Warehouse 13: Season One (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Combine "The X-Files" with Indiana Jones and add a dash of "Sanctuary," and voila -- you have "Warehouse 13."
Yeah, Sci-fi/SyFy's latest series isn't exactly the most original or unique show out there, but it is strangely endearing. After a round of rather generic standalone episodes, this series bounces off once it introduces a main villain and a plot arc -- and while there's little romantic chemistry, the lead characters are a likable bunch with some nicely handled character development.
After a weird incident involving an assassin and an Aztec bloodstone, Secret Service agents Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) and Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) are summoned to a run-down warehouse in the South Dakota badlands. An eccentric agent called Artie (Saul Rubinek) informs them that this is Warehouse 13, which holds dangerous and bizarre "artifacts" -- and their new assignment is to collect and neutralize new artifacts.
Among the problems they encounter: a young man possessed by a strange Italian power, bank robberies using music, a teleportation experiment gone wrong, a device that channels enough energy to fry people to a crisp, a katana that can slice through light, a mirror that switches Myka with a malevolent creature, and a prison whose occupants are driven to madness by the ghosts of their pasts. But the most dangerous problem is a former agent of the Warehouse, who is now determined to grab the artifacts for his own purposes -- and destroy Artie and the others as well.
Despite being pretty derivative of "The X-Files" at times (skeptical strict female agent paired with quirky wild card), "Warehouse 13" has a pretty brilliant concept -- basically it's about a place that seals away any dangerous historical artifacts. Among the artifacts: Poe's pen, Lewis Carroll's mirror, a Studio 54 disco ball (which plays "I Will Survive" when disturbed) the Tesla gun, a giant steampunky computer and a wishing kettle that produces ferrets.
The stories are a solid blend of action, grimy sci-fi (the warehouse is a pretty bleak-looking place), and a bit of comedy on the side (one of the Important Artifact-Seeking Questions is, "Do you smell fudge?"). While the first few episodes are rather generic one-offs, the plots become tighter and more intense about halfway through -- and the addition of the sociopathic MacPherson and the Regents adds a new level of potential to the arc storyline.
Downsides? The dialogue can be painfully cool-kiddish at times, especially when Claudia is being annoyingly self-referential ("Couldn't any genius whiz-kid?"). And the romantic chemistry between Kelly and McClintock is almost nil.
But Kelly and McClintock make a solid supernatural-detective duo -- he's a quirky pop-culture-loving weirdo (although I just can't see him as a Secret Service agent) with a weakness for cookies, while her almost-fanatical devotion to rules/plans is explained by a tragic personal loss. Allison Scagliotti does a good job as the erratic "whiz-kid," although her character can be annoying. But Saul Rubinek is the ruling force in this series -- a quirky, gruff, antisocial man who is haunted by the many agents lost in pursuit of artifacts. He's absolutely brilliant.
"Warehouse 13 Season 1" is pretty derivative at times, but it's also strangely endearing and quite fun. The best part is, it seems to be getting better with time.

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After saving the life of the President, two top Secret Service agents find themselves abruptly transferred to Warehouse 13 — a massive, top-secret storage facility in the badlands of South Dakota that houses every strange artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and supernatural souvenir ever collected by the U.S. government. Now the pair — off-the-cuff Agent Pete Lattimer and by-the-book Agent Myka Bering — must chase down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity in search of new objects for their eccentric new boss, Artie Nielsen, to safeguard at the Warehouse. It\'s a wildly entertaining adventure full of inventive gadgetry and thrilling action, and with all twelve Warehouse 13: Season One episodes cataloged and archived in this collectible three-disc set, now\'s your chance to snag it, bag it and tag it!

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24: Season Five (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)"24" is quite simply the greatest show to appear on television in a good long while and season five is its finest hour. Five seasons in, series creators Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran continue to spring one unpredictable surprise after another, sending super agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, by equal turns lethally charismatic and emotionally bruised) against his most formidable foes yet that include everyone and anyone from Russian Separatists, authoritarian double agents to high ranking members of the government. Fans of the season will know exactly who these baddies are, but for those unitiated, the head-spinning surprises are best left unsaid. What can be said, is that for this fifth season the crack writing staff took a good hard look at the state of geopolitics and the authoritarian neo-conservatism championed by the Bush administration and worked in a cautionary tale about oil-lust and hubris taken to extremes. Besides Sutherland, special recognition has to go to Gregory Itzin as the weak-kneed President Logan, Jean Smart as the harried first lady and Mary Lynn Rajskub as the nerdy Chole O'Brien. For the show, this season presented a tricky balancing act between the shows' signature slam-bang action scenes (there are still spectacular) and the sobering political commentary, but Surnow and Cochran nail it, making "24" a thinking man's thriller that is far smarter and far more relevant than anything else on television.

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Eighteen months after faking his own death, Jack Bauer is forced to return to Los Angeles when it becomes apparent that the only four people who know he is still alive are being systemically targeted for assassination.The assassinations coincide with the signing of an anti-terrorism treaty between Russia and the U.S., leading Jack to suspect a link between the assassinations, the treaty, and a group of Russian terrorists.But as events slowly unfold it becomes apparent that the day's horrific events were originally set in motion by someone within our country's own administration – an individual with the power and resources to thwart Jack's every move.

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The Lost Room (Mini-Series) (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I really enjoyed this Sci Fi miniseries. It was an original concept with a well developed plot and generally good acting. Being from western Pa, I enjoyed the fact that it was set in Pittsburgh. I won't describe the plot, that's already been done in previous reviews. So let's describe the DVD. I had recorded the complete series, but enjoyed it so much I decided to spring for the DVD. Now you would assume that the manufacturer would take the time to insure all the features, menu options, etc. worked as displayed on the screen. You would however be wrong. I knew I was in trouble when removing the security stickers. There is so much glue on them that you get a thick layer of sticky goo on the top and bottom of the DVD case. Great start. When you load Disc 1, you get some previews for some other Lionsgate productions. A Bermuda Triangle (another Sci Fi miniseries) preview is included and the transfer looks like it came from a VCR. Anyway, you get though this stuff (the menu button is disabled) and are presented with THE LOST ROOM. There are 4 "episode" radio buttons and a Play All radio button. As you step through these, you will note that the "highlight" doesn't match the radio button. (but surprisingly, go to an episode and back and it does) As noted in another review, the Play All button does not work and takes you back to the previews. Really frustrating. However, the worst part, is that the video transfer quality is horrendous. I am so disappointed, I haven't even bothered with disc 2. So be warned, if you buying this because you enjoyed "The Lost Room", you will be really disappointed in lack of effort Lionsgate put into this DVD. Review: Miniseries 5 stars - DVD 1 star = Average 2.5 stars (rounded up).

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In the 1960s, an unknown event at the Sunshine Motel caused ordinary things in Room 10 to transform into items of wonder. The room and its contents gained unique and inexplicable properties, transforming them from mundane things into indestructible Objects with extraordinary powers that are sought after by anyone who knows their secrets. Police Det. Joe Miller (Peter Krause) first learns of The Room when he unwittingly comes across the most powerful and coveted Object of them all: the Key. His life immediately turns upside down as his young daughter becomes lost in the room and Joe is the target of shadowy figures who will stop at nothing to take from him his only hope of saving her - the Key.

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The Philanthropist: The Complete Series (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Philanthropist (2009), with its central theme of trying to affect change for the better, is a welcome alternative to the sea of forensic procedural dramas, and other crime and action based programming that have predominated for the last few years. The series had a limited run on NBC during the summer of 2009, and the eight episodes in this set are all that were produced. This is unfortunate, as with all the negative things happening in the world, a little good news and optimism, however slight, is not a bad thing.
The Philanthropist stars James Purefoy as billionaire Teddy Rist, co-CEO of Maidstone-Rist, a conglomerate involved in natural resource ventures worldwide. Rist's marriage breaks up after the death of his young son. Previously something of a playboy, this loss changes his outlook on life, and he now looks to use his influence and power, to improve the lives of others. The business is headquartered in New York City, but Rist is often overseas, working on some deal. Teddy's partner and best friend is Philip Maidstone (Jesse L. Martin), his wife Olivia (Neve Campbell), heads the company's non-profit foundation. Also helping Teddy get things done, are AJ Butterfield (Lindy Booth), and his bodyguard Dax (Michael K. Williams).
The adventures take place in various places, delivering a positive message of hope. A wrong is revealed, a crisis arises, or someone with a need is discovered, and the story becomes about finding a solution, no matter how difficult this may appear. Wherever he may be, Rist uses his personality, smarts, charm, and money, to get things done. There are some light moments, but for the most part, the focus is on what Teddy or the team, must do to avoid a crisis. Rist prefers to negotiate, maneuver, or buy, his way out of trouble, rarely resorting to violence. He quickly learns, that in order to accomplish tasks, he must often do them himself, usually at great personal risk. Following his conscience, Teddy is up for almost anything, rarely ever backing down.
The series makes the point that one person caring, can make a difference, that people do matter, and that making money is not the most important thing, if people are hurt in the process. This kind of idealism may not be particularly realistic, in a world concerned mostly about the bottom line. In the real life, someone would probably shoot Teddy Rist for his cash, watch, or car, and that would be the end of it. That kind of violent realism, we already have in abundance. What The Philanthropist offers, is a little refuge from that, and some small hope for a better world, in a package that features adventure and excitement, exotic locations, and a taste of other cultures. These are journeys well worth taking, that make you think, and may have you shedding a tear or two.
The stories are very well written, with attention paid to detail. Production values are high, with great editing and cinematography. Set in various places across the globe, the episodes are titled after the location featured in the story, and are usually told using flashbacks, with Teddy narrating.
Things begin in 'Nigeria (Part 1)', with the loss of his son still a fresh memory, Teddy saves the life of a young Nigerian boy during a flood. He returns, keeping a promise to deliver a much needed vaccine, to a beautiful doctor working in a remote area.
Teddy is shocked, when he learns that his company is affiliated with a company in 'Myanmar' (Burma), that is engaged in questionable human rights practices. The country is under the rule of a military junta, but Teddy arrives and boldly meets with a political leader living in exile. Meanwhile back home, one of the stockholders is making a move to kick Teddy out of the company.
Teddy encounters the latest in 'customer service' in 'Paris', as women are being trapped into prostitution, to serve the clientele of a high class hotel. When a friend of Olivia is killed, Teddy is determined to break up the ring, and bring the killer to justice.
In 'Nigeria (Part II)', when his doctor friend is taken as a hostage, Teddy tries to effect her release, with a bold gamble that involves pressuring the government. Back home, Philip is dealing with his own episode of philanthropy. Both men learn that helping is not always a simple matter, as some will take advantage of the situation.
Distrust between people, threatens to halt Maidstone-Rist's plans to build a factory in 'Kosovo'. Philip is injured in an act of deadly terrorism. Krista Allen makes an extended appearance as Teddy's ex-wife Julia, as the couple make some progress in dealing with the death of their son.

Teddy is on the trail of a mysterious impersonator, who is doing good deeds using his credit card in 'San Diego'. Rist could easily cancel the card, but his curiosity gets the better of him, and he almost takes a beating, going to bat for a stranger.
'Kashmir', features Teddy recounting his adventures there, while a guest on a talk radio program. A college friend of Teddy's and Phillip, has a plan to help provide water to an area of India suffering from drought. But there are those who prefer the status quo remain, and will kill to maintain it. With India and Pakistan threatening war, Teddy works to forge a peace along the border.
Teddy, Philip, and Olivia, are in Haiti to try and provide relief during a food shortage. Philip's brother is a Senator there, but he is resistant to accepting outside aid. Teddy comes face to face with slavery, encountering a woman who's son has been sold by his father to pay off debts, and young girl who is a 'restavec', living as a servant slave, raised experiencing abuse. The series closes, asking for ideas how people can help.
Teddy Rist isn't perfect. He has a stubborn streak, a weakness for beautiful women, and drinks a bit, but for the most part, he is a guy with a good heart, who puts his life on the line for his beliefs. Handsome and classy, James Purefoy brings a sincerity and caring to the role of Rist, that makes him believable as a charismatic, wheeler-dealer type, who is refocusing his skills in a new direction. Teddy's dedication and tenacity, provides the impetus for this thoughtful series. The rest of the cast receive limited screen time, but Jesse L. Martin and Neve Campbell, shine when given the opportunity. Unfortunately Lindy Booth, isn't given more screentime.
Few of us can make a difference the way Teddy Rist can, and there are seldom easy answers to complex problems, but there are things that each of us can do, to make a better world, if we just give it a little thought, and make an effort.

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He\'s Teddy Rist: billionaire playboy, rebel with a cause, and the charming and unlikely hero of the thrilling series, The Philanthropist. Join James Purefoy (Rome), Neve Campbell (Burn Up, Party of Five), and Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) in eight inspiring episodes about a vigilante philanthropist who– after a tragic personal loss– decides to use his money and power to help people in need. Traveling around the globe to some of the planet\'s human rights "hot spots," Teddy will put his own life on the line in order to save others. From Primetime Emmy Award winner Tom Fontana (Oz, Homicide: Life on the Street) and Primetime Emmy-nominated producer/director Peter Horton (Grey\'s Anatomy), it\'s the courageous series that shows how one person can make a difference in the world.

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