I wasn’t old enough to appreciate how good Max Headroom was when it was on the first time. Now, having recently rewatched the 14 existing episodes, the question of the day is: why isn’t this on DVD?!?! Although it ran from 1987-1988, it’s a remarkably modern show. Visually, its Brazil-meets-Blade Runner approach, using older technology (like manual typewriter keyboards) to suggest the future, is watchable without seeming outdated. In terms of content, the plots tackled still-timely subjects like identity in […]

It’s important for everyone to vote, but it’s even more important that voters be educated about facts and issues. This release of selected Schoolhouse Rock! segments related to politics is a great way to bone up on some of the basics. You have to make sure that those you’re watching with don’t mind you singing along, though. The Schoolhouse Rock! Election Collection DVD, released September 23, contains fifteen segments grouped in four categories: The Campaign (covering positions and issues) Energy […]

Pushing Daisies combines the love-with-obstacles relationship of a great screwball comedy with the brightly candy-colored visual imagination of the (first) Willy Wonka movie or The Wizard of Oz. There’s even a plummy voiced narrator (Jim Dale, who sometimes amusingly contradicts the characters) with a flowery sense of diction. I find it odd that I’m comparing this completely unique show to the best kids’ movies, but there’s something both very adult — dealing with themes of life and death and who […]

I can’t believe that my very favorite of the original Doctor Who series is now available on DVD. And because of the length, it’s the cheapest Doctor Who DVD out there, which is a lovely plus. I think I like Black Orchid so much because it reminds me of the Agatha Christie mysteries I read so many of when I was younger. There’s a 1920s house party, and a fancy dress ball (where the Doctor, then Peter Davison, is given […]

I’m surprised to see Birds of Prey out on DVD, since I discovered recently that few people remembered it. It ran only 13 episodes in 2002 on the WB, which may have been part of the problem — there wasn’t a WB affiliate in our city at that point, for instance. And it didn’t have the popularity among teens (demographic appeal) that protects other low-rated WB shows. Actually, I’m having a hard time figuring out who the target audience for […]

I know I’m about a month late, but that’s why I love TiVo. I just got a chance to start catching up on episodes of the Middleman TV show airing on ABC Family. I’d tried the first comic issue back when it was a free taste, and I enjoyed it, but I never kept up with it. I’m glad I checked this out. It stars newcomer Natalie Morales as Wendy Watson (or “Dubbie”) and Matt Keeslar as the square-jawed, straight-edge […]

Out tomorrow is the final season collection of the Teen Titans cartoon series. (I’ve previously covered Season 1 and Season 2.) It’s 13 episodes on five discs. The first two episodes guest-star the Doom Patrol, Beast Boy’s earlier team, as a way of introducing their enemies the Brotherhood of Evil, who are the recurring villains this season. They’re made up, in their first appearance, of the Brain (a talking organ) and Monsieur Mallah (an intelligent gorilla). Two villains? Some brotherhood. […]

I knew there was a Honey and Clover live-action movie, although I haven’t yet seen the DVD, but I was surprised to find that there was also a live-action TV show. It ran 11 episodes earlier this year, and so far (two in), I like it better than the manga. Pictured, by character name, clockwise from top: Morita, Mayama, Takemoto, Hagumi, Yamada Mainly that’s because with actors, things aren’t so exaggerated. Hagumi isn’t so young-looking or ethereal as to be […]