Those pesky penguins

By: BRIAN THOMAS
Date: Saturday, November 12, 2005

You may have read my ranting about small format media discs in my columns before. At this point it seems that Sony is actually winning that battle, despite the incompatibility of their so-called Universal Media Discs. The package they've put together for their PlayStation Portable device is excellent, and they've done an amazing job lining up studios behind the format. As we go to press, I've just got my hands on a PSP and you can expect to see expanded coverage of UMDs here and in DVD Shopping List soon and quite likely some full length UMD reviews, now that studios have begun adding more extras to them.

And how does anime look on that little LCD screen. From what I've seen so far, it's amazing. The screen may still be small, but it's a great deal bigger than those of previous handheld devices, and a lot sharper, too. The depth of detail is surprising, and the audio and video play without a glitch, even if you wave the thing around. I've yet to find out whether the eyestrain from watching something I'm holding in my hand will be excessive some reports tell me that if I play with a handheld too much I'll go blind. If so, next week's column may be appearing in Braille.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

We've got lots of great vintage stuff and box sets of Japanese shows this week on DVD, but this hit feature will likely outsell all of them.

(O) MADAGASCAR (DreamWorks) Star voice actors are the focus of this CGanime comedy feature in which New York zoo animals escape to The Wild, and find their domestic pampering has made them a breed apart. In fullscreen and widescreen editions include bonus short featuring those goofy penguins, penguin commentrak, music video, games and more.

NEW DVD RELEASES

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

(O) ANIMAL TREASURE ISLAND (Discotek) Fanciful 1971 feature adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic with critters in major roles. Directed by Hiroshi Ikeda, who provided the f/x in the trashfilm classic THE X FROM OUTER SPACE. Hayao Miyazaki is listed among the ket animators.
(O) AREA 88 Volume 3: Tightrope at the Speed of Sound (ADV) Episodes 7-9. When the enemy cuts off all supply lines to the base, Shin goes on a desperate mission to break through. Includes interviews.
(O) BEAST MACHINES Complete Series (Rhino) Sequel series to the TRANSFORMERS spin-off BEAST WARS.
(O) CARDCAPTOR SAKURA: Sakura Book Set (Geneon) Volumes 10-18, comprising episodes 36-70 of the popular card game based series. 

(O) DAVEY & GOLIATH Volume 3: Learning About Helping Each Other (Starlight) Six episodes of God-fearing fun, plus a half-hour Christmas special, episode guide and coloring pages.
(O) DAVEY & GOLIATH'S SNOWBOARD CHRISTMAS (Starlight) The Christian boy with the miraculous talking dog are back after 30 years in an all-new special! On a snowboarding vacation, Davey gets into a jam and learns about tolerance. Includes behind-the-scenes featurette and word search games.
(O) DRAGON BALL GREAT SIYAMAN: Crash Course (Funimation) Episodes 192-194. Fighters gather for the martial arts tournament. Uncut English and original Japanese versions.
(O) ELFEN LIED Vector 4 (ADV) Final volume. The only way to catch killer Lucy may be to unleash the deadly mutant #35.
(O) FAFNER Volume 3: Human Force (Geneon) Episodes 9-12. The team is attacked on a mysterious island.
(O) THE FLINTSTONES Season Four (Warner Bros.) Ann Margrock visits and the Rubbles adopt the strongest kid in the world. All 26 episodes.
(O) THE FLINTSTONES Complete Seasons 1-4 (Warner Bros.) This bundles the first four seasons. Bring on seasons 5 and 6!
(O) FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Volume 6: Captured Souls (Funimation).Episodes 21-24. Ed finds the ultimate power hidden in Lab Five. Also available in collector box with CD soundtrack.
(O) GANTZ Volume 9: Judge, Jury & Executioner (ADV) The remaining players trudge onward through the third game. Includes interviews and more.
(O) GRENADIER Volume 3: Touch & Go (Media Blasters) Yajirou and Rushyuna face an old comrade thought dead, now revived by the Jester as an enemy. Also available in collector box.
(O) HELLO KITTY'S ANIMATION THEATER COLLECTION (ADV)
(O) HOME MOVIES Season 3 (Shout Factory) All thirteen episodes of the Adult Swim favorite on three discs, plus commentraks, a game, animatics, featurettes and more.
(O) HUCKLEBERRY HOUND Volume One (Warner Bros.) Huck, pretty much a blue canine version of the Andy Griffith character from NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS, has various comic adventures, sharing the program with second stringers Yogi Bear, Hokey Wolf, Pixie, Dixie, and Mr. Jinx. Hanna-Barbera imprinted their trademark on the animation world with this 1958 series that adapted the 7-minute cartoon short format to TV limited animation techniques. 26 episodes on 4 discs.
(O) THE INCREDIBLES (Buena Vista) UMD
(O) KING KONG (Sony) Episodes from the 1966 Rankin-Bass Saturday morning cartoon show in which the giant ape (or a close relative) befriends an island-hopping family. Two separate volumes available along with a 4-disc box set.
(O) KODACHA Volume 3 (Funimation)
(O) MERMAID FOREST Volume 3: Unquenchable Thirst (Geneon) Yuta meets a liver-eating monster.
(O) MEZZO Complete Collection (ADV) Mikura is the top agent of the Danger Service Agency. All 13 action-packed episodes.
(O) OTOGI ZOSHI Volume 5: Crossing Boundaries (Media Blasters) Episodes 19-22. Hikaru and Tsuna continue to investigate Tokyo's wave of supernatural events. Who is the man in the black coat? Includes interviews, a lecture and a round table discussion with the creators.
(O) PEACEMAKER Complete Collection (ADV) A teenage orphan seeks revenge by joining an elite group of samurai. All 24 episodes.
(O) PHANTOM (Media Blasters) It's love at first sight when a young man spots a sniper. Unfortunately, she sees him, too, and he's forced to either become an assassin himself or become her next target.
(O) THE PLAGUE DOGS (Trinity) 1982 feature about two dogs that escape a laboratory and become fugitives when it's suspected that they're infected with a deadly disease. Delayed from last week.
(O) PROJECT ARMS 2nd CHAPTER Volume 7: A Desperate Hope (Viz) Episodes 50-52. The Arms need to team up to defeat Egrigori.
(O) RUROUNI KENSHIN TV Series Season One (Media Blasters)
(O) SAIKANO Box Set (Viz) All 13 episodes on 3 discs.
(O) SALARYMAN KINTARO Volume 3 (Artsmagic) Episodes 9-12. Things are looking up for Kintaro, but trouble looms at the Mt. Kousei Tunnel construction site.
(O) SHADOW SKILL Volume 1 (ADV) Episodes 1-4. Elle Ragu is a member of an elite group of martial arts warriors, but fighting skill doesn't pay the bills.
(O) SOMETHING FROM NOTHING (SISU) A boy has adventures with his magical grandfather and a mouse. Includes interview with author Phoebe Gelman and a tour of her home.
(O) SONIC X: Project Shadow (Funimation).
(O) SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: Where's Gary? (Paramount) Includes the first double-length episode, plus karaoke!
(O) TWELVE KINGDOMS: Premium Collection 2 (Media Blasters) Volumes 6-10. More adventures for Youko in the Kingdom of Kei.
(O) YOGI BEAR SHOW Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Hit spin-off from HUCKLEBERRY HOUND about a picnic basket obsessed bear that talks like Ed Norton from THE HONEYMOONERS. All 35 episodes on four discs.

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 (© 2005 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.