Woolnough, Jeff

Soul Food - The Third Season

Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 02/05/2008

Soul Food - The Third Season wastes no time in diving into sex, family squabbles, and workplace conflicts--the issues that this show wrestles with so very well. As the season begins, Kenny (Rockmond Dunbar, Prison Break) and Maxine (Vanessa Williams, Melrose Place) have separated and fight bitterly, to the anguish of their oldest son Ahmad (Aaron Meeks); Teri (Nicole Ari Parker, Brown Sugar) is offered a partner position at her former law firm when a powerful New York firm (run by Faye Dunaway, her face a scary mask of too much plastic surgery)--but what she thought would be her dream job proves full of treacherous compromises; Damon (Boris Kodjoe, Madea's Family Reunion), unable to face his past troubles, slips into alcoholism; and while the marriage of Bird (Malinda Williams, First Sunday) and Lem (Darrin Dewitt Henson, Stomp the Yard) seems to have found a steady groove, Bird's potential career as a TV celebrity (and the new relationships that result) threatens that stability, as does a dark figure from her past. Good writing is what makes the turbulent lives of these three sisters and their husbands, sons, and lovers seem endlessly rich. Occasionally there's a forced storyline--for example, Damon is literally haunted by his dead ex-girlfriend--but even that uncharacteristic plot came to a graceful conclusion. If there's a weakness, it's that several conflicts are resolved too quickly; some of the strongest material comes from longer character arcs. There are a number of knockout guests (including Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow, and particularly Kimberly Elise, Diary of a Mad Black Woman), but it's the regular cast that gives this show its emotional heft; even comic sequences, such as when Ahmad keeps catching his parents having sex, are treated with grounded emotion. At its best, Soul Food offers a more honest depiction of how men and women relate than you'll find almost anywhere on television; the give and take of marriage, with its necessary frustrations and unexpected rewards, is shown in all its messy glory. The Third Season contains 20 episodes from 2002 and 2003, half of which were initially released as the show's fourth season. --Bret Fetzer

Celine: The Unauthorized Life Story of Celine Dion

Celine was discovered at the age of 12 by manager & future husband rene angelil. Over the years celine & rene secretly grew closer & their relationship turned into a romantic one. Despite public backlash & criticism celine & rene remained close as she has gone on to sell over 200 million albums. Studio: Monarch Video Assoc. Release Date: 07/22/2008 Starring: Jodelle Ferland Christine Ghawi Run time: 90 minutes Rating: Pg13

Soul Food - The Complete First Season

Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 05/23/2006 Run time: 995 minutes Rating: Nr

Soul Food, the richly emotional ongoing tale of three African American sisters and the men in their lives, has no obvious hook as far as the setting or the characters' jobs; it's just well-written, well-acted, and willing to let its characters be difficult, troubled, and pushy, as well as sexy, passionate, and caring--in other words, vividly real. Teri (Nicole Ari Parker), a divorced lawyer and demanding control freak, begins a relationship with Damon (Boris Kodjoe), a much younger delivery guy who's deliberately avoided the kind of high-pressure career path that Teri values. Maxine (Vanessa Williams) has three kids by Kenny (Rockmond Dunbar), including 12-year-old Ahmad (Aaron Meeks), who narrates portions of the show, and whose growing independence often leads to clashes with his strong-minded mother. Bird (Malinda Williams), a beautician, struggles to find trust with her ex-con husband Lem (Darrin Dewitt Henson), whose drive to support his family leads him down some dangerous paths.

The opening episode centers around the birth of Bird's first child, placing family ties at the core of the series--but Soul Food explores a broad spectrum of storylines, delving into class, crime, religion, sex, and more, rarely making race a central concern, yet never ignoring the role race plays in these people's lives. The creators of Soul Food have a keen eye for contrasting innocence (such as Ahmad trying to figure out how to use a condom) and danger (Lem slipping back into the criminal life). Though the show can be melodramatic (one episode features a hostage crisis in Bird's salon), more often it's just concerned with everyday events, made compelling by the charisma of the cast and the propulsive, well-observed writing and directing. The first season of Soul Food is simply a feast, 20 episodes of juicy, enjoyable television. --Bret Fetzer

Beach Girls - The Complete Miniseries

They were the BEACH GIRLS an inseparable trio who spent their summers in the beautiful northeast coastal town of Hubbard's Point. But that was a long time ago. Now the past is about to resurface when Nell the daughter of one of these women returns to this same sand and surf with her widower dad. Two generations explore love loss and friendship while discovering how past secrets affect the present. This scintillating six-hour series is based on Luanne Rice's best-selling novel.Running Time: 251 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 012569763166 Manufacturer No: 76316

Stargate SG-1 Season 2, Vol. 2

One of many romances for the supposedly grief-stricken Dr. Daniel Jackson puts SG-1 in jeopardy again. "Need" refers to several aspects of the plot, but someone should do something about Daniel's libido! A return to planet Cimmeria tests the team's battle savvy as "Thor's Chariot" links the Asgard race to the plot once more. The rather unfriendly message of "Message in a Bottle" is delivered to O'Neill in the form of a spear through his shoulder. This fantastic episode demonstrates every aspect of the show's appeal. In "Family," Teal'c's son Rya'c performs a role reversal on his father that puts the Goa'uld's motivations in question. Returning to the planet from the original Stargate movie, Daniel catches up with his lost wife in "Secrets." --Paul Tonks

EPISODE 5: "Need"On a mysterious planet, Jackson saves the life of a beautiful princess, but his heroics cause the SG-1 team to be taken prisoner. Jackson and the princess fall in love Â? but as he struggles to gain his comradesÂ' freedom, his romance could spell doom for them all.EPISODE 6: "ThorÂ's Chariot"The SG-1 team travels to the planet of Cimmeria to protect it from a massive GoaÂ'uld attack, but they are quickly outnumbered and overpowered. Can they solve an ancient Cimmerian riddle in time to save the planetÂ...and themselves? EPISODE 7: "Message in a Bottle"A seemingly harmless orb is brought back to the base through the Stargate, but the strange device infects OÂ'Neill with an alien organism. Now, the only chance to save him is to let the organism control him!EPISODE 8: "Family"SG-1 goes on a passionate mission to rescue TealÂ'cÂ's son, RyaÂ'c, from the evil grasp of Apophis. But when they finally reach RyaÂ'c, he doesnÂ't want to be saved Â? heÂ's been brainwashed into accepting Apophis as his god! Can TealÂ'c find a way to win back his son? EPISODE 9: "Secrets"The entire Stargate project is imperiled when a reporter threatens to expose the mysteries of the top-secret portal. OÂ'Neill attempts to stop him while the rest of the team tries to save JacksonÂ's wife, who has been impregnated with a GoaÂ'uld. Is this the end of Stargate?

Stargate SG-1 Season 1, Vol. 3: Episodes 9-13

"The Nox," considered a classic by Stargate SG-1 devotees, is the centerpiece of this, the third of five discs comprising Stargate SG-1's first season. It's not hard to see why; with its combination of theme (the futility of fighting), characters (including Apophis, the recurring Goa'uld villain, and the appealing, fairylike title race), and the usual special effects wizardry, "The Nox" has all the elements that make Stargate SG-1 a superior sci-fi/adventure show. But the other episodes included have merit as well, including "The Torment of Tantalus," about a young professor who went through the gate 50 years ago, and "Bloodlines," in which Teal'c, the former SG-1 adversary, reveals the existence of the family he left behind when he joined the good guys (the other episodes are "Fire and Water" and "Hathor"). Once again, the only disappointment is the DVD bonus features, here limited to a profile of SG-1 big shot General Hammond (played by Don Davis). --Sam Graham

Episode #8.9: Sacrifices - During a meeting with IshtaÂ's rebel Jaffa faction on planet Haktyl, TealÂ'c receives some distressing news: his son, Ryac, intends to marry one of IshtaÂ's warriors. Refusing to give his blessing to the marriage puts TealÂ'c at odds with IshtaÂ...even as they are ambushed by enemy forces! Episode #8.10: Endgame - When the Stargate disappears in a flash of light, Carter and JacksonÂ's investigation leads them to an industrial warehouse storing VX rockets and vials filled with what appears to be nerve gas. Meanwhile, TealÂ'c discovers the mass deaths of Jaffa, spread across four planets. Could this horrifying event be connected to the gas? Episode #8.12: Gemini - The team receives a message from a Replicator that looks exactly like Carter. Created by another Replicator called Fifth, Replicator Carter was meant to serve by FifthÂ's side. However, possessing CarterÂ's personality, she resisted Fifth, and escaped. Now on the run, she informs SG-1 that Fifth and his entire armada are headed their way, and that she wishes to be destroyed! Episode #8.11: Prometheus Unbound - Jackson embarks on a mission to search for the lost Atlantis team aboard the starship Prometheus. But when an unseen Super Soldier boards the Prometheus and incapacitates the crew, only Daniel is able to escape. And if he is to save the Prometheus, he must now face the Super Soldier alone!

Strange Frequency 2

STRANGE FREQUENCY 2 stars Rock `N' Roll favorites Roger Daltrey and Sebastian Bach, along with Ally Sheedy, Frank Whaley, Jason Gedrick, Wendie Malick and more in four musical mythologies, including "Soul Man," "Instant Karma," "Cold Turkey" and "Don't Stop Believing."

Stargate SG-1 Season 3, Vol. 3

EPISODE 10: "Forever in a Day"During a rescue of captured Abydonians, Jackson finds his missing wife, Sha're. But instead of greeting him, she attacks him Â? leading to her death at the hands of Teal'c. Distraught over her death and angry at Teal'c, Jackson quits Stargate Command.EPISODE 11: "Past and Present"SG-1 encounters an entire planet suffering from amnesia. The planet's leader, a woman named Ke'ra, returns to Earth with SG-1 to find a cure. But even as Ke'ra and Jackson develop a mutual attraction, SG-1 suspects she may not be who she appears to be.EPISODE 12: "Jolinar's Memories"Carter's father has been captured on a moon transformed into a literal hell. As no one has ever escaped from hell except for Jolinar, Tok'ra technology is used to access Jolinar's memories from Carter's mindÂ...but not before an old foe shows up to foil the rescue mission! EPISODE 13: "The Devil You Know"During an attempt to rescue Carter's father, SG-1 is caught by one of hell's denizens, determined to use the information they possess to overthrow the Goa'uld lord Sokar. Using Tok'ra technology, the team is forced to relive painful memoriesÂ...but how much torture can they take?

Stargate SG-1 Season 1, Vol. 1: Episodes 1-3

The Showtime cable series Stargate SG-1 turns the premise of Stargate into a surprisingly viable formula, with former MacGyver star Richard Dean Anderson assuming Kurt Russell's role as Air Force hero Jack O'Neill. Michael Shanks inherits James Spader's role as archeologist Daniel Jackson, and the series' 1997 pilot, "Children of the Gods," reunites the adventurers when the Air Force's Stargate facility on Earth is attacked by sentries from Abydos, the distant planet on the other side of the space-warping Stargate. Faced with a new nemesis from Abydos, O'Neill and the fresh recruits of Unit SG-1 must return to the planet and close off the Stargate to prevent further attacks on Earth. It's a pretty standard adventure, with brief, gratuitous R-rated nudity not seen in the original cablecast, but Anderson's an appealing leader of the well-chosen cast (including Alexis Cruz, reprising his role from the film), and the show's production values are consistently high. Taking logical steps from Stargate, series developers Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner have managed an admirable feat, creating a spin-off that doesn't feel like a rip-off.

Episode One, "The Enemy Within," continues the SG-1 pilot, with the discovery that officer Kawalsky (Jay Acavone) is now the enslaved host of a Goa'uld larvae--a snakelike parasite from Abydos that has seized control of Kawalski's nervous system. Only an elaborate surgical procedure can save Kawalski's life, and the SG-1 loyalty of Teal'c (Christopher Judge)--a former enemy from Abydos who is also a Goa'uld host--is put to the test.

Episode Two, "Emancipation," guest-stars Soon-Tek Oh as the leader of the Shavadai, a Mongolian-like tribe on the planet Simarka, where the SG-1 Unit has arrived via the Stargate to begin their first expedition. The Shavadai view women as subservient and submissive, so the presence of SG-1 Captain Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) causes an instant--and, for Carter, potentially deadly--uproar. This episode offers an enjoyable balance of humor and suspense, and establishes Tapping as a witty sparring partner for Anderson. --Jeff Shannon

Episode #8.1: New Order Part 1 - When Carter and TealÂ'c fly to the Asgard world of Hala in hopes of finding a way to revive OÂ'Neill, they are attacked by Replicators, who take Carter prisoner. Meanwhile, Dr. Weir and Daniel Jackson attempt to negotiate a treaty with GoaÂ'uld System Lords who wish to unite against a common enemy. Episode #8.2: New Order Part 2 - The GoaÂ'uld send a mothership to Earth, demanding that it prove its superior defenses. As Dr. Weir applies her most expert diplomatic tactics, Daniel and the still unconscious body of Colonel O'Neill are unexpectedly beamed aboard ThorÂ's ship, where Thor tries to access the knowledge of the Ancients. Episode #8.3: Lock Down - When Jackson contracts a mysterious illness from a Russian colonel, OÂ'Neill is convinced that a contagion has infected the base and orders a lockdown. But when Jackson reveals that he was actually possessed by Anubis, who is now loose on the base, OÂ'Neill must discover the identity of the new host! Episode #8.4: Zero Hour - OÂ'Neill finds his plate full with a visit from the president and negotiations between two warring tribes from the planet Amra. But when SG-1 is captured by a GoaÂ'uld System Lord and heÂ's forced to choose between the safety of the team and the fate of an entire planet, OÂ'Neill begins to question his competency!

Stargate SG-1 Season 2, Vol. 5

"One False Step" gives the SG-1 team a guilt trip for accidentally infecting a race with a disease. Then in "Show and Tell" the central story arc takes a dramatic turn when a child arrives to warn that some survivors of a Goa'uld attack are determined to eliminate anyone who might host their enemy--which means Earth as a whole. Episodes 21 and 22 finish season 2: there's great fun to be had in "1969" and a time-travel plot that loops many aspects of the show's story lines together. The cliffhanger finale, "Out of Mind," has Colonel O'Neill experience an Aliens-style awakening 79 years into his future. What the hell happened? And why is he being asked so many questions about Earth's defenses? --Paul Tonks

EPISODE 19: "One False Step"On a routine reconnaissance mission, the SG-1 team discovers a new, friendly life form. But the encounter turns deadly for the new race because of a virus SG-1 inadvertently introduces. Can SG-1 develop a vaccine before this plague eradicates a peaceful civilization?EPISODE 20: "Show and Tell"A young boy mysteriously appears at Stargate Command and pleads for help, claiming the Goa'uld are chasing him to find a race of invisible beings. But the SG-1 team doesn't know that the invisible aliens actually plan to destroy humanity Â? and their invasion has already begun!EPISODE 21: "1969"A solar flare sends the SG-1 team back to 1969, where the U.S. military command suspects the team of espionage. O'Neill and his crew escape and hitchhike with two Woodstock-bound kids, desperate to find the Stargate before they're stuck in the psychedelic past forever. EPISODE 22: "Out of Mind"OÂ'Neill awakens, seemingly from a 79-year cryogenic sleep, to find that his team is long dead. He is questioned about Stargate but then discovers that it's a setup and heÂ's actually a prisoner of the Goa'uld, who intend to learn all his secretsÂ...and then destroy him!