New on DVD and Blu-ray: "Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright"

 

The latest Scooby-Doo adventure taps into contemporary popular culture and the overabundance of talent shows that now infiltrate the airways all year long. In the new original movie Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright, the Mystery Inc. gang travels to Chicago where Fred and Daphne are participating in the hit TV show Talent Star. In fact, the duo have been chosen as finalists and will perform live and compete with several other singers and musicians. Not to be outdone, Shaggy and Scooby formulate a plan to impress the producer of the show so that they too can be a part of the action. Good luck with that. The talent competition is being held in an old opera house that is home to a phantom (or two, or three), who plans to disrupt Talent Star by causing problems for many of the contestants.

 

The blending of the old (the Phantom of the opera) with the contemporary (television talent competitions) is nothing new for Scooby-Doo and the gang. For instance, the voice talents include Frank Welker, who has portrayed Fred for decades, and he is joined by Mindy Cohn (Velma), Grey DeLisle (Daphne) and Matthew Lillard (Shaggy), who have made the classic characters their own in recent years. The talented guest stars who lend their voices include Wayne Brady, Vivica A. Fox and John O'Hurley.

 

Music has been a staple of various Scooby-Doo series and films over the years and this music centric entry features four songs that are performed as part of the talent competition and range from the silly "Homewrecker" to the romantic "I Love You," which is one of the songs performed by Fred and Daphne and serves to further their ongoing would be romance. The animation is vibrant and colorful and the adventure is classic Scooby-Doo, complete with a variety of suspects and several red herrings. There are also familiar nods to the history of the series with the usual tongue in cheek delivery.

Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright is now available from Warner Home Video in a Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet Combo Pack.

 

For additional information go here.

 

Watch a clip from Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright below.

 

New Series Spotlight: "Beware the Batman"

The latest animated series to feature The Dark Knight, Beware the Batman, premiered this past Saturday on Cartoon Network, as part of the DC Nation block. The new series is a computer animated effort and it certainly looks contemporary and realistic. The focus is on the early days of Batman/Bruce Wayne, so mistakes are made that may startle some viewers, but Bruce is still honing his craft as a crime fighter. In addition, new twists on the legacy of the titular hero, including a different look for Alfred and contemporary villains (many from the Batman comic books), make Beware the Batman stand out from its predecessors. The first episode features relative newcomers Professor Pyg and Mr. Toad, but at least one classic villain, Ra's al Ghul, will be a part of the landscape in future installments. The debut episode was enjoyable and well crafted, although getting used to the updated look and new mythology may take some time for long time fans of Batman. Regardless, I plan to be a regular viewer, at least in the short term.

"Beware the Batman" airs Saturday mornings at 10:00am ET on Cartoon Network.

Retro DVD Spotlight: "The Man Called Flintstone" (1966)

Have you ever had really fond memories of a movie or a television show that you watched as a child, but upon seeing it again as an adult, the same feeling is just not there? That happened to me recently when I watched The Man Called Flintstone, the theatrical film that is based on the popular and long running television series The Flintstones. While I was a bit disappointed with the overall product, The Man Called Flintstone does have a few things going for it. First, and perhaps most important to fans of the original series, is that the cast is populated with familiar voice actors, including Alan Reed (Fred), Mel Blanc (Barney), Jean Vander Pyl (Wilma) and Gerry Johnson (Betty). The supporting cast is also filled with Flintstone luminaries, such as Don Messick, Harvey Korman and John Stephenson. 

The look of the film is also reminiscent of the series, but the story feels familiar as well and that is not a good thing. The film centers around Fred taking the place of an injured spy named Rock Slag, who is Fred's doppelganger. Viewers familiar with the original series may remember a similar story playing out as Wilma, Barney and Betty encounter a gruff businessman who looks exactly like Fred and ends up insulting all of them in the episode "The Tycoon." Another episode, "Ten Little Flintstones," featured aliens who replicated to look like Fred and yet another, "Seeing Doubles," centered around Fred and Barney's otherworldly pal the Great Gazoo, who made doubles for the duo, so they could keep a promise to their wives and also attend another engagement. 

After Rock Slag is injured, his boss, known as the Chief, discovers Fred and asks if he will pass himself off as Rock, so that an important government mission can be carried out. Fred agrees and is informed that he must travel to Europe and he is able to invite Wilma, Pebbles and the Rubbles to go along with him. While there, Fred must keep his task a secret and locate the elusive Green Goose, who is a dangerous villain with plans to launch a missile for nefarious purposes. Making matters more difficult are a series of women who all mistake Fred for Rock, which drives Wilma to distraction, and a pair of henchmen, Bobo and Ali, who are tasked with taking out Rock/Fred once and for all.

Like the original series, music is a central component to The Man Called Flintstone. However, the magic in the music and lyrics is simply not there and that becomes problematic, as there are many musical interludes throughout the 90 minute film. However, The Man Called Flintstone fits well with the original series because of the continuity of the voice actors and of the characters. In addition to the aforementioned characters, Dino and Hoppy are also featured in a couple of early scenes and Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm accompany their parents to Europe, so they are seen throughout. While the film does not maintain the high quality of the original series, it is a decent addition to the Flintstone library and the last one to feature all of the original voice actors together. For that reason alone, it is worth watching. 

Family DVD Option: Disney's "Secret of the Wings"

Secret of the Wings landed on DVD last fall, but before it was released, Disney held a series of screenings around the country, one of which I was able to attend. There is a certain magic to every Disney effort that somehow appeals to viewers of all ages. While the story featured in Secret of the Wings is certainly geared towards the very young, the computer animation and spectacular use of color can be appreciated by anyone. 

The story centers around Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman), who is somehow drawn to enter the Winter Woods, which is strictly forbidden. Regardless, she enters and soon meets Periwinkle (Lucy Hale) and the two become fast friends. As they become acquainted, Tinker Bell suspects that Periwinkle may know the secret of the fairy wings. However, forces beyond their control want to keep the two youngsters apart because they may pose a threat to the power structure of their respective worlds and the long held secrets of their rulers. The two youngsters also share a common bond that their parents/guardians do not want them to know about. However, when a weather emergency strikes, the residents of Pixie Hollow, where Tinker Bell resides, and Periwinkle's Winter Woods, must work together to save their respective worlds. As a result, Tinker Bell and Periwinkle become closer than ever.

In addition to Mae Whitman and Lucy Hale, the talented supporting actors lending their voice talents include Timothy Dalton (Lord Milori), Lucy Liu (Silvermist), Matt Lanter (Sled) and Anjelica Huston (Queen Clarion). Secret of the Wings is part of the Disney Fairies series and is now available on DVD.

Television Spotlight: "Archer" Will Return For A Fifth Season

Photo Credit: FX

FX announced this week that the animated spy series Archer will return for a fifth season in 2014. The fourth season of the laugh out loud series is currently airing on FX every Thursday at 10:00 pm ET and if you are not watching, then you are missing out on one of the best comedies on television. The often risque humor may leave you speechless or perhaps wondering how the censors allowed a few recent lines to air during the episode "Once Bitten" which featured the titular character using the desert as a toilet and being bitten by a snake in a most unfortunate place. Of course, that bold humor is one of the hallmarks of the underrated series that is in serious need of Emmy attention. While some shows lose their edge after a few years, Archer is as sharp as ever and I hope that it stays around for a long time to come. 

"Simpsons Comics Supernova" by Matt Groening

Simpsons Comics Supernova (Harper Design) is a recently released trade paperback comprised of five stories featuring characters from the long running television series The Simpsons. I am not a regular viewer of the series, but I found myself smiling and even laughing out loud on occasion while reading this book. The stories vary in quality, but I suspect that fans of The Simpsons will appreciate the effort put forth here. 

The five stories are collected from Simpsons Comics 81, 101, 102, 103 and The Simpsons Summer Shindig #2.

Description: Not even the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns can hold a candle to Simpsons Comics Supernova, the new comic collection from Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, Futurama, and the comic strip Life in Hell. Illustrated in full color, Simpsons Comics Supernova features many of the regular characters from the longest-running sitcom in television history. Explore the intimate relationship of a man and his sofa, when Homer refuses to be parted from his beloved love seat for a whole year. Then something is Huey, Dewey, Louie, and screwy when Mr. Burns takes the Simpsons on a South Seas adventure in search of lost treasure. Watch Marge eclipse the hard-nosed newscaster Kent Brockman with her eternally optimistic worldview. And when Duffman trades in his six-packs and party mobile for a whole new life, only one man can belly up to the bar and fill the void…Homer Simpson

New on DVD - "Young Justice Invasion: Destiny Calling" - Season 2 Part 1

Five years have passed since the end of the first season of Young Justice and the team of former sidekicks are trying to determine what happened to their older counterparts in the Justice League for a period of 16 hours that none of them, including Batman and Martian Manhunter, can account for. Their quest takes the youngsters into space, where they encounter both allies, such as Adam Strange, and enemies, including the alien race known as the Kroloteans. Despite the enormous challenges facing the group of heroes, including an apparent defection by Aqualad, the ever growing Young Justice team is stronger than ever, thanks to the addition of several new members; Blue Beetle, Beast Boy, Wonder Girl, Batgirl, Lagoon Boy, Bumblebee and Mal Duncan. There is also a new Robin on the team, Tim Drake, as the original Robin, Dick Grayson, is now known as Nightwing.

The primary focus of the ten episodes featured on Young Justice Invasion is the infiltration of Earth by the Kroloteans, but there are other potential threats posed by Black Manta, Lex Luthor, Queen Bee and Ra's al Ghul, who all make guest appearances, along with other DC Universe luminaries, including Captain Cold, Lobo, Cheshire and Clayface, as well as heroes Green Arrow, Flash and Black Canary. In fact, the two stand out episodes, "Bloodlines" and "Satisfaction," feature appearances by the extended Flash and Green Arrow families, respectively. "Bloodlines" boasts the debut of Impulse, who time travels from the future to help save the world, and appearances by Wally West (Kid Flash) and Jay Garrick (The Original Flash), while "Satisfaction" features appearances by Red Arrow and the debut of Arsenal. Both episodes mine the history of the DC Comics characters and provide plenty of drama, as well as action.

The special features include three Batman: The Brave and the Bold episodes guest starring the new Blue Beetle, who receives quite a bit of attention overall. Indeed, there is room for both well known heroes and those who have previously played supporting roles to shine throughout the first ten episodes of the second season of Young Justice.

Own Young Justice Invasion: Destiny Calling - Season 2 Part 1 on DVD from the WB Shop.

Watch a clip below:

DVD Recommendation: "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" (2012)

I watch a lot of movies, but only occasionally discover a film that takes me completely by surprise. The Pirates! Band of Misfits is one of those films. Based on the first installment of Gideon Defoe's The Pirates! book series, the film centers around the Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) who has fallen on hard times because his plundering efforts have been largely unsuccessful. He even considers changing careers, until his "number two," known as the Pirate with a Scarf (Martin Freeman), encourages him to try one last time with a ship called the Beagle. Alas, there is no treasure to be found, but the Pirate Captain and his crew capture Charles Darwin (the film is set in 1837), which proves to be fortuitous for them all.

Darwin has no money to speak of, but he informs the Pirate Captain that his pet parrot, Polly, is actually a Dodo bird, a species that has been long thought extinct. Darwin wants to enter the bird into the Scientist of the Year competition, which is being held in London, and promises that if he wins, it will mean untold treasure for the Pirate Captain. However, England's Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) hates pirates and that is made abundantly clear through sight gags, as well as her venomous outbursts. The Pirate Captain and crew decide to go to London anyway and since they are all experts in creating disguises, they will try to pass themselves off as scientists. That is no easy feat, since the crew members are not intellectually gifted. However, they are willing to do anything to help their leader.

While in London, Darwin's true colors are revealed, as he tries to steal Polly, but the seemingly incompetent Pirate Captain is lucky, if nothing else, and he is able to save his beloved bird. After Polly wins the Scientist of the Year award for the Pirate Captain, the untold treasures do not amount to much, but they do include a visit from Queen Victoria, who arrives promptly after the winner is announced and orders the Pirate Captain to be killed after his duplicity is revealed. However, Darwin intervenes and encourages the Queen, who he is secretly in love with, to pardon the Pirate Captain and she does, on the condition that he find Polly, who is actually hidden in the Pirate Captain's beard! The balance of the film finds the suddenly confident Pirate Captain entering into the Pirate of the Year competition, after sneaking out of England and away from the Queen, with Polly in tow. However, their paths cross again when the ruthless Queen makes him an offer he cannot refuse and then in the finale during an exciting seafaring adventure.

The aforementioned Gideon Defoe wrote the screenplay, which is consistently funny, often absurd and features countless sight gags that more observant viewers will appreciate. The deadpan delivery from the talented voice actors is hilarious, as they try to play the material straight, which is no easy feat. I enjoyed the risque nature of some of the situations. For instance, the Pirate Captain appears to really love Polly and the exact nature of their relationship is left up to viewers to decide. I also enjoyed the way Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is skewered, via his relationship with Bobo the monkey, and the unconventional names of the pirates. For example, Pirate with Gout (Brendan Gleeson) and Albino Pirate (Anton Yelchin). Finally, the camaraderie among the crew members is admirable. They all accept one another, without condition, and will seemingly do anything for their beloved, if challenged, Pirate Captain.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a rare film in the sense that it should play equally well to both younger and older viewers. Children will enjoy the animation and overall silliness of the story, while adults will recognize more subtle references, including the more risque ones. I had a smile on my face from start to finish while watching this film and I sincerely hope there will be a sequel. An outstanding effort overall. By the way, watch out for maps that depict sea creatures. They may not be just for show!

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2013 Academy Awards.



Blu-ray Spotlight: "ParaNorman" (2012)

The outstanding stop-motion animated film ParaNorman is now available on Blu-ray combo pack. The film, which was released last summer, is a great family effort that teaches important lessons about accepting and understanding others who are different from ourselves. The plot centers around young Norman, who is able to see and communicate with dead people and animals. He has a gift that others see as fuel to make fun of Norman and make him feel like an outcast. However, when a threat from the distant past emerges, Norman may be the only one who can stop it, because he has abilities that no one else possesses. You can read my review of the film here.

The combo pack includes a Blu-ray, DVD, digital and UltraViolet copy of the film and an amazing assortment of extra features, including seven featurettes on the making of the film, animatronic sequences, commentary from co-directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler (who also wrote the screenplay) and a plethora of features surrounding the making of the top notch stop-motion animation. If I were handing out grades, I would give ParaNorman and "A" and the extra features an "A+." 

PopCultureGuy's Top Ten Television Shows of 2012

Photo Credit: TNT

1) The Closer

The Closer concluded its seven season run this past summer on TNT with six unforgettable episodes that provided a clean ending for fans and allowed for a new beginning for its spin-off, Major Crimes. Kyra Sedgwick continued her Emmy worthy work as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, who had to contend with a possible betrayal from a member of her own team, the return of Phillip Stroh (Billy Burke), the loss of her mother, her father's cancer, and a potentially career ending altercation. The drama was offset with a generous amount of light-hearted moments, courtesy of the talented supporting cast, including G.W. Bailey as Lieutenant Provenza. The Closer delivered consistently strong ratings throughout its long run, which proves that a cast filled with middle aged characters/actors can have mass appeal. The series is greatly missed, but went out on the best note possible.

Photo Credit: CBS

2) The Big Bang Theory

Now in its sixth season, The Big Bang Theory has not lost a step and, if anything, has gotten better over time. Adding more female characters to the cast has proven to be a smart move for the veteran sitcom. The only male character who does not have a counterpart/love interest now is Raj (Kunal Nayyar), but the jury is still out on his sexual orientation. For now, there are three solid, if unconventional, couples that demonstrate great chemistry. The outstanding cast never disappoint and their performances are ably supported by the hilarious guest appearances by Stephen Hawking, Wil Wheaton and Leonard Nimoy, among others. Somehow the characters never lose their appeal or feel tired. For instance, Mrs. Wolowitz steals the show every time her manly voice is heard in the background and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) always manages to surprise me with his never ending state of neuroses. The Big Bang Theory delivers consistently funny and well crafted episodes and will likely be recognized, if it is not already, as one of the best situation comedies in television history.

Photo Credit: FX

3) American Horror Story

The second season of America Horror Story has been even better than the first. Ryan Murphy continually surprises me with the direction that he takes the story and the troubled characters, who are portrayed very well by the amazing cast. Jessica Lange (pictured above) should make room on her mantle for another Emmy for her remarkable performance as Sister Jude, who constantly struggles with her faith, her past and her alcoholism. Evan Peters has also delivered strong work as the emotionally unstable Kit Walker, who may or may not have killed his wife. Peters infuses Kit with a vulnerability that makes viewers want him to be innocent of the crimes that he has been charged with, but his recent violent outbursts make him look guilty. The series, set in an asylum during the early 1960s, features demons, murderers, a former Nazi, and examines the harsh treatment of its mentally ill residents, who all deserve better care. American Horror Story features strong writing, performances and fascinating psychological profiles that hold my attention for the duration of each episode.

Photo Credit: PBS

4) Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a well written, superbly acted and beautifully photographed series. I somehow (inexplicably) missed the first season, but was able to catch up before the second series aired on PBS last winter and I am very much looking forward to the third season, which debuts next month. Screen legend Shirley MacLaine is the newest member of a cast that includes Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Rob James-Collier.....I could go on and on. The supremely talented cast is the main reason I watch and they never disappoint. Even those viewers who missed the first two seasons can quickly catch up, since there are roughly eight episodes per season, along with a Christmas special. So, for those not already on the Downton Abbey train, it is time to get on board!

Photo Credit: The CW

5) The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries is the most consistently exciting series on television. The writer team is not afraid to kill off characters on a regular basis to keep things interesting, so outside of the lead trio (Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley), no one is really safe. This season, Elena (Dobrev) has been turned into a vampire, which has made the dynamic between her and her love interests, Stefan (Wesley) and Damon (Somerhalder), all the more interesting. Damon encourages her to feed on, but not to kill, humans, while Stefan encourages her to feed on animals or drink from blood bags, which leaves Elena weakened and unfulfilled. That same could be said for her relationship with Stefan. It looks like Damon may be the winner in the romance department this year. No matter what happens, I expect to be surprised by the always entertaining and unpredictable series that has been one of the best on television since its debut in 2009.

Photo Credit: FX

6) Archer

Archer continues to be one of the funniest, most intelligent, and often controversial shows on television. No subject is off limits and the hysterical characters, led by super spy Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), play the material for all it is worth. Archer is entertainment for adults and does not make apologies for the outrageous comedic situations that the characters almost always find themselves in, whether in space or on a remote island. The fourth season of the Emmy worthy series premieres in January.

Photo Credit: TNT

7) Major Crimes

Following in the footsteps of a series like The Closer seems like an impossible task. However, Major Crimes, the highly rated spin-off series, is a worthy successor. Led by Mary McDonnell, Major Crimes features many cast members from The Closer, so the transition felt seamless. However, the two series are very different. The objective now is to solve cases with limited cost to the police department, not pulling out all the stops to find and prosecute the various perpetrators. Of course, making deals with known criminals does not sit well with all of the characters, who have voiced frustration with the new focus. Capt. Raydor (McDonnell) almost always follows the instructions that she is given by her superiors, which sometimes causes friction within the team. Raydor is also tasked with helping newcomer Rusty (Graham Patrick Martin) put his life back together and that has proven to be very difficult, but they are making progress. The ensemble cast is one of the finest on television and even though many of them are not in the younger demographic, the series has resonated with viewers and delivers consistently solid ratings.

Photo Credit: CBS

8) Elementary

The new take on Sherlock Holmes is a winner in Elementary. Credit Johnny Lee Miller, as Sherlock, for being the principal reason why the series works so well and he will certainly receive Emmy attention for his superb performance as the legendary detective. Lucy Lui's Watson displays solid chemistry with Holmes, but she does not seem to have enough to do, so I would like to see her role expanded in the future. The supporting cast includes the always watchable and believable Aidan Quinn, as Captain Gregson. Another crucial element to the success of Elementary is the writing, which has been intelligent and often surprising. I hope the series is able to sustain the momentum it has already gathered for the remainder of its rookie season and beyond.

Photo Credit: MTV

9) Teen Wolf

The second season of Teen Wolf improved on the strong first season and looks poised to become MTV's most successful scripted series to date. The third season will consist of 24 episodes, a first for MTV. The less experienced members of the cast have worked hard to improve their performances and it shows in every episode. The series features both older and younger cast members, but the focus is on the younger generation that includes Tyler Posey as Scott, Dylan O'Brien as Stiles, Holland Roden as Lydia, Crystal Reed as Allison and Tyler Hoechlin as Derek. They are ably supported by their older counterparts, including J.R. Bourne, Linden Ashby and Ian Bohen. The acting, writing, music and cinematography conspire to create one of the most unexpectedly entertaining shows in recent memory. For those who may be skeptical, Teen Wolf is exciting, scary, funny and sometimes heartfelt. Really! So start watching when the series returns next year. Trust me on this one!

Photo Credit: ABC

10) Once Upon A Time

With an endless number of characters to work with from the Disney library (and beyond), Once Upon A Time could run indefinitely. I suspect that is likely to happen if they continue to cast talented actors in iconic roles. The ensemble cast is highlighted by Robert Carlyle, as Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin, who should have snagged an Emmy nomination last year. Whether Carlyle is portraying the in control Mr. Gold, or the over the top Rumpelstiltskin, he always delivers superb work. The second season of the series has already established a new break out star, Colin O'Donoghue (The Rite), as Captain Hook. He seems to be receiving more airtime than many of his counterparts and has assumed the role with ease. Kudos also to casting Jorge Garcia (Lost) as The Giant (from Jack and the Beanstalk) and Barbara Hershey (Black Swan) as Cora, the mother of Regina/The Evil Queen. They both have been a lot of fun to watch and I hope to see much more of them in the future. The second season has already improved on the outstanding first season, so I expect more great things from Once Upon A Time.


Honorable mentions:

Revenge (ABC)
Arrow (The CW)
The New Normal (NBC)
Nashville (ABC)
666 Park Avenue (ABC)

Holiday Gift Ideas from Insight Editions: Batman, Looney Tunes and Johnny Cash

Here are three of my favorite books that I had the pleasure of reading in 2012, from Insight Editions. Click on the title of each book to read my review.

For the Batman and superhero fans on your list, The Dark Knight Manual is a clever and unique gift idea.

For the Looney Tunes fans on your list, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons will bring back cherished memories.

The legendary Johnny Cash is profiled in House of Cash by his son, John Carter Cash.

DVD Round-Up: "Superman vs. The Elite" (2012) and "The Secret World of Arrietty" (2010)

Superman vs. The Elite (2012)

The Basics: Superman faces an unlikely foe - his morals - when the ever changing world demands swifter action and more severe punishments that the Kryptonian is unlikely to agree to. The arrival of a team of super powered individuals, known as The Elite, are willing to do whatever in necessary to stop criminals - even if it means killing them. Their brand of justice seems to be acceptable to the population at large, causing Superman to question whether he is still needed on earth.

Reason to Watch: The animation and use of color is outstanding, the return of George Newbern (Justice League) as the voice of Superman is appreciated and the story, originally written by Joe Kelly in 2001, is certainly topical.

The Bottom Line: An above average installment in DC's animated original movie series that benefits from a short run time and several fresh characters.

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

The Basics: Based on the award winning book series The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty features a family of little people who have survived for many years in the cracks and crevices of a residence, away from their full sized counterparts. They "borrow" small items from the residents in order to survive. They only take what they need and remain out of sight. However, rumors of their existence have been swirling for many years. Through a series of events, their world is uncovered, but can they survive once their existence is confirmed?

Reasons to Watch: The film is akin to opening up a story book, complete with bright colors and wonderful characters that quickly capture your heart. Even though the Clock family (the little people) face extreme danger, the mood is generally upbeat and hopeful. The message of bonding with those who are different from yourself is timeless and, in this instance, holds a special resonance. In addition, the legendary Carol Burnett lends her voice talents, as Hara.

The Bottom Line: A perfect family film that will entertain viewers of any age and will leave you smiling.

Yogi Bear Offers Tips & Tricks in "Life Is a Pic-A-Nic"

Yogi has always been smarter than the av-er-age bear and now readers can understand why, courtesy of the book Life Is a Pic-A-Nic, by Yogi Bear, with Earl Kress. Yogi reveals his gift for gab and how he influences others to do his bidding, especially visitors to Jellystone Park who are carrying his beloved pic-a-nic baskets. Yogi utilizes his famous catch phrases, nonsense words and his penchant for rhyming to help achieve his goals, while keeping others off balance. How else can you explain why he has been able to avoid being thrown out of the park by Ranger Smith, who is almost always alerted to Yogi's often outlandish plans, which usually involve food? Of course, Yogi's influence wanes from time to time, so his ever present buddy, Boo-Boo, is enlisted to help him. The always cautious Boo-Boo understands that Ranger Smith will probably not approve of Yogi's shenanigans, but he goes along with the plans anyway.

Yogi also offers analysis of catch phrases used by his cartoon cohorts, including Snagglepuss, Mr. Jinks, Quick Draw McGraw and Huckleberry Hound. Of course, no one comes close to Yogi's talent for being creative with his words and phrases, which are highlighted throughout the 90 plus pages of this pocket sized book. Illustrations and images of Yogi Bear's cartoon exploits are presented in every chapter, which may bring back memories for his long time fans, while allowing potential new fans to get to know him a little better. Yogi is a animation icon after all, and his legend continues to grow more than a half century after his debut. You have to be smarter than the av-er-age bear to last that long.

Life Is a Pic-A-Nic: Yogi Bear's Tips & Tricks For The Smarter Than The Av-er-age Bear by Yogi Bear, with Earl Kress, is now available from Insight Editions.

Holiday Gift Ideas from It Books: Archer, Batman, Jeanne Cooper and Heart

The four books featured below are some of my favorites from 2012 and are all published by It Books, a division of Harper Collins. Click on the title of each book to read my review.

For fans of adult oriented humor, How to Archer turns the spy genre of its ear. Based on the FX animated hit series.

For the superhero fan, Wayne of Gotham features an older and weary Dark Knight. 

For fans of The Young and the Restless, Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) tells all in Not Young, Still Restless

For the classic rock fan and the Lovemongers in your life, Ann and Nancy Wilson reveal their eye opening story in Kicking & Dreaming.


Also from It Books:

The Burning House
Talking Pictures

Holiday Gift Ideas from Warner Bros. - Scooby-Doo, Pepe Le Pew, Unforgiven, The Lieutenant, The First Christmas and Shazam!

The products below are some of my favorites from 2012. Click on the title of each one to read my review.

For kids of all ages, Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated (Season One, Part 2), the best Scooby-Doo series since the original.

For fans of the classic Looney Tunes, as well as the hopelessly romantic, Pepe Le Pew is a true Super Star.

For the Clint Eastwood fan (and who isn't?) - the Oscar winning Unforgiven Blu-ray Book.

For Gene Roddenberry fans and classic television buffs, The Lieutenant, Parts 1 and 2.

For fans of classic, heartwarming holiday specials, The First Christmas, from Rankin-Bass

For those who remember how cool Saturday morning television was in the 1970s - Shazam!: The Complete Live Action Series.

DVD Spotlight: "Bugs Bunny Superstar"

That Oscar winning rabbit, Bugs Bunny, takes center stage in the newly released DVD, Bugs Bunny Superstar, from the Warner Archive. The ninety minute documentary was originally produced in 1975 and is hosted by the legendary Bob Clampett and includes interviews with two other Looney Tunes legends, Tex Avery and Friz Freleng. The early history of Looney Tunes is examined throughout the documentary, which also includes nine animated shorts starring Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Foghorn Leghorn, among others. In addition, Bob Clampett discusses his early days working at "Termite Terrace," which was the poorly constructed building where the Looney Tunes gang conspired to produce the timeless animated characters and short films that have been a part of the pop culture landscape for more than eight decades.

There is a large amount of Looney Tunes merchandise photographed throughout the film that may make viewers wonder who much that memorabilia would be worth today, since the classic cartoons are still in high demand. Bugs Bunny Superstar is narrated by screen legend Orson Welles, who likens "Termite Terrace" to other notable structures, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. The special features include audio commentary by director Larry Jackson and an Image/Photo gallery.

The animated shorts included in the documentary are What's Cookin' Doc?, A Wild Hare, I Taw a Putty Tat, Rhapsody Rabbit, A Corny Concerto, Walky Talky Hawky,The Old Grey Hare, My Favorite Duck and Hair-Raising Hare.

Watch a clip below:

New on DVD: The Flintstones: Prime-Time Specials Collection, Volume 1

The Warner Archive recently released The Flintstones: Prime-Time Specials Collection, Volume 1, featuring two animated programs, "The Flintstones meet Rockula and Frankenstone" and "The Flintstones: Little Big League." The former centers around the Flintstones and the Rubbles spending the night in a spooky castle, where they encounter the recently awakened Count Rockula and Frankenstone. The latter finds Fred and Barney at odds when they coach opposing little league teams. Do those two ever stop fighting?

After winning a prize on a game show, Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty head to Count Rockula's castle in Rockslyvania, which is now a resort hotel. Before long, the gang stumbles upon the remnants of an old laboratory and inadvertently set the stage for the revival of Frankenstone, who then revives Rockula, his master. The nefarious duo cause problems for the Flintstones and the Rubbles, but Rockula believes that Wilma is his long lost bride and endlessly pursues her right up until the conclusion, making Fred jealous and placing his life in danger.

In "The Flintstones: Little Big League," Fred and Barney volunteer to be coaches for the Bedrock Broncos and the Sandstone Sluggers, respectively. Fred has his hands full with an under performing team and soon must deal with the kids' overzealous parents, who pressure him to do what they think is best for their children. Barney is soon entangled in Fred's predicament, but an unexpected source of help may help make things right for everyone, if that person is simply given a chance.

Jean Vander Pyl and Mel Blanc reprise their original roles as Wilma and Barney, respectively, while Henry Corden provides the voice of Fred and Gay Autterson Hartwig portrays Betty. Other familiar voice talents from the original Flintstones series, Don Messick and John Stephenson, can also be heard, along with guest stars Casey Kasem, Frank Welker (both from Scooby-Doo) and Ted Cassidy (Lurch, from The Addams Family). In addition, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm and Mr. Slate make appearances in "Little Big League." The familiar voices add to the enjoyment factor for both specials, which were originally produced in the late 1970's and are now available on DVD for the first time from the Warner Archive.

Halloween DVD Round-Up: Neil Gaiman's "Coraline" "The Ninth Gate" - Starring Johnny Depp and "Silent House" - Starring Elizabeth Olsen

Coraline (2009)

The Basics: A stop motion animated fantasy film featuring elements of horror and based on Neil Gaiman's book, of the same name. Young and adventurous Coraline finds herself bored with her new surroundings and basically ignored by her parents. When she explores her new home, she finds a secret passageway that leads to an alternate world, where she can have anything she wants, courtesy of her "other" parents, who, strangely enough, have buttons for eyes. While the alternative world may be enticing, Coraline soon discovers that it may be too good to be true, but it may be too late to save herself and her real parents.

Reasons to Watch: The animation is beautifully drawn and presented. The dark, foreboding atmosphere is appropriate and adds greatly to the film by creating an unforgettable mood. The screenplay, by Henry Sleick, which is based on Gaiman's book, is creative, intelligent and conveys an important message to younger viewers about being happy with what you have because it may be better than any alternative.

The Bottom Line: During the first half of the film I was annoyed by Coraline's almost constant complaining and her mistreatment of others. However, there is a reason she acts the way she does and that plays into her overall journey, which allows her to learn a great deal about herself, as well as others in the process. The subject matter should appeal to both children and their parents, who might want to heed the important messages being conveyed.

The Ninth Gate (1999)

The Basics: Roman Polanski directed and co-wrote this low key, slow paced thriller starring Johnny Depp as Dean Corso, a used book dealer, who is hired by the eccentric Boris Balkan (Frank Langella), to validate a copy of his book, The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows (a fictional book), which may have been written by Lucifer himself. Along the way, Corso is followed by mysterious men and women and must deal with other eccentrics who possess additional copies of the book. Even though Corso's life appears to be in constant danger, that never seems to deter him from doing his job. Of course, there is a lot of money at stake if he is successful.

Reasons to watch: Johnny Depp is always a treat to watch. In this instance, he appears to be struggling to keep a straight face in many scenes, as Corso must deal with the bizarre behavior of almost everyone around him. Thankfully, some of the music allows the mood to remain dark and mysterious. In addition, the beautiful European setting is a pleasure to behold and also helps to enhance the mood. Oh, and Frank Langella plays a great villain.

The Bottom Line: An overly long and sometimes tedious film that might have worked best as a straight thriller/horror effort. What I expected is not what I got, but The Ninth Gate is enjoyable in a quirky kind of way and the performances are generally good, if tongue in cheek. Viewers who like thrillers but do not enjoy being scared may want to give this one a try.

Silent House (2010)

The Basics: A young woman, Sarah (Elizabeth Olsen), assists her father and uncle with fixing up an old house in the country. After hearing strange noises, Sarah informs her father, who investigates and then goes missing. Sarah runs for help, only to meet up with her uncle, who takes her back to the house to look for her father. Shortly thereafter, Sarah witnesses her uncle being dragged away by an unknown man. She then tries desperately to find her way back out of the well secured house to get help.

Reasons to Watch: Elizabeth Olsen delivers a solid performance as a terrified young woman who struggles to escape from an unlikely prison. Directors Chris Kentis and Laura Lau create a tense, moody and foreboding atmosphere.

The Bottom Line: The first half of Silent House is well executed and provides a few frightening moments. However, as Sarah learns the truth, the contrived revelation serves to greatly diminish the film, which may leave some viewers feeling cheated.

New on DVD: "The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow"

The holidays are fast approaching and you can get into the spirit of the season early with the recently released DVD The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow Remastered Deluxe Edition. Originally broadcast as a holiday special in 1975, The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow is produced by Rankin-Bass (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer). The story centers around Lucas, a young shepherd boy who is blinded by lightning and subsequently taken in by nuns from a nearby abbey. Lucas is an orphan and may have to be placed in a home for children, because the abbey does not have the resources to take care of him. However, Sister Catherine (Angela Lansbury) takes a liking to Lucas and tries everything in her power to allow him to stay at the abbey and be looked after by the Sisters. Lucas understands that he may have to leave and wants Sister Catherine to take care of his sheep and his dog, Waggsly. As Lucas and Catherine grow closer, she describes snow to him, since he has never seen it for himself because the area that they live in is not conducive for snow to fall. However, that all changes during a Christmas pageant, which fills Lucas with hope for a miracle.

The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow features stop motion animation and a screenplay that will tug at your heartstrings. The lovable Lucas, who is not spoiled in any way, accepts his situation, but wants to make sure his sheep and dog are cared for if he must be placed in an orphanage. Lucas really does love the animals and viewers will too because they are just so darn cute. I was not familiar with The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow before, but I will add it to my list of yearly holiday viewing options.

The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow was released on October 2. Own it on DVD today from Warner Home Entertainment.

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Animation Spotlight: "Happiness is… Peanuts™: Go, Snoopy, Go!" DVD

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Baseball's World Series will soon be underway, so now is a good time to celebrate America's favorite pastime with Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts™ gang in the new DVD Happiness is… Peanuts™: Go, Snoopy, Go. Two full length animated specials are featured, including It's Spring Training, Charlie Brown, and an episode from The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show. A relative unknown character, Leland, helps Charlie Brown's struggling baseball team in It's Spring Training, Charlie Brown, despite his small stature. The pint sized kid shows a lot of heart and will capture the hearts of viewers, as he overcomes many obstacles, including a poor fitting uniform and over-sized helmet. The writing delivers a subtle, yet important message to younger viewers about not judging someone by their appearance alone.

An episode from The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show, entitled "It's That Team Spirit, Charlie Brown," features five brief installments. Only one, "Rainy Day," is centered around baseball and finds Charlie Brown and Lucy at odds, as usual. Other characters making appearances include Peppermint Patty, who refuses to go to school, the precious Rerun who makes observations about the world around him, and Snoopy, who gets into trouble by pretending to be a vulture, and when he steals Linus's blanket (oh boy!).

Happiness is… Peanuts™: Go, Snoopy, Go was released on October 2. Own it on DVD today from Warner Home Entertainment. For additional information, go here.

You can watch a clip below.