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- First reviewOctober 10, 2007
- Last reviewJuly 31, 2009
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![Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - The Complete Third Season [6 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7821/7821191_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
The height and downfall
on October 22, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Although a smash in its first two seasons, Lois and Clark was, in some ways, reborn at the beginning of its third. Before Lois accepts Clark's marriage proposal, she reveals that she knows how super-unique he is. They eventually embark on a romantic relationship with all the trials and tribulations that come with it.
Almost midway through the season ("Ultra Woman") the two become engaged.
These episodes provided an engaging new direction for the series with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher wonderfully playing off each other. It seemed as if the show would become the golden exception to the "Moonlighting" curse of having main characters get together.
However, this promising momentum came to a drastic halt when ABC televised what we were told was the wedding episode in February of 1996. The episode in question ("I Now Pronounce You...") became a bold-faced lie by the producers as it didn't end with a wedding between the title characters, but with Clark marrying a clone (yes, a clone) of Lois due to Lex Luthor's interference. To add insult to injury, the episode became the first of a Melrose Place-esque arc which would last an irksome 5 EPISODES, involving Lois getting amnesia, which prompts Luthor and then a unscrupulous psychiatrist to try to win her love.
This wasn't merely a case of a series going in a direction that most viewers disliked. This was a case of the show's loyal fans being deliberately lied to and toyed with for weeks on end. Not surprisingly, this arc led to many fans quitting their viewership of the show for good, despite a few watchable episodes at the third season's end and the characters REALLY getting married the following season, which, due to the drop in viewership, turned out to be its last.
If anything could be viewed as snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, it's the third season of Lois & Clark.
Almost midway through the season ("Ultra Woman") the two become engaged.
These episodes provided an engaging new direction for the series with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher wonderfully playing off each other. It seemed as if the show would become the golden exception to the "Moonlighting" curse of having main characters get together.
However, this promising momentum came to a drastic halt when ABC televised what we were told was the wedding episode in February of 1996. The episode in question ("I Now Pronounce You...") became a bold-faced lie by the producers as it didn't end with a wedding between the title characters, but with Clark marrying a clone (yes, a clone) of Lois due to Lex Luthor's interference. To add insult to injury, the episode became the first of a Melrose Place-esque arc which would last an irksome 5 EPISODES, involving Lois getting amnesia, which prompts Luthor and then a unscrupulous psychiatrist to try to win her love.
This wasn't merely a case of a series going in a direction that most viewers disliked. This was a case of the show's loyal fans being deliberately lied to and toyed with for weeks on end. Not surprisingly, this arc led to many fans quitting their viewership of the show for good, despite a few watchable episodes at the third season's end and the characters REALLY getting married the following season, which, due to the drop in viewership, turned out to be its last.
If anything could be viewed as snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, it's the third season of Lois & Clark.
What's great about it: great new direction for the series
What's not so great: wrongheaded 'soap opera' story arc in the middle of the season
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Xena: Warrior Princess - Series Finale [Director's Cut] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5161/5161932_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
A disappointing finale
on October 21, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
Xena deservedly became a smash (even more so than the series that it spun off of, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys).
However, the show began to falter as it entered its final season, with the title character becoming more and more godlike (and, as a result, less and less human) and, even worse, her bond with her sidekick Gabrielle became minimized.
Perhaps, then, it shouldn't have been a complete surprise that the show's finale, while possessing a more epic scope than the finale for Hercules, is a letdown.
Yet another previosuly unmentioned chapter of Xena's past returns to haunt her. This time, it's a figure in Japan who, like Lao Ma in Chin, became smitten with Xena, who, still being a warlord at this point, allowed her ambition to overcome her morality.
Although the photography is first rate, this trip to Japa seems to come out of left field making the whole episode seem anticlimatic with the series itself (whereas both the respective finales for Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had some prior buildup).
The ending of the episode is especially unsatisfying as most anyone who's already seen it knows.
However, the show began to falter as it entered its final season, with the title character becoming more and more godlike (and, as a result, less and less human) and, even worse, her bond with her sidekick Gabrielle became minimized.
Perhaps, then, it shouldn't have been a complete surprise that the show's finale, while possessing a more epic scope than the finale for Hercules, is a letdown.
Yet another previosuly unmentioned chapter of Xena's past returns to haunt her. This time, it's a figure in Japan who, like Lao Ma in Chin, became smitten with Xena, who, still being a warlord at this point, allowed her ambition to overcome her morality.
Although the photography is first rate, this trip to Japa seems to come out of left field making the whole episode seem anticlimatic with the series itself (whereas both the respective finales for Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had some prior buildup).
The ending of the episode is especially unsatisfying as most anyone who's already seen it knows.
What's great about it: good acting from the 2 leads, beautiful production values
What's not so great: anticlimatic series finale
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Witchfinder General [DVD] [1968]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1570/15703008_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Price at his best
on October 20, 2008
Posted by: prlwctd
This film, while successful upon it original 1968 release, was relegated in US cinemas to midnight/drive-in screenings like Vincent Price's Edgar Allan Poe adaptations (indeed, its original US title was the somewhat-catchy "The Conqueror Worm," the title of a Poe poem).
Had the film received the same mainstream distribution as "Rosemary's Baby"(also released in 1968), it quite possibly could've led to an Oscar for Price for his brilliant, haunting portrayal of the title character.
Price's character, one Matthew Hopkins, travels the English countryside with his unscrupulous sidekick making money by torturing innocents suspected of witchcraft. One such individual, a kind priest, dies as a result of such action, which, in turn, incurs the wrath of his niece(whom Hopkins has designs on) and her lover, a soldier.
The film also gained some noteriety due to the drug-induced death of its director, Michael Reeves, following the completion of filming.
Had the film received the same mainstream distribution as "Rosemary's Baby"(also released in 1968), it quite possibly could've led to an Oscar for Price for his brilliant, haunting portrayal of the title character.
Price's character, one Matthew Hopkins, travels the English countryside with his unscrupulous sidekick making money by torturing innocents suspected of witchcraft. One such individual, a kind priest, dies as a result of such action, which, in turn, incurs the wrath of his niece(whom Hopkins has designs on) and her lover, a soldier.
The film also gained some noteriety due to the drug-induced death of its director, Michael Reeves, following the completion of filming.
What's great about it: Great acting and directing, shocking scenes of brutality
What's not so great: not for the squeamish
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Halloween II [DVD] [1981]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4267/4267778_sa.jpg)
Rick Rosenthal's sequel to the classic horror film Halloween, Halloween II, comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible and the soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include the theatrical trailer and production notes. This is a solid release from Universal that boasts strong picture quality.
Customer Rating
3
Routine, but watchable
on November 7, 2007
Posted by: prlwctd
Halloween II belongs in the category of 'inoffensive sequels,' along with Superman II, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Scream 2.
It's more graphic(and, as a result, less effective) than its predecessor. The dark, nearly empty hospital where Michael ends up resuming his pursuit of Laurie strains credulity, and the Empire Strikes Back-inspired angle of Laurie's connection to Michael is silly.
However, the movie is still better than Halloween's countless other imitators. One reason being that it wisely begins where the first one left off, with many of the same people on both sides of the camera.
Both Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis do a fine job reprising their roles and the film's conclusion is satisfying.
It's more graphic(and, as a result, less effective) than its predecessor. The dark, nearly empty hospital where Michael ends up resuming his pursuit of Laurie strains credulity, and the Empire Strikes Back-inspired angle of Laurie's connection to Michael is silly.
However, the movie is still better than Halloween's countless other imitators. One reason being that it wisely begins where the first one left off, with many of the same people on both sides of the camera.
Both Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis do a fine job reprising their roles and the film's conclusion is satisfying.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Halloween Restored [DVD] [1978]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8445/8445818_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Scary and influential
on November 7, 2007
Posted by: prlwctd
After gathering praise for his effective urban thriller Assault of Precinct 13, John Capenter's status as an A-list director was secure with his followup-a simple, but scary shocker called Halloween.
This one film led to almost two decades worth of imitators, none of which had the same impact. One reason for this being that Halloween had characters worth rooting for. Donald Pleasance is perfect as the doctor who's the only one with any understanding of the seemingly-inhuman killer who's escaped from his custody and returned to his old haunts to resume his murder spree. Likewise, Jamie Lee Curtis deservedly became famous as the potential victim who manages to escape Michael Myers. Also worth noting is that Nancy Loomis and P. J. Soles, as the girls who aren't so lucky, prove equally endearing and sympathetic(unlike later slasher film victims, who signed their death warrants by simply being mean to the Last Girl Standing). John Carpenter's music rivals that of Jaws, Psycho, and Suspiria as the finest score for any horror film.
This one film led to almost two decades worth of imitators, none of which had the same impact. One reason for this being that Halloween had characters worth rooting for. Donald Pleasance is perfect as the doctor who's the only one with any understanding of the seemingly-inhuman killer who's escaped from his custody and returned to his old haunts to resume his murder spree. Likewise, Jamie Lee Curtis deservedly became famous as the potential victim who manages to escape Michael Myers. Also worth noting is that Nancy Loomis and P. J. Soles, as the girls who aren't so lucky, prove equally endearing and sympathetic(unlike later slasher film victims, who signed their death warrants by simply being mean to the Last Girl Standing). John Carpenter's music rivals that of Jaws, Psycho, and Suspiria as the finest score for any horror film.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition [2 Discs] [DVD] [1979]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4317/4317732_sa.jpg)
The first Star Trek film, which brought the original cast back to the screen for the first time after the cancellation of the groundbreaking TV series, gets a thorough overhaul for its presentation on DVD. The film has been given a letterboxed transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, as well as new Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround sound mixes, supervised by Robert Wise, the film's director. Wise also teams up with special effects artists Douglas Trumbull and John Dykstra, composer Jerry Goldsmith, and actor Stephen Collins for a bonus commentary track; Goldsmith's score has also been isolated on a separate track. Michael Okuda, who co-wrote The Star Trek Encyclopedia, also contributes an essay on the film. The movie has also been re-edited by Wise for this edition with refurbished and restored special effects. A bonus disc includes footage from the original theatrical release and the broadcast television presentation that Wise deleted for this cut; three separate documentary featurettes; highlights from the film's storyboards; and a number of theatrical trailers and commercial spots for the film, including one created specially for this new edition of the film.
Customer Rating
3
Star Trek's 'rebirth'
on November 7, 2007
Posted by: prlwctd
As I'm sure we all now, Star Trek was actually set to be a new series in the 70's, entitled Star Trek: Phase II with all the original cast, sans Leonard Nimoy.
However, the success of Star Wars made every studio in Hollywood reach for a piece of the intergalatic pie.
Paramount, however, stepped back and realized that they didn't need to create a new sci-fi franchise to compete with Star Wars like those other guys did, because they had one already-Star Trek.
As a result, plans for Phase II were scrapped at the 11th hour and a script for that show was developed for the movie-with the original cast including Nimoy(A sidenote-two other Phase II scripts were later revamped as two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation).
However, the success of Star Wars made every studio in Hollywood reach for a piece of the intergalatic pie.
Paramount, however, stepped back and realized that they didn't need to create a new sci-fi franchise to compete with Star Wars like those other guys did, because they had one already-Star Trek.
As a result, plans for Phase II were scrapped at the 11th hour and a script for that show was developed for the movie-with the original cast including Nimoy(A sidenote-two other Phase II scripts were later revamped as two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation).
Now, as to the film itself...
Like Star Wars and its imitators, there are great SFX and a great music score(which itself became the main theme for Star Trek: The Next Generation).
As with the imitators of Lucas's opus, though, those assets seem to be at the expense of exciting drama.
As many have noted over the years, the film moves too slowly in some parts(was Kirk and Scotty circling the Enterprise in the shuttle really a necessary sequence?).
Still, the film attempts to address cosmic issues in a 2001 vein are somewhat interesting. The opening sequences with the Klingons and the Vulcans are also first rate.
Like Star Wars and its imitators, there are great SFX and a great music score(which itself became the main theme for Star Trek: The Next Generation).
As with the imitators of Lucas's opus, though, those assets seem to be at the expense of exciting drama.
As many have noted over the years, the film moves too slowly in some parts(was Kirk and Scotty circling the Enterprise in the shuttle really a necessary sequence?).
Still, the film attempts to address cosmic issues in a 2001 vein are somewhat interesting. The opening sequences with the Klingons and the Vulcans are also first rate.
The reissue of the film on DVD a few years ago, I thought, made the film better. For instance, I love how the moment where Decker and Ilia exchange smiles on the bridge was moved to another point in the film.
My only complaint about the reissue is the redo of some of the sound effects, most notably the emergency alert sirens. They just seemed to sound more goosebump-inducing in their original track.
My only complaint about the reissue is the redo of some of the sound effects, most notably the emergency alert sirens. They just seemed to sound more goosebump-inducing in their original track.
Despite being called a sleeping pill by some, the delight of seeing the original crew reunited was enough for this film to make a nice amount of money.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Minority Report [WS] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2002]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4827/4827325_sa.jpg)
One of 2002's most highly acclaimed films, Minority Report, directed by Steven Spielberg, comes to DVD in a two-disc set. Everything is in the right place with this release, starting with the image. Framed at 2.39:1 and anamorphic (a severely cropped pan and scan version is available in a separate set), the washed-out, over-saturated visual style of director of photography Janusz Kaminski is produced with exacting measures. The intentional murkiness and overall cold color patterns are perfectly realized. There are plenty of signs of grain: just as it should be. Equally impressive are both the 5.1 English Dolby Digital and DTS tracks. Each is forceful in all respects, with just enough surround material to accentuate the aural experience, while never sacrificing dialogue or subtle sound effect clarity. The second disc in this set contains all of the supplemental materials (no, as usual, the first disc does not contain a Spielberg commentary, though it would be about time). Broken up into six sections, each contains small featurettes organized by longtime collaborator Laurent Bouzereau. These range from two-and-a-half up to nearly ten minutes, and while that may not seem impressive, the overall total runs around 90 minutes. Sections include detailed looks at the visual effects of ILM, locations, stunts, extensive art galleries, trailers, biographies, and much more. Numerous interviews from those involved, including actors Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell, production designer Alex McDowell, costume designer Deborah Scott, composer John Williams, and many others, flesh out this detailed look behind the scenes. While maybe not quite up to the standards of other two-disc sets, there is still a wealth of information on making this impressive film. Coupled with outstanding visual and auditory elements, this DVD deserves as much praise as the film itself.
Customer Rating
5
A cult classic
on October 10, 2007
Posted by: prlwctd
While some 21st Century science fiction has crashed and burned(the TV shows Andromeda and Star Trek: Enterprise, anyone?), other works of the genre have fared better.
Among them is this Steven Spielberg gem, which is the followup his other memorable downbeat sci-fi film, A.I.-Artificial Intelligence.
Laced with 9/11 overtones, this Philip K. Dick adaptation rivals Blade Runner and Total Recall as the correct way to adapt the author's notoriously difficult works to the screen.
While we may mock Tom Cruise these days for his couch-hopping antics, this film is solid proof that he can, in fact, act. His John Anderton is a pitiable, tortured, paranoid man who, thanks to Cruise's skillful acting, the audience instantly sides with when the revolutionary system of capturing killers before they kill targets him.
The supporting cast, which includes Colin Farrell, Max Von Sydow, Jessica Harper, and a pre-Cold Case Kathryn Morris, is also first rate, each portraying memorable characters.
The scene stealer, though, is Samantha Morton as the genetically-treated woman who holds the key to Anderton's fate. It's a performance that is both scary and heartbreaking and should've earned Morton 2002's Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Spielberg's behind-the-scenes triumvirate of Michael Kahn(editing), Janusz Kaminski(cinematography), and John Williams(music) do their usual fantastic jobs.
One word of warning: this film, like A Clockwork Orange(though not quite as explicit), is not for all tastes. There are a number of scenes which urge that its PG-13 rating be heeded(including a nice homage to the aforementioned Kubrick film).
Among them is this Steven Spielberg gem, which is the followup his other memorable downbeat sci-fi film, A.I.-Artificial Intelligence.
Laced with 9/11 overtones, this Philip K. Dick adaptation rivals Blade Runner and Total Recall as the correct way to adapt the author's notoriously difficult works to the screen.
While we may mock Tom Cruise these days for his couch-hopping antics, this film is solid proof that he can, in fact, act. His John Anderton is a pitiable, tortured, paranoid man who, thanks to Cruise's skillful acting, the audience instantly sides with when the revolutionary system of capturing killers before they kill targets him.
The supporting cast, which includes Colin Farrell, Max Von Sydow, Jessica Harper, and a pre-Cold Case Kathryn Morris, is also first rate, each portraying memorable characters.
The scene stealer, though, is Samantha Morton as the genetically-treated woman who holds the key to Anderton's fate. It's a performance that is both scary and heartbreaking and should've earned Morton 2002's Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Spielberg's behind-the-scenes triumvirate of Michael Kahn(editing), Janusz Kaminski(cinematography), and John Williams(music) do their usual fantastic jobs.
One word of warning: this film, like A Clockwork Orange(though not quite as explicit), is not for all tastes. There are a number of scenes which urge that its PG-13 rating be heeded(including a nice homage to the aforementioned Kubrick film).
I would recommend this to a friend!
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