“Peewee’s Playhouse” (4 stars): Few Saturday morning programs has resonated so loudly with both young and old. The set — featuring 45 remastered episodes of the series, plus the “Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special” — includes all the wackiness of Pee-wee Herman and his pals: Jambi the Genie, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Reba the mail lady, Captain Carl, Magic Screen, Conky, Globey, Chairry, Pterri and Randy.
Paul Reubens’ childlike performance as Pee-wee Herman remains as energetic and fun as when it was when it won 22 Emmy Awards in the late 1980s. That’s because the show is a mix of smart and silly humor that creates pure entertainment joy.
If you grew up with the series, this is a chance to catch up with the lunacy. Those who have never seen the show should not miss out on one of the most innovative and clever series in TV history.
“The Purge: Anarchy” (3 stars): It’s a fight for survival on the only day of the year when all crimes are legal. There isn’t the same sense of claustrophobic dread this time, but the movie ends up as a relentless series of scary moments played out in the canyons of city buildings that builds to white-knuckle tension
Taking the sequel to a broader canvas keeps it from being a knockoff of the first film. There’s a lot more firepower this time and the action almost hides the weaknesses in the script. “The Purge: Anarchy” has just the right amount of tension to make moviegoers want to lock their car doors when they drive home from the theater.
“Earth to Echo” (1½ stars): Four youngsters try to help an alien return to his spaceship.
It would love to be the “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” for the 21st century but the new movie is to “E.T.” what Reese’s Pieces is to lumps of sugar. They share an ingredient, but one is far more satisfying. The lack of interesting characters and a patchwork plot leave it less of a new “E.T.” and more a “Cloverfield” for kids.
The film also suffers from having a relatively likable cast but no breakout stars that connect young viewers with the movie. These are generally forgettable characters who are put in forced situations shown through the now passé point-of-view filming style.
It ends up a close encounters of the mundane kind.
Also new on DVD this week:
“Downton Abbey Seasons 1, 2, 3 &4”: All four seasons are available in this Blu-ray set.
“Mad Men: The Final Season, Part 1”: Don Draper looks to regain his advertising power.
“The Soul Man: The Complete Second Season”: Cedric “The Entertainer” is back in the pulpit.
“Santa’s Magic Toy Bag”: Aspiring apprentice Elf tries his best to fit in but can’t do anything right.
“The Fluffy Movie”: Stand-up performance by Gabriel Iglesias.
“Silent Witness: Season Seventeen”: Blends crime mystery, science and detection.
“Hi! Fly Guy”: Fly changes some minds in this tale.
“Wrong Turn 6”: Man inherits isolated backwoods hotel that may hold the key to his secret past.
“Snowpiercer”: Passengers on a luxury train revolt during Earth’s second Ice Age.
“Duck Dynasty: Seasons 4-6 Gift Set”: Includes deleted Scenes from Seasons 4 and 5.
“Life After Beth”: Couple’s relationship tested when one becomes a zombie.
“Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site”: Machines get some rest after busy day.
“A Letter to Momo”: Anime classic featuring thousands of squirming, morphing ghosts and spirits.
“Sex Tape”: Couple’s sex tape gets released on the Internet. Cameron Diaz stars.
“Autumn Blood”: Two young orphans come under siege by a band of hunters.
“The Scribbler”: Young woman confronts her mental illness using experimental machine.
“Annie Oakley: Complete TV Collection”: Relive the 1950s Wild West adventure.
“Misfire”: D.E.A. agent wages one man crusade against drug cartels.
“The Vincent Price Collection Volume II”: Includes “House On Haunted Hill” and “The Return of the Fly.”
“The Squad”: Military base attack by strange force.
“A Woman in Flames”: Unfulfilled housewife walks out on her possessive husband.
“Billy Crystal 700 Sundays”: Broadway show featuring the comedian.
“Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning”: Explores the life, passions and vision of the influential photographer.
“The Red Skelton Show: The Early Years 1951-1955”: Features 90 episodes of the beloved program.
Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee
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