11.2.07

Arrested Development.

From left to right:  GOB, George Sr., Lindsay, Tobias, Michael, Lucille, George Michael, Maeby, and BusterImage via Wikipedia
Jason Bateman (Teen Wolf Too!) portrays Michael Bluth, who has just taken over his family’s business after his father got arrested, and the only thing that stands in his way is his family.

Arrested Development is a documentary style comedy narrated by the show's co-creator Ron Howard, which looks at the life of a dysfunctional family, the Bluths.

The show takes comedy to a new level as we see the Bluth family struggle to come to terms with one another, society and life. Take Michael’s younger brother for instance, George Michael (Will Arnett). He is a failed magician and tries hard to undermine Michael at every opportunity he gets. Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter), Michael’s mother is extremely conniving and uses every opportunity to try and get Michael on her side.

Michael’s twin sister, Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) only cares about shopping, which he hates. The performance that steals the show every time belongs to Michael’s brother-in-law, Tobias Funke (David Cross). An out of job psychologist, Funke (along with everyone else) slowly begins to question his own sanity which ends up creating some of the show’s most memorable moments.

The first season of Arrested Development is loaded with special features which include bloopers, behind-the-scenes and cast commentaries on episodes. Packed with special features, this box set is not to be missed as you will find yourself quite amused with the antics of the Bluth family.
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4.2.07

Based on the play by the same name by American playwright Tony Kushner (Pulitzer winning author), this HBO mini series is directed by famed director Mike Nichols (Closer and The Graduate).

The mini series is broken into two parts, as per the play, Millennium Approaches and Perestroika. Winning the Golden Globe and Emmy for best mini series in 2003, Angels in America is about inner turmoil where characters struggle with their beliefs, the norms and their self-identities. This conflict is examined through dark humour and tragedy.

The play is set against the Reagan-era of the ‘80s, and has currents of philosophy and politics. Accompanying these are some amazing dialogues by Kushner, raw, philosophical and compelling and delivered by a spectacular cast comprising Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, James Cromwell and Mary-Louise Parker to name a few.

Each actor has multiple roles which add certain dynamisms to the play. Pacino and Streep both won Golden Globes and Emmys for their prospective roles. Play adaptations hardly rely on their set locations but with Angels in America, the locations play a significant role, ranging from the San Francisco valley and Central Park, New York to Antartica.

Angels in America is a close examination of an era when perceptions were changing amid dark times looming on the horizon. The DVDs contains behind-the-scenes features and interviews with the cast, writer and director. Nothing spectacular, but you'll hardly miss special features with such an amazing main feature
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28.1.07

Spoooon! A review of The Tick Series.

Larger than "larger than life," and bluer than any blue, the Tick (Patrick Warburton) is one superhero that you can't miss — even if you tried to.

Originally an animated show, The Tick is a parody of the superhero genre. Though he is immensely strong and invulnerable, he lacks the intellect to go with it. In fact, one would think he doesn't have any intellect at all.

He is joined on his unintentional adventures by his sidekick Arthur (David Burke). A simple accountant by profession, Arthur's dream has always been to become a superhero, and when the Tick comes along, he gets that chance.

Arthur doesn't have a superhero name, but his powers are based on a moth, and he often gets mistaken for a bunny. His character is the antithesis of all sidekicks: he is nervous, jittery and anxious. Then there are other superheroes and supervillains ranging from the ridiculous to the insane (case in point, the villain called "The Mad Bomber Who Bombs At Midnight").

Overall, the show is a poor adaptation from the animated series, purely because this show is live action and it loses some of the animated appeal with that transition. There are moments however that make up for it being live action, as the writing is more witty and clever. Such as the incident when Arthur comes to terms by telling his family that he is a superhero with disastrous results.

There are no special features in the boxset, as this show was cancelled due to poor ratings. A shame really, as it will be enjoyed by fans of good comical writing.
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