Archive for the ‘TV to DVD’ Category

Star Wars Clone Wars: A Galaxy Divided DVD Review

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009



There is not a doubt that the Star Wars saga is one of the most successful franchises there is in history. The movies have been around for about three decades and they still gives you the same trill as when they were first released. Lucas’ creation has inspired countless novels, comic books, and movies. In 2003 there was an attempt to create new fans Lucas entertainment launched the first volume of Star Wars Clone Wars, an animated series that consisted of about 25 episodes, and it was set between the second and third. This show has great stories however its animation was not the best there was at the time. In 2008, the seventh theatrical feature of the series was released, Star Wars Clone Wars: A Galaxy Divided which was a much better effort from Lucas, however the film had mixed reactions, since it was more kid oriented, and looked more like a long TV episode rather than a movie. Nonetheless the story was convincing enough to entertained fans and leaving them expecting for more. Luckily, for Star Wars fans a continuation of the series was released in Cartoon Network, it followed a similar format (3D CGI), but with better more elaborate stories without rushing the plot, the first season consisted of 22 episodes that run from October 3 2008 to March 20 2009 becoming one of the most successful animated series in TV. Of course the jump to DVD was inevitable for the Series where fans around the world were waiting to add to their collection. It is a shame that Warner Brothers got greedy, instead of releasing a nice collection set for all fans to enjoy (which will be coming in the future), they decided to release a single DVD with the first 4 episodes of the series, leaving them more Frustrated than happy.

Do not get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with the material presented in the DVD, each episode is full of action and excitement. It opens with a great episode where we get to see the best Jedi fight. Yeah Yoda’s episode was the perfect hook, seeing him in action is just a treat that any Star War fan hardly can resist. The other episodes are also intriguing and amusing since all of them have little details that tight them to the movies, but at the same time each episode is original and persuasive to a new fan. The characters like in all the Star Wars movies are imaginative and well depicted, even their expressions and actions are consistent with the movies, books and comic books. Specially the depiction of Anakin where the audience can witness his changed through his actions, and General Grievous which design and representation added a plus to the film. I have to say that the writers, animators, voice actors, and even the sound got an A+ in this series. It is amazing how ingenious the writers were to keep these stories as detailed and consistent as possible to the movies, and the episodes from the previous series, the only complain I have from the series is just the beginning of each episode, since the narrator‘s voice and its script seem kind of cheesy and annoying, it would have been nicer if they began (not all the episodes but the ones that star a new adventure) like the movies usually do.

Since this is a DVD Review, I do have things to complain about This issue, first of all no special features, the DVD is too plain it does not seem that the marketing crew target this for an already establish fan based, but to regular little kids, whom I think after watching the episodes would go to download the rest from the internet. This make this CD unappealing to any collector or hard core fan. There is no doubt that a ultimate edition set for fans is coming in the future, so as an advise : if you have not yet heard from Star Wars this is a great DVD to get hooked in one of the most incredible stories there is, but if you are already a hardcore Star Wars fan, skip this one and wait for the complete Season.

Review By Milo

Release Date: March 24, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

The Tudors Season Two DVD Review

Monday, January 5th, 2009



Scandal, quest for power, and a polemic religious reform serve as the spicy ingredients of “The Tudors The Complete Second Season” DVD as Showtime continues to reveal the story of Henry VIII. In the first season, we see the early beginnings of young Henry VIII, (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) eager to establish his sovereign over England and become the most powerful man in Europe. The second season continues to show the facts with the exquisite touch that this TV series brings; lots of sex, bloody endings and a script that brings out the passion and intrigue surrounding a King that will stop at nothing to get his way.

Henry VIII continues to try make allegiances with France and the emperor with no success. When Henry decides to breaks free from the dominating Catholic Church by appointing himself as “Head of the Church of England”, declaring an annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon (Maria Doyle Kennedy) and marrying Ann Boleyn (Natalie Domer) the scandal is such that England becomes isolated and in search for a “reform”. With Lutheran Thomas Cranmer to lead the faith of the country releasing a religious reform that causes many to take an oath, others to die and the “Act of Succession” to be amended.
Things begin to heat up when Ann Boleyn is not been able to give him a male heir to the throne and a rumor about her faithfulness to the King brings doubt and dishonor to the throne. Henry is troubled by the status of his marriage and after making Jane Seymour a lady in waiting to Ann Boleyn, he begins to court her with the intentions of eventually making her queen.

As was the case with the first season the show continues to delight and entertain with its conflicting events, settings, costumes, music and a script that could not have been better written to tell this magnificent true story. For those of us who love history and for those who just want to be entertained, you will not regret having this two disc DVD with the complete second season of this Golden Globe nominated television series. Some of the features of this DVD include an insight look at “The Tower of London”, “Descendants of Henry” and the season premier of Showtime’s hottest shows “This American Life” and “Californication”.

As a part of the promotion for this second season DVD release Showtime has created the mini-site www.whotheTUDORareyou.com, that lets you discover exactly where you would have existed in Tudor society according to your present day social status. Simply select some basic details about your life as it is now (sex, age, job, salary, etc.) and find out if you would have been a serf, a peasant, a noble, or even king to glimpse some details of what you’re life would have been like.

Release Date: January 6, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

Lost Season 4 DVD Review

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008


Lost Season 4

The fourth season of “Lost” proof to be one of the best season in the series, establishing the show as one of the best television shows in recent years. Fourteen explosive episodes that kept audiences ones again guessing as to what the outcome of the series will be. Just in time for the holidays and a month and half from the premiere of season five, “Lost The Complete Fourth Season” will hit the shelves on December 9, 2008. The Widescreen edition has a total of six discs including all 14 episodes from season four plus many special features that will get fans in the right track to a highly anticipated season five.

After the shocking season three finale, the expectations for the fourth season were very high. Who got out of the island? Who is in the coffin? Who are the people from the freighter? What happened to Michael? These were some of the questions left open in season 3, that kept fans guessing and speculating for more than 7 months. Season four has the answer to all of those questions and even more, but not without opening a set of new ones. Giving the show the mystery and the intrigue that was absent for most of the third season.

The series took a new spin in season four, as we learn that Ben is not the only one with interest in the island. Also the addition of the flash forwards gave the show plenty of fuel to keep viewers guessing and glue to the TV sets. The concept of time and space is the main focus in season four. between flash forwards, present time and flash backs the writers made it difficult for viewers to determine the time and the year that the episodes were taking place. Displaying the reason why the series is so unique and one of the best dramas in television.

Unlike previous seasons, there are no filler episodes in the fourth season, every episode is important. Most likely thanks to the writers’ strike that cut the season short, forcing the writers to add extra quality to the story of every episode. There is so much new information and so many answers to open question in these 14 episodes, that I found myself watching the season entirely. Something that I did not experience with previous seasons.

It is very difficult to pick a favorite episode, because of the script quality put in by the writers in each of the 14 episodes in this season. However if I have to pick the most interesting episodes it has to be the episode called “The Constant” in which we find out a connection between one of the freighter people and Desmond. Also I have to said the episode “There’s No Place Like Home: Part 1″ and There’s No Place Like Home: Part 2″ which are the episodes to a explosive and surprising season finale were also exciting.

The widescreen DVD edition presentation is excellent from the packaging to the to the video and sound, keeping the quality that Buena Vista Home Entertainment put in all of their products. As far as the special features, there are 2 full disc of special features, however only a few of those are worth watching. This is the only let down in this DVD release the absent of a must watch featurette.

Some of the worth watching features in this release are “Lost On Location” an eight part featurette that takes viewers behind the scenes in the making of some of the episode of the fourth season. Also “The Oceanic Six: A Conspiracy Of Lies” which is 60 minutes type report talking about the truth behind the stories told by the “Oceanic Six” survivors after their rescue.

Finally there are about of eight Easter eggs in the special features DVDs. Three of these are worth watching. The first 2 are comments from writer and creator Damon Lindelof, about Lock’s and Jack’s characters, he talks about reincarnation for Lock and comparing Jack to a glass of water. In the third one we see Ben (Michael Emerson) talking about himself, However at the end he points out the word “Halliwax” in the jacket that he is wearing when he appears in the Sahara desert. Looks like something that we are going to find out in season five. Everything continues to be a mystery!!

Release Date: December 9, 2008

DVD DETAILS
GET DVD

Blood+ Volume Three DVD Review

Sunday, October 19th, 2008


room 205

In Blood+ Volume Three, Saya’s epic battle against the evil chiropterans and her pass continues with outstanding animation, state of the art sound, and beautiful sound track by Three time Grammy Award Winner Mark Manzina. However, for people who have only seen the previous two discs this volume will result in a big disappointment. First, this volume weakly closes the Vietnam saga in the first three episodes with less excitement than what was expected, all the energy that was built up from previous episodes are quickly resolved in less than 20 minutes with action sequences that were less impressive than what we have seen so far in the series, but exciting enough to save the series. The remaining two episodes the character and story remains still without moving forward, or without showing nothing new or interesting, and instead of persuading the audience to keep watching the series, it actually discourages them with nonsense events and situations that takes the viewer’s mind away from the main story. I for the first time in this series, felt bored and sleepy watching it. The problem I found with this part of the story is that with all the possibilities the plot had, it seems that the writers decided to play it safe, also the character did not evolved at all like Riku’s ability was unexplained and left behind, Saya‘s past was not addressed, and her abilities did not seem to improve. The knew characters were just there, nothing was introduced only their names and meaningless interactions with the main character were, which make them somehow tedious, let us hope in the next episodes they get more involved. The Phantom fight was very predictable and as for the resolution, many people would find it exasperated, nonetheless, it shows some sick scenes and blood in the process like the one involving little kids in the third episode and a new level of enemies like Solomon and Diva that leaves the main story open for what seems is going to be a more entertaining saga, Unfortunately for the viewer, this tease seems to be interrupted by the last two episodes where Saya and friends return to Okinawa to take time off, here nothing important about the characters happens, only a new character gets indirectly involved, and the new destination is revealed. These episodes seem to be and epilogue for what seems Saya’s next adventure, however to me they seem more like fillers (Although, I am not familiar with the manga).

As I sated before Blood + is an exceptional anime series, the way is written and displayed extraordinarily, and although the third volume is not a mesmerizing as the previous ones it have some interesting scenes, I will recommend to not let this series go, for what I have read and hear it will drastically improved. these DVD will managed to entertained for a good three episodes, and set the mood for what is coming. As fan of anime I would say that all successful series have episodes that merely adds to the story, however sometimes there are hidden things here that are later referred to or let the audience deduct stuff, if anything, they will serve as a reference point for the next adventure, and of course it is impossible, and unprofitable for the distributors to take these episodes from the DVD. I think this volume is a most have for fans who are making the collection and did not bought the box set. They already have seen these episodes and know what to expect, if you like me have not seen the episodes but like the first ten I advice you to rent it, watch the first three and wait for volume four.

Movie Review By Milo
Release Date: October 21, 2008

DVD DETAILS
GET DVD

The Flintstones: The Complete Series DVD Clip

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Here is DVD clip from The Flintstone: The Complete Series, which will be release on October 28, 2008 by Warner Home Entertainment.

The clip features commentary of behind the scenes information by the original writers and animators on how Bam-Bam came about and how the voice talent created the characters.




Launched as an animated version of THE HONEYMOONERS, Hanna-Barbera’s cartoon classic THE FLINTSTONES is family entertainment at its finest. From the town of Bedrock, modern Stone-Age couple Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their goofy best-friend neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble comically trudge through prehistoric daily lives populated by animals-cum-household-appliances with refreshingly sophisticated zaniness and humor. Meanwhile, the Flintstones’ affectionate pet dinosaur, Dino, and daughter, Pebbles–not to mention the Rubbles’ club-wielding infant Bamm Bamm–cause plenty of havoc in a prehistoric world that’s seen through a 1960s lens. This collection includes all 166 episodes of the animated sitcom’s six seasons. Yabba dabba doo!