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 David Annandale on June 13th, 2005
Synopsis
The degree to which any of these films is or was “controversial” varies quite a bit, but the claim can certainly be made that all seven of these films dealt with pertinent social issues of their times. Some are still quite relevant today, and all are well worth watching.
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 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.)
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 27th, 2005
I used to watch Moonlighting in the 80's. Back then, I thought it was so fresh and funny. The crackling dialogue, the rapid fire pace, the screwball comedy chemistry between the two leads. There was also mystery to boot. I loved it. Is still as fresh and funny? Is the show as good as I remember it being? I mean, ourmemories rarely hold up to reality. Watching this box set in 2005 was quite an experience. Does the show hold up? Yes and no. It feels atad "dated" (but what show from the 80's doesn't.... But the fresh wit and originality still come shining though.
6 discs, the feature pilot, and 23 episodes of Moonlighting are here. If you don't know the show, Bruce Willis (in the series thatmade him a star) plays David Addison, an authentic smart a$$ in need of a job. He hounds Maddie Hayes (played by the gorgeous Cybill Shepherd) for a position at her detective agency. Addison is hired and together, Dave and Maddie, form a partnership based on dislike, but with a definite electric energy. Plagued by production delays and contract disputes, Moonlighting went downhill after these first few seasons. There was even a season (or part of a season) without Dave and Maddie! But Moonlighting's originality was alwaysevident. An episode in black and white and the famous "Taming of the Shrew" show were examples of a televsion program that always wanted topush the envelope. Moonlighting pushed it, pushed it till it broke.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 27th, 2005
I used to watch Moonlighting in the 80's. Back then, I thought it was so fresh and funny. The crackling dialogue, the rapid fire pace, the screwball comedy chemistry between the two leads. There was also mystery to boot. I loved it. Is still as fresh and funny? Is the show as good as I remember it being? I mean, ourmemories rarely hold up to reality. Watching this box set in 2005 was quite an experience. Does the show hold up? Yes and no. It feels atad "dated" (but what show from the 80's doesn't.... But the fresh wit and originality still come shining though.
6 discs, the feature pilot, and 23 episodes of Moonlighting are here. If you don't know the show, Bruce Willis (in the series thatmade him a star) plays David Addison, an authentic smart a$$ in need of a job. He hounds Maddie Hayes (played by the gorgeous Cybill Shepherd) for a position at her detective agency. Addison is hired and together, Dave and Maddie, form a partnership based on dislike, but with a definite electric energy. Plagued by production delays and contract disputes, Moonlighting went downhill after these first few seasons. There was even a season (or part of a season) without Dave and Maddie! But Moonlighting's originality was alwaysevident. An episode in black and white and the famous "Taming of the Shrew" show were examples of a televsion program that always wanted topush the envelope. Moonlighting pushed it, pushed it till it broke.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 27th, 2005
posted by Kim Lee
The father & son team behind American Chopper are back for another thirteen new episodes in season two of this great Discovery Channel show. This time, the Orange County Choppers (OCC) crew gets down to the nuts and bolts of building 6 new bikes:
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 23rd, 2005
Miracles is a unique television experience in the same vane as X-Files but with a religious rather then an alien spin. Many seem to blame this series short network run (6-episodes) on its misplacement and movement within ABC’s schedule, but there is also talk of the War in Iraq possible having something to do with it. As we all know… timing is everything. This set adds seven episodes to the six that originally aired on ABC… giving us all a chance to see the full 13 episodes that were filmed.
< ...>So what is this show all about? Here is a brief synopsis from Shout Factory… “Paul Callan (Skeet Ulrich) is an investigator of modern miracles. While consistently disappointing hopeful believers by finding simple explanations for “miraculous phenomena,” Paul finds his own faith sorely tested. Then something happens to reignite his passion for discovery and he joins a team that works to uncover the unexplained.”
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 16th, 2005
posted by Kim Lee
Orange County Choppers (OCC) is a legendary custom motorcycle shop run by a father & son team. The Teutel family business consists of Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Mikey featuring Vince DiMartino, Rick Petko, and Cody Connelley. Paul Sr. runs the show at OCC and Paul Jr. is the artistic genius behind custom bike fabrications while Mikey is the untalented son that’s there to bring humor and motivation to the shop. The cast of American Chopper is what makes everything interesting as each character brings a different level o... attraction to the show. The complete first season of American Chopper brings humor, sarcasm, and tension to every episode as these geniuses fight deadlines, delays, and sometimes each other to build the coolest choppers on this planet.
