BBC

CHICAGO – Two of the more beloved and acclaimed properties in the 2010 BBC output were released on Blu-ray this month and both should be near the top of holiday wish lists for genre fans. The simple fact is that BBC is doing fantasy, science fiction, and even thriller better than anyone right now and one need look no further than “Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series” and “Sherlock,” two sets brimming with greatness.

CHICAGO – What on Earth do metal rock stars, a British detective, a 30-year-old slasher flick, and a movie starring a kid from “That ’70s Show” have in common? Nothing but release dates that shuffle them into the world-famous Round-Up, our feature that captures synopsis, cast & crew, tech details, and special features for discerning buyers. Pick your favorite.

CHICAGO – The drawback of the amazing onslaught of quality television outside of the broadcast networks and the pay channels has been that some great programs have gone relatively unnoticed. Every single one of you that fell in love with “Lost,” quoted “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” or obsessively watched “True Blood” owes it to yourself to check out the second season Blu-ray release of one of the best genre programs on television, BBC America’s ridiculously enjoyable “Being Human,” now available.

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have 2 DVDs up for grabs to the new series “How the Earth Changed History” from BBC and National Geographic!

CHICAGO – The excellent “Being Human” returns tonight, July 24th, 2010 with a spectacular season premiere that kicks off the continuously complex lives of Mitchell the vampire (Aidan Turner), George the werewolf (Russell Tovey), and Annie the ghost (Leonora Crichlow).

CHICAGO – When I first reviewed the BBC American premiere of “Being Human” it was framed in terms of potential and how the program wasn’t as instantly addictive as some of network’s other spectacular imports. Now that I’ve seen the spectacular first season, recently released on Blu-ray and DVD in time for the season two premiere on July 24th, 2010, I’m happy to report that I’m painfully addicted to the fascinating saga of Mitchell, George, and Annie and their attempts at “Being Human.”

CHICAGO – No network or film company has ever come close to equaling the nature documentaries produced by BBC’s Natural History Unit. From 1979’s “Life on Earth” to 2001’s “The Blue Planet” and 2006’s “Planet Earth,” the BBC has electrified viewers worldwide with its stunning and often humbling images of life on our planet. This is the type of programming that Blu-Ray players were made for.

CHICAGO – Following our rave review this week of the new BBC and Royal Shakespeare Company production of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” we have secured for you a rare opportunity to win two Blu-rays and two DVDs for four winners!

CHICAGO – Having been a theater major who openly knelt at the altar of William Shakespeare for many of my formative stage years and then later became a film critic, I believe the number of versions of “Hamlet” I have seen to number around eight - three times on stage and five on celluloid. And yet I still was blown away by BBC’s production of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre version of the timeless play.

CHICAGO – The last five hours of David Tennant’s spectacular run as the tenth doctor of “Doctor Who” have been collected in a great Blu-ray box set from BBC Home Video titled “Doctor Who: The Complete Specials”. Tennant was recently voted the most popular doctor in the long history of the beloved show. Watching these five hour-long specials makes it clear why.