Tuesday, May 30, 2017

'Golden Years' DVD Review

Martha (Virginia McKenna) and Arthur Goode (Bernard Hill) are two of the most upstanding citizens you can lay your eyes on. For the better part of five decades these two people have been law abiding citizens. They pay their taxes on time and as newly retired individuals they believe that their pensions are going to keep them going for years to come. Then tragedy strikes and the financial industry they counted on all these years has now stolen their pensions away from them. The two former pensioners come up with an idea that since the financial industry wants to play hardball then so can they. They come up with an idea for robbing banks. They believe if done correctly that they should be able to secure some of their lost pensions back.

Our couple dress up with masks to cover the faces. Rather than using guns they use cucumbers instead. The Goode's are able to replenish some of their lost funds and they seem to be getting away with their life of crime until two cops get sniffing around. Martha and Arthur decide to pull one more job but they need help from their friends to pull it off. You see the club that they all belong to is going to become a supermarket unless they do something about it. Detectives Sid (Alun Armstrong) and Stringer (Brad Moore) want to catch these pensioners before they finish their life of crime but it's not easy because the Goode's, so to speak, make fine criminals.

Acorn brings this crime drama/comedy to us on DVD on May 30th, 2017. The DVD quality is excellent and the sights and sounds are wonderful. This is definitely one show that you don't want to miss. The comedy is great and the acting superb. This will make a wonderful addition to that personal DVD library. So don't waste any time and pick it up soon. Enjoy.

'Code Of A Killer' DVD Review

This three part miniseries is criminal drama at its best. The story opens in 1983 with the death of 15 year old Lynda Mann. The young girl was raped and murdered and the Leicestershire police department are trying to solve her death. Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker (David Threlfall ) is very frustrated when his team has to shut down the case when they cannot solve the case. Now, some three years later a Dawn Ashworth is discovered murdered and the police notice that there are similarities to the Mann murder. The police on this new case have some leads and eventually arrest a one Gavin Hopkirk. Hopkirk eventually confesses to the murder of Ashworth but not Mann.

Baker this time has heard of a professor at Leicester University who can use DNA to identify someone. It's called genetic fingerprinting. Baker contacts Professor Alec Jeffreys (John Simm) and two men are about to do what has never been done before. Can they actually use a persons DNA to put them at the scene of a crime then you should watch this miniseries and find out. Baker and Jeffreys are not similar men at all and with little funding most people don't give these two a chance in hell of pulling this new procedure off. As I said before this riveting crime drama and it's historical breakthrough makes it a must see.

Acorn brings this miniseries to DVD on May 30th, 2017 and it's worth going out and picking it up. The DVD quality is excellent and the sights and sounds are exquisite. This will be an excellent addition to that personal DVD library. Enjoy.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

'Hee Haw: Pfft! You Was Gone' DVD Review

Roy Clark and Buck Owens are back with all the gang in four episodes of everyone's favorite country variety show. The episodes are from the years 1969 to 1973. This little visit back in the past will keep you laughing the whole way through. Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones and Archie Campbell will lend their special talents to get a laugh out of you. The episodes that are included are #02, #34, #70, and #111. In episode #02 which comes to us from the first season includes Merle Haggard singing some of everyone's favorites. Clark and Owens also give us some wonderful music but it's got to be "the sketches that take the show. You have "Pfft, You Was Gone", "The Culhanes", and "Korn News" just to name a few.

In episode #34 Marty Robbins brings some excellent songs for your pleasure. The gang brings sketches like "Gordie's General Store,"and some good laughs with some "Pickin' and Grinnin". In episode #70, you will enjoy the music of Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner.  Parton and Wagoner sing a duet titled "The Right Connection". The sketches on this episode are "Dr. Campbell", "The Cornfield", and "Sample Sales".

It's in the final episode that some country heavyweights come by for a visit. Tammy Wynette and George Jones bring their talents to the show and do a great duet of "We're Gonna Hold On" to delight everyone. Sketches include favorites like "The Korn News" and "Hey Grandpa! What's for Supper?".
Now, you need to remember that back in 1969 the variety shows were King and when 'Hee Haw' arrived it brought variety to country music. The cast of 'Hee Haw' were very talented and the comedy part of the show was the best. The singing was astronomical and the stars came on every week.

TimeLife brings this DVD to us on June 13th, 2017. The quality of the DVDs are excellent and the sights and sounds are perfect. This will definitely be one to pick up for that personal library. This is a variety show that was the best of the best. For over two decades 'Hee Haw' entertained us and made us feel very good about everything. Enjoy.

Monday, May 22, 2017

'On The Road, Somewhere (Algun Lugar)' DVD Review

Our story is about three high school chums who have decided to travel the Dominican tropics. Hemingway (Victor Alfonso), Moises (Javier Grullon), and Oliver (Arnold Martinez) each have plans after graduation and the three friends just want to experience freedom before they go on to their individual futures. Hemingway is simply running away from his family and wants to be a writer. He is wanting to use their journey as a stepping stone to his writing. Moises will be going to school to become a civil engineer. He has a passion for photography and wants to use the journey as a swan song to the high school years. It's Oliver who is using the journey to tie up some loose ends in his life. His high school sweetheart is heading to New York and he's wanting to get to her hometown of Pedernales to say goodbye.
The three begin their travels in Oliver's station wagon but it's not the most trustworthy. It breaks down much along the way and eventually the young men are getting around anyway they can. Along the way they would pick up different people who needed rides and its makes for some interesting conversations. When the car finally can't move anymore the guys will hitch hike, use public transportation, and even simply ride a boat or walk to get where they need to go. It's along the way the young boys begin to become young men. They interact with some very interesting characters and each time they come away with something that makes them think about their individual directions they will be taking.
IndiePix Films brings this wonderful adventure to DVD on May 23rd, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are exquisite. This is a must see for your viewing pleasure. This is the debut for filmmaker Guillermo Zouain and it is excellently done. This is a coming of age film that you simply will want to see over and over. So pick it up and put it into that personal library because the story is entertaining and the scenery is out of this world. Enjoy.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

'Martin Clunes' Islands Of Australia' DVD Review

Our wonderful star of 'Doc Martin' is out and about once again. That's right Martin Clunes is taking us on another adventure and this time it's to the Islands Of Australia. This three part series takes us down under to explore some of the 8,000 islands of Australia. Unfortunately, we only get to visit 16 of them but it's still a great journey.

Martin starts the journey off in the city of Sydney. He takes us to the infamous Norfolk Island where we explore some of the convict past that brought Australia to what it is today. Clunes' travels to the island of Tiwi where we get to see how the Aboriginal natives have lived for centuries. You know the fun part of this series is that Martin Clunes' is an excellent host. He interacts with everyone and makes you feel great while visiting some of the wonders of down under.

Clunes' travels to the wonderful island of Muirons and actually goes for a swim with the largest fish in the ocean. He travels to an island that is home to some of the deadliest snakes around. Carnac is a very interesting place to visit but to live there would be very dangerous. Martin travels to Maria Island where he meets up with scientists who are trying to save the Tasmanian Devils from extinction. They are making some headway but they have much more to do to help the devil.

Martin Clunes has become one of the best and most popular actors in the last few years in that everything he is involved in is pure gold. Athena brings this wonderful journey to DVD for us on May 16th, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are fantastic. This is definitely a must for that personal library of yours, and will be one of your favorites to view from time to time. So don't waste any time and go pick up a copy today and enjoy 'Martin Clunes' Islands Of Australia'. Enjoy.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

'Rake Series 1' DVD Review

Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh) is a brilliant lawyer. His practice is set up in Sydney, Australia. His brilliance is overshadowed by his self destructive personal life. He is constantly trying to dodge the debt collectors and the Tax man. What gets him in more trouble though are the women in his life. For instance, he has a big crush on a former prostitute by the name of Melissa "Missy" Partridge (Adrienne Pickering). Now Missy is studying to be a lawyer and helps Greene from time to time. Greene also has a thing for his best friend's wife Scarlet "Red" Engles. Barney Meagher (Russell Dykstra) is Greene's best friend and instructing solicitor. Greene sleeps with Scarlet but nothing really comes of it. What does take place is that it brings mega-tension between Barney and Greene.

Greene's clients are usually murderers, bigamists, and even some cannibals. Yes, that's right, cannibals. In the first episode Greene defends a Professor Murray for murder. He likes to eat his victims. In the third episode, Greene defends a bigamist named George Dana who just happens to be married to two women. In the fifth episode, Greene defends a Dr. Chandler who loves to have sex with the family dog.

Now, in the 'Rake Series 1' finale Greene defends Mick Corella who is charged with murder. One of the main reasons Greene defends this gentlemen is because he owes Mick a bunch of money over bad gambling debts. Rake is certainly not your usual lawyer series. This comedy- drama is one of the best coming out of Australia in some time. Greene is a smart cookie but his out of court experiences make you wonder how he survived at all.

Acorn brings this wonderful series to DVD on May 9th, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are perfect. This will make a wonderful addition to that personal DVD library. Greene's charm and wit works so well in the courtroom but unfortunately it's what gets him into trouble when he's not working. Cleaver Greene will entertain and keep you glued to your seat and will definitely make you chuckle all the way through the story. Enjoy.