areaseven

MacGyver Paramount Television, 1985-1992, 2005-2011 Created by Lee David Zlotoff (Remington Steele) Executive Producers: Henry Winkler (The Fonz in Happy Days) and John Rich Running Time: 50 minutes per episode Rated TV-PG for violence and mature situations. Cast Richard Dean Anderson (Lt. Gen. Jack O'Neill in Stargate SG-1) as MacGyver* Dana Elcar (1927-2005) as Pete Thornton Bruce McGill (D-Day in National Lampoon's Animal House) as Jack Dalton Michael Des Barres (British rock singer from the '70s and '80s) as Murdoc (*I refuse to believe that he has a first name, Angus or whatever.) Part James Bond, part Indiana Jones (and a little bit of Adam West on the side) and often armed with nothing but a Swiss Army knife and a flattened roll of duct tape, MacGyver is all adventure. Regardless of how hairy the situation, he knows a way out. And for seven years, MacGyver kept viewers on the edge while at the same time, educated them a bit on science and chemistry. Right at the same time I bought the Miami Vice season 1 boxed set, I couldn't resist getting MacGyver on DVD as well. It's just another series that was part of my childhood. Even though most of the experiments are bullsh*t, they're still fun to watch. In the first episode alone, you'll learn that: 1) chocolate bars can neutralize a sulfuric acid leak, and 2) MacGyver used cigarette smoke to see invisible laser beams before Solid Snake did. And until now, many other TV shows (not just The Simpsons) use MacGyver references on their storylines. As with most '80s action/adventure shows, MacGyver is pretty hokey and unrealistic. Episode 2 is a prime example, as MacGyver is in Burma and everyone's speaking in perfect English with fake Asian accents. Regardless of which, the series is great family entertainment. Hell, MacGyver's the reason I always have a Swiss knife in my pocket. Rating: B+ DVD Extras: F Six discs, 22 episodes, and nothing else to make the season 1 DVD boxed set more worthwhile. Links Official YouTube Channel MacGyver Online Reference The Internet Movie Database

Miami Vice Universal Pictures, 1984-1989, 2005-2007 Created by Anthony Yerkovich (Hill Street Blues, Big Apple) Executive Producer: Michael Mann (Collateral, Heat) Running Time: 50 minutes per episode (110 minutes for the pilot episode) Rated TV-14 for violence, suggestive drug use, and mild language. Cast Don Johnson as Detective James "Sonny" Crockett (a.k.a. Sonny Burnett) Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo Tubbs (a.k.a. Teddy Prentiss) Edward James Olmos as Lt. Martin Castillo Saundra Santiago as Detective Gina Navarro Calabrese Olivia Brown as Detective Trudy Joplin Michael Talbott as Detective Stan Switek John Diehl as Detective Larry ZitoGregory Sierra as Lt. Lou Rodriguez (eps. 1-4) In 1984, Universal Pictures and NBC unleashed a new kind of cop show on network television. Miami Vice featured the adventures of loose cannon Sonny Crockett and New York transfer Ricardo Tubbs, as they teamed up to clean the Miami streets of drug cartels and high-profile hoodlums. It was a major gamble for Universal, as they spent an average of US$1.5 million per episode. But thanks to the show's use of cutting-edge cinematography, outrageous wardrobe designs, elaborate pastel backgrounds, theatrical-grade special effects, a completely unique soundtrack and gritty storytelling, Miami Vice garnered dozens of nominations and awards from the Emmys and Golden Globes. It even launched the careers of big-name actors like Ving Rhames, John Leguizamo, Julia Roberts and Wesley Snipes. Styles come and go, and Miami Vice may have ended a decade and a half ago, but it still continues to inspire just about everyone in the entertainment industry. As a matter of fact, it was the key inspiration to Rockstar Games' best-selling game Grand Theft Auto Vice City. I'll tell you one thing: I never get tired of watching Miami Vice. And with 22 episodes on three double-sided discs, this newly-released DVD season 1 boxed set makes the viewing experience even better. Each episode is digitally remastered with crisp 5.1 surround sound audio. Whether it's the explosive action or the awesome title theme by Jan Hammer (Beyond the Mind's Eye), you have to crank it up. And sure, much of the series is over-the-top, but hey - it was the '80s; a decade devoid of boring reality-based TV shows. Aside from Sledge Hammer! and The A-Team, Miami Vice remains among the most fun-to-watch from that era. If you love this show as much as I do, then it's mandatory to add this boxed set to your collection. First-timers will want to check this out before Universal releases the new Miami Vice movie next year. Rating: A DVD Extras: A- Disc 1 includes the following supplemental material: - The Vibe of Vice - An introduction to how the series became a hit. - Building the Perfect Vice - Interviews with the people who created the series. - The Style of Vice - A look at the show's fashion and how it influenced pop culture. - The Music of Vice - How music by Jan Hammer, Phil Collins and other top artists made the soundtrack a best-seller. - Miami After Vice - Just a travel commercial by the City of Miami. Reference The Internet Movie Database

As for myself, I never miss a MW Con, and I'm down with the entrance fee. In the MW Con tradition, I will be bringing in cans of Rockstar Energy Drink. As for food, I'm sure MEMO1DOMINION will attend, which means more Carne Asada for all of us.

Last night on SmackDown!: - Cena lost the U.S. title to Orlando Jordan. Finally, we can actually put that title to good use. - On RAW, Angle attacked HBK after the street fight. During Angle's invitational, a local wrestler came in wearing a jacket with the hood covering his face. Angle thought it was HBK, but it wasn't. As Angle was asking the local who he was, a cameraman stepped into the ring. He put his camera down, removed his jacket and pulled out his fake mustache, revealing himself as HBK as he attacked Angle. Also this week, WWE aired the worst WrestleMania commercial ever made. It was a parody of A Few Good Men, with John Cena playing the role of Tom Cruise and JBL playing Jack Nicholson's part.

Yeah, and Sony released So Close in the U.S.

Please tell me you're not inviting Kevin McKeever to the party.

I forgot to mention that two of the chicks were from The Fast and the Furious movies. Jordana Brewster (who's actually pretty hot) was in the first film while Devon Aoki (the fugly daughter of Benihana owner Rocky Aoki) was in 2 Fast 2 Furious.

But have you seen a man eat his own head? Then you haven't seen everything!

Actually, according to the TopWrestling staff, WCW used the Forum, but moved to Staples Center on their final year of existence.

I swear, what's with this string of bad movies we're getting this year? This is Sony's weak attempt at copying Charlie's Angels and So Close. D.E.B.S. [This message will self-destruct in about 20 replies...]

Cool. BTW, I noticed that the AllState Arena (formerly Rosemont Horizon) has hosted WWF shows for several decades. How come WWE hasn't moved to a newer venue like the United Center? Here in L.A., WWF used to host shows at the Sports Arena, but went on to the newer and larger Staples Center (former WCW stomping grounds).

Yep... I am a fan again. I guess I'm not alone (former DGIF member #11994). On to other news. WWE has the latest celebrity couple to go Splitsville. Maybe Lita really is dating Kane... And don't expect to hear, "Finally, The Rock HAS COME BACK! to [insert city name here]" any time soon. Also, what does WWE really see in Muhammad Hassan? And the next WrestleMania will be held at the AllState Arena in Chicago, IL. dejr8bud, are you gonna get tickets for next year?

I actually met him at AMC Theatres in Woodland Hills, CA, last Thanksgiving. He was surprisingly very polite, given his uncanny reputation. He went in to watch Alexander; don't know if either that was part of some sort of therapy he was taking or he was suffering from insomnia, as that was a boring-ass movie.

They'd make good clay pigeons, but they're just too pricey.

I watched Ong-Bak last night at AMC 30 Theatres in Orange, CA. As I predicted, it's the French-edited version, even though it's still in Thai with English subtitles. Most of the original soundtrack was replaced with cheesy French hip-hop music. The movie has been shortened by about five minutes; the cut scenes aren't noticeable unless you've seen the original version. Here's the edit list (Highlight to read): 1. There's no mention of Ting being an orphan and raised by the village. 2. There's no reference of Muaylek's sister Ngek, a hooker trying to make enough money for Muaylek's college tuition. The scene where Don OD's Ngek is intact (as a matter of fact, that's the only scene with Ngek in it), but it will leave viewers wondering who she is and what she handed Hum-Lae before lapsing into a coma. The U.S. release is okay, but because of the horrible new soundtrack and the subtle editing, you should hunt down a DVD bootleg copy instead. Otherwise, I'd still recommend watching it on the big screen.

That was expected. Nothing beats Tenchu when it comes to ninja games (except maybe Ninja Gaiden).

Well, looks like dejr8bud's wish has been granted. The latest inductee to the 2005 WWE Hall of Fame is none other than the Hulkster. Kinda coincidental that he's with five of his greatest rivals in his career (namely Rowdy Roddy Piper, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Nikolai Volkoff, Iron Sheik and Cowboy Bob Orton). Anyway, on to this week in wrestling. This past Monday on RAW: - Hogan being inducted to the Hall of Fame was one bombshell. The second was the return of Piper's Pit at WrestleMania - with Austin as special guest. - Pick up next month's issue of Playboy magazine for Christy Hemme's exclusive pictorial. But then again, does anyone care about the WWE Divas anymore? - HHH is such a pussy (but then again, we knew that already). He claimed he was going to beat Batista within a minute of his life. But nothing happened. Batista destroyed Flair in the ring, and HHH did nothing. A bit OT, but since Playboy was mentioned on this report, I thought I'd drop by their official site for the scoop on Christy Hemme. Well, nothing much yet, but... WTF?!? Debbie Gibson posed nude?

From Car and Driver magazine: BTW, peter, when replying to a quote, try removing the IMG tags from the quote before posting. We don't want the same pictures posted more than once on the same page.

I can, but my POS camera has absolutely no optical focus or zoom. It is unable to capture details at all. Perhaps I can borrow a better camera from someone this week.

New bad movie nominee: Son of the Mask. Who actually paid to watch this?

(Post deleted because some idiot below quoted it.)