October 2, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 25 Emmy Award-winning TV series now on DVD by Dennis Seuling “China Beach: The Complete Series” (Time Life) is newly available in an elaborate box set. This series, which debuted in 1988 and ran for three seasons, is set during the Vietnam War and, like “M*A*S*H,” its predecessor on the small screen, it has a strong anti-war point of view. China Beach was a combination evacuation hospital and USO entertainment center near the big U.S. base at Da Nang on the South China Sea. Most of the stories revolve around McMurphy (Dana Delany), a conscientious nurse who has affairs with pilot Natch Austen (Tim Ryan) and several others who pass through the base. Her true love is Dr. Dick Richard (Robert Picardo), a married man. Other characters include Laurette Barber (Chloe Webb), a profes- sional singer with plans for the big time, the officious Maj. Lila Garreau (Concetta Tomei), Pvt. Sam Beckett (Michael Boatman), who runs the morgue, and Holly the Donut Dolly (Ricki Lake) from the Red Cross. Though steeped in soap opera, the series presented a graphic portrayal of the horror and stress of war. Rock ‘n’ roll songs of the ‘60s and refer- ences to contemporary turmoil in the United States give the series period flavor. The 21-disc set features 10 hours of extras, including cast reunion footage; interviews with actors Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger, and Robert Picardo, and producer John Wells; audio commentaries; featurettes; and a 32-page col- lector’s book, “Tales From the Five & Dime,” with cast- ing notes, letters from vets and fans, and archival photos. “China Beach: The Complete First Season,” a three-disc DVD set, is also available. “The Wizard of Oz” (Warner Home Video) has just been released in a two-disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray 2D edition Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger, and Robert Picardo in the TV drama ‘China Beach.’ following its one-week theatrical run in IMAX theaters. This is the oldest movie (1939) to be retrofitted for 3D, and the results are impressive, less from the 3D than from the restoration that makes the Technicolor images more daz- zling than ever. This iconic film has been released and re- released endlessly and remains as entertaining as ever, with the 3D providing an added level of enjoyment. Because it was shot in the traditional format, there is none of the gim- mickry so prevalent in modern 3D pictures, with anything and everything propelled toward the camera. The 3D conversion was begun with a high-resolution scanning of the original Technicolor negative. The restored 2D image was then transformed by creating a depth-map of each frame to construct 3D imagery and determine distances from the viewer’s vantage point. This was fol- lowed by a long process of rotoscoping to refine viewers’ distances and fully layer shapes and objects. Some scenes look especially good. The twister in the opening sequence takes on a greater menace, the Wicked Witch of the West’s entrances out of fire and smoke seem more intimidating, and Dorothy and her three pals skipping along the yellow brick road seem more joyous. The clarity and detail are the real prizes of this new release. Extras include the all-new documentary, “The Making of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” commentary by historian John Fricke with the film’s cast and crew, and a sing-along feature. “This Is the End” (Sony) is one of the more unusual comedy films of recent years because the actors play caricatured versions of themselves. The cast includes James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Michael Cera, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, and Chan- ning Tatum. Rogen is visited by pal Baruchel, who hates L.A. After smoking dope, they head to a star-studded party at Franco’s house. In short order, the power goes out and the ground opens up, swallowing partygoers. It is the apocalypse. The terrified guests are forced to stay inside, where they figure they will be spending their last moments together. The picture is mindless fun, and the actors seem to be having a great time as they engage in self-deprecating humor and putdown zingers. Franco is a particular target for the gags, and it is fun watching these guys hang out together. The film is not strictly a boys’ club. Though it (continued on Crossword page)