Give SIMPSONS a chance

By: Brian Thomas
Date: Saturday, August 12, 2006

BARNYARD held on to the number 2 slot at the box office last week, making it a solid three CGanime features along with THE ANT BULLY and MONSTER HOUSE in the US top ten at the same time. Together, the three of them have pulled in nearly $100 million at the box office at this writing. Not too shabby, but considering that Pixar movies usually make over $60 million on their opening weekend, it may be time for a breather from these things.

In our Prize Closet this week we have 5 copies of HONG KONG PHOOEY Complete Series to give away, courtesy of Warner Bros. To enter the giveaway, just send one email to psycho@psychotronic.info containing their names and addresses will win if they put "PHOOEY" in the email subject.

Warner Bros. is also providing 5 copies of MAGILLA GORILLA Complete Series. For this one, you just need to put "HOW MUCH IS THAT DVD IN THE WINDOW?" in the subject line.


SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Has anyone seen this show?

(O) THE SIMPSONS Complete Eighth Season (Fox) Apparently this obscure cartoon series has been running for eight years. Must be really cheap to keep going under the pop culture radar for that long. I guess I should give it a look. 24 episodes on 4 discs, plus telestrator commentraks, deleted footage, promos and more. Available in standard and collectible package shaped like Maggie's head.

NEW DVD RELEASES

Here's a rundown of the constant stream of anime comin' at ya on DVD from around the world:

(O) THE BRAK SHOW Volume 2 (Warner Bros.) 154 minutes of nonsense from Space Ghost's least favorite villain and TV talk show sidekick. That's, like, 14 episodes.
(O) DESERT PUNK Volume 6: Death of the Desert (Funimation) Is Desert Punk dead? Fearing the worst, Kosuna adopts his name and carries on with the help of a pint-sized apprentice equipped with a full-sized attitude! Double-crosses and unexpected events lead to an explosive final battle... but has Desert Punk's legacy reached its end?
(O) DORA THE EXPLORER: We're A Team! (Paramount) Dora learns the value of cooperative team competition. Plus four other episodes, music video and more.

(O) ELEMENTAL GELADE Volume 2: Foundations (Geneon)
(O) GALAXY HIGH SCHOOL Volume 2 (Media Blasters) Delayed from last week.
(O) GATCHAMAN Volume 15: Dr. Finger and Sugar Mountain (ADV)
(O) GATCHAMAN Volume 16: Galactor Strikes Back (ADV) G-Force in action again!
(O) GATCHAMAN Collection 8 (ADV) Includes volumes 15 and 16.
(O) GRENADIER Premium Collection (Media Blasters) A samurai swordsman and a gunslinging girl search for peace in wartorn Japan.
(O) HONG KONG PHOOEY Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Hanna-Barbera tried to cash in on the kung fu craze with this 1974 Saturday morning cartoon series about a masked martial arts dog hero (voiced by Scatman Crothers) fighting crime. All 31 episodes on 2 discs, plus commentrak, retrospective documentaruy, storyboard and more.
(O) KAMICHU Volume 2: The Power of Love (Geneon) Yurie must tackle the challenges of being sick as well as dealing with a rival in love as she struggles with her own morality to help fulfill a young girl's request to be with Ninomiya. Includes interviews and mini pencil board.
(O) MAGILLA GORILLA Complete Series (Warner Bros.) 1964 Hanna-Barbera weekly cartoon show about a hapless gorilla stuck by mistake in a neighborhood pet store, much to the chagrin of the harried owner. Supporting cartoons with hillbilly Tom & Jerry Punkin' Puss and Mushmouse, as well as western heroes Ricochet Rabbit and Deputy Droop-along, graduated to their own shows. 23 episodes plus 8 bonus shorts, interviews, footage of the theme song being performed, and a TV special about the creation of the show.
(O) NINJA NONSENSE: THE LEGEND OF SHINOBU Volume 1: Enter the Ninja (Right Stuf) Comic cutie-pie ninja adventures. 6 episodes, plus booklet and reversible cover.
(O) PRINCESS NATASHA Season 1 (Anchor Bay) An alien tween leads a triple life as a student, secret agent, and princess. Includes an unaired episode.
(O) SEALAB 2021 Season 4 (Warner Bros.) 13 Adult Swim episodes on 2 discs. Includes deleted footage, featurettes and more. Also available bundled with seasons 1-3.
(O) TATTOON MASTER Volume 1 (Media Blasters) Hibio's mother is a globetrotting adventurer who's been away from home most of his life. In order to get permission to research an ancient tribe, she must offer a special gift to its princess. Much to Hibio's surprise, he's the gift! Returning home from school one day, he finds the beautiful princess Nima waiting for him. She's come to collect her new husband, but the strange modern world and a host of rivals are standing between her and happiness!
(O) TEKNOMAN Collection Two (Media Blasters)
(O) TENCHI MUYO GXP Complete Collection (Funimation)
(O) TENJHO TENGE Round 8 (Geneon) The final volume brings the ultimate fight, as everyone battles for possession of the cursed sword. Includes mini pencil board (while supplies last).
(O) THOMAS & FRIENDS: On Site With Thomas (Anchor Bay)
(O) THOMAS & FRIENDS: Thomas, Percy & the Dragon (Anchor Bay) Six to seven more of my adventures in each volume from when I was a tank engine. Includes 2 bonus games, sing-alongs and more. Also available with toy train.
(O) X Re-Mix Volume 2 (Geneon) Unable to accept the truth behind his mother's death, Kamui visits Hinoto, the dreamseer for the Dragons of Heaven. He refuses to believe her prophecy - that he is the key to the Earth's fate! She pleads with him to try and change the future she foresees. As Kamui ponders his options, the Dragons of Earth start attacking Tokyo!


And be sure to check back next weekand every weekfor CINESCAPE's Anime Avalanche! And check in every Tuesday for the latest DVD Shopping List!

Anime Avalanche (© 2006 Brian Thomas) is our weekly animation column. Brian Thomas is the author of the massive book VideoHound's DRAGON: ASIAN ACTION & CULT FLICKS, available now!

Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at DVDShoppingList@cinescape.com.