Review: DOCTOR WHO S7E06, THE SNOWMEN (Or, The Reluctant Doctor Is Coaxed Back Into Action By A New Companion)

Posted: 25 Dec 2012 05:45 PM PST

Doctor Who's Christmas specials are rather fascinating occurrences. They try to appeal to a larger audience than usual and this has resulted in an interesting variety of episodes over the last few years. These installments don't always place much importance on continuity and strive to be enjoyable standalone adventures. This can work in the favour of fans or it can be frustrating. One of my favourites is 2005's "The Christmas Invasion," an episode so focused on the overall story that it is entirely devoted to introducing David Tennant as the Doctor. On the other hand, the relatively recent "A Christmas Carol" is about as standalone as they come, more of a wonderful tribute to Dickens than a regular episode of Who.The other specials have been...

DVD and Blu-ray Review: SHIKI Aims to Creep You Out With An Army of Bloodsuckers

Posted: 25 Dec 2012 08:59 AM PST

(Brief description: it's like Stephen King's Salem's Lot done as an anime, but done BLOODY well!!) Both Funimation in the US and Siren Visual in Australia have recently released Shiki on Blu-ray and DVD. Here in Europe, Manga UK is following suit, albeit just on DVD for now, with the first half for sale right now while the second half arrives next week. And if you are into creepy horror I very much recommend you check it out, wherever you are. Shiki a very stylized Japanese animated horror series which owes a thing or two-hundred to Western vampire lore. Vampires are quite possible the most overused subject in horror and even when you just look at anime you can see plenty of them already. Funnily...