'Criminal Minds'

Criminal Minds - The First Season
$39.98
There are so many crime shows out there today but CRIMINAL MINDS is very unique. I must start by saying I started by watching this show during its third season on televison and it became my favorite show so I have purchased all the seasons and am starting at the beginning. There is much interest and intrigue in society of serial killers not only for the acts they perform but moreso into what the minds of these people are really like. This series creatively, artistically and intelligently provides much education and entertainment in this genre. This is not a mere crime show but is dedicated to studying the minds of those in our society who commit evil.

At the center is the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). The team can only become involved in a a crime when the city involved extends an invitation for their added expertise. One thing that is very unique about this show is that all the team members are gifted yet have their own specialties as well. When approaching any case the discussion is often a free for all with each member giving their perspective. They play off each other and by no member, even the boss Gideon, acting superior each member is treated with respect. These characters are also projected as very human. The crimes and acts they see are often troubling to deal with and we see how it affects them. Through their interactions and communication over a case the viewer is educated into how profiling a criminal actually works. We learn how patterns are actually established with a killer. The show can get very graphic but is in no way gratuitous. The violence has a definite realistivc purpose.

Going back to episode 1 has bee a treat for though there is a major story each episode the lives of the BAU members are evolving stories and even some of the plots have deeper resonance and appear again. I think this season is excellent but also must say that it only improves with each upcoming season. The team members were superbly cast. Dr. Spencer Reid is quite a character. He is 24 and an actual genius. He brings much needed facts and knowledge to the cases but he stumbles as he tries to gain experience with actual life and social skills. Derek Morgan and J.J. Jareau are excellently fit. Next to Matthew Gray Gubler who plays Dr. Reid the standouts are Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner and Mandy Patinkin as Jason Gideon. They both head the unbit. Hotchner comes across as a professional who follows all rules and politics. Gideon is a seasoned veteran. The only slightly off casting is Lola Glaudini as Elle Greenway but this gets taken care of later.

I cannot stress how unique and fresh this show is. Each agent has a personal reason for having such a job as tracking serial killers and all of this makes it even more realistic. Watch each episode and note how they are not formula. Note how creatively the audience is educated thru the writing of the show. And if this show appeals to you just rest assured that with each season the characters develop more and more and the plots/story lines just get better and better. Yes, there will be cast changes but they are written into the show perfectly. This show is dedicated to entering criminals minds and expertly does with each episode. It is certainly addictive and a must see.

Criminal Minds: Killer Profile (Thorndike Large Print Crime Scene)
$30.95
Omg when i got the book i was worried that i had spent money on something i wouldn't like but that wasn't the case . . .i loved it and would be great for any criminal minds fan. if you get this book also get the others.

Criminal Minds: Season 3
$55.98
While I understood very well why Mandy Patinkin had to leave and felt the writers did a great job in writing Jason Gideon's departure, I feel the show took a step down in losing such an amazing character and actor. The Jason Gideon character gave a very important level of balance to a show that is essentially about a hard look at the coldest and darkest side of humanity. Jason Gideon was a very believable character that even with so many years of being in the field and considered to be the very top in the field, still felt pain and compassion not only for the victims he worked tirelessly to save from that dark side but also for his team and in helping them through their fears and susceptabilities. Mandy Patinkin played that role with grace and class showing the vulnerabilities of the character with a very human light. The new character - Rossi has a harder edge - much like you would expect from a veteran but there's less to like and to identify with. Joe Mantegna does a wonderful job of making that character different from the previous lead and giving the other regular characters a chance to develop their human sides. The third and fourth seasons, were very good seasons (and in fact I first got hooked by an episode in the fourth season), but its definitely lost a bit of balance without Jason Gideon/Mandy Patinkin there.

A Brooklyn State of Mind
$6.99
I would say this: If you like Aiello, and dont mind low productions, you should enjoy this movie. Its for those of us who love a mob movie, any mob movie.

The end is predictable as iv ever seen, but its still an enjoyable movie to watch. Marie Cucinetta is a beautiful as ever, even though her acting needs a little work.

The main charactor played by Vincent Spano bothered me a little bit, he just fell into the predictable "about to come around and fall in love" charactor. He was kinda cheesey.

If you collect mob movies like i do, you wont mind paying a couple bucks to add this one to your collection.