Actors: John Travolta, Robert De Niro, Milo Ventimiglia
Directors: Mark Steven Johnson
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Millennium
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Run Time: 90 minutes
Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars
When I heard about “Killing Season”, I was drawn to it by its lead cast Robert De Niro and John Travolta. I figured I can’t go wrong with both of them. Well, I was wrong. The film starts off well but then really takes a turn for the worst about 30 minutes in where it just gets repetitive and boring. I have to admit, I found myself checking my email more than watching this film after a while.
I read a few other reviews and they all critique Travolta role and Serbian accent but I actually liked it. Maybe it’s because I just give the guy credit for playing all these different roles. I mean come on, he’s played a woman in “Hairspray” and now a Serbian soldier. The guy has balls. De Niro is just De Niro as usual, just a bitter old man. Nothing special. I was taken back by how brutal some of the violence was, which even made me turn away. Not enough to make me watch this again though.
Official Premise: Deep in the Appalachian mountains, a reclusive American military veteran (Robert De Niro) and a European tourist (John Travolta) strike up an unlikely friendship. But when the tourist’s true intentions come to light, what follows is a tense battle across some of America’s most forbidding landscape proving the old adage: the purest form of war is one-on-one.
Millennium delivered a fine Blu-ray release. The 1080p transfer was sharp and really captured the beauty of the Appalachian mountains. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 worked with the opening scene and the high tension action between our duo. In terms of special features there was not much here. There is a quick behind-the-scenes featurette, which briefly goes into the production. I would take a pass on this one, unless you really need to hear Travolta with a Serbian accent.
Actors: Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Jared Gilmore
Number of discs: 5
Studio: ABC Studios
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Run Time: 946 minutes
Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
When I first started watching “Once Upon a Time”, I wasn’t particularly thrilled with it and skipped the first season in its originally airing. I did though discover it on Blu-ray and really got into it quite a bit. There is such a deep and fun story behind this show. You find yourself really get drawn in this magical world within “Once Upon a Time”. There is also an endless wealth of great characters in the show. The primary cast included Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Captain Hook, Meghan Ory as Red Riding Hood, and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin. They all really meshes well together and deliver such a fun season with action, romance and twists and turns. There is endless possibilities and I can’t wait for season three and the spin-off series “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland”.
Synopsis: The curse is broken, magic has arrived, and there’s no telling what, or who, will be unleashed. Now the exiled fairytale characters of Once Upon a Time must grapple with a flood of awakened memories as they come to grips with their new “reality.” Old loyalties will be tested, new heroes will emerge and vengeful villains will wreak havoc, including ruthless pirate Captain Hook and the relentlessly wicked Queen of Hearts (Barbara Hershey). Amidst the backdrop of previously unexplored lands and a newly magical Storybrooke, love and sacrifice will set the stage for the ultimate battle between good and evil. For, in the words of Rumplestiltskin, where magic is concerned, only one thing is certain: it always comes at a price. From Storybrooke to Fairy Tale Land and beyond, experience the mystery, romance, action and adventure of Once Upon a Time.
Season two also packs a very impressive new cast with Jamie Chung as Mulan, Julian Morris as Prince Phillip, Lee Arenberg as Grumpy, Sarah Bolger as Princess Aurora, Jorge Garcia as Anton the Giant, Ethan Embry as Owen Flynn, David Anders as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Alan Dale as King George, Beverley Elliott as Granny, Eion Bailey as Pinnocchio, Raphael Sbarge as Jiminy Cricket and Tony Amendola as Geppetto. That is why ABC is a great place for this show to be airing since Disney is able to pull all the great characters from their library. I can’t wait to see who they drum up in season three.
Walt Disney Home Entertainment has delivered a very impressive Blu-ray release with all of the 22 episodes spread over 5-discs. The 1080p transfer is also very sharp for each episode. It draws you into Storybrooke with the beautiful sets and colors, which really stand out. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sounds fantastic as well and deliver that certain fairy tale feeling. The special features are quite impressive for this season’s Blu-ray. There are cast/crew audio commentaries…for EACH episode. Yep now joke, each episode. Very impressive for any fan of the show. “Sincerely, Hook” is a chat with Colin O’Donoghue who plays Killian Jones/Captain Hook about his roles. “Girl Power” is a feature on show’s strong women characters. “A Fractured Family Tree” goes deeper into the show’s magical family. “The Fairest Bloopers of Them All” is a very funny gag reel from this season. Lastly there are a few never-before-seen deleted scenes included.
Starring: Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, Aidan Turner, Jason Watkins, Dylan Brown, Sinead Keenan
Director: Toby Whithouse
Number of discs: 2
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: August 20, 2013
Run Time: 360 minutes
Series: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
I have been a fan of BBC’s “Being Human” since the first season and I am sad to see it go. The fifth season is also the show’s final season. Damien Molony and Michael Socha return for season five and Kate Bracken was added to the cast as Alex Miller (a ghost). I liked the way that these three really played off each other as the vampire/werewolf/ghost trio. I would have be very curious to see where they could have all gone together. But overall Season 5 was a big improvement over the rather dull season 4. Especially with transitioning a new character it was pretty solid. Like the first season, this one really aims to capture the perfect balance of drama and comedy that this series is known for.
Official Premise: Hal, Tom and Alex are three housemates with some serious issues on their hands, and they’re not just about household chores. Hal (Damien Molony) is a 500 year-old vampire, Tom (Michael Socha) is a hardened werewolf and Alex (Kate Bracken) has recently had the misfortune of becoming a ghost. But threat lurks around every corner. There is the volatile and deluded Crumb (Colin Hoult) – a newly recruited vampire, and the sinister Mr Rook (Steven Robertson) – head of a secret government department. With bills to be paid, our heroes take jobs in Barry’s kitschest hotel, but alongside the flock wallpaper and the cocktail umbrellas dwells an evil greater than anything faced before. On the face of it, Captain Hatch (Phil Davis) is just another foul-mouthed decrepit old man but he hides a dark secret that threatens not only our heroes’ friendships but the entire world.
BBC delivered “Being Human: Season Five” with each episode presented with 1080p transfers and Dolby Digital 2.0 audio tracks. Each of the episodes both look and sound awesome. This has been consistent for each season for this show as well. In fact, BBC always delivers in this department and their quality of their shows are always high. There are some decent special features on this season. There are five bonus clips: “Alex’s Unfinished Business”. There are a few deleted scenes, as well as some cast interviews included. I would have loved to seen some commentary tracks though, especially on the series finale.
Actors: Gerard Christopher, Stacy Haiduk, Sherman Howard
Number of discs: 3
Studio: Warner Archive Collection
DVD Release Date: July 16, 2013
Run Time: 560 minutes
Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars
Warner Archive is responsible for bringing this complete third season of “The Adventure of Superboy” to DVD for the first time. They originally released the first season back in 2006 but there was a huge gap for the second season, which was released December 2012. So hopefully the fourth and final season of the show is not far behind. This show is a half-hour live-action television series based on early year of Kal-El aka Superman. The show ran from 1988–1992 and aired over 100 episodes. The title of the show was renamed in fact from “Superboy” to “The Adventures of Superboy” at the start of the third season.
I personally was not a huge fan of this show. I think Superman works best when he is Superman. I am not really interested in his younger days, nor does anyone else. Anyone see “Man of Steel” – fast forward to the good stuff. But this show came at a time in our TV history in the early 90’s where it was considered a little campy as well. The idea of superhero films or TV shows were focusing more on camp then the darker and more serious tones. Hardcore fans of DC Comics, might want this to complete their collection but I was not a big fan.
Official Premise: Celebrate the Summer of Steel by diving into Kal-El’s adventures… when he was just a “boy” – and by boy we mean a fully-employed young adult! The show’s third season ushered in more changes as the hit syndicated show redefined itself for a new decade. Now named The Adventures of Superboy, the show leaves Shuster University behind, as Clark (Gerard Christopher) and Lana (Stacy Haiduk) take on internships in Capitol City at The Bureau of Extra-Normal Matters, a government agency dedicated to investigating aliens and the paranormal – years before anyone put an ³X² on a file. Working alongside fellow bureau member Matt Ritter (Peter Jay Fernandez) and under bureau chief C. Dennis Jackson (Robert Levine), Clark and Lana delve deep into the unknown as the show cooks up a comic-flavored confection of SciFi Noir. Fans will want to keep their eyes peeled for a pair of special guest stars in this 26-Episode, 3-Disc Collection – Stuart Whitman as Jonathan Kent and Ron Ely as …Superman!
Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
Directors: Jerry Paris
Number of discs: 3
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: August 6, 2013
Run Time: 775 minutes
Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
Well this is it kids, the final season of one of my favorite shows that has ever graced television. Even though it is has been off the air for almost 50 years, I am going to miss this show. Thankfully Image Entertainment has delivered each wonderful season on Blu-ray. I have absolutely loved reviewing these releases over the last few months. I am looking forward to though to revisiting this series quite often with my wife and daughter, especially as she grows. It is one of those shows that never gets old and better each time you watch. The characters in this show are just so much fun and you really get to see them grow along with the show through its five seasons. Do not miss this release!
Official Premise: Don’t miss the fun in this final season of the multiple Emmy Award-winning DICK VAN DYKE SHOW. Generation after generation of TV viewers have fallen in love with this timeless classic! For laugh after laugh, join one of TV’s best-loved couples, Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife Laura, along with Rob’s temperamental boss, Carl Reiner as Alan Brady, and his kooky co-workers, Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell and Rose Marie as Sally Rogers. Now see all 31 season episodes (airing 1965-1966), exquisitely remastered in their original full-length versions. Catch such classics as Laura blurting out Alan Brady’s big secret on national TV in Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth; mild-mannered Mel Cooley finally standing up to the boss in The Bottom of Mel Cooley’s Heart; and Alan Brady attempting to turn the Petries’ anniversary party into a self-serving documentary in A Day in the Life of Alan Brady.
Like the past four seasons before, Image has continued to deliver wonderful quality releases for this amazing show. These episodes have been released on Blu-ray with all-new scans from the camera negatives. The 1080p transfer looks, honestly not short of stunning for a show of it’s age. Each episode come with an original DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track, which works for the show and its comedy. The episodes were mostly taped with a studio audience and the laughing is balanced well with the snappy jokes and sharp dialogue. You will not be let down with this amazing audio and video presentations.
There are some new Blu-ray exclusive special features included on this release. There is “TV Academy Tribute to Carl” with Garry Shandling. After that there are a few promos collection including “My Blonde-Haired Brunette” and a two packages with some great memories shared with the fans past and present. The rest of the season features are roll-overs from past DVD releases but are still fantastic. There are commentary tracks from Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on episode 128 (Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth) and Episode 158 (The Gunslinger). Also Rose Marie, Larry Matthew and Bill Idelson lend their commentary to Episode 148 (Dear Sally Rogers). There are “Episode Photos” throughout all three discs for episodes 18 out of the 31 episodes.
Other extras include featurettes on disc 1: “Remembering 4½ and The Alan Brady Show Goes to Jail” and “Remembering Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth (episode 128)”, which look back at those episodes and their characters. Also there is the Emmy Awards® (1965-1966) Outstanding Comedy Series. Disc 2 also contains a look into the Emmy Awards® (1965-1966) Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series. It has two more recent features including “Comic Relief (1992)” and “TV Land Awards (2003)”. There are some Nick at Nite Promos. Lastly there are “Remembering Richard Deacon (episode 146)” and “Remembering Sally (episode 148)”.
Wrapping up the extras for not only the fifth season but the series in general are on a packed third disc. First we get three featurettes “Remembering Buddy’s Bar Mitzvah (episode 149)” and “Remembering The Gunslinger (episode 158)”. There is another feature called “Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman: If Men Could Cry”. Lastly there is a “TV Land Promo for The Dick Van Dyke Show”, a Theatrical Trailer for The Art of Love and a preview for “The New Dick Van Dyke Show”.
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, LeVar Burton, Marina Spirtis
Number of discs: 6
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Run Time: 1180 minutes
Season Four: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
Who doesn’t love the cliffhanger for “The Best of Both Worlds”? Captain Picard turned into a Borg…NOOOOOO!!!! It is the best in the franchise no question and left many fans screaming (including myself). Season four starts off with the conclusion episode and really kicks off the season with a bang. Due to the success and fan’s response to that cliffhanger formula it was reused throughout the rest of the series, including this season’s finale “Redemption”. Season four also marked the historic 100th episode of the show and the series passing the original series, which only had three seasons. The season some classic moments including a funny Robin Hood spoof with Q, Wesley Crusher leaving and the return of Denise Crosby as her own half-Romulan daughter! Season three really set the stands for this one and season four really takes the show into a great direction. If you are a fan of the show, do not miss this release.
Like the past three seasons, Paramount has continued to deliver fantastic releases for this show. “Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Four” delivers the show in glorious 1080p transfers of each episodes. These episodes look stunning, especially for being over 20 years old. Top that with a flawless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for each episode and Trek fans will be nothing but thrilled. Alternate audio tracks also include an English Stereo Surround, French Mono, Italian Mono, Castilian Mono, German Mono and Japanese Mono tracks. These episodes have been through a fantastic restoration which involved returning to the original film elements and it was worth every single second of effort because this release is great.
Paramount not only delivers a wonderful audio and video presentation, they also knock your socks off with great special features. The first five discs include a few extras where disc six is jam-packed. There are two audio commentary tracks including Rob Bowman and Mike and Denise Okuda on “Brothers” and Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, and Mike and Denise on for “Reunion”. There are six “Archival Mission Log” featurettes, including “Mission Overview Year Four”, “Selected Crew Analysis Year Four”, “New Life and New Civilizations”, “Chronicles from the Final Frontier”, “Departmental Briefing Year Four: Production”, “Select Historical Data” and “Inside the Star Trek Archives”. These are Mission Logs are very informative and really cover all aspects from the show’s production and legacy.
Disc six from us a bunch of great high def extras. “In Conversation: The Star Trek Art Department” is a 68 minute discussion with Special Makeup Effects Artis Doug Drexler, Production Designer Herman Zimmerman, Scenic Art Supervisor Mike Okuda, Visual Effects Supervisor Dan Curry, Technical Consultant Rick Sternbach, and Deep Space Nine Scenic Artist Denise Okuda. Great new feature and a must-see for any fan of the show. ”Relativity: The Family Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation Part 1: Homecoming and Part 2: Posterity” features cast and crew focusing on all aspects of the from the stories to the fandom and together they run to about an hour of great content. Lastly there is a nearly four minute Gag Reel and a collection eight deleted scenes.
Actors: James Drury, Doug McClure, John McIntire, Jeanette Nolan, Sara Lane
Number of discs: 9
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Shout! Factory / Timeless Media
DVD Release Date: July 16, 2013
Run Time: 1820 minutes
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
“The Virginian” is a rare thing in today’s time. It was an American Western television series, which are not common today. It is the third longest running western to grace our television following “Bonanza” at fourteen seasons and “Gunsmoke” at twenty seasons. It was also filmed in color and was television’s first 90-minute western series. The stellar cast from this season includes James Drury, Doug McClure, John McIntire, Jeanette Nolan and Sara Lane. If you love Westerns, then this is the show for you to watch! The last of a dying breed.
This DVD contains 24 full color episodes from the eight and final season (under the title of “The Virginian), which were fully restored and digitally remastered. In season 9, which is actually the last season of this show, the show’s title was changed to “The Men from Shiloh” and the entire feel of the series was completely redesigned. Shout! Factory/Timeless Media also delivered this DVD release within a very sharp collectible embossed tin. The episodes look good for their age and they gave this show the respect that it surely deserves.
Official Premise: Owen Wister’s 1902 western novel The Virginian was one of the first great novels of the American West. Set in the semi-mythical town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming in the 1890s, it chronicled the lives and relationships of the people who came west and settled the wild land. The Virginian was the first 90-minute television western, airing in prime time on NBC from 1962-1971. The eighth and final season of The Virginian was followed by a single season of The Men From Shiloh, a show featuring the same characters and setting but told in a new and different format.
Besides the main cast this series was packed with great guest stars including: Art Carney (“The Honeymooners”), Neville Brand (“Laredo”), Desi Arnaz (“I Love Lucy”), Edgar Buchanan (“Petticoat Junction”), Burgess Meredith (“Rocky”) and Alan Hale, Jr. (“Gilligan’s Island”). Season 8 marked the return of actors like William Shatner (“Star Trek”) and Joan Crawford as well. This show definitely represented a different time in television, where everything wasn’t just crappy repetitive reality shows. You would be able to watch TV and actually see great performances from great actors.
Actors: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner
Directors: Jerry Paris
Number of discs: 3
Rated: Unrated
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Run Time: 800 minutes
Season: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
Season four of “The Dick Van Dyke” show continues to deliver with the laughter and great jokes. It is one of my favorite seasons, as it introduced a new twist to the show having Alan Brady finally stepping out from being an off-screen character and getting a face. He was played by none other than the show’s own creator Carl Reiner. Reiner really makes this character one of my favorites from the show and adds a whole new dynamic for the series. If you are fan of this show Image delivers again with another successfully season release. I am sad to think that this series will be completed when season five is released in August 2013. Hopefully they have the rights to the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” next. 😉
Official Premise: Join one of TV’s funniest couples as they tackle life in the suburbs and work in the big city. Dick Van Dyke is hilarious as Rob Petrie, the wacky comedy writer, and Mary Tyler Moore is the sexiest, nuttiest wife in New Rochelle. Add to that magic combination the talents of Carl Reiner, Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Richard Deacon, and you’ve got one of the most popular sitcoms ever – the winner of 15 Emmy Awards! Now you can enjoy the complete fourth season (airing 1964-1965), all 32 episodes in their entirety! Be there as Laura gets her toe caught in a bath spout in the unforgettable Never Bathe on a Saturday, a sleep-deprived Rob tries to stay awake during his job interview with Alan Brady in 100 Terrible Hours and Don Rickles is a klutzy thief who tries to rob the Petries in a stalled elevator in 4 1/2, then enlists them to entertain in The Alan Brady Show Goes to Jail.
With each passing season, I never cease to be impressed with that love that Image has given this show. These episodes have been released on Blu-ray with all-new scans from the camera negatives. The 1080p transfer looks, honestly not short of stunning for a show of it’s age. Each episode come with an original DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track, which works for the show and its comedy. The episodes were mostly taped with a studio audience and the laughing is balanced well with the snappy jokes and sharp dialogue. You will not be let down with this amazing audio and video presentations.
There are some new Blu-ray exclusive special features. There is “Mary on The Danny Thomas Show” in which she tells the story of how she came to be cast as Laura Petrie. There are three separate “TV Academy Tribute to Carl Reiner” included as well. The first is from Dick Van Dyke, who tells him stories about their collaboration. The next one is from Ray Romano and Brad Garrett and the last one is from Rose Marie, Larry Matthews and Bill Persky, which is my personal favorite of the three. Rose Marie just cracks me up!
The rest of the season features are roll-overs from past DVD releases but are still fantastic. There are commentary tracks from Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke on episodes 121 (Never Bathe on Saturday) and episode 124 (Baby Fat). Also on episode 124, there is a track from Garry Marshall. All great commentary tracks for sure, a lot of fun! These guys really loved what they did and it sure does show! There are “Episode Photos” throughout all three discs for episodes 30 out of the 32 episodes, amazing!
Other extras include featurettes on disc 1: “Remembering Don Rickles” (episode 102) and “Remembering the Pink Pills” (episode 106), which look back at those episodes and their characters. Also there is a clip from the Animated Program “The Alan Brady Show” (episode 103). Disc 2 contains more featurettes on including “DVD Exclusive Awards: The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season One (Best Overall DVD, TV Program)”, “Diagnosis Murder: Dr. Mark Sloan Meets Rob Petrie” and “Dick Sings the Theme Song at the Hollywood Bowl (2001)”.
The third disc actually has the most extras listed for the season. First we get three featurettes “Remembering Never Bathe on Saturday” (episode 121), “Remembering Baby Fat” (episode 124) and “Remembering the Motorcyle” (episode 125) look back at these amazing episodes. There is a look back at the show in “The Dick Van Dyke Show Remembered”. Lastly there is a piece from “Emmy Awards® (1964-1965) Outstanding Program Achievement in Entertainment” and some extras “Nick at Nite Promos” included.
Created by: Art Vitello
Voiced by: Jim Cummings, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche, Kellie Martin, John Astin
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: May 14, 2013
Run Time: 286 minutes
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
With the huge success of “Tiny Toon Adventures”, “Taz-Mania” was born and still is a very fun spin-off giving the little devil a chance to own the spotlight. I remember watching this series as a kid and loving it. I also remember playing the hell out of the Sega Genesis game of the same name in 1992. Jim Cummings, one of my favorite voice actors, gives Taz his voice and also a few other great characters as well. This show ran for four seasons with 65 episodes. So in this “Season One, Part One” release we get the first 13 episodes. In fact “Season One, Part Two” already has a release date set on August 6, 2013 with another 13 episodes.
Official Premise: Clear the way! Here comes Taz, a whirlwind of terror and destruction. He’s a teenage Tasmanian Devil with a voracious appetite who devours nearly everything in his path, even his sister Molly’s beloved New Chips off the Block action figures! Sibling rivalry is tough, especially when you have a little sister who is the typical teenage girl who regularly gets on your nerves. Then there’s little brother Jake, who looks up to Taz and idolizes his big brother. Mom, Jean, is a dedicated mother who runs a shipshape household and loves her kids. Hugh is Taz’s easy-going dad, who enjoys playing golf. One of Taz’ best friends is his loyal pet, Dog the Turtle, a turtle who behaves just like a dog and even enjoys playing fetch! Together, the close-knit family of Tasmanian Devils, live on the lush, exotic island of Tazmania, where the sky is always a vibrant shade of yellow and adventures abound. Joining them is a lively cast of characters including, Constance Koala, Daniel and Timothy Platypus, Digeri Dingo, Wendal T. Wolf, Mr. Thickley and many others.
Disc 1 includes the following episodes: “Like Father, Like Son/Frights of Passage”, “The Dog the Turtle Story”, “War & Pieces/Airbourne Airhead”, “Battling Bushrats/Devil in the Deep Blue Sea”, “A Devil of a Job”, “Woeful Wolf”, “It’s No Picnic/Kee-Wee ala King” Disc 2 includes the following episodes: “Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty/Enter the Devil”, “Mishap in the Mist/Toothache Taz”, “Bewitched Bob”, “Instant Replay/Taz and the Pterodactyl”, “Comic Madness/Blunders Never Cease” and “Pup Goes the Wendal/I’m OK, You’re Taz”
This DVD marks the rest time that these episode have been released on DVD. I do not know if they have been restored or remastered at all but they still look pretty damn good. The are presented in full-frame to preserve the original television aspect ratio. This series just makes me realize how much I actually do miss Saturday morning cartoons. I am looking forward to future releases from this series and I hope that Warner Bros will continue to release great animated cartoons like this one. There are no extras included but there is a pamphlet for a bonus virtual item on the “Looney Tunes/Scooby Doo Cartoon Universe” online game.
Starring: Elijah Wood, Jason Gann
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: June 18, 2013
Run Time: 286 minutes
Season: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
After I was exposed to the first season of this show, which I watched straight through in one day, I was super excited for the second season. I have to admit though, I was a little let down. When I interviewed Jason Gann (read here), he said the second season was a different, a little darker but I feel it lost a little bit from the first season. Don’t get me wrong it is still pretty funny and completely out-there. I have a feeling after interviewing Elijah Wood (read here) for season three that it is coming back with a vengeance. If you haven’t seen this show, I would recommend checking out the first season before you just into this one but it is still worth checking out.
Official Premise: Elijah Wood and Jason Gann return for another fearlessly funny season of Wilfred…the story of a dog and his man. Following the first season’s cliff-hanger finale, Season Two finds Ryan making a fresh start with a real job and a new girlfriend. But with Wilfred’s help, Ryan discovers he still has a lot to learn about life, including ‘squishy’ viral videos and the ongoing cuteness war between dogs and babies. Get your paws on Season Two — with a shocking season-ending revelation that will change everything.
The Blu-ray presentation is impressive for this season, it is on par with the first season. As this show is a straight forward black comedy, the 1080p transfer doesn’t blow you away but looks great. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which works with the jokes and hilarious dialogue. The special features are a little light even less than the first season Blu-ray. We get some decent deleted scenes and a blooper reel. There are is a new short called “Stay” and a featurette “News at Noon with Jenna”. There is also a fun “Wilfred/Ryan Mash-up” included. Decent extras but I would have loved to see more specifically with commentary tracks, which I asked for in my review for the first season Blu-ray review (read here). Oh well, I can hope for season three 😉
Since his film debut in “Back to the Future Part 2,” Elijah Wood has grown up before our eyes. From the young boy dealing with life in films like “North” and “The War” to the adult hobbit Frodo in Peter Jackson’s Academy Award winning “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, he has never failed to impress an audience. This week he continues the third season of the highly popular television show “Wilfred,” which airs Thursday nights on FX. While promoting the show, Wood took some time to answer some questions.
Media Mikes: Do you sometimes have a hard time just holding it together and keeping a straight face when you film? Elijah Wood: Oh yeah. I would say even more this season oddly enough than other seasons. For some reason I sort of busted up more this season because of what Jason [Gann] was doing than ever before. I’m so used to seeing him in the dog suit and to a certain degree the context of a lot of the situations I’m very used to but it still definitely serves to make me laugh. It’s a wonderful environment to work in. It’s something that all of us as a crew are kind of constantly laughing so it’s a pretty wonderful thing to go in to work to that every day.
MM: Do you think Wilfred should have a fixed ending point or can it just continue on indefinitely? EW: That’s a very good question. I think that the structure of the show that’s been created is such that it’s about a guy who is essentially in recovery and trying to figure out what his path in life is. This manifestation of ‘Wilfred’ has provided essentially a push for him to kind of figure that out. I think that can only really last for so long to believe that we are dealing with a man who is kind of struggling for answers to these questions and in this sort of existential question period of his life and in recovery. I don’t know that we can believe that for ten seasons. I think to a certain degree there has to be a resolve or a move in a certain direction, so I don’t know. I think…to the fairness of the construction of the show… I think it can only survive for so long. I would hate to make the show kind of carry on for too long and it not necessarily support what we’ve created, if that makes sense.
MM: Definitely. When you play Ryan, do you have in your mind an answer to why he sees Wilfred in order to help you play him? EW: I do yeah. I have an idea. I’ve kind of made up my mind as to what I think Wilfred is. I don’t know that that’s reflective of what the character has decided though, and to a certain degree I think Ryan—when Ryan meets Wilfred in the first season it’s really within an episode in a way that he sort of accepts Wilfred’s existence. I think from there on out even though there are these questions and he does question what ‘Wilfred’ is—I think there’s a deeper level of acceptance and recognizing that ‘Wilfred’s’ purpose albeit uncertain as to where he’s manifesting from and what it means—his purpose is ultimately positive and that is helping him. I don’t know what Ryan has decided because I think Ryan is clearly questioning, but I have an idea. I think that perspective probably does help me in playing the character, but I think overall there’s just a sense of general acceptance for Ryan.
MM: When you approach a character, as far as developing it, do you take a different approach as opposed to when you’re working on a film and episodic television? EW: Not really. I mean the only real difference between television and film—I mean there are a few I suppose, but predominantly it’s the pace to which you work. But the development of the character or the process for playing the character isn’t necessarily different. The other main difference between film and television is that you have the opportunity to flush out a character over a longer period of time whereas a film you’re confined to two hours, three hours, whatever it may be. But really it’s very much the same approach that you would take when you play a character in any medium I think.
Actors: Andre Braugher, Scott Speedman, Daisy Betts, Camille De Pazzis, Dichen Lachman
Directors: Michael Offer
Number of discs: 3
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
DVD Release Date: July 2, 2013
Run Time: 558 minutes
Series: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
If you watch the pilot to “Last Resort”, this show will have you hooked. It packs a sharp cast lead by Andre Braugher and Scott Speedman with supporting cast including Dichen Lachman, Daisy Betts, Robert Patrick, Jessy Schram and Sahr Ngaujah. This show was unfortunately canned after its first 13 episodes but that actually worked out for the show better. Even though I would like to have seen more, the show really worked best as a 13-episode arc. It was tight, sharp and delivered a nice ending. I can easily see myself re-watching this series in the near future. I would recommend this for anything that missed it when it aired on TV or definitely for fans of the show to enjoy it again, plus this DVD is jam packed with great extras.
Official Premise: The U.S. ballistic submarine Colorado sits 500 feet below the Indian Ocean when orders come in to fire nuclear missiles at Pakistan. Captain Marcus Chaplin (Braugher) and XO Sam Kendal (Speedman), both question the legitimacy of the order and ask for confirmation, but instead receive missile fire from another U.S. submarine. Left for dead at the bottom of the ocean, the Colorado finds refuge on an exotic island. As troops come toward the island, the members of the crew must work to clear their name and find out who is involved in a conspiracy of nuclear proportions. The 13 episodes includes are: “Captain”, “Blue on Blue”, “Eight Bells”, “Voluntold”, “Skeleton Crew”, “Another Fine Navy Day”, “Nuke It Out”, “Big Chicken Dinner”, “Cinderella Liberty”, “Blue Water”, “Damn the Torpedoes”, “The Pointy End of the Spear” and “Controlled Flight Into Terrain”.
The special features on this series is actually quite awesome with 13 All-New Featurettes. “Making the Pilot” gives an inside look behind-the-scenes on the first episode. “Profiles in Courage” is a chat with co-creators and executive producers Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek on the USS Colorado crew members. “Conn Artists” talks about the sets with Production Designer Jim Spencer and Set Decorator Brenda Meyers-Ballard. “Anatomy of an Episode” focuses on the episode “Voluntold” with cast/crew. “Grace Under Fire” has Daisy Betts talking about her role. “Ties That Bind” features the cast chatting about the shows crucial relationship between Christine and Sam.
“Subvirtual” features the Fuse FX team talking about the shows stunning computer-generated visual effects. “The Buzzards Nest” talks about filming the explosive riot scenes in Big Chicken Dinner. “Turning Point” looks into the Naval SEAL mission in Pakistan that sets off the chain of events in the series. “The Mole” Jessica Camacho peels away the layers around Cortezs undercover role aboard the USS Colorado. “Serrats Lair” looks into the building of the estate that serves as Serrats island compound. “I, Kylie” has Autumn Reeser reflecting about her role. “Epilogue” has the cast and crew looking back on their characters and roles.
What do you do if you have a popular television show with popular stars as it approaches its new season? If you’re TNT you add everyone’s “go to” girl, Heather Locklear. From early 80s favorites like “T.J. Hooker” and “Dynasty” through the highly successful “Melrose Place” then on to “Spin City,” Locklear has always brought fans and, more importantly, ratings to her programs. Next week she joins the cast of “Franklin and Bash,” starring Mark Paul Gosselaar, Breckin Meyer and Malcolm McDowell as Rachel King, the law firm’s newest partner. The new season begins Wednesday, June 19 at 9:00 p.m. EST with an airing of back-to-back episodes. To celebrate her new gig Ms. Locklear sat down for some questions.
Media Mikes: When you first joined the cast, was it instant chemistry between you and Mark and Breckin or did it take a bit of time for you all to gel? Heather Locklear: You know what, I think anyone would have instant chemistry with those two boys. So that was pretty much right away. We were joking and laughing right away.
MM: And what was it about the role that interested you in being a part of this show? It’s very much a comedy mixed with a drama. HL: Right. First because of that, that’s different. And also because I’ve never played a lawyer before. And when shows are on a couple seasons already, it’s always nice to go in on that when they are well-oiled machines.
MM: What do you like about the character? HL: I like that she’s strong and she’s well educated…she knows world leaders and knows her stuff…her business.
MM: Do you see Rachel and Malcolm McDowell’s Stanton having a power struggle over the firm down the line? And what is Malcolm McDowell like to work with? HL: You know, I do see that down the line. But with Malcolm, I mean yes I do see that a little bit because he hands over the reins to her to, you know, to get everyone in shape. And I step on toes a bit. But it’s so fun working with Malcolm. He’s so twinkly and sparkly and such fun. Have you met him?
MM: No, but we’ve interviewed him for our site in the past.
MM: Because of your popularity – especially on television series – you must get many offers. What was it about this show that made you say ”yes, this is the show that I want to do?” HL : Let me tell you something. I don’t get many offers. I get a few maybe. But because the show is like a “Boston Legal” – I loved “Boston Legal.” I loved “Ally McBeal” It’s similar to that. It’s a fun show. And it was different than what I’ve done in the past.
MM: If you had to name your three favorite roles what would they be? HL: Like the shows?
MM: Yes. HL: Oh, I loved “Melrose Place.” I loved “Spin City,”… both of them with Michael (J. Fox) and Charlie (Sheen). And I loved doing “Saturday Night Live.” That was fun.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, Reuel Pendleton, Sakina Jaffrey, Michael Kelly, Kristen Connolly
Developed by: Beau Willimon
Number of discs: 4
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
DVD Release Date: June 11, 2013
Run Time: 674 minutes
Series: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A
“House of Cards” is a pretty cutting edge TV series since it was made for and released specifically for Netflix. It consists of 13 episodes, which were released all at once on the paid online service. It is a fierce political drama with Kevin Spacey, perfectly leading pack. The show also co-stars Robin Wright, Kate Mara, and Corey Stoll (whom I loved in “Midnight in Paris”). David Fincher also co-created and directed the first two episodes and really set the tone for the whole season, which intense, smart and extremely well-written. This show also has paved for way for other shows to premiere online with Netflix. I can’t wait for season two, bring it on! If you are a fan of political dramas, then “House of Cards” is the show for you.
Official Premise: “House of Cards”follows House Majority Whip Frank Underwood (Spacey), a strong-willed, power-hungry Democrat from South Carolina set on conquering Washington D.C. alongside his wife, Claire (Wright). When the President decides to pass over Frank for a presumed appointment to Secretary of State, Underwood takes matters into his own hands by using Congress, the media, and corporate boosters as pawns in exacting revenge on those who betrayed him
Sony Pictures Entertainment gave this series a nice Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer looks very impressive and is presented well with an aspect ratio of 2.00:1. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 works well with the drama filled intense dialogue. I am a bit disappointed that there are ZERO special features included for this series. If you are a subscriber to Netflix, there would be no reason for you to purchase this Blu-ray since you can watch the episodes already online for free. I would have loved to see some featurettes and commentary tracks included. So if you don’t have Netflix, then this would be for you but after you finish the season don’t expect anything extra.
Actors: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hyden Walch, Tom Kenny
Created by: Pendleton Ward
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Cartoon Network
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Running Time: 572 minutes
Seasons: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars
I have to admit, I was not aware of this amazing show when it first started airing. I came in around the third season but I have never seen anything like this before. “Adventure Time” is an amazing blend of animation with fantasy and plenty of comedy. It is trippy, strange and completely weird but impossible not to love. The show’s creator Pendleton Ward is just 30 years old and has really delivered us a fantastic show not just for kids either, this show is for “kids” of all ages. There are some many pop-culture references through this series that literally brings out the fanboy in all of us. If you have never heard of “Adventure Time”, now is the perfect time to start. If you are a die-hard fan like myself, need I say more?
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Cartoon Network has released numerous DVDs for “Adventure Time” in the last few years but just recently started getting into the complete seasons, which I am big fan of. This is the first time that The Complete First Season is available on Blu-ray and also the first time that The Complete Second Season is available at all in full. Together these releases brings us, the fans, 52 episodes of this amazing show in glorious high definition. They also come in very cool slipcases. First season is Finn with a removable hat and the second season, surprised it isn’t Jake, is The Ice King, with removable beard. Very clever and a nice added touch!
The Complete First Season Official Synopsis: What time is it? It’s time for Adventure Time! Cartoon Network’s #1 hit comedy show and Emmy-nominated series centers on the post apocalyptic adventures of Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada), a human boy with a funny hat, and his friend Jake (John DiMaggio), a magic and mischievous dog. The Blu-ray includes all 26 episodes from Season 1 and tons of special features by Ward. The first season also comes packaged with a collectible slipcover and is a must have for any Adventure Time fan.
The Complete Second Season Official Synopsis: It’s one crazy adventure after another for human boy, Finn, and his best friend, Jake, a 28-year old dog with magical powers. They’re out to have the most fun possible and they sure do find it exploring the Land of Ooo! Whether it’s saving Princess Bubblegum (Hynden Walch), battling zombie candy, taunting the Ice King (Tom Kenny) or rocking out with Marceline the Vampire Queen (Olivia Olson), with Finn & Jake it’s always Adventure Time.
Like I said before the episodes looks quite amazing with their 1080p transfers and aspect ratio of 1.78:1. I watched this show on Cartoon Network HD and this really gives the show a real impressive make over. The most disappointing aspect of this release is the audio tracks. Oh man, they really let us down here. Each season only comes with a weak Dolby Digital 2.0 (192kbps) track. This is even bad for DVD standards. The show is dialogue based, so it doesn’t suffer too much but if I am upgrading this series, especially for the first season on Blu-ray, then I expect Blu-ray quality audio tracks.
The Complete First Season features the same extras, which are replicated from its previous DVD release. “Behind the Scenes” features the show’s creator Pen Ward show us around the show’s offices. To top that there is a “Behind the Behind the Scenes,” which includes more strangeness inside the show. “Adventure Time Music with Casey + Tim” is a featurette with the show’s composers Casey James Basichis and Tim Kiefer. There are also four commentary tracks including “Trouble in Lumpy Space” & “Prisoners of Love” with John DiMaggio, Jeremy Shada, Tom Kenny and Pen Ward; “Tree Trunks” by Bettie Ward and Polly Lou Livingston and “Ricardio the Heart Guy” with George Takei, Tom Kenny, Hynden Walch, Jeremy Shada and Pen Ward.
The Complete Second Season extras are not as bountiful as the first but it makes up for it in its content. There are literally 26 commentary tracks includes. If you are a fan of this show, each one is better than the next. There is also a featurette “The Crew of Adventure Time”, with them being interviewed by Pen Ward. Topping this release off is my favorite part, even though it is not much of a bonus feature, if you like digital copies then these two seasons releases include all the episodes available to be added to your Ultraviolet digital streaming account!
