Dark Angel Season 2 Eng Dol Sur/french Dol/span Dol/1.33:1 (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Overall, I enjoyed Season Two of DARK ANGEL, though I still prefer Season One. Despite the fact that I have a basic problem with Season Two, a large number of things were done very well. Like Season One, it was a well written, superbly produced, well executed season with some great new characters and some interesting new plot developments. Above all, Season Two represented a major improvement in Jessica Alba as an actress. In Season One, there were a host of scenes in which I was depressed by her rather flat vocal delivery and a surfeit of emotion at times when more was called upon. She is immeasurably better in Season Two, possibly a result of additional training, and certainly a result of being more comfortable in her role. She impressed with her athleticism in Season One, but she seems even more capable in her fight scenes and stunts in Season Two. She even seems more beautiful, probably the result of losing just a hint of baby fat (she was, after all, just out of high school in the first season).
The biggest problem I had with Season Two was the amazing lack of continuity with Season One. Like THE X-FILES or BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER or FARSCAPE, DARK ANGEL is a series that depends on long story arcs. That was true of both Season One and Season Two, but while each season had a great deal of internal narrative over the course of the season, not quite enough carried over from one season to the next for my taste. For one thing, a number of characters simply vanished. John Hurt, who was so prominent in Season One, leaves after a couple of episodes in Season Two (I suspect he would have returned in Season Three). Max and Original Cindy's coworker and friend Herbal vanishes with nary a word. The Asian police officer who was so prominent also fades from the scene. And the brilliant Stephen Hawking-like character (in that he is both brilliant and trapped in a wheelchair) disappears (perhaps because he might have possessed the knowledge to rid Max of the targeted retro virus that keeps her from having any physical contact with Logan) also vanishes into thin air. On the other hand, we are confronted with a host of new characters, so the feel of Season Two is much different from Season Two. Also, some of the carryovers from Season One have lessened roles. We don't see very much of Original Cindy or Sketchy in many episodes, as their onscreen time has been cut into by Alec and Joshua. On top of this, many of the emphases of Season One are altered to accommodate plot shifts. For instance, plot lines revolving around Agent White squeeze out many of the humanitarian and justice efforts by Eyes Only. Or take Max. In Season One much of the interest revolved around her attempt to find a satisfying life despite the rather unusual hand that fate has dealt her. She also apparently changed biologically from Season Two, although no specific mention is made of this. For instance, she had no moments where she needed a quick injection of Tryptophan (again, if her neurological condition was corrected during her incarceration at Manticore, no mention is made), and unlike Season One, she never had a period in Season Two where she went into heat (as a result of her feline DNA). These changes are all quite separate from changes wrought by plot development. There were just too many details that got pushed out of the show. Given the lack of continuity with Season One, I felt slightly uncomfortable with the predominance of Alec, Joshua, and White. These are not bad characters, but I didn't like to see more familiar elements squeezed out for the inclusion of the newcomers.
Nonetheless, Season Two was overall an exceptionally strong one. There were very few weak episodes and only one genuinely awful one the absolutely wretched "Gill Girl," which might be the worst single episode of the two seasons. The more one thinks about the latter episode, the worse it becomes (e.g., the transgenic gill people have gills and lay eggs to have offspring, like fish, but they look human and communicate by cetacean-like vocalizing, which would make them mammals). I love the way the writers keep painting the transgenics into a corner, and even Logan, so that by the end of the season the identify of all of the transgenics have been revealed, Eyes Only has been exposed and shut down, and Max and all of her friends have literally been driven out of life among non-transgenics. Max's situation has been radically altered by the end. One assumes that working at Jam Pony is now impossible (despite Sketchy and even Normal abandoning their prejudice against transgenics). No more evenings at Crash, no more motorcycling around the city, no more biking. Even her beloved hot baths might be impossible now. Clearly, big things were intended for Season Three.
One huge, huge reason for fans of the show to seek out the DVD set, even if they have it recorded on video, is the commentary. Although we sadly did not get a Season Three, the commentators reveal the major plot details that were anticipated. For instance, we know that Max was somehow the possible savior for the human race, but we are not sure how. What about Logan's ability to walk or Max's virus? They spill the beans. It doesn't make up for having a full season, but at least they resolve some of the larger questions that might otherwise be eating away at fans.
I am not privy as to why DARK ANGEL was cancelled. Perhaps the ratings weren't what they had hoped. Perhaps it was too costly of a show. In a way, the worst thing that ever happened at FOX was the enormous success of THE X-FILES. Ever since they have been looking for its replacement, and they kill all shows that don't manage its ratings. Along the way, they have killed off a string of superb shows, like FIREFLY, WONDERFALLS, and this one.
At some point FOX needs to realize that they are superb as a network at developing great shows, but fail miserably in making commitments to those shows. As it is, I am afraid to watch or allow myself to become interested in any show that appears on FOX. Why make a commitment to a show that they themselves won't make a commitment to? My feeling is that you development a quality product, and then stand by it and promote it until either the show slips in quality or there is a long term demonstrated lack of interest in it. FOX is to be commended for backing the creation of some great shows, but is to be condemned for failing to support them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dark Angel Season 2 Eng Dol Sur/french Dol/span Dol/1.33:1 (2000)

Various

Click here for more information about Dark Angel Season 2 Eng Dol Sur/french Dol/span Dol/1.33:1 (2000)

Cabin by the Lake / Return to Cabin by the Lake (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Cabin by the Lake:
Very original take on a guy with writer's block.
Stanley makes a living writing the common slasher flicks but his latest project has been a rather slow process, and in order to fix this he kills teen girls to get an inside look at what it's really like for them to be murdered, then he meets a fighter.
Mallory, afraid of water, is captured by Stanley, he takes her to his cabin and locks her in the hidden room to sort of get to know her and how she feels (there's a wall and a marker for writing on it).
So, it comes time to drown her now but thanks to Boone, the local policeman, and the people who are signed on to make the fake bodies for Stanley's new film, she survives and grows closer to Boone.
Without giving too much away, Mallory faces Stanley again...
The acting is really good and the directing was cool. Overall this was a really entertaining movie.
Return to Cabin by the Lake:
Definately not as good as the first, but entertaining nonetheless.
I think it could have been much better had the acting of the supporting cast been any better.
I love him on Charmed but Brian Krause is just, ugh, in this movie.
Aside from that...
Stanley, back for the sequel to his previous movie wants to be on set so he takes the place of an unknown producer and slowly takes over as director, changing the movie to his liking and killing the cast and crew as well.
He meets Alison, a girl who thinks she knows the real Stanley and understands the man behind the killer - she later learns she's been working alongside the real Stanley all along and becomes another target...
I'd definately recommend buying this for the original, but since they come together (and at such a low price for the two) you're getting 2-for-1, although the second is a bit... Well either way the first is truly worth it and the second is cool because it's more and if you're anything like me and sequels, then you're getting a good bargain. Just think of it as getting a good movie with an extra... lol

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cabin by the Lake / Return to Cabin by the Lake (2000)

Click here for more information about Cabin by the Lake / Return to Cabin by the Lake (2000)

Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Season 2 of the Fox sci-fi drama Dark Angel is alot different than the first. Without giving the season one finale away, our transgenic heroine Max (Jessica Alba) ends up back at Manticore, but doesn't stay put for long. She escapes after taking the prison (that's basically what it was) down and releases all of the imprisoned transgenics. About that, not all of the "gennies" are quite human. Max has a bit of cat DNA herself (the episodes where she goes into heat are hilarious), but she still has a human appearance. The older ones, not so much. See, they were given too much animal DNA in their genetic cocktails so they possess more freakish appearances.
Like Joshua (Kevin Durand), Max's friend and adoptive brother. He was the first transgenic Manticore ever created and has a human body with a dog face. Still a sweetheart though. Anyway, all the gennies are freed and manage to escape into society. The "regular" folks freak out and new villian Ames White (Martin Cummins) is called upon by the government to cover up the Manticore crimes by exterminating them. Needless to say, Max is on the top of his list. She feels it's her job to protect her transgenic siblings while laying low as best she can herself.
Her relationship with Logan (Michael Weatherly) becomes complicated too. While back at Manticore, the bad guys figured out Max was in cahoots with Eyes Only (they still don't know he's Logan) and infect her with a virus that will kill him on skin to skin contact. The two try their best to keep their romance going, but Logan's new assistant Asha (Ashley Scott) tends to get in the way as well. Another new character is fellow X-5er Alec (Jensen Ackles). Max meets him back at Manticore and the two form a love/hate sibling-like relationship. Alec (as in smart aleck) is a nice guy overall, but always looking out for himself and constantly on the look out for some get rich scheme. Sweet, but not too smart since he manages to get himself in trouble alot.
Original Cindy (Valarie Rae Miller), Sketchy (Richard Gunn), and Normal (J. C. MacKenzie ) also return, but there's no mention of Kendra (Jennifer Blanc) or Herbal Thought (Alimi Ballard). Where'd the hell they go? Beats me. Anyway, Joshua (who's guaranteed to warm your heart) and Alec are welcome additions to the cast. While the second season does border on a gimmicky "transgenic of the week" feel, it also has a powerful message of "people fear and hate what they don't understand" that's relatable to everybody. Season 2 is also darker and more somber than the first. Not to say season 1 was always happy, but most of the episodes held on to some form of hope. The second season finale is awesome, although there are a couple of storylines that don't get completely wrapped up. Enjoy!
Top 5 episodes from season 2
1. Designate This
2. Bag Em
3. Hello, Goodbye
4. Dawg Day Afternoon
5. Freak Nation

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season (2000)

Item Name: Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season; Studio:20th Century Fox

Get 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season (2000)

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Fourth Season (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Called the "Season of Secrets" by the producers of the series, NCIS SEASON 4 actually turned out much more complicated than most of the actors, writers, directors, and fans wanted it to be. For the first time, the series sought to build ongoing storylines that would elevate NCIS to a soap opera level that wasn't much appreciated.
The season was too busy. Too much plotting demanded watching every episode in sequence rather than casually dropping in for entertainment. Even with devoted attendance instead of a casual approach, these extended storylines took far too long to develop.
I got irritated and impatient with all the split plotlines and romances. When I watch the crimes shows I keep up with, I depend on them to be entertaining and intriguing, but not to the point that I have to keep notes. I didn't watch HEROES in its first season run for this very reason, and it's also why I abdicate 24. I picked those shows up in DVD and squander weekends of marathon viewing on them.
I watched episodes throughout season 4 of NCIS and enjoyed them on one hand, but I had some definite problems with them on the other. It is somewhat better being able to sit down and watch them in sequence and fairly close together. But the fact that the season ended on a cliffhanger is also disappointing. Thankfully, season 5 returns to how the episodes were initially done.
I don't mind the two- or three-episode arcs, but I want to be casually entertained, and not driven to fanaticism or desperation.
Unfortunately, series creator and television guru Donald P. Bellisario is no longer attached to the series. Mark Harmon and many others stood against Bellisario and basically took the show over. Since NCIS is a hit and can't survive without the actors and actresses (who were being forced into 16-hours days much of the time, according to reports), their wants were attended to first.
Mark Harmon stars as the abrasive and canny team leader, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Michael Weatherly plays fan-favorite Anthony DiNozzo, whose love of movies constantly shows in his reference throughout the series. David McCallum portrays the team's forensic examiner, Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. Pauley Perrette stars as the wickedly wonderful and super-smart Abby Sciuto. Sean Murray (Bellisario's real-life stepson) plays Timothy McGee. Cote de Pablo plays ex-Israeli Mossad agent Ziva David. Lauren Holly stars as the NCIS director, Jenny Shepard.
The thing that I most love about the series is the characters. They're all real to me, and the actors deliver a constant presentation of them. I've never seen a false move. Mark Harmon continues to amaze me. I actually met him on the Fox Studios lot at one time, and he's just as generous in person as he is on the screen. Truly great guy.
But the other reasons to watch the show are the intriguing mysteries, consummate action, and a pace that is almost frenetic from beginning to end. Tune in to an episode and you're going to get the same kind of investigative goodness fans of the show demand.
As usual, the season begins by picking up the pieces of the cliffhanger from the season before. At the end of the third season, Gibbs had quit the NCIS after a terrorist attack he warned them about went unheeded.
"Shalom" puts Ziva on the run after she's framed for murdering a high ranking government employee. At this point Tony is in charge of the team. They have to get Gibbs back, though, and the story wraps satisfactorily in "Escaped."
Cutting edge technology gets featured in "Singled Out," and the subject matter involving a kidnapped Navy computer specialist allows McGee and Abby to thrive in their element while driving Gibbs crazy with their techno-babble. Mike Franks, Gibbs's NCIS mentor, returns to the series in "Faking It" and fans get more background on what Gibbs was like when he was first starting out. "Dead and Unburied" is a nifty little mystery.
The pace picks up again with "Witch Hunt," the series' first Halloween episode. Some of the lines and the situations Gibbs and his team delivered and found themselves in left me laughing so hard I thought I was going to die. This episode alone is priceless. "Sandblast" brings Gibbs and Lt. Colonel Hollis Mann, Gibbs's present girlfriend, together on a case again, and it's always fun to watch these two work through things. In a later episode, "Sharif Returns," they get to finish the work they start here.
"Once a Hero" centers on a decorated Marine, and fans of the show know that anything involving Marines is one of Gibbs's red flags. He'll stop at nothing to do what he needs to do to take care of those people. "Twisted Sister" brings McGee into conflict with himself over the NCIS and his sister. "Smoked" puts Gibbs together with FBI agent Fornell in a search for a serial killer. As fans know, there's a lot of history between Gibbs and Fornell, and not all of it is good.
Science comes to the forefront again in "Driven," and McGee and Abby are in artificial intelligence heaven as they try to figure out how a murder was done. The murder of a Marine puts Gibbs at odds with a county sheriff in "Suspicion." Ducky moves into the spotlight in "Blowback" when he has to go undercover in a high-tech black market ring. "Friends and Lovers" showcases a murder that turns intriguing, but it's Tony's undercover work that gets the lion's share of the attention.
"Dead Man Walking" is a tug at the heartstrings as Ziva becomes involved with a dying Navy lieutenant. This episode was almost too predictable, but still watchable. "Skeletons" is the search for yet another serial killer (there are a lot of these in police shows of late). "Iceman" is a straightforward mystery with the twist of the "dead" man coming back to life long enough to point in the direction of his murderer.
"Grace Period" involves Special Agent Paula Cassidy, who's been something of a recurring character, in a terrorist chase. "Cover Story" reveals that McGee is working on a new book (he writes fiction and his first book was a bestseller that allowed him to buy a sports car as well as other boy toys) and the murderer appears to be following some of his script. "Brothers In Arms" advances one of the many subplots of the season when Jenny Shepard starts digging into her spy father's secrets.
"In The Dark" is a straightforward mystery again, but it's got some neat characterizations and twists. "Trojan Horse" has a plot that reflects the title, and this one gets a little too convoluted. "Angel of Death" brings in Shepard's father's past in a big way, and it sets up the season's cliffhanger.
NCIS SEASON 4 is a must-buy for fans of the show who collect the episodes. But it's a great place for viewers new to the show to begin. With four years under its belt, NCIS has a lot of history, but you can catch up quickly.
I really enjoyed Season 4, even with all the complexity and one-hand-not-knowing-what-the-other-hand-is-doing machinations, but I'm glad Season 5 is returning to the standalone episodes and no ongoing plotlines. These characters are some of the best on television, and the writers are really good.


Click Here to see more reviews about: NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Fourth Season (2003)

NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it's a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, formerly led this troupe of colorful personalities. Gibbs, a man of few words, only needs a look to explain it all. The team includes NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), an ex-homicide detective who may come off as the world's oldest frat boy, but whose instincts in the field are unparalleled; forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), a talented scientist whose dark wit matches her Goth style and eclectic tastes, NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), an MIT graduate whose brilliance with computers far overshadows his insecurities in the field and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), a former Moussad agent who shares a bond with Gibbs over the death of his arch nemesis, Ari, the terrorist who killed former NCIS Special Agent Kate Todd. Assisting the team is medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum), who knows it all because he's seen it all, and he's not afraid to let you know. Rounding out the team is NCIS director Jennifer Shepard (Lauren Holly) who has a romantic history with Gibbs. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents travel the globe to investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.

Get 36% OFF

Click here for more information about NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Fourth Season (2003)

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Third Season (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)*SPOILER*
Killing a main character in the second season cliffhanger is a pretty shocking way to set up a third season. Ending with a bang, literally, NCIS returns with a excellent third season with the right combination of wit, drama, and cast. This is good television. And you dont let good television sit on the shelf too long, so hot on the heels of the release of the Second Season on DVD is the April release of the complete Season Three of NCIS.
NCIS is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, responsible for crimes by and against members of the United States Navy and US Marine Corps. The team of NCIS agents introduced in Season 1 is led by former Marine Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a tough no-nonsense leader and interrogator. The team also includes ex-homicide detective Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), Mossad agent Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), goth forensics expert Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), computer specialist and rookie Agent Tim McGee (Sean Murray), and quirky coroner Doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum). Season Three witnesses the aftermath of Kate Todd's murder by Ari, the introduction of Mossad agent Ziva David, and increased screen time for McGee and Abby. Harmon again does a knockout job as the lead, with his best work coming in the season premiere, as he grieves over the loss of Kate. Micheal Weatherley and Sean Murray continue to develop their competitive older-younger brother relationship, Perrette lights up the screen as Abby, and David McCallum delivers a refined and dignified performance.
Season three began with the two part episode Kill Ari 1 and 2, which examined the aftermath of Kate's death and the hunt for Ari. The introduction of Ziva and Director Jenny Shephard (Lauren Holly) seemed out of place and awkward considering the emotional tone, and it took five or six episodes for Ziva to be less of a cardboard character and more a part of the team. Her first really impressive episode came with Tony in the solid "Under Covers". Some of the better episodes include "Probie", when McGee shoots a man who turns out to be an undercover cop, "Mind Games", where Gibbs goes head-to-head with a serial killer, "Bait" which showcases a great performance by Weatherley. The season-ending Hiatus Parts 1 and 2 are decent episodes up to the last five minutes, which are incredibly rushed in order to get to the cliffhanger of Gibbs quitting NCIS.
The Season Three DVD box set contains all 24 episodes in widescreen for a total running time of almost 17 hours. Because of its quick turn-around time on the release, the extras are not as good as Season One, with only a few commentaries and featurettes anticipated. That is the unfortunate trade-off, but given that we get another full season of NCIS on DVD so quickly, its not a bad deal. Fans of the show will quickly snap this up, for those who have never watched before, if you liked JAG, CSI, or Bones, you will like this show. NCIS Season Three demonstrates exactly why this show is such a big hit. The DVD is on shelves in April. Highly Recommended.
A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO

Click Here to see more reviews about: NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Third Season (2003)

NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it's a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, formerly led this troupe of colorful personalities. Gibbs, a man of few words, only needs a look to explain it all. The team includes NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), an ex-homicide detective who may come off as the world's oldest frat boy, but whose instincts in the field are unparalleled; forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), a talented scientist whose dark wit matches her Goth style and eclectic tastes, NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), an MIT graduate whose brilliance with computers far overshadows his insecurities in the field and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), a former Moussad agent who shares a bond with Gibbs over the death of his arch nemesis, Ari, the terrorist who killed former NCIS Special Agent Kate Todd. Assisting the team is medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum), who knows it all because he's seen it all, and he's not afraid to let you know. Rounding out the team is NCIS director Jennifer Shepard (Lauren Holly) who has a romantic history with Gibbs. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents travel the globe to investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Third Season (2003)

Dark Angel - The Complete First Season (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I do not remember why I missed "Dark Angel" when it originally aired, but now that I have seen the first season I am willing to admit I made a big mistake (Mea Culpa, James Cameron). The story is set in Seattle, Washington, in the year 2019, which is after "The Pulse," an electromagnetic bomb that basically pushed reset on the United States. However, that is only the setting, because the star is Jessica Alba as Max Guevera, who at first glance has a day job as a bike courier, and at second glance works as a cat burglar at night, bit at third glance and closer examination turns out to be a genetically enhanced superhuman created by the government who escaped from a military training school ten years earlier.
"Dark Angel: The Complete First Season" has a couple of plot lines that make Max both the hunter and the hunted. Max is always on the lookout for her "siblings," the other kids who escaped from Manticore, while Lydecker (John Savage), the head of the secret program is trying to find both them and Max to return them to government service. Meanwhile, Max's days as a cat burglar are over when she tries to rob Logan Cale (Michael Weatherly), a rich kid who is the secret cyber-journalist known as "Eyes Only," who enlists her into his idealistic crusade to clean up corruption in Seattle. Of course, the two are made for each other, but we have to wait for them to catch out to this rather obvious fact. What really makes "Dark Angel" work is the extent to which this futuristic dystopia has been worked out. This is not so much a series where the mythology emerges over time, as it is one where the premises are so strong that they sustain multiple episodes and provide compelling sub-text for the rest. Compare this to similar series that take a while to find themselves, and you can see why these solid premises allowed this one to be able to have so many solid episodes early on.
Creator James Cameron's imprint is clearly on this production, but mention should be made of the show's Vancouver crew, which obviously includes a lot of "X-Files" veterans. The production values on "Dark Angel" are pretty striking in creating the seedy world of post-pulse Seattle and its icon Space Needle where Max likes to go and contemplate existence. But the sense of style comes as much from the characters as the setting. Alba is truly stunning as Max, able to play hard, soft, or whatever the scene demands. Weatherly has one of the squarest jaws in television history, and Savage has fun milking everything out of the bad guy (he really does care for his children, but duty never gets in the way of such emotions). The supporting cast has some compelling texture types, from Normal (J.C. MacKenzie), the overbearing dispatcher at Jam Pony ("Bip! Bip! Bip!"), to urban philosopher Herbal Thought (Alimi Bllard), and everybody's favorite, Original Cindy (Valerie Rae Miller), Max's roommate and co-worker, who basically has the right attitude for every occasion.
After watching the complete first season of "Dark Angel" you will want to move on to the complete second season, which just came out and you will be disappointed that there were only two seasons of the series. However, when you see the overall drop in quality during season two, you will not be that surprised (it takes half of that second season for the series to really get going). But "Dark Angel" is one of the better science fiction series to be produced in the last ten years, and the first season does provide a complete story arc.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dark Angel - The Complete First Season (2000)

Various

Click here for more information about Dark Angel - The Complete First Season (2000)

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Seasons 1-3 (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Television is an medium which cannibilizes its own successes, where one hit show inspires more variations on the same formula every pilot season. Those shows that invariably succeed do so because they take a formula and make it unique to their show. This is the case with NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It first appeared to be a combination of CSI and JAG, not shocking considering JAG producer Bellisario's involvement as creator and executive producer and CSI's overwhelming success. What it showed throughout its first season is that NCIS stands out in its own right through clever writing and great acting, making for solid, entertaining TV drawing a devoted fan base.
NCIS is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, responsible for crimes by and against members of the United States Navy and US Marine Corps. The team of NCIS agents introduced in Season 1 is led by former Marine Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a tough no-nonsense leader and interrogator. The team also includes ex-homicide detective Special Agent Anthony DiNozzi (Michael Weatherly), former Secret Service Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander), goth forensics expert Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), computer specialist and rookie Agent Tim McGee (Sean Murray),(McGee appears in a cameo role 6 episodes in and quickly becomes a reoccuring character. By season 2 he is a full timer) and quirky coroner Doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum). Cote de Pablo joins the cast in season three as Mossad agent Ziva David, replacing Sasha Alexander as the female lead on the show. Each actor does an exceptional job developing their character, especially Perrette who makes Abby one of the best and most intriguing characters on TV.
In Season One, the team investigates a broad range of crimes from the apparent parachute death of a Marine, sniper attacks against a Marine recruiter, the disappearance of a service member, and the infiltration of a Navy base by a suspected terrorist. Pilot episode "Yankee White" is especially good. The twists and turns in Season One are frequent and the tension is kept high, but this is a show clearly developing its feel and pace. Season Two gets us more involved in the characters and the show by putting them in harm's way, creating a lasting emotional buy-in. Tony goes undercover and goes missing in "Chained", while Ducky is hunted by a killer in "The Meat Puzzle", and Kate and Tony are stuck in a biohazard room after exposure to a bio agent in "SWAK". Other standout episodes include "An Eye for an Eye", "Conspiracy Theory", and "Lt. Jane Doe". The season ending episode "Twilight" sees the return of the Mossad-trained diabolical agent Ari, who held Ducky and Kate captive in Season One.
Season three began with the two part episode Kill Ari 1 and 2, which examined the aftermath of Kate's death and the hunt for Ari. The introduction of Ziva and Director Jenny Shephard (Lauren Holly) seemed out of place and awkward considering the emotional tone, and it took five or six episodes for Ziva to be less of a cardboard character and more a part of the team. Her first really impressive episode came with Tony in the solid "Under Covers". Some of the better episodes include "Probie", when McGee shoots a man who turns out to be an undercover cop, "Mind Games", where Gibbs goes head-to-head with a serial killer, "Bait" which showcases a great performance by Weatherley. The season-ending Hiatus Parts 1 and 2 are decent episodes up to the last five minutes, which are incredibly rushed in order to get to the cliffhanger of Gibbs quitting NCIS.
The DVD box sets contains all 70 episodes in widescreen. Because of the quick turn-around times on the releases, the extras are somewhat limited to episode commentaries and some cast and crew discussions on the individual seasons. Picture and sound quality is good, but not exceptional. At the current prices, buying all three sets will save you $15 total, so you may want to consider buying them separate if you can find a better deal. Fans of the show will quickly snap this up. For those who have never watched the show before, if you liked JAG, CSI, or Bones, you will like this show. NCIS demonstrates exactly why this show is such a big hit for CBS and why it consistently places in the top 10. The DVD set is on shelves in April. Highly Recommended.
A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO


Click Here to see more reviews about: NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Seasons 1-3 (2003)

Click here for more information about NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Seasons 1-3 (2003)

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Second Season (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The sophomore season for most television dramas is usually the most difficult. One has to build on the success of the first season, identify and create the themes and story arcs for upcoming seasons, and retain the unique qualities that made the show successful in the first place. Led by executive producer Donald Bellisario, NCIS crafted a much stronger second season full of tension, drama, great mysteries, and a shocking conclusion. This is good television. And you dont let good television sit on the shelf too long, so hot on the heels of the release of the First Season on DVD is the November 14 release of the complete Season Two of NCIS.
NCIS is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, responsible for crimes by and against members of the United States Navy and US Marine Corps. The team of NCIS agents introduced in Season 1 is led by former Marine Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a tough no-nonsense leader and interrogator. The team also includes ex-homicide detective Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), former Secret Service Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander), goth forensics expert Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), computer specialist and rookie Agent Tim McGee (Sean Murray), and quirky coroner Doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum). Season Two sees the actors further developing their characters, imbuing them with warmth and hinting at complex backstories sure to be explained in future episodes. Harmon does a knockout job as a lead, and Weatherley and Sean Murray create a competitive older-younger brother relationship that is just right. Perrette is a force of nature in every episode and lights up the screen as Abby. Sasha Alexander does well as Kate, but there is just something missing, which could explain why Season Two ended as it did.
In Season Two, the team investigates the usual range of kidnappings, murders, and discovered bodies. Cleverly learning from the strongest episodes in Season One, Season Two gets us more involved in the characters and the show by putting them in harm's way, creating a lasting emotional buy-in. Tony goes undercover and goes missing in Chained, while Ducky is hunted by a killer in The Meat Puzzle, and Kate and Tony are stuck in a biohazard room after exposure to a bio agent in SWAK. Other standout episodes include An Eye for an Eye, Conspiracy Theory, and Lt. Jane Doe. The season ending episode Twilight sees the return of the Mossad-trained diabolical agent Ari, who held Ducky and Kate captive in Season One. The episode is a major changing point in the show, and sets up Season Three with a bang, figuratively. Though there are some clunker episodes like the video game spilling into real life episode Red Cell, even the bad episodes are worth watching because of the cast. Their relationship with one another is what drives the show.
The Season Two DVD box set contains all 23 episodes in widescreen for a total running time of almost 17 hours. Because of its quick turn-around time on the release, the extras are not as good as Season One, with only a few audio commentaries and a featurette. That is the unfortunate trade-off, but given that we get a full season of NCIS on DVD so quickly, its not a bad deal. Fans of the show will quickly snap this up, for those who have never watched before, if you liked JAG, CSI, or Bones, you will like this show. NCIS Season Two demonstrates exactly why this show is such a big hit. The DVD is on shelves on November 14th, one week after JAG Season Two releases. Preorder your copy today.A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO

Click Here to see more reviews about: NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Second Season (2003)

A team of special agents, operating outside the military chain of command, must investigate any crime with pieces of evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position. Character-driven stories with surprising twists play a large role in the second season of NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service). The NCIS team of investigators is led by Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), an experienced investigator with sometimes unorthodox, but always-effective methods. Working under Gibbs are Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo (Michael Weatherly); Special Agent Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander); Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette); and NCIS's medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (DavidMcCallum). Additionally, joining the staff this season will be Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) whose communication and computer skills outweigh his naiveté. Whether investigating murder or espionage, the NCIS goes global in their quest to solve all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.

Get 39% OFF

Click here for more information about NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete Second Season (2003)