‘Fireball’ collection offers a blast from the past
A classic TV series is the top DVD pick this week.
• “Fireball XL5: The Complete Series,” B-plus: This 1960s children’s show featured the Supermarionation of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. In many ways, it was the earliest form of the kind of animation done today through computer-generated images.
The fact that the characters were all connected to strings and wires didn’t stop this team from the World Space Patrol from taking care of the galaxy. The adventures were made even more exciting because the U.S. was involved in a space race at the time.
It’s great nostalgic fun.
• “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” D-plus: Seeing the film is like a visit to a museum you’ve been to countless times. You go in knowing you’ve seen most of the exhibits before, but you hope there is some new material to add a little spark.
The third film in the “Night at the Museum” series (and it seems like there have been far more than three) features the same mix of Ben Stiller’s frantic performance as security guard Larry Daley, mixed with the lunacy that comes when all of the exhibits come to life at night. The added material is a trip to England – but while the new locale brings new characters, the jokes remain the same. • “The Red Tent,” B: The production, based on the novel by Anita Diamant, offers a look at Dinah’s (Rebecca Ferguson) tragedy-plagued life. It starts with background on Jacob (Iain Glen) and his family and goes through the fatal relationship between Dinah and her first true love.
The film and book title refer to the colorful tent that served as a sanctuary for women, including Dinah’s mother, Leah (Minnie Driver), and Rachel (Morena Baccarin), Leah’s sister, Jacob’s other wife and the mother of Joseph. Within these canvas walls, the women could share their feelings, bring new lives into the world and act as a support system in a world ruled by men.
The offering is a well-made tale of love, faith, honor and respect.
Also new on DVD
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Retreat”: The turtles use their skills to battle a host of evil enemies.
“Legend of Korra: Book Four: Balance”: Final season of the animated series.
“White Haired Witch”: Martial arts film based on the novel by Liang Yusheng.
“Quincy, M.E.: The Final Season”: Jack Klugman plays the medical examiner who solves crimes.
“Caillou’s Can Do Collection!”: Offers tips on leading a marching band and facing fears.
“Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy: The Complete Series”: Rangers are stalked by dangerous aliens.
“Pappa Pig: Muddy Puddles”: Includes 10 episodes.
“The Liberator”: Edgar Ramirez stars in this tale of Simon Bolivar.
“Pioneer”: Set in the early ‘80s at the beginning of the Norwegian oil boom.
“Wolfcop”: Incompetent cop gets better when he is changed into a werewolf.
“Blue’s Clues: Get Clued Into School Pack”: Blue helps viewers learn shapes, colors and letters.
“Late Phases: Night of the Lone Wolf”: Something awful is hiding in the woods.
“The Breakfast Club 30th Anniversary Edition”: The film is being released on Blu-ray to mark the anniversary.
“Bank$tas”: Two friends face a moral dilemma at the bank where they work.
“Happy Valley”: A look at the firestorm following sex abuse charges at Penn State.
“Stop Pepper Palmer”: Comedy about the only three black men in Utah.
“Dark Haul”: Secretive guardians attempt to transport a deadly creature.
“Listen Up Philip”: Novelist deals with ills around him as he waits for his second novel to be published.
“New Tricks Collection: (Seasons 6-10): Includes five complete seasons of the series starring Amanda Redman.
“Lo Que La Vida Me Robo”: Univision series starring Angelique Boyer.
“A Chef’s Life”: First two seasons of the PBS series are being released.
“Alpha and Omega 3: The Great Wolf Games”: Alphas set aside their differences for a friendly competition.
“Subconscious”: Military mystery is investigated 70 years later.
“Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B”: Follows the singer’s rise to fame to her death.
“The Yu-Gi-Oh! Collection: Volume 1”: Anime series based on the manga series.
“Teeth & Blood”: Detectives fight for survival when they end up in a vampire war.