Saturday, December 09, 2006

Mini-DVD Reviews: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 6 (Dec. 5) and Thundercats Season 2, Volume 2 (Nov. 28)

Welcome to another Saturday edition of mini-DVD reviews! Today we have double the pleasure of reviews, with two mini-DVD reviews for you! This week we take a look at Lionsgate's Volume 6 of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Warner Home Video's Season 2 Volume 2 of Thundercats. Ninja Turtles is of course the hit animated series that caused kids and teens to go crazy for in the late '80s and early '90s. If you were growing up in that era, you were certainly a fan of this cult favorite. The same can be said of Thundercats, except that was more early-mid '80s. See my mini-DVD reviews of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Volume 5 and Thundercats - Season 2 Volume 2:

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
(3/5 stars)

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Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
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
(4/5 stars)

To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
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Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
Thundercats TV.com Page


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, October 9

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Big Decisions" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tensions rise when Georgie finds out the truth about Mandy’s boss, and Georgie does all he can to buy the tire store before Jim sells it.

Ghosts - "The Devil Went Down to Woodstone" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay host a big party for the launch of Sam and Isaac’s vampire book.

English Teacher - "Lake Trip" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Evan and Malcolm take a vacation while the other teachers administer standardized tests back at school.

English Teacher - "Accreditation" (FX, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The teachers get evaluated by outside observers in an effort to earn the school a better rating.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 6)

Thursday, October 9

  • Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia/The Mick) - Catch Kailtin on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Ryan Reynolds (Two Guys and a Girl) - Ryan is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere) and Heather Dubrow (Stark Raving Mad/Jenny/Life with Roger) - Andy Cohen interviews Bridget and Heather on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11pm on Bravo.
  • Greta Lee (HouseBroken/Russian Doll) - Greta talks about Tron: Ares on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am, on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm, and on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Kenzi Richardson (Vampirina: Teenage Vampire) - Kenzi talks about Vampirina: Teenage Vampire on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Chloe Fineman (Big Mouth/Search Party) - Chloe chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Jennifer Lopez (South Central) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Jennifer on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Maya talks about Loot on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • John Corbett (And Just Like That.../Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/United States of Tara/Lucky/Sex and the City) - John and DeVon Franklin tell Sherri about their new film Soul In Fire on Sherri, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

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10/06 - Dancing with the Stars Surging in Viewership, Especially Among Younger Viewers; Remembering Kimberly Hébert Gregory of Vice Principals
10/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 6, 2025)
10/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels The Great North; Everybody Loves Raymond Cast Set to Reunite for 30 Year Anniversary
10/03 - MeTV Acquires Everybody Loves Raymond; Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Trailer
10/02 - CBS Presents Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion; Apple TV+ Renews Peanuts Specials Through 2030
10/01 - The CW's Six Brand New Movies Starting November 16; Hulu's Family Guy Halloween Special Details
09/30 - Sarah Sherman HBO Comedy Special in December; Huluween Programming for 2025
09/29 - Netflix Renews Haunted Hotel for Season 2; Christmas Comedy Series Sicilia Express
09/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 29, 2025)
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09/26 - Netflix Adds to Cast for Running Point Season 2; Stiller & Meara Apple TV+ Documentary
09/25 - Adam Pally HBO Comedy Special; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Returns with Huge Ratings
09/24 - Weigel's Newest Diginet WEST Launches Monday, September 29; New Baywatch Coming to Fox in 2026-27
09/23 - DMV Trailer for CBS; Mo Amer Returns to Netflix
09/22 - SNL Season 51 Guests for First Episodes; Prime Video's Bat-Fam Series
09/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 22, 2025)
09/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Paper to Get Linear Run on NBC; Saturday Night Live Announces New Hosts
09/19 - NBC Schedules The Paper and Stumble in November; Remembering Patricia (Pat) Crowley of Please Don't Eat the Daisies
09/18 - UPtv Acquires The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Camp Rock 3 Coming Soon to Disney
09/17 - FETV Acquires The Munsters Effective September 29; Apple TV+ The Morning Show Renewed for Season 5
09/16 - Disney's SuperKitties Adds to Voice Cast; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 2
09/15 - 77th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Letterman TV Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 15, 2025)
09/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Looking to Merge with Warner Bros. Discovery; Samsung TV+ Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/12 - Emmy Awards to Create Special Moments; Ricky Gervais Netflix Animated Comedy Alley Cats Coming in 2026
09/11 - Remembering Polly Holliday of Alice and Flo; Prime Video's Overcompensating Renewed for Season 2
09/10 - Netflix Renews Leanne for Season 2; Hazbin Hotel Returns October 29
09/09 - HBO Comedy The Chair Company; Trailer for Disney's Vampirina: Teenage Vampire