Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on November 4th, 2010
In 2004 DOG the Bounty Hunter first took to the airwaves. On the surface it looked like yet another one of those reality cop shows where camera guys followed the men in blue as they took down the bad guys. Dog wasn't a cop; in fact he'd spent a part of his life on the other side of the law. Still, he was decked out in a Kevlar vest with a badge hanging from a chain around his neck. The cameras followed him around as he kicked in doors and stalked his criminal prey. But this isn't really quite your typical reality cop show. These guys aren't cops. They're bounty hunters. It's a family business that provides bail bonds to get the bad guys out of jail and has the muscle to track them down if they decide to skip their court appearances. This Dog doesn't get stuck holding the bag for nobody.
The Chapman family lives mostly in Hawaii. They do spend a lot of time at a second home in Colorado, where Dog is originally from. But it doesn't really matter what the location might be. The job is always the same. The team is strictly a family affair. Dog (Duane) Chapman is "Big Daddy" and the driving force behind the operation. Beth is Dog's wife and runs the business side of the operation. That doesn't mean that she's not right there on the hunt offering logistic support. Dog's right-hand man is his brother Tim. They have been partners for decades. Then there are Dog's two sons Leland and Duane Lee. This is the core group. They operate out of two SUVs as they track and take down the fugitives. The youngest member of the team is Dog's daughter Baby Lyssa. She's a small and shy girl, but she gets in her share of licks every now and again. There is also Dog's nephew Justin, who has a spotty record of commitment to the group.
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:
How The Earth Was Made: Season One
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 How The Earth Changed History and culminated with the 13 episodes of the first season of How The Earth Was Made. It might be easy to confuse these titles in your video store. But, make no mistake about it. They are very different shows down to their core, pun intended.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 26th, 2010
A&E and History have combined for some of the best educational as well as entertaining programs over the years. Many of those shows have taken close looks at the various civilizations and empires throughout world history. Most of these shows take a look at these civilizations from the inside outward. We're not talking the litany of facts and accomplishments that we've seen on hundreds of documentaries as well as our old high school textbooks. These programs look at the day-to-day life of these cultures and peoples. The accomplishments here are the ones that affected everyday life within these empires. These are the kinds of things we tend to take for granted in our modern lives. Things like sanitation, architecture, and basic metro services didn't just appear out of nowhere. These shows give us a rare look into the evolution of the things that have identified human evolution over the millennia. It's said that we are separated from animals by our ability to shape and change our environment. With this massive 14 disc set, you can explore the ways that we have shaped our planet in our quest for civilization.
The disc includes the following series and episodes:
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 19th, 2010
A&E has brought together a collection of television episodes from three British series that have featured prominently on the network over the years. The shows each feature one of the greatest detectives in literature. The long-running shows have used the original literary works as the basis for most of the episodes. But long before they were played on television, we knew who they were. The exploits of Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, and Hercule Poirot have engaged the minds of mystery lovers for nearly a century now. For the first time, you have the wonderful opportunity to enjoy them at your own leisure, together in one massive collection called Great Detectives.
Here's what you'll find in this impressive set:
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 13th, 2010
Written by Diane Tillis
Considered by many to be the first televised miniseries, Rich Man, Poor Man became a television ‘event’ in the late 1970s and opened the doorway for other miniseries to follow. A&E and NBC Universal restored and compiled the two-part, thirty-four episode long show on DVD format in this one-of-a-kind collection. It was difficult for me to grasp the importance of this show just by watching it because I wasn’t born until the late 80’s. I decided to surf the internet to gain insight on a true fan’s response to the show and their impression of this collection. It was not hard to discover that the fans of Rich Man, Poor Man have been waiting with bated breath for the show to be released on DVD.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 11th, 2010
"58 full-length episodes. 585 classic sketches. On 18 discs."
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 7th, 2010
"Every government has its secret service branch. In America it's CIA, England MI5. A messy job? Well, that's when they call on me, or someone like me. Oh yes. My name is Drake, John Drake."
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 4th, 2010
"General George S. Patton. His bold attacks are legendary. See the war the way he saw it and ride along with his hard-fighting troops as they battle their way through World War II. On this 360-degree battlefield, Patton's enemies could be anywhere and everywhere. There's nowhere to run, when the war is all around you."
Patton 360 does for the European theatre of World War II what Battle 360 did for the fight in the Pacific. Just as in that earlier program, we are brought into somewhat intimate contact with one of the most prolific and successful fighting corps in that part of the war. Patton was a larger-than-life general who often got into his own way more than the enemy ever did. He was nicknamed Old Blood & Guts based on a standard speech he delivered when addressing the troops. He was the most successful general in the European war. From Normandy he pushed across France and into Germany liberating towns along the way. The French citizens loved him and considered him a hero. His troops respected him and drew confidence from him, even if they did not necessarily love the man himself. He didn't suffer what he considered foolish behavior very well. He found himself suspended and out of the war for nearly a year when he slapped two battle-fatigued soldiers with whom he had lost patience. However, it would be impossible to discuss the Great War without spending some significant time on George S. Patton. This series does just that ... and with a certain flair.
![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)
![Patton 360: The Complete Season 1 [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/patton-360-the-complete-season-1--large.jpg)
