgt. Sharlene Brooks has call a news conference to update the media on the status of the investigation.

It is unknown at this time if the police will be providing any new information into the investigation.

Laura was supposed to be meeting up with some friends at Mackie Park to watch a high school football game. She was alone when the attack took place, but she was discovered by friends who saw her lying on the ground.

According to unconfirmed reports, she was hit multiple times with a baseball bat. Delta Police responded to calls reporting the attack at around 1:30 p.m. on September 25th, 2010.

Delta Police have released very little information to the public during this ongoing investigation and have been unable to confirm whether the attack was random or targeted.

(Stay tuned for post a post conference follow-up)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

DVD Releases Tuesday October 5, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
The Karate KidThe Karate Kid Twelve-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) could have been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's (Taraji P. Henson) latest career move has landed them in Beijing, China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying (Wenwen Han) and the feeling is mutual -- but cultural differences make the friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng (Zhenwei Wang). In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease. Without any friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn until he meets maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life. Remake of the 1984 hit. Vitals: Director: Hard Art. Stars: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Wenwen Han, Zhenwei Wang. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 140 min., Action, Box office gross: $172.932 million, Sony.

THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

All In The Family: Season Seven (1976-77) Three-disc set with 25 episodes, $29.93. (Shout! Factory).

Ally McBeal: Season 3 (1999-2000) Six-disc set with 21 episodes, $39.98. (Fox).

Ally McBeal: Season 4 (2000-01) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $39.98. (Fox).

Ally McBeal: Season 5 (2001-02) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $39.98. (Fox).

The Backyardigans: Christmas With the Backyardigans (2010) Four episodes of the Nick pre-school series about five high-spirited neighbors who meet in their adjoining backyards and use their imaginations to transform themselves into different locations for epic adventures. Includes "The Action Elves Save Christmas," "Pablo and the Acorns," "The Big Dipper Diner" and "The Amazing Splashinis"; $16.99. (Nick/Paramount).

Barbie in The Nutcracker (2001) The real-life movements of dancers from the New York City Ballet bring the beauty of ballet to the screen in this animated feature. (Universal).

Baseball: The Tenth Inning (2010) Ken Burns' documentary picks up where his 1994 landmark Emmy-winning series "Baseball" left off: following the National Pastime from 1992 through 2009. Two-part, four-hour miniseries in a two-disc set, $24.99. Extras: "Back to the Baseball park" interview with co-directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick; additional scenes; "Full of Knowledge," a look at baseball in the Dominican republic; outtakes; Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (PBS/Paramount)

Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition (1991) Voices of Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury. The Diamond Collection DVDs have state-of-the-art picture restoration, 7.1 Digital Surround Sound and hours of additional viewing experiences that include behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, enhanced music tracks, immersive games and more. Available as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack ($39.99). Includes three versions: Original theatrical release, special extended edition, NY Film Festival storyboards of the film. Extras: Disney Backstage, deleted scenes, sing-along, music video, commentary, family games, more. The Blu-ray disc adds: Original theatrical version with a picture-in-picture of the storyboard version running simultaneously throughout the entire feature, more behind-the scenes featurettes, music, games. A two-disc standard DVD ($29.99) set will be available November 23. (Disney).

Ben 10: Alien Force Volume 9 (2010) Final seven episodes of the Cartoon Network series, $14.98. (Warner).

Bill Burr: Let It Go (2010) Comedy Central stand-up at the Fillmore auditorium in San Francisco, $14.98. Extras: "I'm Blind/Thank You," outtakes, "The Monday Morning Podcast." (Image Entertainment).

Blue Mountain State: Season One (2010) 13 episodes of the first season of Spike's football-themed comedy, $29.98. Extras: "Thad for Heisman Campaign" featurette, "Locker Room Rewind," outtakes and deleted scenes, "Making the team: What It Takes to Be a BMS Cheerleader" featurette; "Season 2 Character Insider: Radon" introduction to the second season's newest character. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).

Bones Season 5 (2009-10) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Commentaries, extended episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, three featurettes: "The 100th Episode With Director David Boreanaz," "The Bodies of Bones" and "The Nunchuck Way." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).

Caprica: Season 1.0 (2009) Four-disc set with 17 episodes, $49.98. < Extras: Extended edition of the unrated pilot, video blogs, commentaries, "The Caprica Dynasty," "The Look of Caprica," "Creating a World," podcasts. (Universal). Christmas in Canaan (2009) Billy Ray Cyrus, Zak Ludwig, Jaishon Fisher. Inspirational Hallmark Channel drama about friendship set in the rural town of Canaan, Texas amongst the rising heat of the Civil Rights movement. (RHI Entertainment/Vivendi Entertainment).

Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure (2009) Dora the Explorer's take on "A Christmas carol." $19.99. (Nick/Paramount).

Elvis & Anabelle (2007) Max Minghella, Blake Lively, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen, Keith Carradine. Groomed to be the perfect pageant candidate, Anabelle (Lively) is on the verge of winning it all when she tragically dies onstage. Her body is delivered to the funeral home of Elvis's family, but just as she is ready to be embalmed, her spirit returns. Trying to make sense of it all, she turns to Elvis (Minghella) for comfort and finds a new chance at love. (Vivendi Entertainment/The Weinstein Company).

The Exorcist: Extended Director's Cut (1973) Dir. William Friedkin; Stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran. Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin's masterpiece of suspense that haunted, intrigued, and thrilled the world, is coming to standard DVD and Blu-ray again, but this time remastered in the Extended Director's Cut. A true cinema landmark, this theological thriller is one of the top 10 box office performers of all time. "The Exorcist" went on to win two Academy Awards and became a multi-million dollar franchise. When the movie was first released in 1973, viewers were blown away. Audience members were frightened out of their wits -- and literally out of their seats. Some ran out of the theater; others got physically ill or couldn't sleep for weeks. Newly remastered in 1080p from the original camera negative, the Blu-ray version includes both the remastered Extended Director's Cut as well as the remastered theatrical version of the film. According to Friedkin, "After my final cut of the original 'The Exorcist,' I took out 12 more minutes before we actually released it in theaters. Years later, Bill Blatty asked if I'd consider reviewing some of that rejected footage (which he always felt should have remained) with an eye towards putting it into a new version. Bill gave me the best piece of material I've ever received and because of that and because the film had such a major reputation over some 25 years, I agreed to revisit all these scenes. When I saw them, I came to realize that Bill was, in fact, right. With technical advances, scenes that didn't work then could now be fixed with CGI and there were others that I thought strengthened the spiritual aspect of the film. Warner agreed and released a whole new theatrical print in 2000 which we called 'The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen.' And I now agree with Blatty that this is the best and most complete version." Standard DVD with Extended Cut only, extras: Commentary by William Friedkin; trailers, TV spots & radio spots from the film's 2000 release. The Blu-ray edition will be packaged with a personal letter written by Friedkin inside a 40-page Blu-ray Digibook featuring photos, cast bios, revealing production notes and more. Disc 1: Extended Director's Cut (2000) plus commentary by William Friedkin; new featurette "Raising Hell: Filming the Exorcist" with set footage produced and photographed by Owen Roizman, camera and makeup tests, and interviews with director William Friedkin, actress Linda Blair, author-screenwriter-producer William Peter Blatty and Owen Roizman; new featurette "The Exorcist Locations: Georgetown Then and Now"; new featurette "Faces of Evil: The Different Versions of The Exorcist" with Friedkin and Blatty discussing the different versions of the film and featuring outtakes; trailers, tv spots & radio spots from the film's 2000 release; Disc 2: Theatrical Cut (1973) plus introduction by Friedkin; commentary by Friedkin; commentary by Blatty; "The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist" [1998 BBC documentary]; additional interviews with Friedkin and Blatty; original ending; sketches & storyboards; trailers & TV spots from the 1973 version. (Warner). Fade to Black (2006) Danny Huston, Diego Luna, Paz Vega, Christopher Walken. In an attempt to recover from his marriage to Rita Hayworth and restart his career, Orson Welles travels to Italy...only to be drawn into a dangerous web of intrigue, murder and politics when an actor is murdered on his set. (Image Entertainment).

The Garfield Show: Odie Oh! (2010) Episodes from the Nick series. (Vivendi Entertainment).

Great Expectations: A Journey through the History of Visionary Architecture. An astonishing journey through innovative, futuristic, utopian and sometimes bizarre architectural projects -- including concrete illusions of grandeur and Lego-like modular apartments to an Instant City Airship and round, grass-covered subterranean dwellings, from the beginning of the 20th century to today. Featuring Le Corbusier's functionalist cities, Buckminster Fuller's lightweight geodesic domes, Moshe Safdie's Habitat '67 prefab apartments, Oscar Niemeyer's sleek urban designs for Brasilia, Antti Lovag's curved surfaces of Palais Bulles in France, and other extraordinary works by visionary architects. $24.98. (Icarus Films).

Hand in Hand (1960) Kathleen Byron, Finlay Currie, Arnold Diamond. DVD debut of the classic inspirational drama on its 50th anniversary. Award-winning director Philip Leacock's timeless film features the universal story of a Catholic boy and a Jewish girl who become fast friends despite the prejudice that surrounds them. (Sony).

The Human Centipede (2010) Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Dieter Laser, Akihiro Kitamura. Extras: Deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage, interview with Tom Six, feature-length documentary with Tom Six. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (IFC Entertainment/MPI Media Group).

Humphrey Bogart: The Essential Collection Twenty-four Bogart films on 12 discs, with a 13th disc featuring "The Brothers Warner" documentary. "The Petrified Forest" (1936), "Black Legion" (1937), "Kid Galahad" (1937), "Marked Woman" (1937), "San Quentin" (1937), "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse" (1938), "Dark Victory" (1939), "The Roaring Twenties" (1939), "Invisible Stripes" (1939), "Brother Orchid" (1940), "They Drive by Night" (1940), "Virginia City" (1940), "All Through the Night" (1941), "High Sierra" (1941), "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), "Casablanca" (1942), "Across the Pacific" (1942), "Action in the North Atlantic" (1943), "Passage to Marseille" (1944)," To Have and Have Not" (1944), "The Big Sleep" (1946), "Dark Passage" (1947), "Key Largo "(1948), "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948). Also includes an all new 48-page tribute book with an introduction by TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne. The book is full of striking photography including movie stills and behind-the-scenes photos from each film. Additional memorabilia features 15 photo cards of classic one-sheets and rare archival studio correspondence, including a telegram from Humphrey Bogart to Hal Wallis requesting the lead in High Sierra. $99.98 (Warner). Read the Warner Home Video press release for a complete list of all the (previously released) bonus features.

The Karate Kid (2010) Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Wenwen Han, Zhenwei Wang. Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Extras: Interactive feature: Chinese lessons, "Just for Kicks: The Making of The Karate Kid," music video: Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never," featuring Jaden Smith. Blu-ray adds: Alternate ending: "Watch Jackie Chan Fight!" "On Location: The Karate Kid Interactive Map of China," production diaries hosted by Jackie Chan, movieIQ+sync, PS3 wallpaper theme, digital copy of the film. (Sony).

Lock 'n Load: The First Season (2009) Six half-hour episodes, $19.99. (CBS/Paramount).

Mad Max (1979) Director: George Miller; Mel Gibson. Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Extras: "Mel Gibson: The Birth of a Star" documentary, "Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon" documentary, new-to-the-U.S. original Australian language track, theatrical trailers, "Road Rants" trivia & fun fact track, photo gallery, TV Spots. Blu-ray adds commentary by filmmakers Jon Dowding, David Eggby, Chris Murray and Tim Ridge. (MGM).

The Mary Tyler Moore Show: The Complete Seventh Season (1976-77) Three-disc set with 24 episodes, $29.98. Extras: Footage of the final curtain call. (Fox).

Medium Season 6 (2009-10) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $57.99. (CBS/Paramount).

Monk: The Complete Series Limited Edition Box Set (2002-09) Thirty-two disc set with every episode from all eight seasons, $249.98. Extras: Hours of bonus features plus a 32-page "Defective Detective Handbook." (Universal).

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, Kyle Gallner, Thomas Dekker, Kellan Lutz, Jackie Earle Haley. Extras: "Freddie Krueger Reborn" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds alternate ending, Picture-in-Picture Maniacal Movie Mode. (New Line).

Olivia: Merry Christmas (2009) Eight episodes with the 6 3/4-year-old dynamo who believes she can do anything and sees every day as an opportunity to try new things: Olivia spreads Christmas cheer during a beach party, dreams of being a Santa who returns lost toys, and much more; $16.99. (Nick/Paramount).

The Oxford Murders (2008) Elijah Wood, John Hurt, Leonor Watling, Julie Cox. At Oxford University, a professor and a grad student work together to try and stop a series of murders seemingly linked by mathematical symbols. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Phineas & Ferb: A Very Perry Christmas (2010) Phineas, Ferb, and their pet platypus (AKA Agent P) set out to thwart Dr. Doofenshmirtz's "naughty" plot to ruin Christmas. Extras: Christmas Perry-Oki, behind-the-scenes featurette, bonus episode. (Disney).

The Queen (2010) Available to U.S. audiences for the first time, this ground-breaking and provocative new, five-part miniseries features dramatizations mixed with documentary footage and interviews to reveal Queen Elizabeth II as never seen before. At pivotal moments in her reign from 1955 to 2005, the queen is portrayed by: Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Susan Jameson), Barbara Flynn and Diana Quick. The Queen aired on the U.K.'s Channel 4 in 2009 and has yet to air in the U.S. Two-disc set, $39.99. (Acorn Media).

Rust (2010) Written, directed and starring Corbin Bernsen. In the midst of a midlife crisis of faith, a man finds hope where he least expects it -- his hometown. James Moore is a former pastor who returns home to discover a family new to the area has been killed in a mysterious fire, and his childhood friend is implicated in the murder. Convinced of his friend's innocence, James sets out on a mission to find the truth -- and in the process, rediscovers his own lost faith. Extras: Featurettes: Commentary, deleted scenes, "Family," a look at the actors and how they became a part of the film; "For Father," in which Bernsen recalls his father and sprinkles his ashes on the main street of the town; "The Making of Rust"; more. (Sony).

The Secret of Kells (2009) The Secret of Kellsoices of Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney. Set in medieval Ireland, a perilous time when Viking raiders threatened to destroy Irish civilization, this traditionally drawn animated feature merges magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times -- inspired by the eighth-century manuscript the "Book of Kells," which has been preserved in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (New Video/Flatiron Film Co.).

Shalom Sesame: Welcome to Israel (2010) East meets West as Sesame Street's Muppets travel with American and Israeli friends (Debra Messing, Achinoam Nini, Mira Awad, Jake Glyllenhaal, Christina Applegate, Greg Kinnear, Debi Mazar and others) to explore Israel and Jewish culture. First volume of a 12-part series. Grover goes to Israel with new pal (and host) Anneliese van der Pol and they begin to explore the land. $14.98. (SISU Home Entertainment).

Shalom Sesame: Welcome to Israel (2010) East meets West as Sesame Street's Muppets travel with American and Israeli friends (Debra Messing, Achinoam Nini, Mira Awad, Jake Glyllenhaal, Christina Applegate, Greg Kinnear, Debi Mazar and others) to explore Israel and Jewish culture. Second volume of a 12-part series. Grover brings the latkes and all is well until host Anneliese van der Pol gets caught in a game of tag with a chicken and loses her special menorah. Can her Muppet friends find the missing menorah in time to celebrate Chanukah? (SISU Home Entertainment).

The Slumber Party Massacre Collection Special Edition. Two-disc set with "The Slumber Party Massacre: Special Edition" (1982), "Slumber Party Massacre II" (1987) and "Slumber Party Massacre III" (1990), $24.97. Extras: Three-part documentary: "Sleepless Nights: Revisiting The Slumber Party Massacres," photo and poster still gallery, commentaries. (Shout! Factory).

Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back (2010) Voices of Jane Lynch, Zach Shada, Cheryl Hines, Stanley Tucci, Patrick Warburton, Tom Kenny, Laura Bailey. Sequel to the 2008 "Space Chimps." (Fox).

Splice (2010) Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chaneac. Extras: "A Director's Playground: Vincenzo Natali on the Set of Splice" featurette. Also available in a Blu-ray Combo Pack. (Warner).

SGU Season One (2009-10) Five-disc set with 20 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Extended pilot with never-before-seen footage, exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes, "Destiny SML (Star Map Log)," "Stargate 101: Presented by Dr. Daniel Jackson," video diaries, commentary on every episode. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds "SGU: Survival Instinct Game," extra "Destiny SML" vignettes. (MGM).

'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974) Voices of Joel Grey, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver, George Gobel. Extras: "Christmas: A Global Holiday." (Warner).

Troll 2 (1990) Michael Stephenson, George Hardy, Margo Prey, Connie Young, Robert Ormsby. The film that inspired the hit documentary "Best Worst Movie." Available as a single DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo. (MGM).

Woke Up Dead (2009) The original online series from Crackle. Drex Greene (Jon Heder), a confused zombie who can't be any deader, tries to solve the case of the mystery pill that left him drowned in a bathtub. With the help of his wannabe filmmaker roommate Matt (Josh Gad) and the sexy med student Cassie (Krysten Ritter), who first discovers Drex as he unzips himself from his own body bag, the three begin to uncover leads about why his death didn't stick, why a mystery online chat buddy is after him and why he's starting to show signs of superpowers. Extras: Featurettes: "A Tour of the Set with Krysten Ritter," "Behind-the-Scenes of Woke Up Dead," "Bullet Makeup," "Jon Had a Baby," "Jon Heder Interview," "Matt's Blog Entries," "On the Set of Woke Up Dead," "The Characters," "The Creators of Woke Up Dead," "The Making of Woke Up Dead", "Time for Some Puke!,"" Zombies!" (Sony).

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) Voices of Mickey Rooney, Shirley Booth. Extras: "Rudolph's Shiny New Year," "Nestor the Long-eared Christmas Donkey," "We Are Santa's Elves," "School of Stop Motion." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).