October 30, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 21 Complete collection of Martin Celebrity Roasts released Dean Martin (seated) and James Stewart share the dais in one of the shows featured in the box set, ‘The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts: Complete Collection.’ by Dennis Seuling “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts: Complete Collection” (Star Vista/Time Life) is a 25-disc box set containing 54 celebrity roasts originally broadcast between 1974 and 1984. Their subjects comprise many of the 20th century’s most famous and accomplished actors, come- dians, athletes, and politicians, including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, Sammy Davis Jr., Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, George Burns, Don Rickles, Kirk Douglas, Danny Thomas, Hank Aaron, Wilt Chamberlain, Joe Namath, Muhammed Ali, Ronald Reagan, and Martin himself. “The Dean Martin Show” had been an NBC staple since 1965. In its final season, it was redesigned and introduced a new feature: the “Man of the Week Celebrity Roast,” patterned after the roasts held at the New York City Friars Club. The weekly roasts quickly became a favorite with TV audiences, and eventually evolved into a network series, “The Dean Martin Celeb- rity Roasts.” The series began with comedy legend Bob Hope on Halloween 1974, and ran for the next 11 years. Included in the set are newly taped inter- views with 34 former roast participants, including Don Rickles, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Tony Danza, Abe Vigoda, Angie Dickinson, Ed Asner, Jimmie Walker, Rich Little, Shirley Jones, Tim Conway, and Florence Henderson. There are also 11 fea- turettes covering the history of the roasts, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, home movies featuring Martin and friends, Martin spe- cials not seen since their original broadcast, a44-page collector’s book filled with photos and production materials, and a limited edi- tion handcrafted Martin figurine. “Monsters University” (Disney), avail- able as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, is a prequel to 2001’s animated “Monsters, Inc.” Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little mon- ster, he dreamed of becoming a scarer, and he knows better than anyone that the best scarers come from Monsters University. However, during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are upset when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. “Sulley” Sul- livan (voice of John Goodman), a natural- born scarer. Their over-the-top competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the uni- versity’s elite scare program. To make mat- ters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. Extras are abundant, and include the theatrical short “The Blue Umbrella,” audio commentary, digital copy, art gal- lery, deleted scenes, and several featurettes focusing on story and production details. “The Heat” (20th Century-Fox) reteams director Paul Feig with Melissa McCarthy, star of “Bridesmaids.” McCarthy plays loud, obnoxious Boston cop Shannon Mul- lins, who is assigned to partner with but- toned-up FBI agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) to bring down a drug lord setting up shop in town. If Sarah succeeds, a long- sought promotion awaits. The two women are total opposites and resent having to work together, but as they dig into the mys- terious identity of their target, they develop a mutual respect and friendship. McCarthy and Bullock are the basis of a very funny buddy film, the kind of picture tradition- ally headed by male actors. McCarthy is fearless in what she will do to get a laugh and her broad antics in contrast with Bull- ock’s ladylike demeanor contribute serious laughs. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack con- tains bloopers, deleted and alternate scenes, digital copy, audio commentary, and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. “Hanging for Django” (Raro Video) is a 1969 spaghetti Western from director Sergio Garrone. Rich, evil Mr. Fargo (Ric- cardo Garrone) runs the highly immoral, (continued on Crossword page)