Vintage, Modern Offerings Gave Families Lots To Like This Year

Courtesy: MVD Entertainment Group

Families spent a lot of time indoors together this year thanks to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Between parents working from home and students forced to take classes online, parents and their children have seen a lot of each other this year; Probably a lot more than usual.  That increased time together can often lead to tensions between families.  Thankfully, plenty of new DVD and Blu-ray box sets were released this year to help relieve that tension and give families plenty to enjoy together.  That has already been pointed out in part through Phil’s Picks 2020 Top 10 New DVDs & Blu-rays list.  Single disc presentations are just a part of what families had to enjoy together this year.  There was also plenty of content thrown in this year in the form of new DVD and Blu-ray box sets for families.  Among some of the best of this year’s new family box sets are first time releases from the likes of Time Life, PBS, and Nickelodeon.

As with each list from Phil’s Picks, this list features the year’s Top 10 new titles and five additional honorable mention titles for a total of 15.  Without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks 2020 Top 10 New Family DVD & Blu-ray Box Sets.

PHIL’S PICKS 2020 TOP 10 NEW FAMILY DVD & BLU-RAY BOX SETS

1. Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations
2. The Buster Keaton Collection: Volume 4
3. Dolly: The Ultimate Collection
4. Arthur: The Complete Friendship Collection
5. The Berenstain Bears: Tree House Tales Vol. 2
6. The Berenstain Bears: Tree House Tales Vol. 3
7. Molly of Denali: Molly’s Awesome Alaskan Adventures
8. The Jetsons: The Complete Series
9. Sesame Street: Old School Volume 1
10. Sesame Street: Old School Volume 2
11. Spongebob Squarepants: Season 11
12. Paw  Patrol: PUP-tastic 8-DVD Collection
13. The Flintstones: 2 Movies & 5 Specials
14. Garfield & Friends: Season Three
15. Benji 4-Movie Collection

Next up from Phil’s Picks is the 2020 Top 10 New Grown-Up Box Sets and then the year’s top new re-issues to finish off this year’s lists.  Stay tuned for all of that this weekend.

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PBS’ ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ Set Is The Most Beautiful Of 2018’s Family DVD & BD Box Sets

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

Time is quickly ticking away for 2018.  As the hours tick by, Phil’s Picks is trying to get everything done before the old year is out and the new year is in.  Next up as this finally day of 2018 winds down is the year’s top new DVD/BD box sets for families.

Just as grown-ups has plenty of options this year in regards to DVD and BD box sets, so did families in whole.  Some of this year’s top family box sets also made their way to the grown-ups box sets list, as (E.G. Milk Street: Season One and Finding Your Roots: Season 4).  That is because they really can be just as entertaining for the whole family as for grown-ups.

The top spot in this year’s list goes to PBS’ Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood collection, It’s A Beautiful Day.  The multi-disc set offers hours of entertainment from a variety of classic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood series.  Considering how hard it is to find the series even on PBS stations nationwide, and the lessons that the episodes teach, this new collection hopefully will not be the only one from the series to be released.

Second Place in this year’s list belongs to Gravity Falls: The Complete Series.  While its creator openly said it was intentionally short-lived, it has made one heck of an impact on audiences, and rightfully so.  Whether one owns the collector’s edition or the standard set, which features episode-length commentaries with each episode, the series stands out.  With any luck there will be a third season one day.  One can only hope.

The third spot in this year’s list goes to Rugrats: Season Three, and it is followed up by the series’ fourth season.  The land mark series’ writing was absolutely outstanding in both seasons.  One can only hope that Nickelodeon will continue giving proper releases for the rest of the series’ seasons every year as it has done up to this point.

Also featured in this year’s list are the fifth season of CBS’ timeless fish out of water sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, which was released on DVD this fall, alongside the full release of Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series and the ninth season of Spongebob Squarepants.

Whereas this critic’s previous lists all featured 15 total titles, this list will only feature 10 titles.  Without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks 2018 Top 10 New Family DVD/BD Box Sets.

PHIL’S PICKS 2018 TOP 10 NEW FAMILY DVD/BD BOX SETS

1. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: It’s A Beautiful Day Collection
2. Gravity Falls: The Complete Series
3. Rugrats: Season 3
4. Rugrats: Season 4
5. The Beverly Hillbillies: The Complete Fifth Season
6. Courage The Cowardly Dog: The Complete Series
7. Fraggle Rock: The Complete Animated Series
8. Milk Street: Season One
9. Finding Your Roots: Season Four
10. Big Box Of Kids Favorites (Mill Creek Entertainment set)

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‘Flora’ Is A Surprisingly Enjoyable Indie Thriller Flick

Courtesy: Mill Creek Entertainment/Eggplant Pictures.Eighty-One Entertainemnt

Audiences today are getting harder and harder to scare and entertain.  What with all of the slasher flicks and overly gory horror movies out there, it’s tough to find a horror or even thriller that really stands out among the masses.  However, every now and then a rare proverbial diamond in the rough will come along and challenge that statement, even as rare as it seems to happen today.  That diamond will see the light of day next week with the home release of Flora.  Set to be released August 7 through a partnership between Mill Creek Entertainment, Eighty-One Entertainment and Eggplant Pictures, this 95-minute thriller — filmed in the forests of Quebec, Canada – is perhaps one of the sleeper hits of the year.  That is thanks in part to its story, which will be discussed shortly.  The story’s pacing strengthens its presentation even more, giving viewers even more reason to watch.  The movie’s cinematography puts the final touch to its presentation, rounding out the most important of its elements.  Each element is obviously important in its own right to the whole of the movie.  All things considered, they make Flora a surprisingly gripping thriller that deserves at least one watch.

Flora, the latest original offering from Mill Creek Entertainment, Eighty-One Entertainment and Eggplant Pictures is one of this year’s most surprisingly entertaining sleeper hits.  That is proven in part through the story’s own take on the classic man versus nature concept.  In this case, instead of facing animals, the story’s young protagonists are forced to face off against an unseen foe in literally nature itself – a foe that in this case cannot be stopped and kills without even having any sentience.  This comes after the group of young college students is sent into the wild to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a colleague.  Once the group realizes what happened to their friend, the story really takes off, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.  That’s because the group knows that its odds against nature are slim, which causes the greatest amount of tension and thus the rising action.  Not to give away too much, but its ending is bittersweet to say the very least.  While the concept of man v. nature is nothing new to the cinematic universe, the approach taken with that classic plot in this scenario makes the story something fresh and original, and in turn surprisingly interesting and engaging. While the story itself does plenty to make the movie worth viewing, it is only one part of what makes the movie so surprisingly interesting.  Its pacing actually plays into its presentation, too.

One would imagine basing a story in the wilds of Canada and simply having the story’s protagonists trying to escape the lethality of their confines would make for a rather slow moving tale.  Yet that isn’t the case in this story.  Somehow, writer/director Sasha Louis Vukovic manages to keep the action flowing as the group tries to escape the forest and make its way to the safety of the railroad.  From the group trying to keep from the inevitability of breathing in the lethal fungal spores to just trying to stick together and reach their destination, Vukovic managed to balance very well everything throughout the story.  The result is a story that keeps flowing smoothly throughout and viewers hoping the whole group will survive the forest’s dangers.  Considering that the movie’s run time is only an hour and 35 minutes (not counting end credits), that is saying a lot, again considering the story’s very premise.  When this is considered along with the story itself, the two elements couple to given audiences even more reason to give this surprisingly enjoyable thriller a chance.  It is still not the last of the movie’s most important elements.  The cinematography adds its own touch to the movie’s presentation.

The cinematography presented throughout this movie is outstanding, to say the very least.  The wide shots of the group canoeing down the river and watching from a rocky ledge for their path are among the most powerful visual moments in the movie.  The high energy moments in which the group runs through the forest in order to get out before the spores fly do an equally notable job of capturing the group’s drive to get away from mother nature’s “fury.”  Much the same can be said of the story’s calmer moments.  Even as the group tries to relax, the tension remains, thanks to the close ups and the full shots showing the characters’ body language.  Between those shots and so many others, the cinematography used throughout the movie proves to be just as pivotal to the movie’s presentation as its pacing and its story.  When all three elements are joined together, they make the movie in whole a work that proves truly surprising in its ability to keep viewers engaged and entertained.  It’s not the happiest story, but it still is interesting and is certain to keep viewers engaged and entertained.

Flora, the new man v. nature thriller from Mill Creek Entertainment (in partnership with Eighty-One Entertainment and Eggplant Pictures) is one of this year’s most surprising independent cinematic offerings.  That is due in part to a man v. nature story that takes the classic plot element in a new direction.  It’s a plot that makes escape and survival nigh impossible for the young botanists.  The pacing of that story strengthens its presentation even more as it just as surprisingly manages to keep the story moving forward without missing a step.  The cinematography presented in this movie does just as much to keep viewers engaged and entertained as the movie’s story and its related pacing.  That is because the footage overall is just that beautiful.  When it is considered along with the movie’s story and its pacing, all three elements join to make Flora a powerful new independent cinematic offering that any thriller fan will appreciate.  It will be available this coming Tuesday, August 7 in stores and online.  More information on this and other titles from Mill Creek Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

Website: http://www.millcreekent.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/millcreekent

 

 

 

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2017 World Series Box Set Hits It Out Of The Park On Phil’s Picks’ 2017 Top 10 New Family Box Sets List

Courtesy: Major League Baseball/Shout! Factory

Family programming.  What does one think of when one hears the term?  One probably thinks of stuff that appeals more to kids than it does grown-ups, right?  I.E. cartoons and other programming aimed at younger viewers.  The reality of family programming is that it can include programs that grown-ups can watch with their younger counterparts, whether it is something new or perhaps even something older such as the classic television shows that today’s grown-ups watched when they were children.

Keeping all of this in mind, one might ask what does that have to do with anything.  It is important to note in setting up Phil’s Picks 2017 Top 10 New Family DVD/BD Box Sets.  This year’s list features titles that will appeal to children and grown-ups alike.  Some of the material might even appeal to both audiences at the same time (E.g. Cook’s Kitchen Season 10 and America’s Test Kitchen: Season 17).  Both titles are included in this list alongside the ninth season of Nickelodeon’s Spongebob Squarepants and even the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition, which the whole family can watch together.  For those families who already enjoy baseball, it’s a great watch.  For those parents perhaps hoping to connect with their children over a common interest, it’s just as critical.  Add in everything in its presentation, and it proves an important release all the way around.

Also included in this year’s list are new Peanuts collections from Warner Home Video as well as the “new” Real Ghosbuters DVD set, which was released this past October.  It features “over 100 episodes” of the series.  That still is not the entire series, but it is more cost efficient than buying each of the standalone collections separately.  Originally aired in France, the programs included in those box sets definitely stand out from their American counterparts, but could still be entertaining for the whole family.  For older youths, this list also features recent releases from Saban’s Power Rangers universe.  Even Green Acres: The Complete Series has been pulled over as it might not wholly appeal to younger viewers, its content is appropriate for the whole family.  It is a family friendly sitcom — something that is sadly missing from television today.

Between the titles noted here and the others that make up the rest of this list, audiences will see that there is plenty out there for the whole family — just as much as there is solely for grown-ups.  As with every previous list, this list features this critic’s Top 10 new Family DVD/BD Box Sets alongside five additional titles for a total of 15 titles.  Without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks 2017 Top 10 new Family DVD/BD Box Sets.

PHIL’S PICKS 2017 TOP 10 NEW FAMILY DVD/BD BOX SETS

1. 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros
2. Green Acres: The Complete Series
3. C.O.P.S.: The Animated Series
4. Cook’s Country: Season 10
5. America’s Test Kitchen: Season 17
6. Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete Ninth Season
7. Sports Detectives: Season 1
8. Peanuts: Snoopy Tales
9. Peanuts: Go Team Go
10. Peanuts: School Daze
11. Power Rangers SPD: The Complete Series
12. Power Rangers Mystic Force: The Complete Series
13. Power Rangers Jungle Fury: The Complete Series
14. The Secret World of Alex Mack: The Complete Series
15. The Real Ghostbusters: Vol. 1 – 10

That’s it for this list.  Now we’ve got the top new box sets for grown-ups and for families.  Again, some of the grown-up sets are just as viable as family entertainment as they are for grown-up audiences.  That is a testament to the ability of their content to reach a wide range of viewers.

While this list is now done, there’s still work to be done.  There is still a list of the year’s top new Children’s DVDs as well as potentially the year’s top new independent movies, theatrical releases and overall movies to wind down the year.  It can’t all be guaranteed before the year ends tomorrow, but this critic will try nonetheless.  So stay tuned!

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Mill Creek’s ‘Bump In The Night’ Re-Issue Is Imperfect But Still Enjoyable

Courtesy: Mill Creek Entertainment

In October 2014 one of the most important eras in television’s history came to an end.  The era in question was that of Saturday morning cartoons.  For so many decades, children across America would get up every Saturday at the crack of dawn and watch cartoons while eating countless bowls of sugar-laden cereal until noon.  But on the weekend of October 4^th, 2014 the final nail was put into the proverbial coffin for Saturday morning cartoons when The CW ran its final “Vortexx” programming block.  Being that weekday morning (and afternoon) cartoons had already gone the way of the dinosaur many years before, it was also the true end of a whole generation’s innocence.  The 24-hour news cycle took over along with streaming media and FCC demands for more educational programming.  Thankfully though, many companies out there have made it their sole mission to keep that age of innocence alive with DVD and Blu-ray releases of those classic bygone cartoons.  They include the likes of Shout! Factory, Scholastic, 20^th Century Fox, and the focus of today’s review, Mill Creek Entertainment, among so many others.  While Mill Creek Entertainment does not normally have the best reputation within the home entertainment arena there have been times when the independent outlet has been worthy of at least some praise.  Its  re-issue of ABC’s short-lived Saturday morning series Bump in the Night earlier this year is one of those examples of Mill Creek deserving at least some praise.  That is due in part to the set’s packaging. That will be discussed later.  While not perfect it does have at least some positives.  The presentation of the episodes themselves is also worth noting in this recently re-issued set.  It will be discussed later.  Last but hardly least of note in examining Mill Creek’s new re-issue of Bump in The Night: The Complete Series is the series’ writing and its affordable price.  It is one of a small handful of saving graces for the collection.  Each element plays its own important part in the whole of this set.  Collectively they make Mill Creek Entertainment’s re-issue of the series a welcome addition to any family’s home DVD library even despite its imperfections.

Mill Creek Entertainment’s recent re-issue of ABC’s short-lived Saturday morning series Bump in the Night is not a perfect presentation by any means.  However, considering how much worse it could have been (especially considering the company’s general reputation with re-issues) it is surprisingly worthy of praise.  That is due in large part to the company’s overall packaging of the series.  Each of the series’ two seasons is presented on its own disc on its very own spot inside the set’s case.  This is a major departure for Mill Creek.  More often than not, when it presents multi-disc sets, it places them one atop the other on one single or in ordinary CD sleeves that are then placed atop one another in the same format as its other multi-disc sets.  Neither practice is ergonomic nor safe for the sets’ discs.  Keeping that in mind, seeing Mill Creek take the proverbial road less traveled here makes the company and the set’s presentation deserving of praise.  Now having noted this one cannot ignore a point at which Mill Creek came up short in the set’s presentation.

The packaging that is used for Mill Creek Entertainment’s recent re-issue of Bump in the Night: The Complete Series is deserving of praise in its own right.  At the same time though, that packaging is not perfect.  Each of the series’ twenty-seven episodes is listed on the cover of each of the sets two discs.  Thy are placed clearly within their given season, too.  This is where the problems begin.  While Mill Creek is to be applauded for doing this, one cannot ignore the fact that they are not listed on the back of the set’s box.  There is also no companion booklet to help guide viewers along the way with either episode guide or even episode summary.  On a related note the only bonus feature included in the set is the series’ special holiday episode “Twas The Night Before Bumpy.”  Other than that there are no bonuses to make up for the lack of episode guides other than the episode listings on each disc.  To that end the set’s overall packaging is hardly perfect.  But it deserves at least some points for effort.  It is not the only element that should be noted here.  The presentation of the episodes themselves is just as important to note here as the set’s packaging.

The packaging method used in Mill Creek Entertainment’s recent re-issue of Bump in the Night is a mixed bag.  It has its positives.  But it also has its negatives.  Considering this the packaging is not a total loss.  But it still could have been better.  Moving on, the set’s packaging is not the only important element to note here.  The episodes’ actual presentation is just as important to note as the set’s packaging.  The episodes clearly have not been touched in their transfer to DVD in this latest re-issue.  Though, in defense of Mill Creek Entertainment here, they don’t look that bad.  Given, they could have benefited from at least a little bit of touching up, but in the bigger picture of their presentation they look just as they did in their original broadcast on ABCs Saturday morning broadcasts from 1994 – 1995.  The look of the series—for those not familiar with the series–was something completely unlike that of any of its counterparts and even any show that has since come along.  It mixed together live action elements with stop motion/claymation for a look that was all its own.  It didn’t have that spit-shined look that so many animated series had at the time nor even more experimental look of a show such as Reboot.  It was its own, look.  And luckily it actually does end up looking quite interesting in its own right.  In turn it makes the episodes presentation deserving of its own praise despite, again, being slightly imperfect, too.  It still is not the last of the sets most important elements.  Last but hardly least of note in examining the series is its writing.  The writing is the set’s primary saving grace.

Mill Creek Entertainment’s recent re-issue of Bump in the Night is not a perfect re-issue.  But it is still deserving of at least some praise in considering.  That is determined in considering the set’s packaging and the look of the series’ episodes.  Neither is perfect by any means.  But they could also have been much worse.  That’s especially considering Mill Creek Entertainment’s overwhelming reputation.  Having examined both of the noted elements there is just one more element to examine here.  That element is the series’ overall writing.  Just as the series’ look was completely unlike that of any other children’s series at the time so was its writing.  In regards to its writing it was a partly goth-style show that would have (perhaps) made even Tim Burton proud.  It follows Mr. Bumpy (Jim Cummings—The Lion King, CatDog, Transformers Rescue Bots) and his pals Squishington (Rob Paulsen—Animaniacs, Darkwing Duck, Danny Phantom) and Miss Molly Coddle (Gail Matthius—Bobby’s World, Tiny Toon Advenures, Animaniacs) as they have all kinds of nocturnal adventures in the room of Mr. Bumpy’s 10-year old boy.  One can’t help but wonder, in considering this what if any role it had to have played in influencing the development of Pixar’s Toy Story.  And there are plenty of laughs to be shared in each episode along with important life lessons, too.  “Better Homes and Garbage” is one of the best examples of what makes the writing so impressive.  It is a classic Odd Couple style story that will leave audiences of any age laughing.  In the end, Mr. Bumpy learns, just as Oscar did in The Odd Couple the value of his counterpart’s friendship.  Therein is the episode’s important life lesson—valuing one’s friends.  On a completely different note, “Danger: Unexploded Squishington” doesn’t really boast any life-altering lesson.  But it does offer plenty of laughs as Mr. Bumpy realizes that his friend might have unwittingly eaten a bomb.  Spongebob Squarepants has a similar episode in which Squidward gives Spongebob a pie laden with a bomb.  So one can’t help but wonder here if the prior might have been an influence for the latter.  “Party Pooper” is another example of what makes the series’ writing so important.  When Molly wants to go to a party being held by the Cute Dolls, she learns an important lesson about being true to herself rather than trying to be what the Cute Dolls think that she should be.  It is a timeless lesson from which audiences of all ages.  These episodes are all included in the series’ first season, meaning that there are plenty of other episodes that could be used to cite the importance of the series’ writing.  Altogether the writing behind this series (including all of the great pop culture references within each episode) proves to be one of just two shining, saving graces in its latest presentation.  The other would be its relatively affordable price.  The set is retailing on average for about eight dollars.  When that and the series writing are set against the set’s overall packaging and the look of the show’s episodes the whole of the set makes it an imperfect re-issue but one that is still a welcome addition to any family’s home DVD library.

Bump in the Night: The Complete Series is, in its most recent re-issue, an imperfect collection.  But even in considering its imperfections it is still a welcome addition to any family’s home DVD library.  That applies especially to families who have knowledge and respect for the cartoons that once made Saturday mornings so great.  There is no denying that its packaging in this new presentation leaves at least a little something to be desired.  Though, it could have been so much worse.  And while it would have been nice to see Mill Creek Entertainment do at least some re-touching in regards to the look of the series, it doesn’t look so bad that it makes the episodes unwatchable.  In fact one could argue that its original look still makes it stand out even today especially against television’s current sea of CG-based children’s series.  The writing behind the series and the sets pricing are the set’s saving graces.  The writing will entertain and educate (so to speak) audiences of all ages.  And the set’s relatively affordable price (averaging about eight dollars) will increase the odds that families will want to purchase the set and consider all of the previously noted elements for themselves.  Each element is important in its own right.  That goes without saying.  It has its pros and its cons.  But all things considered the combination of those pros and cons balances itself out and in turn makes this new re-issue one that its fans will want to add to their own home DVD libraries.  It is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered online direct via Mill Creek Entertainment’s online store at http://www.millcreekent.com/bump-in-the-night-the-complete-series.html.  More information on this and other titles from Mill Creek Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.millcreekent.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/millcreekent

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://wordpress.philspicks.com.

20 Million Miles To Earth Is A Must See For Any Lover Of Classic Cinema And Sci-Fi

Courtesy: Mill Creek Entertainment

The annual countdown to Halloween is on once again. With Halloween only a few more weeks away at the time of this review, everyone’s busy looking for a way to bring some frights and fun to their yearly celebrations. Mill Creek has given audiences two more wonderful options for their Halloween parties thanks to its release of the Ray Harryhausen Creature Double Feature. This new double dose of classic monster movies includes two of Ray Harryhausen’s great sci-fi/horror classics in the form of 20 Million Miles to Earth and It Came From Beneath The Sea. The second of the features will be discussed at a later date. For now, the focus will be solely on the first in the pair. 20 Million Miles To Earth is a wonderful watch not only for those Halloween parties this year, but for anyone that is a lover of classic cinema in general. The main aspect of this classic sci-fi flick that makes it work is its script. Yes, there’s at least one minor issue with the writing. That will be noted later. But by and large, the script for this movie is a big part of why audiences will love it. Just as important to the whole are the movie’s special effects. Compared to nearly every one of today’s way-over-the-top special effects blockbusters, the effects used in this piece are outstanding. And last but most definitely not least of all worth noting is the movie’s cast. The movie’s lead actors were no strangers to their crafts. They were quite versed as a matter of fact. The importance of this aspect will also be noted later. Suffice it to say that all three of these factors together make 20 Million Miles to Earth a must see whether at this year’s Halloween get together or any other time of the year by any lover of classic cinema. And together with its companion piece It Came From Beneath The Sea, it makes Mill Creek’s recently released Ray Harryhausen Creature Double Feature an absolute must see.

Mill Creek Entertainment’s recently released Ray Harryhausen Creature Double Feature is an absolute must see by any lover of classic cinema. While not the first time that the movies in this set have seen the light of day, they are very difficult to find on DVD or Blu-ray. So taking that into consideration, anyone with any love for the golden age of cinema will appreciate this double movie presentation. Looking specifically for now at the first of the features, 20 Million Miles to Earth, this movie works so well here for a number of reasons. One reason that it works so well is its writing. The story behind this movie was nothing new for the film industry when it debuted in June 1957. It sees an ever-growing lizard creature from Venus terrorizing the Sicilian countryside after having been released by a young boy named Pepe. The end result is the hunt and eventual killing of the unnamed creature. Legendary B-movie director Roger Corman had already churned out ten sci-fi classics when this movie debuted. And It Came From Beneath The Sea, the other film featured in this collection, had already debuted two years previous. Adding in to the believability of the story, the birth of the “space race” was only months away as Russia went on in October of that year to release Sputnik, the world’s first satellite. So it goes without saying that the fascination with worlds and beings other than our own was at an all-time high when this movie made its premiere. That makes the movie’s very plot so fun.

The plot behind 20 Million Miles to Earth, when set against the other B-movies of its era, is just as enjoyable as those churned out by fellow sci-fi legend Roger Corman and by Harryhausen himself. The plot is just one minute part of what makes this script work, too. The manner in which the movie’s writing team executed the story adds to the overall enjoyment. If not for young Pepe’s greed (he even tries to extort money from the American military officers when they come to investigate the crash), none of what happened might have happened. In turn there might not have been a story. One could argue that if not a child, then an adult might have done the same thing as Pepe. That’s true, too. So taking this aspect of the movie’s writing into consideration, one can’t help but wonder if the writers were trying to make a statement about the cost and danger of human nature a la 1951’s The Day The Earth Stood Still.   In the same vein, Col. Calder (played wonderfully here by William Hopper) makes a statement regarding the creature being docile unless provoked right before provoking the creature so as to capture it. That is so subtle but so powerful a statement about human nature, too. If Calder knew the creature was docile, why not try a peaceful means to corral it? Some might argue this to be a major plot hole. A more thoughtful analysis though, reveals that it could have been another lightly veiled commentary about the contradictory nature of humans in terms of their behaviors and thought processes. It’s really something to think about. It is that writing and commentary (intended or not) that along with the script makes 20 Million Miles to Earth such a wonderful watch.

The seemingly lightly veiled commentary aside, another reason that the script’s writing works so well is that the movie’s writing team even made certain to explain how the unnamed lizard creature managed to grow so fast. As was explained by one character, the Earth’s atmospheric make up was to blame for the creature’s growth. As long as it was breathing the air on Earth, it would keep growing every day. That most important of all of the story’s aspect is answered so quickly and easily. It’s one more way in which the movie’s writing team made sure to cover all of its bases when crafting the story. It’s the final part of the movie’s writing that makes the script (and the movie in whole) so enjoyable so many years after its premiere.

The writing that went into 20 Million Miles to Earth is a big reason for the movie’s success nearly sixty years after it debuted. That should be obvious by now. Another reason that the movie continues to be so beloved to this day is its special effects. Special effects have evolved so much throughout the history of the movie industry. While the special effects used in movies such as this might be considered simplistic by some, it is that simplicity that makes them so wonderful. The special effects of today’s major name blockbusters have completely jumped the shark for lack of better wording. They are almost entirely created via computer. Ray Harryhausen’s stop motion special effects in this movie (and others that he worked on) were done entirely by hand. Sure there was some movie magic incorporated along the way to help. But again in comparison to so many of today’s special effects extravaganzas, those effects are a product of their time. They are used as a part of the overall story rather than as the star of the film. Today’s action blockbusters are the polar opposite. That factor alone makes 20 Million Miles to Earth worth the watch. Together with its outstanding writing, the movie’s special effects make this movie even more of a must see for any lover of classic cinema and sci-fi.

The writing and the special effects that went into 20 Million Miles to Earth both play their own important role in the movie’s overall enjoyment and success. As important as both factors are to the whole presentation, there is still one more aspect worth noting in examining the movie. That final aspect is the movie’s lead cast. Anyone with any love of classic movies and television will appreciate the history lesson presented through just the movie’s cast. William Hopper leads the movie’s cast as Col. Robert Calder. Hopper is best known for his role of Private Detective Paul Drake in the classic courtroom drama Perry Mason. Drake was a major character in that series as he helped Mason solve a number of cases throughout the show’s run. Perry Mason, by the way, can still be seen today on Me-TV. He also starred opposite film legend James Dean in the 1955 hit drama Rebel Without A Cause. He starred alongside a then young Natalie Wood as the father to her Judy. On a side note, Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo, Gilligan’s Island) also starred in that movie. Adding to Hopper’s resume, 20 Million Miles to Earth wasn’t Hopper’s first creature feature. He starred in another well-known creature feature that premiered only months before this one. That movie, released by Universal Pictures, is called The Deadly Mantis. For those that haven’t seen that movie, imagine Godzilla with a giant, radioactive praying mantis in place of the giant, radioactive lizard. Yeah. And instead of taking place in Japan, the giant mantis thaws out in the North Pole and comes to America to cause all kinds of havoc. It’s still a great watch, regardless. These are just some of the pieces in which Hopper starred. It goes without saying that Hopper’s experience in both action and drama roles proved him to be a good choice for his role. His wasn’t the only good choice, either. Hopper’s co-stars Joan Taylor, Thomas Browne Henry, and John Zaremba starred together in another of Ray Harryhausen’s hits Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers in 1956. So they were both just as natural for their roles in this film, too. It was probably Zaremba’s work on these sci-fi favorites that led to his casting in the cult hit sci-fi series Time Tunnel. That series ran for only one year from 1966 – 1967. It is still a fan favorite to this day, though. The movie’s other cast members each starred in some of the movie industry’s biggest names, too. Arthur Space played the supporting role of Dr. Sharman in 20 Million Miles to Earth. Only months before, he starred alongside famed actor James Stewart in The Spirit of St. Louis as Donald Hall, the chief engineer of Ray Airlines. There are plenty of other actors whose resumes add plenty of credit to 20 Million Miles to Earth. But it would take far too long to note each one and their resume. Needless to say, one should have quite the clear picture by now of just how important the cast of 20 Million Miles to Earth was to the movie’s success. The cast’s collective experience shines through from start to finish here making it entirely clear once more just why this movie is still one of the greatest sci-fi/horror films in modern film history and why this movie was a wise addition to Mill Creek’s newly released Ray Harryhausen Creature Double Feature.

20 Million Miles to Earth is one of the greatest sci-fi flicks in modern movie history. So much went into the movie in such a small span of time. Its writing was simple yet so in-depth. The special effects headed up by screen legend Ray Harryhausen are so much better than those presented in today’s major blockbusters. Harryhausen’s special effects are part of the story rather than the star. They do so much to help advance the story. And last but not least of all is the movie’s cast. The cast—both the lead and supporting cast—came into the movie with quite the collective resume. That vast amount of experience shared between the movie’s cast shines through here from start to finish. It is the last touch in a movie that any lover of classic cinema and of sci-fi in whole must see at least once. Now that Halloween’s on its way again, that’s one more reason to pick up this new release from Mill Creek Entertainment. It is available now in stores and online and can be ordered online direct from Mill Creek Entertainment at http://www.millcreekent.com/20-million-miles-to-earth-it-came-from-beneath-the-sea-ray-harryhausen-double-feature.html. More information on this and other titles from Mill Creek Entertainment is available online at:

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To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Denver The Last Dinosaur The Complete Series Was Well Worth The Wait

Courtesy: Cinedigm/VCI Entertainment

Children’s programming today is nothing like it was in its golden era.  One quick scan through any carrier’s channel lineup proves that.  Children’s programs of the 80s and 90s actually had heart.  They had substance, too.  By comparison, that heart and substance is nearly nonexistent in programs aimed at tweens and teens today.  Thank goodness some companies out there have stepped up and released those classic cartoons from the golden era of children’s programming to show today’s youth what real kids’ shows look and sound like.  Mill Creek has stepped up and released most of the original animated Dennis The Menace series.  Shout! Factory has more than stepped up in its own right with planet of classic kids’ shows.  And now Cinedigm and VCI Entertainment have stepped up and added their own contribution with the release of Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series.  Denver The Last Dinosaur didn’t last too long in its original broadcast.  It ran for a grand total of fifty-two episodes.  But even in that short run, it offered audiences so much enjoyment.  And audiences of all ages will see that for themselves when Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series is released September 16^th on DVD box set.  The main factor in the overall enjoyment of this series is its writing.  As with so many children’s series of that era, the writers mixed fun adventures with subtly placed lessons for young viewers.  Also worth noting of this box set is the original presentation of the episodes.  And last but hardly least of all that makes this set so enjoyable is the companion booklet.  The booklet includes not only a full episode listing, but also a short summary of each episode from start to finish.  The companion booklet works alongside the full, proper presentation of the episodes and the episodes’ writing to make Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series an absolute must for viewers of any age.  That isn’t to discount the set’s packaging, its bonus interviews, or its bonus cartoons.  They are all well worth noting, too.  They round out the whole presentation to make Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series one of the definite best new box sets for children and families this year.

While it might not have lasted nearly as long as some of the other cartoons that made the 80s and 90s so great, Denver The Last Dinosaur was still an enjoyable piece in its own right.  The central reason for its success lies in tis writing.  WEP president Ted Koplar puts it best in his bonus interview that what really makes Denver The Last Dinosaur work so well is that presented here is a fish out of water story.  Denver is for all intents and purposes, an outsider trying to find his place in the world with all of its technology and its mores and values.  Even with the series being as old as it is, that theme of finding one’s own self and one’s  place in the world is one to which even today’s young audiences can relate.  And as Bob Koplar, WEP VP notes, kids can also relate to Denver because he is this figure that gets into so much trouble yet he gets away with it every time.  Koplar notes in his interview that every kid wishes that he or she could get away with Denver’s antics.  That couldn’t be more right, even today years after it ended its original run on television.  Add in the fact that these episodes have been endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA) for their nonviolent themes and general story, lines, and audiences see even more why the writing behind this series is so important and successful.  This is extremely important to consider especially when comparing this classic series to so much of what is available for younger viewers today.  Hopefully other parents out there will take all of this into consideration and give Denver The Last Dinosaur a try for the first time or for the first time again when it is released later this month. If the bonus interviews included in this set are any indication, the writing behind this series may very well entertain today’s younger viewers just as much as those other programs if not more so.

The writing behind Denver The Last Dinosaur is a solid starting point in the discussion regarding what makes the series’ new box set so enjoyable.  No discussion on the series is complete without a note on the set’s presentation.  A slate is included before the episodes noting that the episodes have been re-mastered for this presentation.  Those charged with re-mastering the footage are to be commended for their painstaking efforts.  That is first and foremost because their efforts resulted in no footage being lost in the process.  This means that every single episode from the series’ original broadcast has been included in this box set.  And every episode is presented in its original video format, too.  They haven’t been squeezed down.  And they are just as bright and vibrant as ever.  The audio is just as clear, too.  To some the re-mastering of a show’s video and audio is a minor issue.  But the reality of the situation is that there are some companies out there that don’t put the necessary effort into properly re-working various shows to make them appear as they appeared in their original broadcasts.   The end result is a product hardly worth the purchase. VCI Entertainment and Cinedigm are not among those companies in this case.  It’s one more factor that makes the set in whole all the more enjoyable for viewers of all ages.  There is still more that has gone into this set making it worth the purchase by any now grown-up child of the 80s, including the companion booklet.

The writing and re-mastering work undertaken by those at VCI Entertainment and Cinedigm are both equally integral parts of the whole that is Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series.  Eve having taken these factors into consideration, VCI Entertainment and Cinedigm didn’t stop there.  They paid great tribute to the series’ original fans in so many ways with this set.  Those are two a couple ways in which they did so.  Another way in which the companies paid tribute to the show’s original fans is in the inclusion of a companion booklet.  The booklet outlines the series’ entire episode list from start to finish.  It shows the set includes the episodes here are presented exactly as they originally ran on television.  It also gives a short summary of every episode.  This allows viewers to look back and say, “Oh, I remember this episode” or “that episode.”  So not only does this allow audiences to decide which episode(s) that they want to watch, but it even helps maintain that sense of nostalgia already full established thanks to the full, proper re-mastering of the episodes and the inclusion of every episode.  It still isn’t the end of what makes Denver The last Dinosaur: The Complete Series such a hit for audiences.  There are the bonus interviews, which have been noted in small part already.  And there are even bonus episodes culled from other VCI Entertainment collections included as bonus material.  They give a glance into other series with which some viewers might or might not be familiar, adding even more of a sense of nostalgia.  It makes the set complete and a complete joy.

VCI Entertainment and Cinedigm have gone to painstaking efforts to make Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series the release that fans of this classic series have wanted for so many years.  Needless to say, their efforts were definitely not in vain.  The writing proves even to this day to be enjoyable and relatable for audiences of all ages.  The painstaking efforts taken to bring back to life every episode of the series makes things even better.  And the full, proper episode guide included in the set’s companion booklet is a fitting final piece to the presentation.  That is not to discount the in-depth bonus interviews and the bonus episodes of other releases from VCI Entertainment.  They add their own enjoyment to the set in whole, too.  All things considered, Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series proves in the long run to be a wonderful alternative to all of the material claiming today to be children’s programming.  It is everything that the series’ original fans have waited for so long to hold in their hands and watch on their televisions once again.  Simply put, this box set proves itself in the end to be one of the best new box sets for children and families this year.

Denver The Last Dinosaur: The Complete Series will be available on DVD, Tuesday, September 16^th.  It can be ordered online direct from VCI Entertainment’s website at http://www.vcientertainment.com/DENVER-THE-LAST-DINOSAUR-COMPLETE-SERIES/Film-Categories?keyword=denver.  More information on this and other releases from VCI Entertainment is available online at http://www.vcientertainment.com, http://www.facebook.com/VCIClassicMovies, and http://twitter.com/vciclassicfilms.  All the latest news from Cinedigm is available online at http://www.cinedigm.com and http://www.facebook.com/Cinedigm.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Lights! Camera! Menace! Is Another Must Have For Any Classic Cartoon Fan

Courtesy: Mill Creek Entertainment

Dennis The Menace is one of the most beloved icons in the history of American pop culture.  What started out as a comic strip crafted by Hank Ketcham in March of 1951 went from there to become what is today a cultural phenomenon.  That comic strip spawned a live action series starring Jay North, which ran for nearly four years from October 1959 to July 1963.  It would later go on to spawn an animated series that while it ran only two seasons, remains one a favorite among audiences of all ages even today.  Earlier this year, Mill Creek Entertainment finally rewarded the patience of that series’ fans with the first half of the series’ first season on DVD.  The multi-disc set’s release marked the first time ever that the series had received a proper release.  And it proved to be a box set well worth the wait, too.  The same can be said of the new box set Lights! Camera! Menace!  Lights! Camera! Menace! is essentially Dennis The Menace Volume 2.  Why Mill Creek chose to give it a different title is anyone’s guess. Regardless, anyone that grew up with this standout cartoon series will appreciate and enjoy this latest collection of episodes just as much as its predecessor. The primary reason for that is that this set properly finishes off the series’ first season, despite what its title might lead one to think. Also, the continued family friendly writing makes this one of those rare gems that families can and should watch together. And last but not least is the series’ original hand-drawn animation. In an age when anime and CG-based children’s shows dominate the airwaves, this original true animation style serves as a reminder of the value of such animation. All three factors are important in their own right. Together, they make Lights! Camera! Menace! another must-have collection for any kid and kid at heart. They also collectively make this set another valid contender for a spot on this critic’s list of the year’s best new box sets for children and families.

Typically, the most obvious starting point for examination of any box set would be the episodes’ scripts (I.E. the writing).  However, being that this box set and its predecessor mark the first time that this installment of the Dennis The Menace franchise has ever been released, the smarter starting point is the set’s episode listing.  Audiences will note that Lights! Camera! Menace! finishes off the first season of this classic kids’ cartoon series.  Every episode from the second half of Season One is here. The episodes are for the most part presented in the same order as they were presented in their original broadcasts.  There are some slight variances in the episode listing.  But those variances are so few that they can easily be brushed aside, making even more valuable the fact that every one of the episodes from the second half of Season One is present here.  Again, knowing this, it is anyone’s guess why this box set wasn’t simply titled Dennis The Menace Volume 2.  That’s anyone’s guess.  Regardless, the fact that it is the first time that these episodes have received a proper release and that they have all been included is the central point of this set’s success.  And it’s a solid central point at that.

That Lights! Camera! Menace! fully finishes off the first season of Dennis The Menace is a solid starting point for the newly released triple-disc box set.  Rising from that solid foundation is the writing incorporated into each of the scripts.  Dennis more than lives up to his moniker in the episodes included in this compilation.  He gets both Mr. Wilson and his own dad arrested in the set’s opening short “Sounds of the Night.”  They get arrested after being suspected of being a couple of robbers.  Of course Mr. Wilson’s argument that it was Dennis’ fault doesn’t help at all.  When Dennis’ dog Ruff accidentally runs amok on one of Mr. Wilson’s paintings, a famed art critic sees the painting and mistakes Mr. Wilson’s work for the work of someone else.  Of course, Mr. Wilson can’t convince the critic in question that the painting was his. That leads to plenty of laughs. He creates plenty of laughs as he causes trouble for Mr. Wilson and others throughout these episodes. There are also just as many laughs as he goes on various adventures with his friends and even gets them into some tight situations that ultimately come out alright, too. Whether it be his troublemaking ways with Mr. Wilson, his wildly fun adventures with his friends or even stopping spies (yes, he even stops a bad guy or two in this volume), Dennis’ adventures in Lights! Camera! Menace! will take the show’s original audiences back on a wonderful trip down memory lane. They will also show today’s young audiences what real cartoons are all about.

The fact that the episodes culled for Lights! Camera! Menace! completely finish off the first season of the classic series is a solid base for this collection. It’s great to see that the first season was finished off in full instead of just having this collection be a compilation of random episodes. Its title is a wholly different issue in itself. The writing that went into each of the episodes presented here makes this collection all the more enjoyable for viewers. The writing proves that it is possible to write good, solid cartoons without relying on crass humor. It proves that among all of the teeny-bopper and tweeny-bopper live action series out there on the networks of Nickelodeon and Disney, true worthwhile children’s programming such as Dennis The Menace still has a very relevant place in today’s television spectrum. It’s still just as entertaining today as it was in its original broadcast. The last factor that makes Lights! Camera! Menace! so enjoyable is its animation. The animation style used in this series was entirely done by hand. Just as the episodes’ writing proved to be fully original, so does that hand-drawn animation style. The only shows that came close to Dennis The Menace at the time were perhaps Heathcliff and The Real Ghostbusters.   Even as close as those shows might have been to Dennis The Menace in their animation, there were obvious stylistic differences between them, too. The key difference was the sharpness of detail. This series didn’t have that certain definition of the art in the other noted series. It was more raw for lack of better wording. A side-by-side comparison of the shows makes this much clearer. And in seeing that difference, as subtle as it is, audiences will see once more just why these classic episodes are so valuable. If audiences don’t appreciate the episodes’ writing or the fact that Mill Creek paid true tribute to the series by finishing off Season One in full, then this is sure to generate a certain appreciation for the series and the set among audiences.

Lights! Camera! Menace! is a wonderful presentation for audiences of all ages, as one should be able to tell by now. The episodes are literally family friendly in every sense. That’s thanks to solid writing that boasts so much heart. The full complement of Season One’s second half episodes makes the set even better. And the use of real hand-drawn animation finishes off this set. All three factors by themselves are important to the set’s success. Together, they make Lights! Camera! Menace! another impressive release from Mill Creek Entertainment, the packaging aside. They combine to make this set a valid contender at least for this critic’s list of the year’s best new box sets for children and family. Lights! Camera! Menace! is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct from Mill Creek Entertainment online at http://www.millcreekdirect.com/dennis-the-menace-lights-camera-menace-32-episodes.html. More information on this and other releases from Mill Creek Entertainment is available online at http://www.millcreekent.com, http://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt, and http://twitter.com/millcreekent. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Classic Cartoon’s First Proper Release Is A Joy For Audiences Of All Ages

Courtesy: Mill Creek Entertainment

Dennis The Menace is one of the most beloved characters in the history of America’s various entertainment mediums. Any number of newspapers still proudly run the famed comic strip every day. At least two movies have been crafted based on Dennis The Menace. And even the original live action, black-and-white series has received a proper release over the course of four separate box sets courtesy of Shout! Factory. Certain TV stations even still run that series every day. One of those networks is one that goes by the name of Antenna TV. Yes, that’s a cheap pop for that network. For all of the love that Dennis The Menace has continued to receive today, there is one part of this classic character’s life that has never received proper treatment. That part of his life is the animated series, which ran from 1986 – 1988. Various companies have released bits and pieces of the animated series. But it hasn’t been until this year that it has received a proper release. That is thanks to Mill Creek Entertainment. Mill Creek Entertainment released on March 11^th, Dennis The Menace: Volume One on DVD. This set is everything that the show’s now grown up fans have wanted for so many years. Of the series’ seventy-eight total episodes, this collection of episodes boasts thirty-three full length episodes. That’s nearly half of the series’ episodes. Making the set even more impressive is that not only does it boast almost half of the series’ episodes, a close look reveals that the order of episodes in the set was taken directly from the original series. This is a very important part of the success of the set. And last but definitely not least in the triple-disc set is the quality of the footage. The footage still looks as good as it did in its original broadcast nearly three decades ago. These three factors combine to make Dennis The Menace: Volume One among the year’s best new home releases for children and families.

Various companies have tried their hand at releasing bits and pieces of Dennis The Menace: The Animated Series ever since the show went off the air in 1988. Different episodes have seen the light of day on both VHS and DVD before the release of Dennis The Menace: Volume One. None of those releases were anywhere near the level of this collection of episodes. This is the most complete collection of episodes that the series has ever seen. There has been one release in particular that tried to pass off a small handful of episodes as more than it really was, essentially deceiving customers. Applause goes to Mill Creek for not doing the same thing. Mill Creek has in fact released thirty-three episodes from the original seventy-eight in their entirety. The company didn’t just toss in a bunch of shorts and try to call them episodes. They actually presented thirty-three complete episodes to comprise the triple-disc set.

The inclusion of thirty-three complete episodes in Dennis The Menace: Volume One is the tip of the proverbial iceberg for this set. Audiences will appreciate that those episodes included in the set are presented in precise chronological order from the original schedule of episodes. It would have been so easy for Mill Creek to just assemble episodes from the series’ two seasons at random. That’s precisely what far too many companies do with their releases today. Mill Creek didn’t go that route, though. Its people actually showed respect for the show’s fans by presenting the first thirty-three episodes as they originally aired. As rare as this is for some indie companies to do, it’s nice to see that Mill Creek has done just that in this case. It makes this set all the more enjoyable for fans.

That Mill Creek has presented the episodes in exactly the same chronological order in which they originally aired is a major bonus for Dennis The Menace: Volume One. That this set contains nearly half of the series episodes in their entirety is just as much of a bonus for viewers. There is one remaining factor to the set that audiences will appreciate. That final factor is the quality of the footage presented. Nearly four decades have passed since Dennis The Menace: The Animated Series originally aired. Technology has changed a lot since then. So it’s nice to see that the show’s original tapes have stood the test of time so well. Even nicer to see is the care that was taken in transferring the original tapes to DVD. The coloring in each episode is as bright today as it was nearly three decades ago. And the sound is just as high quality. Both the audio and video quality of the transfer is impressive. Their quality proves that those at Mill Creek took their jobs seriously in presenting the best possible product to fans of this modern classic. And together with the episodes included in the set, it makes the set complete. It makes this one of the best new releases of the year for children and families.  Here’s to hoping that when and if Mill Creek releases the series’ remaining episodes, they will be just as much of a joy.

Dennis The Menace: Volume One is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct from Mill Creek Entertainment online at http://www.millcreekdirect.com/dennis-the-menace-volume-one-33-episodes.html.  More information on this and other releases from Mill Creek is available online at http://www.millcreekent.com and http://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Sonar Entertainment’s Take On Verne’s Classic Is Entertaining Despite Its Changes

Courtesy: Mill Creek Entertainment/Hallmark Entertainment/Sonar Entertainment

Jules Verne is one of the literary world’s greatest names.  If he were alive today, he would be proud to see that so much of what he crafted in his books has ages later become reality.  One can’t help but wonder though, how he would react to the countless adaptations that have arisen from his books ever since the dawn of the moving picture.  There have been some good adaptations, some that are…well…we’ll say forgettable.  And then there are those rare few that somehow manage to fit more into a middle ground between the two.  Sonar Entertainment’s 1999 take on Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of those adaptations that fit more into the latter of the three.  And like so many adaptations that came before and that have come after, it doesn’t stay entirely true to the original book.  Despite that, it’s still an entertaining story nonetheless.  Audiences should take this into account first and foremost with this adaptation.  Also to be taken into account with this this take on Verne’s classic story is that it isn’t the big budget version released to theaters in 2008.  Believe it or not, that’s actually a good thing. That will be discussed later, too.  Because the story runs roughly three hours in length, its composition is just as important as any other factor in this take on Verne’s story.    Splitting the mini-series up especially on DVD will help viewers to not feel drained by the story’s end.  Along with the story itself and the production values, it helps to make Sonar Entertainment’s take on Verne’s story that much more worth checking out at least once.

The central story of Journey to the Center of the Earth in this adaptation is anything but true to the original story written by Jules Verne.  There are those that have discredited this take on the story for that.  But the reality of the situation is what movie ever crafted from a book ever stays entirely true to the original source material?  Keeping that in mind, the story presented here is actually surprisingly entertaining.  It incorporates more action into the story as well as the standard romance subplot for specifically aimed audiences.  From angry subterranean pre-historic natives to deadly lizard creatures, dinosaurs and fiery caverns, Theodore Lytton (Treat Williams), his nephew Jonas (Jeremy London) and their travelling companions have lots to face on their journey.  Writer Thomas Baum’s script spaces all of these dangers out just enough to keep viewers engaged throughout each of the mini-series’ segments.  In the same vein, Baum didn’t allow the script’s dual romantic subplot  to overpower the primary story.  This helps to keep the story moving at a reasonable pace.  There are certain comic elements included in the story that add to its entertainment value, too.  One of those instances comes when Theodore, Jonas, and their friends meet a group of natives in New Zealand.  There are some jokes involving whether or not their king is a cannibal that will most certainly have any viewer laughing if only slightly.  It is still a nice touch to the story.

The mix of action, comedy and yes, even romance, make Baum’s take on Verne’s classic an entertaining story.  Audiences should also take into account with this adaptation of Verne’s novel, its production values and special effects.  It’s pretty obvious in watching this mini-series that this take on the story likely didn’t have that large of a budget.  That’s obvious in the sets, the special effects, and even the costumes.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, either.  In fact, there’s something somewhat endearing about the fact that the special effects, the sets, and the costumes were more low-budget.  It goes right back to the writing.  Much like classic movies from Hollywood’s golden era, the lower grade sets, costumes, and special effects forced Miller and his cast to focus more on Baum’s story.  The result is acting that will actually keep viewers engaged in both the character development and by connection, story development, too.  So in the mini-series’ defense, it’s actually nice to see these lower-budget pieces, instead of something more over-the-top.  It’s one more part of the whole that makes this take on Journey to the Center of the Earth worth at least one watch.

The overall production values and story in Sonar Entertainment’s Journey to the Center of the Earth make this take on the timeless story worth at least one watch.  They alone don’t make this adaptation work, though.  Just as important as the production values and the story itself is how the story is how the story is built.  The full run time of the mini-series is roughly three hours.  It only makes sense with such a long run time that it would be separated into separate segments.  Had the story been one long piece along the lines of the Lord of the Rings, it might not have been so easy to stomach.  But it didn’t go that route.  It took the other route.  And to top it off, it made each segment enjoyable to watch even though this take on the original story might not be entirely true to the source material.  And it’s because of all of this tied in together that this adaptation of Journey to the Center of the Earth is worth at least one watch by any fan of Verne’s original work and by any science fiction fan in general.  It is available now and can be ordered online in a special two-movie bonus pack along with Hallmark’s Dinotopia at http://www.millcreekdirect.com/dinotopia-journey-to-the-center-of-the-earth-fantasy-double-feature.html.  More information on this and other releases from Mill Creek Entertainment is available online at http://www.millcreekent.com and http://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.