DVD Talk: June 2016 Archives

Some great TV shows have made their way onto home video recently including: X-Files: The Event Series - this an updated, slightly subversive continuation of this massively popular franchise plays better the second time around, and Fox's terrific Blu-ray package takes this from "souvenir for die-hard fans only" to an almost essential release; Ballers: The Complete First Season - Anchored by Dwayne Johnson as an ex-NFL star turned financial planner, this show zips around the industry and offers plenty of colorful characters, lots of partying and a number of poor choices from the talent; and Carol + 2: The Original Queens of Comedy - a year before The Carol Burnett Show became a regular series, Carol hosted this TV special with Lucile Ball and Zero Mostel... the disc also includes another Carol special, the 90-minute spoof of The Princess and the Pea entitled Once Upon A Mattress. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - Tina Fey shines in what is basically her first attempt at drama, though layered in comedy as to make a smooth transition; Roland and Rattfink - these theatrical animation shorts are an intriguing but erratically amusing attempt to create good-guy and bad-guy archetypes that could be inserted into whatever framework the creators wished... it's hard not to like the series overall; and Tijuana Toads - an enjoyable companion piece to the other entries in the DePatie/Freling Collection... quite entertaining in its own right and fans will appreciate the bright and clean masters used on this disc. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Rollerball - Encore Edition - an entertaining story of a man and the brutal sport that defines him and society at large, which remains timeless, thanks to excellent work all around; Jeepers Creepers (Collector's Edition) - director Victor Salva's Jeepers Creepers proves a surprisingly effective homage to creature features of yesterday, with an interesting villain, plenty of humor, effective practical effects, and its many nods to genre fans; and Background to Danger - George Raft, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre make impeccable adversaries in this tremendously entertaining wartime spy thriller. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Interested in the latest TV on DVD reviews? DVD Talk has you covered! This week's notable entries include: The League - Season Seven - the final season of the series is still insanely clever, and finds brilliant ways to tie the group's fantasy football addiction to the rest of their lives; Alaskan Bush People: Season 1 & 2 - this reality show chronicles the continuing adventures of Ami and Billy Brown as they build a home deep in the remote Alaskan bush and raise their seven children; and Two Guys And A Girl: The Complete Series - Ryan Reynolds and Nathan Fillion's sitcom start... the consistency of the quality improves in later episodes, but there are only a few characters you'll find yourself pulling for. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Several great movies and programs have come out recently, including a few that shouldn't be missed: Fantastic Planet: Criterion Collection - co-written by director RenÃ© Laloux and surrealist illustrator Roland Topor, this movie is every bit as psychedelic and off-balance as its stylized appearance suggests; The Wave - Norway gets the old-fashioned disaster film genre up on its feet again with a well-made, scary story set in a Northern fjord, where a devastating tsunami is a genuine threat; and 99 River Street - this classic film noir is teeming with surprises, every last one of which are well-earned rather than clumsy attempts at yanking the rug out from under the audience. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb - among the best (if not the best) film satires ever, Dr. Strangelove is an amazing film from multiple angles, whether you're talking about the visual artistry, the tremendous performances or the cogent commentary on military power and nuclear weaponry; Eddie The Eagle - this film attempts to capture ski jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards' spirit to realize the dream of the Olympics and to combined it with the proverbial desire to overcome physical odds to do so; and Zoolander No. 2: The Magnum Edition - this sequel throws Ben Stiller's character into a comedic international spy thriller. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Check out DVD Talk's latest reviews of movies that are in theatrical release. This week's crop includes: Finding Dory - with an amazing cast, wonderful animation, phenomenally detailed backdrop, and a cool story this sequel is as good as the original; Warcraft -writer/director Duncan Jones does a wonderful job visually bringing the world to life, which instantly brings players of the game back to various familiar locations that will leave them giddy; and Alice Through the Looking Glass - despite being driven by chaotic action, vibrant colors, and big personalities, the brief runtime really drags along from start to finish. Other recent films include: The Nice Guys, X-Men: Apocalypse (3D), Captain America: Civil War, Tale of Tales, and The Jungle Book. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD and Blu-ray, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: Roots: The Complete Original Series - based on Alex Haley's book of the same name in which he traced his ancesstors all the way back to Africa, almost forty years after its first broadcast, this series is still an important social milestone; Rick and Morty: The Complete Second Season - this second season is better than the first... it still has the humor that fans know, but shows its heart a little more and some of the episodes are among the best television offerings out there; and The Wonder Years: Season 5 - once again, this season is four discs of nearly flawless television. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Some pretty cool discs have made their way to store shelves over the past couple of weeks. Check out these new titles: Quackerz - while some of the jokes may have been lost in translation, this Russian-made 3D animated adventure is amusingly unconventional; La Chienne: Criterion Collection - this lesser-known but essential film by French master Jean Renoir is a full-blown revitalization; and The Magnetic Monster - certainly brisk and entertaining and anchored by good performances, Kino's Blu-ray release offers a substantial improvement over the old MGM MOD/DVD-R offering a much better transfer, lossless audio and a pretty interesting commentary. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - Director's Cut

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - Director's Cut - this is near-flawless sci-fi, endlessly entertaining, and full of terrific performances and memorable moments.; She Wore a Yellow Ribbon - you can't go wrong with this movie that is one of the most gorgeous Westerns ever filmed, boasts one of John Wayne's greatest performances, and is also the best of John Ford's Cavalry Trilogy; and The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three: 42nd Anniversary Special Edition - Joseph Sargent's film is absolutely cracking 1970s cinema; not only did it help draw the blueprint for countless modern heist films, but it's a terrific time capsule of New York City during one of its most raw and rugged decades. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

TV on DVD and Blu-ray remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Grace and Frankie: Season One - Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin star in this show about two women who are forced to rely on each other after they are both left by their husbands; Teen Titans Go! - Season 3 Part 1 - a true family pleaser, this series is a blast to watch and these discs look and sound quite nice; and Really Weird Tales - a cable TV movie from 1987 made by the same team that brought us SCTV Network the film attempts to parody The Twilight Zone but it ends up being uneven and mostly uninspired. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Another banner week for DVDs with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: Zootopia - an insightful, brave, heartwarming, and immaculately executed original animated hit that is a must-see for kids of all ages; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi - director Michael Bay crafts an entertaining, tonally impressive and mostly politics-free film about the 2012 Benghazi attacks; and Anomalisa - a stunning piece of art, a movie with layers of concepts and story that are not immediately obvious but which are immensely rewarding once understood. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Here Comes Mr. Jordan: Criterion Collection

This week the DVD Talk Review Database has some great new entries, including a few discs you may have overlooked. Recent reviews include: Here Comes Mr. Jordan: Criterion Collection - tremendously likable and extremely forward-thinking for its time, there's a lot to like about Alexander Hall's picture: fine performances, plenty of laughs, charming low-budget effects, and no shortage of clever twists along the way; The Wave - this Norwegian film presents the credible threat of a massive tsunami in a fjord and comes highly recommended; and The Films of Maurice Pialat - these three films show that the French director was clearly a great and idiosyncratic talent. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Gods of Egypt - a modern big budget epic blockbuster with bankable and up and coming stars and expensive special effects... that is a downright embarrassment; Wim Wenders: The Road Trilogy - this Criterion Blu-ray set is one of their strongest in recent memory: serving up a trio of the director's early films with fantastic A/V treatments and plenty of terrific extras; and Triple 9 - a good action movie with a great cast, but lacks the finesse to make it one to remember. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.