Topic: Never Ending TV Marathon (short reviews)

[Najemikon]

I always enjoyed the filthiness of Two Pints. It lost it's way in series 5 and recent episodes I've seen have been dreadful, but on the way there is a very funny musical and an awesome Halloween special. I think the cast are great though! Will Mellor gets all the best lines for my money, but I've always been fond of Natalie Cassidy. As for up and comers, Sheridan Smith really couldn't have done better. She's hoovering up awards for her theatre work now.

[samuelrichardscott]

CSI: New York - Season 4 Set 1 (2007-2008) Region 2 United Kingdom

Overview:
In the city that never sleeps, CSI: NY never rests.

My Thoughts:
I'm a fan of all the CSI incarnations and rank the New York series better than Miami, but not as good as the original Vegas. This first set includes the first twelve episodes of season four and there are some belters. My personal favourite episode this set is either "Down the Rabbit Hole" in which the detectives must use the video game Second Life to help them with their investigation or "Child's Play" which has a very good little storyline for Danny after a child he knows well is shot. Of course, whilst an easy show to dip in and out of, there are also longer running storylines and the first ten episodes here deal with Mac's past and someone stalking him with clues, with the story arc coming to an exciting end. All in all, a great set of episodes here and if you enjoy these shows, this is highly recommended. 4.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

CSI: Season 9 (2008-2009) Region 2 United Kingdom

Overview:
CSI follows the nights of the detectives working at the Las Vegas Police Department Crime Scene Investigations bureau. Being the second busiest crime lab in America, CSI officers use the best scientific and technical methods to solve puzzles and catch criminals.

My Thoughts:
Season 9 of CSI sprung a couple of surprises. It was well documentated before the season originally aired that Laurence Fishburne would be joining the cast and that the best character, William Petersen's Gil Grissom would unfortunately be leaving. When I first heard Grissom would be going, I wondered how much this excellent show would suffer, and amazingly, it doesn't suffer at all. Sure, Grissom is missed, but now Marg Helgenberger's Catherine is the lead CSI and the slight change of structure happened well thanks to strong scripts, especially with the initial introduction of Laurence Fishburne's Ray. Jorja Fox makes a welcome, if short lived re-appearance and Paul Guilfoyle is as strong as ever as Brass. The season includes some very strong episodes and some great guest stars so if you're a fan of previous seasons, I'm pleased to say that even now, after watching nine seasons, it shows no sign of slowing down and it hasn't dropped in quality. Highly recommended. 5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Book Group: Series 1 (2002) Region 2 United Kingdom

Overview:
Who says reading is good for you?
American Clare has just moved to Glasgow and is extremely keen to meet some new and interesting people. She decides to start a book group. To her utter dismay, those who turn up for the first session are not the friends she had hoped for.
There's Kenny, a handsome ex climber in a wheelchair, Janice, the frustrated wife of a famous Scottish footballer, and eccentric student Barney who Clare actually does fancy.
The Book Group is about the intriguing cast of characters, who are all trying to make new friends, new lives and new versions of themselves. But pretty soon, things get complicated. A little education can be a dangerous thing.

My Thoughts:
I picked this up on a whim based on the price, and I have to admit, I'm glad I did. The Book Group stars Anne Dudek as American Clare who is a novelist who moves to Glasgow and starts a book group in order to meet new people and make friends. The people she meets are not the intellectuals she had hoped, but a mixed bag of people, each with their own character traits that come together nicely through the good writing and some very funny moments whilst containing just the right amount of drama to make each episode eventful and worthy of viewing. It might not win any awards, and Channel 4 have made better comedies, but this is above average and comes recommended from me. 3.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Primeval: Series 2 (2008) Region 2 United Kingdom

Overview:
Professor Nick Cutter is having a very bad day. His estranged wife Helen has deceived him; tricking him into going through the anomalies one last time. But something has gone terribly wrong. Upon his return to the present, the world as he knows it has changed. And he and Helen are the only one's who know.
Claudia Brown has never existed and the other members of Cutter's team have no idea who she was. Can Cutter convince them that their actions have inadvertently altered the course of nature? Although he has absolutely no idea what went wrong or how he can fix it...
Along the way the team encounter some beastly opponents that are continuing to find their way through the anomalies. From a family of raptors going wild in the aisles of a shopping mall, a sabre-tooth at an amusement park, to a Woolly Mammoth holding up the traffic on the M25, the creatures just keep on coming...

My Thoughts:
I originally met Primeval with quite a lot of skepticism. In the UK we are known more for our period dramas, our comedies and our detective shows, and although some of our sci-fi shows like Doctor Who, Blake's 7 and The Tomorrow People have a large following, a lot of our sci-fi success stems from the 60's/70's/80's. In recent years Doctor Who has made a very successful comeback, but we are still lacking quality sci-fi shows, especially those based on the same ideals as Primeval. Thankfully, I thoroughly enjoyed the first series so dived into the second with better expectations. The special effects, whilst sometimes not on a par with US shows, were not bad, the cast are generally capable (though not keen on Henshall who plays Cutter) and the storylines are good fun. When interjected with the dark dry humour we are famous for, it makes for a fun show certainly worth checking out. Recommended if you enjoy your sci-fi with a prehistoric creature / time travel portal twist. 4/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Big Bang Theory: Season 4 (2010-2011) Region 2 United Kingdom

Overview:
"Four seasons in, it is still laugh-out-loud funny. Every episode, every week," says USA Today's Robert Bianco about the hit series The Big Bang Theory. Subject his conclusion to empirical analysis by watching all 24 Episodes of Season Four on 3 discs. This season, the Big Bang gang's romantic universe expands. On the rebound from Penny, Leonard falls for Raj's sister Priya. Sheldon gets a girlfriend - Amy, a dour neurobiologist who declares herself Penny's BFF. Howard and Bernadette heat up; meanwhile Raj is romancing her in Bollywood daydreams. Observe all the forces of attraction in this genius, award-winning comedy.

My Thoughts:
Season 4 has shown The Big Bang Theory start to settle into more of a conventional comedy now in my opinion. The extra room given to newer characters Bernadette, Priya and Amy Farrah Fowler adds a bit of good value and they sometimes feel like the female 'gang' of nerds with traits similar to their male counterparts. Even Penny, who feels like the leader of the female group, isn't disimilar to Leonard in particular character traits. Again, each character gets some good episodes based around them and there are some good cameos like regular cameo-er Wil Wheaton (the Indiana Jones cinema episode is a fave here), Katie Sackhoff (again) and LeVar Burton. Some very funny episodes ae included and although the odd borderline average episode is found, there are no bad ones. Highly recommended. 4.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

CSI: Season 10 (2009-2010)

Overview:
CSI follows the nights of the detectives working at the Las Vegas Police Department Crime Scene Investigations bureau. Being the second busiest crime lab in America, CSI officers use the best scientific and technical methods to solve puzzles and catch criminals.

My Thoughts:
Here we are, ten years in, and I am still lovng CSI. The writers are doing good jobs to keep you interested, from the great episodes that still find something fresh with regards to the circumstances of the murder, right through to the fantastic multi-season/season long storylines. Season 10 had a cracking season long storyline involving "Jekyll", a serial killer who was performing surgery on his victims and leaving little clues throughout for Ray Langston, ending in a truly explosive finale that makes me want to check out CSI: Season 11 before it reaches my preferred price-point. There aren't many shows that can reach this quality, let alone keep it for ten years. CSI is highly recommended from me. 5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Riches: Season 1 (2007)

Overview:
Since Wayne Molloy (Eddie Izzard) can't buy the American Dream, he's going to steal it! The Malloys are Travellers, con artists living one step ahead of the law, and now, together with his wife (Minnie Driver) and children, Wayne is pulling his biggest scam ever. They assume the identity of a family living a privileged life in an exclusive suburban development. But, with nosy neighbours, vengeful fellow Travellers and the authorities hot on their trail, can they possibly pull it off? The Riches is an engaging and offbeat drama infused with wickedly dark humour so original and captivating that to miss it would be a crime!

My Thoughts:
I had never heard of The Riches until recently, when a friend and I were talking about dark comedies and he told me this was one of the best to ever grace television screens. Then he told me it starred Eddie Izzard and I pretty much lost all interest as I'm just not a fan of his comedy and am yet to see a particularly great acting performance from the man. Still, my friend persisted and I pulled the trigger on season one. How the hell did this show evade me? It is absolutely fantastic. Basically, a family of gypsies pull a huge con of stealing a dead man's life as a rich lawyer after his death in a car accident. Sounds simple yes? Well, the story evolves so fast, getting more and more insane, with Eddie Izzard of all people making it all seem so believable. Minnie Driver plays his wife very well and are joined by great support including Shannon Woodward, Gregg Henry and Margo Martindale. The Riches is darkly funny, well written with a top cast and original. Highly recommended. 4.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

Home Improvement: Season 5 (1995-1996)

Overview:
Comedy Superstar Tim Allen returns as Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor in Season Five of the Emmy Award-winning hit comedy Home Improvement. Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Season Five with some of the most memorable episodes ever, complete with all-new bloopers.
Join the Taylor family, along with neighbor Wilson and Tim's faithful sidekick Al for 26 hilarious episodes. The laughs are in full gear in Season Five as Tim lets an honorary degree go to his head, Jill's success in school leads her to begin doling out psychiatric "help", and Tim must make a stand when his new boss tries to replace Al. Complete with hilarious bonus features, this 3-disc set is a must-own for any Home Improvement fan.

My Thoughts:
I have to admit, this sort of thing isn't usually my cup of tea but I just always found the writing in this to be of a good quality, giving each character some very funny moments and tackling some serious issues (in this season cancer). All three lads suit there roles well and it's startling to see where they are now. JTT quit acting and went to University, Taran Noah Smith married a 33 year old when he was 17, quit acting and started an organic foods company and Zachary Ty Bryan made it only in small roles but has started to get a very small bit of growing recognition as a producer (I reviewed Prowl in my movie thread). Still, it is the pairing of Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson that shine here and they really help make this one of the few solid and consistently funny family comedies that have ever been around. Recommended. 4/5

[samuelrichardscott]

The Book Group: Series 2 (2003)

Overview:
Who says reading is good for you?
The Book Group is back! The critically acclaimed drama by Annie Griffin returns for a six-part second series.
The American Claire (ANNE DUDEK) is living in apparent bliss with her artist boyfriend Lachlan (JAMES LANCE) in a loft apartment with no furniture. But then, the sister from hell Jean (KAREN KILGARIFF) comes to visit. She really likes Glasgow, and she won't go away.
Janice (MICHELLE GOMEZ) is still trying to find a career in the media. She starts at the bottom as a correspondent for the local newspaper. Then Janice discovers farmers....
Handsome Kenny (RORY McCANN) is attracting a great deal of attention from the ladies as he has just published his first book, meanwhile Rab (DEREK RIDDELL) meets Anselmo (ANDONI GRACIA), a Spanish goalkeeper and falls in love.
Dirka (BONNIE ENGSTROM) is pregnant and Fist (SASKIA MULDER) wants to be pregnant too, so she turns to the group to find her man...
Join this unlikely clan of personalities as they search for the perfect book, in the hope that it will make everything better. But as they discover, life isn't like that. A little reading can be dangerous...

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed the first series of The Book Group which I picked up on a whim, so decided I may as well watch the second (and last) set of six episodes. Unfortunately, this second series leaves a lot to be desired. New characters are unlikeable, as a whole it is poorly written in comparison to S1, older characters have become annoying and it has moved away from being about the characters talking in a book group and is now more focused on the lives of the characters outside of the book group. The occasional scenes where Janice visits the priest are rather funny, but otherwise, I can't recommend series 2. 1.5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

CSI New York: Season 4 Set 2 (2008)

Overview:
A spinoff of Crime Scene Investigations set in New York City.

My Thoughts:
I've been a fan of CSI now for a couple of years and in that time managed to race through 18 seasons across all three teams in a short period of time. This set features some of the best episodes yet, even if it the team overall is not as good as in Vegas. Here we have Danny still coming to terms with the death of the young boy he was looking after and an excellent multi-episode arc about a cabbie killer that involves the entire set of New York characters right down to the bit-players. Stella gets an exciting episode about one of her neighbours who has kidnapped some children in a solid storyline for her, but for me, it was all about the finale with Mac. He is kidnapped by a bank robber to prove that he did not kill the bank manager and claims he was already dead when he robbed the place. It comes to an exciting finale and cliffhanger and I'm going to have to pick up Season 5 sooner rather than later. Highly recommended. 5/5

[samuelrichardscott]

21 Jump Street: Series 1 (1987)

Overview:
Officer Tom Hanson (Johnny Depp) leads his band of agents in the special Jump Street division by going undercover to infiltrate local schools to put a stop to crime and keep students safe from corrupt influences. The 21 Jump Street team is a mixed group including the wise cracking Officer HT Loki (Dustin Nguyen), the brilliant Officer Judy Hoffs (Holly Robinson Peete), the streetwise Officer Doug Penhall (Peter DeLuise) and the hard-nosed Captain Adam Fuller (Steven Williams).
This landmark television program co-created by Patrick Hasburg and Stephen J. Cannell (the A-TEAM, THE ROCKFORD FILES) not only served as the springboard for Johnny Depp's career, but also dealt with timely social issues including alcoholism, hate crimes, drugs, racism, AIDS, abuse and promiscuity. Each episode resolves with moral lessions being learned and justic being served. 21 JUMP STREET will forever be regarded as one of the coolest cop shows in TV history!

My Thoughts:
Pros:
- Did very well at approaching particular subjects like molestation, a child porn ring and drugs without being overly sensitive.
- As much as I'm not a fan of Depp, it's difficult to say he has a real star quality here, as does Nguyen and DeLuise.
- Changed a poor Captain to a much better one when they got Steven Williams.
- For the most part it's well written and I loved recognising so many faces who are quite big stars today.
Cons:
- I'm not that much of a fan of Hoffs. Her character is overly emotional and winds me up a little.
- The episodes can feel overly long at times.
- The theme tune is horrible.
Overall:
I enjoyed the first season and have ordered the second. Recommended. 3.5/5

[addicted2dvd]

Glad you enjoyed it... look forward to your review for the next season. On a side note... just wanted to say I like how you are doing the reviews lately... doing the Pros and Cons lists. 

[samuelrichardscott]

just wanted to say I like how you are doing the reviews lately... doing the Pros and Cons lists. 

Thanks. I started to feel as though I was repeating myself a bit too much when looking at similar films, so thought I would try a different style.

[Achim]

Just wanted to add that I also quite enjoy the Pro/Con style.