Oddball team make rambunctious fun
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By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
A very adult drama and two animated series are featured in this week's DVD review column.
Sam & Max: Freelance Police
Somehow I missed this 1997 Saturday morning series based on the popular stars of comics and games created by artist and writer Steve Purcell. I'm glad that I haven't missed this DVD set, though, as "Sam and Max: Freelance Police" is very odd and very funny.
Sam is a canine of some sort who dresses likes Sam Spade. Max is a "rabbity thing" who craves excitement. They get their orders over the phone from the unseen "Commissioner" and tackle assignments too dangerous and demented for regular cops.
I have to admit that I never read any of the comics, but in the interview that is part of the set's special features, Purcell reveals that despite having to tone down the comic violence and the adult humor from the comic books and the video games, fans still like the animated adaptation. I do too. There's plenty of stuff adults will like as well as wacky action for kids.
Only 24 episodes of the show was produced, but we get them all in this set.
This is a show well worth discovering. It's a fast-paced, irreverent, gag-jammed series with two central characters who might be crazy, but are lovable.
The two-disc set is jammed with extras. There's an informative interview with Purcell, a feature on the new Sam and Max video games, three shorts that originally appeared on FOX Kids, a new short and a playable demo of the new video game.
If you're an animation fan, you need to watch "Sam and Max: Freelance Police."
For more information, log onto www.shoutfactory.com.
Strictly Confidential
Seldom have I seem a more blatant piece of commercial television than this British mini-series. It's got adultery, sex, murder, kinky sex, nudity, an ailing mother, fighting brothers, a pregnant wife, sex, motorcycles, ex-lovers and sex. Did I mention sex? Yikes!
Viewers, who are used to HBO's adult offerings would probably enjoy this import that dances very close to soft-core porn at times. And yet it also is supposed to be a serious drama.
Linda is a sex therapist whose practice is with her brother-in-law. She wants a baby, but her husband doesn't. Her husband is infertile. One of her clients is found dead. Is it murder or the result of a sexual encounter? Did her husband do it? Will she get pregnant? That's just a few of the questions posed by this series.
The ideal audience for this show are people who like mysteries, soap operas and "Sex in the City." If you fall into that demographic, this show is for you. If you don't, steer clear.
For more information, log onto www.kochvision.com.
Pucca: Kung Fu Kisses
Pucca: Ninja Love Noodles
I'm always intrigued about the genesis of movie, book or television show and "Pucca," which tells the story of a love-starved Asian girl and the object of her affections, a young ninja in training, is a study in pure capitalism. A Korean company, which I'm sure was looking for the next "Hello Kitty," came up with the characters of "Pucca" in 2000, produced some popular animated shorts for the Internet and then put the characters out for sale to merchandisers.
It became a worldwide success and these two DVDs collect the animated episodes produced by a Canadian company and that have been broadcast by the Disney Channel.
The animation and the dialogue are both very limited. Essentially Pucca is an abnormally strong 11-year-old girl who lives with her three uncles at their restaurant in a small village. She loves Garu, who doesn't love her. Add in some assorted wacky friends, competing ninjas and a plethora of pop culture references one of Pucca's friends looks like Bruce Lee and you have a series that is practically indecipherable to this writer.
I just don't understand what is so attractive about the characters or the show, except between the animation and the story telling, it resembles a video game. It seems pretty benign, though.
The only special feature are "bumpers," or the short animations that are placed in-between the episodes and the commercials on television.
The late artist Paul Mavrides had a phrase I'll use to describe "Pucca" -- puzzling evidence.
For more information, log onto www.kochvision.com.
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