F**k (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's puzzling how words effect people differently. Some are strongly affected, while others take them in stride. But one thing is for certain, the F-word has been a contentious four-letter symbol for a multitude of reasons.
First, is where it came from. There are so many false claims as to boggle the mind. Most of these fallacies center around a Playboy Magazine article from the 70s that said the F-word was "An order from the King to go forth and propagate." Supposedly this originated sometime around the 17th century and, of course, it's completely untrue. Helping to dispel this myth, the F**K documentary seeks to enlighten and entertain and does so for the most part.
So where did this dastardly word come from? The simple answer is: we don't know. We do know that it first appeared as a written word around 1456, but that's about it. What we do know is that now the word is held as vile filth by some, while others use it daily.
Cutting a large swathe across socio-political and generational lines, the documentary interviews everyone from cursing experts and porn stars, to Miss Manners and Pat Boone.
Anyone interested in the First Amendment should no doubt see this documentary along with THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED. Both focus on America's disdain for words over violence. It's quite all right to shoot someone in the face on TV, but say the word "F**k" and you're in big trouble with the FCC. A brief and sexually explicit scene from a European rock concert shows how open other nations are to sexuality and the F-word's express meaning, while American's can't seem to get over it.
That being said, I will say that I use the F-word on occasion but only within an appropriate context. I don't enjoy comedians who use it in every sentence (Chris Rock immediately leaps to mind) simply for shock value. I guess you could say that the F-word has its place in our society but, like chocolate, if you over-indulge in its use, you'll end up with a gluttonous-type problem. Whereas chocolate might end up giving you diabetes, over-usage of the F-word might end up making those around you shy away.
Some of the more comical moments in the film are with Pat Boone and rapper Ice-T. Pat Boone, Mr. Clean, never curses. What he does do is use his own last name as a sort of cursing venue. "If I get mad about a bad tennis shot, I'll yell `Boone!'" Ice-T heard this and, of course, used it to great advantage. He found it funny and said that "Tonight I'm gonna go home and Boone my wife."
Another excellent aspect in the film was showing how hypocritical some politicians were. Most notable among them were Richard Nixon and George W. Bush. Nixon probably had one of the foulest mouths ever to enter the Whitehouse, while George Bush enjoys sticking his middle finger up at cameras. This is quite ironic since these conservative "gentleman" are the one's who've lambasted the liberal left for its unruly and inappropriate support on free speech when referring to the word f**k.
This is a very interesting documentary with plenty of naughty and nice people giving their views on this little word.

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A rollicking and hilarious film about the mother of all curse words. It's taboo, obscene and controversial, yet somehow permeates every single aspect of our popular culture - from Hollywood to the schoolyard to the Senate floor in Washington D.C. The F-Bomb brings to life the dirty word's impact with a fast-paced and funny collection of film clips, animation and the insite of linguists, entertainers and comedians. Both liberals and conservatives chime in with opinions about this amazing word that always has been at the very center of debate on censorship and Free Speech. Pat Boone, Tera Patrick, Bill Maher, Drew Carey, Alanis Morissette and the late Hunter S. Thompson all have something to say. As the Austin Chronicle enthused "Four out of five fornicators agree- (The F-Bomb) F**k rocks!"
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Reign of Terror - Targeted - Osama Bin Laden (History Channel) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the best documentaries I've seen on Osama Bin Laden and his rise to becoming a terrorist powerhouse, amidst the gross underestimation and mismanagement of US intelligence. Filled with in-depth interviews from US and Middle Eastern intelligence and goverment operatives, it gives fantastic insight into who Osama Bin Laden is, and how he operates. We can't fight this war in the future if don't understand how it was botched in the past, and how Bin Laden takes deliberate advantage of America's reluctance to fight, as this documentary brings into glaring clarity. For instance, he knows Americans hate to see civilians killed, so he makes sure his henchmen hide among civilians so you can't attack them without hurting innocent people. He's a master at turning American public opinion against itself, and destroying our will to do whatever it takes to defeat him.

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Featuring former and current CIA agents, Special Forces soldiers, Washington insiders, and best-selling authors such as Mark Bowden ("Black Hawk Down"), Steve Coll ("Ghost Wars"), Phillip Smucker ("Al Qaeda's Great Escape"), and Simon Reeve ("The New Jackals"), we take a feature-length groundbreaking look at the hunt for the world's #1 archenemy. Filmed in 10 countries around the world, we trace Bin Laden's rise through the Jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan to his present incarnation.

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Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)'Wal Mart, The High Cost Of Low Price' is filled with first hand testimonials and some hard-fact figures that will help in validating your hatred of this greedy giant, and visually exposes those in other countries who are ruthlessly used as slaves to produce the cheap products you purchase when you patronize this monolith.
These "jobs" provided to the labor forces of India, China, Bangladesh, and Mexico are not 'good wage' jobs even for third world standards. The people are overworked, underpaid, and forced to work in sub-human conditions. These human beings make 13 to 17 cents and hour, and work 10 to 18 hour days without breaks, all so you can have that $1.49 blouse.
Exposed in this film are the squalid, rent controlled apartments in China, provided by the company, that put to shame the most rancid ghetto house in your hometown. And if the employee chooses not to live in these rat-infested housing developments, the rent is still deducted from their wages. Wal-Mart has managed to lower the work standards set for these hard-pressed, low wage, third-world countries that other companies are going to follow, sucking down the standards of working all across the world.
The manager of the Mexico factories went on a tour to make sure that working conditions were humane. He was fired when he reported that the conditions were intolerably inhumane. In his own words, he didn't think retaliation would be brought against him for doing his job.
If you think it was a good thing that America abolished slavery, then think again before you go into a Wal-Mart. Just because the US is no longer "importing" slaves, doesn't make it right to continue to use slavery in other countries to produce high profits for personal gain. Wal-Mart's practices are no different than bringing slaves over from Africa to pick our cotton, it's still a cheap way for the rich to get richer at the expense of human blood and sweat.
Intermittently inserted in the film is a speech made by Lee Scott to the high-end employees and stockholders of Wal-Mart, which sounds very much like an Amway pep-talk. Lee Scott's earnings for 2005 were $27,207,799.00. The average Wal-Mart hourly employee's was $13,861.00.
Interesting facts: After 9/11, the Walton's built themselves an underground bunker in case of another terrorist attack, costing millions of dollars that should have went into paying back the Government for having to subsidize their employee's un-affordable medical benefits.
The Walton family gave less than 1% of their wealth to charity. Bill Gates, not even a nice man himself, gave 58%.
The "Critical Need" fund, set up to assist Wal-Mart employees in emergencies, received five million dollars from Wal-Mart employees (making $13,861.00 annually) and only $6,000.00 from the Walton family, who made, collectively, 102 billion.
Wal-Mart actually had a commercial campaign about "buying American" while all their products come from sweatshops overseas.
Wal-Mart has refused to address crime statistics that show an upswing of violent crime in their large, remote, under-lit and un-protected parking lots, putting their customers in danger and taxing the local law enforcement. The State of California alone paid out 80 Million dollars in medical benefits to poverty-level Wal-Mart employees because the 102 Billion Dollar Walton family does not want to give their "associates" fair medical benefits.
There are many ways to hate Wal-Mart and its ilk, and many books out on the subject, but I recommend watching this DVD so you can actually see the slave workers and conditions overseas that these selfish billionaires exploit without passing down their profit to the "small people" who helped build their empire. The presentation could have used a little more snappiness, and the DVD starts out very slow, but keep watching and you will eventually see the monster peeking out from behind your curtain.
Stop shopping at Wal-Mart. Just stop. You don't need their cheap goods that fall apart two days after you bring them home, and it feels good to know that you make a difference by not supporting slavery. Enjoy!


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Everyone has seen Wal-Mart's lavish television commercials, but have you ever wondered why Wal-Mart spends so much money trying to convince you it cares about your family, your community, and even its own employees? What is it hiding?WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price takes you behind the glitz and into the real lives of workers and their families, business owners and their communities, in an extraordinary journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop.

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Brick City (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)BRICK CITY is a powerful and compelling documentary series that chronicles several months in the history of Newark, New Jersey as the city tries to reclaim itself, neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, and brick by brick, under the leadership of Mayor Cory Booker. Booker is often compared to Barack Obama and the resistance he faces in Newark in 2008 could easily be compared to the national opposition faced by Obama in 2009. There are some people who just want him to fail, even if the result of failure is the status quo or worse.
The series played out on Sundance Channel over five nights in September 2009. And the dynamic Booker was just one of the stars. Directors Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin built the series around several distinct characters, including Police Director Garry McCarthy, Central High School principal Ras Baraka, a young couple Jayda (a Blood) and Creep (a Crip), and a community activist called Street Doctor.
As presented in BRICK CITY, Booker's attempts to rejuvenate his city revolve around crime reduction, improved education, urban renewal and economic development. He's an inspirational personality, but that doesn't mean the whole city is buying into helping him achieve his worthy goals:
*Political foes don't like the way he brings in "outsiders" to solve the city's problems. (While you're waiting for the BRICK CITY box set, be sure to watch the brilliant documentary Street Fight: A Film by Marshall Curry about Booker's 2002 mayoral run. It offers an excellent primer on Newark politics.)
*Inside the police department, McCarthy faces internal resistance and politicking that challenges his authority, even as the murder rate is plunging 40% or more.
*Ras Baraka's dreams of opening the much-delayed $100 million Central High School in time for the new school year are threatened by ongoing construction delays. (Baraka and his vice principal Todd Warren are two of the show's real-life heroes.)
*Meanwhile, Jayda's attempts to rehabilitate her life and create a new mentoring program for at-risk teenage girls become threatened when a crime from her past resurfaces. Her relationship with Creep also faces challenges, even as the couple face the prospect of bringing a new child into the world.
As the economy turns south and the 2008 election approaches, BRICK CITY ultimately becomes a show about the power of individuals to maintain hope and deliver progress in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles. In the midst of it all, and for the first time in years, the circus comes to town, too.
Some may say that BRICK CITY wears its political heart too obviously on its sleeve. The show was clearly created and produced by people who are rooting for Booker to succeed, not fail. But it still feels honest, at times harsh, and very real.
Ultimately, the message is simple: Even in the toughest of situations, rebirth is possible, but the gestation process is lengthy, messy and there's a great deal of kicking and screaming involved.
EXTRAS (as seen on TV): Forest Whitaker served as Executive Producer, giving an on-screen introduction to each episode. After each episode, producer-directors Benjamin and Lucas discussed elements of the series and showed additional mini-stories that didn't fit the "arcs" of the show itself. These "extras" are all worth watching by themselves, adding additional layers and interest to the main story, including more footage of some of the major players (e.g. Jayda and Creep) and putting a bigger spotlight on some of the more interesting people we are introduced to during the show, such as author-activist Dashaun Jiwe Morris.

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BRICK CITY is a provocative and eye-opening documentary series that fans out around the city of Newark, New Jersey to capture the daily drama of a community striving to become a better, safer, stronger place to live. Against great odds, Newark's citizens and its Mayor, Cory Booker, fight to raise the city out of a half century of violence, poverty and corruption. Booker, an outspoken and charismatic mayor who many compare to Barack Obama, works with Police Director Garry McCarthy, youth mentors, Blood and Crip gang members and other citizens on the front line to bring peace and prosperity to their once-proud city.Bringing to life the true challenges and adventures of social transformation and urban renewal, BRICK CITY goes from City Hall to the street to create a vivid portrait of a city at a critical moment in history.

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Ronald Reagan - A Legacy Remembered (History Channel) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a well done, though brief look into the life of a great man and the greatest President of the last half of the 20th century. The only fault is just the brevity given to the topic of President Reagan's great accomplishments. This is a thoroughly enjoyable documentary, and filled with information and great words. A treasure for true history buffs.

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RONALD REAGAN:LEGACY REMEMBERED - DVD Movie

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Korea - The Forgotten War (History Channel) (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been fascinated with the Korean War since a grade schooler in the early 60's. I spent three seperate one year tours in South Korea in the 70's and 80's while in the U.S. Army, and toured some of the battlefields while there.
I purchased this in 1987 on VHS and really enjoyed it then. But, it does lack punch. There are no interviews of surviving veterans on either side. The work only covers the most basic points of the war and never goes into some of the more controversial incidents. (1). The brutality of the Rhee regime (Who the U.S. supported). (2). The poor performance of the U.S. Army combat units (3). The collaboration of U.S. POWs with their communist captors (which resulted in the Code of Conduct). (4). Why such a modern military force as the U.N., with all it's fire power, was forced to retreat from a bunch of "pajama clad" Chinese, who had no heavy artillery or air support. But, as always Robert Stack is an excellent narrator, and the war is presented in chronological order with decent (somewhat grainy) black and white footage.
The DVD is only 100 minutes long, so they did what they could in that amount of time.
There is so much more to that war than is covered here. For some good reading Donald Knox and Max Hastings both wrote excellent books. I give this DVD 3 1/2 stars.

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Item Name: Korea - The Forgotten War (History Channel); Studio:A&E Home Video

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The American Heritage Series (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)David Barton has done his homework. How refreshing to learn the facts that are sadly omitted in today's public schools. All our kids should learn this to fully appreciate the heritage of this great county and what was in the hearts of our nations founders. Learn what you should have been taught and gain a new pride and love of our country and why these truths must be taught, lest we forget and become unrecognizable as America. If you have SkyAngel TV, you can watch these shows on The Golden Eagle Channel.

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Join historian David Barton and experience the untold story of our nation's history in the American Heritage Series.Discover the forgotten and astonishing story of our nation's foundation in the American Heritage Series.For centuries, Americans were taught a truthful view of history that recognized the Godly heroes and moral foundation our nation was founded upon. But in recent years, a new version of history has assaulted the moral and spiritual fiber of our nation, leaving the truth of our past eliminated and forgotten. Until today. From Separation of Church and State, to the Civil Rights Movement, the heroism of our founding Fathers to the building of our nation's monuments, this series will inspire every American to reclaim the Godly, true story of our nation.
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Man of the Year (Full Screen Edition) (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Robin Williams has created a movie that tells us so much about ourselves and who Americans think they are. It hasn't done as well as it should have because it's not as funny as people expect it to be. What it is, is a try at making a movie that tells about the dangers of corporate greed and the way that people look at elections.
Some of the satire is so subtle in places that you need to watch it two or three times. Listen very carefully to the answers of the other candidates at the debate, and to their comments at other times during the movie.
Robin Williams character is a cross between John Stewart and Ralph Nader, but Lewis Black almost steals the movie as his writer. It would be interesting to know how much of the movie was ad libs between the two.
In the end though the movie cops out by letting there be a re-election between the same two bozos, and one of them goes on to do the same old same old, so it's disappointing in that way.

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A political comedy talk show host jokingly runs for president and unexpectedly wins.Genre: Feature Film-ComedyRating: PG13Release Date: 4-SEP-2007Media Type: DVD

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Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you thought you saw it all with the Watergate interview that has been available on DVD for awhile, think again! The revelations in the Vietnam section of the Complete Frost/Nixon Interviews are even more shocking and candid. Watch as Nixon explains to Frost that when a President orders something illegal, say a break in, it isn't illegal. The China/USSR Interview is fascinating as well, and surprisingly funny, as Nixon delivers some Chinese jokes and actually kids Frost about "forgetting the microphones are on in the Oval Office." The Final Days and the Last Round Up are historic, too. Every President should sit down with someone like Frost after leaving office to leave us these in depth, thought provoking insights.

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A historic meeting so gripping and poignant it has been adapted into an award-winning stage play and major motion picture. This program, culled from the over 28 hours of interview footage between Sir David Frost and U.S. President Richard M. Nixon, was originally broadcast in May of 1977. Never before, nor since, has a U.S. President been so candid on camera. Even more intriguing is the fact that Nixon agreed to appear on camera with no pre-interview preparation or screening of questions. The most famous of this series of interviews is in the final segment that focused solely on Watergate. This program also contains new footage with Sir David Frost shot in 2007 discussing the historical impact of the interview along with his reactions of their famous encounter. Frost also discusses his views on Peter Morgan's interpretation and screenplay adaptation of this historical event.

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George Wallace (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)The fighting little judge from Alabama was known as the most liberal judge in Alabama and probably in the South. But one gubernational defeat makes him turn to racism in order to capture the governorship.
Gary Sinise turns in an incredible performance as the governor, he has become one of my favorite actors ever since his equally brilliant performance in "Truman".
I like the way that this movie doesn't judge Wallace as good or bad, it leaves that to the viewer. In one scene you can see Wallace commenting on the beating of Civil Rights activists at the Edmund Pettus Bridge saying "This is a victory for US! We turned them back" and you actually think that Sinise as Wallace believes what he's saying.
The movie presents some historical footage here and there, you can see president Lyndon Johnson and Martin Luther King's famous "how long?" speech.
It does have a number of flaws though, I'd have liked to see more about election 1968, the way Nixon tried to prevent Wallace from becoming governor in 1970 by sponsoring Wallace's opponent, the infamous General Curtis Lemay pressconference. And the fictional character Archie isn't quite pulled off by the director, it strikes me as an anomaly in the movie.
Also it shows Wallace meeting Cornelia, his future second wife at governor Folsom's inaugural in 1955, this would have made Cornelia about 23 years old in 1972 when in fact she was 31. The reason for that is that George and Lurleen met Cornelia at Folsom's FIRST inaugural in 1947 and not 1955
The most moving scene is where Wallace is wheeled into the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church (Dr. King's former church) where he, in front of a stunned black congegation apologizes for his role in black suffering. The authenticity of this scene I found questionable until I read about it in Stephan Lesher's book "George Wallace American populist".
But in the end George Wallace the movie is a masterpiece capturing the sentiments of the 50's, 60's and 70's. The late governor's children are said to have been content with the portrayal.

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Based on the book by Marshall Frady, this epic bio directed by the legendary John Frankenheimer, stars Academy® Award nominated actor Gary Sinise as the infamous politician and segregationist George Wallace. Many have portrayed Wallace as a racist but Frankenheimer\'s film suggests that it was his lust for power and status that made him bedfellows with racists and one of the most destructive and most hated American politicians of his time. Sinise – who won an Emmy® Award for this performance – brilliantly captures both the corruption and the belated search for redemption. Mare Winningham plays his first wife and Angelina Jolie – in her first major role - his adoring second. Winningham also won an Emmy for her work and the film won the Golden Globe for Best Mini-Series (1997).

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Blood Diamonds (History Channel) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)This was a really good depiction of the blood diamond scandal. It really puts things into perspective when you think about the suffering people go through to get you what, a pretty shiny rock? It is just conspicuous consumption. Even now, those in Africa who are still panning for diamonds hardly get any money for their efforts and lack the education to know the true value of any find they make. This is a very disturbing depiction of the suffering people in these countries went through, but it is something people should see as a means of education and understanding.

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Sierra Leone, once exporting a lucrative 2 million karats of diamonds per year, would fall victim to political greed and become one of the poorest nations on earth--ripe for revolution. In 1991, a rebel army called the Revolutionary United Front began a ten-year civil war, attacking the civilian population, including children, and murdering and raping countless others. Control of the diamond fields was one of the key objectives, funding civil wars throughout Africa, resulting in 4 million deaths. We explore the history behind the issue known as "blood diamonds", fueled by the illicit trade of diamonds, the diamond industry's response, and investigate the possibility of the blood diamond issue repeating. The heart of the story is related through the harrowing personal accounts of Sierra Leoneans, who vividly describe their individual tragedies and struggles to recover after the war.

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The West Wing: The Complete Seventh Season (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)It wouuld be difficult for me to truly describe the wonderful shock that is The West Wing's final season. I, like so many, had given up on The West Wing when Aaron Sorkin left, wished the show cancelled during its atrocious 5th season, and, honestly, found the show an irritating fantasy during the Sorkin-helmed 4th season anyway. Something astonishing happens during "The Ticket," the season's first episode - you feel, in its incredible pacing, structure, and emotional understatement - that Aaron Sorkin has not only returned but has regained all of his abilities as a writer. That he is not at all involved with the show means that writers like Eli Attie and Deborah Cahn have finally gotten their work as writers to both revive the lightning-quick trademarks of The West Wing while also justifying the often-unswallowable plot maneuvers of its previous two seasons. It occurred to me during "Message of the Week," a nimble and thrilling episode, that campaign-trail politics had never been so accurately represented, if they'd truly ever been attempted at all. That means The West Wing had found a reason to exist again, and that sense invigorated all the stories it surrounded - the White House's "leak" story, or the regional conflict between Kazhakstan and China. And, in a winning surprise, it also revived its still extraordinary cast - Bradley Whitford especially turns the stress of campaigning into a frayed study of stress and exhaustion, and with Janeane Garofalo at his side, he finds a sparring partner of incredible energy. The two's chemistry makes the workplace seem as vital a beast as this White House ever seemed in its prime.

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The seventh season of the West Wing chronicles the transition between the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet and the race for the new presidency between Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas and Senator Arnold Vinick of California. The season includes the live episode of "The Debate" and ends with a new administration in the West Wing.

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Wright Stuff (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)This "American Experience" documentary of the Wright Brothers is superb. The assembled band of historians and family members provide matchless insights, and the rare archival footage and evocative musical score help capture this fascinating story in a way that the printed page alone simply cannot do.Even if you're familiar with the Wright Brothers you will go away from this with an even deeper appreciation and affection for these two humble but brilliant men and the era in which they lived. While at all times factual and perceptive, the "Wright Stuff" is full of humanity and subtlety. Garrison Keillor's narration is deft and utterly appropriate, and David McCullough's brief introduction gives the production added weight and impact. Great for Wright Brothers aficionados as well as those wanting to take stock in what these two great Americans achieved not so very long ago.


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Garrison Keillor narrates the all-American story of two Midwestern boys who truly believed they could fly-Orville and Wilbur Wright. While they had produced a working plane by 1903, they didn't publicly reveal their invention until five years later when Wilbur executed a perfect take-off and landing on a racetrack outside Paris. Discover little-known facts about these visionary brothers and their flying machines that changed the world.

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The West Wing: The Complete Fifth Season (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Of course Season 5 of The West Wing was different. Losing (or dropping) Aaron Sorkin was a major problem for the series as it was his vision and tone which had guided it through its first four sucessful seasons. However the backlash against the series from some fans was completely over the top. To them Sorkin could do no bad and John Wells & Co. could do no good.
There were problems in style at the start of the season. The main worry expressed by fans at the changeover was that the series would become soap opera and relationship based rather than content/issue driven. Instead the series went the complete other way and became far too heavy and dark, as if the writers needed to prove their dramatic creditenials. A lot of the wittiness and humour of the dialogue disappeared in the first couple of episodes as the new writers struggled to understand the characters and find a level that could be both funny and serious at the same time.
However from mid-season (around the execellent "Shutdown" episode) the series began to find its feet again and began to deliver episodes of quality some of which would have no problem with being matched against their Sorkin counterparts. In particular the standout "Supremes" episode is as good as the show had ever been.
By the end of the season a new level had been found. It may not have soared to some of the dizzying heights that the series had under Sorkin. There were still bad episodes but there had been bad episodes in earlier seasons. However The West Wing was still a damn sight better than practically any other television series around capable of being clever, funny, intriguing and thoughtprovoking at the same time.

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Follow the drama when the government is temporarily passed from a Democratic Administration to the Republican Speaker of the House, as President Bartlet copes with the kidnapping of his youngest daughter, Zoey.

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The West Wing: The Complete Sixth Season (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews). . . a far cry from the first four.
As has been much mentioned and debated in reviews at this website of the 5th season, all West Wing seasons after the first four (after which series creators Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme who had created the distinctive tone of the show were shown the exit by NBC) have to be considered as almost a completely different show. Even when thought of in this way, the 5th season was something of a disaster, both ratings-wise and creatively.
So this 6th season really had nowhere else to go but up. Yet, more than just going up, by mid-season the series started to hit a bit of a stride and find a new voice (whether you prefer it to the first four seasons is debatable -- personally I do not -- but at least it was watchable and good for what it was). This is the season in which the narrative of the show fractures, as most of the characters exit their original roles and take on new assignments. This includes C.J.'s unrealistic promotion from press secretary to Chief of Staff (quite an improvement for a character who didn't know what the census was for in the first season and is now the President's chief adviser on all policy issues), Josh leaving the White House to manage the presidential campaign of Rep. Matt Santos (unevenly played by Jimmy Smitts), Donna quitting the White House to work on the Vice-President's campaign, Toby doubling as press secretary, Charlie becoming a Special Assistant for C.J., and Leo becoming general wise man for the White House, with no real role except to recover from his heart attack.
The first part of the season deals with the Arab-Israeli peace talks and the aftermath of the death of Admiral Fitzwallace and Donna's injuries in the Gaza Strip. Concluding with a bitter fight between Leo and the President that leads to the aforementioned heart attack by Leo (a sadly prescient plot line given John Spencer's real life death last year from a heart attack) and C.J.'s elevation, this segment segues into the meat of the season, which is the Democratic Primary Season. While providing many interesting campaign episodes and plotlines as a result (an area the show didn't really explore as much when Bartlet ran for re-election), it also means that the amount of screen time for most characters is drastically reduced as the show rushes to cover so many different long-term plotlines. Moreover, the fragmented storytelling also de-emphasizes the West Wing part of "The West Wing," except mainly to do national security issues to give an excuse to include stories for the totally uninteresting character of Mary McCormack (involving Cuba and Castro and whatnot). Why they wasted so much screen time on her stories is beyond me. More interesting in her addition to the cast is Kristen Chenowith as Asst. Press Secretary Annabeth Schott, who becomes an even better character in Season 7.
The final part of the season deals with the Republican challenger, Senator Arnold Vinick (certainly the most interesting and complex character introduced in the post-Sorkin era and very appealingly played by Alan Alda) and ends with a chaotic Democratic Convention that leaves Leo as the surprise VP candidate to (surprise) Jimmy Smitt's character managed by Josh. The season also ends with a ripped from the headlines storyline involving the leak by a West Wing staffer of sensitive national security information . . . all leading to Season 7 -- the final season of the series and certainly the best season since the first 4.
Overall, the season isn't bad and has a narrative drive created by the election season that helps sustain interest even when individual plotlines fizzle here and there. While the dialogue is a pale ghost of what it was, some of the campaign situations are interesting to ponder and several bit campaign players acquit themselves nicely. If you're still buying West Wing DVDs at this point, then this season isn't a bad buy (certainly much more worthwhile than the previous season in which you swear your favorite characters are possessed by pod people) but Season 7 is really the season to wait to purchase.

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During Season Six, the presidential race is on, with Senator Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) as the Republican frontrunner and a Matthew Santos (Jimmy Smits) vying for the hotly contested Democratic presidential nomination. DVD Features:Audio CommentaryDocumentaryFeaturetteInterviews

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The West Wing: The Complete Third Season (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)The West Wing's third season began in sadness. The 9/11 attacks would change much about our country (and this show), and we got an episode after them (Isaac and Ishmael) that attempted to show sensitivity and comfort during a confusing time. At that time, it wasn't generally liked, but it seems to have aged well (it was voted the 10th best episode by Bravo viewers earlier this year). After this, though, the season began in earnest, picking up where the astonishingly good "Two Cathedrals" episode left off and begins a multi-episodic story arc that has the staff at odds with each other as well as the introduction of the fabulous Ron Silver as Bruno Gianelli (he would get an Oscar nod for his performance). Truth be told, this season didn't have the same uniformity of excellence that previous ones did--the middle of the season was lukewarm, with episodes like "The Two Bartlets" and "Night Five" which rank among the lowest in the series (let's keep it in perspective, though: the worst of this season is still better than the best of the current one). However, the show pulls off one of the best episodes of the show in the finale, "Posse Comitatus", which has President Bartlet grappling with faith, law and morality in the matter of having an Osama bin Ladin-like terrorist assassinated. The sheer shock of the final act still brings chills down my spine every time I see it. Also notable: perhaps the most emotional episode in the series, "Bartlet for America" won an Emmy and its final scene between the President and Leo rivals the denouement in Kubrick's Paths of Glory for full-force emotional impact. "Gone Quiet" is a gripping story about a lost submarine, and features a wonderful, curmedgeonly performance by Hal Holbrook as Assistant Secretary of State Albie Duncan. "100,000 Airplanes" is an example of the complex narrative structure of the series: there are no less than four major stories revolving around Bartlet's State of the Union address, each of which are engaging. One of my favorites is "The U.S. Poet Laureate," which covers the scandal following an off-air gaffe on the part of the president. Says C.J. Cregg, "It's a classic Washington scandal. We got in trouble for telling the truth." But all through this season are these character threads: the President and Abbey (leading to a surprisingly touching scene in "Dead Irish Writers"), Josh and Amy's budding relationship, Toby and his ex-wife, Andie, and, of course, the President and Leo. The final one was always one of the most satisfying relationships with the show, and the fact that the current WW writers have all but eliminated it is one of my major beefs with the show right now. Enough soapboxing. Season 3 of the West Wing contains powerful drama and excitement, examination of real political issues and real people. It's definitely worth the money for anyone.

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Compelling and clever storylines focus on Bartlet's campaign and continue to reveal the inner workings of the White House in this innovative, multiple Emmy Award-winning drama series from producers John Wells ("ER," "China Beach"), Aaron Sorkin ("Sports Night") and Thomas Schlamme ("Sports Night"). The West Wing's third season had 5 Emmy wins including, Best Drama Series and Outstanding Special Episode.

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The West Wing: The Complete Second Season (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)I think that in many cases, the second season of a TV show is its best season. Why is TV so often completely opposite from sophomore efforts in music and movies? From my own observations it's because in the second season of a TV show, the actors have gained a comfortable grasp on how to portray the deeper parts of their character. At the same time, the show still has the freshness of a new show, the same rich texture that won it a debut to begin with; the writers are still developing plots that don't feel stale, so the show hasn't lost that "new car smell". Of course there are exceptions: shows that run out of steam soon after they start, and shows that just seem to keep getting better even after the second season.
I don't know if The West Wing's second season is its best, but it definitely includes some of the best episodes. Great writing, great acting, great sets and music, all come together to form what has become my favorite TV show ever.
Season Two includes these episodes:
In The Shadow of Two Gunmen (Part 1)
In The Shadow of Two Gunmen (Part 2)
The Midterms
In This White House
And It's Surely To Their Credit
The Lame Duck Congress
The Portland Trip
Shibboleth
Galileo
Noël
The Leadership Breakfast
The Drop In
Bartlet's Third State of the Union
The War at Home
Ellie
Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail
The Stackhouse Filibuster
17 People
Bad Moon Rising
The Fall's Gonna Kill You
18th and Potomac
Two Cathedrals
(You can look up an episode guide if you want a quick summary of the plots; I didn't want to spoil any surprises here.)
I doubt Warner will include the special episode "Isaac and Ishmael" in this set. This episode was written after the 9/11 attacks, and aired a week before the start of Season Three; thus, if it is included with a regular season, it will probably be the third.

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It's never politics as usual inside this Oval Office. The President and his staff have been targeted for disruption by rival politicians, soon after being targeted by would-be assassins. Yet the determined colleagues continue to serve the U.S. and its President as the administration heads through midterm elections and into a crisis that leads to allegations of criminal conduct. The West Wing's second season won the Best Drama Series Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.DVD Features:Audio CommentaryDeleted ScenesFeaturette

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