Chuck: The Complete Second Season Review

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(More customer reviews)In its superb second season, NBC's "Chuck" offers a more fully developed and unique blend of comedy, action, and romance. Chuck Bartkowski continues his double life: slacker computer nerd at an LA big box electronics store by day and inept government agent by night, thanks to the secret government database called the Intersect emplanted in his brain. Beautiful CIA agent Sarah Walker is Chuck's handler and bodyguard, with a cover as his girlfriend. Hardnosed NSA assassin Major John Casey teams with Walker to track Chuck's safety 24 hours a day and to pursue the bad guys the Intersect enables Chuck to identify.
This second season advances several themes over the course of the year. The impromptu team of Walker, Casey, and Bartkowski get increasingly difficult assignments to stop various villains and foil their nefarious plots, in which the untrained Chuck begins to demonstrate, often hilariously, the potential to muddle through as an agent.
A second theme is the approaching wedding of Chuck's sister Ellie and her fiance "Captain Awesome." Chuck has rashly promised Ellie to track down their missing father for the wedding, a promise that will have a dramatic impact on the last episodes of the season.
A third theme is the rogue organization FULCRUM's pursuit of the Intersect. Chuck is in weekly danger of having his cover blown and either being kidnapped by FULCRUM or being sequestered for his own safety by the government in an underground bunker away from family and friends.
The fourth and perhaps most important theme is the slowly blossoming romance between Chuck and Sarah, as their affection for each other begins to strain Sarah's professionalism and Chuck's willingness to live under a cover story.
Chuck's best buddy Morgan and the slacker crew at the BuyMore continue to offer comic relief, whether avoiding work, staging insane stockroom competitions, or trying to hijack "Awesome's" bachelor party. Special guests during the season include Sarah's professional con-man father, the suitably awesome parents of Ellie's fiance, and Chuck's ex-college roommate and girlfriend, neither of whom are what they seem.
"Chuck: The Complete Second Season" on DVD is very highly recommended to fans of the series. This reviewer hopes "Chuck" gets renewed for a third season.


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This season, Chuck is in luck. Intersect II is ready for espionage service. And that means the old Intersect (Chuck) can go back to his old life. But if Chuck goes, he's gone: Casey has orders to off him. In the series called "TV's funniest comedy" by EW.com, Chuck survives to unravel mysteries of the past, become a hero in the present, and – in a stunner of a season finale – chop-and-drop himself into an even more perilous future!

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Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Single-Disc Version) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)When Ross Bagdasarian Sr. created the Alvin and the Chipmunks, I often wonder if he knew at the time of how popular those characters, their music and the animated series would be for American pop culture.
Popular for the music, it was in 1961 when the three went from being puppets to an animated show. Bagdasarian using his stage name Dave Seville, the music composer and father/caretaker of three talented chipmunks who tend to get into a little mischief. The animated series "Alvin and the Chipmunks" is one of those animated series that has been part of the childhood of several generations. An even more animated series continued throughout the '80s and '90s.
And as "Alvin and the Chipmunks has been a part of the childhood of children for five decades, for this generation of children, they are now getting acquainted by Alvin, Simon and Theodore through their animated CG films. And what a remarkable success the first film had been for Twentieth Century Fox as "Alvin and the Chipmunks" made over $361 million worldwide (the budget of the film was $60 million).
Needless to say, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" earned their right for a sequel and before Christmas 2009, the $75 million dollar sequel "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" made even more money than the first earning over $442 million worldwide and now, this popular film which introduces us to the female chipmunks ala "The Chipettes": Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette and featuring more star-power providing the voices for the characters.
VIDEO:
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" is presented in 1080p High Definition (Widescreen 1:85:1).Immediately, the first thing that catches your attention is the wonderful CG animation of the chipmunks and how they flawlessly work with the real life backgrounds and props.
Many scenes are shot outdoors and with very good lighting indoors that a lot of the detail can be seen in the trees, the plants, outdoor areas to the pores in the skin of the humans and of course, seeing the fur of the chipmunks with such detail. The film looks absolutely vibrant and detail is very good for this film.Skintones are natural, blacks are nice and deep and I saw no problems with artifacts, DNR or blurring.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 Dolby Digital Descriptiive Audio and Spanish/French 5.1 Dolby Digital. The film is dialogue and music driven through the center and front channel speakers. But there are special effects such as Alvin tossing a Wiimote into the TV, a wheelchair falling off Toby's car and various sound effects like that. Surround channels tend to utilize the crowd ambiance much more in the film.
But since the film is primarily dialogue and music driven, dialogue is clear and understandable while the music definitely comes alive with the lossless audio soundtrack.
Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" features the following special features:
* Munking History: 50 Years of Chipmunk Mischief, Mayhem & Music - (09:20) A special feature on the creation of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and various clips of the chipmunks in animated format.
* Munk Music Machine - Allows viewers to select only the music-based portions from the film.
* Meet the Chipettes - (8:35) The Chipette voice talent Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate talk about their characters and how and why Janice Karman created the Chipette's.
* Rockin' Rising Stars - (6:20) A featurette about the inclusion of the band Honor Society and singer Charice Pempengco into the film and their experience of working on a film.
* Music Mania - (9:02) The making of the music competition segment in the film.
* Meet the Stuffies - (3:08) The cast and crew talk about their experience working with the "stuffies".
* Shake Your Groove Thing! with Rosero - (8:59) Choreographer Rosero and crew show off choreography for the song "Shake Your Groove Thing!".
* Music Videos & Sing-Alongs - Featuring sing-alongs for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," "We Are Family",
and "Shake Your Groove Thing".
* Music Videos - "You Really Got Me" featuring Honor Society & "The Song" featuring Queensberry.
* A-l-v-i-n-n-n-n!!! Album Maker - A feature that allows one to create an Alvin and the Chipmunks (or Chippetes) album maker. Your creations can be saved.
* Music In A Nutshell: Song Trivia - While watching the film, viewers can watch the film with song trivia.
* The Chipmunks: Behind the Squeaking - (9:40) A documentary like featurette about life outside of the movie. Talent and crew talk about their experience of working with Alvin, Simon and Theodore.
* A-NUT-omy of a Scene - (2:39) How the stuffed animals are used for the choreography portions on the film to help guide the animators and the talent.
EXTRAS:
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" comes with a DVD and a digital copy of the film. The DVD is presented in widescreen 1:85:1, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 5.1 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, Spanish and French Dolby Surround. Subtitles are in English SDH, Spanish.
The digital copy works with portable Media Players and works with iTunes.
JUDGMENT CALL:
I grew up with "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and can easily remember watching the television series during my younger years and have watched a fair share of the anime series on DVD as well, introducing it to my seven-year-old son who absolutely loves the first film.
Sure enough, we watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" and he was laughing and enjoying the film. As for me, I enjoyed the humor of the film and granted, I may not be the intended demographic for this film, but as a parent, watching my son and seeing him enjoy characters that I grew up with as a child was definitely a fun, family moment. In fact, he enjoyed the film so much that we watched it for a second time (along with the wife) and continued to laugh at the jokes and hijinks... "the dutch oven" joke was just hilarious!
I definitely enjoyed the picture quality of this Blu-ray release and how alive the lossless audio soundtrack (especially from the music) coming through my speakers. Needless to say, there are plenty of music featured in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" and again, watching my son bop to the songs, I have no doubt that this film will do the same for the children watching this film. Also, for parents, there are plenty of special features and fun sing-a-longs and if you are commuting, you also get a DVD and digital copy of the film as well.
Overall, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" was an entertaining film which I enjoyed much more over the first film. The addition of the Chipettes was pretty cool and definitely enjoyed the animation and overall storyline for this sequel. As mentioned earlier in my review, there is a good number of star power in this film and a lot of of music covers. Definitely interesting to see "Chuck" actor Zachary Levi in a more comedic role and also to see Filipino singer Charice Pempengco jamming on the film as well! But of course, the star power behind the voices of Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes did a wonderful job. For Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate, the three did a wonderful job.
If you are a parent looking for a fun, family film...you can't go wrong with "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" and if you are an adult who grew up with Alvin and the Chipmunks, you'll definitely enjoy this film as well! Definitely recommended!

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The world famous singing pre-teen chipmunk trio return to contend with the pressures of school celebrity and a rival female music group known as the chipettes.Studio: TcfheRelease Date: 03/30/2010Starring: Zachary Levi Jason LeeRun time: 89 minutesRating: PgDirector: Betty Thomas

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Chuck: The Complete First Season (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)NBC's CHUCK is such a welcome surprise and one of the best and funniest TV shows I've seen in a while, something which normally is an omen for immediate cancellation (but, thankfully, NBC picked it up for the full season). CHUCK achieves that heady mix of humor, action, espionage, and even a dash of romance (or pining, to be more exact). And it'll have you rooting for the nerd hero Chuck Bartowski, the physically hapless but nonetheless invaluable new member of the U.S. secret agent fraternity. Whereas, before, Chuck was someone who for thrills lived life vicariously thru video games and films, he's all of a sudden forced to cope with experiencing the very intense real thing.
Several SPOILERS follow.
The 411 on the premise and plot: A rogue CIA agent, just before being killed, downloads a wealth of top secret government files into the brain of his old college roommate Chuck Bartowski, a seemingly disastrous choice at first blush. Chuck is a social misfit, a computer geek who toils at the Nerd Herd electronics department of the Buy More supermarket. His support system consists of his best bud Morgan, who's even more of a loser than Chuck, and Chuck's lovely, protective sister Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), who is perpetually concerned for him and his lack of a social life. That Chuck lives with Ellie and her laid back boyfriend, Captain Awesome, doesn't exactly win him points with the cool set. But, for Chuck, things are about to change.
Chuck meets Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), who seems to really like him. But Sarah is really a CIA agent sent to wrest the stolen intel from him. Finding out that the top secret data is imbedded in his noggin, she is then assigned to keep tabs on him. To do so, Sarah works at Wienerlicious and poses as Chuck's chica. Meanwhile, the NSA trots out its top operative, the no-nonsense John Casey (the awesome Adam Baldwin), who as cover hires on as a Buy More sales clerk.
Nowadays, danger and intrigue lurk at every corner for Chuck Bartowski, who finds himself leading a double life and is now sometimes referred to as the Intersect (mostly by Casey). He speedily proves his value when the data in his brain enables him to put two and two together and uncover an assassination attempt. Soon, he's tangling with ninjas, shadowy agents, terrorists, and bombs - and that's just in the first episode. Further shows would unveil even greater peril and more mystery. Seeds of distrust are sown as Chuck also struggles with the constant hedging and fabrication brought on by his CIA and NSA minders. More importantly, despite obstacles put up by his nemesis, the evil Asian dude Harold Tang (okay, he's not really evil...but he's bald), Chuck's trying out for the assistant manager gig at the Buy More. Good luck, Chuck.
End SPOILERS.
CHUCK is a consistently funny, funny show doubling as a straight-up spy thriller. There are plenty of slick, potent action sequences, but the heart of the series is the comic fish-out-of-water premise of the geek caught in serious cloak-and-dagger environs. The show provides a steady dosage of nerd/slacker humor which always has me smiling for the duration of the episodes. And, instead of Chuck suddenly developing kung fu skills, the series makes sure that Chuck remains inept and a bit cowardly (Chuck would prefer to refer to it as being "prudent"). Zachary Levi as Chuck is wonderfully straight-faced yet has that comic timing down pat. He's very sympathetic as a guy whose big heart is shyly on his sleeve.
Which leads us to another focal point of the show: Chuck's tentative relationship with the beautiful Sarah, who as a spy is forever on her guard and who's still grieving over her recent past with a fellow agent. But there's a connection between her and our favorite Nerd Herder, as Sarah realizes that Chuck really is a most decent dude. But only time will tell if it pans out. Australian Yvonne Strahovski is well cast as the lethal and accomplished secret agent, who can kick enemy agent heinie even a she dances sensuously with a clueless partner (yes, that would be Chuck). Yet Strahovski, when called for, can lend a torn, vulnerable air to her calculating superspy (check out "Chuck versus the Nemesis" to see just how conflicted she becomes). And, holy ministrone, she's hot! On the other hand, I don't think the looming Adam Baldwin is hot, but he's one of my favorite dudes to watch on TV. Fans of Joss Whedon will remember Baldwin from his memorable recurring roles in ANGEL and FIREFLY. Here, he makes for an intimidating sales clerk and government spy.
I am currently in solid geek heaven with CHUCK. Here's hoping NBC continues to support this show for a busload of seasons. Here's to Chuck (and friends) waging war against irate Buy More patrons, staving off calculating co-workers, and also fending off some of the most diabolical enemies of America, mom, and apple pie. And all that while shouldering the stigma of a dead-end job. Way to go, Chuck!

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Chuck Bartowski, ace computer geek at the BuyMore, is not in his right mind. That\'s a good thing. Ever since he unwittingly downloaded stolen government secrets into his brain, action, excitement and a cool secret- agent girlfriend have entered his life. It\'s a bad thing, too. Because now Chuck is in danger 24/7.

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Less Than Perfect: Season 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)Office sitcoms have definitely been all the rage the last couple decades. ABC might have the formula down to a T though, marking Less than Perfect as their third winner in a row. Drew Carey ran from 1995-2004, Norm from 1999-2001, and Less than Perfect from 2002-2006. Drew Carey and Norm were certainly more crude and zany (and as a result, significantly less family friendly) than Less than Perfect, but here we have a sitcom that manages to ground the characters and also supply viewers with some surprisingly *good* acting.
The adorable Sarah Rue stars as Claude Casey, a pleasantly plump temp from the fourth floor that amazingly gets the promotion she's always dreamed of but never fathomed actually getting. Whisked away to the upper floors of the building she's greeted by news anchor Will Butler, her new boss. Eric Roberts clearly has a great time, oozing all the charm and none of the angst from his experiences in every Lifetime movie imaginable.
Andrea Parker and newcomer Zachary Levi are present as Claude's (attempted) foils, gunning for her job and looking to destroy her at every turn. Andrea Parker is strikingly funny as the devious Lydia, which is a very different role given her previous part in the ultra serious Pretender. Chuck fans will no doubt recognize Zachary Levi as the smarmy metrosexual Kipp, having the pleasure of working right next to Claude as Will's assistant.
Last but not least, we see lots of Claude's friends from the fourth floor; Sherri Shepherd and Andy Dick, both in high form (especially Shepherd, who nowadays can be seen on that unfortunate yuk fest 'The View'). Andy Dick can be an acquired taste for some, exhibiting his usual eccentric but amusing behavior as the oddball Owen.
Even with a fantastically acted cast that melded wonderfully, that wasn't enough to prevent cancellation after its Friday night slot placement, which everybody knows is a television graveyard. Luckily, it was able to air a consistent 4 seasons of quality comedy without getting a chance to overstay its welcome, a problem that seems to plague many similar shows that have a very basic premise.
Unfortunately, this DVD set has absolutely no extras to speak of. None. No commentaries, no featurettes, no deleted scenes, zilch. Luckily, it has been released at a very low price point. 15-25 dollars is definitely a steal for a high quality sitcom, and Less than Perfect is very easy to recommend.

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Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent.Release Date: 09/07/2010Run time: 464 minutesRating: Nr

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Chuck: The Complete First and Second Seasons Review

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(More customer reviews)How about six stars?
I very rarely (like never) spend time on things like wrtiing reviews. But hey, now I'm motivated, because this is truly such a great show!... So if you are reading this all I can say to you is hit the button, buy this, and enjoy many happily(Awesomely!) entertained hours! Just don't forget to keep track when your brother in law (and etc.etc.) borrows them so you can be sure to get 'em back someday!
(Yes,I've pre-ordered season three...)
Chuck: The Complete First and Second Seasons

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CHUCK:SEASONS 1 & 2 - DVD Movie

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