Aesop’s Fables: Volumes 1 & 2
This was one of the most prolific of all the old-time animation series, even if the studio and its cartoons are barely remembered today. Two neat volumes from Thunderbean shed light on some vintage gems from the 1930s. |
Beauty And The Beast: Diamond Edition (3D)
With newly included Digital Copy and 3D that adds a surprisingly immersive aspect to Disney’s 20-year-old classic, this Diamond Edition reissue remains an excellent package that is certainly more Beauty than Beast! |
Dumbo: 70th Anniversary Edition
Although one important supplement from previous disc releases hasn’t made the Blu-ray cut, one of Walt’s true classics flies high again in this 70th anniversary edition. With stunning image and new extras, Dumbo is an instant recommendation! |
Phineas And Ferb: The Movie – Across The 2nd Dimension
While not classic Disney, or even classic Disney television animation, I’m sure long-time fans will get a huge buzz from Disney Channel’s Phineas And Ferb’s first big movie and this packed disc presentation. |
Captain America (1990)
Contrary to popular belief, this is not the worst live action movie ever made featuring Captain America. It is, however, not very good either. Still, it makes for a fun movie night for superhero fans in search of laughs. |
Mad: Season One, Part One
The original satirical magazine makes a truly genuine translation from page to screen in a Warner Bros. Animation animated program that feels close in freewheeling spirit to the unit’s classic 1990s animated comedies. |
Hoodwinked Too! Hood Vs. Evil
Though not the worst animated film you’re ever likely to see, don’t get hoodwinked into seeing this lower than average sequel to a surprisingly fun original. The extras try, but there are no happy endings here. |
Bambi II: Special Edition
Disney’s surprisingly good direct-to-video midquel gets its own Blu-ray special edition upgrade, and while the film looks great – too perfect at times – the extras don’t really offer anything new of worth. |
The Fox And The Hound: 30th Anniversary 2-Movie Edition
Unexpectedly vibrant in a new restoration, Disney’s overlooked 1981 feature makes it to Blu-ray, though the film’s mid-quel follow up and lack of vintage documentaries don’t enhance the package much. |
The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D
Tim Burton’s holiday tale returns to hi-def disc, now with an added third dimension that spookily looks like it’s being watched through a ViewMaster. And it works…kind of… |
Private Snafu Golden Classics
The classic World War II cartoons, done primarily by the Looney Tunes crew for the military, appear in restored form from Thunderbean. This is certainly the best way we’ve had yet to watch these funny and historically relevant shorts. |
Mars Needs Moms
A misfire from Disney and ImageMovers, Mars Needs Moms fails in almost every regard to bring a fun kids book to the screen with any sense of fantasy about it, with the 3D adding very little. |
M.A.S.K.: Volume One
Another 1980s toy tie-in, this show strives to combine Transformers and G.I. Joe, but fails to live up to its premise. |
Batman – The Brave And The Bold: Season Two, Part One
No less fun in its second season, new guest stars like the Justice Society, Detective Chimp, and The Metal Men join old favorties like Aquaman and Green Arrow to make this a great show for comic fans especially. |
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Vol. 1 – Heroes Assemble & Vol. 2 – Captain America Reborn
A new superhero group is born when Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Wasp, and Ant-Man join forces to become The Avengers. |
Rockin’ With Judy Jetson
From the cover, you might think that this is for little girls only, but it’s really a fun and zany chase caper… with songs. |
Tom And Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures Vol. 2
While the cartoons themselves are entertaining, Tom and Jerry: Fur Flying Adventures Vol.2 can’t break away from the mass-produced DVD stigma. |
The Herculoids: The Complete Series
It’s simplistic and repetitive, but those Alex Toth designs make watching this Saturday morning classic so worthwhile— a triumph of style over substance. |
Have A Laugh! Volumes 3 and 4
The use of Hawaiian Holiday’s wrong master aside, the treasure here is the pristine restorations of some classic Disney animated shorts, even if the selection isn’t always great and the remixing and “Blamming” of footage is redundant. |
The Jetsons Meet The Flintstones
It’s the team-up that had to happen! It practically writes itself, but predictability isn’t always a bad thing in a project like this. More classic cartoon fun from Warner Archive. |
Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology
Lack of hi-def supplements aside, this really is a super-powered boxed set collection of Superman on screen from 1942-2006 and especially presents the Christopher Reeve films as never before. Essential! |
Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos
Chuck Norris and his Karate Kommandos fight The Klaw and his henchman Super Ninja, but 1980s action cartoon enthusiasts and Norris uber-fans aside, there’s really not much to recommend about this generic show. |
Happiness Is… Peanuts – Snoopy’s Adventures
Snoopy stars in this budget release. There has been no remastering, but the price is right for a good episode from the TV series, and an even better TV special. |
Challenge Of The Gobots: The Original Miniseries
This mid-80s toyfest is fondly remembered by some; and is seen as a weak competitor to Transformers by others. It’s not the strongest show, but no denying there’s some charm in the concept of giant shape-changing robots. |
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights
These tales of the Green Lantern Corps should serve as a great primer for anyone looking forward to the theatrical film. The origins of the Corps are revealed, and we find out what it truly takes to be a Green Lantern. |
Thor: Tales of Asgard
Younger audiences hungry for more Thor after the big-screen movie will enjoy Marvel’s latest animated title, but long-time comics fans will be split between either being pleased or just plain bored! |
Frankenstein Jr. And The Impossibles: The Complete Series
1966 was a big year for Hanna-Barbera, partially due to this intriguing pair of features that formed a half-hour of superhero thrills and humor. As usual, design and voice acting make this classy and fun. |
Gnomeo & Juliet
Elton John teams again with Disney Studios for a jolly romp based on Shakespeare’s classic, featuring some cutting-hedge animation and big family fun for all. Touchstone’s disc isn’t blooming, but does sprout some welcome, if potted, extras! |
Abbott And Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Nearing the end of their successful 15-year film career, Abbott and Costello produced this independent color picture co-starring the wonderful Charles Laughton. The boys tussle with pirates in a fight for treasure and love on the high seas. |
The Space Kidettes/Young Samson: The Complete Series
Warner Archive dug deep in the vaults for this combined show of kiddie space adventure, and a teen hero battling mad scientists and monsters. Stories are slight, but it’s old-school Saturday morning fun. |