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Hello again, TV fans. It's been a while since I last checked in with a rundown of the latest and greatest TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray, but I'm here to make it up to you. This time out we'll take a look at a few greats you may have missed in recent weeks as well as some brand spanking new titles coming to stores soon. So don't touch that dial and let's get to it…
Alice (mini-series)
Lionsgate | Blu-ray
Wisely timed to coincide with the big screen arrival of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, this SyFy Channel mini-series provides viewers a distinctly different journey down Lewis Carroll's famed rabbit hole. Like the film, this Blu-ray is hit and miss, but it's worth a spin for fans of the story. On-disc extras are woefully absent.
Battlestar Galactica: Season 1
Universal | Blu-ray
I had plenty to say about the spectacular first season of the rebooted “Battlestar” when it debuted on HD DVD, so I won't repeat myself here. Blu-ray fans will be pleased to know this new edition sports equal or better 1080p video, much improved packaging and the healthy array of in-depth extras has been maintained. Highly recommended.
Big Love: Season 3
HBO | DVD
If you're like me and you haven't yet seen the first two seasons of “Big Love,” you'll be glad to learn that HBO gives you a few ways to catch up here. Disc One features a brief recap of the first two seasons before you watch the Season Three premiere. Also, each episode provides a “Previously On” segment, something I wish every TV series would offer. Finally, this set also gives us a bonus feature entitled “Their Stories So Far,” which allows the four main characters to tell us their story and how they've come to be where they're at. A distinctly original series, “Big Love” is definitely worth a look.
Breaking Bad: Seasons 1 & 2
Sony | Blu-ray
After Robert Duvall's Broken Trail and the ongoing joy that is “Mad Men,” it's safe to say I'm officially a fan of AMC's original programming. “Breaking Bad” continues that tradition with its compelling and surprise-filled story line and a superb Emmy-winning performance by lead actor Bryan Cranston. Sony brings the first two seasons to Blu-ray Disc and the results are quite good, though Season Two looks significantly better than does Season One. Sony does right by these releases, giving each a surprisingly extensive assortment of extras which include deleted scenes, featurettes, webisodes and a slick, interactive “Writer's Lab” on the Season Two set. Highly recommended.
Chuck: Season 2
Warner | Blu-ray
Easily one of the most fun-filled hour-longs on TV, the second season of “Chuck” is every inch as solid as the first. As they did with Season One, Warner has given fans of the show a real treat by bringing Season Two of this exceptional series to Blu-ray with a 22-episode, 6-disc set. While the Blu-ray video doesn't rival that of HD best-in-class series such as “Heroes” or “Lost,” it easily bests the standard definition broadcasts I've seen. Extras are numerous though everything is presented in SD. For the quality of the show alone though, this one's still highly recommended.
Defying Gravity: Season 1
Fox | DVD
Although it's billed here as Season One, the sad reality is that it would be more aptly titled “The Complete Series.” Filled with real, human drama and mysterious sci-fi elements, “Defying Gravity” was an ambitious, woefully underrated series with some truly remarkable small screen special effects. Fans who were sad to see it get canceled will definitely want to grab a copy of this DVD set, as it contains a whopping FIVE unaired episodes. (Why am I having “Firefly” flashbacks?) And hey, you never know – maybe this isn't the end after all. Look what strong DVD sales did for the crew of Serenity.
Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side
Fox | Blu-ray
If you enjoyed Blue Harvest, Family Guy's take on the original Star Wars, then chances are good you'll dig Something, Something, Something Dark Side. As you might have guessed, it's Empire Strikes Back's turn on the chopping block and this second installment manages to be significantly funnier than its predecessor. As for tension, well… “Look, we've got four or five of the main characters on this ship. I think we'll be fine.” Fox brings Dark Side to Blu-ray and while the disc sounds great and there are plenty of extras, one can't help but bemoan the fact that this BD title sports a 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio. D'oh!
FlashForward: Season 1, Part 1
Disney | DVD
If you're a fan of ABC's “Lost,” expect to develop a similar affection for ABC's “FlashForward.” Written and created by David Goyer (Blade, The Dark Knight), “FlashForward” follows a very similar formula to J.J. Abrams' hit series. Opening with a catastrophic event – in this case, everyone on the entire planet blacks out at precisely the same moment and experiences a brief but vivid “flash forward” of their own future – the show takes its time introducing the players and laying out its season-long arc. With its compelling story, solid cast and impressive production values, this is definitely one to watch – but we also have to hope it doesn't get canceled before the mysteries are revealed. ABC/Disney brings the first ten episodes to DVD and they look and sound quite good, as SD material goes. (The HD broadcasts are gorgeous.) One has to think that the complete first season will see a Blu-ray release eventually, but this is a solid appetizer, especially since it helps prepare new viewers for the continuation of Season One, which resumes March 18 on ABC.
Glee: Season 1, Vol.1
Fox | DVD
Talk about a total surprise… A few months ago, if you told me that I had to watch a song and dance-riddled show about a high school glee club, I think I'd have preferred being locked in a port-a-potty and rolled across the football field. Trouble is, try as I might, I just couldn't escape all the positive buzz this show has been receiving. And then I learned that comedy goddess Jane Lynch co-stars as a tough-as-nails gym teacher and coach of the cheerleading squad. Uncle. I'll admit it. I love “Glee.” This is a surprisingly enjoyable series, packed to the gills with great music and some unbelievably talented youngsters. (Except Finn. Hopefully he'll improve.) Despite some missteps early in the season, one viewing of the extended pilot episode will have you hooked. Here's hoping we see a complete Season One release on Blu-ray Disc and soon. Highly recommended.
Nurse Jackie: Season 1
Lionsgate | Blu-ray
Not unlike “Dexter” – another Showtime original series – “Nurse Jackie” deftly walks the line between drama and black comedy. The titular nurse is played superbly by Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”) and the show's success is due largely to her multi-faceted portrayal of Jackie, a dedicated NYC nurse with a penchant for justice and an addiction to pain pills. Lionsgate brings this debut season to Blu-ray sporting a trio of featurettes and DTS-HD 7.1 sound.
SG-U: Season 1
MGM | Blu-ray
I've never been a huge fan of the many “Stargate” TV series that have come and gone over the years, but “SG-U” deserves the benefit of the doubt thanks largely to cast members Robert Carlyle (Ravenous) and Lou Diamond Phillips (Young Guns). MGM brings the first season to Blu-ray packing an extended pilot episode, video diaries and over a half hour's worth of exclusive Blu-ray goodies under the heading “Creating a New Universe.”
The Simpsons: Season 20
Fox | Blu-ray
For nineteen and a half seasons, “The Simpsons” helped shape prime time comedy. Unfortunately, that shape was 1.33:1. Then, halfway through Season Twenty, “The Simpsons” at long last converted to 16:9 HDTV. The first nine SD episodes of Season Twenty are presented on Disc One of this 2-disc set from Fox. The final twelve are presented in widescreen on Disc Two – and the difference is quite noticeable. The HD episodes look substantially sharper and detail gets a boost, plus the animators frequently make amusing use of the newfound space in the frame. As Bart writes on the chalkboard at the onset of episode ten, “HDTV IS WORTH EVERY CENT.” Amen, brother. One complaint though: this is the Blu-ray release of the classic series' TWENTIETH season, right? Where are the extras? Where are the retrospectives? Where are the interviews? Instead we get… nothing? D'oh!
Transformers: Season 2, Vol.2
Shout! Factory | DVD
Shout! Factory put out a kick-butt Complete Series collection last year, but its hefty price tag kept many shoppers at bay. (Apologies for mentioning the name Bay. I know it's a sore subject for many of us.) If you prefer to bring home your Autobots and Decepticons one affordable chunk at a time, look no further than Shout Factory's latest offering: Season 2, Vol.2. which contains a satisfying 21 episode run spread out over four discs. Extras include PSA's, Hasbro toy commercials, concept art and more. Roll out!
Weeds: Season 5
Lionsgate | Blu-ray
This series, about a pot-selling suburban mom, is finally showing signs of aging but rumor has it Season Six will be its final season and I for one hope it finishes as strongly as it began. Still, despite some missteps, Season Five does have its moments and Lionsgate's continued commitment to releasing each season on Blu-ray deserves kudos. Extras include an eclectic mix of goodies including a backstage tour with co-star Kevin Nealon.
NOTE: In the case of Blu-ray titles, it is implied that a DVD edition is also available.
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