Actors: Dana Delaney, Michael Boatman, Robert Picardo, Concetta Tomei, Marg Helgenberger
Directors: Mimi Leder, John Sacret Young, Christopher Leitch, Michael Fresco
Distributed by: Time Life
Run Time: 3553 minutes

Series: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

I remember when “China Beach” originally aired on TV but I never watched it and still haven’t till receiving this DVD set. The show was considered groundbreaking television and I have always been interested in it. It is now celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary and is finally being released on DVD thanks to StarVista Entertainment and Time Life for the very first time as a complete series on any format! This 21-disc collector’s set features all 62 episodes with over ten hours of exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features. I have to admit, the show is definitely quite intense and it was definitely worth the binge viewing. I am not sure that I would watch it again anytime soon but I still enjoy it.  Fans of the show will definitely want to pick up. This complete series release would also make a great gift for this holidays season!

Official Premise: From the moment China Beach debuted in 1988, with its iconic opening credits set to the Supremes’ “Reflections” as its theme song, it was hailed as groundbreaking television. In an era of testosterone-driven war movies, China Beach delivered a unique perspective: the Vietnam War through the eyes of women! Never before released on DVD or VHS! You can now own the entire TV series with this deluxe collector’s edition housed in a beautiful display box. Includes 268 classic hit songs as they were played in the original broadcast.

“China Beach: The Complete Series” is well delivered in a deluxe collector’s box, featuring metallic printing and original artwork and logo treatments from the series. The packaging also includes keepsake China Beach dog tags that can be removed from the set and worn. Inside there are special liner notes penned by Dana Delany, Robert Picardo, series creators John Sacret Young and William Broyles, Jr., and series writers Lydia Woodward and Carol Flint and a collectible 32-page book. Also included are three original, complete scripts, with reproduced covers sporting autographs from the entire cast and key production personnel. Also included will be five 8″ x 10″ color photographs of the original China Beach cast and the recent reunion. Fans are going to dig these extra goodies. I think they would have been happy with just the complete series…and I haven’t even got to the special features yet.

So like I mention there are ten hours of specially-created bonus features included on this release. To start, there is footage and behind-the-scenes stories from the 2012 Cast Reunion. There are  new interviews with key cast and crew. There are a ton of great featurettes including “Voices Of War: The Real China Beach”, which is a documentary about the real China Beach/My Khe Evac Hospital and “Inspired By War: How It All Began”, which focuses on the origins of the program. There are audio commentaries on four episodes from Dana Delany, John Sacret Young, director Rob Holcomb, and writers Lydia Woodward and Carol Flint. There are three roundtable discussions with cast and crew, as well as  rare behind-the-scenes footage from the final China Beach episode and more. They really delivered for the fans here and this is quite the release.

Starring: Robert Davi, Claudia Christian, Bruce Campbell, Michael Lerner, Robert Z’Dar, Clarence Williams III, Caitlin Dulany, Gretchen Becker, Julius Harris, Doug Savant
Director: William Lustig, Alan Smithee
MPAA Rating: R / Not Rated
Studio: Blue Underground
DVD Release Date: November 19, 2013
Run Time: 90 / 85 minutes

“Maniac Cop 2” Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4.5 out of 5 stars
“Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence”: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When I was a kid, I remember walking down the video store aisle and seeing the box for “Maniac Cop” and just being freaked out. When I finally got up enough courage to watch it, I just fell in love with it. What is great about this series is that sequels are just as good as the original film (if not better). “Manic Cop 2” has always been my favorite in the series. Even though Bruce Campbell is one of my all-time favorites, the second film is a much more solid film. They took what made the first film great and improved it. The third film, “Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” is just an all out hoot. It is over-the-top and in-your-face. I just love this film also.

“Maniac Cop 2” Official Premise: The Maniac Cop series’ first sequel pits Matt Cordell (Robert Z’dar), the crazed, murderous “Maniac Cop” of the first film (now horribly disfigured after a particularly brutal stay in prison), and Turkel (Leo Rossi), a serial killer who likes to murder strippers, against a frenzied NYPD detective, Sean McKinney (Robert Davi), who is just one step ahead of a nervous breakdown.

“Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” Official Premise: When Officer Kate Sullivan storms a hostage situation, the whole incident is captured on tape by an unscrupulous media crew who edit the footage to show Kate killing a helpless victim. Now in a coma, Kate’s only hope is Detective Sean McKinney, who desperately tries to clear her name. But unbeknownst to him, Maniac Cop Matt Cordell takes it upon himself to exact revenge upon those responsible for smearing her name.

When I see that a Blu-ray is being releasing a film, I immediately pay attention because these guys do not mess around. More importantly they release great films and give them even better releases. These are films that are not given any love by big studios and yet deserve it. Honestly, I was just speechless when I read that “Maniac Cop 2” and “Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” were going to be hitting Blu-ray with, not just a shitty transfer but a brand new high-definition transfer taken from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. I mean as a horror fan, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

Here is what makes it all worth it, since both “Maniac Cop 2” and “Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” look absolutely stunning with their 1080p transfers. They really nailed it. I am sure that any horror fan will easily agree with me. These films are dark and gritty and yet they look sharp and fantastic still today. If you think that is enough, “Maniac Cop 2” impresses even more with an out-of-this-world DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, which is a complete home run. Also included are additional audio tracks including a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, Dolby Digital 2.0, and an Isolated Music Track boasting an amazing DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

“Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” includes two audio tracks on this Blu-ray release, even though it is not 7.1, the included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is literally outstanding, I would have never expected this film to get such treatment honestly. Also included is a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. “Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” includes the Unrated Version of the film, which is a nice bonus. Both “Maniac Cop 2” and “Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” are released as Collector’s Edition combo packs with both Blu-ray + DVD included.

If you are happy with all of the above, there is still more since “Maniac Cop 2” includes some amazing special features. Along with the above mentioned Isolated Music Score, there are four various international trailers from the film. “Back on the Beat – The Making of Maniac Cop 2” is a brand new over 45 minutes behind-the-scenes featurette on the production the film. There are new interviews with director William Lustig, writer Larry Cohen, actors Robert Davi, Claudia Christian, Michael Lerner, Leo Rossi, Robert Z’Dar and more. There is a Cinefamily Q&A with Director William Lusti, which was filmed after a screening in September of 2012 and runs about 30 minutes.

But saving the best for last, there is a brand new audio commentary with director William Lustig and Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive”, “Only God Forgives”). If you are a fan of this film you are not going to want to miss this track, it is so informative and interesting, I am actually planning on revisiting track quite soon. Rounding out the extras as a fantastic Poster and Still Gallery including posters, advertising materials, lobby cards, color stills, B&W stills, behind the scenes stills, deleted Sam Raimi scene, and VHS covers.

“Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” also includes a great collection of extras as well. First we have “Wrong Arm of the Law: The Making of Maniac Cop 3”, which is a fantastic look into the making of the film. Also included are interviews with writer Larry Cohen, director of photography Jacques Haitkin, stunt coordinator Spiro Razatos, actors Robert Davi, Robert Z’Dar, Caitlin Dulany, and Gretchen Becker. There are seven deleted and extended scenes included. Lastly there is the original trailer for “Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence” as well as a Poster & Still Gallery. Horror fans do not miss these two releases!

Actors: Farrah Fawcett, Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel
Directors: Stanley Donen
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

When it comes to sci-fi and horror, I always have a sore spot…especially 80’s sci-fi/horror. “Saturn 3” is directed by Stanley Donen and stars Farrah Fawcett, Kirk Douglas, and Harvey Keitel. We have an A-list cast from 1980 in relavitely a  B-movie yet it still works for what it is worth. The film is fun, entertaining and packs some great visual effects. This is what you might call a bad movie that many people love! In fact, this has developed quite the cult following over the year. If you are a fan growing up with this life like myself then you are going to want to swoop this Blu-ray up ASAP!

Official Premise: Adam (Douglas) and Alex (Fawcett) are scientists seeking new forms of food deep beneath the surface of Saturn’s moon Titan. Their laboratory is a space-age Eden and their life is idyllic until the arrival of Captain James (Keitel), a murderous psychopath, and his “helper” robot Hector. As Saturn goes into eclipse and cuts the station off from the rest of the universe, Captain James and Hector terrorize Adam and Alex. When the homicidal robot turns on its creator, James is torn apart trying to disassemble it and the scientists are forced to battle it out for themselves. With hector plugged into the station’s control system, Adam and Alex must attempt to destroy everything they have built in order to save themselves.

Shout! Factory has delivered a super cool Blu-ray + DVD combo pack. “Saturn 3” also boasts an all-new 1080p high-definition transfer of the film. The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track also sounds tight and delivers that sci-fi feel, especially with that amazing score by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In terms of special features, the release doesn’t disappoint again. There is an audio commentary track by Greg Moss (from the “Saturn 3” Fan site) and film critic David Bradley. There are interviews with Academy Award winning Special Effects artist Colin Chilvers and actor Roy Dotrice. There is a Deleted Scene including as well as additional scenes from the network television version. Lastly, there is a Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots and Stills Gallery included.

Actors: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman
Directors: Ben Affleck
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 129 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

But now we all now how amazing “Argo” was. Ben Affleck has really proven himself to be one of the best directors in the business right now. The upcoming caped crusader (Batman, for all you non-comic book fans), Affleck has delivered such a comeback and cleaned up the awards with this film. “The Declassified Extended Edition” is a 129-minute cut of the film (which is nine minutes longer than the theatrical version). This similar approach was taken with Affleck’s “The Town” as it was also given an extended director’s cut as well. I wouldn’t say that the extra minutes make or break the film but the film still is very enjoyable. Packed with tons of additional goodies and a bunch of new special features makes this a must have for any fan of the film.

Official Premise: On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Besides the extended cut, this release also features a 64-Page In-Depth Book with Behind-the-Scenes Argo Photographs, an Argo: A Cosmic Conflagration Movie Poster Reproduction (14″ x 20″), Map of “Argo” Movie Locations (14″ x 20″) and an ID Card Prop Replica. Warner releases this film with an UltraViolet Digital Copy. The 1080p transfer is fantastically presented, while still able to keep the 70′s/80′s feel of the film. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio also delivers one hell of a track. Alexandre Desplat’s score really gets to shine as well and adds quite a lot of tension for this film. Overall, this film packs a very impressive release in the audio/video department.

This release included all the extras from the previous Blu-ray release, as well as a ton of new special features on top of them. The first of the brand new extras include “Argo Declassified” which follows Tony Mendez getting honored as part of the CIA’s 50th anniversary. “Ben Affleck’s Balancing Act” focuses on Affleck’s blending of the humor, politics, Hollywood and international intrigue in the film. “Argo F*ck Yourself” features Ben Affleck talking about Argo’s classic line.

The rest of the extras are from the previous release but still equally amazing. “Picture in Picture: Eyewitness Account”, which is the bet of the bunch. It includes interviews with key people from the Iran hostage crisis, including survivors Tony Mendez, as well as President Jimmy Carter and many more. The audio commentary track with director Ben Affleck and writer Chris Terrio is also not to be missed. It is very engaging and informative. If you enjoyed this film then both the PIP option and commentary track are highly recommend for repeat viewings.

“Rescued from Tehran: We Were There” is another engaging featurette with interviews from President Carter, Tony Mendez and more as they chat about their experiences. ”Absolute Authenticity” is a featurette with Affleck chatting about how much work went into this production. “The CIA and Hollywood Connection” is a chat with Affleck, Terrio, Goodman, and Mendez as they discuss the CIA working with Hollywood. Lastly, “Escape from Iran: The Hollywood Option” is the 2005 television documentary focusing on the 25th anniversary of the film’s event, presented in standard definition.

Get Argo Extended Edition on Blu-ray December 3rd, just in time for the Holiday Season!

Actors: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, John Voight, Rebecca Budig, Paul Freeman
Directors: Courtney Solomon
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

Ethan Hawke has been on a role this year with the horror “Sinister and the romantic dramedy “Before Midnight”, unfortunately “Getaway” does not continue that streak for him. “Getaway” is fast paced and thrilling but doesn’t really race past the finish line in 1st place. Co-star Selena Gomez, the child star from “Wizard of Waverly Place” does really fit in with the film and still is struggling to break into the adult genre. Overall, not the worst of the year and could recommend this as a Redbox rental or Netflix for sure.

Official Premise: Former race car driver Brent Magna (Hawke) is pitted against the clock. Desperately trying to save the life of his kidnapped wife, Brent commandeers a custom Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake, taking it and its unwitting owner (Gomez) on a high-speed race against time, at the command of the mysterious villain holding his wife hostage.

When I first saw the Blu-ray I felt like they didn’t but much time into it and just spewed it out from its disappointing run in theaters to Blu-ray to try and recoup its lost money. The 1080p transfer works welll with the action and multiple cameras used. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which does add some drama to the car chases. The special features include a short collection of featurettes focusing on the film’s production and are pretty self explanatory from the titles: “Crash Cams”, “Destroying a Custom Shelby”, “Metal and Asphalt”, “Selena Gomez: On Set” and “The Train Station”.

Own “Getaway” on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and HD Digital Download 11/26

Actors: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena Headey
Directors: Harald Zwart
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 130 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I am a sucker for the sci-fi fantasy genre. I was drawn into the hype of “”The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” series way before the film, which led me read the book first. I know it is trying to be the next “Twilight”…what isn’t but I quite enjoyed it.  I was not thrilled about the cast though, which stars “Twilight Saga” co-star Jamie Campbell Bower (mistake or purpose?) and Lily Collins (“Mirror Mirror), not a huge fan of either. The film is exciting and entertaining…even though about 20 minutes too long. It is far from perfect but if you enjoyed the book, then I would recommend checking it out for sure.

Synopsis: Fantasy adventure based on the bestselling series of novels by Cassandra Clare. Clary Fray (Collins) is an ordinary teenage girl living in New York, but when her mother is attacked by a demon in her home Clary learns she is descended from a secret race of half-angel Shadowhunters who are fighting an ancient battle protecting the earth from evil forces. As Clary is then introduced to the world the Shadowhunters and other forces inhabit, she must grow to accept her new identity and work at saving her mother before it’s too late…

Sony is releasing the film as a two disc combo pack including Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy. The 1080p transfer is solid and works well with the CGI effects, which the film has quite a bit of. The action is a little tame but overall keeps your interest and looks sharp. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works well with the action also and the film’s hipster soundtrack (again trying to take a page from “Twilight”).

The special features are not too shabby and worth checking out. “Bringing Them to Life” features the cast/crew discussing the characters. “Descendants of the Cup” is a featurette on the film’s stunts and visual effefcts to turn the cast into Shadowhunters. If you enjoyed the film you will enjoy the “Interactive Lineage Tracker”, which allows yous to learn more about all the characters. “Deadly Attraction” has Lily Collins & Jamie Campbell Bower chatting about their roles. “Entering The Shadow World” looks into the film’s creatures effects. “Into the Shadows: From Book to Screen” follows the book’s journey from page to screen. Lastly, there is a music video for “Almost is Never Enough” by Ariana Grande ft. Nathan Sykes and a few deleted scenes as well.

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Actors: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins, Mary-Louise Parker
Directors: Dean Parisot
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Summit Inc/Lionsgate
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Run Time: 116 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras” 2 out of 5 stars

When “Red” came out, I thought that it was cool that they were adapting a comic book for the older folks. The cast is superb including Bruce Willis (“Die Hard”), John Malkovich (“Burn After Reading”), Mary-Louise Parker (Showtime’s “Weeds”), with Anthony Hopkins (“Thor”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) but too bad, the film cannot capture that same thrill as the first. In fact “Red 2” just feels like a re-do of the first one, the fun aspect feels too old…no pun. The action/comedy is still present but lacks the sharpness of the first film. This is a sequel that no one was asking for, so unless you are a die-hard of the first film I would pass this one and just remember how cool the first film was.

Official Premise: Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Willis) and his team set out on a global quest to track down a missing, next-generation lethal device that can change the balance of world power. To succeed, they’ll need to survive an army of relentless assassins, ruthless terrorists and power-crazed government officials, all eager to get their hands on the technologically advanced super weapon. Outgunned and outmanned, they have only their cunning wits, old-school skills and each other to rely on as they try to save the world – and stay alive in the process.

Despite the film itself, “Red 2” packs an amazing punch in terms of audio video. The 1080p transfer with an aspect ratio of 2.40:1 delivers the action and also showcases the very beautiful shooting locations including Paris and London. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, which is wall-shaking good and works perfect with each action sequence. In terms of special features though we are back to disappointing. “The Red 2 Experience” is a decent collection of featurettes looking behind-the-scenes. Lastly there are a few short deleted scenes and a gag reel included.

Actors: Dean Martin, Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Don Rickles
Number of discs: 25
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Time Life Entertainment
DVD Release Date: October 25, 2013
Run Time: 2400 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

StarVista Entertainment/Time Life is behind this complete collection of the best-selling releases of “The Dean Martin Variety Show”. This marks the first time that most of these classics from the Golden Age of TV will be released on DVD in a single collection. Featuring all 54 roasts from both “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts”, this release is a must have for any fan of Dean Martin and these classic roasts. These roasts featured the top names ranging from 20th century’s most accomplished performers and athletes, politicians and personalities in the business giving their best jabs, put-downs, insults, slams and zingers. This beautiful set is packaged in a very sharp collector’s box and includes a 44-page Quote Book with rare photos, anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories and memorabilia.

Who doesn’t love Dean Martin? Especially as we enter into the holiday season, his voice is just mesmerizing and so amazing.  Dean had this certain aspect about that that you can’t help but love…and admire. The guy is a legend and always will be. This collection includes an enormous about of talent as Dean surrounds himself with an amazing group of people…and never stops entertaining.  There is absolutely no shortage of talent included in this collection. These roasts are classy…yet a little raunchy like you would expect from Dean and also a whole lot funny. This is also something that you can watch and watch over and over!

There are 54 roasts here including Ronald Reagan, Hugh Hefner, Ed McMahon, William Conrad, Kirk Douglas, Bette Davis, Barry Goldwater, Johnny Carson, Wilt Chamberlain, Hubert Humphrey, Carroll O’Connor, Monty Hall, Jack Klugman & Tony Randall, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Leo Durocher, Truman Capote, Don Rickles, Ralph Nader, Jack Benny, Redd Foxx, Bobby Riggs, George Washington (portrayed by Jan Leighton), Dan Rowan & Dick Martin, Hank Aaron, Joe Namath, Bob Hope, Telly Savalas, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Landon, Evel Knievel, Valerie Harper, Muhammad Ali, Dean Martin, Dennis Weaver, Joe Garagiola, Redd Foxx, Danny Thomas, Angie Dickinson, Gabe Kaplan, Ted Knight, Peter Marshall, Dan Haggerty, Frank Sinatra, Jack Klugman, Jimmy Stewart, George Burns, Betty White, Suzanne Somers, Joe Namath, Joan Collins, Mr. T, and Michael Landon.

If you want more then you are going to love the 15-hours of bonus material included as well. There are eleven newly-produced featurettes including: “Ladies of the Dais”, “Beauty & The Beast: Ruth Buzzi vs. Muhammad Ali” and “Roast in Hell: Politicians Under Fire”. There are also several interviews including Phyllis Diller, Ruth Buzzi, Shirley Jones, Tony Danza, Angie Dickinson, Carol Burnett, Sheila Kuehl, Jimmie Walker, Abe Vigoda and Fred Willard. There are classic Dean Martin TV Specials including “Dean’s Place” and “Red Hot Scandals of 1926”. There are some Rare and Exclusive Home Movies from Dean’s Collection. There are bonus comedy sketches and also two Dean Martin Variety Show DVDs featuring Bob Hope, John Wayne, Peggy Lee, Rodney Dangerfield and many others included.

Actors: Louise Lasser, Greg Mullavey, Mary Kay Place, Dabney Coleman, Graham Jarvis
Directors: Joan Darling
Number of discs: 38
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: December 3, 2013
Run Time: 8100 minutes

Series: 4 out of 5 stars
Extra: 3 out of 5 stars

Hope you have some times on your hands coming up since all 325 episodes of “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” are now available on DVD within it’s new 38-DVD box set for The Complete Series. This comes back with around 135 hours of television. This series has never been available in its entirety before and thanks to Shout! Factor fans of the series can own it all…and in perfect time for the holidays! “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” is such a groundbreaking satirical soap opera and starred the amazing Louise Lasser (“Take the Money and Run”, “Bananas”). I never caught the show in its original run but it is still as entertaining as it was when it first aired. A must have for any fan of the series!

Official Premise: Not since the show’s original network run has anyone been able to experience this iconic cult classic in its entirety. In the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio, the heroine, housewife Mary Hartman, lives a life that is a quest for perfection as portrayed by the Reader’s Digest and TV commercials. She is ravaged by a never-ending onslaught of mass murders, venereal disease, low-flying airplanes and a waxy yellow buildup on her kitchen floor. Louise Lasser stars in the title role of Norman Lear’s innovative and bent serial, which combines the drama and pathos of a traditional soap opera with a wry, satirical sense of humor.

Besides Louise Lasser, she is backed with an amazing cast including Greg Mullavey (“Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice”, “iCarly”), Mary Kay Place (“Big Love”, “The Big Chill”), who also won an Emmy for her role, Graham Jarvis (“Misery”, “Guiding Light”), Debralee Scott (“Police Academy”, “American Graffiti”), Victor Kilian (“The Ox-Bow Incident”, “Only Angels Have Wings”), Dody Goodman (“One Life To Live”, “Grease”), Philip Bruns (“General Hospital”, “Flashdance”), Dabney Coleman (“Boardwalk Empire”, “Tootsie”), Martin Mull (“Arrested Development”, “Roseanne”) and Claudia Lamb (“Forever Fernwood”).

I would love to say that the episodes looks pristine and are perfectly restored but I wasn’t terribly blown away with the DVD transfer of the episodes. They are not terrible just show their age a bit. In terms of special features, I was a little bit last down with the lack of commentary tracks. There are two interesting featurettes including “Inside the Funhouse Mirror”, which features Norman Lear, Louise Lasser and Mary Kay Place talk about the making of the show. The second is called “On the Verge of…” is has Norman Lear and Louise Lasser discussing the episode “Nervous Breakdown”. Lastly there are ten original “Fernwood 2 Night” episodes! This was the real draw for me, which follows the fictional town made popular by “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and stars Martin Mull, Fred Willard, and Frank De Vol.

Directed by: Hisayuki Toriumi
Number of discs: 14
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Sentai Filmworks
Release Date: December 10, 2013
Run Time: 2770 minutes

Series: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

If you don’t recognize the name “Gatchaman”…how about “Battle of the Planets (1978)” or “G-Force: Guardians of Space (1986)”, which are English adaptations of this 1972 series. It was originally released under “Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman” translated into “Science Ninja Team Gatchaman”. The English language versions were always complained about like with most anime series (for example “Dragon Ball Z”) since they are confusing and lacks the structure of the original Japanese series but I grew up watching “Battle of the Planets” and loving it. Why this series is most exciting is that it is the the completely uncut version that ADV Films released years ago on DVD. So fans of this show can finally rejoice as this classic series gets the ultimate edition release.

Official Premise: Using amazing weapons powered by super-science, the international terrorist organization known as Galactor is out to steal all of Earth’s resources for itself and its inhuman masters. Mankind’s only hope? The International Science Organization and their elite strike force, the Science Ninja Team! But these five young heroes will have their work cut out for them as they take on the seemingly impossible task of defeating Galactor’s horrific arsenal of mechanized weapons of mass destruction and endless armies of henchmen. Can costumed commandos Ken the Eagle, Joe the Condor, Jun the Swallow, Jinpei the Sparrow and Ryu the Owl really overcome such overwhelming odds? Utilizing the incredible technology and fighting techniques created by Dr. Nambu, and with the mighty ship the God Phoenix at their command, they just might.

So if you grew up wit this series like myself, whether it was probably remember it “Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman” or “Battle of the Planets” or “G-Force”, you can experience this show again for the first time in a complete collection. No question, this is a must purchase for any anime fan and yet another fantastic release from Sentai Filmworks. I should also point out that back in 1994, the original series was remade as a shortened OVA series. They were previously unreleased and are included here for the first time. The OVA features updated character designs and altered backgrounds. The OVAs were also redubbed for this release to match the uncut TV series dub, so that is just another additional bonus.

“Gatchaman: Complete Collection” features the whole series includes episodes 1-105, it also includes the previously unreleased OVA episodes 1-3. The 1080p video looks quite amazing as well. It is restored but doesn’t lose that classic 70’s anime feel. I recently watched a remastered Disney movie from the 80’s and it was terribly restored completely taking out all the detail. That is not the case here as these episodes are sharp, crisp and pack some great line detail. There are both English and Japanese audio language included with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, which will deliver options of all the hardcore fans. I prefer the English language, which just sounds so epic. The series’ music and score has always been a favorite of mine and sounds quite amazing on this Blu-ray.

In terms of special features, Sentai Filmworks could have just stopped with the episodes and I am sure fans would have still purchase this release with no complaints but they went even further and deliver a jam-packed release. There are a ridiculous amount of commentary tracks included on this release.. On the disc 1, there two audio commentary tracks, the first is with Leraldo Anazulda (Ken) and Charles Campbell (ADR Director) and the other is with Brian Jepson (Joe) and again with Charles Campbell. Disc 2 also includes two audio commentary tracks. The first is with Kim Prause (Jun) and and Charles Campbell and the second is with Luci Christian (Jinspei). Disc 3 includes a commentary track with Victor Carsrud (Ryu). Disc 4 includes a track with Andy McAvin (Dr. Nambu) and also a track with George Manely (Narrator). Disc 5 brings us a commentary from Edwin Neal (Berg Katse) and also Sarah Alys Lindholm (Senior Translator). Disc 6 includes a commentary track from John Tyson (Red Impulse).

Disc 7 includes a commentary track with both Leraldo Anazulda (Ken) and Andy McAvin (Dr. Nambu). Disc 8 includes two tracks, the first with Kim Prause (Jun) and Luci Christian (Jinspei) and the second with Brian Jepson (Joe) and Winston Parish (Leader X). Disc 9 includes a very fun Minions & Mayhem commentary track with Josh Grelle, Glenn Frazer, Chris Ayres and Charles Campbell. Disc 10 includes tracks from Marty Fleck (Director Anderson) and Charles Campbell (this guy really loves commentary tracks). There is also a track with Samantha Inoue Harte and Charles Campbell. Disc 11 includes a technical audio commentary track with Recording Engineers Eden Barrera and Bobby Gordon. There is also a commentary with Luci Christian (Jinpei) and George Manley (Narrator). Lastly Leraldo Anazulda (Ken) and Charles Campbell reunite again from disc one to close out these amazing commentary tracks.

The rest of the extras are included on disc 14 and there is not a few extras, there is still a TON more included. “What is Gatchaman” and “What We Were Watching”, which look into the series. There are tons of amazing “Character Profiles, Character Sketches, “Episode Sketches, Art Galleries and Publishing Galleries” included. There is a look into the original series with “Science Ninja Tech” and “The Origins of Tatsunoko Production”. There are two featurettes on the series’ memorable music with “Gatchaman Music”, as well as “The Demon 5 in Concert”. There some fun interviews with Alex Ross, Charles Campbell and also the English voice cast. There is also some audition footage for the English cast and also a round table interview series.  Lastly there are clean opening and closing animations, as well as an unused ending sequence and a commercial for Gatchaman ModelLock. Literally, I was blown away by these amazing extras.

Actors: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Priyanka Chopra, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and John Cleese
Directed by: Klay Hall
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Run Time: 92 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“Planes” is the first theatrically film for DisneyToon Studios since 2005’s “Pooh’s Heffalump Movie”. In fact, this film was originally supposed to come out on Blu-ray but was decided to head into theaters to take advantage of the fact that it was a spin-off from Pixar’s “Cars” series. The film includes the voice talents of Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Priyanka Chopra, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and John Cleese. This is the first film in a now planned “Planes” trilogy. It’s sequel, titled “Planes: Fire & Rescue” is arelady scheduled for theatrical release on July 18, 2014. So Disney made a smart move here and expect a lot from this series. The film was a ton of fun, action packed and super funny. Plus my 17 month old daughter is obsessed with planes and was totally digging this film, I might be to get another copy since this one will be worn out by the end of the year.

Official Premise: The world of Cars takes flight in Planes, an animated comedy revved up with action and adventure. Join Dusty (Cook), a crop duster with sky-high dreams and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world’s fastest flyers in the greatest air race ever. Dusty has a huge heart but two big problems: he’s not exactly built for speed, and he’s afraid of heights. His courage is put to the ultimate test, though, as this unlikely hero aims higher than he ever imagined. With a little help from his friends, Dusty finds the courage to be more than he was built for, and the inspiration to soar.

Disney delivered this film in a fantastic three-disc combo pack with a 3D Blu-ray + Blu-ray + DVD and Digital Copy. “Planes” looks amazing with its 1080p transfer. I have no idea how this film was heading direct-to-video since it is so epic and really looks amazing. The colors really pop off the TV, especially with the 3D transfer. In fact, I really enjoyed the 3D in this film. With the planes flying right at you, it features a great in-your-face moments and adds some great depth.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track is also quite impressive. From every propeller to the planes soaring through the skies, the track is so impressive.

The special features are ok but nothing special at all for this film but I would have loved to see a commentary track. There is an Exclusive Franz’s Song, which was produced exclusively for Blu-ray and is a never-before-seen completely finished animated song features the German mini-car, Franz Fliegenhosen. “Klay’s Flight Plan” features Klay Hall chatting about his journey to bringing this film to life. There are two deleted scenes including introductions from Director Klay Hall and Producer Traci Balthazor-Flynn. “Top 10 Flyers” features ESPN’s Colin Cowherd counting down of the greatest aviators in history. Lastly “Meet the Racers” includes featurettes on the following racers El Chupacabra, Ripslinger, Dusty and Ishani.

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Starring: Cameron Boyce, Madison Pettis, Jonathan Morgan Heit, David Arquette, Corey Burton, Jeff Bennett
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: November 19, 2013
MPAA Rating: TV-Y
Run Time: 148 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When my 17 month old daughter hears that theme song to “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” she runs to the TV and stops whatever else she is doing. The show is so fun and also delivers some great messages for kids. “Jake’s Never Land Rescue” is such an epic feature length special episode. When I saw the trailer, I was blown away. Of course, anything with Peter Pan showing up in the show is always fun as well. Disney Junior has a gold mine here and I (and my daughter) can’t wait to see what they have planned next for this great series.

Official Premise: The fate of Never Land hangs in the balance as magical treasures are mysteriously vanishing: Jake’s sword, Izzy’s pixie dust – even the directions on Cubby’s map! To save the day, Jake goes on the “Forever Quest” to restore power to the source of Never Land’s magic, the legendary Forever Tree. Join him on a thrilling expedition inside an enchanted cave, under the sea, and all the way to the top of Mount Destiny! But Jake needs help from his trusty crew – and YOU – to succeed against all odds and outsmart Captain Hook. Awash with exciting surprises, unforgettable music, and eight more swashbuckling adventures, “Jake’s Never Land Rescue” will make you believe in the everlasting magic of true friendship.

This DVD contains four great bonus episodes from the Disney Junior series. “It’s a Pirate Picnic / The Key to Skull Rock” features when Hook digs up the crew’s picnic spot and the crew gets a key to a treasure. “The Golden Twilight Treasure / Rock The Croc!” follows the crew must rescue a firefly from Hook and a treasure map lands in Croc’s mouth. “Jake and Sneaky Le Beak / Cubby the Brave” follows a sneaky pirate that steals from Hook and the group finds a pair of boots makes Cubby brave. Lastly “Jake’s Special Delivery / Seahorse Saddle-Up!” follows a mysterious package that washes ashore and the crew participates in a seahorse race.

If the bonus episodes are not enough to complete this DVD also included there is a exclusive Destiny Sword and also some really cool Glow-in-the-Dark stickers. There are also eight additional “Playing with Skully” Cartoon Shorts. They are really fun and I am excited that they are available on DVD. This series is currently in its second season and Disney has recently ordered a third season, which is set to premiere on February 17, 2014. So there will be much more coming for this show in the near future!! Yo Ho Let’s go!

Starring: Agnes Kittelsen, Jakob Oftebro
Directed by: Nils Gaup
Studio: Vertical Entertainment
DVD Release Date: November 5th, 2013
MPAA Rating: G
Running Time: 77 Minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Journey to the Christmas Star” caught my eye since I noticed it was made by the Norwegian chapter of Disney. That’s right Walt Disney. Obviously this film is dubbed in English over the original language but kids aren’t going to notice that aspect. The story is so sweet and it really is a beautiful holiday film. Even though it is quite short, I will look forward to adding to title to our must watch each Christmas.

Official Premise: A courageous girl sets out on an epic journey to find the Christmas Star, free the kingdom from a curse and bring back a long lost princess. With an evil witch attempting to stop her completing her journey, the little girl must overcome great adversity. A Christmas adventure for the whole family set in a magnificent winter wonderland.

One cool fact that I found about about “Journey to the Christmas Star” is that when it released in Norway during Christmas 2012 it sold 450,000 admissions and had become the second best-selling Norwegian film in 2012 only beaten by “Kon-Tiki”, which was also huge in the U.S. This film has some decent visual effects and some very impressive scenery. Sadly, there are no special features included on this DVD besides a trailer. I would have loved to seem some production featurettes.

Starring: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Virginia Hey, Anthony Simcoe, Gigi Edgley, Kent McCord
Created by: Brian Henson, Rockne S. O’Bannon
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Cinedigm
DVD Release Date: November 5, 2013
Run Time: 4136 minutes

Series: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

I am sure the burning question for this release is: how does this release differ from the 2011 release from A&E? Well there is not much different besides some custom inserts for each of case and an exclusive 15 page comic book by Ramon Perez. The main selling point though is the price no question which is quite lower and with no question worth the money since this includes all four seasons along with an incredible amount of special features. One thing that is bothering me is that I don’t know if I just suck at math but this is 2013 and this show debuted in 1999, so that is 14 years in my book but nonetheless, Cinedigm is releasing the complete series of “Farscape” on Blu-ray…again (the last time was in 2011 and released by A&E) to celebrate its 15th anniversary and it is must have for fans that couldn’t afford it the first go around for sure.

Official Premise: From Jim Henson Productions comes the Sci-Fi cult classic FARSCAPE. Follow John Crichton and the crew of Moya on a journey to places they never dreamed possible. Sizzling with brilliant characters, breathtaking effects, high-stakes action, and irreverent humor, Farscape is like no science fiction before. It is a story of good versus evil, obsession, friendship, and even love. The unpredictable twists and turns of this international TV hit will keep you riveted and cheering for more.

I love science fiction and “Farscape” always interested me, especially since The Jim Henson Company was responsible for the various alien makeup and prosthetics in the show, as well as two regular characters (Rygel and Pilot). I love seeing puppets represented on TV. I grew up with “The Muppets” and “Fraggle Rock” and loved seeing them being adapted for the science fiction genre. The show packed some very visual aspects besides the puppets included great special effects and cool sets. The show was also quite funny, yet still had a very serious angle with some solid drama. I also love the fact that this show is already considered a cult classic amongst its fans!

This new release was even sourced from the same masters as the A&E set, which if you don’t know were actually upscaled to 1080p. The 20 Blu-ray discs feature 88 complete and unedited episodes. The show was doesn’t look as stunning as one would hope for on high-def Blu-ray but it also doesn’t look terrible either. The series’ first three seasons are presented with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio and the last fourth and last season is presented in 1.78:1 (and looks the best). Bouncing back from the decent video, “Farscape” comes with rock solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks, they work perfectly with the shows style and captures the action and comedy so well. You almost forgot you are watching a TV show and not an epic sci-fi movie.

If you are a fan of this show then you are going to really enjoy this shows amazing special features, which are easily the main selling point for this release.  Get ready for this cause there are seriously 29 episode commentaries tracks, including “Premiere” with Rockne S. O’Bannon, Brian Henson and Ben Browder; “Jeremiah Crichton” with Claudia Black, Producer/Writer David Kemper, Browder and O’Bannon; “Bone to Be Wild” with Anthony Simcoe; “Relativity” with Lani Tupu (Crais/Voice of Pilot) and Director Peter Andrikidis; and, “Bad Timing” with Browder, Black and Kemper chatting about the series’ finale. Each of them add a lot to this series and is great addition for replay value!

There is a must-watch documentary for fans titled “Memories of Moya: An Epic Journey”, which features revealing new interviews with the cast and creators. There is actually over 90 minutes of deleted scenes including for all four seasons. There are tons of amazing eaturettes and documentaries including “In the Beginning: A Look Back with Brian Henson”; “Making of a Space Opera” and “Inside Farscape: Save Farscape”. All of these extras are made for the fans and will leave them super excited to get more of this great series.

If you want more Behind-the-Scenes looks, there are some great interviews with cast Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Virginia Hey, Gigi Edgley, Paul Goddard (Stark), Wayne Pygram (Scorpius) and more. There are also multiple video profiles featuring archival clips and cast/crew discussing their characters and roles on the series. “Farscape in the Raw” features Director’s Cut scenes for the following episodes “The Flax”, “Mind the Baby”, ” Re:Union “, “Taking the Stone”, “Through the Looking Glass” and Vitas Mortis. They are VHS quality, so cool to watch but nothing stunning in HD.

Rounding down, there are still about a dozen more featurettes focusing on the series’ score with “Listening In With Composer Guy Gross”. They cover all four seasons and various aspects of the score.  There are tons of great slideshows and archival photo galleries, including character concepts and promo photos, as well as production design galleries featuring screenshots, rough drafts and concept slide shows. Lastly there are a bunch of original TV promos and trailers as well. I am sure I left some extras out but you get the jist, this show is well-represented on Blu-ray and a must own for any fan of the show or new fans looking to discover this series.

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Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Maya Rudolph, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Peña
Directors: David Soren
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Release Date: November 12, 2013
Run Time: 96 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When I first saw the trailer to “Turbo”, I wasn’t really blown away much. It does pack on hell of a sharp voice cast including Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolf, Michelle Rodriguez and Samuel L. Jackson. Still I never ran out to see it in theaters similar to the rest of America who did the same thing. The film is pretty fun with a good heart and has some great visuals but also has a pretty weak plot. In terms of wow factor, the film looks amazing and is quite colorful but its message has just been done too many times before. When you look back at films like “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda”, it just doesn’t have that charm. Kids will enjoy it for the colorful presentation and parents will enjoy the voice cast and humor. Decent but not a classic.

Official Premise: From the makers of “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda”, “TURBO” is a high-velocity 3D comedy about an underdog snail whose dreams kick into overdrive when he miraculously attains the power of super-speed. But after making fast friends with a crew of streetwise, tricked-out es-car-goes, Turbo learns that no one succeeds on their own. So he puts his heart and shell on the line to help his pals achieve their dreams, before Turbo-charging his own impossible dream: winning the Indy 500.

DreamWorks is releasing this film in a Deluxe Edition combo pack, which includes a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet HD digital copy. One thing I do have to recommend for this film is its 3D presentation, which is very impressive. It works well with the film’s fast pace action and amazing visuals. I watched this film a second time in the 2D transfer with my 17 month old daughter, which she enjoyed quite a bit, it was still enjoyable but lacked that animated dazzle. The 1080p on either transfer are just easily still one of the sharpest of the year. Top that with a super high energy DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track and this film does not disappoint in the A/V department. Dreamworks always delivers top notch with their animated films, no question.

In terms of special features, “Turbo” is lacking in rear of the race. A few decent featurettes but nothing amazing. “Champion’s Corner” is a sports newscast interview with Turbo. “Smoove Move’s Music Maker” includes six fun music video  clips for “Speedin'”, “The Snail is Fast”, “Back to Indiana”, “Jump Around”, “Let the Bass Go” and “Eye of the Tiger”. “Team Turbo: Tricked Out” is a very short look into the film’s characters. “Meet Tito — Deleted Scene” is presented in hand-drawn form and introduced by director David Soren. David also introduces a storyboard for one of the film’s most critical scenes, “The Race”. “Be An Artist!” is a short look into each of the character with the Head of Character Animation Dave Burgess. “Shell Creator” is an interactive extras for viewers to create their own shells. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer included.