All-Star Superman DVD review
The 12-issue comic-book series “All-Star Superman” by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely was one of the most critically acclaimed comic books of the recent past. The love letter to the Silver Age version of Superman highlights what was great about the Man of Steel while updating it for a modern audience. Clearly, screenwriter Dwayne McDuffie — who passed away last month — had his work cut out for him in adapting it to a 75-minute animated film.
DVD review – Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol
The “Doctor Who” Christmas special starring Matt Smith as the Doctor comes to DVD. While it’s not exactly the time of year for a Christmas story, this is nonetheless a charming episode that mixes the Charles Dickens tale with the science-fiction zaniness of “Doctor Who.”
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 Motion Comic” Blu-ray/DVD combo review
When Joss Whedon’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” ended after seven critically acclaimed years on television, the show’s fan base still had an interest in the characters. Whedon elected to continue the series through the medium of comics, in a Dark Horse series called “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8.” Those comics have been animated and voiced in the motion comic, produced and directed by Jeff Shuter, and is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
DVD review – Sherlock: Season One
BBC’s update of the Sherlock Holmes stories moves the famed detective from the Victorian era into the modern age. After a bit of disorientation as Sherlock Holmes texts and uses computers, viewers will settle into the well-acted series.
Benedict Cumberpatch (“Atonement”) is Holmes, a “high-functioning sociopath” called upon by Scotland Yard for particularly tricky cases. Though he’s a genius of observation, he doesn’t have much in the way of friends. When Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman, “The Office” in Britain) needs a roommate and a new direction in life, he is introduced to Holmes. Holmes’ obsession with the details and excitement of crime-solving intrigues Watson, who becomes Holmes’ partner.
“Batman Beyond: The Complete Series” DVD review
Batman Beyond: The Complete Series
When it was announced in the late 1990s that “Batman: The Animated Series” would end and be followed up by a “Batman in the future” show, there was fan skepticism. Was this just a ploy to sell some new toys? But with producers Bruce Timm and Paul Dini among the responsible parties, the skepticism was unfounded. The story of a new hero taking up the mantle of the Bat 40 years in the future became a techno-styled animated noir classic.
X-Men: First Class reveals a villain; Tron: Legacy goes stop-motion; Christmas comics and Doctor Who
BRING THE BACON
Kevin Bacon tells Philadelphia Style that he will play mutant villain Sebastian Shaw in “X-Men: First Class.”
TRON STOP-MOTION DEBUTS
For his latest stop-motion animation project, NewsOK videographer Kyle Roberts tackled “Tron: Legacy.” Shooting more than 800 photographs in the dark, co-host Kyle Roberts used light-painting to make his subjects — the light cycles from “Tron” — race.
CHRISTMAS COMICS
Comic art from “The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories.”
Craig Yoe, who previously edited and designed “The Golden Collection of Krazy Kool Klassic Kids’ Komics” has collated another collection that should delight young and old alike. “The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories,” includes John Stanley (“Little Lulu”), Walt Kelly (“Pogo”) and Richard Scarry (Little Golden Books). Read more in this Friday’s Weekend Look.
DOCTOR WHO GIVEAWAY
Find out the winners of our Doctor Who DVD and Blu-ray giveaway!
“Men of a Certain Age: Complete First Season” DVD review
Men of a Certain Age DVD
Scott Bakula, Ray Romano and Andre Braugher might not be the first three actors you’d think of putting together, but they work well as a group of college buddies facing middle age in “Men of a Certain Age” on TNT. The first season, with 10 episodes, is out on DVD.
Romano plays Joe Tranelli, a divorcee who is frustrated by missed opportunities and the failure of his marriage.
Bakula has an easy charm as Terry Elliott, an actor facing a declining career, though he’s still able to nab more than his share of much younger women.
Braugher, possibly one of the most underrated actors of his generation, plays Owen Thoreau Jr., a car salesman with a strong sense of morality trying to get out from under the thumb of his domineering father.
“Men’s” look at middle-age friendships among men makes it a bit of “Sex and the City” for dudes. It’s not overly sitcom-y or wacky, but it tries to show the dilemmas faced by men of this age group and realistically convey how these characters would deal with them. Romano is the biggest surprise; his character is pretty far from “Everybody Loves Raymond’s” Ray Barone. Tranelli desperately wants things to work out for his kids and hopes that there’s something more to come in his life besides regret, but some days has difficulty convincing himself. This low-key dramedy gets a lot of things right, starting with the cast, and provides a genuine take on male friendship that draws its humor from the reality of the situations.
Extras include commentaries by co-creators Romano and Mike Royce with Braugher and Bakula on the season premiere and finale. The set also includes a gag reel, deleted scenes and featurettes.
— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Doctor Who giveaway, The Crow Author’s edition in the works, more The Walking Dead coming and Batman takes a European vacation
DOCTOR WHO GIVEAWAY
As the 11th Doctor comes to DVD for the first time, we’re giving away a set of the fifth series! Leave a comment on 
this post with your favorite Doctor to be entered for a chance to win.
The fifth series of “Doctor Who,” which stars Matt Smith as the eleventh Doctor, and Karen Gillan as his companion Amy Pond, is on sale now. The DVD contains all 13 episodes of the fifth series, along with hours of extras.
WIZARD WORLD AUSTIN/THE CROW
Stephen Norrington (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is reportedly out as director of “The Crow” reboot. Mark Wahlberg is rumored for the lead. Creator James O’Barr hasn’t had much to do with the films after the original 1994 film starring Brandon Lee, but he is prepping a new, “Author’s Edition” of the graphic novel. He’ll be in Austin this weekend for the Wizard World Comics convention, along with Adam West, Burt Ward, Michael Golden and many more.
WALKING DEAD GETS SEASON TWO
The zombie horror survival series The Walking Dead, based on the comics by Robert Kirkman, is coming back for a second season.
“BATMAN LIVE” HEADING FOR EUROPE
It was announced today that the “Batman Live” world arena tour is kicking-off next summer.
It will tour the UK and Europe, beginning in summer 2011 and arriving in North America by summer 2012.
REVIEW FILE:
Matt and Kyle review Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #6, Ant-Man and the Wasp #1, and Amazing Spider-Man #648, kicking off the “Big Time” storyline.
“Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series” DVD review
Following in the footsteps of David Tennant as the Doctor, the time-traveling Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, was going to be a tough task. While Tennant was the tenth to play the titular Doctor, he had developed an adoring fan base for his cleverly quirky Doctor in seasons two through four of the modern “Doctor Who.”
Relative unknown Matt Smith (“Party Animals”) took on the role and has made over the Doctor in his floppy-haired image. With new companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), this Doctor skews younger but provides many of the same thrills as “Doctor Who” has provided since its 2005 revamp.
Steven Moffat, who wrote “Who” episodes including “Blink” took over the reins of show runner from Russell T. Davies. His Weeping Angels return to vex the Doctor and Amy in one of the season’s creepier episodes.
The season-long arc dealing with the crack in the world found in Amy Pond’s wall provides a solid story line; meanwhile, fans get to see the new Doctor face off with Daleks, Cybermen, subterranean reptiles and more.
With a new Doctor and a new companion under the hands of a new show runner, the fifth series of “Doctor Who” does have a slightly different feel, but the charmingly goofy Smith and the witty and gorgeous Pond will soon win over most. The reappearance of River Song (Alex Kingston), who is very important to the Doctor’s life in ways neither the viewers nor the Doctor yet know, adds fun and depth to the fifth series.
The 13-episode series on DVD has a suggested retail price of $79.98, which might be a bit steep in these days of Netflix and iTunes downloads. But the BBC does provide a solid amount of extras, with “Doctor Who Confidential,” which looks at each episode; commentaries; outtakes; video diaries; and scenes that connect the episodes.
— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
“Legends of the Super-Heroes” comes to DVD
Green Lantern in "Legends of the Super-Heroes"
Warner Archive has released the “Legends of the Super Heroes” 2-part series on DVD. This show, which starred Adam West and Burt Ward, is a fairly horrific representation of DC’s comic-book heroes, but to some degree it must be seen to be believed. Here’s the description:
Heroes and villains of DC Comics square off in the two-part, live-action, made-for-TV (with a laugh track!) smackdowns of 
Legends of the Super Heroes. The Challenge: Batman and Robin (Adam West and Burt Ward of the live-action Batman TV series) lead The Flash, Green Lantern and more JLA members against The Riddler (Frank Gorshin reprising his TV role), Mordru, Weather Wizard and other Doom-dealers. The Legion’s ultimate gambit: trick the heroes into downing a diabolical depowering drink! The Roast: Poking fun beats swapping punches when celebrity host Ed McMahon emcees a rowdy rave-up. Who knew DC Super Heroes and villains packed as much verbal wit as physical grit when not locked in mortal combat? These Legends will leave you laughing.
Warner Archive puts out some really esoteric stuff, and it’s great if you’re into the more oddball stuff gathered in the Warner coffers. “Legend of the Super-Heroes” certainly applies. Newsarama has a clip, to give you an idea of the quality of the print, as well as the quality of the programming.
- Matt Price
