Home Video Exclusives

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense


[An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on March 6th, 2014 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

*blop blop blop* "Twenty-Four"...



"24: Season Four" was released on home video on December 6th, 2005.

It streeted against "Cinderella Man", "Fantastic 4", "Thundercats: Season One, Volume Two" and "Ladies In Lavender".

This release originally came with a non-embossed slipcase holding seven discs in a digipak; came with six page booklet - episode guide (with air dates) and special features listing. A ten page booklet with other 20th Century Fox TV shows on DVD (forty-two of them). A small folded booklet of "24" merchandise; from original novels, video games, CD soundtracks and season DVDs. A smaller single sheet insert, double side ad for "Hill Street Blues: The Complete First Season" and "NYPD Blue: Season 3".

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On street, Best Buy offered the sole exclusive, a blue clip-on clock, shrinked wrapped (in a mini-bag) on the rear for $44.99. A minimum of fifteen copies with clock at stores.

The store also offered a fifteen dollar discount if you also purchase any of the three previous seasons - on the same receipt.

Sorry about the res on the clock. It was the best I could muster - believe me, I looked.

Before you ask, don't know; though the image does appear that the clip-on also came with a mini-compass. *shrugs* My copy of season four was not bought at Best Buy, but from Wal-Mart. I did run into the clock when it was available, thought it looked cheap and passed. C'mon, that exclusive was pretty weak. That's like having an exclusive battery power checker for "Suburgatory: The Complete First Season" (not real by the way).

Searched my archive; bought my copies of seasons 1 - 3 on Black Friday (November 25th) 2005 for $19.99 each at Best Buy. Sure, on street - season four was sold at Circuit City for $44.99 too.

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Rant.



Man, I still remember the online debate as to which was the better television experience; "24", "Lost" or "Battlestar Galactica" (Ron Moore reboot)? My answer is all of them. Each brought something to the table who's effects are still being felt.

With very few exceptions, night time TV shows of the past were highly episodic; any episode could be aired out of order with near-zero impact on the series - designed that way, interchangeable; easy to sell to syndication and network reruns. Don't need your audience to pay attention - they can jump in at any time and still enjoy the program.

That format was taken out back (while tied up) and shot in the head once the above shows became the public zeitgeist.

Shows which benefited from the new shift (and aggressive continuity) include, "Veronica Mars" (2004), "Kidnapped" (2006), "Day Break" (2006), "Heroes" (2006), "Invasion" (2005), "Archer" (2009), "Desperate Housewives" (2004), "Magic City" (2012), "Once Upon A Time" (2011), "Dickensian" (2015), "Timeless" (2016), "Weeds" (2005), "Surface" (2005) and "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (2008) to name just a few.

All owe debt to such vanguards as "24". They are great morality tales with dire consequences for those within. It's why we watch and continue to talk about them years after the fact.

Good stuff.

I love this quote...

At least Elisha Cuthbert is the hottness. The bitch who plays Chloe [Mary Lynn Rajskub] walks around every scene she's in with a face like she's sniffing farts.

- Heckles

I like Rajskub, but I can't defend her character - too true. Who knows? Maybe they regularly served pork and beans at the CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) cafeteria with highly carbonated beverages. Man, that's nasty.

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For me the more attractive woman that season was Reiko Aylesworth as CTU team member, Michelle Desseler (above left). Kim Raver as Audrey Raines didn't do it for me (she played Julia Neville on NBC's "Revolution" - previous PT entry; Part I, Part II). And Raver reprises her "24" role in "24: Live Another Day" (2014), good continuity.

Incidentally, Aylesworth did three episodes of "Lost" in 2009 as Amy Goodspeed.

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Void.

My searches hasn't gotten me any new news on the lost, stop-motion animated flick from director Henry Selick.

Voice cuts through the walls - rings through everything that's hollow. These bitter words recall. All that's left and hard to swallow.

- The Birthday Massacre

After making "Coraline" (2009), he was set to make "The Shadow King" for Disney; would've been his third animated feature for them; "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993, Tim Burton was the producer and writer) and "James And The Giant Peach" (1996). But the project fell apart (plug pulled in August 2012). Reason?

Somewhat vague; creative differences of some kind and the fact that finished product would've have been made in time than their box office schedule.

Disney wanted an October 2013 release.

Similar thing happened to Tim Burton in 2012 with "Frankenweenie", that was his last feature for them. Studio was very upset with his vision; the movie was too dark, not kid friendly - they fired him. He was also accused of wasting company resources. Which means?

Goth hookers and blow? Yeah, goth blow; it's sold in Halloween themed wrapping paper.

"The Shadow King" - Disney had already laid down sizable geenbacks, $50 million to be exact. How much of it was in the can? *shurgs* I can tell you it was in production for over a year. 150 workers at Shademaker Prods. (San Francisco, CA) were given pink slips.

Selick was handed the property to shop to another studio. The first thought was to go to Laika, production house which made "ParaNorman" (2012) and "Coraline". But that fell through too, budgetary issues.

One of he last things I can find is Selick found a home at K5 International, a German based production/distribution company. They were suppose to help secure funding from European investors to finish the film. But that news was from early 2013.

"The Shadow King" is not based on an existing story, an original tale written by Selick. It features the voice talents of Jaden Betts, Pamela Adlon, Brendan Gleeson, Jeffrey Tambor and Catherine O’Hara. As I understand their voices have already been recorded.

THE SHADOW KING is a deliciously magical tale about nine-year-old New York orphan Hap who hides his fantastically weird hands with long fingers from a cruel world. But when a living shadow girl teaches him to make amazing hand shadows that come to life, his hands become incredible weapons in a shadow war against a ravenous monster bent on killing Hap’s brother Richard and ultimately destroying New York.

- official K5 press release



In August 2016, there was a comment on the film, that it was coming around. But what does that mean? He does good stuff. "Coraline" is my favorite stop-motion flick, so sway. I rank it above "Nightmare". It does. I hope this come out. Above is the K5 poster to lure potential backers.

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Footnotes.

No surprise, a porno version was made; "24 XXX", an Axel Braun production.

I’m a huge Jack Bauer fan, and I’m incredibly excited about this project. I’ve been wanting to do this for years, and now with Fox bringing 24 back in May, the timing is perfect.

- Braun

Story? Ha-ha!!!

The cast includes Kurt Lockwood as Jack Bauer, Alektra Blue as Nina Myers, Kaylani Lei as Michelle Dessler, Claire Robbins as Chloe O’Brian, Brie Simone as Sherry Palmer, Penny Pax as "Naked" Mandy (assassin) and Riley Steele as Kim Bauer. You might remember Steele as the nude blonde girl (the underwater ballet) from "Piranha 3D" (2010).

I love the show, and Elisha is such a hottie! This movie will have the same look and feel of the original TV show, and it's super funny without being stupid or disrespectful. Axel is always very adamant about making sure the audience can laugh with the characters and not at them, and I appreciate that, just as I appreciate being a part of such an awesome cast!

- Ms. Steele

The adult feature had a six day shoot in February with six sex scenes for Wicked Pictures.

Another PT has concluded, hope you were informed and semi-entertained; my bar is only set so high. The next Past Tense will Jack-sack it on June 21st, 2018. As President Palmer would say "You're in good hands with Allstate".

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - June 12th, 2018


Annihilation (available now)
Exclusive store release; 4k BD/BD/DC combo $26.99

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD only $17.99 (very limited quanities)

A Wrinkle In Time (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD combo $27.99

The Incredibles (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; 4k BD/BD combo $34.99

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - June 19th, 2018


Pacific Rim: Uprising
Exclusive 4k BD/BD/DC combo $27.99

Annihilation (available now)
Exclusive store release; 4k BD/BD/DC combo $26.99

The Incredibles (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; 4k BD/BD combo $34.99