The A&E reality show “Wahlburgers” is on DVD for the first time this week.
“Wahlburgers: The Complete First Season” (A&E/Lionsgate/DVD, 2014, two discs, nine episodes, featurettes). This reality series on the A&E cable channel is more or less a celebration of the Wahlberg family: actor-brothers Mark (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”) and Donnie (TV’s “Blue Bloods”); their brother Paul, a chef; and their mother Alma, along with assorted other friends and family.
The Wahlbergs’ gatherings, playful pranks and nostalgic memories are shared within the framework of getting their Boston restaurant, Wahlburgers, up and running, with Paul as the chef and Kari Burke as operations manager. Jenny McCarthy, who is engaged to Donnie, also shows up. Strictly for fans.
“Dalziel & Pascoe: Season Ten” (BBC/DVD, 2006, three discs, 10 episodes). These five double-episode mysteries are highlighted by the third yarn, “Wrong Time, Wrong Place,” in which the odd-couple police detectives — grumpy Andy Dalziel (Warren Clark) and uptight Peter Pascoe (Colin Buchanan) — are at a European conference when Dalziel is accused of murder and Pascoe must figure out why and whodunit.
“Perfect Shark” (BBC/DVD, 2006). “Shark Battlefield” (BBC/DVD, 2003). These hourlong documentaries from BBC Earth investigate the history of the fearful sea creature over 400 million years, observing the various ways in which it has adapted, and then, with computer graphics, tracking the hide-and-seek battle tactics they often demonstrate.
“La Mujer Del Vendaval (The Lady From Vendaval)” (Cinedigm/DVD, 2012, four discs, 20 episodes, in Spanish with English subtitles). This Mexican soap opera is a remake of a Venezuelan telenovela about a wealthy young heiress named Marcela who falls for a wealthy suitor. All goes well until a valuable piece of jewelry goes missing.
“Antboy” (Cinedigm/DVD/Digital, 2014, PG). A 12-year-old boy is bitten by a super ant and finds himself able to climb walls, flip cars, save babies, etc., eventually finding himself pitted against a villain, The Flea. Juvenile superhero stuff aimed at pre-teens. No relation to Marvel’s “Antman”; adapted from a Danish comic book.
“Isabelle Dances into the Spotlight” (Universal/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital, 2014). Isabelle (Erin Pitt) is a dancer with a knack for fashion and studying ballet at a prestigious school but feels she’s in the shadow of her older sister until she’s encouraged to audition for a professional ballet company. Aimed at pre-teen girls who enjoy American Girl dolls.
“Sesame Street: Learning Rocks” (Warner/DVD/Digital, 2014, bonus: “What’s That Noise?” and downloadable print-and-fold book). Segments from “Sesame Street” offer lessons on problem solving through music. Fans of “This Is Spinal Tap” will want to catch the bit with Michael McKean as a rock musician forming an all-rock band … with rocks. Donald Glover, Dax Shepard and Anna Faris are also on hand, along with many Muppets.
“Geronimo Stilton: Going Down to Chinatown” (eOne/DVD, 2009-10, four episodes). Italian animated series about a mouse that’s a star journalist/adventurer in Mouse City. In the title episode, he receives part of a map and a set of clues that, in theory, will lead him to a fabled treasure.
“Mumfie’s Quest: The Movie” (Lionsgate/DVD, 2014). Mumfie is a young elephant that travels with his friends Scarecrow and Pinky to a gloomy island in search of Pinky’s mother. This British feature-length cartoon (with songs) is “classically animated,” meaning the old-fashioned hand-drawn look instead of computerized realism.
Chris Hicks is the author of "Has Hollywood Lost Its Mind? A Parent’s Guide to Movie Ratings." He also writes at www.hicksflicks.com and can be contacted at hicks@deseretnews.com.
