DVD new releases Sept. 1, 2009: Heroes! Supernatural! Doctor Who! Shaun the Sheep! More!
Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season
Heroes - Season Three
State of Play
Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors
Doctor Who: The Deadly Assassin
Doctor Who: Image of the Fendahl
Doctor Who: Delta and the Bannermen
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Murder Mysteries (The Maltese Falcon / The Big Sleep / Dial M for Murder / The Postman Always Rings Twice 1946)
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Horror (House of Wax 1953 / The Haunting 1963 / Freaks / Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1941)
Unwigged and Unplugged Live Concert DVD ~ Christopher Guest, Michael Mckean, and Harry Shearer
Beatles programming abounds on BBC 2
Pop links: Disney buys Marvel! Superhero catalog images! Big Star! Elvis Costello! More!
"This transaction combines Marvel's strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney's creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories, " said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney." "We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said. "Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel's Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney's tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world." Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney's global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel's properties.
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The death of Rolling Stones guitarist is being reinvestigated.
Police in Sussex were handed new information connected to the musician's untimely death 40 years ago.
Mr Jones, was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool at a house in Cotchford farm, Hartfield, East Sussex.
An inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure but speculation continued that he was murdered.
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Am I remembering correctly that Joe Kubert, or his cartooning school, was involved in these illustrations? I seem to remember Joe having done some superhero merchandise ads back in the 1970s.
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The New Orleans Times-Picayune checks in with Big Star drummer Jody Stephens.
In the ultimate acknowledgment of Big Star's enduring influence and impact, Rhino Records plans to release a four-disc, 98-song boxed set on Sept. 15. "Keep An Eye on the Sky" collects alternate takes from Big Star's first three albums, recordings from members' earlier bands, and a complete 1973 concert in Memphis.
This, Stephens joked, was the marketing plan all along: "Break up, wait 20 years, get a bunch of writers and other bands to talk about us...."
Still, he is tickled by Big Star's persistent popularity and presence. "This," he said, "is our heyday."
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The first season of Elvis Costello's Sundance Channel music talk show, "Spectacle," is set for DVD release Nov. 3 on 5 disks. Guests include Elton John, Rufus Wainwright, the Police, Bill Clinton, Tony Bennett, Kris Kristofferson, Smokey Robinson, Herbie Hancock and more.
Pop links: Remembering King Kirby! Kurtzman! Suggs! More!
By the way, if you love Kirby--and don't own it already--get this:
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More Kirby: Even the "King of Comics" had his role models, as the online Jack Kirby Museum points out. Dig this look at how art from a Hal Foster "Prince Valiant" strip likely inspired Kirby's Demon character. More here.
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Shifting our attention to another funnybook genius, Pappy presents this suspenseful 1943 tale illustrated by the great Harvey Kurtzman.
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Suggs, singer of the great British band Madness, has penned a book in tribute to his beloved London. One of my favorite cities too...
Armed with a spirit of adventure, a passion for
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What the f...
Amazon US now sold out of mono AND stereo remasters box sets
You can also sign up to be notified if Amazon gets more copies of the limited edition Beatles in Mono box. It's unknown if they will or not. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon starts listing the mono set as available "new or used" from other sellers after the release date. It'll be interesting to see how much these go for. If the box is truly in short supply, prices could be very high.
So far, it looks as if the individual remastered albums are still available for pre-order at Amazon. Abbey Road is the top-selling entry, followed by "The White Album," and Sgt. Pepper.
Pop links: Doctor Who! Lester Young! Elvis Costello! Disneyland Hotel! Jack Kirby! Lucky Luke!
* Britain's Pinewood film studio has announced an exhibit focusing on underwater filming, which includes images from underwater shoots for "Doctor Who" and other TV shows and movies.
* A British community is trying to save one of the last-remaining TARDIS-like police call boxes left in the country.
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NPR celebrates the 100th anniversary of genius jazz musician Lester Young. The tenor sax was a key member of the Count Basie Orchestra and one of Billie Holliday's favorite accompanists. Here's a clip of the two together:
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Also on NPR: Elvis Costello and Allen Touissant on "Piano Jazz."
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Ultra Swank checks into the groovy Disneyland Hotel.
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Man, Jack Kirby could do a lot with three panels.
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Man, I never realized there was a Lucky Luke film and TV series. Thanks, Booksteve, for setting me straight. I wish those of us in the U.S. could see it--not to mention all those Asterix movies--on DVD.