‘Epic’ animated tale now on DVD
“Epic” — This animated box-office hit is one of the best-looking films of the year., one that the entire family can enjoy. It’s based on children’s author William Joyce’s book “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs.”
Mary Katherine is a smart 17-year-old whose mother has recently passed away. She goes to live with her off-the-wall scientist father at the edge of the forest.
He believes that a civilization of tiny people lives in the forest. In fact, the guardians of the forest are called Leafmen, led by General Ronin, whose job is to protect Queen Tara.
The bad guys, the Boggans, are led by Mandrake. They are determined to destroy the forest, Their goal is to prevent Queen Tara from passing on her powers through a magical flower.
When Mandrake steals the flower, the Leafmen must get it back and prevent the bad guys from poisoning all life.
The excellent voice cast includes Amanda Seyfried, Beyoncé Knowles, Christoph Waltz, Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Chris O’Dowd, Steven Tyler and Pitbull.
There are funny and magical moments in “Epic.”
“Warner Brothers 5 Film Best Picture Collection” — Warner Brothers Studio has been making movies since the 1920s, including the first talking picture and the first color movie.
The five films in this terrific collection won the Academy Award for Best Picture from 1942 to 2006. The films are “Mrs. Miniver” with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, “An American in Paris” with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” with Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, “Driving Miss Daisy” with Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, and “The Departed” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson.
“Best of the Worst 12 Horror Movie Collection” — If you’re a fan of bad black & white films, with a little color mixed in, this collection is for you. These were some of the films that you could see at drive-ins.
You can now relive those memories in this three-disc set, including “Dementia 13,” “Eegah,” “Manos: The Hands of Fate,” “Mesa of Lost Women,” “The Amazing Transparent Man,” “The Ape Man,” “The Atomic Brain,” “The Beast of Yuca Flats,” “The Incredible Petrified World,” “The Terror,” “Track of the Moon Beast” and “Unknown World.”
“Best of Fridays” — Available on DVD for the first time, this very funny show ran on ABC from 1980 to 1982. It was a sketch comedy show that had an excellent ensemble cast — including Larry David and Michael Richards — guest hosts and some of the top musical groups of the time.
It was an alternative to “Saturday Night Live,” and at times had higher ratings.
The five-disc set includes 16 episodes with the one featuring Andy Kaufman. Loyal fans can now own some of their favorite episodes.
Available Next Week: “Alfred Hitchcock Early Collection,” “Best of Warner Brothers 25 Cartoon Collection,” “Charlie Chan Collection,” “Koch,” “Pain & Gain,” “Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s” and “The Great Gatsby.”