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- Hostel By : Sam Vaknin
The movie "Hostel" (2005) is a potent depiction of gore and graphic horror. More subtly, it is also a counterfactual and jingoistic political allegory for the post 9-11 age.
A couple of wholesome American youths (one of them a Jew) are nabbed by a ring of east Europeans who cater to the depraved needs of sadists by providing them with fresh supplies of torture victims. The good guys are invariably American (or mistaken for Americans, or the allies of Americans, Japanese). The bad guys are invariably European; a decadent and unfaithful Icelandic, seductive Czech and Russian women, a Dr. Mengele type German, a Ukrainian pimp. The torture chambers are located in a small village in the outskirts of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia in Central Europe. Everyone is in on the take, the police especially. - The Office (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the best new comedies on television, The Office chronicles the inner-workings of the fictional Pennsylvania paper company Dunder-Mifflin. The name itself sort of alludes to a bureaucratic labyrinth administered by dunderheads, and in reality, it is. Unfortunately, what makes The Office so outrageously funny is the frightening ability of its millions of viewers to relate to the onscreen happenings. Dunder-Mifflin is mis-managed by the politically-incorrect, borderline lunatic Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Deploying his twisted logic as the basis of company policy, substituting worn out clichés for real leadership, and offering an endless array of ever ridiculous group activities to “increase morale,” he fosters a white collar environment that makes the comic strip world of Dilbert seem desirable in contrast. - Taxi (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
With its biting humor and eccentric characters, Taxi is widely lauded as one of the top sitcoms in television history. The brainchild of James L. Brooks, whose golden touch played a role in such hits as The Andy Griffith Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Simpsons, Taxi continues to entertain and gather generations of new fans through syndicated reruns. With a superb cast and great writers, the show introduced the world to the comedic talents of Hollywood mainstays like Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, Christopher Lloyd, and Andy Kaufman. - The Simpsons (season 7) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the best television shows of its time, or any time for that matter, The Simpsons has resurrected the prime time animation genre. A blockbuster series populated with eccentric characters from the town Springfield, it helped launch the upstart FOX network from second-tier network to a major player alongside CBS, NBC, and ABC. This success opened the door for a plethora of animated series, such as The Family Guy (1999), Futurama (1999), and King Of The Hill (1997). With some of the best and most consistent writers in television, The Simpsons has spent an unprecedented length of time as one of the funniest shows on TV. That’s quite an accomplishment given the level of excellence it takes to manufacture so many episodes over such a long period of time. - On Golden Pond (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and eventual winner of 3 Oscars, On Golden Pond is an unconventional Hollywood blockbuster. Based on the play of the same name by Ernest Thompson, the film offers a character driven storyline that explores numerous themes such as aging, abandonment, and family relationships of various types. Veteran film and TV director Mark Rydell packs the big screen with a star-studded cast for this 1981 release. Because of its well developed characters and realistic portrayal of human interactions, it’s a film that’s almost certain to make you laugh, cry, and/or smile. In fact, if you don’t find Norman to be one of the most hilarious and eccentric characters ever created, then you must not be watching the same film. - Honeymoon In Vegas (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One romantic comedy often overlooked by fans of cinema is Honeymoon In Vegas, a light-hearted, feel-good movie about two lovers overwhelmed by the temptations of Las Vegas. A relatively early film in the careers of both Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker, Honeymoon In Vegas should have been early indicator to audiences everywhere that these two would become Hollywood mainstays. Along with celebrated industry veteran James Caan (who plays a surprisingly similar role on the present TV show Las Vegas), the three combine to create an interesting, if not extremely hilarious, storyline which adds a new twist to the traditional conflict of the love triangle. - Grumpy Old Men Movie Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most superb comedies ever filmed, Grumpy Old Men showcases the multidimensional talents of two of Hollywood's most accomplished actors, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. With the additional brilliant comic performance of Burgess Meredith, Grumpy Old Men transforms from a gem of a picture into one of the funniest movies ever made. A sweeping commercial success, the film spawned the sequel Grumpier Old Men - a rare breed of movie that almost lived up to the quality of the original. - Animal House Review By : Britt Gillette
Arriving on the scene in 1978, Animal House is the blockbuster frat house comedy that rewrote all the rules and created a generation of filmmakers hoping to replicate its comic genius. Original Saturday Night Live cast member John Belushi turned in a breakout film performance that made him a comedy rock star, propelling him to further fame with the release of Blues Brothers (1980). Tim Matheson also has his breakout role in the cult classic which features appearances by actors Mark Metcalf ("the Maestro" from Seinfeld), Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Bacon. - Airplane (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Winner of an astounding, yet not unprecedented zero Academy Awards, Airplane is arguably one of the funniest movies ever made. Long before The Naked Gun, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker teamed up to write this outrageous comedy hit which spoofs the airline disaster movies prevalent throughout the 1970’s. Starring a diverse cast with a wide range of experience from Hollywood, Broadway, and the NBA, Airplane follows the exploits of a number of characters such as Ted Striker (Robert Hays), Roger Murdock (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and Otto The Inflatable Pilot (as himself), all of whom will keep you laughing in the aisles for one hour plus. - Dallas (season 5) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 18 Emmys and 15 Golden Globes in its thirteen season run, Dallas is the 1,000-pound gorilla of the prime-time drama/soap opera genre. Premiering in 1978 as a five-part miniseries, the show combines the classic sex and innuendo of boilerplate afternoon soap operas with the freewheeling adventure of Texas wildcats and filthy rich capitalist oil barons. The explosive combination of rampant love affairs and high stakes business dealings scored well with both men and women, prompting CBS to make Dallas the lynchpin of its Friday night lineup (back when people actually watched Friday night television). As a result, Dallas became one of the most successful TV series in history. In fact, the famous ‘Who shot J.R.?” episode (“A House Divided” Air Date: 3-21-1980) still holds its spot as the second most watched television show ever (the season finale of MASH is #1). With arguably the most memorable TV villian ever created, it’s little surprise that Dallas held the #1 or #2 spot in the Nielsen ratings for most of the 1980s decade. - Memoirs Of A Geisha (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for six Academy Awards, and winner of three, Memoirs Of A Geisha holds its own as one of the best films of 2005. Veteran Hollywood screenwriter Robin Swicord does a superb job of adapting Arthur Golden’s bestselling novel to the big screen. This film has all the elements of a classic drama – jealousy, politics, intrigue, forbidden love, and an abundance of internal and external conflicts of varying types. Viewers in search of a typical Hollywood blockbuster will be greatly disappointed, but those who appreciate a good character-driven film which takes the time to develop the motivations of its cast and build to a climax will discover a splendid gem which offers a welcome escape from reality. - Ferris Bueller's Day Off (dvd) By : Britt Gillette
One of a handful of films which epitomizes the 1980s decade, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off captured the imagination of high school kids all across America as they dreamt of mimicking the title character’s ability to manipulate the authority figures in his life. Written and directed by John Hughes, the brains behind The Breakfast Club (1985) and numerous other 1980’s cult classics, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off launched Matthew Broderick’s acting career into another dimension. In fact, Broderick garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his outstanding performance. It’s a nomination more than worthy of mention, because it’s the strength of the Ferris Bueller character that made this film such a smash hit. - Scrubs (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 9 Emmys and 2 Golden Globes, Scrubs premiered in Fall 2001 to moderate fanfare and a respectable Nielsen rating of #34. And although the series has yet to achieve blockbuster ratings, it has managed to build a loyal fan base devoted to its unique brand of humor and quirky characters. Created by Bill Lawrence (creator of Spin City), Scrubs is a spoof on the dearth of hospital dramas that have cropped up since ER popularized the genre. In a sense, it’s what Grey’s Anatomy would be like if Ben Stiller were the lead character. - Titanic (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 14 Academy Awards and winner of 11 including Best Picture, Titanic became a worldwide phenomenon upon its release in 1997. Written and directed by James Cameron, the producer behind such hits as Terminator 2 and True Lies, the film chronicles the tragic 1912 sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage while interweaving a classic love story. At 194 minutes, it’s probably the longest commercial blockbuster in recent memory. Apparently, the sinking of the ship mirrors the real life timeline of the original sinking of the Titanic and that’s the reason for the three-hour plus running time (or at least, that’s what I’ve heard). Nevertheless, unless you’re absolutely disgusted by overly idealistic love stories, it’s a film well worth watching. - Seinfeld (season 7) Dvd By : Britt Gillette
The show that literally redefined the sitcom genre, Seinfeld evolved from an idea of “a show about nothing” into a sacred pop culture icon. The show follows the life and times of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his best friends, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Living lives of complete selfishness (which is why most of us relate so well to the show), they’re joined by an extensive cast of eccentric supporting characters such as Newman, Uncle Leo, J. Peterman, the Soup Nazi, Frank and Estelle Costanza, and countless others. - Munich (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Munich is undoubtedly director Steven Spielberg’s best work since Band of Brothers (2001). At 2 hours and 44 minutes, the film moves along at a surprisingly quick pace. Spielberg makes adequate use of the time, providing added depth to the characters and illustrating the changes each undertakes in the course of his mission. - Crash (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for six Academy Awards, and winner of Best Picture, Crash is more than deserving of the critical acclaim surrounding its release. Probing the deepest recesses of racism, prejudice, and discrimination in modern day America, the film forces viewers to examine their own tendencies to create and foster stereotypes. More importantly, it does so in a way that doesn’t accuse, blame, or pursue a political agenda. In fact, Crash even touches on the shortcomings of political correctness and how some people have allowed outside perceptions to affect personal judgment, often to their own detriment. Written and directed by Paul Haggis, author of the Million Dollar Baby screenplay, Crash is a thoughtful piece of social commentary wrapped in a storyline ripe with conflict and suspense. - The Office (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most refreshing new comedy series on TV, The Office catalogues the inner-workings of a fictional Pennsylvania paper company called Dunder-Mifflin. The name itself alludes to some sort of bureaucratic labyrinth administered by dunderheads, and in reality, it is. Unfortunately, what makes The Office so hilarious is the ability of viewers to relate to the onscreen office culture. The branch office of Dunder-Mifflin viewers are privy to is managed by the politically-incorrect, borderline lunatic Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Using twisted logic to set company policy, worn out clichés as a substitute for leadership, and an endless array of corny group activities to lift employee morale, he creates an office atmosphere that makes the career of Dilbert seem desirable in contrast. - My Name Is Earl (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the best new shows of the past several years, My Name Is Earl follows the life of Earl Hickey (Jason Lee), a man who discovers karma while lying in a hospital bed. Celebrating a $100,000 scratch-off lottery ticket, Earl gets hit by a car and knocked unconscious. His lottery ticket escapes in the wind, and Earl is hurried to the hospital where a revelation from Carson Daly hits him like a ton of bricks. Convinced that his bad luck is the result of bad karma, Earl compiles a list of everything he’s done wrong from grade school to the present, and he’s intent on fixing every bullet point on his list… Nominated for two Golden Globes in its first season, My Name Is Earl won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy. Created by Gregory Thomas Garcia, creator of the popular Yes, Dear, the series is certain to be a favorite for years to come with its eccentric characters, brilliant writing, and infinite episode possibilities (no doubt the list will grow as Earl tackles each thing on it)… - Just Friends (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
A somewhat hilarious and charming romantic comedy, Just Friends explores the innermost depths of the infamous “friend zone” of male/female relationships. Directed by Roger Kumble, the brains behind the widely lauded film Cruel Intentions (1999), the film has a novel premise, and although not the funniest comedy to hit the big screen in the past few years, it does have some really funny moments. Adam ‘Tex’ Davis makes his debut as a screenwriter after extensive work in cinematography and TV writing, and his efforts are above average, but Just Friends is not in the same league as similar themed contemporaries such as There’s Something About Mary (1998) and Meet The Parents (2000). Nevertheless, it’s a film well worth seeing… - In Her Shoes (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the best date films of 2005, In Her Shoes is a dramatic relationship comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Directed by Curtis Hanson, the hand behind such films as 8 Mile (2002), LA Confidential (1997), and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992), the film is successful in a genre where so many of its peers have miserably failed. The casting is superb, and the onscreen interaction between the various characters creates a realistic impression of wavering love and conflict. Based on the novel by Jennifer Weiner, it weaves a tale of two sisters with differing lifestyles and a lifetime of personal baggage… - Home Improvement (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of 9 Golden Globe and 34 Emmy nominations, Home Improvement spent much of the 1990s as the number one family-friendly comedy series. The creation of three writers who worked on such sitcoms as The Cosby Show (1984) and Roseanne (1988), Home Improvement is only one of a number of successful sitcoms specially constructed for a stand-up comedian in the 1990s. Other such series included Seinfeld (1990), The Drew Carey Show (1995), Everybody Loves Raymond (1996), and King Of Queens (1998) among others. A true groundbreaking series, Home Improvement ranked in the Nielsen Top 10 for 7 of its first 8 seasons, making it one of the most successful prime-time comedy series ever produced... - Hunter (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of 3 Emmy nominations, Hunter is widely considered one of the premiere action/detective dramas of its time. Much like Tom Selleck's Magnum, P.I., Fred Dryer's Hunter had a knack for attracting a TV audience to his unique persona, an onscreen charisma that carried an otherwise so-so series through a nine-season run. Created by Frank Lupo, brains behind the smash hit The A-Team (1982) and writer for the hit series Battlestar Galactica (1978), Magnum, P.I. (1980), and Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), Hunter is constructed on the overused concept of a maverick police officer who breaks the rules, but never gets fired because he's so good. Despite its formulaic approach, Hunter is pure entertainment for all those who love 1980s action dramas... - Touched By An Angel (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of 3 Golden Globe and 12 Emmy nominations, including two for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series (Della Reese), Touched By An Angel built an enormous and dedicated fanbase with its optimistic upbeat themes and inspiring plots. Creator John Masius, the brains behind the hit show Providence (1999) and a writer for the two hit series St. Elsewhere (1982) and LA Law (1986), creates a dramatic series that follows in the footsteps of the highly successful Highway To Heaven, a series which chronicled the life of an angel. Likewise, Touched By An Angel follows a similar plotline, but it uses multiple angelic characters to do so. With a contemporary setting and modern problems, the show reaches a broad audience with its themes of hope, love, and redemption… - Taxi (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
With its mainstream humor and oddball characters, Taxi is widely regarded as one of the best comedy series ever produced on television. The brainchild of James L. Brooks (creator behind such groundbreaking hits as The Andy Griffith Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Simpsons), Taxi retains a dedicated cult following to this day by means of its widely syndicated reruns. With a star-studding cast, the sitcom introduced most of the world to the talents of such comic superstars as Andy Kaufman, Danny DeVito, Marilou Henner, Tony Danza, and Christopher Lloyd… - Knight Rider (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most memorable TV shows of the 1980s, Knight Rider (and particularly K.I.T.T.) enthralled children of all ages while simultaneously entertaining their parents with effective use of the traditional TV action genre format. Knight Rider is the story of a potent crime fighting team assembled by the terminally-ill billionaire Wilton Knight who saves the life of police officer Michael Long. Providing Long with a new identity (Michael Knight) and a new face, the young policeman (David Hasselhoff) spends the rest of his life to fighting crime on behalf of the Foundation of Law and Government (FLAG). Singled out by his billionaire savior and aided by staffers of FLAG, Michael is paired with an extraordinary vehicle capable of fighting the bad guys all by itself… - The King Of Queens (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
A spin-off of the Emmy Award-winning comedy series Everybody Loves Raymond, The King Of Queens took the TV viewing public by storm in the Fall of 1998. With a colorful cast of characters and well-written comic sequences, it more than lives up to the standards of its predecessor. The King Of Queens follows the lives of Doug (Kevin James) and Carrie (Leah Remini) Heffernan, a middle-class, blue-collar couple living in Queens, New York. Life is great for the couple, until Carrie's widowed father Arthur (Jerry Stiller) moves in with them. Now, the two must battle not only each other's eccentricities, but Arthur's as well. With some of the more memorable one-liners and comedic sequences in today's TV landscape, King of Queens is a hilarious comedy series the whole family can enjoy… - The King Of Queens (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
An Everybody Loves Raymond spin-off, The King of Queens revolves around the life and times of Doug Heffernan, a blue-collar, sports fanatic package delivery man who lives in Queens, New York. In his mid-thirties, and married to a beautiful woman named Carrie (Leah Remini), Doug spends the majority of his non-working hours watching his state-of-the-art 70-inch television with two friends who share his devotion to sports, Spence (Patton Oswalt) and Deacon (Victor Williams). But Doug's male paradise suffers a debilitating blow when Carrie's father Arthur (Jerry Stiller) moves into the house. Doug's fantasy TV room is turned into a bedroom, and after numerous failed relocation attempts, the TV finds its way into the garage… Now Doug and Carrie are forced to share their palace with an eccentric father/father-in-law with a knack for ruining the couple's day-to-day routine… - King Of Queens (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
The King Of Queens premiered in Fall 1998 as a spin-off series related to the popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Based on the life of a bit character from that show, The King Of Queens follows the life of IPS delivery man Doug Heffernan (Kevin James) and his wife Carrie (Leah Remini). Much like its predecessor, the series makes use of similar marriage humor material as the basis for its premise. Throw in the hilarious Jerry Stiller as the live-in father-in-law, and The King Of Queens is one of the funniest sitcoms currently on the air... - Law And Order (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Law & Order is centered around the officials who make the New York City criminal justice system function, or as the series tagline states, where "the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups - the police who investigate crime, and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders". Each episode is composed of half police/detective drama and half courtroom/attorney drama. It's a novel concept that takes the traditional public justice dramatic series to the next logical step. Since the inception of Law & Order, such drama series have become more involved in their plotlines, providing viewers with a continuation of the traditional police drama. The Law & Order has constantly transformed over the years with only a few characters experienced longstanding roles. In the face of such high turnover, it's a testament to the show's longevity that it continues to the thrive... - I Love Lucy (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Widely regarded as one of the best, if not the greatest, sitcom in TV history, I Love Lucy marked the beginning of the television era. Created by husband and wife team Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the series completely changed its industry with its use of a live audience and the deployment of more than one camera angle. The product of true comic genius, I Love Lucy's ability to entertain audiences of every age remains as relevant today as it was upon its first inception… - I Love Lucy (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Critically acclaimed as one of the best, if not greatest, television comedy series ever created, I Love Lucy struck an even bigger chord with audience. Beloved by members of every age group of Americans over the past five decades, the show is the product of talented husband and wife duo Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The show literally revolutionized the TV landscape, deploying techniques that are, in many cases, still used today. Brilliantly written and making full use of the comedic genius of Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy is in a class by itself.. - Law And Order (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
The recipient of more than 52 Emmy nominations since its inception in 1990, Law & Order is one of the more popular television shows of the modern era. Boasting a four additional Golden Globe nominations for Best TV Dramatic Series, Law & Order is more than a traditional TV show, it's quite possibly television's most lucrative franchise ever, spawning popular spin-offs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), and Law & Order: Trial By Jury (2005 - now cancelled). Filmed in New York City, the show was created Dick Wolf, a vetern TV writer for such successful series as Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice… - Soap (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 17 Emmys, Soap is a cult classic among the sitcom elite. Set against the backdrop suburban Connecticut, the series focuses on the lives of two sisters: Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond), a wealthy yet ditsy elitist, and Mary Campbell (Cathryn Damon), a housewife in a more traditional working class nuclear family. But regardless of social station, neither woman can escape the intrigue and scandal surrounding a their typical soap opera families. The series features a star-studded cast that include Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, and Robert Guillaume, among others. In fact, Guillaume established his successful sitcom Benson, which was a spin-off of the Soap series... - Will & Grace (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Will & Grace premiered in late 1998 to widespread commercial success. Debra Messing plays the role of Grace Adler, a heterosexual interior designer who shares an apartment with her gay best friend Will (Eric McCormack). Friends since college, Will is a successful lawyer and Grace's closet confidant. Having dated Will before he came out of the closet, Will and Grace maintain a more intimate relationship than most casual friends, and Grace often expresses her wish that Will were not gay. The numerous comic sequences involving the two are supplimented by Will's flamboyantly gay friend Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) and Grace's sassy, eccentric assistant Karen Walker (Megan Mullally)… - Will & Grace (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
First airing in Fall 1998, Will & Grace became one of the most talked about and celebrated sitcoms of its era. The recipient of 49 Emmy nominations, and winner of 12 including one win for Outstanding Comedy Series, the comedy follows the lives of two best friends from college who now live together. With widespread critical acclaim - 24 Golden Globes, 14 SAG Awards, and 6 People's Choice Awards, Will & Grace was the darling of prime time network programming with its clever brand of comedy and groundbreaking sitcom forumla… - Coach (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 16 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes, Coach delighted fans of all ages during its celebrated nine-season run. One of the most underrated sitcoms of its era, the series covers the exploits of fictional Minnesota State Screaming Eagles college football coach Hayden Fox (Craig T. Nelson), the quintessential male chauvinist pig. But unlike many of his politically-incorrect brethren, Hayden has a heart of gold. It’s this softer side that appeals to successful anchorwoman and girlfriend Christine Armstrong (Shelley Fabares). In the locker room, Hayden is joined by assistant coaches Luther Van Dam (Jerry Van Dyke) and Dauber Dybinski (Bill Fagerbakke), the perfect compliments to the coach’s oftentimes sketchy logic. Between his estranged daughter Kelly (Clare Carey), her less-than-manly boyfriend Stuart (Kris Kamm), nagging athletic director Howard Burleigh (Kenneth Kimmins), and ladies basketball coach Judy Watkins (Pam Stone), Hayden is always dispensing sarcasm, trading barbs, or being aggravated by someone. - The Da Vinci Code (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
The Da Vinci Code as a novel is an international bestselling phenomenon, but The Da Vinci Code as a movie is bound to be long forgotten by year’s end. Directed by Ron Howard, the Hollywood veteran behind such memorable films as A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man, this adaptation of Dan Brown’s religious thriller is 149 minutes of monotonous exposition and tedious European spy thriller clichés. What makes Dan Brown’s novels so popular is the narrative background on such subjects as cryptography, secret societies, religious orders, and alternative history. But it’s difficult to translate such ideas to the big screen, and it’s here that The Da Vinci Code fails as a commercial thriller. Entire scenes are composed of lectures on the history of Christianity and the life of Leonardo Da Vinci. Michael Crichton has a similar style of writing that focuses on scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology, but his novels adapt better to the big screen. Whereas Jurassic Park briefly lectured audiences on the inner-workings of DNA, then quickly jumped to two hours of dinosaurs terrorizing people, The Da Vinci Code keeps explaining, hypothesizing, and lecturing only to leave its audience hanging. The ideas are intriguing, but they make for a far better novel than silver screen blockbuster. Minus the interesting conjecture, the film is nothing more than a poorly written 1970s drugstore spy thriller… - The Waltons (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of 15 Golden Globe and 25 Emmy nominations, The Waltons enjoyed nine seasons of high ratings and widespread critical acclaim. Premiering in Fall 1972 on CBS, the drama series catalogued the life and times of a close-knit country family during the depths of the Great Depression. Supposedly, the series is based on the real life events of creator Earl Hamner Jr. and his family. The Waltons answered critics who believed such family shows were passe, and its family-friendly content, coupled with the realistic images of Depression life that it portrayed made it creative triumph as well as a commercial one... - The West Wing (season 5) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Widely considered one of the best drama series on TV, The West Wing appeared in Fall 1999 to great media fanfare. Surrounded by various individual staffers such as Claudia "C.J." Cregg (Allison Janney), Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), and Charlie Young (Dule Hill), the president makes his best attempt to govern the executive branch. The West Wing follows the daily exploits of the president and his loyal staffers as they work to keep the White House efficiently humming. But job stress and personal problems put a strain on each staffer's relationship to his colleagues… - The West Wing (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
The recipient of widespread critical acclaim for its somewhat accurate portrayal of White House working conditions, The West Wing premiered in Fall 1999 to much fanfare and media attention.
Seasoned acting veteran Martin Sheen plays the lead role of President Bartlett to such perfection that it's reported that some believe he's the actual president. Sheen's performance is indicative of the superb casting job pulled off by The West Wing creators. Filling with regular doses of action, suspense, and drama, The West Wing is one of the best drama series on TV… - The West Wing (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Since it first aired in late 1999, The West Wing has been one of the most popular drama series on TV. Hollywood veteran Martin Sheen plays the lead role of President Jed Bartlet in this show which chronicles daily events in the life of a president. The daily operations of Bartlet's White House are run by varying individuals such as Claudia "C.J." Cregg (Allison Janney), Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), and Charlie Young (Dule Hill). The West Wing focuses on these loyal attendants as they work around-the-clock to keep the White House running smoothly. In so doing, the stresses of the job and various personal hardships make for a voyeuristic glimpse into what many believe to be an accurate snap-shot of White House working life… - The West Wing (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Since its September 1999 premiere, the NBC series The West Wing immediately established itself with viewers as one of the top programs on television. With its purportedly realistic weekly foray into the inner-depths of the White House, the drama series became so popular that some pollsters claimed its president Jed Bartlet was the most recognizable candidate going into the 2000 presidential campaign. Nevertheless, the point is that The West Wing strikes a chord with its core audience, showcasing an entertaining brew of action, drama, and suspense with each new episode… - The Family Stone (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the surprise films of 2005, The Family Stone successfully navigates the often tempestuous waters of big screen family dramas. Quite often these types of family relationship films get lost in a deluge of dialogue, conflict, and argument. And although The Family Stone has plenty of the aforementioned, it hits the audience in manageable doses with well-placed comic relief and an unforgettable cast of eccentric characters. Written and directed by up-and-coming Hollywood talent Thomas Bezucha, the film is a mosaic of fun, laughter, sadness, and family relationships most people will find charming and endearing… - The New World (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Directed and written by Terrence Malick, the talented artist behind The Thin Red Line (1998), great anticipation surrounded the release of The New World. The project was bold and ambitious enough to peak one’s interest, but unfortunately, the film could not deliver on its promise. Entire scenes drift by with nothing in particular being achieved to either advance the plot, the theme, or the premise of the film. Unfittingly, the soundtrack featured blaring snippets of concert music reminiscent of Richard Wagner, which would be great if The New World took place in 19th Century Venice instead of 17th Century America. Much more should be expected from James Horner whose brilliant work has enhanced such films as Field of Dreams, Braveheart, Legends of the Fall, and Titanic. The New World soundtrack is disaster almost on par with the latter film. - Dallas (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 15 Golden Globes and 18 Emmys in its 13-season run, Dallas is one of the most memorable prime time dramatic series in television history. Initially airing in Spring 1978 as a mini-series, the show had all the elements necessary for a blockbuster soap opera: sex, suspense, wealth, opulence, fast cars, big houses, and of course, great villians. Probably the most famous villian of the era was J.R. Ewing, but it's difficult to call him the villian when most viewers simultaneously rooted him on. With elaborate business dealings and family feuds abundant, Dallas spend most of the 1980s as either the number one or number two rated show on TV... - Dallas (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
The critically acclaimed recipient of 15 Golden Globes and 18 Emmys during its long prime time run, Dallas is the quintessential prime-time dramatic series. Premiering in the Spring of 1978 as a five-part mini-series, Dallas blossomed into a regular series and held one of the top two spots in the Nielsen ratings for most of the 1980s decade… - Curb Your Enthusiasm (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Winner of countless awards for excellence in television programming, Curb Your Enthusiasm focuses on the real life experiences of Larry David, post-Seinfeld and living a life of fame and fortune in sunny Los Angeles. Much like Seinfeld, the series doesn't revolve entirely around a plot, choosing instead to follow the daily routine of a noted Hollywood insider. But just like his alter-ego George Constanza, Larry David often watches in vein as seemingly irrelevant actions on his part snowball into a string of embarrassing situations and misunderstandings. Larry is joined on the show by his wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) and manager Jeff Greene (Jeff Garlin) as well as a number of famous celebrities who indulge in recurring guest appearances. Smearing the lines between reality and fiction, the series is a perfect follow up to groundbreaking show Seinfeld... - Curb Your Enthusiasm (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Winner of a Golden Globe for Best TV Series (Comedy or Musical), and nominated for 20 Emmys, Curb Your Enthusiasm is among the more funny and best-written shows on television. Yet another popular HBO original series, the show is the product of Seinfeld writer and co-creator Larry David. Amazingly, Larry's life maintains a stunning resemblance to the somewhat fictional George Costanza. And just as George's life is dominated by low self-esteem and self-worth, Curb Your Enthusiasm harbors a similiar theme of what can go wrong, will go wrong. In a sense, it combines the clever "show about nothing" Seinfeld concept with today's penchant for reality TV... - Curb Your Enthusiasm (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of more than twenty Emmy nominations and winner of a Golden Glober for Best TV Series, Curb Your Enthusiasm is one of the more refreshing and original comedy series in recent years. Created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, the HBO original series harbors many of the same dominant themes as its successful predecessor. Following the real life world of Larry David as he socializes with the Hollywood elite, the show is more akin to Costanza and what the Seinfeld show would be like if it were to be applied to the daily life of Jerry's best friend George. Utterly hilarious, the show is one of the best original cable series productions on air today, alongside The Sopranos, Monk, and The Shield. - All In The Family (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of widespread critical acclaim and much audience adulation, All In The Family remained the top rated TV program throughout the early 1970s. Following the life of the loudmouth and often crass Archie Bunker (Carrol O'Connor), the show centered around Archie's constant conflict with his daughter and son-in-law and their very liberal belief system. Archie also periodically clashed with his wife Edith, an often subserviant and ditzy traditional housewife. Tackling some of the more taboo issues of its time such as sexism, racism, bigotry, xenophobia, and death, All In The Family was a truly groundbreaking industry production... - All In The Family (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the more celebrated situation comedies of all-time, All In The Family dominated the Nielsen ratings throughout much of the 1970s. Carroll O'Connor plays the title role of Archie Bunker, the politically-incorrect head of the Bunker household. Loud and opinionated, Archie liberally dispenses his often bigoted remarks and ignorant comments from a recliner in his Queens, New York living room. Living with Archie are his loving, yet airheaded wife Edith (Jean Stapelton), progressive daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers), and ultra-liberal son-in-law Mike (Rob Reiner) who Archie regularly calls "Meathead". As Archie's ingrained assumptions clash with Gloria and Mike's modern ideas, arguments break out everywhere in the Bunker household, but the inevitably the various family members come to love and respect each other for who they are… - All In The Family (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
The top Nielsen-rated television program from 1971 to 1976, All In The Family is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV sitcoms ever produced. Inspired by The Flintstones and The Honeymooners, All In The Family focused on the weekly antics of its own loud-mouth, politically-incorrect Fred Flintstone/Ralph Kramden clone, and like his predecessors, Archie Bunker has a hidden sensitive side. Ingeniously written and downright hilarious, All In The Family established new ground for TV sitcoms with its willingness to take on the taboo social issues of its day. Topics covers included bigotry, racism, homosexuality, sexism, death, and other namby-pam, commie-lib feminist ideals (at least that's how Archie would say it!) A true mammoth in the history of TV, All In The Family also led to a pair of highly successful spin-offs: Maude and The Jeffersons… - Casablanca (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the greatest, and certainly one of the most quoted, films in cinema history, Casablanca contains all the essential elements of a Hollywood blockbuster: adventure, romance, intrigue, suspense, and of course, evil Nazi bad guys (if you doubt this last one as an essential element, then reference the success of the Indiana Jones films). With a director (Michael Curtiz) and cast second to none, Casablanca makes a strong case for consideration as the best movie ever made. And although I loath clichés, it is true that they just don’t make ‘em like this one anymore… - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Hands down, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the best Christmas-themed comedy ever filmed. Personally, I make it habit to watch this movie about ten million times between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Even after seeing the film so many times that I can recite it word-for-word, Christmas Vacation remains as hilarious and entertaining as the previous holiday season. More than just a seasonal film, it’s one of those rare comedies that it near perfect from beginning to end. - Elf (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
This Christmas, discover your inner elf… At least, that's the tagline for Elf, one of the funniest films of 2003. Packed with a cast of Hollywood all-star talent, Elf is guaranteed to make you laugh. The touching story about an adopted elf who discovers he's really a boy is sort of a bizzaro-Pinocchio story that opened to such widespread critical acclaim that it unanimously swept zero Oscars at the 2004 Academy Awards ceremony! Nevertheless, Elf is worth the price of admission. Although Christmas Vacation still holds the title as the top Christmas comedy, Elf is still a great night's entertainment… - How The Grinch Stole Christmas (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of a handful of essential, "must-see" animated Christmas classics, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a Dr. Seuss holiday masterpiece. Created in 1966 on the heels of the phenomenal success surrounding such TV specials as A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), the Grinch has morphed into a sacred annual Christmas rite perfect for any child from one to ninety-two. The narration and singing voice of Boris Karloff breathes life into the 1955 Dr. Seuss tale of a dark and miserly heart’s redemption, thus revealing the true meaning of Christmas. Based on Charles Dickens’ literary classic A Christmas Carol, it creates a uniquely memorable caricature of the Scrooge personality we’ve come to know so well… - I Claudius (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Think history is boring? Think again! I Claudius is proof that an educational film can also be one of the most popular and entertaining series ever produced. A 1976 mini-series, starring many of the best known theatrical performers of its day, I Claudius is one of, if not the, greatest productions chronicling the history of the Roman Empire. Covering the period from the later years of Augustus's rule as the first emperor of Rome to the death of Emperor Claudius, I Claudius takes a look at the social and political underpinnings and developments of the Roman Empire through the eyes of Claudius, an often overlooked member of the emperor's family. An epic in the true sense of the word, I Claudius should be on every film buff's viewing list… - Finding Nemo (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Finding Nemo continues the Disney tradition of producing high-quality, blockbuster films that entertain audiences of all ages. Featuring the wonders of the Pixar animation technology, the film is a breathtaking window into the future of animated pictures, with borderline 3-D visual effects and the introduction of original animated film techniques certain to influence future masterpieces. Boasting a slew of talented voiceovers such as Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, and John Ratzenberger, Finding Nemo is certain to maintain a place in the hearts of children of all ages for generations to come… - Frosty The Snowman (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
A gold member of the Christmas classic elite, Frosty The Snowman has entertained several generations of children and adults with its charming holiday magic. Jimmy Durante narrates this 1969 animated creation that features the birth of Frosty, a happy upbeat snowman brought to life by a magical hat. The story is based on the popular Christmas song of the same name, and Durante’s narration and singing brings the animation itself to life. One of the best holiday cartoon specials ever created, Frosty The Snowman will be a part of Christmas celebrations for years to come. - The Lion King (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Winner of two Academy Awards for Best Music, both Original Score and Original Song, The Lion King would have won Best Picture had it not been an animated film. Arguably the greatest full-length animated Disney feature of all time, The Lion King is a drama of epic proportions, and a film that forever extended the boundaries of the animation genre. Hans Zimmer creates an original score that is second to none in cinematic history, and Elton John’s hit single “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” swept the nation upon the film’s release. With powerful and often mesmerizing visual sequences, the use of a timeless plot device, and brilliant direction, the film will stand the test of time as one of the best movies ever produced. - Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of a plethora of animated Christmas classics created in the 1960's - A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) come to mind - this rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is unique in that it uses stop-motion animation instead of cartoons to tell its story. Voiced by Burl Ives, Sam the Snowman brilliantly narrates the tale of an awkward reindeer and his firsthand struggle with discrimination. Along the way, Ives sings a number of holiday classics such as “Silver and Gold,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and of course, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. - I Love Lucy (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Real-life husband and wife Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz play the fictional roles of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy, one of the most beloved and celebrated television series ever produced. Living in a New York City apartment, Lucy and her neighbor/best friend Ethel Mertz often engage in outrageous shennanigans while husbands Ricky and Fred try to foil their schemes. Lucille Ball is the obvious star of the show with her likeable onscreen persona and goofy antics. A true television classic, I Love Lucy is the real must-see TV... - I Love Lucy (season 5) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of widespread critical and audience acclaim, I Love Lucy is by far one of the greatest, if not the greatest, comedy series in television history. It literally revolutionized the TV landscape forever with its creative thinking, live studio audience, experimental camera angles, and top-notch writing. Created by the talented husband and wife team of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy became the most celebrated show of its time and helped usher in a whole new era in the American entertainment experience... - Sanford And Son (season 6) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of numerous comedies created in the 1970s by the talented Norman Lear (other hits such as All In The Family, Maude, Good Times, and The Jeffersons come to mind), Sanford And Son received 7 Emmy nominations and 6 Golden Globe nominations for its widely acclaimed humor. Based on the life of Los Angeles junkyard owner Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) and that of his son Lamont (Demond Wilson), the series was one of the first with an entirely African-American cast. Through every episode, Fred manages to insult and offend just about every person, group, race, ideology, etc. The show was such a hit, it stayed in the Nielsen Top Ten for its entire run, excluding its final season... - Sanford And Son (season 5) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Winner of widespread critical and audience acclaim, Sanford And Son remained a mainstay of the Nielsen Top Ten from its inception into its final season on the air. Centered around the life of Fred Sanford, a sixty-year-old junkyard owner who lives with his son Lamont, Sanford And Son brought Redd Foxx from the dark backrooms of comedy halls to the forefront of American pop culture, making certain his talent didn't go unnoticed. With numerous brilliant jabs, sarcastic comments, fake heart attacks, and other such shennanigans, Fred Sanford earned his place in the hallowed halls of TV history... - Sanford And Son (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for 7 Emmys and 6 Golden Glboes, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Sanford And Son remained one of the top ten rated TV shows every season it aired with the exception of its final season (when it ranked a respectable 27th). Fred loves to hurl sarcastic comments at his sister-in-law Esther, and he often makes stereotypical and prejudice remarks toward Lamont's friend Julio. Manipulating his otherwise ambitious son into staying around to run the junk shop, Fred spends days hanging around the house (he runs a home-based business) and talking with various friends: Melvin, Grady, and Bubba… - Sanford And Son (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Set in the Watts district of Los Angeles, Sanford And Son centers around the life of Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx), a 65-year-old African-American antiques dealer. Fred lives with, and shares the business with, his 34-year-old son Lamont (Demond Wilson). One of the first TV sitcoms to completely revolve around African-American characters, Sanford And Son showcased the comic genius of Redd Foxx with every episode. Fred Sanford's trademark fake heart attacks and sarcastic jabs made for some of the funniest TV viewing of its era. With a host of eccentric characters and nagging relatives always hanging, there's never a dull moment... - Sanford And Son (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of 7 Emmy and 6 Golden Globes nominations, including a Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, Sanford And Son is one of the first television shows in history to focus almost entirely on the lives of African-American characters. With a script adapted from the British TV series Steptoe & Son, Sanford And Son highlighted the underrated talent of popular stand-up comedian Redd Foxx (prevented by segregation from becoming a superstar decades earlier). Created by Norman Lear, the brains behind such hits as All In The Family, the show signaled the emergence of a new class of sitcoms penned by the 1970s writer. His work included such notable series as Maude (1972), Good Times (1974), and The Jeffersons (1975). Peppered with stinging one-liners and hilarious antics, Sanford And Son held a Top 10 position in the Nielsen ratings every year except its final season... - The A-team (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of a plethora of blockbuster regular series inextricably linked to the 1980s decade, The A-Team is an action series with an unending number of bombs, bazookas, and machine guns, where inexplicably no one ever dies! Code for "Alpha Team," The A-Team is a Vietnam War-era special ops commando unit wrongfully accused of robbing a bank in Hanoi. The four man team of Hannibal, "Face", B.A., and Murdock, escape from a maximum security prison and survive underground by doing good deeds for those in need of their solider skills. With the federal government hot on its trail, The A-Team hides out in the general area of Los Angeles County… - Nypd Blue (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of 13 Golden Globe and 84 Emmy nominations, including five for Best TV Series (Drama), NYPD Blue is widely regarded as one of the best prime time dramatic series in TV history. The show is also one of the most controversial as well. Before its initial release in Fall 1993, NYPD Blue became the subject of a nationwide controversy stemming from its use of foul language and improper visual scenes. The series prompted a national debate on what constitutes proper TV programming and whether or not government censorship should be involved. All this happened before the first episode ever aired! "Family values" interest groups attacked ABC for releasing the show, but when NYPD Blue proved itself to be mild by today's standards, the publicity only helped to propel the police drama series to the apex of the Nielsen ratings, where it remained for twelve seasons… - Oz (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
Recipient of two Emmy nominations and varying critical acclaim, Oz is considered by many to be one of the greatest prison dramas ever devised. Created by former St. Elsewhere writer Tom Fontana, the show was one of a number of highly touted and commercially successful HBO original series created in the 1990s. Initially aired in the summer of 1997, Oz built a strong following of viewers addicted to its vivid depiction of American prison life and hypnotic voyeuristic window into the bad side of American life. Along with The Sopranos and Sex And The City, it rose to prominence as one of the top series on HBO... - Cheers (season 5) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the funniest TV comedies ever produced, Cheers is essential viewing for anyone who's ever frequented a hangout "where everyone knows your name". The shows focuses on a friendly neighborhood Boston bar named Cheers (the Bull & Finch Pub in real life). Owned by former Boston Red Sox reliefer Sam Malone (Ted Danson), Cheers has three employees other than Sam: Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson), Carla Tortelli (Rhea Pearlman), and Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Celebrated psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar) and his wife Dr. Lilith Sternin Crane (Bebe Neuwirth) are regular customers of the bar (with Dr. Crane later playing the lead role in his own series, Frasier). Norm Peterson (George Wendt) and Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger), regular barflies, round out an excellent supporting cast of characters. - Cheers (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most popular television sitcoms ever, Cheers is the perfect series for anyone who's ever been to a regular getaway "where everyone knows your name". The show revolves around a friendly neighborhood Boston bar on Beacon Street named Cheers. Owned by former Red Sox relief pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson), the bar is frequented by a host of regular customers and has three employees: bartender Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson), waitress Carla Tortelli (Rhea Pearlman), and Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Celebrated psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar) is a common fixture at the bar (and later stars in his own award-winning series, Frasier). Barflies Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger) Norm Peterson (George Wendt) finish off a strong supporting cast of zany characters. - Cheers (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most beloved TV sitcoms in American history, Cheers is the perfect show for anyone who's ever frequented a place "where everybody knows your name". The series follows the lives of the workers and patrons who inhabit a friendly neighborhood Boston bar named Cheers. Cheers is operated by a retired Boston Red Sox relief pitcher named Sam Malone (Ted Danson). Sam has three people on his staff: Ernie "Coach" Pantusso (Nicholas Colasanto), Carla Tortelli (Rhea Pearlman), and Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Regulars Norm Peterson (George Wendt) and Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger) round out a strong supporting cast of eccentric characters. Most notably, season three provides viewers with their first glimpse of Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar), a psychiatrist who would later have his own series, Frasier... - Cheers (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the top-rated sitcoms of the 1980s, Cheers founded the "must see" hours of NBC's prime time lineup. Following the exploits of a group of bar employees and their customers, Cheers became a regular hangout not just for guys like Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, but for all of America as well. Bartender and Cheers owner Sam Malone is a retired pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, while he's joined by employees Ernie "Coach" Pantusso, Carla Tortelli, and Diane Chambers. A number of recurring characters seated around the bar appear in each episode. Almost every episode takes place entirely in the bar... - The Andy Griffith Show (season 6) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the funniest sitcoms in television history, The Andy Griffith Show chronicles the happenings of the small town of Mayberry and its easy-going Sheriff Andy Griffith. Andy is joined by his young son Opie, his deputy Barney Fife, his Aunt Bee, and a plethora of oddball, eccentric, and sometimes wacky characters. The small town American charm of this series harkens to a simpler era in American life that often makes people nostalgic for the "good ole days"... - The Andy Griffith Show (season 5) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most beloved and most popular comedy series in history is The Andy Griffith Show, known for its small town American values and celebration of neighborly love. The series follows the life and times of Mayberry Sheriff Andy Griffith and his young son Opie. The two are joined by the hilarious and bungling Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife and a host of other oddball characters and friendly neighbors. - The Andy Griffith Show (season 4) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the highest rated TV series of its era, The Andy Griffith Show is enjoyed by people of every age to this day. The show centers around the world of Sheriff Andy Griffith of Mayberry. But the true series star is Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) in the role of the sometimes competent, always wacky sidekick. The onscreen magic between Griffith and Knotts is something to behold. Both men went on to storied careers in Hollywood with Knotts gaining numerous roles, such as that of Mr. Furley on Three’s Company, and Griffith as the lead star on the popular show Matlock... - The Andy Griffith Show (season 3) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most celebrated series in TV history, The Andy Griffith Show harkens to a simpler time in America's history, a time dominated by sandlot baseball, Sunday church, and apple pie. It's against this backdrop that The Andy Griffith Show is set in the small Carolina town of Mayberry. The main character is Sheriff Andy Griffith who lives his Aunt Bee and young son Opie. Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife adds great comic relief, while numerous others throughout the town, from storeowners to neighbors add additional life to the stories... - The Andy Griffith Show (season 2) Dvd Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the most popular TV shows in history, The Andy Griffith Show transports viewers back in time to a simpler era dominated by small town things such as apple pie, family, neighbors, and black and white television… The memorable theme song whistle is widely regarded as one of the more recognizable ever produced, and the long-standing syndication of the show's reruns is unprecedented. The Andy Griffith Show centers around the small town of Mayberry and its easy-going sheriff Andy Griffith. With his wife long passed, he's father to a young boy named Opie (Ron Howard). Andy and Opie are joined in Mayberry by Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife, Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), and a number of other crazy characters. - Wedding Crashers (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
One of the funniest and most outrageous comedies of 2005, Wedding Crashers will have you falling out of your chair with laughter. Directed by the underrated David Dobkin, the film features now veteran Hollywood funny men Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn in their first film together as the central headliners. TV writers Steve Faber and Bob Fisher author the screenplay, a breakout hit for both, that has to be considered one of the best written comedies of the year. Of course, it helps to have the perfect comic duo delivering the lines, and Wedding Crashers offers just that. The onscreen personas of Vaughn and Wilson compliment each other extremely well, providing a flux between the laid back approach of Wilson and the fast talking banter of Vaughn. - A Christmas Story (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Adapted from humorist Jean Shepherd's hilarious memoir In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, A Christmas Story has climbed the ranks of the annual holiday classic films list to claim its spot among the hallowed elite of the genre. If you’ve ever tried to lick a frozen telephone pole, or found yourself in a ridiculous bunny outfit on Christmas morning, then A Christmas Story is one comedy you won’t want to miss… - The Shawshank Redemption (dvd) Review By : Britt Gillette
Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, The Shawshank Redemption amazingly failed to win a single Oscar. It’s amazing because it’s probably one of the top ten best films ever produced. Based on Stephen King’s short story ‘Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,’ the film transcends the typical intellectually and spiritually bankrupt Hollywood entertainment of the modern era with an onscreen artistry that is the closest we’ll probably ever see to poetry in moving pictures. With masterful performances by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, audience members will find themselves engrossed in a tragic story wrought with suspense at every turn… - aishacristalwritername@gmail.com By : Aisha Cristal
Recipient of ten Academy Award nominations and winner of seven, including Best Picture, The Sting is widely lauded as one of the best films ever produced. Written by David S. Ward, whose unorthodox genius has produced such Hollywood hits as Major League (1989), King Ralph (1991), and Sleepless In Seattle (1993), The Sting boasts a superbly well-written screenplay, ripe with perfectly constructed dialogue and a plotline riddled with suspense. Directed by George Roy Hill, who previously teamed with Paul Newman and Robert Redford to produce Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969), it paints a colorful picture of 1930s Chicago. Complete with gangsters, card games, illegal gambling, sex, and murder, what else could a movie lover wish for? - Braveheart (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Long before The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson directed another cinematic masterpiece, Braveheart. Filmed against the backdrop of majestic mountains and rolling meadows, it tells the historically-based (yet not entirely accurate) story of William Wallace, a common man’s warrior who led the Scottish people in rebellion against King Edward I, also known as “Longshanks”. Written by Randall Wallace, an American tourist fascinated with a Scottish statue of his namesake, the script collected dust in Hollywood for over a decade before Gibson made the brilliant decision to put it on the big screen. Just like The Passion, it’s a decision he would not regret… - Must Love Dogs (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the least appreciated films of 2005 is Must Love Dogs, an upbeat romantic comedy about two recent divorcees. Directed and adapted to screen by Gary David Goldberg, veteran TV writer for such shows as MASH and Family Ties, the film offers a number of laughs and very little in the way of strained or forced moments. As usual, John Cusack’s character appears on the big screen as an amicable and enigmatic personality. Cusack and Diane Lane make for a good onscreen pairing, but the script is somewhat lacking in its ability to deliver. Much like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail, the concept and the couple are intriguing, but the unmet high expectations leave much to be desired… - Frasier (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Much like the shows Seinfeld and Friends, Frasier, the Kelsey Grammer Cheers spin-off, dominated the NBC prime time TV lineup throughout the 1990s. Grammer stars in the title role of Dr. Frasier Crane who, recently divorced, moves back to his home city of Seattle, Washington. Landing a gig as a radio psychiatrist, Frasier reluctantly agrees to let his father Marty (John Mahoney), a Seattle cop recently shot in an attempted robbery, move into his new bachelor pad. Both Frasier and his younger brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) make a concerted effort to mend the relationship with their estranged father whose beer guzzling friends, plaid shirt wardrobe, and weathered recliner strike a dramatic contrast with the boys and their pretentious social circles. Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) acts as Frasier’s live-in housekeeper and Marty’s personal physical therapist. - Frasier (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the most celebrated TV series of its time, Frasier follows the life of the popular Cheers character, Dr. Frasier Crane. The entire course of the show usually takes place in three settings: Frasier’s radio studio where he works alongside producer Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin), Frasier’s high-rise apartment, and Café Nervosa, a favorite java hangout for Niles and Frasier. A witty and clever examination of America’s clash of cultures (also exemplified by Frasier’s recurrent interaction with radio sports host Bob “Bulldog” Briscoe), Frasier stands above the crowd as one of the most consistently well-written shows in TV history. - Frasier (season 5) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the top-rated sitcoms of the 1990s decade, Frasier follows the life and times of radio psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane. Recently divorced, Frasier moves back to his hometown of Seattle where he attempts to rekindle relationships with both his father and brother. Frasier’s father, Martin Crane (John Mahoney) was recently shot in the line of duty and forced into retirement when the wound left him with a limp. Frasier and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) agree to have Marty move in with Frasier. Soon thereafter, they hire Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) as the housekeeper and Martin’s physical therapist. Frasier’s colleague Roz Doyle makes recurring appearances throughout the series as well. One of the best written sitcoms of any era, Frasier is one of the few series in television history with hundreds of episodes which all hilarious… - Frasier (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the funniest and most beloved comedies of its era, the Cheers spin-off Frasier remained a lynchpin in the NBC lineup for much of the 1990s. Following the life of eminent psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane in the aftermath of his divorce from Lilith, Frasier takes place in Seattle, Washington where the title character lives with his handicapped father Martin, a retired police officer wounded in the line of duty. The two are joined by Daphne Moon, a live-in housekeeper and physical therapist, and Martin’s dog Eddie who is constant irritant to Frasier. Recurring characters include Frasier’s brother Niles and Frasier’s producer Roz Doyle… - Star Trek (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Recipient of four Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Dramatic Series on two occasions in its short three-year run, Star Trek is a science-fiction legend among television viewers. The creation of former Los Angeles police officer Gene Roddenberry, the series first aired in Fall 1966 but was cancelled because of low ratings. It might have been NBC executives who were really responsible for the low ratings seeing as how they placed the show in a horrible time slot. Nevertheless, when Star Trek became syndicated, the reruns took hold of an entirely new generation, shooting the Star Trek franchise to new highs. It would be only the beginning of decades of spin-off products, including comics, novels, six feature films, and tons of merchandise as fans clamored for everything Star Trek-related… - Family Guy (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Having first aired after the 1999 Super Bowl, Family Guy really hit its stride via cable re-runs and DVD sales (prompting Fox to announce the launch of Season 4 in May 2005, following the show's original cancellation following Season 3). An animated series building a similar cult following to The Simpsons and Futurama, Family Guy employs its own unique brand of humor distinct to its other animated peers… - North And South (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Based on the best-selling novels by John Jakes, North And South premiered as a highly celebrated and critically acclaimed television series in 1985. In the spirit of Gone With The Wind, the novels cover 19th Century America before, during, and after the Civil War. As with the Margaret Mitchell classic, Jakes creates a larger-than-life cast of characters to tell his story of struggle between a Union of States divided on the issues of human bondage and state’s rights, loyalty to one’s nation and loyalty to the state in which one was born, along with innumerable interpersonal conflicts lost in the sands of time… To tell his story, Jakes uses two families, the Hazard family of Pennsylvania and the Main family of South Carolina. - Just Like Heaven (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the hidden gems of 2005, Just Like Heaven was overshadowed by the usual commercial blockbusters and Academy Award nominees. But this cute little film is the very embodiment of the movie going experience. Fitting easily into the “chick flick” genre, Just Like Heaven isn’t a sappy, drawn-out love story filled with clichés and over-the-top dialogue. It’s actually funny and likeable enough to appeal to males as well as females. Mark Waters, director of such films as Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, minted himself a successful film during the casting stage when he picked the perfect combination of onscreen talent to illustrate his story. The chemistry between Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon makes this film a lot more interesting than it would otherwise be with a lesser combination of talent… - Alias (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the highest rated shows of its era, Alias maintains a loyal cult following swept away by its intriguing suspense and action-packed drama. Jennifer Garner stars in the lead role of Sydney Anne Bristow, a beautiful and cerebral recruit tasked to work for a secret government entity, the SD-6 agency. But problems confront her when she eventually realizes that SD-6 is not the government agency she thinks. Reunited with her estranged father Jack (Victor Garber), she blossoms into a top tier double agent in an attempt to counter SD-6... Recipient of numerous industry awards and award nominations, Alias continues to grow its fanbase via strong writing, interesting characters, and a suspense-riddled plotline... - Alias (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Making its debut in September 2001, Alias immediately struck a chord among interested television viewers. The series combines the conspiracy and intrigue of The X-Files with the action and adventure of a Hollywood blockbuster. It also helps that the central character of the show is a mysterious and beautiful woman played by Jennifer Garner. But it's the unique plots and creative dialogue of writers which makes Alias one of the highest rated shows of its era... - Er (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Winner of numerous Golden Globes and Emmys, as well as the recipient of innumerable additional nominations, ER is widely considered one of the best television dramas of its era. Created by Michael Crichton, the show chronicles the inner-workings of a Chicago hospital emergency room. With subplots involving the characters' various relationship woven into an action-packed plot involving the trauma ward, ER is a fascinating look at current America... - Er (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
The recipient of 25 Golden Globe and 110 Emmy nominations, including seven for Outstanding Drama Series, ER is considered one of the best "reality" dramas in television history. First airing in September 1994, the hour-long NBC trauma ward series vividly depicts the intense stress typical of a hospital emergency room. Created by Michael Crichton, the author of such bestselling books as Jurassic Park and Timeline, ER fulfills Crichton's vision of an up-close and personal glimpse of the technologies and humans who run America's ERs... - Er (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the more popular "reality" dramas on prime time TV, ER follows the lives of several of emergency room doctors and staff personal working a bustling Chicago ER. The makes a concerted effort to reveal the true details of the inner-workings of an emergency room. From the high point of saving lives to the boring minutae of paperwork, the highs and lows of hospital ER work are examined. The initial years see several characters appearing regularly. Among them are doctors Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards), Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle), Douglas Ross (George Clooney), and Susan Lewis (Sherri Stringfield); Lead Nurse Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) and resident intern John Carter (Noah Wyle)...
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