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Ally McBeal - Season 4 (Box Set 1) (DVD)
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Calista Flockhart, Lisa Nicole Carson, Greg Germann, Jane Krakowski, Peter MacNicol, Courtney Thorne-Smith more
The series tells of the professional and personal lives of a group of people who work for a law firm in America. Ally, as the central character adds to the events with her... more
one Ally has been waiting for from day one: "Ally will you... move in with me?". As always Ally's romantic dreams never quite become a reality and the series cont...
one of televisions curios. While its early days saw the show become something of a victim of its own self-conscious stylising, the episodes included on series 4 volume 2 are far stronger in terms of characterisation and plot and the storylines are easy to pick up. Not that the quirks have been exiled--the first programme features McBeal hallucinating about Barry Manilow--rather they have now become part of the overall feel of the show.Despite the attention lavished on both the lead character and the actress who plays her, the show is a real ensemble piece and works best when all the players are together. One of the collection's weakest moments is the episode that sends the usually excellent Richard and John off to LA on their own, an episode which lays threat to a dreaded spin off. While there are annoying moments--could they not have edited out the "previously on Ally McBeal" parts for retail release and why do they never go out with anyone other than work colleagues--with guest appearances from the likes of Sting this is a must for any fan of the series.On the DVD:Sadly, the DVD collection betrays very little thought or effort. The pace of the show is certainly brisk (especially when shorn of the adverts) and the picture quality is equally dynamic, instilling real depth to the many aerial shots of Boston itself. Given that music is such an integral part in the show, it is no surprise that the soundtrack has been given a boost by its recreation in Dolby digital stereo. The interactive menu, however, is clumsy to use and having to work back through the options at the end of each episode quickly becomes tiresome. The complete lack of any extras whatsoever is also a definite minus point.--Phil Udell
Heralded as the best season yet Ally McBeal Season 4 is packed with hilarious and touching antics and with the arrival of the gorgeous Larry Paul (Robert Downey Jr.) could Ally have FINALLY found her true love? Episodes Featured: 1. Sex Lies and Second Thoughts 2. Two's a Crowd 3. Girls Night Out 4. Without a Net 5. The Last Virgin 6. 'Tis the Season 7. Love on Holiday 8. The Man with the Bag 9. Reasons to Believe 10. The Ex-Files 11. Mr.Bo 12. Hats Off to Larry 13. Reach Out and Touch 14. Boys Town 15. Falling Up 16. The Getaway 17. The Pursuit Of Unhappiness 18. The Obstacle Course 19. In Search Of Barry White 20. Cloudy Skies 21. Queen Bee 22. Home Again 23. The Wedding 24. Chance Of Parade
in Season 4, this time she has a double love interest with a father and a son, Elaine is sued for sexual harassment, Mark dates a woman who is a man, Nelle's father believes he's Santa Claus and Richard and John join a couples therapy class!Ally McBeal Season 4 is packed with hilarious and touching antics, and with the arrival Larry Paul (Robert Downey Jr.), could Ally FINALLY found her true love?The Complete Season Four 6-Disc Set!Disc 1- Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts- Two's a Crowd- Girls' Night Out- Without a NetDisc 2- The Last Virgin- 'Tis the Season- Love on Holiday- The Man with the BagDisc 3- Reasons to Believe- The Ex-Files- Mr. Bo- Hats Off to LarryDisc 4- Reach Out and Touch- Boys' Town- Falling Up- The GetawayDisc 5- The Pursuit Of Unhappiness- The Obstacle Course- In Search Of Barry White- Cloudy Skies, Chance of paradeDisc 6- Queen Bee- Home Again- The Wedding.
one Ally has been waiting for from day one: "Ally will you... move in with me?". As always Ally's romantic dreams never quite become a reality and the series continues within the Grimm Fairy Tale world of Ally's love (and quirky work) life. The most important twist this season occurs in the first episode "Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts"--the departure of Tracy Ullman and Ally's current beau, Brian, to be replaced by the series' new heart-throb Larry (Robert Downey Jr). Initially dating both father and son ("Two's a Crowd") Ally cannot help but become besotted by Larry's charisma; he being a fellow lawyer further seals their bond, that is until Larry's past comes back to haunt him.Other highlights include a quirky romance for John ("Reason to Belive"), a charity auction leading to an all male fan-club for John ("Love on Holiday") and a romantic connection for Mark--though the recipient of his affection may have hidden more than he bargained for. Unfortunately the series was outshone by the real-life drama of Calista Flockhart's and Downey's rocky relationship along with Downey's drugs convictions. Even though he won a Golden Globe for his performance, he ultimately had to be dropped from the series.On the DVD:Not much on offer here for Ally's début into the DVD market. The individual episode menu does offer a language selection of French and English and the subtitles for the Netherlands and French. You also have the option to select chapters from the specific episodes, along with a "previously onAlly McBeal..." for that little reminder of whom Ally is dating now. Although standard for a TV DVD release, the 1.33:1 aspect ratio and 2.0 Dolby sound is disappointing for a television series which offers ground-breaking use of special effects. --Nikki Disney
one Ally has been waiting for from day one: "Ally will you... move in with me?". As always Ally's romantic dreams never quite become a reality and the series continues within the Grimm Fairy Tale world of Ally's love (and quirky work) life. The most important twist this season occurs in the first episode "Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts"--the departure of Tracy Ullman and Ally's current beau, Brian, to be replaced by the series' new heart-throb Larry (Robert Downey Jr). Initially dating both father and son ("Two's a Crowd") Ally cannot help but become besotted by Larry's charisma; he being a fellow lawyer further seals their bond, that is until Larry's past comes back to haunt him.Other highlights include a quirky romance for John ("Reason to Belive"), a charity auction leading to an all male fan-club for John ("Love on Holiday") and a romantic connection for Mark--though the recipient of his affection may have hidden more than he bargained for. Unfortunately the series was outshone by the real-life drama of Calista Flockhart's and Downey's rocky relationship along with Downey's drugs convictions. Even though he won a Golden Globe for his performance, he ultimately had to be dropped from the series.On the DVD:Not much on offer here for Ally's début into the DVD market. The individual episode menu does offer a language selection of French and English and the subtitles for the Netherlands and French. You also have the option to select chapters from the specific episodes, along with a "previously onAlly McBeal..." for that little reminder of whom Ally is dating now. Although standard for a TV DVD release, the 1.33:1 aspect ratio and 2.0 Dolby sound is disappointing for a television series which offers ground-breaking use of special effects. --Nikki Disney
one of televisions curios. While its early days saw the show become something of a victim of its own self-conscious stylising, the episodes included on series 4 volume 2 are far stronger in terms of characterisation and plot and the storylines are easy to pick up. Not that the quirks have been exiled--the first programme features McBeal hallucinating about Barry Manilow--rather they have now become part of the overall feel of the show.Despite the attention lavished on both the lead character and the actress who plays her, the show is a real ensemble piece and works best when all the players are together. One of the collection's weakest moments is the episode that sends the usually excellent Richard and John off to LA on their own, an episode which lays threat to a dreaded spin off. While there are annoying moments--could they not have edited out the "previously on Ally McBeal" parts for retail release and why do they never go out with anyone other than work colleagues--with guest appearances from the likes of Sting this is a must for any fan of the series.On the DVD:Sadly, the DVD collection betrays very little thought or effort. The pace of the show is certainly brisk (especially when shorn of the adverts) and the picture quality is equally dynamic, instilling real depth to the many aerial shots of Boston itself. Given that music is such an integral part in the show, it is no surprise that the soundtrack has been given a boost by its recreation in Dolby digital stereo. The interactive menu, however, is clumsy to use and having to work back through the options at the end of each episode quickly becomes tiresome. The complete lack of any extras whatsoever is also a definite minus point.--Phil Udell
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 1981 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford, Beatrice Straight
A review by DixieChick10 on Ally McBeal - Season 4 (Box Set 1) (DVD) August 19th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Rob Downey Jnr, Funny Scenes .
Disadvantages:
Rob Downey Jnr getting kicked off the show .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This is the best Ally McBeal season by far, I think the actors and the crew have finally worked out what goes, and how far they can push things. They're made Ally more naurotic in this season, and her 'fantasies' are much more funnier.
But the thing for me that makes this season what it is, is the gorgeous bad boy Robert Downey Jnr. His portrayale as Larry Paul, a person Ally mistakes for a therapist even though he's a lawyer and then falls deeply in love with is fantastic. In every role I've ever seen him in, he's so smart and this shines through in Ally McBeal.
He becomes a proper regular in episode 4 of the season, where he takes Ally's case when she's been sued. She's in the middle of dating two men, who are father and son (only Ally McBeal could pull that off) and he's dating her co-worker Nelle.
My favourite episodes are the christmas one and the one where Larry's son comes for a visit. The christmas one is great because Ally's a freak when it comes to xmas, she adores it but Larry doesn't because he's always alone (awww). They go down to the bar and she leaves him for a sec and comes back and he's singing River beautifully. She realises how much pain he's in around christmas.
I also love the one where his son comes for a visit because Downey Jnr and the kid have so much chemistry, you could actually believe they're father and son. The scene where he comes into the office on a one wheel bike and it looks like the kids gotten really tall is so sweet, it's a perfect scene.
The only thing I h8 about this series is Downey Jnr was a royle idiot, and decedied to get thrown into jail again (i still love him) he's well known for his achahol and drug habit.
SPOILER- DNT READ THIS BIT IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN SEASON 4 FINALE. Larry Paul was supposed to ask Ally to marry him in the finale of season 4 and season 5 episode 1 was supposed to be the wedding, instead when he got his ass thrown back in jail, The director chucked him off the show as well. (sob). Meaning Ally lost the love of her life, and in the end season 5 sucked because I was always thinking, where's Robert Downey Jnr, he should be there. Instead they brought it Jon Bon Jovi, who holds no candel to Downey Jnr. SPOILER- DNT READ THIS BIT IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN SEASON 4 FINALE.
Also there is no extra's that I can see.
Hope this review was helpful for you. Please leave a comment.
The series tells of the professional and personal lives of a group of people who work for a law firm in America. Ally, as the central character adds to the events with her sometimes vivid daydreams.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Release date: 11/02/2002
No of Discs: 3
Catalogue No: 22780 DVD
Barcode: 5039036008174
Screenwriter: David E. Kelley, Anne Heche
Creator: David E. Kelley
Featured: Michael Vartan, Marlo Thomas, Anne Heche, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Famke Janssen