MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE-SEASON 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Paramount about Mission: Impossible Season 2: “Spoken on a tape that self destructs, these classic words introduce each episode of Mission: Impossible, the highly dramatic adventure series that returns to DVD in a set that includes all 25 second-season episodes.

This season was really the first season I started to watch the show when I was a young kid because in syndication, they usually did not repeat the Steven Hill first season episodes. Peter Graves was my favorite. Nothing was said in the show to explain Dan Briggs departure. Peter Graves seemed to me to be better suited to the series rather than Hill. The formula was set for the series, where Phelps would listen to the recording, then pick his team and then go on the mission. The video quality is stunning considering the age of the episodes and as with season 1 the audio has a 5.1 Dolby Surround mix. This set also comprises the next 25 episodes of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also uncut. I’ve not seen the show this crystal clear! There is also a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. But you can switch it to 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “The Widow”-with William Windom
2. “Trek”-with Daniel O’Herlihy, Mark Lenard and Michael Pate
3. “The Survivors”-with Albert Paulsen
4. “The Bank”-with James Daly and Gene Dynarski

Disc 2- 1. “The Slave Part 1”-with Percy Rodriguez, Sid Haig and Warren Stevens
2. “The Slave Part 2”-with Percy Rodriguez, Sid Haig and Warren Stevens
3. “Operation Heart”-with Pernell Roberts and Michael Strong
4. “The Money Machine”-with Brock Peters

Disc 3- 1. “The Seal”-with Darren McGavin and Mort Mills
2. “Sweet Charity”-with Fritz Weaver and Hazel Court
3. “The Council Part 1”-with Vincent Gardenia and Vic Perrin
4. “The Council Part 2”-with Vincent Gardinia and Vic Perrin

Disc 4- 1. “The Astrologer”-with Steve Itlant
2. “The Echo of Yesteryear”-with Eric Braeden and Wilfred Hyde White
3. “The Photographer”-with Anthony Zerbe and John Randolph
4. “The Spy”-with Joseph Campanella and Kate Woodvine

Disc 5- 1. “A Game Of Chess”
2. “The Emerald”-with William Smithers and Michael Strong
3. “The Condemned”-with Peter Donat, Kevin Hagen and Will Kuluva

Disc 6-1. “The Counterfeiter” -with Edmond O’Brien
2. “The Town” - with Will Geer
3. “The Killing”-with Gerald S O’Loughlin

Disc 7- 1. “The Phoenix”-with Mills Watson
2. ”Trial By Fury”-with Victor French, Sid Haig and Paul Winfield
3. “Recovery”

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: None



Verdict

There are no special features or Extras on this set. Hopefully, there will be on future releases.



Rating: *****!

THE SEA HUNTERS SET 1-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Clive Cussler’s The Sea Hunters”: Join the bestselling action-adventure author Clive Cussler, renowned maritime archaeologist James Delgado, and their crack team of divers to explore some of the most significant shipwrecks of World War II.

Clive Cussler, best known for his Dirk Pitt novels, comes “The Sea Hunters”, a documentary series that focuses on shipwrecks, maritime disasters and relic from World War 2. This set consists of the first 8 episodes that track things such as an enormous Aircraft carrier made entirely of ice! The team is led by renowned maritime Archaeologist James Delgado, which searches for these relics with submarines, 3-D imaging sonar and the latest mixed-gas dive equipment. The Sea Hunters is currently airing on the National Geographic Channel. This set includes extra footage from each episodes and a Clive Cussler Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes run approx 48 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.


Disc 1-
1. “Ship Of Ice”
2. “Diving the V2 Rocket Caves”
3. “Leopoldville/Clayoquot: Death on Christmas Eve”

Disc 2-
4. “Minesweeper Eddy, Heroes of the Night”
5. “The Sinking of the Wilheim Gustloff”
6. “Force Z”

Disc 3-
7. “Juno Beach: D-Day Underwater”
8. “Still on Patrol: The Hunt for Hitler’s U-Boat 215”


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-Extra Footage from Each Episode
Clive Cussler Biography-Text Only


Verdict

If you’re a fan of WWII and Diving, you’ll enjoy this show.


Rating: ****!

RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES SET 2-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Ruth Rendell Mysteries Set 2”: In six tales of suspense, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell examines the jealousies, betrayals, and resentments that lead to tragedy.

The next 6 episodes of the long running mystery series that was based on Ruth Rendell’s mystery novels is on this 3-disc box set of the second set of stories from the series. This time around we have some really good stories and some really good performances with such luminaries as Richard Johnson, Edward Hardwicke, Don Henderson and Susannah York to name a few. The set also includes Cast Filmographies and a Ruth Rendell Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes runs approx 77 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. “Bribery and Corruption”
2. “Front Seat”-with Richard Johnson and Edward Hardwicke

Disc 2-
3. “A Case Of Coincidence”-with Keith Barron and Don Henderson
4. “A Dark Blue Perfume”-with Susannah York and John Castle

Disc 3-
5. “My & June”
6. “The Orchard Walls”

Extras


Disc 1- Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Ruth Rendell’s Biography-Text Only

Disc 2- Cast Filmographies

Disc 3-Cast Filmographies


Verdict

A good series. More episodes to come.


Rating: ****!

RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES SET 1-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Ruth Rendell Mysteries Set 1”: From cold, rock-strewn moors to comfortable suburban estates, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell explores the dark fissures between friends and family members that motivate murder.

The long running TV series that was based on Ruth Rendell’s mystery novels is on this 3-disc box set of the first stories of the series. The Ruth Rendell mysteries play like a Lifetime movie, which is usually geared towards women but better made. Some of the stars also plays like an episode of “Tales of the Unexpected”! “Master of the Moor” with Colin Firth is fantastically creepy and well acted and the “Secret House of Death” is also creepy and seductive. Some known British actors and actresses and in these episodes such as Robert Urquhart, Leslie Phillips, John Gill and Patricia Haynes. The set also includes Cast Filmographies and a Ruth Rendell Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes runs approx 115 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.

Disc 1-
1. “Master of the Moor”-with Colin Firth, Robert Urquhart and Patricia Haynes

Disc 2-
2. “Vanity Dies Hard”-with Leslie Phillips and John Gill

Disc 3-
3. “The Secret House Of Death”
4. “The Double”

Extras


Disc 1- Cast Filmographies-Text Only
Ruth Rendell’s Biography-Text Only

Disc 2- Cast Filmographies

Disc 3-Cast Filmographies


Verdict

A good series. England’s answer to “The Lifetime Movies”.


Rating: ****!

JERICHO-SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about Jericho-Season 1: Jericho is a drama about what happens when a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears on the horizon, plunging the residents of a small, peaceful Kansas town into chaos, leaving them completely isolated and wondering if they’re the only Americans left alive.

I must admit, I did not watch this show when it first came on and now watching it on DVD, I am now hooked! This show is right up my ally. The series is about a small Kansas town that gets its world turned upside down when a nuclear attack starts and the way they will have to live and deal with humanity when everything is taken away from them. What is neat about the show is that the stories are layered to find out why there is a man that is able to communicate with the outside world when nobody else can. You also see when the US retaliates with missile and the aftermath of that. The first season comprises of 22 episodes and which was nice what they did with this is that there are Extras! There are audio commentaries on 5 episodes and deleted scenes from quite a few episodes with commentary on them as well as behind the scenes footage and a featurette. The stars of the show are Skeet Ulrich (Scream films) with Gerald McRaney (Simon & Simon) plus a lot of new faces.

VIDEO

The episodes are in Widescreen format. Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “Pilot-The First Seventeen Hours”
2. “Fallout”
3. “Four Horseman”
4. “Walls Of Jericho”

Disc 2- 5. “Federal Response”
6. “9:02”
7. “Long Live The Mayor”
8. “Rogue River”-with D. B. Sweeney

Disc 3- 9. “Crossroads”
10. “Red Flag”
11. “Vox Populi”
12. “The Day Before”

Disc 4- 13. “Blackjack”
14. “Heart Of Winter”
15. “Semper Fidelis”
16. “Winters’ End”

Disc 5- 17. “One Man’s Terrorist”
18. “AKA”
19. “Casus Belli”
20. “One If By Land”

Disc 6-21. “Coalition of the Willing”
22. “Why We Fight” -with David Huddleston

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on “The First Seventeen Days” by Executive Producers Jon Turteltaub & Carol Barbee
Audio Commentary on “Fallout” by Executive Producers Jon Turteltaub & Carol Barbee
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “The First Seventeen Hours” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (05:02)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Four Horsemen” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:48)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Walls of Jericho” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:45)

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on “Rogue River” by Executive Producers Jon Turteltaub & Skeet Ulrich
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “9:02” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:14)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Long Live The Mayor” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:19)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Rogue River” by Jon Turteltaub and Skeet Ulrich (1:00)

Disc 3: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Crossroads” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:50)
Audio Commentary on “Red Flag” by Carol Barbee & Lennie James
Audio Commentary on “Vox Populi” by Carol Barbee, Skeet Ulrich & Lennie James
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Vox Populi” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:49)

Disc 4: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Black Jack” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:58)

Disc 5: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “One Man’s Terrorist” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:25)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “A.K.A.” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (1:34)
Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Casus Belli” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:57)

Disc 6: Deleted Scenes with commentary on “Coalition Of The Willing” by Dan Shotz and Karim Zreik (0:49)
Building of Jericho Documentary (24:00)
What If? …(09:12)


Verdict

I am hooked! The response to the show from fans that wanted this show to continue is a lot like Star Trek was in the sixties. The show will be back for a second season. I can wait! This set is worth it to buy.



Rating: *****!

MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Paramount about Mission: Impossible Season 1: “Be there for the mission that started it all! The original, Emmy-winning series debuts on DVD in a 7-disc set that includes all 28 first season episodes.

A cultural phenomenon started with the landmark TV series “Mission: Impossible”. It has had it imitators, a sequel series and 3 major motion pictures starring Tom Cruise. Mission: Impossible was the dream child of Bruce Geller. He created a series that was innovative and extremely popular. The show started with the Impossible Missions Force or IMF, a group of secret agents employed by the US Government to go on missions that were impossible for any other arm for the government to handle. In the first season, the head of the IMF group was Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill. He was only on the show for the first season. Also in the cast were Martin Landau as Rollin Hand, master of disguise and Barbara Bain as Cinnamon Carter the Femme Fatale and Greg Morris the tech expert Barney and the muscle Willy Armitage played by Peter Lupus. The show had a lot of guest stars over the years, quite a few from the Star Trek series, which was filmed at the same studios. This set comprises of the first 28 episodes and is in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. The audio is first rate and the video has been digitally remastered in crystal clear quality.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also uncut. I’ve not seen the show this crystal clear! There is also a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. But you can switch it to 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “Pilot”-with Wally Cox
2. “Memory”-with Leonard Stone and Albert Paulsen
3. “Operation Rogosh”-with Fritz Weaver
4. “Old Man Out Part 1”-with Mary Ann Mobley and Monte Markham

Disc 2- 1. “Old Man Out Part 2”-with Oscar Beregi
2. “Odds on Evil”-with Nehemiah Persoff
3. “Wheels”-with Mark Lenard and Percy Rodriguez
4. “The Ransom”-with William Smithers and Don Marshall

Disc 3- 1. “A Spool There Was”
2. “The Carriers”-with George Takei and Arthur Hill
3. “Zubrovnic’s Ghost”
4. “Fake Out”-with Lloyd Bridges and Sid Haig

Disc 4- 1. “Elena”-with Barry Atwater and Barbara Luna
2. “The Short Tail Spy”-with Eric Braeden
3. “The Legacy”-with Lee Bergere and John Crawford
4. “The Reluctant Dragon”-with Joseph Campanella and John Colicos

Disc 5- 1. “The Frame”-with Simon Oakland
2. “The Trial”-with Carroll O’Connor and Michael Strong
3. “The Diamond”-with John Van Dreelen and Woodrow Parfrey
4. “The Legend”-with Gunnar Hellstrom and Ben Wright

Disc 6-1. “Snowball In Hell” -with Ricardo Montalban
2. “The Confession” - with Pat Hingle
3. “Action”-with J.D.Cannon
4. “The Train”- with William Windom, William Schallert and Richard Bull

Disc 7- 1. “Shock”-with James Daly, Sorrell Booke and Vic Perrin
2. ”A Cube Of Sugar”
3. “The Traitor”- with Eartha Kitt, Malachi Throne and Frank Marth
4. “The Psychic”- with Milton Selzer, Richard Anderson and Paul Mantee

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: None


Verdict

There are no special features or Extras on this set. Hopefully, there will be on future releases.


Rating: *****!

BANACEK-SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Hart Sharp Video about Banacek: Season 1- George Peppard is Thomas Banacek, Boston’s leading freelance investigator. When a crime proves too difficult for insurance investigators to solve, Banacek is called on in this classic TV show form the early 1970s.

One of the better NBC Mystery Movie Series was Banacek! Played by the late George Peppard. It ran on NBC as one of the shows in the rotating umbrella Wednesday Night At The Movies from 1972 to 1974. This show was on in a few that lasted more than one season. The show was well received by critics but never had a great audience. The show was about a Boston-based freelance investigator who solved crimes for insurance companies for usually a fee of 10% of the value of the insured’s property. The series lasted 17 episodes including the pilot movie, which is not in this set. The show was going to go into a third series but at the last minute, Peppard quit the show in order that his ex-wife Elizabeth Ashley would not receive a larger percentage of his earnings to go to their divorce settlement. This 2-disc set also includes a photo gallery and a DVD-Rom feature for TV Guide Crossword Puzzles.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered and restored for the first time on DVD.
All episodes are approx. 73 minutes long,

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. “Let’s Hear it from A Living Legend”-with Stephanie Powers
2. “Project Phoenix”-with William Windom and Stafford Repp
3. “No Sign of the Cross”-with Broderick Crawford and Victor Jory
4. “A Million the Hard Way”-with Margot Kidder

Disc 2- 1. “To Steal A King”-with Kevin McCarthy and Pernell Roberts
2. “Ten Thousand Dollars A Page”-with Stella Stevens and David Wayne
3. “The Greatest Collection of Them All”-with Mike Farrell and John Hoyt
4. “The Two Million Clams of Cap’n Jack”-with Jessica Walter and David White

Extras

Disc 1: Photo Gallery (29) pictures

Disc 2: DVD-Rom TV Guide Crossword Puzzles


Verdict

A nice series to have. Season Two should be out in January with the pilot movie on the set.

Rating: ****!