Win a Special 20 Episode DVD of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” [ENDED]

It’s one of the greatest television series of all time, introducing viewers to Rob Petrie, his lovely wife, Laura, and the whole gang from “The Alan Brady Show.” Now Media Mikes has teamed up with Image Entertainment, an RLJ Entertainment brand, to give (2) lucky readers a copy of the new compilation DVD release of “The Dick Van Dyke Show: Classic Mary Tyler Moore Episodes.”

The DVD contains 20 full length and unforgettable episodes featuring television icon Mary Tyler Moore.
Sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh as you join lovely Laura Petrie (Moore) and her husband Rob (Dick Van Dyke) in Carl Reiner’s groundbreaking, Emmy Award-winning series, consistently ranked among the top television sitcoms of all-time. This time, it’s all about Mary!

Episodes include must-see favorites Never Bathe on Saturday (Laura gets her toe caught in a bath spout), Coast to Coast Big Mouth (Laura blurts out a big secret on national TV), My Blonde-Haired Brunette (an insecure Laura disastrously dyes her hair), and many more timeless classics.

Complete Episode Listing:
• Oh How We Met the Night That We Danced
• My Blonde-Haired Brunette
• The Curious Thing About Women
• The Two Faces of Rob
• My Husband Is a Check-Grabber
• Ray Murdock’s X-Ray
• Laura’s Little Lie
• Very Old Shoes, Very Old Rice
• The Life and Love of Joe Coogan
• My Part-Time Wife
• October Eve
• Teacher’s Petrie
• My Mother Can Beat Up My Father
• Pink Pills and Purple Patients
• Never Bathe on Saturday
• Show of Hands
• Coast to Coast Big Mouth
• See Rob Write, Write, Rob, Write
• The Curse of the Petrie People
• Long Night’s Journey into Day

Special Features Include:

Audio commentaries with Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on select episodes
Remembering “Oh, Rob!”
Original Commercials

All you have to do is register below and let us know which “Classic TV” show (1975 and before)
you’d like to see released on DVD. Two random readers will be chosen and will be notified by
email. This contest is open through noon on Sunday, April 20, 2014. Good luck!

 

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Blu-ray Review “The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete Fifth Season”

Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
Directors: Jerry Paris
Number of discs: 3
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: August 6, 2013
Run Time: 775 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

Well this is it kids, the final season of one of my favorite shows that has ever graced television. Even though it is has been off the air for almost 50 years, I am going to miss this show. Thankfully Image Entertainment has delivered each wonderful season on Blu-ray. I have absolutely loved reviewing these releases over the last few months. I am looking forward to though to revisiting this series quite often with my wife and daughter, especially as she grows. It is one of those shows that never gets old and better each time you watch. The characters in this show are just so much fun and you really get to see them grow along with the show through its five seasons. Do not miss this release!

Official Premise: Don’t miss the fun in this final season of the multiple Emmy Award-winning DICK VAN DYKE SHOW. Generation after generation of TV viewers have fallen in love with this timeless classic! For laugh after laugh, join one of TV’s best-loved couples, Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife Laura, along with Rob’s temperamental boss, Carl Reiner as Alan Brady, and his kooky co-workers, Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell and Rose Marie as Sally Rogers. Now see all 31 season episodes (airing 1965-1966), exquisitely remastered in their original full-length versions. Catch such classics as Laura blurting out Alan Brady’s big secret on national TV in Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth; mild-mannered Mel Cooley finally standing up to the boss in The Bottom of Mel Cooley’s Heart; and Alan Brady attempting to turn the Petries’ anniversary party into a self-serving documentary in A Day in the Life of Alan Brady.

Like the past four seasons before, Image has continued to deliver wonderful quality releases for this amazing show. These episodes have been released on Blu-ray with all-new scans from the camera negatives. The 1080p transfer looks, honestly not short of stunning for a show of it’s age. Each episode come with an original DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track, which works for the show and its comedy. The episodes were mostly taped with a studio audience and the laughing is balanced well with the snappy jokes and sharp dialogue. You will not be let down with this amazing audio and video presentations.

There are some new Blu-ray exclusive special features included on this release. There is “TV Academy Tribute to Carl” with Garry Shandling. After that there are a few promos collection including “My Blonde-Haired Brunette” and a two packages with some great memories shared with the fans past and present. The rest of the season features are roll-overs from past DVD releases but are still fantastic. There are commentary tracks from Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on episode 128 (Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth) and Episode 158 (The Gunslinger). Also Rose Marie, Larry Matthew and Bill Idelson lend their commentary to Episode 148 (Dear Sally Rogers). There are “Episode Photos” throughout all three discs for episodes 18 out of the 31 episodes.

Other extras include featurettes on disc 1: “Remembering 4½ and The Alan Brady Show Goes to Jail” and “Remembering Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth (episode 128)”, which look back at those episodes and their characters. Also there is the Emmy Awards® (1965-1966) Outstanding Comedy Series. Disc 2 also contains a look into the Emmy Awards® (1965-1966) Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series. It has two more recent features including “Comic Relief (1992)” and “TV Land Awards (2003)”. There are some Nick at Nite Promos. Lastly there are “Remembering Richard Deacon (episode 146)” and “Remembering Sally (episode 148)”.

Wrapping up the extras for not only the fifth season but the series in general are on a packed third disc. First we get three featurettes “Remembering Buddy’s Bar Mitzvah (episode 149)” and “Remembering The Gunslinger (episode 158)”. There is another feature called “Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman: If Men Could Cry”. Lastly there is a “TV Land Promo for The Dick Van Dyke Show”, a Theatrical Trailer for The Art of Love and a preview for “The New Dick Van Dyke Show”.

 

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Blu-ray Review “The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete Fourth Season”

Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
Directors: Jerry Paris
Number of discs: 3
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Run Time: 800 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

Season four of “The Dick Van Dyke” show continues to deliver with the laughter and great jokes.  It is one of my favorite seasons, as it introduced a new twist to the show having Alan Brady finally stepping out from being an off-screen character and getting a face. He was played by none other than the show’s own creator Carl Reiner. Reiner really makes this character one of my favorites from the show and adds a whole new dynamic for the series. If you are fan of this show Image delivers again with another successfully season release. I am sad to think that this series will be completed when season five is released in August 2013. Hopefully they have the rights to the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” next. 😉

Official Premise: Join one of TV’s funniest couples as they tackle life in the suburbs and work in the big city. Dick Van Dyke is hilarious as Rob Petrie, the wacky comedy writer, and Mary Tyler Moore is the sexiest, nuttiest wife in New Rochelle. Add to that magic combination the talents of Carl Reiner, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Richard Deacon, and you’ve got one of the most popular sitcoms ever – the winner of 15 Emmy Awards! Now you can enjoy the complete fourth season (airing 1964-1965), all 32 episodes in their entirety! Be there as Laura gets her toe caught in a bath spout in the unforgettable Never Bathe on a Saturday, a sleep-deprived Rob tries to stay awake during his job interview with Alan Brady in 100 Terrible Hours and Don Rickles is a klutzy thief who tries to rob the Petries in a stalled elevator in 4 1/2, then enlists them to entertain in The Alan Brady Show Goes to Jail.

With each passing season, I never cease to be impressed with that love that Image has given this show. These episodes have been released on Blu-ray with all-new scans from the camera negatives. The 1080p transfer looks, honestly not short of stunning for a show of it’s age. Each episode come with an original DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track, which works for the show and its comedy. The episodes were mostly taped with a studio audience and the laughing is balanced well with the snappy jokes and sharp dialogue. You will not be let down with this amazing audio and video presentations.

There are some new Blu-ray exclusive special features. There is “Mary on The Danny Thomas Show” in which she tells the story of how she came to be cast as Laura Petrie. There are three separate “TV Academy Tribute to Carl Reiner” included as well. The first is from Dick Van Dyke, who tells him stories about their collaboration. The next one is from Ray Romano and Brad Garrett and the last one is from Rose Marie, Larry Matthews and Bill Persky, which is my personal favorite of the three. Rose Marie just cracks me up!

The rest of the season features are roll-overs from past DVD releases but are still fantastic. There are commentary tracks from Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on episodes 121 (Never Bathe on Saturday) and episode 124 (Baby Fat). Also on episode 124, there is a track from Garry Marshall. All great commentary tracks for sure, a lot of fun! These guys really loved what they did and it sure does show! There are “Episode Photos” throughout all three discs for episodes 30 out of the 32 episodes, amazing!

Other extras include featurettes on disc 1: “Remembering Don Rickles” (episode 102) and “Remembering the Pink Pills” (episode 106), which look back at those episodes and their characters. Also there is a clip from the Animated Program “The Alan Brady Show” (episode 103). Disc 2 contains more featurettes on including “DVD Exclusive Awards: The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season One (Best Overall DVD, TV Program)”, “Diagnosis Murder: Dr. Mark Sloan Meets Rob Petrie” and “Dick Sings the Theme Song at the Hollywood Bowl (2001)”.

The third disc actually has the most extras listed for the season. First we get three featurettes “Remembering Never Bathe on Saturday” (episode 121), “Remembering Baby Fat” (episode 124) and “Remembering the Motorcyle” (episode 125) look back at these amazing episodes. There is a look back at the show in “The Dick Van Dyke Show Remembered”. Lastly there is a piece from “Emmy Awards® (1964-1965) Outstanding Program Achievement in Entertainment” and some extras “Nick at Nite Promos” included.

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Blu-ray Review “The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete Third Season”

Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
Directors: Jerry Paris, John Rich
Number of discs: 3
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 811 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

I do not think that there could be such a thing as watching too much “The Dick Van Dyke Show”.  As these seasons are being released on Blu-ray, I find myself re-watching past seasons just to fill the gap in between. Even my wife now has become a fan finding the show like myself post airing. Image Entertainment is behind these and they have done such a wonderful job.  This season is first without Carl Reiner taking point in the writing department.  It still is exceptional funny, especially with the episode “That’s My Boy??”. With only two more seasons to go after this, I am going to be upset when the series is completed.  Can I suggest “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” next for them to release as a series? Hint Hint!

Official Premise: Pratfall-prone Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) and his plucky wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), along with wisecracking co-workers Sally (Rose Marie) and Buddy (Morey Amsterdam), captured America’s hearts in this TV favorite that irresistibly combined wit and slapstick. The third season, which earned the series’ highest ratings, opened with the landmark That’s My Boy?? about Rob’s fear that he’s brought the wrong baby home from hospital, getting the longest studio audience laughs in the show’s history. Also among the season’s 32 original full length episodes (airing 1963-1964) included in this set are the hilarious October Eve with Laura is mortified when a nude portrait of her surfaces in a New York gallery and Big Max Calvada in which a gangster muscles Rob, Buddy and Sally into writing a comedy routine for his nephew.

Like the past three seasons, Image Entertainment has consistently delivers wonderful presentations for this show (and many others as well).  These episodes are brought to us on Blu-ray with all-new scans from the camera negatives. The 1080p transfer just look stunning. The original source elements have held up very well and really don’t show their age at all. The DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track is a simple soundtrack for a simple show. There not much needed here this show and it works perfectly. The episodes were mostly taped with a studio audience and the laughing is balanced well with the snappy jokes and dialogue.

There are some new Blu-ray exclusive special features. Including “Mary on The Danny Kaye Show”, which if you a nice switch since on Season 2, we had Dick on that show. Decent but Dick’s appearance takes the cake for being slightly more entertaining. “TV Academy Tribute to Carl with Steve Martin and George Clooney” it is a nice ode to the man behind this great show. Martin gives tribute and Clooney does the awarding. The rest of the season features are roll-overs from past DVD releases but are still fantastic. There are commentary tracks from Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on episode 64 (That’s My Boy??) and episode 90 (October Eve). There are “Episode Photos” throughout all three discs for episodes 18 out of the 32 episodes. There are also commercials/promos on episode 64, 66, 80 and others for Nick at Nite.

Other extras include featurettes on disc 1: “Remembering the Sheldon Leonard”, “Remembering Rob and Laura”, “Remembering Buddy and Sally”, “Remembering That’s My Boy??” (episode 64), “Remembering the Betty Lou” (episode 72), which look back at these episodes and the characters. Also there is “Sheldon on the Role of Executive Producer”. Disc 2 contains featurettes on “Remembering Joe Coogan” (episode 80). There is a also a featurette “The Cast Plays Stump the Stars” and Rehearsal footage from “A Day in the Life of Sheldon Leonard”. Lastly disc three has one more featurette: for “Remembering Alan Brady” (episode 86) and “Remembering October Eve” (episode 90). Also there is a look into the show’s Emmy Awards® (1963-1964) and “Dick and Mary on Van Dyke & Company” included.

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Blu-ray Review “Deadly Sea Creatures: 2-Headed Shark Attack / 2010: Moby Dick / Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus”

Starring: Jaleel White, Carmen Electra, Charlie O’Connell, Barry Bostwick
Distributed by: Asylum Home Entertainment
Running Time 264 min
MPAA Rating: Not rated
Release Date: Feb 19, 2013

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Here is the thing about these films…they are very bad but so bad they are good. Yes these are all fun films. “2-Headed Shark Attack”, well has a two headed shark and that is cool enough for me. Please it has Carmen Electra, Charlie O’Connell and Brooke Hogan in the lead. “2010: Moby Dick” is a riot and Barry Bostwick is a riot in the film. Lastly we have Jaleel White in “Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus”. The film is a follow up to the amazing “Mega Shark Vs Giant Octopus”. I mean where else can you see a giant croc eat Shamu at SeaWorld? There is tons of fun to be had here with this 3-Pack if you are up for it.

“2-Headed Shark Attack” Official Premise: A Semester at Sea ship is sunk by a two-headed shark, and the survivors escape to a deserted atoll. When it starts flooding, the coeds are no longer safe from the jaws of the monster. “2010: Moby Dick” Official Premise: A modern adaptation of the classic novel of the captain of a high tech submarine and his obsessive quest to destroy the enormous prehistoric whale that maimed him. “Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus” Official Premise: The massive prehistoric shark has survived the last battle, and the world is again threatened when a new, more dangerous foe is discovered in the jungles of Africa.

This 3-Pack marks the first time that “2010: Moby Dick” and “Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus” are being released on Blu-ray. I have to admit, I am glad to get a chance to own them but I would have preferred to have individual releases especially for “Mega Shark Vs Crocosaurus”. The main issue with this release is that all three films are all compressed onto one 25GB Blu-ray. The bitrates are a low for a Blu-ray quality and they do not look the greatest with their 1080p transfers. The audio tracks are also only Dolby Digital 5.1, which to me is not even Blu-ray standard.

So why am I still recommending this release? Since if you know Asylum Home Entertainment, if you’ve seen their past release then you should know that they are not always quality. But still they are fun films are since this is currently the only way to own two of the three films, I am down for this sub-par release.  I will keep my hopes up that they will produce individual releases in the near future.

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Blu-ray Review “The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete Second Season”

Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
Directors: Alan Rafkin, Jerry Paris, John Rich
Number of discs: 3
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Run Time: 800 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

I think I can literally watch “The Dick Van Dyke Show” every single day for the rest of my life…over and over. This show makes me laugh consistently every time it is on. Image released The Complete Series on Blu-ray for “The Dick Van Dyke Show” last November and it was such a wonderful job for a show that is now over 50 years old. Since then they have been releasing each season, which has been a great way for fans to grab their favorite episodes without needing the whole series. Season two is where this show really gets its legs and deliver some of the best episodes including “The Attempted Marriage” and “It May Look Like a Walnut”. It is also the last season before Carl Reiner stepped back mostly from the writers chair. If you are a fan of the show this is a must purchase and a really Blu-ray treat, thanks to Image Entertainment.

Official Premise: “The Dick Van Dyke Show” truly found its niche in its second season, rapidly climbing to ninth place in the Nielson ratings. Millions across the country tuned in weekly for the fun with comedy writer Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) on the job with his wisecracking co-workers (Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie) and at home with his lovely wife, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). Now enjoy all 33 of the season’s hilarious episodes in spectacular high-definition!

Image has given a lot of love to this show and has released this episode on Blu-ray with all-new scans from the camera negatives. The 1080p transfer just look stunning. The original source elements have held up very well and really don’t show their age at all. I have been films shot today, released on Blu-ray and look 10 times worse than this 50 year old show does. The DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track is a simple soundtrack for a simple show. There not much needed here this show and it works perfectly. The episodes were mostly taped with a studio audience and the laughing is balanced well with the snappy jokes and dialogue.

There are some new Blu-ray exclusive special features. First, we have an Anti-Smoking PSA Radio Spot featuring Dick Van Dyke, “Kick the Habit”. Always interesting to see these old spots especially since the show was sponsored by cigarette companies. “It May Look Like a Walnut” Color Test is was trial on bringing color to one of the show most famous episodes. “Safety Council Reel” is a bunch of PSAs on safe driving. Lastly there is Dick Van Dyke’s appearance on “The Danny Kaye Show”. It is a must watch for any fan of either actor.

The rest of the season features are roll-overs from past DVD releases but are still fantastic. There are commentary tracks from Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on episodes 34 (The Attempted Marriage) and episode 37 (My Husband Is Not a Drunk). There are also tracks on Episode 41 (A Bird in the Head Hurts) and Episode 53 (All About Eavesdropping) with Rose Marie, Larry Mathews and Ann Morgan Guilbert. There are “Episode Photos” throughout all three discs for episodes 27 out of the 33 episodes. There are also commercials/promos included on 21 episodes for product including Dash, Joy and Kent cigarettes.

Other extras include featurettes on disc 1: “Remembering the Ottoman”, “Remembering Rob and Laura”, “Remembering Buddy and Sally”, “Remembering the Bank Book” (about episode 33), “Remembering the Woodpecker” (episode 41), which look back at these episodes and the characters. Also there is a look into the show’s Emmy Awards® (1962-1963). Disc 2 contains more featurettes on “Remembering Dick’s Sneezing (episode 42)” and “Remembering Jerry Paris (episode 43)”. There is a also the making of one of my favorite episodes “It May Look Like a Walnut (episode 51)”. Lastly disc three has one more featurette: for “Remembering “Oh, Rob”.

 

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Blu-ray Review "The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Complete First Season"

Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam
Directors: John Rich, Robert Butler, Sheldon Leonard
Number of discs: 3
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Run Time: 750 minutes

Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

There is just something about classic 60’s television. I actually miss it quite a bit. Today when you turn on the television it is all reality TV shows and trash. I really love escaping into the world when in order to be on television you needed to have talent. Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore are two of the funniest people in the business. Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam are also fantastic compliments to the two leads. The humor is very funny and clean family fun. It is also very timeless. It has been over 50 years since this show aired and I still laugh out loud many times during each episode. Image Entertainment is the leader of bringing these great shows to Blu-ray with great shows like “The Twilight Zone”. This is not the first rodeo on Blu-ray for “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. Image released the complete series last year. This is the first time though that the individual seasons are being released. If you are a fan of this show this release is a must have! Relive the classics again!

Official Premise: Trip into the living room of comedy writer Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) along with his lovely wife, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), wisecracking co-workers and nutty neighbors. Winner of 15 Emmy Awards, this groundbreaking series is consistently ranked among the top TV comedies of all-time and renowned for its top-notch cast and stellar writing. Now enjoy the first season’s entire 30 episodes (air 1961-1962), each digitally remastered to its original full-length version. Get ready to laugh out loud with such classics as Rob and Laura balancing a career-building cocktail party with caring for a sickly son in the series’ first episode, The Sick Boy and the Sitter; then in My Blonde-Haired Brunette and insecure Laura disastrously dyes her hair; and Rob’s shy brother (Jerry Van Dyke) is a sleepwalking Jekyll and Hyde in the hilarious two-parter I am My Brother’s Keeper/The Sleeping Brother.

Image Entertainment does nothing of short of delivering “The Dick Van Dyke Show” looking better than it ever has on Blu-ray. The 1960’s black-and-white television show looks honestly stunning on high definition. For the Blu-ray, Image delivered each episode’s 1080p transfer with new scans from the camera negatives. You can tell that there is a lot of love for a show like this. Also for a show that is over 50 years old, you could have easily fooled me. There is no issue at all with the DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track. The show doesn’t really need much in order for it to succeed well. The track is perfect for the show’s dialogue, the music and laugh-track.

The special features are very impressive for this release (and mirror last year’s complete series release). There is audio commentaries track with Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on the following episodes 19: “Where Did I Come From?” and episode 29: “The Sleeping Brother”. I love the chemistry between both of these guys and they are a riot. I would have loved to see them cover each episode but that is not practical. There is the Original Series Pilot Episode, “Head of the Family”, which is a riot. There are interviews with various members of the cast and directors from the show. There are Emmy Award Telecast Clips Honoring “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and also Original Commercials with the Cast and Network Promos. Lastly there are Photo Galleries for the 16 out of the 30 episodes. Can’t wait for the the rest of the seasons being released. Keep them coming Image Entertainment!

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Blu-ray Review “Dick Tracy”

Actors: Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Madonna, Glenne Headly, Mandy Patinkin
Directors: Warren Beatty
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Touchstone Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Run Time: 106 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

When I think of “Dick Tracy”, I immediately get transported back to my grade school school yard back in 1990.  We used to run about the school yard pretending that we were characters from the film.  I even had (and actually still have) school-work folder with the “Dick Tracy” logo.  I had various toys from the film and even shirts.  So is “Dick Tracy”, the best comic book adaption film to date…nope but it has history with me and that is worth the purchase only.

Plus since this film is available on high-def Blu-ray for the very first time, it comes with a hot new digital restoration.  The 1080p transfer really delivers the goods.  The audio track included is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and works well with the score and the film’s action.  I wish Disney would have given more effort here as well. This film has never looked better (for what it is worth, it’s 1990 come on!).  Fans of this film should definitely check this out, just don’t expect anything in the special features department.

Warren Beatty played the role of Dick Tracy well.  Today he is probably not the best choice but in 1990, he was the bees knees.  Madonna was decent as well and sings a great song “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)”, which won the Oscar that year. But the star of the film is really Al Pacino. I love his take on the character Big Boy. Also who doesn’t love William Forsythe depiction of Flattop. The make-up is this film is awesome and there is no shock that it won the Oscar for Best Makeup that year.

Synopsis: Thecomic strip detective (Beatty) finds his life vastly complicated when Breathless Mahoney (Madonna) makes advances towards him while he is trying to battle Big Boy Caprice’s (Pacino) united mob. Winner of three Academy Awards (1990), including Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Makeup and Best Music (Original Song for “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)”).

This release comes as a combo pack with Blu-ray disc and digital copy. I would have also like to see an DVD copy as well. There are zero special features included on this release, which is very disappointing. I would have loved to at least gotten a trailer or even better the animated short “Roller Coaster Rabbit”, which was released theatrically with this movie. Oh well there is always the 25 anniversary in three years, hint-hint!

 

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DVD Review “The Dick Van Dyke Show: Carl Reiner’s Favorites”

Directors: Alan Rafkin, Jerry Paris, John Rich, Robert Butler, Sheldon Leonard
Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed by: Image Entertainment
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Running Time: 500 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore.  They both have such natural comedy timing.  This volume of 20 episodes are personal favorites of series creator Carl Reiner.  This seems to be a tradition with Image Entertainment, who released “The Dick Van Dyke Show: 50th Anniversary Edition: Fan Favorites” last year.  Overall great travel back to a special time in our TV history. If you are a fan of the series, and who isn’t, pick this up, sit back and enjoy.  It is also a good start for new fans because what is a better way to watch the series than with the favorites from the creator himself.

Since Image did “Fan Favorites” last year and Carl Reiner’s picks this year, I am curious what will be next.  I just hope that they try a different box cover since they only changed the color from blue to red on these releases.  There are also no special features included like the last release. The episodes though are said to be in pristine quality and they definitely looks great.  For a show that aired over 50 years ago they look especially well.  If we are traveling back to 60’s comedies on TV though, I would most likely prefer 1962’s short-lived “I’m Dickens…He’s Fenster” with Marty Ingels and John Astin.

Episodes: Never Name a Duck, The Attempted Marriage, Hustling the Hustler, A Bird in the Head Hurts, Gesundheit, Darling, Will You Two Be My Wife?, Ray Murdock’s X-Ray, Don’t Trip Over That Mountain, The Sam Pomerantz Scandals, Divorce, Laura’s Little Lie, Very Old Shoes Very Old Rice, The Life and Love of Joe Coogan, The Plots Thicken, The Return of Edwin Carp, Pink Pills for Purple Patients, Baby Fat, No Rice at My Wedding, A Day in the Life of Alan Brady, Obnoxious Offensive Egomaniac Etc.

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TV Legend Dick Clark dead at 82

Dick Clark, whose almost seven decades on television made him known as “America’s Oldest Living Teenager,” died today after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 82.

Born in Mount Vernon, New York towards the end of 1929, Clark started out as a mail clerk at WRUN-Radio, which was run by his father and uncle, in Utica, New York. Within a year he graduated to doing the weather and finally his own newscast. He was 17.

He attended Syracuse University and after graduation returned to Utica where he hosted a television country music program. In 1952 he was hired by WFIL, a Philadelphia station that broadcast on both radio and television. Initially hired as a radio DJ, Clark begin filling in for host Bob Horn on the stations afternoon teenage dance show, “Bandstand.” When Horn was fired in 1956 after being arrested for drunk driving Clark took over the show permanently, soon establishing it as one of the most popular on air. In 1957 the ABC television network picked up the show to run nationally, re-naming it “American Bandstand.” The show became a hit nationwide, airing after school in most cities. Sensing a change in the music world, Clark was one of the first hosts to welcome black dancers and guests on his show.

In 1959, Congress began an investigation into what was known as “Payola,” which concerned record company executives paying disc jockeys to highlight certain records and ignore others. Clark was called to testify before the committee and admitted to taking a fur coat and some jewelry for his wife from one record company president. As this was the only incident, Clark was reprimanded. However, to avoid the perception of impropriety, ABC asked Clark to sell his interest in the television program. He did but managed to keep rights to several important individual programs. In 1963, ABC moved “American Bandstand” to Saturday afternoons, where it ran until 1989.

Clark was also a shrewd producer. In 1972 he hosted his very first “New Year’s Rocking Eve” program. He also produced and hosted several game shows, most notably “The $10,000 Pyramid.” This grew to $25,000 then finally $100,000. He also produced such other popular shows as “Bloopers and Practical Jokes” and the very popular “American Music Awards.” In 2004 Clark suffered a stroke, which kept him off the air on New Years Eve. But the next year he was back, with new co-host Ryan Seacrest. His speech was stilted but you could see the young man inside in his eyes. Dick Clark was a true television icon. I doubt there will ever be another like him.

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DVD Review “Moby Dick (2011)”

Directed by: Mike Barker
Starring: William Hurt, Ethan Hawke, Donald Sutherland, Gillian Anderson
Charlie Cox, Raoul Trujillo, Billy Boyd, Eddie Marsan
Production company: RHI Entertainment
Original channel: Encore
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running time: 180 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick has been adapted for film many many times over the years. This adaption is not just a movie though, it is a 3 hour mini-series event. The story itself is a re-imagination and backed up by a huge budget of $25 million dollars. The mini-series also boasts a great cast which only continued to help out the film. I wasn’t sure how this was going to translate into a mini-series but it kept my attention the whole time through good special effects and character development.

We all know the general idea of “Moby Dick”, in this adaptation we are led by Captain Ahab, who is obsessed with revenge against the white whale, Moby Dick. He takes him crew mates on an epic journey of adventure, vengeance and obsession. The special effects for the whale are good enough for me, they are a little bit better than Syfy quality. I was impressed with the it overall and production wise overall, I thought it was very entertaining. No extras on the DVD though which is a little bit disappointing.

My only probably with this high profile cast is that Donald Sutherland and Gillian Anderson are only in the opening of the film and then never seen again once our crew hits the waters. Ethan Hawke is great in the role of Starbuck. Charlie Cox was believable in the role of Ishmael but gotta give some props to Raoul Trujillo in the role of Queequeg. He was funny and really likeable as a character. The best of them all and most intense performance has to, of course, go to William Hurt who nails his role of Captain Ahab. He very dark and deep and really commits to the role.

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Ethan Hawke and William Hurt Lead “Moby Dick” Sails Onto Blu-ray And DVD October 4th

ETHAN HAWKE AND WILLIAM HURT LEAD ALL-STAR CAST IN NEW THRILLING ADAPTATION OF THE GREAT AMERICAN CLASSIC

MOBY DICK

Co-Starring Gillian Anderson And Donald Sutherland, The Timeless Epic Tale Sails Onto Blu-ray And DVD October 4

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – With the famous words, “Call me Ishmael,” begins the spectacular adaptation of Herman Melville’s novel, considered the greatest work of American literature, MOBY DICK, arriving in brilliant Blu-ray and DVD October 4 from RHI Entertainment and Vivendi Entertainment. A two-part original miniseries event that premiered August 1 & 2 on Encore, the New York Times calls it “an ambitious, beautifully made adventure tale that seeks to be respectful of the book while still making the characters and story accessible to modern viewers,” and the Wall Street Journal adds, “there is much to marvel at in this production.”

Led by a “persuasive and compelling” (New York Times) performance from Academy Award® winner William Hurt (Children Of A Lesser God), the miniseries features powerful dramatic performances by a cast of celebrated actors including Golden Globe® winner Donald Sutherland (Citizen X), Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke (Daybreakers), Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”), Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes) and Billy Boyd (The Lord Of The Rings).

A psychological thriller of one man’s decent into madness, the story begins when inexperienced sailor Ishmael (Charlie Cox, Stardust) joins the crew of the whaling ship Pequod helmed by the mysterious and tortured Captain Ahab (Hurt). Though the journey at first appears to be a routine whaling quest, the crew soon is unwittingly forced to join Ahab in his singular purpose – to hunt and kill the enigmatic white whale, which nearly killed him years before. As they sail across the desolate ocean, Ahab’s obsession to seek the deadly whale they call Moby Dick, no matter the cost, soon proves fatal. Never straying from his quest to hunt and kill the monstrous whale, the crew realizes that their captain is so blinded by vengeance that he may soon lead them all to an ultimate peril.

From the rocky shores of Nantucket to the deepest depths of the Atlantic Ocean, enthralling special effects also highlight the two-part original miniseries that is “lavish, exciting, well-acted and admirably thorough” (Washington Post). The MOBY DICK Blu-ray will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.95, while the DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.97.

Synopsis:
Ishmael sees his dream of a whaling voyage come true when he joins the crew of the Pequod, a sailing vessel leaving port in Nantucket. Unbeknownst to Ishmael and the mates, the Pequod’s megalomaniacal Captain Ahab is taking them all on a mad and personal mission to slay the great whale Moby Dick—an obsession that will open their eyes to the wonder and spectacle of man, of beast, and the inescapable nature of both in this epic retelling of Herman Melville’s masterpiece.

 

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Interview with Chandler Riggs

Chandler Riggs is starring in AMC’s new TV series “The Walking Dead”. Chandler plays Carl Grimes, the son of lead characters Rick and Lori Grimes. Movie Mikes had a chance to ask Chandler a few questions about his character and how it has been working on the show.

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Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with the TV Show “The Walking Dead”?
Chandler Riggs: First, my agent asked me to go on tape for “The Walking Dead”, and then they didn’t call us back for so long that we forgot about it. They called us two months later and after a couple of auditions, I was told that I got the part!

MG: Tell us about your character of Carl Grimes in “The Walking Dead”?
CR: Carl is the son of Rick and Lori Grimes. Carl is an average kid trying to adapt to this destroyed world and the other survivors. The first step in surviving is to have his mom and dad together and be a family again. That is the first of many problems.

MG: Where you familiar with the comic book series?
CR: I wasn’t familiar with the comic book series. My dad googled “The Walking Dead” and when we found out that it was a comic, we went to our local comic book store and bought a few issues.

MG: How did you prepare for the character?
CR: I prepared for Carl by reading the comic books and thinking about how he must have felt. We also watched a few movies that featured kid actors in intense roles to get an idea of what would be expected of me.

MG: How was it working with so many fantastic actors?
CR: I loved it. They treated me like an adult. Not just a little kid that annoys everybody!

MG: What was the best of working on the show so far?
CR: There are so many things that I loved.I really don’t think I have one favorite part. To see that I am part of something that means so much to so many people is really awesome.

MG: Are you a fan of horror films? Do you have a favorite?
CR: Yes. I love horror films. My favorite is “The Mist”. It was so cool seeing Laurie, Jeffery, Juan, and the amazing job that Frank did in directing that movie. Especially the creepy way that he ended it!

MG: What was it like working on the movie “Get Low”, any cool moments?
CR: It was so cool seeing Bill Murray and Robert Duvall. They were also very nice to me. My favorite part in “Get Low” was a deleted scene and didn’t make it into the movie. I got to shoot Robert Duvall!

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Interview with Steven Yeun

Steven Yeun may be new to Hollywood but he is off the right start. He is currently co-starring in AMC’s “The Walking Dead” as the character Glenn. Steven also loves doing improv and is currently part of a comedy duo. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Steven about his role in the TV show and his up-and-coming career.

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Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your character Glenn in “The Walking Dead”?
Steven Yeun: Glenn is kind of the scavenger of the group. He is a young kid but he is always willing to help do the right thing. He slowly starts growing and turning into a man and finding his family within this group he is in.

MG: What was it like working with Frank Darabont?
SY: I didn’t get to directly work with him. He directed the first episode. My character comes in around the second episode. What was great though was he was behind the show the in every way. He had his hands in every single episode. It was so great.

MG: How has it been working on the show?
SY: I do not have much to compare it to but if this is what Hollywood is, than this is the best. The experience has been unreal. From the cast to the crew everyone is so behind it. Since I came in so fresh, everyone was kind, supportive and willing to help with any questions I had. I tend to ask a lot of questions and they have been so great. All the veterans have mentioned that this is as hard as it gets. We have some really difficult moments in terms of physically and emotionally.

MG: Are you a fan of the horror genre?
SY: I have to be honest, I am not the biggest horror man. Mostly because they scare the crap out of me [laughs]. Zombies I am cool with. Like vampires, werewolfs and othermythology I love. Ghosts…I can’t do ghosts.

MG: Where you a fan of the comic series before working on “The Walking Dead”?
SY: Yeah, actually I was. When I graduated school in 2005, I moved to Chicago and a friend of mine told me to check it out. I picked it up and literally couldn’t put it down. i literally bought tons of issues after that. It was surreal for me actually being a part of this.

MG: Tell us about your film “My Name is Jerry”, which recently was released on DVD?
SY: It is an independent film, I got be apart of like two or three years ago. Doug Jones plays the lead. It is about a guy that is coming to terms with his life. He gets into a bunch of things and meets people. One of the them being my character. It is a pretty fun movie.

MG: What else are you currently working on?
SY: I actually do a lot of improv. I’ve got a lot of live shows here in LA with a friend of mine. It is called Left Hand, the Improv Duo. That is it for now and just trying to see what else is out there for me.

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Interview with Adam Minarovich

Adam Minarovich is making a name for himself on many levels.  He is currently co-starring in the new AMC series “The Walking Dead”. Minarovich has also written, directed and starred in his own projects, including “Ankle Biters,” “Wiseguys vs Zombies” and “Exhibit A-7.”  He also wrote and co-stars in the upcoming film “Chop.”  Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Adam about working on “The Walking Dead” and what’s coming in the future.

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Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your role of Ed on “The Walking Dead”?
Adam Minarovich: It’s awesome.  As an actor living in the southwest it was right in my backyard.  It’s something I would have killed to be on.  I read for a lot of the parts that were in the graphic novel and I didn’t really fit any of them for various reasons.  But they wrote the character of Ed into the show and I was lucky enough to get to play him.  Ed is not a nice guy (laughs).  He’s married to a member of the survivor camp, Carol, who is in the graphic novel.  He’s not the nicest guy and he just hangs out at the camp.  I mean it’s an honor to play any character in anything Frank Darabont has anything to do with.

MG: Were you a fan of the comic series before working on show?
AM: A friend of mine has been telling me about “The Walking Dead” for some time but I never had the chance to check it out.  But when I heard this was coming up I started reading it and I’ve never read so long in my life!  I sat in a chair and just read one story after another.  I couldn’t put it down.  It actually gave me a new hobby.  Now I’m obsessed with graphic novels.

MG: What was one of the scariest things that happened on set?
AM: The experience itself was really awesome but I’m trying to think it anything really weird happened.  To sit in the makeup chair with Greg Nicotero was awesome.  He’s really a funny guy.  I’m so used to working on low budget stuff where everything messes up and it’s funny to talk about later but on this set nothings has screwed up so I don’t have any funny stories.  I mean usually somebody catches on fire or someone breaks a leg or the director freaks out but none of that happened so I really don’t have any cool stuff to say.

MG: I am just guessing but you are a big horror fan, right?
AM: I love all genres of movies.  I mean I’m not a real big “date movie” fan (laughs) but I love them all.  And I love horror.  That’s why it was so kick ass to meet Nicotero.  Meeting Michael Rooker on set was awesome too.

MG: You just wrote, directed and starred in a film called “Exhibit A-7.”  What can you tell us about it?
AM: It’s kind of a POV (point of view) film.  I describe it as “Blair Witch meets The Strangers.”  It’s about two couples going to New Orleans.  One of the ladies is pregnant.  The decide to take a road trip and they video tape the trip.  The movie is the “found” tape of their trip.  Half way through they end up in Georgia and come across the wrong group of people.  My character is Adam.  We all just used our real names.  It made it easier to stay in character by not having to remember different names.  My character wants to, for various reasons, document what’s happening to us.  He wants to show the police what these people are doing to us.  But halfway through the film the bad guys take over the camera.  And then they…document the rest.

MG: You also have another film coming up called “Chop.”  Tell us about how that came about?
AM: Trent Haaga at Troma liked the script, got some cash and optioned it.  I went out to Los Angeles and played a detective in the movie. He did a great job, I just saw a cut of it a while ago and it looks fantastic.

MG:  Anything else you have planned upcoming?
AM:  I wrote a script called “The Pawnshop Chronicles”.  It has been optioned by a great director, can’t say much more though.  My last few projects I have really been able to work with people I admire and look up to and I’m so pumped about that.

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