FlashForward – The Complete Series (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

August 22, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“FlashForward” was an amazing and riveting series with so much potential. If you are a big fan of the series, this DVD box set is awesome in bonus content (including many easter eggs). “FlashForward” features a good balance of sci-fi, action and mystery but unfortunately, the series was canceled by ABC and with no second season, viewers and fans of the series are left with no answers, no closure but only a cliffhanger. As fans of the series continue their hopes in having another network pick the series up, I will say that this DVD box set is definitely worth it if you are a big fan of the series!

DVD TITLE: FlashForward – The Complete Series

DURATION: 22 Episodes (989 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, French and Spanish Subtitles, English SDH

COMPANY: abc studios

RELEASE DATE: August 31, 2010

Directed by Nick Gomez, David S. Goyer, Michael Nankin, Bobby Roth, Michael Rymer

Written by Brannon Braga, David S. Goyer, Robert J. Sawyer, Marc Guggenheim, Lisa Zwerling, Scott M. Gimple, Ian B. Goldberg, Barbara Nance, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

Executive Producer: Jessika Borsiczky, Brannon Braga, Vince Gerardis, David S. Goyer, Ralph Vicinanza, Marc Guggenheim

Co-Executive Producer: Lisa Zwerling

Producer: Mark H. Ovitz

Co-Producer: Cathy M. Frank, Cleve Landsberg, Samantha Thomas, Jeff Betancourt,

Consulting Producer: Seth Hoffman, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin

Music by Ramin Djawadi

Cinematographer: Nelson Cragg, Jeff Jur

Edited by Julius Ramsay, Avi Youabian, Jeff Betancourt

Casting by Wendy O’Brien

Series Production Design by Wendy O’Brien

Series Production Design by Stephen Storer

Series Art Direction by Mark Zuelzke, Ron Yates

Series Set Decoration by Jennifer M. Gentile

Series Costume Design by Marian Ceo

Starring:

Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford

John Cho as Demetri Noh

Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe

Zachary Knighton as Dr. Bryce Varley

Peyton List as Nicole Kirby

Brian F. O’Byrne as Aaron Stark

Courtney B. Vance as Stanford Wedeck

Sonya Walger as Dr. Olivia Benford

Christine Woods as Janis Hawk

Lee Thompson Young as Al Gough

Ryan Wynott as Dylan Simcoe

Lennon Wynn as Charlie Benford

Dominic Monaghan as Simon Campos

Genevieve Cortese as Tracy Stark

Barry Shabaka Henley as Agent Vreede

Gabrielle Union as Zoey Andata

Chaos reigns in Los Angeles after a mysterious event causes everyone in the world to lose consciousness at exactly the same moment. Was it an act of nature? Something man‐made gone wrong, or something even more sinister? Whatever it was, every person on Earth blacks out for two minutes and seventeen seconds and sees a series of events from their own future, taking place on April 29, 2010 at 10:00 p.m. For some the future will be joyous and hopeful; for others, shockingly unexpected; and for a few, it simply doesn’t seem to exist. Knowing their fate will alter each person’s life in one way or another and poses the questions: Can destiny be changed? And by changing just one destiny, what effect would that have on those of others?

In 2009, as the popular drama series “LOST” was on hiatus until Feb. 2010 on ABC, many people were wondering what series ABC would have for viewers in the meantime. Fortunately, the network had a new sci-fi drama series titled “FlashForward” based on the 1999 novel by Canada sci-fi writer Robert J. Sawyer set for debut in Sept. 2009 and a total of ten episodes aired through December and set for a return in March 18th after the 2010 Winter Olympics.

So, in order to get people prepared for the second half of the series, ABC is releasing “Flash Forward – Part One, Season One” on DVD featuring the first ten episodes and will be releasing the complete series on Blu-ray and DVD later in August. Fortunately, abc studios is including a $15 coupon with this DVD release, if people plan to upgrade to the complete series.

The series revolves around a few main characters and what happens to them when every human in the planet loses consciousness for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. During that time, each person was given a glimpse of their future six months later. The FBI are trying to find out the source of why this happened, while everyone is trying to deal with what they learned of their visions of the future (good and bad).

The main characters of “FlashForward” are:

FBI Special Agent Mark Benford (played by Joseph Fiennes) – The primary character investigating why this global phenomenon has happened. His FlashForward features him in the FBI building alone hiding from masked gunmen.
Special Agent Demetri Noh (played by John Cho) – A partner of Mark who is also investigating the phenomenon. He didn’t have a FlashForward, thus leading him to believe he will be killed in the future. In fact, he receives a mysterious call that he will be killed on a certain date and was told so he could possibly change his fate from happening. He is engaged to attorney Zoey Andata (played by Gabrielle Union).
Dr. Olivia Benford (played by Sonya Walger) – Married to FBI Agent Mark Benford. She is the top surgeon at a hospital and mother of a young girl named Charlie (played by Lennon Wynn). Her FlashForward featured her making love to another man who she doesn’t know. She can’t understand why she would do such a thing since she loves her husband and now because of her FlashForward, it’s affecting her relationship with him. Meanwhile, her daughter Charlie’s FlashBack featured her daughter worried about the son of the man she is supposedly to be with in the future.
Dr. Lloyd Simcoe (played by Jack Davenport) – An academic from Stanford who believes he and his partner Simon were responsible for the blackout. He is the man that Olivia Benford had a FlashForward of. His wife was killed in an accident during the blackout and raises his autistic son Dylan (played by Ryan Wynott). His FlashForward was talking to someone and seeing a woman at his home (not seeing the face).
Dr. Simon Campos (played by Dominic Monaghan) – A quantum physicist who works with Dr. Lloyd Simcoe. He doesn’t believe they are responsible for the blackout. His FlashForward is fighting with another man and killing him.
Dr. Bryce Varley (played by Zachary Knighton) – An intern for Dr. Olivia Benford. He was a man who was about to kill himself because he has kidney cancer until the blackout came and now feels that he has been given a second chance.
FBI Assistant Director Stanford Wedeck (played by Courtney B. Vance) – He runs the FBI Los Angeles office and directs his agents on the case. His FlashForward featured him reading a newspaper on the toilet and later trying to save a man who nearly drowned when his head fell inside a toilet in the restroom.
Special Agent Janis Hawk (played by Christine Woods) – The technical special agent of the FBI. Her FlashForward featured her pregnant but is in disbelief because she is single and is a lesbian.
Aaron Stark (played by Brian F. O’Byrne) – A recovering alcoholic and Mark Benford’s sponsor and good friend. His FlashForward features an image of his dead daughter still alive.
Nicole Kirby (played by Peyton List) – A 19-year-old student and the babysitter of the Benford’s. Her FlashForward featured Nicole being drowned by someone and now is in fear for her life, not knowing why someone would try to kill her.

“FlashForward – Part One, Season One” features a total of ten episodes on two DVD’s. Included are the following episodes (feat. spoilerless summaries):

DISC 1:

EPISODE 1 – No More Good Days – Everyone experiences a blackout and try to make sense of their FlashForward.
EPISODE 2 – White to Play – Dr. Benford meets the man who she sees in her FlashForward. Meanwhile, Demitri receives a call from an anonymous person warning him of his death on a certain date.
EPISODE 3 – 137 Sekunden – Mark and Janis travel to Germany to speak to an imprisoned Nazi who may have knowledge of why the blackouts happened.
EPISODE 4 – Black Swan – Dr. Benford who tries to believe that the FlashForward’s are not all true, tries to go against another man’s vision and realizes that she’s wrong.
EPISODE 5 – Gimme Some Truth – A Senate Intelligence Committee wants to know why the LA office are conducting unauthorized investigations. Meanwhile, a shootout takes place and one of the agents is shot.

DISC 2:

EPISODE 6 – Scary Monsters and Super Creeps - Mark, Demetri and Wedeck try to investigate the connection from the shootout.
EPISODE 7 – The Gift – An agent who has trouble with his own FlashForward is ridden with guilt, meanwhile the agents investigate the “Blue Hand Club”.
EPISODE 8 – Playing Cards with Coyote – Aaron learns the truth about Tracy and Mark receives a tip about an assassin.
EPISODE 9 – Believe – Demetri tries to find his mysterious anonymous caller, meanwhile Mark tries to find out who texted Olivia that he was drunk in his FlashForward.
EPISODE 10 – A561984 – Mark and Demetri go behind their boss and travel to Hong Kong to find the woman who has details on Demitri’s fate.

DISC 3:

EPISODE 11-12: Revelation Zero (Part 1 & 2) – Mark goes through therapy to understand what his FlashForward meant. Meanwhile, Simon’s tie to the FlashForward is revealed.
EPISODE 13: Blowback – Mark questions Lloyd about their conversations the two shared during their FlashForward. Meanwhile, Nicole tries to reach out to a religious man to interpret her FlashForward.
EPISODE 14 – Better Angels - A few of the agents and Simon go to Somalia to learn about a FlashForward-like event that took place earlier.

DISC 4:

EPISODE 15 – Queen Sacrifice – There is a mole amongst the agents. Meanwhile, Mark moves out of his house to protect his family.
EPISODE 16 – Let No Man Put Asunder – Demetri and Zoey’s wedding day is supposed to happen, until he is kidnapped by D. Gibbons/Dyson Frost.
EPISODE 17 – The Garden of Forking Paths – D. Gibbons plays a game with Mark and sees who will die that day, Demetri or D. Gibbons.
EPISODE 18 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – The double agent is revealed. Meanwhile, Aaron leaves to Afghanistan to find his daughter.
EPISODE 19 – Course Correction – Demetri and Agent Banks search for a murderer. Meanwhile, Mark goes to look for Simon’s missing sister.

DISC 5:

EPISODE 20 – The Negotiation – Aaron finds his daughter, but could his FlashForward been wrong?
EPISODE 21 – Countdown – Mark interviews Hellinger in regards to the next Blackout. Meanwhile, Simon goes to Janice for help.
EPISODE 22 – Future Shock – Mark’s FlashForward is about to come true, on the day of the next global blackout. (The Final Episode)

VIDEO:

“FlashForward” is featured in Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 television. Picture quality is good and the fact that the series is filmed in a variety of locations gives you an idea that how beautiful and vibrant this series would look in HD on Blu-ray. So, for those who want enjoy the series and prefer it on Blu-ray, the complete series will be available on Blu-ray in August. For those who want the series on DVD should be happy that the picture quality is very good. There is little compression artifacting, especially since there are five episodes on each DVD disc.

AUDIO:

As for audio, “FlashForward” is featured in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The series has quite a bit of action in the ten episodes from cars crashing, gun shots, glass breaking, tables being flipped over. As mentioned, “FlashForward” would probably sound much better via lossless on Blu-ray if you are an audiophile. As for the DVD, the series sounds good via Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The series is front and center channel driven. I preferred to watch the series with stereo on all channels set on my receiver for a more immersive soundscape.

Subtitles are in English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“FlashForward – The Complete Series” comes with the following special features:

DISC 5:

Architects of Destiny – (20:06) The cast and crew talk about their experience on working on the first day of “FlashForward” and talk about how they were cast for their role.
Flashforward on Set – Featuring five featurettes of “FlashForward” on set: Tempting Fate (5:19) – Featuring the scenes at the Blue Hand Club, When Nature Calls (2:13) – Featuring a reshoot of two scenes from the pilot and the building of a bathroom set, Emergency Operation (3:02) – Filming the scenes from the hospital during the FlashForward, A Day in the Park – The making of the bus crash scene (3:33) and Crash Forward (4:22) – Filming a car chase.
Meet Yuko – (5:49) An introduction to popular Japanese actress Yuko Takeuchi and her first day on the set and meeting with the cast and executive producers.
Interviews from the Mosaic Collective – The following features interviews with people about their FlashForward experiences. People are interviewed in Tokyo, Japan (2:01); London, England (2:06); Cocoa Beach, Florida (1:21); and Los Angeles, California (1:58).
Kangaroo? – (1:59) The cast talk about the kangaroo on the freeway during their FlashForward. The cast and crew talk about the kangaroo’s involvement during the FlashForward.
Deleted Scenes – Featuring a total of ten deleted scenes.
Blooper Reel – (3:14) Outtakes from “FlashForward”.

EASTER EGGS:

DISC 3:

Audio Commentary for “Revelation Zero” (Episode 11-12) with commentary by Actor Dominic Monaghan and Executive Producer Jessika Borsiczky

DISC 5:

Stories from the Mosaic (Abby) – With your remote, scroll down to “Architects of Destiny” and hit left on your remote and you will see the dot go to the words “Bonus Features”. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:07) – Abby talks about her FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Adam) – With your remote, scroll down to “FlashForward on Set” and hit left on your remote and you will see the dot go far to the left of Deleted Scenes. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:57) – Adam talks about his FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Andy) – With your remote, scroll down to “FlashForward on Set” and hit right on your remote and you will see the dot go to the left. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:50) – Andy talks about his FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Edgar) – With your remote, scroll down to “Meet Yuko” and hit right on your remote and you will see the dot go to the middle of the words “Kangaroo?”. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:44) – Edgar talks about his FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Evelyn) – With your remote, scroll down to “Interviews from the Mosaic Collective” and hit left on your remote and you will see the dot go right under the word “Collective”. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:34) – Evelyn talks about her FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Eliza) – With your remote, scroll down to “Interviews from the Mosaic Collective” and hit right on your remote and you will see the dot go to the middle of the words “Interviews from the Mosaic”. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:42) – Eliza talks about her FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Jorge) – With your remote, scroll down to “Kangaroo?” and hit right on your remote and you will see the dot go to the right, under the video. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:55) – Jorge talks about his FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Josie) – With your remote, scroll down to “Deleted Scenes?” and hit right on your remote and you will see the dot go to the right, over the video. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:25) – Josie talks about her FlashForward Experience.
Stories from the Mosaic (Nick) – With your remote, scroll down to “Blooper Reel” and hit left on your remote and you will see the dot go to the left of “FlashForward on Set”. Click and you will access the easter egg: Stories from the Mosaic (2:12) – Nick talks about his FlashForward Experience.

EXTRAS:

“FlashForward – The Complete Series” comes with a slip over case.

With the final season of “LOST” now airing on ABC, for quite some time, ABC has been trying to find a drama series that can capture that same magic and so far, every series within the past few years that have aired have not lasted more than a season. I felt that “Lost in Mars” from 2008-2009 had so much potential but ABC ended the series after its first season and here we are with “FlashForward”, a sci-fi drama series which features a few talent from “LOST” with a pretty cool concept and a lot of potential.

I am enjoying the series thus far and have enjoyed the first ten episodes a lot. I like where the series is going but the big question is if this is the type of series that can continue for multiple years. One of the things that “LOST” has been successful is that with each hint given, there is more mystery also added in each episode. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t but nevertheless, it was enough to keep the series going for six years straight. With “FlashForward”, the main premise is the investigations to why these FlashForwards are happening and people having to deal with their own visions from the future, good and bad.

When the first DVD featuring the first 10 episodes was released, I wrote in my original review:

So, far the series has done a good job by drawing the viewer in and I can imagine, if the series during its return followed “Lost” during the 10:00 p.m. Tuesday time slot, the series will do quite well. It’s a very cool series with a good amount of sci-fi, action, mystery and also a series with a lot of potential. I really hope this series lasts more than a single season because it’s very good!

Unfortunately, “FlashForward” received news that it was being canceled and for those of us who did get into this series, knew that this series was planned for a five season run, not one. To make things worst, the last episode was created as a cliffhanger for a second season which would never come and thus, we are left with this major build-up to a series that ends with a cliffhanger and no resolution. I wish ABC would have given the series a better timeslot and for the most part, a chance.

I really hate when this happens. And many were hoping that the series would go to a new network but with other cast members now on other shows and writer and director David Goyer working on the third “Batman” film, it looks like we’re not going to get any closure with this series. But fans are now hoping for the series to be picked up at a new network and many are hoping social media can help find this series a new home.

Let me say that I enjoyed this series. I will have to admit that perhaps there were too many characters that the series tried to focus on that some FlashForward storylines for supporting characters felt out of the blue at times but for the most part, I really enjoyed where this show was heading especially if the writers were able to get a second chance.

The acting was well done and a big kudos to Joseph Fiennes and John Cho who did an awesome job in the series. Also, it was great to see a really cool cast of former LOSTies such as Dominic Monaghan and Sony Walger and even a few “Battlestar Galactic” talents show up on the series as well. This was a series that had a lot of characters and in many ways, it was very demanding that you had to watch each episode without missing one. But for those who were loyal followers to the series, this first and final season was enjoyable. In fact, I watch this series throughout my whole weekend, nearly non-stop because I enjoyed it so much. I found the series to be compelling, entertaining and once again, a series with so much potential. So, it’s a little bittersweet to know that you enjoy a series so much and there is no closure. I wished ABC would at least have given the series a chance for the writers to tie things up. It’s really unfortunate.

As for the DVD release, fans of the series will like the fact that the series comes loaded with special features and easter eggs (not that hard to find). Some with scenes that appeared in the last DVD but for the most part, plenty of new special features that will make fans happy with DVD box set.

Also, if you purchased “FlashForward, Season One, Part One”, you get the $15 coupon which can be applied to this set and also a manufacturer’s coupon for $10 off additional if you purchase any other ABC related boxset that has been released in August-September.

Overall, “FlashForward” has turned out to be quite a riveting series and definitely a series worth watching! Many wonder if I can recommend a series box set knowing that at this time, there are no plans for a second season, if you are a fan of the series, then yes. But with the way the series ending on a cliffhanger with an expectancy that a second season would be coming and looks like it won’t be happening ever, it makes it even harder for me to recommend because this is actually an awesome DVD box set.

But if I had to review this DVD based on its overall package and its first season alone, then I will have to say that it’s definitely recommended and you get the bells and whistles that comes with this DVD box set. So, for fans of the series, this DVD box set is recommended. For those who are curious about the series, it’s a great series that had a lot of potential, but a potential that will never be realized due to its cancellation and that is unfortunate.

NOTE: There are reports that Starz is interested in giving “FlashForward” a second season. If you are a fan and want to see a second season, fans are being encouraged to call Starz and let them know that you are wanting a second season. An option is available through the toll-free number 866-888-4010 (provided by the group, “Save FlashForward!“).

Filed Under: DVD Reviews, TV BOXSETS: DVD/Blu-ray

Witchblade: The Complete Series (a J!-ENT Anime Blu-ray Disc Review)

November 23, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Based on the popular Top Cow comic book series, which means…plenty of action, scantily clothed women and a well-endowed protagonist, need I say more? For those looking for an action-driven anime series on Blu-ray, “Witchblade: The Complete Series” is definitely for you!

TITLE: Witchblade – The Complete Series

DURATION: 24 Episodes (600 Minutes)

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition 16×9, Dolby True HD English 5.1 and Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0, Subtitles: English

RATED: TV MA

COMPANY: FUNimation Entertainment

RELEASE DATE: November 3, 2009

Originally Created by Michael Turner, Marc Silvestri

Directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi

Series Composition/Script by Yasuko Kobayashi

Music by Masanori Takumi

Character Design by Makoto Uno

Art Director: Junichi Higashi

Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa

Executive Producer: Koji Kajita

Producer: Osamu Nagai, Shin Hieda, Tsuyoshi Okazaki

Anime Production by GONZO

Featuring the voices of:

Akemi Kanda/Carrie Savage as Rihoko “Rico” Amaha

Mamiko Noto/Jamie Marchi as Masane Amaha

Masaya Matsukaze/Robert McCollum as Yusuke Tozawa

Mie Sonozaki/Colleen Clinkenbeard as Reina “Lady” Shoho

Nana Mizuki/Monica Rial as Maria

Rikiya Koyama/Mark Stoddard as Reiji Takayama

Shinji Ogawa/R. Bruce Elliott as Tatsuoki Furumizu

Shizuka Itou/Trina Nishimura as Shiori Tsuzuki

Kent Williams/Kazuhiro Nakata as Masayo Wado

Jerry Russell/Shouto Kashii as Mr. Cho

Lauri Steele/Maiko Itou as Mariko Natsuki

Sought by the greed of Men since the dawn of Humankind, but only bestowed upon the woman whose fate it forever scars – the Witchblade.

Is it the Righteous Sword of God, or the Hand of the Devil Himself? Now a new bearer has been chosen and she must discover the answers for herself. As she stands on the brink of destiny, she is forced to seek the balance between ecstasy and ruin… Masane Amaha is a woman on the fringe of society, bouncing rootless from town to town with her daughter, Rihoko. She struggles to build a life for her family, with no memory of the past and no clue as to what the future holds. But upon their arrival back in Tokyo forces conspire to separate parent from child, unleashing the fury of the Witchblade. The young mother will find herself conscripted into the service of the Doji Group and hunted down by the emissaries of the NSWF, Masane will find herself an unwilling ground zero for the swelling chaos fast approaching.

“Witchblade” was created in 1995 by Marc Silvestri and David Wohl and was published by Top Cow Productions. The series was quite popular as a 23-episode television series adaptation was featured on TNT in 2001 followed up by an 24-episode anime television series created by Japanese animation studio GONZO in 2004.

The series is a separate story from the original comic book series as it focuses on a character named Masane Amaha. The series takes place six years after Tokyo was leveled by a massive earthquake.

Two people survived the epicenter known as Ground Zero: Masane Amaha and a little girl named Rihoko which Masane has raised as her own daughter. Unfortunately, with their return to Tokyo, the National Scientific Welfare Foundation have been trying to take Rihoko away from Masane because Masane shows no signs of financially taking care of her, so the NSWF wants to give Rihoko a proper home.

Meanwhile, the NSWF and the Doji Group have been after the witchblade and have kept their eye on Masane as she shown signs of wielding and become a witchblade and because of the fact that after the great earthquake, she was among the two (along with Rihoko) that survived in “Ground Zero”. These two groups are now after the Witchblade.

As the main storyline features a good number of action as the two groups do what they can to acquire the witchblade capture Masane, the main storyline of the anime series of Witchblade is about a mother who wants to be normal and raise her daughter but also knows that the witchblade’s power is literally destroying her body body and she is succumbing to its power. Masane does all she can to rid of the witchblade but will she be able to before it destroys her?

The main characters of “Witchblade: The Complete Series” are as follows:

Masane Amaha – The main protagonist who raises a young girl named Rihoko which she has accepted as her own daughter. Quite naive, people are surprised how even the daughter sometimes calls the shots in their relationship. Known for being well-endowed (earning the nickname “Melony”), Masane is surprised to find out that she is the bearer of the Witchblade and it is starting to consume her by destroying her body. She and Rihoko are the main survivors at “Ground Zero”.
Rihoko Amaha – Riko is not the blood daughter of Masane but she had looked at Riko as her mother (as she was a surviving baby along with Masane during the great earthquake). She cares about her mother and wants to be close to her.
Yuusuke Tozawa – A freelance photographer who helps Rihoko escape from the NSWF and eventually starts to help Masane. He uses his connections to find out more about the Witchblade.
Reiji Takayama – The Bureau Chief of Douji Enterprises. Has worked with Masane and using her Witchblade powers to fight against malfunctioning “Ex-Cons”. He has a unique bond to Rihoko which is revealed later in the series.
Tatsuoki Furimizu - The antagonist of the series. The head of the NSWF and the father of the Neogene daughters. Believes his father is perfect and his mother imperfect, he seeks to create a perfect mother and through the process, he has created Neogenes (humans that wield the cloneblade) and among those female Neogenes are known as “The Cloneblade Sisters”.
Reina Soho – A Neogene cloneblade that has a bond with Reiji Takayama and Rihoko. Regarded as the most powerful of the Cloneblade sisters.
Maria – A second generation version of the Neogene cloneblade but has two cloneblades. She is mentally unstable and wants approval from her mother Reina.

“Witchblade: The Complete Series” features the following 24-episodes on 3 Blu-ray discs:

Disc 1:

EPISODE 1: The Beginning
EPISODE 2: Bewilderment
EPISODE 3: Defiance
EPISODE 4: Movement
EPISODE 5: Search
EPISODE 6: Change
EPISODE 7: Past
EPISODE 8: Reciprocity
EPISODE 9: Sdness
EPISODE 10: Interaction

DISC 2:

EPISODE 11: Danger
EPISODE 12: Prisoner
EPISODE 13: Separation
EPISODE 14: Family
EPISODE 15: Bonds
EPISODE 16: Relaxation
EPISODE 17: Confusion
EPISODE 18: Turn
EPISODE 19: Feelings
EPISODE 20: Request

DISC 3:

EPISODE 21: Vow
EPISODE 22: Inform
EPISODE 23: Chaos
EPISODE 24: Light

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Witchblade: The Complete Series” receives its first entry to HD. As I tend to remind viewers, the series is a television series and in Japan, television series have less of a budget that OVA’s and animated films plus, they are typically done in a time crunch as animators tend to work on several series during the week and thus, some episodes tend to get to the television network right on the day of airing.

With that being said, “Witchblade” is featured in 1080p High Definition and before the series was released on Blu-ray, there was plenty of talk of how the series was upconverted. So far, FUNimation Entertainment anime series on Blu-ray that have been “upconverted” have looked pretty solid and often don’t like like an upconvert. “Witchblade” is a colorful anime series but it does look like it is upconverted and it’s no surprise as the series was created back in 2004.

Detail on artistic backgrounds are OK and the character designs by Makoto Uno utilizes simple lines and shadows but when the action begins, GONZO was able to showcase the fight scenes and battles quite well. Also, each scene typically features the characters in a variety of locations.

I did seem to notice some combing, banding and also some artifacting, so “Witchblade” does not exactly showcase picture perfect video quality but for the most part, animation is quite solid but for those looking for great picture quality, “Witchblade” is good but not great.

As for audio quality, “Witchblade” is also a series in which the Japanese audio quality is featured in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. Most releases on Blu-ray from FUNimation Entertainment have had a lossless Japanese audio track (excluding the “Dragon Ball Z” films), so for purists, they may be disappointed by this. Although if you have a receiver capable of stereo on all channels, this should make things a bit better.

English lossless soundtrack utilizes the soundscape in bringing out those explosive and destructive moments of the film. Surrounds and subwoofer LFE usage is well-utilized as booms can be felt but also Masanori Takumi’s music as you hear the piano and strings coming nice and strong through the front channels and dialogue also coming clear and understandable through center channel.

As for the English dub track, I’m starting to enjoy Carrie Savage and Jamie Marchi’s voice acting and both do a great job with Rihoko and Masane’s vocals and as much as I’m a Japanese vocal track supporter, I was definitely content with English voice acting for the series.

Subtitles are in English only.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Witchblade – The Complete Series” comes with the following special features featured in 480i Stanrd Definition, Dolby Digital English 2.0 and Dolby Digital Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Included are:

Japanese Cast Interviews – The following cast interviews with Japanese voice talent are included: Mamiko Noto (voice of Masane Amaha) – (9:08), Akemi Kanda (voice of Rihoko Amaha) – (7:32), Masaya Matsukaza (voice of Yusuke Tozawa) – (7:52), Reiji Takayama (voice of Rikiya Koyama) – (7:58), Mie Sonozaki (voice of Reina Sohou) – (7:53), Kenichi Suzumura (voice of Hiroki Segawa) – (8:29), Shinji Ogawa (voice of Tatsuoki Furumizu) – (7:43), Nana Mizuki (voice of Maria) – (9:31).
The Witchblade Forged – The creation of “Witchblade”. Part 1 – (16:54) Interviews of David Wohl and Marc Silvestri, co-creators of “Witchblade” and the breaking away from major comic companies and going independent with Image Comics, Part 2 (17:19) – Top Cow and creating the characters for “Witchblade” and why the comic series worked well and its popularity and adaptating it from comics to screen., Part 3 (19:51) – “Witchblade” receiving its anime adaptation.
Inside Top Cow – Featuring the following special features: A Tour of Top Cow with Marc Silvestri (14:00), How to create a comic book the Top Cow way (17:11), Top Cow studio tour outtakes (7:52), coloring a comic book page with Blond (4:33), the early days of Image Comics (3:33), The Top Cow talks about comics (6:42), Experiences in Japan/Other Top Cow franchises with Matt Hawkins, president of Top Cow (7:20) and Crossing into other media.
Textless Theme Songs – Textless opening theme songs for “XTC” and “Dear Bob” and textless closing themes for “Ashitano-Te” and “Kutshuhimo”.
Japanese TV Spots – (1:21) A set of Japanese TV commercials for the Japanese DVD release of “Witchblade”.
Promotional Video – (1:55)
Trailers – FUNimation Entertainment trailers.

“Witchblade: The Complete Series” was actually different from what I was expecting from the original comic book series but for the most part, having its own storyline that has some connection to the comics but yet featuring new characters is pretty cool.

GONZO handled the animation and art backgrounds quite well with the series, put in a lot of characters, a lot of action and destruction to the overall scenery of the “Witchblade” anime series. I did find it interesting how the characters revolved around relationships, especially between mother and daughter. And for the most part, despite all the action of the antagonist trying to obtain the witchblade, the central core of the anime series is the bond between mother and daughter. The close bond and a bond that is nearly non-existent with another and how it has affected certain characters.

Overall, “Witchblade: The Complete Series” was an entertaining anime series that managed to retain an upbeat, action-packed anime series, especially with its sound effects and rock n’ roll soundtrack. I was surprised the anime series was chosen for a Blu-ray release because it was an older anime series that was not made in HD. But with the popular of the comic book and television series in the US, with more anime fans wanting more complete season anime series on Blu-ray, it does make sense.

As for the Blu-ray release, the upconvert is good but it’s not as vibrant or detailed as most anime HD titles that have been released on Blu-ray thus far. Also, for those who are looking for lossless Japanese audio, unfortunately you’re not going to find it in this release as the English dub is the only choice for lossless while the Japanese track is 2.0 stereo.

Overall, I have no doubt that anime fans will flock to “Witchblade” on Blu-ray. The name recognition of “Witchblade” is quite strong and the fact that you have a scantily clad anti-heroine that is well-endowed, it’s definitely going to catch the attention of anime on Blu-ray fans.

If you are looking for an action-packed series on Blu-ray, you can’t go wrong with “Witchblade: The Complete Series”.

Filed Under: Anime on Blu-ray, Blu-ray Reviews, TV BOXSETS: DVD/Blu-ray

Claymore: The Complete Series (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

November 5, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Definitely one of the best anime series I have watched in 2009 thus far. “Claymore” is a violent, dark fantasy anime series that is gripping, action-packed, well-animated and well-written. I was totally engrossed by the whole series from beginning to end. Based on the popular ongoing manga series, if you want a solid and well-done anime series, let alone a solid DVD release, look no further… “Claymore” is fantastic!

TITLE: Claymore – The Complete Series

DURATION: 26 Episodes (650 minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: English 5.1 Dolby Surround Stereo, Japanese Stereo

COMPANY: Madhouse Studios/FUNimation Entertainment

RATED: TV MA

Originally created by Norihiro Yagi

Directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka

Series Composition by Yasuko Kobayashi

Storyboards by Yuto Sato

Music by Masanori Takumi

Character Design by Takahiro Umehara

Art Director: Manabu Otsuzuki

Art Design by Nobuto Sue

Sound Director by Yasunori Honda

Produced by Manabu Tamura, Masao Maruyama and Toshio Nakatani

Animation by Madhouse Studios

Featuring the following voice talent:

Houko Kuwashima/Stephanie Young as Clare

Motoki Takagi/Todd Haberkorn as Raki

Aya Hisakawa/Brina Palencia as Priscilla

Hana Takeda/Caitlin Glass as Deneve

Hiroaki Hirata/R Bruce Elliott as Rubel

Kikuko Inoue/Monica Rial as Miria

Koji Yusa/John Swasey as Isley

Miho Miyagawa/Anastasia Munoz as Cynthia

Miki Nagasawa/Jamie Marchi as Helen

Nana Mizuki/Brittney Karbowski as Riful

Romi Paku/Christine Auten as Teresa

Ai Orikasa/Colleen Clinkenbeard as Galatea

Akeno Watanabe as Veronica

Akira Ishida as Zaki

Ayako Kawasumi/Wendy Powell as Elena

Cho as Ermita

A brutal scourge stalks the land. Yoma, monsters driven by a hunger satisfied by only one quarry: Humanity. The dark breed knows but a singular foe: Claymore. Human-Yoma hybrids of extraordinary strength and cunning, the Claymores roam from skirmish to skirmish delivering salvation by the edge of a blade.

Thus begins the twisting tale of Clare, one such sister of the sword driven by pain in both victory and defeat. A child silent and suffering hidden in her past, Clare’s march toward vengeance unfolds along a path marked by violence, solitude and scorn. In a land where even the predator is prey, the haunted hearts of hunter and hunted alike wear the scars of the age.

In 2001, the manga series “Claymore” debuted on Monthly Shonen Jump. The popular series created by award-winning mangaka Norihiro Yagi (“Undeadman”, “Angel Densetsu”).

The series has remained popular and is still ongoing in Japan via Jump Square. Animation studio Madhouse adapted the first eleven volumes of the manga series in the 26-episode anime series “Claymore” which debuted on NTV in 2007.

“Claymore” takes place during a time where monsters known as yoma have lived in villages, disguising themselves as human. They feed on humans and when things get to the point where countless murders are happening in a village, a mysterious organization sends a Claymore to dispose of the Yoma.

The Claymore are humans that are half-human and half-yoma. They are the only ones that are capable of defeating yoma and are primarily female, blonde and have silver eyes. They carry with them a sword and some have supernatural abilities.

Upon defeating the yoma, someone in black collects the money for them. If a village does not pay, a Claymore will no longer defend the city. Claymore also have a rule that they can not kill any humans and also, as a Claymore tries to keep their humanity, by using their supernatural talent, they unleash their own personal yoma but each time they do that, they lose part of their humanity.

The animated series focuses on the Claymore known as Clare. She comes to a village who has been terrorized by a yoma and defeats it. But a boy named Raki becomes attached to Clare and will follow her everywhere to become close to her.

Clare is warned not to have a human close to her but for some reason, she allows him to be close to her and also feels protective over him. Over the course of the series, we learn about Clare’s history and why she is protective of Raki. We also learn what happens to Claymore who overuse their yoma energy and when they become the “awakened” and much, much more.

The main characters of “Claymore” are:

Clare – The protagonist of the story. A Claymore who may be low-ranked Claymore but she is more powerful than most. At times, reserved and emotionless, her life is changed when she meets a human named Raki.

Raki - A boy who’s family was murdered by the yoma. When he first meets Clare, he is the first and only person to welcome her and now wants to be by her side.

Teresa – A woman important in Clare’s life. Known as “Teresa with the Faint Smile”, once was the #1 Claymore and is the most powerful Claymore who is emotionless but that was until she came across a human girl named Clare.

Priscilla – A true believer of the laws of the Organization, she has a tremendous amount of power but has not been trained to utilize it quite well. Priscilla uses a lot of her yoma energy that changes her life completely.

Miria – Phantom Miria known for her tremendous speed. Suspects that the Organization is up to no good and although a Claymore, uses her position to investigate the Organization of any wrongdoing.

Ilena – A Claymore from Clare’s past who is known for her “Quick Sword Technique” and returns back to Clare’s life to give her another chance in achieving her goal.

The following 26-episodes are featured on six DVD’s. Here is a spoiler-less summary of each episode of “Claymore”:

DISC 1:

EPISODE 1 – Great Sword – The introduction of Clare and Raki.
EPISODE 2 – The Black Card – Clare receives a black card and that means that they must terminate one of their own. But what happens when Clare discovers that the Claymore she must defeat is her closest friend.
EPISODE 3 – The Darkness in Paradise – Clare must take on a “Voracious Eater” but the problem is the city doesn’t allow Claymores.
EPISODE 4 – Clare’s Awakening – Clare takes on the “Voracious Eater”.
EPISODE 5 – Teresa of the Faint Smile - We learn about Clare’s past and how she attached herself to a Claymore named Teresa, the #1 Claymore in the organization.

DISC 2:

EPISODE 6 – Teresa and Clare – We learn of how Teresa became fond of Clare and has protected her. But when bandits murder innocents in a town and intend to kill Clare, Teresa makes a decision that will alter her status as a Claymore.
EPISODE 7 – Marked for Death – With Teresa making a decision to defy the organization in order to protect Clare, Claymores #2-#5 must kill her.
EPISODE 8 – Awakening – The episode that introduces to how Clare became a Claymore.
EPISODE 9 – Those Who Rend Asunder I – Clare is assigned to take on an “awakened beings” and is teamed up with Miria, Helen and Deneve.
EPISODE 10 – Those Who Rend Asunder II – Part two of four Claymores taking on the awakened beast.

DISC 3:

EPISODE 11 – Those who Rend Asunder III – Deneve reveals to the other three Claymores of why she thinks the three of them were assigned the suicide mission.
EPISODE 12 -The Endless Gravestones I – Clare is assigned to go on another mission against another awakened beast but this time, she meets her partner…the bloodthirsty #4 Claymore Ophelia who is intent on murdering Clare and Raki. Clare vs. Ophelia and a mysterious person from the past shows up unexpectedly.
EPISODE 13 – The Endless Gravestones II – Irene trains Clare the “Quick Sword Technique”.
EPISODE 14 – To Be Qualified to Fight – Clare takes on the awakened Ophelia.

DISC 4:

EPISODE 15 – The Witch’s Maw I – The organization sends Galatea to hunt after Clare since Clare has not reported in for three months. As for Clare, she sees a Claymore that looks as if she was mauled and goes to check on the other Claymores.
EPISODE 16 – The Witch’s Maw II – When Clare tries to check on the other Claymore’s she runs into two Awakened Beings – The “Abyssal One” (Riful of the West) and Dauf.
EPISODE 17 – The Witch’s Maw III – In order to beat Dauf, the Claymores need Jean’s special ability to defeat Dauf.
EPISODE 18 – The Carnage In the North I – Clare and Jean meet up with 23 other Claymore’s in the North to prepare to fight a horde of Awakened Beings.

DISC 5:

EPISODE 19 – The Carnage in the North II – While the Claymores take on the awakened beings, Raki ends up in a village where he meets Priscilla who takes him to a man named Isley.
EPISODE 20 – The Carnage in the North III – The Claymores talk about their fight after the awakened beings, meanwhile Raki asks Isley to train him on how to use a sword.
EPISODE 21 – Invasion of Pieta I – The Claymores go on to their next major battle against the awakened beings.
EPISODE 22 – Invasion of Pieta II – The Claymores take on Rigardo.

DISC 6:

EPISODE 23 – Critical Point I – Clare takes on Rigardo but uses too much yoma energy which can make her become an awakened being.
EPISODE 24 – Critical Point II – Clare has pushed herself to far using Yoma energy and is unable to revert back to human form. Will the Claymores slay her?
EPISODE 25 – For Whose Sake – Clare’s long time dream of fighting against Priscilla (to avenge the death of Teresa) finally comes true.
EPISODE 26 – To the Successors – The final episode featuring Clare (in awakened form) vs. Priscilla (who is unaware that she is an awakened being).

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Claymore: The Complete Series” is featured in 16×9. “Claymore” is a television series and knowing that most animation studios tend to work on an episode quickly (especially if other animators and staff are working on several titles), this series is done very well. The backgrounds and the characters definitely give this dark fantasy atmosphere to the series. Colors and lighting play a big part in the series and there is a special feature in which this is discussed. But for the most part, the animation and character designs really capture your attention. The scenes are action-packed and the fighting sequences and swordfighting is also well done. “Claymore” definitely features solid animation and I can only hope that this series receives an HD presentation someday.

As for audio, audio is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Japanese stereo. For the most part, voice acting is well done and the fact that there are so many characters in this series, both fans of English voice dubs and Japanese voice acting for anime series can expect some of their favorites involved in this series. Audio is front and center channel driven but for an immersive soundtrack, I had my receiver set on stereo on all channels. I wanted to make sure the action and the growls of the yoma were more immersive but for the most part, both dialogue are well-acted.

Although I tend to watch a lot of anime series with the Japanese voice dub, for “Claymore”, I enjoyed the voice dub for the series because it was more mature in dialogue. For example, the character of Ophelia is one deadly woman and when you see her in pain, she’s cussing up a storm. And this is one of the few times where I felt the “F-word” and profanity was well utilized in an anime series (thus the TV MA rating). There’s no hiding from the pain a lot of these women must endure and so I felt that the dialogue for the English dub was well done and well-written and much more mature than its Japanese counterpart.

Subtitles are in English only.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Claymore – The Complete Series” comes with the following special features:

DISC 1:

Episode 1 Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by voice actress Stephanie Young (who does the voice of Claire), Director and voice actor Todd Habekorn (who does the voice of Raki).
Cast Auditions – Featuring the audio cast auditions for Clare, Teresa, Rubel, Sid and Yomi.
Textless Songs
Trailer – FUNimation Entertainment trailers

DISC 2:

Episode 8 Commentary – Audio commentary featuring voice actress Brina Palencia (who plays Priscilla) and voice actress Wendy Powell (who plays Elena).
Interview with Director Hiroyuki Tanaka – (7:00) Director Hirouki Tanaka talks about his impressions of the manga when he first read it and then being assigned to the series and the challenges he encountered on the series.
Textless Songs
Trailer – FUNimation Entertainment trailers

DISC 3:

Episode 11 Commentary – Audio commentary by line producer and voice actress Colleen Clinkenbeard (who plays Galatea) and voice actress Monica Rial (who plays Miria).
Interview with Sound Director Yasunori Honda – (8:37) Yasunori talks about his responsibilities for the series are for the anime series. Also, his responsible of working with the many voice talent on the series.
Textless Songs
Trailer – FUNimation Entertainment trailers

DISC 4:

Episode 16 Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by voice actress Laura Bailey (Jean) and Director Leslie Patrick.
Interview with Art Director Manabu Otsuzaki (Kusanagi) – (6:30) Otsuzaki talks about the use of color in the anime series and what his responsibilities are.
Textless Themes
Trailers – FUNimation Entertainment trailers

DISC 5:

Episode 19 Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Caitlyn Glass (voice of Deneve) and Jamie Marchi (voice of Helen).
Interview with Art Setting Nobuhito Sue (Kusanagi) – (4:14) Nobuhito Sue talks about his responsibilities for the anime series. Shading of sketches on the computer and creating the guidelines for the animators.
Textless Themes
Trailers – FUNimation Entertainment trailers

DISC 6:

Episode 26 Commentary – Audio commentary featuring voice actresses Brina Palencia (who does the voice of Priscilla) and Stephanie Young (who does the voice of Clare).
Original TV Commercials – (4:21) Featuring the original Japanese TV commercials.
Textless Themes
Trailers – FUNimation Entertainment trailers

Also, included are two books. One is a 26-page booklet which features a character guide plus a staff interview with Hiroyuki Tanaka (Director) and Ryohei Takahashi (Animation Producer). Plus another interview with Yasunori Honda (Claymore Sound Director), Houko Kuwashima (Voice of Clare) and Motoki Takagi (Voice of Raki).

The second book is 26-pages and continues the character guide plus illustrations and artwork.

My first impression after watching “Claymore” was “WOW!”.

The series reminded me of what I enjoyed with classic anime series such as “Hokuto no Ken” (Fist of the Northstar) and “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures” in which villages are being terrorized by evil beings and hopes for a hero to come and save them. But instead of male characters that kick butt, “Claymore” features a storyline about a group of female warriors that take down the evil monsters. So, that was pretty cool to see in this anime series!

With “Claymore”, what’s interesting is how this dark fantasy manages to capture your attention through the action but also character development and its character designs. The Claymore women (and there are many of them) have each been given a sort of personality that makes them unique in their own way. For the most part, their character designs and their supernatural abilities are very cool and exciting to watch but the fact that these women can easily turn on each other and their certain attitude is quite refreshing to see in an animated series.

This is one of the few anime series that I have seen in 2009 where I literally watched one after the other in a marathon-like setting because the story was so captivating and you just wondered what was going to happen next. Granted, there are a lot of action-based anime series on television right now with a large cast of characters but the fact that “Claymore” is much darker, takes place in a fantasy type of world and the fact that the main protagonists can easily be the antagonist is very different. Just watching how the story arcs are developed with Clare and Raki in the beginning, to Teresa and Clare right after and then back again to see Clare vs. Ophelia and various storylines of multiple Claymores and how violent the series can get but yet maintaining a well-paced, action-packed storyline featuring cool characters is a plus. Typically in an anime series, when a character doesn’t show up that much, you don’t really care for them but somehow the writers managed to make you care about the various Claymore warriors that you wonder when you will see them again.

The manga series is still ongoing in Japan but I just hope that Madhouse Studios continues to make another Claymore series and cover more of the chapters from the manga because for a TV series, I was literally captivated by it. This is definitely one of the best anime TV series I have seen in 2009.

“Claymore: The Complete Series” is a more mature, dark and violent anime series. Granted, it was a TV series, but expect to see a lot of blood and severed limbs from time to time. It’s not disgusting at all but I know some anime viewers may be sensitive to those type of scenes.

Overall, “Claymore: The Complete Series” is an excellent release from FUNimation Entertainment. Plenty of special features, two books included. I was very impressed by the presentation of content and of course, the quality of this television series. This series is highly recommended!

Filed Under: Anime on DVD, TV BOXSETS: DVD/Blu-ray

Life on Mars – The Complete Series (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

September 20, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Highly Entertaining, an enjoyable and delightful series that ended way too early. ‘Life on Mars – The Complete Series’ is a solid DVD release and fans of the series may like what the creators and producers have to say for their plans for the series and also how their original plans for the season finale was supposed to be. Overall, this was one of my favorite drama series that aired between 2008-2009. Great cast, costume and set design, popular 70′s music in the background and more. Definitely recommended!”

DVD TITLE: Life on Mars – The Complete Series

DURATION: 17 episodes (731 minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, French and Spanish Subtitles, Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions

COMPANY: abc studios

RATED: TV 14 DLSV

RELEASE DATE: September 22, 2009

Based on the BBC series

Directed by Michael Katleman, Darnell Martin, Alex Zakrzewski

Written by Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Mathew Graham, Tony Jordan, Ashley Pharaoh, Meredith Averill, Adele Lim, Tracy McMillan, Bryan Oh, Sonny Postiglione, Phil M. Rosenberg, David Wilcox

Executive Producer: Josh Appelbaum, Jane Featherstone, Stephen Garrett

Co-Executive Producer: Michael Katleman, David Wilcox

Producer: Jane Raab

Consulting Producer: Becky Hartman-Edwards

Supervising Producer: Adele Lim

Associate Producer: Paul Rabwin

Music by Peter Nashel

Cinematography by Frank Prinzi, Craig DiBona

Edited by Regis Kimble, Lawrence A. Maddox, Kevin D. Ross

Casting by Bonnie Finnegan, Steven Jacobs

Production Design by Stephen Hendrickson

Art Direction by Darrell K. Keister, Alison Ford

Set Decoration by Alexandra Mazur

Costume Design by Wallace G. Lane Jr., Abigail Murray

Starring:

Jason O’Mara as Detective Sam Tyler

Michael Imperioli as Detective Ray Carling

Gretchen Mol as Annie Norris

Jonathan Murphy as Director Chris Skelton

Harvey Keitel as Lieutenant Gene Hunt

Lisa Bonet as Detective Maya Daniels

Jennifer Ferrin as Rose Tyler

Tanya Fischer as Windy

Caleb Wallace as Young Sammy

Matthew Cowles as Cowboy Dan

After a hit-and-run accident in modern-day New York City mysteriously transports police detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) back to 1973, Sam finds himself in the cultural hotbed of New York City in
the tumultuous times of the Vietnam War, Watergate, women’s lib and the civil and gay rights movements – without a cell phone, computer, PDA or MP3 player — suddenly hurtled back in time
when he’s ripped from 2008 after being hit by a car while chasing down a criminal.

Stuck in 1973 and working out of the rough and tumble 125th Precinct in Manhattan, Sam has to
contend with the urban wilderness of New York, complete with a hard-living bully of a boss (Harvey Keitel) and colleagues who never met a rule they wouldn’t break to catch a bad guy. The good copbad
cop culture of the ‘70s put this 21st century hero on high alert, but before he can change the world, he has to learn to survive in it.

Highly entertaining but ended way too early! “Life on Mars – The Complete Series” is definitely recommended!

“Life on Mars” made its debut in the US on October 2008 and was completed in April 2009. The series is loosely based on the BAFTA-award winning series shown on BBC back in 2006-2007.

The series revolves around a NYC homicide detective named Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Men In Trees” and “In Justice”) who is engaged to Detective Maya Daniels (Lisa Bonet, “The Cosby Show”, “A Different World”). Both are planning to marry but first, they are on the pursuit of a man who is wanted for killing several women by torturing them within the 30 hours they are kidnapped and then killed.

Unfortunately, due to circumstance, the person wanted is released but May suspects that he still is the person they are looking for and tails him. It is realized later that the man they had in custody was the correct person (who has a twin brother) and when Sam goes to find Maya, all he finds is her shirt which has blood all over it.

This leads Sam to pursuing the perpetrator but while going back to his car to get his radio, he is accidentally run over. Next thing you know, Sam wakes up but he is in the wrong time period, waking up in 1973. During this time, he’s a police detective who has transferred to New York’s 125th Detective Squad as a Detective Second Grade. Before computers and modern technology, things are handled much differently during this time and it freaks Sam out, not knowing if he’s dead or alive, if he’s dreaming or going mad. What is known is that cases that he is handling now, has to relate to his work in 2008 but most of all, things that deal personally with his life.

But it’s about Sam getting used to 1973 and his surroundings. For Sam, being a part of the politically correct and modern technology-based era, preservation of suspects rights and forensic evidence is a priority. Despite everyone are quite OK with how business is done at the 1-2-5, Sam believes in going by the book and being a respectable police officer and thus putting him at odds with the other detectives while winning the respect of the only person who will listen to him, Annie Norris.

Joining Sam at the 1-2-5 squad in 1973 are:

Lt. Gene Hunt (Harvey Keitel, “Pulp Fiction”, “Bugsy”, “Reservoir Dogs”) - The Commander of the 125th Detective Squad. Brash, works with mobsters to get information, beats up the people they capture to get a confession and literally a corrupt cop but is dedicated to protecting the city. He is often at odds with Sam’s by-the-book attitude and ends up beating Sam up (or getting into fights with him).

Detective Ray Carling (Michael Imperioli, “Law & Order”, “The Sopranos”) – A blunt detective who despises Sam for taking the position he wanted. Short-tempered and arrogant.

Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol, “3:10 to Yuma”, “Girls Club”, “The Thirteenth Floor”) – A policewoman who has an undergraduate in psychology and a member of the Police Women’s Bureau. Since 1973 was during a time that female’s weren’t treated in the same capacity as men, she hopes that one day that female police officers will be as equals to men and that she will be a detective one day. Often treated as someone with a lower status by the male detectives at 1-2-5, she listens to Sam (who babbles about being from the future) but respects him for having an open-mind, even though she doesn’t quite believe his story.

Detective Chris Skelton (Jonathan Murphy, “October Road”, “Wild Fire”) – The young detective trying to learn the ropes around the office.

Throughout the series, Sam wonders if he is ever going to back to his time period, especially as he gradually starts to see some changes in the 1973 time line and trying to figure out if what is happening is real or unreal. He realizes certain cases relate to his cases that he handled back in his time period. But also throwing him for the loop is being around the time his mother was raising his younger version of himself and seeing his father and realizing more about his parents and their life back in 1974.

“Life on Mars – The Complete Series” features 17 episodes on three discs. Included are (spoiler-less summaries):

DISC: 1

EPISODE 1 – Out Here in the Fields – Meeting Sam in 2008 and then seeing how Sam gets used to being in 1973 and working on a case similar to the case he was working on 35 years later.
EPISODE 2 – The Real Adventures of The Unreal Sam Tyler – Sam and the 1-2-5 investigate the homicides at check-cashing stores.
EPISODE 3 – My Maharishi is Bigger Than Your Maharishi – When a Vietnam vet is murdered, and when a vet is killed, it becomes a priority for the 1-2-5.
EPISODE 4 – Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In the Shadows – Sam rescues a woman from a gangster but he realizes that the woman is his mother.

DISC 2:

EPISODE 5 - Things to Do in New York When You Think You’re Dead – Sam meets an officer named Fletcher Bellow, a man he wanted as his mentor in 2008.
EPISODE 6 – Tuesday’s Dead – Sam and the 1-2-5 get caught in a life-and-death hostage situation.
EPISODE 7 – The Man Who Sold the World – Sam learns that his father may be involved with a major kidnapping and learns why his father may have left him.
EPISODE 8 – The Dark Side of the Mook – Sam receives a call from a mysterious person directing him to a headless body.
EPISODE 9 – Take A Look at the Lawmen – The 1-2-5 competes with the 144th Detective squad.

DISC 3:

EPISODE 10 – Let All the Children Boogie – Sam and Chris have to help out a rock star named Sebastian Grace who is receiving death threats.
EPISODE 11 – Home Is Where You Hang Your Holster – A tense day at the office when Hunt has to lock down the precinct. Meanwhile, an NYC councilman gives Sam some information.
EPISODE 12 – The Simple Secret of the Note In Us All – Sam realizes that a homicide case he handled in 2009 may have happened backn in 1993.
EPISODE 13 – Revenge of Broken Jaw – With the death of the leader of the Weather Underground, Lt. Hunt must deal with threats that may implicate him.

DISC 4:

EPISODE 14 – Coffee, Tea or Annie – The 1-2-5 goes undercover to investigate a murder of a flight attendant.
EPISODE 15 – All the Young Dudes - Sam and the 1-2-5 goes undercover to investigate truck hijackings.
EPISODE 16 – Everyone Knows It’s Windy – Ray and Chris are shot by truck hijackers (who Sam is working with via undercover) but with a suspect dead, Sam is suspected in killing the man.
EPISODE 17 – Life is a Rock – Sam receives a call that if he performs three tasks, he can go back to 2008.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Life on Mars” is presented in Widescreen (1:78:1) and is enhanced for 16×9 televisions. While the first episode and flashbacks feature natural colors, it’s when we see the 1973 scenes, a filter is used and the colors of the series become more amber with a yellow/orange/brown tinge and is purposely made to look different from the present-time scenes. But by no means does the colors seem distracting.

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. For the most part, the series is front and center channel driven with the dialogue and 70′s music coming in nice and clear. Dialogue is understandable and there are sounds that utilize the surround channels.

Subtitles are in English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Life on Mars – The Complete Series” includes the following special features:

DISC 1:

Audio Commentary for “Out Here in the Fields” with Executive Producers Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec

DISC 2:

Audio Commentary for “Things to Do in New York When You Think You’re Dead” with Jason O’Mara, Executive Producer Scott Rosenberg and Director/Co-Executive Producer Michael Katleman.
Audio Commentary for “The Man Who Sold the World” with Executive Producers Andre Nemec and Josh Applebaum

DISC 4:

Audio Commentary for “Life is a Rock” with Jason O’Mara, Executive Producers Josh Applebaum, Scott Rosenberg and Director/Co-Executive Producer Michael Katleman.
To Mars and Back – (15:35) Viewers journey to “Mars” with Sam Tyler the cast and producers to see where the “Mars” concept originated and if viewers can figure out where it’s headed. Interviews with the cast and crew and differences and similarities from the BBC version.
Sunrise to Sunset with Jason O’Mara – (9:34) An exhilarating and exhausting day experiencing Jason O’Mara’s Life on Mars. A typical day in the life of O’Mara.
Flashback: Lee Majors Goes to Mars – (7:54) Popular 70′s actor Lee Majors steps back in the past on the Life on Mars set and taken on a tour courtesy of Jason O’Mara.
Spaced Out: Bloopers from the Set – (2:43) Bloopers from “Life on Mars”.
Deleted Scenes – A total of ten deleted scenes.

For the most part, “Life on Mars” is a very entertaining, suspenseful and cool drama series.

“Life on Mars” (the US version) definitely differs from its BBC counterpart in some ways. For the US version, the primary similarity is that Sam Tyler uses his 21st Century investigation skills in handling homicide cases and is a bit more politically correct than his 1-2-5 counterparts and his boss Gene Hunt is a crooked cop (although respectful to protecting the people of his city).

But part of the problem was that “Life on Mars” was a series envisioned to lasting more than one season. In fact, despite the series being critically acclaimed at the beginning, the series unfortunately had lower viewership. It didn’t help that “Lost”, it’s lead-in show was also battling with the loss of viewership as well. So, major differences is that the character of Annie Hunt is portrayed much differently in the BBC version than the US. Most importantly, the way the series ends for the BBC and US version differ greatly. And part of the reason of how the season ended is due to the fact that the creators had such a short time of deciding how the series would end.

In fact, fans of the series will probably enjoy the audio commentary for the final episode as we learn what the original finale was supposed to be but also the reason why they made the final minutes of the final episode as is. But its also important to note that like the BBC version, the final second before the credits run in that final episode carries that same ambiguous feeling that perhaps things are not as they should be.

With that being said, the series finale had an ending that is surely going to either be a love or hate moment for viewers. I can’t really spoil anything but needless to say, even the creators say in the commentary that the response was either love or hate, nothing in between.

As for the series, I felt the writing was well done and the main talent such as Jason O’Mara, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli and Jonathan Murphy were a solid group. O’Mara and Mol have great chemistry, Keitel is always a talented actor in playing the tough man role and Imperioli did a great job of playing the disgruntled detective. Each of the talent did well in their roles and even for the short role of actress Lisa Bonet, it was great to see her again on television.

The costume design is top notch. The hairstyles, the clothing… I was quite surprised because there are a lot of extras featured in this series. Since the shows take place in New York and Sam is wandering throughout the city, there are a lot of people in 70′s outfits. And it’s not just the clothing but also the vehicles and the CG (as the Twin Towers are featured) to make the setting seem realistic.

Also, another positive that I enjoyed about the series is the soundtrack used for each episode. “Life on Mars” would feature popular, classic rock or classic 70′s music and for those who enjoy 70′s music, would probably get a kick out of episodes where there is a police chase and then Mott the Hoople would be playing in the background.

As for the DVD, we get four audio commentary tracks and a good number of special features. A good number of content and for the most part, “Life on Mars – The Complete Series” is a solid DVD release.

Overall, “Life on Mars” was a series that was just so fun and enjoyable but it’s so unfortunate that the series was canceled. There was great potential in this series and the finale managed to end the series in an interesting note but it would have been interesting to see how the writers would have carried things off if they had that second season, more time and a few more episodes.

Nevertheless, I felt that this was one of the more entertaining drama series on television and for those curious about the series or missed the series the first time around, “Life on Mars – The Complete Series” is definitely recommended!

Filed Under: DVD Reviews, TV BOXSETS: DVD/Blu-ray

Pumpkin Scissors – The Complete Series (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

August 23, 2009 by Dennis Amith · 1 Comment

“One of those anime titles that doesn’t receive a large amount of hype, but it really is a rare gem of an anime series that flies under the radar. Featuring characters that you care about plus a clever, dark, humorous, dramatic and action-packed storyline, ‘Pumpkin Scissors’ definitely delivers!“

DVD TITLE: Pumpkin Scissors – The Complete Series

DURATION: 24 Episodes, 4 DVD’s (600 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9, English 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound, Japanese Stereo, English Subtitles

COMPANY: FUNimation Entertainment

RATED: TV 14

Release Date: July 21, 2009

Originally created by Ryoutarou Iwanaga

Director: Katsuhito Akiyama

Series Composition: Atsuhiro Tomioka

Script by Yuuji Hosono

Storyboards by Hiroyuki Ochi, Katsuhito Akiyama, Masashi Abe, Takayuki Inagaki, Yoshihiko Iwada

Music by Ko Otani

Character Design by Chizuko Kusakabe

Art Director by Maho Takahashi

Mechanical Design: Shuichi Hara

Producer: Yoko Kawahara

Anime Produced by AIC, GONZO

Featuring the following voice talent:

Kenta Miyake as Corporal Randel Oland

Shizuka Itou/Kaytha Coker as 2nd Lt. Alice L. Malvin

Kousuke Toriumi/Gray Haddock as Warrant Officer Oreldo

Chihiro Suzuki/Blake Shepard as Marchis

Cho/Marty Fleck as Captain Hunks

Kana Ueda/Monica Passley as Sgt. Major Lili Stecchin

Kazuki Ogawa/Smokey DeLange as Mercury

In the wake of the great war, Lieutenant Alice Malvin assumes command of the Imperial Army’s Intelligence Section III – a ragtag bunch of pencil-pushers used to spread military propaganda. But Malvin, an idealistic soldier who refuses to rest while her people suffer, years to cut through the thick skin of deception perpetrated by power-crazed nobles. When her investigation reveals a clandestine super-soldier program known as the Invisible Nine, she finds herself trapped in a whirlwind of deadly secrets.

The closer Malvin gets to exposing government corruption, the less likely her beloved IS3 is to survive. With the fate of the Empire hanging in the balance, Malvin turns to an unlikely ally – Randel Oland, a hulking veteran who may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Invisible Nine. In a world where nobility and power make the rules, the truth can get an honest soldier killed.

In 2006, anime production studio GONZO and AIC adapted Ryotoro Iwanaga’s manga “Pumpkin Scissors” to a 24-episode anime series.

The series would be directed by popular 80′s anime director Katsuhito Akiyama (“Sol Bianca”, “Thundercats”, ” Gall Force”,”Bubblegum Crisis”), screenplay by Yuuji Hosono (“Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor”, “Ray” and “Trinity Blood”), series composition by Atsuhiro Tomioka (“Samurai 7″, “Vandread”, “Eat-Man” and “Berserk”), character designs by Chizuko Kusakabe (“Trouble Chocolate”) and mechanical designs by Shuichi Hara ( who worked on “Armitage: Dual Matrix” and “Solty Rei”).

“Pumpkin Scissors” takes place during a time where war has ravaged the country. But a ceasefire has ended the war between the Royal Empire and the Republic of Frost. But since the cease fire, the country is not in the best of shape. The Empire is now plagued with starvation, crime, pestilence and even the soldiers have become bandits.

With corruption also residing in the ranks of the military, a division called Imperial Army State Section III was created. Section III is also known as “Pumpkin Scissors”. A name given to the group by 2nd Lt. Alice L. Mavin. As way of the pumpkin being the layers of corruptness being trimmed by the blade of a scissor.

The series focuses on the Section III team and their mission of helping people and eliminating the corruption in their own military but also helping the public in other areas who have suffered from corruption.

But within the Section III is a mysterious soldier named Corporal Oland who is a member of the secret anti-tank group known as “The Invisible 9″ who seems to get them out of a jam when the going gets tough.

Section III consists of the following individuals:

Captain Hunks - The commanding officer who is rather calm, always smoking and gives out the orders to the team.

2nd Lt. Alice L. Mavin – Leads the team on their missions and also a member of the royal family. But is dedicated to her job and passionate about the goals of Section III. Always hot tempered when angered, she carries a short sword.

Corporal Randel Oland – The mysterious soldier known for his height and his facial scars. When things get tough for Section III, Oland turns on his blue lamp and becomes a member of the “Invisible 9″. A man who is vicious in battle and gets the job done with his 13mm anti-tank gun. Able to take on massive hits and injuries while in this mode. A secret military group of individuals that took on tanks. Not much is known about the “Invisible 9″ but there members of the Section III accept him without asking any questions about his past.

Warrant Officer Martis – Graduated on the top of the Academy but transferred to Section III to uncover corruptness in his former unit.

Warrant Officer Oreldo – The playboy who seems more interested in drinking and women but the cool, clever and resourceful member of the group.

Sergeant Major Lili Stecchin – An aid to Captain Hunks who works in the office and is responsible for the dog named Mercury (the messenger for Section III).

“Pumpkin Scissors – The Complete Series” features 24 episodes on 4 DVD’s. Here is a spoiler-less summary of each episode:

DISC 1:

Episode 1 – The Invisible 9 – it’s merely an introduction to the characters but how many soldiers have turned corrupt and using tanks to hurt people. In this case, shooting a chemical weapon against the people in the village, leaving it to PUMPKIN SCISSORS to obtain the antidote.
Episode 2 – War Relief Unit - Episode 2 features a corrupt noble who is willing to give a lot of money to a resident who can survive a game of cat and mouse. In rough times, many villagers take part in the game to hopefully win the money but because the noble uses a tank to catch the villagers, no villager has survived the game. Section III is called to stop this man but instead, the team are forced to be part of the game as mouse.
Episode 3 – For That is a Precious Thing – Section III must convince a group of villagers to work on a tunnel.
Episode 4 – The Cracked Portrait - Martis is suspicious about Oland and does his own investigation on him.
Episode 5 – Shallow-Minded Men – Oreldo learns from Martis about his suspicions about Oland being a member of the “Invisible 9″.
Episode 6 – A Fruitful Time - Oreldo finds an abandoned baby and Section III looks for the mother.

DISC 2:

Episode 7 – The One Who Leads and the One Who Follows – Alice goes to meet her fiance, while the three go to look for squandered supplies.
Episode 8 – Burn in the Snowfields – Section III is given a mission to go out in a snow area to make a delivery.
Episode 9 – The Woman in the Morning Mist – Oreldo helps a woman deal with her fiance.
Episode 10 – Pumpkins and Scissors – Stecchin explains to Oland how Section III got their “Pumpkin Scissors” name.
Episode 11 – The Quiet Quickening - Alice is kidnapped and the kidnappers want her to publicize documents about a top secret military group known as “Invisible 9″.
Episode 12 – Unseen Pain – Someone has taken the “Invisible 9″ documents, now people are ending up dead and the Section III team are in the middle of all of it.

DISC 3:

Episode 13 – Crude but Elegant – Martis must accompany a princess for the day and protect her.
Episode 14 – The Flame Still Burns – Section III takes on a group of drug dealers.
Episode 15 – Decisions Run Astray - While Section III takes on drug dealers, Oland confronts an enemy who may be part of the same mysterious group that he was once part of.
Episode 16 – The One Who Slashes – Section III continues their fight against the drug dealers but the military has sent out Section I. Leaving Alice to take them on alone while Oland and Martis go after Hans.
Episode 17 – The Darkness that Cannot Be Saved - Oland confronts Hans and Alice continues her fight against the Section I soldiers.
Episode 18 – A Small Military Power – Stecchin tries to finds a way to make Oland happy once again.

DISC 4:

Episode 19 – A Sweet Trap – Section III distributes food to the homeless, while Alice attends a ball. But Section III doesn’t know that the commoners have planned to murder the nobles at the ball.
Episode 20 – Enter the Performers - A furious crowd of commoners invade the ball that Alice has attended and want blood.
Episode 21 – The Puppet and the Idol – Alice challenges the Marquis bodyguard who is an expert with a machete, meanwhile Oland must take on the other. But with Oland out of it and doubting his role in Section III, he might wind up dead.
Episode 22 – Lonely Scales – Alice’s duel begins but also having to be careful due to the angry mob wanting to interfere.
Episode 23 – And Then, An Alluring Trap – Everyone at the Ball watches Alice’s duel against her opponent.
Episode 24 – The Military, The Commoners and the Nobility – Section I is planning to make an attack but Section III tries to find a peaceful solution and avoid bloodshed.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Pumpkin Scissors” is featured in 16×9 and for the most part, the animation and artistic backgrounds retain the quality you would expect from GONZO. For the most part, the animation is action-based and the artistic backgrounds tend to reveal the war-torn country. Character designs by Chizuko Kusakabe (“Trouble Chocolate”) and mechanical designs by Shuichi Hara ( who worked on “Armitage: Dual Matrix” and “Solty Rei”) are well-done and it’s a series that focuses on a core group of characters but features a lot of characters as the group tends to visit villages that are in need of help.

So, you see a lot of anguish and fears in the face of the commoners and of course during battle, the fight scenes are also well-done and enjoyable to watch. But also striking are the violent imagery depicted on the animation and design of the characters of the “Invisible 9″ group. Definitely cool character designs and artistic style.

As for audio, “Pumpkin Scissors” is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound and Japanese stereo. Dialogue is clear and understandable through the front and center channels but with all the action, I was hoping to hear a more immersive soundtrack especially coming from the surrounds. But the series is primarily front and center-channel driven and felt that my best setting was to set my receiver to all channels on stereo.

As for the voice acting, I watched the series in both English and Japanese and both feature solid voice acting. The main difference is that the English version tends to change a few things in dialogue and also utilize more profanity and familiar Western terminology for the English dub. Also, Oland sounds a bit more oafish in the English dub but in a way it does make sense. But for the most part, I felt that the voice acting was well done and enjoyed both vocal tracks.

Subtitles are only in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Pumpkin Scissors – The Complete Series” comes with very few special features on disc 3 and disc 4 containing trailers for upcoming releases:

DISC 3:

Textless Opening and Ending Themes

“Pumpkin Scissors” is definitely an anime that people shouldn’t judge by its DVD cover. Or even its name. I suppose I was a bit skeptical with the references to a pumpkin and scissors on the cover did not exactly generate any enthusiasm on my part but after watching the entire series, I can tell you that the series is definitely exciting, clever and for the most part, highly entertaining!

I enjoy the series because the “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” are always looked at as an underdog military/intelligence group that is not too important to the empire. But the group shows its strength by tackling corruption and accomplishing missions which are not easy by any means.

Lt. Alice L. Malvin is quite interesting because she is a daughter from a noble family but instead of living a life as a noble, she learns how fortunate she is to have food on her table but at the same time, because of her beliefs, she wants to see right with the people in the ravaged villages who feel that they have no voice when it comes to the Empire and Alice wants to be their voice and really wants to help people.

But what is interesting is that you see her character develop especially when you get to the final seven episodes. She’s a changed person and her beliefs start to change.

“Pumpkin Scissors” also shows the side of post-war and how villages all over have been destroyed or people left to die by starvation and sickness. It was really good to see how animators captured the anguish of those who are suffering.

I did feel that the humor at times felt a bit kooky especially when you enjoy the violence and the action sequences for the series and some episodes go from dark but then you’ll have a character like Oreldo flirting with a woman or cracking a joke.

But I really like the characters in the series. Anna has a pure heart of wanting to help the people, as does the corporal who despite seems to be lost because all he did was kill the enemies during the war and now that there is no war, trying to evaluate what peace is about and also trying to figure out his existence and his part of being in a group like Section III.

The show also does a great job in focusing on character development and granted there are not many characters on the Section III team, but you see each and every one of them overcome adversity someway and also with the help of each other.

An enjoyable series that is full of action, intrigue and suspense. A good balance of violence and a touch of zany and kooky humor. From start to finish, you’ll find yourself feeling that “Pumpkin Scissors” is indeed a hidden gem amongst many anime titles being released right now. But it’s a series that is worth checking out.

I highly recommend “Pumpkin Scissors – The Complete Series”!

Filed Under: Anime on DVD, TV BOXSETS: DVD/Blu-ray