Like many debut albums, this one is hit and miss but she's got a really nice voice and none of it sounds anything less than pleasant. Besides the hit Mercy, Warwick Avenue is a standout.
What's great about it: Good voice, not the same old stuff
In the second installment of Extras, The Office co-creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant again prove dexterous with comic pathos; the punch lines are at once can't-breathe funny and freighted with resonant emotion. Season two begins with what seems like a win: long-suffering background player Andy Millman (Gervais) has sold a sitcom to the BBC, and now stands on set as its creator and star. In true Extras fashion, however, the victory doesn't last long; though the network picked up his smart, workplace comedy, they soon turned it into a crass, wig-and-catchphrase nightmare. Determined to be famous for the right reasons, Andy threatens to quit, then self-loathingly decides to play along when he remembers the indignities of his old job. Meanwhile, his best friend, Maggie (Ashley Jensen) is still very familiar with life as a piece of human scenery, fighting daily for an ounce of screen time, all the while fending off hilariously inappropriate advances from Daniel Radcliffe and Orlando Bloom. She remains loyal to Millman even as his increasing fame sours his attitude; she stands by him as he (accidentally) offends the public by mocking a child with Down syndrome, and as he endures being labeled a fat sell-out by none other than David Bowie. While a BAFTA nomination for the sitcom arrives just in time to lift everyone's spirits, the ceremony nonetheless ends in catastrophe thanks to - who else? - Millman's agent, Darren Lam (Stephen Merchant), and a malfunctioning talking doll. The season rounds out as Andy's exhausting need for legitimacy drives a wedge between him and his friends, and leaves him to make a decision about his priorities.
Customer Rating
5
Great show
on September 21, 2007
Posted by: Thornless
from Southwest US
Great show and pretty good dvd set. The series has improved since season 1 which I found to be fun but overrated. This season though is full of hilarious moments. The episodes with Ian McKellan and David Bowie are the most memorable.
This is a nice album, and I'm not much of a fan of country in general but this one worked for me. The standout track would have to be What Hurts the Most but there are a bunch of good songs on here. I'm impressed by Rascal Flatts and look forward to their next effort.
I bought this a few weeks ago and as someone who really enjoyed Sting and the Police in their prime, I was very satisfied with the collection. It's not definitive and all inclusive but it worked for me, a great mix of the best and I'm very glad I have it.
For viewers who find that the picture and sound are more important than supplemental material, this DVD will suit them just fine. The dry, sepia tone look of the film is reproduced perfectly on this disc. Colors are purposely muted, but the image quality doesn't suffer at all. As a matter of fact, the lack of color might even help this already excellent transfer, which doesn't have a single distracting element. The movie is presented, as it was in theaters, with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, and is anamorphic for widescreen televisions. The sound, utilizing both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks, is equally good. While generally centered up front, with dialogue that is clear and distortion-free, there is some limited use of the surrounds. Also included are subtitles in Spanish and closed-captions in English. Unfortunately the disc falls a little short with regard to extra material. The few extras it has are relatively weak. There are three individual featurettes, though each is very brief. The first is called "Painting With Pixels" and looks at the work of digitally changing the colors to achieve the specific effect that filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen were trying to achieve. The second is a too short, behind-the-scenes glance at making the film, including some interviews. It fails to be more than a glorified fluff piece. Finally, there is a comparison between storyboards and the final film of two scenes -- the flood and the Klan rally. Considering the use of music in this film, a real plus is the music video for the song "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow". Rounding things off is the theatrical trailer. Certainly not the most exciting disc, but fans of this film shouldn't be disappointed with what is offered.
Customer Rating
5
Coen Brothers' best
on September 16, 2007
Posted by: Thornless
from Southwest US
This is my favorite Coen Brothers movie, it all comes together: music, acting, a fun story. This is also the movie that made me finally grudgingly respect George Clooney as an actor. He really threw himself into the role, he wasn't just gliding through it trying to look handsome. Great ensemble work with Tim Blake Nelson being the standout among hte supporting cast.
Whether you've already been hooked or are oblivious to the severely addicting show that ABC and J.J. Abrams unleashed upon television, Lost: The Complete First Season is a set that no one should miss. Packed with top-quality extras and 24 hyper-fueled TV episodes that will have you glued to the set for hours on end, this collection gets the highest rating for excellence for both presentation and original content. Whether it's the candid behind-the-scenes featurettes, the bloopers, the audio commentaries, or the secret "Lost Flashbacks" scenes, there is just simply too much good stuff in here for anyone to not dive in. You won't find many secrets hidden here, but as most fans know, any Lost is good Lost -- and that means a whole lot.
Customer Rating
5
One of the best seasons of any show this decade
on September 15, 2007
Posted by: Thornless
from Southwest US
Lost may have had its ups and downs later on but this first season was very accomplished and wove suspense and character exposition together in an artful and entertaining way. The commentaries were surprisingly informative and interesting, more revealing about behind the scenes feelings and attitudes than I expected,
I got this when it was on sale a few years ago. I won't talk about whether it's worth the money they are charging, that's for you to decide. But the set itself is a great compilation for No Doubt fans, I was pretty impressed with everything they gave, it was like Christmas in a box. Overall the two aspects that have seen the most use by me are the singles CD and the videos DVD.
Perhaps the most accomplished debut rock album I've ever listened to. They are bristling with energy and cleverness and alternate between catchy rock anthems and songs with a punk flair, almost all with a romantic overtone that softens the edges and adds some depth.
Highlights: Chelsea Dagger, Got Ma Nuts, Black and Blue Eyes.
It's one of those albums that you start out liking a couple of the songs and then the others slowly grow in you till you just love it all. I can't wait to see what they do next.
Note: in the copy I bought months ago, I also got a code included in the packaging for download from the band's site one extra song called 3 Skinny Girls.
This album is good, but I have to say I was surprised how varied the styles are on it. She gives everything from reggae, to radio-friendly hits to a couple of songs that sound like they belong in a Broadway show. I like it, and I'm glad she's experimenting, though I think next time she should be a little more focused.