Category: TV DVDs (Page 33 of 54)

Sometimes, dreams really DO come true…even really, really geeky ones.

August 1, 2008 /

Coming to DVD on October 14th: “Quark.”

Don’t remember it? That’s easy enough to believe. The show appeared on NBC in the midst of “Star Wars” mania, but it only lasted for eight episodes. Nonetheless, it made a possibly too-substantial impact on a young lad in Chesapeake, VA. That lad, of course, was me, and although I could be wrong about this, I have always suspected that I was one of only a handful of kids in America who actually wanted to play “Quark” on the elementary school playground instead of “Star Wars.” (“Okay, guys, I’ll be Commander Quark! Now, who wants to be Andy the Robot? Guys…? Hey, stop punching me!”) Now, granted, I’ve been disappointed enough in my time to consider that it may not have aged well, but when I consider that it was created by Buck Henry, starred Richard Benjamin, Tim Thomerson, and Conrad Janis, and took the piss out of most of the popular sci-fi films and TV series of the day, I have to believe that it’s still going to be a joy to watch it again.

You can get the details about this impending release from TVShowsOnDVD.com by clicking on the below photo (which, by the way, is only preliminary artwork)…

…but I will tell you that I have already set up an interview with Mr. Janis to discuss the series (and, of course, his other work with aliens over the years, including a certain Orkan), have put out feelers to chat with both Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Thomerson, and am keeping my fingers crossed that Mr. Henry will prove agreeable at the suggestion that we chat. In other words, stay tuned for a feature-length piece entitled “Excavating the Lost Cult of ‘Quark.'”

Yes, I know: I’m totally geeking out…and it feels good.

Actors, Actresses, External Entertainment, External TV, News, TV, TV Comedies, TV DVDs, TV Sci-Fi

Transformers: Cybertron – The Complete Series

July 24, 2008 /

Created as part of a trilogy of animated series in 2005, “Transformers: Cybertron” is everything the new Cartoon Network-produced series ought to be. It never forgets for a moment that it’s a show about giant fucking robots, and though the action rarely lets up, it also has an original story that makes sense within the official canon. As it goes, the Transformers’ have been forced to seek refuge on Earth following the formation of a black hole near their planet. The Autobots are ordered to lay low, but Megatron and his fellow Decepticons begin scouring the universe for the Cyber Planet Keys – ancient artifacts with the power to save their home world. With the help of Vector Prime (one of the original 13 Transformers), the Autobots are tasked with tracking down the Cyber Planet Keys first, or risk suffering the consequences of Megatron’s evil ways. Jammed to the gills with Transformers (including the normal variety, as well as Mini-Cons and “Beast Wars”-like animal bots), “Cybertron” has been designed especially with fans in mind. Some might complain about the human characters that befriend the Autobots in the first episode, but compared to other iterations, the three kids that appear here are actually important to the story. The only real complaint that could be made is that the mix of animation styles (anime for humans, CG for robots) is a bit disconcerting. The other two shows in what many have called the “Unicron Trilogy” (“Armada” and “Energon”) were completely hand-drawn, and as such, they looked much better. Still, if you don’t want to blow hundreds of dollars tracking down the original series, and you’re looking for a bit of an upgrade anyways, “Cybertron” might just be your best bet.

Click to buy “Transformers: Cybertron – The Complete Series”

External TV, TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files – The Complete First Season

July 15, 2008 /

Cillian Murphy is the last guy that most people would ever imagine popping up in a romantic comedy, but he pulls it off Back in 2002, the Anime Invasion was in full swing thanks to the immense popularity of shows like “Dragon Ball Z,” but as FUNimation and Cartoon Network desperately attempted to fulfill demand by finding (and then dubbing) new series to import, the fad was already beginning to wear off. The introduction of “Yu Yu Hakusho” certainly helped to reinvigorate the movement, and though it was never a favorite of mine during its time on the air, it did give “DBZ” fans something to chew on while they patiently awaited new episodes. The show follows the adventures of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent with a knack for skipping school and getting into fights. When he’s killed one day while saving the life of a little boy, however, Yusuke is given a second chance by working as a Spirit Detective and protecting humanity from the demon world. Awarded the power to channel his spirit energy in a gun-like blast, Yusuke teams up with others like him to do battle against the evil forces of the Spirit World.

It’s been five years since I last saw an episode of the show, but my opinion of “Yu Yu Hakusho” hasn’t changed. Though the series starts off incredibly weak with four or five episodes containing almost no action, it eventually evolves into a format not unlike “Dragon Ball Z” or “One Piece.” By the time the show has reached the conclusion of its first season, however, it has ditched almost every remnant of story or character development and become a never-ending battle royale. That might be a good thing if all you care about are cool fights and eccentric villains, but “Yu Yu Hakusho,” oddly enough, lacks a soul. To make matters worse, FUNimation has once again compiled the strangest collection of episodes for a first season box set by also including the beginning of season two. I’m not sure if it’s a ploy to get you to buy future seasons, or if they just think they’re being fair by splitting up the episodes equally, but it’s definitely something that needs to be addressed.

Click to buy “Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files – The Complete First Season”

External TV, TV, TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season

July 13, 2008 /

For anyone that found the fourth season of “Reno 911” seriously lacking in the comedy department, prepare for more of the same from season five. The men and women of Reno Sheriff Department may be aware that their act has gone stale, but despite some much needed changes – including the addition of Wanru Tseng as Cindy the Sex Slave – the show just isn’t as good as it used to be. Wrapping up last year’s many cliffhangers within the first episode, series creators Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant and Kerri Kenney remind us once again that they will never take their stories seriously. That strategy was fine when the show was still creating hilarious interactions between the officers and eccentric criminals, but with their pool of guest stars constantly being reused for new characters, it’s about time they take the show in a different direction.

Thankfully, those steps have already been put into motion thanks to guest spots by Diedrich Bader (as a Dog the Bounty Hunter-like TV personality), Seth Green (as a pushy fast food manager), Ron White (as a drunken pilot who’s pulled over on his way to the airport), and Ryan Stiles (as an undercover acting coach), but none of them are ever quite laugh-out-loud funny. The same is true for the storylines, which are incredibly hit-and-miss. Some are very clever (like when Reno’s 911 operator is outsourced to India), but most feel like rejected ideas for “South Park.” In fact, an ongoing joke about Mary Birdsong’s character constantly getting shot is probably the only truly original gag of the entire season. Here’s hoping that comment will be nothing more than an afterthought by the time season six premieres.

Click to buy “Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season”

External TV, Reviews, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

And our very special guest star…Fred Willard!

June 24, 2008 /

Show: “Stargate SG-1”
Episode: “Family Ties” (Season 10)
Role: Jacek

It has been said…by me, if by no-one else…that when it comes to guys whose mere appearance in a film automatically guarantees that it won’t be a complete waste of time, there’s a tie for the spot at the head of the class between Larry Miller and Fred Willard. I don’t have a bad word to say about either of them, but it must be said that, of the two, Mr. Willard has probably managed to be funny in more different genres.

Yes, even in sci-fi.

Fred Willard

Although Willard earned major geek points by appearing in episodes of “My Secret Identity” and “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (as the President of the United States, no less) and providing voiceover work to “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” “Transformed: Animated,” and “The Batman” (he’s also in “WALL*E,” for that matter), the one full-fledged science fiction role on his resume is that of Jacek on “Stargate SG-1.” From the moment the character first appears, two things are clear: 1) Jacek is going to be the episode’s comedy relief, and 2) Willard is going to play this part just like he plays any other part, even if it is on a sci-fi action / drama.

Though the episode technically begins with Vala Mal Doran (Claudia Black) and Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) returning from an off-base shopping trip, the excitement doesn’t start until the gang at SG-1 get an unscheduled video transmission. “Hello? Is this thing working?” shouts Jacek, into the camera lens. He introduces himself, explaining, “I don’t get out to your end of the galaxy very often, but I have a friend who lives in the area, and he speaks very highly of your people.” Jacek claims to possess information which reportedly could impact the very survival of Earth, but the information that proves far more interesting comes when Vala identifies him as her father.

Jacek: Vala, is that you? Sweetheart, how is life treating you?
Vala: Certainly better than you ever did.
Jacek: Ouch! I suppose for the benefit of your friends there you’re going to want to list all the reasons why I was such a bad father.
Vala: Oh, I wish I could, but a wormhole can only be maintained for 38 minutes.
Jacek: Ah, you’ve got your father’s wit…
Vala: It’s hardly enough time to cover your inadequacies as both a parent and as a human being in general.
Jacek: …and your mother’s uncanny ability to hold a grudge.

Jacek asks to be brought through the Stargate in order to reveal his information, but Vala refuses to vouch for him; she changes her tune, however, when he reveals that what he knows has to do with a plot to destroy Earth that Arkad set into motion prior to his death. “Take your time, there’s no pressure,” says Jacek. “Just that your whole planet could very well blow up at any moment.”

Cut to the SG-1 team preparing to retrieve Jacek.

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Actors, External Entertainment, External TV, Reviews, TV, TV DVDs, TV Sci-Fi

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