Diane Franklin is an icon from the 80’s having starred in “The Last American Virgin”, “Amityville II: The Possession”, “Better Off Dead”, “Terrorvision” and “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”.
She is also an author with her latest book titled “Diane Franklin: The Excellent Curls of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s”.
Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Diane to discuss her rise to fame and also her current work in “The Amityville Murders”.
Dan Shor is know best for playing the supporting character Ram, in the movie, TRON. He also played the character Roy Kleinberg in the TRON: The Next Day epilogue to TRON: Legacy, a role that was reprised from TRON in which the character was listed as “Popcorn Co-Worker”. Besides being a veteran actor, he is also a director, writer and teacher with a career spanning 28 years.
Dan is also known for playing Billy the Kid in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”. He also appeared “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek Voyager” playing Dr. Arridor.
Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Dan about these roles and reflect on the legacy of TRON.
QUEENSRŸCHE, RATT, AND CHRIS JERICHO’S BAND FOZZY ARE SET TO JOIN KISS AS THEY CELEBRATE A DECADE AT SEA
The most popular Gold Record Award winning American group of all time and iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famers KISS have once again partnered up with the industry leaders in music festivals at sea, Sixthman to announce the upcoming voyage of The KISS Kruise X. The KISS Navy will set sail for their tenth mission from Miami to Harvest Caye, Belize & Roatan, Honduras from October 30 – November 4, 2020 aboard Norwegian Pearl.
The announcement comes on the heels of 2019’s sold-out KISS Kruise IX, from where the band announced live onboard that their final show of all time will take place in July 2021. Fans can go to TheKissKruise.com for more information on pricing and availability. From KISS’s electrifying shows and exciting activities with each member of the band to autograph sessions with artists from the lineup and much more, the tenth adventure is sure to be an experience of a lifetime.
Beyond their onboard rock shows, KISS is bringing their rare memorabilia collection, the KISS Expo, back to the high seas. Additionally, Queensryche, Ratt, and Chris Jericho’s band Fozzy are set to join KISS as they celebrate a decade at sea with more to be announced in the near future.
A destination of her own, Norwegian Pearl offers guests Norwegian Cruise Line’s signature freedom and flexibility to enjoy 11 onboard bars and lounges, 15 dining experiences, a casino, one outdoor pool, hot tubs, and a full menu of spa treatments. Prices for the cruise start at $1,380 with flexible payment options available and a low deposit of $250 per person.
Connect with the KISS Kruise at TheKissKruise.comand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #TheKISSKruise
Jaycee Clark is the vocalist for the Winston-Salem NC based rock band A Light Divided. The band is set to release a brand new album on October 5th titled “Choose Your Own Adventure”. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Jaycee recently about the band, their new album and their latest single/video “Fear of Heights”.
Adam Lawton: Can you give us some history on A Light Divided and how the band came together?
Jaycee Clark: About ten years ago I started the band with our drummer Adam Smith and a few other people who are no longer in the band. Adam and I have always had our eye on the prize and after a few years we found some other guys who had the same passion we have and who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the band to the next level. Staying out on the road and all that can be a lot to ask somebody so having a group of guys who are down for that just as much as I am is really awesome.
AL: The new album comes out Oct. 5. Can you give us some background on that?
JC: We have worked with producer Kile Odell on all of our releases. When we went in to start work on “Choose Your Own Adventure” things were a little bit different as we had some new members this time around. Things were much more collaborative between the five of us and it wasn’t just one person writing music and another writing lyrics. Everybody had their own say and influences reflected in the process which was great. Ultimately I think this record came out better because of all that. We bounced a lot of ideas off one another and if everyone thought it was cool we went with it. At the end of the day everyone was super stoked with what we had done.
AL: Aside from the collaboration aspect of this album was there anything else that happened differently this time around during the writing/recording process?
JC: I think this record is a lot different than our previous works. Prior to starting work on the record we were sort of feeling boxed in as to what A Light Divided was supposed to sound like. We decided to throw all of that out the window so that we could have a fresh start. We really took our time making something that all of us could be proud of.
AL: Can you tell us about the album’s title “Choose Your Own Adventure”?
JC: There was a little bit of nostalgia we wanted to capture from the book series we grew up reading. With those books you had decisions to make which resulted in different outcomes. I liked that sentiment and related it to real life. For me “Choose Your Own Adventure” means to not be afraid to just take life by the balls and go after the things that make you happy. Every song on this record is about making a choice from removing negative people in your life to stop fighting your inner self. We really took the ideas behind the book series and applied it to real life.
AL: You recently released a video for the song “Fear of Heights”. Can you tell us about that?
JC: It was really important for us to showcase our live performance and who we are as a band. We are very high energy basically all of the time. We love getting on stage and showing the emotion behind each of the songs. We also feel if we are not having fun on stage how will anyone else have fun? We wanted to showcase the type of band we are visually right off the bat. “Fear of Heights” is such an upbeat song that it was a no brainer for us to pick that song as our first single. It is a very guitar driven song with a super catchy chorus. The song gives me a very summer type vibe that makes me think of going to the beach and blasting songs with the windows down. “Fear of Heights” is perfect for that!
AL: Are there plans in place for the band to tour behind the albums release?
JC: We are going to be doing a south east run called the “Chapter 1” tour (laughs). We are very excited about this new album and want to hit the ground running once it is released. This first run is going to be just us headlining the shows as we felt it was important for us to go out alone to show who we are and then let things grow from there. This tour is going to be a game changer for us as before when we toured we could only go out for about ten days or so before we had to get back. With this upcoming run we are going to be out a bit longer and most of us will probably lose our jobs (laughs). We are choosing our own adventure on this run and it is do or die so we are going out there to really do this.
For more info on A Light Divided you can find them on facebook.com/alightdivided and check out the video for “A Fear of Heights” here.
Travel is so important, and there are so many wonderful things to think about when it comes to having the perfect travel experience. You need to think about how you can enjoy the best possible journey you can, and this means planning. Any tops vacation experience is one that you have to make sure you get right as best you can. So think about what you can do to get the best travel adventure imaginable.
Consider what has to go into the process of having the perfect travel adventure. You need to think about the factors that matter before you actually do anything else. There are so many things you need to keep in mind when you make the decision to go traveling properly, and these are a few of the key things you must do to ensure you have the perfect trip.
Being safe and secure on vacation is so important, and this is something you need to make sure you take steps to consider. There are a lot of things that can affect this, and you will need to make sure you research where you’re staying thoroughly. Carry out a people search on tour guides, and make sure you travel with friends. These are some of the best things you can do to help you stay safe and secure during travel.
Packing ranks as one of the most important aspects of the world of travel, and it is imperative that you make sure you get your packing sorted out as quickly as you can. There are so many things you have to keep in mind when it comes time to improve and enhance your packing, and coming up with a list is perhaps one of the best things you can do to improve this.
You have to make sure you do what you can to make the most of your travel adventures. And this means seeing the sites and experiencing everything these places have to offer. There are so many wonderful things to see and do when you embark on your travel adventure, and you have to make the most of this. Research before you travel and make sure you enjoy as much as you can when it comes to your journey abroad.
Taking plenty of money with you is really important for ensuring you get the most of the trip. You’d hate to run out of money halfway through and not be able to enjoy things as much. So try to do a bit of homework and find out what it costs to visit the town or city you’re going to, and try to come up with a daily budget to work with.
As you can see, these are some of the ideal things to keep in mind when you want to have the perfect travel experience. There are so many things you have to think about when it comes to exploring and seeing the world, and the best thing to do is to follow these ideas in order to ensure a better experience.
Hilarity Ensues in The Latest Launch Trailer Featuring the Swashbuckling Gang
LONDON – July 17, 2018 – Outright Games today announced that much-anticipated open world adventure game, Adventure Time: Pirates of Enchiridion, is available starting today on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One™ and PC for $39.99. Based on Cartoon Network’s award-winning TV series, Adventure Time, the game is rated E10 for Everyone and is available at retail locations and first-party digital stores in the US starting today, July 17th and will launch globally July 20th.
The latest side-splitting adventure will have gamers setting sail as they play as Finn, Jake, BMO and Marceline to explore fan-favorite kingdoms and meet the beloved characters from Cartoon Network’s popular TV animation series, Adventure Time.
The game starts with a flooded Land of Ooo, in which familiar kingdoms are cut off from each other by rising waters. In their newly constructed boat, named Jeff, Finn and Jake set sail to investigate what the junk went down.
During their adventures, Finn and Jake will recruit friends to join their crew, jump into swashbuckling fights, interrogate characters for clues, and traverse the new and dangerous sea to locations across Ooo.
Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion Gameplay Features Include:
Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion is now available in the US on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One™ and PC on July 17, 2018 and July 20, 2018 globally.
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About Outright Games:
Founded in 2016, and based in the UK and US, Outright Games is a family business making family entertainment. We are passionate about creating great games with quality licenses, as we understand the value of brands, and the relationships they share with consumers. We use our expertise to create high-quality video games, combined with our ability to distribute on a global scale. Wherever the Outright Games logo is found, you can feel assured that the game will be suitable and fun for the whole family to play together.
About Cartoon Network:
Cartoon Network is Turner’s global entertainment brand and the # 1 animation network in the U.S., offering the best in original content for kids and families with such hits as, Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, Steven Universe, We Bare Bears and The Amazing World of Gumball. Seen in 192 countries and over 400 million homes, Cartoon Network inspires the next generation of creators and innovators by engaging its audience at the intersection of creativity and technology. Its award-winning pro-social initiative, Stop Bullying: Speak Up is an acknowledged and often used resource for kids and adults looking for tools that can assist in dealing with the ongoing issue of bullying.
Cartoon Network is part of Turner, a WarnerMedia company, a global entertainment, sports and news company that creates premium content and delivers exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume content. These efforts are fueled by data-driven insights and industry-leading technology. Turner owns and operates some of the most valuable brands in the world, including Adult Swim, Bleacher Report, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, ELEAGUE, FilmStruck, Great Big Story, HLN, iStreamPlanet, Super Deluxe, TBS, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), TNT, truTV and Turner Sports.
Video games (as your Nan used to call them) have crossed over into many other genres in popular culture. There was a time – if you care to remember the days of Atari’s and ZX Spectrum’s – when games were just games; standalone titles with their own original plots, and let’s be honest here, generally basic gameplay.
How times have changed. Complex storylines, online play, 3D graphics and vast budgets have made gaming unrecognisable compared to those glorious and innocent early days (I’m still fond of Pacman!). It was way back in 1976 when the first game to be based on a movie was released – Death Race was an arcade game based on the cult 1975 film of the same name – and by the early 1980’s developing games from movies was all the rage. The likes of Tron, Alien and King Kong were all given the treatment for the Atari 2600, with Raiders of the Lost Ark becoming the first officially licensed game-from-a-movie in 1982. It was quickly followed by Star Wars and E.T., although the latter became an infamous flop and the subject of an urban legend.
The line between the two industries has become progressively blurred over the years, and the release of the Super Mario Bros. movie in 1993, heralded a new era where all of a sudden video games started to become the inspiration for films. Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat quickly followed, while classic games like Doom, Resident Evil and Tomb Raider were developed into movies in the early 2000’s. This trend shows little sign of stopping, with an eye-watering 30 plus games currently being made into movies. These include Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty, and if they’re as good as movies as they are as games, I can’t wait!
However, it isn’t just the film industry that has borrowed inspiration from gaming, and some of these well-known adventure titles have also made their way to the bright lights of Las Vegas. The Arcade and slots industry has always overlapped with the gaming industry (some software firms such as Konami actually develop both slot machines and video games), and it made perfect sense for slot-makers to latch onto the popular themes.
Better graphics and faster software have made today’s video slot machines much more of ‘gaming-like’ experience rather than a simple ‘one-armed bandit’ style slots experience. Animations and high-quality graphics have drastically changed the look of slots, and bonus games can take on a much more complex nature than ever before. Some of these games get pretty close to playing the real thing, and what’s more, you can win money playing them! It just doesn’t get much better than that, and below you can find five of the best adventure games that made it all the way to Vegas:
A classic; it’s as simple as that. A classic franchise of cartoons, books, toys, movies, and of course games. The Dungeons and Dragons: Fortress of Fortunes slot machine by software house, IGT, took the theme to Las Vegas in 2009 and it’s proven to be one of the most popular slots at land-based and online casinos.
It features five reels and twenty pay lines, and gives you the option to play as one of three warrior heroes. The background and sound effects behind the slot provide an air of fantasy, and wins are accompanied by mystical music. A free spins bonus game takes you into a dungeon with up to five levels where you can earn extra multipliers by defeating enemies with the roll of a virtual dice.
It’s an iconic game, but could be surpassed in the next few years, by an officially licensed slot from Konami Gaming Inc. The software giant and its Las Vegas subsidiary, KGI, signed an agreement with Hasbro to develop a Dungeons and Dragons game using the original cast of characters. The slot is aimed at land-based casinos and attracting a younger generation of players, and will feature two games – ‘Conquests and Treasures’ and ‘Enchanted Riches’ – in pods of 2, 3, or 4 machines. The pods will include high quality chairs, custom logos and a themed bezel with authentic designs.
Tomb Raider was an iconic game of its time, and Angelina Jolie made the movie equally as iconic when it was released in 2001. The franchise has spawned books, comics, toys, and several sequel games, as well as a classic Vegas slot machine.
Microgaming is the software giant behind the slot machine, which features five reels, 15 pay lines and a max. bet of 75 coins. The Graphics are crisp and sharp, with symbols such as a tiger, gadgetry and Lara Croft herself earning the wins. There is a ‘Tomb Raider’ wild symbol which can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations, and the game features two different bonus rounds. The scatter symbol is a gun-toting Lara Croft, and if she appears on 3, 4, or 5 of the reels she will launch the free spins round. There is also a bonus symbol, which is signified by a golden idol, and launches the tomb bonus round – a pick ‘em style game where you get to choose three from a number of idols to reveal three cash prizes.
The franchise is one of the most popular of the last 15-20 years, and changed the face of video gaming. It has taken Vegas by storm too, and become one of the most popular slot machines out there.
Yes, that’s right. Worms. The brilliantly addictive game that is so simple in style but so engrossing to play. Well it’s also been made into an online slot, and it will come as no surprise to learn that it is incredibly popular.
Everything about the slot is as colourful and humorous as the original game, and it features many of the classic sound effects too. It has five reels and a whopping 50 pay lines, with some great animated symbols of the crazy worms with ridiculously large weapons. Remember waiting for supply crates to parachute down from the sky with new weapons? They’re here too, and are used as a bonus symbol to launch the feature round when three or more land on the reels. The bonus round lets you select one of three crates to win one of the three different bonus games. These are a ‘space trail bonus’, a ‘crate escape’ game, and a ‘free spins battle’ bonus; each of which could earn a top jackpot of $500.
There are other great little quirks like a hand grenade which drops onto the reels and explodes, turning another symbol wild; and the infamous shout of ‘incoming’ when two crates land on the reels and you await the third. With equally addictive gameplay, it’s no wonder this slot has become so popular among video gamers as well as casino regulars.
The Batman franchise has been around since video games and online slots were the vision of a distant future, with his first appearance coming in a 1939 comic book. However, the caped crusader has been the subject of numerous video games over the last twenty years on a huge variety of platforms, and he deserves a mention here as he remains one of the most popular figures in Las Vegas (on the slot machines, at least).
The Dark Knight Rises is an adaptation of the final instalment of Christopher Nolan’s dark trilogy, starring Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman. The game is a cutting edge video slot, which does away with standard reels and features 243 ways to win. The Graphics are superb and include real footage from the movie; while a bonus feature where Batman fights Bane rewards players with free spins and multipliers.
This is part of a new wave of slot machines which are moving away from the traditional ‘fruit machine’ style gaming, and incorporating much more interactive gaming features. It’s naturally popular in bricks-and-mortar casinos due to the popularity of the films, and it’s also made a big splash in the online world. It’s an absolute visual treat, and well worth checking out.
Well, if we’re talking about popular games it would be remiss not to mention the behemoth of the gaming world that is Call of Duty. It has arguably become the single most popular gaming series of all time, and continues to captivate the soldier inside all of us the world over. It should come as no surprise then, that there is a movie in the offing. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has sold over 13 million copies, and the slot machine by Cryptologic has proven to be just as popular in Vegas and online.
The game itself features amazing graphics and animations that are true to the original. Symbols include grenades, gas masks, and assault rifles, across the five reels and 25 pay lines. An animated marine scurries across the front of the reels on some spins, and plants a timed explosive which blows up various symbols, turning them wild and creating winning lines. On other spins a grenade rolls in front of the reels and the explosion causes the same effect. The wild soldier symbol is a nice touch as after the explosion it shows video footage from the game. All of this is before the excellent bonus game which features some great gameplay. It’s launched by landing three of the Call of Duty scatter symbols, and allows players to gain extra wins by targeting and shooting enemies on the battlefield. Up to four free games can be earned by hitting enemy soldiers, with bonus prizes for headshots; and a five-in-a-row kill streak earns an airstrike which rewards players with a multiplier for the free games.
Various other symbols also include game footage, and there is action on practically every spin in this game. Sound effects are perfect for the game, and there is that tense silence between spins before an explosion sets off a hail of gunfire – just like the real game when I play it!
Video Gaming Vegas Style
As seen on VegasSlots.co.uk, a recent change to the laws in Vegas means that casinos can now introduce more skill-based games alongside the archetypal slot machines. This is the industries attempt to convert ‘millennials’ from video gamers to casino goers; and it might just work. The aim is to introduce the skill element and link it to the prizes on the game, so a fast lap or a long kill streak will result in a bigger pay out. Rather than playing a game of chance, players will be able to use their skill at gaming to earn money – and that sounds like a perfect combination to me!
Studio: Cartoon Network
DVD Release Date: July 14, 2015
Run Time: 561 minutes
Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars
“Adventure Time” continues to be one of my favorite shows on Cartoon Network. The show is so inventive and plain out weird as hell. It has creativity slipping out from every scene. The colors are so rich and trippy. There is never an episode that doesn’t make me laugh out of loud yet at the same time a little freaked out. The fifth season is easily one of the best season’s to date as well. I love how the each episode of the show is able to be watched individually yet hardcore fans are able to appreciate the season’s continuity. I can’t get enough of this show…period!
Official Premise: Are you a Jake fan? Great! Because Season 5 has a ridiculous amount of momentous Jake moments!! Like when he became Jake the Dad. That time he tracked down Jake Jr.’s kidnapper (sort of). Who can forget the masterpiece that is his Most Delicious Sandwich?! And he shares these moments with his best bro Finn and friends in a total of 52 episodes, all for you!
Here is a full list of episodes: 1. Finn the Human, 2. Jake the Dog, 3. Five More Short Graybles, 4. Up a Tree, 5. All the Little People, 6. Jake the Dad, 7. Davey, 8. Mystery Dungeon, 9. All Your Fault, 10. Little Dude, 11. Bad Little Boy, 12. Vault of Bones 13. The Great Bird Man, 14. Simon and Marcy, 15. A Glitch Is a Glitch, 16. Puhoy, 17. BMO Lost, 18. Princess Potluck, 19. James Baxter the Horse, 20. Shh!, 21. The Suitor, 22. The Party’s Over, Isla de Señorita, 23. One Last Job, 24. Another Five More Short Graybles, 25. Candy Streets, 26. Wizards Only, Fools
Episodes Continued… 27. Jake Suit, 28. Be More, 29. Sky Witch, 30. Frost & Fire, 31. Too Old, 32. Earth & Water, 33. Time Sandwich, 34. The Vault, 35. Love Games, 36. Dungeon Train, 37. The Box Prince, 38. Red Starved, 39. We Fixed a Truck, 40. Play Date, 41. The Pit, 42. James, 43. Root Beer Guy, 44. Apple Wedding, 45. Blade of Grass, 46. Rattleballs, 47. The Red Throne, 48. Betty, 49. Bad Timing, 50. Lemonhope (1), 51. Lemonhope (2), 52. Billy’s Bucket List
If you are an “Adventure Time” fan then this a set is awesome because it features a whopping 52 episodes as listed above. That adds up to nearly 600 minutes of cartoon genius. The 1080p transfer looks awesome and really impresses on Blu-ray. There are two main downfalls to this Blu-ray though. The first is the audio track, which only boasts a poor Dolby Digital 2.0 track, which is barely DVD quality. The “Adventure Time” Blu-rays have all been the same with this feature and even though it sounds ok, we deserve better. The other is that that the only special feature included though is an exclusive Behind the Scenes featurette, which is cool but I would love some commentary for sure.
Author: Ridley Pearson
Age Range: 10 – 14 years
Grade Level: 5 – 9
Series: Kingdom Keepers (Book 7)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
I remember when I went on my honeymoon to Disney back in 2006 and I picked up a new book called “The Kingdom Keepers” and I finished it while on my trip. Last year, we thought we were at the end of the road with “Kingdom Keepers VII: The Insider”, as it was believed to been the last book in this series. Luckily, that is not the cause and we have more greatness from Ridley Pearson. “A Kingdom Keepers Adventure: The Syndrome” is a really interesting twist since it is a stand-alone story but told from the point of view of the Fairlies. So we get to experience the adventures of The Kingdom Keepers through a fresh set of eyes.
Official Premise: When Amanda travels east to Orlando on a hunch, she’s met with the worst news possible. Kingdom Keeper Finn Whitman is missing. Calling on her own gift (she’s telekinetic), her sister Jess’s ability to dream the future, and their fellow Fairlie Mattie Weaver’s unexplained ability to read minds through physical contact, the three gifted girls must navigate treachery, deception, and the stubborn, unwilling parents of the missing Keepers if they’re to save their friends.
As much as a love “The Kingdom Keepers” series, this is not right up to par with the rest of the books but it is still a ton of fun and packs a lot of magic. This isn’t the end of the series, either as it looks like we are just getting started with another series for “Kingdom Keepers”. Released March 31st in the new series “The Return” called “Disney Lands” is the next book in the series and will kick off new adventures in the series. In fact, this book also includes an excerpt of “Disney Lands” as an added bonus. Keep them coming Ridley!
As individuals, we are all faced with difficult lifestyle choices from time to time. One is the delicate issue of work and life balance, which plays a central role in determining our quality of life and long-term health. It is also hard to achieve such a balance, however, as while some become fixated by routine and their careers others neglect their professional standing and instead embark on a life of hedonism and adventure. The key is to strike a balance that delivers the most enjoyable possible life and one that includes a fulfilling career and a series of adventures into the unknown.
This is something that was touched upon recently by clothing brand the North Face and its innovative #seeforyourself campaign, which used a yellow taxi to accost everyday NYC citizens as they went about their daily business. They were presented with a simple question: would they be willing to abandon their plans for the day and take a trip into the unknown for a few hours filled with adventure, thrills and excitement? In other words, would they take a step towards breaking with routine, embracing the spontaneity of live and achieving a better work-life balance if only for a day?
As you can see from the video below, many choose to give in to their instinct and enjoy a day out at some of North America’s most spectacular outdoor resorts. A victory for the heart and soul over the mind, this was a campaign that truly challenged those who participated to question the lifestyle choices that they make on a daily basis.
Sponsored Post
Author: Chris McDonnell
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars
“Adventure Time” is a show like no other. I remember when I was a kid and “The Simpsons” used to be the show to watch. Now “Adventure Time” has taken that place with today’s kids/teens. This show is such a trip. That is really the only way to describe it. It is colorful, funky and totally out there…but I love it and I also love it’s animation. “Adventure Time: The Art of Ooo” is a beast of a book running over 350 pages. This page is no joke at all. If you are a fan of this show and want an inside look behind-the-scenes, this is the book you are going to want! FIST PUMP!
Official Premise: Adventure Time: The Art of Ooo is the first book to take fans behind the scenes of Finn the Human’s and Jake the Dog’s adventures in the post-apocalyptic, magical land of Ooo. Packed to the seams with concept art and storyboards, this lavishly illustrated tome offers an all-access pass into the Emmy Award–winning show team’s creative process. The Art of Ooo traces series creator Pendleton Ward’s early influences and work, then reveals how the writers, storyboarders, animators, and voice actors work in tandem to bring this wildly inventive series to life.
When I heard that “Adenture Time” was goign to be getting a companion book from Abrams, I knew that we were going to be in for a real treat. This book includes some great early character sketches, background paintings and rare glimpses into the series’ show bible. It is a real visual guide to this show along with commentary from all the show’s key creative talent throughout. If you are just getting into this show or a fan from day 1, you will not be disappointed by this book, no question.
If you are going to get an author to do a book about a weird animated series, you have to get someone that understand’s weird and strange animation. Chris McDonnell has designed books on amazing and very unique animators like Ralph Bakshi and Bill Plympton and to me that sums up the definition of what is needed here. Plus too this book off with an outstanding introduction by Guillermo del Toro (“Hellboy”) and you have a guaranteed hit. I hope Abrams have future books planned for this series!
Starring: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Tom Kenny, Hynden Walch, Niki Yang, Jessica DiCicco
Creator: Pendleton Ward
Studio: Cartoon Network
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 286 minutes
Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The fourth season of “Adventure Time” is easily one of the best to date. The show is just outstanding and continues to be one of the best animated series on TV. I think I would call it “The Simpsons” of our generation. The show is currently in its sixth season on Cartoon Network and already renewed for a seventh. So this show is not showing any signs of slowing down. The creator Pendleton Ward, who also voices my favorite character, Lumpy Space Princess, is an absolute genius. he has surrounded himself with great talent and creative team and that is what makes this show such a success.
Official Premise: Prepare to sink your teeth into the complete fourth season of “Adventure Time”. A total of 26 episodes featuring fearsome creatures, such as wolves who like hugging, an unstoppable horde of penguins and a vampire queen who plays bass guitar! OOOO!! The scariest though is when Jake flips out over a game of card wars. Yikes!
Here are the episodes: “Hot to the Touch” (Part 2); “Five Short Graybles”; “Web Weirdos”; “Dream of Love”; “Return to the Nightosphere” (Part 1); “Daddy’s Little Monster” (Part 2); “In Your Footsteps”; “Hug Wolf”; “Princess Monster Wife”; “Goliad”; “Beyond This Earthly Realm”; “Gotcha!”; “Princess Cookie”; “Card Wars”; “Sons of Mars”; “Burning Low”; “BMO Noire”; “King Worm”; “Lady & Peebles”; “You Made Me”; “Who Would Win”; “Ignition Point”, “The Hard Easy”; “Reign of Gunters”; “I Remember You” and “The Lich” (Part 1)”.
This season includes guest stars including Bobcat Goldthwait (“Police Academy” series), Donald Faison (“Scrubs”), Keith David (“They Live”), Ron Perlman (“Hellboy”) and Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”). This season comes packaged in a new collectible Marceline slipcase, which is awesome but I am still waiting for my LSP slipcase!!! Come on!! The 1080p transfer is solid but the audio track once again disappoints only including a Dolby Digital (DVD quality) 2.0 track.
Warner is delivering the fourth season as a combo pack including a Blu-ray + UltraViolet Digital Copy. The special features are great…if you love commentary tracks. There are 26 episodes in this season and there are literally a commentary track for each episode from the cast and crew. There is also a 19-minute featurette “Distant Bands: The Music of Adventure Time”, which features series creator Pendleton Ward, creative director Pat McHale, and storyboard artists Jesse Moynihan and Rebecca Sugar chatting about the series’ music.
Experience The Legend When The Action-Packed Family Film Arrives On Blu-ray, DVD and Video On Demand August 5 From Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Digital HD Available July 15
SANTA MONICA, CA, June 2, 2014 – Kellan Lutz (The Twilight Saga franchise) headlines the newest incarnation of the iconic tale Tarzan®, available on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD (plus Digital) exclusively at Walmart August 5 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The film will be available on Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View everywhere the same day. Tarzan will be available three weeks earlier on Digital HD July 15. Based on the ‘Tarzan’ stories created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, one of the most classic coming of age stories of all time is now completely re-imagined for a new generation in stunning CGI-animation. In its initial theatrical release the film has grossed over $35 million globally. Directed by Reinhard Klooss (Animals United) from a screen story and screenplay by him as well, Tarzan also features the voice talents of Spencer Locke (Resident Evil: Afterlife) and Jaime Ray Newman (TV’s “Mind Games”).
During an expedition to a remote African jungle, the Greystoke family’s helicopter crashes, leaving one survivor: the young boy J.J., nicknamed Tarzan. Raised by gorillas, Tarzan lives by the laws of the jungle — until he encounters another human being, the courageous and beautiful Jane Porter. For Tarzan and Jane, it’s love at first sight — and the beginning of a thrilling adventure — as Tarzan uses his instincts and intellect to protect his jungle home and the woman he loves.
With bonus material including three behind-the-scenes featurettes, Tarzan will be available on Blu-ray and DVD exclusively at Walmart for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and $19.98, respectively.
BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*
• “Behind the Scenes with Kellan Lutz and Spencer Locke” featurette
• “Becoming Gorillas” featurette
• “The Making of Tarzan” featurette
Actors: Martin Short
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: NCircle Entertainment
DVD Release Date: July 1, 2014
Run Time: 60 minutes
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
When you are a parent, you cannot stop your kids from watching TV. I mean, first of all just the look on my daughter’s face when she is really taken in by a show is just so cute. So the best thing you can do is hope that what they are watching isn’t going to fry their brains (yes, this is coming from the guy that cannot stop watching “Adventure Time”) and be somewhat educational. Well PBS’ animated series “The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That!” is definitely one of those shows. Plus Martin Short is just a blast as The Cat in the Hat.
The following episodes are includes in this DVD release: “Maps!”, “Incredible Journey”, “I See Seeds”, “Sniff and Seek”, “Go Snails Go!”. Nick and Sally follow the Cat in the Hat on some amazing journey’s while pretending to be pirates, meet a fish named Salmon Sam, find out about how trees send seeds flying through the air, floating on water, and hitching rides on animals to avoid overcrowding, play sniff and seek with Whiffy the skunk and explore the forest of Slippity-Goo and learn about snails.
Since discovering this show, it has quickly become one of my two year old’s favorites on TV. The show is not only fun but also extremely educationally. Even for mommy and daddy, when the music comes on in each episode, I think we are singing just as loud as our daughter. “Go, go, go, go on an adventure.” I do not think a day goes by without us singing those words. There is plenty of fun to be had here and the title “Let’s Go on an Adventure!” definitely gets lived up to. I just hope my daughter doesn’t wear out this DVD before then.
Starring: David Bradley, Jessica Raine, Brian Cox, Sacha Dhawan, Lesley Manville, Jamie Glover
Director: Terry McDonough
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Run Time: 90 minutes
Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4.5 out of 5 stars
When I saw the advertisement for “An Adventure in Space and Time”, I thought it was another “Doctor Who” special or documentary, I had no idea that it was a docudrama about the origin of the show itself. The film stars David Bradley as William Hartnell, the actor who portrayed the First Doctor, along with Jessica Raine, Jamie Glover, Sacha Dhawan, Lesley Manville, Jemma Powell, Reece Shearsmith, Mark Eden and Brian Cox. The film has a certain television feel to it but I was literally in love with it from the movie it started. David Bradley is such an amazing actor and it was nice to see him take the spotlight for once and really shine. As a huge “Doctor Who” fan, I encourage everyone to see this if you are a fan of the series. It is a great story, well done and at the same time very entertaining.
Official Premise: Travel back in time to witness the dramatic birth of Doctor Who. Actor William Hartnell (David Bradley, Filch from the Harry Potter films, Game of Thrones) felt trapped by a succession of tough-guy roles. Wannabe producer Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine, Call the Midwife) was frustrated by the TV industry’s glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday afternoon drama, time travel and monsters! Allied with a brilliant creative team, they went on to introduce the world to the longest running science fiction series ever, currently in its 50th year and counting.
BBC Home Entertainment deliver this release as a 3-disc set Blu-ray + DVD combo pack. The Blu-ray includes the film “An Adventure in Space and Time” presented with a very impressive 1080p transfer and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and a slew of extras. First off, we have “William Hartnell: The Original” features cast/crew talking about the actor. “The Making of ‘An Adventure in Space and Time” is narrated by Carol Ann Ford and goes behind-the-scenes with cast/crew. “Reconstruction: Four Sequences” has the producers talking about recreating the title shots. There are also two deleted Scenes included.
The second disc, which is a bonus DVD, is a real winner. It includes “An Unearthly Child” from 1963, which is the original broadcast version of the very first “Doctor Who” series, in 4 episodes. It also includes the “Original Pilot of An Unearthly Child”, which shelved and never used. There is also commentary track available on both episode 1 and 4 of the original “An Unearthly Child”, as well as commentary for the 40 minute pilot. Lastly there are various theme music videos, comedy sketches and a photo gallery included. Disc three is a DVD version of “An Adventure in Space and Time” wrapping out this amazing combo pack.
