(9)Studio: E1 Release Date: 03/30/2010 Run time: 1860 minutes Read more
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Genre: Television: Series
Rating: TVPG
Release Date: 1-SEP-2009
Media Type: DVD Read more
(2)
Genre: Television: Series
Rating: TVPG
Release Date: 1-SEP-2009
Media Type: DVD Read more
(38)
Genre: Television: Series
Rating: TVPG
Release Date: 1-SEP-2009
Media Type: DVDThe enduring appeal of one of television's best and most controversial programs comes through loud (literally) and clear on All in the Family: The Complete Third Season, some 10 hours of compelling, entertaining viewing that serve as a timely reminder that even as TV in the new millennium has seemingly become more diverse and inclusive, with its many gay-themed shows and, gasp, proliferation of all manner of minorities, it has lost the kind of bite that the beloved (well, by some folks, anyway) bigot Archie Bunker used to bring to the small screen.
All 24 episodes (there is no bonus material or extra features) from the '72-'73 season of executive producer Norman Lear's sitcom are contained here, and those unfamiliar with the show may well find them a bit startling. The language is part of it; Archie's frequent use of terms like "gook" and "fag" would never pass muster in these politically correct times. Yet even more striking is All in the Family's subject matter. Again and again, serious themes like politics (the '72 presidential race, pitting Richard Nixon against George McGovern, is mentioned frequently), racism ("Archie in the Hospital" is just one episode dealing with that issue), the death penalty and violence in the name of religion ("Archie Is Branded"), sexual assault ("Gloria, the Victim"), and gun control ("Archie and the Editorial") are handled with remarkable frankness. At the center of it all, of course, is Carroll O'Connor's Archie, who remains belligerent, boorish, and downright mean to the bitter end. Whether he's bribing an IRS agent, cheating an insurance company, or just being pig-headed in general, Archie is utterly unrepentant; basically, he never does the right thing, a trait that's somehow both irritating and refreshing.
All in the Family is hardly perfect; the dysfunctional family's ceaseless squabbling and shouting--usually involving Archie and liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner), although wife Edith (the brilliant Jean Stapleton) and daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) aren't immune--eventually becomes tiresome and shrill. But for the most part, the show's acting, writing (which manages to be very funny as well as incisive), and point of view make this set a must-have. --Sam Graham Read more
(77)Movie DVDDVD sets don't come more generous or well-intended than The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Volume One. George Lucas' 1990s television series, inspired by his feature film collaborations with Steven Spielberg and actor Harrison Ford, used a childhood version of Jones as a catalyst for involving young viewers in the dynamics of 20th century history and thought. As much a scamp as Ford's swaggering hero-with-a-bullwhip, little Henry "Indy" Jones (Corey Carrier) gets into a great deal of mischief in his travels around the world with his disciplined father, Professor Henry Jones, Sr. (Lloyd Owen, doing a credible version of Sean Connery's voice from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). Also accompanied by his mother (Ruth de Sosa) and imperious tutor, Miss Seymour (Margaret Tyzack), Indy ends up in various unanticipated adventures with some of the most noteworthy individuals of his age. A trip to Paris finds him cavorting with young Norman Rockwell and an ultra-arrogant Pablo Picasso (who is out to prove that the style of aging Impressionist Edgar Degas is easy to forge). A stay in India lands Indy in the company of the great guru, Krishnamurti. In Russia, he feuds with Tolstoy as if the two were in a buddy movie. In Italy, Puccini puts romantic moves on Mrs. Jones, while Indy listens carefully in Vienna to definitions of love by none other than Freud, Jung and Adler.
The overall effect of these handsome, feature-length stories, all shot on glorious location, is of a certain audacity--Lucas having the nerve to name-drop all over the place and situate Jones with some of the greatest achievers in world culture. But each episode is nothing less than spectacularly educational as well as entertaining. Scripts are carefully written to reflect what these famous individuals actually contributed to mankind, and to give a sense of what their personalities were like. The last three shows in Volume One find Jones at age 20 (played by Sean Patrick Flanery), now more or less on his own as he gets into various scrapes in Mexico (where he rides with Pancho Villa) and Ireland (where he meets William Butler Yeats). There is so much to glean from these stories, but even more to bask in on the set's many special features, which include multiple, exquisitely produced documentaries about the historical figures, political and artistic movements, and crucial events that play into this series. This is a great set for kids (probably beginning at the 6th grade level) and adults as well, preferably to watch together. --Tom Keogh Read more
(6)Since its 1990 debut ABC's long-running reality-television series AMERICA'S HOME VIDEOS has served up hilarious homemade video clips of bloopers pranks and mishaps made by the eccentric characters that populate the American landscape. NINCOMPOOPS AND BONEHEADS presents a collection of clips showcasing intrepid souls both brave and stupid enough to attempt especially dangerous stunts like riding grocery carts down a grassy hillside.System Requirements:Running Time 80 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 826663100679 Manufacturer No: DVD10067 Read more
(30)Disc 1: "ALIEN NATION: DARK HORIZON" Full Screen Feature**Commentary by Director Kenneth Johnson**The Making of Alien Nation: Dark Horizon**Gag Reel**STILL GALLERIES:*Kenny's Personal Album*Alien Nation Cast Reunion 2001*Production & Publicity Stills*Behind the ScenesDisc 2 Side A: "ALIEN NATION: BODY AND SOUL" Full Screen Feature**Commentary by Writer/Director Kenneth Johnson**The Making of Alien Nation: Body and Soul**Gag Reel**STILL GALLERIES:*Production Stills*Kenny's Personal Album*Concept Art*Alien Nation Cast Reunion 2006Disc 2 Side B: "ALIEN NATION: MILLENNIUM" Full Screen Feature**Commentary by Writer/Director Kenneth Johnson**The Making of Alien Nation: Millennium**STILL GALLERIES:*Kenny's Personal Album*Production Stills*Concept Art**STORYBOARDS:*Alien Jungle Opening*Volcanic Landscape*Alien Jungle #2*Steel Mill Finale*New Year's EveDisc 3 Side A: "ALIEN NATION: THE ENEMY WITHIN" Full Screen Feature**Commentary by Writer/Director Kenneth Johnson**The Making of Alien Nation: The Enemy Within**STILL GALLERIES:*Kenny's Personal Album*Production Stills*Concept ArtDisc 3 Side B: "ALIEN NATION: THE UDARA LEGACY" Full Screen Feature**Commentary by Writer/Director Kenneth Johnson**A Family Gathering: The Director and Actors Look Back on Alien Nation**STILL GALLERIES:*Kenny's Personal Album*Production Stills*Concept ArtSystem Requirements:Running Time: 447 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY/ALIENS Rating: NR UPC: 024543458463 Manufacturer No: 2251276It lasted just one season (1989-90) as a television series, but Alien Nation lives on in the five full-length films released here under the Ultimate Movie Collection banner. Produced between 1994 and '97, the five made-for-TV movies, all directed by Kenneth Johnson, take up where the series (and the 1988 theatrical feature) left off. A brief preamble provides the backstory: Following the crash of an alien slave ship near Los Angeles, the survivors, a race known as the Tenctonese, have endured a lengthy quarantine and are now assimilating into human society. While these "Newcomers," as they're known, are essentially humanoid in appearance and behavior, they also have two hearts, remarkable strength, and other characteristics that distinguish them from Earthlings; and like any minority, they suffer the slings and arrows of racism and discrimination, principally at the hands of "purists" who'd like nothing better than to send the alien "slags" back to wherever they came from. Take away the sci-fi trappings, and what we're left with is a fairly standard police procedural in which human Detective Matt Sikes and his Newcomer partner, George Francisco (with Gary Graham and Eric Pierpoint respectively filling the roles played by James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in the original feature), battle a Tenctonese "overseer" intent on returning his race to slave status ("Dark Horizon"), attempt to sort out the identities of two creatures who appear to be half-human and half-alien ("Body and Soul"), investigate George's son's involvement in a criminal cult ("Millennium"), and so on. What distinguishes Alien Nation is its exploration of the various manifestations of human-alien interactions. This is often played for laughs; the Newcomers are given names like "Kenny Bunkport," ""Douglas Fir," and "Carrie Onbag," they dine on such delicacies as "bladder and ligaments," and they have certain sexual proclivities that are decidedly different from ours (Sikes' romantic involvement with a fetching Newcomer is fodder for misunderstandings that are often amusing and occasionally quite touching). Director Johnson and his cohorts also seem intent on making a Big Statement about race relations, and although the results are sometimes a bit clunky, the set makes for consistently compelling viewing. Extensive bonus features include audio commentary, "making of" featurettes, gag reels, and more. --Sam Graham Read more
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(71)Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 09/30/2008 Run time: 989 minutes Rating: Nr Read more
(2)Alias Smith and Jones - Seasons 2 & 3! One of the most popular Western series of the 1970's, "Alias Smith and Jones" aired on NBC for three years, from 1971-1973. In the tradition of the hit movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, "Alias Smith and Jones" follows the exploits of former Devil's Hole Gang leaders Kid Curry and Hannibal Heyes, a pair of successful and popular outlaws trying to go straight after a lifetime of mostly non-violent banditry. Settling in a small western town, Curry/Jones and Heyes/Smith must stay out of trouble for an indefinite period of time to earn the pardon the Governor will grant if they can keep to the straight and narrow. In the meantime, they are fair game for the bounty hunters and the long arm of the law trying to put them away for good. Only the silver tongue of Heyes/Smith and the fast draw of Curry/Jones, (plus occasional help from their friends on both sides of the law!) keep them out of the hoosegow. Starring Ben Murphy and Pete Duel as the two charming rogues, the series features a strong cast of recurring characters, including Burl Ives (Big Mac McCreedy) and Walter Brennan (Silky O'Sullivan), as well as an outstanding roster of guest stars including Rory Calhoun, Jack Cassidy, Neville Brand, Anne Archer, Chill Wills, Slim Pickens and John Russell, many of whom made multiple appearances on the show. Narrator Roger Davis took on the role of Hannibal Heyes, following the untimely and unfortunate death of Pete Duel during the second season. Read more
(117)Movie DVDIn the third season of Angel, the titular vampire with a soul was forced to stand alone thanks to the (temporary) death of his beloved Buffy and her show's move to a new network, with no crossover between the two allowed. He returns from seeking peace in a demon-haunted monastery to find the L.A. Angel Investigations team fighting supernatural crime in his absence. Fred is still haunted by the nightmare dimension from which they rescued her; Cordelia's visions get ever more painful and debilitating. The schemes of the evil law firm Wolfram and Hart become every more imaginative and dragon lady Lilah Morgan becomes even more of an enemy when lusting after Angel. Unbelievably, Darla, Angel's vampire sire and lover, turns up, pregnant with his child and is tortured by inexplicable motherly feelings as well as a raging thirst for human blood.
For a few episodes things go pretty well--but Angel's enemies, both those he has made in his quest for redemption and those he made when he was unadulterated evil, are still out there. Stephanie Romanov comes into her silky own in this series, making Lilah Morgan all the more seductively evil because she is clear about the choices she has made; the satanic law firm of Wolfram and Hart are this show's most inspired creation. As the season moves to its close, Wesley (Alexis Denisof) has hard choices to make. The devastating climax is compulsive viewing, and this season also contains one of the most impressive single episodes of the entire show: in "Waiting in the Wings," writer, director and creator Joss Whedon comes up with a classic ghost story as Angel and his crew go to the ballet and find a performance that is literally timeless. --Roz Kaveney Read more
(91)Contains..A&c-meet frankenstein mexian hayride meet the killer in the foreign legion met the invisible man comin round the mountain lost in alaska & go to mars Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 10/06/2009 Rating: Nr Read more
