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Queer as Folk - The Complete First Season (Showtime)

Queer as Folk - The Complete First Season (Showtime)

List Price: $119.98
Your Price: $95.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A honest, cutting edge show given the deluxe DVD treatment
Review: I distinctly remember my elation when I first viewed the original UK version of Queer As Folk'. For one of the first times, our lives were the storylines and we were being shown in an honest way - just as human beings living our lives the best way we know how. Sometimes brutally honest though - some of the subject matter even made me cringe! But it was positive as the stereotypical views of the gay man and woman were being challenged.

Then news started filtering out that the US were planning on making their own version of QAF. Alot of people, me included, were very sceptical about this. The US doesn't have a high success rate when taking a successful UK format and developing it for US audiences.

So when the first season on Showtime's Queer As Folk began airing in Australia in June 2002, I didn't have the elation that I felt with the UK version. And when I actually began watching the first episode, I was appalled. I thought 'this is one bad show'. Obviously being a fan of the UK version, the characters, actors and settings were fresh in my mind and it was natural to compare. And the US version came off a very poor second.

But I continued watching, as I was advised by a friend that it gets better. After the first 3 episodes, my opinion hadn't changed. The storylines were almost identical to the UK version, even some of the dialogue was identical. But then something happened. The original UK storylines were diverged and new ones added and it started to become a whole new show. Where the UK version finished,the characters were developed within such wonderful, honest sotrylines that I also became elated at this version of Queer As Folk. So persistance does pay.

What can I say about the US s1 Queer As Folk that hasn't been said before? Not everyone likes the show. Obviously due to the content and graphic nature, it will offend people. Even some gay people are appalled by the show. But personally I love it. It depicts a group of gay men and women living their lives, making choices - not always the right choices, but dealing with the consequences. In other words, the characters are more human because they are flawed, just like every human being in this world. The content can be graphic, and sometimes offensive (even to gays),as the lifestyle can be shown in it's most brutally honest way. I also appreciate how the principle cast aren't the usual 'classic' gay looking men you see in magazine shoots - neither beefed up muscle men or nancy queens, but ordinary, everyday gays who in their own way are just as physically beautiful as what is depicted in the media.

Now onto the DVD - it amazes me how the actual DVD and the special features hardly get a mention in reviews. Afterall, that's why alot of people buy DVD's!!!! Well, the QAF DVD doesn't disappoint. It is wonderfully packaged in a fold out case with stunning photography of the cast adorning the sleek design. The special features are wonderful - you can tell that considerable effort was made to offer something extra special to fans of the show.

Firstly there are three 'special edition' episodes. Here 'special edition' means the episode with an audio commentary. But the presentation of the commentary is very unique. When one of the actors or producers comments an what's happening on screen, the screen splits in 2 with the scene on one side and the actor/producer shown on the other. A wonderful idea, and one which works brilliantly. Often with commentaries that have many people speaking, it is sometimes hard to tell who is speaking. But here, there is no such problem and it is a joy to watch their expression as they describe their work .Many facinating facts are divulged here also.

Next there is the'bonus features' section on disc 6. Contained here are deleted scenes - all introduced by Hal Sparks who gives indication as to why the scene wasn't used. Hal is a very funny guy who never seems to take himself seriously, and it is very entertaining to watch him 'be himself'. Then comes the 'outtakes' - mainly actors bursting into fits of laughter and fluffing their lines, but nonetheless it's hilarious!!!! Only several minutes long though - in my opinion outtakes are the best feature of any DVD so more is always better! Following on is the section dealing with 'meeting' the characters, actors and executive producers. Mainly written screens of text, but all very readable and entertaining. There is a link to a short video for each actor/producer and whilst these are interesting, they are far too short. Still this section is highly entertaining and gives some extra facts on the characters that you may not know.

The rest of the bonus features comprise trailers and 'sneek peeks' for upcoming seasons. These can be interesting to overseas viewers to see how the show is promoted on air in the US. A moving picture gallery set to music rounds out the extras here (there is also a DVD rom link, but I was unable to access it).

What a wonderful world it is when there is technology like DVD available where we can not only own our favourite TV show to watch whenever and as many times as we like, but also get to explore behind the scenes with (hopefully) a good set of bonus features. Queer As Folk may be too 'far out' to ever be nominated for mainstream awards, and it may be a low budget show on cable that is mainly of interest to gays', but everyone who works on this show should be extremely proud for making such a cutting edge, brutally honest view of the gay world.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Queers rule
Review: My partner and I watched all 22 episodes and were so hooked that we immediately re-watched the entire series again. The plot/character development was certainly interesting enough to hold our interest. Moreover, however, it was terrific to see the gay life-style accurately portrayed.

Our only regret is that there is no local bar that comes even remotely close to Babylon!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You should be able to give this ten stars!
Review: This is one of the most amazing series I have ever seen! Don't be put off if you're not gay (I'm not!) because you will really miss out. QAF has to be the greatest and most explicit exploration yet, and although some may believe that the USA was not ready for this explosive look at gay life, we certainly are!
This is a MUST for ANYONE who has seen QAF and indeed anyone who hasn't!
If you have seen the UK version and liked that, and if you have seen the UK version and HATED that, you'll LOVE this.
I definately recommend this to anyone who loves drama, comedy, love, glitz, and a splashing of real life.
In my words: Long Live Queer as Folk!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The BEST QUEER DRAMA ONE CAN IMAGINE
Review: There aren't words to describe which episode is better or who played it better. Queer as Folk is the TRUE LIFE DRAMA that depicts the lives of everyone of us 'Queers' all around the world. No limitations no boundries ... it has something for everyone and anyone.... Brian!! Micheal !! Justin everyone is just so brilliant .. ITS A MUST SEE and a MUST COLLECT!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A MUST ! - but they cutted out the introductions
Review: Hi Folks,

I have seen Season One first via Morpheus downloads, but bought the DVD-set as well, cause many Episodes were in bad quality.
I like the relationship between Michael and David and all the up and downs.

But I was sad that the really cool intros especially those few with Harvey Fierstein e.g. Episode9 or super cool intro of Episode 18 "... sit down, relaX - We'll take care of you ! ! !" were not on the DVD-set. VERY SAD!!!

The Extras are also OK, maybe some more Bloopers and some more "Behind the Scenes"-Scenes would fully complete the set.

But A MUST for anyone who likes Queer As Folk!

With kind regards
Max Leopold

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good TV
Review: This is one of television's most essential gay television series. It has brought gay lifestyle in its raw form to people around the world. It maintains comedy in the midst of an involving drama, and piques interest throughout the entire season. All that being said, this show also promotes virtually every stereotype ever spread concerning gay men and women, their straight friends and straight people in general, who are with few exceptions depicted as two-dimensional hypocrites. Despite this show's shortcomings, it has a lot to offer, and I'll be looking forward to season 3.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Queer As Folk the First Season
Review: When I first rented this on VHS I was amazed. This is what I had been looking for. I could understand Justin's feelings of coming out to his parents. Especially his dad. This is the greatest show to come out in years. It's about time we saw something like this. I loved it so much I got it on DVD and I keep watching it over and over. It's doesn't get boring even though I know what is going to happen. It is also thought provoking. I can't get Cable ot DSL were I live so I depend on them putting it out on VHS or DVD. I'm still waiting for 2nd Season to become available. Once it's available all things set aside and I'm ordering it. Above anything else. I was so glad that they showed scenes from Season 2 on the 1st Season DVD. I was getting really upset and wanted to see how Justin came out of being bashed in the head by Chris Hobbs. Now I want to see what the courts do to Chris. From the end of the first season I can tell the Bryan does have some feelings for Justin he just will not admit it. It's not in his character to. If anyone hasn't seen this you got to. It is underrated at #5 it is above a 5. It beats "Sex In The City" by far. Oh and if anyone knows what happens to Chris Hobbs don't tell want to see for myself.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best shows on tv!!
Review: Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said about this show. Not much so I will keep it short. I love Queer As Folk, it is by far one of the best shows depicting gays and lesbians. The 6 DVD set of season 1 is awesome. It contains all the episodes from the first season and includes extras as well as a preview of season 2. Go ahead and buy season 1, you will not be disappointed!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fabulous Series
Review: Queer as Folk is a wonderful series from Showtime Television. The story is very real, for anyone living in a major city who is gay/lesbian, and the episodes keep you wanting more. The script for this series was very well thought out, and is very true to life. As soon as you watch the first episode you'll be hooked. Can't wait for the second series to come out on DVD. PS. The Queer as Folk CD Vol. 1 is also very impressive. Check it out, but be weary of the second Vol.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY IT!!!!
Review: I NOW THAT ALMOST $100.00 BUCKS ITS A LOT BUT TRUST ME YOU WON,T REGRET IT. IT'S THE GREATEST TV SHOW AND IT'S MAKING HISTORY SO DON'T WASTE MORE TIME AND JUST BUY IT. I CAN'T WAIT TO BUY THE SECOND SEASON AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.


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