Reviews (14)

QWERKYNESS SQUARED!!!
If you like brilliant writing coming from the qwerkyest characters ever put on screen, than this is the show for you! I stumbled upon this show years back while channel surfing and have sought it out ever since. Awhile back, A&E ran it every day, and there was a marathon that I taped, but of course it was VHS. Having had DVD for two years now, I just can't watch VHS or broadcast TV anymore. Apart from the obvious video quality and sound issues, the incredible ease of navigation and repetition abilities of DVD's make VHS tapes more obsolete to DVD's than dinosaurs are to humans; it is that drastic a quality difference! PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE release this brilliant drama/sitcom...IT DEFIES DESCRIPTION really, but you can't watch it for five minutes and not be a fan forever. The Northern Exposure fan base is huge. So speaking for Joel, Maggie, Maurice, Chris, Ed, Holling, Shelly, Marilyn, Ruth Ann, Adam, and Jesse The Bear; please release Northern Exposure so I can die a HAPPY MAN!!!

The Best TV Series Ever!
Northern Exposure has to be the most wonderfully directed, acted, and produced television series' I have ever seen. Especially the pilot episode. The scenary and the music in every episode make you feel as if you are a part of it all. Every episode has a very emotional ending, and leaves you with this warm, satisfying feeling inside. After watching Northern Exposure, I wanted to move to Alaska for the longest time. From Chris in the Morning to Dr. Fleischman, every character is dynamic, and you can never once tell that they are acting. It is just a very wonderfully natural show. I tried to get some of my friends to watch it, but they don't get the worth and moral value from it that I do. I hope that TV stations keep playing the re-runs on A & E or other networks. Rob Morrow, aka Dr. Joel Fleischman, is one of the best, and now one of my personal favorite, actors. The way each episode goes into detail about the smallest things, just shows you how thought-out, well-written, and well-planned the makers are. Its a shame there aren't more series like Northern Exposure today. The makers also did an A+ job in casting the characters. I don't really have a favorite, since they are all just great, but I especially like Chris, Ed, and Fleischman. Chris has this intellectual way about him. He's sort of a rehabilitated philosopher so to speak. He and his radio show are one of the key moral points of the series. He usually sums up the moral value of each episode. I just can't say enough about this show!

Northern Exposure NOT on DVD?
I have seen some of the dumbest movies and TV series come out on DVD, and they were just made recently. Where's Northern Exposure? This series has been over with for a long time, what is it you are waiting on? I have never been glued to a TV set before in my life until NE came to TV.
I, as well as others are extremely disappointed in this, so PLEASE begin recording this on DVD so the entire world population can once again watch the best series that was ever created.
I thank you very much.

season one available on DVD in UK
If season two comes out on DVD in the UK I'm going to buy one of those "illegal" DVD players that let you watch DVD encoded for others regions-countries. The players start at $89.00 and are as high as $600.00. There is a huge amount of good DVD stuff out there that will never be released here so that $100.00 bucks would be well spent. The $89.00 one is small and easy to slip into a crowded area. So instead of getting all my money the studio will only get a royalty. too bad for them.

what's the hold up with the DVD's ?
i can get "Britney Spears" concerts on DVD, but not the all-time best TV series EVER?? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best ending
Excellent episode from this great show. The ending makes this one memorable. After the ice breaks, all of the men in town gather together for their traditional "running of the bulls"- in the buff. The music is perfect' "Where the Wild Things Are"- about everyone's need to go a little crazy, and we'll go there together.

Spring Breakup Brings Out the Animal in Cicely
This is one of my favorite episodes because it first introduces Officer Barbara Semanski to Cicely, the future bride of Maurice Minnefield. The whole town is struck with "Spring Fever"in anticipation of the ice breaking and to go along with that is a healthy dose of mass "horniness". Joel and Maggie go at it for the first time and Holling gets his horns clipped when Officer Semanski, played brilliantly by Diane Delano, lands a TKO in the boxing ring before the whole town. Chris has his own scheme for reminding people about "chaos" by ripping off stereos and Ed tracks him down. A quote by Chris "Sometimes you gotta do something bad just to know you're alive"..Excellent episode!

Spring Break
This is a gem of postmodern television. Spring is approaching, and along with it, the annual breaking of the ice. The stress of the ice manifests itself in many of the townspeople. See MTV, the Garden of Eden, the impermanence of material goods, boxing, and zen all come together for a rousing running of the bulls.

This is one of the best of what was a wonderfull show.
This episode has everything that makes northern exposure good. If you have never seen northern exposure than this is a great one to start with. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

How the town of Cicely came to be named for Cicely
"Cicely" (Season 3-Episode 23, May 18, 1992) finds Joel encountering Ned Svenborg (Robert Blossom), a 108-year-old man who tells him the story of how the little Alaskan town of Cicely came to be back in 1909. It seems way back when the community was a cultural mecca known as "the Paris of the North," established by a free-thinker named Cicely (Yvonne Suhor) and her companion Roslyn (Jo Anderson). As Ned tells his story, Joel imagines the town's present citizens as the characters in Ned's tale: Ed becomes the young Ned, Maurice is the power hungry Mace Mobrey, Chris is his hired gun Kit, Shelly is the young harlot Sally, Holling is Abe the man who loves her, and Maggie is missionary woman Mary OKeefe. Joel, of course, is Franz Kafka, who is struggling with an idea for a story about metamorphosis. As Ned tells the tale of how Cicely was intended to be a utopian paradise and her tragic fate, Joel appears to have some appreciation for what a special little town he is stuck in by a simple twist of fate. Of all the Cicely history episodes, this one is definitely the best. The final episode of the third season, "Cicely" was written by Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, this episode was directed by Rob Thompson. Did you know?: In Italy "Northern Exposure" was known as "Un medico tra gli orsi," which translates as "A doctor between the bears."

INCREDIBLE
If I hadn't been a Northern Exposure fan already, I certainly would have become one while watching this episode. I found it to be incredibly moving in so many respects. It can really stand alone as a marvelous piece of historical fiction. Put in the context of the series,however, it marks a true turning point. None of Cicely's residents will be able to look at their town in quite the same way, least of all Joel. Setting the much-awaited Cicely history lesson aside, the last scene of the epsode says it all for me. Joel can finally see past the snow, the mud and the miles between himself and New York City to see the heart and soul of a little town on the cusp of the new Alaskan Riviera.

Possibly one of the best things I've seen on TV.
This was the episode that made me fall in love with Northern Exposure. I found this episode to be incredibly moving, tender, and touching. Even if you've never seen the show, I still think it's worth seeing because it's so good.

An absolute "must-have" for any Northern Exposure fan.
"Cicely" answers many of the important questions about the town of Cicely. How it got it's name, who lived there first, etc. No one can claim to be a true NE fan and not own this episode... END ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Maggie, Maurice and Marilyn take stock of their lives
The fourth season of "Northern Exposure" opened with "Northwest Passage" (September 28, 1992), which refers to Maggie's depression over her 30th birthday as she becomes obsessed with the idea she is growing old and is missing out on life. Joel, of course, provides no comfort whatsoever, so by way of a solution Maggie enacts an Indian ritual to put her past to rest. Meanwhile, Maurice has commenced working on his memoirs and Marilyn has asked poor Chris to teach her how to drive. Written by Robin Green, "Northwest Passage" was directed by Dean Parisot. Nothing spectacular happens in this episode, which makes it an interesting choice for inclusion in this video collection, but it does give a nice character study of the M characters of Maggie, Maurice and Marilyn, which, obviously, is the point. This one is for true fans of "Northern Exposure," and not the casual viewer.

Maggie Reaches a Crossroad
This episode is so important to those who are dealing with the inevitable "sands of the hourglass" reaches certain years of our lives. Maggie is turning the big "3-0" and wants to have closure with her past dead boyfriends and sets out alone to purge them only to find, in a fever- induced hallucination, that they all blame her for their downfall! Meanwhile, back in Cicely, the ever pompous Maurice is driving everyone crazy recording his memoirs and Chris ends up literally driving Marilynne crazy as she takes driving lessons from him. Marilyne decides to walk and Joel saves Maggie and tenderly stays with her in the hospital with a kiss on the forehead. A sweet glimpse of things to come.....

it is great
like it so much but my cable company take out the chanel where I see i ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Follow-up Info
The "light stealing" episode of Northern Exposure is "Northern Lights" which is also available on VHS. "Northern Lights" and "Aurora Borealis" are 2 different episodes of the show....

Chris meets Bernard, but Joel runs into Adam...
"Aurora Borealis" (Season 1-Episode 8, August 30, 1990), is sub-titled "A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups." Strange things are happening in Cicely, especially for Chris and Joel. Chris (John Corbett) is working on a sculpture but is drawn to a stranger in town, Bernard (Richard Cummings, Jr.). After talking about Jung and the collective unconscious Chris and Bernard start acting alike and end up talking alike. When Chris encounters Bernard, and Jung, in his dream they discover the truth: the two are brothers. Meanwhile, Joel (Rob Morrow) is returning from a house call on a forest ranger when his truck breaks down. Suddenly, a strange hulking figure appears from the woods, scavenges some things from Joel's truck and beckons for the doctor to follow. Thus Joel encounters Adam (Adam Arkin), the mysterious figure everybody in Cicely has been talking about. Turns out Adam is a superb chef. But the next morning Adam is gone and when Joel returns to town, no one will believe his strange tale. A landmark episode of "Northern Exposure" that introduces two of the most fascinating recurring guest stars in the show's run. Perhaps even more imporant, Dr. Fleischman finally meets somebody who complains more than he does. "Aurora Borealis" was written by Charles Rosen and directed by Peter O'Fallon. Did you know?: In Sweden "Northern Exposure" was known as "Det ljuva livet i Alaska," which translates as "The sweet life in Alaska."

Lost Episodes?
I'm trying to find 3 episodes of NE. The first 2 involve Maggie. One is where she's rescued by a hunky guy who takes her to his cave. When she goes back later, she finds out he's really a bear who changed to human form just to meet her. The 2nd episode involves a stray dog that Maggie thinks is the reincarnation of her dead boyfriend Rick. The 3rd episode is about Fleischman's mom who's visiting. She falls off a mountain and doesn't even get a scratch. Marilyn explains that she became an eagle and "flew" down.

Does anyone know the names/numbers of these episodes? There're my favorites and I'd like to track them down.

NE was a great series, but I did lose interest when Joel left and the new doc came to town. However, the first couple of seasons were classics.

Maggie & the Bear, Maggie & the Dog, Fleischmans Mom Flies
I'm looking for 3 episodes of Northern Exposure. The first 2 involve Maggie. One is the episode where she meets the hunky guy who rescues her & takes her to his cave, and when she goes back to visit she finds out he's a bear who took human form just to meet her. The 2nd episode is the one where she finds the dog that she thinks is the reincarnation of Rick, after he's killed by the falling satellite.

The 3rd episode involves Fleischman's mom who's visiting, and she falls off a mountain and doesn't get hurt, and Marilyn explains that she flew like an eagle, which is why she didn't get hurt. Does anyone know the names/numbers of these episodes?

NE is still great to watch on reruns. However, I lost interest when Joel left and the new doc came to town.

Blokey! It's "Dinner at 7:30!"
The episode you're looking for (with the dream where everyone switches personalities), opened the 6th season on 9/19/94. The title is "Dinner at 7:30" Written by: Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Directed by: Michael Fresco

Aurora Borealis is my absolute favorite episode of this most wonderful series, by the way. It truly is a fairy tale for adults. Why this magnificent series isn't out as a full DVD set is beyond me. No one is running Northern Exposure anymore and I miss it terribly. Nothing like it on TV before or since. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Northern lights, a dream world captured on tape
Northern exposure is brilliant at it's worst and in this magical episode, it combines every character nuance, every dynamic to it's upmost. Chris, ever my personal hero toils over a piece of performance art that, shockingly to both himself and the viewer fails to come together: "there's no there there" he laments. Mistaken for a hobo by Cicely's first homeless person, they share a pure moment in which class and situation are immaterial - brilliant! Maurice flaunts his famous bigotry brought up smart by a surprising twist in the hobo's story while Bernard ponders so incisively the psychological and metaphysical reasoning behind class attitudes. Joel meanwhile battles with his personal dejection and "abandonment issues" as Cicely first denies him his holiday and then begins a lawsuit against him when he protests. The episode ends as brilliantly as ever with truly the most captivating and enchanting set imaginable, set to an appropriately whimsical score. Brilliant an absoloute 5 star cracker. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Northern Exposure at its best.
This is my favorite episode. It offers a new perspective on Thanksgiving that can only enhance our current tradition. I love the way most of the townsfolk smile and wave as tomatoes are hurled at them. It represents tolerance and respect at its quirkiest best.

Start Watching it on Halloween and Don't Stop Til T-Day!
This episode of Northern Exposure is one of my all-time favorites. The music, the visuals with Cicely all decorated for the annual Raven pageant...I have come to associate all of that stuff with Thanksgiving now just as much as I do turkeys and pilgrims. Yes, it is depressing *in a way*, because Joel is such a sourpuss at first. But he gives a wonderful comic performance and Maggie's interaction with Mike Monroe is sweet too. Definitely one to watch over and over during harvest season.

This is for Becy Williams.
This episode is a diappoinment. how can you say this episode makes you feel warm and fuzzy. it made me feel cold & icey. it think this was a supper depressing episode. WARNING! THIS EPISODE MAKES YOU FEEL ANGERY & DEPRESSED! do not watch this episode if your watching the show for the first time. watch Aura Borealis this epsiode makes you warm & Fuzzy.

Leaves you with warm, fuzzy feelings over & over again!
I absolutely loved this celebration of our nation's first official holiday! This episode embodies all that Thanksgiving is meant to be about. Fall is "in the air" (pumpkins & skeletons) as tomatoes go flying toward the Caucasian population on the streets. Dr. Joel Fleischman... a Jewish member of society, originally does not see history in relation to the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration through the eyes of his fellow native Indian citizen. However, thanks to the Alaskan gov't, Joel finds out that he is further "enslaved" to a fifth year of medical service to the state of Alaska. Upon realizing that this proposition is quite valid & legal, Joel resigns himself to the situation and begins to view things as hopeless. Alas, his "eyes" are now beginning to see things for the first time as a fellow native Indian. The feeling of hopelessness allows Joel to participate in the annual Fall Festival Parade typically reserved for only the native Indians (a culture of fellow victims of a sense of hopelessness, historically speaking). All is not lost, however. Joel, along with Maggie's current love interest (played by actor Anthony Edwards..E.R.), decide to lay all mental obstacles aside during the town's Thanksgiving feast...just long enough to enjoy it!!!!! You will leave this episode feeling warm & fuzzy each and every time you watch it!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Northern Exposure is the BEST
Wow, it's refreshing to read other reviews from people who are still watching Northern Exposure in 2001. I thought I was the only one who religiously watches the reruns on cable. I am adding the videos to my collection. The writers were brilliant when creating this show; they developed characters who were memorable and had something meaningful to say. You don't see that very much in TV anymore.

the best!
,This is one of the best shows of all time.This episode received a glowing and detailed review on the CBS sunday morning show with Charles Kurault in 1990.I am thrilled that it is now available on vhs since my own taped copy was destroyed by poor storage conditions. the scope the story is grand.the individual characters are used to great effect.if you are familiar with the series but have not seen this episode I recomend without reservation

Among the best in broadcast television history
This episode grabbed me by the throat and never let go. I saw it when it initially aired, and waited religiously for it to air again so I could tape it. I have always been a Northern Exposure fan, but this episode was at the same time the epitome of NE, and far beyond it. There are so many outstanding scenes and such an overwhelming gestalt, that this episode is quite likey one of the top ten episodes of ANY show in television broadcast history Yes, that includes the Newhart series finale and The Simpsons "Homer the Heretic". (For the unititiated, there have been ALOT of shows in television broadcast history.) The best scenes are 1) the town meeting where Chris and Joel debate the esoteric nature of truth vs fact as the plaid shirted townspeople cheer them on 2) Joel's hypothermically induced dream of his ancestors' (whom he has never met) passover seder in the old country where he meets elijah the prophet and 3)Holling's explanation to Joel why his bloodline is cursed and so he "desires no heirs". If by any chance the author of this sublime script ever checks in here to look at the reviews, pls email me so that I can write you a proper fan mail.

The Body in question.
I enjoyed this episode. It was interesting to watch. The episode kept us watching until the end just to find what happen next. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

THE BEST Po5 EPISODE EVER!
This episode was, by far, one of the best episodes that they have ever done! Starting out with a family dinner was a good way to lure Bailey, but not the best. The best way to lure Bailey to their house was to get him there by using who he loves most: Owen. I thought the scenes with Lacey were absolutely wonderful. You could really feel her pain as she's talking to him on the phone. Then when he got there, they wanted him to go to rehab. Good acting on Scott's part. But I would have to say my all-time favorite scene in that episode was when Scott lost it with everyone and started attacking them, revealing information about their past. I had only started watching "Party of Five" during the third season, but I have been a faithful viewer...from then to when it was cancelled, and I am sorry it was. Loyal "Party of Five" fans will miss it.

The Best Show Never Watched
It's a shame this series struggled for life every season it was on. Party of Five brought some of the most original writing and acting the Fox Televison Network has ever seen. Next to X-Files, this is the single best series they ever produced. I adored every episode of the five years it was on and still miss this show dearly. I felt orphaned when it went off!

My only qualm about the videos is that most of them are pricey and yet contain only one episode-not a good deal at all! Especially "The Intervention" which was a two episode arc and they only delivered the first half to video-who does that? This show never got the respect it deserved while on the air and still is being snubbed by the studio's refusal to release it on DVD. But all is well because we have things like "The Simple Life" to keep us occupied...GET A GRIP FOX!!! PUT PO5 ON DVD THIS MINUTE!!!!!

"Intervention" Rocks!!!
This is no doubt one of the best PO5 episodes of all time! When it's rare to find a television show which deals with family drama, you can look no further than "Party of Five!" When I first got hooked onto the show in the spring of 99, I thought it had great potential, and great characters! It started after I saw Lacey Chabert(Claudia) in "Lost in Space," and since then I wanted to see more of her in other things! She truly does shine in PO5 with this episode! As does Scott Wolf who gives his character Bailey more drama with his alcohol problem! What makes this episode stand out from the other episodes in my opinion is because it's all the characters in a closed surrounding when they try to make Bailey come to terms with his drinking problem! With the other episodes, you jump from one character to the next, and it's often to soap opera at times, and hard to keep up! This is one episode where the siblings all come together to save their brother! My compliments to Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, Lacey Chabert, and Jennifer Love Hewitt for making this episode truly work! It's too bad you couldn't see this movie become like a motion picture event(giggle)! That would have been neat!

A Must-Have for any true "Party of Five" fan!!!
Simply put, this episode is the hallmark of everything that endeared viewers to this amazing drama that ran on the Fox network from 1994-2000. In the series' beginning, Bailey Salinger was the responsible sibling who put others and their needs before his own, especially when it came to younger siblings Julia, Claudia & Owen. Then Bailey goes off to college, where he has to care for no one except himself. And that's where his downfall begins. Bailey begins to drink--uncontrollably. He cuts himself off from his family, goes out partying and getting drunk every night, and buys liquor with money that was supposed to be used to pay for Owen's birthday celebration. When Bailey shows up at Owen's party stone drunk, the siblings begin to realize just how bad the problem is. So, they stage an intervention. The episode is powerfully written and acted as it walks you through the various stages mof the intervention: the tension beforehand, deciding how to get Bailey to come to the intervention, the emotions that the siblings have in seeing their brother's life in such a mess, Bailey's denial of his drinking problem. In one particularly stunning scene, Bailey feels as if he's being picked on, so he begins fighting back by throwing his siblings' past mistakes right back in their faces: Julia's unplanned pregnancy, Charlie's wedding-that-wasn't, and so on. Then, in the middle of all this mess, Joe, a longtime friend of the family, drops a bomb that catches the whole family off guard: their father was a recovering alcoholic whose drinking nearly wrecked the family. Claudia finds out what made her father to stop drinking, and at the end of the episode, she gives Bailey an ultimatum that leaves the family at a turning point, leaving the viewer on the edge. The writing is exceptionally realistic, as is the acting (especially on the parts of Scott Wolf as Bailey and Lacey Chabert as Claudia). A must-see for any true "Party"-goer.

Great series....
The attraction with this series as with so many was the chemistry between the characters. The sweetness of these kids in contrast with the harshness of their lives takes you away from reality and as we all need an esape of some sort, this is mine. I am a customer from the UK and doubt that we have had all of the series on our screens and we also don't have these videos released in the UK. I am very jealous of you guys as I would love to have this in my video cupboard to have a weep on a rainy Sunday..... Ahhhhhhh! those were the days.. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

Mystery and Suspense Without Sherlock Holmes
One of the finest suspense movies that I have seen in long time. Avery has had the unfortunate luck to have his sister kidnapped and ransomed for $2,000,000. Unfortunately, neither he nor his father have that kind of money. So he and his friends kidnap retired mob boss Charlie Bartolucci (expertly played by Christopher Walken) so that he can use his contacts to find the girl and pay the ransom. Shocked, angered, and ultimately amused by his novice captors, Bartolucci agrees to help with Avery's sister. While doing so, one of his contacts lets him know that the kidnapping had help from an inside party. Slyly playing the friends against each other with this information, the tension slowly continues to boil until the movie's explosive climax. With an underrated but excellent supporting cast (including Jay Mohr, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Denis Leary), this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time because you're never sure who to trust. Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of Josh McKinney's script is the unending depth of the characters. Denis Leary's role is a perfect example: as Bartolucci's lieutenaant he posesses an expected viciousness and sarcasm. However, he allows a good soul to shine through at odd moments: like when he shows up to question a friend of the boys and instead protects her from the forced advances of her stepfather. Filled with tension that is only heightened by the film's biting humor and its complex characters, this is a great flick to watch with a bunch of friends so you can all guess whodunnit and be shocked by the ending.

Very Funny and Dark
"Suicide Kings" is a very good movie with a great ensemble cast. Different viewers will chose their particular favorites, but if you are an admirer of Christopher Walken you have all the reason you need to see this film. Denis Leary is the second best aspect of this film, and that is largely due to his smaller, but critical role. His defensive riffs on justifying his $1500.00 Stingray boots that others acknowledge as, "fish-boots", is quality stand up material.

Four prep-school, rich kid, lifelong friends, and a fifth that they mislead as only friends can do, decide they need to kidnap Christopher Walken for his diplomatic skills. His character is a modern version of Don Corleone so a decision to detain him against his will is poor judgment at best and lethal at worst. When Walken contacts his attorney to unravel this mess his first comments include, "don't send your kids to boarding school". The unwitting friend Ira, as played by Johnny Galecki is a riot as he frets over his parents newly finished floors and marked liquor labels, while, "The Godfather", is duct-taped to his father's favorite chair.

Christopher Walken is an amazing actor that deserves more recognition than he has been given. If there is an actor who can play a more sinister, purely evil character, without raising his voice, I have never seen him. This role is comparable to the part he played in another film when he introduced himself as the Anti-Christ. As brilliant a, "Player", as his character is, there is also a pair of low level goons that are the mob's equivalent of Laurel and Hardy.

The R rating is appropriate for the violence, and language that may or may not offend some viewers. There are no, "adult situations".

A movie to watch time after time
I don't exactally know what made me watch this movie. I think my dad picked it up from some $5 bin and one day while bored out of my mind I picked it up a random movie and decided to watch it. But I am glad that I watched it for sure. It is a movie that I have literally watched twice in the last week (well that could be due to the fact that I have nothing better to do...) and cracked up thru both times. and everytime i watch this movie knowing the ending I am still questioning who the inside player is and how everything is going to end. basically it is in my top 5 favorite movies of all time and it is a movie tht i recommend to everyone who likes dar comedies and doesnt mind blood and cussing.

Christopher Walken the Great.
Great script, great directing, great acting, great movie. it is a blend of crime drama and thin satire. it combines very smoothly the abilities of great actors (Christopher Walken)with the exuberance of young prospects. and Dennis Leary was born for his role in this motion picture.
this is a must have for any christopher walken fan, and movie lovers in general. you will not be dissapointed, especially with the deleted scenes and alternate endings extras. enjoy.

1 of my favs
christopher walken is a mob boss kidnapped for ransom by a bunch of college kids who didnt plan well dennis leary is the mob boss hitmen coming to find the kids who kidnapped his boss to compound the problem the kids cutoff the mob boss fingers then regret it and panic a dark comedy/thriller many people have not seen cause its an independent film buy this killer dvd today ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The family favorite
This episode, of so many spectacular episodes, has got to be my families absolute favorite. This episode not only brings forth some of the complexities of Marices character, but truly defines Adam. When Adam chastises Ed for his stirring inadequacies, lectures the kitchen staff, threatens the head chef, unleashing all of his arrogant culinary expertise, calls himself a genius when complimented for salvaging some bad fish; only to be fooled by a faked 1928 Chateau L'Tour that Eve made from a bottle of off-the-shelf ingredients - it is priceless. Add that to the final toast of the evening - insults and retorts between Maurice and Ron and topped with a whopper from Chris - this episode is absolutely classic. I say it is the best episode of the best TV show ever made. Period.

miss this show
This is one of my all time favorite shows. I got to thinking about it lately and was thrilled that Amamzon has some videos. (Would be helpful if a synopsis of the video was included on the order page.)

Maurice is at his egotistical self-important best here as he throws the party to end all parties, or as Ruth Ann says, "an homage to himself." We also see the return of Adam and Eve--a priceless couple. Seeing them was well worth the price of the video.

I would love to see a video of the episode where Maggie has yet another boyfriend die on her. This guy was killed by a fallen satellite and the casket had all sorts of satellite things spoking out from it. One of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV. Think it was from the first season, don't know name of episode and I don't get the reruns here. Also would like to see the one where Adam and Eve are introduced and Joel is stranded with them, I think.

One of the Best Northern Exposure Episodes of All!
I have seen all 110 episodes of NX and this is by far one of my favorites! Maurice Minnefield throws a huge party so that means we get to see the wonderfully strange "Adam" going his "chef" act and Joel thinks Maurice has not invited him to the party. Even Adams' wife, Eve, the hypochondriact, and their new baby are there. Together with the rest of the cast, even Ron, the gay guy, this is an episode not to be missed. One thing after another happens in this highly quirky and eccentric little Alaskan town, a TRUE delight!

A must-see for anyone who has classical cooking knowledge
One of the best Northern Exposure episodes ever. Minnifield throws a huge party, and Adam comes to bail him out. Meanwhile, Shelly breaks a bottle of '29 Chateau LaTour, and spends the rest of the episode trying to trick Maurice and Adam into believing that it is the real thing. This is a hilarious episode that will make anyone laugh, especially anyone with some knowledge of classical cooking. A must see. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best show ever (first guy to laugh get's decked)
At a time when full season DVD's are coming out for shows as long lost as MASH and as unasked for as OZ there has to be a market for a full season DVD for Party of Five. Party of Five, in case you missed it, was about the orphaned Salinger clan, and all the various bruising they took out of life. The Wedding is from the first season, and it centers around Charlie who is about to marry Kirsten. Charlie being a man of a suspect reputation gets cold feet and the episode starts to revolve around whether or not he'll go through with taking his vows. The show also offers comedic relief as Julia (Neve Campbell) and her estranged boyfriend Justin get a little drunk off the reception's champagne and commence in one of the more unromantic scenerios one takes part in when losing their virginity. The sad thing is The Wedding is just a small token of everything Party of Five offered as a show. It was probably the best family drama ever produced as their struggles with relatively familar themes come off as real struggles. As opposed the way trite family dramas (See Providence, 7th Heaven, and anything regarded as a 'family' show on ABC) treat similar themes as a way to relay a rather sugar sweetened message with the biggest fireworks coming during sweeps month. Why should only sci-fi nerds get full season treats with items like the X-Files, Star Trek, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why do we have to be subjected to HBO dishing full season DVD's of every show on their schedule? If their's a full season of Arliss available before Party of Five, I'm raising hell.

Superb
This was one of the best Party of Five episodes ever. It was a very well-written script and very well-acted. It had laughs and sorrow. One of the best one hour shows you'll ever see.

Excellent
It's one of the best Party of five espisodes. Everything was good: the actors, the script, the dialogues, the scenes...everything. it's really a luxury to have a tv episode like this. Nothing more to say: the best of the best

boring
i thought this movie was made very badly. the actors and actresses did a great job but the script was week ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Lacked a Sense of Magic
I enjoyed this film, but while watching I kept thinking that what was needed was the sense of wonder that Steven Spielberg brings to many of his films. Vanessa Redgrave co-stars in this film, "Rumor Of Angels", and she is much better that the limits the character placed upon her. She is striking with her white hair and ice blue eyes, and visually was perfect for her character. The young boy, Colin Rogers, in the film was very good, and when he was onscreen Ray Liotta was good but seemed to be a bit miscast. The performer that got the most from his role was Ron Livingston playing the perennial superficially slow, but incisive role.

The movie was best when it had only the elderly woman and the boy she was teaching on screen. When other characters appeared that often seemed to be more of an intrusion, and their reason for interceding often seemed weak. The ending was a bit of a stretch and was the type of scene that separates spectacular direction from the mainstream. Handled well it would have been a very moving moment, handled as it was it came close to generating a chuckle, which was most definitely not the response the director was searching for.

Where has this been hiding?
A RUMOR OF ANGELS - a film I don't recall seeing advertised for theater public consumption - is like that rare find on a misty beachcoming afternoon. Here is a story so simple yet so rich that it should be viewed by a much larger audience. Yes, Vanessa Redgrave fans will of course pick up the DVD on the merits of her enormous gifts as an actress. Or perhaps word of mouth will spread the news that someone cared enough to make a life-affirming film in the midst of all the action/implosion noisemakers. Very simply, the film is based on a book 'Messages from a Soldier to his Mother' that opens the window to the concept of what happens to us when we die. The journal kept by Redgraves' character ( Maddy Bennett, a gnarly old woman who is a loner but sensitively in touch with her take on this world and the one after) is eventually shared with an emotionally devastated boy of 12 to help him accept his mother's accidental death, a death for which he feels responsible. It all works well as a story without becoming maudlin, due in no small part to director Peter O'Fallon and his sterling cast. Not only does this damaged child find solace about the question of death, his wonderfully colorful mentor Maddy teaches him about music, about living, about forgiving. The musical score is beautifully enhancing in the form of Mozart (Symphony No. 39, a two piano sonata, and the exquisite choral Ave Verum Corpus). The physical settings are magnificent, the camera work, set dressing, editing, and of course the luminous gifts of actor Vanessa Redgrave all make this a film worth seeing and owning. Highly recommended.

Great "sleeper" movie
This is one of those "sleeper" movies. Sleeper movies are ones that seem to never get any attention in the media, etc. I'm not sure why it didn't, because it is an outstanding movie! It is really beautifully done - with a combination of personalities. After watching this on one of the cable channels, the first thing I did was come to Amazon to see if it was available! I don't buy a lot of movies, but this one is a Must Have! I can hardly wait to get it!

Well worth watching!
This film has some of the same plot and setting elements as
"Man Without a Face", and has a 'generational bridge' similar to that which "On Golden Pond" did so well.

It is about a young boy who becomes friends with a crabby old lady. Both the boy and the lady (played wonderfully by Vanessa Redgrave) have lost loved ones--- the boy having witnessed his mother's death in an accident only a few years before. It is a case of help from outside the family being more effective than help from within the family. I suspect that this would happen a lot more if we did not have to keep our kids away from all 'strangers'.

Both the boy and the old lady fill a special need for each other at one certain time in their lives. Unlike most films, there is really no one to hate in this one-- that in itself is rare. You actually wind up liking everyone in this movie-- or at least I did.

I would have done a different ending had I been the director-- the one used is not very subtle and was difficult for me to believe... not the basic intent of it, but the media it used. You will know what I mean if and when you see it.

The box said PG-13 and mentioned some 'brief drug references'??
HUH? The old lady won't take her medicine-- Geeze! Some very mild profanity.

A special treat in the film is the music!

I watched the VHS version, but by all means go for the DVD-- I was cheated out of 1/3 of all the scenes with the "fit to your screen" version.

I give it a "5" out of "5" with a few reservations. The technical guys should have asked a few ham radio operators about the way transmitters work (you have to have a receiver also!), and 'keys' don't make tones just by themselves. But all in all, a very good effort.

A Rumor of Angels
This movie is guarnteed to warm your heart on the coldest of days! If you've ever found yourself wondering about the possiblity of life after death, this movie will clench it for you. Yes, it's a tearjerker, but it left me with a feeling of comfort and calm. I just finished watching it on cable, and I'm here to purchase the DVD for my own library! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Last good show in the series.
One of the Best Episode of the series. It's a heat felt tear jerker that Pretty much defines the essence of this Once Great series. The reason I say once is because pretty much after this episode; the show literally goes down the drain. The quality that had made this show is replaced with sensationalism and exploitation. Going as far as to degrade woman, abuse victims, and homosexuals all for the sake of ratings. Even the actors spoke out on how bad the show had gotten, and could not waited to leave the show. Do yourself a favor, and remember this show for what it was, not for what it had became. Pick up this video, and relive the real Party Of Five, Not the Party of Five The writers and producers had sold out for the sake of ratings

I LOVE PARTY OF FIVE
This is the quientsencial Party of Five Vide

This is one of the best.
This is a great Party of Five episode Not better then Intervention or The Wedding but great in its own way great acting from Neve Campbell and the rest of the cast and most of all Lacey Chabert. so If you the Wonder Years type of Show you Should buy this video ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas....
....without watching this episode of one of my favorite TV shows of all time, Northern Exposure. Christmas in Cicely, Alaska as experienced by the quirky, lovable characters of the town. This episode is filled to the brim with the spirit of the season, along with the not-so-spirit-filled attitudes that often go along with the season; in short - real-life! I've always been impressed with the way all the loose ends of the various plot lines are all resolved in the end - usually with only a musical score playing as we watch the characters go about the business of life. This episode is no different. I admit to getting choked up over Joel's gift to Maggie and Holland's gift to Shelly. Watch it and you'll see what I mean!

One of the Greatest TV shows ever!
"Northern Exposure" really is one of the best TV shows ever written. The show centers upon the real lives of an eclectic group of people living in a tiny Alaskan town. They all WANT to be there with the exception of Dr. Fleishman, a displaced New Yorker, who has alot to learn about life and living in Alaska. A must see for someone looking for more than just "fluff" and canned laughter. The location filming is an added plus to this wonderfully written and performed Emmy-award winning show. I lived in Alaska and the people who are there are truly special as this show most accurately captures.

A beautifully written episode, exquisitely performed!
This is probably my favorite episode of the entire wonderful "Northern Exposure" series. Everyone tries to deal with the holidays in their own ways...and to help their friends and loved ones through them. Maurice is surprised by a visit from the Korean son he didn't know he had; Maggie complains about having to go home for the holidays, but then is disappointed to learn that her parents don't want her to come; Joel seems even farther away from home than usual; Marilyn dances the ceremony of the raven; and to top it all off, Holling (John Cullum) sings the "Ave Maria" for a homesick Shelly. A beautiful episode that will linger in your heart!

VERY GOOD!
I loved this video is a video I have not seen before.. watched it and I just loved it.I am avid northern exposure fan... there not airing this on a&e so just bought it.. don't regret a penny of it

The best TV series holiday episode ever
As far as I am concerned, this "Northern Exposure" episode embodies the true holiday spirit, whatever one's religious or spiritual beliefs might be. The characters demonstrate how they truly care for each other and respect each other's traditions and beliefs. After I watch "Seoul Mates," I wipe away a tear and wish that real life could more often reflect this ideal. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

Mystery and Suspense Without Sherlock Holmes
One of the finest suspense movies that I have seen in long time. Avery has had the unfortunate luck to have his sister kidnapped and ransomed for $2,000,000. Unfortunately, neither he nor his father have that kind of money. So he and his friends kidnap retired mob boss Charlie Bartolucci (expertly played by Christopher Walken) so that he can use his contacts to find the girl and pay the ransom. Shocked, angered, and ultimately amused by his novice captors, Bartolucci agrees to help with Avery's sister. While doing so, one of his contacts lets him know that the kidnapping had help from an inside party. Slyly playing the friends against each other with this information, the tension slowly continues to boil until the movie's explosive climax. With an underrated but excellent supporting cast (including Jay Mohr, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Denis Leary), this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time because you're never sure who to trust. Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of Josh McKinney's script is the unending depth of the characters. Denis Leary's role is a perfect example: as Bartolucci's lieutenaant he posesses an expected viciousness and sarcasm. However, he allows a good soul to shine through at odd moments: like when he shows up to question a friend of the boys and instead protects her from the forced advances of her stepfather. Filled with tension that is only heightened by the film's biting humor and its complex characters, this is a great flick to watch with a bunch of friends so you can all guess whodunnit and be shocked by the ending.

Very Funny and Dark
"Suicide Kings" is a very good movie with a great ensemble cast. Different viewers will chose their particular favorites, but if you are an admirer of Christopher Walken you have all the reason you need to see this film. Denis Leary is the second best aspect of this film, and that is largely due to his smaller, but critical role. His defensive riffs on justifying his $1500.00 Stingray boots that others acknowledge as, "fish-boots", is quality stand up material.

Four prep-school, rich kid, lifelong friends, and a fifth that they mislead as only friends can do, decide they need to kidnap Christopher Walken for his diplomatic skills. His character is a modern version of Don Corleone so a decision to detain him against his will is poor judgment at best and lethal at worst. When Walken contacts his attorney to unravel this mess his first comments include, "don't send your kids to boarding school". The unwitting friend Ira, as played by Johnny Galecki is a riot as he frets over his parents newly finished floors and marked liquor labels, while, "The Godfather", is duct-taped to his father's favorite chair.

Christopher Walken is an amazing actor that deserves more recognition than he has been given. If there is an actor who can play a more sinister, purely evil character, without raising his voice, I have never seen him. This role is comparable to the part he played in another film when he introduced himself as the Anti-Christ. As brilliant a, "Player", as his character is, there is also a pair of low level goons that are the mob's equivalent of Laurel and Hardy.

The R rating is appropriate for the violence, and language that may or may not offend some viewers. There are no, "adult situations".

A movie to watch time after time
I don't exactally know what made me watch this movie. I think my dad picked it up from some $5 bin and one day while bored out of my mind I picked it up a random movie and decided to watch it. But I am glad that I watched it for sure. It is a movie that I have literally watched twice in the last week (well that could be due to the fact that I have nothing better to do...) and cracked up thru both times. and everytime i watch this movie knowing the ending I am still questioning who the inside player is and how everything is going to end. basically it is in my top 5 favorite movies of all time and it is a movie tht i recommend to everyone who likes dar comedies and doesnt mind blood and cussing.

Christopher Walken the Great.
Great script, great directing, great acting, great movie. it is a blend of crime drama and thin satire. it combines very smoothly the abilities of great actors (Christopher Walken)with the exuberance of young prospects. and Dennis Leary was born for his role in this motion picture.
this is a must have for any christopher walken fan, and movie lovers in general. you will not be dissapointed, especially with the deleted scenes and alternate endings extras. enjoy.

1 of my favs
christopher walken is a mob boss kidnapped for ransom by a bunch of college kids who didnt plan well dennis leary is the mob boss hitmen coming to find the kids who kidnapped his boss to compound the problem the kids cutoff the mob boss fingers then regret it and panic a dark comedy/thriller many people have not seen cause its an independent film buy this killer dvd today ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mothers and Other MONSTERS!
I have all 110 episodes recorded off the tv of Northern Exposure but this one was particularly relatable for any woman or man who still feels the need to "please" their parent who makes them CRAZY! Maggie's mom comes to Cicely and Maggie isn't happy with her overly critical parent. I love the scene at the beginning when the mother, played by Bibi Besch, comes into Maggie's cabin the first time and rearranged the flowers that Maggie had put out! My mom does that ALL the time and I have learned to go with it and change it later. Accidently, Mrs. O'Connell burns down Mags house and she wanders about homeless. Chris, seeking to fling a cow in one of his existential insights of angst, asks to use Mags piano after Ed tells him that a cow was flung by Monty Python. Chris uses a trepuche, a midevel catapult to FLING the burned out thing bringing a fantastic show for the people of Cicely and a cathartic closure to Maggie. Outsome footage of the "fling" in slow motion! "It's not the thing you fling, it's the fling itself",declares Chris. This episode reminded me to finish what you start and that endurance in the face of a tragedy is the key to surviving the wilds of Alaska. A GREAT episode! A+++

Brilliant script in a beautiful town
This is my all time favorite episode of Northern Exposure. Chris and Maggie each deal with their own struggles and it is handled in a realistic way. The piano fling is the cherry on top of this brilliant episode.

"It's not what you fling; it's the fling itself"
Beautiful quote from Chris-in-the-morning. This episode is considered the best by most of the actors. (stated in "The NX Book") As it is also a very popular episode with us fans. In it, Chris introduces `The fling`, and Maggie's mom visits...and...burns down her house......A must see for any NX new-comers! END ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great set of Northern Exposure
For fans or even casual watchers of Northern Exposure, these are two must-see episodes. The series pilot introduces the plot and characters, and "Cicely" is, in my humble opinion, the greatest episode of the series. The first episode I ever saw was "Cicely", and I loved it. The unique humor I found to be very engaging, and the ensemble cast is terrific. You don't need to be familiar with the show or its characters to appreciate the quality of this extremely witty and very well done portrait of Cicely's colorful past. When the town doctor hits a 108 year old man with his car, and the man spins a tremendous yarn of the town's early development while being treated, the unfolding tale twists and turns with many delightful surprises. For any fan of Northern Exposure, these two episodes are mandatory viewing, and for those new to Northern Exposure, they are an excellent introduction, embodying the wit, intelligence, ambience, and color of the outstanding television series. ... Read more