Frost, Harvey

Love's Unfolding Dream

Based on the book from award-winning author Janette Oke comes the next chapter of the Love series and introduces audiences to the new generation when Missie's daughter Belinda struggles with her dreams of becoming a doctor and her feelings for a newcomer in town.System Requirements:Running Time: 87 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/LOVE & ROMANCE Rating: NR UPC: 024543503200 Manufacturer No: 2250320

Another generation of spunky pioneer women wrestles with love and life in Love's Unfolding Dream, the sixth in a series of movies based on the Christian romance novels of Janette Oke. Belinda (Scout Taylor-Compton), the adopted daughter of Missy and Zach Tyler (Erin Cottrell and Victor Browne of Love's Unending Legacy), aspires to become a doctor--but though the local doctor needs an assistant, he believes women should stay in the home. As Belinda fights this prejudice, a young law student named Drew (Patrick Levis) comes to her frontier town and soon sparks Belinda's heart. Meanwhile, Missy fights to help a woman whose husband is threatened by his wife's increasing education. Love's Unfolding Dream, like the other movies in this series that began with Love Comes Softly, follows the successful formula of good-looking young people frolicking in a tidy pioneer fantasy (even a moment of gruesome surgery doesn't have a spot of blood), combining wholesome romance, religious values, and homespun feminism. The storytelling is brisk and efficient, the performances comfortable and earnest; Compton, in a role that's 180 degree turn from her starring turn in the 2007 version of Halloween, makes a charming heroine. Fans will find Love's Unfolding Dream as satisfying as the rest of the series (though some lovers of Oke's novels may be dismayed that this movie, like some of the others, alters the book's original storyline). Also featuring Robert Pine (CHiPs) as the cantankerous country doctor. --Bret Fetzer

Melrose Place - The Fourth Season

A nighttime soap opera about the lives careers trials and tribulations of a group of young people living in an apartment building in the trendy neighborhood of Melrose Place. The show was a spin off of Beverly Hills 90210 and starred Heather Locklear as the scheming Amanda Woodward head of her own advertising agency and owner of the apartment building.System Requirements:TRT: 1528 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097361325446 Manufacturer No: 132544

The fourth and the last essential season of Melrose Place literally begins with a bang, as a deranged Kimberly detonates the bombs that lay waste to much of the titular apartment building. But this being Melrose Place, it is hardly the only dramatic upheaval that will shake this addictive prime time soap to its very foundations. Where to begin? Framing this season are two great movie homages. The season opener echoes Silence of the Lambs with Kimberly (Marcia Cross) channeling Hannibal Lecter. The season finale recreates Carrie's ultimate shock, a classic "no they di'nt" cliffhanger in tune with Melrose Place's increasingly over-the-top aesthetic. In between are episodes ripe with left-turn character developments (Josie Bissett's doormat Jane vows to do a little "stepping" herself to further her career as a fashion designer) and outrageous plot twists (Kimberly somehow beats the rap for her act of domestic terrorism and becomes a radio talk show host--recruited by no less than Dr. Joyce Brothers!--and later, develops a split personality as a really desperate housewife.) But you haven't seen anything yet. Allison (Courtney Thorne-Smith), temporarily blinded in the blast, uses her disability to score pity points with Billy (Andrew Shue) while his new wife, the willful, spoiled, and manipulative Brooke (Kristin Davis) burns, especially when Allison marries her father! Matt (Doug Savant), the resident gay character, has a particularly eventful season, what with trying to clear his name after being framed for murder, suing for sexual discrimination, getting a new boyfriend, and becoming a drug addict. Michael (Thomas Calabro), much more evil and vicious in previous seasons, is not really a serious threat, but he does team up with Sydney (Laura Leighton) to Gaslight Kimberly. Jake (Grant Show), reeling from the death of his rotten brother, is vulnerable to the machinations of Shelly (Hudson Leick), his vengeful sister in law. We haven't forgotten Amanda (show savior Heather Locklear), who begins the season uncharacteristically compassionate. Not to worry; she reverts to her bad self after Brooke uncovers a secret from her past and blackmails her. "Kiss the nice Amanda goodbye," she coolly threatens Brooke. "I'm back." Which is just the way we love her. This whopping nine-disc set contains no extras, but, really, with all the backstabbings and betrayals, hook-ups and, yes, hauntings, do you really need commentary? --Donald Liebenson

Melrose Place - The Second Season

In its second season, Melrose Place turned up the heat, resulting in a funnier, sexier series. Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith) continues to see Billy (Andrew Shue), Jake (Grant Show) moves in with Jo (Daphne Zuniga), and Jane (Josie Bissett) divorces Michael (Thomas Calabro), who shacks up with Kimberly (Marcia Cross). That leaves Matt (the underused Doug Savant), who has an affair with a sailor; Amanda (Heather Locklear), who sets her sights on Jake; and Sydney (Laura Leighton), who sets hers on Michael. A lot changes during the year: Sydney turns to prostitution, Jo kills in self-defense, Amanda and Jo catch a voyeur in the act, and Michael and Kimberly end up in the hospital when he crashes their car. Though Michael recovers after a few episodes, Kimberly slips into a coma and then disappears. Michael is told she's died; fortunately for fans, he was misinformed. Kimberly eventually returns, but though she looks the same, she isn't. Turns out, she's now a certifiable loony--and she intends to make Michael pay. As she memorably tells Sydney in the season finale, "You're looking at human garbage... when Michael's dead, God's gonna do a jig."

By the end of the second year, one marriage will have taken place, while another will be called off at the last minute. After an entertaining, if overly earnest first season, Melrose Place had found its footing. The acting isn't always first-rate--the crying scenes are particularly unconvincing--but 31 episodes in one year must have been draining on the cast (most dramas top out at 23). Guest stars include Parker Stevenson as a high-tech millionaire, Gina Gershon as a waitress/call girl, Linda Gray as Amanda's estranged mother, and future X-Men star Famke Janssen as a high-class hooker. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

A nighttime soap opera about the lives, careers, trials and tribulations of a group of young people living in an apartment building in the trendy neighborhood of Melrose Place. The show was a spin off of Beverly Hills 90210 and starred Heather Locklear as the scheming Amanda Woodward, head of her own advertising agency and owner of the apartment building.

Melrose Place - The Complete First Season

Stories about the lives and loves of the inhabitants of a trendy apartment complex in Los Angeles.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 7-NOV-2006
Media Type: DVD

It began as a spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210, but this summer replacement quickly established its own unique identity. The connection is creator Darren Star and the character of Jake (Grant Show), who had a fling with Kelly (Jennie Garth) on 90210. In the pilot, she

Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place creator Darren Star reflects on the first seasons of both shows in this Amazon-exclusive clip. High Bandwidth | Low Bandwidth

stops by 4616 Melrose to pay a visit (and returns for two more episodes). Jake's neighbors comprise of Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith), Rhonda (Vanessa Williams), Sandy (Amy Locane), Matt (Doug Savant), and married couple Michael (Thomas Calabro) and Jane (Josie Bissett). When Alison's roommate runs out on her, she takes in Billy (Andrew Shue) to cover the rent. Just as 90210 had the Peach Pit, the twentysomethings of Melrose gather at Shooters, where aspiring actress Sandy waits tables. Her roommate Rhonda teaches aerobics. Other professions include mechanic (Jake), receptionist (Alison), social worker (Matt), doctor (Michael), designer (Jane), and writer (Billy). Midway through the season, photographer Jo (Daphne Zuniga) and ad exec Amanda ("special guest" Heather Locklear) arrive to shake things up. What had been a program about work and life issues takes a darker turn as Michael gives in to temptation and Amanda sets out to ruin Alison's career--and her relationship with Billy.

Other troublemakers are waiting in the wings, like Michael's colleague Kimberly (Marcia Cross) and Jane's sister Sydney (Laura Leighton). Both return to stay in the second year. Melrose Place ran for seven increasingly soapy seasons and spawned the short-lived Models, Inc.. Afterwards, Thorne-Smith moved on to Ally McBeal and According to Jim, while Savant and Cross would eventually segue to Desperate Housewives. Other actors had a shorter stay at the infamous West Hollywood apartment complex-- notably, Locane, who makes her exit in the 13th episode ("Dreams Come True") and Williams, who makes hers in the 32nd (two-part season finale "Suspicious Minds"). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Stills from Melrose Place (click for larger image)

Sweet Valley High - The Complete First Season

More Beverly Hills 90210 than Freaks and Geeks, Sweet Valley High looks at the lives and loves of the popular kids rather than the outcasts. Cynthia and Brittany Daniel star as twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield in the television version of Francine Pascal's best selling book series. With their seemingly perfect Southern California lives, Liz and Jess are more Betty and Veronica, from the Archie comics, than the high school girls of any other TV series. In other words, Sweet Valley Highis escapism, pure and simple--and what's wrong with a little escapism? While both girls are part of the in-crowd, there are differences between them. Liz, a reporter for the school newspaper, is the good one, while Jess, a cheerleader, is the not-so-good one.

Created by Josh Goldstein (American Dreams), The Complete First Season includes all 22 episodes broadcast between 1994-1995. Supporting characters include Liz's boyfriend Todd (Ryan James Bittle) and best friend Enid (Amy Danles) and Jess's best friends Lila (Bridget Flanery) and Patty (Amarilis). Rich kid Bruce (Brock Burnett), his pal Manny (Harley Rodriguez), token nerd Winston "Eggman" Egbert (Michael Perl), and a few teachers--but no parents--round out the cast. Most of the conflicts the girls face are created by devious, self-centered Jess, who pretends to be her sister whenever Liz has something she wants, like a potential college boyfriend ("Dangerous Love"), a broadcasting gig ("Oracle on Air"), or praise from the hot poetry teacher ("Poetic Injustice"). Sweet Valley High ran on FOX for three seasons, followed by a fourth and final season on UPN. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Melrose Place - Three Season Pack

A nighttime soap opera about the lives, careers, trials and tribulations of a group of young people living in an apartment building in the trendy neighborhood of Melrose Place. The show was a spin off of Beverly Hills 90210 and starred Heather Locklear as the scheming Amanda Woodward, head of her own advertising agency and owner of the apartment building.

Tales from Avonlea - Beginnings

Experience all the charm of a homespun saga as TALES FROM AVONLEA takes you on enchanting journeys of unforgettable trials and triumphs. In this soul-stirring collection, Sara Stanley comes of age in an all-new environment filled with family, friends, and foes. Amazing events follow as Sara gets acquainted with her emotionally guarded guardian, Aunt Hetty, and feuds and frolics with her prank-playing cousins, Felix and Felicity. Through the sharing of dreams, disappointments, and life's little everyday disasters, they not only find their way -- but also a very special place in one another's hearts. Full of love, laughs, and lessons, and cherished characters of all ages, TALES FROM AVONLEA imparts time-honored values and ventures that never go out of style.

Recipe for Disaster

(Synopsis): John Larroquette ("Happy Family") and Lesley Ann Warren (Victor/Victoria) lead a sensational cast in this skillet-scorching dish-shattering and deliciously entertaining comedy that serves up family-sized portions of laughter! Rebecca Korda and her kid brothers Sam and Max were looking forward to opening night at their family s posh new restaurant until a wacky twist of fate left them in charge of absolutely everything! Now they re frantically cooking up exotic main dishes and decadent desserts. But when rival restaurateurs next door begin an unsavory plot to sabotage the Korda kids and close them down Rebecca Sam and Max must respond by dishing out some delectable mischief of their own!System Requirements: Running Time 92 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: G UPC: 027616901873 Manufacturer No: 1005957

National Lampoon's Golf Punks

An out-of-work golf pro gets pulled into teaching the game to the "Bad News Bears" equivalent of young golfers at a public course.System Requirements:Running Time 92 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG UPC: 031398186182 Manufacturer No: 19034

National Lampoon's Golf Punks