Then there are the bad guys. With longtime nemeses the Goa'uld having essentially been eliminated, we now have the Ori, whose agenda of domination through religion provides the season's principal story arc. They're certainly a timely addition. With their "Book of Origin," rejection of free will, and goal of subduing all heretics and "unbelievers," the Ori resemble extreme fundamentalists of various stripes; on the other hand, when the U.S. military talks about crusades and "ridding the galaxy of evildoers," parallels to the Bush administration's war on terror are obvious and unavoidable. Problem is, while we know that the Ori are relentless, devious, and bloated with the pride that always attaches itself to false gods, we can't actually see them. They have semi-human apostles, called Priors, who spread "enlightenment" and bad mojo (not to mention plagues of carnivorous bugs) all over the universe. They have mighty ships that that leave the good guys in dire straits in the climactic battle that ends the season (typically, little is resolved, leaving viewers to salivate for Season 10). But the Ori themselves are kin to the all-knowing Ancients, who exist not in recognizable physical form but as energy; unlike previous villains, from the Goa'uld to the Replicators to <I>Stargate Atlantis</I>' Wraith, when it comes to the Ori, there's no there there. Meanwhile, the writers' replacement of the ancient Egyptian iconography used in earlier seasons with various aspects of Arthurian legend (Merlin, Knights of the Round Table, sword in the stone) is sometimes cool, sometimes merely hokey.
As always, <I>Stargate SG-1</I>'s production values and effects remain first-rate, even as the stories become more character-driven and less dependent on spectacular action sequences. The DVD transfers are excellent. Special features are similar to previous box sets: audio commentary on all episodes, featurettes focusing on sets, props, and special effects, and five "directors series" entries devoted to particular episodes. <I>--Sam Graham</I>
Running Time 182 Min
Format: DVD MOVIE
Amazon.com
Created at least in part due to popular demand, <I>Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars</I> will provide some closure to fans who were dismayed by the demise of the popular science fiction television show in 2003 and campaigned mightily to bring it back. Indeed, this miniseries (originally broadcast over two nights on the Sci-Fi Channel) will likely appeal primarily to the <I>Farscape</I> faithful, as the somewhat convoluted storyline may prove baffling to the uninitiated.
A brief bit of backstory explains how John Crichton, an astronaut from Earth, went through a wormhole and ended up on Moya, a living spaceship, with a motley group of aliens, including D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe), Chiana (Gigi Edgley), various puppet characters (designed by the Jim Henson Company), and Aeryn (Claudia Black), Crichton's love interest, who's expecting their first child. As <I>The Peacekeeper Wars</I> begins, our heroes find themselves in the middle of a war-to-end-all-wars between the lizard-like, implacably evil Scarrans and their rivals, the Peacekeepers. Crichton is the lynchpin in all of this, as his knowledge of "wormhole technology" is coveted by all, including his old nemesis Scorpius (Wayne Pygram), who captured and tortured Crichton back in season 1 and with whom Crichton must now form an uneasy alliance against the Scarrans.
Over the course of the three-hour miniseries, we get lots of weird- and cool-looking aliens, some nice sets and special effects, plenty of battles, and lots of portentous talk about the fate of the universe--nothing especially original, but all presented with outstanding production values. There's drama and action, love and betrayal, tragedy and triumph, war and, ultimately, peace, with a suitably spectacular ending (and a nod to Stanley Kubrick's <I>2001: A Space Odyssey</I>). With a 30-minute "making of" documentary among the DVD special features, <I>The Peacekeeper Wars</I> is a fitting way to end the <I>Farscape</I> saga. <I>--Sam Graham</I>
Customer Reviews:
"Ending" to Farscape? .......2007-06-25
I have heard, maybe just rumor, that since this "movie" did so well, that there would be an extension, of some form, of this series. One can only hope. This is another example of the Sci-Fi Channels mis-handling of a great series; and it was to be replaced by, "The Dream Team?" How pathetic was that?
Yes, if you've never seen the series, you are not going to be able to follow this show, what do you expect? It was supposed to be a "final" episode, and what a great series it was.
All in all, I really miss this show. Good thing I have them all on DVD. Long live the 'Scapers'!!!!
Confusing.......2007-06-11
If you are a fan of the Farscape TV series, you may well like this movie. I have never seen the series and found The Peacekeeper Wars to be confusing because it assumes you know the history of the characters and story line.
Although I have found other Jim Henson productions engaging - I especially liked Labyrinth -- I found this one to be seriously lacking in depth of character. They were walking paper dolls. Only 'Pilot' showed any real personality.
There was a plot twist at the end that I found interesting - even ironic - but it wasn't enough to redeem the movie. I'll be putting this one back up for sale: not a keeper.
perfect blend of comedy drama scifi and sexy.......2007-05-30
The wonderfully whimsical realm of Farscape culminates terrifically in this series mini-movie. Gorgeous yet goofy Ben Browder and the entire cast make it must-see viewing for any scifi fans.
Farscape Peacekeeper Wars.......2007-03-20
I'm glad they made this movie because where the show was ended and not continued was not a proper ending. Other shows have suffered a bad ending because of being cut-off (Enterprise) but because this movie wraps up a plot line the show was heading toward there is a sense of completion. Its a shame they killed a good character (seems to be a common feature in endings). But because they had so much material due to unfinished business the movie doesn't have as enjoyable a pace as the series often did.
Peacekeeper Wars Rock.......2007-03-09
It's a shame that the Farscape series was canceled, but the producers were able to take the last season of the series (which was already made) and condense it to a movie in order to give fans closure to previously unanswered questions, while still leaving a door open for future series/movies.
Average customer rating:
- not quite as good as the original film
- YOUNG AND FOOLISH
- watchable
- Stick with the Original
- Intense , suspenseful & a surprise ending..Very good movie
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A Kiss Before Dying
Starring: James Bonfanti , Sarah Keller , Sean Young , Martha Gehman , and Lia Chang
Director: James Dearden
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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- Men
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ASIN: B0003JANWS
Release Date: 2004-12-28 |
Description
Matt Dillon, Sean Young and Max Von Sydow star in this chilling romantic thriller from writer-director James Dearden (Fatal Attraction). Troubled by the death of her twin sister, Ellen Carlson (Young) unwittingly falls in love with an ambitious young man, Jonathan Corliss (Dillon). As she investigates Dorothy's death, a chance encounter reveals how little Ellen really knows about her husband, and what she doesn't know may kill her in this heart-stopping suspense thriller based on Ira Levin's best-selling novel.
Customer Reviews:
not quite as good as the original film.......2007-05-12
This movie is a remake of an earlier one. The origi nal was far better...
better script, acting, and atmosphere.
YOUNG AND FOOLISH.......2005-03-26
Sean Young is the main reason this adaptation of the classic novel and 1956 film doesn't come up to snuff. She's a lovely lady, but her performance in this one is so uninspired and apathetic, one cannot feel for her or cheer her on in her quest to find out who murdered her twin sister. The audience knows early on that Matt Dillon is the nasty culprit, a true sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. A contrived and convoluted script doesn't help either. For instance, after Young finds out who her husband really is, what makes her sure that he killed her sister? And how does Dillon know that Young is at his mother's house? The supporting cast gamely tries, even Diane Ladd as Dillon's mother, and James Russo as a cop turned security guard. But it's all laid out so methodically lame, it just doesn't work out. By the time Dillon gets his just desert, who really cares?
watchable .......2005-03-15
but just that. As a thriller, it has a long way to go, largely because of a bad script and medicore acting. Sean Young is so average it's sad. You can't tell if her character is grieving, scheming, uncaring or just plain stupid in many parts. Matt Dillon tried hard, but he also couldn't rise about his level of mediocrity. Still, as noted earlier, it's watchable as opposed to a complete piece of trash.
Stick with the Original.......2005-03-14
Yet another example of Hollywood's inability to come up with original material. Ira Levin's novel (even Ayn Rand liked it!) had been effectively adapted for the screen in 1956 but heaven forbid that the urge to fix things unbroken should remain unfulfilled! "Fixing," in this case, includes gimmicks. Instead of two mere sisters we have...ta DA!...IDENTICAL TWINS! And not merely content to have a psycho male character, why not have the normal female character played by a real-life SUSPECTED psycho?! Sean Young has given me the creeps since No Way Out, and it seems my hunch was justified; I later read assertions of some pretty bizarre behavior (it has been my experience that where smoke is evident, fire must be nearby). In addition, we have the antagonist staging his own death to throw his mama off the track, a cigarette lighter, ...you get the idea.
Unlike the (much more tasteful) original, this film is sometimes explicitly sexual, so if viewing AKBD is, for some reason, essential to your well-being and titillation is a priority, go for this one by all means, especially if fidelity to the source material isn't important (be aware, though, that it's much less suspenseful than the original). The print looks and sounds good and is widescreen, so things could be worse (I guess).
Speaking of weirdness, just to give you an idea of what we're dealing with here, either Young has managed to channel Virginia Leith (the original's female lead) or is bending over backwards to sound just like her. Imitation is most often NOT the sincerest form of flattery; not only is lifting someone else's style cheap and indicative of a lack of talent and/or incentive, it's just REALLY creepy.
Rental material, for sure.
Intense , suspenseful & a surprise ending..Very good movie.......2002-02-22
What else could one want??? It's worth having in your collection, it's unfortunate it's not on DVD... also buy the book.
Average customer rating:
- This should have been a two part mini series or something.
- This Should Be Called The Farrah Fawcett Story
- As Accurate As They Come
- Charlies Angels on Tv
- Highly Entertaining
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Behind the Camera - Charlie's Angels
Starring: Ben Browder , Dan Castellaneta , Wallace Langham , Dan Lauria , and Lauren Stamile
Director: Francine McDougall
Manufacturer: Xenon
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- Charlie's Angels - The Complete Third Season [Region 99]
- Charlie's Angels - The Complete Second Season [Region 99]
- Charlie's Angels - The Complete First Season [Region 99]
- Angelic Heaven - A Fan's Guide To Charlie's Angels
- The Charlie's Angels Casebook
ASIN: B0007Y8AYC
Release Date: 2005-05-24 |
Product Description
They're beautiful, they're brilliant, and they work for Charlie. In a smart, sexy update of thei70's TV show from celebrated music video director McG. CHARLIE'S ANGELS revolves around three female detectives - Natalie (Cameron Diaz, Golden Globe® nominee for THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY) the bookworm, Dylan (NEVER BEEN KISSED's Drew Barrymore) the tough girl and Alex ("Ally McBeal's" Lucy Liu) the class-act - as intelligent and multi-talented as they are ravishingly gorgeous and utterly disarming. What can be done when Eric Knox, a soon-to-be billionaire, is kidnapped for his dollars? Under the sure hand of their suave playboy boss, notorious for his clever ways of avoiding face-to-face meetings with his employees, the Angels use feminine charm, high-tech gadgets and hand-to-hand combat to save themselves, Charlie and thousands of innocent people.
Format: DVD MOVIE
Customer Reviews:
This should have been a two part mini series or something........2007-02-25
This movie mainly focuses on the controversy about Farrah Fawcette decision to leave the show after the first season, her relationship with actor Lee Majors and the court battle with Producer Aarron Spelling.
To me, this T.V. movie about the show, should have been made into a two part series. From what I have read over the years about the show, the real "drama" began during the start of the second season and it is now known that, Kate Jackson and Cheryl Ladd did not get along at all. Not only that, but also Ms. Jackson's feud with both Aarron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg.
Also, it would have been more interesting if, the movie went more indepth about the other stars personal lives and how the show was affecting their relationships as well. People don't realize, but during Charlies Angels run, Kate Jackson, Jacklyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd all got divorces from their spouses.
This Should Be Called The Farrah Fawcett Story.......2007-02-11
...since it is told from the point of view of her Manager at the time (presumably the only way NBC, which owns nothing realted to Charlie's Angels could get it made). Everyone is competent and for anyone who really loves the show it will be worth it to see even a little "behind the scenes" talk. But the emphasis on Farrah and the lack of of much drama don't make for a really compelling film. And given that for many fans, Jaclyn Smith is seen as the real backbone of the show, the slim attention to her and her storyline will be frustrating. Better to buy the full season sets... but if you're waiting for the next one, you might enjoy this.
As Accurate As They Come.......2006-10-10
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this movie. Each and every aspect of the Charlie's Angels drama comes to fruition in an impressive way--though I don't stress the reality of every event as I do the portrayal of the characters. In particular, Dan Castellaneta (as Aaron Spelling) and Lauren Stamile (as Kate Jackson) are worth the watch. Castellaneta is always a pleasure to watch (his voicework in the Simpsons alone proves his unique talent). But newcomer Lauren Stamile is quite possibly an even more pleasant first. Her brief stint in Off Centre was tremendously entertaining (Paul Weitz never fails), and I'm happy to see that she has been hard at work. Though after such an incredible performance (with, what seems to me, a masterfully accurate impersonation of Kate Jackson's voice and carefully nuanced mannerisms), I cannot help but ask where has she gone?! So many cliched actors out there are getting all the work. Let's see more of Lauren Stamile! As for the other Angels, they too were outstanding. Not as standout-ish as the former two, but without a doubt the whole cast brought to life a very dark and lasciviously extraordinary era in television. I hope NBC (or any other major network) continues to create docudramas of other headline television programs. A+++ production, quality entertainment indeed.
Charlies Angels on Tv.......2005-07-22
If you are a true fan of Charlies Angels, this one is worth the money spent. The Actresses that played the original trio were very convincing with Kate being the best portrayed by Lauren Stammie, Christina Chambers as Jacylin, who did her voice really well, but the one who played Farrah, Trica Heffer had the look of Farrah, but that was about it. On the other hand , the way the original scienes from the first season were so horribly inacurate, it was sick. I am referring to the reinactment of the shower sciene from Angels in Chains. It was so far off the orginal it was not even funny. Another thing, is the way the movie potrayed David Doyle, which would make the real mcoy turn over in his grave and flip the bird. It made him look like a total bufoon. Oh and they forgot to mention the Jacyln Smith clothing line as one of her sucesses at the end of the flim. Ok other than those little indiscretions, i thought the movie was worth the price paid , and tells the story failry well, and period perfect to say the least, all in the flair and lime green disco atomsphere of the seventies.
Highly Entertaining.......2005-06-27
Extremely well done and highly entertaining. The casting was perfect and the performances were dead-on.
Average customer rating:
- D'Argo takes center stage
- Exploring a Different Uncharted Territory
- D'Argo's Time To Shine
- Crichton saves the day not once, but twice
- Two Good Episodes
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Farscape Season 1, Vol. 3 - Back and Back and Back to the Future/Thank God It's Friday, Again
Starring: Ben Browder , Claudia Black , Virginia Hey , Anthony Simcoe , and Kent McCord
Director: Andrew Prowse
Manufacturer: Adv Films
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- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 2 - Exodus from Genesis / Throne for a Loss
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 4 - PK Tech Girl/That Old Black Magic
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 5 - DNA Mad Scientist/They've Got a Secret
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 1 - Premiere/I, E.T.
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 7 - The Flax/Jeremiah Crichton
ASIN: B000059H6H
Release Date: 2001-05-01 |
Amazon.com
Hell hath no fury like the wrath of a Luxan, as these two episodes of <I>Farscape</I> illustrate. In "Back and Back and Back to the Future," the giant warrior D'Argo falls for a sharp-eyed beauty who arrives on Moya with a scientist after barely escaping the unexplained collapse of their ship. That mystery may also explain Crichton's short jaunts into the near future, which the episode weaves so inventively into the fabric of the narrative that both he and we become momentarily lost in the myriad of possible futures. D'Argo's chest-thumping alpha-male aggression runs right into the opening of "Thank God It's Friday... Again," where he hunts Crichton in a hormonal rage before jetting down to the planet to cool off. He accomplishes that and more; when the crew finds him he's a gentle giant full of inner peace, hearty bear hugs, and a sudden desire to remain in the agrarian society. Crichton meanwhile uncovers a conspiracy that explains the explosiveness of Rigel's bodily fluids and the preternatural complacency of this cultlike civilization of far-flung flower children. This installment is a more conventional tale than most, reverberating with echoes of <I>Star Trek</I> episodes ("This Side of Paradise" in particular), though it's loaded with ironies uniquely resonant in this series, culminating with the most inventive secret weapon the series has yet come up with.
Each episode includes footage unseen in the U.S. broadcasts, and the DVD features a profile of Virginia Hey's blue-skinned priestess, Zhaan, as well as commentary on each episode. Star Ben Browder (Crichton) and episode director Rowan Woods team up for the commentary track on <I>Back and Back...</I> while Anthony Simcoe (D'Argo) joins producer and co-creator Rockne S. O'Bannon for <I>Thank God...</I>. <I>--Sean Axmaker</I>
Description
"Back and Back and Back to the Future" - After rescuing two aliens from their disintegrating ship, Crichton and D'Argo fall victim to effects brought on by the presence of the alien female. Soon, Crichton experiences "future flashes" where she attacks him, both sexually and fatally. Is Crichton losing his mind? Or does he now, mysteriously, have the gift of prophecy? "Thank God It's Friday...Again" - When Moya's crew follows D'Argo to the planet Sykar, they find a strange, almost Utopian society centered around a certain plant. But the world's happy veneer is ripped away when Crichton is assaulted, Rygel's body becomes explosive and D'Argo and Zhaan become pleasure-seeking cult members. As the true purpose of the plant and the planet are revealed, Crichton finds the Uncharted Territories to which they've escaped are not as uncharted as they seemed.
Customer Reviews:
D'Argo takes center stage.......2004-10-02
In "Back and Back...," Crichton (Ben Browder) and company rescue a scientist and his assistant from their imploding spacecraft. In the process, Crichton begins to suffer from time flashes wherein he experiences the future, thereby becoming aware that the mysterious assistant has a deadly secret. There is a lot of good characterization here and a tantalizing hint at D'Argo's (Anthony Simcoe) past. I like the way that so many Farscape episodes turn on Crichton's disarming manner of just leveling with other characters and telling them the truth rather than contriving unlikely deceptions to resolve plot points.
"Thank God..." is another good D'Argo episode. This time he has inexplicably decided to settle down and live as a field worker on an agrarian planet. Suspecting that something is not quite right, Crichton and the others investigate, finding that the planet has an unsettling connection to an old enemy.
I love this show. As good as these episodes are, there is much better to come.
Exploring a Different Uncharted Territory.......2003-07-22
The pilot episode of Farscape lets us know these stories take place in the Uncharted Territories. But starting with the episodes featured on this disc, we see that these uncharted territories include the souls of Moya and her crew.
"Back and Back and Back to the Future" pierces the gruff exterior of D'Argo as a mysterious femme fatale named Natala ensnares the warrior's heart. Unfortunately, Crichton starts having visions of himself with Natala which become progressively more disasterous. Not only do we start to see more of D'Argo's vulnerablility, but we're also treated to a well-designed, time-travelling head trip.
"Thank God It's Friday, Again" has D'Argo on an alien world, but after just three days the gang finds he has traded his soldier's weapons for a famer's tools. Though he seems blissfully content with his new life, things start to spiral out of control with Zhaan slipping into the same blind happiness as D'Argo, an apparent attempt on Rygel's life, Crichton's abduction by a rebel force, and the slow realization that this paradise is intimately linked to one of the galaxy's greatest threats. This is one of Farscape's best episodes, not only for it's wonderful visual appeal, but also for the way it expands our understanding of the characters. A wistful D'Argo confides in Zhaan that this experience echoes some of his long-held dreams. Aeryn reaches beyond her Peacekeeper-imposed blinders as she and Pilot must work together, not in military maneuvers, but in the more cerebral world of science as she struggles to find out what has happened to Rygel. And to top it all of, we have Angie Milliken's beautifully disturbing portrayal as the planet's ruler, Volmay. (Plus the infamous "She gives me a woody" line.)
Each episode offers a commentary: The first, featuring Ben Browder and director Rowan Woods, draws attention to the directorial choices made such as camera angles and set design. The second features Anthony Simcoe and series creator Rockne O'Bannon and gives a glimpse into the Australian influences on Farscape. The character profile features Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan, which seems odd as these two episodes spend a lot of time on D'Argo, but you won't catch me complaining. The Delvian has always been a favorite of mine and it was interesting to hear Virginia Hey's take on the character she embodies. (And embodies is the word: during the interview she completely forgot she was wearing prosthetics at the time!) Zhaan's still gallery has some beautiful shots, though the posing in a few seem overly dramatic. The conceptual drawings are fascinating, though it would have been nice to have some captions. It took a while to realize that some of the aliens depicted were actually Tavleks featured in "Throne for a Loss" from the _previous_ disc.
As O'Bannon explains, each of the characters starts off as a standard sci-fi stereotype. The beauty of Farscape is that it then leaves those cliches behind, delving into these wonderfully realized characters.
D'Argo's Time To Shine.......2003-03-21
After finding himself [pulled through] through a wormhole and thrust into the depths of space that neither he nor any human before him had envisioned, Astronaut John Crichton finds himself confronted with Worlds beyond comprehension. In what seems like mere moments he finds himself aboard a living vessel named Moya with a group of escaped convicts trying desperately to outrun a race called the Peacekeepers and their leader whose brother Crichton accidentally caused to perish. In order to escape these forces, the crew of Moya are forced to head into the Uncharted Territories, knowing that they will be followed but that at least the pull of the Peacekeepers isn't a strong as it is elsewhere. Yes, space isn't what it seems.
In these two episodes from the first season, we find D'Argo, a creature from a warrior race with tendrils sprouting from both the top of his head and his chin, as our focal point.
In the first piece, "Back and Back and Back to the Future," the crew of Moya decide to rescue a couple of aliens from their ship that seems to be disintegrating. One of those on board, a female, seems to have some strange allure over both Crichton and D'Argo, putting D'Argo at odds with the human and jealous of what the other members of the crew think. Added to this is the fact that Crichton starts to have flashes of the future, and it seems that this future contains elements that don't seem to lead anywhere but demise.
To me, this episode was a worthwhile one that had some hidden portions within the plot and that played with the mind of the ever-maddening human as he tries to cope with the oddities of space. Its also interesting to see how he thinks he can change things like so many others would only to see that lead to an even worse fate over and over again, making him wonder if he's simply going mad, if things can be changed if he's not, and why he had to end up with such an unwelcome gift in the first place.
In the next episode, "Thank God Its Friday - Again," D'Argo finds himself possessed by something called Hyper Rage, making him aggressive toward any male he sees as a challenge to him, and Crichton finds himself hiding for three days until, at last, D'Argo decides to leave Moya and head for the planet Sykar. When the crew decides to go in search of him, they find him at peace within himself and the society he's found there, happy with the lifestyle of hard work and partying that this allows. Other problems soon begin to manifest as Rygel's bodily fluids become explosive for some reason and Zhaan seems to be overcome by whatever is influencing D'Argo.
This is also an episode I found rather enjoyable because a few things happen here that explain the ways that some societies fuel other ones, and the way that oppression can be elation depending on how its presented. It also places Crichton in some precarious situations when it comes to staying alive, and shows the duality of some of the crew and the bonds that begin to form between some of them; even the ex-Peacekeeper and the Pilot that once despised all their kind.
For anyone that hasn't looked into Farscape yet, I would suggest going back to the Premiere DVD, watching it, and allowing yourself be hooked by the storyline and the characters being developed therein. The dialogue is of the greatest of qualities and only gets better as the show progresses, the individuals that are chasing and the people fleeing are all interesting and the events of today create the rippling effects of tomorrow, plus there is a point to everything taking place. The creative team that developed it should be commended and recommended highly, at least in this viewer's book.
Crichton saves the day not once, but twice.......2003-01-24
I am a "Farscape" neophyte working their way through Season 1 and it seems clear to me that Volume 3 is where this science fiction series starts clicking as the characters start to emerge with some complexity and the stories fit this point in the saga. The common denominator here is that human John Crichton (Ben Browder) gets to save the day to the relief, if not the surprise, of his new crewmates.
"Back and Back and Back to the Future" is, as the title suggests, a time travel tale in which Crichton becomes unstuck in time. The fun here is decoding when Crichton has flashed forward and when he is back in the present, and, of course, his attempts to convince the others that he is telling the truth and not gone insane. This is the best episode of the series so far, not only because there it is well thought out but also because there are some key moments regarding character interaction and revelation.
"Thank God It's Friday..Again" is too reminiscent of the "Star Trek" episode where Spock gets pollinated and is happy for a while to really be a standout episode. However, there is a standout performance by a guest star as the leader of the shiny happy people. Once again, the best parts of the episode have to do with the character interaction, particularly between Aeryn (Claudia Black) and Rygel (Jonathan Hardy) as well as Zhaan (Virginia Hey) and D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe).
One of the things that is most commendable about "Farscape" is that these DVDs are extremely fan friendly. All of the episodes (so far) offer commentary tracks by a rotating pair of cast and crewmembers. This time around it is actor Browder and director Rowan Woods on "Back and Back and Back to the Future" and actor Simcoe and series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon on "Thank God It's Friday...Again." Having the tag team commentary works well and the talk is usually about the series and the characters overall as well as the individual characters.
There is also a video profile of a "Farscape" character on each disc and this time around it is the turn of Virginia Hey and Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan, the most fascinating alien of the current media generation. Then there is the fact that there is deleted footage that was not broadcast in North America, which is meaningless to me because I do not know what it was I did not see the first time around when I did not see it in the first place.
Two Good Episodes.......2002-08-14
"Back and Back and Back to the Future" is an episode where Crichton is able to experience the future, then return back to the present when things go wrong (like he gets killed). As he corrects certain things, he is able to move forward in the present. The story of this episode has been seen before, but it is enjoyable all the same.
The second episode here is "Thank God It's Friday, Again". This episode takes place on a planet where every day is a work day, every night is a huge party with the promise that tomorrow is a rest day. However, when tomorrow becomes today, the cycle is repeated. The people are slaves to a plant which they cultivate. The plant works like a narcotic on most of the people. Some are able to resist and others with the help of a worm implanted in them can resist as well. Crichton is given such a worm and soon learns the secret of the plant and this planet. The plant is used by the Peacekeepers as it fuels their energy weapons and the planet is a giant storage facility for them.
If you've never seen Farscape, this is a well-written show and worth watching.
Average customer rating:
- Suprising End For Me
- Was this actually released theatrically?
- Entertaining
- A Killer Within
- A Killer Within
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A Killer Within
Starring: C. Thomas Howell , Sean Young , Ben Browder , Dedee Pfeiffer , and Giancarlo Esposito
Director: Brad Keller
Manufacturer: Fireside Entertainment
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ASIN: B0006VY6OY
Release Date: 2005-01-15 |
Description
Addison Terrill (C. THOMAS HOWELL), a former district attorney now in a lucrative private practice, has what seems to be the perfect life. Sharing a successful law firm with his best friend, Sam Moss (BEN BROWDER), Addison's career is on the rise and he has a luxurious home, a beautiful, sexy wife, Becky (SEAN YOUNG), and a bright young son. But life as he knows it is turned upside down when he arrives home from work late one night to find his wife brutally murdered and his son unconscious in critical condition at the hospital. Now, fingered as a suspect by the police, Addison must race to find the real killer and prove his innocence before it's too late. Out of desperation with no where else to turn, Addison must put his trust in the only other person tied to the case, ex-cop Jesus Vargas (GIANCARLO ESPOSITO). Bitter and humiliated by his removal from the police force, Vargas holds Addison personally responsible for ending his career in law enforcement, and his motivation for finding the killer may not be to Addison's advantage. In order to solve the case and find the true killer, both men must put their differences aside and their lives on the line. Their search leads them through the city's underworld and into a wicked web of deceit. As hard truths become revealed and dark secrets begin to unfold, the ring of suspects close in around Addison and he finds himself questioning the very people he trusted.
Customer Reviews:
Suprising End For Me.......2007-05-29
I had No idea who the killer was until the very end. I thought this was an excellent movie.
Was this actually released theatrically?.......2005-11-28
Putting this on DVD seems like a big enough waste of money. You can tell the film is going to be chintzy on the budget when the lead actress's wig looks like a Halloween prop at your local Party City; however, the beautiful house used for the main characters was the real star here. But this film's redeeming quality is how laughably bad it is. You will find yourself rewinding scenes to laugh again as you won't believe how cheesey it looked the first time - like when the hooker gets shot - a classic death scene! The cinematography never rises above a primetime episodic on a low budget giving it a shot on video feel. The dark night scenes were overlit, and the supporting cast were the real jewels here insuring they never work again. The mention of "Dr. Pepper" numerous times was so ridiculous - did the Texas-based Dr Pepper demand to be featured throughout this Texas production or were they offered some free publicity? Either way, Dr Pepper sure tastes good with Turkey.
Entertaining.......2005-05-14
An entertaining 94 minutes of "who done it" intrigue.
Was good to see Sean Young again.
C. Thomas Howell looked a bit ragged.... is his health OK ?
Admittedly we guessed the plot and the killer at around 30 minutes into the movie and at times the plot twists made us think we might be wrong.... but we were right.
Despite figuring it out so early, it was still entertaining
A Killer Within .......2005-04-16
A Killer Within does a good job of coupling some original surprises with a character-driven plot. No easy feat for sure, and trust me, the script could have easily been turned into a lousy Lifetime Channel movie of the week without the right direction and cast.
Becky Terrill, played by Sean Young, leads the caricatured life of a stereotypical Dallas socialite. Her posh North Dallas house is ridiculous, her Mercedes is pristine and her dependency on alcohol is ravenous. The only thing that seems to bother Becky's Prada-clad existence is her 4 year-old son.
Becky's husband, Addison, played by C. Thomas Howell, is a high-powered corporate attorney with some codependency issues and a raging Dr. Pepper jones. Addison comes home from work to find Becky brutally murdered, apparently at the hands of someone targeting Addison. The lead detective fingers Addison as suspect number one and his investigation basically ends there.
But Addison, who has made some dangerous enemies during his climb to the top of the food chain, has a suspect of his own. In order to find the killer and protect his innocence, Addison reaches into his past and enlists the help of Jesus Vargas, a former cop played with enthusiasm by Giancarlo Esposito. Esposito's performance as the renegade ex-cop is the most authentic in the film. The lawman and the lawyer strike an uneasy alliance as they navigate the seedy side of Dallas in search of Becky's killer.
Director Brad Keller does a masterful job of introducing just about everyone as a suspect and the guessing continues to the very end.
A Killer Within.......2005-04-16
A Killer Within is a decent murder mystery. This indie flick isn't the next Million Dollar Baby, but it will keep you entertained for about an hour and half.
The plot is well written and there's a good ensemble cast (C. Thomas Howell, Sean Young and Giancarlo Esposito). The basic premise is that Addison (Howell) is a big-shot lawyer, who comes home one night to find that his wife Becky (Young) has been murdered and his young son is unconscious and badly injured. With the help of his business partner and an ex-cop, Addison goes on a search to find the real killer.
Ben Browder's performance as Addison's business partner is also worth mentioning. Sci-fi buffs will probably recognize Browder from Stargate SG-1 and Farscape.
If you're into murder mysteries, it's definitely worth taking a look at.
Average customer rating:
- A great show makes its debut
- What the Frell?
- See How Far the Worm-Hole Goes
- Great everything...
- Best show I've seen in years, by "far"
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Farscape Season 1, Vol. 1 - Premiere/I, E.T.
Starring: Ben Browder , Claudia Black , Virginia Hey , Anthony Simcoe , and Kent McCord
Director: Andrew Prowse
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
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Farscape
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- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 2 - Exodus from Genesis / Throne for a Loss
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 3 - Back and Back and Back to the Future/Thank God It's Friday, Again
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 4 - PK Tech Girl/That Old Black Magic
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 5 - DNA Mad Scientist/They've Got a Secret
- Farscape Season 1, Vol. 7 - The Flax/Jeremiah Crichton
ASIN: B0000541X6
Release Date: 2001-02-06 |
Amazon.com
Smart-talking American astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder) is flung through a wormhole and comes out in the midst of an interstellar prison escape on the other side of the universe. Bad luck for Crichton: the galactic cops (called "peacekeepers") mark him as the new public enemy number 1. This 20th-century boy is forced to ally himself with the colorful convicts: D'Argo, a hulking warrior with a fleshy Rastafarian mane; Zhaan, a blue-skinned priest of indeterminate age (played by <I>Road Warrior</I> alumnus Virginia Hey); fugitive peacekeeper Aeryn (<I>Pitch Black</I>'s Claudia Black); Rygel, a greedy and troll-like exiled king; and Pilot, the giant insect-like nerve center of their living ship, Moya. It's an impressive-looking made-for-cable series, with imaginative production design and mix of state-of-the-art digital effects and sophisticated puppetry (or rather Muppetry, courtesy of co-creator Brian Henson), but it's the sharp writing and vivid characters that have built--and kept--the show's following.
<I>Premiere</I> introduces each character and the basic premise, a sci-fi <I>Fugitive</I> by way of <I>Voyager</I> in a world far from the Federation-friendly universe of <I>Star Trek</I>. Crichton's welcome is anything but warm, and the cultural and philosophical differences of the fleeing outlaws, as well as their pure self-interest, clash under the constant threat of capture. In <I>I, E.T.</I>, a hidden homing signal forces Moya to hide in a terrestrial bog while the crew tries to disarm the device (which has been fused to the ship's nervous system), and Crichton makes first contact with the planet's pre-space flight inhabitants. "Spielberg was all wrong," he remarks while dodging military patrols and soothing the fears of a sky-watching scientist. Well-timed to fill the void left by <I>Babylon 5</I>, this is the promising start of a fresh sci-fi franchise. <I>--Sean Axmaker</I>
Customer Reviews:
A great show makes its debut.......2004-08-23
"Farscape" is one of my favorite TV shows, and it certainly got off to a strong start with the episode "Pilot." The series has a terrific cast, with Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Virginia Hey, and Anthony Simcoe sharing the spotlight with creatures constructed by Jim Henson's company. The writing is sharp and there is plenty of conflict to drive the story; the characters are all escaped prisoners with their own agendas. One of the pleasures of watching these early episodes is watching how they gradually build trust and anticipating the addition of the many interesting characters that will be added to the show later to keep things from getting too comfortable.
"Farscape" deserved a two-hour premiere, but the cast and crew do an excellent job of constructing a lean, efficient story to introduce the Farscape universe within the one-hour format. "I, E.T." is a pretty middling episode as far as this show goes, but it does provide an interesting twist on the idea of the visitor from space.
What the Frell?.......2003-09-25
A wormhole--something unproven--not anymore it isn't. Astronaut John Crichton quickly realizes this when he's sucked down one, and spit out into the middle of an intergalactic space battle between escaping prisoners and the Peacekeepers. John's module incidentally collides with a Peacekeeper Prowler, whcih turns out to be Bialar Crais' brother, who becomes John's enemy for the rest of season one. The first episode quickly introduces the characters, and puts a slight emphasis on how that character is going to act through the series. The premiere definitely should of been made into a two hour to allow for more characterization and more time to do everything.
The second episode I still wonder why it is episode one. Not much of anything happens in it. There's good acting, and Rygel gets a chunk out of Aeryn's arm. Wasn't a bad episode compared to most series, but for farscape, it's below average.
The DVD features are descent, with footage not seen in the U.S. and with commentarys on both of the episodes. A great collection.
See How Far the Worm-Hole Goes.......2003-07-08
Farscape is one of the most fascinating shows (not just sci-fi) to grace the airwaves. It's a shame that the series was cancelled, but the DVD's will leave a wonderful legacy.
Pilots are akward for any show since, in the span of an hour, they must introduce the main characters and their relationships to each other as well as create the environment in which they live. Science fiction pilots have the added burden of establishing where in the universe (and when in time) the stories occur, showing how technology has advanced (or in some cases retreated), sketching out new cultures and basically setting forth what are the new rules. "Pilot" does an admirable job all around. Not only do we become familiar with all six major characters (seven if you include Moya), but it also sets up the wonderful paradox that makes the series so compelling in the first season: namely that each character has his/her own agenda but they must work together to survive. This definitely ain't Star Trek. "I, E.T." is a neat bit of storytelling in that it turns a cliched story on its head: this time we are the invading aliens. Not a major story, but still enjoyable in the way it evokes a sense of wonder.
Both episodes feature commentaries and while they are both enlightening into the way Farscape first came into being, Claudia Black's and Anthony Simcoe's banter during I, E.T. is definitely the more fun of the two (would love to see them at a con!) Two featurettes are offered. First is a "behind-the-scenes" documentary, which acts more as a primer for the uninitiated than a behind the scenes, though there is a fascinating segment on the process used to make D'Argo's costume (Plus seeing Anthony out of make-up. Yikes!). The second featurette is less a "Video Profile" of John Crichton and more Ben Browder's persepective on the series as a whole, which is more interesting anyways. Of the two still galleries, I prefer the Conceptual Drawings which include some early ideas of Peacekeeper weapons and Pilot's den over the Crichton Gallery, as many of those pictures are either a) taken from the DVD covers, b) awash in a garish red light, or c) both. Any complaints I may have, though, are small and pale beside the strengths of the rest of the disc.
Great everything..........2003-06-08
Farscape has cool special effects, good actors who play great characters, action, humor, amazing stories and everything you could want in a science fiction triller.
This DVD has the first two epsiodes AND lots of extras, including drawings, weblinks, commentary, actor profile on Ben Browder and a 'making of' documentary.
The only problem that pops up with the DVDs is I noticed by the fourth one many of the extras are gone, like the commentaries, and I also realized that to get the first season, 22 episodes, you need to get 11 DVDs. That seems like a lot of DVDs or, should I say, few episodes per the DVD. Most series on TV put four to five episodes per DVD, which means with Farscape you end up spending a lot more and end up taking up a lot of space for one show.
If I had the money or space it would be worth it. But for right now I think I will focus on other shows. It is just a case of a great show but bad packaging. Try to get it used.
Best show I've seen in years, by "far".......2003-04-11
This volume is the launch of an epic series. Even those who are not especially into science fiction can enjoy the amazingly refreshing characters and plot(s). The talented cast manages to bring greater dimension to their characters than that of any other series I can think of (and this is truly a 'series', so episodes are best viewed in chronological order). The costumes/makeup and special effects are generally very good, but they are never compelled to carry the show, as is too often the case in this genre. The series is built on layers of twisting, intertwined plots, held together by a balanced equation of romance, sex, horror, drama and comedy, and it 'works'.
It's an intelligent show that demands a little more attention than most; unpredictable plot turns and references to past episodes can leave the uninitiated a bit confused. A little patience pays off; this show trumps anything you'll see on network TV, by far.
Buy it, watch it, get hooked on it. Then wonder why the Sci-Fi channel dumped it, instead of advertising their Friday night gem on 'mainstream' TV....
Average customer rating:
- Disappointed
- Pretty good TV movie
|
Innocent Victims
Starring: Ben Browder , John P. Connolly , John Corbett , Howard Hesseman , and Hal Holbrook
Director: Gilbert Cates
Manufacturer: Tango Entertainment
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- Murder C.O.D.
ASIN: B0009GX1Y2
Release Date: 2005-07-12 |
Description
Based on a shocking true-crime, this absorbing anatomy of a triple murder reconstructs the case of an Army Sergeant, Tim Hennis (JOHN CORBETT, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Sex in the City) who is found guilty and sentenced to death for the slaying of an Air Force captain's wife and her two young daughters in Fayetteville, N.C., in 1985. Only Hennis's parents, wife, and dedicated defense team refuse to give up. On appeal, they turn up new evidence that rips the state's case to shreds, revealing a stunning story of false witnesses, perversion of justice and hidden evidence. With brutal truth, and chilling suspense, this compelling drama keeps you spellbound.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2007-03-08
when i first got the movie it would not play in one of my dvd players, so i called the company i got it from and they sent another one it did the same thing.......sooooo i got to see the first half of the movie but could never get the second part to play in any dvd player.
Pretty good TV movie.......2005-08-08
This is a pretty good "wrong man" courtroom drama with a handful of known actors. John Corbett is the defendant, Army Sgt. Tim Hennis, who is charged with rape and murder. Rue McClanahan and Hal Holbrook play his parents. Rick Schroeder and Tom Irwin play the defense attorneys.
Hennis is convicted on rather flimsy evidence and spends time in prison until an eventual re-trial, where new evidence is presented and old evidence is reviewed.
It all wraps up a bit too warm and fuzzy with a bit of bad dialogue between the defense attorneys, but is generally entertaining and well made.
Funny that my "play anything" Zenith DVD player does not recognize the disk (out of 500 I have) but it plays fine on my portable Coby and computer drive...
Actor:
- Ben Chaplin
- Ben Cross
- Ben Foster
- Ben Murphy
- Ben Savage
- Ben Stiller
- Benicio Del Toro
- Benjamin Bratt
- Bert Lahr
- Bill Bellamy
Actor
Actor
