The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two Review

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(More customer reviews)The ABC Family series "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" received a lot of attention during its first season as the series was critically acclaimed and also how ABC Family didn't sugarcoat the challenges of teenage pregnancy. Showing us the ramifications of being pregnant as a young teen but also the responsibilities and difficult choices one needs to make. The series was also popular for its portrayal of teenagers of today. Again, nothing sugarcoated and despite it being on ABC Family, the series shows us the real-life challenges that teenagers are facing. These characters are just regular people, not upper class and each of them have their own set of problems.
The series primarily focuses on the life of teenager Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley). Your typical girl next door. A 15-year-old who plays the French Horn in a band and part of a typical American family ala dysfunctional. During a summer at band cap, Amy met her high school band's "player" Rickey Underwood (Darren Kagasoff) and with one very quick one night stand, this teenager had her life change in ways she would never imagine.Amy has gotten pregnant and through each episode, we would see how Amy copes with her pregnancy, how she had to contend with morning sickness, becoming the talk of the school and even at one point, considering an abortion.
In the second season, Amy now must face the realization that she has responsibilities and that she can't depend on her parents for everything. But also major changes for each character as the season progresses.
Here is what is included on "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER - SEASON TWO" DVD (summaries, no spoilers):
DISC 1:
* EPISODE 12 - The Secret Wedding of the American Teenager - Because Amy is not ready for the responsibility of being a mother (and thinking her mother and father will automatically take care of the baby), she wants Ben to consider marrying her immediately via eloping (using fake ID's). Meanwhile, Amy's mother Anne requests a divorce from George and that he should move out of the house.
* EPISODE 13 - Baked Nevada - Both Amy and Ben's father are upset that their children tried to get married. Meanwhile, Adrian's father (who is a cop) tries to find out where the fake ID's came from.
* EPISODE 14 - The Father and the Son - Rickey's father comes to town and tells Amy's parents that his son can't be trusted and the bad blood between Rickey and his father is reborn. Meanwhile, Adrian's father tries to have his daughter keep away from Rickey.
* EPISODE 15 - That's Enough of That - Rickey tries to cope with his father's request to sell his and Amy's baby for money. Meanwhile, Amy can now find out the sex of her unborn child. And Jack serves his community service and discovers something big.
DISC 2:
* EPISODE 16 - Chocolate Cake - Amy talks to Rickey about putting the baby up for adoption. Meanwhile, George's co-worker (a gay couple) is interested in being adoptive parents. Meanwhile, Rickey upsets Ben and puts into his head that she wants the baby's father in her life.
* EPISODE 17 - Unforgiven - Amy and Ben have difficulties in their relationship and now Ben needs some time away from Amy. Meanwhile, Anne and George try to help Amy by looking for adoptive parents. Jack finds a new girl that he is interested in.
* EPISODE 18 - Making Up Is Hard to Do - Ashley is trying to find a way to get Amy and Ben back together. Meanwhile, Rickey causes problems during the adoption interview process. Adrian meets a guy who likes her for her and not for sex.
* EPISODE 19 - Money for Nothing, Chicks For Free - Anne tries to look for a job and Ashley meets a guy who is interested in her. Meanwhile, Jack gets himself into a little trouble.
DISC 3:
* EPISODE 20 - Maybe Baby - Ben's father wants Ben to know a big lesson about money and that if he wants to marry Amy and take care of a baby, he will need to make money on his own. Meanwhile, everyone comes to visit Amy and give her advice about the baby. And Amy makes a decision about her baby and if she's read to put the baby up for adoption or to keep it.
* EPISODE 21 - Whoomp! (There It Is) - It's Amy's baby shower but the problem is that she may be going into labor. Meanwhile, Grace makes a big decision in her life.
* EPISODE 22 - One Night at Band Camp - While Amy is in labor, she remembers the day that she and Rickey met.
* EPISODE 23 - And Unto Us a Child Is Born - Amy gives birth to her baby and Rickey comes to the full realization that he has a child. Amy's father moves out of the house and Ashley also makes a major decision with her life.
The main premise of "SEASON TWO" is Amy getting near the date she is to give birth but all the emotions she has to deal with. Having to take responsibilities as a mother, having to decide if she needs to give the baby up for adoption or keep the baby and how she will have two men in her life. Of course, each of the other characters have their own storylines and drama but every character is utilized well in this second season and I was quite impressed. The second season was just as touching, emotional and enjoyable as the first season.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
Fortunately, the series is in 16×9 widescreen and because it's a newer series, the overall series looks good on DVD. Audio selection is regular stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1. Primary audio is mostly dialogue but you will have music segments which utilizes your speakers more than anything. But dialogue is clear. And for music, very cool to hear Molly Ringwald sing the opening theme.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" comes with a few special features. Included are:
* "Secret Life (You and Me) by the Strange Familiar Music Video - (3:55) A ballad sung by The Strange Familiar featuring clips from "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" Season One.
* Character Secrets: The Cast Tells All - (10:09) Featuring interviews with the cast members of "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER". The cast members discuss their characters and their role in the series and also talk about their favorite characters in the series.
* Cast Close-Ups - Going behind-the-scenes of "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER". This is a section in which a young teen named Mikela gets to learn about the making of the TV show and interviewing crew members and cast members. The interviews featured are Mikela with:
- Shailene Woodley - (2:59) Interview with the the actress who plays Amy Juergens.
- Mark Derwin - (3:07) Interview with the actor who plays George Juergens.
- Molly Ringwald - (1:33) Interview with the actress who plays Anne Juergens.
- Megan Park - (2:37) Interview with the actress who plays Grace Kathleen Bowman.
- Daren Kagasoff - (3:06) Interview with the actor who plays Rickey Underwood.
- Greg Finley - (1:29) Interview with the actor who plays Jack Pappas.
- Ken Baumann - (1:12) Interview with the actor who plays Benjamin "Ben" Boykewich.
- India Eisley - (1:53) Interview with the actress who plays Ashley Juergens.
- Francia Raisa - (1:37) Interview with the actress who plays Adrian Lee.
JUDGMENT CALL:
"THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" was another enjoyable season that was just as solid as the first. Well-acted, awesome storyline and great how each character was utilized throughout the series and overall, a good balance of fun and teenage angst.
The characters are quite likable and pretty much what is happening with American teenagers today. These are characters and storylines that young people and parents can relate to.
The series does a great job at handling the character development of each character and of course, with topics focusing on sex and friendship but also ramifications that result from sex (one night stands, cheating, affairs, etc.). This second season goes further as Amy learns that having a baby is her responsibility and that her expectation of her parents taking care of the baby full time while she attends school goes out the window; Ben who is in love with Amy and ready to take care of the baby learns that his father won't share the wealth with him and he has to make money on his own but also having to realize that Rickey will need to be part of Amy's life whether he likes it or not; Grace who is the girl who practiced abstinence and wanted to wait for the right guy for marriage now contemplating sex; Adrian who always gets what she wants sexually now having to deal with meeting a guy who doesn't want to have sex with her but he likes her for her and not her body; Jack exploring relationships with women of different ethnicities and bad boy Rickey having a life changing moment when his abusive father returns to his life and when his baby is born.
This second season continues where the last season had left off but presenting real problems for these characters. And each actor portrays their character role remarkably well.
For the parents or adults watching this series, you'll recognize the parents of these teenagers. "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" features quite a bit of talent with 80's teen queen Molly Ringwald playing the character of Anne (Amy's mother); "Life with Bonnie" actor Mark Derwin as Amy's father George; "Melrose Place" actress Josie Bissett playing Grace's mother; "Smallville" and "Dukes of Hazard" actor John Schneider as Grace's father; "The Sopranos" actor Steve Schirripa as Ben's father Leo; "Ghostbusters" Ernie Hudson playing the part of Dr. Ken...Read more›

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The drama and secrets continue in the top rated second season of the hit ABC Family original series that has fans and critics buzzing all across America. Good girl band geek Amy is smart, talented and pregnant. That's just one of the secrets that Amy, her friends and family deal with in this poignant portrait of modern day high school life. Experience an award winning series overflowing with humor, heart and compassion.Bonus Features Include: Cast secrets revealed, exclusive music video of the Strange Familiar, behind the scenes with the cast, on set interviews

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Everwood: The Complete Third Season Review

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(More customer reviews)First, I have to point out that I'm reviewing Season Three of EVERWOOD. The other three reviews appear to be of Season Two. My only guess is that at some point Amazon had this listed as Season Two and changed it.
I'm giving Season Three five stars even though I don't think it was quite as good as the previous two seasons. This could be a perception issue, but Season Three seemed to be slightly melodramatic, slightly more inclined to milk dire situations, a bit more inclined to do "very special episodes." I also found myself getting more irritated with characters than before. Ephram's meltdown after finding out about why Madison left town was hard to take at times. And while one of the appeals of the show was its willingness to present Andy Brown as a protagonist with feet of clay, in Season Three he simply makes too many bad decisions and involves himself in too many family crises of his own making.
Still, the show continued to be a superior family drama. While it bordered on soap opera at times, it usually corrected itself and kept the story moving in significant ways. Why doesn't this qualify as soap opera? The latter never really goes anywhere. One of the more important scholarly studies of the genre is entitled STORIES WITHOUT END. Each story arc in a way establishes a reset and season after season the characters simply waffle around, never really going anywhere significant. There is a certain arbitrariness to anything that happens to any of the characters and a sense that just about anything could happen to any of them, and that any soap opera character is capable of changes that in real life would be incompatible with the rest of their life history. But in EVERWOOD only certain behaviors are open to Andy or Harold or Amy or Ephram. In a soap opera if a character engages in quite extreme behavior is simply belongs to the genre, it is part of its charm. But if characters in a family drama go too far it is perceived as a fault.
I like also that the show is willing to go to some places that make us feel conflicted. The newly arrived Jake Hartman becomes involved with Andy's next door neighbor Nina, even as we know that Nina is in love with Andy and Andy comes to realize that he has some feelings for Nina. Andy has a romantic involvement that is intense and highly improper. We are surprised often, disappointed frequently, and pleased occasionally. I didn't like everything that happened in Season Three, but the mark of a character driven drama like this is that you come to care for the characters and what happens to them. In most instances that comes to trump plot, which is secondary.
There were some nice guest appearances in Season Three, including Anne Heche in a multi-arc appearance, though my favorite was an uncredited cameo by Treat Williams's HAIR co-star John Savage as a heavily bearded but appreciative patient in the season finale.
Season Three has not yet been announced on DVD, but Greg Berlanti has hinted that the chances are good that we will see the final two seasons. Much of the hold up has been music. They had to change a great deal of the music in the first two seasons and comparable changes are taking place with additional seasons. I tend to be pretty tolerant of these kinds of changes. I'm a practical realist. NORTHERN EXPOSURE would never have appeared on DVD if the music hadn't been changed. ALLY MCBEAL took far longer to debut on DVD because it took so long to clear the licensing (probably the only show that had specific music integral to the show is a different Greg Berlanti creation, ELI STONE). But ALLY MCBEAL is going to sell a heck of a lot of copies than EVERWOOD. The only chance that EVERWOOD has of coming out on DVD is for it to cut its costs as much as possible. So, I think there is a good chance that all four seasons of EVERWOOD will appear on DVD, but I also think it inevitable that most of the music will be changed. And I think that is OK.

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This season, love is in the clear mountain air of Everwood. Back from a troubled summer at Juilliard, Ephram commits himself to his music and to Amy. Andy is drawn to a patient’s wife--and into an ethical dilemma. Dr. Jake Hartman moves to town and starts eating a lot of pancakes, as long as Nina’s serving ’em up. And mousey Hannah Rogers flips over Bright. But don’t expect love to conquer all, especially when the secret Andy kept from Ephram last season comes spilling out. Suddenly, trust is destroyed, lives are turned upside down and the bonds of love--romantic and father-son--are stretched to the breaking point. Andy wanted Everwood to be his family’s home. Now it may be just another place they used to live.

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Early Edition - The First Season (1996) Review

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(More customer reviews)Early Edition was one of the most interesting and entertaining hours on television during its run and it's nice to see this fabulous show finally get released. The characters were likable, and all too human at times, making them even more likable. Kyle Chandler proved the perfect choice as a regular guy with foibles who at first tries to cash in like any of us would on his good fortune, then realizes the great responsibility which has been laid at his door, quite literally.
Gary Hobson (Kyle Chandler) has been kicked out by his wife and forced to find a hotel. A yellow cat accompanies a newspaper which Gary eventually discovers is quite special. It is tomorrow's news today, and day after day it is delivered to Gary's door. He reacts as most of us would at first but his good nature finally takes over and he realizes there is a reason he's been chosen to receive the paper.
What followed each week was fabulous. One week it was humorous and the next heartbreaking. Shanesia Williams was terrific as his blind pal Marissa, who tried to keep him grounded and lead him towards the right path when the direction seemed unclear. Fisher Stevens was perfectly cast as his pal Chuck, who wanted to take advantage of Gary's windfall but often ended up helping him instead because deep down he was a good guy. It was sort of like Rockford and Angel, just less pronounced. At least in season one.
What helped to make the show special was the Chicago atmosphere and some tightly written shows about delicate choices made from the heart, some of which had grave consequences. If you can't do both, do you stop a plane from crashing and taking untold lives, or attempt to save one young girl? If you fall in love with someone you've saved, and feel that joy of finally finding someone, what do you do if you discover she's destined to reunite with someone from her past? And what do you do when people begin to think it's odd you should show up at so many disasters and such at just the right moment to save someone?
The show's characters and their interactions had a very real feel and each show had its share of fine moments. Often mixed with humor, but sometimes quite poignant in the end, each week was special. One touching episode had Gary debating over whether not to save one life, because it would give a heart for a transplant which would save a young girl. There was always a balance, however, and the show could be touching but never became maudlin. And it could often find quirky humor within some of the dilemmas.
Season one episodes include: Pilot -- The Choice -- Baby -- The Paper -- Thief Swipes Mayor's Dog -- Hoop Dreams -- After Midnight -- Gun -- His Girl Thursday --The Wrong Man -- Christmas -- Frostbit -- Mob Wife -- The Wall, Part I, -- The Wall, Part II -- Bat Masterson -- The Jury -- Psychic -- The Cat -- Phantom at the Opera -- Faith -- Dad -- Love is Blind
Amid all the questionable releases of television shows undeserving, Early Edition truly stands out as something of quality. Gary and his friends, and that mysterious yellow cat, were welcome visitors each week and this is a fantastic release for the show's many fans.

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This is an hour-long drama about Chicago native Gary Hobson who becomes a reluctant hero when his morning newspaper reports tomorrow’s headlines. Commodities trader Gary Hobson (Kyle Chandler) is losing it: his job, his home and his brilliant attorney wife. He thinks he may even be losing his mind when tomorrow’s newspaper mysteriously arrives today – giving him a disconcerting look into the future. What will he do with tomorrow’s news? While his best friend Chuck (Fisher Stevens) sees the newspaper as a ticket to personal gain, co-worker Marissa (Shanesia Davis) convinces Gary that the "early edition" should be used to better peoples’ lives. So each day Gary begins anew the struggle to make sense of a world turned upside-down by the changing course of events that come from reading the "early edition."

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Witchblade: The Complete Series (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Not only was it one of the most complex series in the history of cable television, Witchblade was easily one of the most underrated. Witchblade debuted in a full-length television pilot on TNT and then after its initial success became a full-fledged series in 2001. In many ways the show was ahead of its time. It managed to be both science-fiction (when the genre was suffering from unoriginal sequels and poorly made remakes), fantasy (before the genre was validated by The Lord of the Rings and Pan's Labyrinth) and added a healthy dose of cop drama. The intricate plotlines featured such esoteric subject matter as psychic visions, cloning, abnormal psychology, time travel, reincarnation, demonic possession, mythological motifs, multiple conspiracies, occult philosophical ideologies, and also benefited from clever pop-culture in-jokes.
The series was brought to life by strong acting from a diverse, if not at times dysfunctional cast. Witchblade also featured a greatly varying soundtrack (this DVD does not include all of the artists I've named here; see my comment for further explanation) that included everyone from The Crystal Method to Peter Gabriel, from Rob Zombie to Enya, from Three Dog Night to U2. The series burst off the small screen with great visual flare, the special effects were almost on a par with the first Matrix film, and the camerawork was equally impressive.
There have been some fans of the comics who have complained about the many differences between the show and the comics. But as I was at the time unfamiliar with the comics, I enjoyed the show from a fresh, purely objective perspective. I also think that most fans of the source material understood that this was not an adaptation in the strictest sense but more of a loosely inspired series that dealt with some of the same themes.
And now fans of this cult classic can enjoy their favorite comic book-inspired heroine on DVD... at last.
The characters include:
Sara Pezzini- A New York homicide cop and the "Blade-wielder"
Danny Woo- Sara's partner and close friend.
Jake McCartey- Sara's rookie partner in training.
Gabriel Bowman- A young occult/novelty shop owner and close friend of Sara's.
Kenneth Irons- A billionaire who may be more than he seems.
Ian Nottingham- A mysterious bodyguard/assassin in Iron's employ.
Black Dragons- A group of assassins who underwent experimental training.
White Bulls- A secretive fraternity of corrupt vigilante cops.
Here is the entire listing of episodes, including the pilot film (which is also included):
Season One
0. Witchblade: The Movie
New York homicide detective Sara Pezzini encounters a mystical weapon that can only be wielded by women. She is also introduced to the enigmatic billionaire, Kenneth Irons and his stoic bodyguard/assassin, Ian Nottingham.
1. Parallax
Sara uncovers a plot involving a group of elite assassins, called The Black Dragons, who plan to kill billionaire Irons.
2. Conundrum
After a supermodel is found dead, Sara must discover the identity of the killer, which leads her to a former "Blade-wielder".
3. Diplopia
A serial killer is stalking members of the art community and patrons of a gay bar but the primary suspect seems to have a perfect alibi.
4. Sacrifice
An Irish rocker comes to town and a killer takes inspiration from his lyrics, all the while Sara may be falling in love with the dreamy singer.
5. Legion
A man who may have killed a priest claims that he's possessed but the clues point to corruption within the church itself.
6. Maelstrom
Sara's lover, the Irish rocker Conchobar, is kidnapped by corrupt counter-terrorists and Sara sinks into violent desperation.
7. Periculum
The Witchblade tests Sara, at her most vulnerable, while pulling her deeper into its mysterious past.
8. Thanatopsis
Ian Nottingham goes renegade and targets Sara's rookie partner, Jake, who he believes to have betrayed her.
9. Apprehension
A corrupt vigilante force within the NYPD, called The White Bulls, has its sights on Sara while she must protect a witness to their violence.
10. Convergence
A psychotic rapist/killer is on the loose and only Sara can stop him but she's busy evading The White Bulls.
11. Transcendence
Nottingham dies to save Sara but then is resurrected in an even more deadly and unpredictable incarnation.
Season Two
1. Emergence
After turning back time itself Sara must face the consequences and solve a murder involving a live porn site.
2. Destiny
Kenneth Irons obtains The Lance of Longinus with which he intends to confront Sara and take back the Witchblade.
3. Agape
A dangerous new street drug is at the heart of an investigation and Jake takes the blame for a drug bust gone very wrong.
4. Consectatio
Nottingham is possessed by Irons and puts out a hit on Sara and the assassins he's hired are the uber-elite Black Dragons.
5. Static
A series of strange incidents leads to a subliminal influence, in the form of white noise, which may have instigated murder.
6. Nailed
A homicidal, serial child-rapist is released from prison and his next victim is Danny's niece.
7. Lagrimas
Sara falls in love with the perfect man, but is this mysterious stranger really what he appears to be?
8. Hierophant
A mysterious criminal mastermind is uniting rival crime syndicates and all the clues to his identity point to the most unlikely person of all.
9. Veritas
A secretive political schism hunts down Gabriel and Sara after they come across a roll of film that reveals them as murderers.
10. Parabolic
An enigmatic young vigilante takes out members of a cult devoted to hatred and Sara must choose aid her in bringing them down.
11. Palindrome
Sara is reunited with Conchobar while investigating an underground fight club that worships violent primitivism.
12. Ubique *
Sara's dreams may be premonitions of her greatest challenge yet and all she loves will hang in the balance.
* The Season Two finale was never intended to conclude the show's plotline, however as the series was canceled the story was left sadly incomplete.
I hope you will check out one of the coolest shows in recent years. "Rock on dot com!"

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WITCHBLADE:COMPLETE SERIES - DVD Movie

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