Amazon.com

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

Amazon.com

Like Chicago, Prison Song is a musical set behind bars, but there's no dancing and minimal singing. Elijah is a talented 10-year-old photographer. His mother (R&B diva Mary J. Blige) works at a fast food joint and dreams of becoming a lawyer. The sky's the limit until Elijah, his mother, and his mother's boyfriend (Harold Perrineau) are all locked up for various offenses. The story picks up several years later as Elijah (now played by A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip) is accepted to college, but ends up in prison after accidentally killing another group home resident (rapper Fat Joe). Prison Song was cowritten and produced by Q-Tip and Darnell Martin (I Like It Like That) and plays like an extended episode of Oz (in which Perrineau played a key role). Blige's "Mom's Song" is the musical highlight, and Elvis Costello appears as Elijah's teacher and lawyer, but does not sing. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Movie with a message
Q-tip, Fat Joe, and Mary J Blige give good performances, especially Q-tip. His character has it all going on in the inside and is very quiet on the outside but I still got completely absorbed in what he was going through. The musical sequences blend well too. Just when you're about to punch a wall because of what's happening to the characters, somebody lets loose with a song that expresses the emotions that the movie is bringing up. Mary J. Blige is the queen of from-the-heart songs, and Fat Joe has a rap cameo that slides seamlessly into the scene.

Aside from the individual elements, the movie takes aim at one of the worst qualities of our society, the lousy deck dealt to black men growing up in urban city neighborhoods. It dramatizes - but not by much - the way that opportunities are systematically stripped from you in a society where you're rarely respected or afforded the benefit of the doubt. Definitely a worthwhile movie.

Only one thing - I missed the first five minutes of the movie, and suspect I was better off for it. The beginning lists some stastics that indicate the direction the plot will eventually take, and lends a more moralizing, heavy tone to the movie. Without the intro, the movie stands well by itself and affects you without telling you how you should be affected.

The Best I Have Ever Seen
Prison song is the most amazing movie i have ever seen. I have seen it a ton of times and still every time, i cry. It has such a moving story line, you get absorbed in it the second you turn it on. I have been searching for the soundtrack, but especially the artist and songtitle of the closing track during the credits. It is a beautifully written and acted movie, i recommend it to anyone who is interested in Q-Tip or the movie itself. You will never forget the impact that Prison Song has on your life.

Great Movie - awesome music
Prison Song was a great movie with a good cast and awesome music to go along with the emotions of the characters. I've been trying to find the soundtract to the movie but have had no luck. This is a type of movie you can watch over and over agian and still feel all the emotions of the characters. It goes deep into the system and shows the violence within it. The fight to stay inocennt is taking away with one second of wrong doing.

Tragically Moving
BET's Prison Song offers a look into the life of an inner city teenager, Elijah, (Tip) who gets stuck in the system after his mother is institutionalized. Sent to a private jail after accidentally killing someone (Fat Joe) from his group home, Prison Song follows Elijah as he comes to terms with the harsh realization that even though he is innocent, the only way out is to escape. The tragic ending of this unusually un-musical musical leaves the viewer wanting to break the cycle, but ultimately feeling helpless against it.

One of The Best
The BET movie Prison Song was one of the best movies I've ever seen before. I was wondering, why wasn't the movies put into theatres all across the world, this movie was a huge hit for Bet. This question is for anyone out there who may know the answer, exactly how can I get the soundtrack to Prison Song. I know it's on Tommy Boy records but thats all I know. If someone has any information please contact me via e-mail, Chung220@aol.com. Thanks ... 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 (9)

Their Eyes Were Watching God
I saw the movie "Their Eyes Were Watching God" before I read the novel by Zora Neale Hurston so to me the movie was pretty good because I didn't have the novel to compare it with. After reading Ms.Hurston's novel however like a lot of other critics of this movie I think a mini-series would have done Ms.Huston's novel justice compares to a 2 hour made-for-tv movie.

A Fine Adaptation
I enjoyed Oprah's adaptation of this book.Since Oprah spent her money and effort to make it, it would reason that she would highlight the things that she wanted to highlight.I read the book and do feel that a lot of good scenes and elements are missing, however, it did not take away from my enjoyment of this movie.It was great, the addition of what was left out would have only made it all the better.But it's good as is.

If I could, I would give it 10 stars!
This movie was AMAZING. It was one of the most passionate, yet poignant (spelling?) love stories I've ever seen since the Titanic. [...] The movie, based on a book by Zora Neale Hurston, is about a young woman who endures two rocky marriages with two very different men. But, apparently for her, the third marriage is the charm. She meets and marries Tea Cake, a VERY handsome man (played by heart throb, Michael Ealy) who is about 11 years younger than her. They run off together and endure happiness and heatache, but experience a true love.

I didn't like the ending-it was sad. But it was the type of ending that you had to accept, like the Titanic. I belive that both Halle Berry and Michael Ealy played their parts well. Even if you don't plan on buying it, please vote to have it on DVD so that others may enjoy this masterpiece.

I also reccomend you check out Double Identity by Michelle N. Onuorah. Now they should make that into a film!

Does not capture the spirit of the book
The Oprah Winfrey Presents adaptation of the Zora Neal Hurston novel Their Eyes Were Watching God is a major disappointment. Winfrey's shallow adaptation barely skims the surface details of Hurston's novel and does not capture the spirit of the great book it is based on. Winfrey says the late Ms. Hurston would be proud of her movie; I don't think she should be so eager to speak for the dead. I doubt any author would want to see their work butchered the way Winfrey has done this novel onscreen.
Oprah Winfrey's adaptation of Hurston's work strips it of its unique identity by removing all the references to African-American culture of the time. Instead of telling a story that detailed the role of Black women in the 30's, detailed the light skinned/dark skinned intraracial issues, sexism, the dozens, symbolism, and utilized the wonderful Southern dialect that made the characters come alive, we get a pasteurized movie that boils away the black culture away like it was an impurity. Without that culture to show us what life was like in Janie's time the movie lacks a true heart and soul. This makes the characters lifeless and one-dimensional. Stripped of her soul, Janie Crawford in this movie becomes a totally different person than depicted in the novel. Because I never got to see the childhood that would have defined the characters' independent free thinking ways, I saw Janie as a slut when she kissed the boy. When Nanny says, "black women are the mule of the world" the words have no meaning. Her marriage to the old man comes off as a way to preserve Janie's morality not stifle her independent way of thinking.
Because Winfrey decided to remove all instances of domestic violence from her movie Janie has no motivation for leaving her first husband. In the book she left the old man because he beat her. Onscreen she comes off as lazy and irresponsible when she hates doing the work on the farm. When she meets Joe Starks it looked to me like she was a gold-digger wanting to live the high life.
When Janie gets married to Joe Starks the movie turns into a bad romance novel. He wants to possess her; she regrets letting him objectify her. He only gets angry when Amos is coveting her. The confrontation Joe and Janie had was supposed to build into a humiliating argument that destroyed him as a man. Onscreen the fight comes on the porch has no bite because Winfrey removed the dozens game and most of the violence from the movie. When Joe dies the film treats his death with a sense of relief. I really started hating this movie because Janie onscreen seemed downright cruel. She barely worked a day in her life and was more anxious to spend her husband's money than grieve his loss.
The relationship with Tea Cake in the book is not as loving as depicted onscreen. Winfrey subjectively decided to leave out of her movie all those scenes in the book where Tea Cake beat Janie in an attempt to make him a big hero. After a flat courtship, they leave town to go on the road spending money and engaging in some lukewarm love scenes. Winfrey makes Tea Cakes' abuse of Janie seem like it's honorable. When he steals Janie's money to go gambling it's depicted as noble. Janie just forgives him for gambling away their money and car and they go off to live in a village full of hippies. The climatic hurricane sequence has no feeling of drama at all. The scenes where rabid Tea Cake and Janie face off before killing him have no tension and no suspense. Arbitrarily Oprah leaves out the funeral scene in the novel where Janie grieves the loss of her true love. What's really important are those frames showing that Janie is still wealthy in spite of her tragedies.
Upon returning to town in the end Janie shows absolutely no sense of remorse about killing Tea Cake, the great love of her life. She goes fishing and frolicking as if nothing tragic has happened in her life swimming in the lake she says smiling that she's watching God. That final shot of her made my stomach turn. The Janie Crawford in this movie doesn't make me believe she comes to the conclusion that she loves herself. I see her as a loose gold digging ruthless woman who takes no responsibility for her actions. The men in her life were just fodder to give her nice things. Inheriting Joe Starks' wealth made her someone. Nice message Oprah.
Oscar winner Halle Berry is uninspired in the role of Janie. She makes no effort on her own to add dimension to the character, sleepwalking through her part reading her lines as if she were on autopilot. She has no chemistry with Reuben Santiago-Hudson or Michael Ealy at all. Having watched all of Berry's performances since 1989, I can truly say this is the worst performance of her career. She actually put more effort performing in the terrible B.A.P.S than working on this movie. Rueben Santiago-Hudson is passable as Joe Starks. He does his best with the role but there's no script here for him to work with. Terrence Howard's portrayal of Amos rises above the heartless screenplay. He adds dimension to his role making you see the sleazy man coveting Janie from afar. Michael Ealy is a very stale Tea Cake. He's just here to be the baby oil splashed boy toy showing off his abs, pecs and smiling for the camera. Ruby Dee is strong in her small part as Nanny. I believe if they gave her more to do she would have stolen the movie.
If you haven't read the book, please do so. Avoid watching this twisted movie adaptation that perverts everything the late Ms. Hurston wrote about. The values promoted by this movie totally betray the message in the book.

Great Film.
Halle gives a great peerformance in this film produced by Oprah Winfrey,it is a great drama check it out,I promise you won't regret it. ... Read more