The Genius of Charles Darwin Documentary DVD Review

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Synopsis: "Dynamic look at the life, work, and legacy of Charles Darwin" --The Sunday Times (U.K.)Published 150 years ago, Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species changed everything--science, religion, and even humanity’s image of itself. Join Professor Richard Dawkins as he explains exactly how Darwin developed his revolutionary theory of evolution and why it’s still relevant today.

How do species evolve? What does "natural selection" mean in biology, politics, sociology, and philosophy? With passionate certainty, Dawkins provides answers, positing evolution as a matter of fact, not faith. In addition to interviewing scientific experts such as geneticist Craig Venter and paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey, Dawkins speaks with Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, and other religious leaders about the existence of a Creator. Provocative, informative, and irresistibly watchable, this award-winning documentary offers lively new insights on an idea that still meets stubborn resistance.

Evolutionary biologist and fellow of the Royal Society, Richard Dawkins has served as professor of public understanding of science at Oxford University. He has written dozens of scholarly and popular works, including the controversial best seller The God Delusion.

Winner, Best Documentary Series (British Broadcast Awards, 2009)

Review: I grow tired of documentaries on Darwin.  They are generally so politically correct..and by that I mean to say religiously correct.  They tend to be very timid when addressing the amazing scientist that implored reason into our very existance.   This is no ordinary Darwin documentary.  This set manages to mesh historical fact with a real-world modern day education about fossils and evolution.  It addresses the controversy that Darwin encountered in his day and continues to face today.

The narrator and host of this series is Richard Dawkins.  Dawkins is the author of one of my personal favorite books: The God Delusion.  Dawkins is so fascinatingly bold that in the very first of three episodes he addresses a class of high school students and debates the idea of religion vs. science.  Its just not what you get to see in these documentaries.  The variety in the episodes keeps you interested, as Dawkins breaks up the historical lessons with interactions and live interviews with scientists and teachers.

The importance of understanding the genius of Darwin and to put aside blind faith and examine scientific fact is paramount in modern society.  The very idea that we allow religion to cloud science is a sad fact.  If only this documentary could be seen in every classroom around the world, I think we would be closer to having some logic on this subject.  This is a documentary set that every person should see.  We highly recommend it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Yayoi Kusama: I Love ME · New People Artist Series Volume 2 DVD Review

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Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension Box Set 3 DVD Review

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Synopsis: Villainy is afoot as Ash and friends continue their journey through the Sinnoh region – but first, they’ll have to graduate from the Pokémon Summer Academy! Will they learn to handle Team Rocket’s newfound moxie, or Pokémon Hunter J’s latest poaching scheme? Ash gets to take on the Hearthome City Gym Leader, but first he’s going to have to deal with a new rival, Barry! And if Dawn thought the Celestic Town Pokémon Contest was a challenge, things really heat up when Team Galactic rolls into town! 

Review: This box set consists of two single disc releases from the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension series.  It includes DVD volumes #5 and #6.  I'd love to collect all of the Pokemon series, but they just seem to keep making more and more!  And thats definately not a bad thing.


I got into Pokemon back in the late 1990s when it first hit America.  I loved the original adventures and I watched some of the subsequent series as they aired back when Saturday morning cartoons still existed.  I've followed Ash, Misty and Brock through a lot of adventures, and I still want more!


Pokemon is hands down the best anime series I've ever seen.  In Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension we get to experience new rivals, exciting new friends and Pokemon..not to mention the expansion of children's imaginations.  Not often is there a show that I can let my children watch with no worry...but Pokemon never disappoints. 



Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Naruto Shippuden Volume 2 DVD Review

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Review: Naruto Shippuden is a continuation of the original Naruto series.  It delves deeper into the world created by the anime and expands it for the fans.  It quickly generated buzz amongst the fanbase as a godsend of sorts.

A focus is placed now on Gaara and the Sand Village.  Gaara gets captured by the Akatsuki.  Fortunately Kankuro and the Leaf Ninja come to a swift rescue.  I don't want to delve too far into the storyline for those that may not have had the pleasure of seeing it for themselves, but if you have seen any Naruto and enjoyed it..heck if you've seen any action-based anime and enjoyed it you MUST see Naruto Shippuden.

I would have rated this release a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, but unfortunately the release of single disc DVDs as opposed to box sets with a series is something that urks me a little.  I really feel like they should give Shippuden the same treatment as Naruto Uncut.  It is, however, a great show and a fine DVD release. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

DEATH NOTE: RE-LIGHT 2: L’s Successors DVD Review

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Synopsis: Four years have passed since Light claimed his victory at L’s grave. Light has joined the National Police Agency and taken on the identity of the “new L.” Kira’s judgments of the citizens of the world have intensified, and many nations have come to accept Kira, either from fear or adulation. Near, L’s successor, must ponder the question of how L was defeated if he is to succeed where his famed predecessor failed. At the headquarters of the anti-Kira organization the SPK, he proclaims that the new L is none other than Kira and calls upon the Japanese task force to declare war on Light. 

Review: Death Note has become a very popular animated series in the United States.  They even released the live action Death Note movie into theaters last year!   Death Note has been a force in Japan for some time and now its leaked its way into the US.

This Death Note Re-Light 2 series is all 37 episodes of the anime series condensed into two DVD sets.  This one is only 90 minutes long.  This is really a recipe for disaster for serious fans of the show.  Its not as bad as a lot of reviews have stated.  Basically it opens with new footage of L explaining some of the story.  A lot of characters and situations are cut out completely for time and there is a new ending put on it, as well.

Honestly, this is a good release for fans to check out.  Its a nice overview, especially if you already know the series very well and don’t need to go over every single detail, but want to watch the series again.   Its a great DVD release.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Bleach Volume 21 DVD Review!

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Synopsis: Rukia becomes possessed by a doll placed in her chest by one of the Bounts and attacks her friends! Orihime desperately tries to protect herself and the others without harming her dear friend. But when Rukia’s full Soul Reaper powers are drawn out in the battle, Orihime must make a painful choice

Review: Bleach Volume 21 is jam-packed with action.  Bleach is one of those shows that started off very simple and has become very complex.  This volume is probably 90-95% action and very little plot development.  Which honestly, is fine by me.  I enjoy seeing things progress, but having so many intricate and well-developed animated fight sequences is impressive.

The video transfer and audio are both clean and clear.  The discs don’t really include extras, but its a solid 100 minutes of episodes to add to your collection.  If you’re into anime at all, you are probably into Bleach.  Its become one of the modern staples.  If you collect/watch anime, we definately recommend picking this one up.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Naruto Uncut Box Set: Season One, Volume 1 DVD Review


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Synopsis: Deep within the Hidden Leaf Village, young ninja Naruto Uzumaki carries sealed within him the spirit of the Nine-Tailed Fox, which once almost destroyed the village. Always an outcast because of his secret, now Naruto battles alongside his teammates Sasuke and Sakura to prove to himself and everyone else that he’s the greatest ninja ever. But he’s got a long list of challenges to face before he gets there!

Review: Naruto is one of the few good anime series out there.  I know that anime is trendy and all right now, but I’ve been watching it since the mid 1990s.  I had a good friend in high school that was into it.  You think its expensive now..man, you should’ve seen the price tag back then!  But, I digress…

This box set collects the first six volumes of Naruto Season One, Uncut.  Its housed in a double-wide DVD case with six discs inside.  There are no inserts or other collectibles.  I would’ve definately scored it a perfect 5 out of 5 if they’d included anything for collectors in it.  This really feels like more of a bare-bones release just to collect the DVDs, which is fine.  It does keep the price lower, so thats definately a positive.

Naruto uncut is fantastic, full of action and if you dig Naruto at all you need to pick it up.  If you’ve never seen Naruto, check it out.  It has action and comedy blended into a very entertaining show.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars