Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Scrubs Season 2 On DVD Review


Number of discs: 3

Run Time: 479 minutes

Product Link: Click Here

Scrubs is an amazing show about a group of friends and their journey through medical practice work in a hospital - and absolutely worth the purchase of this tv show on DVD. The extras alone add much more to the show, and allow fans to become even more obsessed through the new nuances that they can focus on thanks to Scrubs Season 2 on DVD. This is, of course, in addition to the fact that the episodes can be watched in order or by specific episode in accordance to the will of the viewer.

A nice touch compared to other tv shows on DVD, there is bonus material on all three discs in the Scrubs Season 2 on DVD disc set. This allows the viewer to become much more in tune with the shows creators, actors, designers, writers and producers. And instead of throwing it all on one disc at the end to fill up space like most tv shows on DVD, viewers are able to enjoy little meaningful bits on all three of the discs, since they all offer something unique by way of bonus material.

My favorite extras are everything having to do with John C. McGuinley. I must not be alone, because entire extras are committed to him and he adds his input to almost every extra available in the Scrubs Season 2 on DVD set. "Johnny C. Keeps on Talking" is simply him discussing his audition process and seemingly everything else that he thinks of about the show, the process, his character, etc. This alone is worth buying Scrubs Season 2 on DVD to me, but there's still more!

Also in the Scrubs Season 2 on DVD disc set, viewers can watch "A Rare Condition", which explains the hospital, how it is set up, where it is and other questions individuals might have, all while getting feedback from the cast. The situation is rare because the hospital is an actual abandoned hospital in L.A. county. Or on Disc 2, they can look at "Alternate Lines, A Second Option", which reviews lines that worked better when given a second go, Stunt Casting, which has a cute love story in it, and the audio commentary option given on all three discs.

Disc three does offer the most features, including the "Music Stylings" (which any fan will know is a major part of the show) – including the frequent Colin Hay references/appearances, "Secrets and Lies", "Scrubbed Out: Deleted Scenes", "Practice, Practice, MalPractice" (How many tries did it take Turk to make a basketball shot??!), "JD's Mojo", "Imagination Gone Wild" and "Audio Commentary".

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Scrubs Season 4 On DVD


Other Seasons of Scrubs On DVD

Freaks and Geeks Complete Series DVD Review


Number of discs: 6

Run Time: 1080 minutes

Product Link: Click Here

In 1999, Freaks and Geeks barely made it through its first, and only, season. While the show had a very determined and supportive fan base, it was canceled at the end of that season. Despite the fact that the show featured a number of stars including James Franco from the Spiderman movies, Linda Cardellini from the Scooby Doo Movies and Seth Rogen, it was not possible for the show to make it on prime time television. Eventually, as is the trend with many tv shows lately, the 18 episodes were released and the Freaks and Geeks Complete Series on DVD was released to the general public for consummation. The show follows Lindsay and Sam Weir as they make their way through high school in 1980, but with a very honest and human approach and end result. More than 35,000 fans signed the petition that led to the release of Freaks and Geeks Season 1 on DVD before it was considered, which shows the commitment of the fan base.


While the series was shown in its entirety on tv, there are a number of reasons to purchase this television show set. Season 1 of this tv show is on DVD and the compilation offers an amazing assortment of extras for the fans. More than any other I've seen recently, there is over 40 entire hours of additional footage and featurettes in this set. The cast and crew, and even the parents of the cast, weigh in on commentaries, of which there are 29 separate options. There are also about 60 deleted scenes which feature pieces cut from the episodes. It's pretty clear that this type of purchase beats out other tv shows on DVD simply due to the large amount of bonus features that the six discs offer.


Even with all the possibilities, a couple of my favorite extras on the Freaks and Geeks Season 1 DVD set have got to be the cast auditions that are viewable as well as the behind-the-scenes featurettes that are available. Together, it really helps the viewer to appreciate how much goes into creating the show. Everyone's energy is very clear and from the auditions to the creations of the show from every angle and it is refreshing and rewarding.

God the Devil and Bob DVD Review


Number of discs: 2

Run Time: 338 minutes


God, The Devil and Bob Season 1 on DVD is a great purchase in part because only 4 of the episodes were aired on television before the show was canceled. By purchasing the show on DVD, fans can actually see all of the episodes from Season 1 on their own time, most of which were never shown on NBC. There was a lot of controversy over the show because of its religious nature, but I find and found the show to be very morally uplifting. Of course it is a cartoon and not to be taken too seriously, but it has good intentions and it's a shame that it was canceled so quickly. Luckily, however, it was released on DVD and now, like so many other tv shows on DVD, fans can easily and conveniently enjoy the entire series – in this case of God, the Devil and Bob - from their own homes at their leisure.


In addition to the 13 cartoon shows that are featured on the two DVD discs, there are some extras that come along with the DVD set. Like other tv shows on DVD, there are commentaries on several episodes including "In the Beginning", "The Devil's Birthday", "Bob Gets Committed" and "God's Girlfriend". However, there are also a number of other extras on the DVDs that help to make sure that the purchase is well worth the expense!


On Disc 2, where the some of the commentary and the non-commentary bonuses are found, fans can enjoy a number of different extras, including 15 minutes of voice over audition tapes, Digital Storyboards and a featurette exploring the making of God, The Devil and Bob.


My favorite of the extras, however, when it comes to the complete series of God, The Devil and Bob on DVD would have to be the "On the Set" Interviews that take place. This 12 minute bonus is fun because time is spent with Bob, the Devil and God in a quaint little sit down, question and answer format. An off-screen reporter asks questions of the three main characters and the cartoons answer them in amusing manners. It adds humanity and comedy to the interviews and it is just enjoyable to see how the cartoons would answer questions if they were doing some type of live show rather than a cartoon series. It also adds depth to the characters, which is always appreciated by fans.

Futurama Season 4 on DVD




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The last released season of Futurama, Season 4 on DVD offers a wide variety of options to the consumer. Not only does it reveal the car-crash-like horror and intrigue of William Shatner singing a Slim Shady remix, the Emmy-nominated "Jurassic Bark" (an episode that often makes me cry…) and answers to questions no one asked but can't help loving the answers to ("The Why of Fry", what is space jelly?, etc.). This fourth season of Futurama is one of the many examples of how the sales of tv shows on DVD have gone on to affect the future of the show. At the end of November 2007 the first of four Futurama movies are going to be released onto DVD and Comedy Central is scheduled to air 13 NEW episodes starting some time in 2008.

First off, the interactive menus of the Futurama Season 4 on DVD disc set is probably the best yet. It is vivid and entertaining as far as the graphics, but there are also really neat audio tracks that are more varied than previous seasons. It also offers a "Play All" option, which is very much appreciated.

Like the other sets of Futurama tv shows on DVD, there are commentaries on all the episodes. These are full length commentaries and the "Jurassic Bark" episode offers two commentaries in order to go over the writing process for the emotional episode. On disc 1 of the Futurama DVD Season 4 set, one of my favorite extras is the storyboard for "Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch". Disc 3 offers a lot of extra scenes and deleted scenes for individuals to view.

However, the real gem of the set is Disc 4. With 11 different models of animation, a How To when it comes to drawing Bender and Professor Farnworth, pencil tests and a gallery of sketches, there are enough extras to keep all fans entertained and happy. There are also trailers and promos for the first three seasons of Futurama on DVD as well as for the Futurama video game that was released. Easter eggs are hidden all over the DVD and include a Table Read of "The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings" as well as a list of unused opening title lines. It is a fun and interesting DVD set and one of the best TV shows on DVD!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Family Guy Volume 5 DVD Review

Number of discs: 3

Runtime: 146 minutes

Product Link: Product Link


More Freakin' Sweet Family Guy Fun

Like the majority of tv shows on DVD, Family Guy creators are looking to make money. But unlike other tv shows on DVD, the fan base of Family Guy purchasing DVD sets brought the show back from cancellation. Thanks to this show of commitment by fans, Family Guy continues to flourish and produce quality episodes.
While it is nice to have the first thirteen episodes, the major disappointment to this set is that it is “Volume 5” – and not the whole season. Nonetheless, it is nice to have these thirteen episodes on DVD since they are fun and humorous. Since many people feel that quality is more important than quantity, Family Guy Volume 5 on DVD is mostly regarded as a good purchase.

Family Guy Volume 5 on DVD does not fail as it continues to provide watchers with some of the funniest Family Guy episodes yet (I personally am a huge fan of the episodes where Peter thinks his doctor rapes him during a prostate exam, and when Brian and Stewie join the military and go to Iraq – and think about shooting each other in the foot to go home…).

The play all option on the disc is great for when I’m going to bed and want to fall asleep to the show! The only thing that viewers should beware of is that unlike other tv shows on DVD, the Family Guy Volume 5 DVD set has a language default of “uncensored”. This means that you will hear quite a number of curse words if you don’t change it. While this is not a problem for most people, it is worth mentioning, especially if you are going to be watching it with impressionable little ones around.


The extras on this are great – especially How to Draw Peter Griffin. It’s nice and straightforward, and even I can now draw a halfway decent Peter (I’m not very art savvy…). There are commentaries on all three discs and deleted scenes on the last disc, as well as a promotional piece for the Freakin’ Sweet Christmas Collection coming out and a 16-17 minute long piece discussion all the toys that have been created featuring the Family Guy characters! It’s a great addition to the previous four volumes and full of the great humor and out-there antics that made this show a cult classic.

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Family Guy Vol. 1 DVD




Dexter Season 1 DVD Review



Number of discs: 4

Runtime: 650 minutes

Product Link: Click Here

TV Show Dexter Makes A Killer Impression

Showtime’s Dexter is going into its second season. Just in time, the first season has been released on DVD.
Six Feet Under’s Michael C. Hall stars in the story of a Miami forensic blood splatter analyst who has a sociopathic/killing compulsion. However, his now deceased father knew that he was likely going to have these tendencies, and decided to help shape him into the most functional person that he could be. As Dexter Morgan, Hall’s work allows him to study serial killers, which he then goes out and kills. After all, his cop father told him from an early age that some people deserve to be killed – the police can’t catch them all.

This disturbing yet addictive premise is not the only thing that makes this show an amazing watch. Throughout the course of the twelve episode season, the story of why Dexter is the way that he is will be revealed to the viewer, all while tracking down the ‘Big Bad’ of the Season: The Ice Truck Killer. But this ‘villian’ isn’t seen as horrifying to everyone. Dexter actually feels a connection to The Ice Truck Killer and has abstract connections and conversations with him throughout the season.


The show has an amazingly catchy dialogue, through the characters interactions and Dexter’s mental monologues, as well as superb visual affects. Co-Stars include Julie Benz (from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel series) as Dexter’s emotionally distraught and uninterested in sex girlfriend (which works great for Dexter who also feels that after sex partners tend to see him for what he is: emotionless and empty), Jennifer Carter as Dex’s foster sister that he pretends to have as much love for as she does for him and co-worker at the police station, Erik King, who is the only one on the force who seems to have any idea that something may not be quite right with Dexter.

Dexter is morally similar to Mel Gibson’s character in PayBack. Despite the fact that you know that perhaps what he is doing is not the right thing, either morally or socially, you can’t help but feel endeared to him because of it. - Christine Foley

At Amazon:

Dexter Season 1 DVD

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Arrested Development Season 1 On DVD



Number of discs: 3

Runtime: 512 minutes

Product Link: Click Here

The Arrested Development Season 1 DVD disc set is a lot different from the other tv shows on DVD that a person could experience. The cinematic elements and the acting style are both unlike those which a viewer would likely see on many basic or extended cable channels or on tv shows on DVD. Instead of relying on a studio audience or other mechanism for laughs, the show is shot much like a drama. There is no backup to give the punch lines justification. Despite this, many viewers, once acclimated to the setup of the show, will enjoy the premise and the style of Arrested Development Season 1 DVD set and provide the laughs for the show easily and happily. The Arrested Development Season 1 DVD box set supplies viewers with a new and different style of comedic delivery from other tv shows on DVD, which works flawlessly on audience members.

As a result of the first season, Arrested Development was able to win the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy. Leading up to this Emmy, viewers are introduced to the family Blurth, almost all of whom are imbalanced in some way. The central character in Arrested Development is played by Jason Bateman. Bateman acts as the family’s only normal and potentially sane son, Michael. Michael believes that he is going to soon inherit his family’s fortune and fortune-providing company, but his hopes are dashed when his father, played by Jeffrey Tambor, leaves the company to his wife (Jessica Walter) and eventually lands himself in jail for business practice problems. The family’s accounts are then frozen and no one can access the money that they are so used to having around and being able to use as they see fit.

Arrested Development Season 1 DVD discs chronicle the family’s journey through lack of money and legal woes, and goes on to include many other family members with equally odd problems and troubles - none of whom seem to actually love/like one another all that much. All of the characters have distinct and surprisingly human qualities, leaving them memorable and understandable, which also helps the series to stand out from other tv shows on DVD.

A complex show, the Arrested Development Season 1 DVD set does not just offer viewers the 22 episodes of deadpan dialogue, insane situations and comical development. Viewers can also enjoy the longer/extended pilot episode, commentaries on episodes and a featurette showing the behind-the-scenes aspects of the show. Overall, the Arrested Development Season 1 DVD disc set allows viewers to not only enjoy the show that is often difficult for people to understand at first, but it also helps people to ease into the setting and staging of the show. Once understood and processed, the Arrested Development Season 1 DVD set is one of the most enjoyable and exciting tv shows on DVD. - Christine Foley

At Amazon.com:

Arrested Development Season 1 DVD

Arrested Development Season 1, 2 & 3 DVD