Absolutely Fabulous - Complete Series 5 (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS returns for a fifth series of unbridled fun and hilarity, with 8 superb new episodes. Join Eddy and Patsy as they sink even lower into the abyss...
"Cleanin'" - With Saffy gone on a long-overdue holiday, Patsy and Eddy have the house to themselves, though curiously it isn't everything they imagined it would be. Eddy has moved her PR business into her living-room, with several high-profile new clients on the books including Emma Bunton. Suddenly Saffy returns..with an announcement that will send Eddy's world into a tailspin.
"Book Clubbin'" - Eddy and Patsy's little book club meets to discuss their latest selection, an abridged mini version of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', though Mariella Frostrup fails to bring her celebrity pals. Meanwhile Saffy invites her boyfriend around to break the big news.
"Panickin'" - Eddy installs a panic room, whilst Patsy tries to get chummy with Minnie Driver. Real panic ensues when a lockdown occurs leaving Eddy and Patsy trapped in the high-tech fortress, leaving Minnie in the 'capable' hands of Bubble.
"Huntin' Shootin' Fishin'" - Eddy is doing some Royal PR so she and Pats decide to travel down to the country to see how the other half live. Saffy holds her baby shower with Emma Bunton and her ever-bizarre old school friend Sarah (aka 'Titty KaKa')
"Birthin'" - Saffy has gone into labour, ruining Patsy's expensive outfit when her water breaks. Marshall and Bo stop by for another strange interlude, whilst Katy Grin has been cast as Roxie Hart in 'Chicago'.
"Schmoozin'" - The lost Beatle tapes have been found, and Eddy's in love again, this time with an old school flame. Patsy's old sex films get released by a Japanese company including 'Boobarella'.
"Exploitin'" - Patsy has signed up baby Jane (or Lola) with an infant modelling agency, and a job has come up for a Jean Paul Gautier photo shoot at the zoo. The only problem is getting around Saffy...
"Cold Turkey" - Christmas has come again, and this time Eddy's staying home with the family. Patsy, in a moment of sheer rage, finally lets Eddy have it before mysteriously passing out. In the hospital, Patsy is told she is dying. Her wayward sister Jackie comes to visit, but does she have a more sinister motive? Is this really the end for Pats....?
AB FAB finally raises the bar after the lacklustre Series 4. Once again Jennifer Saunders has given us a hilarious, laughter-filled ride. Longtime fans rejoice: Series 5 is one to treasure!
Starring Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks and June Whitfield. Guest starring Kate O'Mara as Jackie, Elton John, Clarissa Dickson Wright, Kristen Scott Thomas, Mariella Frostrup, Emma Bunton, Minnie Driver, Jean Paul Gautier and Naoko Mori as Sarah.
'

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In Absolutely Fabulous: Series 5, Edina and Patsy surround themselves with a constellation of stars, including Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient, Gosford Park), former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Hollywood star Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting, Gross Pointe Blank), fashionista Jean-Paul Gaultier, and the one-and-only Elton John! High on the agenda are book clubs with London's top glitterati, weekends in the country a la Madonna and Guy, and intimate gatherings with Elton on the piano.But when Saffy returns from a few months as an aid worker, Edina's heady world is turned upside down by her startling news.Babies and Bollinger don't mix, after all...or do they?

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Robin Hood: Season Two (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Robin and the gang are back, giving us a second season packed with action, intrigue, humor, and even more of those wonderful little character moments that made the first season such a joy. It is evident even from the first episode that the overall tone of the show is much darker this time around, as each our heroes must contend not only with the Sheriff's evildoings, but also with their own personal tragedies. This darker tone goes hand-in-hand with a bit more violence, though it is no more graphic than what was presented in the first season. This gives the show an intensity that had been missing before, and the opportunity to present some jaw-dropping action sequences (Robin vs the Black Knights is not to be missed!).
It was always the characters that made the show appealing to me, and on that score S2 delivers in spades. There are many lovely Robin/Marian moments, and some surprising new alliances (of friends and enemies) are formed as well. One of my favorite scenes of the entire series is a beautifully-written character exposition sequence in the episode "A Good Day To Die" where, in the classic death-at-sunrise scenario, each member of the gang spends their potentially last-night-on-earth revealing their inner secrets. It's an extremely emotional scene, and a powerful one, that brings up insecurities and issues that have been building since the very beginning of the series.
Of course, the series wouldn't be Robin Hood if there wasn't also plenty of fun to be had along the way. The Sheriff is still as hilarious as he is evil, and it's a blast watching Robin and Co. get the best of him time and again. Keith Allen does an especially great job with the Sherrif's gloating/crying in "Get Carter", an episode which also introduces one of the most enjoyable recurring characters to come to Nottingham in quite awhile.
Season 2 has more of a cohesive story arc than season one, and as such, there are plot twists galore (most notably the 2-part finale) that impact future episodes and draw on events of those past. I'd recommend staying spoiler-free until you've seen them. That being said, get a box of tissues handy and be prepared to pick your jaw up off the floor by the time you finish the last episode. It's a doozy.
Rumor has it, there will be a S3, although the BBC is a being a bit cagey as to the details. In the meantime, settle down with season two and enjoy the ride!

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The contemporary retelling of the popular legend is back for a second series with more breathtaking archery, incredible swordplay, lots of humour, fun and energy, a smattering of brute force, and the raw determination to right wrongs. The Sheriff is in the final stages of a plot to kill King Richard upon his return from the Holy Land. The Sheriff also wants Robin Hood dead and with his devastating sister Davina, sets about catching him once and for all. It seems only a matter of time until Marian escapes to the forest and she and Robin can be together. Until that is, Gisborne turns up at Knighton Hall and razes it to the ground, seizing Marian and Edward and placing them under house arrest in the castle. Marian and Robin now separate for the good of England, Marian as the castle spy, and Robin leading his gang in the forest and villages of Nottingham...DVD Features:Audio CommentaryFeaturette

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Absolutely Fabulous: Complete Series 4 (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)Although all six episodes in this series are good, only three are really exceptional and will go down in "AbFab" history as classics. They are: "Paris" (the girls go on a vacation to Paris- Edina and Saffy actually bond, if you can believe that! It's very touching, almost!); "Small Openings" (Saffy writes a "Mommie Dearest"-esque play that Edina and Pats initially object to, but then later become friends with the people that play them! Patsy, incidentally, is played by a man!); and "Menopause" (Patsy's bones become very brittle and start breaking. Edina and Saffy's reactions when Patsy gives herself a shot of pain medication is BRILLIANTLY HILARIOUS!).
Lots of extras here: the "Mirrorball" special that features all of the main "AbFab" actors in different roles (not as funny as "AbFab" but still well worth your time); great commentary from Jennifer Saunders; photo gallery; outtakes/bloopers, etc. My only complaint, and it's minor, is that the "Who's Who Guide to the stars of AbFab" is a bit hard to read. It looks like handwriting on a piece of graph paper- and even on my gigantic television, it was a bit hard to make all of the writing out. They should have just used a font that was easier to read.
The DVD's come packaged in a plastic case, unlike the last set that came in a cardboard case. The plastic is a lot better and durable than the cardboard, so this is good! The design elements of the case are the same as the last set (it's just a different color), so at least the two sets basically match when they sit on a shelf together. It's so annoying when things in a series aren't designed likewise, so it's nice to see that Warner Bros./BBC Video did this correctly!
Oddity: all of the extras appear on both DVD's. This is not a complaint, I just thought it was sort of strange that they are repeated within the same set.
And no... "The Last Shout" does not appear on this DVD set. The rights to that are owned by a different company, hence the reason why that's not out on DVD yet.
Edina, Patsy, and Saffy are just as fab as ever! Hopefully there will be another series of episodes soon!

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Absolutely Fabulous returns with a brand new series after six years, premiering on November 12th, 2001 on Comedy Central!

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Little Britain: The Complete Collection (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you're looking at this product page, you've likely seen "Little Britain," so I'll skip reviewing this brilliant and hilarious show and instead address the DVDs themselves. This box set includes all three series of "Little Britain," plus the "Little Britain Live" and "Little Britain Abroad" specials. All of these DVDs are excellently produced and must-haves for fans of this program. The picture and sound are phenomenal, but best of all are the extensive extras.
Each DVD set includes episode commentaries from stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams, deleted scenes, interviews, talk show appearances, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and more. The included documentaries aren't the short featurettes found on many DVDs, but instead feature-length specials (often 60 min. long) that show what goes into creating the show for TV or stage. Particularly entertaining are the documentaries about the making of the live show (on the "Little Britain Live" DVD) and the live show's tour of Australia (on the "Little Britain Abroad" DVD). Walliams and Lucas are endlessly entertaining when not on stage, and there's a consistent stream of guest stars in the documentaries. In short, this set is highly recommended for fans of Emily, Vicky, Ann, Des, Lou, Sebastian and the rest.

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Torchwood: Children of Earth (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)For the first two series Torchwood was your standard solve the horrible situation of the week series but that all changed with series three. First and foremost, the bigggest difference is that there are only five episodes instead of the usual 12 but that is because all five episodes comprise one mini-series mega event where the BBC showed one episode each weeknight during a single week as opposed to one show a week. Those are the minor technical differences and here are the stylistic differences.
Previous incarnations of Torchwood were a mix of frivolity, political thriller, and science fiction while series three puts the political thriller aspect front and center with the jokes and scifi taking supporting roles. The tone is emotionally taut, psychologically upsetting, and decidedly dark--all perfect motifs for a show designed only for adults. If you are wanting a Dr. Who style trip into the imagination where you get a bit scared but return with a smile on your face this is not going to be to your liking at all because this time Torchwood takes us into a nightmare realm where many of the humans in charge seem more alien and threatening than the actual aliens, who are definitely scary themselves, and that insures you won't return from this journey with a smile unless you're a sadistic freak. Does the darkness overwhelm the show? Not at all! As I said the political thriller aspect is front and center and its pacing almost feels like this is Torchwood 24, especially seeing how each episode represents one day of time so that by the end of this series only five days have passed for the Torchwood crew.
Should you buy Torchwood series 3? Well if you are more of a fan of Dr. Who and only watch Torchwood because it is a Who spin-off I'd wait and watch it as it airs to make sure it isn't too realistic to be enjoyable for you. If you prefer Torchwood over Dr. Who then definitely put your order in as you're not likely to be disappointed with the direction RTD has taken the show this time. Personally, this has been the best science fiction on the small or large screen this year (I haven't seen Moon yet so that could change) and keep in mind I am a huge Trekkie and adored the new Star Trek movie! That's right, a die hard Trekkie said Torchwood series 3 was better than Star Trek the Reboot. Granted, Trek had better blockbuster visuals and space battles but Torchwood, by far, told the better story. I also think the acting was better in Torchwood than Trek although there isn't as big as a distance between the two as there was in plot quality.

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Foyle's War - Set 3 (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Series 3 of the excellent series Foyle's war was first telecast in the U.S. on PBS on 11, 18, 25 Sep. and 3 Oct. 2005 and was released on DVD on 1 Nov. 2005. However, watching the DVDs of all series is preferable if one wants to see the unexpurgated episodes. Here are the first telecast dates for series 1-4 of Foyle's war:
series 1: telecast UK Oct.-Nov. 2002, US in Feb. 2003 (on Masterpiece theater, with Russell Baker introducing)
series 2: telecast UK Nov.-Dec. 2003, US in July-Aug. 2004 (on Mystery)
series 3: telecast UK Oct.-Nov. 2004, US in Sep.-Oct. 2005 (on Mystery)
series 4: was filmed in spring 2005 and will be telecast in 2006
The PBS broadcasts in the US are edited for a 90-minute period, which includes the Mystery (or Masterpiece theater) opening-closing sequences, between-program promos, etc. This means that each episode is really only 85 minutes long at best. Region 1 DVDs (U.S., Canada), in contrast, are about 100 minutes per episode, as are the region 2 DVDs (Europe--see www.amazon.co.uk): specific values for the 4 episodes on series 2 are (for region 1) 98.5, 97.9, 98.3, 98.3 minutes. Thus in the U.S. for the proper, more nuanced episode watching Foyle's war on DVD is essential and preferable to viewing it on PBS.
Note: In a 28 Sep. 2004 interview with creator-writer Anthony Horowitz, he was asked: "Do you realise that the show is edited to pieces when it's shown on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the states?" Horowitz replied: "Yes we're very sorry about that. It's not something I'd choose to do. It's American networking. I'd advise all American fans to get their hands on the English DVDs to see them in full." I note here that American fans need only get the *American* DVDs to see the episodes in full. Also, if you first watch the shortened PBS telecast, you may later wonder about some lengthier scenes when you watch the DVDs.

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The international hit mystery series continues with four stories set in 1941, as World War II rages over Europe. Michael Kitchen (Out of Africa) stars as detective Christopher Foyle, whose loyalties are put to the test as his investigations uncover unpleasant truths that powerful people would rather keep hidden. Grounded in historical fact and filmed in London and the southern counties of England, Foyle’s War opens a unique window on a significant time and place. As seen on PBS. Also starring Anthony Howell, Honeysuckle Weeks, Julian Ovenden, and featuring Corin Redgrave, Bill Paterson, Stella Gonet, Samuel West, Angela Thorne, and James Wilby. THE MYSTERIES:
THE FRENCH DROP-Investigating a suspicious death, Foyle gets caught up in the rivalry between the established spy agency MI5 and the newly created SOE (Special Operations Executive).
ENEMY FIRE-Sabotage, murder, and adultery at a pioneering RAF hospital brings Foyle face to face with the devastating physical and emotional consequences of war.
THEY FOUGHT IN THE FIELDS-A murdered farmer and the crash landing of a German plane present a confusing case, especially as spring is in the air and even Foyle is not immune to a whiff of romance.
A WAR OF NERVES-An unexploded bomb at a busy shipyard leads to a startling discovery in a complex story of greed and politics. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE behind-the-scenes documentary with interviews and exclusive "making-of" footage, production notes, and cast filmographies.

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The Office Special (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)When we last left the staff of "The Office" it was at a crossroads: secretary Dawn and her fiancee Lee were headed for the States, Gareth was headed for a promotion, and everyone's least favourite boss David Brent had been made redundant. The only person not heading in a new direction (unless you count downwards) was the person who never moves at all: Tim, the every-man of the show whose future prospects were looking monotonous and bleak.
Now, three years later the BBC documentary crew have come to film a follow-up show and see where their previous stars have ended up. Gareth is on a power trip as the new management boss of the office, though he wields about as much respect as David did in his day. Tim is miserable, unsuccessfully trying to bond with the new secretary who is utterly baffled at his jokes and seated next to Anne, a woman with appalling manners and long-winded stories. Dawn is tanned in Florida, but without a real job permit she's forced to babysit full-time for the mean-spirited Lee's sister's baby.
And David. Oh boy. Reduced to a cleaning-produce salesman, he's attempting in his evenings to break into show business by guest appearances at pubs and nightclubs. However, the general public at large despise him, and he's beginning to realise what the rest of the world has always known: he's a pathetic schmuck. And here is where the show takes its most astonishing turn - in the first two seasons, we alternatively cringe and laugh at David's behaviour, but now we are made to feel profound pity for him. One scene in particular, in which David eats alone in an empty food court, actually brought tears of pity to my eyes. No one deserves to be this lonely.
But the Christmas party is looming. David pops into the office uninvited on a regular basis, and the manager Neil is so fed up that he tricks David into agreeing to bring a hot date to the party. Desperate, David seeks the help of a dating agency, which results in several appalling dates and brings up many misogynist, sexist and size-ist comments that only David Brent could possibly come up with. Meanwhile, Tim is bracing himself for Dawn's imminent arrival and praying that he won't humiliate himself yet again.
There are a couple of things I didn't quite agree with: Neil has always been a reasonable and likeable man in the past, but here acts quite jerky toward David (or maybe he's just reached the end of his rope in regards to his ex-employee), and Gareth seems a bit under-used. Worse however, was the complete lack of lines given to Jennifer, who has always been my favourite character. But the repulsive Chris Finch is finally told what we've all wanted to tell him since day one, and the actress playing Anne is so good that the creators probably wished they'd found and put her on the show sooner.
There is one scene that I really must point out simply because it's quite subtle but adds a lot to the overall playing-out of the show. When the staff pick out their Secret Santa names, Jamie (the *other* nice guy in the office), looks at his, smiles and promptly swaps it with Tim, who is in the process of declaring he can never buy his candidate a present. Later on, when Trudy is handing out the anonymous gifts, Gareth looks at his commando-soldier with distaste and demands to know who gave it to him. In the background we see Jennifer look at Jamie and mouth "was it you?" to which he nods. Given the fateful turn that Tim's Secret Santa gift takes, we can see that Jamie purposefully gave up his original name to give Tim once last chance. I never expected *this* show to make me go - "Awwww".
The entire two-part finale plays out to perfection. With the same wry humour, humdrum lives and scarily accurate portrayal of human behaviour, anyone who has been a fan of "The Office" will not be disappointed. Just when you think things can't get any worse for these characters, the heavens open and God (or at least the writers) throws them a curveball that may revive their fortunes. The performances here are Oscar-worthy, and I'm not exaggerating. From David's decline into depression and renewal of hope, to Tim's face when he hugs Dawn goodbye to the strains of "I Want You Back For Good", to Dawn's quintessential scene (don't worry, you'll know it when you see it), the talent here surpasses the television screen that displays it.
The Christmas send-off is the best possible ending to an amazing show, giving us everything we expect and more; the resolution to the Tim/Lee/Dawn love triangle in particular is done with a simplicity and poignancy I just didn't think this show could possess. At the same time we're expecting a `real life' ending, we're praying for a happy ending, and though I just can't give it away, I promise that you'll be more than satisfied.


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The State Within (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)A cracking political thriller with most of the action Washington based and involving governments, private companies and perhaps predictably, a small oil-rich Asian country (Trygyzstan, Tyrgyztan or Tyrygsztan depending how quick your eyes are) so the events are very contemporary and mostly credible, too.
The 350 minutes get off to a stunning start with an airliner being blown up and crashing onto an expressway near Washington and from this point on you'll be hooked like I was. Considering this is not big bucks Hollywood the crash looked incredibly convincing, as does everything else though it was mostly filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario.
The six parts move along efficiently, especially with plenty of steadycam and accompanying sound effects, but you'll have to pay attention because this is not black and white plotting, the good guys are not obvious and there is no winning side. The casting is fine with Jason Isaacs turning in a great British Ambassador and perhaps Sharon Gless should be taken on by Department of Defence as their no-nonsense Secretary (but maybe her hands are tainted, too). Nothing is what it seems at first.
The UK DVD release includes a twenty-seven minute 'making of' extra. Worth a look though it is the usual back slapping stuff. Several minutes are devoted to creating the airliner crash, which I thought were interesting and Grainne Marmion has some good comments on how she interpreted the production.
This is a conspiracy thriller that will certainly be worth watching several times.

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Can you believe what your superiors tell you -- even if you are the British Ambassador to America? In this high octane, action-packed conspiracy thriller, a terrifying plot is played out along the dark corridors of power. When a flight explodes in mid-air over Washington D.C., the British Embassy finds itself enveloped in a diplomatic catastrophe. What happens next is a cat's cradle of tangled affinities and conflicting interests told through interlinking stories that unfold as British Ambassador Mark Brydon slowly realizes that he is being played by an invisible puppeteer with great power.

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The Office - The Complete First Series (BBC Edition) (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)From time to time I go swimming for media outside the mainstream. In the UK, this is as popular there as Curb Your Enthusiasm (which shares similar dark appeal) and approaching Friends. I had to take a look, despite the fact that I never really liked British humor.
The first episode was more confusing than anything else. Done in a documentary style, it chronicled the goings on within, of all interesting venues, a paper company, and followed the relationships between its completely pathetic inhabitants. The office constituency is led by (co-writer of the show) Ricky Gervais who plays David Brent...a cocktail of extreme insecurity, arrogance, and level of social ineptitude that pushes (but doesn't cross) the envelope of possibility.
I'll embarrasingly admit that the unorthodox style took a while to get used to, from no laugh track, to a complete absence of jokes or punch lines. This show plays on a variation of the axiom about "truth being stranger than fiction". Well, after an episode or two, I became totally immersed in the environment, an environment that seemed more like reality than fiction. That threw my switch, I now find this show insanely funny, but the realistic element has a gravity of its own. You start to really care about the characters. Pretty unusual for a comedy series.
So, for those of you who haven't seen it, but are curious, I recommend without reservation. For the rest, get this DVD, it's among the few in my collection that I play frequently.
Hope this helped.
Christian Hunter

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Welcome to Wernham Hogg, a suburban paper company where "life is stationery." Critics and fans alike have lauded this hilarious, biting look at everyday office life, told in the mockumentary style of cult comedy classics such as This is Spinal Tap and The Larry Sanders Show. The show revolves around David Brent, (an instant classic character widely compared to Basil Fawlty of Fawlty Towers) the oblivious general manager who instigates petty office rivalries. The wince-worthy Brent still considers himself "a friend first and a boss second...probably an entertainer third."

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The Worst Week of My Life: The Complete First Season (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)In the first few minutes of the 2004 BBC television comedy, "The Worst Week of My Life", Howard Steele (Ben Miller) has a tender, morning bedroom moment with his beautiful, fiance', Mel (Sarah Alexander of "Coupling" fame). The phone rings and Mel's mother is on the line in hysterics over the wrong wedding furniture being delivered. So much for tender moments. The show chronicles the wickedly funny, horrible seven days (each episode represents one day) leading up to the couple's wedding ceremony. You know 'Murphy's Law', "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong." Well, just double that for poor, Howard. Wedding furniture is the least of his problems. The main crux of the matter is that Howard will do just about anything to try and please the well to do, 'blue blood' family, that he's marrying into. The family includes Mel's humorless, stuff-shirt father, Dick (Geoffrey Whitehead), hysterical mother, Angela (Alison Steadman) and sluttish younger sister, Sophie (Emma Pierson). Disaster seems to follow anytime Howard tries to please these people and help out. Trouble seems to grow exponentially as the poor man attempts to cover-up each previous mis-step. Just a couple of Howard's disasters include losing the family's priceless, heirloom ring in the sewer, destroying a painting of his father-in-law, crashing a car into a newly built brick wall, mistakenly giving condoms as a wedding gift, getting into bed and spooning his mother-law, killing the beloved, family dog with a cement mixer and accidentally putting the family's elderly, grandmum into a coma. Things finally come to a head, when the couple must deal with a psychotic, female stalker, who's been plagueing Howard throughout the series. Sounds pretty dark, right? Yup... but this is 'black' humor at its' best! By the end of the series, we seem to be witnessing more of an endurance test, than a wedding ceremony. Howard and Mel will do anything to get to the finish line. It's absolutely gutt-busting, hilarious! Hopefully the BBC will give us a second series, that includes more of the honeymoon. The last scene of the last episode hints, that there is more trouble to come! Highly recommended!

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The week before a wedding can be stressful at the best of times, but as hapless publisher Howard Steel (Ben Miller) prepares to marry the lovely Mel (Sarah Alexander), it becomes a nightmare of gargantuan proportions. Everything that can go wrong does. Howard's earnest attempts to do the right thing only seem to make matters worse and his situation isn't helped by his dad's new girlfriend, a besotted old flame and a family funeral. DVD Features:Interviews:Interviews with cast and writersOther:Sarah Alexander to star in I Could Never Be Your Woman (Theatrical release 2006), also starring Stacey Dash, Norm Macdonald, Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd and Tracy Ullman Outtakes

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Coupling - The Complete Seasons 1-4 (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Serious Coupling fans will NOT be disappointed with this attractively packaged box set, which includes all four seasons of the show, as well as hilarious outtakes, interviews with writer Steven Moffat, his wife, producer Sue Vertue (on whose relationship the characters of Steve and Susan are loosely based); an in-depth behind the scenes look at the making of the show; and commentaries on selected episodes with Moffat joined by various members of the cast (you have the option on several episodes to either view the show as it aired or watch it with commentaries taped over it).
I was only expecting four DVDs containing all the shows, and was utterly delighted with the seven discs holding all these extras. The sturdy & attractively designed pastel cases in which each DVD is contained are a cut above lots of cheap DVD packaging out there, which is a nice touch too.
When I first happened upon an episode of Coupling a few years ago courtesy of my local PBS station, I was surprised that such a poorly written and produced show could make it to the airwaves. I failed to realize at the time that Mr. Moffat was a brilliantly funny writer and the plots were supposed to be absurd. At this point I consider myself a hard core fan.
In the fourth series, the writing and overall production of the show feels so polished it bears very little resemble to the slapped-together quality of the first season, for lack of a better term. The character of Jane (aka the 'stupid one') has made the most noticeable transformation in the fourth series. Her 'dumb brunette' act has been toned down to the point of being almost unrecognizable, which works better anyway and is far less grating. I have to wonder if this was Gina Bellman's idea?
The fourth series does suffer a little from the loss of Jeff (Richard Coyle) especially in light of the fact that the character of Oliver (Richard Mylan) was clearly modeled after Jeff Murdoch. Like Jeff, Oliver is an easily-flustered, tongue-tied dork around women. He's likeable enough though, but as a new character I felt he should have had a completely different role to add another dimension to the show. Watching him you only wind up making comparisons to the inimitable Jeff. However the chemistry between goofy Oliver and dim-witted Jane has the effect of balancing their respective exaggerated personality traits out and makes scenes between these two characters especially engrossing.
All of the characters have really grown on me over the seasons, particularly Ben Miles (The Forsyte Saga) an amazing actor who effortlessly manages to make the womanizing character he portrays (Patrick Maitland) loveable and utterly realistic.
I am anxiously awaiting a fifth season!

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Jekyll (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Steven Moffat's writing, combined with James Nesbitt's extraordinary performance has me hiding behind the sofa--but in a good way!
Rather than rehashing all the old films that came before, Moffat took the "What if..." route--what if there was a Jekyll/Hyde combo running about *today?* His answer is a stylish, intelligent, scary, wickedly funny, and just plain wicked storytelling at its best.
The script is lean and mean, every line has a purpose, and one is not just invited, but compelled to try to anticipate what's going to happen next. This is suspense in its purest form, and there is always a solid payoff.
Certain tastes, raised on fizzy diet soft drinks, are not going to react well to their first pint of Guinness. As a writer myself, I am blown away by Moffat's handling of the material.
We are not presented with the same old "don't mess with this stuff" cautionary tale so much as invited along to truly see the world through Hyde's eyes. He's a fun fellow, honestly puzzled by some things and the absolute master of others. He is able to hone life down to its basics and enjoy himself and his carnal nature, yet Nesbitt makes this humorous as well as frightening. This is the true definition of horror in that we are repelled but at the same time attracted.
Did I mention intelligent scripting? That also goes for the direction, production, and a very well-picked supporting cast, able to keep up with the perfectly chosen Nesbitt.
His Jekyll (Dr. Jackman) is as solid and interesting as his devilish Hyde. So far as this fan of classic horror is concerned he now owns the character, and someone dang-well better give him some kind of an award for his outstanding work. It can't have been easy, yet he makes it look so. Wow.
There is close attention to detail in this series that one needs multiple watchings to pick out everything. In-jokes related to Stevenson's original story tickled my literary palate, such as Dr. Jackman's twin boys being named Henry and Edward. There's more, but I'm not spoiling them for you.
It is by perfectly executed turns funny, sharp, and bloody scary and for this jaded viewer, wholly engaging. I can't recommend it enough!

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Part conspiracy thriller, part comic horror, Steven Moffat's extraordinary retelling of this Robert Louis Stevenson classic takes the ultimate tale of inner conflict to unforgettable new heights. It is 2007 and there's a new Dr. Jekyll with an old problem - Mr. Hyde. But the pair have a deal - a body share - and an impossible life is somehow lived. With all the resources of modern technology, and the best surveillance hardware, Jekyll is determined to keep his dangerous alter ego in check by doing a deal with his own devil. What neither of them know is that an ancient organization with limitless wealth and power is monitoring their every move, and a plan over a century in the making is coming to fruition. The return of Dr Jekyll is no accident...

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The Complete Black Books (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Oddly enough, Comedy is the hardest thing for people to agree on.
Now, I have to say, I am open to enjoying many forms of comedy, but Black Books consistently has me going into seizures of laughter. I don't know why, but the unique and particular TIMING in their shows is the key to my personal HUMOR button. Mind you, I love FAWLTY TOWERS, and I LOVE Eddie IZZARD stand up, but Black Books never fails to throw me into hysterical fits of laughter when the afore-mentioned items have even grown cold.
Black Books touches a sarcasm bone I didn't know existed. Normally I enjoy the standard issue sarcasm and high-brow humor, but Black Books takes all that one step further and even adds a little Simon Pegg and his stark, straight-man-humor--as was so aptly illustrated in Shaun of the Dead-- and integrates that to Black books as well.
Black Books has a little of "everything" in it, as long as the everything is BRITISH humor. And I have to say it tickles my funny bone every single time I watch it. I can't say enough GOOD about BLACK BOOKS. But like all comedy, you have to see it yourself to determine if it is funny to you personally. So try an episode, give it a shot. And make your own determination. Honestly, it's the best $45 I ever spent.

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Black Books centers around the foul tempered and wildly eccentric bookshop owner Bernard Black (Dylan Moran). Bernard's devotion to the twin pleasures of drunkenness and willful antagonism deepens and enriches both his life and that of Manny (Bill Bailey), his assistant. Bearded, gentle, sweet and good, Manny is everything that Bernard isn't and is punished by Bernard relentlessly just for the crime of existing. They depend on each other for meaning as Fran (Tamsin Greig), their oldest friend, depends on them for distraction. Black Books is a haven of books, wine and conversation, the only threat to the group's peace and prosperity is their own limitless stupidity.DVD Features:Audio CommentaryDeleted ScenesOtherOuttakesPhoto gallery

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Skins, Vol. 3 (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Excellent season, different from the previous 2, but pretty good. Great themes BUT do not get the BBC America because scenes are deleted and the music is completely different--you're better off watching it on youtube.

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Skins is back, and the critical darling now has a brand new cast! It\'s another year at Roundview College and it brings with it a new class of drug-fuelled, party-seeking, sexually inquisitive teenagers. The new queen bee is the beautiful and mysterious Effy. The charming but volatile Cook and his best mate Freddie have fallen under her spell, leaving their friend JJ caught in the middle as they fight for her attention. Identical twins Katie and Emily aren\'t as similar as they look – Katie wants to gain her individuality, and when Emily is abandoned by her, she finds a friend in the beautiful idealist Naomi. Kooky Pandora is the group\'s sweetheart, she finds love with Thomas; but is their relationship over before it has begun?
DVD Features:BEHIND THE SCENESFeaturetteInterviews

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Black Books - The Complete First Series (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Black Books is a charming, absurdist situation comedy series set in a bookshop. "Charming," you ask? "The main character is a nasty, morose, chain-smoking drunk with a neurotic for a best friend and a bearded simpleton for an employee." Ah, but what's what makes it such a gem of writing and acting.
Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey met during the Edinburgh Fringe and were the top two contenders for the Perrier Prize. Moran came out on top, but remembered Bailey a few years later when he was offered his own show. Moran's character of an ill-tempered grouch is matched perfectly by Bailey's good-hearted goof, and their chemistry as Bernard and Manny is what makes Black Books such enjoyable viewing. Tamsin Grieg is a good comic actress, but I found Fran Katzenjammer to be a little grating at times. Her character does develop more in subsequent seasons, so don't discount her performance.
Fans of Father Ted, Spaced, BlackAdder, and Little Britain should adore this show, and if I have to explain that any further then you should go back to watching "According To Jim".
It's rare to find comedies that are as intelligent as funny, and Black Books is a prime example of such shows. Of course it'd never take off in America, but I thought the same thing about The Office. Please, please, please do not remake this as an American sit-com.
For reasons unknown, Comedy Central used to run this early Sunday mornings back in 2001 before dropping it from the roster. I had only caught two episodes before and was distraught at its departure. Cue to last year and its Region 1 release and my frabjous rapture.
Bring on season Two (and Three...)


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Black Books is a second-hand bookshop in London run by an Irishman named Bernard Black. He is probably the planet's worst-suited person to run such an establishment: he makes no effort to sell, closes at strange hours on a whim, is in a perpetual alcoholic stupor, abhors his customers (sometimes physically abusing them) and is often comatose at his desk. Help comes in the lumpy shape of Manny Bianco, a hairy, bumbling individual who (almost by osmosis) becomes Bernard's assistant. Manny is not exactly great at the job either but he is a million times better than Bernard. Next door is Fran, an anxious, frustrated woman who runs a sort of new-age shop selling the most unlikely bits of arty junk. Fran is friends with Bernard and, through him, with Manny; together the trio become embroiled in escapades that are sometimes extreme or violent or fantastically ludicrous, and always bizarre.

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Are You Being Served? The Complete Collection (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)So I was trying to decide if I should buy this to replace my older AYBS? DVDs. The problem was there was almost no information about this release on the web. I finally decided to order it and take my chances.
So what's new? Just ONE thing: the packaging. This set takes up MUCH less room on your shelf than the old collection (it's about 2 inches wide). Everything else is the same as far as I can tell... the dvd's are exact copies of what was already released (I was kinda hoping for less annoying menus, oh well).
One minor problem is with the slim double-DVD cases: they don't hold the discs in place securely, and discs will often fall out when opening the case.
So the verdict? If you like "Are You Being Served?" and don't already own the collection, this is a very good deal... I paid much more for this set several years back. Do you already own the older set? Then stick with it, unless the shelf space that it takes up is driving you crazy.

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ARE YOU BEING SERVED:COMP COLLECTION - DVD Movie

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