Amanda Bynes Stars in Our Home Video Pick of the Week

This week’s home video selection includes a 90s comedy classic, three Bob hope gems, and more. Check out our picks below.

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Pick of the Week

She’s the Man

What is it? Amanda Bynes’ shining hour.

Why see it? Amanda Bynes has gotten something of a raw deal, both from the media and from her own inclinations, but there’s no denying her comedic genius at the peak of her popularity. This 2006 film is already well dated in its antics — a kissing booth? — and plot shenanigans — a girl pretends to be a boy to get on the soccer team — but Bynes is an absolute delight throughout showing real comedic chops and delivering big laughs. Her timing and delivery are aces, and even a young Channing tatum gets the chance to be funny.

[Extras: Commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, music video]

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The Best

My Favorite Blonde [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? An entertainer gets caught up in spy shenanigans.

Why see it? Bob Hope and Madeleine Carroll headline this fast-moving comedy involving trains, secrets, and a penguin. It’s a lot of fun and shows Hope at his smoothest/clumsiest with sharp, witty dialogue. It’s the first and arguably best of a trilogy (in name only) and delivers lots of entertainment in a tight 78 minutes. Kino’s new 2K master gives it the love it deserves.

[Extras: New 2K master, commentary]

Rick and Morty – The Complete Seasons 1-4

What is it? All four seasons of this wacky gem.

Why see it? There are still more seasons to come, but fans will want to consolidate to get all four current seasons in one slick package. The episodes are never less than creative and fun, and often they manage to move viewers too in unexpected ways with character beats, observations, and sad truths. It’s a terrific show that moves effortlessly from the crass and foul to the wise and humane. The extras offer hours of entertainment themselves making this a fantastic pick up for fans.

[Extras: Commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, poster]

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The Rest

400 Bullets

What is it? A Gurkha soldier is forced to defend a Brit.

Why see it? Jean-Paul Ly is an action star who’s always worth following, and while Nightshooters and Jailbreak remain his highlights so far, he’s a charismatic fighter anytime. He delivers again here enough to make it worth a watch, but the film suffers some from sequences set in near darkness that deflate the action we can almost tell is occuring. Add in a bunch of gun play and the martial arts are limited. Still, Ly is one of the good ones.

[Extras: Commentary, featurette]

Caught in the Draft [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? An entertainer enters the war by mistake.

Why see it? Bob Hope’s 1941 comedy is one of his better efforts highlighted by a sharp script, a great supporting cast, and Hope at his most comedically pitch perfect. He’s not interested in fighting and actively avoids it, but his attempt to woo a woman backfires and lands him volunteering to serve. Hilarity ensues! It’s actually pretty funny, and while some of it hasn’t aged well (“Mammy!”) the bulk of it zips by leaving a smile on your face.

[Extras: New 4K master, commentary, archival extras]

Crazy Samurai: 400 vs 1

What is it? A samurai faces off against hundreds in a “single” take.

Why see it? Tak Sakaguchi can do no wrong and is a great swordsman, and if you haven’t seen Versus or Re:Born you should amend that error immediately. His latest manages some good action, and there’s no denying the achievement with what appears to be a single shot, but its very nature leaves quite a bit of it feeling repetitive. Twenty minutes in and you’re already seeing patterns in the fighting, and it ultimately works against the suspense and excitement of it all. Still, Tak Sakaguchi.

[Extras: None]

Fatale

What is it? A man’s infidelity brings violence into his home.

Why see it? Michael Ealy and Hilary Swank take the lead in this 90s-style adult thriller as a man and the woman he sleeps with before heading back to his wife. Turns out Swank is a cop, and things turn deadly quicker than you can say Unlawful Entry or Internal Affairs. The scripting here is silly and the drama is heightened, but director Deon Taylor knows how to craft a pulpy little thriller.

[Extras: Commentary, featurettes]

Nothing But the Truth [KL Studio Classics]

What is it? A stockbroker agrees to tell the truth.

Why see it? This almost feels like a precursor to Jim Carrey’s Liar Liar, and it’s not really even toned down all that much. Bob Hope’s comedic persona is generally a fast-talking, quick-moving guy blundering his way through trouble, and that’s the trend here too. Paulette Goddard joins him in the fun and proves equally up to the comedic task resulting in an entertaining romp.

[Extras: New 2K master, commentary]

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Also out this week:

Half Brothers, Monster Hunter, Pinocchio, Scare Me, Victor and Valentino