Episodes
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime (1987) VHS Movie Review
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Thursday Sep 19, 2019
Analog Jones has the touch and rolls out with the Autobots! This week you get to enjoy our faces and talk robots with our, The Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime (1987) VHS Movie Review.
Originally a YouTube Video
Back Story
This summer, I visited SDCC 2019 with the Geekscape Network and heard an interesting story from an animation writer named Marv Wolfman in a panel called "Nostalgia-Ganza: A Look Back at Animated Series from the '80s". Panelists included Eric Lewald (Rescue Rangers, Winnie the Pooh), Len Uhley (Adventures of the Gummi Bears, DuckTales), Marv Wolfman (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Superman), Karen Willson (G.I. Joe, She-Ra), Craig Miller (The Real Ghostbusters, The Smurfs), Brynne Chandler (He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Marc Scott Zicree (The Real Ghostbusters, The Littles).
There were many fantastic stories from these writers that helped create some of my favorite cartoon series growing up. But, one story stood out more than the rest from Marv Wolfman and his work on The Original Transformers. After the Transformers animated movie premiered and killed off the beloved leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, the toy company Hasbro got an unimaginable amount of hate mail. As a result, Marv Wolfman was given only two days to write a two-part episode that had to bring Optimus Prime back to life but also features every Transformer character that hadn't been seen on television in over a year.
After hearing this story, I decided to hunt down the VHS and talk about the episodes with Matt. Enjoy!
Quick Facts
Airdate: February 24, 1987
Written by Marv Wolfman and Cherie Wilkerson
Animation studio: Toei
Production company: Sunbow Productions
Distribution company: Kid Rhino Home Video
VHS Box Description
The Return of Optimus Prime Part 1
An evil scientist and his assistant decide it's time to rid Earth of Autobots and Decepticons. Their plan is to use Optimus Prime's lifeless body to lure every robot to their lab, then infect them with Sun Spores, an alien plague that instills a hatred so overwhelming that Autobots and Decepticons will want to destroy one another. It's too late to stop the madness when it's clear the Sun Spore virus is deadly to all life. The universe's only hope is to revive Optimus Prime.
The Return of Optimus Prime Part 2
Sky Lynx returns with the only being able to repair Optimus Prime—a Quintesson. If Optimus recovers, he and his Autobots will need to find a metal alloy that will protect Prime from Sun Spores while he ventures inside a virtual world containing the wisdom of the ages. Their destination lies deep inside heavily guarded Decepticon territory. Now both Autobot and Decepticon must put aside their differences and work together if either expects to survive.
How to find Analog Jones
Discuss these movies and more on our Facebook page.
You can also listen to us on iTunes, Podbean, and Youtube!
Email us at analogjonestof@gmail.com with any comments or questions!
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
The Secret of NIMH (1982) VHS Movie Review
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
Analog Jones takes on super-intelligent rats in our The Secret of NIMH (1982) VHS Movie Review!
Quick Facts
Directed by Don Bluth
Produced by Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, and John Pomeroy
Screenplay by Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy, and Will Finn
Based on Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Production company: Aurora Productions and Don Bluth Productions
Distributed by MGM/UA Entertainment Company
Release date: July 2, 1982
Running time: 82 minutes
Budget: $7 million
Box office: $14.7 million
Starring in The Secret of NIMH
Elizabeth Hartman as Mrs. Brisby
Derek Jacobi as Nicodemus
Hermione Baddeley as Auntie Shrew
John Carradine as the Great Owl
Dom DeLuise as Jeremy the Crow
Arthur Malet as Mr. Ages
Peter Strauss as Justin
Paul Shenar as Jenner
Aldo Ray as Sullivan
Shannen Doherty as Teresa Brisby
Wil Wheaton as Martin Brisby
Ian Fried as Timothy "Timmy" Brisby
Jodi Hicks as Cynthia Brisby
Edie McClurg as Miss Right
Tom Hatten as Farmer Fitzgibbons
Lucille Bliss as Mrs. Beth Fitzgibbons
Joshua Lawrence as Billy Fitzgibbons
Charles Champlin, Dick Kleiner, and Norbert Auerbach as the Council rats
1990 VHS Box Description
"Purely Delicious—A Perfect Treat for the Entire Family!"
—Rex Reed
Heartwarming, enchanting, and beautifully crafted, this magical cartoon fantasy marks a new era for animation! "Gorgeous to look at! raves TIME.
"It'll delight kids everywhere" (Newsweek).
An extravaganza of dazzling animation, The Secret of Nimh is based on Robert O'Briens's award-winning tale of a timid mouse who becomes a heroine in spite of herself. Trying to save her house from Farmer Fitzginnon's plow, Mrs. Brisby, the mother mouse, gets help from a wonderfully klutzy crow, a wise owl, and some highly intelligent rats.
You'll marvel at the impressive abode of the Great Owl, and the Oz-like kingdom of the mysterious rats. And you'll be mesmerized by Nicodemus, the dignified leader of the rats, and the climactic showdown between two swashbuckling "ratversareies!"
The fun, drama, and suspense are brought to life by the voices of Dom DeLuise, John Carradine, Derek Jacobi, Hermione Baddeley, and Elizabeth Hartman. Oscar-winner Jerry Goldsmith's (The Omen) music beautifully underscores every mood. The Secret of Nimh is sheer delight! Share it with someone you love.
Trailers
None
How to find Analog Jones
Discuss these movies and more on our Facebook page.
You can also listen to us on iTunes, Podbean, and Youtube!
Email us at analogjonestof@gmail.com with any comments or questions!
Thursday Sep 05, 2019
Wizards (1977) VHS Movie Review
Thursday Sep 05, 2019
Thursday Sep 05, 2019
Analog Jones discusses an eccentric old sorcerer named Ralph Bakshi in our Wizards (1977) VHS Movie Review.
Directed by Ralph Bakshi
Produced by Ralph Bakshi
Written by Ralph Bakshi
Production Company: Bakshi Productions
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date: February 9, 1977
Running time: 80 minutes
Budget: $2 million
Box Office: $9 million
Starring in Wizards (1977)
Bob Holt – Avatar
Jesse Welles – Elinore
Richard Romanus – Weehawk
David Proval – Necron 99/Peace
Steve Gravers – Blackwolf
James Connell – President
Mark Hamill – Sean
Susan Tyrrell – Narrator (uncredited)
VHS Box Description
Ralph Bakshi's animated fantasy of good conquering evil.
The gifted imagination of mast animator Ralph Bakshi triumphs in this futuristic fantasy that depicts a battle between magic and technology.
Avatar, an eccentric old sorcerer who appears to have cast one spell too many, uses kindness and understanding to rule Montagar, a rainbow paradise inhabited by elves and fairies. His brother, Blackwolf, dominates Scortch, a bleak, barren land of goblins and wraiths. Thirsting for even more power. Blackwolf whips his minions into a frenzy with Nazi propaganda films, arms them with long-forgotten instruments of war, and sends them forth to conquer Montagar. In response, Avatar, accompanied only by a spirited young woman and a courageous elf, embarks on a dangerous quest into the darkness of Scortch to save the world with his own magic.
Thought-provoking, Wizards, is a kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes that will enthrall animation fans and adventurers.
Trailers
None
How to find Analog Jones
Discuss these movies and more on our Facebook page.
You can also listen to us on iTunes, Podbean, and Youtube!
Email us at analogjonestof@gmail.com with any comments or questions!