Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip DVD Review

Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: French, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG

Studio: 20th Century Fox

DVD Release Date: March 15, 2016

Run Time: 90 minutes

 

 

        I don’t know if it was Fox or Regency, but someone certainly seems to be losing faith in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, and it is apparent in the slapdash manner with which The Road Chip was constructed. I’m not saying that these CGI incarnations of the 1980s cartoon characters deserved much better treatment in the third theatrical sequel to the mediocre 2007 film, but the entire production feels like a straight-to-video movie. You know the kind; so poorly made that parents will gladly let play on the television in the other room, but would dread sitting through it in a theater.

 

Turn: Washington’s Spies: The Complete Second Season DVD Review

    Actors: Daniel Henshall, Heather Lind, Jamie Bell, Kevin McNally, Seth Numrich

Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated:   Not Rated

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

DVD Release Date: March 22, 2016

Run Time: 438 minutes

 

        Doing its best to toe the line between historical accuracy and escapist entertainment, this AMC Revolutionary War series does its best to provide something for all viewers. Loosely based on the book, “Washington’s Spies,” written by Alexander Rose, “Turn” primarily follows the formation of the Culper Spy Ring headed up by a farmer named Abraham Woodhull (Jamie Bell). As the son of magistrate in a small Long Island town, Abraham is an unlikely suspect, though his disdain for the behavior of the British army camped in the area leads him to take action for the opposing side. Despite initially hoping to refrain from involvement in the war, a few coincidental childhood connections with rebels leads Abraham to take on a crucial role in the formation of America’s first spy ring.

 

The Spoils of Babylon DVD Review

Actors: Jessica Alba, Kristin Wiig, Tim Robbins, Tobey Maguire, Will Ferrell

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region 1

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Not Rated

Studio: ANCHOR BAY

DVD Release Date: March 8, 2016

Run Time: 138 minutes

 

        First it was the invention of the DVD and then the popularization of online streaming services, but whatever the reasons behind it, television binge-watching is a phenomenon new to the entertainment industry. Some programming has taken full advantage of the change in how people watch TV, making possible shows like “24” or “Lost,” which require dedicated viewers. And original programming on Netflix or other streaming services seem to lend themselves to these impulsive viewing tendencies, but not all shows are enhanced by binge-watching. In the case of the IFC spoof mini-series, “Eric Jonrosh’s The Spoils of Babylon,” less is more.