Charles Band is the man behind both Meda Home Entertainment in the late 70’s and Wizard Video in 1980. He recently cleared out his warehouse and uncovered an amazing bunch of big box Wizard Video Collection that have been stuffed away for over 30 years. Shortly after Wizard Video introduced these over-sized “big VHS box” films with titles like “Zombie”, “I Spit On Your Grave” and “Breeders”, this format was returned since retailers were running out of shelf space. The big VHS box has since become a rare collectible! Well the big box is back thanks to Charles Band and Full Moon as they have uncovered 36 features discovery in his warehouse ranging with quantities from 180 boxes to 420 boxes. If you are a fan of these format and these films this is a sale that you do not want to miss as they are mint condition.

These mint boxes include the original program newly duplicated on VHS in a black clam shell included within their original box. Each original box is numbered and signed by Charles Band himself. Over the next nine months, Charles will be releasing this collectibles for the low price of $50.00.  See below for the full schedule of release.  If you don’t think that is enough also found in the collection were original boxes of the first horror video games on the planet, from Wizard Video’s sister company, Wizard Video Games. The Atari 2600 game boxes for Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween will be released TBD 2013 from Full Moon. I can’t wait to see these get a release and fingers crossed that they are going to even include the game cartridges. Fingers crossed again that I will be able to pay the mortgage still after.

I had the privilege of breaking out the old VCR and review the following big box VHS tapes from Wizard Video Collection including “Demoniac (1975)” and “Oasis of the Zombies (1982)”.  I have to tell you it felt quite good giving the VCR some love. I forgot the need for having to blow into a VCR and adjusting the tracking.  But overall it was a wonderful experience and really brought me back to the good ole VHS days.  Having grown up and worked myself in a mom and pop video story in Long Island, NY, the idea that this format still has a life always makes me smile. “Demoniac (1975)” & “Oasis of the Zombies (1982”) are two classic foreign horror films that Wizard acquired and released back in the day.  I remember seeing these boxes on my video store shelf (and not being allowed to rent). This is a feeling that I am going to miss.

“Demoniac (1975)” Official Premise: A defrocked and defamed Catholic priest (played by director Jess Franco) witnesses a series of staged Black Masses complete with phony human sacrifices that drive him insane and send him on a murderous path of redemption to cleanse the streets of the spirit of Satan. His victims, the cast and audience of the show, meet gruesome fates at the hand of the “Sword of the Lord.”

“Oasis of the Zombies (1982)” Official Premise: Robert, a student at an English university, receives word of his father’s unexpected death and returns home to Africa. While reading his father’s dairies, Robert learns of the obsession that led to his death: $6,000,000 in Nazi gold that remains buried at an oasis in the Sahara desert, protected by the restless, rotting souls who died protecting it. Using his inheritance, Robert bands together with three fellow students to wrest the unclaimed fortune from the dunes of the dead!

So the question poses itself, are these releases worth $50.00? You bet your ass they are! They are signed and are a piece of history. “Oasis of the Zombies” was just released on high-def Blu-ray last month from Kino Video. So it is very funny to have watched both of these in the span of a month.  I have to say that I really preferred the VHS copy.  The film has that grindhouse look and feel and yet it really shines on the classic video format. Since this was reproduced, the films itself both look impressive. The VHS transfers really captured the essence of the way these film are was meant to be seen. Sure it looks great on Blu-ray but who doesn’t love that gritty feel. I look forward to checking out other upcoming releases.

Website: www.Wizardvideocollection.com
For all other Full Mooninformation: www.Fullmoondirect.com
Please check out the Facebook page at: http://bit.ly/WizardVideo

Actors: Robert Moloney, Keegan Joyce
Directors: James Bogle
Number of discs: 4
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: May 7, 2013
Run Time: 330 minutes

Series: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

If you are a fan of “Doctor Who”, then you most likely know about his longtime robot pet dog, K-9. This series is a children’s sci-fi/comedy spin-off re-imagined by “Doctor Who” creator Bob Baker. “K9” first made an appearance in the 1977 “Doctor Who” episode “The Invisible Enemy” and has since become an iconic television character. The show is a bit of a stretch for any “Doctor Who” fan. The show isn’t on par with the charm that the series. It is a mix of live action characters with visual-effects, but the episodes don’t come with the highest quality for televsion. As much as I enjoy “Doctor Who”, I feel that this “K-9” would have been better left within in the “Doctor Who” series.

Official Premise: Blasting back into action via a space time manipulator, everyone’s favorite robot dog arrives in late 21st-century London, now scarred by alien intrusion and government rule through their cybernetic police force. With the assistance of teenagers Jorjie, Darius, drifter Starkey and Professor Gryffen, K9 becomes Earth’s front-line defence against dangers threatening from any place – and anytime – in the galaxy! They will have a lot of fun, action, adventure, and some jolts along the way, saving the earth from alien creatures, scary monsters and more than a few nasty humans!

Episode included: Regeneration, Liberation, The Korven, The Bounty Hunter, Sirens of Ceres, Fear Itself, Fall of the House of Gryffen, Jaws of Orthrus, Dream-eaters, The Curse of Anubis, Oroborus, Alien Avatar, Aeolian, The Last Oak Tree, Black Hunger, The Cambridge Spy, Lost Library of Ukko, Mutant Copper, The Custodians, Taphony and The Time Loop, Robot Gladiators, Mind Snap, Angel of the North, The Last Precinct, Hound of the Korven, the Eclipse of the Korven

The 4-DVD set contains all 26 original episodes from the short-lived series. Shout Factory still delivered a nice DVD presentation. The show just back some decent special effects and I would have loved to see this show get the Blu-ray treatment. The special features on the complete series DVD are not that impressive overall. There is a “Interview with K9”, which is fun for kids. “The Making Of K9 Documentary” is a decent yet short behind-the-scenes look into the show. I would have loved to see a few commentary tracks included on the episodes.

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Actors: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn
Directors: Andrew Dominik
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: March 26, 2013
Run Time: 97 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

“Killing Them Softly” is adapted from George V. Higgins’ 1974 novel “Cogan’s Trade”. It is a hitman movie that is disguised under a film about the economic crash. Brad Pitt doesn’t arrive on the screen until around 25 minutes in but he gives a very strong performance along with Scoot McNairy. You may know Scoot from 2010’s “Monsters” and last year’s “Argo”. The film also co-stars Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, and Sam Shepard.

For the film, Brad Pitt was reunited with director Andrew Dominik after “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”, a film that no one saw. I wasn’t blown away from the film as a whole but I like certain things about it. Besides the acting, I liked it’s gritty feel, the robbery scene was well shot and the slow-mo assassination scene was very neat. I would say watch it for the performances but the film itself isn’t sharp enough to keep your attention.  I would call it a one-timer and in a year I would have forgotten this film every existed.

Official Premise: Adapted from George V. Higgins’ novel and set in New Orleans, Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) is an enforcer for the Mob. When a high-stakes Mob protected card game is heisted by some small time crooks Cogan is called in to track them down and restore order to the local criminal economy.

The special features are disappointing to say the least.  There are only four deleted scenes that add up to less than ten minutes. Lastly there is a “Making of Killing Me Softly” featurette but it only runs five minutes, which is way to shot to give a behind-the-scenes look.  The DVD release also doesn’t come with any digital copies like the Blu-ray release.  I would have hoped for at least an Ultraviolet digital streaming copy to be included.

Actors: Ross Noble, Tommy Knight
Directors: Conor McMahon
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Dark Sky Films
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Run Time: 87 minutes

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

Who isn’t afraid of clowns…I would like to thank “Stephen King’s It” for sealing that deal many many years ago. Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns. “Stitches” is a pretty fun slasher flick with a nod to 80’s horror. Ross Noble, who plays Stitches, is a real life comedian but isn’t very funny in the film despite being a clown. But since it is horror, I will give it some slack but who doesn’t love a wise-cracking villain ala Freddy Kreuger. Tommy Knight (known for his “Doctor Who” fame) is a nice addition the cast though. There is definitely no shortage of gore and some fun kills if you can look past the occasional CG blood. Not the best killer clown flick but still worth a watch. I would recommend this as a rental for horror fans.

Official Premise: Ten years after a prank on his birthday left hired clown Stitches dead on his kitchen floor, Tommy’s childhood friends gather to plan one last birthday party to end all parties. But they didn’t count on the degenerate jester returning from the grave to seek vengeance on the children who caused his untimely end. Now Tommy and his friends are on the run from an undead jokester who’s ready to use every trick in the book to exact his revenge. Dead Meat director Conor McMahon delivers a delirious slasher with STITCHES, the hilariously twisted and blood soaked tale of one very bad clown.

The film looks good enough with its Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer looks very good with its 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The dark scenes are well crafted to add that necessary eerie effects. Keeping with the eerie effects, there are two audio options available to assist with the hororr sound. There is a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. They are both impressive but I think the 5.1 track deliver the score and action the best. The special features are not bad either for this release. There is a 35 minute Q&A at the film’s premiere with Ross Noble and director McMahon. There is a 20 minute “The Making of Stitches” featurette looking into the production. Lastly there is a gag reel, theatrical trailer and a picture gallery included.

Actors: Tak Sakaguchi, Mari Hoshio, Miho Ninagawa, Takamasa Suga
Directors: Yudai Yamaguchi
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Well Go USA
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Run Time: 99 minutes

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

Whenever I see the label Sushi Typhoon, I just have to watch whatever film it is like “Mutant Girls Squad” and “Karate-Robo Zaborgar”.  They always deliver and are so hilarious, gory and always offensive.  “Dead Ball” is a very politically incorrect sports splatter comedy. It is director Yudai Yamaguchi’s follow-up to his zombie baseball classic “Battlefield Baseball”. “Dead Ball” also sees the returns of Tak Sakaguchi (“Versus”). Like all Sushi Typhoon films, this is extremely over-the-top and will leave you screaming “What the fuck is going on here!”  If you like those kinds of films, then don’t miss this for a fun time.

Official Premise: Baseball prodigy Jubeh Yakyu (Tak Sakaguchi) is the most feared and dangerous juvenile delinquent in all of Japan. After accidentally causing the death of his father with a super-powered fireball pitch, Jubeh swore off baseball, but his life of crime leaves him in the Pterodactyl Juvenile Reformatory, at the mercy of Headmistress Ishihara, the granddaughter of a World War II Nazi collaborator, and her sadistic assistant, Ilsa. Despite having sworn never to play baseball again, Jubeh is presented with an ultimatum: join the reformatory team, The Gauntlets, in the national tournament, or witness the death of his innocent cellmate. Jubeh is now in a fight for his life against the sexy but deadly “psycho butcher girls” of the St. Black Dahlia High School. These teams are literally playing for blood!

The Blu-ray presentation is solid like most for Well-Go Enterainment.  The 1080p transfer looks sharp and works weith the action in the film.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks also delivers with the action and the zany madness that happens throughout this film. The Blu-ray also only comes with a Japanese audio track with English subs.  I always prefer the Japanese track anyway even through the English dubs sometimes unbearable funny. The special features are good and worth checking it.  Included is a Spinoff Short for the film, “Making of Dead Ball” featurette and some Cast Interviews, all with subtitles.

Actors: Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen, David Strathairn, Rodrigo Santoro, Molly Parker
Director: Philip Kaufman
Studio: HBO Home Entertainment
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Run Time: 154 minutes

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

I am not a subscriber to HBO but I really love their programming.  There films and TV series are so original, bold and frankly, quite ballsy.  “Hemingway & Gellhorn” was nominated for 15 Emmy® Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards.  I hadn’t heard of this release before the award season but I was drawn to it by its stunning lead cast including Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen. The film recounts the romance between literary legend Ernest Hemingway and famed war correspondent Martha Gellhorn. The film runs over two a half hours and yet I was unable to take my eyes of the screen the entire time.

Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen both give phenomenal performances. They are have great chemistry and really brings the sexy, yet dramatic aspects to their characters. They are assisted with a great and very impressive supporting cast including David Strathairn, Rodrigo Santoro, Molly Parker, Parker Posey, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Mark Pellegrino, Peter Coyote, Tony Shalhoub and even Jeffrey Jones makes an appearance. This is a real ensemble and everyone contributes to the success of this film.  But honestly, I am not very surprised since when it comes to HBO, they never disappoint and almost always deliver great talent.

Official Premise: Hemingway & Gellhorn recounts one of the greatest romances of the last century – the passionate love affair and tumultuous marriage of literary master Ernest Hemingway and trailblazing war correspondent Martha Gellhorn – as it follows the adventurous writers through the Spanish Civil War and beyond. The combined magnetism of Hemingway and Gellhorn ushered them into social circles that included the elite of Hollywood, the aristocracy of the literary world and the First Family of the United States. As witnesses to history, they covered all the great conflicts of their time, but the war they couldn’t survive was the war between themselves.

HBO is really this film as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and the Blu-ray is very impressive.  The 1080p transfer really transports you back in time and really looks sharp.  The film has this raw feel when it most through its timeline and switching between war-time footage. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track works perfectly with the dialogue and the action in the film.  The special features are also worth checking out. There is a very interesting audio commentary with director Philip Kaufman and editor Walter Murch Making.  There are two featurettes including “Making Hemingway & Gellhorn” who looks into the all aspects of the production and also “Behind the Visual Effects” has the cast and crew discuss the effects and keeping it with the historical accurate.

Actors: Ingrid Pitt, Kate O’Mara, Peter Cushing
Directors: Roy Ward Baker
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Scream Factory
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Run Time: 91 minutes

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

When you think of Hammer films you think of sexy and erotic horror. “The Vampire Lovers” was always one of my favorites and delivers that and much more with the lovely Ingrid Pitt in the lead role. This film is based on the J. Sheridan Le Fanu novella “Carmilla”. The Vampire Lovers” is the first part of the Karnstein Trilogy followed by “Lust for a Vampire” (1971) and “Twins of Evil” (1972). It is arriving on Blu-ray for the first time, thanks to Shout! Factory’s sister company Scream Factory. If you are a fan of Hammer, then you are going to love this release.

Ingrid has such a presence on the screen and you can’t take your eyes off her. And boy does she look amazing on this Blu-ray. She was known as the “The Queen of Scream”.  She not only survived a Nazi concentration camp as a child but who on to become one of the most well known faces of Hammer horror films and was billed as  “the most beautiful ghoul in the world”. Hammer legend Peter Cushing also pops in and is charmingly eerie as usual, especially delivering the film’s final blow.

Official Premise: A female vampire with lesbian tendencies ravages the young girls and townsfolk of a peaceful hamlet in eighteenth century Europe who, years earlier, killed off her fellow vampires. A rousing hunt for the vampiress ensues as a group of men follow her bloody trail of terror through the countryside. If you dare, come into a twilight world of unspeakable horror and taste the deadly passion of the blood-nymphs!

Scream Factory delivers a very nice 1080p widescreen presentation with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. There is some notable noise in the darker scenes but it doesn’t plague the transfer much. Overall it is a real treat to see this film presented in high-definition. The film also packs a nice DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround track.  It works perfectly with the nature of the film and carries the essence of Hammer very well.

The special features are all quite impressive for this release.  There is a great audio commentary track with the director Roy Ward Baker, writer Tudor Gates and of course Ingrid Pitt, which is moderated by Jonathan Sothcott. “Femme Fantasique: Resurrecting The Vampire Lovers” is a great look back on the film and its cult following. There are excerpts from the novella “Carmilla”, that inspired the film, which are read by Ingrid Pitt.  There are Original Theatrical Trailer and Original Radio Spot included.  There are two new Interviews, the first with Madeline Smith, who played Emma and the second is with Hammer Films Scholars.

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Starring: Anders Hove, Denise Duff, Angus Scrimm
Director: Ted Nicolaou
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Full Moon Pictures
DVD Release Date: May 21, 2013
Run Time: 270 minutes

The Blu-ray Collection Volume 1: 3.5 out of stars
Subspecies Blu-ray: 2 out of 5 stars
Subspecies Extras: 1 out of 5 stars
Bloodstone: Subspecies II Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Bloodstone: Subspecies II Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
Bloodlust: Subspecies III Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Bloodlust: Subspecies III Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

One of the best series to come out of Full Moon has easily been “Subspecies” to date. The series ran for the better part of the 90’s with three sequels and a spin-off   This volume one Blu-ray collection includes “Subspecies”, “Bloodstone: Subspecies II” and “Bloodlust: Subspecies III”. I am assuming there will be a second volume in the cards with the “Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm” and “The Vampire Journals” to work up the series (at least untill Subspecies 5, you here that Charlie!). The series creates one of our great villains, the vampire Radu Vladislas, portrayed by Anders Hove. When you think of great vampire villains, I always come back to Radu. The scripts are not perfect and the acting is decent at best but these films are classics. Full Moon is relatively new to the format of Blu-ray, with only a few “Puppet Master” films getting the treatment.  For the slim price at around the price of one standard Blu-ray, if you are a fan of the series then this is a really a steal.

“Subspecies”: Three students studying the folklore of Transylvania uncover more than they anticipated when they stumble upon a clan of vampires ruled by the monstrous Radu. The sadistic vampire becomes obsessed with making them his fledglings and pursues them relentlessly. Wielding the power of the Bloodstone, a relic that drips the blood of the saints, Radu and his subspecies – a pack of small, sinister creatures – give the girls a true understanding of the local mythology.

“Bloodstone: Subspecies II” In the second installment of the Subspecies series, Radu’s fledgling and love interest, Michelle, flees from his castle with the holy relic – the Bloodstone. Meanwhile, as a new vampire, Michelle struggles with her emerging bloodlust. To escape Radu, she hides in the basement of a theater in Bucharest, waiting for her sister to arrive from the US to help her – before it’s too late. “Bloodlust: Subspecies III” – Bloodlust brings the third coming of Radu, who captures his fledgling, Michelle, and returns her to the castle he shares with his sorceress mother. Radu teaches Michelle how to master her vampire powers. Meanwhile, Michelle’s sister, Becky, plans an armed assault on Radu’s stronghold. She is determined to save her sister’s soul – and this time she’s brought some help.

Since the Blu-ray release for “Subspecies” was for the 20th anniversary, originally released in 2011, it really doesn’t feel like it comes with the anniversary treatment. The high-def Blu-ray only clocks in at 1080i transfer and feels a little flat. This still looks much better than past DVDs but not up to standard for Blu-ray. I mean there is massive noise throughout the scenes and the colors are very shaky. I also have a real big issue with the Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track. Since suppose to be Blu-ray high-definition, the track is far from it. It sounds fine but I would have loved to seen them upgrade this film to a a 5.1 surround track for this release. In fact the Blu-ray box boasts all three films as full HD and 5.1 surround sound, which is not the case for this film.

“Bloodstone: Subspecies II” & “Bloodlust: Subspecies III” again takes the correct path for a proper Blu-ray presentation. Since this films were shot many years ago and on a very low budget, they are still represented quite well here. Both films have very nice 1080p transfers (unlike “Subspecies”).  There is some noise interference around the color black but besides that they both have pretty sharp transfers. Also both films also have good 5.1 surround tracks.  They are not perfect but they are a nice step up from “Subspecies” and at least they represent the high-definition of the Blu-ray much better.

“Subspecies” is also a big disappointment in the special features department. There is an original VideoZone episode, which I enjoyed…but that is it. There are no other extras besides some Full Moon Trailers. Luckily, the special features for “Bloodstone: Subspecies II” & “Bloodlust: Subspecies III” improves quite a bit in that area. The extras are mirrored for both films including “Making Subspecies: The Recollections of Ted Nicolaou, Anders Hove and Denise Duff” is a great revisit from the director and cast from the film. Both films include an equally entertaining audio commentary again from the trio; Nicolaou, Hove and Duff. Some topics are revisited from the making-of feature but still worth checking out. “Killer Subspecies Montage” is a fun collection of clips from this series. Lastly, there are  also original VideoZones episodes included for the sequels, as well as additional Full Moon Trailers included.

Starring: Norman Reedus, Matthew Mercer, Clare Grant
Directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 88 minutes

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

With “Iron Man 3” a mere weeks away, who isn’t excited for anything “Iron Man” related.  This new animated film is arriving just in time to cash in on that demand. I was unaware but the film origins from Japan and is directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki, the genius behind great films like “Paranoid Agent” and “Highlander: The Search for Vengeance”.  The story comes from Brandon Auman, who knows the Marvel universe quite well with his experience on “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” and “Iron Man: Armored Adventures”.  The film is sure to leave hardcore fans very satisfied for sure.  It is action packed and very entertaining.

It also doesn’t hurt that it featuring tons of great Marvel superheroes besides Iron Man himself, including War Machine, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and (my favorite) The Punisher. Speaking the characters, they are voiced by great talent including Matthew Mercer (“Resident Evil Damnation” & “Thundercats”) as Iron Man and Norman Reedus (TV’s “The Walking Dead”) as The Punisher. Reedus easily steals the show, I just would have loved to seen him more in the film.  Marvel/Sony, do I smell an solo “The Punisher” animated film with Reedus in the cards? You better! There are a lot of “Walking Dead” fans out there!  I hope that this is also only the beginning of a new chapter in the popular “Iron Man” franchise. I would love to see additional animated projects for sure.

Official Premise: Billionaire Tony Stark, in his Iron Man armor, prevents an attack from a mysterious new foe, but innocent bystanders are killed, including his best friend War Machine, Lt. Colonel James Rhodes. Detained for questioning by S.H.I.E.L.D., Iron Man escapes, determined to find the mastermind behind the attack. Pursued by Black Widow and Hawkeye, Iron Man enlists the help of the ruthless vigilante The Punisher. But can the Armored Avenger handle what he finds when he catches the person responsible and is forced to face his deadliest weapon, a biotechnology called Technovore that could wipe out all life on the planet?

Marvel Entertainment and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment delivered a very impressive Blu-ray release.  The film comes with the Blu-ray and also an Ultraviolet streaming digital copy, but where is the DVD disc?  The 1080p transfer is a thing of beautiful with the crisp animation and very sharp colors.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track was shaking my walls when I cranked it up, especially during the action scenes. The special features are a bit of a let down to this fun film.  There is an interactive art gallery, exclusive to the Blu-ray.  Besides that there are only two behind-the-scenes featurettes: “Tale of Technovore”, which looks into the production of the anime; and “S.H.I.E.L.D.: Protecting the Marvel Universe” takes into its the superhero organization in the comics and adapted in the film.

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Narrator: Meryl Streep
Directors: Greg Macgillivray
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Running Time: 40 minutes

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

When it comes to nature documentaries, who can turn them down. They are like a car crash you just can’t look away.  “To The Arctic” looked so cute with those little polar bears. The film is enjoyable but really when it comes down to it…it is just WAY to short.  I understand that IMAX movies used to run 40 minutes and that was the norm but now there are new 3D films in IMAX every week.  40 minutes really restricts this film to of getting a chance to spread it wings or paws in this case.  It feels rushed and right when it gets good it ends. I would have loved to seen this expanded for 90 minutes, like the Disneynature films.  I also felt the same way about the last IMAX film “Born To Be Wild”. Unless you are a 3D junkie like myself, I would catch this program when it airs on cable or rent it.

Official Premise: “To The Arctic” takes you on a never before seen journey through the power of the IMAX lens into the lives of a mother polar bear and her two seven-month-old cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home. Captivating adventurous and intimate footage brings you up close and personal with this family’s struggle to survive in a frigid and dynamic environment of melting ice immense glaciers spectacular waterfalls and majestic snow-bound peaks.

The film gets it voice from three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, who narrates this documentary.  The film was shot on location in the Arctic Circle in the IMAX 3-D format. I thought the 3D was very impressive.  It adds quite a bit of depth to the Arctic and makes you feel like you are right there with them.  The film is written and edited by Stephen Judson, who worked on the award-winning “Everest”.  My favorite part of the film though has to be the music.  The score is very well done by Steve Wood and contains seven songs by Paul McCartney.  There were two songs from his span with Wings including “I’m Carrying” and “Big Pop”.  There is Cirque du Soleil’s “LOVE” version of “Because”. Mr Bellamy from his 2007 album “Memory Almost Full”. “Calico Skies” and “Little Willow” appear from his 1997 album, “Flaming Pie”. Lastly there is a nice cover of “Maybe I’m Amazed” in the end credits.

Warner Brothers really delivers a very impressive release here with “To The Arctic”.  The release comes as a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet digital streaming copy.  But wait there is more, the film was released in 3D in theaters, so there is a bonus Blu-ray 3D included as well.  I enjoyed the 3D version quite a bit but luckily it is one of those films that can be enjoyed either way without loosing too much. I have to admit though, I really loved the underwater scenes in 3D. Very breathtaking.  The 1080p transfer looks very sharp within its 1.78:1 aspect ratio, I would have loved to see them keep the IMAX aspect ratio for this Blu-ray though. The DTS-HD Master Audio works perfectly with the music, especially Paul McCartney’s tunes! You will find yourself turning the volume to 11 and jamming out!

The special features are good and to be honest I am impressed they even had extras.  But with a documentary film, I am always interested in the behind-the-scenes. There are a four featurettes included to round out this release. The first is “A  Polar Bear Family” and takes a closer look at the stars of the film.  “To The Arctic with Meryl Streep” is a chat with the actresses and narrator of the film.  “The Challenge of Filming in the Arctic” is exactly what it sounds like.  I give these guys a lot of credit for their work. The last is called “Welcome to the Arctic”, which takes us on a journey through the frozen part of our world.  Lastly, there is a trailer included. I would have loved to see a few of these available in 3D as well since they were obviously shot in 3D like the film itself.

Actors: Brenda Bruce, Freddie Jones, Judy Parfit, Geoffrey Bayldon, Kate Dorning, Ian Wallace, Jonathan Cecil,
Directors: Barry Letts, James MacTaggart
Rated: Unrated
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: March 12, 2013
Run Time: 66 minutes / 120 minutes

Alice Through the Looking Glass: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Alice in Wonderland: 3 out of 5 stars

When it comes to “Alice in Wonderland”, I am first in line.  BBC is known for their classic productions of “Alice Through the Looking Glass” from 1973 and “Alice in Wonderland” from 1986.  I was never a huge fan of the “Looking Glass”, the production is extremely low and not as friendly as “Wonderland”.  I love the songs in “Alice in Wonderland” it’s not Disney quality but still fun for what it is. Both films definitely show their age but having watched them growing up they have that certain charm that still draws you in.  If you did the same then I would recommend checking out at least “Alice in Wonderland” again for sure.

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” – Official Synopsis: Join Alice on her journey through the mirror in BBC’s fanciful adaptation of Lewis Caroll’s classic novel! In an alternate world, just on the other side of the mirror’s reflection, Alice finds herself in the middle of a life-sized chess game, where she encounters a variety of surreal scenarios and fantastical characters, including Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, the Red Queen and others. To be crowned queen and return home, Alice must traverse all the ranks to the end of this massive chessboard-but will she make it?

“Alice In Wonderland” – Official Synopsis: This classic BBC production of the family favorite tale begins one summer afternoon as Lewis Carroll regales his picnic companions with the tale of young girl named Alice who sees a fully-dressed, talking rabbit run past her. She follows the rabbit down a hole and enters a nonsensical world where it seems the normal rules of logic do not apply. In Wonderland, Alice participates in a winnerless race, alternates between being tiny and giant, hears riddles at a “mad” tea party, plays croquet with live flamencos, and attends a trial where the Knave of Hearts is accused of stealing the Queen’s tarts. Featuring Doctor Who’s Elisabeth Sladen as the Dormouse, and filled with memorable characters and songs, this is a version the whole family is sure to enjoy.

I do not remember “Alice Through the Looking Glass” looking that incredibly cheap.  They even have scenes that don’t match up with the overlay on the characters. The production on “Alice in Wonderland” is decent improvement on “Alice Through the Looking Glass” but that could have also been the 13 years between the two. Both films are presented in full frame with a 4×3 aspect ratio.  The audio tracks included are a standard DVD stereo track, which works for the age of the films.  Wasn’t looking for a DTS Surround track here.  There are no special features includes on these DVD releases, which is a little bit disappointing overall. Nostalgia is going to determine the success of these release since  time has revealed both of their ages.

Creators: Hanna-Barbera
Starring: Daws Butler, Paul Winchell, Hal Smith, Joe E. Ross, William Callaway, John Stephenson
Distributed by: Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 328 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I am a big fan of pretty much anything Hanna-Barbera. I have to admit, I guess I am too young but I have never heard of “Help!…It’s The Hair Bear Bunch!”, which dates back to 1971. It only lasted one season and 16 episodes on the air. Even though it may not be Hanna Barbera’s best product, they have appeared in various other programs including Hair Bear’s cameo in “Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law”. There was even a reference in “The Brady Bunch” to the show. After watching all 16 episodes I have to admit, I went to grab the next disc for more episodes. So to me that means that I really enjoyed this show. It is zany, silly and just plain fun. It also features great voice legends like Daws Butler (who takes a page from his Yogi Bear voice), Hal Smith (who was one of the original voices of Winnie the Pooh). I would recommend checking out this DVD.

Official Premise: In the Wonderland Zoo there are the certain bears who stay at home every night and never quarrel or fight, aw, they don’t even bite! So don’t yell “Help! Help!”, it’s the Hair Bear Bunch! Yep – it’s the heppest, savviest and silliest ursines to ever crash out of a zoo, Hair, Square and Bubi Bear. Their bear cave transforms from stone and straw to a swinging, scientific bachelor bear pad at the touch of a button – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Quick-talking Hair (voiced by Daws Butler), befuddling curlicue talker Bubi (voiced by Paul Winchell) and master of the invisible motorcycle, the zen-drawling Square Bear (voiced by William Callaway) are more than a match for their “keepers” Mr. Peevly (voiced by John Stephenson) and Botch (voiced by Joe E. Ross) – with or without the other delightful denizens of Wonderland Zoo, who are always ready to help the Bears in their bigger-than-the-zoo schemes. This two-disc, 16 episode collection contains all the mod bears madcap extra-zoohicular adventures.

This complete series are said to be newly restored but I am not doing back flips with the transfers. They are good but they look like they are still dated from 1971. The colors are a little muted but work enough to enjoy the series. The episodes are presented in full screen 4×3 with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. This is the first time that this series has been released on DVD, so I am thrilled enough just to see it get some love. Thanks as always to Warner Archive. They are always responsible for pulling out some very unique and rare shows from the vaults and give them a new life. I can’t wait to see what they come up with yet. This release is available on only on WBShop.com and is MOD, which means “Manufactured on Demand”.  So if you are a fan of this show there is no telling how long they will be available so get it now.

Starring: Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park
Number of discs: 6
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: March 26, 2013
Run Time: 1149 minutes

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

“Star Trek: Enterprise” or better known as just “Enterprise” for the first few seasons. The show started in 2001 and would run for four seasons and 98 episodes before being cancelled. It was also the last series in an 18-year run of back-to-back which started in 1987 with “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. Personally, I thought this series was quite sharp. Who doesn’t love Scott Bakula. It takes the prequel approach to “Star Trek” and explores the roots of the Federation and the beginning of exploring deep space. Here we got a new crew, a great captain (you rule Bakula!) and a great new concept. The show was was met with mixed reaction but have established a decent cult following over the years. I feel that it gets its legs as the series matures but still a great entry in the “Star Trek” universe.

Official Premise: Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) commands the Enterprise NX-01, the first Earth-built vessel capable of breaking the Warp 5 barrier. With his trusted Chief Engineer, Charles “Trip” Tucker III (Connor Trinneer), Science Officer T’Pol (Jolene Blalock), and security expert Lt. Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating), Capt. Archer is tasked with exploring new, unknown star systems. Propel your imagination farther and faster than before with an ever-expanding universe of captivating characters, interstellar intrigue, and adventures that will come to define the very essence of Starfleet.

Here are the episodes that are included in Season One: Broken Bow, Fight or Flight, Strange New World, Unexpected, Terra Nova, The Andorian Incident, Breaking the Ice, Civilization, Fortunate Son, Cold Front, Silent Enemy, Dear Doctor, Sleeping Dogs, Shadows of P’Jem, Shuttlepod One, Fusion, Rogue Planet, Acquisition, Oasis, Detained, Vox Sola, Fallen Hero, Desert Crossing, Two Days and Two Nights, Shockwave, Part 1.

If you are a fan of the show then thanks need to go to CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Pictures. They are behind releasing the first season of “Enterprise” on Blu-ray for the first time. They continue to deliver very impressive releases for the “Star Trek” franchise after “Star Trek: The Next Generation” seasons one and two. The show takes us into deep space for the first time along with the starship Enterprise NX-01 and includes some really fantastic 1080p high definition picture and very impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks. I remember watching this show on UPN and let just say say “WOW”, this really really looks 10x better than I ever remember. If you are a fan of “Enterprise” you will be easily shot into warp speed with this wonderful Blu-ray presentation.

This Blu-ray comes packed with boasts some brand new bonus features that really makes this release shine for sure. The extras are spread out all over the six Blu-rays. Disc One features a brand new audio commentary track on the episode “Broken Bow” with co-creator/executive producer Brannon Braga, director James L. Conway, visual effects producer Dan Curry and cast members Connor Trinneer (Trip Tucker) and Dominic Keating (Malcolm Reed). “Broken Bow” also has an audio commentary track with Brannon Braga and Rick Berman and a text commentary track by Michael and Denise Okuda.

Next up there are some deleted scenes for “Broken Bow” and “Fight or Flight”. There are three “Archival Mission Logs” including “Creating Enterprise”, “O Captain! My Captain! A Profile of Scott Bakula” and “NX-01 File 02”. The rest of the extras are all brand new including “In Conversation: Rick Berman and Brannon Braga”, presented in HD. “Cast Introduction” , “Network Presentation” and “Syndication Presentation” wrap up the first disc. After watching these extras, I couldn’t believe there were still five more discs of extras.

Disc two puts forward the following special features including a deleted scene from” Unexpected”. There is a text commentary track by Michael and Denise Okuda on episode, “The Andorian Incident”. There are two “Archival Mission Logs” including “Cast Impressions: Season 1” and “Enterprise Secrets”. This wraps up disc two but there is still tons more to come. Disc Three includes a brand new audio commentary track with writer/story editor André Bormanis and visual effects producer Dan Curry on the episode, “Silent Enemy”. There is a deleted scene from “Sleeping Dogs”. Lastly there are two more “Archival Mission Logs” including “Star Trek Time Travel: Temporal Cold Wars and Beyond”
and “Admiral Forrest Takes Center Stage”.

Disc Four includes not one but two new audio commentary track with writers/executive story editors Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong on “Shadows of P’Jem”. The second is with co-creator/executive producer Brannon Braga, director David Livingston and cast members Connor Trinneer (Trip Tucker) and Dominic Keating (Malcolm Reed) on “Shuttlepod One”. There is a deleted scene from “Shuttlepod One”. Lastly there are three “Archival Mission Logs” including “Inside Shuttlepod One”, “NX-01 File 01” and “NX-01 File 03”. Disc Five including two sets of deleted scenes from “Oasis” and “Fallen Hero”. There is another text commentary track by Michael and Denise Okuda on “Vox Sola”. There is another “Archival Mission Log” for “Enterprise Outtakes”. Lastly there is a new featurette called “On The Set”, though only in SD.

The sixth and last disc includes the best extra and also some deleted scenes from both “Two Days and Two Nights” and “Shockwave, Part 1”. There is also the last “Archival Mission Log: Celebrating Star Trek”. The last extra is also the best it is a brand new multi-part, retrospective documentary called “To Boldly Go: Launching Enterprise”. This is a real tribute to the show and a treat for the fans. It gives an inside look at the development and production of the series with new interviews with the show’s cast and crew and archival footage and behind-the-scenes clips.

The documentary includes the following three parts “Countdown, “Boarding the NX-01” and “First Flight”. Part 1, “Countdown” features all new interviews with creators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, production designer Herman Zimmerman, technical consultants Michael and Denise Okuda, writers Andre Bormanis, Phyllis Strong and more talking about bringing this show to life. Part 2, “Boarding the NX-01” focuses on the series 2-hour pilot “Broken Bow” with all-new interviews with key cast and crew including series pilot director James L. Conway and series leads Scott Bakula (“Jonathan Archer”), Connor Trinneer (“Trip Tucker”), and Dominic Keating (“Malcolm Reed”). Lastly Part 3, “First Flight” looks into the first season with more all-new interviews with key production and post-production personal.

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• Blu-ray Review “The Mentalist: The Complete First Season”
• DVD Review “Castle: The Complete Fifth Season”

Actors: Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy and Samuel L. Jackson
Directors: Wayne Thornley
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Running Time: 82 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Adventures in Zambezia” is a beautiful film but feels like its been done so many times before.  It reminds me of a mix between “Ice Age” and “Rio” but without the heart.  The best thing this film has going for it is the amazing voice cast including Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park”), Leonard Nimoy (“Star Trek”) and Samuel L. Jackson (“”Pulp Fiction”).  But they can’t carry the whole film on their own.  Kids should enjoy this but parents beware don’t get taken in by the colors and the familiar voices.

Official Premise: When a spirited young falcon named Kai (Jeremy Suarez, TV’s The Bernie Mac Show) learns of Zambezia, the fabulous city of birds, he leaves his remote country home against the wishes of his father (Jackson). But when his dad is captured by an evil lizard who plans to attack the city, Kai must learn the importance of teamwork if he’s to rescue his father, save his new friends and help keep Zambezia lizard free. Samuel L. Jackson, Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy give voice to this beautifully animated fun-filled adventure the whole family will enjoy.

Sony is releasing this film as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. The 1080p transfer is very sharp and since the film is so colorful it really pops. This film was originally made to be seen in 3D and there are many scenes that are missing that depth. I would have loved to have seen Sony give this film the 3D treatment, as it was made to be seen. I do not think it would have made the film any better though but just a missed opportunity. The audio included is a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.  This works well with the fun music in the film and compliments the voice actors very well.

The special features are attractable for the kiddies and parents alike. There are four interesting and fun featurettes. “Birds of a Feature” looks at the birds that inspired the film and the voices behind them. “An African Story” looks into the story and the script behind the film. “The Tree City” looks into creating the animated Zambezia. “Technical Challenges” looks into the animating issues during production. Lastly there is a music video included for “Come Fly with Me” by Jewels Jaselle and Benj Heard.

Actors: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader
Directors: Steven Spielberg
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Dreamworks
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Run Time: 150 minutes

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

When it comes to Steven Spielberg, I have to admit his films are hit or miss. With his recent films I haven’t been a huge fan “The Terminal” was ah…ok, “Munich” was forgettable, as was “War Horse”. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is not a fan favorite. “The Adventures of Tintin” though is brilliant. So “Lincoln”, I can say is easily one of his best film that he directed in recent years. The acting was beyond phenomenal from Daniel Day-Lewis’ wonderful portrayal of our 16th President (yes haters, even his voice). Sally Field’s role was very intense and well done. Tommy Lee Jones, who was also nominated for many awards, did a damn good job (despite his Golden Globe death stare). Do not miss this film for sure. It is two and half hours, yet I have watched it twice and it flies by fast and gets only better with each viewing.

Official Premise: Capturing the danger and excitement of political intrigue, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln chronicles the final four months in the life of the man regarded as America’s greatest President. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, the untold story focuses on a defining moment in Abraham Lincoln’s life – as commander-in-chief of a country in chaos; as a husband and father afraid of losing his own son to the war; and as a man guided by his conscience to end slavery. With the Civil War nearing conclusion, President Lincoln fights to convince a fractious Congress to pass a Constitutional amendment that will change the course of history. Facing fierce opposition, he wages a battle of strategy, persuasion, and political muscle to build a coalition out of his team of rivals.

The Blu-ray comes in a combo pack with the Blu-ray disc and DVD disc included. There is also a digital copy included but it is only for iTunes. When is Disney going to get on the Ultraviolet digital copy-wagon already. I easily would prefer streaming digital to download digital. “Lincoln” looks absolutely amazing on Blu-ray. The 1080p transfer really feels very intimate and really compliments Janusz Kaminski’s amazing cinematography. “Lincoln” also received a very shocking DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. The film really is 99% dialogue based, so a little bit is lost here with the 7.1 but it is still quite amazing. John Williams’ score really takes advantage of this the most and the dialogue also benefits quite a bit and is very sharp.

The special features on this 4-disc BD/DVD/Digital Copy Combo are good but lacking any commentary tracks. “The Journey to Lincoln” is a decent look into the production with Director/producer Steven Spielberg, producer Kathleen Kennedy (aka the head of Lucasfilm), screenwriter Tony Kushner, actor Daniel Day-Lewis, production designer Rick Carter, “Team of Rivals” author Doris Kearns Goodwin and a few more. “A Historic Tapestry: Richmond, Virginia” is a very short talk about shooting the film in Richmond. “In the Company of Character” is is a chat with key members of the film on the performances in the film. “Crafting the Past” looks into the production design and costume work. “Living with Lincoln” is the shows the team taking the production into full-immersion in order to get the right feel. “In Lincoln’s Footsteps” focuses on the narrative and score with Spielberg, Kennedy, editor Michael Kahn, composer John Williams and others.