Hey Dude: Season One
Shout! Factory
(300 min. Not Rated)
Man, Nickelodeon had all the best shows: "Adventures of Pete and Pete," "Clarissa Explains It All," "Salute Your Shorts" (which needs a DVD release immediately), and of course, the ranch hands of the Bar None Ranch from "Hey Dude." Finally, a full 20 years after it went off the air, "Hey Dude" receives a DVD release. While it may not be full of gritty, behind-the-scenes exposés on Mr. Ernst's labor practices, for fans of the show, it is enough.
Children of the ‘90s and nostalgia fans in general have been clamoring for this quaint, beloved show to make its bow on DVD, so the lack of supplementals and broadcast quality picture won't matter when you have 13 episodes chock-full of Brad, Ted, Danny and the rest of the gang.
With neatly wrapped-up storylines and next to nothing in the way of adult problems, "Hey Dude" is pure easygoing smiles. Though the corny factor teeters precariously close to the tipping point, even young first-time viewers will find plenty to love. Just watch out for those man eatin' jackrabbits.
The Women in Cages Collection
Shout! Factory
(270 min. Rated R)
From zombies and slashers, to carsploitation and gorefests, films from the ‘70s heyday of exploitation and drive-in cinema have seen a resurgence in popularity. One subgenre, however, that has thus far not been tapped for a remake or homage is the "Women in Prison" (WiP) film cycle that was dominant throughout the ‘70s.
With no hint of intent for artistic expression, WiP films looked to throw scantily clad, tough-as-nails women into confinement and lob any number of abuses at them until they exact bloody revenge. For pure trash film fans and thrill-seekers, they delivered the goods and then some.
Shout! continues to outdo itself, as it has un-caged a monstrously entertaining triple feature of WiP films. Two classics of the genre by the illustrious Jack Hill (Spider Baby) are the highlights of the set, with Big Doll House laying the blueprint for the entire genre. Plot is irrelevant, but you get a badass Pam Grier, an obligatory shower scene and a triumphantly violent climax, all moving at a break-neck pace.
It's only a matter of time before Tarantino attempts a ‘reimagining' that name drops these films, so if you love high octane trash, score this set.
