Movies Books

The Author of this book should be very proud! I mean I thought I was a fan and then I read this book and I realized so much I didn't know! This book has shown me how I can dedicate and try to make this show more popular by supporting it!! Read it, it's GREAT!

Pro's: It was interesting to read about the actors and their were plenty of interesting photos. I like reading the comments from the actors on certain episodes.

Cons: The episode guide was good, but it was something I could care less about. I wanted to see more behind the scenes facts and this book gave me what I already knew. Also the quiz at the end was impossible. I've been watching the show since it started, and the questions are based on details that are impossible for even me to remember and the only way you'd remember them is if you taped each episode and/or took notes from each episode. I read what the other people said about the book and thought it would be great, instead it was a dissappointment.

Over all: Don't get this book unless you are a NEW fan and don't know anything. Also don't even try the quiz!

I think that this book was really good, probably because I am a po5 fan! It has good information that I didn't ever know about. I recommend it, and any other party of five books!

It has bios of all the stars and guests, recaps of all the episodes of the first three seasons, behind the scenes info./pics, plus tons of other great stuff!

If you love PO5 as much as I do (which beleve me is a alot!) this is the book that you should read. It gives you the inside scoop on the show and the stars and also includes tons of quizzes and an episode guide. So if your smart (which you must be if you decide to watch PO5) read this book now!

Great picture book including everything needed to know about the Pirates of the Caribbean stories. Lots of information included among the pictures, not to mention the pull out poster of the Black Pearl. Great visual and fact guide!

Pirates of the Caribbean Visual Guide is fantastic. It is beautifully illustrated and printed a fine paper. This is a great companion book to Pirates of the Caribbean. DK has always done a fine job with these types of publications. Pirates of the Caribbean and DK is a Treasure Trove. This will make a great Christmas gift.

A must have for any Johnny Depp or Pirate fan. The pictures and text are excellent. I highly recommend this book.

Okay. So, I am an adult woman who bought this book so I could look at photos of Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Jack Davenport as sexy swashbucklers in the privacy of my own home. And,it works. If I can't actually join them in their adventures, I can enjoy looking at them. Plus, the book has lots of fun information and other great photos from the films. If you liked the films and just want to relive them a bit, this is a great book.

This book is a great purchase if you're a POTC fan. Lots of beautiful, detailed, color photographs paired with interesting info about the first two films that you might not find anywhere else. The book is neatly broken down explaining each character independently as well as each of the places the pirates hang out. There is also a very detailed map of the Black Pearl located in the center of the book and not to mention dozens of great photos of Capt. Jack! A great purchase!

I have been taking recommendations from Berardinelli's website for a few years. This book is a compilation of his favorites from about the last 10 years, and are arranged by genre (Action/Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Drama, etc.). An appendix uncovers some 'easter eggs' (want to see Gollum's MTV speech from the DVD?), and another reviews directors' cuts. Berardinelli includes only 'recommended', 'highly recommended', and 'must see' movies.

Berardinelli exudes both open-mindedness and conviction in his reviews. He sees through audience manipulation and recognizes artistic vision. He's not syndicated, and has only his fans to please. I get the distinct feeling that he writes reviews to create a more demanding movie viewing audience. If my feeling is right, I hope he succeeds.

You'll have to visit Berardinelli's website (www.reelviews.net) to experience the other half of his vocabulary: the colorful invective he uses to trash truly bad films. A great example: "I have written this review as a public service to those who stop by my video column. I sacrificed my time so others don't have to. Feel free to ignore this warning..".

James Berardinelli's Reelviews website has been my go-to source for movie reviews since I stumbled upon it a few years back. I admire his candor and insightful analysis of films and the film world. Just like a previous reviewer said, since discovering James I have not wasted money seeing a dud film in the theater).

Best of all, you can always trust James to tell the truth. If the movie is schlock, he lets you know; if the movie is decent, he'll tell you who might be most attracted to seeing the film in theaters (often times by providing a list of similar films like a "if you liked these, try this" recommendation); and if the movie is great, James sounds the horn. And I must admit, while I look forward to seeing four and five star films, I look forward to reading the one and zero star reviews (there's just something deeply gratifying and entertaining about a reviewer ripping some piece of schlock to the tiny bits it deserves...call it my guilty pleasure).

So if you want a "Reel" honest review, James is your man. Pick up the book, check out the website (I recommend spending some time running through "ReelThoughts" for a few great ideas about what is going on in the entertainment industry, what could/should be going on, and so forth), have yourself a ball. I only hope Mr. Berardinelli can find the time to put together a DVD guide as well for those of us - and he knows were out there, growing in number - who prefer the comfort of home to the current theater experience.

You da man, James. Keep it up!

This book provides heavily edited versions of James Berardinelli's website movie reviews. Unfortunately, instead of skimping on plot descriptions, he skimps on analysis, which is his strong suit.

My first exposure to Berardinelli was the first version of this movie guide. And I didn't think much of it. Some time later, I was discussing Berardinelli with a friend, who advised me to check out his complete reviews posted on his website. After reading the complete reviews, with all of the analysis intact, I finally became a believer. But despite all of this, I now own both versions of his movie guide, which I find useful for quick-reference purposes. (Note: If this movie guide contained Berardinelli's complete, unedited movie reviews, I would bump my rating up to four stars.)

Note to ALL film critics: In the future, try to restrict your movie plot summaries to just one or two paragraphs, and then get on to what you were truly put on this planet for, i.e., providing analysis and criticism.

(Note: this review assumes that you are not terribly familiar with James Berardinelli. If you are, skip to the last two paragraphs.)

Growing up in a Dallas suburb, there was nothing much to do but to get a ride over to the local multiplex and catch the latest flicks. Early on in my preteen years, of course, almost anything would catch my interest (save for something like Jane Eyre), but after awhile it became apparent that my time would be better spent going to movies that were actually decent. So, this led me to peel open and dog-ear the "Guide" section of the Dallas Morning News, always skimming the review snippets before deciding to which movie I would beg my mother to take me. However, while this system proved adequate early on, it became apparent that I was still spending time watching alot of terrible movies, movies that had been given such wonderful critical catch phrases as "Two Thumbs (Way) Up!" (which I'm sure must be trademarked or something similar by now) or "Four Stars! One of the best movies of our time!" Which, of course, led me to a gradual disillusionment and the growing belief that all critics were cash-mongerers being paid off to write catchphrases to be used in advertisements.

I still think that about many critics. But eventually, I discovered rottentomatoes.com and it proved to be a good, brute force way of finding quality movies to spend a hard-earned 8 bucks. I came to notice, however, that one reviewer in particular kept standing out for well thought out, well-read (and well-seen) reviews, many of which corresponded to my tastes and interests. It was in this way I came to find James Berardinelli. His name was a bit of a pain to remember at first, but it soon became synonymous to me with pure, intellectual and quality reviews.

Very few critics, I feel, are able to properly enunciate precisely why they feel a movie is good or bad. I've read many a four star review of Pulp Fiction, for example, that was filled with vague assessments and ephemereal praise; namely, that the critic had realized they had just seen something wonderful, but couldn't quite express why. And sometimes this enunciation can be done in overkill; however intelligent a review from the New York Times or the Chicago Tribune may be, sometimes they seem a bit *too* intelligent, a critic trying too hard to maintain an image or trying to be Faulkner when Hemingway would suffice.

It is, however, this precise skill of putting down in words that certain "je ne sais quoi" many of us may feel when watching the latest masterpiece that makes Berardinelli brilliant. It is his irreverant attitude to the worst of movies, and his superbly insightful and analytical approach to even the most untouchably brilliant of movies and his refusal to reduce his thoughts to a catchphrase that makes every read an enjoyable one. I never read reviews in my free time for fun before, but now I pour over Berardinelli pages as if looking over a great literary tome. And in fact, his reviews may be; each review opens a dialogue with the reader, explaining everything what one wants to and needs to know. One has a question, and Berardinelli has anticipated it and answered it. If anything, I wish his reviews were longer.

However, it's simply more than just Berardinelli agreeing with my tastes. In fact, I found I disagree with him on quite a bit of movies, but unlike many other critics, a point of divergence is not an irreconcilable-"oh-he's-just-one-of-the-crazies-who-liked-star-wars-episode-one" moment but rather a way to see an alternative opinion presented intelligently and analytically. If anything, if you're used to just reading reviews from your local newspaper, Berardinelli will elevate your level of discourse with movies and will broaden the way you think about the art of filmmaking.

That being said, why do you need to buy the book when all his reviews are archived for free on his website? If you've a soft-spot for reviews and movies, this is a good addition to your library, beating out the more mainstream works such as "Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever year XXXX" (which I never read for fun). Even then, a collection such as this belongs in the category of art criticism, not movie reviews, and for that reason a hard copy will always be welcomed as a permanent reference for the thoughts and analyses of one of the most important critics of our time. If that's not your thing, having a hard copy of the reviews means that you can always quickly look up a review without having to worry about booting up a computer or remembering how to spell "Berardinelli." If anything else, this makes sure that you vote with your dollar and support a critic who deserves greater exposure.

(I realize the overly-glowing tone of this review, but if you've read Berardinelli, you'd understand.)

I've been an avid reader of James' website for the last year of so. I have come to value his reviews over almost everyone elses. He never fails to expose a bad movie and tell exactly why in an intelligent, and sometimes humorous way. I've often been prompted to see a movie that I otherwise would have probably overlooked. James, if you read this, ignore that jerk who gave your book a one star. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but writing scathing reviews that are based on questionable informatio is unecessary. I look forward to reading more of your reviews and your next book. Take care!

Great, fun book for Road Rules fanatics

I am obsessed with everything on Road Rules and Real World. To me, this was one of the better MTV books. You should read it if you like learning about how the characters really felt during their adventures. It was great!

I started reading this book and i couldn't put it down. The pictures are so funny, and the entrees are juicy and tell you every thing that you never knew about the casts. I think this is a great book.

As an almost-obsessive fan of both the Real World and Road Rules, this was definitely one of the better books. Even if you have watched every episode of the shows, like I have, you should get this book. It tells what really happened with the romances and fights; what cast members really thought of each other, and it even contains lost missions that were unable to make it onto the show. I would recommend this book to anyone who has seen the show. So order it today!

This book had tons of information. It really made you feel like you were there. It gives you how cast members really felt about what the other cast members were doing. It gives you the FULL story, not the part that Bunim/Murray wants you to hear. You actually find out the reason the cast members were arguing, not just the argument. I hate to read, but I finished this book in just two days. Better than Road Rules: Passport Abroad and In the House: Real World Seattle. If you only plan to get one book about The Real World or Road Rules, this is the one!

This is one of my favorite Sabrina books! Sabrina, Salem, and Valerie go back to Ancient Egypt and the cat goddess Bast falls in love with Salem. They take away Sabrina's powers and she must find a mirror to get them back and save Salem. You should read it if you're a Sabrina fan.

I stopped reading the Sabrina series a while ago due to the last 5 or so books not been very good, but then I decided to give it one more chance and began my 25th Sabrina book "scarabian nights". I have to say that I was very impressed, I realy liked this one and was glad to see that Valarie was involved and its not about Sabrina and her family as that has got real old. I would go as far as saying this is one of the best Sabrina books, so read it! If you like it I also recomend "showdown at the mall", "Prizoner of cabin 13" and "sabrian goes to Rome". ENJOY!

After a magical vacation to the Egyptian pyramids, Aunt Vesta brings Sabrina a super souvenir. The ancient charm is suppose to help the teenage witch with her cat chores, but instead it transports Sabrina, Salem and Valerie back in time to ancient Egypt!

Salem is thrilled. After all, the Egyptians really knew how to treat their feline friends-they worshipped them as gods. But when the cat Goddess Bast falls hard for the fast-talking black cat, she puts him under a love spell & locks his traveling companions in the maze of the Great Pyramid. As Sabrina & Valerie wind their way through the life-sized puzzle, they enlist the help of some magical figures-and a handsome young pharoah on hiatus from his sarcophagus. But can they bring Salem to his senses before Bast morphs him into a mummy?

I think Scarabian Nights is a pretty good book. It's basically about Aunt Vesta's gift to Sabrina, an "Ushabti," a little doll kind of thing. Sabrina wishes she could go back in time with her friend Valerie since she's bored. But she really doesn't mean to wish that. But the Ushabti really takes her back in time with Valerie and Salem, her magical talking cat. Queen Bast, the ruler there, likes Salem, and says she wants to marry him. But then Sabrina finds out the chilling secret: She sees cats turned to stone on the walls of Queen Bast's kingdom. Queen Bast had turned all the cats she was about to marry into stone! What can she do to protect Salem and get out of Queen Bast's kingdom with Valerie and back home!? I'm not going to give away the ending, but I can tell you a series of adventures happen when Sabrina tries to save Salem and get them all back home!

This book sort of drags on in the middle of the book, but except for that, this book is so interesting I couldn't put it down!

After a magical vacation to the Egyptian pyramids, Aunt Vesta brings Sabrina a super souvenir. The ancient charm is suppose to help the teenage witch with her cat chores, but instead it transports Sabrina, Salem and Valerie back in time to ancient Egypt!

Salem is thrilled. After all, the Egyptians really knew how to treat their feline friends-they worshipped them as gods. But when the cat Goddess Bast falls hard for the fast-talking black cat, she puts him under a love spell & locks his traveling companions in the maze of the Great Pyramid. As Sabrina & Valerie wind their way through the life-sized puzzle, they enlist the help of some magical figures-and a handsome young pharoah on hiatus from his sarcophagus. But can they bring Salem to his senses before Bast morphs him into a mummy?

I highly recommend Seagalogy for all movie buffs and anybody looking for a good laugh.
Fans of Steven Seagal will love Seagalogy because of the depth of information about his movies, commercials, music and products.
Even those of us who don't like Steven Seagal will still enjoy reading Seagalogy, because Vern mockingly and sincerely writes reviews about every movie Steven Seagal has made, comments on the absurdity of his movies and unusual characteristics.

I was hoping for the Seagal equivalent of the hillarious Wrestlecrap books. Those books show their love for the material but also aren't afraid to rip it apart for laughs. This book seems more like a 400 page high school thesis paper about reoccuring themes that appear in Steven Seagal movies. Interesting stuff like his mob claims and lawsuits, as well as his problems with production on movies like Mercenary for Justice are hardly even touched on.

Instead of describing the hillarious flubs in his DTV movies, the reader is treated to an overly long sypnosis of the film, and then a rundown of the themes which connect them to other Seagal films.

As a fellow Seagal fan I can appreciate Vern's love of the material, but overall it came off as way to dry for such a ridiculous concept for a book.

This book is laugh out loud funny. I was unable to put it down once I picked it up. There is a wealth of information here but its never hard work to digest as Vern doesn't take it too seriously. Best 10 dollars I have spent in a long time. Hopefully Seagal continues making many more movies so Vern can do a part 2 of Seagalogy.

This could be a ground-breaking book.

Usually in a book with a subject like this the reader would expect one of two things - either predominantly fawning and uncritical adulation peppered with the occasional swipe at safe targets ala the tomes of Telos that cover the recent seasons of the returned Dr Who - or wholesale emasculation of the works considered and their dissection for comedic purposes, the sort of thing the Medved brothers made their name doing.

Vern does neither, and instead finds an intriguing way of reflecting on a genre that actually, surprisingly, may have much to reveal both about the way cinema and celebrity function in the modern age. Writers to come could learn much from this manner of study, one that is respectful of the film-makers' intentions and the audiences responses - or non-responses - to these and we might learn a few things along the way. It helps that Vern can also write extremely well, has an eye for a decent joke or two and an understanding of the modern age that allows him to draw conclusions that surprise, delight and inform.

What do we learn from this book ?

Well, that there is more to Seagal than just another dumb action movie star. Vern makes a pitch in his opening for ascribing auteur status to the man, an assertion that initially strikes one as either tongue-in-cheek to the point of incomprehension, taking the mickey out of the reader or misplaced adulation. Yet in his quiet, analytical way Vern demonstrates that he has a point - like many an auteur Seagal has themes and memes that carry through from one film to the next, and where they haven't been present has gone to some lengths as writer, director or actor to introduce them. Moreover Seagal appears to have come to the screen already fully formed, no working his way up for him but immediately launched in a vehicle for his talents - Nico -Above the Law - that's suggests that someone, somewhere, must have felt the man had something to say worth hearing. Subsequent success suggests that in the late 80s and early 90s, people wanted to hear it.

We are used to the idea of the action heroes as ubermenschen - arrogant, opinionated, always in, and politically on, the right. Seagal, Vern shows, is that rare thing - a left-wing action star. Repeated themes he finds in the films are the corruption and incompetence of intelligence agencies, the dangers of turning a blind eye to the environment, violence as a tool that when utilized should be deployed quickly, efficiently and without undue flash or adulation and never as a solution in and of itself, and a quiet asceticism that makes his hero something of a Renaissance man. This latter is a particularly strange thought, but Vern shows us the evidence, presents his own conclusions and also allows that we have the intelligence to draw our own. Seagal deliberately set out to impart his philosophies to his audiences - and that is what auteurs do, surely ?

This is no dry, academic tome however. It is also very funny, warm, enlightening and entertaining. It's a book to carry onto the plane - for who knows what the in-flight movie may be ? - or to read in the bath or you'll annoy close friends and relatives by reading the best bits aloud. It is that good.

So come to mock by all means - but stay to learn and enjoy. And since that's the essence of Steven Seagal's own philosophy of cinema, from what I gather here, this is a book that does the man proud.

Damn, damn, damn - Vern wrote my book!! I am your basic NPR junkie, with a video collection heavy on German, French and Japanese classics, and never miss Masterpiece Theatre. Guests are always amazed when they come across my complete set of Seagal films - but I adore these films! They are entertaining, often very funny, and have a unique point of view. I had long planned that my retirement project would be to write THIS BOOK!! Fortunately, it is very well written, and gives great insight without ignoring the smirk factor. Well done, but I still am resentful!

This book was the second book I got. I thought it was a very good book. I read in like 3 days. I liked the part when Ruthie was trying to act like a guy by doing those gross guy things!! I read over and over again until I got a new 7th Heaven Book. I love to watch the show. I watch it every night when I can or when I'm not doing anything else..... I really hope that you 7th Heaven fans will read this book if you already didn't. If you do I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!!

i thought this was a good book i mean it was very interesting (for me anyway) this is the only book i will read unless i have to like in school but that is the ONLY book i will read out of school, but i can't read them all as fast as you can make them can you make them. can you make some for the older age levels please because those would probebly be just as good.

I have read alot of 7th Heaven books, and Secrets was my 2ed favorit. I would recomend this book to kids 5-10 no younger because they will start to keep secrets.

Mary and her basketball team get there season cut shore because there grades drop. So Mayr and her team trash the schools gym and the get arressted will the camdens clear her name? read to find out! I would reccomend this book to anybody ages birth to death it has a great moral.

BOOK REVIEW

In this book Lucy one of the sisters. Is on her high school student court team.
Her sister Mary is in her signor year of high school and on the varsity basketball team. The girl's grades dropped so they can't play anymore. So they go out to eat and think about trashing the school gym. Then they sneak in and start to T.P everything and then they graffiti every thing and than they get caught by the police and the school principal and they get in a lot of trouble.

I do recommend this book if they like the T.V show 7th heaven an like to read. I would recommend this book because it is interesting and funny. It was a page turner because at the end of a page it did not tell enough information so it was a cliff hanger . So I kept on reading the book. I did enjoy this genre because I love this T.V show and this was about a show I had never seen. There were surprises in the story like when Mary and her friends got caught and when they decided to trash the school gym and when Simon got suspended for a whole week.

I have never seen a collection of Shirley photographs and memorabilia as extensive as this one.

The pages are chock full of photos I've never seen before, and I've been a devoted fan since the 50's! If you adore Shirley, this book is something you must have. I absolutely love it.

This book couldn't be better! The pictures of Shirley Temple are absolutely gorgeous and they are all throughout the book in both color and black and white from the time she was a baby until her later teen years. If you want pictures of the best child star ever, this is the book to have.

An EXCELLENT book about Shirley Temple full of FANTASTIC photos and history of the greatest child star! Kudos to Rita for a fantastic job!

This book is a must for anyone who is a Shirley Temple fan. Those not familiar with her work might find it interesting as well. Rita Dubas has done a wonderful job here. The layout is beautiful, showcasing many photos of Shirley (some of which I'd never seen before!) along with oodles of photos of Shirley Temple memorabilia from all over the world.

It's a fascinating glimpse into the world of yesteryear, when a sweet little girl was the most popular star in Hollywood.

Representing all the children of the world, Shirley Temple gave us the Silver Screen View of the Divine Child, the closest thing to Heaven. She spoke for us who became aware of her as children, felt our child like feelings and made us feel that no matter the circumstance, Love would conquer all. And we loved her for it. How could anything be wrong when you looked at that Angelic face, with her sparkling eyes and precious dimples. How can you not smile at all those bouncing joyous curls.

She was not just a face on the screen but our friend, our secret playmate. Besides that Shirley grew into a beautiful woman, skipping anything wild or rebellious, always full of grace. She opened her heart to the welfare and humanity of all peoples. Her whole entire life has been about enriching this wonderful world we live in. The ideal child became the ideal role model. However rare that is, her light still shines through, warming every heart, young or old, benefiting every new generation.

This book honors Shirley like no other. Adorable photo after photo, exquisitely designed and written. Rita Dubas treats us with her vast knowledge and love of this tiny star. Rita shares rare collections of past memorabilia, not usually seen in the typical collector books. She displays them, so that your eyes dance over them and you feel lost in a wonderland, not unsimular to the way Shirley makes you feel when watching her movies. All your troubles dissapear for the moments paging though this book . . . . . this tribute. Bravo Rita! Bravo Shirley!

Connie Marshall, Artist

Who would have ever thought my kids (10 & 8) would love Speed Racer so much that we ended up getting them a book about Speed Racer's history. They love it and keep reading it over and over. Any book that a kid will read over and over again is a GREAT book.

This is a great book. Even non speed racer fans will love it. It is very informitive.

Good ol' Speed. Forever stating the obvious in his trademark excitable tone. Speaking of which, this book is perfect for "Speed Racer" fans to get excited about.

Author Elizabeth Moran hits the track with infectious enthusiasm and leaves in her backdraft plenty of fun info on all the various iterations of "Speed Racer," from the original manga and Japanese series to the imported version I grew up with... to the newer versions, including a proposed live action film that never got off the ground. Moran includes the requisite episode guides (and rates them!), plus interviews with both the Japanese and American creative teams, racing terms, a complete dictionary guide to Speed's world and transcripts from the ESPN "Nascar" commercials. And wait until you read the original Japanese lyrics to the now-classic theme. Yep, even master auto-designer Pops Racer couldn't have done a better job, because this book has more features than the Mach 5!

What's especially neat about this is that it's all in glorious full-color! The design matches the vibrant and vigorous animated series. A fun package, and highly recommended for any "Speed Racer" fan. Go, Speed Racer, go!

...ESTE LIBRO CUENTA TODO, LA HISTORIA DE SU CREADOR,DE LOS PERSONAJES,RESEñAS CAPITULO POR CAPITULO,HASTA COMERCIALES CON METEORO Y UNA FUTURA SERIE Y PELICULA.NO SE LO PIERDAN....

This book is a thorough and complete look at that great show, Speed Racer. It starts out with a quick look at the theme song of the show, the characters, the Mach 5, and the people behind the characters' voices. Then, the book launches into the best part of all, a one-page synopsis of each of the 52 episodes, complete with a picture from the episode. After that the book continues with the history of Speed after the show, complete with images from the new Mach Go Go Go show, and a glossary.

This book is a wonderful stroll down memory lane for anyone who grew up watching Speed and the gang. My eight-year-old son, who is a chip-off-the-old-block and a Speed fan too, did not find too much in this book, but it is not intended as a story book. What the book is designed to be, it is wonderfully, a guide for fans of Speed Racer. I enjoyed this book and think that you will too!

They should've gotten Ron Jones to do First Contact instead of Goldsmith. This is the kind of score you need for an epic battle with the Borg. Wonderful action sequences with stirring strings and threatening brass. And the Borg theme is just marvelous. Ron Jones or Dennis McCarthy or even Jay Chattaway should do all future Star Trek motion picture scores.

I consider the two-parter The Best Of Both Worlds© to be Star Trek™'s most pivotal & influential episodes, and the soundtrack does a beautiful job in adding to the feel and suspense. Although Ron Jones' compositions on this CD aren't quite as ambitious as the tunes one would hear in the Star Trek™ movies, his efforts did help make these two watermark NextGen episodes seem truly grand and larger than life. The military style of some of the tunes also gives a warlike tone to the show, as the Enterprise™ and the Federation™ fight desperately to stop the Borg™ invasion.

Each track complements the scene it plays in almost perfectly. One good example is Hansen's Message©, which plays through the end of the scene in Part One when the crew sees the Borg™ ship for the first time. The moment itself is chilling, but with the music, along with the crescendo at the climax, it becomes even more suspenseful! Another great tune to complement the moment is Intervention©, heard in Part Two when Worf™ and Data™ sneak into the Borg™ ship to rescue Picard™ (now changed into the Borg™ Locutus™) and get him back to the Enterprise.

Thanks to the synergy between the music and the scenes, The Best of Both Worlds© becomes a whole lot more than the sum of its visual & musical parts!

'Late

I LOVE it it is so very relaxing to listen to on occations when you need a dose of Star Trek.

Without comparing this TV score to that of a film, I would consider this an excellent TV score. Hearing the Alexander Courage's version of Jerry Goldsmith's Star Trek theme really opens the album up. It is really a shame that it appears only once or twice in minor situations because then it would mean this score has some trace of thematic development like film scores do. The Borg theme, played by a synthesized chorus, sounds very mysterious yet somewhat hostile and threatening. You have to have seen the show to know what's happening because there's barely any thematic music to base what's happening on. The strings and celeste playing on the tracks before the borg encounter adds the sense of mysterious but foreshadowed danger. The battle tracks between the borg and Enterprise aren't upbeat like scores from John Williams or Horner but sound much more suspenseful and average-paced like on Crimson Tide. Ron Jones seems to back off on fast-paced string and brass parts and prefers edgy brass and percussion coupled with electronics. Away Team Ready is a haunting, military-like cue as some people prepare to board the borg ship. An unused cue for the exploration of the borg ship sounds very far and dissonant like on The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, and Aliens. Both are very original sounding. Let me admit that the music on the second and final fight between the Enterprise and Borg ship heats up but leaves more to be desired. Of course, this is a TV score scored under a period of a week so forget what I just said for any film score fan. After a bittersweet ending stopping with an afterthought, the brilliant Star Theme comes up for the credits and draws this score to a close. I recommend this original score for anyone who has seen the borg episode of TNG but don't expect a Star Wars score here for any film score collectors.

Fans of the syndicated television show "Star Trek: The Next Generation" may remember the two-part episode "The Best of Both Worlds" as a high point for the series, and for science fiction television in general. This cliffhanger and its resolution constituted the third season finale and fourth season premiere. In the story, the United Federation of Planets faces an invasion by the Borg, a seemingly unstoppable cybernetic race that "assimilates" whole civilizations into its insect-like "collective." Captain Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise represent the Federation's only hope against this relentless enemy.

Such an epic tale calls for an epic musical score, and composer Ron Jones delivers. His music pounds with excitement during the thrilling space battle sequences. He makes brilliant use of eerie musical effects to capture the alien nature of the Borg Collective and its dispassionate "drones." He also brings out all of the emotion of the heroic struggle of the Enterprise crew to save the Federation from conquest and assimilation. But it's not all big, bombastic space opera music; Jones also pays attention to more intimate moments between the crew.

Yes, "The Best of Both Worlds" was a landmark in the ongoing, multigenerational "Star Trek" saga, and Ron Jones' superb score is an integral part of the story. This is an essential disc for fans of science fiction soundtracks.