DVD/Blu-Ray Explosion: Empire, Sleepy Hollow, The Goldbergs & Aquarius Giveaway!
Jim Halterman at . Updated at .It's not too late to catch up on your favorite shows before the new seasons kick off and this crop of new releases does not disappoint. Let's dive in!
Empire, Season 1: You can't deny that the show was the hottest thing on the air during the 2014-15 season and, unlike some big shows, it does live up to the hype. Sure, it's not the BEST show on TV but with the hot music, bitchy dialogue, soapy twists and, yes, Taraji P Henson as Cookie, it's definitely the most fun of any of the shows on the air. Let's just hope that season 2 keeps the fun train going!
Sleepy Hollow, Season 2: Perfect example of a show that was so fun in the first season and then veered in a different, albeit wrong, direction. That said, the season isn't a total wash and seeing John Noble play evil is a hoot and the chemistry between stars Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie is still the best thing about the show and one can only hope the upcoming third season will get the show back on track.
Aquarius Season 1 Giveaway: Who loved NBC's stab (so to speak) at historical drama by looking at the early days of Charles Manson. Gethin Anthony embodied the cult leader/not-yet-maniac with such ease that viewers could even be charmed by him, Add David Duchovny as the detective putting the pieces together as well as a supporting cast including Claire Holt and Grey Damon and the show was a winner. Kudos for NBC for seeing that and picking it up for a second season, which will air next year.
In the meantime, I have an Aquarius Prize Pack to giveaway to one lucky reader. Just enter in the box below and you could walk away with a DVD of the show's first season AND signed poster by David Duchovny himself. Enter from now until midnight, Wednesday, September 23. US residents only. Good luck!
Castle: Season 7: For those that thought getting Castle and Beckett (stars Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic) married would kill the show, well, they were wrong. The relationship tension may be easier but the crime never stops and the duo proves they're the best at bringing down the bad guys.
CSI & CSI: Cyber: While one show is winding things down this fall as we'll see the final CSI case this fall on CBS, the spin-off, CSI-Cyber premiered earlier this year and grabbed viewers who can't get enough of a good old crime case with a modern/tech twist. And it doesn't hurt to have Academy Award-winner Patricia Arquette at the helm of the show. Both shows have their DVD/Blu-ray releases this week and we've got an exclusive clip from the CSI: Cyber extras. Check it out.
The Returned: Season One: Whether you're faitful to the original French series of the same name or take this A&E American version for what it is, you can't deny the compelling mystery when people who had long been dead suddenly start reappearing. Starring Mark Pelligrino, Sophie Lowe, Kevin Alejandro, Jeremy Sisto and Sandrine Holt, you'll want to know what happens next as the mystery goes deeper with each episode. (However, since A&E opted not to keep going with the series, know that the second season of the French series will be available on Netflix later this year.)
Haven Season Five, Volume One: The SyFy series picks up with a victory over William but a shock when Audrey is missing only to have Mara standing in her place. It would take too long to explain it all here but the show has been a big hit for the SyFy channel and the first half of the fifth season is available now. And while the show has gone far from the original Stephen King short story ("The Colorado Kid"), fans still can't get enough. Besides all 13 episodes, the release includes 13 "Inside Haven" features and audio commentary.
Peanuts: Emmy Specials: If you want to relive the adventures of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Pig Pen and, of course, Snoopy (or you want to pass on the memories to your own kids) this release has 11 classic Peanuts specials that were either nominated or won the Emmy. You'll get the Emmy-winning 'Life Is A Circus, Charlie Brown' as well as nominated specials like 'You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown' and "She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown.' Be prepared to walk down memory lane!
Hit Comedies: The Goldbergs, The League: So much drama in these releases but comedy is still king and two of the best out there have their latest seasons hitting home video. The second season of The Goldbergs continues to mine the fun of the 1980s and besides the nostalgia for those of us who were actually growing up in that decade, the show is also a solid family comedy where there's lot of yelling and screaming but much love in the end. And, of course, having Wendi McLendon-Covey as the Goldberg matriarch makes the show work over and over again.
As for The League, things have not calmed down with the fantasy football fanatics where the stakes are higher than ever. The release comes with hilarious gag reels and a slew of special features that die hard fans of the show will go bananas over.
Enjoy catching up on all your faves!!
Jim Halterman is the West Coast Editor of TV Fanatic and the owner of JimHalterman.com. Follow him on Twitter.
