Whether or not "The Simpsons Movie" knocked your socks off, there's no arguing with its $400 million take and the fact that parts of it have already become part of the cultural fabric; that is the "Spider Pig" song, which is still being sung even by kids and adults who haven't seen the film.
After such a long buildup, it seemed impossible that "The Simpsons Movie," released theatrically last summer and on DVD just in time for Christmas, could actually meet expectations.
But it did, garnering an 89 rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 174 reviews of the film, of which only 20 were negative. That's because although it felt perhaps like an overblown episode of the TV show, it had an epic quality with nearly every character making a cameo -- or appearing in crowd scenes -- and it was really funny.
Considering that the film did $183 million at the box office in the U.S. ($400 million worldwide), it's little surprise that the release of the DVD was perfectly timed with the holidays, practically guaranteeing it would be a perfect stocking stuffer. And it's one of the few DVDs, this writer has seen prominently displayed in the frozen foods aisle of a local grocery chain.
The key to any DVD version of a recent blockbuster is the extras, really, because most of us have seen the film already, haven't we?
"The Simpsons Movie" DVD is packed with good stuff, although most of it isn't very long in duration, it's all pretty darned funny.
There are five deleted scenes -- introduced by writer Al Jean -- which are all witty, but the best are one called "Sausage Truck," in which a truck driver hums a catchy ditty before making an ominous discovery and one called "Levels," in which we see an early version of the EPA's Russ Cargill.
There are also two commentary tracks: one with the directors and another with a range of folks, including Matt Groening, writers, directors and voice actors.
A slightly alternate ending is, as the description suggests, only somewhat divergent, but to these eyes it's the better option.
There are five trailers, most of which you've likely seen, if you visited the cinema during 2006 and early 2007 and a "Special Stuff" menu with things like Homer's "Tonight Show" monologue and Homer, Lisa and Marge judging Simon Cowell on "American Idol."
Be sure to click everywhere you can because we found a couple "hidden" features in the sub-menus that show the artistic development of new characters like Cargill and Lisa's boyfriend Colin.
The DVD booklet is an issue of The Springfield Shopper, printed on newsprint, including a coupon for five bucks off any of the season box sets.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
