Synopsis: From sci-fi legend Gerry Anderson (Space 1999, Thunderbirds, UFO), this special-effects-filled series chronicles the adventures of two cops from Earth battling a rogue’s gallery of alien criminals in the year 2040. Transferred from the mean-streets of New York City to a teeming alien planet halfway across the galaxy, veteran police detective Patrick Brogan (Ted Shackelford, Dallas) and his rookie partner (Rob Youngblood, NYPD Blue, Sliders) struggle to adapt to their exotic new beat. Tangling with otherworldly outlaws in one deadly close encounter after another, the officers fight to bring intergalactic law and order to a mind-bending realm where the bad guy’s aren’t just bad… they aren’t even human! Episodes: Protect and Survive, Enforcer, Body and Soul, Double Duty, The Snake, Time to Kill, Deadline, Seek and Destroy, The Power, Illegal, Divided We Stand, Two against the Rock, Takeover, Predator and Prey, The Witness, Hate Street, Friends, Smelter Skelter, Flash, The Fire Within: Part 1, The Fire Within: Part 2, The Forever Beetle, Deathwatch: Part 1, Deathwatch: Part 2

Review: Space Precinct was a British television show that aired over in the UK in the mid 1990s for about a year.  The show was later seen in the USA on the SyFy channel in syndication.  The premise is a mixture of space and police drama to create a fictional world where special space cops patrol the universe and hold aliens and humans responsible for their crimes.

Space Precinct is a great little sci-fi gem that not a lot of people seem to know about.  It was a precursor to Men in Black and runs along very similar lines to those films.  The show came out during that mid 1990s UFO furvor that really fueld a lot of of movies and TV back then (Independance Day, Mars Attacks, The X-Files etc.).   The show was actually rather well made and the acting is pretty solid.  The make-up and cosutmes on the aliens is high quality and the stories are interesting.  They keep it grounded enough to have real police drama mixed-in with the Alien themes.

Overall, a great series and a gem for any sci-fi fan.  This one would make an amazing surprise Xmas gift!

Interest Range: Sci-Fi, Classic TV

 You can own this DVD today

Synopsis: From the Oscar®-nominated writer and producers of Frost/Nixon and The Queen comes a powerful new look at the human side of iconic world leaders. In 1993, Tony Blair was a rising young star in British politics. Three years later he ran for Prime Minister – and began a “special relationship” with U.S. President Bill Clinton that endured through triumph, conflict and personal scandal. HBO Films presents Michael Sheen, Golden Globe® nominee Dennis Quaid, Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee Hope Davis, and Helen McCrory in the behind-the-scenes story of two world leaders who forged a loyal, if tempestuous, friendship out of the crucible of political necessity: The Special Relationship.

Review:The Special Relationship is a film by HBO that details the relationship between President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair during the 1990s era of prosperity.  The film features Dennis Quaid (brother of maniac Randy Quaid! lol) in a fantastic rendition of Clinton.  His voice is not only spot-on, but his attitude as well.  He does a great job as a character actor, I honestly didn't think that I could forget that he was Dennis Quaid for one moment, but he proved me wrong.  The entire film is fictional accounts of what happened behind closed doors.  The film is enertaining and amusing, even if you're not really into politics.  Overall, a great effort.

Interest Range: HBO, Politics, Biopic

Synopsis: Gather ‘round for a spine-tingling adventure (if you have a spine, that is) unlike any you’ve ever seen before! Hang on as SpongeBob, Patrick, and the rest of their Bikini Bottom friends dive into SpongeBob’s Legends of Bikini Bottom. You’ll squirm when Patrick and SpongeBob find themselves held prisoner by a backward gang, SpongeBob and pals look for a way out of the Bikini Bottom Triangle, and an evil hag curses the Krusty Krab! Then laugh when Patrick finds he has lots in common with a monster that invades town, join SpongeBob and Patrick on their search for a drain that once destroyed the city, and brace yourself for a volcanic eruption that brings an ancient warrior with dire predictions to Bikini Bottom! Six legends, one swell adventure: Legends of Bikini Bottom.

Review: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH  Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?  Thats right, Sponge Bob has some more DVD releases this year!  Today we're spotlighting the Legends of Bikini Bottom, which is a compilation DVD of 6 episodes from the 7th season of Spongebob.  What makes this DVD so special?  These are 6 UNAIRED episodes as of the time of this DVD release in mid-November!  How often do you get a chance to buy up unaired episodes of a great show like this?  I know my kids were THRILLED to watch these.  We've seen all of the episodes of the show over the past decade many times, so new episodes are in high demand in our house, as I'm sure it is in yours!  This makes a wonderful surprise gift for any fan of the show, young or old!

How are the episodes?  They're hilarious, of course.  They all explore various odd and strange creatures and situations in Bikini Bottom.  There was a special movie even to be titled the Legends of Bikini Bottom, but it has since been renamed The Legend of the Lost Temple and will air in January.  Don't confuse the two!  This is an even better situation..6 episodes..unaired!  This is a homerun for Xmas!

Interest Range: Nickelodeon, SpongeBob Squarepants

Synopsis: On a suburban street, two masked men seize a young woman. They bind and gag her and take her to an abandoned, soundproofed apartment. She is Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton), daughter of a millionaire. Her kidnappers, the coldly efficient Vic (Eddie Marsan) and his younger accomplice Danny (Martin Compston), have worked out a meticulous plan. But Alice is not going to play the perfect victim – she’s not giving in without a fight. In a tense power-play of greed, duplicity and survival we discover that sometimes disappearances can be deceptive…

Review: This film is a tricky one.  On the surface you may think it cliche.  The premise is simple, a kidnapped daughter of a wealthy businessman.  This film, which is a directorial debut by J. Blakeson, is anything but cliche or predictable.   Its hard to believe that this is Blakeson's first time around the bend, because the pacing is perfect, the visuals are great and he really seems to have a knack for what he is doing.  I can only imagine how he'll grow with time.

We don't want to reveal any spoilers about the end, but it will catch you off guard!  This film is dreary, dynamic, dramatic and fun all in one ball of crazy.  A notable performance in this by Gemma Arterton, who I just recently saw in "Three and Out".  She is a phenominal actress.  We highly recommend that you check this one out.  The blu-ray is the best way to go, can't beat high-definition.

The special features on this blu-ray set include: Audio Commentary with Writer/Director J Blakeson, "Phones" Deleted Scene (with optional commentary by Writer/Director J Blakeson), "Alice Gets The Gun" Extended Scene (with optional commentary by Writer/Director J Blakeson), Outtakes, Storyboard Comparison and the Trailer.

Interest Range: Drama, Action

Synopsis: Sink your teeth into the Extended Bite Me Edition of the hysterically funny spoof, Vampires Suck--with more outrageous humor and bloody good fun! Becca, an angst-ridden teenager at a new high school, finds herself torn between two supernatural suitors: a moody vampire and an extremely hairy werewolf. From the comedy masterminds who brought you Scary Movie and co-starring Ken Jeong (The Hangover), this laugh-out-loud comedy will leave you howling for more!

Review: Vampires Suck?  Vampires DO suck.  Do you want to know why?  I'll tell you why...its this new Twilight garbage.  Vampires are blood thirsty maniacs that seduce women into submission in order to feast on them.  That is the vampire that we all know and love.  Twilight has turned them into glittery, ab-riddled, DAY WALKING nightmares!  The only theraputic outlet I have for this frustration and the tween obsession with romantic vampires is the new spoof film Vampires Suck, coming to DVD tuesday.

A lot of spoofs are a miss.  They just don't get it on the mark, but Vampires Suck is NOT one of those films.  This one nails it dead-on!  I had laughs in every single scene.  If you hate this new Twilight phenomenon, this film is for you.  It even spotlights one of my biggest issues with the series..WHY are these sexy beasts all fighting over this terribly ugly girl?!  One of the best lines in the movie is "hey, you seem boring and frigid..want to go to prom?".  The actress that plays Becca, the spoof of Bella, gets the mannerisms down perfectly.  Its just a completely enjoyable parody.

We HIGHLY recommend this one!  Look for our giveaway here on DVD Legion for your chance to win one of 3 Vampires Suck DVDs for FREE!

Synopsis: HMS Bounty sails for Tahiti by way of Cape Horn, and into movie lore. Grandly filmed, Mutiny on the Bounty captured the 1935 Best Picture Academy Award and eight nominations total.  Charles Laughton portrays Captain Bligh, a seafaring monster ruling with the law of fear. Clark Gable is first officer Fletcher Christian, whose will to obey erodes under Bligh's tyranny. And Franchot Tone plays idealistic midshipman Byam, torn by his allegiance to both. That all three portrayals are vividly memorable is accented by the fact that for the only time in Oscar history, three stars from the same film were Best Actor nominees.

Review: Mutiny on the Bounty is a 1935 cinematic masterpiece starring the amazing and renound Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian, first mate on a ship that has a cruel and selfish captain, Captain Bligh, played by Charles Laughton.

The film comes to a head when Christian becomes fed up with Bligh and stages a mutiny.  This classic film is on blu-ray for the first time with a collectible blu-ray book packaging.  The high-definition transfer looks wonderful on this classic!  The image is a bit soft, but looks wonderful considering the age.  This new collectible packaging and transfer are the absolute finest ways to enjoy this movie.

The special features on this blu-ray book set include: Vintage featurette: Pitcairn Island Today, Academy Awards newsreel and Theatrical trailers of this and the 1962 version

Links: www.warnerblu.com

Synopsis: In Sony Pictures Animation's first feature film, the animated action adventure comedy Open Season, the odd are about to get even. Boog (Martin Lawrence), a domesticated grizzly bear with no survival skills, has his perfect world turned upside down when he meets Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) a scrawny, fast-talking mule deer. When Elliot convinces Boog to leave his cushy home in a park ranger's garage to try a taste of the great outdoors, things quickly spiral out of control. Relocated to the forest with open season only three days away, Boog and Elliot must acclimate in a hurry. They must join forces to unite the woodland creatures and take the forest back!

Review: Open Season was a great kids movie in the same veign as Shrek and Toy Story.  You can really watch this film as an adult or a kid and bet some level of enjoyment.  I have three kids and I've suffered my way through many a tv show and movie that talk down to their audience.  This trend of slick new films that appeal to all age groups is far more gratifying.

This pack features a 3D blu-ray version along with a 2D blu-ray version.  The 3D technology looks absolutely amazing!  When we first got a 3D television we weren't sure if we'd like it, but everything looks so outstanding.  Open Season has a great transfer, it looks like the film was meant to be in 3D originally.

Interest Range: Kids movies

Synopsis: From Walt Disney Pictures comes the magical retelling of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale – Disney’s A Christmas Carol, the high-flying, heartwarming adventure for the whole family. When three ghosts take penny-pinching Scrooge on an eye-opening journey, he discovers the true meaning of Christmas – but he must act on it before it’s too late. Complete with spirited bonus features, this exhilarating and touching Disney classic is destined to be part of a family holiday tradition, adding sparkle and heart to all Christmases yet to come. 

Review: Disney is responsible for some of the best animated features of all-time.  Their Xmas feature Mickey's A Christmas Carol was a favorite of mine growing up.  This new version of the Dickens classic was done using motion-capture technology, which is a type of animation that really uses the actors facial and body movements to create a lifelike and somewhat distorted view of reality.

Jim Carey is the voice of Scrooge and as you might expect the highlight of the film.  This take has moments of being lighthearted and fun, but maintains a darker and solemn feel.  The film looks absolutely crisp and dynamic in high-definition, so its really a must-see on blu-ray.    It still looks great, but its just not the same!  This combo pack is a great idea, because the kids can watch the DVD and the blu-ray can stay safely tucked away for the family to enjoy. 

In celebration of Disney's A Christmas Carol coming to DVD, 3D and Blu-ray next Tuesday we have a $10 off coupon for the 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack we wanted to share with you.

This link will bring you to the printable coupon

Synopsis: Put on your hard hats and team up with Handy Manny on an awesome full-length adventure!  Join Manny and his Tools as they head out of town to work on an exciting construction project in Concrete Falls. Meanwhile, back in Sheet Rock Hills, Mr. Lopart tries to fill in for Manny – with hilarious results! Can Kelly convince Manny to come home and save the day? Introducing new Power Tools, new songs, and a wonderful message about the rewards of taking on new challenges, Big Construction Job is fully loaded with tons of fun for everyone!

Review: Handy Manny is a well-loved Disney Channel cartoon character.  This latest DVD release is a full-length feature that introduces new characters and has some fantastic songs.  Our little ones love watching Manny and this feature was definately no exception!  The film teaches great moral lessons, and like always I can trust Disney to provide the kids with good quality and decent content.

This DVD is compatable with the new Mickey Mote!  It has a great interactive feature that lets kids answer questions about the DVD, which really makes them feel involved and turns it all into a game.  Win-win!

Interest Range: Disney, Kids, Mickey Mote

Synopsis: Rustle Up Some Fun! Howdy Mousekeroos! It’s time to put on your cowboy hats, grab your lassos and help Mickey, Goofy and all your Clubhouse pals wrangle a boisterous herd of wild numbers into Mickey Corral. Laugh it up as you count ‘em down from 10 to 1, and rustle up the right Mouseketools to catch those rascally numbers! Then search for Daisy Bo Peep’s lost sheep, decode a secret message, and solve more super fun puzzles. For big surprises and rootin’, tootin’ fun from sun up to sundown, count on Mickey’s Numbers Round-Up!

Review: This latest Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD, Mickey's Number Round-Up, is a fun and interesting way for your kids to learn about numbers and to re-enforce some of the basic counting they are beginning to learn.

The new Mickey Mote technology is the star of this release.  The little Micky Mouse shaped hand-held device includes four colored buttons.  You basically sync the device to your television remote and you can activate the "Discovery Mode" on several new and upcoming Disney DVDs.  This way, your child can interact and answer simple questions in the pre-school level.  This turns your fun Disney DVD into an educational DVD!  Whats better than that?!

We highly recommend that you seek out the Mickey Mote.  We're so happy to have one for our own kids!

The special features on this DVD include:

1 Disc DVD + Mickey Mote
• 4 episodes themed to counting and numbers recognition
• Plus a never-before-seen episode in bonus – Over 100-plus minutes of content
• NEW! Mickey Mote with Discovery Mode interactive feature which provides 3 fun ways to watch and play using the remote control
1 Disc DVD
• Features all of the above referenced content without the remote

Interest Range: Mickey Mouse, Disney, Preschool, Learning

Synopsis: Sam Kinison, a former Pentecostal preacher turned beret-wearing, bad-boy comedian, is the focus of this tribute from a galaxy of comedic talents who analyze his hard living and the rage-filled comedy that took the entertainment world by storm. Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Chris Rock and others discuss their friendships with him and his unusual but perceptive humor, while clips of Kinison performing live illustrate how effective his screaming style was.

Review: Sam Kinison is a comic legend.  In his wake he left a gap in the stand-up comedy world that has never truly healed.  He was a party animal and an outspoken maniac.  He had a universal appeal that drew in all types of people from all walks of life.  He was a hero to some and a crass troublemaker to others.

This new DVD chronicles Sam's life and work with clips of his stand-up bits and interviews from other famous comedians from Chris Rock and Dennis Leary to George Lopez and Ron White.  You get a great feel for his impact on the industry and how much he is still missed.  We highly recommend this one.

Interest Range: Stand-Up Comedy, Documentary

 

Synopsis: In Clash of the Titans, the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive if Perseus accepts his power as a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.

Review: We've all seen the original Clash of the Titans from the 1980s.  It was recently released on blu-ray (which was a bit of a mistake) and with this remake its been revisited.  The classic stop-motion animation effects by the legendary Ray Harryhausen were cutting edge for the time.  Now, we get not only a high-definition experience with Clash of the Titans, but 3D as well!

We've seen our fair share of films that don't translate well into home 3D.  There was some controversy about the transfer of this film in the theater to 3D.  We didn't see it there, but here at home it certainly looks great.  The action is intense and definately accented well with the 3D effects.

This is one of those rare occasions when the original is overshadowed by the remake!  Clash of the Titans is definately one to own.

The special features on this set include: Maximum Movie Mode: Harnessing the Gods, with Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and director Louis Leterrier and enhanced picture-in-picture; enhanced scene breakdowns; enhanced VFX breakdowns; on-the-spot vignettes; close-up views of the Kraken, the Scorpiochs, Medusa, stuntwork, filming locales, and more, Sam Worthington: An Action Hero for the Ages, Alternate ending: Perseus confronts Zeus on Mount Olympus and Additional scenes

Synopsis: Coopers' Christmas is a hilarious comedy set in 1985 suburbia where a dysfunctional family's Christmas disintegrates into madness once an estranged uncle shows up for the holiday.  Told primarily through the eyes of Teddy, the youngest Cooper son, through the family's Christmas present: a second hand VHS camcorder.

Review: Coopers' Christmas is a Canadian made film that was originally titled "Coopers' Camera".  The film is touted as a comedic masterpiece by many online, and when this happens we here at the Legion instantly become suspicious.  Comedy is a very tricky genre and there are far more misses than hits, so we decided to check this one out for ourselves.

The film is basically filmed on a camcorder to capture the 1985 Xmas of the Coopers.  The archetypical dysfunctional clan is full of vulgar humor and awful situations that truly do make for a fine film.  This one delivered with the ackward situations and disturbing content, thats for sure.  If you want some guaranteed laughs, pick this one up.  Its a little-known gem!

Synopsis: Academy Award® winner Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl) stars with Emmy and Tony winner Blythe Danner (Meet the Fockers) and Oscar® nominee Bruce Dern (Coming Home) in this warmhearted tale of lost love and second chances. The year is 1912. Vowing to swear off women for good, curmudgeonly Seth Atkins (Dreyfuss) takes refuge tending a remote Cape Cod lighthouse. Then, a mysterious stranger (Tom Wisdom, Pirate Radio) literally washes up in Seth’s life, with a past full of secrets and a similar aversion to females. But the arrival of two beautiful, spirited women (Danner and Mamie Gummer) will test the men’s resolve – and send all four of them sailing into uncharted romantic waters!

Review: The Lightkeepers is a romantic film about the perseverance of love.  Dreyfus plays a grumpy lighthouse keeper that meets a young boy.  They form a bond that is centered around their disdain for women.  Soon, a nearby cabin is occupied by appropriately aged female matches for the two and love finds a way!

This film is a bit cliche and definately contrived at points, but its cute and a fun watch still.  There are some very good acting performances in the film, while a few other actors don't live up to their reputations.  This one is a nice film to enjoy with your sweetheart.  Nothing ground breaking, but certainly sweet.

The blu-ray offers little for extras, with the exception of a few brief interviews, but the high-definition isn't to be missed.

Interest Range: Drama

Synopsis: Debby Ryan (Disney’s The Suite Life on Deck) stars with Jean-Luc Bilodeau (Kyle XY) in this spellbinding comedy about what happens when your most outrageous wishes…come outrageously true! Abby Jensen has been dreaming about her “sweet 16” since she was a little girl…but it starts out anything but sweet. Then she receives a box of mysteriously magical birthday candles. And suddenly, Abby’s every wish is instantly granted: the cherry-red sports car, the way-cool clothes, the uber-popularity at school. But when Abby makes a wish that turns her perfect new life totally upside down, she and her best friend Jay have just one chance to make things right – and to learn you have to be careful what you wish for…really, really careful!

Review: 16 Wishes is a coming of age type of drama that includes bits of light-hearted comedy and sweet ideals.  The tale is of a young girl that gets a magical set of candles on her 16th birthday.  Each wish she makes comes true, but the consequences of each wish show her that she should be thankful for what she already has.  The lessons in this tween geared film are to enjoy the place you are in and not to rush what life has to already offer.

Its a very sweet kids movie and definately one your young ones may enjoy.  It includes stars from Disney Channel's Sweet Life on Deck and Kyle XY, so the familiar faces definately add to the fun! 

Interest Range: Drama, Tweens

Synopsis: Former elite agent Kitty Galore plans to unleash a diabolical device designed to not only bring her canine enemies to heel but also to take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Cats and dogs must now join forces for the first time ever to prevent a global cat-astrophe. This fun adventure features the voice talent of Christina Applegate, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Marsden, Bette Midler and Nick Nolte and stars Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer.

Review: The original Cats & Dogs film was a cute attempt at a new type of kids movie.  It was a valiant effort, but one of those films that is rather painful for a parent to sit through.  After great films like the Shrek movies and some of the Pixar ventures parents just expect more from a kids movie these days.  The sequel to Cats & Dogs, titled the Revenge of Kitty Galore, is defintely more on-par with expectations.

The Revenge of Kitty Galore is a spy epic that features high-caliber actors, such as Bette Midler, Katt Williams and Neil Patrick Harris.  The script and story are far better than the original.  The scope of the film is far more epic and it definately has a great mix of comedy and adventure.

This combo pack features a blu-ray 3D copy, blu-ray, DVD and a digital copy!   The 3D on the film looks fantastic.  The new technology and trend is such high quality that its outstanding.  Its no shabby transfer.  The high-definition imagery and the ful 3D looks great on any 3D television.  The kids will love it and the adults will too!

Interest Range: Kids movies

Synopsis: A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in present-day London. Co-created by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Coupling) and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars BAFTA-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (Hawking, Amazing Grace) as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman (The Office, Love Actually), as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade. The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain--they live at the same address, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them. And so across three thrilling, scary, action-packed and highly modern-day adventures, Sherlock and John navigate a maze of cryptic clues and lethal killers to get at the truth.

Review: The BBC is infamous for some of the most interesting television programming in history.  The shows that they produce often find their way to PBS in the states and to eventual DVD release.  This latest creation, Sherlock, is a modern take on the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle detective and his sidekick, Watson.

It is likely Guy Ritchie's cheeky and modern take on the character that inspired this 3-part 90 minute episode series to come to pass, and thank goodness.  A lot of staunch Sherlock Holmes fans (yeah, those do exist) may be turned off by the modern setting of the stories, but those that love the characters will still see the attributes that they so enjoyed and perhaps even come to the realization that this reviewer did..that these characters are timeless.

Three more episodes are scheduled for August 2011, so pick up this DVD and check the first series out now.

The special features on this DVD include Episode 1 Commentary featuring: Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue, Episode 3 Commentary featuring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Exclusive Pilot Episode: Sherlock - A Study in Pink and Unlocking Sherlock - The making of.

Links: www.bbcamericashop.com

Synopsis: C.S. Lewis's enchanting tale comes to life in this classic BBC adaptation from 1988. When young Second World War evacuee Lucy Pevensie hides in an old wardrobe during a game of hide and seek, she finds herself transported to the magical land of Narnia, locked in eternal winter by the evil White Witch. Her siblings do not believe her when she tells them of this strange new world, but they are soon in Narnia themselves, fighting alongside the noble lion Aslan to defeat the witch and her mighty army. This set includes the following complete stories from the book series: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair.

Review: The Chronicles of Narnia are several volumes of classic children's tales developed by C.S. Lewis.  These can be seen as a more biblical take on fantasy, while Lewis's good friend J.R.R. Tolkien had a slightly more ambitious view of the realm, Lewis's work is great for little ones.  The classic themes of good versus evil are perhaps somewhat naive, but they make for fun tales.

In the 1980s I read the Narnia series and I watched the BBC adapted version of the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe.  It was great at the time, although looking back its a little slow moving and grass roots feeling, as the special effects are limited.  This is a great boxed set of 3 BBC adapted Narnia tales that are perfect for young children or hardcore fans of the series that may want these for their collections.

The special features on this DVD set include Past Watchful Dragons - Oxford Historian Humphrey Carpenter describes how C.S. Lewis came to write The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first Narnia book, Interviews from the 2003 cast reunion, Historic interviews from the series premiere, Special Effects footage, Outtakes and Photo Galleries.

Links: www.bbcamericashop.com

Interest Range: BBC, C.S. Lewis, Fantasy

Synopsis: Laughs and scares aplenty are unleashed in two popular live-action/computer-animation romps featuring Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Velma (Linda Cardellini) and that canine you-know-doo. Mystery Inc. reunites in Scooby-Doo to solve the ghostly goings-on at Spooky Island Resort. In Scooby-Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed, our heroes probe why Coolsville is overrun with monsters the pals defeated years earlier... but now the beastly beings are b-a-a-ack!

Review: Who doesn't love Scooby-Doo?  Seriously.  I mean, the characters are iconic, the cartoons are hilarious and over the past decade WB has developed some fun live-action films to go along with the franchise.

This new blu-ray set collects the first two Scooby-Doo live action films, which both featured the same fantastic cast.  The features bring to life the characters we love with a computer generated Scooby.  The role of Shaggy is perhaps the one that is standout, played by Matthew Lillard.  His portrayl of the scaredy-cat stoner is phenominal.

These are fun films and they look great on blu-ray.  The high-definition transfer looks fantastic.   They have already been released in this format, but this double feature is a fun way to collect the two.  Not to mention a nice space-saver, which we need in our house!  This one would make a fun Xmas gift.

Interest Range: Scooby-Doo, Kids Movies

Synopsis: Matt Smith and Karen Gillan star as the new Doctor and his companion in an all-new series of Doctor Who. After his explosive regeneration, the Eleventh Doctor awakes to discover his TARDIS is about to crash! After falling from the sky, he pulls himself out of the wreckage to come face-to-face with young Amy Pond. The Doctor promises to take Amy to the stars. But first they must divert an alien plot that could destroy the Earth. The Doctor makes good his promise, and Amy boards the regenerated TARDIS, ready to take to the stars on a series of wild adventures that will change her life. As always, wherever the Doctor goes, his oldest enemies, the Daleks, are never far behind. They are hatching a new master plan from the heart of war-torn London in the 1940s. But they are not the only strange creatures the Doctor and Amy must face--there are also alien vampires, humanoid reptiles, the Weeping Angels, and a silent menace that follows Amy and the Doctor around wherever they go.

Review: Doctor Who has found a great re-birth over the past few years.  The last doctor, I believe it was the 10th version, became very beloved during his reign, so this new Doctor had some very large shoes to fill!

This BBC series features the TARDIS crashing into a realm where Amy is grown and becomes the whitty sidekick for the Doctor as he struggles to stop an alien plot from destroying the world.  Not shocking!  Fan of this series will rejoice to find out that the new doctor, played by Matt Smith, is not only refreshing, but helps us to grieve the loss of the tenth doctor, David Tennant.

This DVD set is a fantastic beginning and definately something any Who fan needs to have in their collection.

The special features on this DVD include Meanwhile in the Tardis: Newly filmed scenes written by Steven Moffat, exclusive to DVD and Blu-ray, telling what happens between the episodes
Doctor Who Confidential: An inside look at each episode, Monster Files: Get under the skin and inside the minds of the new Doctor's most challenging opponents, In-vision commentaries
Outtakes, Video diaries and Teasers and trailers.

Links: www.bbcamericashop.com

Synopsis: New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Roulette wheels spin, cards snap, slots chime, champagne fizzes, shows go on…and the lights go out. It’s the perfect time to steal a kiss or a $25 chip. But for Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) and 10 partners in crime, it’s the ideal moment to steal millions. Sinatra and off-screen pals Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and more play army buddies who scheme to knock out power to the Vegas strip, electronically rig five big casino vaults and raid them all at the same instant. Packed with location-lensed glamour, sweaty suspense, swinging comedy and a stunning twist ending now in gorgeous hi-def, Ocean's 11 is your entertainment best bet.

Review: Oceans 11 is now perhaps more widely known as a Brad Pitt and George Clooney feature from the 2001 remake and subsequent sequels.  While these were great movies, its important to look back at the originals.  Now, on the 50th anniversary of the original rat pack feature, we get a blu-ray high-definition transfer of this fantastic vintage film.

If you enjoy the newer films, you owe it to yourself to experience the original!  Its a great watch and a fun look back on an era that is quickly becoming forgotten.  The blu-ray features some nice commentary and a crisp picture!  The colors are of course vintage, but they pop much nicer.  There is no grain to speak of on the screen.  This one looks fantastic.

Links: www.warnerblu.com

Interest Range: Classic Film, The Rat Pack

Review: Mrs. Miracle was a made for TV movie based on the best-selling novel by Debbie Macomber.   It stars James Van Der Beek as a widowed father struggling to raise his two boys and Doris Roberts as a matronly nanny that whips the boys into shape, while also motivating Van Der Beek to begin a romance with an attractive young travel agent.  Mrs. Miracle ends up fixing all of their lives, etc.   

The film is cute, albeit predictable, but its a nice family-themed watch.  If you're tired of downbeat dramas or action flicks, this one is a nice break and sure its a little sappy and very cliche, but its also sweet and has a lot of heart.

Interest Range: Drama, Romance

Synopsis: Join us for a rousing celebration of the life and work of one of Broadway's greatest legends -  the one and only Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist's 80th birthday, many of musical theater's brightest stars gathered to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim's illustrious career. Many of these enduring songs are rarely heard and several are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Stephen Sondheim's longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic.

Filmed live, March 15,16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, New York City

Review: Stephen Sondheim is one of the most prolific and well known producers of music for the theater.  This concert was held as an homage to the great and venerable lyricist and musician.  The highlight of this blu-ray for me was seeing a few of the songs from Sweeney Todd performed, which is my favorite Sondheim piece.  He was also very involved in the musical adaptation of the Tim Burton film, which was great exposure and is where I first heard his name.  This is a fantastic watch for anyone into musical theater.

Interest Range: Musicals, Stephen Sondheim

Synopsis: Uncover the truth behind the lies in the addictive and thought-provoking Season Two of Lie to Me, the compelling hit drama from the producers of 24!

Review: Lie to Me is a very underrated show.  I think it really gets overshadowed on FOX by House.  The format is fantastic and Tim Roth is a dynamic leading man.  I think this show might have gotten better attention on FX or TNT.  Perhaps sandwiched with a show like Leverage.

The second season of Lie to Me carries on the story arcs, but really delves into how Tim Roth’s personal life is effected by his innate ability to read people’s lies.  There is a fantastic personal element to season two that we just don’t get in one.  It’s a great continuation, I can’t wait to check out season three!

I was surprised to see no blu-ray release for the second season of Lie To Me.  I’m unclear as to exactly why the studio opted to only go with DVD.  I am happy to get my mits on it, though, because I missed it while it was on TV!  It was nice to get caught up.

Interest Range: Drama, TV shows

Synopsis: "Just because you grow older doesn’t mean you have to grow up! Comedy superstars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider

Review: When I was gearing up to see Grown-Ups I was very excited.  I will admit from the very beginning that I am biased.  I grew up watching most of the cast on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and I loved Kevin James in the King of Queens and his feature films like Chuck and Larry and Hitch.  You put Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade in a film together you figure its comic gold, right?  Wrong.

I’m going to say that I had high expectations for Grown-Ups ,so that definitely affects my review.  I figured this would be drop-dead hilarious, and its definitely not.  Its not even a comedy.  The characters take a few jabs at each other, but they’re generally not amusing.  This film is way more of a drama about family life and aging.  It certainly wasn’t advertised that way, so it took me aback.  I had to re-watch it with a new outlook.  As a drama its good.  It’s a fine film with lovable actors, so it works.  Its very much in the veign of Sandler’s previous dramatic work like Spanglish and Punch Drunk Love.  I can definitely recommend it, just don’t expect to bust a gut!

The film is ideal in blu-ray.  High-definition is just the way to go all around.

Interest Range: Drama, Family Drama