Tag: Martin Scorsese

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 5/1/15: Guardians Of The Pixilated Parrot

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    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 we’re all still eagerly awaiting the “any day” arrival of Rocket & Groot and the launch of the pre-orders for Drax, fans of those loveable intergalactic rogues the Guardians Of The Galaxy can snag a trio of fantastic figures to make the wait for a full set bearable. Not only can you get the team’s erstwhile leader, Star-Lord (Sideshow, $234, but you can pick up the green-skinned assassin Gamora (Sideshow, $199.99) and the Hot Toys take on the dancing fan-favorite Little Groot (Sideshow, $44.99). Star-Lord is the most feature-laden, coming with a light feature in his visored head, his trusty walkman and headphones, the infinity gem storage balls, and a swappable Chris Pratt head for all of your Parks And Recreation posing needs. Gamora has her long and short knives (for cutting!), and Groot features a trio of swappable heads and poseable arms. As we’ve come to expect from Hot Toys, the tailoring on the costuming is ridiculously exquisite, bordering on magical in their ability to pull off screen-accurate scaled reproductions. Just look at Star-Lord’s coat and Gamora’s leather togs.

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    The fine folks at Fantagraphics continue to do a stellar job presenting the works of the legendary Carl Barks for a brand new generation keen to discover the finest Disney Ducks comics ever created with the release of Donald Duck: The Pixilated Parrot (Fantagraphics, $29.99 SRP). Not only does this volume contain the titular tale, but its 200 pages are packed with long and short classics, plus the usual scholarly essays and context that makes these positively ducky. Yeah, I went there.

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    If they have to revisit Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP) on blu-ray, at least they did it the right way, by presenting it via a brand new 4k restoration that looks absolutely stunning, plus a brand-new star-studded documentary about what it’s like acting the criminal for Scorsese. The set also includes ad8itional featurettes and materials from previous releases, plus a 36-page photo book.

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    It should come as little surprise that the brilliant Timothy Spall is brilliant in Mike Leigh’s biopic about Britain’s revered, emotionally complicated painter J.M.W. Turner in Mr. Turner (Sony, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP). Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, and a deleted scene.

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    They’re not the best films ever made, but there’s a Technicolor delight to be found in the 5 flicks which comprise Warners’ new Frank Sinatra Collection (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$69.95 SRP). Presented in brilliantly restored high definition, the set includes Anchors Aweigh, On The Town, Guys And Dolls, Ocean’s 11, and Robin And The 7 Hoods. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, vintage cartoons, vintage featurettes (fans of Warners’ wonderful old school movie night DVDs will remember them), a Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson excerpt, trailers, and more.

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    I’ve been a big fan of MiniMates going back to their original larger-scale debut, so I was happy to hear that they’d picked up the license to produce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles MiniMates (Diamond Select Toys, $5.99 SRP each) based on the hit Nickelodeon series. The first wave of blind-bagged figures includes all four turtles, Shredder, two foot soldiers, and a chase translucent Michaelangelo.

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    It’s quite a challenge to follow up such a powerful first season, but the second season of Broadchurch (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) is a solid sophomore effort, and that rests wholly on the shoulders of David Tennant and Olivia Colman and a compelling mystery. Bonus materials include featurettes, interviews, and deleted scenes.

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    No longer do we have to content ourselves with the lackluster standard definition piecemeal releases of the gloriously vibrant pop-pop animated Teen Titans Go (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), as the Warner Archive gifts fans a high definition release of the complete first season. Sadly, there’s not a single bonus feature, but at least it all looks great and I in one package.

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    I love diving into books where you spend every page thinking, “Finally! Someone put together an awesome book that I never knew I wanted until it existed!” Such is the case with Meet Mr. Product: Volume 1 and its companion Mr. Product: Volume 2 (Insight Editions, $17.99 SRP each), which combined are a visual encyclopedia of advertising characters spanning the bulk of the 20th century up until 1985, on everything from cereals to auto parts and from the Michelin Man to Charlie Tuna.

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    No one in their right mind would consider the latter-day Curly Joe features made by the Three Stooges to be the boys at their finest, but there is a charm and novelty to be found in The Three Stooges Triple Feature: Time Out For Rhythm/Rockin’ In The Rockies/Have Rocket Will Travel & The Three Stooges Triple Feature: The Three Stooges Around The World In A Daze/The Three Stooges Meet Hercules/The Outlaws Is Coming (Mill Creek, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$14.98 SRP each). It’s nice to see them all get the high def treatment, and also nice that Rhythm and Rockies are both Curly Howard-era features.

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    S.H. Figuarts are known for their ridiculously poseable action figures with a level of near-miraculous articulation. Combine that with two Nintendo superstars and you’ve got must-have, shelf-ready figures of Mario (Thinkgeek, $18.74) and Link ($54.99). While Mario comes with a Super Mushroom, a block, and a gold coin, Link has his sword (with optional energy effect), shield, a swappable face, and a nifty stand allowing for even more dynamic posing. Woo-hoo!

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    Ryan Gosling’s writing & directing debut, Lost River (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.98 SRP) really is a mess of a film. Equal parts pretentious and baffling in its attempt to be a deep character piece about a mother’s attempt to hold her family and town together, but instead is a must-see-to-believe misfire with a great cast, including Christina Hendricks, Matt Smith, and Iain De Castecker.

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    As a longtime Marvel comics nerd who owned every issue of the original Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe, I mightily enjoyed the tech and geeky trivia packed into the official Haynes’ Marvel Vehicles: Owner’s Workshop Manual (Insight Editions, $29.95 SRP). Guided by S.H.I.E.L.D. head Nick Fury himself, it’s a peek inside everything from the helicarrier to the Green Goblin’s Goblin Glider. And yes, you even get the dune buggy Spider-Mobile.

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    Because they’re wonderful maniacs, Olive Films have dropped another clutch of catalogue titles new to high-def, including Abbott & Costello’s final film, Dance With Me, Henry (Olive Films, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Jodi Foster’s directorial debut Little Man Tate (Olive Films, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), the 1990 version of Lord Of The Flies (Olive Films, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Robert Townsend’s Hollywood Shuffle (Olive Films, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Paul Newman & Robby Benson in Harry & Son (Olive Films, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Nick Nolte & Judd Hirsch in Teachers (Olive Films, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Pauley Shore’s opus Bio-Dome (Olive Films, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Cooley High (Olive Films, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), Jessica Lange & Tommy Lee Jones in Blue Sky (Olive Films, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP), and Chuck Norris & Lou Gossett in Firewalker (Olive Films, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$29.95 SRP).

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    Twomorrows has taken their long out-of-print stellar biography of a comics legend and expanded it into a must-have deluxe edition with Will Eisner: A Spirited Life (Twomorrows, $39.95 SRP). The hardcover tome is not only a detailed overview of Eisner’s life, but is also packed with rare artwork and photographs.

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    This week’s toddler time titles from the folks at Nickelodeon include Wallykazam! (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP), sporting four enchanted adventures, and Let’s Learn S.T.E.M. (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP), featuring 6 educational playdates with Dora, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, and more.

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    For the Hal Lublins of the world, who would kindly be characterized as rabid wrestling fans, the WWE Ultimate Superstar Guide (DK, $16.99 SRP) is a fully illustrated handbook of wrestlers past and present, with full bios, trivia, stats, and more.

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    Sometimes, you’re just hankering for a mindless action flick, and that’s exactly the sort of popcorn cleanser you’ll get from The Marine 4: Moving Target (Fox, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), starring WWE superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin as the titular Marine, Jake Carter, whose private sector gig is to protect a high-value whistleblower against a team of mercs. Bonus materials include a trio of featurettes.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 3/28/14: Satellite Of Puddin’

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    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…)

    It seems we were just celebrating the 25th anniversary of the denizens of the Satellite of Love, but here we are with the sheer delight of another brand new collection featuring Joel & Mike & The Bots from the fine folks at Shout Factory. Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume 29 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$59.97 SRP) supports another quartet of episodes – the first season episode The Untamed Youth, Hercules And The Captive Youth, The Thing That Couldn’t Die, and the I can’t believe the actually got the rights and huzzah that they did Pumaman. Bonus materials include introductions and a spotlight on his “Riffing Myself” show from Joel Hodgson, featurettes, and trailers.

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    Her puddin’, the clown prince of crime, got his 12″ release a few months back from the fine folks at Sideshow Collectibles, but now the psychotic love of the Joker’s life arrives in the red & black form of Harley Quinn ($189.99). Looking every bit the cute killer fans going back to her debut in Batman: The Animated Series know and love, she comes with her comically oversized hammer, pop-gun, plenty of hands, a spare head, and much more. Now we just need the 1/6-scale Batman to fight the dastardly couple.

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    While I don’t think it’s as brilliant as it’s massive box office take seems to suggest, I do think Frozen (Walt Disney, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$44.99 SRP) is definitely an enjoyable animated film that proves the House of Mouse has come along way from their awkward early CG days of Dinosaur and Chicken Little. I’m not entirely sure why the 3D version of the film hasn’t been released, but this special edition – featuring a making-of, music videos, deleted scenes, and the clever Mickey Mouse short “Get A Horse!” – will tide you over until the inevitable double-dip.

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    It’s not his best, but there’s an undeniable allure to Martin Scorsese’s latest stab at the Goodfellas formula of doomed yet despicably loveable criminals, The Wolf Of Wall Street (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which swaps mafiosos for stockbrokers. Bonus materials are limited to a featurette.

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    As sketch comedy series go – and it’s not an easy form to be consistently good in – there’s much more gold than dross to be found in the Key & Peele: Seasons 1 & 2 collection (Comedy Central, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP). The set sports audio commentaries, outtakes, an interview, and more from Luther (Obama’s Anger Translator). Make sure you get your binge in before the premiere of the third season.

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    While not as sparklingly brilliant as Armando Iannucci’s The Thick Of It, his team’s take on the US political machine, Veep (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP) remains a winning satire in its much more assured second season, deconstructing the politics of the junior power position of the Vice-Presidency (ably handled by the exquisite Julie Louis-Dreyfuss). Bonus materials include audio commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

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    Following in the footsteps of the perfectly okay but not terribly much more than that Merlin comes the latest BBC stab at a genre fantasy, Atlantis (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP), which finds our hero Jason washed up on the strange shores of that fabled island and dropped into myths and adventure. Bonus materials include featurettes and interviews.

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    Idris Elba is just as incredible as you expect him to be playing the legendary South African freedom fighter in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (Anchor Bay, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which chronicles Mandela’s life from his start as a young political leader through his incarceration and finally his freedom and return to lead, and heal, his nation. Bonus materials include an audio commentary and featurettes.

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    First loves and sexual awakening? Sounds like the perfect recipe for a foreign film sensation, and that’s exactly what you get with Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue Is The Warmest Color (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.95 SRP), about a high schooler that finds herself swept up in a passionate romance with a female twenty-something art student in a delicately rendered tale of fiery youth. Bonus materials include a trailer, a TV spot, and the usual in-depth Criterion essay.

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    Lucille Ball returned to prime time television twice after her legendary series I Love Lucy, and the third and final of these makes its it to DVD in toto with Here’s Lucy: The Complete Series (MPI, Not Rated, DVD-$ SRP), featuring all 6 seasons of the show that united her with her real life children as a widowed mother raising her teenage son & daughter while trying to run a talent agency. Bonus materials include episode intros, featurettes, interviews, PSAs, vintage ads, and more.

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    Wipe the memory of the horrid live action tale of Hal Jordan with the significantly more enjoyable Green Lantern: The Animated Series (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP) which, while not reaching the lofty heights of the Batman or Superman animated outings, still manages to be a satisfyingly entertaining ride.

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    Restored to the original broadcast length with vastly improved picture and sound, the first season of Little House On The Prairie (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$38.99 SRP) makes its high definition debut, featuring the pilot and all 24 episodes, plus a documentary and an original screen test.

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    Mix Deliverance, Army Of Darkness, and Shaun Of The Dead and you get the loopy redneck zombie comedy Buck Wild (Millennium Entertainment, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP), that’s just as gonzo as you’d expect.

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    While the movie itself is disposable fluff, Vince Vaughn proves yet again that he’s eminently watchable in Delivery Man (Dreamworks, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$32.99 SRP), in which he stars as an underachiever who discovers he’s fathered over 500 children via donations he made 20 years prior. And then the affably cheeky journey towards adult responsibility ensues. Bonus materials include featurettes, bloopers, and a deleted scene.

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    Psychedelia is in full bloom in Wonderwall (Fabulous, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.97 SRP), a fascinating if mostly impenetrable relic of the late 60s about a love triangle, a magical world, and a memorable score from George Harrison. Bonus materials include featurettes, outtakes, and more.

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    Bronies – Start counting your loose change so you can pick up My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – A Dash Of Awesome (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$14.93 SRP), the latest collection of the hugely popular pony-based cartoon, featuring 5 episodes plus a sing-along.

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    The catalogue folks at Mill Creek have teamed up with TV Guide to release branded collections culling from the properties they manage into 2-disc episode themed releases under the TV Guide Spotlight banner. Hurtle back to Benson, Good Times, Diff’rent Strokes, and The Jeffersons with TV Guide Spotlight: Groundbreaking Sitcoms Of The 70s (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP). You’ve got shows like 3rd Rock, The Nanny, and That 70’s Show on TV Guide Spotlight: Great Comedies Of The 90s (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP). TV Guide Spotlight: Leading Ladies Of Classic Comedy (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP) features the likes of Bewitched, I Dream Of Jeannie, Gidget, and Maude. Spin some old school law & order with SWAT, Charlie’s Angels, Starsky & Hutch, and Police Woman with TV Guide Spotlight: Cop Shows Of The 70s (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP). Or you can get The Get-Along Gang, Heathcliff, and The Littles on TV Guide Spotlight: Totally 80s Toons (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP). There’s more animation like Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego and COPS in TV Guide Spotlight: Super Action Animation (Mill Creek, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP).

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    I’m not a big fan of horror and gore, but for aficionados of such entertainment, the DVD arrival of the complete 3 season run of Tales From The Darkside producer Richard P. Rubenstein’s anthology series Monsters (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$99.98 SRP). Featuring a roll call of guest stars including everyone from Adrienne Barbeau and Linda Blair to Deborah Harry and Meat Loaf, it’s here for fans to ingest… Probably best to do so on an empty stomach, though.

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    Another week, another soundtrack round up! This week, we’ve got Marcelo Zarvos’s score to Face Of Love (Varese Sarabande, $11.49 SRP), Tony Morales & Edward Rogers’s The Bag Man (Lakeshore Records, $19.99 SRP), Stephen Endelman’s Rob The Mob (Lakeshore Records, $19.99 SRP), Rolfe Kent’s Bad Words (Back Lot Music, $8.99 SRP), John Powell’s Rio 2 (Sony, $10.00 SRP), Kyle Newmaster’s Something Wicked (Lakeshore Records, $9.99 SRP), David Holmes & Keefus Ciancia’s The Motel Life (Lakeshore Records, $18.95 SRP), Nathan Furst’s Need For Speed (Varese Sarabande, $16.84 SRP), Rachel Portman’s The Right Kind Of Wrong (Varese Sarabande, $16.98 SRP), the Newton Bros.’ Oculus (Varese Sarabande, $14.41 SRP), and the compilation full of classic movie scores Play It Again, Sam: The Classic Sound Of Hollywood (Sony, $18.70 SRP).

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 3/16/12: Tintin Time

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    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’m still not sold on the exaggerated realistic character design they chose for Herge’s famous characters, but there’s enough verve and energy to make Spielberg & Jackson’s The Adventures Of Tintin (Paramount, Rated PG, 3D Blu-Ray-$54.99 SRP) a fun watch, careening from one set piece to the next in a similar vein to Spielberg’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark. And really, the only way to watch this at home, if you have the capability, is in 3D – they did a great job of making the environments immersive, particularly during the big chase near the end. Bonus materials include making-of featurettes and much more.

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    If you want a nice and easy geek-friendly LEGO set for kids who might not have the skill or patience to tackle the larger sets, the LEGO Star Wars Droid Escape ($19.99) features C-3PO and R2-D2 with their Tantive IV escape pod plus a few Stormtroopers and a Speeder Bike to pursue them with.

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    Arrested development and the delusion that goes with it is front and center in Young Adult (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) when writer & one-time prom queen Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) heads back home and determines recapturing her married high school boyfriend is the way to relive a past long gone. Theron is brilliant, but she’s matched by Patton Oswalt, a fellow classmate who slaps her with the reality stick. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

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    It seems every month is a holiday for fans of the Doctor’s classic adventures as we get not only a special edition of the 10th anniversary special with Doctor Who: The Three Doctors (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP), but also a new special edition of 4th Doctor Tom Baker’s Doctor Who: The Robots Of Death (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$18.99 SRP). Both are real crackers, and are loaded with the usual clutch of commentaries, featurettes, knick-knacks, rarities, and more.

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    Ah, but that’s not all of the new classic Who you’re getting this week! Oh no, no, no! There’s also a newly restored special edition of Patrick Troughton’s tin-plated tussle with cyberdoom in Doctor Who: The Tomb Of The Cybermen (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP) and 4th Doctor Tom Baker’s first encounter with savage companion Leela in Doctor Who: The Face Of Evil (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP). Again, there’s loads and loads of great bonus material for both. So is THAT enough new Who for you?

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    Anyone who has had a loss that is at the same time sudden yet lingering will understand the power of a film like The Descendants (Fox, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), that even for its twist and the light it casts on the character who has gone into a coma after an accident, it still makes you feel for the lurch it places family her into. I really don’t want to give away much about the film, but suffice it to say she leaves a husband (George Clooney) and two troubled daughters to pick up the pieces. Just see it. Bonus materials include featurettes, deleted scenes, interviews, and more.

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    It was only a matter of time before Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ (Criterion, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP) made it to the high definition realm in a beautifully put together edition, and it should come as no real surprise that it’s from the fine folks at Criterion. Not only does the picture and sound get a healthy bump, but there’s also an audio commentary, interview with Peter Gabriel, location footage, photos, and more.

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    It’s always a delight to get new Wallace & Gromit material, even if it’s in the form of interstitial around a spotlight on r3eal life gadgets and contraptions in Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$14.99 SRP), a 6-part series that does just that.

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    The fine folks at Rifftrax have released a brand new pair of cinematic bombs made wonderfully hilarious – the dime store creature feature The Crater Lake Monster (Legend, Not Rated, DVD-$9.95 SRP) and the nickel store alien flick The Galaxy Invader (Legend, Not Rated, DVD-$9.95 SRP). Should you get both? Yes. You should get both. Right now.

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    You know another installment of a film franchise is in the offing when the back-catalogue is dusted off for release, so it should come as little surprise that the forthcoming American Reunion brings the Blu-Ray debut of American Pie, American Pie 2, and American Wedding (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP each). All 3 carry over all of the previous DVD special features, as well as adding a look at the upcoming sequel.

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    They’re certainly not up to the quality of the original, but there’s enough charm and storytelling competence to make both The Lion King 1 1/2 & The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride (Walt Disney, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP each) decent viewing, and will probably hold the attention of most kids. Both have just gotten a full high definition release, sporting featurettes, deleted scenes, music videos, and more.

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    The Warner Archive Collection has dug up a pair of Jim Brown rarities from the 70’s for your viewing pleasure. Tick Tick Tick (Warner Bros., Rated G, DVD-$19.95) finds brown starring as a southern sheriff caught in the middle of a breakdown in race relations, while The Slams (Warner Bros., Rated R, DVD-$19.95) as a jailed criminal who needs to overcome quite a few obstacles to go over the wall and try and recover a hidden stash of cash before the demolition of its hiding place.

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    Yeah, I’m not entirely sure anyone is supposed to understand what’s going on in Tarsem’s big Greek mythology epic Immortals (Fox, Rated R, 3D Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP), but it is a captivatingly beautiful thing to look at in 3D, particularly any scene where the gods are doing battle. It’s a crazy flick, but definitely worth a look-see. Bonus materials include featurettes, deleted scenes, an alternate opening, and alternate endings.

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    Director Ralph Bakshi’s animated films are an acquired taste, and one I never have acquired. I can certainly see his passion, but the movies don’t speak to me. But there are plenty of people who have a special place in their heart for his fantasy film Wizards (Fox, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP), which arrives in high definition for a special 35th anniversary edition containing an audio commentary, featurettes, a TV spot, a gallery, and trailers.

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    As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary maritime disaster, it’s perfectly understandable that the History Channel is collecting together a trio of their best documentaries on the subject into Titanic: The Complete Story (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP). The documentaries in question are Death Of A Dream, The Legend Lives On, and Titanic’s Achilles Heel.

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    Michelle Williams certainly deserved her Oscar nomination for her turn as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn (Anchor Bay, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which focuses on the memoir of Colin Clark, who as a 23-year-old 3rd assistant director formed a special relationship with the very fragile superstar while she was in London filming The Prince And The Showgirl with the Sire Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh). A lovely little flick.

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    I’m not exactly sure what they were thinking with the overly-slick, utterly baffling new take on The Three Musketeers (Summit, Rated PG-13, 3D Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP). Well, I do know – they were trying to capture the same teenage audience that flocked to Twilight. And for them, this is probably a lovely bit of fluff. The 3-D edition contains an audio commentary and deleted scenes.

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    Do you like penguins? Do you like them dancing? Do you like them talking with the voices of Elijah Wood and Robin Williams while they’re dancing? Did you like all of this when it was in an animated movie called Happy Feet? Then you’ll like the equally ingratiating Happy Feet Two (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP), as Wood’s Mumble returns with a son in tow. Bonus materials include a clutch of featurettes and more.

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    For Come Fly With Me (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP) Matt Lucas and David Walliams have followed up their immensely successful run on Little Britain with a brand new series that weaves what are still essentially just recurring character sketches but with the conceit that all of these characters work and revolve around an airport, from ground crews to the rich airline owner. The set features all 6 episodes plus a behind-the-scenes documentary.

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    How do you compress 13.7 million years of Earth’s existence into one concise special? Seems like a tall task, but it’s one History Of the World In Two Hours (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP) attempts to do, from the stellar formation of the planet all the way up to today.

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    It’s still not my bag, but for those that enjoy Adult Swim’s Superjail (Adult Swim, Not Rated, DVD-$19.97 SRP), the complete second season set contains all 10 episodes plus a clutch of bonus materials.

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    In the Tom Baker 4th Doctor story “City Of Death”, our traveling Time Lord encounters an art dealer selling actual originals of the Mona Lisa to fund his time experiments. The seemingly-debonair Count Scarlioni played by Julian Glover, is actually a time-splintered alien named Scaroth, who is eager to prevent the destruction of his ship over primeval Earth – an event that not only flung him through time, but also happened to have jump-started life on Earth. So yes, the Doctor must stop him. The City Of Death Collector’s Set (Underground Toys, $38.99 SRP) contains the Doctor and Cunt Scarlioni – who also has a swappable Scarloth head. Oh, and there’s also a Mona Lisa. Just don’t try to sell it.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 3/2/12: Hugo Hammond

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    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…)

    It feels a little odd to be writing about a children’s picture from Martin Scorsese, so it’s probably easier to understand when you realize that one of the key figures in Hugo (Paramount, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$54.99 SRP) is pioneering French filmmaker Georges Melies, best known for his legendary “Journey To The Moon”. The film finds Georges as a toy shop owner in a railway station who aids the young title character’s attempt to unlock a mystery left by his father. The film is a fun and – yes – heartwarming pic that makes fine use of the 3D canvas, playing very nicely in the home theater. Bonus materials include making-of featurettes and a look at the real Melies.

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    If you’re looking for a purchase for both a Star Wars and a LEGO fan who may be too young for the more complicated sets, the LEGO TIE Interceptor and Death Star ($9.99) is perfect, as the Interceptor is an easy assembly, it comes with a pilot minifig, and the storage case is a hangable Death Star. Fun, right?

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    With the release of Top Gear 17 (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), the home video releases have finally caught up with the show, as the 18th season has just premiered. For this season, however, we find the terrible trio in Italy, Monte Carlo, and even South Africa. Bonus materials include intros, interviews, behind-the-scenes of the celebrity laps, and more.

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    Rowan Atkinson returns as the bumbling superspy in Johnny English Reborn (Universal, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP), which finds our Clouseau-esque hero called back to active duty after being disgraced, saddled with a partner (the wonderful Daniel Kaluuya), and facing down betrayal from within. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes/ a featurette, and a gag reel.

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    Written by the late Dwayne McDuffie, Justice League: Doom (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP) is the latest in the animated DC comics direct-to-video movies, this time focusing on the devastation that hits the titular superteam when a group of supervillains steals Batman’s secret contingency plans on how to take down his teammates should any go rogue. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, bonus cartoons, and more.

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    Take Buffy and mix in heavy metal and The Evil Dead and you’ll get the gonzo horror/comedy of Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), which finds the titular oversexed high-schooler as the world’s only defense against arcane evil unleashable by the also titular tome. The first season set sports audio commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, outtakes, and more.

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    It caused a controversy when it was released, probably because Anonymous (Sony, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP) tackles, in a sadly ham-fisted way, the theory that William Shakespeare was not the author of the works history has credited him with. Still, it’s an engaging enough watch, particularly with a cast that includes Rhys Ifans, David Thewlis, Derek Jacobi, and Vanessa Redgrave. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, and a featurette.

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    Tween boys with their eyes glued to Cartoon Network will probably want to pick up the first release from the adventure series Redakai: The Journey Begins (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), which finds our heroes racing around the world to keep Kairu energy from falling into evil hands. Ask your kids to explain it. Bonus materials include a pair of featurettes.

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    This weekend, we’ve got another story-specific Doctor Who action figure set from the fine folks at Underground Toys. The Keeper Of Traken Collector’s Set (Underground Toys, $49.98) contains a story-specific version of Tom Baker’s 4th Doctor (with source manipulator sphere), the charred and decayed version of The Master, and the Melkur statue. Here’s to more of these themed sets in the future.

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    We got a Harry Potter figure last year, so it’s a welcome addition to Medicom’s Real Action Heroes line of 12″ figures that we get the none-Voldemort bane of the young wizard’s existence – Alan Rickman’s beautifully realized Professor Severus Snape ($219.99 SRP). The Rickman sculpt is just about as perfect you can get, matched by the fine detailing on the multiple layers of costuming, from black suit to black outer robes. And yes, he comes with his wand. How could he not?

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 2/24/12: Fade In

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    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…)

    It’s a little slow-going at times and uneven, but the good of The Fades (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP) far outweighs any deficiencies as it’s a clever take on ghosts and vampire mythology with a nice post-modern twist and an incredible performance from co-star Daniel Kaluuya as the pop-literate friend of our supernatural protagonist who’s faced with the end of the world. Bonus materials include interviews, deleted scenes, outtakes, and more.

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    Are you steampunky? Have you ever wished you could wear a tiny little folding telescope on your ring finger? So you could feel all steampunky and adventurous and ingenious? Well, Thinkgeek brings you Captain Jules’ Extraordinary Telescope Ring ($29.99), which is exactly what you need – a collapsible telescope (and compass!) that you can wear on your finger. Yeah. That’s cool.

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    I’m sure it’s just a personal hang-up of mine, but I’m not much of a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, especially as he’s somehow become the go-to guy for vintage biopics of egomaniacal men. The latest is Clint Eastwood’s otherwise nicely made J. Edgar (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$35.99 SRP), which dives into the ultimately flawed grand personality behind the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, and his political kingdom of information.

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    Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson’s big Tintin film is about to hit home video, and the massive amounts of development and concept art that went into making it is presented in The Art Of The Adventures Of Tintin (Weta/HarperCollins, $39.99 SRP). And, if you get the book directly from Weta, you get exclusive replicas of the three parchment scraps that, when aligned, give the coordinates to find Red Rackham’s treasure. And for those with a fancy iPad, the publishers have put out an absolutely phenomenal app version of the book, with every piece of art enlargeable, interactive turnarounds, artist interviews, and even clips from the film.

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    And speaking of incredible behind-the-scenes books, now that the massive 8-film series has wrapped, you can explore all of the cinematic magic that went into making JK Rowling’s boy wizard come to life with Harry Potter: Page To Screen – The Complete Filmmaking Journey (Harper Design, $75.00 SRP). Comprehensive (and large), you get a look at everything it took to create the films, from casting and special effects to release – it’s all in there.

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    For years, Newmarket Press has been putting out some quite nice making-of and screenplay books for various films, and this Oscar season brings a pair of tomes from this year’s nominees. First up is Hugo: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Press, $19.99 SRP), the latest from director Martin Scorsese. Also available is a look behind Steven Spielberg WWI epic – War Horse: The Making Of The Motion Picture (Newmarket Press, $34.99 SRP).

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    I wasn’t expecting much, which is probably why I was pleasantly surprised by the working man’s revenge flick Tower Heist (Universal, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP), which finds everyday folks (with the likes of Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Gabourey Sidibe, and Casey Affleck) getting back at a Wall Street swindler (Alan Alda). Maybe that’s because this comedy is directed by the loathsome Brett Ratner. But hey, a decent flick every 10 years is understandable. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, alternate endings, deleted scenes, featurettes, and more.

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    You can watch Tudors and French Cardinals all you want, but in Italy the power center also had a family name, and it’s that powerful dynasty that’s the subject of Borgia Faith and Fear: Season One (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), as we look at the depraved Machiavellian center of the Catholic Vatican, Rodrigo Borgia.

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    It’s no Shrek, which I see as a definite plus for spin-off film Puss In Boots (Dreamworks, Rated PG, 3D Blu-Ray-$27.99 SRP), which finds Antonio Banderas reprising his feline lothario roll for a bit of a romp that finds him going up against the nefarious Jack & Jill. As usual for recent Dreamworks animated fare, the use of 3-D is rather enjoyable, and carries over well to a home theater presentation. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, featurettes, games, and more.

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    Fighting the nefarious likes of Simon Bar Sinister and Riff Raff, the dated though still fun cartoons featured in the 10-disc Underdog: Complete Collector’s Edition (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$69.97 SRP) are worth introducing to the kids in your life. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, a featurette, and additional cartoons.

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    A pair of Showtime series are dropping their latest seasons with the arrival of post-prison new life in the Big Apple Weeds: Season Seven (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.97 SRP) and a post-confrontation Nurse Jackie: Season Three (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.97 SRP). Both sport commentaries, featurettes, gag reels, and more.

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    Last week we featured Underground Toys’ collector’s set focusing on the villains of William Hartnell’s First Doctor, and this week we’ve got an action figure set which brings together a trio of Jon Pertwee’s with the Enemies Of The Third Doctor ($49.99 SRP). First and foremost, we get an Auton from the 3rd Doctor’s debut story, “Spearhead From Space”. Then we get the fallen Time Lord Omega from “The Three Doctors”, which just so happens to be coming out in a new special edition DVD very soon. Finally, we get the monstrous swamp-dwelling Drashig from “Carnival Of Monsters”. Here’s hoping they continue this line of collector’s sets with the other 8 Doctors… Though, granted, it might be a little hard to do with the 8th Doctor.

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    I’m not entire surely what Faustian deal the folks at Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles have entered into in order to keep delivering truly stunning 12″-scale collectibles, but each new one brings a fresh rounds of “oohs” and “aahs” for everything from the masterful sculpting to the pitch-perfect scale costume reproductions. The latest cinematic legend to get the platinum treatment of their deluxe DX line (with moveable eyes and more accessories than you can shake a stick at) is the 1989 Michael Keaton Batman ($239.99). From the rubber batsuit to the leather cape, the costume is exactly as you remember it, right down to the jagged-bottom bat symbol on his chest. The figure also comes with 3 different swappable mouths (closed, pursed, and bloodied), batarang, throwing stars, grappling guns, communicator, and more, plus a light-up base featuring the bat symbol. Incredible. I can’t wait to see their upcoming Jack Nicholson Joker.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 10/21/11: Craigy Ferg

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    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 only familiar with Craig Ferguson from the Late Late Show, you’ll probably want to check out just what a stellar stand-up comic he is, as well, via his newest special Craig Ferguson: Does This Need To Be Said? (Comedy Central, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP). Originally aired on Epix, the DVD also includes a pair of featurettes.

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    As much as I’ve loved all of the laptops I’ve had over the years, my one major disappointment has been just how pitiful the sound quality is from the internal speakers. After trying numerous external speaker solutions and never being happy with the results, I’ve finally found one that fills the room with nice quality, high volume sound – the Logitech Laptop Speaker ($59.99), which is a USB soundbar that simply hooks on the top of your screen. And, considering the single USB provides both the audio and the power, it’s the perfect portable solution.

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    There’s so much to like about Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Walt Disney, Rated PG-13, 3D Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP), including the still swaggering performances of Johnny Depp & Geoffrey Rush. Sadly, the film overall is an uneven affair, swinging from a well-cast Ian McShane as Blackbeard, searching for the Fountain of Youth, to a useless romantic subplot about a pious young man and a mermaid. The home 3D effects are quite nice, as there’s plenty of depth in the many fight scenes and establishing shots. I just wish the movie were sharper. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers, a LEGO animated short, and more.

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    As much as Tim Burton wished it otherwise, his more faithful treatment of Roald Dahl’s Charlie & The Chocolate Factory can’t hold a candle to the simple charm and overwhelming chemistry of Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Warner Bros., Rated G, Blu-Ray-$64.98 SRP), which gets a deluxe 40th anniversary edition box set sure to make the perfect holiday gift for fans. In addition to a new bonus disc filled with interviews and a newly uncovered archival featurette, a packet with archival correspondence replicas, the 144-page Pure Imagination behind-the-scenes book from director Mel Stuart, a pencil tin shaped like a Wonka Bar, and scratch-n-sniff pencils and an eraser.

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    It’s a bit awkward to feature products that feature my boss, one of which I was actually the producer on. So let me simply say you should most definitely pick up the extended cut, 2-disc special edition of the stand-up special Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$26.97 SRP) and the complete first season of SModimations: The SModcast Cartoon Show (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$19.93 SRP). I produced the latter, which features animated vignettes of SModcast stories from Canadian artist Steve Stark. So, yeah… Get them both.

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    Though ostensibly a film about all of the actors who have held the rank of captain over the long life of the Star Trek franchise, William Shatner’s The Captains (E1, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) really, like most things Shatner does, is about himself. And I’m fine with that because, well, that’s just Shatner. And the conversations with Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, and even Chris Pine are interesting. A making-of featurette is also included.

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    Strike another title from the list of movies we’re waiting to make their high def debut with the arrival of Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake of Cape Fear (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP), starring Robert DeNiro as a really bad man with a really bad accent who really likes going to the movies. Bonus materials include behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes.

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    Raro Video has decided to make one of Federico Fellini’s final masterpieces, The Clowns (Raro Video, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP) its first high definition release, with a restored edition featuring an exclusive Fellini short film, a video essay, and a booklet packed with drawings. You’ll certainly never look at clowns in quite the same way again.

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    I remember the original Robotech DVD releases from years (and years!) ago, which at the time were the best presentation of the series fans could hope for. Well, the new Robotech: The Complete Series box set (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$99.95 SRP) is fully remastered, looks better than ever, and carries over all of the copious amount of bonus materials from the original releases plus a clutch of new-to-DVD materials.

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    Why hello, MGM Limited Edition Collection. What new MOD treats do you have from deep, deep in your catalogue for us? How about the Phil Silvers film Top Banana (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98)? Or the sci-fi flick The Quatermass Xperiment? (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98)? How about the comedies Beer and Consuming Passions (MGM, Rated R, DVD-$19.98 each), featuring the likes of Jonathan Pryce, Rip Torn, Vanessa Redgrave, and Loretta Swit. Yes – All of those.

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    As a LEGO product, it retains much of the wonderful humor they’ve brought to the various established licenses they’ve touched, but the fact that LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace (Fox, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$22.99 SRP) features the character of Young Han Solo is enough to make me sick to my stomach. Ruin Anakin all you want, but please – leave Han Solo alone. To add insult to injury, they even include an exclusive minifigure of him. Lucas, you sly bastard.

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    It’s not wall-to-wall laughs, but there’s enough wit and strong enough performances that I did enjoy watching Bad Teacher (Sony, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$40.99 SRP), which stars Cameron Diaz as a golddigging teacher who gets tossed on the curb by her suddenly self-aware rich fiancé, sending her back to teaching in order to get by… And try and find a way to scheme and scam enough money to pay for a boob job. With a supporting cast that includes Justin Timberlake, Jason Segal, iCarly‘s Noah Munck, Dave Gruber Allen, and even a cameo from Josh Weinstein, it’s the cast that’ll keep you watching. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, featurettes, outtakes, and a gag reel.

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    The days of any real history programming airing on The History Channel seem almost a fever dream by this point, as The House That Chumley Built delivers a trio of new reality series seasons – Pawn Stars: Volume 3 (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP), American Pickers: Volume 2 (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) and Top Shot: Reloaded Season 2 (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$34.95 SRP). Both Pawn and Pickers are featureless, while Top Shot gets a couple of featurettes.

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    The fine folks at Shout Factory continue to bring out-of-print episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 back into print for desperate fans with the release of two new discs – The Atomic Brain and The Touch Of Satan (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99 each). Both discs are barebones, but at least they’re available again.

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    As titles go, The Rise And Fall Of Margaret Thatcher (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$34.98 SRP) pretty much sums up this trio of productions which chronicle the ambitious rise of a young Margaret Roberts to Parliament, her long and controversial turn as Prime Minster, and the events which led to her removal from power.

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    The classic Nickelodeon animated catalogue is coming fast and furious from the fine folks at Shout Factory, with the latest being Cat Dog: Season 1 Part 1 (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$19.93 SRP). The 2-disc set contains the first 10 episodes of the series.

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    Color me shocked that the ho-hum relaunch of V (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP) made it to a second season, but it did, and here it is. For fans (there must be fans, because it did make it to this 2nd season), there’s a clutch of deleted scenes, featurettes, and a blooper reel.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 6/10/11: Hooray For Captain Spaulding

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    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 it’s not the much-desired fully-restored Blu-Ray editions fans have been clamoring for, Universal has released the original (best) Marx Brothers films as individual DVDs of The Cocoanuts, Duck Soup, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, and Horsefeathers (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP each) outside of the box set they were originally released in way back in 2004. So if you want to be able to watch them while we’re all waiting for the films to be treated to a loving restoration, go ahead and pick ’em up.

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    Who doesn’t want to snuggle with a soft and fluffy blob of sentient fat? Well, if you’re a Doctor Who fan, you can do just that with the Adipose Plush Toy ($19.99), a stuffed version of the cute creatures from the beginning of the 4th season of Nu-Who.

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    Though I always get it confused in my head with The Wind And The Lion, I’ve always had a fondness for Jon Huston’s ingratiatingly epic adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$25.99 SRP), which makes its high definition debut in stunning fashion, with beautiful video quality. It’s worth watching just for the interplay between stars Michael Caine, Sean Connery, and Christopher Plummer. Sadly, bonus materials are limited to a vintage featurette and the theatrical trailer, but it’s nice to have the film on Blu-Ray, regardless.

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    Like Sgt. Bilko and The Simpsons, the late comedian Bill Hicks is far more revered in the UK than he ever was in the US, and it’s with that reverence that the wish-it-was-better-done documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), whose largely superficial fawning doesn’t quite capture who Bill was and why he was the way he was. At least the extensive bonus materials, including rare footage and performances, makes the set a must-have.

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    Everyone breaks down in the third season of Breaking Bad (Sony, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.95 SRP), as Bryan Cranston’s Walt faces a difficult decision while dealing with a broken marriage, a dangerously reckless partner, and a price on his head. Bonus materials include a trio of uncensored episodes, audio commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

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    Warners queues up another sterling high definition catalogue restoration with The Outlaw Josey Wales (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP), starring Clint Eastwood as the titular gunslinger on the lam after avenging his family’s brutal murder. Bonus materials include an audio commentary and a trio of featurettes – 1 new and 2 vintage.

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    The great David Attenborough narrates another must-see nature documentary from the BBC, as their far-ranging cameras descend upon Madagascar (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP) for a 3-part exploration of the bizarre wildlife. Bonus materials include a pair of featurettes, one of which contains lemurs.

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    Another month, another massive dip into the catalogue for MGM, as they deliver a new batch titles in high definition for the first time – Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Angelina Jolie & Antonio Banderas in Original Sin (MGM, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Mario Van Peebles in the western Posse (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), Gary Cooper & Burt Lancaster in Vera Cruz (MGM, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), the Quaid brothers in the Jesse James film The Long Riders (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), the hippy musical Hair (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), the Aussie drag classic The Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP), and Frank Oz’s wonderful Death At A Funeral (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP). Most of the discs, such as New York, New York and Death At A Funeral, sport audio commentaries, featurettes, and more.

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    I have to be honest with you – I’m not of the generation that became enamored with the man-child comedy stylings of Adam Sandler. That means I’m not the intended audience who will delight in the high-definition release Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison (Universal, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP each). While both discs feature deleted scenes and outtakes, only Billy Madison sports a commentary.

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    Re-create your own NBC Mystery Movie Night with the complete 3rd season of McMillan & Wife (VEI, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), featuring the sleuthing duo of Rock Hudson and Susan St. James. The 3-disc set contains the season’s four 90-minute and two 60-minute episodes.

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    The Warner Archive Collection dips back into the TV pool and pulls up another pair of releases that might not otherwise see the light of day – Part 1 of the first season of the classic 60’s procedural The FBI (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$39.95) and the complete second season of the much more recent cop drama Southland (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$24.95).

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    Warners has been releasing more and more of their obscure catalogue titles through the MOD Warner Archive, which is why it was a pleasant surprise to see 1933’s Night Flight (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP) out on regular DVD. The film stars John & Lionel Barrymore, Clark Gable, Helen Hayes, Robert Montgomery, and Myrna Loy in an adventure about a fateful journey to deliver much-needed medicine via biplane. Yup. Bonus features include a vintage short and cartoon.

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    Of all the recent original animated movies to come out of Warners DC Universe imprint, the one of actually enjoyed and didn’t cringe at is the one starring ol’ Hal Jordan himself, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP), which features a bang-up action arc starring the entire Green Lantern Corps and their most memorable adventures. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, a pair of bonus cartoons, and a sneak peek at Batman: Year One.

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    The beginning of the 3rd season of Leverage (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP) finds the leader of our elite gang of thieves, Timothy Hutton’s Nate Ford, behind bars, and the team scheming to break him out. The 4-disc set contains all 16 episodes, plus audio commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, and a gag reel.

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    Oh, James Cameron. I know you only produced Sanctum (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.98 SRP), but your fingerprints are all over it. From the slight only-exists-to-provide-the-most-basic-skeleton-for-action story & characters to the excessive lingering shots that are only there to make the original 3-D theatrical experience a visual curiosity, it’s not much of a movie. Still, if you want to see a bunch of divers trying to escape from an underwater cave system, this is the film for you. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, and featurettes.

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    Or you could spend this weekend plowing through Burn Notice: Season 4 (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) or White Collar: Season 2 (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$ SRP). Both sport audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and a clutch of featurettes.

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    If you’re sports-inclined, HBO has a pair of Blu-Ray releases that will delight Baseball fans – The documentary series When It Was A Game (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP) and the Mantle/Maris dramatizatzation produced by Billy Crystal, 61* (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$14.98 SRP). The latter features an audio commentary and featurettes.

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    I’m not a fan, but those who are will probably snap up the remastered 30th anniversary edition of the AC/DC: Let There Be Rock concert film (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$44.98 SRP). The box set also contains a 32-page book, a guitar pick, and 10 collector cards.

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    Animation fans are well aware of the pin-up sketches of women drawn by the legendary Disney animator Fred Moore – what came to be known as Fred Moore Girls. Well, the fine folks at Electric Tiki and Sideshow have taken one of the most iconic of these sketches and translated it into a 3-dimentionsal Fred Moore Girl maquette ($124.99), and the result is breathtaking – in more that one way. There are three separate editions, with the blonde “Vanilla” sitting at 500 pieces, the raven-haired “Licorice” at 350, and the ginger “Cinnamon” at only 50 pieces total. Get yours while you can.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 1/14/11: Lucky Louis

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    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…)

    Louis CK proves yet again why he’s one of the finest practitioners of stand-up today with Hilarious (Comedy Central, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP), a feature-length exploration of life after 40, newly-divorced with a pair of young daughters, in a world of increasing frustration. Get this disc. Get it now.

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    I love desktop gadgets, if only because they provide a welcome – and inherently evil – distraction from actually getting down to the mounds of work at hand. So imagine my delight when I learned I could get a desktop item that not only provides a visual lure, but also a geeky one? That’s what you get with the Doctor Who Levitating TARDIS ($34.99), which features a tiny floating TARDIS (the magic being the battery powered magnets in the stand). Spin it and watch it go round and round and round and round, and realize that you’re traveling forward in time… with no work getting done whatsoever.

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    I don’t think it’s his best, but there’s no denying the brutal power of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull (MGM/UA, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), a lot of which is conveyed by its amazing cinematography. That’s what benefits the most from the new high definition special edition, with every spot of black blood brutally crisp. New bonus materials include audio commentaries, a clutch of featurettes, a feature-length documentary, newsreel footage, a shot-by-shot comparison of the real fight to the film’s version, and Cathy Moriarty’s appearance on The Tonight Show.

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    Whoever thought to assemble a Rat Pack of female television comedy greats – Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick & Betty White – into a sitcom of their own should be given a promotion. In the meantime, you can pick up the complete first season of Hot In Cleveland (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP) and see for yourself. Bonus materials include the original pilot, featurettes, and bloopers.

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    Sergio Leone’s epic Once Upon A Time In America (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP) makes its long-awaited high definition debut, and the wait will vanish from your mind as soon as you lay eyes on this truly stunning transfer of a film that has to be seen by anyone in the least bit interested in cinema. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, the theatrical trailer, and an excerpt from the documentary Once Upon A Time: Sergio Leone.

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    Some doubted it would ever happen, but they were all proven wrong when Futurama (Fox, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP) returned to the airwaves with 13 brand new episodes, all of which are contained in this 5th Volume set, complete with audio commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.

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    The new year brings a pair of new classic Doctor Who releases from the seemingly bottomless catalogue, this time reaching all the way back to Patrick Troughton’s Doctor for The Dominators (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP) and then on to Tom Baker for Meglos (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP). Bonus features are the usual complement of commentaries, featurettes, interviews, and more.

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    Of all the companies with deep TV catalogues, Paramount/CBS has been the most consistent in releasing their titles, often sticking by and finishing runs while other companies left theirs by the wayside. All this is to say they’ve released another clutch of deep catalogue titles, including Vegas: The Second Season Volume 1 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$36.98 SRP), Hawaii Five-O: Season 10 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$54.99 SRP), Gunsmoke: Season 4 Volume 2 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP), The Lucy Show: Season 3 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) – which is loaded with a bonus documentary, clips & commercials – and The Andy Griffith Show: 50th Anniversary (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$24.99 SRP), which includes 17 classic episodes plus the Danny Thomas Show episode that acted as a pilot and the TV movie Return To Mayberry.

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    Continuing to fulfill its remit to release deep catalogue titles sure to make cinephiles happy, the Warner Archive just dropped Two-Faced Woman (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.95), a romantic comedy which is also the last film of the great Greta Garbo.

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    The further we get away from it and the more I try and revisit it over the years, I find myself less and less impressed with Kevin Costner’s Oscar-winning Dances With Wolves (MGM/UA, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), which plays as being far too impressed with itself and its own perceived greatness. Still, it looks nice, and it looks even better in high definition. The new special edition contains audio commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, and a retrospective documentary.

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    As cringeworthy as both the original Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm could be, the comedic situations of Peep Show (Channel 4, Not Rated, DVD-£19.99 SRP) easily trump them both in sheer awkwardness. Don’t believe me? Watch the Christmas dinner episode of series 7. So delightfully sour.

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    Another in The History Channel’s long line of “historical” series that have only the slightest of historical content to justify their claim that there’s historical content, Top Shot (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$34.95 SRP) drops a team of marksmen into challenges based on “historical” feats, from gunfights to sniper missions. The 4-disc set contains the entire first season, plus additional footage and interviews.

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    I admit, after the departure of the original cast, my interest has declined from season to season of Skins (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), as the current batch of actors and storylines in season 4 just don’t seem to have the same freshness. Shame, really, as the show continues to use great guest stars. The 3-disc set contains audio commentaries, featurettes, interviews, and trailers.

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    Ostensibly launched as a way of highlighting positive news stories, Russell Howard’s Good News (Channel 4, Not Rated, DVD-£19.99 SRP) is really just a nice excuse to collect funny clips from the news and the internet and provide a pleasant vehicle for comedian Russell Howard. This best-of collection also sports the unaired pilot, deleted scenes, audio commentary, and a featurette.

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    Sadly, the massive Looney Tunes: Golden Collections are a thing of the past, which leaves us with single disc releases Looney Tunes Super Stars: Foghorn Leghorn & Friends & Looney Tunes Super Stars: Tweety & Sylvester (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP each) the only releases of classic Warner cartoons, but at least we can take solace that these contain cartoons previously unavailable.

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    We’re nearly at the end with the release of the penultimate fourteenth season of ER (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), in which the staff of County General starts to remember some of the ghosts – of both patients and staff – that are still lingering around in a place which has had such a long history. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, a Paley Q&A for the 300th episode, and a gag reel.

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    The comedy talent may be plentiful, but the quality of the sketches are just as scattershot as your average episode of Saturday Night Live in the first season of Funny Or Die Presents (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), which plays as the collection of web shorts it really is.

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    Originally released on DVD nearly a decade ago, the epic TV miniseries Shogun (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$79.99 SRP) – starring Richard Chamberlain as a stranded English navigator who finds himself swept up into feudal conflict in 17th century Japan – has been fully refreshed both visually and aurally, and loaded with a select scene commentary by director Jerry London, a multi-part making-of documentary, and a trio of historical featurettes.

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    If you can get past some of their garbage shows about aliens and the end of the world, History does still manages to put out some real gems that should be seen, including the 5th season of their astronomical wonderfest, The Universe (History Channel, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP), which is best seen in high-def.

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    As it stars both Patrick Warburton and David Spade, I always hope that Rules Of Engagement (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) will be a better sitcom than it actually is – Which, granted, is my problem, not theirs. I just wish the material lived up to the performer’s ability. The fourth season set contains all 13 episodes.

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    While The Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff (Comedy Central, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP) is exactly the kind of mildly entertaining ranch fest we’ve come to expect from these outings, it’s a bittersweet affair as it features the last recorded appearance of a great comic (and truly nice guy), Greg Giraldo. Bonus materials include featurettes and interviews.

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    Sadly, Yogi’s Great Escape (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.95) was one of the low-budget, haphazard TV movies that Hanna-Barbera produced starring their classic characters, and looks and feels every bit its cheapness. But hey, at least The Warner Archive has allowed completists and the curious to get it.

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    Ben 10 has moved beyond Alien Force with the first volume of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien – Escape From Aggregor (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), which sports 10 episodes plus a look at the making of the video game.

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    I’ve long been a fan of the animated maquettes being produced by the fine folks at Electric Tiki, which are distributed by the equally fine folks at Sideshow Collectibles. When they got the Disney license a few years back, I was quite excited to see exactly whet characters they’d tackle, and so far I haven’t been disappointed. Case in point is their beautifully sculpted Roger Rabbit ($124.99), which features a swappable hand holding either a balloon or a hot dog on a stick. You know you want to get this.

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    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

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  • Opinion In A Haystack: SHUTTER ISLAND

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    Plot Summary from IMDB:

    It’s 1954, and up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston’s Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. He’s been pushing for an assignment on the island for personal reasons, but before long he wonders whether he hasn’t been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy’s shrewd investigating skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals “escape” in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, Teddy begins to doubt everything – his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.

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    ****************MAJOR SPOILERS********************

    Now that no one will partake in this review due to the spoilers I can pretty much be as candid as I want. It is quite a drag when you walk out of America’s greatest living filmmaker’s latest effort and all you can say is “It’s good, but lame.” Shutter Island is just that: good, but lame. Why good? Martin Scorsese’s style and ability to tell a story is just as sharp as ever. There is a lot of very effective, yet puzzling camera work, editing and story injections that feel fresh and give this movie the only leg it has to stand on. Why lame? We’ve seen it all before. Scorsese’s biggest flub here is simply using the source material (once again, I haven’t read it, but I’m going to assume.) He can try his best(est) to infuse all that beloved style into a giant hunk of yesterday’s rotted fruit, and the end product will still be moldy peaches.

    If Dennis Lehane’s book is anything like the film, then I guess it’s the literary offspring of an orgy between The Wickerman (1973), David Fincher’s The Game, and M. Night Shyamalan’s entire cranium. It’s 2010 people”¦twists are lame, especially mental illness twists. I’m not being hard on the flick for plagiarism, not at all, what I am saying is that there isn’t one theme or story element in this entire production that we haven’t seen so many times before that they already haven’t been parodied. I guess the hope is that Shutter Island, with it’s cast and director reputation, will do a 180 on the parody/criticism and bring back these themes to being too legit to quit (no reference intended.)

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    Did no one on set ever see Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze’s brilliant Adaptation? Remember how one of the huge jokes in that movie was that Nic Cage’s character Donald Kaufman was a writing a script where a detective was chasing a serial killer and in the end it turns out that the killer is him, THE DETECTIVE!!! (WHAT A TWIST!) The joke was, if you didn’t get it, that twists like that are lame, lamer than lame even. It’s the whole stigma of the Hollywood “dream solution.” You can theoretically end every movie and TV show with the plot twist that it was all a dream/mental illness happening in a character’s head. It’s not creative; it’s stupid and disrespectful to the audience. Vanilla Sky was a pretty cool flick, all right up until we get “oh it was just a dream, everything you were invested in was nonsense”¦ok roll credits!” How about the ending of Roseanne or St. Elsewhere“¦so everything we were watching every week was just in someone’s head? THAN WHY TELL THE STORY! If anything, at least M. Night’s twists were marginally respectful to the investment the viewer put into his characters, with that said, he is almost single handedly responsible for making the “twist” lame, and he spent a whole decade making sure it stayed that way (and I like some of his work, but truth is truth.)

    *********HERE COME THE MAJOR, MAJOR SPOILERS*******

    So what’s the twist? What’s the dream? What is the obvious, makes-you-pray-while-watching-it-that-it’s-not-the-twist-twist? Leonardo’s character, a U.S. Marshall assigned to investigate the disappearance of a female inmate, responsible for murdering her three kids, is actually AN INMATE HIMSELF AND A MURDER AND THE FEMALE WAS HIS WIFE AND HE’S A GHOST!!! Ok, not a ghost, but the other parts are really the twist of the movie. Lame right? This movie’s plot twist would have been lame in the late “˜90s, now it’s just utterly pathetic.

    What really hurts is that DiCaprio’s delusion, where there’s a conspiracy at the mental hospital in which it’s being controlled by Nazis/Communists who are turning people into crazy psychopathic “ghost” killers and releasing them back into society, is way more interesting than the outcome. Not to brag, but I could feel the twist coming from a mile away, so the movie had me sitting there, begging for it not to turn the corner and not to become a “dream solution.”

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    Enough whipping the movie for its twist, besides that, there is actually quite a lot to love. As I said above, Scorsese is still such a sharpened talent that he almost makes the film rise above its last act. There are quite a few scene’s of Teddy (DiCaprio) having flashbacks to his service in WW2 in which he witnessed, and participated in, the killing of several Nazi’s and the gruesome result of a concentration camp: train cargo cars overflowing with frozen, rotting Jewish innocents. These scenes are just as disturbing as one would assume due to the history, plus more on top due to how well they are handled. The good news is that these flashbacks are not “completely” part of the delusion. Basically Teddy was suffering from a pretty severe case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from WW2, which in turn led to him being an alcoholic, which in turn made him neglect the realization that his wife was mentally ill, which in turn led to her murdering their three children, at which point teddy has a fully formed mental breakdown and kills his wife which lands him in a criminally violent mental hospital for two years right up to when we, the audience, join the story. So, in Shutter Island‘s defense, some of his delusions are real, they are just scrambled up, him confusing his guilt of one thing for another.

    The other saving grace is the cast. DiCaprio is in top form here and he really does one of the best jobs of his career in carrying a movie. Ten years ago I was not sold on DiCaprio, he was just a sellout pretty boy (it seemed,) but by now I am fully convinced of his chops, and am very much in support of his this constant, and fruitful, team-up of him and Scorsese. DiCaprio’s shining moment in the film, in my humble opinion, is a long conversation he has with the character George Noyce (Jackie Earl Haley, wonderful as always, in a bit part) in which he is trying to find the location, on the island, of his wife’s killer. Mark Ruffalo plays a pretty convincing sidekick and fellow U.S. Marshall through out the film, of course by the end we learn he’s actually Teddy’s primary care physician. Of course you can’t go wrong with Ben Kingsley and Max von Sydow (better known as Brewmeister Smith to all you hosers,) two men so regal and talented in their delivery that they could make Dane Cook’s stolen jokes sound poetic. There’s even a very short, but pivotal, scene starring Elias Koteas (Casey Jones!) as a character completely cooked up by Teddy’s delusion. It’s a small scene, however it’s nice to see Koteas act under Scorsese, hopefully it won’t be the last time.

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    I’ll say this, I’m glad I saw the movie, lame twist and all, if not only for the acting and Scorsese’s direction. Is it worth the $87 ticket price (not adjusted for inflation)? No clue. However, while it’s lame, it’s less lame than most chick flicks. Seeing Nazis get brutally shot, even for only a minute, is way more satisfying, financially worthy, and cathartic than the banality of seeing a movie about Valentines Day.*

    *If Garry Marshall’s Valentines Day is in anyway about Nazis or killing Nazis, I stand corrected. I haven’t seen it.

    Thanks for reading, I’m Bob Rose, and this sentence is over.

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 2/19/10: We’re Musicians

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    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 have nothing against the Coen Brothers’ remake, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the original Ealing version of The Ladykillers (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which has arrived in high-definition in a deluxe special edition featuring an introduction from Terry Gilliam. Not only that, its also go an audio commentary, featurettes, interviews, and the theatrical trailer. If you haven’t seen this film – See it.

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    Do you have a bunch of old albums lying around that no one’s bothered to release either on CD or digitally? I do. A ton of ’em. I’ve tried different digitizing solutions, but all have been rather awkward or delivered poor sound quality. With the Briefcase USB Turntable ($69.99), I think I’ve finally found a solution that sounds good, has a dead simple interface, and – seeing as how it’s all in a nifty briefcase – is portable. Add to that the brilliance of built-in speakers, and you’ve got a one-stop solution. Ain’t clever technology grand?

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    There are some films that I can watch again and again – not by choice, but if I stumble upon them, I’m instantly drawn back in. Goodfellas (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP) is a film like that. Now, it’s made its way to high definition, in a 2-disc edition that carries over the bonus features from the standard special edition – a pair of audio commentaries, a trio of featurettes, and storyboard-to-scenes comparisons. The second disc is the feature-length documentary Public Enemies: The Golden Age Of The Gangster Film.

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    It’s been attempted before, but it’s taken Black Dynamite (Sony, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.95 SRP) to finally nail a truly funny satire of the blaxsploitation flicks that dominated 70’s cinema. The script is sharp, and Michael Jai White is pitch perfect as the titular former CIA agent out to avenge his brother’s death. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, and deleted/alternate scenes.

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    Also arriving in high-def is Akira Kurosawa’s take on King Lear, Ran (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP). Besides a spiffy respiration, the disc also includes an interview with a Japanese Art-Of-War expert, and a trio of documentaries.

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    I do believe the packaging for the second half of the second season of Cannon (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$36.98 SRP) is making a weight joke about star William Conrad when it says “LA’s biggest crime fighter returns!” Yeah, I think they are. Either way, the 3-disc set contains 12 episodes, plus the episodic promos.

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    Stephen Fry returns in the 3rd and final series of Kingdom (BFS, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) as the titular solicitor who finds himself representing the eccentric folk in the small English town of Market Shipborough. It’s a fun, funny series that reminds me of the US’s Boston Legal.

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    Exploring exactly how Adolf Hitler was able to survive over 40 assassination attempts, Hitler’s Bodyguard (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$79.99 SRP) pieces together a portrait of the elite staff who swore oats of allegiance to the Fuhrer himself. The 3-disc set collects all 13 episodes of this fascinating series that weaves interviews, documents, recreations, and virtual tours of his various homes, bunkers, and strongholds.

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    What’s the sign of a good documentary? It’s one that makes you interested in a subject you never fathomed that you would ever find interesting. Chris Rock accomplishes this feat with Good Hair (Lionsgate, Rated PG-13, DVD-$27.98 SRP), which looks at the way hairstyles impact multiple facets of the black community. Give it a spin and you’ll dig it, too. Bonus materials include an audio commentary and the theatrical trailer.

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    The final Bourne film arrives in high-definition as the latest of Universal’s new line of flipper single-disc Blu-Ray/DVD combos. I loathe flipper discs with a passion, so even though I understand the cost-cutting thought behind it, I can’t get behind the concept. Looking at the Blu-Ray side, The Bourne Ultimatum (Universal, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$29.98 SRP) features a load of featurettes, an audio commentary, and deleted scenes. Great flick, shame it’s a flipper.

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    Over here! The big wheel keeps on turning out more direct-to-video Scooby-Doo movies, the latest of which is Scooby-Doo!: Abracadabra-Doo (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), which finds the Mystery Inc. crew trying to unravel the sinister forces at work inside a school for magicians. As for bonus materials, there’s a featurette on how to make your very own scary puppet.

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    Abby Cadabby and Elmo travel down the rabbit hole in the newest Sesame Street release, Abby In Wonderland (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.93 SRP). Is it worth it just to see Grover as the Mad Hatter? Sure. The release also contains a bonus CD of 5 classic Sesame Street tunes.

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    As some series wrap their release on DVD, there are still plenty of others waiting in the wings, which is why we’ve got the complete first season of Barnaby Jones (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), starring Buddy Ebsen as the titular PI forced out of retirement to solve the murder of his son. The 4-disc set contains all 13 episodes, plus the episodic promos for each.

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    I didn’t think I would, but I actually found the female-centric comedy Women In Trouble (Screen Media, Rated R, DVD-$24.98 SRP) to be quite a fun little flick. In fact, it’s what The Women should have been – an all-star cast backed by a strong script. This one centers around a group of LA women who collide on one unique day. Bonus features include deleted scenes and trailers. A Blu-Ray edition ($29.98 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

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    With a cast that includes Gary Coleman, Ron Jeremy, Jason Mewes, and Scottie Pippen, it’s not without a small amount of embarrassment that one watches the sensationally titled documentary Midgets vs Mascots (First Look Studios, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP). I mean, you’re either gonna watch it or you’re not. Bonus materials include featurettes and deleted scenes.

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    I’m sure you’ll agree that Raiders Of The Lost Ark is loaded with iconic props (although I’d consider Indy’s hat to be costuming and his whip to be a weapon). Of those iconic props, there’s one that remains attached to one of the most dynamic, tension-filled opening sequences in cinema history – the golden Fertility Idol ($169.99). Sideshow has created a chrome-plated, expertly recreated piece complemented by a polystone base evocative of the pedestal from the film. It’s a fantastic piece, a conversation starter, and irresistible to evil French archeologists. The piece is limited to 1500, so get yours now.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 3/6/09: In The Pink

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    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…

    The American version is often an over-produced mess, but the original UK version of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$24.99 SRP) – which finds uber-chef Gordon Ramsay attempting to save failing restaurants often in the face of obstinence and incompetence – is a real gem. Ramsay genuinely tries to help these troubled businesses, and his sound advice is just as engaging as the passion with which he delivers it. Now you can get the entire 8-episode first season of the UK version, and I highly recommend it.

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    I love gadgets, and tools that feel like gadgets. That’s certainly the case with the Third Hand Adjustable Parts Holder with Magnification ($7.99 SRP). As the overly technical name implies, this weighted stand contains clamps and a magnifying glass, making it perfect for doing close-up work with everything from electronics to painting.

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    I would have preferred it have been A Shot In The Dark, but I guess the high definition arrival of the original The Pink Panther (MGM, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP) is a good sign that I’ll soon be getting my favorite comedic turn by Peter Sellers as the memorable Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The Blu-Ray edition features an audio commentary with Blake Edwards, and five behind-the-scenes and retrospective featurettes.

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    Released in separate packages previously, MGM has brought together all 9 volumes Pink Panther cartoons into The Pink Panther Collection (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$69.98 SRP). Not only do you get the Panther cartoons, but you also get Depatie-Freleng’s Inspector, Ant & The Aardvark, and The Man cartoons. So, really, the whole shebang, plus behind-the-scenes featurettes, all of the title sequences for the Panther features, an even a tribute to Friz Freleng.

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    I’m not entirely sure why these DC animated direct-to-DVD titles abandoned the much-refined and wonderful Bruce Timm-syled designs of JLU in favor of clunkier, uglier, more angular designs unless the sole reason was (sad) change for change sake, but that is a major “ugh” point in the not-exactly-stellar animated Wonder Woman (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.98 SRP), which finds Princess Diana going up against the evil Ares, God of War. The 2-disc set features an audio commentary, a pair of in-depth documentaries on Wonder Woman and the mythology behind her, a pair of bonus Bruce Timm-chosen JLU cartoons, and a first-look at the upcoming Green Lantern animated movie. A Blu-Ray edition ($29.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus features.

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    Although I find the subject matter interesting, you’ve gotta love a book title like Hippo In A Tutu (Disney Press, $30.00 SRP). The reference is to the “Dance Of The Hours” sequence of Disney’s Fantasia, wherein alligators dance with hippos. The book takes an in-depth look at the role of dance, choreography, and reference for both in the animated films of Walt Disney, and it’s well worth picking up.

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    Fans have been clamoring for it for years – well, they’ve been clamoring for anything from the band, really – but they’re surely dancing a happy jig at the release of Phish: The Clifford Ball (Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$99.99 SRP). The 7-disc set features the entirety of the band’s 2-day concert happening held on August 16 & 17, 1996. It’s an incredibly musical document, and now you can have it to play again and again.

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    Though the stories comprising it are being released separately, the best and easiest way to get the entire arc is to just pick up the Doctor Who: Key To Time Special Edition (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$99.98 SRP), as the 7-disc set has got the whole kit and kaboodle. Each disc is like a TARDIS, loaded with the usual complement of commentaries, featurettes, and archive materials.

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    Not many cartoons can boast a guest turn by Johnny Depp, but a certain spongy yellow character can in the episode collection Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob Vs The Big One (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$19.99 SRP). In addition to the Depp ep, the disc also sports 6 more, plus an audio commentary and a music video.

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    You can see every drop of sweat in the new Blu-Ray edition of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull (MGM, Rated R, DVD-$34.98 SRP), and the clarity adds a certain punch to the proceedings. The disc features a trio of audio commentaries, a 4-part feature-length documentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, vintage newsreel footage, and a shot-by-shot comparison of DeNiro & La Motta.

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    If you’ve got a lot of free time, are really jonesing for the Watchmen movie, and are a huge fan of those late 60’s Marvel cartoons, then you’ll probably want to give a spin to Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), which adds motion, voice actors, and sound effects to Dave Gibbons’ original artwork. A Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) is also available, for those who crave high definition.

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    If you want to find a little bit more about the author behind Watchmen, V: For Vendetta, From Hell, and League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, you can’t do wrong in picking up a copy of the re-released and expanded The Extraordinary Works Of Alan Moore: Indispensable Edition (Twomorrows, $29.95 SRP).

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    Though my nephews lap it up, I still watch Chowder (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) mainly for the sterling voicework of my erstwhile comedy partner, Dana Snyder, who handles the lumbering, memorable Gazpacho. This second volume contains 5 episodes.

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    I know it made money. I know that people went to go see it. Intellectually, I know these things. I still can’t rationalize that knowledge into any semblance of an endorsement for Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney, Rated PG, DVD-$29.99 SRP). I guess it’s like a latter-day That Darn Cat. But with Chihuahuas. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, an animated short, and bloopers. The Blu-Ray edition ($34.99 SRP) contains additional behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes not on the standard release.

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    I prefer to believe the awkward director’s cut doesn’t exist, but I did love Donnie Darko (Fox, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP) when I first saw it, and now you can pick it up in high definition in a 2-disc edition that includes both cuts, audio commentaries, a production diary, featurettes, and more.

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    Make sure your young ones get to Sesame Street for Elmo & Friends: Tales OF Adventure (Genius, Not Rated, DVD-$12.95 SRP), featuring a trio of tales featuring Elmo, Big Bird, and Telly as they go on thrilling adventures in learning. Can you say “Texas Telly and The Golden Triangle Of Destiny”?

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    Baz Luhrman’s epic story of love between an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) and a rough-&-tumble cattle driver (Hugh Jackman) in the Outback is certainly big and sprawling, but Australia (Fox, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.99 SRP) is also big and bloated, dragging on and on and on until it just sort of ends. It’s a shame, because there’s a good flick in there someplace. Bonus features include deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes. A Blu-Ray edition ($39.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

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    Oh, The Hills (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) – how I loathe your very existence. And I don’t know why, exactly, as its existence should not bother me in the least, and shouldn’t even be on my radar. And yet it is. And it does bother me so. For those who are unbothered, the complete 4th season set contains all 20 episodes, plus interviews, deleted scenes, featurettes, photo shoots, and more.

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    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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 8/1/08: We’re All A Little Looney

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    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…

    After years of begging, pleading, and borderline groveling, Warners has finally answered all those pathetic pleas with the long-awaited first volume of Tiny Toon Adventures (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$44.98 SRP). They’re tiny, they’re toony, and they’re finally coming to our TVs with the first 35 episodes, plus a newly-produced retrospective featurette. Volume 2, now!

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    So, you’ve got a pair of computers and you want to transfer files between them quickly and easily. Sure, you could try and create a network connection, or send things over a instant messenger service in a pinch, but most ISPs are painfully slow on uploads, and you might not even have the option. No, the easiest piece of kit I’ve ever encountered is the Crossbox Data Transfer Device ($39.99), which connects to the 2 systems via USB ports, has built in drivers, and transfers data lightning fast. Brilliant.
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    It’s not nearly the groundbreaking revelation that was Scorsese and The Band’s The Last Waltz, but The Rolling Stones: Shine A Light (Paramount, Rated PG-13, DVD-$34.99 SRP) is still an incredible document of a defiantly energetic gig by the foursome, with guests Jack White, Christina Aguilera, and Buddy Guy. Bonus features include a quartet of additional performances and a behind-the-scenes featurette. A Blu-Ray edition (featuring the same bonus materials is also available.

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    The Blu-Ray train has reached Clancy station (yeah, I just typed that – I may need a vacation), and that means we’ve got a quartet of high-definition, stunning looking versions of The Hunt For Red October, Patriot Games, Clear & Present Danger, and The Sum Of All Fears (Paramount, Rated PG/PG-13, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP each). The bonus features all carry over from the standard editions, and include cast & crew interviews, an audio commentary on Hunt, commentaries and behind-the-scenes featurettes on Sum, and theatrical trailers.

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    Spawned from the same animated era that gave us Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, and Pinky & The Brain, I always thought that Freakazoid! (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP) was a blast. Granted, I wasn’t a regular viewer, but every episode I ran across was a fun, madcap delight. Judge for yourself with the 2-disc first season set, featuring all 14 episodes, plus a retrospective featurette, launch promos, and a trio of commentaries.

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    Take the highway to the danger zone in gloriously crisp, high definition Tony Scott vision with the Blu-Ray edition of Top Gun (Paramount, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP). In addition to the uber-quality, you get the bonus materials from the recent special edition DVD release, including an audio commentary, making-of documentary, featurettes, galleries, music videos, and more.

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    Like most effortless surprise cult hits, the sequel to Harold & Kumar Go Two White Castle suffers from trying too hard. That’s not to say that Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (New Line, Not Rated, DVD-$34.99 SRP) – which finds our stoner heroes mistakenly on the wrong side of the law and locked up as terrorists – isn’t an enjoyable comedy. It is. It’s just that it doesn’t quite live up to the goofball charm of the original flick. The 2-disc unrated edition features audio commentaries, a behind-the-scenes featurette, additional scenes, and a PSA.

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    Has it really been 10 years since Dark City? Before The Matrix, this underrated little gem brought us a fascinating but flawed piece of sci-fi noir, that deserves another look-see. There’s no better way to do that look-see than with the newly remastered Blu-Ray edition (New Line, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$28.99 SRP) featuring both the original theatrical and an extended director’s cut of the film, audio commentaries, documentaries, galleries, and much more.

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    It may be mired in its mid-80’s time period, but there’s a great ticking clock fun to War Games (MGM/UA, Rated PG, DVD-$14.98 SRP), which now has a 25th (!) Anniversary Edition. Bonus features (in addition to a nicely remastered picture) include a retrospective documentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and the original theatrical trailer. Sadly, no Badham/Broderick commentary.

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    Fans (and Paul Sabourin) will rejoice in the fact that not only will they get to re-watch the stunning conclusion of the saga, but the fourth and final volume of Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 3 – Fire (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP) features audio commentaries from the creators, cast, and crew.

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    Anglophiles wishing to get a wonderful primer on the sceptered isle’s history will want to pick up a copy of Simon Schama’s in-depth A History Of Britain (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP). The 5-disc set features all 15 episodes, charting its earliest beginnings through Roman occupation, the Norman conquest, the rise of empire, and right through the 20th century.

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    Plunge back into the Fox vaults with a box set devoted to the 30’s George Clooney with the Tyrone Power: Matinee Idol Collection (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP). The 5-disc set features Girls’ Dormitory, Love Is News, This Above All, Day-Time Wife, The Luck Of The Irish, Café Metropole, That Wonderful Urge, Second Honeymoon, Johnny Apollo, I’ll Never Forget You. Bonus features include spotlights on Power and his leading ladies, deleted scenes, a poster gallery, and more.

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    Start refreshing on the original before the new series launches this fall with the complete fifth season of Beverly Hills 90210 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP). With Shannon Doherty gone, this was the season that saw the arrival of Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, who practically jetted right from Saved By The Bell. The 8 disc set features all 31 episodes, but not a single bonus features.

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    If getting the series in separate sets wasn’t appealing to you, you can now get the entirety of Robin Of Sherwood (Acorn Media, Not Rated, DVD-$99.99 SRP) in one easy package. The 10-disc set contains all 26 episodes, plus audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, outtakes, and more.

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    In the annals of great cooking shows, a special place must be reserved for one of my favorites – Britain’s Two Fat Ladies (Acorn Media, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP), which brought together outsize chefs Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright and sent them traveling the country in a motorcycle and sidecar. It was fun and funny, and the two were engaging hosts. The 4-disc set features all 24 episodes, plus a documentary tribute to Paterson.

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    With season 7 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP) hitting shelves, we’ve just about caught up with the current season. The 5-disc set contains all 22 episodes. Can I say how much the continued existence of this series delights me just because it keeps Richard Belzer’s Homicide character alive?

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    Spawned in the desperate post-Buffy bid to launch any kind of female action-hero series the networks could get their hands on, Witchblade (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$69.98 SRP) only lasted a single season. Which I’m perfectly fine with, as it was a lackluster adaptation of a comic book I really didn’t care for. Ah well. The 7-disc box-set features all 24 episodes, plus trivia, casting tapes, featurettes, and more.

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    Growing up, the name James A. Michener meant incredibly massive TV miniseries based on equally massive books set in some period of America’s past. Such is the Wild West tale Centennial (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), which spanned 26 hours. The 6-disc set features also contains a retrospective documentary.

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    And now, we’ll close this week’s shopping guide with something you can’t buy in stores. In fact, the only way you can get it is by collecting 4 of the stickers featured in Hasbro’s line of 12″ Indiana Jones figures and mailing them in for what has to be one of the coolest looking mail-aways ever – a highly-detailed 12″-scale Ark of the Covenant. See for yourself…

    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

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