New DVD Releases for Tuesday October 28, 2008

Are they terrible, great, or both? You figure it out.

First link to Amazon, then a link to Netflix at the end of each one.

70105194.jpgYeti: Love Story. A camping trip goes very wrong when five college students are kidnapped by a secret cult that plans to sacrifice them to a mysterious hairy beast called the Yeti — who turns out to harbor a deep attraction to young men — in this raunchy comedy. The situation starts to improve when one of the victims begins to examine his own desires and finds that the Yeti doesn’t seem so unappealing — but can the group escape from the crazed cult members? @Netflix

70106008.jpgAnnie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens. This documentary takes an in-depth look at the influential career of iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz, from her earliest artistic efforts to her storied tenure at Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair magazines and beyond. Intimately filmed by Annie’s sister Barbara Leibovitz, the program features interviews with the artist as she works at home, along with telling insights from many of the celebrities she has photographed, such as Mick Jagger. @Netflix

70073042.jpgBilly the Kid (Documentary). Filmmaker Jennifer Venditti documents the engrossing life of Billy P., a teen in small-town Maine enamored with girls and pro wrestling. But as the cameras roll, a more complex portrait emerges of a troubled but ultimately triumphant young man. From finding the courage to ask a girl on a date to confronting his painful childhood with remarkable humor, Billy is a testament to the power of love and family to overcome any obstacle. @Netflix

70106335.jpgDevil Hunter. Cult exploitation favorite Jesus Franco directs this sordid tale about Laura (Ursula Buchfellner), a sexy model who’s kidnapped and whisked away into the jungle, and Peter (Al Cliver), the bold Vietnam vet who sets out to find her. Soon, Laura discovers it’s not just her captors she has to fear; not only do the locals crave human flesh, but their bloodthirsty earthbound god wants Laura for himself. Antonio Mayans and Gisela Hahn co-star. @Netflix

70100721.jpgElite Squad. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, some cops are just as crooked as the drug lords who run the slums. On the brink of retirement — and burnout — Capitão Nascimento (Wagner Moura) must find a trustworthy successor to lead a dangerous mission. Co-written by director José Padilha, Bráulio Mantovani (City of God) and Rodrigo Pimentel, the gritty action-thriller is based on Pimentel’s 19 years of experience as an elite squad police captain. @Netflix

70106076.jpgMystery Science Theater 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition [Limited Edition]. While sulking in the California desert, misfit teenager Billy Duncan (Kim Milford) stumbles on a powerful alien laser weapon, which he uses to wreak havoc on all who have wronged him. The venerable critic Leonard Maltin gave this space oddity a two-and-a-half star review, a fact that gets quite a drubbing by the crew at MST3K in this fan-favorite episode. Watch for Roddy McDowall in a brief cameo as Dr. Mellon. @Netflix

70109203.jpgZOOM – Back to the 70s. Get ready to go retro with this nostalgic compilation from the Emmy-winning PBS children’s series. Written and hosted by kids, “Zoom” stars seven youngsters from varied backgrounds performing material and activities suggested by the TV audience. Included are segments featuring all the hosts from the show’s six seasons, along with four complete episodes. So, join the fun as the Zoomers stage plays, engage in life discussions, sing, dance and more. @Netflix