Posts by Gino Sassani

Holiday time is here and we're all going to have a bit too much to eat. Lionsgate has the answer to your holiday pounds. In the first of four great "get into shape" contests,  they're giving us a copy of two of Jane Fonda's latest workout videos. We have Jane Fonda Prime Time Firm & Burn and Trim Tone & Flex. To win these two DVD's just follow these instructions.

Contest is now closed Winner was Anne-Marie T.

"You have been activated."

You've got to hand it to Robert Rodriguez. Since he came onto the film scene in 1992 he has earned a reputation for delivering some very innovative films. His specialty appears to run toward more adult fare with such cult hits as Dusk To Dawn, Sin City, and his recent splashes into grindhouse territory. Anyone who has seen those films might find it strange that the writer/director is also responsible for a somewhat beloved children's franchise with the Spy Kids films.

John Bonito has had very little experience in filmmaking. He's done a few wrestling tidbits and one earlier film called The Marine, and that was nearly six years ago. Chances are you haven't heard of either. If Carjack is any indication of his limited ability, the new film out on Blu-ray isn't going to help with that name recognition. So, with a no-name director and a direct-to-video release, the film really left small expectations. We might go into a film like this expecting a rather dull, "been there, done that" feel to it. In that sense Bonito doesn't disappoint at all. But take a closer look at the cast and hope emerges for something perhaps a little better than that.

The Disney magic faded for a little while during the 1980s. There were still animated features, but they weren’t the groundbreaking triumphs of the studio’s golden age. All of that changed as we entered the 1990s. The Little Mermaid is considered the first of the new wave of Disney classics. It certainly signaled a change in the direction of animation at Disney. While the change may have begun there, I believe it was Beauty And The Beast that started a wave

"The party is most definitely on."

This direct to video sequel of Disney's Beauty And The Beast is a much more low-budget affair than The Enchanted Christmas was to become. While the film did use the voices of many of the original cast including Jerry Orbach, Robbie Benson, Paige O'Hara, and David Ogden Stiers, the production values show the economy of the project.

Now that we're getting into the Christmas Shopping season, Upcomingdiscs will be offering you a sample of some of our suggestions for that home theater geek on your shopping list. These are not paid advertisements.

The BBC is Calling America with one of the best releases of the holiday season. We've reviewed several seasons of the Doctor Who revival in these pages over the years. These episodes have been coming out in Blu-ray in full high definition over the last few seasons. The latest release is the full season 6 set.

The good folks over at A&E Home Entertainment have appointed themselves Upcomingdiscs' official Santa Claus for this holiday season. You're going to see some great gifts from A&E over the season. We're kicking it all off with a way to put a little romance into your Black Friday. A&E is giving a copy of their famous Romance Collection Special Edition to one lucky reader at Upcomingdiscs. This is an incredible release. 29 hours of romantic films on a 13 disc DVD collection. Catch this collection of films: Pride And Prejudice, Victoria & Albert, Emma, Jane Eyre, Catherine The Great, The Mayor Of Casterbridge, The Magnificent Ambersons, Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Vanity Fair and that immortal classic The Great Gatsby. It all goes to one winner this Christmas. To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.

Contest is now closed Winner was Sarah Davis

"It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights. It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight…"

What do the following huge stars all have in common: Elton John, George Burns, Peter Sellers, Don Knotts, Bob Hope, John Cleese, Madeline Kahn, and Milton Berle? They all were guests on The Muppet Show.  It would be pretty hard to argue that the seriesdidn't became the in place for A-list entertainers to have a little fun. Like a neighborhood clubhouse, the top stars would come to the show and allow themselves to be often upstaged by Henson’s cute little creatures.

With Thanksgiving Day upon us we've decided that what we're thankful for this year is all of our faithful readers and supporters.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

"My name is John Crichton...an astronaut. Four years ago, I got...shot through a wormhole to a distant part of the galaxy. I ending up on this ship...this living ship, populated by escaping prisoners...who became my friends. I made enemies..."

Take a magical journey with me now. I don't mean into outer space. It's a journey back in time to a day when the SyFy Channel was called the Sci-Fi Channel. A day when it was an exciting and promising place on the cable dial.