AMERICAN DAD VOLUME FIVE AND FAMILY GUY VOLUME EIGHT (DVD)

Now, why are these sets, usually indicative of a full season of a show, so divided up instead? Note the telltale ‘volume’ qualifier. That’s because “Family Guy Volume 8” features the last seven episodes of season seven and the first eight of season eight and the “American Dad” one is just the last 14 episodes of season 4 not included in the previous set. Not that it matters, I suppose, with shows devoid of any kind of internal consistency. AND (for the record) not that I’m bitching. They’re cartoons set in creator and lead voice actor Seth MacFarlane’s odd and non sequitur laden universe, one which doesn’t and shouldn’t contain much weight to any running storyline gags. Their entertainment value is wildly divisive (to say the least) but both shows continue on successfully, unabashed by their many critics. Personally I’ve enjoyed both but have largely lost my taste for keeping up with most animated programs of their ilk (South Park, Simpsons, etc) for the more cynical and indie-culture savvy entertainment of “Archer” and “The Venture Brothers”. The “Family Guy” set includes one of my favorite recent episodes, “Not All Dogs Go To Heaven” featuring the entire cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as characters voiced by the actual actors. Also worth a look here is “Three Kings”, an episode split into three segments having fun with three different Stephen King books; “Road to the Multiverse” where Stewie and Brian travel through parallel worlds to their own; and “Spies Reminiscent of Us” with it’s send-up of the film “Spies Like Us” featuring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. “American Dad”’s set doesn’t feature much in the way of famous guest stars and I’ll be honest: I didn’t see these episodes, but I’d expect it’s more of the same kind of thing we’ve come to expect from the house of Seth. Like it or not, it’s not going anywhere soon.
EXTRAS: Both sets come with uncensored commentary from MacFarlane and various staff members. “Family Guy” has deleted scenes, ‘Family Guy Karaoke’ and a featurette about “The Road to the Multiverse”. “American Dad” has deleted scenes, a pop-up fact track on one episode, and a drinking game called “The Power Hour”.
CLICK HERE TO BUY Family Guy, Vol. 8
CLICK HERE TO BUY American Dad Vol. 5

THE BOOK OF ELI (Blu-Ray + DVD)

I’m not going to pretend to be one of the folks who liked this preachy post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington as the desert wanderer transporting one of the least-well hidden movie reveals in history. Enough has certainly been insinuated for the good and bad about that opinion on this very site. Think what you want. "Eli" was too predictable with characters that served the film’s message but not the believability of its story. Even with a dastardly evil Gary Oldman and a too-dusty-to-tell-she's-hot Mila Kunis,“Eli” doesn’t raise above the level of a violent and implausible (from a human nature standpoint) fable about spirituality. In that, I suppose it’s much like the stories in the book its main character protects. I’m all too aware the film has its supporters, even some who are fanatical about it, spitting anger and venom at any who dare make arguments about how flawed it is...oh yeah, this does sound familiar. Far be it from religious folk to ever complain loudly about something that doesn't jibe with THEIR morality. I think I'll take the higher "The Road" and let well enough alone. You just enjoy it as much as you want and I’ll never watch it or discuss it again. Sounds fair to me.
EXTRAS: “The Lost Tale: Billy” - a five minute animated back story for Gary Oldman’s character shown here as a child; Three deleted scenes; ‘Maximum Movie Mode’ with PiP featuring cast and crew interviews, art, etc; “Starting Over” - 13 minutes of cast/crew talking about the possible real post-apocalyptic future; “Eli’s Journey” - 18 minutes of the directors talking about the moral issues inherent in the film; “Soundtrack” - 5 minutes about the score; Digital copy
CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL SPILL.COM REVIEW
CLICK HERE TO BUY The Book of Eli (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

COLLAPSE (DVD)

The director of “American Movie” sets his sights on a single man, Michael Ruppert, and his conviction that our entire economy and society with it is about to completely collapse. Check out my full review of this film here.
EXTRAS: Fifteen minutes of deleted scenes; featurette about what’s happened since Ruppert did the film’s interview
CLICK HERE TO BUY Collapse

DARKMAN (Blu-Ray)

Long before Sam Raimi ever even imagined in his wildest dreams someone might give him the power and money to make a Spider-Man movie, he was working on bringing superheroes to the big screen. His 1990 movie “Darkman” owes as much to classic black and white horror movies as it does to caped heroes, which was a large part of its grisly charm. Liam Neeson plays a scientist who was burned almost to death by mobster Durant (Larry Drake). An experimental treatment destroys his ability to feel pain but also causes his emotional states to be all red-headed stepchild crazy. Totally screwed up but determined, he uses his sciencey skills to make synthetic skin masks so he can pose as anyone, in his quest to totally destroy anyone who had anything to do with burning him up. He becomes....wait for it...Darkman. I haven’t gotten a chance to re-watch this bad boy since the mid nineties so I’m looking forward to seeing how it holds up, especially with the sweet HD upgrade. And skip the two direct-to-video sequels. Seriously. Try to imagine they never happened.
EXTRAS: Not a damn thing
CLICK HERE TO BUY Darkman [Blu-ray]

FLASH GORDON (Blu-Ray)

I can’t do it. I can’t pretend that the 1980 film of the classic serial and comic Flash Gordon is a good movie. It’s not. It’s horrible. But, and this is an important conjunction, it’s one of those few films that for me hit the nail perfectly on the head on that ‘so bad it’s good’ qualifier. Which isn’t to say it’s all bad. Certainly Max Von Sydow made for a perfect villain as the evil Ming the Merciless. He’s easily one of the most memorable bad guys of the 80’s. It certainly is all colorful with some honestly impressive sets and costumes, in that over-indulgent intentionally campy sort of fashion. Most importantly, the soundtrack by Queen is one of the greatest film soundtracks of all time. Oh yeah, and Timothy Dalton and Brian Blessed are absolutely fantastic as respectively Prince Barin and Prince Vultan. You know what? I talked myself into it. Screw it, “Flash Gordon” IS a good movie. Even the notoriously stingy Pauline Kael liked it. I’m gonna get some wine to go with this delicious cheese.
EXTRAS: Interview with comic book artist Alex Ross who is a big fan of the movie; Interview with the screenwriter who discusses how the film came to be made; the first episode of an old Buster Crabbe Flash serial.
CLICK HERE TO BUY Flash Gordon [Blu-ray] (1980)

JOHNNY BRAVO - SEASON ONE (DVD)

Really? This classic Cartoon Network show had NEVER been released on DVD? WTF? What’s not to like/want to own about the lovable pompadoured narcissist Johnny Bravo? The 1997-2004 show was a big hit for the network and launched a lot of folks into bigger stuff later, like, for instance, Seth MacFarlane, who was a writer and animator on the show. This first season of thirteen episodes gets a Scooby Doo guest appearance as well as Adam West, Farrah Fawcett, and Donny Osmond. It’s nice to see these series finally getting a home release and I hope more are on the way. “Bravo” is certainly a good place to start. If you consider yourself a fan of the new wave of alternative cartoons, this is your homework on the genesis of them.
EXTRAS: “Bringing Up Johnny Bravo” featurette; Commentary on three episodes by the creator of the show and others; track of Seth MacFarlane singing the songs used in an episode; Original pencil tests for two Bravo shorts
CLICK HERE TO BUY Johnny Bravo: Season One