jday-1

Given that Season 5 was plagued from the outset and history ultimately proving that the show was doomed by 1987, and that viewers can now see the somewhat stale plots and action set pieces of the final episodes, And yet there were some pleasant surprises in Season 5, and "Family Reunion" is one of them. I believe this is one of the best episodes of the entire series for the pure emotion that comes from the drama between A.J. Bancroft and Face, and Murdock's conflict throughout the episode. It had been 15 years since I last saw this episode and vividly remember the scene between Murdock and Face when Murdock reveals the truth. It holds up well after all this time and for once we see substantial character depth with the main characters that you wish was more of a focus in Season 5. This episode concentrated more on smart dialog, such as Face and Ellen, and especially between Murdock and Face, and with enough action to keep things moving. The final scene at the cemetery is remarkably well shot, and the classic A-Team final freeze frame image is superb since it ties everything thematically and emotionally together about the episode. "Family Reunion" is a highlight and the writer must be congratulated on penning a well done episode, especially in the series' twilight.

This is a well crafted video that details last second shots, great games with great finishes, and a conclusion featuring a rivalry that transcends Awesome Endings itself.

Everything works in Awesome Endings. The narration is simple and effective and the voice does not detract from the basketball images. The video also devotes most of its time to both the early days of the NBA and up to the modern era (late 1980s). But it also clearly leans towards the Boston Celtics. One gets the impression that the Celtics is the favorite team of the producers. Indeed, the final sequence of the video chronicles the great rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics. Some other highlights include the last second shots segment, the Willis Reed story (with vintage Marv Albert commentary), the Greatest Game Ever Played--Game 5 of the 1976 Finals, and the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals.

It is a great time capsule into life in the NBA in the pre-Jordan era, when Magic, Bird, Kareem, Dr. J, Chamberlain, and West dominated their teams and time spans. But perhaps the most effective part of Awesome Endings? The writing. Great over the top lines read with deadpan seriousness such as: "But Bird quickly doused the flame as he refused to be denied"; "On that day, Larry Wright shed his anonymity and stood alone in the spotlight"; "The glare of the spotlight becomes too harsh on its would-be heroes"; "...led with reckless abandon by Dave Cowens"; "Philly was confident that lightning couldn't strike twice. Could it?"; "The Sixers looked homeward for salvation."

Awesome Endings showcases great plays and players in a video that seems Classical. It hints that in basketball lies destiny. And redemption. For me, this has been a great video of inspiration. It's been in my possession since 1990 and I still bust it out every few months. In fact, when I want to just kick back, this is the ideal video to pop in. When I'm in a good mood, I'll put it in. The last time I watched it, I wanted to celebrate the great mood I was in because I was going on a date the next night and so I watched Awesome Endings. If you're a Celtic fan, it ends on a downbeat note. Because the video ends with the collapse of the Celtic Regime. And so you rewind, and watch it again. "It's like you're putting your hand in the basket and as it goes through your taking your hand out. It's an awesome feeling." -- Isiah Thomas

"Hollywood Ending" is Woody Allen's best film since 1997's "Deconstructing Harry." Here, he effortlessly combines a superb screenplay about an industry he's been at the pinnacle of for 30 years as well as a talented ensemble, especially Tea Leoni. But it's Woody's film the whole way as he gives his best comic performance since perhaps Mickey Sachs in "Hannah and Her Sisters" and indulges in a sumptuous production design and appropriate songs. If there's any criticism regarding "Hollywood Ending" it should be an inspiration for Allen: he's successfully returned to comedy. Now it's time for him to return to the serious works that defined his filmography in the late 80s. This is a filmmaker still very much in tune with contemporary audiences. What a future drama may say might be more telling than anything anyone's done before. "Hollywood Ending" shows that Woody Allen is back on track as the pre-eminent filmmaker in American film today.