Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - (Page 20) REVIEWS www.homemediamagazine.com Complete-Series Roundup 2008 I THE SOPRANOS HBO, Seasons: 6, Run Dates: 1999-2007, Price: $399.99, Discs: 33 One of our editors, Kyra Kudick, likes to point out that HBO programming in the early 2000s probably saved scripted television in an era of reality run amuck. “The Sopranos” introduced a new style of gritty, moviequality television, paving the way for such shows as “Deadwood” and “The Shield,” and this boxed set is a celebration of that legacy. It’s a bit bulky and heavy, and takes up way more shelf space than the simple season sets. The discs are contained in thick slipcase pages in a book, stored in a black cloth sack within the box. The set also includes several soundtrack CDs of music used on the show. I THE FLINTSTONES Warner, Seasons: 6, Run Dates: 1960-66, Price: $129.72, Discs: 24 The box has a great outer casing that resembles a prehistoric TV, complete with a lenticular image of the stone-age family. The DVDs inside are divided into two booklets with cardboard sleeves, which doesn’t offer the best protection for the discs. Collectors of old-school TV will love the kitschy packaging if only because it will look good on their shelves. I THE COSBY SHOW I KNIGHT RIDER Universal, Seasons: 4, Run Dates: 1982-86, Price: $139.98, Discs: 24 I love this set. Thinpacks containing the previously released discs have been repackaged in a slick black case adorned with a row of red lights, just like KITT, the talking car from the show! Press the button and it even plays the theme song. It’s geek heaven. Oh, the show’s a nostalgia trip, too. Forget the new version and check out this ’80s classic. I THAT ’70S SHOW Fox, Seasons: 8, Run Dates: 1998-2006, Price: $199.98, Discs: 32 This set proves that good things come in small packages. In this case, the packaging perfectly captures the spirit of the show, an edgy retro look at an earlier generation, like an updated “Happy Days.” Given the current trend of TV programming, it’s also one of the last great sitcoms. It’s set up as a stash box with the discs organized in individual slipcases designed to resemble miniature vinyl records. It even has a little handle for portability. The set includes a booklet with an episode guide, and a replica of the final episode script. Rarely has reliving the ’70s been this much fun. I CHARMED Paramount/CBS, Seasons: 8, Run Dates: 1998-2006, Price: $271.99, Discs: 49 Aaron Spelling takes on Buffy. Collectors have two configurations from which to choose, both styled after the Book of Shadows from the show. The smaller standard version uses cardboard sleeves to store the discs, but at least it fits on a shelf. The larger limited edition ($317.99) has the advantage of storing the discs in actual trays, but it’s freakin’ huge! True fans of the show will love the bigger book but should be prepared to devote a whole table to displaying it. I FRAGGLE ROCK Lionsgate/Hit, Seasons: 4, Run Dates: 1983-87, Price: $139.98, Discs: 20 Three seasons of the show had been released before Lionsgate assumed the DVD rights and decided to bypass the fourth season in lieu of this pricier 25th anniversary set. The box is compact and displays some beautiful, colorful artwork. The DVDs are stored in a three-ring binder notebook with a magnetic clasp, but the slipcases could do a better job of holding the discs. Fans of the show will probably want this, but anyone who bought the earlier sets might want to hold out for a standalone fourth-season set. First Look, Seasons: 8, Run Dates: 1984-92, Price: $139.98, Discs: 26 Some pundits have credited “The Cosby Show” with helping set the mood for the election of Barack Obama as president. One of the most influential shows of the 1980s arrives in a simple yet functional 25th anniversary set. By packing the discs in cardboard sleeves in a box that isn’t too ornate, the set takes up the width of only a few regular DVDs. The true treasures of this set are a hardcover replica of Bill Cosby’s original pilot script, an introductory letter from I THE INCREDIBLE HULK Cosby, and a copy of an Al Hirschfeld caricature of The Cos. Universal, Seasons: 5, Run Dates: 1978-82, Price: $149.98, Discs: 20 The set includes several extras, including interviews and Unlike other studios that completely redesign retrospectives. the wheel when it comes to complete-series packaging, Universal sticks to the basics, put- I BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ting already-released versions in new outer Paramount/CBS, Seasons: 3, Run Dates: 1987-90, Price: $89.99, Discs: 16 casing. And without an exclusive bonus disc, fans won’t have to This show didn’t last too long — just three worry about double dipping. This Hulk set takes all the thinseasons — but was a cult hit during its run. packs from the season sets and stacks them in what is basically Linda Hamilton of the “Terminator” films a simple box with embossed title lettering. Not elaborate, but it starred as the beauty, but was killed off durgets the job done. Unfortunately the follow-up TV movies aren’t ing the final year. Ron Perlman played the beast, giving the included (but some are on DVD from Anchor Bay). actor an early taste of the heavy make-up that would be required to play the title character in Hellboy. The outer packagI THE WILD WILD WEST ing for the three seasons offers some nice artwork, but the Paramount/CBS, Seasons: 4, Run Dates: 1965-69, Price: $144.99, Discs: 27 foldout DVD holders are actually thicker than the original The original sci-fi Western series arrives in an season sets. Also included is that bane to the completist, the ornate boxed set bound to drive collectors exclusive bonus disc. But they’ll probably buy it anyway. wild. Why? It contains an exclusive bonus disc with the two previously unavailable TV mov- I BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES ies based on the series. Thankfully the horrible 1999 film ver- Warner, Seasons: 5, Run Dates: 1992-99, Price: $107.92, Discs: 17 sion is not included. The discs come in two holster-shaped acWhile the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher cordion sleeves. “Batman” film series stole the spotlight, many fans preferred this animated series as I I DREAM OF JEANNIE a faithful representation of the comic book Sony Pictures, Seasons: 5, Run Dates: 1965-70, Price: $174.95, Discs: 20 superhero. The stylized animation was sharp, the stories were This may be the first make-your-own complete well written and the characters were fully developed. This set series set. All the parts are included, you just includes a bonus disc containing featurettes about the history have to assemble the pieces to form a replica of of the show. The DVDs are protected in two oversized amaray Jeannie’s bottle. This is clearly meant to stand cases, so fans short on space can pull those out of the box to apart in a collector’s display. All 139 episodes are stored in an ac- save room on the shelf. cordion sleeve that slides into the base of the bottle. A separate box contains cards with trivia and information about the episodes. I LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Not included are the TV-movie follow-ups to the show. Lionsgate, Seasons: 9, Run Dates: 1974-83, Price: $279.98, Discs: 60 A lot of content has been crammed into I WILL & GRACE this set, and with 60 discs the designers Lionsgate, Seasons: 8, Run Dates: 1998-2006, Price: $249.98, Discs: 33 really did a nice job making it compact I’m not exactly in the primary demographic for enough to not take up as much shelf space this show, but I have to admit the snazzy box as a typical complete series. The DVDs come in a three-ring design is eye-catching. It’s a cube with the four binder that is shaped like a covered wagon, which perfectly main characters posing in their own side of the fits the feel of the show. The discs are crammed into cardbox. A magnetic clasp keeps it closed, and the box opens with a board pages, at three a page, which isn’t always the best way fold-down side, similar to the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” boxed to prevent scratching, but it’s probably the best compromise set from a few years ago. The discs are stacked vertically, two to prevent fans from having to pick up something that is seasons to a booklet, with discs in cardboard sleeves. The set unreasonably large. includes an episode guide booklet and an exclusive bonus disc. I THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS I SPEED RACER Lionsgate, Seasons: 1, Run Dates: 1967-68, Price: $49.98, Discs: 6 Time Life, Seasons: 7, Run Dates: 1986-91, Price: $179.99, Discs: 25 The discs come in a nifty tin replica of the Fans were given the chance to select the Mach 5 car, which constitutes the bulk of the artwork through an online vote, and set. With only 53 episodes of the classic Japathey made the right call, picking a box that nese anime series, there’s not much content resembles the team’s firehouse headquar- here. A new bonus disc includes a featurette on the history of ters. The set is available exclusively at Time Life’s Web site the show, plus the making of “Speed Racer: The Next Generaat www.RealGhostbustersDVD.com, although season sets of tion,” and an episode of the new show. the show could make it to shelves next year. – John Latchem Home Media Magazine November 30–December 6, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.RealGhostbustersDVD.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 Contents News Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - News (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Reviews (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Reviews (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Reviews (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Reviews (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Reviews (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Reviews (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 25) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 26) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 27) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 28) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 29) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 30) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 31) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 32) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - November 30 - December 6, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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