Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 8th, 2010
Written by Diane Tillis
I’ve come to learn that you either love the 1997 – 2002 American drama-comedy series Ally McBeal, or you loathe it.
For its time, Ally McBeal was an unusual show. It mixed comedy, drama, law, and a unisex bathroom to create a quirky television series. Ally McBeal is unapologetic for representing the insane, ridiculous, and crazy situations the characters get into, and how they get out of them. It focuses on the romantic and personal lives of several characters who work in a Boston law firm.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 4th, 2010
Written by Diane Tillis
Jumping Jellybeans! Scooby Doo deserves mention in any article that discusses the best and most-loved animated television series in history.
Scooby Doo has been chronicled in several different media from live-action films, direct-to-DVD films, and the popular 1969 animated series. The earliest material from 1969 – 1970 tends to be the more highly regarded season of the series to date. If you are like me and grew up watching reruns of these episodes on Saturday mornings, the earliest material is also the most loved of the series.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 3rd, 2010
Season 5 of this most well-meaning of sitcoms finds a major change. With the cast now having aged to the point that not all the girls could reasonably be in high school together, Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) opens Edna's Edibles, a bakery-slash-coffee-shop, and the opening two-parter establishes the new status quo (essentially doing whatever is necessary to keep the main characters together). Otherwise, things proceed as they always have, with each story combining standard sitcom hijinks with Important Life Lessons and forays into weighty subjects. So, for example, the friendship between Natalie (Mindy Cohn) and Tootie (Kim Fields) hits a rough patch when Natalie's reaction to being asked out by Tootie's cousin is perceived, by Tootie, to be racist.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on November 3rd, 2010
Apparently, animated shows created by Seth McFarlane are in high demand. He has had considerable success with Family Guy and American Dad. It was only a matter of time before Fox would try their luck with a Family Guy spinoff. The subject would be one of Peter’s friends. No, not Quagmire. That will be reserved for Cinemax late night. Giggity giggity. Actually, the subject would be Cleveland. Let us see how this one plays out.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 2nd, 2010
This impressive A&E Blu-ray release combines two of the network's better series into one high-definition release. You get the 13-episode first season of How The Earth Was Made and the first season of Universe. Together the episodes explore the most inner depths of planet Earth and the farthest reaches of our own Solar System. It's all in high- definition Blu-ray. It will make a rather nice gift this holiday season. Here's what you get:
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 2nd, 2010
Both Battle 360 and Patton 360 have provided viewers with one of the more interesting looks at two of the most impressive records in World War II. In the Pacific it was the crew of the aircraft carrier Enterprise. In Europe it was the iconic leader, General George S. Patton and his troops. Together they have amassed the most impressive wartime records in American history. World War II was a defining moment for the United States, establishing this nation as a super power with influence on world affairs unequaled. The results might have been dramatically different if not for these two fighting forces. Now A&E has collected them both in one high-definition Blu-ray collection.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 1st, 2010
"Earth: a unique planet. Restless and dynamic. Continents shift and clash. Volcanoes erupt. Glaciers grow and recede. Titanic forces that are constantly at work, leaving a trail of geological mysteries behind."
I saw a bumper sticker recently that read; "Geologists dig classic rock". I should have taken it as an omen that I would be spending some quality time with a few geologists over these last couple of weeks. It started with the excellent BBC mini-series
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 28th, 2010
A Joss Whedon universe is always a strange and fantastical place to visit. It doesn’t matter if it’s populated by vampires and demons or space cowboys. If Whedon’s name appears anywhere on the credits, you know you’re going to be in for one hell of a ride. It’s been a little while since Whedon’s been back in the saddle. His most recent series, Firefly, was fraught with problems with the network. It was very badly handled, and the show died an undeserved swift death after just a few episodes.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 27th, 2010
Written by Diane Tillis
Hush Little Baby is a direct-to-DVD film presented by the Lifetime television network. Already you can make assumptions as to the quality of the film and the heightened drama that is associated with all Lifetime films. Hush Little Baby is parallel to any horror film about a possessed child who torments his/her parents, minus any suspense or gore.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 21st, 2010
“Mentalist: Someone who uses mental acuity, hypnosis, and/or suggestion. A master manipulator of thoughts and behavior.”
I remember fondly Simon Baker’s last television series, The Guardian. It wasn’t exactly a great or groundbreaking show, but it chugged on somewhat quietly for five seasons. It didn’t seem like anyone was really noticing this quality show.
![Earth & Space [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/earth-space-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![How the Earth Was Made [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/how-the-earth-was-made-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![Dollhouse: Season 2 [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/dollhouse-season-2-blu-ray-large.jpg)
