And Now, A Choice of Viewing.....

I'm so utterly wiped from having got in late last evening from my trip that I plan to flop down in front of the DVD player tonight and veg with some quality light entertainment.

Fortunately, in my absence Netflix served up three prime choices:

1. Stripes (Extended Version): I've never seen the additional footage. What could it be? More John Laroquette ogling the women's showers? Additional dance steps from Sgt. Hulka's squad on parade? Ox and the mud wrestlers? I'm always leery of newly-released extra scenes in an old favorite because they interrupt the flow without usually bringing anything of value.

2. Serenity: Okay, I realize I was a bit harsh on it the last time I saw this. But I was too eager to see it as an extended episode of Firefly, not as a movie in and of itself. I think I'm ready to go back in with a more open mind.

3. The Cocoanuts: As much of a Marx Brothers fan as I am, I really do not recall ever seeing this, their first. Unfortunately, because of the association of ideas, I suddenly can't get "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" out of my head.

I'm eager to watch all of these at some point. The question is which one would be best for this evening. Decisions, decisions......

UPDATE: Went with Stripes and an enormous meatball grinder. If this was the "extended" version, then it was the most minimalist extension I've ever seen, since I didn't notice anything that seemed new to me. Just for laughs, I also watched a few scenes dubbed in French. Alas, although I practiced at the time, I just can't remember any more how to say "lean, mean, fighting machine" in French. Also, I was disappointed that the dubbing didn't extend to the platoon's rendition of "Doo Wa Diddy". That would have been entertaining.