Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods Review

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(More customer reviews)I have to admit that I was apprehensive about the content and undecided as to whether or not I would buy this DVD. I read the reviews on Amazon.com, and ultimately decided to buy it, since I was very curious to see it, and wondered what exactly was put in that was different. Brad Wright, in the featurette, admits he took out 7 minutes of the original footage, but enthusiastically says that he "put in new footage." I am an ardent Stargate fan, and I was hoping to see some interesting new footage.
First, several of my favorite lines were removed - Carter's "Just because my reproductive organs are on the inside..." speech is removed, and frankly I object to that for two reasons - first, people watching Moebius in season 8 will not get the joke as she repeats those lines, and secondly, I think it makes O'Neill's line a bit later "I don't have a problem with women, I like women..." seem a bit out of context to me. Also removed - O'Neill's back and forth with Hammond about writing a book after retirement - that was funny, and I miss it!
Changed, just for example, when the team first gets to Abydos, and O'Neill brushes past Daniel to get to Skaara, he actually brushes him in the original, leading to a slightly hurt look from Daniel as he recoils from the brush-by. In this version, that does not occur. It is interesting to me to see the different ways the shoot a scene. The dead Jaffa that is unveiled now also has a friend - female at that, which goes against Canon. The prison scene where Daniel regains consciousness seems to have more dialogue between him and Jack, and he seems to almost pass out a couple more times than I remember from the original. The scene where Daniel and Sam are dialing the gate at the end is shorter. They took out Daniel's "got it" and big smile moment - or shortened it, which disappointed me.
Totally new, well, there is now a short briefing room scene right after they return from Abydos where Daniel is still in his robes. Frankly, the end to that scene bothered me a lot - I felt that Hammond was overly rude. I know in the pilot he was not especially friendly or patient, but I thought his comment was very rude. Chris Judge redid his lines for his version, and now sounds too much like season 10 Teal'c.
Overall, I am mostly glad I bought this, but as Brad Wright said in his featurette, "those that don't care for this version can watch the original" - count me in that group. I hope this helps people get a better understanding of what is different.

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Remastered, recut, reimagined, remarkable! The thrilling pilot episode of television’s longest-running sci-fi series is now yours to own on DVD! With exclusive special features and masterful fine-tuning from series Co-Creator Brad Wright, Stargate SG-1 Children of the Gods Final Cut is a whole new experience.Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) leads a formidable team on a mission to Abydos to defeat fierce warriors led by the vicious Ra. With the threat of the brutal Goa’uld hanging over the galaxy, the team must succeed – or General Hammond (Don S. Davis) will unleash an apocalyptic solution!
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby Surround / French: Dolby Surround
Language: Dubbed & Subtitled: English, French & Spanish
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: Full Screen: 1.78:1
PRODUCT FEATURES:
New Edit with Never-Viewed Scenes
New and Enhanced Visual Effects
Revoiced Performance by Christopher Judge
Original Score by Joel Goldsmith
Special Features includes: Commentary by Co-Creator Brad Wright and Actor Richard Dean Anderson and Back to the Beginning Featurette

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Dark Angel: The Complete Series Review

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(More customer reviews)I wasn't sure what to expect as apparently I missed out on the series when it aired in Australia a few years back. Originally I was in two minds whether to buy the set or not and was only looking at it because Jensen Ackles was in it. Then I saw that Michael Weatherly was one of the lead characters with Jessica Alba and decided to purchase both seasons. I was not disappointed at all. The first season set up the big picture of genetically altered humans and followed through on Max's journey to find out who she was. The writers didn't deviate from the 'plan' in season one at all and there wasn't an episode that I didn't like. Season Two mainly concentrated on the transgenics which were released from Manticore and to the main cast added Joshua (Kevin Durand) and Alec (Jensen Ackles). Just loved the way that each episode panned out with a special story about some of the 'mutant' transgenics. Once again the writers stuck to the 'plan' and mainly concentrated on the transgenics story and once again I was not disappointed by any episode. The finale was excellently done by the writers. I would recommend this TV Show to anyone who likes a bit of sci-fi. Some people didn't like it, but mostly I just couldn't stop watching the series until I had finished it.

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Defying Gravity: The Complete First Season (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Defying Gravity is the story of eight astronauts who begin a record setting tour of the solar system. The mission is billed to both the crew and the world as an example of human achievement and satisfying humankind's desire to explore the unknown, but it soon becomes clear that there is much more to the mission than this. Before reaching their first destination, Venus, the crew discovers the 'Beta Object', and the true nature of their quest is revealed.
This show is full of mystery and unanswered questions that leave you with great anticipation for the next episode. Throughout the season, we get to know the crew through their interactions on the spaceship Antares and through their memories of what happened on Earth before the mission. The characters struggle with the complications of friendships, romance, and passion both on the Antares and Earth, which test their integrity and strength as human beings. In addition to the interpersonal challenges, the Beta Object is affecting the crew physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are left wondering if these changes will help or hurt the astronauts on their journey...
Defying Gravity does an outstanding job of appealing to all viewers, regardless of whether they consider themselves SciFi fans or not. Sadly, this television show went mostly unnoticed due to poor management by the ABC network. While it may not have gained the huge following desired by ABC during its short-lived debut, it has a loyal fanbase and the potential to achieve great success if properly advertised and scheduled.

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Set in the very near future, eight astronauts from five countries undertake a mysterious six-year international mission on the spaceship Antares. This sexy and provocative sci fi thriller follows 4 men and 4 women through the solar system where their pasts reveal intimate and interconnected secrets that have a strange effect on the present and mysteries yet to be revealed. DVD includes 5 episodes never seen on television.
Audio: English: 51 Dolby Digital EX
Language: Dubbed: English / Subtitled: English, French & Spanish
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: Widescreen: 1.78:1

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FlashForward: Season One Pt.1 (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)So, one reads all the time about authors who have had their work adapted by Hollywood complaining about what a lousy job was done. Well, as the author of the novel Flashforward upon which this TV series is based, let me say that this is NOT one of those cases. Yes, they changed things, but I was consulted by Executive Producer David S. Goyer and Brannon Braga about the changes even before they had secured rights to my book, I served as consultant on every episode (and wrote the 19th episode, "Course Correction"), and I loved the series. The cast was phenomenal, the scripts were mostly excellent, and the whole thing looked fabulous. So many good episodes, but I suppose my favorites are "No More Good Days," "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps," "The Gift," and "The Garden of Forking Paths." Oh, and we got to pull off a television first: after years of Toronto masquerading as Los Angeles, L.A. got to stand in for T.O. in the episode "Revelation Zero." How cool is that?

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Experience the nonstop action, excitement, and drama of the first ten episodes of the critically-acclaimed FlashForward and get set for television's best new show (Mark A. Perigard, Boston Herald) to grab hold of you from its first explosive moment. Chaos reigns ater a mysterious event causes everyone in the world to lose consciousness at exactly the same time. Was it an act of nature or something far more sinister? During the global blackout, every man, woman and child was given a glimpse of his or her life six months in the future. One elite law enforcement team jumps into the investigation, attempting to solve the mystery, as the world's population wrestles with the choice of whether to embrace the fate they've seen or fight to change the future. Relive every brilliant twist of FlashForward's first ten episodes, and prepare yourself for what's to come in the second half of Season One. Who is D. Gibbons? Who is the shadowy figure unaffected by the blackout? And what's next for your favorite characters as their day of reckoning approaches? Plus, dig even deeper with never before seen bonus features and an exclusive sneak peek at the next chapter, only available on DVD.

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Star Trek The Next Generation - Jean-Luc Picard Collection (1987) Review

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(More customer reviews)I remember when "Star Trek: The Next Generation" first premiered and "TV Guide" dismissed it as a show "that baldly goes" where one show, the original "Star Trek," had gone before. They even cracked a joke about the show needing "Spock plugs." Several years later "TV Guide" named Patrick Stewart as its television actor of the decade of the 1990s. So it is not surprising that there would be a "Star Trek: The New Generation - Jean-Luc Picard Collection." The question is whether they picked the right seven episodes for this DVD set. Clearly the only caveat is that two-part episodes are not in the running, which eliminates the two parts of "The Best of Both Worlds," "Chain of Command," and "All Good Things." The answer to the question is, yes, they did an excellent job of selecting these seven episodes:

"The Big Goodbye" (Written by Tracy Torme, Season 1: Episode 11) is the comic relief episode of the set, albeit by default. Captain Picard takes a break from the difficult preparations to give a proper greeting to the Jarada by doing a Dixon Hill holodeck adventure. Picard is joined by Data, Dr. Crusher, and the ship's historian, Whalen in the scenario set in 1941 San Francisco when the holodeck malfunctions trapping the quartet with the safety parameters off. Whalen is killed and Picard has to play the Dixon Hill role for real.

"Sarek" (Story by Marc Cushman and Jake Jacobs, Teleplay by Peter S. Beagle, Season 3: Episode 23) has the Vulcan ambassador on a mission to establish relations between the Federation and the Legaran. However, Spock's father is suffering from Bendii Syndrome, a rare condition among Vulcans that is characterized by a loss of emotional control. To allow Sarek to fulfill his mission, Picard agrees to a mind-meld that will link their minds. While Sarek is able to use the captain's strength to successfully complete the negotiations, Picard endures a storm of emotions from Sarek as Stewart turns in a memorable performance.

"Family" (Written by Ronald D. Moore, Season 4: Episode 2) is the coda to "Best of Both Worlds, Part 2." All of the plot lines have to do with the title, with Worf's adoptive human parents visiting the "Enterprise" and Beverly Crusher finding a message from her dead husband for Wesley. But the key storyline is Picard visiting the family vineyard in France and encountering his older brother, Robert. Seriously considering a job offer on Earth, the brothers end up fighting and Picard finally breaks down over the guilt he feels for not being able to stop the Borg from controlling him.

"The Drumhead" (Written by Jeri Taylor, Season 4: Episode 21) is the weakest of the episodes selected although it does offer Stewart going up against guest star Jean Simmons as Admiral Satie, who is engaging in a witch hunt looking for a traitor. This is essentially a courtroom drama where Satie finally crosses the line and accuses Picard of being the traitor. A solid episode, but nothing special, especially compared to the next two episodes in the collection.

"Darmok" (Story by Philip Lazebnik and Joe Menosky, Teleplay by Menosky, Season 5: Episode 2) is a personal favorite. The "Enterprise" encounters the Children of Tama, a race whose language is considered incomprehensible. Dathon (Paul Winfield), the captain of the Tamarians beams down himself and Picard to the planet below. There the two learn to communicate and fight a monster together. It turns out the Tamarian language is based on metaphor, communicating by example, and the final two scenes of the episode provide emotional examples of how well Picard has learned this language.

"The Inner Light" (Story by Morgan Gendel, Teleplay by Gendel and Peter Allan Fields, Season 5: Episode 25) is the center square on this bingo card, considered by most fans to be Stewart's finest episode. An alien probe knocks Picard unconscious and he awakens on a strange world named Kataan where a beautiful woman tells him his name is Kamin, her husband of three years, and that he is suffering from memory problems. In what is only 25 minutes aboard the "Enterprise" Picard lives an entire lifetime on the planet Kataan, eventually accepting the life he has no choice but to lead. A powerful episode that gives Picard the chance to live the life he will never have as a Starfleet captain.

"Tapestry" (Written by Ronald D. Moore, Season 6: Episode 15) is a Q episode. Picard is critically wounded in an attack and wakes up in a white light where Q tells him he is dead. Picard's artifical heart has cost him his life and the captain gets the chance to see what would have happened if he had not had that fight with the Nausicaan when he was at Starfleet Academy. The result was that everything that made him a great leader would have been lost and he ends up on the "Enterprise" as a lowly astrophysics officer. This is certainly a nice final episode for this set since it puts Picard's life in perspective.

For me, this scores six out of seven. I would have ditched "The Drumhead" and substituted "Lessons" (Season 6: Episode 19), where Picard shares his music on the Kataan flute with Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren, and receives another lesson in the loneliness of command. It is interesting to note that the UK version of this set has a different lineup consisting of "Allegiance," "Captain's Holiday," "Darmok," "The Inner Light," "Starship Mine," "Lessons" and "Bloodlines." Intersting choices, but clearly on balance the US version has a better lineup.

This colletion certainly does well enought to justify rounding up, especially once you throw in "From Here to Infinity," a documentary of space exploration hosted by Stewart. I was not interested in picking up all season by season "Star Trek: The Next Generation" sets and I cannot imagine a set focusing on any of the other characters being as strong as this collection (Data and Worf will vie for second, obviously, unless they do a Lwaxana Troi set), so the "Jean-Luc Picard Collection" suits me just fine.


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Eureka: Season 3.5 (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)Clearly, everyone that is crying marketing shenanigans does not know what they are talking about. Season 3 was stopped in its tracks by something called the writers strike. Ever heard of it? Once it ended, SyFy made an increased order of episodes for the show and they filmed what became Season 3.5 but SyFy decided to not air those episodes until Eureka's normal season slot.
Here's a math lesson based on current Amazon prices.
Season 1 - 24 dollars for 12 episodes. 2 dollars per episode.
Season 2 - 29 dollars for 13 episodes. 2 dollars 23 cents per episode.
Season 3/3.5 - 40 dollars for 18 episodes. 2 dollars 22 cents per episode.
Boy, that's grand larceny right there. Please check your anger and conspiracy theories at the door.
Now, back on topic. Love this show and I will absolutely buy Season 3.5 because I know exactly why it is being released as it is.

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Take a trip to the far side of reality in Eureka Season 3.5, the fantastic TV series set in a seemingly quiet small town where innovation and chaos go hand-in-hand. Carter (Colin Ferguson) is still reeling from his dismissal as sheriff and looking at the possibilities of a new job when catastrophic occurrences pull him back to the eccentric hamlet. Now, he and his neighbors will be faced with strange happenings – from magnetic disturbances to the birth of a new resident – that go beyond anything ever imagined

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Classic Sci-Fi TV - 150 Episodes (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Mill Creek Entertainment has done it again! After tackling TV Westerns, TV Crime Shows, TV Spies and Family TV Shows, this offering focuses on early television science fiction shows, with a bit of horror and the paranormal thrown in for good measure. There is quite a bit to savor in this set, so here's the rundown, by category:
Animated Series:
Captain Fathom - 3 episodes
Clutch Cargo - 1 episode
Space Angel - 9 episodes
Filmed TV Series:
Captain Z-Ro - 24 episodes
Flash Gordon - 14 episodes
Johnny Jupiter - 1 episode
One Step Beyond - 16 episodes
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger - 23 episodes
Thriller (Boris Karloff version) - 1 episode
Live Television Series:
Climax - 1 episode
Lights Out - 4 episodes
Tales of Tomorrow - 6 episodes
Filmed Dramatic Anthology Series:
G.E. Theater - 2 episodes
The Star and the Story - 1 episode
Your Jeweler's Showcase (Operation E.S.P.) - 1 episode
Unsold TV Pilots:
Captain Fathom (live action version)
Destination Space
Here Comes Tobor
The Shadow (Tom Helmore version)
The Shadow: Invisible Avenger (Richard Derr version)
Tales of Frankenstein
Public Service Film:
Stamp Day for Superman (cast of "The Adventures of Superman")
Movie Serials:
The Phantom Empire
Radar Men from the Moon
The Undersea KingdomWhile some may consider the inclusion of movie serials to be a bit of a cheat on this set, one can argue that movie serials (and radio) served as a starting point of sorts for the early years of episodic television and, of course, the serials did eventually make their way to television's airwaves. Perhaps the only major omission of a show with a paranormal flavor that is in the public domain and is not included in this set is Boris Karloff's limited series "The Veil" which, possibly, could have substituted for one of the serials. Regardless, this 12-DVD set includes a mixture of some very common, some not so common, and some downright rare shows. Arguably, the biggest "find" on this set is the inclusion of 24 episodes of "Captain Z-Ro" and, to the best of my knowledge, this set marks the commercial DVD debut of Boris Karloff's "Thriller," a series that many fans have long desired to see on DVD. Perhaps the inclusion of the "Thriller" episode "The Return of Andrew Bentley" might prompt further consideration for an official DVD release of this series in the future. And those who previously purchased Mill Creek's 4-DVD set of 50 "One Step Beyond" episodes will be delighted to know that of the 16 episodes included here, only one episode ("Where Are They?") is repeated from that earlier box set.
Among the unsold pilots, I enjoyed the second incarnation of "The Shadow" titled "Invisible Avenger," which was filmed on location in New Orleans in the late 1950s and was eventually released theatrically, and "Tales of Frankenstein." Don Megowan, who appears as the monster in "Frankenstein" also appears in the live action version of "Captain Fathom," which plays like a low rent version of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." One also wonders about the possibilities of "Destination Space" had it been picked up as a regular series by CBS. Though a bit on the talky side (especially in the middle scenes depicted on earth), the pilot featured solid performances from TV veterans like Harry Townes, Charles Aidman, Edward Platt, Whitney Blake and Gail Kobe, and had the backing of a major studio, Paramount.
As is the case with compilations of public domain shows, the audio/visual quality is all over the map and reflects a variety of sources such as kinescopes for the live shows and unrestored 16 millimeter syndication prints for many of the TV show episodes. While none of the episodes that I have viewed so far are unwatchable, this is definitely not a set for videophiles, nor those expecting state-of-the-art special effects. In fact, the special effects are downright primitive when compared to today's special effects and CGI. But considering the low budgets for most of these productions, it's obvious that the SFX people were trying to do the best they could with the limited resources available to them and that's part of the charm of watching these early Sci-Fi TV efforts.
The variety of the shows included in this set is so broad that there is bound to be something to appeal to almost anyone who even remotely enjoys science fiction. This set is highly recommended for classic/vintage TV fans and those who enjoy the early days of science fiction on the small screen. My rating is closer to **** & ½ for this release, just missing a full five stars given the variable audio/visual quality.

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Science Fiction programming from the Golden Age of Television fills this 12-DVD collection with 24 all-time classic shows!
Captain Fathom - 4 Episodes
Captain Z-Ro - 24 Episodes
Climax - 1 Episode
Destination Space - 1 Episode
Flash Gordon - 14 Episodes
G.E. Theatre - 2 Episodes
Here Comes Tobor - 1 Episode
Invisible Avenger - 1 Episode
Johnny Jupiter - 1 Episode
Lights Out - 4 Episodes
Mandrake, The Magician - 1 Episode
One Step Beyond - 16 Episodes
Operation ESP - 1 Episode
Phantom Empire - 12 Episodes
Radar Men From the Moon - 12 Episodes
Rocky Jones - 23 Episodes
The Shadow - 1 Episode
Space Angel - 9 Episodes
Stamp Day for Superman - 1 Episode
The Star & The Story - 1 Episode
Tales of Frankenstein - 1 Episode
Tales of Tomorrow - 6 Episodes
Thriller -1 Episode
Undersea Kingdom - 12 Episodes

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Jeremiah - The Complete First Season (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Why only four stars? Well, I have to knock it down a bit for Sam Egan's episodes because while they did improve as the season went on, they just could never compare to JMS'. I hope in the coming seasons a writer will be able to jump on board and pick up the reins where JMS left off and keep the momentum going. Also, I was a bit disappointed to see that it is not being presented in Widescreen as that would have been the smarter move for MGM to make.
The premise might not be for everyone as it is a dark and grim view of our future but the underlying message is about hope. The characters in this series are at a crossroads -- they can continue to prey off the remains of the "old world" until there is nothing left or they can try to rebuild their world into something better than what came before them.
Season one was a bit of a bumpy ride and perhaps had a slow start but it was worth it in the end. I followed this show after being a fan of Babylon 5 for many years and knew it was going to be worth it if I just held out long enough. Boy, was I was right!
It was fun to pay attention to the little details that were semi-hidden on the first viewing, only to discover that they all contributed to the greater arc of the show. Even the "bad" episodes all tied into the larger picture and became part of a wonderful tapestry called, JEREMIAH.
Some of my favorite episodes that had my head spinning for days at the numerous possibilities presented were FIREWALL, TRIPWIRE and the two-part season finale, THINGS LEFT UNSAID.
If you haven't had a chance to see this show, I strongly urge you to check out this series, as it is one of the most thought-provoking and intelligent shows produced. Give it a season and if you aren't hooked by the end, return it or donate it to your local library. However, I have a feeling that you will either tune into Showtime to see season two or you will be anxiously awaiting the next season's set to arrive at your door.

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A stunning sci-fi epic that re-envisions the future of mankind, this top-rated, action-packed original series is "intriguing" (Associated Press), "fascinating" (Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel) and "deep and intense" (Science Fiction Weekly)! Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills 90210," "Oz") stars as Jeremiah, one of the many young survivors of the "Big Death" that claimed the lives of every adult in the world 15 years ago. Now forging his way through a bleak wilderness fraught with danger and conspiracy, Jeremiah and his most trusted friend, Kurdy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), are plunged into thrilling adventures that test every facet of their humanity…and ultimately the fate of the human race itself!

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The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Complete Second Season Review

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(More customer reviews)Yes, it's intended to be a lot more kid-friendly than Dr. Who or, especially, Torchwood. Putting aside the children-friendliness of the show, it's got some good science fiction action and the idea content is higher than television average. With a good price, I'd recommend this to anyone, though some familiarity with the Dr. Who shows might help with context.
The Last Sontaran: This is a direct continuation of the 10th Doctor's episodes Poison Sky & Sontaran Stratagem. It's loaded with science fiction movie references (Star Wars, Predator, etc.) and the 1st episode action is pretty good. There are some logical gaps that grate, but it's pretty well done.
The Day of the Clown: Good creepy show introducing some new characters. The Pied Piper features... Some filler, but mostly good.
Secrets of the Stars: Astrology, possession, Ancient Ones, and a Chosen One. But nowhere near as bad as that makes it sound! Still, my least favorite of the season.
The Mark of the Berserker: Sarah Jane doesn't feature prominently in this episode, rather it's like the Dr. Who & Torchwood episodes that focus instead on others having a singular experience with the unknown and alien. Rather well done tale of an alien pendant and family relationships.
The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith: Time Travel, the Trickster, and a Trap. A well-worn science fiction cliche of changing the past to horrible effect in the present, but nicely executed. More would be telling too much...
Enemy of the Bane: UNIT, the Brigadier, immortal aliens, Mrs. Wormwood ("Luke, I am your mother."), and the Bane attempt to take over the world again. Might be a bit too much packed in here, but, once again, pretty well done.
This isn't the greatest science fiction television of all times, but it's fun, smart, and very human.

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Investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, one-time companion to hat strange wanderer in time and space known as the Doctor, is back for a second, expanded, series of alien-busting adventures. When Sarah's adopted son, Luke, first became part of Sarah Jane's life, he encountered a world of adventure - not just of dangerous aliens bent on invasion and destruction, but also an amazing world of wonder and excitement which showed him that the universe really is an amazing place. This is something that Sarah Jane is keen to keep from Bannerman Road, and Series Two's, newest addition, fourteen-year- old Rani Chandraand her parents Gita and Haresh. But sparky Rani is a wannabe journalistand, like Sarah Jane, is not the type to let a mystery go unsolved! Get ready for more danger, mystery and Get ready for more danger, mystery and wonder as incomparable Sarah Jane Smith returns for a second series of the spectacular, thrilling children's drama from the makers of Doctor Who and Torchwood.
Stories: The Last Sontaran, The Day of the Clown, Secret of the Stars, The Mark of the Berserker, The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith, Enemy of the Bane-Interview with cast and crew-Season synopses for all stories-Investigating Tools: a gadget glossary-Quiz with special footage prize-Character and alien profiles-Photo gallery-Audio clips-UK TV spots-Trailers

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Dollhouse: Season One (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)...this show is *actually* GOOD. What I mean is that Dollhouse is not good simply because Whedon fans worship at the shrine of Whedon and therefore cannot be trusted to tell you the real deal. In a lot of ways, it's a shame that this show was so hyped from the beginning, because it didn't get a chance to gradually develop a fanbase in its own right, but was instead touted as a show sustained merely by Whedon fans. While I admit to being a Whedon fan, which compelled me to watch it even through some shaky episodes, here's the scoop:
In the beginning of the show, what we learn is that a woman named Caroline (Eliza Dushku) has agreed (or was coerced) to download her personality into cyber storage, and some shady organization rents her body out to the highest bidder for various "engagements." We see that these engagements can involve sexual fantasy (hence the dubbing "cathouse" by the critics), or perhaps something that requires personality-combo platters in order to complete some sort of high risk, spy-type mission. A lot of negative reviews here refer to the first five episodes. And, yes, the first five establishing "mission of the week" episodes are surfacy and disconnected, but it's really the journey of the series arc (and character growth) that will ultimately make for some passionate tv. (And though these first five episodes were not the highlight of the season, there are some gems of ideas in there. For instance, one episode pays homage to Cornell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game", which is based on quite a chilling concept.)
Now that we've got the darned hype out of the way, let's talk about the show, as it evolves in Episode 6. (Incidentally, the theme of episode 6 is very similar to the unaired pilot episode on the dvd release, which was awesome, and epitomizes Joss's idea of the show - excellent). Now instead of just seeing the sexual fantasy episodes in terms of some hokey emporer's club cathouse (which, let's face it, is something that already exists out there for the kind of money these clients are paying), we start to see the NEEDS that these fantasies fulfill in the clients. And here's the thing: even though we do not approve of what they're doing, we start to sympathize with, and in some cases even begin to care about, these clients. And here is one place where we begin to see the brilliance and fascinating challenge that this show presents, and will continue to present, to its viewers (bring on Neuromancer!).
This is a show that lives and thrives in a very gray area - it's unclear who the heroes might or might not be, and this is shaping up to be a nuanced, character-driven ensemble show (with an extremely talented cast). At its heart, this is a show about the identity of "self" without memory. About science and ethics. About exposing our darkest human fantasies, and exploring the root of the needs that create them. The show is not just about the "dolls," but is also about the clients - WHY do they need a fake person to save them? And what could have possibly compelled these "dolls" to have given away their memories in the first place? And then there's the dollhouse itself...why does it exist? Who are these people that babysit and program the dolls - what's their story?
The extras on this dvd set are worth buying, especially the unaired thirteenth episode, "Epitaph One". Without giving too much away, it's a little like CLOVERFIELD meets THE MATRIX meets SERENITY, Dollhouse style. The commentaries are great - Joss has much to say about episode 6 and a very conspicuous not much to say about episode 1 ("oh, look, people are pretty, and I'm hungry right now"), which is exactly what you'd expect, especially given how amazing the unaired pilot episode was.
All in all, this show is a little bit ALIAS (except replace awesome disguises with personalities), a little bit BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (except replace "Cylon" with "doll"), a little bit LOST (except replace "island" with "dollhouse"), and a lot Whedon (exploring the essence of humanity and individual identity through grandiose metaphor). Assuming that the show is allowed to breathe and grow into its full potential, we're in for even more thought-provoking, heart-breaking, butt-kicking entertainment. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on the ride!
**Addition to review**
While the actors who were less well known (to me) on this show were all outstanding, here are some highlights:
Season 1:
Eliza Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Tru Calling)
Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica)
Amy Acker (Angel, Alias)
Other guest stars you may recognize from Firefly, Buffy, and Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog
Announced (by Fox press release) for Season 2:
Summer Glau (Firefly, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles)
Alexis Denisof (Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica)
Keith Kerridine (Dexter)

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From Joss Whedon comes a new groundbreaking show starring Eliza Dushku as Echo, an operative in an underground organization that provides hired personas for various missions.

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Survivors: Complete Seasons One & Two Review

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(More customer reviews)For me to call this series the best show today, is a lot. I watch too much TV and expect a lot out of television shows. Survivors is one of the best shows I've ever seen (barring Firefly). It is smart, the actors are excellent, the story is at once human, horrible, and thrilling. The first few episodes when the virus sweeps through England and everyone is dying were a bit rocky - but you have to start somewhere. Around the middle of the first season, when the group consisting of seven people were forming as a sort of family - even though they were strangers to each other, Survivors begins to shine. The brilliance of this series is how these people are very different from each other, but somehow manage to hold on to civility in the face of incredible inhumanity, which is very real and quite frightening as you watch it unfold. Each character holds his or her own in this series, something one rarely sees on television today. Abby is the matriarch - a very kind, maternal woman before the virus, becomes a very strong, central character who holds this ragtag group together and to a level of humanity others cannot seem to do. Tom is the strong, silent mystery man who holds himself separate, but as the story progresses becomes more and more the other half of Abby. We learn he is a murderer and doesn't have the moral balance that Abby has, but the two are almost a perfect complement to each other regarding this family. Greg starts out kind of wimpy, but under Abby and the family's influence blossoms as a man of great character and intelligence. This "family" is the focus of Survivors as they deal with the aftermath of almost complete annihilation of society as we know it. We see one group trying to establish some sort of government, but the flaws are outstanding. We see another who enslaves people to try to jump start an industrial society again. We see groups of people without hope, food, decent water, shelter, and most of all, direction. In the middle of this chaos is Abby's "family." I really hope this show goes on for a very long time, and I hope people will start watching it to continue its longevity. Too many fantastic shows are canceled before their time and this show is too good to end. I highly recommend this one to all of my friends and family and am buying it to share with them. Not everybody gets BBC America to watch it here in the US. But it is one you won't be disappointed with. Much, much better than anything offered on American television today.

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SURVIVORS:COMPLETE SEASONS ONE AND TW - DVD Movie

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Space 1999 - 30th Anniversary Edition Megaset (17DVD) (1975) Review

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(More customer reviews)As soon as we got this in, we opened a set and checked it out...
This so-called digitally remastered 30th Anniversary edition is NO DIFFERENT than the older Mega Set...just slimmer packaging. You still see all the spots, smudges, hairs, graininess. The only reason to buy this is if you have not already gotten the older set and want to save some money. Sad, really, that we did not get the better UK remastered product.

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All 48 episodes of this acclaimed space adventure are contained in this complete collection, digitally remastered from the original 35mm film, plus bonus footage, featured extras, and much more! With its progressive plotlines, an outstanding cast, and astonishing special effects from Oscar® winner Brian Johnson (Alien, The Empire Strikes Back), SPACE: 1999 has secured its place as one of the most thought-provoking series of the 21st century—and beyond.

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Caprica (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was extremely skeptical when I heard about the proposed prequel to the greatest television science fiction saga of this generation. Attempting to cash in on the success of Battlestar Galactica so soon after the series ended seemed like a losing proposition doomed to mar an amazing franchise. Well, consider those fears alleviated. The first taste of "Caprica" is absolutely amazing. With no space battles and the themes of humanity's destruction and survival at the hands of their own creation already done to death, I feared for a lack of compelling material to further immerse me in the pre-genocide human society of the twelve worlds. All politics and no spaceships makes science fiction a dull genre. But what BSG did for the space opera, "Caprica" is set to do for cyberpunk. If BSG was Star Trek and Babylon 5, "Caprica" is Ghost in the Shell and The Matrix. I am beyond impressed.
The story unfolds as a terrorist attack by a youth seeking to draw attention to his monotheistic cause (most worship the old Greek gods). The result tears two families apart and in half a century's time will lead to the destruction of human society. But before that there is one hell of a story to be told. The themes on the social commentary buffet so far includes a much more bold dialogue on religion then even BSG gave us, a different angle on the definition of human as we know it, a frank look at a racist society, and an exploration of the logical extremes of future virtual existence. This is to say that once the internet and virtual reality become compatible, one hell of a can of worms will be opened.
Since this series premiere comes to us in movie form, the gods have shined upon us. As far as it's predecessor pushed the sexual envelope for a tv show, "Caprica" has easily bested it here. I don't know how they are going to cut this for television. There is abundant nudity, group sex, and some serious girl-girl going on in this film. Virtual human sacrifice in underground virtual hacker clubs speaks volumes about the social issues to be confronted and is damned disturbing. There is one violent death featuring a but of arterial spray as well. Still think science fiction is for kids? The idea of creating a virtual copy of yourself by hacking the information in your own brain and uploading it to a digital avatar, thereby achieving a brand of immortality is brilliant and the Frankenstein complex that leads a father who lost his daughter to cross lines that should never be crossed is stroke of absolute genius.
Familiarity with it's parent show will certainly deepen your appreciation of "Caprica", but it is not at all necessary. This is great science fiction, period. Now's your chance to get on board with what promises to be the best series in coming years. Don't miss it. Battlestar maniacs will get to see one of that show's enduring heroes in his formative years and witness the birth of the first Cylon in a heart-rending accident. But at it's heart this show -like Galactica- is about two things: massive universal concepts of humanity, and intimate relationships with the characters who inhabit this work of fiction. One cannot improve on that formula. There is no television show, no movie, nothing in entertainment that I am currently looking forward to more then this. If you are a fan of adult science fiction in any way, then this is what you need to be watching. And that goes double for BSG fans.

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An astonishing breakthrough is taking shape on the planet Caprica. The rapidly evolving spheres of human and mechanical engineering have collided, along with the fates of two families. Joined by tragedy in an explosive instant of terror, two rival clans led by powerful patriarchs, Joseph Adama (Esai Morales, Jericho) and Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz, The Butterfly Effect) duel in an era of questionable ethics, corporate machinations and unbridled personal ambition as the final war for humanity looms.The latest phenomenon from the executive producers of Battlestar Galactica (Ronald D. Moore and David Eick), set in a time over 50 years earlier, Caprica is entirely its own world - provocative, thrilling and startling relevant to our own.

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a review of the DVD set itself, as I assuming most of you already know the story and have possibly seen the TV show. This is a digitally remastered DVD with a stereo soundtrack and clear crisp visuals.
It's actually a two DVD set. The TV series, which is on the first DVD, is as near to a flawless reproduction as is currently possible. Watch it with the lights off to enjoy all the visuals and matte painting special effects that were available in 1981 with a shoestring budget. Additionally, this is a "must buy" just for the second DVD alone. Outtakes and deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, The Making of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, BBC Omnibus Tribute to Douglas Adams, and much more.
BBC Video has stepped up and hit a homerun with this DVD set. Be sure to watch it with and recommend it to your friends. "Share and enjoy!"

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With the galaxy's best-selling tour guide and a good towel, earthling Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect (actually from planet Betelgeuse) are transported, among other places, to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and back to the beginning of time.

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The Outer Limits - The Original Series, Season 2 (1963) Review

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(More customer reviews)I grew up with this show, as many of you have I suspect. It would be easy to review this in a nostalgic haze and give it 5 stars "just because". However, I have taken a step back and have reviewed each episode rationally, based on budget, cast, writers, etc. Along the way, it may appear as though I am overly concerned with the "not-so-special-effects" of the series but trust me, it is a point of minor contension. Still, since great effect based movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Planet of the Apes are barely three years away, I can't shake the notion that if the purse-strings were relaxed a little and it would have paid off big for a show that seemed doomed from the start. Often, the show could rise above it all, with superb acting, like in the first seasons "The Mutant", but why make a show work harder than necessary and potentially leave an accomplished actor looking foolish and silly?
Picture/sound/packaging: 4/5 Dissappointing yet predictable lack of 5.1 DD remastered sound. Original Star Trek seems to have proven to be the exception and not the rule in so far as sound. The picture is often nice, but varies from scene to scene on certain eps. I have no problem with the way the packaging is put together. So many complaints about the two sided discs? None here. And I think the packaging color scheme is an excellant compliment to Season One. My only real complaint is the cancellation of this series in the middle of season two, gosh, at least let the season finish!
--Episodes--Season 2--
(I consider 3 and above good, 2 or below poor.)
Soldier: 5/5
Cold Hands, Warm Heart: 2.5/5
Behold Eck!: 1/5
Expanding Human: 2.5/5
Cry of Silence: 3.5/5
Demon With a Glass Hand: 3/5
Wolf 359: 4/5
I, Robot: 4/5
The Invisible Enemy: 1/5
The Inheritors 1&2: 5/5
Keeper of the Purple Twilight: 3.5/5
Counterweight: 2/5
The Brain of Col. Barham: 1.5/5
The Premonition: 2.5/5
The Duplicate Man: 3.5/5
The Probe: 2.5/5
Wrap-up:
Still, in spite of all the hokey props, there lurks delicious camera angles, glorious sound, odd lighting, and most importantly, a fun sense of adventure that has all but since evaporated from the airwaves. In spite of the 3 stars, I cannot reccommend this set enough. Not because I'm caught like "the enemy" in the never-never, but because I'm trapped in a time period that uses "effects" to convey awe and mystery instead of imagination. The Outer Limits is a welcome look back at a future gone by.

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You hold in your hands an artifact from a time now vanished forever – a compendium of portals into worlds unknown. A three-disc set that controls over 14 hours of transmission from the 1964-65 series, this vessel has sought you out for one specific purpose: to expand your mind to "The Outer Limits"!

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)It seems a bit superfluous to me that in the United Kingdom they had these "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Slayer Collection" DVDs, because our fellow fans across the pond had each season of "BtVS" out on DVD long before we got them. So why would they need these DVDs that offered four choice episodes for each of the main characters? That being said the intellectual exercise is to judge how good of a job they did in selecting this particular quartet of episodes highlight the comedy stylings of Miss Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter). Since she left Sunnydale and "BtVS" after graduation to go to Los Angeles and end up on "Angel," they only had to pick from the first three seasons of "BtVS":
"Out of Mind, Out of Sight" (a.k.a. "Invisible Girl") is the perfect choice for a Cordelia episode from the abbreviated first season. Cordelia and her friends are being attacked by an invisible force, and Buffy and the gang figure out it is Marcie Ross, a girl that no one remembers although they all had classes with her (they all signed her yearbook with "Have a nice summer," which is not a good sign). Cordelia and Buffy are taken prisoner by Marcie, who plans to disfigure her chief tormentor. However, Buffy saves Cordy and Marcie is taken away by the government to be "rehabilitated." This is a key episode in terms of setting up Cordelia to become a Scooby in the second season because it confirms that Buffy can deal with weird stuff like this.
Your first guess for a second season Cordelia episode might be "Reptile Boy," but instead it is "What's My Line? Part 2," which is the one where Cordelia and Xander are trapped in Buff's basement by one of the Tarakan assassins. They get into a giant fight and end up kissing for the first time. Certainly a key moment for Cordy, but I think "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" is her best episode from that season (plus Buffy and Kendra are clearly the focus of what is obviously the second half of a two-part story).
The third season was senior year and so it is not surprising that the two episodes selected reflect the social high points of that last year of high school. "Homecoming" starts with Cordy and Buffy waging war to see who becomes Homecoming queen at Sunnydale High, with everybody else caught in the middle. The Scoobies decided to put the two in a limo together, hoping that they will make up. But Mr. Trick was expecting it to be Buffy and Faith together in the car and so it is that Cordy becomes part of Slayerfest '98, which involves a bunch of little bads showing up to hunt down and bag a slayer or two. This sets up one of Cordy's best scenes when she explains why a ticked off would be Prom Queen is a lot more dangerous than a Vampire Slayer. Definitely a top four Cordelia episode
"The Prom" does have a couple of nice moments when Cordelia realizes that Xander has made sure she looks spectacular for the big dance, and watching Wesley weigh the ethics of asking her to dance is okay, but Cordy really is a minor player in this one. The emphasis is on Buffy, who is determined that since they all might be killed when the Mayor ascends the least she can do is make sure her friends have a hellhound-free prom. The two great moments in this one are when Buffy receives a special award from the senior class and when Angel shows up in a tux (the selection the Sundays of covering the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" is a Top 10 nominee for best use of a song on "BtVS," just on the strength of the tragically ironic line, "Let's do some living, after we've died").
Even though she dies halfway through the episode, "The Wish" is a better choice than "The Prom," even though the last half of that way is all about Vamp Willow wearing leather. My final verdict is that this DVD ends up having two of the four Cordelia episodes that should be here with the first and third selections. The second is a second tier Cordelia episode, but the fourth is on the third level by that standard, although overall it is the best episodes here, which is why I ended up rounding up on this one.

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Torchwood: Children of Earth (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)For the first two series Torchwood was your standard solve the horrible situation of the week series but that all changed with series three. First and foremost, the bigggest difference is that there are only five episodes instead of the usual 12 but that is because all five episodes comprise one mini-series mega event where the BBC showed one episode each weeknight during a single week as opposed to one show a week. Those are the minor technical differences and here are the stylistic differences.
Previous incarnations of Torchwood were a mix of frivolity, political thriller, and science fiction while series three puts the political thriller aspect front and center with the jokes and scifi taking supporting roles. The tone is emotionally taut, psychologically upsetting, and decidedly dark--all perfect motifs for a show designed only for adults. If you are wanting a Dr. Who style trip into the imagination where you get a bit scared but return with a smile on your face this is not going to be to your liking at all because this time Torchwood takes us into a nightmare realm where many of the humans in charge seem more alien and threatening than the actual aliens, who are definitely scary themselves, and that insures you won't return from this journey with a smile unless you're a sadistic freak. Does the darkness overwhelm the show? Not at all! As I said the political thriller aspect is front and center and its pacing almost feels like this is Torchwood 24, especially seeing how each episode represents one day of time so that by the end of this series only five days have passed for the Torchwood crew.
Should you buy Torchwood series 3? Well if you are more of a fan of Dr. Who and only watch Torchwood because it is a Who spin-off I'd wait and watch it as it airs to make sure it isn't too realistic to be enjoyable for you. If you prefer Torchwood over Dr. Who then definitely put your order in as you're not likely to be disappointed with the direction RTD has taken the show this time. Personally, this has been the best science fiction on the small or large screen this year (I haven't seen Moon yet so that could change) and keep in mind I am a huge Trekkie and adored the new Star Trek movie! That's right, a die hard Trekkie said Torchwood series 3 was better than Star Trek the Reboot. Granted, Trek had better blockbuster visuals and space battles but Torchwood, by far, told the better story. I also think the acting was better in Torchwood than Trek although there isn't as big as a distance between the two as there was in plot quality.

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TORCHWOOD:SEASON 3 CHILDREN OF EARTH - DVD Movie

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