Join us each week as Rob Hunter takes a look at new DVD releases and gives his highly unqualified opinion as to which titles are worth BUYing, which are better off as RENTals, and which should be AVOIDed at all costs. And remember, these listings and category placements are meant as informational conversation starters only. But you can still tell Hunter how wrong he is in the comment section below. This week sees two titles worth buying, and they’re both Criterion releases. Also out and worthy of your time or dismissal are A Christmas Carol, RoboGeisha, Best Worst Movie, The Kids Are All Right, an even longer cut of Avatar, and more.

Comic-Con is a fun event for film fans hoping to get their first peek at upcoming blockbusters and the stars behind them, but I’ve always been a lot more partial to film festivals. Why? Because film fests are all about actually watching films. (Yes, I know studios have recently started hosting screenings during Comic-Con but they still number in the single digits and they’re always future wide-release movies anyway.) Trailer previews and scenes are fun to watch at the Con, and while I won’t be attending this month I hope to get back again with the FSR crew next year. But a solid film festival trumps everything the Con has to offer by virtue of the number and variety of films available. The best fest, hands down, is Austin’s Fantastic Fest (which I’ll be eating, drinking, and breathing this September), but it’s not the only one worth watching…

Little ass-kicking Thai kids, old ass-kicking Chinese guys, and one-eyed dogs make up the BUY list, while adventure, romance, madness, deception, and ass-swords make up the RENTals. And then there’s John Travolta’s From Paris With Love…

Robots, geishas, shenanigans, sexy tengu girls, transformers, buildings that bleed, and ass swords!

The first wave of films for Fantastic Fest 2009 has been announced — and whether you’re into robotic geishas, killer kids with pumpkin heads, crazy British inmates of wacky gentlemen broncos, there appears to be something here for you.

Ah Japan… taking any opportunity to further fetishize your women for international audiences the world over. We thank you…