Friday, May 25 2012
The ‘BBC High Definition Natural History Collection’: A Cornucopia of Wonders
This is the definitive portrait of the natural world we live in, but rarely see.
Wednesday, May 23 2012
Margaret Mitchell: American Rebel
Gone With The Wind is one of the most popular books ever published. More than 75 years after its publication, neither it nor its author are above controversy.
Tuesday, May 22 2012
Brainy is the New Sexy: ‘Sherlock Season Two’
Irene Adler aptly deduces that “Brainy is the new sexy.” Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes and the second season of Sherlock are just that--as well as increasingly popular around the world.
Thursday, May 3 2012
What if the Gods of the Ancients were Actually Space Aliens? ‘Doctor Who: The Face of Evil’
The Doctor knows Xoanon isn't a god, but he's still in awe of the power of creation. That middle ground seems a likely place for someone who knows the ins and outs of time and space.
Wednesday, May 2 2012
Eeny Meeny Miney Moe… ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’
Like it or not, the 1979 BBC version of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy with Alec Guinness will forever be compared to the 2011 feature film with Gary Oldman. But which one is better?
Tuesday, May 1 2012
The Joys of Our Cheese Loving Hero & His Canine Sidekick: ‘Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention’
Wallace & Gromit's six-part World of Invention series makes interesting science subjects accessible to adults and kids.
Wednesday, April 25 2012
It’s a Triple Threat with ‘Doctor Who: The Three Doctors’
There’s a degree of novelty to the idea, but a key part of the show’s longevity is the Doctor’s regeneration every few years.
Friday, April 20 2012
Stratified Society Depicted Brilliantly ‘Upstairs, Downstairs Complete Series: 40th Anniversary Ed.’
The 40th anniversary DVD presentation of this highly influential drama series is an outstanding package both for viewers new to the series and for established fans that don’t already own previous DVD releases.
Thursday, April 19 2012
What Makes the Struggle So Worthwhile: ‘Treme: The Complete Second Season’
The second season of Treme continues to deliver as a series committed to telling real stories in a place where real tragedy has occurred, and the aftermath remains evident to this day.
Wednesday, April 18 2012
‘I, Claudius: 35th Anniversary Edition’ Is a Top-Drawer Re-Release of a Classic
If there were ever a need to argue that excellent dialogue and on-target acting can trump big-budget spectacle, this series could function as Exhibit A.
‘Neverland’ Is a Deft Blending of Sorcery, Spectacle, and Emotional Struggles
Peter shares the unconscious longing of all children to discover uncomfortable truths, yet simultaneously retains a carefree manner.
Monday, April 16 2012
‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’: Wherein Life without Death Becomes Unbearable
The Torchwood crew is back with a bigger budget and even more star-power -- it's just a shame that budget's not applied towards a story that's worthwhile.
Thursday, April 12 2012
‘Masterpiece Classic: Great Expectations’ Feels Both Dickensian and Modern
This adaptation takes some liberties with the original story, but it does an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere and overall feeling of the book.
That Great Intriguing Mulatto: ‘Brazil: An Inconvenient History’
Yes, Brazil has lovely beaches, an incomparably rich musical heritage, and an attractive populace. It also has a particularly shameful past as the foundation of the most extensive forced migration in human history.
Wednesday, April 4 2012
Roll Away the Stone, If You Dare: ‘Doctor Who: Tomb of the Cybermen’
It’s great stories like this which lend credence to the old saw about British children watching Doctor Who from behind the couch.
Thursday, March 29 2012
‘Nurse Jackie: Season Three’ is More of the Same—But That’s a Good Thing
Although Nurse Jackie’s third season isn’t quite as strong as it has been in the past and would benefit from a deeper analysis of Jackie’s personality, its many good performances and its clever blend of comedy and drama make it worth watching.
Thursday, March 22 2012
Sadness Like Shrapnel: ‘The Killing: Season One’
With all the televised murder being screened night after night, it’s the rare mystery that returns episode after episode to the human element, and death’s emotional fallout.
Monday, March 19 2012
There’s No Need to Fear: ‘Underdog: The Complete Series’
The complete adventures of the canine hero and his sidekicks are spread out in this superb nine disc DVD set.
Thursday, March 15 2012
The End of the World as We Know It: ‘The Tribe: Series One Part One’
Gawdalmighty, who would have thought the end of the world would be so bloody tedious?
Thursday, March 8 2012
‘The Sunset Limited’: How a Great Debate Can Make a Lousy Movie
Cormac McCarthy's writing shines, but its his conception that holds back The Sunset Limited.
