Archived On The Mark - June & July, 2006

July 31, 2006 - Here is a DVD set review of BCI's "Ultraman: Season One: Volume One."

July 28, 2006 - Here is a DVD review of BBC Video's "Doctor Who: Revelation Of The Daleks: The Colin Baker Years 1984 - 1986."

July 27, 2006 - The seeds of the Time War begin here! Here is a DVD review of BBC Home Video's "Doctor Who: Genesis Of The Daleks: The Tom Baker Years 1974 - 1981."

July 26, 2006 - The Doctor is in and I'll have a DVD review up later of one of his important time and space traveling adventures. Please stay tuned.

July 25, 2006 - Here is an HD DVD review of Paramount Home Entertainment's "Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow." I've added the October 17, 2006 Lionsgate Blu-ray Wave 3 titles as well as Disney's extended cut of "The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" to the upcoming DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc Calendar.  Click here to check it out or on the marked button above.

July 24, 2006 - Here is a Blu-ray Disc review of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's "xXx" and an HD DVD review of Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "The Chronicles Of Riddick: Pitch Black."

July 21, 2006 - LATE UPDATE - Here is a review of the Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player BD-P1000. I have updated the upcoming DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc Calendar to reflect newly announced titles. Please note that newly announced DVD titles are highlighted in green. Click here to check it out.

July 20, 2006 - Here is a DVD set review of Warner Home Video's "V For Vendetta: Two-Disc Special Edition."

July 18, 2006 - Later Update - The heat wave continues here in NYC so I am getting out of my office and going to a cooler spot to continue working and expect to return tomorrow. There have been a few more HD DVD and Blu-ray title announcements that you can find on the upcoming DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray calendar by clicking here. I'll be back tomorrow with my DVD review of Warner Home Video's "V For Vendetta: Two-Disc Special Edition" so please stay tuned. Thank you.

July 18, 2006 - I wanted to post these up for Monday, but we are having a heat wave here in NYC where with the humidity it is approximately 100 degrees in the shade. So I chose to wait until the night to write my second review and publish them both for today. Here are DVD reviews of Anchor Bay Entertainment's "Masters Of Horror: Homecoming" and Synapse Films' "Small Gauge Trauma: FanTasia Film Festival 1996 - 2006."

July 14, 2006 - Below is Warner Home Video's official press release for the studios first Blu-ray Disc titles. I have a good feeling about this first wave. I think Blu-ray consumers are going to be happy. I'll have Blu-ray reviews and the review of the Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player BD-P1000 next week along with continuing coverage and reviews of HD DVD, DVD, and UMD for PSP too (lest we forget television) so please stay tuned. Thank you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WARNER HOME VIDEO ANNOUNCES FIRST

WAVE OF BLU–RAY LAUNCH TITLES

Available August 1^st and Featuring a Mix of Titles For All Consumers

Academy Award Winner TRAINING DAY

Academy Award Nominated GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK

Noir Comedy KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG

Romantic Comedy RUMOR HAS IT

BURBANK, California (July 14, 2006) –Warner Home Video (WHV), which distributes the largest film library of any studio, today announced that it will launch its first wave of titles on Blu-ray Disc.  On August 1, WHV will release four titles – Training Day; Good Night, and Good Luck; Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang; and Rumor Has It – on the Blu-ray format to support the initial roll out of Blu-ray players in North America.  Training Day and Good Night, and Good Luck will be available for $28.99 SRP and Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang and Rumor Has It will be available for $34.99 SRP.  Future waves of Blu-ray launch titles will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Warner Bros. is a leader in home entertainment and it is our ongoing mission to provide consumers with a broad choice of options for the next generation, in-home experience” said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. “These initial Blu-ray titles demonstrate the superb quality of high definition across a range of genres providing consumers with a cinema quality experience from the comfort of their homes.

Blu-ray Discs offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color in addition to beautifully crisp sound. Warner Blu-ray Discs introduce instant access to extra features with the use of a seamless menu-bar that allows viewers to enjoy features and settings without leaving or interrupting the film.

The first wave of Warner titles include two new releases, a catalog favorite and a title new to the high definition format:  the critically acclaimed Oscar^® nominated drama Good Night, and Good Luck starring David Strathairn and George Clooney; Academy Award^® winning, Training Day starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke; Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer’s noir comedy caper Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang; and Rob Reiner’s clever romantic comedy starring Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Mark Ruffalo and Shirley MacLaine, Rumor Has It.

July 13, 2006 - Here is a review of the SCI FI Channel series premiere of "Eureka." Cartoon Network has been the leader in creating original and innovative animated programming for viewers of all ages. If you are interested in animation and learning more about the Cartoon Network programs, I have the information for you below!

Adult Swim Panels and Events Lineup for 2006 Comic-Con International

Sneak Peak First 6-minutes of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie for Theatres

Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s sister network of animated series for grown-ups, will host a number of panels and special events, including signings, during Comic-Con International, to be held in San Diego, Calif., Thursday, July 20 -Sunday, July 23, 2006.    During the Adult Swim Originals panel fans will be treated to a special sneak peek of the first 6 minutes of The Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie for Theatres.

ALL PANEL AND SIGNING INFORMATION IS TENTATIVE AND ALL TIMES, DATES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

PANELS

ADULT SWIM ORIGINALS PANELS

Saturday, July 22, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Location: 6CDEF

Keith Crofford, vice president, Cartoon Network Productions, will host two back-to-back 45-minute panels featuring and highlighting Adult Swim’s original comedy series. This panel will also highlight a sneak peek of the first 6 minutes of The Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie for Theatres.

5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

The first panel will include creators from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Squidbillies, Moral Orel and Metalocalypse (set to debut on Adult Swim on Aug. 6, 2006 at 11:00 p.m. ET, PT), who will be on hand to discuss their series, show clips, and answer questions.  The panelists include:

Dave Willis, co-creator of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and co-producers of Squidbillies;
Jim Fortier, co-creator of Squidbillies;
Dino Stamatopoulos, creator of Moral Orel;
Tim Heidecker, co-creator and executive producer of Tom Goes to The Mayor; and
Eric Wareheim, co-creator and executive producer of Tom Goes to The Mayor.

6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The second Adult Swim panel will include show creators from Robot Chicken, The Venture Bros., Minoriteam and Tom Goes to The Mayor, who will be on hand to discuss their series, show clips, and answer questions. The panelists include:

Seth Green and Matt Senreich, co-creators and executive producers of Robot Chicken;
Jackson Publick, creator of The Venture Bros.;
Adam de la Pena, Todd James and Peter Girardi, co-creators of Minoriteam; and
Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha co-creators of Metalocalypse.

THE BOONDOCKS PANEL

Friday, July 21, 5-6 p.m.

Location: 6CDEF

Join creator Aaron McGruder and the cast of Adult Swim's provocative, heralded comedy series The Boondocks for a panel discussion in celebration of the release of The Boondocks: The Complete First Season on DVD and for PSP July 25.  The panelists include:

Aaron McGruder, creator and executive producer of The Boondocks;
Rodney Barnes, writer, The Boondocks;
Regina King, voice of Huey and Riley;
John Witherspoon, voice of Granddad;
Gary Anthony Williams, voice of Uncle Ruckus;
Jill Talley, voice of Sarah;
Cedric Yarbough, voice of Tom; and
Gabby Soleil, voice of Jazmine.

APPEARANCE & SIGNINGS AT ADULT SWIM BOOTH (unless otherwise noted.)

Thursday, July 20:

2-3 p.m.        Jackson Publick, The Venture Bros.
3-4 p.m.        Matt Thompson, Frisky Dingo and Sealab 2021

Friday, July 21:

1-2 p.m.        Adam de la Pena, Todd James and Peter Girardi Minoriteam
2-3 p.m.        Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, Tom Goes to The Mayor
3-4 p.m.        Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha , Metalocalypse
4-5 p.m                 Seth Green and Matt Senreich, Robot Chicken
4-5 p.m.        Aaron McGruder, The Boondocks : SONY Booth: # 3945

Saturday, July 22:

1:30-2:30 p.m.  Dino Stamtapoulos, Jay Johnston and Scott Adsit, Morel Orel
2:30-3:30 p.m.  Dave Willis and Jim Fortier, Squidbillies
3:30-4:30 p.m.  Dana Snyder (voice of Master Shake) and Carey Means (voice of Frylock),                                         Aqua Teen Hunger Force

ADULT SWIM BOOTH INFORMATION
Location: Booth Number #5493, #5494, and #5495

Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offering original and acquired animated comedy and action series for young adults.  Airing overnights six days a week for a total of 45 hours weekly, Adult Swim shares channel space with Cartoon Network, home to the best in original, classic and acquired programming for children and families, and is seen in 89 million U.S. homes.

Cartoon Network Panels and Events Lineup for 2006 Comic-Con International

Cartoon Network Sponsors Booth, Panels and Artist Signings

Cartoon Network will host a number of panels, special events, artist signings and for the first year ever will sponsor a Cartoon Network booth, during Comic-Con International, to be held in San Diego, Calif., Thursday, July 20 - Sunday, July 23, 2006.   

ALL PANEL AND SIGNING INFORMATION IS TENTATIVE AND ALL TIMES, DATES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

PANELS

THE LIFE & TIMES OF JUNIPER LEE

Thursday, July 20, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Location: 6B

Cartoon Network’s original series The Life & Times of Juniper Lee surrounds the everyday life of Juniper Lee, an all-American girl trying to get through adolescence just like any other preteen in Orchid Bay City.  The only difference between her and her peers is that she is the Te Xuan Ze, responsible for making sure that the magical world, full of creatures and monsters, and the human world don’t intrude with each other.  The panelists include:

Judd Winick, creator and executive producer of The Life & Times of Juniper Lee.  Judd is an award-winning cartoonist who began cartooning professionally at age 16 in his hometown on Long Island, NY, publishing a single-paneled strip called Nuts & Bolts.  He is also the creator of the syndicated comic strip Frumpy The Clown and the limited series The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius.  In 2001, Winick began writing a variety of mainstream comic book titles for DC Comics, including Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Outsiders and Green Arrow.  A graduate of the University of Michigan, Winick was cast as a member of the San Francisco edition of MTV’s The Real World in 1994.

THE GRIM ADVENTURES OF BILLY & MANDY
Friday, July 21, 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Location: 5AB

The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy is set in the average American town of Endsville.  Billy and Mandy are normal kids who just happen to be best friends with the Grim Reaper.  Billy is goofy and easily-amused.  Mandy, on the other hand, is a very opinionated, sometimes cruel, little girl.  She never smiles and loves to boss Billy and Grim around. These two end up tricking the Grim Reaper into being their best friend forever, a fate the proud supernatural creature despises.  The panelists include:

Maxwell Atoms, creator and executive producer of The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.  Atoms rose quickly through the cartoon ranks, working on shows such as Felix the Cat and I Am Weasel.  He was nominated for an Annie Award for his storyboard work on Cartoon Network's original animated series Cow and Chicken. His cartoon The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy premiered on Cartoon Network in August 2001, and became one of the network’s top rated series.
Grey DeLisle voice of Mandy.  DeLisle landed her first animation role on The Rugrats and has lent her voice to characters on The Zeta Project and Batman Beyond, as well as The Powerpuff Girls, As Told by Ginger, My Freaky Family, The Fairly OddParents, The Star Command and Johnny Bravo;
• Ian Wasseluk, Storyboard Artist;
• Mike Diederich, Storyboard Artist;
• Carl Greenblatt, Storyboard Artist; and
• Alex Almaguer, Storyboard Artist.

FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS
Friday, July 21, 2:00-2:30 p.m.
Location: 5AB

The Emmy Award-winning series Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends is set in a world in which imaginary friends walk the streets every day, the series tells the story of two best friends and their adventures together.  Mac and Blooregard Q. Kazoo were inseparable, until Mac’s mom decided he was too old to have an Imaginary Friend any longer.  So Mac took Blooregard to a fantastic place, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.  Now Blooregard can live there – and Mac can visit his best friend every day.  The panelists include:

Craig McCracken, creator, executive producer and director Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.  The series is McCracken’s follow-up to The Powerpuff Girls, Cartoon Network’s Emmy Award-winning animated series about three super-powered little girls;
Khaki Jones,  vice president original series Cartoon Network;
Lauren Faust, supervising producer Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends;
Tom Kenny, voice of Eduardo.  A man of many voices, Tom Kenny has created countless memorable characters on television.  In addition to the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, Kenny’s television credits include CatDog, The Powerpuff Girls, The Fairly OddParents, Futurama, Dexter’s Laboratory, Cow & Chicken, Johnny Bravo, Rocko’s Modern Life, Dilbert, What’s New Scooby Doo? and Xiolin Showdown;
• Eric Pringle, animation director, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends; and
• Keith Ferguson voice of Bloo

TOONAMI JETSTREAM
Saturday, July 22, 10:30-11:30am
Location: 1B

Representatives from VIZ Media and Cartoon Network will preview Toonami Jetstream a new broadband service for animé and action cartoons. Toonami Jetstream goes live on July 17, with full-length streaming episodes of a number of hit animé and action series, including acclaimed hit series Naruto and Samurai Jack.  In addition, users will also be able to watch full-length episodes of series like Hikaru No Go, MÄR and The Prince of Tennis that are not currently offered on U.S. broadcast or basic cable television.  The panelists include:

• Art Roche, creative director, Cartoon Network New Media; and
• Molly Chase, executive producer, Cartoon Network New Media

CARTOON NETWORK ORIGINALS PANEL
Saturday, July 22, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Location: 6A

Bob Higgins, senior vice president of programming and production, Cartoon Network will moderate the panel of creators of Cartoon Network’s original series Codename: Kids Next Door, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Camp Lazlo, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey and Squirrel Boy will be on hand to discuss their series, show clips, and answer questions. The panelists include:

Mr. Warburton, creator of Codename: Kids Next Door.  The Kids Next Door are tenacious and inventive 10-year-olds fighting for an important cause: freeing children from the tyranny of adults.  Each Kid has a unique personality and to accomplish their missions, they often rely on “2 x 4 Technology,” which can turn a broken vacuum cleaner, a cheese grater and some bubble gum into a potent fighting machine.  
Danny Antonucci, creator of Ed, Edd n Eddy. Ed, Edd n Eddy, tells the story of three best friends who band together to tackle one of life’s most daunting challenges—puberty.  Though they have the same first name and live on the same cul-de-sac in the suburbs, the three boys’ personalities are as different as they are ridiculous.
Joe Murray, creator and executive producer of Camp Lazlo. Camp Lazlo is an eccentric animated series that chronicles the odd and happy camping life of a Bean Scout named Lazlo and his bunkmates at Camp Kidney.
Tim Cahill & Julie McNally Cahill, co-creators of My Gym Partner’s a Monkey. Going to school is like a trip to the jungle for Adam Lyon.  Due to an administrative mix-up, Adam attends Charles Darwin Middle School for animals-where not getting eaten during class constitutes a good day.  Luckily for Adam, he has buddy Jake Spidermonkey to pal around with. 
Everett Peck, creator and executive producer of Squirrel Boy. Squirrel Boy is a classic tale of a squirrel and his boy.  Andy and his best friend-and-pet Rodney seek adventure in Andy’s backyard and throughout the neighborhood. 

BEN 10

Sunday, July 23^rd (Kids Day), 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Location: 6A

Ben 10 follows the exciting adventures of 10-year-old Ben Tennyson who discovers a strange alien device resembling a wristwatch called the Omnitrix inside a crashed meteorite.  Once  “the watch” permanently locks itself on his wrist, Ben soon discovers that he can transform into 10 different fantastic alien beings,  each with unique powers and abilities—but only for 10 minutes at a time and all the while retaining his 10-year-old mind and personality.  The panelists include:

• Sam Register, executive producer of Ben 10;
• Alex Soto, supervising producer of Ben 10;
• Tramm Wigzell,  director of development, original series at Cartoon Network;
• Tara Strong, voice of Ben; and
• Megan Smith, voice of Gwen.

APPEARANCE & SIGNINGS AT CARTOON NETWORK BOOTH

ALL TIMES ARE TBA

Thursday, July 20:

2-2:30 p.m.     Everett Peck, Squirrel Boy
• 4:15-4:46 p.m.  Judd Winick, The Life & Times of Juniper Lee

Friday, July 21:

11-11:30 a.m.   Joe Murray and Mark O’Hare, Camp Lazlo
12:45-1:15 p.m.         Craig McCracken and Lauren Faust, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
2:45-3:15 p.m.  Grey Delisle, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
4-4:30 p.m.     Tim Cahill & Julie McNally Cahill, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey
5-5:30 p.m.     Danny Antonucci , Ed, Edd n Eddy
6-6:30 p.m.     Grey Delisle, Tom Kenny, Phil Lamarr, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends

Saturday, July 21:

11-11:30 a.m.   Maxwell Atoms, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
2-2:30 p.m.     Mr. Warburton, Codename: Kids Next Door
3:15-3:45 p.m.  Candi Milo, Keith Ferguson, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
5:45-6:45 p.m.  Tom Kenny, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey

Sunday, July 23:

11-11:30 a.m.   Alex Soto, Tara Strong and Megan Smith, Ben 10

CARTOON NETWORK BOOTH INFORMATION
Location: Cartoon Network Booth #2415

July 12, 2006 - Here is a review of the TNT anthology series event, "Nightmares & Dreamscapes From The Short Stories Of Stephen King." Paramount Home Entertainment recently announced it's first three waves of HD DVD titles that dubut beginning July 25, 2006. I have updated the Upcoming DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray Disc Calendar appropriately to note the recent announcements. You can read the press release and specs below. 

PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT

TO DEBUT FIRST TEN TITLES ON NEW HD DVD FORMAT

Stellar Line-Up Of Films Loaded with Action, Special Effects and Star-Power Showcase Stunning Picture and Sound Capabilities of Format

LOS ANGELES (July 10, 2006) – Paramount Home Entertainment announced today its first ten “Paramount High Definition” titles to be released on the HD DVD format.  The studio’s first wave of titles will debut on July 25, 2006 with the introduction of the action-adventures Sahara and Tomb Raider, the sci-fi thriller Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow and Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow on the new superior-quality format.  The second wave of titles will debut on August 1, 2006 with the smash hit Four Brothers, the historic epic We Were Soldiers and all-star drama The Manchurian Candidate

“These introductions mark the next step in the evolution of home entertainment,” said Kelley Avery, President, Paramount Pictures, Worldwide Home Entertainment.  “With unprecedented picture and sound quality, HD DVD gives consumers a home movie viewing experience like they’ve never had before and our first ten titles showcase the breadth of advantages that the format offers.

Paramount Home Entertainment’s third wave of titles will debut on August 8, 2006 with the renowned music documentary U2: Rattle and Hum, sci-fi thriller Aeon Flux and action-adventure The Italian Job.  Each release has a suggested retail price of $29.95.  Paramount Home Entertainment plans to support the HD DVD format with a strong slate of titles throughout the year and beyond.