We have a few great releases to cover today that have recently hit stores and wanted to give you guys a glance them. We'll have a second TV DVD Roundup later in the week so watch out for that.
This time, we're going to focus on two network dramas with strange happenings and two cable comedies with well...strange happenings.
The good news? All four of them are great examples of fine television. The bad news? Well, can you afford to buy them all?
Click the Rawr! for our thoughts on Fringe Season One, Supernatural Season Four, Flight of the Conchords Season Two and Important Things with Demetri Martin Season One!
Fringe: The Complete First Season
Starring: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Blair Brown, Jasika Niciole with Mark Valley and John Noble.
First up is Fox's new supernatural drama from J.J. Abrams, Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, Fringe. The story centers around a female FBI Agent (Anna Torv) who finds herself investigating strange occurrences with the help of a brilliant scientist who's spent 17 years in a mental institution (John Noble) and his son (Joshua Jackson). As they investigate, it becomes clearer and clearer that someone is using the world as their own private lab and as they track "The Pattern" it leads them to a global corporation, Massive Dynamic.
Fans of The X-Files will be on familiar ground here. Fringe is more science based but the show is in the same vein. The cast is pitch perfect, with the exception of Mark Valley who, admittedly, I've never really liked that much.
The show is clever, extremely well written, and at times is completely crazy. It's a great watch. J.J. Abrams has a history of making great TV and Fringe is no exception.
The DVD set features a lot of special features including featurettes on the casting, the science behind the show, and the special effects. Deleted scenes, a gag reel, production diary, and more.
There's plenty for everyone with Fringe, even those hesitant to latch onto a genre show like this will find themselves pleased.
Season Two begins on September 17 so you should get watching so you can catch up in time.
Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season
Starring: Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles
Next up is the The CW's occult hit, Supernatural. The series's fourth season finds the Brothers Winchester in some rather interesting biblical situations, not to mention continuing their road trip creepy monster battling ways. This time vampires, teddy bears, and the Devil are on the menu, among other things.
Now, I resisted this show for years. I really didn't think it was anything more than bait for tweeners. I can honestly say that I was wrong. Supernatural is a helluva fun show and has been consistently good through it's four seasons. There may be rough patch or two but for the most part it's a good show to get behind.
Season Four keeps that up well. This year delving more into the war between heaven and hell that our heroes are smack in the middle of. Granted, I had my doubts when I read what the season was going to be about, but I really enjoyed it.
That is directly related to the smart writing and fantastic performances from the leads. They carry this show and make it as good as it is.
The Season Four set features deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, featurettes on the themes of the season and commentaries.
For those of you who write off Supernatural as a lame teen show not worth your time, let me assure you that is wrong. The show is really fun and is still running strong in it's fourth year.
Pick up Season Four so you can get through it in time for the premiere of the shows fifth season on well, it was last week but you can still catch up in time for episode two!
Flight of the Conchords
Starring: Jermaine Clement, Bret McKenzie, Rhys Darby, Kristen Schaal, and Arj Barker
Our favorite folk duo from New Zealand are back in the hilarious second season of HBO's Flight of the Conchords.
The laughs keep coming as the guys continue to try to break into the American music scene. I cannot get enough of this show. It's extremely funny and clever and even touching at times. Bret and Jermaine are fantastic characters that you can't help but get caught up with.
Some of the songs featured this season aren't as good as those from Season One but that does nothing to take away from the show. The real star here is the band themselves. Jermaine Clement is up for an Emmy this year for his work on this season. As good as he is, I didn't expect that to happen. I just didn't think this show would even be on Emmy's radar in terms of acting. Writing for sure as it's near brilliant at times but it was a complete shock for an acting nod!
The season two set features a documentary feature, commercials for Dave's pawn shop, New Zealand Consulate Meetings with Murray and Greg, deleted scenes, and outtakes. All of these features just help to make an already fantastic show even better.
Season Two of Flight of the Conchords is a joy to watch and well worth the price. You'll want to get this and relive the show often considering I don't know if there is even going to be a third season. I'll watch these episodes again and hope there will be one.
Important Things with Demetri Martin
Starring: Demetri Martin
Last but certainly not least, is the new Comedy Central hit Important Things with Demetri Martin. It seems Comedy Central has been trying to recapture the magic of Chapelle's Show since it's shocking demise a few years ago. First came the dreadful Mind of Mencia, which is absolutely unwatchable.
Now, we have Important Things, which, to me anyway, is about as close as they will ever get. This show is hilarious. It helps to be a fan of Demetri Martin, which I am. In fact, I think he could be our generations Steve Martin. His charm is undeniable and his comedy is extremely clever. Whether it's a song or a sight gag or a sketch, this show is nearly all hit and very little miss.
The episodes cover things like Brains, Power, Chairs, Games, and more. Each episode is a laugh riot example of Martin's comedic genius.
The DVD contains all seven first season episodes with some bonus features like deleted sketches, commentaries, a poster, and more.
This is the cheapest of the sets featured here but it also has the least episodes. Still, it is packed full of funny so if I had to choose I would go with Important Things.
These are some great options for you to drop some coin on. It's a tough choice, even if the the funniest stuff is courtesy of Demetri Martin.
Fringe: The Complete First Season, Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season, Flight of the Conchords: Season Two, and Important Things with Demetri Martin Season One are in stores now.
RAWR(for more)
