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- 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… - Will & Grace (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Premiering in the Fall of 1998, Will & Grace has become one of the most celebrated shows of its time. Nominated for 49 Emmys, and winner of 12 (including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2000), the show follows the lives of two best friends who live together. With a plethora of other award nominations - 24 Golden Globes, 14 SAG Awards, and 6 People's Choice Awards, Will & Grace continues to light up the small screen with its unique brand of comic humor and groundbreaking sitcom format… - 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. - Walk The Line (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for five Academy Awards, and winner of the Oscar for Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon), Walk The Line chronicles the life and times of legendary country music star Johnny Cash with an intense, and sometimes dark, intimacy. Following on the heels of the previous year’s Oscar Award-winning picture Ray, based on the life of Ray Charles, I entered the theater under the mistaken impression that Walk The Line would be a cookie-cutter attempt to capitalize on the various themes of that picture’s commercial success. But although the dramatic personal struggle with drug addiction is prevalent in both films, Walk The Line was more than able to stand on its own as a powerful and impressionable big screen biography. And just like the aforementioned film, you leave Walk The Line with a renewed interest in the music of Johnny Cash and a deep personal attachment to the lives of Cash and his likeable wife, June Carter. - 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… - Touched By An Angel (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 3 Golden Globes and 12 Emmys, including two by Della Reese for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Touched By An Angel built a sizeable and loyal audience with its upbeat themes and inspirational storylines. The brainchild of John Masius, creator of Providence (1999) and writer for such hit series as St. Elsewhere (1982) and LA Law (1986), Touched By An Angel follows in the footsteps of Michael Landon's successful series Highway To Heaven, which chronicled the exploits of a single angel who wandered across the United States providing support for lost souls in need of aid. Touched By An Angel is quite similar, but the series uses multiple angels to achieve its purpose. Like Highway To Heaven the series utilizes a contemporary setting and modern problems, allowing the show reach a broad audience who enjoy its themes of love, hope, and redemption… - 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. - The X-files (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 12 Golden Globes and 61 Emmys, including 4 for Outstanding Drama Series, The X-Files is one of the world's most popular science-fiction drama shows. Premiering in the Fall of 1993 on the Fox Network, home of popular programs such as The Simpsons (1989) and King Of The Hill (1997), The X-Files created an entire fictional world of conspiracies and secret organizations, building a legion of fanatic followers as devoted to the series as Trekkies are to Star Trek. Creator Cris Carter, a former writer for numerous TV shows in the late-80s/early-90s - The Nanny (1993) is one example - brings together the finest aspects of suspense-laden spy novels and alien science fiction. The result is one of the top sci-fi franchises ever produced, spawning its own line of merchandise and even a full length feature film - The X-Files: Fight The Future (1998). With nine successful seasons to its credit, The X-Files is one of the longest-running sci-fi series in television history… - 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 West Wing (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Premiering in September 1999, the original NBC series The West Wing built an instant cult following with its seemingly realistic weekly excursions into the inner sanctums of the White House. The series became such a hit that some pollsters claimed that certain people actually believed Jed Bartlet was the real president (although, if true, this is more of a negative reflection on the intelligence of the electorate, and not necessarily an indication of West Wing's realism). But regardless, the truth of the matter is that West Wing definitely strikes a chord with certain audiences, providing entertaining brew of action, suspense, and drama on a weekly basis… - 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 Sopranos (season 5) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
The Sopranos centers around the life of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a middle-aged father of two, husband, and successful businessman. But unlike most sitcom families, Tony is constantly irritated by his children, Meadow and Anthony (Jamie Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler). Furthermore, he regularly cheats on his wife Carmela (Edie Falco), and to top it off, he’s the head of a mafia crime organization. The constant confusion and stress in Tony’s life pushes him to seek out a therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), so he can unload his problems. Following a the outline of a traditional prime time soap opera, The Sopranos shies away from the glorification of the mobster lifestyle and paints a picture of a world not much different than that of the average middle-class family… - The Sopranos (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Recipient of numerous awards and critical acclaim, The Sopranos has solidified itself as one of the best shows of the past decade. A sitcom family version of The Godfather, although not to be confused with family-friendly programming, the show provides a fresh glimpse of the vast underworld of organized crime. Putting a middle-class family twist on the mafia lifestyle, it creates a seduction world that it is simultaneously easier to relate to for most viewers. James Gandolfini plays the role of Tony Soprano, loving husband and father of two. He also happens to be an organized crime boss. But the glamour life portrayed in the movies isn’t the one enjoyed by Tony. He grapples not only with the high stress of his job, but out-of-control kids, a strained relationship with his wife, and a growing bout of depression. Seeing a therapist on a regular basis, the show follows his day-to-day exploits… - The Sopranos (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
In the late 90’s, The Sopranos, along with HBO’s other original series with Sex And The City, took the entertainment world by storm with its dry wit and flavorful brand of drama. A hybrid of The Godfather and a normal, run-of-the-mill sitcom family, The Sopranos created a new experience for its audience and quickly developed a legion of loyal dedicated fans. Winner of numerous Emmys, the show follows the lives of the Soprano family headed by Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a middle-aged family man and mafia boss. Tony is joined by his two children Anthony and Meadow (Robert Iler and Jamie Lynn Sigler), his wife Carmela (Edie Falco), his therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), and a band of mafia characters too numerous to mention. Far from the glamour life often portrayed in the movies, The Sopranos is one show you won’t want to miss… - The Sopranos (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
In the late 1990’s a new HBO original series took America by storm. The Sopranos redefined the cable drama series genre with its unique look into the family life of a New Jersey mafia kingpin. Recipient of numerous Emmy nominations in the years since, The Sopranos has built a loyal following among television viewers and critics alike. - The Sopranos (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Along with Sex And The City, the HBO original series The Sopranos took the world by storm in the late-1990s with its cutting edge drama and acerbic wit. A cross between The Godfather and the traditional nuclear sitcom family, the show provided a unique experience for a niche audience that quickly developed into a barrage of dedicated fans. Nominated for countless Emmy's, and winner of at least four in every one of its seasons except Season 2 (in which it carried home one), The Sopranos has cemented itself as one of the elite shows in television history… - 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. - The Simpsons (season 6) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the best television shows of its era, or any era, The Simpsons redefined the genre of prime time animation. The blockbuster series filled with eccentric personalities from the town Springfield helped propel the rising FOX network from second-tier to the elite status enjoyed by CBS, NBC, and ABC. Its success opened the door for numerous animated series that followed a similar path, including The Family Guy (1999) and King Of The Hill (1997). With some of the best writers in the business, The Simpsons has maintained its consistency as one of the funniest shows on television. And that’s quite an accomplishment given the level its excellence it takes to manufacture so many episodes over such a long period of time… - The Simpsons (season 5) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
If you’ve never been to Springfield, then you haven’t experienced one of the most entertaining and witty shows in television history. The Simpsons is unrivaled in its satirical quality and is quite possibly one of the funniest shows in television history. It’s already the longest-running prime time series. Long before Seinfeld redefined the traditional sitcom, The Simpsons transformed the animated genre into a ratings boon once again. Its success opened the door for a number of great series such The Family Guy, Futurama, and King Of The Hill. With an endless number of crazy and eccentric characters, The Simpsons is one of the funniest shows you will ever see… - The Simpsons (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Fun for both adults and children, The Simpsons is one of those rare shows that smashed the conventional wisdom of its time and redefined its genre. By creating a truly adult cartoon, and not one watered-down for a younger audience, The Simpsons kept its finger of the pulse of American TV viewers, providing an unmatched wit with its biting satire. It’s a combination that opened the door for later prime time animated series such as Futurama, King Of The Hill, and The Family Guy. But in the end, none can come close to the originality and hilarity of The Simpsons, one of the best shows from any genre in television history… - The Simpsons (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
In the late-1980s, a one-minute segment on The Tracy Ullman Show (since long forgotten, except in trivia questions) morphed into its own series. That series was The Simpsons, and it became an anchor for the then-burgeoning FOX network. With a wildly original cast of oddball characters, The Simpsons instantly struck a chord with audiences, becoming the longest running prime time show among all genres, not just the animation genre. Loved by audiences from age 2 to 102, the show is not only hilarious, but in all likelihood, one of the best satires of modern day American life. - The Simpsons (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Before Seinfeld redefined the sitcom, The Simpsons came along and redefined prime time animation. Straying from the usual formula of innocence concocted by The Flintstones and The Jetsons, The Simpsons left no area of society untouched by its raw politically-incorrect satire. With an almost endless array of unforgettable characters, a trip to Springfield is a breath of fresh air, and hilarious as a television comedy can be… - The Simpsons (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Starting with the very first episode (airing December 17, 1989), The Simpsons (Season 1) DVD is packed with some of the best episodes in the show's history. All of these early episodes exhibit a bit of amateurish (by later Simpson standards) animation, seeing as how the popularity of the show had yet to land it the massive budgets of subsequent years. However, this does not take away from the show’s acerbic wit which is present and in full swing throughout all thirteen of the original episodes. - The Shield (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 4 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes, including Best Television Series - Drama, The Shield is one of the top police dramas of the past decade. The brainchild of creator Shawn Ryan, writer for such hit shows as Nash Bridges (1996) and Angel (1999), The Shield made history in 2003 by becoming the first basic cable series to win a Golden Globe for Best Drama Series (in the past, only non-ad supported shows such as The Sopranos and Sex And The City have done so well). The hour-long drama boasts a strong, well-rounded cast who, along with the writers/producers, have managed to make The Shield the longest running series on the FX Network… - 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… - The Princess Bride (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, The Princess Bride should've been awarded the designation of best comedy of the year. Having built a large cult following since its 1987 release, The Princess Bride continues to entertain whole new generations of fans. Its enduring tale and timeless humor are certain to cement its place among the hallowed halls of the movie classic elites. The Princess Bride is one of the few movies that every person absolutely should see - if you miss it, then you'll miss out on an entire world of fun… - The Phantom Of The Opera (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 3 Academy Awards and 3 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, The Phantom Of The Opera is one of the most talked about movies of 2004. Taking the smash commercial success of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage production to the big screen is no easy task, but long-time Hollywood director Joel Schumacher is more than able to get the job done. He takes an otherwise poorly written screenplay (minus the awe of a live performance no less) and manages to thrill the audience with the visual aspects of a film chiefly intended to rehash a successful stage musical. The costumes and set are simply magnificent, and Art Director John Fenner (Raiders Of The Lost Ark) helps Schumacher put together a fabulous production that's well worth a movie-goer's time… - The Passion Of The Christ (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
The most controversial film of 2004, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ was widely derided by critics and detractors as a two-hour anti-Semitic pornography/horror flick, complete with splattering blood and arduous torture. But among the Christian community (of which I consider myself a part) and open-minded people who actually saw the film, The Passion stands alone as the most eloquent expression of God's love for mankind ever to grace the big screen. - 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. - 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. - The Notebook (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Adapted to screen from the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, The Notebook is one of the best romantic dramas to hit the big screen in decades. Garnering high marks from a wide-range of critics, The Notebook is a funny and emotional film which deals with love, relationships, and the risks people take. James Garner turns in a notable performance as the elder man, Duke, who reads the pages of his notebook to dying nursing home resident Allie (Gena Rowlands). Overall, this is a classic "chick flick" with a dramatic twist. Set in the World War II era, The Notebook is a great film… - 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. - The Movie Review Of The Kinky Boots By : Beverly Kane
First time in theatres on April 14th, 2006, Kinky Boots was release on DVD this past September 5th of 2006. Starring Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah Jane Potts, Ewan Hooper and many others, Kinky Boots is a combination of comedy and drama. - The Movie Critic Of United 93 By : Beverly Kane
Directed by Paul Greengrass and based upon the real-life actual terrorist events that took place on September 11th, 2001, United 93 takes a daring look at how that day affected those involved. This is the story of one of the four planes hijacked that day, the one that did not reach its intended target but crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control of the plane. Expect a broad perspective from the Air traffic controllers, United flight 93 crew, passengers and their expectant families. - 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. - 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… - The King Of Queens (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
A spin-off of the popular TV series Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens first hit the airwaves in the Fall of 1998. The show follows the life of Doug Heffernan (played by comedian Kevin James), a package delivery man for IPS (far different from UPS for you litigious-minded readers out there), and the show utilizes much of the same marital and relationship humor found in Ray Romano's blockbuster sitcom. With seven successful seasons under its belt, and even more yet to come, King of Queens is a hilarious comedy series well worth one's time and attention… - The Jetsons (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
If the Flintstones are the modern stone-age family, then the Jetsons are the quintessential post-modern futuristic family, complete with flying cars. Following the massive commercial success of the animated classic The Flintstones (1960), Hanna-Barbera followed with additional prime-time cartoon series Top Cat (1961) and The Jetsons (1962). Cancelled after one season on ABC, The Jetsons lived on through the success of syndicated reruns on Saturday morning cartoons, through TV movies and specials, comic books, games, and toys. Its enduring success prompted Hanna-Barbera to revive the series from 1985 to 1988, using many of the same animation techniques and characters as found in the original… - The Jeffersons (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 13 Emmys and 8 Golden Globes, The Jeffersons was a groundbreaking situation comedy that was not only utterly hilarious, but also explored the controversial social issues of its day. Premiering in mid-season 1975, the show was a spin-off of the #1 hit series All In The Family, where main characters George and Louise were the next-door neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker. During its nine-season run, The Jeffersons spent all but its last season as a Top 25 Nielsen rated show. One of the first sitcoms to center exclusively around the lives of African-Americans, The Jeffersons most likely featured television's first interracial married couple in Tom and Helen Willis. It was this fearless attempt to push the boundaries of the status quo that made the show one of the funniest of its time as well as a valuable resource for American race relations… - The Incredibles (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for four Academy Awards, and winner of Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, The Incredibles is one of the best animated films ever produced. A cross between Toy Story, Superman, and Office Space, it provides an endless array of action sequences, visual creativity, and well-delivered humor. Director Brad Bird (who's directed a few episodes of The Simpsons) not only creates a memorable film, but also voices one of the star characters of The Incredibles, Edna Mode. And following in the rich tradition of animated classics such Bambi (1942), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and The Lion King (1994), Walt Disney Pictures teams up once again with Pixar Animation Studios (with whom it collaborated on Finding Nemo) to produce a film both children and adults will love with equal verve and passion… - The Goonies (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Brainchild of cinematic genius Steven Spielberg, The Goonies is a thrilling fantasy adventure film for younger audiences - although adults will find it enjoyable as well. Foreshadowing the success of the Harry Potter films, The Goonies involves a series of tests and obstacles that a group of young kids must overcome in order to save the day. In a lot of ways, the film is like an Indiana Jones for kids - produced in such a way that kids can envision or fantasize about being in just such a situation. - The Golden Girls (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Making its debut in the fall of 1985, The Golden Girls quickly established itself as a fixture of Saturday night prime time television. Following the lives of four older women living together as roommates in Miami, the show displayed a raw wit and a biting humor. The women live in the house of Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), a Southern belle who loves men of every kind and has dated every eligible bachelor in the Miami area. Her roommates are former high school teacher Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur) and St. Olaff housewife and widower Rose Nylund (Betty White). Rose loves to tell stories about her former hometown, much to the chagrin of the other girls. The three are joined by Dorothy’s mother, the firebrand Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty), a spunky Italian immigrant who always speaks her mind. In her early 80’s, Sophia may walk at a measured pace, but the velocity of her sarcasm only increases with age. - The Godfather (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Winner of three Academy Awards including Best Picture, The Godfather was nominated for an additional eight Oscars. The brainchild of celebrated author Mario Puzo, the film is considered the crowning achievement of Francis Ford Coppola’s directing career. With intriguing depth, it provides audiences with a glimpse into the notorious underworld of warring New York crime families. As a result, The Godfather transformed a number of relatively unknown actors into Hollywood legends, among them being James Caan, Al Pacino, and Robert Duvall (all three of whom were nominated for Best Supporting Actor). In addition, Marlon Brando turns in, arguably, the most memorable performance of his career. Certainly among the top five films of all time, an excellent case could be made that The Godfather is the most perfect movie ever produced… - The Flintstones (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Turning the television world flat on its head, The Flintstones became the first animated hit series in prime time history. Set in the Stone Age town of Bedrock, the show explored the lives of ancient cave dwellers through the lens of a modern lifestyle, with bird beaks acting as phonograph needles, elephant trunks as vacuum cleaners, and fireflies as light bulbs. With its measured use of top-grade humor and clever visuals, The Flintstones became an instant smash hit - spawning decades of syndicated re-runs, spin-offs, and thousands of derivative products… - 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 Dukes Of Hazzard (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
For much of the early 1980s, the CBS prime time line-up was dominated by two shows: Dallas and The Dukes Of Hazzard. Following the adventures of the fictional Duke family of Hazzard County, Georgia, the series chronicled their endless struggles with local law enforcement officer Rosco P. Coltrane and his domineering supervisor, J.D. "Boss" Hogg. Cousins Bo, Luke, and Daisy lived on the family farm with their Uncle Jesse, and friendly mechanic "Cooter" often aided them in foiling Boss's plans, but the true star of the series was an orange race car known as the General Lee... - The Dukes Of Hazzard (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the highest rated prime time television shows of the late 70s and early 80s was The Dukes Of Hazzard. The family friendly action series took a comic book approach to telling its tale of a family of farmers with a fast race car named the Dukes. The Dukes – comprised of Uncle Jesse, Cousin Bo, Cousin Luke, and Cousin Daisy – are reformed bootleggers who constantly butt heads with local sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane and county commissioner J.D. Hogg. With the aid of local mechanic Cooter and the bright orange General Lee race car, the Dukes are always one step ahead of the bad guys… - The Dukes Of Hazzard (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
In the late 70's and early 80's, television viewers fell in love with The Dukes of Hazzard, a weekly foray into the fictional setting of Hazzard County, Georgia. Cousins Bo and Luke Duke (John Schneider and Tom Wopat) spent each episode trying to do good, while the loveable “Boss” Hogg (Sorrell Booke) concocted various schemes for making money and having the Duke boys, who always foiled his plans, thrown in jail for violating their probation (the result of a deal with the federal government to end the centuries-old Duke family tradition of bootlegging). - The Dick Van Dyke Show (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
In the Fall of 1961, CBS first aired The Dick Van Dyke Show, one of funniest sitcoms in television history. Similar to I Love Lucy, but featuring more docile and less eccentric characters, the show became a mainstay in the top 10 Nielsen ratings for its first four seasons. When the show's ratings slipped in the fifth season, the network cancelled the show. But in the four decades since, The Dick Van Dyke Show has continued to entertain its fans and their children (and their children's children) via syndicated re-runs… - 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 Cosby Show (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 29 Emmys, and winner of six including Outstanding Comedy Series, The Cosby Show dominated prime-time TV from the mid- to late-eighties. The brainchild of popular comedian Bill Cosby, the series followed the life and times of a normal upper-middle class African-American family. One of the most successful sitcoms in network television history, The Cosby Show earned the #1 Nielsen rating for five consecutive years (1985-1990), and in its eight seasons it never dropped out of the Top 20. Coupled with the hit comedy series Cheers, the two shows made Thursday nights a weekly ratings sweep for NBC… - The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for three Academy Awards, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe follows on the heels of recent successful big screen adaptations of other childrens’ fantasy novels such as The Lord of the Rings books and the Harry Potter series. But while each of these series feature underlying tones of Christian symbolism, The Chronicles of Narnia is overtly intended as a Christian allegory. Written by the brilliant 20th Century Oxford and Cambridge literature professor C.S. Lewis, the Narnia stories were a tribute to his deep Christian faith. And this big screen transition is something of which he can be proud. Directed by Andrew Adamson, veteran director of the Shrek franchise, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is a master blend of traditional human acting and computer generated imagery. - The Aviator (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 6 Golden Globes and 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, The Aviator wows audiences with its breadth of scenery and vivid realism. Director Martin Scorsese, known for a host of excellent films such as Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), and Gangs Of New York (2002) - not to mention the highly controversial The Last Temptation Of Christ (1988) - by no doubt turns out his best work since Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) sought to become a made man. The Aviator springs to life with nostalgic settings and a lavish tapestry of color and form, evoking all the enthusiasm indicative of Howard Hughes' unique lust for life. John Logan, known for such films as The Last Samurai (2003) and Gladiator (2000), presents a screenplay that provides some insight into the enigmatic Hughes and captures the mannerisms of those who shared that life with him. In short, the film is a masterpiece of visual imagery and first-rate cinematography few movie lovers can afford to miss… - 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. - The Andy Griffith Show (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the most beloved shows in television history, The Andy Griffith Show takes its viewers back to a simpler time of small town America, apple pie, and black and white television… The trademark whistling theme song is one of the most recognizable in history, and the duration of the show in syndicated reruns is unrivaled by its peers. The Andy Griffith Show follows the exploits of the small town of Mayberry and its family values, no nonsense sheriff Andy. Widowed, and father to a small boy named Opie, Andy is joined in Mayberry by his sidekick Deputy Barney Fife, his relative and housekeeper Aunt Bee, and a host of other eccentric characters. - 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… - The A-team (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the many hit TV shows inextricably linked to the 1980's is The A-Team, an action series with plenty of bombs, machine guns, and bazookas - where miraculously no one ever seems to die! Short for "Alpha Team," The A-Team is a Vietnam-era crack commando unit wrongfully accused of robbing the Bank of Hanoi. Having escaped from a maximum security prison, the four man team survives in the anonymity of the Los Angeles underground. And with the government still hot on their trail, they're forced to work as soldiers of fortune, providing aid and assistance to the helpless victims of various injustices… - 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. - 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… - Stargate Sg-1 (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
A sequel to the 1994 movie Stargate, Stargate SG-1 is one of the premiere science-fiction series on television. First airing in July 1997, the show has been nominated for 7 Emmys and 23 Saturn Awards. The brainchild of creator Dean Devlin, producer of such Hollywood blockbusters as Independence Day (1996) and The Patriot (2000), Stargate SG-1 chronicles the further adventures of the Stargate Command (SGC) as Earth and its citizens advance forward into a new era of space exploration in the aftermath of Dr. Daniel Jackson's discovery of the galaxy's numerous stargates… - Star Trek: Voyager (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 30 Emmys, including seven for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series, Star Trek: Voyager continues the rich tradition of the original 1960s Star Trek franchise. Created by former L.A. police officer Gene Roddenberry, the Star Trek TV series morphed into a franchise famous for the unprecedented fanatical devotion of its fan base. Lasting only three seasons during its original network run, Star Trek struck gold with its syndicated reruns, launching a number of motion pictures featuring the original cast as well as novels, comic books, collectibles, and reams of Star Trek-related memorabilia. The third spin-off from the original Star Trek series, Star Trek: Voyager premiered in January 1995 to modest critical acclaim, but experienced great success with television viewers, slowly increasing its ratings as the series progressed. Following on the heels of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), the series precedes Star Trek: Enterprise (2001) while boasting an all-star cast that includes veteran actress Kate Mulgrew (whose past TV appearances include such shows as Dallas, Cheers, and Murphy Brown). Yet instead of pursuing the classic Star Trek mission to "boldly go where no one has gone before," Star Trek: Voyager is more about going where the crew has been before… - Star Trek: The Next Generation (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 58 Emmys, including one for Outstanding Drama Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation fulfilled all the potential and promise anticipated of a long-awaited successor to the original 1960s series - Star Trek. Created by a former L.A. police officer, Gene Roddenberry, the Star Trek TV series morphed into a franchise famous for the unprecedented fanatical devotion of its audience. Lasting only three seasons during its original network run, Star Trek struck gold with its syndicated reruns, launching a number of motion pictures featuring the original cast as well as novels, comic books, collectibles, and reams of Star Trek-related memorabilia. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) became the first TV series to follow on the heels of the original, and its success would spark the creation of three additional series - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), Star Trek: Voyager (1995), and Star Trek: Enterprise (2001). But The Next Generation remained the most popular spin-off. Despite new characters and new episodes, the mission remained the same as before - "to boldly go where no man has gone before…" And to continue the rich tradition of the Star Trek name - a mission Star Trek: The Next Generation accomplishes with relative ease… - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 28 Emmys, including several for Outstanding Visual Effects, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continues the rich tradition of the original 1960s Star Trek franchise. Created by former L.A. police officer Gene Roddenberry, the Star Trek TV series morphed into a franchise famous for the unprecedented fanatical devotion of its audience. Lasting only three seasons during its original network run, Star Trek struck gold with its syndicated reruns, launching a number of motion pictures featuring the original cast as well as novels, comic books, collectibles, and reams of Star Trek-related memorabilia. Following on the heels of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), the first Star Trek series spin-off of the original, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine foreshadowed additional spin-offs - Star Trek: Voyager (1995), and Star Trek: Enterprise (2001). Sporting an entirely new cast and crew from its two predecessors, the show focuses on a particular system administered by the Federation instead of the usual Star Trek mission of "exploring strange new worlds"… - 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… - Star Trek (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for four Emmys, including Outstanding Dramatic Series two times in its short three-year stint, Star Trek is a true legend of television history. The brainchild of former L.A. policeman Gene Roddenberry, the show premiered in Fall 1966 only to be cancelled after three seasons due to lackluster ratings. But it may well have been NBC's network executives who were the cause of the low ratings as they allotted a less than desirable time slot for the show. When Star Trek moved into syndication, its reruns captured the science-fiction imagination of an entirely new audience, catapulting the Star Trek franchise to new heights. Its newfound popularity would, in the decades to come, spawn novels, comic books, six full-length feature films, and reams of merchandise as fans clamored for anything Star Trek-related. Beginning in the 1980's, spin-offs of the show began to appear such as Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise… - South Park (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
First airing in late summer 1997, South Park became an American pop culture phenomenon with its raw and politically-incorrect examination of social issues, and of course, a bit of lewd yet cartoon humor. The brainchild of friends Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park became the centerpiece of cable channel Comedy Central's original prime time schedule. Chronicling the lives of fourth graders in the Colorado township of South Park (a place famous for its oddball happenings), the series is anchored by crude animation, yet the characters work, as they voice the writers' uncanny wit, hilarious one-liners, and all-out offensive humor. Whether you love it or hate it, South Park is nonetheless a truly original animation series much deserving of its massive commercial attention. - South Park (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Premiering in the late summer of 1997, South Park took American pop culture by storm with its no-holds-barred examination of social and political issues and its lewd yet unique brand of cartoon humor. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park is the lynchpin of cable network Comedy Central's original programming lineup. Centered around the lives of several kids in the small Colorado town of South Park (a place prone to odd and paranormal occurrences), the series presents itself in the form of crude animated drawings, yet the concept works, playing home to innumerable well-written shows filled with boundless wit, well-timed one-liners, and an endless array of politically-incorrect humor. Love it or hate it, South Park is a truly original animated series with relentlessly off-the-wall plot twists and comic relief. If you love oddball humor, then this is the show for you… - 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... - Soap (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 17 Emmys in its short four-year run, Soap premiered in the Fall of 1977 as one of the most controversial shows in American television history (and all before a single episode ever aired). The show was opposed by many groups who thought its subject matter would be too mature for a prime-time audience. But Soap never overstepped its bounds, and the show became an instant smash hit with its brilliant and satirical spoofs of classic daytime programming. Sporting an all-star cast and talented producers, the show spawned successful spin-off Benson in 1979, a series that launched Robert Guillaume's career to a whole new level... - Smallville (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
A superb cast and original writing make Smallville one of today's more popular television shows (especially in international marketplace, where Smallville is enormous). Tom Welling plays the role of Clark Kent, a teenage refugee from the dead planet of Krypton. When his crashed spacecraft wrecks in the backyard of rural farming town Smallville, the young boy is taken in by locals Martha (Annette O'Toole) and Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) who raise him as their own son. Additionally, the series provides an early glimpse into the fabled friendship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), Superman's avowed life-long enemy. It also sheds some light on Clark's romance with high school classmates Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) and Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack). A dramatic television series with a science-fiction twist, Smallville is a series any Superman fan will love… - Smallville (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Premiering in Fall 2001, Smallville centers around the life of a young Clark Kent in the years that lead up to his transformation into the Metropolis savior and hero Superman. After a number of TV versions of the superman's life since the comic book character first appeared, Smallville manages to set itself apart from the rest of the field by focusing on the earliest year's of Clark Kent's life. With a rock solid cast and stellar writing, the series is one of the more popular shows on television today, establishing itself as one of the WB network's most profitable and beloved programs ever… - Smallville (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the WB network's most successful series so far, Smallville centers around the life of a high school-age Clark Kent in the years before he becomes Superman. Tom Welling is cast in the starring role of the teenage Clark Kent, who fled from the destroyed planet of Krypton. Having landed along with his ship in the farming town of Smallville, Clark is raised as a natural son by two locals Martha (Annette O'Toole) and Jonathan Kent (John Schneider). Quite unlike most Superman continuations, the series attributes powers to additional people in the township due the debris associated with Krypton's demolition. As a result, Clark must keep his powers secret from the world while fighting against others who are far more powerful than regular humans. Smallville also gives us a glimpse into the early life friendship between Clark and Superman's archenemy, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum). Additionally, it covers Clark's romance with high school classmates Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk). A hybrid science-fiction fantasy and a teenage dramatic series, Smallville is a modern day TV classic… - Smallville (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Leaping onto the television landscape in Fall 2001, Smallville follows the exploits of a young Clark Kent in the years leading up to his emergence as the beloved Superman. Following a slew of TV renditions of the character's life since the comic book first appeared, Smallville sets itself apart by focusing on the lesser discussed niche of Clark's earliest developmental days. Superb casting and consistent writing have combined to make Smallville one of the more popular shows on television (especially in international markets), making the show one of the WB network's most successful creations to date… - Six Feet Under (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for 39 Emmys and 8 Golden Globes, including 3 (and one win) for Best TV Series - Drama, Six Feet Under is widely considered one of the best dramas currently on television. Creator Alan Ball, Oscar-winning screenwriter for American Beauty, introduces a series known for its darkly comical portrayal of a typical dysfunctional American family attempting to live their lives while running a business that thrives on death. Boasting a catchy main title theme song composed by Thomas Newman (brains behind the scores of Real Genius, Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty, Finding Nemo, and many others), Six Feet Under continues the long-running string of critically and popularly acclaimed original drama series created by HBO, following in the footsteps of Oz (1997), Sex And The City (1998), and The Sopranos (1999). Premiering in mid-summer 2001, the series takes a unique look at the highs and lows of life and death, sporting the tagline, "Your whole life is leading up to this…" - Silk Stalkings (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for only one Emmy, the entertainment quality of Silk Stalkings is nevertheless evidenced by its nine season run which is one of the most enduring ever for an original cable TV series. Partly responsible for this lack of critical acclaim is that Silk Stalkings was a trailblazer in the cable genre, and handing out Emmys to original cable series didn't become fashionable until the late-1990s when Sex And The City and The Sopranos broke the cable barrier for good. Another contributing factor to the lack of peer recognition is that Silk Stalkings lasted about four seasons longer than it should have, given that nearly the entire cast and crew were replaced after the first five seasons. Regardless, this hour-long drama series set in Palm Beach, Florida contains all the necessary ingredients for a hit show - beautiful people in a beautiful setting with lots of murder, violence, and intrigue. Silk Stalkings offers everything one could ask for in a TV drama, and the show's success helped pave the way for additional original cable series such as Monk and The Shield… - Sideways (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Nominated for five Academy Awards, and winner of Best Screenplay adapted from an outside source, Sideways turned out to be one of the surprise blockbusters of 2004. Based on the Rex Pickett novel of the same name, Sideways is a clever comedy about wine, life, and a group of friends - each in search of his unique identity. Unlike the plot-driven movies that traditionally dominate Hollywood, Sideways is one of those rare pictures which actually "reads" like a novel. The film resembles Seinfeld in that it's really about nothing, but it's about everything all at the same time. With very little to speak of in the way of plot, the movie relies heavily on the development of its quirky characters, and in this aspect, Sideways is an overwhelming success. Something about this movie (which I can't quite put my finger on) makes me love it, and I'm willing to bet that you'll enjoy it too… - Sex And The City (season 6) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Loosely based on the bestseller by Candace Bushnell, Sex And The City is an original HBO drama series centered around the lives of four New York City-based females: Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), and Charlotte McDougal (Kristin Davis). Educated and career-driven, the young women turn to each other for advice and discussion concerning their love and sex lives, relationships, and career goals. - Sex And The City (season 5) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Initially airing in the summer of 1998, HBO's original series Sex And The City, based on the bestselling book of the same name by Candace Bushnell, collected a large and loyal following. Based on the exploits of four young, career-driven woman and their varying relationships with men, the show displays a rare charisma and originally often missing from such shows. - Sex And The City (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Adapted from Candace Bushnells best-seller of the same name, Sex And The City is an original HBO series that chronicles the lives of four friends: Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte McDougal (Kristin Davis). Living and working in New York City, the women regularly meet with each other to openly discuss their sex lives, their careers, and other life situations… - Sex And The City (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the most successful original cables series of the 1990s, Sex And The City chronicles the lives of four female friends who live in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Carrie Bradshaw, a widely-read sex columnist for a local paper. She's joined by her three closet friends Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), and Charlotte McDougal (Kristin Davis). Together, they form a devoted clique of woman reliant upon each other for advice on romance, career, and life decisions... - Sex And The City (season 2) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
Based on Candace Bushnell's best-selling book, Sex And The City became one of the most successful and widely lauded original HBO series ever. Premiering in the summer of 1998, it follows the lives of female friends in their late-20s/early-30s who live and work in New York City. With a clever wit, the show's plot focuses on the varying love relationships and lifestyle problems encountered by each woman in the clique. With an talented and beautiful cast, the show developed an almost borderline fanatic following… - Sex And The City (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
Based on the bestselling novel by Candace Bushnell, the HBO original series Sex And The City took the television world by storm following its release in the summer of 1998. Following the exploits of four young and educated female friends living and working in New York City, the show revolves around the various relationships and life problems experienced by each member of the group. Sporting an experienced and talented cast, the show has developed a strong, borderline fanatic following… - 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. - Seinfeld (season 6) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
The #1 television show for most of the mid-1990s decade, Seinfeld is a brilliantly conceived idea for a comedy series which redefinied the TV sitcom as we know it. Almost every series since has borrowed bits and pieces of its "nothing theme" in order to entertain rather than attempt to teach at the same time. Centered around the world of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, the show follows the exploits of Jerry and his various friends, who include such notable personalities as George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). They’re joined by a memorable cast of strange and oddball characters that includes Mulva, Newman, J. Peterman, Uncle Leo, the Close Talker, the Low Talker, the Soup Nazi, Jack Klaumpus, David Putty, Apu, Frank and Estelle Costanza, the Bubble Boy, and assorted others… - Seinfeld (season 5) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
The preeminent show of the 1990's decade, Seinfeld grew from an idea of "a show about nothing" into a sacred pop culture icon, not that there's anything wrong with that... The show follows the life of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and the exploits of his "short, quirky, bald guy" best friend, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Jerry's neurotic neighbor Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), and Jerry's ex-girlfriend Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Through the years, they're joined by a loveable cast of characters that includes Newman, Uncle Leo, the Soup Nazi, Frank and Estelle Costanza, the Bubble Boy, and countless others… - Seinfeld (season 4) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
One of the best sitcoms not just of its time, but of all time, Seinfeld redefined the sitcom genre. No longer was it necessary to have contrived plot, a lesson to be learned, or some other ridiculous cookie-cutter approach. With Seinfeld, an episode could be about nothing and everything all at the same time. The show follows the lives of four friends living in New York City, stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld, his childhood friend George Costanza (Jason Alexander), his eccentric next-door neighbor Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), and his ex-girlfriend Elaine Benese (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Together, they form one of the most unforgettable comedy teams in television history. - Seinfeld (season 3) Dvd Review By : Aisha Cristal
The preeminent show of the 1990's decade, Seinfeld grew from an idea of "a show about nothing" into a sacred pop culture icon, not that there's anything wrong with that... The show follows the life of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and the exploits of his “short, quirky, bald guy” best friend, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Jerry’s neurotic neighbor Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), and Jerry’s ex-girlfriend Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Through the years, they’re joined by a loveable cast of characters that includes Newman, Uncle Leo, the Soup Nazi, Frank and Estelle Costanza, the Bubble Boy, and countless others… - Seinfeld (dvd) Review By : Aisha Cristal
The preeminent show of the 1990's decade, Seinfeld grew from an idea of "a show about nothing" into a sacred pop culture icon - not that there's anything wrong with that... The show follows the life of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and the exploits of his “short, quirky, bald guy” best friend, George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Jerry’s neurotic neighbor Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), and Jerry’s ex-girlfriend Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Through the years, they’re joined by a loveable cast of characters that includes Newman, Uncle Leo, the Soup Nazi, Frank and Estelle Costanza, the Bubble Boy, and countless others… - 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. - 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...
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