Comedy Blu-Ray Round Up, May 12, 2009: ‘Major League,’ ‘Wayne's World,’ ‘Black Sheep’

Submitted by BrianTT on May 12, 2009 - 11:07am

CHICAGO – Paramount Home Video is unleashing waves of catalog titles this month, starting with an interesting quintet of laugh-fests that range wildly in subject matter and quality.

What do they have in common? Well, three are from the “Saturday Night Live” factory - “Wayne’s World,” “Wayne’s World 2,” and “Black Sheep,” but the other two are not. Those three are also from the ’90s, another tempting way to bunch these random titles together, but “Major League” is an ’80s comedy and “Without a Paddle” is from the ’00s.

Even quality levels seem like an inappropriate way to lump these titles together as even diehard fans couldn’t claim that Chris Farley’s “Black Sheep” or the silly “Paddle” should stand next to “Wayne’s World” or the beloved “Major League”.

Why even try and lump them together? They’re all comedies. They’re all Paramount. Anyone can find at least one title to add to their collection. Pick your favorite.

All five titles were released on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009.

“Black Sheep”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Meet Mike Donnelly (Chris Farley). He’s one lovable, hilarious accident waiting to happen. Dedicated to helping his big brother Al (Tim Matheson) win the race for Washington State governor, he turns every opportunity for votes into an embarrassing disaster. Campaign aide and super slacker Steve Dodds (David Spade) volunteers to baby-sit Mike. Big mistake! When Mike discovers that the incumbent governor is a crook, he dives headfirst into a whole new level of well-intended destruction. Chris Farley and David Spade, the stars of Tommy Boy, once again show why they are “the comedy team of the ’90s!” (Leo Quinones, KIIS-FM). Directed by Penelope Spheeris (Wayne’s World) and costarring Gary Busey, Black Sheep is “a crowd-pleaser directed with maximum energy!” (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times). Featuring an electrifying performance by super Seattle band Mudhoney!”

“Black Sheep” stars Chris Farley, David Spade, Tim Matheson, Christine Ebersole, and Gary Busey. The film was written by Fred Wolf and directed by Penelope Spheeris and is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.0 Dolby TrueHD track. There are no special features.

“Major League: Wild Thing Edition”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “She’s beautiful, smart, goal-oriented, and she just inherited the Cleveland Indians. Unfortunately, she wants to move the franchise to Miami, and a losing season is her only ticket to Florida. So she signs the wildest gang of screwballs that ever spit tobacco.

They’re handsome, but they’re hopeless! Her catcher (Tom Berenger) is a washed-up womanizer who struck out in life. Her ace pitcher (Charlie Sheen) is a punked-out crazy who struck out with the law. And her third baseman (L.A. Law’s Corbin Bernsen) is more concerned fielding endorsements than grounders.

Throw in a busload of other misfits and you’ve got yourself a hilarious line-up that’s destined for disaster! Or is it?”

“Major League” stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen, Margaret Whitton, James Gammon, Rene Russo, and Bob Uecker. The film was written and directed by David S. Ward and is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by writer/director David S. Ward and producer Chris Chesser, “My Kinda Team,” “A Major League Look at Major League,” “Bob Uecker: Just a Bit Outside,” Alternate Ending with Filmmaker Introduction, “A Tour of Cerrano’s Locker,” and a photo gallery.

“Wayne’s World”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “In the tradition of The Ten Commandment, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gandhi comes a sweeping screen epic bursting with spectacle and drama…NOT! It’s Wayne’s World, the hilarious, party-down movie of the year, featuring rockin’ tunes, radical babes, and your most excellent hosts, Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey). When a sleazy TV exec (Rob Lowe) offers Wayne and Garth a fat contract to tape their late-night cable-access who at his network, the two can’t believe their good fortune (“No way.” “WAY!”). But they soon discover the road from basement to big time is a gnarly one, fraught with danger, temptation, and ragin’ party opportunities.

Can Wayne win the affections of rock goddess Cassandra (Tia Carrere)? Will Garth get dunked by his dream girl (Donna Dixon) at the donut shop? Serious question, dude, and there’s only one way to find out - watch Wayne’s World!”

“Wayne’s World” stars Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, and Tia Carrere. It was written by Mike Myers and Bonnie Turner & Terry Turner and directed by Penelope Spheeris and is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Penelope Spheeris, “Wayne’s World Extreme Close-Up: Exclusive Cast & Crew Interviews,” and the theatrical trailer.

“Wayne’s World 2”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “It’s 2 excellent to be true! Wayne and Garth are back (and front) in the most awaited video since Wayne’s World - Wayne’s World 2! Having achieved godlike status as a late-night TV personality, Wayne (Mike Myers) now confronts the question that has plagued man for centuries: Is there life after cable? Wayne gets his answer in a dream, wherein a very famous (and very dead) rock star says, “Put on a rock concert, and they will come.” So Wayne and Garth (Dana Carvey) present “Waynestock.” But first, Wayne must save his girlfriend Cassandra (Tia Carrere) from a sinister record producer (Christopher Walken), as Garth grapples with the advances of mega-babe Honey Hornee (Kim Basinger). Party on!”

“Wayne’s World 2” stars Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Kim Basinger, Christopher Walken, and Tia Carrere. It was written by Mike Myers and Bonnie Turner & Terry Turner and directed by Stephen Surjik and is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Stephen Surjik and “Wayne’s World 2 Extreme Close-Up: Exclusive Cast & Crew Interviews”.

“Without a Paddle”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard star in this offbeat comedy about childhood friends whose lives have drifted apart but must reunite following the sudden death of a fourth friend.

The trio finds out that their friend was hot on the trail of the $200,000 that vanished with real-life airplane hijacker D.B. Cooper in 1971. After discovering a map left behind, they decide to follow its course to claim the loot. They soon run into a few things that their friends hadn’t planned on, including backwoods pot farmers with itchy trigger fingers, beautiful tree-living hippies, and a bear with maternal instincts that knows no bounds!

Also starring a hilarious Burt Reynolds, Without a Paddle proves that it’s better to be down a river than up a creek.”

“Without a Paddle” stars Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, Dax Shepard, Ethan Suplee, and Burt Reynolds. It was written by Jay Leggett & Mitch Rouse and directed by Steven Brill and is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Special features include a commentary by director Steven Brill, video commentary by the cast and director, “MTV’s Making the Movie: Without a Paddle,” 13 additional scenes with optional director commentary, 6 MTV interstitials, and the theatrical trailer.