DVD Pick of the Week: Dead in 3 Days

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope that this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

Full disclosure: I have not seen many of these titles and what follows are not necessarily reviews. It is my opinion based upon what I know of the titles I pluck from the new release lists that I peruse. The opinions I give based on the new releases are my own, and my recommendations upon them are based on my personal interest. In any case, I hope you enjoy and perhaps find something you like or a title to point me towards.

Dead in 3 Days. I have not seen this movie, but it does look like fun. It is a slasher film from Austria that centers on a group of teens who get cell phone messages telling them they will die in three days. On the third day, that person does indeed die. A girl among their group finds a clue to who the killer is, but no one believes her. The trailer reveals it to be a gritty looking little film with its fair share of blood. The movie is being released as a part of Dimension's Dimension Extreme line. Hopefully it will live up to that tag.

Australia (also Blu-ray). Not great, not awful, Australia is a middling film that looks great on the big screen but left me tired after its long running time and disinterested in a story that lacks much of the needed heart. It is worth it for Brandon Walters and the cinematography — just do not become too invested in the story. This could be a worthy rental.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (also Blu-ray). I bear no ill will towards this film, I am sure the youngsters love it, but I have no interest in putting myself through it on purpose.

Wonder Woman (single, 2-disk, and Blu-ray). DC has done a pretty good job with their DVD animated releases of late. Hopefully, this story of the Amazonian princess lives up the legacy set forth thus far. The trailer does look promising.

Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic (also Blu-ray). I am not sure, exactly, what this is, but I am up for checking it out. Although, I have to say that I am waiting until after seeing the movie to really dive into the book and ancillary materials such as this.

Stargate: The Ark of Truth/Continuum (also Blu-ray). See? Sometimes waiting pays off. I have not seen either of these, but now that they are in a cheaper 2-pack, I could be persuaded to pick them up. Can anyone attest to their quality?

Ashes of Time Redux. Wong Kar Wai's film gets the revisit/re-edit ala Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, right down to the "Redux" tag. I have not seen the film but it has a very good reputation. Could be worth my time.

In Search of Lovecaft. What if HP Lovecraft's tales were not just fictional works? While a crew is working on a documentary on the writer, it comes to light that the cults and creatures are real. Looks like a low budget work, to be sure, but still could provide some fun.

Wet Kiss. Another creepy dead girl story. Not sure if I have the stomach for another one of these, but I had to mention it because of the fact they do not hide the creepy black haired girl, they put her right on the cover. Plus, the girl is named Sunflower. How can this be good? I don't see it.