"BROTHERS AND SISTERS: SEASON ONE"
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MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars) DVD EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Calista Flockhart as KITTY Sally Field as NORA Rachel Griffiths as SARAH Ron Rifkin as SAUL Balthazar Getty as TOMMY Patricia Wettic as HOLLY HARPER Dave Annable as JUSTIN Matthew Rhys as KEVIN Not Rated Studio: Buena Vista |
Calista Flockhart leads an impressive cast as the almost estranged daughter Kitty who returns to L.A. from New York. Within the first episode, the father of the Walker family dies of a heart attack leaving behind a family-owned business in financial turmoil thanks to his embezzlement of $15 million.
Sally Field plays Nora, the mother of five, whose children include Sarah as the only married-with-children sibling who is now president of the family business. Also, Kevin comes in as the gay lawyer brother who spends too much time with Mommy, Tommy as the jilted brother who did not inherit the presidency of the company, and Justin the young drug addict and screw-up of the family. Rounding out the cast Ron Rifkin plays Nora’s brother, Uncle Saul who is leading on his deceased brother-in-law’s mistress Holly in order to discover company’s secrets.
“Brothers and Sisters” is basically the same premise as “Arrested Development”, except not funny: The father commits white-collar crimes with the family business and leaves the family to clean up his mess. This show is also about family and sticking together and the difficulty of keeping secrets in such a close-knit institution. Kitty is displayed as the main character, but the trials and tribulations of her siblings and mother are also of paramount importance to the plot.
Grand performances are offered by all, and the plot lines are mildly addicting.
The DVD offers numerous bonus features. A bonus episode, the story behind the making-of the show, a set tour, bloopers, deleted scenes and the list goes on.
"STARTER FOR 10"
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MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars) DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars) STARRING James McAvoy as BRIAN Alice Eve as ALICE Rebecca Hall as REBECCA Rated PG-13 Studio: HBO Directed by: Tom Vaughan |
Brian has spent his life bettering himself by learning trivia with the goal of one day appearing on University Challenge, a trivia game show. Brian heads off to college to work toward his goal and in the process finds himself in a love triangle of sorts.
Brian first meets Rebecca, a political activist, and then the gorgeous blonde Alice, who happens to be as smart as she is sexy and is on his University Challenge team. Conflict erupts between Brian and each girl, making it unclear with whom he’ll end up.
While dealing with women troubles, Brian also struggles with his home-town buddies who are displeased to see how college has changed him. Brian struggles to get his priorities straight in the days leading up to the televised game show.
“Starter for 10” seems to be a movie about change and growth and figuring out one’s priorities. The film is not excessively funny, but at least the story is original enough. “Starter for 10” also is less chick-flick than life-lesson and so can be enjoyed by both male and female viewers.
The DVD offers a pop up music guide and a behind-the-scenes featurette.
