:: theLogBook.com DVD Reviews ::

A relatively large box set mixing new material with earlier existing releases (and a few box set exclusives to force the completists’ hand - don’t you hate that crap?), the Davros box set chronicles the multiple rises and falls of the fictional creator of the Daleks throughout his appearances in classic Doctor Who. I think I’ve mentioned before that one can tell which elements of the classic series are about to resurface in the current series by paying close attention to the classic box sets, and there are numerous rumors which seem to point in the direction of reacquainting oneself with the Davros mythology being a good idea. Here, then, is every story of classic Doctor Who in which the maniacal, Dalek-wheelchair-bound genius appeared, in one convenient package…at least for U.K. fans. (more…)

Produced in 1979 and aired in 1980, this miniseries adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s “Martian Chronicles” stories was one of the first big SF co-productions between an American network (in this case NBC) and the BBC. To say that this is an example of the state of SFTV in its day may be an understatement, but it’s not short on A-list talent. It stars Rock Hudson and Bernie Casey, among others, was directed by Michael Anderson (Logan’s Run), and was adapted for TV by none other than SF novelist Richard Matheson (whose own work, “I Am Legend”, has just gotten its third theatrical treatment as of this writing). It was even produced by none other than Milton Subotsky, who was behind the two Peter Cushing Doctor Who/Daleks films in the 1960s. The international cast is peppered with names that any veteran of either American or British TV will recognize. (more…)