Archived On The Mark - August, 2004
August 27, 2004 - Here is a review of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's "Harsh Realm: The Complete TV Series On DVD: Three-Disc Collector’s Edition."
August 25, 2004 - Atari is going to release "Terminator 3: The Redemption" for the Microsoft XBox, Sony PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Game Cube. I hope to run a contest related to this release, but in the meantime you can click on the icon above to check out a trailer. Be back with new reviews soon. A great animated series is coming to an end in September on the Cartoon Network. You can read about the four part series finale of "Samurai Jack" below:
Genndy Tartakovsky Masterpieces Samurai Jack and
Star Wars: Clone Wars Included in Four-Hour Marathon
The final four new episodes of Samurai Jack, the Emmy Award-winning animated
series from Genndy Tartakovsky, will air Saturday, Sept. 25, during Toonami,
Cartoon Network's Saturday night destination for the best action and animé
programming. Beginning at 7 p.m. (ET, PT), four new episodes of Samurai
Jack will premiere. In between episodes of Samurai Jack, Cartoon Network
will telecast a special presentation of all 20 chapters of Star Wars: Clone
Wars, the epic micro-series produced and directed by Tartakovsky.
Samurai Jack tells the story of a warrior banished to the future by an evil
shape-shifting wizard. Samurai Jack travels the world, encountering an
amazing array of cultures and civilizations, seeking the portal to send him back
to his own time. A man of few words, Jack relies on his mental and
physical training as a warrior to help him fend off the evil wizard's forces.
The show is highlighted by its magnificent artistry, gripping action sequences
and evocative score, giving Samurai Jack a cinematic feel.
Star Wars: Clone Wars, nominated this year for an Emmy Award, continues the saga
where the live-action feature film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
left off - at the beginning of the Clone Wars, an epic civil war that pits the
old Republic against the vast Separatist movement led by the forces of evil.
Chapters 1-10 first aired on Cartoon Network in Nov. 2003, followed by Chapters
11-20 in March. Tartakovsky is currently finishing an additional series of
Star Wars: Clone Wars adventures, which will air on Cartoon Network in March
2005.
Toonami, Cartoon Network's Saturday evening franchise featuring the best in
action-adventure and animé programming, airs Saturdays from 7-11 p.m. (ET, PT),
and is the home of popular series like Teen Titans, Megas XLR and Justice League
Unlimited, Yu Yu Hakusho, Gundam Seed and Dragon Ball GT.
* 7 p.m.: Samurai Jack, Episode XLIX
("The Four Seasons of Death") - As Jack goes through fall, winter,
spring and summer, he must battle the perils that each season brings.
* 7:30 p.m.: Star Wars: Clone Wars,
Chapters 1-5 - As the Clone Wars begin, Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi encounter
resistance on the planet Muunilinst. Jedi Kit Fisto leads an aquatic
assault on Mon Calimari.
* 8 p.m.: Samurai Jack, Episode L
("Tale of X49") - Aku forces an old, ace robot assassin out of
retirement to eliminate the ultimate mark: Jack.
* 8:30 p.m.: Star Wars: Clone Wars,
Chapters 6-10 - Separatist leader Count Dooku enlists a new ally, Asajj Ventress,
whose job is to assassinate Anakin. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan faces a powerful
mercenary, Durge, on Muunilinst.
* 9 p.m.: Samurai Jack, Episode LI
("Young Jack in Africa") - Young Jack is brought to Africa for part of
his training, but when his host tribe is abducted, he must learn how to use
their unique sword-like weapon.
* 9:30 p.m.: Star Wars: Clone Wars,
Chapters 11-15 - As Anakin pursues Asajj Ventress, Mace Windu must battle a huge
Droid force, singlehandedly and without his lightsaber. On icy Ilum, Jedi
Luminara Unduli and Barris Offee are trapped in the sacred Jedi Ice Caverns, and
Yoda may be the only one who can save them.
* 10 p.m.: Samurai Jack, Episode LII
("Jack and the Baby") - Jack finds a baby and the two travel together
as Jack tries to return the boy to his mother.
* 10:30 p.m.: Star Wars: Clone Wars,
Chapters 16-20 - Anakin and Asajj face off in a ferocious hand-to-hand battle.
Yoda, C-3PO, R2-D2 and Padme Amidala venture off to save the imperiled Jedis on
Ilum. Meanwhile, on a distant planet, a band of Jedi Knights is trapped a
mysterious and seemingly invincible new enemy - General Grievous.
August 24, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of Rhino Home Video's "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Essentials: 2-DVD Set."
August 23, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment's "Kaena: The Prophecy."
August 22, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of Comedy Central Home Video's and Paramount Home Entertainment's "South Park: The Passion Of The Jew." I have been waiting for this title for over a year and now it looks like it will finally be released. Accompanying some new DVD titles to review was a press release detailing Synapse Films' October 26, 2004 release of "The Deadly Spawn: Special Edition" DVD. The DVD will feature a new digitally mastered windowboxed transfer in the original aspect ratio of (1.33:1) and two audio commentaries featuring the Producer, Director, and Cast & Crew as well as still galleries, a comic-style prequel with it's own musical score, the original theatrical trailer, alternate opening sequence with new effects and credits, outtake reel, Cast & Crew biographies and animated menus. I will try and get artwork here for tomorrow's update and look for more DVD reviews coming soon!
August 21, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of New Line Home Entertainment's "Highwaymen."
August 19, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's "The Passion Of The Christ."
August 18, 2004 - I was unable to post an update yesterday due to some maintenance so here is a TV review for the upcoming A&E Network reality series premiere of "Dog The Bounty Hunter." Tomorrow I will have a DVD review of "The Passion Of The Christ" so please stay tuned.
August 16, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's "Predator: Collector's Edition."
August 14, 2004 - Here is a review of Warner Home Video's "Samurai Jack: Season One" DVD box set.
August 12, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment's "Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles: Two-Disc Set."
August 11, 2004 - Here is a DVD review of New Line Home Entertainment's "The Mangler."
August 10, 2004 - Here are DVD reviews of Walt Disney Home Entertainment's "The Black Hole" and Warner Home Video's "Red Sonja."
August 9, 2004 - Here are DVD reviews of Blue Underground's "Conquest" and Comedy Central Home Video's "Roast Of Denis Leary: Uncensored."
August 7, 2004 - Here are TV reviews for the upcoming Cartoon Network series premiers of "The Venture Bros." and "Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends." I have text updated my Upcoming DVD calendar with new titles and street dates too.
August 6, 2004 - LATE UPDATE - I never could get into this series when it was still running first run episodes on NBC, but now I enjoy watching the syndicated repeats. Based on the popularity of this show, I predict it will rival the complete DVD sets of "Friends" if not surpass them in both online and offline sales. What show am I talking about? Read the press release below and find out!
THE
MOST ANTICIPATED TV-TO-DVD OF ALL TIME
IS ANYTHING BUT NOTHING!
SEINFELD:
THE FIRST THREE SEASONS
“The
#1 Show of All Time”1 Never Looked So Good
All 40 Episodes, Now in High
Definition,
Available November 23
in Two Individual Volumes or
as a Deluxe Gift Set
Approximately
24 Hours of Bonus Features from the Creative Forces Behind the Show Include
All-New Documentaries, Interviews and Commentaries with Jerry, Larry David,
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander,
Deleted Scenes, Gag Reels
and More
Culver
City, Calif., August 6, 2004 -- Considered one of the most innovative, popular
and successful TV comedy series of all time and now the most anticipated TV-to-DVD
ever, Seinfeld, the show about
nothing, finally debuts on DVD November 23 – newly enhanced in high
definition. Seinfeld will be available
from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment in two volumes or as a deluxe holiday
Gift Set (not to be “re-gifted”), which includes a limited edition script
with handwritten notes from Larry David, exclusive “Monk’s Diner” salt
& pepper shakers and collectible playing cards.
Volumes 1 and 2 will be sold
individually at the suggested list price of $49.95 each and the gift set at
$119.95.
Seinfeld
will look and sound better than
ever. To provide the best picture
and sound quality possible, Castle Rock Entertainment, which produced the show,
returned to the original film elements and spent many months digitally
remastering every episode in high definition; the original analog audio tracks
went through a similar process. Seinfeld:
Volume 1 includes all 18 episodes of seasons one and two on four discs
and Seinfeld:
Volume 2, also on four discs, includes all 22 episodes from season
three. Each volume will be loaded
with approximately 12 hours of exclusive special features from the creative
talents behind the show, including a full- length documentary, extensive
creator, cast and production commentaries, bloopers, deleted scenes, exclusive
never-before-seen Jerry Seinfeld stand-up comedy footage and trivia pertinent to
each season. Both releases feature
the original NBC network versions, 1-2 minutes longer than the syndicated
versions and not seen since their original broadcast runs. Additionally, Volume 1
features two versions of the original pilot episode.
Gregory
M. Paul, President and Chief Operating Officer of Castle Rock, said, “We are
thrilled to see the show looking so terrific in this remarkable new DVD release.
I’m confident it will satisfy the show’s loyal fans as
well as bring in a whole new generation of viewers.”
Said Seinfeld executive producer Howard West, “This is something George [Shapiro, also a Seinfeld exec producer] and I never could have imagined when the show began. To have this opportunity to go back, restore the elements, revive Jerry’s unused stand-up, bring the talent back to chat about the show and then see the original episodes with high-definition images has been a thrill for all of us. I think we’ve more than met the challenge of DVD and have made every effort to stay true to the essence of Jerry’s unique brand of comedy which has become so deeply a part of mainstream American culture.”
Benjamin
Feingold, President of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment noted, “We’re
delighted to be working with the Castle Rock team and the Seinfeld
creators on this DVD release which we expect to become the #1 TV-to-DVD of all
time. We’re particularly happy
for the fans, who have inundated us with an overwhelming number of letters and
e-mails in recent years, indicating this is the
title for which they’ve waited the longest.”
About
Seinfeld
Seinfeld,
which aired on NBC for nine years, focuses on four single friends living in New
York. At the core of the group is
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), a stand-up comedian whose professional path includes a
shot at creating a network sitcom, a guest spot on the “Today” show, a
wealth of other experiences gone awry and a personal life rife with an endless
parade of never-quite-right girlfriends. His
childhood best friend, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), could be deemed the
quintessential loser: he can never hold on to a job or a girlfriend… although
he has more than enough schemes for trying to make both happen. Jerry’s ex,
Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) offers her own string of bad dates and
worrisome workplace sagas. And
lastly, there’s curiously-coiffed Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) -- Jerry’s
over-the-top, offbeat and often mysterious neighbor, with no visible means of
support and an uncanny knack for opening doors to opportunities he has no
business being near.
One only has to mention Superman or the Soup Nazi, Jujyfruits or Junior Mints, Festivus or Manziers or Low- or Close-Talkers to be reminded of the show’s peerless plots, quips and characters. Seinfeld was also noted for coining many phrases that have since come into commonplace usage: “Master of your domain,” “Yada, yada, yada,” “Sponge-worthy,” “Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” “Double-dipping,” “Re-gifting” and “manhands,” among countless others.
Seinfeld changed the landscape of TV forever, leaving the air in
1998 as the number one
Nielsen-rated show in both comedy and drama.
Nominated for an incredible 57 Emmy Awards®, Seinfeld
won a total of 13, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing
for a Comedy Series. TV Guide ranked
it #1 on its list of “50 Greatest Shows of All Time.”
The
Extra Features
Each Volume contains the following extra features,
tailored to the episodes included in the particular set.
§
Yada
Yada Yada: Audio commentaries
from the cast remembering the making of these episodes.
§
In
the Vault: Saved from the
cutting room floor... deleted scenes - never seen!
Additional
features include:
VOLUME
1
VOLUME
2
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE is a division of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
TITLE INFORMATION
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and
Jason Alexander
Director: Art Wolff (Pilot), Tom Cherones (Seasons 1 & 2)
Executive
Producers:
Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, George Shapiro, Howard West and
Fred Barron
Seinfeld: Volume 1: Run Time: Over 7 hours. (437 mins) / Not Rated /
Full screen Format
Seinfeld: Volume 2: Run Time: Over 8 hours. (505 mins) / Not Rated / Full screen Format
August 6, 2004 - Here are DVD reviews of Miramax Home Entertainment's "Kill Bill Volume 2," Universal Studios Home Video's "The Bourne Identity: Extended Edition,"and Blue Underground's "Zombie." I have also moved my "On The Mark Updates For July, 2004" to the Archived On The Mark Page.
August 5, 2004 - I'm back! Here is a belated TV review of the Cartoon Network original series premiere of "Justice League Unlimited" entitled "Initiation." I've got more reviews coming so stay tuned!