I was just updating my Netflix queue and for the hell of it, checked the status of DS.  I live in the Boston (Mass./New England) area and all 26 sets are showing up as available.  I think the pre-Barn episodes are as well; there was a picture of Vicki from the box cover of the first 1966 set in use as the icon for the series.

Netflix uses thematic keywords that may either be genre terms ("comedy") or descriptive of mood and atmosphere.  For the original series of DS, the keywords given are "dark, suspenseful."  I was quite surprised to see that there is already a page up for Depp Shadows even though the movie hasn't even been released.  I have the feeling this is common practice nowadays so I shouldn't be surprised.  I kid you not, for the 2012 feature films the keywords given are "dark, goofy." 

Time will tell how accurate that assessment is... at least it's "dark, goofy" rather than "goofy, dark."

Even though they are commenting on a movie they haven't seen, there are substantial comments from Netflix patrons giving their opinions about the 2012 movie.  I only read a few.  The back and forth is one with which we have all become familiar in recent months.

G.

But then one wonders about the bleeder valve storyline...

*wink*

G.

But of course, Sandor, we privileged few here on this Board are aware that "the Pen" storyline WAS the highpoint of DS!  Barnabas who?

G.

I read the review Jimbo mentioned.  No direct link but it's on this site:

http://www.aintitcool.com/

Although it is technically spoiler free, it *is* a review of the movie.Depp, Pfeiffer, and Moretz all get high marks. 

It seems as if the characters of Angelique and the original-concept Burke Devlin have been combined here, interestingly.  Angelique is described as a "literal witch" who "uses boardrooms as her cauldrons."

cheers, G.

[Direct link to the article:  http://www.aintitcool.com/node/54989 --admin]

KMR, that article is a typical example of the UK Daily Mail's stripe of "journalism" (read: hack phrase-making pandering to the absolutely rock-bottom lowest market denominator).  My friends always refer to the rag as the "Daily Fail." 

Some people do read the thing regularly for the tacky camp entertainment value.  The typical Fail piece is a lurid description of some troubled pop-tart with a name like Britney, JayHo or Tina on a major drugs and drink bender, illustrated with paparazzi snaps of the celeb looking like death warmed over with anatomical parts hanging out of minimal clothing and badly misplaced makeup.

At least the photos in the DS puff piece are decent.

G.

Don't you mean 1977?  We lost Thayer in 1978.

Just how "major" is Thayer's role in this?  I've tracked down a number of his appearances from this period where he had maybe five lines of dialogue, if that.

He was a very busy actor in the mid Seventies.  And I still miss him like Hell.

G.

A friend also sent me links today of reviews on DVD Talks of the inaccurately named "Fan Favorites" DS set (I think of the titling as misleading, as we have heard nothing about any polling of fans on our favorite episodes to craft this selection), and the "Best of Barnabas" set (9 episodes, each with a very short intro from Lara Parker).  I only had time to glance quickly at the reviews--I think they were done by the same critic who gave very high marks to the megaset.  He pointed out that only diehard fan completists should bother spending money on the "best of" sets and in one of the reviews pointed out that the selection would be like sending a friend a few favorite chapters--or even pages from chapters--of books in the Harry Potter series. With no context, the excerpts don't really make much sense to the casual viewer.

I presume the "Fan Favorites" set also has intro segments for each show, but don't recall seeing mention of who taped those.

G.