The Sopranos - The Complete First Season

Rating:
Summary: Make Room For The Bullies!
Review: I don't have "HBO" or Showtime, so I was excited about getting the First Season Set of "The Sopranos" for Christmas, since there was all this Emmy buzz about how great the show is. I've only watched the first episode and was digusted with the way this family of bullies tramples on people who "owe them". Even the elderly are portrayed as SOB's. In one scene a man, whle desperately trying to escape (on a public lawn, far from any street), is knocked down by a car, then visciously beaten and kicked, as about 10 people just stood by watching. No one took down the license number of the thugs responsible. The matriarch (who is forever entertaining her Priest, as well as quick to get out a machine gun to see what is going on at one of the house's windows) figures there is only one difference between her and her husband: He will go to hell when he dies. What sick drama is this? I think this "super drama" will sit on the shelf unwatched, because it's not good enough to even give away.

To watch a family of mean-sprited, self-righteous bullies who feel entitled to walk all over othr people (including corpses) is not exactly entertaining, but hard on the stomach. Excellent acting and production values don't save this ulser-forming show. The Emmy Committee must have gotten an offer they couldn't refuse.**



Rating:
Summary: Without a doubt like no other
Review: The Sopranos is probably the greatest TV series ever. Each actor in the show plays a complete human being. Filled with layers of psychological depth complex relationships, which are combined in a way which mimics life in such a way that anyone anywhere can see a bit of themselves in middle aged mobster, Tony's "other" family and in every other character on the show. Because the Sopranos takes the time to capture the little things which make us uniquely human. Every character has flaws and is filled with contradictions, each character lives with their contradictions and ignores those of others. David Chase once said the joke of the Soprano's was "that America has become so selfish that even a mobster they guy who invented the idea of me first needs therapy." I think that is defiantly a central theme of the Sopranos especially this first season. In latter seasons the characters will develop further in the eyes of the viewer as they face life and all of its trials and tribulations. All deal with it differently some to great success others to their ruin; but in the end this system of theirs sustains itself a general balance remains. The show comments on the questions the modern American is often forced to consider. I do not think history will forget the Sopranos the show which redefined what many expect when they sit down to watch TV. In all likelihood you will be totally captivated. Each epidode builds on episode various tentions are layed down and are pulled as the season builds to its final climax. The final episode of this season stands in my opinion as one of the best episodes of the Sopranos.

Rating:
Summary: Good Morning Rat!!!
Review: Ok - if you haven't watched the best tv series in the last 30 years - the Sopranos - what rock are you living under? Really?

This show includes the best writing and acting on tv today. James Gandolfini is very Brando-esque in his tortured portrayal as Tony Soprano. Michael Imperioli introduces us to Christopher Molitsanti, a budding gangster with striking assets and flaws. He really lays the groundwork in the 1st season for the awesome stuff he does later on.

Again the writing though really steals the show. There are no italian "types" on this show. Everyone is multi-dimensional yet accesible enough for anyone law-abiding or not to identify with.

Favorite Episode: "College" - definitely one of the best episodes ever. Gandolfini is superb in a dual role as a nuturing and trusting father & as a vengeful gangster after spying a former associate turned government witness. Tony's preying on the former goomba is captivating and despite the brutal end, you as the viewer will feel justice was served.



Rating:
Summary: See how it all started
Review: This is a must have for any faithful Soprano's fan. Most season sets will just sit on the shelf but this one you can watch over and over. While the craze over the Soprano's has subsided some, the story line is still as great as it was in the beginning. Don't miss out. This is definitely worth all five stars.

Rating:
Summary: The First Season was the Best Season
Review: My wife and I had bought this collection some time ago [got a good price, too - timing is everything]. We'd just finished the most recent season and were pretty satisfied with it.

Then she said, "Why not pull out Season 1 and see how things have changed?" So we did.

Some of these observations might be more obvious than others...

1. Boy, was Anthony Jr. a cute little boy!! Even when he was messing up, he was cute.

2. Tony had more hair, especially in episode 1.

3. Uncle Junior was much more "with it." Sure, he was making bad decisions, but they were emphatic bad decisions.

4. Carmela handles an autmatic rifle with apparent ease and familiarity - something she never does again.

5. Episode 1 shows Tony chasing a deadbeat in a Lexus sedan. I have seldom seen a more effective presentation of a man who is incredibly well-suited to his work, and so much enjoying it, too. Pure pleasure, good cinematography.

6. The writing was better.

7. Dr. Melfi was more mysterious. Season 1 peels her like an onion, and it's fascinating. When she is later attacked, the attack is all the more horrifying for our familiarity with her.

8. If only we could bring Big Pussy back from the dead - man, I liked his character a lot.

Anyway, yeah, it's expensive, but you cannot watch The Sopranos without having seen Season 1, so...suck it up.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Portrait of the American Mob - But Overpriced!
Review: This is an exceptionally riveting series and an excellent portrayal of Italian-American organized crime. However, in my opinion, the DVD set is way overpriced. Talk about price-gouging! Even though I didn't pay the MSRP, I still ended up paying about $7 per episode! That's the most expensive series I ever purchased. Is it worth it? Even though I feel I'm getting ripped off, I can't see how I will be able to stop myself from going out and purchasing all five seasons. Yes, it's that good!

Rating:
Summary: The Sopranos is a REAL lifestyle
Review: How to have a "Guido Day" just like The Sopranos

Incorporate something with roots from the boot over typical Meddigan practices and you will understand how to live your daily life as a true Goomba...

MORNING
Wake up and get ready using guido hair care and hygene products (Aqua Velva after shave, Aqua Net hairspray, etc). Get dressed wearing an outfit from the goomba wardrobe (dark colored suit with an elaborate floral print tie or Hawaiian shirt, Fila jogging suit, etc). Don't forget the gold jewelry. At breakfast, eat some pepperoni and eggs or peppers and eggs with a fresh Italian roll. Then stop at the bakery on the way to work for some espresso or capuccino with some pignoli cookies or a canolli. In your Monte Carlo, listen to 103.5 KTU or pop in a tape ofAngelo Venuto or Eiffel 65 if you are in the mood for some modern goomba dance tunes. If you are feeling more old school, put on some Dean Martin or Sinatra. Right there you've incorporated 4 goomba things into the early morning routine.

AFTERNOON
Once you are at work, check the internet news for what's going on in Italy. When having a conversation with co-workers and talking about sports, music, movies or whatever else, bring up Italian-American athletes or singers or actors. Hopefully you'll have a paisan co-worker who will have an equal amount of interest in such things. And always use the hand gestures and Goomba-Italiano slang dialect (oofah, agita, maddone, gabagol', etc) when speaking. At lunch time, go to the Italian deli and pick up a pro-shoot and mozzarell' sengwich with a Manhattan Special. Or if you feel like ahbeetz, go to the pizza parlor on the corner and pick up a slice or a calzone. Don't forget to pop some Perugina mints or a splash of Binaca after eating. You've successfully practiced, discussed and engaged in several more goomba selections for your afternoon.

EVENING
Getting back to your guido lair is the best part of the day, when you can relax and let it all hang out. The first thing to do is to grab an ice cold Peroni out of the fridge and if you are really in the mood, light up a Perodi and puff your brains out. At dinner time, it's macaroni with meatballs and a nice glass of homemade vino. At the conclusion of dinner, it's time to watch some "Who's The Boss" reruns or play a little "Super Mario Bros" with the kids. Later on, pop in a movie, maybe a little "My Cousin Vinny" or a "Sopranos" DVD. Have your way with the little woman and fall off to sleep until the next day. Once the weekend rolls around, it's out to the club to dance and kick back a dozen or maybe take a trip down the Jersey shore or to an Italian festival.... What was that, 4 or 5 more goomba incorporations there? Look, this is life as you know it, being a true goomba. You are going to stray from this routine and you may even eat White Castle instead of gabagol' one day. But 9 times out of 10, the goomba will pick something goomba over something that every other assimilating meddigan picks. Whether it's the brand of hair gel you pick or the car you drive or the music you listen to or the entertainer or ballplayer you follow. These are the practices of this very select subculture known as the goombas or guidos and you will know one when you see one.

More on the dialect...
Come stai, molto benne, buon giorno, arrivederci. Every Italian from Italy knows these words and every Italian-American should. But what about the goomba speech pattern? Those words and phrases that are a little Italian, a little American and a little slang. The goomba says ciao when he arrives or leaves. He says Madonna Mia anytime emotion is needed in any given situation. Mannagge, meengya, oofah and of course, va fungool can also be used. Capeesh? He uses a mopeen to wipe his hands in the cucina, gets agita from the gravy and will shceeve meatballs unless they are homemade from the famiglia. Always foonah your bread in the pot of gravy or you will be a mottie or a goo-goots. Mezza-fanooks and mulignans are usually always mamalukes and the girl from the neighborhood with the reputation is a facia-bruta puttana or a schifosa hewa (who-re). If you are called cattivo, garbbadosht, sfatcheem, stupido, or strunz you are usually a pain in the you know what. A crazy diavlo can give you the maloikya (evil eye), but that red horn will protect you if you use it right. Always say per favore and grazie and prego. Piacere is always said if you meet someone you like. If you are feeling mooshadd or stunad or mezza-morta always head to Nonna's and she will fix you with a little homemade manicott,' gavadell' or calamod' or some ricott' cheesecake. Mangia on some zeppoles, canollis, torrone, struffoli, shfooyadell', pignoli cookies, or a little nutella on pannetone. Delizioso! I think I will fix myself a sengweech of gabagol' with some proshoot and mozzarell' or maybe just a hot slice a peetz. Pasta fazool, mussels ma-dinara, clams oregenata, eggplant parmigian' and calzones are more traditional comfort food. Chiaccherones talk too much and if you say perche I don't know why. Just tell them to stattazeet. So salud' if you have any Italian blood in you and if you understood anything I wrote here. If so, you are numero uno and the professore of the goombas. Aspett' a minuto I have another thing to say, domani is another day! If you don't get any of this then fa Napola with the whole thing and you are a disgraziato. Scuzi, me dispiachay, I didn't mean that. Just fugheddaboutit.

More Goomba Foods
Lasagne, stromboli, risotto, sausage & cheese fritatt', chicken francese, olives, peppers, pepperincinis, salami, provolone, grissinis, ravioli, veal, minestrone soup. Remember, you may see other Italian-Italians or Italian-Americans pronouncing these words differently just as they would other Italian words. The goomba uses this dialect, and it is a real and true version of the Italian words.

The Sopranos do everything I've talked about here to a T. Oh and they also work in organized crime but that's really not what the show is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Unbeatable
Review: I've always thought with American television that there has always been an emphasis on quantity rather than quality.

When you get it right however, nothing comes close. My brother bought me this for a Christmas present and from the first few minutes I was hooked. The acting, writing and humour (sarcasm and irony especially) first class.

I've seen this series loads of times and i don't think i'll ever get bored of it.