Without my girlfriend’s six-year-old daughter to help me out, I had the opportunity to tackle this 10-episode compilation DVD of the hit Cartoon Network series.  I can’t blame Makayla for her lack of interest in the show; after all, with the title character being a sixteen year old boy who fights robots and aliens, well, I don’t believe she fits the target audience.  On the other hand, as I started watching I began to see that anyone who enjoys aliens and robots is sure to enjoy the show at least to some degree.  For me in the 80’s when I devoured cartoons like Transformers, Thundercats, Mask, etc., it didn’t so much matter about the plot but about the crazy epic fights between my heroes of the animation world and the villains.  Had Ben 10 been out, I’m sure I would have had a blast with it as well.

As a kid, who wouldn’t want the power to transform into any monster and save the world from some terrible monster wrecking havoc on the city?  In a lot of ways Ben Tennyson is that kid we at some point daydreamed of being.  Sure, he has an inflated ego and is obnoxious most of the time, but can you blame him?  Every week some alien or robot created by some crazy doctor is out to kill Ben or attack his loved ones, and after surviving so many attacks, he’s pretty much earned the right to have some bravado.

Cartoons are for kids. Most of the time. Then there is Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network. Adult Swim plays during the late night hours and is under much looser federal regulation. Much, much looser, I would say. In fact, it may be possible that the definition of the term loose has been stomped and squashed into a giant red stain on the sidewalk. I have not spent a lot of time watching Adult Swim, but I was not ready for the content of Superjail: Season 3. I think it would be hard to imagine something more offensive and shocking, but I'm sure it exists. Since it is a cartoon there are no limits in the ability to depict horrific gore and bodily destruction. This is a comedy show presented in the new format of compact 11-minute segments. I will say that I didn't see anything pornographic (at least that wasn't blacked out), but other than that there seem to be no limits in the hunt for  the ultimate hilarious gross out.

Superjail takes place in a maximum security prison in some post-apocalyptic future. Mutants, freaks and unwholesome abominations abound. Any kind of social norm has been eradicated in this nightmare vision of the future. I'm not saying I'm shocked or offended, but I feel it is my duty to say that millions will be insanely upset and some will be greatly entertained. If you buy into the premise, I would say it's lots of fun. But I think late night Cartoon Network is no place for kids.

After having two successful films, Kung Fu Panda made its way onto the small screen as an animated show for Nickelodeon.  Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of the films, I could still appreciate the charm and allure of Po, the Dragon warrior who just so happens to be a Panda.  In the films Jack Black voiced the character of Po, and it’s his goofiness that seemed to make Po so likeable.  But on the small screen, the studios can throw down the healthy chunk of money that the A list actors take in when doing the voice work for the full-length films.  As luck would have it Mike Wingert would take over the voice work of the title character, and he does a remarkable job filling in.

For this DVD release we don’t get an entire season but only seven episodes that include some of Po’s most mischievous foes, the Croc bandits.  Helping me review this batch of awesomeness was my girlfriend’s six-year-old daughter Makayla.  She was a little reluctant at first considering she wasn’t too big a fan of the movies, but after the catchy opening credit music played, she was settled in and ready to watch.

"Life's A Long Song"

That has certainly been true for the iconic British invasion band, Jethro Tull. Their first album came out in 1968, and they made their maiden tour of The United States the next year as the opening act for Led Zeppelin. From that point on the band has experienced both ups and downs, to be sure. Still, they continue to play nearly 100 shows a year throughout the world. Jethro Tull: Around The World offers a peek at their traveling minstrel show over the span of 35 years from 1970 to 2005. It's a rare glimpse into the evolution and, indeed, the aging of a rock classic. One might say that it's about time.

How do you cope with loss? Do you numb yourself so you don’t feel anything? Or do you lash out in anger, making everyone else feel as bad as you? Do you do seek help or do something drastic? Least Among Saints explores that concept, looking at the various types of loss and hurt from different perspectives and age demographics while exploring the way to redemption.

Anthony (Martin Papazian, TV’s 24, and also this film’s writer and director) is an Iraq War veteran whose return to civilian life has not been easy. Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anthony drinks to forget the horrors of war and the fact that his ex-wife has a restraining order against him. After a particularly bad day, he decides to end it all. His suicide is interrupted by the frantic cries for help from his 10-year-old neighbor, Wade (Tristan Lake Leabu, Superman Returns), whose mother has overdosed on drugs. Anthony rushes Wade and his mom to the hospital, where she dies shortly after. Realizing Wade has no one and nowhere to go, Anthony convinces Wade’s social worker, Jolene (Laura San Giacomo, TV’s Just Shoot Me!), to let Wade stay with him, against her better judgment. Back at Anthony’s, Wade shows Anthony a postcard from his father and tells him that he wants to find him. Even though Anthony doubts they’ll find him, he agrees. The two set off on a road trip, defying Jolene’s explicit instructions. As they grow closer, Anthony realizes he must overcome his demons if he is to be the father figure Wade needs.