TV.com

show: Arrested Development

The Bottom Line: "Perfect"

Acting (the performances of the main and supporting cast) - 10
The acting by all of the cast members is absolutely magnificent. Even the younger actors who play Maybe and George Michael and the secondary characters act very, very well.

Writing (dialogue and storytelling) - 10
This show is ever so very superbly written. Arrested Development doesn't have one dimensional writing like so many other comedies, the writing can be irreverent, it can be very subtle, and it at times can be very silly, but it is always smart. In my opinion Arrested Development is one of the best written sitcoms in the history of television (I know that's a very bold statement, but I do not jest). I could write for hours about the writing, simply put it is brilliant.

Production Values* (direction, casting, cinematography, art direction, make up, etc.) - 10
The directing is absolutely fantastic. It really cannot get much better, Joe and Anthony Russo give grade A, cinema caliber direction. And the Casting, oh my goodness, what a brilliant cast. Everybody fits into their role perfectly, and even the few side characters that the show brings in are wonderfully casted. Not many people take the next thing into consideration, but being an editor myself I noticed that the single camera editing which Arrested Development uses is some of the best editing I've ever seen on a film-shot sitcom.
Even the art direction, which the show shouldn't have to worry about being that it's so great in every other way, (but I'm glad that it did because it gives me more of a reason to give it a high rating) is very well done.

Value (the consistency of being a good show throughout its seasons) - 10
So far Arrested Development has been absolutely great. The show has yet to faultier.

Overall (the shows overall entertainment) - 10
I know this whole review I have been praising Aressted Development in every way possible, but I will say that its not for everybody. But if you get it, you will love it.

Final score: 10.0
I know that a lot of people on tv.com give tens all the time, but I'm a little weary of giving a show a perfect score. Can a show really be that good? I mean I never before have given a show a perfect score of ten. But I add up the score, and it indeed gets a perfect ten out of ten. The only thing that will keep this show from going down in history as one of the greatest shows of all time is simply... nobody watches it.


(*) In the case of certain shows I may only take into consideration the production values that apply. And in the case of certain shows (mainly sitcoms shot on video), I may only take into account casting and direction. I'm not going to reprimand a show for something that isn't really apart of its presentation. But all shows will always be judged at least on casting and directing.

show: The X-Files

The Bottom Line: "Superb"

Acting (the performances of the main and supporting cast) - 9
-Its entire run it was very well acted, but especially the first five seasons-

Writing (dialogue and storytelling) - 10
-The writing is absolutely genius, although in the later seasons it lost a little bit of its really smart dialogue, the writers always came up with the most genius storylines. The show talked about an alien colonization conspiracy, alien abductions, the supernatural, alien parasites, government officials obfuscating the truth, things that if you tried to explain it to your friend the next day, it would sound almost humorous. But The X-Files was so well written you always took what they were saying serious.

Production Values* (direction, casting, cinematography, art direction, make up, etc.) - 10
-This show is chalked full of great production values, great cinematography, an amazing cast of characters, unbelievable sound editing and sound mixing (winning four Emmys for its sound editing and mixing), fantastic art direction (winning two Emmys for it), occasional breathtaking visual effects, and absolutely superb Make up (its make up won three Emmys). I personally feel that "technically" it is one of the greatest shows ever put together.

Value (the consistency of being a good show throughout its seasons) - 8
Season 1-5 was absolutely fantastic, "outstanding dramatic series" fantastic. Even season 6-7 was great. But towards the end, they brought in new characters that weren't as strong as the original cast, but It wasn't that or any other one thing. The show was still very well written, well acted, and the production values were still great if not at their best. But it seemed to cater more towards X-Files fans, were as the early seasons catered to people who just enjoyed watching television.

Overall (the shows overall entertainment) - 10
Despite the later seasons, which weren't as groundbreaking as the earlier seasons, it still is an immensely entertaining show. Definitely one of my favorite shows, and maybe not at the top of the list but definitely one of the best shows of all time, and according to TV guide the second best cult TV show of all time right behind Star Trek. The X Files shouldn't be missed.

Final score: 9.5

(*) In the case of certain shows, mainly sitcoms shot on video, I may only take into account casting and direction. I'm not going to reprimand a show for something that isn't really apart of its presentation.

show: The Sopranos

The Bottom Line: "Superb"

Acting (the performances of the main and supporting cast) - 10
-Every bit of the show, throughout all of its seasons has been superbly acted-

Writing (dialogue and storytelling) - 9
-A very well written show, although occasionally the writing is over shadowed by it content-

Production Values* (direction, casting, cinematography, art direction, make up, etc.) - 9
-The direction and casting is fantastic, everything else is very strong-

Value (the consistency of being a good show throughout its seasons) - 10
-It seem seems to get better and better, this show has never faltered-

Overall (the shows overall entertainment) - 10
-Every 1 1/2 years that it is on it is one of the, if not the best show on television. and it is definitely in the running for one of the all time great television dramas-

Final score: 9.7

(*) In the case of certain shows, mainly sitcoms shot on video, I may only take into account casting and direction. I'm not going to reprimand a show for something that isn't really apart of its presentation.