The Equalizer

Finally, the TV show The Equalizer is coming to DVD! I am so excited about this (no, really!)! Okay, enough with the exclamation marks (but I'm really excited about this). JamesEdward Woodward plays the titular character, a man seeking to make restitution for lives taken and evils done by helping others who are having trouble. Slum lords, bullies, loan sharks, etc., should all beware The Equalizer.

As much as I idolize Superman (bear with me), I recognize that he is a fictional character . I will never be able to fly except in a plane or by jumping off a tall building, cliff, or other large object. In the immortal words of The Tick, "Gravity is a harsh mistress." I'll never have x-ray vision no matter what the ads in comic books claim. No, the most I can do is kind of look like him (or one depiction of him, anyway) if I lose ## pounds and start working out fairly hard.

The Equalizer is also a fictional character, a much more realistic one, however. I would love to have his connections, money, and force of will in order to do the types of things he did in the show. The average person needs a champion, someone who will stand up for them, someone who will defend them and protect them. This is something I feel like I could manage. And I've actually prayed about this. God's response to me is that I do have that power available to me: it's called "prayer".

And really, who better to know what's needed in any particular case? The best I can do is seek vengeance and be punitive and retributive. But God can speak to the hearts of all involved, touching them where they need it the most, bringing true healing and freedom. Eventually, even Pharaoh let the Hebrew people go. Sure, he regretted his decision, changed his mind, and paid for it with his life, but that was his choice.

Really, how exciting is that? We have the power of God available to us to accomplish things and help improve people's lives. Not that we make things happen according to our whims, but opening our hearts to the truth of God's desires can change us from the inside out and maybe lead us to become part of the solution rather than running away in hopes the problem(s) will just disappear.

DVD Release Recommendation 9/12/2006

Anything Worth Buying?

Every week, there are TONS of DVD releases. Some are just re-releases, like a second printing; others are special-interest DVDs with limited appeal; and some of them are just lame releases using the poorest-quality transfers possible (but at least they're out for the public until the appropriate studio decides to do something with it, if ever).

I know I really need to work on the colors on this site.

Something Special for this post: I love Audrey Hepburn. Now, before you roll your eyes, this is not the special part (it is for me). Have you seen the Gap commercial featuring Audrey dancing to AC/DC's "Back in Black"? The dancing is from the movie Funny Face (which I've never seen), and I kind of like it. It is almost as though her steps were choreographed to the modern song. Purists will declare this awful, but I kind of think she would like it.

TV DVD Release of the Week

SpongeBob Squarepants: Season 4 Vol 1

SpongeBob rocks. He's one of my favorite cartoons of the past few years, and I really laugh at with him.

Honorable Mentions

• Moonlighting: Season 4
  Great example of great dialog reminiscent of the early screwball comedies. And the stories were fun, too.
  


• The Office: Season 2
  I watched the original British series two or three years ago and loved it. I watched the first episode of the American version and thought it just missed being its own series rather than a pale imitation of the British show. Having watched more episodes in the past couple of weeks, I find that it has found its own voice that is just as strong and funny as the British show without being just an imitation.
  


• Smallville: Season 5
  I love Superman. This is a very nice fresh look at Superman as a young lad before coming out of the super-hero closet.
  

DVD Release of the Week

Lucky Number Slevin

This movie just looks interesting. It's about a case of horribly mistaken identity and the mob. Hilarity must ensue. Most critics I read didn't seem to like it too much, but that really just means it's not a great piece of art, not that it's necessarily unenjoyable.

Honorable Mentions

• Star Wars IV, V, VI
  

  The only reason I picked these is that they apparently contain the only releases of the very original movies that will ever be on DVD. If George Lucas had just released the originals rather than lumping them with his later revamps and inherent price-gouging, these would be a great buy and highly recommended. However, if you bought the original three-movie DVD release a couple of years ago or so, you already have the main feature and are forced to re-purchase them. (Just wait until the final season of MASH is released to find out what I think of Fox.)

  
  

DVD Release Recommendation 9/5/2006

Look, Ma! More DVD Releases!

More releases; somehow, the studios manage to put out new DVDs every week. This week, there are a bunch of re-releases. One of these is Good Bye, Lenin!. I *highly* recommend this to you, but it's a re-release, which doesn't fit into my own rules. Granted, I could bend them at any time (as I think I originally said I wouldn't recommend TV releases, but here's the third one after checking, I said no such thing). Also, I try to pick titles I think are worthwhile, not just my personal favorites (though there's a big overlap there). On with the show after this message...

Condolences to the family of Steve Irwin, world-renowned as The Crocodile Hunter. He was tragically killed today off the Great Barrier Reef by a stingray. I share in the grief of many and extend my prayers for his family in this terrible time of loss. Thank you, Mr. Irwin, for showing us nature, for helping us to see the many great wonders God put on this earth for our wonder and awe.

TV DVD Release of the Week

Supernatural: Season 1

This show is a little bit X-Files, a little bit Kolchak the Night Stalker, and a little bit Hardy Boys. The spooky show follows the adventures of two brothers looking for their father, who is in search of the creature/demon that killed his wife and their mother many years earlier. The brothers, too, encounter their own bizarre happenings in their quest. The brothers seem like real brothers, at least as I imagine them: not buddy-buddy but not mortal enemies, either. There are realistic portrayals of the effects of what they believe their dad thinks about each of them (as opposed to the reality), and their assumptions as to motivations tend to be flawed, as well. But they love each other, in spite of any protestations to the contrary.

Honorable Mentions

Everything else is dishonorable this week. Well, I wouldn't mind the Dr. Who stuff coming out, but that's a very niche product I would not recommend to everybody.

DVD Release of the Week

Seven Samurai: Criterion Collection (3-disc)

This was my first Samurai movie, and my first Akira Kurosawa movie. In both respects and more, this is an outstanding movie. While there is a previous release of this film from Criterion, this is a new release and new transfer with new material. Kurosawa is considered by many to be the greatest director ever to have lived, and this movie is a prime example of his greatness. The story is about seven samurai who are engaged to protect a town from marauders. Excellence abounds. FYI: This movie gave rise to the American western classic, The Magnificent Seven.

Honorable Mentions

• Brazil: Criterion Collection (3-disc)
  Another re-release from Criterion; again, this is a new transfer with additional special material. This movie defies description (sci-fi, fantasy, drama, but so much more), and I always find something new every time I watch it. This film is a beauty whose depths I do not completely plumb, but I recognize there is so much more, something a lifetime's worth of viewing could provide great reward.


• Gojira
  The original king of the monsters returns in a brand-new two-disc special edition release which includes the original Japanese and the American edition starring Raymond Burr. Regardless of the shallowness of the movies to come (rubber suits, bad effects, etc.), this film is a classic and should be seen by any semi-serious movie aficionado.

DVD Release Recommendation 8/29/2006

Ok, a day later than I'd like, but here ya go! There are a lot of releases this week, and I could suggest a bunch more, but we'll stick to this batch for now.

TV DVD Release of the Week: The Tick: The Belated 10th Anniversary Edition

I loved The Tick. Funny, twisted, and of that earnest genre along the lines of Eek! the Cat, Earthworm Jim, and Spongebob Squarepants, where the hero believes in right but doesn't necessarily accomplish it without great harm to himself. The Tick is a 400-pound, nigh-invulnerable superhero protecting The City with his cohort, Arthur, the Moth. It's just a little off-kilter, which is probably why I love it so much.

Honorable Mentions

• Arrested Development Season 3 One of the smartest shows on TV the past few years, I'm proud of Fox for sticking it through 3 seasons for this show despite its not quite finding its audience. Lines delivered so dead-pan, so matter-of-factly, that it takes a bit for the impact of what was just said to sink in. Funny funny funny.


• Andy Griffith Show Season 7 It's Andy Griffith! What more needs to be said? Okay, Good wholesome entertainment!


• Astroboy Vol. 2 Ultra Edition This is the very original series from 1960's Japan, the one that is considered the very first anime. I didn't learn about this series until I saw the modern American version a couple of years back, and I fell in love with it. It has such a sweet charm to it, and while I haven't watched all of the discs I own of all of these series (there were three total that I'm aware of), the story is quite interesting.

DVD Release of the Week: Akeelah and the Bee
I haven't seen it, but everything I've read about it (and from a couple of friends that have seen it), this is a very charming story about a young girl from a disadvantaged background that has the potential to win THE national spelling bee.

Honorable Mentions

• Jewel of the Nile Special Edition Fun adventure story with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner along the lines of King Solomon's Mines (well, I thought so, anyway). Very worth seeing if you don't want to buy it.


• Pretty in Pink Collector's Edition One of the good 80's teen movies that wasn't just about S3X. Some good music, a good story.

DVD Release Recommendation 8/22/2006

Okay, in the midst of my exhaustion (working way too much and about half the sleep I normally get, which isn't all that much to begin with), let's see if I can recommend a DVD or two for all two of you. (and, I apologize for no nifty graphics right now; see the beginning of the paragraph as to an explanation why).

TV Release: House, M.D., Season 2
Dr. House saves the day usually by the third diagnosis, no surprise there. But the writing on the show is pretty darn good. Everyone has a story as to why they're there, and we get to join in on the discovery. It can be intense at times, so if you're sensitive, beware.

Honorable Mention: Invasion, The Complete Series
Sadly, I didn't get to watch this much when originally broadcast this past year. I always enjoyed it when I did see it. My skin dutifully crawled at all the opportune spots, and I ached wanting everyone to see the obvious (to the audience) creep factors running around (William Fitchner's character being the prime example; man, he's played so many different parts quite well).

DVD Releases: Film Geek (2005)
Semi-autobiographical story of the writer, the film is about a young man whose life is movies, and the results when his interest is suddenly turned to someone of the fairer sex. I haven't seen it, but I imagine I might be a little uncomfortable watching it, much as I would be were I to watch The 40-Year Old Virgin, or so I've heard.

Yours, Mine, and Ours (1968)
This is actually a re-release, as I've had a copy of it for several years. This is a cute movie starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda as a widow and widower who meet, fall in love, and join their two large families (10 kids in one, 8 in the other) into one big happy family. Hijinks ensue from a time when ensuing hijinks was a good way to describe a movie.

There are lots of other DVDs coming out this Tuesday, many of which are re-releases, HD-DVD, or Blu-Ray (the latter two I will not endorse one way or the other; format wars, expense, etc.). I just call 'em like I (don't) see 'em. I don't see anything that just screams, "STAY AWAY! BE AFRAID!" However, that is not an endorsement of everything that comes out.