Category: Animation

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm VHS cover art. Starring Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Stacy Keach, Abe Vigoda, Mark Hamill. Directed by Eric Radomski, Bruce W. Timm. 1993.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm on VHS. Starring Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Stacy Keach, Abe Vigoda, Mark Hamill. Directed by Eric Radomski, Bruce W. Timm. 1993.

From the box:

When Gotham City’s most-feared gangsters are systematically eliminated, the worst is feared: that the Caped Crusader is to blame. But prowling the Gotham night is a shadowy new villain, the Phantasm, a sinister figure with a troublesome link to Batman’s past. Can the Dark Knight elude the police, capture the Phantasm and clear his name?

Unmasking the Phantasm is just one of the twists in Batman: Mask of Phantasm, “one of the most imaginative films of the past year” (Chuck Rich, Westwood One). Only here will you discover all-new revelations about Batman’s past, his archrival the Joker and the most grueling battle of Batman’s life — the choice between his love of a beautiful woman and his vow to be the defender of right.

Batman: Mask of Phantasm is a “mystery that is genuinely absorbing, suspenseful and moving” (Cincinnati Enquirer) and a film no fan should be without!

DVD Upgrade: Batman – Mask of the Phantasm

Serial Experiments Lain: Knights

Serial Experiments Lain: Knights on VHS. Anime starring Bridget Hoffman. Character Design by Yoshitoshi Abe. 1998.

Serial Experiments Lain: Knights on VHS. Starring Bridget Hoffman. Character Design by Yoshitoshi Abe. 1998.

From the box:

Close the world, Open the nExt.

Fulfill the Prophecy…

“KNIGHTS” — a super hacker group that has large effects in the wired. No one knows who the members are, but they control information and sometimes develop and distribute illegal information equipment. The KNIGHTS are trying to make Lain do something… When Lain metaphorizes her physical self into the wired to search for an answer of incidents that kids commit suicide. She finds that the KNIGHTS are behind this incident. One day, a group of men in black suits make a contact Lain. They ask “Are those people who you live with really your parents?” “Are you Lain of the wired?” and “Who are you really?”

DVD Upgrade: Serial Experiments – Lain: Knights (Layers 5-7)

Connect To The Wired: Serial Experiments Lain: Complete Series – Classic (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)


Serial Experiments Lain: Navi

Serial Experiments Lain: Navi on VHS. Japanese anime starring Bridget Hoffman. Character Design by Yoshitoshi Abe. 1998.

Serial Experiments Lain: Navi on VHS. Starring Bridget Hoffman. Character Design by Yoshitoshi Abe. 1998.

From the box:

Close the world, Open the nExt.

We’re All Connected

There is a world around us, a world of people, tactile sensation, and culture. There is the wired world, inside the computer, of images, personalities, virtual experiences, and a culture all of its own. The day after a classmate commits suicide, Lain, a thirteen year-old girl, discovers how closely the two worlds are linked when she receives an e-mail from the dead girl: “I just abandoned my body. I still live here…” Has the line between the real world and the wired world begun to blur?

DVD Upgrade: Serial Experiments – Lain: Navi (Layers 1-4)

Connect To Everything: Serial Experiments Lain: Complete Series – Classic (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Superman Cartoons

Superman Cartoons VHS cover art. Animated classic video starring Bud Collyer, Joan Alexander. Animated by Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios. 1941-1943.

Superman Cartoons on VHS. Starring Bud Collyer, Joan Alexander. Animated by Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios. 1941-1943.

From the box:

Max Fleischer presents the Man of Steel, Superman, who is not only faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive, but the epitome of Good over Evil.

SUPERMAN

Clark Kent and Lois Lane combat a mad scientist who’s in control of a destructive ray. Invincible Superman destroys the terrible machine, rescuing Lois from the scientist and capturing him in the process.

THE MAGNETIC TELESCOPE

A magnetic telescope attracts comets endangering Metropolis until Superman reverses the effect and saves the city.

JAPOTEURS

The world’s largest bombing plane is threatened by Japanese agents who steal it. Superman recovers the plane and saves Lois who has stowed away seeking a story.

THE BULLETEERS

The owners of a bullet car threaten Metropolis with destruction unless a ransom is paid. Superman defeats them after destroying the bullet car.

JUNGLE DRUMS

A German poses as a jungle priest to attack passing allied airplanes. Superman and Lois unmask and foil him.

THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS

Robots rob businesses in Metropolis until Superman destroys them and recovers the stolen loot.

THE MUMMY STRIKES

An ancient mummy rises to attack Clark and Lois but Superman comes to the rescue.

DVD Upgrade: The Complete Superman Cartoons – Diamond Anniversary Edition

Public Domain Free Download: Superman cartoon at archive.org

Alice

Alice VHS box cover art. Animation movie starring Kristýna Kohoutová. Based on the classic Lewis Carroll story, Alice in Wonderland. Directed by Jan Svankmajer. 1988.

Alice on VHS. Starring Kristýna Kohoutová. Based on the classic Lewis Carroll story, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Directed by Jan Svankmajer. 1988.

From the box:

Disney + Bunuel = Jan Svankmajer’s Alice

Alice is sitting in her room full of toys reading Lewis Carroll’s story, during which she too is carried off to Wonderland. As she follows the elusive White Rabbit so begins this dream expedition into the landscape of childhood, through many dangerous adventures, and ultimately to her trial before the King and Queen of Hearts.

Jan Svankmajer, the Czech master of animation, has fulfilled a lifetime ambition in this personal interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Svankmajer’s Alice remains true to the absurdity of the Carroll’s original, but bears the stamp of his own distinctive style and obsessions. Combining techniques of animation and live action, he gives to this classic tale of childhood fantasies a new and fascinating dimension.

DVD Upgrade: Alice

A Wonderland Of Wonderlands: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Lego Jack Stone

Lego Jack Stone VHS box cover art. Short movie starring Marc Smith, Martin Sherman, Andy Loudon. Directed by Robert Dorney. 2001.

Lego Jack Stone on VHS. Starring Marc Smith, Martin Sherman, Andy Loudon. Directed by Robert Dorney. 2001.

From the box:

We hope you enjoy this free Jack Stone video from your friends at LEGO! Join Jack Stone as he uses his wits and imagination to save the victims of a flood, break up a bank robbery, and put out a blazing fire. It’s all part of another exciting day in the life of Jack Stone.

Not Found On DVD. Replace: Lego Jack Stone (VHS Video)

Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Rings VHS cover art. Animated movie starring Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt. Directed by Ralph Bakshi. From the novels "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" by J.R.R. Tolkien. 1978.

Lord of the Rings on VHS. Starring Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt. Directed by Ralph Bakshi. From the novels “The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Two Towers” by J.R.R. Tolkien. 1978.

From the box:

All the magical adventure of J.R.R. Tolkien’s thrilling fantasy classic comes to life in this brilliantly animated tale of the enchanted land of Middle Earth — and the brave band of hobbits, heroes and wizards who set out to protect it!

When a dangerous and powerful magic Ring falls into his hands, a little hobbit named Frodo is caught up in a gigantic adventure! Now, join him, the mighty wizard Gandalf and a daring band of elves, dwarfs and warriors as they set out to defend their enchanted land from the wicked sorcerer who would destroy it. Set in a mystical age of magic, monsters and unlikely heroes on incredible journeys, The Lord of the Rings will cast its spell over your entire family!

DVD Upgrade: The Lord of the Rings: 1978 Animated Movie (Remastered Deluxe Edition)

Read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings

Read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers: The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings

Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice VHS cover art. Animated movie starring Randy Norton, Cynthia Leake, Steve Sandor, Sean Hannon, Leo Gordon, William Ostrander. Directed by Ralph Bakshi. Produced by Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta. 1983.

Fire and Ice on VHS. Starring Randy Norton, Cynthia Leake, Steve Sandor, Sean Hannon, Leo Gordon, William Ostrander. Directed by Ralph Bakshi. Produced by Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta. 1983.

From the box:

A Masterpiece Of Fantasy And Illustration

Fire and Ice, an animated adventure film, is the work of the imaginations of Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta, masters of fantasy and illustration. A tiny village is destroyed by a surging glacier, which serves as the deadly domain for the evil Ice Lord, Nekron. The only survivor is a young warrior, Larn, who vows to avenge this act of destruction! The evil continues, however, as Nekron’s palace of ice heads straight towards Fire Keep, the great fortress ruled by the good King Jarol. When Jarol’s beautiful daughter, Teegra, is abducted by Nekron’s subhuman ape-like creatures, Larn begins a daring search for her. What results is a tense battle between good and evil, surrounded by the mystical elements of the ancient past!

DVD Upgrade: Fire and Ice (Two-Disc Limited Edition)

Something Weird Video Presents Hey Folks! — It’s Intermission Time

Something Weird Video Presents Hey Folks -- It's Intermission Time

From the box:

A barrage of wacky intermission shorts from moviehouses and drive-ins of the 50’s and 60’s!

Look! Up on the screen! It’s a monster! It’s a nuclear accident! It’s… it’s… it’s a pizza?
Used to be, back in the old days, moviehouses and drive-in theaters (remember them?) would show more than one film each evening. And between features, audiences were shown short films to keep them occupied. They entertained, they advertised, and, sometimes by accident, they even appalled.
Something Weird Video’s Hey, Folks! It’s Intermission Time! is a loving tribute to those cute little films of yore that have, with the passing of time, become the stuff of cinematic lore.
This two-hour collection features a barrage of intermission shorts from the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. If you grew up in any of those decades, you’re sure to get a healthy dose of nostalgia taking them all in on this program.
Included here are items that will not only interest movie fans, but social historians as well. Witness, for example, a 1950’s clip urging theater patrons to “save standard time and stop daylight savings time by writing to your newspaper editor.” The clip suggests “just follow the sun.” Then there’s the anti-TV number that illustrates the tiny dimensions of a television screen, especially when compared to a huge movie screen. It’s a telling reminder of how fearful the movie industry was of the burgeoning TV “giant” in the ’50s.
As evidenced on this tape, the drive-ins of yesteryear were as much a place to pig-out as make out… or watch a movie. Scores of short films display the “scrumptious delights” awaiting Passion Pit patrons at the snack bar. There’s yummy hamburgers! Actually, most look like grilled Brillo Pads. Appetizing hot dogs. Is there something wrong with the projector or do weenies always look some strange shade of green in drive-in movie ads? Spicy California Pizza. Appears to be something else. Perhaps a creature from another galaxy?
Strangely enough, one of the between-show segments features two crudely-drawn crooks robbing a house. A perfect scenario for keeping families comfortable while they are miles from home enjoying an evening at their favorite drive-in theater! — Irv Slifkin

DVD Upgrade: Something Weird Video Presents Hey Folks — It’s Intermission Time

RIP Mike Vraney, founder of Something Weird Video: Daily Grindhouse Obit

Best of Marvel Cartoons

Best of Marvel Cartoons on VHS.

Best of Marvel Cartoons on VHS.

Compilation including:

Iron Man: Enter Hawkeye, So Spins The Web, Triple Jeopardy
The Hulk: Micro-Monsters, The Lair Of The Leader, To Live Again
Sub-Mariner: Peril In The Surface World, So Spreads The Net, The Unveiling, The Start Of The Quest, Escape… To Nowhere, A Prince There Was
Captain America: The Sentinel And The Spy, The Fantastic Origin Of Red Skull, Lest Tyranny Triumph, The Origin Of Captain America, Wreckers Among Us, Enter Red Skull

Many with original commercials.

Running Time: 1 hour 52 minutes

DVD Upgrade: Not Readily Available