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The West Wing (Season 2) DVD Review

admin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:18:03 +0000

Since its September 1999 premiere, the NBC series The West Wing immediately established itself with viewers as one of the top programs on television. With its purportedly realistic weekly foray into the inner-depths of the White House, the drama series became so popular that some pollsters claimed its president Jed Bartlet was the most recognizable candidate going into the 2000 presidential campaign. Nevertheless, the point is that The West Wing strikes a chord with its core audience, showcasing an entertaining brew of action, drama, and suspense with each new episode…

The West Wing (Season 2) DVD offers a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere “In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part 1″ in which the staff awaits news relating to the gunshot wounds suffered by Josh Lyman and President Bartlett, prompting them to reminisce about their initial involvement in Bartlet’s campaign and how they all came to know each other. Meanwhile, Leo, Toby, and C.J. examine the formal inquiry into the Secret Service’s policies as well as the legal implications of Bartlet’s surgery and the transfer of his executive power… Other notable episodes from Season 2 include “In This White House” in which the White House staffers host a contingent of pharmaceutical executives and leaders from Africans nations in relation to ending the AIDS crisis, and “The Leadership Breakfast” in which the staffers participate in a bi-partisan breakfast which they hope will actually substantively tackle an issue…

Below is a list of episodes included on the West Wing (Season 2) DVD:

Episode 23 (In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part 1) Air Date: 10-04-2000
Episode 24 (In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part 2) Air Date: 10-04-2000
Episode 25 (The Midterms) Air Date: 10-18-2000
Episode 26 (In This White House) Air Date: 10-25-2000
Episode 27 (And It’s Surely to Their Credit) Air Date: 11-01-2000
Episode 28 (The Lame Duck Congress) Air Date: 11-08-2000
Episode 29 (The Portland Trip) Air Date: 11-15-2000
Episode 30 (Shibboleth) Air Date: 11-22-2000
Episode 31 (Galileo) Air Date: 11-29-2000
Episode 32 (Noel) Air Date: 12-20-2000
Episode 33 (The Leadership Breakfast) Air Date: 01-10-2001
Episode 34 (The Drop In) Air Date: 01-24-2001
Episode 35 (Bartlet’s Third State of the Union) Air Date: 02-07-2001
Episode 36 (The War at Home) Air Date: 02-14-2001
Episode 37 (Ellie) Air Date: 02-21-2001
Episode 38 (Somebody’s Going to Emergency, Somebody’s Going to Jail) Air Date: 02-28-2001
Episode 39 (The Stackhouse Filibuster) Air Date: 03-14-2001
Episode 40 (17 People) Air Date: 04-04-2001
Episode 41 (Bad Moon Rising) Air Date: 04-25-2001
Episode 42 (The Fall’s Gonna Kill You) Air Date: 05-02-2001
Episode 43 (18th and Potomac) Air Date: 05-09-2001
Episode 44 (Two Cathedrals) Air Date: 05-16-2001

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of The West Wing (Season 2) DVD.

Dawson’s Creek (DVD) Review

admin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:29:38 +0000

Nominated for 12 Teen Choice Awards in its five-year (six season) run, including Best Drama Series, Dawson’s Creek quickly built an extensive cult following. A surprise smash hit for the enterprising WB network, the show initiated a successful string of numerous original series for WB such as Angel (1999), Gilmore Girls (2000), and Smallville (2001). Set in the fictional township of Capeside, Massachusetts, the series was nonetheless filmed almost entirely on location in Wilmington, North Carolina (although the opening theme song, “I Don’t Want To Wait,” is written and performed by Massachusetts native Paula Cole). Creator Kevin Williamson (writer for the blockbuster movie Scream) is said to have modeled the characters on Dawson’s Creek after various aspects of his own self from his adolescent years…

Dawson’s Creek follows the lives of several teenagers, some of whom grew up together, as they struggle through the tempestuous and volatile years of pre-adulthood. The title character is Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), an introspective and intelligent dreamer who lives nearby lifelong best friend Josephine “Joey” Potter (Katie Holmes), a tomboy unaware of how truly beautiful she is. Mutual friend Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) is part of their clique, as are newcomers Jennifer “Jen” Lindley (Michelle Williams), Andrea “Andie” McPhee (Meredith Monroe), and Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith). Together, the friends form the basis of a teen soap opera, complete with high drama, curiosity, and bits of comic relief. Know for its intelligent subject matter, clever dialogue, and no-holds-barred tackling of issues, Dawson’s Creek made most of its cast overnight celebrities…

The Dawson’s Creek DVD features a number of dramatic episodes including the series premiere in which longtime friends Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and new friend Jen attend their first day of tenth grade. Meanwhile, Dawson notices that Joey is growing jealous of his attraction to the new girl in town, and Pacey develops a crush on an unknown woman who just happens to be a teacher at Capeside High… Other notable episodes from Season 1 include “Discovery” in which Dawson discovers his mother’s affair, Joey’s knowledge of it, and some personal information about Jen, and “The Scare” in which Dawson and company scare themselves for real when a serial killer heads toward Capeside during their Friday the 13th séance…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Dawson’s Creek (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (Pilot) Air Date: 01-20-1998
Episode 2 (Dance) Air Date: 01-27-1998
Episode 3 (Kiss) Air Date: 02-03-1998
Episode 4 (Discovery) Air Date: 02-10-1998
Episode 5 (Hurricane) Air Date: 02-17-1998
Episode 6 (Baby) Air Date: 02-24-1998
Episode 7 (Detention) Air Date: 03-03-1998
Episode 8 (Boyfriend) Air Date: 03-10-1998
Episode 9 (Road Trip) Air Date: 03-17-1998
Episode 10 (Double Date) Air Date: 04-28-1998
Episode 11 (The Scare) Air Date: 05-05-1998
Episode 12 (Beauty Contest) Air Date: 05-12-1998
Episode 13 (Decisions) Air Date: 05-19-1998

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Dawson’s Creek (DVD).

National Lampoon’s Animal House (Movie Review)

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:02:36 +0000

Arriving on the scene in 1978, Animal House is the blockbuster frat house comedy that rewrote all the rules and created a generation of filmmakers hoping to replicate its comic genius. Original Saturday Night Live cast member John Belushi turned in a breakout film performance that made him a comedy rock star, propelling him to further fame with the release of Blues Brothers (1980). Tim Matheson also has his breakout role in the cult classic which features appearances by actors Mark Metcalf (“the Maestro” from Seinfeld), Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Bacon.

The film is set at fictional Faber College in the 1960s. Two incoming freshmen roommates, Larry Kroger (Tom Hulce) and Kent Dorfman (Stephen Furst), visit the various fraternities on campus in an effort to find a good group with which to socialize. But the two get more than they bargain for when the meet the guys of Delta House – a ragtag bunch of beer-swilling, womanizing, party animals. The group is the complete opposite of another campus fraternity, Omega House, headed by the snide, condescending preppies Greg Marmalard (James Daughton), Doug Neidermeyer (Mark Metcalf), and Chip Diller (Kevin Bacon). Favorites of Dean Wormer, the Omega House continually taunts Delta House and conspires with Dean Wormer to have the members of Delta expelled and their fraternity banned.

Leading the charge for Delta House is John “Bluto” Blutarsky (John Belushi), ladies man Eric “Otter” Stratton (Tim Matheson), and Donald “Boon” Schoenstein (Peter Riegert). Pledging Delta House, Larry and Kent are given the nicknames, Pinto and Flounder. Brought into the fold, they witness the true diversity of characters they are now brothers with. Otter seduces Dean Wormer’s wife, and Bluto spits egg on Greg Marmalard while Boon and his girlfriend work through their problems.

Things go well for the men of Delta House until Dean Wormer calls them into his office and places them on “Double Secret Probation”. With Omega and Wormer aligned against them, Delta House is kicked off campus and its members expelled. But the great men of Delta refuse to go down without a fight. With the Homecoming parade set to begin, they unleash a fury of revenge on Wormer and company…

At the conclusion of the film, we learn of the whereabouts of all the various characters. The timeless humor of this film makes it no wonder that it has ascended to cult classic status. An original and witty comedy wielding a trailblazing influence on teen/college comedies, Animal House has earned its place in the hallowed halls of American cinematic classics…

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Animal House (DVD).