Allen, Corey

Hawaii Five-O - The Fourth Season

Could it be that with Hawaii Five-O's fourth season, a third of the way into its remarkable '60s-'70s run, the show has gotten... well, cool? Actually, there are signs throughout this six-disc set of 24 digitally-remastered episodes that point to yes. Let's not get carried away here; Five-O is still basically as square as Tiananmen and Trafalgar, and as long as Steve McGarrett (portrayed, as ever, by Jack Lord) is in charge, its groove factor will never rival that of, say, CSI: Miami, or any other glossy new millennium cop drama. Indeed, the show's corniness and utter lack of irony remain integral to its charm. But there are a few interesting developments in this '71-'72 season. There's a good complement of snappy dialogue (one particularly large perp is "so big he could go bear-hunting with chopsticks"). And although the pacing can be pretty stodgy, the editing is a bit more deft; many scenes flow more naturally, and in at least one instance ("I Want Some Candy, and a Gun that Shoots," wherein a sniper is picking off cops on a coastal highway), the entire episode is more exciting than the Five-0 norm. The direction and lighting are also more stylish, while the music (not just Morton Stevens' classic theme song but the incidental sounds as well) and location scenery, two elements that have always been among the series' strong suits, are as good as ever; in fact, the islands look so lush and inviting that one wonders why the bad guys can even get motivated to commit their dirty deeds.

But they do, of course, and McGarrett and his faithful team (James MacArthur as Danno, Kam Fong as Chin Ho, and, in what remains one of the great TV credits ever, "Zulu as Kono") are there to stop 'em. This time around they're dealing with everything from a big money travelers check scam ("3,000 Crooked Miles to Honolulu," with Jed Clampett... er, Buddy Ebsen as a guest villain), eco-terrorism ("Is This Any Way to Run a Paradise"), political assassination ("Rest in Peace, Somebody"), and racism-rape ("Skinhead"), along with the usual murders and encounters with Red Chinese nemesis Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh). McGarrett is for the most part still as stiff as his hair, but Lord occasionally displays considerable passion, as when he breaks down in tears upon being informed that a nasty car accident did not leave him paralyzed (in "The 90-Second War," a two-parter). As always, bonus material is limited to brief, previous-week promos for each episode. --Sam Graham

Filmed entirely on location in Hawaii the show followed Jack Lord as he played Steve McGarrett head of an elite state police unit investigating "organized crime murder assassination attempts foreign agents felonies of every type." James MacArthur played his second-in-command Danny ("Danno") Williams with local actors playing members of the Five-O team.System Requirements:Running Time: 1215 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097368920743 Manufacturer No: 892074

Cannon: Season One, Vol. 1

The weekly adventures of Frank Cannon an overweight balding ex-cop with a deep voice and expensive tastes in culinary pleasures who becomes a high-priced private investigator. Since Cannon's girth didn't allow for many fist-fights and gun battles (although there were many) the series substituted car chases and high production values in their place.System Requirements:Running Time: 615 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097368924246 Manufacturer No: 892424

Magnum P.I.: The Complete Eighth Season

Left for dead at the end of Season Seven Magnum's back in the eighth and final season of Magnum P.I. the unforgettable Primetime Emmy® Award- and Golden Globe®-winning series nominated for an incredible 30 awards during its impressive eight-year run. For thrilling adventures rejoin Tom Selleck as the stylish private investigator Thomas Magnum along with Higgins T.C. Rick and some of television's hottest guest stars including Amy Yasbeck (Wings) Carol Burnett (The Carol Burnett Show) and Joe Regalbuto (Murphy Brown). This must-own 3-disc collector's set includes every Season Eight episode as well as a bonus episode of The Rockford Files featuring Tom Selleck in a performance that led to his most iconic role. Take home Magnum P.I.: The Complete Eighth Season and say goodbye as the red Ferrari drives off into the sunset forever!System Requirements:Running Time: 603 minutes Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/GAME SHOWS UPC: 025195016964 Manufacturer No: 61102098

Magnum P.I. - The Complete Seventh Season

Magnum is back and better than ever in all 21 action-packed episodes of Magnum P.I.: The Complete Seventh Season! Tom Selleck returns as TV's most charming Primetime Emmy® Award-winning detective, heating up the exotic streets of Hawaii with his hot red Ferrari and top-notch investigative skills. Along for the ride are everyone's favorite characters - Higgins, TC and Rick - as well as Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote in a special crossover episode. From exploring a secret island to chasing kidnappers and surviving his fortieth birthday, you won't want to miss a minute of the excitement in this fantastic 5-disc set!

Magnum, P.I. - The Complete First Season

A ratings hit for eight seasons on CBS, the action-mystery series Magnum, P.I. makes its DVD boxed set debut in an impressive five-disc package that offers not only the entire first season, but some rarely seen episodes. Positioned in the old Hawaii Five-O time slot (Thursdays at 9) in December of 1980, Magnum quickly became a hit, thanks to the combination of smart and witty scripting, gorgeous locations, and the considerable charm of lead Tom Selleck as former Naval Intelligence officer Thomas Magnum, who gives up his position to become a private investigator on Oahu with the help of fellow Vietnam vets T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) and Rick (Larry Manetti). Magnum also provided security for the lavish estate of wealthy (and never-seen) mystery writer Robin Masters, which gave him access to the author's expensive vehicles (including a prized Ferrari), much to the disapproval of Masters's manservant Higgins (Jonathan Hillerman).

A rare series that skillfully blended action, humor, drama, and suspense, Magnum, P.I.'s first season gets the boxed set treatment its fans have been hoping for, with all 18 first-season episodes (including the two-part pilot, "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii") included on four discs. The fifth disc contains four rarely shown bonus episodes, including season 3's "Ki'ls Don't Lie," which featured a crossover plot with Simon and Simon, as well as its conclusion ("Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend"), which kicked off S&S's second season; the latter episode has never been aired as part of Magnum's syndicated package, which is another reason for fans to pick up and enjoy this long-awaited set. --Paul Gaita

Magnum, P.I. - The Complete Second Season

Return to the Big Island for more adventure with Tom Selleck's charmingly roguish detective hero, Thomas Magnum, courtesy of this three-disc set, which compiles the entire second season (1981-1982) of Magnum, P.I.. The 22 episodes included here (among them the two-part "Memories Are Forever") crystallize the key to the series' success: an appealing blend of action, drama, mystery, and comedy, cemented by Selleck and his likable castmates, especially John Hillerman, who would earn a Golden Globe for his work on Magnum in '82. Highlights of the season include Magnum's attempt to stop an international assassin ("The Jororo Kill," with Tyne Daly), the arrival of Hemingway-esque author Mad Buck Gibson (Darren McGavin) in the episode of the same name, and the aforementioned two-parter, which reunites Magnum with a woman he thought to have died after marrying her while serving in Vietnam. The usual array of classy guest stars are also on hand for this season; in addition to the aforementioned actors, there are turns by Mimi Rogers, Vic Morrow, Vera Miles, Jill St. John, and Elisha Cook Jr. (who plays a much different character than his recurring role as "Ice Pick" in future seasons). And Magnum obsessives should note early appearances by Gillian Dobb, who played Agatha Chumley in numerous subsequent episodes, as well as one of Higgins's colorful, estranged half-brothers in "The Elmo Ziller Story." It's unfortunate that the set itself doesn't match the quality of the Episodes--extras are limited to second-season episodes from Knight Rider and The A-Team--but Magnum fans should be pleased to have all the episodes in a single set, and best of all, commercial-free. --Paul Gaita

Magnum P. I. - The Complete Sixth Season

Get ready to ride shotgun in a fiery red Ferrari with TV's most charming detective Magnum P.I. as all 20 thrilling Season Six episodes arrive on DVD for the first time ever! Tom Selleck returns in his Emmy-winning role as the Hawaiian private investigator with a knack for solving crime and attracting the ladies. Join Higgins T.C. and Rick as they help Magnum in such captivating adventures as tracking down international assassins catching an elusive cat burglar and wrangling up vicious cattle rustlers. With a special sneak peek at an episode from Season Seven this Magnum P.I. 5-disc set is your key to tropical danger desire and so much more!System Requirements:Running Time: 192 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 025193057327 Manufacturer No: 61030573

Magnum, P.I. - The Complete Third Season

Magnum P.I. - The Complete Fifth Season

Move into high gear because Magnum P.I.: The Complete Fifth Season is now on DVD! Tom Selleck is back in his Emmy award-winning role as the charismatic detective who protects the sunny Hawaiian islands from vicious jewel thieves ruthless kidnappers and even dangerous ghostly apparitions. Join Magnum TC Rick and Higgins in all 22 thrilling episodes packed with action adventure and sexy Hawaiian fun. And there's even more of Magnum to go around on this 5-disc set with a sneak peek at Season Six with a classic bonus episode! System Requirements:Run Time: 194 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 025193050427 Manufacturer No: 30504

Magnum P.I. - The Complete Fourth Season

Tom Selleck is back in action as Magnum P.I. The Complete Fourth Season roars on to DVD for the first time ever! It s more adventure more mysteries and more fun Magnum-style in all 21 thrilling episodes. Hop in the famous red Ferrari with Higgins T.C. Rick and TV s most charismatic detective as they take on drug dealers royal assassins brutal thugs and of course those beautiful Hawaiian ladies. With thrilling bonus content and guest stars that include Carol Burnett Patrick MacNee and more it s a trip back to Hawaii that you just can t afford to miss!Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS UPC: 025192930027 Manufacturer No: 29300