Another volume of Nickelodeon’s hugely successful animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender hits retail today, along with the first season of Hopeless Pictures, an animated comedy series that airs on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). There’s even some classic ’80s Chipmunks on tap just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth’Volume 1 offers five episodes of the hit anime-inspired cartoon series about a fun-loving 12-year-old boy named Aang, who must forego a normal life in order to master his latent powers over the four elements and defeat the evil Fire Nation. He is joined in his perilous journey to save the world by a teenage Waterbender named Katara and her bull-headed warrior brother, Sokka. The series is created by Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and produced at the Nicktoons Studios in Burbank, Calif.
DVD extras include the original, uncut cinematic of the season’s premiere episode, “The Avatar State,” and a comic book based on the series. Fans can pick it up for the list price of $16.99. Paramount Home Entertainment will release Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth’Volume 2 on April 10.
Hopeless Pictures’Season One is a two-disc set of episodes of the animated searies that takes a satirical look at the Hollywood movie machine. From Writer/director/producer/actor Bob Balaban comes the story of a dysfunctional independent film studio led by troubled studio head Mel Wax (Michael McKean), who named the company after his deceased parents, Hope and Les. Balaban voices the role of Mel’s idiot nephew and head of production, while Friends star Lisa Kudrow plays his vengeful soon-to-be ex-wife. Jonathan Katz from the animated series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist returns to familiar ground as Dr. Stein, Mel’s inept shrink, and guest stars include such real Hollywood players as directors Nora Ephron, Rob Reiner and Paul Weitz.
Animation for the series is produced by New York-based Worlds Away under the direction of Kim Lee. The Genius Products release lists for $26.95 and features commentary by Bob Balaban, deleted scenes and a storyboard gallery.
Also Available on DVD today is Alvin and the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine, a collection of four Valentine-themed episodes from the Alvin and the Chipmunks TV series from the 1980s. The Paramount Home Entertainment release carries a suggested retail price of $14.99.
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