Creators: Jeff “Swampy” Marsh & Dan Povenmire
Actors: Vincent Martella, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dan Povenmire, Ashley Tisdale, Alyson Stoner
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: February 26, 2013
Run Time: 168 minutes

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

I remember when I first started watching “Phineas & Ferb” and it hadn’t caught one yet with audience. But now it is just amazing how much “Phineas & Ferb” has blown up for Disney. Perry the Platypus has become a high-profile brand name and the fan-favorite of the show. One thing I noticed in these episodes is that Vincent Martella, voice of Phineas, voice is definitely changing as he sound quite different. Dan Povenmire really steals the show as usual as the voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz. He is one of the best and funniest characters that Disney has ever branded. He is funny and his antics never get old. This DVD contains 12 very funny episodes dealing with Perry and the Animal Agents of the O.W.C.A. (Organization Without A Cool Acronym). If you are a fan of this show, do not miss the chance to own this fantastic release.

The episodes including are: “Journey to the Center of Candace”, “Traffic Cam Caper”, “Bowl-R-Rama Drama”, “Vanessasary Roughness”, “Isabella and the Temple of Sap”, “Cheer Up Candace”, “Robot Rodeo”, “Lotsa Latkes”, “Agent Doof”, “Where’s Perry Part 1”, “Where’s Perry Part 2” and “What’d I Miss”. They are a great collection of episodes showcasing Perry and his band of animal agents. The two part episode “Where’s Perry” could have been released as a DVD set of its own. But Disney delivered not only those too great episodes but many more greats.

Official Synopsis: Join Perry the Platypus – a.k.a. Agent P – and his fellow operatives as they team up to thwart Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his dastardly “Inators.” Be they furry or feathered, scaly or slimy, these fearless agents roll over for nobody when it comes to crushing evil in the Tri-State Area and beyond. Fully loaded with over two hours of animated animal-themed adventures, including the exciting, two-part “Phineas And Ferb” cliffhanger “Where’s Perry?”, “Phineas and Ferb: Animal Agents” is a fun-filled, action-packed laughfest that will drive audiences wild!
“Phineas and Ferb: Animal Agents” includes a cool activity spy kit complete with a set of paper binoculars, trading cards and O.W.C.A. I.D. Badge.

The special features included are a collection of “Take Two with Phineas and Ferb” shorts, which features the duo with cameos from real-life celebrities. That is all the actual bonus footage but there is a bunch of extra cool stuff included. There is a foldable spy kit with binoculars included inside. But that is not all, Disney took the time to take it one step further. If you check out the cover inside art, it includes a game to use the binoculars for. This is very clever and a nice way to use an otherwise back side of the cover art. Congrats Disney delivering not only a great disc but also a nice goodies.

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Starring: Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn
Directed By: Michael Goguen
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Run Time: 78 minutes

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

When it comes to “Scooby Doo”, I don’t know what it is but I always enjoy them.  Every since I was a kid and I was watching the classic series and these character have power over me.  This latest original movie “Mask of the Blue Falcon” is a real blast.  It is funny, action packed and features classic characters like Herculoids and Space Ghost and obviously Blue Falcon. Warner Premiere has been releasing new animated feature films at least two per year.  Next up is “Scooby-Doo and the Maniacal Mecha Mutt”, as well as “Scooby-Doo and the Scarecrow”.  Warner is a real pusher of this franchise and I do not see it slowing down anytime soon.  Keep them coming, I can’t wait to introduce my daughter to these films. If you are a Scooby fan or a comic book fan then this release is really for you.

Official Premise: The Mega Mondo Pop Cartoon-a-Con in sunny California marks the spot for mystery in this all-new original Scooby-Doo adventure! Herculoids Frankenstein Jr. and Space Ghost are just a few of the celebrated comic book characters headlining at the unconventional convention plus there’s a megabucks movie premiere starring Scooby-Doo and Shaggy’s all-time favorite super heroes Blue Falcon and Dynomutt! So when the gruesome villain Mr. Hyde unleashes monster bats howling hounds and sinister slime upon the festivities it’s time for Mystery Incorporated to follow the clues and set their monster traps. But it’s the pizza-snacking super-powered tag team of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo who tap into their inner super hero to prevent the entire event from being smothered in ghoulish green goo! Like right on Dog Wonder!

Warner has given this franchise much love over the years. This 1080p transfer really looks amazing on Blu-ray. The combo pack includes not only a Blu-ray plus also a DVD and Ultraviolet Digital Copy. The animation really shines on this release, within its aspect ratio: 1.78:1. The colors are very crisp and sharp. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 works well with the action and crazy antics. Overall this is a very solid release but Warner has yet to disappoint with their animation department. The special features are not jam packed but include three great vintage cartoons. They are “Comic Book Caper”, “Reflections in Ghoulish Eye” and “The Scooby Coupe”. They are a blast to revisit on this release and really look great.

Actors: Peter Weller, Michael Emerson, David Selby, Michael McKean, Ariel Winter
Directors: Jay Oliva
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Run Time: 78 minutes

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

After viewing “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1”, I was literally counting down the days till “Part 2”. Well it has finally arrived and holy shit is it amazing!! Frank Miller’s 1986 novel comes to a stunning conclusion. I thought that “Part 1” was amazing but then this film came around and it literally blows this the first out of the water. Peter Weller really kicks some major ass as the aged Batman and while Michael Emerson is no Mark Hamill he does a decent Joker. Batman not only battles The Joker but also The Man of Steel, Superman. Frank Miller really captured the essence of our caped crusader and it has been well represented here.  This film is as epic as they come.

Official Premise: The Dark Knight along with new sidekick Robin have finally reclaimed Gotham City and allowed a ray of hope to penetrate the reign of terror that The Mutants had cast upon his city. With Batman back in the spotlight the extended media coverage has awoken a far worse evil at Arkham Asylum The Joker! Forever destined to be mortal enemies The Joker has a diabolical scheme that may pull Batman down to the darkest levels of insanity. While on the horizon a global catastrophe races towards Gotham and with it comes a familiar face The Man of Steel though this time he has Batman in his sights. Witness as the aging Dark Knight wages a tireless war against crime while proving that courage and will are indeed timeless.

Warner Premiere has really delivered another fantastic Blu-ray combo pack like with “Part 1” also including a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet Digital Copy. The 1080p is crystal clear and works perfect with the animation.  The action is this amped up with the epic battle between our two superheros. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 delivers the mood and action of this concluding chapter perfectly. Both the audio and video are in part with “Part 1” and equally successfully.

The special features are more impressive than “Part 1” release.  First up, we have “From Sketch to Screen: Exploring the Adaptation Process” is a behind-the-scenes documentary which looks into the extensive work that has went into converting this comic to a movie.  “Superman vs. Batman: When Heroes Collide” is a look into who would win this epic battle. “The Joker: Laughing in the Face of Death” is a look into the twisted villians role in this final chapter. “Additional Episodes: From the DC Comics Vault” is collection of classic episodes including “The Last Laugh” and “The Man Who Killed Batman” from Batman: The Animated Series and “Battle of the Superheroes!” from Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Lastly there is an extended preview of the next DCU animated movie, “Superman Unbound”.

Actors: Peter Weller, Michael Emerson, David Selby, Michael McKean, Ariel Winter
Directors: Jay Oliva
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Run Time: 76 minutes

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

After Christopher Nolan’s fantastic trilogy, DC and Warner Premiere has decided to keep it dark and go with Frank Miller’s groundbreaking “Dark Knight Returns” arc.  The animated film itself is split into a two-part feature-length films.  They take a more violent and brutal look into our comic book anti-hero. “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1” is one of the best films to come out of the DC Animated Universe. You forget that this film is only an animated film with how  epic this feels.  I wish that all of the DC Animated films took a page from this film.  I am not sure on Frank Miller feels on this but it feels like it literally jumps off his page on into your face!

Official Premise: It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired, and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now, when his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenage female Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against his two greatest enemies, the Joker and Two-Face, for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one of them will survive.

Warner Premiere has really delivered a beautiful Blu-ray combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet Digital Copy. The 1080p looks beyond amazing and works perfectly with the mix of hand-drawn animation and CG effected for the film. DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 works perfectly with the darkness that this film carries.  The action explodes off the screen and kicks you in the face.

The special features includes are good but not spectacular. “Her Name is Carrie… Her Role is Robin” ius a look at the role of a female Robin. “Batman and Me: A Devotion to Destiny, The Bob Kane Story” is a 2008 documentary that looks into the life of Batman creator. “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 Sneak Peek” is a behind the scenes look into the second part. “The Dark Knight Returns” Digital Comic is a very short 4-page preview of Miller’s Batman epic novel, I would have loved to see the complete comic converted.  Lastly there are two classic episodes of “Batman: The Animated Series Episodes”, “Two-Face, Parts 1 & 2”, which would have been amazing if it was in HD but it is not.

Actors: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch
Directors: Rich Moore
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio:  Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Run Time: 101 minutes

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

The first time I saw “Wreck-It Ralph”, I was blown away. Read our review here. Disney has done it yet again. Since that first viewing, I have seen this film five times now and it gets better and better with every viewing. If you are a fan of video games great you will love it.  If you have no idea about video games you will still love it. That is why this film succeeds. “Wreck-It Ralph” packs various cameo including Zangief from “Street Fighter II”, Sonic the Hedgehog and Q*bert to name a few. There is also appearances from Oreos, Devil Dogs, Mentos, Nestle Quik and Laffy Taffy. All of the cameos are very clever, not in your face and get tons of laughs. “Wreck-It Ralph” besides being funny and clever, also packs a lot of heart. Be sure to check this get ready to have some fun.

Here is our premise from the theatrical review: On the eve of celebrating the 30th anniversary with his game “Fix-It Felix, Jr.”, Wreck-It Ralph is tired of being the bad-guy.  He wants to be recognized for his work like Fix-It Felix does every game with his medals and getting respect from the buildings residents.  When Ralph leaves his own game to win a medal and prove that he is more than a bad-guy, he gets more than he bargained for.  After heading into the high-def first person shooter game “Hero’s Duty”, he is able to steal the hero’s medal but ends up taking one of the uncontrollable villains known as Cy-Bugs to the kart-racing game called “Sugar Rush”.  This is where he meets the cutie Vanellope von Schweetz and get involved with helping her with her issue of being a glitch and her dream to race in the game.  Of course, the ruler of the game, King Candy, has another plan.  With the help of the lead character of “Hero’s Duty”, Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun and Fix-It Felix Jr., they set out to find Ralph and return him to his game before it is put out-of-order for good, as well as to prevent a Cy-Bug invasion of “Sugar Rush”.

Disney spared no expense with this Ultimate Collector’s Edition.  We get a Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy included within this combo pack.  The 3D effects on the Blu-ray look stunning.  You literally get swept into this video game world and taken for ride. The depth added is well balanced and the colors really jump off the screen. I prefer to watch this film in 3D but I have to tell you the 2D Blu-ray of this film looks just as impressive. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 audio track really delivers as well.  It is absolutely stunning, exciting and action packed.  Overall, Disney has again amazed with with their audio/video on their Blu-rays.

In terms special features included here, what is delivered it is amazing but overall a little light on content.  Firstly “Paperman” is one of best short that Disney has ever made it is available in both 3D and 2D.  “Bit by Bit: Creating the Worlds of Wreck-It Ralph” is a nice production featurette with Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, writer Phil Johnston, art director Mike Gabriel, co-art director Ian Gooding, effects supervisor Cesar Velazquez, animation supervisor Renato Dos Anjos and more on the creation of this video game world. There are four deleted and alternate scenes with an introduction and optional commentary with director Rich Moore. There are four fun promos for the film’s games “Fix-It Felix Jr.,” “Sugar Rush,” “Hero’s Duty” and “Fix It Felix Hammer.”  Lastly be sure to pause the film since it comes with “Disney Intermission”, which is hosted by Chris Hardwick (“The Nerdist”, “The Talking Dead”).  He spends the time informing us about the in-game jokes and video game references. Probably more for parents then kids but still worth pausing.

Starring Tony Todd, Mark Hamill, Noah Hathaway, James Duval and Andy Mackenzie
Directed by Kern Saxton
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Run Time: 98 minutes

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

Let’s travel back to August of 2011, I was asked to interview the cast/crew of a little film called “Sushi Girl” that just finished production and looking for some early press.  So, we ended up chatting with thirteen members of the cast and crew over the next year, check out the interview series here. Since that time, I have seen this film five times now and it never ceases to blow me away. “Sushi Girl” is a very rare gem that deserves much more attention then it has received.  The film is well written by director Kern Saxton and Destin Pfaff (COO from TV’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker”. This script channels the grindhouse feel with the clever dialogue of Quentin Tarantino. There are countless twists and turns around every corner and will leave you with your mouth open. I cannot stress any more…DO NOT MISS THIS FILM.

Official Premise: Fish has spent six years in jail. Six years alone. Six years keeping his mouth shut about the robbery, about the other men involved. The night he is released, the four men he protected with silence celebrate his freedom with a congratulatory dinner. The meal is a lavish array of sushi, served off the naked body of a beautiful young woman. The sushi girl seems catatonic, trained to ignore everything in the room, even if things become dangerous. Sure enough, the four unwieldy thieves can’t help but open old wounds in an attempt to find their missing loot.

Let me give you a rundown of this amazing cast: Tony Todd (“Candyman”), Noah Hathaway (“The Neverending Story”), Jimmy Duval (“Donnie Darko”), Andy Mackenzie (“Shoot Em Up”), Mark Hamill (“Star Wars”), Cortney Palm (“Silent Night”) and David Dastmalchian (“The Dark Knight”). If that is not enough for you there is also other familiar faces including the legendary Sonny Chiba (“Kill Bill: Vol. 1”), Jeff Fahey (“Planet Terror”), Michael Biehn (“The Terminator”) and Danny Trejo (“Machete”).

Tony Todd easily delivers one of his best roles in his career as Duke.  He is sly, dark and methodical.  Noah Hathaway, who is best known for his roles as a kid with “The Neverending Story” and “Troll”, makes his return to film and really nails the role of Fish. What a scream, Noah! Andy Mackenzie is one hell of a major bad-ass as Max, but I recommend him to keep his socks on! Yikes! Mark Hamill, wow what a performance. We all know Mark as being Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” saga and voicing the Joker in various works of “Batman”. He literally transforms himself in this film and is almost unrecognizable.  Literally one of his most out-of-the-box roles to date.  He steals the show and makes this movie a must see just for his performance.

Magnolia released this film with fantastic results on Blu-ray.  If you are looking for a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, Best Buy has that exclusive release available in stores and online.  The film has this certain grindhouse feel but doesn’t trade that for quality. The film looks amazing for a low budget indie. The Blu-ray 1080p really shines and is clear and sharp. Now the real seller on this release is the unbelievable DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 audio track. It is very rare for a low-budget film like this to come with a track like this but these guys did not want to disappoint. Does this mostly dialogue driven film need a 7.1 track? Probably not. But it does rock the shit out of that track for sure. The dialogue is delivered perfectly and the action is aced.

The special features on “Sushi Girl” do nothing be leave you satisfied.  They start off with two commentary tracks. The first is a filmmaker track wiith Kern Saxton, Destin Pfaff, Neal Fischer, and Suren M. Seron. The group of them are very fun and really have a lot of passion for this project. The next track is a cast commentary track with Tony Todd, James Duval, Noah Hathaway, Andy Mackenzie, David Dastmalchian, Destin Pfaff and Kern Saxton. This is a real blast and you can tell that these guys are having a blast and loved working on this film.

Next up is kick-ass “Sushi Girl: A Documentary”, which runs an hour long. There is a lot of great behind-the-scenes footage mixed with some interviews. There is an alternate scenes for the ending, worth checking out but I am still a fan of the release ending.  Next there are over 15 minutes of outtakes, runs a little long but if you are a die-hard fan you would enjoy. “Producer’s Diaries” is some more behind-the-scenes footage and is very entertaining. If you want more interviews, then there is some footage from the film’s premiere at Fantasia Festival in Montreal and cast/crew interviews. There is a music video for “Victories and Consequences” by Send the Sages.

There are three faux TV Commercials with a “shot-on-VHS look” that loosely tie in to the film’s story. They are very clever and I enjoyed these very much.  There are also over 20 images including poster and promotional stills, as well as a behind-the-scenes gallery with another 100 stills. There are storyboards for the entire film, which I recommend to see how the film was planned out before shooting.  Lastly, there is four trailers including a green band and red band trailers. What else could you possible want to see on this Blu-ray release? These guys have not only delivers an amazing Blu-ray presentation, they also have jam-packed it with amazing and high quality extras. BTW don’t forget to watch through the credit to see Media Mikes in the credits! Thanks guys!

Actors: Samantha Mathis, D.B. Sweeney, Michael Gross, Ray Wise, Jason Beghe, Esai Morales, Patrick Fabian, Kim Rhodes
Directors: John Putch
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Run Time: 111 minutes

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

First let me start that I have never read Ayn Rand novel for “Atlas Shrugged”. Before I recently saw “Atlas Shrugged: Part One”, I heard a lot of negative aspects about the film. I actually liked it, sort of. The film feels like a corporate soap opera. The story is a little light and the acting is a little campy and over-the-top. It also leaves us with a real WTF moment, which leads right into this next film. This film picks up right after the first and continues the story. The sequel though has a bigger budget and a better cast including D.B. Sweeney, Michael Gross, Ray Wise and Patrick Fabian. The film still has its problems but I enjoyed it as much as I did the first. Don’t worry if you liked this film “Atlas Shrugged: Part III” comes out July 4, 2014.

Official Premise: Part two of Ayn Rand’s groundbreaking novel comes to the screen in this thrilling and powerful drama. The global economy is on the brink of collapse. Brilliant creators, from artists to industrialists, continue to mysteriously disappear. Dagny Taggart, Vice President in Charge of Operations for Taggart Transcontinental, has discovered what may very well be the answer to a mounting energy crisis – a revolutionary motor that could seemingly power the World. But, the motor is dead… there is no one left to decipher its secret… and, someone is watching. It’s a race against the clock to find the inventor before the motor of the World is stopped for good.

Fox delivered a decent Blu-ray here with a very sharp 1080p transfer for the film that was shot digitally and presented with an 1.78:1 aspect ratio.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track included also works well with the score and the dialogue.  The special features are not the greatest but worth checking out if you enjoyed the film.  First up, “Behind The Scenes of Atlas Shrugged Part II” gives a nice look into the production and the action sequences. It runs just under 10 minutes, which is a little short but worth checking out.  “Sean Hannity Extended Segment” takes a longer look into the Fox News anchor working with the actors and is presented in standard definition. Lastly there are fifteen deleted scenes, which run about 15 minutes together or can be viewed individually.

Actors: Gary Busey, Tim Thomerson, Trent Haaga, Logan Alexander, Debbie Rochon, Angeles Vargas, Jackie Beat, K-Von Moezzi, Robin Sydney, Selene Luna, Tracy Scoggins
Directors: Charles Band, Peter Manogian, Sylvia St. Croix, William Butler, Craig Ross, Tammi Sutton, John Lechago
Number of discs: 2
Rated: R / Not Rated
Studio: Echo Bridge Entertainment
DVD Release Date: March 5, 2013
Run Time: 671 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I don’t know what it is about Charles Band and his crazy movies at Full Moon but they always draw me in.  I have been a fan of these films since I was tall enough (and probably too young) to see them on the video store shelves. This collection comes with nine horror films from three different franchises: Demonic Toys, The Gingerdead Man and Killjoy series. I mean how can you say no to killer toys, cookies and demon clowns? It is really a no-brainer if you are a fan of cheesy yet fun horror films.

Includes the films “Demonic Toys”, “Demonic Toys 2”, “Dollman Vs. Demonic Toys”, “The Gingerdead Man”, “Gingerdead Man 2: Passion Of The Crust”, “Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver”, “Killjoy”, “Killjoy 2: Deliverance From Evil” and “Killjoy 3”. The main concern I have with this release is that it is technically not complete. “Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys” was released in 2004 and is not included here but that is most likely due to the fact that Echo Bridge does not own rights. Also missing is the new “Killjoy Goes to Hell”, which was just released late last year. Nonetheless, it still contains some very fun films and is a real great collection for any fan of Full Moon and Charles Band’s madness.

DEMONIC TOYS: A botched bust on a pair of arms dealers inadvertently leads to the awakening of a demon with the power to bring toys to life as his personal minions. DEMONIC TOYS 2: When an oddball group of characters gather to inspect an ancient puppet, strange things begin to happen. DOLLMAN VS. DEMONIC TOYS: Officer Judith Gray seeks the help of miniature-sized cop, Brick Bardo, and his equally small girlfriend, Nurse Ginger, when she runs into trouble with the evil Toys.

THE GINGERDEAD MAN: When the ashes of a deranged killer make their way into a secret gingerbread cookie mix, a mini-murderer is born. THE GINGERDEAD MAN 2: THE PASSION OF THE CRUST: The deranged cookie murderer “The Gingerdead Man” crashes a movie studio and leaves behind a trail of bloody murder and hilarious mayhem. THE GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER: The Gingerdead Man travels back in time to a 1976 roller-boogie contest where he causes more chaos than ever before.

KILLJOY: When an outcast is bullied to death, a killer clown exacts revenge in his honor. His name is Killjoy and he thinks murder is a laughing matter. KILLJOY 2: On a wilderness rehabilitation trip, a group of at-risk youth find themselves in the home of a voodoo woman where Killjoy’s spirit is summoned. KILLJOY 3: A group of unsuspecting college students accidentally open the portal to Killjoy’s demon realm and get trapped in a strange funhouse world with the killer clown and his friends.

When it comes to the “Demonic Toys” series, I have always enjoyed each film equally. They are all micro-budgeted but I love the use of the puppets throughout.  The first is the best in the series but I do have a special place for “Dollman vs. Demonic Toys”, even though it is barely an hour and focuses a lot of flashbacks.  The “Dollman” series has always been one of my favorites and it is fun to see him go against these killer toys! “The Gingerdead Man” is something that cannot enough be described to anyone without being looked at funny.  For this series, the best film is the first – did I mention that Gary Busey stars in this?  The second and third are both fun but very silly and over-the-top but don’t forget we are talking about a killer gingerbread man. Lastly, the “Killjoy” is a lot of fun.  Who isn’t afraid of clowns…even just a little.  Killjoy is a great character.  The first one is also the best but the second and third are a whole lot of fun as well.

Echo Bridge packed all nine of these films onto to two DVDs, which is quite a lot and I feel that the films themselves do suffer a bit.  “Demonic Toys 2” is a pretty rough copy of the film, probably the worst of the bunch.  It has a lot of transfer issues throughout. Though that is kind of expected these are not high-def films and where shot very low-budget. Besides the nine films, there are no other special features included on this release but that is expected with a massive 9-film collection like this.  Is it worth the price of less than $15? You bet you ass! Don’t miss this release for sure!

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Actors: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons
Created by: Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell
Studio: HBO Studios
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Run Time: 268 minutes

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

I have to admit, I wasn’t aware of this show until Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. I have not been the biggest fan of hers since “Seinfeld” but I figured it was worth a shot. I have also had a lifelong crush on Anna Chlumsky and I am glad to see her back in the spotlight again. This eight episode first season is actually very funny and sharply written. What I also like is that each episode runs only 30-minutes. I feel that it keeps you wanting more and keeps this tight. The good news is that if you like this show like myself, “Veep” has been renewed for a second season and is set to premiere on April 14, 2013. So stay tuned and be sure to pick up this Blu-ray to catch up.

If you like shows similar to “The Office”, they you will enjoy this show’s on-the-fly improv comedy. I think that it works really well for a show like this and makes it more unpredictable. The show is also a bit raunchy, which is why I think it also works so well.  Since in the world of politics, it is good to see things lighten up a bit. Julia Louis-Dreyfus really gets a chance to shine and give such an amazing performance in this show.  But of course the cast as an ensemble is really one of the main reasons this show works so well. The supporting actors including Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Matt Walsh and Sufe Bradshaw all have a big contribution to this shows success as well.

Official Premise: Former senator Selina Meyer (Dreyfus) was a rising star in her party and a charismatic leader who seemed to have unlimited potential. Some pundits thought she might even occupy the White House someday. Then she became vice president. Veep follows the whirlwind day-to-day existence of Vice President Meyer as she puts out political fires, juggles a busy public schedule and demanding private life, and defends the president’s interests, even as she tries to improve her dysfunctional relationship with the chief executive.

HBO has delivered a nice round release here.  The season comes packaged as a combo pack featuring their signature HBO Select. This gives you the option to watch this show three ways – Blu-ray, DVD or Digital Copy. For the digital copy, you can redeem on iTunes and Vudu, as well as other UltraViolet providers. The 1080p transfers on each episode looks really sharp even for its hand-held camera style. The show wit and snappy dialogue also work well with the included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for the episodes.

The special features here are damn impressive for a first season show. First up we have “The Making of Veep”, which is a basic behind-the-scenes look into this season’s production with cast and crew. “Veep: Misspoke and Obesity” are two funny PSA’s with Meyer covering her tracks. There are a few deleted scenes included. Some of decent but for a show like this I am sure that there are tons of extended and alternate takes. The score of this release and the real draw for me is the twelve…that’s right twelve audio commentary tracks. HBO does not cheap out on commentary at all much like their “Game of Thrones” releases. The tracks include the show’s co-creator Armando Iannucci, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, executive producers Frank Rich and Chris Godsick, and more. If you enjoy the show then don’t miss these.

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Actors: Patrick Muldoon, Christa Campbell, William Hope
Directors: Tibor Takács
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Millennium
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Run Time: 89 minutes

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

When you approach a film like “Spiders” you have to just let go and enjoy yourself. The plot is terrible but that is expected and ignored. The CGI spider effects are actually quite impressive, especially the big momma! Patrick Muldoon has no lack of fighting alien objects after his roles in “Starship Troopers” and “Ice Spiders”. But like I said you don’t watch this film for the acting though or the story, you watch it for the title “SPIDERS”! Did I mention that this film is in 3D? Believe it or not, the 3D actually does work for this film. I was expecting more in-your-face cheesiness but they went more practically effects and depth. Overall a fun time here!

Do you really need a premise for “Spiders”? Not really but here it is anyway. Official Premise: “Spiders” centers on mutant spiders created by pieces of material from a disabled Soviet space station. With New York City threatened to be overrun, it’s up to health inspector Rachel Cole to prevent the Queen Spider from uniting with her eggs and creating a full on army of five foot tall, killer spiders.

Millennium released this film on a 3D Blu-ray/2D Blu-ray combo disc. Both formats are available on the one disc. Normally I am not a fan of this since it would reduce the quality of the transfers. But “Spiders” looks great on Blu-ray on its 1080p transfer, as does the 3D which is clear and adds nice depth. The film has this “King Kong” giant monster movie thing going on here and it really shows that scale well here. The audio track included is a very impressive Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track for this little monster movie. It really delivers with the suspense and its attempts audience-jumps. Overall, in terms of audio and video – this release really does deliver.

In terms of special features, they are not the greatest extras but are not the worst I have seen. Also they are actually all presented in 3D as well. This was a factor that I was very impressive with. The 3D though didn’t really add anything to the extras but it was still very neat to have the option. “Web of Terror: The Making of Spiders 3D” runs about six minutes and takes you through the production with cast/crew interviews. The extra is also run a little dark compared to the film itself. “Cast and Crew Interviews” features about twelve minutes of chatting with the director and the cast. Lastly there is a raw behind-the-scenes look into the production.

Actors: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora, Philip Baker Hall
Directors: Michael Mann
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Touchstone Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Run Time: 157 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

“The Insider” comes packed with some of amazing performances from both Al Pacino and Russell Crowe and was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. The film runs near three hours but really keeps you engaged non-stop. The film also holds up quite well over time it has been over 10 years since I’ve seen it last and it still delivers. Since I saw “The Insider” back in 1999, I have grown to dislike Mann’s use to in-your-face cameras but it works well for the purpose of this film. If you are a fan of this film, this Blu-ray is worth the upgrade from your previous DVD for sure.

Official Synopsis: Witness the incredible chain of events that pitted an ordinary man against the tobacco industry and dragged two people into the fight of their lives. When former tobacco executive Dr. Jeffrey Wigand agrees to blow the whistle on the alleged unethical practices within the industry, and forms an alliance with veteran 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman, he starts an all-out war that could cost both men their reputations and much, much more. Relive every unbelievable twist and turn like never before on Blu-ray.

Disney released an impressive Blu-ray release for this catalog title. This is the first time this film has been released on Blu-ray and comes with all-new digital restoration. The 1080p transfer looks amazing.  There is little if an flaws on this transfer at all.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also impressive and works well with the score and dialogue. The special features are disappointing though and are just a port of the letdown DVD extras.  There is a short behind-the-scenes featurettes with audio commentary from Pacino and Crowe.  Lastly there is suppose to be a feature titled “Inside a Scene” but I was unable to locate this extra on the actual disc. Skips the extras and stick with the movie and you will enjoy this release.

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Actors: Denis Lavant, Kylie Minogue, Eva Mendes, Edith Scob
Directors: Leos Carax
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Indomina
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Run Time: 115 minutes

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

Well, how can I describe a film like “Holy Motors”? I do not think it is possible… I was drawn to this film from the insane description that it was a mix of “monster movie, film noir, romantic drama, musical, crime thriller and anime”. I mean does that not sound awesome or what!? Well the film itself is such a mind-bending trip, thanks to Internationally acclaimed and controversially director Léos Carax (“Pola X”, “The Lovers on the Bridge”). I have to say “Holy Motors” is probably one of the most trippiest films that I have seen in a long time, but it is also one of the most unique as well. The film also delivers great performances from Eva Mendes (“Ghost Rider”) and Grammy Award-winning artist Kylie Minogue, who contributed new and original music for the film. Denis Lavant plays Monsieur Oscar and steals the show here. His performance was named in the Top 10 of the Year by Time Magazine and truly deserves it. Looking for a odd and quasi-hallucinatory film then look further than “Holy Motors”. But don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Official Premise: Over the course of a single day, Monsieur Oscar travels by limousine around Paris to a series of nine appointments, transforming into new characters at each stop. He is a captain of industry, a gypsy beggar, a digitized ninja warrior (and reptilian sex god!), a gibberish-spewing troglodyte, the melancholy father of a teenage daughter, a shadowy assassin, a dying old man, and a thwarted lover reuniting with a past flame.

Indomina Films delivers an decent Blu-ray presentation but not stunning as I would have expected. The 1080p transfer presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 looks sharp and works well with the tone of the film. The audio though is a bit of a let down, compared to the UK release which came with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 track, we just get a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. When it comes to DVD that is fine with me but when it comes to Blu-ray if it is not an HD track, then it is disappointing to me. It still sounds ok but the fact that it is on one and not the other is a letdown again. The special features are worth checking out if you liked the film. The star of the release is “Drive In” – The Making of Holy Motors”, which runs just over 45 minutes and gives a real look into the film itself with cast/crew interviews. Next up is an interview with Kylie Minogue, who gives a really sharp interview. Lastly there is a domestic and international trailer included.

Actors: Tom Kenny, Carlos Alazraqui, Charles Adler
Directors: Joe Murray
Number of discs: 8
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: February 26, 2013
Run Time: 1200 minutes

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

I have to admit, I was a huge fan of “Rocko’s Modern Life” in the early/mid 90’s.  It went along well with Nickelodeon’s “Ren and Stimpy”, which I was also a big fan of.  It has been at least 15 years since I last saw “Rocko’s Modern Life” and it still holds up. This show has become a cult classic among fans since its original airing. There is really not many other show like this on television today, maybe besides “Adventure Time” or Regular Show”.  It is over-the-top, raunchy and very funny.  Sure maybe it is a packs a little bit of off-beat humor with some of the jokes but as an adult now, I am able to catch one to much more then when I was a kid.  Shout! Factory has been releasing the seasons individually over the years but this is the first time that the complete series is available to own on DVD.  It is well-worth the purchase if you are a fan of this show.

What more can you ask for here! This complete series comes with all four seasons of the show including 52 episodes! I am shocked to realize that there were only 52 episodes, I thought this show was on forever. This release also includes some fantastic original art by the show’s creator Joe Murray! The cover is a work of art, as is the inside insert, which is never usually given the time of day. You can tell that there was a lot of love that went into this release. Carlos Alazraqui, who was the voice of Rocko, Spunky and many more has since went on to notable roles like Deputy James Garcia in “Reno 911”. Tom Kenny who voiced Heffer Wolfe went on to voice, even to today, “Spongebob Squarepants”. The creator, Joel Murray, really has a certain vision for this show and maybe it was a little a head of its time but this show is a real hoot! Get it?! Joel also went on to work on similar looking shows with “Camp Lazlo” and “Frog in a Suit”.

This 8 disc set looks great for a show that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The show aired from 1993-1996, so I am not sure why Shout! isn’t pushing the fact of the show’s anniversary. Either way, it has been a real pleasure revisiting this show after all these years and it does nothing short of entertaining. The episodes are presented in their original full screen presentation. I am not sure if Shout! Factory has done anything with these episodes but they look decent for a DVD release. 20 years has been kind to this show and it has never looks better. The colors are sharp and the audio track works well with the underscore and the Rocko screaming “SPUUUUUUNKY”.

This release from Shout! Factory comes with some very impressive special features specifically for this complete series. First up we have a “Wacky Kelly” Live 2012 with Joe Murray and the Cast. This extra is a riot and just shows that there are still so many fans of this great show out there still today. “Behind-The-Characters Shorts” is a fun look into the mind of our favorite characters from the show. Next up, there are some select scene commentary tracks throughout season three by the creator himself, Joe Murray. I highly recommend these! Lastly there is the original pilot version of “Trash-O-Madness” included on this release. If you are a fan of this series, you should be left very satisfied with this release. Heffer was right…it is a hoot!

Actors: Ethan Hawke, Fred Dalton Thompson, James Ransone
Director: Scott Derrickson
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Summit Entertainment
DVD Release Date: February 19, 2013
Run Time: 110 minutes

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

“Sinister” comes from the producers of “Paranormal Activity” and “Insidious”, one of my favorite horror pics in the last decade. Ethan Hawke really delivers a very impressive performance and really channels his inner Jack Torrence from “Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining”. You can literally watch his voyage into madness with each passing minute. The film is definitely falls into the horror genre but also leans into the crime genre as well. I really enjoyed the blend of the two. The director and co-writer Scott Derrickson knows the horror genre well after his take on “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” and delivers an impressive film here. This script is original and really delivers the suspense and keeps your attention fully for the near two hours. Recommend for all horror fans!

Official Premise: Ten years ago, true crime writer Ellison Oswald made his reputation with a best-selling account of a notorious murder. Now, desperate to replicate success of his first book, he moves his family into a home where the previous occupants were brutally executed and a child disappeared, hoping to find inspiration in the crime scene. In the home, Ellison discovers a cache of terrifying home movies, unwittingly opening the door into a nightmarish mystery.

Summit delivered an all around great Blu-ray release. The combo pack also comes with a digital copy and an Ultraviolet digital streaming copy. “Sinister” was made on a very low budget of $3 million dollars and shot with using HD cameras. The 1080p transfer in 2.40:1 aspect ratio looks stunning. The film is dark throughout most of the film but it looks sharp and even though it is shot on HD it works well. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is a real surprise though. Horror usually never gets the 7.1 treatment but let me tell you it really works with this film. There is no shortage of eerie and creepy sound effects pushed through those speakers and what an amazing score, thanks to Christopher Young.

The special features are not the greatest besides the fact that their are two audio commentary tracks. The first is with director Scott Derrickson, who gives some good perspective on the production. Next up is a track with again with Scott Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill. Obviously it focuses more on the writing but is still entertaining. The next two features are more on actual crimes than the production itself. The first is “True Crime Authors” which has crime authors talking about their work and related situations. “Living in a House of Death” is the same thing but with real people talking about living in haunted houses. Next is a deleted scenes or story line actually with optional commentary by Scott Derrickson. It focuses around Angela Bettis’ (“May”) character, who plays the next door neighbor. Didn’t really add much to the film. Rounded out the extras is a theatrical trailer.

Actors: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagalle
Directors: Steven Spielberg
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Run Time: 196 minutes

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

“Schindler’s List” is one spectacular film. You can sum up this film that it is – an experience.  It is easily one of Spielberg’s best films. The film was beautifully shot in black-and-white with some amazing cinematography and fantastic performances.  This film was also not afraid to show the horrors of the Holocaust.  This year marks the film’s 20th Anniversary and the first time ever released on high-def Blu-ray.  This limited edition release went through an extensive high-definition restoration from the 35mm film original negative under the supervision of Spielberg himself. Overall, this release is a must for any Spielberg fan and I guarantee you will be left marveling at the wonderful Blu-ray release, just don’t check the special features.

Official Premise: Adapted from the novel by Thomas Keneally, Steven Spielberg’s masterful film tells the incredible true story of the courageous Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson). Initially a member of the Nazi party, the Catholic Schindler risks his career and life, and ultimately goes bankrupt, to employ 1,100 Jews in his crockery factory during the Holocaust. Schindler’s Jewish accountant (Ben Kingsley) serves as his conscience, as Schindler conducts business with an obstinate and cruel Nazi commander (Ralph Fiennes), who viciously kills Jewish prisoners from the balcony of his villa overlooking a prison camp. Filmed entirely in black-and-white on location in Poland, “Schindler’s List” does not downplay the faults of its magnanimous and unlikely hero, but relates a story of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of horrific devastation and tragedy.

Universal really went all in with this 20th Anniversary Blu-ray release.  It comes in a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet digital copy.  The package comes within a high quality DigiPack slipcase. With the supervision of Speilberg, they did such a wonderful job restoring this film and delivering it on Blu-ray with a flawless 1080p transfer within its 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The black-and-white really pops on off the screen and looks all around amazing. Besides the video restoration, Spielberg also supervised the film’s audio elements and let me tell you the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track really sounds quite amazing. John Williams beautiful, yet haunting score also benefits from this great track.

The next part where things get a little disappointing. For the first time on Blu-ray and the film’s 20th anniversary, I was hoping for some real stunning extras. Well that is not the case since there is only extra decent included.  There is no new commentary tracks, interviews or retrospectives.  “Voices From the List” is presented only in standard definition and runs just over 75 minutes long.  It is an in-depth look at the production. It is still a wonderful documentary but does not make-up for the major lack of content.  Next up is a brief look at the non-profit organzition with Steve Spielberg in “USC Shoah Foundation Story”. Lastly, there is a promo on the online application for “IWitness”.  I still say buy the Blu-ray for the wonderfully restored film, just be prepared for a major let down in the extras department.