Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on June 27th, 2005
Synopsis
Back in the early 1980s, HBO ran this anthology series, wherein the denim-clad Page Fletcher does the Rod Serling thing, introducing and concluding each dark morality tale. Though the stories varied (in content as well as quality), certain factors remained the same: you could always count on at least one sex scene, plus some dollops of gore. This was, in sum, The Twilight Zone with extra violence and cable-friendly T&A. As far as horror goes, there is nothing very groundbreaking here,...but these are amusing enough in half-hour chunks. Some of the stars to parade through these episodes include Kirstie Alley, Harry Hamlin, Virginia Madsen, Jerry Orbach and Gene Simmons.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 24th, 2005
Las Vegas has a credo of sorts: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well... not anymore. Las Vegas tells all in a new smart and often sexy NBC series. Most of the cast was chosen for their more physical attributes; however, the performances are not bad either. James Caan takes a surprising journey to TV land. The part of an ex-CIA boss fits Caan like one of Sonny Corleone’s tailored suits.
The series always features special guest stars, often playing themselves. The lineup of guests includee Vegas names like Penn&Teller as well as box office champions that include Dennis Hopper and Sean Astin. The show’s Montecito Hotel and Casino is as much a character of the show as anyone in the cast. The sets have been an added bonanza for Universal, as the hotel has shown up in other studio run shows like Monk (sans the cast). Perhaps the most endearing aspect of the series is how easily the plots develop without ever really taking themselves too seriously. Even the dire straits Caan’s Big Ed often finds himself in never seem to venture too far from the shtick. While the stories are easily forgotten just minutes after watching, it is nonetheless a fun ride while it lasts.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 24th, 2005
Who doesn’t have a soft spot in their heart, if not their DVD collection, for The Andy Griffith Show? The denizens of Mayberry have been with many of us our entire lives. For most of America, The Andy Griffith Show has become the template for any small rural town. The characters stand as prerequisite citizens in any said town. The town drunk, the local barber, the motherly little old lady, and the corner mechanic all look like Otis, Floyd, Aunt Bee, and Goober to most of us now. Griffith himself brought fine qualities to his role of Sheriff Andy Taylor, but it was Don Knotts as the incompetent but lovable deputy Barney Fife who stole the show. And who was that sweet little boy? He grew up to be a first class filmmaker with plenty of Oscars on the shelf. No question that The Andy Griffith Show started something back in 1960.
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 20th, 2005
Ten years ago Chuck Norris took his movie tough guy routine to television. It is there that he has enjoyed far greater success than in his films. For nine years Norris brought us the ultimate Texas Ranger in a formula cops and robbers show. The show often became a parody of itself, but maintained a solid viewership throughout. Hell, Norris even sings the theme song. Truthfully, what started as a one man show had become a good working ensemble that probably kept the train going for so long.
Walker (Norris) is a tough guy Texas Ranger. He is partnered with Sydney Cooke (Peebles) and Jimmy Trivetti (Gilyard) who’s an ex-jock with a brain. Together they fight the evils that come to the high plains of Texas armed with their fists, six-shooters, and Stetsons.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 20th, 2005
Stargate SG-1 is about to enter its ninth year. There was speculation that after season 8 the series would bow out gracefully with the anticipated exit of Richard Dean Anderson. With that plan in mind the folks at Stargate Command decided it was time to spin off the franchise, and so was born Atlantis. Stargate Atlantis boasts pretty much the same team as SG-1. The quality of the production and tight storytelling have translated well to this sister series. The only flaw in this plan is that fans don’t want to let go of the original. With a cast shake-up that brings us a newer look, SG-1 Atlantis will find it harder to learn to stand on its own.
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 18th, 2005
Again, this USA Network series is based very loosely on the early Stephen King novel or the film with Martin Sheen. The third season takes the series much closer to the darker world of the King novel. Johnny’s growing obsession with Candidate Stillson flirts ever so dangerously with the tragic conclusion of the original story. Of course, the series appears to have strong legs. A fourth and fifth season are already ordered, so Johnny won’t be taking that ever fateful step... just yet. What makes this increasingly compelling storyline work is twofold. Fans of the original finally have some beef to sink their canines into. The second benefit is a direct payoff of this being a series instead of a single film. While we may think we know where Johnny’s headed, we now get to see it have a profound impact on his life. This is a solid 12 episode run and well worth the DVD shelf space required to display it.
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on June 16th, 2005
Poker viewing on television has been a phenomenon that has exploded over the last few years. This 8-disc set of The World Poker Tour - Season Two (14 episodes and one disc with bonus material) is a viewing pleasure for any poker fan who just enjoys watching it or is looking to improve their game.
Each episode includes poker instruction and player profiles for an inside look at the professional poker world. The host team of Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten are very knowledgeable and add excitement t... every match, and then of course there’s Shana Hiatt!
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 7th, 2005
“In the criminal justice system the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important groups: the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders …” If you haven’t seen Law and Order, this is the set to begin with. Season 3 is most notable as the first year for Jerry Orbach. His 11 years in the role of Briscoe gave this revolving door series the kind of stability it needed. The powers that be at Universal added confusion to the mix when it released season 14 following season 2. I suspect the move was intended to deal with the unfortunate death of Orbach. His final season was obviously a “hot” item. Fortunately it now appears the releases will continue again from the show’s beginning.
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 2nd, 2005
Synopsis
The only thing I really remembered about Murder, She Wrote was that as a young American child, I used to see it being advertised after 60 Minutes and before a TV movie starring Tori Spelling or something. It would bother me even more because these ads were being announced by a semi-drunk pro football announcer, and put a damper on whatever football game I was watching. Enough with the plugs and get back to the action!
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 1st, 2005
Season Eight of MASH was most notable as the year one of the most beloved characters left the series. Radar, that down-home country boy, was perhaps the most reality based character in the run of the series. I’ve spoken to many G.I.’s who have informed me that the company clerk really runs any Army outfit. Radar had an element of innocence and sincerity that was skillfully portrayed by Gary Burghoff. Burghoff was the only cast member from the original film to reprise his role for the series. Year Eight would feature the first of a few appearances by Alan Alda’s real life father and 1950’s film star Robert Alda.
As miraculous as an 8 year run might be for any sitcom, MASH still had 3 additional seasons to go before leaving while still artistically on the ball. MASH set the stage for multiple cast changes long before Dick Wolf would claim the practice as his own invention with Law and Order. By the time the series ended, only three actors from that first episode remained: Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and Loretta Switt. (While the character of Father Mulcahy appeared in the pilot, a different actor portrayed him.)
