DVD Talk: January 2013 Archives

TV on DVD remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Merlin: The Complete Fourth Season - The show really hits its stride in its fourth year, by far the best season yet; Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis - an absolute must... even non-fans should find it pretty fascinating and funny; and Perry Mason - Season 8, Volume 2 -a fun show with high quality transfers and if you've been buying them all along you won't be disappointed here. Other shows recently reviewed include: Doctor Who: Shada, Being Human: Season 4, and McMillan & Wife - Complete Series. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVDTalk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Peter Pan - Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell look better than ever in a stunning HD Diamond Edition restoration of Disney's most exciting 1950s animated film; The Jazz Singer - Al Jolson gets the full HD treatment in this part -singing, momentarily talking musical that went down on the books as the show that put talking pictures on the map. A Jewish kid who has 'just gotta sing' must rebel against the teaching of his orthodox father; and It's In the Bag! - Fans of old time radio -- and wild comedies in general -- will get a big kick from this genuinely loopy one-shot solo starring vehicle for radio legend Fred Allen. An ex-flea circus proprietor must locate six chairs, one of which contains a fabulous inheritance... any further elaboration of the plot is pointless. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

This week several great movies are coming out, including a few that shouldn't be missed: Hotel Transylvania [3D Blu-ray review] - decent entertainment for kids and fun for adults as well; Seven Psychopaths [Blu-ray review] - a wildly entertaining film that is as creative as it is clever and it does a great job of mixing up action and humor in some very unusual but completely effective ways; and The Duellists [Blu-ray review] - the visual richness, the conflict built around honor and obsession, and the pragmatic allure of the duels themselves remains exceedingly impressive in Ridley Scott's premiere feature. Other reviews of note include All Superheroes Must Die [Blu-ray review], Citadel [Blu-ray review], and Agatha Christie's ''Poirot and Marple: Fan Favorites Collection'' [DVD review]. 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.

This past week the DVDTalk review database has added coverage of some great classic films including: The Buster Keaton Collection - The sheer amount of classic comedy content and a mountain of extras make this no less than an encyclopedia of Keaton's career; 5 Broken Cameras - a thought-provoking personal diary from the Palestinian side of the West Bank barrier; and Classic Educational Shorts, Volume 5: Rules for School - watching these orphaned educational/social guidance films it's impossible not be taken in by the charm of their melodrama, their unintentional humor, their at-times inexplicable wrong-headedness, and their sometimes surprising deftness. Other recent reviews include: California Trilogy, Starsuckers; and Emma: A Victorian Romance - Season 1. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

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Check out DVDTalk's latest reviews of movies that are in theaters. This week's crop includes: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton star as a brother and sister duo who turn a childhood drama into a full-on career; Amour - a powerful drama, a love story, and a look at old age that we rarely see in movies; 56 Up - The latest entry in Michael Apted's Up Series feels like a particularly important milestone - the subjects are growing old and have now passed the halfway mark in their lives; and Side Effects - reportedly director Steven Soderbergh's last theatrical film, it is a nice surprise and it isn't a bad note to end on. Other recent films include: The Last Stand, Mama, Gangster Squad , Django Unchained, Les Miserables (2012), Jack Reacher. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: McMillan & Wife - Complete Series - the entire run of this popular and lighthearted 1971-76 murder mystery series starring Rock Hudson released in an attractive and compact boxed set; The Last Days of Pompeii - the epic 1984 ABC television miniseries is still entertaining and features some decent TV-sized special effects to give you everything you need for a long, long visit to the Ancient Roman Empire; and Idiot Abroad: Season 2 - the second series still has some of the moments that made the first season so funny and entertaining. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVDTalk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Indiscreet - Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman star in an impeccable, impeccably civilized romantic comedy set in a rainy London beautifully photographed by Freddie Young. Footloose stage star Bergman is willing to take diplomat Grant as a husband or a lover, but his bachelor's philosophy is to never divulge his actual marital status. The complications come when Grant falls in love as well; Wild River - Elia Kazan's ode to the New Deal sends Washington agent Montgomery Clift to Tennessee to clear the way for a TVA dam -- and watches the fur fly - this is an unappreciated American classic not to be missed; and King of the Pecos - John Wayne is charming in one of Republic Studios' best westerns of the '30s. The unassuming small-scale struggle of ranchers against a water-rights racketeer is a triumph of modest means and good craftsmanship. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Some pretty cool discs are being released this week. Check out these new titles: The Quiet Man [Blu-ray review] - this John Wayne - John Ford film is an exceptional cinematic classic, and it looks astonishing on Blu-ray; Searching for Sugar Man [Blu-ray review] -the story of the mysterious troubadour who disappeared after two albums nearly thirty years ago is a surprising one, at once suspenseful and moving; and The Seven-Per-Cent Solution [Blu-ray review] - a Sherlock Holmes film that has everything fans of the consulting detective love: mysterious adventures, spirited characters and clever dialogue. Other reviews of note include End of Watch [Blu-ray review, a 2nd review], Cujo: 30th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray review], and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai [Blu-ray review]. 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.

This past week the DVDTalk review database has added coverage of some great classic films including: The Quiet Man - this John Wayne - John Ford film is an exceptional cinematic classic, and it looks astonishing on Blu-ray; Searching for Sugar Man - the story of the mysterious troubadour who disappeared after two albums nearly thirty years ago is a surprising one, at once suspenseful and moving; and The Seven-Per-Cent Solution - a Sherlock Holmes film that has everything fans of the consulting detective love: mysterious adventures, spirited characters and clever dialogue. Other recent reviews include: End of Watch [a 2nd review], Cujo: 30th Anniversary Edition; and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

I'm not going to lie to you... there aren't a lot of new movies hitting the cineplex this week. If you're detemined to go however, you might want to check out one of these: The Last Stand - If you're looking forward to seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger back up on the big screen you know what to expect and this film is going to be one of the better times you can have a the theater right now; and Mama [second review] - core concept is decent, but it ultimately walks down a predictable path. Other recent films include: Rust and Bone, Gangster Squad , Django Unchained, Les MisÃ©rables (2012), Jack Reacher, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Interested in the latest TV on DVD reviews? DVD Talk has you covered! This week's notable entries include: Cagney & Lacey: The Complete Series - a fantastic set that is really worth the money - the limited edition features hours and hours of extra episodes that the regular release omits; Smash: Season One - a wonderful series with memorable and impressive performances, music, and artistry; and The Story of Film: An Odyssey - a truly excellent series and one of the best documentaries ever made on the history of the movies. Other shows recently reviewed include: Episodes: Seasons 1 & 2, Chris Hardwick: Mandroid, and Black Lagoon: Complete Set - Season 1 & 2. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVDTalk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: White Zombie - Bela Lugosi's eerie voodoo classic is a PreCode horror landmark, and the first movie to feature living-dead zombie creatures walking among the living; Our Man Flint - Everyone's favorite outrageous SuperSpy Derek Flint is back in a dazzling HD presentation. James Coburn never looked better romancing women and karate-chopping bad guys to the terrific music of Jerry Goldsmith. The spirited espionage spoof ends up saying a lot about America's self-image in the golden years of the mid- 1960s; and Mrs. Miniver - William Wyler struck Oscar gold with this heartfelt tribute to the English civilians that withstood hardship and bombings in the Battle of Britain. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Another banner week for DVDs with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) [Blu-ray review] - one of Hitchcock's early masterpieces, the film combines comedy, romance, and mystery in a way that would become the director's signature; Lightning Bug [Blu-ray review] -a smartly crafted, resonant, and remarkably engaging story about the pursuit of dreams against the most impossible of odds; and The Tin Drum: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray review] - Volker SchlÃ¶ndorff's Academy Award winning epic hasn't diminished or grown stale with time; it remains fresh and alive through every repeat viewing. Other reviews of note include To Rome With Love [Blu-ray review], The Story of Math Collection [DVD review], and 17 Girls [DVD review]. 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.

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: End of Watch - a particularly resonant cop drama that makes first-person, handheld footage relevant again; Tell No One - an astutely-crafted thriller that keeps people guessing and on the edge of their seat; and I Wish - a gentle and sweet film that packs a surprisingly powerful emotional heft. Other recent reviews include: Red Hook Summer, Post Mortem; and A Tornado in the Saddle. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

I'm not going to lie to you... there aren't a lot of new movies hitting the cineplex this week. If you're determined to go however, you might want to check out one of these: Rust and Bone - Ignore that trailer and go and see this film, an intelligent, emotionally complex story about wayward people facing difficult circumstances; and Gangster Squad - is this really a "a fever dream of machine-gun fire and half-remembered lines from older, better movies" or something better? Read Jamie S. Rich's review and decide for yourself. Other recent films include: Django Unchained, Les MisÃ©rables (2012), Jack Reacher, Zero Dark Thirty, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Hitchcock, Lincoln (2012), and Life of Pi. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: Gunsmoke - The Seventh Season, Volume 1 - for this season the show expanded from 30 minutes to a full hour and benefits enormously from the switch with more complex stories and far richer characterizations; Enlightened: The Complete First Season - this HBO original series features some great writing and some even better acting; and The Goode Family: The Complete Series - this short-lived animated TV series created by Mike Judge is a bit uneven but very entertaining overall. Other shows recently reviewed include: In Search Of... The Complete Series, Duck Dynasty: Season 1, and CSI: Miami - The 10th and Final Season. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVDTalk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution - Nicholas Meyer's screenplay leads the way in this superior Sherlock Holmes yarn, in which Dr. Watson tricks Sherlock into taking a cure for cocaine addiction from none other than Vienna's Dr. Sigmund Freud; Violence -This Monogram cheapie is an undercover thriller: in 1947, a crypto-fascist political action group forms to help disgruntled veterans get their rights -- and make a grab for power and money; and The Well-Digger's Daughter - Writer-director-star Daniel Auteuil's remake of a French classic by Marcel Pagnol is a thing of beauty in all respects. A genuinely moving story and touching performances.... this is just a quality show all around, and very highly recommended. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are some new titles coming out that might make it worth a trip to the video store this week. Check out these recent releases: Dredd [Blu-ray review] - a bang-bang shoot-'em-up that's all about delivering excitement, and it does a terrific job at it; Game Change [Blu-ray review] - an incisive and astute glimpse into the way national level U.S. political campaigns are run that will strike a chord with disillusioned viewers from across the political spectrum; and Sleep Tight [Blu-ray review] - a unique and wildly effective thriller - a disturbing yet deeply rewarding discovery. 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.

This week the DVD Talk Review Database has some great new entries, including a few discs you may have overlooked. Recent DVD reviews include: Dick Tracy - a romp through classic newspaper comics, made to look like the funny papers come to life; Tarantino XX: Celebrating 20 Years of Filmmaking - this stylish collection is a no-brainer; and Sokurov: Early Masterworks - a triptych of unburied treasures from Russian filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov (Russian Arck), each more extraordinary and inspiring than the last. Other recent reviews include: Safari, The Blue Lagoon; and Our Beloved Month of August. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Two-Lane Blacktop - Monte Hellman's ultimate existential road trip movie looks and sounds better than ever; The Qatsi Trilogy -Koyannisqatsi, Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi take slightly different approaches to their thesis statements, but all merge incredible imagery with the mesmerizing music of Philip Glass; and Dark Crimes Film Noir Thrillers - A very welcome trio of top-rank early film noir classics: Robert Siodmak's Phantom Lady and the Alan Ladd-Veronica lake thrillers The Glass Key and The Blue Dahlia - great screenplays, acting, and expressionist lighting -- this is vintage noir gold. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Happy New Year! It's another slow week for home video releases, what with a majority of stores closed today. In any case, there have been a couple of titles you might what to check out that are new on store shelves: Looper [Blu-ray review] - one of those films that you can watch again and again - an intelligent, complex genre work that never fails to surprise and entertain; Justified: The Complete Third Season [Blu-ray review] - this third season maintains the high level of craft and the skillful, stylish entertainment that has set the show apart since its inception; and Cosmopolis [Blu-ray review] - an interesting and very timely movie from director David Cronenberg. 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.