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Must See HDTV (January 16th - 22nd)
After a CES related hiatus, we're back, and just in time for the premieres of a few of our favorite shows. Since we've been busy watching demo reels instead of what's on, feel free to let us know if we missed anything important during our Las Vegas trip (is anyone watching The Firm? Is it good?) Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.AlcatrazThe latest show from J.J. Abrams (Lost, Fringe) finds a San Francisco where some of the most dangerous inmates of the infamous prison are suddenly reappearing on the streets. We'd explain the plot further, but given its creator there's probably no point. Given his track record, it's certainly worth given a look, even if only because Jorge Garcia (Hurley from Lost) is in it. The series premiere airs tonight, check out a quick preview trailer embedded after the break.(January 16th, Fox, 8PM)ArcherIn case you somehow haven't caught on by now, we love Archer. While he's a terribly incompetent spy, Sterling Archer still somehow always completes his mission and in entertaining fashion. Season three is finally getting under way this week, if you've followed our advice you already have the S1 & S2 Blu-ray discs filed away and are ready to go.(January 19th, FX, 10PM)JustifiedUS Marshal Raylan Givens returns this week in season three of Justified, and with the return of his old friend Boyd Crowder to a criminal lifestyle, we're sure it will be an explosive one in Harlan County. After the events of last season, an all new lineup of interesting figures is set to try and take control of criminal enterprises in this tiny corner of the mountains, which will inevitably lead to two things: intricate, flowery dialogue, and people getting shot.(January 17th, FX, 10PM)
Must See HDTV (January 4th - 8th)
While we're disappointed about some of the instant-classic bowl games we missed including in the listings during our extended New Year's break, we figure also skipping over the premieres of Work It and The Biggest Loser evens things out. Check below for the highlights remaining this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Portlandia If you're looking for a comedy that's a bit different, check out IFC's satirical take on hipster culture, although you'll probably need a subscription to the New Yorker as well as bookmarks for Pitchfork and Hype Machine to get the jokes. It stars and is written by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, whose characters travel through a slightly more absurd caricature of Portland, Oregon than the one that really exists, although it does star the real city mayor as the assistant to the mayor. It's a niche show, but if you get it, you'll get it. Check out a clip of what happens when the characters decide to watch just one episode of Battlestar Galactica embedded after the break. (January 6th, IFC, 10PM) Saturday Night Live While SNL can be hit or miss, we're always intrigued when the host isn't just another actor, and this week the show features Charles Barkley. This could either be fantastic or turrible (c) Barkley, but we've just got to see it either way. Kelly Clarkson will also be in attendance, this information may or may not be relevant to your interests. (January 7th, NBC, 11:30PM) The Firm With a plot that begins ten years after the events of the movie that starred Tom Cruise as lawyer Mitch McDeere, The Firm revisits John Grisham's most popular character as he and his family leave the witness protection program to start a new life. Of course, things just can't be so simple, and it appears he has stumbled on yet another law firm with a secret to hide. The new show premieres on NBC Sunday night, check out a preview trailer after the break. (January 8th, NBC, 9PM)
Must See HDTV (December 26th - January 1st)
Football Collegiate or pro, even with NBA action back on the schedule it's all about football this week. The big time bowls aren't until 2012, but there's still a few interesting matchups to be had this week including Air Force/Toledo (guaranteed shootout), FSU/Notre Dame, Tulsa BYU, and Oklahoma/Iowa. For the pros, the playoffs start Sunday night when the Cowboys face the Giants, with the winner moving on as NFC East champion and the loser going home. New Year's Eve So who are you rolling with, the Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest combo, Carson Daly, MTV's stream of performers or are you tuning in to some other station to watch the ball drop Saturday night? Sure, Fox's "American Country" theme may be more your style, but after seeing the shape Dick Clark was in last year, we might actually leave the screen off for once this time around. Archer We'll have to wait a few more weeks for the show to return to FX, but Archer fans can catch up with season two hitting shelves for the first time, and season one is no longer a Best Buy exclusive. Check out the promo trailer after the break if you're not already familiar with ISIS' best agent, and turn up some Kenny Loggins because you're about to enter the Danger Zone. (December 27th, $25 on Amazon)
Must See HDTV (December 19th - 25th)
While many programs take a holiday vacay, we've still found a few things to watch including the return of the NBA. Check below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. NBA After a delay due to the lockout, the NBA is ready to get underway Sunday by putting its best and brightest under the lights. Lebron, Dwyane, Kevin, Kobe, Dirk and all the rest will be playing so if you're a hoops fan you'll want to have the gifts unwrapped early so you can secure a spot in front of the TV. (Sunday, ABC/ESPN) Who's Still Standing With so much TV programming on winter break, NBC is sliding in this game show all week. It's yet another trivia show, however the twist in this one is that a wrong answer causes contestants to not only be eliminated, but also dropped out of sight below the floor. In a bit of of good or bad news, depending on your perspective, this probably puts us all one step closer to seeing The Running Man as a real show. (Monday-Thursday, NBC, 8PM) The League If you listen to the podcast, you know how fantasy football obsessed we are. Even if you're not, this show brings a lot more to the table as a group of friends antagonize each other both in their virtual league and in real life. While we don't know who will be league champion, we'd bet on at least one more appearance by El Cunado Rafi during the season finale this week. (Thursday, FX, 10PM)
Must See HDTV (December 12th - 18th)
This week sees even more shows saying goodbye before a holiday break, but as usual cable and reality TV are around to try to pick up the slack. While Fear Factor returns on network TV, Discovery fans can check out the season premiere of Dirty Jobs. The Blu-ray release schedule has a little something for everyone as well, with cult classic The Rocketeer joining City of God and two very different 3D flicks in Kung Fu Panda 2 and Fright Night. Check below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. City of God When Lionsgate announced its deal to distribute Miramax's movies in the US, long delayed Blu-ray releases like Pulp Fiction (deservedly) received a lion's share of the attention, but this week another one of our favorites, City of God, emerges from the vaults at last. Released in 2002 and previously available in HD internationally, this Brazilian flick tells the story of two boys growing up in Brazil's slums as one grows up to lead one of the local gangs and the other becomes a photographer. A crime epic on par with any of the other classics, it has characters that will stick with you long after the movie is over, and has a story that unfolds with more layers than can be described in this space. If you're not familiar, check out the trailer after the break. (December 13th, $14.99 on Amazon) Fear Factor One of the shows that started off the reality TV craze is back this week, as Fear Factor returns on NBC. Airing for the first time in HD, host Joe Rogan will once again cajole, encourage and tease a group of contestants through a series of increasingly gross / thrilling / dangerous stunts until they are eliminated. High-brow entertainment it ain't, but it can still be a fun watch. Check out a trailer showing what's in store this season embedded after the break. (December 12th, NBC, 8 & 9PM) Always Sunny in Philadelphia This week sees the season finale of Always Sunny, and as usual the gang is up to no good. This is the second of a two-part episode as they attend a high school reunion, and to recap, Dennis misguidedly believes he was one of the cool kids and is ducking his dead-toothed ex wife, Dee unsuccessfully tried to infiltrate the cool table by slinging insults around, Mac's real name has been revealed and Charlie is unconscious after huffing chemicals. So, they're up to their usual antics. (December 15th, FX, 10PM)
Must See HDTV (December 5th - 11th)
All you have to do is look at the calendar to know we're suddenly going to be buried under a deluge of holiday-season-specific programming. Of course, it's not all Michael Buble's Christmas Special, with unlikely sources like Syfy channel tossing in their efforts. While cable shows like Sons of Anarchy, Boss, and Boardwalk Empire wrap their seasons up, we also have a few new entries in the form of Luck, Moonshiners, and Invention USA. Check below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Sons of Anarchy It's been yet another explosive season for the boys of SAMCRO, and now it's coming to an end. As is standard for the show, main character Jax is finding himself caught between the law, rival gangs, and the loyalty to his mother, wife, and best friend, all pulling in different directions. We don't know if he will avenge his father's death in the season finale, or if the entire motorcycle club will end up in jail first, but you can bet we'll be watching to find out. (December 6th, FX, 10PM) Spike TV Videogame Awards 2011 We haven't been a big fan of the Spike Videogame Award's presentation in the past, but with the promise of a peek at BioWare's next project and an Advisory Council that again includes our good friend and Joystiq EIC Chris Grant voting on the winners, maybe this is the year things get turned around. Videogames and the people who make them deserve their due like any other industry, and Spike is at least making an effort to make sure that happens. One of the other tweaks for the 2011 show is a focus on augmented reality, so that's another thing to keep an eye out for during the broadcast. (December 10th, Spike, 8PM) Eureka / Warehouse 13 / Haven For some people it takes see It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, or Peanuts to get in the holiday spirit, but if you're a fan science fiction shows then you'll want to know these are all checking in with special holiday episodes Tuesday night. As silly as Syfy's name change has been, these shows have at least maintained, if not increased, their level of quality and have dedicated audiences. The special episodes are dropping in sort of out of the blue so we don't know what to expect, but we'll give them a look -- check out a sneak peek embedded after the break.
Must See HDTV (November 28th - December 4th)
Welcome to the midseason break -- while many shows are either already on hiatus or getting ready for one, cable favorites like The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles are just getting restarted. Of course, given the season that's not all there is to watch with a slew of movie debuts and one-off events like the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and Grammy nominations taking place as well. Check below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Cave of Forgotten Dreams This week is a good one for 3D fans, in theaters Martin Scorsese's Hugo is racking up the acclaims for its integration of effects and story, while at home viewers can finally experience Werner Herzog's trek into the Chauvet Caves of South France, exposing the oldest known human drawings. The entire documentary is filmed in 3D to help bring the shape and depth of the cave paintings alive, and by all accounts it's effective. Since you're probably not on the (very short list) of people who will ever be allowed access to the cave and its delicate relics, this is your best shot at taking a step 35,000 years into the past at an entirely different era of humankind. Check out the trailer after the break, but after seeing this one in theaters earlier this year we can definitely say 3D is the only way to watch. (November 29th, $18.99 on Amazon) College Football The last week of the college football season means everything comes down to these games to decide conference championships and who goes on to which bowl games. From the Big East being decided by the result of West Virginia vs. South Florida, to a couple of brand new conference championship games for the Pac-12 and Big Ten, to the always classic ACC and SEC football championships, and even a few rivalry games like Baylor/Texas and Oklahoma/Oklahoma State -- it's all here. No matter which team you root for there will be something at stake this weekend, so arrange your schedule accordingly. The Take After jumping into the original programming game earlier this year with Moby Dick, Encore is ready to push The Take, a British crime drama. Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson, The Dark Knight Rises) stars as Freddie Jackson, an ex-con fresh out of prison who is trying to take over London's underworld with the help of the rest of his similarly crooked family. As you can tell by the name, the theme here is that everyone and everything is available for a price, we're willing to spend an hour of our time and see if this is a series worth watching thanks to its strong cast, check out a quick trailer embedded after the break. (December 2nd, Encore, 9PM)
Must See HDTV (November 21st - 27th)
Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series Both halves of the most recent edition of Doctor Who come to Blu-ray this week. Throw in the 2010 Christmas Special, a Doctor Who Confidential inside look for each episode, plus a few more exclusives and extras and it's generally a better option than buying the two parts individually. We're still not sure exactly where to rank the River Song story arc in the Doctor Who canon, but after long, long teases about what was going on the storyline finally wrapped up in a satisfying way at the end. (November 22nd, $59.99 on Amazon) The Walking Dead Whoa, did something actually happen on this show last week? We're still rooting for Lori to be eaten by zombies (slowly) and if Daryl ever gets killed off we'll stop watching forever but this show has definitely raised our hopes as it comes to a midseason finale this week. Throw in the much more interesting evil Shane and a Glenn-centric storyline and we actually have reasons to watch beyond just gore-of-the-week trickery. Now, if we could just say the same for Hell on Wheels... (November 27th, AMC, 9PM) Punkin Chunkin 2011 Once you're stuffed full after a Thanksgiving feast, if you're not watching the brother vs. brother 49ers/Ravens NFL standoff, flip over to Discovery and witness the Punkin Chunkin 2011 competition, where "man meets machine meets mayhem", all hosted by the guys from Mythbusters. Taking place for the 26th year, this annual competition brings teams to a Delaware cornfield to see whose homemade contraption can throw a pumpkin the furthest. Admit it, you're intrigued. (November 24th, Discovery, 8PM)
Must See HDTV (November 14th - 20th)
This week is all about going retro. Whether we're taking it back hundreds of years with knights and jousting, a half century or so for classics like West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and Looney Tunes, or just a decade to a classic videogame it's time to take a look back at where we've been. The good news is thanks to technology all are able to look better than ever -- although we'll hold off final judgement on the knights for now. Check below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary It's been ten years since Halo set off the storm of console first person shooters, and now the original is back and looking better than ever. This will no doubt thrill those who never got over the loss of its super-powered pistol in the subsequent Halo games, or pretty much anyone with fond memories of CTF runs in Blood Gulch. Our friends at Joystiq found everything intact and upgraded, however the Kinect integration was noted as "perfunctory." We probably won't be yelling "Reload!" at our screens very much but we'll definitely take this chance to rewind the clock in HD & 3D. (November 15th, $40 on Amazon) Knights of Mayhem we've never been in love with this trend of odd reality TV shows taking over networks that were previously devoted to science and exploration, but this one's odd enough that we'll give it a chance. Knights of Mayhem depicts the sport of full-contact professional jousting, all done King Arthur-style on horseback wearing heavy armor. We've seen enough episodes of Game of Thrones to know this can be pretty dangerous, but on the upside, a round might last longer than last weekend's UFC bout on Fox. Check out a trailer embedded after the break. (November 15th, National Geographic, 9 & 10PM) MLS Cup Final The entire MLS season has come down to this weekend's final match between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo. David Beckham has scored Comeback Player of the Year honors for his effort in returning from a torn Achilles to lead LA to the final match, we'll see if he and Coach of the Year Bruce Arena have what it takes to win the cup pictured above. That's about the extent of the soccer analysis we can offer, for the best of America's other pro football, tune in to ESPN Sunday night. (November 20th, ESPN, 9PM)
Must See HDTV (November 7th - 13th)
It'll be hard to find a sports matchup that equals last weekend's 'Bama/LSU showdown, but Fox will try as it dives into the octagon with some MMA this weekend. There's also a few family-friendly Blu-ray 3D titles on deck, and the final edition of some series called Harry Potter hitting stores on Friday (pick up Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim while you're there, you'll thank us later). Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 The king is back. The Modern Warfare series has reigned over the console shooter pile for the last few years and it's no secret why. A combination of fast-paced action and precise controls make it the online game of choice for many (some prefer the Battlefield games, it's a matter of taste). This year's edition once again hails from the offices of Infinity Ward, birthplace of the best this series has to offer so this one is a must-buy. The only thing giving us pause? A new "Elite" feature, which adds online stat tracking and more for hardcore players, but comes at a hefty price of $49 a year. (Update: A peek at the official list reveals most of the features, including stat-tracking are free, and that $50 does buy all the DLC for a year so it may come in handy, check out more info from our friends at Joystiq here. Thanks @ejalcantera!) (November 8th, $56.99 on Amazon) UFC on Fox CBS tried bringing MMA fighting to network TV a couple of years ago but hasn't had any bouts in a while, opening the door for this weekend's heavyweight match on Fox. Cain Velasquez is one of the scariest human beings alive, but he appears to have a worthy competitor coming for his title in Junior Dos Santos. We've been fans of UFC for a little while, if expensive PPV matches and reality TV-styled The Ultimate Fighter have been the only thing keeping you on the outside, this could be the one that makes you a fan -- or disgusts you beyond words. Check out a trailer embedded after the break. (November 12th, Fox, 9PM) Death Valley Looking for a a zombie alternative to The Walking Dead (which actually improved this weekend -- apparently someone finally told the writers that less is more)? You've found it. MTV's Cops-style mockumentary follows officers around an alternate reality Los Angeles populated by werewolves, vampires and more otherworldly creatures with a campy sense of humor throughout. Beware however, here anyone can become a meal for the people they're pursuing, including members of the camera crew. (November 7th, MTV, 11PM)
Must See HDTV (October 31st - November 6th)
The World Series is finally over and TV schedules have settled into their normal fall pace. Fox has its lineup set and is finally ready to air new episodes of Bones again, while those waiting more Blu-ray 3D movies have several to choose from. Both the Toy Story and Shrek series come home in the format this week along with the debut of Cars 2, and Uncharted 3 offers 3D support on the gaming side. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Update: Commenter Bervick reminds us the Steve Jobs - One More Thing special airs on PBS November 2nd. Check the official site for airtimes on your local station. Burn Notice If you listen to the HD podcast, then you know this is one of our favorite shows. Michael Westin is a "burned" spy who bides his time trying to get back into the CIA by picking up odd jobs helping people around Miami Macguyver-style. Throw in a best friend played by Bruce Campbell and a health assortment of explosions and gunfire, and you've got everything we could ask for -- except better picture quality, but you can't have everything. (November 3rd, USA, 10PM) LSU vs. Alabama This is what we like the most about college football. We're deep enough into the season that a 1 vs 2-ranked matchup actually means something and we couldn't have two better teams ready to face off. Both have won national championships, both are incredibly talented and well coached. Who will win? we'll have to watch to find out. (November 5th, CBS, 8PM) Hell on Wheels So far AMC's switch from broadcasting classic movies to mixing in original programming has had its standout successes (Mad Men, Breaking Bad), and disappointments in The Killing and The Walking Dead. Sunday night it launches its latest effort, Hell on Wheels, which follows a former Confederate soldier hunting down the Union soldiers responsible for killing his wife. The name comes from the Nebraska town he ends up in along his quest that follows the construction of the railroad across the country. An interesting concept to be sure, but we'll have to lay our eyes on it to know which category this one falls into -- check out a trailer embedded after the break. (November 6th, AMC, 10PM)
Must See HDTV (October 24th - 30th)
This week baseball's World Series continues, after splitting the first four games evenly it all comes down to a best of three between the Rangers and Cardinals. Of course, that's not all coming to our TVs this week, as several new series premiere, along with some Halloween-themed programming. The biggest surprise however is the 90s-throwback feel of this week's roundup, find out why in the highlights below, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy When the first flick debuted in 1993, it brought Michael Crichton's book to life with an unprecedented new level of special effects. Of course, that meant the Jurassic Park trilogy's strength was never its story, which regressed further in subsequent films. Still, you can celebrate some of the best in '90s cinema this week with the new triple pack that includes the movies and all new behind the scenes information. You can also get your dinosaur fix every week with Terra Nova, but we wouldn't recommend it. (October 26th, $48.99 on Amazon) Beavis & Butt-head Mike Judge's animated duo make their return to the small screen after a 14 year layoff Thursday night, and for better or worse, it doesn't appear that much has changed. Of course, the internet has opened up a whole new source of bad music videos for the pair to display and dissect, but since they're on the internet, its much more likely that you've already seen them. We'd rather have Daria or Aeon Flux back instead, but we'll check this out for nostalgia's sake. (October 27th, MTV, 10PM) Grimm The other new fairytale based TV show makes its debut on NBC this week, with a very Supernatural / Fringe type of take on the old stories. This time around the Grimm brothers are homicide detectives that chase down all those supposedly mythical creatures in the very real world of Portland, Oregon. We'll see if it's worth watching as it takes on Fringe in the same time slot Friday night -- check after the break for a preview. (October 28th, NBC, 9PM)
Must See HDTV (October 17th - 23rd)
The baseball season is almost over, but we've got one more playoff series to enjoy before giving things over completely to the fall and winter sports. We've also got a new new shows premiering this week, alongside notable Blu-ray releases including The Crow and Cape Fear. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Boss Kelsey Grammer comes back to TV this week on Starz playing the mayor of Chicago, who has just been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease that he's trying to hide from both his friends and his enemies. Focused more on political intrigue it probably won't have the action of The Chicago Code, but the intricacies of the corrupt political machine at work should remain. Check out a trailer after the break, apparently this first season was already impressive enough that it's been renewed for a season two before the premiere episode airs Friday. (October 21st, Starz, 10PM) World Series The long baseball season has finally come down to the last two teams standing. the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals both feature impressive offensive and defensive lineups, which should make for an exciting round of baseball, as long as the series goes. The first four games are all scheduled to take place over the next week, so check the schedule below and clear out a little time for the inevitable Pujols/Hamilton/Cruz show. (All week, Fox) Once Upon A Time Game of Thrones this ain't. This new drama premieres on ABC Sunday and attempts to update fairy tales for the modern age. The plot centers around a woman who is contacted by the son she gave up for adoption who believes that she is actually from an alternate universe where she is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Now he lives in a normal-looking neighborhood that is actually populated by the characters of the most famous classic children's stories. The subject matter is a bit out there, but coming from writer's whose biggest credit to date is their work on Lost, who would expect anything different? There's a trailer for this one after the break as well. (October 23rd, ABC, 8PM)
Must See HDTV (October 10th - 16th)
Baseball playoffs are in full effect and altering TV schedules, so if you're digging Fox's lineup then too bad -- it's going to be mostly on ice for the next couple of weeks. We've still got a few major fall premieres trickling in, but the most significant addition are the first Blu-ray titles with Ultraviolet (Horrible Bosses, Green Lantern). Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Forza Motorsport 4 It's no big secret that around these parts, our love of things that plug in and log on only narrowly beats out the need to go fast, and since we can't drive every car in real life, we'll leave that up to Forza. The fourth iteration of Turn 10's driving game arrives this week and has racked up a list of glowing reviews. New this time around are Kinect-enhanced car walkarounds and driving, enhanced community features and a revamped career mode. The only knock seems to be that some things are a little too familiar from its predecessors, but we can't wait to get behind the wheel and find out ourselves. ($59.99 on Amazon, October 11th) Psych The Adventures of Shawn & Gus' Psychic Detective Agency continue on this week, and while that title may make one USA's best show's appear somewhat childish, we assure you -- it's even more childish than you think. Of course, one of the appeals of Psych is its retro flair (so far we've seen Ralph Macchio as a guest star and an entire episode spoofing Twin Peaks) so if you're in the target age range and haven't quite grown up, this is one to watch. (October 12th, USA, 10PM) The Walking Dead One of last season's most-talked about shows, this tale of survival in a zombie infested wasteland came in with a bang and went out with a whimper. We'll be watching to see if it can retain the crunchy action flavor of the first few episodes and avoid the boring melodrama that came in later on. If you're willing to risk a few spoilers (surprise, the RV breaks down at the worst possible time) then check out the season two trailer after the break. (October 16th, AMC, 10PM)
Must See HDTV (October 3rd - 9th)
How can we still have fall premieres left? After the onslaught of the last two weeks it seems there's still a few to go, as old standbys like House join fresh faces like American Horror Story and Penn & Teller Tell a Lie on the premiere list. It's also a big week for Blu-ray discs, as seen above with a couple of classics showing up, some Disney favorites returning for the first time and special treats like Daft Punk's Interstella 5555 and Planet Earth Special Edition. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Pulp Fiction After waiting far too long for Quentin Tarantino's hit movie to debut on Blu-ray we got an early look at this one and it's worth the wait. Both the picture and audio quality are impressive, while we didn't have a copy of the imported version to compare them to the picture is clean and artifact free, while the 5.1 soundtrack gives equal time to the witty dialogue and occasional action. There's no audio commentary present, but there is about an hour or so of new HD extras included for the fans. If you've somehow avoided seeing this movie so far we don't even know what to say to you, but this is the best way to watch since it debuted in 1994. ($15.99 on Amazon, October 4th) House Everyone's favorite jerk of a doctor returns for an eighth and possibly final season tonight. With Cuddy gone and Dr. Gregory House locked in jail we're wondering if it can keep the medical procedural formula fresh for another year, but so far it's held up well despite cast rotations and the so often under-appreciated main-character-loses-his-mind plot twist. Don't have enough reasons to watch? Jaleel White is guest starring in tonight's season premiere episode, so there you go. (October 3rd, Fox, 9PM) The League If you've listened to our podcast or are participating in either of the official Engadget HD leagues, then you already know we're all in when it comes to fantasy football. The League returns this week for a third season and captures all of the insanity that happens when people stop being friends and start getting real... pretend. Despite its very intense focus on a group of friends and their over the top competition, as well as guest appearances by NFL stars, there's enough comedy there to keep watching whether you're watching tonight's game hoping a backup RB gets 75 yards and a touchdown or not. (October 6th, FX, 10:30PM)
Must See HDTV (September 26th - October 2nd)
After last week's slew of premieres there's still a few new shows popping up this week, as well as season premieres of old favorites (Dexter, Mythbusters). Transformers: Dark of the Moon makes its Blu-ray debut on Friday but with no 3D or special features it'll have to wait to top our list. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Luther The second season of this British detective show already finished airing in the UK but its four episode run is just getting started this week on BBC America. The Wire's Idris Elba stars as DCI John Luther, an investigator who is as troubles as he is effective in tracking down killers, rapists and other unsavory characters. There's a dozen crime procedurals to choose from, but this is one of the few that rises above the rest of the pack -- check out the season 2 trailer after the break. If you can't get enough of accents and tea, check out the season finale of Dr. Who and series premiere of Bedlam Saturday night. (September 28th, BBC America, 10PM) Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection While the original release of Ico predates this site, its followup Shadow of the Colossus had us excited even when it was only in 480p. This week, both return in HD (and 3D) on the PS3, coming back for the first time on hardware that can actually handle creator Fumito Ueda's vision. The two adventure games are some of the more unique gaming experiences you'll find, whether or not you gave them a chance on the PS2 they're definitely worth checking out this time around, check for a couple trailers after the break. ($39.99 on Amazon, September 27th) Happy Endings This comedy joined ABC's lineup last year as a midseason replacement and quickly snagged a spot in our DVR queue with a hilarious ensemble of characters. While the show's premise wasn't a standout (bride leaves groom at the altar, we follow the group as they try to stay friends afterwards) the writing is spot on and gained enough a following to come back for season two, starting this week. (September 28th, ABC, 9:30PM)
Must See HDTV (September 19th - 25th)
It's that time of year again, when the leaves turn colors and a slew of new programming pops up on our HDTVs. We've pushed the series premieres to the top of each day's listing to help you keep an eye out for some of the new shows coming your way, so now all you have to do is clear enough DVR space to keep up. Check out which selections from this week's long list of possibles caught our eye, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Gears of War 3 Microsoft and Epic are ready to close out their trilogy on the Xbox 360 with this week's release of Gears of War 3. Its cover based, third person shooter gameplay feels as fresh as it did the first time around and according to our friends at Joystiq, this iteration features "one of the most exciting, consistent campaign experiences on the Xbox 360, or any other system." Assuming the new dedicated servers can keep online play running smoothly this time around, we don't see any reason to miss this go-round with Marcus, Dom, Cole and whichever of the Carmine brothers is still alive. ($59.99 on Amazon, September 20th) Workaholics This was a surprise favorite for us last year, as its stars (and writers) Blake, Adam and Anders deal with the (slow) process of becoming adults while working and living together. It brings more to the table than your average stoner comedy, thanks to its stars / writers from the Mail Order Comedy Troupe. Last season's To Friend A Predator episode took the it's-so-wrong-it's-funny style to its limit and left us in stitches, check out a quick preview of season two embedded after the break. (September 20th, Comedy Central, 10:30PM) Person of Interest One more fall ritual is the debut of an interesting JJ Abrams-helmed show that confuses, intrigues, and eventually horrifically disappoints (on that same note, Fringe also debuts its new season Friday night). This year that show is Person of Interest, a show that features investigators trying to decipher and solve violent crimes before they actually happen. The only really weird thing is how grounded that plot is for a JJ Abrams show. After Lost we promised we'd never go down that rabbit hole again, we'll find out how strong we are when this premieres Thursday night. (September 22nd, CBS, 9PM)
Must See HDTV (September 12th - 18th)
Summer is coming to an end and that means the disappearance of the few remaining summer TV shows still hanging around on the schedule (LA Ink, we won't miss you). It also means the appears of a certain war movie that takes place in the stars on Blu-ray, and an opportunity for networks like NBC and CW to get some of their fall programming kicked off early. Of course, we're still all about football and Monday Night Football returns in earnest for the first time tonight with a doubleheader so while you know what we'll be watching then, check out our highlighted picks of the week here, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Star Wars While the rest of the world already got their taste, here in North America those looking to obtain legitimate HD copies of the series have to wait until Friday. Whether you're buying six or three movies, there will be plenty of extras to go along with them, although unfortunately word is there's been a few (more) changes made. You can have the movies of your childhood in 1080p and crisp surround sound, but you'll also have to take a quick NOOOO from Vader in Episode VI (clip after the break) -- is it worth it? Only you can decide. ($79.99 - Complete Saga, $39.99 - Original Trilogy / Prequel Trilogy on Amazon, September 16th) Archer The most hilarious animated series on television. The third season starts this week on FX and we'll be there to watch the exploits of drinking, womanizing, and not always clear on the details super spy Sterling Archer. Explaining the appeal is impossible and quite possibly illegal, so check season one out on Netflix streaming if you need any further convincing, but do it fast. (Thursday, FX, 10:30PM) 63rd Emmy Awards We prefer 40 Year Old Virgin and Party Down Jane Lynch to the current Glee-ified version, but we'll still tune in to see her host the Emmy Awards this weekend in an arena where big song and dance numbers should be right at home. Check the wiki to see which of your favorite shows are up for an award -- can we admit that we didn't watch HBO's Mildred Pierce, which leads all others in number of nominations with 21? (Sunday, Fox, 8PM)
Must See HDTV (September 5th - 11th)
Check out our highlighted picks of the week right here, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Sons of Anarchy SAMCRO is back in action. This isn't the highest profile cable show on this week (don't forget the Entourage and Rescue Me season finales) but as it comes back for a fourth season we are always ready to see what's going down in Charming, CA. After the events of last season things will kick off 14 months later, but we doubt a stint in prison will have changed many things for our favorite motorcycle club. (September 6th, FX, 10PM) 9/11 If you weren't planning on making next weekend an all 9/11 memorial event, we'd probably recommend steering clear of your TV. From CBS to USA to History to A&E there's memorial specials and previously unseen footage everywhere you look. A wonderful opportunity to heal as a nation from the tragic events of a decade ago or a crass display of network executives cashing in on our collective grief? Your choice. NFL Professional football is finally back. After it seemed like the lockout might last forever we're getting the season under way on schedule. Both Engadget HD fantasy football leagues have drafted and our favorite teams will kick off in Tampa Bay on Sunday, but the league gets its official kickoff Thursday night as the Packers face the Saints on NBC. We know what we'll be watching. (September 8th, NBC, 8:30PM)
Must See HDTV (August 29th - September 4th)
We're still in a holding pattern waiting for the NFL regular season to start and fall TV shows to premiere but luckily college football is here to save the day. It's not alone though, check out our highlighted picks of the week right here, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. College Football While the pros -- a distinction that is getting fuzzier and fuzzier *cough* Miami *cough* -- get ready for their season to start college football teams will be getting back to it this weekend. UNLV and Wisconsin have the first high profile matchup of the year on ESPN (and ESPN 3D) Thursday night while Oregon and LSU play Saturday in a game that could have National Championship implications right away. We'll include some of the high profile national matchups on our schedule, but you can click here to find out where every nationally broadcast game will be on throughout the season -- we know how tough tracking Middle Tennessee can be. The Hour BBC America will air the third of six episodes of this drama on Wednesday night as it takes us behind the scenes of a 1950s TV news show featuring The Wire's Dominic West. While it's a period piece with plenty of sex, sexism and whiskey if you're looking for a Mad Men clone you'll likely be disappointed. The short story arc doesn't build Don Draper-like lead characters, but the Suez Crisis, spies and a suspicious death form a strong enough backdrop for us to sink our teeth into. If you're a fan of British TV we'd rate this one below the excellent Luther, but well above Law & Order: UK -- check out a trailer after the break. (August 31, BBC America, 10 PM) Madden NFL 12 It's that time of year again, when Madden comes out and we resort to couch based battles of supremacy for bragging rights and more. As usual, not that much has changed from year to year, but there are updates including a new collision system that promises to improve tackling, custom playbooks and new camera angles cribbed from NFL Films archives. After generally positive reviews -- it snagged a 3.5-star rating from our friends at Joystiq -- we won't stop you from laying down $60 one more time for EA's annual refresh. ($59.99, August 30)
