Directors: Hollingsworth Morse, Arthur H. Nadel
Starring: Michael Gray, Les Tremayne, Jackson Bostwick
Distributed by: Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 588 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

If you are a fan of superheros they everyone knows DC Comics’Captain Marvel. “Shazam!” is a live-action TV series based on that series, which ran from 1974 to 1977 and consisted of 28 episodes. Thanks to Warner Archive, this is the first time that this complete live-action series is released on DVD. I have to say though, if you were a fan of this series in its original days…it has aged quite a bit.

Michael Gray plays Billy Batson aka Captain Marvel.  He certainly looks sharp in his pajamas and his cape, I mean his superhero costume. The show still has some charm if you are a hardcore fan or just looking for a good laugh but otherwise it definitely has not lasted the test of time. When I was watching this, I couldn’t stop of thinking about the cheesy live-action TV films of “Captain America” and the failed TV movie “Fantastic Four”.

I liked the use of blended animation for the elders and mixed with the live-action. It reminded me of something out of Ralph Bakshi’s mind. Overall, the episodes do not look the greatest. They are presented in 4X3 full frame with the show’s original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. There is no special features included on this release besides the episodes.

Official Premise: By uttering a single magic word young Billy Batson transforms himself into the world’s mightiest mortal, Captain Marvel. The acronym of the first letters of the names of the six elders who train Billy with their respective special gifts: Solomon, wisdom; Hercules, strength; Atlas, stamina; Zeus, power; Achilles, courage; and Mercury, speed, in a word…SHAZAM! Now, the entire series is available in this 3-disc set featuring every exciting episode of this classic television show!

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Actors: Richard Coyle, Julian Wadham
Director: Steve Barker
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: XLrator Media
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Run Time: 99 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

This year has been a busy year for Nazis in horror films.  First we had “Nazis at the Center of the Earth”, then we had “Iron Sky” feature.  Both were ok but not amazing.  “Outpost: Black Sun” falls into the same category.  The film does deserve credit for its scale, which looks a lot bigger than it should. It also packs some decent gore and zombie effects.  XLrator Media is getting a name for itself though by releasing neat little films like this and they are officially on my radar. But what it comes down to is whether or not though the film is good, this has Nazi SS zombies…it has to be worth at least a rental just for that.

Official Premise: The year is 1945, the closing stages of WWII, and a German scientist is working on a frightening new technology that has the power to create an immortal Nazi army. Flash-forward to present day, and a NATO task force is deployed to Eastern Europe, where a sinister enemy is mercilessly killing everything in its path. But this is no ordinary foe…it’s a super-human army of zombie Nazi Stormtroopers. Defying overwhelming odds, a small band of soldiers venture deep behind enemy lines to uncover the source of this evil power and prevent the rise of the Fourth Reich.

The release comes as a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack.  The Blu-ray 1080p transfer looks nice for a low-budget horror flick, since the film is also very dark.  The audio is also decent with the surprising decent score through it s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.  The special features though are lacking a lot.  There is only one short featurette called “The Making of Outpost: Black Sun”.  Though if you are a fan of the film, be sure to check out the mobile game “Outpost: Defense”, available on the App Store.

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Actors: Jason “Wee Man” Acuna, Jeffrey Combs, Mackenzie Astin, Mirelly Taylor
Directors: Ethan Wiley
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
DVD Release Date: December 4, 2012
Run Time: 87 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When I first saw this film, I was almost immediately tempted to pass on reviewing it.  I know Wee Man from his role in the “Jackass” series.  He is funny but playing an elf…really?  Then I saw that Jeffrey Combs from “Re-Animator” was also in it.  I started to get interested.  Well the film is exactly what I expect but not in a bad sense.  It is cute and definitely has a few good laughs.  Believe it or no it even has some nice Christmas cheer.  It is a nice film for the whole family to get into the holiday mood.

Official Premise: It’s Christmas Eve at the Harper house, and young Ryan and Casey are excited that their scientist father (Mackenzie Astin of ”The Facts Of Life”) has finally perfected his new invention! But when dad is kidnapped by a bumbling gang of thieves (led by Jeffrey Combs of Re-Animator), Casey’s wish on a magic doll causes Santa to leave behind a mischievous elf (‘Wee Man’) to save the day. Will Santa’s little helper lose all faith in his elf self, or can he discover his true powers to become a real superhero? Mirelly Taylor (”Lost”) co-stars in this big-hearted family comedy about holiday wishes, scary fruitcakes and Christmas miracles that come in every size!

With superheros hot on everybody’s mind…why not an elf superhero? Alright it is cheesy but aren’t all holiday-themed movies.  This is not perfect but is also far from the worst in the scenes of direct-to-DVD Christmas films.  Wee Man is fun in the role and actually gets a decent chance to ask and not just be a jackass.  Jeffrey Combs is also fun as the villain and overacts his way to get some great laughs.  The only special features included on this release is just a trailer but besides that I would definitely recommend this for at least a rental if not purchase.

Actors: Steve Jobs, Robert X. Cringely
Directors: Paul Sen
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: October 23, 2012
Run Time: 72 minutes

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

Steve Jobs is a man like Walt Disney.  He is a visionary that left us way too early. Like Disney himself, I am sure people said “I could only have imagined the things he would have thought up”.  Luckily, Jobs’ legacy will live on like Disney’s himself.  “Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview” is a 70 minute intimate chat with the man behind so many great things like Apple and Pixar.  What is most interesting about this is that it was conducted way before he took over Apple and made it what it is today.  It is fascinating to listen to Jobs talk about the future, knowing what how it turned out.  This was lost for 17 years and now thanks to Magnolia Home Entertainment we get a chance to behind-the-scenes to the early days with the late and great Steve Jobs.

Official Premise: In this candid, in-depth interview with the late visionary filmed in 1995, Steve Jobs discusses at length his early days, career battles, and vision for the future. Small portions of the piece were used for a television series at the time, but the vast majority was shelved and for 17 years thought to be lost. Resurfacing, it is being presented in its entirety, providing a fascinating look at Jobs at a particularly interesting moment in his career, two years before he would go on to retake control of Apple

The special features included on this DVD are quite impressive for a lost documentary.  This is not a memorial on his life, it is justlost interview.  So if you are looking for a life-story, then you are looking in the wrong place.  On the topic of the interview, there is a wonderful additional hour long interview with Andy Hertzfeld, the original Macintosh programmer at Apple.  It is a must-watch! There is an audio only interview with writer/presenter Robert X. Cringley, which is conducted by producer of this film, John Gau.  Lastly there is a commentary track also included over the interview with Robert X. Cringley and director/producer Paul Sen.  Each feature is better than the next and will leave you 100% satisfied.

Starring: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, Sarah Silverman
Director: Sarah Polley
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Run Time: 116 minutes

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

Take This Waltz is an unique little film. It is directed by Sarah Polley (2004’s “Dawn of the Dead”) and pacts a great cast including Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman. The film has a bit of romances as well as some tear-jerker moments, which is a rare aspect for Rogen but he is great in the role. The film is not perfect and runs way to long for my taste. If this was 90 mins it would have been a lot tighter. Nontheless, it is definitely worth a watch if you are a fan of its cast if for nothing else. Leave it to Magnolia Pictures to deliver another indie gem that otherwise probably wouldn’t have seen the light of day.

Official Premise: Michelle Williams stars in this bittersweet romance as a married woman tempted by her new neighbour. After five years of marriage to her loving husband Lou (Seth Rogen), freelance writer Margot (Williams) finds herself drawn to her new rickshaw-driving-artist neighbour, Daniel (Luke Kirby). On discovering that the attraction is mutual, she rapidly finds herself torn between her head and her heart, as she attempts to place the two men in her life in perspective, while increasingly succumbing to the infatuations brought on by her new admirer.

Magnolia, as always, has delivered a sharp 1080p transfer.  The colors are sharp and it still manages to keep its indie look and feel.  The film also packs an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which works well for the scale of the film. The special features are decent but fall a little short. The main star of the stars is “Making of Take This Waltz”, which is a 40 minutes behind-the-scenes look into the production. It features some decent interviews with Polley and the cast. There is also a standard EPK extra called “AXS TV: A Look at Take This Waltz”, which is more red carpet footage and runs only 5 minutes. Lastly included is theatrical trailer.

Actors: Aaron Dean Eisenberg, Liz Fenning, J. Walter Holland, Jared Grey, Domiziano Arcangeli
Directors: Mauro Borrelli
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: November 13, 2012
Run Time: 91 minutes

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

With Halloween ending now, my urge to watch horror will seriously begin to curb, especially bad horror. “The Ghostmaker” is a different kind of horror movie though, with a unique story that is inspired by true events! I love the whole mechinical aspect of the film and the visual effects are even quite decent for a low-budget flick. The cover of the box though is a little misleading since the Reaper is made to make this look like a slasher flick but it is much more. This is not your typical horror flick and I would actually recommend this to all genre fans.

Official Premise: A group of friends discover an ancient coffin equipped with a strange mechanism that allows them to experience the world as a ghost. While their first attempt into the spirit world is innocent, the coffin soon brings out their most dangerous impulses and desires. As they are being pulled into a world of evil by the reaper they soon discover there’s a thin line between good and evil.

The special features on the DVD are quite impressive. There is commentary track from the director Mauro Borrelli and producers Ed Polgardy and Scott Rudolph. It is a little slow moving but I thought it was a nice companion if you enjoyed the film like myself. There is a decent look behind-the-scenes lookig into the makingt of “The Ghostmaker” called “Behind the Box”. There are a few deleted scenes here but nothing to call home about. Lastly there is a trailer gallery for other Lionsgate films.

Actors: C. Thomas Howell, Tom Arnold, Karan Brar, Brooke Langton
Directors: Gregory Poppen
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
DVD Release Date: November 6, 2012
Run Time: 84 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

When it comes to this direct-to-video or TV family Christmas movies, they are usually not the greatest pieces of film cinema every released. “Chilly Christmas” is actually cute, not the best Christmas film over but still worth checking out. Kids will definitely enjoy the humor and heart in the film. After recently watching C. Thomas Howell in “The Amazing Spider-Man”, I am not a big fan of him right now. Tom Arnold is not really used to his potential in this. But the real appeal for me is the kids, they are funny and strong characters. The dog is also very cute. The story like most of these are cheesy but overall cute. Besides the film though this DVD does not come with special features included. But in the end, “Chilly Christmas” does end up spreading a little Christmas cheer and joy to get you in the mood for this holiday season.

Official Premise: “Chilly Christmas” follows 11-year-old Bobby Cole, his detective dad (C. Thomas Howell), and their lovable-but-destructive pooch, Chilly, who live together in Sunshine Beach, California. When Bobby’s father is offered a job promotion in New York City, Bobby is thrilled for him – but his excitement quickly turns to heartbreak when he realizes he may have to say goodbye to Chilly, who is too rambunctious to live in a tiny city apartment! Desperate not to leave Chilly behind, Bobby and his friends try to acclimate him to city living (including using the toilet and a treadmill!). But, while the Coles prepare Chilly for the Big Apple, trouble begins brewing in their own backyard when a dog-napper (Tom Arnold) and his crew suddenly show up in Sunshine Beach, hot on Chilly’s tail! It’s up to Detective Cole, Bobby and Chilly to stop the thieves in their tracks and keep their family together for the holiday season – and for good!

Actors: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane
Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Number of discs: 5
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Run Time: 93 minutes

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

“Brave” is, so far, this year’s #1 animated movie.  This is also Pixar Animation Studio’s 13th consecutive hit. Merida has really earned herself a place as one of the respected Disney Princess quite quickly.  This film isn’t your typical Disney/Pixar collaboration, since I felt it was a bit darker but it is definitely one that sticks with you and gets better with each viewing. Brenda Chapman has only directed “The Prince of Egypt” before this film.  While “Brave” is Mark Andrews first feature film.  I look forward to see what they two are going to do after “Brave”. This release is a 5-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition, including a Blu-ray 3D + 2 Blu-ray Discs + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy. This release really has something for everyone and this is definitely a must buy for any family fans of Disney this Holiday season.

Official Premise: Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney Pixar’s Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane), unleashing chaos in the kingdom. When she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters), she is granted an ill-fated wish and the ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her resources including her mischievous triplet brothers to undo a beastly curse and discover the meaning of true bravery.

When I saw this film in theaters, I liked it but really didn’t love it. I thought the 3D wasn’t really used to its best advantage but that changed on this Blu-ray. I thought the 3D really popped and added a lot of depth to the film. I also really enjoyed the character of Merida more and her journey. I was also very impressed with Disney’s Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio track, which was perfect with the action and the score. Also I was shocked with the fact that the short “La Luna” is actually available in 3D like it was in theaters. It is rare that there is 3D content available on the home release, besides the film. The theatrical short is also available in 2D on the standard BLu-ray and DVD. The short follows a young boy on his first night working the family business alongside his father and grandfather. It is very sweet and one of my favorite Pixar shorts to date.

The rest of the special features are found on the Blu-ray with the 2D version of the film. “The Legend of Mor’du” is a brand new short film, which delve deeper into the legend behind Mordu and is told by the witch who transformed him. “Brave Old World” is a feature about the production team investigating Scotland and planning to make this film unique. “Merida & Elinor” goes into depth on the mother and daughter relationship. “Bears” is a look inside the art and design behind these furry stars. “Brawl in the Hall” is a in-depth look into the animation and even the choreography for the funny battle scene. “Wonder Moss” focuses on how the technical aspects  were used by the Pixar artists of Scotland. “Magic” focuses on the magic and mystery used from the Scottish legends. “Clan Pixar” is a feature on how the Brave production crew really embraced the Scottish themes throughout the film’s production. “Once Upon A Scene” looks into how certain key scenes were made including alternative openings and also extended and deleted scenes. Lastly there is a director commentary track from Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman.  Fans of the film should definitely enjoy this track, not for the kiddies though.

The second standard Blu-ray includes special features only. “Fergus & Mor’du” is an alternate opening for “Brave” and is narrated by the film’s director Mark Andrews. “Fallen Warriors” is a montage of deleted shots from the film in various stages of completion also narrated by director Mark Andrews. “Dirty Hairy People” is a focus on created Brave’s Scots including their design of their hair, attire, etc. “It is English…Sort Of” helps fans to understand some of the Scottish lines and sayings in the film. “Angus” is a focus on Merida’s friend, Angus aka the mighty Clydesdale. “The Tapestry” gives fans a look into the story of the embroidered emblem of family unity. “Promotional Pieces” includes clips for including: ‘Feast Yer Eyes,’ ‘Relics,’ ‘Clan DunBroch,’ ‘Launch,’ and more. There is a art gallery including many breathtaking images from the film. “Wee Gaffes” is there a montage of animation scenes and bloopers. Lastly, “Renaissance Animation Man” looks into directors Mark Andrews’ love of Scottish culture.

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Actors: Frankie Chan, Ken Boyle, Anthony Carpio
Director: Frankie Chan
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Weinstein Company
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Run Time: 102 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

With all the special effects in films these days it is rare to see classic martial arts films. If rare that action films don’t have any CGI. “Outlaw Brothers” definitely scream 1990 action but still is just raw and out-the-top fun. There is classic car stunts and also some fast and furious martial arts. The reason for this is that the legendary Jackie Chan is behind the action direction in this film. It is also directed by Frankie Chan, who is very well respected as well.

“Outlaw Brothers” is an action-packed film follows the exploits of two car thieves, and the butt-kicking female police officer who is on their trail. Add in drug smugglers and choreographed fight scenes with brooms, fans, wrenches, and knives to make this a turbo-charged, high-octane, martial arts action film.

The DVD itself shows a little age in its transfer. It was obviously not restored for this release, but it still looks decent for its age and this isn’t Blu-ray. So a little bit of noise is expect here. The film also includes both a Chinese and English audio tracks. Honestly, I really enjoyed the English track…since it was so bad it was good. There are no special features included besides the film. There is not even a trailer. Would have loved to seen some behind-the-scenes featurettes on the stunts and martial arts. Nonetheless, fans of Chan and classic action films should not miss this.

The History Channel
Number of discs: 3
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Run Time: 132 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

When The History Channel released “The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System 3D”, I enjoyed it very much but was left wanting much more. Well my prayers have been answered (mostly). This release includes the first three episodes of season 6, which was produced in 3D. With 7 episodes produced for season 6, I have a feeling we are going to see a few more volumes of “The Universe in 3D”. Not to be mention if the 7 episodes of season 7 were also produced in 3D (or even converted). The History Channel is also releasing “History in 3D” the same day on 3D Blu-ray. o there should be no shortage of 3D history learning in November of 2012.

Official Premise: Take an exhilarating, unprecedented 3D tour of the Universe in this amazing set. The planets of our solar system have experienced epic catastrophes throughout their long history, both raining down from outside and bubbling up from within. We’ll voyage back in time to investigate the violent events that profoundly shaped the planets, including earth itself. We’ll witness stunning revelations about what transformed Mars into a barren, hostile desert…The disaster that changed Venus from temperate to hellish…The impact that blew away Mercury’s mantle, turning it into a planetary core…A colossal disturbance that rearranged the orbits of the gas giants…Titanic impacts on Jupiter…And how a lost moon may finally explain Saturn’s rings. Explore the history of our planets for the first time in spectacular 3-D!

The episode included are “Catastrophes that Changed the Planets”, “Nemesis: The Sun’s Evil Twin” and
“How the Solar System was Made”.  If you are not a fan of 3D (despite how amazing these look), these are also available on the previously released “The Universe: Season 6” but in 2D only and have been released released in 3D.  The 1080p transfers on these episodes are stunning.  Since the show is mostly computer-generated, you can expect some amazing 3D effects.  I can’t wait to see what “The History Channel has planned next for this series. Still one of my favorites and its trip into the third dimension has only sealed the deal for me. Besides these three episodes though, there is no other special features included on this release.

The History Channel
Number of discs: 3
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Run Time: 179 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

When I first heard that this release was coming out I was very excited to get some new 3D specials from The History Channel.  When I found out that this was just a collection of previously released Blu-ray’s, I was a little disappointed.  The Blu-ray’s included are “History of the World in Two Hours”, “Titanic 100 Years in 3D” and “WWII in 3D”. These specials are still very impressive and makes this set a must own (of course, if you don’t already own them individually).  “History in 3D” also comes with a nice lenticular cover. The History Channel is also releasing “The Universe in 3D” Blu-ray set as well on the same day. So hopefully, they will continue this trend in the future.

“History of the World in Two Hours”: From the formation of the earth and the emergence of life, to the advance of man and the growth of civilization, the CGI-driven History of the World in Two Hours in 3D offers viewers a rapid-fire view of 14 billion years of history.

Titanic 100 Years in 3D”:  In 2010, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and RMS Titanic, Inc. undertook an unprecedented expedition to document the entire wreck site and capture it all with high-resolution optical video, sonar, acoustic imaging, and 3D-HD video. Titanic: 100 Years in 3D pairs this stunning imagery with powerful untold stories of passengers and crew.

“WWII in 3D”: Creates a fully immersive portrait of history’s largest and bloodiest conflict. From the rise of the Nazis and their sweep across Europe to the Allied counterattack and the fall of Nazi Germany, dramatic moments were captured in 3D and then shuttered away in secret archives. Compiled here for the first time, are 3D color photos from Allied reconnaissance, images documenting the rise and fall of the Third Reich, photos secretly taken by a civilian in occupied France and more.

I think my favorite of the three is still  “WWII in 3D”.  I feel that it has the most bang for its buck.  It also included original 3D content from the days of the Third Reich.  “History of the World in Two Hours” still feels like it doesn’t cover enough in its 90 minutes (not two hours technically). The 3D on all these three specials are very impressive though, especially with their 1080p transfers.   These specials have never aired on TV, at least not in 3D.  So if you are a fan of The History Channel, I highly recommend these. Lastly, like the previous individual releases there are no additional special features included.

WWII in 3D”

Directed by: Justin Beasley
Starring: IWrestledABearOnce
Century Media Records/Supremacy Films
Rated: N/A
Runtime: 1hr 14 min.

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Not since the release of Dokken’s 1987 song “Dream Warriors” has a metal band been able to fully incorporate their sound in to a horror film. In this case the Shreveport, Illinois rockers IWrestledABearOnce not only incorporated their music in to the film but they also star in it. “A Beary Scary Movie” directed by Justin Beasley made its theatrical debut in late 2011 and is now set for a DVD release on Nov. 6th. The story is based around the band being hunted down by an undead guitar wielding psycho path named Shreddy. Accompanied by a blistering soundtrack and several notable cameos “A, Beary Scary Movie” is a refreshing spin on the standard band promotional video.

If you are looking for award winning performances and cutting edge special effect then this film isn’t for you. However if you are anything like myself and love campy, B-movie type films then “A Beary Scary Movie will be right up our ally. Even if you’re not a fan a said genres but enjoy some really killer music do yourself a favor and check this film out. Clocking in 1 hr and 14 minutes this is not your average promotional film. Instead it’s packed with comedic performances by Shawn Crahan and his son Gage along with other great cameos by Jake Busey, Christy Johnson and of course the members of IWrestledABearOnce. The film is full of cliché 80’s horror references, interesting character names and colorful dialogue which only add to the overall appeal of the film.

“A Beary Scary Movie” may not be for everyone but it should be! Lots of gore, laughs and metal music makes this a really fun film to throw in and watch with friends. We only received the feature film to review but I am really hoping that the DVD release will include a special features portion as a movie like this surely warrants one.

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Starring: James Stewart, John Forsythe, Bruce Dern, Tippi Hedren, Karen Black, Priscilla Lane
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Format: Limited Edition
Number of discs: 15
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Run Time: 1759 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Man, when Universal says it is going to celebrate its 100th anniversary, they aren’t messing around. Earlier this month they released the stunning “Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection”. and now this release even tops that. This ultimate box set is jam-packed with 15 classic Hitchcock films including 13 that have never been released on Blu-Ray. “Psycho”‘ and “North by Northwest” are the only films in this set that have released previously. The 15 films are included in this “Masterpiece Collection” that span over three decades from 1942-1976 including “Psycho”, “The Birds”, “Vertigo”, “Rear Window”, “North by Northwest”, “The Man Who Knew Too Much”, “Marnie”, “Saboteur”, “Shadow of a Doubt”, “Rope”, “The Trouble with Harry”, “Torn Curtain”, “Topaz”, “Frenzy” and “Family Plot”.

These films feature some of the best talent and performances that Hollywood has to offer, including James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, Julie Andrews, Paul Newman, Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Tippi Hedren, Eva Marie Saint, Kim Novak, John Forsythe, Bruce Dern, Karen Black, Priscilla Lane and even Sean Connery. If 15 amazing Hitchcock films in high definition isn’t enough this release also includes over 15 hours of bonus features including a newly produced documentary for “The Birds”. If you could want any more Hitchcock (if that is possible), Warner Home Entertainment has recently released both “Strangers on a Train” and “Dial M for Murder 3D” to Blu-ray. This “Masterpiece Collection” is only set to be available for a limited time only for if you are a fan of Hitchcock, then I would highly recommend not missing this release.

Everyone knows that the legendary Alfred Hitchcock is the “Master of Suspense”.  He has directed some of cinema’s most thrilling and recognizable classics. This release is definitely the definitive collection and it showcases Alfred Hitchcock’s true cinematic talent.  The packaging for this release is similar to “Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection”. The 15 discs are packaged inside a really high-quality and sharp flipbook packaging with some amazing glossy images.  It also includes an exclusive 58-page collector’s book, called “The Master of Suspense”, which includes original artwork, trivia, and information about the films.  Besides “Psycho” and “North by Northwest”, which has been treated well on Blu-ray, each film has been digitally restored from high resolution film elements in order to guarantee the ultimate Hitchcock experience.

Here are the premises for the 15 films included: “Saboteur (1942)”: This riveting wartime thriller stars Robert Cummings as a factory worker who is falsely accused of sabotage and sets off on a desperate, action-packed cross-country chase to clear his name. “Shadow of a Doubt (1943)”: This thriller about a young woman (Teresa Wright) who comes to suspect that the uncle (Joseph Cotton) she idolizes may in fact be a murderer was considered Alfred Hitchcock’s personal favorite. “Rope (1948)”: Two friends strangle a classmate and then hold a party for their victim’s family and friends while their former teacher (James Stewart) becomes increasingly suspicious that his students have turned his intellectual theories into brutal reality. “Rear Window (1954)”: James Stewart and Grace Kelly star in this voyeuristic masterpiece about a photographer who becomes obsessed with watching his neighbors and discovers a possible murder. “The Trouble with Harry (1955)”: While no one really minds that Harry is dead, everyone has a different idea about what should be done with his body in this quirky mystery starring Shirley MacLaine and John Forsythe. “The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)”: James Stewart and Doris Day star as a vacationing American couple who accidentally become involved in an international assassination plot and must take matters into their own hands after their son is kidnapped. “Vertigo (1958)”: James Stewart and Kim Novak star in this dizzying web of mistaken identity, passion and murder involving an acrophobic detective and the mysterious blonde he rescues from the San Francisco Bay.

“North by Northwest (1959)”: Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint star in this edge-of-your-seat thriller about an adman who gets plunged into a realm of spy and counterspy and is abducted, framed for murder, chased and crop-dusted. “Psycho (1960)”: Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh star in this shocking classic about an unsuspecting visitor to the Bates Motel who falls prey to one of cinema’s most notorious psychopaths, Norman Bates. “The Birds (1963)”: ‘Tippi’ Hedren and Rod Taylor star in this horrific tale of nature gone berserk when thousands of birds flock into a seaside town and terrorize the residents in a series of deadly attacks. “Marnie (1964)”: ‘Tippi’ Hedren stars as Marnie, a compulsive liar and thief, who winds up marrying the very man (Sean Connery) she attempts to rob in this psychological thriller that races to an inescapable conclusion. “Torn Curtain (1966)”: Paul Newman and Julie Andrews star in this action-packed thriller about a world-famous scientist who goes undercover to get top-secret information and ends up running for his life from enemy agents. “Topaz (1969)”: John Forsythe stars as an American CIA agent who hires a French operative to travel to Cuba and investigate rumors of Russian missiles and a spy codenamed “Topaz”. “Frenzy (1972)”: In this morbid blend of horror and wit, the “Necktie Murderer” has the London Police on red alert and an innocent man (Jon Finch) is on a desperate quest to find the real criminal and clear his own name. “Family Plot (1976)”: Chaos ensues in this suspense-comedy when a phony psychic and her not-so-bright boyfriend cross paths with a slick diamond merchant and his beautiful girlfriend.

On the packaging Universal is pushing the fact that this release included PERFECT video and PERFECT sound and, hot damn, that is not a lie. I would literally call these perfect transfers. Here is the listings of the audio tracks available for each film. “Saboteur”, “Shadow of a Doubt”, “Rope”, “Rear Window”, “The Trouble with Harry”, “The Man Who Knew Too Much”, “Marnie”, “Torn Curtain”, “Topaz”, “Frenzy” and “Family Plot” all include a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks. They all sound amazing on Blu-ray and work perfectly for each film. “Vertigo”, “Psycho” and “The Birds” include both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, as well as a DTS Master-Audio 2.0 Mono. Lastly “North by Northwest” includes the movie impressive with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround track, as well as a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track.

If the amazing collection of 15 years isn’t good enough each film is packed with some really ace special features. “Saboteur (1942)” includes three featurettes including “Saboteur: A Closer Look”, “Storyboards: The Statue of Liberty Sequence” and “Alfred Hitchcock’s Sketches”. There are also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included. “Shadow of a Doubt (1943)” includes two featurettes including “Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcock’s Favorite Film” and “Production Drawings by Art Director Robert Boyle”. There are also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included. “Rope (1948)” includes a featurette called “Rope Unleashed”, as well as Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer. “Rear Window (1954)” comes chock-full of goodies. First there is a commentary track with John Fawell, author of “Hitchcock’s Rear Window: The Well-Made Film”. There are a bunch of great featurettes including “Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary”, “A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes”, “Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of The Master”, “Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock”, “Hitchcock-Truffaut Interview Excerpts” and “Masters of Cinema”. There is also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included, as well as a re-release Trailer Narrated by James Stewart. “The Trouble with Harry (1955)” comes with one feature titled “The Trouble with Harry Isn’t Over”. There are also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included. “The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)” includes a behind-the-scenes look into “The Making of The Man Who Knew Too Much”. There is also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included.

The next four films comes with the most impressive extras.  “Vertigo (1958)” comes with two audio commentary tracks with Associate Producer Herbert Coleman, Restoration Team Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz + more and there is also one with director William Friedkin. There are four featurettes including “Obsessed with Vertigo: New Life for Hitchcock’s Masterpiece” and “Partners in Crime: Hitchcock’s Collaborators”, “The Vertigo Archives” and “100 Years of Universal: The Lew Wasserman Era”.  As well as Hitchcock / Truffaut Interview Excerpts and the Foreign Censorship Ending.  Lastly this wraps up with the Theatrical and Restoration Theatrical Trailer. “North by Northwest (1959)” includes a commentary track from screenwriter Ernest Lehman.  As well as four featurettes including “The Master’s Touch: Hitchcock’s Signature Style”, “Cary Grant: A Class Apart”, “North by Northwest: One for the Ages” and “Destination Hitchcock: The Making of North by Northwest”.  I also am a huge fan of the isolated music-only audio track included.  Lastly, there is a stills gallery and theatrical trailers and a TV spot included. “Psycho (1960)” starts off with a commentary track from Stephen Rebello, author of “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho”. There are a bunch of amazing featurettes including “The Making of Psycho”, “Psycho Sound”, “In The Master’s Shadow: Hitchcock’s Legacy” and “The Psycho Archives”. There is also “Hitchcock-Truffaut Interview Excerpts” and “Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho” included.  Fans of “The Shower Scene” will be happy to find it here with and without Music and also in storyboards by Saul Bass. Lastly there are Posters and Psycho Ads, Lobby Cards, Behind-the-Scenes Photographs, Production Photographs and Theatrical and Re-release Trailers included.

“The Birds (1963)” is the only film wiht a newly produced extra, “The Birds: Hitchcock’s Monster Movie”. It also includes a rare Deleted Scene and Original Ending.  There is a featurette called “All About The Birds”. There is vintage “Tippi Hedren’s Screen Test” footage, as well as Hitchcock-Truffaut Interview Excerpts. There are two Universal International Newsreels included “The Birds Is Coming” and “Suspense Story: National Press Club Hears Hitchcock”. There are Storyboards, as well as Production Photographs and the theatrical trailer included. Lastly there is “100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics and The Lot”, which are also available on the “Universal Classic Monsters” release. “Marnie (1964)” comes with two featurettes “The Trouble with Marnie” and “The Marnie Archives” and wraps up with the Theatrical Trailer. “Torn Curtain (1966)” has two featurettes “Torn Curtain Rising” and “Scenes Scored by Bernard Herrmann”. There is also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included. “Topaz (1969)” includes Alternate Endings, as well as a featurettes “Topaz: An Appreciation by Film Historian and Critic Leonard Maltin” and “Storyboards: The Mendozas”. There is also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included. “Frenzy (1972)” includes one feature “The Story of Frenzy” and there is also Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included. The last film “Family Plot (1976)” includes two features “Plotting Family Plot” and “Storyboards: The Chase Scene”. There is also Storyboards, Production Photographs and a Theatrical Trailer included.

If you are a Hitchcock fan, I know this release might be a little pricey but it is honestly worth every penny.  The films look not only impressive but like I said perfect.  You may find that the UK also has this release available for cheaper (when converted) but be warned since the UK box does not contain “North By Northwest.” So depends how much that film is worth to you, especially since it has been previously released. I just wait till my daughter (not 5 months old) will get to experience these films with me.  I am going to look forward to spending a lot of time introducing her to the masterpieces of Alfred Hitchcock.

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Directors: Joss Whedon
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Run Time: 280 minutes

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

If you are not aware “The Avengers” was not Joss Whedon first go-round with superheroes. The first run of the 2004 comic series “Astonishing X-Men” was written by Joss Whedon and art provided by John Cassaday. The four issues, “Gifted”, “Dangerous”, “Torn” & “Unstoppable” that he wrote are all present on this release and brought to life as a motion comic.  I am usually not a fan of motion comic but since Joss Whedon know owns all superhero fans, I am a drawn to this like a horse with a carrot in front of his mouth.  Plus if you are a fan of “X-Men”, then this is easily one of the most important X-Men stories of all-time and Joss Whedon is the one person that can do this up right.  This Blu-ray features over 5 hours of non-stop animated action and is a must have for all fans of anything to do with superheros.

“Gifted”: When Dr. Kavita Rao develops a controversial mutant cure, the X-Men once again find themselves battling against science, prejudice and a mysterious new alien foe! “Dangerous”: The tragic death of a student at the Xavier Institute reveals that a powerful enemy is working from inside the mansion to destroy the X-Men: an enemy who knows all of their weaknesses and can predict their every move. “Torn”: Emma Frost’s erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a nonstop downward spiral. Will an unlikely union be the final straw? Plus: The X-Man destined to destroy the Breakworld stands revealed! “Unstoppable”: The X-Men are off to protect the Earth from its destruction at the hands of the Breakworld. And when it’s all over, nothing will ever be the same!

This release looks sharp in The special features are pretty decent. There is a interesting interview included with Joe Quesada and Neal Adams.  I wish it was longer but it definitely should satisify any fan of the series.  Where is the interview with Joss Whedon though? I really enjoyed the Behind-The-Scenes Look At Marvel Knights™ Animation, which also included visual history of the characters. There is also a artists gallery for the man behind this series John Cassady.  There is an original Music Video for the song “Rise Up”.  Lastly also included is an all-new cover art illustration by John Cassaday.

Starring: Leticia Dolera, Javier Botet, Diego Martín
Director: Paco Plaza
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: November 6, 2012
Run Time: 80 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

I was a huge fan of [REC], before the crappy US remake and sequel. I thought the idea of the film was so scary and very ballsy. [REC] 2, I was not that big of a fan of. I thought it was too much of a tag-along to the first film. “[REC]3: Genesis” is believe it or not, one of my favorite films of 2012, so far. It is such an improvement over the last film and the franchise. The film is a nice plenty of horror and comedy and comes packed with some amazing gore and kill scenes.  The film also takes a different approach from the whole hand-held shakey aspect, which I really dug.  But most importantly, Leticia Dolera looks beyond hot as a vengeful bride with a chainsaw.  I mean come-on that is a no-brainer!! She needs to be in every movie that I see!

Official Premise: Koldo and Clara are about to celebrate the most important day of their lives: their wedding. Everything appears to be running smoothly, and the bride and groom and their families are enjoying a wonderful day-that is, until some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness. Before they know what’s happening, the bride and groom find themselves in the middle of a hellish ordeal as an uncontrollable torrent of violence is unleashed on the wedding. Amidst the chaos Koldo and Clara become separated and begin a desperate search for one another. What started off as an idyllic day quickly descends into a nightmare of the worst kind

I am very disappointed in this series, Sony is to blame this time, for not releasing this on Blu-ray.  I am not sure what the hell is going through their minds, since the series is available on Blu-ray everywhere but the US. To top it off, the special features are lacking a bit overall.  There are 12 deleted scenes included, some are pretty good and could have been put into the film…others are a big no.  Lastly there is a blooper reel included, which is definitely worth checking out.  But that is it, I was hoping for a little more.  Maybe the foreign market’s Blu-ray release will have some more goodies.  Heading to eBay now… Thank God this movie is completely awesome! This is a must for all horror fans!

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