‘Power Rangers’ Fans Will “Roar” With Approval For Franchise’s Latest Standalone Set

Courtesy: Shout! Factory

Late last month Shout! Factory released yet another installment of Saban’s beloved Power Rangers franchise in the form of Power Rangers Dino Thunder: The Complete Series.  The series, which is also considered to be the franchise’s 12^th season, is an interesting installment of the long-running franchise.  It proves over the course of its 38 total episodes to be a good bridge between the franchise’s past and future.  That is due in part to the work of the show’s writers.  That will be discussed shortly.  The work of the series’ cast is just as important to note as that of the show’s writers.  It will be discussed later.  The show’s balance of CG effects and live action scenes is just as notable as the work of the show’s cast and writers.  It will be covered later, too.  Each element is important in its own right to the series’ presentation.  All things considered, the Power Rnagers’ 12^th season proves to be yet another enjoyable addition to the franchise and perhaps one of its best since the end of the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers era.

Power Rangers Dine Thunder: The Complete Series is one of the best installments of the Power Rangers franchise since the end of its Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers era.  That is due at least in some part to the work of the show’s writers.  The writers are to be commended once again for their ability to craft episodes that seamlessly blended together entertaining story lines with lessons about teamwork, friendship and other key topics for young people’s development.  What’s more, they managed to incorporate said lessons without being preachy either.  One prime example of that ability to so expertly balance the episodes’ entertainment and education (so to speak) comes in the form of “Diva in Distress.”  The episode, which comes early in the show’s run, finds the young residents of Reefside being turned old by Mesagog’s monster Donkeyvac (yes, that’s really its name).  It’s up to the Rangers to save the day and return everyone to their normal ages.  The central story is entertaining in its own right.  The lessons about friendship and respecting one’s elders are just as pivotal to the episode.  Audiences will be pleased to find that the show’s writers were able to so seamlessly tie everything together and do so without being preachy in the process.

“Bully For Ethan” is another key example of the writers’ ability to balance the show’s entertainment and educational content.  This time out, the writers take on the ever-present issue of bullying among teens when Ethan, the Rangers’ resident tech expert and Blue Ranger is bullied by a classmate.  The writers are to be commended in how they presented the situation and how it was handled.  Again, they managed to tackle the topic without getting too preachy.  At the same time, the episode’s central story is just as entertaining as the lessons are informative and educational.  That is because it could be argued to be the very beginning of the end for Mesogog and his minions as cracks begin to show in the villains’ relationships.  It’s just one more example of the importance of the writers’ work in this season of Power Rangers.  The series’ final could be just as easily cited as an example of the importance of the work of the series’ writers.

“Bully for Ethan” and “Diva in Distress” are both key examples of the importance of the work of the series’ writers in this installment of the Power Rangers franchise.  They are hardly the only episodes that could be cited in exhibiting that importance.  The series’ two-part finale could just as easily be cited in exhibiting the importance of the writers’ work to the series’ presentation.  That is because on the surface, the episode wraps up the series’ without leaving any loose ends.  On another level, one could argue that the episode also incorporates an important lesson about sacrifices.  That is because (not to give away too much here) the Rangers are forced to make a huge sacrifice in order to defeat Mesogog once and for all and save Reefside (and the world).  Given people might not have to make huge sacrifices on a daily basis.  But sometimes sacrifices are necessary in life in different ways.  To that end, this lesson – intended or not – is just as important to the show as any of the others which are presented throughout the series’ 38-episode run.  Keeping all of this in mind, it becomes clear why the work of the writers is so important to the whole of Power Rangers Dino Thunder.  Their collective work is just one part of what makes this installment of Power Rangers so enjoyable.  The work of the series’ cast is just as important to note here as that of the series’ writers.

The work of the writers behind Power Rangers Dino Thunder is to be highly commended in examining the whole of the franchise’s 12^th season.  That is because they displayed in every episode their expert ability to balance the series’ entertaining and educational elements.  As commendable as their work is, theirs is not the only work that is to be commended.  The work of the show’s cast is just as important to note as that of the writers.  Once again Jason David Frank impresses as Tommy Oliver.  While Tommy is all grown up and doing adult things the hints of the old school Tommy are clear.  That old school hero is perfectly balanced with the older mentor figure for the next generation of Power Rangers.  At the same time, Kevin Duhaney is just as deserving for his portrayal of Ethan James, the Blue Ranger.  It’s easy to see, in watching Duhaney’s performance, his channeling of the original Blue Ranger, Billy Cranston (played by David Yost).  At the same time, it was just as easy to see how he took Billy’s nerdy side and amped it up a little bit for a new generation of Power Rangers fans at the time.  Even Jeffrey Parazzo, who plays White Ranger Trent impresses in his on-screen work.  It would have been so easy for him to ham it up as Trent basically comes of age and has to make some tough decisions.  But he didn’t let himself go so over the top in that portrayal.  To that end, he gets the job done just as much as his cast mates.  That includes the rest of the cast not noted directly here.  Keeping that in mind, the work of the Power Rangers Dino Thunder cast is just as important to note here as the work of the show’s writers to the series’ overall presentation.  It still is not the only remaining element to note, either.  The series’ production values are to be noted here, too.

The work of the Power Rangers Dino Thunder writers and cast is equally important to the series’ overall presentation.  That is because both elements work in tandem with one another.  While both elements are clearly important to the series’ presentation, they are not its only important elements.  The series’ production values are just as important to note as the work of the series’ writers and cast.  That is because it took a path that balanced the show’s CG and live action elements much better than previous installments of the Power Rangers franchise.  The series’ CG elements were in fact used very sparingly throughout the show’s run.  Every now and then, the show’s creative forces would incorporate some CG in the closing fight scenes between the Rangers and the monsters.  But even in those cases, it was used very sparingly.  Instead, those moments relied more on live action more so than CG.  That is, in its own way, a throwback to the days of the MMPR, which to this critic is very welcome.  It is a nice change of pace considering the direction that the franchise had taken in previous installments.  When this is considered along with the work of the series’ writers and cast, all three elements join to show in full why Power Rangers Dino Thunder is such an enjoyable installment of the Power Rangers franchise.  All things considered, Power Rangers Dino Thunder: The Complete Series proves to be another welcome addition to any Power Rangers fan’s collection.

Power Rangers Dino Thunder: The Complete Series is a welcome new addition to any Power Rangers fan’s personal collection.  That is because this new standalone season set is a solid bridge between the franchise’s past and present.  That is most evident in the work of the show’s writers.  The work of the show’s cast is just as important to note in examining its overall presentation.  The balance in the show’s live action and CG elements is just as important to note in its presentation.  All things considered, this latest addition to the Power Rangers franchise proves itself a collection that will make fans roar with enjoyment.  It is available now in stores and online and can be ordered online direct via Shout! Factory’s online store at https://www.shoutfactory.com/kids/kids-action-adventure/power-rangers-dino-thunder-the-complete-series.  More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

 

 

 

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American Jesus Gives A Whole New Face To Christianity In America

Courtesy: Shelter Island/glass eye pix/TDC Entertainment

American Jesus, the new documentary from Shelter Island and Glass Eye Pix, is an interesting look at Christianity in America.  On the surface, it offers viewers an unbiased look at the varied ways in which Americans today express their beliefs and worship.  On another level, it’s interesting in that it shows that Christians in America have increasingly embraced the understanding that a church is just a building, not necessarily its congregation.  This is perhaps the central discussion point of this documentary.  The documentary’s open-ended question of “what if” is the perfect closure for the documentary.  It is not so much an atheistic question so much as it is a question of faith in general.  Much as with the rest of the topics covered throughout this DVD, it is certain to be a point of both discussion and contention for viewers.  And that’s a good thing, provided viewers are open minded enough to politely discuss said topic.  Said open-minded audiences will find in their discussions of this and every topic in American Jesus, that this is definitely a documentary that is well worth the watch.

The ways in which Christians worship today is vastly different from the ways in which older Christians worship and worshipped.  It used to be that Christians worshipped primarily in church buildings.  They worshipped in a very set, formal setting and manner.  By comparison, Christianity today does not have to necessarily include worshipping in a traditional setting or manner.  Viewers see in American Jesus that Christians today worship in “cowboy Church”, as part of Christian Motorcycle gangs, and even at skate parks and other rather nontraditional settings among others.  They don’t do the traditional stand, sing, sit, pray format, either.  Yet they do study scripture and try to live their lives the best they can.  This expansion of how Christians worship is just one of so many discussion points (and points of contention) for viewers through the documentary.  That’s because there actually is something of a divide even among the Christian faith in regards to “new age” worship.  Another discussion point that makes this such an interesting piece to watch is the very concept of what a “church” actually is.

The traditional view of a church is that it is the physical building and the congregation that fills said building.  To others, a church is just a building.  And as viewers will see in American Jesus, the latter mentality is increasingly taking hold across the country.  The church has increasingly become more about the gathering of people to worship than the building itself.  This ties back directly to the traditional versus “new age” manner in which Christians worship.  There are those holdouts that believe unless one is worshipping in a physical church, then one is not actually attending real worship.  What’s more, there are those that believe that pastors of non-traditional churches aren’t even properly trained and ordained individuals.  Given, this may be true in many cases.  But in other cases, some might in fact hold degrees in divinity and be ordained.  It brings the discussion on what a church is full circle and in turn, makes the discussion all the richer.

Both the discussions on the definition of a church and the ways in which the church body worships today are important discussion points raised over the course of American Jesus’ hour-plus run time.  The documentary closes with a question that is more than certain to become a point of contention for viewers.  The documentary closes by pondering why exactly it is that Christians worship.  It doesn’t do so in any negative, antagonistic manner.  Rather, it merely ponders the question of “what if.” It ponders the question of “what if” everything Christians do today even in having branched out from traditional worship is for not.  That in itself is certain to open a whole new can of worms among viewers.  However, those that can keep a cool, level head and discuss this concept on a mature, adult level (It seems a contradiction in terms at times,yes) will find quite a bit of enlightenment.  Those same mature viewers will find that this topic and those already noted make American Jesus a documentary that is just as important a discussion tool in a church setting as it is in the classroom or elsewhere.  It is a documentary that everyone should see at least once, regardless of whether one’s religious background.  It will be available May 13^th and can be pre-ordered via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/American-Jesus-Aram-Garriga/dp/B002DY9K48/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1395667102&sr=1-1&keywords=American+Jesus.

More information on American Jesus and other releases from Shelter Island is available online at http://www.shelterisland.net, http://www.facebook.com/ShelterIslandFilm, and http://twitter.com/ShelterIsl.  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.

Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 Box Set A Must Have For Any Diehard PR Fan

Courtesy: Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory’s release of Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is an absolute must have for anyone that is a true hardcore fan of the Power Rangers franchise.  This latest box set was released in late 2013, only months before the planned release of the franchise’s next box set, containing Seasons 13 – 17.  Audiences that grew up watching Seasons 8 – 12 will appreciate this box set primarily because of its writing.  Seasons 8 – 12 mark a complete cutting of ties so to speak from the original Power Rangers franchise, which ended with Power Rangers Lost Galaxy.  It was a surprisingly clean cut, too.  The bonus DVD included in this set adds to its value for any true hardcore Power Rangers fan.  That’s because of the abundant amount of extras included just on the one disc alone.  And rounding out the whole thing is the bonus booklet that comes with the set.  All of this together makes Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 a set that the most hardcore Power Rangers will want to add to their personal collection.

Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is an important addition to any hardcore Power Rangers fan’s collection first and foremost because of the writing behind each season.  It all starts with Season 8 a.k.a. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue.  This season and those that follow mark a clean cut from the Power Rangers’ original franchise, which ran technically six seasons.  The franchise’s seventh season saw what would be the first attempt at cutting ties from the original franchise.  But even that season maintained at least some link to the original franchise with the re-introduction of the Astro Megaship, which was used in Season 6 (Power Rangers in Space).  That essentially makes Season 8 the very first time that the franchise’s writers made a complete and clean break from the original series.  It did this quite well, too.  It is interesting to see the Power Rangers go from almost superhero-like status in its previous incarnations to being made into a semi-militaristic force in Season 8.  A similar approach is taken in Power Rangers Time Force.  The writers behind Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue made a clean, solid break from the Power Rangers’ original franchise.  For all of their ability to break from that franchise, audiences will appreciate that they did throw back to Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers with the introduction of the Titanium Ranger in this series.  Just as Tommy was originally brainwashed by Rita, so was Ryan brainwashed by Diabolico.  Fans that grew up with the original Power Rangers franchise will appreciate this throwback, whether it was intentional or not.

The eighth and ninth seasons of Power Rangers exhibited brand new chapters in the long-running franchise’s mythology.  They showed in their writing that the Power Rangers brand could keep running even in a whole new universe separate from the one created in the its first seven seasons.  This trend continued on through Seasons 10 and 11.  The most intriguing of the seasons included in this set would have to be Season 12, though.  Tommy Oliver (Jason David Frank) returns in Season 12 a.k.a. Power Rangers Dino Thunder as the head of a new team of Power Rangers.  What makes this season so enjoyable is that while it lives within the confines of its own universe, it also makes no attempt to ignore Tommy’s past as one of the original Power Rangers.  The very fact that it would be titled Dino Thunder and that the new Power Rangers would have their own dinozords of sorts is a full on throwback.  It brings everything full circle in this set.  It goes without saying that this was not the longest series in the Power Rangers canon.  But it was nice to see the writers and the franchise’s heads make that re-connection with the early days of the Power Rangers once again, just as Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue did in Season 8.

All involved behind Power Rangers Season 8 – 12 are to be commended .  These five seasons prove to be some of the best from the Power Rangers franchise in its post-Zordon era.  Fans will see this for themselves when they order the complete five-season box set from Shout! Factory.  The solid writing in each season and the inclusion of each season are only the starting point in what makes this collection a must have for any hardcore Power Rangers fan.  The set also comes with an extra sixth disc loaded with bonus material that fans will love.

The bonus sixth disc that comes with Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is a bonus in itself.  It is loaded with more than its share of background on each season beginning with an in-depth look at how the actors voiced their parts for the big fight scenes.  Audiences will laugh along with the cast members as they recall being in the recording booth, recording their lines and even fight sounds as they see the action on screen.  The “Ranger Tales” segment is just as in-depth.  It offers insight on each season from different members of each season’s cast.  What’s more, this segment proceeds chronologically from Season 8 – 12.  Viewers will also enjoy watching “A Web of Fans.”  This bonus feature takes a look at the impact of the show on its fans and vice versa.  It showed how close-knit the Power Rangers fanbase is to this day and how it has helped to keep the franchise alive such a long time.  There are even more bonuses including one that discusses the introduction of the Titanium Ranger and a semi-promo from Tommy himself pushing Power Rangers Dino Thunder and even a promo by two members of the Dino Thunder cast for Power Rangers S.P.D. which is part of the next Power Rangers box set.  The bonuses don’t end here.  There is still at least one more aspect of this set that fans will appreciate being included.  That bonus is the booklet that comes with the box set.

Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 includes as a companion to the bonus sixth disc, a bonus booklet that includes character bios for each season as well as a complete episode guide for each season as well.  Along with the character bios are the actual names of each cast member from each season.  This includes both the Rangers and the villains.  There are even stills of various scenes taken from different episodes of each season to enhance the booklet even more.  From the stills to the episode list and character guide, those responsible for assembling this booklet put in a lot of work to make it the perfect addition to the overall set.  Together with the bonus sixth disc, the two bonus additions collectively make for one wonderful bonus to a set that simply put is a must have for any true hardcore Power Rangers fan.  Power Rangers Seasons 8 – 12 is available now in stores and online.  It can be ordered direct from the Shout! Factory online store at http://www.shoutfactory.com/product/power-rangers-seasons-8-12.  More information on this and other releases from Shout! Factory is available online at http://www.shoutfactory.com and http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial.  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.