Reviews (5)

Great season, transfer and extras still lacking
Law and Order's third season is the beginning of the golden years of the show, six or seven seasons in which this became one of the best crime shows ever.Part of it is the plots, but a larger part is the addition of Jerry Orbach to add both character and humor to a narrowly written role.The show itself is 5 stars, but I knock off a star for yet another season in which the transfers and extras leave something to be desired.Still, very much worth buying.

What makes this season golden?Nostalgia for the early 1990s helps, with big hair, Times Square full of strip clubs, crime labs using old IBM 386 computers, colored shirts and narrow ties, and a general feeling that a far more gritty New York made a better backdrop for a crime show than today's sanitized version.

Some of it is the writing and source material.Episodes include the standard ripped-from-the-headlines stories - Tailhook (Conduct Unbecoming), sweatshop workers (Wedded Bliss), doctors assaulting patients (Helpless, Promises to Keep), drug smuggling rings (Consultation), hackers (Virus) - but one reason the first few seasons are more robust is that they had just started to scratch the surface of historical crimes, like a restaging of the Malcolm X murder (Conspiracy) and a medical device company scandal (The Corporate Veil).This means that while the bang-bang plot advancement really comes into its own this season after a couple of years of slower episodes, the writers don't have to resort to cheap plot tricks to keep things interesting.Routine false leads and judges throwing out evidence every episode can wait for the formulaic later years.I also particularly like several of the non-Hollywood endings, like Prince of Darkness ("What happened to the little girl?" "She was picked up at school by her uncle.""She doesn't have an uncle.")

But a larger part is the acting.With the mid-season addition of Orbach - who plays first-year Briscoe a bit more troubled and edgy than in later years - the Law side of the series finally has two actors that don't think that playing an NYPD detective is beneath their talent.Briscoe's trademark wisecrack helps ("They brought the hookers in?I thought they were on the room service menu"), but there's a chemistry between Orbach and Noth that makes the makes plots come to life.In addition, several of the regular guest stars (Tovah Feldshuh and Lorraine Toussant as memorable defense attorneys, Leslie Hendrix's first appearances as the irascible medical examiner) add life to the show in their brief roles.Finally, one fun part of watching the early years are the stars who have gone on to bigger careers: Claire Danes, Edie Falco, Sam Rockwell, Gloria Foster (the oracle from the Matrix), Desperate Housewife Felicity Huffman, Alias' Ron Rifkin, ER's Paul McCrane and Julianna Margulies.

As I have for the first two season sets, I take a star off for transfers and extras that aren't up to the quality of the show. I have mixed opinions about cheaply producing double sided DVDs in three slim cases without any written material, but at least it takes less space on my shelf.Transfer quality is in fact better than the first two seasons, but it's clear remastering was cursory as there is still periodic flecking.After no extras in the first two seasons, at least this set includes some.However, they're still disappointing especially after the long delay in putting this out.The 8 deleted scenes don't add much, although we finally see one of Briscoe's brassy middle aged girlfriends (for the only time in the series!)A five minute interview with and six minute tribute to Orbach by fellow stars doesn't even include the master of ceremonies of his celebration, Sam Waterston; they would have been better served just putting a copy of that on the DVD instead of getting Trial By Jury actors on the profound effect his 4 episodes with them had on their careers.What the series really needs is interviews with writers and actors on the various episodes.At least they don't include an ad as they did in the first year.

However, this is very much worth picking up for Law and Order fans.I just wish if Universal is going to price something at a premium that viewers can watch for free on basic cable, they'd at least add premium content.Maybe next season.

Great as Usual
Terrific show as usual. They also improved in my opinion on the dvd case which now has three individual slim cases for each disc. Enough can't be said about this show, but, I'm partial to it being a Criminal Justice major...but the show is good as always..I just hope they speed up the release of the next seasons.

Law & Order: The Early Years, The Best Years!
Law & Order is my favorite series, possibly of all-time because there have always been great characters and a great cast with fantastic writing to drive it forward.The early seasons are the best, and the third year gives us a little more Paul Sorvino until about 1/3 of the way into the season.This is when the beloved Jerry Orbach joined the cast, and gave us 11 years of television memories.This season has my favorite line up with Orbach, Chris Noth, Dann Florek, Michael Moriarty, Richard Brooks, and Steven Hill.TNT has aired several third season episodes lately, and I can't wait to see these all sharp, clear, and cleaned up on DVD instead of the old muggy broadcast versions.The first and second seasons look fantastic on DVD, and horrible on television - get these sets!

Also, this set features never before seen deleted scenes which ought to be a special treat for every fan along with the Jerry Orbach featurettes.I have a lot of favorite episodes in this season, and I will cherish this set just as I have all my other law & Order DVD sets (I've probably watched the first two seasons dozens of times already).

-NJM

The best season of Law & Order
The third season of Law & Order found Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth) assigned another new partner in the sardonic Lenny Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), who would become the face of the series for eleven more seasons.The interplay between Briscoe and Logan is one of many highlights of the third season of Law & Order, as characters became more developed (such as Dann Florek's Captain Cragen) and the cases and investigations take twisting turns when the viewer least expects it; something that many cop/crime dramas have imitated throughout the years.However, this would be the last season for original cast members Florek and Richard Brooks, as the revolving cast door of Law & Order began to spin more than ever before.All in all, it's nice to finally have these episodes on DVD, and series afficiondos should consider this landmark season a must own.

Its good there putting the older seasons on DVD
Law & Order's early seasons were really the best. In The third season you have Jerry Orbach coming into the show.All these episodes are great becuase i have seen many of them before.The Dvd is finally being released after a long wait after the 2nd season. The 15th season which is still on NBC on wedsnday is going to have a DVD release as i have heard.Also the New Law
& Order TrialBy Jury is going to be out on Dvd. Law & Order and all its other series are absolutly the best ... Read more

Description

TOTAL RECALL 2070 is a stunning futuristic thriller about a world so high-tech, man is the only flaw! In the year 2070, the planet Earth is ruled by a single government entity and a conglomeration of corporations that hold absolute power. The crime rate is virtually nonexistent and the Citizen's Protection Bureau defends the innocent from unchecked sociotechnological forces. But when the Bureau partner of Agent David Hume (Michael Easton -- TV's ALLY MCBEAL and THE PRACTICE) is dramatically gunned down, Hume's determination to uncover the dangerous truth behind this shocking crime leads him on a pulse-pounding race through the galaxy! If you're entertained by intelligent, high-tech thrills and intrigue, you won't be able to forget this explosive motion picture! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

This one stands out!
The pilot to a stunning Sci-Fi masterpiece.
Resembling Blade Runner yet based in the future of Total Recall. Not to be mistaken for Arnold's action movie 'Total Recall', TR2070 stands out in its amazing ability to build character into a world controlled by greedy corporations.
A must see for all true sci-fi lovers!

Has anybody read Do androids dream of electric sheep?
This is a cable effort made to make money. It was the first in a series on Showtime. The d----a---- powers that be pulled it before it had a chance to blossom. Of course, you can now catch the series on an independent station near you,making money for those da's. The writing is actually great. If one had read the book Total Recall/Blade Runner was based on or any other of Phillip K. Dick's works, one would Know that. I do Know the movie, Blade Runner, intimately, word for word, and find Arnold's Total Recall an exciting action oriented movie and Harrison's work impeccable. Rent this if you have the chance and Know that the actors and the writers cared about the substance of the story.This is a movie to see without the jaded FX, it is a human story.

Best Show of the 90s
Very depressing that only these two shows have been released. Showtime killed a great show, as usual. More Bladerunner than Total Recall, but draws from several of Dick's books/stories. There is a touch of asimov thrown in. The 22 episode series is better than any other released during the 1990s.

This pilot introduces the characters and the dark, gritty world. This show won several awards for its set design and special effects--they are well deserved.

MEMORY LAPSE
I didn't know this was the first two episodes of a television series, but after watching it, I certainly can see that it was. The production values are okay, but I understand some of the footage of Mars was taken directly from the Schwarzenegger hit movie which spawned this series.
Michael Easton, Nick Mancuso and Karl Pruner did commendable jobs in their roles, but the script was a little contrived and direction a little tepid for this kind of action film. Cynthia Preston is all but wasted in the typical wife who hates her husband's job and whose father was killed fifteen years earlier.
Not an unenjoyable movie, just flat.

Way underrated
This "movie" is the first two episodes of an awesome TV series. It is a captivating blend of 80% Blade Runner, 15% Total Recall, and 5% Data from Star Trek. The plot is dark and intriguing. Character development is excellent. Cyberpunk 2020 role-playing fans should love this. I just hope that episodes 3-22 come out on DVD - the sooner, the better. ... Read more

Description

A young mother unknowingly breaks the law and is sent to prison. She is confronted by degradation and horror as guards extract sexual favors in exchange for everything from toothbrushes to drugs. Inspired by actual events. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Stephanie Zimbalist was great in this movie
Stephanie Zimbalist had once again demostrated to her audience and herself that she is a able actress. Hollywood should pay more attention to her and give her more roles in art-house/ independent movie roles. She was really good in this movie and a delight as usual to see her on the screen.

Benjamin ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Closer and closer
This movie was much better the first time I saw it, when it was called Copycat with Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter and Harry Connick Jr.

Horrible acting by all the supporting characters, too many half-baked and poorly explained threads all over the place, incompetant police and FBI agents/procedure, and not really that hard to figure out who the killer is.

Bringing a degree of disbelief suspension to movies is one thing, but to think that if the FBI and Police from 9 states were so unable to find any suspect, that they wouldn't have run the backgrounds thru on everyone involved with the case is just stupid.

Police aren't that dumb.

And it was kinda funny seeing Kim Delaney who is obsessively paranoid and over-protective of herself all movie long to instantly drop all her wards the moment the movie is about to end and you/we know the killer is about to show up.

Yea that would be the killer who gave himself away halfway thru the movie with his [crummy] acting.

edge of your seater!
kim delaney is excellent in this movie about a serial killer who's inspired by her best selling book! The whole time you're wondering 'who dunnit'. This one's good!

Exciting, Nerve Racking and Terrific !
Closer and Closer is a thrilling film in which someone is inspired by a book which kate (Kim Delaney) writes, a book based on a murderer.The film is great, its one were you'll be asking yourself till the end 'Who's The Murderer ?' A film to watch. ... Read more