Warner’s Popeye a failure
February 25, 2008
Popeye the Sailor: 1933-1938, Vol. 1 the DVD collection was at most a farce. This overly priced set was only meant for the serious collector and alienated the regular folks and the little ones with an over priced 4 disc set of quality cartoons. Least we forget, cartoons were made for all ages and mostly kids and with a set like this and considering the fact that most of the toons can be had in the public domain at some point. Why go this direction and starve a good chunk of a hungry audience, instead of admitting a failed campaign Warner is now changing their tune on second set of the sequel to the Popeye’s earlier cartoons. Instead of releasing another expensive set, they will break the box set into two series. Could it be they want to squeeze a few more bucks out of two to pay for volume one which still stands in most stores. Time will tell if we will fall for this promotion. It’s disappointing that they were not able to re-energize this under appreciated franchise with a miscalculated pricing scheme. Warner has put out cartoon fare of inferior quality at cheaper bargain prices in the past. Time will judge this as a failed project but the real collectors are the winners, not me and you.
The Invaders
January 22, 2008
Long before X-Files, the Invaders, struck paranoia of a secret invasion of beings from another world. Each week we followed the story of David Vincent who is convinced that earth is being invaded, but each week his attackers evaporate and no evidence is left behind of their presence. This series which ran in 1967-1968 is considered by many to be one of the best sci-fi shows ever. Now this May we will once again be invaded by this series as it comes out in DVD for the first time.
Latitude Zero
January 13, 2008
When a volcano erupts, a deep-sea vessel full of scientists suffers damage and begins to lose control. To their rescue comes Captain MacKenzie (Joseph Cotton, Citizen Kane), commander of Alpha, a high-tech atomic submarine. The captain takes the crew to a secret underwater utopia called "Latitude Zero" that is dedicated to the preservation and protection of mankind. With a completely opposite agenda, the evil Dr. Malic (Cesar Romero, The Joker from TV’s Batman) wishes to kidnap and experiment on the scientists in order to add to his roster of super-intelligent freak minions. Now it’s up to Captain MacKenzie and his crew to save the day. Another Toho classic from the legendary Ishiro Honda (Godzilla, Matango), Latitude Zero boasts an all-star cast that also includes Richard Jaeckel (Grizzly) and Linda Haynes (Human Experiments), and terrific model and special effects work. See trailer >>
Negativland
December 27, 2007
Negativland: Our Favorite Things
Created with 17 experimental filmmakers form all over the world, Our Favorite Things is a collaborative project that takes a striking visual leap into the same legally gray area that Negativland has been exploring with sound for the last 26 years. A suggestively charmimg collection of incredible collage and classic cut-up entertainment for all ages. Our Favorite Things also comes with a 50 minute bonus-music CD, a capella version of your favorite Negativland hits as reinterpreted and performed by a Detroit doo-wop, gospel, R&B group.
Persepolis
December 27, 2007
Graphically speaking, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, never did a thing for me. This movie will be a measuring stick for the new crop of graphic novels that will be adapted into the big screen. Keep those telephones open starving artists, cause some of you might reap the benefits. I truly believe, the intrigue of this movie is not the art but the message. A culture so foreign yet dangerous makes us want to learn more about it and in the end we find out that they are not more different than us. It’s an old adage of fear of the other, us and them, but with the same message. We are all in this together, let’s try to get along. With the new year coming, this movie has a veiled message of tolerance and understanding for each other.
Calvin and Hobbes Movie
December 19, 2007
Publicity shy Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, will have a movie made about him. This documentary will explore the world of Calvin and Hobbes and the seclusive artist, but the film will be void of Bill, the film will focus on the effect the strip had on people. This should be an exciting project. Dear Mr. Watterson is the title of the movie, and should quench the thirst of his many fans.
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Rocket Robin Hood Stranded
December 3, 2007
My main source for the latest in DVD news, Dr. Sinister, informed me from his contacts at Warner Canada that the new Rocket Robin Hood DVD box sets were pushed back once again till early 2008.
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Moomin Box Set
November 8, 2007
Thanks to Drawn and Quarterly who saw potential in a little hidden treasure in Europe called Moomin decided to collect and print the series into a book format for the North American audience and it is paying dividends for those who thirst for this amazing forgotten series. In the wake of this phenomenon, which was dormant in North America or never saw the light always flourished for many years in the rest of the world in both book form and animation. Japanimation is releasing their first box set of the animated series based on Moomin created by Tove Jansson over 50 years ago. The Moomin movement is so big that numerous television series were created in the past, a film and even a theme park in Finland. This boxed edition is a great portal into the Moomin mystic world of innocence and exploration of youth. Read more>>
It Ate Billy on Christmas
November 2, 2007
Halloween came and went and there is a hint of cold air abound, and you can hear the jingle sound ever getting closer. The big bearded guy is getting his elves ready for the big day. Unless the Russians are claiming the North Pole as their own this year, it will be business as usual for the merry old folk up there this year. But wait, there is something out of the ordinary this year. Dark Horse is releasing an unusual little tale this year about Christmas. Writer Roman Dirge and artist Steven Daily proudly toiled to bring you this yarn to put a different spin on the merry old holiday with a twist of horror. Just imagine this book as the “Little Shop of Horrors” meets the “Christmas Spirit”, better keep the eggnog in a safe place this year.
It would have been a Christmas like any other for little Lumie and her horrible, terrible, obnoxious, awful bully of a brother Billy. But then a funny little monster appeared and ate Billy right up! Lumie knows it’s not really a good thing to let a monster eat your brother, but she can’t help but notice that things are, in fact, much nicer now that he’s gone. Now that things are looking up a little in her world, Lumie has to decide what to do with her new little monster friend, and-most importantly-what she’s going to feed him …
Wired on Manga
October 22, 2007
Wired magazine is out already this week and they have the coolest issue ever about the invasion of Manga and how it conquered North America. You could buy the magazine or get it free online in a few days. Either way the latest issue is an amazing read. Read more>>
