What It’s About: ''I'm in love. His name is Jordan Catalano. He was left back. Twice. Once I almost touched his shoulder in the middle of a pop quiz.'' Oh Jordan and Angela. How I loved thee. And how I cried when they cancelled you. And how freaking excited I was to watch all 19 episodes when they hit my doorstep.
The show is almost painful to watch and it was just so well done. Those of us who grew up anywhere near the time it ran were faithful followers. So how the heck did it get cancelled? No clue. But maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Look at all those shows with a brilliant first season who flop in the second (Desperate Housewives, Lost, Heroes.) So it could be a blessing that we will always remember Angela as innocent and wistful.
Technical Stuff: The picture isn’t fantastic but it’s decent. The show was filmed in pretty dull soft colours and that resonates. It’s also not beautifully remastered but what can you do? Sound is a fine 5.1 mix along with a 2.0.
Synopsis: Before anyone had heard of Rory Gilmore, Dawson Leery, Felicity Porter or Buffy Summers, America’s most-beloved 15-year old high school sophomore was Angela Chase. Angela, her family and her group of friends were introduced with My So-Called Life, the highly celebrated TV series that launched the careers of Golden Globe®-winner Claire Danes, Jared Leto and Wilson Cruz. Impacting a generation, this triggered a revolution of teen-angst oriented dramas seen on today’s prime-time television.
Extras?
Featurettes with the cast and creators: "My So-Called Life Story" - The amazing story of the origins, life and afterlife of the series
1995 Museum of Television and Radio Panel
"A Conversation with Claire Danes and Winnie Holzman"
"The Characters" - Exploring the backstories and relationships of the characters
An exclusive interview with Claire Danes
Photo gallery
"The Music" with composer Snuffy Walden
Deluxe book accompanies set and includes original art alongside full-color cast photos and liner notes from Winnie Holzman, Joss Whedon, Janeane Garofalo, and Michele Byers (author and co-editor of new book Dear Angela: Remembering My So-Called Life - due out this year).
Final Verdict: I wanted to be Angela and seriously had the hots for Jared Leto (before he started wearing eye liner). The bonus features here are excellent and package overall is killer. Snap it up and enjoy.

A Mighty Heart (4 out of 5 stars)
Paramount/ October 16, 2007

What It’s About: If you’re worried A Mighty Heart will be an over sentimental movie think again. The film is reminiscent of United 93, another 9/11 movie that stayed with the facts and had a documentary feel to it.
The movie didn’t do that well in theatres, and probably because audiences wanted more Transformers type entertainment than movies that remind us of the fragile state of humanity. But it’s a movie worth watching. Angelina Jolie gives a wonderfully restrained performance as Mariane Pearl, making you forget she’s half of the Brangelina phenomenon.
Technical Stuff: Beautiful picture. It’s realistic and slightly grainy to go with the tone of the film. Also includes a great Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. The DVD includes audio tracks in Spanish and French. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish and French.
Synopsis: On January 23, 2002, Mariane Pearl's world changed forever. Her husband Daniel, the South Asia Bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, was researching a story on shoe bomber Richard Reid. The story drew them to Karachi where a go-between had promised access to an elusive source. As Danny left for the meeting, he told Mariane he might be late for dinner. He never returned.
In the face of death, Danny's spirit of defiance and his unflinching belief in the power of journalism led Mariane to write about his disappearance, the intense effort to find him and his eventual murderer in her memoir A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl. Six months pregnant when the ordeal began, she was carrying a son that Danny hoped to name Adam. She wrote the book to introduce Adam to the father he would never meet. Transcending religion, race and nationality, Mariane's courageous desire to rise above the bitterness and hatred that continues to plague this post 9/11 world, serves as the purest expression of the joy of life she and Danny shared.
Starring Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted) as Mariane Pearl, and Dan Futterman, Oscar-nominated for his Capote screenplay, as Daniel Pearl, A Mighty Heart is directed by Michael Winterbottom (The Road to Guantanamo, Tristram Shandy) and produced by Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner for Plan B Entertainment (Year of the Dog, The Departed) and Andrew Eaton for Revolution Films (The Road to Guantanamo). John Orloff (Band of Brothers) wrote the screenplay.
Extras?
"Journey of Passion: The making of a Mighty Heart"; Public service announcement; Committtee to Protect Journalists
Final Verdict: It’s tough to watch but this recent tragedy is told in a beautiful, haunting way.

Meet the Robinsons (5 out of 5 stars)
Disney/ October 23, 2007

What It’s About: Disney needed a good one. They’ve had several missteps lately and then created this sweet and funny movie that benefits from the help of Pixar’s John Lasseter (an Executive Producer).
The time travel concept works, the characters are spot-on and likeable and the animation looks brilliant. Well done Disney!
Technical Stuff: Beauty. Stunning picture and standard Dolby English, French and Spanish tracks are supplied, as well as an enhanced 5.1 track for sound effects.
Synopsis: Have the "time" of your life with Disney's fun-filled comedy Meet the Robinsons, a thrilling adventure that takes you to a whole new world full of imagination and surprises. It's "a masterpiece," raves John Anderson of Newsday. Join a brilliant young inventor named Lewis as he sets off on a time-traveling journey to find the family he never knew. In the fantastical world of 2037, hip-hoppin' frogs and dogs that wear glasses are as common as talking dinosaurs. In an amazing twist, Lewis discovers that the fate of the future rests in his hands, but he can't save it alone -- he'll need every bit of help he can get from the wonderfully wacky Robinson family, who help him learn to keep moving forward and never stop believing in himself. Blast off with Meet the Robinsons -- complete with never-before-seen bonus features, including an all-new game, deleted scenes and much more. It's an exciting trip your whole family will enjoy!
Extras?
Deleted scenes - Find out what got cut and why; Inventions That Shaped the World - Meet real-life visionaries thinkers who changed the world; Family Function 5000 Game - Help Lewis before his family is erased forever; Music videos: "Little Wonders" performed by Rob Thomas, "Kids of the Future" performed by Jonas Brothers; Inventing the Robinsons - Follow the development of the film from concept to creation; Audio commentary - by director Stephen Anderson (with a special guest appearance)
Final Verdict: Classic Disney. Sweet, funny and with a lovely moral lesson. Let’s hope we have more Robinsons and less Chicken Little in the future!

What It’s About: More than meets the eye alright. As soon as it was announced that Michael Bay was in charge of this pretty picture, we all knew it was going to be ridiculous. And so it is. Thank the Lord for Shia LeBouef, who manages to keep this movie entertaining.
The problem is that it just doesn’t know what it is. Is it action? Comedy? Drama? Satire? I don’t know and neither do the actors. It’s very uneven and at times drags like the dickens. BUT. It’s damn entertaining. So it’s hard to criticize a film that’s just trying to do that since it succeeds. All in all, Transformers is worth watching and owning.
Technical Stuff: Beautiful presentation of the picture and a stellar 5.1 Dolby track. But why no DTS? IT certainly is the perfect vehicle for it.
Synopsis: For centuries, two races of robotic aliens - the Autobots and the Decepticons - have waged a war, with the fate of the universe at stake. When the battle comes to Earth, all that stands between the evil Decepticons and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). An average teenager, Sam is consumed with everyday worries about school, friends, cars and girls. Unaware that he alone is mankind's last chance for survival, Sam and his friend Mikaela (Megan Fox) find themselves in a tug of war between the Autobots and Decepticons. With the world hanging in the balance, Sam comes to realize the true meaning behind the Witwicky family motto - "No sacrifice, no victory!"
Extras?
Disc 1 - Commentary by director Michael Bay; Disc 2 - Our World - Explore the world of Transformers through interviews with the cast and crew, stunt training footage, and exclusive access to the on-set locations; Their War - Learn more about the Autobots and Decepticons with exclusive access to production design, military advisors, and digital special effects; More than meets the eye - An in-depth featurette on the making of the Skorponok Desert attack scene and concept boards
Final Verdict: Silly but fun. And LeBoeuf is my new hero.

Jericho (5 out of 5 stars)
Paramount/ October 2, 2007

What It’s About: A classic Disney movies gets the Platinum treatment and you know that’s the shizzle (yup the shizzle). The Jungle Book is the last film Walt made before he died. So it holds a special place in the Disney vault and heart. And they treated it right.
There is such a charm to the movie that it’s just impossible to resist it. Try, I dare you. The voices are brilliant, the music is magic and the story is a joy. Love it.
Technical Stuff: It looks just a great as when it premiered in theatres, if not better. The colours are incredibly vivid. The sound is a crystal clear 5.1 Dolby Mix that resurrects the music and dialogue into the 21st century.
Synopsis: The lush and lively jungle comes alive in this exciting 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition of The Jungle Book, brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound. Experience the song-filled celebration of friendship, fun and adventure that was the last film to receive Walt Disney's personal touch. Embark on a thrilling, adventure-filled journey with the boy Mowgli as he makes his way to the man-village with Bagheera, the wise panther. Along the way he meets jazzy King Louie, the hypnotic snake Kaa and the lovable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli "The Bare Necessities" of life and the true meaning of friendship. Swing into a jungle of fun in this 2-disc 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD with all-new bonus features. Meet the long-lost character, Rocky the Rhino, and experience never-before-heard deleted songs, all-new games and much more!
Extras?
The Lost Character: Rocky The Rhino
For the first time ever, the near-sighted, short-tempered rhinoceros named Rocky is brought to the
screen using original storyboards and original voice recordings by Frank Fontaine.
The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book
A comprehensive look at the last animated film that Walt Disney produced using existing archival
footage in addition to new interviews with Richard Sherman, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, Eric Goldberg,
James Baxter, Will Fi’nn, Andreas Deja, Burny Mattinson Ted Thomas, Bruce Reitherman, John
Culhane, John Canemaker and Neal Gabler—plus a never-before-seen collection of artwork and
treatments from the film
Disney’s Kipling: Walt’s Magic Touch on A Literary Classic
A discarded film treatment from 1963 includes scenes from Kipling’s “Mowgli Stories” and more are
used to illustrate Walt’s interpretation of the literary masterpiece
The Lure of The Jungle Book
Many of today’s biggest names in animation were inspired to pursue their careers after seeing The
Jungle Book; this feature examines this phenomenon and features new interviews with Brad Bird,
Andreas Deja, Sergio Pablo, Will Finn and Eric Goldberg.
Mowgli’s Return to the Jungle
Learn about nature filmmaking and the experience of making The Jungle Book firsthand from Bruce
Reitherman, the voice of Mowgli.
Baloo’s Virtual Swingin’ Jungle Cruise
Join everyone’s favorite bear in this set-top and DVD-ROM game on an adventure through the jungle: enjoy fun activities and musical challenges, but keep an eye out because there’s no telling what’s on the other side of the river bend!
Audio Commentary
Combines comments from current animators with audio from the original creative team who made the film.
English Learning Feature
Still Frame Art Gallery
Final Verdict: One of the “hidden gems” of the Disney empire. The Jungle Book never got the respect it deserved until now. Highly recommended.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (4 out of 5 stars)
Fox/ October 2, 2007

What It’s About: People give the Fantastic Four movies a hard time. And it’s really unfair. This dysfunctional family wasn’t meant to be serious like Spider-Man or Batman. They are a comedic superhero posse who the world already knows about (which is nice and different) and who have to put up with each other’s foibles.
It’s a mindless thrill-ride of a movie and while not as fun as the first one, still quite enjoyable. The special effects are fun, the characters are appealing and the plot is silly but interesting. The complaint I have is with the ending. It’s rushed and anti-climactic.
Technical Stuff: Special screening version at work here and in it, the majority of the movie is lovely, until the last 10 minutes which become grainy. Not sure if the final version will be likewise. The 5.1 is too loud in the music and background noise and at times drowns out the dialogue in my version.
Synopsis: Catch a wave of "terrific adventure" and "non-stop action" (CBS-TV) in this fun and fantastically entertaining smash-hit! "Invisible Woman" Sue Storm and "Mr. Fantastic" Dr. Reed Richards are about to be married when a mysterious alien...the Silver Surfer...crashes the proceedings and heralds Earth's impending destruction. With time running out, the Fantastic Four reluctantly teams up with the nefarious Dr. Doom in a thrilling effort to save our planet!
Extras?
Disk 1:
* Trailers for "The Simpsons Movie," "Live Free Or Die Hard."
* English and Spanish subtitles.
* A commentary track by Tim Story.
* The second commentary track with producer Avi Arad, writer Don Payne, and editors Peter S. Elliot and William Hoy.
Disk 2:
* Still galleries of behind-the-scenes photos, characters, and concept art.
* Trailers for "Fantastic 4," "X-Men," "X-Men: United," "X-Men: The Last Stand," "Dark Angel," "Deck The Halls," "Futurama: Bender's Big Score," and two theatrical trailers for "F4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer."
* 5 deleted scenes (with optional commentary by Tim Story) titled "Full Main Title," "Fantastic Store," "Wedding Montage," "Reed Gets Crushed Ring," and "Doom Builds Arm Band And Covers Up His Mask."
* An interactive Fantasticar extra in which you can look at different angles of the vehicle.
* A thorough 46-minute making of titled "Family Bonds." This extra takes a look at the pre-production and production processes.
* A 4 ½ minute featurette titled "Scoring the Fantastic."
* An 11 ½ minute "Character Design With Special Motion" featurette
* "The Power Cosmic" (15 minutes)
* A 10 ½ minute featurette called "The Fantasticar: State Of The Art."
* Finally, there is the 38 ½ minute "Sentinel Of The Spaceways: Comic Book Origins Of The Silver Surfer" featurette.
Final Verdict: It’s fun and silly and entertaining.

Criminal Minds: The Complete Second Season (5 out of 5 stars)
Paramount/ October 2, 2007

What It’s About: It’s going to be weird to see this series without Mandy Patinkin; he’s been such an integral part of the show so far. Watching the second season on DVD was incredibly satisfying. Criminal Minds is the best of the crime dramas out there (take that played-out CSI!)
The cast is stellar and each has a compelling story. The bad guys are the baddest out there and do some pretty messed up stuff and the profiling business the team does is fascinating. What’s not to love?
Technical Stuff: Beautiful anamorphic picture and a solid 5.1 Dolby sound that really makes use of all the speakers, rare in a tv show.
Synopsis: CRIMINAL MINDS revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. Special Agent Jason Gideon is the FBI's top behavioral analyst and he joins the Behavioral Analysis Unit lead by Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, a family man who is able to gain people's trust and unlock their secrets. Also on the team are Elle Greenaway, an agent with a background in sexual offenses, Special Agent Derek Morgan, an expert on obsessional crimes, Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, a classically misunderstood genius whose social IQ is as low as his intellectual IQ is high, Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, a confident young agent who acts as the unit liaison for the team and Penelope Garcia, a computer wizard who helps research the cases. Each member brings his or her own area of expertise to the table as they pinpoint predators' motivations and identify their emotional triggers in the attempt to stop them.
Extras?
• Gag Reel
• Deleted Scenes
• “Profilers, Profiled” Featurette
• “The Physical Evidence” Featurette
• “Behavioral Science: Real-Life Criminal Minds” Featurette
• “Meet Kirsten Vangsness” Featurette
Final Verdict: Unique psychological drama with some thrills thrown in. Highly recommended.

House: Season Three (5 out of 5 stars)
Universal/ August 21, 2007

Face/Off: Two-Disc Special Collector’s Edition (5 out of 5 stars)
Paramount/ September 11, 2007

Grey’s Anatomy: Season Three—Seriously Extended (4 out of 5 stars)
Buena Vista Home Video/ September 11, 2007

What It’s About: Grey’s Anatomy is seriously addictive. Unfortunately, this past season was more like a hurricane: it was a disaster but you couldn’t stop watching. The first two seasons were strong, but the third really faltered.
Part of it had to do with the drama going on behind the scenes with Isaiah Washington (since fired) and T.R. Knight (since outed). It was hard to buy into the crap going on onscreen as well. They tried to sell the special episodes as mind-boggling, and ultimately, they were just disappointing and predictable. With all that said, it’s still a great show to watch and most shows have a crappy season now and then. Look at Desperate Housewives—season two sucked but last season was great (see review below). So let’s hope GA redeemes itself this year.
Technical Stuff: Fan-freaking-tastic. The picture is crisp and clear. The 5.1 Dolby sound is perfectly mixed. I must say Buena Vista always impresses me and this is no exception. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are also on here.
Synopsis: Be a part of a television phenomenon, and experience America's #1 drama. Capturing a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Drama in its scintillating third season, Grey's Anatomy is the rare show that makes fans of both audiences and critics. It's "all pleasure and no guilt," lauds USA Today. They are doctors, lovers and friends. Join the staff of Seattle Grace Hospital as they learn there are no easy cures for life's challenges and that each choice comes in shades of grey. Get more Grey's in this sensational seven-disc DVD box set -- more secrets, more personal stories and many more McSteamy moments. Bring home Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Third Season - Seriously Extended, complete with never-before-seen bonus features, including uncut and extended episodes available only on DVD. It's addicting entertainment that you can't get enough of. Seriously.
Extras?
Four Un-cut, Extended Episodes
Exclusive to the DVD
“Making Rounds with Patrick Dempsey”
Join McDreamy on the race track for his favorite hobby
In Stitches: Season 3 Bloopers
Shades of Grey: One on One with Ellen Pompeo
A unique opportunity for fans to see and hear from Ellen
“Good Medicine”
Cast and crew share their favorite scenes
“Prescription for Success”
A look at how a new character is created
Audio Commentaries
Unaired Scenes
Final Verdict: I love Grey’s Anatomy and hold high hopes for a resurrection in season four. But if not, there’s always Private Practice!

Friday Night Lights (5 out of 5 stars)
Universal/ August 28, 2007

What It’s About: Friday Night Lights came close to being cancelled. Thankfully, NBC stuck by it and has even offered a money-back guarantee on the first season on DVD. If you aren’t hooked, they’ll refund. Now that’s sticking by a product, non?
And rightfully so. This is one of the best shows on television right now. The concept is deceptively simple but the execution makes it brilliant. The characters, the acting, the script—it’s all fantastic. If you haven’t checked it out yet, get thee the DVD set. Universal seems to have also priced it to get people watching. About 4 episodes in, you’ll be hooked.
Technical Stuff: The show is presented in 1.78:1 Widescreen with English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and English SDH subtitles. It’s all awesome. My feeling is that Universal worked hard on this release because it knows it has a potential huge hit on its hands if more people are exposed to it.
Synopsis: TV's hottest new drama, Friday Night Lights, touches down on DVD with all 14 Season One episodes! In the small town of Dillon, everyone comes together on Friday nights when the Dillon High Panthers play. But life is not a game; and the charismatic players, new coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), and the passionate fans find that their biggest challenges and obstacles come off the field in the compelling day-to-day dramas of their tight-knit community. From producers Brian Grazer (The Da Vinci Code) and Peter Berg (The Kingdom) comes the critically acclaimed TV series inspired by the best-selling novel and hit theatrical movie. Discover why The Associated Press calls it "breathtaking in how it captures ordinary life set against extraordinary passions."
Extras?
Deleted Scenes
Featurette: Behind The Lights - Creating The First Season Of Friday Night Lights
Final Verdict: How can you go wrong? Everyone is raving, the price is right and there is a money-back guarantee. Go, go, go!

Disturbia (4 out of 5 stars)
Paramount/ August 7, 2007
What It’s About: Shia LaBeouf is the man. He’s seriously the man of the moment, all over the magazines and internet, but he’s just the man because he can really act. Even in a mediocre film like Disturbia, LaBeouf can stand out and make things riveting.
There isn’t much to Disturbia, but thanks to Shia and a few other good acting turns, it becomes quite entertaining. The best parts of the movie are the beginning sequences and the last few scenes. The middle is a bit bland. Love the best friend, Ronny (Aaron Yoo), he made me laugh out loud several times.
Technical Stuff: The picture is stunning. Well done, Paramount. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX is crisp, clear and makes great use of the rear speakers. The disc includes audio tracks in French and Spanish, with subtitles available in English, French and Spanish.
Synopsis: Living under three months' house arrest, Kale Brecht (Shia LaBeouf, Transformers) passes his days spying on the neighbors. It's all fun and games until things take a horrifying turn for the worse. Kale is convinced his neighbor next door is a serial killer - but he can't prove anything, can't convince anyone and can't leave his house without triggering an alarm. Enlisting the help of his friends, Kale is determined to expose the truth - but have they all taken on more than they bargained for with a cold-blooded murderer on the loose?
With nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, Kale and his friends are in a race for their lives in this electrifying thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Desperate Housewives: The Complete Third Season—The Dirty Laundry Edition (5 out of 5 stars)
Buena Vista Home Video/ Spetember 4, 2007

What It’s About: After a stellar first season, DH stumbled in its second. The third however was back to true form. The show is full of over-the-top drama and plenty of laughs. The storylines this year really suck you in. I was especially a fan of Gabby’s story despite the fact that I hate Eva Longoria (go figure).
It’s all frothy and silly but does have a few serious moments. Unfortunately, I think those are the moments that bring the show down. I want DH to be fun, not serious. Still, those are rare and the majority is good fun. I can’t wait to see them resolve the cliffhanger of the season finale!
Technical Stuff: Beautiful picture and sound. As always, no complaints with Buena Vista releases. There are subtitles in English, French, and Spanish. There is also support for closed captioning.
Synopsis: The women of Wisteria Lane are back, and it's time to air some dirty laundry. In the Emmy Award-winning show's sensational third season, the gossip is juicier, the secrets are more scandalous and the revenge is even sweeter. "Desperate Housewives is back," raves the New York Daily News. Experience all 23 tantalizing episodes of Season Three, and get the dish on Susan's new love, Bree's unsettling marriage to Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) and a dangerous new presence living down the lane. Everything will come out in the wash in this spectacular six-disc set. Bubbling over with exclusive bonus features, including a behind-the-scenes look at the season finale and even more secrets straight from the show, this is the sudsiest season yet.
Extras?
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes: Here Comes The Bride - Go Behind The Scenes Of The Season Finale, Amas De Casas Desperadas - Meet The Lovely Latinas Of Wisteria Lane, & Cherry-Picked - Marc Cherry's Favorite Scenes
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection
Final Verdict: Yummy over-the-top soapy goodness.