Mike Spring
The 2024 Home Video & Pop Culture Holiday Gift Guide
Another year, another MASSIVE gift guide! As with the past few years, this year’s guide includes not only home video but also pop culture in general, including graphic novels, apparel, games, collectibles, and much more! Now, in some cases, I might share my thoughts on a property that I don’t love, but that the actual item is still a high quality release for fans of that property! So even if I’m not a fan of a particular TV show, that doesn’t mean a complete series collection box set wouldn’t be a great gift for someone who loves that show, so I’ve included a lot of items like that here. Enjoy, and happy holidays!
For Comic Book Lovers:
Hawkeye: The Complete First Season (4K Ultra HD Steelbook or Blu-ray Steelbook)
Hawkeye is one of my favorite characters in the Marvel comic books, and even though he’s appeared in the Avengers films, it’s not hard to see that he’s gotten swallowed up a little when they’re fighting off aliens or killer robots or, well, Thanos. In the comic book world, I’ve also become a big fan of Kate Bishop, the newer, younger Hawkeye. So I was excited to watch the Disney+ series that would see the two of them team up and also give them the spotlight. The show starts with a simple premise: Clint Barton (Hawkeye) is just trying to get back to his family for Christmas. However, when a threat from his past pops up (and presents a threat that could spell doom for a major US city), Clint has to go on the offensive. And this time, he teams up with Kate Bishop, a younger, female version of Hawkeye, played by the one and only Hailee Steinfeld. The pair’s dynamic works well, and the show is wise to keep it to only six episodes, because the story really doesn’t need more than that. It’s tight, it’s fun, and it’s well paced. The entire six-episode series is collected into a Steelbook 4K Ultra HD release, and it’s a welcome addition to a growing Marvel TV series library on home video.
Loki: The Complete Second Season (4K Ultra HD Steelbook or Blu-ray Steelbook)
I think it’s safe to say that Marvel’s television output up to now has been… pretty good. Most of their shows haven’t totally blown me away, but none of them have been complete train wrecks, either. I’ve liked most of them, even if I haven’t loved all of them. Loki was one of the standouts of the first wave of Marvel/Disney+ shows, however. The second season of the show got way less attention than the first, but it’s still a pretty good ride. This time around, Loki is lost in time and searching for Sylvie (who’s the female Loki variant from Season 1) with the help of the Time Variance Authority. Once again, the show gives us a great mix of action, spectacle, superheroes, comedy, and drama, and it’s all anchored by Tom Hiddleston’s fantastic performance. Aside from Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, I can’t think of any other single character in the MCU that’s cast as perfectly as Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Now the second season has been collected in a terrific new Steelbook collection that gives you all six episodes and bonus features in a stylish Steelbook case, just as Season 1 was.
Big Jim and the White Boy (Graphic Novel)
Once in a while, a graphic novel comes along that completely and utterly blows you away, and that book this year is Big Jim and the White Boy. Written by Eisner Award winner David F. Walker with art by Eisner winner Marcus Kwame Anderson, this hefty tome retells the story of Huckleberry Finn from Big Jim’s perspective; that is, the perspective of a slave. But rather than a straight up reworking of Huck Finn, Walker wisely crafts his story over three different time periods: the 1850s and 60s, the time of the original novel and thereafter; the 1930s, where we see Big Jim and Huckleberry Finn as old men telling their story to their grandchildren; and the 2000s, where Big Jim’s great-granddaughter is now an adult and lecturing on the realities of slavery and the world of Huckleberry Finn. It works amazingly well. The story is at times action-packed, at times dramatic, often times funny, and never not interesting. It lays slavery bare and doesn’t sugarcoat it, and while the book is technically a work of fiction, there’s a lot of historical fact to be found in here as well. Marcus Kwame Anderson’s artwork is amazing as always; his style evokes a slightly more cartoonish feel, yet it conveys all the emotion and power that Walker’s story needs it to tell. Walker and Anderson teamed up for The Black Panther Party historical graphic novel as well, and it’s clear they are an impeccable team. Big Jim and the White Boy is a thick, chunky tome, and honestly, the closer I got to the end, the sadder I got, because I didn’t want it to end. I’ve gotten my hands on the book in both hardcover and paperback, and I can say that while both are worthy, the hardcover is just a gorgeous book that feels… right when it’s in the palm of your hand. This one comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Super Friends: The Complete Collection (DVD)
There are few things that bring me back to my childhood faster than watching the Super Friends. I’ve been collecting comic books since I was about six years old, and I can trace that back very clearly to three things: the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends cartoon, the Transformers comic book from Marvel, and the Super Friends. Running in various incarnations from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, the show was one of the premier ways that children at the time were introduced to superheroes. While there were different story elements, effectively the Super Friends featured the Justice League characters (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Robin, etc.) either saving people from things like natural disasters and alien invaders or fighting super villains. At a certain point, with Challenge of the Super Friends, the show switched to a format where they went up against the Legion of Doom every week (which included Lex Luthor, Solomon Grundy, Scarecrow, Black Manta, Riddler, Bizarro, Cheetah, and the like.) This new collection from Warner Brothers collects all six different Super Friends iterations on DVD (also available on Blu-ray) for the first time. That includes Super Friends (Including the Lost Episodes), The All-New Super Friends Hour, Challenge of the Super Friends, The World’s Greatest Super Friends, Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show, and The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians. That totals 93 episodes on 21 discs, which is a whole lot of superhero awesomeness in one place. Sure, the shows are a bit dated and occasionally a bit goofy, but they also gave us the Wonder Twins, the Legion of Doom’s crazy awesome swamp/skull headquarters, and plenty of great animation and character design. I still love watching these shows, and this collection marks the most complete set produced yet.
Suitor Armor: Volume 1 (Graphic Novel)
If you had told me that I was going to fall in love with a graphic novel about a young lady falling in love with a magical suit of armor, I probably would have laughed at you. But here we are, with Suitor Armor: Volume 1, a collection of a popular WebToons property by the singularly-named Purpah. In the book, young lady-in-waiting Lucia is hiding a secret; she’s actually a fairy living among humans, in a time when humans and fairies are at war. She’s content to be a lady-in-waiting to Lady Kirsi, who’s set to marry the prince, when the castle’s magician creates a magically powered suit of armor that challenges the court’s champion, Sir Baynard. When Lucia meets the suit of armor (who’s somewhat akin to a golem, perhaps) she senses something deeper within him and the two start to form a bond of outsiders. I get it, it sounds like a weird premise for a book, but it works really well. Purpah creates endearing characters and her art is both simplistic and captivating, creating a world that you get more and more wrapped up in as it goes. I really, really enjoyed this book and I can’t for the second half of the story when Volume 2 comes out. Suitor Armor: Volume 1 is an endearing and delightful romance story with lots of action, magic, fantasy, humor, and intrigue. It’s definitely worth a read if you want to try something a little different than the usual graphic novel fare.
Invincible Sweatshirt (Apparel)
This is maybe the coolest sweatshirt I’ve ever owned. The new Invincible Sweatshirt from Skybound is a hoodie that’s designed to look like Mark Grayson’s Invincible costume, and it is SHARP. Not only is an incredibly cool-looking sweatshirt, but even better, it’s ridiculously comfortable and fits well. The material is soft, the quality is impeccable, and you’ll feel like you’re repping your Invincible fandom in a cool place without feeling like you’re walking around your neighborhood dressed in cosplay. I received one to try out and it kept me warm on an upstate New York winter day, so if it can stand up to that, it’ll keep you warm just about anywhere. Invincible fans will be thrilled to find this gift-wrapped for them this holiday season. (You can purchase these at skybound.com!)
Atom Eve Collector’s Box (Collectible)
Also from Skybound (publishers of Invincible) is the Atom Eve Gift Box, a super-fun treat for the Invincible and Atom Eve fans (and let’s be honest… who ISN’T an Atom Eve fan?) Inside this box are a number of Atom Eve-themed goodies. First up, you get an Atom Eve hat. It’s a bright two-toned pink Flatbrim Snapback baseball cap that features the Atom Eve logo embroidered on it. That’s complemented by a new metal/enamel pins featuring artwork of Atom Eve by Pinfinity. But then it gets even cooler. First up, you get a slabbed trading card featuring Atom Eve artwork, with a 10% chance to get a Variant Volume 3 Slabs Card signed by Cory Walker. And the coup de grace is an exclusive variant cover of Invincible #2, the Skybound Exclusive Ryan Ottley Full Art Variant, which is gorgeous! Everything in the box is super high quality, and even the box itself is decorated with Atom Eve artwork. It’s also limited to only 500 boxes, so it’s a real collector’s item! Another great gift for any Invincible fans, especially those who love Atom Eve! (You can purchase these at skybound.com!)
Invincible Pinfinity Limited Edition Set (Collectible)
Here’s the official description, because they can explain it better than I can: “Pinfinity is evolving the world of collecting by combining augmented reality experiences with their high-quality patented pins for fans of entertainment franchises. The exclusive Invincible pack features three pins; Bloody Invincible Logo, Invincible, Omni-Man, as well as an Invincible Lanyard, and Pin Back Card. Powered by augmented reality and a free app, scan the pin to unlock a special AR element for each pin.” Now, here’s my take: Oh, man, do I love this set. First of all, I like to collect dynamic enamel pins and this three-pin set is just gorgeous. You get three pins, with the theme this time around being Villains: Bloody Invincible with Logo, Kregg, and wifeAngstrom Levy. As a bonus, you also get an Invincible lanyard decorated with colorful artwork. Even better, the whole set comes packaged in a gorgeous box with a slipcover that really elevates the look of the whole package. Seriously, it’s like the equivalent of getting a Tiffany’s box for comic book geeks! The quality here is off the charts! Then there’s the AR element, which gives you access to a cool Augmented Reality feature when you scan the QR code. This is one of the coolest gifts I can think of for any Invincible fan! (You can purchase these at skybound.com!)
Invincible #100 Cover Woven Blanket (Collectible)
Okay, so you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I’m a big Invincible fan at this point. This year, Skybound offers up a new type of Invincible merchandise: an Invincible Blanket! This large quilted throw blanket will go perfect in your living room or bedroom… even if your wife disagrees! (And for the record, I’m not saying that my wife doesn’t love having a giant Invincible blanket in our living room. But I’m not NOT saying it, either!) Featuring artwork of Invincible in an action pose with the faces of his most notable supporting characters in the background, this high quality blanket will keep you warm while you’re binging the upcoming Season 3 of Invincible on Amazon Prime. It’s got a knitted style that lets it breathe, but it’s thick enough to keep you from getting chilly, and it’s even big enough for a tall guy like me. I love it!
Invincible Funko Pop (Collectible)
Funko Pops have become pretty ubiquitous in the pop culture world, and I’ve been a fan of them for years. I’ve collected so many of them over time that I’ve had to limit myself to only getting Pops of my favorite properties… of which Invincible obviously is one. This new Funko Pop, number ____ in the line, features Mark Grayson himself as Invincible and it looks awesome! I only received the main Invincible Pop for review, but I can tell you that there are other characters from the show/comic available in the Funko line as well, so you can decorate your entire office/rec room/whatever area you want with Funko Pop-ized versions of your favorite character. Funko Pops always make great gifts!
Walking Dead & Invincible Ugly Sweaters (Apparel)
I’ll be honest, I’ve never quite gotten the whole Ugly Sweater craze, but mostly that’s because I just don’t wear a lot of sweaters. I think they’re hot and itchy, so I’m not usually going out of my way to buy one. That said, I got both of Skybound’s new ugly seaters to try out, and I think I’m coming around! They’re much more comfortable and less itchy than I expected, but they’ll also definitely keep you warm in the wintertime. And of course, with their signature ugly designs – one featuring Invincible, one featuring The Walking Dead – they’ll be a big hit at your office holiday party or whatever holiday event you want to catch people’s eyes at! And frankly, I love the designs. The Invincible one especially is just so cool looking, with it’s green and red design and the characters showing up in ugly sweater style. I love them!
Watership Down (Graphic Novel)
Richard Adams’ seminal young adult novel Watership Down has been adapted into graphic novel format from Ten Speed Graphics, brought to life by writer James Sturm and artist Joe Sutphin. For those of you who have never read the book or seen the animated film adaptation, Watership Down is kind of like Lord of the Rings, only without fantasy elements and starring, well, rabbits. But this is no kids’ book; instead, Watership Down is a tale of an epic journey, with an extended family of rabbits in search of a new home, and going up against all manners of man and wildlife and weather and nature on their way there. This is a harrowing tale of survival and adventure, and it’s serious stuff. I was a little worried that a graphic novel adaptation would be a little too similar to the animated movie produced in 1978. But Sturm and Sutphin have done a great job of adapting the novel and not letting the animated film influence them. I mean, I’m sure it was impossible to avoid the movie altogether, but this book feels like its own entity and not like it’s trying to be or copy something else. While I’ve never actually read Adams’ book personally, there’s enough here that’s different from the movie that I have to assume came from the book, so it seems like a very faithful adaptation.
Watership Down is a powerful story in any medium, but I think the graphic novel medium fits it really well. This great adaptation is a great read for any fans of Richard Adams’ incredible tale.
For Star Wars Fans:
Ahsoka: The Complete First Season (4K Ultra HD Steelbook or Blu-ray Steelbook)
While the casual Star Wars fan might not know the name Ahsoka Tano, the die-hard fans will recognize her from her major role in Star Wars: The Clone Wars as Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi padawan. She was one of the most popular characters to come out of the greater Star Wars (read: non-movie) universe, so it was no surprise to me that she got her own show, especially after she returned as a character in the excellent Star Wars: Rebels animated series. This nine-episode series follows Ahsoka Tano as she reunites with some of the main characters of Rebels (all of whom are appearing in live-action form for the first time) as they investigate a New Threat To The Galaxy. Honestly, it’s not the plot that drives the show, but the characters. And that’s where both the strength and the weakness of the series comes in. If you are – like me – a fan of Rebels, you will be very excited by all the great characters returning here. Even beyond Rebels, the inclusion of Grand Admiral Thrawn (who originated in the Star Wars novels in the ‘90s) is hugely exciting for fans. That said, if you’re not familiar with these animated series and books, there’s a good chance you’ll have no idea who most of these characters are, and that will probably leave you a bit cold to the show as a whole.
The Mandalorian: The Complete Third Season (4K Ultra HD Steelbook or Blu-ray Steelbook)
I don’t know if anything has had as large a cultural impact on the Star Wars landscape as The Mandalorian. Not only did it become the show everyone was talking about, but it also introduced the words “Baby Yoda” into the pop culture lexicon. (Sure, we all now know that he’s Grogu, but Baby Yoda as a term probably isn’t going away any time soon.) Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s excellent show follows Din Djarin, a Mandalorian mercenary who is just sort of going through life until he gets saddled with a bounty; the aforementioned Baby Yoda. Their relationship grows and Din finds himself going against his code and the rules of bounty hunting, leading to all kinds of adventures and some pretty neat Star Wars-y moments. The third season, however, is not quite as good as the first two seasons were. It’s not bad by any stretch, and there are some great episodes, but the introduction of an entire clan of Mandalorians – to me, at least – feels like it’s watered down the concept of how cool they are. At times it feels like a sitcom called Too Many Mandalorians! I exaggerate, but I wish the season focused more on Din Djarin and Grogu and less on the culture and history of The Mandalorians as a group. The show has been exclusive to the Disney+ streaming service, but the studio released the first two seasons on home video earlier this year, and not only that, but they came out in gorgeous Steelbook cases. Now we also have The Mandalorian: The Complete Third Season on 4K Ultra HD (as well as Blu-ray) and it returns in the same amazing Steelbook packaging. If you’ve been wondering what all the hype was about, now is your chance to find out.
For Cinema Enthusiasts:
Alfred Hitchcock: The Iconic Collection (4K Ultra HD)
So, at this point, getting a new Alfred Hitchcock home video collection on home video has become sort of an annual event. In the last decade, we’ve had multiple collections on DVD, multiple collections on Blu-ray, various single-disc releases on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4 Ultra HD, as well as a 4K Ultra HD box set. Alfred Hitchcock: The Iconic Film Collection – Limited Edition is the latest offering in Universal’s repackaging of his most popular films, this time released as a gorgeous limited edition coffee table book edition. First off, the set features six of Hitchcock’s most well-loved films: Psycho, Rear Window, The Birds, and Vertigo, as well as North By Northwest and To Catch a Thief. Now, what sets this collection apart is that it’s housed within an (approximately) 11×14 full-color hardcover book, which offers up photos and trivia for as well as some interviews and creator profiles. It’s a gorgeous book with stunning cover art (and a soft-touch feel to the hard covers), and it’s a limited edition, so this is a real collector’s item for the fans of Hitchcock. Now, I don’t need to expound on how great these movies are. The previous 4K Ultra HD box set released by Universal included Psycho, Rear Window, The Birds, and Vertigo, but the inclusion of North By Northwest and To Catch a Thief (which are both owned by other studios) makes this a unique collection in terms of what movies are included. What’s also neat is that there’s a theatrical cut of Psycho included as well as what has apparently become the “standard” cut used on home video releases for the past 50 years. It’s not a terribly different film, but it’s still cool to see the movie with a few changes here and there. Each film boasts an improved audiovisual experience in 4K, although due to the age of the films, it’s not a complete revolution. Still, each film looks a little sharper, a little brighter, and a little more colorful (except Psycho, which is obviously in black & white). Each disc is also packed with extra features, and the set as a whole is gorgeous. This is a must-have for Hitchcock fans.
Godzilla: The Criterion Collection (4K Ultra HD)
I love the Criterion Collection and how much they emphasize important films, but I would be lying if I said that occasionally their movie selections weren’t a little too artsy for me here and there. But sometimes they lean towards the mainstream, and those are the titles that get me the most excited. And I couldn’t be more excited about this week’s release of Godzilla, the 1954 original, making it’s Criterion 4K Ultra HD debut (it has been available on Blu-ray through Criterion for quite a while.) This year marks the 70th anniversary of Godzilla, and so it’s fitting for Criterion to debut the film on 4K Ultra HD. The story of the movie seems a little silly to convey here: who doesn’t know what Godzilla is about or who he is at this point? But the movie was a reaction to post-war life and fears in Japan in the 1950s, and the idea of radiation creating a monster that threatens Japan is what film is all about; capturing humanity’s fears and desires and translating them to a fictional setting. One of the things that makes the film stand out is its score. I was lucky enough to see a screening of Godzilla on the big screen last year, and I was blown away by just how good the music in the film really is. It underscores and highlights the drama while at the same time creating a recurring thematic motif that rivals anything John Williams has created. The film itself might be mired in the 1950s in terms of special effects and performances (there is a LOT of yelling in the movie), but it remains a powerful movie experience, and the score has a lot to do with that. The original Godzilla isn’t the best Godzilla movie ever made, but the world of pop culture and the art form of monster movies owes a huge debt to this original movie. This Criterion release is an outstanding home video edition and any Godzilla fan should add it to their collections without haste.
Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice Volumes 1-4 (Blu-ray)
Version 1.0.0
Over the past year and a half, Warner Bros. Has released four Looney Tunes Collections called Collector’s Choice, which saw rare and unreleased Looney Tunes shorts collected onto Blu-ray via Warner’s online store, The Warner Archive. This week, the studio has collected all four volumes into one comprehensive Blu-ray collection called Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice Volumes 1-4. Each volume collected 25 short cartoons (except Volume 1, which only includes 20) on a single Blu-ray Disc, and this set includes all four volumes on four discs, giving you almost 100 classic Looney Tunes cartoons, almost all of which have been restored and remastered. So all told, you get almost eleven hours of Looney Tunes cartoons, available for the first time through regular retail an not the Warner Archive. I feel like trying to explain to you why that’s a great thing seems a little unnecessary. There aren’t a lot of more famous characters in the world than Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Wile. E. Coyote, etc. and these collected cartoons from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s showcase what made the brand so beloved for so many decades. I’m not entirely sure why they’re not presented in chronological order — I suppose maybe the shorts flow better this way? — but that’s not even really a complaint, just an observation. Overall, this is a top notch collection. If you’re a Looney Tunes fan or even just an aficionado of Hollywood history, this incredibly comprehensive and restored collection of classic cartoons is a must have!
For Sci-Fi Fans:
The Terminator (4K Ultra HD)
Duhn duhn duhn duhn DUHN. Duhn duhn duhn duhn DUHN. Okay, either you have no idea what I’m talking about or you just started hearing the Terminator theme in your head. If it’s the latter, you should be really excited about this new release. Yes, The Terminator, the original 1984 classic that started the whole franchise, makes its debut on 4K Ultra HD this week. I don’t feel like this is a movie where the film itself needs a lot of discussion. It’s a stone-cold masterpiece; it launched a franchise that would span multiple decades and a generation of die-hard fans. If you’re not a Terminator fan, honestly, I have to as, “Do you even like movies?” Plain and simple, if you don’t already own The Terminator – and honestly, even if you do – you’ll definitely want to own it on 4K Ultra HD. While I wish this release was more of a celebration, I still dig the heck out of it.
Galaxy Quest: 25th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
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I feel like there are two kinds of people in the world: those who love Galaxy Quest, and those who have never seen it. This movie has such a devoted fan base, largely because of how much fun it is. On the surface, Galaxy Quest is a Star Trek parody, but it’s more than that. It’s also a somewhat-meta deconstruction of both the science fiction genre and the worlds of fandom that worship it. If you don’t already own Galaxy Quest on home video, this new 25th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD Steelbook is a must have. First off, as I just mentioned, the film is an absolute blast. It’s a terrific, smart parody of Star Trek with an amazing cast that includes Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, Justin Long, and more. And even though most of the extra features aren’t new (there is one new one, though!) there are a good amount of them, ensuring plenty of Galaxy Quest material to watch beyond the movie. I love this film, and this is a terrific version in a nice Steelbook case for those of you who don’t already have it on video.
Labyrinth & The Dark Crystal (4K Ultra HD Box Sets)
This week, we have new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook releases of two Jim Henson classic movies: Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. (They are also both released as massive box sets loaded with cool collectibles, but I only received the Steelbook 4Ks for review so I can’t comment too much on the box set versions other than to say that they look awesome.) I’ve never been the fan of Labyrinth that a lot of other people are, and I think that’s because I never saw it until I was an adult. By the time I watched it, I was viewing it through different eyes than a lot of my peers did who grew up with it. I think David Bowie is great in it and of course it introduced the world to Jennifer Connolly. But I wanted to rewatch it because it has been quite some time since I saw it originally. And I can definitely say that I appreciated it more this time around. There are still some parts that I think would have resonated with me better as a younger viewer, but I can definitely say I enjoy the movie much more than I used to. The Dark Crystal, however, is a movie that I appreciate more than I enjoy. I’ll be honest, as a kid, the Skeksis scared the crap out of me. And I think I’ve never really gotten over that. However, while I know the film has its die hard fans, I look at it and more appreciate the artistry and the impressive puppetry work and set design than I do actually love the film. Rewatching it after several years, I gain more appreciation for it every time I revisit it, but I don’t know if it will ever be one of my favorites. Both of these films are true cult classics in every sense of the word. And die-hard fans will love these Steelbook releases and — I’m sure — the collector’s box sets as well. Shout Factory has done a great job as usual of giving fans what they want!
Repo Man: Criterion Collection (4K Ultra HD)
Not the kind of film that typically gets a Criterion Collection release, Repo Man is a 1984 cult classic starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. It ostensibly tells that tale of two car repossession workers who get caught up in a plot to find a car with evidence of alien life in it, but plot is secondary to ruminations on “the repo code” and underlying subtext about capitalism, government, and society at large. If it sounds weird, that’s because it is, and I’ll admit that I don’t have quite the same level of adoration for this film that some people do. That said, I do enjoy it quite a bit as a very distinctly ‘80s piece of filmmaking. I think my biggest issue with the film is that I’m not an overly big Harry Dean Stanton fan; he’s great as a supporting actor, but in a lead role, I can’t say I get excited about him. However, Emilio Estevez is one of my favorite actors and watching him here – in one of his early major roles – is always a treat. The film was released as part of the Criterion line a few years back and now it returns in 4K Ultra HD with a deluxe new package that also includes a Blu-ray disc. As usual, it’s loaded with extra features and comes with an outstanding essay booklet. Repo Man is the very definition of a cult classic, and it’s not hard to see why. I doubt it’s the kind of film that was ever destined for box office success, but every time I watch it I pick up new things about it. I also get nostalgic for the ‘80s, and it really does capture that decade well, even while remaining somewhat timeless. This version is the ultimate edition for fans, and if you don’t already have the previous Criterion version, there’s no reason not to chase this one down as soon as possible.
For Anime Fans:
The Great Pretender (Blu-ray Box Set)
I’ve said before that I’m not necessarily the biggest anime fan in the world, but when the right one comes along, I can get hooked like anybody else. And The Great Pretender is exactly that anime! This amazing new box set collects all 25 episode of a terrific anime series about Japan’s greatest con artist… or so he thinks! Makoto Edamura is a small-time grifter, lightly stealing elder elder people and tourists. But when he steals from the wrong guy, he ends up on a journey that will take him to Hollywood and find him mixed up with the wrong kind of criminal element. From that brief description, the show sounds really heavy, but it’s not. It’s a slick, exciting, fun and visually dazzling show filled with great music and lots of humor. From an aesthetic standpoint, it actually reminds me of the great Cowboy Bebop (even though the stories are obviously very different.) This fantastic 5-disc Blu-ray box set includes the entire series, and also comes with an almost-200page full color book(!), 10 art card, a double-sided poster, and a few video bonus features. A great gift for the anime fan in your life, and very likely a show they haven’t already seen! (Available at store.crunchyroll.com)
Evangelion: 3.0+1.1.1 – Thrice Upon a Time (Blu-ray Steelbook)
One of the most popular and influential anime series of all time has a new release out this week that will blow its fans away. Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time brings to a close the beloved anime series. The show gained acclaim and fan fervor through its blend of hardcore sci-fi action (Attacking creatures! Mech suits! Human pilots!) and a human story that remains front and center and lets you get involved in the characters. I’d seen bits and pieces of it over the years, but a couple of years ago I was able to dive into it more thoroughly with a complete series release that came out. Now we have the concluding movie, which comes to home video in a standard edition and a limited edition 4K Ultra HD box set, which is a thing of beauty. For the film itself, it’s hard to explain it in just a few sentences. If you’re not familiar with the series, what I have to say won’t make any sense. But if you are a fan of the show, you’ll be happy to know that Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time serves as a nice wrap-up for the show. It packed the emotional punch you’ve come to expect and isn’t lacking on action or intrigue. The 4K Ultra HD collector’s set also comes packaged in a beautiful and simple stark white Steelbook Case that you’ll want on your shelf. Evangelion fans will want to make sure they’ve seen the three films that priced this one, but if you’ve been following the series all along, you won’t want to miss Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon a Time.
For Lovers of Comedy:
Friends: The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
For the first time on 4K Ultra HD, the seminal hit comedy Friends is available in a massive box set that collects all ten seasons in ultra high definition. Do I really need to say any more? Friends still holds up as one of the greatest sitcoms of our generation, and no matter how many times I watch it, I never get tired of it. To be honest, it feels a little bit silly to try and “review” Friends. I mean, it not only ran for 10 seasons, but by now it’s surpassed just being a TV show and morphed into a cultural touchstone. By this point, you know whether or not you’re a Friends fan. Nothing I’m going to say here is going to make you go, “Hey, I really should check out this Friends thing I keep hearing about!” So I’m not really going to critique it here, other than to say that it is hands down one of my favorite TV series of all time. The episodes hold up so well – even while the hairstyles and fashions are obviously dated a bit (especially in the first couple of seasons) – and the humor remains as sharp and clever and heartfelt as ever. This new 4K Ultra HD box set includes all 10 seasons – 236 episodes in total – and includes not only all of the original bonus features, but all of the new bonus features that were created for the Blu-ray box set that came out a few years ago. And sure, I know that Friends is always in syndication and is currently streaming on one service or another, but as a proponent of physical media (and someone who doesn’t trust that streaming services will always have what I want available to watch when I want to watch it), I’m extremely glad to have Friends on my bookshelf so I’m not at the mercy of anyone else’s programming when I want to sit down and binge-watch the adventures of Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe. Friends has surpassed just being a television show. It’s a worldwide phenomenon. I actually applaud Warner Bros. for not trotting out a new home video collection every single year, and instead waiting until there’s a new format or something really special to give us an upgrade. This is the best collection of Friends on home video yet, and if you’re a fan of the show, you will absolutely want to have this in your collection. Friends is a show that will live on in fans’ hearts for a long time to come, and deservedly so.
Bill & Ted’s Most Triumphant Trilogy (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
It took almost slightly over 30 years for Bill S. Preston, Esquire and Ted “Theodore” Logan to complete a movie trilogy, yet they’ve managed to remain relevant in the pop culture consciousness for that entire time. And there’s a reason for that. The first Bill & Ted’s is a classic comedy that has time-travel, rock n roll, and two endearing goofballs. The second film actually ups the ante (and is my favorite of the two) and takes things in a deliciously twisted direction. This is one of those cases where I personally love the sequel even more than I love the original film. And then there’s the third film, which came out 29 years after the second movie. I’m not usually a big fan of sequels that are made decades after the original films. Of course, I am a big fan of both the original Bill & Ted’s movies, so I was at least a little excited to watch Bill & Ted Face the Music. And it’s actually pretty solid. It clearly doesn’t hold a candle to the first two films, and there are times when it tries a little too hard, but overall it’s still pretty fun. This new collection includes all three films together in the premium 4K Ultra HD format for the first time (and also includes each movie on Blu-ray) and a ton of bonus features, all wrapped up in a nice box set packaging. In short, it’s a must have. EXCELLENT!!
Blazing Saddles (4K Ultra HD)
One of Mel Brooks’ most famous and best films returns to home video with an all-new 4K Ultra HD edition. Blazing Saddles is as classic as comedy gets, and there’s a reason it’s been released on video so many times, and that’s because it’s amazing. Telling you the plot seems a little unnecessary, but even though it’s a satire of westerns, it does have its own story, it’s not just a sheer spoof a la a satire film such as Airplane. In Blazing Saddles, a corrupt politician hires an African American sheriff to police a town, fully expecting racial tensions and incompetence to allow him to steal the town’s land. However, that’s not exactly what happens, and what does is happen is filled with laughs along the way. Blazing Saddles came out in 1974, making this the 50th Anniversary of the film, and once again, I would have liked to have seen a more “special” edition of this release; much like The Terminator above, there’s been no shortage of releases of Blazing Saddles on home video. And while this release does include a fair amount of bonus features, it feels like there could have been a little more to do surrounding the release. Aside from that, there’s not too much to complain about with this edition.
Young Sheldon: The Complete Series (DVD)
I have to admit, I’m a little floored that Young Sheldon lasted seven seasons. I get that people miss The Big Bang Theory; I’m one of them. It was a show that I loved. But Young Sheldon never felt like a good replacement for it, and it’s definitely never been a show that I particularly enjoyed. It’s not awful or anything like that, but I just never connected with the characters or the storylines the way I did with the mothership show. Say what you want about The Big Bang Theory, it was a heck of a lot funnier to me than Young Sheldon is. The cast here tries to do their best with weaker material, but the writing is largely sophomoric, and the supporting characters just aren’t interesting enough to make up for the fact that Sheldon Cooper by himself can’t really carry a show, as a kid or an adult. I know a lot of people watched and enjoyed Young Sheldon, but it was always mediocre for me. That said, I always watched the show in random spurts, and going back and giving it another chance in episodic order does give me a little bit of a new appreciation for it. I can see now how much more narratively structured it was, with storylines that carried on for much longer than a single episode. It doesn’t change my overall opinion of the show, but I can at least say I’m a little more positive about it than I used to be. Now the show has released in a Complete Series box set that includes all seven seasons, 141 episodes, in one place for the first time. If you’re a fan of the show, you can now own it on DVD or Blu-ray (we received the DVD for reviews instead of the Blu-ray release, unfortunately.) Young Sheldon wasn’t ever really my cup of tea, but it was a ratings hit in its first season and stayed near the top of the charts for its entire run, so it clearly has a huge audience out there. While this set won’t offer up much new for you to enjoy, it is a great way to revisit a show you might have loved.
Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series (DVD)
I know, I know… I’m supposed to love Curb Your Enthusiasm. It seems like everyone else on the planet does, especially critics. But I have just never enjoyed this show. Ostensibly, it’s the story of, well, Larry David. He plays an over-the-top version of himself, although I suspect he’s not actually that different from the character on screen. (And for those of you who don’t know, Larry David is the co-creator of Seinfeld.) We basically follow him on his day to day, and we get to see how the world makes him miserable. Which, I guess, can be funny, but the world is miserable enough these days, do I really need to watch somebody else be miserable? And that’s the main problem I have with the show: I find Larry David’s “character” completely unlikable, to the point where I can’t even enjoy watching him in a love-to-hate-him kind of way. That said, the show does have some good moments, usually centered around the guest stars. The show always had top-notch A-list guest stars, including names like Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Julie Bowen, John Hamm, Vince Vaughn, Mel Brooks, Michael J. Fox, Seth Rogen, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Lucy Liu, Martin Scorsese, Josh Gad, Hugh Hefner, Albert Brooks, Conan O’Brien, and others (oftentimes appearing as themselves.) If you like the show, you can now own the entire series on DVD in the 120-episode collection, Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Series, which gives you 24 discs in one relatively compact box set. Now that the show has completed its run, you have the chance to either relive the series or dive in and binge it for the first time. Either way, you’ve got 24 discs worth of Larry’s miserableness to… I dunno… enjoy? Is that what you do with this show? Whatever it is, you can do it in one place now.
Veep: The Complete Series (DVD)
I don’t know why I like so many of HBO’s drama and genre shows and dislike so many of their comedies, but boy is Veep a perfect example of what I don’t like. (And maybe the fact that I have back-to-back reviews of HBO shows I don’t like that both feature Seinfeld alums at the center of them says a little something about me, or at least about Seinfeld.) I’m a pretty big Julia Louis-Dreyfus fan, and I generally find her both very funny and a great actress. Unfortunately, I really don’t like this show at all. And the fault isn’t really Dreyfus’s. She’s absolutely fine in the lead role, but there seriously isn’t one other character in this show who isn’t an obnoxious jerk. The dialogue is generally mean-spirited and insulting, and there isn’t a warm or mirthful bone in the show’s body. Maybe I’m being too hard on it; I’m sure it has its moments and some of the characters do go through arcs throughout the series, but even though I came to a begrudging acceptance of it, it never fully won me over. If you’re a fan, however, you can complete your collection with the new box set Veep: The Complete Series, out on both Blu-ray and DVD. It collects all seven seasons, 65 episodes, and includes a ton of bonus features as well. I know I’m soured towards Veep, but there’s no denying this is a terrific box set. It gives you the entire show’s run on your choice of Blu-ray or DVD and unlike so many other TV show sets these days, it also comes loaded with bonus features. For Veep fans, this is the ultimate home video release.
The King of Queens: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
I love box sets like The King of Queens: The Complete Series. Why, you may ask? Well, two reasons. First of all, this new box set from Mill Creek collects all 206 episodes of the hit Kevin James sitcom into one budget-priced collection. Seriously, just a decade ago this set would probably have cost you $200 and been the size of a microwave. Now it’s less than half that price and in a box that’s barely bigger than a typical Blu-ray release. You gotta love the bang for your buck you get with Mill Creek releases. The other reason I love box sets like this is because I was never a huge King of Queens fan when it was on the air. That’s not to say I didn’t like it, it just was never a show I never watched. But I’ve become something of a Kevin James fan over the years, so this set was a great way to start watching the show from the beginning, and I’ve found it pretty enjoyable. James is terrific as always, Leah Remini is fun, and the show may not win any awards for being intellectually stimulating, but it’s fun to watch and sometimes that’s all I want. With 20 discs’ worth of comedy totaling over 75 hours worth of episodes, this is the kind of box set that makes binging a funny sitcom easy and fun. The King of Queens: The Complete Series is a terrific pick-up for fans of the show or the cast.
For the ‘80s Kid in Your Life:
GI Joe Compendium: Volume 1 (Graphic Novel)
So, this is pretty much the greatest thing ever. It’s easily my favorite item on this gift guide. The G.I. Joe Compendium: Volume 1 collects the first 50 issues of the original Marvel G.I. Joe comic book from the ‘80s into one massive volume that defies physics. I say that because this thing is the size of a phone book (who remembers those?) and comes it an a whopping 1,168 pages(!!!), and yet it is as light as a feather! Thanks to the book being printed with old-school (but high quality) newsprint, this book is so light, your brain won’t be able to process it when you pick I up expecting it to weigh a ton. But that’s just just the icing on the cake; the real star of the show here is the comics themselves. Written by Larry Hama and drawn by a handful of outstanding artists, these first 50 issues give us stories like the introduction of the Joes and the Cobras, the origin of Snake Eyes, the destruction of The Pit, the rise of Serpentor, and of course, the infamous silent issue of G.I. Joe. It’s some of the greatest storytelling in comics of the decade, and I couldn’t love this book more or recommend it more highly!
Transformers: Volumes 1 & 2 (Graphic Novels)
If you’re reading this and you’re not a comic book fan, the name Daniel Warren Johnson may not mean much to you. But in the comic book world, DWJ is a huge name, and he’s garnered a legion of fans by creating unusual, offbeat, and dynamic comics that he’s created from scratch. And then he took on The Transformers in their return to the comic book world and set the market on fire. Through two volumes – each collecting five issues of Skybound’s mega-bestselling Transformers title – Johnson has not only reintroduced the Transformers to a new generation of readers, but he’s also turned things on their heads. Beloved characters are no longer safe, and formerly marginalized characters have taken on big roles, all while making sure fan favorites like Optimus Prime and Shockwave remain in the spotlight. Johnson drew the first five issues, which have a kinetic energy unlike anything else, but he passed the art chores on for the second volume to Jorge Corona, who is terrific in his own right. I can’t recommend these volumes highly enough for Transformers fans.
Void Rivals: Volumes 1 & 2 (Graphic Novels)
Before the aforementioned Transformers comic was launched, comic book superstar Robert Kirkman quietly launched Void Rivals. It was marketed as simply a science fiction adventure comic, with two people from enemy worlds finding themselves trapped in a strange environment together. But then! It turns out it was the secret launch of the Energon Universe, which would publish both Transformers and GI Joe existing in a shared universe! And it’s outstanding! Not only does Void Rivals kick off that shared universe, but it’s also a standout book in its own right that you can read without any prior knowledge of Transformers or GI Joe. It stands as a terrific sci-fi adventure that will resonate with fans of movies like Enemy Mine and Rebel Moon. This is a great read for any comics fans, but especially those who love the Transformers and GI Joe!
For Mom and Dad:
The West Wing: The Complete Series
Over the course of seven seasons, The West Wing went from being a show at the bottom of the ratings chart in its first season to one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed series of all time in its last. Amazingly, in an era where politics were becoming more divisive than ever, The West Wing managed to place a dramatic series inside the White House and take on political issues without ever being overtly political, or at least overtly partisan. Now — amazingly on Blu-ray for the first time — the entire show has been collected into a fantastic box set that includes all 156 episodes and hours and hours of bonus features. It blows my mind that the show started in 1999… that’s 25 years ago. I had no idea it had been that long. And I was rewatching the show (and watching many of the episodes for the first time as I was not a die-hard viewer back in the day), I was struck by two things: 1) Just how good the show is, and 2) There’s no way this show could succeed nowadays. If politics were divided in 1999, they are downright fractured now. There’s no way a show like this could get on the air nowadays without being savaged by internet armchair critics for being too political. So it’s a good thing this show came out when it did. With an A-list cast that included Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Dule Hill, and Janel Moloney — plus guest stars and other cast members who were all stellar — the show is simply incredible. Great drama, smart writing, terrific performances, sharp humor… The West Wing had it all. Being able to start at the beginning and work my way through the episodes in order and without missing any has been a fantastic experience. The West Wing: The Complete Series sees the show’s first Blu-ray collection, and it includes all 156 episodes on 28 discs. The West Wing is one of those shows that may represent a certain time period but feels timeless at the same time. Sure, some of the cell phones and computer screens will place the show at the turn of the 21st century, but the drama, the characters, and the performances transcend a year or a date. This is what good television is all about.
Succession: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Now that the show has come to an end, there’s no denying that over the course of its four seasons, Succession became a pop culture juggernaut. I’ve seen it referenced in other TV shows and movies, heard it mentioned on podcasts, seen memes from it on social media… it’s really taken on a life of its own. HBO rarely makes out-and-out bad television, so it’s not really a surprise that it became so popular, I just wish that I had liked the show – or at least the kind of show it was – more than I did. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very well-made show, with great acting and strong writing. The series follows a Rupert Murdoch-like corporate magnate and his children who are in varying degrees of jockeying for his power when he passes away. While the cast is terrific (featuring Brian Cox, Sanaa Lathan, Alan Ruck, Kieran Culkin, and Sarah Snook) it’s hard for me to really find much common ground with characters who are so rich they can’t even count their money. And frankly, they’re largely terrible and unlikable people, which is one of my biggest pet peeves in any show or movie; I do not like any film or series that features almost exclusively unlikable characters. That said, I’m clearly in the minority here, and that spelled success for Succession. Last year, Lionsgate released the complete series on DVD and in my review of that I mentioned that I was surprised they didn’t put the show out on Blu-ray. Now they’ve fixed that problem as this newer release is a Blu-ray set. Yay! Succession is like an HBO version of Dynasty, which there clearly is an audience for, I’m just not it. While I’m not the biggest Succession fan in the world, those of you who are fans of the show – and I know there are a lot of you — will be happy to be able to have the entire series in one convenient box set so you can revisit the Roy family whenever you want to.
The Night Agent (DVD)
The things you learn when you sit down to review a show or movie. For example, I had no idea that The Night Agent was Netflix’s number-one streamed show of 2023. I remember seeing the trailer and wanting to watch it, I remember not getting around to watching it (as I’m too busy watching review titles 99% of the time), and then I remember thinking, “Well, someday I’ll watch it.” But apparently, while I was doing that, everybody else on the planet was watching The Night Agent. And now that it’s a review title for me (as it’s been released on DVD by Sony), I made the time to watch it, and I can say that it’s easy to see why it was so popular. The show focuses on FBI agent named Peter Sutherland who works in a windowless room in the basement of the FBI monitoring a phone line that never rings. Rose Larkin is a software executive staying with her aunt and uncle when they are murdered. Before they’re killed they give her a phone number to call for help, and she ends up on the phone with Peter, who brings her to safety. But her aunt and uncle weren’t nobodies, and there are forces at the government who are out to keep Rose from sharing anything she might have overheard. The show starts off strong with a good first episode, but the second episode is where it kicked into really high gear for me. It mixes action with suspense and conspiracy theories, and you get a blend of good guys on the run, bad guys chasing them, shadowy forces conspiring against everyone, terrorist threats, and ties to the characters’ pasts all mixed together. It’s a really sharp show, and it moves at a good pace, and I really dug it a lot. I always like when Netflix lets its shows get released on home video. If you’re not a Netflix subscriber or you just want to have The Night Agent: Season One in your collection because you liked it to much, this new set is worth the pick up, My only complaint is that this is a show that really needed a high definition Blu-ray release and only got a standard def DVD release, which was a huge disappointment. Hopefully they’ll fix that in the future
For People Who Love Movies AND Music:
Twisters: The Album (Vinyl or CD)
Right up front, let me say that I am typically NOT a country music kind of guy. I like almost every kind of music, but I just don’t dig country music. So why am I about to give this album – which is largely country music – a rave review? I don’t actually know the answer to that, other than to say that the music is good. Like, really good. Even as I was watching Twisters (I’ve seen it twice now), I remember thinking, “Man, this is a rocking song,” multiple times throughout the film. With a mix of big name country stars and some country-adjacent musicians, there’s no denying the album has its roots firmly in the country world. But I would also argue that many of the songs lean more to the country-rock or southern rock side of things, and I think that’s the difference for me, as I’m definitely a rock and roll guy. Whatever the reason, I love this album. It’s been released as a 2LP Vinyl soundtrack in a gorgeous double gatefold sleeve, and it’s also available on CD. You get 29 tracks with big names like Jelly Roll, Benson Boone, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, and two different guys named Tanner. And while I definitely like some songs more than others, by and large this a great collection of music and one of the better soundtracks I’ve heard in a while.
Michael Giacchino: Exotic Themes For the Silver Screen – Volume 1 (Vinyl Record)
Ohhh, man, I have been waiting for this one. I’m not gonna lie, there’s going to be very little objectivity in this review. Because this release is AWESOME. First off, for those of you who don’t know who Michael Giacchino is, he’s of the premiere film and television soundtrack composers in Hollywood, and I happen to be a big fan of his work. You’ll know his name from everything from Lost to Mission Impossible to The incredibles and everything in between. This week, we have a gorgeous new vinyl record release called Michael Giacchno: Exotic Themes from Mutant, who has quickly become one of my favorite music labels. Mutant focuses on releasing vinyl soundtrack albums (along with prints and other merchandise) that is uber-high quality, gorgeously packaged, and appealing to fans of all genres of film and television. While I’ve reviewed their past soundtrack releases for Dune 2 and Shogun that were all devoted to one project, this one instead works as a greatest hits compilation, if you will, but with a twist. On this 2-disc set you will find 24 different musical tracks, all themes from his various shows and movies. So rather than focusing on a single movie, you get themes from Speed Racer, Cloverfield, Cars, Lost, Alias, Ratatouille, Super 8, Mission Impossible, and more. However, each one has been re-arranged and rerecorded by Giacchino, in a lounge music/easy listening style. Which, at first glance, might seem like an odd choice. But rather than have a bunch of musical tracks of different styles competing for space, this way, they all take on a thematic feel that ties them together in ways that are both unique and familiar. It’s a fascinating experience, and an incredible new framing of the best and most recognizable pieces of music by an artist who has been a major force in the soundtrack world for the past 25 years. At first, I was uncertain what I was in for with this release, as I’m not a huge aficionado of easy listening music. But Giacchino is incredibly talented, and what he’s done is take themes that you’ll recognize but don’t always make the best listening music and turn them into something akin to a soundtrack you’d want to have playing as you sit by the beach and sip on a cocktail. It’s cool, it’s fun, it’s funky, and I really enjoyed it. (Available at madebymutant.com)
For the Younger Kids:
The Swan Princess: 12-Film Collection (DVD)
While it was never a blockbuster smash it, The Swan Princess is nonetheless an animated film that has a pretty decent fan base. An updated retelling of Swan Lake for family audiences, the movie features a terrific voice cast including Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright and Sandy Duncan. I didn’t grow up with this film, so I don’t have the same nostalgia for it that some people do, but people who were kids 25 years ago might have their own kids now to introduce the film to, and if they do, this new box set should be pretty exciting for them. For the first time ever, not only is the original film being re-released, but the eleven – ELEVEN! – direct-to-video spin-off sequels that have been released since then are collected in this new box set as well. There’s also a music box that’s included in the package, so this is obviously a gift set in the best sense of the word. The films included are:
- The Swan Princess
- The Swan Princess and the Secret of the Castle
- The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure
- The Swan Princess Christmas
- The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale
- The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!
- The Swan Princess: Royall Undercover
- The Swan Princess: A Royal MyZtery
- The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music
- The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding
- The Swan Princess: A Fairy Tale Is Born
- The Swan Princess: Far Longer Than Forever
I know I had reviewed a few of these movies in the past, but honestly I had no idea there were so many animated sequels and spin-offs. Obviously, the quality varies a bit from film to film, but for younger audiences who are predisposed to liking these movies, I don’t think they’ll get too critical.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (4K Ultra HD)
It’s hard to find ways to constantly repackage a 26-minute cartoon. Or so you would think. When it comes to the beloved Grinch, however, there’s never a shortage of new ways to package it, especially since the two theatrical movies from 2003 and 2019 have kept the worlds love of the character alive and brighter than ever. Now we have the 4K Ultra HD debut of the classic cartoon version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, which — as mentioned above — is only 26 minutes long. To make the disc more worthwhile, the studio has included two other Grinch animated specials: The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat and Halloween is Grinch Night. So all in all, you get about an hour and 15 minutes’ worth of content, so that’s not bad at all. On top of that, you get some nice extra features. So all in all, it’s a pretty good package, especially since you get those other two rarely-seen specials. One note; this version of the release does NOT include a digital copy, something the previous Blu-ray version did have. I don’t know why they chose to omit it this time around, but it’s kind of a bummer. Considering how short Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas is, Warner Bros. Has done a great job of crafting a release that delivers lots of bang for your buck. I just wish that digital copy was included.
Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise (DVD)
Hey, ‘90s kids! Time to get excited! That superhero you loved in your childhood is back! That’s right, Captain Planet makes his triumphant return to DVD with Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise. While there was a Season One DVD release back in 2011, this chunky new box set is the first time the rest of the series has appeared on home video. Comprising 15 discs that collect all 113 episodes, the “Complete Franchise” tag comes from the fact that the show started as Captain Planet and the Planeteers and then became The New Adventures of Captain Planet; this box set includes both shows in their entirety. What’s funny about Captain Planet is just how ahead of its time it was. The show sees an earth spirit named Gaea being awakened by how badly humans are treating the planet: pollution, deforestation, wildlife depletion, and the like. She sends out power rings to five teenagers across the world, who come together and discover that they can summon a superhero to fight ecological disasters: Captain Planet! Now, this show came out in 1990 and one would assume that the message of the show was in place to educate children on the dangers of ecological carelessness. Apparently that message didn’t get through to enough people, because it feels like we’re in no better shape nowadays than we were 34 years ago. The show is fairly typical of animated series of the time; it’s not highbrow entertainment (villains have names like Hoggish Greedly and Looten Plunder), but it’s fun and action-packed and first right alongside shows like Gargoyles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Watching it now, it feels a little dated but also sweetly nostalgic, and that’s not a bad thing. Captain Planet is a great throwback show that I had a lot of fun revisiting. The multi-ethnic cast also feels ahead of its time in terms of inclusivity, and the voice cast and guest stars sees a number of big names pop in such as Levar Burton, Meg Ryan, Whoopie Goldberg, Frank Welker, John Ratzenberger, Martin Sheen, Jeff Goldblum, and many others. It’s a really fun time!
Inside Out 2 (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray or DVD)
’ll admit that it took me a while to come around to the first Inside Out. I saw it in theaters when my kids were young, as did so many people, and I thought it was solidly okay. I’ve spent many years thinking that a lot of Pixar movies are overrated, or declared as brilliant simply because they were Pixar movies (and I still largely stand by that opinion.) But in rewatching the first movie to prepare for the second one, I found that I did enjoy it quite a bit more than the first time around. So, I went into Inside Out 2 a little more excited to watch it than I would have been otherwise. And I’m happy to report that I enjoyed it quite a bit as well. I don’t think either film is an out-and-out masterpiece – and the billion-dollar grosses of each still baffles me, as I just don’t see them as repeat-viewing-in-theaters kinds of films – but I am clearly in the minority. In this outing, Riley is now 13 and playing hockey and about to go to high school. Enter four new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui, hallmarks of typical teenage years. When Anxiety ousts Joy and the other emotions from control, the gang must get back to headquarters and save Riley from making some really bad decisions. There are a few times when the movie feels like a retread of the first film, but the new characters, especially a couple of non-emotion ones that I won’t specifically mention to avoid spoilers, are a lot of fun. And the film’s handling of the concept of anxiety is quite impressive, especially in a day and age when it’s a condition so many people deal with. I was a little surprised to see that Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling didn’t return as Fear and Disgust, respectively, but other than that, the voice cast – both new and old – does a great job as usual.
Shibajuku Anime Dolls
Okay, this may surprise some of you, but I’m not the target demographic for a 13-inch-tall anime-inspired doll. I say that not because I can’t objectively review a product that isn’t marketed to me; instead, I say it so that you understand that my knowledge of the history of these toys is a little limited. Apparently, an earlier iteration of Shibajuku Anime Dolls was popular back in the mid-2000s. I – as an adult male at that time – was not dialed into the anime doll world and was not familiar with them at all. Now, thanks to a toy company called Hunter Products, Shibajuku Anime Dolls are back. I received one of the dolls to review, and I got Yumi. She’s described as “sugar, spice, and everything nice” and she’s all about positivity. This is reflected in her overwhelmingly pink outfit and the joyful anime-art portrait of her on the box. The dolls are a really great size: they’re 13-inches tall, so they’re bigger than Barbie dolls, but their packaging is only a couple of inches bigger than a Barbie box. The heads are quite large, and the eyes and facial features are made to replicate the look of an anime character. The doll feels hefty and high-quality, not cheap or flimsy. The packaging is outstanding. It’s bright and colorful, it includes an anime portrait of the character, a short bio of her on the back, and a foil embossed sticker on the front of the box that ensures it’s an authentic Shibajuku Anime Doll collectible. These will be great toys for kids but also easily storable/displayable for. If you have a child who loves anime and is also into dolls, or if you’re a doll collector yourself and you like the worlds of manga and anime, Shibajuku Anime Dolls should be right up your alley. I’m not a doll expert – although I am pretty well-versed in the world of toys in general — and I’m impressed by the quality of these toys.
For Fantasy Enthusiasts:
House of the Dragon: The Complete Second Season (4K Ultra HD or Blu-ray)
HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series returns to home video this week, shortly after the Third Season has been officially announced. Now, I’ve always been a pretty casual fan of Game of Thrones. I watched the first six seasons or so, usually when they hit home video as opposed to when they aired on HBO, but I was never so moved by the show to call myself a die-hard fan or wear the t-shirts or anything like that. So I was at least a little excited to get in on a new show from the ground floor and maybe become a bigger fan through it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the result I got from it. Here’s the thing: House of the Dragon looks absolutely stunning. Every single scene could rival anything in the biggest blockbusters in theaters. But personally, I still find the show a little on the dry side. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s just so incredibly mired in politics and killing that it forgets to have any fun. At least the original Game of Thrones had Tyrion Lannister to keep things enjoyable. This show, which takes place almost 200 years before GOT, focuses on the House Targaryen and the political, romantic, and familial chaos that ensues around them. It’s a complex and layered show, and I suspect that the die-hard GOT fans probably like it way more than I do
For Your Immature Uncle:
The Whitest Kids U Know: The Complete Series (DVD)
There’s no shortage of sketch shows out there, and between Saturday Night Live, Mad TV, The Kids in the Hall, The State, and In Living Color, it’s easy for a show like The Whitest Kids U Know to get overlooked. That said, the series has its fans, and those fans probably love the fact that TWKUK goes places a lot of those other shows won’t: the gutter. Over the course of 50 episodes, TWKUK would often rely on skits filled with sex, violence, bodily fluids, and profanity as a source of humor in a way that all of the other broadcast based shows wouldn’t or couldn’t do. As a result the show is much more boundary-pushing than those others… to mixed results. Honestly, there are some sketches that are downright hilarious and so over-the-top you can’t help but laugh. But there are an equal amount that go so far that you question the taste and good sense of the people behind them. It’s a mixed bag that I really loved half the time and kind of hated the other half. The Whitest Kids U Know: The Complete Series is not for everyone, but I think that’s exactly how the cast and creators wanted it. They cultivated their show for a particular audience and I think those fans are probably completely enamored with the show as is. For those fans, this set is everything you could ask for and more!
Rick & Morty: Seasons 1-7 (DVD)
There have been a lot of Rick & Morty releases on home video, and every time one comes out, I have to try and figure out how to approach it differently. Full disclosure, Rick & Morty is just not my thing. I know people love it, and the show has a very strong fan following, but I just don’t love it. That said, I feel like I should like it; it’s incredibly popular, and so every time it comes out, I try and dive into it and see if I can get on board with it. This week, we have the release of Rick & Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-7, a nice, chunky box set that collects all seven seasons in one set. That’s all 71 episodes in a 14-disc set, which is a great way to own the whole shebang in one compact case. So I dove into the world of Rick & Morty once again, and I’m sad to say that my opinion really hasn’t changed much. Sure, there are one or two funny jokes in each episode, but I find the characters unlikable and the humor largely ridiculous — but not in the good ridiculous way. Maybe I’m just getting old, who knows. But none of that matters, because people love this show and it’s as popular as ever, regardless of what I think about it. I’ve heard Rick & Morty compared to everything from Back to the Future to Doctor Who to Futurama to Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and I personally don’t think it’s half as good as any of those things. Unfortunately, it’s just not my thing. But I know people really love Rick & Morty and the show’s fan base is fanatical, so this excellent-quality box set is sure to be another home video hit for the studio.
Mr. Lovenstein Presents: Feelings (Book)
Okay, I can’t print any of them here, but I can 100% guarantee you that you’ve seen Mr. Lovenstein’s comic strips before. Unless you’ve never been on social media in your life, you have stumbled across (probably several of) his strips before. They are short, extremely funny, very off-color strips that don’t shy away from being, well, just plain wrong. But wrong in the best possible way. This book collects over a 200 pages of J.L. Westover’s best and most popular strips, and even adds in a handful of brand new, book-exclusive comics, making this book a must have for fans. I read through this in one sitting and I laughed my ass off! If you have a friend or family member with a twisted sense of humor, this book will be their favorite gift of the holiday season.
For Gamers of All Kinds:
Funko Fusion (Video Game)
As I stated earlier, I’ve been a Funko Pop collector for many years, and now that obsession has carried over into video games with Funko Fusion! Available on Playstation, Xbox, and other platforms, Funko Fusion is a super awesome game in which you get to adventure through worlds – in Funko form! The good news is that the gameplay is kind of similar to familiar games like the LEGO Star Wars adventures, where you make your way through levels and Funko Fight bad guys and travel through worlds/levels. You also get a huge range of characters to play as, with avatars from worlds such as Back to the Future, Scott Pilgrim, The Mummy, He-Man, Jurassic Park, Chucky, Battlestar Galactica, and many others. Admittedly, the fact that there are less save points than I would like can get a little annoying, but I still found the game a lot of fun to play. I tested it out on PS5, so I can’t compare it on other consoles. But I would expect it to be largely the same. This is a lot of fun for Funko Pop fanatics!
Ultimate Dibs (Tabletop Game)
I love tabletop games and I love party games, and tabletop party games are therefore, naturally, a favorite for me. This fast-paced game is for 2-12 players starts off with — what else? — calling dibs on things. Like what, you may ask? Well, it can be anything. There are category cards, such as Magical Things, Bedroom Things, Liquid Things, Things with One Vowel In it, etc. So you might call dibs on something like, “a wand” for Magical Things, in order to try and gain control of that card. You also can get more than one space by saying things that fit more than one category. I’ll be honest, I suck at describing how to play games in a few sentences, but I can say that I played this with a small group of friends and we had a good time with it. It took about 25 minutes (partly because we were figuring it out as as we went) but I could see getting through it in 20 minutes fairly easily. It’s a small and compact box, so it will make a good stocking stuffer or an outright gift.
21 Bluff (Tabletop Game)
It’s always a little hard to explain a game in review format, but then again, sometimes it’s not. 21 Bluff is a fun two to four person games that is kind of like Blackjack crossed with Uno. I mean, that’s pretty simple, right? Each player gets a deck of cards that has standard Ace through King hands, but then also has about a dozen specialty cards. These cards do things like split the hand (so you can play two hands), give you an automatic 21 points (yay!), or cause you to instantly bust (boo!) The players all try to get to 21 points without going over, and the player who comes closest wins that rounds. Then you keep playing until you get 21 total points (and the points can be altered based on which special cards are played.) I was able to run through a few rounds with my friends and I really enjoyed the game. It’s fast paced and fun, and the game mechanics are familiar enough that it doesn’t take long to pick it up. Remembering what the special cards do and understanding those rules is the hardest part, but once you get the hang of that, it’s pretty instinctual. 21 Bluff is a good party game or for your next game night, an it’s the kind of tabletop effort that won’t require you to spend hours setting up or learning the mechanics of. And with a low price of under $25, it’s an easy pick up. Check it out!
Dungeons & Dragons: Worlds & Realms/Young Adventurers Collection: Box Set 2/Puncheons & Flagons (Books)
Ten Speed Graphics has three new Dungeons & Dragons-themed books out on shelves now, and digging into each one of them, I can say that there isn’t a loser in the bunch. First up is Dungeons & Dragons: Worlds & Realms. This massive hardcover book serves as a combination of art/history book and fictional narrative. Readers are taken through a history of some of D&D’s most well-loved worlds and realms, but rather than just being a reference book, it’s told as a narrative history by the mage MordenKainan, who infuses some serious storytelling into the proceedings. His lessons are accompanied by artwork from gamebooks and modules of the past 50 years, giving historical artwork a gallery to view as well. As a bonus the book also includes exclusive short stories by award-winning contributors Jaleigh Johnson, Jody Houser and Eric Campbell, Jasmine Bhullar, and Geoffrey Golden. The second release is the Young Adventurers Collection: Box Set 2. This four-book box set includes individual reference books geared for younger D&D players – although a lot of fully adult players will probably enjoy them as well. Each book offers up write-ups and breakdowns of various creatures, realms, objects, and more… everything you need to make your way through a D&D adventure. The books are smaller, kind of digest-sized, but they are also filled with both a ton of information in text form as well as lavishly painted illustrations. The four books are: Beasts & Behemoths, which focuses on monsters of all kinds; Dragons & Treasures obviously focuses on the variety of dragons in the D&D world as well as their treasures. Places & Portals focuses on the lands and landmarks of the D&D world; and finally, Artificers & Alchemy focuses on artifacts, objects, magic creatures, and more. The third release is probably the least lore-heavy release of the three but it might just be the most fun: Puncheons & Flagons is an officially-licensed cocktail recipe book that’s themed around the D&D world. This gorgeous book is filled with cocktail recipes that have creative, D&D-inspired names (such as The Emerald Door and the Total Party Katastrophe). Each recipe includes a historical in-game text section that explains how the drink fits into the world of D&D, then it gives you the recipe itself as well as a history of the drink. There are beautiful photos for each cocktail, all decked out to look like they were taken in a fantasy world. There are also a few D&D illustrations mixed in with the text as well. The book is exceptionally well-designed, and anyone who wants to add drinks to their next D&D game night will easily impress their friends with a sampling of these drinks: All three of these books are outstanding reference and reading for fans of Roleplaying games and Dungeons & dragons in particular. Make yourself a new cocktail and curl up with one of these great books as son as you can!
Invincible: Escape From Mars (Tabletop Game)
I’m a huge, huge, huge Invincible fan, as I’ve stated in many reviews and gift guides before. I’m glad to see the merchandise from the show branching out into things like games now, too. This game is a social deduction game that is a fast-paced ride that’s really fun to play. It’s kind of like The Donner Party or Werewolf, in that players try to guess who’s an astronaut that’s secretly harboring an alien sequid on return to earth. Or think of it as a tabletop version of Among Us, if that helps. I only got a chance to get through one game before I wrote the gift guide, but I enjoyed the gameplay mechanics quite a bit. Plus, the cards feature amazing artwork from Invincible, and the whole thing fits into a relatively compact box, meaning it won’t take up a lot of shelf space for someone who’s already bursting at the seams with board games. I love games, I love Invincible, and I love a good licensed game that plays really well! Great stuff!
Creepshow: The Suspense Building Game (Tabletop Game)
The Game: Creepshow was a 1982 movie by George A. Romero and Stephen King that’s a cult classic of the horror genre, loosely based on the EC horror comics of the 1950s such as Tales From the Crypt. It’s also been a TV series and now it’s a tabletop card-based game. Eschewing a traditional game board, this card game sees players trying to tell a story and build “suspense,” the dynamic through which players try to score points. I always struggle to explain a game even when I’m playing it, so I won’t try to go into too much detail here, but essentially, each player has to try and complete three acts of a story and build up as much suspense as they can through what cards they play and what choices they make. When the ending comes around, having more or less suspense will determine how many points you or your opponent gets. The game cards all feature artwork either from or inspired by various Creepshow comic books, and they look great. The colors are superb, and the graphics, lettering, ad design all evoke those classic 1950s horror artwork we know so well. The box the game comes in is barely larger than a deck of cards, so it’s a nice, compact game that can travel with you anywhere. This is one sharp-looking product. Creepshow is a fun game that’s mechanic really does allow you to “build suspense,” as the title promises. Not knowing which way things will go or how many points you’ll end up with based on your choices does feel tense and suspenseful. Check it out if you’re looking for a fun game to bring to this year’s Halloween parties!
Arcane: League of Legends – The Complete First Season (4K Ultra HD or Blu-ray)
I’m not a video gamer, but I like video games. As such, while I don’t play them regularly, I’m at least a little dialed in to what’s hot and what’s not in the video game realm. League of Legends is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game that takes the battle arena genre and created a world that had some characters and story elements, but focused mostly on the battle aspects of the game. Back in 2021, however, Netflix produced an animated series based on the game called Arcane: League of Legends. I guess it was a big enough hit that there’s a second season coming out later this year, so just in time for people to get caught up, GKids has brought the show out in a gorgeous 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release (which also includes the show on Blu-ray). The premise of the animated show sets it on a fictional world in the cities of Piltover – where the rich folks live – and the city of Zaun – the dark, undercity where the real people live. The main characters are sisters Vi and Jinx, and they get caught up in a fight between the societies over some pretty big differences in what the way of like should like for the people of the world. I don’t know how much the show really has to do with the game as I’ve never played it, but it is a pretty cool show overall. The animation is highly stylized, and the show doesn’t skimp on the action, all while developing the characters in a way that allows you to really care what happens to them. The voice cast also sees a lot of great talent and big names, including Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Jason Spisak, Toks Olagundoye, and Harry Lloyd. It all comes wrapped in a very sharp Steelbook case, making it a nice collectible for fans of the game or the show. The cool thing about Arcane: League of Legends is that it’s still very accessible even if you aren’t familiar with the game. I’ll assume there are a lot of nods to the game world in the show that I didn’t pick up on, but it seems like there are pieces of the show that are there for the die-hards to fan out over. This is a really cool release with a terrific A/V presentation and super cool packaging, so if you’re a fan of League of Legends, you’ll definitely want to check it out.
For Horror Fans:
Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
The Walking Dead franchise as a whole may not be the pop culture juggernaut it once was, but it still gets eyeballs on televisions in many households with shows like Daryl Dixon and Dead City. But those shows feature stars from the original series carrying on their roles. Fear the Walking Dead, which ran for eight seasons, always held sort of a strange role in the Walking Dead universe. While Fear did eventually see Lennie James’s Morgan join the cast, it spent the first few seasons with an all-new cast of characters, one that was ever-changing due to the show’s seeming rule at the time that they HAD to kill off main characters at regular intervals so fans would be surprised. Over the course of eight seasons, we started off following one family at the start of the zombie apocalypse, and eventually grew to a much bigger cast with heroes, morally ambiguous characters, and regular bad guys. I’ll admit that my relationship with Fear the Walking Dead changed over time; in the beginning, I watched it begrudgingly, with the “It’s not as good as the original show,” mentality. (But to be fair, I still maintain that the first season isn’t particularly great.) But as the show sort of settled into its ratings niche – not a bona fide smash hit, but not a flop, either – the creators started to move away from the mothership show and simply start telling the stories they wanted to tell, making it a much more interesting and nuanced series. By the end, I definitely considered myself a fan. Now, the series has been released in a Complete Series box set, collecting all eight seasons (113 episodes) on 30 Blu-ray discs. It’s collected in a nice chunky case that still is compact enough to fit on a shelf without taking up too much room. Fear the Walking Dead started off as a solid show that made for a nice placeholder between seasons of The Walking Dead. Over the years, it became something more and found its own fan base. As a person who watched a little sporadically over the years, I’m super glad to see the show collected in a Complete Series box set, which makes for the best viewing experience for the show yet.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition (4K Ultra HD)
Just in time for the holidays, the original Leatherface classic is back! Dark Sky Video has delivered what is – without a doubt – the ultimate home video version of Texas Chain Saw yet. Before I get to the movie itself, let me say that this new limited edition, numbered gift set is massive! It comes housed in a replica of Leatherface’s chainsaw that is easily a foot long. It’s immense! And it’s ridiculously cool! So this release is not for the casual Texas Chain Saw Massacre fan! As for the iconic film itself, first off, let me get this out of the way: I’m not an overwhelmingly huge fan of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It’s a seminal film in the horror genre and I recognize its importance, and I don’t hate it or anything, but every Texas Chain Saw film I’ve ever seen always leaves me feeling like I need to take a shower afterwards. They’re just a bit too brutal and gruesome for my tastes. I lean more towards the Halloween brand of horror, personally, which has a little more restraint, at least in the early films. That said, this new release is absolutely outstanding. Offering both a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Blu-ray disc with the movie, there’s also a bonus Blu-ray packed with extra features (and even a limited edition VHS copy inside!) The whole package is wrapped up in the aforementioned chainsaw case and includes the discs housed in a gorgeous Steelbook case, which is always a bonus. This is, without a doubt, one of the coolest home video releases I’ve ever seen for a horror movie.
Paramount Scares: Volume 2 (4K Ultra HD Box Set)
The first Paramount Scares collection was a pretty cool collection of horror movies making their 4K Ultra HD debut, but I did have a few issues with it. The selection of movies (Rosemary’s Baby, Pet Sematary, Crawl, Smile, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) was a bit all over the place. Rosemary’s Baby is a classic, sure. And I really like Crawl, even though it’s more of an animal attack thriller than a horror movie. But Pet Semetary is far from a great film and Sweeney Todd is not only not really a horror movie, but it’s also not great. I’m happy to report that Paramount Scares: Volume 2 is a much better collection of films… although I still have a couple of minor issues with it. First of all, this set only includes four movies instead of five, and while I applaud the choices as being much better movies, the idea of including Friday the 13th Part 2 (and not Part 1) feels weird to me. Sure, Part 2 is the one that introduces Jason as the killer (although not the one that sees him don his iconic mask), but it feels strange to have a sequel included without the original. That said, I truly enjoy every film in this collection; in addition to the aforementioned Friday the 13th Part 2, you also get World War Z (one of my personal favorites), Breakdown (a terrifically tense Kurt Russell thriller), and Orphan: First Kill, which – while I would have rather seen the original included rather than this prequel – is a surprisingly effective movie. Still, for my money, these are all enjoyable movies, and as a whole I find this a much stronger collection of films than the first set offered up. Also, I do really love the Paramount Scares packaging and overall box-set quality. In addition to each film on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, there are great extra features and some physical goodies in the box itself (see the section below for full details). Also, each film comes housed in its own newly-designed digipak with new artwork, and they are quite sharp looking, making this a nice collector’s item.Anthology box sets are always tricky because it’s hard to find a collection of movies that aren’t directly related and that everyone will like equally. That said, Volume 2 of Paramount Scares has four movies that I rated at B or higher when I graded them (B+ for F13, A+ for World War Z, A- for Breakdown, and B for Orphan: First Kill), and that averages out to a pretty high grade. I love the video and audio quality of the films, the packaging, and the extras, and I think any horror fan will decide this is a worthy addition to their collection.
For the Self-Reflective Person in Your Life:
Wednesday: The Official Nightshade Society Journal (Book)
Wednesday was an unqualified hit for Netflix and an absolutely amazing work of creative television excellence. While the merchandising world had to play catch up to that and we are now starting to see toys and shirts and stuff, here’s an item for the Wednesday fan in your life that’s a little more thoughtful. It’s a journal that’s branded with Wednesday graphics, but that’s not all there is to it. Besides the obvious (and fantastic) tie-in to the fact that Wednesday herself kept a journal in the show, in addition to a copious amount of lined pages for people to capture their thoughts in, there are also occasional illustrations and quotes from the show sprinkled throughout the book. It’s a high quality lined journal with spiral-bound pages that make it easy to write in, and it just looks and feels great. Any Wednesday fan who likes to write or doodle would be well served by this as a gift.
