The second season of “Friends” is actually better than the first with some great storylines, like the Ross/Rachel relationship getting ratcheted up and Monica getting involved with an older man. The comedy is gold and you begin to see how the series would run as long as it did. The Blu-ray is light in features but the video and audio transfers are on the acceptable level and are on par with what’s seen on TBS syndication.
The first season of “Friends” is funny and has some great storylines. Often times, when series with ensemble casts start, they have a difficult time devoting time to each character but in this case the premiere was fantastic and the success continued through the season finale. The Blu-ray is light in features but the video and audio transfers are on the acceptable level and are on par with what’s seen on TBS syndication.
This “Complete Series” box set has a great amount of features and while it only has the standard Dolby Digital audio track, to me the picture is good enough to warrant a purchase especially if you don’t already own the DVDs.
Scream 4 might’ve come a few years too late after the last installment, but I for one enjoyed it as Wes Craven and company were able to update the franchise for the 21st century. The original cast slips into their roles nicely while the new generation offer up a certain and needed freshness, though writer Williamson didn’t succumb to the horror sequel clichés (though there a few).
Scream 3 isn’t a terrible film and in some ways has gotten a tad better over time but the killer reveal at the end will always keep it from being on the same playing field as the first two. I will say that the film never feels stale and only gets me excited for Scream 4 and maybe some of the elements the filmmakers will hopefully rectify.
As far as sequels go – and with horror sequels specifically –, Scream 2 is a success. Yes, it utilizes much of the same formula as the original transplanting high school for college and adding some depth to those who went through those events, but the suspense aspects more so than horror or cranked up a notch. The Blu-ray itself has a good, albeit uneven, video transfer and a well rounded audio track that makes this a worthwhile upgrade.
I can’t say it enough that the original Scream is right up there with Halloween and Friday the 13th with an amazing cast ensemble and a production that overcame the odds and made an iconic movie. Although the Blu-ray doesn’t quite measure up to expectations in both the video transfer and features department (would’ve been nice to include some of the material from the bonus disc), it’s still a slight upgrade over the original DVD.
