The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: The Complete Second Season (1990) Review

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(More customer reviews)This DVD set compiles all 24 episodes from the hilarious second season of this 90s classic. While season 1 centered around Will trying to bring some levity and street wise knowledge to his snobbish relatives, season 2 shows Will blending in with his new family and forming a more cohesive unit. This season also marked a lot of changes for the show including a brand new more spacious house set, new additions to the supporting cast such as Will's mom and Will's new best friend Tyriq (my personal favorite), the broadening of unique character traits for each family member that would become their trademarks, and the first time the show was ranked in the top 20. Here are the episodes that make up this memorable season;
1. DID THE EARTH MOVE FOR YOU?- Will and his new girlfriend are trapped together during an earthquake.
2. THE MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES- Will and Carlton try to help Ashley with a bully problem.
3. WILL GETS A JOB- Will juggles school and a new job in order to pay for a homecoming party.
4. PSAT PSTORY- Will confident while preparing for college aptitude tests while Carlton is a mess.
5. GRANNY GETS BUSY- Philip can't bear to think of his widow mother having a new man in her life.
6. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO MARRY?- Will's mom forbids Will to attend the interracial marriage of Aunt Janice.
7. THE BIG FOUR-OH- Vivian's 40th birthday marks a crisis as she is determined to perfect her dance skills.
8. SHE AIN'T HEAVY- Will likes the full-figured Dee Dee (Queen Latifah) but doesn't want to ask to the dance.
9. CASED UP- A pompous lawyer (Malcom Jamal Warner) who's dating Hilary sues Will after a car accident.
10. HI-HO SILVER- Will and Carlton think a party guest (Zsa Zsa Gabor) stole their silverware.
11. THE BUTLER DID IT- Carlton rents the house to Bell Biv DeVoe for a video shoot while his parents are away.
12. SOMETHING FOR NOTHING- After winning money at a fundraiser, Will is reluctant to donate it to charity.
13. CHRISTMAS SHOW- The family must come up with heartfelt Christmas gifts after they are robbed.
14. HILARY GETS A LIFE- Hilary must work for a caterer after her credit cards are canceled.
15. MY BROTHER'S KEEPER- Winning at basketball isn't as important to Will as it is to his opponent from Malibu Prep.
16. GEOFFREY CLEANS UP- Geoffrey falls for a neighbor he believes is a housekeeper but who turns out to be rich.
17. COMMUNITY ACTION- Hillary develops a crush on a doctor after being ordered to do community service.
18. ILL WILL- The family fears Geoffrey's memoirs while Will fears having his tonsils removed.
19. EYES ON THE PRIZE- Needing a game show partner, Will must choose between bickering friends Jazz and Tyriq.
20. THOSE WERE THE DAYS- A '60s radical wanted by the FBI influences Will and Carlton to protest a teacher's firing.
21. VYING FOR ATTENTION- Will dislikes his mother's new boyfriend.
22. THE AUNT WHO CAME TO DINNER- Aunt Helen unexpected arrival disrupts Will and Carlton's plans with two women.
23. BE MY BABY TONIGHT- The family fawns over Ashley's new boyfriend but Will chokes when she asks him about sex.
24. STRIP TEASE FOR TWO- Will and Carlton become strippers to regain Vivian's bracelet after getting a bad stock tip.
Extras include cast bloopers and a featurette called 'Best Bits of Bel-Air', with montages, trivia and pop-ups. It is disappointing that Will Smith seems intent on distancing himself from this show now that he has become a big Hollywood star. It would be refreshing to see updated interviews or even an audio commentary or two from the star of the show. In closing, despite the lack of bonus content, this is still arguably the most memorable season from a truly 'fresh' TV show.

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Will Smith stars as a teenager from inner city Philadelphia who's sent to California to live with his wealthy relatives in the hopes that they will "straighten him out and teach him some good old-fashioned values. On Season 2, Bel-Air is starting to feel like the hood for Will. His Philly roots run deep, but even a street-smart rapper can wrap his mind around croissants and credit cards and his arms around upscale hotties. Guest stars include Queen Latifah, Milton Berle and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

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Lars and the Real Girl Review

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(More customer reviews)Were anyone to suggest that a 'romance' between a guy and a blowup doll could become one of the more sensitive films of the year, it would be cause for derision - that is, before viewing LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. The improbable story was written by Nancy Oliver (the writer of many episodes of the TV series 'Six Feet Under') and directed by Craig Gillespie who gathered a particularly strong cast of actors to present this examination of compassion and love for an emotionally injured young man by small town folks, reminding us that caring for each other is still a highly regarded value.
Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) survived a tough childhood only to become a loner terrified of emotional and tactile contact. He lives in the garage of his deceased parents' home while his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) live in the main house. Despite Karin's pleadings to be part of the family, Lars prefers to keep to himself. At his job his co-workers include Margo (Kelli Garner), who is more than a little attracted to the quiet and strangely distant Lars, and a fellow who finds ' life-size love dolls' on the internet. Lars orders one of the dolls and when 'Bianca' arrives, Lars finally has a girlfriend to share his loneliness. He introduces Bianca to Gus and Karin who find the situation strange, but at the same time see the happiness in Lars that has been missing. They encourage Lars and Bianca to see a doctor Margo (Patricia Clarkson) who plays along with the concept that Lars finds Bianca real, and encourages Gus and Karin to be supportive. As it ends up the entire little town accepts Bianca and she is introduced to doing good deeds and be a vital part of the town, all through the kindness of people who love the 'delusional' Lars and care only for his happiness. How Lars gradually finds his way into the real world and copes with the understanding of his need for Bianca, the story comes to a tender ending, one that never for a moment feels like a sellout but maintains the dignity of all of the characters in the story.
This is a fine and thoughtful exploration of the needs we all have for understanding, compassion, and acceptance, and while there are some very humorous moments in this well-written story, the overall message is one of gentle love. Ryan Gosling is so fine an actor that he makes this rather complex character understandable and gains our empathy. The supporting cast is equally excellent - especially Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider. Highly recommended viewing, this is a DVD many will want to own for repeated viewings. Grady Harp, April 08

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Sometimes you find love where you'd least expect it. Just ask Lars (Academy Award-Nominee* Ryan Gosling), a sweet but quirky guy who thinks he's found the girl of his dreams in a life-sized doll named Bianca. Lars is completely content with his artificial girlfriend, but when he develops feelings for Margo, an attractive co-worker, Lars finds himself lost in a hilariously unique love triangle, hoping to somehow discover the real meaning of true love. Offbeat and endearing, this romantic comedy takes a fresh look at dating and relationships and dares to ask the question: What's so wrong with being happy?

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