Brothers And Sisters

Brother Sun, Sister Moon
$14.98
It's been a long time since I saw "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" and I had forgotten how good it was. I'm no expert on the life of St Francis of Assisi so I don't know how historically accurate this movie is, and, given that it was made in 1972, I suspect that the story owes more to the hippie movement than history. Francesco certainly sounds like a medieval hippie because he is depicted as the dissolute son of a rich family who becomes disillusioned with war and the lavish lifestyle of the rich in his city and decides to start a commune in a nearby ruined church.

The outstanding aspect of "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" is that it is simply lovely to look at. The photography is simply outstanding as is typical for a Franco Zeffirelli film. Right from the opening scenes to the final audience with Pope Innocent III practically every frame delivers either a beautiful landscape or a colorful scene that looks like a medieval painting in motion. Absolutely full marks for this! I also enjoyed the soundtrack music, except the Donovan songs which I thought were over the top in sentimentality and didn't fit in well with the rest of the movie at all. In fact the lyrics made me cringe at times.

The acting is more than competent and I certainly didn't mind Graham Faulkner in the lead. A notable small part is Alec Guinness who plays the part of the Pope.

Overall I found this film a rewarding experience. I would have given it five stars if the Donovan songs hadn't been there.

Brothers and Sisters: The Complete Third Season
$59.99
My sweetheart and I LOVE this show. We can't always watch on Sunday nights so we wait for the end of the season and buy the DVD! Then we pick a weekend and watch all that season's episodes! It's wonderful! The writers, producers, and talented actors make this series a joy to watch.

Brothers and Sisters - The Complete First Season
$29.99
I am a huge fan of the 90's show "thirtysomething" and didn't realize, until two weeks ago, both Patricia Wttig and Ken Olin were a part of this show. Once I did, I got this DVD set and started watching! What an amazing show! I spent the last week watching one episode after another not wanting to leave these characters and wanting to see what happens next. Sally Field is wonderful as Nora! And, who doesn't like see Rob Lowe on screen?

The women on this show really shine. I have to admit, I'm not a total fan of the actors who play Kevin and Tommy, but they are given great storylines.

My only slight criticism is that, at times, the writing does seem weak. But then it comes on so strong. I found myself crying at the loss of the baby and when Justin left for Iraq.

I will never miss an episode of this show again.

Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season
$59.99
Shonda Rhimes outdid herself this season with the Denny-Izzy storyline. It was practically a movie in and of itself with Ms. Heigl & Mr. Morgan playing their ill-fated romance to death DO US NOT part. On the other side, Izzy seems to finally made of man of the chip on his shoulder bigger than a boulder Dr. Alex Korev. Also well played by Justin Chambers

Meredith & Derek became almost secondary characters until Derek's breakdown following an unsuccessful surgery - which was not a bad thing as the show tended to rest a little to heavily on McDreamy & Mare and there on-again off-again silliness. Meredith was much more interesting interacting with her Mom's diaries, dealing with her mixed feelings for the "chief" and with her "person" Christina Yang. And speaking of my favorite cold-hearted surgical resident, we finally found out a little about how she got that way through her sudden passion for McArmy surgeon Owen Hunt. McKidd was a perfect addition to the cast & a great foil for Yang, who needed a man with a little more angst than Mcdreamy & McSteamy provide.
McSteamy & little Gray gave Gray's the comic turn it needed to keep from drowning in the drama, with Lexie showing Dr. love 'em and leave 'em Sloan what it feels to be the woman in the relationship. Also bringing up the comedy factor was the adorable Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres, who when not fixing broken bones was exploring her sexuality with both genders.

Chandra Wilson deserved special praise for taking Dr. Bailey to a whole other level in Season 5. Watching her compassion while hold a dying child, or like a little girl at Christmas with her new medical equipment or facing divorce she was all over the place emotionally. What a performance.

Eric Stoltz was brilliant as the psycho under Meredith's care, while James Pickens, Jr., as Dr. Richard Webber is the glue that holds it all together as the chief of staff of Seattle Grace. I hope next season we see a bit more of Dr. Webber & his wife, especially in light of his confession to Meredith about how his relationship with Ellis and effect on her.

T.R. Knight was marvelous as George found himself trying to catch up to his fellow residents and looking for his place in the medical world.

Still miss Dr. Preston Burke, and appearances by Kate Burton as Meredith's Mom, but not so much Addison Montgomery.