Futurama: Bender’s Big Score (Fox) Looks like it was wise of the Futurama folks to invest in that cryogenics chamber. Three years after it was cancelled by Fox, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s toon returns in the first of a series of feature-length DVDs. The trouble starts this time when the Planet Express crew gets fleeced by aliens who specialize in email scams — Bender can’t resist a message with the subject line “Get Rich Watching Porn.” The extended running time causes a drop in the gags-per-minute rate, but Futurama displays its forte for character-based humour and geek-pleasing references. (Full marks for the shout-out to Atanarjuat and the song parody of Scott Walker’s “30 Century Man.”) The choice of guest stars — Al Gore, Sarah Silverman and Coolio — is just as inspired. Futurama’s rebirth on DVD is commemorated by a raucous commentary by Groening, Cohen and cast, a live reading from a Futurama comic book, a math lecture and an episode of that future TV classic, Everybody Loves Hypnotoad.
Paprika (Sony) Anime master Satoshi Kon’s best work to date, Paprika is a wickedly trippy hybrid of science-fiction spectacular, murder mystery and lurid psychosexual freak-out. Apt for a work that’s so Jungian, the single-disc edition offers an unusual amount of analysis — features include a conversation between Kon and writer Yasutaka Tsutsui, commentary and docs on the design.
Also this week
Hot Rod (Paramount) Exactly why Andy Samberg’s movie debut flopped so hard is anyone’s guess: stoopid comedies don’t come any smarter than this. This retro-’80s tale of daredevilry has what it takes — “what it takes” meaning many kick-ass songs by Europe. Extras: commentary by Samberg and his Lonely Island team, deleted and extended scenes, making-of doc.
La Vie en Rose (Sony) This Edith Piaf biopic is overripe cheese but Marion Cotillard’s performance earns its Oscar buzz. Extras: doc.
Waitress (Fox) Murdered last November, actor/director Adrienne Shelly didn’t live to see her dramedy become one of the year’s biggest indie hits. Extras: making-of doc, cast commentary featuring Keri Russell, tribute to Shelly.
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (Universal) Combine that title with a punk classic and you’ve got Mr. Bean’s Holiday in Cambodia. Extras: deleted scenes, extra footage.
Out Dec 4
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, The Nanny Diaries, 24 season six, The Wire season four and Superbad — gimme more McLovin.