Passion of the Mel (I know, I know, I tried to come up with a better title, but this is all I got.)

After hearing the news today regarding Mel Gibson's recent drunk driving fiasco that involved him spitting out numerous anti-Semitic remarks, I now finally realize why I've never liked him or wanted to see any of his movies. I knew there was some reason his work never appealed to me, even before I knew he so hated the "f---ing Jews" (his words, not mine, of course). I guess I was right about that guy. In short, this type of thinking and behavior makes me sick. I wonder if this news will kill Gibson's career... no, I'm probably not that lucky. Gibson did end up apologizing for his "despicable" drunken statements, but seriously, did he have any other choice?

Not much more to say about this really (meaning, I don't want to lose my temper and say things that I might regret later... hmm, that reminds me of a certain anti-Semite).

Original news source: http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/

Police report: http://cdn.digitalcity.com/tmz_documents/gibson_wm_docs_072806.pdf

D For Dilemma

On August 01, Warner Bros. is releasing V For Vendetta on DVD in Region 1 (the U.S. and Canada). For more info on the film itself, visit the Internet Movie Database. This film is already in the Top 250 with over 50,000 votes. Anyway, I haven't seen the film yet, but the more I read about, the more interested I am in this film. The problem is, I don't know which version (or versions) I should buy on DVD. I've never seen so many different releases of the same movie scheduled for around the same time. (Exclusive versions are highlighted in red below.)

In America, it looks like there are at least four different releases (although the actual video contents are the same for three of the four). There is the standard one-disc release that features the movie and one behind-the-scenes featurette, which is available in either widescreen (the preferred version of most) or full frame. There is also the two-disc Special Edition, which becomes less special when one realizes that the features on the second disc only amount to about an hour of extras... In other words, several years ago, this type of release could have included all the features on one disc instead of two.

Fans of the movie, however, will probably still buy the two-disc set, since some features are better than none. On the other hand, it is not too likely that Warner Bros. will release another more Special Edition anytime soon (I'm still waiting for the Beetlejuice and Ocean's Twelve Special Editions). Let's face it, Warner only double-dips when the previous release was entirely barebones. Although, come to think of it, there was that whole ten-disc Matrix Ultimate Collection thing.

But I digress. The real problem is that there are at least two different retail-exclusive sets available in Region 1. Target has an exclusive lenticular/3D slipcover for the two-disc set, which also contains a 64-page V For Vendetta graphic novel. Price is $22.99. Best Buy has an exclusive set that contains the two-disc set, a cool-looking V mask, and four movie posters. That is outstanding, but there isn't any info on just how sturdy the mask is, and the price tag ($35.99 at BestBuy.com) is a bit high. It's possible, however, that Best Buy will have the set on sale when it is released. Also, Circuit City will be giving out a lithograph with its copies of the film. What's a V supporter to do?

For owners of a region-free DVD player, the dilemma does not stop there. Foreign releases of this film are just as confusing and numerous as the American ones. Aside from the standard single-disc and two-disc sets, there are some awesome packages in Regions 2, 3, and 4.

In the U.K. (Region 2), HMV has the double-disc set with exclusive artwork and a mini graphic novel (possibly the same as Target's, but who knows?).

In Region 3 (Korea and possibly Hong Kong), there is a Deluxe Edition with comic book (Does it differ from Target's comic? No idea.), as well as a two-disc Limited Steelbook (Slim tin case) Edition (with a more interesting cover, IMO) that may or may not come with a comic book.

Confused yet? Well, there's one more region to cover. In Region 4 (Australia), there are two retailer exclusives again. Ezydvd.com.au has the two-disc set with an exclusive tin (which has been issued for other films and TV series, as well). Their tins are pretty cool, but keep in mind the large international shipping fees. (Off topic, but also check out their exclusive two-disc Serenity tin. The tin is outstanding, and the set includes a second disc of features that have yet to be released in the United States.) Another Australian e-tailer, J-B Hi-Fi, has a limited, numbered slipcover for the two-disc set, which also includes a comic book (probably the same comic as the Region 3 versions, but once again, who knows what Target has in store?). The J-B release is limited to only 5,000 copies and is only available for pre-order, which should mean the item will no longer be available after August 09. So if you want it, ORDER NOW.

That's a lot of V. Of course, I am still unaware of whether Wal-Mart or any other retailer will have any more exclusives, but at this point, there are already enough choices for fans of the film. So now you must decide. Do you want a mask, a tin, a comic, a slipcover, or a lithograph? The choice is yours. It seems that the actual content of the discs is the same all over the world (only the packaging and bonus items differ from place to place), so any two-disc set you purchase should be complete, and you'll be set... as long as you remember, remember the 5th of November (watch the film... which is what I still need to do).

MkO|Site Update #003

MkO360 VIDEOlink is now officially open!!!!!!!
(Of course, there's no information on any actual DVD collections listed just yet... but the pages are all set up and looking good.)

For more info, visit video.mickeykatz.com, the newest addition to Mickey J. Katz Online 360.

Information on the first video collection, the Mel Brooks DVD Collection, will be posted on Monday, July 17. I'll be giving you some helpful tips on how to complete your Mel Brooks film collection. You probably won't want to miss it!!

MkO|Site Update #002

Here's a quick update for those of you keeping track at home.

The MkO/360 home page now has a new graphic that I hope is appealing and is something that catches one's eye. The 2nd blue navigation bar on the top of each page is now red to match the top bar. (I've decided to use a blue navigation bar for VIDEOlink in the future.) I also have changed the graphics on the MUSIClink and VIDEOlink pages as well. I plan on adding more lyrics to MUSIClink in the upcoming days and weeks, and I already know what I'm going to do with VIDEOlink -- I just have to get started (meaning, it'll be a while). More updates will be coming soon, as always.

Oh, and one more thing. If you're reading this, please don't forget to check out MkO/360 (MickeyKatz.com), and if you want, you can eMail me your feedback or sign my guestbook, and let me know what you think.

Believe It Or Not, Beyond Belief Is Coming To DVD

Great news for fans of the FOX series Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction...

Each episode of this series, which aired for four seasons from 1997-2002 on Fox, presented viewers with four or five short segments featuring stories that were (usually) unbelievable. They involved miracles, strange occurrences, and the supernatural. The catch was that only some of the stories were based on actual events, whereas the rest were simply fabricated. The true stories were revealed at the end of each episode. I can still remember being excited for the series premiere of this show so many years ago. I saw nearly every episode, if I remember correctly, and I even have many of them on tape.

Anyway, here's the news. According to the Sitcoms Online blog (July 08), Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction is being prepared for DVD release by Dick Clark Productions sometime within the next six months or so!! I've actually been waiting for this announcement for years. I can't wait for this DVD. There are still many unanswered questions, of course. Which studio will release this show? When will this show actually get released? And the biggest question I have - will the studio release full episodes or only certain "best of" segments (like the Unsolved Mysteries DVDs)? Also, if full episodes are released, will they start with the first season and go on to release every episode, or will they only release the "best" episodes? Hopefully, every episode will be made available. I know I'd love to own them all and finally throw out my old videotapes. I also hope the episodes hosted by James Brolin (who was replaced by Jonathan Frakes after the first season) will be represented on DVD as well as the shows from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seasons. Anyway, I guess right now there is nothing I can do, except keep waiting for an official announcement.

Src 1: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/07/paul-goebel-show-podcast-more-dvd-news.html
Src 2: http://www.tvrage.com/shows/id-2781/

HBO Update: More Curbing, Less Roming

If you're hoping for another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, it looks like the chances might be pretty... pretty... pretty good. Maybe.

The latest news from HBO's chief executive is that the network is in talks with Larry David for a sixth season, which (according to TV.com) might be the final season... unless it doesn't happen. Anyway, there's not much to report, although it looks like HBO is aiming to air new episodes in 2007, which seems like an eternity away. Thank goodness for DVD. Remember... Season 5 of CYE is being released on August 01, and can be pre-ordered right now from Amazon for only $25.98.

Also, it looks like the relatively new program, Rome, will be ending after its second season. That's a surprising move, in my opinion, but I guess HBO is just like any other network when it comes to cancellations (Remember Carnivale and The Comeback?). I don't know if the show has run its course or if it just doesn't do well in the ratings, but it's gone for now. Same thing goes for Deadwood, which is in its last season, but has a couple of specials on the way. I don't really care for this show too much. I can handle some violence and profanity, but Deadwood seemed to have way too much of the latter. It got out of hand after a (short) while.

In other HBO news, The Wire might live to see a fifth season if ratings are high enough. This show's fifth season will reportedly be its last, however. I haven't seen this show yet, but it sure sounds interesting.

And here's some good news... After HBO gets rid of some shows, maybe more effort can be put into the development of True Blood, the vampire series from Alan Ball, the creator of Six Feet Under and the writer of American Beauty. This show is based on a series of novels from Charlaine Harris, the first of which is entitled Dead Until Dark. Without Buffy and Angel, it's about time a new vampire-centric series is introduced. Hopefully, it'll be at least half as good as Buffy and twice as good as Underworld, not that I didn't like Underworld, but still... It could've been better.

Oh, yeah... check out Src 1 below for some Sopranos info. That show is not quite my cup of tea. I know, I know, I'm one of maybe three people in the universe who doesn't care for this series. What can you do?

Src 1: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/artslife/story.html?id=744551aa-1742-4268-a167-c557c52136df&k=64478
Src 2: http://www.tv.com/rome/show/23351/story.html?story_id=5346&tag=headlines;title;0
Src 3: http://www.charlaineharris.com/bibliog.html

Don't Be a Stranger... with Candy

It's an exciting time to be a fan of Strangers With Candy.

This series, which ran on Comedy Central from 1999-2000, seems to be having a well-deserved resurgence in popularity. While the old two-disc Season One and Season Two DVD releases have been out of print for a while, Comedy Central's DVD department surprised many when it announced the release of a complete series six-disc set, featuring all three seasons and thirty episodes of the series, which is downright hilarious, for those who don't know.

The series, of course, focuses on Jerri Blank (played by a hideously-ugly-on-the-show-yet-pretty-beautiful-in-real-life Amy Sedaris), a 46-year-old ex-junkie who decides to go back to high school and pick up where she left off years ago. You'll also see Stephen Colbert (that's right, the guy who "feels the news at you" on The Colbert Report) and Paul Dinello, who play a couple of (not so) secretly gay Flatpoint High teachers. The school's principal (Gregory Hollimon) is also truly hilarious, and he steals just about every scene in which he participates. The series is a parody of those old after-school specials, and it's not exactly a politically correct type of program. It is, however, one of the funniest and most original shows Comedy Central has ever aired.

This Complete Series set was most likely released only because the Strangers with Candy movie, which is a prequel to the series, is now finally opening in theaters this summer, after having been in limbo since 2004, due to the lack of a distributor for the film. It'll be opening on July 28 in my city, and I'll probably be seeing it, despite the fact that while on a recent episode of The Colbert Report (dated July 10), Amy Sedaris said a DVD release is likely for this fall.

The SWC Complete Series set includes additional interviews, commentary, deleted scenes, and more that were not included on the previous releases. The packaging is made to look like a Trapper Keeper with an individual folder inside for each of the three seasons. Each disc is held on a piece of cardboard, and although it looks great, it is definitely not the sturdiest of packages. It is, however, an exciting collector's set, and if you don't already have the individual season sets, this complete series package is definitely the way to go.

MkO INFOlinks
The Official Strangers With Candy The Movie Website
Click here for tickets and showtimes for the movie in your area.
Click here to visit Tony's SWC Companion, a fan site with tons of news and info on the series.
Click here to purchase the complete series of Strangers with Candy on DVD (6 discs currently @ $39.49) at Amazon (and to support MkO).

MkO|Site Update #001

In case no one has noticed, I'll go ahead and mention the latest updates to MickeyKatz.com. A new two-line navigation bar has been added to all the pages, excluding MUSIClink, which is still being upgraded to the green and black color scheme. All of the main pages have been reformatted, if you will, into the new red and black color scheme. New graphics for the homepage, Frequently Asked Questions, and Search page have been added. A new eMail Contact form has been added to the site so that contacting me will be quick and easy.

VIDEOlink is a new feature that is currently in the development stages. It features a blue and black color scheme at this point. It looks like my site will be entirely color coded from now on. I'm thinking it will be a section where I inform DVD buyers on the best versions and collections that are currently on the market. Or something like that. I haven't quite figured it out just yet. But, as always, stay tuned.

Finally, I've added a Features sections that will eventually be simply filled with links to articles on this site that do not fit into any other MkO category. Or something like that.