Actors: Emily VanCamp, Madeleine Stowe, Gabriel Mann, Henry Czerny, Ashley Madekwe
Number of discs: 5
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: ABC Studios
DVD Release Date: August 20, 2013
Run Time: 924 minutes

Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When I watched the first season of I thought to myself, “Ok the first season was good but how the hell are they going to keep this whole revenge thing going?” But from the moment the second season started I was blown away.  They really have some smart writers on this show and they really know how to create a great story line and keep it sharp throughout the whole season. To top it off, this show really builds on the first season and is actually quite better.  The cast also really comes together as well and gives great performances. Kudos to Barry Sloane, who came into this show this season playing Aiden Mathis and has quickly becoming my personal favorite character. Also what I enjoyed about the second season is that there is much more mystery and secrets revealed. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the third season, which premiering on September 29, 2013. I can’t imagine how they can top this season!

Official Premise: Emily Thorne returns to the Hamptons with a vengeance. Her enemies may be the same, but her mission now takes on a new, suspenseful twist. Feel the power of television’s most seductive series, as the action and the passion hit new heights in all 22 episodes of Revenge: The Complete Second Season on DVD. Emily will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets of her father’s murder, but the web of deceit is larger than she ever imagined. Now, with her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) in the picture, even more will be revealed. Watch the sparks fly as Daniel and Ashley begin a torrid romance, while stunning events change the face of Amanda and Jack’s relationship, and new faces mean more trouble for Emily and Victoria, while a mysterious man from Emily’s past adds to her complications. Relive every biting and brilliant episode of Season Two, complete with never-before-seen bonus features that will lure you even deeper into the drama. Revenge: The Complete Second Season on DVD is addictive entertainment that will have you begging for more!

I am not sure why ABC is not getting on the Blu-ray wagon with these season releases. Same thing goes for one of my favorite shows “Castle”. But “Once Upon a Time” does get the Blu-ray treatment, so it beats me. I hope that they go Blu-ray for “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Anyways back to “Revenge”, the fun doesn’t stop at the episodes since there is tons of great special features included for this season. The DVD special features include audio commentaries on the following episodes including “Illusion”, “Forgiveness” and “Truth – Part 2”. There are two featurettes including “The Sound of Revenge” and “Dressing Miss Davenport”, focusing on the score and the wardrobes used on the show. There are 35 deleted scenes, some are good and others are so-so, but worth checking out if you are a fan on the show. Lastly there is a trailer for “Schooled in Revenge” and bloopers included.

Actors: Dick Van Patten, Betty Buckley, Grant Goodeve, Willie Aames, Dianne Kay
Number of discs: 7
Studio: Warner Archive Collection
DVD Release Date: August 13, 2013
Run Time: 1342 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

“Eight is Enough” was a little before my time but I remember it more on the repeats. This fourth season DVD comes split into two parts. The first part DVD comes with 14 episodes and the second part comes with 13 episodes. This season deals with issues like multiple marriages, pregnancy, and a graduation to the ever-expanding family. In terms of rating it was the show’s best rated season since the second, yet still the next season would be it’s last. The show packs an impressive cast including Dick Van Patten, Betty Buckley, Grant Goodeve, Willie Aames, Dianne Kay, Connie Newton, Lani O’Grady, Adam Rich, Susan Richardson and Laurie Walters. The show definitely brought back some memories. I have to admit though, it shows its age but if you grew up with it, it should be worth checking out.

Official Premise: The Bradfords bid adieu to the seventies by ushering in even more changes to the clan dynamic in Season Four. First up, minor league ball player Merle “the Pearl” Stockwell (Brian Patrick Clarke) sweeps Susan (Susan Richardson) off her feet. An engagement soon follows, but there’s one problem – David (Grant Goodeve) has already set THEIR date for HIS wedding while Nancy (Dianne Kay) has a singing telegram gig that day…And first comes marriage, then comes Mary (Lani O’Grady) finding a positive home pregnancy test! Meanwhile, Joanie (Laurie Walters) and Tom (Dick Van Patten) become competing journalists, Nicholas (Adam Rich) curses the family by breaking a chain letter, and Tommy (Willie Aames) runs for Prom Queen! On the more tender side, Abby (Betty Buckley) comes to grips with the memories of her deceased husband, while Tom is forced into a reunion with the father he has not seen in forty years – and he’s about to turn fifty!

“Eight is Enough” is being released on made-to-order DVD, thanks to Warner Archive. It is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Concerning the show’s transfer, this DVD has been manufactured from the best-quality video master currently available. So it has not been remastered or restored for this release. They episodes look good but they could most definitely looks better, definitely for a DVD release. The show does with a Dolby Digital audio track, which works well for the comedic timing. There are no additional special features included on this release.

Director: Herbert J. Leder
Cast: Dana Andrews, Anna Palk, Philip Gilbert, Kathleen Breck, Oliver Macgreevy
Distributed by: Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 95 minutes

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When I read the premise for “The Frozen Dead”, I thought “a sci-fi horror film about frozen Nazi soldiers…how could it go wrong?”. Too bad the film really doesn’t deliver much beyond that premise. The film drags quite a bit throughout, especially in the middle.  The visual effects are not too bad for 1966 and does take you back a little to that golden age but I just wasn’t really feeling it.

Official Premise: Dana Andrews stars in the ghoulish, sci-fi horror story The Frozen Dead. Twenty years after World War II has ended, members of the Nazi party remain, and they are determined to again rise to power. Having funded German doctor Rupert Norberg’s (Andrews) cryogenic experiments since the war, the party makes it clear that they expect him to reanimate some 1,500 frozen Nazis! Fearful for his life, Norberg continues his research – in increasingly horrific, murderous ways. But when his niece’s (Anna Palk) best friend goes missing, the young woman tries desperately to enlist help from an American scientist (Philip Gilbert) to stop the madness. Andrews took many jobs to pay the bills while trying to make it “big.” His boss at a Van Nuys gas station was so impressed with the actor’s determination that he paid for his acting and singing lessons.

“The Frozen Dead” is being released on made-to-order DVD, courtesy of Warner Archive. It is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.66:1. The transfer looks amazing for a film that is nearly 50 years old. The Dolby Digital track also works well with the score, but there isn’t much added suspense. I would recommend this release only for long-time fans of the film.

Director: Bert I. Gordon
Cast: Richard Carlson, Julie Reding, Susan Gordon, Lugene Sanders, Joe Turkel
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 70 minutes
Distributed by: Warner Archive

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When in comes to Bert I. Gordon, I am one of his biggest fans. I had a chance to pick his brain a few years back, read interview here, and was a highlight of my career. He is known for his creature films like “The Amazing Colossal Man”, “Empire of the Ants” and “Earth vs. The Spider” but “Tormented” is much different yet still equally amazing. I haven’t seen this film in many years since it has not had a proper DVD release in the past, but it still holds up today.  It is still well formed, packs a few good spooks and is just great fun from the early 60’s. If you are a fan of classic suspense horror, then this release is a must! Highly recommend!

Official Premise: Richard Carlson stars in this thrill-fest as a man haunted by a nagging conscience and a dead lover! Jazz pianist Tom Stewart (Carlson) is headed for Carnegie Hall – right after he marries his lovely fiancée Meg (Lugene Sanders). But when Vi Mason (Juli Reding), a lounge singer Tom rejected, shows up at the island lighthouse where Tom practices, she insists that no one will marry Tom but her. After she accidentally falls over a railing to her death, Vi returns as a ghost bent on revenge. Slowly, Tom loses his grip on reality, and it’s a matter of time before tragedy strikes again in Tormented!

Richard Carlson is amazing in this film and really captures and creates the right amount of suspense with his character. Also I should point out that Joe Turkel also has a role in this film. If you don’t know him by name, Joe plays Lloyd the Bartender in “The Shining”.  You also got to love the aged dialogue including “It’s bad enough to welcome a musician into this family…but a jazz musician it is just too much!” What a riot! “Tormented” is being released on made-to-order DVD, thanks to Warner Archive. It is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer looks amazing for a film that is over 50 years old. The Dolby Digital track also works well with the score, which adds a lot of great suspense. I really loved this film and this release is a great tribute to it.

Starring: Sterling Holloway, John Fiedler, Junius Matthews, Paul Winchell, Ralph Wright, Hal Smith
Narrator: Sebastian Cabot
Directors: John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 74 minutes

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

I have always loved Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the 100 acre woods. I grew up watching “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh”. It hard to believe that it was made over 35 years ago but it still holds up today and is very cute, humorous and screams classic Disney animation. The film consists of a collection of the original Pooh shorts including “The Honey Tree,” “The Blustery Day,” and “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too”, backed by great narration from Sebastian Cabot. Backed with an amazing musical score and original voices of Sterling Holloway as Pooh and Paul Winchell as Tigger, makes this film a timeless classic. Now if Disney is reading this they just need to release “Pooh’s Heffalump Movie” along with its sequel “Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie” on Blu-ray next! Do I smell a the next double feature Blu-ray release?

Official Premise: Celebrate the never-ending friendship that has delighted generations with Pooh’s first and most beloved feature film. Full of fun and heartwarming stories, this Academy Award-winning animated classic (Best Cartoon Short Subject, 1968, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day) tells the tale of the first unforgettable meeting between Tigger (Paul Winchell) and Pooh (Sterling Holloway). Your family will laugh along when Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit’s (Junius Matthews) house from eating too much honey, and enjoy the lovable characters’ flurry of hilarious activity on a windy day. These timeless adventures are brought to life through extraordinary Disney animation and engaging songs and a digitally restored and remastered Blu-ray presentation.

Disney is releasing this Blu-ray as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy. I love that Disney has switched from just iTunes digital copies to streaming digital copies from Vudu and Amazon. The 1080p transfer looks quite stunning for a film of it’s age.  The animation is very sharp and I have always loved the line detail in “Winnie The Pooh” films. The colors are pop-out as well and are very well restored. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track delivers as well. Since this film packs ome fun songs, it really gets a chance to shine. It also had my 15 month daughter on her feet dancing and clapping.

The special features are pretty decent as well. I particularly love the new feature “Disney Intermission”, which is activated when you pause the film with great and fun bonus activities for kids. There is an additional classic animated short including called “A Day for Eeyore”. If you watch Disney Junior like myself then you will be aware of the “Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” Shorts.  Included on this disc we get five shorts, including “If I Wasn’t So Small”, “Piglet’s Drawings”, “The Expedition”,  “Geniuses”, “The Honey Song”. There is a behind-the-scenes look in the feature “The Story Behind the Masterpiece”. There is a music video for the Winnie the Pooh Theme Song performed by Carly Simon. Lastly, there is a “Pooh Play-Along”, which is a great feature for the kids.

Actors: Blayne Weaver, Corey Burton, Kath Soucie, Harriet Owen, Jeff Bennett
Directors: Robin Rudd
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Run Time: 72 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

Like the recently released “Planes”, “Return to Never Land” is a direct-to-video movie that was released in theaters back in 2002. I remember seeing it in theaters back then and actually quite enjoying it. The film is a direct sequel to 1953’s “Peter Pan” arriving nearly 50 years later. “Peter Pan” is easily one of my favorite Disney films ever, so this film has big shoes to fill. “Return to Never Land” does deliver though. It is not perfect but it is fun, packed some good jokes and has that same charm that we all loved from “Peter Pan”. It just makes you feel like a kid again while watching it. With the success of Disney Junior’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”, this would be great for today’s kids that weren’t born yet when this came out.

Official Premise: Let your imagination soar as your favorite characters from Peter Pan, Disney’s classic adventure, return to Never Land. Now, for the first time through the magic of Blu-ray, experience all the thrilling action with digitally restored picture and spine-tingling high-definition sound. Wendy’s very practical and no-nonsense daughter, Jane, begins the adventure of a lifetime when the infamous Captain Hook whisks her away to the enchanted island of Never Land. It’s up to Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys to help Jane believe in faith, trust and pixie dust. With the first-ever Lost Girl at his side, will Peter Pan finally defeat Hook and his swashbuckling band of pirates? Share the power of believing with your family in Return To Never Land—now more spectacular than ever on Disney Blu-ray.

Disney is releasing this film as a Special Edition combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy. I love that Disney has switched from just iTunes digital copies to streaming digital copies from Vudu and Amazon.  The 1080p transfer looks really amazing with this film.  Even though it has that certain direct-to-video look, Disney did a great job of giving this film a nice polish job. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.  It works well the dialogue, the soaring through the sky, as well the action including the sword fights and all other aspects of swashbuckling.

Unlike the film, the special features are not very impressive. There are give deleted scenes included presented in various stages of the production but mostly in storyboards. Thought it might not excite many people, I watch Disney Junior quite a bit with our 15 month old daughter and she goes absolutely crazy for the “Pixie Previews” with the crew from the Tinker Bell movies.  So even though it is not directly related to “Return to Neverland”, I am pretty excited to see the five animated shorts including “Hide and Tink,” “Dust Up,” “Shooting Stars,” “Volley Bug” and “Just Desserts”. Lastly, there is a music video for the song “I’ll Try” performed by Jonatha Brooke and some trailers included.

Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher
Directors: Baz Luhrmann
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 142 minutes

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

When I read that Baz Luhrmann was making an adaption of “The Great Gatsby” I had to do a double take. This is the same guy who made the strikenly visual and over-the-top films like “Romeo + Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge!”.  I couldn’t wait to see what he will do with his retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel.  I have to admit, I was very impressed.  The film does scream Baz Luhrmann, which for me is a good thing. Everyone on this film including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton look like they are having such a blast with this film and deliver a great ensemble. “The Great Gatsby” is a fun, visual trip with great music and equally impressive performances from the film’s cast.

Official Premise: The Great Gatsby follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin Daisy and her philandering, blue-blooded husband Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Warner Bros delivered this release as combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD and Ultraviolet digital copy. The film’s 1080p transfer really works well with the films from very dazzling visual effects and Baz’s vision for this period.  The colors stand out and the details are very sharp. The film was originally released in 3D and I have heard that that presentation is the preferred way to view this but the 2D version is still fun, though you can see very clearly where the extra dimension would have stood out.  Since music is a big part of this film, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track delivers as well. Craig Armstrong’s score is amazing and blends well with the film’s different yet very effective hip hop soundtrack.

The special features are good like the film but I would have loved to see a commentary track, especially with all this great talent included. “The Greatness of Gatsby” features director Baz Luhrmann and cast discussing bringing Fitzgerald novel to the big screen during pre-production. “Within and Without” features Tobey Maguire with his take on the production. “Gatsby Revealed” goes in-depth of five key scenes from the film including “Gatsby’s Party,” “Disconcerting Ride,” “Daisy and Gatsby Meet,” “The Plaza” and “Pool Scene”.

“The Swinging Sounds of Gatsby” is a great extra featuring Jay-Z, Beyonce, Fergie, will.i.am, Lana del Rey, Bryan Ferry, Florence + the Machine, Andre 3000, The XX, Sia, Gotye and others talking about the soundtrack. “The Jazz Age” touches on the other side of the music in the film with the Jazz angle from the ’20s. “Razzle Dazzle” looks into the costume design. “Fitzgerald’s Visual Poetry” talk about the visual aspect of the film. There are three deleted scenes and an alternate ending with Luhrmann intros. Lastly there is a vintage “1926 Trailer – The Great Gatsby”, silent film trailer.

The Great Gatsby is available on Blu-Ray 8/27/2013 at the WB Shop http://bit.ly/GatsbyWB

Actors: Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Amanda Seyfried, Aziz Ansari, Beyoncé Knowles
Director: Chris Wedge
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Run Time: 103 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit since “Ice Age”, Blue Sky Studios films always interest me no matter what the topic.  “Epic” is yet another impressive animated CGI film to come out of their studio. It packs a fantastic voice cast, great visuals and high energy action. My only concern was the title “Epic” is a terrible title for this film since it doesn’t mean anything to the actual film itself.  The 3D presentation Blu-ray of this film looks very impressive. There are tons of great scenes, especially the battles that benefit from this added feature. There are some cool in-your-face shots but nothing cheesy. But what is even cooler is that the 2D presentation is just as impressive. Chris Wedge, (director of “Ice Age”) is behind this film and he delivered again another fun and entertaining film. I can’t wait to see what he and Blue Sky are planning next! Great fun for the whole family!

Official Premise: From the creators of Ice Age comes the year’s funniest, most exhilarating animated adventure! Transported to a magical world, a teenager (Amanda Seyfried) is recruited by a nature spirit, Queen Tara (Beyoncé), to help the “Leafmen” save their forest from evil warriors. The whole family will love this fast-paced thrill-ride, with its astonishing animation and an all-star voice cast that includes Colin Farrell, Oscar® Winner Christoph Waltz, Aziz Ansari, Chris O’Dowd, Jason Sudeikis, Pitbull and Steven Tyler!

“Epic” comes in very impressive Deluxe Edition, which comes with a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet. In addition this release also includes three Epic Seed cards, that you can actually plant and grow your own garden!  Also included is a “Epic Coloring & Storybook Builder App” for iOS and Android devices. You are able to color your own story with exclusive pages and then tell the story by recording your own voice to share on your television with family and friends. Blue Sky Studios is known for the “Ice Age” series and delivers a stunning presentation on Blu-ray. The 1080p transfer is extremely gorgeous and the colors are amazing, like I said both in 3D and 2D. The winner of this release is the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, which blew me away.  It is so impressive with the battle scenes and even the more subtle features like the birds wings fluttering.

The special features are honestly aimed more at kids but still very interesting and worth checking out. To start there are four short but sweet featurettes including. “Birds, Bugs, and Slugs: Forest Explorer”, which takes you outside the world of “Epic” into the real-world to learn about the animals and insects that inspired the film’s characters. “Rot Rocks” talks about benefits of rot and decay in the forest. “Bugs of Camouflage” features Ken the Bug Guy as he talks about how insects use camouflage to blend in to their environments. “The Epic Life at 2 Inches” is a look into your life if you were shrunk to two inches high. Next up there is a sweet seven-part documentary on the making of the film called “Mysteries of Moonhaven Revealed”. It runs nearly 30 minutes and features interviews with the director, producers, and animators. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer included.

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Actors: Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, David Morrissey, Danai Gurira, Laurie Holden, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, IronE Singleton, Chandler Riggs, Scott Wilson and Melissa McBride.
Number of discs: 5
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 678 minutes

Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Like the zombies have taken over the world in “The Walking Dead”, the show is taking over TV and pop culture. When this show first started, there were doubts that it would even last longer than one season. Now it is one of the biggest shows on TV and shows no sign of slowing down. I thought that season two was epic with killing off character like Shane, Dale and Sofia but season three definitely took the cake. The show has pounded the idea into our heads that no one is safe. The show itself just really expands outside the world of zombies and introduces us to character like The Governor and the town that he has created. All-in-all this season feels very rounded, all of the characters have great arcs including Rick and Daryl. If you are a fan of this show, I would actually recommend getting the Limited Edition “Zombie Head Tank” release, which is designed by Mcfarlane Toys. Get ready for season 4 of “The Walking Dead”, which premieres on AMC this October. I will be counting down the days!

Official Premise: In this uncertain world, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors must not only fight the dead, but also face a whole new fear: the living. In this 16 episode season, the series Entertainment Weekly called the “greatest thriller ever produced for television”, Rick and his fellow survivors continue to seek refuge in a desolate and post-apocalyptic world and soon discover that there are greater forces to fear than just the walking dead. The struggle to survive has never been so perilous. This season also introduces new characters, including the Governor (David Morrissey) and fan-favorite Michonne (Danai Gurira), along with her zombie pets.

The third season of “The Walking Dead” Blu-ray looks equivalent to the first two and deliver a well rounded solid presentation. I feel that since this season feels much more massive with the town and the prison, all that comes off very well in each episodes 1080p. It has this certain claustrophobic feeling yet it also depicts the show’s large scale. The star of the show on this Blu-ray is easily, the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround track. This season has no shortage of action from the military team in the town and the season finale blowout. This track handles at the superbly and delivers every bullet or explosion with precise clarity.

Also like past seasons, this release does have any shortage of special features found on disc five of the release, minus some episode commentary tracks. Speaking of those, they are easily the main draw for this Blu-ray. First off, we have director Guy Ferland and actor IronE Singleton chatting about “Killer Within”. Director/Co-Executive Producer/Special Effects Make-Up Artist Greg Nicotero and Danai Gurira take over the talking on the episode “Say the Word”, great track. Executive Producer/Writer Robert Kirkman, Executive Producers David Alpert and Gale Anne Hurd, and Danai Gurira for “Made to Suffer”, good but not my favorite. ale Anne Hurd and Danai Gurira are together again on the track for episode “The Suicide King”. Lastly Greg Nicotero and Michael Rooker for “This Sorrowful Life”, another great track. So like I said easily worth the purchase of the Blu-ray alone.

So the rest of the extras consist of eight very informative and interesting featurettes. First we have “Rising Son”, which looks at Chandler Riggs’ character and how its changed. “Evil Eye” focuses on the kick-ass role of “The Governor” and the beauty that David Morrissey brings to him. “Gone, But Not Forgotten” looks at the death of the key characters and their effects, which is also similar to the extras “Guts and Glory”. “Heart of a Warrior” looks into the world of Michonne and Danai Gurira’s portrayal. “Michonne vs. The Governor” looks into the face-off of these two characters. “Safety Behind Bars” looks into the sets and location shooting for the season. “Making the Dead” takes into the mind of Nicotero and his zombies. Lastly there are about 15 minutes of deleted scenes from the following episodes ”Walk With Me,” “Say the Word,” “Hounded,” “Home,” “I Ain’t No Judas,” and “Clear”.

Actors: Alyssa Lobit, Jennifer Blanc, Brianne Davis, Dana Daurey, AJ Bowen
Directors: Danielle Harris
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 80 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

If you are a horrorhound like myself then you know who Danielle Harris is. She started down the path of becoming a scream queen after her roles in films like “Halloween 4 & 5” and “Hatchet” series. “Among Friends” is her Harris’ first time directing solo and she does a great good job. But I have to admit, I am a little tired of these psycho party game flicks, especially after IFC’s recent “Would You Rather”.  They are all for shock and gore but it grows old quick and it doesn’t help that this 80 minute flick feels like two hours.

Official Premise: Good times take a dark turn when longtime friends get together for an ’80s-themed murder-mystery party that is soon hijacked by someone from their past. The dinner guests will have to face their lies and secret betrayals as they discover the terrifying lengths to which their host will go to expose the truth.

What film does have is a kick-ass cast including Jennifer Blanc (“The Victim”), AJ Bowen (“You’re Next”) and of course Kane Hodder (“Friday the 13th VII-X”). I haven’t heard of Alyssa Lobit but she is really one crazy son-bitch. Harris even makes an appearing in costume from “Halloween 4 & 5” during drug trip scene. This DVD only comes with one special feature, including a commentary track with director Danielle Harris, Jennifer Blanc and AJ Bowen. I have to admit, they definitely had fun on this track and I preferred it to the film but no enough to win me over.

Stars: John Ratzenberger, Michael Teigen, Jason Earles
Directors: Robert Vince
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 81 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

I have been a fan of these talking puppies since the Buddies Series starts back with “Air Buddies”.  Since then there has been five other films including “Snow Buddies”, “Space Buddies”, “Santa Buddies: the Legend of Santa Paws”, “Spooky Buddies” and “Treasure Buddies”. Sure they are cheesy but they are just great family fun.  And most importantly my daughter loves them.  “Super Buddies” is a family friendly send-up of “The Avengers” and other superhero films. It features our favorite pups including Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud as they become caped crusaders and embark on their biggest adventure ever. Filled with great jokes, action and some great new characters, “Super Buddies” is super family fun.

Official Premise:  An ordinary day at Fernfield Farms turns extraordinary when Budderball, Mudbud, B-Dawg, Buddha and Rosebud discover mysterious rings that grant them each a unique super power. Before you can say, “Buddies, assemble,” the pups unleash their amazing abilities and race to the rescue when a shape-shifting bully from outer space threatens the planet. But can they succeed in kicking major tail without revealing their new secret identities?

“Super Buddies” stars John Ratzenberger (“Cars”, “Cheers”), Michael Teigen (“TRON: Legacy”), Jason Earles (Kickin’ It”, “Hannah Montana”). In terms of voice stars, the legendary Tim Conway voices Deputy Sniffer. The “Buddies” voices include Cooper Roth (“Are you Faster Than a 1st Grader), who voices B-Dawg; Tenzing Trainor (“Stevie TV” ) who voices Buddha; Jeremy Shinder (“Louie,” “Newlyweeds”) who voices Budderball; Ty Panitz (“Because I Said So,” “How To Eat Fried Worms”) who voices Mudbud; and G. Hannelius (“Good Luck Charlie”, “Sonny With A Chance”) who voices Rosebud. So there is no shortage of great talent here!

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment delivers this film as a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy). Disney has recently crossed over into the world of digital streaming, which is fantastic news.  I know my daughter is going to re-watch this release over and over on the iPad.  The 1080p transfer works with the action and visual effects and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also is very impressive and delivers a mainstream feel despite this direct-to-DVD release. These films are well made, like I said cheesy but still pretty sharp.  The downfall here is that there are no additional special features for the kiddies.  I could have seen some fun extras included for the kids included. Can’t see what is in store next for the “Buddies”!

Actors: Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans, James Franco
Directors: Ariel Vromen
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Millennium
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Run Time: 105 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Michael Shannon since his role in “Groundhog Day”. Well, maybe that is not 100% true but since his turn in the film “Revolutionary Road”, he has really blown up. I mean the guy played General Zod in “Man of Steel”. He is such a deep actor and really gives him to each of his roles. He was the draw for me to “The Iceman” and he delivers yet again. The film also packs an impressive supporting cast including Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans, James Franco. Great ensemble cast. Fans of mobster movies, should definitely check this out if not just for Shannon’s stone-cold performance.

Official Premise: Inspired by actual events, The Iceman follows notorious contract killer Richard Kuklinski (Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon) from his early days in the mob until his arrest for the murder of more than 100 men. Appearing to be living the American dream as a devoted husband and father; in reality Kuklinski was a ruthless killer-for-hire. When finally arrested in 1986, neither his wife nor daughters had any clue about his real profession.

Millennium is releasing this film on Blu-ray, after a very limited theatrical release. I could have seen this been huge in theaters, especially with this great cast. The 1080p transfer is good and gives a clear presentation but doesn’t blown me away. There are two audio tracks included. The first is obviously the best and only choice with its Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. There is also a Dolby Digital 2.0 included but it is quite pointless. In terms of special features, there are two decent featurettes included. The first is “The Making of The Iceman”, delivers a look into the production with cast/crew. “The Iceman: Behind the Scenes” pretty much does the same thing but focuses more on the film itself but worth checking out.

Actors: Paul Walker, Brendan Fraser, Matt Dillon, Norman Reedus, Vincent D’Onofrio, Elijah Wood, Lukas Haas, Kevin Rankin.
Director: Wayne Kramer
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 112 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

What a trip! From the moment this film starts, I couldn’t help but think that this feels like a live-action comic book. It is action packed and very intense. It is graphic, in-your-face and feels like “Pulp Fiction” on drugs. The film also packs one very impressive cast spread out and also intertwined between each of the three stories. Just look at the box, the better question is “Who isn’t in this movie?” Everyone in the cast, no matter how small the role, really adds a lot to the film. It is a real ensemble. My only concern is that the film slows down a bit in its third act but ends up paying off as it all comes together in the end. Very clever, unique and a ton of fun.

Official Synopsis: In this shop, these people may be pawning far more than they bargained for: Brendan Fraser (“The Mummy”), Elijah Wood (“The Lord of the Rings”), Vincent D’Onofrio (“Men in Black”), Academy Award® nominee Matt Dillon (“Crash”), Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”), Thomas Jane (“Hung”), Lukas Haas (“Inception”), and Paul Walker (“Fast & Furious”), star in 3 twisted tales all connected by items from a Southern small-town pawn shop. A man searching for his kidnapped wife, a couple of white-supremacist meth heads, and a sad-sack Elvis impersonator, plus more desperate characters come to life in the action-packed and hilarious story written by Adam Minarovich and from the director of “The Cooler” and “Running Scared”, Wayne Kramer.

Anchor Bay is releasing this film as a Blu-ray combo pack with a DVD disc as well. The 1080p transfer relays the film’s comic book feel very well and looks sharp doing it. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 works well with the film’s fast paced again and music. In terms of special features, I would have expected more from this release. There is only an audio commentary from director Wayne Kramer and writer Adam Minarovich. I would have loved to seen some behind-the-scenes featurettes.

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kevin Howarth, Riley Smith, Tanit Phoenix
Director: Andrew Goth
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: August 6, 2013
Run Time: 93 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Wesley Snipes is out of jail and back in the business! Too bad this is not the great comeback one could have hoped for. “Gallowwalkers” has a cool premise but plays off like a boring Western. Like most low budget films, the opening scene shows promise but then the story kicks in and drags this film down to the ground. Let’s hope that Snipes has a better comeback with “The Expendables 3” next summer!

Official Premise: A mysterious gunman, Aman (Snipes), is the son of a nun who breaks her covenant with God to ensure his survival. This act brings a curse upon Aman – all those that die by his gun will return. Soon, he is hunted by a gang of his undead former victims, led by the vicious Kansa. Aman enlists Fabulos, a new young warrior, to fight by his side.

Lions Gate is releasing this film only on DVD, no Blu-ray treatment. It is also includes a digital Ultraviolet streaming copy but I could not see myself re-watching this film a second time. The special features are also light like the film itself. There is a brief “Behind-the-Scenes look into the production with cast/crew interviews. Lastly there is a trailer gallery included.

Actors: Pink Floyd
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Run Time: 92 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Ever since I was a kid, I have been a huge fan of Pink Floyd, starting with “Dark Side of the Moon” (thanks Dad). After listening to this album over and over and over, I never got tired of it and still never have. “Dark Side” is one of those records that just gets better every time, I can’t explain it but if you are a Floyd fan that you will know what I am talking about. “Classic Albums – The Making Of Dark Side Of The Moon” was originally released in 2003 and covers the making of this amazing album. It features great interview with with band members including Roger Waters, Richard Wright, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason. But more than that there are also great and very insightful interviews with engineer Alan Parsons, the late designer Storm Thorgerson, and tons of others. After 40 years, “Dark Side” is still one of the best selling albums in history and will continue to shine on.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is behind this Blu-ray release to be honest it just feel a little lazy. This is the first in there new SD (Standard Definition) Blu-ray releases. So basically this is just an upscaled versions of the original DVD. So it is cool to have it on Blu-ray but it is not really worth the upgrade if you already own the DVD’s. Along with “The Making of The Dark Side of the Moon”, they are also giving this treatment to the following Blu-ray “Bee Gees: One Night Only”, “Scorpions: Moment of Glory”, “The Rolling Stones: Stones in Exile”, so be wary of these as well. In terms of audio, the uncompressed LPCM 2.0 track works but I would have love to see this given a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.

Since this was originally shot for television, it runs 50 minutes. But there is an additional 40 minutes of bonus Features included on this Blu-ray. There are extra portions on “Brain Damage”, which features a complete solo acoustic performance by Roger Waters, which is amazing. “Money” features Roger Waters and Alan Parsons discuss the song and weaved in-between is David Gilmour playing guitar and Roger Waters playing bass. “Us And Them” features the late Richard Wright talking about the song and playing solo piano. “Breathe” features a complete solo acoustic performance by David Gilmour. “Time” features Waters discusses the track and showing demo footage. Lastly “Gilmour’s Guitars” focuses on track tracks including “Breathe”, “The Great Gig In The Sky” and “Us And Them”.