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Originally called Sex Crimes, executive producer Dick Wolf wisely opted for something less lurid when the second in the inexhaustible Law & Order franchise hit the air in 1999. Still, as the opening voiceover makes clear, the "sexually based offenses" investigated by New York's Special Victims Unit can be "especially heinous." Wolf penned series premier "Payback," which sets the scene, but not the tone. It's a lively, if uneasy mix between horror (rape) and comedy (risqué banter). As the first season progressed, humor would be written out altogether (leaving Richard Belzer's Homicide-derived John Munch with increasingly less to do), and less emphasis would be placed on the home lives of this "elite squad of dedicated detectives." Mostly, "Payback" introduces us to the unit, centering around partners Olivia Benton (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). For two people with so little in common, they make a terrific team--arguably one of TV's best. Stabler is married with four children; Benton is single and her closest relationship is with her mother (Elizabeth Ashley). While Stabler can get a little rough with suspects, Benton tends to over-empathize with the victims. They report to the no-nonsense Captain Cragen (Law & Order vet Dann Florek). Like the parent program's Lenny Briscoe, he's a recovering alcoholic. Dean Winters and Michelle Hurd round out the rock-solid cast. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Not Worth Getting
Don't get me wrong. This episode was great but not worth getting all by itself. If you pay twice as much, you get 22 episodes instead of just the one. This episode is included in the set. I just wish there was an episode introducing all the characters to each other instead of introducing the audience to the characters all at once. I was disappointed that there wasn't a 2-hour beginning like most series. Oh well. Don't bother with this dvd. GET THE SET!!!!!!

A No-Brainer
Why am I even reviewing this? I suppose it's just to verify with you, reader, that you will now be clicking over to SVU's first season DVD release. 3 stars is generous, but I think justified. One must take into account the material AS WELL AS the packaging of the product (It's a 5-star program in a 1-star package).

Pro - strong enough concept to survive on its own away from the original Law and Order series (material).
Con - you would be officially declared an idiot to buy one episode for about a third of the price of the entire first season (of which there are approximately 20 X as many episodes).

Let's break that down for all ye non-rocket-scientists out there. It would take over 50 million bowls of your cereal...err...umm... I mean, buying only three independent episodes of SVU (which mercifully you can't, and the producers gave the consumers' brains atleast SOME credit) would have bought you the entire first season (now going for roughly $50), a net loss of, again, roughly 20 episodes (I've done some rounding for the non-rocket-scientists).

A quick justification for the 3 stars -

A) SVU, like the original Law And Order, has so much going on, you'll ALWAYS pick oodles up upon subsequent viewings (the rewind button can offer you everything that Munch was saying that you just sort of glossed over the first time).... thus, purchasing one episode won't REALLY give you just 45 minutes of something to watch.

B) This is especially true, as they've packed those infamous "DVD extras" in - the original "Everybody's favorite Bag Man" pilot, as well as some interesting interviews and extra footage (the squad room walk-through) keep "Payback" from feeling lonely.

Real fans should boycott these piecemeal relaease
Another bad DVD release. It looks like a crude attempt to extract as much revenue as possible from large base of loyal fans. Some reviewers who wax lyrical over the 'special' interview features and "insight into the show" in this single episode DVD either work for the publisher or miss the point that any of these items could have been included in a 'full season' release. This piecemeal approach is frustrating for real fans of the series who, to date, have seen only one complete season released. I for one will protest with my wallet. It stays shut until the complete seasons are released.

Why buy one episode?
Law and Order is on television most nights of the week. Why buy one episode on DVD. I did not buy this one, and would like to add to the previous comments stating a season box set release is necessary and in demand! Come on executives of Universal, we're waiting!

More, please!
I gave this DVD 3 stars because I have seen this episode - it is terrific. However, I will not be shelling out [money] for 1 episode... I'll be saving it to put it towards the purchase of the entire 1st season on DVD, when and if that is released! Gimme a break, Universal! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

MFTV Highs and Lows
A typical MFTV movie with a few interesting strenths, but tends to sag and go flat here and there, especially as it skips back and forth between the story and the trial. I bought the film mainly because it has a heavy metal theme. I'm a metal fan and longhair guy and I liked this aspect of the film, and I like seeing Helen Hunt as a headbanger chick. Some of you metalheads might enjoy a few of the cool '80's hair metal parts which are sprinkled throughout the film. The one thing that irritates me about this film besides it being dull here and there is that it indirectly portrays the typical, tired stereotype of the long haired metalheads as "bad" and "evil", something hollywood wrongly and unfairly always seemed to do with us. If heavy metal isn't your thing you probably won't like this film.

Pretty typical weak made for TV type flick
Honestly... I bought it cuz Chad Allen's in it. :) But the mullet... yikes.

movie
i thought the movie was pretty good but some parts were kind of boring. i would recommend this movie to people. ... Read more

Description

Her beauty was disarming, Her allure undeniable, Yet this celebrated icon of American sexuality was a carefully crafted character, a showbiz concoction that could never quite hide the real-life vulnerability of a thrown-away child desperate for love and i ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Now that the first season is out SKIP THIS Rip-Off!
The episode contained here is a very good one. And I can think of nothing bad to say about it. And the documentary is very good as well. But you get the SAME episode and the SAME documentary {no other extra's though} PLUS 22 more episodes with the first season set. If you can not afford the first season set this would be better than nothing. But if you can afford it, avoide this and buy the first season. Had I known the first season DVD's were comming 5 months ago I WOULD HAVE!!

Real fans should boycott these piecemeal releases
This is typical of a bad DVD release. It looks like a crude attempt to extract as much revenue as possible from large base of loyal fans. Some reviewers who wax lyrical over the 'special' interview features and "insight into the show" in this single episode DVD either work for the publisher or miss the point that any of these items could have been included in a 'full season' release. This piecemeal approach is frustrating for real fans of the series who, to date, have seen only one complete season released. I for one will protest with my wallet. It stays shut until the complete seasons are released.

LOCI Shall Rule The Universe!
A lot of people have been complaining about why would you buy just one episode of any particular show. Well let me tell you why. The interviews on this DVD allow insight into the show and let you better understand issues that come up in virtually every episode. You get to know the actors and their characters on a deceptively personal level. If you are a hard-core fan, then you need this DVD. Stop complaining that it is just one episode, because really, it's a lot more than that. It took me inside "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," and that's one place I've always wanted to go!

Boxed set due in October
Several reviewers have wanted to know why the boxed set was not released.

This one episode DVD was meant as a teaser to wet the appatite for the boxed set due in October.

An essential purchase for all Vincent D'Onofrio fans
I realize that $20 seems like a lot to spend for a single LOCI episode that you probably already have on tape. But there are two reasons why you should buy this DVD today. First, the interview featurette is a rare opportunity to see D'Onofrio out of character and hear him talking as himself. We also get interesting trivia and fun behind-the-scenes details from Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer, Kathryn Erbe, Courtney Vance, and Jamey Sheridan. Second, the best way to get the LOCI first and second year box sets released fast is to show the depth of the fan base by buying this item. It's a cherry on top bonus to get the original L&O pilot, which is very rarely shown on TV. V-sisters and Gorenistas (and you know who you are), you need this in your collection. Trust me! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Classic Coming of Age Film
Based upon a short story by Joyce Carol Oates (Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?), Smooth Talk stars a lovely Laura Dern in her first 'big' role. Dern plays a young woman, Connie, who is at the difficult time in her life when she is making the transition between girl and woman. She meets a attractive yet slightly scary older man played by Treat Williams.

I suppose the plot could have been handled in a lurid, trite manner, but the direction by Joyce Chopra, as well as the fine acting by Ms. Dern and Williams, make this film rise above what could have been a fairly pedestrian effort in lesser hands.

We've all been in Connie's world, the world that suddenly presents itself when the tie to one's parents begins to loosen. We watch, and cringe, at some of the choices Connie and her friends face, waiting and hoping that all turns out well when she makes some poor decisions. Williams plays Arnold Friend ("A Friend") to unctuous perfection. In the story, he's 30 but tries to acts 18; Williams fits right in.

I'm not going to give away the ending, but let's just say that Connie's parents have real reason to be concerned about their daughter and the choices she makes. The film does end differently than the short story.

James Taylor was the film's music director, and some of his classic music is prominently displayed here.

BTW, this film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1986. It's a shame that a excellent film such as this just seems to slip through the cracks. A DVD is really in order.

Highly Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Sweet Movie
Yes, this is classified as a 'chick flick.' But it is wonderful! Diane Keaton, Carol Kane, and Kathryn Grody do a wonderful job as the 'Lemon Sisters', three best friends who may fight every now and then, but are always there for one another. This movie combines comedy and drama together, thus making it wonderful. Hearing Diane Keaton sing was another high point of the movie! If you have two best friends, watch this movie. It is simply wonderful. Even if you don't, watch the movie anyway. You won't regret it.

Endearing and Touching Movie
One of the main reasons that I bought "The Lemon Sisters" was because Diane Keaton was one of the stars. She happens to be my favorite actress, so I decided to get the movie. I'm very glad I did! It is so sweet and touching. Diane Keaton, Carol Kane, and Kathryn Grody all give wonderful performances as three women who have been friends since they were little. One thing I really loved about this movie were the flashbacks and how they were in black and white, so it was easy to tell when they would be going into a flashback.

The movie also has quite a few comedic points, like when Franki (Kane) attempts to start a singing career away from Eloise (Keaton) and Nola (Grody). But the three just aren't the same when they are apart. I thought that the way they came up with the name of their group was very interesting and cute. And no matter what happened, they remained friends, through thick and thin. Why this movie was not as acclaimed as it should have been, I do not know. But what I do know is that it is wonderful and a movie for friends to watch together.

endearing and sweet
Diane Keaton, Carol Kane and Kathryn Grody star in the comedy THE LEMON SISTERS.

A tangy, funny story set against the dreamscape of Atlantic City, THE LEMON SISTERS follows the fortunes and mishaps of three best friends, trying to make it big.

The problems and heartache always fall away each Monday night, as they gather at their favourite club, and sing as "The Lemon Sisters". Among the many delights to be savoured here is Carol Kane's hilarious rendition of "Rawhide", and the quirky supporting cast which includes Elliott Gould, Estelle Parsons, Ruben Blades and Aidan Quinn.

A really delightful, feel-good film with a goofy charm that is too hard to resist.

Not a lemon! One of those not so popular gems.
Despite some critic's comments, and it's unpopularity at the box office, this viewer found The Lemon Sisters funny, and endearing. A great gal pal movie! off-beat, and original, with an excellent cast. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

MFTV Highs and Lows
A typical MFTV movie with a few interesting strenths, but tends to sag and go flat here and there, especially as it skips back and forth between the story and the trial. I bought the film mainly because it has a heavy metal theme. I'm a metal fan and longhair guy and I liked this aspect of the film, and I like seeing Helen Hunt as a headbanger chick. Some of you metalheads might enjoy a few of the cool '80's hair metal parts which are sprinkled throughout the film. The one thing that irritates me about this film besides it being dull here and there is that it indirectly portrays the typical, tired stereotype of the long haired metalheads as "bad" and "evil", something hollywood wrongly and unfairly always seemed to do with us. If heavy metal isn't your thing you probably won't like this film.

Pretty typical weak made for TV type flick
Honestly... I bought it cuz Chad Allen's in it. :) But the mullet... yikes.

movie
i thought the movie was pretty good but some parts were kind of boring. i would recommend this movie to people. ... Read more