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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

 
Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Weeds (2005) Season 1 - Coming Soon

May 2nd 2007 09:39
Weeds (2005) Season 1
Coming Soon: Released My 4th 2007 on Region 4 DVD


Weeds Season 1
DVD Cover - Released May 4th 2007
Created by:Jenji Kohan
Starring:Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Justin Kirk, Kevin Nealon, Romany Malco, Andy Milder


“Alright, listen closely. I'm not going to beat around the bush. Ha ha ha. Your little body's changing - it's all good, believe me. Problem now is... every time we jerk the gerkin, we get a lot of unwanted sticky white stuff everywhere, right? Right. So... First order of business - no more socks. They're expensive, gumming up the works plumming-wise. Now you might be thinking to yourself, "But, Uncle Andy, what do I do with all that pearl jam if I can't spew it into Mr. Sock?" Glad you asked......." Andy (See Video at the Bottom of the page)

Hilarious one second, emotionally crippling the next, Showtime's Weeds surprises with a fine blending of textured wit and human understanding. A heaped bowl of righteous buds designed for laughter and deeper emotions too.
“You never question Heylia's eyeballing. That's the rain man of weed right there.” - Helia

Grieving widow Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker) and her adolsescent sons, Silius and Shane struggle to pick up the pieces after their fathers sudden demise. The overwhelming, tragic pain of death and loss dominates each member of the family and keeping them together is going to be hard work.
“Nice, Shane goes on a paint rampage, gets suspended. The two of you ditch school to fuck in my guest room. I've got everything under control.” - Nancy

Living in the upper middle class suburbia of Agrestic costs dough, so yummy mummy Nancy has began making ends meet by selling a little weed to select, regular clientele. Amongst them is Doug (Kevin Nealon) a wiley accountant who indulges in bong hits between city municipal meetings.
“It's a weed wonderland, Nancy. It's like Amsterdam only you don't have to visit the Anne Frank house and pretend to be all sad and shit.” - Doug

“They're too young to bleed, they're too young for weed, no grass on the field no grass will they yield.” - Josh

Leading a double life she is at once caring mother, drug dealer, confidante and about 20 other things too. Hiding the truth from her estrogen mutated friend Celia Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins) while her mooching brother in law Andy (Justin Kirk) figures it all out in a hurry
“I'm not a dealer, I'm a mother who happens to distribute illegal products through a sham bakery set up by my ethically questionable CPA and his crooked lawyer friend.” - Nancy

As demand for product inevitably rises, the business expands and soon minions are essential in sustaining a steady stream of income to meet living expenses like food, rent and utilities.
“Serious shit calls for serious cash and your cash got a sense of humor.” Heylia

Of course with a large wads of wompa, the law and rival distributors are destined to clash with our nice little white girl who only carries the good stuff.
“Andy, today it was brought to my attention that the downside to this business is death, so right now I'm not thinking about "the bakery" I'm thinking about enrolling in dental hygiene school so my children aren't orphans.” - Nancy


Weeds Season 1
Which to choose, which to choose?



John Doe Says:
JD thought this looked like either a brain dead stoner comedy or worse a Xerox sitcom. Reluctantly drawn in, it didn’t take long before he was seduced by each episodes cynical charm that vents a hard, dark centre. (The catchy theme song helps too!)

Weeds is a comedy/drama, a constantly evolving story that entertains with intelligent writing. Not afraid to rumble with serious personal, social and political issues just beneath it’s shiny comedic veneer. Laced with a sardonic, black streak the laughs are steady and often thoughtful in retrospect.

Taking its time to develop characters fully, then as soon as we have their modus operandi a subtle reaction or or blatant revelation ensures they remain fluid, consistently inconsistent.

The cast work exceptionally well together and render characters that gradually become so natural you can't imagine them any different in real life. (See clip below)

The tasty Mary Louise Parker (Saved, The West Wing, Bullets Over Broadway) controls the mood of the series and jumps from upbeat to melancholy with smooth agility.

Elizabeth Perkins (From The Hip, Avalon, Big,) has had some serious plastic surgery and its perfect for her character. She plays a merciless bitch with ease, a love to hate her part that thanks to the script is never one dimensional.

Ex Saturday Night Live alumni Kevin Nealon (Cone Heads, Happy Gilmore) grows into a part that also never stagnates. Romany Malco as the smitten but ambitious Conrad is likeable and grows into the part.

Stealing the show for JD is Justin Kirk (Angels In America) as the bad influence Andy. Sprouting bullshit, educated slacker rhetoric the amoral role amuses and frightens because of the granules of truth contained within.

JD is still surprised at how addictive Weeds (And dope for that matter) turned out to be. Like creepy ganja it takes a little while for the full effects of the high to be felt, but once you understand the players the craving for the next fix is insatiable.


The DvD:
Transfer: 1.33:1/Dolby Digital 5.1
Extras: Commentary on 6 episodes with cast and crew, Smokey Snippets" outtakes
"Smoke and Mirrors" Marijuana Mockumentary, Agrestic Herbal Recipes, Original Showtime featurettes, Music video


For those in the U.S Weeds Season 3 Returns to Showtime July 30th 2007

Watch the first minute of the pilot below.


Here is nice Uncle Andy explaining the delicate art of finger wrestling to young Shane.


This is a great example of the onscreen chemistry between Mary Louise Parker and Elizabeth Perkins.

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Comments
4 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner

May 2nd 2007 11:40
JohnD,

some hysterical lines there my friend...looks like a great series and I'll have to look for it after it's release date!

Great post!


Take care,


Nick

Comment by JohnDoe

May 3rd 2007 09:08
Thanks Nick of Time...,

It is well worth a look when it is released on DVD here in Oz...I dont think it ever screened on TV.

If you are in the U.S its been out for ages and Season 3 starts shortly on Showtime..

Comment by Nina

June 1st 2007 02:30
Thanks for sending me the link to the review, JohnDoe. from what you've said, it sounds like a great little show.

Comment by JohnDoe

June 1st 2007 02:38
Hi Nina,

It is well worth checking out for its clever mix of comedy/drama that sneaks up.....great soundtrack too

As with all great shows, they bumped the release date, instead of May 4 to sometime in July I think.....

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