Posts Tagged ‘Acorn Media’

Catching Up at the Video Store: Getting Schooled by Athena

Posted: 19 April, 2012 in Movies/TV, TV
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Catching Up at the Video Store: Getting Schooled by Athena

Article first published as Getting Schooled by Athena on Blogcritics.

Once again, it’s time to up your Intelligence Quota ante with a nice hand of flashcards from the folks at Acorn Media’s elite label of documentary and educational material, Athena Learning. Previously, we explored the worlds of art, war, religion, politics, and several great minds. This time ’round, we’re doing a lot of the same — because those are the topics that smart people apparently adore talking about (and that networks such as PBS and the History Channel love to air), and our titles include Secret War, In Their Own Words,, Battlefield Detectives, The Windsors: From George to Kate, and Joseph Campbell: Mythos III, as well as three individual offerings from Bill Moyers: Capitol Crimes, Amazing Grace and Chuck, er, On Our Own Terms. (more…)

Catching Up at the Video Store: More Mysteries from the Other Side of the Pond

Posted: 13 February, 2012 in Movies/TV, TV
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Catching Up at the Video Store: More Mysteries from the Other Side of the Pond

Article first published as More Mysteries from the Other Side of the Pond on Blogcritics.

Last year, I took a peek at several “Mysteries from the Other Side of the Pond,” ranging from classic British TV series to the more contemporary ones. Now, even though Great Britain is fairly small, it still manages to crank out more television shows devoted to police procedurals and private investigators than I thought humanly possible. Not that I’m complaining, mind you — I love a good mystery. Well, it’s time once again to venture into those same waters as I bring you six more titles now available on DVD from the fine folks at Acorn Media. (more…)

Catching Up at the Video Store: Dramarama! No, Not the Rock Group: This is Prime British TV

Posted: 18 January, 2012 in Movies/TV, TV
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Catching Up at the Video Store: Dramarama! No, Not the Rock Group: This is Prime British TV

Article first published as Dramarama! No, Not the Rock Group: This is Prime British TV on Blogcritics.

First off, my apologies to the fans of the US rock group Dramarama, who inadvertently opened this article hoping to read something recent on the band who gave us that unforgettable ‘80s classic, “Anything, Anything.” This piece has absolutely nothing to do with them. Instead, the purpose of this “Catching Up at the Video Store” entry is to inform those of you who love a little British television drama that you boat has just sailed in from the other side of The Pond — and all of the passengers that are now disembarking have made their way to us courtesy the folks at Acorn Media.
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Catching Up at the Video Store: Comical Imbalance

Posted: 19 November, 2011 in Movies/TV, TV
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Catching Up at the Video Store: Comical Imbalance

Article first published as Comical Imbalance on Blogcritics.

The concept of the antihero is nothing new in the vast universe of the moving pictures, especially within the realms of the comedy genre. We’ve all seen those teen flicks, wherein cowardly dweebs in high school — upset by their inability to understand the rules of whichever game Fate has enrolled them in — somehow manage to get the upper hand of the prevailing jocks in an attempt to win over the heart of the drop dead gorgeous prom queen, only to discover that true love was there all along in the guise of one of their own friends. And then there are those unheroic central characters who don’t play by any rules whatsoever; cheating, bucking, and — in some cases — killing to get what they want out of life.
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*DVD Review* Under the Hammer (1994)

Posted: 19 November, 2011 in Movies/TV, TV
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DVD Review: Under the Hammer (1994)

Article first published as DVD Review: Under the Hammer (1994) on Blogcritics.

When it comes to the world of art, I will be the first one to readily admit that I know nothing about it. Paintings, sculptures; whatever, I don’t get it. That said, however, I do realize that there are other people out there who are obsessed with art — even more so with the value of art. Under the Hammer, a short-lived ITV series from the mid ‘90s, brings us a look at life at a prestigious London auction house, even more so the pompous, self-important individuals whose daily drama is so extravagant that it actually warranted a seven-episode series on British television.
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*DVD Review* New Tricks: Season Five

Posted: 17 November, 2011 in Movies/TV, TV
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DVD Review: New Tricks – Season Five

Article first published as DVD Review: New Tricks – Season Five on Blogcritics.

Those crazy retirees and their long-suffering boss are back for another round of (mostly) lighthearted mysteries from BBC-TV’s long-running series, New Tricks. And speaking of “another round,” Acorn Media’s three-disc set of New Tricks: Season Five starts out with the gallant crew of the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad — Gerry Standing (Dennis Waterman), Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong), Jack Halford (Anthony Calf), and their supervisor, DS Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman) — enjoying a round of drinks and each other’s company in a pub. The joy quickly dissolves, however, when the murderer of Jack’s wife is acquitted in the opening episode.
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*DVD Review* Midsomer Murders: Set 18

Posted: 16 November, 2011 in Movies/TV, TV
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DVD Review: Midsomer Murders – Set 18

Article first published as DVD Review: Midsomer Murders – Set 18 on Blogcritics.

Once again, the folks at Acorn Media have brought us another collection of mysteries from the fictional land of Midsomer, England — the smallest rural English countryside with the largest mortality rates in all of the world. Of course, it stands to reason that living in tiny communities — each filled with their own, peculiar, tiny-minded individuals — would be enough to drive just about anyone to murder. And, as it stands, there are a lot of killings in this county, which keeps DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) DS Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) busy. This 18th set of Midsomer Murders episodes from Acorn Media brings us three tales of mayhem which originally aired in 2009, and comprised of the latter half of the show’s twelfth series.
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*DVD Review* Pie In The Sky: Series Five

Posted: 9 November, 2011 in TV
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DVD Review: Pie In The Sky – Series Five

Article first published as DVD Review: Pie In The Sky – Series Five on Blogcritics.

Holding down dual professions is a balancing act that can takes its toll on anyone. Henry Crabbe (Richard Griffiths) is a kind-hearted soul who enjoys his career as head chef at a small-but-elegant restaurant called the “Pie in the Sky.” He’s also a Detective Inspector at Westershire County police, where his superior, ACC Freddy Fisher (Malcolm Sinclair), is constantly attributing his own faults onto the humble restaurateur/cuisine connoisseur. The obvious choice — to simply up and quit — isn’t one Crabbe can readily pursue, given that his business may not survive without his ardent ability to create culinary wonders. Worse still, DI Crabbe is now in charge of two new police officers, as part of a farcical “Public Duties Squad.”
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Catching Up At The Video Store: Wising Up with Athena

Posted: 29 September, 2011 in Movies/TV, TV
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Catching Up At The Video Store: Wising Up with Athena

Article first published as Wising Up with Athena on Blogcritics.

Sure it’s fun to turn your brain off every so often in order to truly appreciate the intellectual insufficiency that’s present in, say, any Michael Bay film. Ultimately, though, it’s unrewarding for your own cerebral capacity — to say nothing of the stain movies like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen leave on your soul. It’s time to wise up, kids — and there’s no better choice to do that with than this assortment of mixed documentaries and education programs brought to you by the letter A, the number 5 and Acorn Media’s exclusive “smart” label, Athena Learning.
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Catching Up At The Video Store: From Madcap to Just Plain Mad – A Look at Several British TV Titles

Posted: 14 September, 2011 in TV
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Catching Up At The Video Store: From Madcap to Just Plain Mad – A Look at Several British TV Titles

Article first published as From Madcap to Just Plain Mad – A Look at Several British TV Titles on Blogcritics.

If there’s one thing that those Brits can always pull off, it’s the illusion of someone going completely mental. After all, they should know more about madness than anyone — what with that King George III fellow and the popularity of Russell Brand and all. The great Bard of Avon himself depicted numerous strolls down Lunacy Lane in his assorted works, and I can’t help by wonder if historians for eons to come will endure many sleepless nights pondering what the hell all the fuss was over William and Kate’s wedding. Another popular form of insanity inherent in the UK is television: a world of awe wherein every single definition of the word “mad” can be seen regularly. And so, with that in mind, here’s a look at several British television series that range From Madcap to Just Plain Mad.
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