August 19 2008

A teenage pop princess and a horror remake lead the list of releases for next Tuesday.

“Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds”

If you have a pre-teen daughter chances are she’s already asked you for the “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds” DVD (Walt Disney Video, $29.99 SRP, G). This live concert is presented in a special 3-D format that puts you right in the audience. I’m sure this one will be leaping off the shelves, although I just cannot understand this pop-tarts appeal. Then again, I guess my parents never understood my fascination with the Transformers either.

“Prom Night”

I generally hate remakes, but “Prom Night” (Sony Pictures, $24.99 SRP, available in both PG-13 and Unrated versions) looks promising. Brittany Snow makes for a capable lead as the sole survivor of her family’s massacre at the hands of an obsessed teacher (Jonathan Schaech), who returns three years later to finish his campaign on the eve of her senior prom. The original was mediocre at best, so hopefully this remake will tread new ground.

“The Wizard Of Gore”

Speaking of horror remakes, a new version of H.G. Lewis’s “The Wizard Of Gore” (Genius Products/TVN, $19.97 SRP, Unrated) hits the stands next week. This one stars the eccentric Crispin Glover in the titular role and horror mavens Brad Dourif and Jeffrey Combs in supporting roles in the tale of a magician whose tricks seem to be a little too real. I’m totally onboard for this one!

“The Scorpion King 2: Rise of A Warrior”

What’s this? A direct to DVD sequel to a spin-off of a successful franchise? And starring UFC superstar Randy Couture? Color me curious. “The Scorpion King 2: Rise of A Warrior” (Universal Studios, $22.99 SRP, PG-13) stings its way into video stores next week. Helmed by “Highlander” director Russell Mulcahy, maybe this will actually be worth checking out. Or maybe not.

“Street Kings”

And look! Keanu is back! And believe it or not, he does a bang up job in “Street Kings” (20th Century Fox, $24.96 SRP, R), a gritty street crime drama that revolves around Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves), a hard-nosed detective with a talent for delivering brutal street justice. When evidence implicates him in the murder of a fellow officer, the violence around Ludlow explodes as he realizes his own life is in danger. Great supporting acting from Forrest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie makes “Street Kings” a must-see.

Other notable releases next week include the wonderful Frances McDormand in “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” (Universal Studios, $19.99 srp, PG-13), the kiddie-soccer flick “Her Best Move” (MGM, $19.96 SRP, G), and the first season of “Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles” (Warner Home Video, $27.99 SRP, Unrated).