Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Alan Campbell, William Conrad, Joe Penny
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: July 8, 2008

Back in December, I was your guy for reviewing Diagnosis Murder, so I suppose it was only natural that when Jake and the Fatman came out that I should review that, as well. If you’re wondering why that might be the case, it’s because Diagnosis Murder is actually a spinoff of Fat Man. If you like criminal dramas this one isn’t so bad. A product of its time with some behind the scenes drama attached, Fatman has some decent moments in this Volume One box set. In fact, one could wager to say that the most depressing part about this set is that it’s a split season set, and no fan wants to pay twice for the same season, while having to wait for the remaining episodes to come out.

This crime solving, prosecuting duo is a little unorthodox in some ways. The Fatman, played by William Conrad, is well acted, but anything other than smooth. He’s reminiscent of a single Uncle who has a relationship only with Cheetos and Beer. He’s pretty unkempt in the ways that you would expect criminal attorneys to be, but he makes up for it in all of his business matters. Meanwhile, his partner and the guy doing all the detective legwork is setup to be the ladies magnet. Whether he is a stud or not I cannot say, but the role he plays is set to make him look that way. While the Fatman is all about Cheetos, Styles (played by Joe E. Penny) is all about fine sophistication with expensive appearing suits, a sports car, and all of the finer things in life.

Release Information:
Jake and the Fatman was a part of some behind the scenes drama early on. The show was actually canceled in the first season though this ending was short lived. The show’s revival is due to the removal of Magnum PI from the CBS lineup. When the show was canceled CBS opted to take advantage of the Magnum setting, since they were paying for it anyway and it was incredibly expensive. This moved Fatman to Hawaii, which served to be a great move as the ratings rose dramatically.

Fans that have been clamoring for the Fatman to come to DVD will be pleased to know that Volume One of the First Season will be released on July 8, 2008. You can pre-order this on several sites on the Internet and once it is out, you should be able to find it just about anywhere that sells DVDs. If you plan to purchase it for pre-order, you can find it at Amazon for $26.99.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Jeff Maguire
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Rene Russo, John Malkovich, John Mahoney, Gary Cole, Dylan McDermott, Fred Dalton Thomas
Rating: R
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date:July 1, 2008

Before Clint Eastwood was a director that wowed the crowds in the capacity that he does these days, he was an actor that often did the same thing. Eastwood’s illustrious career includes mainly Westerns and action flicks. Thankfully, In the Line of Fire is the latter of the two categories. I tend to think of this movie as his lead-in to action retirement. He did a few action movies after this, but it was one of the last before he began focusing more on being behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Eastwood is usually quite entertaining to watch. Even in less than flattering movies, he manages to hold his part well at all times. This strays from the model of perfection brought on by most action films, which are not weighed by the acting or actors, but rather the death count and special effects explosions. However, when you find Eastwood in an action flick you know that he is going to give his all, and maybe that means a better movie than you originally perceived.

Release Information:
Based on a book of the same name, In the Line of Fire made enough of an impression on audiences to gain three Academy Award Nominations. The film was nominated for supporting actor (John Malkovich), best screenplay, and editing. Fans of action films and Eastwood shared the sentiment of the Academy. While this film only cost about $40 million to make, it made over $176,997,168 worldwide, over $102,000,000 of this money was made in North America alone.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Joe D’Ambrosia, Tom Teves
Director: Junichi Fujisaku, Michael Hack
Cast: Kari Wahlgren, Ben Diskin, Crispin Freeman, Dave Wittenberg, Olivia Hack, Steven Jay Blum, Quinton Flynn, Liz Sroka, Christopher Nissley
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Sony
Release Date: June 17, 2008

Sony is releasing the hit animation television show, Blood+ in two ways. The first was reviewed by one of Literary Illusions’ other reviewers, Dominick. This was a review of Blood+: Part One, which is a 25 episode set for the first episodes in the series. The second way is in five episode DVDs. The first five episodes were released in Blood+: Volume One. That brings me to my review of Blood+: Volume Two.

I am an avid fan of Japanese cartoon making and anime. I saw most of the episodes for Blood+ on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. This was mostly a refresher’s course in episodes 06-10 of the series, for me. I have to say, that this show isn’t bad. It’s not the best anime I’ve seen, but it certainly has its entertaining moments. The show is engaging and the storylines that are followed keep the audience guessing as to what will happen next, on a continuous basis. What more could you really ask for in a television series?

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Sarah Silverman, Amy Sedaris, Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount/Comedy Central
Release Date: June 10, 2008

Comedy is a good thing. Everybody needs to take a minute or two and get away from things and have a good laugh. Comedy Central should be notorious for providing those laughs in a television setting, though they are often hit or miss. Shows like South Park, The Sarah Silverman Program, and Lil Bush provide some pretty good laughs, while other shows have been more miss than hit. Comedy Central Home Grown is one of the newer “experiments”, as they put it, to filter through the network. Given a supposed-to-be-amusing twist of weed, you end up with a sampler disc meant to promote the network as a whole and all the good things that are on it.

This DVD contains five episodes of various network shows alongside some sketches, shorts, and other items. They all have one thing in common and that is weed. Whether this is funny to you or not will depend. Whether it’s worth the money or not is highly debatable. This is mainly for people that have little to no experience with the network and the shows that are currently airing. As it is, many of these episodes either have been, are, or will be on other DVDs and in other sets. In that case, the only pull to this DVD is that they are all on the same disc. I fail to understand why that makes this DVD important or worth money.

Release Information:
Comedy Central Home Grown was released by Comedy Central and Paramount on June 10, 2008. The 5-episode DVD has a run-time of 180 minutes and is not rated. The packaging involves a single standard case like any movie would be placed in. You should be able to pick this DVD up just about anywhere that DVDs are sold. Amazon has Comedy Central’s Home Grown available for $16.99 and Walmart is offering it for $16.99, as well, but with a different box cover.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Richard Thomas, John Walmsley, Eric Scott, Earl Hamner Jr., Kami Cotler, Mary Beth McDonough, Judy Norton-Taylor, David W. Harper, Ralph Waite, Joe Conley, Michael Learned, Ellen Corby, Ronnie Claire Edwards
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: April 29, 2008

The Waltons is one of those all-American, family type of shows. It is the kind of show you watch and feel good about watching. With an all-star cast and some of the most memorable characters in the history of television this show set the stage for the family drama. Over the years, The Waltons explored issues that real families faced. Sure, there was some added drama, but as a whole, many families could relate to the lives of the Waltons and the experiences they were going through.

Today, The Waltons is classic television. It’s quite the treat to watch an episode of The Waltons on television. Taking its cues from history, The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is no exception to this. In fact, some of the most exciting episodes occurred during this season. As WWII was declared by America, John Boy and the rest of the Waltons do what they can to support the war effort. Their loves, losses, struggles, and touching moments resonate in those who watch and enjoy the telling of one of the best dramas ever to air on television.

Release Information:
The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is made up of 23 episodes. These episodes originally aired on television between September 21, 1978 and March 22, 1979. This is the seventh DVD for the series to be released and all of the others are available for purchase on their own or in a set of five (seasons 1-5) with the sixth season available on its own.

The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season was released on April 29, 2008 by Warner Home Video. You can purchase The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season DVD at your favorite place to shop both online and off. This three-disc DVD box set is available at Amazon where it is retailing for $29.99.

The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season Plot
The Waltons face the prospect of war as it is declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Waltons, much like many other American families are devastated by the events of December 7, 1941. With the recent loss of Grandpa Walton, the prospect of more death in a war filled with senseless violence is not something the Waltons had hoped to have happen. Still, the war gives many in the family a sense of purpose and a way to move on past their loss.

For John Boy, this means he will head to Europe, to report for the newspaper, Stars and Stripes. This job takes him to London. Mary Ellen helps the war effort by playing the role of nurse. The younger Waltons, Jason, Ben and Jim-Bob also must decide if they want to help out by volunteering for service in the war. John and Olivia Walton help out and keep busy with their nest quickly emptying. They do this by expanding their lumber business, which they can use to help the war effort, as well.

Prior to her service, Mary Ellen gets an apartment in Charlottesville with Erin. In the meantime, Jim-Bob has fallen in love with a woman who is about to enter the convent. With so much going on, it’s hard to believe that love, loss, sadness, heartache, and jubilation can all be a part of just one season of the Waltons. This season is one of those you simply cannot miss with some of the most heartfelt performances of the series put in by this amazing cast.

The 23 episodes are spread across three discs, front and back. The episodes are split up in the following way:

Disc 1 - Side A:
- “The Empty Nest Parts 1 and 2”
- “The Calling”
- “The Moonshiner”

Disc 1 - Side B:
- “The Obsession”
- “The Changeling”
- “The Portrait”
- “The Captive”

Disc 2 - Side A:
- “The Illusion”
- “The Beau”
- “Day of Infamy”
- “The Yearning”

Disc 2 - Side B:
- “The Boosters”
- “The Conscience”
- “The Obstacle”
- “The Parting”

Disc 3 - Side A:
- “The Burden”
- “The Pin-Up”
- “The Attack”
- “The Legacy”

Disc 3 - Side B:
- “The Outsider”
- “The Torch”
- “The Tailspin”
- “Founders’ Day”

The acting for the Waltons is excellent. They don’t make shows like this anymore. The storylines in this season, which I really enjoyed, are all fleshed out to the point where you feel the action. You become a part of the story. You are a part of the Walton family. I can’t ask for a better show to review and I have to decline from telling you too much about the story. You really need to find out what happens by watching the episodes on your own because they’re too good to miss! Anybody who has watched the Waltons will understand they are still watching the same family, but this breaks them apart and where they go will depend on how they help the war. To explain where they went besides the information I listed previously would be detrimental to the experience most people have when watching this show (if they’ve never seen it before)!

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
For being an older show the video quality for The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is pretty good. There are minor issues with grain and compression artifacts, but nothing too terrible. Overall, everything looks pretty good and comes through clearly. The video for The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is available in full frames at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio!

The audio quality for The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is available as Dolby Digital English mono sound. This is pretty typical for older television series. The audio is good. No volume toggling is needed, but the soundtrack isn’t nearly as dynamic as television shows tend to be today. For what the show is, the mono sound works. Still, I tend to prefer the updated soundtracks better and the mono soundtrack is limited in what I can do.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
There aren’t any bonus features included in The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season DVD box set.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is one of the best seasons of this excellent television show. Packed with action and interesting storylines this DVD box set is a must have for fans of the show. Newcomers to The Waltons should probably check out season one first, just because this is such a dynamic series. However, it won’t take much to be up to speed with what is going on in the lives of the Waltons, even if you’ve never seen this series before. The Waltons: The Complete Seventh Season is highly recommended.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: The Waltons, The Complete Seventh Season, DVD Review, TV Show, Richard Thomas, John Walmsley, Warner Home Video, Family, Drama, Joe Conley

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Cast: Nelly, Katt Williams, Common, Kanye West
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: March 18, 2008

Every now and then something shows up on my desk and I immediately wonder why it was put out on DVD in the first place. Music awards shows like this are one of those things. I just don’t get the point. Don’t get me wrong. I am sure there are some decent performances to be watched, but in the end you have to wonder how many times someone is going to watch an award show.

I don’t know about you, but I rarely pull out my 1989 Academy Awards DVD for the same reason. If you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it and you don’t need to see it again. If you didn’t see it the first time it still doesn’t warrant a purchase unless you’re too embarrassed to know that the Blockbuster employee was laughing at your rental choices the minute you shut the door on the store.

The release of the <em>BET Hip Hop Awards 2007</em> on DVD just baffles me in so many ways. When I received my copy of this in the mail, initially I just stared at it. I flipped it over, examined the front and back of the box, but in the end it was still an award show. I didn’t see the appeal. After watching it, I still don’t see the appeal. If you’re a huge fan of BET award shows you might end up loving this. Otherwise, there is nothing worth watching here more than once.

Release Information:
Considering the fact that this is an awards show, the primary reason for purchasing it is going to be the performances that occur on the disc rather than the awards. In this case, this will be a popular choice with rap fans. This one disc DVD comes in a standard DVD case with the awards show and a small set of special features. You can pick up the BET Hip Hop Awards 2007 courtesy of BET and Paramount on March 18, 2007. At that time it will be available through various retailers including Amazon where it will cost you just under $20.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Rae Brunton
Director: Steve Barker
Cast: Ray Stevenson, Julian Wadham, Richard Brake, Paul Blair, Brett Fancy, Enoch Frost, Julian Rivett, Michael Smiley
Rating: R
Studio: Sony Pictures
Release Date: March 11, 2008

I’ve liked Ray Stevenson since I first saw him on the now defunct HBO epic series, Rome. This means that I was looking forward to watching Outpost. I knew it was about a Nazi bunker, had parallel elements to the story and the events were happening in war-torn Eastern Europe. Overall, I probably would have wanted to see the film even if Stevenson wasn’t in it though his presence was a definite plus.

Outpost has used some recycled themes, especially when looking to other, similar films in the horror genre. However, the events of history coupled with the paranormal elements are what make Outpost at least watchable. No one wants to think about the possibility of this film happening. It’d be one heck of a reality if it were truth. Still, some may look to other horror flicks and think this story isn’t folded as neatly together as it could have been and I do have to agree in some aspects. While the tension level was high throughout the entire second half of the film, there could have been some things done to more quickly establish the purpose of the film prior to the entrance to the bunker. Until then, I just wasn’t sure what this story was about.

Release Information:
Outpost never really had an official theatrical release in the United States. It premiered at the American Film Market on October 31, 2008. The film was leaked through the internet in February and there are plans for a theatrical run throughout Europe. However, as far the United States goes, this is pretty much a direct to DVD release with no plans of appearing in theaters.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Aaron Matthew Lee
Director: Joel Gallen
Cast: Flavor Flav, Alexis Arquette, Chyna, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Ron Jeremy, Jimmy Kimmel
Rating: R
Studio: Comedy Central/Paramount
Release Date: February 12, 2008

Flavor Flav was once a part of the rap group Public Enemy. From there, he transitioned into a reality television star when he starred in a season of The Surreal Life, which eventually led to Flavor of Love. Anyone who has seen FoL knows just how insane things can get and they know how interesting Flavor Flav can be. He was likely the best option for a comedic roast, because of his wild and crazy ways.

This is my first experience with a Comedy Central Roast. So, I really don’t have anything to compare this roast to in terms of previous events. Although, I have to say this roast offers quite a bit of comedy and some raunchy (at least for cable) moments, too. There are plenty of names and faces that you will recognize and if you’re a comedy lover, you will no doubt love this from start to finish.

Release Information:
Set to be released on Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav, this Roast was an instant hit with fans of the network and the roast shows. While previous roasts were said to have been tame, the comedians at Flavor’s Roast, held nothing back. Comedy fans adored it and network fans wanted more.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Marcos Caruso, Jandira Martini
Director: Bruno Barreto
Cast: Marco Ricca, Luana Piovani, Leonardo Miggiorin, Luis Gustavo, Martha Mellinger
Rating: Unrated
Studio: Lifesize Entertainment
Release Date: February 5, 2008

The idea of the romantic comedy is one that has been hashed and re-hashed over a million different times in many different ways. You see girls who love and lose, boys who love and lose, couples who cannot stay together, and couples that come together in the end. Generally, in the midst of these films, there are only two requirements. The movie needs to have a couple, no matter how unlikely, who find love and the movie has to have elements of humor, no matter how cheesy or predictable. All of this being said, Romeo and Juliet Get Married is not going to offer one thing that a romantic comedy fan hasn’t seen before.

It’s a story so common they even covered it in the direct to DVD release of Bring it On: In it to Win it. It’s about “star crossed lovers” or so it was said by the great Shakespeare. This is, in a sense, what Romeo and Juliet Get Married is all about. Offering an incredibly predictable storyline, this version attempts to offer a new spin on Romeo and Juliet by making them soccer players. Whether this works for you will likely depend on how much you like the idea and the sport.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!

Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Rob Dyrdek, Chris Boykin
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: January 8, 2008

I admit openly that I am very picky about reality television. There are shows that I watch, ones I can stomach but do not prefer, and ones that make me turn channels at all costs. I find that the reality shows that I watch are either about a person that has made me interested in them before the show began or they are the shows that offer some sort of humiliation based on talent or lack thereof.

For the most part, I tend to avoid the MTV and VH1 shows just because I forget that they are on and because since MTV stopped playing videos and no longer produces the amazingly interesting retro game show, Remote Control, I stopped watching the network all together.

When Rob and Big: The Complete Seasons 1&2 landed on my desk for review, I looked at it for a moment and put it out of my mind until it came time to watch it and write this review. Some movies arrive and have me clamoring to watch them, but this was just another on my desk. At times, my opinions change when I watch certain DVDs. In the case of Rob and Big: The Complete Seasons 1&2 my opinion did not change too much. It wasn’t a bad show, but at the same time it was probably not something that I would have purchased after seeing it sitting on a store shelf.

(more…)

If you like this site, Donate to help keep us going!