I Am Curious, Yellow Hat

By: BRIAN THOMAS
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2006

In response to an apparent uproar from loyal fans, Cartoon Network has brought DRAGON BALL Z back to its nighttime lineup at 9:30 CT Mondays through Thursdays. They may have thought that the show's mostly young audience didn't stay up that late on school nights, but either kids are neglecting their studies to watch those crazy characters fight it out, or stoned adult slackers have gotten tired of watching FAMILY GUY reruns at night and have found a new home with Goku and company. DRAGON BALL celebrates its 20th anniversary in anime this year man, do I feel old!

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Geneon has begun podcasting content with trailers and TV spots for VIEWTIFUL JOE and SAMURAI CHAMPLOO, with plans to upload more DVD extras like interviews and behind-the-scenes footage in the near future. Search for Geneon on iTunes.

Opening our Prize Closet, we also have a DVD giveaway from Geneon Entertainment. Five lucky winners who send an email to psycho@psychotronic.info containing their names and addresses will receive the following titles: DEARS Volume 4, FIGHTING SPIRIT Volume 10 and ULTRA MANIAC Volume 6. To win, don't forget to put "GENEON 3-PACK" in the email subject.

We also have three copies of ULTIMATE AVENGERS to give away courtesy of Lions Gate. For this one, put "AVENGERS ASSEMBLE" in the subject.

And finally, we have three copies of the X-rated claymation feature LIVE FREAKY! DIE FREAKY! courtesy of Wellspring. You should make the subject line "FREAKY", and this giveaway is open only to readers 18-years and over.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Now in theaters:

(O) CURIOUS GEORGE (Universal) Number 3 at the box office last week was this adaptation of the wildly popular Hans and Margret Rey children's book series about an oddly dressed man and his inquisitive monkey friend. The Reys, who escaped the Nazi invasion of Paris with the manuscript for GEORGE (a spin-off from their popular RAFFY & THE 9 MONKEYS), might not like the way their charming original artwork has been slicked up, but the film retains a lot of the books' charm, and the voice work (Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, David Cross) is impressive.

NEW DVD RELEASES

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

(O) BURST ANGEL Volume 6: Guardian Angel (Funimation) Episode 21-24. What will Sei's team do during a terrorist attack after they're decommissioned? Includes commentrak, audio drama and more.

(O) CASE CLOSED Season One Starter Set: The Investigation is Afoot (Funimation) This series about a teen sleuth (aka DETECTIVE CONAN) is currently in its tenth season on Japanese TV - man, do I feel old! To celebrate the anniversary, Funimation is re-releasing these hard to get episodes from the beginning. Includes the first nine episodes on two discs, plus a banner and keychain.
(O) DEARS Volume 4: Fourth Contact (Geneon) Rent tries to avoid being recalled to the mothership.
(O) FIGHTING SPIRIT Volume 10: The Red Wolf (Geneon) Ippo versus Volg.
(O) GANTZ Season One Collection (ADV) Strangers are abducted by a mysterious entity and are forced to fight through a series of challenges in this ultraviolent hit sci-fi series. 13 episodes, interviews and more.
(O) GATCHAMAN Volume 9: Funeral for a Friend (ADV) Episodes 49-54 of the original 1972 series. The Science Ninja Team battles giant monsters and their own impulses. Includes commentrak, karaoke and more.
(O) GATCHAMAN Volume 10: Jet Cutters & the Giant Buddah (ADV) Episodes 55-60. The team goes on an underwater mission and befriend an amnesiac Galactor. Includes commentrak, karaoke and more.
(O) GATCHAMAN Collection 5 (ADV) Includes volumes 9 and 10.
(O) GO DIEGO GO!: The Great Dinosaur Adventure (Paramount) Dora the Explorer's cousin rescues dinosaurs, a whale, and some rare frogs.
(O) IGPX Volume 1 (Bandai) The adventures of a future racing team that travels at 350 miles per hour. Available in a Toonami Edition, uncut edition with pilot episode, interviews and commentrak, and an uncut special edition that includes a t-shirt.
(O) REDWALL Season 1 (Funimation) All 13 episodes of the fanciful talking animal series on two discs.
(O) SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: Lost In Time (Paramount) So that's how Patrick's signature got on the Magna Carta! Includes medieval jousting game.
(O) STUART LITTLE 3: THE CALL OF THE WILD (Sony) This sequel goes straight to video in animated form, with Stuart making new friends on a wilderness adventure. The CGanime looks kind of wobbly and drifty.
(O) TEDDY RUXPIN Volume 1: The Journey Begins (First National)
(O) TEDDY RUXPIN Volume 1: The Journey Continues (First National) The character redesign for this 1987 series took a lot of the charm out of the beloved bear toy. Each volume holds five episodes.
(O) ULTIMATE AVENGERS (Lions Gate) Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp and Giant Man unite to fight evil in this original movie. But can they control the Hulk? Includes annotation track, featurettes DVD-ROM and more. A sequel is already on the way. See above for giveaway.
(O) ULTRAMANIAC Volume 6: Magical Love (Geneon) Episodes 21-23. More romantic complications.
(O) WHAT'S NEW SCOOBY-DOO?: Zoinks, Camera, Action! (Warner Bros.) Mystery Inc. gets involved in the movie business.

UMD CORNER

(O) ULTIMATE AVENGERS (Lions Gate)
(O) STUART LITTLE 3: THE CALL OF THE WILD (Sony) Less than life size!

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.