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  1. #301
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    Best Buy - June 27th, 2017


    Power Rangers
    Exclusive packaging and cards; BD/DVD combo $21.99

  2. #302
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    Best Buy - July 2nd, 2017


    Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (available now)
    Exclusive steelbook; 4K BD/BD combo $19.99

    Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
    Exclusive steelbook; BD only $49.99

  3. #303
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    Past Tense - Gotta Catch Them All Part I


    [An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on November 13th, 2014 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

    This time out - we chase and become chased, sail boat style in "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World"...



    The motion picture opened on November 14th, 2003. It was made with a budget of $150,000,000 (estimated) and grossed over $93 million during its U.S. theatrical run; counting foreign receipts it made $212,011,111. The film opened number two at the box office, the following week it dropped to number four.

    The feature opened against "Elf", "The Matrix Revolutions", "Scary Movie 3" and "Love Actually".

    The regular edition was not issued a slipcover. It came with two inserts; 1) Chapter listing with 36 chapters. 2) Small two page 20th Century Fox ad for other DVDs (eight titles shown: "Cast Away", "The Last Of The Mohicans", "A High Wind In Jamaica", "The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen", "Anna And The King", "Pirates Of Toruga", "For the Moment" and "Romper Stomper".

    - - -

    Welcome to another theme month; July is "Master". Time to get readin'!

    Costco had a long box packaging for the regular edition with a booklet on the production. This sold for $18.23 and streeted on April 20th, 2004. The box had a gatefold opening (showcasing a map with film trivia). I do not have. Found out about the exclusive through my research. Sounds interesting, would like to own.



    Best Buy had the more substantial exclusive, a bonus disc. Sorry, do not have the weekly ad pix, pre-dates my archive. As such, had to extrapolate the price (did try to find with no luck). I took studio release and original retail prices into consideration. The best match I could muster is "The Girl Next Door" (2004) which also had a bonus disc from the same studio (a previous Past Tense). So...

    Gonna call this as $14.99 (same street). The bonus DVD has a run time of 29:22 minutes. The disc came inside the case within a CD envelope. I believe this exclusive was available for the widescreen and full screen editions. My bonus was inside the WS.

    The next is something I haven't run into before - a regional exclusive; only available on the East Coast. A preview disc (DVD) for the New York Post newspaper. It was issued before the film's theatrical release. Do not know the copy's price nor the date. It's rare - the disc, but not the content.

    Had the featurette, "Behind The Seas: A Filmmaker's Journey", the very same item on the Best Buy bonus.

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Rant.

    My tastes in films has changed over the years. When opened and later came on home video, had zero interest in pursuing. Can't really pinpoint why it surfaced on my radar, it just did.

    Wait, I think...



    Saw "Mutiny On The Bounty" (1962 remake with Marlon Brando) in May of 2013, the Two Disc Special Edition. I bought it a few months earlier as a lark from Big Lots!. In fact I had to buy it twice. The first purchase had scratches on the discs.

    I opted to watch to see if I wanted to re-buy... squat. Huh?

    Both discs were blank!!! I kid you not. Printed labels on each disc. This title had a major technical error. On the rebuy, both were mint and playable. So weird.

    So here's a legitimate question... does that make that defected copy a collectible? To be safe - I still have mine.



    Later in 2014, bought the 1935 version. I liked it. Charles Laughton's Captain Bligh was a cartoon villain. All that was missing was him twirling a mustache.

    Anyhow, this was something I didn't expect to like; films set in the 1700s don't usually do it for me. That's why the Russell Crowe film popped in my noggin'. *nods* Yes, the Crowe feature is set in 1805, you know what I mean.

    So in March of '14, went looking. I knew of the Best Buy bonus and the Collector's Edition which I'll talk about later. Both were found and bought through Ebay. Got good deals on both, especially the CE, most sway.

    I'll be honest, the first half of the film didn't do it for me. The second half caught my interest, won me over. And now its part of my collection.



    One of the factors of my dislike is the hues. I'm not expecting a colorful film, a palette of bright pigments. The motion picture is very muted on the color wheel. It feels depressing and not in a good way. But I guess that's what director Peter Weir's wanted.

    Did like Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin. He usually good in whatever he's in. The first saw him in "A Knight's Tale" (2001), a solid flick. I do have him in the Past Tense entry for "Legion" (2010).

    The other bit is the regular edition release; makes no sense for such a big budget film - the DVD is bare bones. The only extras on the single disc isn't even about the feature; behind-the-scene promos and trailers for OTHER 20th Century Fox then upcoming releases. What the frack!

    Not even the trailer is present, that's messed up.

    Why should I spend $29.99 on a no frills title? If you're gonna pull that, the thing should cost no more than ten bucks - I'm not joking. Would've been pissed if I were interested in 2004.



    Above is the cover for the bare bones DVD which had the exclusive.

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Void.



    Since this post is shorter than I like; decided to do an additional write up. A topic that ticks me off. The subject is pornography, I'm pro-porn.

    So close the window if you're not interested. This is gonna get verbose; I'm gonna go in different directions, but hope to focus towards the end. But don't hold me to it.

    The sad state of XXX home video sales.

    It's so easy to wag fingers at piracy; tube sites and bit torrents taking the bulk of the condemnation. But that's not whole, it's a deeper problem than that.

    People who steal content are those who don't have any money (like kids) and those who don't think a product's worth paying for. In both cases, stopping piracy, even if possible, wouldn't result in any sales gain. The poor can't buy, the indifferent refuse to.
    - Sam Sugar

    In the past you had no way of really knowing what you bought until you viewed (at home usually; very few are comfortable watching a porno at the store - viewing booths). Sure, you have some reviews and perhaps the store would showcase a particular title at the front of their shop. But that is somewhat artificial - the most popular being highlighted; not best reviewed or even energetic.

    Nothing has changed, mainstream rental shops still do it - the popular.

    And don't start with the heighten cost equals the danger the performers endure - sexually transmitted diseases. That's part of the job, the same as coal miners. Their paycheck reflects the occupation - plus the talent are only paid once, no residuals. Not unless you're a mega star like Jenna Jameson, which is the exception; who owns her name as a trademark.

    So you bought THAT video, got home - discover you've been scammed. The girl on the cover is nowhere in the release or her screen time is so limited, shouldn't warrant that big of a mention, if not at all. This happens a lot. Great cover, lousy product - money down the toilet. This kind of fraud came about due to the falling price of productions.

    The trend started in the 1990s with John Stagliano a.k.a., "Buttman". His concept was Gonzo, reality based porn. Performers acknowledge the camera and interact with it - voyeurism in purest form; there is zero pretense of a story, the ladies get to their endeavors right away (teasing optional).

    For a time Stagliano was king.

    The style was ultra cheap to produce. Anybody with camcorder and willing girls (note, I didn't say attractive) could make their own X-rated flick. Jump to the present...

    The market is saturated with gonzo; cheap ass productions with girls who really shouldn't be doing porn (apperance and/or wholeheartedness) and box covers that have the ladies so airbrushed, some don't even look human, more akin to apparitions. People have been burned buying this regurgitated gruel.

    Adult videos are no longer the commodity they once were with the avalanche of new videos and streaming websites services filling each particular desire. Furthermore it is no longer the subject of hushed whispers and perpetual shame. XXX is mainstream and part of daily life.
    Last edited by JohnIan101; 07-27-2019 at 05:44 AM.

  4. #304
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    Past Tense - Gotta Catch Them All Part II




    Great example above; Jessica Alba as Molly from the 1999 horror-comedy feature "Idle Hands". She was eighteen at the time.

    This had a nationwide theatrical release.

    NOBODY cared that this young woman was wearing a "Pussy Starlet" baby-tee as bedroom attire (a high school student). That's how far we've come.

    We have adult starlets who have done mainstream movies and TV shows.



    Sasha Grey is the current Queen; episodes of "Entourage"; films "I Melt With You" (2011), "Open Windows" (2014) and "The Girlfriend Experience" (2009) to name a few, her filmography is growing. A musician, author and multi-award winning adult star and music video vixen.

    Okay, some gonzo titles/series have focused on impressive, glamorous women and hot action. The excellent side of the genre, but they are few among bottom feeders. For every HardX, Jules Jordan, Erotica X, Elegant Angel and Zero Tolerance there are dozens and dozens of wannabes and pale imitators.

    Even with the deluge of cheap productions, one has remained constant - retail price. You pay pretty much the same for crap as you do for the magnificent, years be damned.

    Golden era of sales (pre-internet, 1980s); VHS movies cost nearly a hundred and adult vids more. XXX prices have not changed enough with the times. While no longer over $100, they do no reflect real life. Any given blockbuster feature, two disc/deluxe edition can to taken home for under 20 bucks, months after their initial home release.

    Adult DVDs and BDs are priced much higher, like Disney titles.

    DreamWork's animated, "Shrek" came to home video in 2001, retailed for $26.98, but can now be bought for five dollars (or less). Disney and adult studios are still behaving like they have something intrinsiclly unique.

    Those high prices reflected a period when pornographic titles had intimidating outlets. 1) Go see it on the big screen like the former nationwide Pussycat Theater chain. Where you will encounter the sights and sounds of deprave patrons. 2) Go to an adult store and try not to be photographed coming in or out by religious do-gooders for supporting smut. 3) Order the video from home, have it mailed to you - XXX catalogs. A premium price for peace of mind, your inner wants kept secret; between you and your VCR.

    This explains the higher retail, but that particular moment; no - generation has grown up. Which made the Pussycat Theaters extinct, not even a redundancy. Like the automobile plowing the horse and carriage - progression of pop consumption.

    An example; the film "Brooklyn" (2015) streeted on March 15, 2016 on DVD for $19.98. On February 5th of this year ('17) it then sold for $7.99. The time to discount can even be even shorter. The remake of "Carrie" (2013) was less than eleven months. It streeted on January 14th, 2014 for $19.98, but could be bought for five bucks in October of that year!

    Today it can be found at your local Wal-Mart, the former five dollar bin for $3.74. As well as sixty, eighty million dollar plus motion pictures. These productions had more performers and crew working on them. Hell, they probably paid more in catering than a XXX title cost to produce.

    Discounts on X-Rated flicks are weak, adult studios remain under the illusion - sex on camera exclusive to "professional" pornographers; business men and women. It is everywhere on the web... much of free, from the comfort of home. Yes, quite aware - I'm repeating myself, stressing a point.



    Prices? It range from $39.97 to $49.95 for a DVD that's close to a decade old. Where's the real discount? True, you can find some good deals at such net locales as Adult DVD Marketplace, but brand named studios are still selling unrealisticly given their age.

    Better product equals higher price? Yes - to an extent.

    Pornography shelf life is worse than mainstream entertainment, more akin to dairy products, limited freshness. There is SO much of it; new girls, familiar gals and maturer provocateurs, all seductively eyeing your wallet. The constant inflow of product; make room on the shelves for the New. The life of home video, insatiable demand.

    Let's be honest, this was created with a single purpose - release. Once done - it's over. It is immediate and disposable, moving onto newer content.

    You're not going to re-watch, gain a better subtly in story. Few actually collect porn, I count myself in that minority. Price is a big factor.

    Perfect sense that adult titles reflect reality. After X amount of time, price falls. As more time passes, it drops again. And so on, leveling at five bucks. Doesn't need to happen in eleven months or even a year. But after a period, it discounts to that price point.

    The industry barks that piracy mangled their home video sales. That statement isn't true and only an element of the problem. The real culprit is their own greed. I am NOT paying forty bucks or even twenty for a eight year old title.



    Yes, I enjoy the women and their performances (yes, it is an art), but it should be five bucks or so. Don't care if its from pedigree studios like Jules Jordan or Erotica X if enough time has gone by drop the price. They need to stop treating as if it's ALWAYS current.

    And NOT genuine - some studios are guilty of facilitating piracy on tube sites. Giving content in exchange for clicks. Yet bitch about how such locations are killing their businesses, hypocrites. No dude, that's not what's wrong! Lame rhetoric, not a misconception.

    Here's the bruise; these poorly made videos find easy outlets from gas stations to convenience stores. You're not going to find the better flicks since they cost more for proprietors to stock; buckets of crap and mediocrity for you - with pimpled, fat rumps.

    Five dollars after X amount of years, regardless of the studio. Do this and see home video sales soar. C'mon, it's far easier to part with five bucks than with forty. Impulse buys - you could purchase that digital copy or own a real thing. It cost far too much to collect, make it affordable like a fast food meal or Starbucks coffee.

    Another issue - talent; it takes a special gal who not only steams up a room with her beauty and intimacy that gets the viewers to salute, but can also convey (or at least imitate) excitement.

    Simple noun - 'enthusiasm', real or otherwise matters.

    Ladies like Tori Black, Stoya, Kagney Linn Karter, Holly Michaels, Jynx Maze, Abella Anderson, Lexi Belle, Alexis Texas, Katja Kassin, Megan Rain and Jenna Haze (to name a few) got their stature because they could portray charm, accessibility and passion.

    Hot girls are easy to come by, but 'presence' - not so much. Most of the women mentioned have retired. But are still remembered and appreciated for what they brought to the small screen.

    A bit curious - seeing an adult flick on the sliver screen. But there was too much risk involved. And I mean watching a flick from the past ten years, not a porno from the '70s. *shutters*

    One more thing, Lisa Ann was not a cougar. That term is for women who prowl for younger men. She doesn't have to seek, they come to her for obvious reasons. *wink*

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Footnotes.

    Back to main topic.

    As mentioned earlier, there was a second - much better release "Collector's Edition", which is bad sportsmanship in my opinion. If you wanted extras you needed to shell out $39.98 for the two disc edition.



    It came with a twenty-eight page production booklet, a fold out map of H.M.S. Surprise's journey, two page booklet with chapter listing and bonus content index. Also with the same two page, small ad insert that accompanied the basic edition.

    Yes, pretty extensive, a seventy minute documentary on the making along with various featurettes and deleted scenes (galleries too). The regular edition should have at least had the deleted moments.

    This has the teaser and trailer.

    Another moan - the inside flap that holds the print collectibles. It's too big or rather too loose. Unless you're holding the digipak carefully - all content tumbles out. It's happened to me a few times.

    I'm trying to keep them in mint condition - this isn't helping.

    Anyhow, I have the exclusive bonus with the single disc movie - moved into a two disc case. Why? Sometimes you just want the film. And besides, the nubs on the CE are hard to remove the DVDs; great for disc storage, but a pain when you want to play.

    So... was this production booklet, the same booklet inside the Costco long box? I don't know, perhaps.

    Man, this took a life of its own.

    "Master" month continues on July 27th, 2017 - another sex injected entry. Got your attention? A naughty TV series with a docudrama flavor. See you then.
    Last edited by JohnIan101; 07-27-2019 at 06:01 AM.

  5. #305
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    Target - July 11th, 2017


    The Fate Of The Furious
    Exclusive cinch sack; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

    Smurf: The Lost Village
    Exclusive bonus disc (format unknow); BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

    - - - - - - - - - -

    CD available 7/14/17

    "Kidz Bop - 35" with 4 exclusive bonus tracks $9.99

  6. #306
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    Best Buy - July 11th, 2017


    The Fate Of The Furious
    Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $22.99

    Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
    Exclusive steelbook; BD only $59.99

    Transformers (available now)
    Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (available now)
    Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (available now)
    Transformers: Age Of Extinction (available now)
    Exclusive steelbooks (BD/DC combo); purchase all four for $40.00

    - - - - - - - - - -

    CD available now

    "Faith Evans - The King & I" with exclusive bonus track $11.99

  7. #307
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    Target - July 18th, 2017


    Kong: Skull Island
    Exclusive bonus content (on the BD) with lenticular packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

    - - - - - - - - - - -

    CD available 07/21/17

    "Lana Del Ray - Lust For Life" exclusive poster $11.99

  8. #308
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    Best Buy - July 18th, 2017


    Kong: Skull Island
    Exclusive steelbook case; 4K BD/3D BD/BD combo $34.99

    Spider-Man Legacy Collection (available now)
    Exclusive steelbook; BD only $59.99 - with $10.00 Reward Certifcates

  9. #309
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    Target - July 25th, 2017


    Ghost In The Shell
    Exclusive packaging and BD bonus disc; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

    Boss Baby
    Exclusive talking keychain; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

  10. #310
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    Best Buy - July 25th, 2017


    Boss Baby
    Exclusive lunch box with receipt of movie purchase $4.99

    Ghost In The Shell
    Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD combo $21.99

    The Walking Dead: Season Seven
    Free tote bag with preorder

  11. #311
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    Past Tense - Naughty Science Part I


    [An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on June 4th, 2015 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

    Are your intimate delights shared? Or are you on the fringe? Find out in "Masters Of Sex"...



    "Masters Of Sex: Season One" was released on home video on June 24th, 2014.

    It streeted against "The Boondocks: Season Four", "300: Rise Of An Empire" and "Lost Girl: The Complete Fourth Season".

    The DVD did not come with a slipcover, but the Blu-Ray edition did. This originally came with single, one sided small insert, an advertisement for the show's second season on Showtime.

    It's so weird, Michael Sheen looks like actor Giovanni Ribisi in the poster. Dude, shouldn't you be helping Sky Captain?

    And yeah, that's a great promo poster.

    - - -

    Welcome back to "Master" month - bring your lollis and loose change. Why? 'Cause I probably need that change and would like some candy. Don't try to understand.

    This particular had one exclusive and a freebee. How great depends on what you consider more important to you.



    Target had an exclusive bonus disc; this DVD was available for both editions. The set sold for $29.99 (DVD) and $34.99 (BD).

    The disc came in a white CD envelope inside the case. It has a run time of 11:22 minutes, presented in widescreen.

    Best Buy offered a free $5.00 gift card with purchase; $31.99 for DVD or $36.99 for Blu-Ray. As you would expect, I didn't purchase here. In fact, I almost didn't get my copy...

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Rant.

    At the time; my car was having power issues, turns out the clutch was dying. An expensive repair, but far cheaper than going to a shop.

    It pays to have family friends who can fix cars - especially ones who used to be mechanic. It took three days to mend (mostly getting the right parts); Sunday to Tuesday at my home. He made a house call. I am most grateful.

    So I wasn't focused on any titles that week. I just wanted my car back. It's depressing without wheels, mundane things like getting groceries becomes a chore; only the things you can carry.

    It gets fixed, Tuesday afternoon. Drove it around, gave it a workout. Yup, done. Thanks.

    Oh hey, Target has the cheaper deal on the two disc DVD edition of "300: Rise Of An Empire", one dollar cheaper than Best Buy's tag - which I didn't own at the time.

    A dollar?

    Well it's a savings since Target is far more nearer to my home than Best Buy - so overall milage and discount IS an advantage.

    I get there and pick up their weekly ad and flip through it.

    WTF?

    Tiny text under the entry: "exclusive content".

    Frack me.

    Somehow I missed this exclusive - knowing in advance and planning accordingly. So "300" got put on the back burner (which I did get, that year's Black Friday at Wal-Mart). I want this title more.

    So there I am at the shelves - new arrivals. The spaces reserved for season one is empty; DVD and BD. I look for help; asking if there were more copies? I did check their TV section first, making sure they didn't have additional copies here (Best Buy does that). Nope.

    The woman I spoke to said, they got ONE COPY (DVD) with the bonus disc. And that they have another shipment the following day. There may be a restock, but since it's an exclusive, quantities may have all ready sold out.

    Joy.

    So I return the next morning. Yes. They did get more copies of season one. A total of two of them with the bonus disc - one for each format. I snatch it up the DVD. I'm sure they're were disappointed customers who didn't come in that morning before me.

    How rare is this?

    Do not know, but Target stores were random. Reading online; some on release day didn't carry it at all; others had a few copies, but no exclusives. And like mine, if they did it - just a couple of them.

    That kind of stocking isn't out of the ordinary for them.

    The store has a history of having quite limited exclusives. What comes to mind is "Across The Universe" DVD sets, few stores got that 2008 exclusive book, "The Rough Guide To The Beatles". It has various band information and lots of photos. Mine store did not. I did the same, came back the next day. Nope, same conclusion - squat.

    My Target never got the exclusive by the way. *shakes head*

    I still don't have that item, it's on my want list.

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Tangent.

    "Masters Of Sex" takes place in 1956 (or rather starts). That got me thinking of other TV period dramas; good ones.

    There have been quite a few...



    Shows like "Mad Men" (2007; the gold standard), "Boardwalk Empire" (2009; previous PT), "The Playboy Club" (2011), "Pan Am" (2011), "Magic City" (2012) and "Halt And Catch Fire" (2014). And yeah, that's a great poster image for "The Playboy Club". *smiles*

    I remember the outcry over ABC's decision not to have any smoking in their series - portraying a sanitized version of the 1960s with "Pam Am". It didn't hurt the show, but that absence didn't help either. If you're gonna do a period program, why would you not show that? That's like doing a cowboy series with all the indians conveniently absent.

    Yes, there are more period shows (some airing now), but I'm limiting my showcase (mostly) to the mid 20th century, forward.

    Of all the shows, the one I'm most sadden over its cancelation is "Magic City". Don't get me wrong, I love "Mad Men" and "Boardwalk Empire", but they got to stretch legs and we saw their majestic horizons. "Magic City" was cut just was it was making its stride. Things got real at the conclusion of season two... then no more. Damn it.

    Going back to HCF for a moment.

    The first time I saw actress Mackenzie Davis (from "Halt And Catch Fire") was "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson"; June 27th, 2014. She's quite a playful gal. Reminds me a lot of Keira Knightley. Davis wore a low hemmed, sun dress and Craig gave her a twirl before sitting down for the interview.

    You can imagine what happened next. She had biker shorts under that in case you're curious. You perv. *smile*

    Man, I miss you Ferguson and Letterman.

    The show's title refers to a code HCF, which could can brick a computer.

    Yup, these are random bits.

    Something I didn't know at the time; there were talks for a second season of "Pan Am" having Amazon picking up the show for their new streaming service. Too bad, would've been nice.

    The former series stars a pre-famous, Margot Robbie. The current, It Girl; she's the one on the far left of that promo poster image.

    I recall the moans from "The Playboy Club"; folks complained that Nick Dalton (Eddie Cibrian) was a pale imitation of Don Draper (Jon Hamm) from "Mad Men". I didn't feel that. Both men are smooth talkers, players as it were. But not much beyond that. What were they expecting?
    Last edited by JohnIan101; 07-27-2019 at 06:19 AM.

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    Past Tense - Naughty Science Part II


    What sucks bad here is that two versions were shot for each episode. One for television broadcast, the other uncensored for the later DVD. A home video release never happened. It kinda bombed in the ratings. I would totally buy it. I know I'm not the only one.

    There is a chance that perhaps Mill Creek Entertainment may release it in the future. The company has a long history of being the welfare of DVD distributors. Poorly authored and manufactured discs. But as of the past couple of years, they've made stride to change that. Even addding extras.

    Years ago it talked about (since I brought up "Mad Men"), that the show would end in the 1980s with an elderly Draper clinging to be relevant in a track suit.

    But that didn't happen.



    Another solid mention is "Manhattan" from WGN, the series about the creation of the first nuclear bomb; the families of the men who cracked the atom. Both seasons are on DVD. Good show, recommended. And "The Hour" a BBC series set in 1956 from 2011. Haven't seen it, but have heard good things. I need to pick that up on DVD, both seasons (only two were made).

    Then there is this...

    Can't say if its any good though; kept forgetting to watch and by the time I remember - too late.

    Canceled.



    The ABC period series, "The Astronauts Wives Club" set in the 1960s; the spouses of the "Mercury Seven" astronauts. Based on the book of the same name by Lily Koppel. The 2015 TV show lasted ten episodes. As I understand it was made as a limited run series.

    The intent was having a new season set in a different period with new set of wives under intense stress.

    Series finally comes to DVD on September 12th, 2017 from Mill Creek Entertainment for $24.98; no extras.

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Rant.

    In the outskirts and in the fringes. On the edge and off the avenue.
    - Suzanne Vega



    "Masters Of Sex" was a blind purchase. And it took four episodes for me to get into it.

    The series' main character - Dr. William Masters (played by Sheen) is very off putting. Four episodes to make me care about him. He's a narrow minded ass. Or I suppose you could say, laser focus on work to the detriment of those around him.

    Next was Dr. Ethan Haas (Nicholas D'Agosto); lab coat, above pix. I don't like women getting hit. He does that early on. He's a belligerent drunk. Haas hasn't hit the sauce so much, I'm conflicted. He seems like a nice guy, but the whole punching thing continues to bother me.

    Yes, a punch.

    Anyhow, on the fourth episode we got some humanity out of Masters, tragedy hits him. It gave the man some much needed humility. It's pretty simple for me; get me to care and I'll follow you - no matter how insane your story is.

    The show is dead, cancelled after four seasons. But only one and two are on home video. When will the other two come out? I would like to see them - don't have cable.

    There could be a combo season if it ever comes out. This is a season show with limited episodes. Season one had twelve as did two and three, but four had ten. So a season three and four set would have twenty-two programs; a six disc DVD release. Would buy it on street.



    Now the question that is on the tongue - how's the nudity? Yes. Yes there is. *smiles* Some very lovely ladies grace the show. Indeed. Let me make this clear, this is an adult series as in content, not hard core acts.

    Four episodes to get into?

    The biggest number by the way was thirteen for "Pretty Little Liars" season one. I bought the DVD on Black Friday 2012, was a blind buy at Target. I spent close to two hours in the checkout line that morning. I damn well was going to watch this box considered the effort I put into purchasing.

    Did NOT like it... until episode thirteen.

    It was like a switch had gotten pulled. All the stupid and utterly juvenile subplots were tied up. And now we got highly addictive and complex story lines. Boom! I'm in. Been a fan ever since.

    Something I don't like; the open credits for MOS. Don't know, it feels so kitschy. Maybe that's what they were going after. I think of the opening credits to "Magic City" or "Mad Men" and it feels right.

    This was a show that slipped under my radar. It was an issue of Playboy which ran an ad for the show - the same poster on the top of this PT entry. When Playboy had nudity and bite, not what it later became; which is why I didn't renew my subscription after nearly twenty-five years. Wow, that's a long time.

    Have since re-subscribed - they brought the nudity back.

    *pause*

    When saw the first episode I was confused. Masters' wife, Libby (Caitlin Fitzgerald) calls her husband - "Daddy". Ahhhhh.



    The woman is younger than him (not a lot, but noticeably younger) and did not know she was his wife at the time.

    Is he's screwing his daughter? She seems happy about that.

    So weird, then we find out Libby is the wife. So there. But still, "Daddy"? I guess things were different back then.

    There you go folks. We come to the end of another Past Tense. Was it good for you?

    Come back on August 10th, 2017 for another flash of goodness, a month long entrée about a contrived situation that lasted three seasons.

    Now remember, pickup ALL your clothes. Don't think of it as a walk of shame - think of it as the start of our next meeting.

    Feel the goose bumps. See you then.
    Last edited by JohnIan101; 07-27-2019 at 06:28 AM.

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    Past Tense


    [An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on June 26th, 2014 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

    Gotta ask yourself; have you packed enough rolls of toilet paper for when you get caught - "Under The Dome"?



    "Under The Dome [Season One]" was released on home video on November 5th, 2013.

    It streeted against "White House Down", "Mad Men: Season Six" and "Parkland".

    This originally came with a cardboard case (not card stock like most season sets). It opens nearly in half, inside is a digipak holding the four discs. There were no inserts. The digipak held the episode guide (without air dates) and bonus listing. It was later re-release in a standard DVD case.

    The box reminds of the packaging used for "Dinosaurs: The Complete First And Second Seasons" (2006, Buena Vista Home Entertainment); in that case, you had to be careful grabbing or the package would separate - causing a disaster and damage (nearly happened to me on three occasions). It's different here since the dome over the town, a half circle on the lower part the package overlaps the top half.

    So you can get a good grip on the box.

    By the way, the dome on the front cover is glossy, the rest is cardboard. It should be noted that the set does not say 'Season One' just the title. I'll get into that possible answer in a few.

    - - -

    There were two exclusives for season one.



    Target offered a six postcard set (in a cardboard pouch/envelope). This offer was available for DVD ($29.99) and Blu-Ray ($34.99) editions. Above, right is the front of that pouch.

    This collection was packed on the back of the box; the pouch's back, mirrored the box's rear, same size.

    The cards are kinda small, measuring 4" x 6" - each are connected, perforated.

    I haven't separated mine, I'm anal.



    The far right image is their rear - identical to each.

    Did not buy my copy on release day. I was busy picking up season six of "Mad Men" and another title.

    What happened was pure luck or perhaps reflects consumer interest.

    More than a month passed; my store still had a couple copies of that exclusive. Bought mine on December 22nd (2013) on sale for $24.99. Did I not say I'm anal?

    That kind of good fortune doesn't happen often, stores get a limited number of copies.



    Amazon had a 'Limited Collector's Edition' Blu-Ray set which sold for $99.99 on street. This was advertised on the show. Above, top is the early image, below... the final product.

    I was wondering when I first saw it, if that was an aerial photograph with maybe some photoshopped 3D elements inside. Nope.

    The final product looks weak as hell; far too cheap for a hundred bucks. Yeah, I see the half cow in there.

    I'm not into BDs, but if I were, I would stick with the regular edition. Man, that's the definition of gimmicky packaging. The kind of stuff you would expect to see a cheaply produced, whimsical thimble collection - not detailed, just enough to get the point across.

    Let me repeat, a hundred dollars.

    By the way, Lenox released detailed and expensive thimbles series; cottages, castles and bird houses. Don't look at me that way, I like what I like.

    You had to buy each item separately. And if you wanted, you could purchase the display rack.

    Money: Some will blow it on hookers and drugs. Some on well crafted thimbles.

    - - - - - - - - - -

    Rant.

    Something here is very strange, something here I can't explain, something that I know is true.
    - C-Spot Run

    There have been three woes that keep on resurfacing. All have a very simple and logical explanation, but remain a thorn for so many viewers.

    Why is there wind or for that matter rain inside the dome?

    *sigh*

    Wind is generated on Earth by differential temperatures. Hot air rises, cold air falls - it creates airflows as an equilibrium tries to form; depending on how intense these localized agitations become; we can get a nice breeze to a destructive hurricane. Basic physics still work inside the dome; heat rises, cold sinks = wind.

    Any large (and I mean huge) structure can create their own evaporation cloud just as the Earth does. As heat rises so does water vapor. As these water particles cool, they form droplets. These droplets fall once they get too big - gravity and it rains, basic physics. Source?

    Remember that the force field covers ten miles and includes a chunk of the nearby lake - evaporation.

    It has rain inside the Astrodome in Houston, TX. Water coming off the regions' high humidity, it can get trapped under that dome. The stadium's air conditioning remove excessive heat and moisture from the air - just like your home unit, which is why AC machines have drainage in the rear.

    It rained in the Astrodome on July 30th, 1972, blame poor air conditioning.

    No mystery here, there is wind and rain in the dome. Get over it.

    And the third, 'why don't they run out of air?'

    This makes me want to pull out hairs... Chester's Mill is largely an agrarian town, surrounded by dense vegetation (forests and farm lands).

    It's called photosynthesis. Frack me.

    - - -

    Surprised that few people have talked about the earlier incarnation - not "The Simpsons Movie" (2007).



    The 1966 (December 21st) 3-D, theatrical feature "The Bubble"; later retitled "Fantastic Invasion Of Planet Earth" in 1976 for its re-release (edited from 112 minutes to 94 minutes; and later once again to 75 minutes for home video release on VHS). United Kingdom re-release poster above.

    It starred Johnny Desmond, Michael Cole and Deborah Walley as young couple with their pilot (Desmond) who are traveling by small airplane, they run into a storm and forced to land. Not just because of bad weather, but also because the woman is quite pregnant.

    The trio find themselves suck in a town that's been covered by a giant force field. Making the matter worse is the town folks acting like robots, under a trance. Yup, aliens. When they're not probing your anus they're erecting invisible domes over towns. Leatherheads, get a better hobby.

    The non-seen entities (yeah, a total cop out) are forcing the residents to manufacture food for them in retrofitted factory. I saw this on TV back in the 1980s; what I remember was them going into a mine and trying to dig out. It goes down deep, real deep. Can't recall the conclusion, the why or how, but they do get out (the pilot was killed by the aliens, pulled up into the sky).

    Don't bother with it. This was an effects movie; all about shoving things into your face with 3D, thin on story. I still recall being bored watching this, great concept - poor execution. Ha! That's what some are saying about the series.

    Anyhow, you can find the film's trailer on YouTube. I could say, 'judge for yourself', but that would be a lie. The trailer doesn't show any footage - it just talks about how great the visuals WILL be.

    It's on DVD from Rhino Home Video (October 5th, 1999), but the shorten version. The case reads 112 minutes, no it's not. It does present the film in 3D with a two pair of glasses. It came out in a cardboard snapper case with zero extras.

    Or if you like, it's also on 3D Blu-Ray; release from Kino on November 18th, 2014 for $34.95; presentation in mono. It comes with the 2D version, restoration featurette, a gallery, excerpts of a deleted scene (from the screenplay), trailers and an essay on the film by Bob Furmanek in BD-ROM.

    - - -

    Why doesn't the box say 'season one'?

    I think the outer packaging was done before CBS' final decision.



    "Under The Dome" (based on Stephen King's 2009 novel) was intended to be a limited run series (thirteen episodes); beginning, middle and end. With an option to continue (depending on the ratings) for a second season. It did well enough and became not self-contained.

    Did they film that finale? By the way, the novel, the whole situation and resolution happens in a single week.

    A side note, folks complained about the 2014 paperback edition. The publisher, Pocket Books broke the hardback (1,074 pages) into two parts - forcing folks to buy the book twice over ($8.99 each) to get complete story.

    And there you go; come back here on August 24th, 2017 for a season two exclusive. Yeah, don't get excited. See you then.
    Last edited by JohnIan101; 07-27-2019 at 06:38 AM.

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