Herc’s Popular Pricing Pantry
“Cosmos,” $129.98 in 2011 and $69.69 last year, just plummeted to $42.99!! CHEAPER THAN USED!!
Blu-ray “Romancing”/“Nile” double feature, $18.99 in 2012 and $17.99 in September, just plummeted to its lowest price ever: $9.96!! CHEAPER THAN USED!!
New This Week
There are still so few pre-21st century TV series available on Blu-ray, and for this reason it gladdens my heart immensely that “Thunderbirds” is one of the very few enterprises to join that very exclusive club. The genius and effort that went into this puppet-show’s sci-fi effects and miniatures and set design and visuals is exquisite and so deserving of the HD upgrade. And we’re getting all 1690 HD minutes for just $44.93!
A TNT drama from writer-producer Steven Kane (“The Closer”) and “Without A Trace” creator Hank Steinberg, “The Last Ship” follows the crew of a vessel tasked with finding a cure after a pandemic wipes out 80 percent of the world’s population. It stars Eric Dane (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Rhona Mitra (“The Practice”) and Adam Baldwin (“Firefly,” “Chuck”).
... The characters are not complex. The captain, Tom Chandler, played by Eric Dane (“Grey’s Anatomy”), is square-jawed, valiant and by the book. The paleomicrobiologist Rachel Scott (Rhona Mitra) is square-jawed, valiant and by the textbook. There are a few more dubious characters aboard, including officers who may not be as loyal as the Navy expects. And on other vessels and in some ports, survivors are not always civic minded. … It’s the expertly rendered combat scenes and vivid depictions of danger that provide excitement and suspense in this action-adventure tale. …
... seems determined to put concept before character, which is a much bigger problem on television than it is on film. As similarly ambitious shows like "The Walking Dead" and "Game of Thrones" have proved, success turns almost solely on the emergence of characters who resonate with audiences, often to the point of obsession. Although the crew of the Nathan James are likable enough, three episodes in, no Tyrion or Arya, no Daryl or Michonne have emerged. …
... Despite some initial problems with pace and a bland idea of suspense, “The Last Ship” is at least a break from all the detective and lawyer shows that characterize cable TV’s long summers. Three episodes in, it all seems to be about finding the vaccine. But if everyone on dry land is dead already, who cares? Unless, of course, there are more ships out there besides “The Last Ship.” Something tells me there are. Grade: C …
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
... It’s entirely possible “The Last Ship” could turn out to be a cruise to nowhere, but in its first three episodes, it’s at least a fun ride. …
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
... No one really has to work hard here because the script is as close to monosyllabic as you can get and still have your character speaking English. People don't actually talk with each other in "The Last Ship": Instead, they announce, pronounce and recycle cliches. We get a sense of character through the performances, though, and many of them are very good. …
... these waters look shallow. …
... It may be all formula and archetypes, but that’s Bay’s bread and butter, and the first two hours pack enough oomph to make you want to see what happens when the “Ship” finally pulls into port. …
... awfully square in its hokey heroics, solemn acting and predictable subplots: a dull shipboard romance, a lurking saboteur. But it also has the feel of a summer page-turner, sturdy as the title vessel but also just as stodgy. …
... While The Last Ship won't be for viewers who want a lot of complexity and good writing, its predictability — ka-boom! — is not exactly a detriment in the summer. …
... as starts go, this one picks up speed, but still feels a little rocky. That said, there’s enough here to want to hang around for a spell, waiting to see whether this crew can find its sea legs …
TV-on-Disc Calendar
Last Week
Beetle Bailey: 65th Anniversary Collector's Edition
Bonanza 8.x
Falling Skies 4.x
Falling Skies 4.x (Blu-ray)
Justified 6.x
Justified 6.x (Blu-ray)
The Last Of The Summer Wine 2004
Miss Marple Vol. 3
Miss Marple Vol. 3 (Blu-ray)
Parks and Recreation 7.x
Parks and Recreation: The Complete Series
A Place To Call Home 2.x
Pretty Little Liars 5.x
Rectify 2.x
Rizzoli & Isles 5.x
The Strain 1.x Premium (Blu-ray)
Soap: The Complete Series
Tom and Jerry Gene Deitch Collection
Top Gear 22.x
Turbo Fast 1.x
The Wire: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
This Week
The Abbott & Costello Show: The Ultimate Collection
The Forsyte Saga: The Complete Miniseries
Laverne & Shirley: The Complete Series
The Odd Couple: The Complete Series
Power Rangers Super Megaforce 2.x Vol. 4
Tatau: The Complete Miniseries
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: NYC Showdown
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Search for Splinter
Thunderbirds: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Transporter 2.x
Next Week
The Adventures Of Robin Hood: 39 Episodes
The Bold Ones: The Senator: The Complete Series
The Cosby Show 7.x/8.x
Country Bucks 1.x
The Driver: The Complete Miniseries NEW!!
Littlest Pet Shop: Paws For Applause
Lovejoy 6.x
Lovejoy: The Complete Collection
The L Word: The Complete Series
Maison Close 2.x
Maison Close 2.x (Blu-ray)
The Newsroom 3.x
The Newsroom 3.x (Blu-ray)
Ozzie & Harriet: Favorite Memories
Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Series
Survivor's Remorse 1.x
Television Legends Johnny Carson, Jack Benny & Milton Berle
Through The Wormhole 5.x
Two and a Half Men: The Complete Series
June 23
The Campbells: The Complete Series
Graceland 2.x
Ripper Street 3.x
Ripper Street 3.x (Blu-ray)
That Show With Joan Rivers: 29 Episodes
Workaholics 5.x
Workaholics 5.x (Blu-ray)
Young Hercules: The Complete Series
June 30
The Donna Reed Show 3.x
Gangland Undercover 1.x
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Cutie Mark Quests
New Worlds: The Complete Miniseries
A Place To Call Home 2.x
Reading Rainbow: Animal Cafe
July 7
Archie Bunker's Place 1.x
Barney Miller 8.x
Bitten 2.x
The Brokenwood Mysteries 1.x
House of Cards 3.x (Blu-ray)
The Jinx: The Complete Series
The Jinx: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Married With Children 11.x
Married With Children: The Complete Series
Poldark: The Complete Miniseries (Blu-ray) NEW!!
The Witches Of East End 2.x
July 14
Adventure Time 5.x
Adventure Time 5.x (Blu-ray)
Batman 2.x Vol. 2
Cedar Cove 2.x
The Crimsom Field: The Complete Miniseries
Doctor Who: The Daleks
I Love Lucy 2.x (Blu-ray)
Little House on the Prairie 6.x (Blu-ray)
Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell 1.x
July 21
Justice League: Gods and Monsters (Blu-ray) NEW!!
Looking 2.x
Robot Chicken 7.x
July 28
Helix 2.x (Blu-ray) NEW!!
Mystery Science Theater 3000 XXXIII
August 4
The Affair 1.x
America's Test Kitchen 15.x
The Comeback 2005-2015
Last Tango In Halifax 3.x
The Man From UNCLE 1.x
Orphan Black 3.x (Blu-ray)
Sgt. Bilko 3.x
Strike Back Cinemax 3.x
Strike Back Cinemax 3.x (Blu-ray)
When Calls The Heart: Heart Of The Family
August 11
Dig 1.x (Blu-ray)
The Jeffersons 8.x
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell: The Complete Miniseries (Blu-ray)
The Knick 1.x (Blu-ray)
Law & Order SVU 16.x
Maude 2.x
Person Of Interest 4.x (Blu-ray) NEW!!
Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue: The Complete Series
Power Rangers Super Megaforce: Legendary Battle NEW!!
2 Broke Girls 4.x
August 18
Atlantis 2.x Vol. 2 (Blu-ray)
Mike & Molly 5.x
NCIS 12.x NEW!!
NCIS Los Angeles 6.x NEW!!
NCIS New Orleans 1.x NEW!!
The Rebel: The Complete Series
Teen Titans Go 2.x Vol. 2
Welcome Back, Kotter 4.x
August 25
Elementary 3.x NEW!!
The Good Wife 6.x NEW!!
The Mindy Project 3.x NEW!!
Transformers Rescue Bots Vol. 8
The Walking Dead 5.x
The Walking Dead 5.x (Blu-ray)
September 1
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Vol. 1 NEW!!
The Originals 2.x (Blu-ray)
Person Of Interest 4.x
Star Wars Rebels 1.x (Blu-ray) NEW!!
The Vampire Diaries 6.x (Blu-ray)
September 8
Hill Street Blues 6.x NEW!!
Transformers Prime: Ultimate Decepticons NEW!!
September 15
The Big Bang Theory 8.x (Blu-ray)
Family Guy 13.x
Peanuts: The Emmy Honored Collection
September 22
Arrow 3.x (Blu-ray)
Cristela 1.x
Modern Family 6.x
September 29
Mom 2.x NEW!!
October 6
Brickleberry 3.x
Big Bang Theory 8.x (Blu-ray)
Vikings 3.x