DVD Review Round-Up for Holiday Giving – Part 4

Are you getting more serious about filling in that holiday gift list? Still wondering what to get your pals, family or what to treat yourself with for the holidays? How about a DVD? If you still haven't completed that list from the DVD's we've already reviewed, here is part 4 of our Review Round-Up. This time, we're covering more TV collections as well as modern films and just-released best-sellers....

From Paramount Home Entertainment

South Park – The Complete Sixth Season

Okay, do those "South Park" creators get more raunchy and just plain hilarious/outrageous each season or what? Follow Stan, Cartman and the boys in seventeen episodes as Stan meets his future self, Carman hits daytime TV, Bebe gets in touch with her womanhood and a bizarre gerbil, Lemmiwinks comes to town!

Video: "South Park's" animation is sparse but you grow to love those little round people. This DVD brings us bright colors that don't "bleed", no grain or scratches. Good transfers on all episodes.

Audio: Hearing impaired viewers get closed captions in English. You can hear the sound effects balanced over your system and you don't miss one word of the sassy, risqué dialogue! Good mix, good job.

Special Features: Not a lot but creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone do little mini-commentary tracks over the episodes that give us their inside take on each episode sometimes telling us where they got the ideas. These guys are hilarious as usual. Wish these comments were longer, however.

You also get a few previews for other Comedy Central DVD releases.

Wrapping Up – Okay, this season was friggin' roll-on-the-floor-laughing hilarious. You got to meet new characters and the writing is as spot on and politically and socially incorrect as ever. You either are a fan of this kind of humor or you aren't but if so, get this for your "South Park" lovin' pals for the holidays and they'll kiss ya... or go kill Kenny in your honor. This DVD sounds and looks great.

From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Jumanji: The Deluxe Edition

Wanna see hottie Kirsten Dunst when she was about 12 or 13? Kirsten co-stars in this precursor to the recent Zathura. Robin Williams stars as the guy transported into the dangerous jungles of a game for 26 years until two kids Judy (Kirsten) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) play Jumanji and free him. He teams up with them and his childhood gal pal Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) to face wild animals and angry hunters and outwit the game once and for all. (first in theaters in 1995)

Video: Jumanji is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. This transfer seems to be the same as released previously but it looks a little better than those DVDs or certainly tapes before it since the film has almost the whole first disc to itself, thus less compression. The film wasn't re-mastered for this edition of the DVD however. Details come through fine and colors are quite natural; only a little shaking (shimmering) and a teeny speck or two on the print. Overall, it looks fine.

Audio: A Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack gives you some really deep bass, especially when the animals "escape" and stampede. You can listen to James Horner's score alone on the DVD and it's great. You get a solid surround sound with effects coming through in balance. Dialogue is clear and the sound really does add to this type of film. Very good.

The DVD package gives you a cute mini-version of the game to play yourself. Playing pieces are included inside the package along with a ticket to Zathura that is good through Dec. 23rd.

Special Features: Disc One has a cute Main Menu and the disc starts up with a full trailer for Zathura and some trailers and previews for more films and a Zathura video game. This film has been on DVD before and this new Deluxe edition has all the bonus features from the Collector's Edition and also adds some cute kids' games. If you don't have the Collector's Edition, this will be a good buy.

Audio Commentary – Special Effects wizards who created the animatronic and make-up effects for the film and other, then ground-breaking, effects talk about their work and reveal some interesting secrets. Good for the "how did they do that?" crowd. "Secrets & Riddles" is a survival game that requires that you fill in trivia from the movie. Cute for kids especially. "The Extreme Book of Nature" talks about the various dangerous animals in the movie.. like a more palatable science lesson. Interesting.

"Ancient Diversions" kind of goes all occult on us. It's six interactive magic trick lessons that kids might like.

Disc Two has "Making Jumanji: The Realm of Imagination", a featurette from the Docs and Featurettes menu. This one was on the Collector's Series DVD.. It's kind of an electronic press kit thingie with onset interviews with cast and crew and some behind-the-scenes footage from the movie. Fun to see Kirsten as a kid.. only 20 minutes but talks about the creation of the film, the sets and effects. Not a ton about the story from the book, etc. Pretty generic, sell-the-movie stuff.

An effects featurette "Lions, Monkeys and Pods, Oh My!" was on the last DVD release too and it talks about the animals and the stampede footage.. It's 14 minutes and keeps going on from the previous doc. All good info although some of these techniques have since been improved.

A Production Design feature "Bringing Down the House" shows you around the house set where all the action takes place. Only 3 minutes and it's also on the earlier edition. You get storyboards and storyboard-to-film comparisons; always interesting if you are artsy and like to see how the drawings come to life. There is a photo gallery with concept art and production stills. This is really extensive; one of the biggest I've seen.

Wrapping Up – This movie was obviously re-released on DVD now to support Zathura since they come from the same author but if you don't have this fun movie on DVD, this Deluxe Edition is the one to buy! This is a very entertaining movie with Robin Williams doing a great job as the lead and Kirsten Dunst fans can see why she was destined for stardom, even as a kid.

The Mask of Zorro: Deluxe Edition

It's that Latino lover Antonio Banderas in the role he was born to play... El Zorro! Ole! In The Mask of Zorro, it's 19th century California and folk hero Zorro is the champion of the people against the bad rule of the Spanish. Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) is discovered to be Zorro, imprisoned by the evil Montero, governor of California, and his baby daughter stolen by this arch rival. Years later, Don Diego escapes from prison and trains a young thief Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) to take his place as the new, younger Zorro. Together, the men work to stop an evil plan and reunite Diego with his lost, now adult daughter (Catherine Zeta-Jones) whom Alejandro has taken a real shine to.

Video: There was a 2003 Special Edition DVD of this film and this version doesn't seem to be re-mastered but The Mask of Zorro: Deluxe Edition 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is fine although not as crisp as it might be...a few soft edges. However, colors are bright.

Audio: The Dolby Digital 5.1. soundtrack showcases James Horner's cool, Latino-influenced score and the explosions and swords clicking in the fights come through loud and clear. You get a lot of versions, including Spanish and Portugese subtitles since Zorro is a Latin fave.

Special Features: A lot rolled over from the 2003 Special Edition. New additions for this DVD include a five minute The Legend of Zorro behind-the-scenes featurette and a one minute, 45 second scene from The Legend of Zorro presented in widescreen. Both are fine but, if you've seen the film, kind of unnecessary now. Carried over from the older releases is a "Director's Commentary" with inside info on setting up shots, the actors, story etc. If you are a Zorro fan, it's cool. "Unmasking Zorro" is a really neat 45 minute documentary split into several chapters. You get the beginning of the Zorro character way back in 1919 and go up through this film's casting, costumes, sword fights, horse training, special effects, music, etc. You see a lot of clips from the movie and some behind the scenes footage plus interviews with cast and crew. This rocks! A very good doc to have.

Some "Advertising Material" provides a group of TV spots advertising the movie. It's a neat insight into how studios can promote films in totally different ways. There is a "Portraits" area with some pretty publicity shots. The "Costume Designs" are great for this movie and you get samples of designs here. You can see the sketches for the costume and then see how it looked in real life when actually made for the movie. I really liked this section. The "Music Video" for Marc Anthony and Tina Arena singing "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You," is really kind of hokey but romantic too. It's a nice song although gals will like it more than guys.

You also get on-screen bios for the director Martin Campbell and the main stars.. interesting if you are a fan.

There are trailers for Legend of Zorro, Mask of Zorro and the Nicole Kidman film Bewitched.

Wrapping Up.. this DVD was released to coincide with the new film The Legend of Zorro so "cash" for a ticket or a buy of another DVD is included. Since we are reviewing later for holiday buying.. the film ticket may be a dead issue. This film is, in my opinion, the best of the two more modern versions of the story. It is romantic, full of action, some humor and daring do that make girls swoon and guys fall in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Hey, Michael Douglas saw the film, fell for Catherine and married her. The movie looks pretty good and sounds great here. A must to give and collect especially if you don't have the 2003 DVD version.

From Dreamworks Home Entertainment

Into the West: Mini-Series

This TV mini-series executive produced by Steven Spielberg, might have been too much frontier or cowboys and Indians for you to take but with this wonderful DVD, you can watch at your own pace and it's worth it.

"Into the West" spans 70 years from 1825 and covers the settlers' move West from their point of view and that of the Indian peoples who felt invaded and betrayed. The Wheeler family heads West looking for new homes, adventure, challenge and freedom. Loved By the Buffalo, is a young Lakota medicine man who has visions of his people's destruction by the coming invasion. In the course of the mini-series, Jacob Wheeler will marry "Buffalo's" sister Thunderheart Woman and link the two families and stories.

As many as 15 years pass per episode and it's, at times, a riveting history as the Whites move farther and farther West and the Native Americans have to cohabit, fight or just fade away. The acting varies from quite good to a little underplayed. The Civil War comes into play by Episode 3 and we meet a freed slave and the Spanish who want to keep California away from the encroaching settlers heading for the Pacific Coast. "Felicity's" Keri Russell plays one of the settlers.

Video: You get 4 discs.. with 2 episodes on each one with the extras on disc 4. Anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) is kind of high quality for a TNT mini-series. This DVD looks great.. certainly better than it looked in broadcast on my TV. Subtitles are provided for the episodes and the special features.

Audio: Gives you the choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital 2.0. Very well done with everything from Indian raids to the clip clop of horses and dialogue coming through fine.

Special Features: There aren't any commentaries but a really cool 38 minute doc called "The Making of 'Into the West" which provides behind-the-scenes documentary on the historical research, the costumes, production design, directors, etc. Very interesting and informative. Spielberg and the other filmmakers are interviewed and their perspective on the importance of the story etc. is really enlightening. Very good doc.

"The Communication Gap," is a 13 minute short doc about the Lakota tribe and the fact that the white settlers and Indians had a heck of a time communicating. The actors spoke authentic Lakota and we meet their dialect coach and learn a bit about the modernday tribe. A touching and informative piece about this once great Indian nation. "The Cast of Into the West" gives you the usual cast interviews where the actors talk about their characters. Kind of the usual press kit stuff but nice if you want to hear from the cast. A music video with Sara McLachlan and Robbie Robertson singing "World on Fire" over shots from the film is fine. There are commercials for the film and a photo gallery.

Wrapping Up: The production values for this TV mini are really high.. more like watching a good Western movie. There might not be much that you don't know about the American West here but the stories are about decent people. I liked the fact that the Indians are portrayed as being as important and as human as the settlers. This isn't the case in a lot of Western films. Way better than a history class and a beautiful, if somewhat predictable, piece of work. Great for those on your list who love history or sweeping period films.

From Dimension Home Video

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D

Okay, we've gotta add one 3-D film to our review round-up! Uber-Indie "does everything himself" director/writer/producer/editor and special effects dude/composer etc. Robert Rodriguez was swimming in his Austin pool with his kid Racer Max and they came up with an idea for a kid superhero film.

"Sharkboy" focuses on Max (Cayden Boyd), a 10-year-old who would rather live in his dream world than face the bullies at school. Max has created two dream characters that he feels happy and safe with; Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner) and Lavagirl (Taylor Dooley). Everyone in Max's life wants to squish his dreams and advises him to get real. These folks include his teacher (George Lopez) and parents (David Arquette and Kristen Davis). Reluctant to give up his creative dreams, Max is thrilled when Sharkboy and Lavagirl appear at his school and need him to help them save their world - Planet Drool from the evil Mr. Electric (Lopez plays him too).

Video: Widescreen 1:85:1- On the one disc DVD, you get both 3-D and 2-D versions. You get 4 pair of 3-D glasses in the case. You are probably going to want to watch in 3-D at least once and it's okay but not as good as in the theater and I wasn't that impressed then either. The 3-D process washes out the color. Different people react differently to 3-D..some see it better than others etc. It's a nice novelty to play with however. Sharpness, detail and color seem fine on the 2-D version since this is transferred direct from digital.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1. There are lots of sound effects that come through fine.. gloopy noises etc. I had no problem hearing the dialogue or effects.

Special Features – Audio Commentary with Robert Rodriguez is fun because Robert just loves his work and it shows. He chats about how he came up with the idea with his son and developed it, the production, digital effects, casting, etc. A very fun track.

"Creating Sharkboy and Lavagirl" – Includes Racer Max and Robert narrating scenes of working together to make the movie. Entertaining and an informative take on the rather unique way Robert makes movies. Also very family friendly.

Wrapping Up – This isn't Robert's best film but I love the message; follow your dreams and never stifle your creative self no matter who wants you to. The 3-D is a gimmick and fun to check out but it's good that the "regular" 2-D version is included here in case 3-D gives you a headache. This one is well worth renting for the holiday season since you, your pals and any small fry visiting you can all watch it. Not a masterpiece but you might want to buy as a fun addition to your Spy Kids and other Rodriguez DVD collection.

From 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

King of the Hill –The Complete Fifth Season

If those animated Texas good ole boys and gals crack you up, then you've gotta check this one out.

"King of the Hill" centers on a Texas family living in a small town. He's a working stiff propane salesman and he's okay with that. He loves shooting the bull with his three best friends and having a beer when he isn't doing yardwork. His wife Peggy is the live wire here; she's a part-time school teacher who gets into trouble entering and doing everything in order to build her self-esteem. Their son Bobby worries that he's not manly enough. The wacky neighbors make for the most fun in the series.

You get 20 episodes but highlights of season five include Hank wondering about voting for Bush, Bobby wanting to grow up fast, Dale suing a company to get bucks for his wife's face-lift, Hank learning the true story of his birth and what will happen to his beloved pick up truck.

Video: You get the broadcast ratio 1:33:1 full frame but the animation and color looks great and consistent throughout the episodes.

Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital with a choice of English or Spanish, with optional subtitles in each language. This isn't a bombastic soundtrack but it's balanced fine and you can hear all dialogue, music and effects well.

There aren't any special features here and I would have enjoyed creator Mike Judge and writer/producer Greg Daniels doing a track but you get the whole season on the three disc set.

Wrapping Up – Maybe it's an acquired taste and maybe it's because I grew up in a small town in the American Southwest but this series and these people crack me up! Even without extras you can at least watch the episodes without commercials. The stories for this 5th season were all creative, some risqué and just plain funny. Well worth a rent and, if you like what you see, a buy. A definite must give gift for a fan of the show!

That's it for the Holiday Review Round-Up but we will be reviewing various titles separately. Check in for Tom Cruise in The War of the Worlds and Brad Pitt in new DVD releases of his hot films Legends of the Fall and A River Runs Through It.

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.