Saturday, December 09, 2006
Mini-DVD Reviews: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 6 (Dec. 5) and Thundercats Season 2, Volume 2 (Nov. 28)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Volume 6 (Lionsgate, $14.98) brings the final 11 episodes from the series' third season and the season premiere for season four. Like we mentioned in our Volume 5 mini-DVD review, the third season had a total of 47 episodes, so there was no way to do this show in season format. Season one had 5 episodes, so that was on Volume 1. For season 2 there were just 13 episodes, so Lionsgate released that for volume two. But starting in Volume 3 they I guess decided they would release 12 episodes for a set. Volumes 3, 4 and 5 have 12 episodes each from season three. So, 11 remain from that season and are on this current volume (volume 6). Also on this volume is the season premiere from season four. Season four has a total of 39 episodes, so 38 episodes remain of season four after this volume. They'll have to release a few more volumes to finish season four. Maybe 12-13 episodes each. Seasons 5-10 do not have as many episodes as seasons three and four, so it will get better if we get that far. The episodes on this volume are the final 11 from season three and first one from season four: "The Turtle Terminator," "The Great Boldini," "The Missing Map," The Gang's All Here," "The Grybyx," "Mr. Ogg Goes to Town," "Shredderville," "Bye Bye Fly," "The Big Rip-Off," "The Big Break-In," "The Big Blow Out," "Plan 6 from Outer Space." Each episode runs approx. 22:15 or so, some more, some less. The menu screen has an opening animation which is quite nice with the options of Play All Episodes and Episode Selection, with the theme playing (loops) in the background. When we go to episode selection, there is a cool fade with music, saying "heroes in a half shell, Turtle Power!" If you have the first five volumes, there is no stopping you in buying this volume. The video is on par with the other volumes, with dust and debris here and there (lots of white flashing dots from time to time), but the audio is decent. The video needs improvement and Lionsgate needs to fix this. The first episode of season four looked much better but still needs work in video. Hopefully Lionsgate releases the episodes a bit faster since we are only getting one-disc sets. The packaging is the same style as the last few volumes, a single case. Lionsgate needs to fix the video because it looks really VHS style. Other than that, the set is fine. Some extras would be nice and more episodes also. They should take note from Warner Home Video and BCI, who handled Thundercats and He-Man both very well. They both had 65 episode seasons and released two volumes for a season and even had extras. We will review those two sets' final volumes today (Thundercats, see below) and next week (He-Man).
I still urge fans to buy this set despite the video issues, because surprisingly this show is not on TV at all these days (it has been a while, too), so this is the only way to see them. The set was released this past Tuesday, click on the link below to purchase the thrilling final 11 episodes from season three and the continuation of the story on the first episode of season four! Hurry before Shredder and the gang return from Dimension X!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV.com Page
Thundercats - Season 2, Volume 2 (Warner, $64.98) brings the final 31 episodes from the series' second and final season. Warner Home Video has done a nice job with this series. The series had two seasons, but each season had 65 episodes each. This was a first-run syndicated series and aired weekdays after school in the 80s, so every day was basically a new episode. WHV had two volumes for each season, which was a smart move. So, of the 130 episodes, we got them on just four six-disc sets...not bad at all. Plus extras were included. And now the final episodes are on DVD, meaning we have the entire series now on DVD!In these finale episodes we have lots of action and adventure with episodes like the 5-part episode, "The Return of Thundera" and the final episode "The Book of Omens." It was so much fun back then watching this show, and it still is. Lion-O, Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra, Wilykat,, Snarf and the rest of the gang battle the evil Mumm-Ra. Back in the 80s I always thought Mumm-Ra and Skeletor from He-Man were so similar. The menu screen has the options of Play All, Episodes, Special Features and Languages, with the instrumental theme playing (loops) in the background. When we go to episode selection, the episodes on the disc are listed. Special Features option is on each disc, but there are only extras on the last disc. Languages option has an option to listen in English or French and have subtitles in Spanish. If you have the first three sets, then you must buy this set to find out how the series ends. The video is on par with the other volumes and the audio is also decent. The packaging is the same style as the other sets, a nice outer box with three cases inside. On the episode itself, each one runs around 22:15 or so. The 5-five part episode ("Return to Thundera") has the special intro that aired before the opening credits introducing what will happen this week. Parts 1-4 at the end (before the closing credits) has the "in the next episode" preview, while parts 2-5 has "in the last episode" recap before the opening credits. Nice job, Warner. Part 4 runs 21:25, but I'm sure nothing is edited. There are no chapters...which is not good. All sets should have this. Closing logos are intact with Rankin Bass and Lorimar-Telepictures. As for extras, they are all on disc six. Disc six starts off with auto-trailers, showing us some movie trailers such as TMNT coming March 30, 2007--I had no idea another Turtles movie was coming! I'm happy! There are also Previews in the Special Features section for other animated DVD sets. The real extra is "Thundercats Ultimate Adventure Challenge." It has a 1:06 intro narrated by Lion-O and explains what we have to do. We have to find the hidden path by answering a series of questions and riddles to defeat Mumm-Ra, if we fail he will rule the planet. So, get your brains ready!
This is truly a great set and please buy this set to help Lion-O defeat Mumm-Ra in this final showdown on Third Earth. Let's beat this Ancient Spirit of Evil once and for all!
-- Reviewed by Pavan
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, May 29
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to What Used to be the Neighborhood" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Calvin’s favorite restaurant closes and is replaced by a flashy pet spa, he worries the community is losing too many small businesses and starts a campaign to only buy local. Also, Tina helps Necie prepare a special surprise for Marty.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Your Father's Kingdom" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Abishola turns to Gloria and Kemi when Bob mortgages their home to pay for a new factory space. Also, Kemi worries that she and Chukwuemeka are losing their spark.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 29)
Monday, May 29
- Seth Rogen (Platonic/Undeclared) - Watch Seth on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Nicole is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness) - Melanie is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- James Spader (The Office) - James appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Brett Gelman (Fleabag/Married/Go On) - Brett is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Tichina Arnold (The Neighborhood/Survivor's Remorse/Happily Divorced/Everybody Hates Chris/Martin) - Tichina appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Kristin Chenoweth (Schmigadoon!/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- John Leguizamo (The Brothers Garcia) - John talks about MSNBC's Leguizamo Does America on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) - Eric talks about Shudder and AMC+'s Slasher: Ripper on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Method Man (Method & Red) - Method Man tells Sherri about his role in Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut, On the Come Up, on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
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