Rating: Summary: Best season so far... Review: Most fans of the show find themselves complaining about the current year, always pointing back to a previous season where the writing was better, the stories easier to relate to, the acting more authentic. But friends, Season 2 of The Sopranos was an absolute masterpiece.From the full enjoyment that comes from a rise to power, to the terrible trouble a future brother-in-law could make, to a friend who's become your most dangerous liability. The trip to Italy was a load of fun to watch. Richie Aprille making a big deal about a leather jacket was absolutley hysterical. Tony's visits with Dr. Melfi were full of just enough agita. Janice was just sly enough to keep your wondering about her loyalties. I'm getting this, and I'm going to enjoy it over and over. I suggest you do the same. This is definitely worth every penny.
Rating: Summary: the BEST Review: This is the best show out there. It is the best thing to hit tv since Seinfeld. It is funny and still has tht mob thing going. After you see 1 show you don't want to stop.
Rating: Summary: The best series ever continues Review: Unfortunately the second season is a little weaker than the first one, but it still is tv-history in the making.
Rating: Summary: Can you survive thirteen episodes with The Sopranos? Review: I was totally looking forward to this second series of The Sopranos. Its amazing writing and compelling story lines are the finest ever to emerge from TV. Never as a TV show had the same effect on you as a movie does. Series Two is a lot better than series one and contains more depth in the characters. If the Sopranos just went about killing one another we wouldn't really care about it, but because it could almost be described as a psychological drama (with guns) it is fantastic. I'm Italian American and don't mind one iota at some of the humor in this and appreciated every second this DVD had to offer. If the creator David Chase is reading this (ha) then when The Sopranos finishes, how about a prequel/spin off with JOHNNY 'BOY' SOPRANO in the fiftys? It'll be a sure hit.
Rating: Summary: The 21st Century Is Awesome, So Is This Cable TV Show Review: Thank God for the 21st century, we live in a great time of great movies like The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, A Beautiful Mind, and Chicago. A great time of great music like: Linken Park, and Fisher Spooner. A great time of miniseries: Band Of Brothers, the miniseries of Ken Burns, and Angels In America. A great time of Books: Film books, and all other types of reading. And also a great time of great TV: HBO's Oz, Deadwood, Six Feet Under, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Family Guy, and of course The Sopranos. What I love about this show is everything, it is completely flawless from the fascinating storylines to the outstanding performances from everyone involved. James Gandolfini not only plays mafia family man Tony Soprano with character and depth, but with his persona- lity he captures the works of Hollywood legends Robert De Niro, and the late Marlon Brando, who was such a legendary actor with classic films like The Godfather and On The Waterfront (I coulda been a contender) which De Niro used for his Jake La Motta role in the flawless masterpiece Raging Bull. Edie Falco brings human emotion to her role in the show as Carmella Soprano, and another standout is Michael Imperolli (Who played Spider in Goodfellas). This is what TV should be. Five Stars.
Rating: Summary: Every time I think I'm out, it pulls me back in! Review: Things are going pretty well for Tony Soprano at the beginning of the second season of "The Sopranos." With most of his enemies safely sidelined, he is the unchallenged boss of the New Jersey mob, with lots of lucrative business opportunities presenting themselves. Yet, as always, new problems present themselves. His kids Meadow and A.J. are as rebellious as ever, and wife Carmela is increasingly fed up with Tony's absences, infidelities and fits of temper. Janice, his hippie-dippy sister, shows up unexpectedly. Richie Aprile, a mobster so greedy and violent that he scares even Tony, is released from prison and starts muscling in on Tony's business. Dr. Melfi, Tony's shrink, refuses to talk to him. And then, as always, there are the feds... As always, "Sopranos" creator David Chase and his superb team of writers cook up a fascinating, mesmerizing witch's brew of money, murder and various misbehaviors, enacted by what may well be the best ensemble cast in the history of television. (If there were a Nobel Prize for TV acting, James Gandolfini and Edie Falco certainly would be on the short list every year.) Once again, if you're offended by rough language, nudity and violence, stay away. Otherwise, be prepared to get hooked.
Rating: Summary: A surprising second season. Review: After seeing the first season of "The Sopranos", I had to ask what could be done for an encore? How could it be topped in terms of drama and surprises? Well, the second season comes pretty close to that mark. Mob boss Tony Soprano has not been faring well since the end of season one. His mother (and possible accomplice in a botched attempt on his llfe) is very much alive, his estranged sister returns, an old associate starts causing trouble, his family is going through transition, and he can't shake the feeling that one of his crew may not be as loyal as he thinks... Boasting solid performances by the cast, a few shocking moments and deaths to boot, season two of "The Sopranos" rarely falls over in the high-wire act that it is. The DVD set is solid, with several commentaries by the show's directors, and several featurettes on the show. All in all, a good package and worthwhile look by fans of great crime drama.
Rating: Summary: Still Sopranos, but a little bit off Review: The first season was a great introduction, near-perfect, and the third season was full of unique drama, dark undercurrents, and all-time great episodes (Employee of the Week, Pine Barrens, etc.). Season Two, however, has a small problem. Unlike Season Three, it doesn't try anything new to separate itself from the first volume. Sure, there are different plots and a few different characters, but the season still follows the same arc (insert federal pressure and a bad seed that has to get whacked), the tone still has the same hue, and Tony Soprano still has the same issues. Sorry, but Richie Aprile just doesn't do it. No interesting motivations, and so much trouble early on that it's obvious he's a plot point waiting to be expunged. THAT SAID-this is still the Sopranos, and there are great moments. The gambling episode, Christopher's screenwriter/acting passion, the two over-ambitious, semi-flaming gangster wannabees, and the great final episode with Tony's fevered dreams and Big Pussy's confrontation. Overall, it's still very good, but in my opinion, a transition between the fantastic first and third seasons. Buy those first, and if you like them a lot, but this one.
Rating: Summary: It's a Family Thing.... Review: The Sopranos is one of HBO's greatest achievements (although I admit that I think it lost some of its momentum and spark with seasons three and four). When I first saw the show, I was hooked. I'd watch anywhere from three to four episodes a day. One of the great things about first watching this show on DVD was that I could watch any number of episodes instead of just watching one per week. "The Sopranos: The Complete Second Season" has to be my favorite season. As much as I love the first one, this was when things were really funny, intense, dramatic and involving. The season doesn't let us down when it comes to Tony having more problems than ever before. Both in his Mafia Family and his immediate family, Tony can never get a break. His wife gives him grief while his kids keep doing things that upset him. And don't get me started on his ill mother and self-centered sister. Life isn't much better in his Mafia Family when the brother of Jackie is released from prison and is giving Tony a hard time both personally and professionally. Not to mention that his long time friend, Big P. comes back from a long hiatus when he was first suspected of turning rat to the Feds. All of this leads to one incredible and unpredictable season that showcases the show like none other. For me, this was the most entertaining season of them all. I loved the characters, the constantly changing storylines, and the personal and business life of Tony Soprano, which is superbly balanced in this season. There's still the much appreciated humor in these episodes that were found lacking in the next two seasons. It doesn't feel like a soap opera, but a more enhanced look into the Mafia world. There's plenty of action as well as dramatic storylines that will make everybody happy for the most part. This season comes in a set of four discs, totaling at 13 episodes. The great thing about the show is that it is presented to us in a widescreen format that is enhanced for widescreen TVs. This really makes the show that more effective because you feel like you're actually watching a movie rather than a show on cable. The picture and sound quality is great and really shows. There are some nice little extras, such as featurettes, brief previews and recaps of episodes, web-links and more. "The Sopranos: The Complete Second Season" is a bundle of laughs, suspense, drama, action and surprises. You're always on your toes and you never know what's coming next. One thing's for sure; this is the most unpredictable season out of the four seasons (the fifth one looks pretty promising thus far). While you'll want to start with the first season if you've never seen the show before, you'll know that you will have something special to look forward to once you get to the second season. In my opinion, this is where Sopranos is flawlessly at its best. -Michael Crane
Rating: Summary: A great second Season Review: I reviewed season 1 of the Sopranos and I said that it was a modern masterpiece. I still stay true to what I said with that. Season 2 carries story lines from Season 1and as with any piece of work the characters all progress. We are introduced to new characters such as Richie Aprile & Janice Soprano. I think that the main theme of Season One was to introduce you to Tony and his crew and what they were about. Season 2 goes deeper and I would say simply the main themes are that Tony has a huge mess on his hands. If you don't want to spoil things don't read the rest of this paragraph. He still doesn't know what causes his panic attacks and Dr. Melfi doesn't want to treat him.His sister Janice is in town from Seattle and she is being a pain in Tony's ass by trying to take their mom's house and her inheritance. Tony's old friend Richie, brother of the late former mob boss Jackie, is in town and he wants a big piece of action and wants what Tony has. Most of all Tony is trying to figure out if he has a rat on his hands with Big Puss. With that said there are alot of other themes going on but those are the biggies. This season transends perfectly from season 1 and it is the second best season of the show. It never will bore you (atleast not for me). All of the characters mature and grow. Now that I said my piece for season two, I will discuss a bit about the actual dvds. The Soprano's Season 2 was released back in late 2001 and it is a four disk set. The menus are animated nicely and look pretty slick. The downside is that there aren't many special features and I think that they could have created a few for the viewers. I mean there is a featurette that is pretty boring and a few directors commentaries. Nothing really special in that department. This season is definetly worth your money, even though it is quite expensive. I suggest you buy Season 1 before buying this season. Just so you know whats going on. This is a great season and there are a few plot twists and the season finale of this show is memorable and might be the image of the show. So buy it now you will not regret it if you are a fan of the show, mafia movies, great acting, and dark humor.
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