Home Movie Reviews

What can I say about this show, which somehow defined my life for three years...There are few shows which exist which display such passion and sincerity. For me, after the first show I was hooked, and I couldn't miss an episode after that. I think anyone who is looking for an escape for a period of an hour, or more if you watch all the way through, you have found the perfect escape. I know that you will love it.

What?! I had no idea a Roswell DVD was coming out! I'm so happy they decided to release Season 1. The Pilot was the absolute best pilot episode I've ever seen for any TV series.

Now that it's been couple of years, hopefully I'll be able to fully enjoy the season 1 episodes without thinking of the show's severe decline that was seasons 2 and 3 (yep, I kept watching, hoping the quality show/storyline I got hooked on during season 1 would suddenly reappear...it did not.).

Come on February!

roswell was definately one of the best tv programs ever! i only wish that it was avaliable for its australian fans to buy in a format thet we could play here! :(

My background includes both support for hiring the handicapped and personal selling. So I sort of felt that I should watch this one. To my surprise it was very engaging. Sugar coated? Yes! But inspirational none the less. From a salesman's and the sales manager's point of view, however, it drives home the point that no matter who you are or what you are selling there is always an emotional component in selling. Sales people get off on tangents about technical things and price objections. Sales managers want a repeatable performance, like a Ben Hogan golf swing, but strictly as prescribed by the company. But through it all people like to buy from people they like.

The strong point about this story is that it is true. The movie makers may have sugar coated it but Bill Porter must have won friends, in spite of everything, in the toughest of the selling routines, or he could never had made it through 40 years. He could never have made it doing something with a faith that changed him from a dependent cripple to a self-supporting inspiration to others.

Everyone should see this film but especially sales people who should then buy a copy for your sales manager.

This movie had a profound impact on me. No one makes it through life without hardship. But some face more of an uphill battle than most. Bill Porter (played by Macy) was born with cerebral palsy, lost his father early in life, cared for his ailing mother and all the while resisted living off of social services and often refused even a helping hand.

This movie will make you feel guilty for ever being negative, feeling sorry for yourself, or stressing over little things which are never as important as they seem. It will also remind you that physical disability is not a measure of a person's potential to lead a fulfilling life. This is a story of a remarkable man and will leave you inspired!

The creators of this film could have taken the easy route and milked every sappy scene. Focused on the difficulties faced, played on your emotions and slapped on a Hollywood ending, like everyone else. Well, they didn't. They don't allow you to feel sorry for Bill, because they potray him accurately and Bill would not have you feel sorry for him either.

However, the film doesn't patronize you by painting a rosy picture either. Bill faces real difficulties in the physical demands of his job and the realization that he may not have the things (marriage, children) that many of us take for granted.

This movie makes you think, but allows you to draw your own thoughts. It shows the good with the bad. I loved it and it's not my normal genre. Outstanding!! As a side note: Nothing short of a crime that Macy didn't receive more accolades for his performance.

After much hype, I first saw this movie on the cable channel TNT. I was moved to tears. It is a beautiful story about how with determination, anything can be accomplished. Mr. Porter is quite a remarkable man and his story inspired me to live each to its full potential. This is a must see for everyone!

This series has always been my favorite movie series ever. I have seen each of them about 1000 times and i still laugh at all the jokes. I guess its because i can relate to the characters in their music, humor and almost their lifestyles. If you are considering getting this series hesitate no more because i highly recommend this movie. GET IT.

The Wayne's World movies have always been favorites of mine. I grew up watching both of them. Now I'm all grown up and love them even more on DVD because I actually get all of the jokes. The first movie is obviously the better one, but the sequel is just about as good as the original. Its alot of fun with the second movie because they get to play around alot more with their characters. The DVD extras are pretty good. The menu screen is pretty entertaining, as it looks like a tv guide menu. There is a short documentary on each movie. Could have used some deleted scenes though. All in all worth it!

It would have been so good if Mike Myers would have continued with Waynes world as it's as funny as the austin powers series and even betters it in someways i mean what more could you ask for in a film when you see Wayne seeking spiritual guidance in a dream with Jim Morisson and a wierd naked Indian. Waynnes world 1 & 2 are about two airhead metal heads who (on waynes world 2) try to host waynes-stock a concert including loads of bands like Aerosmith etc.. And theres also the bit with Kim Basinger which always makes me laugh when shes trying to seduce Garth and he does'nt have a clue, without doubt two of the funniest films i've ever seen.

At times the sets look like the results of a high-school art class, while the preachy last scene is about as necessary as sugar on steak, yet this film remains arguably Hollywood's most powerful anti-lynching statement. It's a real oddity, an expressionist challenge amidst the confines of the traditional Western. But then time and place are clearly secondary to the movie's main point, its topical message. In 1943 Jim Crow was too strong to attack directly, at the same time the South remained a bastion of box-office movie-goers. So the screen adaptation keeps to the safer setting of 1880's Nevada, even as the the Confederate major and the Negro preacher embody the allegorical social message. What makes the film work, however, are uniformly fine performances from a nucleus of unheralded players: Frank Conroy as the imperious major, William Eythe as the weakling son, Paul Hurst, Leigh Whipper, and in perhaps the best performance of a so-so career, young Dana Andrews as the most sympathetic victim. It's his touching mixture of desperation with stricken disbelief that grips the audience and reveals the depth of the tragedy. There's an emotional honesty here that endures. Stand out too, are the posse scenes leading up to the lynchings. Their raucous byplay and casual cruelty underscore a mentality more concerned with a boy's night out than with the demands of real justice. Then too, who can forget the piercing guffaw of Jane Darwell's bawdy old harridan that mocks the proceedings and demeans the suffering. The cross currents here between lust for blood and plain old lust for power have seldom been more subtly or searchingly drawn. All in all, it's an ugly depiction, one not easily papered over by a remorseful wrap-up. Henry Fonda's role goes little beyond an interested onlooker, and it's to his credit that an established star would accept such a secondary part. If only the studio had trusted audience reaction, ditched the letter gimmick, and allowed the events to speak for themselves, this could have been a classic, instead of the erratically wrought commentary it finally is.

They don't make them like this any more. Powerful, important and a story which will stay with you for years. It really give one a solid incite as to how decision making can be impaired when a mob has made up its mind.

I'm not going to recapitulate the plot, others have done that; suffice it to say I've read and loved the book, and the movie faithfully captures the mood and the morality of the book.

I first saw this film years ago, and I'm glad it is now available on tape and DVD. Buy it, you'll not regret it.

Highly Recommended.

I had read "The Ox-Bow Incident" some time before I had the opportunity to see the movie. I'm not sure what channel I caught it on but I was smart enough to tape it. Unfortunately, I was foolish enough to have a Beta VCR at the time. This is a timeless movie with a superb script that was well-adapted from Walter Van Tilberg Clark's western novel. The acting is terrific with Henry Fonda putting in an outstanding performance along with an excellent cast overall. The movie probably isn't even 90 minutes in length but in the time we have we are witness to an exceptional story. The plot is simple: In the late 1800's, news of the murder of a popular rancher reaches the local western town. In shock and anger, a posse is formed and the chase is on. They find the three men they seek, hold an on-the-spot trial and deliver justice in the frontier form of capital punishment. The bulk of the movie focusses on the "trial" of the three men who protest that they are innocent and unaware of the crime. We see how anger and hatred can close otherwise open minds. We see how people can be intimidated to not speak up against an authoritative majority. It reminds one of the quote of Edmund Burke that the only thing necessary for the success of evil "is that good men do nothing".

This movie is a spellbinding drama that came out in the midst of WWII. One can often enjoy many of the "propaganda" slants of the movies of that era. However, this is a very sobering message that suggests that the evils we were then fighting could become our own if we weren't careful. Perhaps the director chose this movie as a way of making a statement about the Japanese internments of the time. If so, it was an excellent yet subtle message. It is a timeless reminder to all of us.

This film is long overdue! The Tuskegee Airmen were one of the bravest groups of men to ever grace the uniformed services. They fought so much than just the "official" enemy. They fought racism on levels that most of us can never comprehend. Imagine the stress they must have been under at all times. Yet, they still took a stand for their country and changed things for all of us, regardless of race. These men have been so under-appreciated by the country, and especially by our home state, Alabama.

This movie should be incorporated into every Alabama history class in the state and every American hstory class in the country. It is an outstanding movie about an outstanding group of men. Every American should own it!

Note: In spite of what others may feel about the bravery and "kill counts" of the German fliers, the 332nd never lost a bomber that they were assigned to escort and even saved a few that they were not assigned to escort! Talk is cheap when there is documented proof! The Tuskegee Airmen rocked!

I was thrilled to hear about the coming of this movie--then saddened to realize that it was only to be shown as a TV movie. It seemed to me that the saga of these marvelous aviator warriors--treated as they were as second-class citizens by their own government--is one which deserved to be a silver-screen triumph. Our four-engine bombers were being punched out of the sky by the Luftwaffe, but NEVER when the Tuskegee pilots graced their wingtips. Their combat record was nothing short of amazing. The movie was well done, with great story, great actors, great acting. Still, I came away wishing that it might have been better in one respect: During the aerial combat segments, you hear the pilots bantering back and forth loudly over the radios using these rediculous phrases: "Take that, Gerry!" "That's for yo mamma, Gerry!" This was such a great movie; why did they have to dip into corny dialogue during the dog-fighting? It was a flawless procduction till it went hackneyed in those moments.
Aside from that, it was awe-inspiring, moving, even gripping. I just hope the subject is not dropped, and that someday the Tuskegee heroes' story is given even better homage--on the silver screen. This is a far more important story than, say, the sinking of the Titanic.

I'm a white 64 year old Air Force veteran. Watching these heroes of WWII in dedicated, valorous performance, who never lost a bomber to the Nazis, brought tears and pride from me for them. For those still on the ground and for those still "On Patrol", thank you!

I am a first time new mommy of a three week old. Baby was using breast as the only way to sooth herself and was on me all day and night. She wouldn't let anyone put her down AT ALL- she would cry as soon as she wasn't being held. This technique works like magic! She sleeps in bassinet for 3 hrs at a time, goes in swing, sits in bouncy seat and just hangs out and looks around. She is generally calmer, even when changing her, bathing her, etc. We have now lent this video to 2 other new Moms and feel great about it!

Our 6 week old is just as fussy/colicky/high needs as our first one was (everyone said it could never happen again!)- After trying everything again (changing my diet incase it was a nursing issue, the vacuum cleaner, wondering what we were doing wrong again!) I ordered this video. I cried when I saw his technique, because seeing the babies on the video reminded me exactly of my two girls, and I knew it would work for my 6 week old. Luckily I was right! She is happy, content, and we have no guilt or wondering what we are doing wrong as parents! Now we can calm her and satisfy her needs. We are so thrilled- I will ask my pediatrician to recommend this video to parents of similar babies

Dr. Karp applied common sense to the "problem" of crying babies that most new parents face, by borrowing from traditions being used around the world to calm babies down as if you had "flipped a switch." He acknowledges the existence of a 'fourth trimester', i.e. the first three months of the baby's life and the need to use techniques to make the baby feel as in the mother's womb to calm him/her down, appealing to their calm reflex.

These techniques are summarized as the five S's: Swaddling (very tight, to resemble the tight environment of the uterus), Side or Stomach position (otherwise known as the football hold), Shushing (as loud as the baby cries), Swinging (making the head jiggle slightly, to replicate the mom's movements with the baby in her tummy) and Sucking (with your finger, or a pacifier in place).

As intuitive or odd these techniques may sound to you, you need to view this video: it will probably make the difference for you as it has for so many parents. As I write this, we're in our last couple of weeks of pregnancy, and we're ready to apply them to our upcoming baby boy. For more information, visit his web site, www.thehappiestbaby.com.

I held off on watching King of the Hill for many years because I thought it was a "serious" cartoon. I thought I preferred watching The Simpsons and Family Guy. But I saw my first King of the Hill episode this year and was blown away by how well written it was and the subtelty of the humor. The episode is the one where Hank's Laotian neighbor's mother comes to live with him and starts dating one of Hank's friends.

I was so intrigued by that episode that I went out and bought the 1st season DVD pack (yes, I'm impulsive like that). The episodes were awesome. I enjoyed everyone one of them. I had also purchased the 3rd season of The Simpsons, and the 2nd Volume (3rd Season) of The Family Guy at the same time. I watched through all of the King of the Hill discs first.

I have a feeling that King of the Hill will have longer legs than Family Guy. Family Guy is outrageously funny when you first watch it, but then you start to anticipate the bits. King of the Hill develops slowly and gives you a full 30 minutes of focused story, which is nice.

I plan on selling my Simpsons DVDS (except for 1st season) and I probably will wind up selling the Family Guy DVDs as well. I'm keeping King of the Hill and getting ready to buy the 2nd season right after I make this post.

In 1997, cartoonist Mike Judge, best known for his controversial Beavis and Butt-Head series, created a new series for Fox - King Of The Hill. The show tells the story of Hank Hill, who sells propane and propane accessories (and is unusually proud of it,) his wife Peggy, a substitute Spanish teacher who is very weird and has a high opinion of herself, and Bobby, their even more bizzare son who has hopes of becoming a prop comic. To quote Hank, "that boy ain't right." The family's neighbors only add to the comedy value. There's Bill, the Army barber who never got over his wife leaving him. There's Dale, the conspiracy nut. And of course, there's Boomhauer, the fast-talking ladies man (If you've seen Family Guy, you'll notice he and Quagmire are similar in many ways.) The series became an enormous success overnight. It was so successful, that Judge ended work on Beavis and Butt-Head to work on this series, and this series alone. To this day the series remains extremely popular and shows no signs of letting down. The first season was where it all began. The animation was crude and the voices weren't dead on, but it was still a damn funny show. Read on for episode summaries.

Pilot - A group of people are lead to believing that Hank is an abusive father and husband. They try to take Bobby away to live with another family.

Square Peg - When Peggy is recruited to teach sex ed, Hank insists Bobby not go. First appearance of Stewart Dooley (the red-haired kid with the deep voice) and the Strickland Propane building.

The Order of the Straight Arrow - On a camping trip, the crew accidentally kills a whooping crane (an animal nearing extinction.)

Hank's Got the Willies - When Hank catches Bobby playing his prized guitar with a piece of cheese (mimicking a comedy act he saw on TV,) Hank realizes he needs to get his son golfing to take his mind off comedy.

Luanne's Saga - Buckley, Luanne's boyfriend, dumps her. Hank and the guys try to set her up with an all-American type guy, but she falls for Boomhauer instead. This episode features the first, and certainly not the last appearance of Chuck Mangione. Also featues the first appearance of Luly's Cafeteria, and the first look inside Boomhauer's house.

Hank's Unmentionable Problem - Hank becomes constipated, and is forced to try various methods of curing it. First episode in which Peggy is seen playing Boggle.

Westie Side Story - A family of Laotians moves into the neighborhood. Through an odd twist of events, the neighborhood thinks the new neighbors have butchered and eaten Ladybird, the Hill family dog. First appearance of Kahn, Minh, Kahn Jr. (AKA Connie), and Doggie.

Shins of the Father - Hank's father, a World War II veteran with no shins, visits the Hill household. Bobby begins to mimic his downright rude behavior on a regular basis. First appearance of Didi, and the first non-flashback appearance of Cotton Hill.

Peggy the Boggle Champ - Peggy takes Hank to Dallas for a Boggle championship. Once there, Hank ditches her and goes with the guys to a lawnmower convention.

Keeping Up With Our Joneses - Hank catches Bobby smoking a cigarette, and forces him to smoke a whole carton. Before long, the entire Hill family is addicted to nicotine. My favorite episode of the first season.

Plastic White Female - Bobby is invited to a boy and girl party, and to prepare for the possible kissing, he practices on Luanne's plastic hairstyling practice head.

Hank The Company Man - Hank must go to extremes to please a potential propane customer. First appearance of Buck Strickland, though he is drawn in a much more crude fashion than in later seasons. Also the first appearance of M.F. Thatherton.

King of the Ant Hill - When Hank tells Dale his services as an exterminator are no longer needed, Dale uses fireants to destroy Hank's new lawn.

You may have noticed deviations from the original air dates toward the end of this set. My guess is that these episodes were organized in WRITING order, not AIR order. You'll be pleased to know that these aren't the syndication edits, nor are the episodes edited in any way (like with the Simpsons and Family Guy DVD episodes, both of which featured some editing.)

The way this package is set up is VERY similar to the Family Guy DVD set, and that's a good thing. There is no shortage of bonus material, either. You get deleted/extended/animatics scenes, a "making of" featurette, a character profile gallery featuring early sketches of the characters, commercials for the series, a music video that features characters from the series, and even the official "do's and don't's of animation guide" that the animators use! And, of course, each disc has an introduction by one of the characters. Amazon says there is an extra called "Easter Egg: Mowing Lesson With Charlie." This is either a misprint, or a hidden extra. This is, by far, the BEST DVD SET that FOX has released for one of its animated series to date. It was almost worth the wait (NOTHING is worth the insanely long waits between sets that FOX forces us to sit through).

These are excellent episodes of an excellent series. Unlike The Simpsons, King Of The Hill had the luxury of always being funny. Even if you're just a casual fan of the series, I strongly recommend this set. Unfortunately, the people at FOX are extremely slow releasing DVDs, meaning Season Two won't arrive for a few months. Until then, kill the time with this, or pick up the already released Futurama or Family Guy sets.

I'll admit, I was bored with most the shows that were on TV. Then one day, I watched KOTH, and I haven't stopped watching since. I hope they release the second season soon.

I Love "Thunderbirds," "Supercar," "Stingray,"and "Fireball XL 5." Those series are loaded with great sets, special effects, and even some humor. "Supercar," the most primitive of the above (It was made in 1958-59) is a delight because it is an early children's show (of my youth) beautifully transferred to DVD. Captain Scarlet is technically amazing. The marionettes have been perfected to look more human. The vehicles, crafts, and special effects are slick and convincing. My problem with this series is that it is so, so serious. The earlier series could be enjoyed by anyone, not just sci-fi nuts. 'Captain Scarlet" has all of the ponderous heaviness of the worst of sci-fi movies. The earlier series were human and you coudl tell that the humans behind them were having fun. "Captain Scarlet" never lightens up. Watching it, I feel as if the series was hijacked by technically skilled robots instead of humans. Gerry Anderson was divorcing his wife and partner, Sylvia, at this period. She was th eone responsible for the character stylizations. This may explain why "Captain Scarlet" is a cold affair.

The year is 2068. On an exploration of the Martian landscape, SPECTRUM agent Captain Black mistakenly fires on and decimates a Martian city. The residents of the city are the Mysterons. An invisible race that now declares war on the inhabitants of Earth. After they destroy Captain Black and his team, the Mysterons use their powers to re-create Captain Black and set out to lay waste to mankind. The Mysterons are able to recreate anyone and everything they destroy. Their first target is the President of the World Government. Captains Scarlet and Brown, agents of the Global protection agency SPECTRUM are en route to provide protection for the President, but before they arrive, they are killed by the Mysterons. Their perfect replacements pick up where they left off and escort the President to the World Government HQ. Once there Captain Brown attempts to kill the President but to no avail. Captain Scarlet also tries but is shot by Captain Blue and plummets 800 feet to what is sure to be his death. Amazingly, Captain Scarlet recovers from his injuries and becomes Spectrum's most valuable agent in the fight against the Mysterons!

September of 1967 saw the introduction of Gerry Anderson's most adult oriented and easily most ambitious series to date. Unlike Stingray and The Thunderbirds Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons introduced graphic violent content including the deaths of several characters in each episode. Anderson has been a staple of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for almost 40 years. In that time he has produced twenty series, five of which made it to American Television (XL5 in 1963, Thunderbirds in 1994 and Space 1999, UFO and Captain Scarlet in the 1970's). One of the hallmarks of Anderson's series was the use of something called "Supermarionation". Essentially, the coolest puppets in the world coupled with the coolest miniature sets, made children's imaginations run wild, not too mention bringing their wildest dreams to life. In the Stingray, and the Thunderbirds series, the heads of the marionettes were clearly out of proportion to their bodies, which while not distracting did give a more fanciful look to the production. In Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons the process of Supermarionation was perfected in that the heads of the puppets could now be made proportionally correct as the solenoid chips (computer controlling elements that controlled the synchronization of the mouths of the puppets with the dialogue) that were once housed in the heads of the puppets were now small enough to fit in the chest cavity of each marionette. Given the current improvements the puppets were now 1/3rd human scale. Newer problems however, arose, as these new "stringless" puppets controlled from the bottom of the stage as opposed to the ceiling could not be made to walk convincingly. The problem was fixed by the incorporation of moving sidewalks, differing camera angles and the addition of sounds of movement. I.E. shoes "clicking" on pavement. Supermarionation was a resounding success and Captain Scarlet went on to become one of Anderson's highest rated entries. A&E has again put together a fabulous multi-disc (four) entry. Available in the U.K. for some time, on PAL encoded VHS and recently DVD, Captain Scarlet has finally made it to America and in the best shape since its original run.

The original soundtrack for Captain Scarlet is included as well as a beefed up DD5.1 platform. The 5.1 presentation is on par with that of the platform for the Thunderbirds. The surrounds are used for both atmospheric and directional movement and the sub tends to be very active. The dialog is all very clear and easily understood. There are two commentary tracks provided by series creator Gerry Anderson. The first is on the pilot episode "The Mysterons" and the second is on the 30th episode entitled "Attack on Cloudbase". The commentaries sound scripted and tend to fall on the dry side. They're informative but not very interesting.

The video is presented in its original 1:33.1 full frame. The colors are all rich and vibrant. Black levels are good and saturation levels are good. There are a few moments of artifacting throughout the series but they don't at all detract from the visual presentation.

The extras included on the discs are photo galleries, character bios, vehicle guides and SPECTRUM ID cards for all of the Spectrum agents including Captain Black and DVD-ROM interactive vehicle diagrams. 32 episodes in all, Captain Scarlet has been never before been made available on this side of the pond. The "truest treat", if you will, is this domestic release of the entire series.

As a kid this was always my favorite TV show. Now that they have finally landed in Region 1 in a most handsome 4-DVD set, I am ecstatic! While there is word that Captain Scarlet is being brought into the 21st century via a new CGI series, it will be hard pressed to equal the sheer joy and delight these programs have offered. The storylines are cohesive and the presentation makes for wonderful viewing!

This review is in recognition of Gerry & Sylvia Andersons amazing talent/devotion of bring puppets to life (1967)!!! Their vision and magical ability to breathe life into fiber glass is still a monumental pain staking task to say the least. Even today this scifi series "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" stands the test of time for entertainment, special effects and delightful color.

Summary - Captain Scarlet for 32 amazing episodes battles the invisible "Mysterons" a Martian race who was mistakenly attacked by Spector (Scarlets military organization). The Mysterons have the ability to assume any human body and animate objects. This cat & mouse game keeps us on our toes. The storylines, meticulous minature model sets, the special effects (explosions/destruction galore), and the puppet realism (their mouths, eyes and bodies move very realistically - remember this is 1967 and everything is hand built - no CGI).

Bonus Features: Gerry Anderson Commentary on premiere episode 1 (very informative - many of the shows 1967 inovations stood the test of time ie, the helmet micro microphones), Introduction to Captain Scarlet, Photo Gallery and DVD Production Credits.

Again, Thank You & Congratulations to the Andersons for an introducing us to the world of advanced pupperty & outstanding entertaining show/series. Now digitally remastered picture & sound gives a very presentation. This Full Screen vivid COLOR 4 DVD Box Set gives us 32 episodes in detailed color & crystal clear sound. This is fun stuff to watch! Enjoy.

Great to have these on DVD after all this time. Not the traditional comedic-fare available from Britain, but instead a somewhat bittersweet and somewhat jaundiced account by a barrister in the course of his life & daily work.

(Unlike the US, in the UK it isn't possible to have your solicitor or lawyer represent you in court. Instead, you need to retain a barrister, which is what Rumpole does for a living).

Interesting courtroom procedures are on view, most notably the fact that (a) the prosecution & defense counsel stay-put in one place and aren't allowed the theatrics of playing to the jury and (b) the prosecution isn't the district attorney, but instead a possible company colleague of the defense).

Certainly not for everyone, primarily because of the lack of real obvious humor (in this respect these episodes aren't exactly like Mortimer's "Rumpole" books) and because each episode's lesson in Rumpole's work-life is somehow directly mirrored by events taking place in his personal life.

Very enjoyable drama.

It's been ages since these early Rumpoles were on PBS, and it's a delight to see them again. McKern and friends are brilliant, Mortimer's scripts sharp and funny, and the transfers to DVD first-rate. I'm eagerly awaiting the next batch.

Without doubt, real people have written "Horace Rumpole" pleading with him to take their case. The late Leo McKern's portrayal of Rumpole is that vivid and that satisfying.

The BBC series (13 episodes offered here) closely based on the beloved stories by John Mortimer, revolves around the personal and professional life of the brusque, cynical, yet affectionate barrister. He's one of those rare individuals who has so found his proper element that it's impossible to imagine that he could have become anything else. There's a symbiosis between Rumpole being so comfortable in his own skin and McKern's absorption into the role that's fascinating.

McKern's Rumpole is surrounded by an array of eccentric, lovable (and not so lovable) characters who are all the more real because they are never hackneyed or one dimentional. Rumpole's villians and heroes, his compeers and his co-workers are all admixtures of flattering and unflattering characteristics. That's what makes the portrayals so attractive and memorable. The same is true of Rumpole. The 'Old Bailey Hack' wins spectacularly at times, and truly is a genuis of sorts, a fact only grudgingly recognized by those around him since he oft' times loses his cases, and is not without human foibles. Indeed, his greatest victories seem to have been in years long past. Rumpole is constantly reminding his detractors that he won the famous "Penge Bungalow" murder case "alone and without a leader".

Although the series is ostensibly in the crime/mystery genre, it deftly and humorously touches on many subjects; unrequited love, class prejudice, the regrets of old age, the nature of friendship and of marital happiness, just to mention a few. The mystery element stands on its own to be sure, but you remember the characters and the relationships long after you've forgotten the plot lines. Mentioning just a few, there's the distinguished Head of Chambers Guthrie Fetherston, at times pompous, even unctuous, whom Rumpole regards with disguised affection; George Frobisher, Rumpole's dear old friend who's such a poor barrister that "he can't even ask for court costs without writing it down in advance". Then there's "She who must be obeyed", Rumpole's overbearing and long suffering wife, not, as it turns out, his first choice as a mate. Rumpole loves them as much for their short-commings as for their better qualities.

If you enjoy television without large doses of violence or crudity, and maybe read a poem every now and then (Rumpole is often described as 'poetry spouting') this series is definately for you. It's wise, but never heavy-laden or preachy; quite humorous but not mean-spirited. I highly recommend it!

There are many episodes I like, but a few get on the seccular humanist soapbox and preach Euthanasia and Sexual Promiscuity. beware of letting Children watch the epuisodes "Rejoined" (Which presents aberrant promiscuopus behavior as if it were normal) and "Sons of Mogh" ( A cleverly disguised-and poorly argued assisted Suicide message.

It's all about ratings. And Paramount wanted them higher. So what do you do? Why, you bring one of the most popular characters ever in the Trek canon to help boost those sagging ratings. Will it work, or will it fail?

That was up to the fans...

While season three ended with idea that the Changelings were already in the Alpha Quadrant and possibly on Earth, it would nearly half way through the fourth year before these story threads would be picked up again.

It appeared, as the third season was coming to a close, Paramount was already thinking toward the fourth year and was in active -if secret - negotiations with Michael Dorn to bring one of the most popular characters on The Next Generation to Deep Space Nine. Once it was decided, the plot lines from "The Adversary" would be pushed aside and a new direction would have to take center stage.

With Worf now coming to DS9, the writers had to figure out how too not only get him on the station, but also keep him there. The writers hatched onto the idea that Klingons, long now the friends of the Federation, were growing restless due to pending invasion of the Dominion and Federations lack of action. Discourse was brewing and as Ben quoted his old friend Curzon Dax, the best people to deal with the Klingons, was a Klingon.

The two-hour opener, "The Way of the Warrior", reintroduced the Klingons as bad guys and series was off in a new direction. And that was a good thing.

Over all, the fourth season would see the series really grow stronger, building on what was delivered during the previous season. There was "Hippocratic Oath", the brilliant acted and directed episode "The Visitor", "Indiscretion", the controversial, same-sex kissing of "Rejoined", the cat mouse and mouse game of "Starship Down", the comedic "Little Green Men", the James Bond take off "Our Man Bashir", the paranoia two-parter "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost", the silly "Bar Association", the next chapter in the Mirror Universe saga, "Shattered Mirror" and another brilliant, if quiet season finale, "Broken Link".

Yes, there were a few stinkers, but overall, it was a strong season that would lead into an ever-stronger fifth, sixth and seventh year.

And once again, we are left with disturbing news. As Odo was being judged by his people for the actions in last season's "The Adversary", he believes that one of his own people -a Changeling -may be in command of the entire Klingon Empire; an Empire on the brink of war with the Federation...

The fourth season of DS9 sees Worf returning to the Star Trek family. Overall this season is great, with only one mediocre episode (The Muse).

My favourite episode are (in no particular order):
- THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR (great double-length episode with plenty of action)
- THE VISITOR (the best episode of this season, if not the whole series, great acting from Tony Todd, Avery Brooks and Cirroc Lofton)
- INDISCRETION (any episode with Kira and Dukat is good)
- LITTLE GREEN MEN (the head-banging scene is hilarious)
- OUR MAN BASHIR (A brilliant, deliberately over-the-top episode with a great musical score. Watch out for Garak's comments!)
- CROSSFIRE (the second best episode of this season. René Auberjonois is brilliant in portraying a man torn between his duty and his feelings)
- RETURN TO GRACE (another great Kira/Dukat episode)
- SONS OF MOGH (a terrific episode with Tony Todd, this time as Worf's brother Kurn)
- RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (A courtroom drama. I love the way this was filmed, with the characters speaking directly into the camera)
- HARD TIME (extraordinary acting by Colm Meaney)
- SHATTERED MIRROR (another visit to the mirror-universe. The scenes with Garak and Worf are very funny)
- TO THE DEATH (introduces Weyoun, played by the great Jeffrey Combs)
- THE QUICKENING (Bashir is taken down a peg or two)
- BROKEN LINK (the ending makes you beg for more, more, more)

The special features are good, especially MICHAEL WESTMORE'S ALIENS. watch WORF''S CREW DOSSIER carefully and you will notice that Michael Dorn does not have the same build as Worf (in a behind the scenes clip you see him wearing padding on his chest, arms and back!).

If you are a DS9 fan you will already have bought this season. If you are not, buy it now and you will be amazed.