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It’s been a while since my last TV-on-DVD Picks round-up. Truth is, there haven’t been too many great releases since then. But there have been a few. As a result, some of the titles below are a few weeks old, but some of them you’ll find on the New Releases wall at the store. Now let’s get to it…
Andy Richter Controls the Universe:
The Complete Series
Paramount | DVD
Have you ever worn a puppy-lined coat to the office to fend off workplace guilt? Have you ever killed a grief counselor with your pain? Have you ever crushed the head of an elderly woman and shaped it into a diamond to impress the girl of your dreams? Andy Richter and his co-workers have. I dare you not to laugh at the inspired blend of goofy, quirky fun that is "Andy Richter Controls the Universe." And thanks to the good folks at Paramount, this underrated gem is finally on DVD. And it’s widescreen! And it’s got five never-before-aired episodes! Why are you still reading? Put down that spork, spiknife or knifoon and go find a copy today!
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.0
Universal | DVD
Is there a better show on television than "Battlestar Galactica?" Frak no. As they’ve done with several of the BSG boxsets, Universal has issued a partial season release with this "Season 4.0" collection. Due to the series’ irregular broadcast schedule on the Sci-Fi Channel, the two-part episode "Crossroads" which concluded Season Three aired in late March of 2007. Season Four wouldn’t continue the story until more than one year later, when "He That Believeth in Me" aired in April of 2008. To help bridge the gap for hungry BSG fans, Ron Moore and company developed a feature-length special entitled "Razor," which aired in November of 2007. "Razor" tells us the compelling backstory of the Pegasus and drops more hints at what is to come. Although Universal released Razor as a standalone DVD a while back, kudos to them for also including it as Disc One in this "Season 4.0" collection. Discs 2-4 contain contain the next ten regular episodes, presented in attractive, anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. And when you’re done with those, you won’t have to wait long for more. Rumor has it the "Season 4.5" collection and the "Caprica" spin-off pilot are due to arrive on April 21. Good hunting.
Dead Like Me: The Complete Collection
MGM | DVD
Have you ever wondered what a grim reaper really looks like? The black robe and scythe are hardly fashionable and do you really think anyone could get any work done in such a getup? Doubtful. "Dead Like Me" is a surprisingly funny and entertaining hour-long series and it’s all about, you guessed it, grim reapers. Turns out they’re not all that different from you and me, aside from the fact that their sole purpose in "life" is to chaperone wayward souls on their journeys to the hereafter. This excellent "Complete Collection" from MGM features not only Seasons One and Two but also the feature-length, follow-up movie entitled Life After Death. Presented handsomely in anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound, "Dead Like Me" is an intruiging show that’s well worth a spin.
Dexter: The First Season
Paramount | Blu-ray Disc
I said this a few months ago when I covered the DVD release of Season Two, but I think it bears repating: The phrase “likeable serial killer” might turn some viewers off, but don’t fret. As Ahnuld says in True Lies, when asked if he really kills people: “Yes, but they were all bad.” "Dexter" is an addictive show and it somehow manages to inject just enough humor so you’re not forced to dwell on some of the atrocities you’re witnessing. But let’s talk Blu-ray. Previously released on DVD only, Season One of "Dexter" looks utterly fantastic on Blu-ray. Picture quality is a huge leap forward with brighter, bolder colors and a wonderfully crisp, detailed 1080p image. In short, THIS is the way to experience "Dexter." My only complaint? For viewers starting out with this Blu-ray, why do we get the first episode of Season THREE as a bonus feature? Am I really going to watch that if I haven’t yet seen Season Two? And speaking of Season Two, here’s some good news. Season Two arrives on Blu-ray May 5, so mark your calendars! Nitpicks aside, this one is highly recommended.
Moonlight: The Complete Series
Warner | DVD
I know what you’re thinking. More vampires? Made-for-TV vampires? CANCELED made-for-TV vampires? Pass. Hold up a minute, Mr. Quick-To-Judge. Let’s address those concerns one a time. Done right, vampire stories can be fascinating, chilling and downright thrilling. Done wrong, you end up with Dracula 3000. Compared to films, television shows work within the confines of smaller budgets and faster work schedules and sometimes it shows. However, look no further than "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for a prime example of TV vampires done right. "Moonlight" isn’t on a par with "Buffy" – or "Angel" for that matter – but it’s also a very different show. And regarding the canceled situation, yes, "Moonlight" was recently canceled and it’s not coming back – or at least, so it would seem. However, I would argue that the incomplete partial season of "Firefly" is my most loved and the most often-watched DVD in my collection. And after selling truckloads of the DVDs, "Firefly" was adapted into a feature length motion picture (Serenity). So don’t look at it as a waste of your time. Good TV is good TV. Although many shows are canceled with just cause, "Moonlight" isn’t one of them. Warner does a fine job presenting Moonlight’s 16-episode run on DVD. The widescreen video sports deep blacks and natural skin tones while the Dolby Digital soundtrack features intelligible dialogue throughout. Give "Moonlight" a shot and you may find yourself asking the same question I am: "How does this get canceled while ‘Two and a Half Men’ is now in its sixth season?"
South Park: Season 12
Paramount | Blu-ray Disc
Before sitting down to watch a few episodes of Season Twelve I hadn’t watched "South Park" in years. Not much has changed. It’s still crude, it’s still lewd, it’s still obnoxious and, yes, it’s still funny. As a matter of fact, it’s funnier than I remember. But after twelve seasons, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have had plenty of time to hone their comedic skills. For example, check out "About Last Night…", South Park’s post-election episode. I won’t spoil the fun for you, but the premise of the episode is downright brilliant – and hilarious. Available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc, "South Park" on my AOC office monitor looked, well, it looked like a crudely-animated collection of paper doll cut-outs. In widescreen! The colors look great though. There’s also a high def behind-the-scenes segment on the aforementioned episode plus another look at the making of "Major Boobage." Stay classy, "South Park."
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
AOC 2230Fh HD Monitor
Philips BDP7200 Blu-ray player
Oppo DV-983H DVD player
Onkyo TX-SR604 A/V receiver
Definitive Technology ProCinema 1000 speakers
Datacolor SpyderTV PRO 2007 video calibration
Monster Power HTS5100 power center
BetterCables interconnects
UltraLink speaker wire
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