Jesse Donald Knotts July 21, 1924-Feb. 24, 2006

That the he continued to work in both films and television is both a testament to the man and to how much people loved him. It wasn't hard, he could make you laugh with just a look. His Barney Fife is a character that I loved early in life. My Dad was/is a die hard fan of The Andy Griffith Show, he can watch them on TV and tell you what scenes they trimmed for syndication. At least the B&W episodes. Once Barney left it just wasn't the same, any fan will tell you that. The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Incredible Mr. Limpet and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken were early film favorites of mine, still are in fact, and he even voiced himself on one of my favorite shows ever, Scooby-Doo. All of that hardly represents his career, those are just the things I'll always remember him for. Oh, and Mr. Furley! He was a saving grace on Three's Company, because God knows the actresses constantly threatened to bring the show down. Don, me and my family will surely miss you.











-L

The List Finally Gets Some Action!

3rd Rock from the Sun: Season 3

I used to love this show in its original run, I wonder how it holds up on DVD, I'm about to re-activate Netflix, I'll have to add them to the queue.

Action: The Complete Series

Easily the best release of the week and high on the list of "Dammit Fox why did you have to cancel this?" shows.

All the President's Men (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Personally I prefer my Woodward and Burnstein in the guise of Will Ferrell and Bruse McCulloch.

The Dick Cavett Show - Comic Legends

Lotsa great guests on this set.

Domino (Widescreen New Line Platinum Series)

Definitely want to see this one.

Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)

Still haven't watched Vol. 1 yet.

Midnight Cowboy (Two Disc Collector's Edition)

The first and only X-rated flik to win Best Picture. And I haven't seen it.

North Country (Widescreen Edition)

Eh, I doubt she'll win for this, and honestly hope she doesn't, the competition is a little better I think.

NYPD Blue - The Complete Third Season

Oh how we love our cop TV shows.

The Paramount Comedy Shorts 1928-1942: Robert Benchley and the Knights of the Algonquin
The Paramount Comedy Shorts 1929 - 1933 - Cavalcade of Comedy

Lots of old school comedy shorts.

The Prince & Me 2 - The Royal Wedding

Nothing beats a sequel that doesn't have the original actors!

Rent (Widescreen 2-Disc Special Edition)

My girlfriend is dying to see this.

Stuart Little 3 - Call of the Wild

The animation looks interesting, outside of that I have little interest in it.

Ultimate Avengers: The Movie

Anxious to see how this one turned out.

The Weather Man (Widescreen Edition)

I like Verbinski, Cage is decent sometimes and Caine is always good, but nothing about the preview got me interested in this.

What's New Scooby-Doo, Vol. 8 - Zoinks! Camera! Action!

I wish they'd do a season set of this show. As soon as I start buying these single discs they will, I just know it.

Th-th-th-that's all folks!

(Sorry, been watching my Looney Tunes DVDs)

-L

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews!!!!!!!

Got a stack of books here just begging to be talked about, so let's get to it:

Helios: In With the New #2

I'm absolutely loving the new direction here, and this issue definitely surpasses the previous one. Stepping back from the fast pace of most of the other issues, this one focuses solely on an assassination. I'd feared that it would make the book too similar to most all other hero books out there, taking a whole issue to tell essentially what could be told in two pages. But, where almost all the previous issues felt like episodes of a TV show this one had a very "big-budget movie" feel to it. Think Phone Booth in comic book form. Edge-of-your-seat excitment, great dialogue and I'm amazed at how much Gabe Pena's art just gets better by the issue. Mike Penny and Jason Rand are the writers on the issue, so's you know. Definitely pick this one up, and the previous issue if you haven't already. Then buy the Vol. 1 collection and bask in its greatness.

Yales of the TMNT #18-19

First up a enviro-friendly tale about sea turtles. Light hearted and fun, it's a nice change of pace from most of the other stories this past year. Nothing too special though, but this book has had few moments like that. It's hard to tell very significant stories when you're an anthology book. Still, always enjoyable. The second story though manages to pull on a few emotional hert strings, for Turtles fans anyway. Mostly it's because of Splinter's death, so seeing him is always a bit heart breaking (in that geeky way), and the fact that the story delves into his past just adds to that. Good stuff, incredible cover.

Fallen Angel #2

Did I talk about this one already? Found it about as dull and confusing as the first issue, can't remember if I pre-ordered #3, but I hope not.

X-Factor #3

Still loving it, not excited about the upcoming art change though. Hopefully it'll make the book more consistent at least. The thing with Layla is getting old, but this issue at least added to her mystery beyond the constant "I know things" crap. No matter how many times you say it it's not funny Pete! Still, like the team, like the interaction between the members and love the art. It'll have to take a giant nose-dive to get me to stop buying it. Knowing Marvel that'll happen in about a year or so.

Cable & Deadpool #25

Oh....kaaaaay....Better than the last issue for certain, but still it reads like fanfic. I don't buy into Cap changing or even considering changing his beliefs abvout America. I realize this was more or less saying "Look, Cable has great ideas, even if they're a bit off" not "Cap isn't as solid as you may think", but it just felt off. I liked the cover though.

Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #6

Man oh man did this blow. The dodsons can draw pretty pictures though.

The Perhapanauts #3

What? How can you change plots in the middle of a third issue of a miniseries? Whacko. It upsets any momentum the book had. Wouldn't it have been more profitable to set it up as 2 minis? Just weird. But, I love the characters, I love the Hellboy-feel the book has and the art is great. I'm already in for #4 and I might pick up any future series, I just hope they only have one damn story, it's too confusing otherwise.

Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius-Everybody Loves Franklin

Great, great stuff from Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos. Still has that "Calvin & Hobbes" feel to it, but they seem to be spreading their wings a bit with this collection. The strip with the Doombot is easily my favorite, and the Christmas one was close behind, even if it was a bit out of date. Hope there's more coming!

Jeremiah Harm #1

Damn I love Keith Giffen, add in Alan Grant and you've got yourself one of the best duo's in comics. I wasn't at all familiar with Rael Lyra's art, but he blew me away. The basic: Giffen and Grant re-write Demolition Man, only they make it really really good and waaaay more violent. So if you liked that flik, buy this, and if you didn't buy this anyway because it'll rock your socks.

Jonah Hex #4

Ugly, ugly cover by Chaykin and Madsen, but another solid story from Palmiotti and Gray. Ross art is as nice as ever too, but I'm always bugged by the Eastwood looks Hex gets drawn in.

Y, The Last Man #42

The origin of the monkey. I'm still enjoying the book tremendously but it feels like Vaughan is really reaching for things to stretch out the plot. I'm getting anxious for some sort of resolution about something.

Coming up tomorrow: The List.

-L

Tuesday's Gone, But Here's The List

Work has kept me too busy lately and I didn't have a chance to do any Valentines Day post. Here's what hit stores this week:

The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Fifth Season

Barney's last season, marking the end of the only good seasons of the show.

Charles in Charge: The Complete First Season

Not planning on buying it, but I wouldn't mind watching it.

Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson Uncensored!

Not planning on buying or watching this.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete Third Season

Ditto.

Gimme a Break - Season One

I don't even remember this show.

Golden Girls - The Complete Fourth Season

Hard to believe Tarantino got his start on this show.

Goof Troop, Volume 1

Yen bucks on Amazon might make this worth it. I always liked the show and baby Bro might too.

Grey's Anatomy - Season 1

Despite my better judgement I'm completely addicted to this show now.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - Season One, Volume 2 (Collector's Edition)

Gotta pick this one up ASAP.

Living Single - The Complete First Season

Bleh.

Mirrormask

Delayed from last week. I'll be getting it eventually.

The Pretender - The Complete Third Season

Never watched this show.

Quack Pack, Volume 1

Or this.

Quick Change

I freakin' love this movie.

Saw II (Widescreen Edition)

Haven't seen the first one yet.

Zathura (Widescreen Edition)

Jon Favs directed this, which means I'll see it eventually.

-L

Those Pesky DVDs

So, I mentioned something about watching something. Actually, lotsa stuff. So, here we go:

Garfield & Friends Vol. 4

Got this cheap, like $10, and I remember loving it as a kid. I still enjoyed it, just not as much as I used to. I'm hanging on to it though, the baby bro might enjoy it one day. And I don't remember USAcres being Orson's Farm, anyone know why that got changed? Was it for the DVD or did that actually happen in the show?

The Quest for Camelot

Another animated DVD. Hard to believe this was Warner's first animated feature film. It's not bad really, the songs are certainly terrible, but the animation is pretty good and even utilizes some early CGI stuff. Great voice cast, even for the small parts. I was disappointed that Merlin didn't play a bigger role. Actually, Camelot doesn't play that big of a role, it's mostly about trying to get to Camelot. Another one I'll keep around for the kid bro.

Wedding Crashers

Not nearly as funny as everyone says it is, but still a good movie. Probably a good date movie, got something for the guys and gals and enough funny to keep you interested. But, I found the next flik to be far more enjoyable...

The 40-Year-Old Virgin

I think this might be the funniest movie I've seen since Tommy Boy. I didn't get what all the hubbub was about in the geek world, I didn't think the movie showed him in any bad light BECAUSE of his collection of toys, rather his hobbies seemed to be an offshoot of not really clicking with the ladies (or of just being bored, which is why most hobbies come about). Something to occupy his mind. He didn't just collect toys, he seemed to be into almost any hobby he could find. So, I couldn't see it as any sort of attack, just the truth of the situation. Still, very well written, brilliantly acted, flat out hilarious, I loved it.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Man, the action in this movie is probably some of the best put to film since Bad Boys. Yes, I like Bad Boys. But, unlike that flik the plot here tries to be something elaborate. Thinking about it longer than five minutes gives me a headache. It just doesn't hold together at all. The dialogue is good in a few places, mostly snappy which can get to be overkill. But thankfully when there is some great action going down the actors know what to do and they shut the hell up. I liked Pitt for the most part, and Angelina is sexy as hell, but ultimately they don't work well together. Enjoyable, but forgettable. Probably woulda been good to see in a theatre.

Stealth

Now this is a movie that never takes itself seriously, which made it entirely enjoyable. The Top Gun meets Short Circuit plot is insane enough to keep you interested and then as things go from worse to completely screwed you have to keep watching to see how absurd it can really get. All the while the actors seem to be playing along, smiling slyly. Spoiler alert here: When Jamie Foxx bites it I so desperately wanted to hear him say "I'm off to go film Ray, I'll see you honkies at the Oscars."

V

My brother picked this up, the whole series in fact, pretty cheap, then insisted I watch it. Pretty good considering when it was made. The FX crew did a good job with what they had and the acting is decent, a bit over the top at times. It's funny to see how many movies since have stolen from it, specifically Independance Day. I've got the second miniseries laying on my shelf ready to be watched and hopefully I'll get to it this week.

Sky High

The plot will be familiar to anyone who's read a superhero comic in the last five year. Equal parts Invincible and X-Men, with a bit of Fantastic Four thrown in for good measure. Speaking of it was was far more enjoyable than the FF movie, except for the Torch/Thing scenes. They could have used a bigger FX budget, but outside of of that I really enjoyed it.

Assault on Precnct 13

I usually try to avoid remakes, specifically if I've never seen the original, but I'd heard so much great stuff about this I had to pick it up. It didn't disappoint. The plot ends up being a bit of a let down and the end tries to be a bit of a pick me up, but I chalk that up to American audience expectations. From beginning to end it's very edge of your seat, and when the characters start dying you can clearly throw most of your expectations out the window. Solid performances all around, and brilliant directing. The IMDB page says this and the original are "remakes" of Rio Bravo, one of my favorite films EVER, but I really didn't see it. They share the same claustrophobic atmosphere, but outside of that the similarities are pretty small. I can't imagine the original being any better, but I do intend to check it out eventually.

Titus Season 3

Man, has there ever been a show that was so funny yet so emotionally draining? Especially this season, as things start to wind down, seeing the breakdowns of the characters, especially Titus. Easily one of the best shows ever on television. Can't say it any better than that.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Vol. 4

Finally finished watching it. Hilarious as always. Long live the Mooninites!

The Legend of Zelda

Shout Factory has become one of the go-to companies for cult shows hasn't it? I could've done without the Mario Bros. stuff they put on there, even if it was part of the original show, it was all just too goofy. I enjoyed the episodes, and love seeing game elements incorporated into it, especially the sounds, but Link could be a bit bratty and trying at times. Still, I liked it.

Kicking & Screaming

I just didn't think it was that funny. The kids were pretty annoying and Will Ferrell was pushing it a bit. Mike Ditka was good though.

Bad News Bears

This though, was pretty funny. Billy Bod does a decent job of imitating Mathau, and the kids were great. Not the original, but better than any of the sequels. Definitely worth a rent.

Man, this list goes on forever...I'll make the rest real short.

Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch

Stitch is the greatest character the House of Mouse has ever spawned. Good flik, can't wait for the next one.

Orgazmo

Funny, but nowhere near their South Park stuff, or Baseketball. The commentrak is interesting, with appearences by Dave Foley, Kevin Smith and a few other surprising guests.

Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?

I've enjoyed every DTV Scooby flik, and this one is no exception. Nice to see cartoon Velma get some character for once and have the rest of the gang see how hard it is to get along without her. Good Sccoby/Shaggy stuff, and a few laugh out loud moments, lackluster extras though, and wasn't nearly as creepy as the Loch Ness movie.

Red Vs. Blue Season 1

Damn, that's funny. If you don't know Halo it's probably wasted on you, but if you play the game you'll laugh your ass off. Hats off to the guys that did this, for nothing, using a few X-Boxes. I wouldn't mind seeing this show on Adult Swim to get an even bigger audience, but that's probably impossible.

Okay, that's probably not everything, but that's all I can remember right now.

A quick shout out to my man Dick Cheyney, way to shoot some one there Dick. Apparently he's the dumb one of the pair after all. Or maybe not, maybe that guy deserved it. Still, couldn't they have covered it up? No one knows who killed Kennedy, we faked a moon landing and God knows what else, but we can't cover up oral sex or accidental shootings? What the fuck is wrong with this country?

Oh, and a big Fuck You to Fox for airing the last four Arrested episodes on a fucking Frioday without promoting it. A fitting, funny end though, to one of the best TV shows EVER.

Peace.

-L

The List I Didn't Forget

13 Going on 30 (Fun & Flirty Edition)

Why? Dear God why?!

Bambi II

Why? Dear God why?!

Dammit, I hate repeating myself.

The Batman - The Complete First Season (DC Comics Kids Collection)

Why? Dear Go- Wait, this might not be so bad. Didn't care for the first few episodes but I heard it got better.

The Best of The Electric Company

I don't remember this show at all.

Black Scorpion

Bwahahahahahahaha

Blue Collar TV - Season 1, Vols. 1 & 2

Vol. 2 available seperate. Though, I have no idea why you'd be buying either.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (Anniversary Edition)

Dammit I'm tired of buying DVDs twice! At least there's some bonus stuff, ought to be worth it.

Doom (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

Part of me wants to see this. The other parts of me are beating the crap out of him with a stick.

Dungeons and Dragons 2 - Wrath of the Dragon God

Why? Dear God....oh screw it.

Elizabethtown (Widescreen Edition)

Gotta see this one.

Emergency - Season Two

In case you need a 70s TV fix.

Grounded for Life - Season One

Sometimes funny as hell. Sometimes not.

Growing Pains - The Complete First Season

The only TV show to ever have a character named Boner. Well, in primetime at least.

Hearts Afire - The Complete Third Season

Markie Post sucks.

Jim Gaffigan - Beyond the Pale

Funny, funny man.

Just Like Heaven (Widescreen Edition)

Stupid, stupid movie.

Moonlighting - Season 3

I need to watch these eventually. I vaguely remember the show being funny.

The Net 2.0

An even worse idea that the D&D sequel.

Poltergeist: The Legacy - The Complete First Season

Does this have anything to do with the movies?

The Poseidon Adventure (2005 TV Movie) (Widescreen Edition)

Blah, just rent the original.

Teen Titans - The Complete First Season (DC Comics Kids Collection)

I'm sooooo buying this.

Touched by an Angel - The Third Season, Vol. 1

Show me on the doll where she touched you!

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Never saw it.

Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Widescreen Edition)

Gotta see this one too.

Wildfire: Season 1

I thought Season 1 just started...

Wire in the Blood: The Complete Third Season

What the hell is this?

Man that's a lot of stuff this week.

-L

Heads Up

Guess what arrives in stores Wednesday?

Bluesman Vol. 2. I cannot friggin wait. Unfortunately I won't be able to do another giveaway, at least right now, I just don't have any extra funds. But, when I get my tax return back, maybe mid month, I'll hopefully be able to hit Rob V up, buy a few copies and give them away (maybe even SIGNED!). On that note, here's some reviews (Finally!!!)

Cable & Deadpool #24

I liked the cover. The comedy is there, but it relies on history of the characters, and if you don't know it, well, it's not funny. It's not that funny if you do. The plots on this book have really taken a turn for the worse with the last storyline, this one doesn't look much better.

Testament #2

Like issue #1. just so-so. I like most of it, even though it's retreaded sci-fi plots from the last thirty plus years. Good characters, nice art, but I could care less about the biblical stuff. Might get one more buy from me, haven't decided.

Jonah Hex #3

Much better than #2, the stuff with Bat Lash was great. The plot was kind of standard for a western book, and Jonah looks a bit too much like Clint Eastwood at times.Great art though.

Hatter M #1

Wow. I reviewed this at CBG awhile back, that was a review copy. Nothing has changed with this, but it just deserves more attention. I hope the books are available soon (ad says Fall, I don't want to wait that long!!!), because this is just great. Taking the concept of Wonderland and flipping it on its head, Alice didn't find Wonderland, she came from Wonderland. She was a princess, and now she's lost in the real world (or, what used to be the real world) and it's up to Hatter M to find her. Great concept coupled with Templesmith art equals a pretty stellar book.

The Exterminators #1

Lots of new Vertigo books lately? None of them have really grabbed me, but this one comes close. Very ugly, very real look at life, evolution and insects. Moore's art is stomach turning when the bugs are concerned. I can feel my skin crawling. Can't wait to see where this is headed, and I love the two main characters. They remind me of Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez in Men at Work...and a lot of the guys I work with too. Nothing beats blue collar philosophers.

All-Star Superman #2

I'm calling it, best single issue of any superhero comic this year, and it's not even a quarter over. If #3 is better than this, it might be the best capes book ever published. I've never been a big Big Blue fan, and I've never read any of the goofy silver age stories (I don't think I have), but man this is some great stuff. Morrison's bizaare, inventive, sometimes overly dramatic plot is just fantastic, and Quietly's art has never been better as far as I'm concerned. Lois Lane with that ray gun: Sexy-cool.

Coming up eventually: some movies I watched.

-L