Synopsis: It's a year that many have prophesized will bring a catastrophic end to life as we know it. Whatever is in store a massive cosmic collision, a global environmental disaster, an Armageddon-like religious showdown, or a more subtle transformation many believe that 2012 will mark a major shift in the history of our planet. But what is there to substantiate such fears?

A detailed, historical investigation of this chilling prophecy is the mission of Nostradamus 2012 an exciting HISTORY special that casts the doomsday warning in a frighteningly modern context.

December 21, 2012 is bearing down on us with alarming speed. Whether or not we are able to collectively heed the warnings and affect a course to avert disaster may be the defining moment of the modern age.

Review: We've all heard tales of the end of the world.  From religion to superstition to science, we all wonder when it will happen.  Nothing lasts forever, right?   Well, in Nostradamus 2012 on blu-ray we get a great History Channel special hosted by the author of an interesting book on the subject.

The documentary is a lot of fun and maybe takes itself a little too seriously.  Its primarly made up of supersticious ramblings and theories, so I don't think we need to get ourselves worked up about 2012 ending the world, but its a fun watch and definately something to talk about!

The bonus features include: Feature length documentary The Lost Book of Nostradamus

Synopsis: The hit HISTORY series returns to the only family-run pawn shop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men carefully assess the value of items brought in by an array of quirky customers in need of fast cash.

Long before banks, ATMs, and check-cashing services, pawnbrokers provided monetary loans in exchange for personal items of value, and are still helping people make ends meet today while bringing in a sizable profit for themselves. Watch in PAWN STARS as the Harrison family attempts to find the gems and bust the fakes, all in hopes of making the biggest profit possible. Grandfather, father and son use their sharp-eyed skills to assess the value of items ranging from the obscure to the historic. There isn't much the Harrison family hasn't seen or heard, making Richard, Rick and Corey experts in rare collectables and negotiating.

Each episode of PAWN STARS features an array of characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items that the Harrisons must carefully appraise, and determine if they re real or fake before revealing the often surprising answer to 'What['s it worth?'

PAWN STARS: SEASON TWO contains 32 episodes on 4 DVDs.

Review: We love the History Channel here at the Legion.  One of the reasons is this show....Pawn Stars!  Season Two is on DVD and we couldn't be happier!  There are a slew of "reality" television shows out there, but few like Pawn Stars.  Its like Antiques Roadshow without the bore.  You have a pawn shop full of smart alecs and funny characters that are in the business of buying great items low and selling high.   Its such a blast to see the kinds of things that come in there!  They have this great Vegas-based shop that gets a lot of people bringing things in to pawn or sell, so that they can gamble, so you get some nice variety.  Everything from airplanes to civil war memorabilia to old toys and more.  

The other great aspec of the show is the clashing personalities.  You have three generations of a family working there from the old man to the grandson, plus the dopey friend Chumli.  Its great to watch them all play off each other.  This show is overall highly enjoyable.

BONUS FEATURES: Additional Footage

DISC 1: Fired Up / Sharks and Cobras / Old Man s Booty / A Shot and a Shave / Hot Air Buffoon / Steaks at Stake / A Christmas Special / Secret Santa / Pawn Shop Pinot

DISC 2: Bikes and Blades / Rick s Bad Day / Chum Goes AWOL / Wheels / Shocking Chum / Pezzed Off / Guns and Rangers / Tattoos and Tantrums

DISC 3: Pinball Wizards / Chopper Gamble / Spooning Paul Revere / Off The Wagon / Fortune in Flames / Backroom Brawl / Big Guns / Flight of the Chum

DISC 4: Bumpy Ride / Helmet Head / Bow Legged / Hell Week / ZZZZZZ / The British Are Coming / License to Pawn / Bonus

Synopsis: History is filled with stories of the unexplained, from vanishings in the Bermuda Triangle to the lost city of Atlantis.

While they have spawned endless speculation, these mysteries seldom come with clear answers. But can advances in science and technology bring new evidence to light? Each episode of MYSTERYQUEST features a journey to find clues about one of mankind s most enduring mysteries. Through expeditions around the world, experts combine their knowledge of science and technology to look at each mystery in innovative ways. On-site investigation, high-tech gadgetry, video and audio analysis unite with modern-day forensics in an attempt to bring us one step closer to the truth behind history s biggest questions.

MYSTERYQUEST: THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE includes all 10 episodes of the debut season on 3 DVDs:

Hitler s Escape
Devil s Triangle
San Francisco Slaughter
Lost City of Atlantis
Alien Cover-Up
Rise of the Fourth Reich
Devil s Island
Jack the Ripper
Stonehenge
Return of the Amityville Horror

Review: Oh History Channel, you alluring mistress of the unknown.  I get so excited whenever there isn't a special on tanks on-air!  There is are too many shows I don't care for on television right now, so when a great one like MysteryQuest airs, I have to rush out and pick-up the season on DVD!   Not only do I want to encourage the History Channel to keep producing content like this, but I want to have it to own and watch at my own leisure.

What is great about MysteryQuest is that they aren't just re-hashing date information or investigating the subjects, but rather utilizing new technology to try and shed light on these mysteries.  Everything from new DNA evidence techniquest to voice recognition, the investigators and scientists try to unlock secrets from Stone Henge to the Zodiac Killer.  Its quite possibly the most entertaining show of last year.

This DVD represents the complete first season of 10 episodes.  I really recommend picking it up, I feel that this History Channel special can appeal to a vast audience and can entertain just about anyone!