Here's A Pretty Good TV Christmas DVD To Get You In The Spirit (A Little Early, Yes), But Can't We All Use Some Cheer About Now?

The DVD is called "Holiday Treats" and has been issued by CBS DVD and Paramount.  I found this at Sam's Club today for a little over seven dollars, and thought it would be a good addition to a Christmas DVD that I have featuring episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies, Jack Benny, Ozzie And Harriet, and Red Skelton. 

That DVD came out a few years ago and I still see it in stores every year.  It is called "Vintage Christmas Classics", and was released by Alpha Video.  They have a web site called www.oldies.com where you can find lots of rare out of date cheap movies and shows as well as more recent titles at eye-popping prices.  I knew nothing about this site until I started writing this article and checked it out.  If you have never been there before (like me) be sure to go and check it out.

However, the main gist of this article is about "Holiday Treats".  The title is appropriate as several of these Christmas episodes I have been hoping to have copies of for a long time.  There are 8 shows featured on this DVD.  In order, they are "I Love Lucy" (12-24-1956), "The Honeymooners" (12-24-1955), "The Andy Griffith Show" (12-19-1960), "The Brady Bunch" (12-19-1969), "Taxi" (12-12-1978), "Family Ties" (12-14-1983), "Frasier" (12-16-1993), and "Wings" (12-21-1990).

They are all great Christmas episodes, with "Frasier" and "Taxi" probably being the two funniest, and "The Brady Bunch" being the most sentimental.  The picture quality is great although I haven't tried it out yet on the large HDTV television.  I have only run through the episodes on the computer so far. 

Of course, since these shows are owned by Paramount and Viacom who are becoming notorious for issuing half seasons of television series at full season prices, and also for refusing to cough up money to pay for the rights to use original music on some shows (most recently changing the music to "My Three Sons"), this DVD collection also has issues.  At least they tell you on the back that the music has been changed.

Miracle On Third Or Fourth Street. A Frasier Christmas.

Well, it turns out that it affected only two series - "Wings" and "Frasier".  And because both episodes are so funny, and since I paid so little for them, I can live with it.

If you see them in the store, pick them up.  It's a great disk for the entire family to sit down and watch.  Great for those who have never seen them and quite nostalgic for those who have. 

Oh yeah, you can also get them at Amazon.com.  Just use my Amazon search engine on the left.  Not only is it fast, but all ad clicks will go to help improve this site.  Maybe one of these days I can afford my own domain name.  Until then, enjoy the video.

Technorati Tags: holiday treats,i love lucy,the honeymooners,the andy griffith show,the brady bunch,taxi,family ties,frasier,wings,christmas episode,classic christmas,cbs dvd,cbs,paramount viacom

How Would You Like To Own A Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Car.

This is the car that was used at Universal Studios for many years and is up for sale on EBay. The seller of the car gives the following description:

In August of 2006 I purchased the original Universal Studios Ecto-1. The car was stripped of all the Ghost busting equipment and sold as an ambulance and with a little negotiation I was able to get all of the roof rack parts and the original light bars. This car was used at the park for over fifteen years for the Ghostbusters Experience, parades and display inside the Florida park. This car is one of three Sony/MGM authorized Ghostbusters 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ecto-1. There are the two original cars used in the films and this one built exclusively for the Universal Studios Theme parks. This car has a rich history and thousands of fans have been photographed with this car. The only major change made to this car was the roof rack. We modified the roof rack to resemble the screen used Sony Ecto-1 original car. Other upgrades are cosmetic and mechanically it's very sound.

Included with the car are a brand new set of Code 3 blue lense covers and center Chrome strips for the light bars. We have all of the roof rack components from the Universal Studios roof rack. A new set of Coker 4" whitewall tires are included with the sale. We also have other detail parts, hoses and information that will only make the car more accurate. I'm including an cdr packed with hundreds of photos of this car and the original Sony Ecto-1 for reference.

Mechanically the car runs great and is powered by a Chevy 350 with a turbo 400 transmission. This is a big heavy car and while it won't win any races, it's fine for around town cruising and driving. Has upgraded master cylinder, brand new brakes and brake lines and will stop on a dime! For insurance reasons most of the glass was removed from the car and replaced with acrylic windows. This does not detract from the car at all and can be easily changed by a qualified glass company. The front windshield has some scratching on the drivers side and a small crack on the passenger side. 1959-1960 glass will work and included with the sale is a brand new windshield rubber seal.

The interior headliner is brand new and in great shape with zipper access to the light bars and hardware. The front seat was recently re-upholstered by Universal and in great condition. The dash was modified by Universal and has gauges for everything you need, but it's been covered in carpet and the instrument cluster has been covered. The original cluster is behind the gauges and easily accessible. There is no key start for the car, it's been modified to a push button start for ease of use at the Universal Studios Theme Parks. There are two kill switches on the car for security and two gel cell batteries supply the cold cranking amps to get this beast going.

The car weighs in around 5000 pounds and is 21 feet long and almost 10 feet tall. We have made the roof snorkel, radome, hose box and clear dish removable so the car can be transported in an enclosed trailer.

The cars paint is not perfect and we tried to retain the integrity of the original paint and condition of the car as we purchased it from Universal Studios. The car displays well and is a lot of fun to drive and take to car shows. You cannot drive down the street without drawing a crowd and having tons of pictures taken.

We have done several charity shows and one convention with Ernie Hudson from the original Ghostbusters films. Ernie was nice enough to sign the car on the headliner above the sun visor. Ernie commented that the Universal car looked a lot nicer than the original in the films.

The car has a clear Tennessee title and currently tagged in our county.

Included are the Original Bill of sale from Universal Studios, Copy of the original Title and any information we had pertaining to the original purchase of the car. We also have a website dedicated to the history and restoration of the thee authorized Sony cars.

If you would like to make a bid (it starts at a mere $45,000.00) go the EBay page by clicking here.  You can also see a lot more images of it.

 

Technorati Tags: ghostbusters,ecto-1,car,ebay,auction,universal studios,riesen2b

Forest Whitaker Takes On "Satchmo".

"What A Wonderful World."  That is the title of the new Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong biopic that will be directed by and starring Oscar© winner Forest Whitaker.  Paris based Legende will be the studio behind the film.  They were also responsible for "La Vie En Rose".

Ron Bass, who will be the screenwriter, will be executive producer along with Oscar Cohen, executive of the Armstrong estate and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation.

This is the first bigscreen project to be authorized by the Armstrong estate. The story will begin during the musician’s  early years in New Orleans and primarily chronicle his career as a trumpet virtuoso and improvisational singer.

"What a Wonderful World" will begin shooting in the summer in Louisiana.

You may remember that Whitaker also portrayed jazz great Charlie Parker in the film "Bird".

This one should be a pretty good film as the life of Louis Armstrong, from what I've read in the past,  is pretty fascinating.

Technorati Tags: forest whitaker,louis armstrong,satchmo,what a wonderful world,oscar winner,legende,ron bass,charlie parker,bird,riesen2b

Crawford" Makes It's Premiere On Hulu.com. You Can Watch It Here!

Crawford, of course, is about the city in Texas where our battered President calls home.  This documentary, directed by David Modigliani is about a small town thrust into big politics when George W. Bush moves in next door. Gritty, authentic and often funny, CRAWFORD is Hulu's first movie premiere.

Technorati Tags: crawford,hulu.com,movie premiere,george w. bush,president,texas,david modigliani,documentary,politics,riesen2b

Fancast Is Worth Checking Out.

Fancast offers the best TV and movies online and the best way to watch them.

On Fancast.com consumers get instant access to the best TV, movie and entertainment information available, including free full length videos from top networks and movie studios.  Fancast houses more than 4,500 hours of streaming free full length content, and more than 5,600 episodes from more than 100 video providers including top networks and movie studios.  In addition, Fancast offers a download store for consumers to rent or purchase movie and television content.

• Fancast is the ideal entertainment site to access the best collection of TV shows and movies for free.  As the Web increasingly becomes a place to watch video content, Fancast continues to entertain fans with content from the top broadcast and cable networks and movie studios. Hit shows on Fancast from top networks:

NBC

Heroes
The Office
30 Rock
The Biggest Losers: Family
My Name is Earl
Lipstick Jungle
Night Rider
Kath & Kim

ABC

Desperate Hous.
Dancing w/ Stars
Grey’s Anatomy
Ugly Betty
Extreme Makeover
Private Practice
Samantha Who?
Pushing Daisies
Dirty Sexy Money
Brothers & Sisters

CBS

CSI
CSI: Miami
CSI: NY
Survivor: Gabon
Without a Trace
NCIS
How I Met Your Mother
The Unit
Numb3ers

Fox

House
The Simpsons
Prison Break
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles
Bones
Family Guy
King of the Hill
American Dad

CW

Friends
Everwood
Gilmore Girls
Jack and Bobby
The OC
One Tree Hill
Mad TV
Smurfs

• Fancast is the first video aggregator to offer exclusive cable content from cable networks like Californication from Showtime.
• Fancast is the first online site where users can watch, manage and locate entertainment on multiple platforms wherever it lives on TV, on demand, online, on DVDs or in the movie theater. 
• Fancast is the only site that offers new and retro TV videos with a complete editorial package of entertainment content from more than 11 million pages of information.  On the home page not only will you find great content, but the site offers the latest news and gives suggestions on what’s hot that day and even what TV shows you need to catch up on. 
  • Fancast’s blog runs exclusive interviews with stars on some of the most popular shows and gives users the chance to explore multiple dimensions of their favorite entertainment.
  • The editorial content on Fancast is there to enhance the video experience, telling you why the over 37,000 videos on the site matter to your entertainment experience.
• Users can rely on Fancast time and time again for the newest entertainment content, retro TV shows and movies, features, extras and the latest news from Hollywood on the Fancast blog.
• Fancast is a great source of entertainment information that can also be used as a resource for those who follow the world of entertainment.  Fancast has more than 80,000 photos and 11 million pages of entertainment information from multiple databases.
• Fancast will continue to evolve as an entertainment destination to enhance the end-user experience.  The site will continue to grow its functionality aligned with the roadmap we announced at CES in January.

Fancast is a great tool for entertainment consumption because it lets you know where to watch programming and reminds you when to catch your favorite shows and movies.

• Fancast is the only Web site that will tell users where and when the content they want is playing and how they can watch it on Fancast, on TV, On Demand, in theaters or on DVD.  Fancast seamlessly connects viewers to Fandango to purchase movie tickets and to the new Fancast store to download or rent titles.
• On Fancast users can search for and find video content and entertainment information they’re looking for on more than 11 million Web pages including information on more than 50,000 television shows, 80,000 movies and 1.2 million people combining multiple sources of entertainment information.
• Fancast’s new “notify me” tool allows users set email preferences, including reminders for when a new episode of their favorite show is on Fancast or on linear TV.  Fans can manage those selections though the site’s notification and features section.

If you want to check it out, click on any of these links to go there and try it.  What can be better than free.

Official Fancast Links

The main page where you will find everything is at the first link.

Fancast - Click here to see it all!

Star Trek - Click here.

The Hills - Click here.

South Park - Click here.

The Young and the Restless - Click here.

Technorati Tags: fancast,comcast,free online tv shows and movies,riesen2b

A Look Behind The Scenes Of "Watchmen".

Based on the graphic novel, "Watchmen" is set in an alternate-universe 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society.
When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes.

The video, "Blue Monday," offers a look behind the scenes at how director Zack Snyder and his team brought the indestructible Dr. Manhattan  to life.

This video comes from TrailerAddict.com

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Technorati Tags: watchmen,superheroes,graphic novel,blue monday,dr. manhattan,riesen2b,traileraddict

Fans Fleeing "Heroes" And "Chuck".

It seems like the true villians of "Heroes: Villians", which is volume three in the series, are the fans of the show, as the latest Nielsen reports showing the show continuing to slip in the ratings.  They are a fickle bunch to say the least.

"Chuck", which precedes "Heroes", and was recently picked up for a full season, has also seen it's ratings tank.  The drop in viewers has continued for the last three weeks. 

NBC's "Chuck" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) and "Heroes" (3.9/9 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) continue to look sluggish kicking off the night, with the former falling behind Fox's"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2.3/6 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall), which improved vs. last week.

That compares with ABC's, "Dancing With the Stars" (4.4/11 in 18-49, 18.8 million viewers overall), "The Big Bang Theory" (3.6 rating/10 share in adults 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) and "How I Met Your Mother" (4.0/10 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall).

This can't bode well for the premiere of NBC's Christian Slater show "My Own Worst Enemy", if it turns out that "Chuck" and "Heroes" are week lead ins.  On the other hand, if this show turns out to be strong, it may help improve the ratings for these shows.

Technorati Tags: heroes,chuck bartowski,nbc,ratings,my own worst enemy,nielsen ratings,riesen2b

Graphic Novel "Ramayan" Picked Up By Mandalay Pictures.

Mark Canton is set to produce "Ramayan 3392 AD", the Liquid Comics graphic novel which has been acquired by Mandalay Pictures.

Sony Online Entertainment optioned "Ramayan," first published in 2006, last year to turn the game into a massively multiplayer online role-playing title.

Mandalay is also  developing Universal's remake of "The Birds," with Martin Campbell set to direct, as well as the graphic novel "Julius," with director F. Gary Gray.

Technorati Tags: virgin comics,mandalay pictures,ramayan 3392 ad,liquid comics,sony online entertainment,graphic novel,riesen2b

Poltergeist Remake Has A Director

VADIM PERELMAN TO DIRECT MGM’S NEW ‘POLTERGEIST’

In a press release from MGM, the following was announced–Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) has signed Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) to direct POLTERGEIST.
Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President, Production and Luke Ryan, Vice President, Production, are overseeing the project for MGM.
“We are excited to have Vadim direct POLTERGEIST, a title which already has a built-in movie-going audience,” said Boyter. “With his established track record, we look forward to having him lead the creative direction on this new character-based horror project that will utilize the original film as a jumping off point.”
Currently directing and executive producing “Ice,” a drama pilot for the AMC cable network, Perelman wrote and directed House of Sand and Fog starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley, which earned 3 Oscar® nominations in 2004. Recently, Perelman directed The Life Before Her Eyes starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood. Prior to his film and television work, Perelman established himself as one of the most sought-after directors of commercials and music videos, responsible for a number of memorable spots for multinational clients.

Perelman is represented by CAA, Simon Millar of Rumble Media and attorneys Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren and Richman.
The original POLTERGEIST was released by MGM in 1982 and earned 3 Oscar® nominations. The film gained a cult following spawning two sequels Poltergeist II: the Other Side and Poltergeist III, along with a television series “Poltergeist: The Legacy,” which aired for 4 seasons on the Showtime network (1996-1999). Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are writing the new POLTERGEIST script for the studio.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

Technorati Tags: vadim perelman,poltergeist remake,potergeist,mgm,riesen2b

Kate Moss, Supermodel: A Sculpture In Gold

A lifesize gold statue of Kate Moss, with her legs tucked behind her head has been unveiled at the British Museum.

Moss is made entirely of 18 carat gold and will be displayed in the museum's Nereid Gallery among statues of Greek goddesses including Aphrodite

Looks like the artist must be in love with Kate Moss as he created a 110 pound solid gold statue of Kate Moss in what can only be described as a definitely kinky pose. Learn more about it by watching this video from MSNBC.Com. Click here to see it.

Technorati Tags: kate moss,mark quinnones,gold statue,erotic,british museum,aphrodite,siren,riesen2b

"SLEEPING BEAUTY 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLATINUM EDITION" On Sale Tuesday Oct 7, 2008

This will be the first time ever that this classic has been released on Platinum Edition DVD and the restoration of the film looks absolutely gorgeous.  Check out this trailer and see for yourself.

visit videodetective.com for more info

When a new princess is born to King Stefan & his wife, the entire kingdom rejoices. At a ceremony, three good fairies - Flora, Fauna & Merryweather - bestow gifts of magic on the child. But an evil sorceress named Maleficent shows up, and because of a rude remark by Merryweather, she places a curse on the princess - that she will die on her 16th birthday after touching a poisoned spinning wheel. Merryweather tries to undo the damage by casting a spell that will allow the princess - named Aurora - to awake from an ageless sleep with a kiss from her true love. The fairies take Aurora to their cottage in the woods to keep her away from the eyes of Maleficent, and raise her as their own child, named Briar Rose. On her 16th birthday Aurora meets Prince Phillip, the son of a king whose own kingdom will soon merge with King Stefan's - and falls in love. Maleficent manages to kidnap the Prince and her horrible prophecy is fulfilled when she tricks Aurora into touching a spinning wheel created by Maleficent herself! Realizing that the Prince is in trouble, the 3 good fairies head to Maleficent's castle at the Forbidden Mountain, and spring the Prince loose. But the Prince soon finds himself up against Maleficent's army of brutes, and the power of Maleficent's evil spells - which include a thorn forest as thick as weeds around King Stefan's castle, and a fight against Maleficent when she turns herself into a dragon! Is the Prince strong enough to withstand the powers of the evil sorceress? (This description was written by Derek O' Cain at IMDB.com.)  You can click on my Amazon Ferris Wheel on the left to order it.

Technorati Tags: sleeping beauty,platinum edition,50th anniversary,trailer,fully restored,1959,walt disney,maleficent,riesen2b

SNL Spoofs Vice Presidential Debate. Watch It Here.

Tina Fey Nails Palin Again

Tina Fey once again proves that maybe she is Governor Sarah Palin more than the real Governor.  Watch it and see.

This video is provided by Hulu.com.  Sign up at their website to watch new and classic TV series, and hundreds of great movies.

Technorati Tags: saturday night live,snl,tina fey,sarah palin,joe biden,vice presidential debate,satire,spoof,comedy,riesen2b