Ladies and gentlemen, that sainted time of year is once again upon us. Stuffed to the eyeballs with carbohydrate-loaded food, we suck in our guts, put on our finest ensemble of pajama pants and Crocs, and venture out to the nearest mall/shopping center/big box retailer/gas station/roadside flea market to secure gifts for the ones we love. Meanwhile, the ones we tolerate will simply have to suffice with “A Tree Has Been Planted In Your Name” certificates and that fruitcake your grandfather accidentally sat on during Sunday dinner.

As we do every time around this time, Geeks Of Doom has provided for you a comprehensive guide to the finest films and TV series released to DVD and Blu-ray in 2017 (if you’re holding out for laserdisc or Betamax editions of these titles, I both pity and respect you) for you and yours to enjoy for generations to come.

Check out this year’s Holiday Geek Gift Guide: Blu-ray & DVD Edition…

Based on Saban’s TV show of the same name, Power Rangers centers on five teenagers Jason (Darce Montgomery), Billy (RJ Cyler), Kimberly (Naomi Scott), Trini (Becky G), and Zach (Ludi Lin) whose lives are forever changed when they discover five power coins and an alien ship beneath their hometown of Angel Grove. Despite their differences and their real-life struggles, they must come together as a united force to defeat the evil Rita Replusa from achieving her goal to destroy the Earth.

We were invited to attend the Power Rangers‘ press day to learn more about what director Dean Israelite did to respect fans of the original, while also creating new fans, and what were some of the inspirations to John Gatins script.

Check out what they had to say below.

With the new reboot of Power Rangers due out Friday, the gang at Screen Junkies decided to give the 1995 movie, based on the popular US series, based on the Japanese show… the Honest Trailer treatment. My sister Emily was a huge Power Rangers fan and we had this movie on VHS, and I swear I had to watch this crap-fest over and over. At least HT narrator Jon Bailey agrees; “This is terrible!” he exclaims during his intro.

Check out the Honest Trailer for Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie below.

As a kid who grew up in the 90s, I practically lived and breathed Saturday morning TV, and nothing said get up early to watch shows than the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. It has been nearly a quarter of a century since the American version of the popular Japanese Super Sentai aired. Since then, over 20 different themed Power Rangers shows have aired and two different theatrical films were released.

Now, a whole new version will hit theaters next week in Power Rangers. Directed by Dean Israelite (Earth To Echo), the film is a callback to the first show that aired in the U.S. But this time there is a whole new group of kids: Jason Scott (Dacre Montgomery) Kimberly Hart (Naomi Scott), Billy Cranston (RJ Cyler), Trini (Becky G), and Zack (Ludi Lin) who will morph into a new team to fight a different kind of Rita Replusia (Elizabeth Banks).

We were fortunate enough to sit down with a group of our fellow journalists to talk to the cast and crew about making the film and appealing to the older fans while also drawing in new audiences. We also learned about the fight training and what it was like for the young cast to star opposite Banks. Check it all out here below.

Power Rangers
Director: Dean Israelite
Screenwriter: John Gatins
Cast: Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Ludi Lin, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks
Distributor: Lionsgate
Rated PG-13 | 124 Minutes
Release Date: March 24, 2017

“Different Colors. Different Kids. Different Colored Kids.” The Power Rangers are the zeitgeist of 90’s Saturday morning television. But the series isn’t exactly the sparkling example of quality acting and writing. None of that really mattered as a kid as long as the title heroes defeated the monster of the week. So in an age where TV shows are getting the big-screen adaptation treatment, it was only a matter of time before studios would take their eyes on our Saturday morning cartoon favorites.

As fans got older so did the franchise. The Power Rangers constantly changed teams, themes, and stories. But one thing remained true: it was always going to be campy. However, with this new reboot, titled simply Power Rangers, we are introduced to a few more bold ideas, like the introduction of a gay character as a ranger, and one ranger who has Autism. These new ideas are a reflection of the world that we live in today, gives way to those who are trying to find out who they are the impression that they have someone they can relate to. That in itself gives hope and inspiration while also being fun and nostalgic. My full review of the film below.