Week of November 11

by Philip Yu    November 10, 2008

This week's DVD release roundup reveals that heroes can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including an unlikely kung fu fighter, a gruff but lovable comic book demon, Force-wielding Jedi Knights, and a Japanese spaghetti western gunslinger.

Pick of the Week

Kung Fu Panda Step aside, David Carradine. A new kung fu hero has arrived, and he's bigger, fatter and furrier than any foe you've ever faced. Jack Black supplies the voice of Po, the tubby noodle shop employee who is unexpectedly chosen by destiny to the defend the Valley of Peace from the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung. Joined by the Furious Five -- legendary fighters Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- and trained by their guru Master Shifu, this wannabe warrior will have to show that the secret to kung fu greatness is more than just fuzz-deep.

Supehero Sequel

Hellboy II: The Golden Army Hell on earth is about to bust loose, and it's up to the world's toughest, roughest superhero to stop it. Visionary director Guillermo del Toro returns with everybody's favorite comic book demon-hero Hellboy, this time taking on a ruthless elf prince who threatens to unleash an unstoppable army of otherworldly creatures. Backed by his pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz, amphibious Abe Sapien, and mist-man Johann Krauss, he's the only thing standing between mankind and the marauding forces of magic. It ain't easy being Red, but someone's got to do it.

Animated Action

Star Wars: The Clone Wars You thought that Episodes I-III were the last you'd see of the Star Wars universe? Fan favorite characters Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padme Amidala are back, fighting on the front lines of an intergalactic struggle against sinister villains -- led by Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous -- who are poised to rule the galaxy. Once again, the fate of the universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights in this animated feature-length vision of a galaxy far, far away.

You May Have Missed...

Sukiyaki Western Django Famed Japanese shock auteur Takashi Miike redefines the spaghetti western a stunning East-meet-Wild-West epic written in blood. During the "Genpei Wars" at the end of the 1100s, rival gangs battle for a legendary treasure hidden in a desolate mountain town, terrorizing the townsfolk. Until one day, a lone gunfighter drifts into to town. You think you've heard this tale before? Not the way Miike tells it. Betrayal, desire and love collide as the situation erupts into a final, explosive showdown.