Bored to Death - The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)

HBO's Bored to Death is a half-hour comedy series created by writer Jonathan Ames about writer Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman). In the extras the real Ames states his life informs the series but it is not autobiographical. In the series premiere the fictional Ames decides to become a private investigator like Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe after being dumped by his girlfriend Suzanne (Olivia Thirlby) because the 30-year-old Brooklynite wouldn't quit smoking pot or drinking alcohol, though to be fair he was down to white wine.

The eight episodes of the first season revolve around Ames' unlicensed detective work as he helps others with their lives, which keeps him distracted from having to deal with his own issues, such as accepting why his girlfriend left and trying to complete a second novel. The series' humor is amusing, though frequently dry. The characters are frequently the cause of their own problems, making them familiar to anyone who has seen a few low-budget indie films out of New York.

Schwartzman is a perfect fit as Jonathan, floating between hollow confidence and a malaise brought on by having to be a grown-up; however, although the focal point, Jonathan is the least interesting character of the series. More entertaining are his friend Ray (Zach Galifianakis) and his boss George (Ted Danson). Ray is a comic book writer who is sexually frustrated by his girlfriend Leah (Heather Burns), the mother of two children. Ray is also frustrated because she is constantly on him to improve physically and emotionally. George is the editor of "Edition" and his id is stuck in overdrive as he constantly on the lookout for something fun to do. The series is better whenever either one of them are paired with Jonathan.

The series has drawn an impressive collection of talent to guest star. The roster includes Kristen Wiig and Parker Posey as Jonathan's clients; Bebe Nuerwirth as his book agent; John Hodgman as a writing rival; Oliver Platt as a publishing rival of George's who is also married to Priscilla (Laila Robins), George's most orgasmic ex; and Patton Oswalt as a spy-equipment-store owner where Jonathan shops.

The video is presented with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode displayed at 1.78:1 that is impressive. Colors are strong and the blacks are rich; the latter helping to evoke film noir from the shadows and delineation on display. There's very good detail such as the clearly seen textures of Jonathan yellow-brown corduroy jacket. There are some scenes with grain issues; light colors of blue and red frame the grain, appearing like the image was blown up from 16mm to 35mm. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 isn't fully used for this front-heavy mix that mainly delivers dialogue. The ambiance is so inconsequential it's not clear why anyone bothered. A little more tweaking could have brought the scenes and the city to life.

There are bonus features on both discs and they come in HD. Disc 1 includes commentaries on episode 1 and 3 with Schwartzman, Ames, and the each episode's director. There are also deleted scenes from episodes 3 and 4 (4 min). On Disc 2 there are commentaries on episodes 6 and 8 with Schwartzman and Ames joined by director Adam Bernstein and Ted Damson respectively. There are two deleted scenes from episode 8 (3 min). "Jonathan Ames' Brooklyn" (13 min) finds the writer joined by Schwartzman as they visit the locations where the series shot. "The Making of Bored to Death (20 min) is a typical look behind the scenes of the HBO series.

Bored to Death is not your usual sitcom so those interested in a slightly different comedy should give it a chance though there won't be much lost by sampling it on DVD.

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Bored to Death - The Complete First Season on Blogcritics.

Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection

On December 10, 2009, to the disappointment of their fans, the New Zealand musical-comedy duo of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, known as Flight of the Conchords, announced on their website their Emmy-nominated HBO series, also known as Flight of the Conchords, was not coming back for a third season. As Sean Connery and Francis Ford Coppola can attest, people should never say "never," but as it currently stands at the time of this review's publication, Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection is technically accurate in terms of their work on HBO. Presented in a slipcase are the previous DVD releases of the first and second season along with a DVD their HBO One Night Stand comedy special.

From 2005, One Night Stand features the duo for 30 minutes performing six of their funny songs. "Jenny" is about a guy not remembering a gal he dated. "Think About It" draws attention to the plight of the world. "Business Time" is a sexy number about getting down to business. "Albi" tells the story of a racist dragon. They bring da gangster/folk with "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymnoceros". Bret goes electric with a keytar that mimics a number of instruments for the closing "Boom". Except for "Jenny", they reappear during the series, specifically the first season.

The TV series, similar to HBO's Tenacious D, chronicles two New Zealanders, Bret McClegnie and Jemaine Clemaine (Bret and Jemaine), who have moved to New York to break into the music business. Over the course of 22 episodes (12 in the first season, 10 in the second), viewers witness their very funny exploits as they struggle with their careers and love lives. Guest stars include John Hodgman, Aziz Ansar, Will Forte, John Turturro, Todd Barry, and Demetri Martin in the first season. Greg Proops, Jim Gaffigan, Kristen Wiig, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Patton Oswalt, Lucy Lawless and Seymour Cassel in the second season.

Two highlights of the series are Murray (Rhys Darby), the Deputy Cultural Attaché at the New Zealand consulate and their agent, and the band's only fan/stalker Mel (Kristen Schaal). Murray does his best, but causes equal amounts of harm to their career because he's not very bright. In "Sally," when talking about the turmoil that can be caused by dating someone a bandmate has already been with, he points to Fleetwood Mac until he remembers they "did make some of their best music back then." When Bret offers Rumours as an example, Murray deadpans "No, that's all true." Mel's obsession leads her to frequently show up at gigs, outside their home, and on their dates, which eventually begins to wear on her husband Doug (David Costabile).

It's unfortunate that Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection is already available, but many comedy series make the wise decision to stop while the fans still want more because the work is so good rather than running a franchise into the ground. This set provides hours of laughs and is well worth owning.

The Life & Times of Tim - The Complete First Season

The Life & Times of Tim is the creation of Steve Dildarian, who made a name for himself in advertising with the "Budweiser Lizards" campaign. With his HBO animated series, Dildarian serves as the writer, director, and voice of the twenty-something New Yorker who constantly finds himself in ridiculous and profane situations that might even be too outrageous for channel-mate Larry David. Yet no matter how out of control the situation gets, Tim, whose speech pattern is reminiscent of Ray Romano, always remains calm and even keel. His reactions and dialogue are the source of most of the show's humor.

Tim lives with his girlfriend, Amy (M.J. Otto), and it's amazing she stays with him considering the very first time we meet them is in "Angry Unpaid Hooker," where Tim has to explain to Amy and her parents why he is sitting on the couch with Debbie the prostitute (Bob Morrow). He fumbles his way through an explanation that alternates between very funny and painfully awkward.

Tim doesn’t always get himself in these situations. In "Rodney's Bachelor Party," an obnoxious co-worker (Matt Johnson) at the nondescript Omnicorp invites Tim and his best friend, Stu (Nick Kroll), to what turns out to be the world's worst bachelor party. Tim and Stu are the only people who show up. Not even the strippers came. To allow Rodney to save face, the three decided to make up wild stories of how the evening went. However, Tim doesn't like his story when he learns Rodney told the entire office Tim was "raped by a bum."

Every encounter with Amy's parents is terrible. Tim spoils her sister's wedding with a poor joke suggested by an immoral priest and when Tim takes Amy's dad to a football game, Amy's dad is abused verbally by the crowd and fluidly by Stu's beer-drinking father who attends games so he can holler "Cock!" at the visiting team's fans.

Tim's boss, identified only as "The Boss," also causes Tim a great deal of trouble in exchange for advancement at work that never materializes. From posing as a Hispanic Vice President to escorting The Boss' daughter to the "Senior Prom," it never goes well. Worst of all may be when Tim covers for The Boss' dog since the building has a no-dog policy because he has to claim biting a co-worker on the ankle and pooping by the elevator. There's a great sight gag in The Boss' office as his nameplate on the desk reads "The Boss" while viewed from the back it reads "Not the Boss."

The first season is comprised of 10 shows with two episodes in each show. Notable guest stars include Bob Saget, Jeff Garlin, Cheri Oteri, and Daniel Tosh. The animation is intentionally crude and simple, reminiscent of "Beavis and Butthead" and "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" minus the Squigglevision. The two-DVD set comes with one bonus feature, "Awkward Moments: A Collection of 10 Animated Shorts," which runs for eight minutes.

While definitely not for everyone, The Life & Times of Tim has plenty of laughs for those with a sick and twisted sense of humor.

Rome - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

Created by William J. MacDonald, John Milius, and Bruno Heller, who served as executive producer and head writer, Rome was an American-British-Italian joint venture television drama that aired in the United States on HBO. It ran for two seasons from 2005 to 2007, but high production costs made the series unsustainable.

The first season begins in 52 B.C. with Julius Caesar (Ciarán Hinds) and his armies conquering Gaul. The increase in Caesar's stature makes both his friends and enemies nervous, and rightly so, according to the history books. As the season plays out, a civil war erupts as Rome changes from a republic to an empire. It's intriguing to watch the constantly shifting alliances between characters grappling for power in the Senate halls and the bedroom chambers.

The second season opens in 44 B.C. as 18-year-old Octavian—who would eventually become known as Rome's Emperor Augustus—is appointed Caesar's successor to the disappointment of many, such as Mark Antony and Brutus, who had their own ideas on who should hold the position. The struggle for power continues for years, stretching across Europe and into Egypt before concluding with the series finale in 29 B.C.

Throughout Rome, the series also looks at the lives of the common people through the lives and friendship of soldiers Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). Vorenus is a moral family man who attempts to live by a code. He has been away from his family for eight years when he reunites with them. Pullo's main focus is pleasing his many appetites. They get caught up in the events, some times on opposing sides.

Heller and his team do a fantastic job creating drama and suspense from situations dictated by history. Although viewers may know what the Ides of March brings, the build-up and execution of the events is satisfying due to the screenplay and performances.

The production values are very impressive and it's understandable why the series cost so much. A great amount of detail and work was done to replicate Rome. The large, outdoor scenes are especially impressive spectacles.

Rome – The Complete Series comes to Blu-ray on 10 discs housed in a holder that resembles a book with each disc held in a thick, cardboard page. Themed icons of a sundial appearing under different colors of light appear during loading.

The visuals are presented in 1080p at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and the improvement to the video quality from the higher definition can be seen when accessing the episode previews. Colors are vibrant, particularly the reds, which will be pleasing to Jupiter. Details are vivid with clearly defined textures, such as buildings and fabrics, and edges are sharp. The depth within scenes is evident.

There are issues with candlelight flicker causing banding, creating a strobe effect. Blacks waver between being well rendered and suffering from black crush, evident as detail gets swallowed up in the shadows.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 has a great dynamic range. From the fronts, dialogue is clear and understandable, even when characters are talking softly. Great ambiance fills the surrounds, especially from the massive crowd scenes of Roman revelry. The music on the very first menu thumps through the system and also seems mixed a little higher for the credits as well. The subwoofer comes alive during battle sequences.

The set boasts a lot of extras to inform the viewer. Two interactive features can be accessed during the episodes. "All Roads Lead To Rome" provides historical context and "Bloodlines," accessed through pop-up menu, provides character info and explains relationships to others. Thirteen commentary tracks by Heller and Historical Consultant Jonathan Stamp as well as actors and directors in various combinations discuss the series.

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen" covers the characters and plots of the first season. "The Rise of Rome" explores the production design. "Shot X Shot" provides a breakdown of creating a sequence. A grand parade through the streets marks "Caesar's Triumph" becoming Emperor. "Gladiator" focuses on a fight scene. "When In Rome" focuses on the historical accuracy of the series. All these features are in SD.

Stamp discusses the city in "A Tale of Two Romes." Two features examine historical figures that are characters in the series: "The Rise of Octavian: Rome's First Emperor" and " Antony and Cleopatra." "The Making of Rome: Season II" contrasts the seasons and covers new characters. All these features are in HD.

Though occurring two thousand years ago, the characters' motivations and desires in Rome are no different than those of present day. Like other HBO series Oz and The Sopranos, violence is a way of life, occurring when expected yet also at surprising moments. This, and the nudity, may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's not gratuitous. Rather it is an integral element of the story.

Fans of Rome will be happy to relive the stories, and those who missed it the first time around like I did should discover this well-crafted series, at least through rental.

Generation Kill (Blu-ray)

From the team of David Simon and Ed Burns, the executive producers/writers of The Wire and The Corner, comes the 11-time Emmy-nominated Generation Kill on DVD and Blu-ray. The seven-part HBO miniseries is based on the book by Rolling Stone writer Evan Wright, which began as a three-part series of articles, the first of which went on to win a National Magazine Award for Excellence in Reporting in 2004. He details his time in 2003 embedded with the Marine Corps’ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While the deserts of the Middle East are half a world away from Simon’s normal milieu of the streets of Baltimore, the theme of individuals struggling within a bureaucracy is a familiar one in his work.

As the series begins Wright (Lee Tergesen) joins up with the Marines in Kuwait where he is assigned to ride in Bravo Company’s lead vehicle, which is commanded by Sergeant Brad “Iceman” Colbert (Alexander Skarsgård) and driven by wisecracking Corporal Josh Ray Person (James Ransone). The Marines aren’t thrilled about having to deal with Wright; they figure his left-leaning magazine will paint the soldiers in a bad light to its hippie readership. However as consolation, many of them enjoy the picture of Wright’s girlfriend.

Over the course of the seven episodes, which roughly covers the three months Wright was in the field, we witness the Marines’ journey as they invade Iraq and occupy the city of Baghdad. The days are filled with lethal action and relentless tedium, and they never know if the next Iraqi they meet wants to shower them with flowers or bullets. The fog of war affects their efforts, as does being poorly supplied.

On the front lines, they are constantly put at risk having to discover the correctness of decisions; some of which are made to impress higher-ups while others are no more informed than a coin flip. A few men question their superiors at different times, but this stems from losing trust in their superiors’ competence to adequately protect the men. As a result, two captains have been derisively nicknamed Encino Man and Captain America.

The Marines appear like any other group of people in that a bond unites them and compels them to work together, yet it doesn’t mean they all like each other. There are personality clashes and racists as expected, but most intriguing is seeing some Marines shun Lance Cpl. James Trombley. At a time when the rules of engagement declared all Iraqis hostile, Trombley’s eagerness to get in on the action contributes to his shooting at camel herders off in the distance. However, it is discovered the men he shot at were a couple of unarmed Iraqi boys when their relatives bring them in for medical attention.

While the battle scenes are intensive, the most compelling moments take place as the Marines deal with situations they are not trained nor prepared for. In particular, during a very tense situation as they deal with crowds of Iraqi civilians in Baghdad, a Marine shoots up a car and kills the driver who ignored the warning to stop and headed towards them. It is powerful scene because while the Marine’s response is understandable, regardless of the driver’s intent, he is affected by it.

The miniseries is presented in 1080p High Definition with an aspect ration of 1.78:1. The color palette is rather limited, which is understandable as the Iraqi deserts, recreated in Africa, don’t look like the beaches of Miami. It is mainly comprised of muted variations of green, brown, and blacks with the blacks losing some of their depth and richness during the night sequences. There is evident grain throughout the image, a source choice by the cinematographer.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 engulfs the viewer in the sound mix, putting them square in the convoy as it rumbles across the desert and does battle. Helicopters roar across the speakers as they fly across the sky and sniper fire rings out from locations. Yet with all the commotion, the dialogue doesn’t get lost. Kudos to the sound team because they will cause your head to swivel around.

Basic Training is an exclusive Blu-ray feature on each episode offering a Military Glossary, Chain of Command Chart, and Mission Map to inform the viewer. Each can be viewed through the Pop Up Menu or the arrow keys on remote.

All but episode six have a commentary track. The participants in various combinations are Simon, Burns, Wright, executive producer George Faber, producer Andrea Calderwood, directors Susanna White and Simon Cellar Jones, actors Skarsgård, Ransome, Stark Sands (Lt. Fick), Benjamin Bush (Maj. Eckloff), and Key Military Adviser Eric Kocher (Gunnery Sgt. Barrett), and Marines Tech Advisor Jeffrey Carisalez (Cpl. Smith). “Generation Kill: A Conversation” features Wright talking about the film with members of the 1st Recon Marines and their impressions of the series. There is a making-of HBO special, Deleted Dialogues, and actor Eric Ladin’s Video Diaries he shot over the course of the film.

Generation Kill puts a face on the Marines, the fathers and brothers, friends and neighbors, who are risking their lives and killing on behalf of the country, each for their own reason. The cast and crew do a very good job telling their story through Wright's perspective. It’s too bad the networks have gotten out of the miniseries business, but thankfully HBO has filled that void.

JOHN ADAMS (Blu-ray)

Based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, the seven-part HBO miniseries John Adams is a fascinating look at the Founding Father and second President of the United States. More than just a history lesson of milestones in his life, the story also tells a love triangle between Adams (Paul Giamatti), his wife Abigail (Laura Linney), and the principles that shaped the country he would help create.

The series opens in 1770 on the night of the Boston Massacre, which epitomized the high tensions between the colonists and the British. John reluctantly defends the British soldiers because he believes every man deserves representation in a free society. The love and respect he and Abigail have for each other is evident as he asks her advice regarding his closing arguments. John is approached about running for office, but declines. However, he is compelled to become more involved in politics when he sees a mob tar and feather a British sailor in the streets.

Part Two opens with the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia as the representatives work to devise a unified course of action. Here, Adams crosses paths with Benjamin Franklin (Tom Wilkinson), George Washington (David Morse), and Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane), and he is instrumental in getting the Congress to sign on to the Declaration of Independence. Back in Massachusetts, his family deals with small pox.

Part Three finds Adams traveling Europe seeking aid for the Revolutionary War efforts. Years before France’s revolution, the ruling class is decadent. Franklin immerses himself in the lifestyle while John remains resolute about his purpose and rigid in his behavior, which causes the French to request he leave. He then approaches the Dutch for help. His teenage son John Quincy heads to Russia as a secretary for Francis Dana, the American envoy to Russia.

The Revolutionary War ends in Part Four. John heads to Paris for signing of the peace treaty, and calls for Abigail, who he hasn’t seen in five years, to join him. John is made Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and soon after returning to America is elected the country’s first Vice President because he came in second behind George Washington for President.

Part Five reveals John frustrated in the mostly powerless position as Vice President. He presides over the Senate, but only casts a vote during a tie. Washington does not include John in his Cabinet, but later seeks his counsel as the both France and England struggle to bring the new nation into their conflict. The Adams’ children are grown up and beginning to form their lives. The episode concludes with John’s inauguration as President of the United States.

John’s one Presidential term is explored in Part Six. He finds himself at odds and in between the political struggles of Vice President Jefferson and former Treasury secretary/Federalist Party leader Alexander Hamilton, both of whom worked to undermine his and his re-election bid. John signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts and kept the country out of an all-out war with France.

John’s retirement and remaining years up to 1826 are covered in the final part. He loses his wife and daughter, sees his son John Quincy elected President, and through correspondence repairs his friendship with Jefferson. The men would die hours apart on July 4th.

It’s easy to see why John Adams was showered with awards. History is brought to life by the amazing talents of the cast and crew. Giamatti creates a believable person, infused with passion and imperfections, intelligence and social awkwardness. He and Linney make the love between John and Abigail palpable in every scene. The production design team did marvelous work from the costumes and sets, and the make-up team did an excellent job aging the actors almost 60 years.

The series has one major flaw and it’s the overuse of the Dutch angle that distracted from the visual presentation of the story. I am surprised no one pulled director Tom Hooper and cinematographers Tak Fujimoto and Danny Cohen aside after seeing the rushes because it was more a distraction than anything else.

The video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The ornate costumes and production design are vividly detailed and the textures can be clearly seen. Even hair strands on wigs are clearly delineated. The brightness of the colors is limited, mainly the outdoors scenes are where the hues would shine, but that stems from the source material. The red on the British uniforms stands out among the dark earth tones of the colonists, but they aren’t vivid enough to pop off the screen. Instead, they blend within the scene. In most scenes, the faces reveal pores and blemishes, but a couple of instances, it looks like they were smoothed over, possibly through DNR.

The audio is 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. At the onset, the wind could be heard whipping though the through the rear speaker. The battle sequences fill the sound system sound, and the cannons pound through the subwoofer. Sounds like closing doors offscreen were placed well. The only issue is some of the whispering was hard to hear and required a louder volume.

Two HBO specials are included as Bonus Features. “Making John Adams” covers different aspects about the production, and “David McCullouh: Painting with Words” focuses on the book’s author.

“Facts Are A Stubborn Thing” and “Who’s Who In History” are two enhanced Blu-ray Features offer pop-up historical information, but they have to be selected together. Normally, I don’t want to be distracted when I watch a film, but for the most part I found these to be very helpful in informing what I was watching. However, some that foretold events that would later be seen in the miniseries could have been cut regardless of the fact that they are events hundreds years old.

While thoroughly engaging, the story of John Adams remains regrettably topical as people the world over continue working to remove the shackles of tyranny and oppression under which they live. While not everything presented is historically accurate, John Adams should engage the viewers and may drive them to history books. Not solely to verify what takes place on screen, but to learn the rich history of what has come before them.

Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger (3-Disc Collector's Edition)

This 80-minute HBO special was culled from Chris Rock’s 2008 “No Apologies” world tour. He shows the universality of his humor and his skills as a comedian by editing material together from three different shows: Carnival City Casino in Johannesburg, South Africa; the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York; and the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London, England. The location changes are evident because he wears different clothes and has different backgrounds at each show, occurring at times within the same bit, and occasionally repeating moments for emphasis, which may be disconcerting for some viewers.

The concert is funny, offering plenty to laugh at, but Rock is a bit of a victim of his previous successes because the material in this special doesn’t reach the same high levels as his previous work. He doesn’t offer the insightful comedic social criticism like his classic bit “Niggas vs. Black People.” He does comes close when he points out how foolish the media and pundits are when talking about voters and Obama. Those who state that blacks only voted for Obama because he was black missed the boat. Rock points out it was because Obama was black and qualified; blacks wouldn’t have voted Flavor Flav for President.

Rock is rightfully considered one of the top stand-up comics working today, but anyone can make jokes about McCain being old and Bush being stupid. That’s not to say that Rock’s jokes on the topics he covers aren’t funny. His takes are better than his peers, but as a fan I expected to be caught more offguard with his material, instead of hearing standard fare like the differences between men and women in terms of dating and going out with friends.

Those new to Rock should know he uses a lot of crude and vulgar language, which he relies on too much. He diminishes the power of the words with their frequency rather than using them as strong punctuation. Unlike Richard Pryor’s conversion, visiting Africa did not change Rock’s perspective on the word “nigga,” which he uses frequently. He informs white people when they are allowed to say the word, like if it’s in a song by Dr. Dre or Kanye, but “it’s got to be in the song.” The other time is a very funny set of circumstances involves taking a beating on Xmas Eve.

The three-disc set contains the original HBO special on disc one, the New York performance and a digital copy of the show on disc two, and the South Africa and London performances as well as a “Conversation with Rock,” explaining his thinking behind the worldwide tour, on disc three. Unfortunately, “Conversation” doesn’t even run five minutes. The expanded set is best left for hardcore Rock fans and those who study comedy. The individual shows all run longer than the special and each contains different material, some specific to the locale.

While it may not be a landmark performance that has to be seen, Chris Rock – Kill The Messenger is still a funny comedy special, best watched with as many friends as possible.

George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya (Blu-ray)

Legendary comedian George Carlin performed It's Bad For Ya, his 14th and unfortunately his last HBO comedy special live on March 1, 2008 from Wells Fargo Center For The Arts in Santa Rosa, California. A CD of the performance was previously released on July 29, 2008 and it is now available for home video on DVD and Blu-ray.

As the 68-minute special opens, Carlin walks out onto a stage that is dressed like a cozy living room. He wears a black shirt and pants and both his hair and beard are short and white. He now looks like someone’s kindly grandfather, leaving the viewer wondering if time has tempered his humor and language. He dispels any notion of that immediately, guns a-blazin’, with his declaration, “Fuck Lance Armstrong!” followed by, “And fuck Tiger Woods, too!” It’s startling to hear someone attack such accomplished and widely revered athletes. However, Carlin isn’t just trying to shock or be silly; he wants to make a point with his humor. He is sick of being told whom to admire and thinks everyone should decide for themselves.

Carlin’s comedy is geared to make you think about what he calls “humanity’s bullshit.” The show’s material has funny takes that cover the lifespan, from death to ugly babies. He goes after the self-esteem movement because not all kids are equal. He questions what people do in the afterlife and the notion that people’s parents look after them from Heaven. He is certain the Menedez brothers’ parents, who were killed by their children, took a pass and headed out into the universe. He also wonders why people are proud to be an American or Irish because “pride should be in something you achieve on your own, not something by accident of birth.”

But make no mistake: Carlin loves to be silly because eliciting laughter is his main goal, which is why he makes goofy faces to punctuate his jokes. In one routine, there’s no message behind his declaration that he’s an old fuck, which he points out is different from old man and an old fart. He details some of benefits of his age. He doesn’t have to worry about lifting heavy objects because someone will always help him if he pretends to struggle with it. He can leave any event early using the excuse he’s tired, even if it’s 7:30AM. He doesn’t have to remember anything anymore. He can even shit in his pants. In fact, it’s expected.

In the special, Carlin has one bit that’s not up to par with the rest of the material and went on for too long, which is ironic because it was about people who talk for too long about nothing important, both in person and over the phone.

As Carlin closes the show, he gets slightly more serious but is still humorous as he talks about the power of government and the delusion people have about their rights. He explains what Americans really have is a Bill of Temporary Privileges, and if we disagree, his proof is the Japanese Americans who were interred in 1942 because their parents were born in another country. He bids farewell to a loud round of applause.

Unfortunately, this is the last collection of new material Carlin will give us. Thankfully, much of his material is available in some form because his keen gift to skewer Life’s big stuff and its little stuff is needed. When they build the Mount Rushmore of stand-up comedians, he will be on it.

Although this was certainly no test of the format’s capabilities, the high definition video looks great. It looks consistent throughout and there were no flaws as if Carlin were performing in the same room with you. The audio is 2.0 PCM lossless and mainly uses the front speakers. The surround picks up the audience. There’s not much work for a subwoofer.

The Blu-ray has two extras. “Too Hip for The Room” was recorded on 12/17/2007 and it’s a 30-minute featurette where Carlin interviewed in 2007 for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation’s “Archive of American Television.” Carlin provides an autobiography of his life and career. It was interesting to hear him say he hadn’t found his “voice” until in 1992, which was at least 20 years after he had given up the straight life and became a counterculture comedian.

His previous stand-up persona is captured on the other feature from an appearance on The Jackie Gleason Show from 1/25/69. Carlin has no beard, wears a suit, and his material is more traditional as he does a bit about the FBI having their own version of The Tonight Show. It ran for eight minutes and sounded like the audience laughter was canned because of how abruptly it stopped. The video shows its age. This is not yet the man who would inform the world of the “Seven Words You Cannot Say On TV.”

The Wire: The Complete Fourth Season

In a 2004 interview, Norman Mailer claimed, “The Great American Novel is no longer writable.” He was wrong about that, although he may have been looking in the wrong place. HBO’s The Wire, the best television show to air during the decade, is a large, sweeping tale about the American inner city and its institutions. It’s set in Baltimore, Maryland, but could take place anywhere because the characters and stories are universal.

Created by former Baltimore Sun reporter David Simon and former police officer and school teacher Ed Burns, the series expands and combines their previous work set in the city, Simon’s Homicide: Life on the Street and their collaborative effort The Corner. The first season focused on the Baltimore police department and its investigation of the drug-dealing gang led by Avon Barksdale. The second season expanded to include the involvement and struggles of the city’s longshoremen. The third season dealt with politics, from Stringer Bell trying to reform the Barksdale gang and its relationship with its competitors, to white Councilman Tommy Carcetti running for mayor of a predominantly black city, and Major Howard “Bunny” Colvin’s radical idea of controlling crime by creating a free zone for drug dealers in an abandoned part of the city.

The fourth season, recently released on DVD, examines the education system. The viewer is introduced and follows the plight of four young boys. Michael and Dukie both have parents who are junkies. Michael is quiet but tough and helps raise his little brother. Dukie is smart but socially awkward and is constantly picked on because he is weak and has poor hygiene. Randy is a foster child who has learned to get by as a hustler, selling snacks and information to try and stay one step ahead. Namond is the son of Wee-Bay, who went to jail for the Barksdale gang in season one. Namond’s mother expects him to step up and work the streets slinging drugs, but under all his bluster, Namond isn’t equipped for it like his father. These plotlines are based on Burns’ time as a seventh-grade schoolteacher and show from where the corner boys come.

Familiar characters from the series cross the boys’ lives. Colvin works a program for disruptive youths at the school. Another former cop, Roland “Prez” Pryzbylewski finds his calling as the boys’ math teacher. Former drug dealer enforcer Dennis “Cutty” Wise stays on the straight and narrow as he runs a local boxing gym, which interests Michael. Homeless, drug addict Bubbles does his best to help out and show the ropes to Sherrod, a teenager living on the streets. Previous storylines from season three about the mayoral primary race and about up-and-comer Marlo Stanfield’s gang filling the void in west Baltimore after the demise of the Barksdale gang continue throughout the season.

The strength of the series begins with the writing led by Simon and Burns. The staff, which includes noted authors Richard Price, Dennis Lehane and George Pelecanos, presents believable characters that are complex, allowing their actions to be believable in the situations they find themselves in. The viewer develops rooting interests regardless of whether the character is a cop or criminal. The harsh reality of the effects of crime and drugs is rough, but is occasionally offset by a twisted sense of humor required by those who deal daily with such grim circumstances.

The depth of the writing also requires the viewer to pay attention, not just to an episode where there’s no telling when a moment in a scene is going to come back and have relevance, but also to the larger story, the actual story taking place in our lives. There’s no direct preaching, but the message about the corruption of institutions, the War on Drugs, and No Child Left Behind rings through loud and clear.

The cast is fantastic, some of the best acting on television. There are no leads as it is one giant supporting ensemble, interacting with one another as these characters lives intersect throughout the city. The series has been a great showcase for African American actors.

The bonus features include six commentary tracks by crew and cast members and two documentaries about the show. All provide great insight to the creation and execution of the show from pre- to post-production.

It’s a shame that season five of The Wire, starting Jan. 6th on HBO and Dec 31st on HBO On Demand, is the last time we will be visiting this world. Thankfully, it can be revisited at leisure on DVD, which would be equally at home in your video or book library.