The Cold Turnkey

When the Disney Studios confirmed in mid-2009 they were partnering with Pixar Studios to bring a live-action “John Carter of Mars” to the big screen, Edgar Rice Burroughs fan sites lit up across the Internet with excitement. Even though the movie will not be released until 2012, three years after the announcement, anticipation for the movie project has reached near-crescendo levels. There have already been several attempts to bring “John Carter of Mars” to the big screen, and all ended before they could really begin.

Despite the fact that Hollywood has produced many science fiction and fantasy movies through the years, including many adaptations of Tarzan, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ most well-known character, the John Carter franchise has eluded film-makers’ best efforts to launch a credible production. At least one independent studio has taken advantage of the hype and hoopla over the Disney/Pixar movie to fast track its own low-budget version of the story, “A Princess of Mars”, to a direct-to-DvD release. They hired Traci Lords to play the princess.

News and rumors about the “John Carter of Mars” movie are both rare and rampant as sites frenziedly quote each other in an attempt to create the most comprehensive articles covering the extremely little information that has been published so far. Some John Carter of Mars fan sites intentionally recap information provided by other sites to help fans stay on top of the trickling news.

Science fiction and fantasy forums have also been abuzz with discussion about the movie. Written and directed by Andrew Stanton, “John Carter of Mars” stars Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins. Their careers and every mention of the movie are sure to be discussed thoroughly in a variety of John Carter of Mars movie discussion threads and forums.

The brainchild of writer Joss Whedon, Buffy The Vampire Slayer originally entered American pop culture as a full-length feature film, starring Kristy Swanson, in 1992. But creator Whedon felt that the project never quite did justice to the full scope of his vision, so he managed turn the film into a television series in 1997. The result of Whedon’s increased artistic freedom is a series that has enjoyed both critical acclaim and audience notoriety. Nominated for 14 Emmy’s during its seven year run, the show managed to win only two (both in 1998 for Outstanding Makeup and Outstanding Music Composition in a television series). Yet, the true success for Buffy The Vampire Slayer is indicated by the massive success of the show’s long run, strong DVD sales, and the overwhelming success of the series spin-off Angel…

Sarah Michelle Gellar plays the title role of Buffy Anne Summers, a teenage girl who stands alone among her generation as the “chosen one” able to “stand against vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer…” But Buffy is not alone in fulfilling her destiny as a slayer of vampires. She also receives help from the high school librarian, Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), who is a Watcher - the one chosen to train and guide slayers on their developmental path. In addition, new friends Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan - of American Pie fame) and Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) quickly uncover the truth of Buffy’s destiny, and they often aid her in defending the world against evil forces…

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 7) DVD offers a number of exciting episodes including the season premiere “Lessons” in which the re-opening of Sunnydale high school is tempered by the resurrection of several students and faculty who place the blame on Buffy for not properly protecting them. Buffy and Dawn join together to defeat the forces of evil, while Spike’s soul traverses the labyrinth depths of the school’s new basement… Other notable episodes from Season 7 include “Selfless” in which Anya’s guilt in the aftermath of granting a woman’s wish compels her to reverse the spell and face the remainder of her life as a Vengeance Demon, and “Potential” in which Buffy and Spike train potential Slayers while Willow uses a locator to discover that Dawn’s friend Amanda is the Chosen One…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 7) DVD:

Episode 123 (Lessons) Air Date: 09-24-2002
Episode 124 (Beneath You) Air Date: 10-01-2002
Episode 125 (Same Time, Same Place) Air Date: 10-08-2002
Episode 126 (Help) Air Date: 10-15-2002
Episode 127 (Selfless) Air Date: 10-22-2002
Episode 128 (Him) Air Date: 11-05-2002
Episode 129 (Conversations with Dead People) Air Date: 11-12-2002
Episode 130 (Sleeper) Air Date: 11-19-2002
Episode 131 (Never Leave Me) Air Date: 11-26-2002
Episode 132 (Bring on the Night) Air Date: 12-17-2002
Episode 133 (Showtime) Air Date: 01-07-2003
Episode 134 (Potential) Air Date: 01-21-2003
Episode 135 (The Killer in Me) Air Date: 02-04-2003
Episode 136 (First Date) Air Date: 02-11-2003
Episode 137 (Get It Done) Air Date: 02-18-2003
Episode 138 (Storyteller) Air Date: 02-25-2003
Episode 139 (Lies My Parents Told Me) Air Date: 03-25-2003
Episode 140 (Dirty Girls) Air Date: 04-15-2003
Episode 141 (Empty Places) Air Date: 04-29-2003
Episode 142 (Touched) Air Date: 05-06-2003
Episode 143 (End of Days) Air Date: 05-13-2003
Episode 144 (Chosen) Air Date: 05-20-2003

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Season 7) DVD.

Think history is boring? Think again! I Claudius is proof that an educational film can also be one of the most popular and entertaining series ever produced. A 1976 mini-series, starring many of the best known theatrical performers of its day, I Claudius is one of, if not the, greatest productions chronicling the history of the Roman Empire. Covering the period from the later years of Augustus’s rule as the first emperor of Rome to the death of Emperor Claudius, I Claudius takes a look at the social and political underpinnings and developments of the Roman Empire through the eyes of Claudius, an often overlooked member of the emperor’s family. An epic in the true sense of the word, I Claudius should be on every film buff’s viewing list…

A young male connected to the family line of Emperor Augustus, Claudius suffers from a strange limp and an odd stutter which make him appear to be a simple-minded youth. But Claudius maintains a keen intellect, and he observes the events around him with meticulous precision. As the end of Augustus’s long reign as emperor nears its end, the ruler is in desperate search of an heir. But what he doesn’t know is that his wife Livia is determined to see her son from a previous marriage, Tiberius, ascend to the throne. As such, Livia will stop at nothing to murder and ruin those who stand in the way - such as far more noble and deserving heir Germanicus. Through drowning, poisoning, and less subtle means, she insures Tiberius becomes the next in the line of succession…

Meanwhile, Claudius observes from the shadows as the ambitious Sejanus (Patrick Stewart) conspires to obtain the throne and the infamous Caligula rises to power. When his relative is murdered because of his terrible reign of insanity, Claudius is thrust upon the throne, and he attempts to rule with a firm hand of justice and restore the republic to its rightful place of power…

Wrought with suspense, I Claudius will make its viewers question how any human survived the era known as the ancient Roman Empire. The murders, double-crossings, and various affairs seem to be drawn from a fictional paperback found on drugstore shelves - not in the pages of a history book. But I Claudius stays true to the written account of Roman Emperor Claudius who wrote his memoirs during the few years of his reign as the supreme leader of the greatest empire ever to exist on Earth. The result is a story more intriguing than any book or film since produced…

With superb theatrical performances by the entire cast (including Patrick Stewart as Sejanus), I Claudius is an engrossing storyline about the true-to-life people and events that shaped the history of ancient Rome. Like the popular prime-time soap opera Dallas, viewers are drawn to the intrigue surrounding the various characters without even realizing they’re learning history in the process! Given its historical accuracy, brilliant dialogue, and ingenious performances, I Claudius ranks as a definite must-see series of films. In fact, one of the top five best of all time…

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the I Claudius (DVD).

Nominated for 19 Emmys and 5 Golden Globes, including Best TV Series - Drama, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman experienced the rare double victory of audience loyalty and widespread critical acclaim. Premiering in mid-season (January 1993), the hour-long CBS original series illustrated American frontier life like few other shows before it. Like the smash hit Little House On The Prairie, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman vividly portrays the hardship, struggle, and community kinship endemic to the era. One of the first Western-themed shows to cast a female doctor (as the star of the show nonetheless), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman enjoyed a successful five-year run, marked by two highly-touted made-for-TV movies…

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman follows the exploits of Dr. Michaela “Mike” Quinn, a female doctor living in 19th Century America when that sort of thing was unheard of. Working for years as an assistant in her father’s New England medical practice, the death of her father prompts Dr. Mike to answer a want ad for a doctor in the thriving American frontier town of Colorado Springs. When she arrives, the town is taken aback, having expected she was a man. But Dr. Mike quickly endears herself with the townsfolk and expands her family by adopting three orphan children - Matthew (Chad Allen), Colleen (Erika Flores/Jessica Bowman), and Brian (Shawn Toovey). As the show progresses, she eventually marries local Byron Sully (Joe Lando), and the final seasons focus on the lives of their nuclear family. Sporting an assorted cast of loveable, and sometimes eccentric, characters, the town is never short of excitement or drama…

The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (Season 3) DVD features a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere “The Train” in which Sully tries to convince Mike that it would be in their best interest to move somewhere else if the railroad comes through Colorado Springs… Other notable episodes from Season 3 include “A First Christmas” in which a Jewish family that moves into town experiences prejudice and discrimination, and “Bone of Contention” in which the discovery of dinosaur bones sparks a controversy between local Indians and a paleontologist who wants to host an excavation on sacred Indian ground…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (Season 3) DVD:

Episode 44 (The Train) Air Date: 09-24-1994
Episode 45 (Fathers and Sons) Air Date: 10-01-1994
Episode 46 (The Cattle Drive: Part 1) Air Date: 10-08-1994
Episode 47 (The Cattle Drive: Part 2) Air Date: 10-15-1994
Episode 48 (The Library) Air Date: 10-22-1994
Episode 49 (Halloween II) Air Date: 10-29-1994
Episode 50 (A Washington Affair: Part 1) Air Date: 11-05-1994
Episode 51 (A Washington Affair: Part 2) Air Date: 11-05-1994
Episode 52 (Money Trouble) Air Date: 11-12-1994
Episode 53 (Thanksgiving) Air Date: 11-19-1994
Episode 54 (Ladies Night: Part 1) Air Date: 11-26-1994
Episode 55 (Ladies Night: Part 2) Air Date: 12-03-1994
Episode 56 (A First Christmas) Air Date: 12-10-1994
Episode 57 (The Indian Agent) Air Date: 01-07-1995
Episode 58 (The End of the World) Air Date: 01-14-1995
Episode 59 (Pike’s Peace) Air Date: 01-28-1995
Episode 60 (Cooper vs. Quinn: Part 1) Air Date: 02-04-1995
Episode 61 (Cooper vs. Quinn: Part 2) Air Date: 02-04-1995
Episode 62 (What is Love?) Air Date: 02-11-1995
Episode 63 (Things My Father Never Gave Me) Air Date: 02-18-1995
Episode 64 (Baby Outlaws) Air Date: 02-25-1995
Episode 65 (Bone of Contention) Air Date: 03-11-1995
Episode 66 (Permanence of Change) Air Date: 04-08-1995
Episode 67 (Washita: Part 1) Air Date: 04-29-1995
Episode 68 (Washita: Part 2) Air Date: 04-29-1995
Episode 69 (Sully’s Recovery) Air Date: 05-06-1995
Episode 70 (Ready or Not) Air Date: 05-13-1995
Episode 71 (For Better or Worse: Part 1) Air Date: 05-20-1995
Episode 72 (For Better or Worse: Part 2) Air Date: 05-20-1995

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (Season 3) DVD.