Pop culture can sometimes wait. However, a really great deal sometimes cannot. Thus, we interrupt this lack of interruption with the following headsup: the Amazon deal of the day is the complete series of Farscape. For today only--or until they run out--the Blu-Ray complete series is $68.99, 65% off the regular list price of $199.95. And the DVD complete series is $44.99, 70% off the regular list price of $149.95. And, of course, if you do take advantage of this using our links, we get kickbacks which helps pay for the site. So thanks for that.
In other news...
George Lucas claims to be retiring in the wake of continued outcry against his tampering with Star Wars and the reaction of studios to his upcoming Red Tails. He says in the article, "I'm saying: 'Fine. But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.'" Well, yes, George, but that doesn't mean people have to like it. And--here's why I think you're just smarting from Red Tails more than anything else (we're two days out from it opening and there's one review on Rotten Tomatoes?)--you're going to make money no matter what happens. People are going to go see Phantom Menace in 3D and even if they bitch the whole time they're still giving you money. George, you are bulletproof. You'll be back in the saddle before you know it. Episode VII. Mark my words. It's still happening.
Emperor officially has our attention. It's apparently, among other things, dealing with the period post-Japanese surrender in WWII, when MacArthur was basically running the place. And they're trying to figure out what to do with Hirohito. And playing MacArthur? Tommy Lee Jones. Peter Webber (Girl With a Pearl Earring) is helming. Faaascinating. Source: Variety.
The movie is called Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. It's Tsui Hark directing Jet Li in an IMAX 3D wuxia fu film where the head 3D burrito for Avatar is overseeing the 3D. Did you just say "holy shit"? You should have. Trailer.
Don't get too excited yet. No U.S. release date announced. Damn.
Home Video Announcements
Available for pre-order now is the Casablanca 70th Anniversary Limited Collector's Edition Blu-Ray/DVD Combo. Are you, like me, wondering if you should double-dip if you already own the supposedly "Ultimate" Collector's Edition? Good question. Right now it looks like apart from the art book and coasters (among other bits and bobs), you're getting two new docus. No idea if they're that good. At $48.99 it's not terrible. But then again, it still won't get Jon laid.
The latest Doctor Who Xmas special, The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe, is hitting Blu-Ray and DVD on February 14th.
Harold and Maude, hitting Criterion? Yes. It's your friend. April 17th. DVD and Blu-Ray. Yes.
Widgett Walls is Need Coffee's Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. He is the author of the novel Mystics on the Road to Vanishing Point, and two collections of short stories, Magnificent Desolation and Something Else: The Complete First Season. He is also co-author of the children's book There's a Zombie in My Treehouse! All of those books are available in paperback or for the Kindle from Amazon. He is also the narrator and publisher of the first unabridged recording of Seneca's letters, available here. He is active on both Twitter and Facebook. (If you befriend him on Facebook, do say you came via Need Coffee.) He lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. He hardly ever sleeps.
