Tag: icarly

  • Win iCARLY: SEASON 4 on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: SEASON 4 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, August 15th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, August 15th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 7/27/12: Where Some Have Gone Before

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    As its original run was airing, I would rarely miss a new episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation (Paramount, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$129.99 SRP). As years have gone by, my love of the show has waned, and I find more and more flaws in its stories with the truly outstanding episodes dwindling to a handful. But I must applaud and support the phenomenal effort that has been put into making the show available in HD, which includes going back to the actual film source and constructing the show from all of the original elements in HD, rather than the original video mastering… Which means the show has never, ever looked as good and, frankly, modern as it does now. So for that reason alone, I recommend these sets, especially in hopes that their success will ensure Deep Space Nine gets the same treatment. As far as bonus features go, not only do we get the original DVD features, but also brand new documentaries, and the now-legendary blooper reel.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    With the Holga iPhone Lens Filter Kit ($29.99), you have the ability – via a simple rotary design – to rotate in nine different filters, from gels to duplications and more. It’s a fun little add-on to muck around with on a summer’s day.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    The gap between releases is an endurance test, but when a new Cinematic Titanic Live DVD arrives, the beautiful little comedy gem makes you forget just how long it’s been since the last one. And oh, does Rattlers (Cinema Titans, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99) deliver some comedy gold, as a discount Ken Doll (and tenured herpetologist) intones his way through a ham-fisted entry in that honored 70’s genre – animals gone scholockily wild. Get this, and hope that the wait for the next release is far shorter.

    blankguide.gif

    Another month, another pair of classic Doctor Who releases bringing us that much closer to having all of the almost 30 years of stories on DVD. And this month brings a pair of corkers – Patrick Troughton’s 2nd Doctor in Doctor Who: The Krotons (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP) and Jon Pertwee’s 3rd Doctor in Doctor Who: Death To The Daleks (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP). As usual, both are loaded with bonus features, the real standout being the nearly hour-long 2nd Doctor retrospective on Krotons.

    blankguide.gif

    Yes, American Masters: Johnny Carson – King of Late (PBS, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99) is just as brilliant and welcome and ultimately unsatisfying as I hoped it would be. Really, any attempt to paint a portrait of the famously private Carson was going to leave a viewer left wanting, but I’m delighted that a portrait even exists, which is a brilliant appreciation of what made Johnny king – a crown no one else has come to claiming.

    blankguide.gif

    I’ve said it before, and I shall continue to say it as long as he continues to write them – If you’ve not yet read John Swartzwelder’s series of brilliantly comic novels starring dim detective Frank Burly, than you do not deserve to be literate. So yes, do catch up, and also pick up the latest – The Million Dollar Policeman (Kennydale Books, $15.95 SRP) – or just walk away and never read again.

    blankguide.gif

    The fine folks at Fantagraphics continue to do more to keep classic Disney characters in front of audiences than Disney does, with the release of both the 3rd volume collecting Floyd’s Gottfredson’s classic Mickey Mouse comic strip, Mickey Mouse: High Noon At Inferno Gulch (Fantagraphics, $29.99 SRP), and the 2nd volume collecting the works of the great Carl Barks, Uncle Scrooge: Only A Poor Old Man (Fantagraphics, $28.99 SRP). Presented in beautiful hardcover form and supplemented by essays and insight, they are must have additions to the library of fans and sure-to-become-fans alike.

    blankguide.gif

    And speaking of a company doing fine work for those who truly love comics, the folks at Twomorrows have released a pair of books which are both worth picking up – Marie Severin: The Mirthful Mistress Of Comics (Twomorrows, $24.95 SRP) looks at the silver age Marvel Bullpen legend, while Modern Masters: Eric Powell (Twomorrows, $15.95 SRP) takes a look at the art of the man behind The Goon. Both are packed with interviews and art and yes, both should be on your shopping list.

    blankguide.gif

    While the US remake has me worried, the must-see feature film is getting it’s US debut soon and the original UK series has finally been released in the US. So what does that mean? That means you should get The Inbetweeners: The Complete Series (eOne, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) immediately, and partake of the immature misadventures of Will, Neal, Simon & Jay. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, featurettes, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    The show may be running out of steam, but there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the 4th season of iCarly (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP), which comes bearing 10 episodes in widescreen for the first time, all of which are full of hijinks. Hi-jinks, I tells ya. Bonus materials include 5 episodes of the show How To Rock.

    blankguide.gif

    Warners has brought a pair of much-requested sci-fi titles to high definition with the arrival of Peter Hyams’ Outland (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP), starring Sean Connery as a colonial marshal on Jupiter’s moon investigating the mysterious deaths of miners, and Ken Russell’s still-bizarre Altered States (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP). As far as bonus materials go, Outland gets an audio commentary and trailer, while Altered States gets only a trailer. Still, at least we finally have both of these flicks on Blu-Ray.

    blankguide.gif

    Been waiting for another UCB movie? I have. Is there another UCB movie, written and helmed by Matt Besser and starring his brilliant partners? Yes, there is. Does it have dance? Not only does it have dance, it has Freak Dance (Image, Not Rated, DVD-$27.97 SRP) – The greatest dance of them all. Just watch it. Now. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurette, and deleted scenes.

    blankguide.gif

    Still one of the greatest concert movies ever put to film, Peter Gabriel: Secret World Live (Eagle Vision, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP) makes its way to high definition in a phenomenal presentation whose sound is an improvement over the already-stellar DVD from a few years back. Get this.

    blankguide.gif

    Seeing as how every season since the third has gotten a concurrent high-definition releases, Warners has gone back to fill in the blanks with high-definition releases of The Big Bang Theory: Season 1 & The Big Bang Theory: Season 2 (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP each). Both have the same featurettes and gag reels of their original DVD versions, but now the picture looks oh so much better.

    blankguide.gif

    Yeah, I don’t know if I really wanted to catch up with the characters of American Pie almost 15 years later, and seeing them coming to terms with adulthood and families and maturity and stagnation in American Reunion (Universal, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.96 SRP) proves my initial trepidation to be prescient, as boy, is this just an awkward trudge. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    What a world we live in when Mel Gibson has so damaged his reputation that his new film essentially goes direct-to-video, as is the case with the action flick Get The Gringo (Fox, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), where he’s a grizzled thief whose last heist lands him in a Mexican prison, and mixed up with corrupt cops, druglords, and a 10-year-old boy with a special liver. Bonus materials include featurettes and a music video.

    blankguide.gif

    Many years ago, the book Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (Sony, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP was recommended to me by the great Neil Innes. I enjoyed the book immensely. The film, while not as great as the book, is a worthy adaptation of the source material. Bonus materials include a pair of featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    There’s nothing altogether wrong about Friends With Kids (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) – in fact, it has a great cast (everyone from Maya Rudolph and John Hamm to Chris O’Dowd and Kristen Wiig) – it’s just that its romantic comedy tropes feel like warmed over Judd Apatow… Which is no mean feat, considering Judd Apatow movies feel like warmed over Judd Apatow. In a nutshell, it’s about a pair of friends (Adam Scott & writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt) who, upon seeing the rest of their friends have kids, decided to have a baby together… But remain platonic friends and still actively pursue outside relationships. See? Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    Hans Zimmer’s score to The Dark Knight Rises (Water Tower Music, $10.00 SRP) wraps up Christopher Nolan’s trilogy with cues as dark, brooding, and majestic as you’ve come to expect, aided by a powerful sonic arrival of baddie Bane.

    blankguide.gif

    For a unique view of history, look no further than Michael Wood’s Story Of England (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP), which charts the country’s history using a single village over the course of 2000 years, from the Roman occupation to the present day.

    blankguide.gif

    Warners, MGM, and Sony have all jumped into the MOD catalogue business, but one of the studios with the biggest libraries has finally arrived on the scene with the 20th Century Fox Cinema Archives, dropping 15 never-before-released titles that cinema fans are sure to want to snap up. That initial batch is comprised of Dangerous Years, Fraulein, Love Is News, Mr. Belvedere Rings The Bell, My Wife’s Best Friend, Rings On Her Fingers, Suez, Diplomatic Courier, They Came To Blow Up America, Way Of A Gaucho, Claudia, The Foxes Of Harrow, Kidnapped, Frontier Marshal, Life Begins At Eight-Thirty (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP each).

    blankguide.gif

    MGM’s MOD Limited Edition Collection has dropped a new clutch of titles from the vault, the highlights of which are Dave Thomas and Sally Kellerman in the Boris And Natasha: The Movie (MGM, Rated PG, DVD-$19.98), Tab Hunter and Jim Backus in Operation Bikini (MGM, Not Rated DVD-$19.98), Boris Karloff in Mr. Wong In Chinatown (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98), and Mickey Rooney in Leave ‘Em Laughing (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98).

    blankguide.gif

    Disney continues to fulfill their promise to unleash a slew of catalogue titles on Blu-Ray this year, with this week bringing a new release, including Robert Redford in The Horse Whisperer (Touchstone, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$20.99 SRP), Diane Lane in Under The Tuscan Sun (Touchstone, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$20.00 SRP), and John Travolta in Phenomenon (Touchstone, Rated PG, DVD-$20.00 SRP).

    blankguide.gif

    The Three Stooges film (Fox, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) just confuses me. I want to hate it. It wants to be loved. We meet in the middle at “eh.” But I did walk away wanting a film with Nun Larry David. So that’s something, right? Bonus materials include deleted scenes, featurettes, and a screen test.

    blankguide.gif

    If you’ve got kids, Scholastic’s ever-expanding library of animated adaptations of children’s books is worth picking up, the latest of which is My First Collection Volume 3: Featuring Chicken Little (Scholastic, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP), which collects 13 award-winning stories across 3-discs.

    blankguide.gif

    In this week’s reality dump, we get another pseudo-nailbiting season of IRT Deadliest Roads (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP), in which another batch of truckers truck their way through deadly trucking territory in a truckmanlike fashion, this time in the high Andes. Also available is the third volume of Storage Wars (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP), in which the usual suspects lift a lot of doors to pull out a lot of junk.

    blankguide.gif

    Slowly but surely we’re creeping towards catching up as Roy Clarke’s long-running Last Of The Summer Wine (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP) brings its vintage up to 1992, which also features that year’s special “Stop That Castle”.

    blankguide.gif

    This week’s spotlight of what those purveyors of wonder over at Sideshow and Hot Toys have on tap features a pair – yes, that’s two! – figures that are available right now, both from the same film. First up is the very limited San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Captain America – Rescue Version ($219), sporting the outfit Steve Rogers quickly assembled in order to save his fellow soldiers. Next up is the dastardly villain Cap was rescuing those solders from – The Red Skull ($199.99). As you can see from the photos, both figures feature exquisitely tailored costumes and eerily lifelike head sculpts. I mean, just look at that swappable Hugo Weaving head! The work that Hot Toys is doing is, quite simply, amazing. If you can get them both, do so. You’ll regret passing them up later.

    weekendpicks20120727-28

    weekendpicks20120727-29

    weekendpicks20120727-30

    weekendpicks20120727-31

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Contest Round-Up: 2011-10-05

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Sony Home Entertainment, we’re giving away three (3) copies of COMMUNITY: SEASON 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Magnolia Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of CONAN O’BRIEN CAN’T STOP on DVD.

    In conjunction with Cartoon Network Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of ADVENTURE TIME: MY TWO FAVORITE PEOPLE on DVD.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: SEASON 3 on DVD.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of SEPTEMBER 11th: MEMORIAL EDITION on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of STORAGE WARS: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of MIKE HAMMER: THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of PARANORMAL STATE: SEASON 5 on DVD.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of ONLY IN AMERICA: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of GETTYSBURG on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of LEE & GRANT on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of DOCTOR WHO: DAY OF THE DALEKS on DVD.

  • Win iCARLY: SEASON 3 on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: SEASON 3 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, October 26th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, October 26th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 9/2/11: There’s Something On The Wing

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    While I’ve become quite a fan of him during his tenure as a Daily Show correspondent over the past few years, it wasn’t until Wyatt Cenac: Comedy Person (Comedy Central, Not Rated, DVD-$14.95 SRP) – his first special – that I discovered what a brilliant stand-up he is, too. Go. Discover it for yourself.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    Although I loathe JJ Abrams Trek refute, I’m a sucker for a prop replica such as the screen-accurate Phaser Replica ($39.99), which is a metal-plated reproduction of the weapon found in the film. The styling is influenced by the TOS phasers, with cluttery geegaws added.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    We’re over halfway done, and have moved into the last 20 years of the strip with the release of The Complete Peanuts: 1981 to 1982 (Fantagraphics, $28.99 SRP). Can you believe how fast time is flying? Kudos to Fantagraphics for maintaining the incredibly high standard of quality and presentation they established at the outset, with this entry featuring an introduction from cartoonist Lynn Johnston. More!

    blankguide.gif

    I’ve been waiting for ages – okay, to be honest, only about a year – for my absolute favorite episode of The Twilight Zone (Image, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$99.98 SRP) to make its high definition debut, and with the release of the complete 5th season, I finally have it. The episode? William Shatner as the gremlin-spotting passenger in “Nightmare At 20,000 Feet”. Yeah, I’m a sucker for a carpet monster. As we’ve come to expect from these brilliant upgrades, the already massive amount of bonus features have been substantially bolstered by new commentaries, interviews, and much more.

    blankguide.gif

    One of the loveliest cinematic experience I’ve ever had was during a trip to LA during which I partook of the recent 3D conversion of Tim Burton & Henry Selick’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Walt Disney, Rated PG, 3D Blu-Ray- $49.99 SRP) at the impressive El Capitan theater. While the home 3D experience isn’t quite as impressive, seeing the added dimensions combined with Selick’s magical stop motion animation in the comfort of your own home is well worth it. All of the bonus features carry over from the previous Blu-Ray release – in fact, the bonus Blu-Ray disc in this set is that previous special edition – so you get all of the featurettes, short subjects, and other ephemera you expect.

    blankguide.gif

    If anyone is set to inherit the legacy of Carl Sagan when it comes to making the Wonders of the Universe (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP) as fascinating as they rightly should be to the general public, it’s Brian Cox. In his new series, he asks the big philosophical questions and presents the hard scientific answers of where we – and the universe around us – came from.

    blankguide.gif

    Lionsgate recently made a distribution deal with Miramax, which means that many titles not yet available on Blu-Ray are soon going to be coming fast and furious. The highlight of the first clutch of titles is John Favreau’s Swingers (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$14.99 SRP), which sports an audio commentary, a documentary, featurettes, and the “Swingblade” short film. Also available from the catalogue are Matt Damon & Edward Norton in the poker flick Rounders (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$14.99 SRP) and Bruce Willis in Hostage (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$14.99 SRP).

    blankguide.gif

    The bargain-friendly folks at Mill Creek are unleashing a massive clutch of multi-disc classic TV sets, including Bonanza: Adventures Of The Cartwrights (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP), Lucy: A Legacy Of Laughter (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP), Heroes Of The Old West (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP), The Legend Of Rin-Tin-Tin (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP), The Beverly Hillbillies: Meet The Clampetts (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP), and Family TV Classics (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP).

    blankguide.gif

    It was inevitable they’d get their shot at the big time, which brings us Phineas & Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension (Walt Disney, Not Rated, DVD-$26.99 SRP), which finds our hapless heroes transported to another dimension ruled over by an evil Dr. Doof. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, Perry-oke, a bonus episode, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    How about another much-requested Nickelodeon animated title courtesy of the fine folks at Shout Factory? This time, it’s the complete first and second season of The Angry Beavers (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$29.93 SRP). The 4-disc set contains all 26 episodes.

    blankguide.gif

    Despite a stellar cast and a workable premise – a pair of average means parents desperate to get their pre-K daughter into an exclusive NYC private school – The Best And The Brightest (Flatiron, Rated R, DVD-$26.95 SRP) never manages to give that stellar cast terribly strong material to work with. A shame. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, interviews, audition footage, and a Q&A.

    blankguide.gif

    I know all of those involved in the production of the traditionally animated feature are quite proud of the word they’ve done, but there’s no getting around that Bambi II (Walt Disney, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) is a wholly unnecessary sequel. I really don’t need to see Bambi reunite with his father for adventures and learning. Nope nope nope. Bonus materials include featurettes and a deleted song.

    blankguide.gif

    After months of quickie single disc releases, fans will finally be able to pick up iCarly: The Complete 3rd Season (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP), which features 10 episodes, including the movie iParty with Victorious plus a trio of featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    More Miramax catalogue titles are making their way to high definition via the Lionsgate deal, the newest being the Academy Award-winning Good Will Hunting (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP). Re-watching it after all these years, I do find it to be even more cloying that I remembered, but there’s a genuine earnestness to the story, and nascent Matt Damon remains a treat. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    I suppose the tween audience that still view it as a magically romantic event still in their future as opposed to an anticlimactic night of drama and angst probably love the goofy, rose-colored sweetness of Disney’s Prom (Walt Disney, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP). I hope they enjoy it while they can. Bonus materials include a short, featurettes, deleted scenes, music videos, bloopers, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    Oh, A&E. Now you’ve got people digging into repossessed storage units and calling it a reality series? Have we sunk so low as a culture that we’ll actually sit through a whole season of Storage Wars (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP)? As if that weren’t enough, The History Channel continues to be intent to prove their name a farce by putting on Only In America With Larry The Cable Guy (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP), which finds the comic touring the country and nattering on about something they try desperately to spin as informative.

    blankguide.gif

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 7/22/11: A River Runs Through It

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    If you’re impatient and simply can’t wait for the full season set to come out sometime early next year, you can re-watch Doctor Who: Series 6 Part 1 (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.98 SRP), which contains all 7 episodes comprising the first half of this split season. Since it’s not the full season set, there’s a dearth of extras – just two featurettes looking at the Silence and the Gangers – so those wanting more will just have to wait.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    As versatile as the Apple cord may be from device to device, its universal length – long – can sometimes be much more than you need, or want, in a given situation. For those times, there’s iStubz ($7.99), a small 7cm Apple-compatible cord that will get you through those needy moments.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    They’ve been released separately, but now the I <3 iCarly Collection (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP) brings together a trio of the iCarly TV movies – iFight Shelby Marx, iSaved Your Life, & iSpace Out. So, if you haven’t picked them up yet, here’s how to do it.

    blankguide.gif

    You may not be able to live every day like it’s Shark Week, but you can at least spend a couple hours with Shark Week: Restless Fury (Discovery Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP), a 2-disc set which brings together eight specials featuring the oceanic predators, including the one hosted by the great Craig Ferguson.

    blankguide.gif

    Summer heat got you down? Don’t want to head out? Well, MGM has decided to unleash another torrent of new-to-high definition catalogue titles to make those sweltering days easier to pass – Overboard (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$16.99 SRP), Wedding Daze (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Be Cool (MGM, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), The Cutting Edge (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$16.99 SRP), A Guy Thing (MGM, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Honeymoon In Vegas (MGM, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$16.99 SRP), and Four Weddings And A Funeral (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$16.99 SRP). Only Honeymoon In Vegas is barebones, while all of the rest of the titles port over the special features found on their regular DVD editions.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s not a full season set, but at least fans are getting a clutch of 10 2nd season episodes in the 2-disc Smurfs: A Magical Musical Adventure (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$15.99 SRP), which also contains a pair of bonus featurettes on speaking Smurf and Top 10 moments from the 2nd season.

    blankguide.gif

    If you want a perfect example of how an unnecessary regional version of s successful show can suck the very marrow from the concept and leave only a lifeless corpse, look no further than the first season of the US version of Top Gear (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP). The UK version is fun, funny, and engaging to even someone like me, who hates cars and car culture, because of the likeability of the hosts. The US version is at its best boring and at its worst, grating.

    blankguide.gif

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 7/8/11: Das Spoof

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    Tick another one off the most-wanted list as Wolfgang Petersen’s classic Das Boot (Sony, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) gets an absolutely stunning high definition treatment sure to sweep away die hard fans of the film that finds a WWII German submarine crew sent on a top secret mission that virtually guarantees their doom. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, a documentary, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    As if having it as an actual screwdriver or a flashlight weren’t enough, you can now get a pretty snazzy looking Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Pen ($19.99), which translates the 11th Doctor’s trusty tool into a pen that contains not only black ink, but green as well. C’mon, you know you want this pen. You glorious geek.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    The kids can have their countless Elmo releases – for us big kids of the 70’s & 80’s, sets like Sesame Street: Spoofs! (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) are an incredibly enjoyable journey down memory lane. This 2-disc collection brings together hours and hours of all the best pop culture spoofs the show has done, from the game shows of Guy Smiley to “Hill Street Twos”. Brilliant.

    blankguide.gif

    Watch the second volume of Trailers From Hell! (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$19.93 SRP) and BEHOLD! 20 new cult film trailers featuring commentaries from the likes of Hoe Dante, Roger Corman, Guillermo del Toro, John Landis, and more! Not only that, you also get the original Little Shop Of Horrors, available for the first time in anamorphic widescreen.

    blankguide.gif

    For the past few years, LA’s Gallery 1988 has been presenting a fine art celebration of pop culture most iconic movies via a recurring show called Crazy 4 Cult. Well, if you’ve never been able to make it to the gallery for one of these shows, a clutch of the pieces have been collected together in the fine hardcover volume Crazy 4 Cult: Cult Movie Art (Titan Books, $34.95 SRP), featuring an introduction from Kevin Smith.

    blankguide.gif

    I can’t say that Victorious (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP) captures the same kind of lightning its predecessor iCarly did, as it often feels like the Tori Vega and her friends at Hollywood Arts high school are forcing the humor in a style a little too much like the horrid Disney Channel fare. Still, there is plenty to like in the 10 episodes comprising this half-season set, with bonus materials including featurettes and music videos.

    blankguide.gif

    While waiting for the upcoming Blu-Ray collection of their classic toons, pass the time with Tom & Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures Volume 2 (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP), which contains 14 cat & mouse chases.

    blankguide.gif

    Lionsgate has dropped another batch of TV titles from their license agreement with ABC Studios, including the seco0nd season of Eddie Murphy’s claymation The PJs (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), the 4th season of According To Jim (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), and the penultimate sixth season of Boy Meets World (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), which finds the gang in their freshmen year of college.

    blankguide.gif

    We’re well past Father’s Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend some of your hard-earned bucks bringing home the Big Daddy of Norse mythology and father to Thor, Odin ($169.99). This 12″ version of the All-Father is from the fine folks of Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles, which means it perfectly captures the look of actor Anthony Hopkins from the recent feature film. Besides the spot-on likeness, the costuming in impeccably realized, from leathers to armor to horned helmet, and he also comes with his impressive staff. Now, where’s Loki?

    weekendpicks20110108-09

    weekendpicks20110108-10

    weekendpicks20110108-11

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 4/8/11: I Fight For The Users

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    I didn’t think I would like the new TRON film. The original was a childhood favorite, even though it’s not a terribly good flick, and everything I’d seen and heard about the sequel gave me a massive feeling of “meh”. Well, the sequel, while flawed, is entirely watchable, at times even good, even if it suffers the same kind of story malaise that affected its predecessor. You can get both films via the 5-disc TRON: Legacy/Original TRON set (Walt Disney, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$79.99 SRP), which features not only high definition editions of both films, but also the 3-D version of Legacy, which does look rather spiffy on a 3-D TV. The set is loaded with featurettes and other behind-the-scenes materials, and the original TRON also ports over all of the special features from the original 2-disc DVD special edition.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    We’re entering into the rainy season as spring begins to dawn, and what better way to pass the time than constructing a pair of Harry Potter LEGO sets – the wonderful Hogwarts Express ($79.99) and the far simpler to construct Quidditch Match ($19.99). Get building!

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    You know what doesn’t hold up? The original Arthur (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP), which makes its high definition debut paired with the mediocre sequel Arthur 2: On The Rocks. While there are flashes of brilliance to Dudley Moore’s portrayal of the filthy rich drunken manchild forced to become an adult, and Sir John Gielgud remains a revelation as his manservant, the story is only intermittently engaging or funny, and the whole production seems cheap. Such a shame.

    blankguide.gif

    While it’s not the complete season sets fans have been hoping for, at least iCarly: Season 2 Volume 3 (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP) bumps the disc count up to 3 and comes with a whopping 17 episodes (one of which is an extended cut), plus shorts and the pilot episode of T.U.F.F. Puppy.

    blankguide.gif

    While I still prefer its more oddball sequel, there’s still much charm in the original Babe (Universal, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP), which finds its way to high definition with an audio commentary and a pair of featurettes. All in all, that’ll do.

    blankguide.gif

    If you’re still breaking in your 3-D TV or computer and desperate for content with which to do so, a pair of films made for 3-D IMAX theaters are available for your exhibition pleasure – Ultimate G’s: Zac’s Flying Dream & Mummies: Secrets Of The Pharaohs (Image, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP each). As you can probably guess, one deals with flying and the other takes you to Egypt. In 3D!

    blankguide.gif

    Another of those “must-have” classic musicals has made its way into the high definition realm with the arrival of the 40th anniversary edition of Fiddler On The Roof (MGM/UA, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), starring Topol in the title role, turning in a memorable performance that would only be topped by his turn in Flash Gordon. This new edition features an audio commentary, featurettes, a deleted song, TV spots, trailers, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    The massive Roger Corman collection coming out of Shout Factory gets a pair of new releases that amount to 5 more films, the first of which is the triple feature Georgia Peaches/The Great Texas Dynamite Chase/Smokey Bites The Dust (Shout Factory, Rated R, DVD-$13.99 SRP) and the double feature Dirty Mary Crazy Larry/Race With The Devil (Shout Factory, Rated PG, DVD-$14.93 SRP). Bonus features include audio commentaries, interviews, TV spots, trailers, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    If you thought you had the complete run of Abbott & Costello’s theatrical flicks after getting that big Universal set a few years back, best think again, as the Warner Archive Collection has released a clutch of films the boys made for them, including Abbott & Costello Meet Captain Kidd (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.95), which stars Charles Laughton as the titular captain.

    blankguide.gif

    The most I can say about Little Fockers (Universal, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP) is that the latest in the Parents/Fockers series is not nearly as grating as, say, Look Who’s Talking, Too, but the whole affair is wearing a bit thin. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, featurettes, outtakes, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    Time to add another figure to the growing 12″ Star Wars line from the fine folks at Sideshow Collectibles, as the revered Jedi Mentor Yoda ($69.99). The fully-articulated figure sports 2 sets of switch-out hands & feet, his walking stick, and even a log to sit on. The head-sculpt and costuming improves upon the Medicom RAH Yoda that was released a few years back, making this a must-have addition.

    weekendpicks20110408-11

    weekendpicks20110408-12

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Contest Round-Up: 2011-04-05

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Miramax/Lionsgate Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) sets of SCREAM, SCREAM 2, & SCREAM 3 on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of BLACK SWAN on DVD.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: SEASON 2 VOLUME 3 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Adult Swim Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of VENTURE BROS: SEASON 4 VOLUME 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Adult Swim Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of VENTURE BROS. SEASON 4 on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of DOCTOR WHO: THE ARK on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of DOCTOR WHO: THE SEEDS OF DOOM on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE ALAN BENNETT COLLECTION on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of JUDGE JOHN DEED: SEASON THREE on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of DALZIEL & PASCOE: SEASON 3 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Underground Toys, we’re giving away five (5) DOCTOR WHO: AMY POND figures.

  • Win iCARLY: SEASON 2 VOLUME 3 on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: SEASON 2 VOLUME 3 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, April 27th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, April 27th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 4/1/11: Topsy Venture

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    Hank & Dean fans rejoice! Not only has the second half of Venture Bros.: Season 4 (Adult Swim, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) hit standard DVD, but the entirety of Venture Bros.: Season 4 (Adult Swim, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) is now available in lovely high definition. Both releases sport audio commentaries and deleted scenes courtesy of Astrobase Go. In other words, buy them both. Now.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    I know the first time I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey, all my young mind wanted was a Monolith Action Figure ($12.99) that could mysteriously appear in the midst of my He-Man and Transformers figures. Well, it’s only a few decades later, but the fine folks at Thinkgeek have produced that unarticulated black block. Joy!

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    How beautiful are the folks at Criterion? Not only are they releasing a high definition version of Victor Schertzinger’s 1939 Technicolor adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP), but they’ve coincided it with the release of Mike Leigh’s dramatized look at the conflict between Gilbert & Sullivan that led to the creation of the musical, Topsy-Turvy (Criterion, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP). The Mikado features interviews, a 1926 silent film promoting a production of The Mikado, a deleted scene, and radio broadcasts. Topsy-Turvy sports an audio commentary, interviews, deleted scenes, featurettes, trailers, TV spots, and a 1992 short film written by & starring Jim Broadbent, directed by Mike Leigh.

    blankguide.gif

    I didn’t want to like Disney’s in-house (ie non-Pixar) CG animated flick Tangled (Walt Disney, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), and in many ways, I didn’t, but it was frustrating in its combination of the good and the bad. First and foremost, I’m tired of Disney Princesses… Really, some variety to the stories they tell (and the marketing they push) would be nice. Still, the design and animation of the film was appealing, looking very much like a 3-Dimensional Disney cartoon. But then the film gets hobbled by some truly mediocre songs that prove how unique the great Howard Ashman was (Please, Disney, if the songs aren’t up to snuff, DON’T DO A MUSICAL). All in all, it’s an amiable film, but certainly not a classic. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, featurettes, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    Cartoon Network’s first CGI feature, Firebreather (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$28.99 SRP) – about a high school student who discovers he’s half monster – arrives on home video with a deleted scene, animatics, a 2D animation test, and a look at the visual development.

    blankguide.gif

    I admit, I used to watch Scarecrow & Mrs. King (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) and wonder when Bruce Boxleitner would finally go after Master Control. He never did. He just globe-trotted with Kate Jackson… and not even on a light cycle! The 5-disc second season set contains all 23 episodes.

    blankguide.gif

    Back in the early days of Nick At Nite, one of the shows in constant rotation was the long-running 50’s hit Dennis The Menace (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$29.93 SRP), starring Jay North as cartoonist Hank Ketcham’s well-meaning but troublesome boy (and the bane of next-door neighbor Mr. Wilson). Shout Factory has released the complete first season, containing all 32 episodes plus bonus interviews, original promos, and the Donna Reed Show episode guest-starring Dennis & Mr. Wilson.

    blankguide.gif

    With The Civil War (PBS, Not Rated, DVD-$99.99 SRP), Ken Burns re-energized the documentary form by panning… panning… panning… And voiceovers. Lots and lots of voiceovers. It really was quite groundbreaking in its time, and was all the talk at my school at the time. Well, you can mark the 150th anniversary of the war with this new special edition, which sports remastered picture & sound, audio commentaries, additional interviews, biography cards, and maps.

    blankguide.gif

    Yes, I watched the live action/CG hybrid Yogi Bear (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) and yes, I did feel so terribly dirty doing so… An affair made even more awkward by the fact that my young nephews seemed to dig its slapstick bastardization of a lovely character. They are our future. Fear them. Bonus materials include featurettes and a CG Road Runner & Coyote cartoon.

    blankguide.gif

    While many series have wrapped, we’re still in the middle (the second half of the second season, to be exact) of Vegas (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$36.98 SRP), which starred Robert Urich as the Sin City PI and heartthrob. The 3-disc set contains 11 episodes plus promos.

    blankguide.gif

    There have been plenty of TV and film adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s master detective, but the defining adaptation remains the film series starring Basil Rathbone, which have been fully restored and released in high definition via the 5-disc Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection (MPI, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$129.98 SRP), The set contains all 14 films, and is an absolute must-have.

    blankguide.gif

    Yes, I understand that Black Swan (Fox, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP) is supposed to be a gripping psychological thriller with a lot of sexuality thrown in to the mix, but frankly, it bored me. To tears, even. Black, swan-y tears. Although I did like Mila Kunis in it. Bonus materials include a documentary and a trio of featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    There was a time when the BBC was regularly cranking out adaptations of Alan Bennett’s plays, which have been brought together in the appropriately titled Alan Bennett Collection (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$54.98 SRP), featuring An Englishman Abroad, The Insurance Man, A Question Of Attribution, 102 Boulevard Haussmann, A Day Out, Sunset Across The Bay, Our Winnie, A Visit From Miss Prothero, A Woman Of No Importance, Dinner At Noon, and Portrait Or Bust.

    blankguide.gif

    When the original came on the scene, the slasher flick was in desperate need of a post-modern reinvention, and that’s exactly what Wes Craven & Kevin Williamson delivered with the first Scream (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), which debuts in high definition with an audio commentary, featurettes, a Q&A, and its two sequels, Scream 2 & Scream 3 (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP each).

    blankguide.gif

    The third season left suave ad man Don Draper with a life that was going up in flames of his own making, which made for quite an interesting bit of fallout during the fourth season of Mad Men (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.97 SRP). The 3-disc set contains all 13 episodes, plus audio commentaries and a quartet of historical featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    There’s still no gloriously bloated epic from Hollywood’s golden age of excess more bloated, self-important, and epic than Cecil B. DeMille’s ham-fisted Ten Commandments (Paramount, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), starring Charlton Heston as Moses. The film looks even more impressive in high definition, which also features an audio commentary, a newsreel of the film’s New York premiere, and a clutch of theatrical trailers.

    blankguide.gif

    MGM has been opening up their vaults and releasing a whole slew of catalogue titles in high definition, and it’s a mixed bag of classics and… err… not-so-classics, to be sure. On the must have side, you’ve got the Don Bluth classic The Secret Of Nimh (MGM, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), which is balanced by the less-classic Bluth film All Dogs Go To Heaven (MGM, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP). See what I mean? Also included in this release wave are the original Teen Wolf (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Legally Blonde 2 (MGM, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), The Greatest Story Ever Told (MGM, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Material Girls (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), and Picture This (MGM, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP).

    blankguide.gif

    I do believe that Hanna-Barbera in the 70’s was a company where every hare-brained idea imaginable made it on to the networks, even if it was a single season – and, thanks to the Warner Archive, we get to see amazing awfulness like Valley Of The Dinosaurs (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.95) again.

    blankguide.gif

    I assumed it would be heard to capture the character of New Orleans, particularly post-Katrina, with any real justice, but Treme (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$79.98 SRP) has managed to do so, with the added bonus of a remarkable cast (hello, John Goodman!) and an even tighter soundtrack. The 1st season set contains audio commentaries, featurettes, and even commentaries on the musical performances.

    blankguide.gif

    I had high hopes when I saw IMAX: Hubble (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$27.98 SRP) last year, and I admit I walked away a bit disappointed. I wanted nothing more than spectacular 3-D imagery of the astronauts in space – and the film highlights NASA’s mission to service and prolong the life of the aging telescope – but that kind of imagery is short-shrifted in favor of a slightly more esoteric look at the types of phenomena Hubble observes, most of it rendered via CG in the film. Regardless, why we’re only getting a 2-D, standard definition release of this, I can’t quite fathom.

    blankguide.gif

    There’s something inherently (and appropriately) engaging about the documentary The Genius Of Design (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$49.99 SRP), which examines the art and science of design, as well as the designers behind the art.

    blankguide.gif

    Even 40 years later, TV producers are still trying to create a new version of The Monkees. It’s just a shame that shows like Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP) forget that what made The Monkees work was that they were smart enough to hire the best songwriters in the business to write music for the group – And the group turned out to be talented songwriters themselves. The monotonous sonic wallpaper of Rush just makes the whole affair a painful watch. The 2-disc set contains 11 episodes plus a photo gallery.

    blankguide.gif

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Contest Round-Up: 2011-01-14

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Scribner, we’re giving away three (3) copies of Patton Oswalt’s ZOMBIE SPACESHIP WASTELAND.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of DOCTOR WHO: MEGLOS on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of DOCTOR WHO: THE DOMINATORS on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES: SEASON 3 on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of SKINS: VOLUME 4 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY SEASON 2: VOLUME 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE UNIVERSE: SEASON 5 on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of TOP SHOT: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Cartoon Network Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of BEN 10 ULTIMATE ALIEN: VOLUME 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Thinkgeek, we’re giving away five (5) STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE PIZZA CUTTERS.

  • Win iCARLY SEASON 2: VOLUME 2 on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY SEASON 2: VOLUME 2 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, January 26th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, January 26th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 9/3/10: iGo On The Road

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    Instead of nice comprehensive sets, Nickelodeon continues to parcel out their new iCarly releases as single disc clutches of episodes, the latest of which is iCarly: iSpace Out (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP), which contains the titular 3rd season episode in addition 5 more, plus a bonus episode of Victorious.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    Hey, so you know how much you love the original Star Trek, and all of its wonderfully stylish props? And how you always wanted some of them for your very ownself, preferably at a reasonably low price? Well, you can get your very own light-up and sound-effect capable Star Trek Tricorder ($49.99). See? All better now.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    After a disappointing, featureless jump ahead to release the 20th anniversary season over a year ago, the proper, feature-laden thirteenth season of The Simpsons (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) arrives on DVD with the full range of audio commentaries on every episode, deleted scenes, featurettes, animation showcases, galleries, commercials, and more. And, in a first for these early seasons, a Blu-Ray edition ($59.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

    blankguide.gif

    Doctor Grumpy McSourWooster returns in the compete 6th season of House (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), which features 21 episodes full of exotic diseases, last-minute diagnoses, and perfunctory cures, all wrapped up in a bitter, argumentative bow. The 5-disc set contains audio commentaries, featurettes, and an exclusive short. A Blu-Ray edition ($74.98 SRP) is available with identical bonus features.

    blankguide.gif

    Chronicling a turbulent, deadly decade in Yorkshire England, the 3 films that comprise the Red Riding trilogy (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) are an epic, Once Upon A Time In America look at a town that that’s torn apart by Thatcherism, crime, corruption, and plain old human misery. Taken as a whole, they’re a bitter, yet compelling, dramatic pill to swallow. Bonus features include interviews, featurettes, deleted scenes, and interviews.

    blankguide.gif

    When it comes to ABC’s new comedies last year, the one I liked the most was Modern Family. The one that left the least impression on me was The Middle (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$44.98 SRP), which plays like a watered down version of Modern Family – which is a shame, since stars Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton are quite capable of doing much more than the writers are giving them. Hopefully, the second season will pick up the slack. The 3-disc set contains all 24 1st season episodes, plus a pair of featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    In what must the 50th home video edition, Sam Raimi’s gory, goofy low-budget indie horror flick Evil Dead (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.97 SRP) arrives in high definition, looking better than it has in the past, but still clearly rooted in its cheapie past. Bonus materials include a new audio commentary, featurettes, a make-up test, still gallery, theatrical trailer, and TV spots.

    blankguide.gif

    Its failure really isn’t surprising, as Flashforward (ABC Studios, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP) contained a cutesy sci-fi gimmick – the whole world passes out and sees the future before regaining consciousness – and simply couldn’t sustain an interesting story after the pilot. It also didn’t help its chances that ABC pulled it off the air for what seemed like ages halfway through the season. So this 6-disc box set is the complete series, sporting audio commentaries, featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, and bloopers.

    blankguide.gif

    It was during the 4th season of Brothers and Sisters (ABC Studios, Not Rated, DVD-$45.99 SRP) that I began to think that the show was losing steam and perhaps the writing was on the wall for cancellation. Well, the show did get renewed, but there’s certainly plenty of stress fractures, and it doesn’t help that it’s also Rob Lowe’s last season. The 6-disc set contains deleted scenes, a pair of featurettes, and bloopers.

    blankguide.gif

    Michael Caine returns to his touch as nails roots in Harry Brown (Sony, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$30.95 SRP) as an unassuming man living in a dangerous, drug-riddled neighborhood who decides on enacting his own brand of justice after his good friend is killed by local thugs. Bonus features include an audio commentary and deleted scenes.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s fine as it exits now, but watching the first season of Parenthood (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), I can’t help but think it would have been made that much better if Maura Tierney had been able to take on the series, instead of having to drop out for medical reasons. Regardless, the complete first season is now available, featuring audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and a featurette.

    blankguide.gif

    With all of the undead glut of late, you might have forgotten that there’s another show about vampires that’s coming to DVD – the first season of The Vampire Diaries (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), featuring a pair of fanged brothers both chasing after a dead ringer for the girl they loved 150 years prior. The 5-disc set contains all 22 episodes, plus audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Contest Round-Up: 2010-08-26

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with HarperCollins Entertainment, we’re giving away ten (10) copies of Phill Jupitus’s GOOD MORNING NANTWICH: ADVENTURES IN BREAKFAST RADIO.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: iSPACE OUT on DVD.

    In conjunction with Anchor Bay Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of EVIL DEAD on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with MGM Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of CELEBRATED WOMEN OF COLOR FILM COLLECTION on DVD.

  • Win iCARLY: iSPACE OUT on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: iSPACE OUT on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, September 15th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, September 15th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 6/11/10: I’m Alright

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support FRED by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    You wouldn’t think a comedy like Caddyshack (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP) would benefit so much from high definition, but the new Blu-Ray benefits from a crystal clear picture that looks better than it ever has previously. To add even more incentive, there’s a new feature-length 30th anniversary documentary featuring most of the principals (sans Bill Murray and Chevy Chase) reminiscing, as well as the half-hour featurette from the original DVD release. The film is also available via iTunes & Amazon On Demand.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    Who wouldn’t want a radio controlled robot you can fit in the palm of your hand? I know! Well, the dream you never thought you had has come true with the line of Zbit Mini R/C Robots ($14.99 each). There’s a whole line of the little buggers to choose from, and each one is just as nifty as can be.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    Launched in the wake of Raiders Of The Lost Ark and clearly playing in the same ’30s adventure sandbox, Tales Of The Gold Monkey (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$49.97 SRP) was TVs attempt to cash in with a pretty damn fun series starring Michael Collins as a young American transporting people on the run in the South Pacific in 1938 via his Grumman Goose seaplane. Felled by high costs after one season, you can now own it all in a set packed with commentaries, featurettes, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s only in hindsight that you realize the entire season you spent watching Ice Road Truckers (History Channel, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.95 SRP) on the edge of your seat worried about a truck (and trucker) falling through the ice was really just an entire season of watching trucks drive. Back and forth. Because nothing deadly has happened yet. Really, you’re just watching a soap opera. In trucks. On ice. The 3rd season set contains all 13 episodes, plus additional footage.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s a shame that we can only get it divorced from the Jim Henson Hour, within which it was originally presented, but it’s worth picking up Jim Henson’s Dog City (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) just to support the release of more Henson specials.

    blankguide.gif

    While most of the attention went to Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, the other magician film, The Illusionist (Fox, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP), is a fun little love story wrapped up in a mystery, with a cast that includes Ed Norton, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell, and Jessica Biel. The new 2-disc Blu-Ray features the original standard edition DVD, containing the bonus materials.

    blankguide.gif

    Abandoning the 2-disc half-season sets in favor of the single disc episode collection familiar to fans of Spongebob, iCarly: iSaved Your Life (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP) contains an extended director’s cut of the titular episode, plus a trio of episodes and the movie “iQuit iCarly”. Bonus materials include behind-the-scenes featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    Many doubted it would happen, but it turns out that Larry David did return for a 7th season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), and he brought with him a holy grail of a storyline for comedy fans – a meta Seinfeld reunion, bringing all of the principals together for a the shooting of a special within season. Bonus materials in the 2-disc set includes interviews and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    For those keeping score, the Charlie Chan TCM Spotlight Collection (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), features the final three films starring Sidney Toler as the legendary sleuth who makes solving crimes a family affair. Those three films are Dark Alibi, Dangerous Money, & The Trap, with Roland Winters debut as Chan rounding out the set in The Chinese Ring.

    blankguide.gif

    Proving once again that their purpose is to really dig into the vaults and release titles that otherwise wouldn’t get a DVD release, the Warner Archive has added the Red Skelton Whistling Collection (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$24.95), which contains a trio of flicks starring Skelton – Whistling In The Dark, Whistling In Dixie, & Whistling In Brooklyn.

    blankguide.gif

    On the heels of the success of Hercules and Xena, Warners waded into the fray with The New Adventures Of Robin Hood (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$34.95), which aimed for the same kind of tone but never caught on like the others did. For the dedicated fanbase, though, the Warner Archive has made the first season available, which makes me think the rest of the series will be coming in due course.

    blankguide.gif

    How many of you remember that Family Matters (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) didn’t start out with Urkel? No, the nasally ubernerd was nowhere to be found at the beginning of this spin-off from Perfect Strangers, which began as a simple family sitcom. If only they knew what the were about to be engulfed by in just a few short episodes. The first season set contains all 22 episodes.

    blankguide.gif

    Tween & teen girls are the intended audience for the extended edition release of the Disney Channel movie Starstruck (Walt Disney, Not Rated, DVD-$28.99 SRP), about a small town girl who hooks up with a pop star after a chance encounter. Bonus features include music videos, an additional song, and the soundtrack CD.

    blankguide.gif

    Talk about a show that just limped along to the end – you can now own the 6th and final season of Nip/Tuck (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), a guilty pleasure of a show that became guiltier and less pleasurable as things wound on. Bonus materials are limited to a featurette on the psychology of plastic surgery.

    blankguide.gif

    Featuring over 22 points of articulation, 2 sets of interchangeable posing hands, an openable chest with positive “blue” energy inside, battery-operated illuminated eyes, interchangeable arm cannons, interchangeable rocket boots, and a display base, Hot Toys’ 12-inch Astro Boy figure ($104.99) is not only a fine collectible, but also a great gift for a kid (the ones that take care of their toys, naturally). Unlike their recent vinyl Astro Boy display, this one is fully poseable. Ridiculously so. Get it while you can.

    weekendpicks20100611-15

    weekendpicks20100611-16

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Contest Round-Up: 2010-04-01

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Spin Master Toys, we’re giving away a HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON VIKING BATTLE PACK, with a helmet, axe, and sword, perfect for kiddie cosplaying.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away four (4) copies of iCARLY: iFIGHT SHELBY MARX on DVD.

    In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of SESAME STREET: BERT & ERNIE’S GREATEST ADVENTURES on DVD.

    In conjunction with First Look Pictures, we’re giving away three (3) copies of BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of JUDGE JOHN DEED on DVD.

    In conjunction with Screen Media Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of PHANTOM PUNCH on DVD.

    In conjunction with Summit Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of THE HURT LOCKER on DVD.

  • Win iCARLY: iFIGHT SHELBY MARX on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away four (4) copies of iCARLY: iFIGHT SHELBY MARX on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, April 21st.

    CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, April 21st.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Contest Round-Up: 2009-12-16

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at Quick Stop. Every Wednesday, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SEASON 6 VOLUME 1 on DVD, plus a grand prize of one (1) copy of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE FIRST 100 EPISODES.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away four (4) copies of 500 DAYS OF SUMMER on DVD. Winners will also receive a HALL & OATES CD PRIZE PACK (the duo’s music features heavily in the film).

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away five (5) copies of AMERICAN PIE: THE BOOK OF LOVE on DVD.

    In conjunction with Activision, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY for the Nintendo Wii.

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away five (5) INGLORIOUS BASTERDS prize packs, which contain the 2-disc special edition DVD, a Baseball Bat Pens, a Shot Glass, and a Mini Poster.

  • Win iCARLY for the Nintendo Wii!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Activision, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY for the Nintendo Wii.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, January 6th.

    CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

    Official Rules

    No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, January 6th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December, 30th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 8/21/09: I Am Iron Man

    weekendshopping.png

    The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Quick Stop Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

    (Please support Quick Stop by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

    Yeah, so, one of my absolute favorite Disney films I their live-action/animated hybrid musical Pete’s Dragon (Walt Disney, Rated G, DVD-$29.99 SRP), which has languished for years on home video in sort of a 70’s bastard child status. Thankfully, the studio has finally seen fit to give it a nice special edition treatment, giving it a behind-the-scenes featurette, a deleted storyboard sequence, demo recordings, a quartet of promotional pop recordings, and more.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    This week’s Thinkgeek recommendation is a piece of cool kit that always seems to be out of stock. It’s just that popular. However long it lasts, it’s now back in stock, so run and pick up your very own Cocktail Chemistry Set ($39.99). As then name implies, this is a cocktail set containing a quartet of shot-and-swig-worthy test tubes, an Erlenmeyer flask, a shaker, a glass mixing rod, and a metal bottle rack. Because yes – mixology is a recognized science, and now you have the kit to prove it.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    Seeing as how my nephews are addicted to Nickelodeon (particularly the yellow crack that is Spongebob), it’s inevitable that I’d have to see the programming on offer. One of the shows that I actually enjoy quite a bit – and believe is just as well-scripted as the sitcoms on network TV, better even – is a favorite of my 5-year-old nephew, iCarly (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP). I’m sure that the Season 2, Volume 1 DVD will get plenty of plenty of play. The 2-disc set contains 11 episodes (including an extended cut of “iSaw Him First” and the feature-length “iGo To Japan”), plus a pair of featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    I can’t be the only one who was completely blindsided by the announcement that the 4th season of Everybody Hates Chris (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP) would be the show’s last. A victim of a shoddy network with no vision, I was a fan of the fictionalized tales of Chris Rock’s NYC childhood, and its cast in particular. This 4-disc set contains all 22 episodes, plus audio commentaries, webisodes, featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    If you’ve ever watched the UK series Skins and thought to yourself “My teenage years were nothing like that sex party bacchanal,” then The Inbetweeners (Channel 4, Not Rated, £29.98 SRP) is the show for you, because its motley quartet of teens that live awkward, banal, unintentionally funny reality the majority of us experienced. It’s like a Brit Freaks & Geeks – and there’s no higher praise I can give it. The box set contains both Series 1 & 2, plus audio commentaries, documentaries, video diaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and bloopers.

    blankguide.gif

    Well, now that we’ve reached the 12th season of The Simpsons (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), we’re fully into the territory of seasons that were a very pale, quite sad imitation of the show’s former brilliance. The characters have now veered sharply into slapstick, sacrificing the balance of real/cartoon comedy that marked the show’s earlier high notes. Now, it’s easy jokes and an overwhelming number of them self-referential. Sad, really. Still, these sets are at least still worth picking up for the audio commentaries and featurettes that remain packed to the rafters.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s double-crosses, mysteries, and intrigue in The Beast (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP), which stars Patrick Swayze as FBI vet Charles Barker – a rather unorthodox expert in undercover operations who believes an internal FBI conspiracy may be afoot, who’s also saddled with a new partner who’s got an ulterior motive. I don’t believe it got a second season pick-up, which is a shame as it’s looking like it will most likely be Swayze’s swan song, and it hadn’t quite hit its stride. The 3-disc set contains all 13 episodes.

    blankguide.gif

    Like most modern horror remakes, the new Last House On The Left (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) tries just too damn hard for its scares, thoroughly eliminating any of the ghoulishly low-rent charm of the original for the sake of slick “gore scares” and atmosphere-less cinematography. A shame. Bonus features include a featurette and deleted scenes. A Blu-Ray edition ($39.98 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus features.

    blankguide.gif

    I know there are devotees who think it’s the second coming of Undeclared, but I have yet to find the appeal of Greek (ABC Family, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP). Still, there’s a fanbase out there, and they’re sure to be picking up the third season set, which contains audio commentaries, a 20 questions featurette with the cast, and a blooper reel.

    blankguide.gif

    So, in short, Total Drama Island (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$34.99 SRP) is an animated parody of reality shows which finds 22 teens sent to a remote, run-down Canadian summer camp who must endure inane challenges and hope to avoid elimination if they hope to win a grand prize. Sound confusing? Well, check out the complete first season set and all will be made clear. Bonus features include the reunion special and cast interviews.

    blankguide.gif

    After an awkward, sometimes rudderless second season, things were largely back on track in the 3rd season of Dexter (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$42.99 SRP), as a new relationship with the Miami DA office leads to some interesting developments in Dexter’s modus operandi. The 4-disc box set contains all 12 episodes, plus interviews and the first 2 episodes of The United States Of Tara. A Blu-Ray edition ($57.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus material.

    blankguide.gif

    The second season of Gossip Girl (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP) finds the East Siders in their senior year of high school, applying for colleges and spinning in hormonal circles. The 7-disc set contains all 25 episodes, plus deleted scenes, featurettes, webisodes, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s not exactly intellectually stimulating, but using the beautiful high-definition of Blu-Ray to take aerial journeys around the world is certainly worth a look see to me, and that’s exactly what you get with both Visions Of Britain & Ireland and Visions Of Italy (Acorn, Not Rated, Blu-Ray $49.99 SRP each) – high-def aerial tours.

    blankguide.gif

    After her ridiculously self-confident appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, I was at least curious about Hannah Montana: The Movie (Walt Disney, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$44.99 SRP). Not curious enough to go see it, mind you – I’m not its audience, and everything I’ve seen of the show has been awkwardly written. Still, there are Hannah/Miley fans aplenty who will snap up the 3-disc Blu-Ray set, which contains an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, and bloopers, as well as a standard DVD copy of the flick.

    blankguide.gif

    You may remember that I heaped heavy praise upon Hot Toys’ Iron Man Mark III a few weeks back, as I was utterly delighted by its movie-perfect sculpting and snazzy light-up features. Well, it may be hard to believe, but I think I like the Hot Toys 12″ Iron Man Mark II ($159.99) even more. While the sculpt is nearly identical (save for the addition of the rivets), the faux-polished metal paint job is a wonder to behold – it really does capture the look to a “t”. The light feature is identical as well, featuring LED-lit eyes, chest, and repulsors. There’s also a swappable head featuring the in-helmet likeness of Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark. In the pics below, you’ll also notice the inclusion of the LED “trophy” heart, which is also screen accurate. Really, you need to head over to Sideshow and get this before you regret missing it.

    weekendpicks20090821-15

    weekendpicks20090821-16

    weekendpicks20090821-17

    weekendpicks20090821-18

    So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

    -Ken Plume

    ##

  • Contest Round-Up: 2009-08-19

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at Quick Stop. Every Wednesday, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: SEASON 2 VOLUME 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of SMALLVILLE: SEASON 8 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Shout Factory Home Video, we’re giving away five (5) copies of THIRTYSOMETHING: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of LIE TO ME: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of FIGHTING on DVD.

    In conjunction with MGM Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of BOOT CAMP on DVD.

    In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away four (4) copies of SCOOBY-DOO: WHERE ARE YOU VOLUME 3 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of TWO AND A HALF MEN: SEASON 6 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away four (4) copies of OLIVIA on DVD.

  • Contest Round-Up: 2009-04-15

    contestheader.jpg

    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at Quick Stop. Every Wednesday, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of TOP GEAR: THE COMPLETE 10th SEASON on DVD.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of THE WRESTLER on DVD.

    In conjunction with BBC Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of SKINS: SEASON 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of FROST/NIXON on DVD.

    In conjunction with Miramax Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of SIN CITY on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of CAPRICA on DVD.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: VOLUME 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of PILLOW TALK on DVD.

    In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away four (4) copies of SNOOPY’S REUNION on DVD.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of NOTORIOUS on DVD.

    In conjunction with Genius Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of ELMO & THE BOOKANEERS on DVD.

  • Win iCARLY: VOLUME 2 on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of iCARLY: VOLUME 2 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, May 6th.

    CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

    Official Rules

    No member of Quick Stop Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

    No Purchase necessary to win.

    Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

    One entry per day, per person.

    All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, May 6th.

    The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.