What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – June 10th, 2025 – Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut, James Bond, 11 Rebels, The Drew Carey Show and more

We have a nice mix of titles this week, with one of the biggest movie franchises in the world, a well-loved TV show, a music CD, a graphic novel autobiography from a Star Trek star, and a coloring book, among other things! How’s that for well-rounded? Read on for the full breakdown!

In This Week’s Column:

• James Bond: The Sean Connery Collection (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
• Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Steelbook)
• The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series (DVD) 
• 11 Rebels (Blu-ray)
• That’ll Flat Git It, Vol. 50 (Audio CD)
• It Rhymes With Takei (Graphic Novel)
• Pop Manga Catitude (Grown-Up Coloring Book)

James Bond: The Sean Connery Collection (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

The Movie: 

I have a theory that most people’s favorite James Bond is the one they grew up watching. So for me, for example, while he’s not my favorite James Bond, several of my personal favorite James Bond movies are from the Roger Moore era. But if you ask people who the best James Bond is, almost unequivocally the answer will come back as Sean Connery. It’s hard to argue that the man who originated the role is also the best individual embodiment of Ian Fleming’s super-suave super-spy.

Now, Warner Bros. is celebrating the original James Bond with James Bond: The Sean Connery Collection, a new six-film 4K Ultra HD collection that includes the first six James Bond movies, all – obviously – starring Sean Connery. So you get Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds are Forever, all restored and in sparkling 4K Ultra HD for the first time. Previously, the Daniel Craig films were the only ones available in 4K, so hopefully that means that Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan (maybe coupled with Timothy Dalton) sets are on the way, too.

It’s been a while since I’ve had anything James Bond to review, so newer readers may not know how deep my fandom runs for 007 movies, but suffice it to say I’m a lifelong fan and a pretty die-hard one at that. But that doesn’t mean I can’t view them through a critical lens. With this collection, I really love Dr. No, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and Diamonds are Forever. They are the pinnacle of the early James Bond experience. From Russia With Love and You Only Live Twice, however, are two of the weaker entries in the Bond canon, at least in my opinion.

This new six-disc set looks and sounds fabulous and comes loaded with archival extra features. Read on for more details.

The 4K Video/Audio:

With most anthologies or multi-film collections, you can’t usually summarize all six movies from an A/V standpoint in one fell swoop. However, thanks to some great restoration and remastering, all six of these movies look better than ever. The improvements in terms of clarity and color are quite impressive, and it is a little like watching the movies for the first time. There’s a depth to the imagery that is truly impressive, and colors pop with a vibrancy I haven’t seen yet in a home video release for these films.  Each film also comes with a Dolby Atmos 7.1 surround soundtrack, as well as their original 2.0 stereo theatrical mixes, so purists will be happy. The surround soundtracks are a little heavily skewed toward the front, and obviously there are some limitations due to the age of the films, but you do still get some nice surround effects during the action scenes and the more busy on-screen atmospheres. All in all, each of the movies in the set looks and sounds outstanding in the premium 4K format.

The Bonus Features: 

Honestly, there are too many extra features included to list them all one-by-one here, but each of the six films includes almost every archival extra ever created. There are some mini-features from previous releases that have been omitted, but most of them are little minute-long snippets rather than anything truly substantial. Here’s a little bit of a breakdown of what you can expect on each film:

• At least one audio commentary (usually with the director and cast, sometimes there are more than one commentary)
• 2-5 Declassified making-of featurettes (mostly ranging from 5-15 minutes each)
• Exotic Locations featurette (Typically 2-3 minutes each)
• 2-3 Mission Dossier featurettes (typically about a half hour each, except for the ones on Dr. No which are significantly shorter)
• Trailer, Commercial, and Radio Spot Archives

Digital Copies Included: Yes

The Wrap-Up:

If you’re a James Bond fan – and honestly, who isn’t? – this set is a must-have. The 4K upgrade is excellent, the digital copies weren’t available in most of the previous home video releases, and the extra features are copious. It’s a terrific release for one of the greatest franchises in cinema history.

Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital Steelbook)

The Movie: 

When I saw this release was coming out, I thought to myself, “Another Director’s Cut release?” – and then I realized Kingdom of Heaven came out 20 years ago and instantly dissolved into a puddle of goo. Because I can’t believe this movie came out in 2005, and I can’t believe 2005 was 20 years ago.

I was not a big fan of Kingdom of Heaven when it was released. For as much as Ridley Scott is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers alive, he’s never really been my cup of tea. Aside from some of his early greats (Alien, for example), I’ve always found his movies technically flawless but devoid of heart and soul. But I’m always interested in revisiting movies to see if my opinion has changed, especially after 20 years and especially when a Director’s Cut adds some 45 minutes to a movie; that’s basically a whole different film at that point. So I dove into Kingdom of Heaven with wild abandon… or something like that.

And while I still don’t love the film, I definitely liked it more than I ever have previously. The Director’s Cut is long, there’s no doubt about it (3 hours and 9 minutes versus 2 hours and 20 minutes), but it also gives the film more time to breathe and the characters more time to develop. There are also whole subplots that were missing from the theatrical cut. It’s still an overly long epic about The Crusades – not mankind’s finest hour – that could use more heart and humor and less grim seriousness, but at least I found a way to enjoy it this time around.

The 4K Video/Audio:

Not surprisingly since this is a Ridley Scott film, Kingdom of Heaven looks and sounds amazing in 4K, featuring terrifically sharp imagery, and deep, rich black levels. Color saturation is outstanding when it’s allowed to be; there are a lot of scenes early on that Scott filmed with either blue or orange filters, effecting the overall look of the first half of the film or so. But once he opens it up a bit, it shines and the picture never feels too dark or lacking contrast. The print, of course, is devoid of any blemishes or debris. The surround soundtrack has a lot to work with and it doesn’t waste any opportunities to fill your living room with activity, but it also makes sure the quieter moments and the dialogue ring true and clear. There’s also a nice low end bass channel that gives some of the climactic scenes an effective rumble that you’ll feel in your chest. Without a doubt, this is the kind of movie I love to watch in 4K.

The Bonus Features: 

• Roadshow and Director’s Cut versions of the film (The Roadshow adds an overture and an intermission)
• Introduction by Ridley Scott
• Three feature-length commentary tracks
• Enginer’s [sic] Guide – A text trivia track
• The Path to Redemption documentary.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Sound Design Suite
• Visual Effects Breakdown
• Press Junket Walkthrough
• World Premiere Clips
• Gallery of behind-the-scenes photos
• Poster Explorations gallery
• Trailers and TV Spots

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Wrap-Up:

My only complaint about this release is that, while the Director’s Cut is the centerpiece of it, I wish it also included the theatrical cut, so you could enjoy your preferred version. That’s a minor complaint overall, though. Kingdom of Heaven might not be my favorite movie of 2005, but there’s no doubt this is an A+ release.

The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series (DVD) 

The Movie: 

So, when my kids were born, streaming wasn’t a thing. I have twins, which means it was all hands on deck when you had two babies awake in the middle of the night, crying for a bottle. One of the strategies my wife and developed at the time was to use sitcoms to help us get through. So that we wouldn’t fall asleep while feeding an infant at 3 AM, we’d each grab a baby and a bottle and put on one episode of a sitcom, something funny that would engage us, make us laugh at a time when we were sleep deprived and miserable, and was the perfect length needed to get through feeding two babies. And the very first show we did that with was The Drew Carey Show. So I have fond and very special memories of the first season of The Drew Carey Show.

While he’s best known now for hosting shows like Whose Line Is It, Anyway? and The Price is Right, there was a time when Drew Carey was a comedic force, and that was brought to American airwaves via The Drew Carey Show, a pretty typical workplace/home life/friends & relationships sitcom. With a terrific cast that included Carey, Christa Miller, Diedrich Bader, Ryan Stiles, Kathy Kinney, and Craig Ferguson (who also went on to become a talk show host), the show debuted in 1995 and ran for nine seasons, with a whopping 233 episodes total. And frankly, it’s way funnier than it has any right to be. It may not air on TBS in constant reruns like Friends and The Big Bang Theory, but the show is a great watch that will keep you laughing.

The newly released The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series features the entire series collected for the first time, and it marks the first time most of the seasons have been released on DVD at all. As with many shows from this era, there are music licensing issues, so a lot of the original songs that were in the broadcast versions of the show have been changed, but that’s a small price to pay to finally get to revisit a favorite show from the ‘90s.

The Bonus Features: 

• Life Inside the Cubicle featurette

Digital Copy Included: No

The Wrap-Up:

While it’s a shame there’s just the one featurette included, again, it’s hard to complain about anything with this set because for the longest time I just assumed we’d never see it at all. If you’re a fan from way back, this new (and surprisingly affordable) release of The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series is a great buy!

11 Rebels (Blu-ray)

The Movie: 

I wished I liked 11 Rebels more, and I also wish I could more clearly articulate why I didn’t like it more.

Set during the Boshin War in 1868 Japan, the film sees the shogun of a city under siege task 11 convicts with defending a key stronghold from the marching imperial army. Offered freedom if they defend the fort, they quickly take up the cause, but when they realize the shogun has no plans to honor his deal, the situation rapidly evolves.

It’s not like 11 Rebels is a bad movie, either. There are some impressive action sequences, and it’s well-shot and mostly well-acted. I think my biggest problem was the lack of likable characters. Sure, these are convicts, but most of them are in jail on trumped-up charges or are more sympathetic than their captors. But in the end there was no one I particularly felt like rooting for in the movie. Mostly I was just rooting for the next action sequence so I could get caught up in that.

The Bonus Features: 

• Just a lone trailer.

Digital Copy Included: No

The Wrap-Up:

11 Rebels will probably be enjoyed by people who love period Asian action cinema; for whatever reason I gravitate towards the more modern-set offerings from Asian cinema, as the period epics often leave me wanting. This is another one that didn’t quite win me over.

That’ll Flat Git It, Vol. 50 (Audio CD)

The Music: 

When I first got this CD to review, I looked at it and thought, “Cool! I love rockabilly music!” Then I looked at it a little bit closer and realized it was Volume 50. VOLUME. FIFTY. There have been 49 previous CDs in this series! That’s impressive!

That’ll Flat Git It, Vol. 50 is the second CD I’ve reviewed from the Bear Family Records label and they continue to impress. Not only does the CD include 30 tracks from the vaults of the past, but it also comes with a full color 36-page illustrated booklet with well-researched liner notes, something I always love to see. The music features rockabilly tracks from the 1950s that were culled from the vaults of Columbia and Epic Records, back in the day when music stars recorded hundreds and hundreds of tracks in usually just a few short years. And while many of the artists included here have been forgotten to time, you also get tracks from luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Link Wray, Charlie Adams, Carl Perkins, Mel Tillis, and Marty Robbins, among others.

And the music is GOOD. These are upbeat, rocking tunes in the pure rockabilly style from the era when the music was at its peak. You’;ll find yourself bobbing your head and tapping your foist before the first tracks even over. The songs still hold up sonically, too, and even though the age of the music is a little evident, overall the fidelity is surprisingly good.

The Track List: 

• Link Wray and The Wraymen – Raw-Hide
• Commonwealth Jones – Do, Do, Do
• Lee Emerson – What A Night
• Bernie Nee – Lend Me Your Comb
• Johnny Horton – The Wild One
• Little Jimmy Dickens – Stinky Pass The Hat Around
• The Maddox Brothers & Rose – Let Me Love You
• Charlie Adams – Cattin’ Around
• Mel Tillis – Case Of The Blues
• Johnny Cash – What Do I Care
• The Tunesmiths – Baby I’m Ready
• Larry Hart – A Looka-A-Looka
• Lefty Frizzell – From An Angel To Devil
• Bill Phillips – There’s A Change In Me
• Carl Perkins – Pointed Toe Shoes
• Bobby Lord – Party Pooper
• Dick Glasser – Crazy Alligator
• The Collins Kids – The Rockaway Rock
• Johnny Bond – The Little Rock Roll
• Rick Tucker & The Picks – Patty Baby
• Link Wray and The Wraymen – Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby
• Johnny Horton – Lover’s Rock
• Gordon Terry – Hook, Line And Sinker
• Carl Butler – Baby I’m A-Waitin’
• Dick Lory – Wild-Blooded Woman
• Charlie Adams – Sugar Diet
• Johnny Bond – Lay It On The Line
• The Collins Kids – Heartbeat
• Marty Robbins – Long Tall Sally
• Johnny Horton – Let’s Take The Long Way Home

The Wrap-Up:

I love discovering new music almost as much as I love discovering new movies, and while none of this music is NEW, it’s new to me. Not every track on That’ll Flat Git It, Vol. 50 is a winner, but I’d say about 75% of the songs included are bangers, and that’s a pretty good equation for my money.

It Rhymes With Takei (Graphic Novel)

The Book: 

George Takei is an icon two times over. He’s an icon to millions of Star Trek fans for starring as Lieutenant Sulu on the original series and being a pioneer for inclusivity on television. He’s also an icon in the LGBTQ+ world for being a well-known celebrity who came out as gay at the age of 68.His new graphic novel, It Rhymes With Takei, details his life’s story with a focus on his start in Hollywood, his long career, and his sexuality, and it also details how he came to the decision to make it public that he was homosexual.

And it’s an absolute masterpiece. I mean it; I really, really, REALLY loved this book. Told in an autobiographical, first-person narrative style, we follow George from his childhood through to present day as we learn about the societal pressure he felt, how living in the closet affected him, and how he became successful. It’s all told in a compassionate, humorous, and endearing way, and you will fall in love with George all over again after reading it.

Just in time for Pride Month, It Rhymes With Takei has been published by Top Shelf Productions as a hardcover, full-color graphic novel, and it’s an absolutely terrific read.

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Hardcover
• Page Count: 336 pages
• Cover Price: $29.99

The Wrap Up:

I read Mr. Takei’s previous graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy and was quite impressed with it, but It Rhymes With Takei is his magnum opus. It’s weighty both in size and in content, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Pop Manga Catitude (Grown-Up Coloring Book)

The Book: 

Camilla d’Errico  has made a name for herself in the comic book and pop culture worlds by developing a style called “pop manga,” which is sort of a mash-up of the Japanese manga style (obviously) and the “big eyes” paintings by Margaret Keane. They’re colorful, flowery, soft images, and they’ve really developed a fan following. A couple of months ago I reviewed a sticker book and postcard set based on her art and now there’s a new product that takes things in a different direction.

Pop Manga Catitude is an adult or grown-up coloring book featuring, well, cats. But cats drawn in d’Errico’s inimitable style. You get 80 pages of black and white, color-able drawings that range from super detailed to slightly more open, giving you a different coloring experience depending on what you’re in the mood for. The pictures are fun and playful, and the paper quality is smooth and easy to color on. Fans of d’Errico or just cute cats in general will enjoy working in this book.

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Watson Guptil
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 80 pages
• Cover Price: $16.99

The Wrap Up:

Pop Manga Catitude certainly isn’t your every day grown-up coloring book, but for people who are tired of coloring flowers or swirly patterns, this will be a nice change of pace.