The Kingdom - Series One (Riget) (1994) Review

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(More customer reviews)I agree that this is a brilliant series filled with black humor, pathos, social satire and horror. Set in and actually filmed at Copenhagen's Rigshospitalet, it is essentially a ghost story, a haunting, but told in a quirky, refreshing way. One can see why it attracted Stephen King and inspired him to write his subsequent novel "Kingdom Hospital." It certainly deserves all the 5 stars it gets at this site.
However there is a problem with the DVD edition issued by Koch/Lorber. On Disc Two, Episode 3, during the scene where Helmer enters the Central Archive after Mogge, the picture suddenly skips (at just after 39mins) to a part of the movie that is actually from Episode 1 on Disc One (the scene where Helmer's nose is being patched up). This sequence from the previous Disc then goes on for about 2 minutes before you suddenly switch back to the current episode but several minutes later with Dr Mogge already out of the Central Archive and running for his life. You are left wondering what happened in between.
This is not a problem with an individual disc. Replacing the disc makes no difference because they all have the same flaw. It is a production issue. It probably occured during the video-editing or mastering process. How this could have been passed for release is beyond me. I know Fox Lorber's previous reputation for producing shoddy DVDs but after the name change and several fairly good early releases under the Koch/Lorber label, I actually believed they had reformed. Alas not. This kind of sloppiness is wholly unacceptable. Koch/Lorber goes into the same black book as its disgraceful predecessor. If it had any conscience, Koch/Lorber would order a recall and replacement. But with this company's reputation, it's hardly likely. Hopefully the rumors are right and Criterion will pick this up for release in the future as part of a Lars von Trier retrospective.

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Acclaimed director Lars von Trier (Dogville, Dancer in the Dark) delves into the world of the supernatural with the acclaimed series that inspired Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital. At The Kingdom, Denmark’s most technologically advanced hospital, a number of strange and otherworldly events begin to occur, much to the dismay of its doctors and patients. A ghostly ambulance appears and disappears, the voice of a little girl calls to a patient in an elevator shaft and a doctor’s fetus begins growing at an alarming rate.

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Anne of Avonlea Review

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(More customer reviews)"Anne of Avonlea" is a 6-part BBC mini-series from 1975 that adapts both "Anne of Avonlea" and "Anne of the Island," the second and third books by Lucy Maud Montgomery in her "Anne of Green Gables" series. The first book had been adapted in a 5-part BBC serial in 1972, and back from that production are Kim Braden as Anne Shirley, Barbara Hamilton as Marilla Cuthbert, Jan Francis as Diana Barry, and Christopher Blake as Gilbert Blythe, along with director Joan Craft, who did "Jane Eyre" and "David Copperfield" in between the two "Anne" productions. Know going in that this is very much a BBC style production, which means it very much has the feel of an elegant soap opera, and that the attempts by the British case to sound Canadian (at least at times) seems rather odd.
The first four episodes adapt the "Anne of Avonlea" novel itself, which follows Anne from age 16 to 18 during the two years that she teaches at the Avonlea School, where she has problems with Anthony Pye. Fortunately she has at least one sharp student with young Paul Irving (Keith Steven) from the United States. Beyond that Anne is involved with Diana, Gilbert, Charlie Sloan (Peter Settelen), Fred Wright (Martin Neil), and their other former schoolmates with the newly formed Avonlea Village Improvement Society. Meanwhile, Marilla has adopted the twins Davy (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Dora Keith (Annabelle Lanyon) when their mother dies. Then there is the trouble with Daisy and Anne's neighbor Mr. Harrison (David Garfield) and the eccentric Miss Lavender Lewis (Kathleen Byron) and her maid Charlotte IV (Claire Lewis). Needless to say, Rachel Lynde (Madge Ryan) is hovering around giving her advice at each and every opportunity.
The final two episodes condense "Anne of the Island" and find Anne attending Redmond College when Rachel moves in with Marilla after Thomas Lynde dies. Anne and her roommates Philippa Gordon (Sabina Franklyn) and Priscilla (Sandy Dickinson), move out of a strict boarding house and into Patty's Place. Anne turns down a pair of proposals, one from Gilbert and the next from a somewhat surprising source, before she starts seeing Roy Gardiner (Anthony Forrest), who seems to be everything Anne has dreamt of in a beau. But then his mother (Betty McDowall) visits Green Gables and tries to find out about Anne's parents, which is where the adaptation written by Elaine Morgan wrongly starts tinkering with the resolution of the story, where "Love Takes Up the Glass of Time."
When Anne goes to visit the place where she is born, she asks Gilbert to accompany her, and later when she opens her mouth to say her fateful "yes" to the marriage proposal she has been dreaming of, it is the flowers sent her by Gilbert that take her out of the moment. Then when she arrives back at Green Gables and learns that Gilbert is dying, Marilla talks her into going over in the middle of the night to see Gilbert and the happy ending comes about pretty quickly. This is something of a disappointment because I always loved the way Montgomery had Anne respond to Gilbert's final proposal: "Still Anne could not speak. But she lifted her eyes, shining with all the love-rapture of countless generations, and looked into his for a moment. He wanted no other answer." That is pretty romantic, and the final line that Morgan comes up with for Anne totally pales compared to when Anne tells Gilbert, "I don't want sunbursts and marble halls. I just want YOU."
Both the old black & white movie with Anne Shirley (nee Dawn O'Day) and the Kevin Sullivan mini-series version of "Anne of Avonlea" with Megan Follows focused more on what ended up being the fourth novel in the series, "Anne of Windy Poplars," where she goes off to teach at a private school for young ladies. So the relative fidelity to the two books is certainly appreciated. I especially liked the inclusion of what happened with Ruby Gillis (Kim Hardy), but the irony of the love between Phil Gordon and Jonas Blake (David Troughton) is sketched out rather than developed. This is not to say that Morgan does not come up with some decent new moments; she uses the character of Mrs. Blythe (Hazel Bainbridge) to nice advantage. As for the performances, I am in the Megan Follows IS Anne camp, and Braden keeps striking me as focusing on Anne's flightiness at the expense of her intelligence and kindness. Hamilton and Ryan as Marilla and Rachel take turns stealing scenes from the young folks, but there is pretty much a generational gap on acting talent here. Anne's fans will want to check this out, but relatively few will find this production to be their favorite L.M. Montgomery adaptation.

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Based on L.M. Montgomery’s classic novels Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, this acclaimed BBC mini-series continues the story of Anne Shirley (Kim Braden), the heroine of Anne of Green Gables as she begins her job as a schoolteacher.New adventures lie in store for Anne as her life at Green Gables takes unexpected turns with the arrival of two new orphans and the realization that college is no longer a dream. Through marriage proposals from suitors, the sale of her first story and sharing a cottage with her friends, Anne holds on to her memories of Avonlea and discovers life and love on her own terms.

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New Street Law - The Complete Second Season Review

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(More customer reviews)As a trial attorney in the U.S. I have seen/watched every legal drama series on TV, both US and Britain. Without question, New Street Law is the best that has yet to come along!It's hard to select which feature stands out the most..............the acting is superb; the plots and the actual trial cases are not only realistic,they are clever,fantastic,and keep your attention at all times. The interaction between the characters is outstanding, and each character is very well developed. The plots are very well written, and combine interesting facts as well as significant ethical issues which are handled extremely well. Along with the marvelous drama, there was appropriate humor. Americans have the added interesting aspect of seeing the Solicitor/Barrister system up close. How can they possibly intend to stop after only the two series?? This is the quality of television that comes along rarely,and should be encouraged and expanded, not abruptly ended. SURELY THERE WILL BE A SEASON THREE??!!??


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The Hit BBC ONE Legal Series Returns! Accused of fabricating a defense, Jack Roper (John Hannah) throws his life and the lives of his colleagues into turmoil after his single-minded pursuit of the truth puts his career in jeapordy. Tensions run high between Jack’s chambers and those of the prosecution, headed by his one-time mentor, Laurence Scammel (Paul Freeman), much to the annoyance of Laurence’s daughter, Laura (Lisa Faulkner). Relations become more complex between Charlie Darling (John Thomson) and his wife, Tessa (Susie Amy), as well as between Jack and Laura, who can no longer resist their mutual attraction.DVD EXTRA: Outtakes and Bloopers

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Paranormal State: Demonic Investigations Review

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(More customer reviews)I agree that Ryan is doing a great job. Sometimes I wonder if everything is the truth but that is only because it scares me and I wish it wasn't the truth. Ryan does not call out demon, the others do. He may think there is a demon possible and then he will call on a medium etc. and they will tell him if it's a demon or not. He is not crying out demon. I grew up in a haunted home. It was a duplex. Our parents hid most of it from us, but now that I am older, we talk and it all makes sense. The things my mom pushed aside or had excuses for then, sound crazy now. We really do believe that there was evil on the other half of the house and good on our side. The good on our side was always battling the evil next door in order to keep us safe. For that reason my mother didn't want to get rid of anything on our side. I also babysat in a house that had some horrifying things happen. I grew up Catholic and I really didn't believe in the bad after life. I thought Heaven was the only thing. God forgave every person. After the bad experience in that house I sat in, I am a complete believer in evil and Hell. So, this show is amazing because it doesn't just show you there is or may be a ghost. It is showing reality. Also, in many cases, these demons are invited it. Tell me that worshiping the devil doesn't cause consequences. O.K., thanks for listening to my opinion.

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PARANORMAL STATE:DEMON INVESTIGATIONS - DVD Movie

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Pokemon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a 41 year old anime fan and I loved this movie. I have watched it 3 times with my 12 year old son already and we both really loved it. The animation and graphics are awesome. I would recommend this movie for everyone whether you're an anime fan or pokemon fan.

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Item Name: Pokemon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior; Studio:Universal Studios

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M*A*S*H - Goodbye, Farewell & Amen (1983) (1972) Review

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(More customer reviews)I understand the frustration to all who bought the season by season sets (myself included) but to those who didn't, but wanted the finale, this is a five-star set. This is STILL the highest-rated single episode in TV history - 125 million viewers - and that number is a far cry from the actual consumers who will buy the complete set; so for those, here ya are! The finale with all the extras!
The 30th Reunion Special features all the main stars (except the deceased McLean Stevenson and Larry Linville, even though there ARE interview clips of those two presented here) along with Gene Reynolds, Larry Gelbart, Burt Metcalfe and Allan Arbus (Dr. Sidney Freedman); Mike Farrell hosts this special, which aired in 2002. It's good to see Wayne Rogers and Alan Alda together again, although grayer. Loretta Swit still looks hot, but is that Botox or a face-lift? Jamie Farr never seems to age and Harry Morgan looks pretty feeble, yet feisty. Gary Burghoff is chunkier but still carries that sweet "Radar-ish" aura. William Christopher looks great as well, and there are times when he shoots the others a frustrated "why-did-you-tell-them-that?" glance when some Father Mulcahy behind-the-scenes anecdotes are told. If you've never heard David Ogden Stiers' real voice, you'll be surprised how much he does NOT sound like Major Winchester! The cast also tells us how much they loved working with Larry Linville (Major Burns) as his real personality was the complete opposite of ol' Ferret-Face. This Reunion Special is the best "extra" in the set.
"Memories Of MASH" is an old TV special, hosted by Shelley Long, probably due to her success on "Cheers."
The bloopers are good, but not enough of them.
"Jocularity" is a cast retrospective based on the word uttered by Father Mulcahy from time to time.
"Just The FAQs" is a ten-question MASH-trivia game for the viewer. The other special features are pretty self-explanatory.
I didn't mind buying this set, even though I have all the separate season collections - it's reasonably priced and not boxed in a clunky package as the season sets are.
I see too many TV-DVD reviewers on Amazon complaining about SO MANY television releases (mostly due to music or other alterations) and I see no reason for anyone to TRULY complain about this set, aside from those who already own GOODBYE, FAREWELL AND AMEN on season 11.
So, for those of you who loved the show, but aren't buying the season-by season sets, you will whole-heartedly get a kick out of this set (and prepare to get misty-eyed a couple of times).


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This classic comedy completes its tour of duty for the loyal MASH collector with thisthree-disc DVD Collector's Edition of the series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell & Amen".

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Charmed - The Complete Third Season (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)Coming from a long time fan, season three is one of the best seasons ever. So much happens in this season, both on and off camera. Fan favorite Julian McMahon joins the Charmed cast in this season, and becomes part of one of the most long-running storylines for the series: the love affair between Phoebe and Cole. Initially a demon sent to destroy the Charmed Ones, he eventually goes rogue after falling in love with Phoebe. Off camera, something similar happened. Actor Julian McMahon began dating actress Shannen Doherty.
Speaking of Shannen, this is her final season with the Charmed show. After some creative differences with producers and cast, Shannen left the series but not before going behind the camera to direct it's season finale episode. Also to leave the series in season three is the show's creator Constance M. Burge. Fellow executive producer Brad Kern wanted to bring in a season long relationship storyline for the Phoebe character after seeing fan's reaction to season two's Piper/Leo/Dan storyline. Burge was against it as she wanted the series to go back to it's original concept of sisterly ties and exploring the character's wiccan heritage. Eventually she lost out and left the series around the time season three began taping.
This season contains the following episodes:
1) The Honeymoon's Over, 2) Magic Hour, 3) Once Upon A Time, 4) All Halliwell's Eve, 5) Sight Unseen, 6) Primrose Empath, 7) Power Outage, 8) Sleuthing With The Enemy, 9) Coyote Piper, 10) We All Scream For Ice Cream, 11) Blinded By The Whitelighter, 12) Wrestling With Demons, 13) Bride and Gloom, 14) The Good, The Bad and The Cursed, 15) Just Harried, 16) Death Takes A Halliwell, 17) Pre-Witched, 18) Sin Francisco, 19) The Demon Who Came In From The Cold, 20) Exit Strategy, 21) Look Who's Barking, and 22) All Hell Breaks Loose.
My only complaint is that, as with the previous Charmed DVD releases, Paramount Studios remains to tread the "cheap" route by not offering any bonus material what-so-ever. The obvious choice would have been to release the unaired pilot on the first DVD set, which had a completely different actress play the role of Phoebe but alas none here either. If you can overlook this gross negligence, then I strongly encourage you to add this season to your collection.

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Protecting the innocent, vanquishing evil and evil doers, and generally righting wrongs are not exactly on the agenda of every twenty-something on the fast track to discovering what life's all about. But for the Halliwell sisters, this has become their destiny. Prue, the oldest, is driven to succeed and dislikes the free-spirited antics of the youngest sister Phoebe. Piper, the earthy middle sister, mediates between her siblings. Phoebe discovers The Book of Shadows in the attic and their witchly powers are activated, igniting a bond that reaches beyond petty, sisterly grudges. Prue has the power to move objects, Piper to freeze time and Phoebe to see the future. The sisters must band together to protect themselves, and the world, from the dark, demonic forces that seek to destroy them. It's an existence fraught with excitement and danger, but these three unique sisters wouldn't trade their "charmed" lives for anything.

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MonsterQuest - Season Two Review

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(More customer reviews)Television was invented for shows like this. Absolutely priceless. Don;t get me wrong, I personally don't really believe any of these cryptids exist. But these people searching for them is hilarious/awsome. I recommend you watch each episode with some wine.

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From the beginning of time, mankind has been riveted by accounts of mysterious creatures, from mega-hogs to vampires and giant spiders. Yet the evidence that such beings are real amounts to little more than campfire tales and grainy photographs. SEASON TWO of this spellbinding series from HISTORY takes a fresh look at the beasts of legend and seeks new proof of their existence.Open-eyed historical research and genuine scientific analysis set the stage for groundbreaking fieldwork: high-tech expeditions to the home turf of famous monsters. Deploying state-of-the-art equipment, each episode scientifically examines the best evidence available, including photographs, videos, hair and bone samples, and the actual eyewitness accounts themselves. Credible individuals, including pilots, policemen, and ship captains, have seen things they can t explain. It's time to sort out fact from imagination once and for all!One part history, one part science, and one part monsters, MONSTERQUEST SEASON TWO reveals the truth about these sightings and the creatures behind them.This 5-DVD set contains all 20 original episodes, featuring:DISC 1: Mega Hog / Vampire Beast / Ghosts / Ohio GrassmanDISC 2: Giant Killer Snakes / Super Rats / Black Beast of Exmoor / ChupacabraDISC 3: Legend of the Hairy Beast / Vampires in America / Boneless Horror / Bigfoot in New YorkDISC 4: Lake Monsters of the North / China s Wildman / Giant Bear Attack / Giant Squid AmbushDISC 5: Monster Spiders / Jaws in Illinois / Sasquatch Attack II / Real Dragons / BonusBONUS FEATURE: Additional Footage

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The Shield: Season Four Review

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(More customer reviews)At the end of the third season of FX's the Shield, crooked cop Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) and his strike team split up. As the fourth season opens, the Farmington precinct meets their new captain in Monica Rawling (Glenn Close), and it's not long before she makes herself noticed. With Aceveda (Benito Martinez) on his way to political office, Rawling makes her presence felt re-organizing the force with Vic as her right hand man, and they both put their sights on charismatic drug dealer Antwan Mitchell (Anthony Anderson). In the meantime, Vic's ex-partner Shane (Walt Goggins) works vice, and gets in way too deep with Mitchell, which leads to the reformation of the strike team in an effort to save Shane, and themselves, before it's too late. Sub-plots throughout the season include Aceveda discovering a dark side he never knew he had, Julian (Michael Jace) looking to be transfered as he opposes Rawling's approach to the seizures, and Dutch (Jay Karnes) finding romance with Vic's ex-wife (Cathy Cahlin Ryan) while trying to get both his partner (CCH Pounder) and himself out of the doghouse with the DA. Many agree that the third season was a step down compared to the landmark first two, and the fourth season delivers firing on all cylinders. Glenn Close is perfect casting as the no-nonsense new captain, while Michael Chiklis is excellent as always as crooked cop Mackey, who this season, appears to be searching for redemption. The Shield is back on track, and it's once again the best original drama on cable TV. By the end of the season, there is a big change for all the main players, and it will leave you salivating for what's coming next.

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SHIELD:COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON - DVD Movie

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Kyle XY - The Complete First Season - Declassified (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)(Updated: May 22, 2007)
This is probarly ABC Family's best show yet, I do know for a fact that "Kyle XY" was a big hit for the channel, since I watched & followed it since it appeared on T.V. last summer. "Kyle XY" is about a mysterious guy that questions everything around him, as if he was a animal or a new born child. Even though he's very new to the world, he's already a adult, he also haves great gifts like jumping off tall buildings without getting hurt, playing Basketball better than a professional player does and swimming like dolphins. Kyle can also hear through walls & read people's lips from far away. That's just the beginning of the story, even though these things are impressive to the people around him including his adoptive family, nobody knows about his past, not even Kyle knows. After clues such as familiar people & symbols start popping up, his memory starts coming back. I'm not going to give to much away because I don't want to ruin it for people who haven't seen the show. I will say that "Kyle XY" answers questions while making more of them for the audience watching at home. It's a very interesting show, that grabs you in and doesn't let you go for a second and just when you think you know who Kyle is, a twist comes in and changes your mind.Disc 1:
1. Pilot.
2. Sleepless In Seattle.
3. The Lies That Bind.
4. Diving In.
Disc 2:
5. This Is Not A Test.
6. Blame It On The Rain.
7. Kyle Got Game.
8. Memoery Serves.
Disc 3:
9. Overheard.
10. Endgame.& (Special features)
1. Alternate "Pilot" episode.
2. Extended Season Finale.
3. Kyle XY Declassified - "Kyle XY" secrets are revealed in a immersive feature
that's also features exclusive scenes & interviews from season 2 of "Kyle XY".
4. Audio Commentaries - with Matt Dallas & writer Julie Plec on the "Pilot" & "Dive In" episode, April Matson on "Dive In" episode and some more people from behind the scenes on the "Pilot" episode.(Specifications for all three disc)
1. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.
2. Widescreen (1.78:1) - Enhanced for 16x9 televisions.
3. Spanish language track and subtitles.

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When a boy emerges from the forest with no recollection of who he is, a kind social worker takes him into her family and everyone wants to know: who is Kyle XY? As the Trager family works to help Kyle discover his world, they must also address the truths in their own lives as they struggle to adjust to the newest member of their family. "XY marks the hot spot" as TV's most compelling new family drama comes to DVD on KYLE XY: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON – DECLASSIFIED. This 3-disc set features each thrilling Season One episode as well as bonus features that reveal more than ever about the remarkable boy named Kyle. Only on DVD can you get declassified show secrets and an exclusive alternate season finale.

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Entourage: The Complete Fifth Season (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am 82 years old and this series has kept me jumping. The first three season were great, but the boys really hit their stride in the fourth season. The humor in this segment with Drama and Turtle is some of the best I have seen. The sub characters which are inserted from time to time are well cast. Dom and Billy come to mind. Outstanding in his ongoing role is Ari's secretary. I like the way in which Doug Ellin keeps two to three stories going within each segment, but ties them all together. The fast pace is a key element in holding your interest. I feel the best defined parts are Ari, Drama, Vince and Turtle. There is something lacking in E. I like him, but he needs to become less boyish. I hope I don't run out of steam before the series ends. How about another 7 or 8 years. If you guys will hang in I 'll certainly try. RD

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For Vince, Eric, Drama, and Turtle, life in Hollywood's fast lane can be an intoxicating ride. In Season Five, can the guys put the Medellin fiasco behind them and orchestrate a career comeback for Vince?

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The Shield: Season One Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this show! I first got into it after reading some of the reviews posted here on these Season One dvds, so I thought I would give it a try and I purchased this complete season. I am truly glad that I did. I was hooked from the first episode to the last and I am now watching Season 2 on FX. What makes this show far better than all the other cop shows is that the production value is more in line with HBO or a movie than a cable television show. The acting is extremely good as are the scripts and dialogue. Even though Vic and his team are labeled "dirty" cops you can't help but root for them in the end. Michael Chiklis deserved his Golden Globe award for best actor, he takes on this role as if Vic Mackey was himself in a former life. I was also glad this show won the award for best drama series on TV. If you haven't seen the show yet and are unsure if you would like it, give it a try. It's a bit brutal and graphic, but by the time you finish the final episode, "Circles," you will be speechless, praying to catch repeats of Season 2.

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SHIELD:COMPLETE FIRST SEASON - DVD Movie

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Oliver Twist (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I saw this DVD on sale in a Target store, so I took a chance on it. Luckily, I hadn't read the reviews here or I would have given it a pass. This production of Dickens' famous novel is the least faithful of all the versions I have seen, but I expected that going in. It's basically a stylistic rewrite of the story with a modern audience in mind. Had I been a Dickens purist looking for a mirror image of the book, I would have been appalled, as some reviewers here obviously were.
Instead, it's a fresh take on an old story. It doesn't pretend to be faithful. The result for me is that I was highly entertained, and as someone else has pointed out, instead of looking for how many deviations I could find, I was enthralled by the fact that I did NOT know what was coming next. This in effect freed me from the book, which I have read several times (yes, I like Dickens), and allowed me to judge this fresh approach on its own merits.
I was quite satisfied with the story as it stood on its own two feet, although the original story is much better. But that was a book (a newspaper serial, actually), not a 173 minute television mini-series. Were I to produce a faithful mini-series of Oliver Twist I would require at least ten hour-long segments. It's a very complicated yarn. (I'd love to film the chapter where Oliver is recuperating in the country.)
The cast is excellent for the most part. William Miller (Pieter in "Krakatoa") was an inspired choice for what he was intended to do: portray an appealing yet fearless version of Oliver--a boy who has been subjected to the dreary trials of a workhouse upbringing, yet because of his character has come through it all as a soft spoken, kindly little soul. Adam Arnold as Dodger presents a new "twist" on the character, who is shown as being quite sensitive and vulnerable, and in love with Nancy (who throws him over for Oliver). Bill Sykes is played by Tom Hardy, and while he looks fine in the part, his accent is so extreme I could only understand ever tenth word. He also suffers in my eyes because he's no Robert Newton. That holds true with every other actor who has played Sykes. Similarly, Timothy Spall is no Alec Guiness. I had a hard time swallowing his Fagin, but again this is a rewrite of the story and he does an adequate job with the writer's reconstruction of the character. Mr. Brownlow is played by the ubiquitous Edward? Fox (is he William, James or Edward? I wish he'd make up his mind).
If it sounds like I'm having fun with this review, it's probably because I had fun watching this DVD. The extra on the disk is a "making-of" documentary. I enjoyed meeting Will Miller, Sophie Okonedo (Nancy), and others. However, when you listen to the writer, Sarah Phelps, you begin to get an insight into why this Oliver Twist is so different from all the others. She strikes me as an angry, over-the-top liberal who has strong opinions on Dickens and other societal matters. She rubbed me the wrong way, but at the same time I did like very much what she produced. So there you have it in a nutshell.
The music didn't bother me one little bit. In fact, its spirited tone fit the revised character of Oliver very well, and I felt it was perfect for this particular production. William Miller is a handsome, lovable boy, and I was very pleased to see Oliver Twist as an engaging, sturdy and athletic youngster for once instead of the meek, frail waif we have always seen, a character who we are to pity. It's a fresh outlook. The rest of the cast, the authentic costuming and backgrounds, yes and even the heavily rewritten story, support this new twist on Oliver Twist very well.
It's a good movie. Don't miss it. Take the sour apple reviews with a grain of salt.

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This gripping tale of Charles Dickens's classic remains faithful to the spirit of the novel while delivering a modern, thrilling, tragic and occasionally comic edge. Oliver is born into poverty and misfortune - the son of an unmarried mother, who dies shortly after his birth. He is soon delivered to the workhouse, where the cruel Mr. Bumble oversees children tormented by starvation and suffering. When Oliver dares to ask for more gruel, he finds himself cast out and forced to make his own way in the world. Running away to London, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger and his gang, as well as the beautiful Nancy, and gets the first warm welcome of his life - but he is soon to discover that this kindness requires its own type of payment. As Oliver is drawn deeper into the dark and murky underworld, he remains unaware that the kind Mr. Brownlow is searching for him, while others - the brutal criminal Bill Sykes, the manipulative Fagin and the mysterious Mr. Monks - are vying to ruin and destroy his life.

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Tales of Tomorrow: Collection One (1951) Review

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(More customer reviews)Not long ago, I had only heard about the television show Tales of Tomorrow just twice: once as a passing reference as an inspiration of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone in his PBS documentary, and once more when I saw the episode "All the Time in the World" at the Museum of TV and Radio in NYC when I visited there last August. I had always liked TZ and I was happy to see one of it's predecessors which had left the air before my parents were even born. I was not disappointed as the episode was another example of intelligently wielded suspense and science fiction, the kind of show that they just don't make any more (well UPN tried, but let's not talk about that right now). There were other available episodes, but my family and I had to leave the museum, but imagine my happiness when I heard that a DVD boxset of Tales was coming.
Tales of Tomorrow: Collection One is a series of selected episodes from the first season of televisions first sci-fi anthology series (including the one I previously mentioned); many of us are used to full season sets but after all, some episodes may no longer be accounted for. There are no extras at all except for scene selection, though somehow I doubt there could be things like deleted scenes or creator commentaries (since many of the creators are probably no longer with us).
I'm giving this collection 5 stars not because these episodes are timeless classics but because they are a rare and fascinating window into television's early history. The shows feature commercials recorded on the same film as the show, and it's also apparent that TV producers at the time weren't big advocates for reshoots as they could be called today. Actors badly flub their lines in many shows but keep on going. Lon Chaney gives a well-known and confusing scene as Frankenstein where he hefts a chair in rage, calmly puts it down, then pantomimes smashing it. My favorite is from the "Miraculous Serum" where a doctor listens for a dying woman's breathing without putting the stethoscope in his ears first. Ha!
But these stories don't deserve to be laughed at. Seeing these shows made so long ago with such clarity is one of the greater gifts of the DVD revolution and I would recommend "Tales of Tomorrow" to anyone who loves television in general. I'd love to see another installment, perhaps with a documentary. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

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Blast off for excitement with television's first science fiction hit! The trendsetter for such shows as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek, this live weekly program features a strong roster of guest stars and gripping storylines still fascinating today. This collection from the first season features Academy Award winner Paul Newman, horror legend Lon Chaney, Jr. (The Wolf Man), Phyllis Kirk (House of Wax), Zachary Scott (Mildred Pierce), Lee J. Cobb (The Exorcist), Victor Jory (The Miracle Worker), Lola Albright (Peyton Place) and many more! Episodes include: All the Time in the World, Flight Overdue, Ice from Space, Age Of Peril, Sneak Attack, Test Flight, Verdict from Space, World of Water, Miraculous Serum, Frankenstein

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Samantha Who?: The Complete Second Season Review

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(More customer reviews)In 2007-2008, the first season of "Samantha WHO?" debuted after ABC''s "Dancing with the Stars" and the show immediately was a big hit and received praise from many reviewers and viewers. And eventually, the show was successful and was the highest rated sitcom for that year.
Unfortunately, the second season had a new schedule and no successful lead-in show and put up against other successful shows and the ratings dropped. Although not a significant drop in viewership, ABC opted not to renew the show due to economic reasons (the network wanted producers to cut $500,000 from the budget per episode).
Despite the shocking cancellation of the series, fortunately "Samantha WHO? - The Complete Second and Final Season" is released on DVD and those who missed the final seven episodes can now catch it with this final release.
"Samantha WHO?" is a sitcom created by Cecelia Ahern (writer of the 2007 novel "P.S. I Love You") and Donald Todd (writer for "Ugly Betty", "Life As We Know It" and "Caroline in the City").
The series is about a woman named Samantha (Christina Applegate, "Married with Children", "Jesse") who was a rude and not so kind person. But after being a hit by a car, she has amnesia and doesn't remember too much about how she was in her past but with a few memories and what she learns about herself, she wants to make herself a better person.
Because she forgot so much, she is unable to work and is trying to piece together her life and thus she depends on her parents Howard (Kevin Dunn, "Transformers" films, "Gridiron Gang", "7th Heaven") and Regina (Jean Smart, "24', "Frasier" and "Designing Women") for their assistance.
And to help her through life are her two best friends and former co-workers such as the bad/party girl Andrea Belladonna (Jennifer Esposito, "Rescue Me", "Related" and "Conspiracy") and the chirpy Dena (Melissa McCarthy, "Gilmore Girls"), her ex-boyfriend Todd (Barry Watson, "What About Brian" and "7th Heaven") and her apartment doorman Frank (Tim Russ, "Star Trek: Voyager", "Life Free and Die Hard" and "iCarly").
But as she has her memories of the way she was back then, she does have occasional memories of Todd and when they were a couple and how badly she treated him and even being proposed by him. The problem is that once she has these memories, she forgets them. Nevertheless, with friends and family she starts to get her life all situated.
For "Samantha WHO? - The Complete Second and Final Season", 17 episodes are featured on three discs. Here is a listing of the episodes on each disc (note: the following are spoiler-less summaries):
DISC 1:
* EPISODE 16 - So I Think I Can Dance - Regina's rival (played by Cybil Shepherd) challenges her to a dance competition and wants Samantha to be her partner. Problem is, Samantha doesn't remember how to dance.
* EPISODE 17 - Out of Africa - Samantha tells her parents that she is going to Africa but doesn't go. Due to civil war in Africa, her parents are freaking out and think she's dead.
* EPISODE 18 - The Pill - Samantha's doctor gives her experimental pills that helps her regain her memory. Meanwhile, Andrea tries to prove to Dena that she can attract women.
* EPISODE 19 - The Building - Samantha and Regina try to sell a building but Samantha doesn't want to use anything sexual by any means to get the building sold (like she used to back then).
* EPISODE 20 - Help! - Samantha tries to help a girl (played by Mary-Kate Olsen) who tends to get in trouble.
* EPISODE 21 - The Ex-Girlfriend - Samantha tells Owen that her ex-boyfriend lives with her and Owen tells Samantha that his best friend is his ex-girlfriend. What happens when all four get together.
* EPISODE 22 - The Farm - Samantha brings Owen home to meet her parents.
DISC 2:
* EPISODE 23 - The Park - Samantha tries to become an environmentalist to make Owen happy.
* EPISODE 24 - The Family Vacation - Samantha and her parents go on a vacation at a lodge (with her best friends).
* EPISODE 25 - My Best Friend's Boyfriend - Samantha and Todd go out on a double date with Andrea and her pro basketball player date, Tony Dane. But Todd learn's the basketball player's secret.
* EPISODE 26 - The Dog - Samantha feels that she wants to have a child, so for practice, she decides to take care of Dena's dog.
* EPISODE 27 - The Amazing Racist - After being accused of being racist, Samantha tries to become good friends with Frank.
* EPISODE 28 - The Debt - Samantha and her parents go to Vegas.
DISC 3:
* EPISODE 29 - The Rock Star - Samantha goes out with a rockstar and stops hanging out with her friends.
* EPISODE 30 - Todd's Job - Samantha tries to help Todd get a job, while Regina puts Dena's house on the market without letting her know.
* EPISODE 31 - The Sister - Samantha finds out that she has an aunt and grandmother.
* EPISODE 32 - The Dream Job - Samantha is hired to run a charity foundation. Meanwhile, Dena hopes that Andrea will select her as a bridesmaid.
* EPISODE 33 - The First Date - Samantha wants to balance her time at work and with Todd. Meanwhile, Regina is not so thrilled about Howard's retirement.
* EPISODE 34 - The Other Woman - The women make a major step towards the men in their lives but Regina gets caught up in a love triangle.
* EPISODE 35 - With This Ring - Andrea is to marry Tony Dane while Samantha must make a choice... Todd or Winston.
NOTE: On Disc 3, "The Rock Star", "Todd's Job" and "The Sister" are not part of the "Samantha WHO?" 17-episode listing and are in a section called "More Sam...".
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"Samantha WHO?" is a sitcom presented in Widescreen (with an aspect ratio of 1:78:1) that is shot via a single camera and not the typical multiple camera setup. So, one thing that people will realize about the series is that it looks more like a drama series and although shot on set, there are many scenes where the show is shot outdoors and the picture quality on DVD is very good. For the most part, the series is well-lit and doesn't have the problems of excessive low-noise or high compression.
As for the audio, "Samantha WHO?" is featured in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The series is primarily dialogue driven, so it's primarily front and center channel-driven. I was hoping to hear an episode such as "The Rock Star" which takes place in a small concert stage with the audience cheering utilizing the surround channels, but I didn't really hear anything.
So, pretty much the series is front and channel driven but if you have a receiver capable of stereo on all channels. Personally, I found that setting the best for watching the show.
Subtitles are in English SDH, Spanish and French.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"Samantha WHO? - The Complete Second and Final Season" comes with the following special features:
DISC 1:
Not necessarily a special feature but if you select "play all" instead of individual episodes, you will be treated with the "Samantha WHO? - Season One" starter kit which is a recap of season 1.
DISC 2:
* Deleted Scenes - Seven deleted scenes with an intro for each scene by Executive Producer Donald Todd. Scenes deleted due to time conflicts.
* Bloopers - (:53) Blooper reel
* Set Tour With Christina Applegate - (4:42) Christina Applegate takes the viewers on a tour of "Samantha WHO?" and why there are chickens everywhere on the set of her family's home and more.
* Christina Dance Moment - (3:11) Executive Producer Donald Todd talks about how Christina Applegate wanted to do an episode that involved dancing and how she had to dance badly and how difficult it was to film Christina and Jean doing bad dance choreography.
* Girl Chat - (2:24) Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito and Melissa McCarthy answer questions about their character and relating to the show.
JUDGMENT CALL:
I have to admit that I was shocked that ABC canceled "Samantha WHO?". After all, the series was the top rated sitcom for its first season, Christina Applegate was nominated for an Emmy for Best Actress in 2008 and how courageous Applegate was by doing the show even though he had to face a mastectomy.
Needless to say, the show's viewership may have went down due to not having "Dancing with the Stars" as a lead in show but still, the show had millions of viewers and truthfully, many viewers and even entertainment magazine editors felt the show didn't deserve to be canceled.
But here we are with "Samantha WHO? - The Complete Second and Final Season" and fortunately, now people who missed the final seven episodes, can catch the second season in its entirety on DVD. And for those who are wondering about how the series ended, fortunately the creators of the show managed to create a satisfying conclusion to the series. Also, a bit open ended just in case another network wanted to pick it up.
The characters are just enjoyable to watch. There are many episodes featuring Samantha remembering her past life and trying to start over with her new life despite not having any past memories. Her mother Regina is actually quite interesting and to see the mother and daughter dynamics at work is quite hilarious. Especially since Regine and Samantha have drifted apart since Samantha was a much different and crude person in the past.
Jennifer Esposito as Andrea Belladonna was very enjoyable to watch. As Kim Cattrall's character of Samantha was for Carrie Bradshaw in...Read more›

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Samantha Who? follows the life of a 30-year-old psychiatrist named Sam who has to rediscover her life, her relationships and herself after getting retrograde amnesia following a hit and run accident. After an eight day coma, she wakes up but can't remember anything about her own life. In an attempt to find out who she is (or what her life used to be), she tries to unearth clues but is hindered by her parents and friends, who seem to hae something to conceal from her. Sometimes you have to lose your mind to find yourself.Bonus Features Include: Christina dance moment, set tour with Christina Applegate, deleted scenes, bloopers

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Reaper: Season 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)"Reaper" was the best new show of the 2007-2008 season and the best new show the CW has yet to offer, and it ended it's first season on a cliffhanger. Two, actually. What would happen on the show, and would the show even return for a second season?. Thankfully, the show did get a reprieve, but not without a price. It would be held back for mid-season. By the time the second season finally premiered, it had been off the air for 2 months shy of a year. Not only that, but came back with less than stellar promotion and was put on opposite "American Idol". "Reaper" was always 'on the bubble', but it did as well as any show could do with such challenges bestowed on it. Season 1 was cut down 4 episodes because of the writer's strike, and season 2 is cut down 9 episodes, only 13, for being a mid season show. While the series is still the entertaining show it always was, season 2 had some flaws, and the limited time it had certainly didn't help. But we'll get to that....
Season 2 finds Sam Oliver(Bret Harrison), Sock(Tyler Labine), Ben(Rick Gonzalez), and Andi(Missy Peregrym)continue to fight the good fight amid Sam's ongoing mission as a bounty hunter for the Devil(Ray Wise), finding escaped souls and sending them back. There are a few new ongoing story arcs this season and some new recurring cast members. Sam continues to find a way out of his deal, his relationship with Andi suffers, and yet there just may be someone who can help. Elsewhere, Sock finds himself attracted to a young woman who turns out to be verrrry close to his family, and Ben begins a relationship with a demon named Nina(Jenny Wade). If that isn't enough, there is the ongoing story of how Sam is dealing with his deal with the devil and how, or if, it's changing him.
Season 2 of "Reaper" is filled with what we have come to know and love about the show. The wicked humor is there in full force. The fleshed out characters continue to make the show. The potentail that season 1 found itself reaching towards the end of that season is...well, it's somewhat here. And just like season 1, the flaws are very evident as well. There is a lot going on in season 2, and it seems everyone has something going on in their lives, and then some. Sock's storyline seemed funny at first, but soon became kinda unflattering and just ended in a non-satisfying way. Sock is still Sock, but this storyline wasn't flattering for the character. There are also some loose ends that go unnoticed, storylines that aren't capitalized on, storylines that aren't dealt with properly. All in all, season 2 feels a bit disjointed. Whereas season 1 sort of stood still until the latter half not knowing where it's going, season 2 seems to have an idea in mind, but has a lot going on and a much shorter time to pull it, and everything else, off. The 13 episodes in this season definitley is a contributing factor. It's not as tight or as consistent as it should be. But hey, the makers had a lot to do, less time to do it in, and not getting a lot of support from the network. I guess they are doing as well as they can. If season 2 had gotten a full season, it would of had more time to flesh some things out. But "Reaper" is so charming and entertaining, even it's setbacks aren't enough to ruin the fun and enjoyment of it all. The actors still do a wonderful job with their roles, and you can tell they are having just as much fun doing the show as we are watching it from the comfort of our couches. Each and every one of them is fitting for their character. I continue to think that Ray Wise is a treasure as the Devil, and Tyler Labine is a comedy star.
Season 2 of the show does have a lot to offer. What can you expect with some of the episodes?. The premiere, "Episode IV : A New Hope", finds the boys returning home after a trip to find that things have changed at the Work Bench for them(and Andi), and that the Devil has a BIG case for Sam. Episode three, "The Sweet Science", introduces Nina to the mix, and her relationship with Ben is one of the season's best highlights. There is a Xander/Anya thing going on here, and the two of them are wonderful together. Definitley sets up for some great comedic moments. "The Favorite" adds a new wrinkle to the Sam/Devil mix, when we meet Morgan, a family member of the dark one. Tony the demon makes his welcomed return in "I Want My Baby Back", and the gang meet back up with their truly awful high school teacher Mr. Sprong(played by MAD TV vet Michael McDonald)in "To Sprong, With Love". One of my favorite episodes this season is "Underbelly", in which the whole gang travel to a small town to capture an escaped soul that has turned into a creature and manipulates the town citizens. As of this writing, season 2 still had 2 more episodes to go, "Business Casualty", and the likely series finale, "The Devil And Sam Oliver".
Sadly, it looks as though season 2 will be the last for the series. It's a shame. Even though it hasn't always worked, "Reaper" has always been a very fun, entertaining show. The humor aspect is some of the funniest stuff on TV today, and the show had a cool, intriguing premise. The characters that made up the show all had their own well rounded, fleshed out identities, and the cast did an amazing job of bringing them to real, believeable life. Even though season 2 felt a little disjointed and inconsistent in places, it was still a fun ride, filled with hilarious moments, cool characters, and great acting. Reaper has a lot going for it, and still had a lot more to show. It's too bad it may not get the chance to continue to it's full potential.

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Sam (Bret Harrison) is a slacker whose world turns upside down on his 21st birthday when he learns that his parents sold his soul to the Devil (Ray Wise). Forced to be Hell's bounty hunter, Sam, with the aid of his goofball friends, must track down evildoers and send them back where they belong.

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The King of Queens - The Complete First Season (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a value packed, well-priced, three disc DVD set that has the entire first season of this very funny show, including the pilot and two bonus shows for a total of twenty seven hilarious shows. Fans of Kevin James , Leah Remini, and Jerry Stiller will be in seventh heaven with this first season set. The show is sort of an updated "Honeymooners" and an absolute laugh riot. It is definitely a keeper and well worth having in one's collection.
Kevin James plays the role of the role of the portly, but adorable, Doug Heffernan, an International Parcel Service delivery guy and husband to the earthy and sexy Carrie (Leah Remini), who clearly rules the roost. They live in a modest house in Queens, one of the outer boroughs of New York City. Carrie's father, the idiosyncratic Arthur Spooner (Jerry Stiller), for reasons made clear in the pilot episode, also joins their household. His living with them adds to the many comedic moments of this popular television series. There is a funny group of friends, odd neighbors, and other assorted characters that drift in and out of the Heffernans' daily lives, adding to the comedic zest of this comedy series about middle class life in one of the outer boroughs of New York City.
The casting is perfect. The series is very funny with well-written scripts and excellent performances by its very talented cast. What more can a viewer ask for? This is an excellent, value laden, three disc DVD set, replete with a pilot episode commentary by Kevin James and the show's creator, Executive Producer Michael Weithorn. This DVD set also has a feature in which the cast of the series takes the viewer behind the scenes, as they look back on and reminisce about the show's first season. All in all, this is a value priced DVD with crisp, clear visuals and audio. It is absolutely one of my favorite comedies, and I am happy to have the entire first season. I look forward to getting the succeeding seasons, as they become available.

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Doug and Carrie Heffernan are a loving blue-collar couple from Queens, New York, who share their humble home with her eccentric father Arthur. After a long day's work as a parcel deliveryman, Doug retreats to his home for some peace and quiet, which is often interrupted by Carrie's slightly bizarre father, for whom they hire Holly, a dog walker, to take him on walks so he's not cooped up in the house all day. Stars Kevin James, Leah Remini, Jerry Stiller, Victor Williams, Patton Oswalt, Larry Romano and Nicole Sullivan. Three disc set with all 25 episodes from the first season - including the pilot episode and bonus features!

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