It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means Black Friday; the perfect opportunity to go nuts and get some bargain priced DVDs and Blu-rays.
After the jump, I’ll be taking a look at several recent releases including:
- Brave
- CHiPs ’99
- Blade Runner: 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
- Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
- Bugs Bunny Superstar
- Alice: The Complete Second Season
- Eight is Enough: The Complete Second Season
- Hawkins: The Complete TV Movie Collection
- The Expendables 2
Fire up the queues and get ready to fill the shopping cart…
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| Walt Disney Home Entertainment / Released 11/13/12 |
The Pitch
Take a heroic journey with Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land. When Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos in the kingdom, she must harness all of her skills and resources – including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, and discover the meaning of true bravery.
The Review
With tumultuous behind the scenes drama, Pixar’s summer offering stumbles as much as it delivers. An overly complicated, yet cliched, plot is only saved by it’s stunning animation. It’s action sequences are innovative and well executed, but the rest of the film is a bit of a bore. Colors pop off the screen and antagonist Merida, with a wild mane of red hair is visually spectacular, but the mundane characters are only saved by the fantastic voice work by the talented Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin Mckidd, Craig Ferguson, Julie Walters and Billy Connolly. As much as the film tries to create it’s own fairy tale, it feels like the story was constructed by discarded plots purchased at a Magic Kingdom garage sale. Extras are commentary, two short films, featurettes, extended scenes, art galleries, alternate opening and promotional pieces. As the latest member of the Disney Princess pantheon, Merida is strong and independent; unfortunately this slightly above average film was the chosen vehicle to show off her talents. Mildly recommended.
CHiPs ’99
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| Warner Archive / Released 10/30/12 |
The Pitch
Attention all units: the lights are flashing, the bikes are roaring and after 15 years, there’a a lot more freeway to patrol! But there’s not so much interstate that California Highway Patrolmen Ponch and Jon can’t cover it when they again go wherever the rubber meets the road in CHiPs ’99. Larry Wilcox returns as straight-arrow officer Jon Baker and Erik Estrada reprises his role as free-spirited Frank “Ponch” Poncherello in this 15-year reunion that adds a ’90s sensibility to the can’t-miss elements that made the 1977-83 CHiPs TV series a fan-pleasing success: cool motorcycles, freewheeling fun and widespread disregard for the California traffic code. This time, that disregard turns dangerous. Ponch and Jon confront an automobile hijacking ring that may be the ultimate in road rage!
The Review
If you grew up in the Seventies, there’s a pretty good chance that you spent more than a few hours watching the adventures of the officers of the California Highway Patrol when it aired from 1977 through 1983. Sixteen years later, the cast reunited for this telefilm which featured Frank “Ponch” Poncherello returning to the force to help out former sidekick Jon Baker in solving a car theft ring. Most of the cast returns including Erik Estrada, Larry Wilcox, Robert Pine, Bruce Penhall, Paul Linke, and badly dated cameos by Judge Judy and Johnnie Cochran. Although the film does little to explain the discontinuity (Jon had left the series before Ponch, yet it’s Ponch who returns), it is once again a dire warning to folks like myself who tend to get nostalgiac about things they used to love.
Don’t get me wrong, CHiPs ’99 isn’t awful, but it’s not much of anything. Missing much of the dated sexism that was prevalent in the original series, we’re instead left with a caricature of dated themes and characters acting in a fairly standard tv reunion plot. It’s nice seeing Ponch and Jon in action again (I appreciated their appearance in National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon), but as television keeps pushing Los Angeles police work toward shows like The Shield and Southland, it’s pretty hard to care when one of their antagonists is a cyclist who failed to use proper yielding techniques. If you’re a diehard CHiPs fan, you might want this to complete your collection. Otherwise, a rental is more than sufficient for the curious.
Blade Runner: 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
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| Warner Bros. / Released 10/23/12 |
The Pitch
“The #1 Sci-Fi Film of all time” marks it’s return post 10 month moratorium with an all new 4-Disc Blu-ray/DVD and UV 30th Anniversary commemorative gift set. Revisit the illustrious Final Cut on Blu-ray, DVD and get a UV copy of the feature. Additionally, the gift set features an all new concept spinner car for your collection, action Lenticular and a 72 page art production book with never-before-seen Ridley sketches, poster art and photos from the set.
The Review
Without a doubt, Blade Runner is not only one of the most important science fiction films of all time, but also a must have for every home entertainment library.
As filmmakers have found themselves smitten with new technology, there seems to be a temptation to revisit, tweak and in some case ruin their earlier work. Director Ridley Scott tinkers with his work, but fortunately preserves each version for his audience. This edition, mostly repeats the contents of it’s original now out of print Collector’s Edition, and is a must have for anyone who missed that release.
Included are five versions of the film, a feature length documentary, and a cornucopia of extras including commentaries, featurettes, deleted and alternate scenes, vintage featurettes, a gallery featuring over 1,000 high resolution images and trailers. Also included in the latest release is a hardcover art/archives book, a plastic Concept Spinner Car, a lenticular print similar and a DVD & Ultraviolet Digital Copy of the Final Cut. Any attempt to dissuade the significance and quality of this release would be futile, Blade Runner: 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition is the closest thing to a perfect release that I’ve seen and deserves nothing less than my Highest Recommendation.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
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| MGM/ Released 11/13/12 |
The Pitch
Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) have spent so much time forming their rock band, The Wyld Stallyns, that they’re flunking history. A guardian angel from the future, Rufus (George Carlin), comes to them with a bodacious solution: a time-traveling phone booth to take them into the past to learn from history’s most influential people. Their journey turns out to be a blast… but will they learn enough to pass their class?
The Review
Like Back to the Future, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure works best as it’s set in a specific time period. It’s 1988 and best friends Ted “Theodore” Logan and William S. Preston, Esquire are approached by Rufus, a time traveler who has traveled back to their present ensure that the duo pass their history test. This victory will prevent Ted from being whisked away to military school by his father and ensure that their band, Wyld Stallyns, doesn’t break up, which will lead a far future joined in global harmony because of their music.
In order for the duo to learn enough to guarantee that they will pass the exam, they utilize a telephone booth time machine that allows them to meet various historical figures in person including Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, Billy The Kid, Abraham Lincoln, Socrates, Freud, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The whole gang soon finds themselves in the present with stops at both the mall and water park before heading to the big final exam.
Yes, it’s silly and dated, but part of the continued success of the film is the earnestness on display by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as Bill and Ted. Their ignorance is genuine, but there is a sweetness and natural honesty to the characters that elevates them beyond a stereotype. Extras include featurettes, an episode of the animated series and trailers. With solid picture and sound, this genuinely amusing release is highly recommended.
Bugs Bunny Superstar
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| Warner Archive / Released 10/30/12 |
The Pitch
What was it like to work in Termite Terrace, birthplace of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and a veritable horde of cartoon icons? Get a taste of that crazy and creative fun factory in this loving and droll documentary, hosted by ace animator Bob Clampett. Featuring interviews with fellow Termite Terrace residents Friz Freleng and Tex Avery and narrated by Orson Welles, Bugs Bunny Superstar includes nine complete cartoons that are prime examples of the collaborative efforts of Warner cartoonists, ink-and-painters, effects artists and others. “No idea was too outrageous,” Clampett says. Seeing rare home movies of the animators as they act out ideas adds to that sense of unrestrained creativity.
The Review
Part documentary/part animation anthology, Bugs Bunny Superstar was narrated by no less than Orson Welles. The classic shorts included are “What’s Cookin’ Doc? (1944)”, “The Wild Hare (1940)”, “A Corny Concerto (1943)”, “I Taw a Putty Tat (1948)”, “Rhapsody Rabbit (1946)”, “Walky Talky Hawky (1946)”, ”My Favorite Duck (1942)”, Hair-Raising Hare (1946)” and “The Old Grey Hare (1944). ”
Unfortunately, the documentary portion isn’t nearly as comprehensive or informative as one would hope.
Although several legendary animators are present including Friz Freleng, Tex Avery and Bob Clampett, the omission of Chuck Jones questions the validity of much of the material within. There is some neat archival footage, but picture and sound quality is a bit disappointing. There is a solid commentary track by producer/director Larry Jackson. For fans of Looney Tunes this is an interesting watch and the shorts within are fantastic, but the documentary material isn’t particularly insightful or informative. Mildly recommended.
Alice: The Complete Second Season
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| Warner Archive / Released 10/23/12 |
The Pitch
As the second season of the break-out hit Alice graced the nation’s airwaves, Mel’s Diner soon became the nation’s dining destination of choice. Thanks to its hearty combination of down-home eccentrics, sweet sentiment, blue-collar ethos, and the spice of edgy topicality, Alice proved a dish the nation could not resist. With the central flavorings of Alice (Linda Lavin), Flo (Polly Holliday), and Vera (Beth Howland) rooting the comedy, and Mel (Vic Tayback) and Tommy (Philip McKeon) on hand to balance the distaff waitstaff with curmudgeonly charm and youthful enthusiasm, Alice was cooking with gas and ready to serve up some sit-com gold.
The Review
This 22 episode season features 24 episodes over three DVDs (two episodes were shot and aired during the fourth season, but included here in production order). The second season of Alice is as strong as the first as this truly iconic Seventies series finds it’s niche resulting in some pretty solid episodes tackling a number of topical issues still relevant today; including equal pay for women, the recession, mortality and public outcry over food additives. Fortunately, none of these topics are presented heavy handed, but they aren’t dismissed either; strong writing and good performances elevate this sitcom far beyond a canned laugh track. The cast is excellent with Linda Lavin, Polly Holiday, Beth Howland, Vic Tayback and Philip McKeon as well as several recognizable guest stars including Lewis Arquette, Morey Amsterdam, George Burns, Richard Libertini, Desi Arnaz, and Jerry Reed. No extras included, but Alice: The Complete Second Season will satisfy any fan of the series and was a pleasure to revisit. Recommended.
Eight is Enough: The Complete Second Season
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| Warner Archive / Released 11/13/12 Also sold separately Part One / Part Two |
The Pitch
Eight Is Enough began its first full season with a gaping hole in the center – the tragic loss of actress Diana Hyland, who played Bradford matriarch Joan. As the season begins, newspaper columnist Tom Bradford is now a widower and the Bradford clan is still healing. Thanks to the arrival of Sandra (Betty Buckley), smiles come more quickly to the Bradford kids and love might be in the air for Tom. The eight Bradford children mix humor and drama while confronting a host of life’s timeless travails. The second half of Eight is Enough’s sophomore season sees Abby fully ensconced as the new lady of clan Bradford, while the crew carries on after their stolen Christmas. The New Year brings with it a host of new challenges: when Abby suffers a horrible head injury, the whole family must come together to share some special memories to make sure the family’s newest member makes it through the night.
The Review
Arriving in two separate releases or bundled together, the second season of Eight is Enough is astounding in it’s choice to acknowledge the death of actress Diana Hyland, who played matriarch Joan in the first season. The first season was fairly brief, and Hyland appeared in approximately half the episodes, with no mention to her character’s whereabouts, which made killing the character rather than recasting a risky move.
The series always had plenty of comedy, but the real life tragedy certainly found it’s way into the series and some memorable episodes during it’s sophomore season.
Although I don’t think the season should have been divided for retail sale, there’s definitely a shift in tone during the second half; a palpable playfulness absent during the first batch of episodes.
Betty Buckley joins the cast as Abby the new wife to Tom (Dick Van Patten) and step-mother to the Octo-bunch, and her chemistry with Van Patten is charming. Most of the episodes follow the typical antics and hijinks, but the two part holiday episode, “Yes Nicholas There Is A Santa Claus” does an excellent job addressing Hyland’s death with a strong performance by Willie Aames. Familiar faces in this season include Gary Graham, Beth Howland, Don Johnson, John Shea, Creed Bratton, Richard Kline, Nicholas Hammond, Danny Bonaduce, Stepfanie Kramer, Ike Eisenmann, Lyn Shaye and Robin Williams. Typical with many Warner Archive titles there are no extras.
Eight is Enough: The Complete Second Season is a must have for fans of the series and one of my favorite DVD releases of the year. Highly recommended.
The Expendables 2
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| Lionsgate / Released 11/20/12 |
The Pitch
The team signs on for a mission that looks like an easy paycheck for Barney and his band of old-school mercenaries. But things quickly go wrong, and one of their own is killed by a psychotic terrorist-for-hire. Hell-bent on payback, they cut a swath of destruction through enemy territory and wreak havoc upon their opponents. In the midst of the mayhem, they must also shut down an unexpected threat in the nick of time – preventing five tons of weapons-grade plutonium from falling into the wrong hands.
The Review
Although I thought the first one was a bit disappointing, it has nothing on this horrid sequel.
Most of the cast returns from the first (somehow Mickey Rourke snuck away), as a team of mercenaries who are trying to save the world from the latest threat. This time, however, Sylvester Stallone shares more screen time with aging heroes Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The entire film seems like a forced experiment gone wrong; from the inclusion of the new recruit Liam Hemsworth (he’s got a girl back home who he loves. Guess who dies first) to the random appearance of Chuck Norris (called the “Lone Wolf” as in Lone Wolf McQuaid).
The dialogue often plays as if the screenwriter had intended the film to be tongue in cheek.
When the screenwriter is Stallone, you quite aren’t getting that.
Instead, a ridiculous plot is hampered by lousy banter. The film’s climax, a fisticuffs session between Stallone and big bad Jean Claude Van Damme, is like watching two weathered slabs of beef slap one another. Extras include commentary, featurettes, gag reel and deleted scenes. Although the first one walks the line of the “so bad it’s good,” this one steps right over it. It’s just bad.
Hawkins: The Complete TV Movie Collection
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| Warner Archive / Released 11/13/12 |
The Pitch
A decade before TV saw another silver-haired, slow-drawling Southern shyster with a knack for sleuthing out the truth, M-G-M welcomed back two titanic talents, TV producer Norman Felton and screen legend Jimmy Stewart, for Hawkins. Stewart played Billy Jim Hawkins, solving crimes alongside his cousin RJ (Strother Martin) and a bevy of sensational costars. Bonnie Bedelia plays a troubled young woman accused of familicide, Cameron Mitchell plays a tinseltown spouse facing murder charges, Julie Harris plays an accused mercy killer, William Windom plays a parent with a vendetta, Lew Ayres and James Best play folk caught up in a deadly Civil War re-enactment, James Luisi plays a football pro caught up in foul play, Teresa Wright plays an ex-amour of Bill Jim’s, and Paul Burke and Pernell Roberts play a senator and aide caught up in a slaying.
The Review
Jimmy Stewart won a Golden Globe playing Jim Hawkins in this short lived series. Part of the problem is it rotated with a series of TV movies spun off of the Shaft film franchise. Probably not the best pairing as viewers would have to remember which week they’d be watching an attorney with a drawl and which one would have a black private dick who gets all the chicks…
Nevertheless, Stewart is one of the greatest actors of all time and his work on Hawkins is no exception. The seven films within follow a fairly standard structure and all culminate with Hawkins revealing all at the trial. Unfortunately, the scripts aren’t as good (more cliched than bad) as Stewart’s work and which could also be a major contributing factor in the series’ abbreviated run. It is, however, several hours of rare Jimmy Stewart performances and that factor alone makes this an easy recommendation for fans of the actor or genre.
