Animal Storm Squad/Southern Justice: Season 3/Map Of Hell (2016/National Geographic/Fox DVDs)

Picture: B-/C/B- Sound: B-/C/B- Extras: D Main Programs: B/B+/B+

Here are the next three National Geographic burn-to-order DVD releases we've looked at...

Animal Storm Squad

It takes a special kind of person to join the Animal Storm Squad. Someone who is heroic, has a passion for animals, and isn't afraid to stare death in the face. These men and women go into extremely dangerous territories, aftermaths of vicious storms and rescue animals that are in danger. The group is led by Karissa Hadden, a seasoned vet tech and a great leader that assesses the situation and comes up with sure-fire solutions to rescue animals.

Five episodes make up season one and include Trail by Fire, Texas Twister, California Burning, State of Emergency, and Flash Flood. Each episode is around 45 minutes in length.

Presented in standard definition with an anamorphically enhanced widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the show looks fine on DVD and is comparable to the original television broadcast. The sound mix is a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track isn't anything special but doesn't have any glaring issues.

No Extras.

This show is very interesting and is sure to warm hearts for animal lovers.

- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/

Southern Justice: Season 3

Follow the sheriffs and deputies of Sullivan County TN and Ashe County NC as the serve and protect citizens of Blue Ridge Mountains. Everyday, there is someone who is either breaking or in trouble with the law, and there is no shortage of emergencies for the men and woman in blue as the work tirelessly day and night to keep the peace.

Anything from a domestic dispute between who gets dog to drug busts the sheriffs no job is too small and no task is too big for the sheriffs and deputies of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They chase down those who break the law and those who have outstanding warrants on them. In Southern Justice: Season Three, the South seems to have no shortage of drugs, alcohol, guns and hillbillies.

Watching Southern Justice reminds me of the COPS TV series. Of course, a lot of the footage you see is probably stock footage/dash/body cams (can't really film during a REAL emergency), also remember the fact what you see are ONLY the success stories. But watching it does make you have to question ...if cops are busting and bringing in THAT many drug dealers and criminals daily ...how come these crimes aren't stopping or decreasing? What is happening in society to create these types of people? And what is the government really doing? How well a society works it is said that it can be judged by how it handles it's criminals and criminal system.

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 widescreen image has major detail issues for more than just being a burn-to-order disc along with an inherent softness throughout, but the sound mix is a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 that has location issues, but is fine otherwise. There are no extras.

- Ricky Chiang

Map Of Hell

Machete star Danny Trejo masterfully hosts this very cool documentary feature Map Of Hell that horror lovers are sure to enjoy. Cool 3D animations and cool scenes with Trejo highlight the doc and keep it at a nice pace and consistently interesting. Using clips from everything from The Simpsons to The Exorcist, we span a 3,000 year plus journey of what we conceive as hell, wild theories, and educated looks at what this dark underworld could really be like.

If you die and go down to the deep dark underground, what version of Hell will you go to? Starting with Ancient Greece and Hades, the doc discusses several different versions of Hell and how we as humans are the only species that have the knowledge of the afterlife. Is Hell just punishment for our tormented souls? Is it the end? If you have ever giving any thought to the subject or are interested in the study of death, I would definitely consider giving this disc a spin.

Presented in standard definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1, the show looks fine on DVD and is comparable to the original television broadcast. The sound mix is a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track isn't anything special but doesn't have any glaring issues.

No Extras.

These National Geographic DVDs are fun to watch and support a great cause as a portion of the proceeds go to the National Geographic Society's nonprofit work in conservation, exploration, research, and education.

- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/