'The Middle' S5 DVD: A Kinder Gentler 'Roseanne'

The current ABC sitcom "The Middle" migrating from Warner Home Video to Warner Archive for the DVD release of the 2013-2014 fifth season is very apt considering the high esteem with which Archive holds traditional television series and films. "Middle" is the genuine family comedy of the 21st century in that it depicts a middle-class family living in middle America with a generally average number of kids with overall typical personalities of offspring for their ages.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the network promo. for "Middle" S5 is a Cliff Notes version of the relatable family interaction that provides much of the humor in the series. As these glimpses show, the audience can see themselves and those with whom they are bound for life in the characters.

The Heck family of Indiana around which "Middle" centers also falls nicely in the middle of classic TV broods. Unlike Dan and Roseanne Conner of the highly obnoxious '90s sitcom "Roseanne," Frankie (a.k.a. Frances) and Mike Heck are college educated and have what passes for steady and decent employment in the current economy. Newly slightly upwardly mobile Frankie is a dental hygienist, and Mike manages a quarry.

Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond" brings her tradition of eye-rolling exasperated mom and wife to the role of Frankie; Neil Flynn of "Scrubs" plays Mike as much nicer than Flynn's janitor persona from the earlier series but retains an element of the antisocial quality of that character.

The moments in the sun that this pair share in the fifth season include a hilarious weekend at a house with technology that they cannot operate and hosting a dinner party that turns into a typical suburban neighborhood event.

Unlike more affluent television families of the past and the Hecks' Wednesday night neighbors the Dunphy/Pritchett clans of "Modern Family," the Hecks are like many households in finding providing their family even moderate "extras" financially challenging in this era of moderate dystopia.

One example from an earlier season with which a large percentage of viewers can identify has Frankie scrambling to earn money after inadvertently spending $200 on eye cream and having Mike only get upset because the family used to handle such unexpected expenses more easily.

The story described above also provides good context for contrasting "The Middle" with "Roseanne." The titular character in the latter likely either would have shrilly raised a scene regarding the audacity of charging $200 for a couple of ounces of eye cream until the clerk refunded her money or would have successfully replaced the "good stuff" with a dirt-cheap substitute and had a huge belly laugh regarding pulling one over on the over-priced store and the rich jerks who shop there.

The Hecks also take a more humane approach than the Conners to raising their weird youngest son, quirky middle child, and popular but not-so-motivated oldest. Frankie and Mike parent with as much love and understanding as their financial, physical, and mental resources allow.

Fan favorite Axl Heck provides the majority of the "funny because its true" style of humor in the fifth season; this relates to everyone's favorite boxer-clad teen boy going from BMOC high school football star to lowly college freshman.

The college fun commences with the hilarious season premiere centered around the family bringing Axl to college at the start of the academic(?) year. Anyone who has endured this ritual can relate to a frantic trip to a clone of  Bed, Bath, and Beyond for dorm supplies; anyone who has taken a family road trip can relate both to the comical squabbling among the kids and very amusing diversions that turn a 45-minute journey into a more than three-hour tour.

Other college-oriented rites of passage in which Axl amusingly engages includes contending with a highly incompatible roommate, hosting high-school buddies for a weekend on campus, taking a last-minute road trip, burning through his meal plan long before the end of the school year, facing an academic crisis, and trying to figure out where he and his high school girlfriend do (or should) stand.

Wonderfully awkward (now high school junior) Sue Heck continues showing her perpetual peppiness regarding trying out for a plethora of extra-curricular activities despite an unbroken record of either not making the cut regarding such hobbies or failing (hilariously) miserably at those that accept her.

The writers add an awesome new dimension to Sue in having her become a little more assertive following freedom in largely having tormenter Axl out of the house. Although sitting in her older brother's chair at the kitchen table is purely symbolic, fans should be glad to see Sue take a typical move for her in taking a stand in the form of taking a seat.

The most amusing Sue storyline has her very surprisingly making a team under circumstances that are even more hilarious than those under which she shines during a game. This one has her literally repeatedly falling down only to bounce up with as much enthusiasm as ever.

Sue additionally shines both in an especially good episode centered around her efforts to get a prom date and the three-part season ending episode. The latter has Sue make an impassioned speech about her unwavering determination despite a lifetime of failures; this very funny message is that knowing that the odds are against her does not phase her.

For his part, very weird Brick Heck experiences growing pains associated with transitioning from elementary school to middle school. His related adventures include severe paranoia regarding using the school bathroom, misunderstanding the concept of having multiple teachers, and a particularly amusing storyline regarding his emerging body odors.

The best Brick episode arguably is one in which he tries to arrange for Mike to apologize to a female classmate of Brick whom Mike chastises for behavior that does not warrant a rebuke. Much of the humor in this one relates to Brick not understanding how the public perceives encounters such as a grown man meeting a pre-teen girl in a park and giving her gifts.

The aforementioned season finale wraps up with the family doing a good job with the arguably jump-the-shark plot of a trip to a Disney Park. In true "Middle" style, nothing goes right even when things seem to be back on track (and despite exceptional efforts of Disney staffers to provide the family a good experience).

All of this amusement and regular hilarity leads to the conclusion (which may have been a tag line for the series at some point) that the Hecks are like your family, only funnier. You may not quote lines from the show or entirely see you or relatives in the characters but will relate to this group and the wacky situations in which they become embroiled.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "The Middle" is welcome to email me. You can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For' BD/BD 3D BD: Awesomely Graphic and Novel

The star-studded 2014 crime drama sequel "Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For," which Anchor Bay Entertainment is releasing on DVD, Blu-ray, and 3D Blu-ray on November 18 2014, is an incredibly highly stylized film that combines the best elements of classic black and white noir films and the grotesque violence of a Quentin Tarantino film. This success is largely attributable to the dynamic film-making duo of Miller and Robert Rodriguez being at the helm.

This movie, which emits a strong vibe of a live-action graphic novels, opens with the same gritty and rough action that continues non-stop until the uber-Tarantino ending roughly 105 minutes later.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the trailer for "Dame" nicely conveys the sense described above.

The titular dame is Ava (played by Eva Green), who uses the remaining power that she holds over ex Dwight (played by Josh Brolin) to come to her rescue regarding alleged abuse that her wealthy husband is inflicting on her. This leads to a brutal raid and subsequent showdown that may or may not accurately reflect the title of the film.

Meanwhile, the charmed (and charming) Johnny (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) runs afoul of Senator Roarke (played by Powers Boothe) during a high-stakes poker game. A revealed history between the men and the multiple symbolic meanings regarding the outcome of the game trigger the amped-up violent fallout in this one.

This action centers around Marv (played by Mickey Rourke), who is a crusader for justice either at his own initiative or when called on to help bust heads or otherwise violently exact justice. His own adventures include pursuing college punks in the immediate wake of a heinous and heartless crime by them.

A broader (pun intended) and equally entertaining element of "Dame" is the common theme of the strong women, who are just as violent as the men in the film, who rule the seedy part of the titular burg. Whether standing by their man while brandishing an especially lethal firearm or enforcing a neighborhood ban on cops, these ladies show that they have no problem playing rough when the situation requires doing so.

This combination of unique pulp fiction, girl power, and creative cinematography make "Dame" one of the more memorable films of the year.

The special features include an all green screen version of the film, "making of" presentations, and character profiles.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Dame" is welcome to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory' BD and DVD: New Doc. Showing Healing Power of Music for Alzheimer's Patients

The documentary "Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory," which City Drive Films is releasing on DVD and Blur-ray on November 18 2014, nicely demonstrates how IT guy turned social worker Dan Cohen uses music to trigger formerly lost memories in Alzheimer's patients and other folks with cognitive difficulties.

Friends and family members of Alzheimer's patients will relate (no pun intended) to the scenes in which essentially comatose people quickly respond to music that is chosen for them; fanboys will think of the similar integral role that music plays in "Ghostbusters II." One spoiler is that Cohen does not get a toaster to dance.

The scenes in the following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the trailer for "Alive" perfectly convey the style and substance of this well-made film.

The apt recognition for "Alive" includes winning the Documentary Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, the Best Documentary Award at the Milano International Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Calgary Underground Film Festival.

Dr. Oliver Sacks, who is best known through the Robin Williams film "Awakenings," briefly explains the science behind music triggering memories; the opening scene in "Alive" in which an elderly woman first expresses an inability to remember much of anything but seems to recall her early life on listening to jazz legend Louis Armstrong singing "When the Saints Go Marching In" shows that Sacks gets it right.

Other case studies include a vegetative old man and a not-so-happy woman perking up and vividly recall happier times of their lives on hearing songs from their respective youths. (The Beach Boys does it for the golden girl.)

One related "inconvenient truth" that "Alive" addresses is a shift in the philosophy regarding caring for infirm elderly people away from residence-style nursing homes to facilities based on hospital models. Another associated "truth" is that these facilities (consistently with much of the general American healthcare system) limit much of the provided care to pouring pills down the mouths of the patients. This practice gives healthcare providers the benefits of keeping the resident members of the "greatest generation" docile without requiring much effort and of obtaining significant revenue through dispensing the drugs.

All of this adds up to "Alive" meeting the oft-repeated Unreal TV standard for a good documentary; it informs and entertains. Anyone with an interest in learning about the seemingly effective music therapy that the film depicts can learn more through the non-profit Music & Memory organization that Cohen heads.

The special features include a Q&A session with Cohen, an interview with "Alive" filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett, and an extra that features music from the film.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Alive" is encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'One Night at Susie's' DVD: When I Met Your Depression-Era Mother It Was Murder

The 1930 shouldabeenaclassic noir film "One Night at Susie's" has everything that makes Warner Archive releases so special. It is an early talkie starring household name Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (a.k.a. the former Mr. Joan Crawford) and has a style that perfectly reflects dramas of its era. "Susie" having uber-prolific silent film director John Francis Dillon at the helm contributes more Archiveness to the film.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube and Archive, of an important (but not spoiler) scene from "Susie" provides a great look at the style of the film and the great chemistry between Fairbanks and his co-star.

The titular dame runs a not-so-respectable establishment that offers current and reformed not-so-wise tough guys all manner of support. She also is not afraid to use her influence with public officials to lay down the law when necessary.


Foster son Dick Rollins, whom Fairbanks plays with a great mix of charm and sincerity, is a truly legitimate press agent for a theater whom Susie successfully keeps away from the "life." This effort includes a threat of incurring the wrath of Susie regarding any attempt to corrupt her boy.

Susie quasi shows that mother knows best regarding expressing her disapproval when Dick brings home new best gal chorus girl Mary Martin, whom '20s darlings Billie Dove portrays nicely, to meet Mom. The primary concern of Susie is that chorus girls cannot be trusted and always lead to trouble.

Yes, Mary does declare "I love Dick." Yes, as well, that line elicits giggles from those of us who delight in having the sense of humor of a 12-year-old.

A series of melodramatic circumstances that lead to Dick voluntarily taking the fall for a murder that Susie commits leads the prediction of Susie coming true. The almost surreal scene in which the judge sentences Dick wonderfully seems like something out of "Citizen Kane."

The next round of drama relates to a highly resentful Susie emotionally supporting Mary in fulfillment of a promise to Dick. The predictable showdown regarding that is another memorable moment in the film.

For their part, Susie and Dick remain as close as ever during his tenure at Sing Sing. The support that he provides his beloved includes advancing her career arguably at the expense of his own reputation in his profession.

The nice (and unexpected) overall element that makes "Susie's" worth adding to your DVD collection is that Dillon and his primary cast do not overstate things in this era in which the related still-strong influences of live-stage productions and silent films often result in over-the-top performances.

The audience believes the tough-but-civilized Susie when she tells Dick before finding that his soon-to-be-introduced intended is a chorus girl that Susie can be a lady. Dick himself seems like a nice ordinary guy, rather than either a bon vivant or an anti-social intellect. For her part, Mary speaks and dresses just fine to the extent that she lacks any hint of bimboness.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Susie" is strongly encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.


 

'Laverne and Shirley' S7: The Girls are Back in Tinsel Town

The recent bonanza of CBS Home Entertainment DVD releases of seasons of the '70s sitcom "Happy Days" and "Days" spinoffs includes a three-disc set of the 22-episode 1981-82 seventh season of "Laverne and Shirley," which stars future film director Penny Marshall as Laverne and Cindy Williams as Shirley. (An upcoming Unreal TV post will review the DVD release of "Laverne" S8.) 

As an aside, this wave of releases continues in early December 2014 with sets of "Days" S6 and separate releases of "Mork and Mindy" S4 and the complete series of "Mork."

As the Unreal TV review of "Laverne" S6 reports, that season is the one in which the titular working-class girls/best friends/roommates move from Milwaukee to Burbank to shake up their lives and see if they have more luck finding love and greater happiness in California than Wisconsin seemingly offers.

One odd aspect of this change is that the pair follows Laverne's restauranteur father out to Burbank. It is even odder that both Shirley's seemingly committed boyfriend who (like Shirley) regularly and openly dates other people Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa (think a poor man's Fonzie) and creepy weird high school classmates/co-workers/neighbors Lenny and Squiggy follow the girls.  

The basic premise is that this homage to "I Love Lucy" has our 20-something wage slaves getting wrapped up in one wacky situation after another in pursuit of the American dream. Of course, like Lucy Ricardo contemporary Ralph Kramden of "The Honeymooners," any success dissipates at the end of the third act.

A modern example in theme (but not quality) is "Two Broke Girls," which ends each episode with a literal accounting of how far those aspiring cupcake moguls have advanced in their quest for fame and fortune.

The S7 season premiere is classic "Laverne and Shirley" in that the girls sign up for being "ta da" girls who simply shout that phrase at the end of each stunt in the act of a Latvian acrobatic troupe but find themselves frighteningly get caught up in the act.

Seeing this old school style "Laverne" that starts with comic mayhem that leads to the roomies jointly appearing on stage as mentioned above and ends with them back where they were in the opening scene.

Another notable episode has Laverne, Shirley, and Carmine returning to Milwaukee for their 10th high school reunion. The "sit" that provides the primary "com" in this one revolves around the former classmates of the girls treating them like Hollywood royalty, rather than Burbank poison.  A highlight includes the return of Laverne's earlier seasons nemesis Rosie Greenbaum, whose purpose had always been to delight in rubbing her post-high-school wealth in the face of the former.

Once again, this thrusts our leads into a wacky situation that escalates to an amusing climax and that ends with the type of moral that is fairly common in the series.

A similar episode finds the girls getting in over their heads at a fraternity party in the wake of Shirley meeting a college boy who she thinks is closer to her age. This one has a very funny scene in which said student is carded.

The S7 episode with arguably the most importance to the lore of "Laverne" has Shirley hastily planning a dream wedding in the absence of Carmine and getting him to do his part in the ceremony despite having roughly one hour notice of it.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of a scene from a separate S7 episode nicely showcases the zaniness that makes "Laverne" such good escapist fun when it follows its proven formula.

The reason for emphasizing the traditional episodes is that many S7 episodes, which effectively is the last one in which Shirley appears, either focus on Laverne, Shirley, or Lenny and Squiggy as opposed to the aforementioned teaming of the leads.

An example of the parting of the ways is the early S6 episode "The Defiant One" that opens with a scene in which Laverne is soundly sleeping on a sidewalk bench and that has her engage in a brief and casual exchange with Shirley. The real action starts when a bank robber  (played by Richard Moll of "Night Court") flees the scene of his crime with an unwilling Shirley literally in tow. Laverne only reappears in the final minutes of the episode.

The following episode focuses almost entirely on aspiring talent agent Squiggy stealing the money needed to attend a Hollywood awards show from Lenny. The participation of Laverne and Shirley is limited to watching the television broadcast of the ensuing chaos during the ceremony.

This episode is notable for having '60s star Joey Heatherton appear as herself. This follows an S6 appearance by dreamy movie idol Troy Donahue as himself.

A sweeter Lenny and Squiggy episode has Lenny fall in love with a woman who causes conflict both by clashing with Squiggy and by triggering jealousy by that man. Laverne and Shirley have even less involvement in this one than in the Joey Heatherton offering.

These episodes, along with one that introduces the father of Squiggy to the series, makes one wonder if they relate to a plan for a never-realized Lenny and Squiggy spin-off that focuses on their efforts to build up their struggling talent agency.

Laverne-centric episodes include a cute one in which an adorably nervous Laverne moves in with her boyfriend while Shirley is back home desperately trying to avoid Laverne's old-fashioned father learning of this development.

Another surprising twist expands on an unexpectedly dark S6 episode in which a party game leads to expressing true feelings that cause fairly deep emotional harm. An early S7 episode has increasing tension between the girls ending with Shirley hitting Laverne hard enough to break her jaw.

The darkness continues in which "special guest star" Charles Grodin (who plays himself) gets into an argument with the gang during a discussion in which he is trying to prove that kindness and praise are more effective motivators than criticism and punishment.

The season ends with the aforementioned traditional format but adds a fun '80s style twist to an episode in this series set in the mid '60s. This one centers around guilt that Shirley feels regarding borrowing (and subsequently losing) the favorite purse of Laverne without permission prompting a dream sequence that parodies the popular night-time soap genre of the era.

The special features consist of the always-fun network promos for every episode and a gag reel.

All of this adds up to a season that tries to build on the aforementioned "Lucy and Ethel" theme that "Laverne and Shirley" can do so well. Like most experiments, the results are mixed and do not approach the catastrophic level of blowing up in the face of anyone.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Laverne" or anything else "Days" is encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'The Desert Song' (1943) DVD: Operatic Morocco-based WWII Drama

Warner Archive continues its series of hybrid-genre DVD releases, included the Unreal TV reviewed juvenile delinquent Western "The Young Guns," with the 1943 technicolor musical extravaganza/WWII drama "The Desert Song."  As Archive shares, this film updates a well-known operetta score by Sigmund Romberg by setting the story in 1939 Morocco. The spectacle regarding this one makes it a good companion to that other classic drama based in WWII-era Morocco.

As an aside, Archive has also released a DVD of the 1953 version of "Desert." This one has not made its way into the Unreal TV home video library.

The good people at Archive make a perfect choice in selecting the following clip, via YouTube, of a scene from "Desert" to convey the spirit of the film. It has two of our leads entering a proverbial hornet's nest and experiencing the exotic nature of their temporary home while creating suspense regarding a possible melee. 

Much of the action in the film centers around mysterious outlaw El Khobar leading a group of desert bandits on sabotage raids directed at the building of a railroad that outwardly is a project of the French military but has a not-so-well concealed hidden purpose. This belligerent bedouin is also notable for his striking resemble to charming expatriate Paul Hudson, played by Dennis Morgan of "Christmas in Connecticut."

Two sides of the the love triangle that is a staple of the films of this era consists of Hudson and newly arrived chanteuse Margot, played by Irene Manning of the (recently released on Blu-ray) James Cagney opus "Yankee Doodle Dandy."  French army Colonel Fontaine provides the third side (or wheel). Bruce Cabot of the original "King Kong" does a great job playing the handful of facets of Fontaine.

One of the most amusing scenes has Hudson playfully teasing Margot regarding her singing and the latter responding in kind. Additionally, their romance has an awesome Superman/Clark Kent/Lois Lane feel to it.

The character of typical veteran newspaper man Johnny Walsh, who is has a wonderful bromance with Hudson, both provides terrific comic relief and shines as the buffon who displays tremendous bravery when necessary.

The aforementioned band of desert bandits both provide the proverbial cast of thousands and make up the chorus of the film.

The nice musical elements of "Desert" extend beyond the aforementioned notable score and strong talent of Morgan and Manning. The musical numbers largely consisting of night club performances by Hudson or Margot or otherwise making sense regarding the plot evokes thoughts of Tracey Ullman stating regarding her eponymous '80s Fox series that the musical numbers in the episodes will not simply be someone bursting into song for no apparent reason.

"Desert" additionally pays off with a final roughly 15 minutes that is comparable to many great films out there. A serious "wacky misunderstanding," the beginning of an unexpected beautiful friendship, and a (quasi-predictable) exposure of nefarious dealings are only part of what will keep you on the edge of your divan during these segments.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Desert" is strongly encouraged to email me. You can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Happy Days' S5 DVD: Jump the Shark, Mork, and Chachi (Chachi, Chabchi) Oh My

The objectives regarding reviewing the 4-disc CBS Home Entertainment DVD release of the 1977-78 fifth season of the '70s sitcom set in the '50s  "Happy Days" include reducing the "jump the shark" stigma associated with this series in general and this specific season. These musings are also designed to provide a forum for announcing the December 2, 2014 release of the sixth season of this classic series.

On a related note, CBS is releasing separate complete series and fourth-season DVD sets of the "Days" spin-off "Mork and Mindy" starring the recently deceased Robin Williams on December 9 2014. The fifth season "Days" DVD set includes the episode that introduces the wonderfully goofy space alien Mork to the viewing public.

The term "jump the shark," which is used to describe the episode and/or season in which a television series loses its quality and appeal, refers to a subplot in the three-part season premiere episode in "Days" S5. One important thing to consider at the outset is that this term originates from a dorm room chat among a few college boys. This shows that the concept hardly results from any form of scientific method and is not subject to very strict scrutiny.

It is also important to consider that many series making questionable decisions far predates even the existence of  "Days." The fact that many shows tank creatively and in the ratings when the leads become married makes it more apt to refer to "tying the knot" than "jumping the shark" regarding that form of decline.

The primary plot in the "shark" episode has a Hollywood talent agent discovering the very cool leather jacket wearing and motorcycle riding Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli, awesomely played by Henry Winkler, while in Milwaukee during a hunt for the next James Dean. Said agent quickly invites Fonzie to Hollywood for a screen test.

Almost just as quickly the oft self-described middle-class Cunningham family and goofy buddies of "Days" lead character incoming college freshman Richie Cunningham, played by Ron Howard, join in the adventure. "Days" fans know that the goofy bffs are the handsome but insecure and nervous Potsie and equally dim comic legend in his own mind Ralph Malph.

A cool thing about this episode (and the fifth season itself) is that it clearly establishes that Richie and Fonzie are equals to an extent that Richie can verbally challenge that friend without fearing reprisal. This is a nice change from the initial series episodes in which Fonzie is a feared bad influence and the third and fourth seasons in which he is more of a big brother/mentor to Richie.

The primary conflict in this extended outing relates to an unexpected result regarding the screen test; this seriously strains the Richie/Fonzie friendship and requires that Richie make a big decision.

The "shark" subplot is as absurd as advertised but does not warrant maligning a classic series. This adventure revolves around Fonzie and a professional water skier known as the California Kid trying to outdo each other. It further is designed to amp up a former multi-episode plot that has Fonzie performing a dangerous stunt on his motorcyle.

As the proud owner of a decades-old bomber jacket that does not leave the closet when there is a cloud in the sky, this reviewer finds Fonzie wearing his beloved leather jacket while water skiing the most absurd aspect of the far-fetched shark plot.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of this well-known moment allows making an independent judgment regarding it.

This episode is also notable for introducing teen idol Scott Baio as Fonzie's young teen cousin Chachi, who is infinitely cooler than Cousin Oliver of fellow '70s classic sitcom "The Brady Bunch" and who contributes much more to his series than Oliver brings to the Bradys.

As an aside, "Days" fans knows that Baio goes on to star in the not-spectacular but still unfairly maligned spin-off "Joanie Loves Chachi." "Joanie" is the subject of a recent Unreal TV review.

A noteworthy aspect of the charm of Baio/Chachi is that he interacts nicely with the entire cast, who range in age from mid-teens to middle age.  He is hilarious in pursuing then-non-interested Cunningham daughter Joanie, cute as the younger buddy to Richie and his gang, and charming as both Fonzie's sidekick and huckster of low-end gadgets and other cheap merchandise to the elder Cunninghams (i.e., Mr. and Mrs. C.).

Further, watching early S5 episodes and then skipping to the final five of the season highlights the amazing physical development of Baio over the roughly six months that the episodes are filmed. He goes from a cute scrawny kid to the buff stud that captures America's heart.

Chachi particular shines in a classic episode early in the season. A misdeed results in falling out of favor with surrogate father Fonzie, and a cute and amusing scene has him trying to restore their relationship. This shows that it is very difficult to remain mad at Chachi, even in a subsequent episode in a later season  in which he commits a very serious negligent act.

The aforementioned introduction of Mork occurs in the episode titled "My Favorite Orkan." This offering is the "Days" version of the common "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" sitcom homage during the late '70s. This episode typically involve a main character being the only person who sees a UFO and then comically deals both with no one believing that fantastic tale and trying to prove the truth of the claim.

In this case, Richie is the poor sap who experiences the alleged minimal first contact. The arrival of said Mork in the Cunningham living room a few minutes later in the episode proves that a "home alone" Richie is not hallucinating.

The purpose of the trip to earth and visit to Richie is that Mork needs a earthling as a specimen to bring to Ork and selects Richie because that Midwesterner is so insignificant that his disappearance will not cause much of a stir.

Hilarity ensues when the efforts of Richie to ensure that resistance is futile leads to a showdown between Mork and Fonzie. As Winkler relates in a recent PBS tribute to Williams, his primary job during this scene is to refrain from laughing at the antics of Williams.

The following (very rough) clip courtesy of YouTube, proves that this reviewer is not crazy regarding remembering a disguised Mork having a scene on the porch of the Cunningham home. This scene is not in the DVD episode, and the poster of the clip explains that it is an addition to the syndicated version in apparent response to Mork getting the aforementioned spinoff.

"Orkan" is further notable for arguably including the best joke from the entire 11-season run of "Days." While watching "The Andy Griffith Show," Mork provides reasonable insight regarding the origin of the unique name of Howard's young character on that series.

The other significant development during the fifth season is that Richie begins his courtship with future wife (and mother of his children) Lori Beth. This "How I Met Your Mother" story is hilarious and involves Richie and Fonzie committing the expellable offense of being in a woman's college dorm after curfew. The aforementioned "Days" fans know that this becomes a real drag for our leads.

On a more serious note, this episode also shows the impact of "Days." Fonzie getting a library card and expressing amazement regarding everyone having that option prompts a real-life rush to do so at libraries across the country.

The season ends with a surprisingly good version of a sitcom cliche that is even more prevalent than the "Encounters" plot. This "Twelve Angry Men" story has Fonzie as the sole holdout on a jury that must determine the guilt or innocence of a black man who is on trial for robbing a woman.

The fact that Fonzie proves that the man is innocent is hardly a spoiler to any sitcom fan, but the manner in which he does so is nicely clever. It also provides valid social commentary.

The S5 set also includes the terrific Fourth Anniversary Special of "Days." This one uses Lori Beth doing research on the typical American middle-class family as the premise for a clip show. The great moments in these scenes include a look at "Days" take on the "Quiz Show" game show scandal of the '50s, a scene that either is from the "Days" pilot as a segment on the sitcom anthology series "Love American Style" or the "Days" episode that follows up on the pilot, and a nice scene with Pat "Mr. Miyagi" Morita as the original owner of the teen hangout Arnold's.

All of this demonstrates that, despite any flaws or slumps, "Days" is still a good series in its fifth season.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Days" or anything "Days" related is strongly encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'I Am Yours' DVD: Its Norway or the Highway

Uber-fantastic foreign indie. move distributor Film Movement looks to Norway for the November selection for its exceptional Film of the Month Club. The 2013 drama "I Am Yours," which Movement is releasing on DVD on November 11 2014, depicts the struggles of 20-something aspiring Pakistani actress Mina trying to find true and proper love in Oslo. Her son Felix is the main complication regarding that quest.

Consistent with the opinions of Movement and scads o' online viewers, the insight that director/writer Iram Haq conveys is what rises "Yours" far above the Lifetime Movies that tackle the similar theme of a conflict between wanting to be a good mother to a loved child and desiring a solid relationship with a man who is not ready to be a father.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the particularly good trailer for "Yours" offers an accurate look at the spirit and themes of the film.

The brief but graphic NC-17 opening scene draws in the viewer by showing Mina deriving sexual gratification by using her computer to watch men using their webcams to broadcast their own sessions devoted to self-pleasure. Haq nicely includes other scenes that show the role of the Internet in locating partners and either maintaining relationships or finding gratification to varying degrees of immediacy. A hilarious such moment has an intimate Skype session being abruptly interrupted.

The audience is also soon introduced to Mina's demanding and overall difficult mother, who very vocally expresses her general disapproval regarding the lifestyle of her daughter and the alleged shame that such activity brings on the family.

On top of this, Mina clearly is very lonely during the periods that Felix lives with his father; not unexpectedly, this often leads to casual encounters that ultimately cause more distress than satisfaction.

A chance encounter with Swedish filmmaker Jesper, played by Ola Rapace of "Skyfall," in an Oslo store and a cute and charming subsequent conversation quickly leads to the start of what could be a beautiful friendship. Jesper initially seeming to be comfortable with Mina having a child is another good sign.

It is rather predictable that Mina visiting Jesper in Stockholm with Felix in tow complicates things. The issues extend beyond the presence of the young child limiting the opportunities for romantic moments to Felix cramping Jesper's style merely by being very dependent on Mina.

The film nicely depicts the incidents that build up the child-related tension between Mina and Jesper and the ultimate discussion of that topic. Further, every aspect of this part of the film seems realistic.

The true film magic in all this is that the audience truly feels for Mina despite her having a good kid and a better life than many of us. We do root for her and feel her pain when things go awry.

The well-matched bonus short film that is standard for Club selections is a cute Australian movie titled "The Amber Amulet." This one has the 10-year-old Masked Avenger using various elements in his effort to improve the lives of those around him.

The "villain" that our hero faces in this one is his mother, who suspects him of stealing a family heirloom that he gives to a neighbor in distress. The final scene in this 23-minute presentation ties everything together nicely and is one of the best ever film finales.

Anyone with questions regarding "Yours" or "Amulet" is encouraged to email me. You can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Hostages' CS DVD: 'Brucked Up' Potentially Compelling Tale Based on Real-Life Home Invasions

The Warner Archive 5-disc 15-episode DVD release of the 2013-14 CBS drama "Hostages" is a perfect choice for Archive because it shows the value of both a limited-run show and the awesome nature of the mini-series genre that contributes so much to the tasty goodness of '70s television.

High-profile real-life cases such as the Connecticut case in which night-time intruders hold a family captive (and horribly brutalize them) overnight until the mother can withdraw money from the bank the next morning that the Unreal TV reviewed HBO documentary "The Cheshire Murders" studies add credibility to the plot of "Hostages."

The following spoiler-laden network promo., courtesy of YouTube, for "Hostages" lays out a great deal of the lore and style of the series. 

 

The pilot episode of "Hostages," which Jerry Bruckheimer of the "CSI" franchise and numerous other films and series produces, quickly establishes the primary conflict in the series. Highly skilled F.B.I. negotiator Duncan Carlisle, played by Dylan McDermott of "American Horror Story" and many other series and films, and his crack team invade the home of surgeon Dr. Ellen Sanders the night before she is scheduled to operate on the president of the United States. Australian actress of the film "The Sixth Sense," the Showtime series "The United States of Tara," and several other films and series plays Ellen.

Team Duncan quickly hold Ellen, her husband Brian (played by Tate Donovan) and teen children Jake and Morgan at gunpoint. The non-negotiable stated terms are that the intruders will not harm or kill any member of the Sanders family if Ellen kills POTUS during the upcoming surgery.

The means that Bruckheimer and his team utilize to keep the action going for 14 more episodes include introducing a complication that requires postponing the operation for two weeks. Doing so necessitates that Duncan and his mercenaries keep the Sanders clan under surveillance and control for a fortnight.

The efforts of Ellen and her brood to escape and otherwise thwart the efforts of their captors are understandable and overall seem plausible. It is equally believable that the mission is a personal one for Duncan and that his allies include highly placed government officials.

As shown below, the entertaining and very escapist "Hostages" should have quit when it was ahead. Merely stopping at the elements described above and presenting the series as a roughly four-part mini-series would have made for a more compelling and better quality presentation.

"Hostage" also would have benefited from further developing the Stockholm Syndrome style bonds that form between the Sanders family and their captors. This element includes enforcer Kramer becoming a surrogate big brother, and Ellen not always siding with her family.

The main element that moves "Hostages" further away from the sublime end of the scale regarding quality television programs and closer to ridiculous territory is that this far-reaching conspiracy remains undiscovered despite Washington being a city in which there no secrets. On a related note, the up-close-and-personal access that at least two conspirators enjoy regarding our highest elected official make it seem that they could snuff said individual with far less risk and potential mayhem than their current plan.

On a related (pun intended) note, the number and degree of connections between the conspirators themselves and the Sanders family is incredibly absurd. Virtually all of the anarchists are related by birth or marriage to Duncan and/or either a fellow conspirator or affected individual, and Ellen is drawn in based on a long ago incident.

Having all those involved acting out of a highly personal motive is even more frustrating. It is incredibly unrealistic that none of the plotters are in it for the money.

The inter-related stakes include revenge, political power, the life of a loved one, and fear of exposure. This gets to the point that the viewer rolls his or her eyes when a member of the cabal reveals another reason for wanting to send the president to the big Oval Office in the sky.

Bruckheimer does nicely get things back on track for the series finale. This one is full of at action that is typically for this type of production, and loose ends are wrapped up. It is also nice to see the return of a very likable character from the pilot.

This range of quality in "Hostages" requires that viewers decide if the better elements outweigh the not-so-great aspects of the show and/or if the highly contrived pieces of the puzzle provide a desired form of entertainment.

At the very least, "Hostages" provides good escapist fun during periods that visiting relatives hold you captive in your own home during the holidays.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Hostages" is welcome to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'WPC 56' S2 DVD: BBC Drama About Sending in a Woman to do a Traditionally Man's Job

BFS Entertainment, which releases terrific British shows and films on this side of the pond, does fans of quality procedurals a huge solid in releasing the second series (my people call them seasons) of the two season (so far) BBC police drama "WPC 56" roughly six months after releasing the equally awesome first season of "WPC."

As the Unreal TV review of "WPC" S1 explains, the title refers to both the official designation of Midlands police officer Gina Dawson and to her being in pioneer in 1956 by becoming the first woman on that force.

Dawson proving her mettle in S1 episodes largely reduces the degree of employment-related gender-based discrimination that she endures during her first weeks on the job. However, she remains the subject of increasingly assertive sexual advances by a superior officer and does not receive support regarding seeking relief from that behavior.

S2 increases both the connectivity between the season-long story arc and investigations that get wrapped up in an episode or two and the personal involvement of the police officers in those cases.

Dawson's first case of the season involves searching for a runaway 15 year-old girl who seeks to go off with a very clean and polite carny with whom she is in love and who is the victim of multiple beatings orchestrated by the brother of the girl. The carnival (the Brits call them fun fairs) is also the setting of the first depicted drama involving a local politician and the melodramatic involvement of the girlfriend in the tale regarding said elected official.

The season premiere also introduces new kid on the block Detective Inspector Max Harper, who replaces the rapidly departed Detective Inspector Jack Burns, who develops a close relationship with Dawson during the first season. Harper wastes no time in investigating the death of the aforementioned politician.

That investigation quickly puts the Sapphire Club, which is a private facility of which the politician was a member and where his girlfriend worked before disappearing, on the radar of the police. Similar to the primary S1 investigation, Dawson being the only police officer of her gender on the force results in her quickly going to work undercover in the club.

Subsequent crimes, which include a brutal beating and an inflow of counterfeit bills, soon direct the focus of police efforts on "legitimate businessman" and supposedly reformed criminal Lenny Powell.

Other drama, which ties into much of the other action (and to related misconduct by a member of the police force), centers around a local brothel. This aspect of S2 story lines is more "Melrose Place" than "Hill Street Blues" but is entertaining and largely makes sense with the exception of the white slavery element of a subplot.

A storyline that involves an arguably mean-spirited raid on a respectable gay bar serves the same purpose of shining a spotlight on shameful practices of the not-so-distant past as does the depictions of the moderately severe harassment of Dawson on her joining the force.

The mistreatment of the men extends beyond cruel jokes and taunts to locking them up overnight for the sole purpose of making those who are married having to explain to their wives why they did not go home the previous evening. One particularly vindictive act by the police and an equally nasty response by the targeted man contribute to the reprehensible nature of the portrayed incidents regarding this raid.

All of these plots culminate in fast-paced pursuits and associated daring rescue attempts during the last two episodes of S2. These are well executed, make sense, and fulfill the objective of serving as either a good base for a third season or a terrific program finale if more episodes are not to be.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "WPC" is welcome to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Star Trek: The Next Generation' S6 BD: Boldly Combining Thought-Provoking SciFi and Humor

Watching the terrific CBS Home Entertainment Blu-ray (BD) feature-film version of the two-part "Star Trek: The Next Generation" S6 episode "Chain of Command" for a recent review triggered vague thoughts regarding the exceptional (and entertaining) quality of the episodes from that season. They had good humor and included numerous fan-favorite elements. Further, they kept this (by-now) veteran "Trek" series fresh if not always especially dramatic or serious.

Subsequently watching several episodes in the CBS 1992-93 S6 BD release confirms that this season is highly memorable and that the remastered episodes are well worth owning in Blu-ray despite TNG not being filmed in hi-def.


S6 begins with the conclusion to the S5 season-ending cliffhanger "Time's Arrow," which surprisingly is not available in a BD feature-film version. This one takes the fan-favorite technique of time travel to an awesome new level and has several members of the intrepid crew of the Enterprise encounter Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain.

This adventure commences with the "present-day" 24th century discovery of the head of advanced android science officer Lt. Commander Data during a study of a site from 19th century San Francisco. The fact that Data has never literally (and rarely figuratively) lost his head during his existence, which does not even date back even nearly 500 years, adds to the mystery.

Data is also center stage during Part One of the S6 cliffhanger episode "Descent." His dilemma this time is experiencing inexplicable reactions during a battle with the uber-evil (and powerful) cyborgs known as the Borg, who are displaying their own inexplicable behavior. The final scene in this episode is one that had Trekkers and Trekkies alike at the edge of their seats during the summer of 1993.

The aforementioned two-part "Chain" helped promote interest in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" roughly a month before the premiere of that series by having the Soviet-like Cardassians from "DS9" engage in simultaneous intense torture and efforts to reverse the contraction of their empire.

The subsequent two-part "TNG" "DS9" cross-over episode "Birthright" has Enterprise Klingon security officer Worf embarking on an important solo mission (and making surprising discoveries about both his father and a life-changing battle) based on information obtained at the station. Meanwhile, Data teams up with Dr. Julian Bashir of "DS9" to study the latest puzzling step in the evolution of the former.

The early-season episode "Relics" is arguably the most memorable in S6 in that it adds James Doohan to the list of "Trek" OS leads who guest star on "TNG." DeForest Kelley makes a hilarious cameo in the "TNG" pilot, and Leonard Nimoy shows up in the S5 episode "Unification."

As the title of Doohan's title suggests, his Captain Scott is not exactly up on the latest technology. Further, he experiences frustration regarding the "kids" of today not giving him the regard to which he feels that he is entitled.

Looking forward,"Starship Mine" has future "Star Trek: Voyager" star Tim Russ playing a member of a terrorist group that is plotting an attack. This one has entertaining elements of both "Die Hard" and "Home Alone." (One spoiler is that Russ does not dance in this one either.)

The Russ appearance follows future "Voyager" star Robert Duncan McNeill (The "McNeill" with one "l" is the one with no sense of humor) guest starring as a Starfleet Academy (think West Point) cadet in an S5 episode.

Trekkers and Trekkies also get the treat of two visits by the maliciously playful omnipotent Q. The latter of the two is more significant in that said villain requires Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Picard to re-examine his life with said continued existence being at stake. This one also has good fun and provides for several humorous moments between Picard and Q.

The remaining episodes are just as good and include similar humor and/or camp. Viewers even get to meet the not-so-evil twin of Commander William T. (Thomas, not Tiberius) Riker and to enjoy a "TNG" "kids" episode.

The typically excellent (but hardly standard) and very copious special features in the S6 BD set include profiles of characters and production people and elements, the evolution of "TNG," and a gag reel.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "TNG" S6 or anything "Trek" is strongly encouraged to email me. You can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Son of A Gunfighter' DVD: Russ Tamblyn Western Side Story

Like the Unreal TV reviewed concurrent Warner Archive DVD release of the awesome Western/juvenile delinquent flick hybrid "The Young Guns," the more traditional 1965 Western "Son of a Gunfighter" shows that dreamy "West Side Story" star Russ Tamblyn is at home on the late 19th century frontier as he is dancing about with a switchblade on the mean streets of New York. "Son" additionally is special in that it is filmed in both Cinemascope and Metrocolor.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube and Archive, of an important early scene in "Son" both depicts the aforementioned terrific cinematography and nicely sets the stage (pun intended) for the primary action in the film.

Similar to the plot in "Guns," the character whom Tamblyn portrays in "Son" comes under immediate suspicion on being found traveling through the Old West. Another similarity is that Tully Rice of  "Guns" and Johnny (who apparently is a man with no last name) of "Son" have enormous chips on their shoulders and troubled pasts. One difference is that Johnny has specific malice in his heart and mayhem on his mind. He is out to gun down the man whom Johnny holds responsible for the death of Johnny's mother.

The good folks at Archive share that modern appreciation for "Son" includes Quentin Tarantino casting Tamblyn as Son of a Gunfighter and Tamblyn's daughter Amber as Daughter of a Son of a Gunfighter in "Django Unchained." This shows that, once again, Tarantino has excellent instincts.


Direct conflict regarding the quest for vengeance on which Johnny is embarked comes in the dual form of the pursuit of Deputy Mace Fenton for the bounty on the head of the quested outlaw Ace Ketchum and the agenda of Mexican bandit Morales.

Indirect conflict arises regarding Johnny becoming near and dear to the hearts of ranch owner Don Pedro Fortuna and daughter Pilar, who become enamored with Johnny in their own ways on providing him shelter and care. Seeing great character actor Fernando Rey mahvelously nail the role of the kind and generous Don Pedro greatly adds to the fun of the film.

The plethora of well-staged gun fights is the reported element that garners the regard of Tarantino; the awesomely developing relationship between Johnny and Pilar and the full story behind why Johnny wants to plug outlaw Ace Ketchum add nice substance to the film. The latter additionally propels the uber-awesome final moments of the film, which provide a still highly relevant morale.

This wonderful melange of elements additionally supports the theory that those among us who dismiss Westerns as nothing more than a boring series of shootouts are depriving ourselves of some great films and shows. The performances and substance in these productions can equal the quality of many well-regarded films and series from other genres.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Son" is strongly encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Batman: The Brave and the Bold' S2 BD: Perfectly Blends Old School 'Super Friends' Camp and Neo 'Justice League' Quality

The fact that virtually each of  the 26 episodes in the 2-disc Warner Archive Blu-ray release of the 2009-10 season of the three-season cult-classic animated series "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" screams out for attention makes limiting a review to a snackable limit very difficult.

The creators of the "Bold" simply do a frustratingly good job capturing the mix of camp and action associated with a good Batman incarnation and throw a literal who's who of DC superheroes and villains into the mix. Adding terrific pop culture elements makes one say "Uncle."

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, from an S2 episode of "Bold" offers a sense of the tailor-made for Blu-ray animation style, the inclusion of super villains and B-List super heroes, and comically dark mother-approved (but still kid-friendly) tone of the series.

Because trying to even pick five favorite episodes to highlight is tough, the ones discussed simply are those that come to mind first. 

In the interest of keeping this lengthy post from entering epic territory, readers who are interested in learning more about the concept of "Bold" and the voice talent behind it are asked to please refer to the Unreal TV review of the S1 BD set.

The wonderfully titled S2 premiere episode "Death Race to Oblivion" is very true to the spirit of "Bold" by having a malevolent alien forcing Batman and a gaggle of superheroes, including Plastic Man and Green Arrow, compete against each other and a group of super villains in a "Wacky Races" style race with very high stakes. In the true spirit of "Wacky," each driver has a car that matches his or her personality and uses said vehicle in efforts to pass and/or disable the competing modes of transportation.

"Chill of the Night!" makes the cut for discussion in this post based on including having original TV Batman Adam West provide the voice for a character that seems tailor-made for him. This performance indicates the same high regard for the '66 series that West is showing in diligently promoting the long-overdue and uber-highly anticipated November 11, 2014 separate BD and DVD releases of his classic series.

"The Super Batman of Planet X" is one of the more creative of this clever lot of offerings in that it amusingly transports our titular hero to a far-off planet in which he has super powers and a fellow superhero whose alter ego is a mild-mannered reporter solely relies on his strength and hi-tech. gadgets. The morale in this one provides a nice bonus.

"Sidekicks Assemble!" deserves mention for having the same terrific vibe as the recently reviewed BD set of S1 of "Young Justice." Similar to the "Justice" pilot, "Assemble" commences with Batman sidekick Robin and a couple of other heroes in training getting frustrated at not being allowed to take the lead. Not-so-clever planning by Batman results in Robin, Green Arrow sidekick Speedy, and "the rest" facing grave peril. The final scene is just as amusing and provides a true "they grow up so fast" sense.

A highly anticipated segment in a "very special" episode titled "Batmite Presents Batman's Strangest Cases" pays awesome homage to the pairings of Caped Crusader and the Scooby gang in the '70s. In the spirit of that extremely fun crossover, the "Bold" story has the gang and Batman joining forces to foil super villains who are pretending to haunt an old theater so that they can carry out their nefarious scheme in peace.

The season finale titled "The Malicious Mr. Mind" has our titular hero experiencing a "Benjamin Buttons" style reverse aging while helping Captain Marvel and his kin battle Dr. Sivana.

All of the above illustrates that "Bold" goes where no animator has gone before regarding making an equally exciting and hilarious series with enough nostalgia to interest the adults and heavy doses of humor and "edge" to hook the kids.

Anyone with questions regarding "Bold" is strongly encouraged to email me. You can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Tosca's Kiss' DVD: True Tale of Quartet of Golden Divas

Icarus Films, which is the distributor of the recently reviewed classic collection "On Strike!," once again shows how documentaries should be made in releasing the 1984 Daniel Schmid masterpiece "Tosca's Kiss" on DVD on November 4, 2014.

As cliched as it seems, the following clip (courtesy of YouTube) of the trailer for this remastered version of "Tosca" nicely captures the artistry, music, humor, and heart of the film.

 
Current notable aspects of "Tosca" extend beyond its inclusion in the 2013 Venice Film Festival to it inspiring Dustin Hoffman (who is behind the production of the DVD release) to direct the 2012 indie flick smash "Quartet." The fact that marathon sessions of the scifi series "Stargate: Atlantis" and similar fare repeatedly have postponed planned viewings of "Quartet" both shows the risks associated with sending a fanboy to do a man's job and support the 30 year-old point in "Tosca" that modern audiences lack proper regard for opera. Exactly where fond memories of the Bugs Bunny classic "The Rabbit of Seville" fit in is uncertain.

"Tosca" awesomely documents the lives of the overall mentally alert, somewhat physically strong, and hugely talented opera singers, composers, and other artists who call the Casa di Riposa in Milan home. This building is part of the legacy of well-known composer Giuseppe Verdi, who set things up to ensure that many people who devote their lives to music do not wind up without a roof over their heads in their final years.

The charitable nature of the home is an element regarding one sad aspect of the film; an administrator shares that a fairly recent loss of a revenue source endangers the current financial feasibility of the home.

Director Daniel Schmid shows the excellent instincts that have earned "Tosca's" numerous awards over the years in making the retired divas and their co-residents the stars of the film. Hearing this group discuss their careers, collaborations with their now fellow residents, Verdi, and numerous other intellectual topics is just as entertaining as listening to old ladies bicker about things such as using a cane and whose room is larger and other footage of a "poor old dear" composer who clearly is past his prime.

The more amazing part of "Tosca's" is seeing these oldsters perform. They truly sound terrific and clearly still hold themselves up to high standards. A very apt (and highly amusing) duet in a hallway near the end of the film and another scene in which a resident dons a costume from a trunk provide some of the best moments in the film.

The only spoiler regarding this film is that the fat lady never sings; this hopefully is a good sign that ain't ever going to be over for the still operating Casa di Reposa.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Tosca" is welcome to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'The Dark Valley' VOD: Quentin Tarantino Style Tale of Revenge in 19th Century Austria

Film Movement, which operates the uber-awesome independent foreign movie Film of the Month Club about which Unreal TV often raves, maintains its reputation for excellence regarding this genre as to the November 4, 2014 VOD release of the 2014 English language Austrian Western/revenge drama "The Dark Valley" that seems to come from the mind of stylistic revenge drama god Quentin Tarantino. One difference is that "Valley" is less violent and ironically not as dark as a Tarantino film.

The similarities between "Valley," Tarantino films, and the American and Italian Westerns that inspire Mr. T. nicely illustrate the universal nature of the flicks that Film Movement chooses for its catalog. Virtually every selection could be made word-for-word and shot-for-shot in the United States and still make perfect sense.

Austria submitting "Valley" as its entry for the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar is only one indication of the terrific quality of this movie. Sam Riley, best known for his role in "Maleficent" and who is playing Mr. Darcy in the upcoming "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," does a wonderful job as handsome young mysterious stranger Greider. Further, the scenery in this film set in the Austrian Alps in the late 1800s is spectacular.

This film also coincidentally has common elements with the '50s American Western "Son of a Gunfighter," which is the subject of a recent Unreal TV review. Both stories center around the quest of a justifiably angry young man for revenge/justice.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the foreign language trailer for "Valley" nicely illustrates every element described above.

Greider is an unwelcome presence in the small community in the largely hidden valley when he rides in on his horse and expresses a desire to spend the winter for the purpose of photographing the surrounding countryside. Greider secures lodging with a widow, whose daughter Luzi is engaged, only after convincing village leader/bully Brenner to allow him to stay.

Developments, which include a seemingly accidental death during a community-wide logging activity, soon make it clear that the agenda of Greider extends beyond taking pretty pictures. The upcoming nuptials of Luzi providing Brenner's very eager sons an opportunity to continue a family tradition that is a variation of kissing the bride (or else) only intensifies the desire of Greider to obtain satisfaction regarding a past sin of Brenner.

One of the more Tarantinoesque moments in "Valley" occurs in a scene in which very apt retribution is administered for literally selling out. The punishment for this greed is almost Biblical.

The final showdown is equally as good and includes a twist that becomes predictable only after the commencement of that inevitable confrontation, which ends in an equally fated conclusion.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Valley" is welcome to either email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Joanie loves Chachi (Chachi Chachi)' CS DVD: No Sex or Drugs But Rock and Roll

Making it onto the press list of CBS Home Entertainment is a terrific bonus for this site that celebrates all "unreal" things escapist. The uber-awesome catalog of this studio includes DVD releases of the all-time classic '70s sitcom "Happy Days."

This series of ongoing reviews kicks off with the two-season 1982-83 "Days" spinoff "Joanie loves Chachi." Upcoming reviews will include the "jump the shark" and "Mork" fifth season of "Days" and the seventh and eighth seasons of the "Days" spinoff "Laverne and Shirley."

The most important thing about "Joanie" is that, arguably like series star Erin Moran, the industry (and the public) have given this decent show a raw deal. Very few would argue that this 17-episode series is a classic, but the program standing alone is worth watching. Additionally, its place in "Days" lore adds terrific value.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the opening credits of "Joanie" provide a good sense of both the wonderfully goofy '80s-sitcom style of this show set roughly 20 years earlier and the level of attraction that the leads shared when Joanie really did love Chachi.

The premise of "Joanie" is that recent high school graduate Chachi (nee Charles) Arcola has recently left fellow recent graduate and best gal Joanie Cunningham (little sister to "Days" Richie) and the rest of the gang in early '60s Milwaukee behind to live with his widowed mother Louisa and her new husband "Days'" diner-owner Al Delvechio above their restaurant in Chicago. Moran plays Joanie, teen idol Scott Baio plays the (frequently bare-chested) Chachi, John Travolta's real-life sister Ellen plays Louisa, and Al Molinaro plays Al.

Ala "Gilligan's Island," most of the rest of the cast is simply identified as "the band" and only warrants having their names quickly flash during the closing credits.

As an aside, Travolta goes onto once again play Baio's mother in his subsequent series "Charles in Charge." However, the Lembeck-like Robert Pierce from "Joanie" does not play the goofball best friend role in the later series.

The "Joanie" pilot has the titular couple reuniting and Miss Cunningham (No Ms. in the '60s) literally joining the band. Most of the remaining episodes have the leads dealing with issues of pursuing their music career, struggling with the trials and tribulations of late-adolescence love, Chachi essentially contending with not advancing beyond being a lovable dolt while Joanie is evolving through college activities, and general sitcom wackiness.

In true spinoff style, Cunningham parents Howard and Marion from "Days" show up a couple of times to ensure that their little girl remains both safe and pure.  Henry "the Fonz" Winkler adds greater star power by showing up in the (admittedly weak) S2 season premiere that has Chachi's band lying about the relationships among the band members to land a television gig.

Two spoilers are that neither "Days" spinoff hit characters Mork or Laverne and Shirley never visit Joanie and Chachi. A cross-over involving all four series would have made sense but would have been too much to hope for. The late Robin Williams' Mork would have gleefully eaten Pierce's spacey Bingo for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

A not very salacious but cute S2 "Joanie" episode highlights all of Baio's assets by having him and Joanie bluffing regarding him posing nude in an art class that she is taking from a hunky professor. Like so many screen couples before and after them, Moran and Baio do their best when they are playfully bickering.

Another good episode has the band playing a fraternity party only to have Chachi engage in a hilariously borderline G-rated contest with an obnoxious frat boy. Seeing Baio once again do a good job in the role of comically jealous boyfriend and his motley crew (truly, no pun intended) clash with the college crowd makes for good comedy.

The series finale is not particularly grand but does portray good development and has funny moments. A nice (and amusing) role-reversal scene in this one has Joanie sneaking into the bedroom of Chachi to whisk him away to elope. His commenting on waking that her saying "no" is consistent with her behavior in his dreams is particularly cute.

As most "Days" fans know, having Joanie and Chachi regularly visit "Days" during the "Joanie" run and ultimately reintegrating the couple into the former is the chosen solution for the shortcomings in the latter.  The well-known sad part regarding that demise is that doing the show simply became tough when Erin no longer loved Scott.

Anyone with questions or comment regarding 'Joanie' or any "Days" series is welcome to email me or connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Land Ho!' DVD and BD: Grumpy Old Men on a Trip to Iceland

Despite any indications regarding its name, "Land  Ho!" is not about someone's undue interest in real estate. The very witting and charming film, which Sony Pictures Classics and Sony Home Entertainment are bringing to Blu-ray (BD) and DVD on November 4 2014, tells the tale of unrepentantly bawdy retired surgeon Mitch taking former brother-in-law (and low-key gentleman) Colin on the trip of a lifetime to Iceland.

Any doubt regarding whether "Land" is BD worthy dissipates on watching the first scenes of truly beautiful downtown Reykjavik and disappears complete on seeing the breathtaking spectacular wilderness scenery.

The following clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the trailer for "Land" does its job well in that it provides a spoiler-free look at the themes, humor, and incredible setting in the film.

Another uber-cool thing regarding "Land" is that the hand-held camera and natural deliveries by Paul Eenhorn and Earl Lynn Nelson (who are great actors but not household faces) as Colin and Mitch respectively make you feel as if you are watching a documentary, rather than a fictional film. These two truly seem like long-time friends/brothers-in-law.

Brits and anglophiles will especially get a vibe of the Unreal TV reviewed trilogy of BBC travel series in which U.K. television personalities James May and Oz Clarke take extended road trips in France, the U.K., and California learning about wine, beer, and each other.

Audiences on this side of the pond will more likely associate "Land" with the documentaries "The Trip" and the "The Trip to Italy" that have actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, who are long-time friends journeying around and sampling local fare. 

Mitch initiates the trip out of both a personal need to come to terms with his retirement and a more altruistic desire to get Colin to loosen up; for his part, Colin largely considers the trip a chance to visit a country regarding which he is interested.

Mitch predictably is the catalyst for the scripted adventures in which the pair becomes involved during their luxurious journey. This includes spending time with two girls who are several decades younger than them and developing a friendship with a nature photographer.

A must-see scene has our boys having to decide whether to risk driving their rented SUV through a large puddle of unknown depth; these few minutes are among the most hilarious in any recent film.

The only criticism of this well-deserved Sundance and other indie film festivals favorite is that the unduly crude Mitch become a bit tiresome; his predictable comments that include a geyser being Satan's ejaculation and a lighthouse having a phallic nature are designed to show that he is a free-spirited senior who enjoys life but makes both Colin and the audience cringe in anticipation of an innocent comment prompting a sexual comment.

On a better note, Mitch is inherently a decent and very caring individual; he also excuses himself without any innuendo on recognizing an opportunity for Colin to experience romance.

This creative blend of travelogue, reality show, and buddy flick earns a solid 10 for having exceptional cinematography of some of the best scenery ever, two leads who really seem that they are playing themselves and who are as close in reality as their characters, and a story that Mitch would describe as depicting as supporting the central theory from "Risky Business" that you sometime just have to say "What the f**k."

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Land" is encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

'Secret Army' S1 DVD: WWII Era Belgian Underground Group Knows Resistance Not Always Futile

This review of the fact-based 16-episode 1977 first series (my people call them seasons) of the BBC WWII-era drama "Secret Army" is the first in a series of four posts on October 2014 DVD releases from uber-awesome BFS Entertainment, which brings exceptional British shows and films to this side of the pond.

The other releases include "WPC 56"  S2 and "Rake" S3. A pre-New Year's Eve resolution is to run reviews of all four by the end of 2014.

On a very general level, "Army" nicely evokes thoughts of "Happy Days" creator Garry Marshall commenting that setting that '70s sitcom in the '50s prevents it from ever looking dated. Similarly, setting "Army" in the early '40s prevents it from looking older. Similarly, the sometimes grainy (but never at all unclear) video nicely contributes to the '40s vibe of the program.


"Army" tells the compelling stories of the small but intrepid Belgian resistance group known as Lifeline that operates in German-occupied Brussels in the early days of WWII. Their primary S1 activity consists of helping shot down RAF pilots and flight crew members escape back to England; this often requires responding to threats of exposure by the gestapo.

Group leader Lisa, code name Yvette, is a nurse who lives with her aunt and uncle in the wake of the death of her parents. Uncle Gaston also works with Lifeline, but the pair work to ensure that Gaston's wife knows nothing nothing regarding their activities.

Restauranteur Albert and his waitress/mistress Monique provide a base of operations, and British officer John Curtis has a relatively shaky alliance with the group.

Although most S1 episodes center around an effort to get an airman back to England so that he ultimately can get back in the game, one awesome aspect of "Army" is that these stories go far beyond the cliched plot of said RAF officer hiding in barns or running through woods while being pursued. Even the regular psychological torment that these men experience while waiting for an (often delayed) chance to make a run for the border never gets old.

One episode has a young Belgian boy helping a downed pilot at the same time that his mother is starting a (presumed romantic) relationship with a German soldier.

A particularly good episode involves developments that set the stage for very important developments in "Army" has an airman who obtains sanctuary on seeking out an English couple that is enjoying a peaceful existence in the occupied French countryside. The initial bit of specific drama relates to determining who alerts the Germans to the presence of the enemy combatant.

Other points of drama relate to (sometimes proven) suspicions that an airman with whom Lifeline or a mere civilian is working is a German agent, the numerous occasions on which Lifeline faces a serious risk of exposure, and conflicts between members of Lifeline and/or Curtis regarding the best course of action. A related issue regarding the disputes that develop between Curtis and the group involves the extent to which his making resources of the British government available to Lifeline allows him to dictate how the group operates.

"Army" also does an excellent job building up the tension in the last few episodes of the season and presenting a final episode that works equally well as a season or series (within the American sense of that word) finale. Developments in those offerings include Lisa's aunt inadvertently getting caught up in the action and having to independently act, the Germans discovering the extra-curricular activities of a member of the group, and a daring effort to leave Brussels during a city-wide search and virtual lockdown.

The nature of the era and the setting add an additional special layer of drama to "Army." All of the civilians find themselves in the stressful situation of trying to live their daily lives under the occupation of a force with a deserved reputation for brutality. Aside from risking life and home to engage in activity that a desire to shorten the war motivates, they must strike an uber-delicate balance between keeping up enough a German-friendly facade to avoid the wrath of their occupiers but not go so far as to end up on the wrong side of their friends and neighbors.

All of this results in a must-see S1 that you will want to watch from start to finish and that will have you counting the days until the BFS release of S2.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Army" is encouraged to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.