|
|
|
Search Movie Review
Archives
|
|
|
| |
| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
remains to be to provide you, the entertainment community with
the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
link to the most popular dvd movies. |
|
|
“Northern
Exposure- The Complete Second Season”
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Comedy |
| Video: |
1.33:1 Fullscreen
|
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
2.0 (stereo) |
| Languages |
English,
French |
| Subtitles |
English,
French, Spanish |
| Length |
Approximately
320 minutes |
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
11/30/04
|
| Studio |
Universal
Home Video |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
Deleted scenes
|
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Gag reel
|
| Cast
and Crew: |
Rob Morrow,
Barry Corbin, Janine Turner, John Cullum, Darren E. Burrows,
John Corbett, Cythia Geary, Elaine Miles, Peg Phillips |
| Written
By: |
Diane Frolov,
Robin Green, Jeff Melovin, Andrew Schneider |
| Produced
By: |
Cheryl Bloch,
Joshua Brand, David Chase |
| Directed
By: |
Joe Napolitano,
Dean Parisot, Adam Arkin |
| Music:
|
David Schwartz |
| The
Review: |
“Northern Exposure: The Incomplete
Second Season” fell down fans like a snowstorm in Cicely,
Alaska; it was expected but not exactly welcome. Why? For
the very simple reason that it is “incomplete”. There’s a
bad habit with studios not even trying to license music for
older TV shows. Instead, they just substitute the music heard
in the episode with generic material (or inappropriate songs)
that just doesn’t fit. With a series like “Northern Exposure”
or “Quantum Leap” where the music is an intrical part of the
“mood” of the show that’s a crime. It’s also a crime to package
a series like “Northern Exposure” which had a short first
and second season. With seven episodes for the second season
and the retail price for the series it all comes down to greed.
Sure it’s got clever packaging (with its “parka”) but, like
most fans, I’d much rather have the first and second season
combined (as in “Sliders”) than get a “boxed set” so slim
on material that all seven episodes and the bonus materials
fit on two discs. For the steep sticker price you’d expect
at least the original uncut, unaltered episodes. Nope that
ain’t gonna happen. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
The only
good news to report here is that “Northern Exposure” looks exceptional
crisp and clear on DVD. The rustic colors and atmosphere of
Cicely, Alaska come to life on this set. The 2.0 sound hasn’t
been remixed for 5.1 Dolby Digital but still sounds remarkably
clear. |
| The
Extras: |
With so
little in the package you’d expect some extras. You get a
minimal amount as in the season one set. We get to see deleted
footage and the blooper reel for season two. That’s all folks.
No retrospective documentary, no new (much less vintage) interviews.
Universal has been pumping this stuff out at amazing speed
of late and the result is it’s like eating health food—less
filling and doesn’t have the taste of the old stuff that clogged
the arteries that you loved so much. Is it better for you?
No but it is better for Universal. I’ve been very disappointed
of late with Universal’s releases and their complete disregard
(and perhaps contempt) for fans as they’ve routinely replaced
the music that went with episodes, pumped out product with
inferior picture quality (“Night Gallery”) or poor extras
(“The Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection”). Come on folks!
You can’t tell me that the people in Universal’s marketing
department have so little regard for fans that they won’t
even list on the box when they’ve altered episodes for release
(as happened with both this and many, many other boxed sets).
I guess you can. ---
|
| Commentary:
|
For the high
price you’d expect to at least get a commentary track or two
but no such luck. |
| Final
Words: |
I’d suggest
that Universal take a look at HBO, Warner Brothers, Fox, Paramount—hell
any TV series put out by just about any major studio as an example
of giving the fans good quality for their money. A very disappointing
set from Universal that is an example of misdirection. No, not
that the type you see with magic but the type you see in a con
job. Carefully weigh this out folks. You get seven episodes
all altered to some degree and missing their original music,
minimal extras, no commentary tracks or retrospective featurettes
in a parka. A parka? That’s really useful. At least you don’t
have to worry about keeping the DVD’s warm in cold weather.
|
|
|
