This week in DVD, the best news comes from re-issues. Last week, the “Pink Panther” movies saw a re-release in conjunction with the upcoming, wholly unnecessary “Pink Panther 2,” but the real Peter Sellers fans are no doubt geeking over a re-release of his classic starring role in Hal Ashby’s “Being There.” “Forrest Gump” for those who aren’t “Forrest Gump,” “Being There” features Sellers as marginally vegetative butler Chance, who listlessly uses blank retorts to end up in a position of power in Washington D.C. without revealing his own obliviousness. In the canon of silver screen comedies, “Being There” is a must.
In other release news, lots and lots of juvenile extras on “Zach And Miri Make A Porno” (or “Zack and Miri,” if you shop at Wal-Mart), while Dakota Fanning fans can see her find wisdom in “The Secret Life Of Bees” and rape in “Hounddog.” Michael Cera and Kat Dennings star in the light-as-a-feather romantic indie rock fantasy “Nick And Nora’s Infinite Playlist” while the kids can enjoy the Hans Zimmer/will.i.am colleboration “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” and the undemanding can catch Jessica Simpson’s straight to video “Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous.” Also getting new editions are the Paramount installments in the “Friday The 13th” series, Disney’s Billy Joel-scored “Oliver And Company,” Joel Schumacher’s puzzling musical “The Wiz” and the western “Silverado.” Best bet, however, is the “Restored Collector’s Edition” for “Assault On Precinct 13,” John Carpenter’s peerless updating of “Rio Bravo.” Carpenter’s earlier stuff looked great, and to see a beautiful new transfer for “Assault” is worth the price of purchase alone.
For Blu-Ray collectors, the umpteenth versions of “Office Space” and “Napoleon Dynamite” are released today to the joy of your lamest co-worker. Meanwhile, slackers can look forward to nerd catnip “Clerks 2” and, a little more refined, “Sideways.” Otherwise, skimpy week for the burgeoning format.