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Don't you just love seeing the famous cat and mouse duo known as Tom and Jerry constantly beating the crap out of each other? I mean, let’s face it. The fun part of this cartoon is seeing how far these 2 crazy animals can go in getting even with each other. Almost always though, it’s Jerry on the winning side. Anyway, this hilarious cartoon has been making people laugh for a really long time. It’s safe to say that Tom and Jerry has its place in the list of America’s most loved cartoons. I grew up on this stuff and always got a kick out of seeing these two go at it. For any of you fans out there, a new DVD of this famous cartoon is out called Tom and Jerry’s Greatest Chases Volume 2. On it there are 14 shorts that originally came out between 1943 and 1951. How’s that for some classics! These shorts that were chosen for this DVD are an absolute riot to watch. I have to admit I had a little too much fun watching this DVD. It goes to show that even up until now, whether you’re young or old this show is still hilarious. And this DVD contains some of the very best from this classic cartoon.
The legendary slasher series gets some more Deluxe DVD treatment...
Jason is making a comeback. With the popularity of the new movie putting Jason back in the limelight, now is the best time to revisit the original series. Fans of the Friday The 13th series will be happy to know that episodes IV, V, and VI are back, this time in new Deluxe Edition DVD’s. I grew up watching these cheesy but awesome films, so watching them again on these new DVD’s was a great experience. The picture and sound quality were both really good, considering how old these were. I can’t believe it’s been that long since they first came out! So we all know that these aren’t the best pieces of filmmaking, but you gotta give credit to its influence on the horror genre. Without Jason (or Freddie) would we have all the great horror films we have now? I think not. And these 3 episodes are some of the best from the entire Friday The 13th franchise. Part IV gives us the introduction of the character Tommy Jarvis, and it’s also where we see a very young Corey Feldman playing one of Jason’s toughest foes! This episode was a step up from the previous ones as far as film quality. I would even be tempted to say this one is the best, but that’s still up for grabs. But overall, these 3 new releases are a great batch of DVD’s that are LOADED with special features galore. Along with the films there are the obvious commentaries with directors and cast members, making-of featurettes, slashed scenes, and much more. Kudos to Paramount for bringing back the classic slasher films with these deluxe sets.
What do you get when you cross the racial hatred from the 1930’s, the bravery of a young girl, and a strange parallel world deep in the South? You get Bayou. This new book from DC Comics is a fascinating dark fairy tale that takes you on a journey with a young girl named “Lee”. When her white friend is swallowed by a strange creature, Lee’s father is falsely accused of taking the girl and is about to be lynched. Lee suddenly must go on a journey to this parallel world to rescue her friend and clear her father’s name. On the way she meets talking dogs, vicious crows, and an unexpected green friend named “Bayou”. The story sucks you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting more with the turn of each page. After reading Volume 1, I found myself already excited for the next volume to be released. I’m not sure when DC is planning on it, but I sure hope it’s soon. Overall, it’s a great story that has the potential to become a classic.
The nostalgia never ends...
There is just something about older cartoons that the newer ones can’t compete with. I can’t pinpoint it, but the older ones are just sooooo much fun to watch. Nothing against modern cartoons, in fact I like a lot of them. But I will probably always prefer the classics to the modern ones. Since I grew up as an 80’s child, I was too young to see the great shows that were out in the 1970’s (except for watching the reruns). I wonder what it would have been like to watch them on Saturday mornings like I did for the shows in the 80’s. Having said all of that, I have to mention a GREAT new DVD set that shouldn’t be missed by any cartoon lover. Saturday Morning Cartoons 1970’s Volume 1 is a 2-disc set that contains 12 episodes from some of the best cartoons that were out during that decade. This set is a must see, especially if you never got to watch these shows before. There are episodes of The Jetsons, The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour, Hong Kong Phooey, Yogi’s Gang, Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan, Josie and the Pussycats, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Funky Phantom, and many others I’ve never heard of until now. Considering how old these cartoons are, the quality of the episodes here are as good as new. So if you feel the need to watch some really good classic cartoons, then this collection shouldn’t be missed.
Anne Hathaway has been very busy making movies the past couple of years. One of them is the supernatural thriller Passengers. Her role here is not the typical one that she usually plays. Here she plays a grief counselor helping people who survived a plane crash. However, nothing is what it seems here as clues start to unravel leaving you scratching your head. You may remember a little film called The Sixth Sense. Well while I watched Passengers I couldn’t help but be reminded of it. Passengers obviously isn’t as good as that one, but it sure does try. The acting is good, and the story is ok. It just takes a little long to kick in. But overall, Passengers is a decent thriller that gives you a few surprises leading up to its “shocking’ ending.
In other Batman news, the hardcover version of Batman: Private Casebook puts the Dark Knight against some dangerous foes such as the new Ventriloquist, Scarface, and The Riddler. This collection of stories is written by Paul Dini and even includes one on the mysterious Suit of Sorrows. The art by Dustin Nguyen is as sharp as ever making the stories more fascinating. It’s not the best hardcover to come out of the Batman series, but it is one that any serious fan should check out.
One of the funniest shows ever on TV gets a new DVD release with The Best of Whose Line is it Anyway? I absolutely loved this show when it was on and still miss it. The improve sketches that these guys did was nothing short of amazing. With Drew Carey hosting the show, this one will always be among the best in comedy. This DVD is an essential collection for any fan. There are 2 discs containing 10 episodes of some of the show’s most hilarious moments. The special guests on these episodes include David Hasselhoff, Richard Simmons, Jerry Springer, and Kathy Griffin to name a few. And that’s not even the best part. The best is that you get to see the UNCENSORED versions of these episodes. These are the ones that you wish you got to see on TV. There are no words getting beeped here! Overall, this is one DVD that’s too good to pass up.
Batman, dead?
That's what it appears according to this book's title. However, once you open the book, your mind goes through a roller coaster of a story with so many twists and turns. By the time you reach the middle of the book, you'll probably be tempted to scream out of frustration as to what the hell is going on. But keep reading, because piece by piece the story starts to come together. I admit I was real confused for the first half of the book. But once I started to realize what was going on, I couldn’t put it down. The illustration and the story are both equally amazing in Batman R.I.P. It’s one of the darkest Batman stories around and will make you see the Dark Knight like never before.
Mute Math fans have been hungry for some new material. As we wait for the new album to be released, the band has put out the Spotlight EP to hold us off. While it only contains 4 tracks, it’s one that shows that the band’s creative juices are still flowing. If you have the Twilight soundtrack, then you already heard Spotlight. The track Clockwork is one that the band played at various shows during their last tour. I heard them perform it at their Gramercy Theater show in NYC and I remember being impressed. Since then, I’ve waited to hear it on an album and now I got the chance here. Since I only heard it played live, I must say that the album track lacks the energy that you’d get from their show. But it’s still a great song nonetheless. The Son Lux remix of Spotlight has got some pretty slamming beats on it that get stuck in my head every time I hear it. Overall this is one EP that has some great tracks, although I wish it had more. I guess I’ll just have to wait for ARMISTICE.
Track Listing for the Spotlight EP:
1. Spotlight
2. Clockwork
3. Earlylight
4. Spotlight (Son Lux Remix)
