| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Soul Food: The Complete First Season
Paramount // Unrated // June 24, 2003
List Price: $89.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
THE EPISODES
I was a little wary going into Soul Food, the complete first season of a show that (to my knowledge) is still in production and going into its next season on SHOWTIME. For starters, I had never seen the 1997 movie upon which it was based, nor had I ever heard of this show, although I've been a subscriber to SHOWTIME for several years (guessed I've been too wrapped up in The Sopranos on that other pay station!). Added to that fact was my concern that I, a WASP, may not be the best reviewer to judge a series that is written by, directed by and stars African Americans and is essentially about the African American experience of living in the United States (more specifically, Chicago) and trying to get by.
Fortunately, all the worry was unnecessary. While Soul Food is indeed about the African American experience, it also doesn't fall into any of the clichés that so many similar series and movies do. In fact, it tries to portray the characters as "real" as it possibly can – but sadly that sometimes leads to rather average stories, rather than more interesting and developed ones. But at all times, the viewer will feel that he or she is watching a real family, rather than a fictionalized one, so that perhaps is the best praise one can give to such a series.
The show focuses on the three sisters of the Joseph family, their relationships with each other and their relationships with the men in their lives. The pilot episode, "The More Things Change", introduces us to all the characters as one of the sisters, Bird (Malinda Williams) gives birth to a son.
Fans of Richard Roundtree (the black private dick who's a sex machine to all the chicks!) will be happy to hear that he has a recurring role in the first season as a business partner of the sisters' father. Other notable guest stars also pop up in season one, including Dennis Haysbert (from 24), Isaiah Washington (Exit Wounds) and Tyra Banks.
It should also be pointed out that although "Unrated", Soul Food does contain language and the occasional sexual situation, so buyers concerned about such content should know that this series is basically "R" rated, although it is never exploitative in the use of its language or nudity.
THE DVD
Video:
The episodes are presented in full-frame, although I have no knowledge of if this is the way they were originally shot – although they do appear to be framed properly, so I'm guessing this is their original format. This is an average transfer for a television series, with a nice color balance, but some obvious pixilation noticeable in the static backgrounds (in other words, the parts of the scene that aren't in motion) of many scenes.
Audio:
The audio here is in 2.0 Dolby only – but it's serviceable, since the vast majority of each episode is dialogue-heavy.
Extras:
This is where this box set really loses the points. There are no extras whatsoever. Not even a chapter selection for each episodes (which there should be, considering each show is almost an hour in length). No commentaries, no interviews, not even any previews for other titles. Nada. Zip. Ziltch. Donut.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Soul Food is an enjoyable show, no matter what your race or ethnic background – but the lack of any bonus material or particularly notable video and audio make this set one for rental, rather than one for purchase. I'm assuming Paramount released this box set bare-bones because they weren't sure if it was worth it to invest in taking the time for bonus material (they did a similar thing, although not nearly to this extreme, with season one of CSI), so hopefully if enough people check this one out, season two will have a little more in the way of extras and A/V quality. But that doesn't mean you should spend your hard-earned DVD dollar on such a lackluster effort, either. Rent this one first, and only purchase if you really enjoy the show.
I was a little wary going into Soul Food, the complete first season of a show that (to my knowledge) is still in production and going into its next season on SHOWTIME. For starters, I had never seen the 1997 movie upon which it was based, nor had I ever heard of this show, although I've been a subscriber to SHOWTIME for several years (guessed I've been too wrapped up in The Sopranos on that other pay station!). Added to that fact was my concern that I, a WASP, may not be the best reviewer to judge a series that is written by, directed by and stars African Americans and is essentially about the African American experience of living in the United States (more specifically, Chicago) and trying to get by.
Fortunately, all the worry was unnecessary. While Soul Food is indeed about the African American experience, it also doesn't fall into any of the clichés that so many similar series and movies do. In fact, it tries to portray the characters as "real" as it possibly can – but sadly that sometimes leads to rather average stories, rather than more interesting and developed ones. But at all times, the viewer will feel that he or she is watching a real family, rather than a fictionalized one, so that perhaps is the best praise one can give to such a series.
The show focuses on the three sisters of the Joseph family, their relationships with each other and their relationships with the men in their lives. The pilot episode, "The More Things Change", introduces us to all the characters as one of the sisters, Bird (Malinda Williams) gives birth to a son.
Fans of Richard Roundtree (the black private dick who's a sex machine to all the chicks!) will be happy to hear that he has a recurring role in the first season as a business partner of the sisters' father. Other notable guest stars also pop up in season one, including Dennis Haysbert (from 24), Isaiah Washington (Exit Wounds) and Tyra Banks.
It should also be pointed out that although "Unrated", Soul Food does contain language and the occasional sexual situation, so buyers concerned about such content should know that this series is basically "R" rated, although it is never exploitative in the use of its language or nudity.
THE DVD
Video:
The episodes are presented in full-frame, although I have no knowledge of if this is the way they were originally shot – although they do appear to be framed properly, so I'm guessing this is their original format. This is an average transfer for a television series, with a nice color balance, but some obvious pixilation noticeable in the static backgrounds (in other words, the parts of the scene that aren't in motion) of many scenes.
Audio:
The audio here is in 2.0 Dolby only – but it's serviceable, since the vast majority of each episode is dialogue-heavy.
Extras:
This is where this box set really loses the points. There are no extras whatsoever. Not even a chapter selection for each episodes (which there should be, considering each show is almost an hour in length). No commentaries, no interviews, not even any previews for other titles. Nada. Zip. Ziltch. Donut.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Soul Food is an enjoyable show, no matter what your race or ethnic background – but the lack of any bonus material or particularly notable video and audio make this set one for rental, rather than one for purchase. I'm assuming Paramount released this box set bare-bones because they weren't sure if it was worth it to invest in taking the time for bonus material (they did a similar thing, although not nearly to this extreme, with season one of CSI), so hopefully if enough people check this one out, season two will have a little more in the way of extras and A/V quality. But that doesn't mean you should spend your hard-earned DVD dollar on such a lackluster effort, either. Rent this one first, and only purchase if you really enjoy the show.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||